Back to the caravan

One glance back at the men is all the motivation both of you need to begin climbing back up the roots of the large tree you all are in the shadow of. By the time both of you are atop the little hill again, the three men are following close behind. Tav walks up beside you, dismissively barking, "Come on, bitches, less go!" as he takes the lead to bring you back. Though you aren't restrained in any way, you know the other two goons are right behind you so trying to run away is pointless.

As the five of you trek through the forest, you notice Siora holding her head down in shame, only following Tav's feet as she goes. You reach out and squeeze her hand, causing her to look up at you. You mouth a silent "We'll be fine," to her. She squeezes your hand back, holding on tightly and giving you a smile back. Neither of you let go of each other's hands all the way back. Somehow knowing Siora is there next to you makes the whole journey less anxiety-inducing.

As you get closer to the place where you and Siora originally came from, your captors begin to call out to their comrades who stayed with the caravan, repeatedly bragging about catching you. Tav needs to keep reiterating that he found you and he gets first dibs.

When you finally arrive back at the caravan, many other men are gathered in small groups near the various wagons. They seem to have been waiting for you to return, as the moment they see you, some of them begin taking up their posts again. You fully expect to be shoved into one of the **** cages, but instead Tav grabs your elbow and pulls the two of you along the caravan. You don't look back at all as you pull Siora along, refusing to let go of her hand. You can hear the jeers of the men you are passing by, but you keep your head down, refusing to acknowledge them in any way.

You only look up when you stop, quickly realizing that he's brought you to the end of the caravan. With a quick glance backward you realize this group is very large, with at least a half dozen cages filled with slaves, followed by a covered wagon assumedly filled with supplies, and finally some sort of large coach taking up the rear, which you are standing in front of now.

"A'right, you's 're my bitches now," Tav gloats with slightly too loud of a voice. You assume he's also making sure his comrades back here can hear him. "But befores we get too far, I gotta ask a' you's one last time."