Kingdom's Dawn (12 page)

Fairos eyed the lineup once again. “Very well. But if any falter within a month, you will return my money. Is that clear?”

“Of course, my lord. Of course.”

Fairos turned to the captives once again. “You are mine now. You will work hard and long. In return I will feed you and let you live. If you try to run, my men will hunt you down and kill you. I give no second chances. Do you understand?”

A couple of the men nodded slowly, but Fairos did not wait for a reply. “Dagon, take them to the west wall, and turn them over to my guards. Afterward you may see my treasury officer to collect the usual fee.”

“Yes, Lord Fairos. It's been a pleasure doing business with you.”

Fairos turned his horse and galloped into the country.

Leinad was one of many slaves in Nyland. The other men, women, and children that made up Lord Fairos's labor force came from all over the kingdom. Slave traders like Dagon frequented the castle, and occasionally Lord Fairos's own forces would raid other lands and bring the spoils, including slaves, back to the castle.

In his loneliness, Leinad's thoughts often turned to Tess. He was thankful that she was with the Stantons, for he believed they were good people, but he missed her. Only now did he realize what a friend that little girl had become. Her cheerful, freckled face made him smile when he thought of her.

Leinad continually thought of escaping, but the slaves were under constant guard. One of the new slaves did attempt an escape, but his flight was short and his execution quick. All of the slaves were forced to watch. Lord Fairos used it as an example of what would happen to anyone else
who might make a similar attempt. It was an effective deterrent, but it did not stop Leinad from planning. He knew that he would just have to be extremely prepared and careful when the opportunity arrived.

Not many weeks passed before another slave trader arrived with over twenty new slaves. Leinad saw the arrival of the caravan and wondered what new stories of woe would accompany its occupants. From his vantage point on the west wall, he could just see the lineup and Lord Fairos's inspection. The distance was too far to see any details, but he was able to discern that it was a mix of adults and children, probably the result of a village raid.

“Get back to work, slave!” ordered a nearby overseer. A whip cracked, but not upon any flesh … this time. The overseers were Nylanders that Fairos put over the slaves to prevent escape and to “encourage” them to work efficiently. That encouragement usually came as the uninhibited use of their whips.

Leinad resumed his labor but kept his eye on the new arrivals across the moat. The negotiations finished, and the new slaves were marched across the drawbridge. Their shoulders were slumped and their heads hung low, all except one youngster in the middle. The confident posture was familiar to Leinad.
Tess, could it be you?
He did not dare hope that his young friend would suffer his same demise, but he couldn't deny a lift in his spirits. He missed her companionship in this lonely place. Leinad worked and watched while he wondered where they would be stationed.

The guards met the slave trader and his captives once they crossed the drawbridge and proceeded to direct them
to the west wall. This side of the castle expansion was massive, with hundreds of slaves working the bricks. The guards all carried swords as their main weapon of influence, while the overseers preferred whips. As the line of slaves proceeded, overseers chose the slaves they wanted to do the work they were responsible for. Naturally, the largest males were taken first, and the numbers dwindled quickly as they approached Leinad's section of the wall. A few older females and the youth were left now as they passed the overseer responsible for Leinad and the slaves around him.

“How do you expect me to get any work done on this blasted wall if all you bring me are old women and children?” the overseer said.

“From what I've seen, these old biddies outperform the men half the time, so quit your gripin',” the guard replied. “Do you want them or not?”

Leinad recognized Tess and wanted to shout for her, but he restrained himself. Tess, however, did not restrain herself once she recognized Leinad.

“Leinad!” she exclaimed as she bolted from the line and ran to him.

Leinad dropped his work and ran to meet her. He knew there would be repercussions now anyway, so he wanted to be the bearer of any pain that might come.

“Back in line, slave!” the guard shouted, and he drew his sword as he pursued her.

Leinad quickened his pace to close the distance between them. Tess reached him and hugged his waist tightly. He returned the hug, then said in a hushed voice, “Don't say a word.”

The guard reached them and drew back his sword. Leinad put Tess behind him and faced the guard.

“I am sorry, sir,” Leinad said. “We are friends and haven't seen each other for a very long time. Please do not harm her. She is just a girl.”

The guard hesitated, and then lowered his sword. “Back in line, slave. If you ever break line again, I will cut you in two.”

The overseer joined them, and Leinad said to him, “Sir, I can vouch for the ability of this girl. She works as hard as any man twice her size. To have her on your line will be a tremendous asset to you.”

The overseer looked skeptical. “Let me see you, slave,” he snarled at Tess.

She stepped out from behind Leinad, straightened her back, and lifted her chin. Such a response from an adult slave would have brought an instant whipping.

“She is but a girl. How much work could I possibly get out of her?”

“Give her one week, sir, and you will be impressed. I promise,” Leinad said.

“She's small, but she's got spunk. You train her, but you'd better be right or you'll both pay.” The overseer turned to the guard. “Take the old women to Lady Fairos. Maybe she needs them in the kitchens. I don't want any more lame workers here.”

The guard and the overseer left to resume their duties.

Leinad turned to Tess and grabbed her shoulders. “Hello, Sunshine.” He smiled bigger than he had in months.

She smiled back and threw her arms around him again.

He returned the hug and then moved them back to the wall. “What happened, Tess? How did you end up here?”

“Raiders attacked the Stanton farm. Master Stanton got killed … most of the folks was killed. I hid 'neath the farmhouse steps. They was mean people, Leinad. They just wanted ta kill people and steal things.” Tess looked down at the ground somberly as she recalled the horror of that night for Leinad.

“Did you get hurt?” Leinad asked.

“No, but I's lucky to be alive, Leinad. Lots a people died that night. It was horrible.”

“Who were these raiders, Tess?”

“I don't know, but they was mean and gross lookin' too.”

“Did they ever find you?” Leinad asked.

“No. I stayed hid till they left. Later, when I was scroungin' for food, a slave trader saw me and brought me here.” She looked back up at Leinad. “I's so glad to be here with you, Leinad, even if I is a slave.” She smiled again.

Leinad put his arm around her shoulder. “I'm sorry I wasn't there to protect you, Tess, but I'm glad you're all right. And it sure is good to see you too.” He smiled back at his young friend.
It doesn't seem quite so lonely anymore
, he thought.

And it wasn't.

Life for Leinad and Tess was hard, but Fairos did feed them well. Leinad assumed it was because he knew that productive work depended on it. Fairos was the most powerful and influential man in this region of Arrethtrae, and he intended to expand his realm as far as possible. Of course, the icon of power was the magnificence of one's castle. Therefore, the labor of most of the servants, including Leinad and Tess, was the same every day—expand the size of the castle. Fairos hired a master mason and those with experience in building marvelous structures and buildings, but the heavy labor was accomplished by the slaves