8 Little Dove

edited by steven

Thinking about how revolting and gluttonous that merchant looked, I frowned. Walking docility next to Kenshin, my eyes travel from cage to cage. Chained slaves that have "freshly" arrived from war zones and made prisoners. Some were born into slavery, has sons or daughters of criminals.

Kenshin explained to me as we walked, the fact that I was likely to grace a better future to those I would choose as my "interprets" via the contract. Since they would be serving me, instead of a life worse than what a street-dog would have.

The toad man walked toward a cage. There was a fairy, excuse me, I mean a young girl, that has an otherworldly beauty.

I look back at Kenshin, and his expression was priceless. I think he forgot to breathe I jab his shin with my elbow, attempting to bring him back to "Earth." Making a low "cough" unable to help myself, I snicker at the fool losing his breath to a beauty.

His gaze then fell on me, and I puffed out in uncontrollable laughter. Rolling on the floor as he let out a long sigh.

[This prince amuses you hmm? Alright, I this prince will admit this moment of defeat.]

Then his gaze returned to the man.

[This prince did not come here to buy a pleasure slave, but a servant for the cub.]

He made a low cough and readjusted himself.

I could fairly see that the beauty looks had quite stirred him; but then again, with such peerless beauty, even the heavens would be jealous if he was a mortal man... Even if it pinched my heart a little, I am but a little tiger cub. There is nothing I could do to change that.

I took a glance at the girl one last time and walked away. Through her eyes looked like limpid Autumn water, with stars that shined into them, her jade-like skin with an almost ethereal soft white hue. Her looks truly worthy of the saying: clear as ice and clean as jade. Everything seemed to compliment her beautiful long ankle length hair which was as dark as the night of a new moon. In two words: immortal fairy. It was all I could think to compare her to.

But, such a beauty could only bring calamity to oneself. She is the prime example of being turned into a slave by covetous men to serve their desire, without being able to voice her owns. She looked pitiful in my eyes.

I walked through the aisle, looking at the people in the cages. I know I cannot help them all. Being from a time and space were slavery would be considered bad, I couldn't help but ache for them.

Finally, I spotted in the far corner a smaller cage with several youths ageing from toddlers to young pre-adolescents. However, they all had one thing in common, they are very dirty and in poor health.

I walked toward them, their eyes were broken and soulless compared to the fairy earlier. They could be considered trash, low abilities and common looks, at best their skin is dry, dark, and dirty. Hair full of tangles and dreads, the small children looked sick. Most were coughing and others looked feverish.

I clenched my jaws, my nails started to dig into the floor. I turned my eyes toward the "Toad" man, unconcealed hatred passed into my eyes. Kenshin and the man saw it clear as day, the hate that filled them.

Kenshin stayed silent, likely to numb to the suffering of the lower class. Being born into this world, he had seen plenty. While that disgusting toad only saw the profits they could bring. If they couldn't well, he wouldn't care to feed or ensure their health.

Tsk.

I turned my head back to look into the cage, seeing in the far corner. Two little ones were hugging one another. The boy held the sickly little girl; she looking like she had difficulty breathing. Her fever seemed to be quite high.

I clenched my jaw even tighter. My teeth make a low grinding sound, my gaze sends those unfortunate enough to be pierced by it to sweat profusely. Rubbing his hands, the toad-man shifts his gaze around the room in a nervous unconscious manner.

[Dear guest, this little one is a merchant and must make profits. Those are trash that hasn't been sold for months, also no one is looking for frail males or too young to work…]

I looked at the lock. In a fit of anger, I tore it apart in one fell swoop. A loud crash and clang were heard after leaving everyone dumbfounded and flabbergasted.

Nobody could predict a tiger would destroy a hard lock made to resist even bulls. I entered the cage; passing the children, I had to close my eyes. I couldn't take them all with me, I could only take 2 or 3. This was the limit I could currently sustain.

Jumping up, I land in front of the little boy and girl huddled together. The boy's eyes grew wide as I stared down at him. I now have the size of a big Mt-Pyrenees dog. I gently took the girl and swing her on my back.

Turning my tail wrapped around the wrist of the little boy that froze due to my sudden action. Disbelieving that someone came for them, all the others were also frozen.

Some had been scared and had run at the other end of the cage, while the others stared frozen on the spot.

Exiting, the two children started glaring daggers at the "toad." For the mistreatment of the children, I could only feel my heart turn to ice. His existence made my skin crawl.

I look toward Kenshin and blatantly walked out; stopping in front of another cage. Where a young, yet sturdy, the man stood. His back to the wall.

His gaze met mine, I lifted my paw and with a claw pointed at the man. Kenshin arriving next to me looked at the young man and back at me.

[Are you sure you want to take those children? This guy is worth it, but they are a gamble. We don't even know if they can even grow up enough to be of use to you.]

I nodded once with a resolute gaze. Then eyed the man again. I needed one strong person to build the necessary housing and cut the wood for the fire. The boy and girl were too young to be useful in the workforce, I am well aware of the fact.

The "toad merchant" smelled sweat and anxiousness pored over his face in excess as I looked at Kenshin. making a tree finger "claws" for one hand sign. After all, the boy and girl are half dead, so getting them for free should be next to expect.

The merchant made a grimace, he was being extorted by a beast! But the children were in very poor shape. They could die any moment. So, he haggled.

[This one can't give three slaves for one, but this one can give a half price for the two children and a decent price for the man. ]

He paused a moment.

[Two copper piece for the man, and one piece for both kids. Would this be to this master's satisfaction?]

I give Kenshin a nod. After all, I am borrowing the money from him. I will eventually have to pay it back.