Disclaimer: Okay this is the part of the story I hate but here it goes. I
do not own digimon so you will not sue me under any circumstances. I do
own my story line and character though. Amanda owns herself though and
does not want you to steal her.
Okay this is a midevil fic. It takes place in a world of magic and weapons where people are slaves and branded like cattle to tell who owns them. If slaves are found running away they are killed.
Also I would like to dedicate this fic to mandy_croyance. You can find her on fanfiction.net too and I urge you to go and read her story. It is actually quite good. Anyway story time.
1 The Mark
*Kari*
I sat in the corner of my cell curled up into a ball trying to keep as much heat in my body as I could. It didn't help that my only clothes were gray rags that could barely cover my sixteen-year-old body. Dirty brown hair fell over one of my crimson eyes that stared dully out of my head. Dirt was smeared across my face that I hadn't bothered to clean up after working. My slave mark was burned into the back of my hand in the elaborate shape of a D.
"Get up slave." Said a cruel voice from behind me. I turned around and saw a soldier dressed in the gray and purple of the Dalfak kingdom that I was enslaved to. I pulled myself up slowly and winced as muscles that had stiffened as I had sat in the corner creaked in protest. I walked towards the door and the guard gave me a push through the door. I managed to catch myself before tumbling headfirst into the stone wall on the opposite side of the hallway.
I was used to the behavior of the guards so I didn't even bother looking at him. He pushed past me and walked down the hallway. I looked at the ground and followed after him as was expected of me. He led me down the hallway and the stone gradually changed from the dull gray of the slaves quarters and to the white painted white of the main halls.
My bare feet slapped against the cold stones as we walked down the hallway and the soldier stopped in front of the door and stood aside. I took the hint, walked to the door, and opened it. I stood aside and let the soldier pass by then followed back after him. We had walked into the column supported throne room.
The young king, Ryban, of the Delfak kingdom sat on his throne drumming his fingers on the arm of his throne. His thin golden circlet rested on top of thick black hair and violet eyes started out from underneath his hair. He was dressed in gray pants, a shirt, and a long fur trimmed purple cape flowed back over his shoulders.
Kari personally hated the Ryban, which was one of the only emotions she had since she had been bought on her fifth birthday. The new king's father hadn't been a good owner but he had seen they had enough food and good clothes. Since the new king had taken over things had gone downhill for the slaves. They were only fed at night and they hadn't gotten new clothes for almost a year.
"Bring her forward." Said Ryban. I didn't want to go and stood in one place. The soldier got behind me and gave me a solid push in the small of my back. I stumbled forward and then finished the walk up to Ryban's throne. "Don't you know how to behave in front of a king?" Asked Ryban.
The soldier kicked the back of my right knee and I fell down onto my right knee. My knee slammed into the hard stones and pain flashed up and down my leg. I could tell already that it was going to swell up by the morning. "Look at me." I didn't want to get hurt any more than I already was so I looked up. Crimson met violet and held there. "This is the best looking of the slaves. This is sad if this is the best we have." Said Ryban.
"What?" I asked before I could stop myself. Ryban's hand slapped me across the face and my head stepped to the side. I could feel the heat rising on my face from where his hand had hit. I bit my tongue to stop from yelling and looked back down.
"Well, if this is the best we have then she'll have to do." Said Ryban. "Put her back into her cell and tomorrow morning we'll try to get he at least presentable. Look at me." I looked back up. "Tomorrow we are giving you to the king of Gathis as a peace offering. And you had better not make any trouble or you will pray for death." I shook my head numbly.
"Speak." The one word held the threat of a severe whipping.
"Yes, sire."
I couldn't believe what had just happened. I had been given away like a bag of flour just to appease some other king. Oh, well maybe he would at least treat me better than Ryban.
"Take her away." Said Ryban waving his hand and walking towards his bedroom which was attached to the throne room. "And bring the slave girl Ryba after you take her back." A lustful smile crossed Ryban's face.
