"Sometimes you aren't raised by your parents but the people who took the time to teach you what was right and what was wrong." - Shirin Samar

Chapter One: Halawet el Jibn

The desert is a waste land filled with sand for miles and miles of travel, skilled travelers would speak in the market of Samaria about its deadly conditions and yet it's beauty. Shirin was no fool, she knew that going into the desert while her only chance of survival was also synonymous with suicide. She had no provisions, no forewarning, and hell she was missing a slipper. Her choli barely covered her skin, her head was bare, and the golden mesh of her choli was burning against her midriff. While the first day was herald with winds that shoved the princess and rukh around, it was also a great feeling against her sweat soaked flesh. Losing her way of direction but with the wind as a reprieve from the heat was better than she could have asked for even if it was just an illusion. She was no fool, the wind offered no shade, so as the sun slipped behind the dunes for the day and she lay out on the sand gazing up at the night, she felt like her skin was burning as if in an oven. She didn't have to see her skin to know it was a dark red.

Stars, something constant, something that shines beyond death…

Her thoughts were circular as she gazed up at the dark navy sky with the stars dancing in the night for her view, so many that she couldn't begin to count even if she wanted to.

The grass was cool against her skin, head leaned back into the lap of a teen that was leaned back on his strong arms head back sharing the sight of the night sky. Thousands of stars shining down on them, glinting brightly.

"My people," The fanalis started before gazing down at her to see if she was listening before gazing back up, "My people say that we don't join the rukh when we die, we join the stars. I… I think that it's a nice thought, my ancestors watching me from the sky."

"Well when I die, I'll fly to the sky looking for you." Shirin whispered her childish lisp slurring up the words, "So we can be together even then."

"That's a long time from now princess," Ya stated, his hand burying into her ash colored locks, "But I'll shine the brightest to guide you to me, fair?"

"I wanna be with Ya forever and ever," Shirin explained, "So don't die, I'll cry and you don't like it when I cry."

She didn't notice the flush to her attendant's cheeks and neck at her words of being together 'forever and ever' and he smiled, "I'll always be here Ri-Ri."

Waking just before the sun came up proved that the winds from the other day were not to be seen, soon she had to stop to rip one of her pant's legs clean off to wrap her burning foot as the sand proved to be too much. She was hungry and thirsty by the time the mid-day arrived. She was bleary eyed, mouth so dry she couldn't tell if her lips were even there. She had to keep wiping the corners of her mouth as foam bubbled along the cracks, the only reason she knew they hadn't shriveled up and fallen off yet. She was mindlessly following the rukh at this point, mindless following the glittering lights still swooping along the spots of black that were appearing.

Crossing the slope she came to a stop as she saw a glittering oasis, nestled right there for her pleasure. She started running for the edge until a burst of the rukh knocked her back on her rear, eyes blinking roughly as she noticed the large lizards surrounding it.

Looks like an alligator, but… so much more.

The alligator like creatures were a bright cyan blue, burnt orange eyes with yellow around the slit of the pupil, and bright colorful feathers along it's stumpy legs and tail. She retreated and hid behind a dune, eyes locked on the creatures to find a path to the water. The water so close was the only thing that kept her feeling more awake than she had in hours. Observing she noticed that the largest one stayed in the center of the oasis, the smaller to the westward side sunbathing at the shallows, and the rest seemed to congregate to the northern banks. Each time one got close they'd snap at each other in aggression and she knew her moment to strike would have to be now.

Carefully she moved towards the eastern bank, so tunneled vision on the water she didn't notice the human camp she snuck by. Carefully she got to the shallow water, scooping in from the ground and up with her water she sipped hurriedly most of it getting on her choli but some getting into her mouth. She eyed the creatures that had seemed to hear the few trickles that had escaped her hands, curious as they floated a bit in the water to eye her. She scooped into the water and up this time most of the water reaching her mouth, for a long pull of something to drink. The creatures moved closer still as if trying not to spook her away.

Ambush predators… they get so close like a floating log instead of a creature and while your in a state of vulnerability they lunge for you.

