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@BetaCanumVenaticorum\nIf you haven't yet, go read [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2929396]Part I[/url]\n\nTranslated, Edited, and Proofread by @GrimmHund with Permission from Viridian's Author.\n", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Inspired by The Amulet from \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBetaCanumVenaticorum\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBetaCanumVenaticorum\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

If you haven't yet, go read Part I

Translated, Edited, and Proofread by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrimmHund\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrimmHund\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
with Permission from Viridian's Author.
", "writing": "[center]The Mark: Part II[/center]\n\n\"Don't worry, I've already called for more food. Be good and wait here.\"\n\nPrince Viridian turned away from the younger foxes and began ushering the slightly older Kubbi ahead.\n\n\"You, on the other hand, have already proven to be a bit of an escape artist. Come with me.\"\n\nKubbi climbed the creaking wooden stairs, the green dragon right behind him. At the top, our fox found a light-filled gallery with a red velvet couch at its center. The prince laid his hand on the fox's shoulder, before leaning down to him.\n\n\"Put this on. All the scrapes and bruises you got from the guards might frighten the others.\"\n\nLooking down at his battered arms and legs, Kubbi nodded in agreement with the dragon that had made him into property just moments ago. As great as the temptation to spite the prince was, the nude fox preferred to cover himself with the tunic handed to him. Still, he didn't take his eyes off the dragon for even a moment while he squeezed his snout through the top opening, finally able to cover his private parts again. The prince settled down on the couch, his flawless skin slowly replaced by green scales. The fox shied away from Viridian as the prince transformed into a half-dragon.\n\n\"Are you angry?\" Kubbi swallowed hard, eyeing the prince, \"You were when you flashed your scales earlier.\"\n\nThe prince grabbed a bottle of wine and filled himself a goblet, \"The closer I am to my true form, the less I have to focus on it.\" Viridian took a sip from his goblet and turned to the fox with a wide grin, \"You look good with my crest.\"\n\nKubbi instinctively looked down at himself, examining the embroidered emblem of a green dragon before the latter spoke again.\n\n\"From now on...\" the dragon tapped the rim of the goblet with his claw, \"I expect you to fill this. There are bottles on the shelf behind you.\"\n\nKubbi turned around cautiously, looking at a shelf with at least a dozen different bottles.\n\n\"Which one?\"\n\nThe dragon smirked, his gaze fixated on the fox's rump, \"I don't really care for any of them, but I find the red ones to be quite... dramatic.\"\n\nThe fox bit his lower lip as he walked towards the shelf, freezing in place when someone knocked on the back door.\n\n\"You may enter, Ipsos. I hope you didn't have to wait too long for me.\"\n\nThe green dragon prince called out before a hooded figure wearing a jackal mask ducked into the gallery, their towering height surpassing the frame. Kubbi could make out the silhouettes of three young avians as they cowered behind Ipsos, each dragged along by a heavy chain leash.\n\n\"I expect to hear of your decision soon.\" growled a deep voice from behind the gilded mask.\n\nBeyond the door, Kubbi recognized the timber framework of the market hall, perhaps discovering a hidden path for all transactions that were not to be witnessed publicly, before Ipsos slammed the door behind him on his way out. Viridian, on the other hand, seemed completely engrossed by the three newcomers. He raised the goblet to his lips, but stopped just shy of taking a sip. Placing it back down, the scaled prince turned towards our fox with a wicked grin.\n\n\"Say, Kubbi, how about we play a game?\" \n\nThe addressed looked at the prince quite confused, before Viridian followed up with a giggle. \n\n\"You will decide for me whom I shall keep. Though I'll give you a little guidance.\"\n\nThe dragon turned his head towards the frightened avians in the corner, then pointed at the smallest of the three.\n\n\"Start with the robin.\" he said, before using his tail to pull a small stool forward from behind the couch, placing it in front of him. \"Lead him here.\"\n\nKubbi walked trembling toward the three. How old were these slaves? His guess was six years at best. The robin stared at him with watery eyes as Kubbi led him to the chair, but Viridian raised his hand.\n\n\"Take off his collar first. An experienced thief like yourself should have no problem picking the lock, correct?\"\n\nKubbi nodded with a gulp, needing but a moment to defeat the crude lock with a stubby claw. Only when the iron ring unlatched from the robin's neck did Kubbi realize that he had just revealed his best means of escaping the crafty half-dragon. Defeated, the fox reluctantly led the bird onto the pedestal.\n\n\"Undress him,\" Viridian ordered.\n\nKubbi clenched his fists and nodded to the robin, whispering. \"I'll be careful, I promise.\"\n\nThe fox had held feathers in his hand before, yet the plumage of the far too skinny boy was overwhelmingly magnificent and vibrant. As if the other boy was fragile, Kubbi lifted his wings to slip him out of the coarse tunic. Right away the boy tried to cover up, but Viridian shook his head, interrupting the two.\n\n\"Stretch your arms out to the side. Show us your whole wingspan.\"\n\nKubbi could feel the robin's breath quickening and noticed a stream of tears rolling down his beak. The other two avians had clenched their talons angrily at this outright violation. The fox leaned in closer to the little orange bird and whispered softly.\n\n\"Try to focus on just me.\"\n\nKubbi tried his best to grant the distressed robin a sliver of comfort, sparing no such kindness for Viridian. He shot him a venomous glare. Such behavior was not befitting of a noble dragon, but instead of a filthy green pig!\n\nWith the utmost care Kubbi supported the robin in stretching his wings and, at Viridian's nonverbal request, spun the young avian around on the spot.\n\n\"Kubbi, take a good look at him now. Can you see any flaws?\" The dragon reached for his goblet and drank a sip, looking expectantly at the young fox.\n\n\"He has magnificent plumage, the claws and beak all look good. I don't see anything wrong.\"\n\nViridian, on the other hand, shook his head, \"Ipsos peddled all three of them for almost nothing. Tell me why.\"\n\nThe prince lowered the goblet, only to refill it himself before Kubbi could even react. \"I'm almost certain that whoever I return will be sold to the mines.\"\n\nThose pits would spell death for such young slaves; Kubbi had only dared his escape because he faced that fate. The fox clenched his fists and was more than ready to scream at the dragon from the top of his lungs, yet Viridian's tantrum from before still echoed in his ears. Submitting to the demand, he turned to face the robin.\n\n\"What's your name?\"\n\nThe robin looked at him pleadingly and shook his head vehemently. Instead of giving an answer, the little bird only managed to emit a pitiful croak. Kubbi instinctively hugged the distraught youngster, while Viridian raised his hand from the couch.\n\n\"A robin that can't sing, I see.\" Viridian pointed at a spot next to his couch and instructed the robin to patiently wait beside him before addressing Kubbi again. \"Now the hawk.\"\n\nAfter he had escorted the second avian to the stool, Kubbi realized right away what was amiss with the hawk. Nevertheless, they went through the whole motion again. The slave was stripped, examined, and presented to Viridian from all angles.\n\n\"The boy is blind, Prince Viridian.\" Kubbi asserted even before getting prompted. \"Looks like his eyes have been injured.\"\n\nBefore Kubbi could even talk to the hawk, the dragon signaled for the third bird to take its place. The black feathered raven walked onto the platform, and Kubbi took note that it seemed like he had a pair of arms instead of wings. \n\nThe fox reached for the Raven's ragged tunic, only for the small bird to wince in pain at the slightest touch. Kubbi continued, now much more careful as to not hurt the sensitive child. Having robbed the cowering bird of his last modesty, Kubbi stepped behind him to grant Viridian an unobstructed view. Suddenly, the fox backed off with a shriek of utter horror, a look of sheer terror that even the prince took notice of. \n\n\"Who did this to you?\" Kubbi bursted out loud.\n\nInstead of feathers, bare scarred skin covered the raven's back. Kubbi could clearly see the marks several whippings had left behind, yet the worst was that the wings had been hacked off. All that remained between the raven's shoulders was burnt flesh and two stumps, a testimony to the brutality with which his ability to fly had been taken.\n\nThe raven turned to Kubbi, tears rolling down his face.\n\n\"I..\" the boy whimpered, his voice breaking. \"I clawed Fourteen's eyes out.\"\n\nThe crunching of bent metal and the dripping of liquid on the floor startled Kubbi, especially since it came from Viridian's vicinity. The very instant the raven had turned his back toward the prince, he had crushed his goblet barehanded. The dragon had to visibly control his breathing and calm himself before turning towards the fox.\n\n\"Well, speak. Who do you want me to keep?\"\n\nKubbi looked at the three frightened avians, put a paw on the raven's beak and shook his head as the bird tried to speak up. The fox swallowed hard and turned to the prince, trying to choose his words carefully.