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CHAPTER FOUR
Nathan stepped into the house and started to tremble again, at the thought of what might happen. He heard the Mistresses voice behind him and he cringed “Good evening Nathan.”
He turned to face her and answered “Good evening Mistress.”
“I expect you’re wondering why you are back here; well you will have to be looked after to get rid of your scars. It might take months to get them away, but with the correct amount of care it can happen. You will not be in the punishment room any longer; I am putting you in a room, were you will be looked after. You are not a prisoner here for the reason being, you know our location and it would be a pointless act. You may walk out anywhere in the grounds, but don’t get to close to the hedge, as you will set off alarm bells on the computer. There are three meals a day, and once you are better you will be expected to work for your keep. As you are a man/boy, you will be expected to work outside on the estate; do you understand Nathan.”
“Yes Mistress.”
“Come with me and I will take you to your room” Nathan followed the Mistress up the stairs. “Now Nathan you had better be quiet; the girl in this room is already asleep.” and she opened the door. Stepping inside with Nathan behind her she walked over to a bed near the far wall. “You had better lie on top of the bed, with just a sheet over you for the moment, until your irritation goes away.” The Mistress pulled back the covers and told Nathan to strip, and then told him to lie on the bed. He did as she ordered and then she added; “I am going to tie your feet to the end of the bed, so that you don’t turn over in your sleep, because your back is a mess.”
For the first time in four days, he was sleeping on a soft bed and his eyes closed within seconds; he never heard the Mistress leaving the room. It was in the morning that he opened his eyes, startled at the sensation he was feeling. He turned to his left and it was the girl that had not spoke a word to him, but was always there. She was putting oil onto her hand and rubbing it all over his body, where his body had been in pain she was now pressing hard. Now the oil was making his body subtle, and her soft hands were not hurting. In the next hour and a half she had rubbed oil into every part of his body front and back. She had found a pair of shorts in his suit case, and threw them at him; Nathan took that to mean put them on along with his trainers. He had not asked, but he just took it that the girl could not speak, and he never wanted to be forward. Once he was in the shorts, she took hold of his hand and pulled him towards the door; Nathan was a little nervous and pulled back at the door. The girl smiled at him and pulled again, and he went with her. They walked along a hallway and at the end through a door; the girl had pulled him into a dining area where all the women were seated. She sat him down at the end of the table, and then brought him over some cornflakes with a spoon. The girl sat down to his right. Nathan looked at the spoon and moved his hand towards it, and all the women were looking at him out of the corner of their eyes. He lifted the spoon, but as soon as he did his hand began to shake uncontrollably; he moved it towards the bowel but it was shaking so much that he gave up and dropped the spoon. There were tears in his eyes and he picked it up once more and the same thing happened; Belle said, “Help him out Penny.” The girl took the spoon from his hand and started to feed him a spoonful at a time. Nathans face was red with embarrassment, and he wiped away his tears.
Belle said, “You have nothing to be ashamed of Nathan, it is only your nerves reacting to the pain that you have received. Your body will soon get used to it and your hands will stop shaking but it will take time; Penny will look after you. She has not spoken a word since she came here, because her man beat the hell out of her.”
“Mistress Donna told me you all hate men and boys, and it makes me nervous, and when I am nervous my hands always shake Miss.”
“You don’t have to be frightened of us Nathan; you have been dealt a cruel blow and we all understand. Last night was quite an eye opener I cannot believe that your wife could be so stupid.”
“She is not my wife, not any more at least. She lost that status when she slept with that stupid idiot Don. I cannot for the life of me wonder how he thought he would get away with it? But it is all history for the moment.”
“Why for the moment?”
“I will take my revenge for what happened to me, there are two people that owe me more than they could ever pay in their lifetime.”
“Are you talking about Carman?”
“Good lord no, she has got a lifetime of pain and sorrow, and I will not add more to it. Through her own stupidity, she was also a victim, and to the lowest of people, and also taken for a ride in a conspiracy. Can I ask what I am supposed to do during the day Miss?”
