The Concept of Freedom

[Otto26]

This thread is broken off from To buy a slave. https://forum.literotica.com/showthread.php?t=454052

This thread is pretty much closed for slippedhalo, Nibbles_n_Tits, PorcelainWaif (if she decides to come back), and Otto26. If you really want to play, PM slippedhalo or myself and be prepared to tell us how your character fits into the plot. We make no promises to anyone.

Summary:

The twice-widowed Castor, taken with a slave in a brothel, purchases her and takes her home. Aaja asks for a female companion, as is the custom of her people, and Castor purchases Eloriel for her. Merriment, politics, tragedy, and sex ensue (read the story).

Dramatis Personae:

Aaja (slippedhalo) - A young woman from a nomadic people living in the far North. Of a species of human not generally known to the rest of the world. Captured by slavers and sold South until she was purchased by Mistress Weia's brothel.
Mistress Weia - Owner of an elegant brothel that Castor was accustomed to visiting. Her agent purchased Aaja from the slave traders.
Lord Castor (Otto26) - A member of the nobility. Something of a populist who draws his support from yeoman farmers in the Western Lands. In his early 40's and still very vigorous.
Sima - A male servant in Mistress Weia's brothel.
Master Caius - Castor's factor. A retired soldier with a scarred face who handles financial matters for Castor. A client.
Master Democritus - Formerly Castor's steward. Abused and threatened Aaja. Castor sent him West under the pretext of organizing a household there for Castor. Revealed to have been a spy selling information about his Lord to all comers.
Master Valentus - The son of one of Castor's partners in the Western Lands. A messenger for his father.
Physician/Master Ahkbar - A doctor to the wealthy.
Lord Horatius - A councilman. A man who owns vast plantations worked by slaves, a panderer to the mob, a man of limitless ambition who uses the mechanisms of government to enrich and empower himself. Leads a powerful political faction that Lord Castor opposes.
Eloriel (PorcelainWaif) - A young woman of Aaja's kind, but of a different tribe. Possibly a variety of elf? Captured and sold
South. Selected as a companion by Aaja and purchased by Castor.
Mistress Meoria - A female servant in Castor's household. Daughter of a client.
Mistress Cesta - A female servant in Castor's household. Daughter of a client.
Master Timasius - A client of Castor's. Sent North to establish a trading outpost amongst the Lomnaajii and to send Aaja's dying mother back to Kalumparu.
Master Maurice - A retired soldier in the service of Castor, effectively Castor's steward after the departure of Democritus.
Lord Xeres - A councilman. A political ally of Castor. Corpulent, elderly, gregarious.
Lady Portia - A political ally of Castor. Not a member of the council (no women allowed) but the patron of several council members. Thrice widowed, sexually liberated, a 'dangerous' woman.
Master Shiro - Brother of Aaja. Came searching for her and other female relatives taken by slavers. Now a page/client in Castor's house.
Master Calodius - A page/client in the service of Castor.
Mistress Fortunata - A tart-tongued midwife of great experience. Engaged as Aaja's midwife.
Mistress Gemina - A scholar and bibliophile who runs a free school. Engaged to teach Aaja and Eloriel.
Mistress Hildegaard - A spymaster in the employ of Lady Portia.
Jessiwe - Aaja's cousin. Kidnapped into slavery and purchased by Castor's men during a search for Aaja's relatives. Given to the Lady Portia by Lord Castor.
Ferey - Aaja's mother, badly injured by slavers, brought to Kalumparu by Castor's men.
Master Remus - A client of Castor. Travelled North with the pary that retrieved Aaja's mother.
Lady Miren Bellspring of the Twin Glades, Scion of the House Treswyn (Nibbles_n_Tits) - An Eldar (high elf) captured by slavers and held for ransom. Released by the Council. She is Castor's guest as he prepares to escort her out of the Empire and send her home.
Dorothea - A slave and head of the bed/chamber slaves in Lady Portia's house. Her family has been owned by Portia's family for generations.
Gaiana - A chamber slave in Lady Portia's house. Skilled at massage.

References:

Patrons and Clients: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clientela
Baths/Thermae: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermae
First Floor of Castor's Home: https://forum.literotica.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=681433
Second Floor of Castor's Home: https://forum.literotica.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=681434
Example of what a home might look like: https://forum.literotica.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=681435

Geography and Background:

The story takes place in Kalumparu, the Capitol city the Empire of Char'on. Char'on is a land with a society something like a mixture of Ancient Greece and early Imperial Rome with a bit of fantasy mixed in. It is ruled by a Shah (Emperor) who is young, energetic, idealistic, and somewhat inexperienced. He is isolated from society by his advisors and rarely has to directly act. Most day to day ruling is handled by the Council. The Council is made up of all male members of the nobility and is a parliamentary body. The nobility is not, strictly speaking, hereditary. Each individual must be recognized by the Council as being a nobleman. Of course, if your father was a nobleman then you are likely have the money to be considered and the political connections to ensure you are selected. Nobles are addressed as Lord or Lady. Below the nobility are the free. There are many different types of free citizens. For instance, the equites (horsemen) were once a sort of petty-nobility. They are still addressed as Sir or Dame, but this is an archaic remnant and the equites, as a group, wield no real power in the Empire. Most free citizens are addressed by the honorifics Master or Mistress. Because the free citizens are not directly represented in the council, they will often become the client of a patron. Sleeping on the floor of your patron's house and living on the leavings of his table is considered perfectly honorable in Imperial society and many important men owe their positions to their patron. Below the free citizens are the slaves. Slaves are, technically, not people. They are legally considered chattels, property. The law requires that slaves be marked and collared. Much of the Imperial economy is based on slave labor. Most free families will own a slave or two. Although slaves are property and have no rights, they are generally treated as family members. Slaves are regularly freed and become citizens. Vast plantations worked by slaves form the economic power-base of most of the nobility. This has caused some problems as the large plantations have used their buying power and favorable laws to displace small farmers and as slavers have increased their predations both within and without the Empire.

Tunics, chitons, and peplos are the typical form of dress in Char'on. The climate is very Mediterranean and warm. Wool is the typical fabric with linen, cotton, and silk becoming progressively more expensive. Grain forms the basis of the Imperial diet. Wheat, millet, and barley are the most popular grains and they are consumed as porridge, bread, or beer. Vegetables, olive oil, fruit, and wine are the other staples. Meat is typically consumed sparingly, except by the wealthy. Families earn their wealth by owning productive property or by investing in businesses. Education is private with the exception of a few charity schools which admit students on a competitive basis. In theory every adult male is eligible for military service and must maintain their own equipment and keep themselves physically fit. For this purpose the Empire has baths in every town. These establishments are open to men and women and include outdoor gymnasium space. In practice the wealthy can afford to purchase a substitute to serve for them and the baths have become something like a social center where business is frequently transacted.

West of Char'on lies the Kingdom of Artan. Artan is organized along feudal lines, with powerful nobles owning vast tracts of lands and less powerful nobles subordinate to them. Slavery is outlawed in Artan though reasonable scholars suggest that slaves in the Empire are treated better than serfs in the Kingdom. The official reason for the last war between Artan and Char'on was the desire to eliminate slavery. Unfortunately for the Kingdom, they lost the war and a good deal of their Eastern provinces. Although the two kingdoms have been at peace for over a decade current rumors out of Artan speak of dark magics and disappearances and there are whispers of war.

Further west lies the Great Forest of the Elves. There is no clear border but everyone knows that as soon as you enter the forest you are in their realm and have to abide by their rules. Elves don't like to talk about it, but there are many racial varieties of Elves. The rarest are the Eldar; tall, graceful, and horrible snobs who look down on the other races (including other elves) as being degenerate barbarians who need to be shown the light but are probably incapable of seeing it. Of course it would be rude to say this, so they don't. More common are the Faerie who are shorter than humans and generally very delicate and without body hair. The Eldar tend to quietly dominate elvish society by the brute force of respectability. Elves exhibit an unmatched ability with magic that is greatly feared in human society. While popular opinion holds that all elves are magical, in fact most of them have no more ability or training in the use of magic than the average human. Skilled Elven magicians, however, are a power to be reckoned with.

To the east of Char'on lie the plains of the K'zin. They are felinoids with a short soft fur, a feline face, a prehensile tail and paws instead of feet, but otherwise they are humanoid. The K'zin are a proud and noble warrior race. The Empire and the K'zin have suprisingly little interaction.

To the south live the Ssktak in the jungles. They are called lizard-people but they are not really reptiles. They have green skin that feels like a snake, a tail and thin tentacles instead of hair but they are humanoid as well. Women have breasts that give milk for the young. Ssktak are not as independent as K'zin or even humans and so they make for better slaves. The Ssktak, however, are well protected by the jungle they inhabit. In particular there are several varieties of swarming insects which are harmless to the Ssktak and deadly to other species. Slavers are highly reluctant to venture into the jungles and the Empire has likewise been reluctant to expand in that area.

To the north of Char'on and Artan lie the mountains in which the Free Towns scrape an existence. The mountains are fairly old and not particularly impressive, but they provided sufficient defense for the Free Towns to exist. The comparative lack of natural resources is another reason no one has ever bothered to conquer the Free Towns. The Towns are entirely fortified and their primary occupation is scheming against each other. There is a saying that three Free Towners can form five alliances, none of which they intend to honor. This is true of relations between Free Towns and with a single Free Town. Of late the Free Towns have been united in their opinion that Imperial slavers have been too bold, but they haven't yet become infuriated enough to put their differences aside and take action.

Beyond the Free Towns lie the Barrens. Little is known about the Barrens which are mostly rolling moorland with patches of scrubby forest. A semi-nomadic people, the Lomnaajii, apparently inhabit part of the Barrens, but Imperial citizens have only recently begun to trade into this area. Lomnaajii women, however, show signs of becoming a high demand item in the capitol.

The Western Barrens, which border the northern end of the Great Forest, are rumored to be inhabited by Orcs and Goblins, but these creatures have never troubled the civilized human lands.

Magic: Magic is both powerful and rare. Humans rarely display any talent for magic and those that do must study long and hard to achieve even a basic level of skill. Elves show a greater talent for magic, but even amongst them it is still rare. Magic takes a good deal of work and it isn't enough to simply read a spell, the magician must understand the spell. This means months or even years of research and experimentation is needed. One way to circumvent this is to channel the magic of magical creatures. But magical creatures have their own agendas and magicians soon discover that they have become the servant of the creature they summoned. There has been no recognized use of magic in this thread.

Pre-War Map: https://forum.literotica.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=666693
Note the pre-war borders between Artan and Char'on. The pre-war map is ten years out of date.

Expanded Map:
Note the changed borders between Artan and Char'on in the expanded map. The expanded map is current.

 

[Otto26]

Aaja had been setting up her tent, just outside the gypsy camp of her people when a loud bang had caught her attention. Before she knew it a large, brutish arm had swung out of nowhere, knocking her down and she was picked up like a child's toy and tossed into a sack.

She had been transported for days at a time by horse and cart, then sold twice in small villiages, and transported further. She felt as if months had passed since she had seen her homeland but time was a blurr to Aaja now as she was so often drugged and knocked out for further transport. Waking up in new and strange places had become routine for poor Aaja. She found in this strange land she was prized for her light eyes, fair, white skin and her hair, so light blonde it was nearly white.

The slavekeepers protected her from the sunlight, trying to keep their purchase valuable but besides the respite of shade she was not treated very well in captivity. She had been sodomized twice and beaten just enough times that the captors noticed how easily she bruised and were careful to torture her in other ways, like burning the soles of her feet, or refusing her food and water for days on end. She was tired and frightened. Aaja missed her people, her family. She sat in her cage and prayed to whatever gods would listen for her freedom, or at least for a better situation than the one she was in.

Aaja
Platinum blonde hair to her waist, light ice blue eyes, pale white flawless skin, long limbs, somewhat thin from recent malnourishment. 5 ft 3, firm, round ass, supple but perky size B breasts, hairless body.
She appears human but is of an unusual sort of human not recognized as belonging to any familiar race of known people. Her people are nomadic, gypsy-like and worship the land and the spirits they believe protect the land. She is a skilled herbalist and also made her living healing animals.
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Aaja wasn't certain what day it was, only that it was morning, so she did her morning prayer ritual as best she could in her shackles, kneeling in the cold mud. She knealt to kiss the ground in thanks for being alive another day when the sheen of a pair of boots caught her attention. A person much cleaner than any she had seen in weeks stood before her, glaring down at her, assessing her, he discussed her with the slavekeeper who loved to violate her with his filthy fingers,the two looked down at her and spoke in an unfamiliar tongue. SHe looked up at them, her shackled hands unable to reach above her head to protect her eyes from the glare of the sun so she squinted up at them wondering what the clean man wanted.
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Yet a new slave-keeper, it appeared.
This newer, cleaner man tugged gently on the chains that bound Aaja's wrists and ankles as he pulled her to trot alongside the horse he had mounted. He kept this up for hours until Aaja was out of breath and her legs were so past the point of overexertion and pain they felt numb to her, each step punishing her with a rubbery sway that constantly threatened to topple her body and leave her to be dragged the rest of the way by this man's horse. Finally, he slowed down the pace and Aaja saw why. Over the crest of the hill they had climbed was a huge bustling town.

She was led toward the town marketplace and through the hand gestures of the clean man she guess he wanted her to stand upon a sort of block. She could not understand his speech, it was so foriegn. But, a whack on the tailbone with his cane told her that she better do as he said quickly, so she took a guess at what he wished and climbed atop the block, where he and several others flipped her onto her stomach and spread her four limbs wide around the block itself, exposing her privates to the street for all to see. They then bound her this way tightly and left her for the rest of the world to see her shameful parts and talk about her. The clean man stood nearby, speaking to the crown of onlookers as they stared. Aaja could see nothing but the block, the ground and the boots of the clean man as she lay spread out on display, weeping silently. It appeared an auction was about to begin.

OOC: Anyone going to write with me or is this a narrative?
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Aaja was quickly led away from the man with the shiny boots by another. He spoke to her in a foriegn tongue and all she could do was stare dumbly at him as he untied her from the block and led her by her bindings to follow him. Was this her new owner? She wished she could understand him. One word he spoke sounded remarkably like her people's word for 'bread' and another sounded like a child's pronounciation for 'water' if those were even close approximations to the words she knew she hoped she was right and she followed eagerly. Perhaps he had food and water to give her. She hadn't eaten in days and the last water she had drunk was from a stinking, muddy bucket in the last villiage the previous morning. Aaja tried to walk quickly but the sores on the bottoms of her feet from where she'd been tortured were infected and the stones on the street were causing indescribable pain with each step she took. He led her inside a building into a room lit with candles. More speech she could not follow and then a pair of female hands took hold of her arms and led her to sit beside a bucket of water.

In a flurry of motion she was being scrubbed and rinsed. All the while she stared up into the faces, and past them, at her new captor. Aaja just wanted to understand what was happening to her. She repeated the odd sounding word she had thought she grasped earlier and pointed to the liquid being poured from a cup over her feet. "Wa-t-r?" she asked, hoping she was right and that maybe some words did translate from her language to this strange one.
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Once she was cleaned Aaja felt more like her old self again. The women sat her down on a soft mat on the floor of the room and left her naked but wrapped a warm blanket over her shoulders after drying her off. A large mug of fresh water was handed to Aaja who drank greedily and finished quickly. More was poured into the cup and it was filled two more times before she paused to see a steaming bowl of fragrant stew had been placed before her and a hunk or bread beside it.

Eyes shining with gratitude Aaja looked up at the person who had placed it before her with thanks and spoke in her own language, "Dar juu" which was a way of thanking someone for a precious gift. She needed help with her bindings still on her wrists to manuver one hand holding the bowl and the other scooping up bits of vegetable and meat with the bread and lifting it to her mouth but after a few assisted tries she got the hang of it and was able to finish her meal on her own. She wasn't sure if it was her hunger or actually the quality of the food but it tasted delicious and she ate every bit and drank the last drops.

Her stomach now full, and her body clean, she rested against the wall and finished the rest of the water in her cup with more grace. Aaja sighed, her weariness finally overcoming her as she was able to relax for the first time in weeks and she felt herself begin to doze off but her eyelids flew open at the sound of another entering the room. A woman carrying many things in a basket that Aaja recognized. This was a healer. Aaja thanks the gods that someone was sent to care for her wounds, for the food in her belly, for the water to drink and bathe and that she was being treated humanely for a change. She hoped this was not all in preparation for something even more terrible than she had already experienced.

As the woman looked at her feet Aaja tried to explain what had happened to her but she could see the woman did not understand a word of her language. So she pointed and gestured and also wanted to know what to call things. She had to learn this new language if she was going to make it at all in this place. Aaja first pointed to the foot the women examined and asked what it was called. This took several tries before a word was agreed upon by the group before her. 'foot'

"Foot." repeated Aaja, feeling she was finally getting somewhere with understanding these strange people.
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Aaja spent the next hour learning the names of various things and some common words and phrases in this new tongue. She picked everything up quickly, she guessed, by the surprised yet pleased expressions on the other women's faces as they gave her more to learn and she absorbed it all. She rarely had to be told anything more than once before she remembered it and internalized it. It was a common gift many of her kind had.

She began trying to string words together into awkward phrases by the beginning of the second hour and from what she could understand of the new language, one of the girls who had washed her asked her where she had come from. At first she was honest and shrugged. It was easier to express than the complicated truth that she had no idea where she was so it was not easy to tell where her land would be in comparison. After the same question came up again later she tried another tact. She answered as best she could. "My home - mountains - go far from mountains - go that way." she pointed up to indicate they lived at the peaks and mountain tops.

"My home - much cold wind - much cold water, 'siij oh'(she could not describe the ice) warm in 'traipi' ( she knew no word to describe their tents) My home not like here. 'Bijanni' (different) My home -"
tears formed in her eyes at the truth of it
"-too far." Her home was too far away for her to ever find again. She had no idea which direction she had been brought nor the distance when she had been kidnapped. The women nodded their understanding and left her with her silent tears while they went on to attend to other duties remarking on how strange and exotically beautiful she was. "You will be very popular among the discerning." said one.

Aaja wondered if it was good or bad in the world of a slave to be considered popular.
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After her language lessons and yet more to drink and eat Aaja grew sleepy. The blanket she'd been given and the bandages on her feet made her feel warm, the fullness of her belly made her feel somewhat comfortable for the first time in many weeks. Her people were used to cold but valued warmth greatly. In her exhaustion she could no longer remain alert and with no one bothering or harming her in several hours she had fallen asleep.
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Castor entered the brothel and handed his cloack to the servant waiting by the door. Weia, the owner, hurried over to him and greet him effusively.

"My lord Castor, how very good to see you again. Will you be wanting your usual room?"

"Yes, Weia, thank you," Castor replied.

"And will you be joined by any guests this evening?" the madam pursued.

"No, I've come by myself. It's been rather a long day and I thought some relaxation would be nice. Have you anyone new?"

Weia hesitated, but Castor was one of her better clients, wealthy and unlikely to damage any of her slaves.

"In truth, lord, I have a brand new girl. But there has not yet been an opportunity to do more than clean her up. I hesitate to offer her to you."

"Bring her to my room, Weia. I'll not hold you responsible if I find her unsuitable," Castor told him.

"Very gracious of you, lord. I will have her brought immediately. Sima, conduct lord Castor to his usual room, and have wine brought to him."

Castor followed the employee upstairs.
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Aaja awoke to the sound of the door opening and an unfamiliar man entered and stared down at her with a smile on his face. The woman who had patiently taught her so many words earlier now bade Aaja to stand and when Aaja wasn't quick enough to repond she was pulled up by the woman and shoved forward to face this person. "Say hello to Sir, Aaja."she was ordered.

Aaja shyly looked at the ground as she said the words which felt like pebbles in her mouth instead of real language. "Hello, Sir."
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Castor examined the woman. She was physically spectacular, but had not yet gained the confidence that would come when she realized the effect she had on men. When she did, he reflected, she would be well worth owning. It was something to consider.

"Does she have a name?" he asked Weia.

The madam shrugged. "Does it matter? Call her anything you wish, lord."

Castor pointed to himself and said his name. "Castor." He pointed at Aaja and raised his eyebrows in question.
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Aaja understood the question he had asked the woman who kept her in the room and as he pointed to himself she realized he was naming himself to her "Castor" she repeated softly to herself. He then raised his eyebrows and stared at her, as if asking her to reply with her name. "Aaja." she said in a voice only slightly louder than a whisper. She wondered what he wanted from her and was at least relieved he was not filthy and unwashed like the other slavekeepers who had transported her from her homeland and tried in their drunken fumbling to split her sex open with their greasy fingers and pounded her ass with pricks that went limp in seconds, rolling off of her in a pool of their own vomit and sleeping off their hangovers with her hair in their fingernails. Just the thought of those terrible men made her shudder and she looked hopefully at this new man, desiring more kindness than that memory.
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"Aaja," Castor repeated. "A lovely name. I see no reason to change it." He smiled at the young woman. "Follow me, Aaja."

He turned and walked out of the holding room and up the stairs to his usual room, confident that Aaja would follow or Weia would bring her. He sat down on the cushioned bench which overlooked a very small garden on the ground level. Aaja, he saw, was hesitating in the doorway.

"Come here, Aaja," he told her, adding a gesture to indicate she should approach and sit next to him.

"Wine, please, Weia, and an assortment of food."

The madam bowed her head in assent and backed out of the room. Castor turned his attention to Aaja, examing her again the brighter light.
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Aaja followed the strange man only because she had a feeling there would be dire consequences for not doing as she was told and because the woman was following and motioning her to move forward. But, at the doorway she stopped; hesitating at the sight of a bed in the room. In her culture it is forbidden to enter a man's bedroom unless you are his wife and a woman found with a man other than her husband in her bedroom for any reason is to be tossed from a cliff or burned at the stake. These forbiddings went through her mind as she saw the man sit down and motion her forward. She had been promised to Jinja. She wondered if he would want her after her abuse from the kidnappers and the men who bought her from them...probably not. Jinja was a memory, nothing more. She would never see her home again. This man smiled at her in a way that was not unkind. She decided perhaps it would be best to listen to him and forget the ways of her people for now. If her people knew all that had happened to her since her capture she would be dead to them anyway. She entered the room and sat as indicated that she should. SHe wasn't certain where to cast her eyes so she cast them down again, at her newly bandaged feet and waited to see what he would do.
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Castor reached over and used his fingers to lift Aaja's chin until she was looking at him. He smiled at her. "Much better. You're very lovely Aaja, and you have nothing to fear from me." He examined her closely. Weia had obviously had her cleaned up, but there were still some signs of fading bruises upon her body. Her eyes were a shade he had not seen before, even amongst the other species. And her hair... He stroked the soft hair appreciatively and his eyes darted down to her mons, wondering if the color was natural. He saw no hair and noted that her arms and legs were hairless as well. Curious, he reached between her legs and ran his fingers over her. She stiffened, but he held his hand still and she slowly relaxed and he resumed his exploration.

A knock at the door announced the arrival of the wine and Castor idly called for the servants to enter. One brought a tray with a glass decanter and two small glasses. The other brought a tray of delicacies: candied fruits, nuts, pastries, and such. Castor traced his hand up her belly to her chest, cupping her breasts to feel the weight of them and gently squeezing. Her eyes darted from him to the servants and back again. He shrugged his shoulders at the implied question; the servants did not matter. Not even when one of them stared at her in obvious approval.

The servants left as quickly as they had come and Castor took his hands away from Aaja's body to pour wine into a glass. He then pointed to Aaja and mimed pouring a glass.
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He gave Aaja such a strange feeling to be around. On one had he was gentle and kind, yet he was firm and she could see a strong will behind his eyes. He wanted somthing from her. She could guess what, but he didn't take as quickly or forcefully as she would have expected. Instead he seemed to want to calm her, teach her even. To what avail, she was uncertain. As he ran his hands along her skin she tried hard not to squirm away from him except when he got close to her private parts she stiffened a little. Her urge was to get up and run from him but she was afraid of bringing out rage in one so peaceful as he had been so far.

The peaceful men, the quiet ones, are like a beach right before a storm hits, Aaja's mother had told her that once. 'Never anger a quiet man. They are the most ferocious and dangerous once their temper blows.' So, Aaja settled herself and let him do what he pleased. He was not rough with her, he gently touched her labia and then ran his hands back up to her stomach and breasts. The feel of him touching and squeezing her breasts got her breathing a little faster. She was surprised at the pleasurable sensation of another's hands, big, strong hands squeezing her breasts, could bring.

While he touched her servants were millign about, bringing delectable looking foods and a drink that smelled sweet. Their eyes on her, and on him touching her this way brough s blush to her cheeks and she looked at them watching and smiling their obvious approval and felt ashamed. But Castor seemed to not care at all. So, Aaja tried to relax.

He poured a glass of the liquid and then seemed to ask her if she wanted some or if she would pour? She wasn't certain which. She picked up the empty glass and reached for the decanter but held the glass out in case he would rather pour instead of her. She did not want to look as if she was trying to be presumptuous. She just honestly didn't understand what the protocol was. "Cas-tor? Wa-t-r?" she asked. Even though she knew this was not water she didn't know the proper word for it in this new language. Her large, ice blue eyes questioned everything. Her fear was still very palpable.
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Castor nodded his approval and motioned for her to pour wine into the cup.

"Wine, Aaja. Wine."

"Wine," she said.

He was pleased. She seemed intelligent, if ignorant of the ways of his culture. He enjoyed the company of intelligent women, whether they were slaves or free made little difference, in most regards. When she poured the wine into the cup she set the decanter down and looked... apprehensive. He guessed that her culture was highly codified with very rigid standards of behavior. She would be worried about transgressing an unknown standard and incurring punishment.

He reached down to the cup he had poured and offered it to her. She looked puzzled and then offered him the cup she had poured. He accepted it and took a sip. Weia had an excellent cellar, another reason he patronized her establishment, and she had sent very good wine up to one of her most valued customers. He took another sip and watched as Aaja cautiously sampled the liquid. From her reaction he thought she had not tasted wine before.

He reclined upon the couch to study her some more and pointed to the food and then to her, miming the action of eating.

"Eat, Aaja. Eat the food."
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The liquid was sweet as she had suspected, but only at first, it had a heated sort of aftertaste that burned her throat a bit when she swallowed. She made a face that Castor seemed to find humorous and said, "Hot, Hot. Wine hot - here." and she pointed to her throat. She wasn't quite sure if she liked the heated feel to her throat or not. She'd have to try another sip later to be certain. For now Castor was encouraging her to eat.

