Rachel and Kathryn's day together continues...:-)

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Rachel

The air was warmer than it had been the day before. Rachel did not even need to take her coat as she carried the pot of porridge, following closely behind Kathryn.

"Do you like animals, Rachel?" the older girl asked as they walked.

Rachel nodded and Kathryn smiled in response.

"The new piglets are adorable and so friendly. Magnus takes care to ensure that all of his animals are well handled. In fact, it is some of the other girls' task to see to it. I do love working in the kitchen but it's nice to spend the time outdoors sometimes. My family always kept a few animals on our land and I miss caring for them sometimes. At least I am often given the chore of visiting the pigs to bring them scraps."

"We used to have a pig too," Rachel volunteered but no sooner were the words out of her mouth then the uncomfortable sinking feeling welled in her stomach again. She knew what her father did with the family pig in the fall. Though Kathryn spoke of the animals on Magnus' estate cheerfully enough, she knew that her sibla Master counted her as one of his flock, no different that the other livestock in their ultimate fate.Kathryn seemed not to notice Rachel's discomfort, her smile only widening.

"Magnus only keeps a few swine for himself," she said. "His main business comes from his sheep. There must be over one hundred of them roaming the fields. But the pigs have their own barn.

Rachel looked in the direction Kathryn gestured and saw a small red painted shed with a large pasture around it. Inside the enclosure, an assortment of little piglets played alongside two very large mother sows. The animal's ears pricked at their approach and all quickly crowded the opening to the gate.

"Alright, Bertha," Kathryn laughed as the largest of the sows nearly knocked her over with excitement as she entered the enclosure, holding the gate open long enough for Rachel to slip in behind her.

"Close the gate so we don't have to go around chasing pigs all afternoon," Kathryn warned lightheartedly. "I let one of them slip out once and it took half the day to get him back in the pen." Rachel quickly obeyed.

"Did you get in trouble?" she asked nervously.

"No, of course not," Kathryn chuckled, shaking her head as she bent down to scratch behind the ears of the large pig in front of her. "I think Magnus was amused to watch me and the others chase after the animal all day. Pigs are quite clever you know. But it was an accident after all. Magnus and Alice would never punish such a silly mistake."

Rachel could not help but be surprised. She rarely got into trouble with Mama and Papa, but such an error would have certainly earned her backside a tanning with Papa's belt. They couldn't have afforded to be so careless with such a precious resource. The pig Papa bought each spring to raise had to last them through the entire winter. If it ran away they would have gone hungry.

"I do have to be back in the kitchen soon though," Kathryn added. "I can't imagine Alice would be too pleased if she found I had shirked my chores today to chase after once of these little squealers." She laughed. "Why don't you put the porridge in their trough."

Rachel was quick to comply, already the animals were crowding around her as well, hungrily eyeing the pot she held. The moment she emptied its contents into the long metal trough, all of the pigs came running. Rachel could not help but smile. The little piglets and their mothers looked so happy munching on their treat. Kathryn added the rest of their leftovers to the animal's feast before walking back to the gate and holding it open for Rachel.

"I guess I should be returning to work," Kathryn said as she wiped her hands clean on her skirts. "Do you think you can make it back to Alice's cabin yourself?"

Rachel felt her momentary good mood vanishing at the thought of going back to the house to be alone again.

"Or maybe you would like to come back to the kitchen with me?" Kathryn asked. "You can just sit and watch us if you'd like."

Relief flooded Rachel instantly as she nodded and the older girl placed a hand on her shoulder giving her a warm smile. Rachel couldn't help but wonder how she'd ever distrusted Kathryn even for a moment. She was so very nice.

Hand in hand they walked through the grassy fields towards the main house. With Kathryn by her side somehow the entire estate felt more friendly. Even the other girls they passed seemed less cold. Some called out greeting to Kathryn, others even had a smile for Rachel herself.

"You see?" Kathryn said as they came to the main house. "Alice told me you might still be worried about the others, but they just needed a bit of time."

Rachel nodded. Maybe Kathryn was right.

Winding their way down the stairs and long corridor to the kitchen, Rachel was surprised when they arrived to find three other girls already working. Alice was nowhere in site.

"Sorry I'm late," Kathryn said as they entered.

Rachel felt the others' eyes go straight to her and for a moment, she held back, fearing their reaction. But then the girl by the stove smiled at her.

"I see you brought a friend," she said.

The other two girls did not reciprocate the first's warm welcome, but they turned back to their tasks and Rachel was glad to be free of their gaze.

