Ienia was surprised that she didn’t make more of a commotion as the executioner cut the steel wire to her bracelet and dragged her out of the pavilion onto the wooden bridge. He could still hear the beads rolling around on the wooden floor. No one else had spoken a word since the executioner's arrival.
“She is to be beaten to death for her crime against the Estate Master,” Euïya said still standing by his side. His Rini had always been protective over him, but more so now that he was less than he was before. The fact that an unclean slave touched him was driving the servant’s rage.
Euïya must have felt like he failed him and nothing he could say would abate the guilt. Ienia didn’t even attempt to do so. It was understandable, but something was off with the situation. A nagging thought stayed in the back of his mind. He wanted to ignore it but of course, he couldn’t. Something was blatantly wrong with the events of the past hour. The whole situation was beginning to aggravate him the longer he analyzed it.
If the girl was so shameless why choose to enact her plan now when there were so few to witness it? If she was trying to seduce him, she was failing as he was blind and couldn’t see her appearance. If she wanted to be caught, there were too few around. The garden attendants were spread farther apart when he was in the garden to keep them from disturbing him. They also wouldn't know she was in the pavilion from where they were working.
She would likely be killed before the news of what happened reached fourth-rank attendants, let alone outside the walls of Seukine. Then there was the fact that the girl didn’t speak at all to him other than to beg for mercy after being caught. She didn’t try to spew seductive words or touch him inappropriately other than sitting in his lap which seemed like a mistake. It was more of a sudden fall into his lap than a purposeful perch. She was obtaining nothing from insulting him other than death. None of her actions made sense when he thought over the situation.
If she wasn’t an Impure Danu then at the very least she could claim he fancied her, but as he was disabled this incident was more of an assault on him rather than her. There were blaring issues with the poorly conceived scheme. It reeked to him of that bastard, Fhain'dea. Although his schemes were not this tacky usually.
It was clear that the man was plotting something but he couldn’t figure out what the result was supposed to be. The sound of cloth ripping alerted Ienia to the girl’s clothes being ripped apart to expose her family crest on her back. To their society exposing the crest to a rod or whip was a dishonor to her family. Still, it was also the only way for her family to regain dignity. Unfortunately, her death would give them back their honor.
Suddenly, there was a noticeable change in the atmosphere. Something was revealed and even the executioner wavered to act. An audible gasp escaped even Euïya. There were very few things that could cause that type of reaction, so he reached out to his right and touched the young man’s hand.
'What happened?' He communicated with the young man. Euïya moved to lean down and whispered to him,
“The Danu’s family crest is scarred from years of whippings. Not only that but the crest is large, covering most of her back and containing at least thirteen generations. It appears very noble and from an old clan.”
“Please have m-mercy-” the girl cried out suddenly as the beating began. The executioner had decided to disregard the crest and continued his duty.
Ienia let go of Euïya’s hand. He started to replay the events that had happened since Fhain'dea’s arrival. They had met in the pavilion to talk about the coming war with the country of Nivalia and the additional soldiers they were receiving, but the general had found a way to change the subject to him. Fhain'dea taunted him for his weakness and reliance on others. Pointing out how useless his input was on the matter and lastly insinuating impotence in such a crude way that his female attendants were probably blushing.
Fortunately, he was able to control his temper and respond with poise and respect to the traitor. After the meeting, he sent the other attendants away so that he could continue to regain his composure. Fhain'dea always knew how to drag a person through the mud. He had asked Euïya to retrieve some water for him. It was during that time that the girl showed up.
He was shocked when she landed in his lap, only retaining his calmness through sheer will. She had somehow entered his Ring of Awareness without him knowing, though he had been daydreaming. It scared him to have someone suddenly in his lap without sensing their arrival in the garden far beforehand. Thinking back, he remembered she was soaked. He could feel the water seeping through his clothes and reaching his stomach and thighs as she sat in his lap.
She had fallen into one of the small lakes or ponds. She smelt earthy as well probably from a potted plant or tilled dirt. Her breathing was distressed with breaths that came in short and fast puffs. Her heart had been thundering in her chest and his sensitive ears picked it up easily. She was fearful, anxious, and shivering violently when she landed in his lap. She even struggled desperately with her bracelet trapped in the carved floral designs of his chair. It was clear that she had been running away from someone who assaulted her and unintentionally fled to his garden.
Though afraid and frightened she had paused when seeing him. He felt her staring at him intensely. She inspected him carefully as if she were seeing a life-sized doll. He had heard what others said about him behind his back. His appearance had taken on a very effeminate look since he poisoned. No doubt another gift from the empress and Fhain'dea. When she realized she was gawking, she tried to move but Euïya had already returned, giving her no time to explain.
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His servant's anger prevented her from saying anything to defend herself and then there was the arrival of Fhain'dea. He had silenced her the moment he arrived even though she tried to explain the situation, but with his interference, she couldn’t do anything. Speaking against her master was an offense. Not only that but the girl had received extensive beatings and had a family crest that almost covered her entire back. He had no choice but to wonder who the girl was that would be used by his enemy.
There was more to the picture than he could perceive. Fhain'dea wanted her dead for a reason and the general wanted her dead by his hand. General Lashir didn’t need his help to kill anyone, especially not a lowly slave. Then the situation Fhain'dea used to trap her left him well within his right to kill her. No one would question his decision since she committed such a crime against him. So why did he want the girl killed by the Seulnine family?
