a ship like no other, less a ship than an island of wood, a floating city, carved in a ship’s likeness.
“It is the ship of Tersites!” said a man.
“There is no such thing,” said another. Surely we had all dismissed the rumors, the stories told in the taverns.
“See!” said the first man pointing. “See!”
“Move,” said a Pani officer. “Move!”
The wagons began to roll, descending, their brakes clamping, grinding, against the wheels. The traces of the tharlarion, wagon after wagon, were suddenly slack, and some of the beasts squealed, frightened.
“Careful!” called the officer.
Men began to make their way down the slope. It was slippery from the rains. “Paga!” said a man. “War!” said another. “Slaves!” called another.
I remained on the crest for a time.
Shipcamp was much smaller than Tarncamp, but it contained its scattered range of structures, a hundred or more, and these were mostly north of the dock. Only a bit later did I realize the existence of a small, palisaded enclave across the river. I did not know what was housed there. I supposed it had been intentionally separated from the main camp.
Behind me, on my left, was Asperiche. She had learned to heel, appropriately. It had been pleasant to teach her the many aspects of her collar. She was now well aware it was on her, and locked.
“Perhaps,” she said, “Master may now sell me.”
I turned about. I examined my slave, the paga girl, the slim, lovely brunette I had named Asperiche, from her island of origin, she purchased from the tavern in Brundisium. She had been insufficiently deferential twice. Masters do not accept such things. I had spared her one lashing, the first time, perhaps foolishly, but she had later, again, been displeasing, a lapse I saw no reason to accept a second time, and I had arranged that she would be better apprised of the fact that a slave is to strive to be pleasing, invariably so. She had apparently not been long in the collar. I suppose that is why she had been less than pleasing in the first place, and, in the second place, naively thought to avert her discipline. To be sure, many slaves strive to avert their discipline, even those who should know better. The lash, it seems, is unpleasant. Let them then mind their behavior. It is interesting to see them beg, so helpless and so much in your power. How assured, how confident, she had been, so sure of the effect of her beauty. Indeed, it was considerable. Perhaps I should not have spared her the lash the first time. That was possibly a mistake, encouraging her to think she might escape a second time. In any event, I had not succumbed, no more than any master might, to her tearful blandishments, her plaintive wheedling and clever wiles, her smiles, and proffered promises. When these protestations were done, duly noted, and such, I saw to it, to her misery, that she was summarily given the lashing she deserved. After her lashing, she had not only failed to be grateful that I should be concerned that she be improved, but, incredibly, had been resentful, even to asserting that she hated me, as if that would be of interest to anyone. I was, however, annoyed, and, to her horror and dismay, purchased her. She then found herself the property of the very fellow she had been trying to disparage or disconcert. It was his collar she would then wear. Why did I purchase her? First, she was beautiful, very much so. Second, she needed to be taught her collar, a lesson she had not yet learned. And third, a man needs a slave. She would do.
“I do not understand,” I said. “Why should I sell you?”
“I am not stupid, Master,” she said.
“I have never thought so,” I said.
“She must be here,” she said.
“Who?” I asked.
“She whom you seek,” she said.
“I do not understand,” I said.
“She for whom you have come to this strange, terrible wilderness.”
“I have come for pay,” I said, “for excellent fee. I have come for adventure. I have come for curiosity.”
“You have come for a slave,” she said.
“I have a slave,” I said.
“I was with you on the dock, day after day, in Brundisium,” she said. “I saw you watch, and wait, and watch again. Only when one coffle was embarked did you take ship.”
“One enjoys seeing beautiful slaves,” I said.
“We speak to one another,” she said. “You much examined Tarncamp. You examined the sheds, the kennels, the cook