Another glorious, warm day had dawned on the plains. Skies were blue, the rays of the Central Fire were warm and caressing. They could not have asked for a better day to travel. The weather seemed to lift the spirits of the people, making them forget the harshness of the trail thus far, which was good to see.
Riding along, she laughed at the children. This day they seemed to come from every crack and every cranny of each of the thousands of wagon. Some were mounted, but most were running, skipping and dancing along under the watchful eyes of parents and slaves. There was one thing about being part of a close knit group like they were, there were always eyes on the children. Their laughter, squeals and songs drifted on the air like a symphony. One could not help but smile at them.
Tug skipped along beside the wagon, followed by kasra, who was a blessing at time. The girl had helped take care of him before he was even born. The day she had bartered for the girl had been a lucky one. For a bundle of buna furs, and a slightly used bridle, she had purchased a gem. Yes, there were probably prettier slaves, more lively ones, but the girls gentle nature seemed to suit her and her needs. She could cook, she could sew, and she was a demon when it came to cleaning, but most importantly, she was good with children, that alone made her a treasure.
Now juneau was another animal all together. She had found the girl wandering through camp. with no collar, but looking haughty in an odd way. Stopping her, she began to question her as to why she was among them, without a collar, and looking as if she had just come in from a storm. The girl had tried to tidy her hair with her fingers and began to spin an unbelievable tale about raiders, larls, with even a bear thrown in for good measure. The hazel eyes had settled on her, and she told the girl that it was not allowed for a slave to lie.
Under the piercing hazel gaze, the girl had wilted, a bit defeated then told the true story, maybe. She had ran away from a recent merchants caravan. She had grown tired of the beatings, of starving and of working from first light to well into the darkness, always in fear of her life at the whim of the sadistic man that owned her. She had simply watched her, realizing that this was closer to the truth than the previous story, and she asked.....so, you are lazy? The girls head snapped up and she assured her that she was a hard worker, and respectful. She had leaned closer to the girl, lifting her head, looking into her eyes. You do realize that if you are lying, I will slit your worthless throat in the beat of a heart, right. There was fear in the girls eyes as she slowly nodded, moistening her lips as she whispered...Yes Mistress. And that was it. She had brought the girl back to her wagons, turned her over to Rook for a few days, and had no regrets. The girl worked hard, she got along with kasra, she doted on Tug, and she laughed. And if she wandered off into the darkness with the occasional warrior, it was of no matter. In fact, she had even seen the girl slipping out of Rook's wagon on an early morn or two, which at first shocked her, then pleased her.
All in all, her little family meshed well, worked hard, and lived a good life. Rook was as much of her family as any that had been born into it. Both of her girls were pleasant, hard working and devoted to not only her, but to her son.
Ciegue managed to chew his lead again and appeared beside the wagon, almost as if he were keeping sentinel over her. Leaning over she reached to scratch between his ears, and if it were possible, the huge beast purred. Her thoughts wandered to her kaiila. She had a herd of them, thanks to the diligence of Tayco and his skills at breeding just the right ones. But she did have her favorites, including this one here that had found her. There was that huge black beast that had belonged to Tayco, that no could come near but her. Then there was Wager, the fine roan mare that she had won from Bo. This one also came with a lesson on setting the terms of a wager, for both of them. Then there was her beautiful Lyric, the mare that had gotten her into so much trouble at one time, and the mare's son, Luck, who she had also won in a wager. She often teased Tayco that the only reason he mated her was so that he could get the little colt back. Also among her favorites was ShadowChaser that Tayco had chosen for Tug, and Merry, her very first beast that her father had given her, who was growing a bit long of fang now days, and would soon have to be put down. This would probably be the mares last journey.
Just watching her people as they walked along, brought that swell of pride to her breast. Strong, brave, lively, stubborn, handsome, beautiful, all of those things. Then looking beyond them, she saw the massive herds that were the kaiila and the bosk. What better life could a woman wish for? Again she felt a stirring of pity in her heart for those that were contained within the walls of some city. Never would they know this pride, this freedom, or this knowledge of belonging to something as wonderful as the Tuchuk.
