Chapter 6 - The Collar

Luke pulled himself to his feet and rounded on Eloise. “Get down to it? What in damnation do you mean?"

“Your situation, Master Windhill, you could say that it has undergone some… changes."

“Changes? What do you…" Luke turned, his eyes widening as he saw Azee's bitter glare.

“Azee?"

Eloise smiled a little as she watched the realisation of what was happening cross Luke's face.

“You turned her against me!" Luke roared, taking a threatening step towards Eloise, raising a fist.

With an almost bored motion, Eloise raised a hand. “Stop."

Luke's muscles froze.

“Kneel."

In an instant Luke's knees buckled as if a titanic weight was placed upon his shoulders. Despite fighting with every scrap of strength he could muster, Luke found himself forced to his knees. He tried to stand, but his muscles refused to follow his command.

“Now that we are all civil," Eloise tossed Azee's collar over Luke's head, “our conversation may continue."

Azee instinctively caught her collar. “W-what do you want me to do with this?"

“Well obviously I want you to put it on."

Azee's eyes widened and she dropped the collar as if it had burned her.

“No!"

“Just listen for a moment-"

“I won't, and you can't make me!"

“Will you please calm down?" Eloise scolded. “The collar no longer affects you, remember?"

“I'm not wearing it again!" Azee's fur bristled as her shoulders hunched. “Never!"

Eloise raised a hand towards Azee. “Calm down little one, let me explain."

“Speaking of your collar, just how exactly did you manage to break it?" Luke demanded, interrupting Eloise.

“She didn't break it," Azee spat. “It started failing the day you sold my sister!"

Luke's eyes widened, “oh Azee… You should have told me it wasn't working! If I'd known-"

Azee's ears flattened against her head again. “Don't you dare pretend like you put that thing on me as some kind of favour!"

“Azee I had no other choice! And don't you remember how things were before you got the collar? I did this for you so-"

“Liar!"

“Hey!" Luke's voice echoed through the parlour, “Now look here, I've had just about enough of you speaking to me like that!"

The anger in Luke's voice instinctively made Azee want to run, to find some place out of the way, some cupboard or nook, where she could wait out the worst of his anger.

'No!' She snarled to herself, planting her feet and meeting Luke's glare with bared teeth.

“You know as well as I do that I had no choice!" Luke continued, punctuating each syllable with trained authority. “After what happened with Hawk, you weren't thinking straight! You wouldn't sleep, you barely ate, and you were scared constantly. Every time someone moved, every time you heard a loud noise you would tremble and flinch."

“So you put a collar on my neck and thought that would solve the problem! "

“The Order didn't give me any choice! If I didn't collar you, they were either going to make me cull you, or take you for 'training'! Do you have any idea what they would have done to you there? They would have broken you!"

“You didn't ask me!"

“It was the collar or being culled!"

“Then I would rather have been culled!"

Azee's words tore into Luke like the bullet she had fired only hours before.

A heavy silence filled the parlour. Luke struggled to gather his thoughts enough to form a sentence, while Azee trembled in remembered terror. Only Eloise seemed utterly unperturbed, watching the exchange with casual interest.

Azee's mind rang with sights and smells. She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut, to claw her ears off. All of a sudden all she could taste in her mouth was the bitter copper of blood. Her heart raced, her limbs twitched, and instinctively she squeezed her legs together.

Luke managed to find his voice. “Azee.. I… can't believe that you-"

“I wanted to die."

Though her voice was barely above a whisper, the sound of Azee's voice shattered the silence like a brick through a window pane.

“After what happened… all I wanted was for it to end… I didn't want to live here anymore, I didn't want to be a slave anymore! I didn't want to see his face every time I closed my eyes!"

Furious tears streamed down Azee's cheek as she glared at Luke. “You might be used to killing, but I'm not!"

Luke could do nothing but shake his head in stunned, horrified silence.

“And then you put a collar on me that would take away my will, and would shock me if I tried to remove it!" Azee's fists clenched hard, as she continued to tremble. “And you… You… You thought you were helping me! How could you do that to me?"

“Wh-what? Azee I… We're friends! I... I was protecting you."

“You were protecting your 'property'!"

Luke paused for a moment before glowering over his shoulder at Eloise. “You! You did this! You put this nonsense in her head!"

“Oh no, master Windhill, I have nothing to do with this. Correct as it may be, this is a conclusion that Azee came to on her own."

