Chapter 10
The fallen angel of Celast
Miriam's tonic had been slowly working to stabilize my muscles from one of the longest training sessions I’ve endured with Dezimus. Even worse, I had gotten no sleep. I rubbed off the muck on my face with a sleeve and untied my muddy boots.
There were still some sores and wounds on my body that achingly took long to heal, but I didn't have enough time left to rest. Whenever in Merlanis, I always made sure to see them... They were like family, like what the arena meant to me.
***
It had surprised me how good it felt to be cleaned and comfortably clothed.
The loose cream dress I wore would work for now, the townsfolk were not used to seeing women wearing weaponry or wearing pants for that matter.
The red velvet cloak I had adorned worked well to conceal my hair that was put into a tight bun.
A glittering light caught onto my skin. I took a step closer to the fountain that poured water through a magnificent statue, its wings stained with dotted black spots of mould, the stone beginning to crack around the crevices.
As old as the statue is, I could still make out the handsome sculpted face it had.
The statue had a powerful look to it, with water travelling its way down his broad shoulders to his sculpted chest and then to the bottom, where it made a small pool of sparkling water.
I had seen the statue plenty of times yet I frequently stopped to admire it.
There was a tune in the air that always whispered sweet nothings.
Blueberries were blossoming this season.
The main bakery in the city of Celast made it known as the baked smell of the berries wafted in the air.
The smell slowly started to subside as I made my way down the alley, down to the path where lesser nobles resided, where farm men visited taverns and where the old creaky inns were cheap.
I patted down the lace bodice of my dress, feeling my blade beneath it as I pushed open the doors of Madam de Trix's well-known establishment.
There was no reason to scrunch up my nose in disgust, I had become used to the odour of sweat, liquor and smoke that clung to the customers and walls of this place.
I nearly snarled when a man looked my way; luckily for him, he was whisked away by a sultry plump woman.
A faint whisper in the darkest part of my mind raked a shadowed claw through the mental shields that I had built up.
I had been lucky, so very lucky to have been found by Fala and raised by her when I was a child.
A child who is orphaned and lost can find themselves in one of two places.
If they are not handsome and lack pleasant features, they are sent for guard training or to join the gilded army.
If they have good enough skill and seem handsome enough, they are found by brothel owners to be used for service, until a debt is settled to acquire their freedom.
My two dearest friends, the ones who had not been lucky enough to be rescued by Fala, were found by Madam de Trix and occupied the brothel I now stand in.
I was lucky to visit them at least twice this season before the arena packed and moved to the next destination.
I made the mistake of placing a palm on the wooden bar, I dusted off the breadcrumbs from my skin with a wrinkled nose, making my way up the stairs.
I could not spot her in the dimly lit bar, there might be only one place she could—
"A penny for you to share your thoughts, my lady?
" My suspicions were immediately cut off by a familiar mischievous voice.
I couldn't help but smile slightly, turning around.
"Unless you're here to pay me for other deeds you'd fancy filled.
In that case, let me stop you there, and say, for a lovely face like yours, it would be free," Red shamelessly spoke, adding a wink to his weak flirtations.
I stepped close to him. So close that I'm sure he could feel my breath.
I bent down a bit, acknowledging that his face was now beet red and whispered, "If I had requests, you wouldn't know what to do with it."
Red instantly took a clumsy step back, "Okayyyy, Mor, it was just a joke." I couldn't help but laugh and bring him in for a hug.
"I missed your foolishness," I mumbled, squeezing him, then let go and took a good look at him. He had gotten taller and developed some muscle compared to the last time I had seen him.
"Your thanks on that." He scoffed although his eyes glittered in sweet joy. "I missed you too—"
"I hope you brought your gold coins, since you're already touching my workers," a loud demanding voice questioned ahead of me.
I could barely look the woman in the eyes without trying to take the blade that was strapped to my thigh to stab her eye out.
From the vision of my side she stuck her hand out.
I unhooked the pouch at my side and dropped it into her palms, not daring to look her way.
"I better hear some action coming in from that room, or I'll ban you for good," Madam de Trix snarkily said as she put the bag of coins in between her breasts.
"Oh don't worry, Matron, you'll hear plenty," Red said with a wink as he placed an arm around my shoulders and led me through the stairs. "She's upstairs," he whispered.
***
There were loud breathless squeals and gasps that emitted out of the room, some men who passed the room could be heard snickering.
"Are you ladies about done now?" Red asked, sitting with a leg folded and studying a book in hand.
I collapsed down onto the bed in a huff, Kya kept jumping on the bed in a fit of giggles in an almost childlike manner, the action made my body keep bouncing.
I missed this.
"Aw, Kya. Our little Red has become too grown up to play with us." With a soft grunt Kya fell into the space beside me. Her soft curly brown hair bouncing as she did so. The sun-kissed freckles on her skin seemed to be glowing, paired with a cherry blush that kissed her cheeks.
"No. I just don't want one of your big behinds to land on me. Although, Mor, I wouldn't mind if yours did." He winked.
