Little Ramesh was the next to go. Valkyrie had been tempted to simply mend him and send him on his way as thanks for his help, but in the end she'd decided that his fall at her feet had been too perfect to be coincidence. He was meant to be here, it seemed. Why else would that have happened?

As she had the others Valkyrie positioned him in the stall and then stood waiting for potential buyers to gather. She'd seen to him after his fall - that part had been truthful - it was what had come after that had no doubt caught him by surprise. He'd been a pampered guest and then...he'd been in a cage.

""

Ramesh was having the time of his life. First he got to explore the camp of the giants. That was an experiance like no other. He got half carried and half walked to the place by the weird giant girl. She still smelled like a mud walking weirdo, but hey, who was he to judge?

He was astonished, when he really shouldnt be, to lessen they slept on the ground. What kind of creature slept on the ground? "Oh ghee whizz, this place is mint!" He yelped, rushing ahead as they arrived.

He continued to hold a steady rant as they saw to his ear, commenting on the smell, the color, the feel of the herbs. He commented on their furs and their lack of adornment. He tried not to sound condescending but he probably fell short.

The cage was a surprise, and it took some effort to cram him between the bars. That when he started giving puppy eyes. "I dont plan on going anywhere, why can I be in a tree?" He complained. He wasnt sure why they decided to keep him, but he wasnt praised. He would get to romp around in their weird base for a while and then his sister would come get him. She always cleaned up his messes, it didnt exactly let a young wolf learn.

The market was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. He commented on EVERYTHING he saw with excitement in his tone. "Oh ghee whizz, what's that Vulky? DID YOU SEE THAT GUY?" he exclaimed, watching a titan walk buy. "Hey, I get a share of the spoils when you sell me, right?" He clarified. He had finally realised that part - that he was to be sold. What a weird concept, who had ever heard of such a thing? He wasnt phaised he would be up a tree the second he got out of this stinking cage.

Cannival had accompanied a small group of Risen wolves to this event, trailing along behind the pack shyly out of more boredom then anything else. She had no close bonds within their pack aside from Rain - to whom she owed a life debt - but regardless she took the excuse to wander out of the massive castle. She saw almost nobody she recognized, definitely no one from Abaven which was good for her. There was no way an Abavenite would be caught at slave auction, Canni was sure. She mostly just wandered around, eyeing up the strangers and deciding that these were not wolves she'd like to associate with. What a vulgar practice, selling a wolf. The lioness was prepared to leave when she stumbled upon a familiar scent. It wasn't from Abaven, nor Risen. Where did she know this wolf from? She decided to go inspect it, to make sure it wasn't someone she considered a friend participating in this gruesome event. Cannival was stunned to see none other then her small fishing friend, locked inside a cage. The woman beside him sat stone-faced, likely awaiting bidders. "Excuse me."  She stepped up, eyeing the viking carefully. "That one is my friend, I'm sorry but you cannot sell him. I'm going to need him back, now." "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Branch moved through the market quietly, a few things catching his interest, but he had yet to really get into trading. He was observing and making metal notes of everything, while fully taking in what was up for trading. Right now he didn’t need much, he still had all his stores that he had worked so hard on. He also felt there was no harm in checking things out either.

His blue eyes caught sight of the cage with a rather small looking wolf in it. He spotted the familiar face of the Viking wolf that he was beginning to realize was head of this operation. He also spotted a lion?!? He had to do a double take to make sure he wasn’t seeing things, he was in fact seeing a lion. Casually he approached as the lioness began to demand her friend be released.

Somehow he didn’t think her friend would be released by threats. These wolves wanted valuables and they had the strength to back themselves up. Branch didn’t say anything, instead kept quiet and carefully took off his full bag, waiting for this bidding to begin.

 

Valkyrie side-eyed the little tree climber as he babbled about the market and everyone who walked by him. He was kind of a cute thing. If she had a better system in place for keeping a tree climber Valkyrie likely would have kept him. At the very least he could be entertaining. She snorted a laugh, then replied, "You only get a percentage of the spoils if you are around to collect them and seeing as you'll be with your new master you won't be here to collect, will you?"

