Read the Fine Print [Ziggzagger + Original Content]

[Original Content]

The travel in the caravan was a cramped miserable one, as usual. The smell of many females in one territory sent violent tingles down Lulin's spine. She kicked out, forcing space for her sleeping legs and kicked another young girl square in the ribs. The girl yelped in pain and rubbed the wound, but didn't bother to look Lulin in the eyes. None of them. By now they knew that her rage was a species of its own. In cramped spaces there was no point in trying to play bold and standing up for one of the weaker ones; anyone could end up as a rotting corpse contorted on the floor if they took too much time. Besides, there were bigger problems than a few bruised ribs at the moment.

The slave trade had recently started a traveling show, offering their 'goods' to those who lived their lives on the road. When one lucky farm-hand had sold several of his slaves, by offering them to weary travelers, it had become an epidemic. Slave farms began to split up in two groups - The Weaker and The Stronger. Naturally the weaker were singular task slaves that would break if you lashed them well enough with a good stick or two. The Stronger were the more "wild" slaves, as they called them, that were either unfortunately captured or born in captivity and raised to last. Lulin was one of the latter, if that could be considered better. Born a Shifting Lioness, there was no better place for her than on the road. Today, the foster owners hoped she would finally sell.

Lulin forced her head as far to the right as she could to peer through a peep hole that had been carved into the wood wagon by some reluctant slave ages ago. The land had finally become more hospitable, having changed from a vast sandy land to some amounts of greenery. She raised her nose to the hole and inhaled deeply, taking in the cool are and taste of unclaimed territory. How she wanted to maim these worthless women. How can these women be considered as The Stronger? They look as though they would wither under the sun on any given week. Probably meant for the lonely ones who rest often. A pity I have to suffocate in a space with such horseshit.

The wagon lurched to a stop and for sometime they didn't move. Instead the could hear the sounds of a camp being built in quite a hurry. The males, that Lulin so longed to taste, that had been brought were being whipped to construct the showcase in haste. They must have found the perfect intersection for Trades and Travelers. Lulin stretched as much as she could in her tight spot, accidentally clawing the young woman she had previously kicked.

"Stop that! I know you mean to prove something, but we are no better than the other in here!" The woman finally cried out in protest.

Lulin's ears instinctively pulled back, but the shifting of the bolts on their wagon door seized any further action she was sure to make. Through the bodies of and smells Lulin was leaping across toward the doors that poured in blinding bright, afternoon light. The pain caused a moment of recoil, but when all could at least squint forward she was faithfully standing, as least best as one could in short wagon, in front of the open doors. "As eager as always to be free, I see Lulin. Maybe here on the road you'll finally see your place. We're quite tired of feeding you," and older man with heavy eyes looked up at the eager lioness. He did not step to the side, his rank was still imposing and he would not be looked down on by a slave. A swift slap to Lulin's thigh sent her to her knees and looking down. "Now as I was saying. You ladies here are the specials of the showcase today. Men are the best companions for bodyguards and as pack mules, but there a few of you here that can accommodate the other needs. Don't be surprised if you are picked to fill the role of a man. No slack will be given! The money spells the role! You're worth dollars to me now!"

All but Lulin seemed to shrink farther into despair at these words. She wanted nothing but to be out of the stinking Slave Farms and into the open air where a lioness was meant to prowl. Not even a new owner could calm the fire in her, as so she felt. She would do well to be sold, but she worried somewhat about the scars that covered her arms. If that would not drive one to feel she was unfit it would then be the sole fact that she was a Shifter. Her rounded ears, similar to that of a lioness showed well above her mildly groomed light brain hair. Her tail, although usually wrapped around her waist similar to a belt, often flicked outward or tapped impatiently against her hips. The rest was resolved in fur along her midsection and around her breasts and obviously around her hips and genitalia. For some reason she'd not been a hit with the Home Owners, but a strong willed beast was, hopefully, to be a hit on the road.

 

[zigzagger]

Rev was no stranger to the elements. He had been on his own for many, many years already. Ever since he was an apprentice he had been entrusted to make long trips by himself in rain, sleet, or snow. It didnt matter and more often than not Rev thought that his life didnt matter to his master at all. As long as he got his money on time he didnt care what happened to his little apprentice. But that was many years ago. Rev has long since been out of that mans care and has been living his life as a traveler for some time now. Due to good fortune he came into custody of a wagon and two horses that were in fine condition. His good fortune could be considered bad to others. Rev was one who worked with and concocted potions of all kinds. Wether they be for healing, poison, sleeping, or to fix a bad habit. Practically anything you could think of he could make from simply the bushes and herbs he found during his travels.

It was getting to the point where he was tiring of his current lifestyle. Loneliness was begining to wear on him and he even caught himself attempting to strike up a conversation with the horses. He was in dire need of some company and perhaps he had caught it from his previous master but the thought of owning somebody elses life and them belonging to you and you alone had always seemed like a very good thing to him.

Rev didnt like the idea of settling down just yet. The way he saw it he was still young and good looking. Rev had dark brown hair that hung almost to his eyes and dark brown eyes to make a pair. His body was in tip top shape and very well toned. Why not travel the world while he still could? When nightfall came and he wasnt nearby any towns or taverns that would take him in he would simply camp out under the stars. It didnt matter to him one bit.

As his wagon moved down the road he nodded to some other travelers that were headed the opposite direction. The men looked quite pleased with themselves and from the looks of it they had just purchased a new slave. Pulling back on the reigns he called out to them. "Good afternoon! Is something up ahead?" The travelers nodded their heads and quickly told him about a slave shop that had just set up camp just down the road at a very popular intersection. Eager to pay it a visit he quickly thanked the men and headed on down the road.

Only a few minutes later he began to hear the sounds of talking and people working. A camp had indeed been set up at the intersection as was attracting people as they made their way by. Slowing his horses to a stop he hopped down from the wagon and patted their manes as if telling them he would be back. Making his way up to the camp he began to look around.