Chapter Three

“So, Hadrian... what about you?” Alyss' voice broke the stony silence between them. They'd spent the whole yesterday just forcing their way through branches and bushes. The only words between them had been a gruff 'Hungry?' from one and a 'Mm-hmm' from the other. It was early the next morning and after having eaten their silent breakfast of bush-fruit Alyss finally spoke the question that had been on her mind. “What's your story?”

He looked back at her. “Story? I don't have a 'story'.”

“Sure you do. Everyone does. Where were you born, what do you do..?” she prompted, tilting her head curiously.

Hadrian was quiet for a while, and she was sure he wasn't going to answer her. But then, he spoke, his voice soft and careful.

“I was born in Nayeer. It's on the western coast of Olior. I had two older sisters and one brother, two years younger than me. We certainly weren't poor, but money wasn't a fond subject. My father was a fisherman. He captained his very own boat.” Hadrian laughed, a choked sound. “He was very proud of that.”

Alyss listened as he continued.

“The Attack came. Things- you called them Lost ones- all streamed in and were just killing, killing, killing. Then I saw him, the beast, standing above them all. My mother gave me our only horse, and told me to ride and not come back. I went all the way to Tristan City. Nayeer was destroyed. I was the only one who survived the attack.” Hadrian squeezed his fists together. “The King found me a family that was willing to take me in and feed me. I started practicing, hours a day. Even after the army disappeared, I would go out to the woods and practice throwing knives and shooting arrows. My enemy was gone, but I was determined that if he come again I would kill him. Looks like my chance is coming up.” He crossed his arms.

“Well, when I was seventeen the Council got word of me and my 'legendary' skills- exaggerated by word of mouth, all I was was a very angry child with nothing else to do. So, I was sent for and brought to the castle, where they tested me. I soon became the Royal Guard, and whenever trouble arose, I was the one to fix it.”

“So you were sent to figure out who was taking the animals.” She smiled sheepishly. “Not the best move on my part, but I had to eat.”

“Eh. More liked I begged to go. I was under trial.”

“For?”

“Killing a man.”

Alyss looked up at him. “Did you do it?”

“Kill him? Yes. But I was told to. The Council sentenced the man to death, and told me to go give out the punishment because he was, apparently, in hiding. The job was easy and I found him soon enough, but when I came back they said he was the wrong man. That meant I had murdered an innocent.”

“But they told you to!”

“The Council isn't composed of the best sort of men. I had killed someone and they wanted blood. But the chance came right then and I begged the Queen to let me save Thet, and here I am.”

Alyss studied him for a moment. “That's not right.”

Hadrian laughed. “No, its not. Plenty fair, though. There's a well-known saying: the strong do what they can-”

“-And the weak suffer what they must,” Alyss finished. “That was drilled into my mind a long time ago. I know.”

“Hmm.” Hadrian turned away.

“Hmm...” Alyss sighed, as silence fell back between them for the remainder of the day.

They settled down that night in a small glade they had come upon. While Hadrian hunted, Alyss gathered some wood and put together a small fire to cook the meat in. When Hadrian returned with a rabbit and a quail, dusk was falling. By the time they had eaten their meat, still in silence, it was completely dark, the fire hardly anything but a small glow. They each found a tree and curled up between the roots, and despite the cold fell asleep.

Some time later, Alyss was awoken by a sharp crack of a branch. She sat up, peering into the darkness. She could barely see Hadrian and the steady rise and fall of his body.

Must be an animal, she thought, and leaned back, trying to warm herself. The fire had long gone out and it was almost winter, and though it had been a rather warm autumn, the night was still unforgiving.

Then she heard another snap.

“Hadrian...” she whispered, coming up to a crouch. “Hadrian, I think there is something-”

She was silenced by the cold touch of steel on her throat.

“Don't make another sound,” a man murmured in her ear.

Alyss screamed despite the threat.

Hadrian jumped, a dagger seemingly appearing in his hand. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the lack of light and another to realize Alyss had been knocked unconscious,and standing over her was a large man with a rather sharp knife.

“Hey, wha-”

Just another moment and he was also out cold.

The world was swaying, steady back and forth, back and forth...

Hadrian woke up for the second time in two days with a pounding headache, but this time he was tied. Rope knotted his legs together so he couldn't run. He sat up slowly.

Dawn's pink light enabled him to see clearly. Many bodies lie around his, men, women, and a few children, also tied up. After a few minutes of searching he spotted Alyss a few feet away from him. Hadrian was able to scoot himself over to her, keeping an eye out for any sign of their captors.

