The broken lands.

[Ecnalab]

In an time long ago, when the earth was still young, and magic had not yet left the lands of man and beast, there were the Broken Lands. A realm of mountains and canyons, desserts and steeps, and at the center of it all, the great volcano, Vorn. It was a land of fledgling nations, where would be kings contested with priests of fell powers, beasts of terrible strength, and dark mysterious magic that no mortal could comprehend. In this land of fledgling nations, where castles rise and fall by the year, great heros can find there fortune; if they can live long enough to claim it.
Others seeking wealth turn to different means. Zeera's traveling carnival is one such venture. A caravan of dancers, acrobats, and entertainers of all sorts; as well as a menagerie of rare and exotic beasts, kept in caged carts. It is here that we meet one of our potential heros, and we'll see how fortune favors her.

Aitainyn was jostled awake as the surface she was sleeping on suddenly lurched. Eyes shooting open, she found herself inside a large caged wagon; the floor of which was covered in straw and loose animal hides forming a bedding. Looking up, she found that the wagon was covered by a thick canvas, though the bright light of the mid-day sun was still enough to light her surroundings. Enough so that when she looked down, she was startled to find that she was completely naked. As the wagon bumped and shook along, she could also hear the voiced of people outside it; many of them.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn breathed. Deep, slowly. She let the air fill her nostrils, before it traveled to her lungs, and carry scents with it. Her nose wasn't as sensitive in her human form, but knowing the mind of a wolf gave her certain insights. She smelled other beasts... their odors, their droppings. She smelled paints, heavy with lead and other things actors would one learn not to rub on their skin. She smelled cooked food, the food of humans, and she smelled humans, as well. Well and so... she was in a cage. Few other than men created such abominable things. She kept her legs closed as she sat up, as much as she could, hiding her out of place manhood. If she was lucky, that was all they knew of her, and she was here to be a freakshow. She tried to remember how she had wound up like this, and her head ached with trying to remember. The voices of people filtered in through the bars. Many voices... even were she not naked in a cage, they'd make her uncomfortable, anxious. She was helpless, and her only recourse for such a dire situation wouldn't serve her well, not here. If they opened the cage, she might have a chance... and she might need to take that chance as well, and hope she could escape. She could wind up dead as an evening's entertainment for men. She knew little of them, shied away from them most of her life, trusted them little, or not at all. A curtain of black hair shrouded her pale gaze as she peered outwards, steely grey eyes cold and distant, set in a mask of stoicism. A blotch covered the top right half of her face, a paler patch of white that was barely noticeable unless one looked quite closely, all around her eye and stabbing down the bridge of her nose. She generally hid it with her long hair, pulled to the side to cover that eye. She arranged her hair thusly, now. Pert, pale breasts adorned her shapely chest, larger than those of most women's, not yet heavy with age, capped by pink nipples. Her hair was long enough to somewhat conceal them as well, affording her a modicum of modesty... not something she usually cared for, but she was in a desperately bad situation, and she felt the trill of fear down her spine, galvanizing into anger, focus. She didn't attempt to speak to anyone, but looked out, and listened, trying to gather as much information as she may.

 

[Ecnalab]

Peeking out through a hole in the tarp, Aitainyn could see several men, both on foot and horseback, walking along beside the wagon she was in. Some seemed dressed for battle, wearing various forms of light armor, but most seemed much more mundane. They were not united by any race or culture it seemed; men of every skin color, and type of dress, mingled among them as they walked, at least from what she could see given her limited range of view. None of them seemed to have noticed her peeking out at them, yet.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn watched the men, of various lands. They dressed differently... these weren't men united by a single cultural identity, and not all were militant either. She could only guess at how united they were. For now, she needed to gauge their view towards her, foremost... depending on how they treated her, she could guess vaguely what fate they might have in store for her. She whistled, loud and sharp, staring hard from her one showing eye at the men outside of those bars, looking to gauge their reaction.