"Come and meet Olivia," Kathryn said, ushering Rachel towards the girl who'd smiled. "She helps us quite a bit in the kitchen."

"It's very nice to see you again," Olivia said, bending down slightly and speaking in a sing song voice.

Rachel looked away shyly.

"She's not a baby, Olivia," Kathryn scoffed with a small laugh. "You are at least eight, aren't you Rachel?"

Rachel looked at her wide eyed and nodded.

"My little sister was about your age when I left home," Kathryn said with a knowing nod of her head. She hated that our mother would still treat her like a kid."

Rachel didn't answer. She knew she'd also hated that Mama babied her so much when she was nearly grown, just like Kathryn's sister. But now that Mama was gone, she almost wished she hadn't taken her care so much for granted.

"Would you like to help us?" Olivia asked her. Rachel noted that her voice no longer sounded so patronizing.

"Only if you feel up to it," Kathryn added. "Alice said that you had some experience working in the kitchen with your mother?"

Somehow, at the mention of her mother, Rachel felt emotion overwhelm her entirely. Tears filled her eyes, blurring her vision. As she began to cry she could just make out Olivia backing away in surprise but she felt Kathryn's arms quickly wrap around her.

"I'm sorry Rachel," she said, hugging her close and muffling her tears. "I didn't mean to upset you. Maybe you aren't ready to help yet. I don't want to push you."

Rachel shook her head, embarrassed by her outburst but somehow unable to control it. The tears continued to flow and she couldn't seem to respond to Kathryn in words. A moment later she felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Olivia there, offering her a dishrag to wipe her eyes, which she gratefully accepted.

"You know what?" Kathryn said. "Why don't we go back outside. Fresh air is what you need. I think I might have an idea of what might cheer you up as well."

"But..." Rachel protested, finding her voice again through her choked tears. "Didn't you say you had work to do? Won't Alice get mad if it's not finished?" She certainly didn't want to get Kathryn in trouble. Not after she'd been so kind.

"Alice won't mind," Kathryn said. "She already told me that helping you feel at home here is our number one priority. Besides, the others can manage on their own a bit longer."

"Of course we can," Olivia chimed in.

Rachel saw Kathryn give her friend a grateful smile. "You will tell Alice where I am if she asks?" she said. "I will still try to come back before dinner if I can but maybe one of the others can come help too and."

"Don't be silly," Olivia said, interrupting. "We'll be fine, and I'm sure Alice will help us herself if we need it. You just feel better," she said,giving Rachel's arm a gentle squeeze. "I hope to see you again soon."

"Thank you," Kathryn answered for the both of them. "I will certainly see you later tonight." And with that, the older girl ushered Rachel back outside.

"I'm so sorry," Rachel said once they were alone again. "I don't know what..." She stopped. "I didn't mean to cry. I just...I miss Mama and Papa so much." Tears streamed down her cheeks again, but Kathryn's eyes registered only sympathy as she hugged Rachel close.

"It's ok to cry," she said. "Goodness knows I shed enough tears when I first came here. We all did. It's best to get it all out."

Even more tears poured forth at Kathryn's words, but Rachel was grateful for the older girls understanding.

"Did you really cry?" Rachel managed to ask between sobs. Alice had made it seem like she should just accept her new fate and be grateful for it. But here Kathryn was giving her permission to grieve.

"Of course I did," Kathryn said with a small sad smile. "I lost my family just as you did. But at least I know they are still alive. I can only imagine how hard it must have been to see..." Kathryn stopped. "You have been through so much," she said. That is why I promise we will all do what we can to make you feel at home here and lessen your sorrow."

Rachel nodded.

"Come," Kathryn said, offering her hand. "I told you had had a surprise that might cheer up.

Rachel accepted the hand and followed after Kathryn obediently.

The sheer size of Magnus's lands became all the more clear as Kathryn led Rachel through the fields and meadows blanketing the estate, past human women working in the gardens, sibla men at work tilling the larger crops and happily grazing sheep towards the outline of forest in the distance.

"Magnus's lands are quite impressive," Kathryn said as they walked. A good portion of the woods are his as well. I know the sibla men harvest wood there for the winter and for repairs on the houses and barns. We really aren't meant to go beyond the bounds of the main estate though," she added. There isn't much reason to go to the woods anyway and its best to avoid any appearance that you are trying to run."

Run

The word echoed temptingly in Rachel's head. "Have any ever tried to escape?" she asked, hoping her question sounded innocent. Kathryn's expression clouded slightly with worry.

