A set of Circumstances in which one finds Oneself

"Now where are you looking, Kid?"

Staring at me right now is one of the better-equipped guards. His sword looks rather imposing from up this close. The popping veins are discernible quite easily on that bald head of his. After failing to stop that thief, he appears to be rather irate and searching for an outlet.

Lo and behold, he found a gawking little kid that definitely, most definitely, should not have let himself be caught staring.

"Didn't your whore of a mother teach you any manners?"

Mother looks at the ground, her whole body shaking like a leaf. Closing her eyes, she's already bracing for the blows that are sure to come now. Her breathing starts getting ragged. Any more stress and she'll surely collapse.

I need to take his attention away from her. But how can I direct all of his anger all at me without him also blaming her? Having no time to think, I just let go of Mother's hand and faced him. I look right into his eyes and smile a smile so innocent, one could truly believe I didn't understand what he wanted from me...

WHACK

Next thing I know, I am viewing the room from the ground up. The blow he dealt me quite literally sent me flying. I hear mostly only ringing, though I think there are also a good few people chuckling. The other guards, it seems.

My face stings, the throbbing pain getting even worse with every passing moment. I see a tiny bit of blood pooling close to me on the floor. Touching my face, it's coming from my lip. Busted, most likely.

Mother, I assume pulled back from the brink of her panic attack by motherly instinct, immediately rushes to my side, cradling me in her arms. If looks could indeed kill, my assailant would already be on the way to his next life, seeing as Isha is staring at him with a murderous intent beyond description.

"That will be quite enough..."

"Factor Jesha?"

The man in red, from whom we just bought our water, states this in a way that sounds so matter-of-fact and uncaring; he doesn't even deign to look up from his ledger while instructing them. He seems rather used to lording his power over the guards like that.

They all without delay shift their attention to him to heed what he has to say. Even the other deskbound accountants stop writing for a moment to listen.

"You seem to be forgetting, these slaves are not yours. They are property of Master Zareth and thus, in turn, property of the guild. Should you mindlessly strike them, especially those that comply, and reduce their productivity with your wanton violence, you will find yourself rather quickly in their shoes. I do not have to remind you, we own human slaves as well, located by the eastern wall. Now go find that thief, or I'll be docking your pay..."

Now it was truly dead silent, the guards admonished by one of their masters and the elves still frozen in terror; the only sound filling the room was that of quill on paper.

This Jesha seems almost like an emotionless machine, only focused on profit. Threatening his own guards this casually while saving us from further harm, yet only doing so because it'd hurt his master's bottom line. If I don't wind up on his bad side, he might save me again, at least from the worst of harm. Something to keep in mind...

After I got up and assured Mother that I was fine, she grabbed our hard-won water, and together we left this place behind. She basically dragged me out of there, walking so fast I could barely keep up. Though I feel you there, Mother, I wouldn't want to remain there any longer either.

As soon as the market was out of sight, Mother made a quick corner into a side path. She placed the vase on the ground and got on her knees, embracing me tightly. So tightly it kind of hurts, but...

"Why didn't you listen?"

She breaks down into tears. Her voice quivers. Why didn't I listen?

"I told you not to look at them; they loathe us. They see us as nothing more than animals, beasts of burden, to do their work until we collapse."

I wanted to find a way to help Mother; that's why I asked to come out here with her in the first place. I need to know what exactly I am up against if I am to help Mother.

"They'll beat us within an inch of our lives if we displease them in any way. You must never forget that!"

I won't forget that. After today the situation is dreadfully clear to me. If I do not get us out of here and soon, we'll certainly die. Either being worked to death in the salt mines, starving in the streets or dying from wounds inflicted by a displeased guard.

"I won't." I'm sorry, Mother."

She hugs me, the strength in her arms faltering, a lot more tender now.

"I'm sorry for scolding you, Isayah. I just don't want to see you hurt. It breaks my heart."

She really does love me, doesn't she?

"Let's go home, okay? It'll be dark soon..."

After wiping her tears and taking a moment to gather herself, we resume our journey back home, the setting sun greeting us in the direction of our destination. If it's the same as in my old world, our tent's located at the western wall.

I'll have to start making a mental map of the place. We pass through the now desolate paths, mostly devoid of any signs of life. Not many elves still wander around at this time of day. Aside from a few sparse campfires, there are few sources of light to be seen. Though if firewood also needs to be brought at the market, I can infer the why of the matter rather easily.

Seeing the fleeting slum wash past me as we walk, I can't help but wonder. What do I make of this? My excursion has been rather insightful, but what now? I want to help Mother, but staying within the walls is a death sentence.

Until I can get us out of here somehow, we need to make do somehow. Stay out of the guard's radar and make enough money to survive. I am not yet old enough to be put to work in the mine; I need to earn money another way. Maybe I can sweep somewhere; that should already be within my possibilities. Who do I even ask for work around here? I hope not the guards. Or I could...

Just as I was about to think of something a certain half-elf had done today, I spotted the familiar girl between two tents. She seems to be currently savouring the delectable water she stole. I am unsure how I should feel about her. Hadn't she caused that commotion with her theft, I might not have been singled out by that guard.

However, I certainly get where she's coming from; stealing might just be the quickest way to get some money around here. But the risk...

While I muse to myself, the blond lass spots me. She flashes me a look of recognition as she smiles at me and puts her finger to her lip. Mine still aches, thank you...

Then there's also the matter of escaping. How? Build a tunnel? The salt mines might have a way out; that warrants investigating. Maybe I could bribe one of the Overseers? But with what? Based on the way they dress, they certainly love money, so much so that I could only dream of bringing up a sum that'd entice them. Maybe a rebellion...

As I continue racking my brain, we finally reach the familiar sight of our tent, nested within the sea of other tents. A sense of relief hits me upon seeing this scene that I couldn't describe even if I tried. With the adrenaline gone and sleepiness setting in, I fall onto the ground, nestling myself into our sleeping place.

After placing the water in the usual corner, Mother joins me soon. While I get ready to drift to sleep, I see Isha kneeling next to me, staring at me solemnly.

"You cannot escape alone."

Unless I get lucky and there is a hole somewhere in the wall, Isha is right. I need allies, both to escape and to persevere until I can. But the elves regard me with disdain, due to what I assume to be my human blood. The humans treat me like one would an animal, for I am a slave. The worst of both worlds, I sigh heavily.

"You'll always have me."

She brushes her hand over my face, her warm feelings unmistakable. I shan't despair, not yet at least. I know at least one half-blood girl in the same predicament as me.

While she doesn't strike me as either the cautious or dependable sort, I should at least try to befriend her. I'll have to seek her out again someday. But I don't think Mother's going to be too keen about taking me outside again for some time. I could sneak out while she's out during the day, but worrying her like that is the last thing I want.

If only there was some kind of magic spell that instantly turns you into an adult...

Thoughts like these are what accompany me as I drift into the world of dreams...

"What can I do to help him?"