\n\n\"None of them survive the mines, but for you each of them is almost a gift. None would dare...\"\n\nViridian cut him off in an annoyed tone as he tossed the crushed goblet aside.\n\n\"Simple question, simple answer. Who do we keep?\"\n\nKubbi took a deep breath, staring at Viridian with clenched fists, before hissing at the dragon.\n\n\"All three.\"\n\nViridian looked at the young one puzzled and tilted his head to the side, but Kubbi followed up right away.\n\n\"You never said you would keep just one, only that I should decide who!\"\n\nViridian stood up and walked towards Kubbi, raising his hand up. The young fox flinched, expecting a harsh slap, yet all the dragon did was gently ruffle his fur.\n\n\"Clever little fox. No wonder you were able to escape Shishi.\"\n\nKubbi, on the other hand, gritted his teeth. No matter how he looked at it, Viridian had made him his accomplice. He now was just as responsible for what would come next. The little fox tried to cover his ears, but he couldn't block out the screams of the three avians getting branded. Roughly thirty more boys were bought, inspected and marked until Viridian seemed satisfied, Kubbi forced to endure all of their suffering as well.\n\n***\n\nIt was already late afternoon when the cart with Viridian's chattel pulled into his city palace. The large courtyard featured a busy stable and a huge gate blocking any direct escape route for our thieving fox. A massive round tower constructed from heavy stone blocks stood as the central building of the complex, its form transitioning seamlessly into the adjacent city wall.\n\n[i]\"With just a rope, I could escape over that,\"[/i] Kubbi thought to himself, looking down on his paw. [i]\"If it wasn't for this thing...\"[/i]\n\nA sudden gust of wind picked up around the little fox, Kubbi looking up at Viridian for a potential explanation. The prince only 'responded' with a smile, an unnerving grin that made the hairs on the back of the fox's neck stand. When the winds finally died down, an enormous shadow settled over the entire castle, blanketing everything in darkness. Never before had the little thief been this close to Obsidian. When the black dragon king bore his full weight upon the tower, the surrounding cityscape quaked so violently that Kubbi had to brace himself against the cart.\n\nShowing off his full size, the king unfurled his wings skyward and draped his enormous claws over the gatehouse behind Kubbi. Obsidian was almost as large as the entire castle. The black dragon lowered his head down to Viridian and his newest possession, his neck stretching from the top of the tower down to the courtyard. The king turned to face his son before his wandering gaze stopped on Kubbi. The young fox instinctively backed away as the dragon's humongous snout loomed over him. A single fang was larger than his entire body!\n\n\"Ah, I see!\"\n\nAlthough the dragon did not seem to be screaming, Kubbi had to cover his ears and dropped down on his knees from the force of the thundering royal voice alone.\n\n\"So, this is the little rascal?\"\n\nThe king examined the fox with eyes so huge, Kubbi feared that a single blink would crush his skull, but such wasn't the case. Obsidian raised his mighty head to allow light back into the courtyard before his form started to shrink. Within the blink of an eye, a horned humanoid had now taken the dragon's place on top of the stone tower.\n\nKubbi trembled in fear, his knees wobbly as he forced himself to stand. Our fox looked up towards Viridian, yet the dragon followed his father's movements with an increasingly worried expression.\n\n\"Listen to me, Kubbi. You're the oldest. Help them settle in until I've dealt with the king.\"\n\nViridian rushed over to the entrance, almost running over an elderly gray owl. The two exchanged glances before the well-dressed avian held the door open.\n\n\"Follow me boys, I'll lead you to your dormitory.\"\n\nThe boys seemed apprehensive to follow the owl, who grew visibly annoyed with their disobedience. Trying to take the lead, Kubbi quickly raised his hand to get the other's attention.\n\n\"Come on, let's get moving before the King decides to eat us.\"\n\nThe reaction Kubbi got, however, was most of them staring at him downright hatefully. Whenever the owl didn't look their way, several of the boys grimaced at Kubbi or showed him the middle finger. Disheartened, the young thief took a step back to let the old hooter take over. Anyone still dawdling at that point would get a resounding slap from the owl as the troupe started moving in.\n\n\"The older boys are busy in the kitchen. I will introduce them to you some other day,\" the owl explained as he led the new acquisitions almost all the way to the top of the castle. \n\nA large hall with many bunk beds and proper feather bedding awaited the young slaves, much to their surprise. The more able-bodied cubs immediately rushed to secure the best sleeping places before a shrill whistle startled all of them.\n\nKubbi had swiftly hopped onto one of the upper bunks, facing the others now with his arms crossed. The room had been tamed, if for a moment only.\n\n\"Those of us that can't climb to the upper beds pick first, understood?\"\n\nHe pointed to several cubs: some were missing limbs; others were blind like the hawk from earlier today. Kubbi's gang leader had taught him how important it was to address each other's needs. There have been many a night of disturbed sleep due to the better beds being battled over.\n\n\"And why should we listen to you, stinker?\"\n\nA small group had formed, planting themselves in front of Kubbi.\n\n\"You stink like you pissed yourself. Pisspants!\"\n\nThe boys giggled and high-fived each other before collectively giving Kubbi the middle Finger. The owl was already on the move to intervene, but the fox shook his head and signaled him not to. With watery eyes he stared them down.\n\n\"Is that all?\"\n\nQuite a bit older than the other cubs, Kubbi demonstratively wiped down his tears.\n\n\"I've been in jail for the last week. Barely escaped dangling from the gallows this very morning. Of course, I bloody pissed myself!\" Kubbi bellowed out with a raised voice, gaining everyone's attention.\n\n\"The green guy made it clear what he wanted from us,\" Kubbi lifted his branded paw, \"and he was still in a good mood when he did this to all of us.\" \n\nThe young thief pointed at one of the other foxes that had been there when he broke into the prince's backroom.\n\n\"Come on now, tell the others what Viridian is like when he gets angry.\"\n\nHaving once been courageous enough to gang up on Kubbi, the younger fox winced, shaking his head vigorously before whimpering in a low voice.\n\n\"I, I didn't mean to...\"\n\nKubbi reaffirmed him with a quick nod, before addressing the whole troupe once more. \n\n\"If we act like fools, he will only hurt each and every one of us more. You all felt him yell. The quaking market hall? That was Viridian.\"\n\nHe climbed down from the bed and dried his eyes again.\n\n\"We go through this together, or none of us will make it.\"\n\nAfter a brief moment of awkward silence, the wingless raven ran up to Kubbi and surprised him with a tackle hug.\n\n\"Thanks for not sending me to the mines. I'm Crowley\" he whispered, clinging to the older fox.\n\n\"You still need a bath though,\" The raven coyly added with a sheepish smile before he approached the blind hawk, Fourteen, and helped him find a bed. \n\nA small smile crossed Kubbi's lips as he got up to organize the bed distribution. He had chosen one in the middle of the room for himself so that the younger cubs were always a short distance away. Whether he wanted to or not, he was the oldest here. He had to take care of the others, just as his gang leader would have done. There was no way he could trust Viridian.\n\nThe whole troupe had just started settling down with the last beds getting assigned, when the prince showed up at the door, clapping slowly.\n\n\"Be glad you all listened to Kubbi. We dragons have excellent hearing. Just to be clear though, do not refer to me as 'Green Guy'.\"\n\nWalking up to Kubbi, Viridian placed his arm on the young fox's shoulder.\n\n\"All but this one, follow the majordomo to the dining hall. Two of you, you know exactly who, report to him after that.\"\n\nThe prince looked around the room, raising an eyebrow at the numerous confused faces before the owl stepped forth with a raised wing.\n\n\"He means for you to follow me. Excuse my lack of introduction. I'm the majordomo of Prince Viridian's city palace, Cornelius Brodwin. You will refer to me as Sir.\"\n\nThe owl had been silently observing Kubbi's attempt at leadership when the little fox took the initiative, but now firmly asserted his presence in the room and glanced around at the boys.\n\n\"I've been testing you. Most of you seem reasonably well-behaved for your age.\"\n\nTucking his wings behind his back, the majordomo turned his head towards Kubbi. This coaxed an audible gasp from the troupe as the owl had showcased just how far his head can turn.\n\n\"I will commend the young fox here. He handled himself well, my lord.\"\n\nKubbi felt like his cheeks were burning from the sudden praise, while the prince affectionately patted his head.\n\n\"Follow me, you really do need a bath.\"\n\n***\n\nPaying little attention to Viridian for the moment, our little fox recounted all that had happened to him today. Earlier this morning, his friends were chained and shipped off to the mines. He narrowly escaped, resulting in a wild chase across the market that concluded in a violent standoff between Viridian and two lion guards. Only when he felt the humid air dampen his fur did Kubbi look up to see where his accursed owner had brought him. At least a dozen wooden basins were arranged in a half-circle around an ornate marble fountain in the cobalt-blue tiled hall.