[Rattling Chains] Good Morning Sunshine (Invite)

[Puck]

The sun had not shone in the gods knew how long. All the way from the pits of Ravok to who knew, darkness had dominated their lives. Chained and tossed into a wagon with numerous other slaves, the sound of hammering was that of their coffin being nailed shut. Food had been scarce along the journey, being slipped in by a hinged door on the top of the wagon. Those that had not the strength nor the willpower to collect their sustenance would starve and die. Indeed, those present in this particular wagon could tell somebody had died recently--- things were beginning to smell. So they continued, living a meager, bound existence as they were carted off to a land nobody knew of. Everybody had assumed this shipment was to be one of pleasure slaves, as it was entirely female. Bound for exotic lands to please high ranking nobles and kings, the type of tale told by the fireside. Indeed, many of those on the shipment would find their impending existence to be pleasant in comparison to many fates. Well, all except one. Poor Descant was never meant to be on this shipment. Poor Descant never made it home. Poor Descant never again saw the light. Their wagon creaked as it continued down the road it was traveling on. A while ago, nobody could be sure how long, there had been the sounds of shouts and yelps outside the wagon. Later their captors had dropped fresh meat into the wagon. The Kelvic right next to Descant had apparently stashed some of it beneath her, as the smell of rancid meat had began to plague his nostrils. A fox lay pressed against his back, held in her animal form by a wicked metal collar similar to his own. No conversation took place, in fact little had been said toward Descant for most of the journey. Despondent silence dominated the tight confines of his wagon, penetrated only by the sounds of the outside. Birds were singing, the slavers made the occasional joke, the sun shone, and the world in general continued its course. As much as it might please the egos of these Kelvic slaves, Mizahar did not stop rotating because they had been captured and exported. Nobody stopped and cried for their plight. In fact nobody had a second thought about it. Nobody cared, not in the slightest. Descant was alone. Their wagon lurched to a stop, and the Kelvic next to Descant gasped as the meat she had lodged by her slid along the wagon's bottom to rest against his collar bone. Footsteps could be heard outside, and suddenly a loud noise. The roof of their prison shivered as a crowbar slipped between it and the wagon top. It was pried up, and slivers of sunlight streamed in to blind Descant after the eternity of darkness. Another crowbar lifted the other side, and soon enough the lid was removed. On one side stood a bald man with flat lips, dull eyes, and a facade about as warm as Avanthal. He allowed the crowbar to drop and his arms folded to examine the cargo. The other crowbar wielder wore a ragged beard with his leather armor, a wildly excited look on his face as he scratched his balding scalp. Leaning in close to Descant, he spoke "Good morning sunshine!."

[Kavala]

TIMESTAMP: 50th of Fall, 510 AV

She waited quietly to one side. The first time she'd shown up to greet a shipment at Rattling Chains, the slavers had been startled. They didn't know what she was going to do or why she had been there. The Konti hadn't spoken to them at first, not really, but had kept a satchel filled with medical supplies close at hand. She hadn't judged them nor interfered with their processes either. It wasn't her place. But like many, she'd learned of the camp and knew the conditions slaves were shipped under. And so careful questioning had revealed when shipments generally came in - she missed a few of the odd ones or late ones - but in general she was there as a quiet presence to greet the newcommers when she could be.

It wasn't as if she condoned the act of slavery. She didn't. But there was an urgent need for healing for all the creatures that came shipped in. And slavers would not pay for healers as a rule. No one was staffed. Not, especially, for those deemed pet and pleasure class. Kavala did not charge for her services. She hadn't even really asked if she could preform them. One day, shortly after she'd arrived in Riverfall and taken on her bracelet, she'd just arrived at their camp and assumed duties. She simply appeared and as the kelvics were unloaded one by one, she'd step forward and give them a careful examination. Broken limbs were dealt with. Aches and pains for long confinement were soothed. Parasites were identified and treated. Often a bath was needed for each and every one of them - it was something that they did automatically to get the kelvics ready for sale. Mostly, she just requested fresh food and water for everyone - for most of her patients were starving.

