Chapter 4 (part 1)

Eos woke up to the loud groans from Master Azea's room the next morning. Obviously, he was paying the price for over indulging the night before. She sat up and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes. She grabbed the hair brush and dragged it through her hair to subdue it before putting on her usual clothing. When she was done, she swayed a little before falling straight back into bed. She heard Master Azea asking Adna to melt the morning bells down and make something quieter out of them. 

Deciding that there was no way she would be able to fall back asleep with Master Azea groaning like a dying horse next door, Eos washed up and went to help carry breakfast to his dining hall. 

Today it was mostly fruits and nuts with porridge with milk and a choice of cream, honey and sugar. He had a choice of four different kinds of tea and three different types of wine. For Eos, she was taking juice again. 

Just as she was setting the bowls of fruit down on the rug, Master Azea came traipsing in and rubbing his forehead. "Did Adna give master the usual potion?" she asked. Master Azea nodded, not looking to open his mouth at the moment. 

He sat down on his usual silk cushion and gestured for her to sit down. He pointed to the fruits he wanted, retching a couple of times before forcing his mouth shut again. 

Eos took the fruits and peeled and cut it for him before placing it on his plate. "Cream and honey, master?" she inquired and he nodded. She served the porridge, and guessing he wouldn't want wine at the moment, offered him a cup of tea sweetened with honey. "Sweet things help wash the medicine down," she told him and he accepted it. 

When at last, he didn't look as though he was about to throw up, he ate a few olives. 

"My only consolation is Dareen will be out of my hair for now," he said, speaking for the first time. 

"Master- it's not my place to say- but surely if you can't stand being around her now, what will happen after you marry her?" Eos asked, feeding him dates. Master Azea gave an exasperated sigh, "Don't remind me," he told her. 

She stopped herself from rolling her eyes. "I know you're dying to roll your eyes, just do it," Master Azea told her. 

And once more, he shows the ability to read other people's minds, Eos thought to herself. 

He actually gave her a grin this time. She thought better than to humour him with a reply, "Right, after lessons, let's go down to the training yard to do some training," he said, stretching and draping an arm round her. 

Eos wasn't sure what to do. She absolutely could not get any mars that would ruin her appearance. If she was no longer attractive, there was no point in being in her line of work anymore. 

"I think you'd look beautiful as a warrior," Master Azea said. 

"Master- for the last time- please stop reading my mind," Eos told him, flatly. "But I like your expression whenever I do," Master Azea said with a laugh before wincing, "Maybe I should skip lessons today," he groaned. 

Eos was disappointed. If he skipped it meant she had to as well. She had managed to learn seven new letters. 

Master Azea caught the look and looked torn for a brief moment. At last he sighed, "Maybe just a breath of fresh air will clear my head before lessons," he said, trying to sound nonchalant. 

The sun was up but the air still had the night's chill in the breeze. Master Azea took a deep breath, stretching. Eos stood behind him, hearing the stiff bones creak and pop.

She hugged herself, scuffing her bare feet on the dusty ground. She looked at the back of Master Azea's dark head. His hair, though carefully brushed and tied by Adna that morning, had went back to its usual tousled state already. 

He was drunk, she told herself, only half listening to Master Azea talk about some trip or another that he took every once a year. 

"Eos, are you listening?" Master Azea wanted to know, looking round at her. Eos jolted and tried to make her face more neutral, "Forgive me, master, I'm still a bit tired…" she explained. 

Master Azea nodded, "I can relate," he said, stifling another yawn, "Anyway- I was saying, after the new year, I'm planning to make a trip out to the city Rozen out north. I usually go up there to train with the knights since the desert is more or less under their rule. I'm a knight, you know," he said with distinct pride. 

"Yes, master," Eos said, hiding her disappointment. Once he was gone, she would be bored witless. After all, the servants who had become her close friends were his attendants so of course they would go with him. She supposed she could always visit Tara and Mother. But they would be busy so she couldn't keep bothering them either. 

"You know, if I leave, I still expect you to come with me," Master Azea said, catching that look, "After all, I bought you to perform during my dinners and to warm my bed at night. I intend to get my money's worth out of you," he said jokingly as he tweaked her small nose. Eos looked surprised. Really? She was going to travel out of the town? Out of the desert?!Oh Goddess Rhyga! 

Master Azea grinned, "Of course that also means I need to have a new wardrobe prepared for you. The north is cold all the time and the cold there bites," he said. The bell rang, signally the tenth hour. 

"Damn. Alright, let's get back inside." 

Inside, Eos was bubbling with happiness. To be able to travel! To see and learn new things! How wondrous was that? She couldn't stop herself from smiling, even when washing the Master's feet before they went indoors. She dried his feet and washed her own before following him into class. 

It was mathematics class that day. Eos puzzled over the lecture and the work given, peeping curiously at the book in front of Master Azea. The sight of the numbers and strange symbols frightened her more than her riding classes. 

Master Azea caught the look and stifled a laugh. "This is advance work. More advance than even what Seti is doing," he explained under his breath. 

She had to believe him. Especially since the mathematics master was speaking the same language but she still couldn't understand a single word he was saying. "Master Azea! Kindly pay attention to what I'm saying and less to your woman or she will no longer be allowed in!" the mathematics master snapped. Master Azea scowled, making him look like a spoilt child again. 

Mathematics class bored Eos seeing how she didn't understand anything that was going on. But the next class was poetry and literature. Some she had heard before. She had even performed some with Tara singing the poems. She tried to follow the words that was being read on Master Azea's books. 

After that, it wrestling training, and here, Master Azea's two younger brothers joined him. Jordah and the youngest of the brothers, Draham were bright and merry as usual. Wrestling was something that Eos had no interest in learning whatsoever, so she waited in the shade for Master Azea to finish and go for rest with him. She quite liked seeing the master with his younger brothers. 

It was nice to see him laugh so openly and good naturedly. It was good to see him laugh and be laughed at without any offence. The younger brothers didn't really insult her but they didn't pay much attention to her either. 

"Not interested in learning this, Eos?" Master Azea asked, bare chest glistening in the sun. Eos went to him to wipe his sweat from his brow and neck, "Not really, master," she replied. 

Master Azea smiled down at her but she didn't look up at him and was secretly relieved when Jordah called, "Brother! Stop playing with your woman! Hurry up!" 

Chapter 3 (part 2)

The next morning, things were reasonably back to normal. They had their bath together and ate breakfast but Master Azea still kept a slight distance away. He wasn't as "affectionate" if that was the right word, as he was before. But he went for his lessons as he was supposed to. This was the first time in a week. He had even begun to slack in his fighting training for some reason. 

Eos went with him and sat at his feet as his head kept nodding as he dozed off. 

At last the history master, Master Adeel glared at him half way through his lecture. Eos was hugging her knees, leaning against Master Azea's legs, "What happened to the Azharan Tribes?" she asked suddenly. 

