Leinas' latest orders came from a courier by way of letter from the Imperial Palace, which in itself wasn't uncommon, though she would have imagined that her extended absence would have seen her need to report to the palace in person. Jircniv could have any number or reasons for doing so, one of which being that he truly did not care about her extended absence, but that seemed unlikely. The Emperor cared about everything going on in Baharuth, and nothing escaped his notice in Arwintar.
Perhaps he was giving her enough rope to hang herself, so to speak. See what she would do with a continued absence of oversight. Or, decided that she was useful enough to keep giving errands to, while not trustworthy enough to be within arms reach of him with a weapon. Or she was getting as paranoid as the Bloody Emperor. Regardless, she had her duties to attend to.
"I see you've taken to wearing your helmet again Madam," said Samuel, holding the reigns to Leinas' courser, Malice. He was a chestnut stallion with a ferocious temper in a fight, but listened well to commands. As much a weapon as Leinas' spear, her warhorse had caved in the chest of more than one opponent with his steel shod hooves. A better name might be in order though, or perhaps a warhorse should be named something appropriately aggressive? He certainly looked malicious though, her steed bedecked in armour that covered his head, neck, and flanks that would turn away most blades and arrows.
"I've only recently had my curse removed, I don't want an errant blade to make it moot," said Leinas simply, mounting her warhorse in one smooth motion, attaching her spear to the side of the saddle.
"A wise decision madam. I've seen fit to pack you provisions for at least three days, though I imagine it will prove to be unnecessary, or else the Imperial contingent hunting the bandits will provide well enough for you."
"Thank you Samuel, that was very thoughtful of you."
"I've also seen to cut the crusts off of your sandwiches, just how you like."
"I'm not a child anymore Samuel," said Leinas, cheeks heating up in embarrassment, though hidden by her adamantite helm.
"Of course Madam, I have another lunch with sandwiches containing crusts available. Would you prefer that instead?"
"No, that is quite alright Samuel, I wouldn't want to trouble you anymore. The packed provisions will be more than sufficient."
"Very good Madam. As for your purchases, would you like them to continue in your absence?"
"Would it be an issue if they did?"
"No Madam, I am more than capable of handling such things. Indeed, it would seem almost suspicious if you were always the one to personally administer to such duties. I am more than capable of handling such matters."
"Very good Samuel, Titus will be happy that his moving business will go uninterrupted."
"I am sure he will Madam. Please, do be safe and do not concern yourself with matters here."
"Thank you Samuel, you take care as well. I would be quite lost without you. Now, I must make posthaste if I am to meet with my detachment."
"Until we meet again Madam," said Samuel, bowing, the clacking of steel shod hooves on stone marking Leinas' departure.
Leinas' detachment was fifty strong, all mounted for quicker movement. About a dozen heavy lancers, another dozen mounted archers, and the rest mounted yeomen. She had also been gifted one Griffin Rider from the Imperial Air Guard. He would be the eyes of her force and allow them to move more quickly. She would have scouts ahead regardless, with orders only to return to the main body if they encountered the brigands. With eyes from above, she needed not worry if they were ambushed and then herself run into the same ambush.
It was a not insubstantial force, though not exactly a legion. Someone had been hitting Theocracy slave caravans in Baharuth territory. Such a thing was an embarrassment to the Empire, not to mention politically damaging between the Theocracy and the Empire. Only Theocracy caravans being hit while Imperial ones remained unscathed? It would not be too large of a leap for someone to conclude that if the Empire wasn't at least involved, then they simply did not care to protect Theocracy merchants. Neither thought was especially good to let fester and grow in the mind of the Theocracy.
Such rumblings were already starting to be heard and so action was being taken against it. From how she understood it, the situation was already well in hand, but a spectacle needed to be made to show how seriously the Empire was treating it. What greater way to show how committed the Empire was to catching the brigands, then to send one of the Four Knights of the Empire to lead the mission?
They set out from Arwintar shortly after the sun rose, Leinas being sure to stay alert, despite the ease of the assignment. As much as she loathed her father, he had been sure to teach his daughter tactics and stratagem to competently lead men into battle. Seeing that her station made her equal to a general in the Imperial Legions, Leinas worked hard to maintain a level of competency expected of her, and not be seen as an ornamental knight.
