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. 

Coffee Break

Hey, Tsuki Z here; how's it going? This is the first time I'm writing a story with such a strange setting in the start (though she left quite quickly after the beginning of the story.) I decided to do these little coffee break sessions to break away from the storyline for a little bit. It gives my characters as well as myself a little rest. And also, you can see the characters behind the characters. They aren't really that different though… 

Think of this as a moment to have some fun with them. Have them answer your questions or make them do things that they wouldn't normally do in the story. 

Woah! Check it out! This is some pricey whiskey you got hiding here.

Tara, get the hell out of my cabinet. These things don't exist in your time period let alone your desert setting. 

TEQUILA! Awesome! Hey, Eos, care to join me?

Azea, you may own me in the story, but I'm on my break. Come any closer and I'll break your face.

Ms Tsuki, do you think it's wise to allow your characters to throw a drunken rave between chapters? 

*sigh* They can do as they like, but like hell will I give them time off because of hangovers. 

Hey, Menes! Stop being such a stick in the mud. Pull up a chair! 

Please refrain from calling me with such familiarity and- are those cigarettes?

You know it!

Where are you guys getting these things!? 

Tara! Pass the cognac!

Stop it!!

Sigh… Looks like I'll have to postpone the Q&A session for some other time, because you're sure as heck not going to get a straight answer out of any of these drunks any time soon. 

Chapter 1 (Part 2)

True to his word, the next morning, he returned to speak to Mother about buying Eos. "Lucky you," Tara sighed as they watched from behind the veiled curtains, "Master Azea is known as a good man to women. Much nicer than the way most men here treat us." 

"I'd rather sleep with one man rather than a different one every night," Eos agreed. 

Tara grinned a little, "It's a good thing Mother fixed our prices high, or it would be more than one man every night," she said, "but if you go- I will miss you. The other girls here only ever see me as competition." 

"Don't pay any attention to them," Eos said, "They're just jealous that Mother gives you more attention and allowance money than them." Tara was the one who received the most money allowance by Mother not to mention the men who were smitten with her constantly sent her gifts, from expensive sweets to flowers to jewellery and shoes and dresses. Of course these were just gifts. Courting was different entirely. No one in the right mind would marry any of them no matter how smitten they were. Even if they showed signs of wanting more, their mothers put a stop to it at once. 

Finally, Mother called sharply, "Eos! Come here," she said and Eos went at once. Mother was not one who liked waiting. She and Eos went to another room to speak in private.

"Eos, Master Azea has offered to buy you. He has given a handsome sum. However, you must understand, that if you agree to go with him, you will be equal to a slave. You must obey him, depend on him for protection and serve him. If he decides to give you no protection from other men or women, then you will suffer. But I have only heard good things of Master Azea and his ways with women. Though it should be fair to warn you, that his eldest brother is not kind to slave or common born girls. If Master Azea defends you from him, then you have nothing to fear. But you will no longer receive payment like you do here. You will be clothed, fed and watered, but how well? You will not be the one to choose. And whether you receive an allowance is all entirely up to him. Will you go?" she asked. 

Eos nodded. 

Mother heaved a sigh, "I do not wish to let you go, but if it's your decision, we will send you to him tomorrow. You will pack your things tonight. You will not serve tonight either." 

"Yes, Mother."

The older woman looked at her and kissed her forehead, "Go with my blessing child. I hope all will be well." 

"Thank you Mother," Eos said quietly, looking down. 

Mother went back t tell Master Azea that Eos will be sold to him. Eos went to look for Tara, "Well?" she asked. Eos nodded and Tara hugged her, "If he lets you, you must come back and see us. I'd worry if you don't." 

"And you must not let me worry. I wonder how you'll handle all those wives of your customers. You're always too meek with them. They should be blamed for not keeping a better eye on their husbands," Eos said. Tara laughed, "And you always get into trouble because of your tongue," she said, "Go with you. Maybe you'll be safer with Master Azea. Let's go. I'll help you pack your things. 