She scooped another gulp of water and slowly backed away, her mind having been so focused on the water and the sounds of it she hadn't noticed the man sneaking up behind her. She didn't notice until her back met fabric and a quick struggle ensued, her small body being lifted in strong arms and a palm cutting off her shriek. She fought flailing her body, wiggling and screeching into his palm. Both watching as the creatures slunk closer, faster than before, seeing something else attacking their intended prey.

"Brat, stop struggling!" The man yelled as he backed away from the water and the enclosing creatures. She wiggled her toes loosening her slipper enough that with a kick it hit the water with slap and the creatures swam faster towards the eastern bank of the shore. As the monster of a creature in the center stood up, it's legs bigger than the depth of the pool she felt fear as it began to walk closer. The man stumbling back at the sight of the giant creature, his hand growing slack and seeing her chance she bit down in the junction between his thumb and palm. The man screamed before throwing her away, the bitter copper tang in her mouth was satisfying even as she hit the sand and rebounded off it in a clatter of limbs, rolling along the sand. She tried to get up, her body weak as her vision darkened and with her last glimpse of a group of men swinging torches at the beasts that recoiled at the fire. Her consciousness lost its grip and she fell into the dark embrace of sleep.

"Ri-Ri~" A young boy called as he ran after the squealing toddler, his body moving slower than molasses, just shy of grasping her up in his arms. A warm fond smile pulling at the fanalis's lips as he watched the young princess race away from him, giggling with small squeals as his fingers caught on her little choli.

"Ya-Ya, no catchy me!" The little girl squealed as she raced as fast her feet would take her around the garden square, her little palm tree inspired hair tail flopping and bobbing with each clumsy step she ran with. Yaqut suddenly sprang forward catching the baby as she tripped on lifted piece of tile, swirling her around in his arms before smacking kisses to her face causing Shirin to shriek and flail wildly in his arms, bursts of giggles expelling from her after each kiss."No kissies!"

"Yes kissies!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Butterfly!" Shirin squealed in excitement distracted from their game, the Samarian native butterfly was a brilliant explosion of greens and blues compared to the sandstone beige of the village. It fluttered around before landing on her little hair tail, nuzzling down in her soft baby silk hair, the little princess's wide eyes and the butterfly in the hair set Yaqut off. He barked out his laughter, booming in the still silence that startled the butterfly back into flight. Those wide eyes moved from the butterfly to the boy holding her and his amusement was infectious pulling large giggles from the girl herself.

The flutter of lashes as heliotrope eyes strained to open, the girl staying still as the world seemed to move. Her body jumping with the quiet ride and she tried to resettle herself.

Did I fall asleep in the car again? Ri-

The almost remembered name escaped her as she suddenly remembered the following days and she struggled to sit up quickly trying to figure out her bearings. The jangling of chains stopping her as her eyes snapped to her wrists, cold rusted iron shackles covering her thin wrists. The rust was smeared along her wrists and she could see that they were slightly bruised already from wearing them. She slowly sat up and leaned her head back, the back resting at the edge as bars kept her head from going over it the edge of wood. All around her were people in the same chains, some staring at her with sorrow and others refusing to make eye contact with her.

I… what do I do?

She didn't notice the tears until one splashed against her hand, fingers moving to touch her face and pulling back to eye the damp fingertips as if she was in a trance. The cold feeling in her stomach burst along with a sob, head falling to her knees.

Yaqut… Zayn… mommy… daddy… they're all gone! GONE! TAKEN FROM ME! I'LL KILL THEM! I'LL KILL THEM ALL! THEY WERE MINE!

She screamed internally and as she hid her sobbing face from the others around her, hiding the hatred in her gaze. She didn't stay awake long, her crying tiring her out far faster than her rage could burn.

"Did hitting the girl make you feel better?" Her attendant asked her with a rough voice, arms crossed with a scowl on his face as he stared down at the brooding child pouting petulantly at him.

"She pushed me and took my doll!" The yell burst out in the tense silence, little Shirin trembling in fury at being scolded for protecting herself, little arms curling around her porcelain doll. Her furious gaze dimming as she glanced away from her attendant and his own disapproving eyes.

Noticing this he catches her chin and forces her to look at him, "Did it make you feel better? To see her cry like that? Seeing her bleed?"

Seeing the anger simmering in her guard's eyes made her whimper as she teared up, "No! I just wanted her to not take my doll or push me again!"