Well, what was this? Valkyrie sized up the lioness as she approached. Though she possessed a healthy respect for the larger predator, she was unperturbed by her presence and not cowed in in the slightest by her words. "I'm afraid I must, ljónynja (trans: lioness), that is the way of the market."

An idea struck her then and Valkyrie sized up the big cat appreciatively. "This is supposed to be an auction, but I will make you a deal, great cat. I will free him now if you pledge yourself to me and my cause." With a lioness at her side she would be invincible. None would dare challenge her.

""

Cannival turned to regard the other wolf who sat patiently with his bag of goods awaiting to give his offer. She tried as hard as she could to look into his neutral gaze and see what motivations he had for buying poor Ramesh, though was met with nothing. Her little wolf friend could be going anywhere, to be tortured or worse. The lioness's tail flicked with uncertainty, looking back to the viking with an expression that properly got across her discomfort. First Abaven, then Risen, and now to be indebted to this viking clan? The lioness' throat rumbled in a small growl. No one at Risen had forced her to stay, she was not commanded of anything. She chose to remain so that she might work off her debt with Rain, and then head home to Abaven. They had done science together and she had proven her loyalty by letting him cut into her skin, perhaps he would forgive her if she left for a period of time. Cannival looked Valkyrie in the eyes, trying her hardest to keep her gaze steely enough to not be taken advantage of. "To come away with a lioness at your side would be a rather impressive feat indeed, I guarantee the other traders would envy you for it. Though..... my loyalty is to another, and to buy that away would cost you every slave in your market." She paused, lifting her head a little higher. Bargaining was not the lioness' strong suit, but she could see the value of herself. Even without trying to be intimidating, wolves were known to flee at her sight. "I will pledge myself to you for the remainder of this season and the next. Until the snow melts and no longer." "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Velvette sighed heavily as she caught sight of her brother caged. She should have figured after not seeing him for so long that he had been caught or worse. Huffing she walked up, catchin the dialogue between the lioness and the Viking. Velvette hoped the lion might manage to free her brother. She sidled up to the cage, wearing her best scowl as her purple blue eyes bored into Ramesh. How dare he go and get caught like this? ”Serves you right being put into a cage, Ramesh.” She told him as her tail lashed out behind her in annoyance. She wasn’t sure if she had ever been so disappointed in her brother before. A Songa in a cage? She supposed if even Balsalm was captured, Ra-ra wouldn’t have been able to overpower her either.

“A lion!” Ramesh squealed excitedly, pushing against the bars of his cage to get a better look, before realisation hit him. “Oh wait, I know is one” he informed Valk “She let me ride around on her head at that festival thing, neat, huh?” he said, looking up at the lion as she pulled closer, and told Valk she needed to let him go. “Now wait a minute Valky, what if I help you up the price?” he said to her, and then listened well the viking suggested to the lion an idea. “Thats a good deal Canni, what about throw in some fresh kills, your a good hunter, right?” he suggested to her, doing exactly what he said he would and ‘upping’ the price. ‘Bet you could find a pretty neat stag with a nice set of horns” he added in

Then, as he said that, his ears flattened to his skull and he slunk down a little in the cage as through he hoped nobody would see him there. “Uh oh Valky, Canni, I think i’m in trouble” he stage whispered to them as his sister appeared, and then walked closer to speak to him. “I ain't know no Ramesh. I’m One-Eyed Jack, a Pirate Valk found in roughest coast of the North.” he informed his sister.

Valkyrie wasn't sure what to make of the lioness's growl but the uncertainty didn't show on her face. It was hidden behind a cool and confident mask. Though she was dealing with a much larger creature she would not allow herself to become ruffled. This was not the first cat she'd squared off with. It was, however, the first to last this long without blood.

 

"You forget, my dear, that this is not just anyone. Is not a good friend worth more than a market full of wolves?" She let that hang in the air for a second before continuing. "But I know the weight of loyalty and it would be unfair to ask for yours in perpetuity."