Master Adeel looked at her and Master Azea jolted out of his doze. "What happened?" she asked again. She wanted to know. She had never heard of all these things he was speaking of and she wanted to know more. Master Azea looked at her, "You're actually enjoying this?" he asked. She looked up at him, with a very different, wide eyed innocent look. One he had never seen her have before. 

It was like a child discovering new things. 

"Why not?" she asked, "I never heard of any of these. I don't even know how to read so I can't read about them." 

"You can't read?" Master Adeel asked, looking horrified. She shook her head. 

The two of them looked very surprised and Master Adeel looked as though he was about to have a fit. "Azea- your new homework. Teach this child how to read and write," he told Master Azea. 

"Since when did you teach reading and writing to give me that kind of homewo-" Master Azea complained but stopped when Eos was looking up at him hopefully, "I mean- well- it's hard to learn-" he tried to explain. 

Eos wasn't going to let this opportunity pass and she knew how to get something from Master Azea by now. It was time to get something out of the skills she had learnt. 

She rose to her knees and climbed up onto his lap. Wrapping her arms around his neck she kissed his mouth before moving to his nose and back onto his mouth. When she finally broke the kiss, he was looking very dazed again but in a happy way, "Sure, I'll teach you," he told her and she climbed back onto the floor to sit again. 

"Oh, she's good," she heard Master Adeel mutter. 

"Master Azea," Eos said, resting her head on his lap, "Will you explain the other things in the lesson to me too? I don't know a lot of the other names and things." 

"Sure, of course," Master Azea said at once. 

Eos turned her attention back to Master Adeel's teachings. That was easy, she told herself as Master Azea, stroked her hair. Glancing back, she saw him paying full attention to the lesson. 

When rest period came, Eos served Master Azea cold drinks but he didn't invite her to lie with him so she sat on the floor by his side. 

"Did you know why the Raztak tribe held a grudge against the Azharans?" he asked, suddenly. 

She shook her head, "No, I was a bit confused about that," she said. 

"Alright, you see, the Azharan had a chief a long time before that, Dakim, he fell in love with the chief of the Raztak; Luqar's younger sister, Jeen-ah. But Luqar refused to give her to him and he stole her one night and raped her. It's bad enough our kind hold grudges so long, but something like that… the Raztaks were angry for a very long time…" 

Eos leaned back, listening to Master Azea as he continued to tell her about how the mighty Azharan tribe were completely wiped out. She was half amazed and yet not surprised of Master Azea's knowledge. He really was more intelligent than he let other people realise. 

But why was that? He was a very talented man but he often slacked, or made it appear that he was incapable. Could it be that he just couldn't care less? But he was hardly trying and he already could remember so much when half listening to his lessons. He made himself appear even less than what he was when he wasn't even trying. Now that she thought about it, it was as though he was purposely working to make himself look incompetent. Why? Was it because he was not supposed to outshine his older brother?

When he was done telling her he touched her hair again, making her look up at him. 

"Did you understand all of that?" he asked and she nodded. 

He looked at her for the briefest moment but there came the sound of footsteps and by the way he groaned, she guessed it was Lady Dareen. 

She had guessed correctly. Lady Dareen, tall and beautiful in white silk and gold jewellery, came to the pavilion, looking haughty. Master Azea had a smile fixed on his face, "My beautiful Dareen, may I help you?" he asked, his voice very charming. 

"Father has bidden me to come home," she said, looking at Eos like she was some king of pus filled wart on the back of a toad. 

"Of course, my beautiful desert flower. When must you return?" he asked. 

"Tomorrow morning," she replied. 

Master Azea heaved a sigh, "Very well, but your stay has been so brief, my dear," he said but seeing him, Eos couldn't help but notice his eyes dancing despite his sorrowful tone. He certainly was good at acting, "Unfortunately, I have my training tomorrow, or I would see you off," he added, getting to his feet. 

Dareen pouted and looked as though she was going to protest. "Eos, would you excuse us for a moment?" Master Azea asked, noticing this as well. Eos got up and bowed before leaving the pavilion. Looking up at the sun's position, she guessed rest period was about to be over anyway. Maybe she should go look for the musicians to practice again. Or would Master Azea have dinner with Lady Dareen? If he did, she wouldn't have to dance. Still - she might as well practice anyway. 

Eos mopped her sweat, panting a little. "Enough practice for one day?" on of the musicians asked. She nodded, "Yeah- thanks," she said.

"You know- if Lady Dareen is leaving tomorrow, he might want to dine with her tonight," the flutist commented. Eos sat down fanning herself with a hand, "Wow- news travels fast here. Anyway- if there's one thing we can say about master, is that he isn't the most predictable person." 

"True." 

A few maids burst in, giggling and chattering, "Did you hear?" they asked them. 

The man who played the lute gestured to the maids with a flourish, "Behold, our method of getting fast news," he said. 

Eos laughed. "What is it?" asked the man who played the tambour. 

"Some of the men at arms saw master kissing Lady Dareen at the water pavilion," they giggled. 

Everyone turned to look at Eos, "Why does everyone look at me each time master does something with Lady Dareen?" she wanted to know, "Besides- she his fiancee. Why are you lot so surprised that he's kissing her?" 

"Because, master has never once laid hands on her. The furthest he ever went was to kiss her hand," the flutist explained. 

"Ah." 

Still, it didn't bother her. She liked Master Azea well enough and was happy whenever he offered comfort and protection. But whenever he entertained Lady Dareen, it never affected her. She would never understand why everyone expected her to be in love with Master Azea. 

She went off, thinking about washing up a little. When she got to the top floor, she popped out from the servants stair and spotted Master Azea walking towards his bedroom. He spotted her and raised his eyebrows. "Dance practice?" he asked as she got nearer. She nodded and saw the rouge Lady Dareen wore on her lips on his mouth, cheek and collar. She went closer and wiped it off with her spare handkerchief. 

"I think this is a stain," she commented, after failing to rid the colour on his collar. 

"Never mind, I'll have Adna burn it," Master Azea said, "Judging your lack of surprise, I think you already found out my final, desperate act to pacify Dareen?" he asked, sounding tired. 

"Not really. Even if the maids hadn't told us, I wouldn't be surprised, but is it fair for Lady Dareen for you to lead her on like this?" Eos asked. Master Azea opened the door and gestured for her to enter. She went into his bedroom and he shut the door behind him. 

"Either way- I still have to marry her so it makes no difference," he said, removing his jerkin and shirt. He dug around in his wardrobe for a new one and she went to help him before he made a mess of it. 

He allowed her to dress him, "Still… it's painful for a woman to realise that the man who gives her romantic attention isn't really in love with her," she said, lacing his jerkin. He looked at her, "Has it happened to you, then?" he asked. 

"No. But it's common sense, isn't it?"

He looked at her for a moment before stepping away with a heavy, exasperated sigh. "I'm going to go train," he said suddenly, surprising her. He hadn't gone to the training yard for several days. 