“You do not have to call me Miss; my name is Belle, and the Mistress will inform you after breakfast. You must remain here with Penny, as the Mistress has given her permission to look after you. But I advise you that don’t ever take advantage of her soft nature.”
“I would never do that; how could I bite the hand that feeds me?”
“Not long after the women walked out of the room, and it was just as the Mistress Walked in, and Nathan without thinking stood up. She smiled saying “Sit down Nathan you do not have to fear me.” She walked around to the back of him and touched his back “The oils that are being used on your body are medical, and will help you heal quicker. You say your father worked here Nathan; have you any idea what he was doing?”
“It was something he never told me Mistress Donna. I never knew my mother, but my father always told me she was beautiful, and died four years after I was born.”
“Are you an only child Nathan?”
“I was always told by my father, that I had an older half sister somewhere, but he died before he ever told me who. I could never find out who she was, because my birth was never registered in my mother’s name, only my fathers. I have to get fit once more Mistress I have to sort my life out once more. Can I ask you a question Mistress no I will change that to request; if the answer is no then I understand?”
“Yes ask”
“Would you punish someone for me?”
“It will take a month or two to get you fit; if you still feel the same way then ask me again. I am going to put you to work this morning, so if you will follow me I will show you what needs doing.” Nathan stood up and followed her out of the dining room with Penny trailing behind them.
They walked outside where it was warm, but it was still the end of spring. He still only had shorts on but the little bit of sun that was caressing his body felt refreshing. She walked him over to a shed at the corner of the house. It was at least twenty feet by ten, and outside was a massive pile of timber; that had been pulled in from a wood somewhere and left to mature. Some of the pieces were eight inches thick and twenty feet long. There was also a wood horse that had been made up from smaller timber, he knew what it was for and how to use it; he remembered something similar, but it was deep in the back of his mind.
The Mistress opened the shed and showed him inside; there were tools for cutting and sawing wood hanging on the walls. There was also a chainsaw and a five gallon drum of petrol. He also saw what he thought were the tools for sharpening these items. “We had an old man come here last year to cut us wood for the burner.” Mistress Donna told him. “Unfortunately he had a heart attack and is now retired. There is a tractor and trailer around the back of the house to collect more wood from around the estate once you have cut up that pile next to the shed. But you won’t need that for a couple of days yet, by then the shed will be almost full.”
Penny and the Mistress watched him take a look at the timber and then of the shed, then he repeated the action. Then stood looking at them both, with a questioning expression on his face. “Is there something wrong Nathan”
He looked at the giant pile of timber that was bigger than the shed itself and said, “With all due respects Mistress if you told the old man the same thing as you have just told me; then I can understand why he had the heart attack.” The silence was shattered by penny bursting out laughing; both the Mistress and Nathan looked at her in shock.
The Mistress put her arms around Penny saying “At last Penny you’re using your vocal cords once more. I will get the doctor up to see you later today, and he might be able to give you something to help you get your voice back.” She then looked at Nathan “Saying thank you Nathan, you are very good company for Penny. I am going up to the house with penny, and I’ll leave you with your small task”
Then she and Penny started to walk away. As they were doing so Nathan added. “If this is a small task, then god forbid you ever find a big one.” The Mistress had her arm around Penny and he heard them both laugh again.
Nathan was outside all morning, cutting the timber into small blocks, and then stacking them in the back of the wood shed. He had worked out how to sharpen the saws, and which file to use, and he even had the chain saw working. He had cut a few pieces about three feet in length and at different thickness’s and put them to one side. The Mistress had looked out of the window several times, and she noticed that not once had she seen him resting. From the window thirty yards away, she could still see the scars she had put across his body. Even after the beating he received from her, he still had room for a little light hearted humour, and in doing so gave Penny her voice back.
As she was looking in his direction, she could see two Monks walking towards him, but it was nothing strange, because over in the far end of the woods was a large stone Monastery. There was another small road leading off of her drive that the tradesmen used. It was spring and she knew that from now on she would be seeing a lot more of them. The Monastery was as old as the house that she was living in, but she had never ventured into that part of the land around them. Nathan was facing away from them and he sensed them more than saw them, and he turned and waited for them to approach. It was when they were close that he could see the strange look in their eyes, and when they were three metres away they stopped dead in their tracks, and it was as if they had walked into a wall.