"Revenge is never the answer, Ri-Ri." He sighed pulling his now crying ward into his arms, petting her head, "Don't ever act with anger or you'll end up regretting things. Like now."

The once princess stirred to life, the tear tracks on her face stung from the salt against her skin and she rubbed her eyes.

"Here." A voice broke the silence and she gazed up into the eyes of an older woman, a piece of bread and a cup of water held out towards her. She took them silently, her head hanging a bit as she whispered a nearly quiet thanks. Her water balanced between her legs as she picked at her bread, pulling off the molded bits. She took a sip of her water, letting it swish in her mouth to wet her tongue and teeth, the slow swallow soothing her cracking throat.

Eat too fast and you'll be sick, drink too fast will end up the same. Savor it like it's your last meal.

She ate slowly dipping the bread in the water lightly before taking the mush into her mouth, making it easier to swallow down. She didn't notice as a few who'd been choking down the dry bread copied her motions, some of them nodding at her in quiet thanks. After slowly completing her meal she stacked her cup with the others and wandered to one of the more secluded corners of the wagon, closer to the caravan head and farthest away from the waste bucket that made her feel sick from the smell alone. She stayed awake for hours and soon the older woman from before sat next to her, letting her head fall against the woman's silently offered shoulder. They both watched the sunset beyond the dunes and the caravan set up a camp, as the night settled over them the screams came.

Men were tugging women from the other cages and hearing the metal clank open she gazed at the man she'd bitten smiling nastily at her. She curled back into her corner while the woman beside her remained still and quiet. She flinched as a hand grabbed her chin and turned it so she could stare at his nasty face.

"I'd make use of you girl, break you into your new life," The man cooed against her face, his breath smelled of the rot setting into his teeth enough that her face soured, "But they'll pay more for a virgin than a used product."

He pulled her hair and smashed her face into the bar's causing her to grunt at the impact, "So let's see who should I pick?"

"I'm thinking maybe that one, with the pretty eyes." The man stated tugging her hair to force her to stare at a teen girl that was watching everything with a set of emerald eyes, she shrunk back at their stares. "What do you think?"

I think Yaqut would love to smash your face to paste…

"Why not?" She whispered carelessly, eyes dead as she stared at the teen starting to cry, "Though she's a virgin like you said, pretty eyes like that will make you a fortune if she's pure."

"True… " The man supplied dropping her hair letting her head fall back against the woman against her as the man moved towards the teen, touching her face that flinched away from him. He did the same he'd done to Shirin with her, watching as he finally picked an older woman with the "pretty hair" as he called it. Shirin was pulled closer an arm covering her ears as the screams picked up noise, her other ear pressed against a busty chest. The heartbeat she could hear slowly lulling her to sleep, the last she saw was a bright star shooting across the sky.

Ash colored locks were tangled in knots down her back, the attempt of her attendant trying to fix her hair as her handmaidens were off somewhere busy with her step-mother's birth announcement. She fixed a smile on her face, "Thank you."

"Don't say thank you when I made you look horrible, how am I going to fix this?" Yaqut asked burying his hands into his own long hair and pulling as he refused to look at the mess of his own making.

"Watch." She stated and he peered up through his fingers as she grabbed some of the oil from her dressing station and began the work it into her hair, nimble small fingers untangling his excuse for a braid until slowly she had her hair lying back in the loose waves.

"If you can fix your own hair-" He began but quieted at her glare.

"My arms...are too….small." She said the last part quietly and he sweatdropped at the words coming from the princess's mouth. Carefully the duo worked to create a high ponytail, if it was still a bit lopsided she didn't say anything against his brilliant smile.

"Girl." A woman barked into her ear and she jerked awake to see a few slaves being unloaded into a chain gang fashion, the woman she'd slept on was shaking her still. She slurred something and got up on wobbly feet, her side leaning against the woman as they dismounted the cage. She was pulled closer to the front, her chains being locked together between two men from another cage. She glanced around even as she was forced to move forward her mind racing. The town square was packed around some type of stand, a pavillion as they waited for something start and the cold in her stomach made her lean back against the man behind her. His large hands on her back kept her grounded and was a silent reassurance neither felt but she needed to keep walking.

An auction, you're going to be sold. I've read about this in my old history class, we learned about them in our lessons with Meera. Look around, where are you right now?