Aaja beheld the platter with the various unfamiliar confections and even some fruits she had never seen before. She cautiously picked up a red fruit, smaller than her palm and teardrop shaped with tiny little seeds all over it and a green leafy hat at it's top. It looked like a fruit imitating an acorn, only much more colorful and beautiful in red and green. There were many of these red fruits, some sort of berry. She sniffed it first but it didn't smell like much she could recognize. She rose her eyebrows at Castor to ask if it was ok for her to try. He nodded so she took a bite. It was good, very good. One of the best things she had ever tasted. Aaja finshed the berry but soon realized the green part was better left discarded. It wasn't juicy and sweet like the red part. She took another from the platter and held it up. "Castor? What - food -this?" she asked, wanting to know it's name.
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"Strawberry, Aaja. Do you like them?"

She nodded and ate the strawberry she was holding. Castor smiled at her obvious enjoyment and took another sip of his wine. When she leaned forward to place the leaves on the tray he shifted forward and took her chin between his fingers. His lips brushed against hers and he felt the movement of air brought on by her rapid breathing. He pressed his lips against hers and his tongue gently parted them. She seemed hesitant, torn between curiousity and conflicting fears, but she did not pull away and her tongue ventured to touch his. He tasted the strawberry in her warm mouth and smiled, releasing her and leaning forward to pull her feet up and onto his lap.

He unwrapped the bandages around one foot and his face hardened at the sight of obviously inflicted injuries. He had seen much worse, but it offended his sensibilities to see such damage done to a beautiful woman. The injuries would heal, if he was any judge, particularly if tended by a competent physician. He pointed to her feet.

"Men did this to you? Why?"
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He leaned in to kiss her and Aaja was torn between her curiosity and her fear of what a kiss might lead to. She remained as still as possible and took a chance at returning his gesture, tasting his tongue with her own. He tasted good, and his body felt good pressd up against hers. She felt a sort of protectiveness from him toward her and she needed it, she was so alone in this alien place she needed someone who could guide her. Would Castor be her guide? She wondered.

As he pulled her feet up to look at them she winced as the bandages were removed. "Men did this to you? Why?"

Aaja shook her head and shrugged, "Aaja - Know not slave ways? Aaja many proud and many angry...at first. Aaja no want dirty hands and bodies on Aaja body." she answered in her best accumulation of new vocabulary. Hoping she had made her point. "Aaja not same now. Aaja be good slave ...many afraid."
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Castor grunted, it was about what he had expected. Slavers were rough men who preferred to break women rather than gentle them. That was simply the nature of the world. He stood up, lifted her up into his arms, and carried her to the bed, setting her down gently. He removed his clothing, dropping it to the floor and got onto the bed beside her.

She was staring at him and he saw curiousity in her gaze and fear and a desire to flee in her rigid body. He stroked her face, breast, belly and sex. His fingers traced small circles upon her mons, stimulating her without yet actually touching her clitoris. He smiled at her again.

"Aaja good slave for Castor then Aaja no afraid other men. No afraid Castor."

He bent his mouth to her throat, softly kissing at the tender, milk-white flesh.
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Aaja couldn't help but grow aroused at Castor's gentle touches and caresses even despite her will telling her something completley opposite from her body. She sighed and shivered as he touched her private places and kissed her neck. She found herself eager to please this man as no other. "What Castor want of Aaja?" she asked softly, her breath caught by her sudden arousal.
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"I will have your pleasure, Aaja," Castor told her. "You will give your pleasure to me and you will give me pleasure. With your body and your words and your behavior."

His hand continued to stroke, pressing more firmly and parting her legs, darting down to run over her labia, slowly opening like a flower, before continuing to circle. He noted the change in her body, the rigidness seemingly changing it's character from fear to uncertainty.

"If you are a good slave, Aaja, you will rewarded," he whispered. He bent his head to her breast, softly sucking a nipple into his mouth for his tongue to taste and play with.
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Aaja gasped softly, her breathing quickening as Castor parted her nether lips and stroked her there. His touch was disarming and despite herself she writhed toward his fingers with each stroke. Her pleasure pearl, a woman's private possession, responding to his fingers as if calling out to him. This was not to be touched by a man's hand. In her culture only 'companions' stroked one another in such a tender way, women who lived together and raised their young together. Men were for making babies and trading the camp's goods in far off lands, women were for pleasure, love, and working the farms. This was odd behavior for a man, this tenderness, yet she could see his arousal waking and knew that there were things he could do to her no 'companion' could. This frightened her. For, though she had chosen a companion, her cousin Mierna who had already been betrothed to one of the camp elders and was big with his child, she had never been taken by a husband.

Her promising to Jinja was recent. He had gone off with the older men and was not to take her as his wife until springtime...she knew woman but no man in a sexual way and now she was growing apprehensive that Castor would bring this knowledge to her. Mierna has said it was painful to be ploughed by a man's rod. This touching, and kissing, and sucking...it was all so nice, but she was fearful of the unknown to come.

"If you are a good slave, Aaja, you will rewarded," he whispered. He bent his head to her breast, softly sucking a nipple into his mouth for his tongue to taste and play with. Aaja wimpered and felt the confusion of her own pleasure mixed with her apprehension.

"Will it hurt?" she asked, honestly hoping there was a way to make things easier. "Aaja's 'companion' she have man and say it hurt when he put it inside." She remembered the rough treatment from the slavekeepers who had abused her. It was agony when they'd raped her ass and she was afraid the soft, and tender skin of her private hole would hurt even more with such treatment.
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Castor lifted his mouth from Aaja's breast.

"It will hurt a little, at first," he told her. "But your body was made for this and you will have pleasure too."

He slid a finger inside her, stroking gently, pushing up against the wet silk of her in a quest for the sensitive spot so many women possessed. She seemed to stiffen and he smiled softly and continued to stroke her, thumb working her pearl while his finger curled inside.

He put his hand in her hair and pulled back towards her bottom, gently but insistently arching her body upwards. The annoying portion of him that never stopped thinking idly speculated on the nature of her 'companion' and resolved to inquire at the soonest opportunity. The rest of him remained focused on Aaja, the curves of her body and the flush forming on her chest.

"I will be gentle with you, Aaja. I usually am."
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"I will be gentle with you, Aaja. I usually am." he said as his fingers worked divine devistation on her from the inside out. Her breathing was much more rapid now coming in little shudders and quick gasps as she moved with his hand's ministrations. He worked her pearl with his thumb almost as well as her cousin Mierna could with her mouth and Aaja was afraid she would cum soon, to her own embarrassment, she prayed she would not cum so quickly and let him see how easily she could be played. Aaja felt his manhood, hardness pressing against her inner thigh. He was preparing to enter her with it. She closed her eyes, trying not to tense up as she waited for him to do his business.
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Castor felt faint tremors in Aaja's body, saw the flush above her breasts, and knew she was close. He considered pushing her over the edge, but decided against it. She was nervous, and would not relax until she was comfortable with the idea of sex. He pulled his hand away from her sex and rolled over on top of her, his weight pushing down and spreading her legs. He guided his cock to her warmth and slowly pushed just the head inside.

She bit her lower lip and tried to turn her face to the side, but he wouldn't let her. His hand in her hair shook her twice, firmly.

"Eyes open, Aaja. Look at me," he ordered.

She opened her eyes reluctantly and looked up at him. He simply lay atop her, looking into her eyes, until he felt her hips twitch. The motion was faint, but he felt it. And he pushed further into her, only a fraction more, but enough for her to gasp lightly. When he thought he saw more interest than fear in her eyes he pushed the rest of the way home, burying himself inside her.

"Not so bad," he whispered to her, "and it won't hurt like that again."
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At first Castor put just enough inside her opening that it felt to Aaja like a fat finger poking around at her. But she knew he was holding back and there was much more where that came from. She closed her eyes and turned her head to the side, preparing for pain, but he shook her head with the hand that held her hair."Eyes open, Aaja. Look at me," he ordered.

She wimpered again, just barely loud enough to hear and slowly opened her eyes to look up at him as he hovered over her. His eyes willing hers to stay on him. She wanted him to be happy with her, to smile at her again, so she tried valliantly to be brave for him. She concentrated on relaxing her body more instead of tensing for the pain. This relaxation caused him to slide, little, by little, further inside her hole, but to her surprise the feeling was not yet that of any sort of thing resembling pain. She gasped at the sensation of fullness,and more... a tickling sensation even, and a sort of milder mimicking of the pleasureable feeling the stroking on the outside of her gave. There was no pain so far. She relaxed further telling him with her eyes that she was ok.

Then, he pushed the rest of the way forward in one quick thrust and she gasped again as she felt a stab of pain, her eyes watered in surprise at an intense but quick prickly feeling, like being stuck by a needle that was immediatley washed away by a squishy feeling softness that followed. The pain was over before she could even make a sound against it.

He rested against her a moment saying, "Not so bad," he whispered to her, "and it won't hurt like that again."

Aaja sighed and whispered, "Aaja was many worried. Badder in head than real." she commented on the fact that her anticipation had been worse than the actual moment. As Castor began his movements inside her she now could relax, as it didn't hurt, it only felt strange, and messy, but soon the pleasurable stroking sensations deep inside were back again and she began to enjoy his motions, rocking and grinding with him as he moved inside her.
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Castor smiled as the moment pass and Aaja discovered her fears had been far worse than reality. He felt her body relax and began to slowly stroke into her. He took his time, enjoying the subtle sensations of her body against him and around him. He smiled again when she began to rock in time with him, becoming an active participant in the act.

He kept his hand in her hair, her body bowed beneath him, and dropped his lips to her kissing her deeply. She was breathing heavily now and making soft sounds that he found very pleasing. He pushed into her and rocked against her, his abdomen rubbing against her. The sensation was amazing, as was the situation. He enjoyed having her body at his command and particularly enjoyed being able to create the feelings coursing through her.

His ruminations pushed him over the edge and he came inside her, his body stiffening with drawn out convulsions of blinding pleasure.

"Oohh very good girl, Aaja. Very good girl."
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Aaja almost purred with satisfaction. She had not expected a man to ever bring her such pleasure but Castor had and then some. She looked up at him as the warm liquid filled her and wondered with a far away sort of look in her eyes if it was the seed of a man inside her and if all women grew big from this expereince or only some, or perhaps only sometimes. She really wasn't ready to have children, not as a slave but she did want to feel those sensations again many more times. She wanted to ask Castor about these things but could not think of the words to ask them and soon she let the concerns fall away for the moment as an overwhelming drowsiness overtook her.

She yawned and smiled up at Castor. "Castor take Aaja with him when he go?" she hoped he would say yes. She wanted to feel him move inside her with his manhood again soon. She liked the soft way he talked to her and caressed her and she wanted more of it.
____________________________________________________

Castor rolled over, pulling Aaja on top of him, and considered her question. Right now, of course, it made tremendous sense. His body thoroughly approved of any idea that gave him unlimited access to Aaja. He usually kept slaves away from his townhouse, it wasn't set up for keeping them, and taking her there would pose some difficulties. Still...

He pulled the cord behind the bed and the servant assigned to his room entered without knocking a few moments later.

"Your wish, lord?" the man inquired.

"Towels, and a wash basin. And inform Mistress Weia that I would like to speak to her."

"At once, lord," the man replied and quickly left.

Another servant entered the room shortly thereafter with a pile of towels, followed by another with a basin of water. Following Castor's directions they set them down on the bed and departed. Castor pointed to the towels and water and then to their joined genitalia.

"Use the towels and water, Aaja. Clean us both," he ordered.
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Aaja nodded, immediately springing to action cleaning Castor first and then herself. She worked silently as he seemed to be thinking. But, he had never answered her question. Perhaps he didn't like the experience as much as she did. Perhaps she did something wrong. She was growing more worried with every passing second spent in silence until she had finished washing them both up and was drying herself and Castor off with the softest of the towels. Her eyes searched him for some clue as to his thoughts. "Castor not happy. Aaja do a bad thing? Aaja want learn, Aaja do better, try again?" she asked, jumping back up beside him on the bed and lying down with her legs parted. She was willing to try again, to show him she could do better if he was dissappointed. He searched his eyes with her own, anxiousness making her light eyes wide and fearful looking.
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Castor smiled kindly at Aaja.

"No, Aaja, you did nothing wrong. But, if you are so eager to learn then there are many lessons we could undertake. We'll start with this one."

He took her hair in one hand and pulled her head down to his belly. He didn't have to pull hard at all because she quickly followed his lead despite the puzzlement in her eyes.

"Your body can give pleasure in many ways, Aaja. Your lips and tongue can be used to caress my cock. Have you seen this before?"

"With companion," Aaja responded. "Not with man. I try?"

"Yes, Aaja. You try," Castor said and released her hair.

With a determined look she addressed herself to his pleasure, just as the door opened and Weia entered.

"You sent for me, lord?" she asked.

"Yes, Mistress Weia, I did. I will be taking Aaja with me when I return to my house. If you would be so kind as to send a servant to summon my palanquin and my factor. I know you will name a mutually acceptable price."

Weia hesitated. On the one hand the girl was fresh and exotic and would be popular with her customers. On the other hand, she was not so exotic as to be likely to attract new customers and Lord Castor was one of her most powerful patrons. There would be, she decided, other girls; the slaver had had a nymph and an elf in his stock and she could use the money from this sale to purchase one of them or something similar.

"Of course, lord," she replied. "Are you finding everything satisfactory?"

Castor hissed in pleasure and ran a hand possessively over Aaja's platinum hair.

"Yes, Mistress Weia, I am finding everything very satisfactory."

Weia bowed and exited the room, calculating the largest price she could safely ask for and not anger Castor or cause him to take his custom elsewhere.
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Aaja licked and sucked on the long organ, hoping Castor was finding it pleasing. His taste was stronger than that of her 'companion' and saltier than she was used to, but it wasn't a foul taste at all and she thought to herself she could grow accustomed to it. She looked up at Castor occasionally for instruction on what else he would like her to do to him with her mouth. She was learning quickly and his member browing in her mouth and small, lithe hands made her feel she was doing well.
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Castor smiled down at Aaja. She wasn't particularly skilled, but he couldn't fault her enthusiasm in the slightest. He found her willing energy very refreshing and far too enjoyable to interrupt with instruction that might be taken as criticism. He contented himself with encouraging her in general and praising her when her explorations hit upon something he particularly enjoyed. He was particularly taken with the sight of her. Kneeling, as she was, crosswise to his body, he had an unparalleled view of her. The contours of her body were a delight to behold and he found his hand reaching out to trace her pale flesh; flanks, ass, belly and breast.

When she moaned around him he felt his whole body shudder and she looked up at him, worried.

"Good girl, Aaja," he reassured her. "I liked that very much."

She moaned again and his body reacted as it had before. With a self-satisfied glint in her eyes Aaja went back to work, noisily moaning and sucking. It sent Castor over the edge.
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Aaja was surprised to see Castor's tool actually erupt into tiny spasms and pump out loads of creamy white stuff. She drew back a moment in alarm, but then realizing what it must be, she laughed at her own foolishness and tasted that too. His seed was slippery, and it tasted salty but rich and somehow not all that different from his skin, just more intense.

She lapped it up obediently as more and more erupted and he shook and moaned. This widened her smile because then she knew she was doing what he wanted her to and it felt good to him. Once it was finished shooting out seed she took a moment to admire the organ, caressing it gently with her hands, watching it slowly return to a smaller size again. She was entranced.

Without bidding this time, she carefully washed off his cock with one of the left over towels from earlier and took a moment to wipe a bit of the seed that had strayed in it's path from her chin and cheek. She then knealt before him hoping she was good enough to take with him. She had not been in this house long enough to know if they were as cruel of captors as her previous had been but she knew a kind heart when she saw one and wasn't willing to let it go without taking a chance at perhaps finding a place in it.

"Aaja good girl, Aaja wish to learn more from Sir Castor." she said, in more complete of a sentence than ever, she was indeed learning quickly.
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Castor was pleased. She was beautiful, willing, and she learned quickly. He rose from the bed and retrieved the plate of food and the cups of wine. He brought them back to the bed, handing one cup to Aaja and reclining across from her. He took a sip of his wine and luxuriated in the sight of her.

"Yes, Aaja, you will come with me. I will see that you learn so that you can better serve me. Mostly you will use your body and your intelligence to please me, but the job of every servant is to make her master look good. You will also learn how to do this."

He sipped again at his wine.

"I have sent for my factor, when he arrives we will leave. Do you have any questions?"
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Aaja considered all he told her and then asked, "Aaja want know if Castor have many slaves an do Castor mind if Aaja some day want to 'companion' have from them?" she carefully lifted her cup and attempted another sip of wine. It was still stronger than she would have liked for a drink but she was more prepared for the burn of the alcohol than before and therefore it tasted a little better to her than before.

She raised her eyes to meet Castor's, wondering if he would allow her this one request in order to soothe the lonliness of being away from her culture and home, another woman's company to count on in repayment for her total obedience to Castor, doing everything he tells her to and honoring him in even her obedience to the men he tells her to please. Aaja still wanted a woman's arms to be herself in at the end of it all. She wondered if Castor, a product of this alien culture could understand that need in her. She was prepared for possessiveness and for the possibility that he might tell her no. Aaja realized she would not die without female companionship, only she would be much less happy. She hoped he would allow it, perhaps he would want to witness Aaja's idea of companionship. She was happy to oblige him if that was the case. She waited for his response before making such offers.
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"In fact I do not have a great many slaves, Aaja. My family has always invested money. So I own part of many farms, but no farms of my own. And I have always surrounded myself with free servants," Castor replied.

He took a sip of his wine and picked up a pastry, popping it into his mouth. He chewed for a few moments, looking carefully at Aaja. The tension she had carried when she first entered the room was back, she was clearly worried about a refusal and he suspected it went beyond his understanding.

"Tell me, Aaja. Tell me what a 'companion' is and why a 'companion' is so important to you."
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Aaja brightened a little as she thought of how to best explain it to him in her limited vocabulary. "A 'companion'...she is a woman lives with a woman,help with work and home things, with children if children in home. For my people...women live in two or three or four to a home, it makes life easier, all women in home together, help each another, share work, share food and clothes and share a bed...when men come back from trips, the women each own bed with her man. When men go away, 'companions' pleasure each another and share bed. Men come and go, man die, get promised to another....but woman, a 'companion' is friend and lover for life."

Aaja finished her explanation with a smile, she was proud of how well she got through it and thought she had explained it thoroughly. But her manner grew more resignated and a little saddened, "Castor have no slave Aaja can make friend with, and one day 'companion', so Aaja have no companion, just serve and pleasure Castor...." she sighed, "...that still not bad life. Aaja know, can be worse." she shrugged, "If it is not able to be happen Aaja 'nderstand."
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Castor was fascinated. "That's very interesting," he said. "I imagine your men are gone for long periods of time. I wonder what sort...." He stopped himself. His father and his tutors had always despaired of his penchant for examining new ideas. 'Flights of facny' they had characterized them. In truth, he was given to daydreaming about new things and that was not always a good thing for someone involved in politics.

He sipped at his wine and considered practical matters. Aaja's reassurances aside, it was obvious this matter meant a good deal to her. His home was not particularly suited for keeping slaves because he had never been particularly motivated to have any. His father had fought through the last great slave revolt and had been distrustful of slaves and the idea of slavery in general. He had been careful not to publicly state his views, however, lest he be taken for a ------ sympathizer. But he had also not kept slaves in his house or bought large estates to be worked by slaves as so many other lords did. He had instead invested, becoming a silent partner with free men, veterans for the most part, who needed an extra stake to start their new life as a farmer. The policy had not made them fabulously wealthy but it had supplied them with a considerable steady income and, more importantly, a great deal of political clout. Slaves have no voice, but veteran citizens could be very vocal when matters concerned them. And Castor had made his career with their support. His playmates had been the children of soldiers and Castor had been included in the games they played, more training for their future military careers than diversions. And the very young officer he had become had been well prepared and, more importantly, favored by his senior enlisted men. That favor had carried over to politics where Castor had judiciously advanced many of their causes and carefully and respectfully explained to them why he would not support others.

Castor realized he was drifting again and chuckled into his wine.

"I can see this is important to you, Aaja, and I want you to be happy in my home. We'll look for a companion for you. Another slave. You may select her yourself. But she will warm my bed just as you do."

A knock at the door announced the presence of the floor servant.

"Your palanquin and your factor have arrived, lord," the man informed him.

Castor rose from the bed and pulled his clothing on. It was simple clothing, for Castor was at heart a simple man and enough of a politician to know what his constituents expected, but made of the finest fabric he could afford, for he also knew the power of demonstrable wealth. He picked Aaja up, easily cradling her in his arms, and carried her down to the ground floor.

A small crowd of men awaited them in the street. They surrounded the palanquin and looked outward for the most part. Many of them were young men, the sons of clients who lived in his house. He advanced their interests and they advanced his. Others were older, veterans all and they served because they or their families remembered the favors done by Castor or his father before him. They all considered themselves his bodyguards.

Castor deposited Aaja in the palanquin.

"I don't want you walking any distance on those feet until my physician has examined them," he told her.

He turned to a large man with a maimed face.

"Caius, I just bought a slave. Pay the mistress her price and don't haggle. Belike I'll be buying another soon."

His factor smiled thinly, for he had learned that his broad smile upset people, and walked into the brothel.
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Aaja was delighted! She was told she would soon be able not only the allowance of a 'companion' but one she could choose for herself! Then, quite literally, Castor swept her off her feet and carried her , HER, his slave, he carried her to the thing he called a 'palanquin' but when she repeated the word it came out sounding like "pen and quin" and deposited her telling her, "I don't want you walking any distance on those feet until my physician has examined them," .

She nodded, looking up into his eyes with greatfulness, "Thank you, Sir Castor." she said softly. She looked around at the men who had come to pick him and her up and take them to his home. She wondered what his home would be like and as they took off to go she started a list in her head of things she would look for in a 'companion'. She knew no one would nor should replace her dear cousin but she did certainly think she had preferences. Her eyes lit up when Castor was back in her presence again and she smiled at him.
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Castor basked in Aaja's smile for moment and then signaled for the men to lift the palanquin. If they thought it strange that a slave rode while their lord walked, they didn't show it. A few of the younger clients seemed uneasy with the idea, but the older men were all smiling tolerantly. Castor understood those smiles and knew that this would only burnish his reputation. 'Saw him put an injured slave in his litter and had her carried to his house while he walked,' the story would say. And men nursing their beers at the end of the day would nod their heads and think him a decent sort. He wondered if knowing, and using, his reputation made him a slimy bastard.

The little procession wended through the crowded streets. A few of the men walked in front of Castor, carefully creating a space for the rest of their fellows to pass. Very little needed to be done in truth. Most of the common folk were well-disposed towards Castor. True he was no bread and circuses demagogue as some of his more popular peers were, but he had championed several projects that had made life in the city easier, and safer. If he wasn't surrounded by cheering crowds they were still willing to scoot aside and to call out the occasional cheerful greeting. And when they asked his clients why he walked when his palanquin was close to hand they were told a quick story, and good natured laughter rang out in the processions wake.

When they reached his home it was nearing dinner time. The palanquin was lowered to the ground and Castor plucked Aaja from it, carrying her in the narrow door that led to the living area. The garden within made Aaja gasp and Castor stopped, slowly turning so that she didn't break her neck trying to see everything. It was a small garden, compared to most, but large for its location. It had been planted by his grandmother and was older than he was. The tough old lady had outlived two husbands and most of her children, and a few grandchildren to boot, and he had preserved the garden in her memory. Although it was laid out according to the geometric principles that governed such matters, it had few of the decorative plants that most gardens of the nobility teemed with. His grandmother had loved utility, and her garden reflected it. Carefully situated fruit trees shaded herbs and medicinal plants that had been collected from far-flung places. Castor enjoyed the smell of the courtyard and the memories of a tart, scolding voice it brought back. Here and there, almost hidden, were a few purely decorative plants. 'But only the hardy ones,' he could hear her saying in defense of their presence.

He smiled. "You like the garden, Aaja?"

She nodded emphatically, seemingly at a loss for words.

"Good. My grandmother planted it, long ago. I keep it for her memory," he told her.

After a minute he resumed his course. Aaja watched the garden over his shoulder until it was out of sight. A single narrow flight of steps led to his apartment. A small man waited just inside.

"Welcome home, lord. I see you have a guest. Will she be staying long?"

Castor laughed. "Circumspect as always. Yes, she'll be staying. Yes, she needs to be marked as a slave. Arrange to have a marker come to the house tomorrow, please. No, we won't be building a slave stable, she'll live in my room, as will her companion when we locate one."

"As you say, lord," the steward replied.

"Aaja, this is Democritus. He is my steward. That means he commands all the servants in my house," Castor said. He saw in her eyes that she understood, and her quick, respectful nod to Democritus only confirmed this.

"Please summon Ahkbar, Democritus. Aaja has injured feet and I would like him to look at them."

"At once, lord," the man said and walked out of the room.

"This is my room, Aaja. You will sleep here in my bed. This," he said, pulling a brass pot from beneath the bed, "is where you will go when you need to." He demonstrated, urinating in the pot and then putting it back under the bed.

"You may go where ever you wish in this house. Do not leave the house without my permission. Especially tonight. The law requires that you be marked as a slave and you have not yet been marked. I must go downstairs and meet with a messanger. I will return shortly."
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[Otto26]

Aaja wished Castor would have put her down and let her explore the garden further, even despite her injured feet. She saw many plants she recognized, useful herbs for teas and potions and medicines, also some lovely smelling flowers and beautiful vines, there were other plants she had never seen before and wanted a better look at but Castor whisked her away inside the house to meet Democritus, the head of the servants in the household. This translated to Aaja to mean she would have to listen to him when Castor was away. She heard him called 'Master' by some and 'Sir' by others and she wondered what he preferred her to call him.

He showed her his room with a large, marvelous bed that looked like it would fit more than the three who would be sleeping in it quite comfortably. She thought it cute that he felt the need to demonstrate the pot to her taking out his manhood and using it to urinate with. She wondered if it was just one more excuse for her to admire his lovely tool, which she did. She thought it must be great fun to have one although deep down she preferred her own organs for herself but running around with a penis for a day or so would be delightful, she imagined, as long as at the end of the day she could have her own pleasure pearl and private hole back again. She laughed at her own silly thoughts as she pulled her reverie back to the present moment.