They set a good pace, and the heat was not oppressive which was welcome since they were all layered in heavy armour. It was a full days hard travel on horseback to where Colonel Georgius Bardas and his forces were encamped in their regional fort. They saw the stronghold silhouetted against the setting sun as they finally arrived. A dark, foreboding silhouette looking like it was a lone island in a sea of fire. Silhouettes of men walking the walls became visible as they grew closer, though any colour or distinction was lost at this distance. A horn sounded as Leinas' column was spotted, and she could not help but take a matter of satisfaction at their attentiveness.
From what she understood of Bardas, he was a competent man, one concerned more with the duties of soldiering, rather than merely attempting to use military service as a means to advance his political career. Something that was, or rather had been all too common in the legions of the Empire. Leading to more legates and generals who knew little to nothing of tactics and instead would use their forces like a blunt instrument to win, or lose their engagements.
Bardas had also survived Jircniv's purges more or less unscathed, which in of itself said something of his abilities. The Emperor had been utterly ruthless in weeding out any dissenters and any incompetent who held their position by virtue of birth, rather than ability. Some had been allowed to remain, shadows of what they once were. Impotent and seething, but utterly harmless. Deemed too inconsequential to kill and make a fuss over. Others, well, there was a reason Jircniv was called the Bloody Emperor.
It was not an overly impressive fort, indistinguishable from the many others that dotted the empire. The square construction consisting of trenches dug before stone walls and filled with sharpened stakes. The walls surrounded several barracks and store buildings in the interior, including a smithy and stable. A single rectangular keep dominated the centre of the fort, like a grey brick jutting out of the land, towering imperiously and the grey rock seeming to scowl like a spiteful old man at the land beyond.
The soldiers manning the gate looked to have their gear in good order, which was a welcome sign, but more importantly they looked alert. Challenges were issued and Leinas answered, before the portcullis was raised and they were allowed entry.
Stablehands and slaves took their mounts, the men taking what they wanted or needed from their saddlebags, before they had their tack removed and allowed to rest for the night. Leinas' men, herself included were saddle sore from the long, hard ride, and though Leinas wished for a bath, a washbasin full of heated water and a bar of soap would more than suffice.
Before the reforms, the lancers and more elite members would have taken off to get food and drink while their squires and 'lessers' tended to the beasts and their gear. However, with the reforms in place, all members of the Legions were professional contract soldiers, and every man looked after their own kit. Though, being in a fort such as this did afford the luxuries of dedicated personnel to look after the care of their mounts at least. Leinas would have to wait to look after her own equipment though, she had to greet Bardas first.
She was led by a knight in plate armour into the keep and up the narrow, winding staircase. Leinas nodded in approval at the construction. Every facet of this fort appeared to be dedicated entirely to enduring a siege, and giving every advantage possible to the defenders.
The Colonel's office was square stone room, with windows more akin to arrows slits. He was a bald man, broad shouldered, and fit, though with signs that as a younger man he had been quite heavily muscled. A wrestler or pugilist if his cauliflower ear was any indication. He was wearing a simply duty tunic, quill in hand and pouring over reports when Leinas was ushered in.
She had meant to salute him first, a show of respect since she was within his domain, even if she did technically outrank him. Instead, he rose and saluted smartly, thumping his hand off of his breast and Leinas returned the gesture.
"A pleasure to have you aiding us Ser Rockbruise, I thank you for coming," said Bardas inclining his head.
"Your thanks is welcome, but entirely unnecessary. I come at the behest of his Imperial Majesty Emperor Jircniv. Though I must say, from the impression I've been given of your command, I dare venture had we been dispatched a day later to assist, I'd have arrived in time merely to offer his gratitude at a job well done."
A slight smile broke the granite of the Colonel's face, something like professional pride lighting up his otherwise dark, and serious eyes.
"High praise indeed from one of the Emperor's Four Knights. Please, have a seat. Would you like water, or wine?"
