Valdern (Closed)

[KieranSoares]

Valdern City was the epitome of knowledge and perfection. It sat on floating landmasses, kept up by ancient magicks created long, long ago. Each landmass was connected to the earth by vast lengths of massive chain so that it wouldn't ascend to the upper atmospheres, and the magicks propelling it were found in mountain-sized amethyst crystals set in huge lake basins where the landmasses had once rested on the earth's surface below. On the surface, there lived the farmers and what the Council of Valdern referred to as the 'peasantry'. The Magickless, some called them. But they were just people born without the gift of magic or outside any magic-bearing lines. On the city's five vast islands, the rich, magical, and all-around upper class lived in luxury. Each of the five sections held a slum, full of mostly laborers and magickless who'd gotten lucky enough to reach the city. Each of the five sections was considered a township, and each had a name. Arranged in a cross formation, the northern section was called Cetra, the south was Burrough, the west was Ghent, the east was Petera, and the center was Duvall.

Each second had its own special features, but the center stood as the city's proper and held the Vascus Library, named for the city's founder and ruling Protector, Vascus Valdern. the library was built in the form of a ring with offshooting studies and classrooms, and in the center stood a vast courtyard and Valdern's crowning Aerial Palace. A small lake stood in the courtyard, with an amethyst crystal and chains holding onto many small landmasses and one central mass that all held the wings, towers, and halls of the Palace. The only access to it was via escort by the palace's guardians. All the other landmasses around the city were connected by huge stabilizing bridges that could be raised in the event of high winds or storms to prevent breakage, or, as had happened to Petera, to quarantine a part of the city. Petera was in the middle of a freak plague and had been separated from the rest of the city. Even with the advanced healing and medicines of Valdern, all that could be done was let it run its course.

But also in the city, there were slaves. Werecreatures, all of them. Wolves, tigers, drakes, lions, bears, and so on. Werewolves were most common, thanks to their balance of abilities, but were not treated any better for it. Every proper home in the city held at least one slave, while the Aerial Palace held at least a hundred alone. Auctions were held in Duvall everyday, and only the best beasts were sold there. Slumlords sold slaves too, but usually they were very old, very young, sick, or impaired somehow.

Our story begins in Ghent, at the House of Council Lord Burke and his family. Lord Burke was a well-respected leader, but he was ruthless and cruel to almost all around him. His wife Kathrine was an alcoholic and socialite who let her husband's ruthlessness go unhindered and unnoticed. Together, they'd had one son, and today was the day after his birthday. He'd been promised a special gift by his father, but it would come a day late. Today, it was arriving. Burke stood with his son, waiting for the airship carrying the gift to arrive. Valdern City held few land vehicles, most travel was done by airship ferry, train, or horseback. "Well, son," he grunted, "how goes your studies? I expect you'll make me proud when you graduate the academy this summer and go on to the University."

 

[ListlessDM]

Gideon Luscius Burke stood beside his father and tried his very best to pretend that the elder man didn’t exist. It wasn’t an easy thing to do, especially when the other insisted upon having a conversation. A pair of dark brown eyes glinted brightly in the sunlight, partially hidden behind a set of wire-frame glasses, as they lingered upon the distant horizon and searched for the airships approach. The wind played through a mane of short black hair, well groomed and trimmed in a fetching style that highlighted the angular, handsome visage. Normally he wore a bowler hat, at least when he wasn’t around his father, who thought it was ‘low brow’. More often than not he took some enjoyment in riling up the old man, after all Lord Burke was a well-respected man, everyone always kowtowed about him.

But it wasn’t in Gideon to be just another yes man; he had always been a disappointment at some level. No matter what he did, what he accomplished it never seemed good enough; there was always something else he had missed, over looked, or just didn’t do correct in his father’s eyes. Still, he was his parents only son, he was heir to the name and all that came with it. If he didn’t want to end up faceless mass in the ‘peasantry’ he would have to play the game, at least on some level.

Gideon couldn’t deny he was excited about what his future held for him now that he was of age to attend the University. How long he dreamed of being out from under the thumb of his father, at least directly.

