Legends of Belariath
Jesse
Lady Jesse Madison A'Moor Tymoreno
Chapter One- All of Our Dues
I was born in Firianna Village just over 29 cycles ago. My mother was Jessica and my father was George. They used common names in our village as they wanted to add new traditions to the old ones. My father thought it would help since we lived near a common town named Dahlia. It was where he worked to keep food on our table.
They named me Jesse after my mother who was very ill and had hoped to let her name carry on with me. My arrival was blessed by my aunty Janseca, the high druid of our druidic council. She claimed that I carried a high gift of magic and taught me of the druidic arts in my childhood.
At the age of 3, my mother died and in the next spring her spirit helped us in the reseeding. My aunty became my mother and father began working more in Dahlia. As an elder of our village, he had duties to tend to and his selling and trading in town was a way for him to get passed my mother’s death. That all began to change when I became 18.
A new Lord of Dahlia was announced, and father started to worry for us all. I offered to help Papa in the store and he allowed it. The shop was a small but busy place as many knew that for quality items, they could find them at the “Eldon Trade”. My father was a very leaniate man and many took advantage of it. My job was to keep the store books in line and to help Papa collect dues owed to him.
Papa made me dress my best and keep my manners, he said that the customers liked it and that made them comfortable. I knew it was to make us appear wealthy, I never minded dressing up and I thought it was fun to look important. After a few weeks of working with Papa, I noticed some dues that Papa refused to collect and he told me that they were good for it and he trusted them. I never knew better until it was too late.
My father had become a hefty gambler and the dues listed were actually losses from his gambling. Inventory items written off in dues to fake names to make the books equal out at tax periods. Yet I did not know how bad until the next tax period arrived. Papa had been gambling again and the books had too many dues out, the Lord of Dahlia sent for Papa and the next few hours of waiting for his return seemed like weeks.
Chapter Two- Darkness Falls
When Papa arrived, he told me that he tried to gamble back the money needed to cover the books and had lost. “What did you lose papa?” His reply was dreadful, “The store Jesse, but we will manage without it just fine.” Just when I agreed, guards entered the store and following them was the Lord of Dahlia, Drake A’Moor. “This all now belongs to the A’Moor estate.” He seemed to bellow in a braggart’s tone. Papa nodded to Drake, “Very well, we will be on our way then.” Drake had the guards stop Papa and crowd among us both.
“Mister Madison, you turned everything in this store over to my possession, is that correct?”
Papa nodded and yet not knowing, “Yes Lord A’Moor, that is correct. We were just waiting for you.”
Drake gave a nod and then laughed, “Then as I see it, you belong to me as does the lovely lady that stands in it.” He looked to me as if I was a priceless decoration and we both worried at the words.
“Sir, you cannot just own people. That is not right and was not part of the deal.” Papa tried to handle things but guards surrounded him and when they backed away, Papa lied on the floor dying. I wanted to run to Papa but 2 burly guards grabbed me up and dragged me away. I watched Papa until I could no longer see him. I cried as Drake gave a foul smirk and then all of darkness fell over me.
Chapter Three- Rags to Riches
The darkness soon lifted with lights from lanterns in the dark room, I could see bars all around the place and then four ladies wearing expensive clothes and elegant jewelry. Each began to tend to me with chores. 1 to brush and wrap my hair, 2 to bathe and dress me, and 1 to tell me what I was to do and how to do it. She said that if I did not that I would not survive long. Frightened, I nodded and choked back tears as the door opened and Drake entered. Anger filled my veins and the four ladies knelt in silence. A hard slap rang against my face and I reacted with a slap in response. I reacted as I should have but not as I was told and Drake made that clear as he beat me to the floor and began his taking of me. Taking away my name, rights, and my innocence. I no longer had to fear that my father was dead, but that I would join him soon.
I spent a cycle living in a barred space at the Drake A’Moor manor basement. Everyday was a day away from family and friends, I wondered if Papa was alive or truly dead. I was beaten and raped by Drake and his guests. My slave sisters always nursing me to health to keep me alive.
In the second year I had fallen into the role and kept to my duties, brain washed and completely controlled by Drake. I thought that he was the best thing for me, rewarded for behaving with a jeweled collar of gold and pearls. I wore it proudly and was too young to know any better. More rewards to fancy me as I behaved and I looked like a pretty china doll by the end of the cycle. Drake had many wealthy guests and they would reward me as well if I had pleased them. I was happy with the gifts I had gained.
The third and forth cycles passed quickly and it was the 5th cycle that became important. Drake was talking of removing my collar and I feared that he was releasing me as a failure or even going to sell me away to someone strange and different.
“Darling Jesse, you have grown so much in your years here. So much that I have begun to favor you over your sisters, and I will not have you beneath them any longer.” I wondered if he was now testing my loyalty as he slipped my collar away from my neck. I felt lost and naked.
“You will no longer wear this collar and you will wear the mark you have earned.” He began to scare me all over again as he sat me in a chair and bound me to it tightly. He forced me to drink something awful and then he blurred away from view and I fell asleep.
Chapter Four- Great Escapes
The next light was sometime later, to be more specific, a few days later. I was no longer bound, no collar on my neck, but it was sore. The room was divinely decorated and I was lying on a real bed of the softest fashions. Next to me was Drake and I panicked. I felt my neck because of the tenderness and the back of it had a bandage. I scurried quietly to a wall mirror and pulled away the bandage. A small tattoo of the letter D was there. Drake awoke and walked up behind me “You belong to me Jesse and you always will. This mark will be your reminder even when you are not in the manor.”
I froze under his touch and at his words. I wasn’t sure of what had transpired but being able to leave the manor was a privilege of the highest. Had I known then what he had done, I would have killed him sooner.
I had been drugged for a trip with Drake where he had me tattooed with a mark and the ink had magic placed into it. After that, Drake had taken me to a church and forced a priest to marry us. Drake was not getting any younger and he had no heir to his estate. He needed a legal marriage and a child from that marriage. I guess he figured a child with an elf would help his lineage continue for many cycles to come. The copulation the night before was in hopes of him impregnating me with a child. At the time I had no clue and the summer of that year led to things unfolding.