Azee stepped forward, glaring down at Luke. “She's right!

“Azee, please-"

“But I told myself the same lie, that you were trying to protect me! I… I thought that… that maybe you actually cared about me."

More tears dripped down Azee's cheeks and her voice shook as she stared down at the collar on the floor.

“And then you took Chara away from me. She was all the family I had, and you sold her. That's when I realised, it didn't matter how many times you said you cared, or how many times we made love, or even the friendship we had. You're the master, and I'm the pelt, and nothing will ever change that, will it?"

“Azee-"

“Will it?" Azee screamed, startling Luke. “Tell me the truth!"

“No." Luke said at last. “No Azee, it won't. I am your friend, your protector… but nothing will ever change that here, in this place, I am also your master."

Eloise's stepped forwards, a thin smile on her face. “You know, it is rather amusing that you should phrase it that way."

“Amusing?" Luke snapped at Eloise. “You find this amusing do you?"

“A little."

“Well then perhaps you'd be so kind as to let us in on the joke?"

Instead of answering, Eloise stepped forwards, striding past Luke and stopping just in front of Azee.

“There, there," She murmured, wiping Azee's tears away with a handkerchief pulled from a pocket of her dress. “Calm yourself little one, I don't want you shooting him again."

Azee managed to force a small smile as she sniffed, rubbing her eyes.

With a small nod, Eloise bent down and picked up her collar.

Facing Luke again, Eloise turned the collar over and over in her hands. “You asked before what it was that I did to you. The answer is really rather simple, Azee made a contract with me. As a result, I saved your life and I've guaranteed that you will help Azee get her sister back."

Unimpressed, Luke raised an eyebrow. “Oh you did, did you?"

Eloise nodded. “I did indeed." She held Azee's collar out for her. “If you put this on, you will find that your position and that of your former master have been reversed."

“Don't trust her!" Luke snapped as Azee hesitantly reached out to take her collar. “What if she wants to sell you Azee? What if this is all a trick?"

Azee paused, her hand trembling an inch away from her collar.

“Look at me, little one."

Azee raised her head, her own face reflected into the impossibly deep azure of Eloise's eyes.

Eloise took a deep breath and reached out her other hand, placing it on Azee's cheek. “Little one… I know I haven't been the most kind to you. I… am not very good with people. But I do want to help you, truly I do. I have not lied to you, nor have I misled you. Why would I start now?"

“What do you want with me? Why are you helping me?" Azee's shoulders slumped and she began to shiver again. “What… what am I to you?"

“She tampered with the runes!" Luke shouted. “You have no idea how dangerous that is! It could kill you."

Azee ignored Luke, keeping her eyes locked on Eloise. “I know what I am to him… but I don't know what you want with me."

Luke tried again to stand. “Azee, please just-

Eloise silenced Luke with a single wave of her hand. Though he tried to speak, the air seemed frozen in his throat.

Eloise smiled again, like a mother comforting a frightened child. She gently stroked Azee's cheek with her thumb. “You are something new and different. I want to see what exactly is growing inside of you."

“I'm scared." Azee whimpered, her lip trembling as her anger waned, leaving a cavernous hole in her heart that threatened to pull her down, as though it were a vast underwater current leading into a pitch dark abyss.

“I know little one."

With all of his might Luke fought against the spell holding him tight. The sight of Azee's whimpering and tears filled him with a powerful, murderous rage. He desperately wanted to pull her into his arms, to stroke her fur and hold her against him, to feel her form relax as the fear left her. Even with the collar, there had been times when Azee had been despondent, or in pain. He had searched far a wide to find a runesmith capable of crafting a rune capable of suppressing the darkness plaguing Azee's mind, while keeping her as free as the laws would allow. When he had had Chara sold, even with the collar it had taken days for Azee to regain her control, to return to her old self. Of course he had known that Chara's departure would hurt her… but he hadn't had any choice. Despite the guilt that his actions caused, he knew he had made the right decision, and he had been sure to be there to comfort Azee.

But no matter how much he fought, desperately trying to keep the vile witch from touching his precious Azee, Luke could do nothing but watch.

“I'd heard stories of Shiyan who could resist runes." Eloise continued, ignoring Luke's pathetic efforts. “I always thought them a myth. But you… you are that myth given flesh and form."

The thought did not bring Azee much comfort.

“I see great potential in you, powers just barely taking root, and I would see them grow."

