Light seeped through Neiras’ eyelids and she shifted with a sleepy groan. Was it morning already? She sat up and found herself in the bed of an unfamiliar room. The last thing she could remember was sitting outside with Akua. Had he carried her in? It definitely was the sort of thing he would do. Her heart fluttered slightly at the thought of being wrapped in those arms, so close to him.

She slid out of bed and crossed to the open door. An enticing scent drifted in, making her mouth water. Something smooth and savory, with just a hint of sweetness. She followed her nose to the dining hall where a knot of her companions were already gathered around the table.

Akua wandered in behind her with a weary smile. His eyes looked sunken and he held himself a bit more loosely than usual. Neira sat, motioning for him to join her.

“You look exhausted, didn’t you sleep at all?”

“Not much.” He admitted with a smirk.

Neira frowned at him and was about to reply when Tiernon came in from the kitchen and all thought was lost in the irresistible aroma of food. He held two platters, one piled high with glistening thinly sliced mounds of meat and the other with steaming miniature loaves of pillowy brown bread. Dyric came in behind him with a large bowl of fresh fruit and honey. Neiras’ stomach complained loudly of its’ recent ill treatment.

They ate in silence, relishing the luxurious flavors after being on the road for so long. Iroin sat beside Morai, seeming to have gotten quite comfortable with her at least. Cuzew sat on her other side, craning his neck to look at the behemoth of a man. Iroin ate, watching the boy out of the side of his eye with a small smile.

When their eyes met Cuzew looked quickly back down at his plate, shifting uncomfortably. Iroin leaned over and said something. Cuzew looked to his mother, puzzled. Morai shook her head, smiling.

“He asked if you’d like to see a trick.”

Cuzew nodded enthusiastically and looked back up with an eager gleam in his eye. Iroin grabbed three small purple berries and tossed them into the air one after the other, catching them in his mouth with a wink. All three of the children cheered in delight. Cuzews' mouth hung open a moment in awe.

“I wanna try!”

He lunged forward and grabbed a berry, tossing it high into the air, his mouth gaping. The berry bounced off his forehead, leaving a juicy purple splotch. Rai clapped her hands over her mouth, trying to stifle a fit of giggles. Cuzew scrubbed the juice away with his sleeve and lowered his head to hide the red that had risen in his cheeks.

Iroin smiled and reached around Morai to pat the boys’ shoulder. He murmured something in his tongue, his tone gentle and reassuring.

“He says not to feel discouraged, that it takes quite a lot of practice to get good at a new skill.” Morai interpreted.

“Well I’m gonna try too!” Horen said, snatching up a berry.

He tossed it higher than Cuzew had, as it came sailing downward he leaned back and it plopped into his mouth. The lean cost him his balance however and he slipped from the bench onto the floor, wide eyed with surprise. He grinned widely and leapt to his feet again, sticking out his tongue with the berry on it.

“I id it! Eee? I aught it!”

Iroin roared with laughter and clapped for the boy, his entire body shaking merrily. The others laughed as well and congratulated the accomplishment, sending the children off to the yard with a bowl full of berries to practice their new trick.

With the children gone the mood of the room grew somber. The others looked at Neira and Akua. Their faces grim. It was Dyric who spoke first.

“I think it’s time we decide which of us will be attending the Guild party with Neira and Akua, and what our plan will be once we get in.”

“I’ve been around these people the longest.” Tiernon said “Whoever goes will need my knowledge of the Guild.”

Iroin scowled, his hands curled into fists and spoke resolutely, looking around the table at the others. Morai sighed.

“He said that he intends to join you. The Guild of Whispering Blood were the ones behind the slaughter of his clan and his own enslavement. He would like the chance to help avenge those wrongs.”

Tiernon twisted his fingers together, brow furrowed.

“It could be helpful to have such an imposing figure with us.” He let out a slow breath, his eyes flicking to Morai. “On the other hand though it would be a liability if we can’t communicate with him. The only way it would work is if…”

“If I go along too.” Morai finished with a somber smile. “Because I’m the only one who can speak his language.”

“No!” Dyric cried “It’s out of the question. It’s too risky.”

“Dyric it’s alright.” Morai smiled at him.

“It’s not alright! What about Cuzew? What if something happens to you? This could be dangerous, I won’t let you go!”

“Dyric,” She set a hand on his arm, her expression soft. “You know perfectly well that everything we do to end the slave trade is dangerous. I don’t wish to leave Cuzew, but it has to be me.”

