Master Lashir had ordered her to stay at the courtyard entrance almost an hour ago. Phirynei thought she would have to stay with him the entire time, but she was left in the guest courtyard called Hyacinth, with the rest of the attendants as soon as they arrived.

The Hyacinth guesthouse was large with floor-to-ceiling windows on the first floor and a balcony on the second floor. Phirynei could tell the building was older from the brickwork style that resembled some in Asila. Still, it was taken care of with very little wear visible. There were only a few chipped bricks here and there. The roof had a large overhang to protect the porch with sturdy support beams on each side. Those also seem designed to be decorative and functional, but not detract from the regal beauty of the whole house.

While they prepared the guest house for their master, she stood admiring the flowers in the garden within the guest courtyard. She wouldn't be allowed to step inside unless Master Lashir said she could.

"Why is Master Lashir favoring that Danu?"

"Do you think he wants to raise her status?"

"Of course not. Master Lashir only chooses the most noble of women in Vahnaine. That girl is a foreigner but nothing like our mistress. Look at her, she's dirty and can't even get a proper apron without holes in it. Do you really think our noble Master wants to raise that thing up?"

Their whispers were loud enough that Phirynei could make out every word, but now that she thought about it she wondered as well why she was there. She was ordered to go at the last minute with no preparation. Her mother had to give her one of her uniforms that wasn't as torn up because hers were all threadbare and unpresentable in a public setting like going to another Estate. She spent the night with her mother going over the uniform making sure there were no obvious holes or anything that would reflect badly on Asila but they were still considered tattered. Her mother was very apprehensive about her going but they didn't have a choice. She hadn't even been told what she would be doing there. She wasn't allowed to cook or touch food for anyone but her mother and cleaning was out of the question as well. She had no purpose for being there.

Absentmindedly, her fingers played with the green jewel at the nape of her neck. Lashir had gone so far as to remove the yellow jewel indicator that indicated her status as an impure Danu. It made her more suspicious of her master and that made her much more nervous. It was deceptive and could get her killed. Still, the second indicator of her true status the bracelet of red cloudy beads could not be removed. She pulled down her puffy gray sleeve over the bracelet.

She was deceiving the people of Seukine and anyone from Asila who didn't know her, but she had to obey her estate master. It was the law even if Fhain'dea Lashir was technically not the true master of Asila. He was a stand-in since his father was still alive, but away from Asila for an extended period. Meaning she could not go against his will even if it was adverse for her. Going against him was certain death, especially for a slave. Servants could at least be let go, but Danus were considered property.

Sighing she clutched at her sleeves, peering down at the lake full of pink flowers blossoms. They were flowers she had seen before in Asila but along with them were white flowers of a peculiar shape. They were like enormous snowflakes drifting across the water in different sizes and shapes. The flowers were only the size of a normal flower but that was huge for a snowflake. The scent they gave off reminded her of winter nights. She stepped closer to the edge of the white wooden bridge. She had never seen such clear water in a lake like this. There were even fish moving about in the crystal-clear depths. Seukine was certainly different from Asila.

While she waited she missed the sound of the approaching footsteps on the bridge. She was so deep in thought she didn't realize what was happening until she was shoved into the water below. It was unsurprisingly freezing and a shock to her body, yet she was able to hold her breath as she realized what was happening. Phirynei stood up immediately and was in chest-deep water. She looked up but saw no one on the bridge. Her heart was pounding and her stomach turned.

She started toward the an area where she could climb out She bit her lip and swallowed down how she felt. It wasn't the first time that she had been pranked. At the very least she wasn't injured this time around. She waded to the edge of the lake and crawled out calmly. Rubbing her eyes first she cleared her vision and then immediately checked her Danu cap making sure it was still secure. Sighing in relief, she looked around her surroundings. She was soaked but didn't dare look for help. Instead, she was looking for anyone to let them know she needed to change her clothes. Strangely no one was around, but they had been earlier. Lashir was a strict master. He told her to wait so no matter the circumstances she had to stay there.

She needed permission if she could not find an attendant to alert. She was about to head back to the bridge when a figure caught her eyes. A man clothed in all black was standing a few feet from her. He was wearing a smooth black mask over his face and he was imposing. A huge man who could probably kill her without really trying. A physique she had seen many times. She already knew this was the man that had pushed her.