The two girls packed the little possessions Eos had. They were mostly jewellery from other men. But her only worldly possessions consisted of a pendant her mother had given her. It was of a beautifully carved symbol. Eos kept it to herself, the only other person who had seen it was Tara. Her mother had said it belonged to her father. 

She took it out from under her pillow and looked at it, meaning to wrap it in a linen cloth to keep it safe. 

The sight of it often made her wonder why her mother had it if her father had left them. Had he given it to her and simply forgot about it? But when her mother gave it to her, she had said that, "it belongs to her father." That meant it was still his. Was he supposed to have come back for it? she wondered. 

"You know, maybe you'll see your da again some day…" Tara said when she turned around and saw her. 

"Things like that only happen in stories," Eos said wrapping the pendant at once, "You know; me finding my da is as likely as yours coming back for you." 

"I guess so," Tara said, folding a simple dress and packing it into the pack before Eos could see it. When not working, Eos always preferred to wear men's clothing. She hated wearing dresses though Tara often forced her into one when she could. 

Eos stowed the pendant into one of the other packs. In the end, there were only three packs that needed to be brought.

"Wow, you don't have much stuff do you?" Tara observed, "What are you going to do with the rest of the things you're leaving behind?" 

"You want them?" 

Tara looked at the filled jewellery boxes and expensive shoes and hairpieces. "Are you nuts? Of course I do! Maybe something good really is coming out of you leaving," she said, making Eos laugh. She was looking herself in the vanity glass, holding up a set of gold earrings with opal drops on them, already. "I can see that you're really cut up about my leaving. I'm really touched," she said. 

"Yes, yes," Tara replied in false idleness. 

It was odd that night. Eos sat alone in her room, one that she had lived in ever since she started dancing in the brothel. Across the courtyard, she could hear the night beginning. Tara had dropped by to see her before going to work. "It's weird," Tara commented as Eos read a book, dressed in a shirt and leggings, "I've never had to get ready on my own before. Not to mention serve on my own. It's going to be really boring. You always make the best remarks about the customers." 

Eos smiled, "Just smile and bat your eyes while imagining what I would normally say." 

Tara then departed with a huge, dramaticl sigh and a look of theatrical boredom. 

Eos got to her feet and crossed the room to her packs. She wondered if she was right to agree to leave. After all, if she stayed on in the brothel, one day she might have enough money to leave it for good. But then what? She had no ambition of her own. However, she knew that she could not remain dancing for the rest of her life. 

Feeling restless as she was too used to being active at night, Eos pulled on a cloak and pinned up her hair to make it appear short before pulling up the hood. She left her room and carefully slipped through the courtyard through the servant passage and out into the streets. 

The night air was cold as usual and the streets empty, save few stragglers, late for their outings to the taverns and brothels. She looked up at the sky overhead and smiled.

Stars filled the sky, glittering and shining against the dark sky like diamonds. The moon was full and radiating a beautiful silver light that bathed the dark town in its glow. It was so magnificent. 

She remembered the tales her mother told her of the Moon Goddess each time she looked up at the moon. She was a beautiful mortal once and one day the Sun God had looked down and fell smitten with her. He left Celestial Kingdom and came down to earth to be with her. But because of that, there was no sun on the earth and it grew cold. The crops withered and humans suffered. The Mother and Father of the gods found out and forced the Sun God to return. The mortal woman wept so many tears that went up to the sky and filled it. It showed the Mother and Father of her sorrow. Out of pity they had made her a goddess. But still, to punish them, they were to keep apart. But once in awhile, when the moon wanes, it meant the Moon Goddess had returned to be with her lover. Her tears remained in the sky. As some disappeared, they were replaced by new ones during her time apart with the Sun God. Those tears became the stars. 

As a child, Eos thought the Moon Goddess had been stupid as well as the Sun God. Their love caused nothing but suffering for one another. Whenever the Moon Goddess could not be with the Sun God, she just wept. 

