Ko'sah had lifted his head sharply at the sound of the stall door falling slightly ajar once Petal had fled. Her cry had tugged at his heart and he felt terribly guilty for upsetting her, but he also still burned with a rage that frightened him over her gesture. For a long moment he held his breath, certain she or one of the stable hands would come quickly to lock him back up, but it didn't happen. There was some commotion happening at the barn doors over her quick escape and he hoped it might have been enough of a distraction.
He stepped forward slowly, reaching out to gently inch the door closed again so that they might not suspect it was unlocked if anyone walked by. The centaur spent the better part of his afternoon yanking at his chains, contorting himself to try to kick at the links attached to his shackles. Eventually he'd weakened it enough to pull his arms free, though the metal bands at his wrists remained. The ones attached to his forelegs were also broken in short order with a sense of urgency spurring him on at his first sign of freedom in ages.
Several hours after Petal had left him Ko'sah was finally nudging the door open and stepping out into the aisle, his whole body trembling in nervous anticipation as his hooves clicked dully against the floor. He didn't see any of the hands lingering so he made a bolt for the open doors leading out to the rear pastures.
Fresh air flooded his lungs, the sensation felt so good but he'd had no time to stop and savor it. The stable hands that were filling water buckets at the well turned to catch sight of the tall centaur, his all-black coat standing out in broad daylight. There were shouts of panic calling after him as their work was abandoned and horses were saddled quickly to give chase.
He'd easily hopped the pasture fence, bolting in a full-on gallop towards the perimeter fence with a guilt-filled look towards the house he hadn't seen properly in years. It stood so tranquil against the open countryside and the view reminded him again of Petal's warmth and kindness. The guilt stung, growing heavy in his chest as he neared the fence at the back of his master's property. Another attempt at freedom was right there but he'd slowed and then skidded to a stop as the thought of the "monster" punishing his pregnant wife for letting him free crossed his mind.
Heart pounding in his chest he cast a nervous, wild look over his shoulder at the approaching group on horseback. They looked just as perplexed as he felt conflicted over how quickly he'd stopped running. In times past he'd had to be chased to exhaustion all through the woods and pastures for nearly a day before they'd been able to catch up to him.
Without hesitation or questioning several ropes were secured around his torso, arms, and throat. The men were eager to get him back to the barn and Ko'sah went numbly, giving no resistance as he labored to catch his breath through tears and the emotional trembling that still wracked his body. No, he couldn't forgive himself if Petal suffered any more because of him. Despite his frustrations she had made kind gestures to him regularly that seemed so genuine. He wanted to believe in them, even if all it ever brought him was momentary joy and good memories to savor.
He'd been returned to his stall without any further fuss, walking along as obediently as a dog and standing still for them to secure new, heavier chains to his shackles. There were mutterings about informing his master while the ropes were removed and his door was securely locked once more. He grimaced at the thought of that evil man paying him another visit, but if that might spare Petal any poor treatment he would gladly take whatever was to come.
Surprisingly dinner was brought to him as usual and then breakfast the next morning as well. He almost wondered if the stable hands had decided against telling the vampire anything had happened at all.
When Petal arrived not long after with more knitting to work on he could only stand still in shock, watching her warily as she sat with her eyes down. There were no angry words, just a clear sadness hanging over her as she worked and said nothing. The familiar hand of guilt gripped his heart as he realized how truly genuine she must have been that whole time. Hanging his head to escape looking at her did nothing to help, though, as he was reminded of what he'd done with the tattered pieces of the green blanket strewn among the straw on the floor.
Ko'sah wasn't sure what to say or what he could even offer her in apology for all the trouble he'd caused her. He wanted to explain that he was afraid and angry, make her see that he was frustrated with his lot in life and not necessarily at her. Her kindnesses had only reminded him so clearly of it the previous day.
He had no time to try to form the words, though. Silence descended upon the stable as Akakios had stepped inside. The centaur had a feeling but couldn't quite make him out until he'd stood before his stall, stopping just beside Petal's seat on the bales of hay. It had always unnerved him how the man never aged, his pristine appearance so unblemished as he looked him over with a critical eye.
Ko'sah's nostrils flared, chin raising slightly in challenge as he stepped forward with a snarl. The links of his chains ground together noisily as he strained against his shackles, putting himself right up against the door without fear. He would not be intimidated and he would not stand idly if the vampire had come to bother, upset, or harm his wife as she sat before him.
Fire burned in his eyes as he stared down at Akakios, but eventually the vampire's expression gave way to something that looked of...concern? His eyes had softened, his hands folding together pensively as he peered into the stall before looking at his wife with a frown. His eyes had lingered on her belly for a few moments before he stepped away to kneel beside her and whisper at her ear things he couldn't quite make out himself. Still Ko'sah stood as protectively as he could muster, his chest heaving with labored breaths as he glowered down at him. He would not allow her to be harmed even if it meant breaking apart the entire stall to stop him.
"Please be careful. Please think of the baby. He barely speaks and he's dangerous," Akakios had murmured gently to his wife, hoping he could make her see reason through her compassionate heart. He had no idea how much time she'd been spending with him or the things they'd talked about, but it had been whispered about the house that she had set him free on purpose. Given the damage that had been done to his bonds the vampire doubted it had entirely been purposeful if it had truly been her doing. He did not understand why she sat near him or how long she'd been going to the stables to visit but he could only assume his wife had been trying to break through to the centaur when he'd escaped.