Completed Restless Winds (Shiress)

[Rook]

The shock of being released was almost as intense as that of being forcibly changed into his human form and held in place. No matter how gently or apologetically the guards released him, Rook still collapsed onto the ground on his hands and knees, bleary and confused. Rook felt a gentle drape of cloth drop over him and looked up to see Ruby, eyes gentle, tucking his cloak around his naked body. Cold from the water of the river still clinging to him, Rook tucked the cloak around his body and shivered. Tenderly, Ruby ran a gentle hand through Rook’s still damp hair and Rook leaned into her fingers. The proximity and kindness of his master helped him stagger back to a mental state resembling lucidity.

Still not quite trusting his legs as strong enough to stand, Rook simply wrapped the warm cloak around him and settled himself against the ground. He glanced at the thief and the guardsmen and listened with half an ear as the guardsmen held the woman similar as to how they’d held him and demanded that she strip in order to show she carried no gold on her. Well, that was only logical, wasn’t it? Rook was puzzled at the way his master’s hand against his head tensed at the man’s demand. The woman’s refusal was even more puzzling to the kelvic. What could she possibly have to lose by taking off her clothes? Rook looked at Ruby for an explanation, but the woman’s gaze was hard, and her mouth in a tight-lipped frown that suggested she was not willing to explain anything right now.

As the attention of the guardsmen returned back to Ruby and the Commedant asked the woman a question, Ruby’s frown eased up to a more neutral expression.

“The papers? I have them in the shop.” Ruby glanced at Rook to make sure he was okay with her leaving him there, then at his quick nod she took off towards her shop. A few minutes later, she had returned carrying a small stack of papers and handed them to the man. “I think you’ll find everything is in order there,” she told him.

Rook

[Prophet]

Commandant Fettersmith smiled as Ruby handed him her papers and he took the time to check for accuracy and the official stamp which was always very hard to see since Tawny and Jill hid the mark in their signatures. He nodded with approval and returned the documents to the store owner. With a very polite air, he spoke to the woman known for her kindness. “If you find any need to have your slave inspected for damage from the transformation, you may take him to the KRI and explain the situation. If you need a reference, my name is Commandant Fettersmith. The good people there developed the solution I used on your kelvic here today and it’s quite safe.” He gave a gentle bow then turned back to other slave but not before take a final look at the redheaded boy. Fettersmith was good at his job but he was also a broker of sorts when it came to slaves. Any of his past clients would attest to his skill in negotiating such matters.

Men compartmentalize life. This situation was an event with two parties so the best way to address it was divide and conquer. The event must be assessed and it was. Then he dealt with the highest ranking person there -Ruby. Having felt satisfied in that dealing, the city guardsman turned back to the other slave, the thief. He frowned and was genuinely hurt by her statement. It was not about shame at all. He was a man of large appetites but these always dealt with a motivation for power. Exercising his current power over a slave was boring. However, if he could use this slave’s ignorance of Ravok (which was apparent due to her refusal of his request) to further his position with individuals more powerful than himself...well, this could be a very good day.

“Listen very carefully to me, slave.” Fettersmith was calm, collected and using a more gentle tone than the one he previously had to issue the order for her to strip. “I have a job to do. I must ascertain all facts in this case so that I can come to the best solution for Ravok and her people. I do not take my duties lightly.” He motioned towards the mark on her hand. “You’re the property of a resident in my city. I will do nothing to harm you or cause your value to drop. That being said, you admitted to stealing the property of one of Rhysol’s citizens.” His hands danced about here and there to emphasize his points which were many, as she would learn. “Now, your master may not wish you to be subjugated to such treatment but I would bet my left arm that he’s be more concerned that you lost her thirty gold pieces.” He drew a dagger from his belt and held it in a way that suggested he knew how to use it and well. His voice dropped a bit but his tone remained consistent.

