Flashback Memories.

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Winter 23, 508 AV „Happy birthday, Valerius“, his grandfather said. „I have decided to give you a special gift this year. You are twenty. Sweets and pets are not appropriate anymore, don’t you agree?“ The head of house Nitrozian gestured towards a figure that was standing in a corner of the room, in the shadows. „Come closer, my dear, and meet your new owner.“ Valerius realized that his gift was a girl. She was about sixteen. Her skin was the color of coffee with a lot of milk. She had deep brown eyes under long dark lashes, full lips and jet black hair that fell down to nearly her waist. She approached him, smiled at him and curtsied. He supposed that she was beautiful. „She is the child of two of my own slaves“, Sitanos explained. „Tell my grandson your name.“ „I’m Tuuli“, the girl replied. „I’m pleased to belong to you now, master, and I will do whatever you ask of me.“ „Go to your room now and enjoy your new gift. I’m sure that your future wife will appreciate it“, Sitanos ordered. Valerius bowed stiffly to his grandfather and thanked him before he gestured for the girl to follow him. Tuuli did so happily. She couldn’t believe her luck! The other slaves claimed that Sitanos‘ grandson was cold and distant, but she knew that this wasn’t true at all. He was so handsome with his red hair and his blue eyes! ~~~ „Sit“, Valerius ordered the girl once they were in his room and pointed to a chair in the corner. „And don’t move unless I tell you so. You will clean this room, you will serve my guests tea and bring me my mail, but otherwise you will stay out of my life. Is that understood?“ The girl nodded, still smiling – she thought that her new master only needed time. Valerius turned around without a word and sat down at his desk.

[Valerius Nitrozian]

Spring 51, 502 AV Thirteen year old Valerius Nitrozian was staring. His grandfather was throwing a party and had invited everybody that mattered in Ravok. Across the room stood one of the Lark boys, a little older than him, with jet black hair, pale skin and piercing blue eyes. He wore an expensive, elegant suit and looked like a veritable gentleman. To Valerius he was the most handsome boy he had ever seen. This, he imagined, was what his god Rhysol looked like when he decided to show himself to his followers. „What are you staring at?“ he heard the sharp voice of his sister, Alice. She was a few years older than him, cold and calculating. He spun around, and his heart began to beat a little faster. He opened his mouth to respond, to claim that he hadn’t been staring at anything, that the alcohol she had drunk throughout the evening was apparently getting to her head, but she was faster. She eyed him suspiciously before she wondered, „Are you a freak, Valerius?“ „No“, he began, but again she interrupted him, in a low voice so that none of the other people could hear what she was saying. „I know the truth, little brother. Cheva may bless such unions, but a man cannot give you children, and if you show up at a family gathering with a husband instead of a wife, everybody will stare at you and make fun of you. Can you imagine what grandfather would say? Our family’s reputation would be ruined if people found out that we are harbouring a freak. Such … inclinations may be acceptable for a Lark, but never for a Nitrozian.“ „I’m not a freak!“ Valerius insisted, angrily and bitterly. „I would never want to be with a man. It’s disgusting. How dare you even imply such a thing?“ Alice suddenly smiled. „We have an understanding then. Enjoy the party, little brother, and remember – I’m watching you, only for your own safety of course. I don’t want you to do anything you might regret later on.“ „Thank you“, Valerius stammered and turned away so that she would not see the look on his face.