[Measure of Devotion 02.0] Measure of Strength

by Caethes Faron

  “No, it’s not, actually. I’d like to put more in there, but I know he’ll protest as it is. All that is included in that sum is how much he would have earned had he been paid a wage since he came into my service.”

  “Well, this will certainly give him plenty of independence. Now, what last name shall I put on the bank account?”

  “Mine. Slaves don’t have last names. It’s the best I can do right now.” Jason couldn’t help hoping that Kale would choose to keep his last name. It was just the sort of sappy thing Kale would roll his eyes at, but Jason didn’t care.

  “That should be fine, given the circumstances.”

  “I also want you to form a company for me. It needs to have offices both here and in Perdana. You can coordinate with my lawyer, Mr. Winslow, in Perdana if need be.”

  “Very well. I assume it is to protect your assets.” Jason nodded an affirmative. “What assets would you like in it?”

  “Only one. This.” Jason pulled out a piece of paper from his briefcase and handed it over to Mr. Smoot, who examined the document carefully.

  “I see.”

  That piece of paper was the only thing that tied Kale to Jason. It was Kale’s title, and before Jason left Calea, it would no longer be in his name. It was a scary thought, but necessary in Jason’s view. This was the irrevocable step. In some ways it was a relief to not have Kale’s title anymore, but at the same time, he was giving up the most precious thing he had ever owned.

  “I’ll have the company formed and the bank account opened in the next couple of days. I’ll also talk to my contacts in the prime minister’s office about your citizenship questions. I’ll send word to your hotel when it’s done. Should only be two or three days.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Smoot.” Jason stood to conclude their business.

  “Before you leave, I have some property listings here, sir. I thought you could take a look at some of them, and if you’d like to start purchase paperwork before you leave town, I can handle that for you as well.” Mr. Smoot handed a sheaf of papers and newspaper clippings to Martin.

  “No, thank you. I don’t want to pick out a place without Kale. We may not even settle in the city. It’s up to him.”

  “Very well. I hope you enjoy your stay in Calea. I’ll be in touch.”

  * * *

  Three days later, Jason received a note from Mr. Smoot’s assistant stating that everything was ready. Jason and Martin had spent much of their time exploring the city, trying to get a feel for the culture and societal norms. On the second day, Jason had lunch at a prominent gentleman’s club to meet some of the men he would be doing business with in the future. Regardless of what happened, it would be beneficial to have contacts in Naiara.

  When Jason and Martin arrived at the lawyer’s office, Mr. Smoot delved right into the business at hand.

  “Here is the paperwork on the bank account, as well as a checkbook for it. You’ll see that the current balance is the same as the amount of the check you gave me.”

  Jason glanced over everything and then handed it all to Martin. “Thank you.”

  Mr. Smoot didn’t acknowledge the thanks. “Here is all the paperwork for the business Mr. Winslow and I established for you.”

  “Excellent.” Jason held onto the business papers. He wasn’t finished with them.

  “Now, as far as citizenship goes, I have some good news and some bad, I’m afraid. The good news is that the prime minister’s government is prepared to offer Kale full citizenship as a refugee as soon as he crosses the border.”

  Jason released the breath he had subconsciously been holding. “That’s wonderful! I don’t want him wandering around stateless.”

  As before, Mr. Smoot simply continued. “Unfortunately, you may not be able to get citizenship for yourself right away.”

  Jason waved away his concerns. “It’s of no consequence. I can go through the proper channels.”

  “I’m glad you won’t be inconvenienced. Just remember to have Kale come to our office as soon as possible when he gets here. The likelihood of there being a problem is small, but better to be safe.”

  “Of course.”

  “Is there anything else I can help you with before you return to Perdana?”

  “Yes, actually, there is.” Jason lifted the business documents from his lap and placed them on the desk. This was it. Taking a deep breath, he continued. “This entity owns Kale’s title, correct?”

  “Yes, sir. Exactly as you requested.” A bit of confusion entered Mr. Smoot’s eyes.

