Chapter Five

We left the wagon at the inn and walked up to the castle. I came along because the trader in charge, Chardiva, didn't want me to be left alone, in case someone else came along and captured me. We were the only caravan that was going to be seen in the morning and were quickly brought in. The castle itself was made of a strange stone that I'd never seen before. It was like a stone and granite blend. The floors were made of a polished marble-like stone and were covered by a red carpet. There were wooden tables and benches everywhere. Paintings hung on every wall. I bumped into Chardiva. He'd stopped. I hadn't noticed that we'd come into a large room. The girls were kneeling on the floor. Chardiva set me back a little ways behind everyone. I leaned against the wall slightly. A door to the right of the throne men poured in. Kind Madric was tall, slightly tan, black haired, and from what I could see his eyes were a light silver. Everyone one in the room bowed. A thin wiry man stood behind him.

"Your Highness, this is the caravan led by Charadiva. He is the highest ranked trader in the whole continent." The king nodded and stood.

"Thank you for coming." He said. "May I see them?" I glanced at Chardiva he bowed.

"Of course, Your Highness." He backed up. King Madric came forward and inspected every one of the girls twice over. I glanced at Chardiva again, his forehead was beading with sweat. I had to smile. Madric's head jerked up at me. I gave him a slight bow, confused if I had insulted him in some way. He walked back to the throne and sat down.

"Your Highness, did you see anything you liked?" The wiry man asked. King Madric nodded, seemingly to himself.

"Yes, Westle." He stared at Chardiva. "I would like the one by the wall in red." Chardiva stiffened and looked at me.

"I-I'm sorry Your Highness, but she is not for sale." He stuttered, not looking at the king. The girls were looking at me in dismay.

"Is she your wife?" He asked.

"No, but-"

"I see no reason for your hesitence. You haven't even heard my offer." Alician slowly raised her hand. "Speak." She flinched.

"Sire, this maiden is traveling to her homeland, we invited her with us as she did not know the way back to the ocean." Her voice was shaking. He looked at me.

"Oh, what do you say, maiden in red." I swear that I could see the glimmer of a smile in the corner of his mouth.

"Your Highness, she speaks the truth. I've been away from my home for a long time and wish to return. I have a lot of work waiting for me." There was gasp. The King raised an eyebrow.

"Work? Are you a servant of some great ruler in your land?"

"No, I write books." The girls nodded their heads.

"Good, I like reading stories." He waved one of his servants forward. They carried a small chest to Chardiva. "This chest holds over six thousand silver bits." The girls' eyes widened.

"I cannot sell her without her and her parents' consent." Chardiva said. The king looked at me.

"What if I put them all into jail until they are past the age of childbearing while you go on your way back home?" He was threatening me? I wanted to laugh.

"Sire, they are separate from me. They have no reason to go punished, but if you are willing to go to that extent to ruin these poor girls' lives, then I will consent. You need not wait for my parents' to give theirs. They have no dealings with me anymore." I bowed. Several servants rushed forward and took me through the door where they'd come from. Alician rushed to me.

"You don't need to give your life away for us." She whispered. I smiled and patted her head.

"Your lives are still just beginning." I walked away with them, into a long hall at the end of which was a dark room.