Lord of Raven's Peak by Catherine Coulter Page B

said, “I must relieve myself.”
    He said matter-of-factly, “You have seen the men relieve themselves. It is more difficult for you, a female, but nonetheless, you must do it. I will stand in front of you to give you some privacy. Do you wish to do it now?”
    She nodded.
    Once she was finished, he helped her sit down beside him. “That wasn’t so very bad, was it?”
    â€œIt was bad,” she said, not looking at him. “It’s always been bad. At first I couldn’t bear it, it was more humiliation than I thought one could endure. Then I realized that all regarded it with indifference, save for those who enjoyed shaming the slaves. They enjoyed watching closely and laughing. When I became a boy it was all the more difficult.” She sighed, then grinned. “I became quite good at aping the boys. I would turn my back, position my arms just so, and all would think it a boy relieving himself. It was an act, of course, to lull any suspicions.”
    â€œHow long were you a female before you changed to a boy’s garb?”
    â€œNot long, it was too dangerous. I didn’t wish to be ravished. Being a boy was safer.”
    â€œNot in Kiev and to the south,” he said.
    â€œThen I was lucky not to be in the south,” she said, and her voice was cool and he wondered if she were lying. He couldn’t tell.
    He said, “If ever I intend to humiliate you, it will not be in that fashion. I gave you what privacy I could. I could do no more for you.”
    â€œI know.”
    â€œHow do you feel?”
    She looked surprised, then said, “Much better.”
    She squared her skinny shoulders, winced, and let them relax again. “Perhaps not all that ready to kill your enemies,” he said.
    â€œNo, not quite.”
    She was different, from her red hair and white flesh to the natural arrogance in her that should have been beaten out of her a long time ago. “How old are you?”
    â€œI am eighteen.”
    â€œHow old is Taby?”
    â€œHe is nearly six now.”
    â€œHow long were both of you slaves?”
    â€œNearly two years—nay, I forget. It isn’t important. There is no reason for you to know, no reason for you to be interested.”
    â€œIt matters not that you told me. Had it been longer than two years, you would probably be dead, at least Taby would. It is amazing that you managed to keep him alive for two years. He was naught but a baby. Where do you come from?”
    She shook her head and said, “I am from a place much like the place you come from. It is a place I will return to, in my own time, when I am ready to return. And I meant it, Viking, I want to buy the three of us from you.” She drew a deep breath. “I will pay you for the clothes, I will pay you for what you paid for Taby, for—”
    He wanted to cuff her. Instead he grabbed her arm and jerked her around to face him. “My name is Merrik. You will use it. You will also learn to mind that tongue of yours. No wonder Thrasco beat you. How many other masters have flayed the hide off you for your insolence?”
    She shook her head, looking at him straight in his eyes. “Only one, the first one. I kept quiet after that. But I did win, for she bought Taby as well.”
    â€œAnd why has your learning failed you now? Do you believe me too soft to beat you?”
    Her eyes shifted and she looked over his left shoulder, toward Cleve, who was holding Taby’s hand, looking down at him and listening to him speak. “You aren’t like the others,” she said. “You are not soft, but you are different. I don’t fear you, at least I don’t fear that you will beat me or Taby.”
    â€œYou should fear me only if you find obedience to me difficult.”
    She shook away his words. “You are different, aren’t you? You won’t sell us or hurt us or give us to your friends? When I asked you before, you mocked