The Koga Clan is a small place with tents to the north. Akita rests to the far south west coast, Qishan is towards the center. I know that Shevaa is between Qishan and where...our home used to be. Sheba is a smaller marketing town for the trade of spices and people. So she was in…

"Shevaa." She whispered so quiet that the men around her barely heard her, the tense shoulders of the one in front of her and the gripping of her choli from the back of her was the only acknowledgement that they'd heard and understood.

Shevaa was a large city with a heap of wealthy merchants, curious princes, and a handful of actual residents. The place was a tourist city that brought in loads of people on the way to the west from the east or vice versa. It's main source of income was the taxes on slave trading, due to its loose laws on the trafficking of humans it was a hotspot for criminals and the like to gather. Princes came to show off their wealth and status amongst the richer commoners but most left feeling a bit horrified at the atrocities that were commonplace in the city, from rape to brutal fatal muggings.

"Brat." A voice barked a cloud of rot into her face, fingers threading through her hair to jerk her face into his, the sickeningly pleased grin evident as he finished his sentence, "You're up first."

"Humans are animals." Ya stated as he kept her carefully close to his side as they moved down the streets of the market, "Don't let them smell your fear."

"What does fear smell like?" She asked clenching his pants leg as people moved out of their way to see the little princess.

"Urine. Stand up straight, don't you trust me to protect you?" He asked lightly and feeling a warmth in her belly the princess stood up straight her head raised with a defiant gaze that made a razor edged smile appear on her guard's face. Her fists loosening and then letting go of his pants leg as she took the lead on their little adventure into town.

I refuse to let these animals scare me…

Shirin's face was held high, heliotrope eyes piercing seemingly into the souls of the people standing below her from the pavillion. The moment she'd been moved closer to the stage people had been screaming out amounts for her, maybe she'd have felt a bit of narcissistic pleasure at being so valued if it was in any other context.

"Heliohapt girl, look at those eyes gents," The man was speaking to her left but she refused to acknowledge him, even as he took her chin in his hand and leaned her face down so they could all have a good view of her eyes. "Somewhere between seven or nine winters old, a genuine virginal girl up for sale."

It was disgusting to see the unholy light in the males staring at her like she was a strip of meat, her lips wanted to bare one of Ya's threatening smiles but she refused to show her emotions. The man pulled at her hair, "Exotic hair color for a Heliohapt, probably a mutt of some kind. Unmarred beautifully sun kissed skin, trust me folks it goes all the way down."

She was going to be sick if the man kept talking or touching her as he parted the covering of her other leg to show the slightly lighter but still tanned flesh of her skin. As he continued to talk she could hear the price jump from five hundred gold pieces to a thousand and still rising. She ignored the words that followed even as the man hit her behind the knees so she hit the pavillion with a 'thunk' on her knees, hair pulled back so she was being 'shown off' properly. She was gritting her teeth now when suddenly the price jumped from three thousand to-

"5,000 gold pieces." a male voice called out sounding young, but much older than herself and with her angled head she couldn't see who it was. As the males quieted down at that she realized she was about to be sold, her teeth gritted with the tightening of her jaw.

"Sold to Helios!" a male called and she was released from her hold, head moving down as she stared at the male that was standing before the pavilion. He was handsome in his own way with dark hair and amber eyes, the smirk on his face was of someone who'd won a prize however.

Men… are scum…

She barely had the thought as she was pulled up and led off the stage, entering the crowd she flinched as hands moved to touch her, fingering the golden mesh connected to her choli. It was slapped away rather quickly and viciously, an arm pulling her into the side of the male who'd purchase her.

"I believe this is my property," The man stated before hefting her up and over the male's shoulder, a hand resting on her rear making her see red but her chains wouldn't let her do much. The wolf whistles that followed them made her taste blood as her teeth ground against the inside of her cheek.

"A man is a dangerous being Shirin." Yaqut stated as he helped his little toddler princess eat her food, feeding her after blowing on the warmed porridge.

"Daddy danger?" She asked before she took the spoon into her mouth slurping the honeyed oats into her mouth."No," Conceded the fanalis as he wiped a corner of her mouth as some of the milky substance escaped past her lips, "But other men, you never know what they want so always regard them with suspicion.""Ya's not a man, so you're safe." She nodded her head before she giggled at the defeated look on the teens face."My princess...is too blunt…" He whined as comedic tears trailed down his face.

