A Change of Fortune
Valencio’s Story: Book Two.
By Veronice Ceccarelli
Copyright Veronice Ceccarelli, 2011
Published by Veronice Ceccarelli at Smashwords
14 chapters, around 45,000 words.
Summary
The Kobi family was in the habit of selecting beautiful children for use as sex slaves. Once they were too old to be much desired, their work changed. Now they were used as subjects to teach spells to the Kobi boys, and imprisoned in ‘Enclosure 2’ instead of ‘Enclosure 1.’ Valencio had been moved over seven years before, after trying to kill his owner, Narzu-Han. Any other slave would have been killed, but Valencio was special to many of the wizards, including Elder Yiko Kobi-Wynn, second only to the matriarch, Grandmother Riza herself.
All through Arabia and Asia, the world of Freign knew and feared the powerful Kobi family. The names of the great Fighters were known - Adil, Ahjmed, Yiko, Hicham and Brahim - their very names struck terror. But they made a mistake when they tried to extend their territory to include the Western world. The great wizard, John Bellamy, was not renowned as a Fighter and seldom interfered in matters of law-keeping. Yet he was more powerful than any other. When John Bellamy interfered in the affairs of Kobis, things began to change.
This is Book 2 of the Valencio series.
******
Short glossary:
Freign: Wizardkind, Frei: male, Freia: female. The words ‘Frei’ or ‘Freia’ are sometimes used as an address, eg ‘Freia Bouchra.’
Medj: Normal humans, humans without magic.
mekkri-lifting or mekk-lifting: to vanish from one place and reappear instantly in another. Wizard strongholds such as the Kobi Compound are normally protected by crio magic that makes it impossible to mekkri-lift within the Compound – an obvious safeguard against intruders.
Svend: wizard law-keepers.
El-Kobi/ Kobi-Wynn: The Kobi family divide themselves into two classes, the powerful ones are Kobi-Wynn and the servant class are el-Kobi.
Chapter 1:
The boredom was the worst, as Valencio complained to Shirley. She looked at him teasingly, “You should be glad to be bored. Anything else than a boring life here, is usually unpleasant.”
Valencio shrugged and remarked, “I’ve become an expert on car engines, except that I haven’t seen one in so many years, never will again, and the books are probably out of date anyway.”
“I’ve read every book in the library, time and time again.” She glanced at Valencio’s right wrist cuff that still bore the significant colors of ownership, and suggested, “You could probably ask Narzu-Han for more books, maybe tennis racquets, and then we’d get Abimael to make us a court either side of the low fence.”
Valencio said positively, “Both Yiko and Narzu-Han have forgotten me, and I like it best that way.” Narzu-Han had been his owner, but Yiko, too, had enjoyed him, and Yiko was very senior, second only to the matriarch, Grandmother Riza.
Abensur el-Kobi was Enclosure Overseer since Nusa’pei’s sudden death, and made his monthly report personally to Elder Narzu-Han that day. “He’s twenty-four now, and fit and well.”
“Is he happy?”
Abensur concealed a sigh. What a question! “He’s cheerful with the women, ignores the guards, the same as always.”
Narzu-Han smiled and asked, “Not too insolent?”
“He has been with Zhang occasionally, but more by a look than anything else, though it’s enough to have Zhang seething. But Zhang’s going to take over the job of overseeing the new enclosure in New York, so he won’t see him again very likely.”
“Just keep him safe for me, Abensur.”
“Of course, Elder Narzu-Han. Are you planning on joining the others in New York?”
“Not at this stage.”
“I’m leaving Kamchatsu in charge for a few weeks while I set it up. He’s a competent Fighter, but has asked to be a permanent enclosure guard. Fudo has agreed.”
“He knows to take care of my boy?”
“He knows.”
The women of Enclosure 1 were soon counting the days until Abensur arrived back. Abensur, at least, didn’t treat them as his own private harem. As was normal with all other clients, he made an appointment in advance and it was noted on their lists, usually by lunchtime. Kamchatsu, on the other hand, strolled around the enclosure at any time of the day, waiting to be tempted. Then a beckoning finger and a visit to one of the working bedrooms. At least he was quick, but he was resented. This sort of casual use seemed so contemptuous of them as people. Abensur took more care to treat them with some dignity. He’d even banned the use of the word ‘dirt-people’ in the enclosures, insisting that the guards use the word ‘medj’ when referring to them. He said it was a word that simply meant ordinary humans, not Freign, that it was commonly used in the West. The slaves doubted it made any real difference to the wizards’ assumption of absolute superiority.
The work of those in Enclosure 2 was standard. There was an afternoon class of eight el-Kobi, ranging in age from thirteen to sixteen. They were always educated separately from Kobi-Wynn, from the time of Sorting, though as far as the slaves could see, there was no difference in the lessons. They had other lessons, of course, that didn’t require human subjects, and they assumed there were differences there.
There was also a morning class of three Kobi-Wynn boys of thirteen and fourteen, Salo, who looked pure Arabic, Laki, a big boy for his age, and Museveni, who looked at Valencio with the eyes of Narzu-Han. Salo had mastered the Spell of Pain without trouble, Museveni not long after, but Laki was having trouble, and to everyone’s relief, Haru had left it for the time being.
The lessons had been easy for them the past week, as Haru was having the boys working at making spells without the use of a wand. So far, there had not been the slightest success. The slaves were convinced it was Laki that Haru was really concentrating on, and some information came in from Helene that his sire was supposed to have that ability, though demonstrated only once when berserk with anger. He was an American wizard, and Shar-kutsu had mentioned to Amber that he’d been used as a sire four times, because the great wizard from England could work magic without a wand, and Riza wanted the ability for her Family, as well. The American would never know he had four children being raised as Kobi.
Another hour of repeated attempts and total failure. Haru frowned and looked at the slaves who waited patiently. Valencio, Clarence, and four women. He glanced at the guards, Botan, doing a six week stint of duty as an enclosure guard, though it was the first time that Valencio had seen him since he’d hit him that time, and Kofi-Zee, who was beginning to look old. He made up his mind, and on his orders, two extra guards came in, rostered ones, Hwang and Ariz. Valencio gave them a bare glance and looked away, apparently indifferent. What did Haru have in mind that extra guards were needed?
