Chapter 14

When the Cards All Fold

The strain on Tagd rapidly took over as he started to tremble. Letting out a moan he had to break the kiss.

Natalia felt his forehead, "You burn!" His face was pale as a dead man's, "You must rest." She took a cool cloth to him wiping away the beads of sweat.

"No rest... I wish to... be with you..." he strained to get the words out.

"Sleep. I will be present when you wake." She gently put her hand onto his cheek. "Sleep my sweet prince.."

Tagd did not want to sleep but had to close his eyes as the sensation of being pulled under by sand engulfed him. He started to mumble, "No prince... no knight.. I am a slave.. a slave" his body started to jerk and twitch as to relive the lashing from Padraic. Natalia watched helplessly as he begged repeatedly, "No...no..please" coming from his lips in-between his moans.

She knew at that point that her decision to be with Raine was the right path to be taken. She would be in position to spare many from similar fate even if it meant having to put her feelings aside.

Tagd became quiet and seemed to sleep peacefully for awhile. She continued to tend to him. Sitting patiently by his side watching as tears were once again being pressed from his closed eyes, she knew he had faded into the next nightmare. This time taking him back to the mines and in the chambers of his Overseer. Natalia heard things that would forever haunt her dreams. She buried her head in her arms, suffering with him she wept.

"You can't save them all... " her father would always tell her, but she would be damned if she didn't help him. She could not stand idle watching him suffer. Once living here within the walls of the household she could provide some protection for him, but she knew he would always be at the mercy of his Master's whim.

Natalia had kept her promise and to Tagd's relief was still at his side when he awoke the next time. Still weakened by fever but able to at least hear her say good-bye for now as Raine and Padriac would be due back shortly.

Sadly the time Natalia was able to spend with Tagd was all too short and could only last a few days. Most of their time together was spent with him sleeping battling the fever and her taking care of his wounds, giving Lyna a short but well deserved break.

Slowly recovering and laying in his bed alone, Tagd hated the thought that Natalia would be back in Master Raine's arms. He hated the man, this just another reason to hate him more. If he were free he would prevent the wedding and take her from here. He didn't know where, his whole life consisted of only knowing the cages and mines of his previous master and this household, but he would take her somewhere. There had to be a place out there where the two of them could just be together. A heavy and weighted feeling overcame Tagd as he longed to be free now even more. He wished for a life where he could determine over his own. Not even his base of needs was his to control.

One small thought however gave him satisfaction, the thought of him having had kissed his Master's fiancee. He a slave, stole his Master's wife's heart.

So in thought over his small triumph, Tagd did not hear Master Raine and Master Padraic approach. Lyna entered on their heels but stayed close to the doorway somewhat worried. Tagd's smile was wiped from his face as they came near especially after taking note of the cane in Padraic's hand. He had felt exposed chained naked to a post, but here in bed with only bandages between his healing beaten back and Padraic's cane, he felt utterly vulnerable.

"Let's take a look shall we." Master Raine said tearing off the bandages without as much care as Lyna would. Tagd winced as they were torn from his wounds.

Tagd's fear grew and flight instinct took over as he tried to turn on his side shielding his back away from them. "Please.." he begged pushing himself away adding distance, terrified Master Padraic's cane would find target on his painful back. Forever etched in his memory the beating he had gotten on his fresh brand. Merciless, Master Padraic had not shied from caning him directly on it.

Both men grabbed the boy turning him forcefully back on his stomach. "Please!" Tagd buried his head, putting his hands up in submission. "Pl..please."

Toying with the boy, Master Padraic ran the cane over the welts on Tagd's back sending a chilling fear throughout his body, almost holding his breath expecting for the cane to come down hard any moment. He fidgeted nervously as the two men inspected him.

"Stand up boy." Master Raine then demanded.

Lyna tried to chime in, "He has not stood as of..." Master Raine cut her short with a gesture of his hand to be still. Lyna bowed her head.

"Did you hear the command, boy!" Raine could see the fear in the boy, as his body was trembling and his breathing intensified.

"Y-yes Master." Tagd's face hardened as his brows raised in the middle, jaw tensed.

Not wanting to provoke Master Padraic from engaging the cane, the boy managed to get his body over his two feet. But as soon as he was standing the room began to spin. He tried to fight it and stay standing for fear of a beating on his still healing back, but his knees buckled under him. Raine and Padraic grabbed hold of the boy before he went down.

"Whoa! Let's sit you on the bed." Padraic said, looking over annoyed at Lyna, who had been right. He signaled for her to leave the room.

Master Raine picked up the boy's drink cup and held it out to Tagd, "Take hold boy.." He knew Padraic had smashed the boy's hand, though Hael had set it as best he could he wanted to determine what to do with him, a one handed slave was not of much use.

Still dizzy Tagd tried to focus on the cup and went to reach with his left. "Other hand!" Irritated Master Raine knocked the outreached hand away.

The boy obeyed lifting his hand to meet the cup. Raine let the cup go but Tagd was unable to take hold, sending it clanking to the ground.

Master Raine slapped the boy hard across his face.

Blinking to regain himself, "Ap..apologies Master, it was not with purpose." As he bowed his head, keeping his gaze down.

Raine then held out his hand. "Take hold of my hand boy and squeeze."

Tagd looked up, his eyes went back and forth between the two in distrust, he feared another strike, had he not just been flogged for touching his Master?

"I command it." Raine nodded his head.

Tagd reached out and tried to hold on to his Master's hand but was again not able to take grasp.

Disappointed, they had put so much time and effort into molding the boy into something useful, only to potentially lose him now "What did Hael say, will he be able to use it again." Looking at Padraic.

"Aye he thinks as much, but he said it could be a bit."

"He better be able to use it, otherwise I'll send him back to the mines." A sinking feeling overcame Tagd as he heard those words. His brows tightened almost forming two perfect S shapes over his eyes. He sat there with an elbow on each knee, his bad hand in the other holding it... studying it, his hand would determine his fate.

"I am positive that will be incentive for the slave." Grinning, Master Padraic ensured his boss.

"And the stitches?"

"Hael said a few more days."

"Fine." Knowing Lyna was still hovering opposite side of the door..."Lyna!"

She entered.

"He may rest until the stitches are removed. Then see that he starts getting on his feet. Have him help you in the kitchen a few hours a day until he is of strength again."

"Yes, Master." She nodded her head.

"Make sure he regains use of his hand, or it will be the cages of the mines for him." Tagd let out a huff of air as he lowered his head pressing his face into his palms in despair. The second threat loomed in the air.

"Further more, the boy is either to work or be in his room. He has lost the privilege for any freedom, even sharing meals at the table. Do I make myself clear!" With that Raine knocked the boys arms off his knees..

"Y..yes, Master" Tagd replied, understanding the dire situation he was in.

Padraic looked down at the boy, who's eyes began to redden. Padraic grinned, satisfied the boy was being broken.

Turning to leave Raine added, "One more thing... Have him collared."

Padraic went to follow Raine and retrieve a collar, but decided to turn and whacked Tagd with brute force on his back with the cane rapidly four times. The pain sent Tagd flying from the bed onto the floor on all fours yelping out in agony.

Raine turned and looked at Padraic.

"What? He was expecting it the whole time..." Padraic grinned and walked out.

To be continued...