(A/N: Hello everyone, Sonicfighter here bringing yet another story of mine. This time, it's a retelling of the underrated 2019 New Zealand movie called Mosley. It's a pretty good movie, I recommend you should see it for yourself. Any who, this story follows the movie, but with a few things that are different. I won't explain what they are for spoilers. I don't own Mosley. It belongs to its rightful owner.)
Mosley: A changed destiny
Chapter 1: Prologue
In ancient times, a race known as the Thoriphants stood on two legs like humans. They have their own culture, religion, government and cities. Since they can talk, it makes the Thoriphants equal to humans. Until one day, a group of them fled up into the mountains when they learn of humans entering their land. Those that stayed behind are forced into slavery. As the centuries past, they lose the ability to stand upright and walk on their four feet like other beasts of burdens.
They became servants to greedy men and women who treated them like the animals they are. Working as farm animals or pulling heavy wagons of goods. Their children are separated from their families and sold to different owners. It's a never-ending cycle of enslavement and servitude.
However, not all humans approve this. Some argue that pulling a sentient being in chains is wrong and inhumane. And since the Thoriphants can talk, it means that they can be reasoned with, and hear that they have to say. But their words have fallen on deaf ears since they've grown compliance to use the Thoriphants as an alternative to horses, donkeys and oxen. And it's during one auction is where our story begins.
Bemus is well known as a conman who swindle people into buying his pimple removal elixir, which backfired on more than one occasions and drives him out of town. However just recently, he asked help from an old friend of his, Warfield. A notorious and dangerous bounty hunter who track and capture runaway Thoriphants to bring them back to their owners. He on some occasions, collected horn of male Thoriphants as trophies. On this night, Bemus is having an auction in one such town.
"50 going once, 50 going twice." Bemus said as he slams his hand on the table, sealing the deal. "Sold that hog for a $50 bit!"
A crowd has gathered around Bemus cart to see what he has for sale, even though that he had a history of ripping people off. Among the crowd is a man with brown eyes, short light brown hair and wearing an orange rode. Like everyone else, he too is curious to what Bemus has in store.
"Yes sir, that's a good hunk of pork you got their mister." Bemus said while smacking the pig's hindquarter as his minions handed the pig to its new owner. "We'll serve that with some onions and mushrooms." He joked before getting back to business.
"Now folks, planting time is upon us. I'm sure y'all gonna be harnessing up your donkeys, you oxen's, your mules and busting sod this Spring." A few murmurs in agreement. "But I wanna show you something real special tonight. It's a new item here at Bemus Travelling Auction. Now hey, it's a pricy item, make no mistake." A few in the crowd chuckles. "But something like this can chance your- Yes sir! Make it a whole lot easier."
Just then, two of Bemus associates, Shank and Ollie, dress up as a donkey as they move around with a plow behind them. The crowd laughs at this as Bemus explains. "How the problem with mule or a horse is that, even though their strong, their just so dang stupid."
"I won't want to be the butt Shank." Ollie complained to his partner.
"Shut up, Ollie." Shank said back before the plow got caught on a louse floorboard, causing the two to stumble to the ground, losing the costume as the crowd laugh more.
"See what I mean?" Bemus said as he chuckled. "Strength yes. Brains, eh not so much." He said as he points his brain for emphasis. "But what if you can have both?" Bemus said with a smirk on his face. This made everyone interested. All but the man in orange He knew what kind of creature he was talking about.
"Bring them in boys." Bemus orders his associates as they remove the wooden beams and a group of Thoriphants walks into the platform, much to the crowd's amazement. They never seen much creatures before. Though the man in orange did on more than one occasion and it doesn't make him long to figure out that Bemus was doing. He sees that the group is made up of 5 males and 6 females. He can also see a calf next to one female. He has brown eyes and he can tell by looking into those innocent eyes that he's scared and has no idea what's going to happen.
"Would you look at that." A man said in awe.
"Gentlemen, these are Thoriphants. Look at that strong back." Bemus said as he pats the back of a female. "Those legs." The conman also said as he grabs one of the legs. "Much stronger than any mule or horse, but this right here's the best part." Bemus said as he kicks the calf near the edge of the platform as the crowd laughs.
