Elas Lamolli tossed a leather coin pouch to a grey clad guard as he sauntered under the guardian statues of Comadean house.
Tonight the main hall had been arranged for a performance with a stage and a grand pianoforte at the centre of the room. Floor cushions and tables had been positioned around the stage.
The night was just beginning. Patrons were slowly filtering in and taking their seats. Courtesans jumped at the opportunity to guide them deeper into the room.
Elas walked down the room, his eyes took in every detail as he searched for his prize. He politely waved off the approach of a couple opportunistic girls.
There she was. His gaze drank her up.
At the top of the left staircase like an angel guiding him into the next life. Her white dress cinched at her waist with light blue embroidery down the front of her low cut corset. A thin piece of fabric covered her legs with two large slits down the sides. Her golden curls were pinned about her head with two strands dangling down either side of her face.
Russelia.
She smiled; her red lips spread across her beautiful face as she watched him watching her. A spark danced behind her eyes. Russelia lowered her gaze as she began her descent. She tilted her head, her smile turning into a mischievous grin as she meandered to the bottom of the stairs; keeping him waiting.
He laughed as she deliberately picked a long path through the seats towards him. She stopped a couple feet away and he stepped forward. He entwined his hands around her hips and leaned down, his lips ready to receive hers but was greeted with her hand.
He raised an eyebrow in question.
She reached up on her toes and whispered in his ear. "It takes hours to look this good and only seconds to ruin it." Her breath was warm against his neck.
He trailed his hand up her body to her head, his thumb rubbing small circles on her cheek. He smiled into her neck.
"Then I look forward to ruining you tonight." He whispered.
She suppressed her smile and stepped out of his embrace. Her gaze trailed from the ground up his body and back to his.
"Well you will have to wait till after the performance." Russelia said as she waved towards the piano. "Come I have saved us a booth."
She led him across the room to a booth on the first floor. He took a seat facing the centre of the room and she nuzzled into his side.
"How is Innki fairing? I was disappointed I never got to try the new drink she was telling me about." Elas asked.
"She's recovering slowly. I'm sure it won't be long before you can try her new concoction." Russelia responded.
A girl dressed in black, a new courtesan in training Elas hadn't seen before, brought two glasses of red wine. They settled in, sipping the wine as the lights began to dim and hush fell over the room. A bright light flicked into existence over the grand piano and silence fell.
A figure entered from the back of the room. He squinted into the darkness trying to make her out.
Elas held his breath as she finally stepped into the light.
The light touched the edge of her dress. She wore the ocean like the goddess of the seas, her waves ebbing and flowing as she walked towards the island before her. Her full skirt was many layers of blue fabrics creating a mirage of waves crashing down upon her. The waves climbed her bodice stopping at the white sand of her chest. Droplets of water frozen in time adorned her chest along with a thick black ribbon around her neck, marking her as unobtainable. A single blue tear drop hung from her ear.
Her light brown hair fell in perfect ringlets, draped over her right shoulder. Her hazel eyes filled with indifference. Her round, soft features were schooled into a perfect picture.
"Rhean." He whispered.
The whole room fell away. He was back so many years ago, the summer sun beating down on them. She laughed as they ran across the beach. Her free spirit as she splashed him in the low tide. As they got older those summer days became fewer and fewer. The moments he spent with her on the beach, away from prying ears, were treasures.
The pianist fixed her skirts as she took her seat. She placed her fingers on the keys and began to play.
The first song was no different than any performance at the theater; well timed but stiff. Many of the patrons went back to talking and drinking.
Slowly she softened; her shoulders relaxed and her head tilted back slightly. The piano purred under her fingers. Her lips curled into a smile, her eyes closed, pure joy covered her face as she played. A smile so beautiful and pure it felt wrong in such a dirty place.
He couldn't look away; he was captivated by her.
She played for hours. The patrons moved about continuing their evening as she faded into the background.
Elas Lamolli watched her every movement until her final song. She curtsied to the room and walked away. His gaze continued to stare at the door silently hoping she might reenter.
The knowledge that they can't be the same woman but wanting her all the same stuck with him. He had long since given up any hope of love once he lost her. Rhean was no longer his and no cheap imitation would stand up to her wit. Yet he couldn't let the fantasy of her go.
"Lia, tell Dame Luel I want her." Elas said.
Russelia turned to him with her brows pulled together.
"But she is not for sale." She replied.
His voice took on a hard edge. "She will be for the right price."
*****
Anelle stumbled as she made her way down the corridor.
Six hours of piano playing was exhausting. Her dress dragged her down. Her fingers were numb and parts of her arms she had never felt before were sore.
She turned the corner to her room and stopped as a putrid smell violated her nostrils. She covered her nose and mouth with her hand, breathing softly.
A sinking feeling began to descend upon her shoulders. Her gut tightened as she got closer to her room.
Anelle took a deep breath and instantly regretted it, coughing as the smell forced its way down her throat.
Anelle pushed open the door and a torrent of flies flew around her. She screamed as they swarmed around the room.
On the bed was a large brown fish cut from head to tail with its innards spread across the sheets. Smaller dead fish were scattered across the room. Blood and fish guts were smeared across the walls and on her few belongings.
Anelle fell to her knees. Her hands covering her mouth from the smell and bugs. Tears pricked at the edge of her eyes. She blinked them back.
A spark ignited in her chest exploding into rage. Anger flowed through her veins, consuming everything in its path.
She gritted her teeth, holding back the flames of rage on her tongue. She bawled her hands into fists, her nails cut into her palms and her knuckles turned white.
No more would she sit idle and let them walk over her. She vowed they would pay.