"Water, if you would be so kind," said Leinas, doffing her helmet and taking the empty seat, noticing Bardas' immediate stare.
"Forgive me, I was told that you had a curse afflicting the right side of your face."
"Recently cured much to my relief. You are rather blunt Colonel," added Leinas dryly.
"Too many of my peers waste time with plots or being beating around the bush when simply asking will get you the answer you want."
"I'm sure that you've never offended anyone's sensibilities doing that," said Leinas.
"Of course not, otherwise I'd be in command of a fort in the middle of nowhere," said Bardas simply. Both Leinas and Bardas let out amused grins at that.
"I suppose I've got something of a similar reputation," admitted Leinas.
"I nearly pissed myself laughing when I heard at your swearing in ceremony that you told Emperor Jircniv that you'd defend him, but if it came to having to die then he was on his own. Tell me though, would that extend to abandoning your men in the field?" asked Bardas, tone turning serious.
Leinas paused and seriously considered the question. It was true that a few short weeks ago, the answer would have been a yes, but now?
"No. I don't think it does. My men have put their lives and loyalty in my hands, the least I can do is reciprocate that. I won't abandon them."
"Good," said Bardas, seemingly satisfied with that answer. "You'll be pleased to know that your stay in Fort Fort will be a short one."
"I beg your pardon, fort what?" asked Leinas thinking she had misheard.
"Fort Fort, repeated Bardas without a moment's hesitation.
"Fort, Fort," repeated Leinas dumbly.
"Yes. This fort is called Fort."
"May I ask as to how such a, inspirational name came to be?"
"Well, when we were dispatched out here three years ago, this outpost was little more than a few wood shacks and a garden fence. When we started laying down proper fortifications, I asked the men what they would like to call our redoubt. They decided that they would make Fort, Fort a proper fortress. Or, as they like to say, Fort, Fort is a proper fort."
"Truly a font of creative potential you have in these men."
"Indeed. That's why I just have them hit things with sharp bits of steel most of the time. Otherwise they'd shake our very understanding of literature and philosophy with their deep insights."
"Indeed. I trust that they're going to be using those sharp bits of steel sometime soon?"
"Tomorrow I believe, maybe the day after."
"So soon?" questioned Leinas. By was of response, Bardas gestured for her to come and study the map on his desk.
"There's two theocracy Caravans in the territory. This one," said Bardas pointing to a red flag, "Is too far away. The garrison from Thepsus has a troop of griffin riders in the city who would respond too quickly to any signs of banditry."
"So then this one here is the more likely target?"
"It's the only other target. They aren't hitting any Empire Caravans, even slave carrying ones. Just can't figure it out myself, our response is the same no matter which caravan is hit, and the ones carrying spices or rugs like this would be more valuable," said Bardas tapping his foot on a wool rug at his feet.
"Velcorum wool, double braided and dyed with Re-Estize blue condor," said Leinas with an appreciative eye.
"You seem to really know your rugs and fabric," said Bardas.
"More than I would like," admitted Leinas.
"Still, not sure why they wouldn't hit all of them. Even a problem with slavery I'd expect them to hit all the slave caravans."
"Its a grudge," said Leinas.
"Come again?"
"The reports I've read, tell of how the bodies of the merchants were brutalized."
"Not uncommon," said Bardas.
"No, but how it was done was. Slowly, deliberately. The way you hurt someone if you want information. Also, Theocracy crests were all vandalized."
"Everything was burned," said Bardas.
"Yes, but cuts in the wood remained. Whoever is doing this has a grudge against the Theocracy. They hate them, and they want to make them suffer," said Leinas.
"Elves you think then?"
"They are fighting a war against them and the Theocracy is known for nearly exclusively enslaving elves and demi-humans. Torturing the other slave traders means he wanted to know something. I think that he's looking for someone."
"I've got to say, that would make sense. The tactics mirrored what the Cross Cuts did years ago, before they were eradicated, but it always seemed off to me. Elves have always favoured ambushes. Must be working with humans though, more than one or two elves would draw attention wherever they went. I suppose we'll find out tomorrow though, I'd bet my pension that they'll hit them here," said Bardas, tapping a finger on the map.
