Western Province of Nurn, Afternoon of August 18, 3019

The worst thing about being a slave of Mordor was the constant uncertainty that plagued every waking moment of one's existence. Would you be allowed to see another sunrise, or would misfortune befall you in the gloomy night? And at what cost would you purchase another day to live, what sacrifices would you be forced to make just to survive? For in the realm ruled by the Lord of Gifts, nothing was given freely.

Although Elfhild had the assurance that she and Elffled would be dwelling for a time at the estate of the slave trader Esarhaddon uHuzziya, she still felt a sense of impending doom as the wain neared its destination. She glanced at her sister and saw a mixture of anxiety and excitement in her aquamarine eyes. Elffled made it a habit to live in the moment and not worry overmuch about the future, but Elfhild fretted about what would happen to them in this strange and often cruel land. The five other Rohirric women in the wain stirred restlessly, crowding around the wagon windows to get a better glimpse of their surroundings. The paved lane upon which the wain traveled forked into two paths, and as the drivers directed the horses to take the one on the left, the passengers were able to get a better view of their new home.

The villa of Esarhaddon uHuzziya was grand indeed, comprised of two separate complexes with a wide garden space between them. On the left was the slaver's manor, a sprawling collection of white stucco buildings with terracotta tile roofs. A low wall of whitewashed stone surrounded the manor house and all its associated outbuildings, providing a visitor with only a partial view of the splendors which lay hidden within. To the right was another collection of buildings, far less grand in appearance than the manor, but nonetheless still quite impressive. A taller wall surrounded the second complex, making it resemble a long, rectangular fortress or a tiny walled town.

The wain drivers drew the wagon to a halt in front of the arched gateway which led to the manor's inner courtyard. Waiting there was a small party of servants led by a large, swarthy man of middle years. Obviously someone of great importance in the merchant's household, the man was dressed in fine robes of emerald green, and golden thread had been woven through the plaits of his dark hair.

"I bid all of you welcome to the villa of Shakh Esarhaddon! I am Nobo, Chamberlain to Shakh Esarhaddon and Keeper of the Household." A smile of welcome was upon Nobo's broad face as he gazed upon the women who peered out at him from the window of the wain. "I am sure that you are famished after your long journey! Your arrival comes at a fortuitous moment, for soon it will be time for the evening meal. I have been instructed to extend a special welcome to the Lady Goldwyn and escort her to her new quarters in the master's house." He gestured towards the sprawling manor house where Esarhaddon and his family dwelt, and then turned back to the wain. "The rest of you have been chosen to be students at the School of Industry, the training academy that the House of Huzziya operates under the auspices of Mordor. If the lady will come forth, the rest of you may continue on to the school."

With all the haughty dignity and regal contempt of a captive queen, Goldwyn alighted from the wain and approached the chamberlain and his retinue. A servant unobtrusively closed the door to the wain and the drivers urged the horses onward. Doubling back to the fork in the drive, the wain turned onto the right path, passing by the central garden which lay between the manor and the school. A low wall surrounded the perimeter of the garden, offering a view of the many trees and shrubs which had been planted in the yard. Climbing rosebushes laden with blossoms peaked up from the top of the parapet and trailed down the exterior stone like fragrant waterfalls.

Soon the garden came to an end and the high wall of the School of Industry loomed above, both simple and imposing in its austerity. The wain halted before a great double gate which had been crafted from wrought iron and featured intricate scrollwork amid its prison bars. Mounted upon the walls on either side of the entryway were many banners which fluttered lazily in the summer breeze: the standard of Mordor, a blood red eye upon a field of black; the standard of Nurn, four stalks of wheat clenched by an armored fist upon a field of grass green; and the standard of the School of Industry. Set upon a field of green reminiscent of the flag of Nurn was an embroidered yellow circle, similar in appearance to a ring but made of chain. Within the confines of the chain was an upraised quill stitched with golden thread; crossed behind it like a pair of dueling swords were a needle and a paintbrush. Beneath the emblem was written the name of the school in the calligraphy of Mordor.

