Chronicles of Othel
Prelude:
Today, I sit at a desk in the Ireem library. My dirty clothing and hands have smeared dust all over the fine woodwork and I am ashamed for it. I found a quill, ink and parchment of beautiful craftsmanship waiting for me, wanting my hand to give it life. I have been so afraid and alone, I had forgotten I could write.
I stumbled into the Ireem library as I was running, seeking a place to hide. A large man with a whip demanded 100 dinars for my protection or he would sell me. I was already owned I told him; I am a slave and have no money. I tried to reason with him, but the way he leered at me I knew it was not dinar he wanted. So I ran and here I am. A scared and lonely slave, left to scrounge tidbits and scraps, and give any dinar I can get my hands on to my Mistress. And, for what? For no other reason than I was born weaker.
It was not always like this. I had a family, brother and sisters. Please I beg you, (laughs, those words are so ingrained in my head I even write them without thinking) let me digress to how all this came to be.
Diary Entry Day 1
My family flees persecution from debtors. I don't know all the details other than we are in dire trouble and must flee in the night. I am sure we must be at deaths risk or such urgency would not be warranted. We grab all we can, load the wagons and head to the East. The City of Ireem, we believe, will solve all.
Diary Entry Day 62
Forgive the large gap. There is little of interest to write about other than fleeing. We cross into Ireem and our hopes are lifted. Seeing the tall towers and riches Ireem has to offer, my family is certain this could be a new home. My father and eldest brother go to the city to scout, but quickly return. At the gates are warrants, one with our families name, and we dare not risk entering.
Food and water are nearly gone. We cannot risk resupplying at Ireem. To save the family, reduce the daily need of supplies, it is decided that the least of us, the youngest daughter, will be left behind. I might with the grace of Gods survive here (so I am told). I am left with a day's food and water, pointed towards the gates of Ireem, and set adrift in the Kingdom of Sands.
(From here on these entries are actual accounts of my personal RP that have transpired in KOS, and my humble attempt to breathe life into the events. I will use AV first names only if they were given to me. Thank you to all who's RP contributed. Special thanks to my Mistress, who I adore. So please remember, all my local chat is RP. If I complain or appear angry about someone, it's not real. If someone beats me or uses me wrongly, I don't take offense; its not real . If I have issues with anyone, they will know it in IM; removed from RP.)
Diaries of Ireem in the Kingdom of Sand
Ireem Diary Entry Day 1
I wander about the city overwhelmed by the beauty and harshness wondering, "how can the two mange to survive together?". I hear the word "Salaam" at every corner people gather and I am quick to pick up this local greeting. Salaam, Salaam, I smile and say to anyone I meet. I cannot do this alone. I will need friends and mentors to survive.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 2
I slept behind a tent in the dirt. I am hungry and dirty. My metal health is falling as I slip in to despair. How quickly we can lose everything.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 3
I awoke and did something I never thought I would. Overturning garbage cans for scraps. I saw some flat bread in a bakery and thought to steal it. They would cut off my hands if I was caught and I became so afraid I ran from the bakery to thwart off my temptations. I ate the scraps, found water in a trough for animals and cried myself to sleep. I hate Ireem.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 4
Oh lucky day. A beautiful woman approached me, her name is Eve. She bore a large weapon and I was wary of her, but I so needed a friend I would have walked in to a wolf den. She was kind and spoke softly to me. She showed me where to eat and drink, and gave me 60 dinar. Then she did something to save my life, although I doubt she knows how much I am indebted to her. She talked to the blacksmith on my behalf and he gave me work. I go there every day now to sweep and clean. I spent the money on a decent meal, drink and my spirits are lifted again. Thank You Eve.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 5
On my way to the bakery to buy more flat bread, I struck up a conversation with a slave girl, Anya. She bakes at the Fatted Calf and invited me to meet her Mistress. She is a wonderful baker and fed me well. Her Mistress was kind and caring. After some long and pleasant conversation, and some dancing, I felt much better, that was until I left the Fatted the Calf that night.
