Insignificance is bliss [open]

[Honour]

I looked about me with curious, brown eyes as I was led onto a broad field. My heart sank as I saw the rows of slaves waiting for a master, many looking unwell and dispirited. My slaver led me to the far end of the field and tied me securely to a tree, then stood back and looked me over one last time. “Good luck.” He said simply, then turned and cantered away, leaving me tethered and alone.

In the journey from my capture-place of Blitzkreig I’d began to almost look forward to arriving at auction rock, partly because it seemed to promise an end to the constant traveling and partly because it seemed to symbolise the beginning of a new stage of life. Now that I saw the pain and suffering of my fellow slaves I knew it wasn’t going to be as easy or as pleasant as I’d hoped. Furthermore there was no sign of my missing mother, though in some ways I was glad for her absence; it meant she’d escaped the slavers clutches.

I looked up as a group of large, confident looking horses trotted into the field and began browsing through the lines of slaves. I watched, first with a thread of my earlier curiosity and then with horror as a bay stallion beat a young filly viciously until her knees buckled and she lay before him. I’d seen no reason for this harsh treatment, and as I watched I felt tears spring to my eyes. Feeling depressed, I lay down on the damp grass and decided to make sure that I treated my future master, whoever he or she was, with the utmost deference and politeness.

For the first time I wondered just what it was that made a slave desirable. Strength perhaps? I was fairly strong though, looking around the field, I’m sure there were many who were stronger. Speed then? I could run at an average rate. That just left appearance. I’d been told on many occasions that I was pretty, and perhaps with my sleek figure, unusual grulla coat and big brown eyes it was true, but I couldn’t in all honesty see what use good looks would have for a master.

Perhaps that was a good thing though. Perhaps if no-one wanted me I’d be allowed to stay here, lying in Horse Head Field and safe from the apparent cruelty of the masters.

[kimashka]

Chastity

Once again I found myself trecking the now familiar path to the auction rock. What would meet my eyes here today I wandered? A part of me wanted to find a stallion up for auction, as my small herd so far consisted of mares, and a group of mares could only live harmoniousley together for a certain amount of time before natural urges and instincts took over. But I couldn't leave a mare standing atop that rock. How could I? I could not, would not abandone a fellow equine just for the sake of their gender. So with an open mind and hopeful heart I sauntered cockily through the thronged mass that had gathered to witness the numerous slaves that were for offer here today.

The slave master knew me, we had spoken at some length not long previousley, well that is to say, I spoke and he obeyed. My persona here was so far apart from my gentle and understanding nature back at Lavender Moors. I had a hard, unapproachable exterior here, one that not many would challenge. Many here held the true heartless soul of slavers, cruel and malicious, I took on these traits just so I could carry on with my mission to release as many horses as possible. Many of these slavers didn't take too kindly to the likes of myself.

There was not a horse upon the rock, just the rowdy waiting crowd eagre for their share of the spoils. I gazed about, my small 15 hand frame barley reaching over the withers of most, yet with one stern look the crowd seemed to disperse to allow me to pass. Striding confidently towards the edge I spotted a mare tied to a nearby tree, possibly awaiting her turn atop the auction rock. Her spirit was hidden, she looked as though she just accepted her fate and whatever that fate threw at her. With a cold look I found the auction master and walked over to him.

My black mane cascaded over my piebald neck, rippling like water as I moved to stand before the auctioneer. My tail whipped my hind legs irritably, indicating to the auctioneer that I was not in the mood for insubordination. I took certain pleasure as the auction master leered at me, appraising me appreciativley as I approached. That would always be useful when negotiating for something I wanted. These stallions, they were so easily swayed by a strong beautiful mare.

"This mare!"

I pointed towards the tethered female.

"She up for auction?"

"Aye, she'll be put on the rock soon enough."

I walked past the male, swaying my hips as I went. Circling the female I made a show of inspecting her thouroughley before turning back towards the almost drooling male.

"No need. I'll take her."

The auction master, obviousley remembering me from before nodded silently to some nearby guards. They would ensure that the female be made ready to travell by the time I returned from settling my bill.

