He moved quickly only taking small brisk steps, trying to keep them as even as possible. The consequence of not doing this would be a risk of spilling the precious content in which he was carrying, the clean cool water swayed in the bucket at his side, occasionally threatening to spill over the edges.

Marco glanced up from his bucket to look ahead of him, the girl which he was following was also moving at the same brisk pace as him a few meters ahead. Loose bits of hair that escaped from its restrained place and billowed in the strong wind, though her ponytail mostly stayed on her back with a few strands following the escaped bits of her hair in a wild dance that seemed to whip in the air.

Ducking his head down he managed to escape from the surge of wind that carried dust in the air, though his eyes were unharmed the skin on his forehead stung from the particles of the dust that lashed at any bare skin.

His eyes stayed on the fast moving ground staring at the gutter filled with dirt and sewage, dirty water and rats flowed past him as he moved towards his destination. He started to move his gaze when an overflow of brown water caught his eye; he carefully slowed down trying his best to not spill any water. Finally pulled to a stop he glanced behind him at the clump that caused the overflow.

The package road was a dusty bumpy full of holes and large rocks that could cause the carriages that pass by to constantly be in a sideways motion never staying at the same angle. The result of this would be the occasional flip over of the carriage or lose of objects, be it large or small.

Marco was hoping that this clump would be a missed object from the Collectors, the city’s street rats, there job in life is to find anything worth selling at their stalls in the Underground market, be it from the ground or a person’s pocket.

The girl he was following realised that he had stopped, turning around she traced back her steps to the stop were he stopped, “What is it Marco, why did you stop?” They knew each other well so he had no need hold any information from her, he knew that Kaia wasn’t the type to steal, her past experiences made her generous towards others.

He glanced up at the Kaia her face gleamed with sweat, which had caused the dust to collect on her skin, her brown hair whipped over her face still dancing its wild dance. But no matter how much grime or hair covered her face, it never obscured the notifying pattern of scars on the left side of her face, the shape looked like vines covered in ugly thorns, it was only a thin pattern but it went from the top of her forehead to the side of her chin. This was the universal way of ownership, to mark your slaves in your own personal design. She used belong to a different master, before he sold her, so her mark was different to his.

“I found something.”

Kaia’s face lit up her eyes began to dart around the ground looking for what he had found, “Where?”

Marco placing his bucket to his side stepped forward; his bare feet came into contact with the warm slimy water. Crouching down he moved the clumps of faeces and dirt away from the pile, his attempts were successful as the clumps floated away a thin shaped object gleamed in the brown water. It too was covered in brown cluster of muggy substances so it only gleamed dully, but it still showed value. Kaia began jumping up and down excitedly, objects made of hard materials such as metal or leather were very valuable in Underground. For poor people or slaves the only materials they could come by were wool, wood or thin fabrics.

Marco eagerly picked up the object, though thin and small it held some weight to it. I was about the size of his hand, and seeing that he was only thirteen years old that wasn’t very large. Standing up he presented the object to Kaia, she stared at it in wonder and excitement, she looked like she was about to burst in excitement any second.

She continued hopping on the spot, “Do you know what it is? How much do you think its worth?”

Marco shook his head and smiled in wonder, Kaia could get excited about anything. Chances are this would just be a fancy cheese knife or something, not worth a poor person’s time. But still the small chance that this object could be something valuable argued at the back of his mind, hope was the thing that made that thought grow in his head, until he could think of nothing else but that thought that be began to believe that is was something valuable that could help save their lives.

His excitement suddenly burst, he began laughing in joy that he’d never felt before. Kaia immediately joined in clapping her hands in celebration to our find. Marco with anticipation then began cleaning off the object with his hands to see what it was, in his mad rush of moving the brown goop off he completely dismissed the red fluid that spilled from his hands.

When it was finally clean he moved his hand away and noticed that not only was his hand covered in brown substances but also a thick red liquid that trickled onto the ground. Realisation of what just happened caused the wound on his hand to flare and cause agony, Marco hissed at the wound in pain. Kaia stopped jumping and looked at him in confusion, she then saw the reason of dismay, her eyes widened suddenly and after a moment of standing there wondering how did that just happen she moved into action. Moving her bucket closer she cupped her hands into the water and poured it then onto the wound cleaning it with her own hands.

