Evelyn woke with a start as the wagon came to a halt. She hadn't remembered falling asleep and noticed the others were now waking with groans as well. Had they been drugged? Evelyn wondered but wasn't given much time to think on it as the back of the wagon was opened and she was dragged out by the chains that bound her.
"Walk." The lage beastman commanded with a growl as he pulled Evelyn to her feet.
All of her joints and muscles screamed in protest after being confined for so long but Evelyn didnt relish the thought of being dragged along in the dirt so she mustered what strength she had left and stumbled forward.
As they entered the dank building Evelyn saw other people that were also chained and had been forced into tiny cells and cages. There were cries of fear and pain coming from some but others that looked as if they had been here for a while were hollow eyed and bone thin.
Evelyn prayed that this would not be her fate and resolved to not be broken by the cruel beastmen that now held her captive.
The moment Evelyn was shoved into her small cell and heard the click of a lock behind the heavy door she collapsed to the cold and dirty floor.
She cried for her parents and her village as she knew full well that both were most likely dead and her village ransacked and burned to the ground.
Evelyn had been told stories of ruthless beastmen her entire life. The history of their rise to power and the dwindling of human villages and kingdoms. Young humans were then hauled off to become slaves to the beastmen then disposed of once they were no longer of use. She just never thought something like this would happen to her small sleepy village that had resided on the border of the largest human kingdom and beastmen territory. Her village had a pact with the Lord of the mountain that was as old as the village itself that had protected it from such attacks. Evelyn had wondered what had changed.
That night she had attempted to find some sleep as she pulled her knees to her chest in an attempt to get warm. The meager meal of hard bread and mouldy cheese that was brought to her barely touched. The only comfort she had now were the words that she repeated to herself over and over again.
"I will not let them break me."
Evelyn was still mumbling to herself as the dawn light attempted to filter through the tiny barred window of her cell. She however went silent as she heard heavy footsteps stop in front of her door then the click of the lock.
The door swung open to reveal a tall beasman with gray eyes and a kind smile. Evelyn was however not convinced that this beastman was there to help her.
"Good morning young miss." The beastman bowed slightly before taking a step into the cell.
Evelyn promptly scooted back as far as she could from the creature that was now inside the cell with her.
"I will not harm you child. I am here to assess you and get you ready for auction."
Evelyn had thought she would just be bought outright and handed over to some vile creature that would do horrible things to her, but an auction? Distrust and confusion painted her featured as she continued to push herself back against the cold stone walls of her cell.
As the beastman scrutinized her featured Evelyn noticed the gray wolf ears that sat upon his head and twitched at sounds she could not hear.
If she hadn't been so frightened Evelyn may have asked about them as she had this surprising urge to pat his head.
The beastman chuckled as he saw her cheeks turn red due to the sudden intrusive thought.
"You are stronger than I thought little one."
That comment made Evelyn's cheeks burn even redder as she turned her gaze to the floor of her cell.
"Molly." The beastman called. "This girl is to be processed with the utmost care and be ready for tonight's auction."
With his instructions relayed the beastman stepped out of the cell to let Molly pass.
She was shorter than the wolf beastman but her emerald eyes shone with authority. She didn't see the value of this human. She was weak and dirty just like the others. Molly was however loyal to her boss and would do as instructed.
She crouched down in front of the human girl and placed a collar around her neck. This collar had a loop with a chain attached along with a tag that identified the human girl and that she was headed to auction.
"Get up girl." Molly ordered coldly. "Time to take you for processing."