"Wooded, near a river, not a lot of room to move, and just before it links onto the main Imperial Highway to the Theocracy."
"They'll get complacent, think they're almost home. That's when I'd hit them. The bandits have make a ruckus to the North of there. They keep trying to throw us off where they're going to be, but I know where they're going to hit this time. I sent men to where they wanted to distract us, but they have orders to loop back down through the forest towards where they're going to ambush the caravan. When they see our troops marching with the caravan, they'll try to pull back into the woods and we'll catch them in a noose."
"No," said Leinas simply.
"No?" questioned Bardas, raising an eyebrow.
"Let them hit the caravan, then we strike."
"You want to let them hit a friendly caravan and kill more merchants, before we act?"
"If they see soldiers marching with the caravan, they'll be wary, alert. They'll be thinking instead of reacting. They might slip away and then we'll spend weeks trying to track them down again. We'd have no way of knowing who were bandits and who were woodsmen making a living. We let them hit the caravan, get stuck in with their guards, maybe even start looting the caravan or freeing slaves and then we hit them. My men and I are all mounted, we hit them with a heavy lance charge and scatter them, ride down those we can. Your men pursue them on foot with dogs through the woods. They'll be shaken, tired, and reacting instead of making rational decisions. They'll run straight into your blocking force if you keep nipping at their heels."
"I see your reputation does precede you," said Bardas.
"I'm glad it does. Afterwards, I see slavery as a fitting punishment for the bandits and a conciliatory gesture to the Theocracy. Give them the brigands who've been hurting their trade to make up for it."
"That all?" asked Bardas.
"I'd also crucify the ringleaders. Leave their corpses as a warning at the site of each ransacked caravan."
Bardas inclined his head towards Leinas.
"I believe you have removed all doubt in my mind if you have ever hunted bandits before Ser."
xxx
"Move," said Leinas, loud enough for the lancers at her side to hear while thrusting out with her arm for all to see. The sounds of clashing metal and screams dying down from the Theocracy Caravan. Leinas and her contingent had been waiting in dead ground behind a low hill since it had still been dark out, leaving Fort Fort as soon as night had truly consumed the light. It was now high noon and though she had let her men sleep in shifts, she herself had been sure to stay awake, ready to pounce and now it was time.
They had staged themselves at the most likely spot for the caravan to be hit and it seemed that they had deduced the spot with near perfect accuracy.
They climbed the low hill with their warhorses, Leinas and the dozen lancers forming a wedge with the yeomen adding mass behind the wall of lances. Ready to engage in close combat once the lancers charged through. They started off at a low trot, no bugles or banners to announce their approach and they managed to get within a hundred yards, before the bandits even noticed their approach. Too preoccupied with trying to open the slave carriages. A fatal mistake.
Leinas kicked Malice in the flanks and he broke into a thundering gallop, her troop following suit, lowering lances. The charge sounding like an approaching avalanche to the bandits on the ground. A few arrows twanged their way, but the shock at the sudden appearance of over fifty mounted horsemen from the Empire's legions saw the majority either freeze in shock or else make a run for the treeline.
Leinas skewered a man in a cheap gambeson with her lance, the steel head taking the man square in the chest, cracking ribs and punching out his back in a bloody explosion, before the shaft broke off as Malice thundered by. Other men who managed to avoid the points of the lances were bowled over by armoured warhorses and trampled to death by steel shod hooves. Now it was the bandits who were screaming and begging for mercy. Leinas' men let out their war cries now.
Blades flashed as the knights brought their swords down upon the backs of the fleeing bandits, slaves in their rough hewn tunics were cowering together inside their cage carts, or else on the ground, hugging each other silently in fear.
Leinas wheeled Malice around, getting ready to join the melee and drawing her spear.
"Flow acceleration," said Leinas quickly, laying nearly flat in the saddle as an arrow passed close enough to her visor to count every spot on the feathers in the fletching. Followed by another shortly after. A third catching her shield as she righted herself in the saddle, spotting her assailant. A bandit in forest coloured clothing, bow drawn back and taught. Leinas drew her adamantite spear, levelled it towards the bandit and kicked Malice hard in the flanks, hiding behind her shield.