Marco cried out as the water stung his injury, grinding his teeth he said, “Thanks.”

Kaia nodded in acknowledgement, “What is it, is the metal broken or something?”

Marco shook his head, he glanced down at the object his hand it gleamed dully in the sunlight its sharp edges now apparent.

“No, it’s a dagger.”

Kaia mouth made a surprised O. “But I thought that all the weapons in the city were held by guards and soldiers.”

Marco shrugged, “Maybe one dropped it.”

Kaia raised her eyebrows in disbelief, “On the supply road?”

Marco sighed, “Ok fine I don’t know how it got here but its probably not going to be worth that much see.” He showed the rest of the dagger to her, it had no handle on were a wooden or leather handle should have been all there was a smaller portion of metal.

Kaia inspected the knife closely, “It could be worth something, after being in the gutter for a while it’s still sharp, maybe its refined metal. Like the city walls.”

Marco considered her reasoning, “Perhaps, but either way I still need to show this to the blacksmith, he could tell us how much its worth.”

“That’s a good idea, but we still have to do our work and we are behind schedule so we’d better hurry.” Kaia said this as she picked her bucket of the ground and turned in the direction they needed to go.

Marco nodded in agreement, “Can’t be late, otherwise we get punished.” He shivered at the thought of the merciless whipping he would get if he didn’t complete the job, and Kaia would go through things much worse than a whipping, those acts he hated most of all. Although part of his brain thought it was ironic, that the thing he hated most in the world was the cause of his existence. Without that horrible act that is constantly forced onto his mother, he would not be here at all, and neither would his siblings and soon to be sibling.

“Greetings Marco!” Silas beamed at the young boy standing before him. It was a blacksmiths job to know all of his customers, know what quirks or little movements they make when they are bluffing in a battle of numbers. He always tried to give the best people the best deals, such as people he knew that didn’t have enough to bargain for long. When it came to people who were well off and money was little worry to them, he chose a different strategy; some people would call it a cheat of their money. But he decided to call it a generous donation to the struggling house of Ellwood.

Marco was also a player in this little game he played, whenever he was sent to buy an object from the blacksmith, instead of bargaining he and Silas schemed in which outrageous price would be low enough to go unnoticeable. Which was why he was so glad to see the boy today, not many people had come by to purchase or order his metalwork and he always profited when Marco came to purchase something for his master’s manor or soldiers.

Marco gave a small smile back to Silas, he was large man with bulging muscles, and his skin was tan from the lack shade in his smithing area. Generally his large size would discourage people, making them think that he was a big mean brute, but it was the opposite in fact he was the friendliest person Marco knew. An encouragement of this fact would be his constant wide smile and large friendly brown eyes, the man was bald but he said he shaved it in case his hair caught aflame.

Though usually his visits his full of jokes, laughter and smiles today Marco was serious his mind full of worries. Silas noticed this immediately, “What’s wrong my Little Sun?”

Marco brightened a little bit at the mention of his nickname; being called a ‘sun’ by a man he considered his best-friend kindled his hope for happiness in his life. Silas in Marco’s eyes was his real father, but that was not the reason why Silas called him ‘Little Sun’, the reason was his slave mark, it was the mark of the sun. The mark was located on his left temple, but the mark was large enough to take up half of his forehead, when he was marked Marco’s jet black hair was cut tightly to his head and part of his hair had to be shaved away for room for his mark.

Silas continued to stare at him in worry, Marco sighed “I was wondering if you could do me a favour.”

Silas frowned his face full of worry, “I can’t do anything serious Marco, they threatened to take away my shop last time I defended your mother. Is her time up?”

Marco shook his head, there was one kind rule towards slaves in the manor pregnant women could not be touched in any harmful way by penalty of banishment. Master Beckett claimed that he wanted his future slaves to be born healthy and not deformed, which is also why in those short nine months, the women were allowed access to medicine.

“I was wondering if you could tell me how much an object is worth.”

Silas continued frowning, “Did you steal something from the manor? Actually my real question is why are you here, aren’t you supposed to be doing your work it’s the middle of the afternoon?”

“I’m on cleaning duty today and I got diarrhoea, they don’t want me spilling on the floors.” Marco smiled at the cleverness of his ploy.