 

[Ecnalab]

The whistle got someone's attention, alright. In short order, the tarp was pulled aside by a pair of men who looked at her with wide eyes before stumbling backwards. One took off running towards the front of the caravan that Aitainyn could now see that her wagon was a part of, with the tarp out of the way. The other just stared at her, a look of supreme confusion on his face; though that didn't stop his gaze from lingering on Aitainyn's ample breasts.
The first man returned in short order. But, he wasn't alone. Riding on a black stallion was an imposing woman, of likely Stygian decent. Her long raven hair was neatly trimmed in the traditional bowl-cut of her people. Her face was sharp, and free of blemishes, with full red lips, and deep bronze eyes that cut to the core of whatever she looked at. She wore billowing clothing to protect her from the heat of the sun, which made her figure difficult to gage, but that was not what had Aitainyn's attention at the moment. Right now, she was transfixed by those eyes, that were boring into her, and the coy smile that was creeping over the woman's face.
"Well, well, what's this now?" she asked, in a deep, smoldering voice.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn knew immediately, upon seeing the surprise on the men's features. She'd been caught a wolf, and now, caught as somewhat else. She grit her teeth, nearly hissing in frustration. That meant they knew. They'd be careful. She might not have an opportunity for escape at all. Ah, well. It wouldn't have done much good to know, to begin with. They'd have been plentifully careful with a wolf of such size. But how had she been caught, so? She couldn't remember. They'd not even known what they caught. She straightened her back, brought herself up, and stared with a haughty, piercing gaze at the woman when she approached. When she spoke, Aitainyn found herself glad that she at least understood her words... with the hodpodge of different peoples here, it seemed plentifully likely she'd not be able to communicate at all. "You've a very angry beast. Mine and mine vill come for me." She was alone, and she knew it. The likelihood that the wolf pack she'd been heading, of very normal wolves, following her this far from their territory was.... highly unlikely. Her voice was deep, rich... commanding. Her posture reinforced it. But she had no illusions... if this woman wished it, she was dead. They'd kill her with spears and swords and she'd never have a chance to even think about defending herself.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Strange, you seemed more beastly a few days ago," the woman replied. "Tell me, do you have a name, girl?" Her eyes than drifted downward, and her smile grew wider. "Or, are you an unusually pretty boy?" In straightening up, and trying to posture, Aitainyn had let her 'little secret' slip into view.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn covered herself, eyes narrowed. Plenty enough reasons for them to just kill her, she presumed. At least they were talking, instead of drawing weapons... she found it difficult to count her good fortunes in this situation, however. "Mine name is Aitainyn. Release me, and I will be on my way." Her words were acerbic, her agitation growing with the human's callous curiosity. She imagined tearing her throat out with her teeth, with some satisfaction.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Depending on how you behave, you might be let out from time to time. But, I'm afraid you're staying with us for the time being," she explained. "We went to considerable trouble collecting you. Those wolves that came bounding up as we loaded you into your cage caused quite a mess, and I plan to recupe my losses, little beast."

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn grit her teeth. Her pack... her friends, her family. "How many?" Those two words, she could barely choke out, let alone clarify further.

 

[Ecnalab]

"They killed two of my men, and injured three horses, one of which had to be put down, before we drove them off with spears and torches," the woman explained. "Good men and animals are quite expensive, and I intend to take restitution," she said, giving Aitainyn a cold glare.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn grit her teeth. She knew better than to press... but she would make this woman pay, in blood. Her and all her men, given half a chance. "And how am I supposed to give you this... 'restitution', then? Locked in a vulking cage, nude. A freak show, for your mummings and carnivals?" She managed to keep her voice level. But this tired her. She was bereaved... she didn't even know how many had died, but she knew she'd lost family, this day. And she'd likely never see those left. At least she could swallow her anger for now, focus... and try to survive. Vengeance would not rule her. She'd been taught at a young age that vengeance was for children... you gained nothing from it. There was always a greater task to turn ones mind to.

 

[Ecnalab]

"You'll find out, once we get where we're going," replied the woman. "For now, though, you must be hungry. Rest and eat, and we'll talk more later." With that, she kicked horse, and was off to the front of the caravan. The canvas covering her wagon was put back into place, and before long a tray of food was shoved through a small gap in the bars. Typical traveling fare, salted meat, some soup, and a few vegetables, were a filling if bland meal.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn held her tongue, and bided her time. Only patience would do her any good here. Anger would ruin her focus, rage would get her killed. She had to control her emotions. Still. The bland meal was even less appetizing seasoned with her tears, as she forced herself to eat to keep up her strength. She might have had a moment of privacy under that tent, but she had no time for tears, and shed as few as she dared.

