CHAPTER TWO ‘The Caretaker’

“This looks like a good spot Master Poison, why don't we take a rest here?” Said Piggy. They had left the outskirts of Keitan and were now near the border of Lagsu. Lagsu and Keitan had been friends and good neighbours for six generations.

If Lagsu district recognized the token of a Keitan man, he would be welcomed whole heartedly by the clan, so everybody's mind was at ease. They could cross the border without any problems so they thought it would be best to continue traveling when it was dawn.

“Fine, let's rest here. When we get to Keitan tommorow, we should get some horses to make our travels easy.” Poison said and some level one killers started choosing spots to settle in while the others gathered firewood and set a fire. 

“Master, please have a sit.” One with short blonde hair and small brown eyes offered. Poison scoffed but went to sit in front of the fire anyway.

Piggy laughed and took a sit next to Poison, “Now I know why you're being kind all of a sudden to master, It's because you have blonde hair like him!”

The one with short blonde hair stared down at his shoes but his pink cheeks were evident near the fire. 

Piggy laugh only went louder as he scrutinized the boy's face, “Phillip.. you're too silly!”

Poison cleared his throat and turned towards Piggy whose smile suddenly drained out of his face. In the blink of an eye, Piggy was tossed against a tree. The group had a good laugh at Piggy because they knew it would probably never happen again. 

*

When it was passed midnight, everyone was asleep except a certain Fatty and Violet haired lass. Deep inside the woods, where there was nothing but tall trees and possibly, wild insects, their eyes met.

“Violet?” Piggy scoffed, “Thought it'd be hard to find you but your hair and eyes pretty much reveal you.”

Violet cut the distance between the both of them and whispered in his ears, “You're from Atheral aren't you?” Piggy eyes widened, then he nodded, “How—” 

“Your skin.. You may sound rugged and tough but your fresh caramel skin gives you away.” Violet's hands caressed Piggy's covered chest slowly and she kept inching down untill Piggy felt uncomfortable and took a step away from her, breaking their physical contact.

“I travelled with my Mother to Thestryn. We have some difficulties in our lands so we asked Mother Thea for help. She originally refused because she wanted to find you and your mother but when I said I'd find you first, she agreed.”

Violet sighed. Aunt Thea had always refrained from anything that concerned other territories. Why did she decide to help this time?

Piggy placed a finger on the side of his head as though thinking about something. After he got it, he smiled, “I-i know what you're thinking, Mother Thea is truly a very secretive person so in order to get her help, our clan offered what she loves the most.”

Violet eyes widened, “No-— D-don't tell me you were able to convince her with a few Claymasks?!”

Piggy flicked the side of his black hair, “Of course not, Mother Thea isn't that fickle minded.” 

Piggy smirked at the look of relief on Violet's face before saying, “We were able to convince her by offering thousands of clay masks, make ups and fragrances yearly.”

Violet covered her face in shame. Although her Aunt, Thea was very powerful and formidable in strength, she was too fond of beauty and would do anything for claymasks and ointment that would enhance her looks and brighten her aging face.

“Holy mother Gaia” Violet cursed under her breath.

Piggy chuckled before turning serious all of a sudden, “But.. why are you here? I mean in this killer association, if it weren't for me you would've died—”

“—Stop lying, Piggy. You did absolutely nothing to help me, you're useless!” 

“I did!” Piggy looked around the forest before whispering near Violet's ears, “I freed the real Piggy last week and had a witch cast a bunch of spells, that's why I look and sound exactly like Piggy.”

Violet gasped and hit Piggy on the shoulder, “Idiot! Piggy doesn't use lillies fragnant, and what if he decides to come back? you're lucky you haven't been caught yet.” She glanced around the tall trees anxiously before turning back to face  Piggy naughty smile.

“Listen well, the reason I am here is a long story but I beg of you, when you get the opportunity, please escape from here and tell Aunt Thea that my mom has been kidnapped by Mistress Azarael of Keitan secret killer association. Emphasize the word 'Red flag'”

Piggy furrowed his eyebrows, “But—”

“—I can take care of myself but my mother.. I have no idea if she's still alive. I'll play along with what Azarael wants me to do untill my aunt gets here okay?” Without waiting for a response, Violet turned to leave, “I'll go first, we're beginning to take too long here.” with that, she took off.

