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 Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 7:24 pm
Raiden looked in surprise at Tzeitel. The centaur's rolling thoughts abruptly came to a halt at her touch.I'm really going to have to get used to this... Wait? Why was he having to get used to it? For the act...that was right. Raiden could feel the nerves coming from his companion so he tried his best to push past his own worry and anxiety over the fate of his sister and Aaron before replying, "It's simple. You and I are going to invade as actual customers." He grinned lightly though it was a bitter expression, "After all what's the point of stealing others if they have no one to provide the gold?" That was the one good thing...as long as Khali and Aaron stayed put then they would be safer. After all what slaver would want to waste two good bodies?
His gaze darkened a bit at the idea of slavers. If he could just...no. Raiden shook his head quietly, "We'll find Aaron and Khali by pretending that we are in need of new servants. We come from the western desert where slavery is a popular thing..." He trailed off suddenly remembering his father's own dark looks whenever the desert was mentioned. "Oh, the irony." Catching himself Raiden continued on, "I'm doing this as a wedding present for you my mate. We'll be the haughty, typical customers...that will have to act the part of a new couple.... It'll throw them off from thinking anything else about us." He flushed lightly and suddenly looked away from Tzeitel as if focusing on the path ahead of them.
"Then after we find my sister and Aaron we raise hell and make certain this slave operation has a nice tumble into the river where it can drown."
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Posted: Wed Jun 19, 2013 10:42 pm
Khali frowned, and gave him her best stern pout, a trick she had picked up from her mother. The Ironborn were nothing if not a crud people, and her mother was the roughest of them all. Couple that with desert heat, and you had a wildly possessive knight. "If it was fine, you wouldn't be having so much trouble with it. Just come back here so I can- Oh." Was that another wound? On his forehead? She craned her neck, trying her best to get a good view when the cattaur spoke up.
She settled once again, finding it hard to find a spot where the chains didn't pull. Every little bump and groove in the road tossed her across the slick wooden floor, and the chains didn't have much give to begin with. "I'm fine, just an ache." She was tired, yes, and starving. If she hadn't spent most of her youth stowing away on ships the wagon would have made her sea sick. As she talked, the cattaur held one hand against Aaron's neck and the other against his forehead. Beads of sweat lined her forehead, and when she was good and spent she flopped back into her 'spot'.
((We can do a mini-time skip at some point here, to the actual destination, if you'd like. C: ))
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Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:03 am
Tzeitel pressed her lips in frustration. Even having to pretend to be interested in buying another taur's live for her own uses... He held tighter to Raiden's arm as he continued explaining.
Right... They were doing this to rescue Aaron and Khali. She couldn't let her fear get the better of her. They were counting on Raiden and herself to help them. As Raiden detailed their pretend relationship, she felt a little heat rise to her cheeks. Well... at least one part of the mission wouldn't be so bad...
Why would she think such a thing?!
Taking a deep breath, she straightened her spin and nodded. Yes... They would show those slavers that such a practice would not be tolerated!
Aaron's frown deepened as he watched the strain increase on the cattaur's face. He could feel the warmth as the healing power flowed through his neck and forehead. When the feline leaned back, he reached up before she could go too far and embraced her hand in appreciation. "Thank you." She looked so worn out. He hoped she hadn't strained herself too much for a mild discomfort of his throat.
With the pain relieved, he looked to Khali and raised his hand to her cheek, giving it a tender stroke before another bump in the road sent everyone sliding around again, needing his arms for balance.
(( I'm fine with a skip ))
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Posted: Sat Jun 22, 2013 12:13 pm
((You people and your skips. =P ))
Raiden looked back at the water's surface carefully. Did he look good enough? Brushing a hand through his hair the centaur fixed the gold earring in his ear before standing back up. The heavy cloak that hung on his shoulders spoke of wealth, but underneath hid a pack of items which would be for more than show. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword. It was the one thing he was the most comfortable with. The metalwork was his own and it was of the finest quality. The one perk of being an amazing blacksmith's son.