  “I would like to transfer this company into the ownership of Kale Wadsworth.” It was the first time Jason had said Kale’s name appended with his own last name. It felt good, but gave him a sense of hope that he knew might prove false.

  The confusion now showed openly on Mr. Smoot’s face. “May I ask why, sir?”

  “It’s simple. I don’t want to own Kale anymore. As long as I own this company, I, by extension, own Kale. Furthermore, this is the closest to freedom that I can give him in Arine. He’s still a slave there, but he’s a slave who owns his own title.” Mr. Smoot began to object, and Jason held up his hand. “No, I know that it won’t hold up under scrutiny in court, but it’s enough that he can stay in Arine or visit, and if someone who knows he’s a slave sees him, he can claim to be owned by this company. It will never warrant a second look. However, I will not own him, even as a technicality.”

  “Very well, Mr. Wadsworth. I’ll coordinate with Mr. Winslow. It will take some time to finish the paperwork, but I can send it on to you in Perdana when it’s done. I’ll go have my assistant draw up the proper forms for your signature, and then you can be on your way.”

  As soon as the door closed behind Mr. Smoot, Martin turned to Jason. During these meetings, he had been so quiet that it was difficult to remember he was present.

  “This isn’t exactly orthodox.”

  It would have been easy to be offended by Martin’s statement, but Jason reminded himself that Martin was on his team. “No, it isn’t. There’s no guarantee that Kale will want to move here with me. I’m not going to have that decision swayed by his slavery. This way, he is as free as he can possibly be, given the circumstances. He’ll be able to do what he wants. If he decides to come here with me, I need to know that he came to that decision free of any duress.”

  Martin chuckled.

  “What?”

  “You. And Kale. The two of you. The only people who seem to be in any doubt that the both of you are going to work are you two. It makes for an amusing show for the rest of us. As long as you don’t mess it up, if you don’t mind me saying.”

  Jason smiled and tried to laugh, but he couldn’t muster it. “I’m glad you have so much faith in us, but I suppose it’s different when it’s your heart involved. I’m not taking anything for granted.”

  “A good policy. I think, though, that you’ll be pleasantly surprised when all is said and done.”

  “I hope so, Martin. I hope so.”

  They settled into a comfortable silence until Mr. Smoot returned, carrying a few pieces of paper. “Here are the forms for you to sign, transferring ownership of the company to Kale Wadsworth.” It was even more thrilling to hear someone else append his last name to Kale’s. Mr. Smoot placed the papers on his desk and then held out a pen to Jason.

  This was it. Jason reached for the pen. It was heavy in his hand. All he had to do was place his signature on this form, and Kale would no longer be his. Any bond between them would have to be formed freely by mutual feeling. He put the tip of the pen to the page and paused. Was this really what he wanted? He wouldn’t be able to protect Kale anymore. From what, he didn’t know. The pause was only momentary. With a flourish, his signature was complete. There was an emptiness in Jason’s chest. Hopefully Kale would fill it soon.

  “There’s still some paperwork that needs to be done, but I won’t need your signature on anything else. If you like, you can go back home, and I’ll forward these to Mr. Winslow
so he can finalize everything on his end.”

  “Of course. Thank you for your time, Mr. Smoot. Your expertise is much appreciated.” Jason stood, and Martin followed suit. Before Jason began the long walk out of the office, Mr. Smoot held out his hand.

  “It’s really admirable, what you’re doing, Mr. Wadsworth.” Mr. Smoot’s voice was more sincere than at any point thus far. The change was so marked that Jason suspected Mr. Smoot didn’t really like any of the pretension of his practice. Apparently, it was all part of the façade he put up for his clients.

  Jason shook his hand and stared into his eyes. The earnestness he saw warmed him. “Thank you.”

  An hour later, he and Martin were on the train headed back to Perdana.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Kale looked up from his sketch when Sophie entered the kitchen. They had been using the time while Jason and Martin were away to catch up on housework. Any time Kale wasn’t working with Sophie, he was with her in the kitchen. The house felt too empty, and he liked to feel her presence.

