{Yen} (Several months ago.)

  Alex had left them, and Yen had returned to her mostly normal life. She would hunt, kill monsters and keep to herself. She missed Alex with all of her heart and to make matters worse, Luthea, her one and only friend, was cold to her. She knew Luthea was in love with Alex as much as Yen did and must be missing the strange small, cute man. Yen tried to comfort her friend, but Luthea would turn cold angry eyes on her every time. It hurt Yen’s soul that the one person she trusted, treated her coldly now, but that is how things were for her kind. Even Master Halthos was acting cold to her. She was truly alone, and it hurt her heart. Even with all that, with feeling so alone and isolated, it would all be worth it if she could return to him. Even if he had lied to her about buying her, even if he was just acting. Just seeing him after the year was over would be worth it. She would tell him her heart’s feelings and lay everything out there for him to choose if she was worthy. She doubted he would turn her away, but the doubt was still there.

  They were three days outside of Vemsto’s Glenn when everything changed. It was a cloudy day with a chance of rain, and she could smell growing wild herbs near the side of the road. The trees shook as a huge Knight stepped out to stand in the road in front of them. It stood in front of the path blocking their way as a group of men and women joined it. These were bandits, but it was rare for them to attack a group as large as theirs. Bandits hated a fair fight, and this wouldn’t be fair with Lady Deveros at their side. His Knight was old and would be no match for her friend, but much to everyone’s shock and horror, Luhea walked calmly over and turned her back to them. She had joined the bandits. Yen couldn't say anything and feared that she would be asked to lose her life so the others could escape. It was how she had lost her foster mother, the woman who cared for her back when Yen had become a slave.

  “Luthea, what is the meaning of all this?” Master Halthos asked. His outrage matched the outrage on everyone’s face as they all demanded to know.

  “SImple. I am going back to save Alex and these people are going to help me.” She said putting her hands on her hips. It was all Yen’s fault, and she hung her head in shame. If only she had been strong enough or tall enough, she might have been able to talk Alex into staying with them.

  “Leave the wagons and valuables and we will let you keep your lives.” The bandit Knight said coldly. Yen felt the tears fall as she stood there.

  “I want Yen's head too for touching my love. Animals like you need to know your place.” Luhea demanded. It was only fair as she had failed them all.

  “You can’t do that. If you take her head, how will I sell her and make some money back? How about just an arm?” Halthos asked. That is all Yen was, all she ever was, just a slave to be sold off to the next master. She had hoped that her next one would be Alex, but this world was cold and cruel. She knelt on the ground hoping and wishing to whatever god or goddess would listen that she would be allowed to see her loved one last time before she died.

  “I can live with an arm, but I want to keep the arm.” Luthea demanded. Yen closed her eyes as someone lifted her left arm. She took a breath and let the tears flow freely.

  “I’m sorry Yen.” Greanan whispered to her. A scream escaped her as her left arm was taken off at the shoulder. Someone put a torch to that arm and closed the wound with fire. It would take far more than she could ever hope to afford to get a new one and she knew she would have to live the rest of her life with only her right hand. She would never be able to run on all fours again, her fighting would be off, and she would never be as strong as she once was. She cried through the pain, cried through the loss, cried as she knew Alex could never want her now.

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  They were allowed to leave and walked back to the city, the caravan was broken and it was all her fault. Master Halthos refused to look at her and refused to talk to her. He knew it was her fault and would get rid of her as soon as he could. The two-day walk was quiet. No one wanted to make a sound, voice their misfortune or bring about the wrath of the others by trying to speak. The stump of her arm hurt, but she didn’t have the right to complain. On reaching the city, they broke apart. The caravan she had grown into, become a part of, was now gone. All she had was the leather armor on her back and Master Halthos who took her to a slave pen.

  “I want to sell this one.” He said looking over at her coldly. She didn’t look up at her new master, didn’t look around. It was a slave pit, they all looked the same and smelled of misery, death, blood and shame. It was where she belonged. This was where she lost everything and would die a slow and painful death.

  “Not sure I can give you more than four gold for her.” He said, looking her over. Master Halthos frowned.

  “Even with one arm she is worth at least ten.” He countered. It went on like this for a while and she stood there feeling the shame and sorrow fill her heart. They settled on seven gold and shook as her new master took her control coin. She was made to work hard and fed little as the days passed. Some of the masters would even beat her if she didn't move quick enough or did the wrong thing. They would seldom ever tell her what the right thing was. She was a useless short runt of a tiger, not even tall enough to be considered an adult.

  {Lily Cottontail} (Present day)

  She had been asked to Mr. Hervot’s office just after Master had gone to work. She was worried about sitting before a human as big as he was. “Lily, madam Cottontail, umm.” He stumbled over his words as he steepled his fingers.

  “Lily, if you please Mr.Hervot.” she said bowing her head to him. Why had he called her in here? Was something wrong with her Master?

  “If I can call you Lily, please call me Boss.” He said with a strained smile. This human had trouble talking with women. It was clear and by the sound of his heart, he wasn’t interested in her. So why had he asked her here. She looked around his neat and orderly office. He didn’t need her cleaning skill, so what was this all about? “I’ll get to the point.” He said with a sigh and Lily sat up a little. “I want to hire you to look after Runt.” He growled and she could hear a hint of anger in his voice. “I’m willing to pay two silver a week for you to make sure he takes breaks, eats and goes home on time.” He stood and started scratching his long messy hair. “It’s winter for the god’s sake.” His words sunk in, and an evil smile lit her face.

  “You want me to force him to go home and rest? What are my restrictions?” She asked standing. She barely came up to his stomach and he looked down at her his smile growing dark.

  “He has to go home if he passes out seven times. Has to go home on time and has to freaking eat.” Boss said putting his hands on his hips. Lily mimicked him.

  “Two times, but yes, he is getting more than a little thin.” Lily said as she scratched her chin.

  “Four.” Boss said holding up the appropriate fingers.

  “Three and I get to count him making others pass out.” She countered. Boss laughed, filling the room with sound. It made Lily’s ears go back to muffle the laugh, but from the smile on his face it was clear that the deal had been struck. He walked over to the door and held it open for her.

  “Runt, over here now.” He said as he waved her Master over. Master looked upset and confused as he looked between them. “Runt, Lily is joining us. She is to make sure you do what you are supposed to do. I told you to test me and find out. This is finding out.” He said, crossing his large arms. Lily gave her Master and love a bright smile as she moved to his side.

  “I don’t need her.” Master said. Lily turned her head looking into his eyes, her lip quivering. He winced; this was almost too easy. Now that she knew him, she knew how to persuade him. “I didn’t mean that.” He said, turning to try to hold her. It was just too cute. She held his arm as she looked deep into his eyes.

  “So, you’ll listen to me and let me take care of you?” She asked, batting her eyelashes at him and heard his heart flutter. Boss let out one of his booming laughs and turned away from them.

  “Good job Lily.” He said over his shoulder. Master held her close, and she kissed his cheek as a reward. Then she looked around shocked. There were other people around, but to her shock everyone seemed to be looking at her with relief and some were even clapping. This town was weird, but so long as she was with him, she would be happy.