Sevastian walked into the room and gazed down the sleeping form of the street urchin he captured earlier that day. He was still puzzled why he did not kill her like the other three. All he knew about her was that she had an aura of promise shrouding her soul like a blanket. Putting on a stern face, he grabbed a pitcher of water from the table by the bed and threw it into the urchin's face.
"Wake up my little ball of anger. It is time to start your new life of servitude. Now don't be disappointing me by reaching for the dagger that's not there. I might have spared you earlier, but I can still end your life with a snap of my fingers."
Sarcanirin spit out a mouthful of water and glared up at the man. Staring at him with all the hate in her soul, she finally got a good look at the High Priest. The most prominent feature was his hair. It hung shoulder length, was a glossy black like a raven's wing. It framed his tanned face and accentuated the deep emerald color of his eyes. Recalling the sarcasm he used earlier, she noticed the tiny lines around his eyes and mouth showing years of self-serving smirks. Watching Sevastian walk around the foot of the bed and bend over to untie one of the ropes binding her, she couldn't help but be in awe of his regal bearing. The deep blue of his robe, with the light blue highlights like a lightning storm playing across his chest and arms, flowed around him as if it was alive. As he bent closer to untie the rope, Sarcanirin caught a faint scent of lavender and poppies. Without a conscious thought, Sarcanirin whipped out her leg as she felt the rope loosen. Raising his thigh to block the kick aimed at his groin, Sevastian smiled and viscously backhanded Sarcanirin across the mouth.
"My, aren't we a brave one," Sevastian scolded Sarcanirin. "We can do this all day, my little urchin, or we you can let me finish untying you and we'll started on your new life." Raising one eyebrow, and giving her one of his little smirks. Suddenly all humor left his voice. "Now what is it going to be!?"
Wide-eyed, Sarcanirin wiped the blood off her chin with a shaking hand and slowly nodded. "What does he want with me?" Sarcanirin asked herself. "I'll kill you if you ever hit me again." She muttered under breath.
Showing no sign that he heard her, Sevastian finished untying her. He stepped back and clapped his hands three times. He looked at Sarcanirin and noticed the open look of hostility on her face. "Keep that anger little one. It will help keep you sane in the trials ahead. I do so hope that you survive the coming years because I see great events in your future."
Hearing the door open, he turned to the slave that entered the room. "Have her bathed and clothed then take her to the kitchen. Mistress Venna is waiting for her." Looking over his shoulder at Sarcanirin, he winked at her. "I hope you enjoy being a scullery wench for awhile. It will help you know discipline. Mistress Venna is a hard taskmaster, but I think you can deal with that, I have no doubt."
Walking toward the door, Sevastain's expression hardened when he noticed the slave hadn't bowed to him. Turning to Sarcanirin, who was still on the bed, he called. "Oh, my little one. Here is an example for you on what happens if you don't follow the rules." As he walked by the slave, his arm shot out and grabbed the slave by the throat. Raising his hand, Sarcanirin saw that he held a long, curved blade. Holding the slave against the wall by his throat, Sevastian eyes bored into the slave. "Next time you won't forget to bow to me!" With that he released the slaves throat and before Sarcanirin could blink, he had grabbed the slave's hand and spoke a word. Suddenly the knife flared with a red-hot glow. Sevastian looked back at Sarcanirin, winked and then cut off the slave's hand with one swift motion. A loud hiss filled the room and Sarcanirin gagged as the acrid smell of burnt flesh wafted to her nose. The slave let out a blood-curdling wail and dropped to his knees clutching his arm. Sevastian grabbed the slave by the hair and said, "You have your orders. If you fail me again, you will lose another body part, a vital part." Giving Sarcanirin a grin so filled with evil, she shuddered. He turned and punched the slave in the face, smashing his nose flat against his left cheek causing a torrent of blood to cascade down the front of the slave's tunic.
