Chapter 34
"Aleen's massive tits! Fuck no!" Gerb cursed loudly causing Zechariah to squirm.
"Gerb, think about it." Zechariah pleaded.
"Absolutely not!" Gerb said tossing his pack down to the ground. Sitting with a heavy thump he went about unpacking his bed roll as the evening dusk faded and the gloom of night crept in, the campfires eagerly fighting back the night. "I will not sell myself into slavery. Especially to a fucking noble!"
"Not all nobles are the same Gerb." Zechariah said in exasperation.
"Oh? And you know this how?" Gerb asked sardonically. "Tell me again how many noble dicks you've sucked off to know the difference between the good and bad dicks?" Gerb flung his blanket open and begun to lay it out, glaring up at Zechariah furiously. "You might have a hard on to be a noble's bitch boy but not me. I'm living as a freeman."
"You'll die a freeman before long you stubborn ass. You're really going to do that to your family? Show up on their doorstep, turn their lives upside down and then just die? You could live the rest of your life with your family this way, instead of just throwing it away!"
"They probaly don't even know me anymore. Or even want me in their lives or, even more probably, she remarried. No matter what the outcome, I'm not magically going to suddenly be part of their lives so I'd rather see them before my useless decrepit life gets the better of me and I hang my own useless ass. So there is no point to becoming a slave to save a sorry life that doesn't want to be saved."
"You're fucking pathetic you know that?" Zechariah said tossing his own pack to the ground on the other side of the campfire. "You want to go bugger your life in the ass go ahead and fucking do it. I don't know why the hell you're so opposed to even trying to make things work with your family especially as you don't even know what their situation is like, but whatever! It's clearly not my problem!" Zechariah threw his pack open, and quickly dusted off his feet and stripped down, climbing into his bedroll. "Far as I'm concerned, go ahead and hang. I'm done trying to save your sorry ass." Zechariah said putting his back to the fire and curling up in his bedding.
Around him, people gave them glances, but no one said anything. Some rolled their eyes, others scowled, other seven had the decency to look concerned. Whether Lelia heard them or not, Zechariah couldn't tell as her tent was already erected, guarded and she inside it. He hoped she didn't hear the crassness of his tongue but Gerb just got him so riled up sometimes.
Heavy sighing and grunting sounded as Gerb hopped and wiggled into his bed roll with difficulty, and through Zechariah's anger, he felt pity for the older man. He forgot sometimes, just how much Gerb had been through. His life, completely ruined, forced to do horrible things to survive, and now an amputee. He did have it hard. It was no wonder Gerb saught death, and Zechariah couldn't blame him. He had saught death for far less. All the same, he gritted his teeth, fighting down his emotions as he feared for his friend's life.
Quietly, in the growing silence of the night, Gerb sighed softly. "Truth is, I'm scared Zech." He paused as he waited for a reply from Zechariah, but none was forth coming. Sighing again, he rolled over, turning his back to the fire as well. "How can I trust her?" He asked to the darkness.
"You can't." Zechariah answered quietly. "But it at least gives you a chance at life. If things don't work out, you can always hang yourself later."
Gerb was silent for a long time, long enough for Zechariah to think he had dozed off or fallen asleep. Eventually, three words came barely audible over the crackling of the fire. "I trust you."
"Thank you." Zechariah said, and tucked himself in more securely to the bedroll, and drifting off into a fitful sleep.
"The property shall not own any personal belongings and may only carry what the owner permits. The property shall not poses any currency, though it can carry currency on the owner's behalf. The property shall not be subject to chivalry, but shall not be mistreated by others save on the owner's express permission. The property shall not travel beyond the settlement in which the owner resides unless carrying a writ of permit from the owner. The property shall not speak to others lest first spoken to or by permission of the owner."
"The property shall not piss without being watched by the owner." Gerb grumbled testily, interrupting Lelia. She frowned eyeing him as she rode next to him on their small cart. Zechariah walked beside her, as Gerb drove the horse onward.
"I mean, I'm not particularly fond of the idea but if that's what you need, I can add it to the writ. Would you like to add a section to do with your impotence as well?"