“Alyss. Alyss.” He took her shoulders and shook her. “Alyss.”

Her eyes fluttered open. “Wha..?” She coughed, then shook her head, squinting her eyes. “My head hurts.”

“It will go away. You were hit pretty hard,” Hadrian whispered.

“Oh...” she gave a half nod and began to settle back down, when suddenly she jolted up into a sitting position. “Where are we?”

“Shh.” He hushed her. “I'm not sure exactly where, but it seems we've been caught by some slavers.”

“Slavers?” Alyss looked up at him. “As in, they collect people and sell them?”

“Precisely,” a voice hissed from behind them. The two swung around to face several men, all plumb with wealth. The man who had spoke strutted forward, clicking his tongue as he examined them. “Our two newest catch.” He looked at Hadrian, poking and prodding him. “Not too bad. Good condition for working.” He patted Hadrian firmly on the back. “Some rich woman probably convince her husband to buy you to work on their field.” He chuckled. “And probably more than that.”

Before Hadrian could do anything besides send the man a very nasty glare, he had turned to Alyss. “And you, my dear. You're the one who screamed when I told you to keep quiet. Disobedience, that's something we'll have to work on.” He leaned close to her, uncomfortably so, with a smirk playing on his lips. “Should we practice that?”

“Get away from me,” Alyss spat at him, raking her hand across his face. It left three long, deep scratches across the man's cheek. He stumbled back, cupping his cheek in his hand. Slowly, he drew it back, studying the blood streaked on his hand.

“You worthless, mangy, stupid girl.” The man rushed forward. He shoved Hadrian, who had stepped in front of Alyss, to his knees and grabbed her shoulders, shaking her. “I will beat obedience into you, you will learn to cringe when anyone as much as looks at you,” he sneered. “I will-”

“Enough.” Another of the slavers stepped forward. “We need her in one piece, Kane, or else she won't be worth a penny.”

Very slowly, he uncurled his fingers from Alyss, whose face had gone white. “Step out of line again, girl, and I'll make sure you are miserable.” He smirked. “Well, more miserable than you will be.”

With that, he turned and began walking among the bodies, kicking them and telling them to wake up.

Alyss collapsed to the ground, her breathing heavy and skin pale. Hadrian crawled over to her. “Are you alright?”

“No.” She clenched her fists together. “I am certainly not alright.”

“That was a stupid thing of you to do.”

“He was implying that I-”

“I know.” Hadrian placed a hand on her arm. “But these men are very dangerous, and we're tied up.”

“So you're just giving up?”

“No. But directly fighting them isn't going to get us free, which is what we need. Think sense, Alyss.”

“I am. They're taking us somewhere I don't want to do, and I'm not about to let them drag me-”

“Yes, you are. For once, Alyss, shut up and listen to me. I'll be able to think of a plan to escape much easier if I don't have to worry about you doing something stupid.” He stood up, stretching the rope between his feet. It was long enough so he could walk with no difficulty, but not run. He grabbed Alyss' hand to help her up as well.

“So, our two new children.” Another man, the one who had told 'Kane' to lay off, walked up with a notebook and writing stick. “Names?”

“Robin. She's Sparrow.”

He looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Robin and Sparrow?”

“Our parents had a sense of humor.” Hadrian smiled apologetically.

“I see. You're siblings?”

“Yes sir.” Alyss looked up at Hadrian as if he was crazy.

“Alright, then. Here's the rules, laid down. We walk from first light to last light. Then you eat. Then you sleep. Then you wake up, and eat, and walk, and so on. We're going through the Wrack mountains then into the south side of Keethra, where you'll be sold.” He smiled in an attempt to be friendly despite what he had just said. “Kane's the lead, listen to him or else, you might of noticed, he'll get quite angry. And nobody wants that.”

*

They reached the mountains just as winter arrived.

It was a hard trip up- frozen rain and hail pounding down on them- but it was even more difficult to descend. Not only had it grown colder but the rocks were coated in thick ice.

About half-way down the mountain, the youngest of the group, a boy just turned 8, slipped and tumbled down. Before his mother could reach him, Kane was standing over the child.

“Get up.”

The boy did not move.

“I said, get up.” He nudged him with his shoe.

He mumbled something unintelligible.

“Speak up, boy!” Kane grabbed his shoulder.

“My legs hurt...” he whimpered, “Can't we please have a break, sir?”

“A break. A break.” Kane sneered. “You can have a break, boy.” He drew a knife from his belt.

