Mariel arrived at one of the checkpoints outside the city and waited for her mother to catch up. While waiting, she looked at the passing crowds and wagons. A family of five passed by carrying their belongings on their backs. They were allowed through the checkpoint. The eldest child, a young boy in a ragged outfit had a distinct limp on his left leg, but carried a load appropriate for his age. Next a patrol of guards passed by, their heavy halberds polished to perfection and their plate armor reflecting the sun. The city guard was a force counting some six thousand heads. In addition to the foot soldiers and the cavalry, the force also employed a section of wyvern riders and Kildenmelders from the scholar’s academy: A magic force to counter demonbranders, the name given by humans to the demonkin’s magicians.

“Sorry sweetie, it took a while to settle the discussion…” Her mother appeared next to her, smiling. “Shall we get going?”

“Mariel nodded and the two continued towards the checkpoint. While her mother appeared to be her usual self, she noticed tiny specs of soot on her dress, and her hair.”

“Hm? What’s the matter baby? Is there something wrong with my clothes?” Her mother asked, looking a little nervous.

“No, nothing mama. I was just admiring how wonderful you look in that dress... It’s sad you don’t wear that one more often, you look stunning.”

Serin smiled and straightened out a crease. “Would you like to try it out sometime?”

“No, I wouldn’t fit into it! I’d just look ridiculous.”

The approached the checkpoint and a guard approached them.

“Haisel travellers! What brings you here today? Are you traders? Refugees perhaps?”

“No, we come from Miksani, I’m Serin Bluegale and this is my daughter Mariel, I work at the royal palace as the head book-keeper.”

The guard scrutinized Serin for a while and eventually nodded. “Very well then.” The guard turned to Mariel. “Please pull back your hood so I can see your face.”

“I apologize sir, but I forgot to put on my daughter’s collar…”

“Huh? She’s a demonkin? How can you even be mother and daughter?”

“She’s… An adopted child sir.”

“…” The guard raised an eyebrow and appeared to mumble something under his breath before speaking. “Well go on then, put it on.”

Mariel’s heart sank in her chest, and she steeled herself for the throbbing pain of the collar’s magic power. The collar had been invented in order to keep the hundreds of thousands of demonkin slaves under control. By suppressing their independent thought, forcing a submissive behaviour and suppressing their magical potential, the slaves were turned into semi-sentient drones, bound to the whim of the collar’s imprinted owner.

Serin took out the small blue metal collar. As it neared Mariel’s neck, it started crackling as its magical energy charge spooled up. With a sorrowful expression, her mother clapped the collar around her neck. Immediately, she screamed as pain soared through her body. Her vision dimmed and was left in a sort of haze. She felt detached from her body. From far away, she heard the guard letting them through, before an order from her mother shot through her mind clear as day: “Move.”

The two passed through the gatehouse and into the city, emerging straight onto the busy market square of the city. The two immediately blended into the crowd, and soon took a sharp left turn into an alley.

Serin stood before her and moved her hand behind her daughter’s neck. With a swift motion, she pulled the collar off, causing a suffering sound from her child, whom immediately slumped forward.

Her mother caught her and held her tightly to her chest. “I’m sorry baby… I’m so very sorry…”

Mariel regained control of her body and put her arms around her mother. “It’s okay… I know you hate doing this as much as I do… I’ll be fine you know, so please don’t cry, it’ll ruin your appearance.”

Her mother merely squeezed her even tighter, while stroking her hair.

A great many rumours circulated about the collars. The most common was that the collar’s magical powers would over time crush the mind of the wearer, like running water could over time grind down any stone it touched. Another rumour would explore the possibilities of having mindless slaves obeying one’s every order. Made from a magical metal called Dinrillium, an expensive and highly sought-after metal for a variety of applications from weapon craft to construction.

The two remained for a little while, before emerging back onto the market square. Mariel had pulled her hood back on and adjusted her cloak to cover most of her neck. All around them, merchants and people shouted and talked among themselves.

“Buy my wares! Freshly imported from the south!”

“The finest in exotic cloth for the budding tailor! Fair prices!”

“Fresh fish! Caught this morning! Come see clear eyes and take in the fresh smell of seawater!”

They passed along the rows of stalls and nearing the centre plaza of the market where the entertainers and criers put on displays and announced news from across the continent. At the end of the plaza where the city walls separated the market from the workshops, the larger auctions took place upon wooden podiums. Anything from cattle to expensive furniture was up for bidding.

“Come closer good people! Come see the latest and most exotic merchandise brought in from the seas!”

A crowd was gathering around one of the podiums, upon it stood a large cloth-covered object, and a ruffled hoarse-voiced sailor was inviting the crowd.

“It was a terrible storm, the rain was pouring down, and we were racing against high waves and wind to make it behind one of the many islands dotting the coast.” The sailor, apparently a captain continued his epic tale while waving his arms dramatically around.

“Once there, we came upon a shipwreck of unknown origins! Dead men had washed ashore and it appeared like the catch of a lifetime, but alas my friends, the ship carried no treasure… Save the content of this cage!” The captain made a dramatic gesture as if introducing a member of royalty.

