Amber's Enslavement Ch. 07

Back in her room, Amber pulled the anatomy scroll out and waited the few seconds for the writing to change for her. Bressala noticed the pause and asked, "Amber, why do you do that?"

"Do what, Mistress?"

"Wait several seconds before you start reading."

"It's to give the writing a chance to change for me, Mistress."

"What do you mean, change for you?"

"You know, Mistress. When I first open the scroll, all the writing is gibberish. In a few seconds, the collar changes the words for me. I guess it really translates them for me. Anyway, I can't read it until the change happens."

Bressala gave Amber a confused look. Bressala had no memory of having to wait for the translation from the collar. When she opened a scroll, it was in her own tongue, every time, without fail. She wasn't planning on doing anything more about it, but recalled that Garth wanted everything strange in Amber's training reported. She'd been on her way to tell Garth about the need to punish Amber during a training session; this would be just one more thing to mention.

*****

"I'm sorry, Inclon, I wasn't able to obtain a current copy of the scroll. My contact within the Wizard's Guild was adamant. Apparently the punishment for letting it get out is quenching the spark."

Heversham and Inclon were sharing a drink under the merchant's sun shade. In a week, it would be lethal to be out at all. As it was, this luxury was to be short lived. Inclon slipped his klaht.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I guess it's not such a surprise though."

"I do have something for you, Inclon. I just don't know if it'll help you any. You haven't told me what you needed the scroll for."

"I'm afraid I can't do that." Inclon tried to imagine the consequences if it became known that the memory potion wasn't working properly. His imagination was far too good for his peace of mind. "What's this alternative?"

"You know how merchants tend to collect information?" At Inclon's nod he continued. "One of the things my clan collects is anything someone else wants hidden; if I can. I've always been curious why the Wizard's Guild collects and destroys old copies of the scroll. We have, over the years, obtained copies of the scroll from over the last 300 years."

"How, by the names of all the Gods, did you manage that?" At Heversham's wry smile, he shook his head. "Stupid question. What do they say?"

"Oh, pretty much what every edition says. Something about substances and mana. I really don't know. I've never been interested in alchemy. My scribe assures me that, taken as a whole, they're quite fascinating."

"How much, you old thief?"

"Inclon, I'm shocked at such a characterization. I am not old." They both chuckled at the shared and casual joke. "Twenty-five gold should do it. It's not like there was much of an investment in making the copies."

"We'd better get inside. It's a deal. At least I'll be able to find out what the Guild's been trying to hide all these years."

Hours later, his eyes red from exhaustion, Inclon leaned back from his reading. The information was mind boggling. This would change the face of magic, and especially alchemy. To think that the Guild knew the truth all along and kept it hidden. Given what he'd learned, it was a minor miracle that Amber hadn't remembered her entire past. Sighing, he put the scrolls in his personal chest, activating the magical locks automatically.

Turning, he saw Justilia waiting for him with a cup of steaming liquid. "Melrose, no doubt," he thought to himself. At least the sleep inducing drink would help put his mind to rest. There would be much to do when he woke.

*****

Amber lay in bed, trying to sleep and failing. Her memories haunted her. In the last month of training, she'd had to fight her memories and her emotional reactions to them again and again. Each fight forced her to lie to Bressala yet one more time. Amber was tired of lying. For two months she'd seen the love and affection that each and every slave had for one another. The only conflicts were friendly rivalries to see who was best at this and that slave duty. They tended to make everyone involved better at them.

In the midst of all this was Amber. Her memories and her guilt were threatening to smother her. She felt like there were times when she was close to a collar induced sleep again. She knew something was going to shatter under the strain of the lies. She almost hoped that it would be her life; yet she didn't want to die. Tears flowed as she fell into a dream filled sleep.

*****

"Amber, I'm disappointed in you. How could you?"

"Mom, I'm so sorry," sobbed the twelve-year-old girl.

"I'm sorry too. You know what the penalty is for lying. It's the one thing your dad can't stand. Bend over the chair."

Amber Willenberg was still sobbing as she laid herself over the arm of the chair. With efficient blows, Amber was spanked ten times. It didn't actually hurt much; most of the force having been absorbed by her clothes. Afterwards, her mom pulled her close and held her tight.

"Amber, I hate to have to spank you."

"I know. I'm so sorry. I wish I'd just admitted it when you asked."

"So do I, dear, so do I. It's so much easier to tell the truth, you know. There's so much less to remember. Can you take that to heart?"

"Yes, Mom, I promise. I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry..."

*

Thank you Dani for the great editing job. Let me know what you think of my stories. I love getting feedback.