Bound by Blood & Parted by Fate

Chapter 06 –Captivity

The guards escorted Fae into a grand bedroom, leaving her alone. Fae looked around the room, her eyes widening in awe at the sight that greeted her. Beautiful decorations decorated the walls, designs woven into the fabrics, and an air of opulence filled the room. The furniture, soft and inviting, called out to her, promising comfort. The bed, covered in silky sheets, looked inviting, and the room was filled with the sweet scent of jasmine, its fragrance hanging in the air like a delicate veil.

Coming from a very humble family, Fae was not accustomed to such luxury. The grandeur of the room fascinated her, leaving her momentarily lost in its beauty. As she admired the surroundings, two guards entered the room, the same guard who had escorted her. One of the guards abruptly grabbed Fae’s hand, their grip firm as they led her toward a bathhouse located near the chamber.

The guards remained outside, their presence felt through the closed doors, while the two women entered the bathhouse. Without a word, one of the women attempted to undress Fae. Unyielding, Fae resisted their attempts to remove her bloody outfit, pushing them away with determination. “Do not touch me!” she exclaimed, her voice sharp and defiant.

Taken aback,the women spoke in a foreign language to the other. She nodded and fled from the room. Fae, seized by the opportunity, attempted to follow the fleeing woman, but the guards, alerted by the commotion, forced her back inside, extinguishing her hope of escape.

Undeterred, Fae cast desperate glances around the bathroom, seeking any means of escape. The persistent screams of the remaining guard reverberated in her ears, adding to her growing sense of desperation. She felt dizzy, almost nauseous, her mind clouded by fear and uncertainty. How foolish she had been to declare the dagger belonged to her! The walls seemed to close in around her, the luxurious chamber now a gilded prison.

“There is no way out,” a voice said, the words spoken in a familiar dialect.

Fae turned around, her eyes meeting those of a woman a few years older than herself. It was evident from the woman's features that she, too, hailed from Bravadis.

“Help me out of here,” Fae begged, her voice pleading as she walked toward the woman.

“I can help you, but first, let us give you a warm bath and get you out of these bloody clothes,” the woman said, her voice soothing and maternal.

Reluctantly, Fae agreed and followed the woman into the bath. She allowed herself to be undressed, her naked body bearing the evidence of the battle she had fought. Blood stained her skin, mingling with bruises and scars, painful reminders of her losses.

“What is your name, child?” the woman asked gently as she helped Fae into the tub.

“Fae,” she whispered, her voice devoid of emotion.

“Fae, what a beautiful name,” the woman replied, her hands gentle as she washed the blood from Fae’s skin with a soft sponge “it's nicer than my name Sade” she continued “close your eyes and relax. Let me ease your burden.”

She began to hum a melody and Fae's tense body began to ease down. Fae allowed herself to relax, surrendering to the soothing touch and the warm water that enveloped her. The woman bathed and pampered her, washing away the physical and emotional wounds, before providing her with fresh, clean clothes. Quite different from what she is using. The gentle care of Sade provided a glimmer of comfort in the midst of the chaos, and for the first time since her capture, Fae allowed herself to breathe.

After Fae was prepared to meet the Basharite, the servants escorted her to the Basharite's office. Fae hadn't even realized she was there until they closed the office door behind her. It was as if she had gone from the bathhouse to inside the office in the blink of an eye.

The office was grand and spacious, with large windows overlooking the city. The room was adorned with expensive furnishings, and shelves of books lined the walls.

The Basharite was seated behind a grand desk, reading in a thick tome. As Fae entered, he looked up, his sharp eyes locking onto hers, and gestured for her to take a seat.

“This is a more appropriate attire for a woman” said the Basharite throwing shade

This was nothing more than a petty way to yet again say that the people of Meyaris, the believers, are better than Bravadite. Sure Fae’s attire was covered with blood, but at its prime it is a beautiful attire, symbole if her freedom and culture.

Before everything unfolded, Fae wore a beautiful green wrap skirt adorned with a flower pattern. She moved through the air gracefully, finding comfort in its secure fit. Paired with it was a matching top that exposed her intricately designed back. Adorning her belly were numerous pearl belly chains known as "bin-bin." Crafting and selling bin-bin at the market was her passion, catering to women of all ages.