A pair of female guards who had been standing on either side of the portal stepped forward to open the gate, and the wain passed into the inner bailey. Two women, one older and one younger, waited to greet the newcomers. Both were clad in emerald green gowns; yellow bands rested high upon their heads, and from their necks hung golden medallions. The younger of the pair opened the door to the wain and the Rohirric women hesitantly stepped down onto the cobblestones. The wagon drivers did not linger in the courtyard, and with a crack of a whip, they drove back the way they had come. The guards pulled the gate shut behind them, the sound making an ominous clang which momentarily silenced the songbirds that had been twittering nearby.

"Welcome to the School of Industry and Enlightenment," announced the older woman. "I am Headmistress Juna, and I will be overseeing your education. Beside me is Assistant Headmistress Akeya."

Standing respectfully at attention, Elfhild and Elffled dared a cautious glance at the headmistress and her assistant. A woman in her late fifties, Mistress Juna looked quite dignified with her silver-streaked black tresses pulled back in a neat bun. Her face was adorned in cosmetics to conceal her wrinkles and accentuate what she felt were her good qualities: her golden tan skin, dark brown almond-shaped eyes, and bow-shaped lips. It was obvious that she dined upon only the richest and most luxurious food, for she was shaped almost exactly like a pear, with a small, rounded bosom and hips which flared out like a wine jug. Beside her stood Mistress Akeya, who was just as narrow as the headmistress was broad. A tall, slender woman in her mid-thirties, Akeya had light tawny skin and long raven hair with a slight wave. Her high, arched brows gave her a haughty appearance, and her sullen lips were set in a frown of disapproval as she surveyed the Rohirric newcomers.

The twins noticed that both Mistress Juna and Mistress Akeya wore strips of cloth tied about their left arms. These armbands were made of simple white material and seemed out of place with the rest of their fine ensembles, almost resembling the bandages that one might wear to staunch a wound. A glance around the courtyard revealed that all present wore the same strip of cloth tied about their left forearms, so obviously it was not a signifier of rank. Elfhild felt strangely intrigued by the white armbands, and wondered what meaning, if any at all, they were meant to convey.

"Of all the slaves that Shakh Esarhaddon brought to Nurn, you seven are among the most fortunate," Mistress Juna proclaimed magnanimously, clasping her hands before her. "The reason that you have been brought to the School of Industry is because Shakh Esarhaddon saw promise in you. During your time here, you will be taught a variety of subjects for your edification: reading and writing, mathematics, history, painting, music, etiquette, food preparation, and household skills. The School of Industry has three purposes: education, labor, and art, which are represented by the quill, the needle, and the paintbrush which adorn our standard." She gestured around at the banners which flew from the walls and then directed her attention back to her audience.

"At the School of Industry, students are divided into novices and apprentices based on their knowledge and expertise. The education which novices receive is broad in scope and often remedial in nature. Most students leave the school as novices, but those who prove to be talented and intelligent are promoted to the rank of apprentice. In addition to continuing their education, apprentices receive training in a specific discipline, such as painting, music or dance."

The headmistress paused for a moment to allow her audience to absorb all that she had said before continuing her well-practiced speech. "Whether you achieve the highest degree of proficiency in a particular craft or spend your days as a lowly kitchen maid, know that your skills will be put to good use here at the School of Industry." Her face radiant with pride, Juna beamed at the assembled slaves. "Besides receiving an education, students have another purpose, perhaps far greater than learning: to toil in service to the Lord of Mordor by producing various textile goods for the realm."

"Hence the name: School of Industry," Akeya clarified with a smile that did not seem overly friendly.

"It is a great honor to serve the Lord of Middle-earth," Juna continued, her voice filled with reverence. "While your labors might seem insignificant, know that your contributions help strengthen the might and glory of this great land. Therefore, you should devote yourselves to your studies and strive to be good students and servants, always obeying your superiors with expediency and gladness."

