In those first few hours following the stabbing, I laid beside him on his couch, unable to tear myself away from Marius and let go. In all the ten years I have lived under my master's roof, I have never once seen him quite this way.. vulnerable and weakened. Less than a god. And it frightens me.
Marius, please. Wake up.
Marius, please. Wake up.
Less that an ahn after Anya had arrived and departed the Wine Festival leaving all the song and dance and merriment behind her in a whirlwind of indifference, Marius and Asia returned to me moments before a shout rose above the cacophany of music and general drunkeness.
"SLAVE!" It was the voice of Sven. The woman kneeling at my feet stiffened and clung tightly to me.
I do not know what compelled me to tug her right behind my back as if to hide her either. She had been given to me. By Anya. And as a gift from Sven, no less.
"That's my slave!" Asia too, cried out and pointed right at the woman following Sven with a rope tied around her neck. And sure enough.. there was Calico. "Marius.. do something! He has my slave!"
It all happened so frightfully fast, I am still sick and dizzied by it. Sven let go of the rope and made a grab for Asia, threatening us all as he held her in a choke-hold and pressed a dagger to her throat.
"Give me my slave!" He shouted with a rare insistance I've never seen in his eyes before. Kari trembled behind me, causing me to tremble a bit too. And yet I was still reluctant to let her go. Anya had given her to me.
Marius drew out from the surrounding crowd and raised his hands as he approached Sven, offering a trade to the Artist, "Your slave.. for mine." And he pointed right at Calico in his attempt to bargain with Sven.
I don't know whether Sven assumed Marius was armed, but in that instant he shoved poor Asia to the ground and threw his dagger.. right at my master's heart.
In the sudden confusion, Sven vanished. There were screams and people running about frantic while Marius slowly sank down to the ground holding the hilt of a dagger that had been deeply imbedded in his chest.
I fear.. this is all my fault.
