6 Get Up

Irvin stood watching everything unfold. His eyebrows unconsciously furrow when he hears her ask for the slaves' name. Princess Nadia is a well known mageless tyrant. The nobility scorns her for having no ability, yet behaves overbearing. If her father weren't the King, she would've long since died. Her singular redeeming point is whoever marries her will become the next King. She has neither strength nor brains. She may be an unfavored daughter, but she is the only daughter as well as the oldest.

Can a woman so prideful and arrogant ever lower herself to ask for the name of a slave? Some things are central to an individual. She may have died a thousand times over, but some things people can't change about themselves. And pride larger than a mountain doesn't just disappear.

/So, if she's not Princess Nadia, who is she?/

Irvin ponders for a short moment before tossing away the idea. His only concern is bringing back Princess Nadia. Any changes she has is irrelevant. As he watches her walk away, he gets the sudden premonition that this day will mark the start of many changes.

____________________

Ryo picks up a wayoc, a gora used as a portable room. She sets the green cube on the ground a distance away. Chanting "jorgreach" under her breath, the cube trembles. Making a series of crackling noises as it unfolded and expanded. Like a folded air mattress filled with air. As the room grew, it lost color, becoming more translucent; until it was a pale green cube-shaped room. There is a faint outline of a doorway, and in place of a knob, there's a small round indention. Ryo places her hand in the dent and slides the door open. Inside, the walls are white, and the ceiling is windowed letting in sunlight; while the floor is shiny wood chopped from a single tree, with the tree rings expanding from the center of the room. Painted on the wall is the side view of a bed, chair, and table. Ryo goes to each, chanting as she did before. Like the cube, they trembled and crackled. Moving like an accordion, they unfold themselves out of the wall and fill the space. Leaving enough room for a few people to stand comfortably.

Standing by the doorway she asks, "Is anything else required?"

"I'm fine."

She bows, leaving, she shoots me an unreadable glance.

After the door shuts, I stand there for about ten seconds.

Well, I'm bored.

I sigh, I'm not inclined to walk around in torn clothes. Real or not. As soon as I have something to wear, I plan on taking a stroll. Taking in imaginary sights is better than nothing. I don't particularly want to spend it with the group of people outside that door. Therefore, this little expedition is going to be a secret. As long as I don't go too far, they won't freak out...maybe.

A few minutes pass before there is a brisk knock at the door.

"Come in," I answer.

Scias steps in with Ryo carrying clothes and Lina carrying a tray of fruits and cheese. They remain a step behind Scias and all three bow, "Princess Nadia, this servant has brought clothing as well as a snack to hold Princess over until evening meal. This servant deeply apologizes for the inappropriate accommodations for someone of such high stature."

Small tremors in his hand told me he is scared of the reply "Nadia" would give at not having every luxury possible available right now. They all bow low enough to be parallel to the ground and have yet to stand.

"There was no time to prepare for more comfortable travel because of the suddenness of the incident." When I didn't say anything he continues quickly, panic coloring his voice. "It was required of us servants to pack light to speed up our travels. To reach you as fast as possible before you came to any undue harm."

What do you say to that? They think I'm Nadia who, quite frankly, is a monster. And no assurances from a monster is going to make them feel better. I stand there at a complete loss as to how to deal with this. Knowing my continued silence is only making it worse on them. A sigh slips out, and Scias flinches visibly. He completely drops to the floor to prostrate himself, Ryo and Lina quickly drop as well. Their hands are palms down by their shoulders elbows out, with foreheads firmly planted on the ground.

/Oh no, no, no! Don't do that!/

It's too unsettling having a grown man and women tremble at my feet. I want to cry. Instead, I speak softly to coax them off the ground. I lean down by them. Lightly touching Lina, the most timid first, her shaved head still trembling.

"I'm not mad, how about you go ahead and stand?"

I gently tug, urging her to stand. She kept her eyes down, but I can tell she is surprised. I repeat the process with the other two digging deep for patience I didn't know I had. Though I quickly realize Ryo wasn't scared, rather following Scias' example. I still help her off the floor. I refrain from sighing again — gods, so annoying. But I don't show the irritation on my face. Their products of my twisted delusional society, being annoyed with them will help me none. I continue to speak softly, so I don't scare them further.

"I was taken, and there wasn't time to gather everything. I understand I'm not mad. It couldn't be helped."

Scias keeps his head down and is confused by my lack of anger. He doesn't say anything for a long moment, so I prompt him.

"Is there anything else you wanted to tell me?"

Scias is suspicious like I am doing all this to fool him into a false sense of security, but I'll take it over terror. He says, "This servant has spoken of all matters."

"Thank you. You can go."

He has them put the food and clothes on the table. They quietly leave the room with a bow. As Ryo left, the look she throws over her shoulder, causes my blood runs cold. The anguish, hate, and resentment shining in those colorless eyes trigger my memory. The door slides closed, and I immerse myself in the tragedy of the day Nadia first killed. The day she truly started to disregard life.