"Who is Emir?" asked Riel. The slaves fell silent in deep fear.Riel repeated the question again. Balferis walked to Riel. Meanwhile, Emir trembled behind his friends."What is it, Sir?" asked Balferis."Ms. Dumitrese asked me to bring Emir. If none of you tell me, I will take you all there," said Riel, stressing everyone.Balferis turned his head, looking at all the slaves staring in fear."What does Ms. Dumitrese want Emir for?" asked Balferis."Too bad I can't tell you," Riel replied.Balferis took a deep breath. "If it has to do with punishment, let me take his place."Riel smirked. "You have no right to know. You'd better know your place."Balferis looked at Riel intently. "I know my position very well, Sir. I must know why Emir was brought. I am responsible for all slaves while they are in the slave house."Riel shook his head. "No, you're not. Tell me where the boy is, or I'll have to take you all. Choose one," he threatened.The atmosphere became very tense. The children whine
"I still can't believe I got to see you again, Amos," Emir said with teary eyes. He hugged the man tightly.Amos couldn't believe he was still alive today after what had happened. Not to mention the many times he almost fell into death.Sera left the two of them in the back garden, and they were completely alone with no bodyguards.Emir looked at Amos closely. "What's wrong with your head? Did you get a haircut?" he asked.Amos shook his head. But he said nothing about being almost eaten. Emir also looked at Amos' bandaged hands. He felt strange about the man's current appearance. What was really going on?"You don't want to talk to me about anything?" asked Emir, still curious, as Amos kept changing the subject if he asked about him and what was going on.Amos still couldn't believe Sera trusted him again and left him alone with Emir. Whatever Sera's intentions were, he was very happy at the moment. But, because of her kindness, he became even more anxious. He didn't dare say anything
"Where are you going, Sera?" Sera stopped walking as soon as she heard her father's voice. She then turned around."To the back garden. Do you have something to say?""Russel has just come home. You were busy playing with that slave. Now you're leaving him alone in the back garden?"Sera smiled. "Papa saw us? He will be an obedient slave. Don't worry. I won't make any mistakes."Sera then approached her father and hugged him tightly. She felt reckless lately. She could not let her father look away. She had to remain the dearest daughter in this family. Only Tudor gave her strength.Tudor could only sigh. Again he was weak in front of his daughter. The thought of losing Sera if he was too harsh made him silent. He really wanted to talk about the slave."If you want to take him, bring him to the slave house after lunch," Tudor said.Sera nodded. "Of course, Papa." This time she smiled sweetly, a smile Tudor always liked.Sure enough, Tudor left after. Sera walked back to the back garden
"Why do you look worried? What do you know you are hiding from us, Balferis?" asked Emir. He was sure the old man knew something and had been playing dumb all along.However, Balferis avoided the question whenever he was asked."I'm just too worried. You guys are about to get punished because of Amos. I should be happy he's alive or be sorried that he made you suffer," Balferis said.Emir smiled. "I don't know what they'll do. But I'd rather be punished to know Amos is okay. That's enough for me."Balferis shook his head. "There will be suffering not only for you adult slaves. But children will also suffer the consequences. I'm more worried about them."The Emir was pensive. Every month they lose slaves. Eventually, they died or were taken into the mansion as punishment. In return they would get toddlers who would be the next slave.Although slaves change every time, separation still brings sorrow. Especially for those who are close to each other like family.Emir was silent. It was t
Amos was undressed completely. He looked at Sera who was standing near him watching his every move. He stood innocently as he moved while looking away. He didn't know what to do if Sera stared at him silently. That was scary.He was lucky to get a view at that moment. A small bird entered the balcony and flew past a vase of flowers. His eyes widened at the beauty of it. The cute bird was so beautiful. Its feathers were red with a green tail. He had never seen such a beautiful bird before.While Amos enjoyed the beauty, the bird suddenly disappeared in the blink of an eye. He was shocked. But then he heard a voice from Sera's direction. When he turned his head, his eyes widened to see that the bird had died in her hands, split into several pieces.Fresh blood filled the woman's hand."OH!" screamed Amos, shocked. Shocked that he hadn't seen Sera's movements, then shocked at how the woman killed the small bird without blinking. He was frozen in place.Sera grinned, throwing the dead bir
The slaves stared at Amos in disbelief. The children cried at how harshly they treated all the slaves, especially Amos.Amos groaned as his feet were trampled forcing him to prostrate himself. They roughly removed his clothes. Other guards soon came and dragged him heartlessly to the pillar and tied him tightly there. In an instant, Amos was bound with his hands stretched upwards and his feet tied to the chains on the ground.Amos didn't think about the state of his body at all. He only thought about how he could endure the many lashes he would receive. He closed his eyes, listening to the slave calls that sounded very weak in his ears."Amos, please don't do this!" cried Emir. But, before he could say anything else, a whip flew across his back, making him scream out loud.Amos clenched his fists to stare at his tormentors who were already in place. His hatred built up. Those faces showed no mercy at all. They would lash out with all their might even if they heard blood cries from the
Once inside the room, Sera placed Amos on the floor.Amos immediately grabbed her leg. "Miss, I can't just leave. What if they continue to punish the children?" Amos asked worriedly.Sera wouldn't care, but Amos felt responsible for them all. He felt very guilty."They won't punish the children," Sera said, standing up to look at Amos who was still concerned about others when he himself was hurt.Amos looked down and remained silent, his hands not letting go of Sera's legs. He wanted to cry out of despair over guilt and regret. What had he done exactly? All the slaves were hurt because of him.The pain and anger, as well as the sadness of his helplessness, made Amos cry in front of Sera. He repeatedly blamed himself."What have I done?" He muttered continuously and sobbed. He leaned on his hands and released his emotions.Sera let Amos cry all he wanted. She was satisfied that her goal of deterring him had succeeded. By seeing that punishment, he should have thought a dozen times befo
"I need to make coffee for Ms. Dumitrese. Can you tell me where the coffee is?" asked Amos once he reached the kitchen. His gaze wandered around the kitchen which looked so big, he was sure he wouldn't have found the coffee if he hadn't asked, given the amount of stuff in there.Some of the female servants looked at each other. It was usually Sera's bodyguards who prepared the food and drinks, why now the slave? Sera never had breakfast and drank coffee. How strange.But, instead of asking too many questions, they pointed to a glass cabinet. "There is powdered chocolate and coffee."Amos nodded, feeling uncomfortable as they stared at him. He picked up a cup and filled it with a few spoons of coffee. He often did this in the slave house, as it had a small kitchen with simple necessities like milk and coffee. He also made coffee for his fellow slaves. They said his coffee was delicious.Amos was making hot water, but he saw a different kind of stove than he was used to seeing in the sla