Disclaimer:
This work of fan fiction is based off the Neverwinter Nights community module by the name of "A Dance with Rogues" created by Valine. I fell in love with this story and felt compelled to write something that compliments it. This story is rated Mature (NC-17) for explicit content and graphic violence. All characters
except
Shiloh, Bastian, Rhys, Nicca, Essex, and Narev are property of Valine.
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O.O
The Bear Pit
"Several months have passed since that night that shattered my world into pieces. Yet I still recall every detail...as if it were yesterday. The shouts, the fighting. The dead. Vico...
"They put me into the kitchen where I have to scrub pots and dishes, clean vegetables and wipe the floor. Every day. My world has been reduced from living in a castle to the few rooms I am working and sleeping in.
"At first I only wanted to run and hide. The nights were terrible, with nightmares haunting my sleep. It made me glad that I was so exhausted after the long hours of work because I was too tired to think about what happened and what has become of my life.
"I miss my family more than words can say. Though I never spent very much time with my mother and father, I always knew they loved me. They were always busy with state affairs and the rigors of ruling a kingdom. Even now, there are nights when I lie awake and picture their faces. It's so real, almost like I can touch them in the dark.
"The people in the kitchen treat me well enough. Most of the times, anyway, as long as I do my chores. First off, there's Chella. She seems to be the ruler of the kitchen and swings her spoon like a scepter, thus everyone obeys her. She's a really big woman, too. She was very kind to me the night Vico brought me in. Though I was somewhat afraid of her in the beginning, now I think she's very nice. She does tend to complain that I do not eat enough and that I am far too skinny.
"Then there are the two cooks, Wally and Denny. They are constantly picking on each other. It is no small wonder that they haven't started a fight with each other yet. Chella tends to box their ears every now and then and it seems to bring them back into line. For a while, anyway.
"Trissa, Silia, and Kellia also work in the kitchens. Chella told me that much like me they lost their families during the Dhorn invasion. Trissa is about the same age as I am. She spends most of her time flirting with the cooks. A couple times I've caught her behind the crates with a stranger busying himself between her legs. But all in all, she doesn't pay much attention to me.
"Silia and Kellia, the other two girls, are twins. They are in their early teens, a few years younger than I am. Both girls do not speak very much. I think something terrible happened to them, at least that is what Chella hinted at.
"I have even seen Vico a few times when he's stopped by the kitchens for a bite to eat or when he's had to visit with Master Nathan. I can feel his eyes upon me, watching every move I make. He flirts a lot with Trissa, but to my knowledge, she hasn't yet managed to convince him to join her behind the crates.
"Finally there is Caron. He's a bit older than I am, perhaps in his early twenties. Unlike the rest, he's really not working in the kitchen, but he's around every now and then, running errands for Chella and the cooks. Trissa usually makes a pretty face at him when she spots him and I believe I've heard them once behind the crates. I'm not sure if Caron knows who I am, but he's always been quite friendly with me. He showed me a couple of tricks, like stealing a plum from someone's pocket and how to pick a lock using needle and twine.
"I have applied that knowledge a few times since Caron taught me. I'm not allowed to leave the kitchen and adjacent rooms. For reasons of my own safety, they tell me. I just don't want to feel like I'm in a cage. I waited until Chella and the girls had gone to bed and the cooks had left for the night then snuck out of my room and down the corridor. Unfortunately Vico was paying a late visit to Master Nathan and caught me. He was very angry at me and spanked my bottom as hard as he could. Chella rescued me and put me back into bed without saying a word to me."
Shiloh shook with anxiety as thoughts of the previous night's escapades rattled around in her brain. She rubbed her bottom gingerly as she made her bed up and pulled on a pair of shoes. Usually Chella woke her up in the mornings, but she had yet to speak to her. She chewed on her lip and let out a ragged sigh.
Dear gods, I hope that she is not too mad at me
.
Taking in a deep breath, Shiloh opened the door that led from her room. She stepped in to the kitchen, scanning the room quickly. Wally was standing at one of the ovens, checking the bread. Denny was working on what smelled like a pot of stew. She noticed Trissa was bending over to pick up another pot, showing off her bottom. Shiloh watched as Wally dropped a loaf of fresh bread and turned red as Chella scolded him and Trissa. The twins seemed to be drying a few dishes near one of the sinks.
Chella smiled as she noticed Shiloh walking towards the table where a plate of breakfast for her sat. She grabbed a slice of bread and a few slices of bacon, making it into a sandwich. She quickly ate it and walked over to Chella.
"Well, good morning, little Shiloh." Chella smiled brightly once more. Shiloh returned the smile, relieved that she didn't seem to be angry with her at all.
"Good morning, Chella."
"Master Nathan was here earlier and told me that he wishes to speak with you. He's upstairs, in his rooms. But first, you need to get some food in your belly, child. You've been losing weight again," she disapprovingly studied her.
"I have eaten. I'm really not hungry." Shiloh replied, wondering what Master Nathan wanted with her.
"Hm, maybe you think you are really not hungry, but I think you should eat everything on that plate I set out for you. What will Master Nathan say if your belly rumbles all the time while he speaks with you?" Chella scolded with a smile.
"Maybe he'll forget about barking at me," Shiloh quipped with a snort.
Chella giggled, "I doubt he's that easily distracted. But don't worry. He won't bite your head off. And if he tries, I'll box his ears until that silly idea falls out of his head."
"Do you think he'll...punish me?" Shiloh rubbed her bottom again. She knew she had to have bruises. Vico had been very rough with her.
"Awww, no, dear child. He won't hurt you like Vico did last night. I think what he wants to do is explain a few things to you. But if you are nervous, best get it over with and see him." Chella gave Shiloh an encouraging smile then turned back to her work.
Shiloh took a deep breath, wondering what would happen to her now. There was only one thing she could do at this point. She took Chella's suggestion to heart and decided to just get it over with. Master Nathan had summoned her and she knew she must go. As she headed to the door, she noticed the glare that Trissa directed at her. Shiloh cocked an eyebrow at her, her brow furrowing. Trissa had never paid any attention to her. She couldn't figure out why the older girl was so cross with her this morning.
Trissa marched over to her, meeting Shiloh near the kitchen door. "Stay away from Caron, okay!?" Trissa hissed furiously.
"Why should I?" Shiloh chuckled and stuck her tongue out at the other girl.
"I don't find this funny!?"
"I find it quite funny that you are all puffed up about it. Plus I really don't think Caron's all that interested in you," Shiloh taunted.
"I know he likes me! Everything was fine until you came and wiggled your ass under his nose." Trissa's face turned red from anger as she shook her fist at Shiloh.
The imp inside Shiloh surged within her and she snorted at Trissa, "Well, perhaps you were wrong. Perhaps he likes me better than you. After all, I am a princess and you are not. No man in his right mind would prefer you to me." An evil grin crossed her face as she tossed her silky long hair over her shoulder.
"Pfft...you are no more of a princess than I am and it's probably just because of your shameless behavior. I saw you the other night. Caron had his fingers under your skirt!"
