Because the slave wagon was covered, they could not see anything of the palace or its surroundings, but eventually they heard the sounds of a challenge being made and answered, a gate being raised, and then they knew they had reached their destination.
When the wagon was opened, the slaves were nearly blinded by the bright sunlight, but did not let that stop them from assuming the instinctive Gorean slave position, on their knees, their legs spread wide, their magnificent breasts thrust outward with their hands behind their neck as soon as they climbed fromt he wagon into a sizable courtyard.
They were ordered to follow an ornately dressed man in his late 40's. Lena thought she heard him addressed as "Chaimberlain" but was not sure. Nonetheless, the two girls followed and were led out of the courtyard and into a large stone building inside the palace walls. Eventually, the man led them to a large, wooden double door, before which stood two heavily armed guards. their lack of reaction at the sight of the two slaves spoke of great discipline, spell work, or a certain surgical procedure in their past.
The girls listened intently as the man they had been following addressed them. "This is the entrance to the Sovereign's harem. Once you enter, you will never be allowed to leave, unless you have been summoned to serve the sovereign. You will obey the guards in all things, except where their orders counteract the Sovereign. You must be prepared at all times to be summoned, beacause it is on the Sovereign's schedule and for his pleasure that you will be used. Do you understand?"
Lena felt some pride that her "This girl understands and obeys" came a heartbeat before Cori's. The two are let into the harem by the guards, and find . . .
Wed Nov 10 21:17:58 1999