“I’ll repeat my request that you remove your garment and prove that the money pouch was lost to the lake. If not, I’ll cut your clothes from you myself. Once we establish this truth, we can then work on a resolution that replaces what Miss Ruby has lost.” When Fettersmith said her name, he turned to acknowledge the shopkeeper. Kind as she was, Ruby was a Ravokian and she understood the propriety of these proceedings. The look on her face was quietly complicit but not from fear or any other foul motivator. Ravok always looked after its own and the structure that supported her economy may have been different from other places but it held the full backing of the community.

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[Shiress]

Shiress stared daggers at the man speaking of his duties. She knew full well that there were other, more civil, ways to check a body for a hidden coin pouch, rather than have her strip bare in front of these people, but she remained silent, continuing the struggle to keep her composure.
Since learning of the Eypharian's corrupted means of enslaving her, any situation to where Shiress was reminded that she was, in fact, still a slave, or even treated as such, produced such raw indignation that it made the feat of composure nearly impossible.

Shiress wasn't born into slavery. She had never been auctioned, or traded off as property. Sayana didn't buy Shiress, the woman had stolen her, manipulated her mind, and called her slave. Even the mark on Shiress's hand that the man currently pointed out, wasn't even Sayana's mark. The mark was Elijah Jordan's mark, from Sunberth -a true, albeit dead, slaver. Sayana wasn't even a slaver.

She wondered, vaguely, if there were laws in place against the illegal ownership of a slave, but the thought of slaves having rights nearly made the girl laugh out loud. Had there been those laws, though, it may get rid of Sayana...but, no, Shiress wouldn't let herself entertain that thought -she had plans of her own, and needed to play a very careful game to achieve them.

Shiress's eyes flitted around to the guards, to Ruby, the Kelvic, then back to the Commander, before alighting on the dagger in his hand. She was helpless and Shiress knew it. With a soft intake of breath, the slave began to undress, first sliding the dress across her shoulders, then pulling her arms free, holding the garment a tick against her chest, before letting it go to crumple around her ankles. Shiress lifted her face, meeting the man's eyes, even as her bare form began to tremble.

Beautiful Boxcode Credit: Rohka

[Rook]

Ruby took back the papers from the Commandant and bowed her head in a polite acknowledgement of the man’s authority. Rook tensed at the words KRI. If Ruby wanted to take him back there for any amount of time, she’d have to do it with him kicking and screaming. His blood still boiled at the thought of that miserable, pain flooded torture ground.

As the Commadant’s eyes lingered for a moment on Rook, he gritted his teeth and stared at the ground. Despite the headache still pounding at his temples, he could feel his fear and disorientation fading. Filling his body was a new emotion, honed to a razor point. Anger.

Rook had only ever known life as a test subject and a slave. Considering his circumstances, he should be quietly complacent in his lot in life. Rook had not often met slaves who questioned their circumstances. But Rook’s time under his master had given him a sense of autonomy, and to an extent a pride in his abilities. The kelvic had considered himself unique, or at least rare in his independence.

But now his eyes fell on the thief slave girl. Even if he could not quite understand why the woman was so reluctant to disrobe, he could at least acknowledge the rebellion in her eyes. And he could admire her attempt to negotiate her way out of the situation.

Words did not come easily to Rook and if he were pressed he would not know how to defend himself. This female slave spoke with tenacity, and even pride. It was not something Rook had ever seen from a slave. She acted as a person, not a thing. Rook couldn’t help but admire it.

Even as she removed her water soaked clothes, she did it with a defiance. Rook’s keen eyes took in the lingering gazes of the guardsmen, the smirks and chuckles and the woman’s tensed shoulders and trembling hands. In a moment, he understood. For this woman, clothing was pride. By forcing her to remove it, they were stripping her of it.

Whatever the Commadant’s vocal reasoning was, forcing her to strip was an act of humiliation. And seeing this prideful slave, who had defended Rook for no reason other than it being right filled the kelvic with indignation.

Rook staggered to his feet, causing Ruby to back up a step in surprise. The world spun for a moment, and Rook braced his arm against Ruby’s shoulder until the dizzy spell passed. Ruby shot Rook a questioning look, but the kelvic ignored it. Rook released Ruby’s shoulder and took a careful step forward. When the ground didn’t rise up to meet him, he took another one.

