Be My Guest (Morrighan)

[Saber-Five]

Meeta Nefertari had mixed feelings going to a manor owned by nobles. One hand, it was familiar surroundings, she grew up in, but it was as a slave. Sure at the time she didn't think about her status as too bad, just something to overcome. Of course, she thought differently now, after sampling freedom, though it had been hard to get used at times, she wouldn't trade it.

Those were her thoughts as she sat inside a moving wagon beside a young dark skinned man close to her age, named Jerek. They were apporching the estate where the reclusive lady Flavia Bathory Sryon lived as her personal guests. Apparently her husband was away on business elsewhere and will remain so for an extended time. With in this mind, Lady Sryon wanted some entertainment to keep her occupied for the next few days and requested for some pit fighters from the capital. Also more privately the noble woman wanted some lessons in self defense as well.

In return for services rendered the fighters would be reward a good amount of gold plus get to live luxury for almost a week too. So that is why Meeta, who been gaining a fearsome reputation in the fight pits and her occasional sparring partner and rival Jerek took up the offer. They wouldn't just battle each other however, Flavia had some folks male or female who can fight among her slaves and servants. Either way Meeta just hoped this so called noble was good on her word for payment and being guests at least. Her former master been somewhat a decent man, others including his family and friends and proven to be corrupted and contemptible lot been her experience.

So naturally the former slave inherited caution when it came to those of the upper class. It was late in morning when they finally arrived to the mansion. Both of them were dressed simple brown hooded robes as they stepped out of the wagon. After being searched for concealed weapons by the guards and finding none, they were escorted inside.

[Wild]

In the noble part of Essyrn, where the nobles had their home, a beautiful mansion towered towards the sky. A beautiful garden surrounded the house, and only a fence parted the mansion from the streets outside. The front gate was made of the finest metals, a clear giveaway that this was the home of a wealthy couple.

This was the manor of the young lady Flavia Bathory-Syron and her husband Rasul Syron. They had servants to take care of the domestic work, they had animals and fields to support the house with food, they had money to care for their every need. At first glance one should think that the owners of this mansion led a happy life.

Lady Flavia Bathory-Syron sat in her bedroom in front of her makeup table. She had to cover her face in makeup again, to cover the bruises her husband frequently gave her. She had only been married for a short while, and yet her life had already started becoming a living hell. While covering her bruises with light powder, she anxiously strained her ears, looking around with fear in her eyes as if she any moment expected to hear the dreaded footsteps of her husband. Even now, when he was gone on a business trip, she did not let down her guard. Who knew if he might suddenly return to retrieve something?

Today she had sent a servant to town to announce that Lady Bathory-Syron was in need of some pit fighters. It had to appear as if she only needed some light entertainment when her husband was away. She had asked the servant to not mention that the real reason for this scheme was to teach her to protect herself from her own husband. She could not stand the shame if it should be public known that she was a victim of domestic violence. Hopefully the lessons in self defense could prevent further abuse, even though she doubted it. She knew very well that she was not physically strong and would probably be a horrible fighter. In any fights with Rasul she would more likely find herself in the losing end.

Rasul was cunning and devious. He would wait until she was alone with him, and THEN he would punish her for her disobedience. But at the moment Flavia could not bring herself to think of the dangers. She was turning into a nervous wreck. She was in desperate need of rest and would do anything to get it. Anything.

As she slowly combed her hair and arranged it in an advanced hairstyle to look elegant, she waited for the sound of footsteps towards the door. Her servant had been gone for a long time, and she hoped he would bring someone to apply for the job as pit fighters when he returned...

[Saber-Five]

The door opened letting the two pit fighters inside. There they were met by an elderly and baldish man, one of the leading slaves in the manor. Bowing his head in respect, he spoke.

"A thousand blessings to you honored guests, thank you for answering the mistress' request."

Meeta and Jerek simply nodded in respond and the old man further spoke while pointing to younger slaves nearby.