In his hand he clutched one object in particular. "Tzeitel?" Calling over his shoulder Raiden looked bashfully towards the forest outskirts. Was she ready? Already he had picked up the slavers' location from other merchants. His sister and Aaron were so close...they just needed to walk in there now. This was the last stop for preparation. He had spent all night looking through the area, setting up fun things for the slavers to find should they chase them later on.
As long as we can look and play the part this should be fine...
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Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 9:37 pm
Fogsden rose up in the light of the day as a bright beacon of the south. As small as it was, the port town was bustling with life, even as early in the morning as it was. There was little in the way of permanent dwellings, and those that chose to stay here were primarily those who had the most to gain from the slaves that passed through it's gates. Great ships catered to the rich, and working class alike, with hull's as massive as the holding grounds themselves.
It was in these grounds that foxes were separated from wolves, the old from the young. Each had been given thorough health inspections, and those that fought out against the rough treatment were garnished with black eyes and split lips. Before and after their times they were kept in holding areas; strips of barren land, exposed to the elements with rows of metal stakes attached to chains that were latched on the wrists of the slaves. Their ankles were bound to one another, preventing most from trying to escape. It was during the day that they were held here, and at night they were to be locked away in barns barely fit to house stones.
Khalidah wasn't used to being led around with a collar and a chain like a mutt, nor did she like it. At first she had fought and kicked, even going so far as to turn a scalpel on a "doctor" and cut off a finger. That had been before they cut off the top of her left ear, and labeled her "damaged goods". She wouldn't fetch a good price now, they said. Too wild, they said. Bullshit, she said. If they could see the way she shook, the fear she tried to hold in, they would know.
"Fight back anymore and you won't make it to the sellers block today, Missy," her captor clucked, latching her chains back into her post. When he left, she tried to search out Aaron. She needed to know he was okay. She'd been seeing less and less of him since she'd got here, and...What if something happened to him? Had he been sold? Killed? Khali stamped her hooves.
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 8:01 pm
"I'm ready.." Tzeitel called with more uncertainty than her words implied. She stepped out from her cover, having changed into a light-weight shirt with long and open flowing sleeves that the town had provided; the better to mask arms that were stronger than a proper miss should bear. She opened the parasol to protect herself from the sun and turned for Raiden's inspection, her hair braided and up in a bun to keep off her neck. She had brushed her fur out at least a hundred times, trying to get it shiny and smooth. Even her tail was in a pretty braid now. She couldn't do much about her sun-loving skin tone, but that shouldn't matter, right? "Do I look rich?"
When she looked over at Raiden, she forgot about her own appearance. He looked like such a proper gentleman! "You look quite handsome!" she praised, trying to ignore the flutter in her belly. Seeing him all spiffed up like that... No. He would think it was creepy. Surely. Besides, they had more important things to focus on.
~~~~
The moment he'd realized that Khali was being taken to a separate area, Aaron had done nothing short of vowing to castrate every last one of the slavers if they hurt her. His own impulse was to fight back, and much like what had happened in town was repeated. He actually took down a few guys before anyone thought to pull out the tranquilizers after he'd gotten his last glimpse of Khali, as glimpses was all he had anymore.
Still, despite having a broken cheek and a growing black eye, among other things that bled and ached, the slavers wanted to get a profit off the big guy giving them so much trouble. Couldn't put so much effort in just to kill him! So they sent him off to be chained by magic once more, along with the other "unmanageable" taur to be "broken in."
When he woke, groggy and sore, he needed a minute to figure out which way was up. Those guys weren't kidding around anymore... Shaking his head, he glared at the chains binding him close to the ground. He could stand, but his hands tied down kept his upper half from rising fully. No way to get leverage. He couldn't even pace around! What had they done with Khali..? Were Raiden and Tzeitel okay? He couldn't stand not knowing!
