3-What sound a soul makes

  -As a Harbinger… a V.I.P… A Being with nothing to lose…

  Entry 27 - The Day of Whispers - Year 799

  We were all gathered for the Day of Whispers, sharing ghost stories and heroic deeds. The Master sat by the fire, just listening. When all were done, he offered a story of his own. He spoke of a lonely god who created a universe just to have something to watch, and how, after eons, the god's greatest joy was not the swirling galaxies or brilliant nebulae, but the brief, beautiful flash of light from a single world where creatures had learned to tell stories to one another in the dark. We all slept soundly that night.

  — Finn, a man who remembers being a boy

  Bristling baubles, shimmering trinkets, and cries of agony. Branding irons, Control Collars, and Cotton Candy. The Intergalactic Market’s treasures and travesties were for sale to any and all, so long as you could pay the price.

  “Ah, Sir Dragon. What excellent timing.” A higher pitched voice called out from afar, drawing my attention as I stopped. A raised walkway, just above head level, peered down a well tapered weasel. “Has the market treated you fairly today?”

  “Tobias.” I spoke, a light rumbling escaping me as I tilted my head slightly. There was no hiding why I was in such a deplorable place that ruffles my feathers so. “Are you free for a walkthrough?”

  “Always for you, Sir Dragon. I cleared my schedule as soon as I heard you arrived. As my Patron, I am ever at your disposal.” Tobias quipped as he straightened his bowtie as one of his entourages walked forward.

  “A new hire.” I murmured, glancing up at the collar around their neck, the color a faint glowing yellow. They knelt down slightly passing him a large touch screen device.

  “Ah yes, Raphael here was a recent procurement. I’ve elected to take a similar approach as you have to your… Collection.” Tobias mentioned as he gave a light nod towards our left as he quickly moved away from the edge, disappearing from view.

  The chatter of the crowd ebbed and flowed as a rampant background crescendo, an annoying fact of how popular the place was. A deep, drawn rumbling escaped me as I made my way towards the upper level, several individuals parting to clear my steady pace.

  “Hey there big boy—”

  I needn’t speak as my gaze crossed a risqué attendee, the rumbling in my chest only growing thicker. They were a well-groomed lupine individual, soft white fur and gleaming red eyes. No collar, no brand. My brow must have furrowed as they flinched, clearly taken back by my demeanor as they went to find a new patron…

  “Ah, there you are Sir Dragon.” Tobias spoke as his entourage kept close behind him. Standing before me, I was reminded how small he was compared to various species. Roughly four and a half feet tall might make most races not take him seriously, yet he commanded just as much respect as the Upper Echelon of Brokers… That’s not to say my exclusivity to him hasn’t helped him raise through the ranks…

  “There’s… A draw, towards the upper section today.” I spoke, glancing up and away, a faint echo of sorts calling out. It was hard to describe these urges of mine, the faint cry of what could be of fire and fury, or pain and sorrow. They weren’t so much a fading light as they were… Sparks…

  “Then let us make haste, we shan’t terry on your whims, Sir Dragon. Raphael, go ahead and secure the Elevator. There will be no delay.” Tobias said briskly as Raphael, now clearly an insectoid being of sorts, gave a hurried nod and briskly walked forward, the crowd parting from such an oddity making a hastily mark towards the far end.

  “A Thri-Kreen?” I asked, glancing back over to Tobias as he walked up. His other entourage, Chiyo, stood behind him. Her ability to blend into any natural surrounding a priceless protection, and dagger if need be. She rolled her fingers towards me as I met her gaze for a moment, a playful, light smile. Yet, a discerning, methodical thinker below the mask…

  “Ah yes, indeed. With the help of young Chiyo here, I believe… I— well, we, found a similar soul for a redemption of sorts.” Tobias spoke as we made our way to the far side of the bustling walkways. “Raphael was a part of a hive that was wiped out. With no queen, many of the lesser minds cracked, and went insane. Raphael was… One of the less fortunate ones, who retained their sanity during the outbreak.”

  “To survive such a travesty will always leave one marred.” I spoke, feeling the light brush of Chiyo on my other side, her arm interlacing with mine momentarily as her appearance changed within the blink of an eye.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  “The collar is to help lessen is instinctual reactions to sensations. He was a kind, yet brutal warrior.” She cooed, her face turning more like the vulpine from earlier as she giggled, dancing through the crowd in front of us before coming to rest beside Tobias back in her normal form.

  Upon reaching the elevators, Raphael stood at a private elevator keeping it open as we approached. His expression tense as he kept his gaze down mostly.

  “Well done Raphael, now please come along.” Tobias said positively as he scooted by and into the elevator. Raphael followed suit, finally allowing me to step forward…

  “Upper floor… I believe I may know the section our dear Dragon may be feeling out.” Chiyo replied as she stepped in, a cool breezing air following her. Her hand hovered over the layout before…

  The elevator only took moments, but we transcended dozens of floors before reaching our destination. The other side of the elevator opened as Tobias walked out, still fidgeting with the screen he held.

  “New arrivals, unsorted but processed are to the left, Exotics beyond them, and—” Tobias began, but my mind wandered once more as various cries and sobs rang out. Agony, spite, hunger and damnation… My emotions wanted to run free and burn the very foundation of such a place, but even if I bought the Market itself, merely another would appear…

  Cages. Crates. Bars of Energy. Reinforced plates. All meant to contain, all meant to restrict. To walk by countless souls, yet feel no remorse… Only to assist that which still Sparks…

  It was never an easy process, to look into each and every one of their eyes only to never see that only redeeming quality, no matter how small. Nor did I know that which I was looking for.

