Meeting of the Six Kings Ch. 05

She was a slave once more.

He turned her around to face him, but saw that she wouldn't meet his gaze. When he tilted her chin up softly, he saw a single tear had slipped from the corner of her eye.

"Hey." He said to her quietly. "This is just jewelry. You are no different to me now than you were just moments ago."

Then, he continued, "I won't take you back there...ever. I'm not going to let you go."

Her eyelashes fluttered as she heard his words. She wasn't sure she understood entirely what he was saying.

"I still have a lot to figure out," he continued. "And, hell. We still have to face today." His tone betraying the absurdity of their circumstances.

"But, I already put a few things in motion. I'm extending your contract."

She eyed him skeptically.

"I know," he acknowledged. "I'm working on the funding part. But, I'm serious. I'm going to take you home with me later."

She couldn't hold back the flood of tears as her heart surged with hope. She could hardly dare to believe it. She knew that nothing was permanent and this was hardly a promise for her future. But just knowing that these wouldn't be their final hours together. That she'd get more time. That was enough for the moment.

She hugged him tightly and cried into his neck. "Thank you, Ryan. Thank you so much."

He held her for a moment more feeling the same sense of relief that at least, for now, they didn't have to consider their good-byes.

Then, composing himself, he stepped back and said, "This is a big day. Let's pack up, eat a bit of breakfast..." He gestured at the tray of what was likely now cold coffee and a few pastries that had been left for them. "and get ready to go."

She smiled and nodded her head, turning to the bedroom to pack up her few belongings, leaving Ryan alone in the dining room.

___

All too soon there was a knock at the door. There stood the butler, beckoning them to follow him to the parlor where the Kings had gathered.

Ryan couldn't help but feel nervous as they followed him down the corridor, but he also felt some relief that this whole affair would be over soon. Regardless of the decision of the Kings, he was ready to leave them behind and pursue, in earnest, a future with Catrine.

As the elevator doors closed, he reached over and clasped Catrine's hand tightly in his. She was even more alluring to him now that he knew more about her and now that she had opened herself up to him so readily. Risking the butler's scorn, he picked up her hand and kissed each knuckle gently, giving her one final heart-stopping smile before the ding warned that the doors were about to open.

Catrine felt her cheeks blush as she lowered her gaze, adjusted her posture, and found her place behind Ryan. When they entered the parlor, the Kings all seemed fairly relaxed, chatting over their breakfasts as they reclined in over-stuffed chairs. Without the formality of the huge desks and the high cathedral ceilings, it was clear that the agenda for the morning would be more informal than the previous days.

King Preston noticed Ryan and beckoned him to join them, gesturing to an open seat. Catrine joined him, knelling on a cushion just beside the chair.

"Good morning Ryan," he said amiably. "Restful night?" By his tone and expression, Ryan assumed he was alluding to the number of hours he and Catrine had spent sequestered in their room.

If you only knew, he thought dryly.

Instead, flashing his most dazzling smile he made eye contact with the group and said, "I wouldn't call it restful, exactly. But it was certainly...satisfying." As he said this, he stroked Catrine's hair softly, pulling it behind her shoulder. He hoped the gesture would soothe her while simultaneously reinforcing his words to the Kings.

The group laughed and raised their cups of coffee in toast. They all certainly seemed to be in jovial moods this morning.

Catrine noticed that several of the slaves were busy preparing food and refilling coffee cups. She turned her body slightly towards Ryan to get his attention. When he made eye contact with her, she asked him quietly, "Would you like your coffee now, Master?"

"Yes please, my sweet." He replied, feeling as though they were both acting in some sort of bizarre play.

Watching her though, as she rose gracefully to her feet and made her way to the tables at the back, he remembered that this was her reality. Under any other circumstance and still, if he was honest with himself, under the current circumstance, this was just another day in her macabre life.

She presented him with his cup and sank back into the cushion beside him as the others seemed to also settle into their chairs, looking expectantly towards Roberts, who would kick-off the formal matters of the day.

