Chapter 3 The life of a city girl

*Novalie*

"You need a new dress". My mom says, as always, taking charge.

"Uhm isn't that why we are out ? To try on wedding dresses". I ask, hurrying the best I can to keep up with my very efficient mother.

Behind us Dira, our house slave struggles even more to keep up, due to her limp leg. I feel sorry for her, but I do not dare say anything to my mother.

"I mean for the outing... remember Daxton is picking you up to take you out this afternoon... you need something new, to make him happy".

Looking around I just follow along, this part of town and these stores are strictly for the very rich. Everything is built to look pretty and exclusive, but it has an air of fakeness to it. Like an old woman with too much makeup...like the houses have been dolled up in cheap costumes and the decay of the world lurks right under the surface.

Here are mostly women, either alone, or in pairs, with their slaves trailing along. Actually slaves are a harsh term, they are not sold and not whipped, so it's not like back on earth... from what I have read in the files. But they own nothing. They work for their masters for a room, food and clothes and sometimes gifts or a bit of spending money if their master is nice. It is a hard life and most are either born into it... slave-born... or sentenced to it for some crime.

"Move along you daft girl". Some middle aged and clearly very rich man hisses at his young pretty wife, as she shuffles along 2 steps behind him as a sign of respect. Only her clothes and beauty reveal she is his wife and not a slave.

I sigh. I should not feel relieved that it's not me. I should feel sorry for the girl and I do, but firstly I feel happy that I am not to marry a man so much older than me.

"Here we are Novalie". My mother says as the doorman opens the shop door to us. I just know this will be a very long morning.

Same afternoon:

I look at myself in the full body mirror, worried I might have gained a couple of pounds and happy to see that my pale skin is still flawless... Well beside that infuriating birthmark just over my hip.

Oh well, there is a long time till the next evaluation and I have recently passed one, being told that hadn't it been for the birthmark I would be a perfect woman. I have been assigned a class A man and am allowed to get married. Which is a big thing for someone my age. I have just turned 18 and it was my first evaluation.

Was I scared standing there to be judged, sure... I mean even knowing that I am pretty, skinny, well groomed and have good manners, as a woman it decides your life, the points you get decides what level of man you will be presented to and if you will be allowed to marry and reproduce. Basically everything depends on your evaluations.

"Nova... he is here". My mom calls as a horn honks outside.

"Coming". I call back and quickly pull on my new dress. It is cornflower blue and made from the finest silk that has been stiffened to create the fashionable geometrical style.

I hurry downstairs and my mom smiles at me. "You look stunning darling. You will surely make Daxton proud".

"Thanks mom. I look forward to getting to know him better". I give her a light hug, making sure not to ruffle anything.

"Now hurry, a good woman never lets her man wait. He has more important things to do". My mom says, ushering me to the door, our male slave servant Fintan opens it with a bow.

Outside I see my fiance Daxton True-born, leaning against one of those fancy secured cars. True-borns are the best blood lines, the leaders. My family is high-born, the second highest rank to be born to.

To be honest Daxton might be an attractive man now, at the age of 25, but it is clear to see he has a tendency to pack on the pounds and his hairline is already retracting, his blonde hair thinning. It doesn't matter though, he is rich, and from a good family. His father is a leader, most likely in line to be the next great leader, as the current great Leader lost his only son. Daxton will be one of the leaders one day, if he plays his cards right.

"There you are my dear, I was afraid you would keep me waiting". He says grinning, as he greets me with a kiss to each of my cheeks.

"Sorry I am late, but I wanted to look perfect for you". I bow my head slightly, as a sign of my submission to him.

He lifts his hand and pad my cheek, a little harder than he intended I think, it actually hurts a bit. "It's okay, just don't make it a habit. Now get in the car I have a surprise for you".

"Oh, what is it ? Where are we going ?" I get into the car, feeling excited. I don't get to go to many places and it's a chance to get to know my future husband.

"Have you ever been outside the city ? Seen the farmlands ?" He says as he slides in beside me, looking like just presented me with a great gift.

I shake my head, feeling slightly nervous now. "No, never...isn't it dangerous, with the free people and the... ferus humans ?"

"The free people are nothing to fear, they are really just half savages too dumb to cut it in the city". He looks disgusted. "And the ferus doesn't come this close to town. But just to be extra safe we are bringing two armed guards and the driver is a trained soldier too... and you have me to protect you".

"That makes me feel better". I say with a small smile, looking out the window as we glide through town.

In all honesty it doesn't really make me feel much better. I do not know Daxton and if I can trust him. On the other hand, he is my husband to be, so I am sure he would do what is needed to protect me.

I spent the rest of the way listening to Daxton. Only answering when asked, keeping my answers short and not too opinionated. It is the way a good woman acts when in the company of a man. I think I am doing pretty good, I have been well prepared and trained for this all my life.

It is interesting seeing the farmland outside the city, where the land-born people are working in small groups, harvesting the crop.

Daxton starts talking about wanting to expand the city, by building cheap homes and selling them to people who are wanting to get out of the slums of the city. Sounding like he is very sure that he will one day have the power to do this

"But what about the farms, the people working here and the food they produce ?" I can't help asking.

"Who cares ? Food can be made in the factories or they can make new farms farther away, basically their problem, not mine". He shrugs.

I forget to moderate myself for a moment. "But wouldn't it put them in danger from ferus attacks ? Having the farms farther from the city. And make the food more expensive ?"

"Didn't I just say 'their problem not mine' ? They are low level citizens. If they get eaten, we will get some others to do it". He gives me a look that tells me to shut up now.

"Of course". I feel myself shrinking away. I should not have questioned it of course, he knows better than me, even if it seems wrong.

After some moments of silence he leans forward, speaking to the driver. "Take us to the compound area".

"Are you sure, sir". One of the soldiers asks, but he just gets the same look as I received, the 'you better keep quiet or..' one, apparently that is Daxton's way of dealing with things he doesn't want to answer.

We turn away from the fields and through a small wooded area ending by a little lake, where Daxton, from the safety of the car, shows me the land where he wants to build a private compound and summer home. Being able to get out of the city, breathing the fresh air. It does sound great, I have to admit that.

But honestly hearing him gushing about it is really boring, and my mind trails off, looking at the plants, flowers and birds and watching the sun reflect across the surface of the lake.

As we turn to drive back, we realise that a tree is blocking the small dirt road and my fiance curses in annoyance. "Typical... go on, move it or something".

The soldiers get out, but even if it is a small tree, they can not move it alone. First the driver gets out, but when they are still struggling, Daxton looks at me and I fear he is going to tell me to do it... but then he gets out with a sigh and help.

And then it happens, big wild looking men with clubs and knives come out from the trees, yelling and screaming, they look murderous and wild. I hear another scream, realising it is me. I have no doubt this is the ferus humans.

I cover my eyes, hearing screams, growls and shots outside.. then silence.