Days turned into fortnights, fortnights turned into moons, and Alora was still chained to the dark cold walls of the heartless castle. She had become closer with Tiron and Gwen, the golden-haired girl, had become a close friend as well. Threw out the months they had worked endlessly and it was finally the beginning of spring, of course for a slave's life spring might not seem like much but to Alora she loved it, it was a new beginning.
After Mary confronted her about being close to the Lord's sons she stayed as far away as possible. Rumors constantly circled threw the slaves from people talking, she knew the one boy that had saved her was the Lord's eldest son and his youngest brother was a very unpleasant sort.
As spring started to sprout the withering flowers that crept the old stone walls started to turn green and bloom bright flowers that littered threw the courtyard, And with them came a new hope. Rumors started to spread that there was to be a choosing. At first, Alora didn't know what that was until more whispers traveled to her ears. A choosing was a small ceremony held to choose from the slaves for roles in the castle, The ones that are chosen would be plucked from the wall and placed inside the castle to start training.
Alora drooped along, her noted black hair draped over her shoulders and her tired eyes felt heavy as she walked slowly behind the bustling slaves. Her body was thin and sunken, the past few moons weren't gracious on her, from being tosses in the dungeon and having her meals kept from her more than once. the heavy chains around her neck and ankles made it even harder to move with the other slaves then it already was. Mary and the other mistress walked alongside them, watching for disobedience, their eyes still held there coldness like an icy dagger. Thankfully Alora had been able to stay out of there sights for a while but she refused to get cocky, she knew any minute they could change their sights back to her once again. Finally, after a long walk from the slave quarters to the courtyard, the chains hat held their shackles together were removed one by one, greeting the ground with loud clanks. She was greeted with the brisk morning air and the scent of newly blooming flowers, she rubbed her sore arms, the heavy chains never took kindly to her small figure. Gwen sneaked to stand beside her, "why must we stand in such cold," she shivered and snuggled closer to Alora, "have you forgotten what we are?" Alora says still rubbing her pained arm. Gwen scoffs "surely not for much longer, the choosing is soon to arrive and I'm planning on being chosen, what about you my dear friend." Alora only shakes her head and looks to the blooming trees strayed around the courtyard. Flowers bloomed filling the limbs with soft pink buds. "I pray that you are chosen Gwen, but where ever I end up it would be the same as now, cleaning rich lords rooms, scrubbing young dutchesses frilly dresses until my fingers bleed, I will never be able to live anything better". Gwen rolls her eyes and grabs Alora's hand. "Don't be so down Alora, I will always be you friend no matter what, but life won't always be this bad, I'm sure one day you will rise above all those pompous dutchesses and step on all the great lords' toes, and maybe then you can consider remembering to invite me into the castle you own". Alora let a little smile escaped, "I guess it never hurt to dream".
Alora could feel eyes burrowing into her, she let her gaze follow. There stood The Lord's son with a soft smile beside his father and younger brother. His curly brown hair draped over his warm eyes that were looking straight at her, Alora quickly looked down before the mistress could see their transaction. "Why must he plague me?" Alora questioned herself, "What was that?" Gwen asks, "Nothing, just talking to myself." Alora quickly calmed her heart rate, not only had she developed a slight feeling for the boy that saved her that day, but also if she was to even so as much look at him she could be beaten to the ground by the mistresses.
Mary greeted the Lords with a low curtsey, A kind smile hung to her face. "I hope the day has graced you well my Lords," she kept the smile as she rose. Alora couldn't help but tighten her hands into fists, The women with such a kind smile was a tyrant, hired by rich men to abuse and beat children till they bust and break, Calling perfection what they choose. Alora knew that the smallest slip up could bring her to the brink of death. Mary still stood talking to the Lord, his half-white beard hung to his chest and his white hair was tied back. His face was heavily scarred but he stood strong and tall.
She spotted Tiron just a couple steps ahead of her, his wavey brown hair was grown out to his shoulders, Alora could only see the back of his head, and his unwavering straught poster. Even threw all he's been threw he stood tall and refused to break. Alora had consistently found herself admiring him, she wished she could be strong like him, but even seeing a whip made her want to vomit.
