Eric lived on outskirts of an impoverished village in the outer ring of The kingdom of Aedris on the border of the black dessert the village was far enough from any major city that it was almost lawless but not far enough to escape taxes. The village main income was a small mine that dug coal and other minerals out the sandy stone. Raiders would often visit the town to resupply or to carry people off to sell into slavery or worse. Eric was all that was left of his family after his mother had died of disease and his father was crushed in the mine, it was only a matter of time before the slavers got him he was in the streets begging as he often did when he stood to return to the shack he called home he heard a loud crack and went fell unconscious. When Eric awoke his neck felt unbelievably sore as though he had been strangled he reached to rub his neck and found cold metal instead. Eric opened his eyes to see he was in a wooden wagon with a young boy standing over him yelling, "please get up" the child looked feverish and thin extremely malnourished and pale with filthy blonde hair cut short, a metal collar around his neck. The child looked up and child's eyes widened as they looked at the ground and took a few steps back, a metal gauntlet appeared dragging Eric to his feet to face a rough looking man with a stubbly beard in plate armour " You will walk or you will die slave" Eric immediately noticed how hungry he was, he felt as though he hadn't eaten in many days. Around him lines people walking onto and off of wagons, ranging from boys to old men. Eric could see what appeared to be auctions in the direction he was being marched. His captors had heavy armor with swords he wasn't sure what to do, he had heard stories of slaves who were sold to wealthy landowners who would work slaves until the died. Eric was nearly dragged to the stage where the auction was taking place, he couldn't hear the crowd but he could hear them many people all gathered to see him and judge him. "Don't be nervous" said a taller boy behind him "You look weak if your nervous, no one will buy you if you look weak" the boy started again "if no one buys you they lease you out to mine owner or sick nobles" Eric shuddered at the thought "Is that any better than what happens if they do buy us?" Eric asked "Depends of who buys you, if a noble buys you, you either have it really good or really bad, I would rather take my chances thought" The boy cocked his head and smiles "I'm Nick this is my 8th time being sold, you get used to It" Eric wasn't sure if he should be happy to know it can get better or to be horrified about the possibilities. Just as Eric finished this thought the bell rang and they were marched onto the stage 2 at a time Nick stood next to Eric emanating confidence. Eric looked into the crowd most wearing expensive attire with many rings and gold trinkets adorning their appendages yet a few stood out wearing blue robes with gold trim, they stood in a group in the back with their hoods down it was impossible to tell gender from this distance but they looked fancy enough Eric paid them no mind. The bidding for Nick began with 10 silver royals which seemed like an outrageous amount to Eric but the crowd didn't seem bothered. The bidding continued for Nick but Eric wasn't paying attention he was staring at the wooden boards he was standing in his bare feet being poked and prickled with splinters the sun was pounding down on them with no mercy. The bidding for Nick was finally over at 1 whole gold royal! He never thought he would see that much in his life, Nick was purchased by a nobleman in a thick fur jacket who was sweating profusely, guess no one told him the dessert was hot. The betting for Eric began as a measly 10 copper royals, in comparison to Nick that was nothing, Eric puffed up his chest and tried to look confident but he had neither any actual muscle or any energy and quickly deflated after 3 rounds of bids it rested at 40 copper royals when one of the blue hooded figures raised their hand and exclaimed 1 silver royal, "oh no" Eric though "this can't be good" the last thing Eric saw was one of the hooded figures coming forth and the exchange of money between hands, then a sack was placed over Erics head and he fell unconscious from exhaustion he heard a women's voice "sleep now little one"
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