"Hey! girl, wake up!" Katrin stirred from her slumber as the witch gently shook her awake. Lucy appeared unsettled, her eyes darting around.
"What's wrong?" the girl asked, still groggy as she rubbed her tired eyes. She yawned and peered at Lucy, concerned.
"We've arrived at the slave." Lucy informed, digging through her bag and bringing out a small potion bottle and a rope. she looped the rope round the bottle before deftly tying it round the girl's neck. "Keep this with you, there is no time, soon they will come round to get you, so listen to me. Promise me, promise me that when you reach the slave house, you'll find Willow. She's a friend of mine, she'll know what to do and tell you everything you need to know."
Katrin furrowed her brows, puzzled by the hurried words as she examined the amber liquid-filled bottle. "What is this, and who is Willow, why do I need to find her?"
"Willow is a friend of mine; she'll take care of you," Lucy explained, sliding the bottle into Katrin's dress where it nestled between her bosoms. "And this, this is something that will determine your fate. When the time is right, you'll understand what to do with it."
Still confused, Katrin was about to ask more questions when the cart's doors swung open. The two men that had taken her last night stood outside with satisfied grins on their faces.
Richard, the scarred man, held a thick rope in his hand. "Bring her here Nigel" he instructed, patting the lean man on the shoulder. Nigel jumped into the cart and approached her, a creepy grin on her face.
Seeing the tall figure advancing towards her Katrin instinctively began to crawl backward in an attempt to evade him. she moved with her hands and now moveable heels until she was cornered against the wooden wall, trapped.
"Nowhere to run now girly," Nigel smirked. He reached for her and grabbed her hand in a tight grip before he roughly began to pull her out of the cart.
Katrin let out a pained cry as she was being dragged dragged, her body sliding across the rough wooden floor before landing on the dirt ground at Richard's feet.
The witch, who couldn't bear the sight any longer rushed out and began to weakly strike Nigel's back with her fists. "Don't treat her like that!"
Slightly startled, Nigel turned around and seized her wrist, his grip threatening to snap her frail bones. "What's wrong with you, you witch? Why do you care how I treat her?" He tightened his hold almost turning Lucy's hand purple as her blood flow was restricted.
"Or," he folded her hand back and she yelped in pain, "is it that you have forgotten our little rule of not getting close with the captures? he tightens his grip once again and Lucinda silently screamed making Katrin winced in sympathy.
"Release her, Nigel. or you are going to break her hand," Richard intervened, as he took Katrin wrists and crossed them over. "Don't forget that we still need her for her potion skills."
Nigel sighed and with a sour look before her tossed the witch's hand away. "Don't think I will ignore it next time." he warned before turning to assist Richard in binding Katrin's wrists.
The young girl endured the pain as the rough rope dug into her skin, causing her to hiss in discomfort. She was then pull up to her feet and Nigel began to tug on the rope, forcing Katrin to stagger after him until they stepped through the entrance of a building.
The inside was noting like she imagined. People dressed in brown attire were chain in long lines of 6 to 9 people and were being lead by a person wielding either a whip or cane, these lines had men, women, and children—evidently other slaves— into the building.
Then A man dressed in green uniform approached Nick, appearing agitated.
"Mister Nigel!" the man called out, there was obvious worry in his tone as he approached. "What is it, James?" Nigel sighed, clearly uninterested in any new disturbances that morning. "Have all the new shipments not arrived?"
James hesitated, then stammered, "N-no. I mean yes, they have arrived. It's-it's. just t-that.."
"Speak up boy!" Nigel's snapped impatiently. "You know I despise suspense."
Startled, the young James quickly collected himself before he spoke again, "It's the Commander, sir. He's here."
"What?" Nick's expression was that of someone who'd been doused with cold water. "I thought he wasn't expected until later today. When did he arrive?"
"Early this morning, sir, just before sunrise," James answered and at that moment boomed from behind him.
"Nigel."
Katrin tilted her head and glanced past the boy to spot a pair of finely adorned emerald shoes. She recognized the type. The ostentatious footwear that usually graced those high-end clothing store windows. The kind that had exorbitant prices, often sought after by well off families. 'A wasteful expenditure', was what mother called them.