"Can I come?" she asked, surprising him in turn. 

She had never seen him train before. It had been ages since she saw someone spar. She missed it. She wished she could learn as well. 

Master Azea looked at her then stepped towards her. He held her chin and made her look up at him. He surveyed her face for a moment and frowned, "Do you want to learn fighting arts as well?" he asked. 

She felt herself redden, "Women don't bear arms," she said. 

"Then don't. Fight with your hands." 

"I'm a slave," she said, "We don't learn how to fight." 

"No. But you have to obey your masters. So I say, you come down to the training yard with me. I'll teach you the basics." 

Eos groaned. She remembered that feeling all too well. Her muscles were protesting and aching the same way they did when she had first started training in dance. She was in a hot bath with Master Azea and the heat from the water helped ease the pain. 

Master Azea watched her, looking amused. 

"You did very well, you know. It must be from the dancing," he said, "Most other people would have started complaining much earlier." 

A few rude invitations that were not commonly offered out nor seemed very possible to do, crossed Eos' mind but she said nothing as she sank lower into the bath until only her closed eyes were seen above the water perfumed water surface. 

There was a knock on the door as Master Azea scrubbed the back of his neck, "Come in," he called lazily. 

Adna appeared and went over to them. He bowed low to Master Azea, "Master- Lady Dareen has requested you join her for dinner in the guest wing," he said. Master Azea sighed, pushing his wet hair back, "Of course, of course…" he stepped out of the bath and Eos slowly struggled to follow suit, "It's alright," he told her, "You soak a little longer. One of us should enjoy the bath at least." 

Eos looked grateful and sank back into the water as Adna dried Master Azea with a few towels. The two men left for the bedroom. 

She stayed in there long enough to ease her muscles a little before being forced to get out by the fact she was beginning to wrinkle. Back in her room, she dried herself off and started picking through the lotions and creams that she had to use on her skin, face, hands and hair. Some were given by Mother, others had been bought by Master Azea. It was a pain but it was vital that she looked beautiful for as long as possible. 

Maybe learning to fight was a bad idea… She would get ugly scars and too much muscle and her hands would no longer be smooth and soft… it was a problem. But then again- she couldn't say no. it was Master Azea who asked for her to learn after all. 

Brushing her hair after putting the perfumed oil in it that made it thick and shiny, Eos dressed herself in a shirt and breeches. She still hadn't worn the dress that she suspected Tara put in her packs for her. It was getting late by the time her hair dried, it was late and Master Azea still had not return. She thought of practising the kicks he had thought her earlier that day, but her muscles were screaming in protest so she merely dropped herself on her bed and laid there like a slug. 

"Hm… you really make that pose look tempting." 

Eos sat up at once, not realising she had dozed off. She saw who was standing at her door frame and heaved a sigh of relief, "Gods- Adna- don't scare me like that," she told him, brushing the mess that was now her hair, back from her eyes. 

"Yes- well- Master Azea is well and truly drunk and you need to help him change." 

"Why not you? I thought this was your job," Eos pointed out, scowling and dragging a brush through her hair to tame it. 

"I would- but he insists on you." 

Eos groaned and got to her feet. She was so tired. Why won't they let her sleep? 

Adna grinned and left through the other door as Eos went to look for Master Azea. 

He was singing something, completely off tune while half in bed and half on the floor. "Master," she said, taking his night shirt from the wardrobe. Master Azea tried to get himself out of bed but fell onto the floor head first. He got up, supporting himself on the bedpost, hiccoughing, "E-Eyos?" he said as she tried to undress him. "Yes, master," she replied, managing to remove his tunic. 

"You's so pretty," he declared, swaying. She grabbed him to stop him from falling again and removed his shirt then his leggings. "Thank you master," she told him, pulling the night shirt over his head. He struggled, yelping in surprise, "Why's we in a tent?!" he demanded, his words slurring. 

"We're not in a tent, master," she said, patiently, successfully pulling the shirt on and putting his arms through the sleeves. She let him fall back onto bed and poured the warm water into a basin to clean his face, arms and legs. When she was almost done, Master Azea pulled her down onto him, "Do youse hate me, Eyos?" he asked as she wrinkled her nose. They were so close and his breath was anything but pleasant at the moment. 

"Y-Youse hates me-" he hiccoughed, "don'ts youse, Eyoooose?" he asked. 

Eos looked at him. She had handled many drunks in her life, and she had the feeling that Master Azea was the type to start conveying his thoughts and feelings that he usually kept very personal to everyone and anyone, be it man, woman or palm tree. 

"No," she told him softly, "I don't hate you." 

"Goods…" he said, dozing off. 

She managed to tuck him into bed and smiled. He looked at her and said, "I love you." 

Coffee Break

Tsuki, just curious… But when exactly was the last time you updated this thing?

… Shut up.

Chapter 3 (part1)

Light conversation was made between Lady Dareen and Lord Griffin but Master Azea only spoke when he was spoken to and even then, he gave short answers. Whenever he bordered on rudeness Eos would accidentally hit him lightly with the fan. He would scowl at her and she just looked back, raising an eyebrow slightly. Whether or not it was impudent of her- she was not going to allow him to sour his relationship with his father any further. 

"Azea- so this is the prostitute you bought for yourself?" Lord Griffin asked suddenly. 

Master Azea shut his eyes for a brief moment. He always hated it when people referred to Eos as a prostitute or whore. She had no idea why. It was what she did for a living after all. When he opened them again, he looked like he was having a headache. 

"Yes, father. This is Eos." 

Eos kept her eyes down as she fanned Master Azea. 

"I don't approve of you using her," Lord Griffin said, lifting his wine glass for the serving girls to refill. Master Azea stiffened, "Father, you never have less than three bed slaves for yourself," he said, keeping his temper reared in. 

"Yes- but they had only ever served me. This wench on the other hand- gods only know how many men she has bedded." 

Yeah- you included, Eos thought to herself but said nothing. 

"I bought her," Master Azea said, "What I want to do with her is up to me." 

Darleen scowled at Eos from across the table. "I hope you planning to get rid of her after we wed," she said icily. Master Azea's temper was growing shorter and shorter. No doubt he was going to snap at his fiancee. Under the table, Eos slipped her hand over his and gave it a light squeeze. He looked at her for a moment and released a breath. "I will keep her as a dancer," he said at last. 

"But is she just your bed warmer?" Lord Griffin asked, watching him carefully, "I hope you aren't trying to get a child out of her." 

Eos had to stop herself from wrinkling her nose. A child? What was Lord Griffin? Senile? Everyone knew it was a ridiculous idea of getting a prostitute pregnant. What then? There would be dozens of possible fathers and none who would claim it. No money. And after birth, there was a high chance of them losing their good body shape. 

Master Azea clenched Eos' hand before getting to his feet, "This is why I'd rather not dine with you. Or even be in the same room with you. You only ever spend all your time criticising me and ordering me around. I'm not a child you can control anymore and you don't like that. What I wish to do is my own business," he said and stalked out of the room. Eos followed him, puzzled. 

