u/Educational_Dog_7347

*Beginning of chapter 2*

May 22nd, 451 A.D.

The next morning everyone was called to work. Each of them were called for specific duty and task, some of it was farm work while others was hard labor, Roman was scheduled to work in the fields to work on getting crops out luckily for him a certain somebody was going to be working in the fields with him, so at least he would have a buddy they're talking with him

While working in the fields he encounters a few other familiar faces. Other slaves that he has known for a while, if not years. Marcus, a husky who was raised there and the whole family loves whom Roman knows is often the most caring to everybody. Aiden, a fox that's usually a personal helper of the owner and overseer, Roman didn't like and Luna, a young rare black wolf that had more bad luck than Roman, more so because she was a new slave, something of which he sympathies her for.

Roman has made acquaintances in relationships with all these individuals either through by work and or by previous interactions, The one that always got on his gears the most was Aiden, specifically because he's seen throughout the Plantation as more as they kiss us to master Connor and Gareth, even through all the abuse they put them through. The same goes around for Aden as he doesn't really like Roman's approach to many of the things in life. For example, he openly sees his attempt as stupid rather than brave, unlike many of the other slaves. Despite his sour relationship with Aiden, And his relationships Roman's relationships with the others is about fine to say the least

Roman was hoping he would see Mia again later in the day or after work, while the 2 of them have had small conversations before and she arrived a couple years back, he did like her for her no bullshit attitude and their conversation yesterday did make him feel pretty special. So while he was working and lost in his train of thought, he heard a familiar voice

“It's always the hottest day you make us work in the fields, huh?” said this familiar voice sarcastically, trying to lift the mood

Roman replied “Yeah , it's a scorcher out…” He stopped himself before looking at the person talking to him. It was Mia, working alongside him and the others out in the field which was surprising considering that she's usually more in house or farm duty than field work

“Oh hey Mia, fancy seeing you out here, I figured you would be working in the house or farm” Roman said with a slight chuckle but also trying to start a conversation

“Yeah, I used to but I got demoted here because of some trouble I made” Mia replied which led to curiosity to Roman and everyone else listening in. She confessed that she got in trouble for talking back to Gareth and Connor

“What did you say?” Said Luna, who is listening in on their conversation, out of curiosity

“I just told Gareth that he's a weaselly pervert” Said Mia “And for that he basically threatened me, called me names and master Connor demoted me here to field work” she continued as she nonchalantly told her story about how she got in trouble.

The others were a bit surprised of how she wasn't really that scared of either of them, most know that she's been through some plantations but this one is probably the worst anyone's has ever been to

“How are you not scared, like I get trying to put on a brave face but still with bastards like that and meeks like Aiden here, how can you not be scared” Marcus said with shock and confusion

Aiden replied angrily, “Go to hell” for the insult thrown at him.

Mia simply replied “Who says I'm not but I don't want them to know that I'm scared because it gives them satisfaction that I am, sure I like to stick it to them once in a while but I try not to get on their bad side too much and when I do I try not to show fear because I know they want that”.

Everyone had to respect her for being brave with guys like the Dravens, Roman was quiet for most of it because of how fascinated he was listening to her, Everyone knew Roman was the type to not show fear to them much either but he still showed some when the occasion called for it especially when he tried to run away, her having the courage to show no fear is a huge respect boost for him and many of the other slaves listening.

Aiden was none too impressed, mainly because he didn't want to get on the owner or overseers bad side and he felt like pissing them off for only result in more harm than good

“You know that's really frickin' stupid trying to piss off Master Connor and Gareth, those guys have more power than any of us here and you really think you can take them down with just some words?” Aiden replied in a snarky way that annoyed Roman but Marcus was the one to break his silence of his annoyance

“Oh shut up, Aiden, we didn't ask for your input” said Marcus who snapped back at him for his comment

“I'm not saying anything, I'm just saying that they are the most powerful people here and they know how to make people disappear, I mean for gods sake you remember what happened to Cato?” Aiden replying with a more serious tone