"Yes, sire." The soldier's fingers dug into my shoulder as he pulled me to my feet. We both turned and started to walk away.
"Wait." We both turned back. "You best teach her not to open her mouth in front of those better than her. We can't have her doing that in front of her new master."
"Yes, sire." Said the soldier and I could hear the cruelty in his voice. I shivered underneath his grip, which tightened even more. He turned me back around and walked me towards the door. I opened the door for him again and then followed him down the halls. We took a different way this time and arrived at a small room. It was basically the same as my cell but one of the walls four rings with ropes trailing from them stuck out of the wall.
He pushed me over to the wall and lifted my hands above my head. He tied the ropes around my wrist and when he was done the tips of my toes barely touched the ground. He tied the other two ropes to my ankles. He grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it above my head so that the gray cloth rested in front of my eyes. His hand trailed across the front of my body for a second before stepping back.
I could hear him pulled the whip from the wall and snap it a few times to warm up. Suddenly the whip slashed across my back and even though I tried to hold it in I screamed in pain. Warm blood trickled down my back from the long slash left by the whip. The whip slashed in again but this time all I could do was groan. The whip cut into me eight more times before he stopped.
He pulled my shirt back down and pulled the ropes from my arms and legs. I was barely conscious but I managed to follow the soldier back to my cell. He pushed me in and I didn't have the strength to stop myself from hitting the ground. As I fell into unconsciousness I could hear the door closing and the lock clicking back.
I woke up many hours later and tried to move. I groaned in pain as fire flashed through the cuts on my back. I couldn't feel the hit on my face anymore but my knee still throbbed with pain. Even through the pain I could feel cold water running across the wounds on my back and strong arms holding me against a warm chest. "It's okay Kar. Don't waste your strength." Said my brother, Tai. I decided to listen to him and stopped moving but still opened my eyes.
I was lying chest first across my brother's knees and his strong arms held me. Another prisoner by the name of Kyle was lightly bathing my wounds with a piece of his sleeve soaked in a bowl of our daily water ration.
Both Kyle and Tai we're nineteen years old and had heavily muscled bodies from years of fighting. Tai's hair and eyes were brown while Kyle's hair and eyes were a dark red that was almost black. Both were dressed in dirty gray rags similar to my own and they both had D's like mine though theirs were both on their right cheeks. They were both arena fighters. Forced to fight against each other for the pleasure of the watching rich.
"Don't waste our water ration on me." I whispered. A whisper was all I could manage with how I felt.
"Don't worry. It's coming out of your share." Said Kyle. Tai laughed softly at the joke and I managed to smile.
"Kari don't worry anyway. You're worth a little bit of water." Said my brother. He flashed one of his lopsided grins.
"Thanks, Tai."
"So what happened this time?" Asked Kyle.
"I spoke when I wasn't asked to speak."
"Kari I wish you wouldn't do that. I care to much about you to want to see you get hurt." Said Tai.
"I was surprised because Ryban said he was giving me away as a gift. To a king of a Gathis." I said. My brother's expression was hoe I thought it would be. Complete outrage. He tried to cover it up for my sake but didn't do a very good job.
"Maybe he'll be better than Ryban." Said Tai. "I hope so because I don't want you to go to a worse place without me."
"I don't think you can get worse than Ryban." Said Kyle. I groaned at the joke and tried to move into a sitting position. Tai helped me up then leaned me back against the wall. My knee gave a slight twinge as it moved a little but I managed to keep it mostly straight.
"I don't know if you're going to be able to even stand tomorrow." Said Tai.
"Do I have a choice?" I asked. "I can't stand and I get whipped again. Then it will be even worse. I just have to hope it gets better."
"You can have my food." Said Tai holding a tray with cheese and bread up to me.
"You have to eat too Tai." I said taking a piece of bread and a slice of cheese from the tray. I was starved from not eating all day. The three of us started to eat through the little food that was on the tray. After they finished Tai moved over to beside me.
