The Dubrovzkan Half Breed

V

A little while later, I heard a knock on the door. I sucked in a muted gasp and sat up straight.

"Rani?" said a gentle voice from the other side. Tawnya was there. "Are you in there?"

I bowed my head and opened the door. "What is it, Tawnya?" I asked heavily.

She stepped in and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry about Varshavsky. He's not usually so mean. I mean, he's not very nice to me, but he treats you like trash."

"... Thanks." I retorted bitterly. Gritting my teeth, I turned aside and wiped away my tears. "Maybe Varshavsky is right. I shouldn't be in this field of work." My breath came out in a shaky sigh. "I came here because I was confident, and I thought I would be doing good things. But one look into my eyes and Aleksi decided he hated me, all because my mother was Gombostonian." I said.

Tawnya patted my shoulder. "Aleksi just doesn't like women much and he's got a pretty deep hatred for Gombostonians... But, I'm afraid I don't exactly know why. Prejudice, perhaps." She compressed her lips, feeling she wasn't doing much good to help me. "Look, I talked to him today about getting you some work where he wouldn't be so rough on you. He said to me that he would look for something for you to do where he wouldn't have to see you very much, if at all. I know that sounds a little brutal, but after all..." The sentence faded from her mouth.

As much as I had wanted to please Aleksi, this looked to me like a chance at redemption. If getting away from Aleksi was what it took to keep from always feeling like a waste of space, then I wanted it. "I think it sounds nice." I murmured.

Tawnya smiled at me and gave me another hug. "I wish the best for you, Rani."

-----

Two days had gone by of nothing but more work where I tried deliberately to help in every way I could and stay far out of Varshavsky's way. He only said his usual morning insults to me and then the rest of the day I spent working where he wasn't and thus missed out on more of his cruel words.

On the third uneasy day in the quarters, I was surprised when Aleksi tapped my shoulder. It was so gentle that it scared me for a moment. I looked at him and stiffened.

"Come with me, Rani. I need to speak with you." he hummed.

This couldn't be right. Why was he so quiet? He was always so loud and vicious. And where was the smell of vodka oh his breath? Was I dreaming? I had to be.

I followed Varshavsky into his private quarters and he drew me up a chair. Anxious, I sat down. "Y-yes, sir?" I stammered.

The head master licked his lips and sat in his chair across from me. "Tawnya told me that I have been far more than out of line with you, and I want to apologize. And along with that, I was also told that you may be interested in working elsewhere."

I nodded, though a sinking feeling crept into my gut.

"With that said," he continued. "I have found another place for you to work where you may feel more needed: the position of vrach is needed on the battlefield."

"With the Gombostonians running rampant?!" I cried. If this had been a dream, it was turning into a nightmare very quickly. "But, it's dangerous out there! The Gombostonians don't spare anyone, even vrachs, Herr Varshavsky. What if I get killed?"

His face stated to grow cold again. "Would you rather keep running under my feet where you aren't valued, half breed?"

This time, instead of feeling hurt and sad, I only felt angry. "... No, sir," I hissed. "I would rather be somewhere I can be helpful... Sir." My brows set firmly.

For the first time, Aleksi smiled. It wasn't a comforting smile; more like the smile a dog would give a cat in a duel. But I didn't care and the feeling, I'm sure, was mutual.

"I'm glad." he hummed. "You move out tomorrow at 0300. Be ready then."