Several of the Rohirric girls murmured under their breath, chafing at the notion that they should be happy as the slaves of the Dark Enemy. While some, such as Elfhild, were intrigued by the prospects of receiving an education, they knew that it would come at a cost: humbling themselves before the enemies of their people and sacrificing the shreds of dignity that yet remained to them. To make matters worse, it seemed that they would be indirectly aiding the Dark Lord in whatever they did.

Hearing the mutterings of discontent from the new slaves, Juna held up her hand for silence. "I understand that many of you might harbor uncertainties about your new lives here at the School of Industry. Perhaps you consider that I am your enemy, along with everyone else who dwells in this land. You must cast aside such foolish notions!" Her voice was emphatic as she addressed her dubious charges. "All ties to your homeland and your king were severed when you were taken captive, but now you have a new home and new loyalties. You are sojourners upon the first stage of a very long journey. Where your journey takes you will be determined by the actions and decisions that you make during your stay here. Bid farewell to your pasts, embrace the present, and look forward to the future!"

The headmistress paused for a moment in her speech of welcome, smiling benevolently as she allowed the girls to reflect upon all that she had said. Then the smile abruptly vanished from her face, and her demeanor changed, becoming solemn and stern. "A word of warning, though, for those who would be foolhardy enough to consider rebellion or escape. If you disobey the rules of this establishment or bring dishonor to the House of Huzziya, you will be cast out of this school and sold to whoever would have you. While perhaps you might curse the fate that brought you to this land, I assure you that your lives will be far more pleasant here at the School of Industry than in the brothels or mines. A choice lays before you now: obey the rules and exert yourselves in your studies, or lose everything you could have had, and quite possibly your lives. I advise you to choose wisely."

Mistress Juna gave the girls such a stern glare that even the most vocal of the dissenters were intimidated into silence. Holding the expression for several long, uncomfortable moments, she allowed her face to relax. Smiling as though nothing had ever happened, she clapped her hands together. "Now that you know our names, I would be pleased to learn all of yours." Squinting – for she was more than a little nearsighted – the headmistress looked out over the group of new slaves, listening as each girl dutifully introduced herself.

When Elfhild and Elffled gave their names, Juna frowned and clucked her tongue in disapproval. "Elves are not looked upon with favor in this land," the headmistress remarked, shaking her head with disbelief that anyone would name their children after the white-eyed fiends. "It would be prudent to change your names to something more appropriate."

"These girls are no longer Rohirrim, but Nurniags, and it would be fitting that they have new names for their new lives," Akeya agreed, her dark eyes narrowing as she studied the twins. "Besides, their current names sound too similar. It will be difficult enough keeping them apart due to their similarity in appearance, and we do not need anything else adding to the confusion."

"But what language should we use for names?" Juna mused, tapping her finger to her chin. "The tongue of Mordor, or perhaps the dialect of Northern Harad that Shakh Esarhaddon speaks?"

"Back in the Mark, my friends and family often called me Hild for short," Elfhild hastily spoke up, not wishing to be saddled with some strange foreign name that she might not be able to pronounce.

Elffled slanted a sidelong glance at her twin, instantly understanding her plan. "My name could be shortened to Flede, Mistress, if you deem that suitable."

"Hild and Fleda," Juna repeated, carefully pronouncing the words. "Well, I suppose these names are an improvement from 'Elfhild' and 'Elffled.'"

"You should thank Mistress Juna for allowing you to keep part of your Rohirric names," Akeya spoke up, a note of disdain in her voice. "Many masters and mistresses rename slaves from foreign lands, for the old names are reminders of ties which have been forever broken and a past to which one can never return."

"I am very grateful for your generosity, Mistress." Elfhild lowered her head in feigned humility, secretly triumphing in the tiny victory she had made in retaining a semblance of autonomy.

Elffled clasped her hands before her heart in an expression of gratitude. "It is a great honor that you have bestowed upon us." Always ingratiate yourself to those in power – that was the secret to her survival in these treacherous lands.