  “None of them are the one I seek.” I rumbled, a growing distaste in my mouth. To decree this as a Harbinger of this new chapter to them... I glanced down further, a heavily armored door with two guards standing before it.

  “To the Exotics then.” Tobias hummed as he nodded towards Chiyo. She gracefully made her way ahead of us as my feet found their own pace once more. Several nods exchanged, and a few weary glances from these well-armed guards, and the doors opened immediately. No refusal, no identification…

  Before us was a sprawling, reserved area with various types of larger containers. On our immediate right, a blood-soaked glass box, with a being so filled with rage, they would drink the life-force of an entire planet and yet be sated… To the left, a sphere overrun with various flora blocking view.

  “Lets see, there’s been no new Exotics in the last week…” Tobias chimed in as I continued my pace, but I could feel something calling to me. “Oh…. Ooohh…”

  I paid no heed as I continued forward. A few other Patrons stopping to gossip, one glancing towards me… Rounding a corner, we entered the ‘processing’ area for both new, and ‘pending’ purchases. I could hear my hearts thrum, that spark of resilient kindness longing for…

  “… a mere hundred thousand, pocket change really.” A group of patrons laughed as they proudly waltzed away towards a drinking lounge. What they left was a dimly lit glass chamber. Clean, pristine. But a curled up, black mass at the far end of it.

  “S-Sir Dragon that is—” Tobias began to speak as I saw Chiyo tap him on the shoulder, but I knew what he was about to say. That wasn’t the point of me being here though.

  “Tell me, young one. Are you the one who…” I paused; two small luminescent pearls gazed at me from the darkness. Fear. Sorrow. “Your mind wavers on the brink of total collapse, and you know what is to become of you…”

  “I’m just an omen…” She whispered back in her own language, unmoving. The darkness was her, a tall, curled up Vulpine of the darkest of black coats, her eyes holding a ghostly feel. “I just bring ruin…”

  “Would you put a price on changing your fate?” I slowly responded, answering back in kind. While not fluent in her native tongue, it was enough for her to truly glance at me. Her ear flicked, if so slightly, and despite her void-colored fur, I could tell she leaned forward just slightly.

  “I… Have nothing to go back to…” She murmured, her eyes glancing to the three behind me.

  “Then, your future?” My words rumbled as I looked down at the plaque in front of her cage. ‘Ruin-Bringer’, ‘Void-Pelt’, ‘Ghost-Eyes’. These were not names, these were excuses.

  “Tell me your name, and I will assure you a place for you to relearn a life.” I spoke simply back in my normal tongue.

  “Sir Dragon I—”

  A single, heavy hand gesture silenced Tobias as my body tensed more, the thrumming of my hearts beating harder. The choice was hers, and nobody elses… She looked down at her hands, slowly glancing to the trio behind me, then to the party who walked away… The array of emotions she felt were deeply poetic, a cacophony of pain and misery she’s only ever known…

  “V-void-Pelt…” She murmured quietly.

  “No. Not what they call you.” I spoke again, a bit quieter as her eyes met mine. She held her stare, the concept of kindness a tool used against her for her entire life… She swallowed lightly, unsure of what to do. I heard a voice to my left, yet it was not of Tobias as I paid no heed to its closeness, only looking at her. Her eyes glanced to whomever was beside me, then back to me. When I didn’t budge, didn’t respond… She whispered, only loud enough for me to hear.

  “Kaelia…”

  “Tobias.” I spoke, glancing at the Patron’s who stood beside me. “She was One Hundred Thousand, correct?”

  “Pardon me, but she’s already bought by yours truly.” The smug, disgusting man spoke.

  “Direct line the seller. I’m buying her for Three times that price, immediately. Cash.” I didn’t hesitate as I shot a glare towards Tobias. Though, he was already working on it.

  “Don’t be absurd, you can’t buy her for that! She belongs to me already!” The man spoke louder. “My Credit—”

  “Your credit means nothing to a Dragon with nothing to lose, welp.” I stated bluntly, my draconic heritage in full power as I saw the man take a step back.

  “Then I’ll—”

  “Seven times her initial value, Cash, and no more debates.” I rumbled, glancing back at her. She was standing now, still in the corner, but watchful, listening.

  “The seller, uh… Agrees to that amount, Sir Dragon.” Tobias muttered quietly as the tension in the room rises to an all-time high. I moved to walk away as the Patron, now red in the face, steps in front of me. Detestable.

  “Do you know who—”

  “I care not if you were the Owner of the Market himself.” I nearly growled, a rare sign of agitation held in my voice. “She is now under my protection. Your vulgarity may be of me, but if a single thread of your disdain reaches her ears there will be nothing left of you to resurrect.”

  Because, from here we're (mostly) losing the perspective of Fethrblaka, and turning it to The Hearthbound.

  statblocks like I do for other writes, but I do have a lot of generalized information for the 31 current Hearthbounders I've written.

  full list of Entry's for the the 'Whispers of the Hearth' that have been popping up, lemme know! Otherwise, I'll just keep doing what I do.

  him how others view him.