Emily (11 page)

On the seventh night, as everyone was eating, a guard walked up to Valeskia and ordered her to come with him. Everyone fell silent.

Valeskia turned to the group and calmly said, ‘I will return soon,’ and to the children, she said, ‘Be good until then.’ Inside she was shaking, knowing what was going to happen to her.

Dusana ran to Valeskia, grabbing her leg. Scared that the guard would try and kick her, Valeskia beckoned for Jonas to pull her off.

‘It’s alright, little one,’ Valeskia’s voice was soft but she was scared. Leading her back to the manor the guard said nothing, simply leading her through the hall to the bedroom she had been in previously.

‘
You are to bathe and change into the clothes on the bed. You have one hour.’

Standing alone, Valeskia
’s mind was racing. She knew Varrick had returned. This time she wouldn’t be afraid.
I’ll give him what he wants
, she thought, undressing and slipping into the tub of hot water. Washing her long hair, she quickly rinsed it and stood in front of the fire, running her fingers through her hair to help it dry. He had provided soap that smelled of lemongrass and the smell made her homesick for her old life. She scolded herself and thought,
It’s no use being weak
. This was her life now and she would make the best of it.

The dress that Varrick had picked out for her was pale yellow. She knew that he liked that colour and Valeskia quickly washed her old clothes in the bath water, putting them in front of the fire to dry. Unsure of what to do, she looked around the room and noticed a chest of drawers. Going over to it she saw a picture of a woman in a silver frame on top of it.
Picking it up, Valeskia wondered who the woman was. She had a handsome face but looked cruel.

‘
That’s my mother,’ Varrick called from the doorway. Valeskia jumped, almost dropping the picture. Placing it down on the chest she turned to face him.

‘
How was your trip?’ Valeskia asked. Varrick was taken aback by the question. The girl had previously acted as if she hated him and never spoke before he did.

‘
I had business – it is now over. Are you hungry?’ he asked, perhaps being in the camp had softened her towards him.

‘
Actually yes, I’m hungry,’ Valeskia said, keeping her voice pleasant. Lifting her dress so that Varrick could see her legs, she said, ‘I’m now as thin as a rake. If I carried your child it wouldn’t do well from the lack and quality of food.’ Varrick had to think about that. It was true that the girl had lost weight. And while she was still beautiful, she looked better with more flesh on her.

Pressing the conversation, Valeskia continued with,
‘Why do you give the people you create so little food?’

‘
They live, do they not?’ Varrick answered coolly. Valeskia went over to the fire, letting the light from the flames outline her body in the dress she wore. ‘It takes my guards at least half the day to prepare your food,’ he added. He could smell the scent of lemongrass from her body. His desire for her was building.

‘
Why should they do such work?’ Valeskia said gently. ‘Give us whole food and we’ll cook it ourselves. Let us grow food and tend to livestock ourselves, it will save you and your guards work.’

Varrick laughed. He could not believe how bold this girl was.
‘Is there anything else you want?’

‘
Yes. I need books and writing materials so that I can teach the children to read.’

‘
Why bother?’ Varrick was becoming annoyed.

‘
Because it will keep them busy and maybe they’ll become useful to you.’

Pausing to think on her words, Varrick eyed her body and then demanded,
‘What will you give me in return?’ Valeskia paused and played her only card, she prayed that she had judged his desire correctly.

‘I will bear you a child,’ Valeskia paused. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

‘
You think you have a choice with this?’ Varrick replied coldly.

‘
I will find a way to kill myself, this is no way to live,’ Valeskia spoke firmly. ‘I’m not an animal. I was raised for a better life than this.’

Varrick smiled coldly at the girl
’s thinking. Maybe this could work, getting them to look after themselves. The guards complained all the time about looking after the people and what he gave he could take away. He was impressed with this young girl. She stood calmly, waiting for him to answer her. A child from this woman could be the one that survives; he just knew it in his bones. The doctors couldn’t explain why child after child of his were born either dead or died shortly after birth.

Gesturing to the girl to go to the bed he said,
‘Let’s discuss the finer details.’ Knowing she had won for the moment, Valeskia prayed she could pay the price as she slowly removed her dress.

* * *

Six months later, the first of the crops from the garden in the compound delivered. The people celebrated by preparing a feast. Valeskia had taken over the preparation of the food and had trained several helpers. The extra food and the fact that Valeskia prepared it, improved the condition of the people. Jonas worked hard putting together the garden and tending to the animals. He would meet every morning with Valeskia and they would go over the work for the day, and who would be allocated to do it.

School was attended by every child and Dusana proved to be the star pupil. Her mind was quick and her wit was funny and insightful. She turned ten but really didn
’t grow much taller. However, she was still faster than anyone and still ended the day covered in mud.

Once a week Valeskia was taken into the dark manor to Varrick.
Afterwards she would be sent to the doctors who would poke and prod her. On entering the bedroom, she found the usual hot bath and change of clothes. Valeskia loved the bath – it was the only time she allowed herself to think about her old life, with the hot water on her body. Dressing in the gown that Varrick had left for her she found a book placed under it. The book was on natural farming methods and had been handwritten. Valeskia took the book, sitting with her back to the fire so that her hair would dry and began to read it. It was a wonderful source of information and it would help the people with the development of the farm. As she was reading the book, she didn’t notice the door open. Varrick watched her for a moment. He was in a good mood, he had just been with the doctors and they had told him that Valeskia was finally pregnant.

‘
I thought you would find the book interesting,’ he spoke softly. Valeskia jumped at the sound of his voice.

Gathering herself she said,
‘Thank you for the gift. It will be useful.’

