"Milleena," Varus knocked on her chamber door again, "Your father has instructed me to bring you to the dining area. Lord Ozniov's banquet began half an hour ago, and the guests are asking about your health."
Varus was a tall young man, he typically wore slim black trousers and a light black shirt buttoned up to his sternum. He was not permitted to button any higher as his tattoo was displayed across his chest. Like all slaves of the Orzhov he had been branded with the symbol of the Church of deals. The large black circle at the center of the signet sat between his pectorals while the spiked ring around it strode towards his shoulders neck and the top of his abdominals. His master, Kovka Ozniov, was a cruel and decadent man. Ozniov enjoyed decorating his possessions and Varus was one most certainly one of his possessions. He had gold studs littering his ears. The same studs pierced his lower lip and right eyebrow. His jet black hair was short and it always seemed to shine no matter the light. At his hairline his bangs descended in manicured spikes stretching down to his eyebrows, excluding one in the middle of his head that reached to his lips. His face was always stoic, emotion was thought to tarnish one's reputation in the church, though his eyes betrayed him. Varus the Devoted Servant of the Ozniov line was in pristine condition, his clothing never wrinkled, his hair was never out of place and his pale skin was free of blemishes, all perfect and presentable. Except his eyes, his eyes seemed to be screaming with rage constantly. His bright green eyes always looked like they were on the verge of simply jumping out of his head.
A loud sigh echoed from within the room, "Come in, I need help getting into my 'dining attire.'" Milleena spat the final two words. "I doubt those stuck up Orzhovs actually have an interest in my health. They just ask to look good in front of my father because if they don't he won't give them any money."
Varus quickly walked toward his master's daughter, putting on the few remaining bracelets and other displays of her father's wealth. In a single fluid motion he decorated Milleena, covering her in jewelry and adjusting her dress. Milleena stood gleaming in the light of the setting sun through her chamber window. "There you go Mistress. Though I don't know why you reject the help of the thrulls. Shall escort you to the party?" In a showy gesture Varus swung his right arm around placing his hand over his heart.
"Those things gross me out. Besides you're a hundred times better than those little monsters." She sighed, "Let's just get this over with..."Milleena snarled momentarily and put on her most devoted daughter face.
Milleena was the only child of the Ozniov line. Like a lot of Orzhov guild members she was pale and decorated with gold piercings. Her dark brown hair was teased and poised into a complicated arrangement. The hairstyle was said to represent opulence among other less wealthy Orzhovs. In fact her father was the richest man in the Sin District, as well as being in charge of every member of the guild who lived here. He was part absolver part bank manager. He freed those sinners who indulged in all the temptations the District had to offer. In a district like this one he raked in massive amounts of gold. People will pay a high price for the fleeting feeling of purity. Additionally her father ran the local, and coincidentally only, bank in Sin District. It loaned money out to nearly every living being in the district. Seeing as it boasted one of the largest and most extravagant markets on Ravnica, everyone in the district needed money and plenty of it.
Despite its immense size the main hall of Ozniov manor was full with aristocrats and other high ranking guild officials. They stood around chatting, making deals, snacking on Hors d'oeuvres. Thrulls ran to and from the kitchen tending to everyone's most lavish demand. Kovka Ozniov was by putting together a banquet for everyone he thought it beneficial to make a good impression towards. The main attraction of an Ozniov event was the feast. Kovka was known far and wide for his feasts.
Varus rang a large golden bell from atop the staircase. The Orzhov looked upward toward him. "Attention, esteemed guests, my master Absolver Ozniov, in all his generosity, beckons you to eat. He has provided an exquisite meal that will surely tantalize your palettes." He gave a sweeping gesture inviting the guests up the stairs. He turned and strode into the dining room.
There where pontiffs, and Syndics, and Aristocrats, all seated around a solid gold table eating the most expensive meal imaginable. There were meats of creatures Varus had thought long extinct.
The meal ran on for some time until Kovka gestured with his ring covered fingers to his servant. Varus tapped the goblet with an ornate fork until the chit chat of the upper class died down. As quiet began to overtake the room, Varus' stomach decided it was time to remind him that he had neglected to eat today in order to arrange his master's party. All eyes were on him and his master, the other Orzhov looked at him with disgust. Varus quickly left the dining hall. Ozniov began to make his speech, "Esteemed guests, I cherish your presence at my home. Many of you are not from this District and I give you endless gratitude for visiting it, given its reputation. Indeed it is true, the Sin District greatly lives up to its name. There are Rakdos infesting nearly every corner of the district. They wallow in their sins of violence and perversion, but that is why it is my duty to absolve them. The turnout for weekly sermons has tripled in the last month in spite of the recent declaration from the Hazard Party Ring. Those monsters do not control this district, I do. I require much as the road is littered with obstacles. I believe the church can purify this are and even turn a profit on it." The Orzhov softly clapped, nodding in agreement with his speech. They were all there to give money in exchange for a better opinion from the richest absolver. The money they were donating would ensure not only higher status in the church, but a higher standing with the only man who could maintain their purity. Most if not all of the guests had at one point tasted the deviances of the Sin District.