Zechariah gasped as he looked up at Lelia, who was pointedly ignoring him. Gerb on the other hand, turned his head slower than Zechariah thought possible. The expression on his gruff face priceless, as his eyes were raised in shock. Lelia simply sat, as politely petite as ever, picturesque. She did not quip further, or avert her eyes and even managed to avoid blushing for the most part. A grin slowly spread across Gerb's face, and he barked a laugh of disbelief. "Zech! Zech did you hear that? All from your noble's pretty lips!"
"His noble?" Lelia asked raising an eyebrow. "I believe in a few short moments, you both will be mine, and not the other way around."
Gerb's smile slowly faded, and he growled, turning back to face forward as his shoulder's slumped grumpily. "Yeah, thanks for reminding me."
Lelia looked away, ashamed. "I am sorry Gerb. I know you don't like us nobility and, I don't know what they are but you have your reasons I'm sure. But, perhaps one day you'll learn not to hate me. I'm not all that bad really."
"You're certainly a lot better looking than the last noble I met." Gerb said causing Lelia to perk up a bit, smiling. "Then again, I did rearrange his face something good before I made him kick the bucket. So not much of a comparison."
Lelia grimace but replied surely, "I'm sure he did something horrible to deserve it." She nodded firmly. "And, it's not like I'm making you do anything. I'm really just trying to help."
"Yeah, so you and Zech keep telling me." Gerb said before frowning and turning back towards her. "Well? What else does it say?" He asked nodding to the writ.
Lelia sat straighter and cleared her throat before continuing. "The property shall not reproduce without a writ from the owner."
"You actually added one about my supposed impotence." Gerb said scoffing.
"Not about your impotence." Lelia retorted before clearing her throat and continuing. "The property shall obey the owner in all things. The property shall work in whatever manner the owner sees fit." She said nodding to Zechariah. "The property is able to travel freely within the bounds of the law and obedience to their owner, within the settlement of residence. The property is unable to wed or be wedded save for in the case that a property's preexisting other, joins them under their owner." She said nodding to Gerb. "I'm afraid it isn't much but, it's the only chance I could include. Sorry."
Gerb simply grunted, and nodded his head. Lelia studied him for a moment before Zecharaih prompted her on.
"Anything else?" He asked simply.
November 13th, 2021
"Anything else?" He asked simply.
November 13th, 2021
"A few more things yes. 'Property is not permitted to obey the commandments of any other save for their owner, unless otherwise stated by said owner. The property is not permitted to take the life of another being in any form, even under command from their owner, including the lives of livestock. Accidental death at the hands of property shall be reviewed by the legal powers of the place of residence.'"
Lelia continued, "The signatures, both in ink and in blood upon this parchment shall seal the individual's fate, binding them to the owner, Lelia Sundman, henceforth for all eternity. From the day of signature until death, the individuals forfeits their freedoms as a citizen of Umar, and instead enters the service of Lelia Sundman as her property." She close the writ most of the way, eyeing Gerb and Zechariah anxiously, a few pearls of sweat forming on her brow.
"Is all that really necessary?" Zechariah asked looking up at her as they walked along.
"I'm afraid so, most of it is required by law for slaves. I've included a few points extra to permit some variations such as, Gerb's family may be permitted to enter my...to become slaves of mine if they choose. But otherwise, yes, I'm afraid it's all necessary."
Gerb clicked his tongue in anger and disgust. "Give it here." He said dropping the reigns and roughly snatching the writ from Lelia's fingers. He reached forward, ripping a splintering shard from the wood of the cart, and dug it into his thumb and pressed it firmly against the parchment, before tossing it back in Lelia's lap with a dismissive sniff.
Lelia looked down at the writ in her lap in shock as she saw Gerb's blood slowly drying and turning dark before her. "Here," Zechariah said climbing up onto the cart, standing on the side rail. "You'll have to sign for us I think, but I can add my mark." He said taking the splinter from Gerb. Using the other side, he pricked his thumb and added his mark to the parchment, handing it back and flicking the splinter off into the bushes at the side of the road. "That about does it right?" He said leaping back to the ground to walk. "We're...you're slaves now yeah?"
Lelia nodded. "Y-Yes... and... I know it might be hard," She said eyeing Gerb, "But at least in public, from here on out, you should probably refer to me as Mistress."
"And not in public?" Gerb asked grinning cruelly. "I can call you..."
