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2024-10-29 19:42:56"Slaves in public must not speak unless spoken to. If this law is at all violated, the Slave will undergo severe physical punishment. If this law is violated against one of Royal or Noble Blood, the Slave will thereafter either be executed or assigned into the following Annual Slave Arena. The owner may or may not be informed and will not be reimbursed for the Slave's value."
The trek through Helvetica wasn't a completely quiet one, which Nadia would have much preferred. As they neared the boarder, Polaris began to ask her questions, and they were questions which put Nadia on edge.
"So, when did you color your hair?"
Obviously, Nadia was hesitant to answer honestly. However, it was clear to
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Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Nine: "The Queen's Mischief Has Backfired Already..."
"The Sovereign and his Parliament of the Kingdom of Noelle hereby hold that a 'Slave' is defined as one who does not possess a free will and individual voice due to a Person speaking for that Slave and determining what that Slave does or does not do. Thus, a 'Slave' by definition, is not a Person and is of its own kind, category, and species."Of course, Rein arrived at the Palace of Helvetica first, and after some time peering through the windows which spotted the structure, she found the king and queen in a large, circular room with mirrored floors."But it's hardly been a month!" King Darren exclaimed. His voice echoed about the room. "How can we already be at a stalemate?""I didn't say we were a
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Ten: Iah-Ra in Action
"Slaves that are too old to work may be disposed of by the owner. The owner must report the death of the Slave to the Association of Slave Owners within forty-eight hours of the death."Mauro's surroundings disappeared from his notice as he strived to carry himself and Garnet to the dungeon and away from the monsters which reaped fiery chaos on Aimonbay Estate. One of the servants waved wildly at him from the safe-haven."Come on, you two!" he called. "Get to the dungeon! Quickly now!"Mauro made haste towards the servant and passed the grand hall just as it erupted into balls of flame. The heat from the burst singed all three of the desperate victims. Garnet screamed as both of her ankles caught fir
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Eleven: Life is Grand as a Count
"Owners of Slaves may do what they wish to and with their Slaves, as the Slaves are the owner's personal property. However, unnecessary, inappropriate, and/or too much punishment of a Slave will be determined as Excessive Punishment and such actions are liable for a fine of up to but no more than the Slave's value."Polaris was genuinely shocked. Then followed the concern that the confessor may have been Nadia. "Really?" he asked. "Have you seen this one in true form?"Rallian shook his head and shrugged. "The confession was enough for me. She told me she's part human, part limoniad, and part mermaid.""Her parents must have an interesting story."
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Twelve: The Death Sentence
"Only law enforcement, Their Royal Majesties, and the Slave Owner may harm an owned Slave. All unauthorized individuals caught harming an owned Slave without permission from the owner will be prosecuted to the utmost of the law in addition to paying the owner the full value of the harmed Slave."With her head hung low, Nadia followed Polaris out of the sparring room and down the corridor. Rein perched on her shoulder."Go ahead and let him know of your curse, Nadia," Rein whispered into her ear. "It might be better for everyone if he knew about it."Nadia wasn't sure if she agreed with Rein. In the parlor, Polaris took a seat in his wing chair in front of the fireplace, which was adjacent to Drake wh
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Thirteen: The Return of Ravan the Great
"Slaves in public must carry a visible form of identification approved by the Association of Slave Owners. Any violation of this law will result in severe physical punishment that will continue until the Slave gives up its owner's name and location, at which point the owner will be fined. If the Slave still refuses to reveal its owner's name and location, it will either be disposed of, sold in the next Slave Auction, or assigned to the following Annual Slave Arena."The next day, on Malla 10, King Darren, Queen Ariana, Lady Lusi, Lord Polaris, as well as their many knights and body guards, left the palace to make their way to the Kingdom of Saíd, which happened to be as long of a journey as Drake had mentioned it to be: five weeks, which was twenty days. After settling some of her own affairs, Rein made her w
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Fourteen: An Offer for Polaris
"A Slave's identification must consist of the following in order: [Slave's Name], Property of [Owner's Name], [Owner's Title if Applicable], [Owner's Address]. Any violation of this law will result in the Slave either being sold in the next scheduled Slave Auction, or assigned to the following Annual Slave Arena. The owner may or may not be informed and will not be reimbursed for the Slave's value."Suddenly, Ariana found herself in her bedchamber in the Helvetican Palace, alone with Ravan the Great. She watched his attention go straight to her silver vanity."Lovely mirror," Ravan commented as he stroked the glimmering frame. "The accent of pearls with this spiral, floral array is absolutely intoxicating."
