2nd of Summer, 508 A.V.
Underneath a large grove of oaks, Reed rested. It was late fall, and there was a crispness to the air. The trees had long since changed their colors, their leaves occasionally alighting on the ground. They pleasantly crunched when he shifted on the ground, giving him a sense of security in this dense wood. He opened his eyes and stared at the blue sky that peaked through the branches above. It would be sunset soon, so he would have to head back, but not before enjoying a few more chimes of this peaceful place. Taking in a deep breath, he reveled in the earthy smell of the forest floor. This was home, his true home. A bird sang in the distance, and sitting up on his elbows, Reed tried whistling the tune back. It came out as a puff of air. Reed laughed and got to his feet. Maybe there was some time to pick a few apples before he-
A cold splash of water washed over him, and his eyes shot open. “Master Reyes wants to see you” Matus barked at him, seemingly annoyed. The older, weathered man stared at him for a few moments through the bars before leaving back up the stairs to the main floor. How bout we break his skull? Reflexively, Reed clenched his fists and pain immediately shot up both his arms. Memories of the previous night’s fight flashed through the hang over that clouded his mind. Had he killed that last one?
Carefully he flexed again, the pain giving him something to focus on now as he stumbled to his feet. Walking closer to the lone torch that burned pitifully in the cell, he got a better look at the fresh bruises that now overlapped the older, darker ones across his knuckles. Dried blood caked the meat of his palm, but when he scratched it off with his thumb nail, he could see it was not his at least. On his body was a similar pattern of bruises that covered mostly his lower sides. With a groan, he slid back the cage door to his cell, and walked over to the trough.
Splashing more of the cold water on his face helped shake some of the fuzz of his hangover, and in its place came a raging headache that throbbed at his temples. Maybe cracking a skull wouldn’t be such a bad idea. Why had Master Reyes plied him with so much wine last night if he was going to wake him up at the break of day? He rubbed unsuccessfully at his temples as he looked up the stairs to where his master waited. What a farce, he hadn’t woken up this early in at least a tenday.
“Hurry up” Martus grumbled, and Reed hocked a loogie onto the ground. Petch that, let him come down here and make us. Grumbling, he splashed some more water across his body, and relieved himself before finally making it up the stairs. The old man was waiting for him with a whip coiled in his right fist. He was about a head shorter that Reed but was broad and thick with muscle. He wore a thin white chemise, and some dirty green trousers tied to his waist with some old rope. On the left side of his neck, the skin around his slave brand glowed a mottled red.
As Reed crossed the threshold, Martus shoved a pair of simple white breeches and an undercloth into his arms. “Get dressed, and out the front door. Masters taking you for a walk today.” Reed dressed quickly, suddenly very interested despite his relentless headache. It had been a long while since he’d last been out and about. Martus just chuckled nastily at his expression while he watched him dress. Once he was through, they both walked to the door, but only Reed went through. On the other side, Master Reyes waited for him in a small hand cart, curtains parted as the man gave orders to a couple of young men whom ran off when he approached. Reyes was finely dressed today, with a black jacket over his tan shirt. The jacket was stitched with a gold thread, as were his black trousers and boots. He wore his long, dark brown hair combed over to the right side over towards the right side of his face. Hesitantly, Reed approached the cart slowly and watched the men depart.
“I need you to carry the cart today. We’re going somewhere new, and quite out of the way so I’ll guide you as we go” Master Reyes said, not even waiting for him to respond before he pulled the curtains together. Are we horse or man? Reed’s brow crinkled in confusion, but he said nothing, instead just walking over to the front of the cart and taking the two long poles in his arms. He felt the muscles in his back tighten as he took on the extra weight, but with a grunt he got it settled in a midge more comfortable position to carry. “Straight ahead” Master Reyes voice rang out before he had a chance to ask, and with a sigh under his breath, Reed started walking.
Still nursing his hang over, Reed tried focusing on something else while he carried his master down the narrow street, avoiding unnecessary bumps where he could. Fortunately, the Master was not a heavy man, but he was as tall as Reed and nearly as muscular. He used to be more so, but he’d let himself get a bit of a paunch with his heavy drinking these last few seasons. Something had been bothering the man of late, though what, Reed hadn’t a clue. He mostly stuck to training in the warehouse the master kept, or in the old kennel where he slept, ate, and did everything else.
“Right, up that road a way to the bend then follow it left” Grunting, Reed nodded, and shifted his grip. Pain shot up his elbow. His fingers that had resolved to a dull ache flared to life once more, burning across the back of his hand. Just turn down an alley and kill him. They’ll probably congratulate you in these slums. Reed gritted his teeth, trudging onwards. The voice had been apart of him since he could remember. His curse for killing his mother. For attacking her when she had scarcely just birthed him. It was why he wore this collar. It was why he had to remain in chains. He repeated that last refrain to himself for the better part of a bell till finally they drew close to their destination.
“Straight across this field now, towards that house” He looked up to see a small, white house out in the distance. A small fence wrapped around it. The road grew wider and was paved with large flat stones that made driving the carriage substantially easier. As they grew closer, Reed could pick out a couple of figures tending to a fire beside the house. His stomach rumbled at the sight. Pressing through the final few meters, he released the cart carefully in front of the house before letting out a sigh. He let his arms swing loose at his sides for several moments as he tried to work some feeling into them. Behind him, his master waited in the carriage for several chimes till a man emerged from the house, taking his time to stroll over to the carriage. The man leaned inside. Standing a discreet distance from the cart, Reed gave them their privacy. He didn’t have to wait long for soon the man was heading back to the house with Master Reyes in tow. Without needing to be, Reed followed them in after a longing look towards the fire.