He went on explaining things to her and she listened intently, wanting to keep him as pleased with her as possible. "You may go where ever you wish in this house. Do not leave the house without my permission. Especially tonight. The law requires that you be marked as a slave and you have not yet been marked. I must go downstairs and meet with a messanger. I will return shortly."

Aaja nodded. Now seemed a good time for her question. "Aaja must call Castor 'Sir' or 'Master'?"
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Castor paused. "Well, properly the term 'sir' refers to a member of the equestrians. The proper form of address is 'lord', which shows that I have been recognized as a member of the nobility. In our society a free person is formally addressed by the honorific 'master', or 'mistress' if she is a woman. So Democritus would be addressed as Master Democritus. There are any number of situational conditions that modify these basic rules. Safest if you use the term 'lord', for me. That will not cause any social akwardness."

He laughed at himself, delivering a lecture when a single word would have done.

"I will go meet with my messenger. Democritus will bring Ahkbar to see you. He is a doctor and will examine your feet to ensure that they are healing properly. I imagine dinner will be ready by that time." He leaned over and kissed her and then left the room.

The messenger, still covered in road dust, stood when he entered the room.

"My lord," he greeted Castor.

"It's good to see you again, Valentus. What word do you bring from you father?"

The man sat after Castor did and regarded him seriously. "The news is bad, lord. There are more raids and it appears likely the kingdom will attack if they cannot goad us into attacking them. My father does not know the reason for this. But peasants fleeing the kingdom speak of children taken from their homes by soldiers and never seen again. They whisper of dark deeds and blood sacrifices. It's very difficult to find any meaning in these tales. The peasants have always whispered slanders about the royal family and, in truth, enough of those tales are true. My father wishes to know what progress you have made with the council, lord."

Castor shook his head. "Damn all progress. They see our past victories as recent and do not believe the kingdom can have recovered so quickly. Even if they were inclined to believe it they would be loathe to spend money on other than their pet projects. Horatious will have a festival next month to celebrate the holy days and the council will spend money to make the fat bastard popular."

"Will they approve forts, lord?" the man pursued.

"They will not, and I will not ask. They would not spend the money on it and would only ask why I wish to build forts. My opponents would use the request to attack me. The political cost is too high and would gain us nothing. No. I think I will instruct my partners to begin building granaries."

"Granaries, lord?" The man was clearly puzzled and hoping for enlightenment.

"Granaries, Valentus. I forsee a grain surplus in the next few years. So I will want to be able to store my grain in the granaries until the price rises. Three large granaries, I think. Ask your father to see to the siting of them and the purchase of the land. I will also commission irrigation canals for the farms I hold interests in."

Valentus smiled as he began to understand. "You'll need engineers to survey the land for the canals, lord. And men to dig the canals."

Castor nodded. "Know anyone better than a veteran at digging?"

Valentus laughed. "A veteran's sons, lord. My father swore he'd never touch a shovel or pick after he mustered out. And he hasn't yet."

Castor laughed with him. "True enough. Digging irrigation canals will get teams organized, used to working together, and will provide everyone with lots of practice. Probably increase crop yields too, eventually. But when the kingdom comes across the border they'll be ready to throw up some fortifications."

"Around the granaries you're building," Valentus finished. "My father will like it, lord. Won't the council see through this deception?"

Castor waved his hand. "Of course they will. Before their spies finish delivering their reports most likely. But it won't cost them anything and it won't give them a pretext to publicly attack me. I suspect most of them will be happy to hear I'm bankrupting myself. A few of them will even appreciate that I'm acting for the good of the Empire."

"Will you be bankrupting yourself, lord?" Valentus sounded worried.

"More likely than not, Valentus. But don't worry about that. There's money and then there's money."

"I don't understand, lord," Valentus confessed.

Castor clapped him on the back. "I know. But you will. Now, give me the production numbers and the gossip."

The conversation took several hours and it was past dinner time before they were finally finished.

"I'd ask you to dine with me, Valentus, but I bought a new slave today..."

"And you'd rather spend the evening with her than me. I'd feel the same way in your place, lord. My family thanks you for your care and we pledge ourselves to your service," Valentus said.

Castor smiled and repeated his portion of the words that had become a ritual formula between himself and his clients, a re-affirmation of the largely unspoken agreement that had always existed. "I thank you for your service and pledge myself to the care of your family."

Valentus left the room and Castor walked slowly up the bedroom, pausing only to ask the servants to bring his food up.
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The man who examined Aaja's feet was not as kind or as patient with her questions as her Lord Castor was. He was very curt and businesslike and spoke only to Master Democritus and never to Aaja. This frustrated her but she said nothing that might get her into trouble, only pouted a little. He rubbed an ointment on her feet bottoms after they were cleaned with a painful solution to kill unseen germs. The ointment soothed the pain a little but she was told it would aid in the forming of new skin. Her feet were then wrapped in new clean bandages and he left, leaving instructions for care and a bottle of the treatment and the ointments necessary for healing with Democritus who put them onto a dresser and left her alone again.

After about ten minute of sitting alone Democritus came to bring her to the dining-room the servants used. He picked her up and carried her. She asked him many questions and most of his answers were only one word responses or none at all. He was not unkind like the doctor, just unimpressed by her charms. She suspected he was like the horse-boys of her tribe, perhaps only interested in other horseboys and the men that rode the horses. Perhaps this Democritus was not charmed by women. This only made her like him more because that made him completely safe for her to be friendly with. He didn't seem to want to be her friend but that didn't stop her from asking him anything and everything.

She talked all through dinner, sometimes in her language, sometimes in the new language or a mixture of both. It was just her and Democritus at the table and he ate in silence. Finally, by the time she was escorted back to her room to wait for Castor she had talked herself out and was growing a little tired, but also was more aware of her lonliness again and missed Mierna terribly. She was in the midst of crying over missing her 'companion' and her mother and sisters when she heard the door open and Castor walked into the room.
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Democritus caught Castor's attention just outside the door to his room.

"May I have a moment of your time, lord?"

"Of course, Democritus," Castor replied.

"Physician Ahkbar has been to examine Aaja. He is of the opinion that her wounds will not fester and has left medicines for her treatment. He advises that she may walk short distances, but only with her feet covered. She should be recovered well enough in a week. I have seen to her dinner. She seems... intelligent. I was uncertain what I might speak to her about."

Castor nodded. "That's understandable. I would consider it a favor if you and the staff would talk to her. She soaks up information as if she were a sponge. Answer her questions as best you can. And if you can find out more about her, that would help. Her primary task may be my comfort, but I'll not have her idle and scheming. We'll find tasks that fit her skills."

"Of a certainty, lord. I have a pair of slippers for her to wear," Democritus held up a pair of silken slippers and Castor took them.

Thanking Democritus, he walked into his room. Aaja, he saw, was crying. She looked up in surprise at his entrance and tried to wipe her eyes. He walked over and sat on down on the bed, pulling Aaja close to him.

"Tell me," he ordered.
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She let her head rest in his lap as he caressed her, pushing her silken white-blond hair from her face and the tears returned again. "Aaja is not ungreatful, Lord Castor." she began, hoping he would not view her crying as a sign of that. "Aaja jus' thinking about mother, and sisters...and Meirna... know Aaja never will see them again and sad a little bit, loneling (meaning lonely). " she wept a little more but then worried that he would think she was complaining and rose to look up at him. "Aaja is not unhappy with new home or with Castor, Aaja just missing old home, old ways, and people, little bit. Aaja sorry. Aaja sorry to sound ungreatful. Aaja very greatful, know well that life could be much (she learned not to over-use the word 'many' today) much worse."
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"I understand, Aaja. I cried when I was away from my family for the first time. And this is worse for you because your entire life has been changed forever. It's okay to feel sad. It's okay to miss your family, your companion. The pain will fade over time, but it never passes entirely. You will always miss them a little. In my society many of us believe that, after we die, our souls go to the gods and we are re-united with those we loved so well in life. So I believe you will see your family again, in the next life if not in this one," Castor told her. He knew, from personal experience, that the words would sound hollow to her. Only time could ease the grief she felt. But time she had. He stroked her hair away from her face as she cried, simply letting her be safe to give her emotions free reign.

The servants, with a knock at the door, brought his dinner into the room and set the bowls and plates upon a table. Their presence startled Aaja and she sat up, trying to wipe the tears from her face. Castor thanked the servants, who withdrew, and patted Aaja's hand.

"Come to the table, Aaja. You can keep me company as I eat. Here," he bent over and picked up the slippers. "These are for you to wear while your feet are healing. You may walk around the house while you are wearing them."

He walked over to the table and sat down on a backless, padded stool. He pointed to the ground to his right.

"You may kneel here, Aaja. It is the custom for a slave at table to serve her owner. As you do not know how to do this, you will observe me," he told her. He washed his hands in the provided bowl, drying them on the towel. Chuckling, he gently wiped Aaja's face with the damp cloth. Then he slowly put small helpings on his plate, no more than he knew he could finish, and poured a cup of wine. Aaja watched him carefully throughout.

"I'm very pleased with your progress," he said. "You are learning our language very well. When there is time I will have you teach your language to a scholar. My father began a library and I have worked to keep it growing. It's not so rich as the Shah's library with ancient texts, but I flatter myself it has more new knowledge."

He ate a little more before continuing.

"There will be lessons tomorrow. You must learn how to act without embarrassing me. I have every confidence you will learn quickly. You must also be marked and collared. The law is clear on this. Most slaves are branded. You know what a brand is? No? Hot metal is pressed to the skin to scar it."

Her expression clearly showed what she thought of this idea. Castor nodded in agreement.

"Yes. Less common is the use of marking." He tugged his clothing aside to reveal the tattoo he had received when he had served in the army. "This is a very rough mark, but you can see the difference. I will have you marked in this fashion. It is still painful, but not so very, and it will not disfigure you as a scar would."

Again, he could see she was hesitant about the idea. Mentally he shrugged. It was the law.

"But tonight I will mark you in a far more pleasureable way," he promised her and addressed his full attention to his food.
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Aaja knealt on the floor beside his chair and listened as Castor spoke. "There will be lessons tomorrow. You must learn how to act without embarrassing me. I have every confidence you will learn quickly. You must also be marked and collared. The law is clear on this. Most slaves are branded. You know what a brand is? No? Hot metal is pressed to the skin to scar it."

Aaja was shocked and immediately a fearful expression crossed her face. She didn't want anymore burns! Her feet were painful enough. Castor nodded in agreement, seeming to understand her distain.

"Yes. Less common is the use of marking." He tugged his clothing aside to reveal the tattoo he had received when he had served in the army. "This is a very rough mark, but you can see the difference. I will have you marked in this fashion. It is still painful, but not so very, and it will not disfigure you as a scar would."

Aaja looked at the scar. It was still not something she wanted, marks of any sort, and it certainly looked like it would hurt almost as much as a brand would. Either way Aaja wasn't looking forward to it.

"But tonight I will mark you in a far more pleasureable way," he promised her and addressed his full attention to his food. She watched him eat, enjoying the movements of his jaws and his demeanor, even when relaxed he held himself proudly. She enjoyed looking upon him. She also wondered why he would show any interest in her language if he wanted her to learn his language. She found it strange but said nothing about it, only waited to see if he would need her to clean up after his dinner. "Aaja feels love for Lord Castor." she said simply, her voice soft with admiration. "Castor a much good man." she said, bending to kiss the tops of his feet lightly.
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Castor looked down at Aaja as she pressed her lips against his foot and felt a wave of emotions wash over him. Her soft hair hid her face from his view, but he could plainly see the rest of her body and he was suddenly very, very hungry.

"Not so good, Aaja," he said softly. "But I'm glad you like me. Crawl to my bed and kneel there, Aaja. I want the pleasure of your body very much."
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Aaja obeyed Castor and crawled to the bed, kneeling in anticipation of more of what he had begun with her earlier. She wanted very much for him to take his cock out of his pants again, she wanted to see it. She wanted even more to have him use it to bring them mutual pleasure.
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Castor watched Aaja crawl across the floor sinuous and... eager. He smiled broadly. Many of his peers felt the only way to treat a woman was harshly; to command her, force her if need be, and to beat them so they would learn their place. The method worked, even well with some women, but in most it simply produced a sullen obedience or a terrified docility. He found neither attractive. But this... Aaja was a delight to his senses, a vision made flesh and an obedient dream.

He drained his cup and set it down, approaching her from behind; discarding his clothing as he went. She turned her head to look over her shoulder at him, her face radiant with a small smile. He returned that smile and gently pushed her foward until her head was to the covers. He took another moment to regard her, running his hands down her back, from her shoulders to her waist. His hands fit on her hips as if she had been made for him. He moved his fingers, tickling the soft belly flesh and heard a giggle escape her lips.

His eyes caressed her rounded ass approvingly and then the reverie was broken as he caught sight of her anus. It was angry with bruising and he was angry with himself that he had not had Ahkbar examine her completely. No, he was angry with Ahkbar for not doing something he would have done for any free patient as a matter of course. He dropped his eyes lower and found Aaja's nether lips, full and pouty. He felt the rush of lust quickly return and he ran a possessive hand over her, fingers teasing the soft folds.

She liked that, which was fortunate because he enjoyed it too and saw himself doing a good deal of this. He toyed with her flesh for a time, experimenting to see what sort of attentions she enjoyed, what sort of reactions he could create in her body. Her scent grew stronger and the sounds she made become ever more arousing. At last he could stand it no longer and pulled his fingers from within her. He moved to place the head of his cock against her and slowly thrust into her until her rump was pressed tightly to his gut. He groaned as her slick skin gripped him.
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As Castor played with her Aaja grew more and more lustful to have his rod inside her again. She liked how his fingers found her secret pleasure places fairly easily, though and enjoyed his explorations of her before he entered her with his manhood. His long strokes reminded her of why she had become so loyal to him earlier, his firmness and gentle nature combined. He was very commanding but not in any way that made her feel put upon or forced. She enjoyed pleasing him and drew pleasure from him in return.
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Castor pumped slowly back and forth into Aaja's body. He particularly enjoyed the way her wet lips clung to his shaft and spent several minutes admiring the sight. Aaja's excitement seemed to increase as moved in her and she pressed back against him.

"Very good girl, Aaja," he complimented her. "Use your muscles to squeeze me now. Hold me in you."
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She followed his direction despite her hunger for more and for it to come faster. She found if she tried to squeeze him she could do it, she just remembered the trick Meirna had taught her about gripping her fingers when they were in there and not letting go until she could get her lover to either laugh or attempt to pull free. Aaja had gotten very good at that game and tried it now with Castor's manhood instead of a woman's fingers. His breathing told her everything she needed to know. She was still very good at this game. She smiled to herself.
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Castor groaned in appreciation as Aaja gripped him with surprisingly strong muscles, wet, silken skin molding itself to his member. He reached down and pulled Aaja upright to lean her back against his torso, one hand caressing her breasts, rolling hard nipples between fingertips and softly kneading firm flesh. His other hand pushed down her belly to the juncture of her thighs and sought for her pearl. When he found it, he massaged, running his fingers in broad circles in time to the beating of her heart. He growled, a low rumble in his belly, and lowered his mouth to her neck sucking hard at her flesh.
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(Hello, I was responding to SlippedHalo's request for a female companion, so I wanted to ask that you consider that upon reading.)


Eloriel was a small, slender thing. Of untraced and mysterious heritage, she was delicate and beautiful, graceful, and keen. Her skin was a pale, milky white, her eyes wide, dark orbs of black. Her hair was milky-golden blonde, the god-spun color humans only acheive as innocent newborns. She was peculiar as a child, in ways that only got stranger as she matured. She had an awful, exhilirating force that guided her, from the pit of her stomach, and had, ever since she was old enough to be aware of it.
The customs of her people, nomadic, gypsy-like, and extremely romantic, suited her well. She had been abandoned by her mother as a child, and so she travelled with a band gyspsies, and when that strange guiding force in her stomach began to tug at her, it could usually be quelled by picking up camp with the other members of her band, and heading into the sunset to peddle wares and spread their magic elsewhere. Recently, she had begun to use the force inside of her as a sensitive. She could sense things about people, and sometimes about events and occurances as well. Though most people only sought these services in amusement and leisure, the more she practised, the more she could feel her intuition take shape and grow in prominence.
She was only just reaching womanhood. To the human eye, she appeared to be about 18, though in elven years she was 112. Over the past few months, every morning she had woken with sickness. The unpleasant yet thrilling jolting in her stomach was worsening, and made it hard to eat or sleep. Eloriel knew something was about to change and her heart leapt to discover it. She dreaded going to sleep, but she dreaded her morning more. Always a feeling that the road of destiny lay before her, only a few steps in one direction or another, and she feared badly that she would choose the wrong path.
One morning her eyes were greeted with dawn's light, and she closed them, groaning softly, hoping to go back to sleep and ignore the feeling a few moments longer.... But... as she did this... she noticed for once the feeling was gone. She kept her eyes shut and sharply tuned her senses. She felt a bumpy cadence of cart wheels rocking her body. She heard whimpers and whispers of young women.... Slowly, she opened her eyes onto the world, and found herself surrounded by many young women of varying races and ages. As she readjusted to look around, she felt iron restraints around her ankles. She tugged against them, but found them secure.
Looking around more curiously, she spotted a burly middle-aged man sitting on a barrell, looking down on them, and a smaller, but equally brutish looking man sitting on a chest beside him. "Oi, Curtis, that fair one is stirrin'." The smaller man looked up eagerly. He loped over to grope her, but the larger man caught his chest before he reached her. "The boss says no touchin' this'n. She's too FRAG-ILE," he sneered. The smaller man adopted a similar sneer. "Well, I 'on't think her mouth looks too fragile." He said, and untied his breeches, waving his member at her face. This would be the first time she was violated in such a way. The first time she would be so humiliated. But not the last.
As the weeks passed and she was traded for larger and larger sums, prized for her beauty and delicacy. Every night she went to bed in tears, but with her heart swelling, knowing her fate would change... soon. Over time, she picked up bits and pieces of the common language, her beautiful native tongue something that could only be preserved in the realm of memory.
Finally, she passed into the hands of a slave trader called Jason. He had her bathed and groomed in preparation for the next day, whence, he informed her, she would be taken to the square to be sold. That night, she went to sleep, and dreamt of a far-away memory. A beautiful woman in the dream, who she recognized as her mother, was holding her close as she cried. In her native elven tongue, she heard her mother say, "Hush, my baby daughter, you will understand someday. I cannot stay with you. I have a feeling, a feeling that you will have someday, too. I must go, and follow this feeling, for it is a sign of two fates crossing. The time has come for me to meet my soulmate, and I must go to her." Eloriel awakened with a start, grasping for the dream, with her heart pounding.
Her time was close, too, then. For the first time in weeks, her dark eyes were bright. Perhaps today would be the day.
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Aaja was loving her moment with Castor, he appreciated her ability to clench her muscles tight very much and rewarded her with massaging her sensitive pearl and sucking lovingly at her neck while he pistoned his fine member in and out of her love hole. He was driving her quickly to orgasm and she let him know with the sound of her cries, her passion making her voice louder and higher in pitch as he stroked her innermost places. "Ooooohhh Castor, myLord, my loooord!" she cried as she let herself go and released the heat that had been building inside of her, his member now drenched from her juices as she shivered.
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Almost every one of Castor's senses was overloaded by Aaja. Lost in the sound, scent, and feel of her his body snapped. He convulsed up into her, burying himself deeply in her heat as his body pumped into her. He bit down on her flesh out of reflex and had to remind himself not to hurt her.

The waves of pleasure slowly decreased for him and he stroked her body to extend her pleasure. Carefully he reposistioned himself, pulling them both down to lie on their sides, his member still inside her. It was softening, but slowly and he intended to enjoy her a little longer still.

"You are a very good girl, Aaja. I really am very pleased with you," he said.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly to him, and slowly drifted off to sleep on the ocean of her presence.
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The marking had been painful but Aaja was prepared for it with Castor's warnings. He seemed pained to see her wimpering and crying afterward and offered as a reward for her obedience and sweet tempered nature to take her looking for a 'companion'. His tactic for cheering her up worked well. She brightened up immediately as he called for his men and his palanquin.
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Aaja's stomach did backflips and she felt almost nauseous as they entered the busy town and passed through parts of the marketplace, her memories were still far too fresh. She looked out at the girls, and some boys, on the blocks and tears came to her eyes...she knew their fear. She felt extremely lucky to have found Castor and not some of the cruel men who stared down at the others and even her, greedily, making her feel very self conscious. She drew closer to her master, Lord Castor, for protection and to show them that she was NOT for sale. It was not easy to focus on the task of looking over the females for sale. Her own feelings of empathy kept getting in the way.
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(OOC: Yes, waif is mine)

Something caught Aaja's eye as she focused in the center of a quickly drawing crowd. She looked and saw a woman, petite, frail looking, with an ethereal beauty about her, her soft looking blond hair covering smallish, well formed breasts, her dark eyes looked past the crowd, almost as if she were searching it for Aaja herself. Aaja gasped when she looked up at her. "Beautiful!" she breathed, making a motion to Castor and his men that she took notice of someone and was very much interested in seeing her closer up. "Aaja need speak with this one. She is special." she said determination in her voice.
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Eloriel was stretched on display, her back arched and feet spread. Men touched her breasts and sex, pulled her lips back to check her teeth, and stared into her dark eyes as though she was an animal on display, but she was blind to them. Her eyes were cast like a baited lure into the sea of people, holding her breath and waiting.

At long last two beautiful glossy white-blue eyes in the crowd snatched her by the soul and tore her back to earth. She followed them in the busy crowd like butterflies-- afraid she would lose them as they drifted away. They belonged to a beautiful young girl who looked something like herself... she was tender and beautiful.

Eloriel hadn't spoken in so long, the words were difficult to find. "Her!" Eloriel breathed in common, whimpering. "HER! Her..." she tried again, voice gaining strength and tenor, but no more clarity. Jason's men approached her in warning, puzzled by the outbreak of the usually mild-tempered young elf, and ready to restrain her.

She breathed in, watching herself, not wanting her desperation to cast itself out too rashly and keep her from getting what she most desired. In a cool, enchanting, spell-like moment, words of her mysterious native tongue, left her mouth as though drawn up from her very soul...

"It is you, I know it. I recognize your face from my dreams. Our souls are twins, are they not?" The words were soft, but she could tell by a subtle flicker in her eyes that through the raucous clamber of the crowd, they still met the ears of Aaja, the other beautiful young girl.
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The 'exotic' slave market was depressing, Castor reflected. The slaves in the laborers market were sold in groups and had long since resigned themselves to their fate, or were biding their time. The skilled slaves knew almost exactly what labor lay ahead of them and that they were too valuable for any serious abuse. Manumission was something a skilled slave might aspire to. But the exotics... the market was a new horror for them and it led to an unknown fate. They had been told tales of horrible depravities by their captors, like as not, and feared what might come while suffering the indignities of their servitude anew.

His faith taught that privation and suffering in this life were rewarded in the next, but when he looked at the chaos of the exotic market, he sometimes had a hard time believing that any eternal reward was sufficient compensation for this.

Aaja got his attention and pointed in the direction of a pole, urging them forward. Castor looked at the woman she was indicating as they approached. An elf of some sort, he judged, and fairly young by their standards. She was lovely and Castor could see that Aaja might be attracted to her for the similarities they shared.

A group of men were examining her, squeezing her muscles, her breasts, feeling her sex, opening her mouth to look at her teeth. The woman was ignoring them, shutting out the indignity he guessed, and gazing out into the distance of the market. His men cleared the others away in short order and Castor took a look at her. She seemed in good condition and lacked any signs of excessive abuse.

He took her chin between two fingers and turned her so that he could see her eyes. They were clear and intelligent. He released her, letting her return to her effort to escape the horrors being visited upon her, and nodded to Aaja.

"The decision is yours, Aaja. She is acceptable to me," he told her.
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Aaja nodded, greatful that Castor would let her make the decision herself. She approached the elf girl, younger than herself but not by much and she gently stroked the skin of her cheek as she spoke softly in her own language, "I know you cannot understand my words but know by the tone of my voice that I mean you no harm."

She then spoke in the common language, her vocabulary not large and assuming the girls was not either. She pointed to herself, "Aaja...You have name?"

Once the girl gave her timid response Aaja repeated the name. "Beautiful, like you." she said with a smile.

" Aaja look for a 'companion'. Aaja slave too and wish to share my Master's bed and duties to him with another. Lord Castor is a kind slave owner. Do you wish to join us? Aaja will not choose you if you wish for not. I tell no lies, you will must please Aaja too, not just Lord Castor."
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[Otto26]

(OOC: Otto and Halo-- It was my intention to create a character who shared the woman-based-companion traditions with Aaja's character, but I simply misunderstood. I edited my previous posts to allude to their mysterious shared ancestry rather than elven lineage, to clear up any confusion. Sorry, it's a little jarring to catch on in the middle. Hope that helped out.)

Eloriel reverted back into the shared native tongue that Ajaa had first spoken to her in. She was shaking badly, from the anticipation and disbelief. " I understand you, Aaja." (The name "Aaja slips from her mouth like silk, probably with more ease than Aaja has heard it spoken in a long time,) "And I will come with you." Eloriel's voice lowers, the shaking overwhelming her slender frame... She is suddenly self concious. Her eyes dip to the ground as she finishes her statement, "I will go with you anywhere."

Eloriel clears her throat softly and redirects her gaze to the man... "You will buy? I will serve with honor to you."
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Aaja is shocked that the elf can understand and speak her own language...and with more grace than some of her people. She was instantly curious as to how this could be. There had been rumors that her people were descended from a tribe of human gypsies who mated with a tribe of elves but she never really believed the tale until now.

She turned to look at Castor, hope in her eyes, pleading for this slave to be her 'companion'. "Lord Castor, please?"
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Castor nodded to Caius and the grim-faced factor stalked off through the crowd to locate the slavemonger and pay for Eloriel.

"I buy," he told the elf.

He was sure he would pay too much for the slave, but he was also sure he wouldn't be unduly abused by the monger, for practical reasons if no other.