One of the Monks turned to face the other, “It seems we are too late brother, he has the gift.”
The words were unheard by Nathan and he asked, “Can I help you at all?” It was when they looked back at him that he noticed the eyes inside the eyes looking back at him. This freak of nature was only in one of the Monks, but he had seen these eyes on many occasions, but he could not think where though. The two Monks were giving him a creeping feeling all over his body, but in no way was it fear.
The Monk with the normal eyes answered, “That is very kind of you to ask, but we are only passing by. We must leave you to your work, as we have held you up for too long, and have a pleasant day.”
Nathan never replied because he knew that there was no need. He then heard the voice of the woman in his head, “Yes Timothy you have seen their eyes and the eyes in the eyes, they were here to check on you, and have not gone away unrewarded. You will be seeing them again in the near future, for their ritual is only a short age away. By tomorrow midday, the Mistress will give you all you ask for. Once again you have not let me down Timothy, and I will always be with you.”
It was lunch time, and Belle walked out the door and shouted him in for lunch. He put down the saw and walked to the big house, he stopped and looked at the front and he remembered it from long ago, it was still the same. As he was walking through the main doors he stopped dead in his tracks. There was another door open and on the wall was a picture of a beautiful woman in her late twenties. He was drawn into the room and stopped in front of the painting mesmerised by her beauty. “Mistress Chrystal” he said out loud “Is it you that was talking to me the other night, I was so lonely, and I was hurting so much.”
On the way in he had not seen the Mistress behind the door, and it was a shock to him when she spoke.
“What are you doing in here, Nathan?”
He spun around and the Mistress could see the fear in his face, and the tear in the corner of his eye. He answered “I saw the picture and remembered and I am very sorry Mistress, I wasn’t trying to thieve anything please believe me.”
In a softer voice the Mistress told him to calm down and asked “What it was that he had remembered?”
He turned back to the painting saying “Mistress Crystal was a very beautiful lady.”
His words put a shiver through her body and she asked “Who told you her name Nathan?”
“No one Mistress, I remember being in a horse drawn carriage with her, as she was taken around the estate. There were others in the carriage but I cannot remember them, only looking up at Mistress Crystal. You have my father’s photo in the punishment room, it is hung on the wall; there is another picture next to him, and I remember him also, but he was a lot older than that. Mistress Crystal gave me toys to play with, and they were happy days. I am sorry Mistress; I have taken up a lot of your time with your permission I will go to lunch.”
“Yes, carry on Nathan we must talk some more” and as he walked from the room, Mistress Donna looked at the painting of the smiling woman and asked. “What more surprises is he going to spring on me mother, and how did you visit him and then talk to him the other night?”
***
‘Carman had just opened her eyes, and was now thinking about all the things that had happened in the last few days. Her so called friend Jill had let her down, by conspiring with Don. She decided that the day off that she had arranged would be well used, and for the benefit of getting her own back. She knew that she could never put things right, and Nathan had every right to disown her. She was trying to figure out how things had got so out of hand in such a short time? Then she remembered the state of Nathans body when he showed her, and a tear came to her eye. There was only one way to get her own back on Don and that was to go to the Hospital. The cake for her birthday was an extra sent at the last minute by Don, and at the party there was a big sign over the stage. Don had to have had help to put it up; because the words were “Happy birthday Carman from Don” she had taken photos of it and the cake on her phone.’
Carman walked down the stairs, and after she had eaten picked up the phone and rang the number that was on the receipt from the party. She waited until the receiver was picked up the other end, “Hello Nancy, it’s me Carman, do you think you could come to my house, only things have gone wrong with Nathan and I, and I would like some help. I was also wrong to accuse you of anything last night; so if you don’t feel safe bring your husband along too. Two this afternoon that will be fine, I will be at home ready to eat humble pie.”
She then went over to the computer and connected her mobile phone to it, then took off some prints. After putting the prints in an envelope she turned the computer off.
***
Nathan had eaten his lunch and went back outside to carry on with his work. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that the Mistress walked to the window and watched him work every now and again. The fresh air was making him feel a lot better and he noticed that the pain in his body was leaving him.