Her affairs with the twins concluded, Juna moved on to the next order of business. "Since the seven of you are now the property of the House of Huzziya, there is no need for you to wear the collars of Mordor about your necks any longer." She smiled at the looks of joy and gratitude which lit up the faces of the young women assembled before her. Retrieving a key from the pocket of her robe, she went to each new slave and unlocked the collar about her neck. The hated iron bands were dropped into a basket which Akeya set to the side. Almost in unison, the seven girls gingerly touched their throats, their fingertips taking delight in their newfound freedom.

"While you are no longer forced to wear bonds of iron, you should remember that you are all still slaves at the mercy of both Mordor and the House of Huzziya," Juna cautioned them. "Well, that has been enough instruction for the time. Now all of you will follow me."

Elfhild and Elffled hurried behind Mistress Juna, who strolled briskly across the bailey to the main entrance of the school. An arched colonnade surrounded the front porch, its columns adorned with decorative tiles that had been painted with floral and geometric designs. The bright shades of blue and orange which had been incorporated into the designs of the ceramic tiles stood out in sharp contrast to the white stucco of the building's exterior walls. A wide border made up of tiles of the same pattern surrounded a set of large wooden doors which had been carved with the emblem of the school. Draped from the lintel was a long white cloth which hung down on either side of the door frame, its edges fluttering softly in the hot afternoon breeze like lazy ghosts. A rather bored looking female guard stood beside the entryway and observed Mistress Juna and her party with a dispassionate expression. Upon either side of the door was a large rectangular window which was screened in by decorative wooden panels. Smaller windows had been positioned at regular intervals along the ground floor of the building, while the second floor featured three large bay windows covered with lattice panels.

With a respectful bow to Juna and Akeya, the guard opened the heavy wooden doors to allow the small entourage to proceed inside the School of Industry. Gaping in wonder at all that they beheld, Elfhild and Elffled followed the headmistress into a large vestibule. The walls of the chamber were white with green and yellow trim, and the tiles upon the floor had been arranged into a mosaic depicting a golden sheaf of wheat upon a green background. On the right side of the room, a wall fountain splashed merrily into a small but deep marble basin. Beside the fountain was a credenza upon which rested a pitcher, basin, and stack of hand towels. Above the credenza was a wall hanging of some sort, but it was covered by a white cloth. A large basket containing several crumpled up towels was situated nearby. On the left side of the room was a large cabinet with dozens of pigeonholes, its sole purpose seemingly being for the storage of shoes. Beside the cabinet was a rack for hanging cloaks, scarves, and other articles of clothing.

Above the doorway which led into the Great Hall of the School of Industry was a fresco of the Great Eye surrounded by radiant beams of light which emanated outward like spokes from a fiery wheel. A calligraphic inscription beseeching the Lord of Gifts to bestow His blessings upon the school was written below the sacred image: "The Eye That Sees All Watches Over All Who Go Within." Though neither Elfhild nor Elffled could understand the words, they were filled with dismay at the oppressive image, and averted their eyes in fear. Another white cloth, identical to the one which adorned the outside entrance, had been draped around the lintel and posts of the door. Elfhild thought that the strange garlands seemed out of place with the aesthetics of the school, and wondered if they were somehow connected to the white armbands that Mistress Juna and her companions wore.

"Upon entering the school, students are to remove their shoes and store them in the cabinet over yonder," Mistress Juna explained, gesturing about the room. "You will be provided with slippers to wear indoors, which you may also store in the cabinet when you go outside." Walking over to the fountain, Juna paused and looked back at her charges. "Students must also wash their hands upon returning to the school. Cleanliness is highly valued at this institution, and you must strive always to bring honor to the House of Huzziya."

After the Rohirric maidens had obeyed the headmistress' commands to wash their hands and remove their shoes, Juna led them into the great hall, which was empty at that time of day. Elfhild and Elffled gasped at the size of the enormous room, which could have easily held several of the small cottages and huts of the Eastfold. Light streamed in from large windows which had been built along the sides of the hall; enormous lanterns made from leaded glass hung from the lofty ceiling to provide light after the sun sank into the west. Running the length of the hall on either side were galleries with balconied corridors which branched off into lattice screened rooms. Four rows of long rectangular tables sat low to the ground, surrounded by cushions that were meant to be used as seats, and a raised dais had been built at one end of the hall where the school faculty might dine above the students. Along the walls were long, narrow couches which offered more privacy and a view out the windows. A vast patchwork of thick carpets covered the floor, making the chamber resemble a garden in bloom.

