Word Count → 469 ::
Ataxia noticed the way the wolfdog did not meet her eyes. It fed her ego, yes, but there was something disconcerting about having a childhood friend below oneself. The hybrid had always considered herself more dominant and wanted to be seen that way, but a passing thought crossed her mind and asked if she would ever be forced into the position Draugr was in. Surely not; she'd never heard of anyone being forced to take an Associate's place when they have previously been considered Family.
She listened to her concerns, glancing at the male when her gaze lingered on him. Her friend had a point, she had to admit. He was large and subduing him would be difficult, provided they could get him into Salsola in the first place. If he caused more trouble than help, it would be her fault. Ataxia had to consider this, though it occurred to her that there were others in the Thistle Kingdom that might be able to help with that matter - whether they would want to was another question. The young hybrid remained silent, torn between the two options.
She turned her head and listened to the slave when he was given permission to speak. Normally she would not have accepted advice on these matters - at least not from a slave - but she was struck by how useful his suggestion was. It would solve their problem handily; the dragging him there, at least. She tilted her head, glancing from the slave, to the injured man and her horse. The gelding seemed to have disappeared while she wasn't paying attention. It disappointed her. She wanted something to show for her efforts.
Just then, the injured man startled her by trying to get up. Ataxia took a step backward as Draugr did. "Don't move, you'll hurt yourself..." she started to say, but he fell unconscious before she could finish. The hybrid frowned and gave a glance to her friend, agreeing. "Yes." She looked down at the man, something like greed in her eyes. Even if could not be made into a slave, he might be made into a sacrifice and that might convince her god to turn things in her favor. Things were changing in Salsola, and she didn't like it. Now that her mother had been dethroned, she was afraid she'd never rise or worse - fall herself. If he could be made into a communal slave, this would show she was still loyal despite the change in leadership.
"Let's move him. Do you have a spare pelt, big enough to carry him with?" She said to Draugr, since she knew her friend had taken up her mother's leather-working. To the slave, she said, "And you can help me find appropriately sized sticks." She didn't trust him on his own while they were outside of Salsola.
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