2 The Equal Law

48 bodies and 49 graves.

"May you find your way to the light."

*Drip* *Drip*

Heavy rain was fitting, to mask the smoke, wash away the ash, and hide my tears.

As each shovel of dirt hit the coffins, the finality of it all weighed on me. I pinched myself again, praying this was just a prolonged nightmare, it sure felt like one. Closing my eyes, I longed to hear the elders' wisdom, feel my father's embrace, see Alduine's smile. But hope seemed a frail thing now.

*Sigh*

"Ancestor's, forgive me"

Anger and sadness warred within me, leaving a hollow void where purpose once lived. His harsh words haunted me, the cryptic message of the boxes echoing in my mind.

"Imply the boxes?"

They were intricately crafted, reminding me of a music box. Curious and seeking any distraction, I turned the key and listened to the melancholic melody. It's sad tune seemed an apt lament for my loss.

"I guess they really are just music boxes.."

After I collect myself I stumbled out of the village in the direction of the forest, it's as far as I have ever been. Anything beyond that is all but foreign to me, I needed to leave the area, I would rather be anywhere but here.

The forest I'm so familiar with, one I knew like the back of my hand now felt new. Roots I once navigated with ease now tripped me, branches clawed at my skin, but the physical pain was a welcome distraction from my grief.

I walked aimlessly for several days before stopping at an unmarked road. Logic would dictate to stay there and wait for someone, but who would stop for me? I barely look presentable. Dirt, blood and grime clung to me like bees to honey. Instead, I found a rock not too far off, I'll rest here till the morning.

"Ancestors watch over your son"

The morning brought an unfamiliar voice that jolted me awake.

"Oi!"

A fair-skinned man stood over me, concern etched into his features. "What happened to you?"

I opened my mouth to respond "I.." but shut it quickly. There was nothing I could say to the man, I held back as best I could but tears still pierced my eyes. How do you explain the feeling of losing everyone you hold dear on your birthday.

Through my whole ordeal he waited quietly for me. No movement, no words, none were needed. As I wiped my last tear for the moment he walked back to his cart and offered he offered me to come with him. Gave me spare clothes and some food. I'm overwhelmed by his kindness, towards me, a total stranger.

"Boy, you're lucky I came along. This isn't part of my routine.

"Hm?"

"I take this route every half day, once every weekend. It'd do you good to remember that" he said

I hope he knows I have no idea what he's talking about.

"Have you ever been to Southport?"

"No" I say promptly. I would instantly regret saying that.

My new companion had a lengthy rebuttal ready for me.

"The town of Southport was built at the base of one of the largest waterfalls around, its truly a historic sight. Its grace is matched by the backdrop of an abundance of hills which have helped shape the city to what it is today."

"Oh"

"Speaking of which, it should be coming up to the west of us!"

He wasn't playing, Around a hill we were welcomed by a large gate, water flowing from both sides. Almost by design I found myself in complete awe, appreciating the view before me. As we enter you can feel the vibrant atmosphere.

"The resources these waterfalls brought were of great importance, but they were also influential when it came to architectural designs, as the vast majority of buildings have their own man-made waterfalls or similar elements as part of their architecture."

It was a task to keep my chin from dropping, this is amazing.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

"Very"

For the time, It's beauty was interrupted by an immense mob and loud chatter as we approached the central marketplace.

"What's all this commotion about? "

"You haven't heard of the Equal Law?"

"The Equal Law?"

"I guess for nomads news doesn't travel as frequent"

He intuitively sticks his hand out and rips a nearby poster off the wall and hands it to me.

"Are you sure you can just.."

"Don't read to much into it" he responds, waving me off insisting I read.

This provincial law dictates all those found guilty of committing any crime, ranging from petty theft to murder and beyond, the punishment of long term public service.

"Long term public service? You mean.."

"Yeah... Slavery"

"This is allowed?"

"Allowed? Who's gonna stop a king?

"Noted"

"Good! This is the end of my route. I wish you luck, and personally I'd stay away from the central marketplace. It can get pretty intense"

He lets me off before stopping me halfway.

"My name is Makros by the way"

"Khatar"

As we say our goodbyes and he rides off, it took mere seconds before curiosity had gotten the better of me. I found myself pushing through a hoard of bodies to catch a glimpse of what all the fuss was about. I saw a platform, with a lone women chained to a beam hanging above her.

Silver, greasy hair gently hangs over her skinny, angry face. Bulging gray eyes, set rooted within their sockets, watch guardedly over the army of people watching her.

What was once a shirt is now a foul collection of raggedy pieces of fabric, dirt, and holes, barely able to hang from her.

There's a huge hole in one of the shoulders which reaches almost all the way down, leaving much of her exposed to the elements. Due to her chains, she is unable to keep much of her modesty hidden.

Her pants aren't looking great either. There's a big tear at the backside and holes all across the sides.

She wears a bandana around her neck. It's ragged and stained.

So they were serious?

"This is your last chance to obtain her, she is truly a remarkable sight isn't she?" A well dressed man walks onto the platform. His suit and shoes shinning like the sun. His snobby high pitched voice was irritating to the ear. The crowd murmured a few minutes before he broke the silence. "Show them something won't you dear?"

She didn't move a muscle. She stands easily among others, despite her athletic frame. There's something fascinating about her.

He grabbed another chain and proceeded to bound her arms to her side, pacing back and forth in front of her. "She is strong-willed but has looks, a quiet slave that can be molded into an obedient one" the crowd continued to chatter. As he makes his way towards her again I saw her eyes light up, something was about to happen.

Just seconds before their paths intersected, she sprang into action, her arms shooting out with an almost unnatural extension. From where I stood, the movement seemed to contort her body in a way that should have elicited pain, yet her face remained an impassive mask, betraying no discomfort.

In a fluid, almost predatory motion, she executed a swift shoulder tackle, her body twisting to conceal something from view. The man, caught off guard by her sudden aggression, stumbled backwards, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and surprise. He barely managed to evade what appeared to be a meticulously aimed, potentially lethal strike.

"How dare you!"

I let out a little chuckle "She's got pride"

Two men quickly rush the stage to grab her, throwing a bag over her head before dragging her to a nearby carriage off to the side out of sight. Regardless of the danger I wound up following them, trying my best to remain undetected.

"Your little stunt has cost you your life, Henry! dispose of this wretched girl"

"Are you sure boss?"

"Of course I'm sure! Thanks to her I've lost face. Besides, she's been on the block for a week now, nobody's gonna buy her!"

"If you say so"

Aggressively the men took hold, throwing her face first into ground splashing up dust as she hits. One holding her there, while the other slowly prepared his blade.

"Wait! I'll...I'll buy her!"

Startled the men shoot a look in my direction

Wait!..What am I saying!? What am I going to do with a slave?

"That tattoo.. Hmm trying to save her life are we?"

"Um how much is she?"

"How much do you have child?"

"15 silver coins" I say cautiously

"That's it?"

After thinking to himself for a few seconds

"Ahh! whatever it's no matter, It's better than nothing."

He pulls out what looks to be a key from his left pocket and reaches his hand out

"10 silver coins!"

I hand it to him, he counts it and tells his men to continue to hold her. He went and grabbed something I couldn't quite tell what it was, grabbing her forehead. He seemed to have given her some type of mark before bringing her to me.

"A pleasure doing business with you, Henry! Let's get out of here before this fool let's her loose"

And there I was, dumbfounded at what I had just done. Stunned by my own impulsiveness, I met her intense gaze.

"So, I guess I'm yours now," Her voice a mix of defiance and resignation.