"Lean on me. That way you won't have to lay on the hard ground." Said Tai. I shook my head tiredly and lay on the ground. I rested my head on Tai's lap and he let one arm drape over me. I slept in my brother's arms knowing it would probably be the last time.
*Takeru*
I moved my arms uncomfortably in my stiff high-necked white shirt. I was also dressed in green pants, brown leather boots, and a long green silk cape was attached around my neck with the crest of the kingdom. The crest of the kingdom was an elaborate G with a crossed sword and grain sheath behind it. A short sword was belted onto my hip.
"Come here young master. Your hair is a mess." Said a maid walking over to him and starting to run a large brush through my golden blond hair. She hit a tangle and pulled it apart painfully.
"Oww." I yelled jumping away from the maid. I looked at her like she was crazy with my sapphire blue eyes.
"But young master you must look good for the ceremony." Said the maid.
"I'm fine." I said running my hand through my hair and pulled out a few tangles but managed to pull them apart more gently. "Just go, please." The maid shook her head and walked to the door. I knew she was used to me being touchy about people messing with me.
A figure standing beside the inside of the door laughed. The figure was my personal bodyguard, Amanda. I didn't like having a bodyguard but since I was the youngest in the family I had to have one.
Amanda was only as old as I was but her tall and limber body was hard with muscles. Her brown hair was streaked with honey colored stripes and her intense brown eyes were set into a very beautiful face. Her skin was a creamy mocha color. She was dressed in baggy green pants, a white tank top, and brown leather boots that gave her freedom of movement and little protection. She also wore armored gauntlets that went up to her elbows. She had a short sword like me but it was enchanted with ice and water magic. Also a crossbow hung across her back and a quiver of bolts on her belt.
"What are you laughing at." I asked sullenly sitting in a chair.
"Well, if this didn't happen every time somebody had tried to even touch the over glorified mop you call hair." Said Amanda smiling at me.
"It's not my fault I hate these formal ceremonies." I said. "I always have to wear these formal clothes and sit around for hours listening to people talking about the price of wine or how cows are doing. I couldn't fight in these stiff clothes if I had too."
"You're not supposed to. I'm supposed to fight for you." Said Amanda. There was a knock on the door and I waved my hand for Amanda to open it. She was still smiling as she walked over to the door and opened it. My brother, Matt and my sister, Sora stood in the doorway.
"Why was the maid storming off in the other direction?" Asked Matt with a smile on his face. Matt was older than I was and taller and stronger. We both had the same blond hair and blue eyes though his hair stuck in every direction while mine fell down flat. He was dressed in the same clothes as I was but a crescent moon bladed battle-ax hung on a loop in his belt.
"Did she try to comb your hair again?" Asked Sora. She was the same age as Matt and tall for a woman. Her body was as limber and muscular as Amanda's was. Her red hair fell down her back and her hazel eyes sparkled with kindness. She was dressed in a long green velvet dress and green slippers. I knew she was as deadly with a sword as I was but she couldn't wear a weapon to a ceremony.
"Yeah. What did you come to tell me?" I asked trying to get the conversation off of my hair.
"It's time to go to the ceremony." Said Matt. I nodded and they left the room. I walked out after them. Two soldiers that were dressed in the gray and purple of the Delfak kingdom walked away from the sides of the door where they were stationed. Amanda stepped between the soldiers and the three of us. Her hand rested on the hilt of her short blade with an easy air that suggested death to any that messed with her.
They followed the soldiers into a high domed dining room. A long table was set down the middle of the room and could have easily fit a hundred people. Their father and mother already sat at the table and were talking with the young king of Delfak. The young king was dressed in gray pants and shirt with a long purple fur trimmed cape. Soldiers dressed in ceremonial armor and weapons were set at every doorway. Slaves with a D burnt into their hands were standing next to the table dressed in gray robes with a purple sash across their waists.
Our dad looked over and smiled. We walked over towards the table and our mother, father, and the young king stood. "These are my sons and daughter. The oldest is Matt then Takeru and my daughter is Sora." Said our father gesturing to each of us in turn.
