For Sale|Darkthrone, New Morilanta

[Kender Bard]

"Step lively," Lillias instructed the slave girl she brought with her. Her husband hadn't needed use of the slave, so the merchant woman was quick to utilize her. Idle slaves were such a waste at any rate.

She clutched her money purse tightly, greedily, eagerly. Today was the day she rose in influence in the eyes of her peers; she could afford another slave! Perhaps even two if she could find a cheap enough one.

[Northen Light36]

"Move," Waren growled at his two captives, shoving them into the market square as Threim went to speak a man lounging against the fence. After a brief conversation between the pair, the man and a Wind slave strode into the middle of the square.

"ATTENTION ALL!" the man shouted, his voice being amplified by his slave. "A NEW SLAVE AUCTION IS ABOUT TO BEGIN! UP FOR SALE IS A RARE PRIZE - A CLEAR! SO DON'T MISS THIS CHANCE! I REPEAT, THERE IS A NEW SLAVE AUCTION BEGINNING SOON!"

[ealintara]

Elise kept close to Ganda as best she could, trembling a little, but not like she had at first. Since they’d been captured she’d calmed some, and mainly just due to his being there and staying relatively calm himself. Her heart hammered in her chest. All that time traveling she had him there beside her, comforting her either in whispered word or silent gaze, but now she faced her greatest fear.

What if they separated them?

Standing in the square, looking over at Ganda with troubled eyes, her red hair blowing in her face, she laced her fingers together behind her back and silently prayed again that they’d remain together. She tried to put on a brave face for him, but couldn’t. Instead her eyes betrayed her fear and she shifted a hair’s width closer.

Their captor’s words made her wince. She was no prize, she no one, just a simple basket weaver who loathed the ‘power’ given her, something the man had seemed to take pride in from day one. Weren’t they hated after all that had happened? Her grandfather had always tried to hide her nature on their travels, fearing for the reception she’d get until they reached Reave. Only there did she feel a part of something, of people who, for the most part, understood.

But what would they want with a Clear, she wondered in fright.

[gandalan]

Ganda winced as he was shoved forward. His bonds, their tightness, had really hurt his wrists. Red marks of cuts were formed where the rope cut into his wrists, and they were sore. They'd not gotten much, if anything, to eat, and he was starving. He was sure, as he looked over, that it was the same for Elise. She looked terrified, and he couldn't help her. He felt pitiful, but kept close to her to lend her strength as he could.

When he heard the man cry out, a pang struck his heart. What was he worth? Was he worth as much as her? Would they be separated? He looked panicked for a moment, before gulping, and composing himself. He stood directly beside her, even allowing her to lean on him a little. He whispered down to her, in the midst of everything, in case they were... Efil!... separated... "I love you... don't ever forget that Elise."

[Kender Bard]

Lillias chewed her lip slightly. Oh yes. That would be perfect. Perfect. But she had to play the bidding war shrewdly or her money - which she already anticipated she would wind up spending every copper bit of in order to get that girl - would not suffice.

And since of course the second person to bid would want to flaunt their own status, and try to scare off competition, she bid low. Ridiculously low, in fact. "Twenty copper for the girl!"

Nearby her rival snorted. "Fifty!"

"Seventy-five!"

And so it begin. Lillias worked diligently to pace her bids until she felt victory was on the cusp. A Clear was a very fine prize, but it would be dangerous to keep around. And they were fresh, likely unbroken. It was a gamble of a purchase but Lillias felt confident in the long-term profits to be had.

"A silver and fifty copper," she announced grandly. "IF you throw in the boy! Worthless Earth trash and you'll be lucky to sell him unbroken - and you know it."

[Northen Light36]

The auctioner looked over at Threim, who considered for a moment, then nodded. "Deal!" the auctioner exclaimed. "Will anyone improve on the good lady's offer? No? Come now, yes they are unbroken, but you can see for yourselves how meek they are! An easy pair to break! No? Then this is the final call. Going once! ... Going twice! ... SOLD, to the fine lady there!"

[ealintara]

Elise stood stunned and scared, hearing her life being measured in coins, it wasn’t right, and Ganda there beside her, having to listen as she was sold off… and possibly away from him. Tears began to stream down her face as he professed his love, it sounding more like a fairwell than a reassurance. She looked up at him and whispered back, “I love you , too.” Then her vision clouded with tears and she leaned her head on his arm as she listened to the auction continue.

A tendril of hope struck her at the sound of Ganda being included. At first she thought she was imagining things, hopeful thinking tricking her ears. She glanced up at him and saw the look on his face before looking out into the crowd for the woman their captor spoke of. They would stay together?!

