Interface

Mila

I am put to work almost instantly when we get back to the kitchens, and I wonder where the other servants came from.
There are seven of us in the kitchen- not including Gwyn, Leone, and myself.
The cook is a big woman, with skin as brown as the earth in the gardens and a loud, loud voice that echoes in the small confines of the kitchen.
Most of the others are her children, all with round builds and massive hands, but one girl has long ebony hair and almost violet eyes, and she looks so different from the others in the kitchen that I can't help but stare at her.
I hear shouting outside, but I'm afraid to go look.
The cook waddles to the door, pushing two of her children out of the way in the progress.
I watch her, and wonder why she looks so frightened by what she sees.
She walks out, and comes back in dragging one of her sons- the rotund one with half an ear- by his collar. Mara walks in behind them, and I hear Gwyn spit curses so vile that the cook blushes and shoots her a glare.
I can see why Gwyn feels the need to swear.
Mara is a mess. One of her eyes is swelling shut, and the skin covering her left cheek is split and bleeding. Mottling bruises cover her throat and wrists, and the color is vivid against her skin.
She looks miserable, and I wonder what on earth happened to her.
" WHAT DID YOU DO?!?" the cook bellows at her son.
The boy wrings a cloth between his meaty hands, and I nearly laugh at how ridiculous he looks, but one look at Mara tells me that this is no matter to laugh at.
The violet eyed girl slips up the stairs to the main floor, and I decide not to point this out, even though the girl might get in trouble if I don't point it out to the cook.
The cook has been yelling at her son for a good six minutes or so when Violet eyes returns with the lords in tow.
The cook's son looks like he might wet himself, and, from the looks of his tunic, he already has.
Lord Ferox takes one look at Mara, and his eyes harden into silver.
The cook practically throws herself at the feet of the lords, begging for mercy for her son.
Lord Ferox pushes her aside and bends down to check on Mara. he prods at her bruises with a gentleness surprising for a man of his strength.
When he turns around, he looks even more furious.
" your boy did this?" he snarls. He doesn't wait for an answer, instead drawing a gladius from its sheath instead.
The cook has tears in her eyes, and she continues her begging in high- almost musical tones. Lord Ferox looks the cook's son up and down, lips curled in a sneer.
" do you know how much of a mistake you just made?" he whispers, his voice barely audible.
The cook falls to her knees, though she still reaches up to Lord Ferox's chest.
" Please sir, my boy doesn't know what he does... spare him I'm begging you!"
Lord Ferox looks indomitable, and he turns to the guards in the doorway.
" contact the Arena. Tell them I've found a dog for them to put down."
The cook bursts into a new fit of tears and clings to Lord Ferox's arm as though it is a lifeline.
" please sir... my lord.. Show mercy for my youngest son!"
Ferox shrugs her off and stalks toward the entrance of the kitchen. I watch him, and notice that his hair almost glows in the noon sunlight.
" your boy should have thought his actions through before he attacked the girl." Ferox snaps.
Mara limps after him and tugs on his belt- as the cook did just a few moments ago.
When she speaks, the sound is weak and crackling.
" my lord.. Please.. Show mercy to the boy... I'm sure he meant no harm."
Lord Ferox scowls, but sheathes his weapon.
" I'll tell the guards to take his legs instead."
The cook starts up with another round of wailing so fierce that I am forced to cover my ears.
Lord Ferox strides out of the door, his footfalls ringing out like the drums of death.
The cook's boy looks terrified, and he clings to his mother, the heavy braids in his hair swinging around him from the motions.
Mara looks sullen, and I hope she's alright.
Gwyn grabs hold of Mara's arms and leads her down into the small cell that we four call home in this unforgiving world.