I was free to roam Dahlia and the people told me of stories about Drake. Stories of him having a child from a previous marriage. A daughter named Sara was promised to the neighboring town’s lord in hopes for a peace treaty. Drake had promise Sara to Lord Veldruk of Valrona in agreement for a peace to be restored. Sara left to be with an elf that she loved named Gage Pezzeni and married him in a small elven ceremony. Drake had Gage found and killed. Sara vowed revenge and disappeared.
I asked Drake about the stories and he said it was all lies except that he did have a daughter Sara and that he thinks that Veldruk had her kidnaped and killed. I felt terrible and promised that I would try to give him a child in Sara’s place. I was somehow held by Drake’s power over me and believed his every word.
For 2 months we continued to try having a child. A shaman Loranus was to let us know if I was with child, it was not a great day for us. Loranus arrived but my slave sister Alicia became jealous and tried to escape. I felt bad for her and worried. Her greatest harm came when she was brought back to Drake. He acted as if he was a monster and beat Alicia to her death. I was horrified and fainted.
My next sight was of Loranus, the tribe shaman as he was telling Drake more bad news. “This girl does not carry child. She is still young and you are not.” The words were like sharp knives and I ran out of the manor and could not stop. At the gates of Dahlia, guards stopped me and walked me back to Drake. He starting hitting me for running away, “You will never run again. You will have my child, it must have your elven lineage Jesse. I want my name to continue!” I began to see past the wool over my eyes and the beast that Drake really was.
When the beating was over, he began to apologize but I could not forgive him, just act as if I was under his spells. I told him a lie that he held true. “Drake, dear. I may have a way to help us have a child. My aunty could make up some herbal help.” Drake allowed me to go and my new plan began to come into play. Aunty Janseca helped me make something that he would not suspect, a light poison to slowly rid me of Drake. I returned and told Drake that he was to have a spoonful with his drink every night. He did so as he continued to try having a child.
In a month, Drake became more ill and the shaman Loranus was scheduled to return. His news was good for Drake, but deadly to me. “She carry child, it grows well.” I nearly collapsed. “I need some fresh air.” as I stepped outside and into the forest. I just kept going, I went on for 2 days. In 2 days I was exhausted, starving, confused, hurt, and angry. I found a cave and spent the night in it to keep warm. When I awoke, it was because I was being mauled by a pack of wolves. Screaming as the gnashed my skin and I worried about my growing child. They all fled when the shaman arrived and I only recall the next light of day that I saw. I was being treated by the shaman and he spoke lightly to me, “You have no child, child die by wolves. I save you from death, now you must go. run to the north to town.” I nodded and followed his pointed direction, I knew he was keeping a secret from Drake. I ran north into the nearest town, Nanthalion, and to its inn. I was given a room and I slept that night there.
Chapter Five- The Trouble with Men
I slept at the inn for 2 days before venturing down to the main floor. It was a place filled with creatures of many races. It was also odd at it was called The Lonely Inn but no one there was ever lonely. The place seemed to have an effect on those there and it led many to sexual desires. After a meal and a drink, I began to think that I had escaped Drake, that I could have an new life. I met some of the people in the inn, talked with a few. Krom was a barbarian of the Redfist Clan and he was quite the foul one and tended to slaves as if they were only flesh to treasure. I was sure not to let him know that I was an escaped slave. Scott Monroe was a human man who always believed that he was cursed, he was afraid that by even talking to him would curse me. Then I heard a loud outcry by a barbarian man named Ezekial Raines as he headed my direction. He began calling me Jolene and would swear that I was her brought back from the dead. He claimed that Jolene, his dead lover, must have been spiritually placed into me while I was nearly dead and that Jolene saved me to be in her place. I suspected a tribe shaman of doing it. “Loranus has an obsession with Jolene, with you looking just like her, I am sure he would place her spirit into you to keep her alive.”
I felt sorry for the man and simply let him think that he was right. Loranus was not dark art shaman either. I knew better than the crazy story and told him that I was not Jolene, he refused to think otherwise. Zeke, as he said, was adorable in his ways and quite handsome, we spent many days talking of Jolene and spending time together. I found work in the town’s healers guild manor and I tended to wounded and ill patients.
Things went well for a while and then got bad. Zeke and I had an argument about me being afraid to be touched. I was not afraid of him, just afraid to be found as a runaway or for Zeke to ask about Drake. Zeke left the inn and I stayed, I should have went, should have. I felt cursed now. and after he was gone for a few hours, the inn walls started to literally crash in as a troll began bashing down walls as orc came rambling through. I tried to hide, but so many orcs and they were all stronger than I was. Even the strongest person Krom, was taken down as I was being dragged out. I was placed into a cage and carried into the woods. Other ladies were showing up in cages and few escaped.
I feared that Drake had sent hunters to find and return me. I soon learned otherwise as I was strung up and branded with a branding iron, right before I passed out. When I became aware again, I was in a cage and being rolled off in a wagon as I saw a woman being branded and then the wagon cover was lowered and I could only see light around the edges ove the cover. I used that light to keep track of the time. The trip took nearly 7 days and on the final day the cover was lifted and all of the women were chained to each other to lead them into a large building in a market place. From there we were seperated and chains were what was used to lead us around from man to man as they each had thier turn with whatever woman they wanted. None of them were a bit gentle. I became numb from rapings and pain. I was so numb that I began to think I was about to go into my deepest sleep and just fade into death. I had no other hope and I was a slave in the worst of places.
That evening was the worst as slave auctions began and the women were being sold away. I was there for at least 2 days of beatings, rapings, and auctions and I knew that I would soon be sold to the highest bidding man. I began to shutdown inside and blocking everything out. I could move and function but I refused to hear, see or feel anything. I was lead to a wooden stage while in my chain outfit. My bare body and the chain that had been as a leash for days. I dared not to look up as I did not want to see the face of the man that would want me. Shouts filled the air but I muffled them away. Soon it was silent and the chain released from me. I heard something that made me hopeful but still scared, “Jesse?” Someone knew who I was and they had stopped the auction by paying the asking price. I even hoped that it was Drake for sometime as he was at least able to take care of me.