Two more arrows, fired close enough together to seem as being fired at the same time found its way through the gap in Malice's blinders, taking her warhorse in the eyes. He toppled forwards without so much as as whinny. Leinas relying on her martial art to help her jump clear of her dead mount, crouching behind her shield. Yet, another arrow didn't come. Leinas charged into the treeline after the retreating bandit.
She caught sight of him through the branches, taking another arrow in the shield for her troubles, before nearly running headfirst into another bandit. They stared at each other in shock for a heartbeat, but Leinas reacted first, driving her shield into the man's face, knocking him off balance, before taking a step back and thrusting her spear through his neck. The spearhead left a gaping wound that loosed a waterfall of blood. Leinas bashed him again with her shield, making the man fall to the ground, grasping at the wound which had once been his throat.
Through the gaps in foliage, it almost seemed that the bandit with the bow was dragging someone along with him. One of the slaves, it seemed, but Leinas couldn't be sure. The trees were too thick to get a good look. Whoever it was though, they were slowing down the bandit.
Leinas broke into a small clearing, shield up and spear raised, just to see slim human girl, slave collar still around her neck, standing in front of a large oak. Ends of her ears looking bloody, with her head downcast and clasping her hands in consternation. No, she was an elf realized Leinas. The slave's eyes flicked up to something above and behind Leinas.
Turning with her shield upraised, Leinas staggered as someone impacted it, a silver blade flashing around the lip of her shield, seeing her neck but scraping off of her gorget with a spray of sparks. Leinas shoved the man away with the shield and then thrust out.
"Piercing Thrust," murmured Leinas, the head of her spear glowing yellow as she aimed it for the chest of the bandit, who she noticed now was also an elf. At the last moment, he rolled out of the way of the spear thrust with incredible speed, dragging a knife across Leinas' armoured ankle with another shower of sparks. Her spear punching clean through the tree in a shower of splinters.
Leinas ripped her weapon free in an instant, thrusting it towards the still crouching elf who flipped out of the way like an acrobat, allowing Leinas to bury her weapon in the loamy soil.
'He's much faster than me,' thought Leinas, now using her spear defensively to keep the range between the two of them.
"Ability boost, greater speed," breathed Leinas, feeling her body come alive like she had been struck by lightning. The speed of her strikes increasing tenfold so they were hard to follow with the naked eyes. She drew blood from the elf, several times in fact, but soon, he had matched, and then even exceeded her speed. He knew martial arts as well. Though, whenever his blades found Leinas, all they managed were a shower of sparks.
'He can't pierce my armour, but if he runs I won't catch him. He looks like a ranger which means if he really wants to, no one will find him and if he's this strong, he must be one of their leaders.
Leinas started dropping her spear after each thrust, leaving an opening and inviting a strike. The elf didn't seem like he was taking the bait, but then, there! He rushed in, looking to aim one of his short blades to the underside of Leinas' helm or into her neck. She surprised him by rushing forwards as well to meet him, stuffing the distance and surprising the elf. His blade scraped off of her breastplate and Leinas proceeded to headbutt the elf. Adamantite proving stronger than flesh, as the elf staggered drunkenly from the blow, before Leinas struck him again in the head with her shield, sending the elf crashing to the ground. Breathing hard, Leinas raised her spear, preparing to finish off the elf. Stopping only when the slave elf girl threw herself on top of the bandit.
"Mistress wait! I beg you please wait!" cried the woman in accented common. Her voice having a light, almost singsong cadence to it.
"I beg you mistress, I truly beg you, spare his life! Elwin will be a good servant for you, a good slave. He's just headstrong, he'll see soon enough though! He will, I promise you he will! Just like I did!"
Leinas paused, lowering her spear and taking a step back, keeping the point between her and the two elves. There were tears brimming in the red haired elf's eyes, hunching her thin form over the wounded man as much as possible, trying to shield him with her own body as much as possible. Desperation on her face where before there had only been despondence.
"Your mercy will be rewarded mistress, we'll work hard for you, I promise we will!"
"Syllia..." said the male elf weakly from below the woman.
