"I… would… rather… die… than… be… someone's… property."
With that, Aira stood from her stool and began running towards the river. Sad that she was breaking the promise she had made to her sister. To stay alive. Hoping Zara would somehow understand it was the only way she would be free. But before she reached the edge of the flowing river, Xona's brother wrapped his strong arm around her waist and lifted her off the ground. Screaming and struggling, but it was useless as he mercilessly threw her down behind him, blocking her path to the river. His towering figure casting an ominous shadow over her. Lala rushing to her side.
"Stammerer, don't you think it's foolish to drown yourself when you can finally leave this place?"
"What… difference… does… it… make?" Aira spat the words with venom. " I… am…. just…. being… handed… to… a… different… master." She blinked back the tears.
"Zara," he said softly as if the name had enchanting power, Aira widening her eyes.
"Zara? Did … you…say…Zara?" Aira asked, scrambling to her feet, confused yet hopeful. "How.… do… you… know…. my… sister's …name?" Aira's eyes searched his face for answers. "Is…she…the…one…who…bought…me?"
He gave her a cold, uncaring look and replied, "Go find out for yourself."
◼◼◼◼
Ravenous hunger consuming Aira, she stuffed her mouth so quickly as if time was against her, barely pausing to take a breath. Her cheeks puffed up as she struggled to keep up, almost choking, but that didn't deter her, her gnawing hunger pushing her.
Lifting her eyes, she saw the first lady gazing at her with a mix of pity and understanding, embarrassment washing over her, and she instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, slowing down her chewing.
"Do you want more?" the first lady asked, and Aira shook her head shyly.
"No, thank you."
The first lady reaching out, touched her arm softly. "I am sorry it took me so long to get you out of there. It must have been hard for you."
Aira met her gaze with gratitude shining in her eyes.
"It's… okay. Thank… you… for… saving… me."
The first lady nodded and leaned back, closing her eyes.
"You can rest if you want. We still have a long way to go until we reach the capital."
Aira leaned back too, holding the letter from her sister close to her chest. Happy that Zara sent the First Lady to rescue her from that horrible place though a flurry of questions clouded her mind.
How did Zara know the first lady?
Where did she manage to get 500 silver orhins?
And most importantly, where was the first lady taking her?
Locking the first two questions at the back of her mind, Aira decided to inquire about them when she met with Zara again. As for the last one, she knew she simply had to wait and see where the first lady takes her. Shifting her focus to the problem at hand: how to raise 1500 silver orhins and buy Lala, Ila and Eshe. Unable to bear the thought of leaving them behind.
As the first lady has made it clear, she is in no position to save them too. I have to figure out how to come up with the money. Maybe I could find some work in the capital.
◼◼◼◼
The Phoenix House was the most famous pleasure house reserved for the upper class in the capital. Its access limited to those with significant social standing and wealth. On the ground floor, a symphony of music filled the air as talented musicians played their instruments, female dancers enchanting the audience as they indulged in their food and drinks with their graceful moves, displaying their beauty and skill.
On one side of the first floor, a mix of excitement and tension filled the air as gamblers engaged in the thrilling games of chances hoping their fortunes would change with a turn of a card or a roll of dice. Those who were lucky to win cheering as the losers cursed out in frustration when luck eluded them.
On the other side, scholars exchanged ideas and opinions on various topics, sparking animated debates and lively discussions.
The second and third floors reserved for those seeking the private company of muses: male and female alike, or musicians whose wit, charm and talent matched their exquisite appearance. Or those who wanted to hold private meetings. Others simply wanting a quiet place to rest and escape their busy lives.
For the past six months while living in The Phoenix House, Aira's day began early in the morning, before dawn, washing the sheets and preparing the necessary ingredients in the kitchen, then making her way to the apothecary shop, where she helped with the herbs and preparing medicine.
◾◾◾◾
After Aira returned from the apothecary shop, she carefully counted her hard-earned silver orhins, making sure none of them was missing or stolen, putting them in a pouch before making her way to the first lady's room. On her way there, she walked past Nila, the most beautiful muse in the Phoenix house, as she headed to meet with a male guest, and Aira couldn't help but feel envious. As for the 100 silver orhins it took her six months to earn, Nila effortlessly earned them in a day, for men paid the first lady handsomely just to catch a glimpse of her, some even willing to risk everything for a fleeting moment of attention.