Now that she thought about it, she wondered if her mother had felt like crying when she thought of her father. Certainly, she remembered times when her mother would hide her face from her. But now, she was a prostitute and felt no attachment to any men. She hoped she would not do such a foolish thing as her mother and the Moon Goddess had done. 

Suddenly, Eos became aware of a few men walking down the narrow street towards her. She immediately turned and saw two more coming from behind. Something about their manner troubled her. They did not mean anyone well. 

She turned into an alley. Taking several steps, four men loomed up ahead and blocked her path. Cursing silently in her mind, she turned round and saw the men from earlier blocking her path. "Give us whatever you have on you and we'll let you stay alive," one of the men said. 

Eos didn't answer. She had no money on her. She had nothing valuable at all. But even if she said that, they would attack. If she spoke, they would know she was a woman and do even worse things to her. Her only hope was to try and fend them off a bit and run for it. There was no point calling for help. No one would bother. 

Her silence annoyed the men, "Fine then, we gave you a chance," the leader said and they lunged in.

Eos grabbed a pole leaning against the wall and swung it round like how she had seen by some fighters. She drove one end into one man's gut and swung it round to hit the person in front and behind her. But her blows were weak and ill aimed. Her attackers recovered quickly and one managed to strike a blow on the top of her head. She stumbled and was about to get struck again, this time in the face. 

For some reason, the first thought that came into her mind, instead of worry that these men would kill her, was that Mother would be angry if she had her face hit. 

Suddenly the man was struck down to the ground. Everything happened in a blur. Another man, much more skilful and probably trained as a fighter had stepped in. Eos was dazed by the blow and collapsed onto the ground, sitting and holding her head. She blinked her eyes and looked round to see her saviour spin round and used his heel to kick the last attacker standing in the jaw. There was a cracking sound and the attacker's head slammed against the wall next to him before collapsing. 

The man turned to look at Eos and went over to her. 

"Are you alright?" he said drawing closer She didn't move. Her heart was beating rapidly and her entire body was numb from shock and fear. The man grabbed her upper arm and moved her out to a brighter location, "Are you alright?" he asked again. Eos looked up and saw a tall man. He was bald and had the dark skin of a typical desert dweller. He looked at least fifteen years older than her with scars on his face. His jaw was strong and his deep set eyes, dark even against his own skin, had a keen look to them 

"I'm fine," Eos said, finding it easier to breathe. 

The man suddenly frowned and pulled off her hood making her give a small cry and try to pull her hood up again. A woman walking alone in the streets after dark was ten times more likely to get attacked and in an even worse way. 

He seemed to know this as well, "What on earth were you thinking?" he wanted to know, his voice reprimanding. He had the air and tone of voice to make her feel very small not to mention very stupid; like a silly child. 

Eos found herself hanging her head. "Look at me when I'm talking to you, young lady," he said and she winced. She looked up nervously. 

Never had a man talked to her in such a way before. The only other person who had scolded her was Mother, but her manner was much more different from this man's calm demeanour. "Now- kindly tell me what do you think you're doing out after dark. You should be ashamed of yourself. Out with it," he told her sternly. Eos snuffed her feet against the sand and pulled at her sleeve behind her back. 

"Stand still," the man told her sharply, "Don't fidget. Really- it is not becoming for a young woman to wriggle about like a worm." 

Eos stopped at once, "I was restless. I thought I'd go out on my own. I've always done that when I'm free," she answered, looking a bit sulky at his biting remark. "Surely not at night," the man said, "Didn't your mother ever teach you better? For shame!" 

"My ma died years ago when I was little." 

The man deflated a bit and sighed, "Very well- but even so- you should know. It's common sense after all. Where do you live? I'll take you back or you'll get in trouble again," he said. 

Eos shifted uncomfortably, "I can head back on my own," she said. 

"Yes, you certainly proved that you do excellent on your own so far," he said, "Come along." 

The girl sighed, she didn't mind saying it, but what always irritated her were people's reactions to her line of work. And if she did mention it, this man, like so many other men, would think that she liked being taken advantage of. 

