Ezren snapped his fingers, ordering one of his men to bring a clean towel for him. One of his guards steps forward, handing him the towel, he then wipes away his blood-stained face.
"See to it that this overseer's body be disposed of. And send a.. compensation to his family."
He says casually, before turning his gaze to the other slaves.
"Let this be a lesson, that whoever dares to cross the line, shall meet the same fate."
Ezren said with a piercing gaze towards the slaves. All of them quickly avert their gaze, afraid to even make eye contact with him.
He then looks at Noah, his trembling form lying on the ground, half of his face screaming obedience, cowardness, and fear. The other half.. was a display of determination, rebellion, and will power.
His face was a canvas, showing a striking contrast between to fight and be fought.
"As I said earlier, I will be taking this one back to the noble housing, he'll work as a servant boy for the Floren House."
He signals to his guard to cut the chain that binds Noah with the rest of the slaves, keeping only the chain on his neck.
Other slaves look at him in envy. Being a slave in a noble housing doesn't really mean much. But at least they are more likely to be given enough meals. A slave that went to a noble house like Floren will at least be given the benefits of doubt, not an outright punishment.
Ezren turns to his guards, barking orders.
"These other slaves, see to it that they'll be kept under a roof and be given enough meal until a new overseer has been posted."
Ezren said with a non-hostile tone, a contrast to his earlier tension. Noah's eyes widened, for someone who killed a person in public in front of the masses, he is somewhat generous.
He then turns to Noah again, grabbing the chain on his neck.
"Come on, we don't have all day, don't keep me waiting."
Ezren pulls Noah to stand up, he doesn't look back whether he followed him or not, as long as Noah didn't resist, there's no need for him to kill him.
Noah, who was still blown away by what just unfolds before him, stands up with shaky legs, slowly following behind Ezren. He had two options — obey or rot in the ground.
Ezren and his guards climbed the carriage. However, Noah stopped in front of the coach, unsure what to do. Should he step inside the carriage? Or will Ezren order him to walk alongside the carriage back home?
"Bloody hell, climb up!"
Ezren said, his patience wearing thin. Noah jumps a bit from the sound of his voice, slowly, he obediently climbs inside the carriage. The wooden door closes behind them, as the rider pulls against the reins and departs from the scene.
Ezren gazes towards the empty seat in front of him, silently ordering Noah to sit across from him. But Noah didn't notice, so Ezren tugged on the iron chain, making Noah jerk forward, he then noticed Ezren's order. Shakingly, Noah climbed onto the seat, sitting across Ezren, he tried to avoid his gaze, but Ezren took his chin firmly, holding his head in place as their eyes met.
"I didn't say you can look away. I'm your new master, and you will do as I say, you will eat when I say, you will breathe when I say you can. Understood?"
Ezren tightened his grip on Noah's chin, as Noah reluctantly nodded at his words. Satisfied, Ezren releases Noah's chin, crossing his legs and arms elegantly, a way that befitting a noble family.
"Good, I'm glad we agreed. And remember, from now on, your only home is the one beneath my feet."
Ezren said bitterly, the words cut like a twisted knife to the gut. He clenched his fist at his sides but nodded anyway, knowing full consequences of what would happen if he were to disobey Ezren's order.
Suddenly, the carriage stopped on its path. There's someone blocking their path — the Vulturebone. And judging by their appearance, they're not here on good terms.
[—To be Continued—]