"There is nowhere to run Rachel," she said. "Trust me. Living here is the kindest fate we could have been granted. Don't throw that away." As the older girl held her gaze Rachel nodded solemnly. It was hard to deny the wisdom in Kathryn's words.

"Did you ever consider it?" she asked, not quite sure if she should push the issue but not quite willing to let it go. Kathryn stopped for a moment, turning to face Rachel completely.

"Never." There was no hesitation in her response nor waver in her voice and Rachel couldn't help but notice that her tone was a bit hardened now. She almost reminded her of Alice for a moment. Kathryn started walking again and Rachel followed, a myriad of questions now dancing in her head.

Kathryn had only been a friend to her so far. She seemed to care so much, to have compassion that Alice was entirely lacking. But Kathryn was close with Magnus's favorite slave, Rachel had seen that as well. And Alice had sent Kathryn to look after her...

"Alice said that all of the slaves here were born free," Rachel said, not entirely willing to let the subject of escape go so easily. Surely if Kathryn had been born free she must still wish for freedom?

"It's true," Kathryn agreed, her kind tone returning their talk to an easy conversational mood once again. "That's why I can assure you, you are not alone in your pain Rachel. But you will soon learn to adapt here. Just as Alice promised."

Again she mentioned Alice. Maybe the two of them were working together.

"Did you also get sent to market?" Rachel asked.

"No," Kathryn replied. "Most humans taken from the settlements in trade are sent to the spring auctions. That is where most of our Master's stock were purchased."

"Auction?" Rachel asked in confusion.

"It is a horrible thing," Kathryn answered. "All of the humans for sale are sorted by age and suitabilities. Since I was young and female I was added to the breeding stock. But not all of the bidders were looking for breeders. I should have died that day." She stopped, clearly hesitant to continue.

"What do you mean?" Rachel knew she shouldn't pry, but Kathryn seemed so certain in her final statement. The older girl sighed.

"I had made my peace with the lot fate had cast when I agreed to be taken by the traders that came to our town. My mother had begged me to let her go in my stead, but I knew my youngest siblings still needed her too much. I couldn't leave them motherless. I wanted to save my family as best I could, but when I hugged them goodbye for the last time I knew too that I was not likely to survive."

Rachel stared at Kathryn in awe. It seemed amazing that someone could be so selfless. She had understood what it meant to be taken by the sibla and still she'd gone willingly.

"It was an awful few days," Kathryn continued. "We were stuffed in cramped trailers for hours on end as they drove us towards the auction site. We were beaten, branded, and terrorized until no one dared fight back. But I'm sure you experienced much of the same," she added with a sympathetic half smile.

Rachel looked away. She didn't want to think about what had happened to her in great detail. She tried to push away the memories being triggered by Kathryn's story.

"By the time that I was being prepared for my turn on the auction block. I really did think that death would be better than continuing in life under a sibla master," Kathryn said, "But that was before the reality of my situation became more real."

"I don't understand," Rachel cut in.

"Well like I said, not all of the bidders were looking for breeding stock. As I watched the other women in front of me stand on the block, I watched the crowd of sibla carefully. There were some that were buying live animals, but there were others who were there for meat.

"Drawing closer to my turn I could see the processing operation the slavers had set up, just off to the side of the stage. I could see the blood. I could smell the death. And in that moment I started to question my resolution. I didn't want to die that way."

Rachel listened horrified by Kathryn's story. It sounded if the woman's experience had been as terrible as her own.

"I tried to keep calm when they pushed me forward to the front of the stage," Kathryn said, her eyes glazing over slightly as she seemed to be calling the memory to her mind. "I climbed onto the box with as much determination as I could, standing there naked and entirely vulnerable as I felt the sea of hungry eyes fall upon me. And then I heard the voice call out to bid for my flesh."

"Magnus?" Rachel asked, enthralled by Kathryn's story. But the older girl only shook her head.

"I was not so lucky," she said. "No, I immediately recognized the voice that laid claim to my body. This buyer had bought many of my fellows already. He was a butcher. He'd ordered each and every one be slaughtered."

"But then how did you survive?" It seemed impossible that Kathryn could have made it through such an ordeal and live.

"Alice saved me," Kathryn answered.

The comment was even more confusing and Rachel's frowned as she tried to make sense of it. "Alice?" she asked. "What did Alice have to do with it?"

"Alice always accompanies our Master to the slave auctions," Kathryn explained. "She helps him search out the girls most in need of rescue and rehabilitation."

Rachel didn't comment though she found it hard believe that anyone might call what Magnus did "rescuing" the women he took in. He still made profit from their deaths. So did Alice it seemed.