If he showed any of the contempt he was feeling for the man standing at his side he didn’t show it one bit. That angular face was a stoic mask, pale and impassive as he stood with perfect posture in his immaculate attire of black silk and purple velvet. He did cut the striking figure, handsome and suave when it called for it, though he could be just as calculating and ruthless as his father (not that he would ever readily admit to such). His right hand rested upon the gilded handgrip of a slender black cane, a hint of a glimmering crystal seen between leather glad fingers. The left gingerly held a pocket watch at chest level, connected to his vest by a slender silver chain. Every now and then those brown eyes drifted towards the ticking hands before they drew back towards the horizon.

It took the young man several long moments to acknowledge his father’s grunt with even recognition. Thin lips twitched before they parted and Gideon clucked his tongue off the roof of his mouth. He snapped the pocket watch closed sharply and tucked it into his vest pocket without a second thought.

“Fair enough,” He retorted, casting the older man a sidelong glance before a subtle smirk drifted across his lips. “You know me. I will pass with honors…though no doubt it will be high enough.” He left the last bit of it drift into the wind as he cast his gaze back to the horizon and arched a slender black brow. “Is that it? I think I see something…”

 

[KieranSoares]

Burke glanced at his son with little to no expression at all. He didn't consider his son a failure at all, just not a complete victory either. Burke didn't much like his son's style, but had eventually given up on everything but that damned bowler. Burke himself prefered the finery of a tailed black silk overcoat and trousers, a pale tan vest, a white silk shirt, and tall leather boots. His fine gentleman's tophat and cane was left inside as he wasn't intending to go out anywhere at the moment.

Burke looked up at his son's words, squinting into the distance. "Ah, yes, Old Tanner's ship." Old Tanner was a long-time friend of the family who personally oversaw all the shipping of food and items to the Burke House. The small airship hovered almost perfectly still with little noise above them, and a ladder was thrown down. Old Tanner himself and two of his big, burly black werewolves, descended from the ladder. The werewolves, as easily as they could hurt any of the three men and run, were tamed and silent, bowing their majestic forms to Burke and his son.

"Lord Burke," Tanner shook his old friend's hand, "and Young Gideon, fine man you've grown into, son," Tanner smiled brightly. He'd once been a simple peasant, until he'd visited Valdern City once and saved an airship from crashing. As a reward, he was given a house in the Ghent slums, and he came to work for Burke until he got enough money to train to become a pilot. Now, he was one of the best in the skies of Valdern. He was a kind man, but woefully unaware of truly how unkind Burke could be. Tanner Crenshaw was his name, and he was a tall, lean man with messy and curly brown hair, a short full beard, and laughing blue eyes. He always wore simple clothing that wouldn't get in the way of his work, and today he wore a black vest with no shirt and heavy cargo pants and steel-capped boots.

"Alright, boys, let's get this thing unloaded." Tanner turned to his werewolves, then flashed a signal up to the airship's other crewmen. Momentarily, a platform dislodged from the airship's floor and slowly descended on four cables that kept it balanced. On the platform stood a man-sized cage, and another black werewolf holding it steady. But it was what was in the cage that drew the most attention. Clad in only a short sarong and a halter and chains, there sat on her knees a fearful, small female werewolf with beautiful white fur, sky-blue eyes, and silver rings pierced one into each ear. She looked around in terror, not understanding what was going on. By the tattoo on her shoulder of a tribal symbol and her clothes, she was clearly taken from the wild tribes of the Far East, an untamed land that humans avoided due to some strange effect on their ships and vehicles that made them crash.

Not only was a female werewolf a very expensive gift because only slave auctioneers and the extremely rich kept them to reproduce, but this one was from dangerous lands, and looked about Gideon's age, which was too young to have had many cubs, if any at all. Her delicate ears were laid back against her head, and she whimpered softly, whispering to the black werewolf beside her in her native tongue. All Tanner's creatures were from the dangerous east as well, and could understand this female, but none listened at the threat of losing their comfortable place with Tanner. Tanner never hurt his werewolves, but he did tell them that if they didn't cooperate, he'd have them sold, and that was a massive gamble none of them were willing to try.

The cage was opened, and the female was brought out by two of the males, and she fell weakly to her knees before them. She hadn't eaten in two days, and Tanner sighed, "She wouldn't eat when we picked her up, she was too scared, but she hasn't tried to escape or cause trouble, so I think she's a good one." He looked to Gideon, "And thanks to your father, she's all yours, son."