“But why?"

“Because, little one, there is something dreadfully wrong with this world. And you, and master Windhill, are a storm within a storm, a perfect microcosm of all that has gone awry since that damnable gateway opened."

“S-st-o-p…" Luke managed to croak feebly, but the effort exhausted him.

“Trust me," Eloise smiled, extending Azee's collar towards her again. “Please."

'NO!' Luke's mind shrieked, but no more sound emerged from his throat.

With a shuddering breath, Azee reached out and took her collar from Eloise's grasp.

“Now, put it on."

Slowly, Azee released the clasp and raised the collar towards her neck.

Luke's fingers just barely twitched as he fought, his muscles screaming in agony.

'AZEE!'

The moment the collar touched Azee's throat, the leather moved of its own accord, snapping through the buckle and tightening itself. Azee shuddered, but nothing else happened. The collar was tight enough that she could not slip it over her head, but loose enough that she could breathe easily.

Azee blinked in surprise, gently touching the catalyst stone under her chin. Not only did she no longer feel the everpresent, yawning pull of the rune, her collar had never felt more comfortable. The leather felt softer, the coppery taste of magic in the back of her throat completely absent.

All of a sudden, a flash of anxiety and pain sliced through her mind, nearly driving her to her knees.

“Wh-what-"

“Be calm." Eloise crooned, pulling Azee towards her in a comforting embrace. “What you are feeling is merely the link settling into place."

“L-link?"

“To the rune I placed upon master Windhill." Eloise turned back to Luke, raising an eyebrow. “And if he would be so kind as to relax, perhaps some of your pain will fade."

Azee's breath shuddered as she stared at Luke. “I… I can feel… I can feel his thoughts. I can't tell what he is thinking but…"

Eloise met Azee's gaze again, her voice soft as she again stroked Azee's cheek. “There will be no more lies from him. Fear, aggression, anger, deceit, resistance, all of those pesky emotions and instincts that the collar he placed upon you was intended to shield you from, your master will no longer be able to hide them from you. "

This time it was Luke who shuddered in terror. 'No… no no no no! No! No, Azee please!'

A thrill rose in Azee's chest, a feeling she hadn't felt in a long time, perhaps never. A sense of power.

“He can neither harm you, nor allow harm to come to you," Eloise continued. “His fate is bound totally to yours, and his will is now shackled to your command."

“I… I can give him orders."

“Indeed. More than that, if he attempts to place you under another control spell, or seeks to take your will from you, or if your life should end in any way…" Eloise's eyes flashed as she glanced back at Luke, “he'll die."

At that moment, Eloise released the spell holding Luke still. He tumbled forwards, gasping for breath.

“D-die?" Azee whispered.

“Yes, little one. If your life ends, so too does his."

“You bitch!" Luke snarled, picking himself up. “How dare you?! I will have your pathetic tavern burned to the ground with you in it! I'll have you whipped through the streets and hanged from-"

“Stop!"

The moment the word left Azee's mouth, Luke found himself unable to speak.

A thrill unlike anything she had ever felt before ran through Azee's body. Her skin tingled as her tail began to wag. All of a sudden she felt strong, in control, dominant.

Azee's eyes narrowed. “Kneel!"

Luke dropped to his knees.

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“Bark!"

Luke tried to hold his mouth shut, but moments later a rough approximation of a canine bark was torn from his throat.

“That's enough." Azee sneered after a few moments.

Luke relaxed, exhausted from the effort of trying to resist. His face turned red and hot as Azee glared down at him with a cold, malicious grin, and Eloise observed, the slightest hint of a smile on her lips.

As Azee's eyes glinted with excitement, Luke met her gaze.

“It is potent… isn't it."

“What?"

“The feeling of having someone's life in your hands."

Azee opened her mouth to bark out another order, but something stopped her. Suddenly everything felt… wrong, out of place.

Luke sighed heavily. “I've seen what total power does to people. I suppose you've experienced it first hand all your life. I suppose even I… even though I was trying to help, I suppose you've experienced what it's like even from me."

Azee squeezed her eyes shut, desperately trying to sense a lie. She could feel Luke's humiliation, his rage and frustration, and though she could feel his intense desire for Azee to stop, she didn't sense a lie.

“So go ahead…" Luke lowered his head in defeat. “Go ahead and enjoy it."

In an instant all of Azee's exhilaration drained out of her. Her tail sank, and her shoulders slumped as she stared down at Luke.

