Eternally His

Somewhere in the Tahari, 9 wells glow in the light of 3 moons, and a girl sits on the edge of the well and gazes into its murky depths. Her name is not important as it was only hers for a time ... a time when he wanted her and must have something by which to call her.

In the moonlight which dances in the dark pool before her, she sees images of days past when a family prospered in the relentless heat and sand of the desert. She hears long lost cries of "Aretai Victorious" echo in the wells of her mind.

She remembers the long nights in his arms, as he enjoyed story after story of her homeland. He wanted to know everything. No one had she ever known could love this place as much as she. Tears roll down her face and she calls out his name, knowing he will not hear it, but more that it echo in the desert again and bring life to that harsh and unforgiving land.

She moves to the edge of the well, her resolve set. She can not live without him and she has no more use to him. She had begged her death at his hand and in his arms, but he did not even turn back as he began his trek west and north. She did not even deserve this kindness from him, for she had failed him in his last day in that cruel city.

She had not seen the changes she had set in motion with her stories and dreams. They came sudden upon her and found her unprepared to find new dreams. A slave girl must strive to find ways to deserve the continued honor of wearing her Masters collar. She had been too slow to understand his wants. She had not seen how she might earn the right to remain under his care and protection.

Her fingers trace the cold steel at her neck and her eyes, blurred by the mist of memories, gaze up to the moons one last time, knowing he too looks upon those same moons. She thanks him for leaving his steel on her and allowing her to be his forever in eternity.

She slips over the edge of the well and plummets to the depths below. In the Tahari she walks in his collar. Eternally His.

The moons shine on the well where at one time she sat and illuminates the words she etched into the soft stone with her nail.

"I relent, and seek yet another beast
Tired, broken, and sweating, you ponder to yourself
Alone in the grass:
You give –
You care not why."