Draco's quest

9. Volga is wrong

Draco pov

The rest of the day was better than the start of the day. I noticed that the brightness of the sun never dimmed in this world. It was as bright as the middle of the day the whole time. So that could only mean that the sun never set. What a strange world. 

After the day was over, I was allowed to retreat to my room. My resting place. My haven, where I could finally take a break from being pushed around and yelled at. As soon as I closed the door, I let out a huge breath of relief, which I didn’t know I was holding back. I smiled when I saw a set of fresh clothes folded and kept aside.

Yes! New clothes! Now I can get rid of this tattered shirt. I took the collarless shirt like outfits and stared at them gleefully. It was plain and far from the likes of what I used to wear, but still, I was as excited as a little child receiving his birthday present. There were four sets of those, which I thought was more than enough. I wouldn’t be allowed to change throughout the day anyway. 

After freshening up, I lied down on my best, hoping to get some sleep before Volga started to scream at me once again. I must keep in mind that I was allowed just 4 hours of sleep. Sighing to myself, I turned to one side. At least, tonight, I was able to retreat to my room earlier than last night. Let’s hope that I manage to get enough rest. 

I was extremely exhausted by my hectic routine. As soon as I lied down, my eyelids got heavy and I dozed off to dreamland.

I found myself in a green meadow. I was holding a heavy sword in my right hand. What was I doing? I never owned a sword! But I was confident of myself. My eyes were focused as a sly smirk played on my lips. 

I lifted the sword skillfully and mimicked the actions of the skilful warriors I saw today. With every move, I felt empowered, confident and a power surge within myself. Suddenly the atmosphere changed. The clear blue sky quickly got cloudy, and soon, the magical pink and gold-tinted swirls of clouds disappeared behind dark and grey ones. The wind speed increased and it seemed as if there was going to be a storm. 

Narrowing my eyes, in an attempt to protect it from the dust flying in the air, I shielded my eyes with my left hand while I held on to my sword with all my might. I closed my eyes for some time because the wind was too strong for me and when I opened them, there was a dark figure standing right in front of me. 

I furrowed my eyebrows at the figure, who looked big and strong. Was he an enemy? I wondered still trying to figure out who this possibly could be. But his features were hidden. He looked like a shadow. However, I was certain that this person, whoever it was, meant trouble. 

Ignoring the change in atmosphere, I got ready to attack. Or at least protect me from any harm. He slowly moved forward, making it easier for me to see his features. To my utter shock, he looked like something out of a horror movie. 

His facial skin looked as if it was rotting, while his eyes were wide open with no eyelids. There was no nose, just two holes. 

“Oh gross. You look hideous!” I exclaimed. 

He started to laugh. An animalistic, ugly laugh that made me cringe.

“Hideous you say? What about this?” he roared and ripped his clothes off, revealing the bulging muscles of his body and perfect 6 pack abs. 

“Still, gross,” I responded with confidence. 

“One day that damned mouth of yours will get you in trouble lad!” he boomed and lifted the sledgehammer he was holding.

My eyes widened and skilfully made a backflip, avoiding his attack. 

“You cannot defeat me lad!” he screamed and advanced at me once again and this time, I made sure the tip of my sword was aimed at his chest. 

I woke up, sweating and gasping for breath. That was a dream? Wow! I fought against a...... freaky monster! I got up and looked around. Did I wake up early? But I was no longer sleepy. So I freshened up and dressed for the day, thinking about my dream the whole time.

That was freaking awesome! I tried to mimic the swordsmen’s actions, still inspired by what I had seen in my dream and for the first time since I got trapped here, I felt lively. This was just so cool. I stopped when I thought I heard footsteps outside and as expected, Volga barged in and ordered me to start the day. 

I followed him, and this time, I had a whole new resolution made in my heart. I was going to watch those knights in action and learn whatever I could from them.  

Days passed by and I got used to my daily routine. With time, I started to learn how to cook their food without any help and be witty enough to avoid being punished unnecessarily. However, Volga would try his best to find fault and do something. At least throw an insult or a curse in my direction.

The dream I saw that day lingered in my memory for a long time. Oh, how I wish I actually could fight back like that. If only I also could train like the Knights of this kingdom.

Every day, I watched their knights train. It was such a sight to see. Them moving in perfect synchronization was just mesmerising to watch. It made me forget my problems in this magical world for a brief moment.

Unknown to everyone else, I continued to mimic their movements in my room every night. I felt that I was getting better at it, however, I knew that it was not a match to them, since I didn’t possess any special magical powers as they did. And I didn’t even have a sword to practice with. Nonetheless, making those movements made me feel alive. If only I could have a weapon to practice with.

The only weapons I was allowed to handle were the kitchen knives and that too when I’m making food. Another thing was I barely ate. I was not given a proper meal. But I managed to avoid starvation and hunger by gobbling down scraps of food and leftovers. Perhaps it was a good thing that I had to do the dishes. 

A month passed by, which felt more like an eternity. And once again, I was summoned to see the king. I know I had lost a considerable amount of weight due to a lack of food, but I tried my best to stay energetic. I didn’t want to be beaten up again just because I was unable to complete my tasks. 

I kept my eyes fixed on the ground, knowing my place in this world. A month in this world has taught me how to survive and not get beaten up. That doesn’t mean I didn’t have to bear insults daily. That was a normal thing for me. I have pushed around, picked on and insulted, no matter how well the job was done. 

“I think you are doing a good job keeping this slave Volga.” Said the queen. 

I wanted to roll my eyes. The f**k! 

“But why does he look so weak now?” she questioned, surprising me. 

Huh? Why in the world does she even care? 

“Yes. This slave seems to be pretty active and good at work. Not to mention obedient. I wonder if he gets a good meal at least once a day.” Came the king’s voice 

Ha! I smirked inwardly. Does this put Volga in trouble? I didn’t know.

“I.....he does eat......” Volga stammered. 

“No. Does he get a good meal? A filling meal at least once a day?” the king repeated his question, this time sounding a little stern. 

“Let’s ask him, papa.” Came the melodious voice of the angel who had to save some several times already. 

I heard a throat clearing. 

“Slave, what did you eat last night?” he asked. 

I gulped. “Leftovers and scraps of food after your grace had finished eating, your highness,” I answered, my heart thumping loudly in my chest. 

“And what did you have for lunch and breakfast?” he asked, sounding a little softer than he used to. 

“I.....it is always the same as your highness ever since I came here,” I replied meekly and chewed on my lower lip anxiously. 

I could feel an awkward silence in the grand room. I kept my eyes lowered, daring not to look up at anyone. 

“Volga. Don’t you ask him to take food for himself? All he eats is scraps of food?” the queen questioned. She sounded genuinely concerned. 

Wow. These people sure are funny. They sentence me to a million years of hard labour, e*****e me, appoint a rude and harsh person over me who forces me to overwork with little rest and give me no food at all, except the scraps of food I chomp down and now they are concerned that he doesn’t ask me to eat? Weird.

“I....” I could sense Volga taking a deep breath.

“Your highness, he is a mere slave. He doesn’t need too much food.” He bluntly stated. “He must be punished. He was the one found trespassing in our territory, and he is our slave your majesty. Why should we feed him too much? He does have enough to stay alive.” He replied.

Once again, there was a pause. I couldn’t determine how they looked since I was still keeping my eyes fixed on the ground. I wonder what the king’s verdict would be. He might as well say that Volga was right. They were not fair in anything, anyway. They just did whatever they pleased. 

“No. Volga. That is where you are wrong.” He stated, in a deep solemn voice, that it made my skin crawl with goosebumps.