A private roleplay only for those invited by the first writer
Maeve banged her head against the pole again in irritation. No, perhaps the wind would not help her escape. It would just help her quicker into her grave. She pressed her lips into a thin line as her eyes closed and she tried to think. She wasn't going to escape in here and she truly doubted that the elf would let her go without giving her a job.
"Read, write, fight, hunt, ride," it seemed like too much to hope for that she would be given tools that could help her escape. She also decided to leave out the fact she was a princess; Arianrhod didn't seem to know who she was but a title might connect the dots of some whispers if she had heard any.
"Read, write, fight, hunt, ride," it seemed like too much to hope for that she would be given tools that could help her escape. She also decided to leave out the fact she was a princess; Arianrhod didn't seem to know who she was but a title might connect the dots of some whispers if she had heard any.
The elf laughed, "You can read, write?" she said in disbelief. Maybe apes could too if this beast could. "Useless". Her city kin might have put her to use but it wasn't what her clan needed slaves to do. Cleaning pots and preparing food would serve her well for now.
"You pretty" for a human "Can work?". A few days under the sun tending to crops might change her attitude. "Family..." gods what was the word "high?"
"You pretty" for a human "Can work?". A few days under the sun tending to crops might change her attitude. "Family..." gods what was the word "high?"
Mae narrowed her eyes as her skills of reading and writing were dismissed as useless. They were enviable traits amongst her people and considered far from worthless. The fact she laughed them off raised her hackles and she had to bite back her anger. She was struggling to follow the links between her words - pretty... work... family? Mae looked at her in confusion then decided to ignore it altogether.
"Hurt," she indicated as best she could with bound hands her blood soaked side. Whatever 'work' the elf had in mind for her she wouldn't be able to do much with a gaping arrow wound in her side and a bruised knee.
"Hurt," she indicated as best she could with bound hands her blood soaked side. Whatever 'work' the elf had in mind for her she wouldn't be able to do much with a gaping arrow wound in her side and a bruised knee.
Arianrhod spat on the ground. "Weak" she mouthed at the human. "Where?" she followed the gaze and moved to examine the arrow wound. The bruise on the knee was examined with a cursory prod and snort of dismissal. The arrow wound got more examination though.
"Hmmph". The elf didn't speak more but left the shelter for a few moments. She returned with a vial, some rags, and other items. She dipped the rag in the vial and began to dab around the wound. Maeve would feel after a few seconds a burning pain where the rag touched the open wound. The elf squinted to see if anything was caught in it.
"Hmmph". The elf didn't speak more but left the shelter for a few moments. She returned with a vial, some rags, and other items. She dipped the rag in the vial and began to dab around the wound. Maeve would feel after a few seconds a burning pain where the rag touched the open wound. The elf squinted to see if anything was caught in it.
Maeve glared at her when she was dubbed weak. How dare she judge, she had no idea what the girl had been through in the days before they had met. That morning had been the first time in days she hadn't been wracked with fever and had had enough strength to leave the little cottage on the seas edge. In hindsight it had been a terrible decision but...
The wound had been caused by an arrow with a nasty barbed head that had caused more damage being pulled out than going in. When the elf pressed the rag to it her back arched a little and she shut her eyes but she didn't utter more than a muffled groan despite the pain. It was mostly clear it was just clear it was a recent wound she had managed to rip back open during their fight.
Her breathing was a little ragged as her back slumped back against the pole.
"Please... just let me go."
The wound had been caused by an arrow with a nasty barbed head that had caused more damage being pulled out than going in. When the elf pressed the rag to it her back arched a little and she shut her eyes but she didn't utter more than a muffled groan despite the pain. It was mostly clear it was just clear it was a recent wound she had managed to rip back open during their fight.
Her breathing was a little ragged as her back slumped back against the pole.
"Please... just let me go."
Arianrhod recognised an arrow wound. She'd caused enough and gotten a few herself. Biting her lip, she did her best to clean the infection before reaching into the pouch. She produced a poultice, mashing some moss in and layering it over. She began to wrap a bandage tight around Maeve's midsection, taking extra care around the wound.