Kya and I gave each other a quick glance and grabbed the heavy pillows behind us, throwing it with such force, it knocked Red out of the chair he sat on. He rose up startled. His chestnut hair sticking out of place as he raised his hands in defence.
Kya silently giggled, her thoughts drifted to my mind. "He still needs to learn manners."
"No, I don't," Red mumbled as he patted his hair down.
Kya lost her voice on the same day she and Red lost their parents.
They had no other family or inheritance.
It was the most unfortunate situation to land them in the hands of Madam de Trix's pleasure house.
The matron had taken a special liking to Kya, she looked as innocent as a doe.
With the beauty of an angel and the submissive silence most men want.
The matron had handed Kya to her best courtesans to train her until she was old enough.
She had been old enough four years ago. I'd been paying the matron rather handsomely to keep the unwanted men away.
Every bit of coin I had earned in the arena went towards Kya whenever I was back in Merlanis.
Well, not all coins. Unconsciously Red traced the light serpent brand on his wrist. The brand that every courtesan had in Madam de Trix's brothel to symbolise who they belonged to.
The remainder of coins that I kept aside was for their freedom.
One day, they're going to be free. Free to do whatever they want.
"Tell me, does Ezra still fawn over you?" Kya's voice erupted in my mind. The heat in my cheeks was prominent, but I playfully pushed her away.
"Of course not. Ezra is Ezra. He has his fair share of women," I spoke while plucking a green grape from the porcelain bowl that laid on the desk next to the bed.
"Of course he's just her friend. Ezra has the brain of a mule.
You know what they say about fair haired boys.
You should set your sights on me instead.
I've been saving myself for you and only y—" The grape that was in my hand, landed into Red's mouth mid-speaking.
He choked dramatically, heaving and sputtering.
"He says he's been saving himself, when in fact, he forgets to speak when any maiden approaches him.
" Kya laughed into my mind. I laughed with her. One would think, Kya was goddess blessed due to her telepathy. Her power to communicate to one through the mind, Kya did not share this information with the Matron or anyone else except for Red and I. There wouldn’t have been any other reason to keep it a secret except for the fact that goddess blessed folk are seen as freaks, shunned upon their very existence.
"If I had died you'd miss me, you would have wished you'd taken up my offer," he mumbled.
"Oh, I'm sure you'd be impeccable in bed." I rolled my eyes.
"I've been learning." His face reddened.
Kya reached for something behind her pillow. I had thought it would be something more lethal to throw at her brother but instead a golden parchment shone.
"Madam de Trix handed this out to everyone in the building. All the courtesans will be there for the show, Mor. We're finally going to see you do what you do best!" Kya squealed and waved the flyer in my face. I snatched it from her hand and read it.
THE GODDESS BLESSED ARENA
Behold Fala's arena warriors.
The finest gladiators of all myths come true!
Witness the aftermath of battles between warriors and dark creatures that haunt our forests.
After the breath-taking performance in Abdera, this performance is irrefutable to be missed.
From the best of courtesans to the best of high-quality wine from the west.
When the full moon of the month is at its peak, the show shall commence!
Formal News Letter on behalf of Councillor Kugelman of Celast
May the Lord of Merlanis prosper
The golden flyer served as an inner warning bell in my mind. Red and Kya looked at me sceptically. "Is something wrong Mor? I thought you'd be happy we'd be able to see you perform," he asked.
"The newsletters and invitations are usually green," I murmured.
"It's a special occasion. They mentioned a guest." Red smiled. I looked into Kya's eyes, who seemed uncertain of my change in mood.
"Of course I'm happy you guys will be there. It will be an honour to have you come watch." I smiled and brought Kya in for a hug. A loud crash suddenly came from downstairs. "Oi, boy! Come pick me up." Red sighed heavily and got up from his seat.
"This is the fourth time today, Mister Desmond! Slow down on those liquorice pints!"
Red huffed, making his way to the door. "Excuse me ladies, I shall be back."
It was when Red left, that Kya sat up straight and held my hands close. Her eyes were pinched with concern and seriousness. Something was wrong.
"The Matron spoke to Red a few days ago... she told him he was ready to serve."
My heart sank and my stomach carved a hollow hole for it. "But he's barely eighteen."
"De Trix has noticed the stares he gets from wanton women of the courts. She says he's old enough."
"Oh Goddess... This is..."
"Bad," Kya confirmed. It was more than bad, it was horrible, terrible...
"How is he doing?" I solemnly questioned.
"He's quiet about it. He didn't go against the matron's wishes; he won't even talk about it with me." She sighed and put her hands on her face. I grabbed it and pulled it away.
"I'll find a way... I'll help get him out of this situation." The money I'll get from this last performance will be used, even if it means asking for more. Kya gave me a firm nod and a sad smile. Believing my every word and promise.
***
With my cloak wrapped tightly around my shoulders, I knelt to the statue in front of me. When I had left Kya and Red, the sun had been setting rather quickly. The moonlight now shone onto the barely visible words written on the base of the statue, the water in the fountain was still.
Murifri a Celast
Which translated to “The fallen angel of Celast.” It was the divine language.
What existed of it anyway.