Not quite saved (Closed for cgraven)

[axilyae]

The village of Karnyak wasn't a very well-known one. In fact, it is not even plotted on most maps; travellers coming across it expressing their surprise at finding even a glimpse of human civilisation this far out in the wildernesses. The people of this village work hard at their traditional lives and continuing their own little traditions; however outlandish they may now seem to those who don't live amongst them. It is unknown how the villagers here came to settle so far from other humans, but they have done well in surviving so far; with about 150 families, give or take a few, working together to ensure the village's survival, standing together as a community.

It is necessary that they do so, as well. Outside of their small borders are many enemies; wandering bandits, vicious creatures. The hunters have the most dangerous job of all, walking purposely outside of the village to gather, to explore. Usually travelling in groups of 4-5, it is still not uncommon for a few hunters to be lost every few months. This is what happened to Kelsa's family, and now it is just her, and her brother Raen.

Their mother died whilst giving birth to Kelsa, and their father died a few years ago - a hunting accident, a trap sprung early. So were the dangers of being one of the hunt, and after his cremation, life had gone back to normal for everyone except the two orphans, who inherited their house and struggled to take up their parent's mantles as providers. Kelsa had continued with her role as a gardener, and her brother had trained to be one of the patrol Guards for the village at night. Life has been like this for three years now, and they were both happy enough until Kelsa turned nineteen.

"You do know you could carry on your father's lineage now?" a woman said, narrowing her eyes at Kelsa, as if suspicious to why Kelsa had not married immediately at eighteen and started birthing children. Eighteen was the age most girls in their village started to be paired with a man; they would take a year or two, to start a family; and then work as they brought up their children. For such a small village, procreation was of huge importance. No one could understand why Kelsa had dodged the inevitable for so long, especially with her and her brother being the only ones left to continue their bloodline.

Kelsa was not exactly without her admirers either. Short for her age, and slender; but with a pretty, high cheek-boned face and long, dark hair that was slighty wavy. Her eyes were narrow and green, her skin tanned from working outside for most of her life. The Gods had blessed her with "good hips for childbearing", as the village women said, and her breasts always felt tight against the clothes she wore. Many men had already given her the sort of looks that would make other girls start preparing for discussions of marriage; but Kelsa merely avoided them, working on the crops and barely socialising once she had reaching marrying age. However, this was about to change.

"You're getting married."

Kelsa sat at the table in the house she shared with her brother; and at his words, she looked at him with an open mouth. He was searching through the cupboards, making dinner - but she knew he was also doing it to avoid looking at her whilst he revealed his plans for her.

"Raen..please. we have talked about this. I'm not getting married. I'm not getting binded to the village forever! I am..I am not. I will not die here like our pare-"

Raen made a hushing noise; slamming a cupboard door shut as he turned to glare at her. He was rarely angry, but it seemed her stubbornness over the last year on this subject had finally touched a nerve. Either that, or it had been mentioning their parents. He was older and remembered their mother, unlike Kelsa. He'd also spent a lot more time with their father than she had.

"No excuses Kelsa. You're growing up. Get those damn stupid..childish..fantasies out of your head..and start paying attention to the real world! You are a member of this village, of this family. Start acting like one."

He turned away again, shaking his head in disappointment. Kelsa looked down at the table, clasping her hands together and clearing her throat. She had not realised it had upset her brother so much. He'd been keen to drop the subject other times, but..she frowned. Someone must of said something. She was thinking on who, when Raen started to speak again.

"You'll be marrying Marsk. Soon. As soon as possible. Don't argue with me."

His voice was like that of an adult. Kelsa barely recognised him. She simply nodded; but upon remembering he was turned away, she merely muttered a "..yes", and then turned, leaving the room like a child; sulky tears pricking at the corners of her eyes. Stupid village traditions! No one should have the right to dictate her life..no one! Storming into her room, she sat on the bare bunk and looked out of the window sadly. Nothing but wilderness all around. Kelsa idly thought how far she would travel before succumbing to starvation. Perhaps that would be better than being trapped here forever.

 

[cgraven]

Grindel looked over his jewels, the stunning sapphire, so fluid, so enchanting. Then his eyes were drawn to his emerald with the wild beauty of the forest. A smiled bowed his lips as he gazed upon his firry ruby, so bedazzling, so teasingly pleasing to his eye. Yet as he savored each of these rare beauties in turn he found something missing from his collection, something he could not quite put his finger on. The cawing of a raven on the wing drew Grindel’s attention and his breath caught as the sun danced off the shimmering blue back of the raven’s wing. Ah if he could only find a jewel with such a sensual coloration to add to his collection.


My Lord it has happened again.


Standing before Grindel was a dwarf dressed as a forester, his long bow slung over his shoulders. Then with a clap of his massive hands two more tawny dwarfs brought in the remains of a gutted stag. Only the hind quarters and the sweet meats had been taken, the best cuts only. The rest of the stag had been left to rot or to draw the children of the night and the scavengers to the wasteful kill.

Humans my Lord.

The head forester answered Grindel’s question even before he had asked it.

The humans where the youngest of the races, mere children when compared to the Elves, Sprites, Pixies, Dryads and the Dwaren Lords, and they were petulant, destructive, creatures as well. Yet there was a vitality to them that had attracted all who had come in contact with them. Their couplings had fostered an amazing number of Halflings baring traits of their human parents and their mates of the older races. An attraction that Grindel de Bras Grossier was not immune to, for often he had thought about seeing for himself if theses wild tales were in fact true.

He was of course aware of the human’s continuing encroachment on his domain. A hunting accident here, a wolf attack there, for the most part kept the humans at bay. Yet there was one notable exception the village of Karnyak. These humans for their own reason seemed to shun their own kind as much as the older races did. So rising to his full stature of four feet, six inches the Dwaren Lord of the Bois Noir decided that it was high time that he see for himself saw the truth of the matter.


Grindel de Bras Grossier looked like anything but the Lord of the Bois Noir, dressed as a peddler, a trader of trinkets and gems. His ginger beard was plated and braided, a dark green cloak and hood drawn tight about him as he made his way towards the human settlement of Karnyak. He had chosen his disguise carefully for Dwaren peddler were a common enough sight along the hinter land between the human realms and that of the older races. Their gruff nature and quick tempers were legendary and kept most humans from bothering them and the fine craftsmanship of their goods, be it weapons or jewels were eagerly sought after. Many a fool had suffered a broken crown and many a bandit had paid with his life by underestimating a Dwarf’s strength and cunning in battle.

So the Dwaren Peddler Grindel Smith, oaken staff in hand, his pack on his back, and leading his heavily laden donkey entered Karnyak. The tinkling of the bells on his donkey’s harness gaily announcing the peddler’s arrival. Grindel’s eyes grew wide as he saw the lustrous blue black jewel shimmering in the dust pile that was Karnyak. His palms itched to possess this rare jewel, to pluck it from the dusty dung heap of the human village.

“Miss does a peddler need a license to set up and sell his wares here?”

The girl was slender; but with a pretty, high cheek-boned face and long, dark hair that was slightly wavy and shimmered with the same seductive blue black hue of the raven’s wings. Her eyes were a stunning emerald green and danced with a youthful innocent merriment and yet there was a shadow of sadness and despair in their clear depth as well.
His own dark hazel eyes, flecked with gold, softly held the girl’s as he whispered.

“What troubles you child?”

Grindel de Bras Grossier had found his dark jewel.

 

[axilyae]

Kelsa had been digging, when the strange being arrived. Crouched in the dirt, her hands carved into the ground; making a hole, that was just large enough for her to squeeze two fists in. With a smirk of satisfaction, she dropped some seeds to the bottom, and then deftly filled the hole up again, standing to stretch the pains of crouching out of her back. Wiping her hands together to rid of the mud, it was then she had turned and looked upon the short man, a..peddler? Quite rare at this time of the seasons, but then..peddlers seem to make their own timeline. He was Dwarven too. He must of walked a long way.

