A Lotus-Scented Breeze

Avina Garamond

Chapter 3 – Escape Attempt

Night fell. Sephiroth was softly asleep in his bed, and Senay was laying close by, tail whipping from side to side. All was quiet in the palace.

Vincent was restless. His wounds did not let him sleep, and neither did his mind. He had to escape this place and return home! He would not live as a harem boy under a sadistic warlord. He found new robes and his fan and trailed out of the harem hall. He didn't see where he was going – the marble roof and walls hid the bright moon, so Vincent went towards light.

Little did he know he was heading back into the king's chambers.

Senay, awake and alert, did not take kindly to the unfamiliar scent in the room she shared with her master. She stood up and plodded softly towards the scent. Vincent walked towards the balcony from which the light from the stars leaked through the columns. He did not notice the living shadow following him.

With a screech, Senay jumped on him, claws spread wide. Vincent screamed as claws dug into his skin; hot bestial breath hit his face. He fell under the large weight upon his back from Senay's bulk.

Candles were lit, guards instantly trained their spears on the figure under the panther. Sephiroth jumped from his bed.

"Back, Senay, back!" he yelled. He ran to his panther and tugged on her golden collar. "Back!" he yelled. Senay flexed her claws in Vincent's back, and finally yielded. She plodded off from Vincent's back and shoulders, offended. A servant ran up to Vincent and sprinkled water in his face. Vincent flung his hand at the servant, trying to bat the water away. Sephiroth slapped Vincent's hand away from his servant. He stood and walked towards his balcony as guards hefted up Vincent for Sephiroth to see. Sephiroth turned to him, utterly livid.

"Sneaking into my room with a Saahalian fan – a known weapon. I'd think you were trying to kill me." Vincent shook his head frantically.

"However I do not find that likely. You were running away." Vincent nodded, frightened.

"I'd have you whipped again, but I think Senay exacted your punishment justly. Take him away." Vincent was dragged back to the harem hall where he was rehealed and rebandaged.

The other girls started to have a rather poor opinion of him too. Always defying the king, always dragged back in bloody. What was with this idiot? When he fell asleep, two guards moved towards him and kept watch over him all night.

In the morning, Vincent was woken by the harem girl that welcomed him.

"Hey, remember me? I'm Saran."

"Yeah... I remember you..." Vincent said groggily.

"What's your name?"

"Vincent..."

"Saran! Saran!" an older woman called. Saran turned around. The older woman was beautiful, wrapped in many different colored silks and wore powders and paints on her face.

"Don't you speak to that boy, Saran! Don't you see he's not a good slave! Our master does not like him, and will not like you either if you continue to speak to him!"

"Shut it, old crone! He likes me fine, and it won't change because of him! You're just jealous because he doesn't look at you anymore!"

"How dare you! I am not concerned about myself, but for you!" Some of the other harem girls surrounded them, wanting to here what the fuss what was about. The older woman, acting affronted, turned and stalked off to her vanity mirror. The other girls dispersed, disappointed they couldn't hear the fuss.

"Don't mind her, Vincent," Saran said.

"Why do you stick up for me?"

"Well, everyone deserves someone that's nice to them."

"You're the only one so far."

"Don't worry. If you're nice to our master, he will be nice to you too. He rewards those who pleases him. He does really good things to you." Vincent balked.

"You mean sex?!" Saran laughed.

"Of course, silly! This is a harem!" She looked at him intently.

"Gods and goddesses! You're a virgin!" Vincent blushed deeply and tried to crawl away from her with his hurt back. The entire harem started laughing, first a couple girls, then all of them. Vincent blushed harder and harder.

Nessus entered the room.

"The master requests quiet from his harem!" he spoke. "Have grace, ladies!" He left, leaving the harem laughing at Vincent for being the only male within their midst. Vincent was ashamed, humiliated, and wanted to die in a corner somewhere.

Sephiroth paced his room, agitated that shrieking laughter of almost fifty girls woke him first thing in the morning. Nessus returned to him, and soothed him with a hot bath and dictated poetry.

A week passed by. Sephiroth had called a girl to him daily, but today, he didn't want to be pampered by one girl. He ordered Nessus to his side.

"Yes, your Highness?"

"Gather the harem. I think I'll take my bath in the pool hall today."

"Yes, your Highness." Nessus set off while Sephiroth cuddled his panther. Ugh, he felt so hot, the breeze from the sea was sticky and humid. He couldn't wait for the pool to be ready. He showed up, dressed in his simple cloth. A trail of servants plodded after him, holding more clothes and jewels. The slaves at the pool should be ready for him.