There is a balance in life, of lose and gain. Sometimes when we gain something in life... another part suffers -- and there is some lose. I have experienced a great deal of both over the past week. I would not have been able to gain a higher position in the harem if Lady Ava had not left...
This new high position means I must give more of my time to assist new girls, not that I mind much. The only real trouble will be finding more Odalisques -- girls willing to stay pure. Personally, I would not be able to take such a trying role... hehe, I couldn't if I wanted to.
So far two new girls have joined the Harem. Patience is a fast study, and has already risen in the ranks -- she is now a fully fledged concubine. She is quite wise... only thing she needs to work on is polite filtration. The second girl, Wendy, also seeks to become a concubine. She is a very talented woman... kindhearted.
I have news of another lose. Shy is moving to the country of her new husband... which means the harem now lacks a head Bas but also a co-harem mother. Someone will be needed to fill her role. I hope we can find someone of her talents and beauty... I shall try to hold out hope.
And more odd news... the undead rained chaos in the streets. Their was even fighting on palace grounds. One such attacked a knight... yet one of the palace guards was able to arrest him. I am not sure what will happen next. I read that the two leaders of the undead were captured -- yet I doubt this will make the end of the war. In fact, I am sure it will just cause their followers to retaliate. I suppose that is what happens... battle is a never ending cycle. I am glad to be in the harem and away from all of that nonsense. Nothing good can ever come from endless fighting.
I awoke to the quiet serenity of the harem. I was too tired to write an entry, so -- here goes.
I worry... Seren is such a sweet person, I have no idea why all of these people are attacking her. It's not just men, but women as well! I read a report about Mebo attacking her, and another attack from a woman slaver. I am a bit unsure about the first one. Hmm... on second thought, the reason why Mebo attacked her was to get to Stollas. I swear... the sun bakes peoples brains!
Maybe the fact that I am helpless to actually help her is the real reason why I am upset? I might need to craft a small protection charm for her,
More bad news, Stollas has gone missing. And once again, I find myself unable to make a real difference. Looks like the only thing I can do is report his absence to Countess Page. A risky option would be for me to search the city myself... which is a bad idea seeing how the undead are currently going after anyone associated with the palace.
The rules of the Harem are going to be relaxed. We are now allowed to roam the palace. If we go out, we need to wear full dress. I rather like this idea myself. I just hope this does not invite more attacks. Rumor is the undead are attacking those associated with the palace. The head guard was captured the other night.
I do not regret anything... but times like this make me miss the calm dark waters of home. Perhaps making my life bloom in the golden cage of the palace will take a lot more effort?
Just a bit of good news... the image I sent in for that best in silks in silks contest won a first place spot! I wonder if my interview will get some good press for the harem?
It has been a busy past few days. I have bee organizing paper work left by the past Bas Kadin. I doubt anything will have to be changed, Ava left behind such perfect notes. Now, I will just need to work on training girls. There is not much to do... I have the courses set up. Starting slow with simply polite conversation and working up to a detailed class on massage -- basic pleasure techniques .
I had a few meaningful conversations with the Chief Eunuch, Stollas. I worry about him... he seemed -- dare I say tired, and stressed out? The poor guy has been through a lot over the past week. It seems as if the harem Valide, Seren, gets attacked every other day. Yesterday a woman broke in and tried to attack her... Stollas took the hit. And today, I read that Seren was dragged into the desert by another random woman. I have yet to hear from Seren about the more resent attack, but I assume Stollas was there to take the grunt of the assault. It honestly looks like I will need to rush that class on harem safety -- so far I I am the only member of the harem that has not been attacked.
On a lighter note, I cannot wait until more girls are accepted into the harem. It's such a charming place to live... owned by a very kind hearted woman, the Sultana, Zanlu. It's nice... not having to worry about being chased, or sweating away in the hot desert sands. I admit, things can be a tad quiet (at least when I am awake... ) Yet, I am sure it's something I will soon grow to love.
Ah, it has been yet another busy day in the hidden world that is the Sultana's royal harem. I've much news! Our dear sister Ava was returned to us... yet the story does not end there. Something must of happened during her brief kidnapping -- and now she has resigned her position as Bas Kadin (head concubine ). I also heard that she stole Stollas' sword... the use of weapons is strictly forbidden. If she did not leave by choice, I am sure she would have been politely asked to resign.
