Kajira
The room stared as a tall woman a with long ebony black pony tail crossed the threshold. Every eye watched her as she quietly moved into the room to sit down in a chair close to the stage. The tables gaudy red clothe clashing horribly with well worn but obviously well crafted black armour which seemed to be a part of her. Her whole demeanor was that of someone you left alone if at all possible.
Unfortunately for the buxom corseted waitress, it was not possible. "Are you sure your in the right place Milady? Your kind aren't normally welcome in a place like this"
The young woman made a point of scanning the room. Her eyes meeting many of the drunken men who had previously been occupied grabbing at the young half dressed harlots scattered around the room. Having completed measuring up and disregarding the other patrons, her gaze comes back to the wench at her side. "I'm here for the show. I have heard you have a girl who plays the harp like an angel. Bring me some Yew Wine if you have such a thing, or ale in a clean glass if you don't."
Sparkling green eyes peek out from behind the stage curtain to see what all the fuss is about. "Oh my. What in all of sosaria do you think would bring a woman into a place like this Lucy? It's obvious she' not looking to work here. I'm surprised she hasn't been asked to leave.
"I don't know, but if you don't get on that stage with in the next few minutes, Master Brian is not going to be all that happy with you either. You remember the whoppin you got the last time missy."
The girl grimaces slightly and quickly moves over to the dresser to finish preparations. She dabs powder on flushed cheeks with practiced ease to try and hide some of the pale freckles that she hates so much. Taking a deep breath she steps back she steps back towards the curtain.
When she moves onto the stage, it's painfully obvious she doesn't belong in this den of iniquity. Her long fiery hair and pale skin so in contrast to the dingy surroundings. A pale green embroidered dress perfectly highlighted emerald eyes as she looks around the room, before taking the stool in front of the standing harp with the grace and bearing of a regal lady. Her mother would have been proud. Everyone in the room can't help but be enthralled. Even the serving wenches stopped trying to make some extra coin long enough to watch her. And when she started to sing, the whole room fell to a deathly quiet. Her soft clear voice able to be heard in even the furthest corner, as the sound of a very old Gaelic lullaby floated over the air.
The woman in dark armour watched at first, her fingertips unconsciously running over a small mark on the underside of her wrist, before closing her eyes with a sigh. The music bringing back memories of another time, another place and four young girls each so different from the other, all gathered around a large stone fireplace. There was a mother and a father and off in the corner almost like a shadow the most faithful servant a family could ever ask for. That same old man had come looking for the woman not that long ago.
The song ended and several others followed, each blending into the last. Before the woman realized it, the performance was over and the girl had left the stage.
She finally came from the back and with movements born of long practice, side stepped the hands of the men while bedazzling them with her smile she made her way to the bar. She didn't move quiet fast enough past the last group and a dirty hand lathed onto her skirt. Pulling her close and breathing drunkenly into her face, the man appeared determined to keep the lovely lady close.
The small silver dagger at his throat surprised everyone. The woman whom everyone had forgotten had moved to the girls rescue. The swirling lines of the brand on the bottom of the woman's wrist clearly visible to the girl whose whole body had gone stiff with shock. She had not seen the mark on another persons skin in a long long time.
The low voice of the woman almost growled, "Kajira it's time to go home".
Credit where credit is due.
Pictures are from my favorite artist, Jonathon Earle Bowser
