《Rize of the lackey》


 death again!?

    before this life i had a couple of others in one of theselives i was called Fredrick in another iwas Sam either way,all you really need to know is that I died a couple of times. my current name is Kenzofor some strange reason the powers that be have allowed me to glimpse into my last two lives. sometimes I dream of completely different worlds, one of theseworlds is called earth, I was Sam during this incarnation and part of something called the machine or at least that''s what I...he called it when I heard him say this for the first time he sat in row of boxes exclaiming at a smaller glowing box at the time I thought it was some kind of artifact and the machine was the name of some powerfulorganisation. you can imagine my disappointment when Ilearned I was just a lackey pencil pusher working for an insurance firm and that I was literallyat the bottom of the socialhierarchy. This was a fact I wish wasn''t the case but during one dream sam was working long into the night long after everybody else had left, when suddenly a large orc-likeman enters the box and nonchalantly places a stack of papers as large as a toadilebefore walking away as if nothing had ever happened, at firstI thought he was a bully tricking sam but when it happened again and again by a variety of people, I realised they don''t even treat him as a person. what a sad existence that man lived the only solace was his poetry, he wrote a haunting poem when the poor man hung himself.


    my second life was a little bit more excitingbut still pretty depressing. from what I gathered I was an orphaned gutter kid called Fredrick, i suppose he called himself that to feel more distinguished than he actually was, His parents had died during some kind of war with the shadows not many memories of them but they were kind people that loved their son. Frederick was a common thief steallingloaves of bread and eating garbage and any small animal he could get his hands on. one day he gets recruitedinto a ragtag group of thief''scalled cloven hoof. they were a merry band of thiefs, but once again I was at the bottom of the totempole doing all the jobs the rest wouldn''t touch with 10-meter pole, cleaning the horse shit out of the camp, handling all the bloodied and soiledgarments he even had to degut the animals we ate but I seemed happy in this life. happy, unaware and docile that''s why it was even more painful when i saw how the twit died.


    It was supposed to be your average mark, wealth aristocrat paradingaround town, standard to man operation Fredrick being stumbles into the mark while to other member pilfers from behind and walks away. it all went according to plan the goods had been snatch the other thief blended into the crowd, alas poor Fredrick wasn''t so lucky this particular noble must have been pickpocketed before and almost instantaneously he checked his coin pouch just to find it missing, grabbed Fredrich by the hair and brutally slammed his face into the ground dishing out swift blows all over his body, leaving him bloodied and bruised poised for the guards to take him. serves him right is what you think, a thief gets whats coming to him, whats new? As true as that may be what was painful about this experience aside from the actual pain is the fact that the band of thieves had a protocol for such an occasion the partner was supposed to jump in and quickly incapacitate the mark, however, he had run leaving Fredrick to his fate. The end of this saps story is much like you''d expect tortured and publicly executed.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Now we''re onto the good stuff, me or whats left of me anyway. Currently, I''m in a cell underneath Deaggerkeep awaiting my execution, writing this long letter to pass that time, they are expecting me to write a confession for killing commander Eckles at least ill be able to leave something behind this time even if it''s just a letter and my supposed exploits.


    my story goes something like this, became a guard at 16, the irony isn''t lost on me don''t worry, a thief killed by some guards now im a guard that kills thieves but it still ends the same way. following in my father''s footsteps I after a few years I became the guard captain my natural understanding of how thieves operate allowed me some early success but I wanted more and Duke Thomas knew this, he promised me power and prestige as long as I overlooked a few things, it started out small a few back alley deals than a few disappearances, my might think it was wrong of me but what man doesn''t want power? I was finally on top he even pulled a couple of strings and got the king to make me a Barron, they gave me land and I was rolling in the coin.