Every so often he would think about what had happened and what Don had done. When this happened his work rate got faster, and then he had to think of something different to slow down. He needed a rest and walked around to the back of the house and found the tractor and trailer. It was a small one, the same type that he had seen in garden centres; there were mowers both sides of the tractor and realised it was a malty task. He jumped on it and started it up, and tried the gear stick and it moved forward and then putting it in reverse he went backwards. Nathan switched it off and covered it back over then walked to the side of the house once more. He walked past the pile of wood and to the front of the building and looked at the drive. Each side there was a garden that was about thirty feet by thirty and there was a stone wall that was only eighteen inches high running like a maze all over it. On top of the wall was a flat stone that in its time gave it elegance, but now the wall was crumbling under and some had fallen off. He hadn’t noticed, but it was one of the times that the Mistress was watching him. He walked over to the garden, and into the entrance to the maze; he then pointed his finger at the wall and followed it along and stopped. Then he walked over to where he had stopped with his finger and bent down. The Mistress watched him bend down and do something with the brickwork, and then he stood up and held something in his hand and he laughed. Then he put whatever it was back, and after a moment walked away smiling to himself. Nathan walked back towards the house, he looked up at the windows, he saw the Mistress looking back and smiling, it was a shock to his system and so much that he felt his head swirl, and he passed out.
The Mistress saw it happen, and ran out and down the stairs calling Belle and the other girls as she did so. They were all outside in minutes of it happening, and Belle had her Doctors bag with her; she put smelling salts under his nose and he came to. There was a bit of a gash on his head where it glanced off the side of the wall, but it was more like a scratch. The women helped him to sit down on the bench, and then they all walked off leaving just Nathan and the Mistress.
Nathan looked at the Mistress and said “Mistress Crystal was your mother; I looked up and thought it was her. I saw her at that window so many times smiling at me. “Did you see what I did out there Mistress?”
“Yes Nathan you were smiling as if you had found a pot of gold, and yes, she was my mother.”
“Mistress Crystal used to give me coins every so often; it was to keep her secret. She would give me the coin and then say, go and hide your treasure Timothy and be careful. I would run out here, and hide it in the same place every time, then as I walked back and looked up, I would see her looking down smiling at me. She knew all along where I had hid them but said nothing; she was keeping my secret as I was keeping hers. I know what you are going to ask, but I cannot remember what the secret was; you have to remember, that I am only getting flash backs from when I was very young. Neither do I know why she called me Timothy. I asked my father once, and he answered, you must have imagined her calling you that name. Do you want to see what it was that she gave me; it does not matter anymore because time moves on regardless?”
He stood up and held out his hand to help the Mistress up; she took his hand and stood up. She followed him to the place in the wall where he knelt down once again, and watched while he moved the bricks around. When he stood up, he took her hand and dropped ten sovereigns into it. “There you are my treasure that your mother gave to me.” The Mistress was looking at him smiling, and put them back in his hand. Nathan took the coins and put them back into the wall and replaced the bricks.
“Why are you not keeping your treasure Nathan, they are worth a great deal of money?”
“My Mistress and I were the only persons to know that secret, and even now my Mistress and I are still the only persons that know. I never needed the treasure then, and I do not need it now, do you think I am foolish Mistress.”
“No Nathan, I think you were very loyal to my mother, and you are very loyal now. Come on inside it is almost time for evening meal.”
***
There was a knock on the door and Carman stood up and answered it; Nancy was stood there by herself so Carman told her to enter. Once inside Carman told her all that happened between Don, Jill and herself pointing out that she had only herself to blame.
Nancy told her she had been bloody stupid, but could understand the woman scorned bit. “Don is not my real brother he is a foster brother, but he has been with us from about six years old. He was well out of order, and should never have done that, especially since he is so much in love with Tracy Aston, she’s the girl that has just had his baby. I never could stand him, and my mother has always regretted fostering him in the first place. I think he is only going with Tracy because of the money her family have; so how can I help you.”
