Bretver 10th YEAR 552 ASMERIAN CALENDAR.
The guards watched as the Lord of the Northern Territory stepped out in front of the gatehouse. He approached with a knight following suit. "Why is my gate closed to me, men? Surely you won't lock me out of my own home?" Lord Daniels said as he stood right in front of the guardsman closest to him.
"Sorry, my lord, we weren't notified of your return. We will open the gate immediately." The guard said as he turned about and looked up at the men standing on the wall. "What are you doing, you fools? Let our lord through!" Suddenly the wall lit up with men barking commands, and soon the gate swung open and the port callus raised into the gatehouse allowing for the carriage to make entry into the bailey. Lord Daniels turned around and entered the carriage, and it started rolling through the gate.
The bailey was enormous and was easily the largest of any castle in Asmeria, and it had only just been finished the month prior. It took four years and several thousand slaves, but the castle was now nearly completed. Slaves were standing in line, getting ready to be taken to auction. Almost a thousand slaves were standing in line, and it wrapped around the bailey three times. The children were separated from the adults, and only the mothers were allowed to be with them.
Lord Daniels looked around and was pleased with how smoothly the moving of the slaves had gone in his absence. These were the last of Mister Thompson's slaves bought for the construction of the castle and would sell for a reasonable sum from the skills gained during the construction. He had even bought a few of the most beautiful women as personnel house slaves.
He walked into the slave barracks and down the staircase. The slave barracks had not changed since its construction. Standing at the bottom of the stairway was a tall guardsman. "Halt, who goes there!" He barked.
"The Lord of this keep." Lord Daniels promptly responded as he approached.
"Hail the King milord, welcome back from the capital."
"Thank you, kind man, how are my prizes?"
"You are referring to Scottkey and the Varin girl?"
"Yes, of course."
"They are in good health and being m'lord," Carter said as he turned around and headed to Jackson's cell. He reached into his pocket, pulled out a set of keys, and inserted one into the cell door. "Would you like to see them m' lord?"
"Yes, I'd like to ensure they are still present after all."
"Of course, my lord, I apologize," Carter said as he turned the key. "Wake up you shits, Lord Daniels himself is here to pay you a visit!" He spat as he swung the door wide open. Jackson and Ruby, who were sharing the small bench as a bed, sat up and rubbed their eyes.
"I see you're still alive, Scottkey," Daniels said as he entered. "And much taller now than you were when you first entered my servitude."
Jackson yawned and stretched out his arms upward. "Who are you again?" Jackson asked as he looked Lord Daniels in the eye.
"You little fucker, you know damn well who I am."
"Ah, yes, the Lord or whatever of the keep." Jackson stood up and grabbed his shirt from the single chair placed in the corner of the room. Also on the chair was a large book.
"Since when are my slaves allowed to read!" Lord Daniels barked as he snatched up the book from the chair knocking Jackson back onto the bench. "Arla's Crime? I see, so who allowed this in here!"
"You did m'lord, almost four years ago when I first took this post to guard them," Carter said as he stepped forward.
"I sure as hell don't remember doing that." He said as his brow furled, and his voice started to crack.
"You did m'lord; I was there with the captain of the guard as you said it."
"Fine, whatever." He said as he turned to Jackson, who had just stood back to his feet. "You had best learn some respect before I tie you the whipping post for a whole day. Then we'll see how you talk to your superiors. We'll be having a special guest coming by soon, and you are going to be present." With that, he stormed out of the cell. He then dropped the book on the ground and stepped on it as he flew up the stairs.
"Well, master," Carter started. "You really have a way of pissing the wrong people off."
"You know, it's just a part of my charm as a Scottkey. But I really need to get out of here, if I don't figure out how soon, then I'll never get out of this fucking cell." He said sitting back down on the bench that was supposed to be some semblance of a bed.
"Four years and several attempts, you have to get out soon, or they'll just execute you and Ruby soon."
"Well, if it turns out I can't escape Carter, I want to at least was to avenge my parents," Jackson said as he walked out of the cell.
"How do you plan on doing that?"
"Simple, Lord Daniels has house slaves, I just need to get in there as a house slave and either kill him or his bitch wife and call it a day."
"Why not both? I mean, you could do both at once, right?"
"I could, the thing is, I don't need their child coming after me ten years from now. Speaking of which," Jackson said as he bent over to grab the book. "have you been inside the keep yet? The walls are so thick that you can't hear even a scream from the next room. There were many times when I was building it that a man would break a bone or get crushed by a crane losing its lines full of rock, and you wouldn't even hear them."
"Huh, I heard about a few men being crushed and no one hearing them. But I don't think you should sacrifice yourself like that, master Scottkey. What'll become of Ruby then?"
"Huh, Ruby? She'd be better off without me. At least she'd have a chance to be sold to a better owner who doesn't threaten to rape her every other day. Not to mention that she'd be treated better by other slaves."
"While that may be true, you don't know for sure," Said Carter. "You best not abandon your only allies, master Scottkey."