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 9:11 pm
“Alright then lets….” When Raiden turned around to face Tzeitel he literally was at a loss for words. Already the centaur had found himself oddly bashful around his companion, but now…well he was completely at a loss. He even stumbled just a bit when he quickly turned back around to fiddle with his cloak one more time, “You look pretty-“The clasp clicked into place as he straightened it, “Pretty rich indeed.” Finishing Raiden flushed as he fixed how his sword laid against his side once more.
Hearing her compliment made his face even warmer. He was handsome? Well then she was the absolutely most beautiful…but he was too stubborn, if not secretly too shy, to admit to it. “Thanks.” Coughing in his hand the centaur awkwardly reached out and in one bold move grabbed Tzeitel’s arm, “Might as well get used to this.” He tightened his hold lightly on her as he nudged her on the pathway with him, “No matter what you see, Tzeitel…we can’t act until we see Aaron and Khali. Alright?” His heart sunk. He knew the stories from his father and others. This would not be a pleasant sight indeed.
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Posted: Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:47 pm
Fogsden's crier was anything, but subtle this day under the loving sunlight as he rang his bell, his own voice bellowing across the streets and through the gates. "Auction! Auction at high noon!" When he was close to the giant sundial in the town's square he screamed it once more, as he did to the annoyed guards at the front gate. They shooed him off, but not before he got in another good roar. "AUCTION. FRESH. HIGH NOON."
~~~~
Khalidah's eyes ventured to the sundial placed close to the entrance of the pit, and paled, flipping her injured ear back against her head. High noon was so close...barely two hours away, and just as she was about to start contemplating her escape a centaur with a whip came by to pick up the "merchandise".
Where was Aaron? Why wasn't he here with her, having his chains tied to hers and being drug out in a line? She could barely move her legs in a shuffle, which wasn't good enough, as the lashes across her rump could attest to. As they entered the slaving town itself, Khali could only bite her tongue. Every piece of gold looked like mud to her, bought with blood that could never be returned. Each smile, every laugh...she'd never wanted to throttle anyone so badly in her life.
And yet, when she saw the Auction block, her hooves slowed just like the rest. The walk had been a slow, arduous task that had nearly every "slave" beaten and whipped, but only now were they truly frightened. While she couldn't see her, Khali knew that a woman had started crying behind her.
"Shh, now, stop that! Ye'll scare off the customers!"
A tick started in Khali's jaw, one that was slowly taking over her fear.
"I said stop it!"
"SHE'LL STOP IT WHEN YOU UNCHAIN HER, YOU PIECE OF s**t." She finally snapped, spittle foaming around her lips as Khali lunged at the jerk. Unfortunately, due to her chains, she lost her balance and started to fall forward on a shocked gasp, only to have the wolf she'd been yelling at lift her up....and promptly sucker punch her. "Wha...what? Is that all you've got?"
He grinned, and pulled up on her hair. "You talk big, girly, but I seez yer eyes. They're as big and wet as that lil' nugget behind you. Bet you're praying for someone to save you, but whose gonna come get'cha? Hmm? yer boyfriend?" Hopefully, she thought. No, she prayed. If Aaron was free and had found her brother and Tzeitel, then it would be all the better, but if not...Her waver had been enough for the wolf to lose interest. He chuckled, and dropped her head before moving on to his next victim.
"AUCTION. FRESH. HIGH NOON."
One step, two step, three step, four. The centaur group was being released one by one into individual holding cells.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:09 am
Tzeitel's ears twitched at the broken up replies, her head cocking slightly. Did he think she was pretty? ..no. Just like he said. She looked pretty rich. That was all that was necessary though.
She held tighter to Raiden's arm than she meant to, but her nerves were utterly on edge. She could do this... She had to. Taking a deep breath, she held it until Raiden finished his warning. "..Just please don't let me go," she whispered, forcing herself to not cling so tightly as a watch tower for the port came into view in the distance. She was here to purchase a slave... It was something she did regularly... She was completely calm.... .....She was going to lose it. She could only guess what laid ahead, and kept close to Raiden for his support.