After a while, Piggy returned to the spot where the group was sleeping. He smirked at Poison who was sleeping on ground, his hands folded beneath his head with his chest facing the sky.

Then he smiled at Violet who comfortably rested on one of the trees across the group. She placed her legs on the tree branch with her back, resting against the tree. 

Piggy sighed and took his spot next to Poison beside the fire, then he fell asleep.

The dark of the night had passed and the skies were now clear and bright. When it was sunset, they reached Lagsu they were welcomed by the beautiful weather. 

Unlike Keitan, the streets didn't have many beggers roaming about. Maybe it was because food in Lagsu was cheaper.

“You guys should rest at an inn for tonight, we can continue traveling tommorow.”  Poison said after his eyes caught a beautiful maiden clad in a green dress. She was heading to a brothel across the street.

Poison gasped and tucked his hands in his pocket as the woman turned to look at him.

The group's mouth fell open as they watched their cold boss act like a boy because of a woman.

The woman smiled at Poison and turned to leave, that was when Poison lost it completely. He brought out a small bag from his pocket, then tossed it to Violet who caught it in the blink of an eye.

“Huh?” Violet said, confused.

Poison winked at Violet, “You should get yourself a dress and food.” Before Violet could reply, he ran after the woman from earlier.

Piggy scoffed, “Seriously? It isn't nighttime yet and he's already thinking of receiving pleasure from..”Piggy cleared his throat after sensing Violet's stare.

Fidaus, one of them, said, “What if Master Poison was possessed by an horny spirit while we were sleeping near the woods?”

While everyone else was discussing, Violet checked what was inside the bag— Gold.

Her eyes widened but she masked her expression when Piggy turned to look at her, “Nothing. Let's get going.”

“Waiter, what's the cheapest food on the menu?” Violet said, glancing at the boys as they sat on several tables, waiting for food. 

“Bean sprouts.”

Violet smiled, “Cool. Give them a plate each and the cheapest beer on the menu.”

The waiter nodded and turned to leave but Violet stopped him, “Give them five keys to the cheapest rooms in the inn.”

The waiter hesitated, “What about you little girl?”

Violet pouted, “My dad said I should get the premium room for myself because I'm a girl, I can't possibly stay in a room near so many men.” 

The waiter nodded in understanding, “Where is your Dad? Should I save a premium room for him too?”

Violet shook her head, “No. He's out having fun.”

The waiter nodded and patted Violet's hair, “Good girl, what would you like to eat?”

“Coconut rice and a whole chicken with orange juice, send it to my room please.” Violet said.

The waiter nodded and brought out a key from beneath the table, he handed it to Violet and said, “This is one of the best premium rooms here, I hope you enjoy your stay here. By the way, how many days will you spend here?” 

Violet brought out three kg worth of gold from the bag and handed it to the waiter who chuckled nervously, “Little miss, I'm afraid this isn't enough—”

“—What is going on here?” 

Violet jumped, surprised by Piggy's sudden intervention.

“Violet, what were you discussing with the waiter?” Piggy asked as the waiter disappeared somewhere into the back.

An irritated sigh escaped Violet's lips then she turned to face Piggy with a forced smile, “I ordered bean sprouts for all of you guys..”

Piggy stared hard at her, “Continue.”

“U-uh I.. I also booked the cheapest rooms here for you guys.” Violet fumbled with her hands nervously.

“And what sort of room did you book for yourself?”

Violet sighed, “Well.. since you already caught me, why don't we sleep together in the premium room?” She leaned closer to Piggy and whispered in his ears, “We can even share my chicken, what about that?”

Piggy shrugged, “Sure but— Why are you being merciful towards Poison? He gave you his money for all of us to spend as we wish, but why are you making us suffer for goodness sake?”

Violet slid out an extra five kg worth of gold and placed it on the waiting table, “Not really, he gave me all of the money, he even said I should buy myself a dress. You boys are lucky I'm kind enough to buy you beans sprouts else you'd starve to death.” Piggy was about to complain when Violet pulled him by his left ear and dragged him with her upstairs to the premium room. Throughout, she didn't let go of his ear until they arrived at room seven. Their room for the night.

Violet giggled at the pink that was beginning to show on Piggy's cheeks, then she opened the room doors. 

