Post by Ishtar Palindrake (I) on May 7, 2006 22:08:37 GMT -5
I lay on my side on a hard cot under the eaves of an inn. Tears and bruises dotted my skin and the place between my thighs ached. But that was nothing to the crushing despair wrapped around my heart.
My father was dead. Plague, just six moons ago. Six moons. So close and yet too late. The guild had left Marsillikos as well, so there was no hope anyone would recognize me, or pay for my return. Milaza, where a new dye crop was being harvested. The new Guild Master had decided. Gods.
Lord Michael, as we were in Terre d'Ange now and they were D'Angeline citizens here, had made the inquires. For such a hard man, he did break the news to me rather gently. But still... so much gambled and lost. On the ship's journey, Davion hardly looked at me, which was fine by me. I'd been so sick I barely got out of the tiny bunk. I'd lost weight off my already slender frame and bones protruded under my soft skin. It didn't matter, I'd be back to myself soon enough, the Lords would see to it. I was there personal whore now.
Michael had done much to help me relearn D'Angeline on shipboard. He'd almost been kind. Davion had not been. I could still see the scene from a few hours ago.
***
"What? She's worthless? Tell me this again Michael, why did I bring her with us?" Angry, pacing and angry.
"He died just a few moons ago, brother, How was she to know? How were any of us? She'll not be a burden." Imploring, more for his hide than mine. I'd sat dejected on the window seat in their room, still shocked and unbelieving.
"I don't care. We have an orphaned whore with us and what do I do with her now?" He was practically shouting. I'm sure the whole inn could hear. What did I care? What did I care about anything right now? I had nothing, no one. Something hardened in me and I lifted my chin, looked across the room at Davion pacing like a sand tiger. I stood and walked toward him.
"My lord forgets. If I could not be paid for, I will earn my keep." and escape you bastards at the soonest moment.
"Yes Davion, let her work the price of her crossing off. Five years at servants wages should be enough." Michael was trying to help, but burying me at the same time.
"Fine, she'll serve me in the only way a woman can." He grabbed me, tore the thin silk of my caftan from my body. I was still all hard angles but he didn't care.
He had me, rough and ungentle. I still came despite his harsh handling of me, much to my eternal shame. Gods, to find pleasure in rough animal coupling with a man I despised. I bit my lip so hard it split in an effort to refrain my cries of release. He left when he was through, and I was grateful. Michael looked torn. He made an aborted move to hold me, but I rolled into a ball. He sighed and brought over a basin of hot water and a rag.
Stiffly I cleaned myself, only accepting his help when absolutely necessary. My caftan was ruined and strangely, this brought tears to my eyes. Michael fetched me one of his shirts, so long it felt like a caftan on me. Despite my protests he picked me up and carried me to this hard bed, alone under the eaves. I refused to speak to him, hating both of them, maybe him just a little less.
"Sleep, Ishtar. I'll buy you some gowns in the morning and well be off the the City. I'm- I am truly sorry for your loss." silence. I shut my eyes and willed the tears away. He left and I lay in stillness, misery my blanket.
Ishar, mother of us all, keeper of souls and the lost. Beauty and patience are your hallmarks. Please watch over my mother and father, let them be united after so long. Ishtar, please have pity on me, for I have such darkness in my heart. Guide me in this strange land I've longed for.
I slept.
My father was dead. Plague, just six moons ago. Six moons. So close and yet too late. The guild had left Marsillikos as well, so there was no hope anyone would recognize me, or pay for my return. Milaza, where a new dye crop was being harvested. The new Guild Master had decided. Gods.
Lord Michael, as we were in Terre d'Ange now and they were D'Angeline citizens here, had made the inquires. For such a hard man, he did break the news to me rather gently. But still... so much gambled and lost. On the ship's journey, Davion hardly looked at me, which was fine by me. I'd been so sick I barely got out of the tiny bunk. I'd lost weight off my already slender frame and bones protruded under my soft skin. It didn't matter, I'd be back to myself soon enough, the Lords would see to it. I was there personal whore now.
Michael had done much to help me relearn D'Angeline on shipboard. He'd almost been kind. Davion had not been. I could still see the scene from a few hours ago.
***
"What? She's worthless? Tell me this again Michael, why did I bring her with us?" Angry, pacing and angry.
"He died just a few moons ago, brother, How was she to know? How were any of us? She'll not be a burden." Imploring, more for his hide than mine. I'd sat dejected on the window seat in their room, still shocked and unbelieving.
"I don't care. We have an orphaned whore with us and what do I do with her now?" He was practically shouting. I'm sure the whole inn could hear. What did I care? What did I care about anything right now? I had nothing, no one. Something hardened in me and I lifted my chin, looked across the room at Davion pacing like a sand tiger. I stood and walked toward him.
"My lord forgets. If I could not be paid for, I will earn my keep." and escape you bastards at the soonest moment.
"Yes Davion, let her work the price of her crossing off. Five years at servants wages should be enough." Michael was trying to help, but burying me at the same time.
"Fine, she'll serve me in the only way a woman can." He grabbed me, tore the thin silk of my caftan from my body. I was still all hard angles but he didn't care.
He had me, rough and ungentle. I still came despite his harsh handling of me, much to my eternal shame. Gods, to find pleasure in rough animal coupling with a man I despised. I bit my lip so hard it split in an effort to refrain my cries of release. He left when he was through, and I was grateful. Michael looked torn. He made an aborted move to hold me, but I rolled into a ball. He sighed and brought over a basin of hot water and a rag.
Stiffly I cleaned myself, only accepting his help when absolutely necessary. My caftan was ruined and strangely, this brought tears to my eyes. Michael fetched me one of his shirts, so long it felt like a caftan on me. Despite my protests he picked me up and carried me to this hard bed, alone under the eaves. I refused to speak to him, hating both of them, maybe him just a little less.
"Sleep, Ishtar. I'll buy you some gowns in the morning and well be off the the City. I'm- I am truly sorry for your loss." silence. I shut my eyes and willed the tears away. He left and I lay in stillness, misery my blanket.
Ishar, mother of us all, keeper of souls and the lost. Beauty and patience are your hallmarks. Please watch over my mother and father, let them be united after so long. Ishtar, please have pity on me, for I have such darkness in my heart. Guide me in this strange land I've longed for.
I slept.