He trudged deliberately slow, his steps hesitant and afraid. The girl behind him was silent. She ought to be, he thought bitterly. She was the one who caused this in the first place. He tried to form any other thoughts, but the one idea that circled his head was of his utter demise. He squared his shoulders, awkwardly pushing out his lanky chest. The sound of wooden wheels clattering against the ground made him turn in anger. He brought his foot harshly and kicked her. She screamed, tumbling to the dirt. He smirked, some of his annoyance sent elsewhere. He continued to walk, listening to her small grunts of pain as she, he assumed, was trying to get back on her plank.

When they made it to the oversized mansion, he snapped his fingers at her. She blinked, looking down immediately. "Do not enter unless I order you to do so." He opened the door and entered the house, almost bumping into servants scurrying with dishes and plates in their hands. He cursed, wiping the inevitable sweat from his forehead. The plan he had forged in his head was briskly disintegrating. He passed the long hall and stopped at the largest room. He swallowed and brought his hand to the door. Knocked twice.

"Come in." A deep voice answered.

He sauntered inside. It was not a grand room for a wealthy nobleman but for some strange reason, the man favored it. "What have you brought for me, Alexander?"

Alexander nodded to himself. He exhaled. The man in front of him was beautiful and vicious. Tall and muscular with a body that never failed to frighten him. His tawny hair was swept across his forehead, strands lying loosely near his eyes. He wore a long, black coat while his hands were elegantly dressed with gold. The bracelets glittered brilliantly.

"Answer me this instant." His golden orbs narrowed, transforming from suspicion to displeasure.

"Master, I-I have purchased a servant." His bottom lip trembled.

Sir. Jonathon rose to his feet. He had been sitting on the corner of his bed. Alexander stared at him wearily. "And where exactly have you placed her, fool?" The insult made him suck in a breath.

"Enter now." He realized his tone was shrill but his Master seemed to not acknowledge his terrified behavior, his gaze sweeping to the door. Alexander heard the familiar noises of wood, his face pale. She scooted forward, arms pushing at the ground to gain more speed. She halted her movements and kept her head lowered.

His Master was observing her. He could not read his expression. Nobody could. "I gave you specific orders."

Alexander blanched. "She was the only one left. The rest were not fit to work for such a high lord like you." He hoped the pleasant words would soften the man's spirit but they seemed to worsen it.

"And you believe she is capable of working? Look at her, you blind scum. She is a fleabag, good for nothing! Get out of my face, you sorry excuse for a footman!" The smaller of the two gentlemen scrambled hurriedly outside of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.

Jonathon released his fisted hands. "Face me." She did, her face bruised. "Why in the world would god create you? You are worth nothing." She didn't reply. He noticed her fingers drumming against her support surface.

"When I am speaking, you shall talk back. Understand, wench?" She didn't nod. Didn't even give him a signal that she had even heard him in the first place. He growled and gripped the cloth of her rags upwards. She gasped and began to scream, arms flailing wildly.

He pursed his lips. He pushed her to the wall and heard the satisfactory sounds of something breaking. She was weeping, no longer thrashing about like she had done before. Her small hands held the sides of his shoulders in desperation. He did not perceive her actions and with a simple fling, let her fall to the ground. She collapsed awkwardly, one leg over the other. She was still crying, of course, but this time it was contained. Her fingers trembled and she slid her arms to the ground to propel her forward. Her plank was on the other side of the room.

Jonathon gave her one last scornful glance. He left.

[]

It was night. He tugged the gauntlet of wine with him, sipping gingerly from its content. A few merchants and ditchers that passed him never met his gaze. They quickly scurried along the cement. Jonathon lifted his key from his pocket and unlocked the door to his household. The interior was still. He called to the one of the maids. "Bring me more wine. I shall be in my chambers." He threw the silver cup and made his way to his room.

When he swung his door open lazily, he found her in the same position. His eyebrows knit. He closed the door to send the workers a clear message not to come in. The girl was unmoving. She didn't show any sign of seeing him. He bent to his knees and forced her chin up. Her eyes were large and green. Mouth spotted with dried blood. "You will do as I say from this instant. Anything less of what pleases me and I will do more than what occurred today." She winced when he let her go.

Jonathon tugged off his jacket and immediately rested on his mattress. It was adorned with tiny pieces of bronze and gold jewelry. He listened to her breaths, soft and short. He ignored her mute pleas of getting her her plank. He ignored the maid's holler from outside, asking if he wanted the wine to be put on the ground. He slept.

[]

He awoke to the sound of horrified screaming. He pushed himself off his bed and stepped into the garderobe, meeting the source of the loud racket. The girl was in a tub, steaming water filled to the top of where her body was laid. Water had spilled on the ground and Alexander was pushing her back lower, gripping her hair tightly. She wiped at her eyes like a child but could not move. "What are you doing?"

The footman turned to him, shocked. "Master." He smiled. "I am trying to wash her. She stinks like a peasant. Yet, she keeps fighting me. Won't even allow the maids to touch her."

Jonathon swiped his hair from his face. "I will handle this. Head to the market, bring all that we need. The coins are in the horse's pouch." Alexander looked relieved to leave. He sent a praising expression to his lord and disappeared.

She played with the water, her chipped skin pruning up. He grabbed a piece of cloth and what the servants had collected. A small dress that appeared to be her size. He left it on the ground beside her.

"Call for Maia to raise you out of the tub when you are finished. Do not fight her either." He rubbed his eyelids, his back aching. Not abiding by his body's rules, he changed into his attire for work.

[]

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