\n\n\"Wow...\" The stumped cub uttered in awe, glancing around the room for a moment. As Kubbi's gaze returned to Viridian, he saw what he believed to be a genuine smile as opposed to a typical smirk. Was the dragon proud to have achieved such a luxury? Perhaps thrilled that his pet was impressed?\n\n[i]\"Pet...? Well, he might as well be a-\"[/i]\n\n\"The bath is ready for him, Lord Viridian.\" \n\nA teenage lynx placed a couple towels along with a fresh tunic on a small stool before shutting the water flow from the fountain to the tub. Was that a look of pity in the cat's eyes as he obediently completed his tasks? The green dragon gently nudged Kubbi towards the tub, dismissing the lynx for now.\n\n\"You must be sore after everything you've gone through today.\"\n\nThe nervous little fox stood there with his tail curled around his ankles, still uncomfortable undressing in front of Viridian.\n\n\"Go on. I'll be with you shortly. I just need to find a brush and comb for your fur.\n\nKubbi shuddered involuntarily as he watched Viridian disrobe, allowing the young fox to see the dragon's rump in all its brilliance and emerald-green scaly glory. Unable to avert his gaze, Kubbi's mind rushed to the numerous warnings his gang leader had given them. He recalled the dimly-lit hideout, the moonlight enveloping the young stag's stubby antlers in a regal glow throughout his lecture. \n\n[i]\"Be wary of the adults with nice smiles,\"[/i] the same sort of smile Viridian had shown him.\n\n[i]\"Learn from the experiences of others,\"[/i] Some of the gang's members were unfortunate enough to be captured by these kinds of men. \n\nTheir brutal and horrific experiences had been shared to the rest of the gang as lessons and warnings, careful to never reveal which members had been the victims. Caleb spared no truth in his speeches... if only he was here to help him now.\n\nKubbi gulped and tried not to imagine what Viridian had in mind for him. Biting his lower lip, he turned away from the dragon and shakily shed his tunic. Placing the smelly garment on the stool, the fox noticed his body responding to the exposure by pumping blood somewhere the fox was not at all comfortable with. He lowered himself quickly into the water, silently hoping that the darn enslaving scaled-ass behind him didn't notice his growing boner.\n\nThe feeling of his sore legs being soothed in a comforting warmth caught Kubbi a little off-guard, the little fox letting out a sigh of relief as he allowed himself to sink deeper into the tub and submerge himself fully.\n\n\"Feels good, doesn't it?\"\n\nViridian's voice echoed from behind him as Kubbi stared up at the vaulted ceiling \n\n\"I picked sandalwood soap. I'm sure it'll smell very nice on you.\"\n\nWith a snap of his fingers, the bathwater started to bubble, a soapy foam starting to gather along the edges of the tub. The now-startled young fox jumped up in alarm, splashing water everywhere in the process.\n\n\"Ah... It occurs to me that you've likely never seen a bubble-bath before, much less been in one. You're going to love it, I promise.\"\n\nThe young fox slowly turned towards Viridian, incredibly cautious of the water he stood in. The bubbles might be harmless, but...\n\n\"Come on... Sit back down so I can scrub you properly.\"\n\nKubbi froze as Viridian grew to full size right in front of him. His hands ballooned into enormous claws, his wings now spanning the width of the entire ceiling. Coiling himself around the central marble fountain, the scaled monstrosity curled up cozily in front of Kubbi. Terrified beyond belief, the young fox didn't dare move a muscle as the elongated tail wrapped around him and forced him back down into the water.\n\n\"Don't be afraid. You're safe now.\"\n\nThe draconic prince whispered softly, his snout lowering towards the tub as he raised the now-foamy cub back out of the water. Tears welled up in Kubbi's eyes as the gigantic maw came even closer. He may be smaller than his father, but Viridian could easily swallow him in a single bite.\n\n\"Did you get soap in your eyes? Here... Let me help you.\"\n\nThe tiny thief wanted to scream various obscenities at the dragon, but held his tongue for now, clenching his paws into little fists as more warm water cascaded over his head.\n\n\"It's been a while since someone's helped you bathe, right? This must be hard for you.\" Viridian spoke with an eerie calmness while Kubbi did his best to conceal his shame by turning away from the dragon.\n\n\"At your age, you should still let someone help you.\"\n\nViridian pinched a large piece of sponge between his claws, scrubbing at the fox's dirty fur with a gentle, yet thorough touch. Kubbi tried to keep the sponge away from his inner thigh, but the dragon retaliated with a playfully scolding slap on the behind.\n\n\"You admitted to the others earlier that you've soiled yourself. I have to clean you here.\"\n\nWith Viridian making the most disgustingly-happy face he'd ever imagined, the little street fox knew that the dragon intended to do more than just clean him. He could feel the soft sponge as it gently teased his erection, purposely stroking up and down and squeezing out the occasional quip from the fox. Kubbi tried to brace himself, gripping the side of the tub as a certain feeling started to rise. He's seen some of the older gang members do this to themselves, even attempted the same on his own. Viridian denied him a finish, easing off on the little fox to wash down his thighs as if he hadn't just edged him.\n\n\"You have such incredible fur under all this muck... A deep red, like a fine wine... Yet, a shimmer of sunset-orange shines through. A snow-white tip on your tail and paws.\"\n\nKubbi wasn't at all fond of how Viridian was talking about him, spoken of not unlike a doll or a rare pet on display.\n\n\"C-Caleb always made sure we kept ourselves as clean as possible.\" Kubbi muttered softly, purposely deflecting the conversation away from himself as he fixed his gaze forward. Had he looked back now at the draconic prince, our little fox might've noticed the sudden worried expression on his otherwise smug mug.\n\n\"Caleb? Was he, perchance, a young stag with rather magnificent antlers for his age?\"\n\nKubbi raised his feet back towards Viridian, allowing the dragon to scrub his sore and blistered paw pads one after another. \n\n\"Shishi was quite furious towards this Caleb, wasn't he?\" The dragon stated more matter-of-factly rather than simply asking. \n\nPutting the sponge aside to fill a large bowl with water, Viridian began washing the soap out of Kubbi's fur. The little thief had shared too much already in mentioning Caleb by name, now choosing not to say anything at all. The dragon's persistence was getting on his nerves, though, his breathing getting heavy while he clenched his fists.\n\n\"Pretty pissed at the old lion for all of this, aren't you?\"\n\nThe dragon had it all wrong, but Kubbi wouldn't dare correct him.\n\n\"You wouldn't believe how elated I am to see your coat shine like this. I've seen the others at their best when you helped present them to me, but you... You were a present that I'd yet to fully unwrap.\"\n\nIt suddenly dawned on the little fox... This was exactly what he'd done to the other boys! He'd been the one touching them, presenting them, and exposing them all for this gleeful piece of shit's amusement. No wonder they'd been so angry at him.\n\n\"Lean forward. Place your hands on the edge of the tub.\" Viridian whispered before running one of his claws down the cub's spine towards the base of his tail. \n\n\"What happened to your parents?\" \n\nKubbi whimpered as Viridian's claws slowly nudged his legs apart.\n\n\"Difficult Topic?\" The dragon inquired, using his claws to carefully spread the boy's buttocks apart and expose his slave's tailhole.\n\n\"D-Dead.\" The humiliated young fox hissed sharply. He braced for the worst. Fully expecting the prince to violate him anyway, he lashed out at the dragon. \"Murdered by one of your armored goons on their way to visit some friend in the city.\" Tears ran down his muzzle once more as he continued. \"Only because Caleb found me did, I survive getting stabbed.\"\n\n\"I can still see the scar. I'll arrange for someone to take a better look at that.\" The dragon nodded, letting go of the fox butt but not without giving it a playful smack with his tail.\n\n\"Turn around.\"\n\nKubbi squeezed his eyes shut as he stood up to do so, trying to cover his still-prominent erection with his paws.\n\n\"Come on now, Kubbi... You should know the drill by now. Hands to the side.\" \n\nViridian ordered before sliding his claw up and down the still-erect vulpine member, a tiny knot in full view. The little fox shuddered and clenched his fists at the unwelcomed touch, his breathing growing erratic enough for the dragon to delay the assault.\n\n\"Slow down, Kubbi... It's alright. We have plenty of time. You're eager, healthy, and have all of your boy bits still in place. Other than the bruises and scrapes from this morning, you're good to go.\"\n\nBut Kubbi couldn't slow down, his mind racing to process the moment. Was the dragon threatening him? Would he castrate him like some of the other boys if he fell out of line? Would he lose his balls, his dick, or both? Only when the dragon's tail scooped him out of the water did Kubbi return to the situation at hand.\n\n\"You're too light. I'll see to it that you get more food. By the guard's best estimate, you're twelve, correct?\"\n\n\"Eleven...\" Kubbi growled softly, gritting his teeth as the dragon exhumed a warm breath upon his body as Viridian brushed him.