Chapter Four
"We are short one slave and you will be working the feast tonight for the king's sister," Agetha hissed, her glittering blue eyes pointing towards the sky.
Devyn shot her eyebrows up and jumped a little at her voice. The shrillness of the old hag's tone had snuck up on her whilst she was polishing an old brass knob. So much so, Dev ended up dropping the heavy object on top of her foot which resulted in an enormous amount of pain. She groaned and bit her lip.
"Madgeler has been jailed because she was caught stealing a guard's solid gold helmet. So, we need you, Devyn because you are the only human female slave and King Cassius has requested all women to work the feast. Off you go. Bathe and smell better," she wrinkled her nose at Devyn and shooed her off.
Devyn blinked her eyes and stood, rushing towards the grimy basin that had years of dirt and blood from past slaves caked on its surface. She was glad to be privileged a bath for they were few and far between.
Ignoring the stares she received from the other slaves, Devyn quickly disrobed and sank into the lukewarm waters that went past her breasts. She propped up her knees to her chest and hugged them, resting her cheek on one. She sighed and watched as her silver hair swirled atop the water, creating little maelstroms of gray in the tub. The twisting designs began to spin faster as she eyed them, moving with the water. No, not moving
with
the water. She was actually forcing the water to twirl in such a way.
Devyn gasped and sat back, splashing some liquid onto the stone floor. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts of images that were not real, she dove beneath the rose scented water to wash her hair. Shame, the petals and soaps would turn her hair a light shade of pink but she did not bother. She would be clean!
Dressing in the standard slave clothing, a drab brown dress that lacked proper stitching and form, Devyn made her way out towards the huge kitchen that was bustling with activity.
Cooks and servants ran around with numerous empty and full plates stacked on top of one another. The slave girls were standing cautiously in the far corner, hands behind their backs, sliver chains wrapped around their necks and wrists.
Devyn sported her own chains. Slaves were forced to wear these so those who came across them knew what their roles were. Considering slaves dressed similarly to servants, they were treated far different. Servants were given quarters, rooms in which they shared down in the back of the castle. Slaves had only one room, no larger than a storage closet, and had to sleep on top of one another. However, thanks to King Cassius and his disapproval of slavery, only a handful of human slaves remained.
Of course, Devyn had been sold into slavery by her adoptive parents so they could repay the debts her father had accrued from the King of Edrein. No longer were the days of taking children from their homes to force them into servitude. No. Slavery was condemned but not forbidden. And, to have slaves in Ieslal, you had to purchase them rather than trade or steal.
What a cruel and deceitful land she lived in.
Asna was once a prosperous country with peaceful races. That was long ago. The Elves, the Broslans, and the Humans all conspired against one another. And, when they were not warring with the other kingdoms, civil conflict erupted within their own borders.
Devyn had heard of other kingdoms being far more diplomatic with no turmoil or struggle. Granted, the Elvin kingdom despised war with the Broslans and humans, they still fed the fire. Elves tried to outlaw slavery within each kingdom, having none of their own. They rarely had servants. The elves who did serve the royals were doing it out of gratitude and respect not belligerence and coercion.
The humans simply had slaves who had done wrong in the past. It was their punishment. Either that or death. And who would choose death?
The Broslans, a nightly breed of humanoids, chose to have slavery to instill their power over the lesser species. History tells the children that the Broslans had once thrived in Asna, ultimately controlling her plains. Until one day, an Elf came over from a faraway land, claiming his forests were rotted and soil dry, and settled on the southern tip. They had lived side by side for quite some time but one day, the ancient Elf wanted to have a village and he did.
The old Broslan king did not like this and set out to destroy the village when the Elf king declared a treaty. The Elves would occupy the southern region while the Broslans laid claim to the rest of Asna.