Haru was using Japanese, though it was normally Arabic for the lessons. Valencio listened, concentrating hard, as he always did whenever Japanese was spoken. He’d learn the language properly, very quickly, if he had much opportunity. He was picking up quite a bit of what they said even now. He wasn’t surprised when Laki handed Haru his wand, and Haru switched to Arabic and told Clarence he was to attack Laki. Clarence queried the order. Haru changed to English and repeated the instructions, slowly and clearly.
With obvious reluctance, Clarence took a couple of steps towards Laki and swung at him with a fist that never looked as if it would come within feet of the boy. Laki stared hard at him, concentrating, even made a gesture.
Clarence stepped back, looking questioningly at Haru, who ordered, “Again, and this time as if you meant it!”
Clarence tried again, but was even more unconvincing.
Haru said, “Valencio, attack Laki.”
Valencio looked down his nose, and asked, “What if he ends up dead?”
“There will be four wands on you. He won’t end up dead. Attack Laki.”
Valencio frowned at the boy, who looked thoroughly daunted, then took three swift strides forward and swung at him, not quite grazing his cheek as the boy ducked away.
Haru laughed and said tauntingly, “A feeble effort. But what do you expect from a dirt-boy trained only for sex?”
Valencio looked away, waiting, not reacting to the jibe.
Haru said to Botan, “You’ve had him, haven’t you Botan? What did you think of him? Personally, I thought it quite boring!”
Valencio was seething, but kept his face expressionless. All the boys were watching him curiously.
Salo said, “I thought he was just Narzu-Han’s.”
“Oh, no,” Haru said. “He was in general use a long time - everyone in the Compound had him.”
Kofi-Zee looked uneasily at Valencio.
Valencio said smoothly, “Are you sure it’s only Laki you want me to attack?” He glanced at Botan, “When I knocked out Botan, he was whipped. Does Laki want to be whipped?”
Botan snarled, “No-one cares about you any more, dirt-boy. No-one will get whipped!”
Valencio looked down his nose at Botan and asked softly, “Do the boys know how you were scarred?”
Didi intervened sharply, using German, telling Valencio to behave.
Valencio took his eyes off Botan and looked indifferently into the distance, as if he was not quite there.
The boys stared at him. Haru gave more instructions, using Japanese. Laki said uncertainly, “Wynn Haru says they all had you. He says you learned to like it.”
Valencio was silent.
Salo watched him, smiling slightly. He said, “I’d have you if I were allowed. Maybe one day. After all, I’m Kobi-Wynn!”
Valencio sneered, “By the time someone like you has sufficient power to claim whom you want, I’ll be an old, old man. I really doubt you’ll ever have me!”
Didi again, snapping his name. Valencio was going to get himself in trouble. She wished Carol or Hilde were here. Or Tasha. They could keep him calm. She’d never seen him baited like this. Haru had always taken care to treat him the same as the others.
Haru ordered, “Guards, take the women away and silence No. 15.”
Kofi-Zee said, “Ariz?”
Ariz nodded, and the women were ordered out, Ariz escorting them. Valencio looked after them and then back at the boys.
Laki shuddered and Kofi-Zee said, “Valencio, try and hold your temper.”
Haru snapped at him, “Don’t interfere.”
Haru turned his attention to Clarence and told him to attack Salo, then Museveni. Clarence each time, cut short his attack. Valencio explained in German, “They’re supposed to paralyze us, but not using a wand.”
Museveni looked at him with even more curiosity. The dirt-people were not supposed to know Japanese.
Ariz returned with yet another guard. Ariz had been wounded by Valencio once.
Valencio had himself under control, and when ordered, he threw a punch at Salo, missing by an inch, and then Museveni, who didn’t even bother ducking. He knew he wasn’t trying.
Haru knew too. He snapped more orders. Hwang and Ariz grabbed Valencio by the arms and held him in front of Laki, who glanced at Haru and bravely said, “You were more popular than any other in Enclosure 1, he says. He says probably Hwang had you, probably Ariz, probably Kofi-Zee, and definitely Botan.”
Botan stood back, sneering. He was very much enjoying this lesson. The guards could feel Valencio’s tension. He was going to explode any minute. Did Haru realize how dangerous he could be?
Laki said, “You have to attack me, seriously attack me, and that’s the order!”
Valencio abruptly twisted free of Ariz and Hwang, but stepped back, breathing fast, fists raised.
Haru snapped an order and Laki approached. Valencio was feeling cornered. He suddenly lashed out at Hwang, who swore and pulled away from the stinging blow.
Laki asked with an attempted sneer, “Did Hwang have you? Did it feel good?”
Valencio appeared to finally lose control and went for him, hands around his throat and taking him to the ground, but suddenly falling limp, paralyzed. Haru said delightedly, “Well done, Laki!” He turned to the guards. “Any of you do anything?”
Laki stood up, massaging his throat and looking bewildered.
“You did it, Laki! You did the paralysis spell and you didn’t use a wand!”
Botan had his wand raised and said to Haru, “Five minutes? Standard for attacking a wizard?”
Haru said quickly, “No punishment,” and he said again, “Well done, Laki.”
Valencio lay on the floor, only able to see what was directly in front of him. It was a full paralysis, and no-one seemed to be thinking of taking it off. They were probably wise. He was feeling very much like killing someone.
Kofi-Zee asked Haru, “Have you finished with the prisoners now?”
Haru said casually, “I’ve finished with Valencio, but I still want the other.”
“Then I might just restrain Valencio a little while until he recovers his temper.”
Valencio was moved to where he could be restrained by a strap clipped to the wrist cuff. Only then did Kofi-Zee step back out of range and lift the paralysis spell.
Valencio pulled himself to a sitting position and leaned back against the wall, shooting a ferocious glance at Haru and then shutting his eyes, a heavy frown still on his face. Museveni still watched him curiously until Valencio felt it and opened his eyes, glaring back at him. Museveni took his eyes off him.
