NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Sumire: A new approach
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"What the hell do you want?" Sakura asked, impolite and brash in both tone and words, looking at the unexpected visitor to her little chamber of isolation. Standing right outside the door was the head slave-Fatima and he looked even less pleased than her. A scowl mares his features.
"Lady Madaura was right, you don't have any respect. No wonder you've received so many punishments,"
Sakura appeared impassive, arms crossed. "Are you going to get to the point?"
Fatima clicked his tongue, eyes layered with disgust as he looked at her. "Come with me and don't speak."
Sakura did not ask questions and simply followed after him. She never asked any questions or said much of anything when people came to collect her but in this case, Fatima was a new face and he was leading her further away from the punishment chambers.
They passed further down the hallway until they reached a flight of stairs Sakura had not gone up for an entire week. If anyone looked at her they'd find it a miracle she could walk straight or that she did not trip over the chains on her ankles, given the bruises red and purple dancing across her legs and arms. Her face appeared shallow but her eyes, still shone like emeralds, solid with a fierceness in them.
Coming back to the familiar room of cages and cries of slaves about to be shipped away, Sakura became worried, there wouldn't be any other reason to bring her here unless, of course, it was to ship her off as well. Her hands tightened in a strong grip, chakra ready to pour in through them and break her chains. If it was going to come to this, then she was going to abandon her previous plans.
"Sinbad!" Fatima called, hand on his hip, impatient.
Sakura lowered her head, allowing her bangs to cascade down her face, covering her eyes completely, when she saw the extra pair of boots now in front of her.
"Yes?" Sinbad asked, he was holding several scrolls in his arms.
Fatima pointed at Sakura, his voice now holding clear authority and a sense of superiority. "Lady Madaura has requested you to take care of this girl."
Sinbad stared back at Fatima, his face impassive but eyes holding surprise. "Me?"
"Of course, Sinbad," Madaura's familiar voice echoed through the large room, she began making her way down the staircase, her young slave Kil by her side as usual. Sakura could feel Madaura behind her but Sakura remained silent not once raising her head to peer into the eyes of anyone.
"Lady Madaura!" Fatima smiled in delight at the sight of his master.
"She has been very disobedient and does not respond to punishment as I had hoped, therefore I have decided it would be best to place her in your care," Madaura explained smiling at Sinbad.
Sinbad blinked wildly, "My care, why is that Lady Madaura?"
Fatima scowled, growling at Sinbad "Don't question Lady Madaura!"
Usually, he wouldn't but this was very unusual and too surprising for Sinbad.
Stepping away from Sakura, Madaura stood in front of Sinbad wrapping her arms around him and Sinbad appeared to relish in the feeling while Sakura held herself back from screaming out her disgust for the situation. It was like watching a snake coil itself around its prey. Prey that has surrendered to it's fate. Fatima sneered at Sinbad with jealousy.
"You've become such a good boy, Sinbad, I think you will be a very good influence on her, she will also be rooming with you and the other children from now on."
Placing her hand on his cheek, she spoke in a gentle, sweet voice of praise "Take care of your sister for me alright Sinbad?"
Sinbad smiled wider "Yes Lady Madaura…."
Fatima spoke in an embarrassed, flustered stutter "Um, Lady Madaura...I-
Madaura looked back at Fatima, her eyes narrowed, and her gentle features morphed. "Oh Fatima, you're still here? I didn't notice."
Turning back to Sinbad she greeted the boy, before stepping away from Sakura and going back up the stairs then the loud, irritated stomps of Fatima grew soft as he turned the corner leaving Sinbad to deal with Sakura.
"What's your name?" asked Sinbad after a long moment of silence.
"Sumire," Sakura responded blankly.
"That translates to violet, it doesn't seem to suit you," Sinbad said, his voice holding nothing to offend or to compliment.
"It's a color that annoyingly haunts me," Sakura stated, still not lifting her head to look into his eyes, she had seen how blank they were from a distance, and she knew she would have a difficult time holding herself back if she saw them this close.
"Well, uh," Sinbad began, he sounded awkward which was odd given he never got tongue-tied when dealing with women that had been another time and under different circumstances. "Let's get going."
"Fine," Sakura responded, moving before Sinbad to leave but she did not miss the hateful glare filled with animosity directed at Sinbad as they left.