I was retuning to the Blacksmiths to sleep in a pile of hay I borrowed from the stables. Not looking as I walked, I bumped into the back of a fierce woman. She was full in stature and carried a frightfully large spear. I tried to apologize, but she was swift and knocked me to the dirt in an angry blow I never saw coming. I could feel blood well in my mouth. I tried to rise and was knocked down again. She bore down on me with fearsome power, rolled me to my stomach and pinned my hands behind me. "You belong to me now" were her only words. Like a dog, a collar was placed on my neck and a leash attached. I was mortified and struggled against her. Her hand rose again and I knew to stop. Covering my head with both hands. "Please I beg you", would now be my mantra. I lowered myself to my knees before her. My life was no longer my own. I am the property of Mistress Miriam.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 6
Yes Mistress, no Mistress, always walk behind me, keep your eyes down, smile, smile, smile. She calls it training, I call it how to avoid a beating. I will do my best please her.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 7
Worked sweeping at the tavern and gave Mistress all the dinar. I saw a monkey eat a scorpion; if you pull off the tail they are crunchy. I found scraps at the Blacksmiths and I am making grapple hooks. My spirits are not so good. I am deeply sad. Mistress has a new pet. A white tiger named Sierra. Mistress stroked my hair while I sat at her feet. I felt love for her and cannot understand myself. I feel safe when she is near. A bounty was placed on her head and a man teased her he would collect it. I wanted to kill him. I'm so confused.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 8
I sold 12 grapple hooks to a thief for 100 dinar. My first sale. I am so please with myself.
Crying so hard my stomach is in cramps. A man made me to follow him and used me for his pleasure. I tried my best please to him. I warned him I had a Mistress and he took it as threat. He drove a hard fist into my stomach for my insolence. I feel so sick and Mistress will be angry. Should I tell her? I still have my 100 dinar.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 9
I watched a sparring match and it was fascinating. For the first time in many days I had fun and life seemed not so bad. A powerful woman named Sun was the clear champion. I was so taken by her beauty and strength. Later I was allowed to serve the group invited by the Lady Ivory, an elegant and refined woman of wealth. They were all very kind and I was given some coin for my service. One of the guests Miss Rachel was with child. I did what I could to ease her weariness, massaging her feet. It felt good to make someone happy. Afterwords, I cleaned up and drank the leftover wine. It was like heaven in a glass.
A man gave me 40 dinar. He said I looked pathetic and it annoyed him. So he paid me to go away from his sight. I will wait a week and cross his path again.
Sunceray
Ireem Diary Entry Day 10
I decided to wander the desert. I guess I was bored or lonely. I found another community to the far South. Mostly homes and some water ways. I came across a home with an outdoor wash. I stole over too it and bathed in the cool water, refilled my water sack, and took some fruit from a fig tree and headed back home... I mean to Ireem. I thought I found our camp, but to my surprise it was another just like ours and I was caught trespassing. A well dressed man with a sword approached me. I meant to throw myself at his feet and beg mercy, but the sun and excitement were too much for me and I collapsed onto him. He was a kind man and fed me dates, talked a bit of small talk and sent me on my way.
That damn monkey gave me fleas. At night I sneak into the baths to wash away the fleas. I clean up good so no one knows I am there.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 11
Smile, Salaam, work, smile, smile. I spent some of Mistresses dinar for food and drink.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 12
I am in so much trouble. My life will be over soon and fear grips me at my soul.
I met the girl who works the baths. Jazmirah is so sweet I could not tell her I have been stealing her services. I felt so lost right then; I was filled with guilt. Then without warning a demon, Mephistopheles himself, swooped down on Jazmirah and pinned her in his arms. I was horrified and did not know what to do. I took up a large flat rock and bashed his temple with it so hard it shattered. He looked at me and laughed, like I was fly, and continued to take her blood. I must stop writing my hand shakes badly. What will I do? He will surly kill me for it. A lady came and drove the demon off with her words. I have no idea why he would obey her. She gave balm to the girl to heal her wound and we stumbled back to the baths together, her leaning on me for support. She lay sleeping and I left her water.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 13
I sit at the gates worried and alone. What will I tell my Mistress? Will she beat me, save me, or turn me over to the demon for her own safety?
