Dinner was already underway when the first reports of the day arrived. Several of the men involved in running Burdok's settlement had gathered in the main hall, although it was hardly an informal meeting, as few meals passed without someone bringing up some matter of work. Plates were carried to the table as the boys responsible for serving came out of the kitchen with fresh dishes, jugs of drink and baskets of bread. Some of those present ate while listening to the reports, while others took the opportunity to discuss outstanding matters, often starting a new conversation before the previous one had even finished.
Burdok occupied the head of the table, with Rovan seated to his right. His eldest son handled much of the settlement's accounts and day-to-day organisation, so it was common for him to take part in these meals. Maura, Rovan's mother, sat on Burdok's other side, following the conversations as she cut the meat on her plate. Gared, Vasko and Dren were seated nearby, along with several other men who had earned enough standing to be given a place at the table. Not all of them were founders, but each had responsibilities that the others were expected to respect.
Ivo placed a jug beside Gared before moving to the other end of the table, where Marek was waiting with a platter of meat until two men shifted their plates to make room for him. None of the boys took part in the conversations, although they had been serving there long enough to know what was being discussed and, more importantly, which remarks could be repeated outside the room and which were better left forgotten.
—Gared— The northern parties returned before nightfall. They didn't find the caravan we were expecting, but they came across two carts heading west instead. They brought back enough goods to make up for it.―
—Burdok— Any casualties?―
—Gared— One with a broken leg, and another who won't be able to ride for a few days. Nothing we can't deal with.―
Burdok continued eating while Gared explained what they had managed to obtain and the condition of the carts. Vasko joined in to ask about the goods, particularly some tools that could be sold in the southern settlements. The conversation eventually moved on to the warehouses, where several sacks of grain were missing, and the need to repair part of the palisade before the rains arrived. Rovan listened carefully, occasionally asking questions to clarify quantities or dates, while the boys continued coming and going without interrupting the meal. When Gared finished speaking, Burdok wiped his fingers with a piece of bread before addressing him again.
—Burdok— By the way, where are Alexis and the boys? I haven't seen him since this morning.―
—Gared— They went to scout the area around the stream. They were supposed to be back before the meal.―
—Rovan— They're back. I saw them in the courtyard a little while ago.―
Gared nodded without showing much concern, picked up his jug and took a drink. It was Maura who took the opportunity to ask about the youngsters, as Alexis's absence had not gone unnoticed by her.
—Maura— Something happened, didn't it?―
—Gared— Nothing important. The little ones wandered away from Alexis while they were in the forest. They thought they could explore on their own and ended up somewhere they shouldn't have been.―
Burdok looked up from his plate, showing a hint of weariness at the explanation.
—Burdok— Again?―
—Gared— This time they found something interesting. Two men lying among the trees.―
Several of those present stopped talking, although nobody put down their food. Rovan rested his forearms on the table and looked at Gared, waiting for him to explain what had happened.
—Rovan— Dead?―
—Gared— No. Injured, and in a pretty bad way, too. According to Alexis, they had lost enough blood to make him think they wouldn't survive. The boys found them before he could catch up.―
—Burdok— And what did they do?―
Gared breathed out through his nose before answering. He did not seem particularly angry, merely tired of having to correct the same behaviour over and over again.
—Gared— The usual. They split up because they were convinced they could manage on their own, and when they found the men, they had no idea what to do. They left them there for a while and, from what I've been told, amused themselves by taking their clothes off. Alexis had to double back to find them.―
One of the men let out a brief laugh at that, while Dren shook his head and carried on eating.
—Dren— At least this time they found something worth bringing back.―
—Gared— Alexis told them off and gave them a couple of smacks. Then he ordered them to carry the men back to the settlement as punishment.― Burdok put his knife down on his plate and looked at Gared, barely concealing his amusement.
—Burdok— Alexis has always been a good teacher, although he's a bit soft on the youngsters.―
Gared twisted his mouth slightly. He knew his father well enough to understand that the remark was both a criticism of the way Alexis handled the boys and a recognition of the work he did.
