“I suppose this is our visitor?” a voice said from behind her. Her dwarven friend had returned with the knowledge of the elf. She looked at Caden, who nodded, reassuring her that he kept Finn updated of the whole situation.
Finn, however, didn’t seem pleased. “How much did you say you paid for him?”
“Enough,” she muttered.
He wouldn’t back down. “How much? Is he even going to live? Why did you involve yourself again? I keep telling you, girl, that this shite has to—”
“I said, enough!” she snapped, silencing him for the moment. “He would’ve died, Finn. I did what I had to. Once he gets better, I’ll send him off on the nearest ship I can find so he can finally be free. His former master was all too pleased to be rid of him. He won’t be a bother to you much longer.”
He scoffed. “I’m more concerned about the money. We can’t afford to help every
slave —”
“Theren is not a slave!”
That was the final word spoken between them before Finn scoffed, grabbed his coat, and left the room. It wasn’t often they fought like this. They were both stubborn in their own way. She understood his reasoning. He was right that they couldn’t help every slave, but the thought of leaving him there to die was too much. Even if Theren survived, he would have those scars for the rest of his life.
Something had to be done about all of this. If Crelia could abolish the slave trade and still flourish, then so could Adhelm. Serra wondered if there was truth to the rumor about a war approaching between Adhelm and Crelia. Perhaps, the plan was to put the slaves into the army. Throw them into the front lines. They would be fodder to the enemy.
This city would fall to pieces if it continued down this path.
Perhaps Theren is my first step. A first step to a better city where she could give Finn his dream. The promise they made to each other years ago was just as relevant then as it was now. Somehow, she had to stop the slave trades. There had to be a way to knock down the players at work.
Maybe the rumor was all it was: a rumor. Maybe this entire thing was to benefit a select few people. But why and who? Money would be the obvious reason. From what she had heard, there was a lot of coin in slave trade. It was never a job she wanted, but she could see how it could be tempting.
Something was happening in the city, and Serra had to find out what. But first, she had to ensure Theren’s survival. He said he knew the slaves that were executed weeks ago. How many more did he know that were brought here? Maybe, together, they could find the answers.
The others were fast asleep as Serra sharpened her dagger. Finn hadn’t said a word to her since he returned from getting drunk at the bar. Not even a look in her direction. Caden checked on Theren once more before going to bed. Hours had passed before her eyelids became heavy, but she couldn’t sleep. Part of her worried that Theren would perish while she slept or nightmares would possess her, making her wake in a cold sweat.
Either way, she wouldn’t sleep tonight.
Finn snored loudly as his body shifted to his side, causing a small chuckle from Serra. He was always a heavy sleeper, especially when he drank. Caden didn’t snore, but she found herself watching his chest rise and fall. His face seemed lost to any worry on his mind and was peaceful. He was a handsome man.
It made her wonder if there was some truth to Finn’s teasing about him liking her. It didn’t seem fathomable right now to have an intimate relationship with him. Not with Theren and the slave trade on her mind. If she angered the wrong people, they could use him against her, and he could get hurt. That was the last thing she wanted. If circumstances were different…
A cough escaped Theren as he jerked his body upward, covering his mouth. Serra poured a cup of lukewarm water to ease his throat. Without hesitation, he chugged the entirety of the cup’s contents, then vomited in the basin next to him. Caden was right to assume he may not be able to hold down anything at first. His body was in shock.
She rubbed his back as he finished and gently pushed him back onto the pillow. Wiping his mouth, she noticed his weary eyes staring back at her. “It’s all right. You’re safe here,” she tried to console him.
“You… you’re here,” he breathed as his eyes gleamed.
“Yes, you’re at the Square Serpent in mine and my friend’s room. Your master will not come after you.”
“Are you real?”
“Yes. Try not to move. You took a bad beating before I got there.”
He turned his head toward the wall as if ashamed. “You cannot be here.” Serra wondered if he was hallucinating or convinced he was dreaming and none of this real. That he would wake and find his master over him, ready to kill him. “She is not here, but in my dreams. You’re a figment of my imagination. A sign of my madness.”
“I can assure you that—”
Before she could convince him otherwise, he sat up and kissed her. His full lips were soft, filled with a passion Serra had never known before. She had kissed a man before, a few years ago. It wasn’t terrible, just awkward and unfulfilling. He was a shy young man and was only with her for a week before he was engaged to another woman and she never saw him again.
But this kiss was nothing compared to that. There was a hunger—a lust to be near her.
The kiss ended in moments, and he fell back onto the pillow. His eyes were closed, and he was asleep before she had the chance to speak.
“What was that?” she muttered to herself. No doubt now, he was hallucinating or thought he was dreaming. The chances of him even remembering this when he woke…
She shook her head, not wanting to think about it, but her fingers touched her lips. The kiss seemed so… real and sincere. But it seemed unlikely he truly meant to do it. He claimed it was madness. Perhaps he felt there would be no real consequences of his actions.
No, he wouldn’t remember this, and it would mean nothing even if he survived.