"I will let our mistress know they're here, escort our guests to their rooms for the time being, until she summons for them."

He left the pair, heading for the direction of Flavia's room. Meanwhile the fighters went to the opposite way with the slave escorts and settle into their rooms until called.

[Wild]

Flavia stood up when she heard a knock on the door, relief washing over her face when she recognized the voice of the baldish man.

"Thank you," she told him gently. "Let them know I will be with them in a moment. Send them to the little salon, as we may speak undisturbed there. "

The little salon was a nice room with marble floors and decorated walls. There were vases with fresh flowers by the pillars and comfortable chairs for resting. In the salon there was a window facing the beautiful flower garden outdoors, the place where most of the training would go on in secret.

[Saber-Five]

Minutes later the two fighters were brought to the salon. Meeta was still clasped in her robe but remove the hood while her counterpart Jerek wore small vest and long shorts on his muscled body. They waited while resting in some of the chairs and admiring the style of the room and the garden outside.

"Not every day I get to stay in places like this." Jerek noted. Meeta slightly shrugged and repiled.

"Sure the houses can be lovely, just don't expect all of their owners to be the same way."

"Hey I know you were a slave and all Meeta, but I prefer to focus on enjoy my time here."

"I didn't say you shouldn't have a good, just be on your guard a little, we don't how this noble is like yet." Meeta said when they heard the door and looked in its direction.

[Wild]

Flavia watched her face in the mirror as she rehearsed one last time on putting on her happy face. It was the fake smile she used when she walked by her husband's side, beaming to all his business partners and greeting them politely after being knocked around the room by her husband's fists only moments earlier. She was still able to put on this facade, but it was getting harder every day of her marriage.

This was the smile she had on her face minutes later, when she left her room and made way to the salon. Her eyes might sparkle from the delight of receiving visitors, but if one took the time to see behind the carefully arranged makeup, it was possible to notice the dark rings  under her eyes from lack of sleep and the bruises she had tried to conceal under thin layers of powder. In her haste to receive her visitors, Flavia had forgotten to powder the bruises around her wrists and forearms - revealing that she was used to being forcefully grabbed and shaken in a brutal manner.

"Ah, you have arrived," she said in her gentle voice. "Welcome to my humble abodes. My name is Lady Flavia Bathory-Syron. I take it you are here as our new entertaining guests?"

She was careful in her choice of words, knowing not all of the servants in the household were her friends. If she was too careless her words could reach the ears of her husband, and she would be in deeper trouble than ever before.

Her eyes glanced friendly towards the two guests.

"You must be hungry and thirsty after the journey," she said. "Would you care for some food and drinks as we get to know each other?"

[Saber-Five]

Well I wouldn't call this place humble. Meeta thought when their host and new employer. It quickly apparent despite Flavia's regal appearance there signs of scars and bruises over her. The new fighters pretended not to notice as they got up and greeted Flavia with respectful bows.

"We are Lady Flavia and yes some fruits and wine would be nice." Meeta answered in an cultured voice not usually found in the fight pits. Old habits of a former slave she sliently considered.

[Wild]

Flavia smiled when the two fighters greeted her with respectful bows and she greeted them with a respectful bow of her own. To her they were not slaves or laborers, but trained fighters, and she knew better than to get on their bad side.

When the fighters expressed their hunger and thirst, Lady Flavia lifted a tiny bell from the table and rang it. After a couple minutes a servant entered the room and bowed to the Lady of the house. "Please bring us some fruits and wine," she told him. "And then let the others know that we are not to be disturbed for the next couple hours."

The servant bowed and left the room, and only moments later he returned with a tray of fresh fruits. Another servant came behind him, carrying a tray of three wine glasses and a couple bottles of wine of exquisite quality. Once the food and drinks had been placed on the table, the servants bowed and left the room.

"Please, help yourselves to some food," she invited, gesturing towards the food and wine. She herself poured wine to the guests before filling her own glass. "Before we start, whom do I have the honor of addressing? I find it tiresome to title anyone with just you there...."