The first thing that came to her mind was, “Wow.”

The room was as big as her room back at Thestryn but the room's fragnant was a lotus fragnant, not her favorite lillies.

But it did work anyway. Red candles were lit on the table, standing next to the tall king-sized bed that could contain five people.

There were two furnitures in the room, each of them looking luxurious and comfortable.

“Little miss.. uh—” a tiny voice emerged from behind the curtains across the room. 

“—This is my brother, Piggy.” Violet said to the older woman who looked between both kids judgementally, “Are you here to warm the bath?” 

The woman nodded, “I am the caretaker here but yes, I am done, I'll return with your meal.”

“Please fetch us towels and clean clothes as well if you can.” 

The woman glared at Piggy but said, “I'll get a nice dress for the girl and give you one of the waiter's spare clothes.”

Piggy glared back but asked, “What about fresh towels?”

“In the lavatory.” The woman grumbled before turning to leave.

“Please add an extra chicken to my sister's order.” 

“Don't bother yourself, ma'am.” Violet said nonchalantly.

“Sure I won't, little miss.”

Piggy was about to complain to the older woman but she was already out of sight.

“Violet!” Piggy grumbled.

“Sit on the furniture and close your eyes while I clean.” Violet ordered and marched to the lavatory without hearing Piggy out. 

She undressed and entered the bathtub, silently thanking mother Gaia that there were no roses decorated in the wooden bath.

With the water massaging Violet scalp as she took a dive into the huge wooden bath tub, she could finally relax.

After a few seconds, she heard Piggy, “Violet, I cannot believe you let me in your room even when I'm just a few steps from seeing your bare body.”

A sigh escaped Violet's lips and she picked the small knife she had kept close to her clothes near the bathtub.

Without looking, she threw the knife, and it tore through the curtains and landed right in front of Piggy's legs.

Piggy cried when he saw how close the knife was to his— meat.

He breathed in and out unsteadily, while trying to calm himself.

Just then, the door opened revealing the caretaker from earlier. His eyes met with hers, and his cheeks became a glowing red.

The woman however did not react, instead she marched towards the lavatory but only stopped when she reached in front of the curtains, separating the room from the lavatory.

“Little miss, I'm coming in.”

“Okay.” Violet leaned against the bathtub, caressing her shoulders softly. But then it started itching really badly.

“Oh no!” she thought and jumped out of the bathtub, quickly picking one of the towels hung by the side.

She slid it over her body and asked anxiously, “I-is there rose oil in the water?”

The woman nodded, “Yes, is, there s-something wrong?”

Violet eyes suddenly began to tear up and her nose suddenly began to feel stuffy.

“Please..” Violet eyes puffed up and she struggled to keep her breathing normal, “Refill the bathtub with cold water and don't put anything in it.”

As though realizing something, the woman asked, “Are you allergic to rose oil?”

Violet didn't have the time to say yes, her body started itching so badly that she dropped her towel and started running her finger tips all over her skin.

“Um.. Violet is everything alright in there?” Piggy asked while approaching the curtains.

“Little miss is allergic to rose oil.” The caretaker woman said while draining the warm water in the wooden bath.

“Please try to bare with it, and, don't scratch your skin, it'll only ruin your skin.” The woman said while exiting the lavatory. 

“Don't you dare peeep,” the woman  warned Piggy before leaving the room.

“Violet,” Piggy said nervously, “If you don't mind, there's a folk remedy for itching skin but I'm.. I'm not sure you would like it.”

Violet pulled on her hair irritatedly and yelled back, “Do I look like I'm picky right now? Get me anything that can stop the itching!”

Piggy frowned and mumbled under his breath, “How am I supposed to know whether you look picky or not? I can't even see your face.”

“What?!” Violet yelled irritatedly.

“Nothing.” With that, Piggy ran out of the room.

When the caretaker arrived with younger maidens, each carrying a bowl of water, Violet was in the wooden bathtub scratching—

The girls poured the cold water on Violet and left the room, not even bothering to help her. 

Only the caretaker stayed behind to caress Violet's skin with a wet washcloth. At least it helped a little.

“Why am I so fuvking weird, I'm allergic to rose flowers but not lillies and lotus flowers and sunflowers? Why?” Violet complained while trying not to touch her skin as it was beginning to turn red and hurt even more.