Clearing his throat but not standing, Roberts began. "Well, let's just get right to the heart of it, shall we?"

"Mr. Pierce, thank you for joining us this morning, and for being such an active participant in these last few days of discussion. As you are likely aware, we do not often invite guests to join us at this conference. So, your attendance was a unique experience both for you and also for us."

"We very much appreciated the thoughtfulness of your proposal and your approach to the development of the southern territories. You were highly recommended by your boss and we now recognize why he gave you such high marks. We think you did well both in sharing these plans with us and in answering our questions during our sessions these past few days."

His eyes crinkled a bit as he smiled again. "But, surely you've wondered why it would be so important to join us in person and for such a long stay too? While the southern territories are large, they certainly are not the most complicated topic we've ever addressed at the Council..."

Not sure if this was his cue to speak, Ryan nodded by paused before answering. Thankfully, the King continued with his speech before Ryan needed to interject further.

"Technically, the territory we've been discussing straddles the boundaries of Hall's land as well as my own, but we share resources with the whole council. The territory as a whole is hardly developed; endless open spaces, few towns, paths that you can hardly call roads; a frozen tundra in the winter and a rainy, muddy mess in the summer."

"Ryan, here's the truth. We're not getting any younger and our interest in straying so far from the heart of our primary governing territory is waning. So, at this very meeting last year, we decided to seek a dedicated resource to manage the work in the southern territories; someone qualified to oversee it and act as a proxy to the Council."

"This is where you come in. We have taken these past few days to determine whether you could be qualified and trusted to manage the development of the southern territories on our behalf. Speaking plainly, we are prepared to green light your proposal in its entirety on the condition that you serve as the foreman of the program. Immediately. And indefinitely."

"The most significant requirement, of course, is that you resettle there, commuting back to the capital only a few times each year to report on progress and revisit development goals. Although, even those trips, at least initially, would be very limited since you will undoubtedly have so much work on your hands."

"Of course," he finished hastily, "we would look to compensate you generously in exchange for your commitment."

Ryan sat unmoving in his chair as he considered exactly what they had just proposed. As Roberts had concluded his short speech, all eyes had turned to regard him expectantly and he was certain his expression betrayed all of his thoughts. His mouth opened and closed a few times as though he was beginning to speak, but thought better of it.

They had certainly taken him by surprise. He couldn't even begin to grasp all of the implications. This meant leaving his family, his job, the life he'd worked to establish. On the other hand, it meant the freedom to pursue his own dream, getting beyond the constraints of his company and working to really develop his passions to the fullest. Unfortunately, he realized instantly, it also meant being more closely aligned with the Kings, who had not proven themselves to be particularly trustworthy or compassionate allies.

As his mind swam with thoughts, he glanced towards Catrine, realizing that perhaps she was the most complicating factor of all. He was far from figuring out how to pay for her freedom and the task of doing that from the wilderness, with thousands of miles between them, would be impossible.

Then, in a flash, everything came together in his mind with perfect certainty. He leaned forward to address the room, softly squeezing Catrine's shoulder, as he began to speak.

"Thank you so much for your trust in me. I am honored to be considered for this role and I'm humbled by your offer. I would like to work to find a way to negotiate terms that would benefit both parties."

"You are asking me to leave my whole life behind to start again in a space you yourself just described as a wilderness. I have no spouse or family to accompany me on this journey. I am worried that over time, the isolation and loneliness would creep in and eventually it would get the best of me. Clearly, this would not be beneficial to anyone."

"So, to move forward, I ask just one single condition for this arrangement."

Roberts interjected, "Of course. I'm sure most anything can be arranged."

"Thank you, Your Grace." He continued, "I ask that you pay the transfer and ownership papers for this pleasure slave to accompany me and be in my service indefinitely."