Why was he suddenly so angry? 

Glancing back, she saw Lord Griffin cast his eyes down, looking downcast though he tried to hide it. Lady Dareen on the other hand just looked angry. 

They didn't say a word as they returned to Master Azea's wing. When they reached his bed chambers he waved out all of his servants. Once they were gone, he aimed a kick at a chair and sent it half way across the room. 

The man has strong leg muscles, Eos found herself thinking. 

"What?" he snapped when he saw her staring at him. 

"Nothing. I just never expected you to behave just as spoilt as Lady Dareen." 

He glared at her, "What?" he asked again. 

"Look around you. You have everything we could only dream about in the lower city. What you have on your dinner table alone each night, is what my mother and I used to have in half a month. You have a good bed. An education you're not even bothering with. You think all this just fell from the sky? You only have this kind of luxury because of your father-" 

"Who is a self centred man whom I ever had the displeasure of being remotely related to-" 

"Which brings me to my next point," Eos said, raising her voice a little to cut him off. She looked at him, calmly, "You have a father. Something I had never had in my life. My entire life was a huge question without him. Even if he's done some wrong to you, he's still your father. He's been around for you. He's trying to mold you into a better person. And yet, because of your own selfish whim for pleasure, you're throwing it all away. You've been with people who tell you nothing but what you want to hear for so long, you blocked yourself to the only person who has been trying to tell you what you need to hear your entire life," she said. 

Master Azea stared at her, looking shocked. 

Eos breathed for a moment, "Good night, master," she told him and returned to her room. Propping a chair to the door knob to keep it shut, Eos changed her clothes and dropped onto the bed. 

Any other master would hand her a trashing for her words. 

Her eye lids began to draw shut. Ah well- tomorrow she would deal with it. 

Tomorrow she would take whatever he had to throw at her. 

The next morning, she met Master Azea at his breakfast table. He was quiet and seemed deep in thought. When she stepped up in front of him, he looked up, "Adna, lock the door and pretend you don't have a key if Dareen comes looking," he told his servant. 

"Yes, master," Adna bowed and left. The door clicked as he turned the key in the lock. 

Once they were alone, Master Azea reached out a hand for Eos. She took it and allowed him to draw her onto his lap. He kissed her forehead and wrapped his arms around her, cradling her to him. Eos observed his manner as she ran her fingers through his hair. 

"You didn't sleep well last night," she commented. 

"No. I couldn't. And when I thought of sleeping with you, I found you have somehow shut your door on me," he said, lightly tapping his fingers up her spine again. "Forgive me, master," she whispered. 

"No, I understand. You've probably grown tired of being around me all the time," he said before pulling away and clearing his throat, "Today… you're going to visit the Desert Gem, am I right? I'll have Adna arrange for some guards for you and a horse," he said, letting her sit down on the cushion next to him instead. 

Eos felt hurt suddenly. She knew he had already mentioned she could have the day off already. But for some reason, she felt like he didn't want her suddenly. The day before in the palm pavilion, he could barely keep his hands off her. Now he wasn't even looking at her. She shut her eyes for a moment, reminding herself of her place. One day he would stop calling for her and that would be that.

She poured his wine and served him before helping herself. 

After breakfast, she changed into a shirt and trousers and went to look for Adna. He assigned her two of the men at arms and a mare. 

Eos looked at the mare as though it was a rabid wild dog. "Relax," Adna said with a grin, "This is Moonbeam. She's as gentle and sweet as can be. The master had gotten her especially for you," he said, handing her the reins. 

Looking uncertain, Eos mounted the mare and wriggled herself into a more comfortable position. Moonbeam didn't even fidget or toss her head as the other horses she practice on did. One of the men at arms had his horse amble up next to her, 

"Do you want me to use a lead rein?" he asked, "You never practiced in the town roads before." 

"Why? What would happen?" 

"Well- more distractions for a horse. She might bolt," he said and Eos looked horrified. 

"Don't tease her," said the other guard, "Moonbeam has been in town plenty of times before. She won't even rear if she gets chased by dogs." 

Eos still didn't look certain as she gripped the reins as though her life depended on it. "Master Azea has given the order for you to use the servant exits and make sure no one outside, nor inside the palace, harm her. By that, Eos knew that Master Azea still feared Seti might harm her 

Riding down to the town, Eos was flanked by the two guards. They went down the streets that Eos still knew so well. It had been only a few weeks but it felt like a lifetime. They went straight down the main road and took a right by the spicer stall and then a left at the store that sold god idols made of bronze and sometimes gilded depending on the order. And at the very end of that street was the Desert Gem. 

A girl in a simple dark gown and head scarf was walking towards it, her back to them. 

Eos recognised her from the manner she walked and held herself and kicked Moonbeam into a gallop. "Oh great- now she decides to speed up," the guard who teased her muttered, having his gelding gallop after her with his partner. 

Tara turned around at the sound of hooves and immediately spotted Eos. 

"Eos!" she cried as the younger girl jumped off the horse. 

The two hugged, "Look at you! You look so beautiful- have you gained weight?" 

"No!" Eos said at once. She gained weight easily which was why Mother always told her to watch what she ate. The dancing and sex helped to keep her weight down as well. "How about you? You haven't been using that lotion Mother told you to use, your skin looks dried out again," she said. 

Tara sighed, "I know, but it can be such a bother. Besides, we're in a room that's half dark all the time, they can't see too well," she pointed out, "So- how are things with you and the young lord?" she asked. 

Eos looked at the two man at arms who were looking around but she could swear they had edged closer when Tara asked that question. "Let's talk inside…" she said but the guards followed them. Eos glanced at them and signalled to some of the girls hanging around. The sign she sent told them that those two men following her had close contact with a very rich man. At once, the girls disappeared and returned, less dressed and fluttered around the guards. 

With them distracted, Eos and Tara went to a corner to talk. 

"Well?" Tara asked. 

"I'm not too sure… I think I might have offended him last night," she said. 

"What did you do?" she demanded. 

"I… I might have yelled at him a bit," she said and received a cuff on the top of her head, "Ow!" 

"What are you!? Stupid? Why did you yell at him for!?" 

"If you stop yelling at me, I'll tell you why I yelled at him," she said, rubbing her head, "Look, he blew his da off, alright? Not to mention he's always skipping his lessons and things. So I might have yelled at him for doing those things, that's all," she said, "Anyway- what happened to you? Anything new?" 

Tara sighed, "Well… I got a new customer. He's rich and completely in love. I got a pair of new earrings. An old suitor of mine came to try and buy me back. Mother has been trying to find a dancer to replace you-" 

"Wait- what!?" 

"I know!" Tara said, "It's been absolutely useless. No one can dance like you-" 

"No- I mean, an old suitor came to buy you back? What happened!?" 