\n\nThe dragon took his time to carefully comb out the matting from Kubbi's fur as it slowly dried. The room fell silent for a few minutes, save for the running water from the fountain and the soft bristles of the brush, before Viridian spoke up.\n\n\"You're mad at [b][i]me[/i][/b], aren't you? Be honest.\"\n\n\"My friends will die in the mines while you treat yourself to a freebie! All so you could humiliate someone you really seem to dislike. I lost everyone and everything all over again!\"\n\nKubbi didn't want to yell, but it'd just burst out all at once. How dare this arrogant, pampered, posh, scaled ass even think he would come to like him?! Angry tears streamed down his muzzle as he glared at the draconic fanged abyss that loomed above him.\n\nThe dragon's breath grew unbearably hot for a brief moment, causing the fox to flinch with a pained whimper.\n\n\"Do not raise your voice towards me. I'll explain myself in time, boy.\" Viridian stated, reclaiming his composure and dialing back the warmth of his breath. A grin suddenly spread across the dragon's maw, a grin that the fox could only describe as fiendish and wicked.\n\n\"I can help your friends. If, and only if, you do something for me in return. After all, nothing in this world is free, Kubbi.\" Viridian flicked the fox's ear with his claw, bringing his face closer so they were now eye-to-eye. \"I'm sure Caleb would've been very proud of you today. The others need a leader and I want you to be the one to lead them. I'll make sure you fit the role and toughen you up in time.\"\n\nKubbi followed the dragon's gaze down to his still-throbbing member, ashamedly standing at full mast despite the situation.\n\n\"How about I sweeten the deal... and give your little friend here some attention?\"\n\nBefore Kubbi could even think about rejecting such a vile offer, the dragon's long, forked tongue had already slithered down over the sensitive organ. Our virgin fox trembled in terror as the experienced prince carefully wrapped his prehensile tines around the red rocket, massaging it with slow and circular motions. Kubbi felt the rising pressure, his claws tearing into the tub until it was starting to hurt. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to see that lustful glare or that delighted grin... The prince continued his unwanted approach, the forked tip slowly tracing the little vulpine's taint as it snaked closer to the yet-to-be-claimed tailhole. Kubbi's breathing was rapid and shallow as he felt the dragon's coarse and enormous lips touch down upon his hips, enveloping his quivering erection - up to the small knot - in hot and slimy saliva.\n\nViridian pushed further, the serpentine intruder pressed firmly against the clenching sphincter and attempted to break new ground. Kubbi had been whimpering throughout the ordeal, his muzzle now streaked with tears as he cried out.\n\n\"NO!\"\n\nKubbi felt like he was suffocating, his breathing nothing more than a rapid wheeze. His heart pounded like a drum, albeit louder than any other he'd heard before. It was as if his body wasn't under his own control anymore.\n\n\"Please... No!\" He pleaded in between his coughing and shivering fits. \"Don't hurt me...\"\n\nIt took a moment for Kubbi to realize that his head was now resting against Viridian's chest. The prince had returned to his smaller half-dragon form, holding the fox in a tight embrace. Kubbi could feel both of their erections shrivel and wrinkle after a short while, the dragon planting a soft kiss upon the fox's forehead.\n\n\"It's alright... That was clearly too fast for you. I got a little carried away.\"\n\nThe dragon picked up a smaller bowl of warm water and cleaned his own saliva off Kubbi's sheath while also carefully caressing the shocked boy.\n\n\"Pick up a towel and dry the rest.\"\n\nViridian stepped away from the whimpering mass of soggy fur that he'd just created, looking back at the door.\n\n \"Bring him in.\"\n\nThe lynx from earlier gave Viridian a disapproving glare as he dragged in a chained and gagged bundle of unbridled fluffy rage. With the chains that bound the tiny lion in one hand and a long metal rod in the other, the lynx gave Viridian a quick bow.\n\n\"Leu!\" Our little fox called out as he dried his eyes and crotch. \"What's Leu doing here?\"\n\nThe captain's young son glared with anger, the black eye from earlier today serving as a wordless accusation that Kubbi felt deep down into the pit of his stomach.\n\n\"Why don't you tell him yourself?\" Viridian playfully nudged the feisty furball forward before he removed the gag.\n\n\"You can't tell me what to do!\" Belligerent as ever, the tiny lion roared at the prince, who merely rolled his eyes and looked disappointedly at the cub.\n\n\"King Obsidian himself carried you here, specifically to me. Have you yet to realize how much your father fucked-\"\n\n\"Language, Master... They are still young!\" The lynx interrupted, to which Viridian grumbled in response.\n\nLeu continued his rant, shaking his head vehemently.\n\n\"That's not fair! He...\" The captain's son pointed accusingly at the fox that was currently slipping himself in a clean tunic to cover himself up. \"... is a mean evil thief! Why am I the one being punished?! I don't hurt people!\"\n\nKubbi looked Leu over, pondering. The little lion wasn't lying. He was a thief and he had to hurt others to survive, like the farmer in the market. He'd estimate Leu to be a little bit older than the others Viridian purchased today. His ears perked up slightly in recollection and with a remorseful tone in his hoarse voice, he begrudgingly looked up at his 'owner'.\n\n\"Shishi disobeyed you, didn't he? He told Leu to be quiet.\" Kubbi's head drooped, now looking at his own feet. \"Do you really have to do that to him?\"\n\nViridian sighed, his tone rife with annoyance apparent to Kubbi.\n\n\"Look, Kubbi. This is exactly what I meant when I said I'd toughen you up. Leu here almost got you killed, yet you want to protect him from just punishment?\"\n\nThe lynx, while still holding firmly onto the little lion's chains, handed Viridian the metal rod - one which Kubbi immediately recognized. It's the very same branding iron that he used on himself earlier today. The fox instinctively stepped back, but the dragon planted a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him from fleeing.\n\n\"You must learn to take responsibility for them. That means making hard decisions. You've proven how far you're willing to go to survive. Now... Do your duty.\" \n\nA green flame burst from Viridian's maw, heating the metal up to a red-hot hue. The lynx grappled Leu tightly, presenting one of his paws forward for branding as the little lion thrashed about.\n\n\"My dad will-\" Leu began to protest before an overwhelming sensation of terror and panic finally dawned upon the proud youngster. \"I'm a good boy! That's not fair! That's not fair!\"\n\nViridian seized Kubbi's wrist and forced the iron into his paw.\n\n\"Life is never fair, as you're soon to understand. Now... Let's do this quickly or we'll have to hurt you twice.\" The last part of his demand was aimed towards Kubbi, who shook his head defiantly.\n\n\"No...\" He took in a deep breath, glaring up at the dragon. \"I won't hurt him. Or any of the others. That's my part of the deal.\"\n\nViridian's patience had run out. Clamping down forcefully on his protege's wrist, he forced the fox to brand the lion cub. The sizzling sound mixed with the smell of burnt hair was just as nauseating to Kubbi as the first time, having never fully grown accustomed to the experience despite repeating it. The shrill yowl from the abused lion echoed through the tile bathroom several times over. This wasn't Leu's fault, nor was it Kubbi's... These adults were playing games with them as if they were mere pawns, Leu being the next one sacrificed.\n\n\"PAPA! I WANT MY PAPA!\" Leu screamed, though his bitter sobbing and pleading fell upon deaf ears. \"I-It hurts...\"\n\nViridian let go of Kubbi, who now sick to his own stomach from what he's just done, quickly tossed the iron aside. The lynx unshackled the lion, the abused and abandoned cub curling up into a tight ball in a feeble attempt to escape this miserable world. Kubbi hurried over, wrapping his arms protectively around the very same cub that threatened to assist in hanging him. The fox stared at his own paw for a moment, then to Leu's; both of them victims in this sick game.\n\n\"Take him back to the dormitory. I expect to see you both at breakfast tomorrow.\"\n\nViridian admonished them both with a wave. Kubbi scooped his newfound burden into his arms, allowing Leu to cling onto him so that he could be carried far away from this emerald monster. Kubbi brought Leu to their new prison, the gilded cage nowhere near close to what one might call a home.\n\n\"The green guy got another one.\" The young fox announced as he carried the lion to his own bunk and laid him down. Leu was still crying out for his father; the pain was too much for him to take note of the others that started gathering around them. \n\nFuck Viridian and his rules...\n\nThe mute robin draped his wing over Leu and embraced him as Fourteen cautiously found his way to Kubbi to do the same. The fox leader raised his hand, signaling the troupe to be silent for a moment. He saw the same thing in all of their teary eyes... Fear.\n\n\"Let's push the bunks together.\" He whispered softly. \"No one sleeps alone tonight.\"\n\nWith Kubbi as the center, the pile of pillows and distressed cubs eventually fell asleep.\n\nOnly one of them had yet to close his eyes, staring at his left paw.\n\nStaring at his mark to bear.\n\n***", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
The Mark: Part II


