After finishing his grueling training in the fields, Kaleb took a moment to catch his breath.
"That should be enough for today"
He declared, wiping the sweat from his brow stretched and cooled down.
As he sat there he noticed a group of guards passing by the perimeter of the fields, each one armed with a variety of weapons, swords, spears, and bows.
The sight of the guards with their weaponry sparked a realization in Kaleb.
'I might need a weapon soon' he thought, feeling a surge of clarity.
'I've been so focused on my physical training that I didn't even consider getting a weapon, If I'm going to face more people like that swordsman, I need to be equipped too.'
He approached the nearest guard, who was leaning against a post and idly inspecting his weapon.
"Excuse me," Kaleb said, catching the guard's attention.
"I need to speak with the Count. It's urgent, could you take me to him."
The guard gives him a dismissive glance with a sneer forming on his lips. "What's a lowly slave like you want with the Count?" he asked, his tone dripping with disdain. "You think you're important enough to be heard? Just get lost."
Kaleb's face tightened, but he stood his ground. "I need to speak with him. It's important."
The guard scoffed, his gaze filled with contempt.
"You're wasting your time. Leave me alone and go do some chores or something."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, the guard turned away, uninterested in Kaleb's request. Feeling the sting of the guard's insult, he took a deep breath and steeled himself, refusing to be deterred. He racked his brain trying to find another way to reach the Count and get the weapon he needed. As he walked through the estate's hallways, he caught sight of Laura making her way down a corridor.
"Laura!" he called out as he quickened his pace and caught up.
Laura turned and looked at him, her expression hardening into one of irritation.
"That is madam Laura to you slave!" she snapped, her tone sharp.
Kaleb clenched his jaw, feeling the sting of her words, but he knew he had no other option. Swallowing his pride, he bowed his head.
"I apologize, Madam Laura,"
He said, his voice steady as he held back his simmering frustration.
"That's better. Now what's the matter?"
"I need to speak with the Count urgently, could you take me to him?"
Her expression shifted from one of annoyance to skepticism. She raised an eyebrow and adjusted her glasses.
"The Count is a busy man. Why should I bother him with a slave's request?"
Kaleb took a deep breath, standing his ground.
"It's important," he insisted, locking eyes with her. "Please."
Laura studied him for a moment, searching for any sign of hesitation. Finally, she sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.
"Fine,"
"Thank you, Madam Laura." He said bowing his head in gratitude.
"But don't expect him to indulge your whims."
"I will keep that in mind"
They walked together through the grand corridors of the estate, Laura leading the way with a purposeful stride. As they approached the Count's study, Kaleb strengthened his resolve as Laura knocked on the door.
"Enter"
"Wait here, I'll call you in," she said to him as she made her way inside.
The Count looked up from his desk, "Did we not just conclude our discussion? Or was I not clear when I told you to leave?"
"I am sorry, my lord," she pleaded, bowing her head.
"The slave boy wishes to see you claiming it is urgent"
The Count's eyes narrowed, his displeasure clear. "
And you brought him here without asking for my permission first? How brazen!"
He said, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "You forget your place, Laura."
She flinched at his words but remained silent, keeping her head bowed.
"Fine. Bring him in, then," he commanded, his voice still cold. "Let's see what could possibly be so urgent."
Kaleb stepped in, and the count immediately stopped what he was doing, meeting Kaleb's gaze with determination.
"So what is it? I need to get work done and you are interrupting me"
"I need a weapon." He demanded without hesitation.
"And you thought that was reason enough for you to interrupt my work?"
"What was I supposed to do? Walk into your guards storehouse as a slave and take their weapons?"
The Count's irritation deepened the more Kaleb spoke, his brazen words grating on his nerves. But more than that, the interruption of his work was what truly irked him.
After a moment of silence, he sighed, clearly annoyed.
"Very well. I'll arrange for you to be taken into town tomorrow with a guard and enough money to buy a weapon. Will that be enough?"
"We'll see" he replied turning back and walking away. But before he could leave, the Count leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with something darker.
"Remember our deal," he reminded Kaleb, his voice smooth but sinister.
"Don't forget what's at stake here." He paused, a wicked smile curling on his lips.
"Good luck."
Kaleb nodded, his spine straight as he left, the weight of the Count's words hanging heavily in the air behind him.
The Count waved his hand dismissively.
"Consider the weapon a small investment in your preparedness. Now, you may go. I have other matters to attend to."
With Laura accompanying him back through the corridors they left.
As Kaleb called him back, her expression serious. "You've finished your work for the day, right?" she asked, reminding him of the responsibilities.
"I was on my way to do just that. I don't need you to remind me."
"As far as you're aware of your duties irrespective of whatever arrangement you have with the count"
By the time he was done for the day, the sun had begun to set and he made his way back to the shed where the girls were waiting. The moment he stepped inside the shed, he was met with hostility rather than the warm welcome he might have hoped for.
Atara sat alone in the corner, her arms crossed and her expression stiff. The usual chatter and lightness he was accustomed to were absent, replaced by a cold silence.
"Where are the others?"
He inquired cautiously, noticing that Rayna and Eliora were missing.
"They're taking a bath,"
Atara replied curtly, not even bothering to spare him a glance. It was clear she wasn't in the mood to speak further. Kaleb sighed, unsure of how to break through the wall she had built. But he said nothing more, simply moving to his spot in the shed as the silence continued to hang heavy between them.
"Have any of the guards or servants treated you badly?"
Atara just sat silently, her arms crossed and her gaze fixed firmly on the ground. She refused to acknowledge him, clearly still angry over his decision to ignore her warning.
"How long do you plan on keeping this up? If you aren't going to forgive me at least talk to me?"
Atara's eyes flicked up to meet his for a moment, cold and unwavering.
"Never," she replied bluntly, her voice sharp with bitterness.
Her words hit him harder than he expected, and for a moment, he stood there, unsure of what to say next. He felt the weight of her anger still pressing down on him, but there was nothing more he could do. Not tonight.
"I'm not going to forgive you," she said breaking the silence as Kaleb turned away, her tone softer but still carrying a sharp edge.
He stopped in his tracks, surprised she was speaking at all. She shifted uncomfortably, her eyes avoiding his.
"But… I guess if we're going to get out of here… I'll have to learn to live with the fact, that I'm not going to agree with everything you do,"
An awkward pause followed before she quickly grabbed and pulled a blanket over herself, embarrassed by her sudden admission.
"Don't get any ideas," She muttered,
"The only reason I'm even talking to you is because of the others. Rayna and Eliora seem to think I should give you a chance."
He couldn't help but smile. It wasn't much, but it was something.
"That's all I could ask of you," he replied softly, his voice carrying a hint of gratitude.
Kaleb knew that beneath her frustration, this was her way of meeting him halfway. Even if it was just a small step. As he lay down, the tension of the day slowly faded and his mind drifted to the weapon he would soon obtain. He stared at the ceiling, contemplating his options.
'A sword seems like the obvious choice' he thought, 'It's versatile and reliable. But would it suit me? Maybe something lighter, more agile, like a dagger?'
With those thoughts swirling in his mind, Kaleb closed his eyes, the quiet of the night finally allowing him to drift off.