The young woman woke up to the sounds of her cage being open. Tire eyes stare at the man who owns her as he fiddle with her chains around her wrists. The chains fell away. She was about to say something when he pull out thick metal wristbands; her magi shuddering. With gentleness she never thought he possess, he place the metal bands around her wrists.
"Ahhhhh!" Pain shot through her as her magi was suppress until she couldn't feel it except for a bare trace of it. She let out a whimper, tears streaming down her face at the lost of her magi. The young man step back, an emotion flashing across his face before he turn away.
"Make sure she is presentable, Cordel," the young man said.
"Of course Your Majesty. I'll have one of the maids assist her." An older male voice said. The King shook his head.
"She can do it by herself. I want her to be presented to me in one hour Cordel."
"As you wish."The young woman watch as her Master left the room leaving her alone with the older male servant.
"Come, get up," Cordel said, leaning in with his hand outstretch. "I'm not here to hurt you."
She look up at him hesitantly before grasping his hand.
She was dress in a simple servant dress in a tan color that only reach below her knees. Simple tan leather sandals adorn her feet as her hair was brush back into a bun with some of her hair framing her face. Cordel walk around her quivering form, making some sounds he poke and prodded her. He nodded his head before gesturing her to follow him.
"You are a slave. You are beneath him, the King. Behind these walls, you are the lowest of the lows. Whatever he tells you to do, you must do without question. You will not speak unless he requires you to speak. Do as he says and you will be rewarded in time. You try to escape or steal, you will be punish. Do you understand?" Cordel glanced back at her as he lead her down an open hallway. A warm breeze blew in. She stop and look out the open archway, her eyes watching the birds flying in blue sky with longing.
"If you stay there, we'll be late," Cordel grabbed her wrist, tugging her along.
The King was reading a scroll as the duo enter the royal study. He held his hand up as he jotted something down. He look up, his eyes staring at her.
"You clean up nicely, Little One," the King said, leaning back in his chair. She stay still, watching him as he lean forward, his hands folded before him on his desk.
"Have her clean the entire Laia courtyard. I will be having guests coming in celebration of our latest victory against the barbarians in two days time. I want the courtyard to be spotless. Make sure she only use only the brush and rags."
"I will show her where it is," Cordel bowed, placing a hand on her head, forcing her down into a bow.
"She must do it all by herself. No one must help her."
"Of course, your Majesty. I will make sure the servants stay clear of the Laia courtyard."
"Good, you two may leave."
She stare at the large courtyard. It was completely run down by nature. She look at Cordel, her eyes wide in shock.
"Your King expects me to clean this courtyard in two days time. It can't be done." She waved her arm out. Cordel merely shrug his shoulders.
"You have no choice in the matter. What the King request, it must be done."
"It would be possible if I can use my magi. It can be done by nightfall."
"You know that is not possible. You would immediately escape, the King has no choice but to place the Megi Cuffs on you."
"The Heart of Nimue doesn't belong to your King. It belongs to the Dragonese Mother." She said lowly, glaring down at the wooden bucket in her arms. In it was a wooden bristle brush, a rag, and a garden shear."There is a well over there," Cordel ignore her, pointing to an enclosure at the edge of the courtyard. "I will be back by sundown."She watch him go before sighing.
The sun was setting as she pull the weeds out from the stone ground. She shiver as a cool breeze blew by. She didn't notice Cordel watching her, too busy in her task. She shiver some more.
"Here," the older servant held a basket out for her. She look up startle, dropping the shear.
"It's bread and water, something to tie you over," he said. She shook her head, picking the shear up.
"I'm not hungry. It won't be the first time I went without a meal, and it won't be the last," she said going back to her task. Cordel place the basket beside her before leaving.
It was night time and she was still working. She was depositing the weeds away when she felt a shiver go down her spine. She whirl around and let out a scream only to be shush.
"What do we have here? Little One is free from her cage?" The figure sneered, clutching her face harshly.
"Please, let me go," she begged the figure. "Please!"
"Oh, I do love you begging. It's such a turn on." The figure ripped her dress off as she let out a sob.
Cordel stood over her quivering, nake, form. Her body was red from the slashes she received from last night. Dry blood coated her skin
"Please, no more," she begged. "No more."
Cordel took his vest off and lay it over her bare back.
"I'm going to be right back," he said, rushing out of the courtyard.
She awoke back in her cage, a blue blanket was place over her bare body. She lift her head up wearily as she heard tbe cage door opening.
"Little One, I brought you something to eat," the King said, stepping in. She shuffle away, whimpering in pain.
"Please, no more," she rasped weakly, curling her body into a small ball. He kneel down beside her, placing the tray to the side.
"She's not going to hurt you anymore," he said. "Serible has been banish from the palace, exile."
"Please, let me go."
"You know I can't do that. You are my property, I own you."
She place her head down, sobbing.
