Chapter 56 The Dilemma of Ignorant Servants (1/2)

They'd been on the road for two weeks when Rassa finally spotted mountains in the distance. According to Aegin, Jerrica was situated in the Seisin Mountain Range South-East of Barday. Though, it was still a decent journey from the Academy city. The journey was made especially long from any direction around and through the mountain range because the roads were too winding, and the forest too thick for anyone to move quickly. Considering Rassa's captors had decided on a little used path, it was safe to say that their progress was even slower.

It was as they entered the foothills that Rassa finally heard from the leader of the party who until then had been silent, using only hand movements or looks to convey his orders. It was brought up in conversation that Rassa hadn't eaten in two weeks, and hadn't had water in over a week. Clearly, they had no idea that Aegin had been feeding him.

”We've still got another eight days until we reach Jerrica, he needs to eat or he's going to die,” spoke one of the captors.

”He looks remarkably well considering,” another commented.

”Feed him,” the leader ordered simply.

”No need,” Aegin stated from his perch on top of the carriage, ”Apparently our food won't do him any good anyway”.

They all looked up at Aegin, clearly surprised.

”What do you mean?”

Aegin sighed, ”He's not human, he doesn't require food or water like we do”.

”You've fed him?” asked the leader, clearly upset.

Aegin hesitated, but nodded in the end.

The leader moved so quickly that Rassa felt a little scared. He'd never seen a human move that fast before. Suddenly, Aegin was being held against a tree by his throat, though the boy did not seem to want to struggle as he chocked.

”You interacted with it?” asked the leader.

”..y..yes,” Aegin struggled to respond.

The leader dropped Aegin, only to punch him in the gut then knee him in the nose and toss him to the side.

”We were ordered not to talk to it,” snapped the leader.

Aegin didn't fight it as he was punished, as the leader continued to hit him while he was down. It disturbed Rassa greatly. In his eyes, Aegin had done nothing wrong, but clearly by conversing with Rassa, he'd done something unforgiveable. Rassa couldn't for the life of him understand why. Was it simply because he was a prisoner and Aegin was his captor? That didn't seem enough of a reason to garner this kind of consequence.