Ienia was surprised that the girl didn’t make more of a commotion as the executioner cut the steel to her bracelet and dragged her out of the pavilion onto the stone path. He could still hear the beads rolling around on the wooden floor. No one else had spoken a word since the executioner arrived.

“She is to be beaten to death. Her crime is unforgivable!” Pueya said still standing by his side. His Rini was always protective over him, more so now that he was less than he was before. The fact that an unclean slave touched him was driving the servant’s rage. Pueya must have felt like he failed him and nothing he would say would abate the guilt. Ienia didn’t even attempt to do so. It was understandable, but something was off with the situation. A nagging thought lingered in the back of his mind. He wanted to ignore it but of course, he couldn’t.

Something was blatantly wrong with the events of the past hour. The whole situation was beginning to aggravate him the longer he analyzed it. If the girl was so shameless why choose to enact her plan now when there were so few to witness it. If she was trying to seduce him, she was failing as he was blind and couldn’t see her appearance. If she wanted to be caught, then there was too few around. She would likely be disposed of before it reached fourth rank attendants, let alone outside the walls of Seukine.

The girl also didn’t speak at all to him other than to beg for mercy. She didn’t try to spew seductive words or touch him inappropriately other than sitting in his lap. She was obtaining nothing from insulting him other than death. If she wasn’t an impure Danu then at the very least, she could claim he fancied her, but as he was disabled this incident was more of an assault on him rather than her. There was blaring issues with the poorly conceived plan.

It reeked of that weasel. Ghain ‘dea had something plotted but currently he couldn’t figure it out.

The sound of cloth ripping alerted Ienia to the girl’s clothes being ripped apart to expose her family crest on her back. To expose the crest to the rod was a dishonor to her family, but it was also the only way her family and he could be redeemed from her insult. Her death would give them back their respectability.

Suddenly, there was a noticeable change in the atmosphere. Something was revealed and even the executioner wavered to act. An audible gasped escaped even Pueya. Very few things could cause that type of reaction, so he reached out to his right and touched the young man’s hand.

“What has caused this reaction?” He communicated to the young man.

Pueya moved to lean down and whispered to him, “The Danu’s family crest is torn apart from years of whippings. Not only that but the crest is large, covering most of her back containing at least thirteen generations. It appears noble.”

“Please have m-mercy!” the girl cried out suddenly as the beating began.

Ienia let go of Pueya’s hand. He started to replay the events that had happened since Ghain ‘dea’s arrival. They had met in the pavilion to talk about the coming war with the country of Nivalia, but the general had found a way to change the subject to him. Then taunted him for his weakness and reliance on others. Lastly insinuating impotence in such a crude way that his female attendants were probably blushing.

Fortunately, he was able to control his temper and respond with poise and respect to the bastard. After the meeting, he sent the other attendants away so that he could continue to regain his composure. Ghain 'dea always knew how to drag a person through the mud. Pueya had gone to retrieve some water for him. It was during that time that the girl showed up.

He was shocked when she landed in his lap, only retaining his calmness through sheer will. She had somehow entered his ring of awareness without him knowing. It scared him to have someone suddenly in his lap without sensing their arrival until she was there.

Thinking back, he remembered she was soaked. He could feel the water seeping through his clothes and reaching his stomach as she sat in his lap. She had probably fallen in one of small lakes or ponds. She smelt earthy as well. She must have fallen onto a potted plant or into tilled dirt.

She was panting, her breath came in short and fast puffs. Her heart thundered in her chest and his sensitive ears picked it up easily. She was fearful and anxious. Shivering violently, she struggled with her bracelet trapped in the carved floral designs of his chair. She had been running away from someone that assaulted her and fled to his garden.

Though afraid and fearful she had paused when seeing him. He felt her staring at him intensely. Inspecting him carefully as if she was seeing a life-sized doll. He had heard what others said about him behind his back. His appearance had taken on an effeminate look since his Kren was locked. No doubt another gift from the empress.

When she had found herself gawking, she tried to move and Pueya had returned, giving her no time to explain. His servant's anger prevented her from saying anything to defend herself and then there was the arrival of Ghain ‘dea. He had silenced her the moment he arrived even though she tried to explain to him the situation, but with his interference, she couldn’t do anything. Speaking against her master was an offense.

Not only that but the girl had received extensive beatings and had a family crest that almost covered her entire back.

Who was this slave that she would be used by his enemy against him?

There was more to the picture than he could perceive. Ghain ‘dea wanted her dead for a reason and the general wanted her dead by his hand.

Ghain 'dea didn’t need his help to kill anyone, especially not a lowly slave. Then the situation Ghain ‘dea used to trap her left him well within his right to kill her. No one would question his decision since she committed such a crime against him. So why did he want the girl killed by the Seulnine family.

“Please spare my mother this pain. Cripple me, beat me senseless, brand me, but please do not kill me!” the girl’s desperate cries pulled him from his reflections. The smell of metallic was becoming thicker in the air.

