Lost and Found

21: He had to be brave

Short time skip
May 1st

When Amir has said it was bad here, Edmund hadn't thought he meant quite this bad.

The last few days hadn't exactly been the best, and Edmund was really hoping Peter would find him soon, because he didn't know how much longer he could deal with this... especially the heat.

He swallowed hard as he walked back from the well with a bucket of water for the second time that day, sweat practically pouring off his forehead and feeling like he'd collapse at any minute.

It was the middle of the day so the sun was at It's highest, and hottest. He didnt think he'd ever been this hot before, and told himself he'd never complain about being too cold ever again, he'd do anything to feel cold right at that minute.

He finally reached the stables and placed the bucket of water down on the floor, wiping his forehead with his sleeve before sighing. Depending on how long he was stuck here for, he knew it was gonna end up getting a lot hotter than this, which actually scared him.

He'd overheard some of the gaurds the day before saying this is the hottest year they'd had in ages, and Edmund couldn't help but roll his eyes, just his luck.

He stood there and stared at the water for a while, swallowing hard and taking a deep, shaky breath. What he wouldn't do for some water to drink right at that moment.

He knew they were given water three times a day, but he wasnt used to this heat at all. He obviously wasnt drinking enough, and it was really affecting him. He was lightheaded and dizzy... and surely just a few mouthfuls couldn't hurt.

He glanced around, making sure no one was around, before cupping his hands and taking a few mouthfuls of water. He knew he couldn't have anymore than that, for fear of getting caught, so after taking a deep breath he grabbed the brush and went to walk over to one of the horses, but as he turned around, he stopped dead.

A guard was stood in the doorway to the stables, staring straight at Edmund, a look of pure anger on his face. "Did you just steal water?" He all but whispered, voice dangerous.

Edmund swallowed hard and took a tiny step backwards, shaking his head slowly but still trying to hide his fear. He was brave, he could handle this.

"Don't lie to me." The guard hissed, taking a few steps closer to Edmund. "I just saw you drinking it."

Edmund took a deep, shaking breath. "I-" He swallowed hard, putting on a brave face. "I was really thirsty. I'm not used to this heat! I was just about ready to pass out, then who would do your work eh?"

The guard stared at him for a while before his face morphed into anger. "How dare you talk to me like that." He growled, grabbing Edmund's shoulder and shoving him outside, back into the heat and sunlight. "You steal and talk to me like that, then you'll get punished."

"You're the ones not giving anyone enough to eat and drink and its about time someone stood up to you!" Edmund snapped before he could stop himself. "I didn't steal anything, I did what I had to do to stop myself from passing out because you're working your slaves to exhaustion and an early grave!"

He only then realised all he'd said, and that everyone that had been working in the gardens nearby and the rest of the guards were all stood staring at him, some looking shocked, others not knowing exactly what to do.

The guard who had caught him though looked livid, and the next thing Edmund knew, a fist collided with his face and he was sent to the ground, landing with a hard thud and a groan.

The next thing he knew, his shirt was pulled off and he heard the crack of a whip followed by a searing pain going down his back, causing him to gasp loudly, squeezing his eyes tightly shut as he processed what was happening.

"Five lashes." He heard the guard say, and Edmund could already tell he had a smirk on his face.

Edmund didn't even try and fight back, for he knew it would only end worse for him, so instead he took the lashes, not letting out a scream on any of them, which was clearly what the guard was looking for, so he didn't give it to him.

Once the lashes were done, he was yanked off the ground onto his feet, the guard frowning at him. "How old are you?" He asked.

Edmund looked a little confused at the question but decided to answer instead of getting into even more trouble. "Sixteen." He choked, wincing in pain.

The guard stared at him. "Brave kid aren't you." He muttered, before shoving Edmund back towards the stables, causing him to trip and fall face down on the floor, coughing and gasping in pain, the guard throwing his shirt back at him. "Get back to work." The guard spat. "But don't get comfortable, I doubt you'll be working in the stables for much longer. After hearing what's happened I reckon the master will move you to a more, hardworking job."

Edmund's heart skipped a beat. He was as close to happy as he could be in the stables, he liked horses and had actually managed to make a friend, and now that was gonna be taken from him and he was going to have to work twice as hard as he was now, and that didn't sound like fun to him at all.

With a groan he pushed himself off the floor and struggled back into the stables, his back stinging as he slipped his shirt back over his head.

But he couldn't let on that what had happened had bothered him, he had to be brave... and he would be, no matter what.

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