Late that night Varus' was cleaning the remnants of the party when he was summoned to Ozniov's study. He knew what this was about but he indulged himself in the optimistic thought that his master was praising him for doing an astounding job putting together the dinner. This pleasant dream was cut short by the angry coughing of the bloated gray carcass that called itself his master. Like most Orzhov higher ups he was cruel corrupt and enormous. Rolls of fat spilled from his open robe, and his graying skin appeared as though it would burst from holding back so much extra weight. He waved his sausage fingers to his butler calling him into the room.
"Yes master."
"The money made from my absolving with the money from the generous donators well covered the price of the party. Many guests praised my extravagance. They couldn't stop talking about the food and the music," Varus stifled a grin, am I actually being praised? "Unfortunately, another conversation topic sprang up repeatedly." Varus' heart sank, here it comes. "Your grotesque outburst at dinner ruined the entire thing!" Kovka slammed his fist against his chair. "Ruined it! I thought you better than this, servant. You hadn't failed me this badly in months. I hope you don't have plans for the next couple of days. Report the penance chamber at once. You will be pure after three days. Now get out of my sight!"
"Yes Master."
Varus left the manor headed to the penance chamber. The penance chamber was the top floor of the sprawling guest house in the manor's backyard. Large enough to fit dozens of people, it sat night after night empty save the thrulls tending to its cleanliness. Of course the Ozniov's blindly devoted servant of twelve years was forbidden not only from sleeping in the manor but the guest house as well, that is excluding the nights he had to spend in the penance chamber. Kovka was a paranoid man; in fact Varus was his only human servant he owned. He suspected any other person would be as greedy as him and steal his belonging. To say he trusted Varus was a stretch, he tolerated the young man because he had insurance that he would not disobey him.
Varus' face as usual was stoic and emotionless. Unlike usual however, tears ran down his face. This isn't fair. I am the unflinchingly loyal. I put together that entire party for you. You didn't even lift one fat finger to help. And I gave you all the credit. If those true Orzhov members had any idea of the things Kovka did he'd be in chains by now. In a just and righteous world I would be the ruler of this place, and I would have that 'man' tied to pillar as my thrulls gave him one thousand lashes.
A light chuckle shocked Varus from his thoughts, "Mistress. You should be in bed."
Milleena sauntered from the garden, an orb of light flickered to life in her hand. "This is a funny sight. The great and emotionless Varus is crying like a baby."
"Mistress! You mustn't let the thrulls see you doing magic. If your father finds out he may have you sent away to Orzhova for extensive purification."
"Sent away…" Milleena's face became dour, "like he did to mother." The woman bit her lip and held back tears.
"Mistress you know the manor was ransacked by Gruul, they took your mother."
"So he says, but I was there. I saw those Gruul attack us. I was just a little girl. Gruul do not come this far northeast! There are miles of Rakdos territory between this property and the Savage Grounds. He hired those Gruul to get rid of her!" Milleena's face was red as she began to cry, "Was it a coincidence that they attacked a week after she stood up to him!? After she struck him!? My father doesn't forgive people; I don't care what his job is!"
"Mistress Milleena," Varus hugged his owner's daughter, "it's okay mistress. Your father didn't send her to the Savage Grounds. The Gruul took her; you should trust your father. He loved your mother; he includes her in his rites of protection. He wishes her to return and puts a lot of money into finding her. I would know, I am the one who manages the family funds, and the business funds for that matter." He held her shoulders at arm's length and looked her in the eye. "You never have to cry, your father loves you and your mother" He wiped a tear from her cheek, "And so do I Milleena. I've served you for twelve years now, we practically grew up together. You can always trust me."
She smiled, "Thank you Varus." She turned her head to the guest house, "I just wish you didn't have to go to the penance chamber. Please don't. Come with me; sleep in the manor, on a bed. Anywhere but in there."
"I cannot. I have to do as I'm told." He touched his hand to his exposed tattoo. It shimmered with silver magic. "My heart doesn't beat when I act against your father's orders. When I was purchased from the Rakdos, your father had this contract curse placed on me. You know how paranoid he is. Now goodnight mistress."
"Wait, could you tell me about twelve years ago? About your time with the Rakdos?"
He placed his hand over the circle of his tattoo. "The moment I fulfill your father's orders, I will grant your wish. Be prepared Mistress. It is a disgusting tale of sex and death." Varus gave her a reassuring grin, "Now please mistress, goodnight"
"Goodnight Varus," They parted was but after a few steps Milleena turned, "Varus?"
He turned to her, "Yes Mistress?"
"Please don't die in there."
"Yes mistress."