Jack and Merrow followed Octavian to a large building made of a combination of stone and wood. Inside Jack found the familiar sight of a warehouse nearly identical to the ones he and Merrow had audited many times before, though just inside was an elderly man with a scowl sitting and transferring notes from a wax tablet to some form of rough paper.
“Otto I want to introduce you to Jack, he is my Vilicus and will act as my voice when I am not available. He has some requisitions for you to fill. Record what he takes but do not argue with him. I am going to retire to the Mansio and get some rest after the journey.” Octavian said not letting the other man get a word in as he turned and left.
Otto looked after him and let out a huff. “Demanding as always.” He grumbled before turning to Jack. “What do you need, kid?”
“I need to requisition enough bedrolls and blankets to accommodate at least half of the remaining slaves, all of them if possible.” Jack said, doing his best to remain polite while making it more order than request.
Otto let out a growl then stood. “Gaius took almost all of what we had in storage. I only got enough for maybe a quarter of the slaves if that in bedrolls and half that in blankets. Luckily almost half of those still alive are beast-kin. And those furry fucks don’t need blankets as much as the demis do.” He said then stopped when he heard Merrow hiss. “Sorry kitty but it’s the truth. Don’t care if it makes you mad. Now I’ll grab the crate. You able to write kid?” Otto asked as the began to lead them through the warehouse.
“Yes I am fluent in written Ulgat. I am also good at basic arithmetic. I used to be assigned to do audits while I was waiting for sale.” Jack replied.
Otto stopped and seemed to reassess Jack. “Did you now? Well I may call on you to help me with my weekly audits. I’m not as spry as I used to be.” He mused then exclaimed, “AH. Here it is. If you could grab this crate for me lad I will make the necessary adjustments in the books.”
Jack looked at the crate in question and it was marked as containing old slave tunics. “Are you sure this is the crate?” Jack asked as he grabbed it’s sides and hauled it down. He was surprised at how heavy it was straining even his fairly toned muscles.
“Yep I put them in there to keep Gaius from taking them and trying to sell them off.” Otto said bluntly, “He skims his fair share but is careful to not take too much and gain Octavian’s ire.”
Jack nodded, “Well, I think I will run an audit at the beginning and end of every week, making sure the true books are well protected in my quarters. No offense to you but I think if Gaius is going to be in charge of the guards, he should focus on that rather than how much money he can skim.”
Otto looked Jack up and down then said, “As much as I would like that stuck up bully brought down a peg, don’t. At least not until you have better established yourself with our Dominus. Gaius is part of his extended family and could get away with killing you with little more than a slap on the wrist, a dressing down, and loss of some of his standing. It’s not worth it kid.”
Jack wanted to argue but thought better of it when Merrow grabbed his arm and shook her head. “Alright. I will still do the audits, but I won’t do more than record the inconsistencies until I have enough standing with the Dominus.” Jack compromised.
“Good now you should get that crate to the demis they are prolly getting cold even inside the mine.” Otto said with a negligent wave as he went back to the desk to finish making the books.
***
Jack ewas glad for the handles on the crate as he made his way to the mine’s entrance. It was an odd structure that was basically a large wooden shack over a square hole in the ground with a ladder leading down into a shadowed abyss. Jack figured the shack was just there to keep the elements out of the mine. “Anyone able to take this crate while I climb down?” Jack called as he peered down into the shadows.
“I will take that from you to Vilicus.” The gruff voice of Ingra’s father replied as two furred hands appeared out of the darkness.
“Thanks.” Jack said squatting to pass the crate to him. The wolf-kin grunted and the crate dropped a couple of inches before he seemed to be able to handle the weight.
“That’s heavier than I thought it would be.” He grunted as the crate disappeared. Jack stepped onto the ladder and entered the mine. Looking around, he didn’t see the expected tunnel, instead he was in something closer to an atrium with evenly spaced pillars of timber holding up slats of rough hewn wood. Along the walls were torches that cast just enough light for Jack to see after a few moments. All around him were demi-humans of various races, he recognized the elves, and dwarves, though there were several tall willowy figures that almost seemed to float as they moved though they favored whatever leg had some kind of dark metal band engraved with lightly glowing symbols that Jack had never seen before.
“You wanted to speak to us?” A female elf asked as she stepped forward, her words tired even as her purple eyes were sharp. She had black hair and a lithe, athletic frame more suited to acrobatics than heavy work like mining.
“You going to order us to work through the Night and be damned how many die of exhaustion?” A muscled dwarf grunted, his long black beard was speckled with grey and leaning on a nearby timber support.
“I would also like to know your intentions,” Talka said, the Wolf-kin’s daughter standing just behind him, her tail and ears lowered, reminding Jack of a scolded puppy.