    It all came to a head during the last war I was expected to fight and fight I did, during one strategy meetingthe commander and Duke Thomas were at loggerheads, the Duke suggested sacrificing a couple of the border villages for strategic advantage, however Eckles wasvehemently opposed stating that they were innocent people and it was our duty to protect them, obviously I sided with the Duke after my success was all thanks to him. disagreements like this happened constantly for the first two years of the war and the animosity was palpable the dukes ideas were getting shot down again and again, his anger building up im honestly surprised there wasnt any open hostility if there was I probably wouldn''t be in this situation. gradually his opinions were becoming less and less valued, his prestige a shell of what it was. one day the commander was found dead in the encampment, coincidentally on one of the rare occasions I was also there, with my trusty dagger proudly protruding from his back. without a leader the army was in shambles it needed a leader and the Duke was poised and ready.


    surprisingly, I don''t blame him for doing it, honestly, I would have done the same in his position but that doesn''t mean i have to be happy about it, anyway I guess that''s all I have to say, on to the next life I guess.


    "prisoner, its time," said the guard, one of my old subbordanents "sure steve lets get this show on the road".


    maybe next time i can actually be something more with my life.

 maybe itll be different

    Enveloped in the darkness, it''s surprisingly comfortable all things considered, no worries or expectations, just darkness... except the few million orbs of light lined up in front of me and the gigantic humanoid at the front of the queue form here all I can see are the outlines of its six arms propping up the darkness, from what I gather im currently waiting to be judged by this creature at first I was shocked and frighteIed but i must have been here before otherwise i wouldn''t have had past lives, the only respite from the silence is the creature calling for the next soul.


    "Next!" deafening its voice was, loving yet angry, full of emotion but also completely devoid of them as if multiple voices haphazardly thrown on top of one another. I''ve been here for what seems like an eternity now, it''s my turn I can finally see the creature up close.


    The only way I can describe it is magnificent truly the embodiment of juxtaposition, it had a long flowing crimson robe that leeks into the darkness and a slick golden chest piece beautifully decorated with depictions of brave heroes and fearsome monsters but the most shocking feature of this creature is its faces. that''s right faces, three of them! On the left, the most beautiful woman I have ever seen soft delicate feature, eyes like looking into an endless ocean full of understanding and love like I''m looking into the eyes of my mother. in complete contrast the right face wasn''t so loving in fact you can see the scorn and hatred in those fiery red irises, the eyes of a warrior, the haggard features of one who has seen countless battles the stern gaze of a father focused in on the naughty child. the center face was rather striking in comparison, androgynous with indistinct features seeming to warp from masculinity to femininity the only constant are it hypnotic purple eyes seeming to stare into the distance as though pondering on matters a mere mortal like me could never fathom to understand.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    "Hello child, our name is Galladrios and it''s our job to judge you" a voice as sweet as honey eased my worries.


    "You will be judged on your deeds," the male voice said authoritatively.


    "Fairly of course, we shall watch your life and decide what your next shall be"


    The voices go silent for a second that seems to last forever, everything seems to slow down when your whole life is being assessed and some cosmic entity is deciding on what your next is going to be.


    "A selfish creature aren''t you, all for one, one for one, at least you remember your depts".


    "Poor child, you''ve had a few difficult lives, haven''t you?"


    "A human"


    "hahaha"


    I feel like a newborn before this creature, naked and ignorant of the world.


    "we have come to a decision you have lived an average life, not enough merits for heaven but not enough demerits for hell, you have been sentenced to live again"


    "Due to the sin of greed, you shall be born as a peasant, due to your selfishness you shall be at the service of others".


    "no, please, I cant be a slave to others again"!


    "Do not interrupt me again!" "but that''s not a bad idea".


    "Do not worry child, due to your hard work and loyalty, you shall be allowed the opportunity of freedom".


    "You may keep your memories of your past lives".


    "NOW BE GONE"

 Its a boy

    In a dark corridor, in the slave pens, a gray and disheveled middle-aged man slowly makes his way, his path illuminated by the light of the wall torches cascading off the damp moldy cracked cobblestone walls barely allowing his rat like features to be visible under the dark hole ridden cloak draped over his head and body. The man leisurely approaches a huge door, warped the wood almost distorted out of its original shape barely fitting in the confines of the frame it was all but bursting out off.