[Saber-Five]

Needless to say the two fighters were a bit surprised that this noble lady treated them with more respect than expected. In Meeta's experience that meant either a noble was desperate enough for something, or playing an act, or simply being sincere. The woman fighter wasn't sure which one it was yet but that thought had to wait as their food and refreshments arrived. The guests helped themselves to what's been offered. After their cups were full, they repiled back to Flavia's questions.

"I am Jerek Krios, your highness." Meeta's partner answered first then he chewed on an apple. Then she spoke up after sipping some wine. "Meeta Nefertari."

[Wild]

Flavia relaxed on her seat, munching peacefully on a peace of fruit and sipping to her cup of wine when she listened to the two fighters introducing themselves. Her eyes scanned their bodies, not to check them out, but to see if they looked healthy and capable of fighting. After all, if they were going to teach her how to fight they had to be strong and capable themselves. But she had no reason to doubt the judgement of her servant. He knew a strong man or woman when he saw one.

She smiled when the fighters introduced themselves. Their names were just as exotic as the fighters themselves seemed to be.

"It is an honor to meet you both Jerek Krios and  Meeta Nefertari," she greeted them. "Rest assured you are most welcome to my estate. For the duration of your stay everything here will be at your disposal. All you need to do is ask."

She looked around, making sure that nobody among her servants were eavesdropping before she continued the conversation. But it looked like the servants were tending to their duties for the moment, at least they were not anywhere near the room. When Flavia was certain they were alone, she turned to Jerek and Meeta again.

"I don't know how much my servant told you about the work I wish you to perform here? The real job, not the cover... I also hope this will be between the three of us, as I do not want public embarrassment."

[Saber-Five]

It's becoming obvious to Meeta that this woman vauled her privacy with the way she checked for eavesdroppers. When asked what they knew about the real job, Meeta answered.

"Enough to know you want some lessons in hand to hand combat that's it."

She paused for a second and examined Flavia with a fighter's eye. Clrealy the noble lady wasn't physically strong and didn't seem trained for a fight either. With that Meeta added with questions.

"Now when would you prefer to have these private sessions during our stay specifically? Also how many fighters do you have among your household? After all we will need to keep up appearances on the entertainment part."

[Wild]

Flavia smiled when Meeta described the lessons to perfection. It was true these lessons had to be kept a secret. The only servants who would participate were men and women Flavia knew would be loyal to her - servants she had saved from slavery in the home of her parents, where they had been treated cruelly. At least with Flavia they were fed and clothed, they were allowed to rest and be taken good care of by their Mistress if they were sick, and they got paid.  Flavia refused to let anyone work for her for free. She always paid for the services, and in return she expected good service and a loyal staff. So far it had worked fine.

But after she moved in with her husband, she had discovered that also he had people working for him - people who kept an eye on her and would gladly tell their Master, her husband, everything they saw. These people were the ones Flavia looked out for, not wanting to give them anything to report to her husband.

"It is true," she replied, turning to Meeta again. "I need some lessons in hand to hand combat, both for my own sake and also for some of my servants. I want them to protect me on my journeys.... We are living in a dangerous area and in dangerous times."

She did not mention that the greatest danger for her personally was her own husband, and she was glad that Meeta and Jerek did not ask. She mused over Meeta's question for a while before answering, thinking of what times her husband's servants would be most busy.

"I think the hours from morning to noon will be best," she said, knowing Rasul's maidservants would be gone to fetch water from the well to those hours. They were the worst of the snitches. "As for the fighters from my household, I did not dare pick more than three - two men and a woman. It would be noticed if I had chosen all of my servants and left only the servants of my husband to work..."

She thought about the entertainment part and nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps also you could hold a show if we have visitors coming to see us in the evening?" she suggested. "That way it will be easier to keep up appearances. You will of course be well paid for your services. What are your usual fees for a job like this?"

