~~ This story consists of non-consensual themes, fantasy, graphic violence and terrible grammar. If any of these things bother you, please read no further. All characters engaging in sexual activities are 18 and older.~~
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Thora was freshly bathed and wearing a simple, long grey tunic, she knelt on the floor beside Tyrst who sat at a long rectangle table with his family. A simple rope was tied around her waist and tucked into his belt. She hated it, she would have rather been locked in his room then suffer the humiliation. She had not been introduced to most the wolves sitting at the table but was learning their names as they spoke. At the head of the table was Tyrst's father, Leif, one of the 12 wolf clan leaders. He and Tyrst had a lot in common, both broadchested, both with long dirty blonde hair only Leif's now had streaks of grey and white. His features were more hardened, whether by life or battle, Thora wasn't certain. His face seemed to be in a constant state of disapproval.
Sitting to his right was his wife, Leda. She complimented him in the sense that she was soft from her round curves to her gentle voice, she was nearly his polar opposite. Like Thora, she was blonde, but her hair was pulled back in several complex looking braids.
"I don't know why you insist on bringing that to the dining hall, brother." Tyrst glanced down and she suddenly felt very small. He was a large intimidating man when she was standing, but kneeling on the floor beside him like some animal had her feeling insignificant. They addressed her as an object, a pet; only Thora was pretty sure the pets were treated better than she was.
'I own you now,' he had said. Looking at the disgust on Triggs face, it made her feel almost grateful that Tyrst claimed her. That meant he wouldn't let them hurt her, he protected that which he claimed; he had said so himself. She had to believe that was true. Tyrst ruffled her hair and patted her head and it took all her self control not to bite him out of spite.
"I find she stokes my appetites," Tyrst responded calmly, returning to his pork roast and potatoes.
"You offend not only our mother, but my wife by bringing your WHORE to supper." Tyrst stood so abruptly, Thora thought they may fight right then and there. It didn't make any sense, why would he fight his brother over something he had called her himself? Was it perhaps because his brother had said it?
"Enough! Your mother and wife are both capable of leaving the table if they are so offended. And you, if you are going to bring your bed slave to the table, you can at least give the girl a chair." At first Thora wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly; was he suggesting Tyrst be civil?
"People sit at the table father, not slaves. Even Ulfr knows that." Trigg replied, earning a few chuckles from his brothers. Aevar, the Eldest, was sitting to Lief's left. Each brother, born after went down the table until Odell, the youngest. He yet to grow any facial hair, and often leaned over to whisper things to his mother. Beside him was Ulfr, who, like his brothers, had gone raiding. But unlike his brothers, all he had to show for his work was a broken elf and a few dozen horses, maybe half of which would ever be rideable by his clan. Unlike Tyrst, he kept his slave locked away in his room. He had requested sending for a healer, but Lief denied it and nothing more was said on the matter.
"I am sorry you feel offended by Thora's presence. Thankfully, I am finished and we shall remove ourselves from your sight. Mother. Father." He bowed at the waist and Thora stood with the tug of the rope, eyes downcast. He didn't bother to hold onto the rope, he let it dangle between them, confident she would follow without being pulled. He hadn't expected to feel so defensive, especially over an elf. He felt protective of her and it was unsettling. He glanced down at her; what was it about this elf that pulled at his every instinct and nerve? Had she bewitched him?
"You are going to need clothes," he announced thoughtfully as they hit the hallway.
"Are you saying this simple thin tunic isn't enough?"
"Sarcasm does not suit you elfling." She clenched her teeth and kept going. She had thought they were headed back to his room until he walked right by it. With little slack in the rope she had no choice but to keep following or incur his wrath. Even if she were to run from him, she was lost in his great big house, not to mention in an unknown village and surrounded by savage wolves.
"Are your legs too short to keep up?" Tyrst demanded. Thinking of escape had distracted her and she had to run a few paces to keep up.
"Perhaps yours are simply too long," she replied. Tyrst chuckled but she noticed he changed his gait, slowing down just slightly by few paces.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked. She doubted she was going to receive an answer, but he surprised her.
"I am taking you to Ulfr's room." She froze, heart skipping a few beats.
"What-what do you mean?"
"His slave is sick, you said you know medicine. I want you to see if you can help her."
"You blocked me from my magic," Thora replied sourly.
"Then you can make her one of your remedies or potions." he replied.
"Why do you care what happens to an Elf?" she demanded.
"My motives are my own." He gave no further explanation and kept walking. When they finally came to Ulfr's room they found it locked and for a moment she wondered if they were going to stand there and wait until Ulfr returned. Tyrst simply pulled a key from his pocket and let himself in. The stench was the first thing to hit her and she knew instantly what it was, infection. There was no mistaking the smell of putrid flesh. Normally this was something she would simply heal with magic, that was the quickest safest way to guarantee survival. Her shoulder twinged with the reminder she no longer had her magic, and possibly never would again. She entered the room, taking small shallow breaths through her mouth. She approached the bed cautiously, and gasped at the sight. The young woman was thin, too thin; her skin a deathly pale and she was sweating profusely. Thora pushed her way past Tyrst, and when she stopped a few feet short, she glared back at Tyrst, the rope holding her back.
"I cannot work like this," she growled. He pulled it free from his belt and let it fall to the floor.