Catrine broke her practiced stillness and stared with surprise towards Ryan before quickly regaining her self-control. Wise to the ways of the Council, she knew that the Kings weren't really making him an offer. They were issuing him an assignment. For him to make a demand like this, for her paperwork - for her - was certain to exceed the terms of any agreement they had anticipated brokering with him.

The room exploded in rapid-fire conversation around them. Catrine couldn't make out everything being said, but the words absurd and expense were exchanged several times. Glancing again at Ryan, she saw only fearlessness in his eyes as he stared determinedly forward.

Hall put his hand up to silence the conversation, turning to Ryan he said evenly, "Clearly, Mr. Pierce, your request has taken us by surprise. Would you be so kind as to exit for a few moments so that we can continue this discussion in private?"

"Girls," he continued, "You are also dismissed. We'll call on you later."

Though she was reluctant to leave his side, Catrine stood with the other slaves and made her way to follow them from the room. She noticed Ryan reaching for her hand as she passed in front of his chair, giving him a quick but violent shake of her head.

She knew that any breach of protocol at that moment would likely reveal too much about the nature of their relationship. That, she also knew, would obliterate the chance of her staying with him.

Watching her turn the corner, Ryan nodded once to the Kings and turned to walk into the hall, closing the door behind him. Sighing, he realized that he once again found himself left waiting and alone. This time, it seemed, with the highest stakes yet.

—-

Back in the slaves quarters, Catrine did her best to deflect the peppering of questions from the other women. She had learned that secrets were easily revealed through bribes or beatings; They were best left unshared. Instead, she spoke of her own surprise at Ryan's request, her total lack of familiarity with the territory, and that overall, having a single Master would be preferable to her current circumstances. All three statements were truthful and seemed to pacify the others.

The women bored of the conversation and shifted their attention to other activities. Catrine wandered over to the windows and sat at a small bench. Gazing at the buildings outside she whispered a small prayer that somehow this wish could be granted. As she finished, she closed her eyes and began the words again.

She continued this meditative prayer for hours, watching the sun begin its descent into the evening sky. She was worried. They had heard nothing more from the Kings for hours and her imagination began to interfere with rational thought. Questions popping into her mind for which she had no answers: How long did it take to write up a contract? What if they wouldn't meet his terms? What if she never saw him again? Fear began to take its hold on her as she struggled to fight back a growing sense of dread.

She heard the sound of a door opening and she stood, turning hopefully towards it. Her eyes widened as she saw not Ryan's figure, but two hulking figures striding purposefully towards her. She recognized them immediately. They were the orderlies and they had come to retrieve her.

She stumbled backwards one step as the meaning of their appearance crashed over her. She managed to let out a solitary howl as her mind careened off-course. She smelled the familiar sour odor of the drug as a handkerchief was pressed firmly against her nose and mouth. Within seconds, she crumpled to the floor.

—

Four Days Later

The Vultures had isolated her and given her no explanation; Left alone in a barren room for nearly four days with nothing to do but wallow in her fears. Had Ryan revealed her transgressions to them? Did they know how terribly she had erred? That she had allowed him to remove her collar. That she had come of her own free will and not at the command of her Master. She was terrorized by the possibility of her punishment.

Beyond her own fears, she worried for Ryan. Had they taken him into custody for some reason? Had he left safely? Where could he be now and was he okay?

Awake, she trembled in bed. When sleep finally took her, she was wracked by wicked nightmares of Kings and their games. Each one, somehow aware of her deepest secrets.

Crueler still, she was tortured by her sweet dreams of Ryan. In her sleep, she found his dazzling eyes and heard his soft words. She could smell his scent and feel his arms enveloping her. She could almost reach him there, curling up against his warmth forever, only to awaken with a gasp, cold and alone once more.

The uncertainty of her punishment and the dim prospect for her future, was her near undoing. She was considering pounding on the doors, knowing that would only lead to a punishment, just for the confirmation that someone, somewhere could hear her.

Just as she neared her limit, her door swung open and two women buzzed about. Totally overwhelmed by their noise, colors, and their motions, Catrine closed her eyes tightly and put her hands over her ears, curling her head between her knees.

