Baron Talvin nisKalgan was in the Avesian Nightmare, only worse.Evey free man and woman in the Kingdom lived in fear of the day of a widespread Slave uprising. Slaves outnumbered the Free at least four to one at least and despite what sessions in the bedchamber might convince the foolish they had little love for their masters. There was always a risk that some incident would cause some slaves to lash out against their drivers, succeed and go on a rampage killing, looting and laying waste. If left unchecked these could spread and grow, picking up more slaves and weapons as they went. There had been three such uprisings in Avesian History. Fortunately they'd been all been snuffed out. Fierce as they could be rioting slaves with farm tools were no match for trained freemen with bows, swords, pikes, muskets and armor and the Avesians were always quick to respond to them when they happened. Regardless the fears of a servile revolt eclipsed all other worldly dreads. Famine could be averted by reducing the surplus chattel, slave raiders had no interest in souring business relations for short term gains, disaster could be rebuilt from and the invaders that might come their way would want their estates intact with experienced managers running it.The Infrastructurals were a rude awakening indeed. Not only had they laid waste to Porta Liberium and set their armies to march through the island to cease estates, but everywhere they went they set slaves free, gave them weapons and let them loose on the island like some horrible hybrid of locusts and pitdogs. To Talvin this was madness. The wealth of Avesia lay in slaves and plantations, both of which would be ruined by this wanton release of spite. There were those who hated slavery, but how would making the Islands into a carnal house make anything better? Had they no respect for the accomplishment of the bloodlines who by strength and cunning built a realm from nothing? And even if they don't the Dark Elves would come in with ten thousand warriors to carve through their rebels and laying waste to any adult to save their dependable providers. It would mean being left with mostly children for a time until their stock could be replaced but they could rebuild and the temporary adjustment would not be too bad. If only they would show up right now.The estate of House nisKalgan was in the south of the islands on the Scourge Peninsula, by the time news got to him to move north to rally at Sensasperan those routes had been cut and they were surrounded. He'd mustered what defenses he could since then, but now they were beset by a mob of rebelious slaves armed with Coldland made guns. The barricades they'd set up had set up around the manner should have kept them back, then they blasted through them with rockets and handbombs. He had a hundred and twenty men fit to fight on guard plus dogs but they were being overwhelmed. He only knew a bit of this which had been relayed to him as he'd "commanded" from his dining hall all the while the sounds of battle grew closer.He'd been trying to enjoy a nice vintage when one of his drivers came into his chambers with a sword and a spiked whip. Fernallo if he remember correctly, Helmsen the head overseer had spoken highly of him. "My Lord! The hedge has fallen! We've must leave!" This was followed by one of the windows shattering behind it's hasty barricades."V-Very well." He said as he got his pistol and followed the young man. There was a rough plan to flee into the mountains to an old hog hunting house. Even so they were turned around a couple of times by soldiers, gunfire and actual fire. Getting anywhere was difficult, especially since the Man nor was basically a collection of extensions accumulated over the last two centuries. Eventually the two of themselves found themselves in an empty slave dormitory (the household slaves had been locked in the celler) with the sounds of gunfire, death and bursting doors behind them. The one that they'd recently jammed with a table in haste would not offer much protection. Some of them were female. He had avoided battle so far but now that was unlikely."Fernallo" he whispered shakily."Yes my Lord?""If we're to get to safety we'll need to fight our way through their throngs. You'll lead the charge and i'll cover you.""Are you sure sir?""Of course i am you idiot!" he said as he grabbed him by the arm and aimed his pistol at his head "This is my House, you are my servant and you'll defend it my way!"Fearing what this man crazed with fear would do he he walked out sword and whip in hand in the hallway. The door then burst and open and he yelled before being cut down by numerous heavy blasts. In the confusion Talvin fired his pistol, but as his hands were unsteady, sulfury smoke filled the air and the fact that a door limited his line of fire he only managed to hit the wall. He'd hoped that in the confusion they'd missed him. Things quieted down for a few seconds save for the footsteps."Rotten hearted toad." A feminine voice said. He'd heard that voice before, though usually it was sweet rather than acidic. It sounded like Lililia. He had a hard time understanding why she'd join the Rebels. Some field hand who toiled under the whip he could understand. But even if she was not his favorite, he'd always spared his bedwarmers from toil, kept them well fed and honored them with his charm and (ahem) prowess."Do you want the handle?" Another woman said."I'll pass. Not my thing. Good enough the bastard's dead.""Suit yourself. Their still might be some more of the scum."They'd might have walked on after that if Talvin did not let out a small gasp. He'd subconsciously begun holding his breath to stay quiet and relaxed a bit too sharply. They noticed the change as did the women, he then looked at his pistol and saw with horror it's lock remembering that it was now empty.Previous- Infrastructure: Part Two Hundred and Sixty Three Next- Infrastructure: Part Two Hundred and Sixty Five