Suddenly everybody shut up except Luna. “I'm sorry but who is Cato?” She asked innocently, as she was still very new and didn't know most of the slaves

Roman had to break the ice to her, Cato was a slave on the Plantation who once broke rules so bad that he once went into a cabin on the far left of the manor, Connor gave him a punishment called “the box” and he was never seen again. No one knew what exactly happened to him but most reportedly heard blood-curdling screams from said cabin, some even hearing them for hours or even a day

Everyone was suddenly frozen in fear until another terror struck their ears with the crack of a whip from Gareth “Oi, this is a field, not your frickin' dreams. Now get back to work, you oversized dogs!” Everyone had a snapback to reality and get back to work,everyone except for Roman and Mia who still talked to each other while working

This was ruined by Aiden who decided to call the overseer by letting him know they were disrupting work “Master Gareth, they're talking and we can't focus on working while they are!” Everyone there turned an annoyance and anger at Aiden for blabbing out to Gareth like a little lapdog. Gareth came over to scold Roman and Mia, thanking Aiden in the process for letting him know this and moving them somewhere more private to work where they can chat and not disturb any of the other slaves. The reason he didn't give them a harsher punishment is because he needs them in good working conditions

Not like they're very happy about this, with being in more trouble with the overseer and being even more angry at for ratting them out like that. So for now, Roman and Mia were moved to the stables yet again to work very hard labor and to clean horseshit out of every one of them. It was terrible but to them maybe it was actually a relief they got the work in solitude and they actually got to talk more, along with getting to know each other

“I can't believe that little weasel ratted us out, what did we do to him?!” Mia responded very angrily but Roman tried to calm her down “Because he's just a little lapdog for them, I know he usually works more in the house or close to the family.” Roman replied

“Still, he's a little asshole” Mia replied while still pretty angered at Aiden's actions

“Oh he is but how about we don't think about him, let's just do our work and let's talk about something else” Mia agreed to this and decided to ask a rather personal question “So….how did you end up here?”

Roman was a bit confused and shocked by this question, Mia tried to apologize if the question was a bit too far but Roman reassured her it wasn't

“I'm.. I'm sorry if that was too personal, I didn't mean to.” She said to Roman trying to apologize for coming on too strong

“No no, it's okay. I don't mind telling you.” Roman replied and decided to tell her how he got there

“I never told anyone this before so you'll be the first one” Roman was still just a very young boy when he was captured by human slavers near the border, his family managed to escape but he didn't he never got to see them again and he was sold off to many families until he eventually ended up to the Draven family, he described his experience as hell on earth and his passion in life was to escape and get back home to his family. He knows they're alive and hopefully they know he's still out there too. Mia was shocked and remorseful for what had happened to him and shares his dream, as well

“I'm so sorry that happened to you, I can't even imagine the pain your family felt” She replied remorsefully

"Yeah, I just hope they're still out there and safe. Thank you, Mia. If I may ask since you asked me, what's your story?” Roman now wanted to know what was her story as she now knows his, she was a bit hesitant as she never really liked talking about her past but decided to tell it anyway because she felt it was fair

“Okay but be prepared though, it can get pretty bad” She described her time as anything but pleasant, she was captured at a young age and was sold into slavery. She witnessed her whole village and family get destroyed right in front of her, it was the most devastating to which she described it as the most devastating experience she ever had. She also admitted that throughout her whole life she was afraid of the men around her, being one of the only females around, she was afraid she would be assaulted by those men, from the slaves to the slavers. When she heard she was being transferred to the draven estate, she had an epiphany. She might be scared but to show them you have fear is admitting to them that you're a target and she didn't want to be seen like that. For her few years on this Plantation she's been Stern and fearless but still caring. She began to tear up because of this but Roman walked up to her and gave her a hug, he didn't know what else to do but he was also remorseful for her story as well

“Mia, I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I swear to you I won't let anyone in this place do that to you” Roman promised her this though Mia was still pretty hesitant

“Why? Why would you stick your neck out for me like that? You don't have to” She replied as she was curious about why he would do this for her but Roman said in response

