"Who I am is of very little concern to you right now. Suffice to say, I have the authority to make sure you stay in that cell for a very long time if I so decide."
Raynald was hardly in the mood for flippant answers right at this moment. He had things to do, and people to see.
"Now, you give me stright answers, or I'll send you to the Selamas of Valkandis."
He paused, letting the prisoner think on that. "Now, what was your previous occupation."

Azumi had watched with eyes wide as the wagon had arrived in the city.  She had never seen such a vast array of buildings, of such size and cut stone.  And so many people, even at this early hour!

She had been in the wagon for almost a month now, although had lost track of time a while ago.  She had almost a dozen others for company, including a old man who seemed to just spend the day staring at her, his eyes travelling over her body with a glint in his eye that made her uncomfortable.  She only had a loin cloth and a ragged vest for attire, and much of her dirtied body was on display.

He had even taken every opportunity to paw at her until one night when he took it too far and she had left him with a broken nose sobbing in the corner of the cage.  She had received seven lashes for that, although she thought it worth it, as he left her alone the remainder of the trip.

As they pulled to a stop in the marketplace, they disembarked one by one, the driver ticking off their names on his itenery. Her legs were weak from lack of food and exercise so that she stumbled once she stepped down from the wagon.  A strange man was there to meet them and looked over each one in turn.  When he reached Azumi, he grabbed her chin roughly, tilting her face one way then the other - checking her teeth before running his eyes over her body - although unlike the fellow prisoner it was more like a farmer checking the health of a cow than a lecherous gaze.

"I think this one would interest Tiberius" he stated, this was followed by a knowing glance at the slaver and both of them broke into laughter at some secret joke. Then glancing at Azumi for the first time eye to eye added "today is not your lucky day girl".

"Take her to the palace, have her cleaned up and present her to Tiberius with my compliments, Take the rest to the jails and prepare them for the auction".

A small boy appeared from behind him probably on the verge of being a teenager and ran upto Azumi.  As he took a hold of the chain that attached to her neck collar he tugged her suprisingly hard so that she stumbled, although she managed to quickly catch her balance and fall into step.

>> To the Palace <<
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sun 07 Oct 2007.

"I told you, I'm a prisoner..." Crow replied while looking directly into Raynald's eyes.  There was no question that the prisoner was being sincere with his answer.  After a couple of seconds, it looked as though a realization has dawned on him.  "Wait... I don't think I know what 'occupation' means.  Does that mean job?  If it means job, then I gotta tell ya... I hadn't had a job since... uh... just put me down as 'wandering traveller', okay?"

"...Right..."
Raynald looked over to the jailer. "Mark him down as a gift for the Sultana," he said, turning to leave. "Arn has no use for wandering travellers. They eat bread and drink wine, but contribute nothing to society."
He went to head up the stairs. There was quite a bit that he needed to take care of, and very little here to do now. "Everything appears in order, Jailer. Shore up that hole in Cell C. I would hate for him to die from a poisoned fish or a sewer rat."

"Ah... I remember now!  I used to be a mercenary!" Crow laughed as he slammed the back of his fist against his palm in realization.  He moved his fist back behind him so that the fishing hook was back in the water again.  As soon as he did, he felt something tug against the line.  "Oh!  I got something!  Alright!"

Excited about the prospect of getting some fish to eat, Crow started gathering up the string as best he could.  He had to use both hands since the fish he caught was heavy... only, it turned out he didn't catch a fish at all.  He caught a kitten.

"Eh?" Crow blinked once he realized what he caught.  The line was tangled all around the kitten, so it took a while to untangle it and free the furry little critter.  It was a strange looking cat with a mixture of black and white fur.  The mixture of black and white on the forehead was such that it looked as though there was a ying-yang symbol on it.

PM

Raynald heard the distant words of the prisoner in his cell. An old mercenary...
"Orders stand as they are," he called over his shoulder to the jailer. If he'd been a warrior so long ago he'd forgotten about it, he was of no worth to the General. He needed Valkandis' good will more than he needed a soldier.
Stifling a yawn, Raynald ascended the stairs. He would need to speak with several people about what to do during his leave.

PM

OOC: From the Palace

"The Market...I'll bet it looks familiar."
He gave a laugh. She'd come straight to him from the slave markets.
Milath, largest city in Arn, was a bustling metropolis. It's market was huge, with hundreds of people all trying to get their wares.
"The weavers are over here."
Reaching back, he grabbed Azumi's wrist. He would not lose her in the crowd.
"This way."

<< From Palace >>

Azumi was lost by the whirl of people and colours, she had tried studying their clothing to gauge what he was going to be buying her but had lost track of the different designs, materials and colours.

As he grabbed her hand she simply followed after him, a little at a loss as to what was going on.  If she were a slave, what did it matter of her clothing to him?

Crazy barbarians ...

Before long, Marcus had lead her to the clothiers. Fabrics of all colors and designs were on display.
"Here."
Marcus stood before one shop in particular. It was where he did all of his own shopping. He knew it to be a place of quality.
"Find what you like. If I believe it appropriate, than I will purchase it."

Behind the booth, an elderly woman leaned forward. She looked a little fearful of Marcus, giving him a deferential nod, then looking to Azumi, a quizzical look on her face as to what the young woman wanted.

