Faith's not for sale, Master told him and then changed that to Faith's not for sale unless Lord Warrick paid him a hundred thousand nels and a castle. She sat with her hands folded in her lap, not speaking nor looking at the two noble men who were discussing her ownership. When Master asked her if she agreed that she was worth at least that much, she lifted her head and looked at him with a small smile. "My worth is determined by those who would purchase or sell me, Master. I am not qualified to judge." It was a bit of a stupid idea, she supposed, the idea that a slave might know their own worth. Like a table or a plate doing the same. Still, he had asked her a question and so, she had answered it.
However, Lord Warrick was quick to be clear that he had no interest in owning her. Master assured him that she was fine and Lord Warrick seemed to agree. That must mean, Faith thought with a carefully neutral expression, that she was fine. It was good of them both to be so sure, all things considered. Especially considering the bloody great brand on her shoulder of the Venora rose which had been burnt into her skin literally two trials before, which still felt like it was burning, it was good to know that she was fine. It was not what they meant, she knew, and even the thought itself was inappropriate. So, she pushed it down, lowering her gaze to her hands, clasped together in her lap still and it was there, into them, that she put the emotions and inappropriate thoughts about the way that free folks behaved.
Lord Warrick spoke of the noble lord, Peake Andaris and Faith stored the information away, not speaking and not moving until both Master and Lord Warrick seemed to have almost finished their drinks at which point, whilst they were looking elsewhere, she set about refilling them. As always she did her best to be unseen and unheard by them. Whatever this strange meeting was with Lord Warrick, Faith did not entirely understand it and, when he had gone, she would ask Master what she should do if someone hugged her.
They continued to speak, of what it was that Lord Warrick might be in one of Master's plays. At least she now understood what they were, she thought, thanks to the conversation they were having just before the knock on the door. Lord Warrick had best be careful what he wished for, the young slave considered, he might just end up with a role to end all roles. However, she said nothing and merely stood, out of the way and ready to move as needed or commanded.
However, Lord Warrick was quick to be clear that he had no interest in owning her. Master assured him that she was fine and Lord Warrick seemed to agree. That must mean, Faith thought with a carefully neutral expression, that she was fine. It was good of them both to be so sure, all things considered. Especially considering the bloody great brand on her shoulder of the Venora rose which had been burnt into her skin literally two trials before, which still felt like it was burning, it was good to know that she was fine. It was not what they meant, she knew, and even the thought itself was inappropriate. So, she pushed it down, lowering her gaze to her hands, clasped together in her lap still and it was there, into them, that she put the emotions and inappropriate thoughts about the way that free folks behaved.
Lord Warrick spoke of the noble lord, Peake Andaris and Faith stored the information away, not speaking and not moving until both Master and Lord Warrick seemed to have almost finished their drinks at which point, whilst they were looking elsewhere, she set about refilling them. As always she did her best to be unseen and unheard by them. Whatever this strange meeting was with Lord Warrick, Faith did not entirely understand it and, when he had gone, she would ask Master what she should do if someone hugged her.
They continued to speak, of what it was that Lord Warrick might be in one of Master's plays. At least she now understood what they were, she thought, thanks to the conversation they were having just before the knock on the door. Lord Warrick had best be careful what he wished for, the young slave considered, he might just end up with a role to end all roles. However, she said nothing and merely stood, out of the way and ready to move as needed or commanded.
Off Topic
I'm so sorry! I loaded up the thread to link in my "nudge" pm to Tristan and it's my turn! So so sorry!
