Window Shopping

Silent as the grave, Lyre barely even made a sound as her paws moved over the changing terrain. Every natural sound seemed loud as thunder against the trio of canines. The silence didn't bother Lyre, but the slaver was fidgety and anxious. He'd agreed to follow the man for payment, but he didn't think he'd have to go so far away from the rest of the caravan. When they finally arrived, he was greatly relieved, rushing forward to speak to his client so that he could ask if he wanted them to stay here or follow him into the territory. He never got the chance.

Blood sprayed from the wound in the slavers throat, a few droplets finding their way onto Lyre where they proceeded to drip down the curve of her muzzle and one cheek. The woman didn't bat an eye and remained staring straight ahead. Internally, she panicked a little. Was she next? Did it matter? The striped fae didn't move, not even to wipe the blood from her face. She wouldn't do so until the brute gave his permission.

The slaver gurgled from a crumpled heap on the ground, then fell silent. Suddenly the man was sitting in front of her, addressing her. His initial statement may have been seen as an insult, but Lyre saw it as nothing more than her new master laying out the rules. She did not meet his gaze, but nodded once to let him know that she was listening. He gave her permission to speak freely when necessary and added 'to me and mine,' so Lyre assumed that she would be a family servant.

A claw found its way against her throat and Lyre reflexively raised her head, giving the man access to the long length of her neck. He gave a rhetorical question and the fae answered clearly, "Yes, My King." He had called himself a king, so she would use that title unless he gave her another that he preferred. The collar about her neck was quickly removed and was deposited in the river to be swept away by the current. The man then asked her name. "Lyre, My King." She wondered if he would order her to push the dead slaver into the river as well so the current could take away the evidence. Whatever he wanted, she would do.

"Lyre"