The Lord snapped his fingers and a few guards emerged from the walls escorting two scrawny men. Alora had never seen them before, there clothing fit tightly to there small limbs, and was a bit to tight around certain areas which made Gwen slightly giggle, catching the attention of a nearby guard. she quickly snapped her mouth shut and wiped the smile from her face before she could be seen. Thin faces, hollow eyes, and large noses that curved down into a hook sat on frowning faces that were held high on their thin necks. They bowed to the Lord before turning and facing the slaves. their eyes looked over them like meat at a market.
The Lord started walking away, followed by his sons that followed closely behind. The two men frowned as the walked threw the slaves. One held a napkin to his nose disgusted by there dirty clothing and skin. One pointed silently at a young girl, she was small and as fair as a snowflake. She shivered away as a knight grabbed her arms and forcefully tugged her to the side, her legs shook and tears glistened down her cheeks but she stayed quiet as the knight held her still. Halfway threw the slaves the men pointed to another. this time it was a boy he was stocky and had vibrant red hair and a handsome face. This went on for a while, Alora couldn't stop herself from shaking as they neared closer to her and Gwen. She didn't know what was to happen to the children they were choosing. She lowered her gaze as one of the men came closer to her his eyes looked her up and down, he raised his hand running his finger threw a strand of her black hair. Alora steadied her breath, she closed her eyes and reopened them to find his finger pointing directly towards her. She couldn't breathe or move as a knight gripped her arms and started dragging her. She quickly regained herself and looked back to Gwen whos looked confused and shocked but soon it turned to fear. Alora tried her best to control herself but her body pushed to get away. A heavy blow hit her stomach, knocking the breath out of her, tears started running down her face. Tiron jolted from his stance, a knight swung his fist towards him but he was able to jump out of the way just in time, tripping the knight with his foot. Alora struggled to get away from the knight but was threw to the ground. Tiron struggled as a knight drew his sword and plunged towards him. He was knocked to the ground but dodged just before the blade met his face. he grabbed the knights arm and flipped him on his back. he quickly grabbed the sword and plunged it into the knight's arm, pinning him to the stone beneath. a knight appeared before him, his armor made of dark steel, he drew his sword only to drop it, and raise his fists. Tiron charged towards him he ducked the knights' punch but was caught off guard by his leg. He tumbled to the ground the knight held his sword to his neck, keeping him in place. "Your a very strong lad", The knight chuckled down to Tiron. Mary rushed over towards Tiron whip ready in hand. "Thank you, I will now take this piece of fifth to be executed", Her anger was evident on her red face. "she went to grab Tiron's arm but was cut short by the knight turning his sword towards her. " No disrespect my lady but that will not be needed", "How dare you, he will be executed for causing harm and disgracing leadership, and you will hand him over to me, or should I report you to his general". The knight only chuckled, "Yes the boy is a bloody fool but he also took out two trained knights without a weapon, I will be taking him with me". Mary seethed with anger, "How dare you, you are but only a filthy knight and you dared to speak to me as if you held authority, I will see that a stake is nailed threw your dirty skull", Mary hissed. This time the knight only full out laughed, he slid the helmet from his face. He was an elderly man, his face was worn with a scar that flowed over his eye and nose, with a square jaw and gleaming golden eyes. He had a content smile linning his lips as Mary froze like ice in front of him. "G-General I am deeply", "Hold your tongue women you were only doing your duty, but maybe next time don't act like you, a slave mistress could ever pose a threat to one of my knights", His gaze was dark like an unspoken rivery was between them. Mary lowered her head, and the general smirked, he held his hand out to Tiron but he refused to take it, the general dragged him to his feet.
Alora had watched as she was held to the cold stone, the knight held her neck as a heavy chain was once again attached around her neck, her energy was gone, the knight yanked her to her feet and latched her to the row of chosen slaves. Tiron sadly looked after her as she was forcefully led away, she had one more glace towards Gwen's teary eyes as she was dragged from the courtyard.