Three-sixteen's POV
The black mist faded, but the pressure in the air was still strong. Three-sixteen was weak. His body was exhausted and his mind felt fuzzy. He hadn’t intended to do anything to help Talent, but when his father began to use his power, his own ability surged. It was a reflex, a defense mechanism, he wasn’t trying to hurt or even threaten the man.
A part of him wanted to apologize and beg for his life, but the rest of him was angry. He had done nothing wrong, but the boy’s father wanted to kill him for his existence. The power that coursed through his veins was a gift and he didn’t understand why it should mean that his life would be so difficult. Why should his existence offend others?
The high lord had asked who he was. He hadn't known how to answer, so he just told the truth. “I am nobody. Just a number from the mine.”
The high lord seemed to think his answers were a lie. His blade was sharp and gleaming and Three-sixteen felt sure that at any moment, he would die.
The high lord’s power pulsed and pushed against him, but it wasn’t painful. He was being suppressed, and he was too weak to fight, but the pressure was also somehow comforting.
It was like a warm blanket, or a mother's embrace. He didn’t know why, but it felt right, almost familiar.
A vague image—more like a shadow—appeared in his mind. Her words were like distant whispers he couldn’t make out, but he felt a strong longing for her.
The lord asked again, “Who are you?”
Three-sixteen still didn’t know, but he had the sense that there was more to him, something important that he’d forgotten. “I don’t remember.”
As the words left his lips the pressure inside increased in an instant. His mind raced to meet his desire and fill the gaps, only to break and destroy them again. The process was too fast for Three-sixteen to follow. He could only scream as his mind tore itself apart and he lost all sense of himself.
***
“Good morning, Mr Kastin. I’ve come to clean and…I’ve brought some food as well, if you want it.” The girl’s voice was quiet, but Three-sixteen’s head felt like a drum and every sound was like the pound of a mallet. He groaned, rolling onto his back.
A few moments passed, then a hand came to rest on his shoulder. “Master Kastin, are you alright?”
Three-sixteen blinked. His eyes stung, but he could see a girl with short black hair. Her face was pale and her eyes were a beautiful shade of violet. She looked worried, her full pink lips were pursed together.
“I’m okay, I think. Just a headache,” he managed, pulling himself upright. The room spun, but the girl grabbed him before he could fall off the bed.
“You’re trying to move too soon. You’ve been for a few days, you should take it slow.” She said, Her voice was soft and soothing, like music. “I’ll bring your food.”
Three-sixteen nodded. “Where are we?”
The girl smiled and shook her head. “You should eat first, then I’ll tell you anything you want to know.” She patted his shoulder and rose from the bed. Her uniform was blue and white, laced with amber trim and embroidered with a strange beast on the back.
It was a beautiful beast with scales on its hind legs, tail, and back. The rest of the creature was covered in thick fur that tried to hide sharp ridges along its spine. Its forelegs were lean, but chiseled and covered in a layer of short pale fur. A thick fuzzy mane surrounded its neck, hiding yet more spikes and enhancing the ferocity of its cat-like face. The beast had folded wings and its colorful scales formed a pattern of diamonds.
The girl's skirt was short, and her legs were long and smooth, her feet bare. Her dark skin was like a deep bronze and she moved with a grace that made him think of the way Vianni would float and flip around in battle. Her hair was down to her shoulders and flowed with soft curls that bounced as she moved. She was both strange and familiar, her features foreign and new but also somehow nostalgic. He didn’t recognize her face, but he felt like he knew her.
“Mr Kastin,” she called, apparently addressing him as there was no one else present. “How do you like your tea, with one lump or two?”
Three-sixteen was confused. First of all he didn’t understand why she would call him Kastin or by any name aside from his number, but also he had no clue what tea was or how it tasted or why anyone would add a lump to it. What even was the lump?
He frowned, his stomach growled, but his head ached. His eyes were tired and his body felt weak. “Just one, please.”
She smiled, her full lips tugging at the corners of her eyes. “As you wish, sir.” She gave a slight bow and dropped a white cube into a glass then stirred gently.