—Gared— If he'd hit them any harder, they'd have gone home crying. They wouldn't have learnt anything.―
—Burdok— If they do it again, make sure someone who knows where to put his feet goes with them. We can't afford to have a group of youngsters disappear in the forest just because they're bored.―
—Gared— I'll go with them next time.―
Rovan served himself some more meat before joining the conversation. There was something in the report that interested him more than the youngsters' mischief.
—Rovan— Who are these two men? Have they been recognised?―
—Gared— No. Alexis had never seen them before. He found them with serious injuries, broken bones and nothing that might tell us where they came from. The boys say they were dressed in black and wearing strange masks.―
—Vasko— And where are they now?―
—Gared— In one of the lower rooms of the infirmary. They've been left in the care of the women who look after the sick. There wasn't much else they could do for them out in the forest.―
—Burdok— Did they take everything off them?―
—Gared— The little ones took their clothes. I don't know if they found anything else. Alexis ordered the area to be searched before leaving, but there was no one else around. No luggage, no tracks, no sign of a group nearby.―
Maura put her knife down on her plate. Until then, she had listened without speaking, but the mention of the injuries and the condition in which the strangers had been found seemed to have caught her interest.
—Maura— Are they young men?―
—Gared— So it seems. Big and strong. Alexis reckons they're around thirty, although they were in such a bad state that he couldn't examine them properly.―
—Rovan— If they survive, they can work alongside the slaves.―
—Vasko— Assuming nobody with money is looking for them. Two men dressed in black and wearing masks don't just appear in the middle of the forest without a reason.―
—Dren— They could be deserters, mercenaries or thieves who've run out of luck.―
—Burdok— Or simply two poor bastards who had a bad day.― His answer prompted a few laughs around the table. Burdok picked up his knife again and cut off another piece of meat, showing little interest in the matter. — Have them examined properly. I want to know if they have any marks, scars or anything else that might help us identify them. And don't let anyone throw away whatever was taken from them. ―
—Rovan— I'll speak to Alexis when I've finished eating.―
—Burdok— Find out if he noticed anything else in the forest and whether he thinks someone might be looking for them.―
Ivo approached to clear away some empty plates and, as he leaned beside Gared, caught the end of the conversation. He glanced briefly towards his father, who was sitting at the other end of the table, but Burdok soon noticed.
—Burdok— What are you looking at? Take those to the kitchen.―
The boy gathered the plates without answering and left, while Marek took the opportunity to refill the empty jugs. By then, the conversation had already moved on to the repairs needed on the palisade and the supplies required for the following month. Gared finished his meal and wiped his hands before getting up, but Burdok addressed him once more as he was about to leave.
—Burdok— Tell them they did well to bring the men back. Two extra pairs of hands are always useful.―
Gared nodded and stood up, allowing one of the boys to collect his plate before leaving the room. Dinner continued with the usual matters.
That same night, the room was quiet, save for the rustling of the sheets and the occasional creak of the wooden bed beneath their weight. Burdok lay on his back with one arm resting behind his head, while Maura remained on top of him. When he tried to move away and rest, she would not let him, continuing despite his protests. He frowned and tried to stop her, but when he realised she had no intention of listening, he finally lost his patience and pushed her away.
—Burdok— What the hell are you doing?―
Maura sat up and began straightening her clothes without taking her eyes off him.
—Maura— Don't you like being forced?―
Burdok stared at her with a frown. At first, he seemed unable to understand where the question had come from. He sat on the edge of the bed and picked up the shirt he had left to one side.
—Burdok— What's happened this time?―
—Maura— About two hours ago, one of your men took a friend's daughter. She was working with the others, looking after the wounded, when that bastard turned up drunk and decided he could take her away.―
Burdok stopped getting dressed and looked up at her.
—Burdok— Who was it this time?―
—Maura— You already know who. One of the veterans, the same one who caused trouble a few years ago.―
—Burdok— Again?―
—Maura— The third time, actually.― She got up to collect a piece of clothing that had been left on the floor. She did not seem to have any intention of leaving, although she made no attempt to approach the bed again. Her husband finished putting on his shirt while she continued explaining what had happened. — The first time, you warned him. The second time, you ordered them to cut his fucking balls off, but you were away and nobody did anything. By the time you found out, the girl had already been sold, and the whole matter was buried. Ever since then, he's been walking around the camp as though nobody can touch him. ―
—Burdok— Who was the gi...? ―
—Maura— Katin. One of the two sisters who work in the infirmary. ―
Burdok lowered his eyes for a few seconds before finishing buttoning his shirt and tightening his belt.
