By the Manor Owned

by Phair

Disclaimer: Consider this Uber. The characters may have a physical resemblance to a late warrior and her bard but that is as far as it goes. No infringement is intended and no profit will be gained.

Warnings: Violence, sex (f/f, m/m, f/m), rape, bad language, nasty characters and angst driven situations. Basically, this is for adults only!

Why: This is for all the nice folks who asked for a sequel of TO THE MANOR SOLD. To understand this story, you really need to read that one first.

Feedback: p.phair@comcast.net and you can visit my web site at www.phair1.com

Part 1

Jordan was setting the table in the kitchen as Dinah put the finishing touches on the beef stew. Soon, the slaves would hurry in from the late fall chill for lunch. The present peace of kitchen would be broken by the clamor of hungry voices vying for food they feared was dwindling. Each day there was more than enough at the end of each meal and the slaves would leave more reassured than when they entered. But, that calm did not carry over between meals. The general anxiety grew by the day.

When Jordan first started helping serve meals in the kitchen the slaves were beside themselves in their resentment of the woman. Without exception, they blamed her for the loss of the food stores. Most, however, accepted the Master's punishment as sufficient. A few pelted her with bits of dirt from their boots or taunted her. Jordan took it all with a humble grace, silently hoping her passive suffering would help all the Manor's slaves forgive her; eventually.

"Well, look who finally crawled out of a nice warm bed?" Dinah cackled at Stewie and Mia as the pair descended the backstairs hand in hand.

"We slept in," Mia tried to explain as Stewie blushed.

"Third time this week," Jordan smiled at the happy couple.

"You should talk, girl!" Dinah carried the crock of stew to the table laughing. "I remember more than three days last month the Master slept in with you and I had to take breakfast and lunch to her door."

The room went silent. Jordan's eyes found the floor. She knew what Dinah said was true but everybody else at the Manor believed Jordan was being savagely beaten for her crime of burning the silos.

"Oh, Jordan, I'm sorry, where's my head," Dinah almost dropped the stew at her mental lapse.

"No," Jordan eased the pot to the table and patted the woman's shoulder, "it's okay. I was punished for what I did. Master Tess had to teach me how wrong it was to believe Lord Tosca,"

"Hey, he's just like us now!" Stewie piped up happily. "Slave Tosca, has a much more suitable ring to it."

"Yet, still she punishes you," Dinah's eyes widened in sympathy as she fingered the leather collar around Jordan's neck. "This hasn't been done here since her mother."

Jordan said nothing. She could not risk defending Tess' actions. The plan to steal the harvest could still be uncovered and everything would be lost. It was better for the Manor's slaves to believe Jordan burned their food stocks, Master Tess was merciless in the punishment of a foolish slave, and they were all in for a tough winter.

"Is there food today?" Vic barked from the door with a bitter wind at his back.

"Plenty," Dinah looked up disgusted at the trouble maker and his six burly companions filling the kitchen.

"Then get the bitch to fill out plates!" Ernie coughed out a hunk of green phlegm on Jordan's shoe.

Mia went to speak but Stewie squeezed her hand and shook his head gently. Jordan tried to ignore the taunts as she began to fill bowls with the stew. Once each setting was served she refilled the water glasses that had been drained.

"More bread!" Vic demanded.

"No, Jordan," Dinah stop the girl from going to the pantry for another loaf. "Those seven have eaten two loaves already. There are more mouths to feed than their own."

"Like who?" Vic jumped to his feet to confront the cook, "Like the Master's little bitch here? The one who set the fire? Did she eat today?" He whirled around to face Jordan, "I asked a question, whore! Did you eat today?"

Jordan did not answer. It was pointless to do so. She knew the angry slaves were not interested in words. These brutes wanted tears. Vic slapped her hard across the face; once, twice, three times. Incensed that she did not respond to the blows, Vic backhanded her. The force knocked Jordan to the floor. Two sharp kicks to the belly followed. Jordan doubled over at the agonizing pain. Strong hands grabbed her and dragged her upright. She sagged in their grasp as the room spun around her.

"So, tell me," Vic pulled her head up by her short yellow hair, "what does the Master do to torture you?"

