W ! L D {.} B 0 R N

[Deleted]

Anita grimaced.

"That is not true."

The memories flooded back, and it took effort and energy to shove them back.

"Would you like a name?"

Anita smiled softly, wanting to touch, to comfort.

She refused to - she remembered being touched, being harmed, without permission.

It was never nice.

It was never pleasant.

[CrimsonMoon]

"... No," The girl responds softly," Being named by someone else means i am owned," She blinks and stares straight into the queen's eyes. There was defiance and terror in those grey eyes...

[Deleted]

There was understanding, compassion in Anita's returning gaze.

Her eyes had faded to the soft chestnut brown they normally were.

Her voice held a fraction of her memories.

"And you refuse to be owned."

She smiled softly. "Well, I never said it was I who would name you."

She leaned slowly, so slowly, towards the girl, lips hovering just above her ear.

"And you are no longer a slave."

[CrimsonMoon]

The girl blinks in suprise, trembling faintly when the queen draws near but pauses and slowly turns her head toward Anita, her lips nearly touching the Queen's neck,"... But why?" Warm breath tickled Anita's skin

[Deleted]

Anita's lips curled.

It was a goddessly smile.

And her lips brushed the lobe of the girl's ear.

"Because everyone deserves freedom."

She straightened. "So, would all of you like to join me?"

[CrimsonMoon]

"... Not everyone," The girl breathes softly, closing her eyes and suddenly feeling very cold without this strange woman near her

The slaver suddenly steps foreward," FIRST you pay, lady, that was the deal,"

[Deleted]

Anita let out a feral snarl.

"Stop being a greedy son of a b*tch."

She opened her purse, selected the money, and dropped all of it into his hand. "That's for the men and the women. Now can I take them and go?"

[CrimsonMoon]

" Yes. Thank you." The man replies primly, turning his back and walking away

The nameless girl blinks at the queen and watches with a fearful expression

[Deleted]

"I said no fear, darling."

Anita smiled.

"I never said no one else shouldn't fear me. I am a queen. Fear is a ruling party in my reign. Would you like to join me?"

A few girls said no, then changed their minds.

Anita flashed a glance at the brunette.

She was the only one who had not spoken.

[CrimsonMoon]

The girl stares at her after a long moment and the nods faintly, chewing on her lip... She felt dizzy with relief... This couldnt be real...

[Deleted]

Anita grinned.

"Very well. Grab hands with girls and men nearby you, and take them with you. Who would like to ride on Arget?"

[CrimsonMoon]

None of the slaes answer but all stare at her as if she's lost her mind... No one asked slaves OR former slaves if they 'wanted' something... This lady was seriously new at this kind of crap...

But slowly, the nameless girl shuffles foreward," I will..."

[Deleted]

Anita nodded.

"Good. Know that you will ride behind me, though. For safety."

She turned and stepped out of the place, mounting Arget. She patted the horses neck and leaned down, offering the girl a hand.

[Deleted]

Anita smiled.

"Know that you need to ride behind me, though. For safety."

She stepped off of the stage, hearing whistles and calls follow her, and climbed onto Arget, patting her neck.
A moment later, she extended a hand to the nameless girl.

[CrimsonMoon]

She follows and takes Anita's handunsurely, her grip was strong yet her hand was soft

[Deleted]

Anita swung her up, the girl's knee resting beside hers. "Very good."

She settled into the saddle, feeling her mare shuffle under her.

"Alright, now. Everyone, this might take a while - but the castle isn't very far."

[CrimsonMoon]

The girl wraps her slender arms around Anita's waist but suddenly whispers," We're too tired to march far," she mumbles and sighs deeply,"... but... Do we have to follow you...? I thought you said we were free..."

[Deleted]

Anita chuckled.

"You are. But, darling, if you come with me, you will be fed, and dressed, and treated for illnesses or wounds. You will be taken care of. But you are not forced."

Anita raised her voice.

"None of you are forced!"

[CrimsonMoon]

Almost immediately this drew the tiniest reaction.. Barely noticable but there as if a spark... A spark of hope.

She tilts her head and the Nameless girl murmurs," Most will probably leave once you give them all this..."

[Deleted]

Anita nodded.

"I know."

She was tempted to reveal her history.

She refused, pushing down the urge.

No one deserved to know her pain, her struggle.

Anita blinked.

"But they will be welcomed. You will be welcomed. You will be given strength and courage, training to defend yourself against those that would hurt you."

"..." Her next words were full of power - her power.

"If you stay, know this - you will know love. You will know family. You will know pure, true freedom. So stay, and know everything that I hold dear. So go, and know everything that I hold dear and allow it to travel with you."

"You. Are. Free."