“Because I know how you feel and I envy that, I feel like the both of us can survive in a place like this if we work together” Roman has met a lot of people here and through many other plantations but Mia was someone he could relate to the most because he's been in her paws before. Sure, he may know this was sappy and could potentially get them into trouble if 2 of the working slaves were caught mingling but he didn't care, he figured if the 2 of them stick together, they could get through it

Mia wiped away her tears and accepted his promise, for years she had to face it alone but maybe it would be better to have someone by her side. “I accept your offer and thank you, Roman, that honestly means a lot”

Mia replied briefly in the same way Roman did when they met, “You're welcome, Mia, anytime” with a little bright smile

The 2 of them happily completed their chores together but around the end of the day, in the nearby distance they could see the owner Connor shaking hands with Aiden, they were still angry about what he did to them “I know we promised to not talk about it but if I'm gonna be honest, I wish I could just rip that weasel's head off” said Mia

“You and me both, if anything, we got a thing of a way to get back at that snake” Roman said, sharing the same feelings but didn't really openly express them.

Mia said in response “I can think of plenty ways that we can get back at that rat” but Roman rebutted with a blunt but firm

“without killing him” to which Mia agreed on

They both knew killing slaves, especially one that was seen favorably amongst the owner and overseer, would result in either torture or death for both of them so they had to come up with a more calculating and deserving scheme to get back at Aiden. As soon as they got done with their chores Roman got a brilliant idea on how he and Mia can get back at the rat. It needed to be tonight because Roman knew Aiden would be out with Gareth and Connor

“This will surely get back at him”

*End of chapter 2*

“The story which you are about to read is an account of the tragedy which befell the Draven plantation and the nearby town of Witchen in May to June, 451 A.D. It's all the more tragic in that the majority of the victims were innocents. But, had they survived, they could not have expected nor would they have wished to see as much mad and macabre as most were to see that day. For many an idyllic Spring day became a nightmare. The events of that day were to lead to the revelation to one of the most horrific and disturbing in the annals of Mekkan history. The Draven Estate Incident”

Near the village of Witchen, is a small but growing plantation owned by the Draven family. Like many others in the region, the estate was famous for exporting important goods to very important villages and cities, such as the port city of Edimmire and the capital city, Morlin Hall. What made the Draven estate noticeable was its more harsher treatment to its labor, specifically their slaves

Keidran slaves at the draven estate were treated more as objects than laborers, any word of sass or disobedience and they would have extreme punishment handed their way. Punishment ranged in the lines of torture, mutilation and even abuse,no one was spared any of these cruel atrocities man woman or child. You'd either worked or you were made an example. No one, not even in the government or the newly formed Templar, turned an eye to these atrocities, to many this was just normal. It was like this for many years and many thought it would continue on until…..

May 21st, 451 A.D.

In the late afternoon, On a warm spring day Roman, a young adult Wolf, And was getting ready to finish what was left of his afternoon shores. After he is finished with these he can finally go on break for the evening, he's been working very hard as he's had a reputation in that Plantation for previously trying to run away, so this is his way of trying to get on their good side, for now.

He is now finally done with his chores but he has to report to one of the men he fears the most here, the overseer, Gareth Draven. A very nasty man with a hatred for Keidran, he was notorious around the estate for his atrocious behavior and actions towards fellow slaves and what he would do to them as punishments, he can get away with this because he's the younger brother of the owner. Roman went up to Gareth to report his hard day's work

“Sir, I finished with my work” he said in his native language of Keidran

“Speak english” Gareth said coldly

When Roman tried talking, Gareth snapped back in a more aggressive tone

“I didn't tell you to speak shit, boy, now speak english” Gareth said in a more harsher and aggressive manner

What made this more aggravating and condescending is that Gareth can completely understand Roman, he and his brother took full courses of the Keidran language when they were in school, so him saying it here is just insulting and impractical but Roman has no choice but to listen to him

Roman now speaking in broken english “Sir, I've complete work for the day, is it okay if I go on break”