For the rest of the lesson, it was only Clarence trying to provoke Laki into repeating the feat, but without success. Haru was unworried, glancing at the clock finally and saying, “We’ll finish now. Laki, you have done very, very well. Grandmother Riza will be extremely pleased with you.”
Laki said uncertainly, “I only did it once…”
“Doing it once means you can do it again in the right circumstances. It is an ability very, very rare, and of enormous potential value.”
Grandmother Riza was extremely pleased with Laki and extremely pleased with Haru. There was applause for Laki everywhere he went and he felt wonderful.
Salo was resentful, Museveni a little detached. They’d be going on to Advanced Combat and Control in a couple of years, using prisoners held in Enclosure 3. He’d decided to leave the Kobi Family before that happened. He did not enjoy hurting people and did not approve of the way the prisoner had been manipulated. He’d sensed a great anger within that one, and thought they were a little lucky that no-one had been hurt. There had been four guards all covering him with their wands, of course.
Narzu-Han heard soon enough that Laki had shown that extremely rare ability, but it was not until mid-afternoon that he heard the details. The six afternoon subjects could tell Valencio that he’d come in to the classroom looking very grim and snapped that the lesson was finished as he had something to say to Haru. “Haru looked green,” Gloria said gleefully. “The students hurried out even before us and we didn’t hear anything else, but Haru looked green!”
More gossip came from the ones in Enclosure 1. “There was a duel, and Haru is currently crippled.”
“Zola couldn’t fix him, and, of course, Narzu-Han wouldn’t.”
Carol said to Valencio, “It appears Narzu-Han’s still protecting you, after all.”
“I’ve spoilt my clean record. I totally lost control.”
“By all accounts, Haru wanted you to lose your temper.”
Valencio opened his fingers, showing a glinting piece of glass. “Maybe I didn’t totally lose control!”
Kamchatsu had a visit from Narzu-Han as well, with the result that Botan was transferred away from enclosure duties, though he would not be working again or doing much else until he found someone able to undo Narzu-Han’s spell.
Kamchatsu looked at Valencio with a great deal of curiosity. Even after all these years. Was he that special? Luckily for him, Narzu-Han accepted that he’d had no prior knowledge of Haru’s scheme. The other guards who’d been present were reminded that Valencio was never to be harassed in any way, and three Kobi-Wynn students each received a fierce warning as well.
Narzu-Han seemed to have all the details and looked at Salo grimly, until Salo said humbly, “Please have me whipped if you choose, Elder Narzu-Han. I am guilty of taunting your Valencio.”
Narzu-Han said grimly, “If you ever do it again, I will not have you whipped, I will kill you.” But then he turned and strode away, to the boys’ profound relief.
The Compound emptied further as two mothers prudently decided to take their boys with them to New York - to improve their English. Museveni’s mother was dead, but he also left for New York. Narzu-Han was rarely seen angry and it would be best if the youngsters were well out of his sight. In any case, Haru was unable to teach, no longer with a mouth suitable for human language.
Old Riza, the matriarch and leader, said that she’d be returning to Morocco in a week or so, and Haru could wait until then, and so could Botan. The class of el-Kobi left for Japan to join the Intermediate class there.
Several boxes of new books arrived for the enclosures and were dived on. Few books about cars for a change, but books about airplanes and spaceships. Adventure books, books about animals, books about mountain climbing. A few books about romance, but like previous romance books, they were virtually ignored. Romance didn’t exist for slaves.
Elder Brahim was killed in a duel with a Mellouk and his current Favorite, Amber, was upset. Brahim had always been good to her, and now she’d have to submit to anyone who asked. She’d been the spoilt darling of rich parents, once.
******
Chapter 2:
It was very quiet in Morocco, most of the male Kobi-Wynn in New York, even Yiko, and almost all the women and children. Ahjmed, Adil and Hicham were enjoying making themselves feared, a couple of the younger ones, enthusiastic fighters as well. Gossip came back to the prisoners who shared it about. There was little else to talk about, after all. There had been a lot of dueling, both between the Kobis and against American wizard law-keepers, referred to as Svend, who tried to protect their community from being inflicted with unpleasant spells. At least they mostly left medj alone. Ahjmed killed Usman in a duel, and Iyad killed both Tsotuno, who was only seventeen, and Ichiri.
Narzu-Han left Morocco, and they heard he’d led a rescue. Faheem and Iyad had been arrested by the American Svend, but were free again. There were whispers of a terrible revenge taken against American wizardry. The prisoners tended to assume that any wizard was better dead, and were unconcerned when they heard of yet another Kobi death - Seiji.
There were only seven Kobi-Wynn Fighters left now, plus Haru and the youths. There was also supposed to be another, but very old, in Japan - a teacher. Hicham returned to Morocco. There was a new generation in Enclosure 1, Marietta, Bridget, Angini, others, Helene still leader. Emma was still there, still only nineteen, still not popular. Two new ones arrived. Ingrid was small and blonde, just fourteen, and wore a white wristband. Treen was fifteen.
As was usual with new ones, Valencio was roped in by Kaede to start teaching them Arabic, an hour each morning, more if they wanted. Treen was sullen and resentful, hating the wizards, hating the world. Ingrid was very frightened, but by the end of the week, the scabs of scratch marks over the numbers on their arms were starting to heal. Valencio left it to Helene to press on them the importance of absolute obedience to the wizards, and only tried to cheer them up by mocking the ‘bloody wizards’ as he started getting them familiar with the new language they should know.
After a week, Ingrid said to him slowly, “I have to go to Hicham tonight.”
Valencio glanced uneasily at Kaede, who sat close. He didn’t know what to say, and Hicham could be so rough.
Kaede said calmly, “Just try and do as he says. He may very likely claim you as Favorite, which is to your advantage.”
Valencio said, “He’s pretty dumb. It shouldn’t be too hard to please him,” and he went into an act, opening eyes wide, glistening with unshed tears, sighing piteously, saying, “Oh, Hicham. I was so frightened, but you make me feel so safe. Please, will you be my Favorite?”
