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Shout came from outside as I left the tavern, buckling my sword and everything else on. They seemed to be mixed with emotion, as were some had been aggressive and one was protesting. In simple terms, it could easily say that someone had been in a heated argument. With these shouts, someone was on the bad end of a deal as I heard the shouts increase in tension and in volume.

I left in a bit of a hurry, overtaken by curiosity as I stepped out in the cold outdoors. The air was still crisp with the early winter and there was still light outside and well before curfew. When the b*****d Rinji Johfu came, they had made the baron of the fief betray the king and this little town became the experiment of many harsh laws. The curfew was one of many here in Willow. The strict curfews were put into place in order to prevent the so called "Night Collaborations." Something I, nor anyone else have ever heard of such a thing. But, with the extended hands of the emperor based here in Willow, it was best to follow the law. Those who didn't lost more than just a limb.

The outside of the tavern was just on the edge of town, by a cobble stone trade road that lead into the heart of Willow. To the south was Yaiok Pine Forest, a place where many bandits found a home ever since an elf named Yaiok supposedly cursed the land there. A local superstition, but I seen the curse first hand here and there. It's one of those things you don't question, you just nod and move along to the next topic. Just north of Yaiok forest was of course Willow, the little town that got it's name from the gloomy looking weeping willows in the small bustling town. Further north, lay the castle Granite. Home to the traitor baron and the very same person who executed father. I vowed I would hang his very head from the battlements of his castle.

The shouts increased as I finally located the located the source of the commotion. I moved quickly and quietly along the stone road as the buckskin boots scuffled with little noise. I barely heard the conversation as I crept along the stables, trying not to spook the horses or risk a whinny from hell and a quite possible heel kick to the a**. From a distance, I saw a short little man with another figure standing not too far off. And that figure was hardly dressed with only a rag over his groin while covered in animal lard. With the sun at three-quarters and it was the day of the week when the merchant came to town to sell his wares. In other words...that was when I saw the hawk-nosed-short-bald-devil-tongued-snake a mile away.

I had to fight the urge of crushing that face in many times with my fist. He was loyal to the Empire, and always had been even before the Great War. The little man dealt in the evil sales of the market. All ranging from ill-gotten ivory to Slaves, especially the Beastkin of Timok Dunes: home of the Beastkin. Slaves were illegal in Deinka, but the recent establishment in the Empire changed that.

I slowed myself down as I fought my anger, trying to control myself from running over there and sticking him with dagger down that stringy little throat of his! He was arguing with the two imperial guardsmen as it was unmistakable with that red coated murderer duo. All of the soldiers were no good, I never liked the empire and I never will. I watched quietly as the two were in a heated verbal battle. I caught a few words here and there as I knew instantly what they were talking about. Issues about the slave and matter of profit. The little boy was that b*****d's pet slave.

I crept up closer, trying not to spook the horses again as I made my way into the stables and looked out from a secluded section near the door. Even though a few feet from me was a steaming pile of...horse dung. I got a better look at the boy, seeing that he was chained at the ankles and his wrists were bound. Around his neck was a thick collar which had a chained tether attached to the fool's wagon. I cursed silently at the stupidity of the merchant as I got an idea now. But as I looked, I knew he was a slave but what made it worse was the sight of his ears and skin. He was a Beastkin slave.

Cursing myself ever more at the sight of the boy, a strong impulse came over me now. The need to help this boy, to rush to his aid. I couldn't bear to see the little lad with that slimy merchant anymore. The very man who was wanted for rape in Gernia just east of Deinka. For a merchant, he wasn't very honest even hiding behind a veil of multiple names. More than just a few people paid me to have that little man killed, but many times I refused. Maybe next time, I won't. Watching the argument unfold, I made a note that this wasn't going to go down well. That's when I was going to act.

"Look, you need to show papers for your livestock peddler! Even if you do have them, if you let that thing off it's chain--" the guard stated law and concern as the merchant shook his head.

"I have my paper, and this animal I wish to sell, I hear the baron is looking for a male to breed. And I got one here, besides," the peddler tugged on the lad's neck chain which forced him to lean forward. I could see the scowl on his face even from here. "This one has blacksmith quality steel on him, this animal isn't going anywhere." The boy lunged forward as he tugged forcefully at his binds, struggling as his muffled grunts came from behind his gag at the very thought of being called an animal. The act made the three jump in surprise but the lad's efforts were in vain as he was gagged, bound and his claws were most likely filed down to nubs.

From my distance, I could see the amusement in his eyes as the boy stared at the reactions. Even as the bald man yanked on his hair, beating him across the jaw. The boy didn't stop grinning as much as he could at the anger he had given his master. This made me even more curious of the Beastkin, prideful as they were and how defiant he had acted. But this wasn't the case, for this Beastkin had clearly understood the commoner language, something many of them did not share the commoner's language. Since many of them remain secluded at their home of the Timok Dunes as a close nit.