Wait
He didn't know her. How could he have known? Her hands were shaking as she looked into familiar mossy green eyes, the only feature in his face she could truly recognize. His hair was no longer glossy black. Foreign silver markings ran from his chin down to his neck and disappeared into dark, soft looking armor. Though his face was that of a stranger, she still knew him instantly. No amount of time, no amount of pain, nothing, could wipe away her memories of him.
The elf, the subject of the woman's scrutiny and heart-wrenching agony, did not understand why her eyes filled with tears. He did not understand why she bit into her bottom lip. He did not know that he had once loved her.
"Wait. You dropped something." Leto hurried to catch up to the human. She turned to face him, and he carefully placed the runaway apple back into her basket.
"Oh!" Leto watched soft pink lips open in surprise before he averted his eyes. "Thank you." The woman said quickly, looking around her as if she was worried more of the apples had escaped.
Leto bowed his head quickly and continued down the hall. He wasn't in a particularly good mood this morning- he had to do his chores before his training later in the day. His left arm was still bruised from where he hadn't been fast enough to block one of the soldiers last week, and though the pain dulled, he was still a little bit slower because of it. This is what you wanted. Leto reminded himself as he rounded the corner to the kitchens. Leto sighed grumpily, hoping whatever Mister had called the slaves together wouldn't be some stupid lecture on how to set the dinner table. Forks on the left, knife and spoon on the right. Leto grumbled internally. Wait, was that right?
Leto pushed the door open to the crowded kitchen, where all of the slaves were gathered. "Morning," Netar whispered to Leto as he slipped next to his friend. The kitchens were crowded, and the twenty slaves were all standing, crammed toward the door, so they could all look respectfully at Mister.
Most of the elves hated Mister. But everyone knew that making Mister angry meant the old human would complain to the Master, and then someone would get shot with lightning, or maybe even killed. Leto couldn't ever successfully keep contempt off of his face when dealing with Mister. The human was a servant in charge of all the slaves, and used his position to abuse the elves mercilessly.
"I was worried you were gonna be late." Netar muttered under his breath, keeping one eye on Mister. "He's not in a good mood, lemme tell you."
"Why's that?" Leto answered, though he couldn't tell there was a difference in Mister's mood. The man always looked like he smelled something terrible when he was in the presence of elves, Leto thought.
Netar shrugged. "Something 'bout the Master planning a big feast at the end of the week. I gather there'll be lots and lots of important humans running 'round the place."
Leto sighed impatiently, and many of the other slaves were rustling restlessly. What was taking so long? The children were whispering to each other, and Leto wished they'd keep quiet, fearing that Mister would grow annoyed and punish them.
The door opened, and Leto and Netar had to take a few steps in the already crowded space to their right to allow the door to open all the way. The human with the basket of apples entered, and her eyes immediately focused on the mass of elves she'd stepped into.
She blinked for a few moments, appearing rather intimidated. Leto scowled, unsure of what she was doing and why she would be scared of a group of dirty and underfed elves.
"There you are," Mister said in his raspy voice, beckoning the human to come closer. "Get around them. Move, you idiots. Let her through." Mister snapped, and the slaves scurried to let the human past.
"Sorry. I'm sorry," she apologized as she waded through them. "Excuse me. Sorry." She said.
Netar raised an eyebrow. "Do you hear that?" He asked quietly. "A human apologizing to us?"
Leto frowned, but the sentiment seemed to be the same all around with the slaves. It was uneasy. There was rarely a kind word from a human that wasn't laced with something else. For the Master, he would speak softly and then shoot magic to their hearts, or make blood boil in their veins. The elves watched the woman suspiciously, and Leto agreed with their caution and did the same.
"I'm sorry if I was late," the human said to Mister as she approached. Leto noticed her pale skin had turned red. Was she embarrassed? Too warm? He didn't understand.
"You're not late. I wanted to get these lazy asses organized before you arrived," Mister wheezed and let out a bone-rattling cough. Leto rather hoped the old man would simply cough himself to death one of these days. Leto's eyes hardened, knowing his thoughts were harsh and traitorous. His mother would disapprove. But she was always too soft. That's part of what put Leto into his current position. All of the damned training-
"Listen up, ungrateful wretches," Mister hissed, and the elves straightened. "This is the new head of the slaves. She'll be training under me for a few weeks before she'll take over and I'll move to another position in the estate. Understood?"
"Yes, Mister," the elves answered in unison, Leto with them. As much as he hated Mister, he didn't want to be caught disrespecting the man and be beaten for it when he had work to do.
The human female smiled at the elves, though Leto thought it seemed nervous, or maybe uncomfortable. The color had faded away from her face and neck. "Hello," she said brightly. "I'm Addie. It might take me a while to learn the ropes around here. Well, not too long, I hope. I'll try to-to-" she cut herself off, red rushing back to her cheeks. "I'll try to do my best, so please be patient with me."