“No…" She said softly, shaking her head and stepping backwards. “No… no no, I'm not… that's not what I…"

The touch of Eloise's hand upon her shoulder nearly made Azee jump clear out of her fur.

“It's alright little one." Eloise said softly, squeezing Azee's shoulders as she turned her around and looked into her eyes. “While I am loath to agree with anything a Windhill might say, he is right. That feeling, that thrill, loses its potency quickly, and leaves you feeling empty. And soon, your need for power would rot your soul piece by piece."

Azee sniffed and rubbed her eyes, nodding, blinking back tears as she tried hard to swallow the lump of shame and disgust building in her throat.

“It's alright, everything is alright." Eloise nodded. “Now, we have work to do."

Azee took a deep breath. “Right."

And what about me?" Luke demanded, climbing to his feet as the spell holding him faded.

“You, Mister Windhill, have some packing to do."

***

Comb blinked in surprise. “Sorry sir… wha' was tha'?"

“I said, I'm going on a trip." Luke replied, watching as a pair of slaves worked at loading bags into the back of the Windhill's travelling buggy. “I'll be gone for some time."

“Where exactly are you going?" Snyder asked, gesturing for the slaves to hurry with his switch.

“An' why're you only takin' that one?" Comb demanded, aiming his own switch at Azee, who couldn't help but flinch.

“Azee will be more than adequate assistance on this trip. Besides," Luke patted the flank of one of the hounds connected to the front of the buggy. “More mouths to feed means more food to carry, means more attention. Don't want to run the risk of running afoul of any raiders."

Snyder crossed his arms, and frowned.

The pale morning sun shone through a thick haze of mist. Eldritch tendrils curled around the roots of the trees, and drifted in the still, humid air. Though the day was young, the rays of the sun were strong, glaring down with such intensity it almost felt like a weight upon the skin. There was an oppressive heat building in the air that signalled what had already been an unseasonably warm spring giving way to a ferocious summer.

A pair of massive hounds lay upon the gravel, napping in the shade of one of the great willow trees as the buggy behind them was loaded. Azee knelt beside one of the hounds, gently brushing its fur.

“It is not safe for you to be travelling on your own Master Windhill." Snyder said at last, watching as one of the slaves finished attaching the hound's harnesses to the buggy.

“Don't worry," Luke chuckled. “I'll be staying on the main roads, and we won't be travelling at night. Besides," Luke bent down and picked up a pair of rifles and slid them into a box beneath the driver's seat, before checking to make sure his own gunbelt was secure. “I'll keep a close eye."

“And her?" Comb asked, jerking his thumb over his shoulder at Eloise.

“Well you gentlemen did allow her onto the property after dark." Luke replied, just the slightest hint of an edge to his tone. “ And I wasn't about to let her travel back to Lillyvale in the middle of the night. What kind of gentleman or host would that make me?"

With a cautious glance at Eloise, Snyder leaned close to Luke. “Sir… is everything alright? You're acting… strange."

Azee's ears twitched and she risked a backwards glance at Luke.

Luke noticed Azee's agitation and suppressed a gulp. He had no interest in testing whether Eloise's claims about defying Azee leading to his death were true. Considering how Azee had made him bark like a dog merely a few hours before, it seemed far safer to assume that the rune would, in fact, work as described.

'Just be patient.' He thought to himself, forcing a friendly smile onto his face as he clapped Snyder on the shoulder. 'There will be an opportunity…'

“Everything is fine Armin, really. Just… got a bug in my boot and decided that I needed to get out and about. Besides, if we end up at war with the north, goodness knows I might not be able to travel again for a while."

“Bring 'em on." Comb muttered, slapping one of the slaves in the thigh with his switch, eliciting a quiet squeal of pain. “We'll crush them."

“And where will you be heading sir?"

“Johnsburg first probably. Then I might go pay a visit to the Raynes brothers."

Azee held her breath as she watched Snyder carefully examining Luke's face. Snyder was a naturally suspicious man, and he clearly had his doubts about Luke's story. The hound before her raised its massive head and peered at her, sensing the fear in Azee.

Eloise, on the other hand, seemed utterly unconcerned as she patted the muzzle of her own hound.

“Very well sir." Snyder said at last, stepping back and tipping his hat. “We'll be sure to keep the place in top condition."

“Good, I'll expect a full report when I get back."

