Master I entered the female's chamber. Roughly fifty females were sitting around the location chatting with one another. What had been a great deal of noise slowly died down as I furthered my presence in the location. At the far end of the room, I was able to find Puabi sitting beside four hundred and seventeen. Puabi was not the only one that was around this female. Each of them displays a sense of understanding of the current situation that four hundred and seventeen found herself in. The female was non-responsive, what caught my attention was the way Puabi was responding to this human born. This was more than sympathy; there was something else that I could not put my finger on. I observed how Puabi glided her hands up and down the arms of this creature. When Puabi would tire of this pattern, she would float up and down the human borns legs. Regardless, Four hundred and seventeen would not respond to Puabi's touches. I felt an emotion of anger rise inside me. I will admit that the encounter Puabi and I started with was unpleasant. I treated her unfairly! Maybe this was the reason why I was reacting this way. The human born was not responding with affection in return to Puabi's efforts. After the birth of Ashur, I slowly came to realize that I did have a strong understanding of respect for Puabi. I expected everyone who lived in my castle to show Puabi the consideration that she had earned. Lifting her head, directing her site to me, I signalled for Puabi to come and follow me. I smiled at the female who had her left ear missing. Cowering, she lowered her head to me. The females knew better not to eavesdrop on our conversation. I gave the female a toothy grin, the last female that did I cut her right ear off as punishment. As Puabi neared, the females soon moved, heading to the location where four hundred and seventeen sat, glaring at her feet. Glancing around the area, “Where is two hundred and nine? She was to be ready for me!” I reminded Puabi of the reason why I was here. Fiddling with her fingers! Puabi appeared as if she did not like the thought of telling bad news, I could understand why. I was not surprised by Puabi’s hesitation, “Let me guess …” I started to say.Clearing the back of her throat, “It is in the ice bath! I thought her temper would be gone by the time you got back. It has more fire than I thought at the beginning. If I had known it was this feisty I would have gotten Ashur rate away!” Puabi seemed distracted. I nodded my head in understanding, "is she that spirited?" Mimicking my actions, "I am afraid so!" Puabi took the chance to get her breathing under control. "I will continue with the behavioural modification ... I have to be honest, my king ... I think she is too spirited for me to deal with!" “I will send Ashur to deal with it!” I directed my attention towards four hundred and seventeen. “Do not get attached to this one, I plan on selling her. I don’t need any more girls for pleasure!” I gauge Puabi's reaction to my words. There was indeed something Puabi was not telling me. “I do not mind getting our son, but …” Puabi was fidgeting with her fingers, “Master, she is like me!” Puabi was hinting at the fact that her sexual preference was female. I gave her the look, “She?” “Forgive me Master!” Puabi lowered her head into a bow. “You can not show it any favour, I will not have her!” I kept my voice low. Puabi kept her head low, “I know Master but could I not have her until you sell Camile … I mean it!” I lifted Puabi’s chin with my fingers, “send it to Ashur to break it in, then you can have four hundred and seventeen.” I watched Puabi’s eyes widen as my words sunk in. She knew what this meant! “I …” Was all Puabi could stutter out. “You want it do you not ? I named my price for what you are wanting!” Our eyes were locked. ‘Or is there something you need to tell me Pu.a.b.i?’ I gave her one last chance to tell me the truth. Her eyes shifted back and forth thinking about what she was going to say.“I gave birth to our children, seven daughters and two sons. I have never questioned a thing, never asked for gold or gems. I was honoured to serve you. Just this once ... could you not give me one small thing for a short time!” She hissed the words low knowing that if anyone heard her she would be punished. Few can talk to me in this fashion, Puabi, Ashur and to a minor degree Sadragon. ‘And Merna!’ I thought to myself. Puabi continued, “Look over my shoulder … the child is broken!” Puabi pleaded. I could see the desperation in her eyes. Looking over my shoulder at four hundred and seventeen. She was lost to the world around her, she would be like this for a long time. “If Ashur gets a hold of her, she will be further lost!” Tears were starting to form in Puabi’s eyes, “besides setting a dwelling on your land, what has she done in her life that was so horrible. She is hard working, caring and … she was in the wrong place at the wrong time.” I may have no heartfelt feelings for Puabi but she has been loyal to me and has caught more than her share of spies for me. I took my thumb and wiped a tear off her cheek. “Come to my room! I promise you this, I will not sell your pet … for now! My dear, do not get attached to her, when I need the gold, she is going on the stage for auction!” I held Puabi’s chin, glaring into her eyes. I could not see what she was hiding from me. It must mean a lot to her. The last time she did this was when she was pregnant with Zefer, fearing I would kill our unborn child. ‘Could she be pregnant again?’ I thought to myself. Puabi bowed in respect. “When do you want me in your chamber?” “Tell Jasmine that she is to get Merna ready for my sibling!” I gave Paubi a tooth smile. “See if she can get Merna to eat something while getting her ready!” “My dear master, I think this task is better suited for our middle child, Anatu! She has a way of getting the human borns to do what it is that you wish.” With a nod of agreement, “My chamber!” Puabi smiled, “as you wish!”