So heres the next chapter. I think i really enjoy writing this one and it sort of just flows which is good coz normally i have a hard time. So yeah enjoy.
The next day the sun rose hot and high over Summersea, with the promise of another burning summer day. For many, this was simply another lovely summer day to be spent lazing around or tending the garden, for others it meant a day exposed in an unshaded slave warehouse and for one dazed tourist it would mean nothing, as he sleeps off last nights terrifying run from drunken thugs in a rented room with the shutters closed.
Duke Vedris sat at his desk, leaning back to take a rest from the many important documents crowding his desk. He looked out the window onto the harbour. The water shimmered and sparkled, reflecting the sunshine out in million directions; it was beautiful.
He sighed again, disappointed to be spending another wonderful day in his study, tending to state affairs. But his work was of the utmost importance. Slave trade was not something that was condoned in a place like Summersea. It wasn't even legal and right now it was causing a huge pain in his backside. They knew that people were being taken. They knew that people were being sold. What they didn't know is by who or where? People would be living their lives, right as rain, then just disappear for years on end, to be found later and have their appalling stories told. He needed to fix this soon otherwise many more innocent victims would be taken and his people would get impatient when it seemed like nothing was being done.
The duke sighed again.
'Steward!' he called out. Moments later a man appeared at the door dressed in servants uniform.
'Your Grace?' He asked
The Duke eased a crick in his neck 'Yes would you please get me some water and see if Sergeant Ferrah is available?'
The man bobbed his head 'Yes your Grace, right away'
'Thankyou' Vedris said as the man left the room. He briefly glanced back out the window then leaned forward to continue his work.
An hour or so later the same servant led a rough looking man to Duke Vedris' study.
He was of medium-tall height with a solid build and looked very tired. There were dark circles under his eyes and his chin was rough from its coating of brown stubble, however his gaze was keen and steady as he greeted the duke.
'Duke Vedris, you asked for me?' he said once the formalities were aside.
'Yes' Vedris replied 'Yes I did, please won't you sit down' he motioned to some upholstered chairs, arranged in front of the unlit fireplace and beckoned the steward over 'some refreshments please, see if Daisy has made some of her lovely pastries today.' then moved forward to sit in the chair across from Ferrah.
'Sergeant Ferrah' he began 'how are things going with the slave traders? Have you found anything?'
'Oh the slave traders? Things are excellent your Grace. We have located the holding place and will be capturing the traffickers at the auction today, if all goes to plan. I sent a report just yesterday with the news.' He added after seeing the shocked look on Vedris' face.
'Oh, I had no idea. I must not have gotten the report.' The duke heaved a huge sigh of relief 'This case has been causing me hell. But how did you solve it so fast? I thought all we had were dead ends.'
At this point the steward arrived with the tea and pastries then set them down in front of the men, before pouring them each a cup of tea.
The sergeant took a large sip of tea and began 'Well we got a birdy to sing, so to speak. This one decided he wasn't getting enough out of his partners, wanted to get a bit of revenge and tear the whole thing down.' He took another sip 'Told us everything. The auction itself is to take place at two'o'clock this very afternoon'
Duke Vedris looked outside his window. It was only one'o'clock.
Maybe he would have time to go out to enjoy the sun and get some work done at the same time.
As the Duke contemplated his freedom from the endless piles of work on his desk, Valimai contemplated her freedom from slavery; more the fact that she didn't have it.
She felt the sun burning into the back of her neck. She knew that there would be a tan line from her collar, where the sun hadn't touched. Good, she thought it will remind me not to be foolish.
There was murmuring all around her so she looked up to see what the fuss was. At the front of the warehouse was Albert, standing on top of a wooden crate.
'A'right you lot' he yelled out 'shut the bleedin' ell up'
The crowds hushed, obviously afraid of this man who was in charge of their fate. He scanned the crowds with a scowl on his face 'Today' he yelled 'were sellin ye off' he smiled cruelly 'I'll be eatin well tonight no doubt, but as for you lot! Good luck to yez' with that he walked away.
Mai was appalled with herself. How in the world had she ever thought he was charming?! But even if he had all the eloquence of a pair of old boots, his news had a lot of gravity.
They would be sold off today which meant Mai would never have a chance to escape or be able to find her brother.
