DAGGRA THE PROUD.
A short story by Heidi
Masrik is a vast country – exotic, hot and humid. It’s sprawling jungles and arid desert and slimy marshes made for a place that was exciting to explore. The mountains in the west formed a natural boundary to Masrik’s only neighbour - Sableland, on the Yeret continent.
The brown-skinned people varied in hue, with the lighter brown people dwelling in the east, south and central parts of the country, and the darker people dwelling in the central, west and north. There were also 2 islands to the north – the Wab and the Wib.
The Masrikki people are a beautiful race and haughty by nature, seeing themselves as better than other nations – just because they are Masrikki!. How unfortunate then, to be only half Masrikki, as Daggra was. He was the offspring of a foreign visiting merchant and a Masrikki prostitute. Unwanted, sold as a baby, he grew up in the household of a retired army officer. But NOT as a son, nor even a foster-son, but as a slave. Because his skin was white, and his features were so foreign, betraying his ‘inferior’ blood. So he was a slave. An inferior person. A non-person.
Life wasn’t terrible for Daggra, but he made it difficult for himself with his evil temper and boasting of his Masrikki blood. The other slaves found him obnoxious. Many of them were prisoners-of-war, lawbreakers or unfortunates kidnapped by pirates. The overseer – a freedman called Gorris disliked him too, and gave him the most horrible jobs to do, like emptying the bed-pans, shovelling manure onto the flowerbeds, or worse! Massaging his master’s back. Seem reasonable?. Not when he was a hugely fat, sweaty man with pus spots and body odour that could knock a horse out! And there were the toe nails to clip – those feet!. But let’s not go there. The story begins when a new slave arrived.
CHAPTER TWO
“It’s good to see you, Rollo ! It’s been too long!” exclaimed Sharrog ( Daggra’s master ) as he greeted his long-time friend , also a retired officer. With Felbert came his most trusted slave, Felbert.
Rollo was shown to his room in the guest wing where he would be sleeping for the next few nights during his visit. Once a year he visited Sharrog, but one would wonder how the 2 ever became friends in the first place, so different were they in personality and opinion.
Now it happened there was a spare mat next to Daggra in the slaves dormitory, and this would be where Felbert would sleep. The others warned him about Daggra….
“Daggra has become a favourite with our master, through personal grooming that he does for him. We know that he does it with gritted teeth, but he takes his time to do the best job of it, (we rush it ), and he even offered – OFFERED! – to pick the spots that our master can’t reach for himself – urgh!” said one.
“Yes, he ingratiated himself because he covets the overseer’s position. Gorris is getting old and we know what Daggra plans. Our lives will be made hell if he takes Gorris’ job.”
Felbert wondered if these slaves would have spoken so freely if they realised that Felbert already knew Daggra….
“Felbert!” Daggra was surprised to see his old friend. Felbert had served in Sharrog’s household 12 years ago. He had been 24 then. Daggra had arrived at the same time but was 12 years younger. Felbert had served on a Eastlander merchant ship, but the small fleet had been driven aground onto Masrikki shores by a storm. A few years ago, Sharrog had given Felbert as a gift to his friend when he replaced him with a younger man. But now, here he was with the friend he knew well. At least he thought he knew…
“Daggra, it’s good to see you. How have things been?”
“Good. I hope to replace Gorris when his time is up. I hope I won’t have to wait too long”.
“Really? That’s like wishing Gorris’ life away”.
“Well, he’s had a good run at things. Got to have new blood sooner or later”.
“I wouldn’t say he’s had a ‘good run at things’. His village was raided by pirates, he and his sister were dragged off and separated – never to see home or family again. And don’t forget when Sharrog was a younger and fitter man he would flog anyone who upset him. You should see Gorris’ back. No, I wouldn’t say Gorris has had it good”.
“Yeah, okay then,” said Daggra, feeling a bit put out by Felbert’s considerations. “but it’ll pay off. In fact it already is in some ways”.
“Like how?”
“I get longer breaks, more food and occasionally my pick of the women slaves…” he made a lewd gesture to what that comment involved, expecting Felbert to laugh. But when it didn’t happen he began to wonder if this really was the friend he once knew.
“What’s wrong with you?! Why that face?” asked Daggra.
“Surely I don’t have to spell it out for you? Have you NO SHAME?!”
Daggra was becoming annoyed but also confused. What was going on here?
“Hey! Is this the same friend I’ve known for twelve years or are you just a look-alike? What’s with having a go at me?!”
Felbert knew his friend was getting angry but he pressed on.
“Man – listen to yourself!, I mean REALLY listen.It isn’t I who have changed, but you. The Daggra I remember was considerate and kind to others. He knew what it was like to be a ‘non-person’, a nobody. What I see is a hard-hearted ambitious man who’ll climb as far as he can go on this dunghill of a life. Earlier you told me that you would do anything, whatever the cost – do you know exactly what that cost is?”
Daggra sat incredulously , holding his anger in check out of respect for Felbert.
“What is the cost?” he asked with mounting dread.
“You’re climbing over other people, you tread on them and when you’ll get to the top, you’ll find it’s lonely there. And why?. Because you haven’t any friends, no real support and a lot of people who will gladly topple you off from that top position. The cost?. Your soul. Any friendship, sense of decency, fairness, truth and mercy will have long gone from you. I can already see that happening. And once you get to the top, you’ll have to be even more ruthless, even more of a user just to stay there.”
Daggra was stricken by these words. Felbert could see he was getting through, so he drove the point home…
“Dag, you’ve got a heartin there that is good, but you’re killing it by serving another master”.
“Another? I only serve Sharrog”. “No. You serve selfish ambition – greed, and behind greed is the evil one.
Turn to the Good God Of The Generous Hand, Dag! He’ll set your heart free from all the hurts and resentments that make you stoop so low. He’ll adopt you as a son. Spiritually, you’ll be a somebody, and God will be your father. But it’s going to cost you the plans you have.”
Daggra’s heart was convinced, letting out a sigh, he admitted Felbert was right. Days later when Rollo and Felbert were gone, everyone saw a change in Daggra, except Sharrog, because Daggra kept up the effort, but without hidden motives.
The days turned to weeks, the weeks turned to months and the months and then a few years passed by. Daggra was consistent in his change. And in time he won friends and respect. And finally when Gorris passed away, Daggra was freed and retained as a servant, becoming the new overseer, but one who was kind, fair and considerate and sharing the good news about the God who cares and is the father of all – even the non-person.
THE END