"Now, that I learned to do her right," Jordan recited the story she and Tess concocted about her 'punishment' with an unspoken certainty somebody would ask, "it's just the five lashes but lately she's switched to her belt. Then chained to the foot of her bed for the night."

"Oh, God," Dinah gasped at the cruelty.

"Check her back," Vic commanded in disbelief.

"Leave her be!" Stewie was on his feet finally, "She made a mistake and she's paying for it. Why do you have to make it worse for her?"

"Because her mistake could leave me hungry this winter! Now, strip that bitch!"

The two men holding Jordan began to pull off her blue uniform shirt. She was too dazed to even try to fight them. Her back and ass had enough old and new scars to support the story so there was no fear in being caught in a lie.

"Master Tess is an animal," Ernie almost gagged at the livid marks on the pale fresh before him.

"The whore's getting what she earned," a disappointed Vic walked back to his seat to finish his meal.

Mia and Stewie pushed Vic's lackeys aside to help Jordan gather her clothes. Mia hurried the half dressed woman out of the kitchen and up the backstairs away from the lustful eyes of the men around the table. Jordan's vision had only started to clear as Mia tried to steer them to the room she shared with Stewie.

"No, the Master's room," Jordan pulled back and staggered dangerously. "She'll be very angry if I'm not there when she gets home."

"You poor, girl," Mia bit her lip to hold her tears back. "There's no safe place for you, is there?"

"Yes, there is one," Jordan thought to herself as she made her way down the hall on unsteady feet. "I'm safe in Tess' arms."

* * *

Tess entered the Manor by the front door badly in need of a steaming bath. She had ridden Rufo hard most of the day. While he rested, she worked muscles that had been largely ignored since she became Master of the Manor. The aches were only whispering to her at present. Their screams would really start in a few hours. The thought of Jordan's small hands massaging the protesting muscles to silence brought a grin to her grimy face.

"Master," Stewie cleared his throat from his spot on the floor, on his knees, in the foyer, "if I may have j...j...just a w...w...word."

"Ah, Stewart, good evening," Tess used her lightest tone with this most gentle of men. "You can have several if I could only...,"

"B...b...but a m...moment."

Tess' shoulders sagged. She could not deny the simple request.

"My study."

Tess lead the way squirming slightly in her filthy clothes. Stewie closed and locked the doors behind them. As Tess took her chair, Stewie knelt before her desk.

"That won't be necessary. Sit and be comfortable. Somebody should be," Tess hated the clammy feeling settling into the fabric encasing her.

"Master, you may need to b..beat me but I must sssspeak. There was a ppproblem in the kitchen. Jordan was...,"

"Jordan…," Tess was on her feet.

"Mmmmaster, ppplease listen!" Stewie mistook his Master's concern for anger.

Tess forced herself back into the chair. If her behavior escalated then Stewie would be rendered totally mute. She had seen it happen a thousand times before as they grew up together. Stewie had been Togo's stable boy. The late Lord of Manor's handling of the boy was so harsh, Stewie would lose his ability to form even the simplest of words for days after being disciplined. Tess needed to be calm. In part, to get the information she so desperately wanted but also to prove to Stewie that his life was safer than before.

"I'm listening, Stew."

"Two things," he held up two fingers unsure his mouth would work. "Slaves beat Jordan."

Tess held her tongue waiting for the additional details Stewie held.

"She's b...b...bruised, some b...blood. Mia," he smiled at the sound of her name, "she took real good care of her. No scars."

"Thank Mia for me," Tess bowed her head slightly to hide her brewing emotions.

"Second thing," he swallowed hard, "the Mmmanor needs an overseer. Without Poe, the ssslaves are reckless."

Tess flinched. The loss of Poe was still an open wound for her. Replacing him was not something she had considered yet because her grief was too great.

"You're right, Stew," Tess confessed. "I've been so busy because of the fire that I overlooked the vacancy completely. Just give me a few days and I'll find an overseer for the upper Manor. Is there anything else or could I go shower?" Tess gave a friendly grin.

"Master," Stewie's voice dropped into a low range and he marched around the desk to kneel next to Tess' feet. "Jordan's good. She did a bad thing but she's a gggood girl. Sssend her to Mia and me at night. We'll watch her when your done with her. D...don't chain her to a post like a d...d...dog, Master."

