Chapter 2 (Part 1)

The next morning, Eos hugged Tara. The older girl's eyes were shining with unshed tears, "I'll miss you. You've always been like a sister to me," she said. Eos smiled, trying not to weep either, "And you've always been like a grandmother to me," she said jokingly making Tara chuckle a little. 

Master Azea was there with two of his attendants. "The two of them are close," he murmured to Mother. 

"Aye, they are," Mother replied. 

The man nodded. He went forward and set a hand on Eos' shoulder, "I will allow you to come down to see your friend once in awhile," he assured her. Both Tara and Eos took awhile to digest what he had said. But once they did, they both bowed, "Thank you, Master Azea," Eos said. 

Eos took her packs and followed Master Azea who motioned for his attendants to take the packs. Before Eos could decide what to do or wonder if she was to walk, Master Azea lifted her up easily and set her in front of where he would sit on his large chestnut gelding. He went to Mother and paid her the large sum that she had asked for selling Eos. "It is no longer any business of mine, but I can only beg of you to take good care of her," Mother said. 

"I will," Master Azea assured her, "She will be mine alone. I won't allow any other men to touch her nor would I want to hurt her. I always receive better service from those whom I treat well." 

Eos had not heard this conversation. 

She had never ridden a horse before and was extremely nervous sitting up there alone on such a large steed. She held on tightly to the reins, in fear of the horse suddenly deciding to buck her off. 

At last, Master Azea mounted the horse behind her and put his arms around her so if she would slip, at least he could catch her. "Keep close," he told her, "And you can hold on to me if you're afraid," he told her. It was a suggestion. Eos was really in no mood to give him a reason to have her hold him. She had a feeling she was going to have to do a lot of that in the days to come. 

"Suit yourself," he said with a good natured grin and kicked his horse into a gallop. 

Eos gave a small shriek and clung onto him at once, drawing a laugh from him and causing Eos to blush with embarrassment. She looked back to the door of the Desert Gem and saw Tara and Mother standing theorem watching her go. She gave a small wave and Tara waved back. 

Once they were out of sight, Eos ducked her head and tried to blinked away her tears stubbornly. 

At Master Azea's home, there seemed to be a huge oasis inside its walls. Eos gaped at the sights around her. Peacocks strutted about the gardens, drinking from small manmade streams and waterfalls. There were palm trees and flowering plants along with short, smooth grass. The walls of the buildings had small coloured tiles on them, depicting stories of legends and some of their ancestors deeds. Towers rose high above them and there were many guards and servants going about their business as usual, each dressed in their uniforms, made of good quality cotton and bearing the emblems of the house. 

She had always known Lord Griffin's household was extremely rich, but she had never seen such luxury or beauty before. It made her wonder why Master Azea would had bothered coming down to the Desert Gem at all. 

"It's mostly because I enjoy the atmosphere and this particular dancer there," Master Azea answered. She wished he would stop reading her thoughts through her face like that. It was beginning to get on her nerves. 

"Anyway, you will have a room connected to my own. I have my own building. Tonight you will not dance but you will serve me at dinner. I will have my steward introduce you to the musicians later. You can practice with them starting from tomorrow. I would like you to accompany me for breakfast and during the afternoon rest and lunch and after dinner." When it was too hot to work in the mid afternoon, the people would rest but why did Master Azea need to rest? He didn't work or anything. 

"Being immensely rich and nobility is a great deal of work," he said and this time she couldn't stop herself from glaring at him, drawing a laugh from him. 

But another thing he had said unsettled her. By after dinner, she knew what he meant. She sighed inwardly, there was no escaping such a thing. Back at the Desert Gem, the girls were each given a potion every week to keep them from having children. When she left, Mother gave her an amulet instead. If she wanted to rid herself of it, all she had to do was burn it. 

They walked through the main building that he explained was his father's quarters as well as a place for him to greet his guests. There was a separate pavilion for dinners and such. The night they had the dinner, it was at another location. They had set up tents and such outside the town. On the east was his eldest brother's wing. His two younger brothers had places on the north west and north east side. His was the furthest from the other buildings completely in the west. 

Suddenly they caught sight of a man further up the corridor. The man spotted them first and halted. 

Eos felt Master Azea stiffen, all his easy going manner disappearing. "Eos, stand on my other side, away from him and stay close," he told her softly, "Keep your eyes away from him. Try to pretend you had not noticed," he said before speaking in a louder voice to one of his attendants that followed them. This attendant stood in a way that blocked Eos from this man's view. Another stood behind them to hide her from when they passed him. 

She could feel the uneasiness in Master Azea's servants. They did not like this person and they feared him. 

Going closer, Eos recognised him from the corner of her eye. It was the elder brother, Seti

When they just passed him, he suddenly spoke up, "Aren't you going to greet me, little Azea? That's rude." 

