The Auction

by **Praetorian** on September 13th, 2013, 1:44 am

High Noon
10th of Fall, 513 AV
The Center of Endrykas

Some walked with clanking shackles, some strode easily, quiet smiles on their faces. All were prisoners, in a way. But, all would soon become family. They were mostly women or children, but a few men were in group; the men had sought out the Drykas camp, begging for a new life among new people.

This was the end of life as they knew it.

This was the start of their life as a Drykas.

Rukairn Greenriver of the Diamond clan strode forward, stopping at the center of the makeshift platform that had been erected. His very air creates a sense of importance, drawing the Drykas that had already approached even closer. Black hair was mussed ever so slightly from riding through the camp only a bell earlier, reminding all within earshot of the auction, eyes of a similar shade surveyed those that had decided to gather, if even to watch.

The auction was not meant for his gain, but to pay for all of the supplies that had been consumed capturing, transporting, and housing these new Clan-members. It was also to give a little bit back to the families that had lost someone in the first raid... the one that had gone awry. The Ankal's heir saw familiar faces in the crowd, mourning mothers who were silently wondering if the sacrifices made by their kin had been worth it. Was this the answer to the blight that had been plaguing them, that had been killing babies and mothers and elders without pause?

With a soft breath, he motioned for the first captive to be led onto the stage, a small, blond girl of no more than six winters. She had clear blue eyes, and in them he saw questions, wondering, a lack of understanding. She had been found picking flowers with her elder siblings, but the others had run faster than she. She no longer cried for them and her parents at night, but she seemed disconnected from those around her. Rukairn knew that she needed to be placed in a new family before this behavior became permanent. Children would adjust, but would they understand?

"This is Emily..." He began, placing a rein-calloused hand upon the small girl's head, eyes on the crowd. There was no surprise in his eye when his deep, resonating voice commanded the attention of all present, drawing their ear and encouraging their silence. "Who wishes to give her a family?"

OOC INFORMATION - MUST READ :

by **Taylani** on September 13th, 2013, 5:28 am

Timestamp : 10, Fall 513

Waiting her turn, Taylani's ears burned and buzzed as she hears the man speak, the little girl almost breaking her heart. The red head was still very confused by all of this, her mind almost seeming to compartmentalize what had happened. The ..the event that happened outside of her home. The choices that had to be made. She had not even had a chance to properly come to terms, let alone figure out how she was going to learn to survive out here. She had not had a chance to grieve the loss of her family, though they remained alive her mother and father..but inaccessible to her.

So lost in her own thoughts that it took a moment of nudging before Taylani had realized her turn was up. Her heart pounded, but this might be her very last performance. All her training, all her conditioning might have been for this last performance. Licking her lips, taking a deep shuddering breath before she steps out onto the platform. As she passed into sight of the audience there was little evidence of the pounding heart, shaking knees as the dancer looks out into the see of Drykas. Her chin lifts resolutely, her blue eyes scan the crowd, and a simple shift of her head sends her brilliantly red hair cascading back over her shoulder.

"This is Taylani..." The man who seemed to be in charge here said to the crowd, his hand raising to lay lightly on Taylani's arm, not in an aggressive fashion but it still caused her to shift just a hair's breadth away. "Who will give her a family?"

by **Fallan Windchaser** on September 13th, 2013, 9:44 am

Fallan had timed his return to the Clans with care, waiting for the city to make its way around the edge of the Grasslands and to arrive so that he could avoid travelling half way across Cyphrus. Even for a man of the Amethyst clan such a journey was dangerous, especially on his own, his horse burdened with tentage and not to be undertaken lightly.

His return had been low key, and he still had yet to formally greet those of his Pavilion, but there was time first to remind himself of who the People were and why he had come back. His pleasant idling around the tents, watching people and mentally cataloguing what was and was not for sale had been interrupted by news of the auction, and that had intrigued him.

He filtered into the back of the crowd, content at first merely to absorb the sights and sounds of Pavi, his attention on the audience rather than on the platform. Movement caught his eye and he recognised the man who'd been riding the city earlier so he watched curiously.

Children. Fallan crossed his arms and affected boredom. Had he a Pavilion of his own then he would be interested. Fallan grinned to himself; he didn't even have a wife and this child was too young to be of any use or help to Fallan in his trade. In any case it would be irresponsible for Fallan to risk the life of this child when he could not protect it.