    Knock, Knock, Knock. "Sir," a sniveling voice calls out only to be met with silences. "Sir" the voice calls out again this time but a little louder accompanied be a familiar, knock, knock, knock, this time a little louder. after the brief silence that ensues is broken by muffled groaning which quickly dissipates. KNOCK! KNOCK!  "SIR," almost shouting at this point but clearly restrained by its owner.


    "Enter!" a commanding boorish voice calls out, causing the ragged man to flinch. walking through the door with eerie creaking announcing his entrance. unlike the eerie exterior, the furnished innards of the slave master''s quarters were beautifully decorated or at least it would be if not for the various finely crafted clothing was strewn across the floor and the mountain of empty bottles and cutlery, like jagged trash mountains decorating the crimson sea that is the carpet. the walls lit by the various standing candles dotted around, illuminating the decrpid unused piano in the corner; the large portrait of a dashing young man holding an ornated longsword with a devilish look in his eyes baring his teeth like a jackle with what one can only assume is supposed to be a smile.


    Directly below was another middle-aged man, wearing an ill fitting waistcoat clearly unable to mask his enlarged stomach, disheveled hair and dirty stubble sprouting from his chin, eyes of a mad beast,  Sharpe teeth formed into a sadistic smile as he said. "I thought I told you never to wake me at this time, you do remember what happened last time?" he chuckles. "No! Please don''t master it''s jus" before the servant could finish what he was saying, the other man raises his right hand, archs of black lightning enveloping it and the runic symbol on the back glowing an eerie shade of crimson red.  the ragged mand clapses to the writhing in pain "Ma Ma Master ple se" he begs. nonchalantly withdrawing his hand as if nothing had happened, "Fine, you have 5 seconds to convince me that you deserve leniency". "master it''s just," cut off again by his master"4". "What happened the 5?" "3!" "But master, she''s giving birth," the servant said with fear in his eyes and voice, visibly frightened. "why should I care?" Clearly perturbed by what he had just heard "because it''s your child!?" "1". The servant''s body begins to pulse red and black, horrific screaming can be heard all the way in the slave huts.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Push Laurel, push," currently a young woman with dark brown hair and fair skin is giving birth in one of the slave pens, accompanied by a young man a couple of years her junior barely a man in his own right. shouting words of encouragement, "Come on laurel, just a little more I can see the head". with one final push the child is finally birthed. "It''s a boy!" "Laurel its a boy!" "Laurel? looking up from the newborn his face dropped, "Laurel?" he rushes over and checks her vitals, tears welling up in his eyes. He rushes outside and screams at the top of lungs "Laaauuurrrreeeelllll!" the sound of his voice getting swallowed by the howls of the wind.


    Looking at the newborn in his arms he whispers softly" listen here little fella, your mommy cant look after you any more, but you''ve still got me your uncle Chester, just you and me kid," he stops talking and thinks for a second, "I think I''ll call you Rize, hopefully you can rise out of this place" he chuckles at his own terrible pun  and walks back inside the shabby wooden hut.

 A glimmer of hope

    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.The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    "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!"

 An avarage day

    "Hurry up you little brat," an elderly woman preparing vegetables at a dilapidated kitchen counter to yells. "Yeah, I''m coming, Margaret," calls back a squeaky voice from the adjoining room. carrying a large sack of potatoes,  a young boy comes running into the kitchen almost slipping, "Be careful boy, what if the master found out?" sighing she takes the takes the sack off of the lad placing it at the side of the counter, she continues "We''d  both be in trouble if he wasted any of the supplies". confused the boy asks, "Really, he doesn''t seem that bad to me?" innocently staring at Margaret. "Why would you say that?" pausing for a second, "Nevermind, just be on your best behavior when you''re in his presence, got it?"  Flashing his goofy smile he replies, "Yes Margaret". "Now come help me with this," ruffling his long black shaggy hair. half running up to up to the kitchen counter the two set about cooking dinner


    I''ve worked in the manor since I was 5, like the other children I''m not old or strong enough to work in the mines like uncle Chester and Rory but I heard from one of the older slaves that young slaves sell well on the market, whatever that means, he said something about there only being two ways out of the here, when I asked uncle Chester about it he just said he doesn''t know what he meant but I could tell he was just avoiding the question, he does that alot but im almost 10 maybe hell tell me on my birth day.


