As Rejji raced across the field, he saw the two soldiers subduing Mistake. His mind raced faster than his legs as he tried to figure out to diffuse the situation, if indeed there was a possibility of that. Everyone had been clear that the penalty for escaping was death, but Rejji knew that he would die fighting these soldiers before he would let them kill Mistake.
The soldiers heard him coming and one of them rose and drew his sword.
“Stop!” yelled Rejji. “Don’t hurt her.”
The soldier holding Mistake shouted, “Leave here now or you will be punished too.”
Rejji kept running and the soldier raised his sword to strike and suddenly halted his swing as Rejji skid to a halt.
“Please don’t kill her,” Rejji pleaded. “It is not her fault she is a slave.”
“I told you to leave,” growled the soldier leaning over Mistake. “Kill him.”
“He is the Bursar’s boy,” responded the soldier holding the sword. “He is a good lad.”
Rejji recognized the soldier with the sword as the one he had befriended in the slave quarters. Hope sprang to Rejji’s heart, as he knew the man was not heartless and cruel.
“I am sorry, Rejji,” Mistake sobbed. “I thought you had left me.”
“Mistake, stop fighting them,” pleaded Rejji. “They are only trying to do their job. Promise me you will not try to escape if the soldier lets you up.”
“I promise,” Mistake sobbed. “I have nothing left in me.”
The soldier holding Mistake felt her go limp and gave his comrade a puzzled look. “What is going on here?” he scowled.
“Let me speak,” begged Rejji. “I am sure you will see that everything is alright. If she even tries to flee, I will gladly forfeit my life. You can blame it all on me. I just want to talk this out without anyone getting hurt.”
“What is going to get hurt is both of you,” growled the soldier holding Mistake.
“Let the lad speak,” urged the standing soldier. “ She isn’t going anywhere and I told you he is a good lad. He has helped me in the past. He is sweet on this girl.”
“Well say your piece then,” grumbled the soldier.
Rejji pulled his thoughts together and tried to figure a way out of the situation. He looked around and saw the clova and an idea sprang into his head.
“I assume you think she was trying to escape,” Rejji started nervously. “She, of course, will tell you that she came to this field seeking Bakhai, who is a friend of both of ours. Bakhai has the job of tending the flock, or at least he did before I left for Khadoratung with the Bursar. I just got back so I am not sure what his status is now.”
“Hiding in the bushes does not sound like a friendly visit to me,” scowled the angry soldier. “Others have tried to hide here until nightfall and I think your girl is doing just that.”
“Perhaps,” mused Rejji. “Maybe she was doing just that, of course she will deny it and it will be up to somebody else to decide what really was going through her head. They may decide she was trying to escape and praise your efforts to stop her. Or they may decide she was really here to visit and let her go, which would not look favorable on you.”
Rejji let the thought sink in before continuing, “I am willing to wager three hundred in gold that she was trying to escape.”
“Rejji!” Mistake screamed. “What are you saying?”
Both soldiers looked at each other with confused expressions.
“Are you saying that she really is trying to escape?” quizzed the friendly soldier.
“Not exactly,” explained Rejji. “She says she was not trying to escape. I am willing to wager three hundred gold coins. This is what I am prepared to wager,” he said as he fished out his pouch of coins. “My bet is that you will determine that she was trying to escape. If you determine that she was not trying to escape, then I lose three hundred gold coins. If you determine she was trying to escape, then I win and you owe me three hundred gold coins. Will you take the bet?”
“Are you daft?” growled the angry soldier.
The friendly soldier started laughing. He laughed so hard that he dropped his sword. He bent down and retrieved the sword and shoved it into its sheath.
“What are you laughing at?” asked the angry soldier. “Is he trying to bribe us?”
“Not exactly,” chuckled the friendly guard. “He is making a simple wager. There is nothing wrong with that. The funny part is the wager is based upon what we determine. Clever. Absolutely clever. He is offering us the chance to earn three hundred gold without breaking any rules. He is right that whoever decides her guilt or innocence is only going to have the two accounts to go by and she hasn’t really left the estate yet. They may believe her. They may not.”