 

[Ecnalab]

As the convoy traveled, Aitainyn was able to get at least some idea of where she was. The oppressive heat, and dry air, could only mean that they were traveling south of the thick forests where she made her home, into that mountainous land of sand and stone known as the Broken Lands.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn hated the air, here. The heat. The cold pines of the north were her home. The air was brisk, the water clear, the skies blue. Here... here there was only dust, and the acrid taste of sand and heat in the air. She would run through the great pine forests for hours, swift as the wind, enduring as the earth. She knew even in her lupine form, she'd not run for half as long here. It'd take time to adapt... and she'd never adapt fully. Especially as a wolf. The Broken Lands... a dreadful place. A place of blood and horror, a place that wasn't home. She tried to look back, through any rips in the tarp she could find, but found little enough. Home was gone, long behind her. She'd have to hope that one day she could follow the stars, and return. For now... for now she dreamed. A warrior took their rest where they could, or died on the battlefield to a swifter, better rested and fed opponent.

 

[Ecnalab]

That night, the wagon lurched to a halt as the caravan stopped to rest for the night. Another meal was put through the bars of her cage, but that was not all that awaited Aitainyn. The tarp was pulled aside from the cage door, and she could see that many tents were being erected. The ones who had pulled the canvas aside were not any that she recognized. A couple of boys, in there mid teens, looked up at her. One was fair skinned, and brown of hair, while the other was the deep black of the jungle people who were said to live far, far, to the south. Both wore simply spun tunics and pants, and the fair boy had a large pail in his hand, while the other boy held a stout set of manacles.
"You are the beast lady, yes?" asked the dark-skinned boy.
"Lady Zeera told us to wash you and change your bedding," said the other.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Boys. Young ones. Males caught in the throes of hormones, they reeked of unwashed, unkempt desire. More likely, they'd asked to be 'elected' to tend to her, after hearing of what she was... a naked female in a cage, at their mercy. No one would gainsay them their fun, either. If the others of the camp were wise, the boys would be watched from a distance by armed men. They'd have taken precautions. She tried to judge as best she could the likelihood of that being the case. Could this be an opportunity for escape? With every abuse, her anger would grow, until it consumed her, she knew. It was a war of attrition.... eventually, she would turn into a beast, uncontrollable, and die fighting, most like. The rest of the camp was erecting tents... a half an hour's business at best, most like. But if they didn't hold arrows and spears already, she'd have the time if she needed, were she to be careful. Six seconds. Six seconds she relied on surprise to stay alive while she transformed, unable to run at any reasonable pace, unable to fight with any grace. Six dire, oh so important seconds. Her eyes narrowed as she studied them. "And which of you leetle boys is brave enough to open the cage of the beast? Go avay. I've no patience for menfolk, and a taste for bloodier fare." She damned herself thrice for not leaping at the opportunity for escape. They were practically children... her mind rebelled at the idea of killing pups, even if she was sure they intended her ill. She had to at least give them the chance to back away. She made no move towards the tray of food, unwilling to show such vulnerability.

 

[Ecnalab]

"Well, alright, but your bedding won't be changed again for a couple of days."
"If you really want to smell that, not to mention yourself, for that long," the fair boy offered. A quick inhale did, indeed pick up the faint smell of rot in the air. The bedding they'd used to line her cage was hay not straw, and would start to decompose before long. Not to mention the corner she'd sectioned off for relief, coupled with her own unwashed body was starting to get strong.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn narrowed her eyes. She hadn't thought of that... humans used such odd things. The build up of scents would truly devastate her sense of smell, in time, sensitive as it was. It'd also make it more difficult to keep appraised of her surroundings from under the tarp... harder to keep track of scents over its strength. She growled, deep in the back of her throat, and sagged her shoulders, defeated. She'd see if she had an opportunity here. If so, she'd do her best not to kill them. If not... she needed to be able to stay aware. Besides, if she ceased cooperating, she could well find herself starved until her strength left her, and she was more manageable. She couldn't afford that. "Very well. I can wash myself, though. A wet cloth will suffice."

 

[Ecnalab]

"Alright, put your hands though the bars so we can secure you," said the boy with the manacles.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn winced. Simple as that, resistance was out the window. Absolutely at their mercy... but she knew she had no real choice here. Lack of cooperation had too many pitfalls, too many inherent risks. She had to be patient. Had to endure. She put her hands through the cage, on her knees, eyes steely and cold, bitterly cold. Full of all the fury of a blizzard, waiting to be unleashed.