Ingrid giggled, though with a suggestion of impending tears, and Kaede suggested, “Ask Mariabella. She was his Favorite before he went to New York.”
Valencio added, “Astra before that, and Margaret was his for years. They all thought he was all right, as far as I know.”
“Helene told me he’s got bad breath and I should try hard not to make a face.”
Valencio remembered Hicham’s passionate kisses - he’d hated that, but at least he hadn’t had bad breath then.
Treen said, “I wish I was a Favorite. Easier to have just one than a different one every night, and maybe more from tomorrow, Abensur said.”
Kaede took over and Valencio sat back, absent-mindedly removing a blade from a seam. Just innocent girls! The bastard wizards had no right!
Kaede glanced at his expressionless face and then to his hands as a blade passed from one to the other. She said calmly, “Thank you, Valencio. We might forget about Arabic for today. Same time tomorrow, if you will.”
Valencio gathered himself, smiled at the pair, wished them luck and walked away, his stride getting faster until he was running as hard as he could, but not in sight of the girls. Even now, it made him so terribly, terribly angry.
Enclosure 2 had some astonishing news at breakfast. Little Ingrid had resisted, but instead of forcing her, maybe punishing her, Hicham had let her out of his room and she’d run back to the enclosure all by herself. Not only that, but she’d actually taken up a shoe, and beaten him with it! Valencio was flabbergasted. Hicham! He remembered that first time with him, being yanked roughly to his feet because he didn’t answer to ‘No. 143.’ That Hicham could have tolerated disobedience! There was a lot of speculation. It wasn’t only Valencio who found it hard to believe. It was the first intimation the prisoners had that something might have changed.
Ingrid was at the morning lesson as usual, but quiet and very apprehensive, forcibly reminding Valencio of how he’d felt the day after he’d killed Charandev. She no longer wore her white wristband, but it had not been replaced by yellow for Hicham. Could it be that the girl had lied? That she’d simply been rejected? But Hicham wasn’t hard to arouse and Ingrid was a beautiful young girl.
Kaede merely went on with the lesson as if nothing had happened, and Valencio took his cue from her. What if he’d had that opportunity? No extra guards outside the door and she’d been outside the enclosure area, in Hicham’s own room. He could have rendered him unconscious, stolen a robe, put on a casual air of assurance and power, and strolled out the gates. He grinned ruefully to himself. Nearly all the guards did their stint in the enclosure, and there would be few who didn’t know him by sight. He would have made the attempt, of course. He would have been leaving Tasha and Emma and all the others. But maybe he could have brought help...
There was no word of punishment for Ingrid, not that day and not the next. Valencio didn’t hear the details, but Helene told him that Haru had chosen Ingrid from a line-up, and, naturally, had punished when she was not immediately obedient. “I’ve got my fingers crossed he didn’t notice she was virgin. He never takes any notice of those he uses, so maybe he didn’t.”
But still, the wizards didn’t seem to know what had happened when she’d gone to Hicham.
Daily lessons for the girls continued. Neither of them spoke to Valencio about ‘work’ any more, but after a while, they started to look less unhappy. They were getting accustomed to the life. It was still a mystery how a slight girl, scarcely more than a child, had managed to beat up a powerful wizard. At last, a whisper went around that there may have been something happen to the powerful Kobi-Wynn, something to do with the English wizard, John Bellamy. But the information was vague and all that was known for sure was that a lot of them were travelling, none but Hicham had returned, and that there was no talk of the children returning.
Then there was something else happen that was wildly unusual. Treen gave Valencio the news, whistling at him as he ran the perimeter track. “A girl Kobi-Wynn. Smaller than Ingrid. Not at all pretty, with a nose that looks too big for her face. She appeared outside the enclosure and asked us what we were doing here, so we told her.”
“What did she say?”
“She told Abensur to show her the classrooms.”
There were more details by breakfast the following morning. That her name was Zhor, that she was thirteen and had demanded lessons, though none of the prisoners had ever known a girl being allowed access to live subjects. But this time, it seemed it was permitted, as Clarence, Didi and Sheri were advised that they were needed for work.
They were back before lunch, and reported that Zhor was the only student, and Haru had started by just testing her on the incantations for many of the Vidi-Curses, before having her practice, first, tying up and then stunning. Clarence moaned that he had so many bruises, but Clarence always complained, and there was anti-bruising lotion.
Valencio asked, “How did she go at stunning?”
“Did it first try. She did everything first try.”
Different ones the following day, and it became a regular thing. Each time they were silenced, though they were only silenced normally if they made a nuisance of themselves. By the end of the week, they had some gossip from a different source. “She’s Riza’s pet, showing indications of enhanced power and a strong telepathic talent.”
There were ten used the day that Valencio was included, and it seemed that Zhor was to learn to inflict some of the minor curses. Donkey ears, which seemed a standard and simple one, commonly used. Valencio loathed looking a fool, but followed his normal practice and just looked away and tried to be patient. If he ever actually looked at a student, the guards always jumped to attention, even now.
It was Shirley’s turn, the successful donkey ears making the Kobi girl smile in pleasure. Valencio glanced at his friend and looked away, pained. Suddenly he jumped and stared at the arrogant Kobi girl, who flinched and stepped back, holding her head. Rafu and Hwang promptly raised their wands, threatening. Valencio took his eyes off the girl and looked away as if indifferently, shutting himself off from her mind’s exploration, as he’d done with Yiko and Narzu-Han.
Haru looked at him suspiciously before questioning Zhor, but in Japanese. Valencio heard his name a few times, but could not understand what they were saying. Haru made up his mind and said, “Valencio, you are not wanted any more. You are to be returned to the enclosure.”
Two additional guards made their appearance. Expressionless, Valencio allowed himself to be escorted back to the enclosure. He tried to explain to Carol - “She was looking into my mind, and I felt it and did something to stop her, I think. Because then she was holding her head and glaring at me.”
