Rivka the Dove

III


Sleeping with the Lord of War does not guarantee one anything. Never make that assumption. The next morning I was jolted from my bed by the blast of a trumpet. Pulling on the clothes I had been given the previous day, I raced to the kitchens as befits the lowliest of household members. I had learned well how to eliminate most of the enmity that a new slave engenders.

To my horror, I was expelled from Melpone's kitchen and sent to the training yards to seek Gaius of Chartres.

Prostrating myself before the one eyed Gaul, I attempted to prepare myself for what I was sure was to follow.

I was jerked to my feet, as a gravelly voice sneered, "You're to be trained in weaponry. His orders. You'll not learn on your knees." Gaius laughed cruelly. The sound was chilling. "I'd wager you've learned all you need in that position."

I was thrust roughly at the back wall of the training arena.

"Armour and arm yourself, then present yourself to me. Do NOT be long."

I looked askance at the armour before me - what did I know of armour? I choose the simplest and lightest of padded jerkins - it hung on me like a pavilion robbed of its supports. For arms I chose a short sword and craftily concealed a dagger in my breast band. If they were foolish enough to leave me with so many weapons....

I looked down at myself. The skirts of my robe would only trip me up, I knew that much, but to don the clothing of men - such was a sin. I shook my head, dismissing such foolish thoughts. The girl who listened to the rabbis was dead - if pants would save me, pants I would wear. But there was nothing in my size.

I quickly yanked my skirts up between my legs, tucked them into my waistband then raced to the arena to find Gaius.

He was laughing and talking with a group of men. As I hastened toward him, the slick soles of my house sandals slid on the hard packed floor. Without a thought I kicked them off and padded toward my erstwhile teacher in my bare feet.

Each group I passed fell silent. I imagine now how comical I must have looked - padded jupon hanging to my knees, the folds of my skirts slipping away to expose my legs, and the awkward bobble of the sword I bore. The smallest I could find and still too heavy to hold erect.

Gaius ignored me for several more minutes then with no word whirled on me and began to "teach" me. Gaius' teaching was little more than a prolonged and sadistic beating. Fortunately after little more than 2 candlemarks, another took his place and the one-eyed man retreated to the sidelines to jeer.

This teacher was fairer, but I did no better with trident and net than I had done with sword.

The day passed in a cascade of different teachers. The final teacher was Gaius, who came toward me with a whip, and a shield, which he tossed to me.

"Defense training." He sneered. "Use the shield to block the whip."

I finally stumbled from the arena after darkness had fallen. I made my way to the cell I had been assigned and dropped onto my cot. The jupon I discarded on the floor along with my sandals, but I was far too sore and tired to remove anything else. I passed into unconsciousness rather than sleep.

Some unknown time later I startled awake, being gripped by strong arms. Hurting fiercely, still more asleep than awake, I forgot the cardinal rule of slavery, and grabbed my concealed dagger, striking out.

I contacted nothing, and came as fully awake as I could by his amused chuckle. "My dove has claws, has she?"

I was put on my feet in a bright well-lit room. Blearily I staggered, trying to find him and focus on him. He found me first.

His strong hand held me still in front of him. Calloused fingers traced the bruised stripes that covered my torso, excising all pain in their wake.

"Today did not go so well, my dove?" He asked.

Afraid that the wrong answer would cost me, I stammered out. "The one from Chin said I had promise. And Theobald, he said my dagger work was quick." I shook my head and looked down. "Forgive me, Lord, and let me try again. I will do better."

His fingers stroked my check and lips. "Hush. You have not angered me, Rivka. Altho, I do suppose you are too sore for more bed sport." He lifted me, and cradled my head against his shoulder.

With my eyes fluttering shut, I yawned out a denial. In truth, had he pushed the matter I would have made every attempt to please him. I had discovered pleasure in his arms, and was willing to continue on that path.

He chuckled again. "Tomorrow, it will go better." He deposited me back in my bed, and I suppose covered me. I confey hey head touched the pillow and I knew no more til morning.

The next morning, I raced back to the arena, skirts tucked once again into my belt and jupon sliding down my arms in an attempt to escape.

I flung myself before Gaius, oblivious of the chortles and outright laughter my appearance and headlong flight engendered.

His voice stopped the laughter as a sword stroke stops a life.

"You could learn from her. She is eager to do my bidding. Despite being savaged instead of receiving the training I commanded yesterday..." there was a huge intake of breath. "...still she rushes to do what she believes will please me.

A crack of lightening, and the smell of fire on the air. As he thrust out one arm, with a snarl distorting his face, I prostrated myself before him, my face pressed against his boots.

"No, Lord, please!" I cried out.

I was jerked roughly to his eye level. "Why do you plead for him, when he failed me?"s vos voice was still angered, but I could see the curiosity in his eyes.

I knew what my life would be like any time my Lord's back was turned, or if I fell from favour. A weak slave only survives by not being a threat to those above her.

"I lack the aptitude for sword, trident, lance, javelin..." I recited all the myriad weapons I had failed at. "I have small promise only in a few things. Forgive me for causing such trouble between you and Lord Gaius." I hung my head. I had learned well the art of licking up.

The voice of my teacher from Chin rose in the stillness. "She shows much promise in Jeet Kung, Lord Ares. I will teach her."

Theobald also spoke. "She is lithe and quick, even when beaten and sore. I will teach her dagger work."

He raised my head and locked my gaze with his. I saw the smile start in his eyes at the melting reaction with which I was engulfed by this, but there was no trace of smile in his voice.

"Well, Rivka the Dove, will you work with Chao Lai and Theobold? Will you learn all they can teach you?"

I licked my lips and swallowed. "An it pleases you, Lord, I will work with them."

I was set on my feet. One of his hands rested on my shoulder. "By your own words, you are bound, masters to pupil, pupil to masters. By your words to me, Rivka the Dove, you are bound to me."

I do not know from where the impulse came, but I slipped from his grasp, and twined around his legs, lifting myself high enough to kiss his hand and ring. "By my own words, I am bound to you, Lord. And thus and such be done to me if aught but death part thee and me."