“Rook,” Ruby hissed under her breath. Rook ignored her and took another step. It didn’t take him long before he was at the thief’s side.

Rook was not much of a fighter. He could hold his own in small skirmishes if pressed, but he had no illusions on his ability to defeat a group of armed guards, or the inevitable consequences of the aftermath, regardless of success or failure. Rook was foremost an observer. So while he would like nothing better than to tear apart the Commandant with his teeth, he did not attempt it.

Rook did not look directly at the slave. If her pride was stripped by her nudity, then he wouldn’t bring her any more shame from his eyes. Instead, he pulled his cloak off of his shoulders and settled it on her shoulders, covering her nakedness. Nudity didn’t bother Rook. Giving the woman his cloak was no sacrifice.

“Rook!” Ruby hissed, louder this time. Once again, the slave ignored her.

Rook turned his defiant gaze on the Commandant. “You can search her clothes if you must, but there is no reason for her to be completely naked.” There was a hint of a growl to his voice. “Unless you think the gold might be on me?”

Rook

[Prophet]

Fettersmith smirked at the boldness of the woman. She was a fine specimen. He’d met many slaves in his lifetime. Some were outright defiant and repeatedly abused for their arrogance. Others were comfortable in their station which -to the Commandant- was how one should respond to being dominated. Know your place. The man had superiors and subordinates. He was far from the top but not so close to the bottom that he worried about much. Life wasn’t fair, not by a long shot. Tough shyke. Still, this woman seemed perfectly at ease with being a slave yet she held a reverent discipline of willpower that the man simply admired. His amusement faded when the youth steadfastly defied the quiet orders of his master.

Once can be overlooked, twice if the circumstance was minor enough which this seemed to be but then he had to try and be cute. While he considered himself a patient man and one of quality, the commandant was not one to be mocked. His easy appraisal of the situation and previous willingness to let the matter settle itself once he had performed a standard investigation were now gone. All was replaced with a man full of spite.

“You forget your place, slave.” the man snapped. His tone was cold, even and unforgiving which matched the stare he cast upon the redheaded lad. Fettersmith turned to Ruby and gave her a look that might have been described as resignation but there could have been some pity mixed into the expression as well. “I am sorry to have to do this but I am going to detain your slave for the afternoon. Perhaps when he’s had some time to think about his insolence, he’ll be more obedient.” With a sincere bow, the man turned back around to face the nude couple and his patrol.

“Give the boy his cloak and get dressed. We’re all going to take a little ride down to the station and sort out this entire mess.” His face held no room for arguments and his tone offered even less. His men recognized the shift from the earlier carefree style of conversation and stood a bit straighter. One stood on either side of the slaves and they seemed rather stoic compared to the casual attitude they all bore when they happened upon the thief and her captor. No one moved until the slaves did as they were told. If they cooperated, they would be escorted down the length of the platform to a pair of ravosalas where another guardsman stood in wait. Refusing a polite order from the city guard was a choice that existed but such a choice would certainly come with consequences.

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[Shiress]

Shiress stared in wide-eyed astonishment at the boy's down cast face as his cloak draped around her. She was stunned, to say the least, at the gentleness of the Kelvic's gesture and, no less by, the gift of modesty he had given her by simply lowering his eyes from her shame. His words to the Guard had made her smile, but the Guards response made it slip completely from her lips.

"What!" Shiress spun on the Commander "You see I have no gold on me and why him? He. Has. Not. Done. Anything. Wrong!" she put emphasis on her last words, drawing each one out defiantly, then pointed to Ruby "let her handle him."

Turning Shiress leaned in to drape the boy's cloak back around his own shoulders, giving him a slight hug, and a kiss on the cheek. "I'm so sorry" she whispered, "I didn't mean for this to happen this way." stepping back, she smiled at the red head. "Thank you."