"Well..you can set up in the main courtyard, if you want." she finally replied, albeit hesitantly. Her eyes flickered around her; there was two other gardeners working, but not in earshot. The feeling of responsibility at leading this peddler to the right area excited her. An adult task! The other adults had avoided giving her anything as such, something Kelsa put down to her current single status. Although she thought it unfair, deep down, she knew their point. That was the tradition, and Kelsa was nothing special. Her gaze lowered as her thoughts span over this subject, and it seemed the peddler was not unaware of this.

"What troubles you child?"

Kelsa looked up, a light flush of embarrassment crossing her cheeks. She had answered his question but had become distracted; standing here like a dolt! No wonder he called her child. Still, the insult curled her lip, and she stood a little straighter. How did adults stand? Frowning, she simply tried to look more confident, folding her arms.

"S-sorry. I was lost in thought, for a moment. I-"

And then it hit her. This was her chance! Once peddlers had set up and the word had spread that they were around, usually they were busy with potential customers right up until the moment of their leave. One thing Kelsa had always wanted to do, was to ask them about the outside world. They were travellers, and surely they knew about the lands, even more-so than their hunters. Otherwise, where did they get their foreign wares?

Taking a deep intake of breath, Kelsa leant down, her eyes brightening. She spoke in slightly hushed tones, as if letting out a well-kept secret. Which, in a kind, she was.

"Could you..could you tell me about where you've travelled to?"

 

[cgraven]

This stunning jewel slowly rose from the dust of the fields. She stretched her lithe young body and she stood before Grindel de Bras Grossier, a rare, but unpolished jewel, one that the Lord of the Bois Noir was instantly attracted to.

"Well….you can set up in the main courtyard, if you want."

Her voice was a soft hesitant whisper that caressed Grindel like a soft summer breeze in the high passes of the Dragon Spine, both refreshing and stimulating at the same time. He savored the maidenly blush that kissed the girl’s mud smudged cheek with a most delightful shade of pink as she demurely dropped her gaze from his, even as she drew herself to her full height which brought her almost eye to eye with Grindel.

"S-sorry. I was lost in thought, for a moment. I-"

Suddenly a very mischievous light gleamed in the young human beauty’s eyes as she leaned closer to what she thought was a lowly Dwarven peddler and in a hushed conspiratorial whisper asked.

"Could you….could you tell me about where you've traveled to?"

“ Well Lass if you could show me the way the main courtyard and perhaps help a weary traveler set out his wears.”

Grindel had used the more adult term Lass this time for she was certainly no child. A point quite stunningly made by her womanly figure.

“Grindel Smith Peddler, Traveler, and Philosopher and a very thirsty Dwarf Lass!”

A teasing merriment danced in his gold flecked hazel eyes and a broad grin bowed his lips. Grindel began to tell this rare jewel of the Dragon Spine’s snow capped peaks and the wild flowers that danced like a living rainbow in the high passes. He spoke of the shimmering golden sands of the southern deserts, of the nomads and their black tents and of how one only saw the haunting eyes of their women, their faces hid by gossamer veils. He spun a tale of the most amazing creatures that this young beauty could scarcely imagine.

When She had shown him to the main courtyard of Grindel turned to his gorgeous young guide.

“ What do they call you Lass?”

His voice rumbled rich and darkly from his great barreled chest. A voice that was felt as much as heard like the thunder that rumbles through the mountains.

“ This is for your kindness.”

In the palm of his huge hand lay a delicate broach. In its center was a magnificent obsidian stone its dark beauty seemingly swallowing the light rather than reflecting it from its shimmering surface. A hauntingly beautiful stone that seemed to hauntingly draw the girl’s eye to it.

 

[axilyae]

As she led the Dwarven peddler to the main courtyard, Kelsa could not help but be spell-bound by his words. Of humans who lived so differently, of days so hot on sand-drenched lands; the snowy regions of the world where you could see your very breath appear before your eyes, like a natural magic everyone was attuned to. Nodding along, her mouth had been open in amazement for most of their walk; which turned out to be quite long, as she on purpose led him around the houses, back around the village and finally to the large courtyard that was the center-hub of Karnyak. Paved with smooth stone and kept clear of weeds and dirt, it was the pride of the village; with a small rockery in its centre, filled with the flowers that the gardeners had managed to grow from seeds brought back from hunter wanderings.

Turning to him, she nodded her head to acknowledge that they had arrived. Kelsa had been sure not to stare at him, but now she had the chance to, she could not stop. Dwarves looked so similar, yet so..different. Although this Dwarf had red hair, as did other humans, it was a red from a different palette; rich and dark, three different shades to her untrained eye. Or maybe that was just the light. It was thick and well-kept, plaited neatly from his chin. His dark eyes looked at her, a touch of amusement in them always, as if he knew something she did not. Then, that was obvious. To a traveller, such a naive village girl must be a walking joke. Kelsa looked away at him again with this thought, clearing her throat awkwardly as if she had said it aloud.

"What do they call you, Lass?"

Kelsa looked surprised at the question, her hands clasping awkwardly together. She had not had to speak much on their walk here; and now she felt quite intimidated, wanting to impress the knowledgeable Dwarf. Failing that, she simply answered his question, sounding a bit sulky.

"Kel..Kelsa, sir. My name is Kelsa. Kelsa Haisan. The last bit is my last name."

Stumbling over her words, she fought back another blush; her hands balling into fists. Of course he'd know it was your last name, she scolded herself. She finally was able to speak to a peddler on her own and she made such a fool of herself. Maybe the elders were right that she wasn't an adult yet.

He seemed to not notice her stutterings; if he did, he did not acknowledge them openly, which Kelsa was grateful for. Instead, he dug around in his satchel, finally retrieving something triumphantly.

"This is for your kindness."

Looking down at his open palm, Kelsa let out a small gasp. A beautiful, exquisite broach; capturing the weak sunlight that filtered through the clouds that covered the sky. Her eyes were drawn to the glittering darkness, the opaque, confident colour so different to the blandness around her, of the dust-covered wood and the dirt ground. Holding out trembling hands, she took it carefully; holding it in her two palms as delicately she would a baby bird.

"For..for me? Really?"

Kelsa dragged her gaze from the jewel, looking back at the generous Dwarven peddler. She could not keep an ecstatic smile creeping onto her face, her eyes curved half-moons of joy. Kelsa had never owned anything like this before, something so unique and..rare. It was rare for where she lived, in any case. She had no idea of its worth, but to her it was priceless.

 

[cgraven]

"Kel..Kelsa, sir. My name is Kelsa. Kelsa Haisan. The last bit is my last name."

There was a naïve innocence to this young human beauty. One that Grindel found quite enchanting, a shimmer of the natural sensual beauty that lay beneath Kelsa unpolished surface.

"For..for me? Really?"

The girl’s eyes lit up as if he ha just presented her with the most precious of jewels. Kelsa cupped the little broach in the hollows of her hands with a sweet innocent reverence.

“Yes for you Kelsa.”

Grindel smiled to himself as he remembered the long root that the girl had chosen to led him to this courtyard a journey that was at least three times longer than it need be. He remembered how she had studied every detail of his clothing and being and how his tawny copper hair and beard seemed to enthrall her.

“ Perhaps you could find a tanbark of ale for a thirsty traveler and a bit of bread and a scrap of cheese?”

Even in the remote village of Karnyak the ravenous appetites of Dwarves were well known. Yet before Grindel could say much more the eager villagers began to crowd around eager to see what treasures the Dwarven Peddler had for sale or barter for in this remote human village hard coin was a rarity. He licked his lips as he saw the seductive sway of Kelsa’s firm little derrière. He would have her, he would add this unpolished jewel to his collection.

 

[axilyae]

“Perhaps you could find a tankard of ale for a thirsty traveller, and a bit of bread and a scrap of cheese?”

