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Forgiveness :Trade:

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Jasmine Vex wandered through the palm grove that surrounded the small oasis. In her hand she carried a woven basket, half full of dates she had picked. Jasmine was lucky in a way. Her role as the Pharaoh's personal chef allowed her a degree of freedom to do what was necessary to fulfill her tasks. However, despite being a 'free-slave', she still had certain restrictions. The tall dark asp guard that shadowed her movements was proof of that. It was the guard's duty to make sure she didn't try to run away. The guard, Kumult, paused and smiled at her. Out of all the Pharaoh's guards, he had always been the one who showed the most kindness and respect to the slaves. Jasmine smiled back at him and continued her harvest. She paused by a small palm and looked up. It bore a rich cluster of dates, and the cobra reached up to pick them. Suddenly a sharp pain lanced down her back, causing Jasmine to gasp and drop her basket. Just as she dropped to her knees, a strong pair of hands gripped her arms from behind, supporting her, and Kumult's deep voice spoke out.
"What happened?"
Jasmine shook her head.
"It's nothing," she replied. "I'm alright."
Kumult frowned, seeing through her lie.
"It's bothering you again, isn't it?" he hissed.
Before Jasmine could reply, Kumult undid her robe, slipping it from her shoulders to reveal the ugly scar that marred her back. Gently he traced a finger along the wound.
"You haven't been moisturizing it, have you?" Kumult said. "You need to keep rubbing salve into it to make sure the scar tissue remains supple."
Kumult removed a small clay jar he kept on his belt and scooped out a glob of ointment, massaging it into the scar on Jasmine's back. Once he was finished, the asp held onto her shoulders in an almost tender way.
"Jasmine," he hissed, breaking protocol by using her first name. "I'm sorry."
The scar the cobra bore was a source of shame for the guard. It had been Kumult who was chosen to inflict the punishment on her that wounded her so. Jasmine twisted in his grip, turning around to face him. She pulled up her robe, slipping it back into place, and smiled softly.
"For what?" she asked.
"For the pain I caused you."
Jasmine blushed slightly at Kumult's concern. To have a palace guard worry about her, a lowly slave, was uncommon.
"Do not worry yourself," Jasmine said. "It is only pain of the flesh. And that is something I can endure."
"But I should have done something," Kumult contended. "I could have refused."
"And then what?" Jasmine retorted. "You would have been stripped of your position, and flogged. And I would still have been punished for my crimes."
Jasmine pulled free from Kumult's arms, and picked up her basket.
"My dear, Kumult," Jasmine said softly. "You are a kind, gentle man, but you are far to hard on yourself. I forgave you a long time ago. It is time you forgave yourself."
With that, Jasmine headed of to gather up more dates, leaving the asp alone with his thoughts. He watched as Jasmine worked, and smiled. Her capacity for forgiveness was amazing to behold. She was truly a gift from the Gods...


My part of a blind trade with :iconsonicinterface:
His part: lizardman22.deviantart.com/art…


Kumult belongs to (if he wants) :iconsonicinterface: and I

Jasmine belongs to :iconsonicinterface:
Image size
800x1155px 965.58 KB
Date Taken
Aug 7, 2014, 8:34:51 PM
© 2014 - 2024 lizardman22
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sonicinterface's avatar
Jasmine again?  I can't say I expected that.  I suppose you decided it was time her setting got some development.

Not that I can find fault with this.  Nice job, as usual.