*Ukki walks in his thoughts towards his study. It took him several days to consolidate his position after his return among his political allies. It already had caused some stirring and rivalry over the power vacuum which was left after he disappeared. There was some good points in it though, now he knew who had been working most actively against his daughters position. They had no fear over Zera, but with him they knew who they were dealing with. He had to pull some strings to bring everyone back in line. It included one assassination. Just a minor person, a soporati working for one of his allies, just to let him know Ukki was back and in power again.
He needed to make some new preparations for the moment he would actually be out of the game, for his daughters sake. This had been a good lesson.
As he entered the study something caught his eye. Arine, one of his elven slave escorts was waiting for him. Like always she looked stunning, so beautiful with her golden curly hair and blue eyes. There was a reason Arine was bought in the house so many years ago. She had her appearance, Kalya´s. She looked so much like her that his heart jumped, just a little like always, as he saw her. That was the reason he bought her in the first place. It was right after his father had died in Seheron and left him in power, the very same day he heard the news. He was in the slave market that day where he usually didn´t want to spend time, but his aimless wondering had brought him there. The only slave he had ever bought on himself.
"Master" Arine was in curtsey already, "I have been waiting for you".
"So you have" he said walking to his desk, "what is in your mind?"
"I wanted to talk to you in private master" she said as she approached him, "it is so hard to have any time with you alone these days. Nazlik seems to be with you everywhere. As I heard she was escorting your daughter Cassia to see a possible mentor I took this opportunity to come to see you".
He nodded, this was something everyone in the tower already knew. He had announced Nazlik´s new position to all of his household, "so tell me, what is in your mind Arine?". He sat in his chair.
She knelt before him placing her delicate hands on his knees, "I miss you master, I miss your touch. I miss our times together, I miss our dancing and talks. You have not called me to your chamber in a long time. I am lonely. All the girls say you have not called anyone up".
He touched her hand, "I am sorry Arine for not paying attention to you. But as it is now I don´t have need for more companions".
"What does she do that I don´t?" she suddenly snapped, "I remember you said you loved me, you called me Kalya. Don´t you want to do that again?"
Ukki stood up suddenly brushing her hands away. Arine looked at him and was startled by the empty look in his eyes, "I´m sorry master, I am so sorry! Please, don´t hate me, I will not say that name again!" She bowed down and pressed her forehead on the carpet.
He calmed slowly down, looking at her covering in the floor brought his mind back to the present. She had just thrown that name in his face bringing it all back in a one cold flash. But it was only that, old ghosts whom he had put to rest. "Calm down" he said soothingly, "get up. Give me your hand". With tears in her eyes Arine took his arm, she was surprised of this sudden change, "so you don´t hate me master?" she sobbed, "Can I come to your chamber tonight then?"
"I´m sorry, no". He said giving her a soft kiss, "Things have changed. But I don´t hate you, things are just different now".
"But.." she whispered, "That is all I am going to say about it", he turned around and left the room leaving Arine to stand there surprised.
His spy master Tullus stood in the hallway. "I have news my lord" he said. This laetan born mundane man had been his spy master for most of his adult life. Originally he worked for the spy master his father had, but Ukki had sacrificed that man for power in the after match of his fathers death and placed Tullus as a new head of his spy network. Come with me" he said waving Tullus to follow him. He took Tullus to library for privacy, "now tell me. What is it?".
"We caught someone, I think you should come to see".