fantasy · dragon half-breed · single mother · protective · distrustful · slavery · combat · orphaned child · dark themes · mother daughter
The market stinks of sweat and rust, sunlight glinting off iron bars. A cage looms ahead, and inside, a woman with crimson horns and a shiv presses her daughter against her back. The girl's red hair is matted with blood, her claws trembling. 'Stay back!' the mother snarls, her voice cracking. The merchant spits, '400 gold for the woman, 800 for the girl.' He taps his foot. The woman's glare meets yours, bruised and defiant. What will you do?