    Carrying a tray of steaming food along the twisting corridors Rize passes by a young female slave with long curly blond hair and two small horns protruding from her forehead, cleaning an ornamental dagger. what a beautiful dagger, the size is just perfect, it''s been weighted just right accommodating the seven purple gems adorning its hilt and the intricate metal works, its almost as if it was calling out to him, he almost forgot what he was supposed to be doing and quickly turned away from the dagger on the wall. "Hey Rize, are you alright you were acting weird just now?" asked the little blond girl, taking a break from cleaning. "Yeah, I''m fine, it''s just that dagger"  almost salivating at the thought of the blade. "Why you''ve seen it before, weirdo" she jokes. "I know but for some reason its like I''m only just noticing it," he says sheepishly as though he wasn''t the one who just zoned out. " any way the master will be angry if bring him a cold meal, ill talk to you later at aunt Charlottes, Lotte".Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    now rushing to the dining hall, Rize  couldn''t help thinking about the dagger and be confused at how much he knew about daggers, hed literally seen it hundreds of times before and never once had anything like that ever happened before, why would he know about the perfect weight of a dagger or even care about the design.


    Approaching the huge oak double doors,  he knocks a couple of times nervously before entering the dining hall, sitting at the far side of the of the dining table under underneath a portrait of a grizzly old man with fierce eyes and a large dog like beast at his side, sits the master savoring a goblet of red wine whilst staring out of the window as though he''s admiring a beautiful mountain range instead of a bunch of slaves working in the mines half freezing to death in the snow.


    "I''ve brought your meal master," Rize says almost inaudibly. "What are you waiting for, bring it here!" he barks, slowly edging his way closer to the master''s side he places the food in front of him,"You may leave now," he says looking Rize dead in the eyes. Recoiling slightly, Rize nods his head slightly and scurries off, as he closes the door he could he could have sworn he heard a sigh coming from the other side.

 The incident

    Walking along the northern wall on the way back to the slave pens, the frigid cold is starting to sting  Rize''s small body but he currently isn''t even acknowledging the tiny white daggers currently assailing him head to toe, his mind is occupied by the weird things that have happened today. What was the hell with that dagger? Was it a soul vessel or something? No, that''s not it, why would he keep something so valuable on the wall. then what was it? Why do I want it so badly? Was it the design, Nah couldn''t be that ill have to ask uncle Chester about it lately.


    The other thought struggling for dominance inside young Rize''s head was about the strange way the master had been looking at him today. that sure was scary, but when isn''t he. I just can''t shake the feeling that there''s something more to it, than it simply being scary, it was almost as if he was sad about something, Scoffing at such a thought he carries on his journey. Then what was that sigh for then, did I do something wrong? I know I was a little late with the dinner but from what Margarett told me the master has killed for less, so it cant be something i did right? So deep in thought, it didn''t even register that he''d already arrived at his small shabby hut.


    Giving his head a shake before walking through the thresh hold. "Uncle Chester I''m home" he shouts through the still opening door, alas no response from his uncle, poking his head around the corner he peeps inside, once again calling for his uncle, at this point he realizes that his uncle still isn''t home yet.


    He''s probably on his way back from the garrison, I guess ill go get some water from the well. closing the door behind him he makes his way to the center of the slave pens, to the only source of water in this place. getting there he drops the bucket into the well only to the heartbreaking sound of the bucket smashing to smithereens hitting the frigid ice that now lay at the bottom. Oh no, what have I done, Rize you idiot, now panicking he bolts back to the hut being careful to remain undetected and hidden as best he can. Too bad life doesn''t always work out the way you want it to.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    "Hey Rize, what ya doing" frightening the living daylight out of him a voice sounds out from behind him like a cat that''s been seen by a dog Rize jumps turning around clutching his still beating chest only to find it was only Lotte. "Lotte you''ve got to hide me, I''ve just done something really bad" practically on his knees begging Rize pleads with the girl. "you''ve been really weird today, what did you do?" placing a hand on her hip clearly fed up with this idiots antics. "please you have to get me out of here," still on his knees, "tell me hat you did first,"  unwillingness written on his face he begrudgingly tells her about what happened at the well. "You idiot! You do realize you owe me for this right?" a cheeky smile plastered on her face."Fine just get me out of here" he says gritting his teeth."What the fuck!" somebody discovering the remains of the bucket startles the two of them,"Quickly this way, I know a shortcut back to mine," she says beckoning him to follow.


