Chapter 6: A Stupid Crazy Plan
13's sleep was anything but peaceful, for his dreams were plagued with the predatory look his master had given him before his "breaking in". He would run from her and try to hide in other memories, but while his body slumbered, his mind ran wild with thoughts pertaining to his new owner. He was only saved after what seemed like years of torment when his biological clock woke him from his fevered nightmares. With a quick intake of breath 13's eyes shot open, only to find that it was still dark outside. He looked up to find that the lamp in the center of the tent had ran out of fuel, meaning that sometime had at least pasted since his master had fallen asleep, content with her domination of her new property. 13 shook his head and the thoughts currently weighing it down away. He could focus more on his mental scarring later, from the strict routine the camp had kept him on, 13 was aware that it would be time for breakfast soon, that meant that he needed to get up.
Or did he? 13 looked towards his master to find her still naked and breathing the breaths of soft slumber. He didn't know what she would want, he knew that waking her up to find out was out of the question though. He was damned either way, the thought made him chuckle to himself. You've been damned the moment you were born, why stop now? With a sigh 13 quietly stood up and moved towards the center of the tent. He picked up the articles of clothing his master had stripped from him last night and put them back on. He despised the thing that inhabited the feminine body in the corner of the tent but he couldn't act on his emotions either way. They had broken him too well for that.
13 unhooked the lamp from the ceiling and tiptoed out of the tent quickly, he'd get the lamp refilled, sneak back in and hang it back up encase Arezo was an early riser. He wasn't going to lie, the woman scared him. He knew nothing about her and after last night, he didn't really want too. 13 made his way to the camp's supply tent and found what he was looking for, a jar of oil for the lamp, and a small box of matches. Matches, the normal way for creating fire. The mines surrounding the camp were full of many minerals, some chemical in nature, leading to many new advances in technology for those less magically inclined in the region, such as 13 and those who shared the camp with him.
He quickly grabbed what he needed and left, not fearing a reprimand since he no longer belonged here and the man who was supposed to be on duty was still apparently sleeping in. As he neared his masters tent he slowed down and crept up to the flap, slightly peeking in. Soft snores met his ears and his master's body had only rolled over since he left. He stepped in and replaced the lamp, wedging the matches in a small crevice of the lamp's frame so his master could quickly light the lamp later on.
13 was about to leave when a small shiver and clattering of teeth made it too his ears. Of course, what would you expect when you go to sleep naked! Silently fuming 13 examined the tent, looking for something to keep her warm. Why do I care anyway? It would serve her right after last night! Then 13 had an idea, a crazy, stupid, never going to work in a million years, might as well jump off a cliff head first idea. He quickly focused his search yet still found nothing but a rug, pillows and a naked woman now curled up in a ball. 13 crept out again and made his way back towards the supply tent.
Seriously, this isn't going to work. She's going to shrug it off and count it as something you should have done. But something inside 13 said he knew better than that. That after last night she would expect some sort of aloofness or fear, or at least some signs of negative feelings towards her. He began to grin a wicked grin as he increased his speed towards the tent, his plan was slowly falling into place.
13 entered the supply tent once more, this time to find the supply guard awake, or at least awake enough to be slumped in his chair staring zombie like at the papers scattered about on his small rickety table. After a few second the guard looked up, finally realizing he wasn't the only person awake at these early hours of the day.
"What do you want, " he looked at the newcomers right shoulder "13? Its way to early for you to be needing anything out of this tent." 13 mentally celebrated the fact the man hadn't taken stock yet, or else he would have had far more to explain already. His celebration ended though when the guard began to grin, his mind finally getting itself used to being awake. "Don't tell me, you limped all the way here to beg for something for your back eh?"