Kelsa nodded, quickly hiding the broach away in her shirt pocket as her fellow villagers started to wander close to the Dwarf. Not that his gift was a secret, but she would rather not put the peddler under pressure to give out jewels to everyone. She could show it off after he'd left the village. A small smile crept across her delicate features, imagining the jealousy of her brother. Although he had found many strange and wonderful things on his ventures out of the village borders, none came close to the beauty of this gift.

"Of course..."

Kelsa suddenly realised she did not even remember the peddler's name; but now he was getting quite a bit of attention, and she did not want to annoy him further. With a shy nod of her head, she retreated to walk to the nearby store house, where they kept most of their food that was kept for sharing amongst the villagers in hard times; as well as for feeding the travellers that came through here, in return for news and stories. Upon entering, she came across Melia almost instantly. Melia was the elder sister of Marsk; Kelsa's new fiance. Kelsa grimaced, but knew she'd have to face this at some point and walked confidently over.

"'Lia..there's a peddler in town, he wants some food. I knew to come here. Just bread..cheese..and something else.."

Melia turned, quirking an eyebrow at her in surprise. Melia was tall and tanned; with long, dark hair that was similar to Kelsa's colour. Dark eyes that now stared into Kelsa's own as she replied, a hand on her hip. A beautiful woman, but now showing signs of age, and the signs that she was also a mother of six children. Kelsa often wondered how she had the time to keep up her role as a store house assistant.

"Kelsa..aah..yes, right, okay. He probably wants ale, or water. You'll find some stuff in the cupboard to your right."

Kelsa nodded meekly, heading to the cupboard and pulling out a few packages to unwrap and search through. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Melia turned and going back to work. How strange. Kelsa would of thought Melia would be asking question upon question about the impending marriage, but perhaps she was just tired.

After a few minutes, Kelsa held the items the peddler had requested, bundled in her arms. Thanking Melia, she walked carefully back to the Dwarf; her face screwed up in concentration so she did not spill his drink, or drop anything. The other villagers had made a small crowd around his anxiously; the courtyard becoming more full by each passing moment. However, they let her through once they saw what she had brought.

"H-here. On behalf of Karnyak, I hope this food and drink replenishes your hunger and thirst."

Kelsa recited the usual speech, placing the tankards - one filled with ale, the other with water - and wrapped food pieces before him and stepped back respectfully.

 

[cgraven]

This was not the first time that Grindel de Bras Grossier had assumed the guise of the dwarven peddler Grindel Smith. It afforded him the ability to travel, as he did now, in search of rare and precious jewels. He soon became caught up I the well practiced routine of the bargaining and bartering of goods with a saucy tale or two thrown in for good measure. The lively banter of the unexpected Market Day, like a stone thrown into a still pond, soon became the focus of village life, its ripples, the news of peddler spreading ever wider till all had head the news.

Marsk, Kelsa’s unwanted fiancé arrived just as the lithe young beauty set the gifts of ale bread and cheese before the Dwarven peddler. Her voice was clear, though a bit hesitant, and sweetly angelic as she recited the village greeting.

"H-here. On behalf of Karnyak, I hope this food and drink replenishes your hunger and thirst."

Dwarven scum!

Marsk sneered to Raen Haisan. Like many humans Marsk hated the older races. He looked upon them as a kind of beast or vermin that needed to be eliminated. His statement was less then discreet and was easily over heard by Grindel. With a devilish glint in his eyes the Dwarven Lord decided to add fuel to the fire.

“ MY thanks to you sweet Kelsa for yours and Karnyak’s warm welcome to a weary traveler.”

He Holding up the little loaf of bread he broke it and took a bite.


“ What is freely given to a stranger a stranger must share.”

Then he held out a morsel to Kelsa to eat from the tips of his fingers. Knowing well that it would be a slap in the face to Marsk. Yet for Kelsa to refuse his offer might equally offend the Peddler and be perceived as a shocking breech of the welcoming traditions of Karnyak.

 

[axilyae]

Kelsa hesitated for only a few moments. She too, had overheard what Marsk had said about their guest. It was not uncommon for her village to be wary, even hateful, of outsiders; but to speak openly of such opinions was looked down open as an extreme faux pas. As much it pained for villagers to say aloud, they depended on the travellers, the peddlers, the wanderers; for news, for outside goods and also, simply, for excitement. To insult them and drive them away so openly..well, they feared that they would stop passing by. And no one wanted that.

The peddler, with his kind gesture, had placed Kelsa in quite the difficult situation. To accept sharing the food would of course, anger her..fiance. How difficult it was to think of him like that, especially since she hardly knew him. However, to reject the gift..well, the peddler may think they all thought of him as scum, and get offended. Which was so cruel, especially after he had gifted the broach. The least she could do was accept his innocent offering of sharing a meal.

"Thank you.." she murmured, taking the piece of bread from him, her head bowed. The surrounding villagers had grown quiet for the most part, and Kelsa felt like every eye was on her. Lifting the piece of bread to her mouth, she neatly bit into it, slowly munching until it was finished. She felt the eyes of the peddler burn into her most of all..she wondered what he was thinking, if he was aware of the sudden, tense atmosphere.

When she had finished eating, it was like everyone breathed out in relief. Chatter started up again; people shuffled towards the peddler, forming a muddled queue. As they moved about, Kelsa looked up to meet the gaze of Marsk. He glared at her, a series of emotions crossing his face that she could not read. Then with a grunt, he walked off and left Kelsa standing in front of the peddler awkwardly.

"I.." she started; and then stopped. The peddler was probably not aware of their customs, or what had really just happened. No need to tell him.

"I hope you enjoy your meal."

 

[cgraven]

There was a captivating innocence to his young human beauty that made Grindel lust for her even more. He saw the look of hatred in Kelsa’s fiancé eyes, the shock at what he had said in her soft tender eyes, and the shocked murmurings of the villagers gathered about them. Grindel decided to through fuel on the fire as he continued to share his meal with Kelsa feeding her from his finger tips as if she were a favored pet that he owned.

"Thank you...”

The girl murmured in a shy sweet angelic voice even as Grindel offered her a piece of cheese from his finger tips now. The Dwarven Lord smiled to himself as he watched Marsk storm off shove villagers from his path, no doubt headed for the nearest tavern to either drown his sorrow, or to fortify himself with liquid courage. He noticed that a man that bore a marked resemblance to the dark jewel that now eat from his finger tips.

"I.."

The dark golden hazel fire of Grindel’s eyes met the soft innocence of Kelsa’s. Her cheeks flushed crimson as their eyes met.

"I hope you enjoy your meal."

“ With such a charming dining companion I could nothing else. Your company made this simple feast worth of a King.”[/i]

A wry little smile bowed the Dwarf’s lips at the hidden meaning of his words. Soon Kelsa was swept from his side as the villagers relieved that the Dwarven peddler seemed to bear them no ill will. Crowed round anxious for his wears and for news beyond the bounds of their isolated villages. Pins, needles tread and silks were in great demand by the village women. Where as seeds, hoes, axes and swords in demand among the men.
The bartering between peddler and villager was sharp pointed but in good nature by and large. Somehow when ever Kelsa drew nearer there was a story of far away lands, or tales of magical, mythical creatures on Grindel’s lips as he laid before the young beauty’s mind’s eye a fantastic world so different from her dust isolated village.

“Kelsa come here wench!”

Marsk’s voice was slurred with drink, his legs spread and his hands on his hips. He was flanked by his sister Melia a scowl of distain on her face and arms crossed over her chest and Kelsa’s on brother Raen who had obviously drunk too much.

You disgrace our family and your Fiancé and his sister by eating with foreign scum.

Raen drunkenly stumbled over his words like a school boy who had not well learned his lessons where the words he spoke were not quite his own yet.