"I don't want to be abandoned Jack, please don't say things like that." Jackson brushed her hand aside and sat back down on the bench. Ruby just turned her head away from him.
"What's up with you?" Jackson said as he slipped on his shredded pair of boots.
"Nothing, you're the one who wants to die." Ruby stood up on the bench and walked to the cell door. "Is it time for me to go to the kitchen yet, Carter?"
"No, a few more minutes before I take you there. Jackson has to go and clean the guard's barracks today. So I'll be taking both of you to your jobs today." Carter locked the cell door shut and resumed his guard duty outside of the cell. Jackson paced around as they waited for the sergeant of the guard to allow them out of the cell and give permission for them to go to work. Eventually, a larger man who looked as if he did nothing else but eat came down the stairs.
"Hey, you, open up the cell." The man demanded.
"Who goes there," Carter asked as he drew his sword.
"Hey, hey, calm down man, I'm a sergeant of the guard. Now put that away and open the cell." He said as he gestured to Carter's sword
"Yes, Sergeant, what do you need?" Carter said as he put away his sword.
"Well, I've already told ya, haven't I?"
"Yes, Sergeant." Carter dug around in his pocket and pulled out the set of keys for the cells and unlocked the cell door for the man.
"Thank you, now then, is she as pretty as they say she is?" The man said as he peeked into the cell from outside. "Oh my, it's just as milord said." He swung the door open and walked right in. Carter stepped in just behind him and had his hand ready on the handle of his sword.
"Now look at you, stand up." The man said as he grabbed Ruby's hand.
"Yes, master," She said as she slowly stood up. "What do you want from me?"
"Oh, not much, my dear, just wanted to see what was for sale. You know, milord could fetch a lot for you. Your red hair and beautiful soft skin would go for a fortune. Also, I assume you're still a virgin?"
"I'm going to be sold, please, wait," She asked with a quiver in her voice. "Don't touch me there," She said as he started to grope her chest.
"Yeah you little beauty, you're going to fetch me and my brother plenty of coin with this ass of yours."
"Is that it? You just want another girl to fuck, huh?" Jackson said as he stepped between him and Ruby.
"Back off, brat, I already know who you are, so I won't even pay you any attention."
"So my reputation precedes me even as a slave, ha. You just made my day, mister."
"Let me ask you this, Scottkey. Have you ever returned to Greendale since your trial?" He asked with a smug grin on his face.
"No, I've not returned to Greendale. Even if I were given the option, I would refuse it."
"I see, well, I'm sure you remember the home your father bought for you all to live in as a happy little family, right? Well, guess who now owns it?" The man said with a laugh.
"I assume you do and the fact that you think I care, well, I find it funny," Jackson said as he sat down in his chair and leaned back. "I hope you enjoy that house; it wasn't ever really my home, to begin with."
The man scoffed and turned his head. "I'll see myself out, guard. Keep your eye on that Varin girl and make sure she doesn't go anywhere. I'd love to see her stripped nude and sell her for an excellent fee."
"As you command, Sergeant. I shan't let her out of sight nor hearing." Carter said as he snapped to attention.
The sergeant walked up the stairs and slammed the door shut. Carter let out a sigh of relief and leaned back against the wall. "Well, that went better than I thought it would."
"Why's that?" Jackson asked, still leaning back in his chair, reading.
"Well, I thought you'd pick yet another fight, and I'd have to chain you to the whipping post again."
"Oh, well, my back has been scared enough, and I still need to be able to get out of here before that guest arrives. I wonder who it'll be? If it's his Majesty, then I'll definitely be executed, and I can't have that when it should be the other way around." He turned the page in his book and sat up straight as the chair fell back on its front legs.
"So, what are you planning, genius," Carter asked.
"Well, I can't say for sure, but can't just disappear out of nowhere. That's for sure."
"And that means what? Honestly, you're in your own world most of the time."
Suddenly Jackson stood up and held out his hand. "Well," He said as a black mist formed in his hand. "this ought to help."
"Well, well, well, what's impressive. What does it do?" He said sarcastically, but it was hard to hide how awed he was at the magical mist.
"Anything within reason as near as I can tell. I can pick up items like a third arm. I've stolen your keys a few times without you knowing and replaced them. It can also alter the minds of people as you surely… don't remember?" Jackson's voice had an upwards inflection that didn't sit right with Carter.
"Wait a minute-"
"Moving on, I can also unlock any door now, which is why you found me in the vineyard cellar a few months ago. I still don't know how that damned hound found us."
"Oh my, I wonder?"
"Silence you, I won't be mocked so easily."
"Oh? Sorry, I assumed you were an educated man and capable of knowing that hounds can smell the shit from a fly's ass two-hundred meters away."
"You know what? While that may be true, it doesn't mean I have to accept it. Anyways, continuing on I know how to forge a document and a signature. And that's how Arla escaped captivity, and I might as well try my hand at it."
"The guards will double-check any documents you hold," Carter said as he shook his head.