—Burdok— And where is she? ―
—Maura— With her sister. They're afraid to go to their mother's house. He took her from the room where they were treating the two strangers. Her sister stayed behind and came to see me as soon as he left. She was afraid someone else might come looking for her, too.
—Burdok— Was anyone else there? ―
—Maura— Not that I know of. The girls were busy, and he knew exactly what he was doing. He waited until they were alone. ―
Burdok breathed out through his nose and got up, walking over to the table where he had left a jug. He poured himself some water, but remained staring at it without drinking.
—Burdok— Does her mother know? ―
—Maura— I haven't spoken to her yet. I wanted to come to you first. ―
—Burdok— Good. ―
Maura folded her arms and watched him as he stood beside the table.
—Maura— You said this wouldn't happen again.
—Burdok— I remember. ―
—Maura— You also said that girls without fathers would be protected, that no man would be allowed to take them without even knowing whether he was sleeping with someone's daughter or sister. What's the point of that rule if one of your veterans can do whatever he likes? ―
Burdok put the jug down on the table harder than necessary.
—Burdok— That bastard respects neither those without fathers nor me. ―
—Maura— He thinks he can get away with it. ―
The chief remained silent, his eyes fixed on the table. After a few moments, he looked towards the door before turning his gaze back to Maura.
—Burdok— That girl could have been his daughter. ―
—Maura— Do something. ―
Burdok finished drinking his water and put the jug back in its place.
—Burdok— Tomorrow morning, I'll put an end to this once and for all. ―
Maura did not answer immediately. She had spent much of the night waiting for her husband to react, but hearing him say it so calmly did not seem to satisfy her entirely.
—Maura— In front of everyone? ―
—Burdok— Yes. I want them all to see it. If some nobody can break my rules, the others will think they can do the same.―
—Maura— You should have done that the second time.―
Burdok looked at her, but Maura held his gaze for a few more seconds before moving to collect the clothes she had left beside the bed.
The camp had not yet begun its day's work when Burdok ordered everyone to gather. The kitchens were only just lighting their fires, the men abandoned their guard posts and the workers put down their tools. Women came out of their homes with the children, while the slaves were led into the open space in front of the main house. Nobody was given an explanation for the gathering. Breamos was kneeling in the middle of the clearing, his hands tied behind his back and his head slightly bowed. His face was swollen, one eye was almost shut and dried blood covered the area around his mouth. The men of the second generation who had received Burdok's orders had given him a thorough beating during the night, although they had been careful not to knock him unconscious. They wanted him awake when the time came to answer for what he had done.
Rovan and several of the men who held positions of responsibility within the camp stood behind the chief. Maura was beside him, accompanied by her friend and her two daughters. Katin had reddish marks on her neck and wrists and, although she kept her expression serious, she remained close to Lirina, who was equally unwilling to leave her sister's side.
Once everyone had gathered, Burdok stepped forward until he was standing in front of the kneeling man. He watched him for a few moments before speaking.
—Burdok— I know what you've done, you son of a bitch, and you won't convince me it didn't happen. ―
Breamos raised his head and tried to wipe the blood from his mouth with his shoulder, but his hands were tied behind his back.
—Breamos— This is madness, man! I'm one of the founders! I've been with you from the very beginning! ―
—Burdok— So what? ―
The man stared at him, unable to find an immediate answer.
—Burdok— Do you think you're better than me? Do you think you can do whatever the fuck you want and I'll just turn a blind eye? I warned you once that I wouldn't tolerate it again. The second time, I should have cut your fucking balls off, but I wasn't here, so you got away with it. And now you go and... ― Breamos shook his head, trying to straighten himself on his knees.
—Breamos— It's a trap! That old witch set the whole thing up! Her daughters are trying to frame me! ―
Burdok took a step towards him, visibly irritated at having to listen to the same excuses.
