Chapter Nineteen: The Plan
“Bad things happen.”
“How bad?”
“Very bad. Once, I heard a lady was caught stealing food that was meant for the alpha king because she was too greedy and had a rather too full bag.”
“What happened to her?”
“We never heard from her again. Some said she was sent away. But we all know the truth. The Alpha King is ruthless and merciless and he does not condone stealing.”
“Oh shit.”
“Yeah, I have learnt to manage whatever food I am given. I might be a slave but I still want to live. Maybe I will see my family again someday if I am ever set free.”
“I haven’t had any food to eat in two days. With the level of the tedious work we do here. I don’t know if I will be able to survive till tomorrow without proper food.”
“So what’s the plan?”
“I would have to go up to the kitchen. If there is a passage in the dungeon as you claimed, then I would have to find it and leave to the kitchen before anyone notices I am gone. I am not greedy, I just want to feed myself and what’s growing in me, so we don’t have to starve.”
“But that is risky especially for someone in your condition.”
“I have no condition. Look, if I don’t get that food I would not survive for another day’s job so either way I would be dead. I need this. I feel happy that you would share this with me, I was just planning on what nuts to eat. At least it would be better than whatever meal that was served here. All I need you to do for me is to help me find that wall.”
“What about the key, how would you get it? It never leaves the head guard’s sight.”
“Leave that for me. Just show me this wall and I would do the rest. Hopefully, I will sleep a happy woman tonight filled with good food.”
Just as the other slave lady had promised, she pointed towards an area as we moved away from the rest for the slaves avoiding the attention of the guards that stood around.
“That should be it. Like I said earlier, they are just rumours that I have heard. I don’t know how true but I have seen the evidence. Just be careful and avoid being caught. And if for any reason you are caught please do not mention me.”
“C’mon I get that. I am not a snitch, this is all me. Thank you.”
As soon as she departed, I knew I needed to get that key somehow. There was no way I would get close to the head guard without putting out a drama. I moved past the guards that were in between their little chit-chat.
“Hey, where do you think you are heading to?” I heard the voice of one of the guards as I passed by just as I had predicted. I ignored his words and moved forward.
“You will not ignore me or you will be punished.”
“I am sorry but I really need to use the restroom. The little human in me seems to be a little bigger now pressing down my bladder every time.”
I headed towards the exit not heeding to their words as usual, a wave of tranquillity covered the space. I only heard my footsteps at first and then the thumping from behind which was the unmistakable rhythm of approaching footsteps. A thrill of uneasiness tightened its hold down my throat which urged me to quicken my pace.
Suddenly halting, I clutched my abdomen, a sudden ripple of discomfort coursing through me. Snorts involuntarily fled my lips as the pain intensified, turning every step into a struggle.
“What’s wrong with her?” I heard one of the guards say.
At first it was all an act but then, it was as though the world around me blurred as I wrestled with the pulsing hurt.
“Help! ” I managed to say.
“What’s wrong with her?”
I let myself fall to the ground as they approached me trying to take me up, Just then I sighted the swinging key from the edge of his pants.
“It hurts, it hurts so much,” I grunted but even with the act, I did not let the keys out of my sight. Then just like any trickster act I grabbed his arms firmly as my other hand located the keys snatching it before he would notice that it was gone. I sneaked it underneath my dress before finally stopping the act of being in pain.
“Are you okay?” He asked as though he cared.
“Yes, I think I am.”
“I think you should go use the restroom now.”
“No, I will pass.”
“But earlier you mentioned that…”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
“I know what I said but I think it has subsided. It comes with the pregnancy, of course you will not understand that.”
“Of course I won’t,” he said.
“I will join the rest now.”
As soon as I walked past them, I took out one of every key that came in twos and threw the rest by the rock before he would notice that it was gone.
I sneaked out from the rest of the slaves through a patch in the wall that was nearly invisible to everyone. It would have been to me if I had not been pre-informed about it. I carefully searched through the wall with my hands until I finally found it. I took to my heels, the mealtime would only last for a few more minutes and I needed not be absent when it was time for the head count.
A few seconds in, I came in contact with the metal door, there, I brought out the keys and tried a few of them before finally getting the one that fit, as it unlocked the door. I made sure to avoid bumping into the maids and guards as I fled the stairs going towards the kitchen.
I found the other slaves stationed at the kitchen scrubbing the floor but I avoided everyone and went inside to where the foods were placed just like the other slave at the dungeon had said. The food was perfectly arranged in dishes and trays, bowls awaiting to be served. I went close, staring keenly at it with every passing minute as the risk increased. The sweet smelling aroma of the food came rushing down into my nostrils and then my stomach began to rumble again. I knew I needed every morsel of what lay in the bowls.
Oh fuck it.
I still didn’t know why the hesitation but in a bit I took down a tray and bent over taking every chunk down my throat as I relished on the savouring taste from the meatballs to the pasta and then the instinct came. The tasty and sweet flavour of the pasta danced on my tongue, courtesy of the perfect mixture of spices and herbs infused into the broth. The rich kick of chilli oil raised the experience, leaving my taste buds in a state of elated delight. Undoubtedly, it stood out as the most exquisite culinary encounter I had ever tasted.
The rich mixture of spices not only created a heat that ignited my tongue but also dropped a depth of flavour that glued, tantalising my tongue. Each mouthful unfolded like a symphony of tastes, making it worth the risk.
The intenseness of the heat built gradually, transformed each bite into an adventure. I found myself reaching for the glass of refreshing water every minute, it was like a kind of ritual to pacify the delightful heat that ignited my taste buds. The subtle taste of the broth and that of the chilli oil melded seamlessly, creating a kind of balance of heat and flavour.