Chapter 15

Having reached agreement on how to divide up the new slaves, I leave it to Zoe to put Halls of Valhalla collars on them, and split their coffles into pairs or trios. She enlists Isa’s help, while Hafsat, Makina and Farai replace Isa in the kitchen, helping Hanna prepare a huge meal. Amina helps Zoe by translating her instructions to the slaves.

After and evening meal, which the new slaves eat in the large training room, we proceed to lock them up for the night. Three cells are assigned to the elven we intend to train. Beyza and Nazli will share a cell with two of the women we intend to sell immediately. A fifth cell will be for the other four we will sell, while the sixth will be for Amina and her older sisters.

To avoid a mad rush for the washing and toilet facilities, we go through the process one cell at a time. I take a look at the water level in the cistern once everyone except Zoe, Hanna, Isa and I have settled for the night. While the spring will replenish most of the cistern overnight, we will need to top it up by as much as a third to keep pace with consumption.

“I think we will need up to twenty bucket loads of water each day,” I say to Zoe and Hanna. “Have Beyza, Nazli and Hafsat make three round trips to the town cistern with two buckets apiece straight after breakfast. Hopefully that will be enough to last through the day.”

The four of us leave Mahmud in charge of the Halls overnight. Despite our near exhaustion, Zoe and I take time to bring each other to an orgasm before falling asleep in each others arms.

The next morning is as hectic as yesterday. At Hanna’s suggestion we unlock the slaves in stages and allow each group to have breakfast in shifts. In order for the water carriers to start their task in the cool of the morning, we unlock their two cells first. It also gives me a chance to talk with Amina about her future.

“I have discussed our future with my older sisters, Sai. Makina wants me to give you the stones providing you promise to look after our younger sisters until you can find someone to take them in. Farai believes I should use the stones for a dowry. Hafsat says it is my choice to make.”

Since Makina has two full-sisters among the youngest five, I can understand her recommendation. Farai is probably the most independent of the sisters, so her attitude is to be expected, despite the uncertain consequences for her younger sisters.

“So what is your decision, Amina?” I ask.

“I have lost too many of my siblings already, and I cannot bear the thought of the young ones being lost too, Sai. The stones are yours if you promise to look after Tawnya and the younger ones until you can find someone to be responsible for them.”

“Very well. And I make you that promise. They shall reside here until I can make a more permanent arrangement for them.”