CHAPTER NINE

Her eyes still wide open but now pink from crying. Selene stood closest to the cell door with her injured fists on either side. The cell was dark and empty and it smelled of sweat and unclean things, she had to hold her breathe severally as the wind would blow in through the high windows and circulate the foul smell. It was no doubt the day for the trial. She had heard the murmurs and failed attempt of escape from the Riverlands as they were led to the empty hall. The room was not as dark when the early morning rays streamed in, she could see where the heap of hay was which smelled urine and the wash basin that sat at the other corner of the room. Selene had learnt that her angry yells would only wear her voice out and her pounding on the bar ended her up with wounded knuckles. With ears very much alert to her surrounding, Selene was quick to detect the approaching footsteps. She backed away from the door and shielded her sensitive eyes as the door opened. The governess stood with two guards on each side of her, her handmaiden just behind.
"Helsing has always been impatient. He wants to see his price." Alexandra stated as she swayed into the cell.
Selene backed further away from the woman and frowned at her murmur.
"Dress up, you will be taken after the trial, I wouldn't want you looking like a ram" Alexandra said
"Where are you taking me? " Selene asked, sudden hope springing in her heart. Perhaps she could run away as they journeyed. The winter would make travel very slow.
"Now that is none of your business. Dress up" Alexandra said dismissively
"I am not your slave" Selene said
"Oh in a while you will be. Cedric has no chance with me, get dressed before I lose my patience child" Alexandra said with faint annoyance
Selene gulped and looked at the brawny men that guarded the governess. The last thing she needed was force, anything that would make her see Mia she would oblige. So long as they were together she had a reason to try again.
Fiddling with the clothes that was tossed on the floor, Selene looked at the governess expectantly
With an irritated sigh "Turn around" she told the men that immediately obeyed and Selene quickly pulled off the already torn black gown and pulled on the white material.
She frowned at the piece and looked up at the governess. The clothes was flimsy, her nipples puckered visisbly, the material slightly covered her bottom but she was certain her thighs was bare.
"I am not wearing this... This thing" She spat
"Oh you have, now wash that face eof yours and I'll fetch you for the auction" Alexandra replied
"Where will I see my sister" Selene asked, trying to forget the cloth for a while
"Good for you I have decide there will be no child whores for the market today. She'll be better off mopping my floors" She responded with a smile
"No...no. no please. Let me see her, please I beg of you, I'll go with her, she'll come, we won't complain" Selene begged
"Silent. Get cleaned before I change my mind, I'm sure I could fetch some pretty one for Helsing and give you to the peddlers" Alexandra said and left the cell there after.
Selene could feel the reality washing over her. Her sister was going to stay. Alone. They would part, they would no longer be together. Mia would be alone, scared and vulnerable. Selene fell to the ground with a pained sob, she could have tried harder. She would have let the walker take her than face this humiliation. She curled her exposed legs under her chin and watched the sun rays go away from the cell, taking her faint hope along with it.
***
The loud creak of the door as it opened woke Selene, springing to her feet quickly, her hands went to draw low the short gown.
"Come with us" The guard said as he and his partner held the large doors open for her.
Hesitantly, Selene walked out of the cell and took a breath of the familiar manor smell. She turned to the guards as he led them out and the other walked behind her.
They shoved through the busy crowd of Riverlands and Sol warriors and she was finally pushed into the opening at the end of the room.
The Lord sat at the centre of the gathering on his throne with two men beside him. The governess sat to his right, her lady in waiting beside her with a guard behind.
The Harmony council sat at a large table. All men with a simple gold band around their gray head. The old stern lady sat with a scowl and a ruby studed band.
Selene moved as quietly as she could, only warning the disapproving glare of one man who simply ignored her as she went to her sister. Mia was not hiding her tears, the liquid flowed freely down her chin as the men continued to speak, asking his father questions she could only describe as useless and watching her father stutter through replies. She could not hear what ever they said, she could only stare at her father, now thin and sickly. With over grown beards and a paler complexion. His eyes watched them from the gathering pitifully, the regret and sympathy clearly written on his usually charming face. Selene watched as a lone tear dropped down her father's cheek, this made Mia wail and then alone did she realise what was just said.
"King Dwayne Cedric of Riverlands, you are hereby by laws justified a slave to the Sol, your lands, kins and people shall heed their command and failure to do so will attract penalties as suited your Lord and Governess. With Harmony of the four lands of this region, the council has decided." The lady pronounced firmly and the hall went quiet.
Selene watched as the guards moved his father away who seemed to avoid her eyes as he left. She watched as the council rose to leave with their regal apparels. Ruckus broke as the villagers screamed some attempting escape and being held by guards who forcefully made them cower at last. Their swords fell on a few daring men and Selene watched as blood flew up the quiet room. There was silence afterward and the guards led part of the crowd away. Selene stood in confusion as the Governess rose, she walked to each of them as if searching. Selene held her sister closer and prayed she wasn't her target. With a terrified scream, Selene was dragged from her sister who yelled as well.
"Put her in the carriage" Alexandra said
"Noooooooooooooo.... Noooo...let go!" Selene yelled as she was dragged out of the large hall. Kicking and screaming
A black cloth came to her head and she felt a wet fabric forced into her open mouth. Selene gagged on impulse and struggled against the firm hold.
She was towed to a carriage where the coach quickly mounted.
"Move it" Selene heard the Governess say as another person entered into the carriage as well.
"Alexandra!" The lord called out. She felt her heart fall. He would want her as his, a sex slave. A mistress.
Selene felt angry tears wet her cheek over the blind fold.
The horses neighed as the carriage moved violently. She could hear the shout of the driver as the carriage galloped down the rocky path of the Governess' manor.
Selene screamed as the carriage shook, swerved and ran into something solid. She heard the distant screams of people as they approached the carriage. Before her blind fold was ripped off, she was already in a world of darkness. Her senses gone.