The wind rippled through the Mississippi River. The willows rustling in sway with the wind bringing in whispers of what they've seen. The sky is cloudy on this morning, it has been so for the longest of time, almost as if it can't look upon this world any longer using the clouds as cover.
The day seemed dreary and cold as if the natural forces knew something no one else. Downstream of the river, a black bear was leisurely eating away at a bass, a peaceful and serene feeling came from the predator as if the world had no flaws, as if the world had no wrongs. However the bear was sadly mistaken, for if the bar walked all the way to the west bank of the Mississippi River, went through St James, Louisiana and followed a path surrounded by oak trees, they would see a beautiful Greek Revival style mansion and the bear, though a predator, would freeze in fear for this place held more evil and contempt than it had ever seen in it's entire life in the wild. This place was known as Oak Alley Plantation and this was only one of the multiple places on earth where the Devil reigned.
Inside this mansion, the Roman family, the owners of the plantation were celebrating the marriage between Henri Roman and Therese Bouligny. As the men and woman danced, in this sea of reddened faces you could see individuals walk fast to serve more and more alcohol, they were as human as the ones they were serving yet they were shouted at with profanities, under their formal attire were scars from whips and bruises from canes and if one looked on the palm of their hands, they would see a large R branded on them. These were slaves.
The night was lively with blues music playing in the background, alcohol flowing like water and food being found at any corner. Suddenly a clink sounded through the room as Henri Roman stood up, disheveled with his groom outfit that was meticulously made by his mother now in disarray with the tie so loose a sudden movement may cause it to become undone, a shirt and trouser so wrinkled that an iron couldn't save it and lipstick markings all over his face.
"Dear friends, family and even the negroes, WELCOME!". Chuckles and applause rang out through the decadent dining hall. "Okay, enough, enough. I'd like to thank everyone for being here on this day. Therese and I have known each others family for so long that even before we married, well, i already felt i was already one of the Bouligny's, though my father was French so i believe the connection is mutual, no?". Laughs rippled through the room, particularly from the brother of the bride, Eustass Bouligny. Henri smiled with his once perfectly clean teeth now yellow and stained from the alcohol. "But really, thank you to everyone that has come. Me and Therese, we... words can't express how we feel and I truly love this woman and i truly can't imagine her outside of my life". Smiles blossomed throughout the hall and tears fell, mainly from Eustass. "Ahem, well since that's out of the way, LETS PARTY!!!".
Shouts erupted and music revibrated through the hall, only enhancing the mood. Drinks were downed one by one to the point where the slaves were being overwhelmed. Men and women were now interlocking lips, husbands and wives were caught seducing their partner's friends. Noticing the decline in drink, Henri called out in a drunken stupor " DRINKS!! WE NEED MORE DRINKS!!!".
Sitting next to him was a beautiful woman, she had brown hair that seemed to scatter the light and each strand seemed to stand out. Her face, refined and having high cheekbones with lips that were moist and pink. Her eyes were blue like sapphires, making men and women fall deep into them yet there was an uncanny look of her as if she was too beautiful, too refined. She looked tired from all the kissing that she and Henri had done, her snow white face ,which was oddly glowing, covered in sweat. She said in a sonorous voice that made one feel as if they had meet a siren, "WHISKEY!! BRING MORE WHISKEY!!".
As the festivities were ongoing on in Oak Alley Plantation, the bear we had left earlier was now lying in a pool of blood and with bullet wounds all over it. Soldiers in red jackets were standing on the bank of the Mississippi River. They stood around watching a dwarfish man survey the area. A man with three stars on his collar called out in obvious irritation, "Mr. Rory, have you seen any signs of where the slave may have went!".
The dwarf rose slowly, his ginger hair matted with dirt, lice and mud and was unkept. His posture was hunched making him seem even smaller. He turned to the man smiling smugly, "Keep your knickers on Colonel, I already know where your negro went", an Irish accent sounding loud and clear. Rory pulled out a flask and downed it in one gulp. The soldiers wondered how he was still alive, he had taken more than 12 when coming here but it was to be expected from a Blessed, though they were now cursed with him.
"AND YOU COULDN'T MENTION THIS SOONER?!" shouted out the colonel, his face turning red as though he just left the bar. He had been stuck with this man who had been drinking, masterbaiting and defecating all over the camps. He had no knowledge of the wild life near the river and nearly got killed by a bear, the only good thing out of this journey was the end that was in sight. "Because Colonel...". Rory pulled out another flask sighing, "my last one...thank you for the experience old friends". He mock-prayed and then took down the whole flask with a tear running down his cheek.
The colonels face contorted and it looked he had reached his breaking point, though the soldiers wondered if it was this or the mentions of his little sister's bosom. Suddenly, Rory pulled out a silver-plated gun that had dogs patterned across. It shined in the moonlight with a malevolent glint that seemed to smile as smugly as Rory. The colonel's temper instantly vanished, the soldiers tensed. Their arguments had gone far but was Rory truly going to kill him?
The atmosphere turned cold that the river seemed to slow. "Now Mr. Rory, we can discuss thi-", the gun was cocked, the colonel gulped. The soldiers wouldn't, no ,couldn't move, this man was a Blessed who knows what will happen. Silence falls and then Rory points across the river and a bullet sails through the air. The bullet slowly expands into a steel net and enters the bush.
