Daniel 

"Ah yes, you have not yet left," stated Maggie in great relief.

"Yes, I have not left," responded Daniel who had been preparing the carriage for his journey. "What is it that you need this time?" He did not even bother to make eye contact with her.

"For one thing, I need you to take Roseline with you." Daniel faced Maggie to find that Roseline stood next to her. "She is to accompany you as you travel to the capital. She knows where the royal court stands and she also knows where the town square near the royal court resides."

"I am assuming that I am not only buying lamb imports at the seaport."

"Good eye," she smirked in annoyance. "Yes, once you have your lamb, Roseline is to accompany you to the tailor at the town square. You are to order a dress for the ball next week. The dress costs fifty sheer coins. I have already provided Roseline with enough money for each dress. I am also providing the two of you an additional two hundred sheer coins to rest at an inn. It is possible you may be there until late Monday. Much of the capital is known for shutting down early to prepare for the Sabbath. It is possible the tailor may be able to provide services to you today, but perhaps, you can place an order for it to be ready by early Monday."

"I suppose it would be wise to visit the tailor first?"

"Clever one you are." Without another word, she left the two of them to fend for themselves.

It was not long until the carriage was prepared. Daniel had been too focused on making preparations and could not find it in himself to converse with Roseline. In his heart, he hoped the ship carrying the lamb would fall into the water. With all the politics, it was not an idea out of reach. Alas, everything was ready and a nearly one-hour journey had begun.

"What is court like?" asked Daniel. "Is it a dream come true?"

Roseline could not help but laugh. "You've seen paintings. It is everything you could possibly expect. Yet, I do not think it could hurt for the castle to see a few revisions and provide a little more rum."

"Fascinating," he responded while he thought of the painting he remembered seeing as a young boy. Thinking of this painting caused him a great deal of a sigh that let his throat to briefly cause pain.

"Someday, I will take you on a journey and we shall explore the great castle together," proclaimed Daniel's papa while they looked at a painting together at the market. "It will be as if we are kings ourselves. Not a soul will give us commands. We shall be free. We shall be kings."

"Daniel!" shouted Roseline. "Are you ill?"

The boy came back to reality only to realize he had his horse slightly off course. Thankfully, everything was fine. The horse found itself back on course. There was no need to worry.

"I am fine. I was thinking of the last time I saw a painting. I was with my papa." Strange chills traveled through his spine at the mention of his papa.

"You do not seem fine. Did I bring back unpleasant memories?"

Daniel remained silent for a moment and admired the tall trees on their journey. It appeared to be somewhat of a windy day. He could feel a pleasant breeze against his face. Somehow, he felt a small sense of choice. He was in control of this horse and where it traveled. Not a soul could say otherwise. The wind only confirmed this rare feeling. He knew he had to cherish this moment. Once the wind fell short, he was able to speak again.

"Roseline, when you were a child, did you ever hold any dreams other than being a wretched slave?"

"I suppose so," she exhaled. "It was not much, but I always dreamed of standing on top of the tallest mountain near the castle. Legend says you can see the world from there. I always suspected that surely there must be a great world out there. Of course, I dreamed of it when I resided in the undesirable land amongst the slaves. In my head, I always thought the Ishmorites deserved better than this. I deserved better than this. That land was all that I knew. Perhaps someday, I can see the world for all that it is. Perhaps someday our people can see more than what they see already. And considering I bought my way out of the undesirable land, anything else may be possible."

"Yes, it is always surprising when a slave is able to buy their way out of the undesirable land and live with one of the citizens. Yet, they still must be a slave. I still cannot fathom how you were able to do this at such a young age."

"Motivation and a little help from a desperate Lady Maggie after losing her daughters to the plague I suppose. And what of you? Did you hold on to any dreams?"

Daniel almost regretted asking about dreams for he certainly had an answer. Of course, compared to Roseline, his dream may have seemed a little more selfish.

"I had always dreamed of being a great man. Someone of importance. Someone of value and respect. My papa always made it seem possible that I could. Really, this idea is what has kept me alive as a slave. If not for this dream, I think I might have lost my life at birth. For one day, I'd love nothing more than to feel like a man of royalty. Perhaps my father would be proud of me. Perhaps."

Clutch! It was at this moment, Daniel stopped the horse and stood out of the carriage. His bones and muscles felt odd for what he had just said. A thought he held for so long came to the fruition of words. At that moment, he kicked a rock. Roseline stood out with him and relieved a great sigh before Daniel spoke another word.

"Is it sad that these journeys to the seaport are the only thing I look forward to?"

"Where did you find the idea that your papa is not proud of you?" She did not feel the need to answer the latter question. "Everything he did and the stories he told; were all for you. If it had not been for you, he may not have bought his way out of the undesirable land alone. Your papa is certainly proud of the man you have become."

"That may be true, but I am sure he did not wish me to be a slave my entire life. Surely, I must amount to something much greater. Something more than this life."

"I think he wished the same thing for himself. Why else would he buy his way out of the land and marry that wretched woman that is your stepmother? An opportunity presented itself. And perhaps another occasion might present itself. Perhaps someday, you will be more than a slave. And perhaps I might see more than this land. We must hold on to hope and faith."

Daniel knew in his heart that Roseline was correct. Perhaps this talk of dreams was a good idea. He had always heard that thoughts in your head could overconsume you if action is not taken. Because she was correct, they were back in the carriage and continued their journey. 

This concludes the fifth chapter! I do hope you enjoyed learning more about Daniel and Roseline. Please do comment and vote. A new chapter will return next Saturday!

Will Roseline ever see the world for all that it is?

Can Daniel ever be a great man?

Do you think Daniel's papa would be proud of him?