Chapter 9

By the end of the first week we have a workable routine established. The five youngest girls now sleep in what was Zoe’s room. Zoe has officially moved in with me, although in practise that was what she had been doing for the last two years. The move has freed up some of the cells, so I can now look to acquire new slave stock. I need to keep up a steady flow of purchase and sale of slaves to keep the Halls of Valhalla in business.

Although Isa has completed her training, and she is ready for sale, I’ve decided to delay sending her to the market. The younger girls respond well to her control and Hanna needs extra help in the kitchen. Consequently Isa now shares the house slave’s quarters with Hanna. That means Hanna gets the help she needs, and Isa is nearby should there be a problem with the younger girls overnight.

Damla, Esme and Seda are also ready for sale, and I’ve made arrangements for a couple of private buyers to view them tomorrow before the following day’s public auction. Occasionally I receive a good private offer for a slave which saves me the auctioneer’s fee at the public market. Understandably, the three women are getting nervous.

I’ve no serious complaints about the behaviour of Amina, Hafsat, Makina and Farai. All are receiving training, although only Amina undertakes anything sexual. I know a little more about each of the four girls, none of whom share the same mother. Consequently they have differences which make them interestingly unique.

Amina is eighteen years old, and is the only one of the four who will command a good price in the slave market at the current time. She is still considering the options Zoe’s discovery of the semi-precious stones in the hem of her dress presents. She’s been on her best behaviour since our discussion, and she’s mindful that the other girls still look to her for leadership.

Hafsat is sixteen and probably the most volatile of the four. She is proving difficult to train properly as she has an inflated opinion of herself. I anticipate that she will be the last of the group to accept her enslavement. Hafsat has strong muscles, which means that if she isn’t careful, she is likely to end up being a beast of burden in some manually intensive trade.

Makina is fifteen and shows great promise of being an attractive pleasure slave when she is older. She has two full-sisters among the five youngest girls, so she is consequently the one who pays closest attention to their activities.

Farai is thirteen and will probably be the prettiest of the four older girls when she is fully matured. She’s the most talkative and inquisitive of the group. The arrogant attitude and superiority originally portrayed by the older girls has diminished, and in the case of Farai, it has disappeared entirely.

By now the floors, walls and furniture at Wadi Halaf are looking spotless. The kitchen and storerooms are the next to be tackled. The initial enthusiasm of the younger girls to help has waned, but I insist that seven year old Tawnya and six year old Lewana participate in the work sessions. Instilling them with a work ethic will help them attract a buyer when it eventually comes time for me to sell them.