ONE WEEK LATER

 My business has been neglected for a few days because as much as I hate to admit it, my tending to Reed and fretting over him has made it hard for me to get much done.  He seems to be much better, although that attitude and defiance is still intact and he doesn’t seem to be showing much gratitude for my help.  Not that I want his gratitude.  I prefer his submission, or at the very least acknowledgement of the laws of Thermia and how things operate in this land.            

Pouring my attention over receipts and other work, my door suddenly flew open and a hobbling Reed leaned against the door.  I looked up at him, “What is it?  Did I say you can come in here?  You need to get back to bed and rest.”

“I have enough rest the past few days.  I need something to occupy my mind.”  He raked his fingers through uncombed hair and glanced around.  “What are you doing?”

“Work.  I have a business to run.”  I returned my focus to the papers in front of me.

“Maybe I can help.”  He asked after a pause.

“Doubtful.  I have servants that I delegate some of the more tedious tasks to.  You should go back to bed.”  I repeated, ignoring him.

“Am I a prisoner here?  Are you confining me to just that one room?”  He questioned irritation clearly in his voice.  “You didn’t seem like the type of person to keep prisoners.”

I got up and walked towards him, until we stood eye to eye.  Now I was the one that was annoyed and irritated.  “You know what?  You’ve cost me valuable time tending to you and I have been patient and lenient with you while you were recuperating because of your injuries.  No longer!  You really need to be shown that you are a slave in this house and what the rules are.  I am surprised that no one briefed you on the rules of the house or educated you more about your role.”

“No one talks to me.  They all ignore me.”  He stated, indifferent.  “But I am not a slave, if you release me and let me go home I will let my father or brothers know to compensate you for your trouble and what I’ve cost you at the auction.”

“No!”  I turned to go.

“No?”  He yelled.  “What kind of person are you to hold someone against their will?  I don’t belong on this land; wherever I am, or this household if we can’t even have a conversation.”  He followed me and hobbled in front of me, blocking my path.

“No because if I did release you, you’d be recaptured before you can even pinpoint the direction of your home.  Some Mistresses aren’t as patient as me.”  I opened a drawer and pulled out a collar with a tag of my house logo and rank.  I held it up to Reed’s neck and he backed away.

“I am not a dog or an animal.  There are no slaves in my homeland.”  He continued to back away in horror and disbelief.

               “You are not in your homeland, need I remind you?”  I advanced towards him.  "And you need the collar in case you get lost, so you can be identified as belonging to me and to this house.  Otherwise, you'd be captured and sold.  And it's an honor to wear my collar, ask anyone in this house.  This is a really respectable house and you will be treated well."

                "Does it matter how nice the slaves are treated here?  They are still slaves.  And I am not a slave."  He glared at me and fisted his hands at his side, trying to rein in his anger.  I contemplated that he could be violent but I didn't think he would hit me.  I am armed daily, in case there is trouble or if there are raiders that come onto my land.  I was prepared to have him chained or restrained if he made any move towards me.

                 I stalked closer putting my hand on his chest before cupping his cheek, watching his eyes narrow at me.  "I've told you repeatedly that you are here and therefore, need to abide by the rules of this land.  It matters not whether you want to be a slave or not.  I think that in time, you will get used to it and may even like it here."

                  "Pete and Mac, come and take him to the cellar."  I called out to my servants in the hall.  I tapped a finger to my wrists and looked over at Reed.  My guard servants nodded their head.  I wanted them to chain him in the cellar so I could train him, he is my responsibility after all.  Reed watched the wordless exchange without saying anything and got escorted away.  He probably thought it best not to cause any trouble just yet as he was still limping and recovering.

                    I looked out the window and saw my little pet Justin picking vegetables to put in a basket near his feet.  I'd sent him to work beside the farm laborers for a few days and banished him from my bed as punishment.  He'd cried and begged for me to flog him or hurt him, anything except to be sent away from me.  He'd grown up a bit clingy, not having any friends or family.  He is truly a pet but that could get tiring at times.   Did I still care for him?  Of course, as an Owner for her pet and as someone that I've taken under my care.  He'd been outside my window day after day, hoping to catch my attention and hoping that I'd allow him back to his former place in the household.  I sighed.  It really is my fault that I let him cling to me as his security blanket. 

                                                                                                   (To Be Continued...)