~~~~
His body hurt... His head hurt... Even just thinking hurt... Aaron looked through blurry vision as the others who fought back so hard were given the same 'treatments' he was getting. His fingers dug into the earth damped from blood that wasn't only his own as he tried to fight the pain and dizziness, trying to stop his head from spinning. What the hell...?
A buck with muscles that looked like iron stepped in front of Aaron with a smug expression. "You ready to be good? Won't be so bad, you know? Maybe you'll get lucky and some brothel will buy ya~"
Aaron snarled and spat at the cloven hooves. "Go suck a naga."
Well, the cervitaur didn't appreciate that one bit. By the time he moved on the to next slave, Aaron was barely in any shape to be shown. Still, another taur was sent by, this time a tiny cattaur male who looked half starved, and fixed Aaron up with some weak magic to be at least presentable. When the buck returned, his grin was wider. "Got some sense in that thick head yet? Customers don't want to pay good coin for someone who's gonna cuss their ears off."
Aiming to snap out another curse, he bit down hard on his tongue. He wasn't going to be able to find Khali if he kept himself locked up like this. Using as much restraint as he had, he took a slow breath and hung his head submissively. The chains magically released from the ground and tied together so that his steps were short and kept him hunched over a bit.
He didn't know how he was still standing. He couldn't see out one eye, swollen shut thanks to the thug leading him on, his chest hurt from something new they'd shot into his system again, he hurt too much to turn and look at the lash marks along his back, and even his tattoos stung from risen memories... 'Not our fault you missed dinner. You shouldn't have taken so long to finish the field.... This is too heavy. You know better, you inconsiderate boy.... Your cleaning hasn't been finished yet.... I'll skin you alive if those cows get loose again. Hurry up and mend that fence as soon as you're done fixing the pulley for the well.... You'll work all night if you have to, but that crop had better be done by morning.... So damned lazy, can't believe you're really our son....' Always demanding, calling, ordering, voices ringing in his ears.
Desperate to chase off those shadows, he focused his mind on Khali. He had to find her... He looked around at those who had passed the 'tests' with him; each one looking low and beaten. Biting his pride, he hunched his own frame even further, trying to match those who'd been fully taken by their lessons. Please.. wherever they were heading... whatever this auction was... let Khali be there so that he could break free and help her the moment the chance arose.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:22 pm
So smooth Raiden. The centaur would have taken more time to beat himself up over his reaction to Tzeitel’s appearance had the real reason for it not been ever present in his mind. Khali…his sister, how was she? All he could do was trust Aaron with her care. At the moment another needed him as well. Feeling a rush of warmth and protective instinct Raiden pulled Tzeitel close. “Don’t worry, that’s the last thing I ever want to do.” He replied naturally without even thinking about it before they passed through a watch tower. Soon they were walking up through the busy port’s streets and towards where the slave blocks were set up.
As his coins clinked into a guard’s hand Raiden leaned close to Tzeitel and brushing a light kiss on her cheek took the moment to whisper, “Keep an eye out for Khali and Aaron. They should be going to the auction block.” He gritted his teeth at the thought. He was hoping that they would have at least had another day before the slaves were being auctioned off. But now their plan would have to become a bit more drastic. His gaze hardened. Damn slavers. He couldn’t stand the suffering of those around him, but had to be as uncaring as possible save for the light touches as he continued pulling his mate closer.
He wanted her close especially now that they were walking in the crowds where buyers and slavers mingled together in the chaos that preceded the auction. Too many took notice of fine things and currently Tzeitel ranked up there. Had it not been for the lordly looking centaur next to her the offers would have flown. Even still Raiden had to pause pointedly in front of others and take something out of his bag. “I forgot this…” Looking at Tzeitel he pulled out a crafted chain with jewels that sparkled in the light, “A present for my love.” He tried to keep his tone light with humor, but the look in his gaze as he purposefully laid claim in front of others to Tzeitel was serious. Thankfully he was a good craftsman and each jewel was stained glass which he had during their free time on their travels taken the time to place in the chain of silver.