"It is nice to meet each of your children." Said the king. I could almost see the charm oozing out of him and instantly disliked him. He was one of the people that lived behind a mask and came out when he was alone.
"This is Ryban. He is only a little older than Matt but has been ruling for a couple of years." Said our father.
"Yes, my father died a few years ago of the fever." Said Ryban.
"More likely you poisoned him." I thought.
"Please sit." Said Ryan. We all sat down in the chairs and drew them up to the table. "Let's eat." Said Ryban clapping his hands. The slaves hurried away almost like they had been whipped and returned with platters of food. They placed them in front of us. We passed the platters around and I took large portions of the slabs of beef, bread, cheese, and a few pieces of fruit.
We ate and my father and Ryban talked about the terms of the alliance they wanted to set up. I didn't pay much attention but was looking around the room. My eyes went over the slaves and stopped on one face. On one of her cheeks was a hand shaped bruise but it was still obviously that she was beautiful. Her long brown hair fell around her face and her crimson eyes stared at the ground hopelessly.
Suddenly Ryban's voice broke me out of my stupor. "And to complete this vow of peace I give you a peace offering. One of my slaves for your youngest child." Said Ryban. He gestured over to the line of slaves and the slave that I had been staring at walked forward.
"What happened to her?" Asked my father.
"Unfortunately one of the guards got angry last night and slapped." Said Ryban. I could tell he was lying through his teeth. I bet that it was him that had slapped her. I could feel anger bubbling up in me that he had tried to hurt this beautiful angel.
"I hope he was punished." Said Matt.
"Yes, the guard was punished severely." Said Ryban. "Should I have her sent to Takeru's room?"
"Is that okay son?" Asked my father. I nodded distractedly because I was staring at her face. She glanced up at me and our eyes met. I could sense the pain behind those eyes and smiled trying to reassure her. She looked back down at the ground. A soldier walked away from the wall and she followed him towards the hallway that led to my room.
I sat through the rest of the negotiations nervously. I couldn't wait to go to my room and at least find out what her name was.
End Note: Okay that was the end of my first chapter. I thought it was okay but that is up to you. Please read and review.
Okay this is a midevil fic. It takes place in a world of magic and weapons where people are slaves and branded like cattle to tell who owns them. If slaves are found running away they are killed.
Also I would like to dedicate this fic to mandy_croyance. You can find her on fanfiction.net too and I urge you to go and read her story. It is actually quite good. Anyway story time.
1 The Mark
*Kari*
I sat in the corner of my cell curled up into a ball trying to keep as much heat in my body as I could. It didn't help that my only clothes were gray rags that could barely cover my sixteen-year-old body. Dirty brown hair fell over one of my crimson eyes that stared dully out of my head. Dirt was smeared across my face that I hadn't bothered to clean up after working. My slave mark was burned into the back of my hand in the elaborate shape of a D.
"Get up slave." Said a cruel voice from behind me. I turned around and saw a soldier dressed in the gray and purple of the Dalfak kingdom that I was enslaved to. I pulled myself up slowly and winced as muscles that had stiffened as I had sat in the corner creaked in protest. I walked towards the door and the guard gave me a push through the door. I managed to catch myself before tumbling headfirst into the stone wall on the opposite side of the hallway.
I was used to the behavior of the guards so I didn't even bother looking at him. He pushed past me and walked down the hallway. I looked at the ground and followed after him as was expected of me. He led me down the hallway and the stone gradually changed from the dull gray of the slaves quarters and to the white painted white of the main halls.
My bare feet slapped against the cold stones as we walked down the hallway and the soldier stopped in front of the door and stood aside. I took the hint, walked to the door, and opened it. I stood aside and let the soldier pass by then followed back after him. We had walked into the column supported throne room.
The young king, Ryban, of the Delfak kingdom sat on his throne drumming his fingers on the arm of his throne. His thin golden circlet rested on top of thick black hair and violet eyes started out from underneath his hair. He was dressed in gray pants, a shirt, and a long fur trimmed purple cape flowed back over his shoulders.