“Jesse, it’s okay. You’re safe now.” I only followed the assuring voice as it took me away from the city sounds and through the trip back to Nanthalion. I was still afraid to know who the person was. I was catatonic inside. I could not get myself to do more than think. I was like a walking corpse.
The man led me into the bath house and to a more private tub area and begin to bathe me clean of the mess I was covered in. He had a gentle voice, yet a hint of sterness underlined it as he told me what to do. My new master seemed fairly kind and he treated as a wounded fawn that needed to be tended to and not just a piece of steak to throw to his dogs.
“Jesse, I came to get you and return you to someone.” Now I knew that Drake had found me, he sent this man to find me and he was just stopping at an inn before continuing to Dahlia. I knew I must have cried but I didn’t feel anything, not even a tear or the warm water he was bathing me in.
“Zeke is looking to find you.” Zeke? I had never expected to hear that and it was then that I actually got myself to muster anything to show that I was there inside. I glanced up to the man.
He was human and he seemed worried in expression. He had a strong build but a sensative touch to his bathing and as he held me to dress me in some clothes he gave me.
“Jesse? Are you alright? Do you remember Zeke?” All I could manage to yes was a simple, “Yes.” And he gave a smile that made me feel so much better. He finally seemed relieved that I was finally responding. My new master was a handsome fellow and he seemed humble and decent, he did not seem like a man who would own slaves, but one who would help anyone in trouble.
“I’m Zeph Kincade, Zeke left a flyer that you were missing. Krom pointed you out at the auction. Do you know where to find Zeke?” I was so pleased to hear that news and yet I was still wondering of my new master and then answered, “I think the inn would be where to look, master.” Zeph gave me aleery look and then led me out of the room and into the main section of the bath house. I was worried that he was upset with me but we stopped to a quick halt when Zeke saw us and the bad shape that I was in and he reached for his weapon and shouted at Zeph, “Where are you going with her? What have you done to her?” Zeph surely had no idea that it was Zeke as he reacted by grabbing at his weapon and the two seemed ready to strike at each other. I ran up to grab Zeph’s arm and pleaded, “No master, stop, please.” and he seemed to be listening until Zeke made himself be known again, “What? What is going on and what are you doing with my woman?” Zeph appeared to become more irritated by Zeke and yet I somehow managed to blurt out, “Zeph no, that’s Zeke!” It was finally what stopped Zeph from possibly killing Zeke. Zeph would have been a great master as he protected me even though he did not even know me, a true knight in shining armor, a great guardian. And at the time, he was the one who had bought my freedom, boughten me, owned me, my master.
Chapter Six- No Love in Slavery
After the air cleared between Zeph & Zeke, I was allowed to go to Zeke by Zeph. Zeph was my new master, but he did not want to be involved with slavery. He purchased be to return a loved one to the person who put up the flyer. A man after my own heart. “Jesse you are free to go.” and he made me so happy but it would not last, Zeke and I were only close on the outside. Inside I was so scared to be touched after what I had been through and Zeke liked to be close and touchy feely far too much. He could not understand that I was not ready to be sexualy active yet and he began to grow enraged more by it. He would become rough in handling me and sometimes would force me to have sex with him as he threatened to harm Zeph, my master.
It soon came to my first payday after the ordeal. I promised Zeph that I would repay him for saving me from the slave auctions. I bought him a set of bracers and met him at the inn to give them to him. He was pleased with them and then asked me for something more. “Perhaps just a taste of what I spent my money on?” I couldn’t say no, he was still my master and he did possibly save my life.
No one in the inn would have cared as sexual encounters happen there every waking minute, but as I was honoring Zeph’s request, Zeke had stepped into the inn and becamed enraged. He began with yelling and then drug me up to our room where he continued yelling and hitting. He tried to drown me in the tub and then held up a collar that he had boughten, “If you want a master Jolene, I will be your master!” I couldn’t believe it, he had gone back to believing that I was Jolene again, and I did only what I could do, I ran. I ran for every bit of life that I had left. I ran until I reached the river across town. I was about to board a riverboat when I heard my master’s voice, “Jesse, where do you plan to go?” I wanted to go, but my master compelled me to stay. “Stay. Stay with me.” I was confused, was he asking me to take me back to Zeke.. “I can’t.” I was afraid of Zeke, not of his collar, but of him thinking that part of love was placing a loved one into slavery. “One night Jesse. Let me have one night to change your mind.”
I gave him more than one night, but I would have gave him my life if he had asked, it was his as he had saved it and he owned it. I would have done anything he had asked, and in many ways, I did. He watched over me and I felt so safe. He was my master and I loved him for being the one who protected me and for taking care of me. I never loved him any further than that of a closest and dearest friend. That is when I knew one thing and I would never forget it. “There is no love in slavery.” No slave and master could be life partners and have children, they would have to break past the bond of the slave and master, they would have to remove the binds and allow themselves to be free together. Just as Drake had done to me and I was too young to realize it. Too late to turn back either.
Chapter Seven- When Fickle is Fickle
In time Zeph introduced me to a friend of his, a sylvan man named Layne Oakleaf. Layne was the more fickle of the sylvan elves, handsome and young. He had the softest blonde hair and odd violet eyes that seemed to draw me to him. His fun-loving personality attracted me to him, but he had a bit of arrogance about him that would irritate me. We would always fight like cats and dogs. Layne became the boy next door that you loved to hate. Zeph, Layne and I were like three peas in a pod, inseperable. I should have followed my instincts and kept fighting him, keeping him at a distance.
Zeph and Layne both scared me one day as they seemed like different people. Layne became rougher in the shared sex and even more when he grabbed a woman name Emma at the inn. He invited several men over to share her and Zeph was included. They all began rotations to Emma’s body and I wanted to leave but Layne held me there and forced me to watch. He told me that me would do the same for me because I would like it.. I was appalled.
The next day Zeph apologized many times and Layne simply said to forgive and forget it. I think Layne just quickly forgot it. I forgave them sense the town has was of affecting people and causing such things to happen. It was the nature of the area.
