Bid

The Bidding Hall is absolutely packed with people. While there are a few that straggle near the outer edge, enticed by vendors situated along the walls, the majority congregate around a large semicircular wooden stage shrouded with an enormous red curtain. The air buzzes with the sounds of conversation. Words overlap and blend together losing almost all meaning in the sea of noise, though occasionally a few slip through. From this you are able to get a vague sense of the crowd’s mood.

Excitement.

Anticipation.

It reminds you of the commotion that you might see at the mall on a Saturday morning, but tinged with the feelings that exude from a crowd just prior to a concert. Meges leads your group into the mass of people who immediately part, allowing for your safe passage. Several of them bow their heads with their eyes closed in reverence. Having made your way to the front of the crowd, Meges stops and stands still to wait. It doesn’t take more than a few seconds for Terra to begin complaining.

Terra: “…Is it gonna start soon or what?”

She says irritated.

Meges doesn’t bat an eye, clearly use to Terra’s antics, though Nala speaks up,

Nala: “It should be any moment now. You’re actually excited, aren’t you Terra?”

She says this with a playful expression, clearly unable to suppress the thrill she felt herself. Terra tries to maintain a bad mood, but seems to be slowly getting swept up in the room’s energy. She turns away from Nala and crosses her arms.

Terra: “It better be worth the wait.”

A few minutes go by.

You take this time to look around for possible escape routes but the only one you can see from where you are, is the entrance that you had previously walked through. From the inside you see that there are armed guards stationed on either side of the doorway, each wielding a spear.

Not a chance...

You take another minute to look around, but immediately stop when you see that Terra is eyeing you suspiciously. You look stiffly forward at the stage, in a failed attempted to play it cool. Subtle movement can be heard beside you amid the clamor of the crowd, but you refrain from glancing over. The touch of an arm as it drapes itself casually around your neck catches you be surprise, the lean muscle a discomforting sensation on your shoulders. Terra’s breath tickles your ear as she speaks to you in a hushed tone, the outside noise fading away as you listen to her voice.

Terra: “Don’t do anything stupid. You’d be a pin cushion before even reaching the exit. Just relax. Be patient.”

She gives your neck a small squeeze with her arm and grins, baring her teeth savagely.

Terra: “After we pick out a few playthings, we can go home and rut them thoroughly.”

Terra scratches her cheek absent mindedly with her free hand, pondering what she just said.

Terra: “Well… you can’t..."

She pats your shoulder in sympathy.

Terra: ...But you get my meaning, right? ...Now, be a good boy.”

She chuckles to herself then gives you a small push as she takes her arm off and goes back to where she was standing before.

You remain still, sweat beading your forehead.

…There’s really no getting out of this, is there?

A horn suddenly blares out a long low note as if to answer your question. The light in the room seems to dim and you see that several of the Amazons have moved to cover the lanterns that hang on the walls with a shade fashioned from animal hide. Torches which are lined around the stage flare to life via some unknown contraption, providing a brilliant display, and a single figure comes into view as the curtain slowly begins to part. A tall Amazon, likely in her thirties, dressed in only a loincloth. Her breasts are on full display. Across her midsection is a large jagged scar. It starts at the base of her sternum and wraps around her body out of sight. Silver hair, longer than what you have seen thus far, is pulled back into a neat ponytail. She stands with authority and the crowd hoots and howlers as she gives them a friendly wave. She pauses a moment to let the crowd settle back down.

Scarred Woman: “I thank you all for your gracious welcome!”

Scarred Woman: “It has been far too long since our kin has had the chance to join together in celebration of such a momentous gift from the Gods! I come before you on this day, in hope that we might spread this gift, and with it, a symbol of our unity!”

The crowd rowers thunderously.

You try to focus on the proceedings, but several things stick out to you.

…Welcome? Join together? ...

…She’s not from around here? ...

…From another island maybe? Meges did say sister islands... The pilot also mentioned several islands… The Tonobari Archipelago… is that where we are… or not?

…It can’t be…

These thoughts continue to distract you for several moments. It is not until the crowd explodes with cheers that you are brought back to reality.

Scarred Woman: “…I’m sure you’ve heard all about them! Recently found by a member of my tribe drifting at sea, our new and untainted assortment of Cattle! We have brought them here as a sign of our bond!”

The audience is absolutely losing it at this point.

Scarred Woman: “Now, who will start us off?”

On the stage you see that the woman with the scar is no longer alone. While you had been thinking, several other people had joined her, all in shackles. Six women and three men. They have their wrists bound behind their backs. A thick rope connects them together. All are blindfolded. The men wear thin loincloths, nearly identical to the one you had received upon arrival. Nothing more than a dirty rag. Each of the woman however, are adorned with exquisite garments of lace and other fine fabrics, clearly meant to accentuate and show off their assets.

One of them is Anna.

Your eyes go wide and you almost shout her name aloud but it catches in your throat.

What should I-

Suddenly, a hand tightly grips your injured shoulder and you wince. Turning your head, you coming face to face with Terra. She abruptly pulls you toward her, causing you to lean into her side. Her sizable breasts press up against your back and arm. You can feel her erect nipples through the shirt. Her expression shows utter delight. It is absolutely clear to you that she noticed your reaction. Her breathing is ragged and irregular.

Terra: “Y… You know someone up there? Which one? …Which one is it?”

Her grip tightens and her nails dig into your bad shoulder. You feel your neck strain as you clench your jaw. The collar feels incredibly tight and your teeth hurt.

Terra: “Let me help you out… We can buy her. Tell me quickly, before it’s too late! C’mon, spill it! … If you don’t, she’ll be sold to some random futa and you’ll never see her again…”

You hear people calling out prices.

???: “Five silver Coins!”

???: “Six silver Coins!”

???: “Ten silver Coins!”

???: “Thirteen Silver Coins!”

Terra whispers to you harshly,

Terra: “Hurry!”

I need to keep her with me if at all possible. If I lose her now, I might not ever see her again... I can't let this chance slip through my fingers...

...But Terra...

...What she said earlier...

...

I... I must protect Anna...

I MUST protect her.

You gulp, a knot making it hard for you to swallow. Steeling yourself you make your decision.