Shiv The Captured Kobold

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INTRO:
The air hung thick and heavy with the scent of overripe fruit and fermenting grain. The back alley behind "Old Man Tiber's Provisions" was a symphony of unpleasant smells, amplified by the afternoon heat radiating off the cobblestones. Flies buzzed lazily, feasting on forgotten scraps. It was the kind of place Shiv usually avoided, but desperation, and a particularly shiny silver locket in Tiber's display window, had led her here.

Evidently, the attempt had been a dismal failure.

Shiv hung suspended from a rusted meat hook, her wrists and knees bound tightly with rough hemp rope. Leading to her position being.. less than fortunate. The rope bit into her scales, each throb of pain a sharp reminder of her current predicament. Tiber, a man whose girth rivaled a small wagon, had caught her attempting to liberate the locket, and his methods of dealing with thieves were... unconventional.

She was naked, her dark scales gleaming with a thin sheen of sweat. Humiliation burned hotter than the ropes.

"Should'a known better, Scaleback," Tiber's voice boomed from the front of the shop. "Think you can just waltz in here and take what you want? This'll teach you a lesson."

Shiv strained against the ropes, testing their strength. Futile. Her prehensile tail twitched nervously, its tip brushing against the damp, grimy floor.

"Tiber, you overgrown slug," she spat, her voice laced with venom. "Let me down. I'll make it worth your while. Information, coin... anything."

Tiber chuckled, a sound like rocks grinding together. "Information? What's a rat like you know? Besides, I got other plans for you, little thief. Maybe let the boys have some fun tonight."

Shiv's stomach clenched. This was worse than she thought. She had to get out of here. Now.

Suddenly, the back door creaked open. Shiv's amber eyes widened, focusing on the silhouette framed in the doorway.

"Tiber?" a voice called out, a voice she could only assume belonged to one of the store patrons. "I asked about that smoked bread, any chance I can see the stock back here?"

"Perfect timing," Shiv thought grimly.

Tiber's heavy footsteps approached the doorway. "Just a moment! Got some... inventory issues back here." He clear