But all of that was now replaced with a long beige dress, adorned with gold and silver flowers meticulously sewn into the fabric. Embroidered with gray material to complement the color scheme, the dress was snugly fastened at her waistline. Despite beautifully accentuating her feminine shape, it felt constricting, suffocating her. But at least, she still had her bracelet sitting on her left arm underneath her dress.

Fae brushed off his remark and settled into the chair, now directly across from the Basharite. His commanding presence acted like magnetic forces, simultaneously drawing her in and pushing her away.

With deliberate motions, he placed Fae's two daggers on the table, the metallic clinks echoing in the room. The daggers glinted in the ambient light, their sharp edges catching the subtle gleam. The Basharite's stern gaze intensified as he scrutinized the weapons, his fingers tracing the intricate designs etched into the blades.

"Where did you get these from?" he demanded, his tone sharp and unwavering, his eyes boring into Fae, searching for the truth in her response.

Fae looked at the daggers on the table, then looked up at the Basharite. She smiled; she now had the upper hand. She could use this as a leverage to buy her people freedom. "I acquired them during one of my many travels," she said, refusing to give out any more information.

The Basharite's face hardened, and he leaned forward. "I'm afraid that's not good enough," he said. "These daggers… They are special, made of rare materials and have a distinct design. They come from a very specific place. They are not something that can be easily acquired, and I’m sure you are aware of this."

As he spoke, he gestured towards the dagger he held, emphasizing its uniqueness. The hilt was crafted from exquisite golden material, and even the pommel gleamed with gold. The blade itself was made of a rare, almost white-blue material, adding to the overall rarity and allure of these exceptional weapons.

Fae remained silent.

The Basharite studied Fae for a moment before speaking again. "I am willing to make a deal with you," he said. "If you tell me where you got these daggers from, I will consider releasing your people."

Fae's heart raced at the possibility of her people's freedom. She knew that the Basharite held all the power in this situation, and she had to make a quick decision.

After a moment of contemplation, Fae took a deep breath and said, "I will tell you where I got the daggers, but only if you release my people first."

The Basharite raised an eyebrow in surprise at Fae's boldness. He considered her request for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Very well," he said. "I will release your people once you give me the information I need.”

Fae glared at the Basharite, her eyes reflecting her lack of trust. "Your assurance doesn't inspire confidence," she stated, her voice tinged with skepticism.

The Basharite straightened up, his expression becoming serious. "I assure you, I am a pious man," he said. "I’ll keep my word by the laws of the Unmar."

Fae remained unconvinced. "And what are those laws?" she asked skeptically.

"It is the code by which I live," he replied. "It dictates that I must be honest and fair in all my dealings."

Fae hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "But that same code also allows you to kill people, doesn't it?" she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Ugh, sounds like a belief built on nonsense."

Fae's words seemed to have struck a nerve with the Basharite, and for a moment, he looked offended. However, he quickly composed himself and smiled at Fae.

"Perhaps you misunderstand the ways of the Unmar," he said. "We do not condone volatile habits, such as same-s*x relationships or promiscuity. We believe in upholding the sanctity of marriage and living a virtuous life."

Fae scoffed at his words. Her frustration grew as she continued, "You preach about virtuous living, yet you imprison my people and subject them to brutal executions in front of an audience," she remarked. "What kind of virtue is that?"

The Basharite's smile faltered for a moment, "We follow the laws of our land, and those who break them must face the consequences," he said.

"We didn’t ask to come into your land; you attacked us while we were sleeping, innocent men and women… children died for no reason," Fae declared. As she spoke, she leaned closer to the Basharite, emphasizing her point and demonstrating that she didn't fear him.

He seemed unfazed by the words coming off her mouth. "I am willing to release your people under a couple of conditions."

Fae raised an eyebrow. "What conditions?" she asked.

The Basharite smiled and said “First tell me where you got these daggers”

“First release half of the prisoners as a sign of good faith”

The Basharite considered her proposal for a moment, his fingers drumming on the table. "Very well," he finally said. "I will call for the release of half of the prisoners."