More importantly though, she felt their psyche. She gently probed their minds and sometimes she'd glance up at the slavers and offer careful suggestions for placement. "Please, no children in the household for this one." She'd sometimes say in regards to the ones that had been either tormented by children already or had fought in the pits or been used as fodder. Other times she'd say something like ... "This one has a damaged mind. Be careful for there is not much left of her within." Kavala didn't know what happened to those types. Selling them gave the slavers a bad reputation. Culling them, often, was a kindness. She couldn't possibly think of the fact they sometimes kept them confined and used them for other pleasures or turned them loose to be hunted for sport. Sometimes phobias would crop up... fear of water, tight places, the color red. She'd report what she learned and after all the slaves were unloaded she'd leave. Ravok didn't always send the best of the best. But sometimes a group would come in that were undamaged, bright minded, and perfectly suited to be Akalak companions. Kavala would let the slavers know that too.

And if she missed a shipment, she'd roam the camp and offer services where she could. Regardless, she tried to bring comfort and health to those that she could.

She hated that they did it, brought the women here, but she knew that if the Akalak didn't have a need for them and thus a trade generated, the wagon loads would be killed in Ravok - thrown away for nothing. Here at least they had a chance for a life. And she helped them with that chance. The slavers ignored her too for the most part, altering none of their behavior to spare her delicate Konti sensibilities. They still told their rude jokes. They still handled the females in front of her, often uncollaring them and asking them to shift to get a good look at how pretty or plain they were in their humanoid forms. Pricing, they called it. It wasn't pleasant for Kavala. And it brought back memories of her own confinement. And she never did quite relax until they were back collared in animal form and taken for display. Others were taken elsewhere, secretly sorted, though she didn't know why. She couldn't think of why. There were other slaves here, Kavala knew, but she didn't touch them or seek them out. She only treated the kelvics for they were the ones she could 'feel'.

It would break her heart each time. But she kept coming back as if it were a compulsion. And so it was that she was there, working on the shipment, as the Cheetah was removed from the wagon.

[Descant Shepard]

For what seemed like weeks to him, Descant layed in the dark. He hated the dark, people often took advangtage of darkness in order to harm others, or commit dark and otherwise unappealing deeds. He was of course paranoid, as always, but not for the reason one might think. He couldnt see very well, but he knew that the only ones around him were females. He was the only male, what would happen when the people that had loaded them found out that he was male? Would they try and kill him? He wasn't so confident abou what he would do in that situation. He hadnt seen enough of them to really understand the way they move to think up a strategy. He was as nervous as he possibly could be, he didnt know what was to come.

Where ever they were, it wasn't at all suitable for anyone's nostrils, pet nor king, not anyone could appreciate it. He didnt know where it was coming from. Eithers some of the women had relieved themselves or someone hadnt eaten something that should've been eaten a long time ago. he'd hoped that t was only spoled food, but how could he really be sure? His senses were too sensitive to really tell. He didnt much care, his ears were constantly searching for signs of them stopping. he hoped that it would happen soon. The fox leaning against him was quite irritating, as he didnt at all liked to be touched. He didnt at all try to learn anyone's name, or get aquainted in anyway, he knew that in situations like these, getting attached to someone wasn't smart, it only creates an opening for heartbreak, something he couldnt at all afford. So , for now, the fox would be allowed to lean against him. For all he could figure, she may either be hurt, or somehow she realized that he was male and found a bit of comfort from leaning against one. He'd kind of hoped that the birds, the most annoying of the kelvics to him only because they dont understand the meaning of silence, would have stopped singing by now but apparently they didn't share his love for it.

Descant jumps as he hears the crowbars jam under the slab of wood that covered the opening, he was rather close to it and got the blunt of the sunlight. It burned, badly, he pawed his eyes to rub away the blindness before the rancid breath of one of the drivers filled his nose, but it wasnt worse than what lied behind him, the meat...the one next to him seemed to have hidden it but when they stopped, it hit him. He must have been too deep in thought to notcie. He let out a hiss as the man spoke to him, he didnt exactly like people, but he disliked males most of all, it was an instinctive type of thing more than a actual dislike. He understood why they were so vile and unkempt as opposed to women who usually kept themself clean and presentable. As the pulled on the chain to unload him, he tried to stand but only manages to stagger out of the wagon. He had a chest injury from a recent fight he'd had at the pit before he was "accidentally" loaded into this wagon. He hadnt time to try and stitch it or get it looked at, it was still open and still bleeding. It has festered and would need attention, he knew that if it wasn't, it would certainly would get infected.