Despite being sold like cattle, torn from her life and stripped of her freedom, Elise smiled and saw the only silver lining to all, the one thing that would enable her to get by. She’d be with Ganda. She turned to him. “Oh, thank Efil!” And she buried her face in his chest.

[gandalan]

At first, Ganda's worst fears were confirmed... it sounded like she was going to be sold separately. As a Clear, she must be special somehow. Probably worth more than him. He wondered if that was a good thing or not...

Suddenly a women yelled out that the 'earth trash' wasn't worth much, and should be thrown in with the Clear. He shivered, not in disgust at his supposed worth, but in shock and grateful happiness that they might be sold together. He looked down at Elise, and looked shocked, but happy. So long as they could stay together, that was enough for him. The shock of almost losing her had driven him to feel this way.

He smiled down at her as she pressed her face into his chest, and listened to her. In his mind, he did thank Efil... for her ever-watchful protection. Thank Efil indeed.

[Kender Bard]

Lillias smiled slightly as she payed for the slaves and walked over to peer at them closely. Well, she supposed that meant she couldn't call her personal slave just "girl" anymore, but damned if she'd use the woman's actual name. She'd have to start calling them by Element.

The slaver woman was rather plain faced, her sickly-brown hair piled up on her head in a tight bun, except for the long bangs she allowed to fall artfully to frame her face. It was the only thing that kept her plain visage from looking nigh manly. Her clothing was far more pleasing to the eye; a skirt made of many strips of fabric sewn together to swish nicely without sacrificing modesty and her corset did well to give the illusion of a bust that wasn't really there.

She looked at Ganda briefly. Her husband would likely take him. "Are you plant or soil, Earth?" she inquired of him.

[gandalan]

Ganda slightly nudged Elise as their new owner approached, getting her to turn and look at the woman, to be respectful. He didn't want to make her angry... He knew that now, she was their Mistress, and he was frightened. What did she want of them? She looked very... proper. A bun for hairstyle, and her bangs made her look perhaps a LITTLE feminine, but that was it. He shivered, especially as she looked him over. What did she want from him?

He gulped as she asked him the question. He bowed slightly, his wrists still bound behind him, and spoke as politely as he could. "P-Plant Mistress." He wouldn't look up at her face.

[ealintara]

His nudge made her look up and Elise lowered her head a little, not that she really needed to when they both stood taller than her. She was afraid and nervous as to how this woman would treat them and took a cue from Ganda… she’d be as demur as possible and hope that would at least keep them from feeling her wrath. She didn’t look that harsh, but certainly not one who would treat them as anything more than they were now, possessions. She wondered what she’d have them do.

Glancing at Ganda, she noted how he didn’t look up at her, and she glanced back at their new Mistress, hoping to gauge her reaction to his answer by the look on her face.

[Kender Bard]

Lillias cocked her head slightly. Plant; well he'd likely be loaned out to assist in the fields now and then, but she thought of a better use for him. Perhaps he could do both.

She then moved around Elise, inspecting her. "Not precisely what I had hoped," she sighed. She had plans for the girl as well, when she wasn't being used.

Still, when they had bought their first slaves, Lillias and her husband had spent the extra coin to make sure they were already broken. This was a new experience for her. She took the ropes that bound them and tugged once. "Come along," she ordered and walked around until spotting another Storm. She approached him. "Rath," she called out. "A moment of your time?"

[Northen Light36]

Rath looked up and smirked slightly. "Hello Lillias," he greeted her then glanced over the slaves. "Coming up in the world, are we? Well, I can spare a moment. How can I help you?"

[gandalan]

Ganda was frightened eventually by the woman saying it wasn't what she had wanted. He wondered if she would be worse to them for it... he didn't get much time to think about it as the rope around his neck pulled taut. He choked for a moment until he moved, and gasped in some air, following after his Mistress.

The way she spoke to the next man didn't make him feel good at all... what was going to happen? Who was this man... and why did she need his help, now that she had two new slaves? He wondered what on earth was going to happen to them now...

[ealintara]

Elise bit her lip. Not what she hoped? What did she hope, she wondered. It was clear by the look on her face she had something in mind, not that she was sure she wanted to find out what that was.

At the order, she quickly followed the woman, having already learned to not hesitate else the rope would dig in. Poor Ganda seemed to forget and she glanced back at him as he gasped and cast him a small smile.

The man their mistress addressed didn’t seem to wear anything that would hint at his occupation and she stood quiet, stepping up to Ganda so at least her arm would find him, and didn’t take her eyes off their exchange. Something told her she wouldn’t like whatever help Mistress would ask for.