“I'll keep the books updated, and have a full accounting on your desk as soon as I can, sir."

At the mention of his desk, Azee felt a surge of anger from Luke.

It had taken hours to clear away the obvious damage in Luke's study, but she was certain the smell of smoke still lingered. There was no reason for Comb or Snyder to go into Luke's office, in fact none but Azee were allowed in there without Luke's supervision. And yet, even with the effort Azee, Eloise and Luke had put into repairing or hiding the damage, Azee was certain that even a passing inspection would reveal something was amiss.

Carefully keeping his voice even, Luke looked down at Azee. “Help with the bags, would you."

Azee could feel the bitter intention behind Luke's words. With a nod, and a mental note to make Luke pay for his spite, she climbed to her feet and joined the other slaves, helping to pack the luggage. Within moments she began to pant as the Sun beat down on her.

Despite the work, Azee still felt like the victor, though the thought didn't give her much pleasure. Luke had been furious when he had first laid eyes on the devastation wrought upon his office. Through their link, Azee had easily felt the outrage in his chest at the extent of the damage. Unsurprisingly, it had been the destruction of his priceless desk that had angered Luke the most.

“What the hell did you do?" Luke howled, rushing forward and dropping to his knees, running a hand along the gashes Azee's claws had torn into the polished wood surface of his desk top.

Azee had considered a vicious or mocking retort, but had thought better of it.

“Two hundred years…" Luke moaned, picking at one of the splinters. “This desk is two hundred years old! Papa gave me twenty strikes with his belt for spilling ink on it once… and you tore it apart!"

'And you sold my sister.' Azee muttered under her breath, returning to the present. In frustration she heaved a bag into the back of the buggy with considerably more force than necessary.

Before she could turn around, a loud snap rang out and a sharp lance of pain shot up her backside.

“Watch what yer doin fleabait!" Comb snapped, raising his switch threateningly. “Keep throwing stuff 'round and I'll tan you good!"

Without even thinking about it, Azee's lip curled back and she growled.

In an instant Comb swung again, striking the side of her face hard with the thick end of his switch. Azee yelped and jumped backwards, crashing painfully into the wheel of the buggy.

“Hey! Leave her be!" Luke snapped as Comb advanced on Azee, switch held high as he fumbled at his belt for his knife.

“Pelt showed 'er teeth a' me!" In a flash of silver Comb drew his blade. “I'll teach 'er good!"

“Drop it Comb, let it be!"

“But sir, it-"

Luke took a threatening step forwards. “I said, leave her be."

As pain mixed with humiliation, tt took all of Azee's willpower not to order Luke to kill Comb and Snyder on the spot. Luke was well off, and could invent some kind of story to make the murders look like self defence.

The thought frightened her and she held her tongue.

“Yes sir." Comb grumbled, lowering his arm.

“Good. Azee, go and get lunch from the kitchen."

“Yes Master." Azee replied, bowing her head.

“Keep it up, an' I'll 'ave you as a rug." Comb muttered as Azee passed him.

'I'm going to kill him,' Azee swore to herself, as she walked up the stairs to the front door. 'When Chara is safe, I'm going to kill him.'

Luke watched as Azee disappeared back into the house, before rounding on Comb. “I've told you before, don't hit her."

“All I did was give 'er a tap on the rear cause she was tossin' yer bags like bales." Comb protested, gesturing at the back of the buggy. “An' then she showed her teeth at me!"

“I don't care," Luke replied sharply. “Azee is not to be hit, I have been very clear about that."

“Oh come off it Luke, it's like yer father said-"

“What did you just call me?" Luke asked coldly.

Instantly,Comb realised he had crossed the line. “Apologies, Master Windhill, but it seems like yer slippin' where that pelt is concerned."

“How I treat her is none of your business. You worry about the field slaves, I'll worry about my personal servant."

This time it was Snyder “With all due respect master Windhill, this is an issue of law. Verse five clearly states-"

Luke rounded on Snyder. “I know the verses quite well thank you."

“Do you indeed sir? 'Be it forever so, that the non human that raises tooth or claw to man, shall suffer death.' Perhaps Tom should have been gentler with her-"

“The hell I shoulda, that bitch-"

“-but," Snyder continued, shooting a deadly glare at Comb, “If that pelt is becoming rebellious, we need to nip it in the bud. With prices the way they are this season, we can't afford to replace our slaves if we are forced to do even a partial cull. You have always given that pelt a very generous leash, sir, and you know what that led to with her sister.""