"She's a strange human," Netar muttered. "I don't trust 'er one bit."
Leto nodded his agreement as the human continued, "I brought some apples in today. I, um. Well, I thought I should bring some sort of gift since I might be an inconvenience at first."
"That's preposterous," Mister looked at the human as if she had suggested feeding cakes to the mice. "They are slaves and are to be treated as such. If you are too soft on them, they will rebel against you."
The human seemed to shrink back for a moment before she set the basket of apples down on the long wooden table that separated the elves from Mister and the human called Addie.
Leto almost laughed, though he really just wondered if this new head of the slaves was a complete idiot.
However, she surprised him as she answered in the same cheery voice, "I'll hope to learn from you in the weeks to come then, Sir. As for today, I'll ask for your lenience." She pushed the basket across the table toward the slaves. "Please, they're meant for you," she said to the elves.
None of the elves moved, eyes fixed upon Mister, worried that he'd lash out at them. Mister chuckled and coughed. "Yes, you will learn from me." He told the human. To the slaves, he barked, "As the new head of slaves, you will address her as 'Miss' at all times. You are to allow her to watch your work. If I hear that any of you are trying to slack off, I'll have your hands tied to the post outside the stable for three nights. Understood?"
"Yes, Mister." Leto answered with the others, the words distasteful but common on his tongue. The new Miss had lowered her head ever so slightly, eyes fixed upon the floor.
"Now get to work." Mister ordered, and immediately the slaves dispersed, the basket of apples remaining untouched on the table. Leto didn't stay to hear whatever else Mister had to say to Miss, and Nerat followed him out the door.
"I don't getter." Nerat muttered as they walked down the hall. The two elves were extremely different in height, so Nerat's shorter legs had to scurry to keep up with Leto.
"What?"
"I don't get her," Nerat enunciated. "I mean, what kind of human have you seen that apologizes that many times to slaves? Or tries to bring food?" Nerat implored Leto, but the taller elf just shook his head. Nerat rubbed his nose and concluded, "She must be stupid."
Leto snorted at Nerat's observation, but then groaned. Nerat sent him a questioning look and Leto explained, "Those apples. They'll probably be taken to the Master or just go to waste." All the practice with swords and fist fighting had made him even more ravenous than before. The elves were allowed gruel at breakfast, bread at lunch, and some sort of meat for dinner. Leto had stolen fruit from the Master's garden before when he was younger. He had been caught by one of the human servants who was a gardener and had been beaten. It had almost been worth it, except when Leto's mother found out- she had been furious.
Leto moved about his morning chores mindlessly with Nerat babbling about the estate gossip and his newest love interest. Leto was busy thinking about dodges and opportune moments of attack.
"Hey," Nerat elbowed Leto irritably. "You're not even listening to me, are you?"
Leto gave the towel he was scrubbing on the washboard a final rub before handing it to Nerat to rinse and hang. They were sitting in the courtyard, the cold winter air hurting Leto's face. "Sorry," Leto mumbled.
Nerat grimaced at him. "You've been different since you took the Master's deal. Distracted."
Leto didn't really know how to answer, but he knew he owed his friend some sort of explanation. Instead, he simply said again, "I'm sorry."
Nerat squatted next to Leto and squinted at him. "Are you sick? You're 'pologizing to me twice in one day?"
Leto laughed as Nerat grinned at his friend. Nerat went on as his expression sobered, "I know you had to do anything to keep your mother and sister from being sold to Gren. But are you sure that this personal guard stuff isn't bad?"
Leto scowled at Nerat before returning to vigorously scrubbing at a tablecloth. "It's not like I had a choice."
Nerat nodded slowly. "And your mother and sister are liberati now. You were pretty much the talk of the estate last month," Nerat poked Leto obnoxiously. "You couldn't have asked for all of our freedoms as part of the agreement, could you have?"
Leto gave a cold glare to Nerat, and the blonde elf quickly closed his mouth.
They did the rest of the laundry in silence, leaving Leto to remember the conversation he'd had with the Master. It made Leto sick to think about it, and he pushed the Master's words from his thoughts as he dumped the soapy water out, mud pooling around his feet.
"Can we get lunch now?" Nerat whined. "We finished chores early."
"Let's go," Leto sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at Nerat, who was a year older than Leto but still acted like a child. Nerat's short legs carried him quickly to the kitchens, and Leto wasn't far behind.
Mara was struggling with a heavy pot, trying to place it over the fire. Leto quickly moved to help the old elf, and she sighed gratefully once it was in place. "Came for lunch, did you?" She asked with a small smile.
"Do we get fresh bread today?" Nerat asked hopefully, eyes wide with anticipation.
Mara gave a throaty laugh. "We do indeed." She moved two loaves from a little side table to the main one and handed Nerat a knife. "Cut it, will you? And evenly. Ten slices per loaf. And you better not slice on massive piece for yourself, you little git."
