BRETVER 21ST YEAR 548 ASMERIAN CALENDAR
Alex Daniels was the Head Judge for the thirteenth district of the Asmerian Republic. An older man, in his sixties and well beyond his time of service in the Army. He had short well-groomed grey hair and his beard was down to the bottom of his neck. The thirteenth district was the largest district by landmass but was the smallest by population. It also bordered the Gregorian Republic and the Bowing Woods. It boasted thick woods and peaceful streams. Not to mention the rolling hills to the north near Gregoria.
There were three main townships in the thirteenth district, Rosaria, Greendale, and Louisville. Alex lived in Rosaria which was the largest of the three towns at about 6,000 residences. He traveled to Greendale for their festival every year for the past decade and was now going to announce new trade laws that he had made for the district. There was no better time nor place to make such announcements to the public. Everyone from the district would travel en-mass to the festival.
He had been the head Judge since he left the Asmerian Army and got into politics. He served the Asmeria family as a Section Commander for ten years before he retired, and was also the third generation to serve the royal family. His father fought for the Tyrant King and was killed during the civil war. His father served as the royal family's personal guard and as such Alex was close to the royal family or what was left of it.
Daniels' wife., Zena was a maid for the royal family and served the prince personally. She was a very smart and beautiful woman in her late twenties and was often made fun of for her choice of a lover by other women. She had dark brown hair and a large bust and narrow green eyes that would pierce any man's heart. She was the envy of all of the capital's staff, and there were many men who made advances but none so daring as Daniels.
She had her flaws as well; she hated slaves and only saw them as tools to be used until they could be used no more. She was also against the republic and was a part of a growing group of supporters for the prince. She believed that the prince should be the ruler of the land and that the republic was doomed to fall. This made her quite controversial for the wife of a head judge and added to any distaste for her husband.
She watched as the town of Greendale came into view. She was used to walled-off cities but Greendale's wall was a masterpiece. There were statues of merchants and knights lining the walls gate which was made out of steel. This was her first time accompanying him on his travels to Greendale.
They entered the town and stopped in the central plaza. It wasn't too long ago that Alex had visited Greendale. He was there a few weeks prior and he had stayed at the Black's Tavern. The carriage slowed to a stop. Alex stepped out of the carriage and turned to help Zena out of the carriage. The servant and guards grabbed their luggage and headed into the Black's Tavern to deliver the luggage to Alex's room.
"This is quite the town dear," Zena said. "There seems to be a little bit of everything going on." She said as she looked at all of the vendors and games being set up. She had been to all sorts of events in the capital but they were more ceremonial in nature.
"Yes, these people all are very fond of the festival. It has been going on for quite some time." Alex said as he turned to enter the Tavern. A young slave boy accidentally bumped into Alex as he was taking some drinks back to his master. The drink spilled all over Alex's clothes. "You little shit!" Alex exclaimed as he wound up his fist for a punch.
"I'm so sorry Mister!" The slave pleaded. Alex grabbed hold of the boy's shirt and delivered a brutal punch to the boy's stomach. "What the fuck do you think you're doing!" Alex barked.
The boy fell to his knees as the wind was knocked out of him. Mister Miller saw the commotion and quickly walked up behind Alex. He took Alex's shoulder and before Alex knew it, Mister Miller punched him in the jaw. "Hey ya fucker," Miller said. "before ya go around hitting people's property, you should make sure that they're not watching ya."
Alex stood back up after recovering from the blow to his jaw. "This is your slave?" Alex said annoyed more than anything.
"What's it to ya?" Miller asked. Miller was fuming and was ready to knock Alex's head off.
"If he is yours then I suggest you teach him how to watch where he's going," Alex said as he stood back up to his feet with the aid of Zena.
"Go fuck yerself," Miller said as he took hold of the slave boy. "Ya alright lad?" Miller asked.
"Yes sir, thank you."
"Why do you care about your slave?' Zena asked. "Just kill him, it'll cause everyone fewer problems."
"Shut up ya whore." Miller said with disgust. "I should kill you, maybe then men wouldn't get sick just from sleeping with you."
Zena stood there in shock, speechless, and scampered off into the inn. Alex took a seat on the footstep of his carriage. "Do you know who you just assaulted?"
