Across the stars. (Bellarke fanfic) ON HOLD!

Rio Plato

AN: I was planning for this chapter to be twice as long, but I really wanted to publish it and decided to publish part 2 later when it's finished. if you are confused about locations I have provided a map as this chapter's picture. Basically earth how it looked 1 billion years ago, but it gave me huge inspiration. Anyway, hope you enjoy. 

Waking up like every day on the hard floor, but grown immune to the pain it would bring, Bellamy Blake, 15, got up with the first rays of the dawn. Cracking his eyelids open, feeling like they were glued together, and stretched his body in preparation for another long day. Always the same long day. First things first, wake up Octavia, 9, this task had begun to be more difficult as the years went by. Always whining and squirming around before finally accepting fate and gets up. The day proceeded with the brother cooking a small breakfast for the two before they begin to watch the shop, polish the wares, dust, sweep, sort and organize.

Sir. Kane was the best known antique dealer in the region, and always got in new things to his shop. The watch that Bellamy accidentally broke a few years prior, had been given to Sir.Kane by a duchess whose late husband had no longer any need for it. And in return she received pearls formerly belonging to a royal. He knew everything’s price and was indeed a master of tricking people into paying more or trading something of more value. When the word had begun to spread that he housed two young children who had lived on the street, he played it to his advantage, gaining him a generous and trustful appearance. But he was very cruel indeed, if Bellamy and Octavia did not do exactly as told or if they broke or damaged something, it would have terrible consequences. Yes he had been kind to let them stay here and work for him, but he treated them as property, like slaves. What the siblings did not know, was that slavery was indeed legal in central Rio Plato, where they had ended up after a multiple year journey from their home in North Laurentia. And yes, Sir.Kane, tricky Sir. Kane, had registered them as his slaves in court. Because slaves were expensive and often obtained through betting, but here he had gotten them for free.   

These days the siblings really enjoyed, the days where Sir. Kane was not around, but on one of his many travels, auctions or banquets. It meant that yes, they needed everything to be done by the end of the day, but they did not need to fear that Kane would catch them “slacking off”.

“What do you say we go out and see the town today O?” Bellamy suggested while stacking the boxes with value paper. He sighed a tired sigh and looked to his sister who was polishing the desk. She looked a little puzzled at the suggestion. “Whatever do you mean brother? We can’t leave the shop unnoticed during open hours, if Kane heard about that he would have us live in the wet cellar for the rest of our time.” At that, Bellamy smiled. “You really think he will hear about it since he’s never heard about all the other times we’ve closed up and snuck out.” However, Octavia would not hear of it, it is true that they had never been caught, but it had been close a few times. Too close to Octavia’s liking, she feared Kane, his cold eyes and evil smile, and the inhuman way he treated them. “I’ve seen people Bellamy, people in similar wore down clothes like ours. With leashes hold in the other end by men in expensive clothing like they’re animals. And although Kane has never had us in leashes, I have a feeling he treats us the same as them.” It took a while before Bellamy responded, going over what Octavia had stated. He had also seen the people in leashes, but they looked nothing like him and his sister. They were often of darker, dirty skin and blue markings of different kind on their body and face.

“Slaves are what they are young ones” The siblings froze in fear when they heard a man’s voice echo from behind a shelf. They hadn’t heard anyone come in to the shop. “Don’t fret, I mean no harm to you” The man, dressed in beige and brown robes spoke. “My name is Thelonious Jaha. I’m looking for the owner” Octavia, seeing the kindness in the man’s eyes stepped forward, noticing how her brother looked at her warily, he obviously had seen too much evil already to believe there’s good in most people. “Sir. Kane is away on a trip to Baltica city, he is expected back in three days sir.” In the most respectful manner she spoke and bowed before the man named Thelonious.  “Ahh, that is most unfortunate, seems like we’ve travelled past each other. Baltica city happens to be my home.” Octavia looked up in wonder at the man, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Bellamy, who had been standing still and quiet now spoke up, “If you are staying here in town for a longer time we will bring forth to Sir. Kane that you wish to see him Mr. Jaha. Or if you are looking for something to trade or buy, we’ve been left instructions like value and price so our master doesn’t need to close the shop.” Bellamy however, did not look to meet Jaha’s eyes. In return Jaha viewed him with great interest, something that made Bellamy slightly uncomfortable. “I can sense you have a strong mind boy, and I can see it wander off, far away from here.” Jaha kneeled down a bit before the boy. “I think you will achieve great things with that mind of yours one day.” Bellamy opened his mouth to little extent, Sir. Kane always said that dreaming to places one would never reach was stupid and completely uneccessary. But the boy couldn't help but dream non the less. He had read about the 8 big islands and all the smaller ones, how great wars had been fought and about the peacekeepers, an order of powerful men and women who fought for balance and all good. He also read about politics but he didn't understand much nor did it interest him like it interested Octavia.  

The door opened, this time it was noticeable, unlike when the strange man suddenly appeared. “Your eminence, the queen is curious of the city and demanded me escort one of her maidens to you” Jaha stood up and turned to the man in some kind of guard uniform. “The queen should trust my judgement when I say that it can be dangerous for her and her maidens” He sighed, although he knew he had no command over the queen, he could only advise her. “The queen demanded that I came along. It not that she doesn’t trust your judgment, but more that she trusts me and the other maidens with her life, a trust she could never give you.” A girl stepped forward as she spoke. She had long golden hair wrapped up in a braided bun and continued down her back. She was dressed in a turquoise dress with leather belts as well as a sand coloured short robe on top. Bellamy thought she didn’t look much older than Octavia, and yet she was a maiden of a queen. “In other words, she sent you to spy on me.” Jaha did not seem upset or insulted the slightest, still keeping up his calm and friendly figure. The girl smiled in a way that made it clear, that was indeed the case. Bellamy had taken a place beside his sister and put his hands on her shoulders. Watching the scene play out in front of them. Octavia also found the girl interesting in many ways, and now she wondered what it would be like to be a maiden of a queen or even queen itself. “It’s nothing personal your eminence, this piece of treasure that we're looking for is very dear and sentimental to her. She also asked me to look for herbs regarding her terrible illness.” Jaha nodded understandingly and bowed before the girl. “Very well. But don’t expect me to like it miss Clarke.”