'I hope this won't be a problem,'
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As Sakura and Sinbad traversed the opulent halls of the palace, a heavy silence enveloped them like a suffocating shroud. Despite their physical proximity, an invisible chasm stretched between them.
The grandeur of the palace's interior seemed to mock their predicament, its lavish halls and towering pillars a stark contrast to the darkness that lurked within. The pillars that lined the halls seemed to reach for the heavens, their ornate carvings and intricate designs a testament to the wealth and power of their captors.
As they walked, Sakura couldn't help but steal glances at Sinbad. He seemed like a stranger to her now, his once vibrant spirit dulled by the weight of captivity. Usually, Sinbad could adapt. It was a great strength of his. He could follow the tides without sinking. But this time there was a difference. Sinbad wasn't adapting to reach his goals. He was doing it for survival.
It was as if he had lost hope.
"Are you hungry?" asked Sinbad
It was somewhat amusing that he would choose to destroy the silence by asking something like that but Sakura chose to respond with a simple nod.
"I just need to hand these in and then I'll show you to the common room where you can get something to eat."
Instead of giving a verbal response, Sakura nodded again and then continued to look ahead of her, she had waited for this opportunity but approaching it was still something of hesitance because of Sinbad's current condition, how he would react to her being here and then there was still Madaura that added to the problem. While she did not know the details there had to be a reason that Sindria Trading Company could not get their leader back and there had to be a reason that force was not an option. If it was in any way going to lead to the undoing of everything Sinbad had strived to achieve then Sakura knew she could not take a direct approach without causing an uproar. She considers Sinbad's position.
Sakura was going to find another way to free Sinbad without giving him any grief after, how was another matter?
"So, you've been….punished?" Sinbad asked looking over Sakura, her marred skin but it was nothing that wouldn't heal over time.
"Yes," Sakura replied, giving away little.
"I know how that feels…." Sinbad's expression seemed to grow solemn "Well, at least Lady Madaura said she was going to stop and I'm sure in time Lady Madaura will accept you fully as her child, aren't you glad about that?"
"I couldn't care any less," she bluntly replied, bitter words falling from her lips.
Sinbad gasped, "B-but aren't you afraid of being punished? I-I've also been-
"You don't need to explain it to me." Sakura cut him off, gritting her teeth, despite knowing what Sinbad had gone through she did not want to hear him give her disclosure on it. The discomforting guilt would begin to stir in her again if he told her about it.
"But-
"No." Sakura snapped.
The scraping of chains on the stone floors broke the silence that had fallen once again, Sakura and Sinbad saw a tiny figure covered in red, decorating his path with the blood that fell off of him. Sakura recognized the boy. Rather she recognized what he was. A Fanalis. Getting a closer look at him, he couldn't have been older than eight. Unlike the other slaves (excluding the head slaves) the chains on his legs were connected to two balls of weights but Sakura knew that it was because of his strength.
'Is that all it takes to hold him?' she wondered.
"Masrur!" Sinbad called hurrying over to him, he didn't even seem fazed by the giant sword he was holding with one tiny hand. "You're all covered in blood, are you alright!?"
Masrur nodded "It's not mine."
"Hold on," Sinbad said rushing off somewhere.
Sakura looked over Masrur, moving her hair out of her face to look him in the eyes, even covered in red, his red hair and eyes stood out from the blood splatters, a different tone, he looked at Sakura with a blank expression which she returned with a smile.
Not long after Sinbad returned with a towel in hand, placing it over Masrur's head he began wiping off the blood.
Sinbad then turned back to Sakura who lowered her head again "Oh yes, Masrur this is Sumire, Lady Madura has placed her in my care, she'll be rooming with us from now on as well. Sumire this is Masrur."
"Hello," Sakura replied, a hint of a smile hidden beneath her hair.
"Hello," Masrur responded.
"I heard that since my appearance in the arena, your matches have gotten more extreme with giant monsters as your opponents but, this is something. Aren't you tired of it?" Sinbad asked returning to wiping off the blood.
Sakura narrowed her eyes, staring at her feet as she listened to Sinbad go on with Masrur, talking about how the boy fought every day of his life in the coliseum, not knowing which day he might lose and die.
"You're definitely strong but you're still a child, aren't you tired of doing something like this?" Sinbad asked again.
Masrur looked down and gave a small nod to his head, his hands letting go of the towel on his head and letting it just hand there.
