4 The Fleeting Calm

It's been a month since I've come to this world, and gotten taken into this camp. Over my time here I got really close with Misrurri and learned some things about this world. Firstly is the fact that there are actually twenty-eight hours in a day. Next is that there are thirty days in every month, there's also thirteen months in a year. She's also taught me the basics in terms of the language here, but it's hard to remember all the nuances.

During this month, I grew fond of Misrurri as well. From her earnest nature to the way her red hair sways in the wind. I wonder , did I start to like someone ten years younger than me…

Sighing to myself at my own stupidity, I resume my work tending to the animals. Misrurri isn't with me today, which is a little surprising, but refreshing in its own way.

With a dull thud sound, I keel over clutching my left side.

"You idiot human, how long are ya gonna be looking off into space? There's work ta be done!"

Groaning still clutching my ribs, I look over at the lizardman standing over me. He's grinning I think, it's really hard to tell from the way he's built. He literally reminds me of an alligator, or maybe a crocodile standing up on hind legs, with his teeth sticking out from his snout.

Who'd have guessed that there would be humanoid lizards here as well, I thought this place was strictly for beastmen… Whatever.

Forcing myself to stand and ignore the pain, I glare at the lizardman and turn my back to him knowing I can't retaliate.

After leaving the stables I head towards where lunch is being prepared. Meeting me there is Misrurri, and she looks uneasy.

"Misrurri what's wrong? You don't look well."

"Oh.. Hey Jayson, well it's just that next week the Kathro is coming to the camp."

She says looking away from me refusing to meet my gaze.

"What's a Kathro? Is it someone important?"

"In a way yes. A Kathro is someone who can see details about someone with a single glance. They can see the current condition of one's body, accurately see their abilities, and any skills one might possess."

"I-I see.. But I still don't know what's so bad about it."

"Well you see, they only bring in a Kathro when a camp like ours have potential new slaves. The Kathro will inspect you and the other new slaves that were brought here within the last month. Once that happens you'll be branded like the rest of us; unable to get away or even worse, if you're deemed useless, you'll be killed."

A cold sweat starts forming on my back as I listen to her finish explaining the process.

I don't want any of that to happen to me! I have to get out here sooner rather than later, is it even possible for Misrurri to come with me, or will I have to abandon her… I don't want to abandon the person who taught me about this world over the last month.

"T-that doesn't sound good at all. Is there any possibility that we can escape?"

"It's probable that you can escape from here if it's planned correctly, but due to my branding, I cannot go with you. I'll be tracked through the branding."

Listening as she explains what could happen, I notice how dejected she appears the more she talks about all of this. I guess I can't really expect her to come with me, I still don't know the geography of the land either. I'll end up wandering lost in the wilderness, while that's not preferable it's still better than losing my freedom permanently.

"So what do you think you should do Jayson?"

Misrurri asks me to bring me back to reality.

"I don't know… I don't want to be a slave like everyone here, but I also know nothing of this world so leaving has it's good and bad points. You said we had a week right? That means there's a week for me to plan our escape."

"Yes there's roughly a week until the Kathro gets here, however it won't be our escape. I can help you escape; but I cannot leave with you, why don't you listen when I tell you that?"

"Why wouldn't I think of wanting to take you? You're the only person, human or otherwise here who treats me with some sort of decency."

Misrurri sighs and shakes her head while it softly rests on her hand. She looks back up at me and smiles wryly.

"I can help you plan, but that's it. Even doing that much will result in beatings at the minimum if it's found out I helped you. So whatever you do, it must be done quickly. We can spend the whole week planning, but the day the Kathro comes, it'll be your only chance to escape."

Nodding at her words I swallow my saliva.

What should I do.. I mean I know what I have to do, but how do I go about it?

"Well the day is halfway done today, we can begin planning tomorrow. Having been here for a month already I'm more or less familiar with the layout of the camp now. My only issue is the surrounding areas. Do you know if the guards have a map of the area? That would be a big help."

"I don't think they do, but I do know that if you head south from here it's roughly a four day journey on foot to the city of Erandali of the Marbian Empire. Where we are now is called The Tozbosk Camp."

"How do you know that Misrurri, I thought you said you've never left this camp before?"

"That's true, I have never left this camp, but one of the guards was close to my mother, so he taught me a little about the area. Also your clothes will stand out too much, so you need to get a change of clothes, supplies including food and at least a weapon."

She has a point with what she's saying; it seems too dangerous, but not as dangerous as staying here. I wouldn't make it as a slave, and I'd like to keep my life at all costs. It's something I must do.

I run my hand through my hair while sighing knowing she's completely right. Knowing all that; I hate to admit that this is a terrible series of events, but I will have my journey turn around and be what it should be!

"Procuring the clothes should be simple enough, but money and supplies will be difficult. I'll assume you can't get a dagger or something from a guard. So I'll have to steal one from somewhere.."

Talking aloud to Misrurri and to myself won't yield the results I want. I still can't really ride a horse either.

"Misrurri you know how to ride a horse right? Could you teach me?"

"I only know a little bit, but I do not know how useful it will be to teach you. I guess I can try to teach you."

Man, I don't understand this woman at all. She can be sweet when she wants to, but instances like right now she treats me like I'm an imbecile. Come on?! I'm not incompetent!!

"You don't have to talk down to me you know.."

"I am not talking down to you, I am simply telling you a week is not enough time. I do want you to succeed and get away from here."

She tells me as she shakes her head giving off a soft smile. She really is something else.

Our conversation dragged on longer than I thought it would. We completely missed the time to eat. More than anything I'm surprised that they feed us three times a day, even if it is slop we'd feed to animals back on Earth.

We say our goodbyes for now and resume our duties for the remainder of the day. My afternoon is filled with the same thing I've been doing for the last month, dealing with crops. I've noticed our treatment isn't too bad depending on who the guards watching over us are. Today it looks like it'll be an easy afternoon.

Our guards today are a pair of beastmen who resemble humanoid tigers. By that I mean they have frames like humans, but their body is covered in fur, accompanied with tiger heads and tails. Their hands also resemble paws, but with opposable thumbs. The older looking one of the two goes by Molgrur, he is an easy going tiger beastman who cares more about his naps. The younger one goes by Greyeye. He is almost as relaxed as Molgrur in his duties as he's always eating.

It might be easy to steal a dagger off of one of them when it comes time for me to leave.

Slightly grinning to myself at the prospects of what's to come, I carry out my work trying to stay inconspicuous as possible.