Kasa stood unsure of the situation, wondering if he heard wrong. His expression torn between shock and pure terror.
' He was the claimant ! ? '
Kasa had no idea, fear was beginning to set in as everyone waited for him to say something.
His Small family all stared at him, shocked to the bone. They hadn't been told of any debt, whatever was this noble man saying?
Amara just knew it the man had indeed come bearing ill intentions.
The silence that crept in was deafening as sweat now began drenching Kasa.
"Why so quiet, Kasa " Old man Jenkins jeered, the wicked glint in his eyes ever obvious. " Shall I jog your memory? "
It obviously wasn't a question as the men behind him moved ready to grab him again.
" No no no, please" He stuttered, pleading furiously as his life depended on it.
"I'll pay you back, i promise" He had barely breathed out, but Jenkins wasn't ready to listen.
" When? Now ? " He cocked his head in mock seriousness, before letting out a dry chuckle.
He stretched his hands and the men handed him a scroll which he threw at Kasa for him to read and see.
" Not sure if you can read though" he mocked, but Kasa actually could very well read, he worked as an official before, though low ranked it was still a good job before he lost his job.
As his eyes scanned through the scroll his face paled. There was not only the debt he owed but an increment. This sly nobleman had doubled the amount, his eyes shot up to stare at the cunning man.
" Got something to say? " He taunted, walking in around his victim in circles before coming to stand before the shocked man again. It was only a matter of time before this one too would become trapped within his claws. Kasa furiously shook his head in the negative, he was now completely drenched in sweat
" Tell me Kasa, how do you intend to pay ? " At this the men once again grabbed him, twisting his hands backwards and causing the man to yelp in pain.
" Kind sir please....." His wife had crawled forward to beg once again, and Jenkins just rolled his eyes at the pathetic woman. Then he suddenly turned towards her.
" Would you like to see your husband free from his debt? " He asked as if he cared, then reached out to touch her face.
" Then you would have to pay the price " His smile now grew wider and he leaned forward mischievously, knowing quite well she would back away which she did. Her shaky hands let go off his trousers in disgust and disbelief.
Seeing this he just laughed out, to him she was amusing. If only she wasn't married.
" Leave my parents alone! " A small voice screamed from the inside and Jenkins had to turn around to see who it was.
It was the little rat as he would call her, he knew she was fierce but he hadn't expected this amount of bravery.
She now stood outside, facing him with eyes so fierce they could burn him.
Amara's hands trembled as she held the pouch out. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to back down.
' He won't see me scared. He won't '
She clenched her jaw, glaring up at Jenkins.
" Is it money you want? " She asked.
" Here, you can have it " She offered with hands outstretched " We'll definitely pay off the rest now stop harassing my parents" She glared with hands still outstretched waiting for him to take the money.
" What is this, a few shillings? " He mocked with pure amusement. Grabbing the pouch and pouring it's content into the ground " You've got guts little girl" Jenkins said, a sickle sweet smile on his face.
" But courage doesn't pay debts. Your family ? They're as poor as rats. What do you think this will solve? " He gestured at the spilled coins with disdain.
Everyone watched in disbelief, this was the money they had worked for and for people like them of course it was no small amount.
" Listen, little rat. Your father is in something way bigger than you could ever imagine" He smirked gesturing for her to take the scroll on the ground, if she could read that is.
Amara was surprised. How much or how big of a debt could her father actually be in for this man to reject what she had offered.
She opened the scroll and her mother also stood up to take a peek and they both gasped before sharing a look.
How had Kasa entangled himself in something this huge?
Kasa looked away the moment his wife glanced at him in surprise, shame covering him like a cloak.
He had kept everything to himself while drinking away his sorrows, he had no idea they actually knew where he stayed.
" This isn't child's play little girl. Your father owes me more than you can count in a lifetime. "
Jenkins straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his coat.
" Boys ! take him we've got some talking to do. " And just like that Kasa was hurled into the carriage parked outside despite his desperate pleas and cries.
Everyone just watched helplessly disturbed, but couldn't do anything. It was funny how the whole situation had spun from him abusing and beating them to him now being hurled into a noble man's carriage like some theif that escaped prison.
Amara just stared off as the carriage rode away worry setting in regardless of the bruise and marks he had left on her and her mother.....
***
The wine shop was dimly lit, with faint smell of cheap liquor and wood filling the air. Kasa sat at the corner table shaking, his shoulders hunched and his hands clasped tightly around a wooden cup.
Jenkins had invited—or rather, seized him—from the small shabby house for a supposedly friendly talk as he called it.
" Now , Kasa " Jenkins said, his voice smooth like poisoned honey.
" Let us drink to....our friendship " a delibreted pause that made Kasa think again.
Now seated across from him, Jenkins leaned back in his chair, the image of ease. He swirled his goblet lazily, the dark wine catching the dim light. His eyes never left Kasa, who sat akwardly, unsure of the nobleman's intentions.
" Drink up, my friend, " Jenkins urged, his smile sharp enough to cut through glass.
" It's not everyday a man like you gets to sit with someone like myself "
Kasa hesistated before lifting the cup to his lips. The wine was bitter, burning it's way down his throat, but he forced himself to take a long gulp. Jenkins watched with amusement.
" Good" He hurramphed pouring more wine into Kasa's cup. " You see, I'm a generous man. I don't look down on people like you. No I believe everyone has their place. Wouldn't you agree Kasa? "
Kasa nodded stiffly, his hands trembling slightly as he set the cup down " yes.....yes, sir " If there was one thing he understood very well it was that people like this man could actually get him killed with just a flick of their fingers. It wasn't something he would like to experience, if he had known that a noble was actually the creditor he would have never taken a loan. If he had known he would lost his job , he would have never taken the loan.
Jenkins slammed his hands on the table, jolting Kasa out of his thoughts. " Thinking about the debt you owe ? " He quarried
" You see Kasa " he began his voice manipulatively soothing. " I understand that times are hard. And I happen to be in need of a.....worker, someone discreet. Someone desperate enough to do what others wouldn't dare "
Kasa's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. " What do you mean ? "
At this Jenkins leaned in, his voice dropping an octave lower in conspiracy.
" I'm offering you a way out, Kasa. All you have to do is....few favours for me. Simple tasks. No questions asked. "
The implications was clear, and Kasa felt a cold sweat break out across his back. " Illegal tasks? " He asked his voice barely above a whisper.
Jenkins smiled. " Do you really think a man like me deals in a honest work? " Don't be naive Kasa. This is your chance to prove your loyalty and earn your freedom. Or.... "
He leaned back, taking a leisurely sip from his goblet and letting his words sink in on his prey.
" Your time is ticking Kasa" He stood up and whispered in the trembling man's ears at the same time leaving a few coins on the table as payment.
" Enjoy your wine " he purposely pressed down on his shoulders causing the man to flinch before he walked away a wicked grin stamped on his face.
Kasa stared down at the cup of wine in front of him, lost in thought. He had now realized how deeply he had gotten himself in trouble. He obviously didn't even have a choice.
The very moment his daughter and wife pleaded on his behalf popped up again and for the first time since a long time all he felt was guilt, bitter guilt that made it hard to breath.
His throat burned, at the realization of it all. Despite how he constantly hit them and come home drunk useless, they still worried for him.
Now he had fallen into a bigger mess and everything just felt messed up, entangling them in more problems was just cruel but he didn't have a choice.
Or does he ??????