Unseen

The guard stared at the girl as she was whipped for stealing. She was found with 20 piax’s on her, and she was getting five lashes for it. She whimpered, but never cried out. “4, 5.” After the final lash, the girl's wrists were untied and she slumped to the ground. It had taken five men to chase her down when she had been spotted. She had spirit. The guard walked over to her. She jumped as he grabbed her shoulder, but stood quickly. “Where’s your family, kid?” She couldn’t be more than eight. “Why should I tell you?” Her voice was steady. “Because, if you have one, I need to take you back to them.” He stood there, holding her arm. Blood trickled down her back, dripping on the ground. “I don’t have one anymore.” She looked at the ground. “Can you let me go? I need to find a way to stop the bleeding.” The guard stared at her, surprised. “How old are you?” “Six.” The guard sighed. She shouldn’t have been lashed. It was illegal to whip anyone under the age of eight. “Tell you what. I will give you a home, food, and take care of your back if you will train with the guards.” She would be a perfect fit for what the Emperor was looking for. “What’s the catch?” She looked up at him. “I can’t promise that you won’t get hurt, but I will make sure that you always have food and medicine.” She stared up at him, taking the guard in so thoroughly that he felt she saw more than he wanted. “I want to stay with you.” She put her tiny tan hand against the brown of his skin. “Good choice. I am Philip. What’s your name?” “Emily.” She said, “My name is Emily.”