Tess fought to keep her smile back. Stewie and Mia wanted to protect Jordan from their Master's harsh punishment. The story was working. Tess felt a flicker of hope that the plot to steal the harvest would remain concealed. Success in this conspiracy would mark the first, small step toward freedom for all the Manor's slaves and, ultimately, Tess.

"If I've finished with her," Tess was teasing but Stewie did not notice his Master's mood, "where should I chain her?"

"Why not let her sleep in the bed with you? You might need her again later," he innocently offered.

"That has happened." Tess agreed seriously, "I guess, I could let her stay in the bed. Tell me, do other temporary Master's let you stay in bed with them?"

"All of them."

"Well then, that's settled. I'll give it a try. If it doesn't work out, I'll send her over to you and Mia unless she's to be punished," Tess saw the man cringe at the word but continued onward for the sake of believability. "Tell me who beat her."

"Master, I can't," Stewie's chin dropped to his chest in resignation. "It's not your wrath against me I fear but what Jordan will face? It's her choice to tell you."

"If you tell then they'll hurt Jordan more?" Stewie nodded yes to Tess' question. "So, if Jordan's going to get hurt then she should do the talking?" Stewie nodded again. "Makes sense. Tell me Stewie, if your woman had been ill used then what would you do for her?"

"Mmmmaster, Mia and I are meant for ill use." Stewie gathered his thoughts before continuing, "For Jordan, perhaps just a good night's sleep. Jordan has earned as much."

"Thank you, Stewie," Tess pulled the man upright and kissed him on the cheek. "Keep taking good care of Mia for me. I'll not suffer you abusing the woman," Tess winked at the blushing slave.

* * *

Jordan's cheek was chilled from the cold cloth she applied to the wounded tissue. It did little to stop the swelling and bruising. At least, the cuts had stopped bleeding. She sat on Tess' side of the bed trying to draw strength from her Master's scent. She worried about how to explain the beating. Tess was bound to be angry. Jordan wanted to be sure the anger did not explode beyond this room. The opening and closing of the bedroom door sent a shudder of nervous anticipation down Jordan's spine.

"Are you okay?" Tess forced her voice to be tender as she eased down on the bed next to Jordan.

"Hold me, please," Jordan buried her face in Tess' shoulder and sobbed.

"That's easy," Tess hummed, kissing the slave's flushed brow.

"You already know?" Jordan murmured into the filthy shirt.

"Yes, a bit. I know what happened but not who did it. Some people at the Manor are more worried for you than their own safety," Tess shifted Jordan back to examine the damage to the woman's face. "It's gonna look worse tomorrow. Did he get you anywhere else?"

Jordan pulled further out of the hug to lift her shirt. She saw Tess' eyes squint and mouth go thin. Soft finger tips outlined the darkening bruise around the slave's rib cage. Jordan was certain Tess was grinding her teeth.

"Tessa," Jordan captured the probing fingers and brought them up for a kiss, "I'll heal."

"That's not the point," Tess was barely able to control her growing rage. "You're mine. Nobody touches what belongs to me!"

Jordan released Tess' fingers. She hung her head to hide the tears welling in her eyes. It took Tess several deep breaths to understand the response to her heartfelt declaration.

"Aw, Jordan, you know what I mean," Tess nearly pleaded as she scooted closer to the weeping woman. "You're my lover; you belong to me."

"I'm your slave as well. So, I really do belong to you," Jordan's voice was tinged with sadness.

"And, as I told you," Tess nudged Jordan playfully to lay back on the bed, "I'm your slave. Command me, my love."

Tess' reassuring words and compassionate caresses provided a safe harbor. Jordan was complete protected in this room, in this bed, in her lover's arms. Jordan took a deep breath as she relaxed under the smooth ministrations. It was only then the stench hit her. Several deep coughs cleared her nose of the foul odor.

"Please, go take a shower," Jordan giggled as Tess feigned offense.

"Fine," Tess chuckled all the way to the shower.

With Tess so close by, Jordan felt the tension leaving her body. Muscles held tightly in check by fear were now releasing their contractions. Pains she had not noticed before were edging to the surface. It would take more than a few days to recover from this beating. She hoped Tess would understand her lack of enthusiasm in bed while she healed. As almost an after thought, Jordan remember it was Tess who had been falling asleep early lately.

