Mistaken, and paying the price for it. [Open]

[Amber Delany]

A lone wolf, probably just grown out of infancy, stumbles onto the Auktion rock. In her eyes anybody could see confusion and horror, what had she walked into? This must be the infamous Auktion rock she had heard about, from whispers between other forest animals. Before she could turn tail and run, several bigger wolves, guards most likely, surrounded her and shoved her roughly towards the other sklavins. They obviously thought she was one of the sklavins, trying to flee her fate. She opened her mouth to set them straight but one of them silenced her with a sharp nip to her tail.
Delany lay down on the reeking dank floor, knowing she wouldn't be able to flee but still yearning for her freedom. She stands up abruptly and starts pacing the length of the cave, amid much curious and baffled looks from the guards and sklavins alike. She wasn't one that liked to lie down and idle her time away, no matter what situation she was in. Suddenly, a rough nudge to the shoulder sent her stumbling to the line up where the slaves were claimed. Her eyes widened as she saw to the full extent of the condition the other sklavins were in. A low growl rose up from her throat, causing other sklavins to give her alarmed gazes and the guards to tense up, in anticipation of a fight.
There was to be no fight though, Delany knew she had never fought before, except with her prey, and even though she was quick on her feet, she knew she wouldn't get away, or win. She knew where to cut her losses. Her head and tail high, she remained impassive as the crowd examined her. She could only hope that her new master would be one of the kinder ones, if not she may have to start making plans to flee...

[Zel]

(I hope you don't mind but I'm joining your thread. Zane is a free wolf though, but I need to get him active. So if you want to plot an escape thread? Drag it out a bit? Or failed though Zane I want to stay a free wolf? So many ideas came to me for this thread, and it looked lonely. :D)

Angry snarls met with angry snarls. This time here at the auktion rock Zane was not a slave. Why was he here? To cause trouble mostly. To gaze at where he once was, and maybe to test the bounds of his freedom. Or to even look for someone to save? Or look for a familiar face. He was a large wolf, with muscle now. Not a scrawny lanky slave. He could figure out how to keep the large menacing wolves off his back easily. He carried himself like a dominor but without the hostile and salve owning drive. These sorry carcasses were nothing but bags of spineless fur hidden behind an army of slaves. Sick sods.

Zane moved through the mud and gunk, it covered his damning front paws. The dew claws were missing and to some here that labeled him as a slave. He would dare them challenge him now. The ignorant fools. Their system would fall eventually with the slaves rising up. One day, and if he had anything to do with it, it would be soon. Still for now he wanted to see what all had changed. Obviously nothing . . . .

The chuckles and happy growls adverted his attention. A bold female was forced out of the cave where the slavkin were kept. Her demeanor and appearance brought a smirk to his face. What a brave one. She was young, her eyes blue, and coat red. Many males he could hear licking their chops at being the first to claim her. To bad they were tiny scrawny wolves. Without thinking he leaped forward teeth gnashing and eyes narrowed. He looked like a hell-hound chest out proud and square, looking down on wolves daring them to fight him for the female. Oh what was he doing. . . . ? He circled around the female. Ever looking like a master checking over his new slavkin. Summoning up his booming voice he spat out the sparkling rocks from his mouth and spoke, "How much are you offering for this sweet thing?"

He wanted to hurl inside. He played being a dominor almost naturally. Add the sick lick of his chops and the guards were nodding their heads. Zane wished he could let the girl know that he was just acting. That he was going to get them both out of here. He just hoped that the traders would take the gems and pretty stones he had brought with him. In case his siblings were. Here obviously they weren't, or not that he could tell. They were probably at a pack. That and for some reason he wanted this girl to be safe. He wanted them all to be safe but this one, with her proud attitude he could feel she would be a great asset to him. That and she was probably needed some training to keep the traders off her back. Something he could offer her.

[Amber Delany]

(I don't mind at all, you could say this is a free for all. An escape plot sounds interesting, though for it to succeed on it's first attempt sounds a little too easy.)