"Nope, and I don't give a damn either way," Miller said as he inspected the boy's stomach. "Go on boy, you'll be fine."
"Yes, sir." The slave boy said as he hurried off. Before Alex could say anything else Miller took off into the alley and disappeared. The guards who were with Alex stormed outside with Zena in tow. "Don't just stand there you fools, he ran into the alleyway, go chase him!" Alex barked.
"Yes, sir!" The men shouted then ran into the alleyway. Alex went inside with Zena to retire to his room. His jaw was in terrible pain. "You know, if we were nobility, we could've had that man executed for what he did along with his slave," Zena said as she tended to Alex's jaw.
"True but then we'd have another civil war to deal with," Alex said.
"I don't care, this time his majesty would win without a doubt," Zena said as she pressed a warm cloth against his jaw.
"Watch it!" Alex winced as the pressure proved to be too much.
"I'm sorry dear, did I hurt you?" Zena said softly.
"It's not so bad, it just stings a little."
"You know, we can always convince other judges to vote to give the prince his proper power." Zena said as she sat down next to Alex. She rested her head on his shoulder and wrapped her arms around him. "I'm sorry, I know I talk a lot about the king, but I would've never met you without him so I owe him more than I could ever repay." She said softly.
Alex pushed her down onto the bed and kissed her gently. "I owe him the same debt." He said as he caressed her breasts. "You are by far the most beautiful woman in the land and I'm fortunate that his majesty didn't take you to be his own." They continued to kiss and remained in their room for the rest of the day.
Miller escaped the guards chasing him and continued to the market where he was going to buy some meat. He saw the young slave boy again and approached him. "Hey lad, how are ya?" Miller asked.
"Oh, it's you, sir." The lad said with glee. "Thank you so much sir, I wish that I could repay you."
"Oh ho, there's no need lad," Miller said. "I've got a friend named Jackson and I'd never hear the end of it if I'd not have help ya."+
"Still, could I help you with anything, sir?" The lad asked.
"Not right now, but tell me who's your owner?"
"My master is Mister Keller sir, he's really kind and he treats me and my sister well sir."
"That's good to hear kid, I'm glad that you're in good hands."
"Why?" the boy asked.
"What?" Miller responded with confusion.
"Why are you being so kind to a random slave sir?" He asked.
"Well, there are a few reasons. I guess it comes down to me not wanting there to be slavery to begin with. You're just a young lad in my eyes." Miller said. The boy started to tear up from Miller's words of kindness.
"Thank you, sir, those words mean a lot to a slave like me."
Miller patted the boy on the top of the head. "Well, I'm glad they helped ya lad," Miller said with a smile. "I'm off to the market, I'll see ya around lad," Miller said as he turned away.
"Thank you again, Mister." The lad said.
"Before I go, I should've asked for your name." Miller said as he stopped in the middle of the street.
"It's Yumi, my name is Yumi, sir." The boy said. "What's your name?"
"My name is Fredric Miller, have a good day lad," Miller said as he turned and walked away. Miller waved and continued down to the market.
Miller walked into the market down the street and purchased some pork and some Grear steaks. Grear's were small hog-like creatures with a large horn in-between their eyes. They tasted like a dear but for half the price. Grear's were very common for Gregorian's and they base a lot of their finer cuisine based around Grear meat.
Miller exited the butcher's shop and saw Jackson running around in the plaza with two other boy's. Jackson saw him, said his goodbye to the other boys and made his way to Miller. Miller waved as Jackson got closer. "How's it going lad?" Miller asked.
"Never better Mister Miller." Jackson panted as he was out of breath.
"That's good to hear, lad. Here, I've got something for ya." Miller said as he took out a Grear Steak and tossed it at Jackson. Jackson caught the Steak with ease. "That's Grear if your mother doesn't know how to cook just send for me and I'll make the finest Grear Steak that's ever existed."
"In that case, I sure hope she doesn't know how to cook Grear.'' Jackson laughed.
"You best hope she's not round here to hear that," Miller said as he looked around for Veronica.
"You're right, she said she was going to do some shopping," Jackson said as he too started to look around for his mother. Miller broke down laughing at Jackson's fear of being heard by his mother.
