The Estate Master of Asila’s words remained in Firynei’s mind as she held onto the little ebony ceramic bottle. It had been a veiled threat to her mother. One that he could achieve without anyone preventing him. Her mother was a slave, she had no rights. What could her mother do? What could she do? She was a slave herself in another estate. How could she be forced to hold someone’s life in her hand?

She tucked the bottle under her pillow in an attempt to forget what she was being forced to do. She had until her wedding night to find a way out of the cruel scheme. Though she had no clue where to begin. She wasn’t sly or clever like the women of Asila.

“Fanu Fi, Rini Pue is waiting for you outside.” A sixth rank servant said from her door. Firynei got to her feet and hurried out to the man. She had been too deep in thought. She forgot what the day was.

Her purification was organized for today. Pueya had told her she would be meeting her companion servant as well. She got outside and Pueya looked over to her with a grimace. His black eyes narrowed on her and he uncrossed his arms as he spoke, “Know that master does not take kindly to tardiness.”

She bowed her head. She had already pinched a nerve in the man. His scowl was enough to make her shrink back.

“Come your attendant has already arrived.” The young man took off toward the external gates. His strides wide and sharp, Firynei scrambled to keep up but also hung back for a suitable amount of space. She had been in Seukine for three days. Ghain ‘dea had left before his scheduled departure. It had been a relief but with her new burden, the relief only lasted a few hours.

Still, she had been given a room that was very nice. Though it was tiny it was warm and comfortable. She had clean water to drink and bathe in, also she had a warm bed to sleep in. If she could have been a Danu for Seukine she would have been content to stay forever. She wouldn’t have suffered, and her mother would be properly cared for. Unfortunately, that was not her path. Instead, she was given another position. One that she did not want or need.

They arrived at their destination after a long walk. Seukine was far too great to just walk everywhere but apparently, a lot of servants did walk. Firynei wouldn’t complain though, the scenery made up for the half-hour journey. They stopped at the outer gate as a woman stood listening to a guard speaking spiritedly to her and the other guards. They were boasting and laughing loudly, while she hadn’t spoken yet she seemed pleased to let them fool around.

“You must be the companion from Keulnine,” Pueya interrupted without an ounce of hesitation. The woman turned around slowly and Firynei was astonished. She had beheld many beauties in Asila but none compared to the woman before her.

Adorned in the dark blues and gold colors of Keulnine she exuded prestige. Dark gray eyes like an approaching storm took in both of them and a quiet smile formed on her lips. She then walked over to them and her movement was like watching someone glide effortlessly across ice. Many concubines in Asila tried to achieve the type of stride the woman had just done without much thought. She tilted her head to them both and though she was in front of the master’s Rini her posture was loose and relaxed.

Lifting her head up slowly, Pueya gave her a polite nod. Coming even closer Firynei could see how lovely she really was. Her skin was spotless from blemishes, but she wasn’t pale. She had a natural warmer skin tone that displayed a healthy look. It was like she was glowing with confidence. Firynei had no idea how such a woman was cursed with serving her.

“Greetings Rini and Fanu. I am Wrel from Keulnine.” The deepness of her voice was very startling. Nothing like the concubines with their high-pitched voices. Even female servants tried tirelessly to have softer and lighter voices. Wrel’s voice even had a raspy undertone that made her voice endearing. She had a strong and arrogant voice.

“I am a Sa ranked Pristine Sevi,” she continued. Pueya mouth was slightly open but Firynei wasn’t sure if it was from the woman’s voice or rank. Firynei was taken aback herself hearing the rank. She was a Danu with a first rank attendant, it was ridiculous. Pueya had lost his train of thought as the woman kept her attention on him. She was only slightly shorter than him. To Firynei they both made her feel smaller. At least it was not like when standing near Ghain ‘dea, he was like a giant next to her.

“The first rank,” Pueya recovered and finally asked. He stared at her, analyzing the woman’s posture and how she carried herself.

“Yes, first rank,” Wrel’s smile became less faint and more distinguished.

“A Pristine as well?” He folded his arms as he spoke. Firynei thought the class sounded familiar. Her mother spoke of it before but she couldn’t remember what was said about the class.

“Indeed, I am,” she said as a large smile now brighten her face. She stared unabashedly at the Rini never breaking eye contact. Pueya broke it first and turned on his heels an odd expression on his face.

“Come master wants to speak with you personally.”