"In bidding for girls that others might not want, Magnus is able to pay lower prices. But my bidding had already gone quite high. Still, I was lucky. Just as the gavel was about to fall, accepting the butcher's bid and cementing my fate, Magnus's voice rang out through the crowd, promising double what the first bidder had offered and snatching me from death."

Rachel stopped walking now more confused than ever. "But I thought you said Alice saved you?"

Kathryn laughed. "She did. You see Magnus would never have paid such a large sum for one slave. It was Alice who forced his hand. She had seen some worth in me and determined I should not die on that day. Our Master won his bid and I was whisked from the stage into a holding cell. I member hearing the anguished cry from the next girl on the block as the butcher chose her as his next victim. I felt so guilty."

At her words Rachel remembered the cries of the boys before slaughter. It seemed Kathryn too knew the guilt of having been spared when others were not so lucky.

"What happened after that?" Rachel asked, now totally emersed in Kathryn's story and anxious to hear its end.

"Well it was not long before Alice came to collect Magnus's purchases," Kathryn answered. She led me and the other girls our Master had acquired to his trailer. But this was no ordinary trailer. The interior was fully heated, and there were mattresses on the floor for us to lay on. Magnus cut the bonds on our hands and Alice gave us clothing and blankets and food. It was like all of our prayers for salvation had been answered."

"But it wasn't salvation," Rachel protested, somewhat shocked that Kathryn could describe it so. Didn't she understand why Magnus kept slaves?

"I was meant to die, Rachel," Kathryn responded calmly. "We all were. Or worse. Some of us were destined to face cause for many more years, a fate worse than death to my mind. Instead, we were given a comfortable home and kindness. We were given time.

Time

What it really such a mercy Rachel wondered. Then again, she knew that she too should have died alongside her companions. Magnus had taken her from suffering as well. But what did it matter if he had only done so to kill her later?   

"What happened to the other girls that were rescued?" Rachel asked. Alice mentioned that Kathryn had been her just over a year. She wondered just how much time the others had been granted. Rachel's stomach sank when she saw the look of discomfort on Kathryn's face. To her credit, the older girl didn't lie.

"They are gone now," she answered.

Rachel's eyes opened wide. It was worse than she'd though. "All of them?"

Kathryn nodded. Magnus brought home twelve girls that day, but I am the only one of that year still living. The rest have gone now."

Rachel could hear the sorrow in Kathryn's voice was genuine.

"How long did they have?" she asked, dreading the answer.

"Six months," came the reply. "The markets were strong. Our Master had to take advantage. He took twenty girls at that harvest. All of the other's who'd been bought that day were among the list of those he took."

Rachel was dumbfounded. Twenty women. He'd kill twenty women like it was nothing. He had taken their flesh. They'd been processed like animals!

"You have to understand," Kathryn said, no doubt seeing Rachel's horror. "They were all happy here."

Rachel stared at her incredulous. "But he killed them!" she exclaimed.

"And if he and Alice had not rescued them in the first place things would only have been worse," Kathryn answered calmly. "I can tell you all were grateful. In spite of what they might have thought before coming here, all were loyal to Magnus and Alice in the end. They knew that their sacrifice was not in vain and gave themselves over willingly."

Rachel didn't answer. She wondered how much of Kathryn's speech had been penned by Alice herself. Did Kathryn really believe that all of those women had been content to die? They continued to walk in silence.

"Well, here we are," Kathryn said, pulling Rachel from her continued thoughts on Alice, Magnus, and her current predicament. "It's just up this hill."

As Rachel and Kathryn reached the top of the small slope Rachel felt her eyes open wide in amazement. There, at the base of the hilltop was a beautiful lake, a lush forest and mountains framing its shore in the distance.

"It's," Rachel began at a loss for words. "It's so beautiful!"

The lake looked so much like the one near her old home it was uncanny. And though she might have expected to feel sorrow in the reminder of what she had lost, Rachel instead felt herself overwhelmed with happiness. The lake had always been her own special place. The place where she could be alone. The place she could think. And now it was like that special haven had been miraculously returned to her. Rachel saw Kathryn beaming.

"I knew you would like it here," she said. "When I heard where you were from I thought it might remind you of home. I know it does for me. I like to sit and watch the lake and forest and think of my family. I come here whenever I am given some free time.Which I have to admit is not very often," she laughed. "Alice does keep me quite busy." Kathryn sat down in the damp grass and Rachel did the same.