"Mistress...is best...both in public and private I think." Zechariah said cutting Gerb off. "So as to help avoid us from slipping up." Zechariah said diplomatically though he blushed. It would take him some getting used to calling her 'Mistress'. Gerb scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Gerb?" Zechariah promted.
"Aye...Mistress...if that's what you desire." He said with venom in his voice.
"Good. And, again, I'm sorry. It's just formalities. Really." Lelia insisted again.
"Uhuh." Gerb grunted. "I guess we'll just have to wait and see." Gerb said, before rolling his eyes as he caught Zechariah's scowl. "I suppose we'll see, Mistress" He added.
"You'll see Gerb. It's going to be just fine. Now, Zechariah, fetch my carriage for me?" Lelia asked sweetly.
"Yes Mistress." Zechariah said, ears burning bright red as he jogged off to fetch the carriage and manservants who would help her get back into her comfort.
"Am I still allowed to talk freely? To you at least? I know, 'Property shall not speak without permission' or whatever." Gerb asked as Zechariah jogged off.
"Yes, unless otherwise informed, I give you express permission to speak to myself, or those in my employment without fear of reprisal. All others though, it probably is best you consult me first." Lelia said evenly.
Gerb smacked his lips, taking a swig of water before turning to face Lelia. "Just so we're clear, slave or not, you fuck me over or hurt him," He said gesturing to Zechariah who was busy relaying Lelia's message, "And I'll give you another hole to breath through. Then I'll fuck you through that hole. Got it?"
"What happened to you Gerb?" Lelia asked, trying to suppress a shudder of disgust.
Gerb growled and faced forward again, snapping the reigns to encourage the horse to keep pace with the caravan. "Pompous prick of a noble thought it would be fun to try his hand in the blood pits. Ended up dead in the ring. His father wasn't too pleased." He paused, thinking back on the hard memories that followed. In a tight voice he continued, "Wanted revenge. When I fled, he found my family and tortured them to death. My wife and kids well... I'm not actually married to them. Never had the money to afford a real wedding, so he never found them."
"I'm sorry Gerb." Lelia said slowly. "That's horrible. Who was it?"
"I don't know. Never found out. Next thing I knew I had the town guard busting in to my home placing me under arrest. I had a whole host of other...crimes... that they could hang me for, so at the time, I fought. I escaped. And, well...the rest isn't really relevant."
"I can't promise that I won't hurt you Gerb. I don't know what the future has in store for you or myself. But I can promise you that I shall avoid it to the best of my abilities. I do not wish you harm. Though you are about as friendly as a cactus."
Gerb laughed softly, a grin tugging at his lips. "We'll see." He said simply, as Zechariah came back with Lelia's man servants. The carriage had been pulled aside and was waiting for them as they pulled up along side it. Gerb reigned the horses in and Zechariah helped Lelia out of the cart and into her manservants arms. They gently and deftly deposited her upon her seat in the carriage.
"I hope you are able to find peace in our new arrangement. Please feel free to discuss things with me when I'm available." Lelia said as the manservants closed the door.
Gerb nodded and snapped the reigns bringing the cart back up to speed, as Zechariah bowed to her. "Thank you Mistress." He said, before jogging after Gerb and climbing up into the cart. The carriage quickly pulled up the front of the caravan, and resumed it's position as lead, while Gerb and Zechariah, the two new slaves, continued to follow along in the rear.
"Woah, easy." Zechariah said, pulling on the reigns gently to steady the horse who was nickering and prancing about anxiously, beginning to pull away from the caravan. "What's gotten into ya?" He asked annoyed. Gerb on the other hand, sat up straight up, head pivoting around as he searched for some kind of disturbance. "What's wrong? What's happening?" Zechariah asked noting Gerb's alert behavior.
"Dunno." Gerb said distractedly. "But, I generally follow that if a horse is spooked, I should be to." He said looking behind them before pointing sharply. "There. Just over that ridge."
Zechariah craned his neck to see where Gerb pointed. "The cloud of dust? Why is that spooking the horses?"
"I don't know. But somethings comes, and the wind comes from that direction to. Maybe something they smell. Hey!" Gerb shouted standing shakily on one leg as the cart continued to tumble along. "Hey! Over there!" Gerb said getting the guards attention and pointing to the dust closing in rapidly.
The captain quickly mounted his horse and lead it away from the carriage, riding towards Gerb. Lelia stuck her head out of the carriage window. "Captain! What's happnening?"
