“Where is my new girl, the elf?” The pasha said in his thickly accented voice while scanning the room. “Ah there you are my golden-haired treasure.”
Rose saw his look of disappointment at the sight of the light blue sash on her waist. He scowled visibly and clapped his hands together, looking around the room again with more purpose. “Matron Maudette, I require your presence at once!”
“Yes my pasha.” Rose heard the strained reply; it caused her to flinch when she heard how young the voice sounded.
The pasha too heard the change in voice and his jaw nearly dropped to the floor as he laid eyes on the renewed woman. Rose could not help but stare as well. The matron’s curves had been restored and maybe even enhanced a bit. Her figure was full and shapely and she had a swing to her hips that definitely was much less stiff than her usual stride. Her long dark hair bounced freely among her shoulders renewed and rejuvenated by the naarabian blood. Her face was once again young and vigorous. Rose sucked in a breath, knowing that all would see what had happened for what it was.
“You look amazing my dearest trinket.” The pasha said in a tone that could only be complete amazement. “You must tell me your secret one of these days but for now you must tell me why this girl wears the sash of youth?”
“She is but a child my pasha, not fit for your scepter as of yet.” Maudette said in a silky smooth voice that had also been leveled out and changed just like the rest of her. “If my pasha would like, I will pleasure him.”
“It has been some time has it not?” He chuckled slightly as he ran his eyes over her body and back down across to her delicate toes. “I remember your skill at love-making matron and it would please your pasha very much. I wish to have you and Neeshka tonight.”
“My daughter pasha?” She said with a hint of disgust in her voice. “Would you not prefer Vishna or maybe Koral?”
“I had forgotten, yes, I can see how that would be a problem. Then I shall have you, Vishna and Koral this night.” The skinny and frail-looking man clapped his hands violently and turned around dragging the three girls behind him.
“Why did you not attempt to seduce him?” Nina said with a harsh tone to her voice. “That was your chance!”
“I will make the move when the time is right, I know this man. You have never seen him before this day I know this for a fact because you would not challenge me otherwise. Trust me Nina; this was not the day to make our move.” Rose sighed softly and shook her head trying to emphasize her point. “Do you trust me young elf?”
“Immensely, or I would not have given you the information I did.” Nina conceded the point and waved her hand dismissively at Rose. “I’ll let you do your part at your leave then but please don’t let that vile man touch me.”
Rose had not the heart to say that her master was Nina’s master, at least for the time being. She wisely kept her mouth shut at this point and just put her arm around Nina’s shoulders and held her close. “I will do what I can, lovely.”
Chapter 2: Escape
Yet again she found herself staring at the lit candle on the dais next to her favorite pillow. Its flickering and feeble light cast the usual silhouettes upon the decorated walls. Nina had long since laid her head down and drifted off into what seemed to be peaceful slumber. The matron and her two young charges had not come back yet so she had occupied herself by going over the things she would have to do once she was free. She had berated and spoken harshly to some of the girls for similar thoughts but this time she felt that the means of escape was within her grasp. It must have been how they had felt, the dull ache of minor guilt was hard to ignore.
Movement to her left caught her eye and she spied Neeshka walking toward her and Nina while looking around the room cautiously at the sleeping or chatting girls. None seemed to notice or care that she was on the move. Rose wanted to scream at her from across the way to leave her alone but they did not need the punishment that usually came with such an outburst. She watched curiously as Neeshka took a seat next to the young elf and ran a hand across her lovely hair. "She is beautiful is she not?"
"My concurrence would not invite your wrath upon this innocent child would it?" Rose said in a hushed tone. "She has done nothing to you."
"Rose I'm not as much of a bitch as you may think." Neeshka said softly as she turned her gaze to the side and heaved a sigh. "She's just a child."
"Good, then yes I agree. She is very beautiful." Rose replied to the earlier question with a nod and a brush of her finger down the sleeping elf's tanned arm.