Bemus walk to the calf and spoke. "What's your name little feller?" He asked the calf, but says nothing as he looks at Bemus, as the flames from the nearby torches gives him a sinister look. "I said 'What's your name son?'" Bemus asked again.
"M-Mosley?" The young Thoriphant, now called Mosley said, much to everyone's surprise.
"It can talk." A man said in surprise.
"See what I mean?" Bemus said as he taps his head once again. "Very articulate. Now just imagine the possibility, an animal stronger than what pulling your plow now." Mosley walks back to his mother. "Mama, what's going on?" His mother didn't respond as a tear stream own her face. She knew what's going on. All too well. "But able to think, maybe even to chores around the farm." "Mama?" Mosley asked, but again, no answer. "You see, a Thoriphant is a creature you can treat like an animal, but depend on like a man."
This comment made the man in orange clinch his hands in anger. This is a total lie. "These animals are all the rage south of Enoch, and old Bemus has brough them to you special today!" However, Bemus heard footsteps on the platform as he turns to see Warfield glaring at him and sharpening his knife as he froze in fear. This causes Bemus to clear his throat. "With a little help from a friend of mine." The conman gets back to business as he starts the bid.
"We'll start the bidding with this little fellow right here at $300." He said, much to Mosley's shock. The man in orange is also shock by this, but it's not the first time he witnessed it. $300? Some start a bit with $500 or more. The crowd all hold up their hands, wanting the little Thoriphant. As Bemus calls out the price, the man continues to look at Mosley who shook his mother, wanting to know what's going on, but once again she didn't answer. He can tell how scared he is and though of what future he'll have: a life a servitude. This is something that he cannot allow to continue, especially to a child.
"Somebody give me $800." Bemus said just as a man in hold up his hand. "Right there, $800 going once, going twice. "
"1500!"
All activity stops at the crowd turn to see the man in orange holding up his hand. Even Bemus was surprise by this turn of event. However, Bemus laughs of he was told a bad joke.
"I'm sorry, can you say that again?"
"You heard me. $1,500 for the calf." The man in orange replied as he walks to the stage and stop a few inches from Bemus.
"Well, that's a mighty fine price there son, but how are you gonna pay for that?" Bemus asked.
"In steel!" The man said as he drew his sword and pointed it at Bemus, much to his and the crowd's shock as the crowd back away.
"Now, now, now let's not to anything violence. Especially in front of the little one." Bemus said as he looks at Mosley who is next to his mother.
"I like to make a deal. 1500 for the calf and his mother." The man in orange said, making his own deal as he put his sword away. This surprise Mosley and his mother as the tears instantly vanish. They are going to stay together.
Bemus thought for a minute. Two Thoriphants for the price one, that sounds like a good deal. Bemus slams his hand on the table. "Sold the calf and female for a $1,500 bit!" Bemus declared.
The man smiles as Bemus goons are about to put Mosley in a cage and stopped them. "No cage." They shrugged. He's his property. However, the man in orange is different from the others in the crowd as Mosley and his mother will soon find out.
A little while later, the man in orange along with his newly bought Thoriphants are walking along the road to their new home.
"Thank you." Mosley mother said for the first time as she smiles at him. She's happy that she got to stay with her son.
"You're welcome ma'am." The man said as he too smiles.
"That was amazing the way you stick out to that man." Mosley said as he run around.
"It's no trouble." The man replied.
"By the way, we didn't get your name." The young calf replied.
"Name's Dudley." He said with a smile. What happens next will forever chance their lives.
(A/N: That's a wrap for the first chapter. Sorry if this was short, but hey, it's a good start. As you have read, instead of being sold to Simon and separated from his mother, Mosley and his mother stays together thanks to a kind-hearted man. In the next chapter, we go 25 years where Mosley is treated well and with a family of his own. Until then, don't forget to read and review. Oh, one more thing, to anyone who want to be to update by other stories, don't worry about it, I'll update them when I have the time.)