Its been a couple of months since little Rize was born and the master has finally sent for us, I knew this day would come, the day the master finally takes some responsibility for his progeny. These last couple of months have been difficult, I have no idea how to raise a child, I've been relying on Charlotte for milk and rearing whilst I work in the mines, thank Shira she also gave birth recently, its worth the portion of rations I've had to give her for the help, buts its all worth it for Rize, he's all I've got left, I would gladly give my life so he can live.
The messenger sent by the master came this morning instructing me to bring the child to his manor at the end of the northern district of the slave pens. unfortunately, I'm still required to complete my daily rota of work starting with west mining the blood ore from the quarries and sorting them from the suitable building materials, ordinarily, this would have been an easy job but due to the slave mark I cant utilize my earth mana and the lack of food lately my job has become 10 times harder. then I have to take the supplies to the garrison and help with construction, I doubt the foreman would let me go early even if I told him where I have to go afterward.
Only one more day to go, I only have to get through the rest of today, over and over thoughts like this revolving around Chesters sweaty head as he furiously thwacks his now blunt and rusty pickaxe against the side of the mine shaft, small rocks and dust ricochetting, pelting his body and the ground. oblivious to the mixture of amused and bemused stares directed at him from the other slaves, the spectacle he had created was attracting attention, after a couple of minutes, most of the older slaves went back to their work disenchanted by the fool zealously working for a few pieces of moldy bread. one of the larger slaves begins to swagger over, a mountain of muscle, about 2 foot taller that Chester and twice as wide, someone forgot to tell him that slaves only get 3 pieces of bread a day.
Positioning himself at the side of Chester he screams into his ear "Chester!" almost jumping out of his skin, dropping his pick on the floor next to his foot,"What do you want Rory?" disdain visible in his eyes. "nothing much, just wondering why your working so hard?" he said flashing a big toothy grin, "That's what I said to your mother the last time I visited a whore house," flashing a smile of his own, "you little shit,"rory laughs wraping his arm around Chester's neck putting him in a playfull head lock, "so you gonna answer the question or what?" his expession switches to deadpan and looks straight into chesters eyes. pausing for a moment before whispering " I have a meeting with the master tonight". Eyes lighting up with understanding "so daddy dearest finally wants to see his son". "I hope so". after a couple more minutes of talking Rory heads back to back to work.
The rest of the morning was pretty uneventful, mine until the slaver signals its time to move the materials to the to the garrison, we begin by loading the materials into their respective carts, 10 slaves to a cart 5 on either side, we set off on the journey along the south-west of the valley, by far the best part of the day because they dont really care who we puch the carts with as long as we get the job done, obviously I paired with Rory the only person i know from before becoming a slave. by the time we get to the top of the southern ridge of the valley, the sun is at the hight of its lunar path and the garrison is in sight.
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"Listen up maggots I don't want any funny business today," the foreman says directing his gaze to me. i shrink back a little, knew that if I so much as talked to one of the other slaves it'll be my head, I've learned the hard way that once he's in this kind of mood I have to be on my best behaviour otherwise ill get a lashing, I really can't risk that today. sometimes I wonder why the foreman hates me so much, I've never done anything to him but for some reason, it seems like the slightest thing I do sets him off.
"Whip crack!" "Stop slacking Chester!" arching his back in the pain, Chester scowls turning his face to look his assailant dead in the eyes. "What, got something to say?" he says tightening his grip on his whip. "N-No," was all Chester could say, turning back to do his work, in that situation knowing that if he said any other word hed receive another lashing.
Exhausted and battered Chester walks into Charlotte's hut,"Hey Char, I've come to get Rize". Handing the child over Charlotte jokes "why don't you come to visit ME anymore?" "What are you talking about, I'm here right now aren't I?" he says quizzically, "yeah but you only come because of the brat," she says pouting with her hands on her hips she continues "We used to have so much fun". "Yeah and every other tom, dick and harry," he chuckles. brushing off the last statement she asks"what happened to you anyway?" "The foreman, anyway I'm in a rush, ill visit you later I swear," he turns leaving the hut. "Yeah, see you later Ches," staring at his freshly bloodied back as he walks into the distance,"You could have at least shut the door" she sighs to nobody in particular.
Approaching the gate of the master's manor Chester is stopped by a servant, "Can I help you?" he says not bothering to hide his disgust in his voice, "ive brought the child as the master commanded," giving Chester a queer look he askes "Why would the master want to see the child of a slave?" before Chester could even respond a deep and booming voice echoed from behind, "Let them in" the servant turns only to see the master with a sevant in tow and bows immediatly, "As you command".
walking through the maze-like corridors in silence they finally arrive in a large empty room deep within the manor. "You understand why I summoned you tonight?" "Yes, because you want to raise your son?" Chester jokes, "Enough of that slave, you forget your place, this isn't your fathers keep and this certainly isn't 5 years ago." he says shutting Chester up. Turning to the servant he says, "Do you have the materials?" the servant only nods in acknowledgment. A look of horror flashes in Chesters eyes as he protests, "But Jonathan he's your" Before he can finish his sentence he is on the floor writhing in agony. withdrawing his glowing hand the master says, "I said enough, you only received leniency because of the child and our past relationship, there will not be a second time, are we clear?" Chester nods in acknowledgment still reeling from the shock.
"Now bring me the materials!"