Master Azea halted before turning around with his easy grace again, "So sorry- didn't see you there, brother," he said, in a light lilting voice. The attendants bowed their heads but drew closer as though trying to block Eos further. 

Eos didn't need these subtle warnings, she tried to stay discreet. Those who had served him at the dinner had complained to Mother about his treatment. He treated them worse than one would treat animals. He did not even see them as other living things. Just toys for his amusement. His kind was the type Mother had thrown out and forbidden from the Desert Gem. It always gave a clear picture to them what kind of people they were by the way they treated their inferiors. 

Everyone in the city dreaded the day he would take over his father. Even though Lord Griffin was not the best of lords, he was the type that kept them alive and that was good enough. He did not torment them. Unless the entire city was in trouble, such as lack of water or food, he left them well alone. 

They all had the feeling, would ride into the city and cut down people for sport if his father did not stop him. 

Perhaps Master Azea would be a better lord than his older brother. It was unfortunate that he was only the son of a slave rather than the son of the official wife. If he had been from the official wife, then there was perhaps hope that he would succeed his father rather than.

"And who is this?" asked, seeing Eos. 

"A dancer I bought for myself," he said, decidedly trying to keep attention on Eos as short as possible, "Well dear brother, I best be off. I have business to attend to and I do not wish to distract you from your affairs," he said and left, trying not to look hurried but he moved with longer strides. 

"Whatever you do, stay away from my brother," Master Azea told Eos when they were out of sight and earshot, "When you're not with me, try to remain in my quarters. If you do meet him without me, return as fast as you can and find one of my attendants. Even if he orders you to stay, don't listen to him." 

"Yes, master," Eos murmured. 

Once they arrived in Master Azea's quarters, Eos was settled in a small bedroom joined to Master Azea's. She was given new clothes to wear. A satin top just as revealing as her dancing one and a long skirt with wide slits up both sides. She tied her thick hair up and tied a sheer golden headscarf at the base before donning a sheer veil of the same colour. She painted the kohl round her eyes and put on a pair of earrings and a bracelet before going out to look for Master Azea. 

He was in his sitting room, reclining in a seat and drinking lazily. Several feet away, she stopped and bowed, before going closer. She knelt next to his seat and at first he did not do anything, looking ponderously in the distance. 

Suddenly, he seemed to notice her and smiled, stroking her hair, "How do you like your room?" he asked. She didn't look up at first, not wanting him to see that she wished she had a lock on her side of the door that led to his room. Then at last she answered, "It's comfortable." 

His hand continued to stroke her hair, somehow making her feel drowsy. Master Azea noticed and stifled a laugh, "Like a cat," he said and it took her years of self control not to glare at him. She leaned against his seat as he went on drinking. 

If first impressions meant anything, Master Azea had given a good one to her so far. And at least he knew how to keep his hands from roaming all over her every single moment. 

Days passed as Eos settled down in Master Azea's household. She was kept busy. In the morning, after washing herself, she would join Master Azea at his breakfast table. Both to serve and to eat. This puzzled her how she was allowed to share his meal. Normally slaves were given leftovers from the servants' meals, though bed warmers were given food equal to a servant. And after breakfast, she practised her dancing. It was simple enough since Master Azea liked a few particular dances and had her perform those the most. During rest period she would go to Master Azea to accompany him once more. 

At dinner she would dance for him and again accompany him. At supper she would serve and share his meal. Then, more often than not, she would join him in bed. Another odd thing was he insisted she remained in bed with him even after love making. 

Needless to say, with each day so busy, Eos was ready to drop each night. The moment she was able to sleep, she would be out in deep slumber until roused the next morning. 

She also, did discover that Master Azea did not spend all his time idly. During the evening and morning after breakfast, he had fighting training in the training yard of his quarters. He trained with his men at arms and sometimes would go down to the town to train with the other warriors. The other servants told Eos that once in awhile, the master would go up to the capital to train with the knights and royal guards. He also had lessons. Though he usually lazed and paid no attention when it came to maths and history and such things. 

Eos also met Master Azea's younger siblings. The two boys, were amicable enough. They seemed to think highly of their brother but like Master Azea and his servants, they disliked their eldest brother. Apparently, had been known to torment them when they were children and Master Azea had defended them. 

It wasn't till the second week, Eos came to Master Azea did she meet yet another person connected to Master Azea. 

It was rest period. Eos was seated on the end of the couch with Master Azea's head on her lap. His eyes were closed in his usual lazy way as she fed him sweet grapes. The day's heat was so terrific, there was really nothing either of them wanted to do but laze. They were in one of the shaded garden pavilions, where the cool shade from the trees hid them from the heat and scorching sun and the wind blew gently against their skin. 