"Oh, it was some rich merchant's son from my old village," Tara said waving a hand, dismissively, "Honestly, he already has two wives last I heard. When he asked for my hand, his mother saw my parents couldn't pay much so she gave him another bride and he took her, no complaints. Suddenly, he appears in Desert Gem a week ago and recognised me. Next thing I know, he's all over me," she said, "Even offered to buy me back but I told Mother no." 

"But why?" 

"Oh, please, Eos. He's not the same kind of man Master Azea is. And I know for a fact, he's one of those who only like me because I'm pretty. The moment I get old, or he finds a more beautiful girl, he'll drop me like a pair of old riding gloves," Tara said. 

At that point, the other girls were already all over the guards, laughing at their least humorous remarks and fluttering their eyes. The guards looked as though they had absolutely no regrets about accompanying Eos at all. 

"They look happy," Tara observed. 

"Tara- I want to ask you- please be careful? You don't know what will happen." 

They had plenty of bad experiences with men who had gotten too infatuated with them. Many times it was harmless. But there were times when some got too obsessed. It was to the extent the girls could hardly move about without having one of the men workers follow them around to make sure they were kept safe.  

Tara smiled, "Whose being a grandmother now?" 

"Tara, I'm serious. Remember what happened to the last girl?" 

The pair fell silent. That last girl had been killed. The man who had fallen so obsessively in love with her could not handle her constant rejection any further. Somehow he had led her away from the Desert Gem and the next day, someone came to the Desert Gem and said she had been seen being dragged away. Her screams had stopped when she was out of sight from the witness. Her body was found in the home of the man who had killed her. 

"I'll be fine," Tara assured her. 

The two continued chatting, talking about the latest gossip in town and in the Desert Gem. 

At last, the two guards managed to extract themselves from the girls, with much regret, to tell Eos it was time for her to return. Tara sighed, "I'll let Mother know you dropped by. She's out visiting slave pens again," she said as they got to their feet. Eos hugged her tightly, "Thanks. I'll visit as soon as I can. And i'm sure you two want to come too, right?" she asked the two guards who nodded, trying not to look too eager. 

"Take care of yourself too," Tara told Eos, "And keep a guard on your tongue and temper," she reminded, smacking her arm lightly. "Yes, grandmother." 

Back in the palace, Adna informed Eos that Master Azea was entertaining Lady Dareen so she had dinner with the servants and went back to her room. Washing herself from the water in a small basin, she dried off and heaved a sigh of relief. 

She had forgotten how dusty the streets could be. She brushed the dust out of her hair and set the brush down on the dressing table. Her hand stopped for a moment and slid the drawer open. 

Inside was a small piece of linen with the pendant hidden inside. She took it out and and sat down on the bed. 

Setting the square of cloth on her lap, she opened it up and took the pendant out. The silver was slightly tarnished. She should polish it again soon. She touched the intricate pattern, feeling the cool, smooth surface. 

Mama loved him…. she found herself thinking, Mama loved him to the vey end. But did he love mama? Did he love her, his daughter? Did he even know she existed? 

"What is that?" 

Eos jumped and fumbled the pendant before clutching it to her chest once more to stop it from falling. She hadn't even heard Master Azea enter her bedroom. She could smell Lady Dareen's sweet, jasmine perfume on him as he sat next to her. 

"What is that?" he asked again, sitting next to her, "Wow- your bed is harder than mine," he suddenly commented.

He took the chain that hung from her grip and she let him take it from her. "Wow- what is this?" he asked, "A trinket from an admirer?" 

"No," Eos said, looking at it, "It's something my mother gave me, before she died. She said it belongs to my father." 

"Oh…" he said and handed it back to her. She took it and rubbed it with her thumb. "It looks like you really treasure that thing," he observed, "You never even knew him." 

She drew her knees up and rested her chin on them. She held the pendant in her hands, watching the shining surfaces that peeped out from beneath the tarnish wink and glisten in the light, "Exactly…" she said softly, "I don't have anything else from him. Not a picture. Not a face. Not a smile. Not even a memory. When mama gave this to me she said this belongs to him. Not belonged. It means it was still his when she handed it to me. Maybe she was waiting for him to come back and take it." 

"And you're waiting for him to come back and take it too… huh?" Master Azea asked, his voice gentle. 

Eos nodded, clutching the pendant harder. 

From the corner of her eye, she saw Master Azea reach out as though he wanted to wrap his arm around her but stopped suddenly. Instead he gave her hair a stroke, "It's going to be all right," he told her before getting to his feet, "Well… good night, Eos. Sleep well." 

And he left. 

Eos watched him leave, feeling a little hurt despite herself. 

Shaking it from mind, she wrapped the pendant back into the cloth and put it back into the drawer. With nothing to do, and suddenly not feeling quite so sleepy anymore, Eos went down to the servants quarters to beg the cook for something to eat.

She had gotten hold of a roll with raisins and some honey when Adna came looking for her, "What on earth did you do to the young master?" he asked as she was about to bite into the roll. She raised an eyebrow, "Nothing. Why?" she asked. 

"I just asked him why he wasn't sleeping with you tonight, and did you know what he said?" Adna said, helping himself to some raisins in a dish only to get his hand smacked with a wooden spoon. "Adna! That's for the master's breakfast bread tomorrow morning," the cook snapped and Adna quickly pulled his hand back, nursing it to his chest. Eos bit into the roll, waiting for him to answer his own question. 

"Anyway- he said you're getting bored of him." 

Eos swallowed, "What?" she asked, staring at him.

"He says- you might be getting bored of him that's why he wants to give you some breathing space. He doesn't want you to hang around him because you have to," Adna said. 

The girl stared at him, "Right- someone needs to remind the master that he bought me. It doesn't matter what I think," she pointed out. Adna shrugged, "I don't know, I'm just telling you what you need to know. And also, a word of advice, no slave should bite the hand that feeds them." "I don't bite cookie's hand," Eos said and cook grinned. 

Adna glared at her, "You know what I mean." 

"Fine!" Eos said, stuffing the rest of her roll in Adna's mouth and going up to the master's bedroom. 

The man was already in bed as the servants' were still dimming the lamps and stoking the fire. Eos could tell that Master Azea wasn't asleep yet. "Private moment?" she mouthed to the other servants in the room. 

They nodded and quickly finished their chores and left the room.

Shutting the door, Eos went over to Master Azea, moving carefully and lightly. She leaned on his side of the bed, "Master?" she called softly and he opened his eyes at once and looked surprised. 

"Eos! What's wrong?" he asked. 

"I couldn't sleep," she lied, "Can I sleep with you…? Please?" 

Master Azea gently touched her hand, "Sure," he said and she could see him smile a little in the darkness. He moved a little to give her space and she climbed into the bed with him. He tucked an arm around her securely. 

"Why couldn't you sleep?" he murmured, his lips pressed to her forehead. 

"I dunno," she replied, edging closer to him. She heard him give a very quiet, content sigh and she couldn't help but smile. 