[Honour]

I caught my breath as a sharp female voice sounded nearby, startling me. The voice sounded strong and confident, and I shuffled nervously where I lay. I only looked up when she spoke again, and even then it was only to confirm that she was talking about me. What I saw was a painted mare standing boldly by the auction master despite her fairly small height. I noticed that the stallion seemed to be looking at her oddly, as if transfixed by her appearance. I puzzled over this, then realised that he simply found the piebald mare attractive. At one time I’d have laughed at that, but my humour was swallowed up by trepidation as the stallion answered her in his rough voice and the mare began to walk towards me.

I stood up hurriedly as the female master circled me. I’d realised that she was considering buying me, and despite her apparently cold and aloof demeanour I found myself already trusting her somewhat; at least she wasn’t the big bay stallion I’d seen earlier. I didn’t make eye contact, deciding it was best to appear as subordinate as possible, but I did try to hold a friendly body position. Either it worked or she was going to buy me anyway because she confirmed her intent to buy me with the auction master and suddenly several guards were flocking around me.

I watched the mare as the guards fussed with the rope around my neck. I still wasn’t sure exactly what it meant to be a slave. I didn’t know what sort of things I’d be doing and what rights, if any I’d be entitled to. So far I’d found that the best strategy seemed to be keeping low and doing what I was told, and fortunately it was fairly easy to do so. Nevertheless I longed to get my freedom back; the days of roaming open fields with my mother were still fresh in my memory though I was dreadfully afraid that I would eventually forget.

Nevertheless, I’d accepted that I wasn’t going back and my spirits were raised slightly by the chance of finding somewhere permanent to live, and as the mare hadn’t yet shown any sign of cruelty I was actually beginning to relax. I didn’t know what kind of home I was going to, but it had to be better than Horse Head field. With this in mind I decided to talk to the mare, and I looked across at her with a polite expression “Um-” I started nervously as a guard used his muzzle to brush dirt of my black legs “Are you my new master?” I already knew the answer, of course, and I couldn't keep a note of my normal, cheerful self out of the question and I hoped that I had sounded suitably deferential, I didn't want to anger the horse that was now in charge of my health and happiness.

[kimashka]

Chastity

The rope was handed to me and I made a show of looking at the mare with disgust. She fussed with her appearence, something which at home I would probably find amusing and quaint, but here I could show no such emotions. I started to walk away, the gaze of the slave master burned into my flanks. Inwardly I cringed but outwardly I seemed to lap up the attention. I knew I was pretty, some even called me beautiful, but I was modest about it.

The mares words made me smile despite myself, and I quickley turned the gesture into a cold sneer.

"Of course I'm your master. What? You think I payed good money for you just to be your friend? Now hush your mouth before I lose my temper girl."

I snarled and lunged at her, barley grazing her shoulder with my teeth, however the act would look quite ferocious to any whom witnessed the act. We were still too close to others to tell her of my real intentions for her, so I would just have to play along with my hardened character for some time yet, and hopefully I wouldn't have to resort in anything more serious than a nip or two.

I tugged the rope, urging the mare to move quicker, my warm chocolate eyes were as hard as agate as I gazed about the assembled throng of leering stallions. I could see it in their faces that they longed to nip playfully at me and my new member, but just let them try. I needed just one excuse to take my frustrations out on these juvenile beasts. Fortunatly, or unfortunatly, whichever way you look at it, the males managed to restrain themselves and we managed to make it out of the area without incident.

"Finally"

I breathed as I slowed my pace slightly. I walked until we were beyond the reach of any roving eyes before I turned to address the mare.

"Right... here's the deal. I am going to take you back to my lands, where.... I am going to set you free. I am a master yes, but I am no slaver. You will be free to stay within Lavender Moors and live as a free roamer, or you may leave and seek your own way. But you have some time to decide that as it's quite a treck."

I looked at the female ruefully before continuing.

"I'm afraid I cannot let you free here due to there being too many masters about. So all I ask is that you act as though you have resigned yourself to a fate worse than death and follow meekly. My name is Chastity Ehren, and your's is?"