  “What’s that you’re drawing?” Sophie carried several parcels. She had invited Kale to join her at the market, but he’d wanted to stay behind and draw today.

  Kale left the table and helped Sophie put everything away. “Go take a look. Tell me what you think.”

  Sophie walked to the table and gazed at the sketch. Kale couldn’t help stilling as she looked at it. “It’s wonderful. It looks exactly like Mr. Wadsworth.”

  Kale released his breath. “I’m glad you think so.” He put the last of the groceries away and stood behind Sophie. “I know he’s been wanting a portrait. I thought this would make a nice welcome home gift. If he ever comes back.”

  Sophie laughed and smacked Kale over the head good-naturedly. “It’s only been five days. Of course he’s coming back.”

  Kale smiled at her as they both settled down at the table with some green beans and two bowls. He knew he was being silly, but there was a part of him, deep down, that feared Jason would despair of him and stay away. “I just miss him. It doesn’t help that I feel like a complete ass.”

  Sophie quirked an eyebrow at him. “Finally coming to your senses, are you?” They both picked up some beans and snapped off their ends.

  Sophie had a way of making him feel comfortable, even when discussing difficult subjects. “Yeah, I think so. It was a nice idea, taking me to Naiara. The kid’s too sweet for his own good, willing to uproot his whole life just to try to make me happy. How did I ever deserve to belong to him?” Kale tossed his completed beans into one of the bowls and grabbed some more.

  “I don’t know. What do any of us do to deserve the people who love us?”

  Kale grunted. “Nothing. I can’t believe how I acted. It’s not his fault his plan won’t work.”

  “See, that’s where you lose me, Kale. Why won’t it work?”

  Kale paused in his work and mirrored Sophie’s exasperation. “Because. It won’t. He’s always been an idealistic kid who comes up with these pie-in-the-sky dreams, and it’s always been my job to either make them happen or steer him in a different direction.”

  “You call him a kid, but he’s a grown man who runs the biggest steel company in the country.”

  Kale looked at the beans. “Nah, he’ll always be a kid to me.”

  “Still, the man knows his own mind—better than you know yours, I think.”

  Kale could concede that. However, in the last few days, he had come to understand one thing: he was already lost to Jason. “I’ve tried, Sophie. I really have. While he’s been gone, I’ve let the idea of freedom roll around in my head, but every time I start to get comfortable with it, warning bells sound. I can’t pretend that I’m anything other than I am. Even if his plan did work, I can’t comprehend being free without looking over my shoulder every day, wondering when it was all going to come to an end. I could barely fathom going to the art gallery with him.”

  “Didn’t you used to do that sort of thing all the time?”

  “Yes, but it was different back then. I was different. That was before I knew how bad life could get. I was naïve.” Kale finished off the last of the beans.

  “And now you’re bitter. When are you going to let go of it? It’s all in your head, and you have complete control over it. You just have to choose to let go of the past, and allow yourself to love and be loved.”

  “I’m trying.” Kale let the desperation he felt show in his voice. Did she really think he enjoyed feeling this way?

  “Not hard enough.” With that, Sophie rose from the table, taking the bowl of beans with her, and began fixing supper. She was never one to let Kale get away with anything. This was his problem to solve. She would be there to support him, but ultimately he was the one who had to do the work.

  The truth was, Kale was ready to release it all. The bitterness, the hurt, the pain, everything. The hardest part had been admitting that he loved Jason and that Jason loved him in return. Why then was he holding on to the last remnants of the darkness he had let consume him for so long?

  It was easy. It was comfortable. That’s why. Logically he knew it was holding him back from happiness. He had fooled himself into thinking that he didn’t control the darkness, that it was everyone else’s fault. They did this to him.

  Except that had never been true. He had done this. He had let those around him turn him into a person who was willing to condemn himself and the man he loved to a lifetime of unhappiness because it was easier than taking responsibility. That ended now. Kale was no coward. He once was a man who Jason Wadsworth had looked up to. It wouldn’t be easy, and it wouldn’t happen overnight, but he was at least going to act the part well enough and long enough that he eventually forgot to be scared, bitter, angry, and all those other emotions that constantly battled for his soul. If only Jason would come home, Kale could be the man Jason needed him to be.

