Thread: Dreaming of a Place: Far From Home (Closed for Magi)

Maera squinted against the harsh sunlight that beat down upon her malnourished and poorly clothed form. Small hands, lashed together by coarse rope, rose to shield her face awkwardly as she stumbled from the bowels of the Dawn Midst and staggered down the gangplank unsteadily. A gnarled hand slapped at her thinly glad behind, causing the lithe girl to scuttle hurried out of reach with a quiet whimper as she glanced anxiously over her shoulder. Slim shoulders shuddered slightly as they were marched into a shadowed courtyard, stern looking men herding the slaves into categories of usefulness. The old and the sick had already been disposed of during the journey, and now only the younger more reliable wretches remained even if they were all thin and gaunt. Eyes now adjusting to the light, Maera raised her head to reveal a set of icy blue hues which darted to and fro in search of something. A large red faced man shouted something which caused her malnourished form to flinch back visibly, shivering despite the midday sun. The order was no repeated, instead the man lunged at the nearest girl and tore away what little remained of her clothing. Maera and the rest swiftly obeyed, pulling the tattered rags from their body before attempting to shield their now nude figures. Several old women appeared with features solemn and cold as they doused the trembling girls with water and tugged the knots from their hair with vicious efficiency. If the Duke was to make a purchase then the wretched souls needed to look as presentable as possible. Not clothes were brought to them, it would conceal the attributes that their esteemed patron was so finicky about, but their wrists were rebound with fresh rope. Shoulders hunched and eyes fixed upon the ground, Maera did her best to shield her naked girlish figure. Shrinking back as the darkly clad man towered over her, she answered with flushed cheeks and a swift shake of the head, uttering a meek no as quickly as she could. Only once the man had made his selection and that poor girl had been dragged out of the courtyard did she release the breath that she had been holding. Guilt washed over her, eyes sliding closed for a moment as the selected girls protests rang around the courtyard. She was relieved that she hadnt been selected, relieved that it was someone else that had to suffer and not her, and she hated herself for it. Yer dunno what yer missing girl... The traders voice came out of no-where, an arm curling round her slender form and dragging her back sharply against his sweaty body, a hand crudely spread across her stomach. Maera cried out in alarm and wrenched herself free of the mans grip, only to receive an open hand to her face which sent her sprawling to the ground. Tears sprung to her eyes as she pushed herself up onto her knees, head bowed as a tunic landed in front of her, a small cloud of dust disturbed by the movement. As the trader wandered off, she snatched at the garment and hurried pulled it over her head, only to find the darkly glad man and a younger man standing in front of her. Eyes widened as she tugged the slip down her body and took an uneasy step back, ice blue hues shifting from one to the other. She flinched at the sharp order and touch of the others hand, but was reassured by the look of alarm and softness of touch. Then, as suddenly as they had arrived, the Duke disappeared and a slaver returned to drag Maera after the rest of the girls, though she did spare one brief look over her shoulder to find the young man still standing there. The auction went by swiftly and to her surprise, and perhaps relief, she found herself purchased by the very same man that had touched her so gently. Remaining silent as she was led away with two others, Maera watched as the rope bound to her wrists was bound to the saddle of a horse, providing her with enough slack to allow her to walk comfortably. Such consideration did not go unnoticed, neither did the way that Ryan had been watch her since theyd left the auction. The mention of her lute brought the girls attention swiftly to the trader, eyes widening in wonder as she caught sight of her mothers precious lute. Hands instinctively reached out but she swiftly lowered them as the instrument was tucked away safely, though her eyes did not leave it for some time. The walk was rather pleasant, though her malnourished body was not used to such activity it made a nice change from the cramped conditions she had endured for several weeks. She trotted up Ryans side at his command, eyes fixed carefully on the ground as she listened to his question. Biting down on her lower lip, she shook her head vigorously enough that many strands of hair fell in front of her face, only for the light breeze to brush them back. N-no Sir, I dont know who he was... Her cheeks flushed a little at the topic of conversation, tugging on the hem of her tunic awkwardly.