Born to be a slave.

1

Book I - Born to be a slave

Book II - Born to rule

Book III - Born to unite

Edmund - fortunate protector, wealthy guardian

Thea - God's gift

It was cold. My skin was freezing under my torn and dirty tunic. I could feel fine raindrops falling on me. It was more like a fog, making everything look gloomy and grey and making me shiver in my humid clothing. I suppose it was midday. I didn't know. I hadn't lifted my eyes for hours. The only thing indicating it was constantly growing chatting and shouting around me. People were coming to the marketplace to get some goods - vegetables, fruits, tools, and slaves - and I was one of them - a slave. It was the only purpose for me in my short life. Since I could remember, I had been working as a slave. It would be for seven years, I thought. Though, sometimes I was not even sure about it. I had never attended a school or learned anything useful, reading, counting. Just basic stuff, but not enough to function on my own. At this moment I sat on a tiny stack of hay, waiting for somebody to buy me. I didn't want to go to another place. I wanted to not exist. No one had ever taken care of me. I had to endure the hard work everywhere I went. Different owners, different rich people's houses, but the attitude everywhere was the same - cold and cruel. Like I was not a human. They beat me, gave me food just enough for me to stay alive. I was living worse than a dog. I just wanted to die. There was nothing in my life, that kept me here. I would not survive another place. This time I would not last.

      I could hear some people talking near me, discussing the prices for other slaves, that were here with me. I held my head low and made no eye contact with anyone. I didn't want to be chosen.

       I felt someone's hand examining my black, greasy hair. I didn't bother to look up. I just wanted them to leave.

"We are buying this one!" I heard the voice of a young boy.

"Why! Look, she is tiny, just skin and bones. She will not last long. You don't need her. We can find someone better if you need." a low man's voice responded to him.

"Dad, I said I want her!"

     A boy sounded so confident like he held some power over everyone else. Even over his father, I assumed. His statement was clear, his voice stern and demanding. I felt his small hand touch my shoulder, as he shook me to get my attention, but I gave him none. I didn't want to be chosen.

"Hey, look at me!" he ordered.

I didn't budge.

"See, she is disobedient. You are gonna regret if you take her." his old man said again.

       A boy didn't answer him. He bent down, a little bit closer to me, and pulled some strands of my hair away, to get a better look at me. My eyes were shut tight. Please, not me, not me. I chanted in my head. He curved his smooth fingers around my chin and pulled it lightly, in an attempt to make me face him. As I did not, he took a stronger hold and forcefully made me finally look at him.

"I said, look at me!" his voice was more threatening than before.

I opened my blue, teary eyes and finally looked at the boy, who was bugging me.

       He looked not older than 10 or 12, with dark brown hair, perfectly combed backward. His clothing was those of the rich. The white shirt enclosed his neck, a dark, thick, blue jacket covered his slim body and kept it warm, and a black, silky scarf was loosely around his neck, but the most striking thing about him was his eyes. They were almost white, with a hint of purple. It looked so bizarre. I had never seen anything like it. My eyes couldn't leave his. Suddenly I got back to reality and turned away from him. I was not supposed to look at him, not like that. I curled back in a ball and stared at the ground in front of me.

"What is your name?"

....

"What is y ..."

"Thea," I said quietly, barely audible.

"Good. Better get used to obeying my commands."

"Edmund, are you really going to buy her?" annoyed said his father.

"Yes, I will. She will be my slave. Only mine."

My eyes had made their way back to both of them. I couldn't believe they would buy me. This boy was going to be my master?