"I have to examine you," he told Eloriel. "I need to see if you require any medical treatment. Close your eyes, do as I say, and we'll be quit of this place soon enough." He repeated the phrase in the pidgin, and vulgar, elvish he had not used in years. He was unsure she would understand it, the words she and Aaja had spoken had been nearly nonsensical drivel to him and he suspected he or they spoke some obscure dialect. He pushed the thought away for another time and then began to examine her.

He checked her feet first, though that was a wasted effort. She was going into the palanquin with Aaja simply for ease of effort and as a way to calm her down. He moved up her body from there, feeling the skin of her legs, gently parting her soft nether lips. She winced at that and he guessed it was no more than soreness from the examinations she had been subjected to. Her asshole had not been abused as Aaja's had. Her breasts were bruised and he was surprised the slaver had not applied creams to mask this. Her mouth was tender, but she had all of her teeth. He found no signs of lice in her hair, but they would be difficult to see given her coloration.

Caius returned shortly after he was finished. He had another man beside him who unsecured Eloriel and made out a rough bill of sale.

"A pleasure to do business with you, lord. Master Jason hopes you will contact him if you have any needs he can assist with," the man said.

"Convey my thanks to your Master," Castor replied.

He turned his attention then to Eloriel and pointed to the palanquin, "Get in so that we can leave."
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Aaja thanked Castor with a kiss of his hands, her ice blue eyes shining in the sunlight. She then helped Eloriel inside the palanquin and bade her to sit close beside her. She regarded her with wonder, and reached out her hand to stroke Eloriel's soft hair, the same color as her own, and caressed the girls' shoulders and arms, resting one hand to hold the shaking hand of Eloriel's in her lap. "It will be alright. I am not going to hurt you. You are to be my new 'companion' since this is my life now. My...our master has been kind enough to grant me this indulgence. As long as we make sure he is well pleased and happy we can do what we want to with one another. I think you are ever so beautiful, Eloriel, I cannot wait to show you sweet pleasure and sleep with you in my arms but I have to know, how is it that you can understand and speak Lomnaajiien?"
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Eloriel winces softly at his touches, but notes gratefully that they are softer then the ones she's grown accustomed to. As soon as she is released, Aaja touches her arms and tenderly kneads out some of the tension that her arms have accrued from being stretched out so tautly. Eloriel mews her meek appreciation in their shared dialect, and then, with as much or more gratitude, she drops humbly to the feet of Castor and cries softly to his boots, licking them like a starved kitten. The gesture is not natural to her... she has never bowed or groveled. But neither does she feel obligated to do this... it is out of utter confusion of how to express herself. She is overwhelmed with the whole situation, with being bought, and essentially freed, and all at once, accquainted with Aaja, with whom a special bond, tense with interest, anticipation, and fresh adoration, has already been formed. When she is quite finished, she straightens, pulled into Aaja's arms, and blushes a pale pink, her dark eyes again downcast, and to both of them in common, she whispers... "You have thanks from my heart."
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As they seat themselves, Aaja pulls Eloriel close, and without inhibitions for possibly the first time since their meeting, Eloriel lays her head in Aaja's lap. When Aaja asks this, Eloriel giggles, somewhat surprised, and straightens up to look into Aaja's eyes. "My Aaja.. has it been so long since you have seen one of your own that you've forgotten? I am not of elf-kind..." Eloriel extends her hand next to Aaja's, inviting her eyes to travel from their fingertips to ther shoulders, their arms practically identical to one another... "We are the same... Lomnaajiien is the language I knew first and best."
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Aaja finds this strange, to have not recognized one of her own people, "But, I know all of my people, we all travel in one unit. I have never heard of anyone who has left our circle and not returned." she murmurs as she runs her hands along her soon to be lover's body, kneading out sore muscles, instinctively knowing where the soreness would be and when it was eased.

She looked up at Castor, her eyes shining with a mixture of wonder, greatfulness and pride at this new discovery. "She is of my kind, Lord Castor. It is strange because Aaja not know her and Aaja think she know all Lomnaajii"
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As soon as they were returned to the house Aaja took her new playmate up to the bedroom to ask her more questions about herself and to tell her all about her own 'imprisonment' so far. Castor followed them up shortly and when he entered the room Aaja noticed that Eloriel seemed to grow more quiet and fearful. Despite Aaja's assurances that he was a kind Master she could tell her new 'companion' did not trust men at all and Castor was no exception. All Aaja could offer for advice was, "Do not fight it, companion. Let it happen. We belong to him and he gets his pleasure." she said in the common tongue so both could hear this advice/warning.

She then coninuted in her native tongue, "If we are good slaves we get much in return. Let him do what he will and then you can always have me to turn to. If you fight this we cannot be together for always as we both desire. We belong to him, accept it El'."
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Castor was glad to be rid of the slave market and off the streets. Aaja hustled Eloriel upstairs to the bedroom while Castor spoke to Democritus.

"Yes, two of them now," he said in response to the tart look. "And no slave master to train or supervise them. I don't think they'll be a problem. Until we find out what other skills they have you can train them to keep my room clean. I don't want their skin marked, but you're free to use a switch on them if they prove disobedient."

"As you command, lord," the man replied.

Castor found Aaja comforting Eloriel in the bedroom and heard the advice she gave the new slave. When she spoke again in another language Castor was certain he recognized the form of a few of the words. He wondered if Aaja and Eloriel's people shared a distant heritage with the elves. It would explain their hairless bodies and the color of their hair and eyes, but such things were not unknown amongst human groups.

He sat down and took off his sandals. "What Aaja says is true, Eloriel. I am not by nature a cruel man, though I am capable of it if it seems necessary. If you are disobedient slaves you will be beaten, even separated. If you are obedient slaves then you will not suffer. If you are loving slaves you will be well rewarded." He shrugged and then poured himself a cup of wine. "Your life has changed and you will have to make the best of what the gods have apportioned to you."

He took a sip of the wine and stood, walking towards the door. "There are towels and water basins in the kitchen Aaja. Get some and clean the filth of the market from Eloriel. I have business to attend to and will return shortly."
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Aaja noted that his commentary was on the part of her speech not given for his benefit. That meant he was already catching on to their native language a little bit. "We must be careful what we say in front of them. Our language is not that difficult for them to catch on to." she warned. Then returned to common tongue, giving the tour of the room until he left the room.

"Come with me and I shall get you cleaned up." said Aaja, taking El by the hand and leading her out the door, and down the stairway to the hallway leading to the kitchen, explaining what was in the few rooms and doorways she'd already seen, though there was much she had not seen yet. "I've only been here a day longer than you, dearest, be patient with me." she answered to one of El's questions.

Aaja got a bucketfull of clean water, towels and a bit of soap from one of the kitchen hands who stared at the two women, her eyes wide on her plump face. "You two magical, er somethin'?" she asked.

Aaja shook her head, sharing an amused look with Eloriel. "No, Mistress, Aaja en Eloriel are simple slaves." she answered.

"But you aint normal girls, something odd about ye." commented the kitchen hand, staring them up and down. "Too pretty to be of any real use. Must be whores or witches, I think."

Aaja shrugged, pretending to not understand the insult and turned sharing the weight of the bucket with her companion as they headed back up to their room. Aaja then set to the business of bathing her new friend. As she scrubbed her skin, she was very careful of the tender places on her. "Did they hurt your private places? Has anyone poked your hole yet." she asked, touching her companion's vaginal opening tenderly with her index finger, concern marking her features. For a moment she smiled dreamily, "It can be nice if he is gentle the first time. It only hurts for a second. I like doing it with him."

Eloriel made a face and Aaja laughed. "If you don't like it, that's ok. I can do it more than you, then. I don't mind. As long as we have each other in between." at that, she tenderly tapped the small pleasure pearl on Elorien and delighted in the gasp of pleasure she saw in her friend's reaction. "Aaja like to taste Elorien later." she added in common.
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As Aaja bathed and petted her skin, Eloriel glanced up at her and then began slowly... "Aaja, there is something I must tell you. I do not know much about our people... My mother left me when I was young, but before she did, she told me one of the only things I know about who I am. She said that my grandmother left the circle long ago. She said that there was something special in our blood, that made us sensitive to certain knowledge that most cannot tap into. That sometimes I would know things about people and places. That sometimes I would see the future as though it were already here. It doesn't surprise me entirely that you didn't recognize me. I don't think my father was one of our people. An elf, maybe... My mother said that I would know when I met my love, that fate would draw me to her, and I would feel my heart change." By this time, Aaja had begun to dry Eloriel in one of the lush towels. Her skin chilled at the wetness, and her proximity to Aaja. "Aaja, I never thought I'd hear my language spoken again..." Eloriel's large eyes watered. Aaja kissed her forehead.
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Aaja kissed her and nodded, "I understand, my love." she said simply.

Their tender moment was soon interrupted by Democritus who had come to tell them they had to be downstairs in the observatory in two minutes to begin language instructions, deportment and manners lessons, and to review the rules of the house and cleaning instructions for Lord Castor's room.

Aaja panicked. Two minutes was not long and she feared punishment if she didn't get Eloriel dry and ready and downstairs with time to spare. Her eyes wide, she rushed her partner to hurry up. "Let's go! I don't even know which room is the observatory!" she alerted in an alarmed whisper.
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Democritus was pleased to see that Aaja and a slightly damp Eloriel found the observatory. 'You don't have to beat the intelligent ones as much,' he reflected. Aloud he directed the two women to kneel upon cushions on the floor.

"You are the only slaves in the house, so you will not benefit from the example of other slaves. Fortunately for you, you have been purchased by Lord Castor. The lord is a kindly man. I am Master Democritus, and I am not a kindly man. We are all servants of the lord because we choose to be. The lord does not have to hire servants, his clients send their children to serve in his house and learn. It is a privilege to be here and we are all dedicated to making our lord look good. We will teach you how to make him look good, how to serve him well. And we will not tolerate anything less."

He nodded to the two female servants who had come in behind Aaja and Eloriel and they struck the slaves once on their buttocks with a switch. The two slaves jumped and cried out in surprise and pain.

"That is the switch. Any one of the staff may beat you with one as a means of correcting your behavior. Do as we say, and you will not feel it very often."

"Our society places a good deal of emphasis on appearance. If you appear wealthy, you are wealthy. If you appear powerful, you are powerful. Perception is reality. Accordingly, it would not be seemly for the lord to have slovenly slaves. You will keep yourselves clean and as beautiful as you are able. If the lord sees fit to allow you clothing or jewelry you will wear it. Your behavior is expected to be respectful. You should not speak to your superiors unless you are spoken to and you should always attempt to ensure the needs of your superiors are met. In your case, this means caring for Lord Castor."

He paused and indicated the two servants with the switches.

"Meoria and Cesta will take you upstairs and instruct you in how to keep the lord's room clean. Pay attention."

Finished with this cursory instruction, Democritus left. The maids would see to the practical instruction, at least that instruction which the lord did not care to take care of himself.
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Aaja took a quick look at Eloriel's buttock's to see if the switch had left a mark as they followed the two female servants out of the observatory and back up the stairs. There was a slightly raised, pink, lash mark across her 'companion's' underside, and likely upon her own as well. She hastened to keep up, feeling the stinging in her own buttocks and deciding that the switch was something worth avoiding as much as possible.

The cleaning was easy to do, not easy work, but easily remembered and with two of them, not very difficult at all. Keeping a house in a constantly uprooted clan home like their people were used to was much more difficult. They were left alone during the task of scrubbing the floor and cleaning the windows and told their work would be inspected in a half hour.

When the two maids returned there was a slight imperfection in the floor which looked like an unscrubbed scuff. Aaja admitted she had been responsible for the floor and the bed-pan today and Eloriel had been washing the windows and folding linnens. Aaja took several lashes of the switch to her behind as punishment until the one who was watching the beating had attempted to rub the mark away with her shoe and realized it was the floor's imperfection and not Aaja's cleaning of it that had caused the blemish.

Without apology the women simply stopped the punishment and ordered the girls to make themselves pretty, return the cleaning materials to the kitchen and cupboard, and be in the study within two minutes for language lessons. Aaja and Eloriel scrambled to make it on time, Aaja especially, her buttocks was extremely sore and she wasn't sure she could take any more punishing today.
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Upon arriving to the study out of breath and slightly late (less than one minute) there was another beating put upon the two exotic slaves by Democritus himself. They knealt before him, wincing at the crack of the switch. "If you cannot follow instructions as simple as be here when we tell you to I can do worse than punish you with the switch. I can see to it that you are both separated as to not distract one another from your duty of obedience."

Aaja gasped, "Please, Sir, no! Aaja no want Eloriel separate from Aaja!" she pleaded, worried she could not ensure the girl's safety if they were apart, plus, she herself would be terribly lonely without El and without Lord Castor for company. It was the fault of the kitchen cupboard which would not close properly but Aaja lied hoping in taking the blame upon herself she could spare the separation. "It Aaja fault. Aaja too slow today." she said despite Eloriel's disapproving stare. Aaja sensed El did not like it when she kept lying to spare her but Aaja felt it was her duty to protect her because it was upon her request that she was brought to this house.

Democritus looked down at her, sizing her up. "Stand up Aaja." he ordered.

She stood.

"Your lessons will be given by me today instead of the teacher. I am much more strict than he is." he told her. "Eloriel will remain here to have her language lessons with the teacher. Both of you will be separated for the rest of the day."

"No!" cried both girls and both were promptly whipped into silence. Aaja looked over to El and silently bade her an apology and a goodbye before following Democritus out of the study and down the hall to a small room with only a desk with a chair, and a bedroll. She entered and he closed the door behind them. She began to suspect this might be his bedroom, or a place of punishment.

"Sit at the desk." he ordered.

She silently obeyed. He then surprised her because as she sat staring forward she heard a sound beside her and when she turned her head Democritus was standing with his manhood flopped out of his pants resting in his palm, just beside her face. "Suck my cock, Aaja, suck everything and swallow. While you suck me off you will listen carefully. I am going to recite the rules of grammer in our language for you. After you've cleaned me off I will recite them again and you will learn to write them, we will work with some examples of common phrases for you to say and you will practice them as I fuck your ass. You will then help out in the kitchen until dinnertime and you will eat with me. I may fuck you again later as well, you will only tell Lord Castor about the lessons, and the punishments. Do not tell him about any of the sexual things I am and will do to you or each time I see you you will be punished far worse. I can even arrange to have Eloriel taken away from you forever. Do you understand?"

Tears welled in Aaja's eyes but she nodded, "Yes...Master Democritus" she answered.

"good." he said smugly slapping her in the cheek with his cock, "Now start sucking."

Aaja did as she was told, and let him have his way, trying hard to focus on the learning part of the lessons and forget about the sexual things. It was all very confusing. She had been of the belief that Democritus did not like girls. Perhaps she had been wrong...obviously so. She was worried about her 'companion' as she endured Democritus pumping hard at her already abused anus, while she repeated the phrases he told her to say, learning to pronounce them correctly. She hoped Eloriel's lessons were at least going better than hers were.
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Castor returned from the baths well satisfied that his plans in the West would not be opposed, but concerned for the utter lack of concern the Council was showing for the news out of Artan. He wondered if a direct appeal to the Shah was needed and if he had sufficient evidence to convince the Shah that investigation was merited. With each day that passed he grew more certain that dark happenings in Artan were certain to spill over into Char'on and there was only so much he could do to protect his clients, and the Empire, without the assistance of the Council.

His musing carried him through the house and up to his room. He looked around, wondering were Eloriel and Aaja had gotten to. He pulled the cord by the bed to summon one of the servants and told her to have the slaves sent to his room.
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Aaja had been cleaning up dishes from the servant's dinner, still having not seen Eloriel since their lessons had begun earlier that afternoon. She had cleaned up after her ordeal with Democritus and was hoping no one could see the guilt on her face as she went on through the rest of the day obediently. Another servant came in to tell her that Lord Castor wanted her.

Slowly, she trudged up the stairs, not looking forward to lying to Castor but seeing no way to save Eloriel from being sent away.

She was relieved when she arrived to see that El had gotten to the top of the stairs at the same time as her, from the opposite direction. She smiled and hugged her 'companion' as if it had been years and not hours that they had been apart. "How was it? Did the teacher treat you well? And, Democritus?" asked Aaja in rushed whispers.

Aaja knew El could see in her eyes that she was hiding something and she stopped her before she could ask, "I can't tell you now. Later. But, trust me when I say you and I better be very careful to obey Master Democritus from now on." she said simply before opening the door to the bedroom to join their true master, Lord Castor. She smiled up at him as she bowed, genuinely happy to see him again.
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Eloriel's eyes helplessly wondered after the slightly slumping, defeated form of Aaja's body. Her heart twisted with anguish to see the barrier her eyes put up to keep her from sobbing. A sudden pang released a knowledge in her, warm and angry, that she had been hurt somehow worse than a switch, but she didn't have time to wonder over it as the door opened to Master Castor's chambers. She took her cue from Aaja and bowed to him. She was still uncertain of Lord Castor, but happy to be reunited with Aaja under whatever circumstances.
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Castor looked away from the gardens below as Aaja and Eloriel entered the room. He returned Aaja's smile broadly and patted the couch.

"Come sit next me pretty slaves."

Aaja came quickly followed a little more cautiously by Eloriel. He noted the care they took in sitting and chuckled.

"You've felt the switch today," he said lightly. "Let's see how bad it is. Stand up and bend over so that I may see."
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OOC: What I picture Castor's house looking like. Just for general reference, so feel free to make changes if you like. First floor, second floor, and a picture that I based the design on.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg domus_first_floor.jpg (42.3 KB, 9 views)
File Type: jpg domus_second_floor.jpg (23.4 KB, 6 views)
File Type: jpg domus_example.jpg (47.9 KB, 5 views)

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Aaja stood and bent, carful to keep her cheeks as close together as possible in case there was even more new bruising to her anus from her treatment by Democritus. She looked over to her 'companion' to make sure she was also obediently bent over for inspection.
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Castor's eyes were drawn to Aaja's bright red bottom. He ran his hand over the striped globes and saw her flesh twitch in response, though she made no comments or sounds. He ran his hand gently down her thigh.

"You'll learn, Aaja, and then there will be no need for the switch."

He was going to instruct her to tell him what she had done to occasion the punishment, but his eyes were drawn to Eloriel's ass and to the puffy vagina that peeked out from between her legs. He smiled and stroked the bare flesh, noting that Eloriel twitched much the same way Aaja had just done. He traced a finger between the lips, sampling her.

"Go lie upon my bed, Eloriel. On your back, with your legs open. Aaja, apply your tongue to her. I want her wet and well prepared for me."
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Eloriel shivered softly. His touch wasn't unexpected, or unpleasant. Since she had been cleaned and tended, she wasn't as sore as she had been, but her lips were still puffy and red from the rough handling she'd been dealt in the marketplace. She was quick to respond. Though she wasn't used to taking orders, her body had attuned itself to the idea that the more haste and attention she gave her Lord's orders, the more time and freedom she would be given with Aaja. She hurried to the bed and laid herself flat on her thin pale tummy, tense, her eyes shut tightly. She found herself unable to relax, but remembered what Aaja had told her. He takes his pleasure from us... "And," she reminded herself, "Aaja told me that it was not all bad... that she had liked it." She opened her dark orb-like eyes and looked first at Aaja, who smiled at her to ease her trepidation, and then over her shoulder at Castor, who seemed to be waiting for something. Slowly, Aaja stepped closer to her. She knelt at the foot of the bed, between Eloriel's spread ankles. Aaja gently parted her legs and soothingly placed her palms on Eloriel's lower back. Eloriel shivered all over as though electricity had passed through her, and she tossed her gaze again to Aaja's bright, starry eyes. The utter rightness of the two girls together was palpable. A sense of fate and belonging granced every contact of the girls' skin. With grace and beauty, Aaja's face dipped lower to take in the fragrance of Eloriel's tender sex. And with that first soft kiss, Aaja's lips to Eloriel's eager sex, their love was, for the first time, physically sealed.
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Aaja smiled at Castor, eager to please him and honored to be able to please him simply by making love to Eloriel as she had been wishing to all day anyway. She lowered her head to take in El's scent, enjoying the sight of her beautiful body lain out for her. She then kissed her, gently, on her nether lips, not wanting to alarm the girl, nor irritate anything that had been harmed at the marketplace. She took in Eloriel's sex withher sight and determined the best way to please her new 'companion' in a millisecond. Soon, she was tenderly stroking her lover with her tongue, careful to avoid her pearl too soon, making circles around it to tease... Eloriel's taste was sweeter than her cousin's and she savored it as she stiffened her tongue to mimic the motions of a phallus on the tender hole, eliciting gasps and moans of pleasure. She continued to tease the clit but amused and turned on by the eager squirms of her mate, Aaja finally gave in tot he craving, gently suckling on the small pearl, feeling it swell and throb from the contact as Eloriel's pleasure noises became squeals of delight and she grew moister and slicker.
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Before long, Eloriel was bucking and squirming softly against Aaja's attentive tongue. "Aaja, love, you know me better than I know myself." She gasped in their native tongue in between cries of pleasure. Then, as her head tossed in lust, she caught sight of Lord Castor, and in common, for his benefit, but with eyes shining in obvious gratefulness "And Our Lord is most generous." Her usually delicate, bell-like voice was grating with pleasure. Soon she could barely take it. She gripped the sheets and shivered... "A... Aaja..." she gasped, on the cusp of a climax.
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Aaja drove Eloriel to her climax, her eyes now raised to meet Castor's fires of lust in hers as she stared up at him, while her mouth was still engaged with lapping at Eloriel's nectar.
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Castor watched the two women approvingly. Aaja had sprung to the bed as eager as Eloriel had been apprehensive. Over the course of a little time she calmed Eloriel's mind and heated her body. He removed his clothing as he drank in the sight of the two lithe slaves entangled bodies. There was something exceedingly feminine about their interaction that called to his masculine nature. He couldn't give the feeling words, but he felt it pulling powerfully at him.

He stepped right up to the edge of the bed and stroked Aaja's thighs, slipping his hand between them and inserting a finger inside her. As she devoted her mouth to Eloriel's pleasure he enjoyed the feel of her hungry sex grasping at his finger. He frowned as he noted her anus seemed to be more inflamed than it had been the day before. He resolved to determine the cause of this, but later. As his hand explored Aaja she had brought Eloriel to a peak of pleasure and she seemed ready to explode.

"Go ahead, Eloriel," he said encouragingly. "Give Aaja the gift of your pleasure."
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Aaja moaned her own pleasure at Castor's touch against Elorial's wetness, increased tenfold as her lover climaxed and she hungrily lapped as much of the nectar up as possible, moving her hips with the movements of Castor's hand as she did this. It all felt so good to her, being with both of them, so natural. She could admit she was falling in love with both in different ways and had never felt more alive.
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Eloriel felt herself floating, panting, and a strange tension in her jaw. As she drifted back into her senses, she released the tension, realizing she was biting one of the bed cushions as she groaned her intense pleasure into it. An intense, but quiet person, she marveled at the ability of her lust to elicit such forwardness. She rolled softly onto her back and tilted her chin up softly to take in the sight of the naked man. Her post-orgasmic face was a thing of beauty... her eyes were slitted and dark with lust, her normally ghost-white cheeks flushed a little with pink, her lips shiny. The sight of Castor, in all of his aroused glory, might normally have been jarring, but she was eased, and indeed, compelled, by Aaja's performance. The evidence of Eloriel's climax was glisteningly apparent on Aaja's face and caused Eloriel to almost sob with adoration. Her chest was still rising and falling with pleasure and some degree of disbelief.
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Castor's cock was rock hard and he wanted very much to bury himself inside Eloriel. He removed his hand from Aaja and gently pushed her to the side of the bed so that he could kneel between Eloriel's legs. He leaned forward to kiss her, covering her with his body, and slowly parted her lips with his tongue. Lower down her body he parted her nether lips with his cock, slowly stroking just the head back and forth into her. She was exceedingly wet and her hips moved tentatively, exploring him as he was her. He smiled against her lips and thrust firmly in until his belly was pressed against her.
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Eloriel, never having been with a man, was shocked and scared, and gasped, eyes frantic as her warm, sexed body, tensed suddenly. She wasn't expecting the pain, sharp and overwhelming, as Castor buried himself in her. Aaja grasped at her hand, and Eloriel swallowed hard. She held Aaja's hand until her lord pumped again, and pain shot through her. She blushed as she realized she was practically clawing at Castor's chest. She hoped he would understand. As soon as her mind wrapped around the pain, it seemed almost gone. In its place was a warm fullness, a maddening ache for the rhythm of lovemaking she didn't know she had in her. Castor was perceptive, and noted the change in her face.
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Castor saw the fear in Eloriel's eyes, but Aaja was there, holding her hand and whispering encouragement. After a moment he saw the fear fading, replaced with a curiousity. He smiled at her.

"Yes, much nicer when the pain fades," he said. "And you won't feel that pain again, only pleasure."

He pumped slowly, savoring the feel of her and taking time to make sure he was giving her as much pleasure as possible. She began to respond to him, curiousity turning slowly to desire under the stimulation he was giving her and the smiling, loving encouragement of Aaja.

He kissed her again and she tried kissing him back.
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Eloriel wrapped her legs around him instinctively as he bent to kiss her. Her lips parted and she felt as though she was in a dream. It was so surreal. In her culture, sex with a man was considered a necessity, whereas sex with a woman was seen as a union, a thing of beauty. She had never envisioned herself so enjoying sex with a man, and she was suddenly overwhelmed by the possibility of a more meaningful union with the man. She wasn't sure how serious she was about the idea, but with the physical sensation had also come the psychological tug of emotional connection. He seemed to respond well to her clutching legs. Castor took it as a sign of enthusiasm, and saw that he was on the right path with the timid slave girl. She shared the kiss, warm and explorative. Her whole breathless body was drawn close to his warm, and strangely alluring masculine form.
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Castor felt Eloriel wrap her legs around him and wondered, what kind of idiot men did their culture produce that women were afraid of sex with them? Perhaps they were cruel or abnormally large. Whatever the reality might be, he was glad that Eloriel seemed to be warming to the experience as Aaja had before her.

