(Yes, I thought of that, too. And Durga is an actual Sanskrit name that means 'unapproachable', and is a Hindu goddess of war, reflecting the negative side. I thought it was suitable.)

"No, I think I will have a slave whose hands I know are soiled by no filth." Durga gave her a quick up and down. "And look in my eyes when you speak to me. The dirt below my feet does not wish to know what you have to say. You're dismissed." Durga walked away, humming a tune that she had heard a musician play in the market.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Dea sighed when Durga left, she got to her feet and brushed away the dust from her skirts. she wondered what it would be like to be in Durga's position to be waited on hand and foot... she looked down at her feet she did not wear the simple brown sandals of a slave of a moderate family she wore the beautiful cloth slippers though no where near the qaulity of Durga's but atleast she had comfortable clothes that could breath in the heat.
she entered the Mistresses room and bowed as she should the lady waved her over as if waving off a fly. " you will be taking over Durga's maid " she didn't give a reason why but Dea sat stunned " my lady Surely there is someone else more sutable..I ..I mean I have my cloth to weave and an.." she stammered but was silenced by a harsh look " are you complaining slave?" she asked with a sneer " no my lady" Dea answered looking down " go now I am tired, " she ordered. Dea left the room sullen for once in her life she thought about a life other than here in these walls.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

She found Dorgon on the northern wall watching the orchard and obviously eying several new female slaves working there. "Eying this year's peaches, are we?" she asked from behind him. "Yes I am, actually, my dear sister," he answered, used to Durga's sarcasm. "We should be making quite a bundle on them if we send them to Umbar. I shall have to talk to father about it." He turned to her at last and smiled. He was a very good-looking man with pearly white teeth and a good build. If only the personality had matched. Durga returned the smile. Of anyone she knew, she got on with her brother best. He asked her, "So, why have you sought me out on this hottest of days?" She answered, "I was looking for our father. I thought you might tell me where he is." Dorgon thought for a moment, "I don't know where he is. You might ask mother, though. She should know." Durga thanked him, descended a ladder to the orchard, and grabbed a nice looking peach from a tree, making sure to knock over one of the baskets that one slave had been filling (bruising all the beautiful fruit and therefore warranting the slaves punishment) before walking to her mother's apartments.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Dea returned to the courtyard that was now empty except for a few slaves Durga's presance made many slaves scatter back to work. Dea sighed she better get on with her new duties she went to the bathouse first she took a bath removing any dirt from her chores. when she left the bathouse she felt better she changed from her work shift to her serving sarong. she then tied back her long copper hair. after all that she went to Durga's chambers, some of Durga's cosmetics were open and drying out Dea closed the lids of the containers then put them away in their laqcer boxes.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

(I'll join as Sen, but obviously not that Sen... )
Name: Sen
Age: 18
Gender: male
Race: human
Appearance: 6', slightly muscular build, though not overly visible, light colored skin, blonde, shoulder length hair, ice blue eyes.
Personality: Distant and quiet, resistant to the life of a slave due to his history, scathing to abusive masters, though kind to fellow slaves. He has a fierce sense of honor, that is not well understood by anyone.
History: Once a part of a fierce warrior tribe, he was captured on a raid carried out on a slave caravan while attempting to free captured slaves. The raid, however, was already known to the slavers, made known by a traitor. They were overwhelmed, and Sen was the only one who survived. He was taken as a slave, and brought to Bredena.

*Sen stood behind other slaves, waiting his turn to be sold. None of the other slaves stood near him; his fury at whoever the traitor was that caused the death of his comerades was visible as a near tangible aura around him. Even the slavers prodded him with the whip to get him up on stage, not willing to lay a hand on him. As he stood next to the auctioneer, he gazed over the crowd, almost challenging one of them to buy him.*

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"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

(welcome Mi Amore! but my question is how are you going to get here, in the ardol house? )

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

(Maybe a servant boy can run in and tell Durga about the newly captured slave at the market? She could take you along to take a look, as you are her new servant and all...)

_________________
"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

(hmm I cn build on that idea)
Tainar found he was short on men for guards, Kith was a possible solution but that still put him short of one person, so Tainar left the house to the slave market. Tainar was an expert on buying slaves he knew where to get the best. he looked at many canidates but was dissipointed the selction was not impressive. he wandered over to the auctions, two slave girls sold like hot cakes Tainar shook his head. but the next slave caught his eye. he noticed that this slave was freshly caught his brand on his forehead as still healing, no one offered to buy this slave a visible hostility kept the people at bay but not Tainar he waited until the autioneer was willing to give the slave to the first bidder before offering 25 silver coins. "SOLD!" came the cry from the auctioneer. Tainar looked pleased with himself when the slave was brought to him he was beaming. he didn't say anything yet just led the way to he Ardol house. Upon arriving Tainar spotted Dea emerging from the main house. Dea stopped and was beckoned over to by Tainar. " this is the new arrival and the last see if you can get him settled in for me I have to talk with his grace!" Dea tried to protest but was stopped short by Tainar's glance "Fine, " she said her eyes flashing a trace of defiance Tainar straighten and turned to Sen smiling " This here is Dea she is my second in command what she says goes, just don't let her get an attitude bad habit of hers " she scowled and looked at the new slave and gave a weak smile she saw the fresh brand mark and chewed her lip the slavers didn'tbother to put any type of balm on the mark to keep infection away. she sighed " follow me I have some balm that will take the sting from that brand"

