16- Slaves

When she awoke later during the day, the woman left and returned with a steaming bowl of soup, the aroma providing a small comfort in the midst of Victoria's turmoil. Victoria took it gratefully, savoring the warmth and nourishment as she ate. Her mind, however, was still consumed with worry for her sister.

After finishing the soup, Victoria's concern resurfaced. "Where's Emma? I need to find her," she said urgently. Her heart ached with regret for the harsh words she had spoken to her sister in anger. The thought of Emma, cold and alone, while she was safe here, was unbearable.

The maid's expression turned serious. "I have no idea where she is."

Victoria stood, determination etched on her face. "Thank you for taking me in, but I have to go find her. She's the only family I have left."

The woman sighed softly, her voice tinged with worry. "You can't leave, my dear."

Victoria frowned, stance becoming defensive. "Why not?"

The woman chuckled softly at Victoria's reaction. "If I wanted to harm you, I would have poisoned your soup," she said, pointing to the empty bowl and Victoria's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"The council has sent out people to capture you and your sister. There's a real risk that you might be killed if you're caught," the woman continued.

Victoria's eyes widened in confusion. "Why?"

The maid's face grew solemn. "Someone reported that the fire was caused by witchcraft and that it was linked to your sister Emma. The council believes that she is responsible and that you are linked to it so they are searching for you and her."

Victoria's heart sank at the revelation. The weight of the accusation was almost as heavy as her grief. "Witchcraft? Oh no but how did they find out that Emma was involved" she thought, she had to find Emma and make sure she's safe.

The woman placed a reassuring hand on Victoria's shoulder. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's important to stay hidden for now. If you try to leave, you could be in grave danger. We need to find another way to help your sister."

Victoria took a deep breath, her resolve unwavering, she couldn't stay hidden while Emma might be in danger. The fear of losing her sister and the urgency to protect her outweighed any concern for her own safety.

Turning to the maid, she asked, "What's your name?"

"Charlotte Hawkins," the woman replied gently.

Victoria walked over to Charlotte, gripping her hand with gratitude and determination. "Thank you, Charlotte, but I have to go. Do you have any clothes I could change into?"

Charlotte sighed, understanding the young girl's resolve. She walked to a wardrobe and pulled out an old, simple dress. "I know it's not what you're used to, but it should help you blend in better," she said, handing it to Victoria.

Victoria accepted the dress with a grateful smile and changed quickly. When she emerged, Charlotte handed her a few coins and a piece of bread. "If things become too difficult, you can always come back here," she offered, her voice filled with concern.

Victoria nodded, her eyes shining with appreciation. "Thank you for everything, Charlotte."

As Victoria opened the door to leave, Charlotte whispered softly, "May your parents guide you."

Victoria stepped out into the uncertain world, her heart set on finding Emma and clearing her name. The road ahead was fraught with danger, but her own unwavering love for her sister gave her the strength to face whatever came next.

She tightened the hood of her cloak over her head, determined to keep her presence unnoticed. As she carefully made her way through the dimly lit streets, she kept her head down, avoiding eye contact with anyone who might recognize her. Her heart pounded in her chest as she turned a corner and saw a group of soldiers patrolling the area. They were known to work for the council, and she knew being seen by them could spell disaster.

Desperate to evade them, Victoria quickly ducked into a narrow alley filled with refuse. Her boots crunched over the grime as she ran, her breath coming in sharp, panicked bursts. She pushed herself to run faster, trying to make her way out of the alley.

Just as she neared the alley's exit, a group of men emerged from the shadows, blocking her path. They leered at her with unsettling smiles. One of them said, "Hello, beautiful."

Another man chimed in, "How much do you think she's worth?"

A third added, "Oh, Sir Hemsworth will be very pleased."

Their whispers and hungry gazes sent a jolt of fear through Victoria. Without hesitation, she spun on her heel and fled in the opposite direction. The men's shouts echoed behind her as they gave chase.

Victoria's mind raced as she took sharp turns and navigated the labyrinthine alleyways. Her breath grew ragged, but she didn't dare slow down. Finally, she noticed that the men were no longer following her. She slowed to a cautious walk, her relief short-lived.

As she turned back to continue her escape, she saw one of the men approaching her with a sinister smirk on his face. she saw one of the men approaching her with a smirk on his face."Oh, come on," he said mockingly, "did you really think you could get away so easily?"Victoria's fear surged again, and she turned to run, but Panic surged through her once more. Just as she prepared to run again, a sudden, sharp pain struck her head from behind. The world spun, and darkness claimed her as she collapsed to the ground.

Victoria's heart sank as she realized her situation was more perilous than she had imagined. She glared at the man defiantly, her mind racing with thoughts of escape and how to find Emma amidst this new threat.

She darted through the twisting alleyways, her mind frantic as she tried to find her way out.After several turns and a desperate sprint, Victoria finally noticed that the men had stopped chasing her. She slowed down, breathing heavily, and turned to head back toward the main streets. However, as she rounded a corner, she saw one of the men approaching her with a smirk on his face."Oh, come on," he said mockingly, "did you really think you could get away so easily?"Victoria's fear surged again, and she turned to run, but before she could move, a sharp pain struck her head from behind. The world spun and darkened as she collapsed, losing consciousness.

When Victoria awoke, she rubbed her eyes groggily and tried to make sense of her surroundings. The cage she was in creaked gently, and the motion beneath her told her she was on a ship. As her vision cleared, she took in the grim reality around her. She noticed several other cages lined up, each one filled with women of varying ages—some young, some old. The sight was both heart-wrenching and horrifying.

Victoria's heart sank as she understood the situation. "Slaves," she whispered to herself in shock. The realization that she had been captured and was now part of this terrible fate hit her with full force. The cages were cramped, and the women inside looked weary and frightened, their expressions mirroring the despair Victoria felt.

As she shifted to a sitting position, one of the women, a middle-aged woman with tired eyes, noticed her and spoke softly, "You're awake. You must be new here."

Victoria looked at her with a mixture of relief and apprehension. "What's going on? How did I end up here?"

The woman sighed heavily. "They've been raiding villages and towns, capturing women to sell as slaves. This boat is just one of their many transports. They'll sell us at the next port."

Victoria's mind raced. "I need to get out of here. I have to find my sister. Her name is Emma."

The woman's eyes softened with pity. "I'm sorry, but escaping from here is nearly impossible. These cages are heavily guarded, and the ship is constantly patrolled. Besides, we're not the only ones trying to escape."

Victoria's determination hardened. "I have to try. Even if it's dangerous, I can't stay here."

The woman nodded, understanding the urgency in Victoria's voice. "There's a guard who comes around every few hours to check on us. If you're planning something, it might be wise to observe his routine."

Victoria nodded, her resolve solidifying. She would need to stay alert and wait for the right moment. Her immediate goal was to find a way out and then locate Emma, no matter the risks.