Under the Ashen Banner

Chapter One: The Name (Part 3)

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After his private meeting with Sir Garrett, Neil returned to the fields to finish his watch. The long night finally ended just as the first of the moons disappeared behind the trees in the west and a band of gold shone on the eastern horizon. At this, Lout released him and the others to return to their barracks. As Neil entered, the rest of the slaves trudged out to face the toils of a new day.

Neil searched for an empty bottom bunk, and when he spotted one he scurried over to it, eager to give rest to his exhausted eyes.

No sooner had he pulled back the covers than Cretin sidled up beside him, twisting her long, indigo hair around one finger. "What did that stranger want with you, Wretch?"

"My name is Neil," he mouthed and sat down on the bed. "I don't want to talk about this right now, Cretin. Can't I just get some sleep?" He rubbed his eyes.

"I have a right to know," Cretin insisted.

Neil scoffed. "Oh? And what gives you that right?"

"The master tried to sell me to him first," she said. "But he chose you instead and then didn't leave with you. That means he wasn't looking for..." She paused and bit her lower lip, her cheeks red with blush. "I just want to know what made him think you were more valuable than me."

Neil sighed. "He wanted me to join his free company and earn my keep spilling blood."

Cretin cringed and wrung her hands. "Ah. I see."

"I don't know why he picked me for that though." Neil glanced at the other end of the barracks, where Lout climbed into a top bunk. "There are slaves here far bigger and stronger than me."

"So, why didn't you leave with him?" asked Cretin.

Neil ruffled his own hair. "He gave me a choice, so I asked him if you, Garbage, and Trash could come too."

At the sound of this, a smile tugged on the corner of Cretin's lips. It faded just as quickly as it appeared.

"He said no," Neil continued. "So I refused him. He left all in a huff."

"You really do care about me." Cretin smirked.

"Don't let it go to your head," said Neil. "Remember, I asked him to buy Garbage and Trash too."

Cretin rolled her eyes. "Yeah, I noticed that. Why Garbage? He's... so annoying!"

Neil chuckled and nodded. "He really is, but he's also nice."

The bed above Neil creaked and a young man peered over the edge at the two of them. "Do you two mind? It's been a long night!"

Neil sighed, "Sorry, Blemish. You're right. Cretin, let's talk later, alright?"

"Alright." Cretin sighed and sought out an empty bunk.

Neil lay on his back and pulled the covers over himself, staring at the bottom of the bed above him. His eyelids soon reminded him of how heavy they'd grown and, despite the morning light shining in the window, he drifted off to sleep.

. . .

A sharp tug of Neil's hair scattered his dreams, and he fell to his knees beside the bed. "Agh... What?" he mumbled.