So...Magnus's visitor made an offer in the last chapter that would spell the end for Rachel. Did Magnus take it? What effect on the other characters will it have if he does! Last week of posting people. You ready? I'm going to be leaving minimal/no authors notes at the ends of these chapters to just let them flow. I would LOVE to hear your thoughts though and, of course, votes are always greatly appreciated :-)

---------

Magnus

Magnus was dismayed to see the girl by Alice's side as he approached. It had taken him three days to work up the courage to seek her with his news and he'd hoped to find her alone. But the young one spent a good deal of time with Alice. It should not have been so surprising that he was unlikely to catch them apart during the day.

He took a deep breath to strengthen his resolve. The contract was already drawn up. Fin had purchased an assortment of meat including lamb, pork, and chicken breasts, but the roast human veal would be the main centerpiece of the festive meal. He had already seen and selected the animal. There was no going back now.

    As he grew closer Magnus was surprised to see a small hint of a frown grace Alice's lips before she forced a muted smile to her face in greeting. Did she somehow know already? He'd always been amazed at her ability to read other people, as if she could see into their minds.

    "Master," she said as she stopped before him. "I did not expect to see you until dinner."

    Magnus nodded stiffly. "I have business I must discuss with you," he said. "I don't think it can wait any longer."

    The forced smile did not leave her lips as she nodded. "Of course," she answered. "Rachel you may run along and play. I believe our Master wished to speak with me alone. "

    "Shall I come and help you finish with the chores in the kitchen later?" the girl asked. Alice shook her head. "Kathryn and I can mange. You have done very well today and deserve a rest."

    The girl grinned widely.

    "Thank you, Alice!" she exclaimed.

Magnus found himself pursing his lips against the immense wave of guilt that washed over him. The young human was so happy. So entirely ignorant. He found his resolve wavering again in spite of the signed contract he knew sat in his desk drawer, locked away so that even Alice might not discover it. It had cemented the truth days ago. He was not going to change his mind. But could he really break the news to Alice? He wasn't certain his lips would allow the words to come forth.

    "She has grown nicely," he commented, trying to think how he might broach the subject. "Strong and healthy." And well filled out, though he didn't say so aloud. Gone were the jutting ribs and sunken cheeks. In their stead was a soften body, rounded and well fed. And the fear. That had greatly dissipated as well. Alice had done well. It was not surprising Fin had taken note of the young creature.

    "It's time isn't it?" Alice asked, though it didn't seem to be a question. "You will not keep her through another winter."

    Magnus could not quite tell if it was relief or guilt he felt coursing through him at her words. He had not needed to break the news as he's feared. Alice had already guessed it. But how long had she sat with her knowledge? he wondered. How long had he left her in suffering due to his own cowardice? He shook his head in reply to her question.

    "No," Magnus said. "I will not."

    He watched as Alice nodded, staring after the girl running up the hill in the distance, so carefree.

    "How did you know?" he asked.

    "You always have that same expression," Alice answered. "I know when you plan to slaughter. The guilt shows in your face each and every time you prepare to give me such news. But the girl is nearing maturity. I have expected this for some time now."

    Magnus could hear the sorrow in her voice though she was masking it admirably.

    "I had planned not to harvest any this season and wait for spring," he said, somehow desperate to give explanation. To make her understand why the decision was necessary though he was certain she already did. "They have all been through so much. Having bought none at market this spring there seemed no need to take any more. We have resources enough to keep all of the humans till the thaw. But Rachel...

    "I know," Alice said, cutting him off. "It is as you have said is it not? You never intended her to reach maturity. If you wait much longer you risk losing your investment."

    He did not answer. Somehow the explanation seemed almost hollow coming from Alice's lips. Wrong. But this was his business. He'd made that decision long ago.

    "When?" she asked.

    "Not long," he answered. The buyer's request is for the fifth of next month. There are other animals included in the order that must be processed as well and I have hired aid given the number. I will take care of the human first."

    A look of genuine surprise appeared in Alice's expression. "Buyer?" she asked. "Then there is already a contract drawn up?"

    Magnus looked away as guilt washed over him. She was hurt. He should have told her. But how could he have done so when he knew the effect the news would have had on her. He knew what had to be done and could not have handled it if she had begged him to change his mind, as unlikely as that may have been. After all she had never interfered with his business before. But he'd fear that the connection between her dead child and Rachel was just too much.

    "I'm sorry," he said. "Perhaps I should have told you before now. I just..." he stopped. "I wanted to spare you the news as long as possible. I plan to take care of the animal before the end of next week."

    Alice only nodded in response. Her gaze remained fixed in the distance as if staring after Rachel still, though the girl was nowhere in sight now.

    "You know I would not have kept this from you, don't you, Alice? I am telling you now."

    "Of course," she said, still not meeting his gaze. "That aspect of your business is none of mine after all."

    They stood awkwardly in silence for a moment longer. Magnus wondered what he might do to comfort his friend. He wished she would speak. Share with him her feelings, her anger, her sorrow. But Alice's face had become expressionless again with no hint of her true thoughts visible on her stoic facade.

    "Be kind to her, Magnus," she said finally. "Gentle. She will submit, but you must be patient. Promise me you will try to end her life without force."

    He nodded. "I always do so."

    "And it must be you alone who handles the task. She trusts you now, but the presence of any other will terrify her."

    "Of course," he assured her."You know I take the slaughter of any creature in my care very seriously and there are few, aside from myself, that I trust to handle such matters."

    "You have used outside help before," she countered, a hint of concern creeping through a crack in her stoicism. "You already said you hired others to complete the order."

    "I promise I will not allow any other in her case," he answered, trying to allay her fears. "The animal is a small thing. I will hardly need aid even if she resists. But as you said, I suspect Rachel will not put up much fight."

    Alice sighed. "There is still so much life left within her..."

    As the woman trailed off Magnus wondered if she might plea for him to reconsider and spare the child even now. He had prepared for the possibility, though he was resolved not to change his mind. This could not become an emotional issue. Rachel was an animal, livestock like all the rest. It was not economically sound to feed and cloth her longer than necessary and as she grew, she would only require more resources. Moreover, the contract was already agreed upon. He held his breath, ready to defend what he knew was inevitable. But in the end, Alice remained quiet, offering no protest at all.

    "I have work to do," she said finally. "Kathryn will need help with dinner."

    As Alice turned away, Magnus caught her wrist and she turned back to him.

    "Do you want to know?" he asked. "When I set the date? If you would prefer to remain ignorant I could."

    "No," she said cutting him off. "I want to be told. I couldn't bear it if...I have to know."

    He nodded. "And will you tell her?"

    Alice shook her head. "I don't believe so. The knowledge would do Rachel no good and only serve to mar her remaining time with fear. But I will make her final day special, even if she is ignorant that it is her last. You must tell me to ensure I can do that for her at least. It is what the child deserves."

    Magnus nodded once more in understanding.

    Alice pulled on her wrist slightly and Magnus loosed his grip. He'd forgotten that he was still holding on to her at all. Maybe because he feared to let her go. Because he feared that in announcing Rachel's death he might have finally severed the friendship they had held for so many years.

    "Dinner will be ready at eight as usual," she said, her gaze lowering slightly so that it did not meet his.

    Magnus wanted to grab her again. To pull her into a fierce embrace and pour out all of his concerns and beg her to forgive him for everything. For having brought young creature to the estate in the first place, for having forced her to grow close to the child, for ending Rachel's life...but instead he let her walk away, watching as she turned towards the main house and set off at a pace that made it clear she did not wish to be followed.

-------