Desert Winds (a Percy Jackson AU)

A Cold Reception

The rain drummed against the roof as Piper wove. Jason was now trusting Hera and her to not only mend, but make new things. Hera was working on a blanket, while Piper wove a tunic. Jason has wanted it to be purple with golden thread. It was simply designed, but the colors showed off its costliness. Piper wondered what occasion the clothing was for. Even wealthier members of society only had a few rotations of clothing due to its high intensity of labor and expense.

Michael came to the sewing room earlier than normal. Piper looked up. "It cannot be time for lunch already, can it?"

Michael shook his head. His beard and hair was groomed better than normal and he was wearing his finest tunic: a dark green one that had been a gift from Jason himself. "We have an important visitor coming soon. You two should wash up. The weaving can wait."

As he left, the two women exchanged glances before setting down their work. Hera smoothed down her dress and unwrinkled her shawl, while Piper redid her veil so it was less loose. "Who do you think it could be?" Piper asked.

Hera didn't answer for several moments, but the rain continued to steadily drum against the roof. "I suspect some government official is coming," she said. "Someone who Jason wishes to impress."

There was the sound of hurried footsteps in another part of the house and the slight creaking as the door opened. Piper imagined Michael bowing before saying, "Welcome, Lady Khione."

****

Lady Khione was a proud-looking woman. Since both of Jason's parents were dead and Thalia was a priestess, he invited Piper and Hera to ensure that Khione would not be the only woman in the room. "Your house is magnificent," Khione said.

Her voice was soft, yet cold. Her dark brown eyes were consistently narrowed and her pale face was often pinched with dislike. When she first laid eyes on Piper, she curled her pale lip.

Jason beamed at the compliment. "Thank you, Lady Khione."

     "My father was right," Khione said, her lips curling upwards in a smile. "You would truly grace our halls."

    Piper hid her scowl behind a hand. How long had a Khione spent thinking of that line? Jason's mother was known as Beryl the graceful and though she was dead, the servants still murmured of her drinking problems and outlandish requests. She was the second wife of a rich man and had been smug in being the only one to bear him kids.

      "If you would like to meet my sister next week, I could invite both of you over," Jason offered as he led Khione to the door.

      The woman smiled, her eyes as hard as diamonds. "That would be most excellent."

****

      "She is trying to marry him," Hera spat, pacing around the servants' corner.

     "If he wants her, then that is that," Piper said flatly.

      "Khione is just some D-list woman," Hera said, her lip curling.

      "If that's what he wants, that is what he will get," Piper said. "He is our master and if they marry, she will be too."