Chapter 8: Morning after

When morning was at hand and all his pals went home, Salim yawned, satisfied. He retired to sleep off the night’s revel, Horsetail joining him in his chambers after washing all the oil and cum from her body. His social position was strengthened and several new commissions secured. Furthermore, Amir, heir to a large merchant house, had intrigued him, promising to reveal some dark secret when Salim paid him a return visit.

Later that day, Salim decided to give his slave’s pleas a shot and took Horsetail to work as his assistant. To his surprise, she demonstrated both eagerness and ability. He saw the party had taken it’s toll on her, hands darting to rub her sore knees and jaw when she thought he didn’t look, rolling and stretching her back after every task. Nevertheless, she happily limped after him, hauling his tools and supplies. Even the mixing of paints, the names for hues, and snippets of artistic theories he shared were quickly grasped by her agile, unfathomable mind, filling Salim with a tutor’s pride.