"This nubile visage of youth hides a firebrand. The markings prove this one is indeed of the Dragonkin." The barker motioned for all eyes to see the intricate scar-like marks that crisscrossed in hypnotic patterns all across the girl's skin. But, unlike any normal scar, these looked charred; utterly black except on the very outer edges which held a red tint. "I know what you all think you've heard, how dangerous these dragonspawn are... well I assure you that it is as harmless as a puppy just as long as you keep the collar on." The barker gave the chain a quick yank.
Sava wanted to snarl at the idiot that had just jerked her neck... more than that, she wanted to sink her teeth into his face. To her dismay though, he was right. Like an invisible force held her steady, the collar made sure she remained docile. She felt him touch her again and a shiver ran up her spine... gods his hands were cold! "What's more, these creatures are as wily as the beasts they hail from. It looks like us, true enough... but what could it be hiding? Wings perhaps?"
Feeling the command take root, Sava couldn't fight the feeling of her wings unfurling. Like liquid turning solid the wings took shape and spread behind her, great leathery things with hooked claws and ending in sickle-like horns. Like her marks, Sava's wings were as black as demon blood. The crowd awed at her display, a wingspan several times her own height that spread farther than the stage was wide... their marvel disgusted her. Why care? They were simply wings, all her brothers and sisters had them, it was natural. She didn't awe at humans or elves for having hair on their arms... occasionally at least.
"What can she do besides scowl?" A voice called from the crowd. This was the first time in weeks Sava had not been called an it. She hated being called "it."
"What type of question is that, good sir? I sell the finest merchandise around, not simply decorations. This commodity is as beautiful as it is powerful." Another cold hand ran through Sava's hair, showing off the coal-colored locks. She managed a barely audible hiss. "Such size belays its strength. Were it inclined, which is assured ladies and gentleman the collar prevents, it could lift and toss my whole body clean out of the marketplace."
Sava couldn't bring herself to grin for the devilish warmth she felt at the thought of chucking the cold man out that archway... or headfirst through a wall. Watching his bloody corpse slump to the ground would have been far more appealing than simply gnawing on him like she originally wanted. "Is there anything further before I begin the bidding?"
"Can she breath fire?" Sava rolled her eyes, something she could thankfully still do.
"Sorry my young sir, but no. So, without further issue I will start the bid at five thousand riol!" Another thing Sava barely understood, and that was money. Why the likes of people before her bartered in gold coins, not useful things like territory or food. Their thinking didn't make sense. Even as they bartered for the right to her very life, she still scowled at their greed. To think she herself had once been fully human left a weight in the pit of her stomach.
She let her mind leave the confines of the auction as she remembered better times. Times before a group of masked men had attacked her while she bathed. She had made several of them regret it, but the remainder had succeeded in stealing her away. Men and women trading the lives of others for shiny metal... it was truly pathetic.
Sava was not given more time to ponder when the barker yanked on her chain as he screamed, "sold!" Immediately led to the stairs, Sava was handed to a guard and practically dragged away from the stage. There was a small group of people waiting outside the rigid tent that housed the slaves. Despite their number, Sava could smell a leader's confidence. She looked straight at the one standing at front... this was the one who'd purchased her life. One the collar would force her to call "master."
The thought turned her stomach. | Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
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