When Miko’s group arrives, they are taken to an open area nearby where they’re told to stand and be still. The lead slaver moves to a nearby wagon and begins pulling out garb, similar to what the other slaves are wearing and begins handing them out to the other slavers. The slavers then take the garb and tie it around the men, and with the women they untie their hands before putting it on them. Miko feels somewhat better for having his privates covered. All the captured people visibly relax once they’re dressed and covered.

Several of the slavers then move to another wagon where they remove crossbows which they hold ready to prevent anyone from trying to escape.

One of the slavers climbs onto the bed of a wagon and faces the newly arrived slaves. “Go ahead and sit down and rest,” he tells them. “This may be the last chance you’ll have for a while. No talking and anyone causing trouble will be dealt with.” He glances around at the faces looking at him a moment then jumps off the wagon.

Miko does the best he can with his hands tied behind him and manages to make it to the ground without falling over. He sits there and rests, looking back to the City that’s now securely in the hands of the Empire. All that keeps him from totally losing it is the belief that James will find him.

Over the next hour, several more slave lines are brought from the City and join with the rest. There are over a dozen different lines trailing behind several different wagons. With each line that comes, several of the guards that were guarding them grab crossbows and join their fellows in keeping watch.

At one point shortly after Miko arrives, a slaver begins moving down each line and unties the hands of the men and boys.