Abducted Ch. 08

"You like Mozart?" he asked.

"Oh, yes, Master – very much. That's the Clarinet Quintet, I think."

"Yes. He was born in my home town."

"Salzburg! I thought, Master, that you were Austrian, from your accent."

Emma felt hungry, and ate with enthusiasm. She sipped her red wine and felt an explosion of flavours in her mouth. Astonished, she couldn't help looking at her master. "Oh, Master," she exclaimed, "please may I speak?"

"Good Girl! Yes, you may."

"This wine tastes wonderful, Master."

"So it should, Girl. It's a Château Latour 1970, just about coming to its peak. I was lucky enough to be given ten cases as a present twenty-five years ago, and I've been nursing them carefully ever since."

Hans explained the procedures of the Inquest. There would be three Inquisitors, seated on a raised dais, with the Grand Inquisitor in the middle. They alone would ask questions. They would be addressed as 'Excellency'. Those being investigated had no right to be heard, unless invited to speak by the Inquisitors. Emma was not to be misled by their advanced years – their minds were still as alert as ever. The Grand Inquisitor was a most influential personage, great-uncle to His Highness, and full brother of His Highness' grandfather.

Hans drained his glass. "Time to get ready," he announced. "Where are your collar and cuffs?"

Emma went to fetch them, and Hans began putting them on Emma again. He spoke as his fingers manipulated the fastenings. "Apply a very little make-up, as discreet as possible, and the merest hint of perfume. You'll need traditional costume. The black set would be best – it's normal for formal occasions like an Inquest. Do you know how to put them on?"

"Yes, Master, I think I can remember."

"OK, off you go. And you'll be more comfortable with nothing on underneath. You are also allowed a small handbag, for handkerchief, makeup, etc. – but nothing ostentatious."

"Very good, Master."

Emma went to her corner of the 'playroom' and followed her instructions. She opened the wardrobe and managed to put on the abaya, khimar and niqab without difficulty. Returning to the main room, she found Hans had changed into a black linen suit, with pure white shirt and a black and white silk tie. He appraised Emma, and made a small adjustment to her niqab. "That's fine," he announced. "There are just two more things to add. We don't always bother with these, but for formal occasions they are obligatory for slaves. First, your shackles." He took from his pocket a length of thin gold chain about thirty centimetres long, and knelt to attach each end to her suede anklets. "Yes, it is solid gold," he responded to her unasked question. "It's really symbolic, and won't worry you too much, but it means you will have to take quite short steps."

He stood up and removed another chain from his pocket. "And this is your leash," he explained, holding up another gold chain, much thicker than the first, with a black suede handle at one end. He reached under Emma's khimar and fastened the leash to her collar. "Right," he announced, "we need to go. Walk closely behind me."