Chapter4: An Unexpected Partner

When the bell rang, Falaar was trying to wrench his axe free of the log. He pulled at the handle, but the log shifted with it until the worker beside him reached over and held it steady.
"Pull now."
Falaar freed the axe, then stood catching his breath.
"Put it back, then go and eat," the worker said. "The food is by that door."
Falaar followed him, the chain dragging between his feet. At the storehouse, he was given a bowl of soup and a piece of bread. He sat on a log near the wall and tried to break the bread, but the raw skin on his palm stung.
The worker sat beside him.
"Soak it in the soup. It'll be easier."
Falaar dipped one end into the soup and began to eat. The worker was a young man, with sawdust caught in his hair and sleeves. He ate quickly, then leaned forward to gather the crumbs that had fallen onto his clothes.
After a while, Falaar said, "I didn't catch your name."
The young man looked up.
"Ornstein. Yours?"
"Falaar."
Ornstein nodded.
"Good to meet you, lad."
Then he went back to his meal.
Falaar kept looking out over the yard. At the gate, he saw a guard securing it with a chain.
"Do they lock it every night?" Falaar asked.
"Every night."
"How long does it stay shut?"
"Until they take us out to work in the morning."
Falaar lowered his gaze to his bowl.
"Did you arrive today?" Ornstein asked.
"Yes."
"From the market?"
Falaar nodded. "Yes, from the market."
He moved the piece of bread through the soup, then said, "My sister was with me."
Ornstein's hand went still for a moment.
"Did Maron buy her too?"
"No. A man named Eldric did. I heard them say he's taking her to Vernas."
Falaar looked at Ornstein.
"Do you know him?"
Ornstein shook his head.
Falaar waited a moment, then finished what was left in his bowl.
As they stood, he nearly tripped over the chain. Ornstein caught him by the elbow and held him until he regained his balance, then let go.
"Take shorter steps. You'll hurt your ankles if you keep pulling against it."
They went into the sleeping quarters together. Straw lay along the walls, with rough blankets piled on top. Ornstein pointed to a space beside his bedding.
"You can sleep here."
Falaar sat down slowly and stretched out his legs. Exhaustion weighed on him, but he kept watching the door until the guard closed it.
Beside him, Ornstein said, "Wake me if you need anything. If you want water, it's behind you."
Falaar turned to him and nodded.
"All right. Thank you."