Stepping back cautiously she began to move away from him. He said nothing but suddenly sprinted toward her. She turned and fled from the man knowing that she was in danger. There were no attendants around even though they were supposed to be getting the guest house ready.

She moved across the bridge trying to get away from the man. He was chasing her like a hunting dog and it was easy because two of her strides were one of his. She glanced back to see how close he was and saw the large man lunging at her. She prepared herself as the weight of the man crashed into her.

Her head hit the wooden plank of the bridge hard. She saw stars and darkness for a millisecond before a wave of nausea overtook her and then the crushing weight of her attacker was on top of her.

She had no time to recover as the man started tearing at her uniform. Fortunately, it laced in the back and was one piece but he was strong. Her collar was torn off and the stitching was pulled apart exposing her shoulders. She attempted to scream but received a quick blow to her cheek that stunned her into silence as her mouth filled with a metallic taste.

The sound of her heart thundering in her ears deafened her as her vision blurred considerably. She was terrified and without any real thought, she started pushing at the attacker who was trying to remove her clothes. He punched her again relentlessly as she tried to stop him. Her movements were uncoordinated as she did whatever she could to fight back. She knocked off his mask in the struggle and revealed the face she knew would be behind it.

Ji Eriseni stared down at her. His brown eyes were full of rage. He grabbed her neck and she clawed at his hands that closed off her throat. She panicked as she realized he was going to kill her. He leaned forward and whispered to her but she couldn't hear anything over her blood rushing in her ears. Her hands grabbed at anything on his face. She found his eyes and she dug her thumbs in. He was forced to let go of her throat and went for her wrist to stop her but she dug in more. Her right thumb sunk in deeper than it should and the man let out a howl of pain. It was only then that she let go.

He tried to swallow the howl of pain as he clutched at his face, blood was gushing down his cheeks. Phirynei didn't wait around to find out if he still had an eye. She crawled from under him and away until she could run but it was mostly a stumbling gait.

She didn't know where she was going but she could hear him yelling at her to come back. She didn't dare stop. She looked back several times and saw him running while holding his hand over his bloody left eye. If she stopped she was sure he was going to kill her.

She escaped through the entrance of the guest courtyard out into the rest of the Seukine Estate. The ground was a smooth stone path leading to a greenhouse in front of her and turning off to the right and left. She took the left and saw what looked like the servant hall. It was only familiar because it was similar to the one built in Asila. She hurried to the back of the building to hide. She noticed how hard it was to breathe and that every breath hurt her chest but that was the least of her concerns.

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

She wasn't sure if Ji Eriseni was looking for her but continued to move away from the guest house. She traveled a small path between the servant hall and behind another large building. Once she got from between the two she saw an entrance to a garden. Her pace was slowing as it was becoming harder to breathe. She didn't know where she was going to go but she knew she could hide in the garden. She stumbled into the entrance of the huge garden.

When she stepped in she was greeted by a soft floral scent. The garden had a large fountain in the center and a variety of flowers were planted in rows around the fountain. Around the garden were trees that were in bloom with the same pink flowers she saw on her way to the entrance gate to the estate. The trees formed a protective barrier. She stood near the trees on the white stone pathway that led through and around the garden.

She stepped forward hesitantly wondering if she should go back. Before she could make a choice she heard footsteps approaching quickly. She thought she had lost him but she was wrong. She looked back to see another man coming toward her running. He was wearing the same black outfit but was shorter and smaller than the other. Whoever he was she could not fight him off.

"Please—" the words that she was going to say died in her throat as she escaped deeper into the garden. She had desperately wanted to call out for help but knew no one would answer her. If she caused trouble in Seukine she would be beaten to death. Asila had a reputation that was to be upheld no matter what situation occurred, even if her life was in danger. If someone from Seukine came to her aid it would only bring embarrassment to the Lashir family and embarrassment meant death for her. So she continued to go with her first plan to hide somewhere because making noise would be the least desirable option.