Still it was fortunate that he had managed to collect as much coin as possible before this. More coins were exchanged as the centaur passed a group of rough looking individuals. They already knew the ruckus that they were to cause as Raiden had visited the rowdiest tavern in the port the night before. Now all he had to do was find his sister and Aaron in the chaos which was soon to ensue. Chains were nothing to a blacksmith after all. The heaviness of the tools in his pack would attest to that. Looking over at Tzeitel there was a bitter humor in his gaze, "Ready to go shopping, dear? We need to find the perfect pair of centaurs to assist us."
He just hoped his coin would sustain him long enough to get them closer to the slaves. He knew the rules. The rich could go up and check on the 'goods' before the auctions began. If they were fortunate then that would be the time to find Aaron and Khali...
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 9:34 pm
Khali would have had to be blind not to notice the crowd that had started to form around the Auction block. It was perhaps the first time she'd been grateful to be behind bars. She wanted notice to do with their prying hands, twisting her head this way and that with sharp nails. The slaves were now separated from the viewing public by a small fencing of thin, gnarled iron bars. She would have backed as far away from them as she could, had she not been chained to it.
One cattaur in particular clucked his tongue when he saw the missing flesh of her ear, and sipped fermented wine from his gilded cup. He turned to his companions, two more of his kind, and spoke about her as if she wasn't smart enough to understand.
"I think this one would be just grand for the mine, don't you? She's younger than most of this lot, and yet, she's well built. If she didn't have all the bumps and bruises, I'd be tempted to bid on her myself, but she seems like a fine buy for your brother...?"
"Thomas." The other cattaur sighed and stepped forward to get a good look at her. "I'm afraid he would take this one to bed. You know his hoof fetish." He grimaced. "What the hell is wrong with her hand? Look, that one there?"
If they hadn't magically silenced the slaves before dragging them up Khali would have laid into him. As it stood, she could only attempt to hide the appendage behind the iron before he plucked it back into open view. "...pity." Dropping her hand, the group left to check out the others.
Khali flexed the digits of her left hand, and found that after all this time they still couldn't form a proper fist. She leaned her head against the iron railing, and took a deep breath. Key bones had broken on her first bandit raid, back when she had found that Raiden had been kidnapped instead of snug at home, and they hadn't healed properly. To her, it was just par for the course, but now...
Was this it? Was she really going to be sold? Heroes always had flowing capes, gilded swords, and stories that spanned the ages. Where was her ******** cape? A sword would be pretty nice, too, and any story would be better than the reality she was living.
Flitting between blind fearful rage, and desperation, Khali scanned the crowd one last time...and tried to scream. She bellowed and kicked, rattling not only her chains, but those of the ones closest to her. Aaron! Aaron! I'M OVER HERE. AARON! AARON, PLEASE! Tears of frustration, relief, and a thousand other emotions pricked at her eyes. What could she do?
Iron...the bars were made of iron...which was just a combination of base ores found in mines. Khali's blood was roaring through her ears, and her heart couldn't have beat faster. Her arms shook while her mind raced through possibilities, and then it dawned on her. As fast as the idea came to her, Khalidah raised her manacles and banged on the bars as hard as she could. The action radiated up her arms, but she didn't care. She slammed the manacles against the bars once more with all of her strength.
Again, again, and again she slammed it until blood flew like sweat from around the iron, all the while her mind screamed out for Aaron to see her. If he did, they could get out. She could help him!...but that wasn't it. She was scared, and hadn't realized just how scared until she thought everything could be ripped away from her. If she had to watch him be sold...
"Stop that!" An overseer brought his whip across the rump, and knocked her to her knees. When that didn't stop her, he set in on her back until her noise had quieted.
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:06 pm
It was a double edged sword that kept Tzeitel's eyes on the masses of slaves they passed. While she hated having to see such terror without being able to help, it also kept her from noticing how she herself was being stared at. The only thing that kept her from succumbing to the fear in her belly was the stallion she clung to. Raiden would protect her... Her, who was usually on the sidelines, tending to them with bandages after the other three had come back from a fight. Warming the meals on cold nights, and finding cool water on hot days. Rarely ever in the thick of their missions. This... was almost too much to bear. If they could help all these other poor souls in the process...
