Free Innocent by Aishling Morgan

morning the first of Ikail’s clients began to drift in. Most were simply looking, browsers, as Babalyn called them, or seeking bargains. Babalyn had seen most before, and made comments on each to Cianna, until a short, balding man in robes of rich green silk appeared on the balcony.
    â€˜That is Ikail himself,’ Babalyn whispered. ‘There must be an important client. See.’
    Another man had appeared beside Ikail, tall, lean, with a great hook nose, his hair a pale ash grey against the charcoal of his skin. He wore a robe of the deepest blue, elaborately embroidered in gold, with a number of heavy golden chains around his neck, each displaying a symbol.
    â€˜Military, I would guess,’ Babalyn whispered. ‘A retired general perhaps? A good prospect. Straighten up, boobs out, stroke my hair, and chatter playfully. They love the appearance of mindless vanity.’
    â€˜He is somewhat old,’ Cianna said doubtfully.
    â€˜Old and wealthy, perfect,’ Babalyn answered. ‘We will have nothing to do all day but lounge around and look pretty.’
    â€˜Should we flirt?’ Cianna asked. ‘To show interest.’
    â€˜It is not necessary,’ Babalyn said. ‘There is no creature more vain than the Makean male. Each thinks himself irresistible to women, no matter that he is ancient, stunted, deformed even. He will take your attraction to him for granted. Merely pose, and if we are called up, be meek, simper a little, and recite your skills in the erotic and culinary arts.’
    Ikail and the client were walking slowly around the balcony, looking down at the slave girls. Occasionally one or the other would pass a comment, while one of the other clerks explained the characteristics of particular girls. As the little group reached the place opposite where Cianna sat, she looked up, smiling, then went back to admiring Babalyn’s crinkly black hair. The men passed on, but a moment later the clerk signalled to them.
    â€˜We must stress our virtues as a pair,’ Babalyn said as they hurried up the stairs. ‘We are lovers, right, as when we are made to perform together, real passion is always popular. Say you trained as a concubine as well…’
    â€˜A what?’ Cianna demanded.
    â€˜A concubine, a girl trained to give men pleasure.’
    â€˜We do not do this, in Aegmund. It is…’
    â€˜Never mind, just say your are a trained pleasure slave.’
    â€˜I…’ Cianna began, but they had reached the balcony, and the tall man was looking at them.
    Babalyn smiled sweetly, taking Cianna’s hand and walking forward with her hips swinging. Cianna tried to imitate her, acutely conscious of her naked body, as both Ikail and the tall man watched her as if her nakedness were of no consequence whatever.
    â€˜Here, Elite, ’ the clerk spoke, indicating them, ‘an odd pair, who seem to have taken to one another. The dark girl was of high status in her homeland, one of the Aprina states, and she has all the haughteur of her kind. It would perhaps amuse you to break her? The pale is an oddity, indeed, I at first thought her a hybrid. You two, why are you not kneeling before the Elite Admiral Assivetes?’
    Babalyn knelt immediately, pulling Cianna down with her.
    â€˜Peculiar,’ the one addressed as Assivetes said. ‘The pale one is a northland savage, I think. She might do, but I want no arrogant Aprinian girl.’
    â€˜I am not arrogant,’ Babalyn said sweetly. ‘I have learnt my place in life, and the worth of Makean men. I am skilled also, in all the erotic arts of Opina. Please take me, great Elite.’
    The man grunted.
    â€˜She is well broken in,’ Ikail remarked. ‘She has been some time in Makea and has been taught much. And look at her body. Such breasts are rare, and above a waist so slim, with hips in perfect proportion. Her bottom is no less magnificent. Turn, girl.’
    Babalyn scrambled