Carol looked at him thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s time you thought carefully whether you might have some telepathy and try and develop it.”
Valencio replied doubtfully, “I thought only wizards could have that.”
Helene told him the following day that according to Shar-kutsu, only wizards could have telepathy, and when it was detected within the Kobis, there would be special teaching.
Valencio asked, “Nikola?”
Helene smiled, “She has him talking freely these days, and says he never seems to notice when he’s being pumped for information, except that he looks at her hopefully afterwards for his reward.”
“So how are they taught?”
“He didn’t seem to know, though he told her about the test they did before Sorting, trying to ensure none with the talent were made el-Kobi. It starts to become stronger around mid-teens, he said, but there are always indications earlier.”
Valencio said, “Well, I’ll try, of course. But I’ve never yet known what a guard was thinking.”
“Narzu-Han?”
“Occasionally, but he was different. Because he had it himself, he could talk to me without words, sometimes.”
The prisoners were still unsure if anything had happened to the men, only knowing that it was very quiet and the el-Kobi were worried and unhappy. The Kobi-Wynn, both men and women, seemed to be scattered, although Yiko was back in Japan, they heard. Narzu-Han was supposed to be in Turkey, Nikola discovered from Shar-kutsu, who’d heard from Abensur.
The lessons for Zhor went on for nearly two months, but then they were abruptly cut short mid-week, when Riza returned to Morocco. Valencio had not been used again. Zhor was now proficient in all the standard control spells aside from the Pain Curse, and was skilled in numerous Vidi-Curses. She had not been taught anything painful, though the slaves knew from experience that other students would have been working on the Spell of Pain at her level of competence.
Gloria was steaming one day. “Bloody witch. Elephant skin, and Haru couldn’t undo it. He tried again and again, and then he tried to get her to undo it herself and she couldn’t. I thought I’d be like that forever!”
Valencio asked, “Did Hicham fix it then?”
“Haru finally managed it. I don’t know why he didn’t ask Hicham, but it wasn’t even suggested.” Hicham’s magic was failing, although word had not yet filtered through to the slaves. As far as anyone knew, Zhor was the only Kobi-Wynn child left in Morocco, a few were in Japan, and the rest were presumably travelling with their mothers or teachers.
At last, there was some definite information. It came from Bridget and was confirmed by Nikola, both of them experts at gathering information. That the Kobi-Wynn, men and women, were scattered around the world, some unable to be found. Nearly all the children were gone too, and that most of the Fighters were out trying to find them, only a minimum left to guard the Compound. It was because of something that the English wizard, John Bellamy, had done to them. He’d set out to destroy the family, except that he hadn’t killed any. He’d done something else, something to their minds.
It was hard for them to believe. For the prisoners, the wizards were so powerful - it seemed, invincible. That Narzu-Han and Yiko could have been defeated! All the others, as well. Ahjmed, Adil, Hicham - feared all over Arabia and Asia. Defeated by just one man. It was John Bellamy whom Brahim had gone to, to have a spell reversed. And now it sounded like he might have put a spell on Ahjmed, Yiko, Narzu-Han, Iyad, Hicham, Faheem and Adil.
Valencio thought of it in pleasure. He hoped Adil was suffering! But Narzu-Han? He was a bloody wizard, and he should be happy he’d been defeated, but instead, it made him acutely uncomfortable. He laughed to himself, imagining the scenario of Narzu-Han being attacked while he was present. He’d have had to fight off the impulse to go to his defense. Maybe slaves did things like that, out of some sort of misplaced loyalty to their masters.
Speculation continued, though they took great care what they said to the wizards. The children were all gone. That was something possibly even more significant than the defeat of the men - if they really had been defeated. There were not many children anyway, as Riza had become very selective.
“There’s Salo, Museveni and Laki,” Shirley said. “They were Kobi-Wynn.”
“There’s more, but they’re not here, not in Japan, and maybe they’ve gone, like several did some years ago.”
“No wonder, I’d go if I were in a family like this.”
“A wonder they don’t clear out before the Sorting,” said Valencio. “I certainly would have done.”
“Leave everything you know at the age of eleven or twelve?”
“If necessary.”
Kaede said, “Sterilizing them at the age of thirteen. It’s an atrocious breach of human rights.”
“And then breeding the chosen ones like pedigree horses or something...”
Carol said slowly, “If the children are gone, what’s to become of us? They’ll have no use for us.”
Riza was still travelling a great deal, they heard. Yiko was in Japan, and was not travelling at all. They were sure now. Something had happened, and something very significant. What was it to mean for them?
******
Chapter 3:
There was a Committee meeting, the leaders of Enclosures 1 and 2, Helene and Carol, and six other representatives seen as responsible and mature. Valencio was not on the Committee and had no aspirations to be on the Committee. He regarded the women as strong and sensible, himself as weak, apt to do stupid things.
Tiffany said, “Well, there’s one child again, I had it from Abimael. Zhor had a baby boy and dotes on him.”
“It’s been nine months, Hicham’s frightened to leave his room, Yiko hasn’t budged from Japan, and no-one’s heard of Ahjmed or any of the others since.”
“No women or children, either. This John Bellamy has to have done something very effective.”
“She destroyed his mind in revenge and then had him dumped naked in a New York gutter - we’ve heard that from a few sources.”
“Enclosure 2 has had no work since the two months with Zhor - that’s a worry. What’s going to happen to us?”
“They’re ignoring us, it seems. We scarcely see Abensur any more.”
Helene said, “We’re not so much affected, though it’s quiet. We never see Hicham, who nearly always used to have a Favorite.”
“Is it true he’s lost his magic?”
“Only a hint, and then Gehry looked worried and said nothing else.”
“Gehry?”
“Transferred from Japan, not long qualified as a Fighter, and terribly proud of his stripe.”
“I hate to think how they get their advanced training.”
Their talk was quiet, worried. They had no hope of release, whether or not the family was losing its power. There were so many now in Enclosure 2, fed, sheltered, clothed, and of no apparent use to anyone. Helene said, “You’ll make sure that Valencio doesn’t do anything stupid. It’s best if we’re very inconspicuous these days.”
