6 day of the Month of Lunae
Dark Elf Sanctuary and Tavern
Rough hands startled me from my slumber. There was no telling how long I had been in there as of yet.
"Come on, Princess," a voice sneered as it drug me upright and pushed me through the door of my cell. My eyes flew open, but it was to no avail since a cloth had been tied about my eyes. I wondered vaguely why they would blindfold me.
"What are you doing, you fool?!" a new voise hissed.
"Bringing the girl, what does it look like?"
"Not like that, idiot! Do you want her to be able to find the place again?!"
"Oh, right..."
I felt a sharp pinch on my shoulder, and I fell unconcious again.
- - -
I awoke once more on my feet, still blindfolded. I could not tell where I was, or how many people were there.
"Seimian Anea" A booming, strict voice addressed me. My head swiveled instinctively in the direction, but I said nothing.
"You have been called in front of the high court this day for your trial. Through Tetua Anea, you have been charged with theft, blasphemy against the king and queen, and treason. However, in light of more recent events, the judges have voted to absolve you of all charges. Do you understand?"
I nodded after being elbowed in the back.
"Good. You may remove the wench." Hands shoved me from the room, josteling me back and forth.
I kept my expression blank. There was no reason to show any emotion at the moment, besides maybe incredulity at the events of the past... had it really been a week now? They had trussed me up like the prize pig at the county fair, cleaned me up and the tiara, which seemed glued to my head, and I was dressed in a rediculous getup... a dress, as if they knew I hated them more than anything. It was not horrible, at least it was black. It was ill-fitted, more like a tall legnth of cloth than anything else, and therefore had been bound on me with a sash at the waist to hold it closed. From what I understood, it would be my clothing. On a stage I stood, with several guards behind me, keeping me from moving unless I was directed to by the auctioneer. A crowd of Shaelin surrounded the stage, from what I could tell, all male. They contemplated me greedily, as one would a roast when one had not eaten for a long duration of time. They chafed against eachother, jostling aside to get a better view. Every face held a grin of excitement, and I shrank away from their gleaming pointed teeth.
"SOLD!" the single word seemed to echo around the square like a death sentance. Several of the gathered creatures looked disappointed, or even angry.
I was led down the stairs leading from the stage and the chain connected to the steel shcackles around my hands was transfered from a guard to a tall Shaelin, who was grinning triunphantly.
When I had thought no one was watching me, I had tried to remove the tiara, all to no avail. It blocked my mental pathways, making it impossible for me to contact anyone. It also seemed to sap some of my stregnth and drained all my magical abilities. The longer I wore it, the brighter the dull, almost-black stone seemed to grow.