"What did you do to mother? Does the blood thing actually work?" Neeshka said with interest as she regarded Rose with her wide eyes.
"Yes it works but only one time." Rose did not like to lie so she did not do it often but in this case she had no reason to reveal that it may work again. She did not even know if the information was correct, she was just going by what Nina had said. "She was not happy about it though."
"Mother has always been slow to accept things out of the norm. She'll come around." Neeshka smiled a bit, the first time she had seen the girl smile without malice in a long time. "Rose I don't hate you; I just want you to know that."
"I know Neeshka. I do not dislike you either but your company is somewhat lacking." Rose said with a bit of a tone to her voice. "Ever since Vishna cut my face I have attempted to avoid all of you. I do not want a fight or animosity between us."
"There is none but honestly I stay in with Vishna because she intimidates me." Neeshka swung her gaze back up to Rose and met eyes with her. "Vishna hates you so much because she knows you're prettier than she is."
"I do not flaunt myself." Rose said simply in reply.
"I know, and that angers her all the more." Neeshka said in all honesty. The shy young girl cast her gaze down to the ground and shrugged. It was clear that Neeshka had more on her mind than she was sharing but Rose did not wish to pry so she merely sat in silence awaiting what needed to be said. "Rose may I lay with you for a while?"
"I would like that little sister." Rose said with a small smile upon her lips. She allowed Neeshka to put her head on her thigh and stroked her hair gently with her left hand. Neeshka in many ways was still a child; still young and impressionable. Rose wondered what had brought on the change in her attitude; maybe it was Nina's defiance of the harem bully Vishna. Whatever it was Rose was glad she could make peace with her sister before leaving, even if the girl wasn't blood related. The night wore on and she soon felt the telltale sign of sleep on her leg. Smiling Rose closed her eyes as well and decided it would be a good time to slip into her own dream-like state.
She found the mists easy as usual and as the plane unfolded before her she caught sight of something out of the ordinary. Nina and few other elves, all older than her, were talking together in a huddle. Once she arrived they all regarded her with wide eyes and whispers. She in turn was surprised to see anyone within what she thought was her own private little dream. "I don't understand. I have never seen anyone else here before."
"And I, in turn, did not know that naarabians entered reverie though I had heard rumors and tales." A tall and slender female elf said in reply as she stood up and walked over to Rose. She wore a light tunic and breeches that seemed suitable for desert travel with a single bone dagger belted at her hip. She was the very image of Nina only grown. She had the same blonde hair and the beautiful white eyes with blue-on-blue centers. "You must be Rose, the one my daughter was speaking of. If I had not trained and guided her growth myself I would have found it a fanciful tale to find a naarabian female wasting away in a pasha's harem."
"One cannot avoid the circumstances of their birth nor stop the consequences of time." Rose replied, her voice nothing more than an ethereal waver in the plane around her. She had never attempted to speak or move in this state before.
"Obviously you have never met another naarabian." The elf woman said in turn. "My name is Miralastra, my trusted call me Mira and I invite you to do the same."
"I a
m known as Alethia Rose, but all who know me just call me Rose." She stuck out her hand in greeting just as she had with Nina, palm tilted up and to the side with her fingers loose and spread. Once she had the stunned-looking elf's hand she kissed the fingers gently signifying that she meant no harm.
"A submissive gesture if ever I've seen one. You said your name is Aletha Rose?" The elf woman inquired. "Pray tell do you know what that means?"
"No, I do not." Rose said with an arched eyebrow. "And I did not know this was a submissive gesture, I was told it was a proper greeting."
"A proper greeting from slave to master." The elf replied, looking somewhat amused.
Rose could hear the other elves whispering amongst themselves after the greeting though she could not understand their speech. It was obvious that they were talking amongst themselves in their native tongue. "It is rude to speak around others who do not understand your language."
