Rachel

Rachel woke tired the next morning, having stayed up far later than usual listening to Alice's stories. She'd been glad the signs of the old's woman's agitation before dinner completely vanished when she saw her again. In fact, as soon as she'd returned to eat, Alice had returned to her earlier uncharacteristic pleasantness, lavishing Rachel and the others with affection and attention that was rare. The meal she had prepared for dinner contained each and every one of Rachel's favorite treats. Though she was thoroughly full after finishing her plate, Rachel still had made room for the cookies and cider they enjoyed in the slave hall as all relaxed and chatted and played games.

But in spite of their evening revelry, Kathryn had still followed through on her promise to wake Rachel for the sunrise and she was glad for it. As Rachel and Kathryn quickly slipped on their boots and coats and snuck out past their sleeping companions they were just in time to watch the beautiful golden orb rise in the east, the sky splashed with a dazzling array of pinks and purples and oranges against a backdrop of soft white clouds, green grass, and majestic tree covered mountains in the far distance. Rachel snuggled close to her friend as they stood their in silence, combating the early morning chill with their own body heat, breath coming forth in small white puffs.

Once the sun had fully risen and the sky begun to clear away its vibrant painted glow to reveal another clear blue day, Rachel and Kathryn headed back inside to set a fire for the others to combat the cold as they rose, and to dress themselves properly. When Rachel had asked if she should come to the kitchens that morning however, Kathryn informed her of Alice's message. She was to help Magnus first before anything else. It was only then that Rachel remembered what Alice had told her before dinner. Magnus needed help with the sheep. It was for the best that he'd asked for her early, Rachel thought to herself. Better to get the unpleasant task over and done with. She set off for the hidden shed with no fear or trepidation.

Magnus was already there when she arrived. The tools for slaughter laid in their proper places. All but the knives. He always kept them hidden.

The animal must never see the knife.

Rachel walked into the shed and he closed the door behind her. But something was wrong. As her eyes scanned the room she saw no sign of a lamb. There was no soft bleating, no contented munching on hay, only silence. She hadn't seen any animals in the small paddock either.

"Where is the lamb?" she asked, turning to her master who stood by the door still.

He didn't answer.

"Alice said I was to come," she said. "That you asked for my help. That we must slaughter a lamb for tomorrow's meal." A slight prickle of fear began to travel along her skin as he continued to stare at her.

"Yes."

The realization hit Rachel like a hard punch to the stomach, her body turned to ice."I am the lamb," she said shakily. "Today is the day." She wanted him to deny it, but she knew he would not.

"Yes," he answered calmly.

Rachel felt her breath growing short in panic as he confirmed her worst fear. Her eyes flitted to the door then back to the sibla man blocking her exit.

"I..." she tried, looking for words that might save her. "No. No, please!" Her voice sounded so small as it echoed into the silence. So whiny and pitiful. A plea she knew instinctively he would not heed.

Magnus's expression was neutral as he stared at her, but his eyes radiated compassion. "But you have seen this done before, Rachel," he reminded her. "The end will be quick and painless, as I have always promised."

She nodded, tears slipping down her cheeks no further protests coming from her lips. He owned her life and always had. She'd just never really thought he would do it. He would kill her. He would slaughter her, consume her...

"Please don't cry," Magnus said, breaking in on her thoughts. "How many animals have you helped me ease into death? This will be no different."

But this time I will die, Rachel thought to herself. My blood will fill the bucket. My life will slip away...

"Have I done something wrong?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Of course not," he said gently. "You have done all I asked, and I have grown quite fond of you. But this is the purpose for which you were purchased."

As he began to walk towards her and Rachel backed away instinctively.

"I beg you not to fight," Magnus said, stopping his advance, a slight frown on his lips. "Not for my sake, but for your own. It will be so much easier for you if you will submit. I promise not to rush you, Rachel. This will take as long as it takes. But the sooner it is over, the sooner you will be free of this panic. These fears I see in your eyes, I will erase them for you quickly, if you will let me."

Rachel looked at the metal table on which she had seen so many other animals slaughtered. She did not want to go. She knew she could not escape.

"That's right," Magnus said, seeing where her gaze fell. "That is your fate. You knew it all along."

He was right. She had known it. She realized now that he had been preparing her. He might never have needed her aid with the sheep at all. He'd only wished to help her accept death upon that table. All of the effort she'd put into pleasing Alice, into surviving Torvald's reign as master. None of it had ever mattered. None of it had affected the truth she knew would find her eventually...

"What must I do?" she asked.

"Remove your clothes, Rachel, then lay down on the table."

Rachel knew there was no use resisting. He had been kind to her. Given her food and clothing and shelter. Months of life when she might otherwise have faced far more suffering.