“Embrace your difference, child. If you're like other people then this world would be so bland and boring. Weird people like you make it sweet so keep being weird.” 

“Oh precious, you sound like my aunt whenever I tell her how sad I feel because I'm different from other people in my clan.” Violet told.

The caretaker cleared her throat, “Well.. I had to deal with a raising a Very different child, she —”

“—Violet I'm back, uh, can I come in—”

“—No, I'll go out to meet you” The caretaker stopped scrubbing Violet's back, then she placed the washcloth on Violet's leff shoulder before leaving through the curtains.

Violet sighed and continued scrubbing her back while listening to the conversation between the madam and Piggy.

“This is clay soil, ma'am, you might not know this but clay soil is effective in tackling itch on skin, it also improves skin colour.”

”Are you sure this isn't a trick to—”

“—I would never hurt Violet! She's my..” Piggy sighed, “This is a folk remedy only few know but it works! And besides, Violet would kill me if I gave her a wrong prescription.”

“Ma'am,” Violet called desperately.

“Fine.” The caretaker snatched the bowl from Piggy and returned to the lavatory where Violet was scratching her now red skin.

“Don't forget to mix it with water untill it's sticky!”

The caretaker did just that before applying it on Violet's skin. The itching seemed to worsen for a few minutes but after twenty minutes, the itching disappeared as though nothing happened.

Violet was in awe, “Ma'am, I-i feel so much better now!” She told.

The woman smiled for a second then cleared her throat, “You should wash up and get dressed quickly then. I'll tell a worker to send your food here, I forgot to do so earlier.”

Violet nodded with a smile on her face, then she cleaned herself up and stepped into the yellow beautiful dress the caretaker got her. She dried her hair and tied it up in a bun before leaving the lavatory.

She was instantly met with Piggy's worried gaze, “Are you alright now?”

“Yes,” Said Violet before walking towards Piggy with a small smile, “Thank you, Piggy. You've saved my life.”

A blushed crept up to Piggy's cheeks and he ran his hand through his neck nervously, “Uh— I wouldn't exactly say I.. saved, your life.”

“Nonsense,” She brushed him off and walked passed him towards the bed. 

Piggy eyes widened as she was about to sit on the bed but before he could complain she beat him to it, “I'll definitely repay your kindness when I get the chance.” She sighed hapily as her bum touched the bed. “Right now, there's so little I can do for you, after all, I'm still one of Azarael's dogs.”

“No you're not Azarael's dog, you're the daughter of Lilly Agatha Sinora, the seventh keeper of the Thestryn valley—”

“—I hate that name!”

“But you're tied to it.”

“No,” Violet frowned, “I am not, not unless Lilly Agatha Sinora lives.”

“Even if she live not, she had a name many remember, and she has a child who is called Violet.”

A glow appeared in Violet's eyes and she said, “What if Violet disappears?”

Piggy shrugged before going to sit on the furniture he sat on earlier, “Its impossible, even if you change your name, your hair colour won't change I'll still call you Violet.”

Violet eyes drooped, then she laid flat on the bed, fast asleep.

Piggy laughed, “She doesn't even ask anything about me yet she's comfortable with me. Weird”

He stood up from the furniture and walked towards Violet. His smile widened when he saw Violet chew on her mouth. She must've been hungry—

“What are you doing Fatty?”

Fatty jumped, surprised by the caretaker sudden appearance.

“Humph!” Piggy folded his hands and glared at the woman who had a wooden tray containing rice and chicken, even though he liked food so much he wouldn't let some common care taker look down on him, “What am I doing? My sister just fell asleep and I was trying to help her cover her body because of the—”

“—Even so, I'm afraid, it is not appropriate for you to stay here. I have a room ready for you, and you can have the little Miss's dinner, as long as you come with me.”

Piggy's mouth watered. He blinked, then stared at a sleeping Violet, then the tray of food in the caretaker hands.

Piggy cleared his throat and snatched the tray of food from the caretaker hands, “I should let Violet rest well tonight, she wouldn't be able to rest well if I stay the night, for I snore really loud..” 

The caretaker sighed and covered Violet with the warm folds then she blew off the red candles and left with Piggy.