Giselle

It was my first day in the Market. I had never been permitted to go before, but Lord Ronald thought today was a good day to start. I skipped towards the wagon and climbed up behind my older sister. Then she started being her usual bossy self, "Watch where you step, this food pays for our home. Stay close to me and don't try anything funny" then she leaned over and with a stern look whispered, "and whatever you do, don't bother Sir Cordovan." I giggled, and her glare tightened, "I mean it. One false move and this will be the last time they let you come to the market."

I gave her a stern look and said, "yes mother." trying my best not to laugh. She just groaned and turned towards the passing trees. I looked over at him, sitting so tall and proud, majestically leading our pullers in the direction of the Market. My sister thought it silly for me to be so smitten with a driver rather than a puller like most girls. But I set my sights high, I didn't want to imagine being a servant my whole life.

Though I knew my fantasy could never be fulfilled, as hybrids between species were intolerable, I still entertained the idea of being Mrs. Cordovan Stout one day.

When we got to the market my daydream was cut short when we saw a human claiming she had magic, "heretic." one of the Stout men mumbled. My sister dragged me away from the spectacle and set about the tasks we were given.

I turned and watched him arguing with the crazy servant, what a noble politician he was! I was disappointed when they were separated and forced to make peace, but that was the custom here. War was unheard of, but from what I heard it was a horrible thing to have around, so we should appreciate the peace. The Stouts were honest in their dealings and never whipped a servant for something he didn't do. Another thing that separated them from the common beast was that they didn't refer to humans as slaves, though it was odd that they called all the human females Sheila and all the males Tom.

I guess it was because a lot of humans were given animal names instead of human names, which some thought disrespectful to their race. My mother had wanted to name me Gazelle and my sister Gerbil, but Lord Stout forbade it because he felt it would cause a riot. So she decided to name us Giselle and Gabrielle. I like human names better, I was glad Lord Ronald had made that rule for his servants.

"Sheilas, girls!" I heard Lord Stout calling for us.