Caged
There was a small form sitting against the bars of a large birdcage. The cage was almost hidden from view, surrounded by piles merchandise. The form in the cage was female and wore a tattered white dress, darkened with age and grime. Her legs were bare from knees down with angry red marks across them. She wore a cloak of feathers, draped oddly on her back as she sat with it pressed against the bars of her prison. Her eyes were closed and she appeared to be asleep.
"Why is that woman imprisoned?" Levi Ackerman asked the blonde-haired merchant, the owner of the massive building both men currently stood in and everything inside of it. Levi was dressed in finery, with forged papers of his lineage in one pocket, pretending to be a man interested in the merchant's wares. He was really here just to scope out what was valuable enough to steal.
"That." The man began as he looked over at the cage. "Is no woman."
"Has she committed some crime then?" Levi asked, though it was hard to envision a dainty little thing like her doing anything. Levi knew well appearances could be deceiving, however. Criminals were sold as slaves, though it was uncommon practice. But more than likely this woman was just a slave so be sold at auctions. It was illegal but this merchant was part of an underground network that sold pretty much everything you could think of. Levi would feel no guilt when he liberated some goods from this man tonight.
"None, as far as I know." The man smiled, his teeth showing in his amusement. Levi felt disgust in him rise, not liking where this was going. He kept that out of his face however.
The man went over to smack the cage with his hand, startling the female inside. She scrambled away when she noticed the two men outside her prison. Levi realized then why she was imprisoned. She wore no cloak of feathers, the feathers were actually part of her body. The girl had wings.
Levi's eyes widened slightly, betraying the cold mask of indifference he usually wore. The girl was one of the winged forest dwellers? Their songs were said to be magical, able to enthrall others with their beauty. Levi heard stories of them but it was the first time he saw one person. Her people were known to be secretive and rarely ventured out. They understood that they were in danger from the humans and their desire to possess things not of their understanding.
"She was valuable when she used to sing. But as she has now been willfully mute for far longer than I have time to trouble myself with. She can go to the auctions tonight. This rare treasure will be one of the highlights of tonight's events. Maybe you'll make a bid?"
"... Maybe." Levi responded.
"Hmm, feel free to get acquainted with the creature. I will be back in just a few moments with my best stock."
Levi watched the figure leave and turned back to the girl in the cage. There were guards inside as well but they were far enough away that he could probably talk to the girl without being overheard.
As Levi neared, the female backed away to the other end of the cage. The man took a moment to look her over, seeing the bruises visible on her arms and legs. Her owner had not been kind to her.
Levi felt pity for the girl. She didn't look to be very old, maybe a little older than his friend and fellow thief, Isabel.
"What's your name?" Levi asked, his rough voice making the girl flinch.
No answer. The girl just turned her head away and closed her eyes.
"Can you understand me?" Levi asked. Did her kind have a different language? He didn't know much about her people at all.
Still no answer.
"If you want out of here, you'll talk to me." That got her attention. Levi knew she understood. "What is your name?"
"Petra." Her voice was raspy and low. Her eyes were pretty, a fiery amber.
"Petra… Do you want to be free of this man?"
The girl clenched her hands and slowly nodded.
"Then the next time I come, you will do everything I say, understand?"
"How do I know you will be any better?"
"You don't. It's a risk you will have to take."
The girl closed her eyes, and nodded quickly.
"Farlan! Isabel!" Levi shouted as he opened the doors to their hideout.
"Hey big brother! Did you get me anything today?" Isabel asked hopefully.
"No. Brats who don't clean properly get no presents."
"Awww!" The girl whined. She crossed her arms and pouted.
"Levi. What's up?" Farlan asked, seeing the look on his friend's face.
"If you're up for it, we have our target for tonight." Levi answered.
"I'm always up for work. That sleazy merchant?" Farlan got a nod in response. They had been scoping out potential victims for some time.
"Hurray! I've been getting bored of this place." Isabel cheered. Levi and his friends never stayed in the same place after hitting a powerful target. It was always best to take the goods and find another place to sell them. All three enjoyed traveling so it was never a big deal to have to leave a town or city.
"The same. This one will be a little interesting. We'll be bringing someone back with us."
"Who?"
"Why?" Isabel and Farlan said at once, both curious.
"You'll see when we get there." Levi answered vaguely, grabbing a bag and gesturing at them to follow. "Just trust me on this."
His friends looked at each other and shrugged. They grabbed their own bags and followed behind their leader.
This was a short snippet of a larger work I won't be finishing. Just posting what I can of it in here.
