She gritted her teeth, clenched her fistsfists, at the sight before her.

Two men, on the country dirt road, blocked her path. They brandished weapons, they harnessed cruel whips and ropes. The clanging of chains rattled on their belts like skeleton bones. These men were underground slavers.

"You're coming with us, little woman." One of them sneered.

"Indeed. You will make for a handsome price on the black market." The other smirked, like predator stalking prey.

She girl stood on the road unarmed and a mile or so from civilization. She was alone, seemingly defenseless against these dangerous men.

Yet, this girl had enough power within her. And a grave fear.

She blinked, muttering darkly, "No."

One slaver scoffed, "Slaves ain't allowed to say no."

Hanuh seethed, "I am no slave." She spat, "And I will never be trapped again!"

She extended her hand. A sliver of ice bolted from her hand. Completely caught off guard, the sneering slaver was harpooned in the leg. He fell, crying out in agony as he gripped his wound.

Too pumped with adrenaline and anxiety to regret this now, she turned and barked at the unharmed slaver, "I am free! So leave me alone!"

The slaver seemed surprised, yet not shocked. He did not even seem to be concerned with his crying buddy. He scoffed, "Magic user?" He slipped into a fighting position and gripped his whip, "An even better price on the black market!"

Hanuh screamed as she darted right for him, ice coating her skin as a quarterstaff smoothly formed in her hand.

...

She was free.

Leaving the slavers both wounded and on the road, Hanuh walked away a free woman.