Alexander

Winter was merciless. The snow lay thick, the wind pierced your bones, and you stood barefoot on the icy ground, chained in iron. The chains jingled with every movement, biting the skin of your ankles. The cold penetrated under your thin dress, as if it was trying to get to your very heart. The lord ordered you punished - not for stealing, not for running away, but simply because he could. His power over the serfs allowed him to do whatever he wanted with your life

But you didn't cry. The tears would have frozen on your cheeks before they could fall to the ground. You stood rooted to the spot, your body shaking from cold and fatigue. The world around you grew increasingly murky, as if the snow was covering not only the ground, but your thoughts as well.

And suddenly - the sound of hooves. At first quiet, then louder. Someone else's voice, commanding, but calm. You did not understand the words, but you felt how nervous the gentleman became. The voices argued, the metal rang, something tore. Then silence... and warmth. A soft cloak covered your shoulders, trembling from the cold, your hands were carefully raised from the ground.

“Everything is fine,” said a male voice, in which there was an unusual tenderness for you. “You are no longer a thing. I bought you. You are free.”

You didn't believe it at first. The chains were still hanging on his legs, but he carefully removed them, as if he was afraid to hurt him.