[Saber-Five]

"Yes all of that is acceptable." Meeta repiled when Flavia answered her questions. As for the fee, the former slave answered back. "Three hundred in gold each for Jerek and me." Reazling that is it in the morning Meeta added.

"It's two hour before noon, would you like session with me now or tomorrow?"

[Wild]

Flavia nodded when Meeta asked for three hundred in gold for each of the two fighters. It was a reasonable price and she accepted. "Six hundred in gold is a reasonable price," she said. "I accept the deal."

Taking out a piece of paper and a quill she wrote down the contract with the price they had agreed on. She also made a copy of the contract for Meeta and Jerek, and shoved both papers over to them.

"If you sign on the bottom of the paper we have an agreement," she said. "And during your whole stay you will be treated as entertaining guests of the house. If anyone asks you, please let people know you are gladiators, here to entertain me. Nobody must know the real reason why you are here..."

She smiled and looked over at Meeta when she asked if she wanted a session now or tomorrow. "If you don't need a rest after the journey we can start now," she said. "But if you wish to rest first, I can show you two around and let you get to know the surroundings. You will know better than I where it would be best to train..."

[Saber-Five]

After they signed the contracts, the two fighters listen to the noble host explain their options for today.

"I don't know about you ladies, but I would like some rest first." Jerek commented with a yawn. "But you two can go on ahead." He added, to which Meeta nodded in agreement. Turning back to Flavia, the half-breed woman said.

"Let's find a more secluded place to do the session now your ladyship. Then tomorrow you can show us both the rest of your home. Today though I need to test you."

[OOC: Sorry that it me took so long to post, Morrighan.]

[Wild]

(OoC: No worries. I am sorry for keeping you waiting too. We've had Winter storms and real life stress here, but it seems to ease up a bit now)

Flavia smiled and nodded when Jerek spoke about some rest before the fighting. "Of course," she said. "If you are unsure of the direction I am sure that some of the servants will show you to your room.

She turned to Meeta and smiled when she suggested finding a more secluded place to do the session now. "Perhaps the garden outside this room?" she suggested, pointing towards the garden outside. It was a nice, quiet area, a bit away from the place where the servants were working with their household chores. "Feel free to test me any way you like."

[Saber-Five]

"Yes it would do nicely." Meeta repiled. As for Jarek he just shrugged and then winked at his partner, in a way that pretty told her to have fun and hoped they get bed each other again soon. She just shook her head in amusement while following Flavia outside to the garden. Once they reached it, Meeta quickly disrobed, revealing that she only wore a silk mini-skirt between her legs and noting else.

Eying up her host, Meeat commented.

"You may want to take off most of your clothing for these sessions. You certainly don't want them ruined with sweat. Of course we could wear noting at all to be on safe side but it's your call, Flavia."

Meeta did in fact thought it would be a good precaution to keep clothing from being ruined or else prying servants would notice at some-point. Beside the practical aspect, the pit fighter felt it would put them both on a more equal footing in these lessons.

[Wild]

(OoC: Sorry for keeping you waiting - the pre-Christmas stress have been killing me. Luckily my time schedule seems to have eased up now.)

Flavia smiled when Meeta seemed to like the idea of using the garden for their secret lessons in self-defense. As the woman disrobed Flavia could see how strong she looked, and she was certain this woman was not one to trifle with.

She nodded when Meeta adviced her to take off most of her clothing for these sessions. Removing her own dress, she revealed that she only had a short tunic of fine linen underneath. It was comfortable to wear linen in warm weather, especially when she secretly worked with her medical studies and tending to her tasks as the Lady of the manor.

"I hope this will do," she said. "I will not risk the gossip of my servants by wearing nothing at all. If one of them walk in on us I fear they may tell my husband if they see me naked in the company of other people. It will be hard to make up a good explanation, as you may well imagine."

She smiled as she prepared for the fighting lesson. "I should warn you beforehand though," she said. "I am not physically strong, so I will probably be a horrible student. But I am ready now I suppose. Do your best..."