Thus, they kept it this way for nearly a thousand years until the Broslans had captured a passing ship of humans to make them their slaves. Several years had passed until enough humans rebelled and escaped to the middle western region of Asna, claiming it as the Free Lands of Edrein Acral. The first human king in Asna, King Edrein was revered and still is as a near saint for having saved the humans from the Broslans.
Battles and war ensued for many years until the old kings finally realized that the fighting was no longer worth the resources.
And, as of late, the peace among the kingdoms has been riddled with disease and war. Ancient forms of dark magic were being used to control the subjects and other royals to the advantage of the rulers. Pathetic, honestly, but power was power and thrived in every single being. The humans were never really possessive of talents aside from practiced traits of alchemy and spells whereas the Elves were able to communicate with the beasts that roamed the lands and produce luscious forests.
The Broslans used to be flashy with magic until King Cassius outlawed it ten years ago.
"You, slave girl," a stout and plump Broslan pointed a clawed finger at Devyn while she daydreamed with the other females. She hadn't been aware of what she was doing until the man snapped his fingers in her face. "Take these out and be careful not to spill. If you do, I will have you beaten."
The lead servant, Chazen, placed a heavy tray in Devyn's arms and ushered her out to the dining hall, where the king would already be seated with his guests of honor, including his sister.
Devyn was careful not tilt the tray too much for fear of spilling the solid gold goblets of wine. An earthy smell wafted her way as she exited the kitchen through double wide solid wood doors.
The dining hall was lengthy with a massively long table that occupied the center of the room. A deep red runner ran the flooring beneath the table while candelabras lined the walls, illuminating the hall in a soft glow. It was nearing dawn out but this was considered late to most Broslans. The opened archways let in the light of the two moons that hung overhead, adding to the radiance over the guests.
With her human eyes, it was difficult for her to see in the dark but, she had grown accustomed to the low light the Broslans typically lived their lives.
"Oh, Cassius, you must choose a bride! You are over a quarter into your life. Thirty years is far too old!" A lilting voice sounded out above the roar of the crowd. It was sweet yet innocent with a hint of wariness ending on each word. As if the owner had experienced some great tragedy in the past. "The Thanes and Lords around here are blessed with precious brides fit for you!"
A groan followed by the familiar voice that had forced Devyn to her knees earlier that day replied. "Please, Velorina. I am in no need of a wife. Women are too complicated," he ground out.
Devyn kept her face down once she was done setting the many goblets down, saving the largest and fullest for the king himself. Her chains clinked when she grew nearer to the man who had bought her. Oh, she's tried to escape but they've always failed. Now, she knew there was no hope.
The woman whom he called "Velorina" smiled at her, big blue eyes lighting up in the moonlight. Her belly was large and rotund, most likely carrying a babe or two. She appeared to be happy but that could be because of the glow that accompanied all females with pregnancy. She also held a striking resemblance to the king but had sharper features. Almost like an Elf's...
"My gods! Dear, you have quite possibly the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen!" Lady Velorina grabbed Devyn's wrist to hold her in place after she placed a goblet in front of the king and his sister.
Stunned, Devyn pulled back slightly with a gasp. "Exc-," she began but quickly learned that she was in the presence of the king and if she were to speak, she'd surely lose either her tongue or her head. So, she snapped her mouth shut and glanced quickly to the king, gauging his reaction to see if he noticed her outburst.
He did.
If his narrowed eyes were any indication.
Bowing, Devyn made to step away but Lady Velorina pulled her closer. "Seriously darling, you can speak to me. Just ignore my horrid brother. He knows not what he wants," she winked and laughed.
Devyn smiled, revealing a full set of white teeth, thankful she had at least a somewhat mediocre upbringing. She nodded but still did not say a word.
Lady Velorina's face fell when she looked towards her brother and shook her head. "Really, Cassius? Is this necessary? The poor girl has feelings just like you and I. Why do you have these terrible rules and laws? What do you gain from them? Other than the forced respect," she whispered but Devyn could hear every word.
