<b>Re: The Magician's Apprentice (Leaquad, Qedesha, doom)</b><br/><br/>The peculiar English ability to simply ignore that which is displeasing, even though it's practically under one's nose, came to her aid. She appeared to not see the sailors, apparently taking an absorbing interest in the peeling paint on the otherwise featureless building across the grimy road. Her ears and cheeks however, blushing a red that challenged her hair for scarlet fury, belied her carefully affected poise.<br/><br/>It was ambition that spurred her on. The chance to grow, to learn, to expand the mind her fellow students had learned to respect, and to draw out new experiences... all of this had made her harass the Arch Magus with carefully penned letters, had brought her to this dark, potentially dangerous gathering, and now made her step through the inviting doorway and look about. The rising chill from the sea air and the rather frightening dog had certainly helped the decision as well.<br/><br/>She stood just inside the door, looking about with a healthy mixture of terror and, she was forced to admit, burning curiosity. The red-garbed women drew her eye and she regarded them with interest, with the carefully conditioned horror and pity of her society, and (admitted only to herself) a hint of envy. Their freedom, the control of their own destiny, and the ease with which they bantered with their potential customers... Tabitha wondered what it would be like to have such an open life.<br/><br/>The bruises on the women's bared arms and faces reduced part of that curiosity. It was a hard life. Most diseases brought from distant lands could be addressed quite simply, and pregnancy was of course easily controlled, but there was little to prevent the viciousness of drunken men. A corner of her mind still wondered what it would be like, under the control of a strong man, taken despite her desires, forced to degrade herself for the opportunity to eat. There was a thrill there, but one she buried quickly.