“And if we let her go free and she does escape, it will be our necks,” the angry soldier declared. “Three hundred gold is a lot of gold, but I don’t need gold that badly.”
“On my word,” Rejji stated, “if she so much as thinks about escaping, I will not only alert the guards, but I will take my own life. Hear me, Mistake. On my grandfather’s soul, I will take my own life if you ever try to escape this estate.”
Mistake started crying hysterically and the angry guard rose. He looked at Mistake and then Rejji. He finally looked at the friendly soldier and nodded his head.
“I believe her,” the friendly soldier declared, “but I will certainly keep my eye on her in the future. I am afraid you lost your bet lad.”
Rejji expelled the breath he had been holding and smiled grimly as he handed the pouch to the soldier. “I am indebted to both of you,” he said softly. “And I will keep my word, I promise.”
“The two of you need to get back to the mansion now,” the angry guard stated. “Right now.”
Rejji nodded and helped Mistake to her feet. She clung to him and he walked her across the field. He walked her slowly and the two soldiers dallied behind them. When he reached the mansion, he went around to the kitchen entrance to avoid being seen. Rejji sat Mistake as far away from the kitchen workers as he could and then went and got her a cup of tea.
“I am going to be in trouble anyway,” sobbed Mistake. “I did not do my chores today.”
“So you will be in trouble,” soothed Rejji. “Take the punishment and be glad you are alive. Mistake, these people have hundreds of years dealing with slaves. I am sure prior slaves have tried every trick in the book to get out of here. The soldiers know them all. If there is way out of this bondage, I will find it, but it will not be by escaping. That just isn’t going to work.”
“I thought you were dead or sold off,” sobbed Mistake. “It has been weeks and nobody knew where you had gone.”
“I am sorry,” Rejji said. “I had no warning myself. The Bursar took me on a trip with him to Khadoratung. We just got back and he told me I could have the rest of the day off to say hello to my friends. I was heading for Bakhai before returning to the mansion. I am glad I happened along when I did.”
“Where did you get the gold?” she asked.
“I earned it in the capital,” Rejji smiled. “I learned a lot about trading while I was there.”
“And I just caused you to lose it,” she sniffed. “I am sorry, Rejji.”
“You don’t need to be sorry for that,” Rejji said. “I only earned the money in hopes that I could buy your freedom. I have no other use for it. If it paid to give you another chance then it was worth it. I have no regrets over it.”
***
The gaudily dressed merchant stood looking out the window in the Bursar’s office. He saw Rejji and Mistake go by and disappear into the kitchen entrance of the mansion.
“That makes twenty of them, Sebastian,” the Bursar said as he piled the last piece of paper on top of the others. “I see now why you have such a large wagon, but are you not afraid they will escape? The wagon has no bars to keep them in.”
“I use chains,” Sebastian said as he turned from the window. “Much easier to deal with. I can release one without worrying about the others getting free. It eliminates the need for helpers to watch them. I like traveling alone.”
“Yet you were kind enough to deliver me and the boy here from Khadoratung,” reminded Wicado.
“Well, I had to return here anyway to pick up the slaves you are selling me,” smiled Sebastian, “and I do enjoy your company. I meant the typical guards you can hire these days. I don’t like dealing with them. I would rather travel without them.”
“I understand and appreciate your service,” smiled the Bursar. “The return trip by barge is much too slow and boring.”
“My wagon can hold more slaves,” hinted Sebastian. “Are you sure those are the only ones available?”
“I am afraid so,” answered Wicado. “Trang desires to keep the rest, whatever they are worth. Perhaps on your next visit we will have more, although I doubt we will be purchasing anymore of them.”
“Many around the country have decided that they are not worth the cost of their keep,” nodded the merchant.
