The group finds a table under a large tree, across from the tavern. Star sits and pulls the jar of salve she made out of a pocket in her sundress. When she opens the jar a heavenly scent fills the air around them. The girl looks at Star questioningly.
“Its aloe. Calendula and a little Lavender. It should soothe your hands and help to heal them.”
The girl lets the cloak slip back, revealing a shapely decolletage and masses of curly hair. Star smiles at the sight, so different from her own straight locks. Almost as if she cant help herself, Star brushes the hair away from the girls face and smiles. “Your hair...its like the crazy ribbon on presents...”
The girl laughs as she holds her hands out, “I know, I wish it were more like yours...”
Star shakes her head, “Mine is boring...” and she takes a small hand in her own and starts to gently rub a small amount of the ointment into the fingers. “What has happened to make them so sore?”
The girl doesnt answer immediately, unsure of how much she should say. These people were strangers, but still, they had offered help for her hands...
“My master makes me work and I have to do as I am told...it is many things, chores, and I have nothing to put on them..” She flinches as Star rubs the ointment into a deep crack on a delicate wrist.
Ramji is angry and trying hard not to show it so as to not scare her away. He wants her close for some reason he hardly dares to recognize. In a tightly controlled voice he asks, “Can you not leave him for mistreating you? We saw him earlier, a group of women fawning over him.” Ramji is unaware of the sneer as he says this.
He is surprised by her reaction. She says, “Good! He has no interest in me in that way and he tends to forget about me when there are other women around.”
Star looks puzzled, 'Then why do you stay with him?”
The girl takes a deep breath and begins her story. “My family's lives have been intertwined with the vampires for centuries. Traditionally we have been their caretakers, keeping their day places hidden and secret, running errands, things that could not be taken care of in the night hours. In exchange for our service the gods have granted us longer lives, comparable with the vampires. Some view this as a curse, others as a blessing.
Every generation or so one of the vampires picks a servant from our family, usually a child so they are more easily trained. Rath had wanted my older sister. She was beautiful, tall with golden blonde hair and grey eyes, and very docile, just how the vampires prefer their servants. But Rath has a twin, a brother, heir to the palace and title in Deimos, and he claimed my sister for his own.
Rath was furious, but as a younger son there was not much he could do about it. I was the only other girl ready at the time and he picked me just because he couldnt be without anything his brother had. He has resented the fact that he had to take what is in his eyes second best. He hates being the younger son and covets all that his brother has...”
Star smiles sadly at the girl as she rubs the ointment into the sore hands. Her eyes have turned a soft brown, wondering if there is anything else she can do to help.
Ramji lets his breath out slowly, “Ypallilos ton Nekros...”*
The girl looks up, her golden eyes huge and bright in the dim light as she looks at Ramji. She nods, “Yes, Servant of the Dead. So you know the words. Then you should know that it is binding for life unless he sells me or releases me, which he will never do. In his eyes any servant is better than no servant. I cannot leave my service, the... retribution against my family would be swift and... unthinkable....”
Stars eyes fill with tears, she glances to Erik, then Dmitri and finally Ramji. “There must be something we can do...”
The girl stands and shakes her head. “There is nothing to be done. Its the way it is. But I thank you for the salve, my hands feel much better.”
Star hands her the jar, “Please take it with you. I can make more if you need it.”
“You are so kind...” the girl hesitates as she sees Stars eyes change colors. “It is you. The healers helper, the one who carries the Warrior of the Ages... **ygeitses kai sas paidi… many are talking about you.”
As the girl turns to leave, Star reaches out and touches her arm. “You never told us your name.. what is it?”
The girl smiles at Star and then her eyes meet Ramjis. “Laila. My name is Laila.” and she turns and disappears in the crowd.
*Servant of the Dead
**Bless you and your child
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