"Forgive us; we do not venture out of our home often." Mira said softly as she motioned for Rose to join them all with one hand. Mira sat down to the right of Nina and motioned for Rose to sit to her left.
"Nina has said that you have agreed to help us." One of the male elves said in his fluid voice, he had a thick accent which was a testament to the fact that he was not used to speaking the common tongue. "We are in your debt."
"I would do much for my freedom; I have never left the walls of his palace." Rose smiled until she saw the look of confusion on Mira's face. "What is it?"
"Your freedom?" Mira echoed softly.
"Yes, Nina said you could get me out of this place and into the world abroad." Rose said with a hopeful smile. It was quickly shot down when Mira frowned and looked down at her daughter. She was obviously angry that her daughter had made a promise on their behalf.
"Nina, you know better than to make promises without consulting us first! We cannot abide by that pledge." Mira's face was stern and she glanced up at Rose more than once. "Apologize to this woman at once!"
"Apologize?" Rose said as she stood up and faced Mira directly. "Do you think that a mere apology will fix this? I have been given a taste of freedom, honey upon my tongue and it has been snatched away in a mere few words! You will abide by the promise or you will not get the book."
“Mother please!” Nina pleaded as she looked up at Mira. “I gave my word.”
“Quiet Ninanthia.” She said in reply while turning to Rose.
"I will do no such thing you naarabi brat." Mira countered with her stern voice as she stood in turn. Her fists were clenched and it was obvious that no one talked to her in that manner often. "I will not aid a pleasure slave not worthy of my time for services rendered that are a step up from her usual."
Unable to contain herself Rose slapped the elf woman across the face, unconcerned as the other elves stood and unsheathed their weapons. Her chest was heaving underneath her thin clothing and she glowered at the arrogant elf. "Dare not judge one who was born into this life, one who was just a child and sold off to repay a debt, for you have no right to talk down to me! My mother sold me when I was a newborn and the only life I have known is this. So do not think that I have chosen this of my free will! I am innocent of any crime you might accuse me of."
"Alethia Rose you have my apologies." Mira waved the other elves back to a sitting position and inclined her head in a gesture of respect. "Forgive me for I forget my manners outside of the comfort of the elven court. Let me tell you a tale Rose, if you will?"
"I shall listen attentively." Rose said as she took her seat once again next to Nina who had remained quiet during the exchange.
"Long ago before the magus-kings took over the rule of the lands around you this world was lively and beautiful. Forests, trees, rivers, oceans, and other forms of now uncommon landscape were plentiful with only one desert on the face of the continent. This was known as the golden age. The first and most powerful of the sorcerers began draining this world of its life force long ago and his disciples in turn learned the ways of his power. Infused with the blood of humans, dragons, and naarabians these powerful wizards stripped the world down to the bones and left it for dead all the while reveling in their unrivaled supremacy." Mira paused for a moment and cleared her throat before continuing, offering Rose a waterskin that smelled of honey and wine. "There was an elven profit named Lyris that foretold these events and our salvation. We have worked since then to make his prophecies come to light."
"So this book is important to the entire world then?" Rose asked dejectedly. "You realize the pasha will sever my arms and legs and hang my still-living body in the barracks for his soldiers to have their fun if he discovers this book gone."
"Barbarians!" Nina said with fire in her voice. "Mother you cannot let this happen, regardless of my mistake I promised on my honor that I would help her escape!"
"Ease Nina." Mira said with her hand outstretched. "I shall help you if I can Rose, but you must understand that this is of dire importance."
"I will do what I can then." Rose clasped her chest suddenly and coughed up a small gout of blood before disappearing from the plane.
"Rose!" Nina said, similarly wavering from sight.
"Damn this game, we need that book." Mira said in her sing-song voice. "Merik did you hear her name?"
"Yes my queen, but I know not the significance." The male elf that had spoken with rose said in confusion as he regarded Mira with a wary eye. "What is it?"