Luke's shoulders tensed. “I am aware."

“And now you are going on a trip, with no solid destination or schedule, and no escorts or security." Snyder crossed his arms. “Begging your pardon master Windhill, but this seems rather foolhardy."

Noting a glance from Eloise, Luke took a deep breath. “Gentlemen, please, I understand your concerns, but they are unwarranted. Azee will be punished, I will see to it."

===

It took effort for Azee to walk normally with the pain in her rump, and there was a coppery taste of blood in her mouth. In the front foyer of the manor she paused for a moment to examine her face in a mirror. There was a small cut in her lip, but nothing serious.

Despite her sister's absence, Azee could hear Chara's voice echoing in her mind. 'Don't you ever, EVER, bare your teeth at an overseer, especially Comb.'

'Stupid,' she muttered to herself, 'that was very stupid…"

Had Chara been there and seen what she had done, Comb would have been the least of Azee's problems.

When Azee had been fifteen years old, she had shown her teeth to an overseer who had spit tobacco juice into the bucket of water Azee had been trying to get a drink from. The overseer had caught sight of her defiance, and immediately had Azee thrown into the 'hole'. The hole was a holding cell for misbehaving slaves, to short to stand in, and too small to lay down in. She'd spent two days there while it was debated whether she was to be whipped or simply culled.

Luke's intervention had saved Azee from a painful whipping at the overseers' hands, though she was reprimanded and told in no uncertain terms that further defiance would result in her culling. She'd felt relieved, perhaps even a bit of a thrill at getting away with it. But that night, in full view of the other slaves in the female barn, Chara had beaten Azee almost senseless.

The beating had come without any warning. One moment she was preparing for bed, the next Chara was on top of her, hitting her hard. As her sister rained punches and kicks, Azee had cried out for help from the other slaves, but none had come to her aid. At the time she had thought that they had been afraid of Chara's wrath extending to them, but after the beating, Chara had grabbed her by the long fur at her throat and dragged her to her feet.

“Do you know what happens if you bite an overseer and they report it to the Order?" Chara had growled, glaring directly into Azee's terrified eyes. “You snarling at that smooth skin could get everyone here killed! If they find that the discipline here is 'lax', they'll cull half of us to make a point!"

A single glance at the other slaves surrounding the two of them had confirmed Chara's words to Azee.

“If I ever catch you baring your teeth at an overseer again, I'll make you wish you had gotten a whipping!".

Unconsciously, Azee's tongue shifted to the back of her mouth, exploring the gap in her teeth where one of her molars had been knocked loose by one of Chara's blows. It had taken her well over a month to forgive Chara, but in the end she had come to realise that her sister was right.

'Defy them, but do it quietly, and do it carefully.'

“Not anymore." Azee whispered to herself.

As she approached the kitchen, Azee could hear the sounds of muffled crying. Increasing her pace she pushed open the swinging door.

Kneeling on the polished mable floor were two slaves which Azee recognized, a massive feline named Fray, and a much more dimunative lapine named Keeri.

Fray was a very large, bright orange feline, with black stripes running down her arms, back and legs. She towered over Azee, and her paws were larger than Azee's head. She'd lived at the ranch for as long as Azee could remember.

Whenever a new slave arrived, especially if they were young, Fray would make it her business to offer what comfort she could. She had taken care of both her and her sister during their first years at the ranch.

Despite her imposing stature, Azee knew Fray to be almost unbelievably gentle, able to comfort the frightened and the crying with a few words and a soft all-encompassing hug. It was like being embraced by a gigantic quilt. She was a beacon of light, and she even had kind words for some of the gentler overseers. She was so well liked around the ranch that even the nastiest of the overseers didn't dare act cruelly towards her.

Now, those great arms that had held Azee many times before, held a frantic and desperately crying Keeli.

Keeli was small, even for the normally quite diminutive lapine race. Like all lapines she was nervous, her eyes often darting about, even when someone was trying to talk to her. Unlike most of the slaves, Keeli's fur was unmarred by scars from whips or switches. She was quiet, gentle, and adept at staying out of the way, what someone like Snyder might consider a model slave.

As Azee approached, Keeli looked up at her, holding her hands over her muzzle to try and silence her sobbing. Her eyes were bloodshot and full of tears, her whole body shivering

“What's wrong?" Azee asked, dropping down to her knees and reaching out a hand to stroke Keeli's cheek.