  Kale stood, threw the discarded ends in the bin, and went to stand by Sophie. “I’ll try, Sophie, I really will. And I’ll play along with his plan. If you catch me being such an ass again, please do us all a favor and wallop me.”

  “No problem, dear. I’ll wallop you right now if you think it will help.” The smirk on Sophie’s face prompted Kale’s laughter.

  “That’s all right. I think I’m good.” Kale reached for a knife and one of the carrots Sophie had finished washing. With every chop of his knife, he buried his negativity deeper. He could pretend he was the happy, healthy man Jason deserved. He could pretend for as long as it took.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  The familiar buildings of Perdana were heartening in a way Martin hadn’t anticipated. The clip-clop of horse’s hooves was a nice change from the puttering of automobiles. He’d never thought he would have been so happy to be going home. The trip to Calea had been pleasant enough, but it wasn’t home. Plus, he admitted to a childish anticipation about how Kale would react to what had transpired on their trip.

  Pride filled Martin when he thought about the fact that he was the only person privy to Jason’s plans. Sitting at home right now, Kale had no idea the lengths Jason had gone to to ensure his future. Like a child, he simultaneously felt pride at his secret knowledge and couldn’t wait to see the secret divulged.

  “I shouldn’t be long with Mr. Winslow. There are just a few things I have to sign to finalize the deal with Conrad. We’ll go straight home afterward.”

  Martin could handle one more meeting with an attorney. Looking across the carriage at Jason, Martin saw his employer with new eyes. Jason radiated a calm that Martin supposed came from doing something so altruistic. There was a confidence about him that ran deeper than the confidence that had always possessed him in business matters. Still, when Martin held Jason’s eyes for any length of time, he saw uncertainty there. That was one more reason to get home as quickly as possible: Jason needed to hear Kale’s answer to his proposal. Martin was certain what his answer would be—as long as Kale could get his head out of his ass long enough to gi
ve it.

  When the carriage pulled up to Mr. Winslow’s office, Martin prepared to suffer through one last meeting. At this point, it was just a barrier to getting back to his family. That’s what Sophie and Kale had become to him.

  Walking toward the door, Martin had to catch himself when Jason suddenly stopped in front of him and turned. “Why don’t you grab a bite to eat at that cafe? The food on the train was horrid. Get a pastry or something. I won’t be long.”

  Martin’s face dropped, but he worked to quickly compose it again. By the time his “Yes, sir,” left his lips, it was to Jason’s back as he continued on to the office.

  He tried not to think until he was seated at a small outside table. What had happened? Had he erred somewhere? He thought Jason trusted him now.

  Martin shook his head. Of course Jason trusted him. That didn’t mean Martin had to be privy to all the man’s business. Besides, hadn’t he said he was just going to be signing some papers to finalize the Conrad deal? He probably thought Martin would rather be outside. After all the time they had spent in stuffy offices and on the train, who wouldn’t rather relax at a cafe instead of going into yet another attorney’s office? This didn’t mean anything. The man was entitled to his secrets.

  By the time Jason came out, Martin hadn’t been able to convince himself that his exclusion was for his benefit. Jason knew Martin was all business. The only explanation was that there was something Jason didn’t want him knowing about. What could it be? Martin knew everything about their business dealings. The only parts of Jason’s life that had ever been secret to Martin were the personal bits. What personal business could take him to Mr. Winslow’s office?

  “Did you enjoy yourself?”

  It was impossible to tell from the smile on Jason’s face that he was hiding something. The polite lie slid from Martin’s lips. “Yes, thank you, sir.”

  “Let’s get going then. Home beckons!” Jason patted him on the back as he hailed a cab. He was as cheery as Martin had ever seen him. That would fit the story of him finalizing the Conrad deal, except Jason never got emotional about business, one way or the other. It was all a game to him. If anything, Jason’s demeanor was proof that something else had happened in that office.