"Sorry Colonel, your slave was real quiet~~". The colonel staggered, he truly felt his life would end. He slowly came out of it and asked in shock, "Wha- what did you just say Mr. Rory?". Rory looked at him with a funny look, "Are you deaf? I caught the slave you wanted.". The net was already brought in by Rory into their bank. A man sat there trying to break free from the chain placed on his neck. The chain was normal until one took a second look and saw the symbol of the Slave Hunters on it.
"Mr. Rory ar-are you telling me this-this ... slave is-"."Yes colonel, he's just like me". The soldiers stared in shock. The mans skin was dark, whenever it moved muscles flexed and contracted to the naked eye. His hair was in cornrows but most of it had become undone. His eyes showed as much ferocity as a beast with no calm being found in them. Rory, who was sitting on a log stood up, "Pass me the branding iron, the one with the golden insignia on it.". One of the soldiers passed it on and Rory procedded to place the branding iron on the man's shoulder. "Uhh, Mr. Rory, shouldn't we began by heating it?" one of the soldier asked in confusion. Rory laughed at this and said "No need laddie, this one is meant to burn people like me the most".
The branding iron made contact and one could hear the skin searing. Rory, smiling in a maniacal manner asked "Tell me boy, what's your name?". The man wouldn't answer, keeping his teeth clenched in pain. Rory, smiling even wider said, "You want to resist laddie, do ya now? I like when they do that, that way it isn't put down as excessive force", Rory pressed the branding iron deeper to the point cooking flesh could be smelled. The colonel had seen slaves being branded but not to this degree.
"Now will you tell me you name lad?", Rory asked with a smile on his face, one that oozed with ill intentions. "Klay~" the man said weakly. "Huh? What's that lad?" Rory asked in a voice that suggested that he was having amusement.
"KLAY! MY NAMES KLAY!" shouted out the man in pure desperation and pain. Rory seemed disappointed in this but nonetheless he removed the branding iron and rose. "Well Colonel, my work here is done.". The colonel watched the entire branding with disgust yet awe. Before anyone could speak and ask what had just occurred Rory called out, "Oh yeah. Tell that old fat bastard that they negro Blessed. For payment, he knows where to find me" and as Rory walked away he blurred like a heat haze until he disappeared. Up until a bear roar rang through the woods.
The soldiers and colonel stood in awe until a horse came galloping. A man in extravagant clothing stood Infront of them, his clothes were high quality by look alone and his belly seemed to show it too. However the most interesting part of his wardrobe were his shoes. They looked to be a dark leather yet they didn't seem right, almost resembling ... skin.
"Ah Colonel seems you found my most prized slave. Has Rory O'Connell already gone off?". The man spoke in a refined German accent. The colonel stood straight as an arrow Infront of the man. "Mr. Richmond, we successfully navigated and captured the slave however, Mr. Rory informed me before he left that i inform you of the slave being well- uh...". The colonel took a deep breath. "This slave is Blessed sir!".
"Why, yes I know that of course" "Huh?". The colonel was confused. "Though i wished you had Mr. Rory kill him, having him alive may gain me some unwanted attention from the government 'round these parts. Mississippi just isn't what it was". The colonel looked in surprise at Richmond. The Bartholomew Richmond was a renowned slave trader in America and was an active supporter in it becoming more commonplace throughout America. He saw killing slaves as a fisherman saw one polluting the sea. No real emotion behind it, just thoughts of himself.
"Selling off a slave like this would be hard pressed even for me but If only there was a place that i could head to.". The colonel standing at attention immediately spoke up, "Mr. Richmond, if you would mind a suggestion, I recommend selling this slave to Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana.". "Louisiana ... hmm" Richmond contemplated. The colonel had been wanting money to buy his new sister-in-law a present but a Blessed slave would definitely steal the show.
"Hmm... You know what Colonel, why not? I had been meaning to move operation to Louisiana due to the increasing tension between Mississippi and Tennessee, I'll see this as my first step towards expansion.". The colonel smiled brightly, imagining his brothers reaction to this slave. The man in the cage had stopped fighting, looking at Richmond in fear that had taken over his soul. While others may see a refined and amicable German immigrant that rose to wealth, the man only saw darkness. If our dear Bear friend was till alive, he would see the very same thing and most likely piss himself from fear. "Now about payment, lets say about 1700 dollars?". The soldiers jaws dropped, they never knew that much money even existed much less seen it and yet this man said it casually, maybe slave trading was where wealth truly was as they made this mental note. The colonel smiled, he was born from money so he was accustomed to these large amounts of money. " We can discuss it on the way, follow me to my abode".
As the soldiers and colonel followed on their horses, Richmond asked to the colonel, "Colonel, are you sure you know what you're dealing with? Do you understand the term of a 'Blessed'?". The colonel had a confused expression as he looked to Richmond," I have the gist of it. Individuals whose traits have been enhanced". Richmond chuckled, "A perfect textbook example Colonel, however let me explain to you what it truly mean to be Blessed".