"Sir...if you would let me help..."
In a lavish bedroom, two people were staring with equally awkward faces. One stood in the doorframe, light sweat dripping from her face. Focused on the gentlemen before her, she was clearly unsure what to do, as she fidgeted from time to time, leaning forward as if to take a step, but stopping at the last moment, remaining where she was.
"Don't worry, I've got this. You can go ahead if you want. I'll follow soon." The man spoke, a slight tremble in his voice.
He was standing in front of the bed, and even while he talked his eyes didn't stray from the lump of cloth before him.
The only thing he wore at the moment were a pair of strangely big pair of boxers, possibly made out of hemp. His shame, at the fact that he was half naked in front of a stranger, was long gone, as he concentrated on the task at hand: Getting dressed.
And while Ray was familiar with putting on a T-shirt and some sweat pants, the attire of Aristocrats was a bit more complicated to don. When he woke up, the clothes had been laid out and a maid dispatched to help him dress. All he had to do was let her do her work and enjoy the process, but unfortunately, his pride got in the way of his bliss. Feeling weirded out by the prospect of someone else dressing him, like a small child, Ray refused the help and confidently stated he could do something, as simple as this, himself.
'Shit! Why are there so many pieces to a damn suit?!'
The deadlock between Ray and his clothes continued for a while longer, until a male servant entered the room, informing him of the Count's wish to see him now.
Maid and Master sprung up alike, cooperating with astonishing synergy to dress him up.
Before he left, Ray caught a glimpse of himself in a silverware mirror. He had to admit: all the effort had paid off. He looked a lot more presentable than even in his best clothes from back home.
All in black and grey, a long coat over a set-up of a vest and plain bottomed up shirt. Tight rider pants and boots finished his look.
...
The servant and maid were already walking down the hallway outside Ray's room, so he hurried along, lest he got lost. It still felt strange to him to be this relaxed inside 'enemy territory', but since he didnˋt sleep in a dungeon or prison cell, he assumed he was safe...for now.
After the encounter with the Duke and his guest the Count, Ray was basically ignored by the two of them. As they had left and the audience had stood up, he was brought into the central building by a servant, yet before anyone had the chance to ask him any questions. A long bath and a hefty dinner later, he slipped into silk pajamas and slept like a baby until morning. He planned to be only half asleep, remain vigilant the whole night. But the touch of a comfy bed was all that it took to destroy his scheme.
Now, reinvigorated and refreshed, he was about to meet one of the very first people he had encountered in this new world: Count Selwin. Ray's memory of him was quite vivid, despite the brief meeting. The impression of a cold, calculative and cruel person had imprinted itself deeply within his mind.
It had been a while since they left the bedroom, but the hallway just didn't seem to end. Room after room they passed, each looking the same from the outside. Ray wondered how the servants orientated themselves in this strange maze but shrugged it off as another unsolved mystery of this 'Wonderland'.
Eventually, they came to a stop, maid and servant lining up next to the door, the head slightly lowered. It was obvious what they wanted to indicate, but Ray didn't think he would have to go alone into the room. No knocking or announcement. Not even a small explanation about what he was expected to do.
And despite his ambiguous status, he was quite upset about this. After all, he had shared a morning with this maid. Wasn't that worth something?
But as his internal complaint went unnoticed, he was forced to tackle the issue himself. Putting his hands on the doorknob, he slowly opened 'Hells Gate'. He expected a high pitched creaking sound, followed by a dark lit room filled with severed heads or a satanic ritual. Instead, a huge dining room, with passage to a balcony, greeted him. The Count sat at a small table, looking over the training field, drinking tea, occasionally nibbling on pastry. Although he must have heard Ray coming in, he didn't as much as turn his head or acknowledge him in any other way.
Ray didn't want to come off as unconfident or indecisive, so he walked right up to Selwin and imitated the salute he had seen when he first arrived at the city gates.
A small smirk came upon the Count's face, although Ray didn't know whether it was a mocking or an amused one. As always Selwins facial expression was an enigma for him.
And as much as Ray enjoyed their silent conversation, he didn't want to talk to the Count like a subordinate.
"May I sit?" he asked.
A few seconds passed and the only noise breaking the silence were the shouts of the soldiers down in the courtyard, and Selwin slurping his tea.
Taking this quiet as an answer, Ray sat down across the Count, looking him straight into the eyes.
Ray's action would have been unacceptable in medieval times on earth and going by his previous encounters probably not appropriate here either, but he had already decided to be more aggressive in his behavior, so he delivered.
With a light sound, Selwin put his cup down and looked directly at Ray for the first time.
"Before you ask anything," He said, "Your friends are safe."
"They are?"
Ray's eyes widened. Not only had they survived the enemy attack, but they also weren't punished for attempted flight? He couldn't believe it.
If he had learned one thing about this world than that everyone was an absolute as*hole and those that weren't were just well-disguised liars.
To be shown such mercy from those people was unbelievable to him.
Under Ray's questioning gaze, Selwin eventually gave in.
He shrugged his shoulders and said, "Well...relatively."
"We obviously couldn't let them go, and the next best thing we had on hand was a sword..."
Saying so far, the Count made a rather lengthy pause and started drinking tea again. Ray was already sweating, his fists clenched. He knew they weren't dead, but there were a lot worse things the soldiers could have done to them.