Valkyrie settled into thoughtful silence as she mulled over her counter and then shot a look at Ramesh. He made a good point. With Cannival hunting they could bring down more challenging game. More exotic game. That wasn't what Ramesh had in mind but it that's where her thoughts took her.

Finally she said, "How about this: pledge to me your loyalty for two full seasons. During that time you will be treated like one of my wolves and expected to do as I say. You will also assist my hunters whenever they ask."

""

Cannival did her best to appear strong and confident in the face of this wolf, but it was growing harder and harder to do as Ramesh continued to speak. She wasn't sure whether she wanted to laugh at his idiocy or slap him quiet, but either option would break her careful facade. "Ramesh."  The lioness began, voice low. "I could leave you there if you prefer, to rot on the ground in a cage like a 'stinky giant,' never to climb a tree again."  Her golden eyes slid towards him to glare at him from the corner of her gaze before moving back to Valkyrie. Her tail flicked behind her in annoyance. "To one who values friendship over loyalty, then yes. One valued friend would be worth more."  The lioness paused, considering her next words carefully. "I myself value loyalty above all else. I also remain true to my word. As I said before, I will pledge myself to you for the remainder of this season and the next and no longer. With that loyalty you do not only gain a huntress, but a healer as well for when your raids bring back harm onto your wolves. I will be for you whatever you need during the time you hold my allegiance, but I will not budge on how long."  Cannival did not like to counter in this way - she would have rather been seen as the kind of friend who would do anything for those she could. However she could not forget her life-debt to Rain and would not be roped into being away from him for longer then necessary. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Sparrow dragged Ash through the crowds. He had promised he'd bring his kids and if they saw anything they liked, he's bid on it- no promises, though. As soon as Sparrow's eyes landed on this lot, she began pleading, "Ooh! That one dad? PLEASE Daddy? I want THAT ONE to be my slave!" Ashmedai laughed a little at hearing such a tiny girl use the word 'slave' so readily. He stepped up to the bid, where a cat and some others sat. Oh, so the lion was offering herself for a season?

"Okay, yeah, uh, see, my daughter really wants this guy too so... how about we start the real bidding?" Ash slipped into a comfortable smile. Bargaining was much less fun than bidding.

Valkyrie's brows lifted as she glanced between the two friends. Interesting dynamic. A naive midget and a lion bantering at a slave auction. Cannival may have wanted Ramesh to be quiet, but Valkyrie did not. She wouldn't go so far as to actually encourage him, but she definitely wasn't going to stop him.

 

Though she would be sad to lose the lion, Valkyrie was going to stick to her guns. Her allowed the corners of her mouth to drop in obvious disappointment before shrugging sadly as though she was sorry for Cannival and the dilemma she was in. "I understand, loyalty is a valuable thing."

Valkyrie glanced around the clearing as though assessing the potential bidders. She was still very much trying to negotiate with Cannival, but she wanted the cat to think negotiations were coming to an unsatisfactory close in the hope that the belief would make Cannival reconsider. "If you will not budge then I'm afraid I cannot either. So tell me, will you agree to my terms or shall I start the bidding as this gentleman wants?"

""

Cannival did her best not to sigh or beg or anything of the like. Outwardly, the lioness was calm and collected - as neutral as she could get. This was more then mere numbers for her now, if Valkyrie convinced her to buckle and accept the two season's then Cannival's next two seasons would be a difficult few. She could not give in if she wanted any sort of respect from the wolfess, poor Ramesh aside. Her ear flicked as another approached. Cannival knew that a friend of Ramesh's was amongst the bidders as well, there was always the possibility that if she could not buy their friend's freedom that the little wolf may have more to offer. She held onto that knowledge that she wasn't leaving Ramesh to the wolves - although he sure as hell seemed happy in that cage - for if her offer was not accepted. Her tail swished behind her impatiently and she fixed Valkyrie with her gaze a few moments longer before turning away from the cage.  "Start the bidding. My offer stands." Cannival said over her shoulder as she moved to sit behind the bidders, head lifting above them as she waited.  "You cannot put a price on loyalty, friend. I hope you consider the value in an asset like myself who stands true to their words ... and can see that it will be higher then any cow this man may offer you." "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Things went back and forth between his lion friend and his slaver friend, and he had the distinct impression he had disappointed Canni, but he wasn’t really sure how. He had to admit, he was a little suck of the cage, and it wasn’t a great image, especially with Ve having seen him in it.