It was horrible. She literally felt like a mindless piece of meat being bartered over as she heard the calls coming from the crowd. Delany fixes her eyes on a point where the bright clear horizon, awash with dark blue and purple streaks of evening, met with the teeming crowd and dusty land. It helped her to feel above it all, as if this nightmare wasn't her reality. The din from the crowd slowly dulled and faded to the background as her mind wandered from reality. It was as if she was a something, an entity just hovering over the Auktion rock, watching the dastardly proceedings below.

Unfortunately, her mind was yanked sharply back down to her weary body by a large, fearsome looking wolf push his way out of the crowd. Delany furrowed her brows slightly, studying his build and the way he carried himself. A small flicker of trepidation awoke in her as his intentions were made clear by his next move. The gems that spilled forth from his mouth said it all. His words only confirmed it.

"That depends," The dealer said slyly, his greedy eyes locked onto the gems. Delany managed to give him one small look of disgust before glancing away innocently, she didn't want to give others a *bad* impression of herself. She turned her head slightly, the gentle wind carrying the dealer's words to her, ", she is a freshly caught young thing, in good condition too." Delany watched the wolf, emotionless, the slight twitch of her tail was the only thing that gave away her nervousness. Her hope of a good master all but died as the seconds stretched laboriously by. He seemed to be just like everyone else, except he probably held more authority, as seeing by the way he carried himself. She sighed almost inaudibly, her eyes glancing wistfully to the hazy silhouette of the trees in the distance. How she yearned to be free again, to feel the soft ever changing ground of the forest beneath her paws, and running alongside the wind.

"Tell you what," The dealer spoke again, after pondering the price, ", I'll just take those gems and you can run along with your new sklavin, maybe have a bit of.. fun, with her." The way the dealer said the last part, almost suggestively, made Delany want to gag. Or claw his eyes out, or shove him into a fast moving icy river to be carried away. Anyone of those options would do, she wasn't picky.

[Zel]

(It won't be easy. But they'll get out of there. ;D I imagine Zane to be like Robin Hood. :P)

Zane snorted, over priced filly. She was going to pay him back big time. Though he gave a wicked grin. He had to play ruthless, and NO slave master was going to just lay down and let the greedy ingrates take what they wanted. He chuckled and looked the girl over as if wondering if she was worth all his gems. Shaking his head he turned back to the dealer. The gems sparkled in the dealers eyes and Zane stepped over them. His large frame imposing. He growled, "She's still thin and for being freshly caught means I'd have to beat her into submission. For the gorgeous coat and rare blue eyes, I'll give you half my gems."

The dealer looked livid. Zane knew the grey brute wanted all his gems and he'd have to sweeten the deal. Red looked ready to bite or to run away from this all. Good back bone. He gave a cocky laugh as the dealer was about to seal the deal when three wolves jumped upon the rock. Zane recognized one of them and his ears lowered with annoyance.

"ZANE! My boy! A sklavin buying a sklavin?" the brutes all laughed. The five year old male was the one who ripped off his dew claws. Not that Zane remembered it was just what he was reminded as a pup. He had some strange name like Tree or something? He was just as big as Zane was. This part of the world was known for it's large brutes.

"It's freior wolf now, and I'm trying to buy my hand at being a dominor," he chuckled. "Since you guys ruined the party now everyone here is going to try and bet for my hide as well."

Plan A failed. This time with light in his eyes he looked at Red and sent her a wink. Things were going to get fun. The brutes turned their attention back to him. "I think your old master would love to have you back in his claws. You're already marked as his with those missin' thumbs. What do you say boys?"

Zane rolled his eyes no way in hell he was going back to being a sklavin. "Alright you guys caught me. . . . I'll just make my way to the cave . . ." he felt his gems hit his back paws. Kicking violently he sent them flying into their faces. Pegging the taunting brute in the head and scoring the dealer in the eye. The crowd started to go wild. Rushing the rock. It was pandemonium. The perfect ploy to get away as wolves started fighting each other and the guards trying to keep Sklavin's in the cave and away from the fight. Zane smiled at his handy work.

He ran full force towards the pretty girl and pushed into her flank, "Come on Red let's get out of here!"

