Three

Spirits bless me and guide my path to success, Ninallia prayed as she turned toward the market street again. This would be the second day of school she missed in less than a week. The absence couldn’t be helped. She walked until her aunt’s building was no longer in view before retrieving the card from her pocket to check the address. The credit symbol on the small square card blinked. She hurried to a terminal and slid it into the reader. The account showed another one hundred credits on the card.

With disbelief, she stared at the amount. She couldn’t bring herself to cash these out. After boarding the transport, she handed the driver one of her remaining credit coins to take a transport bus to Madama Ector’s establishment. The address on the card was unfamiliar, but the driver assured her it was in one of the wealthiest areas of the Imperial City. She thanked him and took an empty seat.

As the transport weaved through busy streets and increasingly posh neighborhoods, she fought the temptation to lean out the window to gawk at the wealth on display in shop windows and buildings. With a whoosh of airbrakes, the transport stopped.

The driver pointed to a multistory marble and stone building surrounded by rich lawns and shrubbery. “Madama Ector’s establishment.”

Could he be right? Ninallia checked the address again before climbing the steps to the door. She touched her simple shift dress. It was clean but well-worn, certainly not the fashionable gown of a wealthy girl. Even before her knock was answered she was embarrassed by her lack of proper clothes for such an establishment. Dear Spirits, this is not a good sign.

A woman with a wide, pleasant face opened the door. The crisp blue and white robe belted at her waist proclaimed her the housekeeper. She smiled expectantly and waited for Ninallia to speak.

“I’m here to see Madama Ector,” Ninallia stammered to break the awkward silence.

“Come in, child. They’re waiting for you.” The housekeeper stepped aside to allow Ninallia to enter.

“They?” she voiced the thought unintentionally.

“Healer, of course, and the client’s representative are here.” The housekeeper answered and didn’t appear to think the question odd.

Ninallia wondered how much of Madama Ector’s business the woman learned by answering the door and managing the household. She followed the housekeeper down a hallway carpeted in plush golden brown. Ornate picture frames hung on pale ivory walls displaying images of historical figures and even the faces of some nobles she recognized. Her gaze drank in the wealth and beauty of her surroundings. Even the air was redolent with the scent of expensive leather and freshly polished wood.

The housekeeper stopped before a room where the heavy wood of the door muted the sound of the voices inside. The housekeeper knocked, and the voices inside quieted.

“Come in,” Madama Ector’s soft voice answered.

Ninallia hesitated as she stepped into the room. The rich, wooden floor was covered by an exquisitely woven carpet. Her eyes widened in wonder as she stared at the expensive rug. How could she step on something so beautiful after walking outside? She noticed shoes left by the door. Rich people did this to keep dirt from the street from getting inside their houses. She slipped off her shoes, thankful her stockings were clean and without holes.

“Ninallia, isn’t it?” queried a thin man. The angles of a minister’s tricorn hat elongated his already thin face. He studied her features. “Well, she has the right coloring. Her eyes are very unusual. Very few people have a combination of violet eyes and ebony hair.”

“Yes, I noticed the resemblance when I met her at the dumas hostel. She resembles our client enough to be a sister or daughter.” Madama Ector raised a delicate cup to her lips. “She claims royal blood through her mother. This appears to be true, through a minor indiscretion of the emperor’s great-great-grandfather.”

Ninallia could feel a flush rising. What should she do? She lowered her gaze and contemplated the pattern on the rug, feeling the texture through her thin hose.

“She’s young,” commented the white-robed healer. Unlike Healer Taborn, his costly robes and golden chains proclaimed his status. This healer serviced only wealthy customers.

“Purity must be unquestionable,” the minister responded. A highbrow and prominent nose gave his face a haughty appearance, although his smile was reassuring.

Unperturbed, the healer addressed Ninallia. “Are you aware of what you are doing? Have you ever had a woman’s examination before?”

“Yes, Healer, I have. There’s a clinic in my neighborhood. All the girls in my class were examined. I am clean and fertile.” A nagging fear formed in her stomach. What if this is more than a dumas position? What if these clients want a sex slave or concubine?

Madama Ector seemed to read her mind as she said, “I run a very honorable establishment. You will be treated well here. Our women never meet the clients or even know their names.”

Ninallia didn’t intend for her sigh of relief to be quite so audible—it was, and it seemed to lighten the mood in the room.

“You will go with the healer now, child. We maintain an examination room here. It may not be pleasant, but it will be over quickly.”