He drove firmly into her and remained, rocking his hips to rub his belly against hers, his flesh sliding against her clitoris and his cock twitching in response to the subtle stimulations of her silken sex. He felt his pleasure building in tandem with his desire and lowered his head to her neck, sucking hard upon her glistening flesh as he came, pumping his seed into her body as he groaned in delight.
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Eloriel was nowhere near another climax when Castor came, as she had so recently exerted herself, but her body was warm, and shivering with arousal anyways, and she moaned softly as he emptied into her. Her psychological sensitivities seemed to give her helpful nudges about what her new lord found pleasurable, and she fully exploited them. At first, she thought that if she was a good girl and pleased him, there would be benefit for herself and Aaja, but there was another layer under that... she truly did want to please him. When he pulled out of her, he rolled onto his back and she slunk down to his hips and lapped sweetly at the spent flesh there. Her own taste was strangely intoxicating on the man's cock. She looked up to gage how her actions were being received.
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Aaja knealt by the side of the bed, holding Eloriel's hand, caressing her foread at times with her other hand, watching the scene unfold with great interest and a growing love in both involved. She tried to push away the occasional and natural feelings of being on the outside, knowing sh ehad had her time and it would come again. She soon began to touch herself andplay with her own pleasure pearl as she caressed the skin of both lovers, rousing to their climax with her own shuddering sigh as her masterbation had reached it's pinnacle.
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Castor groaned appreciatively as Eloriel took him in her mouth. He reached down to stroke her cheek and smiled encouragingly at her.

"Good girl, Eloriel. I like that very much. Continue," he ordered.

He turned his head to Aaja, still touching herself, and smiled at her.

"And you too, Aaja. You're being a very good and a very patient girl."

He reached his hand out to stroke her cheek and then pulled her closer so that he could kiss her. He sucked one of her lips into his mouth, tasting Eloriel at second hand, and his hand softly fondled Aaja's breasts, teasing the hardening nipples.
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Aaja responded to his kisses and fondling with great pleasure, as she had been feeling a little left out and was glad he had noticed and decided to include her. "My Lord." she breathed, as her eyes closed and she let herself be awash in the sensations of her nipples being pinched and kneaded by his large, warm hand.
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Castor felt Aaja's relief and eagerness at being included and it warmed him more than his considerable lust for her did. That, combined with the enthusiastic efforts of Eloriel, restored his vigor. He took Eloriel by the hair, pulling her off of him to afford Aaja room to lie on top of him. His hands moved to position her hips, but she was already doing it herself, spreading her legs and slowly backing herself onto him.

He groaned in appreciation, a sound that mingled in their mouths with her moan. He pushed her slowly upright, hands pressing at her belly, then her breasts and shoulders.

"Show me your lust, pretty Aaja," he told her.
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Aaja smiled down at him,taking this as permission to mount his manhood and ride him as she had been hoping to since their last encounter early the same morning, which seemed like ages ago to her now. She spread her netherlips and rose her hips to allow her a better view of his manhood spearing her, feeling his warmth spreading her open as she slowly pushed down onto him, sheathing him with her love hole. She sighed when he filled her up to the hilt and then she moved to rise and fall on his cock, building up a steady rhythm. Eloriel crawled up to lie beside them and watch, looking sleepy and deamy and gorgeous to Aaja as Aaja kissed her companion's exploring hand and then set her attention to Castor once more, seeking his eyes with her own as her passion for him built with every bounce on his rod.
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Aaja stared into Castor's eyes and he fancied he saw an eager lust in them. The thought made him laugh in delight, drawing a puzzled look from Eloriel and a grin from Aaja. Castor reached over and guided Eloriel's hand to the juncture of Aaja's thighs and encouraged her to tease Aaja's clitoris. His own hands caressed up Aaja's smooth flanks, over her breasts and up to her face. She felt utterly incredible sliding up and down on him and he found the sight of her exiting beyond belief.

"Ssssss..... Very good girl, Aaja. Aah. Yes, very good," he praised her.

His hands traced the line of her jaw, his thumb teasing across her lips, as he began to thrust up into her, matching her rythym, becoming a part of it.
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Aaja maoned, bucking against him and Eloriel's hand working indescribable magic upon her pleasure pearl as she rode her master like a true lover and not just his eager to please slave girl. She remembered her lessons today in personal pronouns (instead of always using her name) and she practiced, grunting, "I...am...so...happy...you...are my...Master." her breaths coming in ragged gasps in-between her words as she moved more rapidly, feeling his cock even deeper within her, stroking her fires. She was even happier it was Castor who ultimately commanded her and not Democritus who she was growing to despise.
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Eloriel leaned in to kiss Castor and he remembered the taste and smell of her upon Aaja's lips. Aaja chose that moment to slam down on him and, with a truly wicked grin on her flushed face, to squeeze. He bucked up, his entire body pushing his cum up into her. Eloriel broke off her kiss and turned her attention to Aaja, stroking her furiously and attempting to bring her to orgasm. Castor's hands were on Aaja's hips, holding her firmly against him as his body shook again, and again.
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Aaja too came with a scream of release. Her breathing ragged afterward, as she pumped as much of his seed as possible into her body before his manhood went limp within her. She then crawled off of him, and lie between both of her lovers, sharing a kiss with both of them in tandem.
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Eloriel glowed and groaned softly into the first kiss she'd ever really shared with Aaja, whom she already loved... and there was something bewitching and and intoxicating about the taste of her lord intertwined in the exchange as well. Eloriel shivered, tiny and pale and bare, curling her arms aound Aaja's middle, her eyes shining and dark as they looked up at their lord. "Castor, Aaja and Eloriel please you?" she said in between adoringly nuzzling Aaja's arm.
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"Yes, Eloriel, you and Aaja have pleased me very much," Castor replied. He lay back in the bed, content in the feeling of the two women cuddled next to him and slowly drifted off to sleep.


He felt movement and it took him a moment to remember why he might feel movement. His eyes snapped open and he looked to his right. Aaja was softly stroking Eloriel's hair. She looked over at him as he sat up.

"Good morning, lord," she smiled.

He smiled back at her. "Good morning, Aaja."

He swung his legs off the edge of the bed and reached down to pull the chamber-pot out. "I have a number of tasks to attend to this morning," he explained as he voided his bladder and then replaced the chamber-pot. "You and Eloriel will be collared as soon as the smith arrives. The marker will be here shortly thereafter and Eloriel will be marked as you were."

He reached out and gently touched the tattoo on Aaja's hip, knowing from experience that it would still be tender. She winced slightly and Castor leaned over to kiss the expression from her face.

"Get cleaned up, get food, and begin cleaning my room. I'll summon you when the smith arrives," he told her. Then he rose and began pulling on clothing.
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Aaja awoke to the gentle feeling of Eloriel stroking her sex and Castor snoring lightly upon her neck. She moved closer to Eloriel and kissed her, their tongues intertwining in a very intimate morning greeting. She moved her kisses down El's body until they were foot to head and then enjoyed tasting Eloriel's nether mouth as well, each sexually pleasuring the other in the same manner, trying very much to remain quiet and not wake Castor.

OOC: -Waif, if you'd like to add more in your post, feel free to backpost.

IC:

As they lay in afterglow from bringing one another to orgasm and drinking of their 'companion's' nectar they were half asleep and half awake when Castor rose. Aaja greeted him, feeling content and friendly.

He told them he'd be busy all morning and that they would be collared and Eloriel marked today. Aaja looked down at the stylized 'C' on her hip, still tender and remembered the pain of the day before's marking on herself. She squeezed El's hand in support as Castor touched the sore spot and she winced. She smiled when he leaned over to kiss her, though and she quickly forgave him.

He then began dressing. "Get cleaned up, get food, and begin cleaning my room. I'll summon you when the smith arrives," he told her. Then he rose and kissed them both on their head before leaving them to follow his orders. Aaja turned to kiss Eloriel once on the lips and the hurried to get the smell of sexx off of their bodies and begin the chores of the day. She knew there would probably be more lessons later as well but hoped to get a better sight of that garden she had seen on her first day. She also hoped to avoid Democritus at all costs.
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Castor walked out of the room and down the stairs. He paused in the garden imagining the choice words his grandmother would have had for him. She wouldn't have approved of Aaja or Eloriel on the grounds that he should be trying, again, to get an heir upon a wife. 'Only difference between a slave and a wife is respectability,' he could almost hear her saying. And there was more than a grain of truth in that given Imperial law and custom. On the other hand, his grandmother would have found nothing wrong with the behavior of his slaves, or them personally. He suspected she would have found Aaja's intelligence pleasing. He was still taking the measure of Eloriel, but he sensed a different kind of intelligence in her. More... intuitive, perhaps.

Smiling, he walked over to the kitchen. Democritus was there, eating a quick meal and going over the day's labor with the other servants. He rose as Castor walked in.

"Good morning, lord," he said, leading the respectful chorus of voices.

"Good morning, Democritus," he responded and his gaze extended the greeting to everyone in the room.

One of the serving girls hastily filled a bowl with the morning gruel and poured cream over it. She walked over to him and held the bowl, waiting for him to ask for it.

"The smith and the jeweler?" Castor asked Democritus.

"The jeweler is in the foyer, lord. The smith has not yet arrived. I sent young Calipodius to see about him," Democritus responded.

Castor took the bowl of food from the serving girl with a nod of thanks. "Very well, inform me when he arrives. Aaja and Eloriel should be down to get food shortly."

He walked over to the foyer where he found his clients gathered around a man. They parted a path when they noticed Castor's arrival and the jeweler greeted him politely and enthusiastically.

"The collars?" Castor asked.

The man squatted down and then stood, extending a thin silver ring to him. Castor took the ring and examined it. The silver was thin, no more than a band and had been inlaid with delicate gold filagree. Castors' sigil was displayed at the front where a ring would be inserted by the smith, both an attachment point and the final piece which would close the collar.

"This is nice," Castor declared. "And the other pieces?"

The man bent down again and unrolled the thick fabric roll to reveal an assortment of silver jewelry: thin chains, anklets, nipple shields, rings, and other pieces. Castor squatted down to take a closer look, fingering a few of the items before nodding his satisfaction.

"I don't understand, lord," one of his clients said.

"What do you not understand, Hieronymous?" Castor asked.

"Why would you put such finery upon your slaves?"

Castor stood and handed a collar to the young man. "What would you think if you saw a slave wearing this?"

"I'd think her master a fool with more money than brains," the man replied.

A few of the younger men looked askance at this response but Castor corrected them.

"Hieronymous offered no insult. We are talking hypothetically, so no insult should be assumed. More, had he offered anything less than a full opinion he would have been less than honest with me. We are only as strong as the trust we share," he lectured. He turned his attention back to Hieronymous. "The key in your phrase is 'more money'. Wealth is a very real form of power. In adorning my slaves richly, I proclaim my own wealth."

The man nodded in understanding.

"There's more symbolism in this," Castor said. "Does anyone see it?"

"Your rule is light, lord," one of the veterans rumbled.

"Exactly," Castor replied. "You know a man by his actions. If he is cruel to those he holds absolute power over, then why would you trust him with any power? Beware the man that is cruel to his slaves, rude to his servants. He will be amiable when you are his equal, and a tyrant if he should become your superior. What other purpose might this collar serve?"

"Tells your slaves you like them?" ventured another of the younger men.

"Yes, Remus, good. What reason does a contented slave have to revolt?"

"None, lord," Remus responded.

"So a contented slave works more willingly, the master need not correct the slave, and the slave remains contented. Reinforce success, Remus. In the affairs of life as much as the affairs of war."

Democritus entered the room and caught Castor's eye.

"The smith is here, lord," he announced.

"Get Aaja and Eloriel, Democritus. Bring them to the stable," Castor ordered.

The jeweler gathered up his bundle and followed Castor through the house.
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Democritus interrupted the scrubbing of the chamber pot by Aaja and the buffing of the floor by Eloriel. He entered the room regally, as if it belonged to him, nearly stepping on Eloriel's fingers as he passed her and he surprised Aaja who'd had her back to the door, by wrapping an arm around her waist and fondling her breast with one hand while he fingered her anus with the other hand's thumb. "Hmmm...I see I must be very careful not to mark your flesh, girl. It looks as though I left evidence of your tutilage the other day." He remarked as he poked his thumb around her sensistive and bruised anal opening. She turned and tried not to glare up at him, much as she wanted to. "What is it Democritus would like from Aaja this morning?" she asked in a voice who's sweetness hid her true feelings toward the blackmailer.

He smiled, lifting his hand from the nipple he'd been pinching to cup her chin and make her look up at him. "Unfortunately not what I'd prefer you do at the moment. Lord Castor would like me to bring you both to the stables. You can finish your work up here afterward. Follow me." he said, walking to Eloriel and lifting her from her crouched position. "It looks nicer when you both walk side-by-side, in step with one another, like a pair of twin pets. Practice that as you follow me to the stable." he commanded.

Aaja looked at Eloriel and they took position behind him, as he had said, they walked as if their hips were attached and kept in exact matching step with one another fairly easily, practice was not necessary for, Eloriel intuited Aaja's every move like a mind-reader and was able to predict as if it were mimicking and therefore all movements appeared as if at the same time. Aaja enjoyed this perpetual unity of motion with Eloriel, it felt as if they were in a constant dance. There was a great many onlookers waiting for them at the stable as they approached where Castor waited for them.
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Castor was amused to see Eloriel and Aaja enter the room in lock-step and wondered where they had gotten the idea. He rubbed the stubble on his chin and his eyes darted to the unreadable face of Democritus. He recalled Aaja's bruising and his eyes narrowed slightly as he considered... distasteful possibilities.

Pushing the idea aside for later investigation, he smiled at the pair of them. "Come here Eloriel," he ordered.

She stepped forward quickly, looking apprehensively at the male crowd in the stables. Castor gently pushed Eloriel to her knees in front of the anvil. The smith placed the silver collar around her neck and snugged the open ends together. He bent Eloriel's head down until her neck was resting on the anvil.

"Hold her," the smith said.

Three of Castor's clients stepped forward and took hold of Eloriel, pinning her in place.

"Close your eyes, Eloriel," Castor said. "This won't hurt and it's easier if you don't look."

She darted a look at Aaja and then at him before swallowing nervously and closing her eyes.

The smith extracted a red-hot open iron ring and inserted it into the space on the silver collar. The first blow of the hammer shocked her and she squeaked in fright, but the clients held her still. It took the smith less than ten blows in total to close the iron ring and lock the collar in. A wet cloth was applied to the ring to cool it down and then the smith gestured that the men could release Eloriel.

Castor pulled her upright by the ring in the collar and examined her.

"Yes, very nice," he commented. "Your turn, Aaja."
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[Otto26]

Aaja stepped forward, this new thing on Eloriel's neck looked beautiful, but after her marking the previous day she was still wary of these symbols of ownership. She knealt and looked straight into Castor's eyes, calming herself with the pride she saw reflected from him as he looked at her, and then she closed hers, prepared, after what she had just seen, for this to take several blows. She waited, tensed and still.
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Aaja, despite her misgivings, didn't really need anyone to hold her. Forewarned of what was going to happen she didn't flinch from the sound of the blow. When Castor raised her to her feet he was really very pleased. Gold would have been better to match their hair, but the metal was far too soft. Bronze, perhaps. He would talk to the jeweler. But the silver set nicely against their skin and the fillagree made the collars appear almost insubstantial. He used the ring to pull Aaja close to him and gave her a quick kiss before releasing her with a smile. He took the fabric roll of jewelry from the jeweler and put it into Aaja's arms.

"Back to your work, slaves. Lay this jewelry out on the table. I'll bring the marker up to the room when he arrives."

He gave Eloriel a friendly slap on the ass to speed her on her way and turned back to his men to address some of the business of the day.
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Aaja brought the roll of things up to the bedroom, being careful not to drop any of the precious looking shiny objects as she layed them out on the table and waited for further instruction. They had finished all of the major cleaning in the room earlier but she had decided to dust a bit and make the room look even neater while she waited for the others to join her.
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Castor thanked the jeweler and the smith for their services and walked towards his study. Democritus intercepted him.

"Lord Photius has sent word, lord. He conveys his regrets but he is unavoidably detained and hopes to speak with you at dinner tomorrow."

Castor considered the message. Photius was sympathetic to Horatius, but not his man. He had hoped to have the opportunity to convince Photius of the danger Artan posed, and thus get his message into Horatius' camp. A Lord was not detained unless he wished to be, so Photius was playing a game... He dragged himself back to the moment.

"Please ask the messenger to convey my understanding. I look forward to speaking with Photius at his earliest convenience," he said.

Democritus nodded and turned.

"And see what's keeping the marker, Democritus. I'll be in my room."

He walked through the garden and up the steps that led to his room in a haze of thought as he turned the question of Photius round and about in his head. When he reached the room he caught sight of Aaja and Eloriel and smiled, pushing troublesome thoughts aside. He walked over to the table where they had lain the jewelry out. He had asked for an assortment and had specified nothing that would injure, silver chased with gold, and, where appropriate, emeralds. The jeweler had done well.

"Some jewelry to adorn you both," Castor explained. He could see Eloriel eyeing the jewelry while Aaja appeared to consider the implications of this.

"Come here, Aaja," Castor said.

She approached him cheerfully and pulled a piece of jewelry from the table; a silver wire nipple shield. Pinching the piece of jewelry he rolled one of her nipples slowly between a finger and thumb and then placed the shield over it. When he stopped pinching it, the jewelry snugged itself to Aaja's nipple, holding itself against her breast. The floral pattern, chased with emerald chips, looked wonderful against her skin. He smiled appreciatively at the open pattern which accentuated, rather than hid, her nipple and repeated the process to attach it's mate. He pulled a delicate silver chain from the array and fastened it about Aaja's waist. It hung a little loose, snugging down onto her hips and draping across her lower belly. He let the few inches of surplus chain hang down her back, almost to the cleft of her ass.

He stepped back and considered the effect. Strangely, the jewelry emphasized her nudity. After a moment of thought, he ordered Aaja to sit on a chair and lift her feet. He selected an anklet studded with silver bells that cascaded down the top of her foot to a toe-loop and put one on each of her feet. He ordered her to stand and turn about so that he could see her.

As she turned he felt himself hardening and he sat down.

"Adorn Eloriel, Aaja," he commanded.
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Aaja smiled and nodded, "Yes, Lord Castor." she answered, happy to do this. She chose nipple shields that were exactly the same as her own for Eloriel, and watched her mate's face with pride as she hardened Eloriel's nipples with kisses and gentle suckling and attached the jewelery to them. She then chose a silver and gold arm band that looked like a flowering vine and slipped that onto Eloriel's right bicep. She chose a silver filligreed anklet with an emerald moon and a star with a tinkling bell attached to it and placed that on Eloriel's left ankle. On the toe of that same foot, she put a matching silver toe ring with a sparkling emerald moon to accentuate her undamaged and pretty feet.

She took a step back and took stock in Eloriel's new appearance. Aaja looked at her companion and smiled, enjoying the effect of her work. There were two sets of delicate jewelled hair combs and Aaja didn't bother with those assuming those were more appropriate for them to use when they were to be adorned for a special occasion, to decorate their platinum hair with.

Aaja felt all of this finery was unnecessary and frivolous, making her all the more aware of her nudity feeling the jewelery moving against her bare skin. People would definately be noticing them walk into a room now with more than the usual passing interest, but she had to admit it was fun to have a little extra sparkle added to their movements and Eloriel looked absolutely stunning with the dark emeralds setting off her white skin, Aaja was certain she also looked just as beautiful. Aaja turned to Castor and bowed, "What may Aaja do for you now, my Lord?" she asked.
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"I can think of any number of things you can do for me, pretty Aaja," Castor responded. He gestured and she approached him, a lascivious grin on her face. He pulled her down by the collar, between his legs, and stroked her cheek.

"I am exceedingly full of lust, Aaja. You can satisfy my desires," he declared. He caught sight of Eloriel's face, half wondering and half... disappointed? It made him chuckle. "And you too, Eloriel. Come kneel before me and apply yourself to my pleasure."
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Aaja knealt before Castor, making room for Eloriel to join in beside her as she began to suckle his manhood in her mouth as she knew he liked.
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The jewelry was cold and fine and thrilling against her skin and she took some amount of pride in the fact that with the adornments, she and Aaja were much more obviously a pair. Anyone who saw them in such a state would most assuredly be curious of the identity of the owner of such pretty, fine women, then doubtlessly envious. Eloriel was not used to such a swelling of pride, but she was certain no one could deny the beauty of her Aaja, or the two of them together. The previous night, as she had laid, falling asleep, Eloriel had wondered to herself if it was strange, or unnaturally to so eagerly accept the life of a slave... without skepticism, without rebellion. Even in Aaja, she intuited some diminishing, but yet present reserve, of discontentment, or at least uncertainty. But Eloriel was not unhappy. She had been drawn to this point her entire life, and for two days now, two lightning fast but eternity-long days, she had waited for the sick feeling in her stomach to return. But it hadn't. When she first glimpsed Aaja, it was with knowledge of their compatibility, like two finely crafted and identical keys... and she wondered now if Castor was not the lock in which they both fit. He was a vessle and capacitator of their union. Without him, Eloriel had realized, on the brink of unnaturally contented sleep, she would not know her soul's mate. The way he looked at her and touched her was undeniable. Kind. Without hesitation, she knelt, and took him into her mouth. She and Aaja took turns, trading his turgid member with traces of their own taste on the shaft, back and forth. There was an identicle sparkle in their eyes as they serviced him. Eloriel showed her enthusiasm through her attentive tongue and loving, tender lips, and wordlessly thanked the man with whom she was barely accquainted, for bringing her to Aaja, and to this point in her life. She had never imagined a life of subservience, but she couldn't trun away from the feeling of wholeness that had overcome her in her time here.
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Castor sighed contentedly as the two women took turns satisfying him. In truth it was the playful nature of their labor that appealed to him the most. Oh, certainly they felt amazing, soft lips and warm tongues caressing him most intimately. But it was the cheer with which they approached the task, their desire to please him and the smiling, cooperative way they went about it that warmed him. Every man wants to know that his women desire him, and Castor fancied he saw more than the desire of a slave to accomplish a task.

When he came they actively laughed and took it in turns to catch his seed, smiling wickedly at him under his gaze. He gasped for breath as his heart pounded and they slowly pumped him and licked him clean. The joy of the moment bubbled out him in laughter that the two women joined in. He leaned forward and kissed them both.

A cough from the doorway attracted his attention.

"The marker is here, lord," Democritus announced.

Castor smiled ruefully at Eloriel.

"Send him in," he ordered.

He rose and tucked his flaccid member into his clothing.

"To the bed, Eloriel. On your back and remain still. Aaja, you'll hold her arms," Castor commanded.

The young woman looked apprehensively at the doorway and then, at Aaja's urging, walked over and lay down on the bed. Aaja crawled to the head of the bed and held Eloriel's arms while cradling her head in her lap. Castor walked the marker over to the bed, explaining that he wanted the same excellent work he had done on Aaja the day before. The man nodded and began to lay out his tools.

Castor took hold of one leg while Democritus took the other. They held her legs tightly to prevent her from moving and being injured. The marker rubbed a strong wine over Eloriel's hip, cleaning it carefully and drying the skin. Then he applied oil of cloves and let it numb the skin while he sharpened his blades, whetting them on a fine stone. After a few minutes he wiped the oil off and began to carefully slice. His blade cut shallowly through Eloriel's skin as he meticulously inscribed Castor's chosen design upon her flesh.
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Eloriel squeaked softly when the blade touched her skin first, initially, in surprise, then pain. The oil did little to kill the pain. She tossed her head back, bared her throat, gasped and curled her toes, but stayed otherwise remarkably still. Her eyes fluttered a little as she tried to escape internally from the hurt, but when she couldn't she looked up and met Aaja's big pale eyes. What seemed like a moment later, but was actually quite a number of minutes, the marker began to collect his tools and concluded his business with Castor. Eloriel winced slightly as she came back down to her senses and winced at the tender sting. She looked down at her skin and drank in the sight of it for a long time. She was marked. As his. But in a way, she had been marked as Aaja's, too. She knew it may not be the time or place, but her intuition pushed at her to speak. To trust Castor, and speak to him. "My Lord, there is something I must tell you. May I speak with you now, Sir?"
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Castor looked away from the doorway where Democritus was escorting the marker out.

"Of course, Eloriel," he responded. "What do you have to say?"
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Eloriel watched Democritus go, and gave Aaja a lingering, contemplative look, and then a silent apology with her eyes. She knew the secret was Aaja's, but she felt that Aaja's wellbeing and happiness belonged to her as well. She lowered her voice, and sat up. "Castor... Democritus hurt Aaja. He touch Aaja. He tell her Aaja would hurt more if Aaja tell you. Now it will be Eloriel who hurts for Aaja. She didn't tell, so she won't hurt."
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Castor felt his stomach twist and only long years of experience in politics kept him from snarling in rage. He was furious, with Democritus, with Aaja, with himself. He looked at Aaja, who cringed under the look, and then at the doorway. When he looked back Eloriel was holding Aaja as protectively as Aaja was holding her. The sight of them softened his displeasure. However angry he might be that Aaja had concealed this from him, she had been smart enough to select Eloriel who, after just having had someone's sigil carved in her flesh had still be courageous enough to broach the subject. They hadn't been with him long enough to understand him, the rules he lived by, but they would learn, and quickly because they were already pre-disposed towards those morals. He took a moment to master his anger and then spoke.

"Thank you, Eloriel. I appreciate your honesty, and your courage. When you have been longer with me you will understand how much I value trust." He shifted his gaze to Aaja. "I am displeased you did not tell me immediately, Aaja. But I understand why you did not. We will talk more about this at a later time."

He paced, thinking out loud as much as talking to them.

"I cannot deal with Democritus immediately, so you will have to endure a short time longer. Tell him nothing of this conversation and know that I will..." They didn't want to hear about vengeance and salving wounded pride. "I will ensure he never has opportunity to hurt you again."
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Eloriel understood the pain Aaja undoubtedly felt under Castor's disappointed gaze, as she herself withered under it a little, too. She buried a soft kiss in Aaja's hair as she rocked the girl in her arms, and whispered "I'm sorry." To Castor, she looked up. She hoped the man understood her heart half as well as she knew his already. Her instincts told her all about he goodness of Castor's heart. Eloriel had grown well accustomed to one truth of living the life of a sensitive... it isn't fair or easy when you know more about the people around you than they know about you. That's why she had always been careful about being honest, and open to the people she cared about. In her world, she felt there was little room to hide and hint when it came to her intentions and emotions. Reminding herself this to embolden her speech, she said "You truly are our Lord, Sir, and Aaja and Eloriel love you for it."
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At first Aaja was angry and hurt that Eloriel took it upon herself to tell her secret to Castor...then she was only dismayed that Castor had said he was displeased with her. She was beside herself with worry. What would happen now? Democritus was bound to hurt her again, and she was worried each time he did so it would feed a rage in Castor. If they fought would Democritus hurt their kind Lord? Would this secret possibly cost her both people she loved?
"Aaja knew she should tell...but... Master Democritus say he have your ear, he is trusted by Lord Castor. He say...he can have Eloriel taken from me, and cause me much misery and pain and Lord Castor would never even know...I so sorry, my Lord, I should not have believed him. He frightened me. He still does a little bit." Aaja explained tearfully. "I don't want Democritus to hurt Eloriel, or to hurt you, my Lord. I take pain so nobody else have to." she said, explaining her motives. "Aaja...I...I will never lie to my Lord again." she finished, bowing to him and springing from the bed and Eloriel's protective grasp to lower herself upon the floor and kiss Castor's feet.
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astor knelt down and lifted Aaja's head by her hair until she was looking at him.

