I was standing beside a man who was selling me. My eyes glued to my naked feet - dirty with mud and tiny bits of dry hay, which have been scattered throughout the marketplace. A lump was sitting in my throat, too hard to swallow, the tension in my mind was unbearable. Another home... another master... and another set of nightmares. Unconsciously I found my fingers fumbling on the rim of my torn tunic.

The day was gloomy, rainy and it made everything look like the world has lost its vibrant colors. Or maybe it is just me, things how I see the world around me - devoid of beauty and happiness.

Looking up at my new master's family, I saw the boy's old man glancing around somewhere in the distance, like the stuff in front of him seemed to be bothersome. This boy with those strange eyes was taking control in handling the deal between himself a man selling me.

In my eyes, he looked too young to be capable of understanding the things he is facing. His stance was firm, confident, seemed to be engaged in the matters of business. He looked so tidy and clean, not a single speck of dust had found it's way on his jacket. Face so serious, his pale skin was shining in the grayish looking light, that masked the day. My eyes roamed his face until they reached his bizarre eyes with thick black eyelashes.

Who was he? Was he human?

In split second those pale irises reached my form, my face and they looked deep in my own eyes. Totally startled I moved my gaze away. I was too aware of the fact it was not polite to stare or look at your owner in the face by me - a lowly slave.

"Thea, come with me," he said sharply, but his voice was so calm as his face.

Thea... a word I have not heard in a long time. Usually, no one bothered to remember the names of a slave nor made an effort to call us by it.

I walked behind him in small steps. Road under my feet felt cold as the rain had made it dump and dirty. His father followed us, I could feel his presence by my side.

He was tall and lean with the same colored hair as his boy. Eyes of him were the regular shade of brown, as of any other person. A high-quality black coat accented his strong shoulders. A very confident and high born man he seemed.

We had reached the carriage lead by two massive black horses geared up in fine leather binds, the hair on their bodies silky, shiny and well taken care of.

"Get in."

I looked up at the seat next to a man leading horses. As I lifted my leg to get up, I heard my master's voice again.

"Not there. Get inside." his voice was a little bit annoyed.

Hesitantly I moved near him, still watching his strange act as he held a door for me. Was I really allowed to climb inside the carriage? It was not a place for a slave. I was a bit afraid to do as he said, but his hard stare with those unnatural eyes told me to follow his orders.

"Just be careful. I don't want anything to get dirty from you. Watch it!"

I nodded and pulled my legs up to be faced with a fine interior decorated with fine silky fabric and patterns made of golden threads.

Was this boy some kind of royalty?

We rode in silence. His father had not said a single word since we left the marketplace. His gaze was set upon the scenery outside. My master, on the other hand, stared intently on me nonstop. His body swayed from time to time by the rough road under the wheels, but his eyes never wavered away from mine. My master... was he really my master? I suppose his father will be in charge of my existence and I will have to put up with his son. But like everywhere, every one from his family will be viewed as my master I suppose.

"How old are you?" his young voice snapped me out of the daze.

I shrug my shoulders because honestly, I was not sure of my age.

"Eh... Don't talk much, do you? I asked you how old are you?" he said each word slowly like I did not understand it the first time.

"I...I don't know. I... think ...seven..."

"Seven ...huh... By the way, my name is Edmund Wiltshire and this is my father Charles Wiltshire." Edmund gestured towards his father next to him. "Do you know what will you be after arriving at my home?"

I shrugged.

"Answer me. I won't bite."

"No," I said quietly.

He leaned towards me, his face so close to mine I could see a pale purplish pattern in his eyes.

"You will be my pet, Thea." After those words, his lips twisted in a mischievous smirk slowly growing into a smile revealing his pearly white teeth behind his lips.

What? A pet? Like a dog or some kind of animal? Is he joking? I have had all kinds of jobs as a slave, but never as ridiculous as the words I heard from him.

"Don't look so frightened, Thea." Edmund smiled again leaning back into his seat.

All the while his father did not seem to be concerned, either about his own son nor me.