Kitanna
Chapter 171: FIRE NIGHT

Chapter 171: FIRE NIGHT

[MUSIC RECOMMENDATION: DARK RED ~ STEVE LACY]

"Don’t worry about our Chief; he is always hostile when he meets people for the first time. You have me; I’ll protect you."

Axilla’s thoughts were interrupted by the man she was wary of. Did he just say for the first time? Well it was like that, it felt as if they had never met each other before. The young master didn’t even acknowledge her, and it made her heart squeeze.

"Why did you not tell me you already had a clerk?" Axilla asked, after settling her emotions.

William waved his hands dismissively, "Let that not bother you; your work remains. I’ll soon leave Chief’s crew to start mine fully, so your work will commence full-time. But that doesn’t mean I won’t be paying you during this period."

Axilla was even more peeved with the way the man stuck his tongue out to wet his lips. But she couldn’t say anything. She just listened to what he had to say, still feeling uncomfortable.

"I know you are a shy one, but don’t worry. In no time, you’ll shed it all off," William said, giving a crooked smile and touching Axilla’s shoulder slightly.

Axilla stiffened when she felt his hand on her shoulder. Wanting to express her discomfort without sounding rude, she took a step back and nodded.

"You must be hungry. What should I get for you?" William pestered, trying to prolong the conversation.

Axilla pressed her lips, "I’m fine; water would be okay. Thank you." She replied politely.

William noticed how the girl wanted to stay alone, he decided to take things slow with her. After all it was always like this with girls who didn’t know much about the outside world, until they get that moment of awakening they need. And he, William, would be the one to open her eyes at the right time.

"Sure, you can go and rest in your room. I’ll send someone to bring water for you. And also, we are having a fire night tonight. Maybe you can come around and make friends." The young man remarked, giving out his best smile which he thought would make the girl comfortable but it was far from making Axilla comfortable, it creeped her out.

Being someone that was not used to attention from men, she didn’t know how to react. After talking to the young man, she walked to her room, locking the door behind her, she sat on her bed. The young master’s countenance flashed in her mind again, the way he didn’t even regard her or wave at her as someone he used to know. Maybe it was because of the girl behind him, Axilla thought. Remembering how unclad the girl behind Cortez was dressed.

Axilla looked at her on dress, it was a turtle-necked dress, the hem of the dress swept the floor and the sleeves stopped at her wrist. The only part of her body exposed was her face, feeling inferior with her dressing compared to the other woman. Axilla untied the rope on her chest, revealing her shoulder just like she had seen the girl do, then she dragged her dress up, showing her milky thighs.

"Ha! What are you doing Axilla?!" Axilla muttered to herself, why would she even think of dressing like the girl. Axilla arranged her dress, properly fixing the rope on her chest. How could she think of showing her skin, she was trained better than that. Axilla blushed.

Inside one of the rooms, Cortez held in between his slender fingers, a brown large cigar. He took a drag from it puffing out ring-like smokes, as his eyes stared into nothingness.

When he saw Axilla inside the room, he was surprised, she was the last person he expected to see around there. After he left the palace he decided not to show himself in front of her again, it was obvious their worlds were apart. Where one is living in a sheltered cocoon, surrounded by mama, papa, grandpa and uncle bears. The other one is a wild one, who had only lived on the road, and seen the rough part of life. When it came to Cortez there was nothing censored about him, and he wouldn’t pretend in front of anyone.

The attitude Axilla gave to him, during breakfast that day made him know that obviously he was being judged by her but he hadn’t taken offense in it. It didn’t matter to him, which was why he left the palace so she wouldn’t feel uncomfortable around him.

When he saw her, standing at the corner like a wet puppy that was abandoned by its owner. He was surprised, but at the same he decided not to act like he knew her. That way people won’t pay much attention to her, and it appeared that some of the merchants did not recognize her, it was a good thing.

Cortez took another drag from his cigar, he wondered what caused the girl to even leave the palace. And why would his sister agree for Axilla to follow a merchant and start work knowing how rough their lifestyle was.

