Kaiede

                      A strong arm suddenly curled around her waist and a palm slapped itself across her lips. She was whisked away from the busy street and into a dark alley before anyone noticed. Not that they would do anything about it. During these dark times while civil war raged, people kept themselves to themselves; a wrong look could have a knife firmly between your ribs without a second glance.
Water dripped from above and as she looked up with a grimace she felt rats scarper underfoot. The walls were thick with grime and the smell of rotten and decaying mould filled the air. The stranger drew her back into the darkness; where the light of the street couldn’t reach as if cut off by an invisible barrier. Although it was still visible, the noise of carts and people were slightly muted, as though swallowed by the darkness.
“Don’t scream, and don’t make a noise,” a low man’s voice breathed in her ear as the hand lifted slowly from her mouth. Frowning, she noticed the arm around her middle remained, in case she tried to run. Fury rose up inside her – who was this…this stranger to snatch her away? Twisting around in his grip, she meant to vent her anger on him, but he wasn’t concerned about her. His interest apparently lay in the street, although she couldn’t see why. Less than two minutes had passed since her kidnapping and she couldn’t see any change in the people going about their own business. It was a kidnapping she told herself fiercely in her mind…even though there was something comforting in the way he held her.
“No!” She almost shouted in her head shoving the thought aside, and as if to prove that she had no liking for this man she began to beat his chest hard to draw his attention. Startled, he looked down at her, and, to her surprise, smiled, letting the arm fall away from around her waist.
“Don’t fight.” That was all he said yet she let her hands drop. Shadows fell across his face, dancing around his amazingly blue eyes and the breath caught in her throat. His eyes seemed to look straight through into her soul and made butterflies flutter inside her stomach. Darting a glance over her shoulder he motioned for her to keep quiet and a serious look replaced the smile. Following his gaze she saw what he had been looking for. In the middle of the street just outside the alleyway was a patrol of uniformed men on well-groomed horses. No one had horses; no one could afford them. And anyone wealthy enough to would never parade them around here, as it would surely mean your death. Khuador was a country ravaged by civil war; nearly all of its people were homeless and poor, yet these men looked respected and wealthy.
“Slave traders” he murmured. “They find kids, homeless and desperate and lure them.” Contempt turned his voice into ice. “Lure them with promises of food and a safe place. Then take them prisoner and sell them like animals.” Towards the end he almost spat the words.
Holding her breath, she held her silence until the men trotted off, obviously not finding any prey to capture. He spun her around to face him and spoke directly yet quickly.
“There’s a safe house nearby. Opposite an inn called The Sword and Rose. It’s easy to find. My name’s Jaidan. Use that and they’ll let you in.”
And with that he turned and walked into the busy street disappearing from sight, leaving her standing in the alleyway stunned. He had quite possibly just saved her life, yet he didn’t even ask her name! Shaking her head in disbelief she thought on what he had said. A safe house. That was quite tempting; no more scavenging through dustbins for food, or a measly fire for warmth… Opposite The Sword and Rose. Making her decision, she left the alley trying not to look suspicious, which was hard in a time when everyone was suspicious of his or her own family.
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