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I had filled over twenty glasses of water before an alfar guard finally noticed me. He walked with authority over to where a young boy, no older than fifteen was standing alongside me. He looked at me and then to the boy.
“What is the meaning of this?” The guard said in a deep voice. The boy didn’t move his eyes from the ground.
“I was offering water to the workers,” I said.
“And who told you to do this?” The guard asked.
“No one. I saw how hard the men were working and thought to offer them refreshment.” The guard looked from me to the boy.
“I did not authorize a water break and you did not ask permission. Disobedience of any kind carries a punishment. Three lashes,” said the guard. The boy began to tremble. The guard unraveled his leather whip and took a step back. I began to panic. Without thinking I stepped in front of the boy.
“This was my fault. I will take his punishment,” I yelled, standing firmly in between the boy and the guard. The men in the field stopped working and turned to see what the commotion was about. The guard looked at me with annoyance. I saw a small flicker of a smile flash across his face as his eyes swept up and down my body.
“You will take the three lashes for the boy?” The guard asked.
“Yes.”
The guard smiled, stepping towards me. He forcefully flung me around to face away from him. He undid the teeth of the clasps in the back of my dress to reveal my bare back. I held my arms around my chest to prevent the dress from falling. The guard pushed me to the ground. I sat up on my knees, preparing myself for the sting of the whip.
The first snap came as a surprise. I felt the blood fall from the opened skin. I winced, but I did not yell. I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction. The second one came faster and harder. Then the third. I staggered to my feet, turning to face him so my back was out of his sight. I had to make sure that he didn’t see the wounds already beginning to heal. I held onto the front of my dress with my eyes to the ground.
“May I go?” I asked the guard.
He didn’t even respond, only turned, and walked away. The young boy I had taken the lashings for came up behind me, fastening the latches of my dress closed. I knew it was ruined. The blood was still warm and sticky on my skin. The boy gripped my arm tightly as a few tears escaped my face.
“Why?” He asked. I looked into the young boy’s eyes. They were deep brown with flecks of gold throughout. I smiled softly before taking my leave without another word. I walked through the field back to the path up to the castle. I saw a dark figure looming against one of the arches up ahead. I shielded my eyes from the sun and realized it was Erendrial, watching me intently. I rolled my eyes, hoping he would leave me be, but I wasn’t so lucky.
“If I didn’t know better,” he started, “I would be inclined to believe you enjoy pain. As much as you throw yourself directly into its path, that is.” He kept pace with me.
I tried to ignore him, walking faster through the crowds of humans in the lower halls. They took one look at Erendrial and parted like the Red Sea.
“Oh, come now, the silent treatment, really? That little smart mouth of yours has nothing to snap back at me? Please, say something. I do so enjoy our tiffs,” he said, stepping in front of me. Dipping his eyes down, trying to capture my line of sight. I looked firmly at the doorway behind him.
“What can I do for you, Ambassador Lyklor?” I said, too tired and beaten to argue.
He raised an eyebrow, which I was learning was a normal reaction for him. “What did I tell you about asking an alfar male that question? And my name is Eren. I expect you to call me that from now on. I have a feeling we are going to be fast friends,” he said slowly, reaching out to the collar of my dress that covered my brand.
I stepped back out of his reach.
He laughed, closing the space between us once more.
“Genevieve sweetheart, there you are,” said Levos, walking hastily towards us.
Erendrial didn’t even flinch at his voice. His eyes were locked onto my face, searching for something, but I didn’t know what.
I felt Levos gently take my good arm, pulling me out of the path of the dark alfar. “Lord Atros has been looking for you. Return to his chambers immediately.” Levos stared down Erendrial until he finally took a step away, allowing me to pass.
I walked casually away as if nothing had happened. My back still stung from the lashes. My hand was throbbing, and the damn brand still felt like it was on fire. A few alfar turned and stared at me as I walked down the main hall to Gaelin’s chambers. I got to the room, expecting to see Gaelin, but it was empty.
I went over to the balcony, peering down at the beautiful kingdom that was created and maintained by slavery. The breeze was cooler this high up. I took a deep breath in, savoring the clean air. Footsteps approached behind me. I recognized Levos’s staggered walk.
“Why is the back of your dress covered in blood?” he asked, in a hesitant voice.
“I gave a young boy a glass of water. For that, I was beaten,” I said.
“Gen, you have to stop taking these risks. You already have a target on your back after last night. If you aren’t careful, they will figure out what you are and then that will be the end of you, for good.”
“Would that be such a bad thing?” I asked, turning to look into his eyes. “What purpose does my life have? What value? I get to sit up here and watch as other humans are raped, beaten, starved, sold, and killed, because we don’t follow your stupid, ridiculous laws. How can I ever be happy, knowing that my people suffer while I sit up here doing nothing?” I said firmly.