shackles

The shade was much nicer on his burnt skin, allowing allowing his eyes to focus better despite the sunburn around them causing him to squint and resist blinking. He could barely see what was happening around him from the bright lights, but at least now the shade would offer him some relief in a few ways.

The softer spoken man tried to soothe him with words, beckoning him to relax with the promise of being safe. What had he done to deserve being safe? These men owed him nothing, though he knew better than to assume a life-saving service to be free. If they saved his life, he would owe it to them. Living the rest of his life in servitude when he was content to it ending as the traders had. If they wanted to heal him, he wouldn't object. Punishment always followed after objection. So, as the man wished, he did his best to relax. He took a deep breath despite the pain and allowed himself to shift somewhat onto his side with his legs curled a bit looser against his scraped up underside as the other man began to clean his coat.

"Speech."