The child's mother began to sob and wail, but otherwise no one else was moving.

Alyss glanced around. Didn't anyone realize he was about to kill an innocent child? Why was no one doing anything besides stare blankly?

“No!” She lurched forward, tripping over her own binds. “Don't hurt him. He's only a child, and he hasn't done anything. All of us want to rest, we've hardly eaten anything, our shoes are worn down, we're cold and tired. So let him rest; let us all rest.”

Very slowly, Kane turned to look at her. “Well, look who speaks. You want to rest? Well.” He turned and shoved the boy to the ground, where his mother crawled over and held him, still sobbing.

Kane began to move around the group of people, his gaze causing them to flinch and cringe.

“You all want to rest? Well then, go on, rest. How inconsiderate of me. Sit, sit, make yourselves all comfortable. I wouldn't want to overwork you, poor souls.” He stopped in front of Alyss, who stared defiantly back at him with crossed arms.

“As for you, my little sparrow, you just stepped out of line.” He smirked, then turned to the other slavers and called to them. “The whip, bring it here. You two, tie her up on a tree. Ten lashes will teach her a little something, I think.”

Two men darted forward and grabbed Alyss' arms. She began to kick at them, screeching cursed and spitting insults at them, but they ignored her and dragged her towards a tree.

“Let go of me, you filthy, evil- I swear, I will-” She continued to fight them as rope was brought forward.

Kane chuckled and snapped the whip in the air, making it crack. “This might hurt just a bit, little bird.”

“Stop.” Hadrian's voice broke through Alyss' screams of sheer panic as she tried to get away from them. “I'll take her punishment.”

There was sudden silence.

Finally, Kale looked from Alyss to Hadrian. “You...want to take... her punishment?” He laughed coldly. “What a gentleman, you kind brother. But why should I allow you to? She is the one who deserves it.”

“She has a loose tongue, I know. I'll talk to her and make sure she doesn't speak out of turn again.” He sent her a sharp look. “And what better way to punish her than to make her watch her own brother suffer for her own crimes? Besides, she's just a weak girl. She would never be able to survive the injuries, especially with the cold and risk of infection. I've suffered much worse, and am still as healthy as ever.” He leaned forward just a bit. “What good would a dead girl be? Certainly not worth any money in your purse.”

Kane thought about this for a moment. “You raise of good argument. If you insist- men, tie him up. Keep a hold of the girl, she should watch this.”

Hadrian walked willingly forward. Alyss stared at him and began to talk, but was quickly silenced by the man who was holding her. With a hand over her mouth, he held her head straight so she couldn't look away with one arm, and the other kept her firmly in one place so she couldn't slip away.

Another two took Hadrian and brought him forward. He did not struggle. The ripped his shirt away from him, revealing a powerful chest and arms that came from years of his work. Alyss' eyes widened just a bit, and she might of let out a small 'huh' if her mouth had not been covered.

She was snapped back into reality when Hadrian's arms were tied above his head on a high branch, so his feet were hardly touching the ground. Alyss became frenzied again, trying to break away to no effect as she watched Kane raise the whip high in the air. Hadrian kept his eyes glued on Alyss.

Crack.

Hadrian didn't move or cry out.

Crack.

Blood began to drip down his back.

Crack.

He still didn't look away from Alyss.

Crack.

He closed his eyes for just a moment and tensed his jaw.

Crack.

He looked back at her, breathing heavy.

Crack.

A small moan escaped his lips.

Crack.

Alyss wanted desperately to cover her ears or look away.

Crack.

Silence again.

Crack.

Hadrian's body sagged as he suppressed a scream.

Crack.

It was over. Kane cut Hadrian down from the tree and watched him collapse to the ground, then turned to the others. “Special treat, you can all have a good long rest. We'll be heading out again. Good dreams to you all.” With that, all the slavers retreated to their tent, leaving the captured sitting there in terrified silence.

Alyss ran, stumbling over to Hadrian. “Oh, you idiot...” She knelt by him, pressing a hand over her mouth when she saw the damage. “Why would you do that?”

He was able to come to a crouch, his breathing still coming in flinching gasps. “If I'm playing the role of your brother, I'm going to be convincing.”

“You did this to convince me of your acting skills?” She looked at him incredulously. “And now you don't even have a shirt, or bandages, or... oh...” She took the edge of her skirt and ripped off a large strip, before making him lay flat on the ground. She carefully wiped away the blood, apologizing each time he winced or groaned.

“You'll freeze tonight... Hadrian, you are a fool.”