To the human's credit, she barely made a sound. Arianrhod stroked her forehead almost fondly, feeling the sweat there from the strain of bearing the pain. "Good girl" she soothed. "You're safe now"
To the human's credit, she barely made a sound. Arianrhod stroked her forehead almost fondly, feeling the sweat there from the strain of bearing the pain. "Good girl" she soothed. "You're safe now"
Maeve's eyes shut at the touch of Ari's hand on her head and she let out a sigh of almost resignation. It wasn't resignation of course, she told herself, because she wasn't going to resign to the fate of a slave. To make sure the elf understood it Mae turned her face away from her. Perhaps it would be a good thing if her faerie groom found her here, he would tear this place apart and in a way she wanted that more than anything right now.
"What work?"
"What work?"
They were a conundrum. Arianrhod couldn't fathom how alien their minds were. She doubted that she could even place a geas on the human to compel her to obey. It would have to be done the old fashioned way with shackles and lots of punishment for infractions.
"Servant" she told her. And you can learn Speech as well you beast. It was tiresome hearing humans butcher her tongue but much preferable to speaking Common. "Bring water, prepare food, gather wood".
"Servant" she told her. And you can learn Speech as well you beast. It was tiresome hearing humans butcher her tongue but much preferable to speaking Common. "Bring water, prepare food, gather wood".
"I'm not a servant, I'm a fighter," Maeve sighed for she knew it probably wouldn't matter to her in the least. Those were all menial jobs and nothing she knew how to do. Cooking wasn't a strong suit and fetching water and gathering wood sounded like hard work. Though ... cooking would mean she could slip something into their meal. Maybe some sort of herb to make them weak or ill enough that she would have her chance to escape.
"What about hunting?" something where she would be given a weapon of any kind would put her in better stead.
"What about hunting?" something where she would be given a weapon of any kind would put her in better stead.
A fighter wouldn't be here the elf wanted to say but there was no point riling her captive. "Servant now" she declared. Funny how so many of these humans claimed grandiose titles when captured. It was like an ape claiming it was destined for something better.
A short beautiful laugh at the offer to hunt. "No pretty, me seen what you do with no weapon. You no near bow for now". She had to admire her spirit.
A short beautiful laugh at the offer to hunt. "No pretty, me seen what you do with no weapon. You no near bow for now". She had to admire her spirit.
A soft growl rumbled in her throat and she wrung her wrists in an attempt to test the bonds once more. If she could just find a sharp stone... she pressed her hands to the floor behind her and began to feel around, shifting her whole body to hide her motions.
"Then no work," Mae raised her chin slightly. She would be no water carrier nor chef nor.. whatever else the girl had in mind for her. "I don't want to talk anymore," not least because she was tired but it was also hard to remember the words in Common Tongue. It caused her head to thump. She shut her eyes and turned her face away, letting her hair fall forward like a curtain to bar any further conversation.
"Then no work," Mae raised her chin slightly. She would be no water carrier nor chef nor.. whatever else the girl had in mind for her. "I don't want to talk anymore," not least because she was tired but it was also hard to remember the words in Common Tongue. It caused her head to thump. She shut her eyes and turned her face away, letting her hair fall forward like a curtain to bar any further conversation.
"Oh" Arianrhod said, like she was disappointed. "As you like". She rose gracefully and paused before leaving. "You go and we find? You lose.." she mimed cutting off bits of a finger and then pointed at ears and nose "No good" she warned, wagging a finger at her like she was a child. "Be good, food come. Under-stand?"
Maeve couldn't help but think bitterly how doing such a thing would make it harder for her to do this work they apparently so desperately needed doing like fetching water and cooking, but she kept her thoughts to herself.
"I doubt I will be getting very far," she spoke more to herself than the elf. She had lost a lot of blood and her knee was swollen and bruised. It wouldn't do for a fast getaway. She would have to bide her time, get a little stronger.
"I doubt I will be getting very far," she spoke more to herself than the elf. She had lost a lot of blood and her knee was swollen and bruised. It wouldn't do for a fast getaway. She would have to bide her time, get a little stronger.
The elf snorted and gave a mocking wave before leaving the tipi. She'd barely gone two steps before she sensed Murgen's presence. "You're brave to approach from behind" she commented, turning to stare.
The other elf jerked his head at the tipi, "Your captive is meriting some talk". "Precisely" smiled Arianrhod, "My captive. And that's how it'll be staying. The clan has no claim on her save through me". Her hands hadn't moved but they were ready to flash towards a blade if Murgen tried anything.