He stared up at the men from the ground and growled a bit before looking to the left and seeing a woman. She was pale, her hair was almost white it seemed, but not from age, but of her natural being. He wondered what would happen now....Him being a male in a bunch of females, what the "glowing" woman was there for, if the man that spoke to him would ever brush his teeth?

He wouldnt ever know.......nor did he care...he won enough fights to feel accomplished....but, it would be nice to experience more than just death and blood..

[Puck]

Haev, as usual, ignored the Konti's presence until she was needed. She was a benefit to his endeavors, and never would he refuse free aid. Every time Kavala applied her magical hands to a wound, the slaver saved some coin while helping send a healthy slave to Riverfall. The Akalak always wanted their cargo as such. It mattered little in the long run to Haev, he would play by their rules as long as he continued to be compensated for it. So as the mercenaries pried open the two remaining wagons, the bald and surprisingly clean man gazed at their contents with his dull eyes. By all outward appearances he was inspecting the cargo, though few truly knew what went on in his mind. All was as it seemed, and the slavemaster began giving out orders with his lifeless drone. "Geoff, remove the corpse and rancid meat from the third wagon." He pointed to the five slaves, excluding Descant, and spoke again, "Tulok and Jeroi, take these five to the healer for immediate attention. The rest will receive examination after they have been tended to. Uvon, Deriphe, and James, see to it that the rest are fed and ready to be examined when the healer is ready." As the mercenaries began pulling their tasked slaves from the wagons, Haev glanced over to Kavala and addressed her, "I am to assume your services will once again require no compensation? I assure you our faculties are far less adept at the task, and the efficiency you lend us is appreciated." Though the word had emanated from his mouth, nothing in Haev's tone suggested "appreciation". In fact, there was hardly a tone at all. Allowing the Konti to drop from his mind as the five Kelvics were taken to her, he strode over to the wagon Descant lay in. As the slaver stared down at Descant with those unnerving eyes, an understanding seemed to pass between the two. There was no judgment from this man. He did not seek to belittle or ridicule Descant, nor did he wish him any ill will. Not a single spark of irritation flared within Haev as he glanced down at the single male in this shipment. No, he did not feel any negative emotions toward Descant. He did not feel anything at all. So no remorse registered in his voice as he spoke, "Evanam, it appears as if Ravok has accidentally given us a male. Please evaluate him and then escort him to the mines. We must determine how long before he dies."

[Kavala]

Kavala waited quietly. She never interfered or commented on the goings on because it was too important to her to monitor the health of the kelvics coming into the city and to do so would perhaps jeopardize her ability to be here and treat them. As the first five came over, her eyes automatically sorted them and began working on the kelvics as they were presented to her. Most were unfortunately creatures that had either bonded before or had been raised in a traumatic environment. Some would go to people that actually cared for them. Kavala was surprised, actually, by the levels that some Akalak would allow their new pets to rise too. And even if they were considered pets, the treatment these creatures got here in Riverfall would be far better than they had gotten in Ravok. Kavala wasn't certain, but she suspected living a life as a pampered pet would be better - far better - than dying in the pits for someone else's entertainment.

"No, Sir. I appreciate you allowing me to come practice my skills. As a healer of Rak'keli there is a compulsion to aid and assist. The Goddess' blessing of these gifts are compensation enough." The Konti said softly, smiling slightly as her hands were already busy running through the fur of a squirrel that was in her arms. Young. Travel worn. The creature needed a bath, some food, and reassurance. Her left leg was sore too. Probably from being jostled inside the wagon along with bigger creatures. Kavala channeled power through her marks and eased the pain of the strain and subsequent bruising. She whispered to the squirrel about how beautiful she was and how much she hoped she'd like Riverfall before she handed her over and moved on to the next patient.

Cuts, bruises, and one very bad respiratory infection. It happened sometimes. Travel was stressful, and in cramped conditions, illness could spread. This looked like a new outbreak, so Kavala prescribed herbs she handed to the slavers without charge and asked politely that the kelvic with the bad respiratory infection be separated and allowed to rest for a few days taking the herbs twice a day. She assured the slavers that the woman would be fine with rest and medicine, before turning to her final charge.