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Durga found her mother napping in her room. She swept in rudely. "Mamma, I need to find Father. Where is he?" Lady Ardol made no movement for a moment. Just as Durga was about to repeat herself, her mother sighed and sat up. "I would expect him to be in his study...matters about the new slaves." Durga thanked her and swept right back out of the room. She was thankful that there was none of the formality with her mother that there was with her father. Before she headed to his side of the manor, she stopped at the kitchen to take a silver decanter of peach cordial to her father. She took a sip just to help herself get into good-girl mode.

When she arrived at the door of her father's apartments, she announced herself to the guard, who opened the door and annouced her presence to the guard at the next door, then ushered her through to the next door. This went on for 2 doors and a curtain (anteroom, salon, and parlour) until the study. each room became less formal than the last, and by the time she reached the study, the rooms were actually quite comfortable. The last guard (quite handsome) was part of her father's personal guard, and therefore free men on salary. He smiled and opened the last curtain a crack and anounced her. She could see her father look up from the cusion he was sitting on and put down the scribe board. He looked up expectantly and Durga sat down in front of him. According to customs, she waited for him to speak. "So, my daughter, why are you here?" She spoke: "Father, I was hoping for you to allow me a guard in order to go to the market today." Lord Ardol frowned. "Why should you need to go to the market? Tainar and Deawen have already been today." She was afraid he would say that. "Father, I had hoped to...entertain myself for the day." He stood and walked to where tow axes hung on the wall. "Fine. I think I will have Rhunion go with you so he can start training some of the new guards." This explained a lot, but Durga still asked, "What are all the slaves you have bought to be used for?" Her father stopped toying with the edges of the hung weapons. "You are of marriagable age, and I need to augment my workforce in able to provide you a suitable dowry, when the time comes." Durga immediately stood up and faced her father. "Do I have any say in who comes with me??" "No. I believe I can see who will be better for you than you can." She swallowed her retort of How can you possibly know better than I! He spoke again, "If that is all, my dear, I must get back to my business." She mastered herself, bowed, and began the new farewell imposed in the peace with King Elessar: "I see in you the spirit of Ulfang." Lord Ardol answered: "His memory shall watch over you." He nodded, and she left. On the other side of the curtain, she allowed her hands to curl into fists, but she did not let out her hiss of annoyance until the curtain and two doors were behind her, and did not hit or break anything until she was back in her quarters. She knocked a laquered box across the room, breaking off its hinged lid and cracking it. Well, she thought to herself, now I have something to shop for.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

*As Sen was led through the city, he made sure to remember exactly the turns he made, and where any guards may be. Though he was a slave for now, he would not be one for long. The pain on his forehead merely served to increase his anger. His master, loathe as he was to use that word, led him to a fellow slave named Dea. As Tainar left, she offered balm for his forehead.*
No thank you, my lady. It will serve as a reminder of the treachery that befell me and my brothers. Besides, it is not as bad as the others.
*Sen removed the simple shirt that the slaver had made him wear to cover up his other wounds. A massive gash, not fatally deep, ran from one shoulder to the other hip, and two deep puncture wounds where arrows had been forcibly removed. He put his shirt back on, and continued.*
There are much more important things to do than to make me comfortable.

_________________
"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

" Name one thing that is more important? " she demanded walking back into her storeroom of herbs " here slaves are vital and important if a slave dies there goes an investment, by morning the puss will run and you will have a fever. " she said retuning with a jar of a light green paste.
" þu maye þancian hites"(you may thank me later)
she sighed slipping back into her native tounge in the north.
she lifted the shirt and began to put the paste over and around the wounds. she had alot of questions for this new slave like how he was called where he came from how he was captured? he was fair skinned like she was and she wondered, but a crash coming from Durga's chambers made her flinch she put her paste away and bowed to the other slave " I will be back later...I hope"
she cleaned her hands on a rag in her storeroom then dashed up the servant stairs to Durga's rooms. when she came to the main room she saw the laquered box she sank to her knees away from the doorway in plain sight. " My Lady is everything alright?" she asked keeping her head bowed.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Durga was scowling at the wall when Deawen apeared. "Yes, everything's just perfect!" She stormed into the next room, waving her hand at the ruined box. She had no intention of dealing with Deawen's cautious insubordination and patronization. Her room had no doors (for wood was very expensive and therefore reserved for the master of the house), so she was unable to slam the door in Deawen's face. It was incredibly irritating that she lost composure in front of Deawen.