"Alethia is the ancient elven word for desert." She stated while staring at the place that Rose had just been sitting in. "Her name means, is, desert flower."
"You jest; this girl is the one the prophecy foretold?" He said with his eyes wide and his mouth almost agape.
She shook her head and shrugged at the same time. "I know not, we must consult my father."
~~~~
Rose came to with a pain in her chest that felt like white-hot fire piercing her skin. She wrapped her hands around the hilt of a bone-carved dagger sticking out of the cleft between her breasts. Feebly she attempted to pull it out but she could not muster the strength. Standing not far from her was Vishna sneering and looking triumphantly down at the weakened prize beneath her. "I'll have your blood and live forever!"
"I... cannot." Rose stammered as Vishna pulled the bone dagger out of her chest and pitched it aside. Her hands ineffectively pushed at Vishna's head as she lowered it down to suck at the gaping wound and the blood oozing out steadily. "No."
Rose felt faint, her vision became blurry and she could just barely make out Vishna's blood-covered face smiling triumphantly as she slumped down to the ground hoping her quick healing could save her from the cold, clammy hand of death she felt closing around her chest. "Curse... your withered soul..."
The last thing she heard was Nina calling her name and grasping her chest, a soft blue glow coming from her hands. Rose thought she could hear someone calling her name in the distance and some unseen force beckoned her until blissful darkness claimed her.
~~~~
Rose opened her eyes and attempted to lift her head until she felt a hand on her shoulder keeping her down. Fearing it was Vishna she lashed out only to hear a familiar voice by her ear. She knew it was Maudette but she couldn't understand what the older woman was saying. She calmed herself and tried to focus on getting her senses back one by one. The wavering voice she knew to be the matron was accompanied by two younger voices she could not identify at first. "Matron? Mother?"
"I'm here Rose, just stay calm and lie still." Her voice was composed but it was obvious that she was tired. "You're doing fine, we’re here."
"What happened?" She inquired in a whisper.
"Vishna tried to drain you attempting to get immortality." The matron said softly near her ear. "She is being held by the pasha's guards. I told him it was jealousy, rivalry."
"Don't hurt her." Rose pleaded softly as she heard the door swing open.
"My treasured one, your heart is as big as the deserts themselves." She heard the pasha sa
y with a slightly amused tone to his voice. "I will take your request under consideration but she must be punished, she is a slave and must abide by my rules."
"Yes... my pasha." Rose whispered dejectedly.
"I'm so glad you're alright Rose." Nina said softly as she took Rose's hand. She felt a soft squeeze and would return it if she were not so weak.
Once the door had closed again Rose heard her mother whispering in her ear again. "You never take this long to heal Rose, what's going on?"
"The master, is he here still?" She figured the pasha had gone but she queried anyway as she attempted to test her eyesight. She found Nina and Maudette standing over her looking worried and to her surprise Neeshka was standing not far away watching over her as well.
"No, he left." Maudette replied quietly.
"The gift I gave to you, it weakened me. It will take more time for me to heal." She said in a hoarse whisper. "You'll have to take care of the master for me until I am right again."
"I don't think that will be a problem my dear, he seemed to enjoy last night a lot." Maudette paused for a moment then looked around to the other girls. "He sent the two girls out afterward. The pasha told me last night that he is making me his wife."
"Better a trophy wife than a pleasure slave." Nina said with a smile.
"I agree mother." Neeshka said with a grin. "Does that mean he would acknowledge me as his daughter?"
"We'll have to see my dear but for now we have to worry about Rose." The matron smiled down at Rose and stroked her hair soothingly. "Rose I'm sorry I got upset. It seems your gift to me has worked out after all."
"I'm glad." Rose said as a wistful smile touched her lips.
"Nina will you stay with her? Neeshka and I have some things to attend to." The matron did not wait for a reply before exiting the room with her daughter in tow.
"Nina?" Rose said as she dropped her gaze to the side weakly. "Will you tell me something you read about my people?"
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