The Master of the Manor had a schedule change of sorts over the last week. Leaving before sunrise and not returning until after evening meal. Tess, like tonight, was always caked in dirt and sweat. She offered no explanations. Jordan felt she was in no position to ask. But tonight, Jordan feared for the part of their life that had suddenly gone missing when Tess would fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.

"What're think about?" Tess flopped down on the bed, cleanly naked.

"Nothing," Jordan turned her face away.

"Hey, talk to me," Tess cuddled up next to the woman; draping her long, damp, dark hair over a trembling, pale shoulder.

"Where do you go? When you leave for hours on end, where do you go? And I already know it's not to the Freed Village you founded this summer. Mickey's come down a few times looking for you," Jordan did not like the shrill tone in her voice but it was too late to conceal it.

"He wasn't looking for me," Tess winked and nuzzled Jordan's neck. "Mickey's trying to court the doorman's daughter. She's still a tad young to be off on her own but I'll free her next harvest."

"With Vic as a father, maybe you should free her now," Jordan wiped a telling tear away. "So, are you going to tell me where you've been going?"

"You're jealous," Tess nipped the woman's earlobe playfully. "That's very sexy!"

"I'm not kidding," Jordan began to cry as she tried to roll away from Tess in a last ditched effort to hide her shameful suspicion.

"Oops, no you don't," Tess tugged the woman into a protective hug. "Let me guess, you think I'm running around on you?" Tess raised her eyebrows suggestively to drive the point home as she wrapped her long legs around Jordan's smaller, more delicate limbs.

"It's your right," Jordan struggled half heartedly to push Tess away but secretly wanted to remain confined in her Master's embrace. "You could have anybody and everybody you want and…,"

"I only want you," Tess ended the discussion with an innocent kiss, "if you'll have me."

All conversation and thoughts of sleep were abandoned as Tess and Jordan reacquainted themselves with each other's body.

* * *

"Time to wake up," warm lips traced across Jordan's bruised belly. "Let's go."

Jordan reveled in the touch but not the command. The bed was wonderfully warm compared to the cold air assaulting her exposed midsection. Her body shrunk back into the sheets. She was too blissfully sleepy to start the day.

"Jordan, your Master orders you out of bed!" A deep voice roared in her ear.

Every fiber of Jordan's body knew fear at that moment. A fear so beaten into her that it was as natural as breathing. She scrambled out of the bed to find a spot on the floor to kneel. Fatigue had rob her of her senses. Unsure of who she presently served, Jordan began begging for her life.

"Master, I'm sorry. Very tired, slept too late, please," she panted, "forgive me."

"Hey," Tess was on her knees, holding the shaken woman, "I was just trying to get you up. It's me, Tessa!"

"Tess," Jordan's eyes registered the familiar face and her body flagged against the strong presence. "Why are we up so early?" A big yawn followed.

"Because you're coming with me today." Tess gave a fiendish smile, "Can't have you thinking I'm a slut."

Jordan blushed remembering her shallow, unspoken accusations of the night before.

"So, you're punishing me by getting me up before dawn?" Jordan glanced over Tess' shoulder to the darkened window and frowned. "What if I said, I believed your…sincerity last night?"

"That wasn't sincerity," Tess gently sucked the soft skin above Jordan's collar; marking her, "it was lust. Now, you have five minutes to pull yourself together or I'll carry you out of here naked."

Tess gave Jordan's ass a friendly swat to get the woman moving. The reluctant slave trudged to the bathroom under her Master's appreciative gaze. Tess laid out a winter weather slave uniform. She considered the material and the fair body it was meant to cover. Tess decided to bring a blanket for Jordan to wrap herself in for the trip.

"Tess," Jordan emerged from the bathroom more refreshed than she thought possible, "is it a long trip. Should I call down to the kitchen for food?"

"That's all taken care of," Tess turned to face Jordan and grimaced. "Do you want to take something for pain?"

Tess rubbed the back of her hand over the purpling cheek.

"It doesn't hurt," Jordan kissed the fingers stroking her, "well, it doesn't hurt too much."

"Need any help getting dress?" Tess stole a kiss from willing lips.