Keeli flinched, but as soon as Azee's fingers touched her fur, she leaned into Azee's palm.

“She's coming into heat." Fray said quietly, stroking Keeli's hair. “And she just found out she's on the schedule."

Immediately Azee felt a powerful pang in her chest. The 'schedule' was dreaded by all the females at the ranch, as being on it meant they had been selected to be bred. Usually it was simply so that the ranch could replenish its workforce, but recently Luke had begun selling some of the children to make up for a drop in crop prices.

“I can't…" Keeli whimpered, “I can't do it again! Not again! They just took Selai away from me… he was only three years old!"

“She was rubbing chilli powder on herself, hoping to cover her scent." Fray cuddled Keeli a little tighter. “She got some in her eyes, and well…"

“I'm sorry." Azee whispered. The words felt utterly meaningless, but somehow saying nothing seemed so much worse.

Keeli shook her head hard. “I just can't do it again!"

“Oh sweetie," Fray stroked Keeli's long ears. “It'll be alright."

“I'd rather die." Keeli moaned, going limp in Fray's arms. “If… if they try to make me… I'll… I'll kill myself!" Her eyes darted up to a block of knives sitting on a nearby counter, “I… I'll-

“No!" Azee blurted out.

As Fray and Keeli looked up at her, Azee climbed to her feet. “No one is dying… and no one is getting bred."

“H-how do you-"

“I'm going to make Luke call it off." Azee growled.

Fray raised her head and gazed up at Azee, concern etched into the features of her big furry face. “Love, I know you have a… special bond with Master Windhill, but that's pushing it too far." She looked back at Keeli. “I know it's hard but-"

“No." Azee's voice was quieter, but far more certain. “Keeli, don't worry. I'll make sure you and everyone else is off the damned schedule."

“B-but how?" Keelli asked, a tiny glimmer of hope flickering to life in her eyes.

Glancing around to make certain they were alone, Azee got down on her knees and leaned close. “Yesterday… I cracked Luke upside the head with a frying pan."

Fray's eyes immediately widened. “By the tyrant, how are you still alive?"

“That woman out there, from the village, the rumours about her are true! She's a witch, and I brought her here last night. She put some kind of spell on Luke, and now he has to follow my orders."

After a few moments Fray was able to gasp out a single, “how?"

“I don't know, some sort of magic." Azee felt a surge of elation. “I can tell him what to do, and if he doesn't obey, or if I get killed, he dies too."

“That's impossible." Fray shook her head.

“It is possible. I made Luke kneel to me, and made him bark like a hound."

From the looks on their faces, Azee didn't know whether Keeli and Fray were more terrified or surprised.

After a deep calming breath, Fray reached out and placed a huge paw on Azee's shoulders. “Child, listen to me… If what you are saying is true… if the Order ever found out… child they won't just stop at killing you."

“I know." Azee nodded, gripping as much of Fray's hand as she could. “But for now… for now I'm going to get Chara back, and I'm going to do what I can."

“Y-you're going to free us?" Keeli asked, hardly daring to hope.

“I… I can't."

“B-but you said."

“She's right dear," Fray interrupted. “Even if she gave Master Windhill that kind of order, the holy laws wouldn't allow it. And if word got out that Master Windhill suddenly started to act strangely, the Order would come sniffing around "

“I can try to make things better, at least for now." Azee reached out and took one of Keeli's hands. “Trust me, okay. And don't you even think of hurting yourself."

Keeli's lip trembled, but she nodded. “Alright."

===

“Alright, git on back to work," Comb barked as the slaves finished loading the final bag onto the buggy. Hurriedly the slaves bowed and retreated back towards the fields as comb slapped his switch against one of the wheels.

As the slaves left, Comb turned to Eloise, who was working to attach a leading rope from her hounds to the rear of Luke's buggy.“Y'all right there miss?"

“Fine, thank you."

“I'll help ya here." he insisted with an oily grin. “Don't want you pinchin them pretty little hands of y-"

As soon as Comb got close to Eloise, both of the draft hounds turned their immense heads and grumbled at him.

“Best not," Eloise replied, stroking the hound's head fondly. “Celce and Telim here aren't particularly good with strangers."

Gathering up his courage, Comb took another step forwards, but this time the hounds snarled, revealing fangs longer and thicker than Comb's fingers.