In time, I grew to love Layne and at one time he had discussed things with Zeph about buying me away for his own. I thought if that being with Layne meant that I would have to wear his collar, that I would be sure that it was a collar that I would like. I had one of mithril made and shaped into oakleaves and had emeralds placed into it of the shape to make the leaves green. His name engraved onto it and I would have been proud to have worn it. After some discussion, Layne and I decided it best not to be together in slavery, but to be together freely. The first time I would be with a man without a collar since it all began. Layne kept the collar as a reminder of how loyal I was.I thought it reminded me of what I no longer wanted, he also kept it incase he needed it for a slave of his own. I knew he had slaves that he owned, but as fickle as he was, I thought it would work out for the best.
We lived in Layne’s tree-house for some time and Layne began to grow up a bit from his childish behavior. I worked and he would looks for jobs, all seemed better.. on the surface. Layne became bothered by my closeness to Zeph and we began to space apart. I tried everything to prove to Layne that I only loved him and that Zeph was just a close friend. I should have been home more and perhaps things would have not gone astray.
Chapter Eight- Stranger Fires Burn
During a long night shift at the healers manor, I went to check on a patient. A human man with black hair and a red robe of detailed embroidery seemed in pain from his injuries and I wanted to be sure that he was okay. He ended up ripping my clothes away and having his way with me forcefully before leaving. I reported the incident to the manor’s guards and a bounty was placed for his actions and he was to be captured for punishment.
I had to tell Layne and he was worried and angry, “I will find him and kill him myself.” I knew that Layne meant well, but as protective as he was, he was no match for the human mage. I thought that he would do anything to protect me and perhaps found Layne even more attractive with his arrogance in that moment. I sometimes still do, but it never lasts long.
The next evening in the forest, I would never forget. Running for my life as the madman was chasing me. it was dark, I could only see so far and in every turn, he was there. He kept laughing and taunting as I ran. He had come back because of the bounty, he wanted to be sure that I could not turn him over or point him out to anyone. After a brutal raping he did. He somehow burnt my vision from my eyes and then burnt my voice away. I supposed he was a mage skilled in the arts of flame and had gone insane. He soon left me there in the forest blinded and unable to call for help. I began crawling on the forest’s floor and hoped that if I continued in the same direction that I would at least find something. Something that mama had always said, “Jesse, if you should ever get lost, always go straight. The more you turn, the closer to backwards you will be.” It never made sense till then. I kept at it all night, crawling and hoping. In the morning I could feel the dew and really grew worried as I had not found my way out yet.
It wasn’t until I heard an elven tune in the distance that I knew I had a chance. I kept my crawling towards the tune until it quit. I felt soft grass finally. A clearing or actual grass out of the forest, it didn’t matter. The tune had stopped, but it was with good reason as it now became voices. A female voice with a hint to elven and a familiar voice that only made me glad that I listened to my mother. Zeph had found me once again. I was starting to think that Zeph was not even human, that he was some guardian angel. Zeph and his elven lady friend , Taralpheil, took me to the healers manor and left me in thier care.
I spent a week at the manor recovering my sight and what voice could be saved. Layne stayed with me every possible moment that he could spare, I think we grew closer during that week and I thought I wanted to spend my life at his side. I must have been blinded by more than fire at the time. Layne and I spent more time together and when the mage man, Soulic Dorean was caught for the bounty, I felt relieved that Layne and I could finally focus on just us.
I should have known that it was too much work just to keep together, but I guess I just wanted it to work too bad.
Chapter Nine- So Numb, So Dumb
Before long, Layne and I seemed like the couple that everyone in Nanthalion watched, it was as if they waited for our to fall apart but yet hoped that we could out live the distractions of the town’s natural seductions. Either they hated us or they loved us, and it was like having pressure around us constantly. Deep down, I wanted it to last forever, and Layne couldn’t keep from thinking that I was still using him until Zeph would ask for me. I guess it was never meant to be with us as Layne finally decided to tell me how he felt. I tried to explain to Layne that he had nothing to worry about, that Zeph and I were just friends with a history that kept us close. Layne went home to the tree house and I left to the inn. I thought that my cursed life had finally gone to the bottom and I became numb all over again. I worked to just keep my mind from crumbling apart. Worked until I was completely numb and again I was like a walking dead. I could tell that I was slipping away from everything around me.
A night in the inn came when all of the things I had done to cover up any evidence of slavery on my body no longer helped. The tattoo from Drake I had altered into a green and silver butterfly while I was with Layne and the magics in it somewhat still remained. The dark elven slave brand, I had tried to remove but it left a scar in its place that only made it look as if the color of the burnt skin had ran out. It still looks like the brand is there, and someone had caught notice of it. A dark elven appearing man named Du‘ghal Horishmet had noticed it and he began to treat me as his slave in training. I had no other option, he could have returned me to the dark elves for money and I would be a slave again. I tried to keep things simple about it, but word had gotten to another dark elf and one that was not light about such things, Mistress Andara.
Andara was the head Mistress of the Slave Guild in Nanthalion and she was sure to ask me about the branding scar. I tried to explain that it was from my captivity and that the slavers that had done it were not legal with the guilds. She nodded as she told me that any brand can be used to mark slaves, that even though the guild would not be involved in providing the slavers with help, that the brand still meant that I was a dark elf slave to all dark elves.
“Either you wear my collar as a slave for sale here in Nanthalion or I can return you to your dark elven slavers for a nice reward, in which you become a slave to them again. In both cases, you will be a slave, just that one gives me a small bonus. Which do you choose?” I knew that would be the options somehow, and I thought things over “I might as well take the first.” Andara agreed and then she placed a simple collar about my neck and announced it to those at the inn that she now had new merchandise for all to hear. One hearing it was Du‘ghal, and he became amused with the thought. He began spending a bit more time around me and still called it training. I was a the point of not caring anymore and at night I would have to use sleeping herbs to even sleep. I kept to my work and then kept to Du‘ghal between all of the men and some women who would abuse me and call it testing the merchandise. I think it got to the point of no one wanting me for a slave because of how numb I had become.