"Then you have learned your lesson, Aaja," Castor said. "You are required to tell me about such things. In this case particularly so, because Democritus has betrayed my trust. If I cannot trust him in this matter, how can I trust him in other matters. Beyond that..." He swallowed. "He hurt and threatened you. I will not have that."

He stroked her cheek and gave her a small smile. "Endure a little while longer and he will trouble you no more."

Castor walked over to the door and out of the room as his mind tumbled over the possible courses of actions and the desired outcomes. Having Democritus killed without explanation was simply unacceptable. On the other hand, he couldn't afford to have Democritus taking his knowledge to another lord. He thought, however, that he saw a way to play this to his advantage.

He spied Democritus crossing the garden and forced a smile onto his face.

"Democritus. How are the preparations for tomorrow nights' dinner proceeding?"

"Matters are well in hand, lord. The food will be delivered and musicians have been engaged. The staff are well prepared. Do you wish me to prepare your slaves for any specific role?"

"No, Democritus. They will participate by being present. I may have a task for you though, a message I need delivered."

"I am ready to serve, lord."
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Aaja tended to Eloriel, helping her reduce the swelling to the mark on her hip. Both required the aid of some herbs she did not know the 'common' words for but only her old language's words for these herbs which when ground into a fine powder and mixed with sterilized water could help heal burns and infected scrapes and would most likely easethe pain in thier markings. "Eloriel, we require Zanrndn and Enaezslia I suspect we could find some in the garden if we look carefully. " she suggested rising from the bed and preparing to venture out into the midday sunshine of the garden to look for what they required. "We have not been called to lessons, come, I think we can go and enjoy the garden."
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Eloriel eased onto her feet. She was beautiful and pale as ever, but the cuts and powder had reddened the area of the mark and its surroundings, and caused slight swelling. She put her arm around Aaja's easily, as their bodies fit together as though they were crafted to sit side by side, like twins, and just being around her put her at ease. They two headed to the garden, Aaja involuntarily and unrealizingly adopting a little limp to match that of her love. The two were a perfect pretty picture, Aaja's face marked with concern and attention to Eloriel, and Eloriel's face an almost comical mixture of absolute adoration and dizzying pain.
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"Aaja?" Eloriel ventured softly, eyes baleful as she watched Aaja watch Castor leave. "Aaja.... Eloriel sorry." Eloriel switched back to their native tongue. "Love, I am sorry. I could not hold my tongue and let that awful man violate you. I see the look on your face. I can't explain to you how I knew Castor would believe and understand me, but I knew so before the words left my mouth." Eloriel moved from the bed to go to Aaja, but the pain in her hip immobilized her, and she sprawled back on the bed, gasping. She bit her lip and gained her composure to continue, fearing Aaja's disappointment in her.... She considered further explaining her intuitions, her sense of timing and certainty that if the betrayal of Democritus was not brought to his attention promptly, something terrible may have befallen Aaja, but instead she just lowered her eyes knowing there was little she could say other than... "I'm sorry. I love you."
_________________________________________

Aaja turned as if only half having heard Eloriel's words. "I know...I love you too. But, you have to trust my judgement. I was trying to protect you, and Castor, both of you...I never plan to keep secrets again but if I ever feel it's necessary to I don't want you to be the one I have to worry about telling on me." she said, then switched to 'common' "Now, out to the garden we, go, 'companion'."
____________________________________________

Castor reviewed the preparations for the dinner party he was hosting on the next day with Democritus. This was meant to be a follow-up to his private discussion with Photius and changed circumstances would require that he alter things somewhat. In the study off the garden he closed the door and sat Democritus down.

"The task I mentioned is more than a simple message, Democritus. I am convinced that war is coming. The news out of Artan is, alarming. Accordingly I have decided to relocate my household to the west. When war comes I will be in a position to take immediate action and, perhaps, blunt the kingdom's offensive until the Shah can muster the field armies. If this were to become known to my political foes, they might seize the opportunity to attack me in my absence. Therefore, I will send you west. You will establish a household for me. Quietly," he explained.

"I will leave after the dinner tomorrow, lord. You may have faith that I will do exactly as you say," Democritus responded.

"I wish you to depart this evening, Democritus. I want Photius to inquire as to your whereabouts tomorrow evening and ponder what it means that I have sent my most trusted servant to the western lands," Castor said. 'And I want you gone from this house before I forget myself and throttle you,' he added mentally.

The man looked a little taken aback, but he recovered quickly. "Of course, lord. I will gather my things."

Castor clapped the man on the shoulder.

"Excellent, Democritus. I don't know what I would do without you," he said truthfully. "Oh," he continued, "since I am sending Valentus back with a message for his father you can travel in his company."

"As you wish, lord. If I may?" he indicated the doorway.

Castor nodded. "Take care Democritus, and I pray the gods speed your journey."

When Democritus left Castor sat where he could see the garden and pondered more courses of action. Sending Democritus west would serve many ends. It would separate him from any of Castor's opponents in the capitol. It would place him squarely amongst Castor's partisans. It would create the household that Castor would need to draw upon when he did, eventually, go west. It would allow him, by disappearing for a few days, to test and see if Democritus was passing information to his opponents. It was possible, after all, that the man was simply a bullying lecher. Such a man might have other uses and, as much as his heart demanded it, need not be killed.

The sight of the garden, that practical and purposeful garden, helped him to order his thoughts and to remember what was important.
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Aaja led Eloriel out into the garden, they both revelled in the courtyard's fresh air and sunshine on their skin, although quite aware of their fairlness and the limitations in the sunshine it made for them in life, they also valued their time in it's warmth.

"I see many useful plants here, Eloriel. My mother trained me well in herbology and I can find many purposes to these, from as simple as teas and perfumes to as helpful as headache cures, healing potions and...even protection from evil if need arises. Let me show you some of the plants I recognize and their uses, my love." she said, leading her 'companion' by the hand and pointing out various plants, telling of different purposes and recipes.

Finally, beneath a rosebush she saw one of the things she had intended to gather. "Ah, look! Enaezslia!" She had brought a simple woven basket and began to gather sprigs of the fuzzy purple and white plant into the basket until it was half full. She and Eloriel had begun to sing songs of their homeland together as they gathered Zanrndn and also some flowers for decorating the room. In their contentedness they barely noticed Democritus pass, stepping on Aaja's slippered,still bandaged and still sore foot as he went. She gasped, dropping the basket and Eloriel scooped to replace it's fallen contents as they both looked after him fearfully but without a word he was out of the main gate.

They looked at each other and Aaja shrugged, trying to laugh off the incident, though it chilled her to the core and her foot was throbbing painfully. Slowly, she got back to her task and eased Eloriel's nerves with another song. Castor came out and they both knealt before him, happy to have him in their presence but a little worried he might be cross at them for touching his plants. "Lord Castor," began Aaja, "I came out to gather some herbs I can make into a good healing salve for Eloriel's hip. Is there something, anything I can make for you? I have a gift with plants, my Lord."
_________________________________________________

Castor heard a clattering sound out in the garden and looked to see Aaja sitting on the ground while Eloriel hastily gathered fallen plants from the ground and put them back into a basket.

'For that petty act, Democritus, I will see you impaled,' Castor swore quietly.

Aaja seemed to recover and the two women began to sing as they searched through the garden. Castor, a product of his upbringin, noted the careful manner in which they worked, never damaging the plants by taking to much, before he noted the way their bodies looked in the sunshine. He smiled appreciatively and watched them at their work. The jewelry sat nicely upon them without overwhelming their natural beauty. He was perfectly prepared to admit that slavery had become an anachronism in his society, a once useful institution that now held them back, but he could imagine very few things that would please him more than to see these two beautiful women bound to his will.

The sight and sound of them lifted his spirits and he stood, walking out into the garden. Aaja noticed him first and knelt, Eloriel followed suit.

"Lord Castor," began Aaja, "I came out to gather some herbs I can make into a good healing salve for Eloriel's hip. Is there something, anything I can make for you? I have a gift with plants, my Lord."

"If you can ease Eloriel's pain and speed her recovery then that would be an excellent gift to me, Aaja," he said. "Democritus will be traveling to the west on business for me. He leaves today. I will have to engage another tutor for you. In addition to teaching you more about my society, he will learn about yours. You will show him the plants you know and tell him what you know of them. And when you have learned to read our tongue, you will learn about the other plants and what we know of them."

He reached down and stroked Aaja's hair. At a pouting look from Eloriel he chuckled and gave her a moment of attention too.

"Continue with your work and I will look forward to seeing the results this evening. I have to go speak with Valentus."

He placed the tip of his finger against her nose and then turned, walking into the atrium where his men were gathered.

"Timasius," he called.

The young man came trotting over. "My lord?"

"Democritus is preparing to travel west on business for me. Find him and remain with him. Assist him in his preparations," Castor said.

"At once, lord," the man replied and trotted off.

"Valentus, I must speak with you."
_____________________________________________________

Aaja shared a happy and excited look with Eloriel. They would be given a new tutor and would be free of the rule of Democritus for a spell. Aaja hugged Eloriel in her relief and they spent the rest of the morning singing and playing games in the garden until it was time for them to meet their new teacher.
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Castor watched as Valentus and Democritus rode off and then he turned and went back into the stables. He was feeling very conflicted. On the one hand he was glad to get the untrustworthy Democritus out of his home. On the other... he ground his teeth as he considered the vengance he was delaying. His steps took him through the kitchen garden and into the house proper. He stopped, briefly considering matters, and stepped into the kitchen. The staff looked up, surprised to see him.

"Democritus has ridden west on an errand for me. One of you will take over his duties. I will expect you all to behave in a manner which brings honor to your families. I have slaves in the house where I have not done so before. Do not trifle with my property."

He turned and walked out. The servants were not stupid, quite the contrary, really. They would make the connection and there was likely to be talk, but he had made part of his point. The remainder of the point would have to be made at a later date, and it would be all the more emphatic for the delay.

But at the moment he was seething with aggression and no place to ground it. Then he smiled.

Aaja was drying her hands on a towel when he walked into the bedroom. Eloriel noticed him and started to rise from the bed, but Castor waved her down. Aaja noticed the movement and turned to face him.

"The salve," she said, pointing at Eloriel's hip where a greenish paste partly obscured the mark. He noticed the same paste on her hip. "It will heal fast fast. Two days and the cuts will be gone. The scars will be small. Is that okay?"

"Yes," he replied. "The cuts are no more than a way to get the pigment into the skin. If it can be done without any raised scarring then that's all the better. You will teach people I select about this salve. They will pay for the knowledge and they will remember where it came from. I will allow you to keep a portion of the money. But that, and a new tutor, are for later. For now, I want you."

He stepped forward and slid his hand down her belly and between her thighs. She looked surprised for a moment and then shifted, widening her stance slightly to afford him better access to her. He used this access to slip a finger into her. She was moist, but not yet wet and winced a little as his finger slid inside. The look excited him, not for the minor pain he had caused, but because it reminded him that he controlled her absolutely. He might not desire to cause her pain, but he could. She was the servant of his lusts.

He leaned his head down, kissing her softly.
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Aaja was a little surprised at the suddenness of Castor's lust but would never deny him anything he wanted and moved to allow him access to her innermost places as his hand sought it. She had not been prepared for this touch and with no warning, she was no yet wet enough but he proceeded to finger her and she slowly responded, moistening as he did so. She let his other arm support her weight a little as she leaned on him, relaxing as he fondled her, rising to his kiss, enjoying the feel of his tongue as it massaged her own.
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When Aaja opened herself to him, it simply fed the flames of Castor's desire. He savored the feeling of her most intimate embrace, the soft, wet silk of her smooth against his finger as he explored her depths. His hand worked slowly but insistently, palm circling against her mons as his finger slid in and out, tip caressing every inch of her. He thrust his tongue into her mouth, kissing her deeply and enjoying the taste of her.

He felt hands moving on his chest and realized Eloriel had come up behind Aaja. She was leaning into her, mouth at the nape of Aaja's neck while her hands came between Aaja and Castor and stroke lovingly at Aaja's breasts, nimble fingers discarding the nipple shields to pull and roll at the lovely peaks.

Castor continued in this fashion, delighting in the way Aaja's body responded under his attentions.
_________________________________________________________________

Aaja was in heaven, pressed between the bodies of both of her lovers, caressed and fondled by each in their own loving way. She sighed in contentment enjoying the moment thoroughly.
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Castor felt one of Eloriel's hands slip down Aaja's belly and begin to rub at his erection through the fabric of his clothing. Her other hand continued to play at Aaja's chest while her mouth sucked at the flesh of Aaja's neck. He paid more attention to Aaja's pearl and felt her body stiffening in response. After a few moments she stiffened sharply and moaned into his mouth.

He continued to stroke her trembling body for a few more minutes and then stepped towards the bed, pushing both women before him.

"On your back, Eloriel," he commanded.

The little woman reluctantly broke her embrace and scrambled back onto the bed, laying down with her legs spread. Castor turned Aaja around and pushed her on top of Eloriel. The two women embraced, whispering softly to each other in their native tongue before kissing. Castor pulled them down to the edge of the bed until Aaja's legs were planted on the floor. He stepped between them and inserted himself inside her. He began to vigorously pump back and forth into her body.
____________________________________________

"I love you, my darling." Aaja whispered in her native tongue to Eloriel as she lay atop her, unclasping her nipple jewellery and caressing her breasts until her nipples raised at the contact.

Castor was soon inside her, pumping away from behind as Aaja kissed and caressed Eloriel. It felt like a pleasant dream and her body responded to these feelings with delight.
_____________________________________________

Castor drove deeply into Aaja, seeking the pleasure of her innermost treasure and growly softly in contentment as he found it. Her body felt wonderful, her sex around his, her flesh under his hands and slapping against his abdomen every time he pushed into her. Eloriel had wrapped her legs around Aaja and was rubbing her body vigorously against her lover. The sight drove the darkness from his heart and as he released his anger his body came, filling Aaja with warmth.
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Aaja moaned as Castor filled her with his seed, her own orgasm came not long after and they shuddered in unison, his teeth gently grazing her neck as her own tongue halted her movements inside Eloriel's mouth to gasp and moan through her shivers, slickening his manhood as her own nectar mixed with his and flowed out of her in such volume it even covered Eloriel's sex as it dripped down. Sandwiched between two lovers, Aaja breathed laboriously, "I love you..." she whispered, to whom it did not matter, she felt love for them both and hadn't the energy to say more as she collapsed.
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Castor pulled out of Aaja and crawled up onto the bed, watching the two women relax in their embrace.
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Aaja sighed and fell asleep easily with Eloriel in her embrace and Castor's arms around the both of them. She felt loved and safe once again. She wondered how long her tormentor would stay away from Castor's property, she secretly hoped for terrible things to befall him so that he would never return. Her foot throbbed painfully as she remembered the last time she saw him. No more... she had Castor as a Master and protector and she trusted in him implicitely.
_____________________________________________________

After lessons and dinner, Aaja and Eloriel went back to the gardens to enjoy the splendor of the beautiful plants and flowers while the sun was lower in the sky and not as dangerous to them.

Aaja led a childhood song of her people, a funny one and the girls laughed as they named the plants, running around like happy children. Eloriel turned toward the gate, her attention caught by a sound she heard before Aaja. Aaja stopped singing and heard the lingering of a humming voice, high pitched like theirs, it finished the melody they had not yet sung in the intense moment. Alarmed, Aaja looked at Eloriel...yes, she'd heard it too. It was on the other side of the main gate. The gate to the outside, past which they were not allowed to be without Castor or one of his staff. A movement in the bushes outside caught Aaja's eye and she thought she saw a head of white-blonde curls, like a boy, not a young boy but certainly no man... Aaja slowly approached the gate for a better look. "Who is it?" she called in common tongue but received no answer.

"Are you lost?" asked Eloriel in their people's language.

That's when he showed himself.

"Shiro!" gasped Aaja. She recognized her little brother instantly, although he looked thin and sickly. He still wore his mountain furs, a fur coat and fur and leather boots on his feet, his leather leggings hung on his thin body. The protective side of her wondered when his last meal was. "Shiro, what are you doing here? Why are you not home with mama?" she asked.

He looked sadder than she could ever remember and his face reddened as if embarrassed when he looked at Aaja through the gate. At first she couldn't figure out why, it had been so long since she'd worn clothing she almost forgot her nakedness, his embarassment at seeing her this way fired her own blush as she suddenly felt more naked than ever. They both looked down at their own feet for a few moments.

"Shiro, why have you left the mountains?"

"Mama sent me, she is very ill. She wants me to find all my lost family and bring them home to her before she dies." the boy said, his light eyes shining with unreleased tears. "I have been looking for so long, I only found you. But Shcje, Lilliae, Moonflower,and our cousins, Anaju and Jessiwe have all been taken just like you were. All have been taken in different directions, sold to different slave-owners, sold again, and again...Aaja, it's miraculous I've even found you..." the boy began to cry. Aaja wished she could reach through the bars and take him into her arms to soothe him. Soothe herself as well, all this news was shocking to her. She had no idea anyone else other than herself had been taken and sold into slavery and her mother...she had no idea about her mother being ill, dying. She began to cry as well.

"Shiro, how did mother get ill?"

"A stab wound, one of 'them' did it." he answered angrily. She could feel the rage in him.

Eloriel made a sound to let Aaja know they hadn't much time left and they better get back inside soon before they get in trouble. She was keeping watch. Aaja looked back at her 'companion' and then at her brother through the bars of the fence. "I love you baby brother. Stay well. I have to go now. Where are you sleeping tonight?"

He smiled wryly, "There." he pointed to the forest across the road from the house. "I will come back again tomorrow, we can discuss finding a way to get you out of here." he whispered.

"But..." Aaja faltered, she didn't know how to express to her brother that she was not here against her will a nd loved her life with Castor, however, she was worried about her mother and family and wanted a chance to ensure their well being. She had no idea what to do.

Eloriel called, "Aaja, it's getting dark, come we must return to the house now!"

Aaja nodded and clasped Shiro's hand through the gate. "Come back tomorrow. Promise?"

He nodded, "I promise."

He then ran off into the forest and Aaja let Eloriel pull her toward the house and inside. "Come, we can't be late or we'll be whipped." she reminded her, wiping the tears from Aaja's face and kissing her with understanding. She whispered, "Tomorrow is another day. But tonight we must still be good slaves."

Aaja nodded, "Yes, you're right." and she took a deep breath to compose herself, then they both went up to Lord Castor's room together, hand-in-hand.
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[Otto26]

It was time to prepare Castor's room for sleeping and as he entered the room he also asked them to prepare him a bath and bathe him. Aaja's hands trembled a bit as she undressed Castor, thinking about her brother and what he'd told her about her sisters, and her dying mother. She tried to hide her growing concern and sadness with smiles and kisses, but she was worried Castor might notice a change in her. She wondered how to tell him her predicament. Would he understand? Would he be angry that she had spoken to someone from the outside, even though it was her own brother? Until she could be sure how he'd react, she was afraid to tell him, just in case he forbade her to speak with Shiro again. She wanted to at least see her brother one more time to determine her next course of action. She was distracted with these thoughts as she soaped up Castor's body and a questioning look from him required her to act a little bit. She giggled and looked down a moment, girlishly, as if her reverie had something to do with him and her love for him, not her past and her family. He relaxed as they bathed him, so she guessed it worked but she felt terrible pretending in front of him. She wanted nothing more than to be completely honest with him. If only she had a way of predicting how he would react to her news.
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Castor dropped his sandals in the atrium, too tired to even hand them to one of the staff, and trudged through the garden and up to his room. Eloriel and Aaja were waiting for him and he instructed them to prepare a bath. Eloriel, with her healthy feet, went down to the kitchen to fetch hot water while Aaja undressed him. He noted her detached mood and wondered if it was a reaction to his removal of Democritus. As they bathed him he pondered the afternoon session of the council and the future of Char'on. The Shah was a good man, for a wonder, and genuinely worked to improve the lot of his subjects. But he was blind to the shortcomings of the current economic system.

The large slave estates were no longer fed a constant stream of labor from military conquests, so slavers had begun preying upon their fellow citizens and the yeomanry were slowly being reduced to a class of bond-laborers or slaves. Many slavers, not content with the slaves they could purchase abroad, had begun to raid into other nations. Worse, the relatively high price that slaves now brought meant that slavers had become well armed and organized bands. If it was necessary to put them down by force, it would take a major campaign to do so.

But that same wealth bought the slavers representation in the council and brought their message to the ear of the Shah. How could that august personage hear about the destabilization that was occuring around the borders of Char'on with the incessant whispering of the people causing it drowning out the message? In truth, slavery was a relic. A horse or oxen could do more work and the yeoman run farms could produce twice as much food per acre as the great slave farms. But the slave farms had greater purchasing power and could price the yeomen out of the market.... Grrrr.

He broke of his thoughts and looked at Aaja, lost in her own thoughts. She noticed him looking at her and giggled. He found the sound both pleasing and erotic. He cupped her face tenderly for a moment and then relaxed into the caress of their hands.

When they were finished bathing Eloriel, unbidden, took on the heavy tasks of cleaning up the bath and returned from the kitchen with food for Castor. He sent her back down to get food for herself and Aaja and they ate quietly together. After, the two women removed their jewelry and, clad only in their collars, climbed into bed. Castor took a few minutes to examine their marks and Aaja's feet. He noted that the marks, treated with Aaja's salve, were healing far faster than her feet.

"Tomorrow, Aaja, clean your feet and apply your salve. It seems to work far better than the medicine Physician Ahkbar applied," he said.

He pulled Eloriel on top of him, running his hands up and down her body, navigating by feel and by the little squeals she made when he did something pleasurable. When she began to kiss him excitedly he slowly entered her and then pushed her upright, ordering her to touch herself. She smiled nervously and began to tentatively touch her breasts. He encouraged her with smiles and gentle suggestions until she was rocking back and forth on him and moaning loudly. Aaja, strangely, simply cuddled next to Castor. He had expected her to take the opportunity to play with Eloriel and knew that he would have to determine what pre-occupied her if her mood lasted into the morning. His orgasm swept away such reasoned thoughts, however, and he held the trembling Eloriel tightly to him and whispered his approval into her ear as Aaja put her arms around them both and they drifted off to sleep.
________________________________________________

Aaja took the time that she was not ordered to do anything and simply rested against Castor, watching her beautiful Eloriel enjoy his pumping manhood as she thought about her mother and the suffering a woman who had seen all of her daughters carried away by strangers must be feeling. When she fell asleep that night she had restless dreams, nightmares that her mother died all alone calling for her children and nobody came. Aaja wept in her sleep.
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Aaja awoke early and began her morning cleaning routine as soon as possible. She was anxious to get the day started. She knew it looked to Castor as if she was excited about his important dinner party later, and it was a little exciting to think of, but she was even more excited to be able to go out to the garden later and look for her brother.
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Castor awoke to the sounds of Aaja cleaning and disentangled himself from Eloriel. He rose and voided his bladder before giving Aaja a kiss and walking downstairs to the kitchen. One of the staff quickly prepared a bowl of the morning gruel for him and he ate one the move, walking through the house to inspect every area. The food was done when he was finished so he left the bowl in the kitchen and went back upstairs. Eloriel was stirring and he chivvied her out of bed with playful fingers and told her to bring him clothing.

Aaja, it seemed, had gotten over her mood. She was quick in her work and seemed full of anticipation.

"Don't let Eloriel sleep all morning," he told Aaja. "I have business out of the house this morning. You and Eloriel may entertain yourselves until lunchtime. The staff may require your assistance after lunch in preparing for the dinner. But you and Eloriel will make yourselves presentable for the meal. Your appearance will reflect upon me."

He finished putting on the clothing that Eloriel had brought and received a quick kiss and grope from each of them before heading downstairs. His men were waiting for him in the foyer and they headed out into the street enroute to the baths.
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There was nothing left for Eloriel to do by the time she was up and ready to help besides empty out and clean the chamber pot. Aaja had done everything else in her haste to make the day go by quickly. Now that they were alone she turned conspiratorially to her 'companion' and asked, "Do you thin Shiro will still be in the forest if we go to the garden gate now? I know it's early but I would like to perhaps give him something to eat. He looked soo skinny last night."
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It was almost early afternoon. Aaja knew it was much earlier than when she had told Shiro she would be at the gate but she waited in the garden nonetheless. Eloriel was nearby, and they pretended to gather herbs and sing as each of them was waiting, listening, watching. Aaja had hidden scraps of bread and a piece of dried fruit at the bottom of her herb basket, under a cloth. She wanted to feed her skinny, suffering little brother.

A snapping twig in the forest across the road caught Aaja's attention and she whistled...within a minute the same whistle was repeated back and a long, pale face with a halo of platinum curls poked from a tree above. Aaja grinned up at her little brother. She laughed as he climbed down, like a little monkey, but clever, so she thought. "Shiro, I haven't a great deal of time to talk. There is a great party this evening and we must be getting ready for it. But I brought this for you. Eat up." she insisted, passing the bread and fruit through the bars.

Shiro looked pleasantly surprised and took the offerings, eating quickly, definitely hungry. "Thanks." he said with his mouth full. He regarded her while he ate, a puzzled look on his face, "You seem...excited about this party, it's not your party. It's your master's, why should you care?" he asked.

"He is a kind Master, Shiro. I am happy when he is pleased. " answered Aaja to more puzzlement from her brother. "It's hard to explain, you might not understand this but...I would rather be a slave to a kind Master than a wife to a cruel husband." she answered.

