"I've decided on these few. They'll make a fine addition to the auction," the noblewoman said, consulting Kaitlyn's notebook.
"Certainly. I'll prepare them for you at once," Kaitlyn said.
"You'd best bring them outside. I'm not returning to that dreadful dust anytime soon. Didn't I tell you to get that place swept out?"
"Of course. I'll set some on it later today."
The noble nodded and climbed into her carriage, the coachman swinging the door shut with a crisp snap. Kaitlyn walked through the warehouse and onto the upper floor, returning minutes later with several chains. She collected five slaves from different aisles and dragged them out to the coach. The chains attached to a metal ring on the back of the carriage and connected the slave collars. Once finished, she knocked on the side of the carriage.
"Send our commission by courier. I hate traveling to the city," Kaitlyn called loudly.
The noble replied, but the carriage wall and distance muffled her voice. Behind them, the dust cloud neared enough to reveal several riders. They were still far off, but my sharp eyesight made out a few details. They wore full plate armor and carried weapons, mostly swords and spears. Their horses were large and similarly armored, making for a very imposing sight.
Despite the rising dust and noise, Kaitlyn seemed unaware of their impending arrival, stalking back into the warehouse the instant the nobles coach pulled away. I gulped as she marched straight to me, a murderous glare carved into her face.
"Damn Filthblood," she said viciously, "Remember the first rule?"
I nodded nervously, too afraid to speak. A small groan escaped my lips as the motion sent a fresh wave of pain through my chest.
"Some might say I've already taught you a lesson. But a damaged slave only has one purpose. Do you know what that is?"
"N-no ma'am," I whispered hoarsely.
Kaitlyn smiled viciously and raised her voice, filling the entire warehouse. "This will be a good lesson for the rest of you!"
She opened the cage and clawed inside. I fell back and avoided her first pass, but hit the back wall hard. Blood spurted past the bandage as the impact came through my back and I fell forward into her grasp.
"Please," I sobbed, "I won't do it again!"
"Something to consider before doing it once."
Kaitlyn reached in and grabbed me successfully, pulling me out by the arm. I clawed at the bars but ended up on the ground before her once more. I squeezed my eyes shut as she raised her fist, bracing myself for what was surely my last moments.
"Ahem!"
A loud cough cut through the air, stilling her fist moments before it descended. Kaitlyn's head whipped back, but her infuriated glare quickly turned more subdued. "Who dares interrupt-Prince Altric! I-I wasn't expecting you!"
The slaver fell to her knees, bowing until her forehead struck the ground. Her hands shook with fear, and she didn't dare look up at the ridders, who sat atop their horses motionlessly. My heart pounded, each beat sending a pulse of blood onto the floor, and I clutched at my side, trying to adjust the bandage.
Finally stemming the flow of blood, I struggled to raise my head. The riders' gleaming armor caught the evening sun just right, reflecting in all directions, and bathing them in a holy Aura. The leader, Prince Altric, wore a golden clock and an ornate gem-encrusted crown. A young boy, about my age, rode at his side. He was well-built and boasted a strong jawline, handsome by all accounts. He grimaced when he saw my wounds, his clear, blue eyes taking on a furious light.
"What are you doing?" he asked, cantering forward till he towered above us.
Kaitlyn gave the boy a sharp look, placing her hands on her hips as he dismounted.
"And this is?" she asked, glancing at the prince.
"The Sun Hero. He was summoned several months ago and holds the authority of church and crown."
For the second time, Kaitlyn paled with fear and pressed her face into the ground. "A hero so young? Please, forgive my rudeness. I wasn't aware there was such a distinguished person as yourself in our kingdom."
The hero's frown deepened, and he laid a gauntleted hand on his sword hilt. "I won't ask again. What are you doing with her?"
She gulped like a fish, her mouth opening and closing several times before words came. "My Lord? I was simply disciplining a disobedient slave. It acted up earlier and must be taught a lesson. I apologize for appearing in such a barbaric way before you, but you need not concern yourself here. This is a perfectly normal part of the trade."