Leaning down, Shiress slipped her dress back up the same way it had come off, then turned to the Commander. "I'll come willingly enough if" Shiress nodded in Rook's direction, "you let him stay and have nothing further to do with this." Shiress crossed her arms over her chest and really hoped the action looked more like standing her ground, rather than an attempt to contain her trembling hands.

Beautiful Boxcode Credit: Rohka

[Rook]

Rook’s insolence vanished like smoke in the dry wind spiralling off of the canal. Detain? What did that mean? Rook’s gaze, which had been defiant only a moment before, vanished in a sea of confusion. He hadn’t done anything but speak a few words. How could he possibly be taken away for that?

Horror bubbled up from the depths of Rook’s core. That evil word brought to mind images of screaming kelvics, crammed into boxes and cells far to small for them while their instincts screamed for the outside world they had never known. Rook could almost feel the horrible slicing, neverending pain that had been the entirety of his world...until he had met his master.

Rook looked to Ruby for reassurance. He might have defied her orders a little, but he had done as such before on occasion and it had never amounted to anything. The look on Ruby’s face shook Rook down to his core. Had she been sympathetic, concerned, or even angry then Rook would have understood completely. Any of those expressions would have meant something to him, would have been a reassurance of the ordinary that the kelvic had come to know well. But Ruby’s face was a mask of blank. There was nothing there, not a scrap of emotion or feeling.

The words of the thief slave beside him did little to bring Rook out of his shaken state. He could understand that she was trying to help him, and from some distant nearly indistinguishable point in his stormy mind, Rook did appreciate it. But it was almost impossible for Rook to focus on anything other than his master.

At the thief’s words “let her handle him” spoken with a nod towards Ruby, Rook’s focus on his master heightened. Even after all of this, Ruby would save him. She always did. She was the only person he could rely on, his one and only friend. Ruby always fixed everything.

“It’s fine,” said Ruby with a nod at the Commandant. “You can take him.”

Rook’s world shattered.

The single pillar of support, the one cornerstone of stability that Rook had come to rely on had been forcibly yanked from underneath him.

Rook was barely able to acknowledge the thief slaves’ words of thanks and kind touch. At her words, the kelvic stared at her, blank and uncomprehending.

The Commandant could do whatever he wanted to Rook now. There was nothing left in Rook to resist.

Rook

[Prophet]

Once the woman had dressed and the boy had his cloak back around his shoulders, Fettersmith and his men lead the duo of unruly slaves to the edge of the platform where they were loaded into separate ravosalas and then poled along the canals in silence. The City Guardsmen were good people, normal folk, just like the everyday citizens and visitors to Ravok. Even a man like the Commandant who put up a little extra for sharing information still believed in what the floating city stood for and took it to heart that his job was his pride.

After a short boat ride, they duo of slim ships docked and were unloaded with the help of a few more guardsmen. Inside the dull, grey building was a series of desks on one side with a rather large and crude looking jail cell on the other. This was the Nitrozian Plaza’s barracks for its guard units. Rook was given a wrap for his waist much like a sarong and both were placed within the holding cell then left a long while Fettersmith spoke with an older man who seemed to have a more more worn look to his uniform...and face. This all moved very quickly and took up very little time. Within half a bell, the two slaves had been scooped up, detained and were now left without any explanations as to what was going to happen next.

Bells passed. With each new one, a drink of water was offered to the inmates and every other bell saw a piece of bread added in as well. Any questions about who, what, where, why, when and how would be met with civil but short responses that basically gave no information and a very polite affirmation that prying would gain no favors.

After four bells of sitting in a cell and left alone, the two slaves were finally given some answers. A cadre of men swept into the post with black armor, varied weapons and haggard looks- obviously Stryfers. They smelled of the wilderness and their unkempt faces revealed they had been places where the luxuries of city life did not exist. Not one of them spoke and then, on cue, each turned and lowered his head in respect as a woman can marching in with the same armor and dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. Her face was cold, emotionless and beautiful like sky right before a terrible storm. Her eyes were as black as the waters of Lake Ravok and she stared at the two slaves for a moment before moving to the desk where the old man sat. A minute later, she was handed the keys and marched with her boots making crisp thuds on the floor to the cell door. She opened it and waved a hand at the young man.