"Lad, I don't know what to do with you half the time!" Miller laughed so hard his eyes watered.
"Thank you for the meat though." Jackson replied taking the meat wrapped in lenin.
"Don't mention it, kid. Anyways, are you excited for tomorrow?"
"Of course, I am, I get to beat up men with no repercussions."
"Well aren't ya the violent type?"
"Well, I don't kill them."
"I know kid, I know. Anyways, I'm heading home for the day." Miller said as he grabbed his sack and hoisted it over his shoulder.
"Have a good day Mister Miller," Jackson said as he ran off.
"You too kid!"
Miller turned and walked home, he passed the Black's Tavern on his way and saw the guards outside. Luckily for him, the street was crowded and he was able to pass by undetected. Miller watched as Vendors and games were starting to get crowds of people. Miller did not take part in such activities but he enjoyed watching others enjoy themselves. He still didn't feel like he belonged nor were there any familiar games to him. Gregoria and Asmeria may be neighbors but the difference in the couldn't be more stark.
He reached the gate where there were traveling peddlers everywhere and the poor guards were about to be overrun. Each merchant had to pay an entry fee to enter Greendale which was the main purpose of having the wall, to begin with. The fine was small but merchants would still try to get around it. The fee was five Asmerian Coppers which was a quarter of the value of an Asmerian Silver.
Miller could enter and leave the main town of Greendale as he pleased without paying a fee. Since he lived so close to Greendale, he was considered a resident of Greendale. A merchant saw Miller pass by the guards and threw a fit. "Why the hell does he not have to pay the fine?" The man barked hopping down from his cart. He was dressed in fine clothes with a blue coat and black trousers. His tripoint hat made him stand out from everyone else. He was also very short, standing only at about five feet tall if Miller had to guess.
"Please sir, calm down or I won't let you enter the town period." A guardsman said as he tried to calm the man down, but it only made the man more enraged. "Hey you!" the man barked at Miller as he dismounted his cart. "Why is a simple commoner like you allowed to leave without payment but I, an esteemed merchant for his excellency of the Lucc Empire, is not?"
"What are ya talking about, get back on yer cart before I throw ya back on it!" Miller said, angered by the man's tone and large ego.
"Oh, I get it now. You're a Gregorian pig, aren't you?" The man said judging by Miller's destinct accent.
"And what's to ya?"
"You Asmerian's and Gregorian's alike should all throw yourselves under his excellency's boot and act like the slave scum you are!" The man barked. Miller turned to face the man, he had an expression of sheer hate for the man's existence.
"You get on yer fancy box with wheels right now er I'll remove yer head and shove it up ya horse's ass!" Miller yelled for all to hear.
"How dare you threaten me you Gregor-" The man stopped when Miller pulled out his sword and expertly cut the man's cheek with grace and precession. The man fell backward and pressed his hand against his cheek.
"Heed my words ya little shite, my next strike will be a little lower and quite a bit deeper," Miller said with an uneasy calm. The guardsmen were stunned, they just looked at Miller with awe and respect for his skill.
"Master, are you alright?" A young girl asked from the back of the man's cart.
"I'm fine, shut up the fuck and get back in the fucking cart." The man barked.
"Is that your slave?" Miller asked. The man backed away further from Miller.
"Yes, she is, please I'll give her to you if you spare me please, just have mercy!" The man cried.
"Very well then, hand her over." Miller said without nessesarily thinking about what he was doing.
"Of course, Ruby, get out here now!" the man barked.
"Yes, master!" The girl cried. "Please don't beat me, master." She was shaking with fear. She was in rags that barely covered her. Miller saw that her back was scarred from lashes and her spirit looked broken. "Be quiet you scum, and stop your whimpering!" The man barked as he raised his hand to hit the girl. Miller stomped down on the man and pressed his sword down on his neck drawing blood from a small cut.
"Just leave already you piece of shite," Miller snapped.
"As you wish sir please just don't kill me." The man shit himself and the fowl stinch filled the air. The guards simply laughed as they watched from their post.
Miller let the man get up and he got back on his cart and started to take off. Ruby, the slave who was with the man tried to get back on the cart but he stopped her. "What's going on?" She asked in a panic. "Master, what's happening?" She cried.