That caused 13 to pause and glance over his shoulder. He had completely forgotten about his back, and he hadn't even felt it protest as he had made his first trip here earlier. From what he could see it was dried, and red from its abuse last night, but it wasn't protesting his movements so far. His gaze returned too the guard and 13 gave him something he would never have dreamed yesterday. A small smirk of satisfaction. "You may be surprised to discover that I actually came to retrieve a blanket for my master, seeing as none was prepared for her yesterday, sir." 13's brain told his lips to stop, that this would earn him another beating, but Arezo's words the night before silenced his fears.
A slave can't have but one master. With hidden glee 13 watched as the guard rose up, then stopped. Everyone had heard Arezo declare her interest in 13, and the guard's brain finally registered 13's reference to his, singular, master. With a frown the man sat back down and crossed his arms. "Get what you need and then get out of my tent you piece of trash." 13 bowed his head and quickly made his retreat, realizing that his new position still only offered a small bit of protection.
His master may dislike the camp and everyone in it, but since she had only owned him literally for one night so far, he didn't want to push things. 13 found what he was looking for and made his exit, not paying attention to which blanket he had grabbed until after he had made his retreat. Outside the tent he looked down into his hands and inspected the emerald green cotton blanket he had grabbed without much thought. With a shrug he continued his way back towards his master, hoping she hadn't woken from the cold yet.
With luck he wasn't aware he still had, 13 arrived once more to find his master furiously cuddling one of the many pillows surrounding her. He could only assume her body had latched onto the pillow assuming it was 13, not aware that he had bee up for at least 30 minutes now. With as much clumsy agility 13 could muster, he silently and softly laid the blanket over the woman. Ignoring the silly scene 13 slowly headed towards the only place he could keep busy. He dreaded the moment he entered the food tent and merged back in with the other slaves, he would be in for one hell of a confrontation.
His feet failed him though and 13 found himself already outside of the dreaded tent of doom, with a deep breath he tensed his muscles and prepared for the worst as he pulled the flaps aside. The slaves closest to the flaps stopped what they were doing and glared in his direction as he passed them. He could feel their disdain in his presence and he blanked his face as he made his way farther in. He wouldn't let them get to him, he was better then that. 13 spotted an empty spot by a stove top and quickly shuffled his way over, weaving his way through the busy slaves preparing the camp's breakfast.
He had almost reached his safe haven, mentally prepared to quickly blend into the crowd of slaves when a sharp sting met his back. 13 hissed and dropped too one knee, aware that yesterday's beating may not be over yet. Quickly getting back on his feet 13 spun around and glared at the chef who was currently cleaning his spoon off on his apron. "What are you doing here 13? Finally realize your not as special as you'd hoped?"
13 ignored the barbed comment and calmed himself the best he could, one more breakfast and he'd be rid of this camp, even if it was in the clutches of that snake of a woman. 13 could already feel some of his scabs opening again but he focused his attention on the far less injured of the two. "Sir, I'm here to help prepare breakfast since my master will be partaking in it as well."
The chef's grin did not promise 13 any respite. With a wide, sick, toothy smile the chef spun around and addressed the rest of the slaves. "Did you all hear that? 13 is only here because of his new master! We'd better make sure we don't get in his way then!" All the slaves looked at 13, then back towards the chef. The message had been delivered. Show no mercy. The chef spun back on 13 and continued his assault.
"We don't want your mistress to be unhappy do we? I'll leave you to fix her breakfast this time, I'm sure she's already told you what she prefers in the morning anyway." 13's fate had been sealed, the chef was still pissed about yesterday, more so than 13 had been aware. His master must have struck a cord in the chef after she so blatantly ignored the dish he prepared just for her. Add that to the fact a slave had tried to eat his hard work and 13 could now truly see how livid this man really was.
With what could have been a growl the chef spun himself around and headed back to the head of the tent where he could over see breakfast with the wooden enforcer that never seemed to leave his hand. 13's mind had already pushed the new pain in his back aside, he couldn't focus on that right now, he already had more pressing problems. The fact he knew nothing about his new owner, coupled with the reality he had no cooking skills what so ever, left 13's mind in utter panic. I am so screwed!