“On your feet, slave.” Her face had yet to shift in any way as if she were carved of some kind of marble. Her voice was curt and to the point but not an altogether unpleasant tone. “You belong to me now.”

A chime later they were gone and Shiress was left alone.

Time passed and she was offered more water and bread but before the guard could sit down, a strange man had filled the doorway of the guards’ station. He was handsome in a devilish sort of way and exquisitely dressed. His face bore the smirk of confidence and he smelled like mint and cedar. He walked in with a soft tap of fine shoes and his cape billowed about a tailored black toga that made him look like some kind of god. He smiled to the slave in the cage and went over to discuss something with the old man. His voice was just a whisper but the slave girl would be able to hear the condescending way in which he spoke. Suddenly, he turned and faced her.

“I’m told you have a mark on your right leg. Show it to me now.” His voice dripped with a kind of sweetness that would make one think that honey was being poured in her ear. The djed was so strong that it might have even felt like the order had come from inside her mind and not his words at all. The man did not hesitate to open the cell and release her once he had his command verified. “As they headed out, he gently stroked a finger along her bare arm while another teased at the curls in her disheveled hair. “You are going to be so good for me and I’m going to be so good for you.” His lips even grazed her ear as he leaned in. “We’re going to do great things together.”

SlavesI do not mind if you delay your exists to have a conversation ebtween your characters. Settle that among yourselves. I have told you both who your new masters are and if you need anything regarding their plans for you in Spring, send me a PM.

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[Shiress]

Against the far end of the cell, Shiress sat on a wooden bench, her knees drawn to her chest, the long skirt of her dress draped across her legs. In her arm, head resting against her shoulder, was Rook.

When the both of them had entered the cell, Shiress found she didn't know what to say to the young Kelvic. She could see that his known existence had just been shattered and what words could sooth that pain? Instead, after a bell or so, Shiress simply, cautiously, had slipped her arm around the youth and pulled him to her, hoping that the boy would find some sort of comfort in her sympathetic embrace. So, she held him, silently.

Despite the warm temperature outside, the cell felt cold and damp, and Shiress shivered beneath her wet clothes. Beside the shivering slave, three cups of water and a piece of dried bread lay untouched. The same went untouched beside Rook. A lifetime seemed to have passed by since the two were thrown into an upended adventure, though only three bells had seen them where they were now. Shiress spent most of the time in a silent contemplation, wondering at how she had unwittingly pulled an Innocent boy into her ploy. The woman wanted to explain to him what had happened, why she had done what she had, but she dare not, lest other ears be near.

Elias and Shiress had planned for her to be taken, detained, in some way and Shiress used this days honest mistake to undertake this plan, for the slave knew a guard worked even then to take word to Elias of her capture. Or so she desperately hoped. But the boy..Shiress let out an audible sigh and pulled the Kelvic a bit closer..he had not been part of the plan and now her heart broke that he had fell into it, but there was nothing for it now, she had done all she could to try to keep him safe.

Drawing in another breath, Shiress finally broke the silence. "I'm sorry." she said, not expecting a reply. "Like I said before, I never wanted this to happen to you. I never would have ever wished you to be taken from your home." she added, then fell silent for a chime, thinking, before speaking again. "But, no matter where you end up, please, dont you ever give up." The female slave's own experience drew her from the bench to kneel before Rook. She waited for his amber gaze to meet her green, and smiled softly. "No soul, whether it be Kelvic, human, or Akalak, should ever be owned, or enslaved by another. Slavers are few in this world, Rook. Those that own another being are not the only one's to exist. There are far more kinder, more gentle, people out there that would rather you have your freedom and take you as a friend, and not a slave, or pet." she paused, retaining his gaze. "Fight to free yourself and never ever stop fighting, Rook."