Silas shook his head in wonder, “You’re too clever for your own good. Keep that cleverness in that head or they’ll make you an underground spy.”

Marco nodded agreeing with him, he’d had that thought already, underground spy’s had a reputation of a short life expectancy. “I didn’t steal anything, I found something the collectors missed.”

Silas raised his eyebrow encouraging the boy to explain further, it was a rare occurrence that the collectors missed something, seeing that there was a definite chance that they would die of starvation if they didn’t find something.

“It was in a sewage gutter, I noticed it because it was creating a blockage.”

“Ok let’s have a look,” Silas gestured impatiently with his hand for Marco to show it to him, “I’m guessing it’s made of metal.” He continued. Marco nodded in approval as he pulled the blade from the waistline of his pants; the knife was too large to fit in his pockets.

Silas narrowed his eyes at the object whilst Marco was carefully pulling it out hoping not to cut his hip, when the object came into full view his eyes widened in surprise. Silas whistled in admiration and gestured for Marco to hand it to him for examination.

“You didn’t find that handle as well did you?” He inquired, Marco shook his head.

Silas examined the metal rubbing it between his fingers, eyeing it close, he then flicked it with his fingers and listened to its ring. Silas whistled again, “This is hardened steel, not regular iron. Be worth about 50 coins if you sell it to the right person, but I recommend making a handle to fit it, it would double in price.”

Marco couldn’t believe his ears, the knife was worth a lot, and if he made a simple handle it would double in that price. His excitement almost ready to burst he began hopping on the spot.

Silas smiled at the boy’s enthusiasm, “Alright now you’d better run off, been on the toilet far to long for a normal person.” He handed the knife back and watch Marco run off with a hop in his step.

“Marco!” A shrill voice shouted, it was only a few days after his visit to Silas’s forge, and he hadn’t sold the knife yet. He thought that if he made a makeshift handle for the dagger then he would be able to share some of the profits with his friends.

Marco looked towards the sound of the voice; it was Kaia walking hurriedly through the crowded room, it was currently the tenth hour and Marco’s rounds had just finished, so he was sitting in the slave quarters carving a piece of wood with a dinner knife he nicked. Kaia stopped at the foot of Marco’s ‘bed’, a piece of ratty blanket on the ground with another bundle of cloth to form as a pillow.

Kaia looked nervous, she couldn’t stop fidgeting with her apron which covered her thin dress, saying in a cautious whisper she leaned in so only Marco could hear, “Master William has summoned me to his quarters to be his maid.” Fear was the only expression she could show now, Master William was son of Master John Beckett had a history of damaging and abusing his maids, he had a short temper and hands that liked to explore.

Marco froze horror and fear bled down into his very core, he was very protective of his family, and Kaia was family he swore years ago that if anyone laid a hand on his family he’d beat them bloody until they begged. However he also had to take head on what his mother said, and she said every time she got pregnant to not get involved, and she even begged him not to do anything when he saw the many and regularly bruises that appeared on her face and body.

But he could show the same restraint when it came to Kaia, mother was strong, but Kaia was constantly fearful of what the soldiers might do to her when they noticed she was growing into a woman, she wasn’t strong she needed protection. Now someone had noticed she was of age and of all people it was the Master’s son.

“Marco I don’t know what to do, please tell me what I should do.”

Marco tucked his project under his pillow, he patted his left thigh to make sure the dagger was still there, standing up he held out his hand to Kaia, “Let’s go talk to mother about this; she might be able to help.”

Kaia shook her head, “I know what she’ll say, that I just have to accept it, just like she does.” Her last comment put a grim expression on her face. “I don’t want to just accept it, but I can’t just say no I’ll be punished or killed.”

“Ok, we won’t talk to mother, but I can’t think of anything else for us to do.”

Kaia began fidgeting again, “You can come with me, to clean.” Marco looked at her doubtfully, seeing the look Kaia added quickly, “I’ll tell him that I need help with the cleaning because I’ve been feeling ill and faint.”

Marco feel doubtful shook his head but then said, “Fine, but things get out of hand we run.”

Kaia nodded finally taking his hand, “I am to be there at the eleventh hour, to do some tidying up.”

“Ok, then we’d better get going.”