“I don’t care!” Hot tears welled up in his eyes. “I already lost Mom and Dad, I’m not putting you at risk too. You and Cuzew are the only family I have left.”

Morai wrapped her arms around her brother and for a moment just held him in silence. Then she pulled back and looked at him.

“I have to do this Dyric. I know you're scared, but I am not helpless. Of the two of us I've always been better with diplomacy. This mission isn't one for the sword. I need you to look after Cuzew for me, and have a little faith in your sister ok?”

She smiled giving him a soft thump on the shoulder.

“I'll be just fine.”

Dyric slumped and let out a long resigned sigh.

“It should be me going, taking those risks.” he murmured “You shouldn't have to.”

“I don’t have to Dyric. I’m choosing to, because no one should have to live as a slave.”

A quiet hung over the group for a moment as they steeped in a shared sentiment.

“Well,” Akua cut in with a soft smile “now that we have our group decided, why don’t we start coming up with our plan for infiltrating this event?”

Sunlight burst into the room, dredging Irayen from a fitful sleep. She recoiled with a grimace as her eyes adjusted to the sudden shift.

“Good morning my lady. Did you sleep well?”

Her new maid Ahreena wore a smile that was a little too bright as she flounced across the room to deliver a stack of fresh clothes. Farida, the other maid had a very maternal air that Irayen found comforting, but Ahreena was a few years younger than she was and seemed to have a rather bubbly personality.

“The master is waiting for you in the dining hall.”

Irayen winced, her already upset stomach churning at the thought of his scrutiny. After Ahreena helped her get dressed for the day she stepped out into the hall where there were three guards waiting for her. They had been assigned to watch her every move ever since the day Dr. Wahid had come. The guards closed in around her like the bars of a cage; one ahead and two behind as they lead her down the hall to her waiting husband.

Rifat sat at the head of the table, surrounded once more by a sumptuous feast. His dark eyes latched onto Irayen as she took her place across from him. A predatory smile bloomed across his face and he began loading his plate with meats and rice, dousing them with thick brown gravy. Irayen took slow shallow breaths to combat her nausea, trying to ignore the awful slurping smack sounds from across the table.

“I trust you slept well my darling?” Rifat purred between mouthfuls.

Irayen responded with a queasy smile and a weak nod. The three guards hovered behind her, a wall to hold her in place. Rifat spread his arms wide indicating the magnificent meal before them.

“Please eat my dear. Surely something her is to your liking. How can our child grow if we do not feed his mother well?”

Irayen scanned the table, the rainbow of smells that had once made her mouth water were now amplified to a degree that caused her stomach to roil. She settled on a nearby platter of flatbreads. Something so bland might be palatable.

It was warm in her hand, the exterior just slightly crisp between her teeth, the inside soft and chewy with a gentle malty flavor. She savored each bite as though she had not eaten for days. After three pieces she smiled, the victory of a small meal blooming in her chest. The feeling was short lived however, as her stomach then took the opportunity to forcibly evict all of its’ contents onto the floor.

Irayen dabbed at her mouth with shaky hands, aware of the sweat beading at her hairline. Rifat grimaced, motioning for a servant to clean the mess.

“I’m sorry.” She murmured “It seems the meal did not agree with me.”

“Yes.” Rifat nodded “That seems to be happening often of late. Perhaps I should bring Dr. Wahid back to look at you again.”

Iren nodded meekly, this was the perfect opening. She clutched her hands together in her lap, staring at the floor while she conjured a few tears. Looking up at him again she made a big show of delicately wiping them from her cheeks.

“That would be wonderful. I don’t want anything to happen to our baby.”

Rifat smiled, though his eyes remained hard and narrow. He offered her another napkin to wipe her eyes.

“Of course not my dear. What mother would wish harm on her precious child?”

Irayen clutched the napkin in front of her mouth, her eyebrows drawn in and hesitated for a moment.

“Rifat, my darling, there is something I must confess.” She paused again, trying to look as guilty and conflicted as she could. “I knew about the baby before Dr. Wahid told us.”

Rifat sat back, his expression unreadable.

“And why would you keep such happy news from me?”

Irayen squeezed her eyes shut, more tears spilling out.

“I was afraid to tell you because…”

Her voice broke and she looked into his eyes once more, careful to fill her own with a helpless desperation.

“Because I’ve been cursed.”