And for the strangest reason, I felt as if Du‘ghal was gaining some control over me. I kept wanting to hate him but for some reason all I could think about was him. I never quite figured out how he had done it, but he did. When he was around, I could only think that he was the one for me and I knew differently. It all stopped when I had earned enough money to approach Mistress Andara with another option to the agreement that I thought would work. Until then, I was being torn as a few people began to bicker over who could pay the most or wanted to buy me more. A sheykan man named Valardghast who always wore a mask claimed that he knew what kind of slave I would be and would treat me as I was meant to be treated. A man named Yugo who I was not sure I could even handle living with as he was very obsessive. A dark elf name Maladorn even pointed out some interest but in the end, it was my offer that worked best for me and Andara.
“a hundred mehrial and I walk free.” Andara removed the collar from my neck and took the coinage that I offered. I was free, but it left me with nothing to do but work and no one in my life but me. Du‘ghal and his tricks came to an end as he gave them one more try and I finally realized what he was doing. He was trying to brainwash me into thinking that I loved him. Magics that he had been using since I was so numb, but for some reason, I was no longer bothered by it. But I think he was beginning to fall into his own lies as he continued to speak to me as if I mattered to him, he even tried to help me with my addiction to the sleeping herbs but he only infuriated me more.
I was so angry and I needed to get it out. I went to the arena to vent out my anger of many things, I ended up doing magics that I never knew I had, and should never had learned. I meant to stop myself but I couldn’t and I saw myself casting hateful magics at random people in the arena and one person that I knew would not be easy going about it. I tried to stop myself but it was too late. Krom was never much for magic arts and he called it witchcraft. It was only one of his large attacks that simple took my life from me. I never knew what happened next but I do know that I got to see my father and my mother.
I was so happy to see them, but they seemed upset and then a man arrived wearing robes. I was so scared that I ran away. He finally spoke and he told me things and I walked with him. Back to life in a chamber at Unigo tower, there he told me that Krom had paid for my return. Curiously I aske Krom about this and he was quite adamant about his demands for his repayment. I was to remain with him and serve him as he wished until he considered the debt for my resurrection to be paid in full with interest. My new collar was just a chain. A chain that I had to wear while I worked and shoveled his horse’s dropping out of his yard and into his neighbors as he ordered. Each night I was to meet him at the inn and serve him there. Then return to his home each night and sleep on the porch outside. Krom is what I recall as the most strict master I had served but he had his reasons. He was of the Redfist clan of barbarians and they held slave women as the highest quality of women. This meant that the slaves had to earn every bit that they got, they had to serve obediently and loyally or they were freed and a free woman was rarely thought of as mates. Some even end up dead due to many punishments that I would not dare wish for. I understood that Krom was not trying to be cruel as it appeared to many others, but trying to explain would only make matters worse. I only thought that I should do as told and not cause any trouble. That all changed as Du‘ghal began acting as if he cared about me again. It did not take long for Krom to get irritated with Du‘ghal and a small fight ensued. I tried to stay out of it but Krom had found Du‘ghal acting on my behalf as my fault and decided to take it out with me. As this happened at the inn, it drew the attention of Layne. The one person I did not want to be involved, the one that I was hoping I could try to get back to. I just wanted to get everything in my life cleared away and free of anything that might keep me from him before trying to approach him again. Layne and Du‘ghal were beaten down by the force of Krom and I knew that I had to pay Krom his fees back.
A month passed and I paid Krom his dues and I began packing my things. I had to leave Nanthalion. I recieved mail from Dahlia, my aunty Janseca sent warning that Drake had learned of my where abouts when word of my time as merchandise traveled there to Drake. I was so scared and I packed quickly. I wrote a small note and made sure that it would be delivered to Zeph. I simply left town and returned to Drake as the letter sounded urgent. I wasn’t noted as a runaway and I wasn’t noted as I had expected.
Jesse A’Moor
I am sending word to you before the personal guards of Dahlia arrive in Nanthalion for you. Drake has requested you to return home in his grave days. I hope that you can return as well as it seems you will be needed in these desperate times to keep the people in Dahlia at some peace. Newsof the birth of your son has been a lift of spirits and we wish to welcome a new heir into the land.
High Druid of Firiana,
Janseca
I knew that she was forced to write it, but she managed to give me information that I did not know before it could catch me when I got back. It all seemed strange, but whne I arrived in Dahlia, it began making more sense. I had been so dumb, I had forgotten all about the plans we made such a time ago. How could I have been so dumb?
Chapter Ten- A New Hope
I returned to Drake’s side in the A’Moor estate, he was very ill and near his last days bedridden and he seemed different to me. Frail and I remained with him. I t was all over Dahlia about me having a newborn son in another town away from all of the war to keep it safe, a son born heir from our legal marriage. To Dahlia, I was Lady Jesse A’Moor. Some of it was true and all of it was said to be confessions of a dying Lord. I asked Drake about it and he began to tell me things that he had kept secret for so long.
“Darling Jesse, I must tell you everything so that Dahlia will know it’s history, the truth, and so that our son will be a greater man than I.” He had my attention the entire time as I remained at his side. “Long ago I had a wife, Saraphina, and we were happy. We had a child, a son, but he was born still. In a terrible fit of anger, I took my love and did horrible things. From those things, we were given another child, a daughter we named Sara.” Drake started to sound even more frail as he continued in tears. “After Sara was announced, I lost my Saraphina to death from the birth. I was left bitter and raised Sara as a son. I kept her a secret until she was old enough to claim her birthright to the estate. Yet Sara was not ready, she wanted to lead the armies in protecting Dahlia from attacks to keep it safe.”
The story was beginning to make more sense and I listened still. “Sara was the strongest and most skilled of them all. She proved that as she began to take new lands and stirred up war with Valrona. Veldruk was afraid that Sara would defeat his army and wanted to make up peace treaties. I thought I could do it and offered to ally with him by marriage with Sara.” Drake sighed as he thought it over in his head, “I should have raised her to be elegant like her mother, but Sara grew to be stubborn. She refused and ran off with some elf named Gage. I sent word to find her and capture Gage. I was furious. In the mist of rumors and wrong worded orders, my men found Sara.” Tears again flowed from the frail man’s eyes.