“Well I am glad you have found a market for them,” Wicado said. “I will mention your name to some of the other estates. Perhaps they will want to dispose of the worthless creatures.”
“Perhaps,” smiled Sebastian, “and I thank you for spreading my name around.”
Sebastian picked up the papers from the Bursar’s desk and inspected them. He turned to leave and hesitated before returning to stand before the Bursar’s desk.
“There is one other thing you may help me with,” Sebastian said.
“Name it,” smiled Wicado. “I will do what I can.”
“Seeing as I have empty slots in my wagon,” Sebastian began, “I could use some other types of slaves. I have a customer who is interested in the goings on in Fakara. Would you happen to have three or four recently arrived slaves from that barren land?”
“We get a great deal of our slaves from Fakara,” nodded Wicado. “I am sure there are some we can do without.”
“They must be recent arrivals to satisfy this customer,” reminded the merchant.
“Hmm,” Wicado said. “We have only had one shipment recently.”
Wicado walked to the window and stared out as if he was thinking upon some important matter and wished to dwell upon it. He turned and looked at the merchant.
“I do not think we are ready to sell those in the last shipment,” the Bursar stated.
“I would offer a fair coin for them,” pushed Sebastian.
“It is not the price that troubles me, friend,” smiled Wicado. “I am sure the Seneschal would sell them as your offer is generous enough. It is personal I guess. The boy Rejji is among them and I have grown attached to him. He reminds me of myself in my youth. The other two are his friends and I would not like to see the sorrow in his eyes if they were sold. I hope you understand.”
“It is not good policy to become attached to slaves,” reminded Sebastian. “Only ill can come of it. Farewell until next time.”
Wicado nodded as a courier came in and handed him a note. He read the note as Sebastian was leaving.
“Wait,” called Wicado. “Let me speak to Trang and I will return promptly. Have the wagon loaded, but do not depart yet.”
The merchant nodded as Wicado crossed the hall and entered the Seneschal’s office. He emerged several minutes later and saw Lam coming down the stairs.
“Lam,” Wicado ordered, “find Rejji and send him to my office right away. Then gather up the slaves, Mistake and Bakhai and bring them around front. They will be leaving with the merchant.”
Wicado spun and headed for his office without waiting for a response from Lam. He sat down at his desk and filled out more slave transfer forms. He finished the forms and stood in front of the window gazing out. Rejji arrived and coughed to make his presence known, but Wicado remained silent at the window. After a few awkward moments, Wicado turned and Rejji could see the barest trace of tears in the Bursar’s eyes.
“You asked for me?” Rejji asked.
“Yes, Rejji, I did,” Wicado answered. “You are being sold.”
“Why?” quizzed Rejji. “Have I done something wrong?”
“No,” answered Wicado. “I have just been informed that I am to take on an assistant. Your services to my office will no longer be needed.”
“I understand,” frowned Rejji. “Still there are many other things I can do here. I do not mind working the fields and I have been good. I don’t want to be separated from my friends.”
“You will not be separated,” Wicado said with a faint smile. “Mistake and Bakhai are going with you.”
Rejji walked over to Wicado and hugged him. “Thank you, Sir,” he said. “I would die if I lost them.”
Wicado stiffened and returned to his desk. “There is no guarantee that your new owner will keep you together,” he stated. “It does sound like the three of you are desired for your knowledge of Fakara though and that is a good sign that you will be treated well. I shall remember you always, Rejji. You are a fine lad and have done well in everything asked of you. The merchant that drove us back from Khadoratung is waiting outside. Take these papers with you.”
Rejji picked the papers up and stared at the Bursar for a moment, but Wicado’s head was down and he would not raise it to make eye contact, so Rejji left. He exited the mansion and saw the merchant’s wagon with Bakhai and Mistake standing behind it. The merchant was there as well and he watched Rejji approach. Rejji handed him the papers and he nodded.
Rejji glanced at Mistake and saw that she had been crying again. Rejji supposed that she thought she was being sold without him. He smiled at her and she broke into a big grin.