She found her way into a large hedged path that led to a sprawling second garden full of beautiful exotic flowers and grand pathways with arches. The second garden had a small crystal-clear lake in the middle and a pavilion that sat in the center of the lake. It reminded her of a birdcage with its shape and golden accents. She moved slowly towards the pavilion ahead. She could hide in if she could just make it there. No one was calling her name and she looked back a few more times to see that the man wasn't there anymore. She didn't know why, but she didn't dwell on it. She just needed to hide until she could figure out what was going on.

She looked back once more to see if she was still being pursued as she stepped in backward. Doing so she misjudged her footing and tripped on the top step into the pavilion. As she stumbled, her momentum took her backward and she tried to stop herself from falling but it was in vain and she only stopped when she landed on something.

She gasped, the left side of her torso was jostled as she fell onto what she now realized was not something but rather someone. She was in the lap of someone from the Seukine household. Her dirty, smelly, wet uniform was ruining the pristine white cloak and the fur throw of the man that was sitting. She hurried to get up but the bracelet on her wrist had snagged in between the intricate blossom and vine designs on the wheel of their wheelchair.

She looked up to the person whose lap she was in. It was a man with a face that remained impassive. Not even a hint of emotion was revealed on his face. His eyes stayed closed even though she had fallen onto him. It didn't seem like he was even startled by her.

"I-I...." Whatever she had wanted to say left her as she couldn't help but stare at this person. Unlike her master, this man was quite androgynous. His pale skin seemed unnatural in the shade of the pavilion. It gave off an ethereal impression that almost seemed to glow to her. Generous pale pink lips were pressed into a tight line now and she had forgotten she was supposed to be getting her wrist free of the chair. She was caught up in his enchantment. He was more beautiful than handsome.

His nose was straight and a bit long, but the tip-tilted upward just a bit and could be considered cute. Her eyes traveled up to his brow which was slightly strong with immaculate eyebrows that were just a bit thick. She could clearly see he was a male but he also had very feminine features.

It was a strange mixture. Master Lashir was handsome with a trickster's smile, but this man was like the paintings older attendants spoke about being in the palace. This person was the kind of beauty that represented the high noble class or even royalty. Though his eyes were closed, Phirynei felt that if they were opened they would be as crystal-clear as the water in the lake they were sitting on.

Except for the tiniest dusting of light brown and red freckles on the bridge of his nose, he was the perfect epitome of elegance. He had an otherworldly grace and beauty made her feel like she was in front of an emperor, which was even more reason to get off of him. He wasn't even speaking. He sat silently and Phirynei struggled with her bracelet as the steel wire bit into her flesh.

She wanted to get away from the man because he was obviously very important and she had just defiled him. "I am sorry, I am sorry, please forgive me."

"You dare!"

She jumped at the sound of the voice and looked over to her left. It was a young man who was well-dressed and in soft grays and white. The attendant came closer with a swiftness that she didn't expect. "You wretched woman!"

She tried to explain but before she could open her mouth, she was slapped. It stung but was nothing to the punch she had taken earlier. She grabbed her cheek with her free hand as tears finally found freedom. She had been so busy running for her life that the slap was what broke her. It wasn't her fault that any of this happened. She tried to get up and explain but fell back into the man's lap because of her caught bracelet and how close the attendant had gotten to her.

"You dare touch the master. You lowly slut—" It was at that exact moment that the attendant, whom Phirynei realized belatedly was a Rini, must have seen the bracelet trapped in the wheelchair.

"You! You unclean whore!" the next attack was a closed fist that hit her cheek knocking her backward onto the floor. Blood was in her mouth again. She held in her whimpers and swallowed the blood that filled her mouth. The Rini grabbed her free arm and flipped her over then forced her face to the ground. His gloved fingers biting into her neck and her wrist was still trapped by the bracelet.

"You dare hide your status as impure and you are so bold that you touched the Master of Seukine. You will die for this,"

Phirynei shook her head as her face was forced against the floor. Words alluded her due to the fear gripping her throat. She had no idea the man was the Master of the Estate, but now it made sense.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to. Please let me explain—" She knew her words would fall on deaf ears. There was no way that they would listen to her since she was a slave. Her death seemed imminent.

