Ethan followed the main roads for almost a week until he saw the first farmland. The trip itself was rather uneventful and he saw no one from either direction or the splitting roads as he walked. He assisted his speed a bit with magic and to break up the monotony.
Fields of wheat lined the sides of the road and every so often there were rows of other crops. He noticed that there were also potatoes, local herbs, and a few small sections of potion ingredients. It was nearing harvesting season, so Ethan spotted workers crouched down in the fields. He didn’t immediately bother them and instead kept heading towards the farmhouses in the distance.
‘It is a shame that most of this food will be wasted. I hope they can get a few good meals for the trip before they join the rest in the mountains. The indentured servants are a bit shy, but that is understandable given the current times.’
Once Ethan got closer to the farmhouse and surrounding buildings he stopped a worker that walked along the road. The servant tried to turn and move away, but his grip was firm.
“I just want to ask you some questions.”
“I... I can’t.” The man turned his head to face him, and Ethan saw the brand marked clearly on the side of his neck.
“I see. Get going before you are punished.”
‘It seems I was wrong about them being indentured servants. I should meet with the owner before he knows of my arrival.’
Ethan moved quicker towards the main building as he jogged towards it on the dirt road. The main house had a stone foundation, likely transported from the mountains and wooden walls and roof from trees local to the area. The other buildings to the sides were storage areas for the harvested crops and housing for the slaves. They were also built with the same wood but had clay and thatched roofs to save on cost.
He approached the door and gave it a good knock. The voice of an older man came through the door before he opened it a checked who it was.
“Who are you. I don’t want no homeless person begging for food. I already had one last week and they tried to steal food anyways. You are much more well-dressed than the last person and you didn’t already steal food that I know of. So, what do you want? I’ve got business to attend to.”
Ethan looked the man over. He was a larger man in his fifties with balding hair. He was much more well-dressed than the people in his fields, but he was almost as haggard. Ethan couldn’t blame him, however. Trying to keep a group calm before their eventual destruction was hard and took a certain amount of skill that the man seemed to lack based on the slave brands.
“Well, I was here about another matter, but it has now come to my attention that you have put illegal slave brands on your workers,” said Ethan.
“Is that what this is really about. You people sent someone just last week about this, but I need to keep things in order and the world is changing it…”
“It will stay the same regardless of whether it is humans, elves, or gnomes that rule this area. There will be no slaves, especially the enslavement of other races. Yes, things are changing, but that doesn’t give you the free pass to..”
“I think you should leave. Harry come out here. Escort this man out of the area.” The farm owner motioned to someone behind the door where Ethan couldn’t see.
Another man who looked to be the owner's son stepped out from the door and looked Ethan up and down.
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“Let’s go. Walk or I will drag you,” said Harry.
Ethan refused and Harry grabbed Ethan’s shoulder. In response, Ethan grabbed the hand and spun in place, and swept Harry’s leg forcing him to the ground. Harry’s Father’s face twisted in anger, and he prepared a spell.
“[Mana Bolt]”
The attack flew towards Ethan’s head, and he ducked to avoid it. Harry was still laying on the patio cradling his head. The blast kicked up the dirt and created a small hole where it hit. He fired off the [Mana Bolt] a second time.
“[Reflect]”
Ethan instinctively cast this spell and it flew back at the farm owner while a small shield formed around Ethan’s hand and absorbed some of the power. The pair of them were so close that the farm owner barely had time to react and couldn’t cast another spell because his skill wasn’t good enough.
The blast hit him in the stomach, and he flew back and hit the table in the entryway. Harry was sitting up by now and watched in horror as his father’s own spell backfired on him so terribly.
“Please stop this. I don’t have magic,” said Harry. “I’ll do anything you want. It was all my father’s decision. I just work on managing the farm and meeting with a group for selling the produce.”
“Your father will be fine if he is treated soon. Remove the brands and I might help him.”
“Of course. If I may?” Harry removed a knife from his belt and cut it into his palm. “With this blood, I undo the oath made and release those who have been placed under me. May the bindings break, and wounds heal.”
Harry looked up at Ethan in approval. He did not change his exterior emotions at all. Harry’s father groaned in pain as Ethan approached, but he gave no sign of protest. Ethan looked him over.
“Help me,” he said weakly.
Burns covered his chest, and his clothes were in tatters. He was also bleeding from his head.
“I won’t be doing that. Not only have you enslaved people despite the treaties signed forbidding the practice. You have also assaulted me, a kingdom official. The only mercy I can give is that your death will be quick.”
“[Inhale Death]”
Black mist left Ethan’s hands after he cast the spell and entered the farm owner’s mouth. He was dead shortly after. When Ethan turned around Harry gulped. With a clean-cut Harry’s hand was removed from his arm and instantly cauterized. He wanted to yell out, but Ethan kept him quiet. He chose to cry quietly instead.
“I would suggest not breaking interkingdom law in the future. Though speaking of your future. Your life might be saved. If the now freed slaves don’t end your life. You see I have an announcement to make.”
Ethan paused for a moment before casting another spell. His voice grew louder and spoke into everyone’s ears on the farm. “You all have some good news. Not only are you all free, but there is salvation if you are willing to risk it. The people of the mountains will allow you refuge within their territory. The weather will be unforgiving if you mess up, but there is a chance and I hope you take it. Good luck. If you wish to stay here and try to survive here then I will not stop you.”
Ethan turned to Harry once more and only spoke to him. “Bury your father and leave like the rest. If you harass the others I will know and I will kill you. You understand?”
“Yes sir,” Harry whispered.
Ethan turned around a left him there satisfied with his answer.
‘The next few farms are smaller but closer together at the same time. As long as I don’t take up too much time with issues like this then I should be able to reach them all. That reminds me.’
“I have one more question for you.”
Harry was standing up now but had slunk away from Ethan and stood closer to his father’s body.
“What else do you need mister.”
“Did you get any forecasts from the town or from others fleeing this way on the timescale for when the first undead would arrive?”
“I only heard about the projections for when it would come to Cliffton from whence you came. By now it should be about two and a half weeks, but if the others in their way slowed them at all it might be up to three weeks for them to arrive.”
“Then that only gives me about two weeks to herd the others toward the mountain. I’m sorry for your loss, but I must get going. I will do what I can to slow them if I find them and see the opportunity to do so. I bid you farewell.”
Ethan nodded and walked towards the next farm location that he knew of. Some of the freed slaves watched as he left the house and Harry held his head down in shame. Once Harry had undone the ritual for the enslavement they had all felt the power tethering them to him and his father disappeared. Realizing what Ethan, the stranger to their farm, had done they stopped what they were doing and approached the main house.
Once Ethan had told them that they could be free and had a chance of freedom in the mountains, their hopes were rekindled. Some cried with joy after experiencing weeks of hardship as a farmworker. Their days had been uncertain, but now they had a path and a purpose.