Knock, knock, knock.

"Gah!" Marcus breathlessly screamed, awakening from the recurring nightmare of his village's massacre.

"What the hell?" Marcus stood up, half awake, checking who was pounding his door.

Marcus slowly opened the door, readying himself for a threat.

Marcus, however, only found a vexed Ancus.

"Boy, do you know what time it is?" Ancus clenched his teeth.

Ancus was stern in his tone. Marcus looked up to see the sun well up. Marcus crunched his face, sensing Ancus's disappointment. It was his second day on the job, and he wasn't doing well.

"I'll get to my duties immediately," Marcus rushed to prepare himself.

Ancus shook his head in disappointment.

"I expect better from you, Marcus. You have responsibilities now. Don't make me regret giving you this chance."

Marcus felt a pang of guilt as he quickly dressed and made his way to his assigned duties.

First, he went to the construction site of the granary. The workers were hard at work, and the site buzzed with activity. Lucius, the laborer-in-charge, gave Marcus a nod as he arrived.

"Good to see you, Marcus," Lucius said.

"We've made some good progress this morning."

"That's great news," Marcus replied, trying to shake off his lingering embarrassment.

It wasn't long before Ancus called Marcus into his office. Marcus wandered to the estate, observing the grand fountain before entering. Ventenian servants directed an almost-lost Marcus to Ancus's office.

Ancus sat behind a large wooden desk cluttered with scrolls and ledgers and looked up as Marcus entered.

There wasn't much to be done yesterday except the granary. Today, another task needed completion.

"Marcus, good to see you. I have a few tasks for you."

"There are several tasks I need you to handle today," Ancus said, motioning for him to sit.

"First, we have a shipment of seeds that need sorting, and the livestock pens need repairs."

"Yes, Master Ancus," Marcus said, ready to take on the day's challenges.

Marcus started with the seed shipment. He headed to the storage shed where sacks of seeds piled high.

He met with the merchant of the shipment. Marcus grabbed the sacks and, with the help of the merchant, brought the sacks into the storage. They threw them in with all their force and breathlessly sighed.

Each sack was labeled, but the labels had faded, making them hard to read. Marcus got on his knees and began meticulously sorting through the sacks. It took him a few hours, but finally, Marcus had finished.

Next, Marcus moved to the livestock pens. The wooden fences had deteriorated over time.

Some of the animals had started to escape. Marcus gathered tools and materials, then set to work mending the broken sections of the fences.

"All the laborers were too busy working on the granary to focus on a simple task like this," Marcus thought.

"Oink!" an escaped pig screamed.

Marcus turned his head to find the pig on his back and unable to flip over.

"What the hell?" He sighed before grabbing the pig.

"Ugh," Marcus groveled, struggling to get the resisting animal back inside.

"Pfft," a voice giggled.

Marcus turned his head to the hills where Anca stood.

She swiftly turned her gaze, pretending not to see the embarrassing moment.

"Whatever," Marcus hummed in embarrassment as he dragged the last livestock inside.

Marcus returned to fixing the fence. As he hammered and nailed, he noticed Anca again, watching from a distance. She seemed curious but didn't approach.

Marcus smiled to himself, focusing on the task at hand. By the time he finished, the pens were secure, and the animals were safely enclosed. All seemed to be well. Marcus once again returned to the Venti Estate to report his success.

"How was the shipment?" Ancus questioned while sorting through his piles of papers.

"Good, it's all organized in the storehouse."

"And the fences?" Ancus questioned once again, this time peeking up from his documents.

"They seemed to deteriorate, but I managed to fix them and get the stray livestock back inside."

"Good," Ancus said, satisfied with Marcus's efforts.

"How are things at the granary?" Ancus inquired, finally putting his papers down.

"They're going smoothly, same as before," Marcus responded in quick succession.

Once Marcus saw Ancus's satisfaction, he turned to leave.

"Wait," Ancus stopped Marcus.

"Here, get yourself something to eat tomorrow," Ancus tossed a pouch of denarii at Marcus.

Marcus inspected the bag. It was more silver denarii than he had ever possessed in his entire life. Furthermore, Marcus had realized he was so caught up in work he hadn't eaten since he arrived at the estate.

He gazed with amazement, jaw dropped to the floor. If Ancus intended to make Marcus forever loyal, it was working.

Marcus marched off, proud and excited to see what he could buy with his newfound wealth. Marcus was so focused on his silver denarii that the sight of Anca sitting at the fountain startled him.