    Lotte and Charlotte''s hut visible now the two slow down, now puffing and wheezing covered in sweat, "Hey Lotte have you seen my uncle?" managing to blurt out the question between pants, "Yeah he''s inside" she says as they both burst in to the hut, only to be met by the unimpressed gaze of Charlotte silently judging the two, tapping her foot in annoyance. when suddenly the familiar voice of uncle Chester sound out from behind her, "what have you two been up to, hmm?" trying desperately to mask his laughter at their entrance. "Noth" before Rize had the chance to finish what he was saying Lotte chimes in, "Rize broke the bucket" turning a deep shade of red Rize tries to defend himself only to be interrupted by a quick slap to the back head by Charlotte, "You idiot!" Chester is quick to defend him, "He''s just a child, you don''t have to be so harsh on him", she argues back "someone has to discipline him and you''re certainly not!"


    The atmosphere quickly becoming awkward Lotte decides now is a good time to bring up the dagger incident. "Really?" Chester questions Rize,"yeah, I don''t know what happened but it was like a little voice inside of me really wanted it" a smile inserts itself on Rize''s face, just thinking about the blade, unbeknownst to him. not noticing the confused looks on everyone''s faces he continues talking about the blade.  The rest of the night was pretty awkward, eventually, Rize and Chester decided it was time to leave. Steeling his resolve Rize decides to ask his uncle about the master when they get home.

 Questions

    On the way back to their shabby hut Chester turns to Rize, he considers saying something about today but thinks against it knowing that anything that he did say would either fall on deaf ears or misunderstood. Walking in silence unable to cope with anymore awkwardness a strange gleam appears in Chester¡¯s eyes as he falls back slightly, discreetly scooping up a handful of snow, deftly launching it at the back of Rize¡¯s head.


    ¡°Ouch!¡± shocked Rize turns round only to be pelted in the face by another snowball, wiping the snow off of his now freezing face he says, ¡°Two can play at this game.¡± He leaps behind the hut to his left and starts mass producing an arsenal of snowy death balls, moving is little hands as fast as he can he creates snowball after snowball, barely finishing his 3<sup>rd</sup> his eyes widen as Chester dives around the corner shouting,¡±Ho no you don¡¯t you little monkey.¡± Surprised Rize throws his freshly made snowball at his uncle barley glancing his shoulder, Chester just laughs throwing a snowball of his own. Ducking out of the way Rize picks his two other snowballs throwing them then running away to create more ammo.


    The two continued to play like this for a while before it got too cold to continue, ¡°come on, it¡¯s getting cold, ill race you back!¡± starting to run Chester calls back, ¡°what are you waiting for?¡± Chasing after his uncle Rize sprints in the direction of the hut an idea suddenly crosses his mind, turning to his right he decides to take a shortcut. The hut in sight he barely cuts Chester off sprinting as fast as he can he hears, ¡°you won¡¯t beat me that easily,¡± now sprinting himself Chester catches up to Rize just as they reach the door he slows slightly letting him win.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Once inside the two start laughing hysterically for a minute or two, once the laughing subsides Chester¡¯s face turns deadpan and he says ¡°Listen Rise, tomorrow I¡¯m going to tell one of the slavers about the bucket, so don¡¯t worry about it, now go to sleep we¡¯re up early tomorrow¡±.