Kari personally hated the Ryban, which was one of the only emotions she had since she had been bought on her fifth birthday. The new king's father hadn't been a good owner but he had seen they had enough food and good clothes. Since the new king had taken over things had gone downhill for the slaves. They were only fed at night and they hadn't gotten new clothes for almost a year.
"Bring her forward." Said Ryban. I didn't want to go and stood in one place. The soldier got behind me and gave me a solid push in the small of my back. I stumbled forward and then finished the walk up to Ryban's throne. "Don't you know how to behave in front of a king?" Asked Ryban.
The soldier kicked the back of my right knee and I fell down onto my right knee. My knee slammed into the hard stones and pain flashed up and down my leg. I could tell already that it was going to swell up by the morning. "Look at me." I didn't want to get hurt any more than I already was so I looked up. Crimson met violet and held there. "This is the best looking of the slaves. This is sad if this is the best we have." Said Ryban.
"What?" I asked before I could stop myself. Ryban's hand slapped me across the face and my head stepped to the side. I could feel the heat rising on my face from where his hand had hit. I bit my tongue to stop from yelling and looked back down.
"Well, if this is the best we have then she'll have to do." Said Ryban. "Put her back into her cell and tomorrow morning we'll try to get he at least presentable. Look at me." I looked back up. "Tomorrow we are giving you to the king of Gathis as a peace offering. And you had better not make any trouble or you will pray for death." I shook my head numbly.
"Speak." The one word held the threat of a severe whipping.
"Yes, sire."
I couldn't believe what had just happened. I had been given away like a bag of flour just to appease some other king. Oh, well maybe he would at least treat me better than Ryban.
"Take her away." Said Ryban waving his hand and walking towards his bedroom which was attached to the throne room. "And bring the slave girl Ryba after you take her back." A lustful smile crossed Ryban's face.
"Yes, sire." The soldier's fingers dug into my shoulder as he pulled me to my feet. We both turned and started to walk away.
"Wait." We both turned back. "You best teach her not to open her mouth in front of those better than her. We can't have her doing that in front of her new master."
"Yes, sire." Said the soldier and I could hear the cruelty in his voice. I shivered underneath his grip, which tightened even more. He turned me back around and walked me towards the door. I opened the door for him again and then followed him down the halls. We took a different way this time and arrived at a small room. It was basically the same as my cell but one of the walls four rings with ropes trailing from them stuck out of the wall.
He pushed me over to the wall and lifted my hands above my head. He tied the ropes around my wrist and when he was done the tips of my toes barely touched the ground. He tied the other two ropes to my ankles. He grabbed the bottom of my shirt and pulled it above my head so that the gray cloth rested in front of my eyes. His hand trailed across the front of my body for a second before stepping back.
I could hear him pulled the whip from the wall and snap it a few times to warm up. Suddenly the whip slashed across my back and even though I tried to hold it in I screamed in pain. Warm blood trickled down my back from the long slash left by the whip. The whip slashed in again but this time all I could do was groan. The whip cut into me eight more times before he stopped.
He pulled my shirt back down and pulled the ropes from my arms and legs. I was barely conscious but I managed to follow the soldier back to my cell. He pushed me in and I didn't have the strength to stop myself from hitting the ground. As I fell into unconsciousness I could hear the door closing and the lock clicking back.
I woke up many hours later and tried to move. I groaned in pain as fire flashed through the cuts on my back. I couldn't feel the hit on my face anymore but my knee still throbbed with pain. Even through the pain I could feel cold water running across the wounds on my back and strong arms holding me against a warm chest. "It's okay Kar. Don't waste your strength." Said my brother, Tai. I decided to listen to him and stopped moving but still opened my eyes.
I was lying chest first across my brother's knees and his strong arms held me. Another prisoner by the name of Kyle was lightly bathing my wounds with a piece of his sleeve soaked in a bowl of our daily water ration.