Commotion outside the cell quieted Shiress and she watched, still in her kneeing position, as black clad soldiers entered the room beyond. Her eyes frantically took in their faces, but the one she sought wasn't among them. Shiress began to turn back to the male slave, but the woman that came gliding in behind the soldiers caught her attention and as she turned toward them, key in hand, Shiress glanced back up to Rook, speaking quickly. "If..when..I get freed, I will come and find you and I will free you, okay?" Shiress stood and, with a heavy heart, watched as the young Kelvic was ushered out of the cell.

Crossing her arms, she sat, waiting on her own fate to arrive. Nearly a bell later, her cell door opened and Shiress shook her head, turning down the offered bread and water. As the guard retreated another figure entered the room and Shiress watched him, vaguely, as he smiled at her. She didn't return the gesture. But as the stranger turned toward her, something in his countenance made her stiffen and as he spoke his request, she found herself lifting the hem of her skirt, turning her leg so that he might better see the gnosis mark there. Even as she done this, Shiress felt her heart begin to race, for, in her gut, she knew full well what this man's interest implemented.

Numbly, Shiress stood and followed the man out of the cell. From the corner of her eye, she spotted a guardsman the guardsman, and by the way his dark hair clung to his sweat dampened forehead, and the look on his pale, mustached face, Shiress knew that she had been betrayed.

Elias was not coming for her.

With the touch of her new master's hand, Shiress felt trepidation's cold embrace take hold.

Beautiful Boxcode Credit: Rohka

[Rook]

Rook didn’t know how to respond to gentle. Even if his world hadn’t been shattered, he wouldn’t have known. The kelvic had accepted the slave woman’s embrace without struggle, but not with comfort either. Touch was something that Rook had been trained to fear. Touch meant pain. Even in his time under Ruby, his master had been undemonstrative in affection. Overtures of affection had been rebuked, and Rook had given up trying. If his master had no intention of showing him physical affection, then he simply would not know it. And that had been fine.

In the malestrom of emotion Rook felt now, the stranger slave’s touch confused him beyond measure. His only friend had abandoned him, yet this strange woman would show him kindness and affection? Why? What could she gain from it? What purpose was there behind it? What did she want from him?

Rook offered her nothing. Even if he had had something left to give to her, he would have not known what it would be. The cold of the cell bit at his near naked body. But his cheek and back were warm where his touch met her body. That warmth at least was a sensation he could focus on when there was nothing left in him to reason. So he didn’t pull away. His eyes fluttered closed, and he listened to her heartbeat thudding through her neck. His own heart quieted its frantic beating in response. And he breathed.

When she spoke to him, Rook opened one eye to look at her. He felt the vibration of her voice through her shoulder. An apology? Rook didn’t know what to make of it any more than he knew what to make of her touch. He tried to think if he’d ever been apologized to before. Perhaps a rude, violent customer who he’d shown his teeth to. But sincerely? No, never.

“But no matter where you end up, please don’t ever give up.”

Rook’s eyelashes fluttered. No soul should ever be enslaved. Was it true that there were places other than here where someone like him could be free? He had never heard of a free kelvic. It sounded like a dream.

“This is all I know,” Rook murmured.

But somewhere within his heart, a seed of hope had been planted. It was a small thing. Ignored it might shrivel up, dry and die. But given enough water and sun, well…

When the Ebonstryfe soldiers came for him, Rook made no attempt to resist. This was the way of a slave after all. Owned one day, sold the next.

"If..when..I get freed, I will come and find you and I will free you, okay?"

Rook didn’t believe her. Not really. But the kindness in her words made that little seed crack the tiniest bit.

“Okay,” Rook told her with a slight backwards glance.

Some instinct grinding inside of his head told him that even if she didn’t come for him, somehow the two of them would meet again someday in the not distant future. He would be different then. And he wondered what he would have to say to her.

Rook followed the Stryfers out of the cell. Just as his world had been so effortlessly shattered, it had now somehow rebuilt itself. Cracked and flawed. But whole. He wouldn’t forget the slave’s kindness, and somehow he would repay it in kind.

Rook