“They raped and beat my daughter and murdered Gage. When they brought me Sara and reported what they done, I had them executed.. but the damage was done. My own daughter blamed me for Gage’s death, I did not know that she had run off to wed Gage, she screamed it at me before she left again. I fear that Sara has the same rage that I have. She continues to elude my men and she refuses to return to her birthright. Veldruk also searches for her, he loves her as she is.” He turned to me and I simply placed my hand in his to encourage him to finish. “Jesse, I am so sorry for what I have done to you and I wish I could have done it differently. I have loved you since I saw you and I regret all of this. Please forgive me and carry out my last wishes.” I wish he would have died when I was gone, but I nodded and waited to hear what he wanted. “Find Sara and tell her that it is safe to come home and raise my son to bring peace to Dahlia. Thier mother would have wanted it.” I told him that I would, but I never expected for it to be possible. Drake only lasted a few more hours and he did it with me and newborn son that he believed to be his. Drake was gone and the boy was the new hope for Dahlia.
Chapter Eleven- All Around the Mulberry Bush
With the Death of Drake A’Moor, it was left to me, Lady A’Moor to handle all matters of the estate. I had a bit of help from my aunty and Loranus. The shaman had came to me about the newborn boy Loron. Janseca had given him the idea and helped with the story to ease Drake about my abscene and to cover up an affair of Loranus and my slave Shantea. My slave since all of the A’Moor estate was left to me until a rightful heir could be left with it. I understood and was grateful. I arranged for all of the slaves to be freed with forged papers and then listed thier names as aliases for a four time escaped slave named Jesse Madison. I also had a paper to clear the name Jesse Madison once the slave guilds had time to get everything curculated. By the time all papers would be done and cleared, no slaves would remain in the A’Moor estate.
I set the girls off on a riverboat and then set out with Janseca and Loranus on the next order of affairs. We also circulated out a death record for the newborn Loron to make it appear that the boy died from sickness and that let Loranus and Shantea raise the child without problems on thier own.
Our next goal was to find Sara. I had heard reports and found paintings of her in the manor. Dahlians called her the Raven Rider, said that she was the warrior in black that rode a midnight horse. Sara was said to be ever watchful of the area but one report said that she had been gone for sometime. Something made her leave Dahlia and head north. A few men with tracking creatures were known as the Blood Trackers, able to follow any scent of blood to a person for miles. They claimed that they once followed her trail north to a town named Nanthalion. Nanthalion? Hard to believe that Sara was there. I sent the trackers out to find Sara and made sure that they were not to harm her in anyway and deliver a paper to her.
In a few days time, I heard that Sara had refused to speak with me but had returned to the area with Gage. The man she had thought dead for nearly ten years. I devised a plan and returned to Nanthalion. I kept away from the town area but arranged a meeting with a new bartender at the inn in the forest. A catgirl named Jonie arrived. We spoke of a plan to lure Sara to Dahlia. Jonie agreed and to Dahlia we went. The plan was simple, Jonie would vacation to Dahlia and write letters to anyone and mention story of Sara. Sara seemed to know a lot about what was going on in Dahlia and I suspected the mail.
When Jonie’s friend arrived, I met him at the gates. I told him where to find her and gave him a map. Shortly after, the Raven Rider arrived and warned him to get his friend and leave. The guards retrieved Sara and took her to the manor where I finally got to meet her in person. “Sara, you may not care much, but I have news for you.”
Sara was a tall 6 foot woman with black hair and blue eyes. she was athletic in build and yet had a hidden beauty under all of the mud and blood. “There is nothing to talk about, what news have you?”
I told her of Drake’s death and of his wishes. She seemed relieved and yet overwhelmed. “And what does all of this mean to me?” I took the time to sit with her and we settled all of the things needed to finishe the estate issues. Sara was going to stay with Gage and Marry Veldruk to bring peace to Dahlia. Marriage was for the treaty only as Veldruk agreed to the situation and Gage thought it would be best for Dahlia. The arrangements were being made as I went about changing all paperwork to Sara gaining the estate. It was finally time for me to head my way and back to Nathalion to finish up papers andlive my own life.
Chapter Twelve- Vicious Circles
I arrived at Nanthalion and was going to create a story to keep from having to deal with people such as Layne and Soulic. I knew that would also help towards any slavers in the town and Morgan Drakewing was the first to notice. He seemed curious and a bit too eager to be around me, I figured he was waiting to claim me as the runaway and have me for himself. Layne was difficult to see again as he had changed in appearance a bit and seemed a bit more mature than before, he just seemed like a good view after all of this time and I refrained from him as much as possible.
While at the inn, I met a torian male that seemed to be a gentleman in many aspects. An older man that had mannerism, soft features and tones, and the wings of an angel. He even seemed interested in some things that I liked. I found him to be good company. Blonde hair but a bit rustic in places, he had eyes that seemed to dance.
I told myself to not be foolish and kept to myself alot, but that lead to suspicions by an elven man named Andrew Talos. Andrew took it upon himself to kidnap me and hold me against my will in his room.
I was being treated like a runaway slave and eventually, he found out about the papers and decided that he wanted to keep a slave runaway as his own for breaking. I escaped many times and once even asked Layne to help. I was lucky that Zeph and Layne was around, but with the papers being bad, I had to answer to Andrew who placed his collar onto me.
I never agreed that I would serve him happily and things eventually got bad. Andrew would keep me from my friends and I was sneaking off to visit with the torian man. We were becoming friends and he made me feel safe and always acted as if I was a queen on a pedestal to admire from a far. Always making me feel like I was something more than a slave girl. I felt completly free around him and for some reason, I also felt scared. Scared that I was a bit too free around him as he seemed shy and timid and I had never met a man that was that way.
Andrew grew irritated with me and the torian. He also knew that he wasn’t doing well at breaking my spirit back into the slave role. He began beating me in public and this caught the attention of one person I never wanted to see again, Soulic Dorean. Andrew decided to have fun with things and told Soulic Dorean that I was plotting a revenge for him and this made matters worse. Andrew released me over to Soulic and he had is revenge against me as he began burning my flesh once again.
So much pain filled me from the burning and I soon lost conciousness.