“Rejji,” the merchant said, “you may call me Sebastian. Seeing as I know you can be trusted, you may ride up front with me. You shall perform chores for me until we reach your new master. You may start by making sure these two are properly shackled. I must go pay the Bursar. I will return shortly.”
Bakhai climbed into the wagon, but Mistake stood her ground. “You aren’t really going to put those on me, are you?” she asked Rejji.
“I am,” Rejji said. “Are you so quick to forget what almost happened this morning? We have not even left the estate and you are thinking about it again. Be glad that the reports of you trying to escape will not follow you to our new home.”
“Home?” Mistake squealed. “My home is in Fakara, not in chains.”
“Get in and let me get your shackles on,” frowned Rejji. “I will try to talk with the merchant after we are under way. Maybe he can be bought.”
“With what?” scowled Mistake as she climbed into the wagon. “I already caused you to lose your gold. Now you have nothing to bargain with.”
“I will still try,” smiled Rejji as he fastened the shackles on his two friends. “If we are going to be near the capital, I know I can make money there. I will promise him an exorbitant sum for the three of us.”
“Maybe it won’t be so bad,” Bakhai offered. “This merchant’s horses are well cared for. Wouldn’t he care for us as well?”
Rejji looked at Bakhai and shook his head. He climbed out of the wagon to see Sebastian coming down the steps. Sebastian indicated that Rejji should climb aboard up front and then silently took the reins and started the wagon rolling. He did not speak as the wagon left the Pikata estate and turned onto the road leading to Sintula. Eventually, Rejji could not take the silence.
“How much did you pay for the three of us?” Rejji asked.
Sebastian gazed over at Rejji and shook his head. “You seek to buy your freedom from me?” he asked.
“Yes,” confirmed Rejji. “I do not have gold now, but I can make it and you know I can be trusted.”
“I know you can be trusted to ride up here with me,” Sebastian smiled. “That is not exactly the same thing as trusting you to deliver on a promise when you are out of sight.”
“But I cannot make the gold to pay you if you do not set me free first,” reasoned Rejji. “I am willing to pay you double what you paid for us.”
“That is an awfully gracious offer,” Sebastian remarked, “seeing as you have no idea how much I paid for you. I could make up any price I wanted to. Have you not thought that far ahead? Or is it that you never plan to pay me anyway so the amount is irrelevant?”
“No,” promised Rejji. “I would pay you. I guess what I am saying is the amount is not important to me. If I had work my entire life to pay you back, I would do so, as long as we did it as free people.”
“So you think your two friends would help you in repaying this debt?” queried the merchant. “Have you even consulted with them about this plan?”
“No,” admitted Rejji, “but I know they would stand by me in this.”
“They would, would they?” chuckled Sebastian. “Suppose at camp tonight I let your girl friend sleep without shackles. Would you care to wager if she would be standing by you come morning?”
Rejji was stunned. “What makes you single her out?” he asked.
“You did not answer my question,” Sebastian retorted. “I have a large bag in the back with my things. In it you will find a tin of bocco. Fetch it for me while you strive to come up with your answer.”
Rejji crawled into the wagon to get the tin from Sebastian’s bag. He crawled over to Mistake and whispered that the merchant was considering the sale so that her spirits would lift a bit. He crawled back and found the large bag. The back held mostly clothes and Rejji felt around for the tin, but the bag was too fully packed for his hand to reach the bottom. He started pulling out clothes and piling them alongside the bag so he could locate the tin. Rejji halted when he lifted a black cloak out of the bag, a black cloak with a hood. He tried to visualize the gaudily clad merchant in the black cloak and couldn’t, and yet his discovery scared him greatly. He returned to searching the bag and eventually found the tin of bocco. He placed the tin on the floor and neatly put the clothes back into the bag. He closed the bag and grabbed the tin as he crawled back into the seat of the wagon.
