I Woke Up In Another World As A Slave

"You can't be serious!" he exclaimed. "He's going to kill you?"

"What would you do in his position?" Montgomery asked. "It's simple to disarm a knight, but mages? That's a danger! Especially two at once."

"I mean, you're right, but that sounds... drastic."

"He's already shown he's more than capable of killing those who are of no use to him," Varyan reminded him.

"I know, but I'm just a random slave. You two are lords! Surely the king opposes that!"

"There's no distinction between a lord and a pauper. If you're not an Adventurer, then you are worthless in the king's eyes," Varyan explained.

The lord's choice of words was unsettlingly familiar.

"But doesn't that scare you at all? Knowing that you'll die soon?" he asked Varyan.

"My sister does have a tendency to run late," the twin admitted, "but—"

Montgomery snickered, and Varyan wagged his finger.

"Watch yourself, Sir Cliffe!" Varyan jested.

Sir? That guy?

Montgomery matched the sarcasm. "Certainly, Lord Blitz."

Varyan returned to the discussion.

"What I was trying to say is that I have complete faith in my sister," Varyan declared with pride. "I am content to bide my time, as is my brother."

"That's incredible." He could only admire the young lords' resolve.

"We've got one year to sort something out with you," Montgomery reiterated. "The Baron won't act before then. If anything happens to the lords, chaos will erupt across the manor. He can't afford all of us dying at the same time."

He shuddered at these bleak prospects but found solace in the thought that the slaves would stand united, if only for the lords. On my first day, they all seemed like they'd given up all hope. I'm glad I was wrong.

"One year as a slave," Varyan said, extending his hand. "Can you endure it?"

He shook Varyan's hand, accepting his promise. "Yes, my Lord."

Varyan smiled, as he often did. "Please, I've told you before. Just call me Varyan. Lord Blitz is my brother."

"It's the outfit," Montgomery quipped, and they shared a laugh.

"Thank you," he said.

For giving me hope.

"Anytime," Varyan responded. "Now, shall we join the others? There's a celebration going on, and it'd be a shame to miss it."

"Splendid idea, my Lord. I've depleted my nourishment." Montgomery waved his bowl upside down to show it was empty. "Let's hope the birthday feast is still on."

Varyan ignored the man's sarcasm and signaled to follow him. Montgomery and Varyan led the way back to the camp's heart, where the fires blazed brightly, and music and laughter filled the air. The aroma of the stew grew stronger, and his focus returned to the bowl in his hand. The remainder of his meal wasn't steaming anymore, but the bowl remained warm to the touch. After their conversation, his appetite had returned twofold, and he wasted no time digging in. The group dispersed, with Varyan taking his place next to his brother and Shadis, while Montgomery queued for a second serving. He made his way to the large bonfire where the others gathered, the flames' warmth enveloping him from the outside, while the stew warmed him from within. It's so delicious! I need seconds too!

As the night progressed, he found himself laughing and conversing with the others, the weight of his worries lifting with each passing moment. Some miners had heard from Montgomery that he had fought PP in the pit and given him a hard time. They expressed respect for his quick wits and toasted to his prowess. Cool water had never tasted better than in that moment. The festivities continued late into the night, the slaves momentarily forgetting their hardships and reveling in the rare joy. He surveyed the faces illuminated by the firelight, his heart swelling with gratitude and determination. For the first time since he arrived, he felt a sense of belonging. He was one of them. A slave. A fighter. A survivor.

As the fire slowly dwindled and the music faded, the slaves began to leave gradually. The farmers were the first to go. Then the servants departed for the shanty town, ensuring to tidy up beforehand. When the miners headed to their tents one by one, he felt overwhelmed with exhaustion.

"Recruit!" someone yelled.

It was Cadmun, stomping towards the fireplace with Montgomery in a headlock. Oh, oh.

"There you are!" Cadmun said, as he threw Montgomery to the ground beside him.

Uncertain of what to say, he greeted him. "H-Hello, Cadmun."

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

"Don't 'hello Cadmun' me! I know what you've done!"

"What? What have I done?"

"Stop acting innocent, you swine!"

The groveling Montgomery on the ground tried to get his attention. "Please, I can explain."

A shiver ran down his spine. What did he say?

"So you enjoy back washes, eh?" Cadmun asked, cracking his knuckles. "I'll wash your back real good."

"Oh, no. No, no, no. This is a misunderstanding."

But Cadmun wasn't listening. Instead, he stepped closer to the pair.

"You must flee," Montgomery wheezed. "Go on without me."

"Sir Frost, please," he pleaded. "I apologize for the disrespect."

He bowed, making himself the perfect target for Cadmun's fist striking the back of his head. He fell on his backside, and despite having his Protection up, it hurt.

"Did I ask you to apologize or if you're sorry?" Cadmun asked while striking Montgomery on the head as well.

As he sat on the ground, huffing like an affronted child, he said, "I'm sorry."

"Now, since you wrecked my tent and incited Lydia to do unsavory things, you'll be sleeping outside like the dogs you are. I'll be taking Monty's tent for the week. Now go to sleep. Tomorrow will be business as usual."

And with that, Cadmun made his way towards the tents and left them there.

"I regret nothing!" Montgomery shouted at the departing bald man.