Ninallia bowed, and the healer rose. She followed him from the room and was relieved when a female assistant joined them in the starkly furnished exam room. Closing her eyes, Ninallia lay back on the table then felt a small prick as blood was drawn and the exam began.

“A virgin. Everything appears healthy.” The assistant spoke with a clipped accent, and Ninallia wondered where she might be from.

The healer was gentle and thorough in his examination. After he finished, she dressed and waited anxiously for him to return. He tapped at the door before entering. His smile was reassuring.

“I’ve known Madama Ector for many years, and she is a very good woman. I must take your blood sample to my office for analysis. My recommendation will be dependent on those results, but I don’t think we have anything to worry about. The housekeeper will see to your lunch, and I will return in a few hours with the results.” He reassured Ninallia before leaving.

Her stomach growled at the mention of food. Her meager breakfast of grain mush and tea that morning was gone. The housekeeper was waiting outside the exam room. “Kitchen’s this way. There’ll be leftover roast sandwiches and some fruit and cheese today. Cook baked a berry pie, and she might cut you a piece of it.”

Ninallia imagined what this woman would say if she sat at their table at home. When there was meat, which was seldom, it was always stringy nearly-tainted discards from the butcher.

She spent the next hour in the kitchen eating at a small wooden table and listening to the cook and her assistant banter. She couldn’t help gobbling up the tasty meat and cheese. The cook laughed and offered her more, even refilling her mug with fresh milk.

“Madama’s girls are not allowed any alcohol, not even light ale,” she explained and sat a large slice of berry pie in front of Ninallia.

The crust was warm, flakey and the berry filling rich and sweet. She almost swooned at the decadent flavor.

Left on her own after the meal, she followed the sound of feminine laughter to an open window overlooking a walled garden. The garden wasn’t huge but, it was larger than any in her neighborhood. In its center was an oblong shaped pool where several young women in various stages of pregnancy were swimming. Other women were laying on mats beside the pool, naked in the sunshine. She couldn’t imagine being able to swim nude as these women were doing.

“No men allowed here, except for the healer and an occasional client.” The housekeeper walked up quietly and touched her arm.

Ninallia was startled into an involuntary yelp.

The housekeeper laughed. “The healer is back, and Madama is ready for you.” There was no indication of her mistress’s decision.

Ninallia turned and followed the housekeeper to the drawing room. Madama Ector was alone, her face shining with excitement. She waved Ninallia in while dismissing the housekeeper with a nod. “Come in, child. We can celebrate a most lucrative deal.”

“So, everything is okay. I do have royal ancestry?” She always doubted the family stories, at least some. No doubts remained now as Madama Ector’s smile broadcasted her pleasure.

“Oh yes, more than we hoped for. Your father must have come from Nariland, because there is also... never mind. Healer Ession has given you a clean bill of health, and the insemination has been scheduled for early next week.”

Ninallia caught her breath. So soon? The sooner the better she supposed. She imagined the joy on her aunt’s face when she dropped enough credits on the table to pay off her family’s debt.

“Come let me show you to your room.” Madama Ector rose in one fluid motion and walked past her. “You will, of course, want to send word to your family. There is a communications port in your room.”

Ninallia hung her head. Few families in her neighborhood could afford connection to the communications network. She assumed she would be going back to leave her aunt the chip with the credits as payment for her mother’s care.

“Ah,” said Madama Ector, as she seemed to grasp the situation. “You must write them a note. It can be delivered before nightfall.” She paused then added, “I will advance enough credits to provide for them in your absence. You, my child, are a very lucky girl. We are receiving three times the normal rate for your services, and our normal rates are not cheap.”

Awestruck, she followed Madama Ector up a marble staircase and down a carpeted hallway. The luxury was overwhelming. She never imagined such a house, much less living in one.

“Most of our girls share rooms, but I thought you might enjoy privacy.”

The room was decorated in aqua tones with flowered curtains and rich, dark wood furniture. A glass door opened onto a balcony complete with a small table and two chairs. In the closet five or six silken gowns hung above matching slippers.

Confused, Ninallia stammered, “Someone has left her clothes.”

“Judging your size was hard, because what you’re wearing is too large and the tags are faded. I think they’ll fit.” Madama grinned impishly. “It was fun sneaking a peek at your clothes while you were with the healer.”