“Mm. Just, try not to get in trouble again, okay? This wasn't a very pleasant experience.”

She was silent for a short moment. “You know that's not why you did it.”

“Hmm?”

“No sane man would ever willingly take 10 lashings for someone they only met a month ago. Especially you.”

Hadrian grimaced. “Why do you say that?”

Alyss looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “When you first met me, you threatened to kill me multiple times. Now your risking your life for mine. Why?”

He shrugged.

Again, she was quiet for a few minutes, then, a soft “Thank you.”

Looking up at her, he gave a small nod. “You are welcome.” He smiled lightly. “Sparrow.”

Once Alyss had the blood cleaned off Hadrian's back as best she could, they moved under the shade of a stout oak tree to shield them if it began to snow or rain. She laid down next to him, studying his face. “I can't do it,” she sighed.

He looked at her, surprised. “Do what?”

“Shake off the bad influences. I'm trying to do something right but...” she shook her head. “I think it's too late.”

“I don't believe it's ever too late.” Hadrian laughed. “Today, you saved a boy.”

“No, I got you hurt.” She buried her head behind her hands. “And if that had been you, or anyone else, I would not have done what you did. I wouldn't be willing to make that sort of sacrifice.”

He studied her for a moment. “That doesn't make you evil.”

“It doesn't make me perfect, either.”

“I've never met a perfect person in my life.”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“You said it yourself; not too long ago I wanted you dead.”

“And now you don't. That makes me feel so much better,” she said flatly.

“Well, someone has to convince the King of the return.”

Alyss sighed. “Are we really back on this subject?”

“We can change it, if you want.”

“Hmm. Alright. It's cold.” As if to prove her point, a strong breeze suddenly picked up, chilling them.

“I noticed.” Hadrian looked up at the sky, careful to keep his back off the ground. They both dropped into silence.

It was a while before Hadrian looked back at Alyss. He frowned when he saw tears streaked down her face. He sat up a bit, ignoring the pain jilting through his skin. “What's wrong now?”

Letting loose a small sob, Alice shook her head. “Nothing.”

“Then why..?” Hadrian was at a loss for words as he watched her.

Alice placed a hand over her mouth to keep herself quiet, turning away from him so he couldn't see. Hadrian scooted over to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Alyss...” he whispered quietly.

She turned and buried her head into his chest. “I don't know. I just don't know.”

Hadrian stared at her for a moment, confused. “I...um...” What was he supposed to do, comfort her? How? “Why are you crying?”

She shook her head, refusing to answer him as she continued to sob.

“Shh. Shh.” Hadrian wrapped his arm around her, keeping her close. “It's alright. Whatever it is, it will be alright.”

Slowly, she began to calm down, then drifted off into sleep. Hadrian continued to hold her, keeping his eyes fixed in the distance. The next night, when she cried again, he did the same, cradling her until she fell asleep and throughout the night. And even after that, when they would all stop, weary from walking, she would silently curl up next to him, and together they would listen to the crickets lulling then to sleep, then watch the sun rise as they prepared for another day of walking.

*

The leaves and flowers just beginning to bud on the trees and bushes signaled it was time to go to work again in the fields of Keethra, which meant workers were needed. Slaves were ultimately much cheaper than hired hands; it was just a bonus that the master could do anything they wanted to them.

There was quite a crown gathered around center town midday.

Kane's slave train had only arrived this morning, and it was about time to start the selling. The prisoners had been forced into a cage behind the platform to wait for their fate.

Hadrian's wounds were pink lines by now. They had healed well with very little difficulty. He still had not been giving something to wear. As he sat there, ladies gawked and prodded their husbands, pointing. Their murmurs carried through the wind-'Darling, wouldn't he be worth the money?' 'He looks like he'd be a good worker, honey.' 'Let's bid on him.'

Hadrian ignored all of these words, keeping his eyes fixed on Alyss. She was sitting with her knees to her chest, looking quite pale and anxious.

He leaned close to her. “What's wrong?”

“Besides the fact that we're about to be sold?”

“Is there something else?”

“Yes.” She looked earnestly at him. “See all of them? We're going to be separated, Hadrian. You'll be sold to some farmer. Me? I'm not worth a cent in a field. I'll probably be bought to be some grubby man's wench. It's helpless.” She looked at him miserably as the bidding began.

“No, Alyss, listen to me. Remember, we're going to escape. We have a job- warn the king. This is just a simple detour.”

“But you won't know where I am and I won't know where-”

“But I will find you.” The first person was sold and Hadrian began to talk faster. “I swear, I will find you, then we can get away.”