[Amber Delany]

(His character does seem very Robin Hood-ish. The acting, rescuing and all XD)
Her eyes flickered between the two wolves, both seemed to be unwilling to back down. She honestly didn't know what she wanted now. She wanted the price to be so high that this wolf would leave, so she wouldn't have to go with him. He seemed the opposite of the ideal 'master' she had in mind. Never judge a book by it's cover. A small voice in her mind whispered and she pushed the thought down irritably. They were all the same here, why should she give any of them a chance? On the other hand, she wanted him to just take her away, to get out from this hellhole. Perhaps she could flee, while the wolf and the dealer's attentions were diverted from her.

Keeping one careful ear on their conversation her clear blue eyes
scan the surroundings, searching for the way out. She could come by the way she came to be here in the first place. No, that wouldn't work. It was too near the sklavins cave and there were many guards there. Masses of wolves lingered below, they would be a hindrance if she decided to take the direct route out, but if she could use the crowds to her advantage..

Her attention was abruptly brought back to the proceedings around her, aware that it had been interrupted, by three wolves. Were they here to bid as well? Her answer was answered by their words. Shock passed her eyes quickly as she glances at the first wolf. He was a sklavin? She studies the wolf closely now, taking in the missing toes on his paws. Even more confusion gathered as he sent her a wink.

Understanding dawned quickly and she had to smother a smile, looking away to the side. It had all been an act then. Her eyes twinkled faintly and her tail twitched with amusement. A bit of her old self was showing, the self that had been free in the forest. She glances back sharply at them, hearing the commotion. She admires the spectacle, wondering where he had learned to fight like that. A sharp shove at her flank sent her running, remembering where she was and what was happening. Delany bolted into the nearest opening into the woods, feeling the familiar scent of the forest around her. She laughed softly, feeling the wind tearing through her fur.

The agile wolf looked back, over her shoulder to see if the other wolf was following, he should have no problem keeping the pace. Suddenly angry howls sounded from behind her, between where she was and the Auktion Rock. They were on the hunt... Horror swept through her as the thought crashed into her mind. There were so many of them, what if they were caught? Urgency spurred her paws to move faster, and she leaned forward to lengthen her stride. Something in the distance caught her eye, it was one of the hideouts she used many months ago. It was a small foliage hidden crevice, where she was sure two wolves could fit inside. Or not.. the other wolf was much bigger than her. She didn't think now she could fit like she did. The howls were coming closer, and further up the forest would open into a clearing where they would be vulnerable. So what now?

[Zel]

(Sorry this is short >.<)

A booming laugh left his throat as he ran full throttle. He caught up to Red in no time. His golden eyes full of entertainment. Now this was excitement he even let his tongue loll a bit as he ran effortlessly. The trees rushed past them as they zigzagged their path. He was glad he didn't have to tell her to do that. That would slow down the trackers. They were running aimlessly. Hiding wouldn't do, they were still way too close to the fools he'd have to come up with something quick . . . .

There was a stream near-by. . . . That would make for a good ploy. They could follow it for a while before leaping out and finding a place for the night. Of course it would only throw their pursuers for a couple of hours. Still he knew the woods and knew where they could find a sanctuary. Two wolves could run away into the forest and never been seen again . . . at least if they put some distance between themselves and the traders.

After a while of running he too heard the howls. He was tempted to mock them and howl back. Maybe if he was alone. He peered at Red beside him and panted, "nice day for a run, eh, Red? There's a stream up ahead shallow enough to run through. If we're lucky it'll throw off our pursuers."

His first words to her. Well they would have had to speak to each other eventually. He wasn't much of a conversationalist at times like these but he had to look after her now. He kept an ear tuned to the sounds behind them. They were well enough away from the idiots that he shouldn't have to fear them finding him and Red before they reached the stream. He veered off hoping his comrade would follow.

[Amber Delany]

(It's okay, sorry for the late reply x.x)

Delany studied her companion from the corner of her eyes, it was as plain as day that he was enjoying this. But why? Doing this could guarantee almost everyone a harsh sentence sooner or later. But then again, almost all the sklavins would have been too scared to run. Was it because they had been a sklavin for so long they'd forgotten what it was like to be free? Or were they sklavins for so long they were too weak to survive in the forest, lest even run? Anyway, she was glad, grateful, that she had been given a second chance at freedom. Rest assured, she wouldn't willingly ever go back into the mere vicinity of that accursed rock.

