Page 76 of Steel & Thunder
“No, that is everything. I promise.” He gives me a hopeful smile. “On that topic, I have requested Advocate Redwish to stop by this afternoon so that he may explain the...inconsistencies in conducting the ritual.”
“That’s a nice way of saying he lied to us.” I really don’t trust that guy.
“I know.” He sighs. “There is a part of me that still hopes this was all a misunderstanding but...I feel you may be right.”
“At least we’ll know.” I don’t like when information is kept from me.
A knock on the doorframe behind Khazak draws our attention. “Excuse me, sir.” It’s Nylan. “As an apology, my kavan would like to buy lunch for you and your avakesh.”
“That sounds nice.” Khazak turns to face him fully. “Would this also be to make up for your revealing aspects of my private life?”
There’s a pause as Nylan’s eyes go just a little wide in panic. “No, sir. That is what lunch tomorrow is for.”
Khazak laughs at that. “That will not be necessary, Nylan. Lunch today will be fine, thank you.”
“Of course, sir.” Nylan sighs in relief as he makes his exit and Khazak turns back to me.
“What does that word mean?” They both used it to refer to Ragnar, I think.
“Kavan?” I nod. “It is the term for the owner of an avakesh. I am your kavan.”
“Is this the part where you tell me it means more than just ‘owner’ or ‘master’?” After all, I’m a slave-pet-servant.
“Correct. It also means protector or guardian,” Khazak responds with a sly grin. “So…” He seems hesitant but hopeful.
“So...” I pick up the mug and stare down at the lukewarm coffee in my hands. “...Coffee?”
Khazak shakes his head with a chuckle and accepts the offering. “There is something else I wanted to show you. Come with me.”
I follow him down the hall to a set of double doors that opens into a…gym. Like a real gym, with weights, and bars, and padded mats. There’s even a punching bag in one corner. For someone who’s been forced to do pushups in the dirt and pullups on tree branches until recently, it’s heaven.
“I thought you might enjoy using the gymnasium while you waited for me to finish signing things.” I follow him inside to look at the equipment.
“You mean to tell me that you’ve had access to a gym this whole time, and I’ve just been running around the city like some kind of idiot?” I make sure I sound exasperated.
“David, I did not—” Khazak catches my cheesy smile and huffs, realizing I’m only joking. He watches as I scan the room. “I trust you know how to use these? And which things are unsafe to do on your own?”
“Yes, Sir. Lift the weights, punch the bag, and don’t do anything that requires a spotter.” I point out the various objects. The details are different, but the equipment is essentially the same. The dumbbells, barbells, and other weights are made from stone rather than metal, and the mats and bags are covered in dark leathers.
“The officers and rangers make frequent use of this room.” I would too if I worked here. Wait. “Should you encounter any of them, I expect you to show the proper amount of respect.”
“Yes, Sir.” I smile innocently. “Anything else?”
“Just be careful.” He smiles. I think he can tell I’m excited. “You know where my office is.”
“Come get me when it’s lunch time!” I call after he leaves before turning back to the gym equipment, excitedly rubbing my hands together.
Let’s get to work.
Chapter Eighteen
Once I start working out, it’s easy to lose track of time. It’s just been so long since I’ve been in an actual gym. The first thing I do is strip off my shirt because unless I feel like running home I don’t want to be stuck wearing a sweat-soaked one for the rest of the day. I’d like to do the same thing with my pants, but I’m not sure the blue thong Khazak picked out for me today is really work appropriate. Or maybe it’s totally normal around here? Either way, I don’t feel like getting walked in on working out while wearing nothing but that.
It’s an hour at least, maybe a little longer, before Khazak comes to get me for lunch. He shows me where the showers are, sticking around to watch me strip down and clean up. I catch him in the corner of my eye grabbing my thong and sniffing the pouch and tease him. Pervert. Once I’m finished, I throw on my dry shirt and slightly sweaty pants, and the two of us head to the breakroom.
There are a few orcs seated at different tables when we enter, Ragnar and Nylan at one in a corner with a mound of wrapped square packages in the center—sandwiches! We move to join them, and Ragnar happily doles one out to each of us. They’re warm, and I eagerly open mine to see what I’m dealing with, the scent of something sweet and tangy hitting my nostrils. I take a bite and taste what may be some of the juiciest and most tender pork I’ve ever tasted. I moan a little.
“I see you spared no expense.” Khazak speaks up after swallowing his first bite. “Thank you for lunch, Ragnar.”