 

[ListlessDM]

The sight of OldTanner's ship was a welcome sight. Of all the people he knew few could hold a candle to the old man's genuine kindness. It was a refreshingly welcome respite to the norm Gideon dealt with on a daily basis. The young man offered Tanner a smile and a light nod before he spoke.

“Greetings, Mr. Crenshaw,” Gideon replied in a cool, calm voice as his gaze drifted towards the hulking forms of werewolves. The very idea such a powerful creature could be so subdued was still amazing, at least to Gideon. Easily just one of them could have tore the trio of humans to bloody ribbons, but they all seemed as docile as a house broken dog. It was at the same time saddening and infuriating, though Gideon knew better than to bring up such in front of his father or even Tanner. The elder airship Captain at least treated his 'property' with some humility. Still, they didn't serve out of respect for the old man, they were still little more than sentient beasts of burden. Gideon tightened his grip upon the crystal adorning the top of his staff, if only to feel the subtle warmth even through his leather gloves.

Despite it all, Gideon couldn't help but feel a little curious and excited at just what lay nearby, he truly had no idea what was to be his gift. At least, not until the cargo platform dislodged itself and slowly lowered towards them on clanking chains. Slender black brows furrowed above his wireframe glasses as the sight of the cage and its occupant came into view. He was at once surprised and outraged at the sight of the snowy white werewolf; there was no denying her beauty and at the same time her terror. At first he refused to believe it, at least on some level as he watched the poor thing peer about and whimper almost helplessly.

Thin lips pursed together tightly as Gideon fought to control himself, he felt a subtle trickle of ice cold anger in his stomach as the girl was brought out and all but collapsed in front of them. His lips parted and at first Gideon couldn't find the proper words to express himself. Yet soon enough he released a slight huff before he shot his father another contemptuous look.

“Surely you cannot be serious,” He began, his voice rising as the emotions took control. “What am I to do with her? Look at her! She looks like she could be knocked over by a stiff breeze.” While his anger may sound like it was directed at the poor white wolf before him, the glimmer in his dark eyes found focus upon the stiff, proud man at his side he called father.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Oh, she's stronger than she looks," Tanner spoke up, leaning down to lift the female from her knees, "come on, sweetheart, it's okay," he spoke gently in the hopes that a gentle voice would calm her. "She's a little weak, like I said, from not having eaten, but before we caught her, she put up one hell of a fight, killed three men before one of my wolves got hold of her, and she wouldn't hurt him." At that, one of the black wolves looked down shamefully, and the white female looked upon him with pity after seeing the look on his face.

"Does she speak any English?" Burke raised an eyebrow. "Does she have any civilized qualities whatsoever?"

"She doesn't speak English that I've been able to get out of her, so I suppose not, but she's gentle as a kitten once you show her you're in charge. She's polite in manner for sure."

"A half-civilized beast from the wild... hm. Well, Gideon, the reason I bring you this gift is because you're almost an adult now, and you can use her to breed with other strong werewolves and either raise the cubs or sell them to get fully-grown wolves. After all, you will no longer live here soon, and you may want to have servants to help you on your way. She will serve you well til you have more." Burke turned away and walked inside, and Tanner gave Gideon a key on a ring.

"That key's to her collar and shackles. Her collar's already got a license, because I'm sure you know that an unlicensed werewolf can be taken and stolen... Anyhow, if you need any help with her or have any questions, just call me up," Tanner gave Gideon the white wolf's chain that was attached to her collar, boarded the cargo platform with his wolves,and they were soon gone.

Now, the white wolf looked upon Gideon, understanding she was his possession now, and she lowered her head, afraid to make eye-contact with him. The other werecreatures in the service of the Burke House could communicate with her and translate and teach her English and so on, and help Gideon train and tame her. One of the largest of the House's werecreatures, a giant of a white weretiger, approached. He was dressed in a full black suit, marking him as a house servant, and he wore a steel collar with his license and his name, Bulaire, etched into the side.

"Master Gideon, sir," Bulaire addressed him. Bulaire was twice Gideon's age, and had been among the werecreatures to care for him and raise him while his mother was off busy getting drunk and talking too much, and his father was just plain busy. Bulaire was like a real father, and the one who'd protected Gideon most. "Do you need any help, sir?"

