The Mandalorian's Slave

The Village

When I wake up at dawn, Caben is slumped over me, asleep. I pull myself out from underneath him carefully, trying to not disturb him. Cara and Tiban are asleep as well. Judging from the way the Mandalorian sits slumped, he's also not awake.

I hear the distant shouts of children. I sit up straighter, to see a small village with children running around.

"Everyone, they're here," one kid announces with a shout. Everyone on the speeder slowly stirs, taking in the sights of the farming community.

The children run up the speeder, giggling. Without hesitation, they approach the Child, who watches them with curious, dark eyes.

"Well, looks like they're happy to see us." The Mandalorian says, watching them carefully.

"He's so cute," one of the children says. She's a small girl, with copper colored skin and tangled, dark hair.

The child coos happily. I wonder if this is his first time around other children.

"That's my niece," Caben says proudly. "I hope you like her, because you'll be staying with her mother."

"She's adorable," I say. The entire village is bustling, people eagerly trying to look at the Mandalorian. They're all dressed in shades of green and brown, and I feel out of place in my tattered black dress.

"I'll lead you to where you will be staying." Caben says, glancing over his shoulder at the Mandalorian. We follow him through the small, winding streets. The ground is soft and grassy, dotted with blue-green pools where turquoise shrimp dart around. The houses are thin and made of flimsy thatch. Through holes cut in the roof, curls of white smoke escape.

"I love it," I say, watching everything and everyone. The air smells like mud and smoke and baking bread. Soft chatter and laughter fill the air. Everywhere I turn, there's smiles.

Caben leads us to a larger building. Waiting in the doorway is woman with long, black hair. She's dressed simply, with no makeup or fancy clothes, and yet she's still beautiful.

"Aster, Mandalorian- meet my sister. You'll be staying in her barn. It's not much, but it's shelter and she'll cook for you." Caben turns around. "I better spread the good news. I'll be back in a moment."

"Please come in," Caben's sister says, smiling at us warmly. Or, rather, smiling at my Master warmly. I am ignored. "I hope this is comfortable for you. Sorry that all we have is the barn."

The Mandalorian walks in, carrying the tote with his belongings. I gently set the Child on the ground, and he wobbles around carefully, watching everything with curious eyes. "This will do fine," my Master says, in a tone that's too harsh for people in our situation.

"It's perfect," I say, trying to make up for his brusqueness.

"I stacked some blankets over here," she says, lingering in the doorway.

"Thank you, that's very kind." My Master still has his back turned to her. I feel rude and try to think of something else to say.

I notice a girl creeping towards the doorway. I recognize her as the girl that Caben pointed out as his niece.

The Mandalorian grabs his rifle and whirls around, ready to defend himself from whatever approaches. The girl gasps and darts away, her small body shaking in fear. Her mother walks back to the doorway and wraps her in a hug.

"This is my daughter, Winta. Caben, who you've met, is her uncle. We don't get a lot of visitors around here. She's not used to strangers." She flashes us an apologetic smile. Leaning down to Winta, in a half-whisper, she says, "This nice man is going to help protect us from the bad ones."

Winta regards us with fearful dark eyes. "Thank you," she squeaks, burying her face into her mother's apron.

"Come on, Winta. Let's give our guests some room." She takes her daughter's hand and leads her away. The Mandalorian stands there stupidly, not even thanking them.

"We're staying in her barn and we don't even know her name," I whisper once they're far enough away.

The Mandalorian shrugs. "We can find out later. Right now, I need to find Cara and assess their situation. You stay here with the kid." He slings his rifle over his shoulder and leaves me with the Child.

"Knock, knock," a soft voice calls. I turn to see Caben's sister standing in the doorway with Winta and a tray of food.

"Come in," I say warmly. "I don't believe I caught your name earlier. What is it?"

"Omera. I brought you a few things to help you get settled." Caben enters, his arms full with a small wooden cradle.

"Thank you so much." Caben sits the cradle down on the mossy floor, and the Child instantly crawls toward it. I laugh as I pick him up. "What's inside the crib?"

"A few of my old clothes. I didn't think you would have extra, being a slave and I thought it might be helpful." Omera talks shyly, as if I am as threatening as the Mandalorian.

"Thank you," I I grab the clothes gently and set the Child down into the cradle. I hold the clothes close to my chest. These people have already been more than generous enough. I just hope my Master can take care of their problem.

"Can I feed him?" Winta eyes me nervously.

"Of course," I say. "You have done so much for us. Thank you."

Winta offers the Child a small mushroom. He mashes it up in his mouth greedily. Winta giggles. "Can I play with him?"

"Sure. As long as you stay near the barn." Winta scoops him up eagerly and carries him outside.

"I brought some food too. I'll leave it here while you get changed." Omera smiles at me before leaving.

For a brief moment, Caben and I stand in silence.

"I'll wait outside. I can help you watch them if you like," he says it like a question.

I smile. "I would love that."

Caben darts outside and I retreat to a corner far from the windows. I get changed quickly, peeling off my old dress and tossing it aside. I pull on a sage green dress. It's a bit big on me, but it's comfortable. I pull a gray woolen shawl around my shoulders and run my fingers through my snarled hair. There's no hope for detangling my hair, at least not without copious amounts of oil and combing.

Caben is leaning against the wall, waiting for me. He smiles as I exit the barn. "You look good."

My cheeks grow hot. "Thank you."

Caben gestures toward a large field where the children are playing. I see the Child in the center of it all, giggling away. "They're safe, but I know it's your job to watch him. I can join you if you don't mind."

"I would love that." I know I shouldn't be encouraging this. Slaves can't have relationships. And yet, there's something irresistible about him.