“See? There you go, much more understanding than whatever the hell you were speaking” Gareth said condescendingly “Who the hell says you're done, you're done for say you are”

Roman was confused and angry, the owner told him he only had to do the afternoon work today and he can enjoy his break “But sir, Your brother.. I mean, Master Connor told me I can have the rest of the day off if I completed everything in the afternoon”

“Oh he did” Gareth said

“Yes, he did sir…” Roman said but has put his head down in fear and to not show any of the pure hatred and anger he showed toward Gareth

Gareth was right up close to him, so close that Roman could see his signature hunting knife that he used to mutilate and murder many of his fellow captives, “I don't give a shit what Connor said, you're in my sights now so get your ass over to the farmand work! Or do you want to be branded with something else besides an “R” on you, boy?”

Roman said with a clenched fist and a quiet rage “No, sir and I'm sorry, I'll do what you say”

“Good boy, now get to work” Gareth said as he mushed them to the farm to work more harsh hours

More hours of hard work on the farm, Roman spouted hatred for Gareth underneath his breath every minute he was in there. Never so much has he hated someone as much as him, he hated how self-righteous and condescending he was, ever since he got there he's always been such a nasty and arrogant prick towards everybody. He also hated his treatment of others, he was brutal as he would beat people, mutilate people, abuse them and some of the women would even report acts of assault against them from him.Romans heard too many horror stories and it only fueled his hatred for him

“That frickin' asshole, Gareth, always makes everyone else do his dirty work but it's too lazy to ever do shit on his own. Oh someday, I wish I could just…..uhhh” Roman wished to be the one to stick that knife he always carries into his skull but he knows thoughts like that could potentially lead to his death, so he chose to keep it to himself until he heard a voice when that sounded familiar but has now come to him

“Trust me you and me both, buddy” a young female Wolf appeared from the stables she was cleaning out the dirty stalls from the horses on the orders of Gareth, she heard everything that Roman was speaking about him but all she could do was agree with him

“Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know anyone else was here” Roman said politely if not a bit embarrassed “No, it's okay, I didn't know either until someone started talking to themselves” She chuckled for a bit while Roman was a bit embarrassed that someone was listening in on his ramblings but he didn't mind that it was someone that shared his pain “Yeah… hey do I know you, you're Mica right?” he asked

“It's Mia and yeah, we've seen each other a few times. I know you're that runaway from a few weeks back” She said, as he was some icon amongst the Plantation

“Yeah, well being captured back and getting a new scar wasn't really a fun experience but yeah, I'm Roman” Roman said in a nonchalant but polite way “Oh I can imagine but I have to met your real brave for trying to do that” Mia said, giving him a confidence boost

Roman felt something that he hasn't felt for a very long time, a compliment from someone else. For almost a month he almost had to hear Connor and Gareth berate him and call him many insulting names because of his escape attempt, The latter even taking great pleasure in giving him a painful reminder of his attempt and still making light of it to this day. So hearing someone giving him an actual word of kindness is something he really needed and made him feel good in a place that doesn't give anything but misery

“Well, thank you, Mia. That actually means a lot” Roman says with a warm smile on his face “Yeah, you're welcome you're gonna need good feelings like that when you have shitheads like Gareth watching over you” Mia replied

Roman laughed “Yeah, you're right about that”. He noticed that she was kinda struggling a bit so he offered her some assistance “Hey, do you need some help with that?” She tried to protest that she could do it but Roman insisted that she needed some help because she's been working all day, so has he but he was willing to help he

Together the 2 of them got the work done on the farm a lot faster than if they did it solo. It was finally the end of the day and they could finally go and rest before they parted ways to go to their cabins to sleep. They wished each other farewell.

“Hey Mia, thank you and I hope we can see each other again, soon” Roman said with a smile on his face, Mia smiled back saying “You know, Roman, I would like that”

The 2 shared a look at each other before parting ways into their separate cabins for the night, Roman hopped into bed and before he could drift off to sleep he thought how nice he thought it was meeting that nice woman.

“Maybe things will get better from here on out”

*End of chapter 1*