CHAPTER 28 – "THE MARKED ONES"
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Kael left the others at the inn.
He needed to walk. Clear his head.
The slave's screams still echoed in his mind.
He moved through the Crimson Market alone. Hands in his pockets. Hood up.
The market was busy now. Afternoon crowd. Merchants calling prices. Buyers inspecting goods.
Kael watched the people.
House crests everywhere.
Flame. Red and gold. Nobles in silk. Walking through the crowd. People parting immediately.
Wind. Silver. Sharp. Samurai standing guard. Hands on katanas. Always watching.
Earth. Brown. Mountain-shaped. Artisans working stalls. Blacksmiths. Carpenters. Weavers.
Moon. Pale crescent. Scholars in robes. Carrying scrolls. Moving quietly.
And then the slaves.
No crests.
Just the brand.
Circular. Insect-like. Burned into their necks.
They carried goods. Cleaned stalls. Hauled water.
Eyes down. Silent. Invisible.
Kael watched a boy—maybe ten—carrying a sack of rice. Twice his size. Struggling.
No one helped.
No one looked.
Kael's jaw tightened.
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He kept walking.
Passed a forge. A textile shop. A stall selling fruit.
Then he heard it.
Shouting.
He stopped.
Turned.
Down a side alley. A crowd gathering.
Kael moved closer.
In the center—a man. Merchant. House of Earth crest on his chest. Fat. Sweating.
And a girl.
Slave. Maybe fourteen. Thin. Bruised.
The brand on her neck fresh.
She was on the ground. Crying.
The merchant grabbed her hair. Yanked her up.
"You spilled my wine!" he shouted.
"I'm sorry—I'm sorry—" she sobbed.
He slapped her. Hard.
She fell.
He kicked her. Ribs. Stomach.
She screamed.
The crowd watched. Some laughed. Most just stared.
The merchant grabbed her again. This time by her shirt.
He ripped it.
The fabric tore. Exposing her.
She screamed louder. Tried to cover herself.
He grabbed her chest. Squeezed.
"This is what happens when you waste my property," he said.
She sobbed. Shaking. "Please—please stop—"
He laughed.
Kael's hand moved to his sword.
Someone in the crowd noticed. Grabbed his arm.
"Don't," a man said. "She's property. Don't interfere."
Kael yanked his arm free.
"She's a person."
"She's a slave."
Kael stepped forward.
The merchant didn't notice. He was still groping the girl. Laughing.
Two guards stood nearby. Watching. Not intervening.
One of them saw Kael. "Stop. Don't interfere with a citizen's property."
Kael ignored him.
He walked straight to the merchant.
Grabbed his wrist.
Twisted.
The merchant screamed. Let go of the girl.
She fell. Crawled backward. Still crying.
The merchant turned. "Who the hell—"
Kael punched him. Hard.
The merchant stumbled. Blood poured from his nose.
"You're insane!" he shouted. "Guards! Guards!"
The two guards moved. Hands on their katanas.
"Step back," one said. "Or you'll be executed."
Kael drew his sword.
The black blade gleamed.
The guards hesitated.
"Last warning," the guard said.
Kael didn't move.
The merchant grabbed a knife from his belt. Lunged.
Kael sidestepped. Swung.
The blade cut clean through the merchant's neck.
His head hit the ground. Rolled.
The body collapsed.
Blood pooled.
The crowd gasped. Stepped back.
The guards drew their katanas.
"You just killed a citizen!" one shouted.
They charged.
Kael moved.
Fast.
The first guard swung. Kael blocked. Pushed him back. Slashed.
The blade cut through his chest. Deep.
The guard fell.
The second guard hesitated. Then attacked.
Kael parried. Spun. Sliced across his throat.
Blood sprayed.
The guard dropped.
Silence.
Kael stood in the center of the alley. Sword dripping. Three bodies at his feet.
The crowd stared.
No one moved.
Kael sheathed his sword. Turned to the girl.
She was still on the ground. Staring at him. Tears streaming.
But she wasn't screaming anymore.
She was shaking. Sobbing quietly.
Different now.
Not pain.
Relief.
Kael walked past her.
She grabbed his leg. "Thank you—thank you—"
Her voice broke.
Kael stopped. Looked down at her.
"Cover yourself," he said quietly.
He took off his cloak. Draped it over her shoulders.
She clutched it. Still crying.
Kael turned. Walked away.
The crowd parted.
No one stopped him.
Behind him, the girl wept.
Kael didn't look back.
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He walked through the market. Blood still on his hands.
People stared. Whispered.
Guards would come soon.
Kael didn't care.
He kept walking.
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**END OF CHAPTER 28**