William appraised the two adolescents in front of him, he had only summoned the girl in which he had to admit was quite pretty she had her light brown hair was in a messy plat so her face was covered in loose bits of her hair, but you could still see her stunning bright green eyes through the veil. He glanced at the other adolescent, he never summoned this boy in fact he couldn’t recall his face, grey eyes with jet black hair. He would have noticed the hair, most of the slaves had brown hair, and in fact the boy had a face that reminded him of Sargent Mills, hair was the same to.

William now crossed his arms and put a frown on his face, he was very displeased he had wanted a night alone with the girl; he enjoyed the company of pretty girls even if they were a bit young.

“Girl what is he doing here, I only summoned you to be my maid.”

Kaia clasped her hands and bowed her head towards William, “Apologies my lord, Marco volunteered to help me with the cleaning, because I’ve been feeling ill for these past few days. He was concerned I may not be able to finish the room.”

Williams frown deepened into a scowl, “Why didn’t you inform me of this girl, you caught me by surprise.”

Kaia kept bowing her head, “I am deeply sorry my lord, to gain your forgiveness I shall clean the room thoroughly so there is no dirt or dust within its confines.”

William uncrossed his arms, “You had better, now boy clean out the fireplace and light it’s too dark in here, girl come with me.”

Kaia took a shuttering breath and began to follow William; she glanced behind her as she did looking at Marco fear showed on her face with a clear message of ‘help me’.

Marco nodded hopping to reassure her that if he did anything he would be there to protect her. William let her into his private bedroom whilst Marco moved to clean the fireplace in the entry room, he heard the click of the door closing and bustled over to press his ear to the door and listen.

He hear the murmur of the voice of William, he was addressing Kaia, a moment of silence. William spoke again this time raising his voice, obviously telling Kaia to do someone; he sounded impatient and was ready to yell again possibly even take action.

Marco fearing for the worst opened the door and burst in; he was greeted with the scene of William cupping Kaia’s face, forcing her look at him.

William scowled at the boy in front of him, “What are you doing boy out now, before I order you to be whipped!” His voice was crisp and demanding, but Marco was unaffected by that, all his attention was focus on Kaia and how William’s hands squeezed her chin and cheeks causing her pain.

“Let go of her, now.” Marco said this in a dangerous tone, threatening William that there would be consequences if he didn’t.

William rage finally broke through, “What did you just say to me slave!” His face started to redden.

Kaia stared at the ordeal she couldn’t move her head Williams hands were like steal and she didn’t dare to move her body out of fear of what he might do is she tried to move away.

“Marco.” She whispered under her breath feeling helpless.

William’s head snapped to look at Kaia, “Shut up girl! Now get on the bed! And you boy leave at once you’ll get your lashings later.”

Marco stood stock still, his body shaking in anger. Very slowly he moved his hand to his left hip his hand came into contact with something cold.

William noticed that Marco wasn’t doing as he was told, seething with anger, he let go of Kaia and moved towards Marco with the intent of punishing him himself. His initial thought completely left his mind when Marco pulled out a gleaming dagger and pointed it at him.

Marco advanced arm stretched out with the knife pointing forwards, William stepped back cautiously, unsure of what to do. He had no weapons himself and he had no idea how to fight, he continued backing away until he bumped into the wall, Marco continued to advance.

He stopped when the dagger was barely two centimetres away from William’s stomach, cocking his head to the side Marco said with some dark amusement, “We’re not doing anything you say, your gonna do what we say.”

William continued staring at Marco in shock, Marco glanced at Kaia, she had previously scampered away from the two boys when William had left go of her.

“You can start by apologising to Kaia.”

William nodded and glanced at Kaia, “Sorry.”

Marco nodded at the brief half-hearted apology, he knew he wasn’t sorry in fact was probably proud of his achievement to have any women bend to his will. Marco gripped the dagger tighter, the sharp edge bit into his skin as he lunged forward and buried it into the belly of the cruel rich boy.

Kaia gasped in horror at the sight, she didn’t moved as Marco removed the dagger from the massively bleeding wound and ran over to her.

Grabbing her hand he dragged her out of the room, “We have to go now.”

Shuddering she ran along with him, “Marco why did you do that.”

Ducking his head he answer, “I don’t know, I couldn’t stop myself.”