Lost and Found

15: Keep your head down

"This is the place."

Edmund stopped dead when he felt a tug at his rope, and glancing ahead of him saw what was obviously "the house" that the men had been talking about, although it looked rather like a mansion, maybe a little smaller than the professor's back in England.

"Well come on." One man said. "Let's not waste any time. We get the money and then we're gone."

Edmund found himself being shoved forward through two large gates until they reached a small side door, where one of the men knocked loudly.

Edmund's heart pounded in his chest. Maybe he should make another run for it? He glanced behind him, and swore under his breath when he saw the gates swing shut, and he knew that there was no going back now... he really was trapped.

His head snapped up when the door opened and someone peered out, and he found a hand gripping his shoulder firmly. "Got two new ones." The man holding him chuckled.

The man at the door nodded and instantly let them in, and before he knew it, Edmund was being led through corridor after corridor until they reached two fairly large doors, which were immediately opened for them.

He was shoved into the room, along with Logan, to find a group of people and one man sat on a chair in the centre of the room, discussing something under his breath with someone stood beside him.

Edmund swallowed hard as he was pushed across the room and forced to his knees in front of the man, who had turned to pay attention.

Edmund took a deep breath, this was it...

"Sir." One of the men behind him said, keeping a hand firmly on his shoulder to hold him down. "We found these two and thought they'd be perfect to work for you."

Edmund sighed, wanting to say something, but he found himself unable to. So he just kept his head down, eyes glued to the floor as he tried to still his trembling.

The man on the chair stared at the two boys knelt on the floor in front of him for a little while, before nodding his head. "I could do with someone to work in the stables." He said with a nod.

"This one?"

Edmund found himself being roughly shoved forward, so hard that he almost fell to the floor, but he managed to keep his balance... at least working in the stables wouldn't be so hard, he did like horses after all.

"How much?"

Edmund listened closely as the two discussed a price, his heart hammering. He couldn't say he understood how much the final decision was, but he thought it was high enough, though apparently not for the men, but it was obvious they dared not argue.

"Send him to work straight away."

Someone from the group in the room dashed forward and somewhat gently grabbed Edmund and pulled him to his feet, leading him from the room.

"You're being rather gentle." Edmund couldn't help but say as they walked through a different set of corridors than before.

"I'm a servant." The boy said, and Edmund then realised that he was probably no older than himself. "Or a slave is more like it."

Edmund swallowed hard and stared at him. "How long have you been here?" He asked slowly.

"About a year I think." The boy replied with an almost sad sigh.

"Don't your family miss you?" Edmund questioned as they turned a corner.

The boy sighed. "My parents are dead." He said. "And I have no siblings."

Edmund stared at him. "I'm sorry." He murmered.

"No it's fine." The boy breathed. "It happened a long time ago."

Edmund nodded. "Where are you from?" He asked.

The boy smiled. "Archenland." He replied simply. "You?"

Edmund swallowed hard. "Narnia." He mumbled.

The boy looked shocked. "Wow." He muttered. "That's a rather long way away."

"Yeah it is." Edmund choked.

The boy frowned at him. "What about your family?" He asked. "Your parents? Siblings?"

Edmund hesitated. "I have an older brother." He said slowly. "My - My dad's away at war, and um, dunno about my mum."

The boy nodded. "You have a name?" He asked as they stepped outside.

Edmund took a deep breath. "Edmund." He said hesitantly, wondering now if he should've picked a fake name when he'd told Logan.

The boy frowned. "Edmund." He mumbled. "Not-"

"No, not King Edmund." Edmund cut him off, smirking slightly. "I get that a lot."

The boy smiled at him. "I'm Asher by the way." He said as they headed towards what Edmund clearly saw as the stables.

"What do you do?" Edmund asked.

"Gardener." Asher replied. "So we'll see each other every now and then I guess."

Edmund nodded. "What do you reckon will happen to Logan?" He asked. "I mean, the other boy that was with me."

Asher seemed to think for a moment. "Well, I know someones needed in the kitchens." He said slowly. "But then again we do need another gardener, so I really cant say."

Edmund nodded and sighed when they eventually reached the stables, relieved when Asher untied the rope around his wrists. He rubbed at his wrists for a moment before giving Asher a small smile. "Thanks." He breathed.

Asher gave him a nod before glancing around. "Some words of advice." He whispered. "There are guards everywhere, so keep your head down, get on with your work, do as you're told and stay out of trouble, you shouldn't get punished if you do all of that."

"Punished?" Edmund choked.

Asher sighed. "You don't wanna get punished." He said firmly. "Trust me."

Edmund stared at him before slowly nodding. "Thank you." He breathed.

Asher nodded back. "You'll probably only get in a few hours work before dinner." He said. "Your job is to just basically clean up and take care of the horses."

"Sounds easy enough." Edmund sighed.

Asher shook his head. "Not in the middle of the day when the sun's at its hottest it won't be." He sighed sadly.

Edmund swallowed hard. "Alright." He mumbled. "Thanks again."

Asher smiled half heartedly back before walking off, leaving Edmund alone.

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