Demon-spawn half-breed

[Hrtofdrkns]

(for youngwoon)

"Wake up half-breed." The guard commanded as he opened the cell door. Inside a boy looking about fourteen or fifteen squinted at the sudden brightness before being roughly dragged to his feet. The boy wore only a dull brown tunic, his red hair hanging over his face. His pointed ears stood out, clearly marking him as not fully human. And around his wrists were a pair of shackles, etched with glowing runes.

"Get moving." The guard added, pushing the boy from behind. They passed several hallways of cells, some occupied and some not, before exiting the building into an open courtyard. The boy paused at the dazzling bright light of the midday sun, but a hard shove from the guard got him moving again.

The boy was directed to stand in front of the gathered crowd, while behind him the head jailer began his speech.

"The prisoner is named Aureur. He is a half-elf, so his age is difficult to determine, but we believe him to be closer to twenty-two rather then the young adult he appears to be. He has been found guilty of vagrancy, theft, use of illegal magics, and magical assault on a member of the guard during attempted flight, necessitating the enchanted shackles at his wrists. He is to receive forty lashes and be imprisoned for a period of no less then ten years. Unless, of course, one of you wishes to take him on as an indentured servant. The price begins at 500 gold pieces. You may begin your bidding."

Aureur hung his head, not even really feeling the pain of the shackles cutting into his wrists, or the blow to the head he had received when the guards had subdued him. Who could have guessed what had looked to be an easy pocket to pick could get him in so much trouble? He wasn't sure how he did it, he never was, but he had somehow then thrown a guard through a shop front with a slight push, then climbed up a slick stone wall and landed in a fenced-in estate. Of course, that had meant he had nowhere else to run.

As several pimps and brothel keepers bid for him, he shut his eyes and prayed to any god who might hear him for mercy.

[gutterpupper]

He stood at the back end of the crowd, watching the bids from the people at the front come rolling in. He took a mental note as he stood watching the young man, head hung low as if trying to disappear from the attention people around him fought for. The thing he seemed most interested in was the glowing runic bracelets that fettered the half-elf's wrists.

"I'll take him for 835 coins!"

The price was rising quickly but the shouts had died slightly to a battle between four callers, bidding over the boy, pushing each other with their increased offer. The offer bounced around, slowly increasing to over 900 coins before one of the callers bowed out in frustration, hitting his limit.

"2000 coins."

The sound of disgruntled bidders traveled through the crowd for a few seconds as everyone looked around to find the source of this bidder, all setting their eyes on him. He ran a hand through his short white hair before making his way through the crowd, towards the front to be among the bidders, making his presence aware to everyone. Most importantly, to the half-elf boy.

[Hrtofdrkns]

"I hear 2000, going once, twice, sold!"

Aureur cast a quick glance at the man who had just bought him. He was well-dressed, so obviously he had money. He looked different from the pimps who had been bidding on him, tougher, not softened by an easy life enjoying the fruits of other's labor.

"You may keep the shackles on him if you wish." The jailer told the man as he wrote up a contract for the boy. "Technically you are required by law to pay him for any work he does, but of course we fully expect you to charge him even more for food and shelter. You may also beat him. Should he die we assume no responsibility for finding a replacement."

As the next prisoner was brought out a guard roughly shoved Aureur to his new master. "He's all yours."

Up close it was clear the boy had had a rough time. He was dirty and scruffy, and his hair was matted with dried blood from the blow to the head he had received three days ago. The shackles had chafed and cut into his wrists, in some places deep enough to make him bleed. It was likely the guards had not bothered to feed him either.

[gutterpupper]

He had nothing to say to the jailer nor guard, neither gratitude for the handover or disapproval of the treatment of the half-elf boy. Dirty, bruised, and bleeding, the boy was in pretty bad shape. Wouldn't surprise him if he was starved as well. Placing a hand behind the boy's back, he nudged him forward, encouraging the half-elf to walk in his direction.

"Formalities first, I am Rahal," the man said. "And you..." he continued, looking down at the runic shakles again bound around Aureur's wrist. "You have got a lot of people interested in you. How does one go from trying to pick my pocket to being on sale at a prisoner auction with enchanted chains? Seems like you've had a tough couple of weeks since I last saw you in markets, scurrying like a rat through the crowds of people."

As they continued their walk towards the residential area of the city, Rahal made sure to keep his hand constantly placed on the back of his new purchase. Even though Aureur looked weak from his time in the prison cells, it wouldn't surprise him if the young lad would try and make a break for it through the crowds in a desperate attempt to escape. But the shackles on his wrists would make him an easy target, and the shackles wouldn't let him go out from the city's bounding barrier.

[Hrtofdrkns]

The boy cringed when the man placed a hand on him. He hadn't recognized him. He looked around, trying to find an opening to run.

"I needed money for food. It wasn't anything personal." He said after a moment. "So then, am I a house slave now? Or am I a whore?"

