Duties not forgotten

At this point I thought to myself if I was going to be treated worst or just as bad as the slave facility. Would I be beaten because of a mistake? A simple, common thing that every living being makes? Would there be lashes or death? Perhaps it was not best to think of such negative things when fate hasn't even been decided yet. To try and predict what would happen to me would cause me to run right into fates trap, causing me to carelessly make those common mistakes. I had no idea what it would be like behind my new masters walls, but I would soon find out. I turned my attention to the outside to see my new home come into view. The carriage stopped. Two slaves immediately came running up to it and opened the doors for Raziel. After he got out, his two servants pulled me out, walking behind their master. As Raziel led the way, many vampires as well as human slaves bowed as he walked past. However no one paid any attention to me. I did not care. I would most likely not become friends with any of them anyways. As we neared Raziel's domain, I shivered at the sight of how massive it was. My wandering eyes looked up towards the large structures that reached to the heavens and beyond. There were two, giant red flags that swayed back and forth in the slow breeze that was brewing. They both had, what it seemed, Raziel's clan symbols on them. However, there was only one on each instead of both of his double signs. I wondered why, of course it was probably obvious to anyone who lived around here. Of course I did not.

We made our ways inside two giant double doors, not surprisingly filled with vampires. Just my luck. They all bowed at the sight of their master.

"Praise! Lord Raziel has returned! All hail Lord Raziel!" They all shouted, praising their honorable master. I noticed that some gave me mean looks and stared at me as if they did not know what I was.

"Ah my Lord. I see we have a new addition to the slave community." A vampire told Raziel, stepping right in front of me, staring me down. My reaction was to show I was not afraid of him or his guts that seemed to be invincible. I was only afraid of what Raziel would say. I did not know him, but I hoped that he would not say anything bad about me, knowing how nice he was earlier.

"Yes she is new here, but do not address her by a slave. She has much more potential than that. You do not know her or what shes been through. Excuse me." Raziel motioned his two servants that held me. "Come." We walked passed the vampire, and as we did I smiled at him. Ha! Raziel is on my side, I thought. Our long walk up a flight of stairs led us to a giant double door room, Raziel's double symbols engraved in the oak. He turned the knobs, throwing the doors open like he was relieved to finally be home. The servants stopped in the door way, awaiting to see what their Lord had to say. I let my eyes roam around the room, looking at the luxurious surroundings. I felt like I was in heaven. Beautiful wood floorings, plush chairs, a good size table in the center, six wooden chairs around it, a large desk to the side of the room with a large stack of parchment, and a fire place on the other side of the room. This, obviously was not his bedroom, for there was no bed, but more like an office.

"That will be all my servants. Leave the girl and close the doors behind you." They bowed and closed the doors as they were told, leaving me to gaze upon the surroundings that held me there in awe. Such a gorgeous place...and all for one man who probably doesn't even realize he has so much.

"You have a beautiful place here Lord Raziel."

He opened the curtains, lighting up the once dark room. "I thank you. Yes it seems suitable enough at least for me."

"Um...might I ask what you have in store for me. As in my first duty?" He chuckled, striding towards me.

"So anxious to get started early aren't you? Well first, I would like to introduce you to the other ladies in this place so that you can become acquainted with them. Perhaps you might find something in common with them." I nodded.

"Okay that sounds very fair. I'd like to meet others who I will be working with."

"Very well then, follow me." Raziel led the way and I followed behind him, anxious to meet people that were in the same position as me. We went through another door out of the room that led downstairs, where I had indeed seen some maids fixing up the grand living room. They all looked up as they seen Raziel present in the room, frozen like sculptures, wondering why their lord would be here and not somewhere else attending important duties.

"Lord Raziel! How may we assist you my Lord? What is it that you request?" One of them asked, bowing in respect.

"Yes my servants there is something that I need of you. I have here a new maid in training. Her name is Anaya, show her the ropes, allow her to feel comfortable among the rest of you as well as this domain. Go over the rules and restrictions that you all possess. Show her around and remind her of what duties she is responsible for. Give her a change of cloths and assign her something to do. I shall be back later to check on her progress." He began to leave the room. "Oh and Laura...don't be cruel," he said turning to leave.

"As you wish my Lord." I was now alone with three other maids, who stared at me uncomfortably, like I was invading their space. "So...your name is Anaya," she said walking over to me.

"Yes." I thought Raziel made it clear that was my name.

"Hmm. Well allow us to introduce ourselves. I am Laura, as you may know, and I am the maid incharge of everything that goes on in here. If there is a problem, you will notify me, and if you are the problem, Lord Raziel will be notified. Is that anyway unclear? Or do I have to repeat myself?" Jeez, she's touchy.

"No Laura I understand perfectly."

