"Quiet in there!" he said harshly. The girls quieted, but at this point, every one of them had tears in their eyes.
"Sir!" a male voice called. Larkin recognized Cotton immediately. "Please, a moment. Larkin and I, we have been promised since we were small. We are in love. I've been saving every copper for this day since I was nine. Don't take her from me? Not like this, please?"
"Which one is Larkin?" Wynter asked, his voice not harsh.
"The girl from the block, the first girl."
Wynter laughed, but not in a derisive way. "No, boy. I'm sorry. If it makes you feel better, she is not to be sold at the port. She will be well cared for somewhere else."
"Please! I have eleven silvers and 68 coppers!"
"No, boy. The girl is sold. She won't be treated badly. Move now." Still, his voice was gentle, almost kind. "There are a full dozen girls left in there for you to bid on. Go on. Move on from her. She is lost to you."
A moment later, the wagon was moving. Sarah threw her arms around Larkin, squeezing her tight and they cried in each others arms. After a moment, without prompting, Larkin reached next to her and pulled Mathilde into the embrace and she didn't resist. The three quietly cried over their fate.
After a full hour of bumping and rocking, the three finally separated. "He's a monster!" Mathilde hissed angrily.
"I can hear you," Wynter said quietly. "What's your name, girl?"
"Mathilde!" Mathilde said defiantly.
Wynter chuckled. "You will break quickly, girl. The ones like you always do. You, the small one who spoke for Larkin, what is your name?"
"Sarah? Sir?"
"You will do well. Stay biddable and sweet and you will get a good master. It's the sour ones who get the bad ones, the men who like to break their strong wills."
"What about Larkin?" Sarah asked fearfully.
"She won't go to the block. Her master is already determined. She won't be harmed if she doesn't resist him."
Sarah stroked Larkins back consolingly, but Larkin felt lost. Cotton was gone forever. He had tried so hard! Eleven silvers was a king's ransom! He had saved for so long! It was both endearing and heart breaking. She would never see her sweet Cotton again. She tried to shove the thought away and focus on her new problem. A new thought occurred to her. He father was a rich man now. A whole gold piece! It was bittersweet.
"Sir?" Sarah asked differentially.
"Wynter," he snapped. "No speaking unless spoken to. Remember that. What do you want, Sarah?"
He could tell her from her voice and recalled her name quickly. That was to be noted. He was quick.
"How long will our ride be?"
"The port is a four day ride alone. With you ten along, it may take five or six."
"What about food and sleep?"
"I will provide you food and you can sleep in the cart when I stop for the night."
"On the wood floor?" Mathilde asked incredulously.
"Or the benches. Your call."
"Will we at least have blankets?" Mathilde demanded.
"It's a nice Spring Mathilde. Check your tone. I'd hate to have to stop and punish you so soon."
"It's fine," Sarah said gently. "We can take turns sleeping against each other during the trip. Lay down here Larkin, put your head in my lap."
"Not her," Wynter snapped. "She will be sleeping at night."
"With you?" Mathile hissed. "We all saw how you looked at her!"
The wagon lurched to a stop and Wynter jumped down. Seconds later the back door opened and he stepped in, reaching and grabbing Mathile by the hair, then dragged her out. The door slammed and moments later, they could all hear Mathilde crying out, then screaming. After another moment, he opened the door and shoved Mathilde back in, then slammed the door. Mathilde curled up on the floor where he had thrown her and cried. The wagon rocked and began moving.
"Sarah. You will attend the welts on her back when we stop later," he said, his tone savage.
"Yes Wynter," Sarah said meekly, then moved to the floor to hold Mathildes head in her lap.
Larkin considered also going to her, but hesitated. Wynter told her to sit by the opening. Did that mean she couldn't move? She didn't dare try.
The girls were mostly quiet, some whispering softly, but no one dare raise their voice above a whisper. When night fell, Larkin began wondering if they would ever stop. When light made the small door glow, she knew they were coming into a village. As they were headed south, it could only be Meads Summit. He stopped in front of the inn where there were still a few people inside being loud and raucous.
"Larkin. Unlatch the door and close it," Wynter said softly. She quickly did as she was told and she heard him slide a lock home. He climbed down and opened the back door. "Larken, come," he said gently.
Terrified, Larken went to the door and he grabbed her by the waist and pulled her out, setting her down next to him as he closed the door and locked it.
A groom was standing near, waiting. "Do not touch this lock on this door. Unhitch the wagon and do nothing else. My men will be out shortly to deal with my cargo."
The groom nodded, then quickly moved to lead the wagon away.
"Larkin." Wynter barked, offering his arm. She quickly placed her hand on it, still trembling. He led her into the inn. "Davis, Walters, Dunn. Go see to the cargo."
"Aye sir," a tall man said, standing with the other two at his table. "Get a good haul?"
