For the first time in hours she relaxed and finally let the tears come only to feel a heavy hand on her shoulder. "I told you there was a girl," a voice said and Jenny was roughly hauled to her feet. He dragged her out in to the ruined farmyard. "Look," he said, " A young 'un. She'll fetch a good price at market for a bonus".
Before she could say or do anything a filthy rag was used across her mouth as a gag and her hands and feet were tied roughly together. She was slung in the back of an evil smelling cart and they set off at pace.
Jenny wriggled and turned but the bonds had been tied too tightly and eventually she gave up and tried to look around to see where they were going. They were already beyond the forest in countryside that the little girl had never seen or imagined - green fields and rivers with pretty villages all raced past as the horses maintained their steady gallop. Even as the night drew in they did not stop and soon, fight as she might, Jenny's eyes closed and she fell into a fitful dream laden sleep.
When she woke all was still and the new day had already begun. For a moment she forgot where she was and what had happened but her first attempt to move cruelly reminded her. The man who had found her yesterday now reached into the cart and dragged her to the ground. She was in a market square in a grey town, surrounded by strangers all looking her up and down.
"Don't waste my time," the man said, "She's young, and strong and she'll fetch at least a gold dollar if we take her to the city."
"Take her then mate", called a wag from the crowd.
"She's slowing us down and we are bound to be in the city by tonight - Lord Exbo commands us." Half a dollar and she is yours - who'll take her?"
There was silence and then an old man, bent double and walking very slowly, went over to Jenny. He took off the gag and before she could thank him, forced her mouth open and peered inside. "She's got good teeth, I give you Sampson," he said. " But half is too much - she is only a child and will need breaking. I'll give you thirty silver pieces."
Sampson looked angry but one of his companions laughed and said, "Done Master Fennyman, may you have much joy of your bargain." He rode over to the old man, took the money and counted in and then handed him a long rope. When Master Fennyman began to walk away Jenny jerked after him and she realised that she was attached to the rope like a puppy or a pet. He did not turn to see if she followed him, just carried on slowly and inexorably with the poor child falling and hobbling behind him.
After a walk that seemed to Jenny to last for hours but in reality only took a few minutes they stopped outside a tall, narrow, crooked house. The old man banged on the door with his stick. "Bella, Bella - I have a new toy for you."
The door opened a crack and the ugliest woman Jenny had ever seen stood in the doorway. She had hair the colour of mud, her skin was sallow and scarred, she had only one tooth that Jenny could see and that was blacked and crooked, and she was fat. Rolls and folds of fat fell over the top of her dress and forced the gathering of her sleeve to strain itself to breaking point.
"For me? Oh, Master Fennyman you shouldn't have," she said as she grabbed the rope from the old man's hand. " What can I give you in return?"
"Nothing Bella child. Let me come and talk with this one when she's house broken. I have a feeling about her - nothing bad but she is special."
Bella laughed, a surprisingly pretty sound, "You know you are always welcome here sir. Thank you again for the gift." With that she gave the rope a sharp jerk and Jenny was dragged inside and the door closed behind her all in one swift movement.
She didn't speak as she half led half dragged Jenny through the dark hallway to a green door. She opened it and gave Jenny a push through. Jenny felt herself falling and then, mercifully, nothing. In the space of twenty four hours she had gone from a carefree child of the woods to a prisoner in a stranger's basement.
To be continued....
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