"Yes Elwin, it's okay. You're going to be okay, we'll be together again. Just like you promised we would."
"Run...Syllia. You...have to run," said the bandit, and Leinas realized that she had wounded him more grievously than she had thought.
"Run?" asked the now named Syllia, letting out a laugh that sounded eerie. "We can't run from our masters Elwin, but that's okay. You'll learn like I did. You'll see. So long as we listen and do as we're told. So long as we serve well we won't be punished."
"No," said Elwin, it sounding like a mournful cry more than anything else. "You have to escape. Please...run Syllia."
"I can't Elwin, they made sure of that after I did the first time. I learned my lesson though, I surely did," said Syllia and Leinas noticed the raw wounds on the pads of the elf's feet. Looking like caning marks that had drown blood and left untreated. There looked to be more wounds under the elf's tunic on her back, stains in the forms of lines on her back from whip marks that had bled through.
"We can still be together Elwin, we just have to ask. I might have to service the masters, but if we're good they might let us be together to make children for them. They might even let us keep them."
There was a disturbing, dreamlike happiness on the slave elf's face as she said that, more disturbing than any sight Leinas had seen on the battlefield.
"What did you bastards do to her? What did you do to my Syllia?" cried Elwin, voice cracking with rage and despair.
Armoured bodies crashing through the underbrush stole Leinas' attention as several of her men, and what looked like a priest of the Theocracy, big hat and all came into the clearing.
"Is that one of the ringleaders?" demanded the priest, blood running down his face from a wound on his brow. "Is that elven bastard the one who planned this?"
"Him? No. Just an elf that needs to learn his place," said Leinas, grabbing hold of Elwin herself, taking away the blade he tried to gut her with, before turning it to his ears. His screams echoed in the forest.
Xxx
Elwin stared at the wooden boards beneath his feet, wishing for death. He was a slave. Bought and sold with no idea where he was or who was his new 'master.' He had refused to bend, refused to break. No matter how much they beat him, no matter what magic they had used on his mind. He resolved to die, before he broke. Before he called some damned human master.
He figured that he would be sent to the mines. Food for a monster, or exercise for the overseers to practice their whipping skills. He didn't expect to see the new moon. Didn't expect the to even see the end of the week. He didn't pray though, whatever god allowed this to happen, obviously didn't care about him in the slightest.
Elwin had went in and out of consciousness over the last few weeks, losing track of time and where he was. Flashes of lucidity being force fed whatever slop they called for food, and then throwing it up or shitting it out in an overflowing bucket. Then the lightning flashes of pain as he was struck for moving too slow.
He was alone this time in the cart, listening to the wooden wheels trundle over the cobbled streets. He wondered if he could fight his way free, but he knew that he couldn't. It hurt to simply move, and he was sure that he was at the very least feverish.
When the cart finally came to a stop, the door was flung open and dark sunlight assaulted Elwin's eyes, squinting against the light as he was removed from the covered wagon, chains clinking together. His 'leash' was given to someone whose form he could only see silhouetted against the bright light of the noonday sun.
"He looks to be in rough shape. I believe this counts as damaged goods, does it not?" asked the man imperiously. Gods Elwin already hated him.
"Sorry sir, we tried to warn the client that this one is a troublemaker. We have several other, less spirited and far more obedient options if your mistress would wish instead?"
"No, she was quite insistent on having this one. Payment was received already I take it?"
"Yes, quite well in advance. However, it was a rather long trip up here."
"I see," said the man holding Elwin's leash, pressing a pair of coins into the man's hand.
"It is rather hot out, get yourself something to drink."
"Of course sir, thank you and have a blessed day."
"You as well. Come along," continued the man beckoning for Elwin to follow, but he stayed stubbornly still.
"Young man, you look half ready to faint. I won't pull on your collar like a dog, but perhaps you would prefer to be defiant out of the sun with a cool glass of water instead?
Elwin licked his dry, cracked lips, tasting blood and followed the man into a building attached to the manse.
"You will be made presentable and then shown where your quarters will be," said the elderly man. "Your duties will be explained to you tomorrow. In here if you please."