"While I know your names and you know mine, that is the sum of my knowledge concerning you all," Mistress Juna proclaimed, addressing the Rohirric girls who followed obediently behind her. "To amend this dilemma, I will be conducting an interview with each one of you so that I might discern your natures and learn more about what knowledge you possess."

Instructing the new students to sit at one of the tables under the watchful eye of Mistress Akeya, Juna led the first girl with whom she desired to speak into a small room off to the side. After ten or so minutes had passed, the girl returned to the great hall, and another was summoned to be interviewed. When it came Elfhild and Elffled's turn, they looked fearfully at each other before rising to their feet and heeding the call of the headmistress. What sort of questions would she ask them? Would they even have the knowledge to answer? What would happen to them if they proved to be disappointments?

"Have a seat, girls," Mistress Juna told the twins, pointing to the divan across from her. "Each of the students that come to the School of Industry bring with them varying degrees of education from their previous lives. Tell me of your days in Rohan. Did you have any formal schooling? Do you know how to read and write, how to do basic arithmetic, or have any knowledge of history?"

Elfhild felt the headmistress' gaze boring into her, and she resisted the urge to fidget uncomfortably in her seat. "We were peasants, Mistress," she replied, her voice apologetic. "We can neither read nor write, but we are well versed in the tales of our people which have been passed down over the long years by storytellers and bards." She feared that this obviously well-educated woman would look down upon her sister and her for their lack of schooling. When she dwelt in her village, Elfhild never considered such matters, for she was amongst equals. However, after she was taken captive, she found herself in the company of the learned and worldly, and she realized just how ignorant she truly was.

"In addition to our knowledge of lore, we are also quite good with numbers." Like her sister, Elffled was concerned that Mistress Juna would think less of them due to their lack of education. However, she doubted that the headmistress had any interest in the history and legends of Rohan. Knowledge of simple mathematics was a far more practical skill.

Juna used a stylus to make some notes upon a wax tablet. "It is a shame that neither of you can write in the Rohirric language, for the Tower is always in need of translators to decipher intercepted messages from the enemy. I see that you both are fluent in Westron, however."

"Our village was close to the Gondorian border," Elffled explained, thankful that neither she nor her sister knew how to write in Rorhirric. While she had accepted her fate as a slave of Mordor, she did not want to do anything that would actively harm her people. "Many of the folk who hail from that part of the Eastfold speak both languages."

"I understand that Black Speech is the tongue spoken in this realm. Over the course of the journey, we were taught some basic words and phrases in both Black Speech and Haradric." Elfhild was sickened by the thought of aiding Mordor in the defeat of Rohan, but she dared not make a show of defiance. Instead, she attempted to divert the conversation away from further discussion of the Rohirric language.

"Indeed, Black Speech is the official language of Mordor, although Westron is also spoken. You will find that knowledge of even a few words in Black Speech will be a great boon in your studies." Mistress Juna scratched a few notes on her tablet. "Were you proficient at any trade in your homeland?"

"My sister and I come from a long line of farmers, so we are quite skilled in taking care of animals and tending to gardens," Elfhild replied, a note of pride in her voice. Even though she was just a peasant, she still felt a sense of worth when she considered what she did know. Perhaps she even knew more about farming than the headmistress did!

"We can also sew, weave, and embroider," Elffled added. Although these were common skills, she hoped that the headmistress would approve. A slave's happiness depended upon keeping her superiors happy, and Elffled was determined to make the best of a bad situation.

Mistress Juna seemed pleased with their responses. "The workshop here at the School of Industry is always in need of hands to weave upon the looms and stitch upon the embroidery frames. Given your backgrounds as peasants, I assume that you have a variety of practical skills, such as management of a household, care of children, cooking, and gardening?" When the twins nodded in affirmation, the headmistress wrote down some more notes. "Do you have any experience in the concoction of herbal cures and remedies?"

