It was cold all around. And they had been left there in the Cold room for about six hours. Their breaths
formed misty clouds, with their thin clothing offering little protection from the freezing temperature.
"I hope you boys learned your lesson!". The two boys slightly heard a man voicing at them, but the sound became louder as the metal door of the room was being opened.
They both stood up and hastily went towards the door and through it even before it was fully open.
A surge of warmth engulfed them as they left the room. Although it was evening there were many fires that were set out as a source of light.
"Uhh". They exclaimed as they felt a push at their back. It was the same man who freed them from their Ice prison.
"What did you do that for?". Kyle asked.
"No particular reasons, Just felt like it". the man replied mockingly .
"Kyle, let's leave," Gabriel said. Without hesitation, he grabbed Kyle, and they quickly moved away from the man, retreating to their corner of the camp.
It was a place where many slaves were held for various purposes—some had been kidnapped, others bought from the slave market to be resold. It was literally called "The Camp."
"We are lucky rain doesn't fall here like it does in my part of this world" Gabriel said while he tried to strike two stones to make a fire.
"Oh yeah, I remembered you mentioned rain, I've only heard of it in stories, water pouring from the sky without any creatures causing it, still surprises me even till now". Kyle replied.
"Hehe, It's not like your place Kyle, we Fulkrugs don't have creatures"
Gabriel said, still striking the stones together.
"Albans discriminate against us so we do not know a lot about each other". he continued.
"Yeah, Sorry about that" ,, a look of gloom now on Kyle's face.
He had no idea that it was how things actually were. Then he remembered the words of his father
.."You're either Strong, or you're dead" and thought that his people considered Fulkrugs as dead because they had no summons and lacked the ability to link to one.
"How pathetic, but I don't blame Dad, that's probably how he was brought up too,". He thought.
"Hey cheer up, no need to be so gloomy ". Gabriel patted Kyle at his back with a smile.
"Hey!!Hey!!!Hey!!" called out a thin voice, it was first at a distance but it became more prominent as time passed.
It was a girl, she had dark long hair and peculiar dark blue eyes and looked about one year younger than Kyle.
"Big brother! Kyle!" I was worried about you guys". she said with a concerned, almost teary expression on her face.
"Frida! There you are, We're sorry for making you worry right Kyle?" Gabriel said, making subtle gestures to Kyle.
"Yeah, Sure" he replied, looking like he couldn't be bothered in the least with eyes and mouth that were straight and an emotionless face.
"Hmph, You could at least look like I'm concerned about you," the girl mumbled, folding her hands.
"Okay, Okay, Thank You For Caring about my Well-being, Little Miss,"
"Hey!" she bawled out, her cheeks red, "I'm not much younger than you, ya know."
"You've let your weird accent out again, Frida," Gabriel teased her.
"Hahahah…"
"Woah, Kyle, I've never seen you laugh since we got here," stated Frida, with a smile on her face.
"I wasn't, I just coughed a bit,"
"Yeah, sure, It was probably caused by the laugh virus," responded Frida, her eyes full of mischief.
Gabriel also burst into mirth. After, the trio continued to discuss around the fireplace.
********
"Up, Up and Awake You Dogs," Kaius commanded, hitting a gong to wake the slaves up.
"Aw man, this early in the morning," a half asleep Gabriel grumbled.
Kyle was already awake beside the two siblings, his eyes were surrounded by dark circles indicating his lack of sleep the night prior.
"Kyle, You didn't sleep again?, that's not good for you," Frida noted.
"Don't bother about me guys, I'm fine, Let's just see what that bastard Kaius wants with everyone so early,"
They got up and went towards the already gathered crowd and joined in their midst.
"Now Listen up, today, we'll be going on an expedition. Let's call it looking for shiny materials, some even worth more than you," Kaius spoke.
"Now. I'll be wanting some volunteers to come along with me yeah, and by volunteers I mean the dogs amongst you that I pick with my own hands,"
"Who knows, maybe I'll even set you free if you do well….."
"Kidding...Hehe, you are useful to me, why would I throw away even one of my tools just because it walks, talks and can also think?,"
"You two vile creatures, come out," he pointed at none other than Kyle and Gabriel.
The duo both hesitated, but they came out of the crowd and stood in front of them.
"Bring along that girl with you, she could carry luggage," he sneered.
"Sir, I beg your pardon, but she is frail and cannot do that kind of work," Gabriel interrupted.
"I decide what kind of work you dogs can and cannot do," Kaius walked towards Gabriel, slapped him and spat on his face
Immediately, Frida ran out from the crowd and towards her brother in a bid to try to calm the situation since it was her that Kaius called out for.
"Annoying brats…. Now you, you and you," he summoned some more slaves to join the three he had just called out.
"Okay that is good enough, Now we'll be leaving once it's noon, so prepare yourselves, You can go back to your mansions" he spoke while leaving their sight.
"Boss, nice joke," one of the men that followed him remarked.
"Yeah, made that one up, those dogs deserve a laugh from time to time, they have been helpful after all," Kaius replied with a snicker on his face.
******
"Outside this camp for once huh" Kyle thought to himself.
At that point, a hand touched his shoulder.
"Kyle, this would probably be your first time outside you know not being unconscious and all," Gabriel stated.
"I know man, thanks for reminding me,"
"Hey, I'm sorry Kyle, I stirred up bad memories didn't i?" he replied remorsefully
"Let's just get this over with and get back here." Kyle retorted.
"Yeah, Sure, It's gonna be a lot of hard work, but it's nothing we haven't done here,"
"Frida, make sure you stay close to me and carry as little luggage as you can, I'll carry the majority if I can," Gabriel stated, turning to his sister.
"Sure," she answered.