Ninallia had only dreamed of fine garments. The gowns were grander than anything she owned. The real silk shimmered in the light, and the room smelled of fresh flowers from a bouquet arranged in a pale vase on the dresser. It was like stepping into a world where she was transformed into a princess. The wonder of it brought tears of happiness to her eyes.

Madama Ector seemed pleased with her reaction. She pointed to a door leading to a private dressing room and toilet. “I’ll leave you to settle in and try on your new things. Marta will come up in later to get your letter. If there is anything you want her to bring from your home, give her a list.”

The minute Madama Ector closed the door Ninallia raced to the closet and took down one of the gowns. The material rustled softly in her fingers. The deep purple and white pattern was the most beautiful material she could imagine. How can I wear something this fine? She removed her simple shift and slipped into the gown. Its belt shimmered with color. The fit was perfect. Ninallia spun in circles before the mirror admiring her finery.

Still wearing the gown, she sat at the writing table and composed a letter to reassure her aunt and mother. She tried to think of anything she might need. By the time the housekeeper, Marta, arrived she had written two pages to her mother. Without explaining her “job”, she reassured them she was safe and doing a good thing.

Marta placed a tray of tea, fruit, cheese and sweet biscuits on the table. She took Ninallia’s letter. “I have to go to the market. It may be late when I get back. Supper will be served at 6:30 in the dining room, unless you want a tray in your room.”

Ninallia could only gape at the food. It was the middle of the afternoon, and she was still full from eating such a large lunch. On the tray, there was more food than her family ate in a whole day. She couldn’t believe Madama Ector provided this much.

Marta laughed. “Madama likes the girls to eat well. It’s good for the babies.” She took the list from the writing table and slipped from the room leaving Ninallia gaping at the food.

After selecting from the assortment, she bit into a sweet biscuit and walked onto the balcony. Below, a larger garden and a high fence separated the Madama’s property from her neighbors.

After finishing, Ninallia enjoyed a hot bath and even washed her hair. She dressed again in the beautiful gown. The tiny bow on the slippers matched the darkest color. After checking herself in the mirror yet again, she headed downstairs to find the dining room.

“You must be a new girl,” a soft voice called behind her.

Ninallia turned to see a tall, broad-shouldered woman with a plain, friendly face. The cut of her gown emphasized the well-rounded stomach of pregnancy.

“I’m Irinia, this is my third time working for Madama.”

Ninallia was surprised. This was not one of the young women swimming earlier. Irinia appeared to be in her thirties.

“I’m a good breeder and come from a hearty bloodline. My clients requested me again. All their children will be full brothers and sisters. My husband and I have two children of our own. He takes care of them while I am here.”

Ninallia took in this deluge of information. She didn’t know what she should say. “I’m Ninallia, and this is my first time to serve as dumas.”

“I can tell you aren’t more than fifteen or sixteen. You’re too young for the public dumas hostels. Madama is strict about age rules so you’re lucky or special for her to make an exception in your case.”

Ninallia wanted to tell this woman how grateful she was to Madama Ector. She followed the older woman into the dining area where several women were already fixing plates from a large buffet table. Ninallia tried not to gape at the food. There were meat pies, roast fowl, and a platter of baked fish. Irinia began to fill a large plate with meat, vegetables, and breads. Ninallia followed taking smaller portions. After introductions, she ate and listened to the lighthearted conversations going on around her. Madama Ector did not seem to mistreat her girls. They ate as much as they pleased and appeared to be very happy.

Later, after putting away the few things from home, Ninallia slipped into the large bed and snuggled under quilts and spreads. She was soon asleep.

~ * ~

The first test results were in—she wasn’t pregnant. Even though Madama assured her the insemination seldom took the first time, Ninallia was afraid. What will happen if I don’t conceive? Will I have to repay Madama for everything, plus the credits Aunt Rese and mother are spending?

“Why the gloomy face?” Irinia asked with a laugh. “It took me three times for the first child, and I already birthed one of my own. Sometimes it takes several tries; Madama isn’t going to put you out.”

“But what if I don’t get pregnant? I could never pay her back.” Ninallia stared down at her plate. The delicious food was tasteless.

“Did Madama Ector say you must pay her back? There’s never any guarantee a woman will conceive.” Irinia set her own fork down and patted Ninallia’s arm. “Give it some time. The healer says you are fertile. Stop worrying and eat.”

Ninallia wanted to hug the older woman. She wanted her own mother and aunt. She put a bite of the meat pie into her mouth and chewed. It was rich and delicious.