"Well?" the man asked, tapping his foot. 

"The Desert Gem," she answered at last. 

There was a moment of silence before the man cocked his head to one side, "Right- where and what is that?" he asked, puzzled. She stared at him. How could he not know the Desert Gem? Everyone knew it, even if not all could afford it. Even foreigners have heard of it. 

"It's a brothel. Just a few streets down from here." 

"A brothel? Good grief- you should be ashamed of yourself, young lady," he said, "Really- I know things must be difficult for you. But what do you think your mother would say if she was still here now and knew you were working in a brothel of all places. Shame on you."

Again, he made her feel abashed for where she worked. It was the first time. All this while, she did not care that she worked at the Desert Gem. She didn't like the leering eyes or the fact she had to put up with degenerates with deep pockets, but she had never felt shamefaced for it. But here was this complete stranger, talking her down for being a prostitute and making her feel shameful. So many wives and men who pretended not to visit the brothel had hurled insults at her and they had never effected her the way this man's stern words were. 

She hung her head again and he gave another sigh, "Very well- I'll walk you there. But for goodness sake, at least think of what I said. A brothel is not proper for a young lady. Neither are these nighttime wanderings." 

The man led her back to the Desert Gem. He did not press advantage on her but kept a respectable distance from her as was proper for a man to keep when with a woman who was neither his wife nor concubine nor family when in public. With him escorting, no other strangers harassed her. 

At last, he deposited her at the servant's entrance of the Desert Gem, "Thank you," she said, bowing her head. 

"It's alright, but you should be more careful from now on." 

"Yes, sir," she said before looking up at him, he was about Master Azea's height, making him a head taller than her, "I don't know your name…" 

"My name is Menes." 

Eos bowed, "Then, thank you Master Menes," and she slipped into the building. 

Once safely back in her room, Eos dropped herself onto her bed and stared up at the ceiling. That man was certainly a strange one. 

Usually, a passer by would ignore someone in distress. And a woman would be held in scorn for going without a veil over her head. And she was a prostitute as well. Even knowing that fact, he had still insisted to help her. 

Now that she had calmed down and her heart had stopped beating so rapidly from her danger, her head cooled down and let her think. Menes did not have the common desert accent. He had probably lived in other countries. She wondered what they were like? She had heard tales from travellers who boasted in the Desert Gem. 

They had told tales of green and trees as far as the eye could see. Rock mountains of steel grey with slippery green plants living on them, coating it like fur. Salty water that stretched so far, the sky and the water would meet in the distance. Cold white powder that fell from the sky and covered the earth like a blanket. And strange animals and people with bizarre customs. Even as she thought of them, the desire to go far and wide to see them stirred in her as they did at times. 

But she had no such luxury to get up and leave by whim. 

No, she had to be content with living in this town for the rest of her life. 

With that thought, Eos rolled onto her stomach and made a disgruntled sound into her pillow. She wished she could be more like Tara. 

The older girl never understood Eos' fascination with travelling and other lands. "Be content with your home," Tara often told her, "After all, we have our problems; so do those people." And she was probably right. Tara was the type who would have made a man the perfect wife. She was wise, quiet and kept her counsel. She was always content with the life she had, always looking at the brighter side of life. If she had a husband, Eos had no doubt she would make a better wife than those crazy ones that blamed everyone else but themselves about their husbands straying. 

Eos once more creeped out of her room but this time she went to the small shrine at the back of the courtyard. It was the Goddess Rhyga, goddess of beauty. She was their patron goddess but Eos never cared for her. But for the first time, on her last night in the Desert Gem, she lit an incense. Shutting her eyes, she prayed for the girls at the Desert Gem, especially Tara. She prayed that the goddess would smile upon them all and bless them with a good life. 

Chapter 1 (Part1)

"YOU WENCH!" the woman shrieked, striking the girl down, "YOU COMMON TROLLOP!" 

