Chapter 13

"He lives down the road in the stone house, but I'm sure he might've skipped town by now, my Lord." He said truthfully.

"Check the houses for Quinton." He said to his soldiers at the door and one left. The room was silent. The woman stirred the pot, saving their meal and taking it off the stove. The husband's break for his lunch would soon be over, and no one would believe that he entertained none other than Lord Thetas himself. "Serve us woman." He said, looking at her sleeping baby. It was strange that he hadn't stirred the entire time with all her movement.

"This is peasant food my Lord, you may not like it." She said honestly, but made him a bowl all the same. He tasted it, and it was plain but good. The beef bone had given it a rich flavor, and the potatoes were soft. He actually finished the meager meal.

"Give me your son." He said, putting a napkin to his mouth from out his pocket. He had finished it all, and would have asked for seconds, but he didn't want to eat it all.

"My Lord he's only 2 months old, please -" He cut her off.

"I will not repeat myself." He said softly, getting up and taking the child out his mother's arms. He put his slightly cold hand to the baby's head, and frowned. His small forehead burned with fever. "How long has the infant been sick?" He asked.

"About 4 days my lord." Said the husband. The Lord hummed.

"Here's some money for medicine and food." He said giving the child back, and handing the man 3 gold pieces from his pocket.

"Thank you, my lord." Bowed the man deeply.

"Do not thank me, for I was going to kill the both of you, until I realized you would not be involved with a sick newborn." He said and walked out, leaving them dumbstruck.

"My lord, we did not find Quinton, but we did find his wife and children." Said the soldier, who held a stern look.

"Hold them until sundown." He said casually. The soldier nodded and returned to his post. "Thank you for the meal." He said at the threshold of the door.

He left them dumbstruck. He was so cold, yet there was kindness to some of his actions. He did not have to compensate them anything, especially since he was the high lord of the region. If anything, they should have been scraping up any loose coin they had as tribute. He ate with them, and even gave the woman a compliment. Yet, that same man would have just as easily beheaded them.

He left the small house, and looked for anyone else who had information. By this time, the men were either back to work, rebuilding, or hiding in their homes. He had enough evidence from the one man, and with it, he got on his steed, and slowly trotted to the estate. The steam that came from his stallion's snout made him look as if Lord Thetas was atop a dragon, which only added to his intimidation at the gates.

Samira was just getting up and stretching loudly. She had had one of the best nights sleep for as long as she could remember. There was already an assortment of fruits on a table for her, as well as a steaming hot bath. Her clothes were also laid out for her, as there was an additional chest of clothes neatly tucked away near the first from Lady Beatrix. She had options, and that was something that she wasn't quite used to.

She rolled out of bed, and bathed, enjoying the herbs they put in the bath along with flower petals. It was almost as if they had made it for the lord of the house, yet she could tell he was long gone by the cold feeling of his side of the bed. She got out and dried herself off, and got into a purple v necked dress with gold accents at the bottom. It was the perfect size for her, and she could only assume that the master had purchased these himself. Samira let her curls cascade down her back, however no matter how pretty she felt, her heart sank.

The cuffs were still there. She was still a slave. Maybe if she played into the master's desires, he would set her free? That was too risky, she thought, shaking her head. If he felt he was being manipulated, he would probably give her a punishment far worse than he would for any regular servant.

She decided to just forget about it for the time being, and just eat her breakfast. She opted for the grilled meat, eggs and toast. If she was going to have a meal, she figured she should sneak the best food first, in case the master changed his mind. She doubted he would go through the trouble, but it never hurt to be safe than sorry. She ate swiftly, not noticing the note Lord Thetas wrote until she bumped her hand into it. She almost didn't open it, as there was a wax seal on it, but she did once she noticed it was directed to her.

'Dear Samira,

I will return late into the night my lovely. Do not leave my chambers. Do not leave Lieutenant Francis's side. I expect you to be asleep, my little dove, for I will not rest knowing you worry for me.

Lord Dominus Dimitri Thetas'

Samira was taken aback by his letter, but she put it in the pocket of the dress all the same. She entertained herself with a book that the master seemed to have had an interest in, or at least he left out for her. 'The Nobles of Nameer.' Was printed largely on the red and gold leather book. It looked new, and the smell of new book made her almost not want to touch it, but this was something that she needed to know if she were to be in his company. It was a book on etiquette, noble practices, and the main noble houses.

She perused through the book slowly, but gained confidence in her comprehension as the hours went by. There were a lot of rules, and she knew she wouldn't remember all of it, but it passed the time until lunch.

"My…. Lady, we have lunch provided for you within the dining hall, with Lieutenant Francis as your escort." Said the head servant of the lord's chambers. He was a stout man with gray hair and thick spectacles, but everything was always in a timely manner on his part. Lunch was noon sharp, along with dinner, cleaning, and other chores.

"The master told me not to leave." Said Samira shyly, giving the servant the note. He nodded and handed it back.

"His private dining area is within his chambers, as is his private garden, and study, though I suggest not going there without his permission." He said curtly. "Come, I will not be scolded for leaving the master's woman hungry." He said, turning on his heals and walking out the room, not looking back to see if she followed him.

She did as she was told, but clenched the note, walking next to who she assumed was the Lieutenant. He didn't say anything, not even a greeting. He was an imposing man in the high-ranking castle guard's uniform. His obsidian eyes held a stern gaze that could cut stone. He was a handsome ebony skinned man with dreadlocks that nearly went to his hips. In his culture, a man's hair represented how long he had been undefeated, and Lieutenant Francis was talented enough that he sparred with the master himself on regular occasion.

She didn't want to get in trouble, but she also didn't want him to be either. The head servant was a bit brash, even a little rude, but he meant well. He was just used to things running like a well-oiled machine. She almost had to run to keep up with their brisk pace, but she could finally catch her breath when she got to sit down in the dining room. Lieutenant Francis pulled her chair out for her and silently took a seat.

Once she sat down, she was treated to roasted vegetables and a light serving of soup. She ate in silence, and had an attendant to wait on her. She didn't need such service, but the other servants took it upon themselves to treat her as such, in case she was to tell the master of her mistreatment. All the while, the head maid, Penti, sweated sleepless nights over this. She had beat the girl relentlessly, as well as gave her the hardest, and nastiest jobs avalible. She made the girl feel unwelcome even in the slave's sleeping area, which was nearly directly next to the pig pens.

She'd hoped that the girl would forget her, though she knew deep down that there would be an eventual reckoning for this. She would stay clear of the girl in case there was hard feelings, she figured.

Samira was full, and had no idea how much of an impact her presence had on the staff that didn't treat her well. They bowed to her, begrudged and grumbling, and she headed back to the master's room without incident. It was partly because of the Lieutenant. The cold gaze of the bulky guard made most just not want the trouble.

"My lady, I will escort you any place within Lord Thetas's chambers." He spoke, breaking the silence. His deep voice echoed off the walls of the room, startling her a bit.

"No thank you, I will stay here." She said shyly. He nodded, and stayed just inside the threshold of the room with the door open. He was hand picked to watch Samira, and he would do so with his life.

He hummed, and got a chair, pointing it to the outside. He was second only by title, in reality, he should be captain, though he declined it by choice. There would be too many eyes on him if he were to take the day shift to be captain. As the night shift, he could spend more time with his family, and he could also feel more comfortable with the crew of guards that already knew him.