Stepping into the first lady's room, Aira bowed her head and placed the pouch on the round table where the first lady was having her evening tea.
"Greetings, first… lady?"
The first lady acknowledged her with a nod and a warm smile. Then asked,
"How may I help you, Aira?"
"Here… are… 100… silver… orhins. I… will… make… sure… I… earn… the… rest… by the… end… of… the… year… so… that… you… can… buy… Lala, Ila...and….. Eshe too."
The first lady looked at the pouch and then at Aira.
"I am sorry, Aira, even if you manage to earn 1500 silver orhins, I can't buy them."
The weight of the First Lady's words hung in the air like a dark cloud, and Aira, desperate to save her friends, dropped to her knees.
"Please, First…. Lady, don't …say… that. You… promised… me… you… would… buy them… if I brought…. you… 1500 silver… orhins. Please… don't go… back…on…your…word."
"Aira…"
"Please…First Lady." Aira kowtowed, hitting her head gently against the floor since the First Lady held the key to her friends' freedom. And she couldn't have the first lady throwing it away.
"I lied. I thought you would give up after seeing how hard it is to earn 1500 silver orhins. Plus, it takes more than money to buy them with powerful forces at play, and I can't risk buying them if it's not beneficial to me."
Aira's heart sank, feeling like she had been thrown off a cliff, plummeting towards the cold, hard rocks below. Struggling to hold back her tears, they overpowered her, falling to the floor. A lump formed in her throat, making it hard to breathe as a surge of emotions threatened to overwhelm her.
Lifting her head, Aira replied, her voice quivering, "But…that…place…is…horrible."
"I know, Aira, but it isn't my business to save them." The first lady then pushed the pouch towards Aira. " I would advise you to forget about them and save this money. Who knows? They are probably dead by now."
Aira wanted to scream at her, cursing her for being so heartless, but she just nodded as the weight of reality settled upon her shoulders and stood up. The pouch in her hand feeling heavy as it suddenly lost its purpose, vowing to find another way to help them.
Her shoulders slumped, her body posture reflecting how the outcome of the visit had absorbed her hope, leaving her feeling empty and defeated, she walked towards the door, her steps slow and weighed down by disappointment and heartache, and as she was about to open the door, the second lady beat her to it, walking in, Aira shutting it on her way out.
"Is everything ready?"
" Yes. The girls for his Lord have been chosen and are being sent to the palace tomorrow." the second lady replied.
"And the thing about Aira, have you handled it?"
" Yes, First Lady. But…"
"Just do as I say and leave the rest to me."
"Okay," the Second Lady replied, bowing her head.
"And tell Aira to come and see me tomorrow morning."
Changing into a simple navy blue tunic and a pair of trousers, Aira made her way to the washing area, and as she scrubbed the utensils, her tears mixed with the water. Her mind searching desperately for a way to save her friends, but the solution remained elusive. And amid the pain, she couldn't help but resent the First Lady, for she had the power to save them but chose not to, hating how the resentment pressed down her gratitude.
◼◼◼◼
After two weeks of beauty treatments that included milk baths to keep the girls' skin smooth and supple. Pumice and vinegar to whiten their teeth as pearls. Rose water to tone and refresh their skin, and painful hair removal through the art of tweezing and waxing. And different herbal remedies to improve skin health and appearance, the girls were finally ready to be presented before his Lord. Aira barely recognising herself as she looked in the mirror. The transformation nothing short of breathtaking, her once tired and withered skin glowing with newfound luminosity, her face bearing no trace of the hardships she had endured.
In the hall, where his Lord carried out his personal affairs, the first thing that struck you was the darkness of the interior of the walls and ceiling painted a deep, rich black giving off a solemnity and grandeur vibe. The room illuminated with several lamps mounted on the walls, dancing shadows across the polished floor that gleamed like glass reflecting the light of lamps. The paintings adorning the walls were complex, multilayered works of art. Each brushstroke carefully chosen and placed. The kind of art that pulled you and trapped you in the grasp.
