Chapter 21

They Dug Your Grave

Master Raine had Tagd running errands taking him past the familiar wall where he used to sit and dream of freedom, giving feeling of being his own even if it were for a just a short moment in time. He had contemplated going up to sit awhile, but thought the better of it not wanting to call trouble upon himself. Pushing all such thoughts aside he looked up once more before continuing on thinking of how times had changed, how he had changed... No.. how they had changed him.

Not paying attention to where he was going, Tagd took a leap backwards startling by Tavin's sudden appearance directly in front of him. "Apologies." As he almost bumped head first into the guard.

"Stop!" Tavin commanded abruptly stepping in front of the boy blocking his path.

"Master awaits me." Tagd said with a determined voice, hoping that would deter the guard from detaining him any further.

"I think not." Tavin with familiar grin on his face stood firm in front of the boy looking out past him.

Tagd heard rustling from behind. Looking over his shoulder, hope of any favorable outcome faded fast as one after the other three more guards emerged from behind some bushes. The boy shuddered as fleeting thoughts of past encounter came to mind remembering their hands all over him, grabbing him while violently thrusting themselves upon him.

Feeling like cornered prey Tagd stood with outstretched arms between Tavin and the three other guards. Slowly backing up his stomach started to knot seeing Tavin's smile turn sinister as he commanded one of his fellow guards. "Summon Master Raine, Padraic and Hael to back courtyard. Report we have a run-away"

Puzzled by Tavin's actions Tagd's uneasiness grew. "I do not wish for trouble."

"You should thought that at last encounter." Tavin hissed so only Tagd could hear. The guard narrowed his gaze, "Your Master does not take kindly to run aways..."

Tagd felt light headed as all blood drained to his feet, it struck him becoming instantly clear intent was not of rape but of revenge. Panic stricken he stood motionless holding his breath. Unable to think straight his base instinct slowly took control and he told himself... RUN!

Not hesitating he turned and fled for the wall, but this is what they wanted to justify accusation. His mind suddenly clearing realizing he was aiding their cause he rapidly changed direction. He had to get to Master first. He had to get away. He had to beat them. He had to run, run as fast as he could. It was all that mattered at the moment, he could not let them catch him.

Loosing ground Tavin and the others had underestimated Tagd's move, knowing their allegations would have no hold if Tagd were to reach one of the Masters. He had to be stopped at all cost. Forced to revert to action, Tavin pulled his weapon.

All Tagd saw was a blast of light accompanied by burning pain on the back of his leg as he felt himself plow into the hard ground beneath.

Stunned Tagd barely could make out the three guards that loomed now over him as he made a feeble attempt to crawl away, each kicking and stomping upon him until he yielded. Next thing Tagd knew arms were grabbing him forcefully pulling him to his feet.

Tavin yanked the boy's head back by his hair, "I will ensure you pay for past actions." Tagd looked up into Tavin's eyes, trying to focus on his face. "You will wish you had sucked my cock when you had chance." With that they dragged him to the courtyard where the other guard was already returning with Master Raine.

Still half dazed they stood him in the middle of the court yard. Lyna's voice remembered, "they will not let you die, they will brand you run-away and beat you until broken." Blinking to clear his vision he looked up through his haze upon the dreaded whipping post. The last lashing with the whip had been over a planets cycle of the past, yet the pain had never left him causing a fear to come bearing down upon him stealing his last breath. The sting of the cane was painful enough but he had never wanted to feel the bite of that whip ever again. Tagd began to tremble as he realized just how dire his situation had become.

"On your knees slave, for you have no right to stand amongst men!" Tavin commanded as he kicked Tagd on inflicted wound causing the boy to crash to his knees.

Raine immediately wanted to know what this was about.

"Sir, The slave was trying to get over the wall."

Tagd concentrated trying to listen, surely Master wouldn't believe what Tavin told. He had bowed to his Master's demands, as they had wanted. He had done everything as taught. He had been good and obedient. Certainly Master had taken note.

Slowly coming to his senses he begged ,"M..may I sp..speak, Master?"

"No." Turning back to Tavin, "Are you certain? It is severe accusations drawn."

Tagd stayed still, his breathing becoming heavier with every word that fell from Tavin's mouth.

"Yes, Sir. No doubt. We were patrolling the wall, Anrai saw him start to climb and went after him. I was forced to draw weapon..."

Master Raine looked down at Tagd, the sheer distress visible in his face.

"It is not true!" Tagd burst out in hopes of forcing turn to speak.

Master Raine stepped forward back handing Tagd across the face splitting his nose and lip, filling his mouth with the taste of blood. "I did not give you permission to speak."

Swallowing hard, "Please Master... I di.." but Tagd cut himself short as Master made movement to strike again. If only they would listen...

Tavin continued to tell of how they had interrupted Tagd's escape. All being told again as Master Padraic and Hael joined them.

Tagd felt like his lungs were underwater he could barely inhale completely. "Please Master... please give me chance to speak."

Raine ignored the boy as he continued to listen to the guards.

"Please Master..." Tagd becoming more and more desperate. "I did not run..." Why would they not listen, his heart pounding. It is not fair. If only Master would give him chance to speak. He felt as if they had made up their minds already.

Heal was there, he would surely speak for him. Hael would know he would never try to run. Tagd looked over to Hael wordlessly petitioning for his help, but none came.

Left to his own accord, "Master... please I did not run.." Tagd continued to plea, infuriating Master Raine as he listened to the other guards each telling exactly as Tavin had.

He had abandoned all feelings, he had just wanted his piece after his heart broke over Natalia. He even gave up hope of ever being his own following conversation with Lyna casting all of what was left of himself aside. What more did they want! Want more could they take from him!

The boy's mind clouded by fear, Tagd reached out and grabbed Master Raine's arm. "Please Master, think.. why would I run? I am obedient and grateful.." The color fell from the boy's face realizing the mistake he had just made, he retracted his arm slowly, bowing his head in submission. "Apologies, Master! Apologies.."

Master whisked around in disbelief the slave would dare touch him, grabbing the boy by his chin. "You are in trouble as is boy, yet you dig yourself deeper with every word spilled." Master's fingers tearing into the soft flesh of Tagd's cheeks. "Do you even realize position you have put me in!"

Tavin just smiled, knowing Tagd had just sealed his own fate. Now all Tagd could do was pray... pray Hael would administer the punishment and not Master Padraic.

Waves of hot came over Tagd, knees feeling now very weak hearing Raine give the command "Prepare his punishment!"

To be continued...