The wheezing and rattling breaths filled the room like a nest of hornets. Trosyn sat by one of the lower cots, wiping the brow of one of the sailors. He was burning up, and she wasn't sure he would pull through. The ship's doctor clicked his tongue as he checked the pulse of one of the other sailors.
"Rapid... thready..." he sighed as the midshipman with him wrote notes. The doctor looked over to Trosyn. "Don't strain yourself, Red."
"I'm not." Trosyn responded serenely as she wetted the chapped lips of the sailor she was attending to.
"I know you're missed in the mess, but I really appreciate your help these last few days," the Doctor, one Doctor Hern, said in his high voice, which didn't seem to match the craggy visage of the middle-aged man. His hair was such a pale blonde against his ruddy skin that it almost took on a pink appearance in certain lighting.
"It's fine. I understand why you forbid me to work around food at the moment." Trosyn responded as she held the weakened sailor's hand. "Do you really think this was caused by contaminated water?"
"Yes. But it may have been from the last port we visited, as I know Cook is very particular about the quality of our water. I've seen this fever before," Doctor Hern sighed. "I'll soon be out of tincture of silver, and will have to make do with honey and garlic."
"Well, I should be getting on," Trosyn said as she rose from the stool she'd been occupying, hearing the slow, raspy breaths of slumber from the sailor she was attending. She left the area that had been curtained off for the sick sailor from the rest of the barracks, only to hear a clatter of rushing feet. Standing in front of her was Volente, his face etched with worry.
"Volente, what is it?" Trosyn asked. He stared at her, wide eyed.
"It's Baldovo! He's burning up!"
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"I think he'll pull through. I checked in on him and Doctor Hern seemed quite hopeful," Trosyn remarked as she sat on a stool in Colto's room. Colto was sitting cross legged in his cot, and Volente was pacing and wringing his hands.
"He should have accepted my oil. Neither you nor I are sick!" Volente opined. Trosyn shook her head.
"I'm not, and I never took it," Colto said in his calm, monotone.
"Oh but you are healthy as a buffalo!" Volente exclaimed.
"You aren't helping yourself or Baldovo by going on in this way, Volente. The doctor said this sickness springs from contaminated water," Trosyn asserted in a firm tone, trying to straighten Volente's coiling anxiety.
"But we all eat and drink roughly the same!" Volente exclaimed. "It must be my medicines that have helped! Oh dear, oh dear, but maybe not, my throat is feeling sore. Baldovo had a sore throat, didn't he? I must go gargle, I must-"
Trosyn sprang to her feet, standing in front of Volente, hands on her large hips. "Volente, you need to stop and take some deep breaths." Volente blinked a few times, staring at Trosyn. He opened his mouth to protest but she crossed her arms and lifted her chin, standing her ground with a firm eye. This caused Volente to swallow and instead comply, breathing deeply. "There now. I wouldn't want you to choke while gargling due to your agitation." Trosyn reached out, patting the side of Volente's arm.
Volente was stunned, looking down at Trosyn's hand. This reaction caused Trosyn to immediately withdraw and mutter an apology. "No, it's fine, it's fine," Volente murmured as he rubbed his arm.
"Need a distraction?" Colto asked, having silently watched the two interact.
"Maybe, once I've had some medicine," Volente murmured.
"Well, I can come by later and tell you more tales, if you aren't bored of me yet," Trosyn said with a smile.
Volente smiled sheepishly. "I would like that... but Baldovo might not."
"Keep good notes, and you can catch him up when he is recovered," Trosyn said with a smile. This seemed to cheer Volente up considerably. He stood there, smiling broadly, the creases at the edges of his mouth furrowing deep. Trosyn stood aside so that he could pass on by.
"Oh... yes.. Better go find my garlic water..." Volente said, quickly reanimating as he sauntered off. Trosyn shook her head and trailed after him, leaving Colto in peace at last.
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And now to return to my story. Hmm. I think the next relevant event was shortly after our adventure underground. Benold came to me and placed some silver coins in my hand. I was naturally very confused and asked him what the purpose of that was.