She displayed the cloth and the clothing she had available, all of good quality, though she had some of greater quality in the back of the kiosk, she thought perhaps the gentleman wouldn't wish to dress the girl in the finest silks or satins or velvets. Those were usually for the very richest women or men, and he didn't look like that type.

"These are of very fine quality My Lord."

Azumi glacned at the old women, and then at all the fine items on display.  She was a little at a loss, unsure just what exactly he wanted her in attire-wise.  She would dress differently depending on if she were working fields, scrubbing floors, cooking ... although she was not sure if that was what he intended for her ...

She shrugged a little helplessly, at the old lady.  "Something in blue, or dark blue?" she hazarded, thinking upon his earlier words.  "Perhaps something red or green ... " she added, thinking of the kimono's back home, and pointing out one of the dresses that looked the closest to it.

"Seven of them please, in different colours.  And then one of your finest dresses" she picked up confidence as she went on, levelling her gaze at the lady to meet her demand.

She nodded and gathered 7 different bolts of material up, taking them to the cutting table and one at a time, she laid out the material, cut it to length, closed her eyes and run her hand along the raw edge, sealing it with her clothworking power, and when done cutting, she laid them all one on top of the other and carefully rolled them up in a smooth wrinkleless roll with a protecting raw cotton cover on the outside.

She looked the girl over carefully as she stood near the pole of the kiosk, judging her size by the marks on the inner side of the pole that marked height, then went to a rack of dresses her aproximate size. She asked about matching blouses and underskirts and adds those if they assent.

What color do you want for the dress? And do you wish a top or two to wear under the saris? We also have matching pantaloons and underskirts."

Glancing at the beautiful fabrics, Azumi could only nod her head absently to the old ladys questions, her hand running across the silky material in wonder.  She still had trouble contemplating all this was for her ...

She indicated her own clothing "Just a loincloth will do ... " she answered, regarding what to wear underneath.  She was unused to heavy clothing and could see too many items being stifling.

"Something blue?" she asked for the dress,  Pointing at some material.  "But could you cut it shorter, just below the hip?  And perhaps embroid a dragon on it?" she wanted something easier to move in, that would not constrict her legs.


This message was last edited by the player at 20:16, Wed 10 Oct 2007.

Marcus had been watching, listening to the conversation between Azumi and the old woman.
"No dragon."
He spoke up when Azumi began describing what she wanted. "It will take too long to complete."
In truth, Marcus did not want it, because it looked too foreign. He tried to distance himself from that as much as possible
He looked over to the woman. "We will take the seven you have shown, as well as a white silk gown."

She nodded.  Although inwardly disappointed she tried not to show it, having felt she had gotten carried away somewhat.

She simply nodded, and looked down at the floor to await the old lady carrying out Tiberius's instructions.

Marcus watches as the old woman worked her magics.
"Here."
He tossed down the required coins, done up in a small satchel. Ten gold and thirteen silver.
"Come. We will drop these off at my quarters. I am done for today. When we return to my chambers, I will tell you what is expected of you."

"The dragon would not be hard, but the length would take more time to get right Miss. It shall be as you wish, Sir."

She searched through the racks and drew forth a white dress of gauze with silver thread running through it, showing it to them. Then she proceeded to wrap up the sari's she'd showed them as well as a plain white gauze blouse and plain white under skirt for the sari's. She handed the large package to the girl and took the money he offered. She gave the girl a look as she handed her the package, then ducked her head as she placed the coins in the lock box bolted to her under counter.

She took the package from the old lady with a nod of thanks.  With a glance at Tiberius, she hefted the pile of cloting to ensure she had a tight hold, and nodded.

She followed him out from the shop and back to his quarters - wondering just what his last words would entail.

"Come on."
Marcus turned to head back to the palace and his own chambers. Azumi had proper clothing now, and it was time to make sure she knew what was expected of her as his slave, his property.
He glanced over his shoulder now and then, just to make sure she still followed. She had to use both hands to keep a hold on her new clothing, so he could not grip her arm as he had before.

OOC: To the Palace!

She followed behind him as best she could, occaisionally being knocked by passers by threw her off balance, although she quickly recovered and quickened her steps to easily catch him up.  She could just about see over the several packages of clothing, and her small height meant she was often collided into by people not seeing her.

At one point she was sure someone even purposefully tried to trip her, although she managed to recover, only half-stumbling, a small pain flaring in her ankle where she twisted it slightly.

She hurried after him, ignoring the dull ache in her ankle aswell as her arms that were growing tired.

<< To Palace >>

OOC: From the prisons!

Raynald, in the company of a pair of soldiers, was busy postering notices around the city. Each had a short number of words listed on it, as well as a pair of marks on the bottom. The first was his own, an upright warhammer with flames behind it. The second was the mark of the Empress and the royal house.

Here ye here ye...
It is the will of the Empress;
That all who wish to;
Accompany a caravan to the lands of Valkandis.
Traders, travellers, and warriors welcome.
Payment in full for escort upon safe arrival in Valkandis.

The bottom of the notice is signed Raynald von Zinzer, General of the Armies of Arn and Baron of the Northern Reaches.

"Bored... so bored... I guess this is the punishment part of being in prison, huh?" Crow muttered as he lied down on the cot and stared up at the ceiling.  He tilted his head to the side and watched the little raccoon he fished up eat what was left of the nearly empty bowl of stew.  "I should probably come up with a name for you... how bout... uh... well... no... probably not that... well will you look at that.  I'm not bored anyway."