"I had no idea I had such a brazen Danu. To scheme something so vile. What did you hope to accomplish Danu Ro?" Master Lashir cut her off and as soon as she heard his voice she knew that everything that happened had been a part of his scheme. He had used her to insult the Estate Master of Seukine. A crime that she would never knowingly commit. She wasn't surprised at his actions. He was known for his cruelty and using her was the easiest way to insult someone. She was considered the most disgusting person in the Asila estate.

She wanted to scream and cry out at the injustice but her words were dying before they could pass her lips. Going against her home estate was certainly death for not only her but her mother.

"Honored Estate Master Seulnine you have my apologies. I have overlooked such a shameful woman for too long. I only ask that you do not hold this against Asila. This indecent act must not be revealed. It will dishonor both of our families."

The Seukine attendant let go of her and stepped to the side of the Estate Master then took off his glove. He rested his hand palm up on the armrest of the wheelchair. The man touched the center of the Rini's palm.

Phirynei watched the display before her. It was her first time seeing what everyone called a Child of the Golden Lights, Kren. It was said those with that title had mastery over a special type of energy known as Kren. The energy was found in certain people born during certain time periods. Those with mastery could control what was naturally in their body to some extent. Making them stronger, faster, and sometimes even smarter than the average person. There were even whispers of greater feats that could be performed. Displays of power that were much more than the ability to convey messages through touch, but most of what she knew about the Golden Lights came from rumors around Asila, which were never that trustworthy.

Regardless, Phirynei thought that if the Estate Master of Seukine couldn't control Kren his duties would be even more difficult. From what she could infer he could not speak nor did he have sight. He was also unable to walk and in their society, people would be seen as worthless if they couldn't contribute anything meaningful. However, the master of the estate was able to convey his thoughts to his Rini because of his mastery. That gave him value when others in the same situation would be shunned. This fact only made her situation worse. It looked like she took advantage of him because he was disabled.

"Master states, 'General Lashir, your Danu has committed an act of indecency toward me and all of Seukine. It is an act deserving of death. Yet, you ask that I bury this affair to leave both our reputations intact. It is agreeable to me that this act is never revealed, but the Danu must be punished." The Rini said.

"Death would be the most deserved punishment for an impure Danu that has acted so heinously. I believe you agree with me," The General was out of sight for Phirynei but she could hear the glee in his voice.

He wanted her dead. It was clear to her from the events of the day, but the reason for his malice toward her was a mystery. She rarely ever saw him in Asila. Whatever the reason she wasn't going to allow him to do what he pleased when her life was in danger.

"Danu Ro did not mean to commit this act. I am simple and foolish. Please do not kill Danu Ro, Estate Master of the Esteem Seukine please, I beg of you not to end my life like this," She didn't know if her words had reached him but she had tried. If only to stay alive to keep her promise to her mother.

It happened on a night when things looked grim for the two of them. She was unsure either one of them would make it through the night, but her mother begged her to stay awake and she promised her mother repeatedly through the night to never give up. Not until she fulfilled their wish. If she didn't return to Asila she knew her mother would die of heartbreak.

"You will remain quiet!" The Rini walked over to her and stepped onto the shoulder blade of her trapped arm. Phirynei bit her bottom lip to stop any sound from spilling out. She learned that any sound even the smallest of whimpers counted as a sound in Asila. The Seukine Master didn't move but he did turn his head slightly toward the Rini, who immediately went back to his position. It was an unspoken command that she was thankful for.

The man took the Rini's hand, "Master states, 'You agree that she must die. Then it will be carried out now."

The Rini then turned toward a servant, "Call the executioner. Let him come and administer justice."

Phirynei felt an icy chill creep up from her toes to the crown of her head. She knew she was going to die. As a Danu she knew had done something unforgivable, but she wondered if it was worthy of a punishment with such finality. It was a mistake but to them, none of that mattered. She had touched the purest person in the household, the Master of the Estate and one blessed with strange abilities. She could never pay for her crime with anything but her life. Something that her estate master knew well. He trapped her with no escape. She thought he must have despised her but then again people like him didn't need a reason to be cruel.

She lay listless on her belly with her arm still in an awkward position. Her mind raced with thoughts of her mother. All the woman's efforts to protect her would be worthless. Everything would be for nothing if she died the pawn in some scheme.

She couldn't stand still hoping she would be spared. Something had to be done and she would need to be the one to do it.