Two years and some months has elapsed since the unfortunate tragedy at Olives and Vinum.
Derek worked tirelessly under the blistering yet cool weather on the farmland with two other captives, sweating profusely as they ploughed the soil.
The labour during the past month had given him a good stature even with his lithe-body.
They had just concluded the last harvest and were preparing for another season, it was almost the end of the raining days and the beginning of the dry days was around the corner.
The Lankins were once the bread winners of Amon after a terrible famine, but their son, who now bears Master Lankins has taken over the family business and fortune after a mysterious illness took his parents life.
"Kindly go easy on the soil Derek?" A soft voice asked calmly from the corner.
Derek paid no attention to it, he continued hitting the soil as hard as he could, picturing the face of Lankins and Flint at intervals.
"Derek." The soft voice called out.
"Take a break Laura." Derek stopped, glancing to his side at the fair radiant lady with a maturing figure, seated beside him - holding a book.
She took the strands of her wavy black hair touching her face then hid it behind her ear, even her frown couldn't hide her beauty. Not willing to get caught again in her round - hopeful amethyst eyes, Derek rolled his eyes away.
Laura was same age as Derek and the first captive to approach him - he was always isolating himself from others, not willing to talk or move with anyone and no one thought of approaching him either. How could they - he always wore a reserved, cautious expression, warning everyone to back off and stay clear.
Yet, Laura didn't think so, she approached him with her pleasant and inviting looks, always asking for his name. Derek resisted for days telling her to let him be, but finally scummed to her request having being trapped by her eyes when she bumped into him by accident.
From then till now Derek began welcoming everyone even though his reserved, cautious expression remained and Laura never left his side whenever she was free.
"Don't you have something better to do, besides bothering me?" Derek worried.
"It's something worthwhile for me," she smiled, "until Master comes back, I'm free to do what I want."
"Master." Derek scoffs.
"Derek!!" Lankins yelled from a distance.
"Speak of the bastard." Derek tossed the hoe aside.
"Behave Derek," Laura adviced, "or you'll get wiped again."
"Get over here," Lankins yelled. "Is your name now strange to you?"
"He's confused because Laura is here." The huge brown skin boy close to Derek jested.
"Shut it Jerry." Derek spoke unkindly - striding towards Lankins.
Jerry was the second captive to approach Derek, he always teased Derek because of his height and would get into fights with him resulting in a 'tame the dog' section for both of them. They eventually got along after eight sections but the teasing never stopped.
Lankins tossed a short wooden sword at Derek, "I just finished the sixth section of my swordsmanship, I want you to spar with me."
"I've never done this before." Derek assured, glaring at the thick wooden sword.
"Good." Lankins smirked, striking Derek's arm.
"Ow!" Derek grabbed his arm. "I wasn't even ready."
"Well arm up Derek." He spoke confidently, pointing his sword at Derek - pouncing from side to side.
Derek held the sword firmly, tyring hard to stop himself from laughing out - the way Lankins pounced seemed to him like a turkey leaping about.
The first three strikes came at Derek at his rare which he easily deflected, a fourth struck hard on his head.
He stepped back with a grunt pressing his head - scowling at Lankins - I'm going kill him, he thought.
"Come on, I'm just getting warmed up." Lankins proposed then moved at Derek.
Derek blocked the two high strikes but a third hit his waist.
He stepped back groaning - holding his waist, like he knew what was coming, he straighten up just in time to evade the next strike, whipping a clean strike on Lankins' cheek. It was so hard Lankins shouted as he cringed backwards, holding the cheek.
"Woo!" Jerry exclaimed silently.
Laura stood still, covering her mouth with her hands.
Serves you right runt, that's pay back, Derek gloried in his thoughts, smiling with a nod.
He did not notice the approaching guard, a punch from the guard struck his belly - dropping him on his knees, embracing his belly - he groaned deeply, plagued from the agonizing pain.