As she slipped her dress from her shoulders Rachel could feel him watching her intently. Did he think she'd try to run? She'd never make it past him to the door. And even if she did, where would she go? It was as Alice had said all along. She was a slave. There was no life for her in this world outside of that her Master allowed.

"Very good," Magnus praised as she stood there fully exposed to him. Bare, like all other animals. "You're doing well, Rachel. This will all be over soon. Now I want you to lie down on the table."

Rachel hesitated.

"I won't do anything until you are ready," he assured her. "I promise."

Rachel nodded and climbed onto the table. Her body tensed as she watched him come towards her and she cringed as he reached out a hand to touch her shoulder.

"Shush," he soothed, stroking her hair comfortingly as he turned her on her side. "You know I would never hurt you." She nodded, tears leaking from her eyes afresh.

"I'm going to tie your hands and feet now, Rachel. It will ensure that you don't move suddenly and prevent me from making an accurate cut. I don't want you to experience any pain."

She nodded again, closing her eyes tight and biting her lower lip as he gently pulled her arms behind her back and began to wrap the rope around her wrists until she could no longer move them. He went to her legs next, bending her knees and tying her ankles as he had her wrists, before joining the ropes together. There was no escape now. She fought the urge to struggle against her restraints. Thought they were not uncomfortably tight, there was no question fighting against his skill was impossible.

    Rachel shivered as she felt Magnus's hands hold back her hair from her neck, tying it in a loose ponytail. Then his touch on her skin as he unclasped the necklace she wore.

    "Please give it to Kathryn," she said, tasting the salty water as it slipped from her eyes down the tip of her nose and onto her lips. "Tell her not to forget me."

    Magnus nodded and gave Rachel a small smile as he pocketed the necklace. "Of course," he answered kindly.

    "And Alice..." What could she say to Alice? The old woman who had been so cold and caring all at the same time. The woman who she knew had protected her but now allowed her to die. Who had taken away her chance to run, but had kept her as happy as she could...

"Tell her..." Rachel tried again. "Thank her for me." She would never get the chance to give that thanks herself. To say goodbye to her, to Kathryn, to all the others.

    "I will," he replied. "You will not be forgotten, Rachel. I promise you that."

    Was it the truth? Rachel wondered. She wanted to believe it. There was nothing more to hope for after all. Not now...

    Magnus must have sensed her fears. He crouched down so that their eyes met and laid his hand atop her bound ones in reassurance. She could see the compassion and sincerity in his gaze.

    "I will make certain that your gift is received," he said, wiping away her fresh tears with a clean white cloth he pulled from his pocket. "And I can assure you Alice knows already knows of your gratitude. There is nothing more to worry about now, Rachel. All you need to do is relax."

    Rachel managed to nod, trying to find comfort in his words. She knew he was no monster. That he meant what he said. Though he stood there, preparing to take her life, Rachel knew she trusted him to do as he promised.

"Are you uncomfortable?" he asked as he stood and placed a comforting hand on her arm.

The hard metal beneath Rachel's body dug into her shoulder. But he was right, it would be over soon.

"Not so uncomfortable, Master," she answered, trying to steady her voice.

"It's all right," he said kindly. "You needn't lie." Magnus came behind her and stroked her hair again. "I can feel the tension in your body. Close your eyes and breath deeply. Think of something beautiful, something peaceful."

Rachel felt her body responding to his gentle touch as he massaged her shoulders and arms until she truly did begin to relax into the table, the discomfort lessening by the moment. Her eyes felt heavy and slowly fluttered shut.

"Where is the knife?" Rachel asked, panicking as his hand fell over their closed lids. She tried to open them again, but could see nothing but blackness, the skin of his palm blocking all else. She knew what came next.

Magnus did not fight her as she tensed and tried to pull away but he did not remove his hand from her shoulder nor her eyes.

"You will never see it," he answered, voice calm and smooth, "just as we never allowed the lambs to see it." He loosed his hand on her shoulder once she relaxed slightly, and began to stroke her hair again. "Be assured it is true. Sharpened so that it might bring no pain, only swift release. Sleep now. It will come and when it does, it will be as nothing more than a passing breath before the end. Relax."

Rachel sighed deeply, closing her eyes against the warm palm of his hand, allowing her body to once again fully settle onto the table. She imagined the grassy hill she loved so much, staring out at the crystal clear lake. How she'd lay there just yesterday. How the sun had shone down on her. How pleasant its soft warmth was on her skin. She remembered how the sweet smell of grass and crisp fall air had filled her senses, how the sparkle of the light danced across the placid water. It was so much like the lake and field she'd loved so much in Demin, back when her mother and father were still alive. Back before her new home and new family. Back when she was free... Lost in her memories Rachel could feel her own breath slowing. She tried not to think of anything but that hill, even as she felt his fingers move from her head and shoulders to gently stroke her throat.

"Good," he praised. "Very good."