"Stay inside the carriage My Lady!" He commanded as he road to the rear of the caravan. Approach Zechariah's little cart he pulled up along side and asked, "What's happening? Report."
Gerb looked like he was going to give the captain lip, so Zechariah quickly jumped in, cutting him off. "I'm afraid I don't know sir. Horse just got skittish, and Gerb saw the cloud of dust. Might be nothing, might be bandits."
"Seem to be surrounded by them these days." The captain grumbled glaring at Gerb angrily. Gerb gave him a rude gesture and continued driving the horse onward.
The captain rounded up his troops and ordered a change in patrol. Two on the left most flank guarding their other side, one at the front, one at the back and five on the right hand side, the side facing the Turmoilt and the dust. He himself quickly rode up to inform Lelia as to the situation, and to reassure her not to worry as they were confident in their own arms. The caravan rode silently, and Zechariah saw many of the man servants arming themselves with various implements. A fire poker here, a cleaver there, a sturdy branch from the side of the road. They formed a small militia and dismounted the wagons, walking alongside, trying to look menacing. To Zechariah, they did look menacing but from the back of a warhorse, it was difficult to know if they posed any threat at all.
Soon, cresting the hill and outlined against the sky was a small squad of riders. Almost a score in total, and they barreled down the hill making a dead line straight for the caravan. Zechariah's hand went to his hip and felt for his sword, but realized he was unarmed. Frowning as his weapons had been prematurely confiscated due to his new role in slavery, he instead reached back into the cart and pulled up Gerb's crutch. Gerb raised an eyebrow at him, and Zechariah shrugged as he held it across his lap. "Better than nothing isn't it?"
"You break that, I'm breaking you. Got it?" Gerb said with a soft
November 14th, 2021
November 14th, 2021
growl. Zechariah would have rolled his eyes, but he couldn't suppress the growing anxiety as the horsemen approached. As they drew closer he felt his anxiety rising even further, for upon their tabard clothed armor, they bore the sigil of King Malik. He leaned over to Gerb grabbing the reigns from him. "Solders. Utharian soldiers. Get in the cart. Go!" Gerb cursed and turning around, clambered ungracefully into the cart and drew the cover up and over him.
"Isn't this the point of us being slaves though? Why I still gotta hide?" He grumbled.
"I don't know how things work...it's probably just best that we lay low for now." Zechariah explained.
"What about you? You're a deserter."
"Hopefully they won't know that yet. You on the other hand, have been wanted for a long time. So shut up and stay down." Zechariah snapped quickly as the caravan security rode out a short ways to meet the riders. The horsemen pulled up, and spoke with the captain of the guard, then both approached the caravan at a slow pace.
"By order of King Malik, placing Umar under martial law, all caravans and travelers must be searched upon approaching a patrolled settlement. Lady Sundman, halt your caravan and prepare to be searched." The horseman commander shouted in a loud bold voice. Slowly, the caravan came to a hault, and the horsemen began to surround the caravan. "All members of the caravan, please stand for inspection."
Lelia stuck her head out of the window, looking indignantly offended. "Watchman, sir, please present your papers to mineself before you go about harassing my people. And be sure, if the papers are not in order, you will be subject to the most severe scrutiny upon my return to Uthar."
"Line up!" The commander ordered, and several of his men dismounted and began to pull the caravan followers out of the wagons, and rounding up the others to form a line. Zechariah threw up his hood, and tried to keep his head down as he was roughly jostled into line following the others. The commander clicked his tongue and reigned his mount towards the carriage where from a saddlebag, he presented Lelia with a scroll. Lelia opened it, and sighed in resignation, handing the scroll back.
"I'm afraid that I and some of my followers are unable to stand for inspection, as we have been subject to some misfortune and injuries. However, search to your heart's content there is nothing out of order here."
"We'll see." The commander said bowing lightly to Lelia. "Thank you for your co-operation Lady Sundman." He dismounted his horse, and climbed up the carriage and opened the door, pushing his way inside.
"Excuse me!" Protested Lelia. "Sir, remove yourself from my carriage. There is no one else in here."
The commander ignored her at first, pulling open the seats to reveal the storage compartments below, knocking on the carriage floor and searching all around. "It's not just people we're inspecting My Lady. We have to make sure you aren't smuggling in any persons, contraband or weapons for the enemy."
