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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 13, 2009 23:14:49 GMT -5
The following events did not clear up Esmeralda's confusion; no sooner had she returned--been returned--to the harem and greeted Djali, she was told to ready herself again. And not told where she was being taken.
When they emerged outside into the walled garden, she could see no one. The scent of exotic flowers, warmed by the breeze from the desert, was heavenly, but she was past noticing such things at the moment.
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 13, 2009 23:51:03 GMT -5
*For a long while, there was silence and darkness all around. Then footsteps sounded along the sandy paths, and torchlight flickered through the night.
The king himself, and only the king, appeared before Esmerelda and merely nodded to her.*
"Come."
*He led her through the garden, to the far wall, where an iron gate stood unguarded, though locked. Taking the key from a deep pocket in his robes, he unlocked the gate, pushing it open on silent, well-oiled hinges.*
"Beyond the gate, there is an olive tree. You will find a horse tethered there. There is money, food and water enough to see you back to your homeland."
*His hand fell back to his side, and he continued to hold the torch to light her way.*
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 13, 2009 23:54:37 GMT -5
Esmeralda, her arms wrapped around her against the breeze (which, though warm, brushed her torso intimately), had started at the king's approach. She was surprised to see him, and surprised to see him alone, and nothing he did lessened her surprise.
"Oh," she said softly, involuntarily, like the breeze itself. She glanced at the king's face, inscrutable in the flickering torchlight. "Why?" she asked, taking a step towards him, her hand out slightly.
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 13, 2009 23:58:58 GMT -5
"If there is only one thing that will see you happy, then how can I deny you?" *he said brusquely.* "If you would spurn a kingdom for this...home of yours...then it must be precious, indeed. I wish you joy of it."
*He gazed at her for a moment, his eyes reflecting the heated flame of the torch before they darkened, and he turned his face from hers.*
"You must speak to no one of what you have encountered here. Now go, quickly."
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 14, 2009 0:13:15 GMT -5
"But I can't," she said, realizing as she said it what she was doing, wishing she could take it back. Her voice had a catch in it, as if trying to swallow the words even as they came out. "I can't leave Djali here." Or Anastasia, but Djali had been her only friend for years.
And as she spoke, she realized what he was doing for her. That he had singled her out, had listened to her request. That she really ought to take it. But his dark eyes seemed to hold something, something she hadn't noticed before. And the sculptures. He was nobility personified.
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 14, 2009 0:29:23 GMT -5
"...I cannot do more than this, for you," *he said, his voice low, his tone pained.* "Even as much as I offer here is more than is wise. I am undone, my lady. I am at a loss as to how I may make you happy."
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 17, 2009 11:40:41 GMT -5
Esmeralda's eyes drifted longingly toward the gate, and freedom beyond it. She licked her lips, and tore her eyes away, back to the King though she averted her gaze.
"I understand," she said, even though she could know all the reasons. "But I will not leave my friends." Her eyes lifted to his. "Why me, sir?" she asked softly.
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 17, 2009 16:20:59 GMT -5
"Why you, indeed."
*Still, he lost no time in dragging the gate shut once more and locking it.*
"Though you are contained by these walls and the edicts of my forefathers, you have more freedom than most...one could not help but see it when you danced. A prisoner is only truly trapped when they surrender their own heart to their captor. You are free because you believe yourself to be free. Because you still call your soul your own."
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 17, 2009 16:53:06 GMT -5
Though his words were true, Esmeralda was not entirely capable of understanding them. She heard the gate close, and shuddered at the finality of the sound. Her spirit was diminished by these walls--that was all she knew.
"But I am not free," she said softly. "Still, I know that without those I swore to stand beside, I would not be free in any open country. And within these walls, I will wilt. In time. I cannot win, either way."
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 17, 2009 20:38:03 GMT -5
"Can you not?"
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 18, 2009 10:33:25 GMT -5
"Only when I dance," she mused. "My people prize freedom above all else," she explained. "But I understand you are trying to help."
She had come close to despair while waiting in the harem. She did not think she was free at all.
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 18, 2009 17:01:39 GMT -5
"Any illusions we have of freedom are quickly put to rest," *said Xerxes.* "None of us may follow our own will."
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 18, 2009 17:30:42 GMT -5
Esmeralda shook her head, gently but firmly.
"I do no accept that," she said. "You have your traditions, my lord. I have mine."
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Xerxes
- In the Duggins -
I am King. And I need answer to no one.
Posts: 53
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Post by Xerxes on Feb 18, 2009 17:50:22 GMT -5
"So it would seem," *said Xerxes with a bow.* "I will summon someone to return you to your room."
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Post by Esmeralda on Feb 18, 2009 18:00:05 GMT -5
No longer afraid of the man, she felt a pang of... what? It could not be disappointment, for she missed Djali, and had Anastasia to talk to. Perhaps it was merely the attention he paid her. It was flattering. And he seemed troubled somehow.
"Wait," she said, and unclasped a chain from her wrist from which dangled a charm. "Thank you for your kindness to me. This will protect you from evil spirits. Please take it."
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