After a few hours of walking through the muddied streets of the outskirts, the slaves and their slavers had finally arrived at the boundaries of the outskirts.
It was a weird sight, none of them had ever gone this far out before. In Front of them was a beautiful scene. A luscious, seemingly never-ending field of greenery stretched out before them. A river ran alongside it, the water clear and devoid of trash and dead rats. The complete opposite of the natural water sources in the outskirts.
Dying this field in a plethora of colours were flowers that they had only heard about in fables and myths. The sun shone brightly upon the land, drowning the land in yellow hues. It seemed to be slowly transitioning into a sunset. Making it appear ethereal to those who have been banished into the dirt.
A gentle breeze carrying the scent of recently wet earth and soft florals swept by them.
'Red things on top of a green thing…So these are flowers. They're as beautiful as you used to say, Mom.'
Aster thought inwardly as he leaned down to pick one up. Unknowingly, a small tear fell down his left cheek.
It wasn't just him.
Tears fell down the faces of other slaves, especially the women.
It truly was a gorgeous scene.
Even the slavers momentarily appeared to be in a daze, amazed by the beauty of it all.
The slaves shared some glances.
A silent and deeply muted emotion hidden in the depths of their eyes.
It was hope.
But this didn't last long, as the layered sound of cranking and rattling of wood could be heard in the distance. Snapping everyone back to reality.
''The caravans are here.'' Said Finn, one of the slavers.
A smile found itself on the faces of the slavers.
A line of caravans was visible to everyone.
''Ey mutts, get ready to unload those bricks on the last caravan. ''
Markus said to his line of slaves.
''And get inside one of the other caravans, if you embarrass me here I'll slit your throats open''
Similar lines were spoken by the other slavers to their slaves as they all nodded.
Seconds later the caravans arrived, and an individual in a suit stepped out of the first caravan.
He appeared to be in his 30s, with slicked-back hair and a monocle on his left eye.
Immediately the slavers put on their best acts, with the most educated one stepping up to greet the suited man.
'' Hello, sir Watkins, it is a pleasure to see you again. ''
The slaver had blue eyes and blonde hair. He was soft-spoken, a huge contrast to all other slavers.
Sir Watkins briefly glanced at the slavers with an assessing look, then turned his gaze onto the slaves.
Under the presence of his gaze, they all looked away as they each portrayed a different emotion.
All except for Aster…
Sir Watkins made a mental note of his behaviour and adjusted his monocle. Turning back to the blonde slaver who greeted him.
''Ah, Virgil. The pleasure is mine.''
He looked at the other slavers.
''It seems like you've all taken good care of these slaves. ''
Markus chuckled and replied.
''Of course, Captain Jack is rewarding us greatly for this.''
''I see. Well then, have these slaves load the last caravan with the bricks. They can use the other caravans. Follow me to the first caravan.''
Sir Watkins gestured to the last caravan before turning around and walking towards the first.
''You heard him, get your asses movin ya mutts!''
Markus said to all of the slaves. He watched as they scrambled to the last caravan and loaded the bricks.
He stood there till they were done getting inside the caravans. After Which he entered with the rest of the slavers.
He opened the plain wooden door and sat next to Virgil.
''Are ya sure it's smart to leave those things alone?''
''Yes, you can see it in their eyes. None of them have any more will to live.'' Virgil replied calmly.
''Actually…'' Suddenly, Sir Watkin's voice resounded.
All 10 slavers turned to look at him.
''There's this one slave…''
—————————————————————————————————
Just as the wooden door was shut, Aster let out a sigh.
There were 6 people in the caravan, 3 on each side.
Aster sat next to the windows on the right. Next to him was a huge burly man and a teenage boy.
Looking right in front of him, there was the pregnant lady from earlier. On the opposite end, an old man was seated. In the middle was a small female child, she looked to be 10 years old.
'Wasn't I about the same age when I became a slave?'
He thought inwardly. Aster was 11 when he became a slave.
'Time does fly by…'
He saw himself in that child, his gaze turned slightly pitiful.
Taking his gaze away from the little child, he looked outside at the green fields.
''Does someone know where we're going?'' The pregnant lady asked, a pained expression on her face as she clutched her bulging stomach with bloodied hands.
It seemed that her hands were too fragile to withstand the texture and weight of bricks.
''Greyfield.''
The old man replied. His voice was deep and ancient as if containing infinite wisdom.
"A city known for its prospering agricultural economy and market."
"How do you know that?" The giant man asked out of curiosity.
"I've lived a long life, boy. I used to be a pirate and travelled across the seas with my crew. Greyfield has been known as one of the black market entry points for years amongst us."
"You were a pirate?! How the hell did you end up here?!" The teenage boy exclaimed.
"Um. Pirates?" The little girl asked.
Aster also looked at the man, interest flashing in his eyes. He silently clenched his jaw.
Staring at this scene, the old man couldn't help but sigh.