She was in the middle of examining that kelvic (after just having introduced herself and asked the kelvic her name to which the creature hadn't responded - they almost never did nor did they shift to human form) - who seemed to be suffering from anxiety and nothing else - when she caught sight of the cheetah and overheard their comments. Azure eyes looked over and caught sight of the creature even as her nose wrinkled at the smell of festering flesh. Her hands continued her current patients examination, even as she uncharacteristically raised her voice to address the slavers.

"He won't live more than a few days at the mines with that wound. It's festered and will have poisoned his blood. It looks old too. They don't clean out easily, not without a lot of work and vigilance. How much is he worth to the mine like that? Not much I'd say. Sell him to me for a fair price and I'll take him to Sanctuary where he can recover. We always need extra hands - strong ones - to help." She added, continuing to stroke the current patient, trying to ease her anxiety and calm her down. While she waited for their reply, she carefully eased the scratches on the kelvic's nose (probably from pressing into the bars) and handed her off to one of the other slavers with a look that said volumes about 'feeding her' immediately.

[Descant Shepard]

Descant layed on the ground, removed from the wagon, staring up at Haev. His observant golden eyes steady, he studied the trader. It was his nature. He heard the words from Haev's own mouth. He was most likely going to die. That’s how these things went. They knew he was male, and the also probably knew that he wasn’t worth much while injured. Though, his eyes shot over to the "glowing" woman off to the side as she spoke. As he'd previously thought, he wouldn’t last long. He would die; how wouldn’t even die honorably, in a fight, or protecting anyone, but from an infection. A pathetic way for a fighter to die instead of at another warriors hands.
His eyes looked to the ground then up under himself at his chest were the festered wound occupied his chest. He grunted and tried to stand again but he couldn’t, He wanted to at least show that he was still strong, but he couldn’t even do that. He simply gave in to his body and layed there and watched the woman as she spoke. He tilted his head as she spoke to Haev about buying him. If he were in his human for, his eyes would’ve narrowed and he would’ve been visually upset with what she'd said. He didn’t like the sound of being bought. He wasn’t a toy that could just be sold because the child didn’t want it anymore because it wouldn’t work. He was a warrior from the pits. He was supposed to either die or fight. Not be sold like a useless plaything. But alas, there was nothing he could do about it. If they did decide to sell him, he would have to just do as they commanded; he wasn’t in any condition to fight. If he was he would’ve easily taken out the guards with the slight limp or the one that seemed to be blind in one eye but as far as he could see from Haev, that man didn’t have a weakness he could exploit, he'd have had to fight him straight on and might've lost.

He wasn’t a worker either, all he knew was fighting. But, recovering did sound spectacular and the woman didn’t seem as if she was lying. He watched how she'd handled the squirrel. She'd cared for it with the most delicate method. If she could handle something so small in such a way, then imagine what she could do for me. He didn’t much like it, but he felt he may be able to trust this woman, though he couldn’t determine such a thing just yet. He had to really experience how this woman would interact with others on a daily basis. Not just now.

[Kavala]

NoteContinuing the thread with Baku's permission and price.

Kavala quieted when Haev spoke. He seemed to think things over and then firmly nod as if in decision. "Well, honestly he wont last long in the mines with those wounds. And even if you completely healed him, Kelvics in general don't do well underground if they are above ground type animals. He's a cheetah, which is next to useless for mining. We'd have done well with a badger or ground squirrel. I'll take 50 gold miza's for him. If he were female, he'd be worth a hundred times that. But as he is and so sick, he's damaged." Kavala thought things over carefully, then slowly nodded. She fished the 50 gold mizas out of her healers bag and handed them over to Haev. She then signed the paperwork he gave her to transfer ownership over to herself, and had them move the male over to the side. His wounds were bad, but they weren't immediately life threatening.

So Kavala took the rest of the time to quietly and methodically heal the rest of the wounds among the females which consisted of bruises, bumps, sprains and two broken limbs. When she was satisfied enough with the work she moved to Descant and began to work on him enough to get him home and safely cleaned up. Once there, she could do the rest of the healing and then crawl into bed to sleep off the effort for a while before resuming her duties.

When she was done and they were getting ready to go, Kavala turned to Descant and looked her fill of him. "I am a firm person when it comes to rules, but I want to reassure you that where we are going, you will be safe, fed, and treated well so long as you follow the rules. The rules are simple, fair, and designed to keep everyone safe. I'll explain them to you when we get there. Are you ready to come with me?" She asked, glancing at the slavers and not quite believing they were so willing to give up slaves that easily.

