I pulled upon Celeste’s haste, my body moving at unbelievable speeds. As the small arrow, more of a dart really spiraled toward Faeyna’s chest, raced from the side. It was clear from the gleam that the arrow was poisoned. If it struck Faeyna anywhere, she’d die. I slammed into her, pushing the elf down. A moment later I felt a burning pinch as the arrow struck me in the back. Before we even struck the ground, I had already using cure poison and heal.
“Pull it out!” I said, painfully as my slaves spread around me and yanked out the arrow.
I grunted in pain, continuing to use healing spells until it went away. The Slave Master had an ugly look on his face as he glared at me.
“You… fool.” He snarled. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Deek, stay out of this.” The Prince urged. “The Imperial Cloud Meadow can’t be messed with.”
“The hell I will!” I shot back.
“Boy… give me the slave!”
“She is free, and I will protect that freedom!” I snarled back, reaching my hand down to her as she was on the floor.
Faeyna looked up at me with a stunned expression, a blush appearing on her cheeks as she took my hand. As I lifted her off the ground, she didn’t meet my eyes. Perhaps, she was feeling guilty over leaving me earlier. None of that mattered now. She was no longer a slave. That was her right! That was all of their rights!
“You… saved me.” She spoke breathily, finally looking over at me with a strange look.
“I told you when I bought you. I will protect you and keep you safe. Free or not free, I will never go back on my promise.” I said, still staring down the Slave Master.
Her body shook slightly, and tears started to form in her eyes.
“Prince! Do something about this! If you don’t give me that slave, then I will make sure this whole country burns!” He held up something in his hand.
It appeared to be some kind of one-time use magical item. If I had to guess, it was the item that would take him back to Imperial Cloud Meadow. He was saying that if we thought we could just imprison him or something, he’d immediately flee and cause us great trouble down the line.
“Deek… let’s just talk about this.” The Prince said helplessly. “Let him take her. When my father returns, I’ll ask him to cut a deal and…”
The fact that he was trying to negotiate with me because he realized that the Slave Master wouldn’t budge already infuriated me. Now, he wanted me to give her up, let her be raped, and maybe after the King got bored with her, they could negotiate to have her back? How ridiculous was that?
“Enough!” I growled. “You think you’re the only one who can teleport?”
I grabbed Faeyna and pulled her into my arms. She let out a surprised noise, and then her face turned even redder as she remembered the portal. The other girls all put their hands on me too.
The actions of my slaves immediately revealed to them that I was serious. “No… Deek… think about this. As a Lord of Aberis, you can’t…”
“What Lord?” I snarled. “I tried to be a Lord, and all this country has done is put me through loops and make my women suffer. To hell with your lordship, and to hell with you!”
The crowds all gasped, never believing that someone would be bold enough to openly curse their Prince. However, that was just how angry I was.
“I am the Lord of Chalm! I should have realized it before now, but it doesn’t matter what you say. I’m their lord and I will continue to be their lord! Since Aberis is unable to and unwilling to protect my city, I will protect it myself.”