"This is ridiculous." Lelia scoffed, turning her nose up at the commander. "You'll hear about this later when I return to the courts."
"From you?" The commander scoffed. "Not likely. From what I hear, you've got about as much power in the courts as you would have in my chambers."
Lelia flushed in embarrassment and rage. "You will remove yourself from my carriage immediately."
The commander held her gaze for a moment, and grinned. He seemed like he was about to say something before another horseman opened the door to the carriage. The new soldier spoke saying, "He's here Sir."
"Show me." The commander said turning and deftly leaping from the carriage his armor clanking as he hit the ground. He followed to the line, where Zechariah was being held at the point of a sword.
"This one here. See his hand? We also found that one hiding in the cart." The soldier said pointing to Gerb. "Both's got a bounty on their heads."
"Lady Lelia Sundman!" The commander grinned turning back to carriage. "Were you aware that you have fugitives in your company?"
Lelia stood upon her one good leg, holding on to the sides of the door as she stood, leading out and holding herself proudly. "Yes Commander. I am aware. They are however, my slaves. I have the writs here." She said presenting the leather bound scroll.
The commander scowled as a soldier took the writs and presented them to him. He turned them back over to Lelia. "This is ridiculous." He grumbled. "The one called Gerb is yours. This one however, he is wanted by the crown for high treason. We will take him off your hands and escort him to Uthar with due haste." The commander gestured, and two soldiers stepped forward grabbing Zechariah and escorting him over to their horses one soldier pulling a length of rope from his saddlebags.
"You will leave him be. As my slave he is exempt from execution, regardless of his crime!" Lelia exclaimed.
"Don't fight me on this Lady Sundman." He growled back at her. "That writ is not yet signed by his Excellency. As such it does not yet have legal authority to keep a criminal from my hands." He turned back to his men. "Bind him and saddle him."
"I said you will leave him be! A the writ requires the punishment to be determined by his Excellency but for ownership, as of the signing of this writ in blood, they are bound to their owner. They belong to me! Release him immediately!"
"Lelia...do not insist upon this. It will not go well for you and yours." The commander warned in a deep growl, his face twisting in anger.
"You will leave us in peace, or..."
"Or what Lady Sundman?" He glared at her with a sudden deep hatred, and rested his hand upon his sword. "You'll stop us? You don't have the strength to. You'll all die. She won't forgive Umar."
"What in the world..." Lelia began, but had no time to finish her sentence as it was at that moment, that something happened. Who struck first? Who gave the wrong look? Who sniffed at someone in the wrong manner? Zechariah never figured it out but one moment, there was nothing but growing tension as soldier and guard eyed each other suspiciously, all hands resting upon weapons. The next moment, like the snap of a bowstring, all weapons were drawn, and the clashing of steel and bellows of war rang out. Screams sounded as the peasantry ducked and ran for cover. Horses neighed as some were kicked into gallop to chase down the fleeing peasants.
"Kill him!" Bellowed the commander pointing, directly at Zechariah, who took the briefest moment of confusion as death descended upon them, to quickly duck down, and throw himself backward, ripping himself free from the hands of the soldiers who had momentarily looked about at the sudden and abrupt combat. Zechariah rolled head over heels, pushed himself off the ground and landed on his feet, planted wide, hands up before him in a defencsive stance. Thank Korvic for the lessons Nawfa had taught him.
The two soldiers drew their swords and descended upon Zechariah. They charged at him, and both swung but Zechariah took their momentum and ducked out of the way, deftly stepping in to one, striking at his throat and pushing him towards the other solider. Zechariah's heart raced as he narrowly avoided getting his kidneys sliced open, and his eyes were wide in fear but her stood his ground. The solder he punched in the throat coughed hoarsely as the other steadied him, then pushed him in Zechariah's direction. The coughing soldier stumbled then gained his feet, glaring Zechariah down, and they both advanced more cautiously this time. They tried to close the distance but Zechariah kept moving back, keeping out of reach. He hoped that they would overstep and extend themselves giving him another opportunity, but it seemed they had learned from their first mistake, and intended to either catch him, or wait for him to tire and stumble. And it was working.