Holding the boy's wrist in his own Sinbad smiled "I see, well then I'll as Lady Madaura and see if you can stop being a gladiator. It's all right. If you become Lady Madura's 'child' I'm sure you can stop right away."
Despite realizing the situation, it did not make it easier to see or hear Sinbad like this. Sakura held back the tears that wanted to fall and went for biting her lip till it bled though she did not register the metallic taste in her mouth.
Masrur turned around and began walking away.
"Hey, where are you going?" Sinbad called. "Don't you want to stop being a gladiator?"
Turning back Masrur spoke, his voice holding more than his face dared to give away, it was almost considered unnatural for a child. "I am a Fanalis…I'll do the job I'm given, I'll obey orders but I won't throw away my pride. Because I am a proud Fanalis!"
The fluttering, she heard it again, stronger, and when she looked up she saw it around Sinbad, the rukh's reaction, and Sakura knew that while it was only slight, there was a shift, a wave. Sinbad placed a hand over his chest and clutched the fabric in thought while Masrur walked away, leaving a trail of blood.
Sakura stepped passed Sinbad, waking him from his daze. "Hey Sumire, where are you going now?"
"Is there a bath?" Sakura asked, eyes still following Masrur.
"Several," Sinbad answered starring at her back "I think Masrur will be going to one now but-
Sakura didn't allow him to finish before she followed after the Fanalis boy once again, leaving Sinbad dumbfounded at her somewhat desperate attempt to escape his presence.
"At least someone else in this place still has pride."
And she knew he had heard her.
"Masrur!" Sakura finally caught up to the young boy, he looked at her with a blank persona, and as before she returned it with a smile.
"Sinbad said you were heading to the baths, mind if I join you?"
The boy simply stared back at her again-lucky for her, stoic and expressionless boys were somewhat of a specialty.
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Running her long hair back and out of her face Sakura exhaled as the warm water touched her body. A nice change from the freezing showers she endured in the torture chambers. The waters were filled with sweet scented flowers. Masrur remained on the other side of the giant bath sitting just outside near the sinks where he was having trouble trying to scrub away the blood that caked his body.
Without hesitance or a glimmer of bashfulness for being completely bare, Sakura moved through the water swiftly till she was only a short distance from the young boy. There were times when she used to bathe with Ja'far who had an uncanny ability to bathe no longer than three minutes, always saying that assassins weren't able to let their guard down for very long and he always became flustered whenever she surprised him.
"Do you need some help?" Sakura asked noticing he was missing a lot of the blood that had already begun to dry and stick to the skin on his back and in his hair.
"You don't have to
"I don't mind."
Masrur looked over his shoulder at her, he gave a small nod and turned back.
Sakura climbed out and sat behind him, taking the washcloth from his hands, and started rubbing his back, it didn't take long for the blood to be removed.
"So Masrur, you're a Fanalis right?"
"Yes," Masrur responded, his tone dull and hushed.
Sakura watched the blood stains drip, none of it was his. "You must be very strong, of course, I saw you carrying that big sword."
Masrur didn't respond as Sakura started running her fingers through the small boy's hair, red started mixing with the water around them.
"You know you're the second Fanalis, I've met."
The boy's posture changed, Masrur turned around, his eyes now wide filled with curiosity and longing-he looked like a real child.
"You've met another Fanalis?"
"His name was Yaqut, he wasn't that much older than you."
Masrur shifted closer to Sakura as if he would miss a detail if he wasn't as near as possible. Sakura told Masrur about how Yaqut had run away from these slave merchants and straight into her.
"You were both taken as slaves, is that how you ended up here?" Masrur asked
Sakura smirked, snickering softly before shaking her head "No, I escaped before anything could happen, although thinking back they did mention Madaura. I'm sure they were going to sell Yaqut to her as well."
Masrur looked entranced, he was leaning on both of his hands in front of him. "What happened?"
"We all broke free," Sakura said "The slave merchants were driven out and all of the former men, women, and children who were taken as slaves were now freed, including Yaqut."
Starring down into the water, Masrur lifted his hands to peer at the in wonder, "He is free."
"Yes, though I don't know what he is doing or where he has gone, I am sure he is." Sakura responded "He wanted to come with me but I told him he couldn't, it seems I had made a good decision. Don't' think I'd be able to forgive myself if he ended up in chains again. Especially when Madaura seems to tighten the binds on her slaves."
