Hello, dear readers!

Yes, I know it is slightly shorter than others...

Chapter 7

Judy's ears drooped behind the back of her head. The murderous look the wolf was giving her, pinned Judy to the chair. But the desire to save her siblings burned strong in her small body and she called out again.

"Six gold coins!"

Lord Wolford was quick to answer her bid. "Seven gold coins!"

Sir Nicholas eyed the predator bent on revenge. The fox's nose scrunched in distaste.

"Eight gold coins!" Judy raised the price again.

"Nine gold coins!" The wolf followed.

The doe gripped the chair's supports. "Ten gold coins!" That's it. She was out of money. If the wolf would raise the price again, she'd have no way of responding. And when the Earl noticed her reaction a nasty grin decorated his face.

"Eleven gold coins!" He announced with satisfaction.

Judy shivered. She lost. It's over… I-I couldn't save them… Never before in her life she felt poorer. Money was never an issue at the farm as they barely used it. They produced their own food and having over two hundred siblings was more than enough for entertainment. But now she needed money, more than she ever thought she'd need it.

The hyena glanced at the doe, waiting for a moment to see if she's going to bid, but the bunny sat in silence, her head hung low.

"Eleven gold coins once!" He announced.

Judy felt tears filling up her eyes, her soul crying from the overwhelming helplessness. Why?! Why must we suffer again from the paws of… a…noble… Her own thoughts trailed off as she straightened up when a sudden realization hit her. Nobles… She spun around and faced her owner with a teary gaze.

"Please…" She whispered to him. "I… I need more coins…" Judy hated herself for every word she said to the fox, but she cared more for her family than for her personal hatred. If her own humiliation would save the kids, so be it.

"Excuse me?" Sir Nicholas was genuinely surprised. "You are asking for my help? Did you not hate me?"

"Eleven gold coins twice!"

She gritted her teeth. "They're my siblings, I need to save them…" The doe clenched her paws. "I beg of you… See? I'm begging! What else do you want from me?!" She hissed at the noble fox and couldn't stand it anymore and sobbed. "Please… help me…"

Sir Nicholas stared at her with eyes wide open. He stared at the defiant, rebellious and resilient bunny now broken down and crying because of her family's situation.

The hyena opened his mouth to announce the winner.

"Twelve gold coins!" The fox's voice rang out across the hall.

Judy's ears shot up and she gazed up at the red furred noblemammal. He returned the stare and then she saw something that, in her mind, had no right to exist.

A real, genuine smile on Sir Nicholas' face.

An angry growl came from Lord Wolford, the wolf shot up from his seat. The noble fox turned his head and sent him a stare along with a smug grin. The wolf's head snapped back towards the auction's host. "Thirteen gold coins!" He roared.

Sir Nicholas raised a brow at the elderly predator and beckoned Benjamin to approach. When the feline leaned to his master, the fox whispered something to the cheetah's ear. The steward nodded with a smirk and walked away.

Judy followed him with her eyes for a moment, but her attention was once again brought to the bidding war between two nobles.

"Fourteen gold coins!"

"Fifteen gold coins!"

It was almost a comical scene, as Lord Wolford was becoming more and more agitated and Sir Nicholas looked completely relaxed. At one point, he even yawned. If her siblings' lives wouldn't depend on this auction, Judy probably would have laughed.

"Sixteen gold coins!" The fox announced and sent a wink towards his opponent.

Lord Wolford was livid and opened his mouth once again, but then he heard a howl nearby. The wolf blinked and turned around to see where it was coming from, but to no avail.

"Sixteen gold coins once!" Hais called from the stage, not sure what was happening but Sir Nicholas motioned with a paw for him to continue.

Lord Wolford wanted to bid, but someone howled again and this time the noble wolf could not stop his instincts and joined the howl. Several nobles from the gathered guests sniggered.

"Sixteen gold coins twice!"

"Damn you Wilde!" The wolf roared in fury. "Se-"

The howl happened for the third time and Lord Wolford had no control over himself as he also let out a howl.

"Sold! To the heir of Duke of Vulpinea, Sir Nicholas Wilde!"

Judy sagged in the chair, both paws over her mouth and tears of relief flowing freely down her grey cheeks. They were saved. Thank God… thank God…

"So…" Said a voice above her. "Are you planning on buying someone?" The fox gave her a smirk when she glanced up.

"Didn't I just-"

"Hardly so, my little Cottontail." He interrupted her words. "I bought those bunnies, you still have your 10 coins." Sir Nicholas raised his brows in a playful expression. "Why not use them?"

As if on cue, the auction's host called out another slave to the center of the stage, while Judy's siblings were taken away. This time it was the wounded lynx. While the doe was still shaken emotionally with what just happened and her heart unsure whether she should be grateful to her owner or to be on guard, in case this was another one of his schemes, she set her mind on buying the poor mammal. And she did so without trouble, using just one gold coin, as no one was interested in a half-dead slave.

The rest of the auction went on rather uneventful, safe for Lord Wolford storming out of the building before the end.

When Hais announced the end of the auction and asked buyers to wait outside for the merchandise, Judy didn't even wait for the fox to move and she bolted towards the exit. Sir Nicholas clicked his tongue and turned around to follow her, but someone's voice stopped him.

"Ah! Sir Nicholas! It is a pleasure to see you again!" Said a female voice.

The noble fox turned back to see a middle-aged lamb in a blue dress with golden trimmings. She had a very friendly smile on her face.