Well, it did make sense though. Wounded, male, predator... the cheetah had more strikes against him than gold stars. He was a liability rather than an asset. And he was one she was willing to take care of for them. Maybe it was for the best that Descant came back to Sanctuary with her. After all, she had a very special purpose for him. One he'd either like or not, depending on how the future worked out.

[Descant Shepard]

Descant watched the Glowing Woman and the Man standing over him speaking to one another. He cringed at the the deal made, hearing the price placed on him. He didnt like the thought of being considered property, or goods. He growled to himself, no particular thought behind it, but frustration at the situation. As the men moved him, he growled at the pain in his chest, snatching away from them as soon as he was put near Kavala. He watched as Kavala worked on the other Kelvics, watching her tend to their bumps, bruises, broken limps and sprains, admiring her efficiency but still wary of her.

As Kavala approached him, he stared up at her, his eyes focused and alert, looking for any sign of aggression. But, to his surprise, he couldnt find any, which didnt yet put him at ease. He seemed to tense as she neared him. He listened to her words carefully, understanding about her rules and being firm about said rules. He did, however, like the idea of being treated well and fed, and being safe. He wondered, though, where "there" was, unfortunately he couldnt ask because he was stuck in his animal base. As she asked if he was ready to leave with her, he considered whether he was actually ready or not, even though that wouldnt actually matter, it didnt seem as though he had a choice. He simply nodded, seeing as though he didnt want to leave with the slavers.

As far as he could see, this woman truly cared for his kind. It seemed that she looked for these types of things to make sure that the "cargo" was well taken care of. but where could she possibly have been taking him? Why did she buy him instead of just treating him and sending him on his way? These were al questions he intended to ask her but couldnt at the moment. He wondered if the place she was taking him would have people like him. If so, how would they treat him as well?

[Kavala]

Kavala finished her transaction, carefully thanked the slavers and promised she'd be back for the next shipment. Then, and only then, did she turn back to Descant, reach out and touch his head gently and ask him to shift. "I'm going to take you back to Sanctuary, Descant. You can get some rest there, have food, and relax for a while. But we need to go by horse since it is a long way. Will you take your human shape so we can ride together? My Strider is smart, but he's not yet used to a Cheetah.

She was curious too what he looked like beneath the filth of the road and the fur on his form. Humans were harder for her to judge than animals, but she'd feel better looking into his eyes and figuring out what he really needed form her to heal.

Once he'd shifted, she'd help him mount and then mount up ahead of him and set her strider into a run. The horses on the Sea of Grass could cover distances quickly. And since Riverfall was perched on the edge of Cyphrus and its Sea of Grass, the trip as quickly made even double and even with a somewhat wild kelvic.

Kavala might have been stupid trusting a pit fighter like she was, but there was something about Descant that she wanted, no needed, to help. Once home, she'd subject him to the rules, bathe him, and then let him know how and what life was going to be like for as long as he chose to stay there.

Continued Here.

[Baku]

Thou has written, and thou has completed, so I award thee the following.... Kavala: +1 Investigation, +3 Medicine, +1 Negotiation, +2 Rhetoric Lore: The Rattling Chains, The Urge to Heal Over Unsavory Locations, Suggestions for Placement, One of Rattling Chain’s Purposes: The Lesser of Two Evils, Slave Kelvic Treatment, Treating Kelvic Anxiety, Offering Monetary Gain Over Partial Kelvic Labor to Slavers, Saving A Kelvic Through Trade, Explaining and Offering, Curiosity of Descant, Descant: +3 Observation, +1 Investigation, Lore: Hating the Dark, Paranoia of What May Come, The Pain of Lingering Pit Fighting Injuries, Wanting More From Life Than Death and Blood, Regrets Over Possibly Dying From Infection, Feeling a Helpless Situation, Hope in Kavala’s Healing Hands, Frustration Over Being Saved Through Trade, Admiration in Healing, Caution With the Unknown, Surprises and Questions, Heading to Sanctuary, New Beginnings: Sanctuary Additional Notes: Short and Sweet. As Origins and Beginnings go, this is a nice cornerstone to build on.