His will gave way first, his eyes dropped submissively and both elves relaxed. Arianrhod didn't leave it there. "That doesn't just mean alive either, it means unspoilt as well. If there's discipline needed, I will tend to it. Any bravo thinking they'll teach the human a lesson in pain will have me to deal with"
The other elf jerked his head at the tipi, "Your captive is meriting some talk". "Precisely" smiled Arianrhod, "My captive. And that's how it'll be staying. The clan has no claim on her save through me". Her hands hadn't moved but they were ready to flash towards a blade if Murgen tried anything.
His will gave way first, his eyes dropped submissively and both elves relaxed. Arianrhod didn't leave it there. "That doesn't just mean alive either, it means unspoilt as well. If there's discipline needed, I will tend to it. Any bravo thinking they'll teach the human a lesson in pain will have me to deal with"
The wind whispered through her hair though she stubbornly tried to ignore it. Her indifference didn't deter it as it played with strands of her hair and cooled her clammy skin with a motherly kiss.
"Why?" She asked it in the tongue of her people because there was always a reason. It seemed to hesitate and then there was another stroke against her skin, much like the elf had done a few moments ago.
To learn, learn, learn...
Maeve frowned but she didn't bother to ask what, the answer had already been clearer than any she had received before. With a sigh she tucked her chin against her chest and cleared her mind instead then fell into a fitful doze.
"Why?" She asked it in the tongue of her people because there was always a reason. It seemed to hesitate and then there was another stroke against her skin, much like the elf had done a few moments ago.
To learn, learn, learn...
Maeve frowned but she didn't bother to ask what, the answer had already been clearer than any she had received before. With a sigh she tucked her chin against her chest and cleared her mind instead then fell into a fitful doze.
Maeve was to learn that while life as an elven captive wasn't the worst, nor was it pleasant. She was generally up before dawn and put to work drawing water or preparing the morning meal. The shackles were kept on her, only the more trusted slaves seemed to be allowed go around without them.
The other captives seemed to be a mix of humans and orcs mostly but there were even a few elves. Some didn't even speak Common and their captors discouraged conversation which meant any talk was muffled whispers exchanged while guards were otherwise occupied.
Maeve seemed to be at the bottom of the hierarchy for now which meant plenty of menial and mind numbing tasks. Grinding wheat to make flour, fetching water from the river, serving up food to the hunters and warriors in the tribe.
She saw Arianrhod at times but her captor generally didn't acknowledge her. She was picking up snatches of their tongue too even though it was limited mostly to single word commands or learning to read their body language.
The evening meal had been served and Maeve was now able to eat along with the others. Rations for them were far more basic though a particularly generous elf might allocate them the scraps and leftovers from the main meal too.
The other captives seemed to be a mix of humans and orcs mostly but there were even a few elves. Some didn't even speak Common and their captors discouraged conversation which meant any talk was muffled whispers exchanged while guards were otherwise occupied.
Maeve seemed to be at the bottom of the hierarchy for now which meant plenty of menial and mind numbing tasks. Grinding wheat to make flour, fetching water from the river, serving up food to the hunters and warriors in the tribe.
She saw Arianrhod at times but her captor generally didn't acknowledge her. She was picking up snatches of their tongue too even though it was limited mostly to single word commands or learning to read their body language.
The evening meal had been served and Maeve was now able to eat along with the others. Rations for them were far more basic though a particularly generous elf might allocate them the scraps and leftovers from the main meal too.
Maeve sat heavily down on one of the low benches at the tables reserved for the slaves. She was exhausted. The days were long and hard and most annoyingly, boring. She was beginning to get a sort of idea of how these people worked but it still seemed absurd to her - it was a far cry from the way she and her family ran her tribe. Some tasks she didn't mind entirely - the grinding of wheat into flower whilst tiring at least allowed her to put her strength to good use. Even with her injury it was a task she did quicker than the other humans. The question from the others she had worked with was usually a strangled way of asking what she was.
Mae had never met an other race than her own and the Fae in fact, so it was an eye opener to learn the characteristics of her people were not the norm for all humans. Her ability to communicate with the wind had also been noted on by a few; she suspected they thought her mad talking to the air. But occasionally something would happen - the wind would blow a falling tool out of the way where it would have hurt someone if it had fallen properly, or a vase was saved by a sudden gust. She made no comment but it made the other slaves nervous. She wished she was able to explain that she couldn't control it even if she had wanted to but she decided it might make her safer if there was an element of fear.