    Mustering his courage Rise askes the questions that he really wanted to ask, ¡±uncle why does the master seam sad to me?¡± A little taken aback by the question Chester pauses for a second before replying, ¡°There¡¯s no point worrying about that man.¡± ¡°But unc-,¡± before he could finish Chester chimes in, ¡°listen Rize do you think a good man would own this many slaves? What about you and the rest of the children? I can tell you something about that man he used to be your mother and my friend long before we were slaves, if not for our family he would have still been a gutter punk and this is how he chooses to repay us!¡± realising he had gotten a little heated he sighs and says, ¡°sorry about that, now go to sleep¡±. Begrudgingly, Rize just nods his head and goes to sleep thinking deeply about what his uncle said, but why do I feel so bad for him was the last thought he had before going to sleep.


    Sat there in total darkness Chester deep in thought sighs to himself and looks over at his sleeping nephew, ¡°what am I going to do with you,¡± he says softly. Why do you care about that man? He put you his own child into slavery he hasn¡¯t even bothered with you since you were born so why? Is it some kind of paternal bond or something? I¡¯m sorry you have to live this kind of life you should be free like all the other kids out there, like I was, like your mother was. You¡¯ve never even known what a mothers love feels like, but I promised you that as long as I¡¯m around you¡¯ll live a normal life¡­ well as normal as a slave can get. ¡°Good night Rize,¡± he whispers before going to sleep himself.

 Birthday

    In the manor kitchen, Rize was busying himself, cleaning and preparing dinner mainly on occasion Margaret would ask him to bring her ingredients from the storehouse, usually this would slightly annoy Rize, but not today. Today was his 10<sup>th</sup> birthday.  Even though he was a slave, he was still excited his uncle had told him that he had a surprise for him, honestly he didn¡¯t have high expectations but it would be the first gift he will ever have, the only thing in the whole world that he can truly call his, and his alone.


    All his life he¡¯d heard stories from his uncle and the other slaves, about how great it is to own things instead of being owned, lavish parties and delicious meals. He uncle used to talk seamlessly about how he and mother used to live in a keep, keeping only the finest of possessions, dancing to the most splendid music and how they used to be on top, whatever that meant. Occasionally he mentions the master¡¯s name sometimes it almost seems as if they used to be friends, but he¡¯s quick to discard such thoughts.


    Making his daily trip to the dining room to bring the master his dinner he bumps into Lottie sweeping the floor along one of the longer corridors, ¡°Hey Lottie,¡± he says barely containing his inner excitement, ¡±Is there anything you¡¯d like to say to me?¡± trying to act like he didn¡¯t want her to make a fuss over his birthday. ¡°Hey Rize, no not really, why?¡± disheartened by what she had just said Rize¡¯s whole body seemed to droop like a willow in the wind, averting his gaze now focused on the floor back to Lottie, he notices a mischievous smile plastered across her face, realising he¡¯d been tricked he turned a deep shade of crimson.


    ¡°Ha ha ha, did you really think I forgot?¡± placing her hands on her hip she continues, ¡°Happy birthday Rize¡±. ¡°Did you get me anything good?¡± he asks knowing full well that it was impossible. ¡°No but I do know what your uncle got you¡±. ¡°Really?¡± now unable to hold back his inner excitement be begins berating her with questions about it but the only answer he got was, ¡°well it wouldn¡¯t be a surprise if I told you would it?¡±


    ¡°Hey Rize did you hear the rumor that¡¯s going around?¡± ¡°No, why?¡± Putting on a superior air she says, ¡°I heard that in a few months the master is going to have some guests, mum told me that usually means a few slaves get to leave and see the world,¡± clasping her hand over her chest looking out of the window she continues, ¡°I hope a princess takes me away.¡± The two continued to talk for a while before Rize left to complete his task.


    He was in a rush, now not wanting to get punished he had quickened his step, but then he saw it, the dagger. He couldn¡¯t help but slow down to a snail¡¯s pace in order to admire it again, ever since that time he was talking to Lottie he¡¯s stopped every day trying to figure out what made him want it so badly, sometimes he can swear he hears somebody whispering that he should take and use it on the master. Realising that he¡¯d spent too much time musing looking at the dagger he continued on his way.