His voice brought her mind back from it's incessant wanderings, and back to reality. "It's a pleasant day, but I wish it would be cooler. The stream sounds like a good idea." She said, a smile creeping onto her once somber expression.

He veered off into the direction of the stream and she followed nimbly. They were moving into a part of the forest she wasn't familiar with, a first. She lengthened her strides slightly, to keep pace with him. It wouldn't do for her to get lost now.

True to his words, there was a shallow sparkling stream ahead. Without hesitation, she leaped into the icy water, feeling it splash against her legs, leaving a wonderful cooling sensation. She laughed softly and suddenly had a childish urge to splash him with water. It had been a long time since she stopped at a body of water for longer than a quick dip. There was always the fear of discovery near water bodies, since they were used by everyone in the forest. A few meters ahead, the floor was glittering and.. smooth. It took a few long seconds for her to comprehend what it was. Maybe many years ago, this had been a fairly small lake, but it must have dried up, leaving a bed of water smoothed rocks and pebbles behind. It would be ideal for them to exit the stream there, since it would leave no footprints behind.

She jerked her head once towards the pebbles, indicating to the other wolf silently where she was planning on going. Without a moment to lose, she stepped out of the stream and onto the pebbles. The sun warmed pebbles seemed warm to her paws, now used to the icy cold of the stream. Eventually the pebble floor would end, but hopefully the traders wouldn't think to look that far, or might have lost their scents. Her ears draw back slightly, listening to the sounds around her, there were bird calls, the general chatter of the forest animals and of the trees rustling in the wind. That was it, the howls had faded, they had lost the traders.. Or perhaps the traders may have wised up and decided to stalk them stealthily, giving them the advantage of surprise. This thought sent chills up her spine.
"Think we might have lost them?" She asks hesitantly, her eyes scanning the foliage for any signs of lurking wolves.

[Zel]

(I have muse for this It's just super late at night, but I want to keep this thread going it's fun, so again I'm apologizing for it being short.)

The water was a welcome, especially at the parts that were deep enough to reach further up his legs. With both of the wolves running they splashed the water and he was able to cool off all of him. It was almost as if he was on a leisure run with another wolf instead of being chased by a chaos of slave traders. The blundering fools, fat off their slaves would eventually give up the chase. But Amber and he would be wanted wolves. With their pursuers knowing him and Red's coloration, they would be an easy pair to find until he got them deeper into the free lands.

He glanced to his side and Red wasn't there anymore. He stopped and saw her stepping out of the stream. It had been a while. He followed suit. His ears constantly flicking to each sound he heard. He glanced back and sensed the wind he couldn't smell any new strangers. That put him at ease a bit. Now he stepped full out of the stream and let the feeling of the sun warmed pebbles climb up his fur. The girl spoke and he listened to her words. Honestly no, he didn't think that they would give up the search just yet but they should be at least a mile away wondering where the scent went. Probably following the scent that he took to the auktion rock.

To answer her question though he sat down on the pebbles and gave his ear a few scratches, "for now we're safe. Nice spot to get out of the stream though. We'll catch out breaths here and then be on our way. By the way I'm Zane."

There at least she could hear his name from his mouth. At least in his mind it was redeeming in a way. Those bastards back at the Auktion Rock. They should learn to drop his name from their mouths or by the makers, he would silence them forever. Just had to come up with a way to do so. He let his mind drift to those thoughts of him tearing his throat out while he waited for Red to speak her name, though in his thoughts and possibly how he'd call her she'd always be Red to him. It kind of was stuck in his mind now.

[Amber Delany]

(Like I said, no worries. This would probably be short as well, as seeing I'm making myself sleep at a sensible time, for once. lol XD)

The peace around them had a calming effect on her, the air was slightly cold, so the warm rocks beneath her felt wonderful. She stretches slightly before laying down on them, her tail swishing back and forth contentedly.

"Pleasure to meet you Zane," She replies, smiling, "although it may have been under... ah, strange circumstances. I'm Delany." Although her words seemed pretty friendly, her eyes were asking the question her lips dared not ask. Why? Why was he risking his freedom, or even worse, his life by doing this? Even though she was free, this whole thing had taken away their freedom. It wasn't literal freedom, but a public type of freedom. The two of them would be noted down and everyone would be searching for them now. If they were spotted roaming the forests, they were sure to give chase, and they would be forced to run again. Perhaps if everyone were convinced they were.. dead, or something like that, they could be left alone.