"Good," she said nodding in approval. "Now then, girls why don't you introduce yourselves." Another girl came forth and stepped beside Laura. She was quite tall and thin. She had red hair, which reminded me a lot like Gertrude. She was pretty but seemed too willowy.

"Hello, Anaya, I am Mary, pleased to meet you." She had offered her hand to me like a normal human being would. I had a feeling that we would become close workers, maybe eventually friends.

"Pleased to meet you too Mary. I look forward to working with you."

"Yes, Yes. Come now dear you can chat later." She motioned Mary to finish doing her chores. The last girl stepped forward, not looking too thrilled to meet me. But I really couldn't care less.

"Um hi... I'm Janet. Nice to meet you," she said with an unsure smile. I raised my brow.

"Uh...same here."

"Well now that everyone knows everyone, let's get back to work!"

"Wait! What about me Laura? What do I do?"

"Well nothing now. You have to change into a maids gown. But first you must bathe. You wouldn't want Lord Raziel to see you all filthy now would you?" I shook my head. "Mary! Would you show Anaya the bathroom and give her a gown as well?"

"Sure. Come with me Anaya."

"Oh and one more thing Anaya. I have a question for you...um...why are you bald?" As if she didn't know! I had a feeling she wanted to embarrass me.

"Well when I first arrived at the slave quarters as a child, we were forced to have our hair removed. Ever since we had to keep it off. It was law under the Sarafan. But now I hope that Lord Raziel will let me grow it back."

"I see. Such a sad misfortune. But I don't see why he wouldn't let you. Maybe instead of letting it grow naturally, which will take years to grow fully, he could get one of his mages to grow it for you with her magic."

"Oh I would like that very much," I said smiling with joy. To have my long, black hair back again would be a dream come true.

"Well then, you'd best show him that your a good house maid and maybe he'll consider it." It was as if she was telling me something you would explain to a small child when they begged for something.

"Alright I'll show him. I'll get my hair back soon enough." With no more said, Mary led me to the bathroom to get bathed.

At last I had my maids gown on, adjusting it in the bathroom mirror. 'It's not too shabby,' I thought,' at least it's better than wearing those awful rags that I had worn for who knows how long. Without much else to say, or think, I left the bathroom to join my fellow maids in the main living room, hopefully to start my duty at last. When I entered the room everyone was pretty much doing the same things as when I left. I guess everything in this place had to be cleaned down to the last dust speck.

Raziel must have a thing for cleanliness.

"Have you finished with fixing yourself in the bathroom dear girl?" Laura asked from a distant, polishing the wood frame of a clock on the far end of the wall.

"Yes Laura. I now await for you to give me a job to do." Janet eyed me from across the room and Mary just awkwardly stood there.

"Hmm. Well this room seems to be done. But I believe the library needs some work," she said showing an evil grin. "Mary would you be so kind as to show Anaya to the library?"

"Of course, Laura. Come on Anaya." I followed behind her.

"Make sure it is done right! If Raziel finds that it's not to his liking, he'll punish you!" I rolled my eyes. As if his punishment could be any worse than the ones I had before. Mary led me to the library and explained a few things, showing me what were the proper procedures for handling Raziel's books. The man left them all over the place. One of my jobs was to put them in alphabetical order, which would take forever, considering how many books he owned. I understood what Mary expected of me, so I began working. She left me alone at last. Well I guess I had better start on the books, then I could start on everything around them. This place was huge and now doubt that I would have trouble finding the spots where they would go. My hands reached for the nearest title that read, "Maps of Nosgoth."

"Mm-okay. So M. Maps. Maps. Where is the M's? I said while skimming my hand along the M's shelf. "Meridian. Map of Necropolis. Ah! Here. It goes next to 'Maps of Necropolis.' Well that was easy." I went over to Raziel's desk and picked up the next one, 'The Pillars of Nosgoth.'

"Hmm. Sounds interesting." I decided to open the book to reveal what was inside. The book itself was old enough. The leather bound cover, faded and torn, though seemed still in good shape. The first page was blank. Typical. The next page showed the pillars them selves with their bright towering glow that kept me in awe. How beautiful they looked, even in a book. Next to the picture was a description about the pillars.

"And he reads these books?" I said not knowing I had a visitor.

"Is that a problem?" I turned around in shock to find Raziel standing behind me, arms folded and brow raised. Was I in trouble for reading his book? I would soon find out.

Sorry everyone I took so long updating but school has started. It is my H.S. Senior year and it has been very busy. But I have to keep up with my school work so I can get into a good college. But any ways I'll try as best I can to keep up with the updating to please my reviewers.

Speaking of such, I hope you all aren't mad at me to not leave a review. I would REALLY appreciate one! THANKYOU! my apologies once again.