The girl had blocked the strike to her face. She absolutely must not allow her face to be harmed or the Mother will be angry.

"How dare you steal our husbands!? You should be burnt on a stake for your sins!" the older woman screamed hysterically at the girl. 

Other people gathered at the street to watch, some tried to pacify the older woman. 

"Maybe if you had taken care of your husbands needs better, he would not have come to us instead," the girl replied flatly.

The woman threw herself at the girl who again tried to protect her face. A man came to pull her out of harms way and hurried her away, blocking the woman from causing any injury.
"Are you alright?" he asked, once they got away, "You really need to guard your tongue more." 

This man worked at the brothel as a guard and errand boy of sorts. One of the reasons why he was chosen was because he never held any interest in women, thus keeping him from 'damaging the merchandise'. 

"I didn't seduce anyone," the girl said in the same flat voice, "He came on his own account and paid for us." 

"I'm not saying you're wrong, but that woman was ready to tear your throat out." 

"Eos!" a girl her age called from the backdoor to the Desert Gem, "Finally. Thanks Jin."  

"No problem," Jin replied good naturedly. 

The girl, Tara hurried Eos into the changing rooms. "Really. What happened? You were out for ages and you have to perform again tonight," Tara said as Eos took her clothes, a silk top that covered her breasts with bells hanging on its hems and a bottom that had a long length of silk in the front and back, tied together with a gilded chain. The servant girls who worked at the brothel but were deemed by the Mother to not be pretty enough to entertain, helped dress her and do up her long, thick black hair. 

Eos was about five feet seven in height, with long, slender legs. Her body was lithe as she was a dancer and her long, wavy hair was dark as the desert night sky. Her eyes were brown but her skin was lighter than most, showing signs of mixed descent. She guessed it was her father who was the foreigner as she had never met him before nor did her mother speak of him when she was alive. 

The servant weaved gold beads into her hair as she put on a sheer veil and kohl around her eyes. Mother approved of her as she was beautiful and graceful. Though she didn't hold a candle to Tara, who was a year older than her. Tara was extremely beautiful though not as tall. The customers loved her. She had long dark hair that flowed down her back like silk. Her almond shaped dark eyes were framed by long, thick lashes. Her skin was a smooth, dark, coppery brown. She was very elegant in her ways that she would put noble bred women to shame. 

But no matter how beautiful, girls were seldom welcomed as children in their society. Dowry was meant to be paid to the husband's family and was expensive; many could not afford it. Because of that, Tara was sold off the moment she started becoming beautiful and started catching attention of men. Mother had found her in the slave pens and bought her at once, saving Tara from a life as a bed warmer slave. 

Once dressed and ready, Eos stretched herself and danced a few steps, turning on the balls of her feet and extending her long limbs gracefully. She lifted her leg straight behind her back so it would touched her hands stretched over her head. As she worked the stiffness out of her body, Tara went to get ready and the servants took out the jewellery and bells she was to wear. 

Most of the jewellery came from rich clients that had become smitten with her. The Mother let them keep those trinkets as accessories for their evenings. The servant girl opened the jewellery box and held it up to Eos who chose pieces that would give attention to the places that she was meant to give attention to. A long chain that would dip between her breasts, a jewel to her navel and a pair of simple earrings. She put the bells on her ankles and tried to dance a bit again. They chimed musically with each step. Good. 

"Tara- I'm going out to practise a bit first," she told the girl who was carefully painting the kohl around her eyes. "Alright. I'm already booked for the night." 

Eos would be dancing alone again that night as she normally did. The room had a round area raised of the ground with candles and lamps around it, lighting it brighter than the rest of the room. Surrounding it were cushions and low seats and expensive rugs for people to sit and be entertained. Upstairs was the rooms that men could bring them if they could afford. 

Standing in the middle of the dais, hands on her hips, "Can we practise a bit?" she called to the musicians who sat on the lower floor nearby. They nodded and started to play. Eos took a deep breath and listened to the music. 

