I immediately leave my thoughts and realize that in front of me there was a large double door of wood carved with flowers and leaves that was two steps away from my nose.
Artur opened the door and the mysterious games room opened to my eyes.
To my expectations or not, the place was wide. There was a bed lined with white sheets and decorated with dark blue pillows. The floor was lined with a luxury carpet of the same color as the pillows and the windows were closed and covered by long black curtains.
I slowly walked into that room, passing my eyes over every wood closet, every closed door while I was asking to myself how many secrets had been hidden there, how many instruments was locked at that location.
- Sorry I can't let you observe the full extent of this room, I have to go... the ship is far away the coast and my flight attendant needs some instructions yet - Arthur suggested.
I agreed with his request and we left the hall to join to the crew at the bow of the ship.
- If you want to stay in your room I can warn Lord Cael that you will not be able to join us. I know that he asked you to stay always in his company but...
- Pardon? Did he ask? Could you tell me when he asked this to you?
- In that letter... I mean in the message that he sent me... he asked me a number of demands on you my lady.
- Which ones?
- He asked that you always must be in his accompany , that his meals always be served after yours and still about this message he told us that you, my lady, deeply respects the mornezes traditions and I think it's great!
- Yes... What else did he say?
- He also asked that you must be conducted to the games room whenever one of the men of the crew requested your company
- Like a pornes? - I wonder feeling the taste of despair on my lips.
- No... like his pallaki! Like my our sweet Eleonor. How I miss her!... when Ilyada started taking Eleonor to our poker nights... some sailors were disconsolate! But as Ilyada was the first lady they were all afraid of confrontation...
- What about Cael? Didn't he say anything about it?
- I don't think so... actually he don't know about Ilyada does because nobody told him about it... but look on the bright side if you gets lucky only the new sailors will request there to the games room! They're prettier than the old sailors...
- Yes... I hope so... Can I ask a question? - I tried to change the subject so that at least I could find time to disguise my despair for the possible rapes that would be committed with my body.
- Of course! Go ahead...
- Who is Benjamin? That friend who was just talking to Cael...
- That is Benjamin Leonel! He is part of the Central Council with Cael and the other Iudexes. Cael invited him to joins us on this journey as a courtesy to the friendship they both have.
- Interesting...
-He and sir Cael are very close! Although Benjamin is not grateful for this friendship.
- Yes...
- But changing the subject... today we will have a beautiful celebration in my private room! I'm extremely excited about it! I spent two weeks planning this dinner to the please sir Cael! And for you too! Of course.
-I'm sure it'll be great... After dinner... would it be possible for me to stay in my room even if someone from the crew requested me in the games room?
- Unfortunately not... If sir Cael requested you I could do something but in if someone in my crew requests you...
- Why?
- Kris. Mister Cael is very noisy when he is having fun in the games room, which disturbs my tribulation.
- So as long as your night is not interrupted by whatever happens with me in the games room, it's everything okay?
- Hey Kris... you said as if I were the most sensitive man in whole empire but that's not what I meant! Kris I just want to say that if you were with sir Cael everyone on the crew could defend you because they would feel uncomfortable with the noises that would be made at night but as our crew already knows how the things function here, we will take more care... you are a pallaki... give pleasure and children to your master is your function and if your Master thinks that it necessary that you must have several lords and you have to give pleasure to these gentlemen what can I do? Besides, it's not my problem... if it doesn't bother me and my sailors, it's not that big a problem.
I couldn't say anything about that. I was going to be raped and no one would help me.
Perhaps I could lock myself in my room until the end of the trip claiming.
- Is just sex! You just need to close your eyes and obey! Also because you will also be pleased with it... you will also be somewhat rewarded.
I Ignored his words. I needed to find some way to solve that chaotic situation.
- Kris? Did you understand me? In the end you will be rewarded.
Arthur ended our talk with that phrase while my mind worked desperately to reverse my situation. What would those men could do with me? Suddenly my mind started to pass on some images of the dialogue between Benjamin and Cael. From what I remembered Benjamin said something about empathy. Could he help me?
I was desperate... Benjamin and Cael are friends... they may agree with my situation as well as Arthur and all crew is too but it wouldn't hurt to try...
As I was thinking of a solution my feet guided my body out of the lower deck of the ship.
We passed the stairs and arrived at the deck again. Everything was in silent, except for the shaking of the waves against the hull of the ship and the noise of the winds shaking the sails.
- Hi Pallaki missing? - That voice was vaguely familiar but my mind could not connect the velvety timbre with no face known.
I turned my eyes to find out who was saying hi and the first thing that I saw was the Benjamin smile.
- Hi Benjamin! I was thinking about you right now...
- It means that I am an irresistible man... - He mock in a haughty tone- As I wander in your thoughts...
- No! No! I just wanted to talk to you.
- I know... all the pallakis always say that...
- You are very convinced...
- And beautiful! Don't forget that... May I know why were you thinking about me?
- It's about the game room...
I looked around and I saw Cael looking at us from the capitan cabin, Arthur was going towards him but Cael's eyesbwere on us.
I don't know for sure if it was Cael's gaze at us or if it was my words that made Benjamin erase the naughty smile on his face.
- We can talk about this somewhere a little bit more...
- Far away from Cael's eyes and ears?
- Exactly! The parapet of the ship seems a good place...
- I think so!
- Okay... let's go there!
We went away from the sailors, the mops and the barrels of sealed and varnished of rum and we leaned on the long and polished parapet that united the both ends of the ship.
- Here it is much better... - I confessed more relaxed while I was feeling the waves and the salt breeze of the sea.
- That's true... and about that Cael nonsense... there's not much I can do...
- You mean the game room?
- No. I refer to offering you as a piece of roast for the entire crew!
- I don't agree either. I'm actually terrified about of that! You've seen the number of stinky, drunk men surrounding us?
- Yes... most of them look at you as if you were a steak show... and the worst! None of them are as sober and fragrant as I am!
- Lord Benjamin... Your self-esteem is enviable!
- Lord? Just call me Ben! I'm not too old yet!
- Okay... okay Ben!
- Much better! But changing the subject. Do you have any idea about what we can do? How can I help you?
-No... I had some ideas but they were out of the question.
In seconds the flashes of my previous thoughts and plans collided against my mind reflecting in my eyes the image of myself throwing to the sea.
- I will try to help you. You can mark my words Kris! I'll help you!
- Thank you Ben! That's very kind of you...
- You're welcome... How did you get to Cael's house? Did he ask to buy you?
- I don't know... I think my father gave me to him.