Yet, it turns out that this sorrowful gray cloud does have a silver lining . I have been prompted to head concubine! I gladly accepted the position ... with a heavy heart. I do hope I am able to fill the role -- to honor the role my dear sister Ava did so well.
And now, I will work on the task of trying to train new girls to become concubine.... I shall need to think of new and creative ways to accept new people. I am thinking about putting in an add in the Ireem Chronicles. Perhaps... I shall need to invite people to sell girls in. Truthfully, I rather loath slavery.... yet if it helps find friend talent... I shall do what I must.
The attacks against the other Harem girls inspired another "gentle" reminder. That we are not allowed to leave the palace without escort. I quietly scoffed at that. Each time I went out I managed to avoid getting caught. The main reason? Is because I am always aware of my surroundings . I suppose I can only blame their lack of real world experience. Most were brought up in a harem, and have no real idea of how the real world works outside the posh walls... or the cruelty of men. I, on the other hand, was not born in the harem, or in Ireem. When I worked with the Oiran I was taught out to deal with.. unsavory men. I know how to disarm a person with a silk fan -- hehe, something I will never tell my sisters. Surely they will frown at the idea. No matter, I hope to teach a class on harem safety. Having the harem mother kidnapped so many times is unacceptable.
More intruders... really not much else that can be said. One was a man who broke in earlier, the one who claimed to be a part of the harem. Thanks to Countess Page I know now what he really is -- a djinn. Go figure, I always heard they were prankster .
Once again I have found myself alone... no matter. With the other girls asleep I am allowed to return to my true form. With everything that has happened over the past few days, the silence is welcoming.
I arose to find that most of my harem sisters were busy elsewhere. Undaunted by the silence I began the daunting task of mending a few silks... finery I have saved for formal occasion. Just as I was in the middle of changing into another gown -- I heard voices, the sounds of others from upstairs. My cheeks flushed at the thought of someone seeing me as I changed!
I did not waste time in putting something more decent on, and hurrying upstairs to the upper level of the harem. There they were... to lovers standing on the balcony. They each began to tell me a series of what I presumed to be lies. The girl said she recently joined the harem, but if that was the case Lady Seren would have sent out welcome scrolls. She then tried to prove that her male companion was an eunich, and tired to pulled down his pants. Moved closer, shrugging off that advance, inviting me to have a look -- I refused.
"Until you get official invite from the harem mother you are not suppose to be down here? Do you not understand... that I can get in trouble? Do you ever care?"
They complied before I had to call for the Harem guard. he girl spouted another lie, claiming that Lady Ava invited her. I countered by saying she needed to have her present.
Once they left an eerie calm fell over the harem. Images of men in noir clocked played before my mind's eye. Visions of undead solders dragging me down to the depths ...
The vision ended just as quickly as it began.So shaken was I that... I ended up running to the balcony. I slowly stood on the sofa... gently pulling myself up into the slender stone railing with the aid of a hanging plant. I stood there, looking down at the waters. In the back of my one I wonder if I fall from this height, will my body feel it? Or will... my other form take shape just as I hit the waters edge?
No matter, I don't have time to allow my mind to dwell on such dark topics. Sound of the Countess entering the Harem prompts me to hop down from the sofa... Our conversation was brief. I mentioned the two break ins, and nothing else. After, she left for a walk... in order to brighten my mood a bit I decided to work on a dance. Here's hopping this works, or I might need to sneak out for something stronger.
There was yet another break in -- this time by a Bedouin. What's worse he tried to con some visitor into thinking he was a king. When that did not work he tried to con one of the Harem girls into going with him. Thank heavens he considered my skin to pale for his liking. No mater, it was nothing the Harem guard could not take care of.
I have not been in the harem long, yet I am starting to get used to the odd intruders. Calling the guards has become like second nature to me. Some may complain... yet I would never enter their private residence and then harass their family members. No matter, I shall continue to call the guards on whom ever breaks into the harem. I have no sympathy for those who ruin the tranquility of a private residence.
I have something rather amusing to report... I secretly stepped out of the palace to enter a dance contest. I ended up coming in third, yet I felt proud at myself for entering. I probably would have placed higher if I was more willing to show off more of my body to the mostly male judges. No matter, I shall do so the next time...