"You went above and beyond your duties in the caves, and the vein looks to be very rich indeed," he told me. "I feel you are owed some of the further wealth it will bring me."
I looked at the money. Where could I keep this safely? I tried to push the money back into his hands as I said, "This won't do me any good. I am a slave. Where would I spend it?"
"Surely you want a few items of your own? Or you could save it up," Benold insisted, pushing it back into my hands.
"I am your property, Master, anything I own would be yours anyway, so you might as well keep it." Again I tried to give it back to him.
"I won't take anything from you that you buy yourself. You've earned this, and it's upon my honour I must compensate you for discovering that vein," Benold held up his hands so I could not give the money back.
This went on for a while, my refusal to accept the money, and his insisting that I take it. Understand, in the past when slavery was used among my people, a slave could buy their freedom. But since this servitude was a punishment, the option to buy freedom was not made available. It was not necessarily forbidden, but there was no price, no debt that could be honoured.
"Master, if you wish to reward me, then put the money aside for me. You keep it safe, you be its steward," I finally relented. This was a compromise we could both reach. He felt he was discharging some sort of debt and was able to save face, and I didn't have the burden of the coin. You see, I had shelter, I had food, and he'd provided me with modest and functional clothing. The only things that I wanted or needed were things money could not buy. Well, except for sweets, which I did not wish to waste money on.
I was sometimes sent back to the mines to help interpret the messages that the Coblynau tried to convey, but in time, the miners began to understand them better without needing my guidance. While I never learned what that creature in the tunnels was, I got the sense that the Coblynau felt it a threat to them as well, and were grateful to have had it dealt with. The Coblynau can work and work, striking at the rocks, but never make any progress. They rely on mortals to excavate on their behalf. And I warned the miners to always leave offerings of food, and a small portion of the ore for the Coblynau if they wanted their continued assistance.
The master and I were speaking more often, but he was still quite guarded and imperious. But I could see his demeanour became more tender towards me when he didn't think anyone was looking. As for my feelings towards him, they were still confused. I wanted to love him. It would make everything so simple if I did, even if I never could express it. But there was still the taint of having had to fight against him in the war. And there was still the fear of his associates. I often thought, if he truly cared about me, he would protect me from them. But in the past, he had failed to, and even defended them. And I could not trust that history would not repeat itself.
As I stated, I was feeling more confident and secure, but still there was some tension. But that confidence began to wane. Not because of anything he did, but the betrayal of my own body. I had always been robust, except for one matter. When I was younger I had these great pains, but I was able to seek out a wise woman who could make them manageable. And when I was in the service, they had doctors who were able to eliminate them - for a time. The ailment I had was stigmatised, so I was trying to conceal it. There was no one I trusted enough to help me find a practitioner who could abate it.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
My work was slowing down. Mrs. Gray could see it, but wrongly assumed that I was getting proud. She probably believed that because the Master had been too soft on me, I was becoming complacent. So she began working me harder. Sir Benold, himself, was blissfully unaware that anything was wrong. He usually was unaware of the struggles of others if they didn't tell him directly. On the battlefield, few details slipped past him. But on the social sphere he was myopic. Fortunately, the pain wasn't constantly there. It was intermittent. So I was learning to work around it. But most importantly, conceal it.
As I said, Benold was oblivious. And he decided it was time to expand his holdings. Why he didn't bring a detail of men with him, I'll never be entirely certain. But the two of us ventured out to a beautiful clearing, with cascading pools and caves hidden beyond the falls. I could sense this place had a strong connection to spirits, although I could not detect any entities close by. I took off my shoes and waded in the lucid pools while Benold watched, a smile on his face. After playing a little, he told me it was time to do what we came there for: to explore.
Now, Benold is a warrior. He's fought many battles. But most of them from a safe distance. And such, he's not as brave as he'd like people to believe he was. After the last encounter, he was not keen on going back into the caves. So he instructed me to go ahead, alone, and see if I could find anything. But he also told me, at the first inkling of danger, to not take any chances and come back, where he would be waiting, armed. As his will was my command, I went on ahead.