“You can go." Luke called out as Comb retreated with a mumbled curse.

“Right." Comb tipped his hat at Luke before storming off, muttering under his breath. “What kind of nonsense name is 'Celce'? Blasted mutt, turn it into jerky, that's what I should do."

Luke watched Comb go before turning to Snyder. “Keep him under control while I am gone, will you."

“Of course sir."

As Luke set about checking the hounds one last time, Azee emerged from the house with a box wrapped in a chequered cloth and bound with string.

Eloise stepped around the back of the buggy. “Everything is secured, we can leave whenever you desire."

“Fine, hop on in."

“Here you are master." Azee said quietly, handing the box to Luke.

“Thank you. Come on, let's get you settled in."

Luke handed the reins to Snyder and led the way around the back of the buggy, to the boot seat where Azee was supposed to sit.

“Are you sure you want to do this?" Luke asked as Azee climbed up into her seat. “It's not too late."

Azee glared into Luke's eyes as he worked to clip a short chain to her collar. “Let's just hope your friend remembers the name of the man you sold my sister to."

Luke's gaze hardened and he finished attaching the chain to Azee's collar. “Fine then, on your head be it."

“Don't forget that it is also on yours." Azee growled back.

As he turned to leave, Azee's arm shot and grabbed hold of Lukes. “One more thing."

“What?"

Peering around the buggy to make sure Snyder was out of earshot, Azee whispered, “Tell them to cancel the schedule."

“The what?"

“The schedule! The Breeding schedule! Cancel it! No more!"

Luke had to fight not to shout, “Are you insane? I can't do that!"

“I wasn't asking."

Before he could argue, Luke felt as if someone had stabbed him in the chest with a red hot poker.

Azee noted the sudden look of pain that crossed Luke's face. For a moment she felt a powerful pang of sympathy and reached out to touch him.

“Are you-" she paused, hardening herself. “Are you… going to do what I tell you? Or not."

Luke grimaced as he met Azee's gaze. She tried her best to look smug and mean, but he could see the conflicted emotions on her face. Still, the pain in his chest forced him to nod.

“Fine, no more breeding."

“And tell Comb and Snyder to be more gentle with the others."

Luke gritted his teeth, “Anything else, highness?"

“More food for everyone."

“I can't, that-" Luke gasped and clutched at his chest.

“Azee, listen to me…. I know what you are trying to do." He moaned, gasping for air. “But… there are…. realities I can't change. If I…. try to change… too much all at once... and the Order… finds out what's happened… They'll kill... everyone here... and burn you alive…"

Luke's heart felt as if it were trying to claw its way out of his chest.

Azee didn't know what to say. A hurricane of power, hatred, fear, and regret, raged within her.

“Azee, you have to let up. Don't be foolish!" Eloise hissed, coming around the side of the buggy. “He's right and you know it."

White spots filled Luke's vision, he was mere moments away from passing out, when he heard Azee mutter.

“Fine."

Luke gasped and nearly fell over as the pain in his chest abruptly ceased. A thin line of sweat dripped down his forehead as he fought for breath.

“You alright sir?" Snyder called from the front of the buggy.

“Yes," Luke called back, keeping his voice as steady as he could. “Just… fiddling with this damned thing."

Luke scowled at Eloise as she retreated back towards the front of the buggy, before turning his gaze on Azee. He said nothing, but the look in his eyes spoke for him.

Azee growled softly to herself and looked away, crossing her arms.

Returning to the front of the buggy, Luke climbed up onto the box and dropped himself into the driver's seat.

Tipping his hat, Snyder stepped back. “Safe journey sir."

With a suppressed sigh, Luke called out to Snyder as he started to leave. “Armin, one more thing before I go."

Snyder stopped and turned, “Sir?"

“With… prices the way they are this season, I don't think we need the expense of more mouths to feed. I want you to clear the breeding schedule for now."

Snyder blinked in surprise. “If… you're certain sir."

“I am." Careful not to grit his teeth as he spoke, Luke added. “And also perhaps it would best to save the slave's strength for next season. No point in running them down when prices are this low. Keep them going, but go easy."

For a long moment Snyder stared at Luke, before finally nodding his head. “As you command master Windhill. Safe journey sir."

With a final nod, Luke snapped the reins and the hounds began to pull. The buggy bounced and shuddered as it rolled down the long drive towards the road.

End of Part 6