ASH AND FOREST
895 Words
INANNA'S P.O.V
Today marks my fifth day.
Claire and I are currently sitting in front of the building. The weather is still a bit chilly but it's bearable. I stare at the old building opposite us, where I was first taken to when I arrived here.
It makes me wonder why the slaves in that building are different from the ones here.
While we are staying as comfortable as slaves can be here, they are dealing with the harsh hand of Fate there. It's not up to me to decide or anything, but I'm just curious.
Why are they being treated differently from us?
"Ohhh...I'm sure you are wondering why they are there, and we are here." Claire states. Its getting suspicious, how she knows what I'm thinking without me uttering a word. Does my eyes give away my thoughts that much?
" It's my bad, I should have given you a tour the very day you got here. Follow me" she says, then stands up and dusts the dirt from her dress and begin to make her way towards the building.
I follow her closely as we enter. The place smells of piss and feces. I'm not going to think of how they survive in there with how disgusting it is. It's difficult to breathe properly, I can taste the piss and excrement on my tongue through breathing it in!
Nevertheless, I can do nothing about it, they are dealing with things as they are. Trying to survive, to just exist. They do not live in a day dream but the harsh reality. I know that already. I know how that feels.
" This place is the slave room and the one where we sleep is the servants quarters" she says and keep walking forward. There are about 20 rooms in total.
"Why?" I let out in a small voice.
She turns her head to glance at me with a raised brow.
Probably expecting me to elaborate. But I don't. I motion towards the rooms with my head.
" The slaves here are for the regular citizens and the Ministers of State. The ones in the quarters are for the Royal palace, as servants not slaves." She carefully elaborates.
" So you see how lucky you and I are? We may not have our freedom or be able to have our way with things, but we are better off than others" she says. I can't help but agree with her against my better judgement, because she's right. But, that doesn't make things better.
We pass by the rooms and as I predicted. Each room has a maximum of 10 slaves, but they are all females. I observe.
Why? Don't they need the male slaves?.
Claire keeps leading us further back. I see a staircase leading down ahead of us. We go down the stairs lite by torches.
"This … is where the male slaves are kept. Although I don't know why males are separated from females. I mean it's not as if they'll reproduce in this s**t hole." She says under her breath.
This place looks just like the one upstairs. The only thing that sets it apart is the male occupants here. No one gives us any attention, it's not as if we want it. They're too occupied with their existence to pay any mind to anyone.
We hear footsteps and voices above us.
"Let's go back" Claire says with a frown, and leads the way.
We move quickly upstairs and slow down when we get there. Almost halfway out of the building we see the master coming in with another man.
I bow my head and keep my eyes on the ground the moment I see the master. I pay no mind to the other man he enters with, I didn't even take in how he looks.
Claire and I stop when we get closer to them. My sense of smell is immediately hit with the overwhelming smell of forest and ash. I can't help but take in a that intoxicating smell, and try to hold on to it.
It gives me an immense sense of security and the feeling of being wanted, being desired. I really want to lift my head and see the man carrying such an alluring smell. But I can't do that. I don't want any trouble. Most people don't like servants much less a slave looking their way.
"What are you two doing here?" The master asks.
"I was just showing Inanna around. She has been cooped up in her room for some time now." Claire says calmly, like it's no big deal. I hope we don't get into trouble for this.
"Okay then... You can leave now" the master says. I let out a small breath of relief. Pulling my nerves back together.
"Thank you" Claire says, then continues on her way out with me glued to her back.
I already miss that scent as we make our way out.
We are almost out the door when I hear a deep voice that send shivers up my spine and make my heart dance say "I want those two."
I pay no mind to it and continue my way, thinking he's referring to some of the slave there. He doesn't seem like he is someone important, at least from his smell.
As if I would know.
- Writer
