When Lyris's consciousness slowly returned, she first became acutely aware of the hard surface she was laying on. Hard and cold. Lyris's eyes opened. She could hear a cacophony of several different conversations overlapping, making it impossible to decipher what was being said. The dim light and the blurriness of her vision prevented her from being able to discern her surroundings. Her eyes slipped shut again. The voices faded…

The sudden sensation of ice-water crashing over her body yanked her back awake.

'On your feet.' It was Athria. He grabbed her arm and hoisted her upright. Her head pounded and vision spun. She then noticed the manacles around her wrists and ankles, and that she was dressed in a simple, white shift-dress. All of her belongings were gone. Her eyes finally adjusted to the low-lit room.

Lyris was stood atop a stage, separated from the roaring crowd by metal bars. There were others up there with her, all women: a halfling, two humans, and a half-elf.

'Alright, everyone settle down!' Athria yelled. When the crowd didn't quiet, he held up one hand, and set off a deafening explosion. Lyris moved to instinctively cover her ears only to be stopped by her chains. The din of the crowd petered out.

'Marvellous. Now, ladies and gentleman, today I have for you six spectacular specimens. I think you'll agree we have a fine selection for you to choose from. Now, then...why don't we start with the smallest?' He dragged forward the halfling. She squeaked in protest, dragging her feet against the floor.

'As you can see, she's easy to control, and just, simply adorable. I don't think she'll make a great bodyguard, but she would be a fantastic pet. We'll open bids at 200 gold pieces.'

One hand went up. '250!'

'275!'

'280!'

'Do we have any more bids? No...alright then, sold to the aasimar lady, for 280.'

Immediately, she was taken off the stage, and led to her owner.

Next was one of the humans. She had even less composure than the halfling, kicking, screaming and crying as she was dragged forward into the light for the crowd to see. A few people 'ooh'd' and whistled. She was sold for 600. The other human, who merely accepted her grim fate went for 400. Next was the half-elf. When Athria began pulling her forward she slipped from his grip and tried to make a run for it.

'Oh, foolish bitch.' Athria stretched out on of his hands.

The half-elf seized up under the hold-person spell. Athria sauntered over to her, pushed her to the ground and stomped on her shin. Lyris flinched at the horrible snapping sound, followed by a harrowing scream.

'My apologies.' Athria half-dragged, half-carried her forward. 'This one will need some house-training, clearly. To cover medical expenses, we'll open the bidding at a mere 75 gold.'

She was sold to a half-orc for 200. Now Lyris was the only one left.

'And this exquisite specimen is one I collected yesterday.' Several of the crowd cheered when Lyris was pulled into view. 'A none-drow elf is a rare site in Luskan. So I expect you all to bid generously and seize this rare opportunity. She has some scars, but she is durable...tested her myself.'

'Fuck you.' The words tumbled from Lyris's mouth. If she wasn't bound she would claw the bastards eyes out.

Athria laughed. 'She has quite the temper. And would seem there is still some lingering pride that needs to be beaten out of her. But like I said...durable.' He backhanded her across the face. Her injured cheek immediately stung 'Starting bid...shall we say, 800 gold?'

'900!'

'950!'

'1000!'

'10,000 gold!'

The crowd broke out into murmurs at the claim. Lyris might have felt flattered she was valued so highly, were it not for the fact she was being sold like property. Athria looked around, trying to catch site of the bidder. A human man dressed in dark refinery stepped through the crowd, who parted for him without hesitation. The deep blues and blacks of his clothes contrasted with his white hair and alabaster skin. He was flanked by two elven slaves, and followed by a good half-dozen armed and armoured men.

'10,000...did I hear correctly?'

'Yes, you did my good man. It's quite the prize you have.'

'That is...a very generous bid. Do we have any advances on 10,000?' The room remained silent. 'Going once...going twice...sold! To the human gentleman!'

Athria grabbed Lyris by the chain connected to her collar and yanked her forward. He handed it to the human. He nodded in thanks to Athria and snapped his finger. One of his existing slaves stepped forward, staggering under the weight of the sack of gold. She thrust it into Athria's arms, eager to be free of his weight. As she did, she knocked into him, making him stagger back an inch.

The human whipped his head around to level her with a glare. 'Insolent girl! How dare you touch you betters!' He raised on hand and made a turning motion of with. Her neck broke with a resounding snap. She collapsed onto the ground, head angled impossibly at Lyris's feet. She tore her eyes from the dead girl to the human. His eyes bore into Lyris's with unspoken threats, even as he reached for his own coin purse.

'Another 2,000. For your trouble.'

Athria bowed. 'I am forever grateful to you. I do hope we can do business again one day.'

'I'm sure we will, once these two have exhausted their usefulness. Until we meet again.'

He pulled on the chain, dragging Lyris out of the building.

The light from outside burned her eyes as she exited the dim room. Through her squinted eyes, she saw a gilded horse-drawn carriage waiting. Lyris and the other girl were dragged towards the carriage, but they didn't sit in it. Their chains were connected to rings on the outside of the carriage. One on each side.

He turned to Lyris before stepping foot in. 'Oh, excuse me. I believe I forgot to introduce myself. My name is Ambassador Andro Ves Eglier. But unless you want ten lashings, call me Sir or Master. What is your name?'

Lyris felt a prickle of anger, her draconic pride rearing its head.

'Hm, a mute? Not to fear. I have ways of extracting words from your pretty mouth. For the meantime, we shall call you...Dawn. To symbolise the dawn of you new life.' He went to step into his carriage then stopped himself, sparing Lyris one last, pitying look. ' I do hope you can keep up.'

'Hey,' Lyris whispered to the other girl. She was a wisp of a thing, clearly underfed. She wore the same white shift dress Lyris did, but it hung loose from her malnourished body. 'Hey, what's your name?'

'Nerissa,' she whispered.

'Is that your real name?'

Nerissa shook her head.

'Then what is?'

'I...I don't remember.'

The carriage set off at a slow pace. They began walking behind it.

'How long have you served that dickhead?'

Nerissa turned to her, wide-eyed then glanced around, paranoid. 'Don't say things like that!'

'Or what, he'll kill me? I doubt it. I'm quite the investment.'

'There are worse things than death.'

'Like slavery?'

Nerissa fell silent. As they broke out of the narrow streets, the carriage picked up pace. Nerissa and Lyris quickened their stride as their chains pulled taut.

'Where exactly are we going?'

'Blackford Hold. Milord's homestead overlooks the Black Raven River.'

Lyris recalled a road of the same name from her map. 'That's 2 days journey from here…'

Nerissa nodded. 'I'm sorry.'

'What for?'

Nerissa leaned forward, her blue eyes looking up at Lyris sympathetically. 'For what they may do to you tonight.'