"I want you to release her," the stranger orders.
Giovanni laughs. "She belongs to me. No one can stop me from doing whatever I please with her!"
The man takes a step forward, unfazed by Giovanni's threats. "You may have bought her, but she is not your property. She is a human being, and she deserves to be treated as such."
Giovanni's expression darkens even more, but he lets go of me, allowing me to sit up on the ground, trembling in fear and relief.
"Who are you?" Giovanni demands.
"I am Marcus, commander of Pereia's soldiers," the man introduces himself. "And as long as she is within Pereia's lands, she is not your slave. Slavery has been prohibited in our lands for a long time."
"So what?" Giovanni sneers. "Don't tell me you want to use her for free instead?!"
Marcus shakes his head. "No, she will be under Pereia's laws," he answers.