"You don't like her," Masrur said
Sakura scoffed softly "I don't agree with her, which results in these," she gestured to the marks on her body under the water before letting out a shaky breath.
"She wants you to be her child."
Another snicker left Sakura's lips "Of course she does, otherwise, how am I supposed to serve her? What about your Masrur, are you her child?"
Masrur did not respond then, as if contemplating his answer but instead of waiting for a response, Sakura continued to speak.
"I will never become Madaura's child, because I will never accept this life and I will never accept her," Sakura said, her voice firm now and strong. When she looked down at Masrur, the young Fanalis felt an odd stirring within him as Sakura's eyes pierced through him, so soft and yet so powerful and promising.
"Suppose it's similar to what you said, you won't throw away your pride and I won't throw away my heart."
In that short period, Sakura had managed to cause a crack through the walls the young Fanalis had built through his time as a slave and something was slowly beginning to seep in through it and it was making him feel something he had not felt for a long time….
Hope.
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"This is the room Masrur and I share with two other children, they're not around right now though," Sinbad gestured to the double beds lined up on either side of the room against the walls. The half-shaped windows line the top and not much else. It was very simplistic, the purpose meant nothing more than sleeping.
Although Sakura couldn't help but think it was probably better than what most slaves would receive, even in the common room where she was able to get a decent meal, children were wandering around all smiling, none miserable or holding sad eyes of human beings who had lost their rights.
Sinbad had gone on about how surprised he was when he first arrived as well, he told her that the children are allowed to do pretty much whatever they wanted under Lady Madaura's roof and that they were educated and given lessons to better themselves. She had not responded to Sinbad during that time, appearing unimpressed by what he was trying to sell her although it was also because she was holding back her rage, she had clenched her hands so hard her fingernails dug straight into her skin drawing blood.
"Those beds are free," Sinbad said pointing to his left and then to the one's right next to it. "That one's mine and Masrur's."
"Okay," Sakura said.
Sinbad appeared a little deterred by her lack of enthusiasm, for some reason. "How was your bath?"
"Fine." She responded as plainly as possible.
"Do you want to go to back to the common room or perhaps rest?" Sinbad asked although Sakura knew he was only doing that because he did not know what else to do with her.
Ignoring his question, she decided finally to ask her own. "Do you like being a head slave?"
Sinbad was lost for words, barely able to reply with an audible "Huh?"
"Do you like being a head slave?" Sakura repeated, keeping her head down.
"Well…..I'm only an apprentice head slave but um….why ask me something like that?"
This time Sakura didn't know how to reply but she didn't need to, she was sure now at least that Sinbad wasn't doing this because he enjoyed it; otherwise, he would have answered the question.
"No reason…."
Sinbad rubbed the back of his neck as the uncomfortable silence fell over them again-well uncomfortable for him. The question took root in his mind. He was training to become a head slave under Madaura's orders, there were not a lot of children around his and Fatima's age so it made sense since they were older than the other slaves but Sinbad's mind had been concerned about nothing more than avoiding more punishment, he did not question the role he was now given.
"Hey, about what you said earlier…." Sinbad said, referring to her statement before she left for the baths. Sakura looked at him, lifting her head slightly. "You shouldn't say things like that,"
That time she wasn't able to maintain composure and keep her face blank "What do you mean?"
Sinbad took a breath, he spoke in the tone that would suit a lecturer as if everything being said was vital. "Sumire, I can understand what you are going through but you need to accept things as they are. If Lady Madaura accepts you as one of your children, things will become a lot easier for you. All you have to do is accept her from the bottom of your heart and she'll make you one of her 'children'. It's better than getting shipped off right?"
Sakura scoffed, a painful churning beginning in the pit of her stomach. "What's the difference? At the end of either I'll still be trapped, I'll still have to wear these chains and I will still be a slave."
"That's just the reality!" Sinbad said stepping towards her but Sakura took two steps away from him.
"Stay away from me!" Sakura warned
"Why can't you just accept Lady Madaura and stop being so rebellious?"
Hands going up to her ears, Sakura shut her eyes tightly "I won't devote myself to that woman because my devotion and my heart-
The door swung open, bringing everything to a halt, it was Kil. He looked up at the two with little expression.