He looked a little sadly out between the bars, up at Valky and those others that seemed interested. He wasn’t sure what to think of the purpley man and his daughter as they came to see, but he wasn’t sure he liked the way she was eyeing him and calling him a slave. He was a ninja thank you very much.

“The remainder of this season and the next, with a list of hunting prizes she has to take down and bring back in that time, as well as her services as a mount and, I don’t really know what you want from her, but you get me, too, that's pretty cool right?” he said, offering Valky a grin, tail swinging happily behind him as he helped his friends negoitate.

Ashmedai watched the strange, small wolf try to barter with the cat. Ash shot him a look before slowly leaning down to Sparrow, "You- uh... sure this is the one you want?" Sparrow nodded enthusiastically. Ash let out a soft sigh. If this was the one she really wanted... Okay.

He stepped up to Valk and looked between her and the lion. The lion offered a season of loyalty- or... a season and a half? "Okay, I'll do 4 jobs for you any time. Exceptions are merc work against close family. Other than that, raids, maims, an extra go-go boy- whatever you need. Four calls of your choice with no expiration." Ashmedai smirked a little, "Oh and maybe I could try to capture you a lion?"

 

Valkyrie quirked a brow at Cannival, giving her every chance to deal. When she had no response to King's offer, Valkyrie shrugged. It seems the lioness was going to stick to her guns. It was a shame, she would have liked to have the big cat with her.

She nodded to Ashmedai, then said, "Then if none in the gallery who have been waiting so politely," she said sardonically, eying Branch and Velvette who had been silent since they arrived, "Wish to top your bid, then I will accept."

Valkyrie shrugged as though it were a shame, but her eyes said otherwise. "It's only fair I open the floor, isn't it?"

OOC: Gonna give this one 24 hours for anyone currently present to get a bid in if interested. Sorry I dropped the ball on this one, guys!

""

Velvette listened as the lioness bartered for her brother’s freedom. As they spoke Velvette watched her sibling squirm in his cage. She kept her expression blank as the lioness was unable to secure the deal. For a moment the caped she wolf debated about allowing Ramesh to go with the man and his daughter. Serve him right to become some child’s slave. In the end though Velvette couldn’t allow that to happen without making an attempt herself. She had to try and rescue her brother right? ”If the lioness sees fit to keep her offer standing, I will add a throwing star into the pool.” Her weapons were cherished heirlooms, she hoped that her brother felt sorry for himself that she was parting with one of her prized possessions.

Cannival eyed the man and his daughter carefully. He mentioned acquiring Valkyrie a lioness, and her lips upturned in a silent snarl. She did not want to start something, however. If they were to win the auction, perhaps the lioness could barter for Ramesh's freedom with the child. A slave was a dime a dozen, but how many pups could tell their friends that they had a lioness in their back pocket? Motif, definitely, but not many else. She kept the idea close to her, but continued to listen to the exchange. The smaller wolf spoke up once more, offering a trinket to add to Cannival's bid. The lioness looked to Valkyrie and nodded, confirming her offer stood. "Whatever she may offer you, my bid goes along with it."  She may not be willing to extend her stay with Valkyrie's band, but perhaps Ramesh's friend might be able to add enough value for the viking to accept their offer. If not, well, Cannival would have to speak with this young pup and hope that piggy back rides were cooler then Ramesh. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

It seemed Cannival was going to get her way after all - a fact that annoyed Valkyrie to no end. She wanted a lion, yes, but she wanted it on her terms not the lion’s. That Cannival had gotten her way soured the deal for Valkyrie and planted in her heart a seed of dislike for everyone involved.

Though her displeasure didn’t show on her face, Valkyrie’s manner was cold at best. She said briskly, “So be it. I accept your bid. You have three days to collect the tangible items. And Ramesh stays with the band as collateral until your debt is paid off.”