Chapter 2 (Part 2)

The next morning, Eos awoke when she heard a fearful groan from the master. She bolted up right at once and looked round, "Master Azea- are you alright?" she asked. 

He groaned again, "Don't speak so loudly. My head is killing me," he told her. She looked round and saw one of the servants pulling open the curtains to let in the light, warm morning sunlight.

 "Master Azea had too much wine during dinner last night. Not that anyone would blame him. Any one of us would have done the same in his position," the servant informed Eos who heaved a quiet sigh of relief. 

The birds in the aviary downstairs were loud as usual during the morning. 

 Master Azea covered his eyes with his arm, "Gods- someone have those birds shot and let me have my peace," he said. 

 Eos stifled a giggle and slipped out of bed. Some of the servants were preparing Master Azea's usual morning bath as Adna brought in a foul smelling herbal drink, "Master," he said offering it to Master Azea. 

The master took one sniff and retched. But he took the mug and downed it. Eos wrinkled her nose, and her respect for Master Azea greatly increased. The sight and smell of the herbal drink was horrendous. If she were him, she would have gone on with the headaches. 

Several times, Master Azea looked as though he was about to vomit. Indeed, Adna carried a basin at the ready but after awhile, Master Azea waved him off. "Eos, come bathe with me," he said at last, getting to his feet and looking much better already. At the request, Eos hid a grimace and followed him to his bathroom. There was an area that was raised up and the bath carved out of the marble. The servants had filled with warm water standing in the middle of the cold marble floor. Adna helped undress Master Azea and barely batted an eye nor give a glance at Eos who began to remove her clothings as well.

He really was the type who would not notice a group of naked ladies parading pass him if he needed to attend to the master. 

"Urgh… I wonder how long Dareen will be staying," Master Azea groaned as he leaned against the side of the bath. Eos had only half a mind to attend to him. The other half had never been in a bath so large nor so filled with soap bubbles so she felt inclined to play with them. 

Master Azea watched her as she picked up a handful of soap and blew it so it would float through the air. He smiled. 

"You never bathed with soap bubbles before?" he asked and she shook her head, "Then maybe you should bathe with me from now on." He observed her face, "Now you're thinking you'd rather sit on a snake's nest." 

Eos fought an exasperated look that made Master Azea laugh again. 

At last when he recovered, he reached out to touch her hair she had tied up from getting wet, "You're not going to wash your hair?" he asked, his hand moving down the gentle curve of her back. 

"It's a pain to dry and hardly practical to wash everyday," she replied. 

"We have time," he said, "I can help you dry it later." 

Again, this statement disconcerted her but to hide it, she slowly removed the pins she had used and her hair slowly uncoiled and fell down her back. Master Azea watched her for a moment before deciding to wash himself as well. 

Eos watched some of the lighter bubbles float pass her. Her back was to the master as she slowly soaped and rinsed her hair, thinking and trying to reason out her fears. 

Master Azea was a kind man. Kind especially to those who served him. Had he not say his fiancée had thrown a spoilt tantrum at a maid whom he had also treated well because he had just lost her family? He probably saw Eos the same way. All he did was merely kindness on his part. That was all. 

"Girls must have it hard," Master Azea observed. She looked round and saw him watching her, one arm propping his chin up on the side of the bath.  

"Master?" 

"It's just, the time it takes me to bathe and wash myself, hair and all, is less than the time it takes for you to wash your hair," he said. 

That remarked poked at her like a sewing pin. Eos leaned towards him and touched the back of his ear. He watched her curiously. "You didn't wash behind your ears," she told him after her inspection and went back to rinsing her hair. Master Azea scowled like a small child and obeyed, "You didn't wash your back either," Eos guessed. 

"Can't reach it," he replied, "You do it." 

She obeyed, taking the small hand towel to wash his back. As she scrubbed, she noticed for the first time, what appeared to be old scars on his dark skin. 

"Their from battles and fights," he told her, "Even my hands. Look," he showed her one open palm that had a shiny scar on it she had never noticed before. "Doesn't it hurt?" she asked, touching it. 

Master Azea's hand enclosed around hers, "When I first got them? Yes. But now?" he said, kissing the back of her hand, "They're just scars." He released her hand and she continued her job. After awhile, he asked, "Can you reach your back?" 

"Yes, with a little difficulty," she answered.

"Yes, of course. You're a dancer. You should be flexible enough. All the same," he turned round to face her, taking the towel from her hand. 

Obeying his promptings, Eos turned around and pulled her hair away from her back. As always, Master Azea's hands were gentle though large against her small back, "It's always been on my mind… but your skin is fairer than most… do you have foreign blood in you?" 

"I don't know," Eos replied, "I never met anyone from my mother's side and I don't know anything about my father," she explained. 

His hands stopped and she felt his lips press against her shoulder. She looked at him in surprise and he smiled, "Let's get out before we look like prunes," he said. 

Eos got out first and wrapped herself in a towel before bringing another two for Master Azea. They left the bathroom while Eos tried to dry her hair, heading towards her room. She shut the door behind her with a relieved sigh and wrapped her hair up in a towel so she could get dressed. 

When she finally was dressed in a dark red costume made of silk with gold beads and embroideries, she sat down in front of her mirror, still trying to towel her hair dry. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the door to Master Azea's room open. She really had to find away to make sure it stays shut when she wants it to. Master Azea simply walked up to her and sat on the seat next to her. 

Taking the towel from her, he helped towel her hair dry. But Eos tried to pull away, "Master Azea, this is not something for a lord to do-" 

"Shush," he told her, taking the comb and gently running it through her hair, loosening the tangles. When he had brushed it through, he wound it up and pinned it up in such a way that thick coils still wound and curled down her back. 

Eos looked surprised and he smiled, curling a lock of hair at the side of her face playfully with his finger, "When I was young I used to watch my mother do her hair. She even let me try sometimes. I think she found it a little amusing," he explained, getting up. Eos followed him to his private sitting room for breakfast, "Your mother…?" 

"Yeah,she was one of father's slaves. He had five of them. Seti and I were born on the same day. Seti was born from father's official wife though," he said, as they settled down on the cushions and rugs for breakfast. The other servants set out the meal on the mat before them. "But our mothers were close. They were almost like sisters," he told Eos. He looked at her face as he picked up a fruit, "You're wondering why Seti and I are so different?" he asked. She nodded, pouring juice into a glass for him before helping herself. 

"Seti was never close to anyone. You could say he was a bit of a selfish brat from the start. Even his mother couldn't do a thing about him but she died when we were four anyway. Mother cried and cried. But father didn't even shed a single tear," he said, his eyes growing colder at the thought. He got back to normal quickly as he picked a sweet roll, "By the way, speaking of father, I have to have dinner with him tonight with Dareen. I'd hate to put you in a difficult position, but I would like it if you attended it with me. It's easier to relax when you're around. You can serve me as usual as an excuse to be there," he said. 