Before Jack could answer, one of the willowy figures limped over, letting Jack get a better look at the Demi-human as they started to circle him. The creature had shoulder length dirty blond hair that seemed to glitter in the torch light. their androgynous form was neither feminine nor masculine. “You are not from this realm, are you?” They asked in a melodic, almost hypnotic tenor.
Jack felt compelled to answer the question. He fought the compulsion more from confusion and instinct than actual intent. When he didn’t answer immediately the figures eye’s widened in shock. “I am not.” Jack said, when the compulsion was gone and he realized what he had been asked. “What are you?” he countered, the question bubbling up from pure curiosity.
“I am one of the Fair Folk, sometimes called The Gentry, you May call me Tod Goodfellow of the Seelie Court.” The creature, Tod, said with a flourish and a bow before they continued their inspection of Jack.
As they scrutinized him Tod continued, “We were the first race to call this realm home. Eventually we grew board and lonely, bringing forth the various bestial races. We were content for centuries after that. It wasn’t until one of our number called Puck created the gate to look for other realms. From there came the Elves from Alfheim and the Dwarves from Sfartelfheim. The final race to come were yours and they have upset the balance for the last three hundred years.”
“Puck as in the trickster Puck? One of the Fey?” Jack asked taken aback from the revelation. It was then that he looked closer at the band on the fey’s ankle. It was made of some kind of hammered Iron if the small flakes of rust were any indication though the inscriptions and their glow were still a mystery. “There were stories that few were weak to Iron. Is that why they have put those around you’re ankles?” Jack asked his hand reaching out to the black metal unconsciously.
“It is. We were once masters of magic but now we are few and grow fewer every season.” Tod said with a tired sigh.
Jack looked around and asked. “Has no one tried removing the band from you?”
The fey shook their head. “The bands are enchanted and only a human given dominion over us is allowed to break the band without both parties dying. So, there would be little point.”
Jack pondered for a moment before finally saying, “The fey in myth had strict rules of conduct. They were tricky and were known to use any loophole to gain the upper hand and turn the tables if the one they contracted with did so in bad faith.” Looking from Tod to the elf and dwarf leaders he asked, “Is that true?”
Tod looked on and waited as the Demi-humans exchanged a look before a voice came from behind Jack. “The fairer folk have always been fair to those who keep their promises. Even making allowances should something unexpected happen.” Merrow said spooking Jack who had forgotten she was with him.
“The cat’s right. The Seelie fey always honor a contract as written. As long as you don’t try to weasel your way out or screw them over with a loophole neither will they.” The dwarf said. Several other people voiced their agreement.
“Then I have a deal for you and your people.” Jack said returning his attention to Tod. “Assist me in meeting the quota, whatever Octavian demands it to be. Do so to the best of your ability and in Exchange I will remove the Iron shackles and give you free reign of the camp at night as long as you do not allow yourselves to be discovered free of your bonds.” He offered, keeping his face neutral and watching how Tod reacted.
The fey’s face went through a few changes starting with suspicion moving to confusion and finally ending on a sort of hopeful despair. “You would have to make a contract with each of my peers individually. I would be willing to assist in making the contracts for a nominal fee.” They said.
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“I would have you name that fee up front before I agree to it.” Jack said with a smirk.
“I had to try.” Tod said a smile gracing their face. “I would have you guarantee my safety to the best of your ability, as well as swear that you will always be my overseer while I am beholden to the lands of the Hispanians.”
Jack thought about it for a moment then countered. “I would agree with one change. I will do my best to remain your overseer however I cannot guarantee such.” When Tod narrowed their eyes Jack continued. “Remember I am but a slave myself and have little true control of my fate let alone the fates of everyone here.”
“Tod took a few moments to think allowing Jack to gauge the reactions of the others present all of whom seemed to be varying kinds of stunned and horrified. “I can agree to that. Break my band and the deal will be struck.” Tod said lifting their leg and waiting for Jack to act.
Jack nodded and grabbed onto the iron band unsure how he would break it when he felt something pull at his mana. Deciding to see what it would do he allowed his mana to start to flow into the enchantment and soon he knew he had a choice. If he willed it the band would crumble to dust or explode and kill them both.
He pushed his will toward the only sane choice and watched as the iron began to crumble to a crimson dust. Jack let go of Tod’s leg and they began to float just above the ground. The fey stretched like they had just gotten out of an uncomfortable position. Once they finished Tod landed on their knees before Jack head bowed their head barely above the ground.
