The darkness proved to have its benefits to where Niccarra was destined to
go. Mourning the loss of her sight and nursing her whip lashes kept her out
of sorts and unaware of her surroundings.
And they did change, from the city of the emperor to the Carthaki dessert. If she noticed the change in the moisture in the air or the bustle of the streets she gave no hint to the guards. She sat in the saddle calm, silent and aloof from the rest of the world. Inside she was in constant turmoil. Without her sight she was discovering that her other senses were more alive. Touch was the first startling revelation, she reached for the reins and could feel the roughness of the rope and knew the design by touch. Next came hearing, the men continuously whispered in her presence but now she could easily hear them.
" Our job is to take her to Tajha get paid and leave not to care if she can see or not." One of her guards told the other when they though she was asleep.
" It an't right to sell her off like that, it is not right."
" Shut up and take the watch!" the rougher man said shoving the younger to the ground. Nia shuddered with the though of being sold and curled into a tighter ball crying silently.
It was several weeks before the small party arrived at a small village, the bustle of the city confused the girl, a headache soon followed. There seemed to be an abundance of calling merchants and clinking chains. Cold fear ran down Niccarra's back- slaves- she was going to be sold. One of the guards tugged on the leather strap that hung around her neck making her move. With her hand extended she felt blindly in front of her, she tried to stay up right.
She heard laughing when she tripped over a box and went sprawling into the dust. The guard with her tether lead kept walking, dragging her for several feet before he let her get up.
The air seemed to cool instantly, the noise of the market was quieted making Nia guess they had entered a house or a private shoppe. " Master Tajha, I have your new recruit." They shoved her into the center of the yard where the sun still beat down and bowed out.
" Thank you gentleman my man will pay you for you efforts." Niccarra turned toward the woman's voice, she had been sold to a WOMAN! Hope rose only for a moment. Nia heard a skickening twist of bones breaking and then a grunt from her guards. " Dispose of the bodies. bring me the girl." Nia again had the unsavory experience of being grabbed by two pairs of strong hands.
And they did change, from the city of the emperor to the Carthaki dessert. If she noticed the change in the moisture in the air or the bustle of the streets she gave no hint to the guards. She sat in the saddle calm, silent and aloof from the rest of the world. Inside she was in constant turmoil. Without her sight she was discovering that her other senses were more alive. Touch was the first startling revelation, she reached for the reins and could feel the roughness of the rope and knew the design by touch. Next came hearing, the men continuously whispered in her presence but now she could easily hear them.
" Our job is to take her to Tajha get paid and leave not to care if she can see or not." One of her guards told the other when they though she was asleep.
" It an't right to sell her off like that, it is not right."
" Shut up and take the watch!" the rougher man said shoving the younger to the ground. Nia shuddered with the though of being sold and curled into a tighter ball crying silently.
It was several weeks before the small party arrived at a small village, the bustle of the city confused the girl, a headache soon followed. There seemed to be an abundance of calling merchants and clinking chains. Cold fear ran down Niccarra's back- slaves- she was going to be sold. One of the guards tugged on the leather strap that hung around her neck making her move. With her hand extended she felt blindly in front of her, she tried to stay up right.
She heard laughing when she tripped over a box and went sprawling into the dust. The guard with her tether lead kept walking, dragging her for several feet before he let her get up.
The air seemed to cool instantly, the noise of the market was quieted making Nia guess they had entered a house or a private shoppe. " Master Tajha, I have your new recruit." They shoved her into the center of the yard where the sun still beat down and bowed out.
" Thank you gentleman my man will pay you for you efforts." Niccarra turned toward the woman's voice, she had been sold to a WOMAN! Hope rose only for a moment. Nia heard a skickening twist of bones breaking and then a grunt from her guards. " Dispose of the bodies. bring me the girl." Nia again had the unsavory experience of being grabbed by two pairs of strong hands.