Wrath's Sorrowful Song: Chapter 1

Putrid. That was the best word to use when describing Reloin's basement. Of course I had somewhat expected it to stink, after all slave quarters hardly ever smelled pleasant. At least I imagined they did not, however as this is my first time being in one I would not really know. My hand automatically reached up to my nose as we walked down the damp hallway, the candle Reloin held our only source of light. The further we went the stronger the smell became, making it difficult for me to breathe. After all I was not used to such smells, growing up as I had I was used to the smell of flowers, of perfume. 1

"Something wrong?" Reloin asked me in his gruff voice. "Can't handle the smell of death milord?" I could hear the laughter in his voice.2

"Of course I can." I answered curtly, dropping my hand away from my nose. Reloin gave a quiet chuckle, as if he did not trust my words. Insolent man. I could have his head in a matter of minutes if I so pleased, he should be acting much more respectful in my presence.3

We walked a little further in silence before stopping at a large wooden door. 4

"Well, here we are milord. You may have your pick of any of the slaves past this door." I nodded for him to open the door. He first undid several locks, then in one swift movement swung the door open.5

I had thought it smelt bad before, but nothing could compare to the odor that came from behind that door. The smell of rotting flesh, of illness, stale urine, and many other such disturbing smells I could not quite place. My stomach gave a lurch and I had to work hard to keep vomit from coming up. 6

"So, what kind are you looking for? Young and strong? Old and knowledgeable?" Reloin asked me, not affected by the smell in the least. I was slightly grateful for the distraction his question offered. I thought about it for a bit, my last servant was an old man who had been with me ever since I was born. Unfortunately he had passed away not long ago... But I do not think I would like to enlist the service of another such man, ordering around someone older than myself tended to be a little awkward. And if they were younger than I, then I would feel more in charge of them.7

"I would like someone younger than myself." I told Reloin. He nodded in understanding. 8

"Any other criteria milord?"9

"Just that they are well enough to get to work immediately."10

Once again Reloin nodded. "Right this way then."11

As we walked I kept my line of sight straight forward. I knew that if I looked to either side of me that I would see them, the slaves. I could hear their soft moaning already, I did not need to see their suffering. After all I could not bring them all home with me.12

“Here we are milord,” Reloin said happily. “I bought him yesterday, so he is still in good condition.”13

My eyes narrowed at the way he talked of him, as though he were a piece of meat he had bought at the market. I held my anger in, something I rarely did, and I looked at the boy in the cell, he did not look much younger than I, he was probably twenty, twenty one. He had thick, unruly, black hair that obviously had not been washed in many days. I could not see his face well, as he was looking down, but he appeared to be quite strong, and surprisingly healthy despite all the dirt that covered him. His clothes were ragged, as one would expect. His skin though, his skin was pale, and smooth, unlike any other slave, or servant I had seen before. Their skin was rough and tanned from hard work. How odd… Had he worked inside his whole life? 14

“Well he do milord?” Reloin asked. 15

“Yes, I think so.” I replied, glad that it had not taken long for me to choose. The sooner I got out of this place the better.16

Reloin gave a grin. “That will be 20 nerios milord.”17

“Very well.” I said handing him the desired amount. He looked at the coins greedily for a moment before looking over to the slave. He walked slowly to the cell, then took out a ring of keys and unlocked the door, causing it to noisily swing open.18

“Out!” Reloin commanded. The slave made no movement. “Boy, get out here now.” He hissed. Still the slave remained completely still. “Boy, I’m warning you!” That seemed to work, as the slave quickly lifted his head to glare at Reloin. His deep blue eyes filled with hatred. Now that his head no longer concealed it, I could see what he had been staring at. There was a girl in the cell with him; her head was resting on his lap. She looked to be sleeping. My eyes widened at her hair, it was red a very rare color that I had seen only a few times in my life, but hers was such a deep and vibrant color. It looked just like blood… 19

“I am not leaving.” The slave boy said firmly. “Not without her.”20

Reloin gave a snort of laughter, sounding so very much like the pig he resembled.21

"Boy you have no choice." Reloin walked with his head held high into the cell, he leaned in next to the sleeping girls face, his lip curving upward in disgust as he did so.22

"You have a shot of getting out of here boy. However she, she will likely die in this very cell. No one will buy such a scrawny, weak looking girl." He stated before raising back to his full height and beginning to circle the two slaves like a vulture.23

"Then I will die in here as well." The boy said with such seriousness that I had to wonder why the girl was so important to him.24

Reloin's face turned bright red with fury. "Fine then! You'll both-"25

"I'll take the girl as well." I interrupted. Both the slave boy and Reloin's heads turned to me. I held back a grin as Reloin's mouth dropped open in surprise.26

"You'll... What?" He questioned lamely.27

"I'll not be repeating myself." I answered roughly, rubbing my temples where a headache was beginning to form.28

"B-but, milord, she's ill. She won't be able to start work immediately."29

"Until she is well I will do the work of two people." The slave amended, he looked down at the girl in his lap, and his face softened from its former angry state. "I will take care of her as well. She will be no burden on you, I promise." He looked back up at me, his face hopeful.30

"Very well then." I nodded to the boy before looking Reloin straight in the eyes. "How much?"31

Like a growling dog that had a piece of steak thrust in front of it Reloin's anger was replaced with lust.32

"Well..." He started with a grin. Walking out of the cell and back towards me. "She may be ill, and scrawny, but she does have a very rare hair color... So... About 18 nerios."33

My face unintentionally scrunched in disgust. I have always despised men like Reloin. 34

"Here." I quickly handed the coins to Reloin without so much as sparing him a glance. Instead I turned my attention to my two new servants. "Come let us go." I commanded before beginning to walk briskly away, eager to get away from Reloin and reach the sanctity of my own home.