"Don't worry, I've already called for more food. Be good and wait here."

Prince Viridian turned away from the younger foxes and began ushering the slightly older Kubbi ahead.

"You, on the other hand, have already proven to be a bit of an escape artist. Come with me."

Kubbi climbed the creaking wooden stairs, the green dragon right behind him. At the top, our fox found a light-filled gallery with a red velvet couch at its center. The prince laid his hand on the fox's shoulder, before leaning down to him.

"Put this on. All the scrapes and bruises you got from the guards might frighten the others."

Looking down at his battered arms and legs, Kubbi nodded in agreement with the dragon that had made him into property just moments ago. As great as the temptation to spite the prince was, the nude fox preferred to cover himself with the tunic handed to him. Still, he didn't take his eyes off the dragon for even a moment while he squeezed his snout through the top opening, finally able to cover his private parts again. The prince settled down on the couch, his flawless skin slowly replaced by green scales. The fox shied away from Viridian as the prince transformed into a half-dragon.

"Are you angry?" Kubbi swallowed hard, eyeing the prince, "You were when you flashed your scales earlier."

The prince grabbed a bottle of wine and filled himself a goblet, "The closer I am to my true form, the less I have to focus on it." Viridian took a sip from his goblet and turned to the fox with a wide grin, "You look good with my crest."

Kubbi instinctively looked down at himself, examining the embroidered emblem of a green dragon before the latter spoke again.

"From now on..." the dragon tapped the rim of the goblet with his claw, "I expect you to fill this. There are bottles on the shelf behind you."

Kubbi turned around cautiously, looking at a shelf with at least a dozen different bottles.

"Which one?"

The dragon smirked, his gaze fixated on the fox's rump, "I don't really care for any of them, but I find the red ones to be quite... dramatic."

The fox bit his lower lip as he walked towards the shelf, freezing in place when someone knocked on the back door.

"You may enter, Ipsos. I hope you didn't have to wait too long for me."

The green dragon prince called out before a hooded figure wearing a jackal mask ducked into the gallery, their towering height surpassing the frame. Kubbi could make out the silhouettes of three young avians as they cowered behind Ipsos, each dragged along by a heavy chain leash.

"I expect to hear of your decision soon." growled a deep voice from behind the gilded mask.

Beyond the door, Kubbi recognized the timber framework of the market hall, perhaps discovering a hidden path for all transactions that were not to be witnessed publicly, before Ipsos slammed the door behind him on his way out. Viridian, on the other hand, seemed completely engrossed by the three newcomers. He raised the goblet to his lips, but stopped just shy of taking a sip. Placing it back down, the scaled prince turned towards our fox with a wicked grin.

"Say, Kubbi, how about we play a game?"

The addressed looked at the prince quite confused, before Viridian followed up with a giggle.

"You will decide for me whom I shall keep. Though I'll give you a little guidance."

The dragon turned his head towards the frightened avians in the corner, then pointed at the smallest of the three.

"Start with the robin." he said, before using his tail to pull a small stool forward from behind the couch, placing it in front of him. "Lead him here."

Kubbi walked trembling toward the three. How old were these slaves? His guess was six years at best. The robin stared at him with watery eyes as Kubbi led him to the chair, but Viridian raised his hand.

"Take off his collar first. An experienced thief like yourself should have no problem picking the lock, correct?"

Kubbi nodded with a gulp, needing but a moment to defeat the crude lock with a stubby claw. Only when the iron ring unlatched from the robin's neck did Kubbi realize that he had just revealed his best means of escaping the crafty half-dragon. Defeated, the fox reluctantly led the bird onto the pedestal.

"Undress him," Viridian ordered.

Kubbi clenched his fists and nodded to the robin, whispering. "I'll be careful, I promise."

The fox had held feathers in his hand before, yet the plumage of the far too skinny boy was overwhelmingly magnificent and vibrant. As if the other boy was fragile, Kubbi lifted his wings to slip him out of the coarse tunic. Right away the boy tried to cover up, but Viridian shook his head, interrupting the two.

"Stretch your arms out to the side. Show us your whole wingspan."

Kubbi could feel the robin's breath quickening and noticed a stream of tears rolling down his beak. The other two avians had clenched their talons angrily at this outright violation. The fox leaned in closer to the little orange bird and whispered softly.

"Try to focus on just me."

Kubbi tried his best to grant the distressed robin a sliver of comfort, sparing no such kindness for Viridian. He shot him a venomous glare. Such behavior was not befitting of a noble dragon, but instead of a filthy green pig!

With the utmost care Kubbi supported the robin in stretching his wings and, at Viridian's nonverbal request, spun the young avian around on the spot.

"Kubbi, take a good look at him now. Can you see any flaws?" The dragon reached for his goblet and drank a sip, looking expectantly at the young fox.

"He has magnificent plumage, the claws and beak all look good. I don't see anything wrong."

Viridian, on the other hand, shook his head, "Ipsos peddled all three of them for almost nothing. Tell me why."

The prince lowered the goblet, only to refill it himself before Kubbi could even react. "I'm almost certain that whoever I return will be sold to the mines."

Those pits would spell death for such young slaves; Kubbi had only dared his escape because he faced that fate. The fox clenched his fists and was more than ready to scream at the dragon from the top of his lungs, yet Viridian's tantrum from before still echoed in his ears. Submitting to the demand, he turned to face the robin.

"What's your name?"

The robin looked at him pleadingly and shook his head vehemently. Instead of giving an answer, the little bird only managed to emit a pitiful croak. Kubbi instinctively hugged the distraught youngster, while Viridian raised his hand from the couch.

"A robin that can't sing, I see." Viridian pointed at a spot next to his couch and instructed the robin to patiently wait beside him before addressing Kubbi again. "Now the hawk."

After he had escorted the second avian to the stool, Kubbi realized right away what was amiss with the hawk. Nevertheless, they went through the whole motion again. The slave was stripped, examined, and presented to Viridian from all angles.

"The boy is blind, Prince Viridian." Kubbi asserted even before getting prompted. "Looks like his eyes have been injured."

Before Kubbi could even talk to the hawk, the dragon signaled for the third bird to take its place. The black feathered raven walked onto the platform, and Kubbi took note that it seemed like he had a pair of arms instead of wings.

The fox reached for the Raven's ragged tunic, only for the small bird to wince in pain at the slightest touch. Kubbi continued, now much more careful as to not hurt the sensitive child. Having robbed the cowering bird of his last modesty, Kubbi stepped behind him to grant Viridian an unobstructed view. Suddenly, the fox backed off with a shriek of utter horror, a look of sheer terror that even the prince took notice of.

"Who did this to you?" Kubbi bursted out loud.

Instead of feathers, bare scarred skin covered the raven's back. Kubbi could clearly see the marks several whippings had left behind, yet the worst was that the wings had been hacked off. All that remained between the raven's shoulders was burnt flesh and two stumps, a testimony to the brutality with which his ability to fly had been taken.

