I wrote down the name of the half-demon filly as she was urged to the others by Tadakata. He was new here, but already doing a great job. No compromises, no reaction to begging. This is what one needed when working in this profession. It was a good profession to have. For one, the slave market was booming right now, everyone wanting a help in their shop or house that would not have to be paid. On the other hand, it was doing the kingdom a favour of decreasing the poverty and giving the half-bloods some good use in life instead of just being executed. People with too many children and too little money often came here to sell one of their offspring, usually one of the older ones since they brought more money. Others were females that had been unfortunate enough to run into a demon in the forest on their way to a temple or whatever other business they have had in the woods. This more often than not ended in a pregnancy. And who would want a half demon as a child? So, they went to the slave market as soon as they were born. It was not Tadakata’s task to raise them, though. I had Asayo, a vixen, employed for that. Tadakata was there to prepare the older ones for the market. To teach the slaves how to behave properly was most important. When it came to half demons it especially was important to find out how to block their powers. No one wanted to buy a slave that could kill them after all. It was also my job to make sure that this did not happen.

But not only children but also adults were slaves for sale on the market. The mothers were the most problematic. When one of their children was sold, they more often than not, started screaming like a witless and begged the buyer to buy them too. It was always quite annoying to silence them. Mostly the whip was a successful threat to let them shut their mouths.

Today was a special day, though. While the streets of Wonsu, Eriwon's proud capital, were filled with people minding their daily business, a group of blacksmiths from the mountain village Minetake were on their way here. The king had ordered for the slaves to be branded since the escape of them has been a bother for a while. With a brand, the slaves would not be able to escape without a trace anymore. They would forever be recognisable as slaves.

I took a look to the side, where the slaves were held in their stalls and cages. They were nervous, some even downright terrified. This would be a hassle of a day. I could already see it: half of the bunch would put up a fight and the other half would beg and cry their eyes out. Tadakata and I, as well as the poor blacksmiths, will have a long day in front of us.