Wrel walked behind the Rini and glanced at Firynei as she moved passed her. The faint smile back in place on her face when she looked at the small girl. Firynei had an odd feeling of nostalgia when she looked at the woman’s smile.

They met the Master of Seukine in his private garden. The guards watched Firynei and gawked at Wrel. Firynei didn’t look at them and kept her head down. She stayed back from Pueya and Wrel. She knew the men that protect her new master were curious about why a Danu was visiting. Wrel was staring at her when she glanced up again and she promptly put her head down.

The elegant man was dressed neatly in pure white robes with a splash of color from the crimson inner robes. His long nimble fingers were traveling the length of a page in a tome. She could see there were no words at all written on the page. There were golden beveled dots on the page. It was the language used by those that were blind to read. She heard there weren’t many blind people that were allowed to learn the language, mostly because a teacher cost money. Her master was fortunate to be a child of nobles or he would not have learned to read in an alternative way.

“Master, Fanu Fi, and her companion, Pristine Sa Wrel have arrived,” Pueya announced going to stand by the man’s side and taking his offered hand. The guards were now aware of her rank and no doubt already making assumptions about how she secured such a position with their master.

“Master welcomes you, Pristine Attendant.”

Wrel bowed lowly before standing. “It is a privilege to stand before the ‘Oequ Tactician of the Vahnaine Military.”

Pueya’s eyes widened at the woman’s use of titles, but the master didn’t react, “A rank no longer held by this one.”

The words spilled out of Pueya’s mouth so oddly. There was no preamble, just a response to Wrel’s statement. Firynei felt again that the Rini was like a doll at this moment. The master was speaking though the man rather than the man speaking for his master. Though Pueya tried to hide it, the way some responses were presented were different and at times even when spoken correctly seemed wrong. At least that was what Firynei thought.

“The Emperor has never taken away the master’s honorable title nor does another hold it. Master still remains ‘Oequ. It is right and proper that the master is referred to by this title.” Wrel way of speaking was graceful just like her appearance, but somehow her words were disrespectful and smug when she said 'emperor'.

“His majesty, the Emperor is how you should address our emperor,” Pueya scolded the servant. Wrel expression turned odd but a wide smile suddenly cracked her face with ease, and she didn’t respond. Firynei stepped back from the scene as she felt out of place. Being around them made her feel like someone standing outside looking in on a scene. They all spoke so clearly and with complicated layers of hidden emotion. While she was a slave girl forced into a position that made her feel even more inferior.

“Fanu Fi,” Pueya said softly as she stepped back from them. She stopped in her tracks looking up at the black eyes that lacked the normal irritation. The Rini motioned for her to come closer. She did with uncertainty. Her master’s head was now turned in her direction and it sent shivers down her spine. He always seemed to know where everyone was.

“Master states, you are my Fanu. You must learn your place at my side in the future.”

Wrel looked at her and Firynei saw her expression had become one that was kind. She wasn’t sneering at her or even looking at her with disdain. The same smile from before returned that was so familiar to her it made her relax. The woman went over to her and took her by her hand, leading her over to where everyone stood. She almost pulled away but the way she held her hand made Firynei want to cling to her.

The grip was gentle but firm. It was supportive in a way she didn’t know how to accept. A kindness she had never been given. “Fanu Fi, you will insult the master standing so far away from him. He must be as shy as you are in this predicament.”

A soft sound of air escaped their master that Firynei guessed might have been a chuckle. Firynei shook her head and bowed low to them, “That was not Dan- Fanu Fi’s intention. I only wish to avoid disrespecting master and attendants. The kindness granted to me must not be repaid with insult.”

“Master states, you will no longer shoulder the burden of an impure with your presence. The cleansing will be completed today. Attendants of the first rank will escort you to the Seul Cloud Springs. Pristine Wrel will assist you. Once cleanse you will be moved to the concubine courtyards. An introduction will be organized a week after you have recovered. This debut must announce your talent to the concubines and main wife of Seukine. Wrel will also assist you there as well.”

Firynei looked up at Wrel that was nodding at their master before turning her attention to her, “Let us go to the purification location. Master is awaiting your return as a true Fanu, Mistress.”

Firynei almost choked at being called mistress. She wasn’t even sure how to answer the older woman. Wrel didn’t wait for an answer instead she tugged on the young girl’s hand and Firynei followed the direction. “Do not worry master, I will take care of this precious flower you have decided to pick.”

Even when the woman spoke the word 'master' it felt as if it was a pretense of respect. She escorted Firynei away and the small girl followed looking back at Pueya and their master as they left.