The raven turned to Kubbi, tears rolling down his face.

"I.." the boy whimpered, his voice breaking. "I clawed Fourteen's eyes out."

The crunching of bent metal and the dripping of liquid on the floor startled Kubbi, especially since it came from Viridian's vicinity. The very instant the raven had turned his back toward the prince, he had crushed his goblet barehanded. The dragon had to visibly control his breathing and calm himself before turning towards the fox.

"Well, speak. Who do you want me to keep?"

Kubbi looked at the three frightened avians, put a paw on the raven's beak and shook his head as the bird tried to speak up. The fox swallowed hard and turned to the prince, trying to choose his words carefully.

"None of them survive the mines, but for you each of them is almost a gift. None would dare..."

Viridian cut him off in an annoyed tone as he tossed the crushed goblet aside.

"Simple question, simple answer. Who do we keep?"

Kubbi took a deep breath, staring at Viridian with clenched fists, before hissing at the dragon.

"All three."

Viridian looked at the young one puzzled and tilted his head to the side, but Kubbi followed up right away.

"You never said you would keep just one, only that I should decide who!"

Viridian stood up and walked towards Kubbi, raising his hand up. The young fox flinched, expecting a harsh slap, yet all the dragon did was gently ruffle his fur.

"Clever little fox. No wonder you were able to escape Shishi."

Kubbi, on the other hand, gritted his teeth. No matter how he looked at it, Viridian had made him his accomplice. He now was just as responsible for what would come next. The little fox tried to cover his ears, but he couldn't block out the screams of the three avians getting branded. Roughly thirty more boys were bought, inspected and marked until Viridian seemed satisfied, Kubbi forced to endure all of their suffering as well.

***

It was already late afternoon when the cart with Viridian's chattel pulled into his city palace. The large courtyard featured a busy stable and a huge gate blocking any direct escape route for our thieving fox. A massive round tower constructed from heavy stone blocks stood as the central building of the complex, its form transitioning seamlessly into the adjacent city wall.

"With just a rope, I could escape over that," Kubbi thought to himself, looking down on his paw. "If it wasn't for this thing..."

A sudden gust of wind picked up around the little fox, Kubbi looking up at Viridian for a potential explanation. The prince only 'responded' with a smile, an unnerving grin that made the hairs on the back of the fox's neck stand. When the winds finally died down, an enormous shadow settled over the entire castle, blanketing everything in darkness. Never before had the little thief been this close to Obsidian. When the black dragon king bore his full weight upon the tower, the surrounding cityscape quaked so violently that Kubbi had to brace himself against the cart.

Showing off his full size, the king unfurled his wings skyward and draped his enormous claws over the gatehouse behind Kubbi. Obsidian was almost as large as the entire castle. The black dragon lowered his head down to Viridian and his newest possession, his neck stretching from the top of the tower down to the courtyard. The king turned to face his son before his wandering gaze stopped on Kubbi. The young fox instinctively backed away as the dragon's humongous snout loomed over him. A single fang was larger than his entire body!

"Ah, I see!"

Although the dragon did not seem to be screaming, Kubbi had to cover his ears and dropped down on his knees from the force of the thundering royal voice alone.

"So, this is the little rascal?"

The king examined the fox with eyes so huge, Kubbi feared that a single blink would crush his skull, but such wasn't the case. Obsidian raised his mighty head to allow light back into the courtyard before his form started to shrink. Within the blink of an eye, a horned humanoid had now taken the dragon's place on top of the stone tower.

Kubbi trembled in fear, his knees wobbly as he forced himself to stand. Our fox looked up towards Viridian, yet the dragon followed his father's movements with an increasingly worried expression.

"Listen to me, Kubbi. You're the oldest. Help them settle in until I've dealt with the king."

Viridian rushed over to the entrance, almost running over an elderly gray owl. The two exchanged glances before the well-dressed avian held the door open.

"Follow me boys, I'll lead you to your dormitory."

The boys seemed apprehensive to follow the owl, who grew visibly annoyed with their disobedience. Trying to take the lead, Kubbi quickly raised his hand to get the other's attention.

"Come on, let's get moving before the King decides to eat us."

The reaction Kubbi got, however, was most of them staring at him downright hatefully. Whenever the owl didn't look their way, several of the boys grimaced at Kubbi or showed him the middle finger. Disheartened, the young thief took a step back to let the old hooter take over. Anyone still dawdling at that point would get a resounding slap from the owl as the troupe started moving in.

"The older boys are busy in the kitchen. I will introduce them to you some other day," the owl explained as he led the new acquisitions almost all the way to the top of the castle.

A large hall with many bunk beds and proper feather bedding awaited the young slaves, much to their surprise. The more able-bodied cubs immediately rushed to secure the best sleeping places before a shrill whistle startled all of them.

Kubbi had swiftly hopped onto one of the upper bunks, facing the others now with his arms crossed. The room had been tamed, if for a moment only.

"Those of us that can't climb to the upper beds pick first, understood?"

He pointed to several cubs: some were missing limbs; others were blind like the hawk from earlier today. Kubbi's gang leader had taught him how important it was to address each other's needs. There have been many a night of disturbed sleep due to the better beds being battled over.

"And why should we listen to you, stinker?"

A small group had formed, planting themselves in front of Kubbi.

"You stink like you pissed yourself. Pisspants!"

The boys giggled and high-fived each other before collectively giving Kubbi the middle Finger. The owl was already on the move to intervene, but the fox shook his head and signaled him not to. With watery eyes he stared them down.

"Is that all?"

Quite a bit older than the other cubs, Kubbi demonstratively wiped down his tears.

"I've been in jail for the last week. Barely escaped dangling from the gallows this very morning. Of course, I bloody pissed myself!" Kubbi bellowed out with a raised voice, gaining everyone's attention.

"The green guy made it clear what he wanted from us," Kubbi lifted his branded paw, "and he was still in a good mood when he did this to all of us."

The young thief pointed at one of the other foxes that had been there when he broke into the prince's backroom.

"Come on now, tell the others what Viridian is like when he gets angry."

Having once been courageous enough to gang up on Kubbi, the younger fox winced, shaking his head vigorously before whimpering in a low voice.

"I, I didn't mean to..."

Kubbi reaffirmed him with a quick nod, before addressing the whole troupe once more.

"If we act like fools, he will only hurt each and every one of us more. You all felt him yell. The quaking market hall? That was Viridian."

He climbed down from the bed and dried his eyes again.

"We go through this together, or none of us will make it."

After a brief moment of awkward silence, the wingless raven ran up to Kubbi and surprised him with a tackle hug.

"Thanks for not sending me to the mines. I'm Crowley" he whispered, clinging to the older fox.

"You still need a bath though," The raven coyly added with a sheepish smile before he approached the blind hawk, Fourteen, and helped him find a bed.

A small smile crossed Kubbi's lips as he got up to organize the bed distribution. He had chosen one in the middle of the room for himself so that the younger cubs were always a short distance away. Whether he wanted to or not, he was the oldest here. He had to take care of the others, just as his gang leader would have done. There was no way he could trust Viridian.

The whole troupe had just started settling down with the last beds getting assigned, when the prince showed up at the door, clapping slowly.

"Be glad you all listened to Kubbi. We dragons have excellent hearing. Just to be clear though, do not refer to me as 'Green Guy'."

Walking up to Kubbi, Viridian placed his arm on the young fox's shoulder.

"All but this one, follow the majordomo to the dining hall. Two of you, you know exactly who, report to him after that."

The prince looked around the room, raising an eyebrow at the numerous confused faces before the owl stepped forth with a raised wing.

"He means for you to follow me. Excuse my lack of introduction. I'm the majordomo of Prince Viridian's city palace, Cornelius Brodwin. You will refer to me as Sir."

The owl had been silently observing Kubbi's attempt at leadership when the little fox took the initiative, but now firmly asserted his presence in the room and glanced around at the boys.

"I've been testing you. Most of you seem reasonably well-behaved for your age."

Tucking his wings behind his back, the majordomo turned his head towards Kubbi. This coaxed an audible gasp from the troupe as the owl had showcased just how far his head can turn.

"I will commend the young fox here. He handled himself well, my lord."

Kubbi felt like his cheeks were burning from the sudden praise, while the prince affectionately patted his head.

"Follow me, you really do need a bath."

