Slave market

The princess began the next day with three hours of exercise. It was a basic workout consisting of running, stretching and muscle building. She had already had her morning routine, but it was only from today that she increased the length of her exercises, which had lasted an hour so far.

After training and getting dressed, Zonna left her residence. She intended to buy someone at the slave market today who could replace Marzee as her maid and assistant. She didn't expect to find Maji ready to be as effective as her friend right away. However, she wanted him to have great potential to develop. For in the future, he should reach Marzee's level.

The slave market was located on the outskirts of Raalo. This was due to the huge space needed for its operation. The functioning of this city was based, after all, on slaves doing simple, necessary jobs that elsewhere were meant for free Maji. The required number of slaves in Raalo was, therefore, enormous for this reason. This made it necessary for the market itself to accommodate a huge number of them.

In Altea, slavery was a widespread phenomenon. It was initiated by hatred between the races inhabiting the continent. Members of other races, and, after the racial communities were split into different groups, also representatives of other territories, were initially trophies for warriors. Later, slaves became a source of profit for their owners, especially after the invention of mana-powered magic items. The fact that they began to bring income to their masters improved their situation on the continent. They stopped being treated worse than animals. Their owners began to provide them with adequate conditions for survival.

However, it wasn't until the 'magic revolution', the large-scale use of magic items on the continent, that the slaves' fate changed. When they were healthy, well rested and full, they could efficiently power and operate magical items. This made the life of a slave better than that of the poor Maji in the various states. In spite of this, there were still some owners who liked to use violence, but they were a definite minority.

Slaves in Raalo had the best living conditions on the mainland. They were treated almost like free Maji. They were allowed to move freely around the city and received little pay for their labor. This was due to the enormous wealth of Raalo's residents, but also to the knowledge that if there was a slave revolt, the entire city would stand. In addition, both municipal and state authorities introduced laws to punish abusers of their slaves.

Zonna was personally not fond of slavery. She was convinced that all Maji should be equal. When she becomes queen, she plans to try to abolish this barbaric practice in Balmaszeglodia. Even if she doesn't succeed due to resistance from her subjects, she wants to at least provide slaves in her country with conditions similar to those they had in Raalo.

When she, along with Marzee, Ramza and Sebastios, arrived at the slave market, they were greeted by a tall Aisen of about forty years old and of fairly average beauty.

"I am Madan Lira, I am in the slave trade. A lovely young lady, I believe, has come here to take advantage of our services. " She said with a smile. She had been in the business long enough to recognize high nobility from one glance.

"That's right, I am Zonna Sochi and I would like to purchase a slave." She gave her name and the purpose of her coming here.

Madan's eyes lit up. The slave market regularly collects information on nobles, magnates and members of royal families residing in Raalo. She knew immediately that she was dealing with princess of Balmaszeglodia, what's more, she is the heir to the throne! Establishing a good relationship now could bear fruit in the future.

"Your Highness please state your requirements, and I will try to find a Maji who will meet them." She said in a respectful voice.

Zonna expected her identity to be known to the woman. After a moment's consideration, she gave a description of the slave she was looking for. "I am looking for a young woman who is well educated. I want her to be my servant and assistant, so she should be intelligent."

Madan Lira smiled and licked her lips. She knew she would make a lot of money on this deal. She loved doing business with royal families. They always had either high expectations or bought slaves in large numbers.

"Let me take a quick look through my catalog Your Majesty. It will literally take a moment." The smile never left her face. She entered the building where the information on all the slaves was stored. A few minutes later, she came out with several pieces of paper in hand.

"I have found three candidates matching your needs Your Highness, please follow me to their cabins." She began walking deeper into the market. Zonna and her companions moved behind Madan.

Zonna did not have the best first impression of this woman. She was clearly profit-driven, changing her demeanor to one of extreme servility when a customer with a large wallet showed up.

Observing the slave market, Zonna noticed that it was different from the one in Balmaszeglod. The conditions in which the slaves were housed here were far better. On top of that, they were not housed in cages, but had dormitory rooms in buildings guarded by guards.

Finally, Madan stopped in front of one of them and asked for the two Maji to be led out. Two Aisen women came out of the building. They looked well-groomed and well-fed. A slight fear was evident in them.

"The one on the left is called Olisa, she was sold into slavery by her parents to pay off debts. The one on the right, on the other hand, is Hisna. She is the daughter of a slave. They are both fourteen years old, but they got here at a very young age. We taught them for several years so that they meet the standards of a more demanding clientele. They are inexperienced to say the least, but I believe they can be useful."

The young women looked at Zonna waiting for her decisions. A slave never knew what kind of master he would end up with, and there was visible anticipation and curiosity on the part of the Aisens. The princess looked at them with sadness in her eyes. They may have had a proper education, but they were without any experience. They were in no position to help her.

"I'm sorry, but I would like someone more experienced," she said.

"In that case, we have to go to solitary confinement. The last candidate meets the requirements for competence and is even more experienced than these two, but I didn't want to show her. She has, as if to say ... some problems with... temperament. In addition, she will be conspicuous because of her appearance." She said this last sentence with some disgust in her voice, moving toward the isolation room.

Zonna suspected that the last Maji would be of a different race than Nord or Aisen. She was not wrong; upon reaching the place where the last slave was being held, she saw a Dragonit. She had scales on her legs and arms, and there were scales on her face at the top of her cheeks. Their color was red just like the color of her hair. In height she was equal to Sebastios, who belonged to the tall Maji. She also possessed a shapely figure. Her eyes were golden in color and one could see the rage in them at her situation. She differed from most of the slaves here in that she was chained and gagged when she was led away.

"This is Kalis is the daughter of a nobleman from the kingdom of Tupintapia. She is twenty-two years old. She was captured a few months ago and has been with us for only two weeks. We have not yet had time to educate her in matters of obedience, hence my reluctance to offer her at the outset. If you decide to purchase her, you will of course receive a collar and ring to control her, but I do not guarantee their effectiveness."

The collar and ring for the slave and his master, respectively, were a set of magical items that revolutionized the slave market in Altea. With them, it was possible to influence the will of one's slave by suggestion or by inducing an electric shock to punish or compel compliance with orders.

Zonna was sure she wanted to help this woman, who until recently almost equaled her status. She wanted to do the same for the previous two slaves. However, she needed someone to relieve Marzee of her duties, and she couldn't afford to buy Kalis and let her go.

She thought for a long time about a solution that would satisfy her needs and at the same time be in harmony with her conscience. At some point she came up with an idea. Everything depended on what Kalis would do. Zonna approached her and greeted her like a noblewoman to a noblewoman.

"I am Zonna Sochi, heir to the throne of Balmasheglodia. Kalis yes?" She nodded and asked, waiting until the captive woman confirmed with a nod. "I want to make you a proposition. I will buy you and return your freedom, but in exchange you will be my servant and assistant for five years. In addition, I want you to train two other young slaves during this period, which I will also make free. I'll give you some time to think about it nod your head if you agree."

Zonna didn't have to wait long for Kalis to accept the offer. She would regain her status as a free Maji in exchange for serving the future queen for five years. This did not offend her dignity. Madan Lira was also happy because she was selling three slaves with great skills. It was big money for her, and what the princess would do with them didn't interest her.

After completing all the procedures for buying the slaves, Zonna took them to the slave registration office. There, the birthmark that slaves received after enslavement was removed on the spot, using a special magical item. Kalis, Olisa and Hisna became officially free. After that, Zonna returned to her residence.