Time passes differently for each and every individual that journeys through its wake. For some the passing of a decade was a lifetime, while for others centuries were no more then days. For one such person as the latter, memories became important. Looking back through the flow of time to deeds long since past and glories that were all but forgotten.
To the angelic lord, the wolf knight, and the woman known as Kris this was important. Sapphire eyes stared across into the mirror that she was looking into as her mind drifted to a much different time. A time before she was grown, which meant centuries ago. Before those eyes of blue seemed to go down in an endless depth of history. Long before her hair had grown past her shoulders, back to the days just after her temple had fallen.
The wolf's ear twitched as if she could hear the sounds of that market. Her nose twitched as the memory stirred the feeling of dust and smoke in her nose...
-----------------------The slave market---------------
The day was bright with the mid day sun shining down upon a filthy market. A place of ragged tents that looked to be stitched together with no care of skill, the tents barely holding on to poles that were shoved into the ground. The clearing that this market had sprung to life in was already trampled under the many feet of the unsavory characters that had gathered to look over the hard to find or illegal dealings or just shady practices as it were. The grass had given way to dust that was kicked up by the passing of feet, some wearing shoes, some bare foot, and some even wore the finer threads of a higher house.
Yet in the corner was a young wanderer. By height, the cloaked figure looked to be in her mid to perhaps late teens. The cloak that was draped over the young person's shoulders was a light gray color that bore no symbols or insignas. The heavy cloth even hid the just forming curves of the girl. Only a few curious glances were shot in the strangers direction though that was simply due to the heavy cloth in the hot sun that beamed down upon the market.
It had only been a week since the young Kristine's world had turned inside out at this point. The temple she had been raised at, and kicked out of, had been destroyed and with it any family or friends as far as she knew. Her hand rested at the sword which lay hidden beneath her cloak, the weapon that bore the angelic writing and the crest of the temples order.
Her body was almost shaking as she stood and began to walk through the crowd. She was on edge, not knowing just what had happened to the order or if there was anyone that could be hunting her either. Her hand was quivering, which was why she left it on the hilt of the sword, to help steady her hand.
Yet from the corner of her eye she caught the sight of something that made her heart leap to her throat. In the back corner of the market, in the section where slaves were kept, was a child no more then eight years of age. Yet very unique this child was. A young fox surrounded by the hordes of humans that were passing coins from one to another. The small kit was even more singular as from his back were small, but strong looking wings of bright red and black feathers. It had seemed that the wings had been roughed up though as feathers were broken, cut, and all around missing sections. Around his ankle was a heavy metal chain that went to a pole and was bolted into the wood.
The sight stopped Kristine cold in her steps. Slavery had always sat ill with her, yet it was legal and fine. This child was one of the animal folk though, cursed, by human standards. That meant he had to be sold here, which almost garantueed him a short and hard life. Her mind reeled as she looked at the child, barely did she remember walking towards him....
to be continued.
Yet before the child she stood. Her head rising just enough to reveal the face that lay beneath. Young and yet the firm lines of her features held a certain strength to them. Her hand rose as she pressed a finger to her lips as the fox boy looked up with wide eyes. Her skin was pale white, as if denied the sun for many weeks or months. Her hair a long silvery grey that was tucked behind her cloak. The girl smiled sweetly towards the kit, yet he backed away, rattling the chain that he was kept upon.
"Hold on, calm down" Her voice was soothing, her hand rising upwards with an open palm towards the boy. "Its okay. I'm not going to hurt you." Kristine cautioned him, trying to bring him back closer to her. "How did you get here?"
It took several long moments before finally the boy stepped forward. The man running the shop was talking to another person, which had been the deciding factor for the fox child. Slowly he walked towards the woman, though his hands were wrapped before him and tucked close to his chest. "I.. was taken from the forest. Over the mountains.." His voice was small, weak and scared. The sound of it seemed to almost make Kristine cringe. "Mother kept us hidden as long as she could."
Kristine took a small breath as she looked at the state of him again. Clothed in ragged clothing, the sign beside him had him listed for hunting. Probably because it was considered a bad omen to keep around. Kristine's hand clenched for a moment and she stepped away. "Let me.. see what I can do."
Turning for a moment from the young kit, Kristine moved her hand to the belt. Her fingers slipped over the sword belt as she moved towards the small bag that was hanging from the belt. Her fingers played with the bag to open it and pull what coins she had from the resting place.
As she got closer to the men that were talking, Kristine cleared her throat and looked up, letting her hood fall back to reveal her face fully. "I've come to make an offer." She spoke up.
To be continued...