The Thousand Year Dynasty
23.5. The Fla Side Story Part 3
"Fla, is it okay if I ask about your life when you were a slave?" Nata asked when Fla had finished cleaning the dining table a week after the Oracle was buried.
Fla looked doubtful. If he answers wrong, these people will throw it away. But inevitably he had to answer. And finally Fla nodded slowly.
"You can reject it if you don't feel like it. I'm not your master, and you're not a slave anymore" Nata later said.
"It's okay, Mr. Nata. What do you want to know?" Answer Fla.
"How long have you lived in the city as a slave?"
"Almost 8 months sir"
"Do you also know each other and communicate with fellow slaves? Do the slaves still have a social life?"
"For some slaves, we still know each other and are in touch. Sometimes we also exchange things. But it depends on our employer" Fla explained.
"Oh, I guess after work you will be directly pasung or put into confinement" this time Aksa who said.
"There were some slaves who were treated as such by their masters"
"And are you being treated like that?" This time Nata took over the question.
"In the first four months I was treated like that. But when I got a new employer, I was never in brackets or in pasung after my job was done" Fla replied.
"Have you ever tried to escape while you were in Kotaraja, Fla?"
"I have given up after three failed attempts at escape. After my left shoulder was broken" Fla replied, pointing to his left shoulder.
"Is it still painful?" Lucia asked who suddenly appeared from the kitchen with Jean.
"Now it's better. But it still hurts when I carry a heavy load. So I can no longer carry anything now"
Lucia was silent with a look of pity. He didn't have the right words to respond to Fla's words.
"How many slaves are there?" Tanya Nata broke the silence.
"I don't really know Mr. Nata, there's probably 100 more"
"Is it only the nobles who have slaves in the city? Do residents with the status of ordinary citizens also have slaves?" This time Nata asked Lucia who was already sitting across the dining table.
"According to the rules in Elbrasta, everyone can have slaves. But because the management of the permit is very expensive and the ownership is taxed, then only rich merchants, or landlords are able to have slaves in addition to the nobles" explained Lucia later.
"So there are rules for slave ownership. Are their taxes expensive?"
"They are valued as much as the value of animal ownership" replied Lucia who sounded cautious and looked sad.
"It's cheaper than hiring someone" this time Aksa said.
"Then, is there a way to free a slave?"
"I knew the owner could pay for the release of slaves to the kingdom"
"Hm, after it is purchased, then through management that costs a lot, it makes no sense then the owner must spend more money to be released. The rules are in favor" said Nata then who approved Lucia with a slow nod.
"We have no power to carry out a rebellion. While we have no weapons or fighting abilities, it is also better for some of us to remain slaves than to lose our lives, or lose our loved ones" fla replied which made Aksa nod in understanding.
"Do you have a friend or someone you care about from those slaves?" Nata asked now.
Fla pedium. His thoughts went straight to Livia "Yes, there were a few that I knew him well. What I can call a friend" Fla replied in a sad tone.
"Is that a girl?"
Fla fell silent again, startled, as if Nata could read his thoughts, "Right" he replied later.
"What's his name?"
"Name's Livia"
"Did you know him when he was in Kotara?" This time Aksa asked.
"True Mr. Aksa"
"Is he your girlfriend?"
Fla fell silent again hearing Aksa's question. I don't think Livia is his girlfriend. No boy has a girlfriend. But in her heart Livia is someone special who will never be replaced.
"Is he in Halmd now?" Suddenly Nata asked disembarking Fla's thoughts just now.
"Most likely he's there. Because he was also being moved to the city when I managed to escape" Fla replied later.
"Are you planning on saving her once you've made a full recovery?"
Fla was silent again. Nata can really read his mind.
"Think very carefully, and don't be rash or even at risk of getting caught again"
"I understand Mr. Nata" replied Fla.
"I wish Livia all the best there is" Lucia said, calming Fla.
"Thank you daughter Lucia"
"Then Fla, is the city big"
"True Mr. Nata, the city is big"
"Do you know the ins and outs of the city?"
"Maybe only half of it"
"It's okay, do you want to tell me?"
"Master Nata, I will tell you what I know"