She wasn’t sure how to feel. His kiss was so sudden, and his life was hanging by a thread. It didn’t seem appropriate to make anything of it. Not right now.
Deciding to keep it to herself, Serra lay on the floor, letting her eyelids close and she fell into a deep sleep.
Blue skies were covered by only a few clouds. Serra, as a young girl, ran through the fields picking flowers for her mama, who had a bad headache. It was from her baby sister or brother inside of her, kicking too much. She was determined to find her mama the prettiest of flowers to give her. Her mama was beautiful, deserving only the best of her finds. Papa was chopping wood, claiming it would rain later that evening, and it needed to be done. He always liked to stay busy.
Many of the flowers were plenty good enough to the normal eye, but Serra was resourceful. She knew of a place coated with large ones that stood as tall as she was. Their middle was dark brown, their petals bright yellow. They were little suns planted in the ground that shone across vast spaces. She knew these were her mama’s favorite. Mama once told her they reminded her of where she grew up. Serra was sure they would make her feel better.
Her papa always told her not to wander too far from home. But the field she traveled to wasn’t too far. And she always made it home, no matter what. One day, she would share this field with her baby sister or brother. Papa insisted it was a boy, and Mama thought it was a girl. Serra didn’t care though. If the baby was healthy, she was happy. She would be the best big sister she could be, no matter what sex it was.
She couldn’t wait for the baby. He or she would like the yellow flowers as much as Mama did. If it was a girl, she could teach her how to make a crown out of them or braid them in her hair. If it was a boy, she would show him how to climb trees, and Papa would ensure that he would grow big and strong.
Serra picked as many flowers as she could fit into her tiny fist and headed home as the sky darkened. The smell of smoke and ash filled her nose as she stepped closer to her home.
Serra woke up to a hand shaking her. Half asleep, she said, “What’s wrong? Is Th
eren all right?” When her eyes fully adjusted to the light, she saw Caden kneeling beside her. The sun’s rays caressed his smiling face.
“He’s fine. Better than fine, actually. Finn has him downstairs getting some food. I let you sleep in because I knew you must’ve stayed up again. You really need to get more sleep,” he said with a worried tone despite his cheerful expression.
“I—” she yawned, “I never needed much sleep. I’m fine.”
Caden raised an eyebrow, not convinced. He held out his hand to help her stand. Serra wiped her wet cheeks. His attention landed on something on the floorboards. “Listen, Serra. If you want to—what I mean is... if you have something you want to talk about, please let me know. I’m here for you.”
“I appreciate it but, I’m okay, really. See you downstairs?” She put on a smile to reassure him.
She wasn’t ready to talk about her parents. It brought back too many bad memories. Maybe when things calmed down, she could tell him what happened that day… and what happened after.
That day was even more painful to talk about than it was to dream about. She had been so innocent then. So naïve. Maybe if she hadn’t run off, her parents would still be with her, along with her baby brother or sister. Finn had told her for years that there wasn’t anything she could’ve done. No six-year-old could fend off five full-grown men. Her papa was outmatched and unprepared for them and Mama was pregnant. They never stood a chance, no matter how many times she played it differently in her mind. But she did know the thieves got what they deserved. She made sure of it.
The Square Serpent was slow this morning. Only one patron sat at the bar, drinking away his troubles and nibbling on a piece of bread. Finn and Theren were sitting at a table next to the steps. Finn was speaking to the owner as Theren finished what looked like his third bowl of whatever it was he was eating. The two empty bowls were stacked beside him.
“I’m telling you, Stiff. He is a natural,” Finn mused. The owner crossed his arms, clearly displeased.
“I don’t deal with elves. The last time I had one, he ate half the food! Just like this one is now! Just because Benedict paid your rent for the next year doesn’t mean you get free meals on top of it!” Theren seemed to ignore Stiff’s comments, continuing until he finished his third bowl, then went for his ale.
Serra pulled out ten silvers and plopped them in Stiff’s hands. “Here. Will this suffice for now?” He counted the coins then stuffed them in his pockets.
“I like you, girl. You get things done. Better than your dwarf friend here.” He nudged his head toward Finn. “I may need you to get me more supplies by the end of the week if your elf here keeps eating the way he does. If you’re interested in more work, that is.”
“I’ll let you know,” she said. Stiff nodded then returned to the bar to refill the patron’s tankard. Serra turned to Finn. “Please tell me you have been paying for your ale and not leaving it on a tab?”
The dwarf crossed his arms, leaning back in his chair. “Tell you what. I’ll pay the tab if we can forget about last night. I thought about it and pretty boy told me what happened. I know why you did it. I just wish I got some heads-up first.”
“Done. I promise I won’t make a habit of it. I just couldn’t —”
He held up his hand. “You don’t need to explain. I get it. It’s not too different than when I found you all those years ago. All dirty and hungry.” Finn’s lips shut tightly, remembering a vital piece of information. He fiddled with his shirt. “It’s… today, isn’t it?”
She lowered her head, staring at the empty bowls. “Yeah,” she managed to say.