His attention wandered and he eased his way around the crowd seeking any faces there that he might recognise. There was motion on the stage but it did not register until he caught a glimpse of red out of the corner of his eye, and then he did a double take, barging into a woman who stood watching whilst his feet continued on their own.

He bowed and held up his hands, "Forgive me," he asked, "my feet are clumsy when they are forced to walk upon the ground." He backed off and gave his full attention to the stage.

It was the hair, he knew it was the hair that drew him and he understood how shallow that was, but then how well could you know anyone from just a short meeting?

His smile grew broader as she moved her head, tossing that mane over her shoulder like a stallion eyeing up a mare. Taylani. He mouthed the name silently.

It was madness, but he could feel the beat of his heart as it pounded in his chest. Where was her companion?

"I will give her a family."

The words echoed in his ears and he almost glanced around before he realised that they had come unbidden from his own mouth. The trader in him cringed at showing his hand so early but he would not have changed it. He would never win her, there would be others who could offer more, yet it would be him that she remembered for that first bid.

by **Taylani** on September 13th, 2013, 2:29 pm

Timestamp : 10, Fall 513

Standing up there, Taylani silently thanked any gods who could hear for the healing sunburn that reddened her cheeks. She could feel the hot flush of blood rising to the just beneath the surface of her face, surely coloring it a deeper shade if not for the masking affects of the sun-damaged flesh. She had tried to tell herself that this was nothing more then simply an audition or a recital, but the strange tongue in which the man beside her speaks grates on her raw nerves. Her hands knot in fists at her sides, trying to stem the tide of emotion. On a very basic level she knew this was the best outcome for what had transpired on the day she stood up to the knights in Syliras, if the raiders hadn't shown up and taken her she might have wandered until death.

Suddenly a voice calls out, and while she can not understand what is being said she recognizes it for what it is. Scanning the crowd, her eyes flitting from one face to the next until she spotted the speaker. Her eyes widen with recognition, one knotted fist raises to press against her stomach to hold the butterflies at bay. He was the same man who she had ran into just two days past. She wasn't sure if she should be frightened, or angry, so she simply settled on confused.

The auctioneer smiles a wide smile and points toward the man offering to give this one a family. "You there, we have an offer to take this girl in to his family! Do we have any other offers?" The auctioneer pauses, looking out over the crowd to see if there were any other bids or offers.

OOC Info :

by **Praetorian** on September 13th, 2013, 11:35 pm

Finally, Rukairn realized that this woman would fetch no higher a price than the starting bid. Ten gold mizas... such a paltry sum for those that lost someone away from the Web... No. Such thoughts were too dark for this day. "Sold..." he said simply, motioning for Taylani to leave the stage on the side opposite of which she had first been herded on, and for the Amethyst Clansman to meet her there. From there, she was out of his hands and into the care of a book-keeper. And, from there, into the hands of her new family. He could only wish her the best.

The book-keeper in question was an elder fellow by the name of Trekin Silvermount. Looking up from his ledger, he smiled warmly at the woman. "Welcome, Taylani," he spoke in Common to keep her at ease, and for some reason, this welcome carried more weight than the one she had first heard upon entry to Endrykas. Turning to Fallan, he spoke in rapid Pavi, gesturing with the hand in which he held a quill, "You are to be her guardian, her mentor. Eventually, it is hoped that you two will marry and help to fill our voids." The man smiled at the look on the young man's face. "Even if you don't marry, we expect her to bear you at least one child. You are not allowed to release her from her servitude - Oh how the word is acid upon my tongue! - until such. If you help her escape, for whatever reason, you will be prosecuted. Also, you are expected to have her tied to the web at your earliest convenience, but do not make her aware of the Web's power until you are sure that she can be trusted." So much information at once... Hopefully the man would not shy away. "Now, ten gold mizas, please."

Once the money changed hands, Trekin smiled again, though this time at the pair as a collective. He spoke in Common, hoping that Fallan knew enough to follow along. "Taylani, you are not a member of Fallan's pavilion. You will seek his advice in all things as you enter this life, and in return he will treat you as an equal member of the family. You know a few of our words from your travels," He spouted off the words for "Water", "Food", "Bathroom", "Morning", "Night", "Day" and many other basic terms before continuing in Common, "and we expect for you to use them. Fallan will teach you more. If you show him kindness and attempt to learn our ways, you will be one of us before time passes. You can get a job, a Strider, and even start a family here." At the woman's expression, he actually laughed heartily, shaking his head. "I see questions biting on your tongues. Please try to work things out between yourselves before taking matters to your Ankal."

