Chapter 4

The main house was comprised of two levels, the upper housing Jacob, Will, Eric, and Steve. The lower level held the kitchen, dining area, and a few rooms. A set of stone stairs next to the kitchen led to the slave quarters. The upper level held their kitchens, rooms, and dining area. The lower level held the disciplining chamber.

The brothers and the two other boys were given rooms on the main level of the house. Both rooms contained a large sleeping mat, camel hair blankets, a chamber pot, and had a window facing the outer courtyard.

"You are to go to the kitchen at dawn. There you will receive your daily tasks." Will said as he closed the door to the brother's room. Some fruit, vegies, bread, fish, and water had been placed inside on the mat. Jou divided the food equally, and they began to beat.

"What do you think of the master?" Yuugi asked.

"He seems alright." Ryou said, taking a bite of his fish.

"That doesn't mean anything." Malik interjected. "People can look nice, but can be really mean."

"He's right." Jou put in. "We need to watch our step. I don't like any of this, but it's too late now to do anything." Yuugi and Ryou nodded, taking in their brother's advice. The rest of the meal was finished in silence.

Jou put the plates outside the door. They each grabbed a blanket and laid down. Ryou and Yuugi snuggled up together, while Malik and Jou curled up behind them, forming a protective barrier. They were all asleep in minutes.

Before the sun had risen the next morning, the brothers were already awake. They walked to the kitchen, where the cooks had already placed a meal for them on a low table. After eating, the cooks gave the boys their tasks to complete that day.

Yuugi and Ryou were ordered to help with the master's meals throughout the day. This included taking the bowls and plates piled high with food to the dining room. Jou and Malik were given the task of cleaning all the floors, which was tiled, throughout the manor.

Around mid-day, Ryou and Yuugi were carrying a large bowl full of wine to the dining room for Jacob's noontime meal. What they didn't know was that their elder brothers had recently finished cleaning that floor, and it was still damp. The bowl was cumbersome already, and the wet floor wasn't helping the twins any.

Half-way there, Ryou stumbled, but they quickly righted themselves. However, Yuugi then slipped, and they weren't fast enough in recovering their steps, and fell down. The bowl fell from their hands, and shattered on the ground, splashing wine all over the floor, themselves, and Will, who had just turned the corner.

Too stunned to say anything, the twins lay on the wine soaked ground, gaping up at him. Will stood, shocked, for a moment, then grabbed the twins by the shoulders, and started leading them down the hall. When they figured out what was happening, they started struggling, apologizing profusely. They passed Jou and Malik, who cried out and followed them.

Will took them to Jacob, who was currently sitting in his office, waiting for a slave to tell him his lunch was ready. He looked surprised when Will entered with all four brothers. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked.

"Master, these two clumsy slaves broke one of your prized bowls, and spilled the wine all over the floor. I brought them to you for their punishment." Will explained. The twins were still apologizing, while Jou and Malik were giving excuses why they shouldn't be punished. "It's our fault, sir. We didn't tell them the floor was still wet, and to watch their step."

Jacob ignored them, and turned to Will. "They will receive the usual punishment: 15 lashes and no food or water for the next two days." Will nodded, and the twins eyes filled with terror. "No sir! Please! It was an accident!" they called as they were dragged away, with their older brothers following right behind.

They were taken down to the lowest level of the house. A door was opened, and then Yuugi and Ryou were tied to stakes planted in the ground. . A single tear rolled down Yuugi's face. Then crack! A braided whip tore at his back, and then moved to Ryou's. Tears were soon streaking down both of their faces, and screams tore at their throats. Jou and Malik were being restrained by guards, yelling at Will to stop. Ryou just closed his eyes, and prayed for deliverance.

A.N. : I'm so sorry that's its been almost two months since I updated this story! I had a terrible case of writers block, then I knew what I wanted to say, but couldn't put it into words. This will hopefully not happen again, but it might be a bit before my next update. My county fair is coming up, and I'm gonna be really busy. I'll write as often as I can, and will update as soon as I have it written:) Love y'all, and thank you for your patience:)