“You have freed me and bargained in good faith. As such I will honor our deal as it was struck. As heir to the Seelie court I will repay this debt with two years of service to you personally. I also name you Fey Friend as well as Gentle Jack.” Tod, who was apparently fey royalty, intoned before floating to Jack’s right and gestured for the next fey to come forward, “Come I will negotiate a fair contract then act as it’s guarantor once Jack free’s you.” Jack noticed several of the fey seemed relieved while others looked at each other nervously and their concern only grew as he continued to speak. “Beware those of the Unseelie I will have you follow your contract, or I will face my wrath.” Tod’s tone was even but there was a power behind the words that made the very air seem to shake.
while the Dwarven, Elven and Beast-kin leaders looked on in a mixture of awe and consternation. The non-fey around him had all taken a knee and bowed their head to Tod even as the other fey formed a cue and prepared to hash out a deal with them. “I didn’t think it would be this big of a deal To… Your Highness.” Jack said deciding at the last moment he should probably use the appropriate honorific just in case.
“Please Gentle Jack, you are my savior, and have earned the right to call me by name.” Tod said with a smile. “Now the others of my kind are waiting for their turn at freedom.”
Jack nodded and gave his cheeks a few slaps before saying, “Alright. I’ll let you negotiate as agreed, let me know when they are ready to be freed.” Jack said, still not fully comprehending what was going on but was acting like he was completely at ease.
The next two hours consisted of Jack listening to Tod negotiate contracts, then Jack braking their mystical bonds. He finally found himself before the last Fey, one who went by Morgana and had a more feminine frame than their cousins. Morgana’s skin was a dark grey like clouds on the verge of a downpour. Though their hair was so white it seemed to glow with an inner light. Morgana also had a tattoo that seemed to undulate just below the neckline of her unflattering rough-spun tunic, the unfaltering garment only slightly taking from their allure.
“I am ready human. Though don’t try anything I am less forgiving than those of the Seelie court.” Morgana said her, tone both condescending and imperious.
“I would still accept repercussions from one of the Unseelie should I break the contract.” Jack added watching as Morgana’s eyes widened slightly.
“You do not fear the Unseelie?” Morgana asked after Jack had finished freeing her. One eye cocked in question.
Jack shrugged, “I truthfully know so little about the Fey aside from the play ‘A Midsummers Night Dream’ and the character Puck that I don’t know the difference between the Seelie and Unseelie.” Jack sighed stretching as he stood from the crouch he had held for far too long. “From what I have gotten between you and Tod it would be that the Seelie are more likely to Honor a contract without abusing the loopholes and the Unseelie would abuse whatever loophole they could to gain the most from a contract.” Jack surmised, with tired bluntness before he realized what he had actually said.
Before he could do anything else Morgana laughed, “True enough.” Morgana said with a smirk, “Gentle Jack indeed. I like you Jack. You can say what you mean but know when to say what others expect. You would fit in well with the Unseelie.”
“Let’s hope I never have to.” Jack said then turned to address Talka and the other leaders. He spotted the now empty crate and smiled wanly, “Good you have distributed the blankets.” Jack said only to have a hand placed on his shoulder as someone spun him around.
“I was not done speaking to you Jack.” Morgana purred the sound somehow alluring and menacing in equal measure. Jack was quickly learning that a sultry grin could still be terrifying. The grin in question revealed rows of shark-like teeth behind luscious crimson lips. “It is rude to do that to royalty. I am the daughter of Duke Uldine brother-in-law to Queen Maude, granddaughter of Queen Mabb herself.” Morgana said leaning towards Jack only for Merrow to get between them.
“Jack is a member of my clowder and my future mate. I would protect him from Queen Mabb herself if I had to.” Merrow hissed even as her tail tucked and her ears flattened.
“Would you now child?” Morgana said eyeing up the cat-kin. “I could destroy you with the magic in my fingernail.” She said, her eyes flicking over to Jack who had begun circulating his mana preparing for the potential fight. “Though I think I can forgive this slight if Jack would be willing to make another contract with me.”
Merrow’s face scrunched in confusion even as her ears and tail relaxed, her tail beginning to sway slowly. “If doing so would allow you to forgive both me and Merrow of whatever slight we may have done, I am open to negotiating as long as Tod acts as an impartial arbiter to insure neither party takes advantage of the other.” Jack said his eyes flicking to the other fey who simply shook their head in exasperation.
“No, it will be between the two of us and no others. Though I would be willing to swear a geas that I will not allow you nor anyone in your household to come to harm through any contract we make, nor will it allow me to break any previously agreed contracts.” Morgana said, giving Tod side eye with the last words.
“Alright, may I finish my other business before we begin hashing out the contract?” Jack asked not wanting to set off the capricious fey.
