Chapter 119Of Masters and Slaves

The words still circled through my head, when Afentis and Faith returned with a copy. They'd been very forward thinking by placing the original in a plastic map, normally used for a simple A4 paper. Of course, it was much smaller than that, but at least it was safe from touch and easily visible now. They were talking about it to each other until they noticed my silence.

They walked to me and I showed them the picture inside.

"His lost son."

Faith placed her hands on my shoulder and kissed my cheek. "We're sorry."

I looked up and finally managed to be able to get my thoughts in motion again. "What was on the paper?"

Faith swallowed. "Words in blood, his presumably. Perhaps it was the thing he wrote when we were watching. It doesn't look that old."

I took the original and looked at it. The ink was indeed that odd red-brown color that only dried up blood would be. But it was too smooth. The letters were sharp, thin and not cracked. So it couldn't just have been blood. It must have been mixed with something. The knowledge surprised me, how did I even know that blood would crack too much on paper? I didn't dwell on it but wanted to share my thoughts.

"It's old, but it's not pure blood. The letters are sharp. When we saw him writing earlier he used pure blood. That would have cracked by now."

Afentis smiled. "I agree with Amy on this."

Faith shrugged. "It was worth a try. The words don't make much sense though. They could be code... But they are so odd."

The words were very small and neat, written very small to fit on the paper. I smiled softly as I read it. "It's a poem."

A single blade of grass that cuts
Much sharper than a knife
All those words, do make a mess
Once simple, honest life

The silver wanted all the guts
The blood and dreams alone
Taking pride on so much less
They never got the bone

They took the two, life that shuts
My heart beats ever slow
As a slave I will confess
No choice so I must go

Some of those words rang true to some part of my brain but I was tired. I wasn't sure what they meant and I lacked the wish to find out now. But I wanted to find out, perhaps later. I looked out of the window. It was getting early. Only a single question remained on my mind for this moment.

"Where will she stay?" I asked, nodding to Nuru.

Faith thought for a moment. "I have a room for her upstairs. She can have that for the time being."

"No!" The girl surprised me with her voice.

Faith frowned. "What's wrong?"

"She is my master now. I will follow her." She suddenly stood right next to me.

Her master? I didn't want to be anyones master. Faith or Afentis was much more appropriate to have as a master. They had far more experience and, both of them, proved to care for those at their sides. Of course I did as well. I'd put my life at risk for any of them, including Khuna, Valerie and Kai. But what was I supposed to do now?

"I'm... your master?" I responded in surprise.

She nodded and bowed slightly. "Yes, master."

Faith giggled. "Alright, today she stays with you. She won't harm you, of that I'm sure."

Afentis smiled. "So it would seem. Good luck, Amy."

Why did they do this to me? I didn't want this!

I sighed.

Afentis looked at me seriously and nodded. "If only for one day, please let it be so."

If put like that. "Alright. Come with me... Nuru, was it?" We started walking to my room.

She nodded. "Yes, master."

"Please don't call me that." It unnerved me a little. At least we were almost there. I already started to feel at home in the castle and the room of books was certainly welcome after all this.

She smiled. "Oh. Of course, mistress."

I sighed. "Please call me Amy."

She bowed with her head. "Yes, Miss Amy."

I guess that had to do. The books welcomed me as I walked into the room. The books, that gave me an idea. Perhaps she could spend her time useful while I slept. I wondered briefly if it was a good idea to give her something to do... Or would it be using her.

"Nuru, can you find something out for me while I sleep through the day?"

"Yes, Miss Amy."

Something nagged at me. "You can read, can't you?"

"Of course, my old master did teach me well. And I've tended to school. Is there anything specific you wish me to find?"

I took a deep breath. "Okay. Please find out anything to do with the Silver Abbey in the books here. Perhaps you need to look at the historical sections first. But some of it might be folklore or other. It won't be easy."

"Yes, Miss Amy. I will find out all I can." She walked around the room and found a book with a black cover that looked eerily familiar. She opened it and started to read. After a while she opened the desk and pulled out some pens and paper and started making notes.

There was something mechanical about her that confused and worried me. But my time of thinking was running out. My body had moved to the bed, almost like a puppet. And I had laid down while keeping my eyes on Nuru. She couldn't have been much older then me in fact. And she was beautiful.

Still in those sheets! I felt stupid for not realising it before. She had fastened them into a rudimentary dress in the living-room. But I was too tired to change anything about it now. I was thankful, she did look like she would do her best. But what would become of her. What life would she have with me as her mistress.

It was only for today, I told myself.

Sleep beckoned.

I answered.