Red huffed, making his way to the door. "Excuse me ladies, I shall be back."
It was when Red left, that Kya sat up straight and held my hands close. Her eyes were pinched with concern and seriousness. Something was wrong.
"The Matron spoke to Red a few days ago... she told him he was ready to serve."
My heart sank and my stomach carved a hollow hole for it. "But he's barely eighteen."
"De Trix has noticed the stares he gets from wanton women of the courts. She says he's old enough."
"Oh Goddess... This is..."
"Bad,"Kya confirmed. It was more than bad, it was horrible, terrible...
"How is he doing?" I solemnly questioned.
"He's quiet about it. He didn't go against the matron's wishes; he won't even talk about it with me."She sighed and put her hands on her face. I grabbed it and pulled it away.
"I'll find a way... I'll help get him out of this situation." The money I'll get from this last performance will be used, even if it means asking for more. Kya gave me a firm nod and a sad smile. Believing my every word and promise.
***
With my cloak wrapped tightly around my shoulders, I knelt to the statue in front of me. When I had left Kya and Red, the sun had been setting rather quickly. The moonlight now shone onto the barely visible words written on the base of the statue, the water in the fountain was still.
Murifri a Celast
Which translated to “The fallen angel of Celast.” It was the divine language.
What existed of it anyway.
Chapter 11
When lost souls meet
Ifound myself a few feet away from the dressing room, a cold chill settling over me.
The three days I once assumed would grant enough preparation time had gone by in a blur. The pre-performance jitters were strong today and my mind could not shake off the news of Red being eligible to serve. I needed more money, I had obtained enough for Kya, and I naively thought I would still have time to obtain enough for Red. I felt desperate...
I took a hesitant step back. Away from the marque opening where I could hear familiar voices behind it, voices bubbling with excitement. A dried twig snapped underneath my boot.
"Mor?" Ezra's voice called out my name in a light-hearted laugh. I could almost see his body illuminated from inside the covers. I stealthily walked away from the area, not ready to go in. I needed more time.
Nightfall was here and the air was frost-like. I sucked in a deep breath, closed my eyes and exhaled.
I had made up my mind.
Ezra wanted out of the arena, he was right. We couldn't keep living this way, the only reason he stayed was for me. One more performance and then we're both done. We'll both start our own life, perhaps one together if I take up his offer from the night of our mission...
I had to tell Fala. I needed to before my self-sabotaging thoughts stopped me. And if this is to be my last performance, with three cliftolights, then I needed to request more as payment.
For Red.
I never asked for a raise, but now would be the first. I walked determinedly, making my way past her compartment tent towards her dressing room.
I glanced up into the sky. “Nocturna. I might not deserve it. But I want to try. Try life. And most of all, free both Kya and Red.”
As sudden as lightning a bulky figure bumped into me. Making me stumble back a few steps before I planted my feet firmly into the ground to catch myself.
"You insolent mole! Watch where—" The grey bearded man cut his harsh demeaning words off when he laid his eyes on me.