"So, what brings you to this part of the forest?" She asks, in an effort to keep the awkward silence at bay. Silence was good, sometimes, but not now. A silence between two wolves could be misinterpreted by either party, and when it was, things could get really awkward. She could feel the warmth of the ground fade slightly, and she sat up straight, her eyes scanning the ever so darkening sky. It had been a whole day already? A smile tugged at the edges of her lips as she continues to survey the sky. Night time, was her time. To travel by night was a completely different experience from travelling by day. An ethereal feeling would descend on her as she ran through the forest, feeling completely different. She would not be herself, she would be a creature of the night.

[Zel]

(OoC: Let's make this thread a bit of a journey. ^-^ so we'll take our time getting to the top of auktion rock.)

As the air cooled Zane, followed her lead and laid down. He yawned big, showing two rows of pearly whites. Lucky for him he had left young enough with all of his teeth intact. Coming out of the yawn with a few smacks of his lips, he listened to her words. He nodded at her. It was strange. He even saw the question in her eyes. Asking him why? Well he couldn't answer that just now. It would embarrass himself and put her on the spot. Two things he didn't want. And truthfully he had several reasons. Several that he wanted to keep to himself. It's not like he could come out and tell her that he saw, in her, himself standing on the rocks defying everyone who dared look. Another reason was he liked her. Liked how she shot the guards rotten looks glared at the crowd. He didn't want to see that spirit get crushed and turned into another Sklavin. He just couldn't couldn't tell her those reasons. Maybe later. . . . Maybe never. For now he'd just let her go on thinking he just did it on a whim.

"It's nice to meet you too, Delany, though would you mind if I called you Red? It's just what I've been calling you and it's kind of stuck," he laughed, hoping to deter her from the question she wanted to ask.

He looked up at the sky. It would be dark soon. After their rest they would move on again. Ah the fun of being a freior wolf. Dodging dominors and sklavin traders. Now that the warmth of the ground was leaving, he stood and sniffed the ground, heading towards the bushes that surrounded the area. They would be able to travel by night now. There was a den in the back of the Auktion Rock, if they kept the huge rock to the right of them. There was a secret passage to the top of the rock. From there there were a few dens they could use. Basically these dens were for hiding sklavins that had escaped and needed a place to go. Their scent washed from the river they should be safe for a while.

"Alright, there's another check point we can go to before getting you fully set free. At the top of these rocks there is a den for freed Sklavin traders. It's a well hidden secret. And what I like about it is that it's hidden right underneath the sklavin trader's noses. Well Red we've got a long way till we get there, let's get a move on," he explained with a grin.

Then politely holding the bushes back he let her go first through the bushes before disappearing right behind her.

[Amber Delany]

(I'm sorry, this will be short! I just had to post and all.. >.> So yeah.)

Tilts her head slightly, her eyes intently studying the other wolf. She could somehow sense that there was something that made him uncomfortable, probably her question. So she brushed it off and decided to not to push the subject any further. He would tell her in his own good time, she presumed. All good things come to those who wait.

"Sure, Red would be fine. I'm sure I wouldn't have been able to stop you from calling me that even if I tried" Delany laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. Yes, it was uncanny how fast certain nicknames could stick. She nods at his next words and gets up to her feet smoothly, nodding a thanks to him as she walked through the bushes. " Right, so top of the rocks?" She confirmed, looking at the seemingly far off peak. A low growl from her stomach sent her glaring at it, it had been a while since she ate, and she didn't need reminding. A quick glance around revealed small evidences of tiny critters living around, but none was in easy hunting range at the moment, so she pushed away the hunger and continued to walk along.

The night was peaceful, where the cool wind danced past her, ruffling her fur affectionately, the stars above guiding their path. She was lured into a half trance-like state by the continuous song of the cicadas, the chorus alternatively rising and falling. Somewhere, a nocturnal bird began it's haunting but captivating melody, completing the night's chorus. Usually, when she ran at night, it was a rushing, exhilarating experience, and she never or hardly stopped to fully appreciate the splendor of the night. But now, when she did, she was awed.