Author's Note: There's some darker parts to this chapter. Reluctance plays a big role, and there are references to rape. (Not depictions. I will never write something like that.)
This chapter is all about power plays, so expect what comes with that territory.
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Her feet ached as her paper-thin dress shoes slapped against the uneven cobblestones. She drew looks and gasps as she ran, holding her skirts off the ground, trying to keep focused.
Her mistress had given her an urgent task, and so she would perform it.
The bells for the afternoon prayers began to toll as she turned down the right street, heading for the largest and tallest building in the city, apart from the emperor's palace.
She skidded to a stop on the threshold, putting one hand to her chest as she tried to regain control of her breathing, of her frantic heart. She steeled herself, trying to look like her mistress did before she suddenly sent a forked word into someone's ear.
Then, the little handmaiden entered the building.
The statues of the gods loomed over her. Even with downcast eyes, she could feel the judgmental stares, see the long shadows cast over her. Feel the guilt of the sinner as she crossed into their threshold.
An acolyte approached her, "Oh, hello there. Have you come for prayers, miss?"
She looked at her dishevelled uniform that had drawn the woman's eye, and shook her head. "I must speak with Lord Yu, immediately. I come on behalf of Madame Sai."
"I am afraid Lord Yu is cloistered at this time, miss." The acolyte said fluidly, "Perhaps Lady Efina can assist your mistress."
"L-Lord Yu will see me." Arina forced herself to be brave. Her mistress needed her. Had given her explicit instructions. "He will, when you mention my mistress' name. If he does not, then remind him that sending succubi to kill a neko is never going to succeed."
The girl breathed in sharply, "A... N-neko? You serve Twenty Four?"
"She is enraged." Arina glared at the acolyte, whose entire attitude immediately changed. She was no longer the calm grass blade in the wind. She was utterly, completely, without reservation, terrified.
The woman curtsied to her, and then, to Arina's astonishment, took off at a sprint.
She moved beside the doors, waiting awkwardly, unsure what she was supposed to do until an answer came back to her. The pews were generally reserved for those in prayer. There was no receiving area.
Arina's anxious eyes roved over the temple. Taking in the gold and silver pillars, depicting the tenants of the temple. The struggles of the gods to bring order out of chaos, creating the world.
Some of the stained glass windows depicted tales of various saints, but most were dedicated to telling the story of how the current pantheon killed their forefathers, finally destroying the grip of chaos on their world.
The saints were their champions. Chosen warrior magus who used their gifted powers to fight against the corrupting influence of chaos, preventing the return to those dark and early days.
Her gut twisted nauseatingly.
It was pointless to protest that her mistress was not an agent of chaos. Twenty Four would be proud to be acknowledged as such a thing. She'd grin lopsidedly and do something improper, before giggling.
Yet, she was raised here. Her knowledge of the world was the vast ocean of an educated woman, trained in every level of culture. More than a passing familiarity with everything from flowers to religion and war.
How was it possible that Twenty Four embraced chaos so readily?
The taint of the betrayer gods.
A horrible stain that now took root in Arina's own soul, dooming her eternally. She was now a sinner, and nothing that she could do would change it. She could not deny the sin that pierced her entire being.
She would be cursed upon her death, and yet... She could not turn away from the path that she now found herself walking down.
"Where's the li'l bitch!?" A slurring voice roared, and Arina went white.
She saw Lord Yu, angry and drunk, stumbling into the main hall. The same acolyte as before, trembling in fear with a red mark across her face. Struggling not to cry as she pointed Arina out.
She smiled sadly.
Arina was terrified, and just desperate not to wet herself when he spoke to her. However, she could imagine her mistress. Back arching, and letting out an angry hiss.
The lord lumbered over to her, grabbing her clothes and lifting her into the air, "You dare to threaten me, wench? Lord of this temple!?"
"M-m'lord. I do not dare." Arina struggled, feeling her breathing, trying to control it as a frightened tear roll down her cheek. "I have come on behalf of Madame Sai. I... I am her representative. Do... Do you mean to harm me?"
"Bitch." He cursed and tossed her to the ground, "Speak up."
"The succubi. Elia."
He groaned, "Shit. She failed, didn't she?"
"The mistress knew her, before the attack began. She could not succeed." Arina said bravely, praying to any god that might hear her heretic soul that it was true. "However, she is willing to overlook it, if she may purchase the woman."
"Purchase?" Yu's face screwed up, "What? No. Not happening. She can have one of the other's. Elia is mine to fuck."
Way too drunk.
"The offer is three casks of wine, sir. But it is not negotiable for another slave. Elia, or none. That is the desire of Madame Sai." Arina found herself saying.
"Casks? Plural?" Yu was caught by surprise, "A most generous offer. Since when does the mistress of a household have such leeway? Lord Sai will be angry. Go away, little thing."
"Lord Sai has been arrested for the death of Lord Elatham. The estate falls to his mistress, sir." Arina said, voice shaking.
"They arrested him. Shit." Yu said tiredly, all the life suddenly leaving him. He waved a hand, "Fine. The cat can have the devilchild."
"A receipt, sir." Arina insisted, remembering her instructions.
He nodded and waved to the acolyte, "Take care of it. I'm going back to bed. Someone has to sleep if the Thunderstep is about to go to war with the palace."
"Thunderstep, sir?" Arina asked, remembering how her mistress had ordered her to discover all that could be, of her master.
He looked at her tiredly, "Lord Sai. It is his title, but... Speaking it aloud is a crime. I would try and forget you ever heard it, little girl. People have been killed for less."
The man left, all his energy gone.
Arina stood up slowly, dusting down her dress. The acolyte assisted her, apologising profusely for the actions of the lord. Begging her not to mention it.
As if she would be brave enough.
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