***

Paying little attention to Viridian for the moment, our little fox recounted all that had happened to him today. Earlier this morning, his friends were chained and shipped off to the mines. He narrowly escaped, resulting in a wild chase across the market that concluded in a violent standoff between Viridian and two lion guards. Only when he felt the humid air dampen his fur did Kubbi look up to see where his accursed owner had brought him. At least a dozen wooden basins were arranged in a half-circle around an ornate marble fountain in the cobalt-blue tiled hall.

"Wow..." The stumped cub uttered in awe, glancing around the room for a moment. As Kubbi's gaze returned to Viridian, he saw what he believed to be a genuine smile as opposed to a typical smirk. Was the dragon proud to have achieved such a luxury?  Perhaps thrilled that his pet was impressed?

"Pet...? Well, he might as well be a-"

"The bath is ready for him, Lord Viridian."

A teenage lynx placed a couple towels along with a fresh tunic on a small stool before shutting the water flow from the fountain to the tub. Was that a look of pity in the cat's eyes as he obediently completed his tasks? The green dragon gently nudged Kubbi towards the tub, dismissing the lynx for now.

"You must be sore after everything you've gone through today."

The nervous little fox stood there with his tail curled around his ankles, still uncomfortable undressing in front of Viridian.

"Go on. I'll be with you shortly. I just need to find a brush and comb for your fur.

Kubbi shuddered involuntarily as he watched Viridian disrobe, allowing the young fox to see the dragon's rump in all its brilliance and emerald-green scaly glory. Unable to avert his gaze, Kubbi's mind rushed to the numerous warnings his gang leader had given them. He recalled the dimly-lit hideout, the moonlight enveloping the young stag's stubby antlers in a regal glow throughout his lecture.

"Be wary of the adults with nice smiles," the same sort of smile Viridian had shown him.

"Learn from the experiences of others," Some of the gang's members were unfortunate enough to be captured by these kinds of men.

Their brutal and horrific experiences had been shared to the rest of the gang as lessons and warnings, careful to never reveal which members had been the victims. Caleb spared no truth in his speeches... if only he was here to help him now.

Kubbi gulped and tried not to imagine what Viridian had in mind for him. Biting his lower lip, he turned away from the dragon and shakily shed his tunic. Placing the smelly garment on the stool, the fox noticed his body responding to the exposure by pumping blood somewhere the fox was not at all comfortable with. He lowered himself quickly into the water, silently hoping that the darn enslaving scaled-ass behind him didn't notice his growing boner.

The feeling of his sore legs being soothed in a comforting warmth caught Kubbi a little off-guard, the little fox letting out a sigh of relief as he allowed himself to sink deeper into the tub and submerge himself fully.

"Feels good, doesn't it?"

Viridian's voice echoed from behind him as Kubbi stared up at the vaulted ceiling

"I picked sandalwood soap. I'm sure it'll smell very nice on you."

With a snap of his fingers, the bathwater started to bubble, a soapy foam starting to gather along the edges of the tub. The now-startled young fox jumped up in alarm, splashing water everywhere in the process.

"Ah... It occurs to me that you've likely never seen a bubble-bath before, much less been in one. You're going to love it, I promise."

The young fox slowly turned towards Viridian, incredibly cautious of the water he stood in. The bubbles might be harmless, but...

"Come on... Sit back down so I can scrub you properly."

Kubbi froze as Viridian grew to full size right in front of him. His hands ballooned into enormous claws, his wings now spanning the width of the entire ceiling. Coiling himself around the central marble fountain, the scaled monstrosity curled up cozily in front of Kubbi. Terrified beyond belief, the young fox didn't dare move a muscle as the elongated tail wrapped around him and forced him back down into the water.

"Don't be afraid. You're safe now."

The draconic prince whispered softly, his snout lowering towards the tub as he raised the now-foamy cub back out of the water. Tears welled up in Kubbi's eyes as the gigantic maw came even closer. He may be smaller than his father, but Viridian could easily swallow him in a single bite.

"Did you get soap in your eyes? Here... Let me help you."

The tiny thief wanted to scream various obscenities at the dragon, but held his tongue for now, clenching his paws into little fists as more warm water cascaded over his head.

"It's been a while since someone's helped you bathe, right? This must be hard for you." Viridian spoke with an eerie calmness while Kubbi did his best to conceal his shame by turning away from the dragon.

"At your age, you should still let someone help you."

Viridian pinched a large piece of sponge between his claws, scrubbing at the fox's dirty fur with a gentle, yet thorough touch. Kubbi tried to keep the sponge away from his inner thigh, but the dragon retaliated with a playfully scolding slap on the behind.

"You admitted to the others earlier that you've soiled yourself. I have to clean you here."

With Viridian making the most disgustingly-happy face he'd ever imagined, the little street fox knew that the dragon intended to do more than just clean him. He could feel the soft sponge as it gently teased his erection, purposely stroking up and down and squeezing out the occasional quip from the fox. Kubbi tried to brace himself, gripping the side of the tub as a certain feeling started to rise. He's seen some of the older gang members do this to themselves, even attempted the same on his own. Viridian denied him a finish, easing off on the little fox to wash down his thighs as if he hadn't just edged him.

"You have such incredible fur under all this muck... A deep red, like a fine wine... Yet, a shimmer of sunset-orange shines through. A snow-white tip on your tail and paws."

Kubbi wasn't at all fond of how Viridian was talking about him, spoken of not unlike a doll or a rare pet on display.

"C-Caleb always made sure we kept ourselves as clean as possible." Kubbi muttered softly, purposely deflecting the conversation away from himself as he fixed his gaze forward. Had he looked back now at the draconic prince, our little fox might've noticed the sudden worried expression on his otherwise smug mug.

"Caleb? Was he, perchance, a young stag with rather magnificent antlers for his age?"

Kubbi raised his feet back towards Viridian, allowing the dragon to scrub his sore and blistered paw pads one after another.

"Shishi was quite furious towards this Caleb, wasn't he?" The dragon stated more matter-of-factly rather than simply asking.

Putting the sponge aside to fill a large bowl with water, Viridian began washing the soap out of Kubbi's fur. The little thief had shared too much already in mentioning Caleb by name, now choosing not to say anything at all. The dragon's persistence was getting on his nerves, though, his breathing getting heavy while he clenched his fists.

"Pretty pissed at the old lion for all of this, aren't you?"

The dragon had it all wrong, but Kubbi wouldn't dare correct him.

"You wouldn't believe how elated I am to see your coat shine like this. I've seen the others at their best when you helped present them to me, but you... You were a present that I'd yet to fully unwrap."

It suddenly dawned on the little fox... This was exactly what he'd done to the other boys! He'd been the one touching them, presenting them, and exposing them all for this gleeful piece of shit's amusement. No wonder they'd been so angry at him.

"Lean forward. Place your hands on the edge of the tub." Viridian whispered before running one of his claws down the cub's spine towards the base of his tail.

"What happened to your parents?"

Kubbi whimpered as Viridian's claws slowly nudged his legs apart.

"Difficult Topic?" The dragon inquired, using his claws to carefully spread the boy's buttocks apart and expose his slave's tailhole.

"D-Dead." The humiliated young fox hissed sharply. He braced for the worst. Fully expecting the prince to violate him anyway, he lashed out at the dragon. "Murdered by one of your armored goons on their way to visit some friend in the city." Tears ran down his muzzle once more as he continued. "Only because Caleb found me did, I survive getting stabbed."

"I can still see the scar. I'll arrange for someone to take a better look at that." The dragon nodded, letting go of the fox butt but not without giving it a playful smack with his tail.

"Turn around."

Kubbi squeezed his eyes shut as he stood up to do so, trying to cover his still-prominent erection with his paws.

"Come on now, Kubbi... You should know the drill by now. Hands to the side."

Viridian ordered before sliding his claw up and down the still-erect vulpine member, a tiny knot in full view. The little fox shuddered and clenched his fists at the unwelcomed touch, his breathing growing erratic enough for the dragon to delay the assault.

"Slow down, Kubbi... It's alright. We have plenty of time. You're eager, healthy, and have all of your boy bits still in place. Other than the bruises and scrapes from this morning, you're good to go."

But Kubbi couldn't slow down, his mind racing to process the moment. Was the dragon threatening him? Would he castrate him like some of the other boys if he fell out of line? Would he lose his balls, his dick, or both? Only when the dragon's tail scooped him out of the water did Kubbi return to the situation at hand.