"Prince Altric, is it common in this world to kill children while disciplining them? " the hero asked.
Kaitlyn stiffened as the prince chuckled, turning white as a sheet. "Of course not," the prince returned. "Especially considering all slaves of the Beast Kingdom are considered royal property. As I recall, Kaitlyn, you are simply the manager, hardly the owner."
I flinched as the hero reached out and cupped my cheek, gently brushing away a tear with his thumb. My heart quickened at his tender touch, something I'd never experienced in either life so far. "Explain this."
Kaitlyn drew a deep breath, face pale. "M-My Lord, t-this is only a slave-"
I flinched as an angry shout rang out, cutting off Kaitlyn's stammering. "What are you doing? Get away from that thing!"
A tall, middle-aged man dressed in white robes pushed through the dismounting Knights and ran up. As grabbed the hero's wrist and yanked his hand away, the metal gauntlet tore my cheek, leaving a long, jagged cut. A large stylized sun was embroidered on his robes, an icon found on all the other men.
"Father, unhand the hero," Prince Altric said. From the sharpness in his voice, it was obvious 'father' was a title, rather than a reference to bloodline.
The Father ignored the prince and tried to pull the hero further away, glaring at me the whole while. "Soltair, you might not know this yet, but that creature is a demon! They're the whole reason we were forced to declare the holy war in the first place. We must wash this hand as soon as possible to be rid of her taint."
The hero jerked his hand away and looked at the prince. "Does she qualify?"
Prince Altric sighed and walked toward us, placing a hand on the hero's shoulder. "It doesn't work like that. You need someone competent of standing beside you. There are plenty of options here, so let's take out time and-"
"You, slaver, is she from the beast kingdom?" the hero asked.
Kaitlyn jumped at his voice. "Y-yes, my Lord. Came in over two months back."
The stony expression on the hero finally softened. "Good. Test her."
The prince hesitated and reluctantly nodded. He waved his hand and two of the soldiers moved to me. One grabbed my arms roughly and held me up, causing me to cry out. Blood ran down my side, dripping on the ground. The other soldier held a large transparent crystal to my forehead. It was cold and felt like glass, but glowed with a soft light. A strange pulse shook me, entering into the depths of my body and resonating with the magic in my body.
A moment later, a blinding light exploded from the crystal, filling the entire warehouse with its radiance. I squeezed my eyes shut at the unexpected display and heard the others cry out in shock.
"Good enough?" the hero asked. I glanced up to find his grinning smugly at the priestly man.
"Impossible!" the priestly man hissed, jaw slackening in disbelief.
The prince folded his arms, a pleased expression flitting across his face. "Hard to argue with that magic density.
"Then I choose her. Father, heal her."
"I refuse," the man said through clenched teeth. "We ought to kill demons on sight, not save them."
"Father," Prince Altric said, voice taking on a hint of warning. "We both agreed it would be his decision."
The priestly man was rigid and unmoving. He clenched and unclenched his jaw several times before releasing a sigh. "Don't think this matter is over. I'll be speaking with His Holiness about this."
He strode forward and reached his hand out and placed it in between my horns, face twisting as though he'd touched a snake. He pressed down firmly and muttered a few words.
Thoughts fled my mind as an uncomfortable pressure blew through my body, and I hissed as the bones in my chest began retreating to their rightful places. Skin knit together and healed until even the scars had faded. Once it was finished, the Father released my head and stepped back, shaking his hand in disgust.
I closed my eyes, amazed to feel the pain had vanished. So this was magic. My breath was normal and the weakness caused by blood loss was gone. Before I could rejoice in that, strength fled my body and I swooned. The hero lunged forward and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tight. Concern painted his handsome face.
"Rest. I'll take it from here."
Not that I could have resisted. I fell into his embrace and closed my eyes, the miraculous healing taking the rest of my strength. For some reason, the cold steel of his armor felt comforting, allowing me to sink safely into unconsciousness.