Of course, he knew. This was never a good day for her. In fact, it was the worst day every year for the past eleven years. The anniversary of her parent’s deaths weighed too heavily on her mind for her to focus on much else. Her dreams were always worse during this time.
Finn said something about getting her breakfast and his tab, but she didn’t pay attention to hear him fully. She sat down across from Theren as he slowed down, working on his fourth bowl. When he saw her staring, he stopped and then poured more ale in his cup, sliding it to her.
“The dwarf told me you saved my life,” he said, almost sounding uninterested, as if he just inquired about the weather.
“In a manner of speaking. Caden was the one who truly saved you.” All she did was stop the whip from slashing more marks on his back. It was Caden who convinced Theren’s former master to sell him.
“I assume I’m your pet now?” he snapped.
Serra blinked. Surely, Finn explained why she did it. “No, of course not. I only bought you so I could make sure your master wouldn’t come after you. You’re free. You’re not a slave anymore.”
He stopped eating, staring at the food, as if he expected her to say she was playing a joke on him. “You… don’t believe in slavery? You must’ve paid a lot of coin for me. You have some need of one.”
She took a sip of the ale and slid it back to him. Her hand grabbed his to get his attention. “No. You are a free man. You can go wherever you want now.”
Noticing his surprise, she continued, “You don’t have to stay here with me. I only bought you so your master would leave you alone. You are not anyone’s property anymore.”
His face flushed when he saw their hands then slipped his away from hers, grabbing the tankard to take another drink. Serra wondered if he remembered the kiss. It didn’t seem like he did if he was sensitive to her touch. Yes, it was better to keep quiet about it. She didn’t need to complicate things further.
“I have nowhere to go.”
“Not even your home?”
“No. My home was burned to the ground.” He said it so plainly it was as if he couldn’t care less or that it no longer mattered. Wouldn’t he want to rebuild what he had lost, or had he been gone from his home for so long that he no longer remembered where it was? He said he was only six when he was taken.
Same age as she was when she lost hers.
“I’m sorry.” The words felt hollow. Nothing she could say would make it better. But he didn’t seem particularly bothered by it. He must’ve had to survive as a slave for so many years that he couldn’t dwell on anything else. He had no time to mourn. “So, what will you do now?”
He finished the fourth bowl, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. Caden must’ve let him borrow some of his clothes. The loose solid green shirt was matched with black pants. The articles of clothing were too large for him. Caden had a lot more body mass compared to Theren’s thin frame. Though, with how much he was eating, he would catch up to Caden in no time.
“I’m not sure. I have never been free before.”
She considered. “You can stay with us if you want. At least until you figure things out then just leave when you feel ready.”
“I…,” He trailed off for a moment. “I would like to stay with you if you truly mean that I am not your slave.”
“Of course. Stay as long as you like.” A part of her was beyond relieved he wanted to stay. It would give him time to heal and gain strength before he moved on. Another part of her was sad because it also meant he may leave and she wouldn’t see him again.
What should she do?
Normally, Serra would’ve wanted to go make her prayers to her family by herself. She only had Finn with her when she was younger. Over the past several years, she had honored the anniversary of their death alone. Finn was more comfortable with her decision. It became too painful for him to handle. He wanted to be alone whenever he honored his mother’s memory as well. Dwarves were never one to get sentimental so publicly.
Theren was alone and had nowhere to go. His only chance for a free life right now was with her, Caden, and Finn. Each one of them would need to show him what it meant to be free. But would he even be interested in joining her?
“Do you want to come with me somewhere?”
A warm breeze touched Serra’s skin as she walked a few steps in front of Theren, carrying a small sack wi
th three large candles. They hadn’t spoken since they left the Square Serpent. She often glanced over her shoulder to see if he was still there. She half-expected he would just leave before they could reach the beach. He had no reason to follow her… or any reason to even be near her.
He’ll think this is so stupid.
The matter of honoring her family’s death had nothing to do with him. He barely knew anything about her, and the last thing he wanted was to be reminded of a family he lost. But it was her way of reaching out to him. It would give them some common ground. Something they could relate to one another.
She wondered if he missed his parents as much as she missed hers. Did he know his parents? Did he have siblings? It seemed too personal to ask him directly—too painful—so she decided to let him tell her when he was ready.
When they reached the beach, she scanned the area for boulders to hold the mourning. A large flattened one to her left was angled toward the sky. And smaller rocks surrounded it where they could use to reach its top. Perfect for stargazing, she thought.
She jerked her chin in that direction and Theren followed her without question.
Carefully, they climbed the rock and Serra pulled out the candles then lined them beside one another. A candle for each of her dead parents, and the final one for the sibling she never knew. Theren sat cross-legged behind her, watching her. Once she lit the wicks with a small flame, she sat beside him and bowed her head in a silent prayer.
Whenever Finn came with her, sometimes he would bring his own candle for his mother. They would sit in silence for a long while until one of them spoke. Usually, it was about a happy memory they had of their lost families.
Rise of the Champion (The Champion Book 1) Page 9