It was just me and the echoes of a distant drip and rushing water. I quite enjoyed the soothing sounds and feeling of depth and solitude. It was a different sort of solitude than when I was locked in my room at night. But this was dark and solemn and tranquil. I am unbothered by the dark, you see, and my eyes adjust fairly well. Eventually I found a large chamber and one of the walls felt unusually smooth, as though it had been worked. I elongated the wick of my lantern and saw writings and glyphs on the wall. I could not understand them, but I felt that they were significant. I remember running my finger over them, as if I could etch them into memory. But that was when I heard a scream.
You can imagine I was very startled, and very distressed. I always considered that I was the one in danger, not anyone else. It took me time to wend my way back to the mouth, but I saw no trace of Benold. Instead, I saw two figures wearing tribal garb. One had a hood and cowl formed of eagle feathers. The other wore a wolf's head upon her crown. They both were peering down into a steep descent to some subterranean pools below. I do not remember what I first said to them, but they understood me asked who I was. I answered truthfully that I was a slave. They looked at my bracelet, seeming to understand what it represented.
What I found interesting is they said I stunk of the Comiba, which was a word I did not know. It apparently was a word they used to describe the conquerors. In part, it's what Benold was. What Commander Slacht was. They called them devourers, and said they would bring ruin to everything they touched. I was not going to disagree. I knew there were plans to ravage this land of all its resources to fund their own take over back in Ayokonia. And there was no guarantee they would stop there. Perhaps even try to conquer all of Siperon. They then looked back down into the long drop. I remember exactly what the eagle-feathered man said.
"Good riddance. May he be a feast for the cave worms."
I was terrified. What would happen to me now, without Benold's protection? I was also aware that yes, despite my grievances, I really did care about him. I was also afraid of what these people may do to me. Would I be a spoil to take back as conquest? Would they kill me? Would they just leave me? I asked them what they had planned for me.
"What do you believe you deserve?" responded the woman with the wolf-headdress.
This was a difficult question. "That is a trickster's question. I believe that I deserve neither your hostility nor your hospitality."
She smiled and pardoned her difficult question, but said it gave her interesting insight. I then went on to tell her, "You have made a grave mistake attacking Sir Benold. His men are cruel. But they are also loyal to each other, and will exact revenge with tenacity. He was the most reasonable of the inner circle. He was the only thing holding them back. I suggest you prepare yourselves for a brutal assault."
This may have not been wise, considering my predicament. However, I felt it prudent to be straightforward with these people until I learned more about them. The eagle-man was clearly offended by my words and moved to strike me down, but the wolf woman placed her spear in his path to halt him. She spoke, "You assume we attacked him. We did not. Can you not smell it? The musk of the cave worms?"
It occurred to me just then I made an error in judgement. I peered down into the darkness with my lantern, and saw Benold down below, lying in a shallow puddle. I saw no cave worms, and he looked as though he may be alive yet. So I apologised and begged that they excuse my ignorance. They appeared bewildered as I tied my lantern to my belt, and prepared to go climb down. I told them, "I will be punished if I do not rectify this. Please, do not stop me."
"Why? Why go after him? Has he not enslaved you? Do you not realise you can be free?" I heard them questioning me. The feathered man said something about having been controlled or enchanted. I told them I had no time to explain and I jumped down.
I approached Benold and felt his breath. He was still alive, albeit out cold. I tried to wake him, but he would not stir. Then I heard a series of clicks which turned into a screech. By now, I could smell what they described. Musky, strong, earthy, but also slightly acrid. From the darkness a giant worm slithered into view, rearing up and opening its formidable maw. I tried again to wake him, but he would not move. On the ground nearby, I saw his rifle, and I grabbed it. Although I was not a good shot, I had little choice. It was loaded and I had one shot.
I did not wish this creature harm. Unlike the monster in the other caves, I knew cave worms were important to the distribution of minerals. It was a large enough target I probably could hit, but I knew that it would likely shrug off anything, unless I aimed specifically for its open mouth. But again, I did not wish to kill it. I didn't have much time to deliberate. I opened fire upon it, hitting it just below its head. This caused it to reel back and shriek in pain. I stood up as tall as I could, waving the rifle with one hand, and my lantern with the other. To my surprise, and relief, the combination of pain and light caused it to retreat.