Leto snorted to himself as Nerat stuck his tongue out at Mara.
Indri was working on the far end of the table, carving a chicken. Leto didn't even bother to look at it longingly- it wouldn't be of any use. He noticed the basket of apples Miss had brought in was no longer full. "Did Mister take some of the fruit to the Master?" Leto asked.
Mara shook her head, dumping broth into the pot over the fire. "A few of the others have been at it. The children, particularly."
Leto's fingers itched to reach over and take an apple, but he had a bad feeling about Miss and her kindness. Something was bound to go wrong. She couldn't be as foolish as she was letting on. Maybe it was some elaborate experiment of the Master's.
The door opened, revealing Miss being led in by Ren, one of the younger boys. "Here we are, Miss," he said to her.
"Thank you, Ren," Miss smiled at him, and Leto's eyes narrowed suspiciously as the boy beamed back at her. The human was addressing Ren by name. Curious indeed.
Indri glanced up from the chicken, probably noting the strangeness as well. Nerat cleared his throat as Ren walked up to the basket and took an apple easily.
Leto felt his eyes widen in surprise, quickly looking at Miss to gauge her reaction. She wasn't paying attention to the boy.
"I was just wondering if there was anything I could help with," Miss said to Nerat, as he was closest to her.
Nerat started at being addressed. "Uh. Miss." Nerat averted his eyes uncomfortably.
"I'm in charge of the kitchens, Miss. Apologies for the confusion," Mara stepped in quickly, bobbing her head to Miss. "If there's anything you want to ask, please let me help you."
Miss nodded respectfully to Mara and Leto stared in disbelief. Nerat actually started coughing in surprise. Mara seemed unsure of what to do, but Miss spoke again, "Thank you. But I was actually hoping that I could be of some use in the kitchens. I don't meet Master Danarius until later today, so I thought I could help out with some work here."
Mara blinked rapidly, and Leto wondered if Miss had been dropped on her head as a baby. It was the only possible explanation for her behavior. "Please, Miss." Mara managed to say, "we are only to follow your orders. Mister must have not explained. I mean no disrespect, but your duty is to coordinate us slaves to perform the Master's wishes, and check up on our work."
Miss just smiled. "Mister Dayton is doing that now," she answered. "There doesn't need to be two of us doing that. And I promise, I'm not a bad cook." She rolled up the sleeves of her simple gray dress. "What can I do?"
Mara shook her head almost in disbelief. "If wish to help, Miss, I'm making stew for the Master and his company for their lunch. I'll need to chop some vegetables from the garden."
Leto watched as Miss looked around the kitchen and found the stack of carrots and green things that Leto had never eaten before. He didn't say anything as Miss and Mara began cutting vegetables side by side, Miss asking Mara's name and telling her of how beautiful she found the estate.
Nerat shoved a piece of bread in his mouth and Leto followed suit. Miss had her hair pulled back into a braid, but loose pieces fell into her eyes and across her cheeks, and Leto observed as she brushed them away with the back of her hand.
The other elves were now straggling in, finished with their morning duties, to get their meager lunch. Leto stood to leave, but not before appreciating the look of shock on his fellow slave's faces as they saw the new Miss helping Mara make the stew.
Ren followed Leto to the armory, where Leto pulled on the practice armor loaned to him and readied himself to meet the Master's soldiers. It would be a day of more insults from the humans, more getting knocked around.
"Will you teach me how to use a sword after you've learned?" Ren pleaded with Leto, trying to pout.
Leto sighed, "You know that isn't allowed, Ren."
Ren wrinkled his nose. "This is why they all say you're the grumpy one." Ren complained, and Leto sighed at the boy. Ren folded his arms across his chest. "The new Miss is even much nicer than you are, you know. She said she'd bring more apples next week for me to eat."
Leto froze, his hands reaching for a dulled practice sword. He turned back to face Ren. "You need to be careful, Ren." Leto said firmly. "Don't drop your guard around her. Treat her as you would Mister."
Ren made a face at Leto. "I don't care what you say, I like her. She's not bad, for a human. Kind of like magicker Thane."
Leto didn't bother to correct Ren. Magister Thane was a human who visited the Master on rare occasion, but was known for his kindness to the elves, even bringing sweets to the younger elves. Leto had been suspicious at first, worried that the candy would make the children sick. When it didn't, Leto had replaced his mistrust of the man with a neutral, yet wary, eye. "Just don't cause any trouble, Ren," Leto turned away from the boy to grab the practice sword.
The new Miss couldn't be trusted. Leto wasn't counting on her kindness to last more than a few days before her claws came out.
He rolled his shoulders back a few times before heading out to the guard's practice area, which had been overall unused until Leto had made his deal with the Master—a deal that Leto knew was evil, but didn't have a way around. He once again tried to ignore the conversation he'd had with the Master. He would wait to worry about it until the time came.