Blood (Epic of the Mediterranean) [Book 1]

Chapter 3

Would it do any good? Taking out the repressed pain of an impalpable wound on the person who might have caused it? Not particularly, when seen through a more rational view. Venting it through physical actions has no effect on the emotional state, even though it may provide instant gratification, or an awaited satisfaction. No, what is needed is always a healing. Deep and gentle. But it is a fact of humanity, that revenge runs in our blood. Fight or flight has been imbedded in all species, but holding grudges for the right time of dispersing them is special to humans. An inevitable trait. Could it be deemed wrong then? In all possibilities no. For those who don't eat get eaten. 

Naya's hands twitched at the searing sensation on her palms. The skin had already been torn apart by iron whips, allowing the flesh to be exposed to further afflict.

"You truly expect me to drink this?" Vain reasons for conveying the perpetual hatred. A façade of futility. Yet not a single noise. No one dared to speak a word against the injustice for the sentiment of fear dominated that of virtue. Secondly, the master was unusually furious today which was written all over his face.

Asmaka banged the porcelain harshly on the table as he stood up in a hustle from his position, "Why, even though it is the skin of your hands which has withstood the contact, does it seem as if your tongue has suffered more?! Have you lost the ability to speak? Believe me, it isn't your fault. It is the fault of the very family you took birth in. Perhaps, if I drain out every last drop of blood from your body, you won't be so impure anymore," even if the reasons didn't account too much, as long as they could be used for torment, it was good enough. Yet it didn't cause any look of thrill or remorse on the receiver. This highly frustrated the Lord for he wasn't receiving the pleasure of twisted contentment through agony on her face which he had projected.

Unforeseen, the foreign crockery was thrown in her direction which she dodged barely. The force was such that it shattered into a million pieces at the very contact with the pillar behind. "Stop staring into the void and clean it up!"

The order alerted a few other servants to perform the duty, but the cold eyes of the master sent them back to their original positions. Naya looked at the fragments uneasily. Of course, it had only been a few days and being unacquainted to performing any such labor before along with getting mixed up in next to most of the tasks was already a rather stressing experience. She looked at the ivory while bowing down on one leg. A memoir from a past journey to the further east perhaps.

"Tsk, utterly useless I say", Asmaka thundered before stomping out of the hall.

Another woman, who didn't seem to be any older than Naya herself, rushed forward as soon as the threat to her affability passed away.

"Look at them, only it isn't half as worse as it could have been, considering how Lord Asa is", she grimaced while helping her up, "Why is he always so cruel? And without an end." At this point, it wasn't a new picture to anyone in the palace anymore. Most of the workers knew the reason. Shadi was one of those who didn't. What was to be expected anyway? All those who knew, looked down at her with aversion. An eagle's pride remains unleashed and bold as it dominates the highest of the skies without equal. Some birds don't dare look up at it out of dread, while others because they are way below. The eagle could only be seen when it descends to hunt. But when its wings are severed off, the sky becomes a distant thought. The vultures which never raised their eyes on it and fed after it now advance to feed on it. They devour it through its vulnerability. That is just the way of the world.

"Shadi, if anyone hears you out, it would be difficult," the two women walked out into the grand portico overlooking the back gardens which was actually more of a resting place for the servants, yet never overcrowded. Treason was one of the most lethal crimes which a person could commit in the state. Naya being the most prominent object to the Lord's dislike, empathy for her could cause complications for others.