Chapter Two #2
She finished the tea service and went to the next part of her routine. Dance. Sage moved slowly as she sang, and when she had danced for half an hour, she slowed her steps and relaxed. Meditation was next on the list since she couldn t go for a walk in the gardens.
The soft knock on her door brought her out of her meditation, and she said softly, Come in.
Mistress, the captain wishes you to join him for dinner.
Again? That is seven days in a row. Sage got to her feet and brushed her robes into straight lines. She smiled at the three crewmen sent to escort her.
We don t often have a woman of your beauty or charm on board.
He just likes to play Tekko.
Will you come now, Mistress?
Oh, of course. She left her room, closed and sealed the door, and walked with the three to the captain s dining room.
Sage smiled slightly and was pleased as always that the companion clothing didn t wrinkle. It always hung and fluttered lightly as a companion moved.
The path to the captain s dining room was familiar by now. When they arrived, her guards knocked softly on the door, and another crewman opened it and smiled. Mistress Sage, please come in.
She walked in, and the captain shot to his feet, setting the tablet down. Mistress. Thank you for coming.
When armed men show up at my door, I generally go along with them until I determine what is going on. So, what is going on?
He came to her, took her hand, and settled her in the chair next to his.
We are arriving at Zell s world in fourteen hours. It is time for you to be given your briefing.
Is dinner still included?
He grinned. Yes, and a last game of Tekko.
Excellent. Begin the briefing.
The captain nodded, and the lights in the room dimmed to show the last consort of Zell.
She was lovely, soft, shy, and frail. Her family offered her to Zell, and she was surprisingly compatible.
They had centuries together but no children.
When she faded, he was broken, got his affairs in order, and moved to the tower to sleep.
So, he s in the tower.
Yes, Mistress.
She nodded and had given up trying to get him to call her Sage on day one. It wasn t appropriate, and her rank at the companion temple was Mistress, so that was what she would be addressed as going forward. At least as long as she remained a companion.
She learned about the first consort and all of her virtues. Zell had loved her. That was certain. He had watched over her for her lifetime, and when she faded, he retreated from his worlds and only communicated every few decades to keep things moving in the direction he chose.
Sage nodded. Interesting. Well, I am not going to win. I can tell you that. I am not cute or demure.
Zell s tastes may have changed. The captain frowned.
Not that much. Based on the appearance of the previous consort, I am as far away as you can get. She was tiny; I am not. She was graceful, delicate, and reed-like, and I was designed for reproduction and plenty of it with nice, sturdy males.
Yet, you are a companion.
I am trained to be a companion. I haven t kept anyone company yet.
She smiled and looked at the image of Zell.
He was tall, but all Hmrain were tall. His skin was the colour of old blood with black designs carved into it.
The Designers had not spared shock value.
His wings would extend to span her old farmhouse.
They were designed for long-term gliding in the persistent winds of his worlds and strong enough to cut through the atmosphere to gain altitude.
No tail was visible, but that didn t mean he didn t have one.
His hair was dark pewter and was usually kept in a ponytail with a few shining bands around the braids from the front.
His features were gorgeous, but that was a given. All Hmrain were stunning to appeal to the maximum number of species so that the new species would be attentive. She sighed and tuned in to what the captain was saying.
While he was devoted to her, he never appeared to get stronger. For the next consort, the population has been sending out assessors to choose candidates.
Right.
Did you know that in the last five years, six Hmrain have selected someone of your species?
No. Well, I found out when I was in training at the Temple.
Do you know why that is?
We are basic. Our minds seek pleasure or pain, and some of us are more in tune with that impulse. That leads to us letting that same energy out, and that is what the Hmrain want. They want our output.
He nodded cautiously. That is correct. For a few decades, there were concubines in the tower in a large set of chambers. The pleasure they generated was enough for him for a while, but there were two deaths, and he banished them.
She nodded. I see. Heavy drinker.
Yes. You will be given the west chambers, and you will be asked to do whatever comes naturally while you are there. If you force yourself, he will know.
I understand. How long will I be up there?
A lunar cycle, so thirty days.
I can keep myself busy that long. Is there a routine they want me to keep to?
The captain paused and then said, They wish you to climax twice per sevenday.
Sage laughed. Done. Hell, I did it twice today.
The captain paused, and then he started to laugh. Do you mind if I bet on you?
Go for it. Your funds are your own. I just want to get through this, and then, if I am not chosen, I will be on my way.
If I am chosen, I am going to have to deal with what my actions have gotten me into.
Either way, I am glad that I have my lute and a Tekko board.
Masturbating can only occupy me for so long.
The captain laughed, and their meal came in. They covered other details, including the cameras that were everywhere in the quarters. Her efforts were going to be recorded for posterity.