The air was thick with the stench of sweat and desperation as Akita stood among the other slaves in the auction yard. The harsh midday sun beat down on her, but she barely felt it. Her heart was pounding with anticipation, each thud echoing in her ears. This was her moment, the chance she had been waiting for. She could almost taste the freedom just within her grasp.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out near the auctioneer's podium. Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd of slaves and prospective buyers. The auctioneer's voice, usually loud and commanding, now sounded frustrated and defensive.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I regret to inform you that the auction is postponed for a month due to unforeseen circumstances."
Akita's heart sank. She felt as if the ground had been pulled from beneath her feet. A month. A whole month of waiting, suffering, and hoping. She glanced at the master, who looked equally displeased but resigned. He was going to get money regardless of the situation, the craftswoman was helping her undress undoing everything they did until the auction came again.
Once they finished she and the other slaves were herded back to the wagons, Akita's mind raced with questions and doubts. All the dressing up she had done just to be sent right back where she started.
The journey back to the estate was a blur. Akita barely registered the jostling of the wagon or the murmured complaints of the other slaves. Her thoughts were consumed with the unexpected delay and the implications it held for her plans.
When they finally arrived back at the estate, Akita trudged to her cell with heavy feet. Sela was there, waiting for her, her eyes sharp and questioning. Akita slumped against the wall, her frustration evident.
"They postponed the auction," Akita muttered, her voice tinged with disbelief. "A whole month Sela....Why.."
Sela's expression darkened, but she remained composed. "I heard. It's a setback, but not the end of the world. We need to adjust our plans. They probably set it back because there wasn't enough people during the day. Usually they like to wait until its a perfect time to bring out the slaves early in the morning or night from my experience."
Akita looked at her cellmate, seeking guidance. "What do we do now? How can I endure another month of this?"
Sela sighed, her gaze thoughtful. "We need to use this time wisely. The delay can work in our favor if we plan carefully. First, we need to keep up the charade. Continue to behave, do your duties, and make the master believe you're still compliant. Don't undo everything you worked hard for, I lost my chance on getting out of her but you stil have the power to get out. It may not be the life you want but it's better than rotting in here."
Akita nodded, though the thought of another month of submission made her stomach churn. She had to be strong if she wanted to get out. "And then?"
"We gather information," Sela continued. "Listen to the guards, watch their routines. Find out if there are any weaknesses we can exploit. And we need to secure an ally, someone who can help us when the time comes."
"Who could help us?" Akita asked, her hope flickering weakly.
"Soren," Sela replied without hesitation. "He's a guard, but he's not as loyal to the master as the others. He has a price, and if we can meet it, he might be willing to assist us."
Akita's mind whirled with the possibilities. Soren was known for his greed, and if they could offer him something valuable, he might indeed be swayed. But what could they possibly have that would interest him? Was the master curel to everyone even the guards, but the guards are just wokring. Akita thought hard as usally the guards were just as lowly as them.
"How do we get to him?" Akita asked, determination creeping back into her voice.
"I'll handle that," Sela said firmly. "I have some connections, and I'll find a way to reach out to him. In the meantime, you focus on keeping up appearances and gathering any useful information. The last thing you want is to be caught in the act while getting such information."
Akita could only nod as she was right, getting out of here for good was all she wanted, she'll do what she can do make sure of it. Knowing her parents didn't want their daughter to suffer such a fate, a fate no one knew didn't happen. Not even Akita herself knew of such a thing. Her wounds on her back brought her great discomfort, it was most likley infected she believed.
Days turned into weeks as Akita and Sela put their plan into motion. Akita performed her duties diligently, her eyes and ears open for any scraps of information that might be useful. She noticed the guards' routines, the changes in their shifts, and the occasional lapses in their vigilance. Sometimes they often slept while on patrol at night making it perfect to escape.
Sela, true to her word, managed to make contact with Soren. The negotiations were tense and fraught with danger, but eventually, Sela secured his tentative cooperation. Soren agreed to help them, for a price. It was a risky alliance, but it was the best chance they had.
One evening, as Akita scrubbed the floor of the master's quarters, she overheard two guards talking in hushed tones. She paused, her hands stilling as she listened.
"I can't stand working for him," one guard muttered. "The master treats us like dirt."
"Tell me about it," the other guard replied. "But what can we do? We're stuck here just like the slaves."
Akita's heart raced. This was valuable information. There were cracks in the master's authority, and the guards' discontent could be a crucial advantage.
That night, back in the cell, Akita relayed what she had heard to Sela. Sela nodded thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing in contemplation.
"This is good," Sela said. "If we can play on their discontent, we might be able to win more of them over. But we'll need to be careful. We can't afford to tip our hand too soon."
As the month wore on, the tension grew. Akita's frustration and desperation were tempered by a growing sense of purpose. The delay had been a setback, but it had also given them time to strengthen their plan. They were more prepared now, with a clearer understanding of their obstacles and potential allies.
The day of the rescheduled auction finally arrived. Akita stood in the yard once more, her heart pounding not just with anticipation but with the resolve born from weeks of meticulous planning. The master, still wary but slightly more convinced of her compliance, watched her with narrowed eyes.
As the auctioneer's voice rang out, calling for bids, Akita felt a surge of determination. She was ready. This time, she would not be caught off guard. She would seize any opportunity that presented itself, no matter the cost.
The road ahead was still fraught with danger, but Akita was prepared. She had endured, she had survived, and now she was ready to fight for her freedom. The chains that bound her might be strong, but her will was stronger. And she would not let them hold her forever.