She lifted a tray containing a bowl of thick cream with a gritty texture and the glass of tea. She placed the tray beside him on the bed, then sat down, she pulled out a spoon. Three-sixteen hesitated to take the lumpy cream, his stomach growled but it seemed strange.
“It’s okay, I prepared it just for you,” she said, offering the spoon. She blew gently and lifted the spoon to his lips.
It smelled sweet, like the necter that dripped from certain cave plants; his mouth opened for the aroma and she placed the spoon inside before he could close it. It was sweet, but it had a salty taste as well that balanced and enhanced the sweetness. He couldn’t place the flavors, but it was the most delicious food he’d ever eaten.
He wanted another taste but she offered him the tea instead. It was a deep green liquid and he could feel its warmth on his lips as he sipped. It was refreshing but also bitter. He didn’t care much for the taste, but his soreness faded slightly with each gulp.
Three-sixteen had never felt so full in his life, nor had he ever been treated so kindly. It felt good to have someone care for him. He even forgot about his questions. “Thank you,” he said as he reached for the spoon.
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She shook her head, jerking the spoon out of his reach. “Just relax and let me care for you. When I’m done here, I have to clean up after a big man baby and I’m not particularly looking forward to it. I’d rather stay here longer. Unless, you’d prefer I go.”
“No,” Three-sixteen answered, perhaps a little too quickly. He wasn’t ready for her to leave. He enjoyed the company and he still didn’t know what this place was, or who she was, or who she thought he was. His questions returned as he considered how he could keep her here longer. “You called me Mr. Kastin earlier, why? I’m Three-sixtee—”
She shoved a spoonful of the sweet creamy grits into his mouth, then answered, “The high lord has given you a name. You’re to be called Dominant Kastin. All, including you, are forbidden from referring to the number you were once known by.”
Three-sixteen didn’t know how to respond. He expected to be killed, but instead he was given a name, now a beautiful girl was caring for him and as far as he could tell he was not being treated like a prisoner. He had no complaints, but it was all so unbelievable that he could hardly accept any of it. He could not shake the feeling that it was too good to be true.
He thought maybe this was a dream, but it all felt too real. He tried blinking and pinching himself under the covers, but he could not wake up.
He thought perhaps there was some ulterior motive. That they wanted to make him comfortable and at some point the girl would ask about his past, or the mine, or maybe it was something else they thought he knew. But he finished breakfast and she had not asked anything besides, “How was it?”
To which Three-sixteen smiled and replied, “It was…the best thing I’ve ever eaten.”
She smiled, a warm and gentle smile that made his heart race and his stomach flutter.
“You don’t have to flatter me; it was just a bowl of grits with a splash of zula nectar,” she giggled.
Three-sixteen didn’t know what a zula was, but the name sounded familiar and he felt certain it was a fruit. It was the only way to explain the flavor. In either case he wasn’t flattering her, but he didn’t want to risk offending her by insisting. He decided to say nothing, and she seemed satisfied by his silence.
“Are you ready for your bath?” she asked, standing and moving to collect the tray.
“Ummm, sure, but I can wash myself.” Three-sixteen answered.
The girl nodded. “Of course Mr. Kastin.”
Three-sixteen smiled again. “That’s going to take some getting used to, having a name.”
She nodded. “Mine is Mila by the way.”
“Mila,” Three-sixteen repeated, trying the name out on his lips, letting the syllables linger on his tongue. He liked the sound and feel of the word.
She was different than anyone he’d ever met, but her name felt comfortable and familiar. She left the tray by the door and led him through a large wooden archway to a room with a sunken pool of steaming water. It smelled of lavender and a soft haze filled the room.
It was a bit less flashy than the bathroom in the raven’s nest, but he felt this was somehow even more extravagant. The floor was covered in soft moss, which startled him at first, but he quickly realized the entire room was set up like a secluded spring. There were large stones for sitting, a wall of vines and a small artificial waterfall. The only thing that seemed out of place were the large mirrors along one wall, the sink and the toilet.
He didn’t need to be reminded of what to do. He turned to Mila with a nod, and the girl understood.
She backed out of space saying, “I’ll just wait on the bed. Oh, and if you do end up needing me, just call and I’ll come.” She gave a short wave and disappeared into the other room.
