Two: Zargis

Otreg was watching me as I watched the slave run away. I could feel the multitude of questions he had, the argument he wanted, but I held up a hand and said, "Not here."

Thankfully, Otreg got my point and we got on our horses. We traveled into the forest beyond the town of Sellen and camped off the path. Otreg had never been one to accept other country's customs. He found them barbaric and demeaning. No matter how others viewed us, he thought they were worse. It doesn't bother me. Everyone had opinions, and everyone was entitled to them.

However, I let the slave go without doing what I said I'd do. When I touched her, I knew she was hurt, yet she wasn't crying. She wasn't even fighting back. She didn't even flinch when she heard my words of punishing her. Instead, it was like she was used to it and saw it coming. It wasn't the most comforting thought, but definitely not my topic to dwell on.

When Otreg and I got to our spot, he started his rant. "Why did you let her go? Why didn't you help me save her? She wasn't doing anything wrong!"

I sat down on a log and took off my shirt, letting my big black wings stretch. "I did help her. I let her go," I said calmly.

"Back to whoever owns her!" Otreg bellows.

"I never said she had to go back to her master," I state and look him full in the eyes. "I told her to leave the area before anyone else saw the exchange. If she went back to her master, that's her own fault."

"It's not like she had a choice!"

"Every slave has a choice, Otreg. They can choose to run or stay. She is probably choosing to stay. Leave it be."

Otreg paced in front of me and was muttering to himself. After a few minutes, he turned back to me. "I don't know why we came here in the first place! Why in the world did you need to come here if not to make a difference?"

"We came here to talk to someone who is very important in this town. We are seeing him tomorrow. Once that's done, we're leaving."

"Why are we talking to him?"

"Because he has influence on the leader of Trovund. As such, the leader of the country. We are trying to make a treaty with him so that we can gain their resources for our Kingdom of Korgenyegia."

Otreg slumped in his sleeping bag and closed his eyes. Before he fell asleep, he hissed, "Why not make a treaty for the slaves here as well?"

It had occurred to me to help them, but that would bring war among us which would result in death. I did not need death on my hands. I said nothing to my friend as I stared at the stars above, seeing defiant yet defeated brown eyes in my mind. The beast within stirred, making it hard to sleep.

The next day, we rode back into Sellan and towards the house we were supposed to meet the man of our troubles. People stared at us. We probably looked like giants. At least our wings were covered so that they weren't being gawked at.

Otreg was solemn on the ride, glaring at the people around us, giving the slaves a sympathetic look. If I let him, he'd save each and every one of them. But I won't let him, and therefore, he must suffer. He'll get over it once we're out of here.

The house we approached was more or less a cottage. I could see another building behind, possibly a barn, and a huge expanse of water beyond. I got off my horse and knocked, Otreg following close behind.

We only waited a few seconds before the door was opened by a grisly old man that had grumpy gray eyes. "Who are you?"

"Zargis, King of Korgenyegia. Are you the one Talesin sent me to?"

The man's eyes turned from grumpy to surprised. "Zargis! Y-yes. I am Citron. Please, come in!"

"Thank you," I said and bowed my head, slipping past him and into the comfy living room where a tray of square sandwiches and tiny yellow cakes was waiting on a glass table.

"Please, choose a seat and dig in!" Citron said, gesturing to the armchairs that sat around the table. "I will fetch some ale!"

He left the room and Otreg and I sat, not touching the food. We didn't trust it hadn't been poisoned. A moment later, the man reappeared and set two mugs of ale down before us. I ignored mine and got to the point. "We need you to convince your leader to sign a contract giving us resources necessary for our people."

Citron sat back and sighed. "I am not sure I am able to do that."

He folded his hands, and I noticed they were spotted with red. My eyes narrowed before Otreg said, "Why not? We provide you with our resources. Why can't you do the same?"

"You might have noticed that our resources are numbered as it is. You cannot expect us to give you all of it, not when we need it ourselves."

"I am not asking for all of it, just enough so every person in my Kingdom gets some," I say just as a door closes from the back of the house.

Otreg and I look up as a woman comes limping in, her eye swollen shut, her arm in a sling. It took me a moment to realize it was the girl from the night before.

I felt Otreg go still beside me, felt his anger for this woman's life, for her treatment. Somehow, though, it was nothing compared to mine. I felt my eyes turn amber and my chest rumble with a low growl.

The girl didn't look up, but addressed Citron. "I have done as you asked, Master."

Citron's look of rage for the woman made me confused. "Then go work on the roof! I expect it to be done by nightfall!"

She bowed and started to turn away.

I didn't know when I got up or how, but I found myself grabbing her good arm and spinning her around to face me. She gasped at the pain I must've caused her and tried to pull away, but I put my free arm around her waist, holding her in place. "What happened to you?" I asked lowly so only she could hear.

She kept her eyes lowered when she said, "I am clumsy is all. I'll be fine. Please, enjoy yourself with the Master."

I grabbed her chin and made her look at me. "Don't lie to me!"

She visibly swallowed and fear crept into her one eye. "I'm not lying, sir."

"Marythelia!" I hear Citron barks. "Get to work!"

Marythelia lowers her eyes again and steps back. I let her. "Yes, Master." With that, she nearly runs away.

I turn to Citron with glowing eyes. "What happened to her!"

Otreg looks like he's seen a ghost. I've never gotten pissed about what happens to another individual outside my kingdom. Citron, on the other hand, waves me off. "Don't fret. She will recover. After all, she is still working. As long as she learned her lesson, Marythelia won't have a reason to fear anyone ever again."

"What lesson did she have to learn?" Otreg asked.

"She was late. Not only that, but she failed to bring home any wheat I sent her into town for."

Now Otreg was standing, his body shaking. "It wasn't her fault!"

"But of course it was!" Citron said, laughing. "She's a slave! She takes the blame for everything!"

I walk around the table and chairs, and storm out the door, slamming it behind me.