The games of politics|Fara, Reave

[Kender Bard]

Laura stiffens; she doesn't think she could just stand by and watch Mathew beat them. "It was only a moment, sir," she says hastily. "If I had need of them, I had only to say a word and they were at my side, diligent."

[Northen Light36]

Mathew turns an annoyed look on Laura. "You forget your place, slave," he growls. "Unless you want to share their fate, shut your mouth." He shoves Raindrop face first into the wall and raises the whip to bring it down on her back, then pauses and smirks cruelly. "But since you've taken such an interrest in these brats and I'm a generous man, I'll let you have a chance to convince me not to give them the beating they've earned."

[Kender Bard]

She suspected a ploy here; but it was worth a shot. "A slave works better when they're well rested. A starved, exhausted slave cannot match that kind of stamina. I looked around while I was out there, and you have a... considerable number of slaves; but not enough to be abusing them like you have. What will you do when all your slaves topple over, dead, one day?"

[Northen Light36]

"There's more where they came from," Mathew replies simply. He doesn't have a ploy in mind, except maybe to rub it into Laura's face how hopeless she is here. "You're not convincing me slave, and I'm beginning to be bored by your babbling."

[Kender Bard]

Laura narrows her eyes. "And where are you going to get them? People are going to get suspicious awfully fast. It's already bad enough you took me. Now the hunt is on, you're not going to get away with stealing off with anymore people."

[aivea]

There comes a knock at the door at that moment and one of the other slavers is the one knocking, so there isn't any hesistance to gain attention in the sound.

[Northen Light36]

Mathew's eyes narrow in annoyance and he calls out, "I'm coming." Glaring at Laura and the twins he snaps, "You three got lucky," before lashing out with a fist to Laura's face then storming over to the door. "What the hell is it?" he demands upon opening the door.

[aivea]

"There's a man saying he has a proposal for you in the center of town. Judging by his tone, it is of great importance," the Storm replies as calmly as possible and pretending the bruise on the side of his face didn't exist.

[Kender Bard]

Laura brings a hand to gingerly touch her cheek, tears of pain involuntarily springing to her eyes. She doesn't cry, though, and remains very silent.

[Northen Light36]

"Very well," mutters Mathew in irritation. "Just let me deal with my slaves for the night and I'll be right there." Scowling he walks over to roughly grab Laura by the arm and drag her outside to a small shed, the twins following meekly. "Get in there," he orders, shoving Laura forward.

[Kender Bard]

Laura staggers forward and braces herself against the wall, glowering at Mathew over her shoulder.

[Northen Light36]

The twins hurry in and the door is slammed shut behind them. As they sink to the floor and pull their knees up to their chests, the sound of a chain being looped through the small holes in the door and wall and then a lock clicking home can be heard in the silence as the trio of slaves are left in almost complete darkness.

"Thanks," murmurs Raindrop after Mathew's footsteps fade away. "Are you all right?"

[Kender Bard]

"I'll be okay," Laura murmurs. "What about you two?" She feels around in the dark, to get a better idea of what she's inside of and where the girls are. She winces as her wings bump into the sides, and so she firmly flattens them against her back until she feels confident enough to settle down near the twins.

[Northen Light36]

"We're all right, thanks to you," Teardrop replies, snuggling into Laura's side and shivering as a icy wind blows through the cracks in the walls of the shed. Aside from the three captives inside, the shed is quiet bare, which nothing but splintery walls and a floor that's merely dirt with a coating of mud.

[Kender Bard]

Laura fumbles a bit until her fingertips touch Teardrop's head, and she strokes the girl's hair lightly. Carefully, very carefully, she squirmed and wriggled until she was able to cup her wings to help keep them all a little warmer. "Someday, girls, we'll get out of this. Mathew has bitten off more than he can chew."