 

[axilyae]

Kelsa was horrified at Marsk's words; glancing back at the Dwarven peddler before walking slowly to her fiance, his sister and her brother. They had obviously been in the small inn that was attached to the storehouse; Marsk's face was flushed, as was Raen's. Malia did not seem as bad, but her expression was set like stone, her eyes staring impassively at the younger woman who approached.

"M-Marsk..what..don't speak so loud! He is our honoured guest!" Kelsa whispered to him, her calm tone blemished with a hint of her annoyance. She had spent so much time with the peddler today; his tales of adventure and the patient answering to her many questions, inbetween his bartering with other villagers, filling her mind with hope at one day leaving; inspiring her imagination with bright colours and thoughts of glory. It was a secret, niggling hope as well that the peddler would like it here, and return with more tales. Marsk would ruin all of that with his ignorance!

"You are supposed to obey me!" Marsk replied loudly, a dumb grin spreading across his face. He grabbed at her roughly as she stood in front of him; pulling her inbetween his legs and leaning in to speak to her closely, their noses touching.

"You don't disobey your future provider, do you? You should be grateful, you ugly whore. No one else would take you, even though your brother begged. A girl, not yet a woman, with her head still up in the clouds with no want for a child.."

Marsk snorted, his hands wrapping around her waist. Kelsa whimpered, but accepted the humiliation. Once a girl was engaged (as good as married, in many people's eyes), it was tradition for the husband to take control of punishing them for their mistakes, whatever they may be. If Kelsa retaliated, no one would have any sympathy for the outcome of her actions. To stand silently and take the abuse was looked at far more respectfully than to complain at his treatment like a child.

He continued to feel her, his hands openly groping at her breasts through the material; dropping to squeeze inbetween her legs. Kelsa saw her brother frown, but look away. That hurt her more than the public treatment Marsk was giving her now.

"You see? I do what I like, you have to obey me."

Still slurring, Marsk smirked at Kelsa before pressing his mouth against hers hard. She could taste the ale; coughing and spluttering, she tried not to struggle as he forced her head against his, still gripping at her pussy through the thin material that covered her modesty. At her inability to not choke at his advances, he spat at her in drunken disgust, suddenly standing and pushing her to the ground.

"My next order for you is to pack up your things and come to my house. Tonight. And you better be more ready to be a proper woman then than you are now." he said; his smile gone, his glare returning. Spitting again at the ground next to her - either bad aim or to prove his point - he staggered off, leaving Malia and Raen to awkwardly look down at the abandoned Kelsa. Malia followed her brother, choosing to not extend on the confrontation; but Raen, at least, offered a hand to pull her up. Taking it, Kelsa knew better than to ask her brother at why he had let Marsk treat her like that. She had openly disregarded his opinion earlier, and had done so all day. In the eyes of their traditions, Marsk had probably been easy on her. But then again, it seemed he was not finished yet. Kelsa shuddered at the thought of what he had planned for her later that evening.

Raen looked at her sadly, before shoving his hands in his pockets.

"I'll help you pack." he said shortly, clearing his throat and looking away. "I'll meet you back at the house."

Kelsa nodded, and then looked back to the peddler. She would need to say goodbye, she supposed. To try and make up for her embarrassment. Watching her brother walk away, she approached the peddler once more, stopping a few paces away, keeping her distance. She did not want any more watching villagers to report back to Marsk at continued bad behaviour.

"I..I'm sorry. I need to go.." she said, her cheeks still flushed, her hands curling in the material of her dress.

 

[cgraven]

The sturdy Dwarf spun his spider’s web of tales of far off lands, and amazing creatures that he had encountered in his travels. He spoke of setting and sharing a pipe with the dark Lords of the Desert Sud, and of studying the stars of the celestial dome with the Masters of the Mer Est. Slowly sensually he drew Kelsa into his web, to ensnare first her imagination, and then her sweet supple body. Then came the confrontation.

Grindel watched that confrontation unfold there in the main courtyard of Karnyak, between Marsk, his allies, and Kelsa. He watched in silence as would be expected, no demanded, of an outsider in what was purely a village manner. The Dwarven Lord of the Bois Noir maintained his persona, his guise, as Grindel Smith peddler, traveler, and philosopher. Yet he could feel his anger growing at the coarse way this hulking brute publicly defiled his precious jewel. The Dwarf’s hands knotted into tight fists, his knuckles white with the strain. Oh how he was tempted to draw his sword and strike Marsk when he mauled Kelsa’s breasts and her delicate sex through her clothing there in the Village court yard. All ready Grindel could see that public opinion was with Marsk, at least in principle. Yet there was an undercurrent, that though he had the right to demand the girl’s obedience, he did not have the right to violate the traditions of hospitality of the village. Suddenly the confrontation reached a climax as Marsk shouted for all to hear.

"My next order for you is to pack up your things and come to my house. Tonight. And you better be more ready to be a proper woman then than you are now."

Leaving the frightened young beauty laying in the dust of the courtyard like a broken doll cast aside. He had chastised Kelsa as if she were a willful spoiled child who had not learned her place, had not learned her lesson. For their part the villagers breathed a sigh of relief as The drunken brooding hulk staggered off.

"I'll help you pack."

The coward that had hid in Marsk ‘s shadow slunk forward, and nervously clearing his throat and looking away continued.

"I'll meet you back at the house."

Kelsa once more turned towards the Dwarven peddler and hesitantly closed the distance between them until she stood a few paces from him,

"I…I'm sorry. I need to go.."

How like a chasten child this stunning jewel no looked with her flawless cheeks kissed by a scarlet blush, and her delicate fingers curling in the material of her dress. Grindel met the girl’s tear shimmering eyes, his gaze softly caressed her, as he let her see the anger that lay behind them for what had been done to her.

“ May the Gods protect and give you strength for what you must now do.”

Did the words of his parting blessing have a double meaning? The look in his dark gold flecked hazel eyes seem to tell Kelsa that they had a deeper meaning than that that appeared on the surface. Just as the young beauty turned to go Grindel turned to the assembled villagers.

“ Come now, be quick for I take my leave to the west this day.”

At mid-afternoon The Dwarven peddler made a great show of packing his wears on his little Donkey and slowly making his way to the western edge of the village. For any who cared to look they could see just beyond the hills to the west a dark smudge of smoke against the western sky. Grindel sat by his smoky fire in the gathering darkness, the soft hard rasp of stone against steel as he sharpened his sword. Kelsa had impressed him as a quick intelligent girl, if she did not, or could not come to him then he would go to her for Grindel de Bras Grossier lord of the Bois Noir had no intention of leaving this rare and precious jewel laying in the dust and dung of Karnyak. He cared little wither she wanted to come or not for he would have her one way or another.

 

[axilyae]

"This is yours..you can take this..and this..."

Kelsa stood silently as her brother filled a small bag. He'd said he would help, but he was simply deciding what she was allowed to take from the building they had once both called home. Clasping her hands together awkwardly, she waited for him to stop scouring their cupboards and shelves for other mementos to fit into the cloth bag, the one she had made last summer. Sadness made her throat choke up suddenly, and she looked away from her brother, to hide her tears. Raen did not seem too happy at this situation; but he did not complain, either. She supposed he thought it better than to still have her living under his roof as a single woman. At least it gave him the space now to finally move in one of his many admirers and start his own family.

"..alright. This should be all you need." Raen finally surmised, holding out two bags. One filled with clothes, the other filled with..well, mostly junk, but memories, lots of memories. Kelsa felt the broach against her thigh as she moved to take the bags; she had not moved it out of her pocket since she had received it earlier. She'd have to find a safe place for it soon. Now she had seen Marsk's true colours, she would not put it past him to sell it for extra income at the first opportunity if he found it.

"Thank you, Raen." she mumbled, holding the bags in front of her. They lapsed into an awkward silence, the room filled with unsaid words and repressed actions. After a few minutes, Kelsa simply nodded and walked out of their - well, out of his - front door. A proper goodbye was not necessary after all, she'd still see him daily, if allowed. Kelsa's chest tightened at that. Would Marsk allow her to visit her brother? He now determined her life. The possible outcomes of that were terrifying.

