Role

Chapter 2

Winter was heavily upon the Imperial Lands. Yule Tide celebrations
were being held all over Thera. Bynna laid in her cage, feverish from the
cold ravaging her. Her throat was sore and her body barely able to
stand. Even from her room she could hear the roaring enjoyment of her
Master's exquisite and lavish party.

It was not a long time before she was brought to her Master and his
guest. She could barely walk and a few times the guards carried her. She
was set upon an expensive cushioned chair in the middle of the
gathering. She barely noted her Master boasting about her voice. At
first she didn't even hear herself being addressed, not until her Master
was right in front of her, yelling.

"I said sing, girl!" anger evident upon his face and in his voice. She
nodded and he returned to his couch with the other nobles. Bynna
could hear someone remark, "Lets see if this Songbird is as good as you
say, Hubert."

So Bynna did her best to muster up her strength and began to sing. Her
voice once more filled the room with an enchanting melody. Then her
sickness got the better of her. She began to croak and cough, and try as
she could, her voice failed her.

The nobles around Hubert began to laugh and mock him about his
heavenly songbird. Embarrassed, Hubert succumbed to rage and
grabbed Bynna by her hair, yanking her head back.

"Girl, how dare you embarrass me! Sing now and do so as though your
life depends on it."

Bynna's only responce were tears and coughing. Hurbet drew his dagger
and sliced off Bynna's tongue. "I don't need a songbird who can't sing.
Guards, take this wretched thing from my sight. Give her to my
gladiators. They've earned some fun."

Bynna was dragged away, and on the last day of Yule Tide, she was
made a gift again. No holiday song, no happy song, to ever leave her lips
again.