She began to dance, swaying her hips. With each gentle sway, she bent her knees a little more before straightening and her movements grew more rapid as she reached out her arms, twirling her hands in an inviting manner. She kicked her leg high and spun once more before raising the other leg behind her and leaning back to touch it. She spun, her feet hitting the ground in a hard, rhythmic manner. Her long hair spun round her, the beads in her hair catching and throwing off light to make her hair look as though it had stars in it. The bells on her ankle chimed loudly with each strike of her foot, adding to the music. 

When the night begun, she held the men spellbound by her dancing. Several times, she leaped gracefully of the dais as instructed and threw herself on top of the richer customers but whipped away the moment they tried to touch her. 

She hated having to be under the men's leering gaze. Instead she threw herself deeper into the music and dance. This made her all the more captivating to the audience. Many of them always said she was akin to the legendary Sun Birds that danced in the sky as the sun rose in the morning and set down in the horizon in the evening. 

As the night progressed, Eos finished her performance and went to take a breath in the changing rooms, trying to dry her sweat and fix her make up. Mother came looking for her there. 

Mother was a beautiful woman, even in her old age. She was kind enough to those who work for her but she was not one to stand any nonsense from anyone. Punishments were often handed out to those who were defiant or those who took lovers outside. At the same time, she never allowed customers to harm her girls. Many men have been banned from the Desert Gem due to their habit of bringing physical harm to the girls for their own sexual gratification. 

"Well done tonight," Mother said, "We have an unexpected guest who has asked for you alone. Try not to embarrass us," she told Eos who bowed to her. 

"Who is it?" she asked with some curiosity. Why would one customer ask for only one girl? It couldn't be that he couldn't afford more than one. If he could afford her, he would most definitely be able to afford others. Her price was one of the high end ones in the Desert Gem. 

"The son of Lord Griffin; Azea. You performed for their family at one of their dinner parties. He says he has taken a liking to you." 

Eos bowed again and went to Azea who sat in a more private area. It had more luxurious cushions and rugs and a sheer curtain of sorts that allowed him to look out but not let others look in. Those particular sitting areas were expensive. 

She bore a tray of fine wine and refreshments. Making sure she had a sway in her hips as she walked to the sitting area, she opened the curtains slightly to step in, "You summoned me?" she asked. 

Azea was good looking enough. He was young. Probably twenty five years of age. He was not the first son and that allowed him more freedom. He had dark hair that was he kept tousled and tied back in a horsetail, unlike his siblings well greased hair. His dark eyes were keen and Eos often saw intelligence in them despite the rumours of his lack of interest in studies. He had a fit body that could be seen as he wore his silk robe loose. He was a warrior, and it showed clearly on his body. But at that moment, his manner was of a lazy noble, reclining on the cushions. His clothings were expensive, made of fine silk and he had a citrine drop at his ear and a gold chain round his neck. On his fingers were three rings on each hand. His scabbard with its blade within it, was made of good leather with jewels encrusted on it and gold on the end. 

At least he didn't had those leering eyes nor the roving hands she had to put up with from the other customers. 

"It's good to see you again," Azea said, watching through lowered lashes as she knelt by his side and poured wine for him. 

"Pour yourself a goblet as well," he told her, watching the group of dancers now on stage, "They don't dance as well as you do," he commented, taking the goblet of wine and sipping it. Eos bowed her head, "I am honoured, milord," she said, sitting within arms reach of him, as she should but she did not drink the wine though she held a goblet for herself. They were to keep from drinking unless under direct order from a customer to drink. 

"You're a curious one, Eos," Azea said, taking a date. 

"Milord?" 

"The other girls are usually more excited when they're around me. You never really showed any sign of enthusiasm, even when you were entertaining my father at the dinner." 

Lord Griffin was known for his love for beautiful things. Which was why he chose Tara and Eos to be among those who served him at the dinner. He himself had five slaves whose purpose was to warm his bed for him. He had four sons and a daughter but the daughter died in labour. Not that it mattered since it was one of the slave's child. The eldest son was said to be the only child who was birthed to him by his wife. The others, including Master Azea were all by slaves. 