"Countess Bellweather, what a pleasant surprise." Is what Sir Nicholas said, but the tone he used suggested the opposite. At the same time, Benjamin returned and the fox indicated the exit with a nod of his head. The feline looked at the opened door and back at Sir Nicholas and realization dawned upon him, when there was no bunny to see around. He immediately rushed to the door.

"I am so glad that you have returned unharmed after these three years, it would be such a loss if something happened to you."

"Yes…" he admitted reluctantly "especially for me." These words caused someone nearby to chuckle. The noblemammal shifted his gaze and noticed a young, red furred vixen that approached them in a simple, white dress. She was wearing very little jewelry, that didn't overwhelm her own beauty, but rather emphasized it in a subtle manner. "Dear godmother, you have never mentioned, that Sir Nicholas likes to play with words in such an entertaining way." She curtsied with elegance before the fox and he bowed in reply.

"I am afraid that we did not have the pleasure to meet earlier, Miss…" He extended his paw, palm up.

She showed him a brilliant smile. "Julia. Julia Silkpaw." The vixen offered her paw and he took it gently to lean down and place a delicate kiss on top of it.

"Silkpaw… I must say that it is a very fitting name." His thumb slightly brushed the fur on her paw.

Miss Julia giggled and covered her mouth with another paw. After this exchange of greetings Sir Nicholas straightened up. "I am very glad to have met you, however there are pressing matters that require my attention. Excuse me, ladies." With these words, he bowed his head in apology and headed for the door.

"I certainly hope that we did not take too much of your time." Said the lamb with a broad smile.

.

.

Judy quite quickly found the area meant for handing out slaves. It wasn't too difficult, even if she approached the place before from the other end as a newly bought product. But now she was here to take back her brother and sister.

"Judy!" A familiar voice called her name from behind. She turned around to see Benjamin panting heavily as he approached her on wobbly legs. "You… you're too fast…" He wheezed. "I need to catch my breath…"

"Out of my way, servant!" Stated a voice Judy didn't want to hear at all. Benjamin turned around, only to be eye to eye with a furious wolf.

"Lord Wolford…" The cheetah gasped while going pale. The noble predator's paw went straight for his sword and he unsheathed it in an instant.

"It was you…" The wolf growled at Benjamin. "You have made me look like a fool and caused to lose the auction!" The blade swished in the air and was now pointing at the nervous feline.

Benjamin raised both paws in a defensive gesture, not denying that he was the one who started the howls. "M-my lord, if I may only-"

"Silence!" Lord Wolford swung his arm and Benjamin yelped, falling back on the ground. The sleeve of his jacket was cut, along with the skin beneath it. The elderly predator raised his arm to strike again, but was interrupted by Judy. The doe jumped at him and kicked him on the side with both legs. She groaned from the strain it caused her. Lord Wolford gasped and fell to the ground. Meanwhile, Judy scrambled to the cheetah's side with a concerned expression.

"Benjamin! Are you alright?" The plump steward was clutching the wounded forearm.

"I… I think I'm bleeding…"

"YOU again!" A shadow rose behind Judy, making her ears drop down. She turned around to see a very upset noblemammal. "I shall avenge my nephew's death and get rid of you once and for all!" He swung down the sword on top of the doe's head.

Judy shut her eyes tight, awaiting her death.

It didn't come.

She dared to peek with one eye, to see a drop of blood running down the grey fur. Lord Wolford's sword stopped in mid-air, never reaching her body. Instead, another sword was right next to his face and the blade cut his cheek, causing the blood to flow out. Someone had cut him from behind.

"Greetings, Lord Wolford." Said Sir Nicholas in a voice that would make an iceberg seem hot in comparison. "Surely, my eyes must be playing tricks on me, as I could not have seen you wounding my servant and raising your arm on my personal slave." He circled the wolf, keeping the blade on the face of the Earl. The fox positioned himself between the bigger predator and his servants.

"Sir Nicholas…" The elderly noble muttered, eyeing the fox with an annoyed expression.

"I believe we had this conversation before. Am I to take it that you wish to duel me?" The jade green eyes pierced the wolf, causing him to take a step back. It shocked him how a mammal so small could emanate such a murderous aura. He had no doubt in his mind, that if given the tiniest reason, this fox would cut open his throat.

"I do not…" Lord Wolford managed to say, though with great effort.

"I see. Then sheathe your sword." It was surprising that air around his mouth didn't freeze from the temperature of his voice. The wolf obeyed, being very careful to do it slowly, due to the tip of a blade pressing at his skin.

"Good. Now disappear from my sight and never attempt such a thing again, this is your last warning. I will not be so forgiving next time." One could use the fox's voice to cool down a volcano.

Lord Wolford grit his teeth, but had no other choice apart from walking away, defeated.

Judy breathed out with relief. Happy that she managed to escape the elderly noblemammals wrath, irritated by the fact, that the fox saved her again.

"Sir…" Benjamin began when Sir Nicholas sheathed his own sword.

"Silence." The fox ordered.

"Yes, sir." The cheetah whined, casting down his eyes.

"You will retrieve all bought slaves and order that hyena to give you a carriage." The vulpine grabbed Judy by the arm with a firm grip and started dragging her towards the Wilde family's personal carriage.

"You are coming with me."

Judy initially wanted to struggle and protest, but the expression she saw on his face made her rethink that decision. Sweet cheese and crackers, he's really angry…