"There was always a section in our garden that was devoted to plants with healing properties." Elffled remembered her mother's herb garden, and how she and Elfhild would help keep it free from weeds during the growing season. When it came harvest time, they would hang the cut plants from the rafters in their home to dry. "We would make salves from yarrow and lard to stanch the blood of cuts; comfrey poultices for bruises; and garlic tea for colds."

"Our grandmother knew much about medicinal plants, and she taught these skills to our mother and then to us," Elfhild remarked. "She also taught us how to make dyes for yarn and the various types of mordants needed to fix the colors. She obtained much of her knowledge of dyes from a friend she had made in her youth, an older woman who had been the daughter of a wealthy dye merchant from Gondor."

"Excellent," Mistress Juna remarked, furiously scribbling on her tablet. "Students take turns working in the kitchen and infirmary, but those who have previous experience with cooking or the healing arts are preferred for these roles." She paused for a moment, studying all that she had written down, before resuming her inquiries. "Now do either of you have any experience in the arts? Do you have any talent in painting, singing, playing musical instruments, dancing, storytelling, or the theatre?"

"I have some experience with painting," Elffled admitted shyly. "I would decorate the beams and door frames of our house with simple designs, and sometimes I would paint little pictures on the walls. They were but simple drawings, though, not the work of a master artist." Uncomfortable at having revealed something so personal about herself, she shifted uncomfortably and averted her gaze, her cheeks flushing pink.

"You could say I have dabbled some in acting." Elfhild recalled her captivity among the goblins of Kafakudraûg Cavern, and how she had been forced to pretend that she was a gibbering madwoman just to survive. The goblins had believed her ruse, so perhaps she did have a talent for the theatrical arts. "Though I have not performed for many crowds, the ones I have performed for were… challenging, to say the least."

After recording this new information on her tablet, Mistress Juna addressed the twins. "The School of Industry offers classes in art, music, dance, and theatre. During your time here, you will be able to explore a variety of disciplines to determine where your true talents lie. In the morrow, I shall take you and the other new students on a tour of the school so that you might meet your new instructors." A troubled expression passed over Juna's face, and her brow furrowed into many fine lines. "I fear that your arrival has come at a difficult time, however. Three days ago, the Teacher of the Novices passed away from a sudden illness, and there has not been time to secure a new instructor. Our treasurer has volunteered to take the position until a new teacher can be found."

Elfhild was uncertain how to reply, but she felt compelled to say something comforting. "I am sorry to hear of your loss, Mistress." Beside her, Elffled nodded and echoed the same sentiment.

The headmistress gave them a sad smile. "Mistress Miral's death has been a devastating loss for us all, and we are still reeling from the unexpected tragedy." She fell silent in pensive reflection before a series of three loud cymbal-like clashes stirred her from her mournful reverie. "Ah, the dinner gong has been rung; the supper hour is upon us. Come, let us return to the great hall."

As Elfhild and Elffled followed Mistress Juna from the room, they watched as dozens of students poured through a door located in the opposite end of the hall. The chamber, which had previously been so quiet, was suddenly filled with laughter and conversation as students took their places around the communal tables. The headmistress and her assistant led the small procession of Rohirric girls up the central aisle between the two rows of tables, assigning each newcomer to a seat amongst strangers. Out of all the Rohirric captives, only Elfhild and Elffled were permitted to sit together; the rest were dispersed around the hall. The thought came to Elfhild's mind that perhaps the headmistress wanted to keep captives from enemy lands separated so that it would be less likely that they would plot some mischief.

"Nurma, Rufina, I want you to meet Hild and Fleda, two of the new arrivals from Rohan," Headmistress Juna announced as she escorted the twins to one of the less crowded tables. "Make them feel at ease and give them a warm welcome." Turning to the twins, she added, "Rufina is a novice just the same as you two, and Nurma is an experienced apprentice who can answer any of your questions about the school. Now my duties call me elsewhere."