Shiro shook his head, "Then, what am I doing here? I came to rescue you."

"I don't need rescuing, just need to get Sir Castor to help us save the others who may not have been as lucky as I have been... and maybe to allow me to see mother."

"Are our men so cruel, Aaja, that you prefer slavery?" asked Shiro.

Eloriel and Aaja both nodded.

Shiro shrugged, "My father wasn't so bad to mother."

"But, my father was, and the man before him used to beat her so badly she lost her first child." answered Aaja. "No one back there would want me now, even my promised one would be better off with another, Shiro I am...unpure now." she said, blushing at the reference to her lost virginity.

Shiro kicked a stone with his boot shyly, thinking of his sisters in any sexual way made him feel self-conscious and dirty. "Well, um, I...I'll be just in the forest there if you need me. I'll be back later."

"Shall I bring more food if I can?" asked Aaja.

Shiro nodded vigorously, "Yes, please." he answered as he crossed the road and returned to his hiding place.

Aaja and Eloriel played in the garden a little longer and then were called into the house to help prepare the meal. But within an hour of working they were told Sir Castor wanted them bathed, perfumed, bejewelled, their hair done, and glittering talc to be sprinkled upon thier faces, shoulders, buttocks and breasts. This preparation would take them hours so they had to begin now. Aaja and Eloriel almost ran up the stairs to Castor's room to primp and prepare.
___________________________________________

Castor came back from the baths in a foul state of mind. His fellow Councilors seemed blind to anything but their own

ambitions. Any suggestion of reforming the economic system was taken as an attack upon the source of their power and

responded to as such. It seemed impossible to hold a civil conversation on the subject. And the idea that Artan was

arming for war was viewed as wild-eyed alarmist fantasy.

The staff had been hard at work preparing the formal dining room for the meal. Slave musicians had already been obtained

and were chained to the wall in one corner. They took up their instruments and began to play when they saw him enter the

room. He listened for a moment and nodded.

"Good," he told them. "Keep the music soft and lively."

He walked through the garden and up to his room where he found Aaja and Eloriel preparing under the direction of one of

the female staff. The sight of the two women, as always, helped to drive the darkness away from his heart. The look they

gave him was equal parts delight and confusion.

"They've never worn makeup before," the servant explained.

"It's our custom," Castor explained. "Wealth must be demonstrated. So my guest will dine upon silver plates and drink

from a glass goblent. I will wear clothing that costs more than a dozen slaves. And my slaves will be adorned with finery

and made up better than a society matron. Besides," he grinned, "it looks good on you."

The servant left off directing Eloriel and Aaja and helped Castor remove his street clothing and put on his dinner clothing.

It was the custom among many men to use makeup on formal occasions, but Castor eschewed this practice, disliking the

feel of powders and oils sitting on his skin. The most he would allow was a few discrete rings and some splashes of

scented water. When he was finished he kissed both Aaja and Eloriel on the top of their head, careful not to disturb the

makeup or elaborate coiffures.

"Send them down when they are ready," he said.

"Yes, lord," the servant replied.

Castor returned to the atrium and inspected his men. Most of them had made themselves scarce. It was their function to

serve, not to be noticed, and they would spend the evening outside or in the stables. Those he had chosen to serve this

evening had adorned themselves in the finest clothing they could could obtain. He nodded his head in satisfaction at their

appearance and they all cheered up, pleased that they had not been found wanting.

A few minutes later, his guest arrived, accompanied by his own entourage of clients. Castor could hear Eloriel and Aaja

being hustled into the dining room as he went to the doorway to greet his guest.

Photius was like Castor in many ways. He was not one of the big fish, but he consorted with the big fish and could be

heard when he spoke. Unlike Castor, he was himself a client, and of one of the biggest fish, Horatius. Castor hoped to

make Photius his trojan horse, carrying a message of desperately needed reform back to Horatius and those like him. He

ushered Photius into the dining room and was pleased to see that all was well.

The musicians were playing softly and brightly in the corner. The two dining couches flanked a table laden with a selection

of finger foods. Two of his staff stood by with bowed heads and bowls of scented water, a third held a container of wine.

Aaja and Eloriel were in a full bow, on their knees with their heads to the floor. The room seemed to be painted with deep,

colored shadows, an illusion created by the heavy tapestries, brightly painted walls and tiles, and the many candles that

illuminated the room.

"I had heard you were opposed to keeping slaves," Photius remarked as he reclined on his couch and Aaja and Eloriel, next

to Castor's couch, rose into kneeling positions.

"You were misinformed, Photius. What you should have been told is that I didn't keep slaves. I have no objection to

them," Castor clarified.

Photius frowned. "I am going to have to flog my chief spy. If you are not opposed to slavery, then why do you attack it at

every chance? I thought you an idealist, but it seems you are more interested in attacking the power base of my patron."

"I am an idealist, Photius. But I don't oppose slavery because I oppose slavery. I oppose it because it is one of the root

causes of a growing social crisis. Slavery has shaped our economic system and allowed a new class of men to rise to

power. The great slave estates provide the money that finances the campaigns of men like you patron. I see nothing wrong

with this, but the consequences are crippling us. The yeomanry are being reduced to chattels and bond-servants. And with

them goes the backbone of our army and our most productive farmers. They are little more than 1/3 of our population

now, but they produce half of our food."

He snapped his fingers and pointed to Photius, directing the servant to pour wine into a glass tumbler for him. He took a

drink of his own wine.

"Excellent, Castor. From your estates?"

"I have no estates, but yes, this wine is from a vineyard I am part owner of," Castor replied.

"Are the slave estates really less productive? I would have thought the opposite to be the case."

Castor grimaced. "The numbers can be made to speak any truth you desire, Photius. The estates were more productive

than the old yeoman farms, but the yeoman have organized now. They work cooperatively to ensure maximum production

and to spread the risk of failure. If one farmer has a bad year, then his partners sustain him and he will return the favor in

the future. But our addiction to widespread slavery has empowered the slavers. They are organized, Photius, and well

armed. They prey upon our own citizens and they raid into Artan, the plains, and the jungles. Even into the forests of the

Elves. These acts are not seen as the actions of independent slavers, but as actions of Char'on."

Photius laughed. "And you fear war with Artan. They laugh at you behind your back for that."

"The laughter of fools does not concern me," Castor said bluntly. "Something terrible is rotting in Artan and the stench is

felt in the West. We turn our noses and eyes from this because the truth is that our military is no longer what it was and our

pride is twice what it should be. I do not pretend Artan will sweep us from the face of the earth, Photius, but they will

campaign to the very walls of Kalumparu, and perhaps beyond, before we repulse them. And where will we find allies in

the lands our slavers are raiding?"

The discussion continued for hours as Castor and Photius slowly ate and drank. At length Photius changed the subject.

"Enough, Castor. I have much to think about. Let's talk about trivial matters. Where did you obtain these slaves?"

Castor frowned a little, but he didn't let it affect his manners.

"Aaja, I found at Mistress Weia's house. Eloriel was purchased from Master Jason, the exotic slaver."

"I know of the man, but I've never dealt with him," Photius mused. "Are they trained?"

"Not as yet. But I have no complaints about their behavior. They are willing and sweet-tempered. Life for them is, in

some regards, better here than in their own lands."

"Pity they aren't trained, I'd like to see them dance," Photius said.

Castor shrugged and ordered Aaja and Eloriel to stand. "Aaja has injured feet," he explained. "The slavers are as

needlessly cruel as they are rapacious. Eloriel has no training, but she will try."

The woman looked at him curiously, half-fearfully, and he nodded. "Dance for us, Eloriel."
____________________________________________

Aaja did not show it outwardly, she was strictly following orders given earlier and dared not look up at the men as they spoke unless ordered to but she was fascinated following the course of their discussion. It was a true learning experience in politics for her and she would not forget a word of it.

Aaja smiled supportively at Eloriel when she was asked to dance. Her look expressed to her beautiful lover, 'It's ok, relax and enjoy the music. Your body will do the rest.' She, along with the rest of the room waited for Eloriel's performance to begin.
_____________________________________________

The young woman bit her lip apprehensively and began to sway her hips in time to the music. The musicians, seeing her predicament, slowed the tempo of the music and began to give her a stronger beat. She flashed them a quick smile of thanks and then looked back at Castor.

He returned her gaze with a faint smile on his lips. She was not dancing as it was understood in Char'on, but he found nothing at all wrong with the rythymic motion of her lovely body. The jewelry helped, glinting in the candlelight as Eloriel slowly moved.

"Her skin is so smooth," Photius remarked. "Do you have them shaved everyday?"

"I don't have them shaved at all," Castor replied. "They are naturally bare, no body hair other than their eyebrows."

"Elvish blood do you think?"

Castor shrugged. "Possible. Their language sounds a little like Elvish at times, but I'm hardly a linguist."

Photius was about to make another remark, but he transferred his full attention to Eloriel. She, apparently inspired by their conversation, had taken a single small step to the side. This had the effect of opening her legs and better exposing her smooth sex to their view. Swallowing, she traced her hands down to the juncture of her thighs, their eyes following her hands, and ran her fingers lightly over herself.

"You said she wasn't trained," Photius accused laughingly.

"She's not, Photius. But I also did say I was pleased with their temperment. I neglected to mention their intelligence, which seems considerable," he added.

Eloriel beamed at the compliment and, reassured by the reaction she had received, continued. She used her hands to trace her body, bringing each inch to the attention of the two men watching her, and began to move her feet in time to the music. They were little more than heel lifts, but the action put the muscles of her lower body into motion and created very attractive ripples in her skin.

She turned, facing away from them and bringing the other half of her body into view. Now her hands traced up past the firm round of her ass to glide up perfect flanks and lift her pale golden hair before letting it cascade down her back. She turned her head to look over one shoulder and see if Castor approved, and the look was beguiling.

Castor reached his hand forward and between Aaja's legs where he could slowly stroke her. She was already hot and her eyes were fixed on Eloriel as surely as were Castor's and Photius'.

Eloriel saw his action and turned about again. Facing them, she reached down between her legs with both hands and began to touch herself. Her eyes, Castor saw, were locked on Aaja's. She continued to sway slowly to the music and her hands worked to the same pace, now exposing herself to their view, then pleasing herself.

Castor continued to stroke Aaja, her moisture coating his hand and her scent filling the room.

Eloriel gasped and dropped to her knees. The music came to a meandering halt as each musician slowly stopped playing and the cacophony of their cessation was replaced by Eloriel's cries of pleasure. Her body rocked in time to her pleasure and slowly slowed as the haze of joy passed. Breathing hard, she made a full bow to Photius and then to Castor.

"My lord, my love," she said.

Castor withdrew his hand and clapped out his approval. Photius, after a moment, joined him.

"Not precisely a classical performance," Castor apologized.

"Not at all, Castor. Not at all. Do you think Jason has any more of their like?"

Castor shrugged. "I've no idea at all."

Photius rose from the couch. "Perhaps I'll go see," he said. "Thank you for the dinner and entertainment, Castor. I will consider the things you have said."

Castor stood up and walked Photius out into the atrium and to the doorway. The man gathered up his retinue, drinking on the ground with Castor's clients, and departed.

"Hieronymous," Castor called.

"Lord?" the young man answered.

"The musicians need to be returned in the morning. The men may have the use of them for the night. Feed them well and give them some wine, they did very well this evening."

"Yes, lord," the young man replied.

Castor found Aaja and Eloriel awaiting him uncertainly in the foyer. He smiled at them. "You both did well. I'm pleased."

One of the servants came up to him. "Your pardon, lord, but I must speak with you. There wasn't time before the dinner."

"What is it?" Castor asked cheerfully.

The young woman darted a glance at the slaves and then looked back at Castor. "They've been talking with someone through the gate of the garden. I thought I saw something yesterday, and today, when they stole some scraps from the kitchen I watched and they fed the food to the person. A young man with blond hair. I thought you should know, lord," she finished.

Castor, despite the chill in his heart, smiled at her. "And you were right. I should know. Thank you."

The servant smiled at him and scuttled off. Castor turned to look at Eloriel and Aaja. "Tell me," he commanded.
____________________________________________

"You both did well. I'm pleased." Aaja beamed at Castor's compliment and squeezed Eloriel's hand, she had been truly impressed (and turned on) by her lover's performance. She was exceedingly proud of her.

One of the servants came up to them and Aaja felt something wasn't right. "Your pardon, lord, but I must speak with you. There wasn't time before the dinner."

"What is it?" Castor asked cheerfully.

The young woman darted a glance at the slaves and then looked back at Castor. "They've been talking with someone through the gate of the garden. I thought I saw something yesterday, and today, when they stole some scraps from the kitchen I watched and they fed the food to the person. A young man with blond hair. I thought you should know, lord," she finished.

Castor, smiled at her, a coldness overcame his eyes and Aajs' heart froze. He was angry, she could tell. "And you were right. I should know. Thank you." he said.

The servant smiled at him and scuttled off. Castor turned to look at Eloriel and Aaja. "Tell me," he commanded.

Aaja dropped to the ground to beg forgiveness at his feet. She felt terrible for having yet again kept something from her Lord whom she loved so dearly. She said as much as she begged for forgiveness, the tears began to flow. "Lord Castor, i beg of you don't be angry with us. It's my fault, I made Eloriel look out for me. He's my brother, he's looking for our family. It wasn't just me who was taken from our circle but all of my sisters as well. I just found out. I am terrified for them. My cousins from the home just next door to us were also kidnapped and sold, all of us to different peoples all of us in different places, but all slaves. I'm certain not all of us to masters as kind as you, my Lord." Now her tears swelled as she thought about her mother..."...and my mother...she's dying... she sent Shiro to find as many of us as possible so she can say goodbye to us. They stabbed her...she is dying for trying to protect her daughters. Shiro is all there is left of my family for her..." Aaja's weeping now became wordless as she cried her heart out on the floor at Castor's feet, pouring out all of her worries of the past twenty-four hours.
__________________________________________________

"Maurice," Castor called out. One of the older men, a veteran, came at Castor's call.

"Lord?" he asked.

"You will accompany me. I have a task for you," Castor said.

"Yes, lord," the man replied.

"Follow me," Castor told the slaves. "You," he said to Aaja, "will crawl."

Castor walked into the garden and pointed to a spot on the pea-gravel path.

"Kneel there, Aaja. Face to the ground," he ordered. To Eloriel he said, "Fetch the switch from the kitchen."

With an worried glance at Aaja, Eloriel fled, ducking into the doorway of the kitchen and returning a moment later with the smooth, wooden switch in her hand. Apprehensively she extended it in front of her for Castor. He took it from her and gave it an experimental swing.

"There is a lesson you need to learn, Aaja. You belong to me, and you are not permitted to keep secrets from me. This is as much for your benefit as it is for mine. Your brother could have been warm and fed the past night, and this night as well. But he will sleep in the forest tonight because he would flee my men if I sent them out to search for him. I forgave you not telling me of the behavior of Democritus because you were unfamiliar with my ways. You have no such excuse in this matter."

He pulled back the switch and brought it forward in a strong stroke that forced a yelp of pain from Aaja. The mark of the switch was plainly visible on her ass, a bright red line on her pale flesh. He laid the switch softly across the mark, letting it overlay the pain she felt.

"That is what the switch feels like, Aaja," he said. "If you conceal anything from me ever again, then you will hold Eloriel in your arms while I beat her bloody. She will feel that stroke a dozen times over while you stare her in the eyes."

He waited for a moment, letting the words sink in for both Aaja and Eloriel. The latter looked horrified, and plainly wanted to run to Aaja and comfort her, perhaps even intercede on her behalf. But she caught the look in Castor's eye and did not.

"You will kneel here for the rest of the night, Aaja, and think about this. Do not leave until I permit it. In the morning, if you have done as I command, we will find your brother and bring him here. We will feed him and you will tell me everything. Everything. As you should have from the beginning. And your brother may sleep in the stables and work in this house so long as he wishes."

He dropped the switch on the ground in front of Aaja.

"Stand guard in silence, Maurice. She does not move, no one speaks to her, and if you touch her I'll cut the body part off," Castor snarled.

Maurice looked taken aback, but he wrapped his cloak around him and nodded. "As you command, lord."

Castor looked down at the weeping Aaja and was angry. He was angry she did not yet trust him enough, angry that he had to punish her, and angry at her for the way he felt horrible for having punished her. The good cheer of earlier gone he swept Eloriel along to the stairs and up to his room.
________________________________________________

Aaja knealt upon the cold stones, growing colder as the night wore on. She spent the majority of the night bent to her elbows, her forehead against the stone to hide her face as she cried. She was thinking over Castor's words but weeping at his anger. He had a right to be angry, and she should have given him credit for being understanding and kind-hearted. She should have trusted he wouldn't have turned Shiro away or treated him cruelly. Now they all suffered because of her mistake. Aaja must learn to turst her Master fully.

In the night she thought she heard a familiar whistle coming from the direction of the woods. She'd missed her meeting. But, at the sound of the whistle she never even looked up, for fear that it was a test. Shiro would have to wait until morning. Despite his anger with her, Aaja felt hopeful that perhaps Castor would help her family somehow.
__________________________________________________

Castor dragged Eloriel to the bedroom and to the window that overlooked the garden. He took a length of cloth from the chest that contained the slaves' jewelry and 'clothing' and tied one end to Eloriel's collar, the other to a hinge on the window. Kneeling there she could neither stand nor lie down. Neither could she look away from the garden where the sobbing Aaja knelt.

"You are as culpable as she," Castor declared. "You will kneel here tonight and watch her suffer. You could have spared her this, but you did not. If you do not learn this lesson tonight, then I will separate you."

He removed his own clothing and climbed into bed. He contemplated his anger with the detached eye he had cultivated over a long career, and found he was angry at himself. He was angry that he had allowed Democritus to deceive him for so long, and Aaja had suffered as a result. Now, in his anger at Democritus, he had over-reacted. Now Aaja and Eloriel were suffering. Damn the man.


In the morning Castor rose and made use of the chamberpot. He walked to the window where Eloriel was kneeling.

"Has she moved?" he asked.

"No, lord," she replied.

Castor untied her. "Remove my jewelry from your body and clean my room," he ordered as he walked out of the room.

Maurice, wrapped in his cloak, was sitting on the ground with his back to a wall. He was awake, though, and rose when Castor strode into the garden.

"Good morning, lord," he greeted Castor.

"Has she moved?" he asked.

"Not at all, lord. She has been most obedient. As have I," the man added.

Castor nodded and clapped the man on the shoulder. "I was very angry last night, Maurice, and I spoke ill-considered words. I have no doubts regarding your loyalty or obedience. Thank you for your service."

The young man nodded and walked off towards the stables in search of a quiet place to sleep.

Castor examined, Aaja. She had not moved, even when he had walked past her, and remained shivering and kneeling on the ground. He bent over and picked up the switch that had lain in front of her eyes all night. He examined it and then dropped it on the ground before her.

"I may need this again, soon," he said. "You will carry it in your mouth while you go to my room, remove the jewelry you wear, and help your companion clean my quarters. When you are done, you will return the switch to the kitchen and take a bowl of gruel to the gate. Wait there for your brother. When he arrives, give him food and invite him in. I will hear his tale."

He paused.

"I would prefer to be kind, Aaja, but I can be cruel if that is what I must be." He walked over to the kitchen to get his breakfast.
_______________________________________________

Aaja slowly moved to rise, on stiff joints and thanked Castor softly, kissed his feet and then took the switch into her mouth, nearly running inside. She hastily removed the jewellery and helped Eloriel with the cleaning. Both of them worked in shamed silence as they got the work done, efficiently and as quickly as possible. The switch sat unmoved on the foot end of the bed as they cleaned, a silent reminder to them as they worked that there was indeed retribution for misbehavior and that they got the minimal amount of it.

Aaja kissed Eloriel on the cheek before returning the switch (in her mouth) to the kitchen and asking the servant who'd turned her in for a bowl of gruel. The servant made some sniggering remark that Aaja ignored before taking the bowl and heading outside to the garden to look for Shiro. She whistled at the gate. There was a long wait and she worried that he had gone away after her not coming to the gate the previous night but soon she heard some rustling in the brush and she saw Shiro come to the gate, tentatively. He had a worried expression on his face as he approached. "Are you, alright, Aaja?" he asked.

Aaja nodded, not meeting his gaze as she opened the unlocked gate and let him inside. "Come and have some breakfast, Shiro."

He slowly stepped through, looking around, "Aren't you worried about your master finding out I'm here?" he asked.

"No...he knows...he found out. That's why I couldn't meet you last night. I ...got into some trouble for keeping the truth from him." admitted Aaja.

"I know..." admitted Shiro softly as he ate, "...I heard the yelling."

Aaja was embarrassed to be pitied by her brother. "I deserved it." she said.

Shiro didn't know what else to say to her since he didn't believe her so he simply focused on his breakfast. Aaja stood by and fumed at herself for making Castor look bad in front of her little brother. She hated that he pitied her when she felt lucky to have Castor in her life.
__________________________________________________

Castor sighed as he walked out of the foyer. His career had largely become a matter of balancing the desires of one person against the desires of another person. Writ large this simply became a matter of balancing the desires of factions. But it was often the individuals that were hardest to deal with, even amongst his clients. With an empty bowl in his hand, and yet still undressed, he walked towards the kitchen. As he passed into the cloister he spied Aaja talking with a young man, maybe a boy. The racial resemblance was obvious and he assumed this was the brother she had spoken of.

The boy sighted him and leapt to his feet, but Castor ignored him and walked into the kitchen. He re-filled his bowl and grabbed the switch before walking back out into the garden. Aaja made a full bow to him, head pressed to the ground, while the young man watched him warily, ready to bolt for the gate and freedom beyond.

"I am still angry, Aaja, that you kept this secret from me. But I allowed my anger at Democritus to color my anger with you. I will not do that again," he promised.

He set the bowl of gruel down on the ground next to her. "Eat. You have little enough flesh on your body as it is. You certainly can't afford to miss meals and hunger is not a whip I intended to use upon you."

He looked the boy, Shiro she had called him, over. Thin enough to slip through the bars of the gate, likely enough, he thought. Some of that was the gangly nature of teens in the last throes of growing into their adult bodies, but some of it was malnutrition. His clothing was almost stereotypically barbarian; all leather and fur and filthy. Likely he was lousy.

Castor sat down on a stone wall and pointed to the half-eaten bowl of food Aaja had brought out. Then he pointed to Shiro and mimed eating.

"Eat," he said.

Aaja looked up, about to comment, but Castor idly flicked the switch in the air and gave her a hard, questioning look. She returned to eating her food.

"Eloriel!" Castor called.

The young woman came bounding down the stairs, breasts bouncing lightly as she ran over to them. She bowed her head. "Lord?"

"I will talk to Shiro now. You will translate. Aaja will finish her food and remain silent," he warned.

He looked at Shiro, even now finishing the gruel in his bowl. "Tell me," he said.
______________________________________________

Aaja wanted very much to help translate for her brother but Castor made it very clear he would not tolerate any interference from her. Eloriel gave her a reassuring smile and then walked to stand between Shiro and Castor and translate. "Tell him who you are and what you want, boy." she said to Shiro as he stared dumbfound at Castor.

Shiro stood. At his full height he was still only about chin high to Castor and would likely never grow to be even close to the older man's height. He looked up with his large, sad, sky blue eyes and explained, Eloriel translated nearly as quickly as he spoke, "My mother is dying from an infected stab wound to her stomach, Lord Castor. She wants to know that her daughters and nieces are safe and happy before she dies. She at least asked me to find out where they all are, but if I could to bring them home to say goodbye. I have been looking all over this land for my sisters and cousins. I haven't found anything more than cold trails, women taken to other lands, sold, then sold again, then sold again...abused every step of the way...I worry that I will never find the others and I hang around here because I feel blessed to have even stumbled upon your estate and found Aaja. Our circle has been broken. Every family in our tribe has now dead or missing members. Our whole society is falling apart as a result...Everyone wants me to do something to help and I don't know what to do."
___________________________________________

Aaja ate slowly, listening carefully to the conversation between Castor and Shiro, the line of stinging pain on the skin of her buttocks and her stiff knee joints reminding her not to dare look up or interfere. She must trust in Castor now, or she and those close to her would suffer the consequences. She thought of her Eloriel's lovely white skin, and not wanting to see such welts on her companion, nor make her lover endure the pain of a whipping simply because of her own stupid mistakes. Aaja finished her gruel and set the bowl down quietly in front of her, still bowing, still repenitent. She hoped Castor would not stay angry at her forever. She loved him and wanted his approval.
_______________________________________________

When Shiro trailed off, Castor considered his words. 'What a lot of trouble over a slave,' he thought. But he also knew the thought was false. He might keep slaves, but he didn't for a minute think that he did so out of any right other than might. If Aaja and Eloriel were to be other than livestock akin to the horses in his stable, and if he was to be anything other than a soul-less monster, then he had to honor the obligations that existed between them as fully as he would honor the obligations that existed between his clients and him.

"Timasisus!" he called.

The young man trotted out of the foyer. "Lord?"

"This young man will be taking you to his homeland. You will take four other men with you. I recommend veterans, but the choice is yours. You will send him and his injured mother back with three of the veterans. You and one man will remain to deal with his people. Buy what goods they have available and contract for the delivery of future goods."

He pointed at Shiro's clothing. "If they have furs of that quality for everyday wear, then they will have furs that will trade well here. Warn them of the danger of slavers. Their women are... very desireable. But they should be aware of this."

"When do I leave, lord?"

"Why are you still here?"

"At once, lord," the man laughed.

Castor turned to Eloriel. "Tell him," he ordered.

As she began to babble excitedly at Shiro he turned to Aaja.

"Open your mouth," he commanded. Puzzled, she complied and he placed the switch in it. "You'll carry that until I tell you otherwise. Neglecting to tell me things has consequences. Take the bowls back to the kitchen." He glanced at Shiro's thin frame. "And bring back another bowl for your brother," he said, shaking his head ruefully.

"I'm going to go put clothing on," he declared.
________________________________________________

Aaja listened as Castor told his servants what to do...they were going to bring back Shiro and her mother, to this house? She worried what her mother would think of her happily working as a sex slave. With great haste, she hurried to bring the bowls back to the kitchen, switch still in her mouth, she felt like a dog with a bone but refused to be humiliated when she knew she deserved this treatment. She motioned with her hands to the kitchen girl that she needed one of the bowls filled again. It took several tries, and the ladies laughed heartily at her but eventually they complied with her wishes and gave her the extra bowl of gruel for Shiro.