“Hilde and I keep a close watch on him, but he keeps as far away from the wizards as possible, even the cleaner and gardener.”
Valencio, that day, managed to get his hole a little deeper, hidden under a bush. There was an adjacent bush the other side of the intervening fence. He always had scratches again, but there was lotion kept in one of the bathrooms. He didn’t want his scratches noticed, not even by the women, if possible. It still hurt to dig, very severely, but the concerns of the Committee were no secret, and the ability to pass items from one enclosure to another could be useful. Besides, he had nothing better to do with his time.
As Carol had suggested, he’d been trying to develop any slight telepathic talent he might have, but didn’t think he had any. All the same, he was pretty sure there was no imminent threat to their lives. He thought he’d know.
******
Another year passed in quiet tedium. The Enclosure 1 prisoners were still in routine use, though none of them were Favorites. Only Kobi-Wynn could have Favorites, and there were only Haru and Hicham left who were Kobi-Wynn.
Valencio had been invited to Gloria’s room, and now cradled her close in her single bed. She sighed, “Thank you.”
Valencio laughed, “You thank me? You know you give me enormous pleasure!”
Gloria stroked him, “Yes, but you don’t need me and I need you. I find it too hard these days, never knowing whether we’ll survive another day.”
Valencio kissed her, very gently. They hadn’t been used in a very long time. He finally said, “I think we’d be able to tell from the guards if anything was about to happen. Like we knew when we were to be moved.”
Gloria touched his wrist cuff. “Narzu-Han gone with all the others, over two years now. And now Yiko’s dead. Yet you still have the colors?”
“I don’t know that it means anything. Maybe Abensur has just forgotten. Or maybe thinks I’ll throw a tantrum if he touches the cuffs.”
“Would you?”
Valencio shrugged. He didn’t know. It would be nice if they were just a touch looser, but he certainly wasn’t asking. They’d been last changed when he was seventeen, but he’d grown a bit since then. Not much taller, but his wrists must be thicker. He tried to put a finger under the cuff, and couldn’t.
“Why don’t you ask him to take them off? You’ve made not the slightest trouble for so many years.”
Valencio said positively, “He won’t. They will never trust me, and Hilde and Carol say that I’m to keep as far away from the wizards as possible.” He laughed, with some irony, “They don’t trust me, either.”
Abensur had not forgotten, but chose to leave them as a reminder to the guards and to Haru, that cruelty to Valencio could still be risky. Abensur was also a protector, though he could be as ruthless as any of the Kobis when he chose. He wanted to try his own methods when Enclosure 3 was used again. Selection of prisoners for instance. Instead of just grabbing thirty or so men from Baradan, what if he chose Westerners, accustomed to being safe and so less likely to panic, and then kept them reassured with promises as long as he could? It would be a challenge, and it would be humane as well. Abensur preferred to be kind. It worked so much better that way - certainly made for better sex slaves if they were not traumatized to start with.
Not long after Yiko’s death, there was some news that shook the Kobi family to the core. Grandmother Riza was dead. She’d been in Japan, and fifteen-year-old Zhor had travelled there all by herself and killed her. It was because her baby had been feeble-minded and Riza had had him put down. The Compound emptied except for the essential guard. Even Haru went to Japan for the funeral. Hicham didn’t go. It seemed that the great wizard had left him with unbreakable instructions that he was not allowed to leave his home in Morocco.
Zhor was in hiding. Treen told Valencio, “They’re searching the world for her. Not to kill her, but they need her to breed from. Because there’s no-one left to have babies, you see?”
“There’s some children in Japan, aren’t there?”
“Three young children, and they’re here now. And there’s supposed to be a boy as well, a bit older.”
“They must be sorry now that they sterilized so many children!”
Valencio still had no feeling of imminent danger, although he knew how concerned the Committee was. They were superfluous, expendable, and surely the cull couldn’t be far off. Probably all of them in Enclosure 2. If they suddenly needed subjects again, they could always move a half dozen of the older ones of Enclosure 1 over. A few would normally have been put over anyway by now, but there had been no new ones since Treen and Ingrid. He set to work on a new branch, cutting it away from one of the bigger bushes, which took all of one night and blunted most of his blades, then hiding it under the same bush where he’d trim off excess twigs, ‘tidying’ it to look prettier. They still did routine sweeps with the Akriktia now and then, but it was a very long time since they’d found anything.
He’d had to give up on his hole under the divider fence. Just ten inches deep, and the pain of digging was now unendurable, just a touch almost making him faint. Instead, he tried even harder to know the minds of the wizards he saw. He was sure he could feel a little of the confusion and sadness of the el-Kobi. Elder Yiko gone, and then Grandmother Riza gone, who’d been there all their lives. A hundred and thirty-eight when she was killed, it was said.
It became quieter for Enclosure 1, though occasionally they heard snippets. There was fighting going on, but suddenly, it appeared things were settled. The Kobis had a new leader, a woman, Suma Kobi-Wynn, who’d been the girls’ teacher. She was now known as Elder Suma Kobi-Wynn, though she hadn’t been an Elder before. Women were seldom Elders.
One evening, a few weeks after Suma took over, Helene hurried to the fence where they always held the Committee meetings, and whistled. Valencio, who’d been wandering in the dark, crossed to her. She smiled at her friend, but said, “Quickly, get Carol, would you? Important news.”
“Anyone else?”
“Anyone who wants.”
Helene didn’t have to wait long before Carol hurried to her, and announced, “They’ve closed the Compound in Japan. About two dozen of the el-Kobi are here now, plus one boy of thirteen, Tashfin, and he’s Kobi-Wynn.”
“How certain’s your news?”
“Certain. There was a line-up, and some of the ones from Japan were there to choose a girl. And then Abensur just told me, which was a nice change from having to extract information from clients.”
