VALERIA

"Three... three coins? I... I only have this, I can't pay that much! You know no one here can afford such an expensive tax!"

"Then complain to the King, not me. Get her out of here, and if she resists, beat her until she’s unconscious and shuts her mouth!" She kicked the woman’s hand before turning to leave, and the two tarnished coins she had been holding rolled across the ground.

The poor, ragged woman lunged to gather them, crying, and immediately, those men—like predators—tried to d