Magnus

With summer fully upon them, the weather was bright and cheerful. Not yet uncomfortably warm. The spring rains heralded a promising fall harvest and already and corn and tomatoes were coming up quite nicely, the berries plentiful. Alice would have plenty of fruit to bake a few of her famous pies for him to bring to Torvald's summer festivities.

It was an annual tradition on the Kendrick estate, a summer event to celebrate with the entire family and all of their friends. Though always a pleasant respite from work, planning a trip away for more than a day required a certain amount of preparation. Magnus was glad that he had attempted to work with the youngest of his humans before he departed. Having seen for himself Rachel's clear adjustment to her new home, Magnus felt safer leaving her alone.

Though Alice had always been quite efficient at handling his human flock, Magnus knew that his own presence was a further deterrent for any of the animals to step out of line. But with Rachel thriving and the others seeming to have avoided any sort of direct retaliation for the early harvest of two of their own, Magnus felt confident that his trip could go ahead as planned.

When Alice came to meet him to go over his instruction for the estate in his absence however, Magnus was surprised to feel a distinct coldness emanating from her. It was strange. She had seemingly been acting more herself of late. They'd even enjoyed at least one pleasant dinner together the previous week. He wondered what might have changed. Or perhaps he was only imagining things...

"You asked for me?" Alice said, voice flat as she closed the door of his office and locked it as she always did.

"I did," he answered. "I just had a few more things I wished to discuss with you before I set out for my brother's estate."

"Of course."

Magnus gestured to the chair across from him and Alice sat, though he was almost certain he detected her reticence to do so.

"I was hoping to bring a few pies for his guests," he said, trying to maintain a jovial spirit in hopes he was misjudging her affect. "Could that be arraigned by tomorrow afternoon before I set out?"

Alice nodded. "Katherine and I can start the dough this evening and have an assortment ready by noon."

"Wonderful," Magnus said with a smile. "Torvald may boast a larger estate and staff, but even he knows none can rival your culinary prowess, and your pies are always the highlight of the feast."

"I am glad to hear it," she replied, though she did not return his smile. "Was there anything else?"

Her tone was impatient. Was she already trying to leave his presence? Perhaps his sense that she was acting oddly again was not merely paranoia.

"I was in fact going to ask that question of you, Alice," he answered. "I will only be gone for a few days of course, but is there anything you might need? With the lamb and the early vegetable harvest you are adequately stocked yes?"

"I would tell you if I was not," she replied.

Silence fell between them.

"And there is nothing I should know about?" Magnus pressed. Surely something was motivating this ill temper. He hated when she closed herself to him like this. He could hardly remedy whatever was bothering her if she would not disclose the source of her foul mood. "Your flock is well?"

"As well as ever."

"And the child," Magnus prompted.

"What about her?" this time Alice's change in affect was even more apparent. Her voice hard, her face tight.

"She's doing well," Magnus said, still puzzled by her hostility. He was pleased with her work. She had admirably helped the child integrate in such a short period of time. A task he knew must have been difficult. "Already she seems happier, a bit less nervous. You are to be commended for that."

Alice's prickly demeanor only intensified.

"Ha," she scoffed. "Rachel may be doing better, but the girl has a long way to go. She is still a frightened skittish creature."

"Did I tell you she actually volunteered to help me with the second two animals the other day?" Magnus said pushing past the bite in her words to provide her more assurance that his optimism was well founded. "I gave her the choice to leave and she asked to stay."

Perhaps Alice was right that the child was still adjusting, but he had been glad to see Rachel's progress in acclimating to her new home. Why could his friend not simply accpet the compliment?

"Yet it was all I could to get her to eat two bites of her dinner after your little "experiment"," Alice snapped, frown plastered on her lips. "And she tossed and turned the entire night. The experience traumatized her." She shook her head in frustration. "If you truly want her to recover will take time, Magnus. Let me handle the girl at my own pace and do not subject her to any more such trials to test her obedience. Don't you dare expect me to rush that child towards death."

Magnus was entierly taken aback by the hostility of her tone and her words. "Is that what you think?" he asked. "That I am trying to see her ready for slaughter as soon as possible? It's not true. You know me better than that. I only wished to assuage her fears."

"Six months to a year for fattening, that's what you said."

He frowned, still confused by the harshness of her demeanor. "If I said that than I was hasty," he answered. "There is no rush. The child is young still, and with both Judith and Sarah gone, we can afford to feed her longer. I care about that girl. I want her to be happy here."

"Why?" Alice asked, her anger no less. "Why should you care at all? You've never shown so much interest in any of the others. Besides, she is in my care now."

Magnus felt his frustration mounting at her attitude, confusion giving way to anger. 

"Of course she is in your care," he answered, "but that does not mean I cannot take interest in Rachel's wellbeing. She belongs to me after all. You yourself told me how frightened she remains of my presence. That works in neither of our favor. I wish of every animal I own to trust me."

"Your other animals trust you because they are ignorant," Alice answered. "Your slaves respect the power you hold over them, but there is no trust between humans and sibla. Every one of your girls knows you will one day end their lives. Were you so naive as to believe otherwise? To think that they forget the truth? That you own them completely?"

