Kasi sighed internally as she listened to the Elders voices. They argued about what to do with her daughter now and she silently had to pretend that whatever choice they made would be acceptable. This kind of torture, being treated as though her daughter didn't matter one way or another aside from another pawn that they could use was the most painful thing that she had to endure here.
As long as Suu was alive, smiling and healthy she could be happy. She didn't care if her 'husband' never touched her again, or if she remained a seamstress until the day she died. Suu was the real reason that she put up with these people's arrogance. She had no where else to go where she could procure medical care and supplies. She though not fatally or even truly disfigured by the scar on her face, was considered unattractive and unacceptable in this vain society. Her own people would have thought nothing of such a laughable mark.
"We have decided. If the girl cannot remember a thing there is no need for her to claim relations to us any longer. She has been a drain on our family since the day she was born. We will give you both enough money to support yourselves for a year and write you both out of our family records." this came from the Elder who sat in the middle, all of them sat behind screens to obscure their faces. Feeling that Kasi was unworthy of seeing them face to face. He was the eldest, his hair long enough to be mistaken for a woman's for he'd been alive for so long, but his voice was still strong and authoritative.
Kasi was horrified. She didn't know how to survive in this society. Her daughter was her only tie here, and she couldn't leave her. Her nation was no more... her family destroyed. She inhaled as she trembled with anger, sorrow and fear. Suu needed to be cared for by someone on a regular basis. And if they were to be on their own, she would have to work and leave Suu alone frequently. But no one would allow a woman or man of Quwu to own a business or slaves. They were basically pushing them to their death by removing them from this house! Kasi could not stand it, she refused to allow them their way. These people had taken her nation, her family, her heritage, her innocence and now they were attempting to take her daughter yet again! No more... she would not stand for this any longer.
"This slave understands. This slave will return to her quarters now..." Kasi spoke slowly as she stared at the 6 shadowy figures. They would not escape from her wrath unscathed. She backed away and removed herself from the room, her audience with Madam Feng had lead her to being able to speak with the Elders but no one could have predicted that this would be their reaction.
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Perla had woken up from her short nap to discover the servant girl Ki was dozing off in her corner of the room. She silently lifted herself up to get the cup that was on a low table by her bedside. As she felt the cool liquid beginning to soothe her scratchy throat, a sound at the door slightly startled her. She saw her mother standing there, face devoid of emotion and almost without a soul.
"Mother are you ok?" Perla tentatively asked, concerned because the woman looked as though she'd had her child taken from her honestly. She couldn't imagine that her mother had been hard at work for the few short hours that she'd been sleeping. She knew that she want Kasi's real daughter but... how could she let the woman know that? That her baby girl had died from a fever in the prime of her life and been replaced by someone who wasn't even familiar with their culture...
Kasi smiled as she walked to bed and sat on a stool to caress Suu's face, her voice calm and soothing as she spoke, "Yes my love. Mother is just a bit tired from all that walking back and forth to speak with everyone." Perla was surprised by the instant transformation of the woman. Her own mother had died while she was a toddler so she had very faint memory of the woman, and her father had loved and cared for until he'd died halfway through her college education. "Don't worry about Mother Suu. Worry about getting better, alright? You've been sick for quite a while now, and now that the fever has taken your memory... Mother... doesn't want you to be too stressed out." Kasi spoke while fiddling with the covers to distract Suu from her questioning.
Perla watched Kasi closely and listened intently, realizing quickly that the woman was lying. She couldn't fathom what there would be to lie about, simply tell her that the choice made by the Elders and Madam Feng was probably not going to be something that would help them. She refrained however from exposing the woman as she figured that she would hear it sooner or later. It didn't feel like it was her place to question the woman as she had no clue on how things worked.
Perla gave a sigh and laid down obediently, knowing that when she woke up in a few hours it would be dusk and she would have to eat something. She thought about all the things that she would have to lie about forgetting with the fever. It was going to be a long ride until she could find someway to get home. As she closed her eyes to fall asleep Kasi left again, resolved to save Suu.
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Kasi has gathered various items that she knew she needed, blood of two sacrifices, blood of the receiver, fertile soil, pure spring water, a soft malleable metal, the breath of a virgin and the heart of a strong yet attractive beast. Her breathing hitched as she thought of what she was about to do. Suu wouldn't be able to survive without this. She as her mother could only use her meager knowledge of curses and enchantments to allow her baby to live a life better than what she was now. These 18 years she'd hoped that she would never HAVE to do this, but the Elders choice has forced her hand.
No one here knew that she was actually the youngest Princess of Quwu and they never would. But her mother, the Queen had taught her one of the most powerful curses that their people had. 'Transference of Life' the abilities, health, beauty and knowledge of the person as a sacrifice could be passed on. She couldn't choice what the other sacrifice would give so it would be random, but she could give Suu her everything. It was lucky that the enchantment wouldn't change the person so drastically that it could be told. But she would have to make use of someone as a shield... Ki! She was perfect, she hated them and hadn't wanted to serve them anyways. An orphan whom had grown up beside Suu luckily and unlikely to have many friends with her haughty and nasty attitude. She would have to take the fall for her Suu to be able to live properly. It would take up to two weeks for the ritual to be completed... and upon the completion Ki would have served her Lady well.
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Perla woke up feeling refreshed early the next morning as she looked around, she didn't manage to see Ki or her mother. Taking her small hand she felt her forehead and neck for the fever that had assailed her when she'd first woken up yesterday, and it was gone. She supposed she should get someone to point her in the direction of her mother. As she got up and held on to the things besides her with shaky legs there was a burst of movement from corridor. All of a sudden a pale skinned and tall man, his eyes were slightly closed as though he had indulged in all of life's pleasures and found them wanting, a small straight nose and pink lips that seemed to be pressed into a firm line of dissatisfaction. Who was this now, barging into her room so early in the morning when she hadn't even had time to take care of her morning ablutions?