Then the sound of hooves fast approaching drew Zechariah's attention, as the commander rode his horse, charging Zechariah down. "I said kill him!" He roared as he descended upon Zechariah. Riding about behind Zechariah, he rode him down slashing his sword at Zechariah. Zechariah threw himself out of the way of the sword, and twisted in the air, narrowly avoiding a second strike from one of the soldiers on foot. The twist threw him off balance and he went tumbling to the ground. He scrambled to his feet unsteadily, only to see a sword descending towards him.
Out of no where, a helmet came crashing into the side of the soldiers head, tossing him to his side. Zechariah stepped in, kicked the man in the back of the knees and, wrenching the sword form his hand sent him sprawling into the arms of his ally. Zechariah glanced briefly in the direction the helmet had come, and saw Gerb on the ground, his knee resting upon the neck of soldier who's face was turning purple, then blue, his helmet removed and used as Zechariah's salvation.
Zechariah moved backwards towards Gerb who also took up his slain foes sword, and stood, sword extended, one hand upon the cart to help steady him. The two soldiers who had been chasing Zechariah disengaged to mount up on their horses. Hoping deftly up onto their mounts, they road to flank their commander. All three pointed their swords at Zechariah and bellowed out a roar as they charged. Being on the receiving end of an angry warhorse is terrifying. Being before one who was ridden by a competent and angry noble with a sword is another. Much less three. Zechariah could only imagine what being trampled by a cavalry charge must be like.
Zechariah readied his weapon, and took a deep breath. Just at the right moment, he would try to leap past the final horse and out of harms way, hopefully cutting the horse in the process. He crouched low getting ready as he held the commander's fiery gaze. Then suddenly, the ground and air grew painfully cold. Zechariah felt as though he had been hit in the chest with as his lungs suddenly burned cold, and his breath fogged before his eyes. The grass grew fragile, and ice formed over everything. Suddenly, the horse's manes and tails, all of them, roared to life with fire. The horses screamed in terror as the rest of their hair began to catch fire and all at once, eighteen flaming horses threw their riders to the ground, and fled to their deaths in agony and fear.
Holding only the briefest of hesitation for the horror Zechariah had just witnessed, he leapt forward and thrust his sword through the neck of the first soldier, piercing his mail and hearing him cough and gurgle through the hole in his neck. Gerb threw himself at the other soldier, and though he couldn't quite get to the soldiers neck, he first buried his sword in the mans thigh, pinning him to the ground. As Gerb dragged himself forward, he quickly yanked the blade out, and stabbed it through the mans abdomen. Tears poured down his face in horror, as Gerb withdrew the sword again, and ran it through the mans heart.
The commander on the other hand, recovered faster than his men, and rolled to his knees. He tried to stand but Zechariah attacked swinging his sword at him furiously. Head, stab, side, he threw blow after blow. The captain rolled away and this time, got to his feat. Zechariah charged him slashing at him as aggressively as he could. Though the commander raised his sword to meet each of Zechariah's, he was being pressed back, unable to properly gain his footing. All at once, Gerb rolled over, and struck him across the back of the knees. Crying out the commander collapsed to his knees once more and, striking his sword to the side, Zechariah stepped in and kicked the commander over. He heard something tear in the commander's legs as he fell backwards and Gerb quickly was wrestling for control over his sword. The commander got Gerb in a headlock, and began to wrestle him to the ground, both men grunting furiously as the command pushed his blade forward towards Gerb. Zechariah quickly stepped in and kicked the commander in the side, causing the tip of the sword to be pressed into the ground, instead of into Gerb. Then Zechariah raised his sword, and stabbed it up under the commander's armor, burying the tip of his blade deep into the mans' stomach, liver and lung. He gasped in pain, eyes wide, before he coughed up blood onto Gerb's face. Gerb slammed his fist into the man's neck crushing his esophagus and he gurgled his last in agony, dying upon Gerb.
Zechariah kicked the commander's corpse off of Gerb and stood, ready, looking around him carefully. With each of them being dismounted, the soldiers were in disarray, and Lelia's guards had descended upon them in a fury, quickly slaying and dispatching most, while the few others suddenly found themselves in pain, on the ground in the midst of a gang of terrified citizens.
In short order, only a few minutes after things got violent, the violence was over, as Lelia's guards went around making sure to execute and put any who were still alive out of their agony. As they did so, the world slowly began to return to normal, the heat returning to the air and plants defrosting.