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Fifteen: A Devastating Loss
"Slaves in public must keep their faces covered from the nose down at all times. If this law is at all violated, the Slave will undergo severe physical punishment. If this law is violated against one of Royal or Noble Blood, the Slave will thereafter either be executed or assigned into the following Annual Slave Arena. The owner may or may not be informed and will not be reimbursed for the Slave's value."A snowy-haired boy much older than Nadia came from around the corner, followed by another boy only slightly younger than him, and a third boy who appeared about twelve years of age though he was probably fourteen."Is that a slave?" asked the third boy.Immediately, Nadia dropped to one knee and wai
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles Chapter Sixteen: A Deeper Pit
"Slave Owners may sell their Slaves at their own discretion. The Association of Slave Owners must be notified within forty-eight hours after the Slave is sold."Nadia knew that Lady Skye was headed directly to the rear courtyard to retrieve the satchel which held Nadia's golden ball and she bolted out the door after her. Skye flew down the staircase with her turquoise locks bouncing behind her, and Nadia slid down the railing to pass her by. She and Skye dodged around pillars, hopped furniture, and shoved past people as they fought to reach the rear courtyard before the other. Then Skye finally recalled that she had authority in this household."Stop her!" she shouted. "Grab her!"A few servants trie
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- Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Thirty: Lady Ivanna's Phobia
"Those birthed from a Slave are immediately determined to be a Slave. The proper paperwork of the Slave's official birth must be turned in to the Association of Slave Owners within the day of that Slave's birth or the following morning."Rein's posture changed to defensive upon seeing the sheer panic in Ivanna's eyes. She looked at the webbing between Ivanna's fingers and then glanced at the four assassins. "Yes, they know you're part mermaid. I'm sorry. I thought it was necessary to explain your plans involving the marquis as a way to further explain your feelings about elves since he plans to use cuffs engraved with Elvish against you again.""Please don't feel concerned that we have this knowledge," said Elion. "We also understand what it's like to be
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Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Sword of Defense
"All Slave Auctioneers must carry proof given to them upon being appointed, stating that they have been affirmed by the Association of Slave Owners. If proof is not available upon questioning, it will be assumed that the auctioneer in question is not legally appointed.""Your queen will now choose the sword she deems most important by which to rule."Queen Ariana rose and set the orb on a marble podium between the thrones and leaned the scepter against the same podium. She then made her way down the steps of the dais and lifted the sword with the black hilt from the floor. She returned to the top of the dais and with both hands held the sword out towards her audience."These are dire days in our belo
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Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Triumph of Evil
"All Slave Auctions must be run by auctioneers appointed by the Association of Slave Owners. Any auctioneer not authorized by the Association of Slave Owners will be taken into custody and sold in the next scheduled Slave Auction."Hours after Nadia's lessons ended, Ivanna sat in front of Polaris's active grand fireplace in the drawing room deep in thought with a chalice of lona in her hands. There was much to contemplate and it all distracted her from enjoying her drink and admiring the fire. Polaris soon entered with a glass of bourbon and sat in the seat across from her."So," he began. The sudden utterance snapped Ivanna back into the room. "You have a plan to prepare the kingdom for Nadia's ethnicity."
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Hard-Headed and the Stubborn
"All Slave Auctions will take place once a month on Market Day, the date and time of which will be determined by the mayor of the town."Despite the fact that Ezra knew her skills were limited, she could never forgive herself if she didn't at least try and end the naiad to save her brother in Iah-Ra. Suddenly, the flame in her hands erupted into a ball of fire larger than she thought she could manage. She pushed her confusion aside for the moment and threw it at the naiad where it exploded into an inferno that left nothing behind but a puff of vapor.
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Chapter Twenty-Six: The Rogue Assassins
"Each town is allotted one auction stand to be kept in the center of town for the Slave Market. Each scaffold must be ten feet tall, twenty feet long, and eight feet wide."Nadia didn't appear any better than she had looked before Makiar forced her to touch the ball. She lay there motionless, breathless, completely void of any sign of life. No one said a word while Makiar placed his fingers against Nadia's throat."Her pulse is back to normal, my Lord," he informed."Good," Rallian said as he released the breath he had held. "Inform the nursemaids that I want her nursed back to health as soon as possible so that she can get back to her chores quickly."
Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-Five: Secrets
"The death of a Slave must be reported to the Association of Slave Owners forty-eight hours after the death."There was so much information in Marquis Rallian's journal that Rein wanted to read the entire thing right then and there. Unfortunately, she knew that she didn't have enough time to do so. She would just have to return once Rallian was asleep and read it then. In the meantime, she had to prioritize the more important subjects within the pages: Ariana and Nadia.Much of the content of the journal was surprising to Rein. There was silent strain and much mistrust between Rallian and Ariana. He expected her to demand Nadia's death any day now and predicted it to be the beginning of the end of their friendship since he was prepared to refuse. However,
- Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-Four: The New Year's Gala
"Slaves over the age of eighty that are not sold at the end of the first auction are to be disposed of."Polaris was completely horrified when he found not his king being threatened, but his king huddled in a ball against another hedge, having entirely lost control of his specter abilities. Polaris felt the blood drain from his body as he watched King Darren's skin change color, change texture; as his hair grew long, then shortened, then became curly, then wavy, then straight. The spectacle didn't end there. The control was so lost that Polaris could examine as King Darren's bones twisted, turned, changed position, and even changed shape completely beneath his morphing skin."S-sire?" Polaris managed as he sheathed his sword. King Darren didn't even seem
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Chapter Twenty-Three: The King's Sanity in Question
"Slaves under the age of eighty that are not sold at the end of an auction will be put into auction a second time. If by the end of the second auction they are still not sold, they will be sent to another town to be sold there."Polaris wasn't certain how to feel when he learned that Parliament was gathering for an emergency meeting, though he knew it could mean nothing good. As Drake had no official court title, he was not permitted to attend. This was unfortunate as Polaris had the haunting impression that he could use the moral support of his close friend at that time.Polaris made sure to be dressed impeccably in a black glittered vest and gold shirt when he entered the foyer of the forum in the center of Helvetica. He felt the need to stand outside t
- Silver Skeletons: Book 3 The Rose Tree Chronicles
Chapter Twenty-Two: An Awakening at a Wake
"Those who are sold as Slaves officially become Slaves when the proper paperwork is turned in to the Association of Slave Owners."Because Polaris was on his own and not part of a slow caravan, he made haste and managed to arrive at Lakeblood Manor in the former Kingdom of Saíd on Zafirô 18, eleven days after he learned of Myrdor's passing. The once red trees were void of leaves and flawless white snow blanketed the ground, the black rune-like designs of which decorated the estate with a dark elegance. Polaris's coach rolled up to the entrance and the butler answered the large, gunmetal doors."Your Honor," he said. "The lady is expecting you. Allow me to show you to her and I'll have someone take care of your coach and horses."
