A Steampunk World

He was sore. He didn't want to move. His back ached from the lashes of the whip that were still healing. Hes head was pounding from a pain medication that had been given to him, which he was pretty sure was just alcohol. Jedediah stood stiffly, his back cracking, his shoulders aching. He sighed, looking around the small room. It was no more than a bed, a trunk and a window. Also, there was a closet for his weapons. He had to prove that they were there every night, and he was chained to the bed at night to make sure that he didn't take the weapons and hurt anyone at night.

Jedediah pushed his hair back, waiting for the man who had released him the day before to release him again. He appeared about a half hour later, letting him go and leaving. He changed into clean clothes, grabbed his twin swords, and sighed. The mirror on the wall was dingy at best, and he looked fine from what he could see. As he left from his little cell, he stopped outside of Miss Spencer's door. He knocked gently and cleared his throat.

"Miss Spencer?" He called in his deep, baritone voice. "It's time to go to your fathers factory for your daily visit,"

Jedediah pulled up his hood and averted his eyes from her after giving her a stiff, small bow. He hissed after the bow, feeling one of the cuts on his back open. Falling into step just behind her, he watched the palace that her family lived in pass around them. One hand was on the sword on his left hip, the other was hanging casually to his side. As they got to the door of the palace, he stepped in front of her, opening the door and standing aside for her to exit the home.

Jedediah fell back into step behind her, never once speaking in the fifteen minute walk from the home to the factory. "Shall I wait outside or shall I come in with you, Miss Spencer?" He asked, his eyes finally meeting hers. Damnit, he thought to himself. My back is killing me... he could feel the blood as it started to cling to his shirt as it dried. That would be a pain to take off in the evening...

Jedediah cleared his throat, his eyes on hers. "Nothing, miss," He quickly lied in a skilled fashion. One could not easily tell if he was lying, as his eyes never betrayed anything to the truth. "I merely have a cut. It will heal," He looked at the door of the factory, and, upon hearing an argument from inside, he stiffened. "I'll accompany you, miss," Jedediah said with a tone of finality.

As they walked into the factory, him behind her, as usual, he followed as she lead them to her fathers office. The room was large, dark, and foreboding. However, her father was anything but. He was tall, thin, and a little soft looking. His eyes were the only things that showed how hard and callous the man could be.

"Lord Vaughn," Jedediah said with a bow, trying to make no sound and trying to make no face as another cut on his back broke open. He pulled his cloak tighter about his back, as it was made of dark wool and wouldn't betray the blood.

Lord Vaughn looked at Jedediah, grunting in acknowledgement before swooping down on his daughter with a very loving, very fatherly hug. "My dear! I hope you had no problems arriving here this morning? No attacks or any suspicious followers?" His voice bellowed around the small room, consuming those inside in a loud, deep bass voice.

"It has, my dear, it has. However, my investors want me to expand. They want me to open another factory up in the North, towards your grandfathers land. Your grandfather has even offered to give us a part of his property to build the factory. The building has been under way for quite some time, and I do believe it will be complete by the time you reach the Northern boarders, where your grandfather will meet you and your company to take you the rest of the way," Her father moved towards the desk, fiddling with some papers before he found what he was looking for. On the paper was a large (though not quite as large as the home she was living in now) house just beyond the fences of a factory that looked much like her fathers.

"Now, I know you haven't had much experience overseeing workers, but this factory isn't for machinery as mine is. It is for clothing, which I figured you'd much rather oversee than machinery," The older man smiled down at his daughter. "I promised you a place of your own, and I'm finally able to give it to you. I know it's not close to home, but I'll be able to visit you on holidays. Your grandfather has also agreed to introduce you to the locals and find you a suitable husband. I know Jedediah will be very helpful in your journey and in keeping you safe in the Northern territory,"

Jedediah had been listening closely, and though his face betrayed nothing, he was terrified. The Northern territories were cold and full of bandits. The fencing around what would soon be her new home was evidence of the fact that the rich were still not welcome in the North. He knew he'd have a hard time watching her, but that was his job. He knew he could do it well, but could he protect himself at the same time?