'Sadistic c*nt.'
As far as Ray saw it, Selwin was simply enjoying toying with him. He knew Ray couldn't get the answers he desired so desperately from anywhere else and the agony delaying those brought him.
While he thought of a snarky remark to comeback, the Count finally continued his narration.
"Of course you have nothing to worry about. Something as barbaric as slaughtering prisoners isn't the way of Aristocracy."
He took another sip of tea saying, "So we sold them."
Ray's vision went white. He had suspected something like this, but hearing it directly from the source still had a profound impact on him.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath. At least he now knew for sure what happened to his friends, making it a lot easier to formulate a plan, if he wanted to rescue them.
Calmed down he refocused on Selwin. For a man who just spoke about selling people into slavery, he was entirely undisturbed...not even bothered. The difference in moral values was remarkable.
...
"If I remember correctly, it was you who wanted to kill us on our first meeting. I wonder when you remembered those Noble values?" Ray said.
Selwin's hand flinched ever so slightly, but his smile didn't falter. He leaned back into his chair, seemingly looking down on Ray he said,
"Things...changed. But you don't need to know anymore. After all, I didn't call you here to answer your queries."
A slight chuckle escaped the Count's lips.
"Besides, using them to make up for the War expenses seems like a worthwhile investment."
'What a prick' Ray thought to himself. From his mocking smile to keeping him on the toes, and now this blatant provocation. Ray slowly became to suspect the Count only didn't sell him off yet just to make fun of him.
"But enough small talk" Selwin said, "I imagine you are wondering why you haven't been subject to the same treatment as your friends."
Ray leaned back, similarly to Selwin and intercrossed his fingers. With an, over the top posh accent, he said, "Isn't it because I still have value for you? As I see it, the reason you wanted to have us killed in the first place, was to prevent that burly Baron from taking us to the King. It was quite obvious that you two belong to opposing factions. And although I don't know what agreement you have reached with him to have the others sold, now that you found me, one who wasn't part of that agreement, you want to use me against them, in whatever manner. Aren't I right Lord Count."
Silence followed. For the first time, the Counts expression changed in a significant manner. Even the smile he always wore became a gaping mouth.
Only after about half a minute did Selwin's face return to normal. His smile though wasn't as calm and collected, but more one of excitement.
"What an interesting accent! I have never heard it before! Do it again!" he shouted.
This time around it was Ray's turn to be surprised. What was intended to be mocking, turned into a delight for the Count.
And although Selwin didn't seem bothered to have shown such new, childish, side of him, Ray was quite disturbed. The previous impression he had of the Count wholly destroyed.
Ray stood up, slammed his hands onto the table and shouted in indignation. "Lord Selwin, I hope you are taking this seriously. Whatever it is you need me for, I have no intention of selling myself for cheap! Although I may not be an Aristocrat, I demand certain respect in negotiations!"
Already calmed down from his initial excitement, the Count was staring at Ray with his usual smug look. An eyebrow raised was all that remained to remind of his childish outburst.
"Young man,...you are right. Aristocrat or not, in trade all parties are equal. Whether merchant, peasant, nobility... or even royalty, one shouldnˋt underestimate anyone; else you could only blame yourself for loosing out. But...who told you this was some kind of negotiation?"
Selwin raised his cup but noticed quickly it was as good as empty. Instead of drinking the rest, he swirled the content, seemingly focusing entirely on playing with his beverage.
"The reason I didn't speak to you as an equal, even when you explained my 'predicament' so eloquently, is because I'm not asking you to do something...I'm merely informing you about what you are going to do."
Ray slumped into his seat. Arrogance. It was the word that danced inside his head while looking at his disputant.
The Pride ingrained into his bones. The Confidence in his every word. The Arrogance seeping out of his very being.
Selwin was acting like he was on an entirely different plane of existence. A step above everyone else.
To Ray such behavior and mindset were perplexing. He had met many strange characters over the last few days, but Selwin was in a league of his own. Whether he was self-aware or oblivious didn't even matter. He had the status and power to behave in whatever way he wanted, without any repercussions.
The gears in Ray's mind turned and twisted. He had to come up with something. Fast. At this rate what happened in the forest would just repeat itself.
He didn't want to be backed against a corner anymore. Helplessly hanging on a thread as those stronger than him decided over his fate.
Right now all he had was a vague idea of what was going on behind the scenes of those of Nobility, but using that as a card against Selwin seemed like a far fetched idea.
Once again he had no other choice than to gamble his life.
"Lord Selwin, what you say is true. Right now I don't have the means or standing to negotiate with you. But I wonder...does the same apply to, let's say, the baron too?"
Squinting, the Count's eyes moved from his cup away, once again staring at Ray. His tone lower than ever before he said, "...You want to threaten me?"
An expression of shock settled on Ray's face. As if he had heard the most absurd thing in the world, he shook his head saying flustered,
"By all means no, M'Lord! I wouldn't dare! But as much as I respect your command, I can not influence the Baron or any other who may want you harm. And once faced with such adversity...unfortunately I can not guarantee anything."
Ray stopped talking entirely. He had said all there was to say. Now that was left was for Selwin to weigh his options. To decide whether he would take Ray as one of his own or dispose of him, burying him in the most obscure corner of the annals of history.