The reddish glow of the sun preparing to set lit the tops of the walls, though the sun itself was no longer visible from the streets below. Despite the lack of direct sunlight the heat still radiated off every surface. Every time Aulora thought she had grown accustomed to it she was reminded just how wrong she was. At least I haven't given Master Shess a reason to punish me today. He would probably take away my sandals again, she thought to herself.
Aulora didn't fit in with the crowds finishing up their shopping for the day. She was far too fair-skinned to be a local and her blue-green hair drew quite a bit of attention. That is it drew attention up until the onlookers spotted her black leather collar, at which point she instantly became invisible again. Slaves were common and it is best not to pay attention to them.
Aulora stood in her proper position, two paces behind and to the left of her master, with her head slightly bowed as she waited to be called upon to serve. Her master, Shess Etrys, was not a cruel owner but he did treat her and the others with the tough hand of a slave owner and trader.
Shess leaned against the wall as he discussed business with one of the stall owners in the market. Children ran through the area bumping into people and stalls as they went. "Come,"he barked in a gravelly voice, "You are no use to me far away."
Aulora had been trained to keep this exact distance, but there was no reason to argue. She approached and noticed one child headed directly towards Shess. She took a quick step forward and planted her hand on the child's chest, whispering softly so as to not disturb the business conversation, "Careful where you run little one, I don't want you to get hurt." She pressed firmly to direct the child back the way he had come.
The child ignored her words but did change direction. There was a hint of a smile on his lips as if a great secret had just been revealed. As he left he bumped into another man and Aulora saw the child put a small pouch of coins, freshly cut from the passerby's belt, into his pants.
Aulora finished approaching Shess and he pointed to a small jug that smelled sickeningly sweet despite being sealed with wax, "You will carry that back with us. You all need to smell better tonight at the party than last time. I had complaints and if it happens again I may just lend out my switch in recompense." He grinned at the merchant he had been talking to and Aulora picked up the jug and stood by. The aroma was bothering her but she had little choice in the matter.
Shess finished his business, though curiously no coin changed hands. The master and his slave departed the stall and headed towards the exit of this portion of the market, passing by the ornate fountain in the center. As they passed the fountain Aulora felt a sudden impact to the back of her right knee and she collapsed into the wall of the fountain. The jar shattered into thousands of pieces and whatever concoction inside splattered all over Aulora and the ground. A small amount landed on Shess' shoes.
As Shess turned beet red and whirled to point his anger at Aulora, she saw a familiar young boy slipping out of sight around a corner with a huge grin on his face. This was not good.