Doctor Abbott

Untitled Part 41

Ben wobbled up the stairs on the crutch he had crudely fashioned for his leg. It was healing nicely but it was still too weak to hold his full weight. He entered the greatroom and found both the king and Avarr waiting for him along with Kevin who was seated between the two of them. He took his usual seat by Mâvis and looked over the documents handed to him.

Avarr poured Ben a mug. He then spoke as he set the cup down, "How is your wife, Ben, still not talking to you?"

Ben took a sip of the tea and replied, "Nope. Not in the least." Then he shuffled through the papers Mâvis had handed him, looking for where to sign.

Avarr pressed, "Well what do you expect, you are taking her house from her. My wife would kill me me in my sleep if I did that."

Mâvis laughed, "Beatrice would not wait until you are asleep for that."

Ben went to sign the first document when he paused to reference Kevin, "Does he really need to be here for this?

The king sucked on his fang tooth for a second, "Who are you to question your master, human? Sign your papers." He was being sarcastic but Ben followed his instruction without further comment, wanting to get it over with.

Avarr now answered, "He is here in case you want to change your mind. You still can you know? It would make your wife very happy."

A chipper rumble could be heard from the king, "Oh please, do change your mind, Abbott. I rather enjoyed my time with Kevin last week." Mâvis grinned at the human who was covered in scratches and bruises from his claws. The now timid man dropped his eyes to the table, showing how much he feared the king.

Abbott made his first signature with a loud scribble from the quill pen. He handed that paper to Mâvis and looked over the next document before signing away his home.

The next paper made Lúta property of the palace. Ben struggled on the thought of signing that one knowing it would cause her pain. But feeling Mâvis's tension rise he signed it quickly before moving on to the next.

Kevin reached for the teapot on the table trying to soothe his still sore throat. Mâvis and Avarr both snarled at him and he immediately backed off the tea and went back to staring at the table.

Ben finally got to the paper that took away his freedom. He didn't read it, but instead sat looking at it long and hard almost as if he was looking through it. Looking through it to a past where he had been a surgeon who traveled the world with dreams of helping sick children in third world countries. Looking through it to the future he could have with Lúta if he could just bring himself to let this human die for the hell he has caused in Ben's life. Looking through it to the life he will have to endure as a slave to an unpredicatable and dangerous master.

Ben gave one last look to Mâvis, who was fighting a smile. Almost daring him to reconsider. Knowing that the moment he changed his mind Mâvis would torture the man at the table across from him. And now knowing for sure that he was never truly free from the king.

Even if he changed his mind now it would just be a matter of time before Mâvis found some other way to control him. Some other way to eat away at his soul until he broke down and gave in. Ben dipped the quill one last time and signed his life over to his master. He dropped the quill to the table and silently looked at the king waiting his first instruction and praying it wouldn't be to kill Kevin.

Mâvis grinned, "Excellent, human." He snatched up the last document and rolled it up to file in his archive. Then he pulled out another document and placed it in front of Kevin. "Your turn."

Kevin picked up the paper and glanced over it, "What is this?"

The king replied, "Slaves cannot own property. Abbott's cottage now belongs to me. But he is not leaving it. You will now pay his tenancy for the rest of your days." Mâvis's husky voice now turning a bit more gentle, "You do not have to sign it if you do not want to though."