Gale never wanted to come with Kalis to the slave market, but she'd been picked to replace her, and she was a child back then, so she had no choice.
Now on her own, still not wanting to be there, she'd asked her friend Zephyr to come with her. Fights were known to break out, and there were those who didn't like her because she had the palace wealth behind her, so she'd picked their stock, however unintentionally.
Thankfully, he agreed.
There were few assassins as good, and trustworthy. Well, maybe not so trustworthy. He'd been assigned to kill her, the Guild believing his childhood shared with her in the palace would allow him to get close since she trusted him.
What was supposed to be her final night turned into sessions of lovemaking that saw the sun, and the frantic waking by her most trusted servant.
Breaking from that reverie, she refocused.
The briny smell off the ocean did nothing to cool the heat and the smell of bodies outright, or bodies covered in scents to weak to hide the rank dirt that covered them.
Please hurry.

*********************************
Zephyr moved among the crowd, silent and watchful.
His black garb sent its message to them, but no one knew who he was supposed to be guarding. Rather than find out, they him a wide berth.

That helped him keep an eye on Gale, who was now in the Bidders Circle, where the men make room for her, but he didn't see the stone cold side glances or hear the cursing under their breath that called her everything but her name.
He overheard someone say they thought with Kalis retiring, they would have more to choose from and not being outbid.
And now...
Why would they think that? Their own palaces are in constant need of servants.
He refocused. Found Gale now walking down the front of the platform, looking up at the shackled and gagged bodies, mentally selecting, before going back to her place.
Noticed too, who looked back down at her, eyes full of anger and fear.
Zephyr considered he was now too far back to be of use if anything happened, so he casually made his way closer.
The auctioneer entered, and turned to smile at the bidders. He tripped and dropped his papers and gavel, blushing in embarrassment and apologizing profusely.
Gale went up to help him.
With everything back in his hands, he gave her a grateful smile.
She did it because he was new, and now he'd remember her.
Walking back, she saw Zephyr peripherally, and he gave her a small nod of assurance.
************
The auctioneer unfolded his first paper.
"And now, let us begin."



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