Elfhild and Elffled noticed that the two girls were dressed in a similar fashion as the other students in the great hall. They both wore identical fitted caftan dresses with elbow-length bell sleeves, but Rufina's caftan was saffron yellow with summery green trim down the front of the bodice and upon the hem, while Nurma's vestments were green with yellow trim. The outer dresses buttoned down the front and split apart at hip length, revealing the cream-colored chemise that both girls wore beneath. A section of the chemise also peaked out from the neckline of the caftans, which were cut in a deep vee. Upon the left breast of each gown had been embroidered the emblem of the School of Industry in contrasting thread. Around the girls' waists were narrow sashes, green for Rufina and yellow for Nurma.

After bidding farewell to the headmistress and her assistant, Nurma turned to the twins, who had just sat down across from Rufina and her. "Welcome to the School of Industry," she smiled. "Although I know that the two of you must miss your homeland, I hope that you can find some happiness here. Many of the students originally hailed from other lands just like you, and have endured the same sorts of hardships on the long journey to Nurn." A young woman in her early twenties, Nurma was somewhat plain, but pleasant in appearance. She was slightly plump and of average height, with dark brown hair that was thick and wavy, light brown skin, and wide brown eyes accented by smudged black eyeliner. Her round face bore a friendly expression, and she smiled warmly at the twins.

Rufina nodded in agreement with Nurma's sympathetic words. "When I was first brought here from the North, I was so frightened and alone, but everyone was so kind to me and made me feel at home." Rufina was several years younger than Nurma, although her delicate frame and short stature made her appear even younger. The slender, diminutive maid had peach colored skin, eyes as blue as the sky, and hair of flamboyant red that fell in sanguine cascades to her knees. Elfhild and Elffled were in awe of her beauty, for it seemed too brilliant to be natural. Perhaps she was a captured elf from the Northern forests? No, she could not be an elf, for her ears were too round, and everyone knew that elves had pointed ears.

"How long have the two of you dwelt here – at the School of Industry?" Elfhild inquired. These two girls seemed friendly enough, and she wanted to make a good impression.

"The School of Industry has been my home for almost a year," Rufina replied, a note of pride in her voice. "While some of the subjects can be challenging to master, you learn many things."

"This will be my sixth year at the school, although perhaps I will be given the opportunity to stay longer as an assistant to the Mistress of Textile Arts." Nurma's dark eyes shone with a quiet hope, and she smiled softly to herself, obviously imagining the future she desired. "I have been helping out in the workshop for quite some time, although my position is more of an informal one. If I become an assistant, however, I will be paid wages for the work I do, and eventually I would be able to save up enough to buy my freedom."

Elffled noted that both girls spoke in dramatically different accents, and she wondered how they came to live at the school. "Were you both born in Nurn?" she asked shyly.

"I was," Nurma replied. "I grew up on one of the largest estates in all of the Western Province. From a young age, I was taught weaving, sewing, and embroidery, and when I was older and it was found that I had talent in these skills, I was sold to the House of Huzziya." Noticing the uncertainty upon the twins' faces, she elaborated further. "You might wonder why the lord and lady were willing to part with a skilled laborer. You see, the House of Huzziya pays a bounty for slaves with exceptional abilities, and there are many who wish to curry favor with one of Mordor's most influential slave traders."

"I hail from Western Rhûn, a land far to the north of here." A wistful expression came over Rufina's face, and the ethereal beauty sighed plaintively as she reminisced upon her past. "My town lay along the Plains River, halfway between the Ash Mountains and the Sea of Rhûn. Oh, it was a wonderous place with its high wooden walls and tall townhouses." Her voice halted, and her eyes filled with sadness. "I wonder if there is anything left of it."