    Knocking on the door, he enters the dining room he sees that the master is stood by one of the rear windows just staring, he hadn¡¯t even noticed Rize entering. ¡°Master?¡±Rize calls out across the room, seeing that there was no reply he edged forwards slightly once again calling out, ¡°Master,¡± only slightly louder this time, still not noticing his presence he edges forwards more now only a few feet away he almost calls out again, however, this time it appeared to have been unneeded as the master had turned around to face him.Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    An odd expression flashes across the master¡¯s face as he looks at Rize before it returns to its natural indifference, only slightly off, unable to comprehend why the master had looked at him like that Rize ask, ¡°Are you alright master?¡± completely ignoring the question the master begins to cut into his meal and as the first mouthful is about to enter his mouth he stops abruptly, ¡°why is this cold?¡± quaking in his boots Rize fumbling over is words almost in tears, ¡°I-im s-so-sowwy,¡± now practically cowering in front of the master. For a split second, the master pauses before saying with a slight cough, ¡°Well don¡¯t let it happen, you may leave¡±.


    Breathing a sigh of relief, Rize quickly bows slightly and scurries out of the dining room. Once outside of the door he leans back against the wall slowly sinking down to the ground, wondering why he wasn¡¯t punished and what why he reacted like he did. Giving his head shake he tells himself, ¡°I can¡¯t worry about that right now, I should go finish my choirs so I can go home¡±.


    Finishing up the last of his choirs he says goodbye to Margaret before running all the way home, he was exited unable to hold it in any longer, smiling the whole time during his mad dash home.


    Entering his hut, heart palpitating, hands sweaty, he is caught by surprise by the collective call from his uncle, Rory, Lottie, Charlotte and Rory. ¡°Surprise!¡± overwhelmed by the love he felt from them Rize bursts into tears. Unsure of what just happened everyone crowds around him barraging him with questions asking him whats wrong and why he was crying. Once he had calmed down a bit he just said, ¡°I love you guys,¡± giving him a knowing smile his uncle was the first to attack him with a hug then the rest piled in.


    Once the festivities got underway Chester hands, Rize an object wrapped in torn slave cloth, ¡±here this is for you¡±. Almost bursting into tears again Rize says, ¡°thank you,¡± unwrapping the item only to find a small red rock in the shape of a knife taken aback by the gift his uncle had prepared for him he was lost for words, he understood that his uncle must have shaped and sharpened it himself, the amount of time it had taken to create it just proved how much his uncle loved him, ¡°thank you,¡± it was the only thing he could say.


    ¡°You¡¯re 10 now if we weren¡¯t slaves you would begin combat training at this and that you will,¡± he says turning to Rory.  ¡°That¡¯s right lad your uncle and I are going to teach you how to fight, we may not be able to teach you magic because of the slave mark but we can teach you how to fight,¡± he says patting Rize on the back with his gigantic hand almost sending him flying forwards. Giving a little chuckle Chester chimes in, ¡±one more thing about that dagger it¡¯s made of blood crystal, as long as it¡¯s near your body you will feel more invigorated, your body wont tire as easily and hunger won¡¯t be as unbearable, this is way Rory is still so big even with our rations and how the slave have enough strength to work in the mines and build all day.¡±


    After the party had come to an end it was time for bed, overwhelmed by the excitement of the day Rize was out like a light.


    Millions of stars filled up his vision, awed by the beauty of this space Rize can¡¯t help but exclaim in adoration of the sight before him, never before had he seen such beautiful scenery. ¡°hey kid, turn around,¡± a hollow voice askes. Turning around to see what had called him Rize sees three figures. The first is a gaunt man in odd garments with black hair and dark bags under his eyes sporting a tired look. The second was a short man in his early twenties covered head to toe in slightly overused black garb with a dagger strapped to his back, this man had small scars all over his body and a cheeky smile on his face. The third was a greying middle-aged man with a large scar arcing across the side of his face, this was wearing dented armor and had a broadsword attached to his left hip and a dagger strapped to his lower back.


    Rize didn¡¯t know why but these three men seemed familiar to him like he had met them before.