The walk to Marsk's didn't take long at all, although Kelsa had dragged her feet. There was a glow emitting from the corners of the covered windows; Kelsa guessed the fire was still lit. With a shudder passing through her again, she forced herself to walk up to his door and knock on it, trying not to cry again.

"So, there you are." Marsk said in greeting, opening the door and leaning against the door frame with a lopsided grin. "I was wondering..if I'd scared you off..come in, come in.."

He was hiccuping inbetween his words quietly, and Kelsa could smell that familiar ale stench from where she stood. Looking like a tamed animal, she stepped into his abode, her shoulders now trembling. It was clean and neat; something that surprised her. She expected a man like Marsk to leave it as a pigsty, especially since he had been a bachelor for so long. Maybe Malia cleaned it.

"Where were we.." Marsk said, turning to Kelsa after he'd closed -and locked - the door. Grabbing her bags from her hands, he tossed them into the corner and grabbed her hips, forcing his mouth against hers like he had earlier. Kelsa tried to relax this time, letting his tongue probe her mouth, his hands slide up and down her body. He moved her against the wall, his growing erection pressing against her stomach; so hard she could almost feel the throb of blood rushing to its head. He moved one of his hands to caress her hair almost lovingly, before then gripping the strands hard to push her down. He stopped the kiss, smiling at her as he forced her mouth to his crotch.

"You know what to do, whore." he said, chuckling slightly. He slurred his words less than earlier; although he was still drunk, Kelsa had a feeling he knew exactly what he was doing. Looking up, she blinked innocently, arms still hanging at her sides.

"I..don't know what you're talking about.." she mumbled, trying not to look at the bulge, now so close to her face. Although she had a faint knowledge of what sexual positions and foreplay techniques people used - women often discussed it whilst gardening, giggling between themselves - she was not going to pretend she had any experience. She didn't. Marsk was probably expecting her to do something special, and she had no idea what..

"E..excuse me? You don't know?" Marsk stuttered in disbelief, looking down at his fiance with a mixture of shock and amusement. "Not much of a whore, are you? Alright..we'll have to.."

Kelsa had obviously thrown a spanner in the words, and he dragged her by her hair back up to her feet, muttering. Kelsa wished to rub her aching scalp, but she dared not move as Marsk seemed to decide what he would do with her next.

"I don't want to have to teach some dumb cunt how to suck right now.." he finally spat, looking irritated. "I'll have to get another slut to do it. You can go and sniffle to yourself like the pathetic..whore..you are..I'll have to teach you with some others..we'll have a right good time with you.."

He chuckled to himself, the thought of abusing Kelsa with his friends obviously cheering him up. Grabbing a hold of her hair again, he dragged her upstairs to what looked like his bedroom. A little messier, and it stunk of sweat and..something else, that Kelsa did not recognise. With a grunt, he tossed her onto the bed.

"You stay here, you hear me? Do not fucking move. I'll be back later after..fulfilling some adult needs.."

With a loud laugh, he then turned to slam the door. Kelsa heard the lock click into place, and then he was gone. Curling up on the bedcovers, she looked out of the window from where she lay. She could see the moon, and the glinting stars. She wondered where that peddler was now, free on the open road. With that thought, tears pricked at her eyes, and she buried her face into her hands, trying to escape into her usual daydreams; now fuelled by the stories of mountains, flowers and exotic landscapes that she'd never even thought could exist before today.

 

[cgraven]

Grindel de Bras Grossier lord of the Bois Noir drew back from the glare of the smoky fire he had built, as the day faded in to the gathering gloom of evening. When one traveled the dark paths of the Bois Noir one learned quickly that it was dangerous to your health to be silhouette by the fire’s light or to become night blinded by its brilliance. When the velvet cloak of night shroud all around in blackness and she had not come Grindel knew that he must go and take what he wanted from the dust of Karnyak.


“ It would have been easier if you had simply come to me my Precious girl.”

He muttered to himself as he buckled on his supple leather armor over his padded jerkin before girding his sword and belt around his waist. Grindel took to pacing to see how his harness rode and scowled at the feel.

“ You’re not going to battle an ogre, but to take away a slip of a girl.”

The Dwarven lord exchanged his sword for a dagger and several throwing knives for tonight’s work required stifle not bludgeoning. So began Grindel’s return to Karnyak a journey were he slipped from shadow to shadow as silently as any specter of the night. Nothing in his passing caused a man to stop, to listen, no hint of motion caught the observer’s eye. Crouching on a small hillock Grindel scanned the west side of the village. He looked for the shape and size in the shifting shadows of the brute that had mauled Kelsa publicly. His head tilted as he listened for the coarse drunken voice that would betray Marks’s lair.

"I don't want to have to teach some dumb cunt how to suck right now……………I'll have to get another slut to do it…….

Grindel tensed , a shadow of a movement to his left caught his attention. Marsk . There was no doubt his size, his drunken swagger, the beast’s lair revealed to him. Silent as the night wind Grindel darted from shadow to shadow till he reached Marsk’s hovel. Silently he slipped in. Kelsa looked like a frightened doe her eyes wide with fear. Grindel pressed a single finger to his lips to still her scream.

“ Come!”

The dwarf silently turned and eased the latch of the door. It suddenly flew from his hand and Marsk stood before him his face scarlet with drink and anger.

You worthless cunt I’ll beat you to death for this.

He turned his drunken gaze to The Dwarf.

Right after I gut this trash.

Marsk made a trusting downward slash with it dagger that was met by a quick deadly upward thrust of Grindel’s as he agile stepped aside. Blood bubbled on Marsk lips his voice stilled for eternity as his lifeless body slid to the floor.


“Come girl Run!”


There were two roads before Kelsa, stay in the dust and dung of Karnyak or follow the dwarf into the darkness of the night.

 

[axilyae]

Kelsa had not been able to believe her eyes when the peddler had suddenly appeared out of nowhere. A glint of angry determination had been in those dark eyes when he had urged her to follow him; hastening to the door. Kelsa had remained frozen on the bed - where had he come from? What was he doing? She had leaned forward then, trying to grab him, to stop him; to explain the situation, and why she must not leave the room. What if Marsk saw him here, with her? Her throat had become choked as countless possibilities ran through her panicking mind, and none ended well for either her or the Dwarf.

Her outstretched hand grabbed only at thin air; the peddler had already reached the door, and had cleverly unspun the lock mechanism to click the door open. Kelsa's heart flung into her mouth as the door creaked open, the usually quiet sound like a lightning bolt of noise in the silent house. And then, as if he had read her thoughts of despair, the angered, drunken face of Marsk had appeared in the doorway. He had gaped for a few moments at the unexpected sight; peddler and fiancee, both in the room he had just locked. This confusion then gave away to a murderous glare as he stepped forward. Kelsa would swear later she saw his shoulders start to tremble, with the pure fury of what looked like Kelsa's disobedience.

He'd opened his mouth to speak, firing insults at both her and the peddler; but mere moments after he'd stopped and lunged at the Dwarf, he lay on the ground, twitching for a few seconds before lying silently. Dead. Kelsa stared at him for a few seconds, that seemed to stretch into eternity. Blood leaked from the corners of his mouth, staining his motionless face. It dripped on the floor, and Kelsa had to look away, her fear now a coiled snake around her windpipe. What..what had just happened? Marsk was..dead..the village would think it was her, and then..

“Come girl Run!” came the whispered voice of the Dwarven peddler, motioning for her to follow him once again. He was now a flickering flame of hope in the darkness that surrounded Kelsa's fate. Without hesitating, she stepped from the bed, her whole body trembling in a mixture of fear and shock at the events of Marsk's drunken actions, and then his death. Taking a few moments to gather herself, Kelsa then nodded at the peddler, motioning her agreement to follow. Running down the stairs, they flung themselves out of the front door and sneaked away into the darkness, leaving the borders of Karnyak behind.