She blinked in surprise as Raiden spoke, brought back to the present. Right... This was supposed to be nothing new to her.. A weak smile was forced into place. "Why, thank you, darling. It's beautiful." She could barely keep the tremors out of her voice. She took a deeper breath, and calmed her smile as the shining decoration was put into place, still oblivious to the reason for the display. "A pair with strong backs to lift those heavy loads around," she confirmed, voice a little stronger. She had to do this for Aaron, and Khali. For Raiden.
Khali... Khali... Khali... The only thought that kept him shuffling forward. Khali was being held somewhere around here. He tried to be covert as he looked around for her, but having only one useful eye made it difficult. He could tell the buck kept looking back at him suspiciously whenever his head turned noticeably, unlike the others in the line, whose heads were practically dragging on the ground in defeat.
A lot of attention was being drawn to someone banging their chains at a nearby auction block. He gave the noise an idle glance, and then full-on stared. Was that..? Of course it was! "KHALI!" He shouted out, his group not yet silenced, yanking on his chains as he had to watch the whip strike her repeatedly. "Don't touch her you son-of-a-!" His own renewed energy brought the cervitaur back to him, and his skull sparked with pain as he earned one sharp punch, and then another.
"Looks like ya didn't learn your lesson properly. That ain't your girl anymore. Ain't nothing yours anymore. You're the one who's gonna belong to one of those fine taur out there." Striking the chains loose of the others, he started pulling Aaron back to the 'lesson' grounds.
His own blood was pounding through his body wherever it wasn't leaking out of it instead, and his breathing was rough and hectic.
'Boy, if you can't lift that load, what good are ya?... Don't talk back to me that way! I say you're wrong, so you are!... Ma, get out my strap. This boy is going to listen to some leather, if he doesn't want to listen to me...'
Aaron grit his teeth hard, fighting off the memories. It wasn't his father dragging him around. It was some twisted psycho who took too much pleasure from beating others. It was someone who needed to be brought down a peg... He looked back for Khali, but the customers had already moved to block his view again. Khali... It was someone he needed to fight off if he was going to save her from being sold and taken where he couldn't find her... He realized he was being stared at by some of the customers, and getting mixed reviews considering his outburst. Most murmured to each other and pointed at him, which only agitated him further. What could they possibly be saying about him? They couldn't be interested in someone that even the slavers were having trouble with! Teeth gritting tight, he allowed himself to be led until they were blocked from the main view of the customers and other slavers.
The cervituar suddenly turned around and cracked his knuckles gleefully. "Been a while since I had such a troublesome student~"
Now, Aaron dug in his hooves. "You'll be getting the lesson this time," he growled as he watched the sharp knuckles come at him. He ducked under the fist, shoved himself forward, and caught the cervi by surprise. His hands flew up, and he wrapped the chain around the buck's neck, watching the once smug face turn red, and then blue, as his own arms turned red from the buck's nails digging into his skin. Khali was stuck in a cage... He had to get her out, no matter what happened to himself...
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Posted: Wed Jun 26, 2013 11:45 pm
Raiden could taste the blood in his mouth from where he had bit his lip to keep himself from yelling profanities at the slavers. He had arrived just in time to catch the end of the commotion. Dammit, Khali. What was so hard with trusting him to come for her and Aaron? After all the years of watching his sister from the shadows…it was like he was back to their younger days when he had to chase after her in the city, protecting her from the messes that her actions usually stirred up. He had been so successful too and then Aaron and Tzeitel had come their way. Not that he could complain. Squeezing his companion’s arm tightly Raiden pulled free as he followed the cervitaur and Aaron as quickly as he could. “Stay close, but not too close.” He had whispered to Tzeitel holding loosely to her hand as he moved after the two figures. A bump however made him loose his grip and the centaur cursed before being truly separated by a group of guards who were focused on herding more slaves. He couldn't stop now...he would be caught if he stumbled and then Aaron would be out of his sight...Raiden cursed. I'll be right back to find you Tzeitel...please don't lose me.