"Do you like working so much with Alice?" Rachel asked. She really was curious how Kathryn seemed to be so comfortable with the hard woman. Alice was such a mystery to her but it seemed that on the estate she held so very much power. She had even been the one to save Kathryn's life, if she had really rescued her from the auction block personally as Kathryn believed. And if all of the others bought alongside of her had already been put to death, it seemed likely that Alice had been the one to save Kathryn a second time as well. Maybe Alice was the key to surviving on Magnus's estate.

Kathryn smiled pleasantly at the question. "I do," she answered. "I know some see her as a hard woman, but in the end, Alice is merely looking out for our wellbeing. She may be demanding, but she is reasonable as well. And of course she must deal constantly with new slaves who fear she is a greyskin. That can't be easy for her." Rachel looked at Kathryn in confusion.

"Greyskin?"

"It's what many call humans they consider to be traitors. Those who have become more sibla than human. Such people can be vicious. Exchanging others happiness for their own. Serving their sibla masters and abusing their fellow humans to achieve their aims."

Rachel hesitated to answer. That seemed to be exactly what Alice was.

"It's not true, Rachel!" Kathryn insisted, no doubt seeing Rachel's expression. "Don't you understand that? Alice only works with Magnus to protect us." She sighed when Rachel's skepticism did not seem to abate.

"Maybe you cannot see it yet," she said. "But I know how much Alice suffers in her position. I have seen it. She does it for us. She really is our friend and only uses her influence to make life easier for all of Magnus's slaves. To rescue more humans from a horrible end."

Rachel couldn't help but question Kathryn's certainty. It seemed quite clear that Alice greatly benefited from her position with Magnus. Her house was filled with luxuries. She had been granted a long life when so many others had died, and all of her comforts had been bought with the profits their Master made on the flesh of other humans.

"But why does Magnus listen to Alice at all?" Rachel asked, hoping to change the topic from that of Alice's supposed "goodness."

Kathryn met Rachel's gaze with a certain edge in her stare now. "I do not know," she said. "I never have and in the end, it doesn't matter. Whatever Alice did to earn our Master's allegiance I am certain that no one else suffered for it and I am grateful every day for whatever brought him to put faith in her. Do you understand how different our lives here would be under a sibla overseer?" she shook her head. "Alice is our protector."

It seemed unless to argue when Kathryn was so certain of Alice's goodness. Instead, Rachel simply stared off into the distance. Her eyes scanning over the crystal clear waters of the lake to the expanse of mountains in the distance, still dusted with white at their peaks.

The older girl seemed content to let the matter rest as well, sitting quietly by her side. Rachel wondered what she was thinking and if Kathryn believed her to be ungrateful. She wasn't sure that she cared. Kathryn had given her assurance of what Rachel had already suspected. Alice was in control of Magnus Kendrick and if she wished to survive here the old woman was the key.

"It is getting late," Kathryn said after they'd sat side by side in silence for some time, both lost in their own thoughts.

"I feel guilty leaving the others to finish all of the dinner preparations without me. Are you feeling better Rachel? Do you think you would be alright alone until supper? I can walk you back to Alice's, or you can remain here for a bit longer if you'd prefer."

"Can I stay with you?" Rachel asked. She was indeed feeling better but had no wish to be alone. Besides, perhaps if she could prove herself useful as Kathryn had, she would have a better chance at survival. " I want to help in the kitchen. I think that working might help."

Kathryn smiled as she stood and offered Rachel her hand, helping her up from the ground. "Of course," she said. "The sooner you feel at home here the easier life will be. And I know Alice will be glad to hear you were so eager to help."

Rachel smiled back. Perhaps she needed to be wary of just how much she shared with Kathryn given her close relationship with Alice, but she had been nothing but nice so far. That seemed enough reason to trust her. And if she gave good report to Alice, there was a change that her efforts to stay alive would prove fruitful. Kathryn was clearly Alice's favorite after all. If Rachel became Kathryn's friend perhaps that might be enough to save them both. It was just possible that with Kathryn by her side, life here wouldn't be as bad as she'd feared.

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So...thoughts on Kathryn? Alice? Magnus? On the story just revealed to Rachel? Rachel's conclusions about her potential options for survival? This chapter actually has a lot of new info packed into it so I'm very interested to hear people's comments.:-) It's also def on the longer side so...did that work? Did it drag at all? I'd love to hear from you! The new chapter will likely be posted next week ( perhpas on monday since i might double post). It's another 30 years in the past chapter. Many of your questions about Alice and Magnus will soon have at least partial answers...;-)