Her glance went to Valencio, and she decided to leave out the information that Botan was there, looking as hideously scarred as ever, and, like Fudo, risen in the ranks of Fighters. He’d chosen poor little Treen, and had said to Abensur in front of all the women, that he should make Valencio available for use now that Narzu-Han was gone. Luckily, Abensur had answered that it was not policy, that once a slave was relegated to Enclosure 2, they stayed there. A few of the younger ones had preferred not to think that the vividly handsome young man in Enclosure 2 could ever have been just another sex slave, but it was impossible to deny.
The morning after, those in Enclosure 2 waited to welcome Emma and Tiffany. Emma walked straight into the arms of Valencio, who kissed her forehead, and said, “Welcome to Enclosure 2. Only free and voluntary sex allowed.”
Emma giggled and answered, “All these years, and I always disliked it. Donkey ears for me any day.”
“Donkey ears I loathe. Narzu-Han was about to punish me one day, gave me the choice of five minutes Pain Curse or Donkey ears. I chose the pain, without question.”
Tiffany asked curiously, “Did he inflict it himself?”
“Probably gave me date scones instead. He hardly ever punished.” He squeezed Emma again, “Would you like me to carry your bag?”
Tiffany said, “The new ones are Eva and Lucy and they joined us for breakfast. They’re not new to the job, they’ve been in New York and in Japan, and say they’re the favorites of Zhang and Hung Tu, so were not killed when, they presume, all the others were.” All the others like themselves. Of no use, and therefore disposed of.
“Zhang and Hung Tu are only el-Kobi though.”
“Not Favorites with wrist-bands, but it seems favored enough to survive.”
Valencio gave a whistle to Marietta in Enclosure 1 after lunch, and asked if he could talk to the new ones. He was disappointed. Eva and Lucy knew no Japanese, and Eva explained, “They did a test. Punishing us because we didn’t follow an order made in Japanese.”
Lucy said, “If we’d learned Japanese, I don’t think we’d still be alive.”
“Any words at all?”
“A few, I suppose.”
“Well, I can teach you Arabic, Italian, Greek or German if you share every single word you do know,” and there were several words added to his list, and others confirmed in meaning. They could share a little information as well. That in New York there had been twelve prisoners, but then the Kobi-Wynn stopped coming, and the el-Kobi had seemed to grow more worried every day. That weeks passed and then they were taken to Japan, and told the other ten were to go to Morocco. Eva said, “We looked for them when we came, but we didn’t expect to see them.”
Lucy said sadly, “All we can hope is that at least they were killed humanely.”
“There was a little girl. She was only eight.”
“Ahjmed’s?”
“Yes.”
“Well, it seems that the English wizard defeated him, and if he’s like Hicham, he’s no longer hurting little girls.”
“That’s something, I guess.”
“It’s a lot. Ahjmed has hurt scores of little girls. And now it’s ended.”
Three days later, Carol spread the word. Five people were wanted for work in the morning, twelve in the afternoon. Probably fairly easy in the morning, with Tashfin as the student, but in the afternoon, it was to be a review for some of the el-Kobi arrived from Japan, and that was expected to include the Spell of Pain.
Clarence went to join Valencio as he sat on the edge of the swimming pool. He said in a low voice, “The Pain Curse again! It makes me sick to the stomach.”
“One thing about it. There’s no point trying to be brave. And if you were, somehow, they’d only think they hadn’t done it right and have another go.”
“You always look totally unmoved, just wait and don’t look at them.”
“I had acting lessons when I was a child. I cringe as much as anyone, just try not to show it. But there are worse things, all the same. And it never lasts long. It’s probably worse when it’s children learning. I reckon these will just do it a few seconds to show they can, and go on to the next thing.”
Clarence felt a little better, and resolved to try very hard not to run away when it came time. He hadn’t been such a coward once, but Clarence bore scars.
Valencio said, “I hope Abensur doesn’t put me on with poor little Emma. It would be as difficult as seeing Tasha hurt.”
The review work for the ones from Japan didn’t last long. They were all qualified Fighters, but the ones taking lessons had gone into different specialties, and some were quite elderly. All the same, it didn’t appear that any had forgotten old skills. As Valencio had foretold, the Spell of Pain was just a quick check for each of them, to ensure they could do it. It appeared they’d all heard of Valencio, but the curious stares were only what he was accustomed to from the younger students. He ignored them. There may still have been a ban on visitors for him, as the only other wizards he saw were those on Enclosure duty, and he preferred to keep as much out of their sight as possible.
The lessons for Tashfin continued. They knew he was quick to learn, and was showing indications of enhanced power.
“Gloria told me he’ll be up to the Pain Curse any day now,” Deirdre said fearfully.
But then Abensur advised Carol that Tashfin’s practical lessons would be on hold for a while, and Carol spread the word. “There’s another student, Tristan Kobi-Wynn but they must think he’s behind or something. They’re going to start again with the boys together, but not for a couple of months.”
“Where did he come from?”
“Overseas somewhere, we assume. No-one’s heard of him before.”
“Five children now,” said Helene. “They’re going to get back on their feet.”
Carol admitted, “I don’t know whether that’s good or bad.”
“At least we survive a little longer.”
They went on to talk about a possible successor as leader in Enclosure 1. Helene was twenty-seven, one of the oldest of the women there. “Ingrid, maybe, if she was older. Eva has a lot of sense, not too old, not too young.” There was no point in electing a leader much past the age of twenty, as she would not be there long enough to gain experience.
Carol mentioned that Abensur had said that there would probably be getting a few new young ones for Enclosure 1.
Helene said, “Didn’t I tell you? There was a line-up yesterday morning, but it was the leader, Suma, to inspect, and I have a feeling that she might have refused permission to get in any new ones.”
“Well! That’s a change!”
“Maybe she thinks the men should look to their own women for sex rather than use slaves.”
They exchanged a worried look, and then Helene sighed. “Even if it means we’re at risk as well, I’d rather we were killed than more young girls taken for rape!”
******
Chapter 4:
Lessons resumed, Tristan and Tashfin. Tristan was seen to be well behind to begin with, but Haru pushed him, and it didn’t seem long before the subjects for the day were told that the boys would be learning the Spell of Pain.