"You're too light. I'll see to it that you get more food. By the guard's best estimate, you're twelve, correct?"

"Eleven..." Kubbi growled softly, gritting his teeth as the dragon exhumed a warm breath upon his body as Viridian brushed him.

The dragon took his time to carefully comb out the matting from Kubbi's fur as it slowly dried. The room fell silent for a few minutes, save for the running water from the fountain and the soft bristles of the brush, before Viridian spoke up.

"You're mad at me, aren't you? Be honest."

"My friends will die in the mines while you treat yourself to a freebie! All so you could humiliate someone you really seem to dislike. I lost everyone and everything all over again!"

Kubbi didn't want to yell, but it'd just burst out all at once. How dare this arrogant, pampered, posh, scaled ass even think he would come to like him?! Angry tears streamed down his muzzle as he glared at the draconic fanged abyss that loomed above him.

The dragon's breath grew unbearably hot for a brief moment, causing the fox to flinch with a pained whimper.

"Do not raise your voice towards me. I'll explain myself in time, boy." Viridian stated, reclaiming his composure and dialing back the warmth of his breath. A grin suddenly spread across the dragon's maw, a grin that the fox could only describe as fiendish and wicked.

"I can help your friends. If, and only if, you do something for me in return. After all, nothing in this world is free, Kubbi." Viridian flicked the fox's ear with his claw, bringing his face closer so they were now eye-to-eye. "I'm sure Caleb would've been very proud of you today. The others need a leader and I want you to be the one to lead them. I'll make sure you fit the role and toughen you up in time."

Kubbi followed the dragon's gaze down to his still-throbbing member, ashamedly standing at full mast despite the situation.

"How about I sweeten the deal... and give your little friend here some attention?"

Before Kubbi could even think about rejecting such a vile offer, the dragon's long, forked tongue had already slithered down over the sensitive organ. Our virgin fox trembled in terror as the experienced prince carefully wrapped his prehensile tines around the red rocket, massaging it with slow and circular motions. Kubbi felt the rising pressure, his claws tearing into the tub until it was starting to hurt. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to see that lustful glare or that delighted grin... The prince continued his unwanted approach, the forked tip slowly tracing the little vulpine's taint as it snaked closer to the yet-to-be-claimed tailhole. Kubbi's breathing was rapid and shallow as he felt the dragon's coarse and enormous lips touch down upon his hips, enveloping his quivering erection - up to the small knot - in hot and slimy saliva.

Viridian pushed further, the serpentine intruder pressed firmly against the clenching sphincter and attempted to break new ground. Kubbi had been whimpering throughout the ordeal, his muzzle now streaked with tears as he cried out.

"NO!"

Kubbi felt like he was suffocating, his breathing nothing more than a rapid wheeze. His heart pounded like a drum, albeit louder than any other he'd heard before. It was as if his body wasn't under his own control anymore.

"Please... No!" He pleaded in between his coughing and shivering fits. "Don't hurt me..."

It took a moment for Kubbi to realize that his head was now resting against Viridian's chest. The prince had returned to his smaller half-dragon form, holding the fox in a tight embrace. Kubbi could feel both of their erections shrivel and wrinkle after a short while, the dragon planting a soft kiss upon the fox's forehead.

"It's alright... That was clearly too fast for you. I got a little carried away."

The dragon picked up a smaller bowl of warm water and cleaned his own saliva off Kubbi's sheath while also carefully caressing the shocked boy.

"Pick up a towel and dry the rest."

Viridian stepped away from the whimpering mass of soggy fur that he'd just created, looking back at the door.

 "Bring him in."

The lynx from earlier gave Viridian a disapproving glare as he dragged in a chained and gagged bundle of unbridled fluffy rage. With the chains that bound the tiny lion in one hand and a long metal rod in the other, the lynx gave Viridian a quick bow.

"Leu!" Our little fox called out as he dried his eyes and crotch. "What's Leu doing here?"

The captain's young son glared with anger, the black eye from earlier today serving as a wordless accusation that Kubbi felt deep down into the pit of his stomach.

"Why don't you tell him yourself?" Viridian playfully nudged the feisty furball forward before he removed the gag.

"You can't tell me what to do!" Belligerent as ever, the tiny lion roared at the prince, who merely rolled his eyes and looked disappointedly at the cub.

"King Obsidian himself carried you here, specifically to me. Have you yet to realize how much your father fucked-"

"Language, Master... They are still young!" The lynx interrupted, to which Viridian grumbled in response.

Leu continued his rant, shaking his head vehemently.

"That's not fair! He..." The captain's son pointed accusingly at the fox that was currently slipping himself in a clean tunic to cover himself up. "... is a mean evil thief! Why am I the one being punished?! I don't hurt people!"

Kubbi looked Leu over, pondering. The little lion wasn't lying. He was a thief and he had to hurt others to survive, like the farmer in the market. He'd estimate Leu to be a little bit older than the others Viridian purchased today. His ears perked up slightly in recollection and with a remorseful tone in his hoarse voice, he begrudgingly looked up at his 'owner'.

"Shishi disobeyed you, didn't he? He told Leu to be quiet." Kubbi's head drooped, now looking at his own feet. "Do you really have to do that to him?"

Viridian sighed, his tone rife with annoyance apparent to Kubbi.

"Look, Kubbi. This is exactly what I meant when I said I'd toughen you up. Leu here almost got you killed, yet you want to protect him from just punishment?"

The lynx, while still holding firmly onto the little lion's chains, handed Viridian the metal rod - one which Kubbi immediately recognized. It's the very same branding iron that he used on himself earlier today. The fox instinctively stepped back, but the dragon planted a firm hand on his shoulder to keep him from fleeing.

"You must learn to take responsibility for them. That means making hard decisions. You've proven how far you're willing to go to survive. Now... Do your duty."

A green flame burst from Viridian's maw, heating the metal up to a red-hot hue. The lynx grappled Leu tightly, presenting one of his paws forward for branding as the little lion thrashed about.

"My dad will-" Leu began to protest before an overwhelming sensation of terror and panic finally dawned upon the proud youngster. "I'm a good boy! That's not fair! That's not fair!"

Viridian seized Kubbi's wrist and forced the iron into his paw.

"Life is never fair, as you're soon to understand. Now... Let's do this quickly or we'll have to hurt you twice." The last part of his demand was aimed towards Kubbi, who shook his head defiantly.

"No..." He took in a deep breath, glaring up at the dragon. "I won't hurt him. Or any of the others. That's my part of the deal."

Viridian's patience had run out. Clamping down forcefully on his protege's wrist, he forced the fox to brand the lion cub. The sizzling sound mixed with the smell of burnt hair was just as nauseating to Kubbi as the first time, having never fully grown accustomed to the experience despite repeating it. The shrill yowl from the abused lion echoed through the tile bathroom several times over. This wasn't Leu's fault, nor was it Kubbi's... These adults were playing games with them as if they were mere pawns, Leu being the next one sacrificed.

"PAPA! I WANT MY PAPA!" Leu screamed, though his bitter sobbing and pleading fell upon deaf ears. "I-It hurts..."

Viridian let go of Kubbi, who now sick to his own stomach from what he's just done, quickly tossed the iron aside. The lynx unshackled the lion, the abused and abandoned cub curling up into a tight ball in a feeble attempt to escape this miserable world. Kubbi hurried over, wrapping his arms protectively around the very same cub that threatened to assist in hanging him. The fox stared at his own paw for a moment, then to Leu's; both of them victims in this sick game.

"Take him back to the dormitory. I expect to see you both at breakfast tomorrow."

Viridian admonished them both with a wave. Kubbi scooped his newfound burden into his arms, allowing Leu to cling onto him so that he could be carried far away from this emerald monster. Kubbi brought Leu to their new prison, the gilded cage nowhere near close to what one might call a home.

"The green guy got another one." The young fox announced as he carried the lion to his own bunk and laid him down. Leu was still crying out for his father; the pain was too much for him to take note of the others that started gathering around them.

Fuck Viridian and his rules...

The mute robin draped his wing over Leu and embraced him as Fourteen cautiously found his way to Kubbi to do the same. The fox leader raised his hand, signaling the troupe to be silent for a moment. He saw the same thing in all of their teary eyes... Fear.

"Let's push the bunks together." He whispered softly. "No one sleeps alone tonight."

With Kubbi as the center, the pile of pillows and distressed cubs eventually fell asleep.

Only one of them had yet to close his eyes, staring at his left paw.

Staring at his mark to bear.

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