—Burdok— Once, twice, and now a third time. How many chances do you think you're entitled to? Do you think you're better than the others? Do you think the rules don't apply to you because you've been here for twenty years?
—Breamos— Those fucking whores are lying! ―
Burdok stopped looking at him and turned towards the girls. Katin kept her arms close to her body and did not look away when the chief addressed her.
—Burdok— Was it him? ―
—Katin— Yes. It was Breamos. ―
—Burdok— ARE YOU SURE? ―
—Katin— Yes. ―She answered without breaking eye contact.
The chief then turned his attention to Lirina, who was still standing beside her sister.
—Burdok— WAS IT HIM? ―
—Lirina— YES. He came into the room and took my sister away.―
—Breamos— They're lying! They've all agreed to frame me!―
At that moment, two boys stepped out from among the gathered men. They were Katin and Lirina's brothers, born to the same mother, although their father was one of the founders. They were about twelve years old and were known for getting into trouble, coming home with scraped knees and ending up in the care of their older sisters. One of them, Daro, had a small bandage wrapped around a finger, while Neris still had a smear of mud on his shirt.
—Daro— We saw it too.―
Burdok turned his attention towards them.
—Burdok— What did you see? ―
—Neris— We went to see the two new slaves they found in the forestan, it was in the afternoon, and we wanted to know if they were any better and when we got there, that man was with Katin and he had hold of her and wouldn't let her leave.
—Daro— He was touching her in the places Alexis says we're not allowed to touch. ―
Breamos shook his head again, this time with greater desperation.
—Breamos— You little bastards! You've all joined in against me!―
Burdok stepped forward and kicked him in the stomach. Breamos doubled over, the air bursting from his lungs. For a few moments, all he could do was cough, his forehead almost touching the ground.
—Burdok— They saw you, my friend.― He moved closer to him. ― They saw you. ― The chief's voice was full of anger.
He remained standing in front of Breamos as the man struggled to catch his breath, showing no interest in helping him to his feet.
—Burdok— I gave you one chance, then another, and you still think you can do whatever you like. DO YOU THINK YOU'RE UNTOUCHABLE? Do you think I won't lay a hand on you because you're one of the fifteen? ― Burdok straightened up and turned towards Rovan. — Get him ready. ―
Two men from the second generation approached and lifted Breamos by the arms, dragging him towards the tree trunk they had prepared a few steps away. They forced him to his knees in front of it while he struggled helplessly against them. Burdok took the axe offered by one of his men and brought it down hard, striking Breamos in the head with a single blow. He then handed the axe back to the man who had given it to him.
For a few seconds, nobody moved. The chief turned towards the crowd and looked across the rows of men, women and slaves who had witnessed what had happened. When he began to speak, his voice carried all the way to those standing at the far edges of the clearing.
—Burdok— ANYONE WHO DOESN'T LIKE MY RULES CAN GO AND JOIN BREAMOS. I DON'T CARE WHO YOUR FATHER IS, HOW LONG YOU'VE BEEN HERE OR HOW MANY MEN YOU HAVE UNDER YOUR COMMAND. NOBODY IS ABOVE ME. NOBODY touches what doesn't belong to them, and anyone who FORCES A WOMAN AGAIN will end up just like him. NO SECOND CHANCES.
He pointed towards the body lying beside the tree trunk and looked at those gathered once more.
—Burdok— Does anyone have anything to say?―
Nobody answered. Some lowered their eyes, while others remained motionless, waiting for the chief to say something else.
—Burdok— Don't you have work to do?―
Burdok allowed one of his men to collect the axe before approaching Katin. He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her towards the main house. Lirina walked beside her sister, followed by their mother and Maura, while the rest of those gathered began to disperse.
Before entering the house, Burdok stopped as he remembered Breamos's two acknowledged sons, who were still standing among the crowd. He looked at them and pointed towards their father's body.
—Burdok— Get rid of that rubbish. After all, he's your father. ―
The two boys did not protest, although their expressions made it clear how much they disliked the task. They approached the body, one taking hold of the arms and the other of the legs, and lifted it while trying to touch it as little as possible. Neither showed any grief nor looked back towards the main house. They simply began carrying him away.