"Calm down lass, yer my slave now."
"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.
"You are no longer his slave is what I mean." He said resting his hand on her shoulder.
Ruby stood still as she watched her former master flee into the countryside cursing the guards and Miller until he was out of ear shot. After a moment, she started to cry. She turned to Miller and embraced him. "Thank you, thank you so much." She sobbed. Miller wanted to console her but didn't know how. He just put his arm around her and pulled her close. "Yer fine, no need to thank me."
Miller looked at the girl, she was shivering from either fear or the cool breeze. He ran his hand over the scars on her back. "Anyone here got some clothes I could buy?" Miller asked the crowd of peddlers.
"I do!" A merchant shouted from the back of the line. Miller walked to the back where the man was holding out a green dress and undergarments. "Here sir, I'd be happy to offer you these for free seeing as yer a fellow Gregorian." The man said. Miller had not seen his Gregorian banner on the seat of his cart.
"Thank you, my brother." Miller respectfully said.
"No problem, men like that deserve far worse than simply losing a slave. You should've taken his head."
"Yes, but unfortunately, I have to live here as well. I can't just simply go home."
"Where are ya from?"
"I'm from Concord, how about yourself?"
"I'm from Clearwater." The man answered with a bow of his head.
"Ah, so yer from the capital."
"Yeah, I've been about everywhere though but Concord is a beautiful city."
"Aye, it is, I wish I were there now, but I'll need to tend to that girl," Miller said as he turned back towards Ruby and waved back to the merchant.
"Be careful, and have a good day brother." The man on the cart said as he waved back to Miller.
"Aye, ya be careful brother."
Miller approached the girl who was still standing in the middle of the gate. She was still quite shy and reeled her head back when Miller tried handing her the dress and undergarments. "Come on now, they're just clothes. They're not gonna hurt ya lass."
"Thank you, master," Ruby said as she reached for the clothes.
"Knock that shite off, I'm not your master. Just call me Mister Miller." Miller said with a stern voice. That scared Ruby and she fell backward from fear. "Please don't beat me, Mister Miller, I didn't know!" She cried.
"Calm down lass, yer gonna be fine and I'm not gonna hurt ya," Miller said much softer as he realized that she had been severely abused and traumatized, at least worse than he thought. "Now put on these clothes and we will head to my home," Miller said.
"I'm sorry Mister Miller," Ruby said as she grabbed the dress and undergarments. "Do I have to change here Mister Miller?" She asked as she was quite embarrassed.
"Ah shite, I'm sorry. Nah, ya don't have to change here." Miller said as he looked for somewhere where she could get dressed. He turned to one of the guardsmen. "Would it be okay if she were to change in the gatehouse?" Miller asked.
"Sure, but she can't be unaccompanied. I wouldn't want her to drop the gate on someone." The guardsman stated.
"Fair point, I'll go with her and make sure she doesn't mess with anything," Miller said as he took Ruby by the arm. The guardsman escorted the two into the gatehouse and let them be alone inside. Miller took a seat on a small chair in the corner and Ruby stood in the middle of the room.
The gatehouse was a large single-room building that had the Gate controls inside. The mechanism took up most of the floor space and the cool breeze blew through the walls. Ruby sighed and took off her rags and Miller was taken aback by what he saw. Ruby was a Varin, her brown fur-covered ears and short brown tail were hidden by her rags.
"Well, I didn't expect that," Miller muttered but Ruby's ears twitched and she fell to the ground and covered herself. "Do you think I'm ugly?" She whimpered.
"Nah, you're pretty for a Varin. Prettier than all of the ones I've seen before ya, but there is a slight problem here." Miller said as he stood up and grabbed the undergarments. "These won't fit ya, or be comfortable. So, just wait there for a second and I'll hand these back to you." vHe said as he took the clothes.
"Please, I don't mind, I'd rather just put them on."
"Look, lass, if yer embarrassed that's fine. Just know that this ain't my first time seeing a naked woman so just wait there and I'll fix these up for ya." Miller said as he took his sword and started to cut a hole on the backside of the panties. He handed them back to Ruby without another word being said between the two. Ruby got dressed and she and Miller headed back outside.
