Chapter 14: Ramiro and Meghr

Over the weeks that Amina, Phoebe and I are training Meghr, Ramiro makes several visits to my room to report on his activities. Not all of our meetings are focussed on military matters, which, to be honest, bore me to tears. Ramiro is a competent military leader and he is well suited to being city warlord despite his earlier reservations. There is very little I can add to his reports, other than to suggest ways of dealing with meddling aldermen.

Like my father and uncle before me, I find that business meetings are more tolerable if mingled with some personal entertainment. Zoe and I used to keep our respective uncle’s cock well serviced during their regular business meetings. These days, Amina and I amuse ourselves by providing Ramiro with plenty to brag about when he is next with his soldiers.

Ever since allowing Meghr to sleep in the harem, I haven’t placed any restrictions on her movements within the main building. Farai and Mia usually organise Meghr’s daily work schedule, and they only call on Amina if there is a problem with communicating instructions. Consequently there is no reason why Meghr shouldn’t be the slave bringing my lunch tray to my room. I see her enter the room, but my mind is preoccupied with Ramiro’s solid shaft doing pleasant things to my innards. Her shock at seeing Ramiro fucking me hard on my bed nearly causes her to drop the tray. But she places it on the side table quietly and promptly charges across the room and leaps on Ramiro’s back. She digs her nails into his chest.

“What the fuck!” cries Ramiro, more surprised than hurt.

“Wait! Wait! Meghr! Wait!” I shout, hoping that she can sense the meaning of my words.

I untangle myself from Ramiro and prise Meghr off Ramiro’s back. To his credit, Ramiro doesn’t retaliate to Meghr’s assault. My knowledge of the sign language Amina has developed with Meghr is too limited to convey more than a simple instruction for her to stand back. Meghr soon calms down once she realises that I’m alright, and that she didn’t walk in on Ramiro forcing his attentions on me. She drops to her knees when she realises her error and lifts her arms towards me with her wrists crossed. It’s obviously an act of submission that she was taught before she arrived at Wadi Halaf. While I have no intention of binding her wrists, Ramiro has other ideas. He removes one of the strips of leather he carries on his belt for securing prisoners, and binds Meghr’s wrists tightly together.

“It’s a Bulaq custom, Mistress,” says Ramiro. “By binding her wrists, we are accepting her apology and declaring the matter closed.”

“Do you think Meghr originally comes from the Bulaq lands?” I ask Ramiro.

“Her features aren’t typical of a Bulaq woman, but she must have spent time with someone who follows their customs. She braids her hair in a style favoured by Bulaq girls.”

I’m surprised that Meghr attempted to defend me. Neither of us knows the other well, so I don’t expect that degree of loyalty from a new slave. However, it isn’t a subject I want to discuss with Ramiro. Amina and Farai might be able to learn more about Meghr’s motives later. Ramiro and I abandon our sexual interlude, and Ramiro returns to his duties. I have Meghr kneel on the floor besides me while I eat my lunch. Ramiro didn’t say how long I should keep Meghr’s wrists bound. Although I’ve come across Bulaq slaves from time to time, I’m not familiar with this particular custom.

I finish my lunch and unbind Meghr’s wrists so that she can return my tray to the kitchen, and resume her duties. I’m due to meet with Aren and Farai in a short while. I would prefer to do that without the distraction of Meghr kneeling bound in my room. Besides, Amina will be looking for Meghr in an hour or so to continue her training.

It’s evening before I find time to compare thoughts about Meghr with Amina and Farai. With three caravans staying overnight, Dania, Phoebe, Sharina and Zahra are providing the evening entertainment, while Meghr is among the four slaves serving refreshments. Despite being made to wear an uncomfortable chastity belt, Meghr seems to to enjoy the task.

“Without knowing her background, it’s difficult to understand Meghr’s motives,” says Amina. “She has clearly spent a lot of time in a community where obedience and submission was expected from her. Meghr seems eager to fit in here at Wadi Halaf. She’s intelligent, and it’s obvious that she understands far more than she can communicate. If I had enough time, we could develop a more comprehensive sign language for her.”