Three-sixteen was grateful for the privacy. He undressed and sank down into the pool of water. It was warm and felt soothing against his skin.
He was confused, but he felt relaxed. He wasn’t sure what this meant, or what was to come next, but he had no reason to worry. Mila would answer his questions when he was done.
He washed quickly, eager to finish so he could return to his room and talk with her.
When he was finished, he found a towel laid out for him next to the sink along with a fresh pair of clothes. The outfit had the same color pattern as what Mila wore, and it was also embroidered with an image of the same strange creature. He didn’t take much time to consider it.
The clothing was light and comfortable and he was eager to speak to Mila. He was curious about her and he was excited to get some answers.
When he was done, he left the bathroom and reentered the bedroom to find Mila laying back with a book. As he entered, she sat up and the book dissolved in the air. “How did you—no, never mind. Why am I here? This is all wonderful, but I can’t shake the feeling that it’s all wrong.”
Mila frowned and shook her head. “Well you’re not a prisoner, if that’s what you think. Lord Kastin—”
“Who?”
“The high lord of course, the lord of Krellestine.”
Three-sixteen didn’t know what Krellestine was, but he was fairly certain he knew who she was talking about. It must have been Talent’s father.
“I know this is all probably a lot… I’m sure you’re confused and even suspicious, but you’re not in any danger. I promise.”
Three-sixteen believed her. There was something about her that made him trust her, but he still felt anxious and uneasy.
Mila continued, “The high lord has decreed that you are to be treated as a member of the Kastin family and will live in the manor. So, that’s why you’re here. I don’t think I should say more, but if you’re curious I suggest you ask the young lord Kastin. I hear you arrived here with him.”
Three-sixteen wasn’t sure he wanted to know, but the way she said, “I suggest,” made it seem as if it was more than just a suggestion.
He nodded to let her know he would do as she suggested. She didn’t need to know he had no desire to see or speak with Talent. He did however have a few other questions.
Mila smiled as Three-sixteen’s expression shifted, then nodded. “Ask away, I will answer anything I can.”
“Well, I guess, to start, what is this place?” he asked.
Mila giggled. “You must’ve been living under a rock until now.”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t my choice to live in that hell hole and it’s not like they offered surface classes. I was lucky just to survive a cycle.”
She frowned and shook her head, then said, “This is the home of the high lord, Lord Kastin like I said earlier. It’s called Kasin’algrade. The high lord of the region is the highest ranking judge in all of the empire. And his word is the law. Even if he doesn’t issue a ruling, it’s unwise to cross him.”
Three-sixteen nodded. He knew the high lord must be powerful, but he was still confused. Why would the lord suddenly decide he could be a member of his family?
“I may have attacked him in a way… He was going to kill me, but instead he gave me a name?”
Mila twirled her hair nervously, then stood. “I should probably be going. But you know who to ask if you want to know more. Just ask anyone in the hall and they’ll be able to point you to him.”
Three-sixteen wasn’t sure what to make of her response. He didn’t want her to go yet, but he felt that he should let her.He’d at least learned the most important thing. He wasn’t in danger, and now he had a family—of sorts. He wasn’t eager to go looking for Talent, but he still had a few more questions.
Mila moved to leave and Three-sixteen followed her to the door. “I’ll be around, and I’ll bring your meals and clean up if you need, but try to be neater than your… brother?” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I might just give this up if you turn out like another him.”
Three-sixteen didn’t know what to say. He knew little about Talent and probably less about keeping clean. He’d never had to worry about that before.
“Maybe he’s messy intentionally. It sounds like a good way to secure more of your time.” He probably shouldn’t have said anything at all, but the words were out of his mouth already and he couldn’t pull them back.
Mila laughed. “I certainly hope not. And you better not try that either, I swear I’ll make you regret it if you do.”
Three-sixteen nodded. He wasn’t sure about his feelings but he knew she was beautiful and kind. He didn’t want to do anything that might upset her.
Mila nodded back then slipped out of the room, letting the door close behind her. Three-sixteen listened to the sound of her footsteps until he couldn't hear them anymore, then he turned and collapsed on the bed.