Kelsa looked back every so often, her eyes pricking with more tears. The only thing she had managed to take with her was the Dwarf's earlier gift of the broach. Smoothing her hand over her pocket to feel the outline of the gift, she then turned back forward to keep following the peddler who'd just saved her life.

 

[cgraven]

They fled through the night dashing from shadow to shadow. Grindel and Kelsa had just crested the little hillock west of the village when a woman’s soul wrenching scream shattered the stillness of the night. The Dwarf immediately went to ground drawing the terrified young human with him. There was power to him that belied his short stature and a hardness to his powerful body as it pressed to Kelsa’s. His massive hand clamped firmly but gentle over the girl’s mouth to silence any scream that might reveal their location to the now aroused village. Karnyak buzzed like an angry hornets nest at the discovery of Marks’s dead body.

They laid there for what must have seemed like an eternity to Kelsa. They laid there almost like lovers, their bodies intimately pressed together under the pale unblinking eye of the moon in her race across the night sky. Finally they slipped away again Grindel leading Kelsa from shadow to shadow as if he were a thief in the night. Yet in reality that is exactly what Grindel de Bras Grossier lord of the Bois Noir was and sweet young Kelsa was the prize that he had stolen away.

At last they arrived at the little camp where the glowing embers of his smoky fire and his little donkey greeted them. Even in the pale virginal light of the moon Grindel could see that Kelsa was shivering, wither it was from the gathering cold of the night or wither it was the shock of Marsk violent death he knew she had to be warmed. The cunning dwarf added a few dry sticks to the glowing embers knowing that they would soon give the much needed warm to the shivering precious jewel. As Kelsa stood close to the fire Grindel moved with an eased purpose gathering a blanket to drape over the girl’s shoulders, cutting evergreen bows to create a bed for her to keep the grounds chill from her. Finally he handed Kelsa a tumbler of Kirsch its potency masked by is sweet cherry flavor.

“Kelsa you need to change your clothing is not suited to forest travel.”

Grindel’s voice was tinged with just the right note of concerned urgency.

“……and you need some rest.”

The sly, cunning dwarf handed the shocked and confused young human beauty a bundle that contained a man’s linen shirt with a deep cut vee neck a pair of tight doe skin breeches and a pair of crimson thigh high boots that would mold to Kelsa’s shapely legs like a second skin. The tight dark forest green jerkin would highlight the sensual curve of Kelsa’s firm young breasts to perfection.

“Call me when you have changed.”

Grindel bowed to the young beauty and retreated into the darkness of the forest leaving Kelsa by the fire to change.

 

[axilyae]

The villagers had not taken long to find Marsk's body. It surprised her how quickly they had; but perhaps it was just the wills of the Gods above. Kelsa heard the screams and the shouts, and could almost feel their anger..and could clearly imagine her brother's heartache. The circumstances she had left would not look like a mystery to most, if any. Kelsa had made it obvious in the courtyard today that she was not looking forward to her life with Marsk, and now he had been found dead, and she was missing. It was clear that if she ever returned, she'd probably be held in chains before being sentenced to death, to honour Marsk. Who would believe that the peddler had killed him, and not her? Many had been witness to him leaving..

It seemed like forever until they moved from their hidden embrace. Kelsa felt his body pressed against hers; and squirmed on instinct, feeling uncomfortable. She knew he was keeping her safe, but still..she had so many questions. A spasm of anger also raced through her mind; if not for him, she would not have had to leave her village. Although she knew he had meant well, he did not understand their traditions and had acted against them, forcing her away. Now she was forever to be remembered a runaway, a murderer. Kelsa had to force back a sob as that thought brought more along with them; about how much she'd miss her brother, how she'd never walk on the familiar paths of Karnyak again. As suffocating as it had been, it had been her home.

Finally, they moved from their hiding place. Kelsa did not know why the Dwarf had decided that then was the time; he seemed to be much wiser than she, a lot more tapped in to fate and timing. Following his lead, it was not long before they finally approached what must be his fireplace. She recognised the donkey from before, its large eyes staring at her as the peddler moved her to sit near the warmth. Despite him moving a few more logs to the flames, the chill still seemed to seep into her very bones; and she continued to shiver even after a few minutes of resting. He handed her a flask of something, a sweet cherry aroma obvious when she sipped from it. It burnt her throat slightly, but it calmed her shoulders from twitching.

"Kelsa you need to change your clothing is not suited to forest travel…and you need some rest."

The young girl nodded silently to his words, acknowledging her agreement. Taking the small bundle of clothes, she waited until she knew him out of sight before looking at what he had gifted her. Taking off the thin, cloth dress; she shivered once more as her naked body was offered to the cold with no protection. Goosebumps flickered over her skin; her small, pink nipples hardening, becoming obvious rose buds against the paleness of her swelling breasts. Teeth chattering, Kelsa wasted no time in pulling the linen shirt over her head, smiling despite herself at how much it covered her. Then she pulled on the breeches, pulling at the tight material until it covered her. Then the jerkin, admiring at how much it fit despite not belonging to her. Finally, she sat down to wear the thigh-high boots. Her cheeks were flushed as she realised what they were; no one else wore anything like this in Karnyak, and she sat by the fire again, warming her hands..feeling like an adult, despite being looked after like a child.

After a few moments, Kelsa looked into the darkness of the forest with squinted eyes, wondering where the peddler had hidden himself as he waited. She wondered if she should call to him; but fear stopped her tongue. What if someone heard her?

 

[cgraven]

Grindel slipped into the shadows of the forest silently as a waif. His place chosen well, to give him an unobstructed view for the unveiling of his precious jewel. Oh how Grindel had anticipated this moment from the first moment he had seen Kelsa kneeling in the dust of the field of Karnyak. How adorably and sweetly innocent Kelsa was as she quickly stripped off her clothing to stand naked bathed by the pale virginal light of the moon and the golden firry hues of the fire. His fist came to his lips to stifle a gasp at the girl’s naked perfection. He had never seen a creature that was both so sensually seductive and yet in the same moment so blissfully innocent. The Dwarf’s eyes hungrily took in every detail of Kelsa magnificent young body as they leisurely caressed her from the firm swell of her breast, sliding down to the sensual curves of her torso to the soft womanly swell of her hips and the sweetly sculptured perfection of her legs. There was a naturally sensually seductive fluid grace to the girl’s movements as she dawned the clothing that the Dwarf had provided for her.

When Kelsa was dressed in her new outfit, one that complemented her youthful charms and left little to the imagination, she seemed hesitant as what to do now. He watched as the young beauty’s eyes shift nervously searching the darkness that surrounded her little island of light and warmth. He could see the fear in Kelsa eyes as she stretched her hands towards the flames. He could see her fear grow the longer she was left alone. She looked like a scared little rabbit about to bolt at the slightest sound. Grindel softly coughed to announce his return from the darkness.

“May I come to the fire Kelsa?”

Grindel’s voice was that deep soft kind voice that was such a part of his disguise as Grindel Smith the Peddler, Traveler, and Philosopher, who had captured her imagination and trust.

“We must make plans Kelsa for a Dwarf and a young human beauty traveling together will arouse suspicions….”

Grindel’s voice trailed off as if he was pondering a solution to the problem.

“ Perhaps a young adventure ………..”

A wry smile bowed the dwarf’s lips.

“No, no, no! For even dressed as a lad Kelsa there is no hiding that you are a beautiful young woman . No we need another guise.”

Again Grindel was appeared to be deep in thought as he idly fingered a strap of leather sliding it between his gnarled fingers.

“ A slave girl…”

Grindel’s face turned as red as his tawny copper beard and hair in a furious blush.

It would explain why a dwarf and a human girl would be together.

