Finding Love and Family

All too soon the sun had risen, and people started to bustle around the village square causing Matthew to awaken quite suddenly. So suddenly, that he momentarily forgot where he was and bashed his head against the pole he was leaning on, shaking the whole whipping line.“Hey, not how I wanted to be awoken”Sam said laughing. With a smile on her face Matthew thought Sam looked beautiful. “Good morning Sam, how are your arms?” Matthew asked. “Tired and sore. They will be even worse once I'm taken down at sunset today and put in the stocks for the night. “Wait?!? Your punishment doesn't end this morning?!?”Matthew said surprised. “Nope, it gets worse.” Came Sam's reply. As Matthew got up he couldn't imagine how much worse it could get. “How?” He asked. “Well, this morning Lord Bose will come back, have me stripped down to nothing and whipped another few times or so. Then, after I am in the stocks tonight he likes to come back, when everyone is asleep and have his way with me.”Sam responded. “And this happens every time?” Matthew continued asking. “Not every time, but every time this month. I told you he was cruel. Tomorrow he will make me walk home through the square naked. I wish it ended there, but once I get home I will be beaten, sent to the kitchen, and forced to work...probably with the shackles again.” Sam added sadly. “Good God!” The shock on Matthew's face and in his words could not be hidden. Then he noticed Lord Bose returning and took three steps away from the whipping line towards the people in the square to give Sam and himself some distance. As Lord Bose got closer to the platform Matthew heard him yell to two Brutes walking behind him. “Strip her down completely and get her ready for her lashing.” Immediately the Brutes ran ahead and got to work stripping Sam of the last of her coverings she had on, her undergarments. Sam didn't even fight the men and Matthew, having turned to face Sam, had to hold back the shock he felt when he saw Sam completely naked. She was no more than skin and bone with a bloated belly. “How has she survived? Matthew wondered to himself, she is barely more than fifty pounds at best, only her pregnant belly shows any sign of health. Holding his mouth closed Matthew turned around to face the now growing crowd of spectators and started to get to work keeping them away from the platform. “Back up please! Keep away from the platform! Keep some distance please!” He shouted as he patrolled the edge. Lord Bose stepped on to the platform and gestured to a nearby Brute who, Matthew saw, held a whip in one hand. Matthew then watched Lord Bose go up to Sam, grab her hair and pull her head back whispering something in her ear. Sam's face went ashen, and her eyes closed, but other than that she had no other reaction. Lord Bose smiled deviously and stepped forward announcing to the crowd,“Upon further investigation it has been found that this slave has been running a ring of thievery and shall be further punished by fifty lashes and a day on the line.”Matthew saw the Brute step forward and swing the first time. Though Sam's body moved, and there was a sharp intake of air, Sam did not make any other sound. Matthew suspected that this infuriated Lord Bose by the very look on his face and the smile dropping to a scowl. Still, Lord Bose did nothing further, and Matthew could not watch Sam get whipped past that first lash, it hurt his heart too much. Once fifty lashes had been administered Lord Bose and the Brutes started off the platform, and Matthew could hold his peace no more, “Lord Bose, should the prisoner be naked like this all day?” he called out. Lord Bose turned around and stomped up to Matthew. “Who are you? I don't recognize you as one of Captain Fox's men?”Hesitating Matthew thought quickly. “I just came back from the King's Guard sir and was hired by Captain Fox yesterday since my credentials are high.” “Well, then soldier...for your information, the nakedness of the prisoner is part of her punishment. At sunset Captain Fox will arrive to put her in the stocks and at dawn tomorrow she will be hung until she is dead. I am done with her mutinous ways.” Matthew's mouth felt like cotton, and he had to swallow hard before addressing Lord Bose again. “Very well, sir. Thank you.” And Matthew finished by saluting Lord Bose. “At ease soldier, keep an eye on this slave...it will be her last day alive.” Lord Bose said as he turned back around and stomped back off the platform and headed back to his manor. It was only after Lord Bose had turned the corner out of the Village square and Matthew saw that the crowd had dispersed did he dare to look at Sam again. She was shaking violently, and he could see tears falling onto her naked form. Walking up to Sam, Matthew reached out with his hand and touched her shoulder. “GO, AWAY MATTHEW!”Sam shouted and then her voice fell as she continued, “or else you could find yourself with the same fate.”And her sobbing grew louder. “I will not let you die, Sam”Matthew replied thinking to himself, Dean, where are you? Matthew stepped away and Sam turned to look at him, asking,“and how, pray tell, do you plan on keeping me from the hang man's noose Matthew...you're just a guard...probably working for Lord Bose for all I know.” “I have a plan, Sam. I just hope it will work.” Matthew replied, dropping his voice slightly at the end.