But if he knew his friend then this situation was not going to be good. His fists clenched. Damn it all! If he didn't move now no telling how much more trouble Aaron would be in!
If Aaron were to kill the cervitaur…as much as Raiden wanted to hesitate and watch the scene end horribly for the cervi, but wonderfully for the two of them he realized the consequences would be much more. Khali would never forgive me… Either way she would be pissed at this next action of his. Hilt out Raiden shoved his sword’s hilt into Aaron’s back. He winced silently at his companion’s current condition and wrenched the cervitaur from his death grasp. “Should be careful.” He commented to the cervitaur after sending a quick apologetic look and warning to Aaron. Trust me, please.
Watching as the cervitaur rubbed his bruised neck Raiden grabbed at Aaron’s chains roughly, “This one.” He stated simply with harsh purpose. “I want this guy here.” His grin was slanted, an expression which had never crossed the centaur’s face. “I enjoy these types. So full of spirit, so fun to break. I enjoy such challenges.”
“Fine-“
“No. Actually, there’s no fun in that.” Raiden watched as confusion lit the cervi's face and then without hesitation let his fist fly towards the cervitaur and he watched with glee as the cervi fell backwards. Of course the commotion to come was expected and Raiden tugged Aaron’s chains as another guard ran towards them. “I took care of the slave who was rebelling. He had this other guy down, but I managed to save him.” He commented looking proud. “And I’ve claimed him as mine for now.”
All it took was a few coins passed to the guards. After all who would miss such a centaur on the slave block anyway? They were lucky to sell him as it was. As he walked himself and Aaron back away from the slaver’s eyes Raiden pressed a key into Aaron’s hands. In the rustle of the crowd it was an easy slip. “Don't worry. We'll get Khali out next...” Raiden asked after a few steps before pausing. And Tzeitel. Please tell me she stayed right here… His gaze turned sharp and the centaur scanned the crowd. His stomach clenched. She had to be safe as well…he cursed the fact that he had been forced to let go of her hand. He had to find her! Dammit…and soon the chaos was about to be released as well.
Nearby where crowds waiting for the auctions to begin a group of rather rough looking taurs began to gather. Around the sides of the blocks were crates as well…full of explosives to go perfectly with the normally innocent firecrackers in the group of ruffians’ packs.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 8:22 am
AARON! Khalidah's heart was so full of hope that the lashes barely phased her. He was upset; for her! He sounded so desperate to get to her, and she couldn't make it up to him! Something wasn't right though; something was wrong with Aaron. Was he truly that afraid, or...? No. No, it had to be something else, he would never act out like that unless he had proof he could get out! And yet, as he was struck, so was she, and had she not been silenced, he may have heard her shrieks.
By the time the overseer had moved on, Khali was slumped against the iron, head hung down and eyes closed. She'd begged, pleaded for it to stop so she could break out, but where was her energy? And why was she crying? Crying was for sissies and pansies! She had to stop it! Stop it before - Khali's breath hitched. Smokey eyes had opened to not only see Aaron and that damn cervi...but Raiden! She clutched the bars and pressed her face into the gap.
Let him go! I'll tear your face off, you little s**t! I'LL KILL YOU FOR THAT. I WILL KILL YOU.
"Damn it, Michaelis, get in there and get that thing off Reynid!" The overseer leaped around the fence of bars, his paws kicking up a stream of dust, and that was the last that she saw. Where was he?! Raiden was there, she'd seen him! But where was Tzeitel? If he was here, why wasn't she? She tried to stand, but when her legs only fell from underneath her, Khali craned her neck around the legs of the patrons to try to sneak a peek. She couldn't hear anything over the flurry of gossip, but she did see blue and yellow...
"Get up, ye lazy git, ye're lots up." A sharp kick had her scrambling for her hooves. The blood, her wounds; none of it stung as much as the sight that awaited her. They were gone. Khali kept telling herself that they had a plan, something had to come through, something, anything...None of it worked to calm the panic she'd felt.