At that moment, two students sashayed down the row between the tables, carrying platters heavily laden with food. As they set a gallimaufry of delicious looking dishes upon the table, the girls exchanged a few friendly words with Nurma and Rufina before continuing down the row. Both Elfhild and Elffled wondered what Rufina had been about to say regarding her hometown back in Rhûn, but they were too distracted by the arrival of the food to continue the conversation. The main dish was grilled fish seasoned with citrus and herbs and served with warm flatbread, roasted vegetables, and a couscous salad made with cucumbers, olives, and cheese. While the twins had the pleasure of dining upon fresh vegetables at the Oasis of the Solitary Cedar, this was the first time that they had been able to enjoy fresh fish since they lived in Rohan.

"Here at the School of Industry, students take turns working in the kitchen and serving food," Nurma explained as they ate. "Unlike in Shakh Esarhaddon's household, there are no servants here, and we all take turns cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, serving in the bathhouse, tending to the garden, and doing other chores. Sometimes we even work in the Master's house as well, usually laboring in the service of his wives." She paused for a moment, studying the twins. "If you have any questions about the school, I would be happy to answer them, if I may."

"There is one thing I am curious about," Elfhild admitted, no longer able to contain her inquisitive nature. "Why does everyone I see wear a white band tied about their arm?"

"In Mordor, white is the color of mourning," Nurma explained. "The white armbands signify one's grief for a loved one who has departed from this world. Perhaps you noticed the garlands of white cloth which adorn the entryway to this building, or that all the mirrors have been covered with gauze. The entire school is mourning the loss of Mistress Miral, the Teacher of Novices."

"Oh, poor Mistress Miral." Sighing mournfully, Rufina shook her head in utter dismay. "Death took her from us far too soon. I knew of her illness, but I never realized how bad it truly was until… until it was too late." Her voice faltered, and she swallowed to relieve the lump which had risen up in her throat.

"What was wrong with Mistress Miral?" Elfhild asked, feeling guilty for inadvertently bringing up such a sorrowful subject.

"Her condition was something of a… delicate matter, perhaps one not suited for discussion at the supper table." Nurma's gaze dropped to the meal spread out before them, and she appeared somewhat uncomfortable to discuss the topic at hand. "Without going into too many details, she suffered from chronic dyspepsia and frequent bouts of the flux. The severity of her condition came and went, however, and she would have periods of relief between episodes. That is one of the reasons why her death came as such an unexpected shock: because it had been months since she had last been ill, and it seemed that her condition might actually be improving."

"I volunteer in the infirmary, and I was with Mistress Miral during her last moments." Rufina's voice quavered with emotion, and it was obvious she was attempting to hold back tears. "Never have I seen anyone in so much agony, convulsing and coughing up bloody froth. Oh, it was horrible! I can still hear her screams of pain in my nightmares." Clutching her napkin with trembling fingers, Rufina buried her face into the cloth and sobbed loudly. Murmuring soft words of comfort, Nurma patted her on the back.

Elffled felt her eyes well up with tears as she experienced pangs of grief for a woman whom she had never known. "How terrible that ordeal must have been for you." She shook her head in empathetic sadness. "At least you were there to bring comfort to Mistress Miral in her final hours."

"I am so sorry for reminding you both of this tragedy," Elfhild apologized, her cheeks hot with embarrassment. She felt lower than a worm inching along on the ground.

"Do not be sorry," Rufina admonished with a tremulous smile as she wiped her eyes with the napkin. "You were only curious about your new home, and did not mean any harm."

"I heard that Master Guli will be assuming the role of Teacher of Novices," Nurma spoke up, attempting to relieve the gloom which had settled over the table by changing the subject to a more positive one.

"Oh, good, I like Master Guli." Rufina giggled softly, her voice raspy from weeping. "He tells such entertaining stories, and always carries a bag of candy to share with the students." Her eyes shining with excitement, she turned to address the twins. "Hild and Fleda, I think you will enjoy having Master Guli as a teacher. I know I certainly will!"

As they dined upon grilled fish and roasted vegetables, Elfhild and Elffled listened with rapt attention to Nurma and Rufina as they shared their knowledge of the School of Industry. The twins felt overwhelmed by all the references to unfamiliar people and places, but they did appreciate the efforts that Nurma and Rufina were taking to make them feel welcome in their new home. Perhaps their lives at the School of Industry would not be so bad after all.