All Fall Down Read Online Free

 
    I held myself very still, refusing to meet either one’s eyes. If the damned man tried to open my mouth to show off my teeth, I most certainly would give him a bite he wouldn’t soon forget.
    Fortunately, it did not come to that. The well-dressed newcomer looked us over from head to toe, then gave the rest of the captives a quick but keen glance. At last he nodded.
    The slaver was too much a professional to heave a sigh of relief, but I caught the sudden release of tension in his shoulders. Then, as he apparently noticed me watching him, he gave me a quick wink. I looked away, an unwilling smile threatening to pull at one side of my mouth. I always knew that my sense of the absurd would get me in trouble one day.
    I watched as the well-dressed man handed the head slaver a heavy bag, presumably filled with the local coin. Then he stepped to one side as the slaver approached the wagon and pointed at Elissa, two of the more likely-looking young men, another pretty girl probably a few years older than Elissa, and myself.
    “You there,” he commanded in his rough accent. “Come along now—it’s your lucky day.”
    “I find that difficult to believe,” I commented, even as I bent to retrieve my satchel.
    “Believe what you want, my tart-mouthed friend.” He stepped to the side as, wearily, one by one, we climbed down out of the wagon. The remaining captives watched us with a combination of worry and envy. “But I figured you’d prefer a private transaction to public display.” And his gaze shifted briefly to the slave platform at the edge of the courtyard before sliding back to me.  
    Privately, I was inclined to agree with him, although I remained silent.  
    “Listen up, you,” he went on, this time directing his words to those of us who had apparently been just been sold. “Master Dorus will be back for you shortly. You’ve just been sold to Lord Shaine of Donnishold. That’s probably more than you lot deserve, but there you have it.” Again he gave me that knowing grin, and this time I lifted an eyebrow at him. The grin widened further. “Too bad I can’t be there to see what he makes of you .”
    “I’ll be sure to write and let you know,” I shot back.
    Again he refused to take offense. No doubt the heavy money pouch hanging from his belt had done much to improve his humor. “I’m sure you would, darlin’—if only I could read!”
    My lips parted to issue another retort, but we were interrupted by the arrival of Master Dorus with another wagon, this one lighter and better built, with a covering of heavy canvas stretched over a framework of curved beechwood. Accompanying Master Dorus—who I assumed must be the steward to Lord Shaine—were two more men, both wearing studded leather doublets and short, businesslike swords at their belts. No doubt they were there to serve a dual purpose of guarding Master Dorus and his cargo…and to ensure that said cargo stayed put and didn’t try to wander off in the night.
    Dorus fixed us all with an unmoving stare, and without a word we climbed up into the wagon. I didn’t fancy sharing such close quarters with him for the journey (however long that might take), let alone being a member of his household. His dark eyes were cold, opaque, and the tightly graven lines around his mouth spoke of a harsh, unforgiving nature. I wondered at the unseen Lord Shaine, who would entrust such a man with his slaves and the management of his estate. Then I tried to tell myself that such dislike for a person on sight was certainly contrary to the teachings of the Order, which preached tolerance and respect for all living things.  
    Of course, tolerance probably came more easily to those who hadn’t been sold into slavery.
    At least the interior of the wagon was clean, and neat rolls of bedding had been placed there for us. Perhaps we were slaves, but it was apparent to me that we had fetched a good sum, and as valuable property we would at least be given the basic