A life for a life

Kael tosses aside the washcloth, leaving it on the rim of the water basin. With a sigh, he opens the door. Waiting outside are several of Lord Greyheart’s men, a pair of guards and a messenger. The messenger bows to Kael.

“Greetings, champion Kael. Our lord sends his thanks for your service, in the past and today. I bear a message.”

He hands Kael an envelope, sealed with Lord Greyheart’s icon in wax. Kael nods. “My thanks to Lord Greyheart. I simply do my sworn duty.”

He starts to step back into his house, but the messenger clears his throat. “That’s not all. Our lord has seen fit to gift you this.”

He steps aside, and the guards come forward. Only now does Kael see another figure behind them, hidden by their bulk and the shadows growing in the evening. As they step aside as well, the figure steps forward timidly, while the messenger gestures towards them.

It’s an elven woman, with short green hair and wide, reddish eyes. She looks away, clearly scared, as one of the guards pushes her forward. Though clearly an adult, as all working slaves must be, she is diminutive, even for an elf. At her full height, she would barely reach Kael’s chest.

Kael is conflicted. He has never felt comfortable with the idea of slavery. He always felt that it was a dishonorable way to deal with a defeated foe. But he has always kept such thoughts to himself, though his empty house is evidence enough. Other lord’s champions had entire retinues of slaves and servants, so Kael is a bit of an anomaly. He would have thought that his lord understood him better.

And yet, he can’t exactly refuse. To refuse this gift would shame his lord, which would be unacceptable as lord’s champion. And sending her away would not end her servitude.

Kael sighs. “My thanks to Lord Greyheart.”

One of the guards shoves the elf forwards. She stumbles, and Kael catches her before she can fall. She is frail, light as a feather, and trembling in his strong hands. She gasps, looking up at him for a moment as he steadies her, before looking down once again.

Kael glares at the guard who shoved her, and the man visibly pales beneath his helmet. Looking to the messenger, Kael nods. “I accept my lord’s gracious gift. Will that be all?”

The messenger bows again. “Yes, champion. A good evening to you.”

Kael watches the three of them go, before looking down at the elven woman standing in front of him. Shaking his head, he gestures to the door.

“Let’s go inside. We have things to figure out.”

Without a word, she walks in, and he follows, closing the door behind him.