VALERIA

"Three... three coins? I... I only have this, I can't pay that much! You know no one here can afford such an expensive tax!"

"Then complain to the King, not me. Get her out of here, and if she resists, beat her until she’s unconscious and shuts her mouth!" She kicked the woman’s hand before turning to leave, and the two tarnished coins she had been holding rolled across the ground.

The poor, ragged woman lunged to gather them, crying, and immediately, those men—like predators—tried to drag her away from the door into an alley.

When she turned, I saw the little bundle in her arms—it was a child, barely a year old, as thin as she was, just like the grinning man who had been guiding us, like everyone else here—except for that witch and her guards.

"Leave her alone!" I couldn't help but intervene, especially for the child. It was obvious they would beat her mercilessly, or worse.

I pulled the woman into my arms, and when the men made a move to attack me, a threatening growl echoed