Eos hope he wouldn't tell Mother about her secret lack of enthusiasm. She would get into so much trouble. Hadn't she put on her usual, empty headed, frivolous girl smile when she was with Lord Griffin? Hadn't she done all the things other girls did? Hadn't she looked so flattered when he praised her dance and beauty? How did he know? No one else ever noticed since she had done it so many times she could now act perfectly. 

"Call me observant," he said, answering her unasked question, "You see, whenever you girls-" he had the politeness and tack to call them girls rather than their proper denomination, "have to entertain the rich, normally you're suppose to be quite happy since we give you extra coins and trinkets. But you never seem very eager about the whole affair," he observed, taking another draught of wine. 

Eos couldn't think of a reply. But inside she was silently praying he would not tell Mother. 

Again he showed his strange ability to read minds, "Don't worry, I won't tell Mother. I wouldn't be too keen either in your place," he said. 

"Thank you, milord," she said, though inside she was wishing he wouldn't keep seeing into her mind in that uncanny way of his. It was making her uncomfortable. 

"I'm not reading your mind, you're just easy to read. Especially when disconcerted," he said, this time looking quite amused as he motioned for her to feed him the olives. He reclined back onto the large silk cushions as she obeyed. 

She took a handful of the olives and knelt next to him, one arm with the olives round his head and her body close to him. She placed one olive in his mouth as he watched the dancers in a somewhat lazy manner. 

"Tell me your story, Eos. We have the whole night," he said swallowing the olive and opened his mouth for another. 

"Why is my lord so curious on someone as insignificant as a prostitute?" Eos asked, keeping her voice polite. 

"I'm sure none of you girls are working here by choice. So tell me your story. How you came to be here? I'm just a bit curious
about you. You're different from the other girls," he said after swallowing the olive. Again, he opened his mouth to be fed She fed him.

If he asked, she had no choice but to tell. He was a rich customer, she had to do what he asked, no matter what it was. How she hated this part of the job. She was fine with dancing, as she could easily take her mind off everyone else. But entertaining customers, especially alone like this… she would rather play with a scorpion nest. 

"I was born in the slums, my lord. My mother danced in the streets. One day she fell ill and died. I never knew my father. My mother always told me she would tell me who he was when I was older. After she died, I was thrown out of my home because I could not afford the rent. I had no relatives or anyone. Mother found me and made me work here. When she found out I danced, she had me take lessons. When I grew pretty she started to let me dance for customers," she said, trying to be as brief as possible. 

Azea reached out to take a lock of her long hair. "Do you enjoy dancing?" he asked. 

"Yes." 

"What else? What are your hobbies?" he wanted to know, bringing the lock of hair to his lips. She wished he wouldn't do that. Each time any men did that, she had the strong impulse to wash it far too much in the morning. 

Eos didn't answer. She couldn't think of an answer. She enjoyed watching fights but mostly because she had always wanted to learn. But that was something she had kept to herself. Azea sighed, "You're such a secretive turtle dove." 

"I'm no turtle dove," she said. 

He smiled and watched her before turning his eyes back to the dance. "You know- I'd like to buy you," he said suddenly,
"You dance beautifully. It would be nice to have you dance during my evening meals." 

It was not uncommon for the rich to be entertained while eating. But usually they had slaves they had trained for such a purpose. It was a cheaper alternative as Mother would drive the price higher than it's worth. But then, being bought; it meant she would have to obey him alone and probably accompany him to his bed. Then again- it was probably better than having many other men pay for the night. Of course he might bid her off for other guests but nobility rarely did that. 

"If it is as my lord wishes," she said in her quiet voice. 

"It is. I think I'll talk to Mother tomorrow," and opened his mouth. She fed him another olive, suddenly aware his other hand was round her waist and rested on her hip. He had done it in such a casual manner, she had not noticed at first. But his touch didn't repulse or annoyed her as it did with other customers.