Kane appeared at the entrance and gestured to Hadrian. “You're next. Let's go.”

He didn't look over. “Alyss, just stay where you are and wait for me.”

Alyss grabbed his hand, trying to think of something to say. “Do you promise?”

He looked at her with serious eyes. “Yes, I promise. I will come.” He touched her cheek very lightly. “Just remember to keep your wings, little sparrow.”

“Enough with the goodbyes.” Kane snapped impatiently.

Hadrian turned and walked out, leaving Alyss standing there in a small daze. At the sound of the cage slamming shut, she threw herself at the bars, trying to shake them open.

“No, no, no!” was all she could say, panic racing through her blood. She sank to the floor, curling up into a ball as she listened to the dreadful bidding.

This was Kane's favorite part of the day. The sound of the number going up, holding the money, feeling and smelling the money, and paying his men half as much as he had promised. Life was good.

He took Hadrian's arm and pulled him to front center stage.

“Now, look at this very fine specimen of a man.” He pushed Hadrian forward so the people could get a good look at him. “He's practically trained. He'll do whatever you need him to.” He slapped Hadrian's chest. “Let's start at five!”

“Five!” The cries instantly began.

“Seven!”

“Eight!”

“Ten!”

“One gold coin.” The whole crowd turned to the bidder.

“Two, I say two!” Another one said.

“No, three.”

“Four!” It continued between these two until nine gold coins was reached. The other bowed out and the winner went to pay for his prize.

Hadrian studied his buyer as he payed Kane in bright yellow coins- a rich sum. He was an older man, hair just beginning to gray and shocking light blue eyes. Once done with Kane, the man walked over to Hadrian and signaled for him to follow as he talked. “You will be working in my fields from now on, young man. My name is Richard Day, but you will address me as 'Master' or 'Mister' or 'Sir' at all times. Is this clear?”

Hadrian nodded, looked at the stage where Alyss was being dragged out. She was hissing and spitting and doing everything she could to get away from Kane, but to no avail.

He caught her eye. She looked at him like a cornered animal, wold and ready to buck. He gave her a small nod, and then he was gone.

Alyss was sold for four silver coins to a thin, seedy-eyed man and his robust wife. She was about to be led away when from the crowd came a firm “Wait.” She turned to see a tall man walking towards the platform. Instantly Kane and the couple were on their knees, bowing.

“Give the man back his money. I'll be taking her.” He looked down at them.

“But my lord, there are others much more beautiful, much more worthy of-”

“I asked for her. Are you one to disobey my command?”

“N-no, my lord. Please, take her, no payment required.” Kane had never looked more inferior than in that moment, and Alyss almost laughed at him.

“I would be offended if you had any expense.” The man sniffed and looked towards Alyss. “You girl, can you clean?”

“Clean?” she looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “Um... clean what?”

“Cook?”

“Salad is about as far as I've ever gone with food.”

He studied her for a moment. “Dance?”'

“Er... that one would have to be a no.”

“Good.” He grabbed her upper arm and began leading her quickly away, not looking at Kane nor the buyer. “If you didn't know, I am Lord Albin.”

“Lord Albin... did you give yourself the title of Lord or do something to earn it?”

He turned slowly on the spot. “I do not take well to insolence, girl.”

“What?” She frowned. “If that was offensive, I certainly didn't mean it to be. I was just curious.”

“Imagine this, a woman who can't clean, cook, or dance. I did not know you would be stupid as well as incompetent.”

“First off, I am most certainly not old enough to be a woman and much to old to be a girl. I don't know why no one can seem to get that right.” She shook her head, irritated. “And I'm not stupid, I just don't know who you are!”

“Everyone in Gåntham knows who I am.”

“Apparently not, because I've lived in Gåntham my whole life and have no idea, so if you would please stop making assumptions and explain, I'd greatly appreciate that.”

“Lord Albin, leader of Keethra, only beneath High King Tristan?”

“Oh... sure. Okay. Lord Albin. Only a slightly pretentious name, trust me, I've heard far worse.”

Again, he stopped to look at her. “Who are you?”

“Ah...” Alyss bit her lip. “Sparrow. Yes, that's it. That's my name.”

He frowned. “No, that won't do. Hmm... yes. Olive.”

“Pardon?” She raised her brows

“That's your name now.”

“But, you can't go about changing my name. It's mine!” Alyss protested, looking at him incredulously.

“And now, you are mine.” He turned back and continued to walk, tightening his grip on her and smirking. “I do quite like olives.”