Vheeran felt his bones turn cold at the announcement, yet he was glad that there were no other ears to hear and pry about in business such as this. He dropped to his knees like some loyal dog called to heel by its master’s feet, the chains around his wrists and ankles clanking against stone as he did. “I pledge my loyalty and service to you again, Emperor.” he said.

     Aradax leaned forward in his seat. “Under pain of death.”

     Vheeran nodded meekly and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the icy stone before him.

     The emperor rose from his seat, with the help of a guard nearby. As cruel as he may have been, Aradax still had enough humility in him to call for help when it was needed. Even if it was for something as simple as getting his fat arse out of his chair. “Go bathe, change and then return. We shall dine together with the other commanders. I’m sure you are eager to meet your fellow companions, now away with you.” he waved both his hands at Vheeran and once he was released from his chains, the soldier did as he was told.

     Vheeran heard the emperor groan about his joints, which were weakening quickly by his excessive weight. Yet, he didn’t think to risk looking back at Aradax. He wanted to be out of the hall, attracting no more attention to himself than he already had. He hadn’t expected such a turn of events; he wasn’t too sure he liked it. Vheeran had never considered what it would be like to become one of Aradax’s esteemed commanders. He didn’t doubt that the other two were far older than him and far more experienced; he would be nothing more than a boy to them all. He’d be a laughingstock.

     A slave girl who had appeared to be waiting for him outside the hall met Vheeran, and she gave him a quick bow, kneeling and pressing her head against the ground. She then found her feet and led him away to a new set of chambers where she would help him prepare for his meal with the emperor. The girl said nothing as they walked; yet she couldn’t help but peer over her naked shoulder at the young man. Her wrap dress brushed just past her knees, bare feet pressing against the stone as she continued walking, and the newly appointed commander could tell by the way she swayed her hips she was attracted to him.

     Vheeran’s face was out for all to see, no hair covering any part of it; save for his small beard and brows. His head was shaved at the sides, leaving a thick mass of black hair coating the middle. His forked beard wasn’t as neat as the emperor’s was; he guessed that the slave girl would attend to his grooming after he had finished bathing.

     The palace around him had fallen silent the closer he came to his new chambers, as if this part of the formidable sandstone palace was of no importance to anyone. It wasn’t a surprise, as the emperor himself wasn’t living in such quarters.

     The slave girl pushed open a heavy set of double doors, leading into an empty bed chamber. It had its own bathing area and a balcony large enough for Vheeran to exercise on without feeling cramped and restrained by anything. The girl closed the doors behind Vheeran and immediately took hold of his hands, spying on his wrists for any wounds the chains could have potentially inflicted on him. When she drew away, Vheeran noticed the sway in her hips again as she walked towards his bathroom. Taking hold of a large iron pump at the front of the tub, she pushed at it and soon enough water gushed out of the tap in heavy gulps.

     Vheeran watched her momentarily before he placed his attention elsewhere. There was a chill within the room, thick curtains draped across the windows and balcony door to close off some sunlight, and on the edges of a beautiful mahogany bed with wooden posts. The bed itself had been buried underneath pillows and blankets of silk and cotton, red and gold and white. Fine things, they were. I don’t doubt, he thought, that the emperor has even finer one.

     Perhaps Aradax even had a bed the size of this entire room to accompany him and all those whores he liked so much. He removed his leather boots quickly, allowing his toes to sink into the cotton rugs that had also been spread out onto the floor beneath him, they felt fuzzy against his skin and he couldn’t help but loose a tired breath.

     The slave girl poked her head out of the bathroom and beamed at him. “Your bath is ready.” she called to him and stepped aside to let him enter the bathing room.

     Vheeran was met by the sound of water splashing against the stone tub that had been built against the wall, at the far end of the room. Mosaics covered the inside of the tub and they reflected yellows and blues against the water.

     The girl tugged at his tunic from behind him and he immediately stuck his arms out, allowing her to place herself before him and slip his dirty tunic off. Removing his breeches next, she ushered him into the bath and tossed his clothes into a wicker basket beside the door.

     Vheeran couldn’t contain a moan of relief at the feel of the heat licking at his sore body, seeping into his flesh to meet his aching bones and muscles.

     The slave girl gathered oils and soaps and placed them down before the tub. Kneeling so she was level with Vheeran, she retrieved a sponge and scrubbed at his skin.

     “What’s your name, Girl?” Vheeran found himself unable to contain the question any longer.

     The girl smiled a little. “Khee.” she replied sweetly.

     Vheeran raised an eyebrow at her. “Where are you from?” he continued.

     Khee shook her head. “That doesn’t matter, Lord.” she said, her voice still as sweet. After a moment of silence, she stopped scrubbing his skin and stared at him. “The Emperor has ordered that I serve you in any way possible, my Lord.” she added in after a moment.

     Vheeran’s forehead creased in confusion, unsure of what she was implying.

     Khee couldn’t help but laugh. “Are all men this innocent?” she asked while she focused on scrubbing at some stubborn dirt.

     Vheeran shook his head. “I assure you I am not innocent, in any way shape or form.”

     Khee took hold of his hand and placed it against the gap of her dress, against her chest. Pushing it under the cotton material, she held his hand against her soft breast and smiled. “In any way.” she emphasised again. Her smile broadened at the feel of Vheeran’s fingers exploring her there, only he drew away just seconds later and shook his head.

      “No.” he said flatly. Vheeran had just been released from prison, only to receive a death sentence, cunningly woven into a deal only fools would fight for. The last thing he wanted to think about was sleeping with some slave girl he didn’t care about.

     Khee’s face dropped with disappointment, but she nodded.

     Shaking droplets of water from his skin as he rose, Vheeran allowed Khee to wrap him with a towel and dry him off. She rubbed his skin with olive oil and then dressed him in a long tunic of splendid red silk, tying it by the waist with a large black sash. The commander even had his hair cut and his beard trimmed. He felt so wonderful and clean after a week in the dingy palace dungeons. Slipping on a pair of dark breeches and boots, he announced that he was ready to tend to the emperor.