baronessekat | 2014 writing challenge

She stood on the flat roof of the Golden Sheaf and smiled. Coming from a few blocks over was the very distinctive sound of a troupe of Ormani musicians. With her eyes closed, she found herself relaxing for the first time in a very long time. As the music continued, her body began to move; graceful arm movements, intricate steps, swaying and spinning, the freedom of the dance.

How long had it been since she had last heard the music of her homeland? It had been at least 3 years since she had been rescued from the basement of the brothel and given a place of respect by the new Mistress. By what she had been able to put together, it had been two and a half years since she was placed down in the dark to be used as a chained, untrained pleasure slave by the former owners. So at least 6 years.

She was grateful for her new Mistress. Demeter was a kind woman, who treated Akilah like a human being and not just some possession, unlike her previous 3 owners. And Mistress Demeter encouraged Akilah to share her thoughts, but this was not something she could share with anyone.

It wasn’t proper for a slave to give voice to the homesickness. To admit missing her former home and the people she grew up with, even if she had been a slave and they rich merchants. Amira, who was like a sister to her. Ilkin, Amira’s older brother and Akilah’s love. She even missed Master Metin, who sold her when he found out about the affair Ilkin and she were having. He was right to do so. Even she knew, despite what he had said, Ilkin would never be able to free her and take her to wife, and as long as she was there, he would defy his father and never take a free and true woman as his spouse.

She missed them all, but what she missed most was dancing. She had been trained since she could barely walk in the different styles of dance and learned all the stories they told. She used to be begged to perform at feasts the Master hosted. It was only when she moved like this did she feel free. It was just her and the music.

She never told anyone here in her new life about her skill. She never gave the slightest indication that her gracefulness was anything more than the way she walked. But here and now, with no one to see her, with her only witnesses the stars above, she could allow herself that one small moment of personal enjoyment.

She felt the smile come to her face. One more thing that had not happened in a very long time. Oh she smiled, but not like this. Not the open smile of happiness. No, it was not her place anymore, if it ever was.

But like all good things the moment came to an end. The music wound down and as it stopped, she came to stand perfectly still, holding that last pose. She heard the cheers of the people who had been watching the musicians and allowed herself that one small moment of vanity and think that even though they did not see her, they cheered for her performance, like so many used to do.

Eventually she relaxed and collected herself back together. A peacefulness surrounding her that had not been there in far too long. She decided that she must remember to try to come to the roof more often. Perhaps she would have other opportunities like this one.

Before the musicians could start another set, she quickly left, heading back down to the main rooms of the Golden Sheaf. Back to her new life. Back to her duties. But grateful for a chance to dance once more.

topic: dance