"Now. Off you get." Already, another captive - this time a young and smiling man - was walking down the steps.

by **Fallan Windchaser** on September 14th, 2013, 4:45 pm

Fallan stood still and crossed his arms so that his hands would give away no idea of his mood, his nod to the auctioneer acknowledgement of the only movement and his professional trader face now fixed in place. He studiously ignored the audience and focused instead on Taylani, his air one of confidence.

Her expressions amused him, but he wondered where the bids were. It was early in the auction, surely there were men who wanted her? Perhaps there was something that he didn't know? He was starting to wonder if perhaps he should have had done some research?

Then it was over and it was his turn to be confused. This was not what he'd expected and whilst he was pleased there was a slight nagging concern because now he was responsible for her. He walked over, threading his way through the crowd and as he did an air of excitement grew in him, pushing aside the concerns.

He got the impression that the bookkeeper had made his speech more than once, but he wasn't far into it before the gravity of it pulled him back to ground. Marriage hadn't actually come into his calculations and now he realised just how long he had been away from the grasslands.

As a slave Taylani entranced him and he could imagine tormenting her. Children were inevitable, but now he was having to rethink his assumptions. A slave had many uses, but outside of a Pavilion she would be a liability.

His hands flickered back to the bookkeeper as he acknowledged what the man had said. The future would hold what it held, but for now he was going to enjoy the moment. As for escape, the only reason that would happen would be for her to realise the dangers of the Grasslands, and then to see how grateful she would be.

The payment was handed over and he could turn his attention to his new possession.

by **Taylani** on September 14th, 2013, 5:10 pm

The event seemed to hang forever, and for a moment Taylani felt as if the world was on the verge of spinning as a lightheaded feeling filled her perception. It was only then that Taylani had realized she was holding her breath, and she let out the air in her lungs in a abrupt exhale. Moving quickly, too quickly for she stumbled a little at the end of the walk way, righting herself only by the grace of her long lessons in dance.

A nervous ball of emotion settled into her stomach, seething and roiling within her much like water boiling in a pan. A single tear escaped as he welcomed her in the common tongue, the sound sounding with such a finality that she felt something inside her click shut. Her eyes flick from the book keeper, back to the barbarian, then back again as the older of the two rattled something off in the barbaric tongue of these people. Suspicious and wary, she holds herself back from the two, her arms folded tightly around her body, and her hands still balled into tight fists. Her muscles began to cramp due to this tightened stage, but she dismissed this, afraid more of her own reaction should she loosen her tight reign then of any of these people.

She did not respond to the words that were spoken in common, her eyes flickering just slightly when the man spoke so arrogantly -in her eyes- as to what was expected of her. No longer was the thought of simple surviving until an opening could be found that would take her back to Syliras. Now was simply the budding thought that if anything were to happen, it would have to happen because of her actions and not something that would happen on its own. Not trusting herself to speak, she turns on her heel and jerkily moves away from the two, toward the direction with the least amount of people, all the while knowing that she could not go far she didn't even know where to go once she moved away from this crowd.

by **Colt** on September 14th, 2013, 5:30 pm

Syna was high in her throne before the warrior called for attention. The dull murmur of the crowd lessened beneath a great shifting of cloth and dirt as those in attendance turned to face the raised platform. Shahar had found a place in the back, where he kept close enough to the wall of a pavilion that he managed to avoid a majority of the bystanders; the sheer size of the group made his skin twitch, but he wanted to see at least some of the proceedings—after all, wasn’t it their future that was being displayed?

The first captive was a girlchild, small and light. Her face was blank and her eyes were empty with something akin to shock—the sudden change in her world must have come quickly, too quickly for her to understand. Shahar pitied her deeply, but made no more to raise claim; even if he had wanted to foster a new Drykas, the little Emily needed a new mother to nurture her. A father to guide her. Brothers and sisters to play with. A family to love her. Shahar hoped with all of his heart that that was where she would end up.

