Free Preserving Hope by Alex Albrinck

the Volunteer during that day’s research. They should pay the Volunteer enough to ensure that they could continue to eat if they needed a week or two to recover. A silver coin per “food” tested, one “food” per day, would seem reasonable.
    “We grew excited at the prospect. The idea that someone else would bear that risk was a great deal for all of us, for a silver coin was becoming a small price to pay for something we wanted. Nobody wanted to volunteer, though, and our tension increased. Arthur’s skills are incredible at manipulating people into the decision he wants, and we were all desperate for that volunteer to step forward.” She swallowed. “And then, she did.”
    “Elizabeth,” Will breathed. “How could a child…?”
    “Volunteer?” Eva snorted. “She didn’t volunteer, Will. Arthur said she had, said that she wanted her father to collect the silver coins on her behalf to pay him back for so many years of his selfless sacrifice while she grew old enough and strong enough to contribute to the community. So exuberant were we about this arrangement that we failed to realize that we were essentially selling a young girl into slavery one day a week for all eternity, or more often if her loving father determined she could handle a greater frequency. And of course, she could. Basically, we were treating her as the baron had treated us, doing to her what we rebelled against.”
    “Nobody protested this?” Will said, aghast.
    “Some did,” Eva said, her tone bitter. “Genevieve did. Six of the original ten did. My brother was gone on a Trading mission at the time, but he was furious about it when he returned. The rest of us? We said nothing and paid our pieces of silver so that we could imagine being the first to develop these fictitious magical powers. The protesters were outnumbered by a significant margin, and rather than fight or participate in this scheme, they left. My brother was devastated. He fought and argued, but he was ignored. I never rose to defend what he said. My brother and another man left on another Traveling mission to trace down a rumor that had been reported of people like what we all wanted to become. My brother left because he hoped that he could return with the answers, and spare Elizabeth what was to come. Neither of them has returned, though, and it’s been a decade since they left.”
    She choked, and Will was surprised to see the strong woman fighting, without success, to hold back tears. “I was a coward, Will, blinded by my own greed. My brother scolded me, but I wouldn’t listen. I know it now; I should have taken a stand, perhaps talked those who left into staying, or protested this scam more fervor. I do what I can now. I pay my silver coin but let Elizabeth sleep through the day and recover. Genevieve moved into the room next door to the house she and Elizabeth once shared with Arthur, and Elizabeth went with her. Genevieve began to go to every session at ‘school’ with Elizabeth, and subjected herself to the same treatment. I’ve talked many of the Traders into doing the same thing I do, Will, but most people have no interest in stopping the system they believe will give them magical abilities. It’s a system that does nothing to hurt them, though it humiliates that girl and enriches her father. I’ve failed her, Will, and that’s why she needs all the help she can get. She needs help because the people who should be protecting her are either directly causing her pain, or too cowardly and weak to speak up on her behalf.”
    She took a deep breath. “Or, in the case of Genevieve, dead at the hands of a mob spurred into action by her husband.” Tears filled her eyes. “Please, help her. She’d like the daughter I never had the chance to have, and I would give anything and everything I have to get her out of this. Arthur won’t let her leave, ever, outside of the baths, and his minions include the most powerful warriors in our village, especially