Morgana sighed, acting like it was a nearly unbearable imposition before saying, “Fine, but we will make the contract before the moon is at it’s zenith.”
Jack nodded already regretting freeing Morgana. “Agreed.” He said as he turned to the racial leaders and asked, “May I have each of your names before we get any further?”
“I’m Douglas Ashbeard of Clan Stonemace.” The dwarf said with a huff.
“I am Illiana Silvermoon from the forests of Liandra.” The elf said with a slight bow.
“And you already know my name. Now what kind of quota do we have? And how long are we expected to work?” Talka grunted impatiently.
Jack spent around a half-hour explaining what he knew and his proposals to allow them to get as much rest as possible while still getting as much done in the mine as they could.
“Sounds like the mines my clan ran before the damned Hispanian’s conquered them.” Douglas grunted. “Shouldn’t be too hard to implement I’ll have some of my boys on each shift to help the others get used to it.”
“I think we can work with that plan. I also think you have left her Highness wait long enough.” Illiana said hiding a smile behind her hand.
Turning Jack spotted a very impatient looking Morgana glaring at him and the other leaders. Turning back to Illiana Jack forced a smile before nodding, “I think you are right.” And finally turning to face Morgana, “My business is finished now let’s start the negotiations.”
Morgana’s glare instantly morphed into a sultry smile, one with human-like teeth. “Good, now my first stipulation would be to give me a small vial of your blood within the month. The next would be allowing me to stay by your side as long as Tod does, regardless of when his term of service expires. And the third would be to allow me to sample your mana right now.”
Jack was floored at the demands the fey had rattled off. “As to your initial proposals, I will not be giving you any of my blood now nor in the future. The other two are amenable however. So let’s focus on those. If you are to sample my mana and be remaining by my side, you will also act as my teacher in all things magical, including teaching me about both fey courts. You will also teach me in good faith and only what you know to be true.” Jack countered. Earning a grin from Morgana.
“I would counter that. If I am to properly train you as a magi I would require at least a few drops of your blood. It would be for study and I will not use it for anything else.” She replied.
Jack pondered for a moment before countering, “I can agree to that stipulation on the condition that you will not allow others to use it and the blood will be destroyed once it has exhausted your use for it.”
The pair went back and forth like that for another hour or two, Morgana flipping between agitated and amused throughout the negotiations. By the time they finished neither liked the agreement but both could live with it.
“I will act as your teacher in exchange for samples of your blood and magic. The blood will only be used for my personal research and enjoyment as long as it is not used to bind scry or harm you in any way and it is destroyed after I am done with it.” Morgan recited counting each condition off on her fingers as she said them. “I will also act as your teacher, allowing me to sample your mana before or after a lesson. I am also required to ensure your household remain safe while the contract is active. Finally the contract will end as soon as Tod leaves your side and all remaining blood and mana have either been returned or destroyed so no one my use them for nefarious purposes.” Having finished Morgana let out a weary sigh. “Do you agree to those terms?”
Jack thought about the various clauses they had already hashed out and agreed to before thinking about this final summarized version was explained, an idea came to him as he saw Morgana seem both happy and sad that the negotiations were almost finished. “I would agree as long as you would be willing to add a clause that the contract can be renegotiated in no less than six months should both parties agree to do so.”
Morgana perked up at the suggestion and nodded, “I agree to the change and the finalized contract.” They said offering Jack their hand. When Jack took it Morgana pulled him forward and laid a kiss to his lips.
A moment later Jack felt one of Morgana’s teeth prick his lower lip. Pulling back Jack watched as Morgana licked some of his blood from her lips. “I have collected the blood for the month.” Morgana said with a grin her bloody teeth on full display.
Merrow hissed, stopping when Jack placed a hand on her shoulder the wound already healed. “I’m fine Row and Morgana is entitled to that by contract.” He reassured his ornery companion. Though he was surprised to hear a low nearly inaudible growl from behind him.
When he turned he saw Ingra, haunches raised and teeth bared. Jack decided to ignore her reaction for the moment instead turning back to the Unseelie fey. “I would like to know how to address you so as not to cause further offense.” Jack said.
Morgana’s grin widened she used her tongue to lick her teeth clean before saying, “Either Lady Morgana or Milady are appropriate.” She replied amused.
Before Jack could respond a voice came from the now darkened hole marking the entrance to the mine. “Jack I was told to escort you to the baths then your quarters so you may get some rest. You are also expected to speak with Dominus Octavian at dawn before he returns to the city.”
Jack deflated and called back, “I will be right up.” Before turning to the others around him. “I will come to speak with you again after I have seen our esteemed Dominus on his way.” Jack said then climbed the ladder Merrow close behind.