“Have mercy. Please have mercy on my mother! I am all she has left in the world and I would *never* do this of my own free will,” she screamed out. She was fading fast but still begged not to save her life for herself but for her mother’s sake. Not only that she was confirming something that was nagging him. Ienia took Euïya's hand and with the aid of the circlet, he was able to borrow Euïya's eyes as his own. He needed to see the girl. Something was missing from all of this and her plea was a clue.
Euïya's first reaction was wrong when he saw the girl. Why not react with rage right away? She was stretched out on the wooden bridge with a bloody back. Her blood was leaving splatter marks with each hit. Ienia quickly observed her and the green glimmer from the jewel on her cap gave him everything he needed. No slave could change their jewel. They didn’t have the tools required to release the jewel from the lock. Even if they could, what Danu would willingly swap with an impure slave? It was clear, she was forced to wear the jewel to deceive others but Fhain'dea couldn't remove the bracelet as he wasn't the true Estate Master of Asila. Euïya had seen the green jewel first and his reaction was lighter until he saw the bracelet.
He let go of Euïya’s hand since he was reaching his limit and he'd rather not be in pain for the rest of the day. Truthfully, it was a moment of foolishness, but he needed to see the whole picture.
“Master?” Euïya whispered. Ienia shook his head and took the Rini's hand again. He took a deep breath before speaking through the Rini, another ability that would normally drain him extensively without the circlet he wore.
“Cease the punishment!” Euïya spoke suddenly and Ienia heard the man stop his attack. He could feel his eyes on him so he nodded in agreement and then punishment ended.
“My Master is kindhearted and does not wish to take the life of this pitiful slave. She had clearly made this mistake by accident.” Ienia could hear the girl gasping and thanking him for his mercy. She was an innocent person used in Fhain'dea’s deadly scheme.
“A more fitting payment has been decided for this impure slave. Since she is strong and young, she is desirable as a slave concubine to bear offspring. She will be taken as his Fanu Re.”
Ienia spoke in the third person through Euïya to keep the façade that he could only relay messages. He couldn’t allow anyone to know the extent of his power or what he was truly capable of even if it was supported by the circlet.
“How…how noble of you.” There was disbelief in Fhain'dea’s voice as he spoke but there wasn’t any disappointment. From his reaction, things were still going according to plan for the general. Ienia was sure there would be more traps ahead. He knew Euïya was confused about his choice but didn’t protest openly as it was disrespectful.
“This is agreeable. She is young and strong. She very well may produce a child for you. Since she is impure, she should be purified in Asila. It is her home after all. She should be returned to Seukine for the debut and wedding.” The general spoke his voice coming from the area near the slave girl.
Ienia knew Fhain'dea well, he knew without sight the man was staring down at the girl’s injuries. Admiring them like they were freshly plucked roses. What was strange was how he wanted to take her away immediately after trying to have her killed. He couldn't let that happen. Since he was too tired to continue speaking through Euïya he gave the message to the Rini to relay.
“Your offer has been declined. She committed a crime against the Seulnine family she must remain in Seukine. She will be cleansed here and she will never be allowed to step outside of Seukine until permitted.” Euïya had a hint of smugness in his voice.
“That is rather cruel of you Mir ‘fea.” The general spoke his affectionate name lowly. Ienia grabbed the armrest of his wheelchair, his mouth opening for a harsh reprimand that couldn't be heard but Euïya answered.
“General Lashir you should only use proper titles when speaking to Master Seulnine. As you are not of the same class nor do you share friendly relations with our Master. Therefore you are being disrespectful to the Estate Master of Seukine. Please learn your place quickly to not add another insult to the one you have already given us. It is already shameful that you cannot control your attendants.” Euïya footsteps let him know the man left his side and was going closer to where Fhain'dea was standing.
“Ah, yes I must have forgotten myself. Estate Master, this Danu’s mother is still in Asila. Though she is a slave like her daughter do you begrudge her the opportunity to see her daughter given away?” The general asked. His attempt to keep the girl was not quite blatant.
“Then she should have raised her better. That slave would have been killed if not for the mercy of Master Seulnine. She has committed a crime worthy of a painful death, yet you lament over her mother. Are we offending her? Should Master Seulnine apologize to the mother of a slave as well?” Euïya was as sharp as always and even Fhain'dea was not expecting such a response. The general played it off with a chuckle, though there was something in the laugh that made Ienia take notice.
“She should rejoice that Seukine is so merciful to spare her unclean child,” Euïya must have motioned to the executioner because his heavy footsteps came close to the pavilion.
“Take her to the physician. Clean her and allow her to rest then send her to Master Seulnine's private courtyard." The young Rini went back toward him and grabbed the handles of his wheelchair.
“My Estate Master has grown tired from this ordeal. May General Lashir return to the guest courtyard. The matter of the Danu will be handled by Seukine. Consider that Danu no longer the property of Asila. As of today, you have given her into the care of Seukine” Euïya said as he headed for the ramp that warped around the back of the pavilion and led to the bridge. The man agreed but didn't say much else.
When they were finally alone Euïya spoke dropping all formality, “What are you thinking taking in an Impure Danu as your first slave concubine? Your mother is going to kill me and then you.”
Ienia didn’t communicate anything to the servant or even acknowledge the question. He simply relaxed when Fhain'dea was outside of his ring of awareness. He trusted his first-rank attendants and noble guards to keep the General in his place. For now, he’d rather rest than talk to Euïya. He'd deal with the Danu later after she was cleaned up and rested. There was much to be discussed with the girl who passed through his ring of awareness undetected.