Suddenly there came a disturbance as a haughty looking woman burst in upon their peace accompanied by some of Master Azea's distressed looking servants, "Master Azea- we told her you were resting-" 

"Azea!" the woman said half imperiously and half in rage, "What have I heard that you bought a common whore to share your bed!?" 

Eos kept her head down; she had heard worse. Really, she could teach a thing or two to this woman about cursing. 

Master Azea however gave a soft, exasperated sigh.

"Really, Dareen… such a word is hardly befitting for such a beautiful lady," he said before adding lazily, "to say," after a pause.

 The woman who had begun swelling up like a frog, deflated at his compliment. But Eos knew Master Azea well enough to know that if it wasn't so hot and he wasn't so lazy, he would not have added those last two words. She hid a smile as he gave her a tiny, secret smile. 

She fed him another grape. 

"But I do not approve of you getting a prostitute to share your bed," she said.

"My beautiful Dareen, until we wed, I simply can not ruin your honour by bedding you. So until then, this girl I bought will do," he said though he rolled his eyes a little making it harder for Eos to bite back a smile, "Now, please, my dear… It is too warm to argue. Surely you know we will both say heated things that we do not mean and will regret." 

Dareen calmed down but scowled at Eos who was still peacefully feeding Master Azea. 

"Then I will feed you," she said, jealously. 

"I could never impose you to do such a thing that is only befitting for slaves, my beautiful desert flower. Why don't you join me for dinner tonight instead?" he asked to pacify her. It seemed to work. 

Dareen nodded, "Very well. I will see you at dinner then, love," she said. 

"Of course. Adna- tell the chefs that Lady Dareen will dine with me tonight. Have them prepare all her favourites," he ordered, closing his eyes again. 

"Yes, Master Azea." 

Once they left and Master Azea and Eos were alone once more, the master groaned, "And like a desert flower, I hope you wither under the sun," he muttered, "Eos, pour me a drink. I think I need it." 

Eos obeyed and Master Azea sat up to accept it. He drained the brandy in one gulp and gave a sigh, "That was Lady Dareen from a neighbouring fief. Not as rich but she's ambitious and well as spoilt. Be careful she doesn't throw a tantrum on you; she might cause some serious injuries. It happened before when I was too kind to a new maid who had lost her family in a famine."

"She is master's fiancée?" Eos asked, pouring more brandy into the glass he held up for her. 

He downed it again and gave her the glass to set aside. 

"Unfortunately. It was not my idea. Her father offered her and already had a fiancee so I was given her. Gods, I dread the day we would wed." 

"Then perhaps, it would be unwise for me to dance for master tonight or serve," Eos suggested. Master Azea scowled, laying himself on her lap once more, "I guess you're right," he said and closed his eyes. 

Eos picked up the bunch of grapes and began feeding it to Master Azea one by one again. 

That night, Eos joined the servants for dinner. As usual, when not serving or appearing before the master, she was dressed in shirt and breeches. "So, Eos- what do you think of Master's fiancée so far?" asked Adna, one of Master Azea's main attendant. Eos had a good measure of this young man and knew that he would take an arrow for the master. 

Eos shrugged, "I've seen worse," she said. 

"Oh?" 

"Back at the Desert Gem, we had some wives burst in at night and cause a huge scene, screaming at the girls who were serving their husbands," Eos said, "Those can easily make Lady Dareen look like a meek mouse." 

Some of the servants chuckled. 

After dinner, Eos joined some of the servants for a game of cards. She was good at it, having watched some of the workers play during rest period when she was a child. 

They had just started on their third game when one of Master Azea's servers came down to look for her, "Eos, master says he wants to see you after dinner. He's already having dessert with Lady Dareen." 

Eos sighed, "Just when I had such a good hand too," she said, throwing down her cards. 

She got up and ran hurriedly up to the top floor where Master Azea and her bedroom was. She had to change her clothes and put on her make up as well as do up her hair. However, just as she popped out of the servant's corridor, she spotted Master Azea and Lady Dareen leaving the dining hall. Just as she saw them, Master Azea saw her. 

He had not recognised her at first, frowning. Then he looked very surprised, "Eos?" 

Eos cursed silently. 

Master Azea had never seen her not dressed up before. Her hair was braided down her back simply and her shirt had been tailored for a man as were her trousers that she held up with a thick belt. Both items hung loosely on her thin frame. To add onto her disgrace, she wore no finery at all or veils or even a headscarf. 

She bowed from a distance, "I am not fit to be present before Master at the moment," she said, "Please excuse my appearance." 

Lady Dareen forgotten, Master Azea beckoned Eos, still frowning a little. Sighing inwardly, she trotted up to him obediently. Lady Dareen sniffed in disgust at the sight of her, especially at how she was dressed and her uncovered head. 