November 15th, 2021
November 15th, 2021
Zechariah relaxed, lowering the his blade and, taking a seat on the ground he leaned back against the cart as Gerb pulled himself up along side him, both panting heavily. Gerb wiped blood off his face and sighed deeply.
"Bastard ruined my clothes." Gerb grumbled trying to wipe some blood off of his garments in an effort of futility. "Guess I don't gotta worry about that now though. Lelia will pay for more eh?"
"Aye, I suppose she'll have to as we're no longer allowed to posess items or money. If she doesn't want to have soon have two naked slaves walking about, she'll have to buy us more clothes. Pretty sure the courts wouldn't look fondly on us otherwise." Zechariah said laughing more from relief at being alive than any actual mirth. HIs humor was cut short though as the trotting of hooves approached.
"What in the nine hells was that about?" Demanded the captain as he approached.
"I have no idea." Zechariah said looking up at the captain wearily. He was growing quite tired of everything falling apart around him and being blamed for it.
"Why did they want you dead? It is against the law to execute criminals, even deserters and traitors, without first having the method of execution decreed by his Excellency. So why then were they willing to break the law just to kill you?"
"I don't know!" Zechariah yelled getting thoroughly fed up. "If you ever figure it out do remember to inform me would you?" He added sarcastically.
"Captain!" Lelia called as she once again sprang from her carriage. "Secure the are and round up the bodies and bring the wounded to me."
The captain of the guard gave her a sharp salute and then bellowed to his men, "You heard her! Step to!" and the guards went about their gruesome task. Seven guards remained. Two had been fatally struck down in the skirmish and three others had been wounded leaving the captain and the three remaining guards on clean up detail. Zechariah sighed getting to his feet and begun to help drag the bodies over to a pile. In addition to the casualties of the guards, five had been slain and another four were grievously wounded. The tears and wailing soon followed and Zechariah found himself thankful that he knew none well for he did not wish to partake in their sorrow.
Lelia set about trying to treat the wounded as best she could, cleaning wounds and stitching them up though it was very difficult for her to do so with no triage center or equipment. No tables, or tools of the like to aid her. However Zechariah paused in his work and discovered a newfound and deep set appreciation for his new owner as, without hesitation and much struggle, she knelt in the dirt and treated her people, dragging herself through the lightly muddy ground to get from one patient to the next. She grimaced every now and then as the movement greatly pained her broken foot but with gritted teeth, she continued her labor. Zechariah glanced back to Gerb and was glad to see that he to was watching Lelia's toil, though it seemed to put a sour taste in his mouth if the frown he wore was any indication. He was determined not to like her based on the origin of her birth but Zechariah could see the respect for her forming in Gerb's eyes. Greatly so did Zechariah's respect for her grow for though the future confused him and rightly scared him, he felt reassured seeing the effort she put to the care of her own.
After the care was administered and the bodies colelcted, Lelia ordered the cargo in the cart emptied and moved to the wagons, and the corpses laid in the cart. Some concern for disease and rot was raised but Lelia insisted. Being only two day ride from Uthar, she reasoned that the decay shouldn't be too horrible by the time they arrived and she wanted the soldiers bodies inspected by a coroner before they were returned to their families for burial. A few days from Uthar? Already? The news baffled him. What had taken almost a cycle to traverse by caravan with Zaki had only taken them a little over two ports. It was an incredibly fast pace of travel, one which Zechariah struggled to grasp.
As Zechariah helped to load the last of the corpses into the wagons, Lelia waved him over as she was helped back into her carriage. Zechariah sighed, and dropped the leg he was holding before jogging over to the carriage. He almost climbed inside was suddenly aware of the gore on his garments and instead, wiping his hands on his pants, leaned into the carriage holding onto the rails. "Yes Mistress?" He said quietly, blushing as he said it, wondering if he would ever not blush when addressing Lelia in public.
"We might have a problem greater than we anticipated." Lelia said in a worried voice.
"Yes...Mistress. I'm afraid that I've cause and will cause more trouble to you than I am worth."
"None sense. Trouble yes, but if what I believe about you is true, it'll be far more trouble than this to make it greater than your worth. But, this is more trouble than I was yet prepared for. I am severely disturbed by their willingness to break the law as they did, and insist upon your execution. If that is the current conduct of the very soldiers of Umar, then I fear that we may not be able to enter the city with you openly. Not until I can get his Excellency to approve of the writs."