 

[Ecnalab]

The boy clasped the irons around her wrists, and made sure they were secure, before he walked over and opened the door of the cage. He and the other boy climbed in, after picking up a shovel, and went about cleaning the litter in the cage. Most of the hay was pushed out of the wagon and then, the dark boy ran off to get more. That just left her alone with the fair boy, who walked over to stand beside her. "Alright, lady, stand up so we can get you cleaned up," he said, firmly.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

There would be no 'cloth', she was sure. She stood though, slowly, and decisively, body tensed like a coiled spring. A wolf was a proud, proud creature. In such close proximity, he was taking his life into his hands, depending on how he decided to treat her, even in this situation. She was stronger.... stronger than her size would suggest, and she was not small, at just over six feet tall. Her eyes watched him, closely, carefully.

 

[Ecnalab]

The young man set the pail down, and reached in, pulling out a long cloth covered in soapy water. She felt him press it against her calf, the lukewarm water washing away the sweat and grim it came in contact with. He worked his way one leg, coming dangerously close to her nethers, before switching to her other leg and working his way down. After re-wetting the cloth, she felt it connect with her shoulders, and upper back, before the boy began steadily scrubbing his way down ward. Once he reached the small of her back, he stopped, though. "Okay, lady, turn around," he instructed.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitianyn was tense, but she couldn't do much about it. He hadn't crossed any lines... yet. Save that he'd ignored her request to bath herself... again, one had to pick their battles. But then, he told her to turn around, and she gave him a wiltering look over her shoulder. She complied as best she could, but it was awkward, with her arms through the bars of the cage, manacled.

 

[Ecnalab]

Turning around forced Aitainyn raise her hands over her head, leaving her herself completely exposed to the youth in front of her. While the boy had seemed rather nonchalant about this process so far, he now stared wide-eyed at her breasts which dangled mere inches from his face. A soft rustling to the side alerted that that the other boy had returned. He deposited a small pile of furs to the side, and then joined his companion before her. "They're bigger than I thought," he said the his companion. As the two boys stared, dumbstruck at Aitainyn's breasts, a quick glance downward revealed that they were both growing hard in their pants.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn grimaced. Of course. Up until that point, they'd actually been sincere in their efforts, too. They'd unlikely ever seen breasts of her size on a woman who wasn't portly with an easy home life... or features as remarkably, stunningly beautiful as hers, even if hers were... odd. The odd splotch her hair hid was odd, but didn't do much to diminish her almost unearthly beauty. Her human form seemed almost crafted for attraction, something of which she'd never been terribly mindful of... she spent most of her life among those she considered to truly be her kind, wolves. Her mind worked quickly. These boys had a tied down woman they could use most any way they pleased, without any real fear of repercussion. They had no idea she could likely kill them, even tied up as she was... but after, she'd have no means of escape, even if the key was on one of their bodies. Somebody would notice the commotion and be there, armed, before she had a chance to free herself, she was sure. So, with the inevitable course this was going to take, she seized the only chance she had. "Young boys, who know not yet of pleasure. Tsk. Vould you like me to teach you?" There was nothing they could immediately offer... except infatuation. Something she could nourish until the time was right, something that could make her stay easier, and later, make her escape possible. "A deal, I vill make vith you. I vill show you things you've never known, and in return, ask only for a small kindness. Remember that even beasts live, love, and die." She clasped her arms, and lifted her shoulders a bit, her prominent breasts perking up further, piquent teats pointed. Her legs were still crossed, burying her own manhood betwixt them, but that would hardly get in the way of their desire, soon... what they sought was just beneath it.

 

[Ecnalab]

Both boys reached into the pail on the floor, and scooped out handfuls of soapy water. The fair skinned boy was the first to step forward, and place his hands upon her; though his friend was quick to follow. Each of them took one of her breasts in their hands, rolling the soft flesh between their palms as they lathered them up. "What sort of kindness?" asked the dark-skinned boy as they continued to fondle her, long after her chest was clean.

 

[ShinyHappyFitsOfRage]

Aitainyn felt a surge of rage as the boys fondled her, following their instincts, enjoying the power that they wielded in this situation. There was pleasure, too. Nature dictated that much. But helplessness did not season her desire, instead smothering it. As they fondled her, she made a show of her legs weakening, of sinking to the ground, to sit, ears and eyes open, to them, and what was beyond the cage. There was always the possibility that the other humans would react poorly to them getting so close to one of their attractions, or slaves, or whatever was to be her fate. She came to eye level with their crotches as they fondled her carelessly, and tipped up her chin. "That which exerts its will over you even now is in your pants. Tell me. Vould you like to show it to me?" A woman beneath a man, asking to see his cock was rarely denied, and for a reason. The brain was rarely in control at that point.