Avatar Bondswoman

~~~~~~~ By the time they had met up with Danin, he had already mounted his steed. He reached out to Analeya, "Hand me her; I wont go loosing her to the crowd." Nodding, Analeya picked up the smaller girl; handing her over. Kaylen looked around as she was set a top the horse in front of him. She had never rode a horse and leaned back trying to stay as close to him as possible. His strong arm wrapped around her protectively. He looked to Analeya now that he had dealt with one of his properties. "Strip. I'd rather you naked than covered in the filth of this place." She hesitated a moment before complying and removing the damp sticky clothes she wore. He watched her with a close eye; scrutinizing her every move and detail. He wasn't an elf lover by any sense, but he could not help but admire the woman before him. "Now lead my horse. I will instruct you where to go." She nodded and bowed her head a bit before going and grabbing the horse's reigns. She looked back at him awaiting his order and he nodded; happy to see her so obedient so soon. "Follow this road out of town. I will give you more instructions then." She nodded and began leading the horse into the dirt street. From her vantage point Kaylen could see the town much better than she had before when she was on the back of the cart. Now that she was on a horse the people paid her little to no mind. She was amazed how the humans lived their life. They were all compacted into this one town so tightly that it made no sense to her. The horse she rode barely had room to walk on the road they were on; even though it was three carts wide. There was a light bump as the road changed to cobblestone and she held on afraid she would fall from her high perch. Danin held her tighter and she caught a woman throwing a bucket of liquid out into the street. This immediately brought to light her wondering just what Analeya was walking in. There was a bustling nearby as they began walking through the marketplace. The hugeness of it all left her in awe. The roar of all the people yelling and haggling at once contrasted sharply with the savory smell of street food being cooked nearby. Her stomach growled and she drooled a bit. A smoked rabbit and squirrel stand passed them and she leaned towards it instinctually. Danin's strong arm kept her from falling but he eyed her. "Sit still." She jumped a bit as his chest vibrated against her back. Looking up at him she leaned back and pointed to the food stalls. He watched her blankly not even looking to see what she was pointing at. Looking up and away from her, she got the message that he either didn't care or had other ideas on the subject. A few minutes found them at the town gates. A huge wooden gate was imbedded within a stone wall. Arrow armed guards watched travelers from atop the gate and wall. One caught her eye as he was taking off his shiny iron helmet. He noticed her as he rubbed his head and chuckled lightly at her. She watched him smack a fellow soldier in the arm and point at her. The two had but a moment to look at her before they passed through the gate. Looking up once they had passed through the gate she realized they weren't actually looking at her; following their gazes onto Analeya. She could her them laughing and suddenly felt very angry at them for their actions toward such a kind woman. Analeya led them a few feet more before stopping and pulling the horse to the side a bit; out of the main thoroughfare. He nodded again a held a slight smirk thinking that he had indeed bought a decent slave. "Continue to the fork then go to the left." He decided to test her and continued, "After a ways on that road take the third right." She nodded and pulled them back into the road. He smirked watching her and waited to see just how this all panned out. Kaylen on the other hand took this as an opportunity to relax further. The more they came away from the town the less humans she saw; and less of the blights they called buildings. The green grass swayed in a light wind as they continued on. Leaning back she watched light clouds dance across the sky slowly. Closing her eyes she imagined she was at home with her mother. Her mother would be working hard getting all the laundry out to dry and she would sneak up with the newest forest creature she had found. Just as she was certain her mother was fully occupied she would jump out and show her the thing. The most recent attempt had been a large bulbous bloated toad she had found. "Anda..." A tear fell silently and she opened her eyes to see a large castle-like house before her. The grey alabaster stone had been intimately etched by a artisan of the craft. Gargoyles stood at the very top eternally watching over the dwellers of the house. Analeya led them into the front courtyard and Danin dismounted his horse. A man in his forties came and took the reigns from Analeya. His clothes were of the same color and fashion as Danin's. Surprise was evident on his face when he laid eyes on Kaylen. "Two my lord?" A slight chuckle broke forth from Danin. "Yes Evan; two." He pulled Kaylen from his horse and placed her on her feet. "Take them to be properly cleaned and cared for. The state they were in was deplorable." Evan nodded and bowed as Danin turned and walked into his house leaving them with him. "Follow me." He let out as he led the horse off. Analeya grabbed Kaylen's hand softly and encouraged her to follow this new man. She walked close to the older woman, "Loi an nanda." Analeya looked down at her with a warm smile. "Bhed tal Leyad Danin annan meya." Kaylen's free hand came up and she scratched her head lightly. "Leyad Daninda." Analeya grabbed her hand with both and tapped it lightly. "Ma." They came upon the stables and Evan took the horse in and shut the door; he would deal with removing the saddle when he returned. He looked them over a minute and shook his head lightly. "Two..." He mumbled to himself as he led them around to the servants quarters. "Tina!" Evan's voice rang through this section of the house. "Coming..." A cheery voice echoed back to them. Not a moment after it stop echoing did Tina appear; her flaming red hair practically lighting up the room. She was a little short but she had an air about her that demanded respect and attention. "What 'ave you got there Evan? Why, they're stark naked as the day they were born!" Her accent tickled Kaylen's ears and made her smiled a bit. "Aye. Lord Danin bought them in town today." She walked towards them, an incredulous look on her face, "Oh he did, did he? The two of 'em?" Evan laughed lightly, "Aye, that's what I asked him." The two of them enjoyed a moment of chuckling before Tina sighed lightly, "Well I understand buying the one, " She motioned to Analeya. "what with the mistress gone an all." She closed the rest of the distance between them and made Kaylen look up at her, "But one so young... She looks naught seven or eight summers old." She directed her attention back to Analeya, "Can you speak?" Analeya nodded slowly. "Yes ma'am I can." She sighed and nodded. "Thank you for bringing 'em. I'll take it from 'ere." He nodded and left all the women to themselves. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Translation: "Anda..." - "Mama..." "Loi lan nanda." - "Where are we?" "Bhed tal Leyad Danin lannan meya." - "We are at the house of Lord Danin." "Leyad Daninda." - "Lord Danin?" "Ma." - "Yes." Chapter three down for the count. ~Lain Iwakura.