"What about you? You're popular with the other guardsmen, aren't you?" Jackson said as he stood up and set the book aside.
"Yeah, because you never allow me to help you escape, and you get caught every time."
"But who is the one catching me? That's what you still haven't considered." Jackson's expression turned emotionless and blank as the black mist filled the air, and suddenly the keys to the cell and Carter's sword were now in his hand.
"How'd you do that?" Carter exclaimed. "Give the keys and sword back now before the sergeant comes."
"Ease up a little, Carter, no ones coming just yet. But, even though I have this ability, it doesn't work for anything. There are limits from what I've found. For example, I can't hurt anyone directly as far as I can tell, nor can I affect their clothing, money, or body. Only the mind and objects other than clothing."
"Why are you telling me all of this now? And why are you hung up on clothing so much?" Carter said he made sure his belt was fastened properly, and his tunic was set right on his torso.
"Do you know how many times I've seen Lord Daniels's bitch wife walking around the construction sites and just picking slaves to torture for fun? Well, trust me, I've tried a lot to embarrass that bitch and have only just been able to steal her wedding ring, that's all I've been able to do."
"Damnit, Jackson?" Carter snapped.
"What'd I do this time?" He replied, confused.
"Why didn't you tell me that it was you! I've been searching all over for the fucking ring. Lady Daniels has been up all our asses about her ring."
"Whoa there, you never told me that she was up your ass about it. But that's beside the point. The point is that I can acquire everything I need to forge a document to get Ruby, you, and I out of this shit hole and to Gregoria."
"Where's the ring, Jackson! Where is it!" Carter said as he tried to pull the door off the hinges.
"Calm down, Carter! Here, here's the ring!" Jackson said as he reached under the bed and held out the ring. Ruby started to laugh as she watched Jackson and Carter. She even rolled off of the bed and onto the ground, laughing. Jackson also started to laugh as he handed over the ring.
"Thank you, Jack, now those fifty Asmerian Silvers are mine, haha!" Carter said as he stashed away the ring in his pocket. Then he heard the door at the top of the stairs slammed shut.
"Mister, Carter!" A man shouted from the top of the stairs.
"Yes, Sergeant?" Carter replied as he turned to the stairs and shouted back up.
"Bring the two up and have them dressed!"
Carter turned and looked at Jackson and Ruby, they were dressed already in their slaves' rags. He unlocked the door and swung it open. "Come on then." Said Carter as he shut the door behind Ruby. They walked slowly up the stairs and the door was already open. The sergeant of the guard was standing next to a knight who was clad in armor a good twenty meters away. "My name is Sir Fjord and I'm the new Captain of the guard for my lord. You two are under my direct control. Now, Scottkey," Fjord said as he took off his helmet. "Last we met you caught the man who kidnapped my daughter so as a token of my gratitude for that service. I am making it so you will now serve in the keep."
"I remember you more from our duel more than anything else Sir Fjord," Jackson said as he bowed his head.
"Very well, I'll leave you to your new duties, come, Sergeant, we have much to discuss." They turned and walked away to the gate.
"Finally found someone you respect huh?" Carter muttered as he walked past him.
"I respect you, Carter, why do you think I only try to escape when you're not around?" Jackson said as he raised his head.
"Did your magic have anything to do with this?" Carter whispered.
"Maybe."
Carter escorted them to the keep Jackson walked with haste as Carter poked him in the back with a club. Carter turned and headed to the mess hall to get lunch, to his surprise. Sir Fjord followed and ate at the commoner's mess. He was a humble man despite his nobility, at least as far as Carter could tell. Even the way he ate wasn't dissimilar to a commoner. He didn't use fancy table manners nor did he request special silverware. Carter was quite amused by this as he finished his food he continued to watch the Asmerian Knight with awe, but he wasn't the only one. There wasn't a single serf or commoner whose eyes weren't locked on to the knight. "Carter Evans is it?" Sir Fjord asked.
"Yes sir."
"Tell me, why did you volunteer to guard Scottkey and the Varin?"
"Well, Ruby, the Varin girl was almost raped when I first met her and I don't believe that anyone or anything should be treated that way. So, seeing as no one else wanted or cared to, I stepped up, and well, the rest is history."
"I see, so, it has nothing to do with him being a Scottkey?"
"No, not in the slightest. Even though I do pity him as anyone else would for a kid who had his parents taken from him at a young age."
"I understand that sentiment all too well. That traitor as they call him saved my own daughter from being sold into slavery. And not to mention his uncle who mentored me when I was in the capital for a short time."
"Do you still owe him any debt sir?"
"If only he weren't a traitor." Sir Fjord sighed.
"And if his name was cleared?" Carter asked, now pressing the matter.
"Well, of course, but that's not a debt that could be so easily repaid."
Carter left the mess and continued his duties as a guard, he offered another guard to replace him for the day at the gate. The rest of his day was spent standing at the gate searching the supplies that entered and exited the castle.