His frustration only increased. He knew what she said was true. That was the challenge in farming humans. They were far more self-aware than any other livestock. But he'd always striven to alleviate the fear his slaves might have of him. He'd done everything he could to ensure that their lives under his care were happy. That they had everything they might need to be content.

As for Rachel, the child had known only cruelty from the sibla who had taken her from her home. He'd been certain she would warm to him if she could see he truly did have the best interest of his animals at heart.

"You told me you agreed with my method to desensitize her to her fears," Magnus said, trying to keep his tone in check. "You have suggested in the past that such exposure can mitigate the trauma these girls have experienced."

"I hardly said I agreeded," she replied. "And only once did I suggest such a method of acclamation might prove beneficial. I certainly would not have advised it for a traumatized child like Rachel. But you are Master here and I could hardly protest when you told me what you were considering."

Magnus felt his anger growing. He had asked her opinion on the subject. If she had had such strong objections she should have spoken.

"Then you contend that my efforts had no positive effect?" he challenged.

Alice sighed, her expression relaxing slightly. "I will admit it is likely she felt somewhat calmed to see how you handle your animals. But be careful how far you push the child. She nearly broke down last night in the kitchen staring at the fruits of your labor. The fact that you may one day kill her is a burden her mind will not expel. She still greatly fears the end."

"As do all who can comprehend the nature of life and death I suppose," Magnus answered.

"Not I," Alice answered. "Truly I have faced death so many times, the concept no longer phases me. I am surprised I have made it this long and recognize I should be dead one hundred times over. Perhaps you should keep the girl and end my life instead."

"How can you say such a thing!" Magnus felt a new burst of anger overtake him at her words.  "Are you so unhappy Alice that you would trade your life away that easily?"

"I have less life left than that child and far less desire for it. I might be willing to make that exchange if I thought it a viable one."

Magnus stared at her incredulous. She couldn't possibly mean what she said now. How could she be so ungrateful? How could she even consider leaving him so easily!

"I would never let you make such a choice," he said adamantly.

"I know," Alice replied with a small sigh. "You are no different than my previous master in that respect, and I have little choice but to abide. Besides," she added, "as long as you keep human slaves, I feel obligated to protect them. To look after their wellbeing."

Magnus frowned, overcome with frustration, his body tensing with rage. Hadn't he worked hard enough for her happiness? Hadn't he done everything for her he possibly could? For all of his human flock?

He had acquiesced to every one of her demands, provided comfort for his humans well beyond what any other sibla farmer might ever consider. All of this he had done for her. He'd given Alice respect and care and kindness. He'd come to see her as a friend!

Now she dared compare him to the monstrous man who had owned her for more than twenty-five years? She dared imply that she was anything other than a willing participant in his business? That he had somehow forced her into her role?

"I'm tired," Alice said, ignoring the fury he was certain must be visible on his face. "I do not wish to discuss the child anymore. Tomorrow I intend to move her with the others. She does not need my constant supervision any longer. If your little experiment proved anything it is that her obedience is enough that I am certain she won't run when given the chance. Judith and Sarah's beds are free now in any case. The friendship she has established with Kathryn will help as well. My assistant is more than equipped to watch out for her."

"Are you certain this is wise?" he asked, so surprised by this new information he was temporarily distracted from his anger. "Will she truly be safe with them?"

Magnus immediately regretted the question as Alice shot him a nasty glare.

"I will not be challenged," she answered sharply. "You have given me leave to look after your human stock and I have done so for thirty years now. Unless you intend to revoke my position, stay out of my affairs. In any case, I believe distance is best for all of us at present. Do your job and I will do mine. If anything happens to Rachel as a result of my decision, feel free to take it out me. In fact, I dare you to do so."

Rage filled him as it never had before. He wanted to strike her for her insolence, her continued ingratitude. Magnus's hands clenched tightly by his sides.

"Leave," he said. "Leave now before you force me to do something I will regret." Alice seemed entirely unaffected by the threat.

"You can control yourself, Magnus," she answered icily as she rose from her chair. "Don't pretend you cannot. But I will go. I think neither of us should be testing our tempers at present. Perhaps it is best that you are leaving for your brother's estate. Maybe you should stay away for a few extra days in fact. I know I certainly need my space."

She was out of the door before he could even respond, leaving Magnus simmering in his anger, the sound of the slammed door echoing in his ears.

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So...Things still seem to be a bit rough between Magnus and Alice. She got in some low blows in this fight. What did you think of the scene? Of Alice's anger? What's bothering her so specifically?? Magnus has had this business for a long time. Alice has helped him with it. So what has changed? Magnus doesn't seem to know but he is getting a bit peeved at Alice's attitude...:-/ Wonder what this division between them means for the story going forward...

Next chapter will be Magnus's pov again and you will finally have the chance to meet a character from the past in the present. On Monday Magnus will journey to Torvald's estate. Wonder what that will be like....;-) As always, any thoughts/critique/comments are greatly appreciated. And if you liked the chapter don't forget to click the star to vote! <3