Around her people were weeping. Some silently into a coat sleeve whilst others sobbed urgently and were consoled by the stronger among them who simply had grim faces. Mai decided to be one of the silent ones and buried her face into her knees so no one would see her tears.
Maybe an hour or two later the doors to the warehouse opened again. Expecting to see none other than a new master or a smirking Albert, Mai kept her face in her knees. They could come get her if they wanted her so badly.
She ignored all the cries from the people around her, but eventually she felt that there was more space. The people were being taken to be sold she told herself Keep your head down or your next.
A hand was on her arm shaking her. 'No' she yelled yanking away. She went to look her attacker in the eyes but all she saw was a uniform. A uniform? Looking around Mai noticed that most of the other slaves were gone or talking to more uniformed men and women.
Guardsmen and Guardswomen. They had been rescued! The man leaned down again and said something to her. She shook her head and tried to remember what his words meant. She hadn't really spoken to anyone and their language was hard to remember. He repeated himself 'I'm here to help you. Are you alright?'
A smile broke out over her face and she nodded. The gentleman returned her smile then offered her a hand.
'There you go' he said 'no so bad. We just need to round you guys up for questioning'
She nodded again.
'So if you could just answer a couple of questions for me' he asked 'we can get you home right away'
'Oh' she stopped 'I'm not from Summersea.'
He raised his eyebrows 'Not with that accent your not. Well' he said thinking 'do you have somewhere to stay?'
'No.' She shook her head 'They took all my money when they captured me. It was all I had.'
He sighed 'Ok well I'm going to get on with the questioning and then we'll see if we can't find you a place to stay.'
He grinned slyly 'Worst thing is you stay with me' Mai blushed and looked down. She had always been shy when men flirted with her.
'But we'll worry about that later' he said, noticing her shyness 'how about I just ask you some questions' She nodded still not looking up.
'Ok first up, what is your name?'
'Valimai Keenan'
'And can you tell me who took you here?' He asked writing down her name on a piece of parchment.
'Albert' She replied firmly.
'Albert' he said writing it down carefully 'we seem to be getting a lot of him.' he looked up again 'I'm going to go ask the sergeant what to do with you so just hang tight and wait here, ok?'
Mai nodded again. She looked around to see that even more people had left and she was one of the last who wasn't in uniform. How long had she sat there with her head in her knees while this had been going on? She thought to herself.
The Guard who had been talking to her was walking over again beckoning her to come forward 'We have found somewhere for you to stay, so if you'll just come with me…' he walked away and she followed him towards a group of people who looked very important.
'Valimai this is Duke Vedris and sergeant Ferrah. They have found you a place to stay' he said turning to her.
Mai was awestruck. She never thought she would be introduced to the Duke of Summersea! She was a nobody. Slowly she bobbed an awkward curtsey 'Your Grace' He smiled at her and she blushed, before looking at the ground, then thinking this might be disrespectful, she forced her head up again to look at him.
'Unfortunately the citadel is full' he said smiling apologetically 'so I have arranged for you to stay with my niece, Lady Sandriline' Mai nodded again.
'Thankyou your Grace' She bobbed another awkward curtsey.
'Your quite welcome' Came a woman's voice from her left. Mai turned and saw a woman of a medium height with light brown hair,a small plump mouth and wide blue eyes coming towards her.
'I am Lady Sandriline,' she said 'but please call me Sandry. I'm assuming your Valimai?' she paused until Mai nodded then continued 'You will be staying with me and my family.' Mai began to curtsey again when Sandry held up a hand 'Please, no formalities. If your going to be living with us for a while I would rather not bother with all that pomp' Mai nodded again.
The Duke smiled at them 'Well I'm sure that Sandry can show you the way back to her house so if you'll please excuse me' With that he made a quick goodbye then turned to the sergeant and began reading over some documents that had just been handed to him.
Landy Sandry said turning to Mai in a businesslike fashion 'You'll have to excuse me for being a bit insensitive. Im having an unusually busy day today, so lets be on our way. Do you know how to ride?'
They set out for Cheeseman Street in the summer sun with the scent of all the fetid life of the slums baking in the heat, neither of them knowing what lay in store for them now they had met and mixed their two worlds. Any conceivable outcomes of this collision were to many and to varied to anticipate. The future was hazy and filled with uncertainty.