The row of slaves were lead to the larger auction stand, and one by one they were detached from the rest. Each made the long walk up the short ramp, and were displayed like hogs for slaughter. Khalidah gulped, her breath coming out shaky. If she fought now, she would only be killed; she wasn't strong like Aaron. He could beat his way out, but she needed a weapon. Ah-ha! The Auctioneer had a dagger attached to his hip; it was a small thing, but if she could get in close enough...
When it came time for Khali to make the walk, her steps were just as slow as the rest. From the back of the stage she couldn't see much, all she could hear was the shouted prices and offers before a gavel was slammed. Now, as she mounted the ramshackle wooden platform all she could see was a sea of snakes in taur clothing.
She stood in line behind an attractive male by any standard, who had the entire congregation in an uproar.
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Posted: Thu Jun 27, 2013 3:59 pm
Tzeitel felt her heart beat faster as her grip on Raiden loosened. They had to be relaxed. They had to be calm. Khali was behind bars, and Aaron was being taken who knew where! She couldn't falter. She couldn't-! She gasped as she was bumped to the side, and away from Raiden. She looked down at her empty hand, and then back up to where her companion had been. The area was now occupied by stern guards and hopeless victims.
"Raiden?" she squeaked, eyes widening with fear. He was gone... She held tight to her parasol as she stood frozen next to the depressive line of slaves. He wouldn't leave her. He would come back, if she stayed right where he'd last had her. He had to... Or maybe she should try to go get Khali? That would be the useful thing to do, but her legs... they wouldn't move.
That is, they wouldn't move on their own. When she felt someone grab her arm, she felt a hint of relief. Raiden! But.. the grip was too harsh.. She winced, and looked over at the pale hand gripping her arm.
One of those who had eyed the centauress earlier was quite pleased with himself. "A guy like that, leaving a pretty thing like you alone? He doesn't deserve to have you~" he crooned, giving their surroundings another glance to make sure Raiden was truly gone before turning and yanking Tzeitel with him. "Fighting isn't going to do you any good either," he warned as she dug in her hooves and punched weakly at the hand gripping her. He could barely feel her terrified hits. "Your boy is probably off finding some pretty slave for some company tonight anyway." To make his point, he tore off the decoration that Raiden had given her and dropped it to the ground.
His hands clenched tighter... A brief question of how far he would go flicked through his mind. He wanted to strangle the life out of this worthless body. Out of the body of the overseer he had seen whipping Khali... All of them...
A sharp knock to his back sent Aaron jumping, spinning to face his new adversary as he wobbled from pain. ...Raiden!? His mind instantly sharpened, and his already shaking legs easily collapsed out from under him at his direction. Let Raiden look in control. He sent a glare at Raiden as his chains were yanked, not trying hard at all to look angry. It wasn't Raiden he was angry at though...
A sour smirk rose as the cervitaur dropped under Raiden's fist, and he struggled to get his legs stable under himself as they headed away from the scene. He was gasping for air, but his own pain didn't matter. Somehow, he got his shaking hands to maneuver the key and unchain himself. As soon as he was free, he grabbed Raiden's arm with a grip that tried to portray what his words couldn't. 'Thank you. I'm sorry. We have to get Khali.'
Since Tzeitel wasn't in sight, he assumed that she was somewhere safe. No way Raiden would bring her here. He grabbed up a towel to wipe the blood from his face as much as he could, trying to make sure he could at least keep the vision in his non-swollen eye clear! Figuring that Raiden would either follow or go off to complete whatever plan he seemed to have, Aaron darted off to slip through the camp and get near the auction blocks, his heart nearly stopping when he saw her next in line for bidding. Those pieces of filth... He needed just a few seconds. One moment to be able to free her... He got as close to the auction block as he could manage to sneak his large frame, and did the hardest thing he'd ever had to do... He waited, watching Khali stand out in the open...
'Come on, Raiden. What trick do you have up your sleeve?'
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