Yes, she was blessed, and lived a simple life, but one that was satisfying and fulfilling. With only one thing missing. No one to share it with.
Riding along, she laughed at the children. This day they seemed to come from every crack and every cranny of each of the thousands of wagon. Some were mounted, but most were running, skipping and dancing along under the watchful eyes of parents and slaves. There was one thing about being part of a close knit group like they were, there were always eyes on the children. Their laughter, squeals and songs drifted on the air like a symphony. One could not help but smile at them.
Tug skipped along beside the wagon, followed by kasra, who was a blessing at time. The girl had helped take care of him before he was even born. The day she had bartered for the girl had been a lucky one. For a bundle of buna furs, and a slightly used bridle, she had purchased a gem. Yes, there were probably prettier slaves, more lively ones, but the girls gentle nature seemed to suit her and her needs. She could cook, she could sew, and she was a demon when it came to cleaning, but most importantly, she was good with children, that alone made her a treasure.
Now juneau was another animal all together. She had found the girl wandering through camp. with no collar, but looking haughty in an odd way. Stopping her, she began to question her as to why she was among them, without a collar, and looking as if she had just come in from a storm. The girl had tried to tidy her hair with her fingers and began to spin an unbelievable tale about raiders, larls, with even a bear thrown in for good measure. The hazel eyes had settled on her, and she told the girl that it was not allowed for a slave to lie.
Under the piercing hazel gaze, the girl had wilted, a bit defeated then told the true story, maybe. She had ran away from a recent merchants caravan. She had grown tired of the beatings, of starving and of working from first light to well into the darkness, always in fear of her life at the whim of the sadistic man that owned her. She had simply watched her, realizing that this was closer to the truth than the previous story, and she asked.....so, you are lazy? The girls head snapped up and she assured her that she was a hard worker, and respectful. She had leaned closer to the girl, lifting her head, looking into her eyes. You do realize that if you are lying, I will slit your worthless throat in the beat of a heart, right. There was fear in the girls eyes as she slowly nodded, moistening her lips as she whispered...Yes Mistress. And that was it. She had brought the girl back to her wagons, turned her over to Rook for a few days, and had no regrets. The girl worked hard, she got along with kasra, she doted on Tug, and she laughed. And if she wandered off into the darkness with the occasional warrior, it was of no matter. In fact, she had even seen the girl slipping out of Rook's wagon on an early morn or two, which at first shocked her, then pleased her.
All in all, her little family meshed well, worked hard, and lived a good life. Rook was as much of her family as any that had been born into it. Both of her girls were pleasant, hard working and devoted to not only her, but to her son.
Ciegue managed to chew his lead again and appeared beside the wagon, almost as if he were keeping sentinel over her. Leaning over she reached to scratch between his ears, and if it were possible, the huge beast purred. Her thoughts wandered to her kaiila. She had a herd of them, thanks to the diligence of Tayco and his skills at breeding just the right ones. But she did have her favorites, including this one here that had found her. There was that huge black beast that had belonged to Tayco, that no could come near but her. Then there was Wager, the fine roan mare that she had won from Bo. This one also came with a lesson on setting the terms of a wager, for both of them. Then there was her beautiful Lyric, the mare that had gotten her into so much trouble at one time, and the mare's son, Luck, who she had also won in a wager. She often teased Tayco that the only reason he mated her was so that he could get the little colt back. Also among her favorites was ShadowChaser that Tayco had chosen for Tug, and Merry, her very first beast that her father had given her, who was growing a bit long of fang now days, and would soon have to be put down. This would probably be the mares last journey.
Just watching her people as they walked along, brought that swell of pride to her breast. Strong, brave, lively, stubborn, handsome, beautiful, all of those things. Then looking beyond them, she saw the massive herds that were the kaiila and the bosk. What better life could a woman wish for? Again she felt a stirring of pity in her heart for those that were contained within the walls of some city. Never would they know this pride, this freedom, or this knowledge of belonging to something as wonderful as the Tuchuk.
Yes, she was blessed, and lived a simple life, but one that was satisfying and fulfilling. With only one thing missing. No one to share it with.
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