“Get out your coin good people!”

The captain raised his hand and the cloth covering the object was raised, revealing a big metal cage.

A loud cheer went through the crowd as the cloth revealed the huddled shapes of six demons, three males and three females.

“Behold! These three strong specimens were immediately fed and put to hard labour. Their bodies are honed, shapely and strong! Perfect for collecting a season harvest, or constructing your new barn!”

A burst of gleeful laughter followed, and the captain gestured towards one of the females.

“And these untouched beauties my friends… I had to kill fourteen crewmates to keep these gems from being dirtied on the way here! Perfect for the household chores! They may be a little lean, but if you decide to buy, we’ll add one hot meal and some healing salves to the bargain! Place your bids!”

Loud rustling ensued as the onlookers began rummaging through their economic assets, while the captain brought the first slave out of the cage.

“Come on baby… Let’s not watch.” Serin took her daughter’s hand in her own and tried to lead her away.

Just then the loud noise of the crowd was broken, and a young woman clad in the garb of a Priestess of Yulie stepped onto the podium.

“Good people! Why do we continue to accept this cruel treatment? Yulie’s love extends to everyone, no matter their origins!”

“Get off the stage your shrew!” The crowd began jeering.

“Is it not time to end this cruelty? I lost my father and my two brothers in the last war! Are you not fed up with death and misery!?” The woman’s voice broke in panic.

The captain ran over and raised the girl up by the throat, she choked and desperately clutched his stronger hands trying to free herself.

“You worthless scum! Were you not a priestess, I’d spread your innards right here! But my love for Yulie is deep, but surely my audience can sort out this poor wretch?” The captain roared with anger and threw the girl off the podium down onto the cobbled ground.

“Stay here Mariel.” Serin whispered before running towards the podium where a hostile crowd was closing in around the downed priestess.

Serin roughly pushed her way through the crowd. One onlooker got irritated and tried to hit her but she smoothly ducked under the swing, and promptly felled the man with one sweep of her foot. Getting to the priestess she stood up defensively in front of her.

“Back off! She is a priestess of Yulie, and harming her is an offense punishable by death!”

“Hah, right you are! Get out of the way or we’ll pound you too into the ground.” A big, hardy worker growled.

From Serin’s open hands, a gut of flame appeared in her right palm, and a spark of lightning in her left. “I warn you, back off, as a servant to the king, it is also my duty to enforce the peace. Go back to your places now, or face the consequences.”

Around the crowd, a circle of soldiers was closing in rapidly. Seeing their chance for a quick beatdown lost, the group grumbled, glared and blended back in among the onlookers.

“Augh…” The priestess groaned and shaking with fear, sat herself upright.

“Honored priestess… I am a faithful believer in Yulie… Are you hurt? I can do some basic healing…”

“I’m fine.” The priestess stammered, her head flying left and right out of fear. Serin put her arm around the priestess and led her away from the podium where the captain simply resumed his bidding round, with a slight lack of enthusiasm.

Safely away from the crowd, and calling Mariel to her, Serin found a bench for them to sit down on.

“Oh? I feel the presence of someone else… A kind spirit?”

“Ah… I haven’t introduced us… I’m Serin Bluegale, and this is my daughter Mariel…”

“Casindire… I’m very happy to meet you, and I thank you for my rescue… I assure you that Yulie will look kindly upon this act.” The priestess smiled, but kept her head straight forward.

“Um… I’m sorry to ask this, but are you blind?” Mariel’s question made the priestess perk up a little, but she remained calm and turned her head to face Mariel.

“Yes. My sight was taken from me… As a child.”

“I’m sorry… I mean nothing by it…” Mariel bowed her head apologetically, but the priestess merely shook her head.

“I Don’t mind; in fact, you are the first to ask me that question. Nobody else have been bold enough to ask, instead they treat me like a cripple… Which is sort of true I guess…”

The priestess heaved a heavy sigh and straightened her expression. “I really should return to the temple… But can I ask you both a very selfish request?”

“Anything.” Serin immediately affirmed and stood up, ready to march.

“I would like to remember your faces.”

“Oh! You must have some secret magic or something right?” Mariel’s interest was piqued, but the priestess shook her head with a light laughter.

“Nothing like that, I use sound. Please stand in front of me.

All three stood up and positioned themselves. The priestess took a deep breath, and began to sing.

“The shroud unveils, and darkness fall

Emerging from the ocean, the light of the dawn

Warmth, is upon my skin, like the touch of love

Into the dawning we walk strangers no more.”

The priestess smiled warmly and bowed her head. “Thank you… I will remember your faces, and you have renewed my faith in a world joined together as one.”

“It was a pleasure to meet you, and please be careful on your way back.”

The three exchanged smiles and the priestess disappeared back into the crowd.

“I hope she’ll be okay…” Serin shook her head.

“She will be, she seems really frail, but she’s strong and very brave… And skilful.”

“Okay baby, I’ll trust your keen eye… Let’s get going.”