Shirley told Valencio afterwards, “Tashfin, the bastard. Treen told me he was a bad one, and it really showed this morning. He did it first go, and loved it! He wanted to keep on doing it. Haru let him, too. Ten of us, and Haru allowed him ten goes.” She looked at Valencio’s face, and said hastily, “Not for more than a few seconds each. And Tristan couldn’t do it at all. Haru finally said they’d come back to it in a year or two, when he’s older.”
The next day, Valencio was included, plus three of the younger women. Haru instructed, “Tashfin, the Pain Curse. The subject is to be Valencio. Watch for my signal, and stop immediately when I indicate.” Sometimes, the boys found more difficulty with the tall and strong male prisoner than they did with the women, and Haru had done this before, as if he was a test for the student. Two extra guards, two of the younger ones, looking very alert and with wands in hand. They had no excuse to put him under semi-paralysis or restrain him, as he never tried to resist or run, as some did. But there were always extra guards when he was to suffer under the Pain Curse.
Valencio merely stared into the distance until Tashfin said the words and he was on the floor. Just a few seconds, and Tashfin was being commended. Competent. Haru marked a list and said they’d be moving on to the next thing.
Valencio stood, again assuming his mask of indifference. The guards lowered their wands. Valencio allowed his gaze to drift over Tristan, briefly meeting his eyes. Tristan looked away and swallowed. He was looking a bit sick.
There was more gossip, brought to them by Nikola, from Shar-kutsu, who still asked for her whenever possible. Two girls had been kidnapped, not medj girls for the enclosures, but freia from another family, to breed Kobi children for them. Tristan and Tashfin were to get them pregnant.
Treen said, “At least we’re free of Tashfin for a week. He’s horrible.”
“Tristan?”
“Tristan’s no particular problem. In other circumstances, one could think he was quite a nice boy!”
A few weeks later, there was another blow to the Kobis. Again, Nikola was the source of their information. That Tristan’s mother had taken him away, plus the two kidnapped girls, who were both pregnant, plus three younger children, all there were aside from Tashfin. The kidnapped girls rescued, and the children - “Shar-kutsu said abducted, but I’d say rescued, at least in the case of the little girls. I’d hate to be a Kobi girl now, they’d be made to have a child a year probably, to make up for all those lost.”
It was reported that investigations were continuing, but that there had so far not been a trace.
Tashfin’s lessons continued, a long series of Vidi-Curses, which he mastered quickly and easily. Tashfin was talented, cruel, and seemed destined to become a fierce and powerful fighter. If he was the only one, it was probable he’d become leader, maybe just as soon as he was adult, even if he had to kill Suma. Valencio concluded that if there was ever the slightest chance, it would be well worthwhile to kill Tashfin. It was most unlikely he’d have the slightest chance.
Three new girls of barely twelve were brought in for Tashfin. Kaede told Valencio that she’d leave Arabic for a while this time, but that he should continue with Japanese in the afternoons for Ingrid, Treen, and the four others still trying to memorize his list of words. Valencio was relieved not to have to face the new girls. How could he try and be encouraging to twelve-year-olds waiting for rape? He didn’t think there had been new girls brought in so young since Margaret, nearly all of them at least fourteen, most as much as sixteen, a few even eighteen, though there had been younger ones in New York, he knew. Tasha told him he couldn’t do anything, and Hilde told him sternly that talking about bloody wizards in front of Abensur, was no longer allowed.
He apologized, and she patted his shoulder, “It cheered them up anyway. Carol passed it on to the girls,” and she quoted, Bloody Kobi wizards get themselves killed in duels all the time and they’ll probably live to see him dead.”
Before breakfast the next morning, Valencio was close to the fence between enclosures, where no-one from outside was likely to be watching. There were two six foot fences crossing each enclosure, their purpose to prevent irritating flights by frightened prisoners. Nearly always, the gates stood open. Like the other fences, they were not only protected by spells that made them unclimbable, they would cause pain to any prisoner who held them for more than a few seconds. Valencio was practicing jumping them, the only one of them who could. There were never many of the Enclosure 1 women around before breakfast, but this time as he jumped, got over cleanly and rolled on the grass, there was a clap and a cheer. He looked around. Three young girls, looking actually happy. He rose to his feet. Two blonde girls and one with black hair, who smiled at him and announced, “Tashfin’s dead, just like you said.”
“He is?” He grinned, “That was quick.”
One of the others said, “You’re Valencio?”
He nodded and was introduced to Evita, Brigitta and Inge. He looked at Brigitta’s right wrist, puzzled, and she said, “Abensur claimed me as Favorite, but said not until I’m older.”
“Evita and I have a few days off,” said Inge. “But Helene says nearly all of them don’t try and hurt, and anyway, we’re not virgins any more, and she says it won’t hurt like the first time.”
“Who killed Tashfin?”
“No-one knows. They say there wasn’t a mark on him, so it was probably the Killing Curse.”
“They did us all a big favor then. The weaker the family grows, the better for the rest of the world.” On the other hand, the weaker the family grew, the more likely they’d be killed off. Valencio looked closely at Abensur the next time he saw him, trying to know whether it was coming. Abensur looked back at him and a guard raised his wand.
Valencio looked away, wishing he could know his mind. And still, there were no hints of a coming cull.
Abensur was putting some thought into it. He didn’t want to clear Enclosure 2, but Suma could order it, or Haru. Ryuichi as well, as manager, and Fudo, as head of the fighting forces. He could even do it on his own authority. It would be a challenge. How would he go about it so that they were not frightened or hurt? Valencio would have to go first, but Valencio might look at him and know. He certainly wouldn’t shirk the job, as Kosin had done in Japan. He’d heard about that. An incompetent had been left in charge, and Keresta had acted totally without imagination, with the result that the killing had been done to the accompaniment of screams and panic! The poor slaves hadn’t deserved that! Even Zhang had managed better than that when he’d disposed of the ones in New York. It was hypothetical so far, but Abensur regarded the slaves as his responsibility. They might have to be killed, but they would not suffer.
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