Letting Someone New In (Part 2)

JP with Redsword and Cindy

Boyce stared at Islana for a moment, he was stunned by what Islana said. He pulled out a hanky and handed it to her. It was soft and brown colored and had Wolf embroidered in the corner. "I have nothing to say to that story. I have not believed in slavery personally. I have seen it too much in my travels," said Boyce.

Boyce glanced at the sun rising as it was just showing now. "Look at the sun each day is a new day. A chance to start over this place is a chance to start over. Whatever happens each day I think we will stand beside you as your friends."

She softly thanked him for the handkerchief. " Thank you. I've started over here but he still might be after me. I don't know what will happen if he catches me or how much longer I can keep running from him."

Taking a breath. "In your studies, did you happen to ever study anything about the law?"

"I have researched some for nobles and learned things along the way. I was one of the top researchers of the Great Library of Orb. Wich gave me access to a lot of things and being a third-generation researcher helps some too. That dose not make me an expert and could be off some." started Boyce.

"As I understand what you told me. You were sold into servitude by your father. This is common practice in most places. You could have expected to serve a master for 7 years or more which is common. But because you ran away the contract made with your father and Lord Vasant was broken. Meaning you are a criminal and because you took something from Lord Vasant a thief." said Boyce pausing for a moment to let her know the gravity of the situation.

"Punishment for running away and being a thief varies from place to place. It can range from being whipped, mutilated, branded, or having more years added to the contract. Even being made a slave for life. It can be severe." Boyce informed Islana of the consciences.

"The consciences will depend on where Lord Vasant enforces his claim. We have no way to know where this is until you are in front of a judge or whoever the Lord answers to," said Boyce to Islana.

"Islana, you have 3 options." Boyce pauses.
"One, keep running and avoid capture. which you seemed to be good at it." Boyce now looks out across the grass.

"Two you return and accept punishment. Hope Lord Vasant does not make you a slave for life or make you pay off Lord Vasant to compensate him. Neither looks very good." said Boyce, pausing to think.

"That would have to be done in front of someone like the Duke. If You could convince the Duke that you should be able to pay off your debt. That's the truth of the matter and all I know at this point." said Boyce, finishing. It did not look good for Islana thought Boyce but no one deserved the way Islana was treated.
"Whatever happens I and I think our friends will be there for you," said Boyce, trying to encourage Islana.

Islana listened as Boyce spoke, frankly, it wasn't sounding good. There was a possibility that if she kept running, she might have to go it alone again and that was not something Islana wanted at all. The possibility of being sentenced to a life of servitude with Lord Vasant was, in her mind, the worst option. As for paying off the debt. The young woman was certain she didn't have the money for that. Islana didn't want to mention the money part, thinking it might come across wrong. The redhead was also fairly certain that the Duke probably didn't care what happened to her.

"That is far more information than I had before."

As Islana really had no information in the legality of her situation, it was true that now she had more.

Islana nodded a thanks to Boyce for saying he'd stand beside her.

"I think Alexis should probably be filled in on all of that."

It was more to inform the mercenary, so, she wasn't caught off guard, if something happened, than expecting Alexis to know what she should do.

"Do you really think Lord Vasant would send someone here after you?" asked Boyce. Getting up Boyce thought and looked over Islana almost in an uncomfortable way. "How many people around Lord Vasant know how you look?" Boyce asks with a grin.

"Yes, I think it is very likely he would send someone here for me. To him I was very expensive property that left and he could easily pay a bounty hunter to find me."

The young hunteress didn't know where Boyce was going with the second question.

"I'm not sure. A good number of people came to his house, it's difficult to say how many paid attention to me."

A crafty smile came across his face. "The person known as Islana Annora needs to die and be reborn. a new person." Suggested Boyce. He knew this would be no simple task matter in fact extremely hard to pull off.