Liana couldn’t believe her rotten luck. It was bad enough the corsairs had raided her small, seaside village, carrying her and the rest of the young women of the village off as slaves, but now that they’re at market, she had to be chained up alongside of Jida, the most beautiful girl in the whole village. The tall, statuesque redhead didn’t look at all distraught, despite being naked, apart from her shackles and collar, lined up with the rest of the abducted maidens for examination by the crowds that passed by. If anything, she seemed to enjoy the attention they gave her.

By contrast, most barely gave a passing glance to the small, mousey girl standing to her left. Which normally Liana might not have minded, being stripped and gawked at like a hen for sale at the village market wasn’t exactly her idea of a good time, but the fat, cruel-looking man who ran the slave dealers had warned any girls that hadn’t sold by the end of the day would be sent to toil in the mines, a cruel, tragic fate.

“I wish some rich nobleman would buy me for his harem.” Liana thought. From the stories she and the other village girls had heard, that was the best thing that could happen to a young, pretty girl snatched away from her home and brought here. The best lived a life of pampered luxury, dressed in fine silks and jewels and waited on hand and foot by other slaves. From Jida’s confident expression, she no doubt assumed that would be her fate. And with her beauty, Liana didn’t doubt it. But couldn’t there possibly be another space in some rich man’s harem for her as well?

While Liana was thinking this, a man was haggling with the slave-dealer. When they gestured in their direction, Liana briefly thought they might have been talking of buying her, but when she overheard their words, that thought quickly went out of the window.

“I agree she’s the best of the lot, a true beauty. But I still say 10,000 is too much for one slave, even one as fine as that!”

“Of course...” Liana thought, glumly. They were talking about Jida. But even as she realized this, the slave-dealer countered.

“I tell you what, if you buy the redhead at that price, I will throw in the small, brown haired girl for free.” The slave dealer offered, and under his breath added, “I’m sure I’d have ended up selling her to the mines otherwise.”

The other man thought for a long moment, before eventually nodding. “Agreed. Have them both sent to the palace. The redhaired beauty will make a fine tribute for his highness and I’m sure we can find something to do with the other one.”

The two slaves in question reacted very differently to this news. Jida did not seem too surprised to find she was to be offered to the ruler of the city, though she did stand up a tiny bit straighter, shoulders back, her flawless chest thrust forward with pride. A naked, chained slave she may be, but soon she would be the concubine of the city’s ruler.

Liana, meanwhile, found herself trembling with fear. What sort of job would they find for her at the palace? Would she spend her days in the kitchens, scrubbing endless pots, or on her knees washing floors, or out in the stables, mucking them out again and again. Or would she be given to the other inhabitants of the palace, like Jida to the King, but a concubine held in common to all the sundry guards and officials?

“Don’t worry…” Jida whispered, “Once I have the year of the King, I’ll have you made my personal handmaiden.” The smug, haughty tone she said this, like throwing a small scrap to a particularly small, pathetic dog, countered any gratitude Liana might have felt at the offer. At that moment, she was sure, of all the fates that could away her, scullery maid, stable mucker or palace bedwarmer, being Jida’s handmaiden would be the worst by far.

One of the slave-dealer’s men came by with a long rope, which he tied to the two girls’ collars, linking them together. Holding the other end like a leash, he led the newly sold slaves away from the market and towards the large palace that loomed over the rest of the city. Eyes turned in the crowds as they passed, whispers flew as the news went out they were bound for the palace. Liana’s cheeks burned crimson with shame at the looks they got, while Jida still seemed to enjoy the attention no less then she had of every village boy during the harvest festivals back home.

Soon, they had reached the palace gates. A word from the slaver to the guards standing watch and the gates opened to let them. The two girls were led through a sumptuous garden, neat paths winding through flowering bushes and fruit trees while ornately carved fountains splashed water into clear pools. A door at the other end led them into a hall, high and arched with dozens of pillars. Along each side were numerous doors, covered by brightly colored silk drapes.

Liana gaped in astonishment at such luxury, beyond anything she’d known back in her own humble village. Even Jida seemed taken by the sight, though her expression was tinged with a haughty pride, seeing the wealth on display and calculating how luxurious her future home in the harem here would be.

One of the covered doorways led into a throne room and there, seated on a large, cushioned throne, surrounded by fawning courtiers, scribes and slave girls carrying fans and trays of delicacies for their master, was the King of the city. He was a young man, dark haired and dressed in splendid robes of white and gold. The slaver waited a moment, holding the two back while the ruler finished talking with his current supplicant. While he waited, he untied the rope lead from the girls’ collars. When a steward motioned them forward, he started towards the throne, motioning for the two to follow. Jida strode forward, confidently, while Liana skulked along, nervously, behind her.

“Your majesty!” The slaver said, giving an ornate bow, which the two slaves hurried to mimic, at least as best they could with their hands still shackled behind their backs. “From the Noble House of Beshar, a tribute of two beautiful slaves, taken in a raid on the barbaric northern shores a short while ago.”

From his position on the throne, the King nodded, glancing down at the two as they stood for inspection. Jida remained confident and proud, at least until the ruler of the city yawned. “Another big titted redheaded barbarian.” He said, sounding bored. “I’ve got half a dozen wenches like her lounging around my harem...” He paused as he noted Liana, half hidden behind the stunned Jida. “Hello...what’s that? Step out, slave. Let me get a look at you.”

Nervously, Liana obeyed, forcing herself to stand up straight. What must he see, she thought, a short, flat chested, narrow-hipped, brown haired peasant, nothing beside the gorgeous beauty he’d already rejected so casually. To her surprise, though, his gaze lingered.

“My my...” He said offhandedly to a courtier who happened to be close by. “She’s cute isn’t she? Little a scared little mouse. I haven’t got anything like her in my harem...I’m sure of it. She’d be a unique addition.” He paused a moment, thinking, then in a loud voice, he pronounced, “Have the brown-haired girl bathed and dressed in silk, then bring her to the harem.” He thought for a second then added offhandedly, “The other you can put to work scrubbing floors or something...” He clapped his hands, as if to make it official.

Jida gave a cry of shock, as if unable to believe what she’d just heard. Neither could Liana. She was going to be taken to the harem? Two of the slaves on the dias with their master descended and grabbed the small girl, leading her away. The former peasant felt like she was walking on air. Meanwhile, a pair of palace guards had arrived to collect Jida and take her to her own humbler duties. As they were separated, Liana recovered her wits just in time to call back, “Don’t worry...I’m sure I can get them to assign you as my personal handmaiden...”