“I need a receipt for the bracelet in his name, and also a receipt for the hall in his name, then leave the rest up to me. I would also like to say sorry again for accusing you of anything, as I was well out of order.”
“That’s not a problem, I will have one of each sent around this evening by special delivery; we employ our own driver so it won’t cost anything. By the way Tracy will be in hospital for another three days, because her baby has a bad cold. Well I must go and I will get things arranged for you, and I hope you have better luck the next time around, and cheer up there are plenty more fish in the sea.”
Carman knew that Don would be around tonight, and he knew of nothing, not even the fact that Nathan was out of his prison. She was also wondering what he was going to say when he got there. She spent an hour messing about with a digital video camera, and as soon as she had it set up with the remote mike she knew she was ready.
Don came around at six just after she had finished eating, and once inside he sat down in the lounge. “I can’t stay too long tonight because I have a meeting with a friend that I must attend; I have to sort out the money for the party I organised for you.”
“Do you mean to say that this bracelet you bought me could be taken back by the jewellers?”
“No lover, that has been paid for with three hundred pounds of my hard earned cash. There’s not a thing that I would not do for you lover, because I have never had a girl like you before.”
“What are you doing tomorrow night Don; surely we can have another night of sex like we did Saturday night.”
“No I am at a darts meeting, and away game lover and there is no room in the car or I would take you with me.” He looked at his watch and said, “Good heavens is that the time I really must go lover?” He then gave Carman a lingering Kiss on the mouth and then he pulled away and almost ran out the door. Carman smiled to herself and went over to the bookcase and took down the camera.
She played back the half hour of recording and laughed saying out loud “Got you cold you bastard.”
***
It was at evening meal that he had to use the knife and fork once more, he was at the end of the table once more and Penny was to his right. Everyone was looking at him as he looked at the eating tools. He took a deep breath and grabbed them both at the same time, and to his astonishment his hands were not shaking. He looked up at the ceiling saying “Thank you God, I really owe you big time.” There was a laugh from the table of women and even one from Penny. Nathan ate his meal, and ate like it was the best meal that he had ever had in his life. After the meal he said “I think I overdid it today, I have to go to bed get some sleep.” He stood up and Penny stood up with him and walked behind him like a puppy.
Penny told him to strip a lay on the bed and then he realised she was talking; “Hay you’re talking” He said smiling. He stripped off his clothes that he had changed into before evening meal and lay face down.
“The other way please, your back is the worst, and I want you to sleep face down Nathan.” He did as he was told and closed his eyes, and he felt her soft hands on his leg. He must have fallen asleep because she had to wake him, to make him turn over. He turned over on his chest and looked at her while she rubbed in the oil. She was only about five foot six in height with a face that was always smiling. She wasn’t beautiful but she had a hidden beauty, her heart was in the correct place and she made Nathan feel good. When she had finished oiling him he put his hand out, and knowing what she had been through with her last man it was a slow movement. He took hold of her hand and kissed it on the back saying “I don’t know what I would do without your care, and I owe you my life.”
“But I have not done anything Nathan.”
“When I was feeling low and about to give up you massaged my arms, and it was at that time I really needed a friend. If you ever need a person to stand up for you, don’t ever hesitate to ask, because I would never let you down.” After kissing her hand once more he closed his eyes, and was once more asleep.
Nathan walked into the punishment room, and as he entered he saw the woman and she was standing in front of a girl. It was the same girl as he had seen in his other dream, but now she was quiet, there was no screaming and no laughing, and she was hanging weak and asleep. The woman with the whip turned around sharp and with the look of menace in her face, but on seeing him it changed to a smile. She put the whip down and said, “Come here Timothy,” and her hand was outstretched. He was not afraid as he walked closer, he took hold of the hand that was offered, and as he did so they the woman and he turned around to face the wall.
“Point at the wall Timothy and make the light shine,” and he felt his arm point out at the wall, he was saying in his mind, “Open the gate for the Key Master,” and then a big light was shining from the wall. There was a girl in the mirror the same as the one in the frame, but there was green slime running from her belly. Then it stopped after a while, and as the light went off the wall appeared once more, then once more they both turned their attention back to the girl. But he couldn’t understand, why was he looking up at her, and he realised that the girl and the woman were giants.
