The Kingdom of Doraan sits at the top-right of Accia and is known for having the smallest population out of all four kingdoms.
The reason for that being...
It's a desert.
—
Songl gazed out the attic window cradling her wooden practice sword. She glanced down at the shore below. Glistening blue water crashing against the rocks. She watched as ships slowly pulled into the harbor, men hopped off and unloaded massive crates of cargo. She watched seagulls soar high above, carried by the wind on their outstretched wings.
"Wish I had those," Songl whispered.
She went to reach up but was startled as the hidden door leading to the attic lifted open. Songl spun around letting her sword clatter against the wood. She let out a sigh, realizing it was only Mia.
"Don't scare me like that, Mia."
"Oh, sorry. It's just... Naken wanted to see you."
A sense of dread filled Songl, but she swallowed it down. She couldn't afford to look weak in front of the younger girls like Mia.
"Got it."
Quickly, she propped her sword up on the wall and crawled over to the opening and dropped down.
"Mia, I'll go to him. You hurry up and put this ladder away."
Mia nodded as she began folding up the ladder.
Songl hurried through the brothel, adjusting her hair and brushing the dust from her dress. She ignored the dirty looks from the patrons and older staff as always, and before long she found herself standing face-to-face with Naken, the owner of the brothel...
And her owner besides.
"Devil girl. I swear I can never find you when I need you," Naken snapped.
Songl didn't reply.
"Devil girl" was what everyone outside of the younger girls called her.
Many years before Songl was born, Doran had been attacked by a white-haired demon who, after killing hundreds of people, was eventually slain by the legendary mage Austclain.
Songl, unfortunate enough to be born with snow-white hair, had faced discrimination for it all her life, to the point that she had even been abandoned by her mother.
It was sometime around then that Naken had taken her in.
He met her eyes as he sifted through a pouch filled with coins.
"I need you for something."
Songl began to sweat.
While her hair had caused her nothing but hardship in life, it had but one advantage.
Naken had yet to assign her to any sexual work, fearing her hair color would alienate customers.
At the very least she had that.
But with the foreign traders who didn't care for Doraan's superstitions, every trading season became a gamble.
She didn't want to know what Naken had planned for her.
"What is it you need my assistance with, sir?" Songl asked without missing a beat.
"Well, you see, we've been quite short-handed recently. You know how it is during trading season. With all the foreign customers illnesses follow like ducklings!"
Songl held back a scowl.
Maybe if he properly screened the men, they wouldn't run into this issue every year, with women nearly dying to foreign diseases.
But of course, Naken didn't care. To him, women were tools and that was all, you wouldn't question if a hammer felt pain when striking the nail.
Regardless, where this conversation was heading was becoming increasingly distressing. If Naken assigned her to some greasy man, what would she do?
She couldn't run.
She had no money.
No place to go.
Furthermore, if she left, he'd simply pick another girl in her place...
Maybe one of the younger ones...
Songl shook her head and waited with bated breath.
"So I'd like you to..."
Songl's heart hammered.
"...clean."
"Huh?"
Songl thought she'd misheard.
"You heard me. I need you to deep-clean the master suite by the end of the week. I need everything spotless. The guest we have coming is a very important man."
Songl nearly sighed in relief but held back.
"Will anyone else be assisting me?"
Naken looked at her like she was insane.
"What part of we're short-handed didn't you get?"
"Of course. Forgive me."
She lowered her head, choosing not to mention they were two days into the week already.
Deep-cleaning the master suite by herself in five days was a daunting task, certainly.
But anything was better than the alternative.
"That's it. Now get out of here. Your hair makes me sick." Naken brushed her away.
Songl nodded and turned to leave before Naken called after her.
"Oh, and by the way... It's obvious what you're thinking. Don't worry. You won't be having any clients yet. But don't be surprised if I personally give you a trial run someday to see if you're up to the task..." He gave her a wink.
Songls face flushed and a fiery rage bubbled up inside her, hot enough to make her sick.
Yet she simply turned and stomped out of the room, Naken's laughter trailing behind her.
She wasn't sure when.
She wasn't sure how.
But she swore that one day...
She'd make him pay.
(And thus, Songl's adventure continues…)