Chapter Thirteen- Pop Goes the Weasel
I fell into the darkness and I decided that I did not want to go back, I saw my father and I knew where I was going. I had been here once before and this time the mage Zarias did not stop me. A flash of light blinked before my eyes and I recalled what Zarias had told me and what my aunty had said about such things. The flash of light is a sign of hope, a sign from the living. I ignored it, I did not want to live anymore. I had no more hope and my mother held me tight. I was happy to see her but she faded away. Another flash of the blinding light and I let it pass. I saw a picture of Zeph and wished him well with his love Tarapheil, “Goodbye.” I saw a picture of Layne and I told him what I had wanted to say, “I love you, Layne, be safe.” I saw everyone I cared for and said my farewells. Drake came to me and I took his hand to leave. Drake assured me that things ould be better and the I looked back to the flashing light. “Jesse, it is just a picture of those living. Let it be, you are ready to go.”
I reached at the light, the picture, and stopped. It was the one person I did not say goodbye to. I held the picture tight and kept it as Drake, mama, and papa left. Perhaps I did have a last bit of hope. One person that I wanted to see again. My angel, my Aaedil. Aaedil Tymoreno, the torian that had made me feel safe around him, the shy one that I could always talk to. He was the last hope in my world.
I soon saw the picture fade and knew that I was about to awake to reality, I hoped the picture would be the same when my eyes opened. There was light, noise, and then breath. I let the vision clear up and then looked around. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I couldn’t help but scream, I had hoped to see what brought me back and all that I saw was Andrew. I wished I was dead again. I had been healed but things were not the same.
So much for the world of Jesse being happy in my darkness.
Chapter Fourteen- Return to Sender
After hearing Andrew sob about his mistake and how bad he felt.. as if he really did. I heard him talking with someone outside of the recovery room door. I got up and sneaked out the manor’s back door. I ran and ran until I couldn’t anymore. I was in no shape for running and just lied on the ground. Andrew found me and tried to comfort me. I ended up at the inn and resting. That evening, I spoke with Aaedil and we ran off to our favorite forest clearing. “Aaedil, I can’t live like this anymore. Andrew is going to eventually kill me someway or another.” Aaedil gave a shyed response, “Do you think Andrew would sell you to me? To have you free again?”
Now I wondered about Aaedil, but recalled what Zeph had done once before. “I suppose you could only ask.” I really couldn’t deal with the situation anymore and with a talk to Andrew, he allowed me to return to Dahlia for a few days to recover.
In Dahlia, my recovery became a big deal. Sara and Veldruk had cleared away everything and got married, Gage remained with Sara in Dahlia as her love and personal guard. Veldruk remained in Valrona but would visit Dahlia in the week end days. The ceremony was bright, beautiful, and big. Since the war was over and peace was beginning, they both decided that both towns would celebrate the marriage for a week. I was no longer Jesse A’Moor as our marriage was resolved finally and I was officially a widow. My name became Jesse Madison again and thus I was the slave in the records and if I could be freed again, all would be legal. Dahlia was finally at peace.
In three days, I was sent back to Nanthalion on a riverboat of the estate, a great big houseboat of sorts and Sara had a crew for it. “Keep it for as long as you need it Jesse, and be sure to tell Zeph that I still say he is a pussy boy.” Sara sent me off and laughed, I knew that I had to ask Zeph about that.
Chapter Fifteen- Let Freedom Ring!
I returned to Nanthalion once again but this time I had to face the music with Andrew and try to get Andrew to allow me to see Aaedil without any stipulations. Andrew was always out to break me down and he was close to doing it by not allowing me to continue my work and wanting to take my social life away. Basically he was acting as if I was to be shred of all things around me but him, barring me away from everything and I could never serve anyone like that.
I returned to Andrew and he seemed to be in a foul mood, no surprise, he had them every 5 minutes it seemed. I always tried to tend to him in the best of manners and as he asked, but he was always changing his mind about how he wanted me to serve him. I was to the point of not caring anymore, just as long as I could be free to see Aaedil. All over again I was beginning to fall into the stages of loving someone and I wasn’t even sure if it would be possible. “There is no love in slavery.” I reminded myself of that everytime I saw Aaedil and I would keep to myself and try not to behave as more than a good friend.
I finally had a talk with Andrew, and it seemed that Andrew was just as fed up with me that I was of him. He talked of getting a new slave since I was not living up to what he had expected. “I can’t believe it, you are just so damned spirited and I can’t let what happened before happen again.” I understood that and felt like laughing as it was different for me. “Then perhaps you picked the wrong slave.” I should have said it differently, but it came out as a smark remark instead of an agreement. Andrew decided that he had enough “If you can get this Aaedil to talk to me with respect, then and only then will I allow you to see him!” Andrew stormed out and slammed the door closed.
I waited a bit and then left to speak with Aaedil. I got to town and looked for him but in my search, I ended up being needed for some wounded and became busy.
I wasn’t aware of what was happening elsewhere, but when I left work, I saw Andrew talking with Aaedil and thinks seemed odd. I walked over to Andrew and he told me to take off his collar, a gold collar that had a small gold leash hooked onto it. I pondered what had happened but did as Andrew asked. He told me to keep the collar as a token and he kept the leash. “You were never going to break Jesse, you are too spirited and we both know that it would never work. I congratulate you on winning. I have never failed to break a slave before.” I simply nodded and still wondered as I looked to Aaedil. “Go on Jesse, you belong to him now. He has proven his respect.” Andrew then began his own way and I looked to Aaedil, “Is this true?” Aaedil gave a grin and nodded, “It is true, Jesse. But I don’t want a slave, I want you.” I had never felt so free in my life. I couldn’t have loved him anymore than at that moment.
I kept the collar as it again reminded me of what I never wanted to see or be again. And that night, Aaedil and I finally got to be open about how we felt. I finally got to tell him what I wanted to say for some time. “Amin harmuva onalle e’ cormamin. Amin mela lle.” In a warm embrace he heard my words clear as common in his ears. (Translation: I shall treasure your gift in my heart. I love you.) His reply almost sounded to good to be true, “Amin khiluva lle a’ gurtha ar’ thar. Amin mela lle.” He was so great at making me feel as if the world had just begun to spin around me. (Translation: I will follow you to death and beyond. I love you.)