“Look around Timothy and find the door and open it with your hand,” it was the woman’s voice once more. He looked all around the room and pointed at one place in particular, and in his mind he said, “Open the wall for the Key Master,” once again a hole in the wall appeared and two Monks and a Nun walked out.
The girl was placed on a stretcher and the Monks carried her out while the Nun stayed still looked at the woman. The Nun crossed herself and then crossed the air in front of the woman, and all the time she was reading from a prayer book. She then turned to him and she was looking down at him, “Bless you too Timothy Nathan,” and then made the sign of the cross and walked the way of the Monks.
Without being told he pointed at the hole and in his mind once more he said, “Close the door, I the Key Master commands.”
The woman turned at looked at him, and for the first time he could see her face clearly, it was Mistress Chrystal. “You now know who you are Timothy, and you must remember this that has taken place tonight, and in the coming of time you will be needed to help the Mistress of Chrystal house. Without you her doors cannot be opened, it is you with the power, and without you she will not be able to function.”
***
Carman was awake and went to work as usual, but said nothing to Jill when she spoke to her at break. She would sort Jill’s little mess out at a later date. She had to see the management about time off to go to the hospital, in reference to her miscarriage and was free in the afternoon. The rest of the morning went fast, and she was on her way home to get changed for the appointment. It was three in the afternoon when she arrived at the hospital and went to the maternity ward. She pressed the security button and waited. “Yes who is it?”
“I am Carman a friend of Don’s, and I have to see Tracy Aston I have something for her.”
Two minutes later a nurse came to the door, we will take anything you have for her as she doesn’t know you.
Carman told the nurse that she would wait at the door for permission to see her, and handed her the large envelope. It was not long after when the nurse came back telling her to follow her.
At the bedside the girl asked “What the fucks going on, and who are you and are you trying to destroy my friendship with Don?”
Carman told her about the affair and how Don had lied just to fuck Carman’s Marriage up. She also told her about the gift and the party.
“You are trying to break Don and me up you filthy bitch, it’s all lies he would not do that.” As she said that a nurse came over and said is everything all right Tracy.
No this bitch is upsetting me.
“Then I must ask you to leave young lady.”
“In that case I will show you something to prove me correct and handed her the bill for the hall and the receipt for the bracelet. She then showed her the bracelet, and what was written on it. When she got out the video recorder and switched it on, the girl said “Fuck him”. Carman stood up and was about to walk away and leave Tracy crying.
The nurse said, “Look what you have done now you have upset her”.
Carman looked at them both saying; “I have just saved her from doing something stupid. Her boyfriend has just cost me my marriage and a miscarriage, but she is only crying; you tell me nurse who has come off best?” Carman stood up and walked out of the ward.
***
Nathan opened his eyes and looked across at Penny in the other bed she had her eyes wide open and was looking back at him. “Good morning Penny; how long have you been awake?”
“Only a few minutes, but I have been looking at you sleeping and you are a very quiet sleeper. Now you are awake I can oil your body so turn over.” It was an hour before the both of them walked down to breakfast and she sat him down. Then she brought him his cornflakes and put them down in front of him.
“I could have got those Penny you need not wait on me.”
But I enjoy doing things for you Nathan, should I not do them?
The whole table of women were looking their way and waiting for his reply. Nathan put his hand on hers and smiled at her. “You must always do the things that make you happy, and if you are happy to do those things, then I am happy also.” He smiled at her once more, and she returned the smile as he picked up his spoon.
The morning started with Nathan walking down to the wood shed. The Mistress was looking out the window watching him get the tools out of the shed. Nathan then put them all down, and walked over to the three foot logs from the day before. He picked the big one up across his arms and started to bend up and down. Belle was stood beside her and asked “What is he doing Mistress?”
