Kate wasn't sure exactly what she had auctioned herself off for. What was she supposed to do? She had been led to the side of the arena and was currently watching as a guard shuffled through a pile of papers that a messenger had just handed him. Finally, he said, "She's going to be a Twig in Building Unit Three."
His fellow guard nodded, then, looking at Kate, ordered, "You'll be with that group of misfits over there." He pointed to a ragged group of men who were sitting on the ground at the side of the arena.
Seeing no point in arguing, she joined them, sitting down next to a man who looked no older than her. "I'm Will," he said.
"Kate."
"I'm a Branch."
"Twig."
"Know what that means?"
"Nope," Kate said, scanning the crowd.
"Who're you looking for?"
"My siblings," she said distractedly.
"Are they troublemakers like you?" He asked.
"Sadly, no. I don't think there'll be an encore of my performance."
He laughed. "That's too bad. I was looking forward to it."
"Number 106!" The auctioneer called out. "Offspring!"
Kate saw a figure being pulled out of the crowd of youngsters, and her heart started to pound when she realized who it was. Addie. Her chest swelled with pride as she saw her sister trying to put on a brave face.
"Is that her?" Will said, noticing her gaze.
Kate nodded.
"Let's just hope the King wants her," he said.
"King Leffan?" she asked.
"No, King Raze"
"Who is he?"
"He is the king of these fire wielders" he growled "and he is your new master"
"What!"
"He claimed you, so you're now his property." The auctioneer was looking Addie over with trained eyes.
"Wanted, indoor servant" he stated.
"That's good" Will said smiling. Kate sighed with relief. She watched as her sister was lead to another group of slaves that consisted mostly of young women and girls. Kate waited for her brother to be called and after several more slaves had gotten sorted into various jobs and categories he was finally pushed out of the crowd.
"109, finest" the dark eye auctioneer called. After a couple of seconds said, "Wanted, Outdoor, Icebreaker,"
"not as good" Will said a frown forming on his face.
"what did he get?" Kate asked worried.
"A icebreaker, from what I have picked up, breaks, shovels, and cuts the ice and snow it the winter they also do some of the outdoor work in the winter"
"What about in the summer and spring?"
"I am not sure, it's hard to find information around here" he said gesturing to the arena and guards around them.
"True" she said. She looked at him finally taking in all of Will's features. He had dark brown hair which matched her own and his eyes were a pale green. He was quite handsome, Kate thought, even though he was scruffy, noting the grit that covered him from head to toe. She was also pretty dirty herself, she realized suddenly feeling self conscious.
"So where did they catch you,?" he asked.
"An alley, you?"
"Behind some rubbish bins."
"Really?"
"Yes"
"So did you live on the streets?"
"My father and I were in town to trade furs"
"oh, is he..." Kate said trailing off.
"I'm not sure we got separated.... Where did you live?" Will said changing the subject.
"Streets."
"Parents?"
"Dead."
"I am sorry," he said with a look of pity.
"don't be," Kate said looking away.
The day drained away and the crowd of the unsorted ebbed away with it throughout the afternoon Kate had learned a lot from the long conversations with Will but by the time the sun set she yearned for some food and water.
"are we staying the night?" Kate groaned
"They have finished sorting, so I see no reason for it" Will replied. A guard clad in leather armor walked up to the cluster of slaves.
"Come with me." The guard ordered. The group started to stand up but Kate hesitated and was about to say a witty retort when Will stopped her.
"Not now" He whispered. Kate nodded and stood. As the group followed the guard out of the arena other guards flanked the group making them form into a single file line. Speeding to a steady pace they marched down the streets of Hedera.
YOU ARE READING
The Cat
AdventureKate is a normal girl until the Fire Nation attacks. As the walls of her city crumbles so does freedom as she is forced in to slavery. But as she thinks she has hit the very bottom she is taken away to a secret lab. Where Life gets even worse.