"As Master Azea wishes," Eos replied. 

He leaned back and wound an arm around her waist easily, "Feed me," he told her as she leaned against him. 

She picked up the roll and helped feed him. After the roll he picked up his goblet and drained it. Just as Eos was pouring him more juice, the door burst open again as Dareen strode in imperiously. 

That woman loves a dramatic entrance… Eos thought to herself as she poured the juice into Master Azea's goblet and set down the amphora. 

The moment Dareen caught sight of Eos, her lips tightened. Eos heard Master Azea sigh, "Good morning, Dareen. I trust you slept well? Won't you join us for breakfast?" he said in a cheery voice. 

"Us?" Dareen repeated icily. 

Master Azea sighed a little more obviously this time. Eos spread honey on a slice of freshly baked bread and another one with soft cheese as Master Azea liked and set it on his plate in front of him. She took a roll and spread soft cheese on it before biting into it. 

The master removed his arm from around Eos, "We have apricot jam; it's your favourite right? I remember your chef always had it at your breakfast table when I visited last spring," he said. Dareen smiled, flattered that Master Azea seemed to remember such a small detail. She sat down on his other side and Eos murmured, "Please excuse me, master," she said. Master Azea nodded and gave her a short apologetic look. 

When she left the room, Master Azea already had Dareen swooning for him. Eos shook her head as she shut the door. 

Master Azea could be extremely charming when he wanted to be. That was probably more dangerous than how Seti was. 

"Jealous?" Adna asked with a grin on his usual morning rounds to make sure all was well. He usually went round during the master's breakfast and supper.

 Eos raised an eyebrow, "I'm his dancer and bed slave," she reminded, "He bought me. There's nothing between that," 

Adna shrugged his shoulders, "Master Azea rarely has women in his bed. Tell me- why does someone like that want a bed slave for? It hardly seems like him." 

"Master's a strong man. You can't expect him to live like a monk right?" Eos wanted to know and went to search for the musicians to practice. 

She spent the rest of the morning dancing until Adna came to look for her nearing rest period. "Master Azea has managed to rid himself of Lady Dareen. She is spending time with Lord Griffin's wife. He summons you," he said. 

Eos dried her sweat and made to go up to her room to make herself more presentable since she was dressed in a shirt and loose trousers. "He also says if you are not dressed in your usual attire, you don't need to," Adna added.

 Eos grimaced, "Where is the master?" she asked, accepting a handkerchief from him. She mopped her brow and neck before handing it back to him, "Thanks." 

"Master is out in the Palm Pavilion." 

Eos sighed, she worried whenever he asked her to go there. It was surrounded by different kinds of palms which, though cooled the air, hid them from view of other people and it was easy to here people coming on the gravel path. The last time they were there, he had gotten a little carried away on the day bed. 

"Master?" she called as she searched through the clearings among the palms. She found him reclining in the furthest possible area from the walkway. He had a book strewn on the floor, probably bored from reading it. "Come here," he said, sounding irritable. He was lying on his back with one arm slung over his eyes. Eos climbed over him and laid down between his legs and on his chest. 

Master Azea opened his eyes and stroked her head, "Gods… I'm tired," he said, "Distract me." 

He sat up and kissed her mouth, tugging her tucked shirt loose. She expected that and merely helped him with the task. It didn't matter they were outside, but Eos suspected Master Azea had used that place as a safety precaution so that Dareen wouldn't run into them. Either than that, neither really cared if there were other servants or slaves around. During most of their lovemaking sessions in the bedroom, there were other servants, including Adna there, still doing chores like checking the fire and blowing out the lamps. 

Rest period was almost over as Master Azea tucked an arm securely around Eos, "That helped," he said, covering her with his silk tunic. 

"Don't you have lessons, master?" Eos asked, finding herself winding her fingers with his. She heard him make an exasperated sound. "I'll skip it," he said. Eos had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. 

There came a crunching sound on the gravel but Master Azea didn't rouse himself, "It's Adna. Dareen doesn't step so lightly or so swiftly either." 

True enough, Adna appeared and didn't bat an eye at the scene, "Master Azea, Lady Dareen is searching for you. What do you wish for us to do?" 

"Send her off in the opposite direction," Master Azea ordered, lazily. 

"At once, master." 

Once Adna was gone, Master Azea reached for the glass of wine he had left forgotten on the side table they had almost knocked over several times. It was a miracle the wine glass hadn't fallen and shattered on the tiles. 

"Would you like a glass?" he asked, leaning back. Eos sat up, holding the tunic to her naked form as she searched for her shirt, "No thank you, master," she said in an almost flat voice. She retied the cloth around her breasts before pulling on her shirt then searching for her trousers. "You hardly touch wine or brandy or even ale," Master Azea said, after sipping his wine. He set the glass down and started getting dressed. 

"I need to keep my wits about. And Mother said it's unattractive for us to be drunk and not to be able to even walk in a straight line," she replied, tying a leather loop round her waist to tighten her trousers. 

"Wise woman," Master Azea said, grinning, "And speaking of Mother, I was thinking tomorrow, you could go down to the Desert Gem and see your friend… um… Tara?" 

Eos looked at him with surprise, "I can?" she asked. It had only been less than three weeks. Master Azea smiled, looking a little sly, "Kiss me and it's a definite yes. But bear in mind, not that I don't trust you, some of my men at arms will accompany you." 

All this while Master Azea had been the one to prompt such things. Still. 

He was stretched out on the day bed once more and Eos climbed on top of him to kiss him on the mouth. 

When they broke the kiss, he smiled again, "Right then, you can borrow a horse if you like. You're  riding has improved a great deal after all." 

For some reason, Master Azea had got it into his head that Eos should learn to ride. He would make sure she had three torturous sessions a week. Her rear end had never been so sore. 

The look of alarm on Eos' face made Master Azea start laughing again. 

"I love teasing you," he admitted, wrapping his arms around her waist and lacing his fingers together to rest on her lower back. His dark eyes watched her, framed by those long lashes of his. Gazing so closely into them, Eos saw something in them. Something wild and blazing but at the same time gentle and kind. For some reason, the strange look in his eyes made her catch her breath. 

Master Azea lifted his hand and brushed a few stray strands of hair from the side of her face. He kissed her forehead, his lips warm and tender but send a scorching, electrifying path through her, stronger than anything she had ever felt. 

All instincts she had learnt from her life at the Desert Gem screamed to get away from him. It was getting dangerous. 

But if she were to pull away, it might seem insolent of her. 

Master Azea made a small trail of gentle kissed from the back of her ear down her neck. 

At last, she decided, she absolutely had to get away. She pulled free from him, fighting the heat rising to her cheeks. "We just got dressed," she pointed out, not looking at him. She heard him sigh, "Feed me," he said, leaning back once more. 

