The Bee Keeper's Daughter. Kingdom of Meridian. Vol 1.. Shian Serei

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СКАЧАТЬ lass were not accustomed to delicate young ladies on the ship.» Said the captain in a boisterous voice.

      «Shto?!» Came a woman’s voice from the kitchen. It was clearly Sveta listening in and protesting in her playful manner.

      The men burst into laughter and moved aside to let Maria through. She smiled, appreciating the accommodation and moved toward the large bowl of soup Sveta had prepared. She leaned over the bowl, admiring the dark red color of the soup, it was borsch, and it smelled delicious.

      Sveta appeared from the kitchen and quickly prepared a small bowl for Maria. «We took on fresh beets in Mologo!» Sveta said excitedly. «This is my mother’s recipe, but we’ve already run out of cream, thanks to all these hungry bastards.» She stated in a voice loud enough for them to hear. The men cheered, and it became evident that everyone got along like one big family with playful insults.

      Maria felt more comfortable in the room when Sveta was nearby. She smiled and turned, looking for a place to sit.

      The captain turned and swatted a man on the back of his head, «Gennady, make room!» He charred.

      A young man stood and made eye contact with Maria. He was clearly the youngest of the entire crew and immediately offered his seat without objection. Maria smiled as she walked towards the seat, noticing the young man continued his gaze on her.

      «Thank you,» Maria said sweetly.

      Gennady paused for a moment, appearing nervous, «Preyatnoga apetita». He said quickly.

      «Gena, where are my cargo records?» The captain said as he cleared his throat.

      «Da Captain, right away,» Gennady said as he quickly exited the room.

      The captain came and sat next to Maria. «Welcome aboard, Miss. I saw you come on in Yaroslavl, but I had my hands full with these greedy merchants.» He said.

      «Thank you, your ship is… very nice!» Maria said nervously, unsure what else to say to him. He appeared as if he wanted something from her but she could not imagine what it would be.

      «Ah, she was a fine ship in her day, but each year she’s more rotten and gone through with worms than the year before. Held together with pitch and patch.» He said in a regretful voice. «Are you staying with us all the way to Neva?» The captain asked.

      «Yes sir, that is my intention.» She replied

      «Very good, we’ll get you there safe and sound.» He added as he stood to leave the room. «Oh, and be mindful of Svetlana, she’s a great cook but full of mischief!» He said jokingly.

      «Ya slishu!» Sveta’s voice boomed from the kitchen.

      The captain chuckled, knowing she could hear him.

      Maria suddenly remembered how Sveta described the captain’s small penis. Her face turned red as she couldn’t help but stare at him, this strong man with such a humbling secret.

      «I’ll be mindful sir, thank you for your advice,» Maria said charmingly as she held her giggle.

      The captain turned without another word and began pushing his way through the crowd. «Make a hole!» He bellowed as he exited the room.

      Maria finished her soup and returned the bowl to Sveta.

      «Spacibo, it was delicious, reminds me of home,» Maria said.

      Sveta smiled in appreciation, «Na zdorovie!» She said.

      Maria made her way out of the room, this time, the men instinctively knew to clear the way. She felt recognized and respected by their gesture but kept her eyes down as she felt uncomfortable when she saw how they looked at her.

      She returned to her cabin and felt the weight of the day overtake her. She laid on her bed and felt warm and relaxed as the ship rocked its way northward on the Volga. The sound of the oars creaked their familiar rhythm beneath the decks as she began to fall asleep.

      The Power of Words

      Maria awoke as she heard Sveta entering the cabin. Sveta appeared exhausted, and her clothes were dirty from cooking and cleaning in the kitchen. She seemed to be in a hurry and frustrated by her tasks.

      «You’ve got the right idea,» Sveta said as she noticed Maria waking up. «I wish I could get some sleep.»

      «You’re not done?» Maria asked.

      «No, the captain wants to see me, and I don’t think it’s about my cooking,» Sveta replied.

      Sveta sorted through her few dresses, in an attempt to find something appropriate to wear. She kicked off her shoes and sat on her bed taking a deep breath. She paused, staring at the floor as if her mind was overwhelmed with thoughts.

      «Can I help?» said Maria

      «What, you want to go visit the captain instead? Be my guest!» Sveta said sarcastically.

      Maria laughed slightly and said, «I meant to help you get ready» as she reached for her hairbrush and walked towards Sveta.

      «Oh, that’s nice,» Sveta said in a relieved voice.

      Maria began to comb Sveta’s long brown hair, she had to make tiny strokes as the steam in the kitchen had made it brittle and tangled. Sveta turned her back to Maria to make the brushing easier, she was delighted to have such attention.

      «You don’t have to do this you know?» Sveta said calmly as she reclined and closed her eyes, taking a rest when she could get it.

      «I don’t mind, besides your hair is very pretty when it’s brushed,» Maria replied

      «And when it’s not…?» Sveta jabbed sarcastically.

      «C’mon don’t be like that,» Maria said, knowing how women always destroy their compliments.

      «Sveta, I’m curious how it works with him.» Maria asked, «Do you just show up and do it, or does he talk to you?»

      Sveta felt embarrassed by the honesty of the question but realized there was no intended harm in her words. «Sometimes we talk a lot, others I’m just a servant doing his bidding,» She said regretfully.

      «There are times I feel more like a wife, or how I think a wife would feel, taking care of her husband. I listen to his problems, rub his shoulders and say it will be fine, that he is clever, and he calms down.» Sveta continued.

      «He seems kind of rough, does he hurt you?» Maria asked.

      «I suppose to some he would be rough, but I am used to such men. His hands are hard, but usually, he is kind.» Sveta said as she decided to share more than she intended, «It’s not just the sex he wants. Actually, a man with power is very different. He wants your words as much as your body. You can’t just lay there and wait for him to finish, that will only make him angry. He needs you to say something to make him feel you… even after you’re gone.»

      Maria was surprised at what she was learning; she had never heard such an idea. The curiosity in her awoke as a thousand СКАЧАТЬ