Marylyn ventured closer to the newcomer, she eyed the wounds upon her suspiciously. Slowly, she came to kneal beside her. "Where have you come from?" She asked quietly, worriedly.

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Eonwe skittered away. "F-f-from the vineyard...I work there.." she dropped the food and stood quickly. "I...I should go before he gets...I mean...I need to get back..." she began backing away.

"You're a slave, aren't you?" Cale growled from the shadows, then stood and approached her. His tall form was menacing. She cowered away from him. He reached out and grabbed her arm. "Probably trying to escape. I'm sure your master would pay a pretty penny for one of his returned employees."

Eonwe paled. "Please...I was going back anyway...please let go.."

"Enough!" shouted Oldin. " Let her get some sleep. Maybe, just maybe we'll take her back in the morning."

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Nesselde came up to the newcomer, her eyes full of pity. "I know how you feel..." she said gently.

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Doctor banner by Crutchie! Avatar by Erin Vanya!
Married the Tenth Doctor 2/26/12

Areanne eyed the shadows, huddling into them. She was lost beyond measure. She tried to get a good look at her surroundings but couldn't place them. She watched some figures, a couple advancing on each other, from the underbrush, trying to place if they were friend or foe. She clutched at her black cloak and swathed it tightly around her body. Her dark eyes glinted warily.

Areanne couldn't catch their conversation. She strained her ears but her head buzzed too much to focus. She crouched, trying to relieve her senses. At this rate she could never find out their intentions. She heard shouting and tensed.

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My heart lies with the sea, the only place it shall be~

Marylyn sighed faintly. "Please, sit with us. Have some food. Rest a while." She glanced up at the woman, her eyes sorrowful for her pain. Marylyn slid herself a distance away, allowing the stranger her space. Marylyn could not blame the woman's nerves. The atmosphere in the gathering was tense and unwelcoming. Everyone was on edge, it was clear for anyone to see. Casting her eyes to the sky, she wondered what time it was. The sun was beginning to set. Would her father be worried that she had not returned? Would he even care? Would he even notice? Marylyn shook her head, displacing her thoughts.

Logan patrolled around the outskirts of the gathering, his keen eyes piercing the growing darkness. He could not shift the feeling that they were all being watched. His hand shifted to rest around the hilt of his sword.

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Areanne watched them, warily crouching. She knew they sensed her presence. Any time would be a good time to run. At least what seemed like a hostile skirmish was resolved. Maybe they would be welcoming. She found that hunger was overwhelming her. What choice did she have?
To run, she thought. But she didn't run. She waited. She decided to risk coming closer, barely scraping the branches near her. She winced and froze. They were out of her view; but she could only prey that she was ignored.

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My heart lies with the sea, the only place it shall be~

Cale tightened his grip on her arm, causing Eonwe to bite her lip. "No. I'm taking you. Now."

"I can go on my own! Please!" she tried to get away. "please!"

"Shut up!" he hauled her behind him, despite her pleas.

Oldin knew that drawing his sword was pointless. He drew it anyway. "What is it with you? Who are you?" He asked the man.

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Marylyn took hold of the woman's arm and tugged her to her side. "Leave her be. Who are you to decide her fate?" She hissed sharply. "Allow her freedom for one night! Can you not see her pain? Can you not see her hunger? How can you be so heartless?"

Logan was now far from interested in the bickering that was surrounding the gathering. His spine tingled with warning. They were not alone in these woods. He glanced back at the gathering before venturing deeper into the woods. His eyes scanned from tree to tree as his hand tensed on the hilt of his sword.

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Eonwe dropped her head, her eyes wide with fear. What had she stumbled into this time?

"All I see, Lady," he hissed back, "Is a man's possession that has gotten away from him." his hand again was on Eonwe's arm, his fingers digging into her arm. She flinched. "And men will pay dearly for returned cattle." Cale finished.

"Human beings are of no possession to anyone. We are all free people and deserve to keep it that way." Marylyn tugged the woman from his reach and set her by the fire. "Take no notice of him," she said to her as she passed her some food. Marylyn turned to face the man, her sword drawn defensively. "This woman is someone's child. Imagine it was your daughter that fell into possession like this. Would you not save her?"

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Eonwe remained silent. She knew better than to speak at the moment, better to keepto herself than fuel the fire.

"She is not my daughter. And look at her, considering her age she probably has no family. Am I right?" he turned his dark gaze to Eonwe.

"Yes." she hardly whispered, the food remaining untouched in her hands.

"See? And if I know.." he strode to her and pulled her dress off one shoulder. "Yes, a man brands his slaves. Once branded, she is owned."

The letter "M" was cruelly branded onto her shoulder, the scar tissue puffy and red.

"Even if people are branded, they are still PEOPLE! They still deserve a life outside of slaver. As for her belgoning to someone, tomorrow morning, she won't. I will buy her from her former master." Oldin said. The man had struck a nerve with his debate over slavery. People didn't OWN people! That was just wrong!

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(Illana, where did you get your signature and avatar? I love them!)

"I will double the price. Anything to see this woman free." Marylyn nodded to Oldin, laying a gentle hand on the woman's shoulder. Her attention turned to the man before her, her eyes turning to a steely glare.

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(Sorry I haven't been on. I took a little trip...)

Areanne sighed inwardly with relief. They didn't notice her. She crept close enough to hear their conversations.
A slave?
Areanne's eyes narrowed, but she didn't move. Her dark eyes flitted from each person to the next as they spoke in turn from under her black hood, not daring to move. What if she was taken into slavery too?

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My heart lies with the sea, the only place it shall be~