Eos relaxed and took the bowl of nuts from the side table. Master Azea had leaned back, his hands laced behind the back of his head and his eyes shut sleepily. She sat next to him, leaning against the head of the daybed and feeding him. "Mm… less almonds. I want pistachios," he said, idly. The nuts had already been split open for him. Eos rolled her eyes. 

"Don't roll your eyes at me," he said, his eyes still closed. 

After awhile, the sound of crunching gravel came to their ears. At once, Master Azea was up, "Oh, gods, its Dareen, quick. This way," he said, grabbing Eos' hand and ducking through the palms. "Keep moving," he told her and they found themselves at a small grassy patch heavily surrounded by thick palms. Master Azea crouched on the ground and pulled her down with him, "Stay very still," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. 

"Azea!" Dareen was calling, stalking round the pavilion in search of him. They could see her find the spot where they were moments ago. "Azea!!" she called shrilly and kicked the side table so the contents would scatter on the ground where by she stomped on some of the things including food. 

Eos pursed her lips. If there was one thing she had learnt coming from the slums was, never, waste food. 

"She's going to be furious at dinner," Master Azea said as they watch the noble lady stomp off like an elephant. He kissed Eos' neck making her jump a little. "What?" he asked, wrapping his arms round her. 

"Nothing but rest period is over and you have lessons." 

"So? I'm skipping. Besides, for once, we're completely alone and unseen without the danger of my blasted fiancee walking in on us. We can be completely uninhibited," he said, already untying the leather loop round her waist. 

Eos had to stop herself from grimacing. 

"Are you alright?" one of the maids asked. 

Eos was slumped in her bed when she was supposed to be getting ready for the dinner that night. "I'm exhausted," she groaned, getting up, "When master says uninhibited; he isn't joking. Good thing it was windy or people would think that patch of palms was haunted." It was already evening and the sun was beginning to set. She went to get dress, looking at the array of clothes she had brought up with her and the large collection the master had given to her. All with the idea of minimal restrictions on mind. 

She pulled out a copper coloured top that would be held up by being wrapped round her back and her neck and a silk copper piece held up by a thin gold chain round her waist that would easily reveal her legs. Donning those, she tied up her hair and together with two maids, went to the pain staking task of weaving the beads into the thick dark locks. With that done she put on a pair of simple earrings and anklets.

 At last, Master Azea entered the room ,"Eos- for goodness sake, woman- aren't you done yet?" he asked, his voice humorous. He often made fun of how long she took to dress even though she wore so little. 

 Eos refused to answer him as she painted the kohl round her dark eyes and added colour to her lips before putting on a sheer veil that sparkled a little when it caught the light. At last she got up and took Master Azea's arm, letting him lead her to the main house. 

She hadn't seen Lord Griffin since the dinner and she could still remember his groping hands. All she could do was hope Master Azea would be able to keep him away from her. 

"Master Azea," Eos said suddenly as they crossed the garden together. 

"What is it?" he asked. 

There were lamps lit in the garden but it was still dim and Master Azea's face was hard to see. But she heard the tenderness in his voice when he asked, "What is it?" She felt his hand over hers. 

"You know about my mother. I don't know anything about yours except she was one of your father's slaves," she said, trying to see his face to read his thoughts.

Master Azea kept his face looking up ahead. Nothing in his manner changed. It was the same stiff, slightly nervous air that he had since they left his wing. "My mother died when I was eleven. She fell ill. The whole time she was sick, my father didn't bother to come see her at all. Finally after a year, she passed on because of some sort of rot in her lungs." 

"A whole year?" Eos asked, her voice hushed. 

"No. When I was sitting with her, I heard the healers talking about how it had only gotten worse then. It had been there for an even longer time. Mother never told a soul," he explained in a quiet voice, "Not even me." 

Something in Master Azea's voice brought memories back to Eos that she had spent her life trying to forget. 

A small, skinny under grown girl child was huddled at the corner of the room, a woman cough out blood on the bed. The healer carried out the basin of warm water that had a red tinge to it to be thrown out. The woman looked round and reached out a hand for the child, "Star…" she called and the girl ran to her mother's side, gripping her hand. "My beautiful little star…" she said, stroking the child's dark hair, her voice hoarse, "I love you so much… never forget…" she whispered, pressing a pendant into her hand, "Never forget… we love you. We'll always love you." 

"I love you, mama." 

The woman smiled, "One day, when you meet him… tell him mama's sorry that she couldn't keep her promise…" she said and kissed her forehead. 

She laid back down on the bed and smiled at the little girl for the last time. 

We… 

Eos stopped and Master Azea looked round at her. "Eos?" he said.

She looked at him and saw the orange light from a nearby lamp light his face for that short moment. She stepped towards him and wrapped her arms round his waist. Stepping tip toe a little, she kissed his mouth. 

When she stepped down, she looked up at him. 

He smiled, "That was unexpected," he observed. He slid his hand round her waist and kissed her forehead, "I like it. You should do that more often." 

Don't bet your life on it… Eos thought to herself.

By Master Azea's sudden grin, she knew he had guessed what she was thinking. But he didn't comment on it. Instead, he offered his arm and she took it again so they could continue their way to the main dining hall. 

They entered the main building and Master Azea led them to the courtyard where the dining hall was when the weather was good. The ornate lamps lit the courtyard as a low table set with gold plates and cutlery. The table cloth was beautifully embroidered and laden with lavish food that made the thing Master Azea had been eating all this while look meagre and poor. Roasted meat, freshly baked bread, grilled fish, fruit Eos had never even seen before, cheese and different types of wine in pitchers. Musicians played as dancers danced in the background like birds in the morning but Master Azea barely glanced at them. 

There was no one else at the table just yet. He waved off the half naked serving girls, "Eos will serve me," he told them. He took a seat on one of the silk cushions and Eos found his favourite wine and proceeded to pour for him. 

"You look like a tiny mouse cornered by a cat," she whispered to him. He gave her a tiny smile, his head propped up with his arm, knuckles on his forehead. "Let's just say it's been over  month since I've seen my father. And the last time we saw each other, it wasn't pleasant," he said. She fanned him with a fan woven from palm leaves. He saw her curious look and smiled again, "He wasn't happy about how I was neglecting my studies and running around with commoners to practice my fighting." 

He sighed and looked round at the silk hangings and lights glinting off the gold. 

Honestly speaking, Eos didn't much agree to it either. But she didn't say anything instead she let him run his fingers up and down her spine, tapping lightly. It was a pleasant feeling. 

The main door opened and Lord Griffin strode in, head held high and proud, Eos could see he was once a very handsome man. Master Azea had inherited his father's jaw and sharp chin as del as height. But Master Azea's eye were more gentle while Lord Griffin's were severe. His grey hair was kept long but severely tied back and braided. He had gold rings on each finger and wore earrings. His dark face had lines about his eyes and mouth. 

His eyes turned to Master Azea who looked back, his face stoney, "Father," he said, curtly. 

"Azea," Lord Griffin said shortly.

  Eos ducked her head, feeling the tension in the air.