[h3][center]Strangers with Sweets[/center][/h3]

New people were flowing into the courtyard faster than Tahir could keep track of. A Tourgeni had spoken to the Lady Valens, and now another Ventarian. That one had approached them before and attempted to speak to his master, but had been called away before Tahir had been able to tell him his lord could not answer back. There were so many, and from so many different places. Some he recognised, like the Tourgeni, but others he did not know. Least of all the beastly creature all hooves and horns. He had seen something like it once chained in a fighting pit. They had set it against four dogs and placed bets upon the outcome. It had killed them all.

[color=f7941d]"Master, what is this creature?"[/color] He whispered beneath his breath. His lord looked to it and cocked his head to side, considering it, before using his foot to draw a line in the sand, one that pointed east. Was this what men looked like if one went far enough east? He had seen Markothi before on the docks at Meroa, and they were nothing like this thing.

His musing was cut short however, because Tahir could see another approaching them and judging by her complexion she was their countryman. She was not dressed as the nobility, nor did she seem to be of a particularly marshal character, though she was armed. She smiled as she approached, but Tahir could sense something beneath. It reminded him of the smiles he seen so often on the faces of women in the brothels he had known as a child. Forced. She bent her knees as she reached them, so that she was at a height with Tahir. From her pocket she produced a small handful of candied fruits and ginger root. 

[color=6ecff6]“Hello, I’m Risa, would you like a sweet, Jun?”[/color] Tahir was slightly taken aback, why was this gladiator speaking to him with such affection and offering him gifts? Normally he was ignored by most, slaves were not uncommon in Sariya or Ventaria, and were accepted as being part of the background to any household. Then he saw it. Just for a moment, there was a flash in this woman's eyes. A flash of pure anger. She turned to his master, almost smirking as she did so, and spoke.

[color=6ecff6]“That is, of course, if your master says it’s alright.”[/color]

She knew. Or at least suspected. It had happened before with other Sariyans, but without this sense of hostility Tahir could feel subtly emanating from this woman. Should he speak? Should he try to tell his master? Or should he confess all and beg for mercy? He turned towards him, looking for reassurance, but the Lord Duwabir was already answering this Risa in his own fashion. His hooded and veiled head paused for a moment before slowly nodding with great deliberation and care. The slowness of what nod, what was he trying to say? Was it telling her that he knew what she was doing? Or was it a message to Tahir? Be cautious, be slow, act as if nothing has happened. He chose to interpret it as the latter. He would be cordial, and try to act normal.

[color=f7941d]"Lord Akzum be with you, daughter of Sariya."[/color] He spoke fluently in as formal Sariyan as he could muster, trying to smile as he did so. 

[color=f7941d]"I must apologise, for my master cannot answer you more fully. The Lord Duwabir suffers from a condition which affects both his speech and appearance. I serve him as his voice when needed."[/color]

He reached out and a took a single piece of candied date from her outstretched palm.

[color=f7941d]"I am called Tahir. You have my thanks, Khanum Risa. Do you seek to join House Valens also?" [/color]