New story. Yeah I know I should work on other crap before I do these things but I've gone beyond caring. This story goes between POVs and it also takes place after the final battle in Kirkwall.
Chapter 1
Defiant, brave, unbreakable. That was the figure she cut as she stood on the bidding block. But soon she would be compliant, cowardly, broken. I had seen it happen as it had happened to me. "Doesn't the pretty little kitten remind you of someone Fenris?" I glare at the back of Denarius' head then I look back up at the woman. Her dirty blonde hair twisted in the light wind and her pale skin was bruised lightly. Her green eyes meet mine and her set frown breaks as she parts her lips. "How lovely she will be once she's cleaned. Perhaps I should buy her as a reward for all your hard work? If not I could use her for a night of pleasure before slitting her throat."
I wanted to tell him no, she didn't deserve that fate. But I was powerless to do so. Willing my eyes to tell her to look away did no good as Denarius stepped forward, ahead of the group trying to decide on if they wanted her. Surprisingly she snarled as Denarius stepped close. It was a similar thing I had done once but I had never stood on the slavers block. But instead of biting his fingers as he touched her face she pulled back, toxic green eyes flashing defiantly.
"Hm, I'll give you 150 gold." The onlookers murmured, wondering why someone like Denarius would want someone like her. None of the others stepped forward to make a rival bid and so it was my master who walked away with her in chains. He drew up to the spot he had left me standing in and tosses the girl on the floor at my feet. As soon as she hits the pavement she flings her leg back, aiming to kick my master in his shin. I place one foot on her back and press down firmly. She heaves against me but I could tell she wasn't trying. If she was she would have tensed her muscles more and shook a bit. No, she was testing me.
"Now, now you two, play nice. I have bright things planned for this little fire spitter. Up with her Fenris, we head for home." I gently pull her up and she doesn't resist. Had what I saw on the slavers block just a trick of the light? As I wind the chain around her arms in my hand I notice her glaring at me from the gently waving dirt streak strands of her hair. Did she have the ability to talk or had they ripped out her tongue?
She walks ahead of me, making me wonder if this is what she had aimed for in the first place although I wasn't sure why anyone would want to be a slave. Denarius climbs atop his horse and walks it forward, expecting us to follow behind him. "Well, don't be shy Fenris, talk with the little lioness." A pet name, meaning she was well on her way to being one of the closer slaves. Close with Denarius was not a good thing. It had given me my hated markings and it had taken my memory.
"So, what's your name?" I ask sullenly, whisking she had been bought by a lesser Mage. Denarius would expect me to ask things which was his roundabout way of finding information on his new slaves.
"Kazrine Hawke, Lothering province in Ferelden. Age 22, trained in Templar fighting techniques, my family is dead except for my sister who's locked away in Kirkwall's Circle. Any fine details you need?" Her voice was low but not deep with a hint of emotion under the harshness of how she projected it.
Denarius drops his horse back to her other side and looks down at her. "Trained by Templars? What else are you trained in?" She takes an inhale.
"Herbalism, Dalish hunting, and Antivan dancing. I specialize in sword and shield my lord." Denarius chuckles and she takes a step closer to me.
"Yes, I think I like you. But I don't think I'll let you keep your name. How about Khione since you're seemingly cold." He whips out his hand and it smashes into her face. She takes a stumbling step then rights herself, tossing her hair back defiantly. "Hm, Fenris, when we get back break her." And with this he rides ahead.
~~~~~
We make it to Denarius' mansion with no trouble. Probably because I had a reputation of killing people on sight. Actually it was more like Kazrine Hawke. As soon as Denarius had left she had visibly relaxed, bringing her bound hands up to rub the nasty bruise forming on her face. She radiated total calm but still sent a withering glare in every direction she looked. "Alright, you seem far too smart to get caught by slavers. You must have done it on purpose." I finally say, my curiosity getting the better of me which was rare in itself.
"Observant I see." Is all she says as she matches my quick pace easily even though she was shorter than me which meant shorter legs and longer distances. I drag her over to the courtyard to the chains which were suspended in the center. She doesn't struggle as I hook her up nor does she make a face as I pick up a whip. A moment before I start a healer walks out. He was here to make sure the newest addition didn't have hideous scars. Denarius liked to keep his women intact.
Mercilessly I rip off the back of her tunic. On the right side above her tail bone was a gray, star shaped scar. More than likely made from magic. She doesn't move as the first stroke from the whip bites into her skin. Nor did she move for the next two. On the fourth one she hissed. The next one made her arch and clench her teeth. Sixth one finally got a halting scream. I stay my hand as the healer gets to work.
She takes a few halting breaths and tilts her head to look at me. Her face returns to being emotionless as the healer finishes up and I sigh as I twirl the whip around for another strike. This time she didn't stop the scream. The next one added a sob. I knew what to wait for, to get down she needed to beg to be let go. As I stop for the second time and the healer goes back to work I step around to her front. By now her jaw was shaking and she no longer held her own body upright.
Tapping her chin with the butt of the whip I let out a sigh. "All you have to do is beg." I say and she takes a deep breath.
"Please, please trust me." Baffled by her words I take a step back and see the healer sit on the ground.
"I think we should stop. Her skin will only hold together with so much magic not to mention I'm exhausted. I'll ask Denarius what to do with her." And with this he leaves us. The sun lights up dust motes which float in front of her face. Which was giving signs of desperately trying to stay conscious. What had she meant, trust her? I highly doubted Denarius would let her off the chains unless she begged.
"So, did she beg for you to let her off the chains my little wolf?" Danarius asks as he steps into the courtyard. I open my mouth to answer but Hawke shakes her head.
"Please master, whatever I have done to anger you I am sorry for it. Please no more." Broken sobs enter her voice as she speaks, her body shaking. Denarius regards her and motions for me to let her go.
"Go ahead and place her in the room next to yours. She needs several days rest for what I have planned." That could mean one of two things. He planned to push her to her limits before her body failed or- I shake my head and start releasing the chains holding her up. Her head rolled a little and I had a feeling this wasn't acting. Magic drained both parties.
Once at the designated rooms I fling her on the floor, face up. Before she could move, which she didn't even attempt, I place a foot on her chest, pressing down threateningly.
"Alright, I'm not fooled. Tell me what you're doing or I'll kill you." She looks up at me with blank eyes, her chest barely expanding for air. I press down when she doesn't answer. Still she would not answer me. Rising my foot up on my toes I start pressing down harder. Now her chest was expanding greatly, trying to get as much air as she could.
A quick glance at her unbound hands tells me she could easily grab for my foot and fight me but she sat there passively. "Tell me now."
"I guess it doesn't matter." She breathes out and I lift my foot a little. "I doubt my part of the plan won't work too well. Surely you know of the war being waged against Tevinter? Antiva and Ferelden both pressing hard. The Free Marches, although divided, plans on entering this war." Now she shuts her mouth again.
"You said your part. What do you mean?" Now she gives me a smile.
"I've said too much and you don't trust me yet." Sighing I take my foot away and walk over to the door, glancing over my shoulder before I step out. She was still lying on the floor, starring at the ceiling.
Ch. 2 will be up soon. And for those who don't know what Menagerie means it's just a fancy word for zoo.