I sank down next to Benold. I could not carry him. I was too weak. I could drag him, but not back up to the cave opening. Alas, I had not thought that far ahead. All that mattered to me was getting to him to protect him. To my surprise, the two tribespeople had not left but called down to me.
"You did not kill it?" The wolf woman asked in disbelief.
"Should I have?" I asked, uncertain.
"No. Perhaps you are not like them after all. You are not mindlessly violent."
"I am not. And neither is he. He is mindfully violent," I told them, trying to alleviate the tension with some humour. But I do not think it translated well into their culture. There was a heavy silence. I broke it by asking for their help, to which I heard the man laugh. I insisted that if they helped us, he would owe them a favour. I was desperate.
The two conferred with each other for a while. They finally agreed to help me lift him out, with the expectation of both of us owing them a favour later. While I could not see how I would be of much use to them, I did say I was in their debt. This was a very dangerous gambit, but time was precious.
They climbed down, and between the three of us, we were able to bring Sir Benold to the surface and lay him out. They asked again, why I protected him.
"I was not enslaved by him, I was only bought by him. He has treated me well. If I were to flee, though, his associates would hunt me down, tracking me with this," I said, holding up the arm with the bracelet.
"So you save him out of fear," the woman chided.
In response, I told her, "Fear. Maybe. We both have our roles, and I take my duties seriously. Even without this shackle, I'd stay. I've given up on freedom. Whether it's oppression, societal obligations, imprisonment, or relationships, we are always in bondage."
This seemed to satisfy both of them. It may have been my imagination, but despite the fact I was under the thumb of her enemy, I do believe I earned her respect. The woman with the wolf mask introduced herself as Asion and the feathered man as Kerran. They cautioned me yet again to remember what we owed them, and then they disappeared into the foliage.
As you can imagine, once Benold finally regained consciousness, and I told him what had happened and the deal I had made on his behalf, he was not pleased. He was not pleased at all. However, he did not bring his wrath down upon me. He just seemed tired and exasperated. That was until I winced. I was exhausted, I was sore, and my guard was down. The pains came sooner than I expected and I failed to conceal it. He showed genuine concern despite his consternation. He asked if I had been injured. I told him it was nothing to worry about. But he insisted on having a physician brought in to check on me once we were back. I could not refuse.
Although he had a moment of warmth returned, by the time we were both well enough to ride home, we slipped into an uneasy silence for the entire journey.
"I do not blame him," Colto observed. "Being in debt to your enemies is never wise."
"Oh, but she saved his life, surely the debt was worth that?" Volente remarked. He'd been wringing his handkerchief through most of the story, and seemed relieved when this adventure had come to yet another peaceful end.
"Mayhaps," Colto said distantly, shifting in his cot.
"Well I don't blame you for doing everything you could, Red," Volente said, arching his eyebrows and crossing his arms as he sat on the cot opposite Colto.
"That is kind of you to say. But I understood my master's silence as well. My actions complicated matters. But I do not regret it at all. I would do the same again," Trosyn said, smiling gently.
"Well, you should go before it gets too late. People will talk if you leave our quarters at an indecent hour." Colto looked over at Volente when he said 'our' quarters. He then snorted and crossed his arms, laying back down and staring at the hammock suspended above him.
"They talk when I leave here at any hour. But I don't care," Trosyn said, but she rose up from her stool nonetheless. "Do try and get along, you two."
"Oh we'll be fine. Getting along while sharing a space with Baldovo was much more difficult. I'm just relieved they had some spare rooms for us rather than cramming us into the open on the berth deck. Though I do feel it is unfortunate that means the midshipmen had to double up as well. They give us such scathing stares."
"It was in our contract," Colto said, his words fading into a yawn.
"Well, I should get going. I'll check in on Baldovo," Trosyn said as she left.
"Thank you, Red."