"If you help then I'm sure to get carried out of her naked," Jordan laughed before hurrying over to her waiting clothes.

"Like that would be a bad thing," Tess sighed happily.

* * *

"Fucker," Vic hissed.

"I'd watch that tongue of yours or the Master might cut it out one of these days," Dinah warned.

The pair stood in the morning cold. For the past week, Master Tess ordered them to have her ancient truck stocked for a day trip and idling before sun rise. The early hour combined with the bitter chill was wearing thin on Vic.

"How long are we stuck doing this? What's the fucker up to?" Vic was still slightly drunk from a night of indulging in Slavehouse Brew.

Dinah did not respond. She would not risk falling from her Master's good graces by griping. Even if she needed to get up before dawn everyday for the rest of her slavery. Master Tess had promised Dinah her freedom after the next harvest. Next year, thirty more newly emancipated slaves would join the thirty released this harvest. Dinah, like Mickey, would be allowed to move to the Freed Village. After a lifetime of servitude, Dinah would be free. She would suffer any indignity or misery gladly in the mean time.

"Good Morning!" Tess strode down the steps with Jordan shadowing closely behind.

"Master," Vic stepped forward to grab Jordan's sleeve and pull her down the last two stairs, "your bitch is without her leash. Want me to get one from the stable?"

"Don't touch!" Tess shoved Vic away from Jordan. "She is mine. KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF!" A punch to his nose drove Vic to the dirt.

"Master, I'm just running the household. I'm the most senior and should take Poe's place," Vic fumed.

"Listen good, little man," Tess grabbed the burly slave by the shirt front to pull him to his knees. "Only I assign duties! You're barely fit to open the door. In fact, I'm stunned you figured out how to use the knob, you moron," she hissed in his face. "If you ever lay a hand on my property again or speak with disrespect or question my decisions then I will sell your tender ass to the governor's guard as a sex slave!"

Tess abruptly let go of the shaken slave. He crumbled in a weeping heap at her feet.

"Pathetic," Tess muttered as she took Jordan by the shoulder and guided her into the truck. "Dinah, you're in charge. Anybody acts up then get L'tish to flog the idiot and chain them in the stable."

Tess slammed the door and threw the truck into gear before another word could be exchanged. Her fury was so great it took a few minutes of driving to realize Jordan had a white knuckle grip on the dashboard. The slave was turning a sickly gray.

"Take a deep breath," Tess hushed as she eased to a stop.

"Is this thing safe?" Jordan choked out.

"Yes," Tess took Jordan's hand and coaxed her closer. "You'll always be safe with me. Now, settle back against me and keep your eyes on the horizon. You're just a little car sick."

Jordan rested against the solid form of Tess. It was a welcome warmth. As the truck eased back onto the road, Jordan took several deep breaths to calm her stomach. Tess began to hum in her ear which helped even more than the deep breathing. It did not take long for sleep to overtake Jordan.

The rumble of the engine stilled. Jordan snapped awake realizing the truck had stopped.

"Are we here?" Her sleepy voice rasped.

"Yep!" The body next to her made no effort to move.

Jordan quickly rubbed her tired eyes open. The daylight was brilliant through the windshield. She squinted to focus on their surroundings. The woods curtained heavily around a small cottage. Recent repairs were evident against seasons of aging.

"Where is here?" Jordan whispered in her Master's ear.

"Home," Tess gave a smirk as she cracked open the door and dragged their stiff bodies out of the truck. "This is where I come when I leave our bed. It's a sanctuary of sorts."

"I don't understand," Jordan tried to keep up on the short walk to the front door but her legs cramped.

"This is just for us," Tess scooped Jordan up to carry her the last few feet. "I was trying to fix it up before I brought you here but…," Tess let her kiss finish the sentence.

Shouldering the door open, Tess moved directly to the main bedroom. She dropped onto the fresh sheets and began to undress Jordan. Her slave squeaked twice as the cool morning air tickled her exposed skin. Tess' lips were quick to re-warm the flesh.

"Master," Jordan gasped as Tess captured a pert nipple.

"Not here," Tess half lifted off the small body beneath her to gaze into green eyes filled with arousal. "Here you are my love and I am your love. Jordan, under this roof we are free!"

TBC...

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