As the red sun was beginning to set, dry woods were used to light fire on the streets. By the time it was evening, music and dancing had already started. At different corners people were grilling meat, serving wine while local singers performed. The place was really bustling with life, as it was a usual celebration for merchants to ease off the stress after a long road travel.

Axilla who had slept off earlier, woke up when she heard the loud noises outside. She peeked outside through the window, it was already dark. By now back at the palace everyone had slept off, but here was another world. The loud voices showed that the people were full of life.

Knock..knock..

Axilla stared at the door, she knew first hand who it would be, definitely the William young man who didn’t want to give up in wooing her. The young girl dragged her feet to the door, as she opened it. She was surprised to see a girl standing in front of her.

"Are you Lady Axilla?" A girl who appeared to be same age as Axilla said to her, looking really excited.

"Mm, yes. Just call me Axilla," she responded, curious about the girl’s outfit.

"Oh, my name is Kayla" the young girl smiled, "I’m here to be your guide for tonight, I’ll wait for you to get ready." Kayla voice was loud, with a tinge of excitement.

Axilla nodded her head, "Let’s go then, I’m ready." She replied, maybe it wasn’t a bad idea to have fun since someone her age was also doing it. She thought. But the girl in front of her, was not moving. The smile on her lips seeped away like she had seen something strange.

"Like this?" Kayla asked, looking at the young girl in front of her properly. "I’m glad I came prepared, here change into this. Don’t go out there looking like a sore thumb in the crowd."

A red gown was passed to Axilla, she took it back inside her room trying to fit into it but everything looked very strange.

"Umm Kayla, can you come and help me" Axilla called the girl outside, who didn’t waste time but rushed in to help Axilla fit into the dress.

"All done," Kayla announced, ready to step outside like everything was normal but Axilla didn’t move from her position. The dress she wore had a very tiny sleeve which stopped at her knee exposing her leg.

"What are you doing? Come on!" Kayla didn’t wait for the confused Axilla to digest her dressing. She dragged her out of the room, where the music grew louder, jumping and shouting at the top of her voice.

Axilla walked into the party ground, it was just outside with fire lighted at every spot. The full moon was out, giving beauty to the sky, everyone was focused on their food, drink, or dance. Nobody paid attention to anyone, even though she was all dressed like them, she still felt as if she didn’t belong here.

"Let me get us drinks, dance, dance!" Kayla shouted, running off to fetch drinks. And she appeared almost immediately holding two filled cups.

"Here is yours," she handed a cup filled with drink to Axilla, who took it with her two hands. Holding it very close to her chest.

Axilla watched as the girl emptied her cup with one gulp. She stared at her drink for sometime, before pushing the cup to her lips. One sip, and another, then another. It tasted like pineapple mixed with coconut. In the next minute she emptied her cup.

"You like it?" Kayla asked, still swaying her body side by side as she danced to the music.

Axilla nodded excited like a child, "I want more!" She covered her mouth when she noticed she was shouting.

"Don’t worry, nobody cares." Kayla assured her with a smile, grabbing the cup from Axilla she went to mix them another drink.

Axilla stood at a point, waiting for her chaperone. Her eyes started turning heavy, maybe it was the loud music she thought. But then the ground started moving, making her head sway.

"Kayla.." Axilla muttered as she staggered in the crowd looking for the young girl. She almost fell with her face, when a hand held her waist firmly.

"Easy there Axilla," William grinned, noticing that the girl was drunk.

"Will.. William" Axilla muttered trying to understand this overwhelming feeling that was new to her.

William snaked his hand round her waist, bringing Axilla closer to his chest. "It’s going to be a great night for us, told you we would get to know each other," He said smiling.

Axilla still in her drunken state tried to push the young man but he didn’t bulge. "Stop.. stop" she mumbled.

"Did you say more?" William grinned, noticing on how flushed the girl’s cheek was. He brought his face closer when something landed on his head.

"She said stop."