"You never learn." The tall, pale guard with sharp protruding eyes spoke with a deep voice.
"Very good James." Lankins appreciated, massaging his red cheek.
"Thank you master." James lowered his head a little.
"Prepare him for a section of tame the dog."
Like Derek was nothing before James, he grabbed Derek's pants by the waist, pulling him away.
"I've always wanted to do that." Jerry assured.
Laura glanced at him, "Really? You support that action."
"Off course." the fellow having scanty Auburn hair beside Jerry assured.
"Not you too Brandon."
"I would have done worse if I were brave as Derek." Jerry said.
"You guys certainly have a death wish." Laura huffed then walked away.
∆∆∆
The Chancellor's compound - sitting on the steep edge at the west section of Amon, this compound was an exception regarding the closely built houses of Amon. It has a wide space around it, separating it specifically from other houses, it also has an aged stone fence now harbored by moss - no gates, just an open entrance. In the compound stood a hall cottage surrounded by a lush garden of colourful flower sections round about its side and behind, which gave off a fresh-Mint scent - mixed with a citrus and jasmine scent.
It was the only building in the compound. A long table with a bench on each side, in the midst of three willow trees, stood at the middle of the courtyard on level carpet grass.
Alexander, graceful as ever was seated under the canopy of a willow tree, its fully bloom leaves rejoicing with the cool breeze. He held a book in his hand, peering at the page with eagerness - turning over to the next page he looked over to his side. Aaron stood by the house entrance examining the surrounding, it was strange, he never did that, to make things more mysterious he began taking slow sneaky steps towards the back of the garden.
Alexander knew something was up, he quickly dropped the book then approached the house. Behind the hall cottage, Victoria stood before the lily section while glaring at the poppy section by her side then she turned towards the pink camellia section arranged on a table right after the rose section. She smiled as though she had seen what she wanted then approached the camellia, a wonderful mixture when applied to a hot bath, relaxing the senses with a fine jasmine scent.
The moment she reached out to pick up some, Aaron grabbed her waist from behind, knowing who it was she gently shoved him away, shying from the grip.
"Come on Victoria." Aaron pleaded, spreading his arms.
Victoria stepped back, giving a wide berth from him - lowering her gaze.
"I can't do this with you." She spoke calmly.
"But I want you," Aaron hugs himself, slowly moving his body side to side. "I need you in my arms Victoria, how long will you leave me wanting?"
"I'm grateful for your help, but I can't do this with you."
"Well that's a shame." Aaron stood proud, his smile fading into a scowl. "I think I've been too patient."
Victoria's eyes met with his, the expression were that of someone with an ill intent.
"A letter came in some months back directly from the Aquilae Family."
Victoria went on her knees immediately touching his feet. "Please, I beg you."
"Alright then, do what you should." He smirked.
"Let go off her." Alexander yelled, shoving Aaron into the rose section.
"Alex!" Victoria hurried over to hold him.
"You ungrateful brat," Aaron straighten up, speaking rather calmly. "After all I've done for you." He gazes at Victoria, pointing a finger at her. "Put him in his place or the Royal Family will hear of you." He walked out immediately, not giving Victoria a chance to reply.
Victoria knelt before Alexander, her gaze raised a little as she peered into his eyes.
"Don't look at me like I'm wrong." He grumbled, "I won't let him touch you."
"And I can't afford to lose you." she smiled.
Alexander recognized them, same old secretive smile.
"Why? Because I'm not strong enough."
"No Alex...."
"I know I'm the problem here." Alexander cuts in.
"You certainly are not...."
"If I were strong enough back then father will still be here." His voice came hard and sad.
"That's not fair." She spoke with a brittled voice - wearing a wan look.
"I'll fix it myself." He walks away.
"Alex!" she called out.
She sighed sitting back on her heel. "Help him understand Thomas," she gazes up at the sky, "help him understand being bold or having strength isn't always enough."