Now left alone, the two of them met each other's eyes. He crossed his arms to signal his disappointment with the man.

"Great Gods, Recruit. All of this because you couldn't keep your pants on," Montgomery said.

Silence. Then came the laughter. They laughed and laughed until a miner in his tent trying to sleep yelled at them to shut up. But that made them laugh even harder until their bellies ached. It was difficult to stay mad at Montgomery when they were both rubbing the backs of their heads. Soon the joke faded, and the two calmed down. They found a spot near the dying fire, trying to make themselves as comfortable as possible in the dirt. As they lay on the ground stargazing with their hands behind their heads, he felt thankful for having found a friend in this strange world.

"Good night," Montgomery yawned.

"Good night," he responded before drifting off into a dreamless sleep.

When he next opened his eyes, Montgomery was gone.

He awoke to the sound of wood clattering against the ground. Disoriented at first, he blinked his eyes open as reality settled in. The slave camp was already alive with activity, and Montgomery was nowhere to be seen. He spotted Varyan near the campfire, stacking the freshly collected wood. Varyan had gone gathering wood without him. He sighed, rising from the rough ground and dusting the dirt from his clothes. He moved towards him, but before he could approach, two burly miners stepped in front of him, blocking his path.

"Morning, Adventurer," one of the miners sneered, the last word dripping with scorn.

His heart sank. What? How?

"Why didn't you wake me, Varyan?" he finally managed to ask, trying to keep his voice steady despite the miners' intimidating presence.

Varyan glanced up, guilt flickering in his eyes, but remained silent. Before he could press further, one of the miners shoved him roughly aside.

"Get away from Lord Blitz!"

He stumbled but kept his footing. Did he tell them?

There was no way he could get through to Varyan. Panic began to set in. Looking around, he spotted Cadmun by the fire, so he made his way to the line where breakfast was being served. The men in front of him started to stare and murmur among themselves. When he reached Cadmun, the man looked at him with cold eyes and shook his head.

"No breakfast for you, Adventurer," Cadmun said firmly.

"Cadmun," he whispered, "what happened?"

"Your secret's out. You're not one of us, and we don't have enough to spare. Lord Blitz's orders."

His stomach growled in protest. Varyan avoided his gaze, busying himself with the firewood. The tension was palpable.

"No, that can't be. We were just discussing that yesterday."

"Listen, Recruit. Monty's gone, all right? Just gone, vanished overnight."

"Why? What happened?"

"The Adventurers came for him. Too many miners for too few pickaxes."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. "When did that happen?"

"You were sleeping next to him; you should know. Or are you really such a heavy sleeper?"

Cadmun lifted the empty cooking pot off the fire and placed it on the ground, his gaze unwavering. Is he suspecting me?

"I didn't notice anything! I've only just woken up."

Did Reacher use his magic?

"Jacoby knows you're a Player. I doubt you'd be foolish enough to tell him."

Cadmun used a nearby bucket of water and some cloth to clean the cooking pot.

"But how did he find out?"

"My guess? Your enemy in the pit didn't take his loss lightly."

Of course! PP!

A couple of miners began to gather around them. He felt their gazes boring into the back of his head. An uneasy feeling built up inside him.

"Don't worry. Varyan put in a word for you, but you can't talk to him right now. He has to save face."

I can't talk to him now? But we were just starting to become… friends.

"What now?" he asked Cadmun helplessly.

Cadmun had finished cleaning the pot and rose, towering over him.

"The same as every day, Recruit: Pull your weight at work, don't get in the way of the others, and always do what the Adventurers say. Especially the Baron."

Varyan's words echoed familiarly in his mind. It comforted him to know they were still connected somehow.

"Yes, Sir!" he responded, bringing a smile to Cadmun's face.

A voice echoed through the slave camp: "Lords Blitz coming through!"

A huge commotion erupted in the camp as the miners lined up to greet them. When he got in line, the miner next to him shoved him.

"Move it, Adventurer!"

When he looked up to see the miner's face, he was met with two cold eyes and a disappointed frown. Then, the miner turned forward again. He lined up again, this time standing a little apart from the others. I'll show you that I'm not an Adventurer!

One by one they bowed as the twins walked between the rows of miners, and so did he.

"Good morning, Milord," Cadmun greeted Jacoby. "I trust the breakfast was satisfactory."

"It was a delight, Sir Frost," Jacoby replied in a monotone voice.

"I'm glad," Cadmun responded.

"Sir Frost, are the men ready?" Shadis asked.

"Yes, Sir Moore. PP will be with us shortly."

The old man nodded, and with that, the miners followed them to the shanty town. The daily ritual of those in charge provided the slaves with an established order. It gave him a sense of stability. He'd feel much more secure, however, if he didn't find himself back at the very bottom of that order. The slaves passing by him spat on his feet as a form of protest. They didn't want him to walk with them. How nasty.

He bent down to rub some dirt on his feet to let the spit dry. As he used his rags to wipe his feet clean, he started to fear there was no one left to talk to now that Montgomery was gone. His nose began to run while his eyes teared up. Suddenly, a large sack fell in front of his face with a loud clang. It was none other than the largest miner among them, who threw it on the ground. When he raised his head, he saw the Prized Possession towering above him in silence.