Chapter Sixteen- Going to Starwell
Aaedil and I grew closer and during that time, Zeph and Taralpheil were arranging wedding plans. I allowed the riverboat to be decorated and set up the deck for a small wedding ceremony. The priestess Paige Rhaine was going to join the two into a legal marriage and afterwards, the riverboat would head off on a celebration trip to Dahlia. Zeph said it would be good to see Sara and prove her wrong. Aaedil and I joined the trip so that we could have time away from Nanthalion after the papers had cleared me as free from slavery. We also needed to see how things were going in Dahlia, I never told Aaedil much about my past. I was so afraid that it would make him feel sympathy or pity and ruin what we had between us.
At Dahlia, I took the time to visit Sara and make some future arrangements and then I visited my aunty in secret. She helped me with my innate magics and how to control them for healing. Teaching me a few new way to heal as well. I think Aaedil was distracted by Paige Rhaine who came on the trip to get away as well after a murder of her newest friend Jodie, a young torian girl that was barely in Nanthalion before she was murdered by a chirot named Dakiras. I knew who he was and I worried when I heard the news, Dakiras was the one that Jonie had visit her in Dahlia. I wondered if Jonie was in danger, she was just a catgirl that seemed so innocent.
After the visit with my aunty and my teachings, my aunty told me of news from home. “We are moving east of here for a reseeding. It has been long enough and you are free now. It is time for your father’s spirit to be put to rest.” I had no idea that he had been kept in the chamber of the dead for so long, and the news was not good. “Papa..” I blinked away tears and looked to Janseca, “Papa was killed by Drake aunty..” She patted my hand and nodded, “We know dear. We know. Your father died saving you, it has taken some time, but you are still alive because he was brave.” I was nodding but I was crying, “when are they leaving?” She told me the answer and I was faced with a decision that could not be easy for anyone. “We leave at sunset, if you are not there by then, we will have to claim you as dead Jesse. You know what that means to us.. right?” I sank and nodded as I wiped away tears, “Yes .. I know.. and I can’t go. I am so sorry.” She simply patted my hand and then slinked away, “You make sure that this one is worth what you are giving up Jesse. You can only miss the reseeding once if you hope to become the high druid in my place. Next cycle I plan to go see the starwell.” I stood up and was shocked and worried and upset, “No! You - You can’t go! They need you.. I need you. You have always been here to help me.” “Jesse hunny, you have grown up, you have a long life ahead of you, and you will do just fine. You won’t need me anymore. I can’t continue to do this anymore and with all that I have done for you, I should be condemned. Everything is done and right. Once the reseeding is done I will get things arranged and be passing on my duties to another.” I felt sick and couldn’t stay any longer. I left and stood outside to get fresh air and try to accept that she was right.
That night, I stood with Aaedil and watched their lights travel through the forest in the dark sky’s moonlight. I am not sure if Aaedil understood it, or if he understood what it meant, what I gave up, what I was about to lose. I just held his hand and hoped I had made the right choice. We boarded the boat and began our trip back to Nanthalion. My plans had to wait a week and they would bring me back for one last chance to see Janseca and Sara. A final chance to make my life finally right.
Chapter Seventeen- Round & Round
Upon our return to Nanthalion, Aaedil decided to tell me some more news, it was a situation that could have caused disaster. “Jesse, I want to tell you that I am about to collar a slave girl..” It was easy for him to say. “What?! Why? Who? WHY?!” I might have over reacted. “She is a catgirl named Songo.. it-its not what you think Jesse.” He sure knew how to wait for a bad moment to tell me such things. “Oh really? Its a person being owned by another person, there is a collar involved most times and it means that she has to serve you as you please. How is it not what I think? Slavery is pretty general.” I thought for sure this would be the end of us and now, the real end of everything as I just lost my village and family. I was dead to them for a cycle and if I did not return next cycle to claim my place, I would be dead to them and exiled.. all because I thought Aaedil was who I wanted more. “Would you rather it be me or someone like Andrew? I just wanted to keep her safe from this town.” He had a point but slavery was not the way to protect her. “I can’t believe you waited until now to tell me, and on top of that, you.. and slaves? You know how you felt when I was enslaved by Andrew and you are getting one of your own? Aaedil.. how could you?” I simply couldn’t understand it and I left. I had to get away and process everything before I lost what was most important to me.
I forget how things went from there as it was a mess, but eventually I decided that I wanted to be with Aaedil, slave or not. Deep down I got a feeling that scared me as well. I belong to him, just as I did to Zeph. I stopped thinking when they both approached me in town. Aaedil and I talked and Zeph seemed to guard dog over things. We decided to take things slow and one step at a time.
We decided that we needed more time to ourselves and I told him that I needed to go back to Dahlia for some final business, he and Songo went as well. Aaedil went with me to the manor in Dahlia and I had some healing of my own done. Janseca, Sara and Veldruk helped to heal my voicebox to normal as it had become aggitated lately and then to help cure the senses on my head, my brain. I never told Aaedil exactly what was done to my head or why, I told him I had a few memories erased and he seemed fine. He did not know that there was damage that was causing my sleep deprivation and it was getting worse as it grew larger. I didn’t want to have him worry.
I spent the next few weeks remodeling the boat to accomodate everyone better. Getting used to Songo being in our lives. I actually think I only seen Songo a few times, it seemed she would be scarce when I was around. I don’t blame her, I was not thrilled to see someone with a collar on that would more than likely call me mistress.
In time Songo became more absent, Aaedil began moulting, I kept my distance and to my work. Aaedil continued to be stressed and his moulting made him irritable, he once came into work at the manor and Songo had attacked him. I wanted to find that little Songo and ring her neck, but I treated Aaedil and let him be on his way. The less I bothered him, the less I had to worry about how he was doing. I even went to reading books to perhaps find a way to help, but moulting was a natural torian way for getting new feathers each year. A process of nature.
In the week that Aaedil had regained his new feathers, Songo had left. She simply disappeared and Aaedil decided it was for the best. We spent time talking about thins we wanted to do, I mentioned sending the boat back and he suggested buying a plot of land and a cabin. It was then that I knew, we were going to work out afterall and we could be happy together for some time. I want to wait yet, but someday I think I will ask him to visit my family with me. I think Janseca already likes him, but it would be nice to finally have someone to add to my family in the village.
Another round in my battle against the curse lingering over my life, and I think I am winning.