Arriving through a seedy looking bar that was in full motion of hazy smoke, glittering golden cages, and throat singers left her trying to contain her sneezing. She made it to the stairs before the first one hit and then a second, causing the male to laugh at her. She stubbornly remained silent until she was dropped on a bed, her chain catching on a hook and keeping her splayed out before his eyes. Eyes that roamed her form as if picking her apart for productive use and she glared at him. The glare brought a smirk to his lips and he moved closer pressing a hand to her throat and pushing down slowly, making his intent clear. Before her airway could be obstructed she dropped her glare.

"Good girl," He whispered against her ear, licking the shell causing her to jerk from him and a chuckle once more to escape past his lips. His hands fingered the golden mesh of her choli and he admired it before he reached up and unlocked her chained wrists.

"Remove the top, any actions against me, or an attempt to run… well the punishment will be swift." He stated as he stood back, letting his hand drag down her front before waiting at the side of the bed. She remained still, judging her chances and finding them slim she carefully sat up, her fingers toying with the mesh of her choli before discarding it. Letting it pool in her lap, the only thing covering her was a chest band of a silky green, the creme bows on either side rumpled from the pristine bows they'd been in before. She swallowed feeling his eyes glancing along her clothes.

"Such beautiful clothes child," he whispered as he pulled the choli from her lap, letting the gold glitter in the light, "A little rich for what those rats usually drag into this place."

His eyes wandered to her ripped pants and the makeshift shoe she'd made on her foot, "Seems you've been down on your luck for a while girl, don't worry. Helios will care for you. Stay in the bed girl, don't make this harder than it has to be."

He left the room, turning on his heel before closing the door. She buried her face into her hands but refused to let the tears blurring her vision to fall. She barely noticed as she slumped to her side and sleep claimed her.

"What's the password?" A cheeky Shirin called from the other side of her door as she stared at the sliding door where her attendants shadow was staring from.

"Princess…" He sighed on the other side not really in the mood for he shenanigans but offering to play along anyways, "Honey Bun-Bun."

"Oh snap dragon!" She cheered as he opened the door with fruits for their lunch, an exasperated look on his face.

When she woke up from her nap she was in a large bath with some woman scrubbing her skin too roughly, another was washing her hair firmly, and then the last was burning her clothes.

"It hurts!" She snapped at the woman as she raked the soap over the girl's back, her flesh burned from the sun was inflamed under the uncaring hand of the woman. A smack silenced the girl as she blinked stars from her vision, she had never been hit in reprimand before and when a maid had tried Yaqut had been there to stop her.

"If she bruises Ithica!" The one doing her hair snapped at the woman, "The master will have your head."

"Then she should learn when to keep her mouth shut." The older woman hissed as she went back to roughly grating the girl's flesh. Shirin closed her eyes and grit her teeth as the rough treatment continued until she was being dunked unsuspectingly into the water. She jerked up gasping in air and coughing out the soapy water when the hands finally let go over her shoulders.

"Out of the tub girl, the master has clothes prepared for you." The woman, Ithica, snapped and struggling the girl got out of the bath for the other woman who had burned her clothes to wrap her in a towel, the one who'd done her hair was rubbing some kind of gel like plant against her skin soothing the irritated flesh.

"Her face is bruising!" Snapped the one drying her off, "You're gonna be in trouble, Ithica, the master said she was to be unharmed."

"She's but a mere slave girl," Scoffed the old crone, "The master will understand that she got a bit lippy and deserved punishment."

"Get dressed girl." Ithica spat, shoving her towards clothes folded neatly on the chair. She hissed slightly at the shove and slowly moved to pick up the first article, a piece of under cloth that was orange in color, pulling it own she eyed the ribbons on the hips and tugged them into bows on her hips. The chest band came next of the same color a matching set. She slipped it on, tugging one side closed with the golden ribbon before straightening it out with the other side tied off. She pulled on the salwar trousers, a sheer material with golden metal bands that clasped at her ankles, the material slit up on either side with the ribbons on her hips peeking through like a tease shot. She pulled the choli on next, the material wasn't as sheer and ended an inch under the chest band, her golden ribbons doing much the same as they did with her pants with the slits in the top. Part of her was fine with the clothes, and yet the more dominant part of her was mortified at all the skin on display.

