Erudessa started at the sound of metal clanging against metal.
"You look sad, elf," said the offending human. He removed his helmet, revealing a beautiful man crowned with golden hair whose cruel face mocked her with every angle of his sharp features. "You really shouldn't be. The General treats his slaves oh-so-nicely, especially the pretty ones."
By "nicely" I hope he doesn't mean anything perverted. She shrank back in the cell and eyed the sword in his hand.
"You're quite talented, too. I watched you wreak havoc on our front-line slaves," he remarked.
They were slaves? Her stomach churned at the thought. Thankfully, the man didn't give her time to dwell on it, for he leaned closer and added, "I'm sure your blood tastes as sweet as your face." He laughed and smacked the bars again. Erudessa gave him the stink eye. What a disgusting creature. I can't believe I'm about to be a slave to one of them. The wagon started to move, jolting her on the hard steel. She gripped the bars and watched the man fade into the crowd, holding back the curses on her tongue until the wagon passed well away out of his earshot.
The wagon stopped for soldiers to shove in four more slaves. It took her a moment to recognize their faces. "Frandur, Henindal, Yanduin, Bethdul! You're all alive! Praise be to God, you're still alive!" She pulled all their heads together in a big group hug. After a moment, Frandur pulled away to look at her. "Why is milady brought so low? How did you come to be here?" he demanded, tears welling up in his eyes.
She lowered her gaze. "I came to the aid of a wounded human and fell into a trap. It was foolish of me, and I should have known better than to-"
Frandur put a finger to her lips. "Don't. I've lived enough years to know that fate hangs on but a thread. What you did, you were always meant to do. It is neither appropriate nor wise for me to judge your actions, but I have to believe there is a higher purpose in it. Be strong, and if you live long enough, learn from your choice."
Erudessa nodded. "If I live long enough," she murmured.
Henindal broke his usual silence. "You will."
She didn't have the heart to contradict him.
The wagon stopped again to receive another batch of elf slaves. They openly wept at the sight of their leader imprisoned with them, and it took all her strength to stifle the sob that grew in her throat. Like Frandur said, I have to be strong. Everyone looks up to me for guidance, so I can't afford to wallow in despair. Get up, Eru. Say something to them. After the wagon resumed moving, Erudessa got to her feet and opened her mouth to speak. The words died on her lips, and the lump in her throat didn't help. What could she say? Everything will be fine? She couldn't guarantee that. I will save you? What a presumptuous, conceited thing to claim. They needed hope, a reason within themselves to hold their heads high and wait for a better future.
Specifically, they needed a distraction.
She glanced at Frandur. "Tell me," she said, pausing to steady her voice, "what do we possess that humans do not?"
Frandur studied her a moment before answering. "Time."
Erudessa looked back at the elves before her. "Use it. Study them. Learn their language, their culture, their habits, their haunts, their movements. We will outlive them, and when we do, we will show them who truly belongs behind these bars."
There were some murmurs of approval. "What if they kill us before then?" one elf replied.
She lifted her chin and forced an almost-imperceptible smirk to her lips. "Kill them back."
The grim humor lightened the mood enough to dry their eyes. Erudessa glanced at Frandur, who nodded his approval. The elves shuffled into their respective clusters and did as instructed, watching the passing humans through veils of hair and masked emotions. Erudessa slumped to the floor and leaned her head on the bars. If we can make the humans believe that killing elves will curse them, we could ensure our own survival long enough to retaliate. But it all comes back to living long enough for the belief to spread. We have to make it through the first few years. We must. Frandur squeezed her hand, and she squeezed back.
They all spent the next few days in silent observation. Several escape plans sprouted and died in their minds. Magic was the first option they tried, which failed because their captors had the forethought to poison them before caging them. They considered escaping while the wagon doors opened for more slaves, but the wagon never stopped for more. Some toyed with breaking body parts to persuade their captors to open the doors and remove them, but watching them slaughter human slaves behind bars put that idea to rest. As they drew nearer to Midhaven, Erudessa realized that escaping would be impossible. When the wagon finally stopped at the back of the auction house, she took a moment to reassure them.
"Hold yourselves together. We must not betray any weakness for them to exploit, and please, behave yourselves. Don't give these monsters any more reasons to kill us. When we each meet our new masters, those of us who remain must remember where everyone else went so we can come for you when we are free." She espied several guards approaching the wagon from the corner of her eye. Calm down. Deep breaths. "Most importantly, keep your heads high. You are not defeated until you admit it."
Erudessa pushed her way through the group to ensure she would be taken first when the guards arrived to open the doors. She lifted her chin as the guards shackled and dragged her away.
Her tears evaporated before they ever left her cheeks.
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