 

[ListlessDM]

The 'gift' was quickly turning into a choir. The more he heard the more he disliked the situation, but what could he do? He couldn't exactly refuse the gift. Well, he could, but Gideon shuddered to think what would become of her if he turned her away. There were worse places than under his thumb, Gideon knew that for a fact.

Still, the weight of the key and the chain almost seemed to much for the young man, it felt like an incredible responsibility that he would have to manage all on his own. Perhaps it was just the inexperience of youth that got the better of him, but he couldn't help but watch Tanner go with at least some hint of envy.

“Well this didn't turn out quite as I expected,” Gideon said to no one as he peered at the docile she-wolf before him. She didn't understand a lick of the common tongue, he had already been told that much. His fingers tightened upon the chain as he debated over just what to do, where to start, when he heard a familiar and welcoming voice behind him. The young man turned to meet the impressive stature of the were-creature that had been more of a parent to him than either his mother or father combined.

“Ah, Bulaire,” Gideon breathed a deep sigh of relief and offered a slight rattle to the chain he held. “You always had perfect timing. Do you see what father 'gifted' me for my birthday?”

He couldn't help but sound a little exasperated, that much was evident from the look upon his handsome face. Slowly he turned back to the white wolf, if only to gaze upon her once more. He took a step closer, closing the distance between them. While he detested the outcome of this day and the very fact he now owned this creature, he still had to make sure she didn't get any crazy ideas into her head. The last thing any of them needed was for her to get an inkling for escape.

“Can you please ask what her name is? And if she is hungry,” Gideon asked of the were-tiger, giving Bulaire a look over his shoulder. It was obvious from his tone he did not demand anything of him, while he might be a slave of his family he still felt more kin to him than anyone else that shared the same blood.

“Also tell her I am her Master now. I'm not a sadistic sod like my father, she doesn't need to be terrified of me.” Gideon gave one last request as he took a slow circle about the white wolf before he came to stand before her once more, his dark gaze lingering intently upon her own down turned eyes.

Ever so slowly he reached up with his free hand and placed the tip of his index finger under her chin, urging her to lift her head and peer at him fully. He did not give a stern, hardened expression meant to instill fear and obedience. While Gideon did not like the situation much at well, at least he could treat this creature the way he saw fit.

 

[KieranSoares]

Bulaire knelt before her when she only looked up a brief moment at Gideon before looking away. "She's lovely... Pity she was captured..." He then reached out, lifting her head with both hands. "A ein Bulaire, en tes eis Shaylek Gideon Burke, amur monylek. Etru eis emi traris?"

She said nothing, looking down, and Bulaire took her hands and crept closer. "Eitan finris."

"Delani..." She whispered.

"Hm?" He tilted his head, having not heard her.

"Delani." She met his eyes. "Delani Timul, an lun Asok."

"Her name is Delani Timul, of the Asok Tribe..." He went on speaking to her, and she grew more and more hopeless even as he assured her she'd be alright with Gideon. She answered his questions with a weak voice, and he sighed. "She wants no food... She is afraid to eat humans' food after they poisoned her tribe with the fakery of peace. She says she is terrified of you, especially your father."

 

[ListlessDM]

At the end of it all Gideon simply let out a sigh of frustration. Slowly he rolled his shoulders back and brought a hand to the bridge of his nose and held it there for a moment as he closed his eyes.

“She has every right to be terrified of my father. So you you, so should I. He is the monster here,” Gideon retorted as he eased the tension from his tired eyes for a moment at least.

“What suggestions do you have, old friend?” Gideon turned to Bulaire for guidance. The old were-tiger had seen his fair share of slaves come and go through the household. Gideon had never really paid it much mind, much to his chagrin now as he stood before this beautiful white wolf he still looked so terrified.

“Tell her I won't hurt her, at least. Not that it will matter much I suppose.” Gideon said and made a queer face, scrunching his nose up and letting out another sigh.

 

[KieranSoares]

Bulaire spoke to the werewolf again, but she wouldn't look at him. Bulaire shook his head. "I know that look... she feels alone... Well, all I can suggest is to prove your words. She won't take empty promises. No werecreature does. It will take time to gain such a trust. I will help you, Master Gideon, to save her from the cruel whip of your father for disobedience." He lifted the werewolf to her feet like she weighed no more than a feather, and he nudged her gently toward Gideon. She looked up at him in fear and bowed her head, ready as she'd ever be to follow.