“ There would have to be a collar around your neck and some signet of ownership.”

“No, no, there must be another way.”

Grindel had planted the seed now to see if it took root.

 

[axilyae]

“May I come to the fire Kelsa?"

Kelsa gasped in surprise, turning to see the peddler emerge from the shadows. She had turned back to the fire to stare into its depths, knowing the Dwarf would return sooner rather than later. A feeling of relief bloomed in her chest at being correct. The night had become rather intimidating, being left alone with none but the donkey for protection.

"Y-yes, of course." she nodded at him, smiling brightly as he plodded to sit back down next to her at the fire. The light of the flames reflected in his eyes so obviously, and Kelsa stared, entranced. Although Dwarves did not look too different from humans, the differences that were there interested her so much. Although Karnyak had always welcomed different species before, she'd never been so close, for so long. It was certainly an experience.

She listened carefully as he went through different possibilities to explain their partnership in future travels. He mumbled a few, then cast them away for one reason or another. Kelsa had no ideas to give, having no idea of what was acceptable outside of Karnyak. Fidgeting with the sleeves of her new shirt, she awaited his conclusion anxiously, hoping there was some way she could stay by his side, at least for a little while longer. She needed to learn more about the world, before she felt comfortable about her chances of survival!

"A slave girl…there would have to be a collar around your neck and some signet of ownership."

Kelsa watched him curiously as the peddler blushed. She wondered why. She was not unaware of slavery; what it meant, what slaves did. Why this would embarrass him was beyond her. Maybe he'd had a bad past connected to it, and bringing it up reminded him of something bad. Unaware of how to help, she placed a hand gently on his arm as he murmured on, something about finding another way.

"Sir..peddler, if that is a good reason to why we would acceptably travel together, I do not mind it. We both know the truth, and do not worry. I will not feel insulted if this is the best choice."

Kelsa smiled at him, innocence dancing in her eyes. She thought only for their well-being, and if wearing a few extra garments allowed her to keep safe for a while longer, she was prepared to do so.

 

[cgraven]

The innocent young beauty placed a hand gently on his arm as he murmured on, something about finding another way. Grindel could feel her gaze on his soft and wondering and when she spoke he knew the seed he had planted had found fertile trusting ground..

"Sir…peddler, if that is a good reason to why we would acceptably travel together, I do not mind it. We both know the truth, and do not worry. I will not feel insulted if this is the best choice."

Slowly Grindel raised his eyes almost shyly to hers. He was pleased with the warmth of her smiled and at the innocence dancing in her eyes. Now to tend the seed that was taking root nurtured by Kelsa sweet innocence.

“ I would be the best choice Kelsa, but you are a free woman born, your speech the manner of your address screams it..”

Again he pondered the choice. A look of concentration and perplexity furrowing his nut brown brow. He slapped his huge hands on his knee.

“No that is the best choice Kelsa.”

He warmed her with that infectious smile she had seen so often sense their first meeting.

“But I do believe you need to assume and practice your new roll my dear not Sir Peddler but Master”

Grindel gently corrected her. They talked long into the night working on Kelsa’s disguise . He smiled at how excited and eager the young human beauty seemed. Finally as he saw Kelsa eyelids fluttering close as she tried to fight the effects of her Harrowing day, the hour, and the effects of the Kirsch he had slowly fed her throughout the evening. As they had sat and talked and conspired by the fire.

“ Kelsa come rest your head on my lap and rest.”

He drew the blanket he had placed around her shoulders closely around her as the young girl drifted off to sleep.

Grindel was use to going days without sleep and while Kelsa blissfully slept her head on his lap cocoon it the blanket the dwarf’s cleaver hands fashioned a sleek black leather slave collar for the naïve little innocent. Soon all too soon she would discover that it was not just a prop in a pantomime.

Kelsa awoke to the smell of wood smoke, the rich dark aroma of dwarven coffee and sizzling bacon. The warm caress of the sun told the girl it was past dawn, yet the chill that nipped at her nose told her dawn was not long past.

“For your role Kelsa.”

Grindel held out the excusive sleek black leather slave collar he had fashioned for her.

“ I thought we might use the brooch I gave you as the signet of ownership. See I have fashioned a place for it here,”

There was an obvious note of pride in his voice the pride of a craftsman, yet there was the hint of worry in his dark gold flecked hazel eyes that she would not like it.

 

[axilyae]

Kelsa awaited the result of his thoughts on the matter quietly, hands scrunching the material of the breeches. Her hair fell over her eyes as she turned back to the fire, finding comfort in the flickering tongues of red and orange. Some things never changed, she mused to herself; the element of fire being one of them. No matter where she ended up in the world, Kelsa was sure she'd find other things that would remind her of home; to bring comfort, that there was other similarities even if the world right now seemed so big, and so frightening.

"But I do believe you need to assume and practice your new role, my dear, not Sir, or Peddler, but Master."

Kelsa blinked at him, tilting her head curiously to the side. Master. She rolled the word around her tongue, whispering the title under her breath. It sounded strange and alien; it was not a word she had used often in her life. In Karnyak, it was mostly used by male apprentices learning the way of the sword, training to be hunters, or guards like her brother. She knew slaves called their owners 'master' quite commonly, yet it would take some getting used to.

The peddler seemed to know much about the things she needed to know about assuming a realistic disguise as his slave. Everything from posture and facial expressions, to how she spoke and what she spoke about. Facts she would and wouldn't know, things she could and couldn't say. Her mind spun with the load of new information, and it was not long before her eyes started to wander, her eyelids drooping with tiredness. The flask she had been drinking from for most of the evening dropped from her hands to the ground as she finally lost concentration.

"Kelsa, come rest your head on my lap and rest." Grindel said - she had finally managed to confess she had forgotten his name from earlier, much to his amusement - although his kind comment almost sounded like an order, than a request. Disregarding that niggling thought from her otherwise preoccupied mind, Kelsa gladly made her way to lie near him, using his body as a pillow. She was asleep even before the Dwarf covered her body with the blanket.

Kelsa slept soundly, her dreams remarkably blank; or at least, she did not remember what she had dreamed about once she awoke. The smell of food soon lured her to sit up and rub her eyes wearily, the cold refreshing on her face. The peddler sat crouched over the fire, cooking and looking far more awake than she. Wondering how long he had been awake for, she stretched out the cramps in her arms and stomach as she stared at him, mumbling a good morning in his direction.

After leaving her to wake up for a few more minutes, Grindel approached her, holding something in his hands.

"For your role Kelsa." he said, holding out a collar made of black leather. It was hand-made, but neatly so; and Kelsa half had a mind to ask him if he'd made it himself. Where had he learnt to make collars, if so?

"I thought we might use the brooch I gave you as the signet of ownership. See I have fashioned a place for it here.."

Gesturing to a place on the collar, he looked at her; his eyes scanning her face for her reaction. She smiled shyly, examining the collar still in fascination.

"It's..it's so realistic." she finally said. "It's like the collars my father used to put on the hunting dogs, when he kept them."

 

[cgraven]

Grindel watched as Kelsa smiled shyly, examining the collar in fascination. He held his breath as the young beauty turned the black leather collar over and over as she examined the quality of its workmanship.

"It's…it's so realistic." she finally said.

"It's like the collars my father used to put on the hunting dogs, when he kept them."

There were rituals in claiming a slave girl that was free born and not sold into slavery by her kith or kin, rituals that Grindel de Bras Grossier Lord of the Bois Noir knew well. The first was that she accepts his signet. That Kelsa had so willingly done when she took the delicate brooch he had presented her yesterday in Karnyak main courtyard. Second that of her own free will she call him master. That was accomplished last night with the pale moon as witness as she had so sweetly whispered Master, had rolled the word around her tongue, whispering the title under her breath. Now all that remained was for him to take her name and give her the name she would be known by form this day forward and then to obey his first command. A command that would bind the gorgeous little human beauty to his will till he chooses to release her.