A man with a whip and mask approaches and demands protection payment. A beautiful girl with large ears is with me and he is attracted to her more. I think she is a sprite or woodelf; I don't know. We both run from him. She is captured, and for that I was not. I run through an open door to hide and I am in the most beautiful room filled with books. I sit at the desk and write. I am taking the quill and parchment with me. My first act of stealing.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 14
The last few days I have been working very hard. I am spending too much on myself, but I can't seem to help it. I got more ink from the Alchemists shop. Oh my, I saw some dancing silks I wanted so bad red and soft with ornate beads, but (sigh) I cannot wear them without discovery.
A sweet woman gave me some sugared dates. They were so yummy. I must ask her name.
I am singing and skipping overcome with joy. I saw the lady Rachel again and she is swollen with child. Thus, I offered to serve her and help in whatever way I could. She was weary from all the dust and we went to the baths. We bathed together and I oiled her skin. I did not realize she was Mer folk – I did, but I didn't know her legs would change to a tail of such length and plumage, It was like a peacock in full display. Then to my shock she did something no Mistress would think to do. She began to bath me, a lowly slave, and anoint me with my own oils.
At first I resisted, but she was insistent it was the Mer way; I do not disobey a Mistress. I was lulled to heaven as she her sang mermaid songs sweet and soothing, all the while pressing healing oils into my ragged body. Afterwards, she cradled me like a child. I went home that night with joy I had not felt since I was a small child and wept happy tears.
Ireem Diary Entry Day 15
The blacksmith awoke me from the sweetest dream with a nudge of his boot. I slept sound all night dreaming of the ocean. I think the Lady's songs have some type of healing magic. I stoked the kiln fire to a vigorous heat humming a Mer song stuck in my head. I am filled with energy, hope and joy.
I saw a peacock at the palace. A beautiful bird. I had only seen one once before as a child. So I snuck in to get closer. A guard came by and I dodged down a long row of corridors and into an open door. It was the Royal Harem room!! I got so giddy; I jumped onto a royal bed and rolled and rolled not realizing, there to the bed next to me, a harem girl was sleeping. She awoke and did nothing? Did not call the guards or anything. She only asked my name, and then told me it was boy's name (humph - snooty harem girl), so is Tracy and Leslie and Carrol and and ... I was so insulted. Anyhow, she drifted back to sleep. If I were her I would have beaten me, or cried out. I think they must be drugged or used so much they have nothing left. Maybe the life of a Harem girl is not so grand. I tucked a few small trinkets in my camislk and snuck out easy. The lazy guards never saw me.
I came across the man I met in the desert. We talked of the rising prices in Ireem and I attempted to lure some coin from him, but was unsuccessful. I must be losing my touch and will need to try harder.
I am sitting in a hay pile, curled up in corner writing. It's dark now and I have a low candle fire to see by. I am back in dirty camisilks. I say back because tonight was a glorious evening. The woodelf with long ears is a Djinn named Kiki. I was begging by the gates near nightfall and we got to chatting. As the night wore on we got silly, drunken by the moon's light. We started dancing to be funny and took sticks from the dessert lighting the ends to twirl them. Some men came to watch and another girl joined us. I looked like a dust devil in dirty camisilks and the two girls ran and brought me their old silks; for me to keep! Pretty blue and red and gold ones. Four in all. We had a silly fashion show, me trying them all on and giggling. Saucy men taunted us to dance and we three twirled our sticks and grinded our silky hips at them. Some threw us money and we teased the men with our bodies sliding up to them dancing close but not letting them touch us. It was so fun I could not have a better night earning coin.
Kiki and I
~O
