Unwanted Appearances (1)

Frei woke up as usual, either to the yapping of Mane the "Whipper" or the sounds of the others preparing, the sounds of creaking wood and rummaging of hay would occasionally wake him up. This time is the latter. 

Pieces of wood shavings fell onto Frei's face when he woke up. Caused by the excessive moving from the slave right above him. It's a "two-story" stable, because the second story can't really be called a story, it's more similar to a bunk bed, with its only support being the wooden beam nailed to the wooden wall.

Today Frei was extra observant. Maybe partially caused by what "Gloria" told him.

"Seek Freedom." Would constantly ring inside his head like a fly. "See it all, Frei. Leave." He just couldn't stop thinking about it. About what she said or what Johnny told him.

"Ugh." He muttered to himself while holding his head. Then a sound from a distant away distracted him from his thoughts.

*Ding*

*Ding*

*Ding*

Everyone started rushing, preparing while Frei just sat on the hay confused by the commotion. And he looked out at all the other slaves in the stables, Berg was nonchalant while Johnny looked anxious and had both his hands interlocked. While others were either confused or afraid. The differences in emotions made Frei even more confused.

"What is happening?"

And in an instant, Johnny replied "the unpredictable fucker is coming. CornWall." Johnny said anxiously. "The fucker can be one of the nicest guy and immediately turn into the kind of guy you will never want to meet the next moment." he continued. "Just hope he isn't the latter when we see him."

Johnny got up and prepared to head to the sound of the bell. And Berg got down and stretched like nothing major was happening at all. His relaxed demeanor relieved Frei a little, as if the situation won't be as bad as Frei imagined.

The three of them walked out of the stables along with the others. They pass the tree where "Gloria" and Frei hung out, then they walk past the big shed where she cooked breakfast for them. Then Frei entered a place where he hadn't seen before since the day he became conscious. A forest, and in the middle of it lies a pathway towards an estate surrounded by more forests. They walked on the pathway and along with the others, they formed a line, like ants. 

When they walked out of the forest, towards the side of the estate. Frei saw, like them, multiple lines of people in chains and shackles, however theirs are smaller and not as heavy as Frei's and his batch. There were two-three lines of slaves, coming from behind the estate, and another two coming from the other side. They were skinny and thinner than what Frei is used to seeing, perhaps due to the lack of food or just extremely overworked, either way all of them are facing the same issues.

When they reached the end of the forest, they heard the sounds of whips and yelling of orders. Frei looked towards the sounds, and saw multiple guys carrying whips besides Mane yelling and pointing directions.

"Now they are just showing off" snickered Johnny. 

"Well Yeah, CornWall is coming." someone behind Frei said. It was Arthur. "They'd do anything for CornWall's recognition. Even if it meant letting their wives fucked by other men." He said as the others stared at him. "N-Not that i've seen it though, just uh.. An analogy."

"If that's what it takes to get paid more, I guess. Though pretty sure they'd do all that for free even if it's just for entertainment." Johnny replied. "Sadistic fucks."

"You swear a lot despite being religious. Did they not tell you that it's a bad habit to swear?" Arthur replied as they continued walking.

"As long as my faith isn't affected, then I don't really care."

"Quite contradicting" 

"Were you religi-" 

"GO LINE UP IN THAT DIRECTION, YOU SHEEPS" yelled Mane as he pointed to the entrance of the estate, a big fancy gate.

Johnny stopped mid sentence, interrupted by Mane's yelling. "Can't go a day without a goat screaming in my ears." uttered Johnny softly.

Then they heard sounds of horses galloping and wheels grinding the ground, and the sounds of the creaking sounds of the gate opening. As they walked towards the gate, lining up along the path towards the entrance, the horses, fancy carriages and wooden carts entered the estate. In the middle of the path was a fountain, and the horses stopped upon reaching it. Then in the fancy carriages came out a very distinguished man and his elegant wife. Along with other nobles and aristocrats. 

Just as Frei was admiring the clothes and attire the nobles were wearing, the other slaves shouted. "WELCOME BACK MASTER CORNWALL" Even with the lack of energy and food, they all managed to force a shout, to please their master. Well, it worked. As if to showcase their loyalty and complete obedience to the other nobles and aristocrats. It worked to a certain degree. The nobles and aristocrats were shocked and somewhat pleased, and one of them looked at Frei with great intent. Which discomforted him.

"Why is that guy looking at me?" Frei asked Johnny.

"No idea, just don't do anything to offend him. Is best not to interfere with whatever CornWall is doing."

Frei looked over to Berg. Who is squinting his eyes, looking at one of the unopened carriages. Then his relaxed demeanor turned into anxiety and suddenly his face was worried. Frei, curious, looked at the unopened carriages, and saw an old well-dressed man come out of it, with an armed guard assisting him.

"What's wrong?" Frei asked Berg.

"CornWall's father, the person who enslaved me twenty five years ago," said Berg. "He's a devil in human flesh" 

The old man was hunching over with his only support being his cane and walked slowly, over to CornWall and the other nobles. The armed guards offered to help but he denied it. CornWall bowed in deep respect for his father. His wife and the other nobles followed. The old man stopped and raised his hands signaling them to stop and raise their heads. And he looked and pointed at "Gloria". Who is standing at the entrance along with other maids.

The old man said nothing and dropped his hands, continuing his entrance into the estate. CornWall said something to the nobles and then quickly assisted his father into entering the estate. Once the old man headed inside, the nobles and aristocrats dropped their respectful act. And started looking at the slaves surrounding them.

"So many filthy animals that CornWall owned, hard to imagine living day to day smelling and whipping shit" One of the noble's wives said arrogantly to Mane.

"Indeed, madam," Mane said with a big smile on his face.

"Well, at least they are more obedient than a rabid wild animal. How'd you keep them that way? The slaves I owned aren't quite as well behaved as yours."

"You'll have to ask CornWall for that, he is the one doing all the planning, their schedules and what not. While I am the one disciplining them, whipping them is my forte. Sir."

"Whips? There is… how many of you guys here?" 

"Around 15 of us, Sir, since there's a few for each area. Excluding the estate of course." Mane replied.

"Hmm. I'll take note. Here take this, as a reward." one of the noble said as he dropped 2 gold coins onto the ground, while Mane quickly grabbed it. "I assume you are the head of the whips?"

"Yes sir."

The nobles strolled around the estate like they owned the place, looking at every single one of the slaves in the area. One of them comes up to Frei. "How much does this one cost?" He asked one of the whippers.

"You'll have to ask Sir CornWall for that. Sir."

"Hmm, you're fit even if you're a little skinny, cute too if you clean up a little." As the man forcefully held Frei's arm to evaluate him. "Where does this one live?"

"At FreiHeit sir. Over there." As he points to the field."He does field work"

The noble said nothing and continued to check out Frei's body. "Am I making you uncomfortable boy?" asked the man sarcastically, knowing fully well he doesn't care.

"Yes, a little bit." 

"Really? Then I apologize." The man snickered.