And at the far end of the room, raised on a dais, was a chair carved from dark wood and studded with precious stones, cushioned with deep black velvet where Faheem sat. Dressed in black, he watched as the girls walked in, his blank expression betraying none of the thoughts churning through his mind.
As Aira stood in line, she could feel domination, control and power oozing from the room, sending a cold shiver down her spine. Luckily she had a vial full of Sinthum from the First Lady safely stacked in the pocket slit in her chest area. When consumed in a controlled dose, it could create an illusion of death for three days by effectively slowing down the body's functions to an extremely low level. The First Lady had instructed her to take it when her life was in danger, and one of her men in the palace would return her to The Phoenix House in the guise of burying her.
Faheem's strides smooth and fluid. He walked down the dais and stood before the girls with his arms behind him.
"Bring her in!"
From a different entrance, two guards entered, dragging a girl who was crying and pleading for mercy.
"Please, his Lord. Have mercy! I promise I will never sneak into your chambers again."
The guards threw her at Faheem's feet. And the girl held his mersa with trembling hands, still begging for her life; however, no amount of pleas would change her fate. As Faheem grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground, her feet barely touching the ground.
"Please, his Lord. Don't kill me, I will tell you everything you want to know," she choked out. Faheem flashing her a sinister grin before snapping her neck, throwing her aside like a doll, returning his attention to the girls as if he hadn't just snapped a girl's neck.
"This is what will happen to spies and traitors. Do you understand?"
"Yes, his Lord," all the girls answered except Aira, whose body was tense and rigid, lips trembling.
He killed her.
I can't believe he killed her.
An overwhelming sense of terror consumed her completely as she remembered the stories she had heard about him in the Phoenix house.
The way he saw himself as some type of god, literally untouchable and virtually invisible. The way he was a vindictive, merciless monster who ruled with viciousness, ferocity, brute force, Intimidation and fear, always doing and getting what he wanted, never taking no for an answer.
The more she thought about him, creating horrible ideas and theories in her head, the more her legs shook uncontrollably.
Noticing his footsteps growing closer with only two more girls to analyse before getting to her, her knees buckled beneath her, falling to the ground with a thud, attracting the attention of the so-called monster. Grabbing her arm, Faheem helped her to her feet and pulled her closer. His breath hot against her face as his eyes looked into hers. Aira utterly surprised; contrary to her expectations, he possessed no fangs or horns. Instead, he was the most exquisitely beautiful man she had ever seen, and she was certain that if he wore women's clothing, he would be the most captivating woman in the whole world, surpassing even Nila.
"I love your eyes. The restrained anger and pain in them make them beautiful."
"What's your name?"
Aira tried to speak but couldn't. Words stuck in her throat.
And with a lustful smirk, Faheem added, "I will have her tonight."
She had promised herself that she would never allow any man to come close to her ever again or have her body unless she wanted him to. And though she was desperate to save her friends and had to stay in the palace to be safe, she didn't want to compromise her promise, especially not with him. So when Faheem turned and began walking away, her trembling fingers reached for the vial, promising herself to find another way to save them without giving her body to him. But before the Sinthum could touch her lips, something hit the vial, and it slipped from her hands, falling on the floor.
"What do you think you are doing?"Faheem asked, and without warning, his hand reached for her throat and lifted her off the floor.
"I…am…sorry," Aira choked up, not ready to end like the girl dead on the floor. Her body numbed with fear, her bladder almost giving way.
"It is hyrim, his Lord," The guard declared, meticulously examining the spilt Sinthum, for it mimicked the smell of the hyrim, one of the most lethal poisons in Husa.
"Who gave you the right to end your life? Don't you know your life belongs to me? And you only die when I tell you to."
"I…"
Faheem squeezed her throat a little bit tighter, forcing tears out of her eyes, her bladder giving way, and she began fading in and out consciously, her body on the brink of suffocation right before total darkness overwhelmed her. Faheem dropping her to the floor.
DESCRIPTION CORNER
Mersa —a black long-sleeved coat with a stand collar top.
Museー a female or male companion highly skilled in the arts of conversation, music, dance and other forms of entertainment.
OrhinーHusa's currency