Winter 3, 513, immediately following the auction
It was annoying being shoved around like a rag doll, but Alea didn't see much point in resisting just yet. So far, all she knew was that some fellow had paid a lot of money for her, but she had no good idea why. She'd heard the term "slave" bandied about of course, but that still left so many possibilities. And really, did she have to be on guard around a guy who looked like he combed his hair five times a day?
Her shackles and the gag were removed (she was allowed to keep the burlap sack of a dress they'd given her), and she was presented to Valerius. After that, the slavers went about their business, and it was just her and the copper-haired boy. It was a little strange, the first time in days someone hadn't been holding onto her. She rubbed her wrists where the manacles had chaffed.
She glanced at Valerius, but didn't say anything at first. She was, of all things, feeling a bit shy. After all, she was three seasons out of practice meeting new people, and she'd never exactly been an outgoing child. She meekly followed Valerius for about fifteen ticks, before her curiosity drove her to speak.
"So, what happens now?" she wondered. But for the copper-haired boy, she was alone in a strange city, far from any place she'd ever called home. Being shoved around by slavers she hadn't noticed it, but she suddenly felt extremely lost, and terrifyingly adrift. Of all creatures, she dearly missed her horse. She was hit by a sudden pang of loss, a feeling she'd been suppressing all this time, and though she tried to hold them back, a few tears formed in her eyes.
She had absolutely nothing left to remind her of her life before this moment, beyond the memories. Well, and the toothed anklet she had almost forgotten she was wearing. She was still convinced it might be cursed.