Standing at the entrance to the bazaar, Temisia Halicarnassus adjusted the hood of her cape to better cover her thick dark hair. She rubbed the coarse cloth between her fingers, reveling in the difference between it and usual fabrics that surrounded her in the royal palace.

She glanced over her shoulder and saw her three bodyguards trying to blend in with the merchants filling the large square. Raising one thick eyebrow, she tried to keep the smile off her full lips. They looked so very awkward out of their uniforms but she insisted on making her visits to the market as incognito as possible.

Deciding that they were not going to get any more inconspicuous standing there, Temisia walked forward into the teeming mass. She wandered from stall to stall, fingering the woven rugs and smelling the imported spices.

Tempted by the scent of grilling meat, she headed toward the food tents along the East wall. Halfway there, she spotted a crowd gathering near one of the entrances to auction houses. Temisia changed direction and headed toward them.

Behind her back, her primary guard pinched the bridge of his nose and mouthed, “Get backup.”

Temisia watched a chain of slaves climb out of high-sided cart. She felt a burning anger against involuntary slavery as she watched the poor unfortunates stumble out while linked by the neck to each other. They were the very models of despair with their shoulders slumped and heads hanging down.

That was, all except the last one in line.

She was taller than the rest of the chain and there was an empty neck ring between her and the next slave in the coffle. Besides her height, her curly hair and bright green eyes distinguished her from everyone else.

Gazing around with open curiosity, the entire line came to a halt when she stopped moving.

The slaver nearest the cart yelled, “Keep up, bitch. I won’t tell you again.”

The woman did not react to his words or tone. She continued to stare in wonder at the throngs milling about her.

Furious, the slaver strode over to her and brought his dog whip down on her shoulder.

She yelped and turned toward him. Holding her shoulder, she spoke to him in a high, clear voice that.

The words were foreign to Temisia’s ears and she had an urge to hear more of the lyrical language. Pushing her way closer, she worked her way to the front of the crowd.

“Enough talk. Move,” the slaver shouted.

Unfazed, the woman turned away from him to continue her study of the bazaar.

Incensed, he brought his whip up again. Temisia moved without conscious thought. She grabbed hold of the leather shaft and jerked it out of the hand.

The slaver whirled around and backhanded her.

Temisia stumbled backwards and her hood flew off. The slaver and most of the crowd gasped in shock.

Before anyone else moved, her primary guard drew his sword and severed the slaver’s head.

Glancing down at the arterial spray coating her cape, Temisia shook her head sadly. “My cleaner is going to be very mad at me. She already felt it was beneath her to wash such common things.”

“My apologies, Your Highness. I could not let him live after touching you.”

She shrugged dismissively. “No matter.”

Waving her hand at the other slaver, he was propelled forward by the guards holding his arms.

“Majesty,” he croaked as he was forced to his knees. “I’m so sorry. Malek did not mean to touch you.”

“True. But he did and so he died. That is not the issue, though. Are our laws unclear?”

“Pardon?”

“You are familiar with the laws on the treatment of human merchandise?”

The slaver paled. “Mercy, please. I beg you.”

“This should be interesting. By all means, explain.”

“This slave has been a problem since she came into our possession. My partner reacted from a place of frustration. Look at her. You can see that he did not damage it.”

Temisia stepped over to the woman and smiled. Cocking her head, the woman smiled back and spoke a brief phrase.

“What did she say?”

“I have no idea. The tongue is strange to us.”

“Do the other slaves speak it?”

“Not that we could tell.”

“So, you’ve no idea what she was saying when your man struck her. It seems to me that the assault was unprovoked. I, therefore, confiscate the entire shipment.”

“Slavery is legal!”

“Assault is not. Perhaps you’ll learn that lesson before you next visit our fine city.”

Two of her soldiers jerked the man to his feet and pulled him from her sight. Other soldiers carried off the body.

Temisia’s bodyguard took up his post behind her. “What are we to do with them?” he asked.

“Take them to palace infirmary. Once they’ve been given a clean bill of health, offer them the standard deal. Five years service for their freedom.”

Temisia eyes strayed again to the tall woman.

“And her?”

“Bring her to our private rooms. I think my brother would like to meet her.”

“Of course, Your Highness. It will be done.”