Remembered Read Online Free Page A

that’s the point,” Mina said. “We’re supposed to be making the most of what we have for the buyers.”
    It had been a forbidden topic among the three of them. If they didn’t talk about it, they didn’t have to confront it. Now, however, it was here. The drover said they would be heading to the Bondage Wheel. To Galia’s horror, she was shoved to the front of the line and made to march there.
    This time, as they were led through the streets of Tenebris, people stopped to look. Galia imagined that it was because they were clean at last. The scrutiny made her want to hide inside herself. Instead, she forced herself to walk forward with her head held high. She had done nothing to be ashamed of. Somewhere behind her were Mina and Strayke. She could be brave for them.
    That was what she told herself until they came to the Bondage Wheel.
    The plaza was as large as any of the ones she had seen, but all around were stone rings set into the ground. Attached to the rings were long chains of slaves. There were people of all kinds in the market.
    Galia shuddered as they were led to the only empty ring. Instead of attaching them to the chain there, however, the drover waited. As he paced a bit, looking this way and that, the sun beat down, making Galia feel faint. After only a few minutes, a short man in a brown robe bustled over. He reminded Galia so much of the baker in her old village that she nearly greeted him, until she remembered that the baker was dead, an axe in his gut.
    “So this is what you intend to display at the Bondage Wheel, eh?” he asked, managing to look down his nose from a height less than hers.
    The drover grunted. “My goods are as beautiful and strong as any in this market. Look for yourself.”
    The official harrumphed before gesturing to Galia. “Let’s see this one.”
    Hesitantly, Galia stepped forward. The drover stood behind her. His hands were at the clasps holding the shoulders of her garment up, and to her shock, she found them being taken down. In a matter of seconds, she stood bare to the waist, the afternoon sun shining down on her bare, pale breasts.
    She would have expected the official to leer at her, to pinch or even grope. Somehow it was worse that he did none of those things. Instead, he surveyed her flesh as if she was a pony or a dog.
    “Take down the rest of it. I shall be sure there is no pox.”
    Galia blinked back tears as the garment was lifted over her head. She went numb as she was pushed and prodded. The examination seemed to go on forever. She could hear Mina make a sound of protest when the man made her stand with her legs parted so he could examine her there too.
    Don’t move, Mina. Don’t call attention to yourself, she thought desperately. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you or Strayke.
    The examination was done and she was allowed to pull her clothing on again.
    “Well, I have certainly seen better, but it’ll do,” the official said. “Take your place.”
    The drover beamed and patted Galia’s flank, ignoring the way she flinched away. The drover chained the slaves to the iron ring, and the wait began. When she glanced towards Mina and Strayke, she could see that Strayke was watching her and Mina was fuming. She dared not give them a smile. The drover seemed to have decided that Galia was some kind of good luck charm. When rich citizens came by, he made sure to show her off first. Galia didn’t understand the type of money they used in Tenebris, but after more than one person’s eyes widened at her price, she realized that she must be expensive. She didn’t know if that was a mercy or not.
    The day wore on, and by ones and twos, the slaves were sold off. At first Galia tensed every time someone looked at Mina or Strayke, but then it was just too tiring. She felt entirely numb.
    Close to sunset, there was a stirring in the crowd. Galia looked up to see a small woman robed in purple making her way through the Bondage Wheel. The people parted