Varrick walked into the room carrying a pear. He handed it to Valeskia who smiled in thanks. It had been so long since she had seen a piece of fruit. Putting it besides the book, she thought to herself,
I will share it with the children
. She knew that some of them would have never seen a pear before. Standing up, Valeskia went to remove her gown but Varrick held up his hand and gestured for her to stop.

‘
The doctors say you are pregnant. I am most pleased.’

‘
Oh, I see,’ Valeskia replied. She had felt strange for the last week and had thought she was slightly ill with the flu.

‘
I want you to stay in the manor until the child is born,’ Varrick said firmly.

‘
No, please,’ Valeskia stammered, pausing when she saw his face becoming angry. ‘The children need to learn, it keeps them busy.’ Knowing that he wouldn’t change his mind she asked, ‘May I please go back to the compound during the day? The fresh air and the exercise will be healthy for the baby.’

Knowing he wouldn
’t say no to her and hating the part of him that craved for her affection, he said, ‘Only until you are six months gone, the last three months are when I lose my spawn; the babies abort. You will sleep with me in this bed and maybe, in time, you will like me.’

But the look she gave him
bode no hope, so he ordered, ‘Help me with my clothes,’ and Valeskia knelt down to help Varrick take off his boots, despairing at the turn of events.

The next day, Valeskia sliced up the pear so that all the children could taste a piece. There were
‘ooos’ and ‘ahhs’ as the children slowly savoured the fruit. Jonas had just popped into the tent as it was the end of class for the day. Valeskia could see that he had something on his mind but he wouldn’t volunteer it, she knew that she’d have to draw it out of him.

‘
How did the preparation of the new vegetable bed go today?’ she asked, handing him a tiny piece of the pear. He smiled at her before popping the delicious fruit into his mouth.

‘
It went well. The south block doesn’t have as many boulders so we’ve almost cleared it up. I think it will be ready in another two days.’

‘
What do you think we should grow in it?’ Valeskia asked, pushing the last of the children from the tent so she could start to prepare food for the evening. Jonas went quiet and Valeskia knew he had an idea.

‘
Lavender,’ he almost whispered.

‘
Lavender?’ Valeskia was surprised, thinking to herself,
What does he have on his mind?
She had grown to trust his counsel but this was an odd idea. Keeping quiet, she waited for Jonas to share his idea.

After a few seconds and knowing that she was waiting he said,
‘Varrick has been kind to give us seeds to grow and livestock as well. We now produce enough food for our needs.’

‘
True,’ said Valeskia and thought,
although not from kindness
. But no one knew of the pact she had made to get the resources.

‘
We’re still no use to Varrick and it is only at his whim that he keeps us alive. If we grew lavender we could make things for Varrick to sell at the markets; soap, perfume, creams. Thora knows of such things. We need to develop an industry so we won’t be so expendable.’ Valeskia smiled at Jonas, who was now bright red.

‘
You’re so right. I hadn’t thought of such a thing.’

Jonas added,
‘Sven is very good at woodwork. He’s made all the furniture we have here. With the right tools we could make quality goods to sell. In return, maybe we could barter for some more materials to build huts. These tents get so cold in the wintertime. Smiling even more, Valeskia put her hand on Jonas’ shoulder. Looking into his eyes, she said, ‘This is a good idea. I’ll put it to Varrick tonight.’

‘
You’re going back again tonight?’ Jonas remarked, he was not so foolish. He knew what Varrick wanted her for – she was the most beautiful woman in the camp.

Knowing it would hurt him Valeskia replied,
‘I carry his child, there’s nothing I can do except pray that he tires of me.’ Jonas didn’t think that would be possible, Valeskia was the most wonderful woman he had ever met. His heart was sad because he knew she only liked him as a friend. Changing the subject, Valeskia brightened and said, ‘We need to see what else we can do. Ask around and see what other talents we have here.’ Jonas left with the task and Valeskia went through all the different ways she would present the idea to Varrick.

* * *

The birth of her son had been easy but when the doctors took the child away from Valeskia it left her sobbing for hours. Finally the boy was brought back to her and she clutched the child tightly to her chest.

Varrick entered the room, beaming.
‘You’ve done well, Valeskia. As a reward I’ll give you the tractor you’ve asked for and extend the compound another two hundred feet.’ He was pleased with the work the people produced; they had already begun to make him money. He reached for the child and Valeskia regretfully handed the boy to him. Holding him up, Varrick counted all his fingers and toes. The boy didn’t cry. ‘I’m pleased with the child so I’ll give you another gift, woman,’ and he handed her a silver tray. On it was a coffee pot, milk jug and sugar bowl. ‘These belonged to my mother.’ Valeskia looked at the tray. She had never seen such beautiful objects. The silver glistened in the firelight. Handing the child back to Valeskia, he said ‘Now, to name the boy.’

‘
May we please call him Vladimir?’ Valeskia asked softly. It was the name of her father, who Valeskia still missed daily. Thinking for a moment Varrick decided.

‘
Why not, Vladimir is a good name for my son.’ Looking at the boy again, he added, ‘His hair is an odd colour, it looks grey.’ Valeskia had noticed that as well. ‘Still, he is perfect,’ Varrick remarked, his mind elsewhere. ‘Rest, Valeskia, and when you’re ready, we’ll have another child.’ He didn’t notice the horror that flashed across her face, so Varrick left feeling very good. Valeskia realised that her life would never change and she cried herself to sleep.

* * *

A year passed and Vladimir could walk, he was very steady on his feet and almost never cried. Thora looked after the child while Valeskia taught the children. Small huts had been built and the people were now producing new clothes. One of the men had been a shoe smith and had taught one of the older boys how to make shoes. They now produced enough shoes for all the people and some to sell. That morning, Valeskia had picked up a new pair of black boots for herself and a pair of small shoes for Vladimir. Smiling to herself, she thought how cute he would look in the shoes.