Sebastian pulled a pouch off his belt and handed it to Rejji. “Fill that with bocco for me, lad,” he said.
“Did you have to wait long for us in the capital?” Rejji asked as he filled the pouch.
“The timing of your return from Khadoratung was convenient for me,” answered Sebastian. “Have you thought of your answer?”
“I have,” nodded Rejji as he handed the pouch to the merchant. “If I asked Mistake to stay in camp when she was unshackled, she would stay. Now that I have answered your question, answer mine. Why did you single her out as one who would run?”
Sebastian handed the reins to Rejji and stuffed his pipe with bocco. Rejji waited patiently as the merchant lit the pipe with a striker. After Sebastian had the pipe well lit, he reached over and took the reins from Rejji.
“A number of observations led me to the conclusion that she is a runner,” smiled Sebastian. “First, she is an inside slave. As such, she is normally not allowed out of the mansion, especially unescorted. Yet after our arrival today, you had to escort her into the mansion. Additional, she was in tears and had obviously just been through a rather emotional time.”
Sebastian smiled at Rejji and continued, “Secondly, you no longer had the rather heavy pouch under your tunic that you did on the trip from Khadoratung, yet you had not yet returned to your quarters to hide it. Thirdly, two Pikata soldiers came to my wagon looking to see what I had to sell. As their last payday is a distant memory for them and soldiers are notorious for spending their gold as soon as they get it, it was obvious that they had just come into some newfound gold. When I questioned them about it, they were nervous and moved away from the wagon. Therefore, I believe it was ill gotten gains that they did not wish others to know about.”
Sebastian smiled as he watched Rejji’s jaw drop. “That was a dangerous gamble on your part,” the merchant stated. “You must care for her a great deal.”
“I do,” agreed Rejji. “Were you ever in the Inn of the Rose in Khadoratung?”
Sebastian’s eyebrows rose as he replied, “I have been in almost every inn in Khadora at one time or another.”
“I meant recently,” Rejji pushed. “Like shortly before we departed Khadoratung. Wearing a black cloak perhaps?”
“I don’t feel a need to report my travels to a slave,” Sebastian said brusquely. “We are going to test your theory tonight though. The girl will sleep without shackles. In the morning we shall see how loyal she is to you. Perhaps the boy as well. Do you think he is also loyal to you?”
“Bakhai?” Rejji asked. “He has never shown any thought of escaping.”
“That was not the question,” Sebastian persisted. “Is he loyal enough to you to avoid the temptation?”
“I have never asked for his loyalty,” frowned Rejji. “What game is this you are playing at? Do you wish the three of us to attempt to escape so that you may have sport by tracking us down and killing us? The rest of the slaves are old women. Perhaps they can not provide you with enough challenge?”
Sebastian remained silent and Rejji decided not to push the issue any further until he could sort out his feelings and suspicions. He felt confident that Sebastian was the mystery man from Khadoratung, but why would he spend days spying on a young slave? It made no sense and now he was proposing the most ludicrous thing of all, setting up an escape opportunity that almost nobody could resist. Rejji knew there was catch in all this, but what it was escaped him. Should they try to make good their escape? What was the purpose of showing their loyalty to a merchant when he was just delivering them to another master?
Rejji was still trying to make sense of it all when Sebastian pulled off the road and took a small trail to a clearing beside an icy brook. The campsite was not well used, but it was obvious that Sebastian had been here before. Sebastian jumped off the wagon and turned to face Rejji.
“Unshackle all of the slaves,” Sebastian ordered. “Have Bakhai tend to the horses and some of the women can get a meal started. There is a large case at the rear of the wagon. You will find food supplies in there. I will be back in a while. I am holding you responsible for the slaves remaining in the camp. Their safety is in your hands.”
Sebastian walked back along the trail they had come in and Mistake waited until he was out of sight.
“Let’s send the women in one direction while the three of us go in another,” she offered. “If he tries to track us, he will end up following them.”