Inheritance

Part 2. Sixty-Four: Friends

Eory crossed his arms. He kept his eyes glued to his lap.

He felt a rage building within him that he had trouble fighting.

His fists clenched. "Taylor had no involvement with Maruka at all. It was only me. You and Pollyanna are so quick to accuse me of sleeping around to get my way. Why do you think so little of me?"

Them smiled and shook his head. "I don't think little of you. I know you and Taylor are very shy... It's just that Taylor plays hard to get very well, and sometimes I forget that it's only a game we play! I can't help but be jealous when I learn that another man might get to sleep with her before I do! Please forgive me, Eory, and ask Taylor to forgive me, too. I didn't mean to hurt her."

Eory took a deep breath and tried to calm the anger pounding in his head and veins. He forced a smile. "I'll tell her."

They seem to view me as little more than a pretty object to be slept with.

For a time, the group ate in silence. Eory picked at his food. He could feel black magic seething under his skin, pushing on it, trying to escape.

The whole hall had suddenly gone quiet and somber.

Eliita wanted to life everyone's spirits. "You know what we can do to become friends with everyone, Eory? We can cheer them up with a song! I know so many from when I still lived in the dwarven kingdom!"

The dwarfess started singing before Eory could protest.

The song started off somber, but then grew louder and happier. Fearlessly, Eliita climbed up on the table, stomping her feet and clapping her hands in time with the lyrics.

She sang of exploration and dreams, of tall heights and great feats, and every head in the hall turned to look and listen to her sweet voice.

Everyone joined in, even Eory himself. He felt a sense of community and warmth that he never had before. Eliita looked down at him and offered him a hand, suggesting that he climb up on the table with her.

Eory turned beet red in the face and shook his head.

Eliita giggled. Not taking no for an answer, she grabbed his wrist and began pulling him up without his permission. Her hand slipped from his grasp; she was dragged down onto the table with a clatter by a hand wrapped around her ankle.

Eory heard crass comments coming from every direction about Eliita's body from the men who sat around him.

Three of them climbed up on the table, grabbing at the dwarfess.

Without a thought to his own safety, and despite being weaponless, Eory tried to climb up on the table to help her even as Terran drew his blade.

The fairy had one foot up on the table when strong arms grabbed him around his stomach.

While Terran fought off three men who were tearing at Eliita's clothes, Eory was dragged away, unnoticed, in the confusion. He screamed for help, but everyone was preoccupied with Eliita.

He saw Pollyanna heading for the exit. She turned around, looking his way.

"Pollyanna! Help me, please!" Eory shrieked.

Pollyanna looked completely drained and uncaring. She turned back to the entrance and went on her way.

"No skirt to hide behind this time. Today, you're mine." Ashaya whispered venomously.

Eory was shaking. His body went limp as he watched the one person who he thought was completely loyal to him walk away.

I should have ordered her to save me... He thought to himself.