E: Be proud of me! 1,169 words to make up for the shortness of the previous chapter.
C: She's been typing all morning.
E: Yup! I don't think I'll be updating quite so much after this, maybe once or twice a week.
C: It'll probably increase when summer vacation starts.
E: Oh, and thanks for all the faves, follows, and reviews! I love reading reviews.
The next morning started the way they usually did for Jahi. He was extremely sore, but that was normal. He always woke up sore. As he attempted to stand up, a sharp pain shot through his ribs. He grimaced, but made no noise. If his father woke up, he would be in a lot of trouble. That would result in him not only being late to work, but also receiving a few new bruises. As he removed this shirt to change, he glanced down at his chest. It was covered in half-healed bruises, some almost faded completely away. But there was one new one. It was large and deep purple, covering a good portion of his lower ribs on his left side. Jahi sighed sadly. He would just have to deal with the pain. He put on a semi-clean outfit, making sure to cover the bruises, especially the new one, well.
After brushing his hair as quickly as he could and slipping on his worn-out sandals, Jahi snuck out of the house. When he had gotten about three houses away from his own, he began to walk normally. Well, as normally as he could with a giant bruise on his side. He wondered why it hadn't bothered him the night before.
As he walked through the town, no one gave much recognition to his presence. It was better that way, though. He had a reputation to get into fist fights, and he usually won. He had to thank his father for teaching him to defend himself. He used his proficiency in fighting to kick drunks out of Mrs. Hathor's bar. She was actually waiting for him in the doorway of the bar when he arrived there. She smiled and ushered him in.
"Hello and good morning, Jahi! Did you sleep well?"
"Fine, ma'am." Jahi smiled. Her kindness always made his awful days a little more bearable.
"Oh! I got something for you!" Mrs. Hathor ran to behind the counter. "Close your eyes!"
Jahi quietly obliged. He was a bit stunned that she would get something for him. He felt a slight tug on all of his hair.
"Open!" Jahi opened his eyes and reached back. His hair was being held back with what felt like a simple metal clasp with one jewel on the top. He couldn't see it, but he could tell it was perfect. His hair was in a ponytail, not too high and not too low. It kept the hair out of his face so just his bangs remained. He adjusted them and smiled.
"Thank you so much, ma'am!"
Mrs. Hathor pulled him into a tight hug. She was a great deal shorter than him, so he was pulled down quite a bit. But that didn't bother him too much. Nor did he mind that she was digging her arms into his bruise. He rarely got this kind of affection and care. The rich men he had to act as an escort for didn't feel anything for him; they saw him as an accessory to make them look more impressive. His father did not care for him much, either, thinking him more a personal slave than a son. His deprivation of kindness made him crave it, like a drug. The hug, in Jahi's opinion, ended far too soon.
"Time to get to work, Jahi." She handed him a broom. "People will be here soon, and it's a bit of a mess in here."
"Of course, ma'am." Jahi got to work immediately. He loved the feeling of the hair out of his way. He would treasure the clasp forever. Mrs. Hathor walked into the other room to start the day's meals. This went on for about an hour, Jahi taking orders and giving them to Mrs. Hathor, cleaning, etc, etc. Then, suddenly, a royal guard burst into the bar.
It wasn't strange, really. Royal guards came to the bar all the time. But something about his regal air told Jahi he wasn't here for a drink and a meal. He walked up to Jahi and stared down his nose at him.
"Servant! I demand to see the owner of this…facility." He looked around snootily, as if come to such a place was below him. Jahi growled. He hated guards, but this one took the cake. He recognized this guard, actually. He had been a client of his not even a week ago, for a dinner party. Jahi and a few other girls had to sit on his lap. He spoke with the girls, and they did what they did by choice. One of them was actually a prostitute, making Jahi happy his father hadn't forced his to do that.
"I don't know where he is at the moment. His wife is running the place right now."
"So where is she?" He said, feigning patience.
"I'll fetch her for you, sir." Jahi flipped his new ponytail and began to walk to the opposite side of the bar. He could tell the guy wanted to punch him. That makes the feeling mutual.
"Hurry up, then. I haven't got all day."
"Of course not, sir." Jahi responded sarcastically. He knew he could get in trouble for saying things like that, but really, how could prison be any worse that where he lived now? He walked slowly as he pleased to the kitchen and got Mrs. Hathor.
"Yes? Is there something I can get you?" she said as politely as she could. She knew how Jahi could be and didn't want to make the guard any angrier.
"I wish to put up this flyer in your building." He took out a piece of parchment.
"Looking for servants to serve in the castle. Will receive room and board for their services-"
Jahi cut of the guard by laughing. The guard glared at him.
"What is so funny?" He demanded. Jahi waved his hand dismissively.
"How many people do you think will be able to read that? I doubt very many people around here will be able to."
The guard rolled his eyes. "That is the point. We only want some-what educated people, unlike you, to serve the pharaoh!" He then turned to Mrs. Hathor. "Well, can I post this?"
"Y-yes! Of course! Put it where ever you deem fit."
The guard quickly posted the parchment on the wall near the counter, then left. Jahi went up to the parchment and studied it. He could read hieroglyphs, thank the gods. He had learned that skill at a very young age. It seemed like a good deal. He fulfilled the requirements of the flyer. He could read, clean, cook, whatever. Maybe he should try to get the job. If he did, he'd get away from his father. If he didn't, he'd just go back to this. Whatever happened, it's not like he'd get in trouble or anything. He decided to take the gamble. Jahi felt a smile spread across his face. This morning was turning out to be a lot different from the usual.