"Oh dear. It seems the little thing is a bit distressed." Said the first woman.

"Not totally surprising really, is it?" The other answered.

The first woman sat down on the bed next to Catrine and softly pressed her hand against her head, smoothing her hair back gently.

"Catrine is it?" She asked softly.

Catrine dared to raise her head, nodding once and looking with confusion at the two women in her room. They appeared to be free women. Like the Kings, they were dressed in a kaleidoscope of colors; long draped silks that ran from the tops of their necks to the bottoms of their toes. The fabric was so long, it piled around their feet as they moved about her room. They wore dozens of bangles that clanked together and huge beaded earrings that were hardly visible because of the voluminous hair that completed their looks.

"Well, Catrine." She continued and Catrine forced herself to focus on the woman's face. "It seems you have been Claimed. Not too surprising, a pretty thing like you. I'm Marla and this is my sister, Cecily. We're here to get you ready to meet your new Master."

"Which is a good thing," Cecily piped up. "Because you look like hell at the moment." Marla shot a warning glance at her sister before they turned expectantly back to Catrine.

Trying to absorb exactly what they had just said, she repeated the words back to them. "Claimed?" She asked in disbelief. "New Master?" She asked again. This was not anything she had anticipated following her past few days in solitary confinement.

"Come now." Cecily responded. "We don't have much time. We'll tell you what we know once we get started"

The women helped Catrine to stand and supported her gently as they traveled down a corridor and into a large bathroom. After helping her into a piping hot, sudsy bath, they scrubbed her from top to bottom, washing her hair and grooming her nails. When they were satisfied with that step, Cecily moved on to cut Catrine's hair while Marla shaped her brows and assessed her nails. They groomed her with great efficiency and once they were satisfied with her state, they began chatting with her about the details of her paperwork.

"I hear the whole thing has been very hush-hush." Whispered Cecily, conspiratorially. "Usually these kinds of things can take months to negotiate, but apparently, this whole thing was settled just a few days ago!"

Catrine's ears couldn't help but perk up at this bit of information. Could it be possible that Ryan had negotiated this? Could she dare to hope?

"...I don't how you managed to impress him so fast, but it sounds like they were very motivated to move mountains to get their hands on you, my dear!" Marla finished as she pulled out her make-up case and set it loudly on a table in front of them.

"Do you know anything about my new Master?" She dared to ask.

Marla thought a moment and then replied, "No. No names have been shared."

But, then Cecily interjected excitedly, "But, there has been a lot of talk and speculation! Apparently, the order arrived directly from the Council. An order from King Arick himself!"

Marla shot Cecily a look encouraging her to shut her mouth immediately. But, Catrine was no longer paying attention to the women. She went pale and swallowed hard as she realized the likely meaning behind these events; the worst fate imaginable. She had dared let herself think for a moment that Ryan had succeeded. But, she knew of course, that it was much more likely that he had failed. And in his failure, Arick had stepped in to claim her.

She shuddered in her chair and closed her eyes trying to stop tears from welling up.

"Now my dear!" exclaimed Marla, "None of that now. You'll ruin my fine work."

"And besides," she continued as she blotted the tear from her cheek with a tissue. "It is always better to be Claimed than to be here, right?"

"Not by a King." Catrine whispered desperately. "Not by that King."

The two women exchanged another look. They knew that having a girl who fell to pieces in her presentation to her Master would reflect poorly on them - and furthermore, would do her no favors in the long run. As Cecily wrapped one arm around her, Marla turned and knelt so that she was just inches from Catrine's face.

"My girl," She began. "In your circumstance, you probably know better than anyone, that there is no guessing about the future. You only have this moment. And, it is up to you and only you, how you will face it."

Catrine took a deep breath and turned to look into Marla's eyes. They were soft and soulful and she found them filled with sympathy as she looked back at her.

"Now," she continued. "Let's finish getting you ready so that you can discover where you are meant to go next."