Elwin followed him into the room, stopping dead, eyes widening in disbelief.
"Mrs. Syllia, is his bath quite ready?"
"Of course Majordomo Samuel," said Syllia, the redheaded elf curtsying in an immaculate maids uniform. Yet, the most surprising fact was that her ears were no longer cropped in the way that the Theocracy preferred, but rather whole and healthy, which meant healing magic. Who paid for healing magic for a slave.
"Then I leave him in your care," said the man, turning and leaving the room.
"Come now, it's not like you've never undressed in front of me before," giggled Sylia. Elwin too shocked and in too much disbelief to utter so much as a word as Syllia helped him out his filthy clothes and into an iron tub.
"Majordomo Samuel is such a sweetheart, you'll really like him, I know you will," said Syllia, scrubbing Elwin of dried blood, filth, and dirt.
"How," mumbled Elwin, voice croaking out in a near whisper, taking several long minutes to try and find his voice as he was scrubbed clean.
"Of course you'll have to meet Titus too. He'll fix your ears like he did mine. He seems scary, but he's really kind. Everyone here is kind, they really are. They're good masters. I told you if we were good, they'd be good to us, didn't I?"
"How," said Elwin again, louder this time.
"Then there's the Madam. She really is beautiful Elwin, and strong too. We're lucky to have such an important master. And we even get our own rooms. Isn't that great?" I-"
Syllia fell silent as Elwin locked his lips with hers, and she stiffened in surprise for a moment, before gripping the back of Elwin's head and deepening the kiss. Elwin didn't know how long they kissed for, just when they finished, both their faces were flushed, and they were staring into each others eyes.
"You did say we'd be together again," said Syllia, a huskiness in her voice. "Come, I'll show you our room."
"Our room," questioned Elwin, voice a harsh whisper.
In clean clothes and new shoes, Elwin followed Syllia into the servants quarters to a neat room with a door that could lock. It wasn't a massive room, but it was more than Elwin had ever seen given to a slave. A bed large enough for the two of them to comfortably lay in, a dresser, and a small table with two chairs.
"Is this...a trick?" croaked Elwin.
"Trick? No, no," said Syllia, sounding offended by the very idea. Madam Rockbruise is a very kind master, you'll see. Oh," squealed Syllia, curtsying suddenly.
"Return to your duties, I wish to speak with Elwin."
"You," rasped Elwin, hate in his voice.
"Of course Madam," said Syllia, shooting Elwin a pleading look that asked him not to do anything rash, before leaving.
"Why?" demanded Elwin.
"Why what?" asked the tall woman, face neutral.
"Why did you do this? Stop me from rescuing them? Beat me down? Crop my ears," hissed Elwin. "And then dress me up like one of your dolls, why is Syllia here?" Elwin wanted to scream, but his throat wouldn't let him."
"Your questions in order," began the woman. "My Emperor ordered me to act, and so I did. You resisted, so I fought until you no longer did. Three," continued the woman, pausing for a second. "The ringleaders, which you were one of were to be crucified, the others turned to slaves. Elf slaves have their ears cropped in the Theocracy So you were made a slave instead. Finally. Guilt."
"Guilt?" croaked Elwin.
"I saw what was happening to you and your lover as an injustice. More than that, inhumane. Cruel and disturbing. I made sure to purchase Syllia and let her recover. Her body is recovered, but her mind," said Rockbruise, pausing. "Requires more time. Then I made it my mission to find you, it was not easy. The priest wanted an example made of you, he accepted gold instead."
"Am I your slave then truly, or am I supposed to serve out of gratitude?" demanded Elwin.
"You may do as you wish. Titus will be by next week to heal you and restore your ears. You will earn a wage here, be protected under my roof, and upon my word of honour, free of abuse. If you believe you and Syllia would be better off leaving here, you may do so as well. Two elves trekking alone across the Empire and through the Theocracy to return home, well, let's just say I wouldn't give you good odds."
"I won't force you to do anything, I only ask that you let yourself heal, before making a decision."
"You are a strange one," said Elwin.
"No, I've just met a far stranger man," said Leinas.
AN: Well that's another one, leave a review and let me know what you think.