Raising her gaze, Katrin saw that the shoes belonged to a quite fatty description of a man. He approached with confident air, his double chin prominent and his obvious tailored suit that hugged to his frame. He was adorned with numerous accessories that glinted in the light, Rings were on every single one of his sausage-like fingers with a golden pin dangled from his left chest, and a massive silver chain hanging around his neck. He sported a tall hat and a cape that seemed more for show than function.
Once the man had gotten near, James and Nigel curved their backs and greeted, with a confused frown Katrin followed suit even though she knew nothing of the reason. But it was clear that this man held a position of importance.
"Commander," Nick saluted, bowing once more. "W-what brings you here so early?"
The man sneered at him, disdain etched across his face. "Do I not have the right to visit my own business, Nigel? Or have I fallen out of favor with my workers?"
"N-no Sir," Nigel stammered, quickly defending himself. "This is your establishment sir, of course you're welcome." He gave a nervous chuckle and wiped away the bead of sweat that was rolling down the side of his face.
Amusement danced across Katrin's eyes at the change in Nigel's character.
Without much time for reaction the Commander's hand raised, moved and struck Nigel's cheek with force, causing the lean man to stumble.
Katrin moved to the side evading him when he almost collided into her, regaining his footing with the help James.
Holding his burning cheek, Nigel gawked at the Commander in shock. A tear threatening to escape from the corner of his eye.
"Commander! you struck me?" The bewildered man exclaimed.
The Commander's expression remained stern, his eyes blazed anger. "You inept fool. The auction is to be held at noon, and we're short on slaves to sell. Are you intentionally trying to sabotage me?" He drew closer, grasping Nigel's collar. "Are you Nigel?"
Nigel gripped the Commander's arm, the fear in his eyes completely obvious. "No, sir. I would never—"
"Then explain yourself," the Commander commanded, his grip on Nigel's clothes tightening as he waited for an acceptable explanation.
Despite his trembling, Nick managed to convey their circumstances. "L-last month's sales had been so high that our stocks in slaves had nearly depleted. We had to restock immediately. Though we have now gotten enough for the auction, not everyone has completed or even gone through the training.
"Fine then, put every one up for sales."
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Just outside the slave house, a wealthy looking carriage glided to a halt near the entrance. Two elegantly dressed men stepped out, drawing the attention of everyone around, including Lucy, who stood outside the cart. Spotting one of the men, her heart calmed—this was the person she had been waiting for.
She looked to the sky with a hopeful sigh and gave a silent prayer, before she retreated into the cart.
🔆🔆🔆🔆🔆
Katrin's legs wobbled, weakened by hunger and the prolonged standing. She hadn't eaten since the afternoon before, and the conversation between the men had grown quite boring. She'd been waiting there for what felt like an eternity, and it seemed like both Nick and the Commander had forgotten about her.
Nigel had dropped the rope tied to her wrist dropped when he was struck earlier. She could leave, but fear was the only obstacle stopping her.
Summoning a little courage, she prepared to seize her chance, her heels turned slowly to the door and she was prepared to dash out at its next opening. But when it did, she froze.
Two men stepped into the building stealing everyone's attention. And as Katrin inhaled, trying to catch her breath, the scent of nature that seemed to surround them drew into her nose. It was a blend of earth, rain, and the color blue.
The faces of these men were the epitome of elegance; cool and captivating. Anyone who saw them would undoubtedly do a double-take in admiration.
Unconsciously, Katrin took a moment to thoroughly observe them.
The one in the lead exuded exceptional handsomeness, with silver hair, rich green eyes, pointed ears and perfect peach-colored lips, Katrin could tell he was a creature, an elf. His slightly broad shoulders concealed whatever was behind him but despite his attractiveness, it was the second man who truly captured her attention.
With dirt brown hair and mesmerizing ocean-blue eyes, he gave out the aura of a Special. His facial features were impeccably sculpted, with a cute button nose and plush rose-pink lips. Their gazes locked momentarily, and Katrin felt like she had been transported to a world where she didn't quite belong.
'Who is this man?' she wondered, why was her soul so captivated by his presence?
"Duke Ashbridge!" The Commander's alarmed voice shattered Katrin's trance, and her attention snapped back to the reality of her situation. She observed the startled and surprised expression on the Commander's face, which had quickly turned to a nervous smile.
She then looked back to the blue-eyed man, who sported a playful but dignified smirk on his lips and Katrin found herself more intrigued, her curiosity piqued. Who really was this man?