“Kelsa I fear we must find another name by which to call you less your very name betrays us.”

The little dwarf said as he looked up from the fire where he was preparing their breakfast. Reaching into his script Grindel drew out a little leather pouch.

“ We will let the runes choose your name.”

Grindel rolled the dwarven runes merely for show for he had already decided what name he would christen his newest acquisition with. He rolled the bones and then peered at them as if divining what they revealed.

“Eva your name is to be Eva.”

Now but one more act was needed to seal the young human beauty’s fate.

“Eva set the brooch in the place of the signet and place your collar around your neck so I may buckle it in place. The sun rises higher and we are still very close to Karnyak.’


Grindel de Bras Grossier Lord of the Bois Noir held his breath waiting for Kelsa, now christened Eva complete the ritual of her enslavement.

 

[axilyae]

Grindel had seemed satisfied with her reaction, and Kelsa relaxed. She had not known the correct way to compliment a collar; in fact, the sight of it had surprised her so much she'd nearly remained silent. It seemed all was well though, and she watched the Dwarf carefully as his eyes moved from the collar to her face, his expression solemn.

"Kelsa, I fear we must find another name by which to call you; lest your very name betrays us."

Kelsa opened her little mouth to protest; but did not. She realised quickly that the Dwarf was correct. Kelsa had been her mother's name, and to her knowledge, not very common even out of Karnyak. If the villagers told any more travellers about her and her supposed murder, it could catch up with them faster than they could out-run the danger.

"Yes..of course." she mumbled, her gaze leaving his face to drop to the dusty ground. It was not as if she could not understand, and even appreciate, the logic in which Grindel had with this idea; just her name..was the only thing she had left from home. She'd never thought her very name could be at risk too along this journey. But then, it was easy to take on a guise. Kelsa could easily keep her name safe in her head, and still refer to herself as such. Keeping her true identity safe whilst her new one was flaunted to the world, wearing a collar next to her faux master.

The Dwarf rummaged in his pockets, the noise causing Kelsa's eyes to snap back to him, curious as to what he was doing. Finally he drew out a little bag made out of leather; something inside clanking softly as he moved it between his two hands.

"We will let the runes choose your name." Grindel said finally, revealing what was inside. A mixture of small bones and stones; that's what it looked like. A shiver ran up and down Kelsa's spine as he rolled them across the floor. Such a big decision, lying on the mischievous ways of fate! Clasping her hands together nervously, Kelsa awaited Grindel to read the runes and declare what her new name - well, the slave guise's name, she reminded herself - would be.

"Eva. Your name is to be Eva."

Kelsa nodded slowly. Eva. She had never heard of such a name before; perhaps it was common, outside of Karnyak. She repeated it in her head, trying to get used to it. Like the word master had been, it sounded strange - yet, she must wear it like she had been familiar with it her whole life. Kelsa frowned. This would be more challenging than she'd first thought.

Listening intently to Grindel's next order, she hurried to retrieve the broach from where she had left it; still in the pocket of the thin cloth dress she had worn yesterday. As she picked it up, she held the dress for a few moments, looking at it sadly. It represented so much, and yet was so little. Dropping it to the ground, she walked back to Grindel to take the collar off him, looking at the shiny leather in awe. Hesitating for a few seconds, she finally set the broach in place, looking at it with a faint smile before hooking the collar around her pale, slender neck.

"H-here." she mumbled, offering her neck to him so he could reach, to finally buckle it. It lay cold and stiff against her skin, and Kelsa wondered if it would chafe, after a while. She hoped not. How long would she have to wear this for? Noting it as a question to ask soon, she waited patiently for the collar to be buckled, and for her guise to begin as a Dwarf peddler's slave.

 

[cgraven]

Such a good little girl Grindel smiled to himself as Eva eagerly hurried to retrieve the delicately beautiful Brooch the little dwarven peddler had given to Kelsa the day before. A dark wry smile bowed his lips as the girl picked up her dress held it to her as if remembering who she was and where she had come from before taking the brooch from its pocket and letting it slip from her fingers to flutter to the ground like the life she had know from birth was slipping away from her. Leaving Kelsa behind Eva came to her Dwarven Master and took the leather slave collar from him. The stunning young human beauty hesitated only a moment before fitting the broach in place, The dark radiance of the stone seemed to shimmer and glow drawing the girl’s eye deeper and deeper into its glowing darkness. A faint smile bowed her lips before hooking the collar obediently around her pale, slender neck.

"H-here."

Eva softly hesitantly murmured, willingly offering her neck to him so he could reach, to finally buckle it in place. To finally complete the ritual that would make her the Lord of the Bois Noir’s slave. Grindel drew the strap of the slave collar through the buckle and as he fastened it around Eva’s slender neck the runes upon the ground began to glow. They turned a dark tawny gold as if on fire , they rose, spinning like a made cyclone dancing before Eva’s soft sweet trusting eyes. They engulfed both her and the dwarven peddler. She could feel invisible hands caressing her in a most sensual and scandalous manner. Their touch becoming ever more intimate. There was a blinding flash of light that magically bound Eva’s slave collar in place and the human girl to her dwarven Master.

“Eva, Eva, wake up my sweet it is time to pack the donkey and be on our way.”

All memory of what had just occurred was nothing more that a fading phantom, a dream. Yet those she remembered Karnyak, Raen her brother, Eva seemed so natural so right as if it had been her name all along.

“Yes Grin…………..”

Her sweet moist lips stumbled and stuttered over the dwarf name. He gave the young beauty a stern look.

“Yes Master.”

He smiled gently down into her eyes.

“ Come it is a long way to Iron Gate in the high passes of the Dragon Spine.”

 

[axilyae]

As he clasped the collar around her neck with a sharp click!, Kelsa had felt so strange; the collar feeling heavy, the sudden weight as unfamiliar as everything else had been since she'd left Karnyak. She reached to touch it with a small hand, feeling the smooth material with a shiver. So strange. She was glad it was just a guise that she wore it under; otherwise she was sure it would feel much more suffocating.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kelsa noticed the runes glowing, and then rising, they spun around quickly. Gasping, she went to step back, raising a hand to protect herself from whatever wild magic this was; but the glowing cyclone soon engulfed both of them. Kelsa felt a tingling run across her skin; and then seem to sink into her, etching itself into her very blood and bones. As this happened, the soft caresses of invisible hands passed over her, and Kelsa struggled to open her eyes against the cyclone's strong winds, spying for the mysterious source of these feelings. But she saw nothing; and then, she felt the touches slip inbetween her legs, across her pert breasts that were covered so tightly by her new clothes. Gasping aloud, she reached out to try and stop the invisible people; but then a flash - and nothing.

"Eva, Eva, wake up my sweet it is time to pack the donkey and be on our way."

Eva blinked her eyes softly, the daylight making her eyes ache for a few moments. Her head hurt, and she struggled to her feet as she looked at Grindel in confusion. What had just happened? In any case, Grindel had just asked her to do something. Nodding, she replied:

"Yes Grin..aah..no..yes, master."

He nodded, satisfied with her correction, then turning away to help pack the donkey with their belongings.

"Come, it is a long way to Iron Gate in the high passes of the Dragon Spine"

"Y-yes master." she nodded, hastening to follow him in gathering their possessions. She felt slightly dizzy; perhaps it was that strong drink from yesterday evening, still clouding her mind. Whatever it was, it did calm her nerves about their journey. She felt a bit more accepting of her role in this guise she had adopted, the word master easily entering her vocabulary as she talked with Grindel as they finished up. After cleaning after themselves, all that was left was some flattened grass and traces of fire cinders to signal anyone had stayed there at all. Clasping her hands together as he had taught her to do, she edged to the donkey and stood there with her head bowed, awaiting an order to leave.

It would take some getting used to, but it wasn't so bad so far staying in this role, Eva mused. Even the name was growing on her.