107

Ella's POV

"When did you escape?" Rok, the assistant community leader asked the newcomers.

"Two days ago." The response came.

"Why?" Rok insisted.

"The nobles are harassing the women and it's getting too much. We all thought it was peculiar to one household until we realized that they were acting the same way." One of the men in the group stepped forward and said. "They had all gone crazy because they know we don't have much choice because of the slave marks and can't survive in town with it. We eventually snapped and escaped when we heard that they were harassing the kids."

"That is sad." I muttered under my breath.

"It is." Avila replied. I was talking to myself actually but I knew she had overheard because she was close to me. "The thought that they would experience more than they have suffered because of the mark breaks my heart more."

"I wish there was a way to clean the mark without having to go to the jungle and risking your life."

"Maybe there was." Avila sighed. "We have not