Daylight arrived with swiftness, and Kyra stood upon the uneven ground of the town’s entrance. It was far more bustling than it was the night before.

The slaves that were shackled to the entrances of their shack were gone, probably now forced into hard-core labour.

Knowing the fact that three different slave catchers had probably seen the faces of Kyra and Gabriel was nothing lost on them, and Kyra was thankful that the weak-spirited prince had another mask.

It did shape her into a stubby old man with a balding head. Oh well, it was better than nothing. They continued their journey down and stopped before two armoured guards with batons.

Upon closer analysis, Kyra noted the thing was electrified. Cruel methods to keep the fire slaves in line. Humanity at its worst.

“Fair men, we’re looking for some good slaves to buy.” She spoke up, stoking the grey beard that travelled to her chest. The voice the mask provided her was the worst. It was croaky, and Kyra was certain it was hurting her throat.

The red-armoured men looked down at both Kyra and Gabriel.

“We’ll need to see some ID.” One of them spoke. Kyra grinned and pulled out a hologram that had the mark of a boar with a sword going through it. Gabriel showed his ID, and it had the same mark. They watched with glee as the armoured men’s eyes went wide.

“The von Stein family seal. Are you merchants for the family?” One of the guards asked. Gabriel and Kyra looked at each other, then looked at the guards, nodding.

"Yes, we are. Now take us to where slaves are sold.” Kyra spoke. The two guards nodded and led the two down the streets. They passed Cilia’s shack. The said girl was waiting in the forest, replenishing her energy so she too could join in on the fight if one broke out.

“Do you have an idea of what sort of slaves you want?” One of the guards asked, looking back at Kyra and Gabriel.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

“Three young slaves who are fit to work for a very long time.” Gabriel answered.

The two guards nodded and walked past the gates of a large manor and into a shabby alleyway. Kyra’s eyes widened as rows of men and women yelling numbers echoed across the tight space.

They had been led to a slave auction. Gabriel spotted Olian standing next to a fair ginger-haired boy and a tan, lilac-eyed girl. Dino and Kayla.

The guards led them to the front of the row and spoke to one of the organisers.

“They’re part of the von Stein family; surely they should get priority.” One of the guards stated: The organiser in question was a tall, lank, fair-skinned man with long silk black hair and dull black eyes that looked doll-like.

He wore a fancy suit that also somehow looked raggedy. Kyra watched as he flailed his arms around, unable to make out what he was saying.

The organiser then walked up to them and bowed.

“I’m Daiyan Kuuya. The organisation of this auction and the mayor of this town. My greatest inheritance is this town.” He introduced himself.

Kyra immediately grabbed Gabriel’s hand, thinking three steps ahead. She knew the prince’s righteous behaviour would have him swing at the mayor, and Kyra couldn’t risk that.

“I hear you have been sent by the von Stein family. I see Munich has taken up the tradition his father once practiced.”

Gabriel side-eyed Kyra and could see the confusion hidden behind the mask.

“Ah yes. He’s come to his senses.” Kyra spoke.

“I hear the mother of Munich’s children was once a slave of his father’s.”

Crack.

It had happened faster than Gabriel could react. The mayor stumbled back and held his broken nose, blood trickling down from it. Kyra stood up with her palm closed into a fist.

“You bastard. How dare you strike me?” The mayor said this through gritted teeth as the sting of the punch coursed through his nose.

“Would you like to repeat what you said about Lady von Stein?” She asked. Gabriel took a step to the side. The darkness radiating from her was unlike anything he had seen.

The men and women around the auction stopped what they were doing to face the mayor and the newcomers.

“It’s common knowledge around Haagedun that Munich von Stein laid with a slave bought from this very town and had children with her. You can’t have an outlandish reaction every time that fact is mentioned. Has Munich trained you to take such an action every time it’s mentioned?” He asked.

Kyra inched towards the mask, and Gabriel could only close his eyes, praying to the gods above that this would all be over.

Once her true self was revealed, the mayor frowned.

“Would you like to repeat that, said slave’s child?” She asked again. Daiyan gestured his hand forward, and the guard ran up and surrounded both Kyra and Gabriel.

So much for a plan, right?

Gabriel took off his mask, eliciting gasps of surprise and bewilderment from everyone around them, including the mayor.

“The daughter of a nobleman and the son of a king—what a day it is for me.” Daiyan laughed.

{Would you like to activate battle mode? Yes/No?}

‘Yes.’ Kyra agreed.

{Battle mode activated}

{Total reward: 14000 XP/56 Gold Xylons}

Kyra brought out both the axe she took from the bald slave catcher and her sword, while Gabriel readied himself to use magic.

“Get ready to be slaughtered.” Kyra spoke.

The slaves watched on in both hope and fear.

Would they be freed? Or would they meet their demise?

Only time could tell.