"You think all the guards will approach me with such hostility as these? Could these have been none more than corrupt patrols?" Zechariah reasoned hopefully.
"I do not know. I do not believe so. They mentioned that Gerb had a bounty and was worth much money. If they were corrupt as you say, why ignore the wealth of Gerb, over your execution?"
Zechariah frowned looking down. "I...I do not know Le...hmm...Mistress." Zechariah said stumbling over his words. "Why would anyone go so blatantly against a noble, simply for me. More so...how did they know me?" Zechariah said looking horrified as he looked up once again. "How did he know who I was? A message to Uthar might have included a description of myself but how would it have been that accurate that a patrol would immediately recognize me?"
Lelia furrowed her brow in concern, unconsciously rubbing her arm. "I know not. It is troubling indeed." She paused and looked up at him sharply. "You have not concealed yet more that I should know about?"
"No Mistress!" Zechariah exclaimed. "I mean, yes, there are things I haven't mentioned, for either lack of time or relevance, but I swear up my love of Aleen, I have nothing more with which to shine light upon this mystery."
She eyed him calculatingly for a long moment, and then sighed sitting back. "I believe you Zechariah. But it simply returns us to these questions with nothing more to puzzle out the truth. Why did they seek your demise? Perhaps it is something to do with the 'her' that the commander mentioned?"
"Her?" Zechariah asked. "I beg your pardon Mistress but I'm afraid I do not know of what you speak.
"Just before the commander attacked, he mentioned 'her', and something about 'her' not forgiving us?"
"'Her' not forgiving us? Zechariah repeated. He wracked his mind in confusion. "Nawfa?" He pondered out loud, deeply troubled.
"Nawfa? Who is this?" Lelia asked with intrigue.
"Nawfa was, one of the women whom traveled with me from Perdale. She is a Dustman, or rather, she is a Ghabar Rijali. We were...intimate...with one another, and her though her husband and I exchanged fists, we all parted on good terms. Or so I was led to believe. It could be that she is vengeful for some reason to which I am unaware, but it seems incomprehensible to me that it would be she."
"An abandoned lover and a slighted husband?" Lelia asked, scowling disapprovingly. "I did not take you for one to disgrace the sanctity of marriage."
"N-no Mistress!" Zechariah protested. "That is not at all what I intended to do. Indeed, the Ghabar Rijali are a people of many lovers and husbands and wives. Surely you know of this?"
Lelia hummed to herself in thought. "Yes, I do know of this. But I have yet had interaction with it. It...isn't something that is immediately relevant I suppose. You swear that you were led to believe these people do not take overly to the vows of matrimony?"
"It is not that they do not believe in the vows of Matrimony, but more that their understanding of matrimony is different. Loving another in their eyes, is less a breach of matrimony, and more a slight on their other lovers. By laying with me, Nawfa communicated to her husband, that he and her other husbands were not providing enough of something to her that she needed. So she saught it from another. Her husband and I had need to exchange hands to better understand each other, but once we had done so, we parted in peace, and I believe Nawfa is satisfied with events also. No Mistress, I do not believe it is she that the commander mentioned."
November 16th, 2021
November 16th, 2021
"I suppose that at least is a good sign." Lelia said still pondering things with a deep frown. "Any way, it is of no matter for now. Upon arrival in Uthar we will have the corpses inspected and try to solve this mystery. Until then, incase we have any more hostile patrols, I suggest we present you as a prisoner and I your captor and that it is I who seeks the honor of your execution. Hopefully then we can avoid any further hostilities upon the road."
"I think that sounds wise Mistress." Zechariah said reluctantly. "I defer to your judgement." Just as he was about to leave he paused turning back to her. "Mistress? I wanted to thank you for your protection. You not only saved my life, but the lives of many of your followers. Seeing how you care for your people...it is comforting ot know that I am in good hands."
"You're welcome Zechariah, though I believe congratulations are upon you as well for defending yourself so admirably, but more so, for slaying the commander. I both saw and heard how you handled yourself in the conflict."
Zechariah bowed to her, flushing at her praise. "Thank you Mistress." He said before stepping off the carriage and steadying himself for a long two days ride of retching stench.
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