0
Arezo's senses slowly found her after what had been a surprising good nights sleep. Odd considering she had slept on only pillows and a rug. She cracked one eye open to find small traces of pale light peaking under the tent's walls. Her mind snapped into place as it took stock of her current condition. She was warm, no doubt 13 was to thank for that. She was about to unwrap herself from her slave when it dawned on her, 13 wasn't as light as the warmth currently embracing her whole body. Her eyes traveled down to find her naked body covered with what felt like cloth.
Arezo situated her feet under her and stood, finding that what covered her was indeed some sort of blanket, a warm one at that. Her eyes were slowly adjusting to the small traces of light in the tent. She headed towards the lamp already assuming like 13 that it had run out of oil. As she was about to unhook the lamp, her hands knocked a small box to the floor. With one hand keeping both ends of the blanket wrapped around her she bent down and felt around on the floor, looking for the object she had just knocked free of the lamp.
After a few moments she found what she was looking for and stood back up. A small and stiff box rested in her hand. She was unsure of what it was but she shook it to find out. Her actions rewarded her with small wooden clicks as wooden sticks scraped against each other. Arezo let the blanket drop and with her other hand raised the lamp slightly. Smart boy... 13 had surprised her once again, she hadn't even been awake more than 2 minutes and already her new investment had things ready for her ahead of time. "Its a shame I hadn't found you earlier, you would have made a wonderful house slave." Soon the woman had retrieved a match from the box and lit it with ease.
She may be wealthy but she wasn't clueless, or at least not wealthy enough to afford such ignorance. The lamp was soon alive once more illuminating the tent's interior. Arezo looked down at the carpet and examined the blanket 13 had left her with before he had headed out to do gods knows what. A green blanket greeted her inspection, looking very much out of place on the dark red carpet that made up the tent's floor. Another slight shiver made her pick it back up and wrap it around her once again as she made her way to the tent's entrance flap. She poked her head out and finally took in the dawn of another day, her final day in this easily forgettable part of the desert.
Arezo could feel the heat slowly being breathed back into the sand as the sun made it's way over the horizon and back towards its throne over the sky. She quickly ducked her head back into the tent and tossed the blanket back onto the pillows. She hadn't had a bath in a day now and her skin was complaining about the sand and dried sweat it had accumulated from yesterday.
Thoughts of yesterday stopped her in her tracks as she replayed her successful deal. Barid hadn't been very happy about her successful haggling skills, yet a few cups into the wine had completely made him forget is loss in profits. Arezo was also guilty of indulging herself. She usually kept herself sober, but last night saw her more inebriated than she had been in months.
It was the only explanation she could find for why her actions last night had been purely unprofessional when she went to retrieve her new slave. She had been far to physical with him and even though she meant to assert her dominance, she hadn't planned on, well completely taking the teen. Really now, you're almost 27! That was definitely unlike you! Her thoughts didn't really have much impact though, her body had more than enjoyed itself.
"Besides, I guess that was one sure way to break him in." It was true, she could see and feel the fight disappear in 13's eyes as she had her way with him. It had been invigorating to say the least. At least now she was sure he understood his place, but none of this explained the lamp, matches and blanket. She'd just have to keep an eye on him, and if need be, she wouldn't mind showing him his place once more. With a sigh she began picking up her previously discarded clothes, noting that they hadn't been folded and placed near the mirror. This only confirmed that 13 was still slightly shaken from last night, as she had expected him to be.
She was about to take a quick bird bath with the warm water left over from last night when a rather loud and obnoxious growl filled the room. Arezo looked down shocked too find herself the source of such an unladylike noise. She chuckled as she realized she had gone a whole day without eating, and her stomach must have finally had enough of it. With a grumble Arezo sped up her efforts, "yes yes I hear you, let me make myself some what presentable and then we'll go fill you with that slop this camp calls food." For one meal she would try too ignore the fact that the camp's pathetic excuse for a chef considered lard and butter a suitable excuse for food.