Burning Bridges
“I don’t believe that I have to tell you to be safe.” Iono spoke in his usual calm and precise voice. I shook my head and mounted the horse he had borrowed for me for the night.
“Then I shall see you before sunrise.” He handed me my pack. I gave a simple nod and turned the horse to the street. It was only a few blocks of cobblestones before it gave way to muddy road. Here I spurred the steed into the dark night. They always warned travelers to be wary of the roads at night. Vagrants and other low life will do anything for money or kicks. But this time I didn’t have a worry. I have grown stronger and filled with my mission. It would be an hour ride from the town. Years have passed yet this path has been forever etched into my mind. Just before the last bend I stopped and tied my ride up in the trees, off the road where he wouldn’t be seen and ran the rest of the way. The crescent moon was spilling enough light over the land for me to see, but would give anyone else a hard time to spot me. Finally I approached my destination. Long rows of fields stretched out in the clearing. On the edge sat a small building with a single candle lit in the window. I was betting that there were at least 6 slaves sleeping in there. Across the road stood the larger family home. It would comfortably fit 20 people, yet only 3 lived there. At least when I was still here. As I approached I glanced around. Not a soul awake at this time of night. No one but little me. Me who was sold off to pay off a gambling bet. Me who was their favorite whipping horse. Me who they probably never gave a second thought to. After tonight, jokes on them. Quietly I strolled up to the house, picking up a board from the stack that rested against the side of the building. The master always said he was going to build another shed, but never did. Thankfully, he was also too lazy to put the boards away too. Lucky me. Silently I slid it the front door handle, locking it from the outside. Next I closed the storm shudders and barred them as well. Can’t have any exits now, can we. Inside the barn I rifled through the saddles and rains to find the chest that held the bottles of rum that master always hid. Once again, it was a delight to find that his old habits hadn’t died. The smile just wouldn’t come off as I circled the house, sprinkling the walls with the rum and tossing on some dead grass as good measure. I stood back on the road and studied one last time. With a sigh, I struck a match and tossed it onto the pile of wood. Immediately it ignited. The flames quickly serpentine around the liquor that had soaked into the dried wood. It only seemed a few breaths before the entire bottom floor was engulfed and the sound was reaching a low roar. Then, over the sound of the flames and the pounding of my heart, I heard it. The one sound that I had been dreaming of hearing ever sense the night the master almost beat me to death. It was a scream. At first a woman’s. High pitched and cutting. It was then followed by a younger woman’s scream. I smiled as I watched the front door rattle with frustration. Next a window and the other window. Lastly the bedroom window flung open, exposing a half dressed man with a look of terror. Faintly he looked around at the house in flames and let the realization that even if they jumped, the wouldn’t clear the flames, and would probably break something in the process. Lastly his eyes settled on me, the dark figure in the road. Grinning. I pulled my hood back and laughed. I laughed loud and free like a mad man, with my arms out stretched. The laughter wouldn’t stop. It only got worse when I saw his wife and daughter huddle close to him as the flame slowly ate they’re room. Only after they fell to the floor out of site, was I able to contain it to a chuckle. Gleefully, I skipped over to the slave quarters and kicked open the door. Five frightened faces were lit up by the blaze.
“Your Master is dead. You are free now. Take the horses in the bar and go. If anyone asks, you don’t know what happened here.” I commanded. The faces nodded and moved out of the small cabin. They all stood in awe of my work. One of the older women caught me by the arm and turned me to face her. He ebony face turned from shock to fear.
“It is you dear child.” She exclaimed. Still grinning I bowed to my once fellow slave. “Oh lordy the devil done touched you child! I swears you got dem look of evil in yer eyes!” I kept smiling as I turned my back on the group and headed back to where I had tied my horse. Last bridge burned. Last tie to a life that died years ago, finally gone. And now back to serve my real Master.