Both Kyle and Tai we're nineteen years old and had heavily muscled bodies from years of fighting. Tai's hair and eyes were brown while Kyle's hair and eyes were a dark red that was almost black. Both were dressed in dirty gray rags similar to my own and they both had D's like mine though theirs were both on their right cheeks. They were both arena fighters. Forced to fight against each other for the pleasure of the watching rich.
"Don't waste our water ration on me." I whispered. A whisper was all I could manage with how I felt.
"Don't worry. It's coming out of your share." Said Kyle. Tai laughed softly at the joke and I managed to smile.
"Kari don't worry anyway. You're worth a little bit of water." Said my brother. He flashed one of his lopsided grins.
"Thanks, Tai."
"So what happened this time?" Asked Kyle.
"I spoke when I wasn't asked to speak."
"Kari I wish you wouldn't do that. I care to much about you to want to see you get hurt." Said Tai.
"I was surprised because Ryban said he was giving me away as a gift. To a king of a Gathis." I said. My brother's expression was hoe I thought it would be. Complete outrage. He tried to cover it up for my sake but didn't do a very good job.
"Maybe he'll be better than Ryban." Said Tai. "I hope so because I don't want you to go to a worse place without me."
"I don't think you can get worse than Ryban." Said Kyle. I groaned at the joke and tried to move into a sitting position. Tai helped me up then leaned me back against the wall. My knee gave a slight twinge as it moved a little but I managed to keep it mostly straight.
"I don't know if you're going to be able to even stand tomorrow." Said Tai.
"Do I have a choice?" I asked. "I can't stand and I get whipped again. Then it will be even worse. I just have to hope it gets better."
"You can have my food." Said Tai holding a tray with cheese and bread up to me.
"You have to eat too Tai." I said taking a piece of bread and a slice of cheese from the tray. I was starved from not eating all day. The three of us started to eat through the little food that was on the tray. After they finished Tai moved over to beside me.
"Lean on me. That way you won't have to lay on the hard ground." Said Tai. I shook my head tiredly and lay on the ground. I rested my head on Tai's lap and he let one arm drape over me. I slept in my brother's arms knowing it would probably be the last time.
*Takeru*
I moved my arms uncomfortably in my stiff high-necked white shirt. I was also dressed in green pants, brown leather boots, and a long green silk cape was attached around my neck with the crest of the kingdom. The crest of the kingdom was an elaborate G with a crossed sword and grain sheath behind it. A short sword was belted onto my hip.
"Come here young master. Your hair is a mess." Said a maid walking over to him and starting to run a large brush through my golden blond hair. She hit a tangle and pulled it apart painfully.
"Oww." I yelled jumping away from the maid. I looked at her like she was crazy with my sapphire blue eyes.
"But young master you must look good for the ceremony." Said the maid.
"I'm fine." I said running my hand through my hair and pulled out a few tangles but managed to pull them apart more gently. "Just go, please." The maid shook her head and walked to the door. I knew she was used to me being touchy about people messing with me.
A figure standing beside the inside of the door laughed. The figure was my personal bodyguard, Amanda. I didn't like having a bodyguard but since I was the youngest in the family I had to have one.
Amanda was only as old as I was but her tall and limber body was hard with muscles. Her brown hair was streaked with honey colored stripes and her intense brown eyes were set into a very beautiful face. Her skin was a creamy mocha color. She was dressed in baggy green pants, a white tank top, and brown leather boots that gave her freedom of movement and little protection. She also wore armored gauntlets that went up to her elbows. She had a short sword like me but it was enchanted with ice and water magic. Also a crossbow hung across her back and a quiver of bolts on her belt.
"What are you laughing at." I asked sullenly sitting in a chair.
"Well, if this didn't happen every time somebody had tried to even touch the over glorified mop you call hair." Said Amanda smiling at me.
"It's not my fault I hate these formal ceremonies." I said. "I always have to wear these formal clothes and sit around for hours listening to people talking about the price of wine or how cows are doing. I couldn't fight in these stiff clothes if I had too."
