Choose the older woman

“What’s you name, ma’am?” you ask the older woman. The two handmaids exchange surprised glances, then the younger one hides a giggle behind her hand.

“My name is Krandt, Your Majesty,” she says.

"Hold on--are you messing with me?" you ask. "Why did you call me 'Your Majesty'? I'm not the King, I'm just..." You're not really sure what you are, but you're not royalty.

"You are the Vessel," Krandt says, making the sacred sign of the Mother across her chest. “The next King will be born from your womb. That means you deserve the same respect and title as the King himself, Sir.”

"All right, Krandt, you're my handmaid. You sound like you know more about this Vessel crap than I do. Sorry," you say to the younger woman. She drops a quick curtsy and exits the room, closing the door behind herself. You stifle a yawn. "Now that that's settled, I just want to sleep." You stagger toward the bed.

“Oh, but Sir,” Krandt says reproachfully. “Shouldn’t you take a bath and put on clean nightclothes?”

You sniff the ragged sleeve of your work shirt. “I do smell like a mule, and a bath sounds wonderful, but I'm so tired, I'd hate to fall asleep and drown."

"I wouldn't let that happen, Sir," Krandt says. "I would be executed if I let anything happen to you."

"Well, now I really don't want to take the risk, if it means both of our lives," you say.

"I could give you a sponge bath instead," Krandt offers.