"Have you had your first bleeding girl?" Ithica asked staring at her in annoyance at how slow she was moving, the question itself causing a hot flash of mortified anger to course through Shirin.

"No." She replied her eyes moving to glare at Ithica with nothing but defiance.

"Then be lucky that you will probably be nothing more than a serving girl for the master child." She snapped and began to lead the girl out of the room towards a larger room. She glanced around spotting the man from before lounging back as a servant girl in a similar attire fed him pieces of fruit, a sunny smile on her face even as he sucked at her fingers. She grimaced slightly before fixing her face into something resembling stoicism.

"It looks nice on her." He addressed standing up to move closer to the girl, he grabbed her chin and tilted it to the side, "I thought I said I wanted her unharmed?"

"She decided to be lippy-"

"Do you make the decisions here, slave?" The man drawled out as he cowed the woman that had once seemed so in control. Her eyes shifting to the floor as Shirin watched with narrowed eyes at the interaction.

"Girl," He snapped his fingers at her and she turned to stare at his chest seeing that no one was meeting his eyes, "What's your name?"

"..." She stayed quiet for a second before swallowing as she replied, "...Rin"

"Rin," His tongue rolled along her name as if he liked the taste of it, "Have you had your first bleeding?"

"No." She replied a bit scared now.

"Your age?" He asked.

"Ten summers." She replied without thinking of hiding her Samarian roots with the calendar use as most would say winters, years, or a catalogue of months.

"So a Samar citizen with Heliohapt lineage," He mused to himself and she frowned slightly, "Can you do anything?"

"I can sing, play the rebab, and I speak western fluently." She recited as she remembered the way her father had gushed about her to her step-mother during their first meeting.

"Then you will be joining the others in the golden cages." He stated with a nod of his head as if he expected it, his thumb moving to run along her bottom lip, "Sing for me."

"That's my favorite, little bird." Ya whispered as he smiled at the girl as her fingers trailed off at the end of her small song.

"Did you really like it?" She asked blushing faintly."Yes. It made my blood sing." He whispered rubbing her head.

I… I don't want to sing for you…

The thought was petulant but as his grip on her chin began to ache, showing that she either started singing or punishment would be dealt. She let out a soft sigh, closing her eyes as she tried to think of a song.

Any song would do…

"I tried hard, you know I care…" She breathed out, her small clipped voice moving into a trance inducing quality, "I care…"

"I care…" She breathed it out, her eyes dully opening as the music trilled from her mouth, "Just a little poor me… Just a little poor me…"

The man's grip on her chin lifted but she still stared at his chest, bared as it was she could pick out little scars from knife wounds, and the bright tattoo brand of a sun on his right pectoral, " Mirror, mirror on the wall… I'll make sure you crack and fall…"

She flinched as he grabbed her face leaning close so their lips were so very close to touching, her voice going a bit higher but still sweet in tone, "I made strides don't call me sweet...Cha-os-ss~ or-ga-nize-ss me."

He pressed a finger between their lips, the scent of something sweet like the fruit he'd been eating wafted into her nose, the unholy glimmer in his eyes as he gazed at her made her feel off put and primally afraid.

I'm scared Ya, I'm sorry… I'm so scared…

"You are gonna make me a lot of money, Song bird." He laughed and she wished that she didn't know what his lips tasted like, as he leaned in and stole her first kiss.

I want to go home Yaqut. When will you wake me from this nightmare so I can come home?

Authors Note: So like I said I was changing some things, in this chapter it was more clear what was happening than before. Shirin is in a very dangerous situation for a girl her age, I didn't show it as much and I made her 'master' seem more like an okay guy the last time I did so. In this world, harems are a thing here as are sexual servants. As a pretty young thing, she was most likely bought to be a bed warmer than not.

I also changed the song she sung here and I had her only use part of her name because "Princess Shirin of Samaria" she'd be known even on a rumor basis. A cute little princess that would spread through rumors for a possible suitor for when she was old enough to be married off if her country hadn't fallen as it had.

The song used is titled "Little Poor Me" by LAYTO