August Inferno

(1) Abel and August

The carriage shuddered and rattled along the pathways while it slowly weaved through the trees. It wasn't a fancy one by any means, but something effective nevertheless. The kind any merchant or traveler would use to transport goods; usually ranging anywhere from food to weapons.

Today's stock, however, was a special transport of a unique nature.

Hand selected from scattered regions among the land to live and to serve, These people of their own volition came along for the promise of a better and more exciting life. People never stayed long on this ride, they usually were dropped off for a pretty sum at an affluent business or at the house of a politician.

A small child coming from a line of humble and poor servants, Abel Uto had lived in squalor. Money was tight and the broken windows blew cold drafts through the home. Meals were scarce. So a passing trader in town seemed like the answer to their prayers.

It took little convincing for the men in charge to take their son. Display of musical talent at such a young age was something valued after all; and the fact he was so young meant he would be a wise investment as he would be around for years to come.
The promise of a bright future allowed them their only son into the traders hands. That promise their son would have food on the table three times a day and the ability to have a rudimentary education was enough to let them make that choice.

A better life.
As the town shrunk away, Abel held his head high.
One day, he promised, he would return.

He would be happy.

He would make his parents happy.

----

Time for the small boy went agonizingly slow as days and nights melted and swirled around him, the icky mass of bodies traveling with him and the jittering making it near impossible to enjoy properly.

Passing through towns, picking people up, dropping people off, the boy saw faces and places he could only have ever imagined. He saw snow cover the ground like a blanket. He saw bugs that glowed and floated around like stars. Abel supposed that perhaps, maybe wherever he was headed could be an adventure all on its own.

He would be a personal servant, or so he was told while they paused one night. A rich and influential man had sent out the word requesting for someone like him. After what felt like months traveling, it would finally be Abels turn to be dropped off at a new home.

The optimistic child peered through a gap in the fabric out the side of the wagon, staring in awe at the sight of the large building as it peaked through the foliage and thick brush of trees, growing ever closer. Little Abel wondered what his master would be like. Would he like sweets, and would he be loud? Is this man a gross one, a drunkard who gives off a stench, or a classy type gentleman? Or would he be a cruel person who swore and hit? Possibilities danced about his imagination. The future was uncertain but it had arrived, and as the wheels squeaked to a stop and the back door opened up, the scruffy blonde haired kid was nervous being thrown into it.

Pulling up through the gates Abel watched in awe at the grandiose size of the building before him. If a castle and a house had a baby, he was sure this was the biggest and coolest baby it could have. Gardens wrapped around the mansion, and tall walls closed the area off like a fortress. Vines crept up the walls and wrapped around windows in fairytale fashion, and the child felt so small.

Rough hands shuttled him off, pushing him through the doors and with a demanding thud, they clattered shut and his new life began.

----

Augustus Beau Valentine was the youngest of four sons in the household of the Valentine nobles. The three older brothers were to inherit the business, the house, the servants and whatnot, and August was left to inherit nothing for his troubles.