A young boy dressed in a worn white robe. He has a fair skin, messy black hair, and a slender figure, probably caused by the lack of access to basic necessities.
Noah was sitting on a wooden horse-drawn wagon alongside other slaves. There was not much of a space as they were forced to cram in the tight space of the wagon. As if things couldn't get any worse, the road that they had to go through was bumpy, the wagon goes up and down repeatedly like a disturbance.
Life as a commoner in this era was already hard enough, but as a slave? They had it worse. These poor souls were forced into hard labor, regardless of their age. These slaves works tirelessly until the end of the day in return for a piece of bread. If.. they are lucky.
The ride to the slave market was quiet, followed only by the sound of metal chains clanking on the wooden floor of the wagon.
Noah was minding his own business inside the wagon, when suddenly a middle-aged burly man who is also a fellow slaves speak to him.
"What's that look on your face huh?"
The man asked, his tone was deep as if it could penetrate the soul. But Noah didn't respond, he remains indifferent.
"Playing a silent game now, are we? I'm talking to you, answer me."
The burly man said with a demanding tone, he is visibly pissed by Noah's indifference. Judging by the man's physical built, he can definitely and will most likely crushed someone's skull if provoked.
Noah snap out of his daydreaming, clearing his throat before speaking.
"I.. uh.. I'm just.. wondering what life in the main district would be."
Noah replied, dismissing all his thoughts.
"Hmph. Don't get your hopes up. Wherever you go, a slave will always be a tool. What good of a tool if you can't do your job?"
The burly man said, his voice is firm, it's as if he is speaking from experience. There is truth in his word. Slave is meant to be used, to be discarded. And those born as a slave, there's no redemption to seek.
The rest of the ride passes in a blur, with the occasional sounds of woods creaking and the sound of the horse's footsteps.
After what feels like an eternal torture, the wagon finally came to a halt in front of an iron gate. A guard who was stationed at the gate of the city approached the rider.
"State your business."
The guard asked as he steals a couple of glaces at the passenger of the wagon. He sees a few men and women cram tightly to maximize the space inside the small wagon.
"I brought slaves from the Slave Market as per request of the overseer."
The rider replied calmly and firmly.
The guard then raised his hand at the other guards on top of the gate, signalling them to open the iron gate.
Slowly, the heavy iron gate started to creak open like a Pandora Box, unveiling the secrets that lies ahead. However, unlike the box, this one is less exciting.
"Safe delivery. Make sure none of them tried to escape, we are not obliged to help you retrieving a lost slave."
The guard steps aside, making ways for the horse to pass. The rider nodded to the guard and ordered the horse to walk inside the district.
As the horse walked inside the district, everything was clear to Noah. This place was full with nobles, and there is hardly any common folks at all. The street was cleaner than the street in the outer district, but that doesn't matter. Because he knows wherever he goes, he is still a common slave.
After a couple of minutes, the horse finally stopped in front of a slave trade office, as the rider unmount the horse, he opened the back of the wagon and knock hard on the wagon's body.
"Move it slaves, we ain't got all day."
He said with a commanding tone. Gradually, one slave after another started to climb out of the wagon, all of them were tied to one long chain on their wrists, and individual chains on each other's neck.
Suddenly, a man with wearing a top hat and a black suit emerged from inside the office, there seems to be some sort of lasso on his side.
"Listen up, slaves. I'm your overseer. My task is to make sure your new masters don't go lenient on you. But at the same time I will make sure they kept you alive. By any means, necessary."
The overseer said with a harsh tone and a deep voice. Judging by his attire and appearance, he seems to be a middle-aged noble.
[—To be Continued—]