"Oh, excuse me," Marcus greeted, his voice respectful but tinged with a hint of nervousness.

Anca turned to face him, her expression mysterious.

"Good evening, Marcus," she replied, her tone cool and composed.

"I see you have been busy today."

"Yes," Marcus said, stepping closer but maintaining a respectful distance.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"I completed the tasks Master Ancus assigned to me," Marcus stated. "Whenever I enter his office, I'm still amazed by the architecture," Marcus spoke softly.

Anca studied him, her deep blue eyes reflecting the moon.

"What do you think about the whole estate?" Anca asked, her interest seemingly piqued.

"It was incredible," Marcus said earnestly. "Beautiful, it's unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Ventenia is remarkable."

Anca’s lips curved into a slight smile.

"It is," she agreed, her voice softening. "Ventenia has a way of enchanting those who open their eyes to its beauty."

Anca gestured for Marcus to sit on the edge of the fountain.

He obliged, and she joined him, her posture elegant and poised.

The sound of the water provided a soothing backdrop to their conversation.

"Fruit?" Anca asked, picking a berry from the fruit basket beside her.

"I've never eaten one of these fruits," Marcus said, before taking a bite.

Marcus's face lit up, surprised by the rich taste.

"This is, wonderful."

Anca laughed, "It's just a common fruit."

"Yes, but it's one of the greatest things I've ever eaten," Marcus refuted.

"I see," Anca said, amused by Marcus's words.

"I noticed you struggling with the livestock today," Anca said, her tone teasing but not unkind. "It's not easy, is it?"

Marcus chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, it's not," he admitted.

"But it's satisfying work. I want to prove myself worthy of the trust Master Ancus has placed in me."

Anca nodded thoughtfully. "I've tried to prove myself to him for nineteen years. It doesn't work," she whispered into his ear.

Marcus laughed. "Well, he doesn't seem too focussed outside of work."

Anca chuckled, looking at the glistening stars.

"Have you ever wanted to leave Lacarta, see other things?" She inquired, looking deeper into the stars.

"I wouldn't know where," Marcus scoffed.

He paused, asking her, "Where would you go?"

Anca stared into his eyes before answering, "I want to see the mages of Algan, or maybe the mythical creatures in the eastern land of Dracon."

"Are they real?" Marcus asked, "I thought they were a myth."

"You never know until you see, I guess," Anca replied.

They sat silently for a while, the night air wrapping around them like a cloak. The gentle babbling of the fountain and the distant hoot of a bird were the only sounds in the quiet courtyard.

Anca stood up gracefully, her movements fluid and deliberate.

"Thank you for the conversation, Marcus," she said, dropping her formal tone.

"It was... nice."

Marcus rose to his feet, bowing slightly. "The pleasure was mine, Miss Anca," he replied sincerely.

"Ugh, just Anca," she scoffed.

"What?" Marcus replied, tilting his head in confusion.

"Drop the miss. Just plain old Anca," she declared.

With that, she walked away, her silhouette disappearing into the shadows of the estate. Marcus watched her go, his mind racing with thoughts of Anca and her ambiguity. Anca was strange but pleasant.

As he finally made his way to his quarters, Marcus felt a burning feeling in his heart. A flame that told him to wake up tomorrow and work harder than ever.

At sunrise, Marcus set out for the marketplace in Ventenia. The bustling market was filled with vendors selling goods, from fresh produce to finely crafted wares. Marcus wandered through the stalls, admiring the colorful displays and inhaling the rich scents of spices and baked goods.

The marketplace was alive with the sounds of commerce and conversation. Vendors called out to potential customers, extolling the quality of their goods and offering samples. Shoppers haggled over prices, their voices mingling with laughter and the clinking of coins.

The crowd was a vibrant mix of people. Local townsfolk mingled with travelers and merchants from other Lacartan states. The clothing ranged from simple, homespun tunics to richly embroidered robes, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of the market-goers. Children darted between the stalls, their faces lit with excitement as they explored the market's wonders.

Stalls and booths lined the square, each adorned with colorful awnings and banners that fluttered gently in the breeze. The vendors were a diverse group. They ranged from local farmers to skilled artisans, each showcasing their unique wares. The stalls were meticulously arranged, creating a maze of narrow pathways that guided shoppers through the market.

Stalls laden with a cornucopia of fresh fruits and vegetables were a feast for the senses. Farmers proudly displayed their bountiful harvests, their tables overflowing with ripe tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and fragrant herbs. Apples and grapes gleamed in the sunlight, their vibrant colors enticing passersby. What was most intriguing were the pomegranates. The fruit is only grown in the more southern parts of Lacarta.

