Simple Servant

Chapter 24 - Captured

Chapter 24 - Captured

~~~ Noah

A sharp kick to the shin jolted Noah awake. It was dark when he opened his eyes but the smell of potatoes and burlap quickly reminded him where he was.

"No more sleeping." The gruff voice demanded.

Noah didn't know how long he'd been tied to the post. He didn't know anything about the man in the carriage, or his master. He also didn't know why he had been taken.

He felt dizzy from lack of food, water, and most likely blood. His wrists were raw, and his legs were sore from where they had been bound. There were no longer any pins of light flickering through the burlap. Noah figured that it meant night had fallen.

"We're going to be stopping soon." The voice informed, "Our master is eager to see you."

"What does he want with me?" It was the first time Noah had spoken to the man. His words were as coarse as sand, and his mouth felt exceedingly dry.

The man laughed, or was trying to. It sounded more like a wheeze. "So, you can speak when you're awake."

Noah repeated his question. "What does he want with me?"

"Are all nobles this stubborn or is it just the one's with a sense of entitlement?" The voice shot back.

It took most of his strength just to stay cognitive. Noah knew that his head was in bad shape; and his back, though numb, was stiff from lack of movement.

"What does he want with me?" He asked, yet again. He didn't have the energy to come up with another question.

"You can ask him that yourself." The man responded in an uncaring tone.

Noah wished someone would remove the potato bag. The smell was repugnant.

The blood that had dripped down his neck earlier had dried. It pulled at the hairs on the back of his neck, and crackled loudly whenever he turned his head.

It seemed their driver was finally getting the hang of operating the vehicle because Noah head hadn't hit the post in quite a while.

"Have you lost your voice again?" The gruff voice demanded.

Noah didn't have the energy to respond.

He didn't even have the energy to panic.

He barely had enough energy to listen.

"Filthy Terrafein." The gruff man spat, distain clearly coloring his words. "Why do you all believe that bastards are worthy of loyalty?

Noah wasn't alert enough to figure out what the man meant.

"We're here." The driver shouted. He then stopped so suddenly that Noah's head flew back into the post.

He was unconscious again, or was he?

Noah felt a pair of ruff hands untie his wrists and legs. A slight breeze danced gratefully across raw skin. He wanted to stretch his legs and back, but he couldn't move.

He felt the retched potato bag yanked quickly off of his head, but the world remained dark. He couldn't open his eyes.

But, for the moment, his ears still worked. He managed to catch bits and pieces of their conversation.

"You prideful...why didn't you say you were...if you die...is ruined."

"What happened?...Why...?" A new voice asked.

"I promise...wasn't complaining...rarely said anything unless...asleep."

It took Noah a while to realize that it was the gruff voiced man that had answered. He hadn't expected such a drastic change in they way the man talked.