Despite all this she had made a friend of sorts with another human girl with tattoos of her own, though nowhere near as beautiful or intricate as Maeve's. These were crude and they looked like a brand more than a symbol of status. They struggled with conversation but they got by with gestures when their languages failed. It was her Mae sat next to now. The girl slid over half of her bread roll which she had apparently been gifted with by one of the handlers. It even had butter on. She savoured it.
"I'm getting out of here soon," she murmured low under her breath. The girl beside her flinched but the look they shared was grim determination.
Mae had never met an other race than her own and the Fae in fact, so it was an eye opener to learn the characteristics of her people were not the norm for all humans. Her ability to communicate with the wind had also been noted on by a few; she suspected they thought her mad talking to the air. But occasionally something would happen - the wind would blow a falling tool out of the way where it would have hurt someone if it had fallen properly, or a vase was saved by a sudden gust. She made no comment but it made the other slaves nervous. She wished she was able to explain that she couldn't control it even if she had wanted to but she decided it might make her safer if there was an element of fear.
Despite all this she had made a friend of sorts with another human girl with tattoos of her own, though nowhere near as beautiful or intricate as Maeve's. These were crude and they looked like a brand more than a symbol of status. They struggled with conversation but they got by with gestures when their languages failed. It was her Mae sat next to now. The girl slid over half of her bread roll which she had apparently been gifted with by one of the handlers. It even had butter on. She savoured it.
"I'm getting out of here soon," she murmured low under her breath. The girl beside her flinched but the look they shared was grim determination.
Maeve probably felt more of an affinity with the other human captives but even with some of them she was viewed warily. There was something just...elvish about her. Her tall frame, her different manner, she was something more like the masters than them in ways.
The girl next to her sat in companionable silence, enjoying the treat of butter for once. She risked another look around before sliding forward a mostly empty goatskin, the smell of wine coming from it. Through gestures, Maeve got the gist it had been cast aside by one of the elves.
The girl next to her sat in companionable silence, enjoying the treat of butter for once. She risked another look around before sliding forward a mostly empty goatskin, the smell of wine coming from it. Through gestures, Maeve got the gist it had been cast aside by one of the elves.
The smell of wine made her mouth water. They had been given nothing but water and she hadn't quite realised how much she missed the sweet taste of a good wine. As the girl offered her the goatskin she took it and sipped at it. It wasn't the nicest liquor she had ever had but it was much nicer than water, especially the slightly dirty liquid the kept being given.
After she had had another sip she passed it back to the girl stealthily then carefully looked around. She was trying to keep a track of peoples movements, noticed any patterns in order to figure out when the best time would be to try her hand at escaping.
After she had had another sip she passed it back to the girl stealthily then carefully looked around. She was trying to keep a track of peoples movements, noticed any patterns in order to figure out when the best time would be to try her hand at escaping.
A tall figure half stumbled through the doorway. Arianrhod wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and leaned against the wall, regarding Maeve thoughtfully. The other slave seemed to be cringing away, dropping her head and acting like she didn't know the redhead.
"Suas-up" she ordered, gesturing with her hand for the human to ride. "You see Briac now"
"Suas-up" she ordered, gesturing with her hand for the human to ride. "You see Briac now"
Maeve sighed and pushed herself to her feet. She had learnt a while ago it was easier not to argue with Arianrhod and the quicker she did something the less painful any punishment would be. It wasn't worth the bruises unless she truly couldn't or didn't want to do something. She would save the lashes for bigger moments.
The shackles on her feet made it hard to walk but she had got used to the half step required pretty quickly, even if it did make her legs ache uncomfortably.
"Who's Briac?"
The shackles on her feet made it hard to walk but she had got used to the half step required pretty quickly, even if it did make her legs ache uncomfortably.
"Who's Briac?"
Arianrhod gave her a tap to the head and a frown. "Hon-or-if-ic" she spelt out though she couldn't stay too angry at her. The slave's defiance amused her, she was a fine catch. Humans could surprise even elves at times.
"Briac wise. Briac know many things. Briac see you" she said with a meaningful look. "You show respect"
"Briac wise. Briac know many things. Briac see you" she said with a meaningful look. "You show respect"