"You're not supposed to. I'm supposed to fight for you." Said Amanda. There was a knock on the door and I waved my hand for Amanda to open it. She was still smiling as she walked over to the door and opened it. My brother, Matt and my sister, Sora stood in the doorway.
"Why was the maid storming off in the other direction?" Asked Matt with a smile on his face. Matt was older than I was and taller and stronger. We both had the same blond hair and blue eyes though his hair stuck in every direction while mine fell down flat. He was dressed in the same clothes as I was but a crescent moon bladed battle-ax hung on a loop in his belt.
"Did she try to comb your hair again?" Asked Sora. She was the same age as Matt and tall for a woman. Her body was as limber and muscular as Amanda's was. Her red hair fell down her back and her hazel eyes sparkled with kindness. She was dressed in a long green velvet dress and green slippers. I knew she was as deadly with a sword as I was but she couldn't wear a weapon to a ceremony.
"Yeah. What did you come to tell me?" I asked trying to get the conversation off of my hair.
"It's time to go to the ceremony." Said Matt. I nodded and they left the room. I walked out after them. Two soldiers that were dressed in the gray and purple of the Delfak kingdom walked away from the sides of the door where they were stationed. Amanda stepped between the soldiers and the three of us. Her hand rested on the hilt of her short blade with an easy air that suggested death to any that messed with her.
They followed the soldiers into a high domed dining room. A long table was set down the middle of the room and could have easily fit a hundred people. Their father and mother already sat at the table and were talking with the young king of Delfak. The young king was dressed in gray pants and shirt with a long purple fur trimmed cape. Soldiers dressed in ceremonial armor and weapons were set at every doorway. Slaves with a D burnt into their hands were standing next to the table dressed in gray robes with a purple sash across their waists.
Our dad looked over and smiled. We walked over towards the table and our mother, father, and the young king stood. "These are my sons and daughter. The oldest is Matt then Takeru and my daughter is Sora." Said our father gesturing to each of us in turn.
"It is nice to meet each of your children." Said the king. I could almost see the charm oozing out of him and instantly disliked him. He was one of the people that lived behind a mask and came out when he was alone.
"This is Ryban. He is only a little older than Matt but has been ruling for a couple of years." Said our father.
"Yes, my father died a few years ago of the fever." Said Ryban.
"More likely you poisoned him." I thought.
"Please sit." Said Ryan. We all sat down in the chairs and drew them up to the table. "Let's eat." Said Ryban clapping his hands. The slaves hurried away almost like they had been whipped and returned with platters of food. They placed them in front of us. We passed the platters around and I took large portions of the slabs of beef, bread, cheese, and a few pieces of fruit.
We ate and my father and Ryban talked about the terms of the alliance they wanted to set up. I didn't pay much attention but was looking around the room. My eyes went over the slaves and stopped on one face. On one of her cheeks was a hand shaped bruise but it was still obviously that she was beautiful. Her long brown hair fell around her face and her crimson eyes stared at the ground hopelessly.
Suddenly Ryban's voice broke me out of my stupor. "And to complete this vow of peace I give you a peace offering. One of my slaves for your youngest child." Said Ryban. He gestured over to the line of slaves and the slave that I had been staring at walked forward.
"What happened to her?" Asked my father.
"Unfortunately one of the guards got angry last night and slapped." Said Ryban. I could tell he was lying through his teeth. I bet that it was him that had slapped her. I could feel anger bubbling up in me that he had tried to hurt this beautiful angel.
"I hope he was punished." Said Matt.
"Yes, the guard was punished severely." Said Ryban. "Should I have her sent to Takeru's room?"
"Is that okay son?" Asked my father. I nodded distractedly because I was staring at her face. She glanced up at me and our eyes met. I could sense the pain behind those eyes and smiled trying to reassure her. She looked back down at the ground. A soldier walked away from the wall and she followed him towards the hallway that led to my room.
I sat through the rest of the negotiations nervously. I couldn't wait to go to my room and at least find out what her name was.
End Note: Okay that was the end of my first chapter. I thought it was okay but that is up to you. Please read and review.