He had no illusions about his situation. Everyone knew that, while technically illegal, slavery was widespread in the city. Most slaves were half-elves, abandoned at birth and scooped up by traders, raised to a life of servitude, and sold once they were old enough. Aureur had sworn he would never be like them.

Gods, if mother could see me now. He thought sadly. He struggled against his chains, but the magic in them still held fast.

[gutterpupper]

"You are not a slave, neither are you a whore," Rahal said as he scanned some of the stalls they walked past, looking for one that sold ingrediants for a decent meal. "Though I do expect hard work from you, and while in my company, I can asure you it will be a challenge."

Stopping at a stall, Rahal entered into conversation with the merchant running the vend, discussing and ordering different vegetables she was selling. He would pay for the goods and move to another, purchasing further ingrediants. He would gather them in a thick pelt sack which he would throw over his shoulder as he urged Aureur to continue in the direction he lead.

Once he had finished at the markets, gather food ingrediants and some small weaponary he made his way to the local inn where he had paid to spend a few nights in. As someone who travelled the lands, Rahal generally had everything he needed on him to survive, and his successful battles and procured fortunes would keep him stable to continue his travels.

"Rahal!" he heard a voice cry. "My favorite customer! Come to spend another night?" the keeper of the inn asked as Rahal approached the counter. The inn keeper was rather taken to see him arrive with the young half-elf, running his fingers through his wirey dirty beard, almost grinning. "Seems like quite an enriching night perhaps?" he asked coyly, hinting on Rahal bring the boy back for his own enjoyment. "Unless this is a new money making venture you have started? He needs a bit of a clean up but I'm sure someone would happy pay for a night with him."

"He's not for sale," Rahal said, eyes closed firmly with a sterm expression, trying not to get angry at the inn keeper's sorrid suggestions. "He is just help hand. Nothing more, nothing less." He scattered 15 gold coins onto the counter top and the attention of the keeper changed to the currancy which clattered on the wooden counter.

"This adds to three more nights Rahal, this takes you up to a week you will have been here," the old man said as he opened a parchment book and started to ink in the payment he had just been given. "A few more nights with that young boy I see." The keeper could see he was pushing Rahal's patience so he quickly changed the subject. "I have updated your stay. Just let me know if you need anything else."

[Hrtofdrkns]

The boy's mouth watered as he saw the food. He reached for it, only to be stopped by his chains.

When the innkeeper suggested the boy had been brought as a prostitute he shuddered. He had seen a lot of boys put on the street like that, earning money for their masters, forced to endure daily humiliation and degradation.

But then his new master's words reassured him. He calmed a little, reaching up and brushing the hair from his eyes.

"Just be glad I have these chains on." He told the innkeeper bluntly, his eyes flashing red, hinting of what he might do.

[gutterpupper]

Out of the corner of his eye, Rahal caught the red glow of Aureur's eyes. "That's enough!" he said, rather firm and strict as he grab the lad by the collar of his brown tunic. But the damage was already done.

"What kind of monster have you brought in here Rahal!" the inn keeper shrieked, part with fear and part with anger. Another 10 gold coins were placed on the counter, and his attention once again changed to the currency left for him. The inn keeper reached out for the coins, this time his hand shaking and unsure, not taking one eye of the half-elf who just threatened him.

"A monster you will speak no word of."

Rahal yanked at the boy's collar, pulling him into the inn and into the room that was designated for himself. He slammed the door closed and locked the bolt before turning to the red-haired child.

"You are already in enough trouble as it is without you have to make threats and garner more unwanted attnetion to yourself." he spoke angerily as he kneeled down and grabbed Aureur by his shoulders, his grip firm with anger. "You will do well to refrain from such behave while under my care."

[Hrtofdrkns]

The boy thrashed in his new master's grip, teeth bared. "Let me go!" He hissed, eyes glowing. The runes on the shackles flashed green, barely containing his anger.

He struggled free and headed for the door, slamming full-force into it. The bolt held for now, but as the boy glared at the wood he started to speak in a low voice that sounded like the growl of a beast.

In moments, the wood began to chip and peel, starting to rot and weaken. Another good blow would shatter it, leaving the boy an easy way out.

[gutterpupper]

The whole room shook violently as Aureur brayed on the door before he started chanting in a heavy deep voice, a voice more accustomed to the dark devils that roamed the deepest pits throughout Nolam.

"Just as I thought," Rahal spoke with a disappointing tone as he approached Aureur, still chanting in his dark persona. His own arm became lit with dark red sparks flowing through the viens in his arms, all the way to his fingers. Grabbing Aureur, the grip was stronger this time, and the magic casted was a stun spell, hoping he could subdue the child with his own power. "Auruer, you have a lot to learn," he said as hand gripped on to half-elfs right shoulder blade, fingers pressed into the soft flesh around his neck and top chest, allowing the magic to flow rapidly through his fingertips and into the other's body.