Next came a woman, young, who scanned the crowd from beneath a wild mane of red hair. She, too, seemed confused and nervous, but not as dazed as Emily had been. A young man in the thick of the crowd raised claim, though it seemed a bit superficial and half thought-out. Still, Shahar was not one to judge, not when he himself had come as a mere spectator.

by **Naiya** on September 15th, 2013, 7:51 pm

Rue wasn't really sure what she was doing here. Caught in a crowd of people either looking to buy a 'new Drykas'. Some of them, she was sure, were there for the same reason as she was, dragged in by the almost magnetic pull of curiosity.

What was so interesting about selling off people as though they were flocks of zibri, she asked herself. She knew, though, what the draw of being here was, it was, after all, the reason she was standing outside in the bite of fall. These people were the ones who would help rebuild Endrykas, willing or not. She shivered at that thought, imagining for a moment that she could have been the redhead who'd just been sold.

She couldn't let herself linger on that thought. She turned from the dais that was the auction ground, looking instead towards the rest of the crowd, seeing the people who would buy another person. There was a blase look to them, as though this sort of thing was normal. Selling women and children for breeding. Being forced to bear the child of a stranger. How many times had she heard her father doing such things with her? Trying to convince her mother it was better to sell her off to the traders when they came to the city.

She couldn't stand around and watch this, morbid curiosity had brought her here, and fear would chase her away. Knowing that they needed this as a people wasn't enough to allow her to watch.

She turned again back towards the way which she had entered the growing crowd, only to find that she had been shifted and pushed into the center of the group.

"Excuse me." She spoke, her voice coming out strained and squeaky. No one moved. She pushed gently on the person beside her, hoping that the touch and her words would let her escape. "Excuse me, please, let me through." Panic had begun to touch her voice as she spoke again with no result. With a frustrated sound she turned, strain beginning to show on her face. "Please, if I could just get through!"

by **Arundel** on September 16th, 2013, 6:22 am

Arundel didn't necessarily want to be here. She had to, she knew, but that didn't mean she enjoyed it. It was like being at a horse auction, but far less enjoyable. Everyone was sizing up their possible purchase - was it too skinny, too fat, too young, or old? But they weren't cattle. They were people. She knew and understood that the Drykas needed fresh blood to help thicken the numbers that had so drastically dwindled as of late. Loss after heart-wrenching loss kept ripping families apart and returning loved ones to the Web. She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, keeping her head down. Curls curtained her eyes, but she watched the platform from behind their discreet protection. First a child was sold - hopefully to a good motherly sort. The girl reminded Arundel of her little sister Reed, and the similarities didn't please her. This whole thing didn't please her.

The Amethyst woman couldn't help but imagine how she would feel if she was taken from her family and sold into slavery - for that was what this was, no matter how much someone tried to butter it up and make it look like a pretty prospect, living among the Drykas as family. The idea of being turned into a broodmare made her blood boil. Even though slavery wasn't uncommon, she had never actually agreed with it. Her family kept none of their own, but not because her father shared her views. Mostly because he felt it unnecessary. The next woman who was sold - a redhead - looked a little lost. Who could blame her? Arundel wondered what all of these people had been doing when the raiders came for them. Sure, some followed along willingly. But what of those who hadn't? She sighed harshly through flared nostrils, pacing slowly at the edges of the crowd.

Most of her family was deeper in the throng. Some had stayed home because they weren't required to come, and to watch over Reed, who was too young. They didn't want her asking questions that everyone would be too uncomfortable to answer. Arundel could imagine it in her head perfectly. Why is that lady crying? Who is that boy? That man has funny clothes! She chewed the inside her cheek nervously, watching as a man practically pranced up onto the platform. One of the eager ones. She glared at him from behind a veil of hair. Her father was hoping that she would spot a man that would tickle her fancy today. Maybe even buy him so the foreigner could tame the willful daughter that for some reason had never married - let along married - and even turned down a suitor several years ago.

There was a better chance of a Strider falling from the clouds and bonding with her. The least she could do was hope this new blood provided their people with quality Drykas and helped cushion the blow brought on by their increasing losses. Even one of the raids had gone badly, resulting in death. Death in the search for life. Maybe it was an omen. Nevertheless she would accept these poor souls with open arms. Anything to soften the blow of their new, forced-upon lifestyle. And who knew - maybe everything would work out and the new blood would grow to be happy with their new lot. A pretty idea, but Arundel wasn't sure how likely that was.