“Have mercy, master. Have mercy for my mother! Please, please, pl…ease…pl--” she was fading quickly but still begged not to save her life for her, but her mother’s sake.

Ienia took Pueya hand and seized his eyes as his own. He needed to see the girl. Something was missing from all of this. Pueya first reaction was wrong when he saw the girl. Why not react with rage right away?

She was stretched out on the white stone path with a bloody back. His executioner tainting the white stone with each hit as her blood splattered onto the pristine path. Ienia quickly observed her and the green glimmer from the jewel on her cap gave him everything he needed.

No slave could change their jewel. They didn’t have the tools required to release the jewel from the lock. Even if they could, what Danu would willingly swap with an impure slave. It was clear, she was forced to wear the jewel to deceive others but Ghain 'dea couldn't remove the bracelet as he wasn't the true Estate Master of Asila.

Pueya had saw the green jewel first and his reaction was lighter until he saw the bracelet.

He released his control over Pueya’s eyes. He was reaching his limit and the seal was beginning to devour his life force. He stopped to save himself from the pain. It was a moment of foolishness, but he needed to see the whole picture.

“Master?” Pueya whispered.

Ienia shook his head and took a deep breath before speaking through the Rini, “Cease the punishment!”

Pueya spoke suddenly and the man stopped and looked to Ienia. He nodded in agreement and the man lowered the rod.

“Master is kind-hearted and does not wish to take the life of this pitiful slave. She has clearly made this mistake by accident.”

Ienia could hear the girl gasping and thanking him for his mercy. She was an innocent soul used in Ghain ‘dea’s deadly scheme. A strange plot that he still didn’t fully understand.

“Master has decided a more fitting payment for this impure slave. As she is strong and young, she is desirable as a slave concubine to bear offspring. Master will take her as his Fanu Re.”

Ienia spoke in the third person through Pueya to keep the façade that he could only relay messages. He couldn’t allow the man to know the extent of his power.

“How…how noble of you.” There was disbelief in Ghain ‘dea’s voice as he spoke but there wasn’t any disappointment. Things were still going according to plan for the general and Ienia knew there were more traps ahead. He knew Pueya was confused about his choice but didn’t protest openly as it was disrespectful.

“This is agreeable. She is young and strong. She very well may produce a child for you. Since she is impure, she should be purified in Asila. It is her home after all. She should be returned to Seukine for the wedding.” The general spoke his voice coming from the area near the slave girl.

Ienia knew Ghain well, he was staring down at the girl’s injuries. Admiring them like they were freshly plucked roses.

Too tired to continue speaking through Pueya he gave the message to the attendant to relay,

“Master declines your offer. She committed a crime and for her actions, she must remain in Seukine. She will be cleansed here. She will never be allowed to step outside of Seukine until permitted by the master.” Pueya had a hint of smugness in his voice. Satisfied with the blow given to Ghain ‘dea.

“That is rather cruel of you Mir ‘fea.” The general spoke his affectionate name lowly.

Ienia grabbed the armrest of his wheelchair, his mouth opening for a harsh reprimand that couldn't be heard but Pueya answered.

“General Lashir you should only use the master’s title when speaking to him. As you are not of the same class nor do you share friendly relations with the master. Therefore you are being disrespectful to the Estate Master of Seukine. Please learn your place quickly as to not add another insult to the one you have already given us.” Pueya stepped down from the pavilion. His anger was evident in his tone.

“Ah, yes I must have forgotten myself. Estate Master, this Danu’s mother is still in Asila. Though she is a slave like her daughter do you begrudge her the opportunity to see her daughter given away.” The general asked. His attempt to keep the girl not quite blatant

“Then she should have raised her better. That slave would have been killed if not for the mercy of the Master. She has committed a crime worthy of a painful death, yet you lament over her mother. Are we offending her? Should master apologize to the mother of a slave as well?”

Pueya was as sharp as always and even Ghain ‘dea was not expecting such a response. The general played it off with a chuckle though there was something in the laugh that made Ienia take notice.

“She should rejoice that our master is so merciful to spare her unclean child,” Pueya said motioning to the executioner to take the girl.

“Take her to the physician. Clean her and allow her to rest then send her to the master’s courtyard. The young Rini went back toward his master and grabbed the handles of the wheelchair. “Master has grown tired from this ordeal. May General Ghain ‘dea return to the guest courtyard. The matter of the Danu will be handled by Seukine. Consider that Danu no longer the property of Asila. As of today, you have given her into the hands of my master.”

The man agreed with a tight smile and returned with his attendants to the guest courtyard.

When they were finally alone Pueya spoke, “Master what are you thinking to take in a Danu?”

Ienia didn’t communicate any words to the servant or even acknowledge the question. He simply relaxed when Ghain ‘dea was outside of his ring of awareness. He trusted his first rank attendants and noble guard to keep the general in his place. For now, he’d rather rest than talk to Pueya. He’d deal with the Danu later, after she was cleaned up and rested.

There was much to be discussed with the girl who passed through his ring of awareness undetected.