Juliene found herself in the kennels before she brought herself back to focus again. She had been lost in her thoughts after leaving Naribe's office. The meeting had been very different than what she was expecting, but definitely better than being scolded by the der'sul'dam.
She still was shocked by her own sudden enthusiasm to take on the responsibility of training Miri. Just moments before she had been looking forward to passing the damane to someone else. She supposed it was the acceptance she had felt from the girl that had pushed her.
Upon entering the kennel she saw dozens of sul'dam checking rooms, taking damane out or bringing them in. An older sul'dam came toward her, ready to take the new charge, but Juliene crossed her arms, hiding the link. It was something of a foolish reaction, but this was now her damane after all.
The sul'dam laughed rudely at the gesture. "Child, I do have to enter a name for every new damane."
Juliene flushed at the name. All sul'dam were equal once raised to the position, but those who had been serving longer were more likely to act superior. Still, she was not a child.
"Well?" The woman asked.
"Her name is Miri." Juliene felt the resentment rise again through the link. Why did the damane care so much what name she had? Juliene thought that she should be grateful for the safety that only the a'dam could bring to girls like her. They had a place to sleep and were given the charge of helping to keep the kingdom and the Empress safe.
"Miri shall be kept a floor below with Kiro." The woman said looking at a list in her hand. "Kiro is especially good with the newer... Have you taught this one no manners?"
Juliene turned to see Miri looking straight into the eyes of the older sul'dam. Shame welled up in Juliene. It was one thing to be called a child, but quite another to have a damane show such impudence. The face she could lose because of this...
"Miri, eyes down." Juliene said coldly to the girl willing a good switching. For a moment Juliene thought she would have to resort to something worse, but Miri let out a soft gasp of pain before looking down.
Instead of making Juliene feel better, the sound made her feel worse. The sul'dam frowned before telling Juliene where to go with Miri. "And make sure that you keep that one on a tight leash." She said before turning away.
Tears began to well up in Juliene's eyes and she looked back accusingly at the girl sulking behind her. She just knew it was the bond making her feel this way.
She fought off the emotions and led Miri down through the kennels until they reached the room she would be sharing; only the best damane were allowed to sleep alone. Kiro was out for her daily walk, leaving the room empty for now. It had two beds, a table with a chair, and a pitcher sitting on the window for washing.
"Miri will be sleeping here with Kiro. She will help you learn the ways of the damane. Learn well from her." Juliene said unclasping the bracelet and hanging it on a peg built into the wall before sitting on the chair.
Miri began to sit on the bed before Juliene stopped her. "Damane are not to sit in the presence of sul'dam."
"Is there anything that I can do!" The girl said suddenly. Though Juliene had been expecting the girl to say something now that they were alone, the heat in her voice was still startling.
"Miri can call herself Miri from this point on. No longer I, Miri." Juliene said to her.
The girl opened her mouth again but Juliene snapped at her. "Here is something that you can do. Take my part of the a'dam down from the wall and give it to me. If you do that, I will let you do whatever you would like."
Juliene knew that there was no way for Miri to touch the peg, but the test was given to all damane during training. It was cruel of Juliene to ask the girl to do the seemingly simple task right now, but she was hoping the action would teach a lesson. The girl had made her face burn more than once today.
She watched as Miri walked toward the wall, her determination reaching Juliene even without the connection of the bond. Just as she reached toward the peg, pain flickered through her expression. She tried again, this time doubling over from the influx of stomach cramps. Once she was upright again she threw herself toward the peg before collapsing.
Juliene watched with chagrin as Miri began to heave. She could only imagine that the girl had reached for the Source in her frustration. Miri would have to be punished for the attempt, though Juliene lost the will to do it now. Whatever the girl was feeling was punishment enough for the moment.
"I can't do it." Came a small voice from Miri.
"Who can't do it?" Juliene asked before she could stop herself. It felt wrong, but the sul'dam in her had to ask it.
"Miri can not do it." The pitiful voice answered.
Juliene found herself wishing to be anywhere but in the room.
Leaving Miri on the floor, she turned to walk out of the room, passing Kiro and her sul'dam Adair in the hall.
"Kiro has a new friend." Juliene told Adair. "I named her Miri. She has been having trouble adjusting, and I would like Kiro to talk to her."
Before Adair could say anything back to her, Juliene turned away and continued her pace out of the kennels. It was all she could do not to begin running back to her room.
Her head was reeling from the events in the kennels. The vision of Miri desperately throwing herself at the peg would not leave her.
The halls were longer than she remembered, and it seemed hours had passed before Juliene finally found herself alone. Had everything only just happened?
She pulled off her boots and dress before climbing into the bed, hoping that a little sleep would clear her mind.
A.N. What do you think so far? Is Juliene destined to suppress some thoughts and be like other sul'dam, or will she change?
As always, reviews are welcome!