“Exercising and getting fit and healthy; how was he at breakfast?” Belle told her all that was said between him and Penny and the Mistress smiled. “They are good for each other Belle because they both understand each other’s feelings.” Nathan now had the smaller one and was lifting it above his head, and up and down. The Mistress watched him exercise for at least another half hour before he stopped and picked up the saw once more. The Mistress was deep in thought ‘Nathan knew things about her mother that she never knew, and he was trusted with her secret. At four years old he kept it to himself, and told no one, but it has been so long that he cannot remember the secret. What had his father got to do with her mother, was he a workman or was he a slave? She must have trusted him a long time, for him to save ten sovereigns. How come such a small child was there without his mother, and where was his mother?’ She turned away from the window and walked down the stairs to the lounge that she used for an office.
The Mistress walked into the room and over to the painting. “Hello mother, what secret was Timothy keeping? Who was Timothy? More to the point, who is Nathan? What was his father doing here, and was he a slave? Come on mother give me a break, you’re talking to him why not me.”
“Are you talking to the picture Mistress?”
The Mistress spun around on her feet and held her chest,“Damn it Belle, you nearly gave me heart attack, and yes I was talking to her, because she is talking to Nathan more than me. Look at her, looking back at me and smiling at my discomfort, just like she did when I was a child.”
“What do you mean she is talking to Nathan, I thought you said she was dead.”
“She is, but do you remember the day of his whipping when he said he would not need the gag, well I thought he was talking to me but on thinking about it, I think he was talking to her. Well I was pulling back for some reason; it was as if my arm was heavy. He showed me a secret hiding place yesterday; that only he could have known about. He walked in here while I was sitting down here and walked up to the picture. Nathan just stood there looking at her with tears in his eyes. When I spoke to him he said Mistress Crystal was a very beautiful woman. He then told me about the photo of his father around in the punishment room, and I often wondered about that. If that is Nathans father in the photo; then tell me who is the other person in the photo next to it? He told me about my mother with him, and getting a ride around the estate in a horse drawn carriage, but the last time she did that was fourteen or fifteen years ago. Do you know that he never knew his mother, and I have been getting the strangest feelings about him all the time he has been here? Penny could sense something special about him right from the start, and she stands by him now.”
She walked to the side of the fireplace and stood looking out of the window at Nathan.”Do you know; that I looked out several times yesterday, and not once did I see him stop? He is a very hard worker and never complains, and the task I gave him was horrendous, and yet he made a joke of it, just like my mother did. Do you know what the strangest thing is; he told me he has an older half sister, and mother called him Timothy. I will go out there shortly and talk to him, so you had better tell Penny to get a glass of cold juice and come with me.”
It was fifteen minutes later when the Mistress and Penny walked out to where Nathan was working. Good morning Nathan we brought you out a cold drink and to see how you were getting on. She looked at the pile of timber and there was a considerable amount done. “You have done well Nathan another day will see you finished.”
He took the drink off of Penny who was smiling towards him and said “Good morning Mistress. With all due respects, I notice that you have not lost your sense of humour, and if it is not an annoying question, what planet time scale do you work by, because it is not that of earth.”
“Well it is an annoying question, and don’t ask again” and she and Penny laughed.
Nathan looked up saying “God forbid is there no mercy from the ridicule, and whatever have I done to deserve this punishment?”
They both laughed again. “To give you a break Nathan, this afternoon would you please mow the lawn front and back? I will send Belle down to the village to get you another five gallons of petrol and some oil. There is also some sand and cement in the brick building at the back, and you could use that to mend the crumbling wall.”
“Err....um.... is all this supposed to be done this afternoon Mistress, only I was wondering what time scale I was working on?”
“Don’t be silly Nathan, I don’t expect you to do all that in one afternoon; finish it off in the first hour tomorrow morning” Mistress Donna and Penny laughed as they walked away.
Nathan was called in at lunch time and as he walked through the door he heard the Mistress shout from the lounge. “Can you come in here Nathan and help us I have lost a stone out of my ring.” Nathan stepped into the room and saw all the women on their hands and knees. The Mistress showed him the other stones saying “It is one the same as those. There was a large dresser by the wall and Nathan headed for it. He lifted the corner of the dresser and moved it to one side, and then bent down to pick up the stone. Instead of standing up he was looking at the wall and never moved. The Mistress walked across and put her hand on his shoulder and asked “What is it Nathan.” Now the whole room of women were looking at him, and wondering what was wrong.