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Reasons I love England #217:
I saw "whilst" on a traffic sign

Deawen picked the box up and placed them in a place where she could dispose of it later. her fingers lingered over the lid it was a piece of art shell inlay and flecks of gold on the carvings. Dea sighed and left the chambers through the servant's stairs to the courtyard where she left the other slave. she found it was always best to be cautious to leave when not needed otherwise mischief seemed to seek out those idle. Dea looked longingly at the weaving room she could see the silk cloth glitter in the back, at this rate she would never finish it.
she would work on it tonight when everyone else was asleep that way no one could interuppt her. there was no work to be done so she had time to converse with this new arrival before he had his own chores to do. but it wasn't in dea's nature to be totaly Idle, she went into the weaving room and grabbed the hand spindel and a clump of wool to spin into thread. she sat on a bench in the shade near Sen and began to thread the wool into the loop on the spindel, " What do they call you?" she asked softly without looking up.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

*Sen was waiting as Dea returned; he had not been ordered to do anything yet, and far be it from him to volunteer; he would not stay without a fight. Yet Dea asked him his name, so he could do naught but reply.*
My full name is Senondir Talaran, though all those known to me call me Sen. I have heard your name, Dea, though I do not think that is all of it. What is it that you were once called?

_________________
"True Evil cannot be reckoned with. Only Defeated." - Sen L I Starfire

(Banner thanks to Imlosiel the Lost! )

( I am double posting because I want this said )
Outside the Ardol House in the royal palace In a great Stone hall was empty save for the great pit in the center a low fire barely a flicker of flame fed by no wood nor oil suddenly began to flare slightly, a sage of the Hall entered the room after a nap and saw the flames he looked startled the fire had not flared like that since the Last Elsent set foot in the desert....he ran out of the Hall to the Throne room he didn't wait to be announced as he reached the great gilded doors. he quickly made down the rows of lords and nobels by the time he reached the Dais he was out of breath, the Old sage bowed allowing him alittle time to catch his breath but the King (or Chieftian.. Whatever) a lean and lazy man lounged on his throne as if it was a sofa he didn't look like a king he looked more like a spoiled prince but none dared to say to his face.the sage began his tale
Your maJesty of the heavens, King of the sun born of the eastern winds....(yada yada) As I was dutifuly watching the flames as tradition of the Old ways(when the Elsents where in power) I Noticed that the Flames were higher than they normaly are..." The king ate a grape with little interest in what the sage just said, But the Older nobles who were alive during the Old times gasped and began to chitter like birds on a wire. " Is this some kind of jest?" a Noble asked the sage the Sage turned to him " no it is not I tell you what I saw"
an Older looking (old as the hills you might say) man from the back of the room he cleared his throat " It is the Returning of the Elsent! " more gasps and more chittering finaly the king looked atleast halfway interested " are you saying that an Heir to the Old ways is alive? " he asked with a slight sneer, The old Man straightened " I am of the Old Ways and I tell you the fire has laid dormant for years until a year ago when The Elsent DID return " a touchy subject no had ever seen the Elsent Arrive only that the Flames in the Hall of Fire Erupted from the roof, many thought it was an attempt to burn the hall down or an accident. " The Old Ways, yes the Old ways the Time when Freaks of Nature ruled inbred so much they could claim Powers!" he laughed many of the younger generation joined him, but not the old ones they stiffened and looked like they had been slapped in the face. " Freaks of Nature? we will see if the Elsent if a freak of nature When HE BRINGS THIS CITY TO ITS KNEES TO RECLAIM WHAT IS RIGHTFULY HIS!" he boomed the nobles went quiet all stared at him in shock he just spoke treason! many people then looked at the king who had not shifted his wieght to the front he now sat in the throne as he should gripping the arms in fury. " THe Elsent IS DEAD! it is merely a childs story to amuse children!" the King spat " Even if the Elsent did return we would have word of His advancement, he would have to bring an army with him to lay siege to the city" he launged back on his throne as he explained the way things would play out but the Old man laughed loudly " Oh if theELsents could hear your boasting they would laugh and with a flick of their wrists have you writing on the floor in a firey Death!" the King snapped his fingers and guards positioned around the room advanced on the Old man the nobels parted for the guards like fish in the sea to scared to challenge the guards. the Old man was led out of the room all was quiet still horrified and shocked. the King stood up and everyone bowed. he left the Great hall with mild procession. once the king left the nobels started chattering about the last few minutes, Questioning the Sage and the those around the old man. A few weak hearted women in the court who stood behind wooden screens to the left of the room began to weep.
was it true? was the Elsent to return? was the questions racing around the room.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home

Dea Shrugged " I was captured young I did not speak the language to give them my name so they called me Deawen after the Elsent Wildfire " she answered continuing to spin the thread, " you look like you are from the north, what parts? " she asked finaly looking up her bright blue eyes curious.

_________________
Lips, ripe as the berries in June
Red the rose, red the rose
Skin, pale as the light of the moon
Gently as she goes

as always a hero comes home