Master Azea, however, took Eos by her chin and made her look at him before tilting her head slightly to the right then to the left as though inspecting her. He cocked his head a little to one side, as though thinking. His eyes once more, keen as they surveyed her face. At last he spoke, "You look different without make up on. But it isn't disagreeable in the slightest way," he said. Eos cleared her throat ever so quietly and subtly nudged her head in Lady Dareen's direction. Immediately Master Azea remembered his guest. For the briefest moment, he looked ready to cut off his head with his sword. Then he stopped and released Eos. 

"Ah, yes, please, Dareen, let me escort you back to your room," he said, offering his arm, politely, and bestowing upon the irate noble lady one of his most charming smiles. 

Lady Dareen gave Eos a look of proud contempt before laying a delicate hand on the crook of Master Azea's arm and they walked off. Eos just rolled her eyes and proceeded to dash up to her bedroom to make herself more presentable for Master Azea that evening. 

Just as she finished fixing her veil, she heard the door in the next room slam and Master Azea's voice call out irritably, "Eos!" 

She opened the door and went to him at once. 

He was pacing the room, rubbing his temple, "Gods, I hate having to put up with that woman," he complained, "Pour me
another drink." Eos obeyed, going to the table in the corner of the room. 

Sitting on the table were some wine glasses and several different bottles. By the sound of him, Master Azea wanted something a bit strong. She poured some brandy into a glass and brought it to him. He took it and downed it in a single gulp. 

Once he swallowed the wine, he squeezed his eyes shut for a while and let out a sigh of relief, "Better," he said and handed the glass to her. She set it down on the table and went to him as he dropped himself onto a seat, still rubbing his forehead. 

Not sure what possessed her to do such a thing, Eos went up behind him and began to rub his scalp and temples. Master Azea leaned back with a content sigh. He shut his eyes peacefully and in all appearance, fell asleep. After about ten minutes, he opened his eyes again and took one of her hands and kissed it, "Come here," he told her and she walked up to stand in front of him.

He pulled her to sit across his lap instead, "You're quite good at that," he commented, "My headache's gone." 

"Thank you master." 

He kissed her below her ear and took a lock of her hair. He pressed his lips to it. This seemed to be his most common sign that he favoured her. He did it at least once a day. She had grown so used to it, she no longer scrubbed her hair out like a maniac the following morning. 

His hands gently wound themselves round her and held her protectively to him. He kissed her forehead and pressed both their foreheads together, eyes shut.

Eos closed her eyes as well. His skin was warm against hers. His hands, one resting on the side of her waist, were light and gentle against her side. She could still smell his dinner on him and a faint, lingering smell of Lady Dareen's perfume. She must have pressed herself very close to Master Azea for it to be still there. Master Azea's breath was warm and caressing as it touched her skin. He kissed her eye lid. 

"Gods, I'm tired," he said at last, "I need to change, go lie down and warm my bed for me," he told her.

 There were times when he took the term "bed warmer" too literally. Didn't he know his servants usually put heating pads under the sheets? 

Eos had to obey anyway. As Master Azea rang for his attendants to come help him change, something he did when he was either too tired or too lazy to do so himself, Eos removed her veil and headscarf before slipped into the bed and rolled onto her side. His bed was much more comfortable than hers. On those nights that they did not have sex but he still insisted on her sleeping in his bed, she rather enjoyed the luxury. She drowsed but didn't sleep. It would be rude for her to sleep before the master did. 

Soon she heard the servants leave and the bed sank a little as Master Azea joined her. He laid with his chest to her back and wrapped an arm lazily round her waist and the other curled under his pillow. One leg was draped over both of hers. She could feel his lips at the back of her head. 

"By the way, you looked quite pretty without your usual dressing up," Master Azea murmured, "Maybe from now on, when I have you in bed, you don't have to dress up and put on your make up and things. After all, when you sleep in your own room, I'm sure you do no such thing." 

"Yes, master," Eos said but it perturbed her. She knew from experience, when a man said such things, it meant things were getting far too personal. She shut her eyes and tried to calm herself. He had bought her, it meant what he said, she must obey, even if it was a simple whim. And besides, he might just be one of those who had strange taste or something. She had seen plenty before. She had seen from older prostitutes, that when things got too personal, it was dangerous as well as painful. And look at her mother. Abandoned by the person she had loved. It could easily happen to her once Master Azea loses interest in her. 

If she allowed things to grow too personal, it would only shatter her when it fell apart. 

"Your heart is pounding," Master Azea murmured sleepily, "Are you alright?" 

"Yes, master," Eos replied. 

She felt him settle down once more behind her. She was tired. Master Azea's soft, steady breathing lulled her to sleep. His warm presence. His arm wound protectively around her. It was nice to be in a place she could feel so secure. Even if it was not permanent. She should savour it while she still could. 

Eos shut her eyes and slowly drifted back into slumber.