Summary: Firebird Trilogy — A servitor of Carradee's expresses in writing what she can never say aloud.

Rating: (conservative) PG

Author's Note: By the time anyone reads this, it'll probably be quite old. Please review, anyway. Thanks. Enjoy! :)

Requested Reviewing Rules: Don't blaspheme or swear, but do critique, and do put a smiley after jokes. Thank you.

– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –

Serving Netaia

– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –– - –

I am Rami, a servitor of Crown Princess Carradee Angelo, of Netaia.

As of today, I have joined this household as chambermaid.

Today, the Crown Princess took a consort. Prince Daithi Angelo. Her servitor requirements have doubled. Currently, some are here on loan from lower houses; more newcomers as myself shall be found, presently. Out of school, perhaps; or recently reduced. We might get some from public duties, but all the cleanup necessary from the marriage celebration makes that unlikely.

Princess Phoena mildly damaged a recall pad's screen, today. The Crown Princess let me keep it. She is so kind… It's unnatural, for an heir to be kind. She's kind to Lady Firebird, too.

I do not mention such impressions aloud, for fear of further punishment. But Her Highness waited so long to marry, I cannot help but think that some affection for her wastling sister had something to do with it.

My great-grandfather murdered a nobleman. I am the last generation of his incarceration. My children shall be free.

…That is, if the Powers grant me a husband of like standing.

As one of my position, it is unlikely. I silently tend to my mistress's household. My duties leave no time for a personal life. I am younger than my fellows; my body not as tired. I do much of their work, as well as my own.

Only a few years hence did I complete the schooling required of a servitor. I know the Powers; what they demand of me. I fear death, the Dark that Cleanses I will then face. I will never have opportunity to forego it… How can a mere chambermaid give her life in obedience to the Powers?

I can list all the crimes one of my station can perform, with their possible punishments. I can name the Powers. Each of the members of the noble families and the Power representative of them. Anything and everything a servitor should know, I know.

Part of me wishes I'd been assigned to a lower household… One with some compassion, that exemplary service might free me. None but another servitor will marry a servitor… And the Crown Princess has no male servitors who are also on their last generation. There is no man I know who I could marry, here; my children would still stay in service from their father's line.

Do the nobles give such assignments on purpose; giving those who are nearly free no choice but to join with lines still under judgment? Maybe even cause resentment, inducing some to rise up and receive further punishment, lengthening their descendants' servitude.

My mistress calls me. I must go fill her bath.