Nathan stood up and without saying anything handed the Mistress her jewel. He then walked over to the picture as if in a trance, as the women were still watching him. “I have remembered the secret Mistress Crystal, what do I do now?”
Belle asked quietly “Has he lost his mind” As the Mistress put her finger to her lips telling her to be quiet.
Once again he heard the voice in his head “Go to our first secret and take out your treasure Timothy and read the note”
“Yes Mistress Crystal.” Nathan stepped to the side of the fireplace, and went down on his knees; he then turned a lion’s head in the metal fireplace surround and pulled. To the amazement of all in the room, that side of the fireplace opened and then he took out a soft bag. He turned around with tears falling from his eyes, and walked back to the Mistress. When he was standing in front of her once more, he opened the bag. He took out the note that was inside and read what it said.
I could always rely on you Timothy, Nathan, to do as I say and keep a secret. Now give this note to your half sister Donna, Marie, and show her our other secret. Put all your treasures together now Timothy, Nathan, because they will no longer be a secret. He handed the Mistress the note and walked to the oak panelled wall. Then putting his hand up he pressed a small section of panel and the wall silently opened. The silence in the room could be cut with a knife, while Nathan turned to look at the Mistress. “Mistress Crystal was my mother” and his tears were falling like rivers.
The Mistress walked over to him and pulled him to her and asked “Do you know what is in there Timothy?”
“I only went there once and was told never to go there again by Mistress Crystal. There are some stairs that take you up to a room where there is a desk.”
“Do you want to come up there with me Timothy?”
“No Mistress it is your room to find, I will never go there again.”
“But that does not mean now Timothy, our mother is dead.”
“She might be dead Mistress, but she has just spoken to me. Do you want to see my treasure Mistress?”
She could see that he was a bit shook up and said “Penny, go with Nathan, while he collects the rest of his treasure outside.” Penny nervously walked up to him, and he led the way outside to the garden.
Belle looked at the Mistress and said “I don’t know what to say?”
“Belle my mother; no our mother was actually speaking to him, and telling him what to do. When he told me he was in a horse drawn carriage, looking up at Mistress Crystal he must have been a baby. Do you know what the saddest thing has been, out of all the things that have taken place Belle? Well let me answer for you; I have ripped to pieces my own half brothers flesh with a whip.” The Mistress pushed the door closed saying “I will investigate after lunch.”
Nathan had been to the bathroom and washed, and when he walked into the dining room, Penny had moved from her normal place to the other end of the table. He walked to his own place at the end and walked past to Penny’s chair, and pulled it from the table. “Penny come and seat yourself down here with me.”
“But you are a Master now”
“Please come down here, and bring your plate and food and be seated next to me.” Nathan watched her get up and walk down to the seat, with the others watching. Once she had sat down and he helped her with her chair he sat down himself. He then looked at her and said “I will never be your Master; to you I am just plain Nathan” and he gripped her hand and squeezed it.
***
Carman had just finished showering and changed to go to the shop down the road. Leaving the bracelet off, she put her coat on and walked out into the darkness. She was going the short cut through the park as she always did, when an arm went around her throat and held her tight. Then something hit her in the face, and the same thing happened several times until she passed out.
***
It was late evening, and he was watching the world news on the TV in the kitchen; it then went over to the area news. Belle was about to turn it off when Nathan saw a picture of a woman badly beaten up. “Stop” Nathan shouted; “Please don’t turn it off.” The Mistress was looking at him in shock. The news caster was saying “A young woman was attacked tonight as she went to the shop at seven. As she was taking a short cut through the park she was assaulted; the police have appealed for witnesses. She is recovering at the Royal George Hospital and she has been named as Mrs Carman Green”. Mistress do you think you could speak to the hospital, speak to her and ask her what the hell happened, and you had better tell her it is me that wants to know. I know we have parted company, but that is a little over the top. If it was Don then tell her not to speak with the police; it will be taken care of.
The Mistress got through to the hospital, and they told her that Carman was now at her home. The Mistress relayed the message to Nathan and afterwards they all retired.
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