Ch. 4: An Honour

My heart jumped to my throat. 'How did they know?!' I nearly dropped the flask into the well when I saw some guards drag a woman from one of the carriages of the caravan I had arrived in, at the feet of a man clad in golden armour.

"Captain we found this wench in the caravan from Isotope. They did not register her, as per law."

"Please sir have mercy! We are new to this land and were not aware we had to register her. She was asleep when they were checking the carriage and we forgot to inform the guards." The leader of the caravan dropped to his knees and begged for forgiveness. The woman seemed nearly frightened to death and barely lifted her face off the ground.

"Well of course we are always merciful," the captain had a sly smirk appear across his face, "Since you are new here, then it is only right for your race to offer a gift, right?"

"Of course Sir! We have many fruits and vegetables along with quality skins and furs. Take them, as much as you want, as a gift for allowing us to be here in your fine city."

"What use is furs and skins here in the desert? And I believe your fruits and vegetables may not be up to par after the long trip. No, I think it is best your woman here is given to serve the kingdom."

The caravan leader was devastated, "Please sir, anything but that."

The Captain scoffed, "Why, you poor man, you undervalue the offer I am giving to this woman. I suppose since you are new to this land you don't understand the privilege this woman would have. Let me enlighten you. As you can well see, we don't have many women in our fine city . . so we make due with what little women come through. After a brief test, if she is acceptable, she would be placed in the Capital to contribute to our glorious race. This is quite a honour."