Chapter 10: Bargaining

The screams of agony echoed from the clearing. The slaves who were imprisoned at the far end of the camp awaited their hour of demise, tending to their wounds and tending to a badly battered savior. Servus 132-X laid motionless in the lap of the elven slave, with only his breathing an indication of him living.

" Any sign of him waking up?" the tattooed man asked.

The elf shrugged her head.

" The lad had it rough," the dwarf sighed. " He ought to fight for ya, lass. Even if the odds was against him." his eyes hoped for Servus 132-X's recovery.

The elf gestured her hands to communicate with the rest of them. She told them that, it really wasn't necessary for him to save her. Being a slave, it was a fate she had to accept although, with resistance.

" I understand ya, lass," the dwarf replied. " A hard pill to swallow. We are fated to end like this."

"Look his gaining consciousness!" the tattooed man ecstatically exclaimed.

Servus 132-X slowly begins to open his eyes, looking at the blurred faces and hearing the buzzing voices of strangers.

" W-where am I?" He moved his battered body but got stopped by the terrible pain, " Aaagh!"

" Don't ya move, lad," the dwarf puts his hand on Servus 132-X's chest, telling him to stay still. " Ya took quiet a beatin'."

The elf gestured in agreement.

" U-uhmm...we are currently in prison," the tattooed man timidly said.

In the distance, the screams of a man still echoed, albeit horrible than ever. The screaming man's voice had a low gurgling sound as it progressed, before fading out like a dog's wile. Then, complete silence.

" What's going on?" Servus 132-X asked.

The elf gestured her hands, trying to explain their current circumstance and eventual demise.

" What is she saying?" Servus 132-X confusingly asked.

" Here we are lad waiting for the blade," the dwarf answered. " We are to be trialed, but I doubt there would be such. We are just awaitin' our deaths." he sighed.

" Was this my fault?" Servus 132-X tried to ask.

The rest of the slaves looked at one another and took a deep breath.

" Well, lad the--" the dwarf tried to explain but was interrupted by the elf.

She was adamant with the way she expressed herself. She knows more than anyone else that it was a matter of time before they die anyway. Thus, nobody had to be put at fault.

" What is she saying?" he asked the dwarf.

" No one is to be blamed," the dwarf said, " We were doomed the moment we became slaves."

" I do not blame you for my fate, friend," the tattooed man smiled at him. " This is the fate, unfortunately, for us slave."

" I won't let them, no one of us will die!" Servus 132-X said with his effort breath.

The slaves were stunned by his statement. They were left with open mouths, when a group of knights finally approached them.

" It's time now," one of the knight gently said. " Can he stand?" he pointed at Servus 132-X.

They shrugged their heads in unison.

" I can, Ser Knight!" Servus tried to compose stand in spite of the pain.

His efforts proved to be futile, as his body protested due to the injuries he had.

" His quiet a tough lad," the dwarf remarked as he helped Servus 132-X stand up. " But a stupidly stubborn, basterd." the dwarf joked.

The gentle-spoken knight went inside the cell, despite the other knights' protest. He helped the battered slave walk by giving him his shoulder for the slave to use as his support.

" This is the best that I can do," the knight whispered. " I am sorry for your fates."

The walk to the clearing was long and difficult for Servus 132-X, who had to every inch of pain he felt from his body. He's running short of breath and had to stop every now and then to rest. His body trembled as it became obvious to him that he was having a fever.

He focused himself to the plan. He knew that it will be a hard bargain, considering how reckless it is for him to even think of it. But there is no other way. He had to live and so should them. He must live, the mysterious lady told him so, while he was unconscious. He has to live if he wants to usher the great change.

Breathing heavily and sweating profusely, Servus finally managed to arrive at the clearing. The sun blazed atop all of them. It was already noon. He dropped his knees in the sweltering heat of the sun.

The knight offered him water from his own canteen. Servus 132-X looked at the knight with his fatigue-stricken eyes. He took his offer and drank from the canteen, drenching his parched mouth with some water.

He nodded at the knight as he held himself up before the presence of Lord Prestonheim.

" It is of my greatest sorrow, that it had to end this way for all of you," Lord Prestonheim sighed. " But, I must present your heads before House Bieroff or else, it could go worse for me," he stood up and looked at them in the eyes.

Lord Prestonheim nodded at his knights signalling them to unsheath their blades, " Do you have any last words to say? I am willing to give you as much."

" Aye!" the dwarf exclaimed, " M'Lord, me life had been doomed when the Principalia took our kingdom under its wing. I fought fer our independence at the war of the Gorge and thought me life will end there." he smiled as he accept his fate.

" Well, at least, the I get to die by a blade." the dwarf breathes his last and bows his head to expose his short neck. " Make it clean, lad." he asked the knight.

The knights hoisted their blade in the air. Lord Prestonheim looked at them one last time.

" Is there anything else anyone of you wants to say? Do it now or forever rest in silence.

" I do!" Servus 132-X exclaimed, " Sell us our freedom back!"

" I beg your pardon?" the astounded Lord wanted to clarify what Servus 132-X just said.

" Sell us our freedom, My Lord!" his voice trembled as his fever slowly rises.