He stopped at a vendor selling fresh fruit and purchased a basket of apples. The vendor, a cheerful woman with a warm smile, handed him the basket in exchange for a few silver denarii.

"Thank you, young man," she said. "These are the finest apples you'll find in all of Ventenia."

Marcus nodded gratefully and continued to explore the market. He bought some bread, cheese, and a small jug of wine. As he walked, he marveled at the variety of goods available, far more than he had ever seen in his small village.

He also came across a stall selling tools but it was over his budget, so he put it aside.

Marcus then passed a brothel, swiftly turning his head and continuing forward.

Over the next few weeks, Marcus continued to work diligently, completing the tasks Ancus assigned him. He sorted more shipments, repaired fences, and ensured the granary construction stayed on schedule. His hard work did not go unnoticed, and he began to build relationships with the other workers on the estate

Lucius, the laborer-in-charge, became a valuable ally. Lucius admired Marcus's dedication and often offered guidance and advice. They shared meals during work, discussing the progress of the granary and other projects on the estate.

Anca remained a mystery to Marcus. She watched him from a distance, her curiosity evident, but she rarely spoke to him. Despite this, Marcus felt a growing connection to her, sensing that she was observing his progress with interest.

Marcus went to oversee the granary construction, and Lucius approached him, worried.

"Marcus, we have a problem," Lucius said. "One of the main support beams for the granary has a crack in it. If we don't replace it, the entire structure could be compromised.

Marcus felt a surge of anxiety.

"Can we replace it quickly?" Marcus asked.

Lucius nodded. "Yes, but we'll need to source a new beam and get it installed as soon as possible. I'll start organizing the workers to remove the damaged beam."

Marcus sprang into action, heading to the storage shed for a suitable replacement beam. He searched through the timber, finally finding a sturdy piece that would serve as a replacement. With the help of several workers, Marcus transported the beam to the construction site. The process of replacing the damaged beam was arduous and time-consuming.

The workers labored tirelessly, carefully removing the cracked beam and installing the new one. Marcus supervised the operation, ensuring that everything was done correctly.

As the day wore on, Marcus's muscles ached from the physical exertion, but he refused to rest until the job was complete. Finally, as the sun set, the new beam was securely in place, and the granary construction could continue.

Lucius tapped Marcus on the back. "Well done, Marcus."

Marcus nodded, feeling a deep sense of relief.

Marcus spent several days checking and double-checking the construction site to ensure everything was progressing smoothly. The workers seemed more confident, and the pace of the work picked up. The granary, a critical project for the estate, was back on track.

Ancus, noticing Marcus's commitment, began to show a subtle shift in his attitude. He was still stern and demanding, but there was a hint of approval in his gaze whenever Marcus reported on the progress.

One evening, as he finished his job, Marcus found himself near the fountain where he had spoken to Anca. The memory of their conversation lingered in his mind, a mixture of intrigue and a subtle sense of connection.

Marcus looked up to see her approaching, her expression as enigmatic as ever. "Good evening, Anca," he greeted, dropping the formalities as she had requested.

Anca sat beside him, her movements graceful and fluid.

"You've been busy," she remarked, her tone almost approving.

Marcus nodded. "There's always work to be done. But it feels good to see the progress we're making."

"You've impressed Ancus," she said. "That's not an easy feat."

Marcus shrugged modestly. "I just do what needs to be done."

Anca laid her head on her hands, running her fingers through her dark hair. Marcus stared at her longingly, wondering just what she wanted with him. Anca noticed his gaze, mockingly glaring back at him.

"You know, Marcus, something about you... I don’t know why, but I’m drawn to you. You have a unique effect on those around you." Anca turned her body to Marcus.

All Marcus could do was nod his head in agreement. Anca waved Marcus goodbye and disappeared into the estate once again. Marcus looked forward to their evening conversations by the fountain, where they could speak freely and openly. Even briefly, he loved the sound of her voice, warm and noble.

It had been about eight days since Marcus had arrived at Ventenia. As the granary neared completion, Marcus felt a sense of accomplishment. He had proven himself capable and earned the respect of Ancus and the other workers. More importantly, he had found a friend in Anca, someone to talk to under cover of night.

Marcus had found more than he thought he deserved. He was satisfied, with a life of working and eating well. What more could he ask for?