Exton

Eyes narrowed, Ramji watches the area where Laila has disappeared. His words are soft, but bitter.

"Svi smo robovi na neki način, čak i većina bez nas. Nekoliko učiniti kako bismo doista želi."

Dmitri nods and slaps a hand into his shoulder. Keon leans closer to Star and Alise, murmuring a translation.

"We are all slaves in some way, even the most free of us. Few do as we truly desire."

Ramji nods slowly. He turns to the others, hands shoved deep in his pockets to hide his fists. His accent is deep, yet clipped. "To be chosen as a servant is an honor. To leave his service is to dishonor and disrespect her family. His kind must freely dismiss their servant's employment."

Alise tilts her head, thinking. "Then... all we have to do is to convince him to let her go."

Ramji looks at Keon, then Dmitri, and bursts out laughing. At the shocked look on Alise' face, Ramji's laugh sputters.

"Alise, it is not that kind of service. She is his mark of... aristocracy, of being who, and what, he is. If he dismisses her, he must take another in her place. It isn't like firing an employee. It is more like cutting off his right hand." He stops, trying to choose the words to make her understand. Finally gives up. "It is a cultural thing. Hard to explain."

He scans the crowd, eyes searching. His gaze stills as he catches sight of an unruly mass of curls, then moves on when it is a young man dressed as a satyr. Dmitri points and Keon stops Ramji before he can move.

"Little Brother. Stay in the shadows. You have scared her by your... concern. Remember, you are no longer a mere herdsman and warrior. He will see you as a threat to his standing, not as a suitor for his chosen's hand."

Startled, Ramji stares at his Captain. "I am not in love with her."

Keon's brow arches. "It is how you are acting. Remember yourself Ramji."

With a nod, Ramji is drifting through the crowd. Laila turns once, twice, but he is like one with the shadows. Keon shakes his head, and smiles at Alise.

"He did not mean to be so abrupt. Lady Alise. Ramji fought against the type of life that Laila lives. When he became a Rider, he sought out those that would inflict their evil on others. He sees this vampire as an evil he cannot destroy without harming Laila, or bringing harm to her family. He is in a difficult place. Even more so as I think our Ramji is feeling something he once thought beyond him."