"Lady Madaura wants to see you right now, Sinbad."
Sakura swallowed hard, 'This can't be good.
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Sadly-she was right.
It was hard when you did not realize the kind of problems that would develop in the future depending on circumstances but sometimes it wasn't any better being able to feel misfortune without knowing every detail of how to prevent or avoid it. Her eyes wandered around, the cages that were stacked up around the room, once filled with distraught people were empty…every single one.
Sakura stood a little ways from Sinbad, listening to the multiple questions-yelling from the enraged group of slave handlers, though questions, there was clear accusation in their tone. While Sinbad just stood there, a face filled with nothing and eyes just as blank. As if he was not able to process the words and therefore could not muster up an appropriate reaction.
"Sinbad, why would you let all the slaves escape!?"
"We trusted him, even though he's such a strange person…"
"AND WHAT HAS HE DONE FOR US?"
"This is why I was against it. Making someone like him a head slave!"
Something was not right about this, aside from the situation itself, it did not make sense because Sinbad-as he was, would not even consider freeing a single slave. It wasn't that he would be the obvious person to be blamed just because he was a head slave, no it was because Sakura knew (though it wounded her) Sinbad was not capable of doing this, he was incapable, not in mind or body was he strong enough to gain the resolve for himself to do this. Although it didn't seem like that was put into consideration judging by the men all screaming their discontent.
Despite all of this one in particular stood out in the crowd.
"That's right! He's not fit to be a head slave! He betrayed your trust Lady Madaura, he should be given a suitable punishment!" Fatima stated.
Sakura didn't miss anything, the sickening tone of joy and triumph, the crooked smile, twitching fingers of excitement-Fatima was being too obvious. All of the others had been filled with rage, and anger but not Fatima; he was happy and it was not difficult to decipher why. She had caught his look of hate towards Sinbad before and just as she feared, it was a problem.
'He would be a terrible gambler.'
Sakura's eyes landed on Madaura who was watching the scene unfold with a calmness equal to Sinbad's. Though she half expected the woman to go into a rage about losing her merchandise, she was tranquil and Sakura hoped it would stay that way for Sinbad's sake, otherwise, she would have to intervene and that could bring a lot of problems not just now but in the future as well for this was the way of the world and it was not easy to overcome. If she escaped with Sinbad, chances were Madaura would pursue them, and life for Sinbad would not go back to the way it was.
'Of course, if she tries anything, that isn't going to matter.' Sakura thought watching as Madaura began making her way to Sinbad. 'If it's for him I'll-
A smile meant to convey warmth spread across Madaura's face, not a trace of hostility. "Sinbad. Everyone fails once or twice, I forgive you."
The expected gasps echoed around the near-lifeless room now, Fatima was the most surprised, and just as he failed to mask his excitement he failed to mask his discontent and desperation. Grasping at threads unraveling, in hopes of bringing his ambitions to light.
"W-What are you saying!?" This isn't something that can be forgiven!" Fatima stressed, only to be met with a kind reply, implying nothing yet creating a feeling of dread.
"Oh Fatima, are you telling me what to do?"
Fatima stiffened, sweat dripping down his face, his composure lost. "Of…of course. I'm only thinking of you, Lady Madaura."
Soon enough, Fatima was embraced by his master. "What's wrong Fatima? You're shaking so badly. I wonder if there's some reason behind it."
Another discovery Sakura made, after watching Fatima and Madaura and the reactions of the two. For whatever reason Madaura knew that it was not Sinbad who had set the slaves free and Fatima was afraid because he knew that if Sinbad was not blamed-there was only one other to blame. She had also seen the full extent of Madaura's ability. Madaura performed for everyone here, one that would capture their hearts and make them submissive, un-doubtfully loyal, and unable to take any action without having Madaura in their thoughts. Even when it was to benefit themselves. They thought Madaura flawless, the only light in this world of darkness because despite the situation they were in as slaves, they were 'loved'. Fatima in particular.
'Love is a powerful thing and this woman has taken something so pure for her twisted desires.'
"I don't want to see my cute little children fighting. The search for the culprit ends here. I'm going to overlook this incident."
There was not a whisper of protest, Sakura looked up one more time at everyone gathered, from the slaves to Madaura to Sinbad (who was yet to speak).
'I have to get him out of here.'
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
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