The guardsman who escorted them to the gatehouse was still standing there. "Ah, are you both set?" The guard asked.
"Yes, sir she's looking a little better and hopefully she won't be so damn cold," Miller said.
"So, she's a Varin huh? Well, I can't say I'm surprised, the Lucc Empire is crawling with Varin's so I kind of figured."
"Yeah, my biggest problem will be explaining this to my wife," Miller said while looking straight at Ruby.
"Best of luck to you sir, I can't really be of much help. I'm still abstinent after all." The guard said as he shut the door to the gatehouse.
"Thank ya, good night. Come on lass, let's go home for the night."
"As you command master." Ruby barely managed to make out those words, her voice quiet and soft.
"See kid, I ain't so bad," Miller said as they passed through the gate. Ruby just silently followed close behind him and dared not say another word. "So, what was your name again?" Miller asked but still no answer. "It was Becky, right?" He asked to hope that she would correct him. He had heard her name from the merchant when he ordered her out of his cart.
"I- it's- it's Ruby, sir." she stuttered.
"What was that, speak up now lass."
"It's Ruby, sir." She said much clearer.
"Ruby huh, well Ruby, I've got a tub at my place that I'll fill with some warm water and ya can take a bath in it. I also got some Grear steaks today as well. So, if yer hungry, I'll make ya something to eat." Miller said as they got closer to his home.
"Thank you, Mister Miller," Ruby said softly as she was still very shy.
"Don't mention it, ya do know that yer, not a slave anymore. I'll settle that with the local judge in a few days. That'll have to wait until after the festival."
Miller and Ruby reached Miller's property and Miller opened his gate. Ruby saw Miller's house, it was a large log cabin with a chimney on both sides. There was a large barn just behind his house. Miller had a wagon out in front of his house filled with the year's crops.
"What do you mean?" She asked rather confusedly, but not as shy as she was a moment earlier.
"What I mean is that ya can make your own decisions. Ya could stay with me or go do all sorts of things as a free Varin." Miller said as he turned to face her. "Look, I have no want for a slave. I don't want to own anyone for any reason. Yer a young lass and ya got a lot to learn about the world ya live in. You can take this offer or ya can leave it. It's yer decision, but I'll help ya out by givin ya a place to stay and food to eat. I'll give ya warm clothes and a warm bed to sleep in."
Miller turned and continued walking to his house. "However," Miller said. "you're gonna have to earn it by working for me. Now, it won't be anything hard and you might even learn a thing or two. It'll be rather easy and ya won't get beaten for messing up."
Miller and Ruby had finally made it to the front door. Miller opened up the door and held it open for Ruby. Ruby cautiously entered the cabin. The front door opened up to a large living room with a fireplace off to the side. She saw the kitchen to the left as he entered through the door.
"Well, make yourself at home Ruby. I'll prepare a bath for ya and if yer hungry I'll cook something up for ya as well." Miller said as he shut the door and set his things down on the table next to the fireplace.
"Thank you," Ruby said as her stomach growled.
"Well, I think I know what to do first lass." Miller laughed as he made his way towards the kitchen.
Ruby sat down as Miller made her a small Grear steak that filled her up and sated her hunger. Miller then made her a warm bath with water he heated up with the fireplace. Once she got out of the bath her hair and fur turned to a beautiful deep red. The water was turned brown from the dirt that covered her.
"Well then, ya ready for bed?"
"Yes sir, where will I be sleeping tonight?"
"Ya can sleep on the couch for tonight if ya like," Miller said as he handed her clothes back to her.
"Thank you, sir, I'd sleep anywhere that I could sir." She said as she finished putting her clothes on.
"Well, then let me grab ya some blankets and I'll be off to bed," Miller said as he headed into a room down the hallway. Ruby peaked out of the doorway and waited for him to return. He came back with two large wool blankets and took her hand and led her back to the living room.
Ruby laid down on the couch and rested her head on a pillow. Miller put the blankets on top of her and she quickly slipped away into a deep slumber. "Goodnight Ruby," Miller said as he walked away to his bedroom. He left the fire in the fireplace lit as Ruby slept on the couch. He turned off the lanterns and blew out the candles. The house was now shrouded in darkness and quiet.