She brought the bowl back out, still carrying the switch in her mouth and she placed the bowl before her little brother. He took it greatfully and began to eat as Eloriel and he discussed Castor's plans. "Why would he want my mother and me brought back here? I refuse to have sex with this man." said Shiro between bites. "...and he better not hurt our mother or I'll kill him in his sleep." warned the boy.

Eloriel patted his shoulder and said, "No,no, I'm sure he wouldn't harm either of you. He cares very well for Aaja and me and he just wants to look after you, perhaps he'll put you to work, but you wouldn't have to be a sex slave, Shiro...I don't think so." she said, looking to Aaja for assurance. Aaja nodded her agreement with Eloriel.
_______________________________________

Castor dressed himself and then walked back down to the garden. Shiro was just finishing his food and regarded him suspiciously. He looked at Aaja, who looked down at the ground. He sighed and reached over to take the switch out of her mouth.

"The point has been made, I trust? You won't let your mouth get you into trouble again?" he asked.

"Good," he said in reply to her response. "Timasius will arrange for your mother to be brought her as fast as possible. If she can be treated, she will be. What she does when she is well is up to her. What Shiro does at that point is up to him. You and Eloriel, on the other hand, are slaves and will remain slaves. What you do at that point is up to me."

He wrinkled his nose. "One of you get Shiro cleaned up and the bowl back to the kitchen. The other will come with me."

He turned and walked out of the garden towards the foyer. He wasn't annoyed, really he had gotten over that, but he was pre-occupied with all the tasks that needed to be accomplished. Truth be told, though he was not looking forward to the work, he actually felt a little more... human. That was nice.
______________________________________________________

Aaja took a second to consider which of these things should be done by her, but since she wanted very much to get back in favor with Castor as soon as possible she asked Eloriel to look after Shiro for her...it was more appropriate anyway. He would certainly not be wanting his sister bathing him at his age. It would be embarrassing for the both of them, however, she gathered from his looks at her companion recently that he fancied her and since Eloriel wasn't related to him and he seemed to have a slight crush on her, Shiro would probably appreciate Eloriel's assistance much more than Aaja's.

El nodded and took the preteen by the hand, leading him inside to be washed up. She took his bowl as well to return it to the kitchen.

Aaja kissed her companion goodbye and patted Shiro's shoulder as they passed. She then hurried to catch up with Castor, bowing before him, uncertain what else to say to let him know how sorry she was.
______________________________________________


Castor sought out his factor in the crowd of inquisitive faces.

"Caius, Timasius will riding north. He will need equipment for himself and five other men. He will also need money to travel with and to contract for goods on my behalf."

The grim-faced man nodded and turned away without a word as the younger men swarmed forward to volunteer to go with Timasius.

"Enough," Castor told them. "Timasius will make his own selections. Go bother him."

The youngest amongst them ran towards the stables while a few of the veterans began to pack their belongings. Castor chuckled at this favorable, and practical, assessment of Timasius. The veterans clearly thought the young man smart enough to pick one of them. That spoke well of the young man.

Castor turned to find Aaja bowing to him.

"Oh get up," he told her. "I over-reacted. I was hurt as much as angry."

He put an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, kissing her.

"I will do what I can for your mother," he said quietly. "But belly wounds... There is often little that can be done, even with the best doctors or magics. We'll look for an excellent healer. Beyond that, I want to visit the baths. You will accompany me, so go and adorn yourself."

He turned her around and gave her a gentle slap on the ass to get her moving in the direction of the bedroom.
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Aaja could see by the change in Castor's expression that the dark mood had passed. "Oh get up," he told her. "I over-reacted. I was hurt as much as angry."

He put an arm around her waist and pulled her close to him, kissing her. She kissed back with relish, eager to show him how much she regretted not trusting in him more. When the kiss was broken he looked into her eyes and his face was more serious, "I will do what I can for your mother," he said quietly. "But belly wounds... There is often little that can be done, even with the best doctors or magics. We'll look for an excellent healer. Beyond that, I want to visit the baths. You will accompany me, so go and adorn yourself."

He turned her around and gave her a gentle slap on the ass to get her moving in the direction of the bedroom. She squealed when he smacked her bottom but his laughter let her know without even checking his facial expression that it was meant to be playful and not painful, and in honesty, she was not in the least bit hurt by the slap.

She hurried to get ready for the baths. This was something she had never experienced before and had no idea what to expect but she was honored he would have her accompany him and felt reassured in her value to him knowing that he was willing to take good care of her mother and her circle and knowing her would trust her enough to take her off of the property so soon after crossing him. She felt lucky to have such a good Master. After brushing her hair, decking herself out in her jewellery and a bit of the perfume that the ladies had let her and Eloriel use the evening before (and the bottle had been left behind on the dresser), Aaja felt she was presentable for public viewing. She returned to Castor, all smiles, ready to experience what he called 'the baths'. She wondered if she would be privvy to more pollitical talk. She had found the previous evenings conversations to be very enlightening.
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He couldn't restrain a smile when Aaja bounded into the foyer, and he wasn't alone in this; his men smiled along with him. Castor dropped a pair of sandals on the ground and Aaja slipped into them before they headed out into the street. His men fanned out and made a protective bubble around him and Aaja. Kalumparu had dozens of public baths and it was possible to reach one without walking more than a mile in any direction, so they reached the building in short time.

The bath was a cultural lynchpin in Char'on. A town might be a collection of mud huts, but it would still have a public bath where people could gather and socialize. The baths were the great social equalizer. Craftsmen and free servants mingled with lords and the free brought the unfree with them. One of Castor's clients, acting in the stead of Caius, paid the entrance fee and they passed through into the exercise yard where men and women were engaged in sports of all sorts.

They ignored this and proceeded down one side of the arcade to the dressing room. Iron collared slaves who rushed forward to serve them were brushed aside. Castor and his men removed their clothing and placed it in cubbyholes in the brick wall. One of their number, the ultimate loser of a flurry of quick games of evens-odds, remained to guard their belongings. They proceeded through the warm room and directly to the steam room where the men cleared a space for themselves and Castor.

Aaja, still adorned in her jewelry and drawing stares both admiring and curious, was examining the room. She seemed perfectly at home and Castor wondered if she was simply brave or if she was accustomed to steam bathing. He watched the moisture forming on her skin, beads joining to become drops that ran down her fair flesh.

"I thought you were opposed to slavery, Castor," Xeres said as he sat down next to him.

"I am Xeres. Slavery is the ruin of the yeoman and the single biggest internal threat to the stability of the Empire," Castor replied.

Xeres looked pointedly at Aaja.

"Could *you* resist?" Castor asked.

Xeres laughed. "She'd be the death of me, Castor. I'm far to old to be cavorting with young women. Or old women, come to that. She'll put paid to some of the rumors around about you. Soften the opposition. A shrewd move on your part."

Castor nodded. "It was... one of the things that motivated me. Do you ever get tired of the manuevering, Xeres? Making one action serve many purposes and turning the good to the service of politics so that politics might do some service to the good?"

"Dead tired, boy, but I still do it. You will too. Until the day they put you in an urn. And then a new generation will invoke your name in service of the same acts," Xeres predicted. "Why did you dismiss your majordomo?"

Castor grimaced. "I didn't dismiss him, I sent him west to set up a household for me."

Xeres grunted in annoyance. "Don't play games I taught you with me, boy. You dismissed him in all but name. Why?"

Castor darted a glance at Aaja. "He proved untrustworthy."

Xeres took a long appraising look at the young woman. "It's like that is it? Good to know. You should have killed the man outright and dealt with the fallout. Democritus is smart, in a weasel sort of way, and he'll bring you more grief. Mark my words. How went your dinner with Photius?"

"Well enough. He listened and asked questions. He'll think on the idea, but I don't think he'll want to change any more than his patron. He may admit the need, but he'll reason there's time enough to let the next generation change. He doesn't want to see his power source go away."

Xeres looked like he wanted to spit, but he didn't. "It'll be gone in five years anyway," he opined. "War with Artan or a slave revolt will destroy his fortune and.... I know, I know, you know all this. Curse this heat, it makes it so a man can't keep his temper. Come to the cold room with me and then we'll swim and talk."

"Of course, Xeres," Castor replied. He stood, and his clients with him, and they began to clear a path to the cold room.

Before they could enter the cold room they had to scrape off their sweat. Castor took a spatula and began wiping Aaja down so that she would understand how it was done. Then he handed the spatula to her. "Clean me," he said.
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Aaja found the bathouse to be a marvelous place of socializing and body treatment. She tried not to notice the differences in body types as everyone disrobed. She found it amusing that finally she was in a position to be more clothed than the rest of Castor's staff, in her fine jewellery.

As they sat in the steam room it reminded Aaja of the natural hot springs inside the caves between three of her childhood homes. All of her kind flocked to these springs for similar sorts of recreation and health care. The steam did the lungs and head good and the skin glowed after such a treatment. Plus, in the cold winters up in the mountains it was a good way to get that 'chilled to the bone' feeling to go away. Despite her upbringing, being quite used to the cold, Aaja had always preferred warmth.

She listened to the talk about Democritus. She had thought the same as Castor's associate, he would come back to haunt them after being dismissed in such a way as he was and a man like that would always be manipulating until the day he dies. She also began to realize that as much as Castor had bought her for her beauty and uniqueness, he had also been planning to use her as a political tool, to make a point about his views on slavery. This explained his much more humane treatment of herself and Eloriel than what they could have expected in any other home. Her luck became apparent to her once again. She also realized that it meant he viewed her and Eloriel more as people than as his belongings, like some slave-owners would and it got her to wondering how far her personal freedoms would go but also,was it all for show? Once his point was made and slavery was reduced in this land what would he do with her and El?

Talk now turned to swimming in the cold. This Aaja found to be a less enjoyable idea but she was there at the bidding of Castor, not to do whatever she wished so she followed, along with his men. Again, trying not to notice any physical reactions they may have to watching her pass them. She didn't want Castor to think she had a roaming eye. Although, anatomy was quite fascinating to her. Every single man in the place was built differently, and his sex was a little different as well. It made her wonder how many wives could identify her husband's penis if only shown a line up of pictures of the organs. She bet any woman who paid even the slightest bit of attention to her man would know 'hers' instantly. She bet even after just a few days she'd recognize Castor's...these thoughts were getting her nowhere fast so she stopped with a bemused shake of her head and instead focused on the beauty of the surroundings on the way to the cold room.

Before they could enter the cold room they had to scrape off their sweat. Castor took a spatula and began wiping Aaja down so that she would understand how it was done. Then he handed the spatula to her. "Clean me," he said.

Aaja did as she was told. He continued to make conversation with the same associate. One, Aaja had an instinct, was quite trusted in his pollitical circles. He had an experienced, and sensiblly calm demeanor that was disarming and Aaja liked that Castor had found his company. She suspected they were old colleagues or perhaps even old friends. Once finished with the messy business of scraping, the men immersed themselves in a pool of cool water. Aaja waited and watched to see if she was expected to do the same or would be allowed to hang back and sit at the edge to be near enough to hear. Watching his staff gave her an idea of what she should do.
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[Otto26]

Castor saw Aaja eyeing the pool and chuckled. He motioned with his hand.

"Come in and rinse off, Aaja, then you can get out," he said.

She nodded and climbed into the frigid water for just as long as it took her to get out again. Castor smiled at the way her nipples stiffened in the water, but he knew the chill would pass quickly while she stood on the warm floor. Xeres was watching her appreciatively.

"You men are so very predictable," a woman announced as she slid into the pool with them.

"Portia!" Xeres exclaimed. "I thought you were in the country."

"I'm sorry to disappoint, Xeres. I came back early," she replied.

Xeres laughed. "I'm only disappointed I didn't see you sooner. I love to ogle you as you walk across the floor, hips swaying seductively..."

Castor's laugh cut him off. "You'll have us thrown out, Xeres. This isn't some private stews where you can engage in an orgy."

"What orgy? I was simply expounding, quite poetically, upon the charms of the Lady Portia. Perfectly respectable, didn't Euromen base his entire work on the female?" Xeres retorted.

"Yes, and was thrown out of baths, public and private, for his research. I'm scandalized that a public figure professes a knowledge of such an outrageous poet and his licentious body of work," Castor said.

Portia and Xeres laughed.

"On the subject of licentious," Portia said, "which of you brought the lovely slave?"

"That would be Castor," Xeres replied. "He claims political expediency, but I've seen the way he eyes the girl and suspect the only reason his rod is soft is the cold water."

"If that's the case, Castor, then you'd do well to get a child on her," Portia advised. "Your lack of any heirs has always been good for a few political attacks and rumors that you prefer men to women."

Castor glanced appraisingly at Aaja for a moment and then returned his attention to his colleagues.

"My want of heirs has never been for a lack of effort," he said. "The gods simply choose not to favor me with children."

"Yes, they say that too," Xeres laughed.

"Amusing, isn't it, that they attack the idea of men laying with men and remain silent on the subject of women," Portia said. "Wherever did you get, Aaja was it?"

"Yes," Castor confirmed, "Aaja. Mistress Weia bought her from one of the exotic slavers. I went back and found another one later."

"Two?" Portia said with a lifted eyebrow. "I had no idea you were such a lusty man, Castor. You had no mistresses when you were married. Or do you find the play of women exciting?"

"Can we please take this conversation to the warm pool?" Xeres asked. "My testicles are trying to crawl into my throat. You're not supposed to linger in the cold pool."

Castor pulled himself out of the water and found Aaja ready with a towel. He wondered how she knew to do that, but realized that she had been watching the other pools. She quickly handed towels to Portia and Xeres.

"Aaja I bought for my lusts," Castor explained. "Eloriel I bought out of kindness, but I find myself lusting for her as well. Aaja's people apparently have different customs than we do," he explained as the group wandered slowly out of the cold room and into the warm room where an enormous indoor pool of warm water was filled with people swimming or simply enjoying the wet.

"Tell Portia about your customs, Aaja," Castor instructed as he slid into the warm water.
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Aaja listened to the talk about heirs and children and felt a nervous twing in her belly at the mere thought of being with child. It was an exciting thought, and something she had not considered but would not mind in the least. She avoided the temptation to touch her flat abdomen and imagine it full of blooming life. She was surprised to have heard mention of a marriage. Castor was married? It made Aaja wonder why that didn't work out.

Aaja stood proudly, on display as Castor explained his reasons for owning her to this woman, "Aaja I bought for my lusts," Castor explained. "Eloriel I bought out of kindness, but I find myself lusting for her as well. Aaja's people apparently have different customs than we do," he explained as the group wandered slowly out of the cold room and into the warm room where an enormous indoor pool of warm water was filled with people swimming or simply enjoying the wet.

"Tell Portia about your customs, Aaja," Castor instructed as he slid into the warm water.

Aaja slid into the water as well, relieved to be warm again. She turned to Portia and explained, "Our men are away for months at a time, hunting, or selling our goods to other circles and in far away lands. We women have found it easier and more comfortable to live in small groups anywhere from a pair of women helping in raising each other's children to up to four women, sharing a household, sharing land and chores, and a bed. I did not know it was remarkable until I was brought to your land. But, in our land, women value the companionship of other women even more than men's. We view marriage and sex with men as necessary for procreation but we view women and their love and companionship as necessary to live well." she explained. "But, I must admit, I love Lord Castor much more than I ever thought I would love any man, even of my own kind." she said with a smile his way.
_____________________________________________

Castor smiled back at Aaja.

"I'll buy the pair of them," Portia declared. "Name your price."

"Not for sale," Castor said flatly. "But perhaps I'll have you to dinner and you can see them both."

"Done," she replied. "But where can I get some of my own?"

Castor shook his head. "Aren't we trying to eliminate slavery?" he asked.

"Yes, I rather thought we were," Xeres said with a pointed glance at Aaja.

"For economic reasons," Portia clarified, "and we all know that if we aim at abolition and merely get a break-up of the slave plantations we'll have accomplished our goal. Slavery is unlikely to vanish in our lifetimes. So where can I get some of my own?"

Castor frowned, talking as he thought. "The slaver's name was Jason. I don't know if he has any more, though I do know that slavers raided Aaja's people fairly heavily. Her brother came here seeking after her and some other relatives. I'm sending him back with one of my men to set up trade."

"Well if your man came back with some slaves..."

"Enough, Portia. I'll not involve myself in that trade anymore than I already have," Castor stated.

"You're such a stick in the mud, Castor. You always have been," Portia declared with a mock pout. "That dinner had better be soon. And speaking of the slave trade, guess who has decided to invest?"

"Horatious," Xeres declared.

Portia pouted at Xeres for a minute, but then her face became serious. "Yes. And he's been quite liberal in his investments. My spies and I don't see any pattern to his investing."

"He wants an army," Castor declared.

His two colleagues considered this statement, but only briefly.

"That makes sense," Portia said.

"Not a field army, in any sense of the phrase, but good enough raiders. He could raid outside the empire or destabilize portions of it," Xeres mused.

"The Western portion," Portia observed.

Castor nodded. "Only place the slave plantations don't dominate. A little raiding would convince many to sell and once a few plantations were in place they'd price the independent farmers out of business. Particularly if Horatious convinces the council to subsidize the larger merchants to compensate them for the losses they would suffer at the raider's hands. Might even get a field army to put down the raiders, and anyone who gets in the way. A little direct for Horatious, but he's getting old and probably feels death's hand on his shoulder."

Xeres swore. "I will not observe that someone should drown Horatious in his trough. That would be unkind."

Portia sighed. "Life would be easier without his ilk, I admit. We'll have to counter this somehow. We all have significant portions of our income in the West and I don't like to think what Horatius will do if he eliminates the primary resistance to his plan to become Shah."

Castor set out across the pool, stroking for the far side as he sought the solitude of exercise in which to think. There was nothing he could add to the conversation at this point.
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Aaja wanted so badly to ask this Portia if she could help her find her sisters and cousins. If she could somehow remove them from a cruel home and treat them better. Then, Aaja would not mind satisfying this woman's desire to own one or more of her circle. Aaja wanted to tell her these thoughts but, she knew it would be inappropriate to speak when not spoken to. She instead focused on Castor, and his brooding expression.
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Castor swam the length of the pool for an hour, completely lost in his thoughts. He examined idea after idea and rejected each of them in turn. When the well ran dry he swam back to the group where Portia and Xeres were engaged in their personal form of brainstorming, argument.

"No more," Castor said. "We're not going to get anywhere beating our heads against a wall. We need to take a break."

"And about time," Portia said. "I'm wrinkled."

"Of course you're wrinkled, Portia, you're old," Xeres pointed out.

Portia, who was in her mid-fourties and still attractive, laughed. "If I'm old then that makes you ancient, grandfather."

"Venerable," Xeres said with considerable gravity.

They all broke into laughter.

"You're right, Castor. We need to let the idea sit for bit and ferment," Portia said.

"The idea already stinks," Xeres pointed out and then raised his hands in surrender as the other two frowned at him. "Peace. Peace. I'll desist."

"We need more information as well," Castor pointed out. "Would you send your chief spy to my house, Portia? She's far more skilled than mine and I'd like her to talk to Aaja's brother. It would be useful to know who the slavers are and how they operate. And if you've got a spy you can spare, I'll send him North with my men and he can investigate further."

"What's in it for me?" Portia joked.

Castor shrugged. "A few of Aaja's cousins if they can be found?" he suggested.

Portia appeared to consider the idea seriously and darted a twinkling leer at Aaja. "I was joking," she said, "but you've motivated me. You're a devious man sometimes, Castor." She gave him a kiss on the cheek and climbed out of the pool. A slave in a wooden collar rushed forward with a towel.

Xeres climbed out next, puffing slightly from the exertion of hauling his corpulent body up the steep steps. He toweled himself off. "I thought I made it plain I don't want to see you exercising," he complained. "Wrestling yesterday, swimming today, and showing off this pretty little thing you undoubtedly get lots of activity with... it makes me feel old."

"You are old, Xeres," Castor replied.

"More's the pity," Xeres sighed with a last long look at Aaja. "Send a messenger if you need aught." The old man walked slowly but confidently towards the dressing room.

Castor looked at Aaja for a long moment. She was offering a towel she had indignantly stripped out of the arms of one of the pool slaves when he had approached. "We'll talk more when we get back to the house." He climbed out of the pool, wrapped the towel around his shoulders and headed for the dressing room.


They actually talked on the way home. "Your desire was plainly writ on your face, Aaja," Castor explained. "And I wish I was doing it for you, but the truth is that we really do need to know more about the slavers. It's unlikely we'll find your sisters or cousins. If we do... Portia's not a bad person. She dearly loves her female slaves and most of them are freed after a few years. What worries me is Photius. If he truly tries to obtain more of your people then there might be more raids. So when we get back to the house, question Shiro. Find out everything he knows: names, places, descriptions, rumors. You'll tell this information to Portia's spy when she arrives tonight. Portia will probably come with her as an excuse to see you and Eloriel, so you'll probably have to perform."

The doors to the house were opened and they walked into the foyer to find Shiro, Timasius, and the others of the travelling party going over last minute details. The all bowed when they saw Castor.

"Go talk to Shiro, Aaja. And try to teach him a few phrases he can use," Castor said.

Castor beckoned for Timasius to join him. "Horatious controls the slavers now, so far as we know. So beware. As you travel, learn Shiro's language and question him about the slavers. He was looking for more of his family and I want you to know as much as he does. Portia will send a spy North to join up with you. Let him do as he will, but you answer only to me."

"I understand, lord," Timasius said. Castor could almost see the young man's head swell as the importance of this task sank in. He knew some of them had thought him mad, to send men North in the search for a slave's dying mother. Now they would think him clever. He looked around trying to see which of his men realized that the dying mother had come before the clever. There were a few, mostly among the veterans, and he could see respect in those eyes.
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"Shiro." Aaja kissed him lightly on the cheek before taking him aside and asking him, "Is there anything more you can tell me, anything we can tell them to help?"

Shiro shook his head, "Not much. I was in a town called Ruique and I am certain there is at least one of us held there but I was literally run out of town by a large group of armed men. I followed one lead all the way to Cannay but that trail seems cold. As you might know Cannay is a port city and any slaves taken there were probably put onto slave-ships, sent to other more distant lands. Any of the girls taken in that way are lost to me, I suppose. I came here following a rumor about a wise Lord who had never owned a slave in his life and then within two days bought two of them, both looking like exotic sisters. I had hoped Eloriel was one of our circle. At least she's one of our kind but I was genuinely lucky that I found you. Perhaps Castor's people could travel to Ruique, to find out what they are hiding and if, indeed it is some of us."

Aaja took a moment to teach Shiro a few helpful phrases in the common tongue. He resisted learning them, so she wasn't certain if he would remember anything she'd taught because he refused to repeat when asked to.
She decided to change the subject and get back to finding out useful information, "Ok, and raids, we know our circle was raided, have you heard of any others?" asked Aaja.

"Yes, on the other side of the mountain we live on, the Creek-Dwellers, as well as the Deep-In-Caves and the Fishers." answered Shiro.

Aaja shook her head, "Those names mean nothing to these people, Shiro. Have you managed to find out what our lands are called by them?"

"No. You have more access to maps living here, than I do out in the forest. Besides, I can lead them there, and show them. They'll learn our directions." he said with pride.

"I'll have to get a map from Castor, then, so you can show his people and the spy of a friend what lands you speak of and learn their proper names." said Aaja, thinking out loud.

"Oh, so now you think our way of doing things isn't proper? You haven't been gone from home for more than a season and already you're becoming a snob." criticized Shiro.

Aaja gave him a dirty look, "That's not what I meant..."

"...Sure it's not." interjected Shiro. " You're so happy being this man's whore you don't care what happens to the rest of us."

Aaja slapped him, hard, across the face. The sound echoed through the courtyard and drew the eyes of the others toward them.

Shiro stood holding his reddened cheek with his hand, looking ashamed as he averted his eyes to the ground. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

Her eyes brimmed with tears, "No you shouldn't have. I may be a slave to this man but I am still your older sister. You will respect me, Shiro."

"Yes, I'm sorry. I...I know you care. I'm just frustrated. It's not your fault." replied Shiro.

Aaja hugged him, "...and I'm sorry to have struck you in anger." she said softly.

"Don't" grunted Shiro, pushing her away.

"Don't what?" Aaja was confused.

"Don't embrace me, naked like that...it's...strange for me." warned Shiro.

Aaja blushed in embarrassment. Again, she had forgotten her nudity. "I'm sorry. You're right. I'll be more mindful next time."

"We'll be getting ready to go soon. You should see about that map." suggested Shiro.

Aaja nodded and ran off to find Castor to ask him if he had a map of the known lands.
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The sound of flesh striking flesh drew Castor's eyes, along with those of everyone else, to the quiet tableau of Shiro and Aaja. Castor frowned, but he saw Aaja lecturing Shiro in stern tones and the expression became a thin smile.
Obedient, yes, weak, no. She came running over to where he stood.

"Do you have a map of the North, lord?" she asked.

"No, Aaja. Imperial mapmakers have focused on places where we fight. The North is little known to us."

Timasius, Castor was pleased to see, had pulled a map out of his carry case and was laying it out on the floor. Castor knelt down and pointed to it.

"Artan, to the West, and the forests of Elvenkind. To the South the sea and the Sskstak jungles. To the East, the plains of the K'zin. To the North the free towns and petty kingdoms. The Empire is an agricultural nation, Aaja, and has never had much interest in the mountains and high plateaus of the North. The only time we care about the North is when the occasional Orcish army gathers from wherever it is they breed and sweeps down. And then we force them back into the mountains and leave them. The land beyond the free towns is largely unknown to use. Timasius and the others will need Shiro to guide them and they will map the route as they go."

He looked at Aaja questioningly. "Where has Shiro been in his search for your relatives?"
_______________________________________

"He mentioned Ruique, where he was run out of the town by armed men, and Cannay, where he suspects slaves were shipped to far away ports." asnwered Aaja, worriedly.
______________________________________________

"Cannay," Castor said, pointing to a spot on a map. "Ruique," he named another point.

"Cannay is out of our way, lord," Timasisus pointed out. "That will add several days to our ride." The last was as much a question as it was a statement and Castor was aware of that.

"To Ruique, and then North," Castor instructed. "Find out what you can enroute, but make all haste to find Aaja's mother and return her here. You can investigate more enroute. If you find any of Aaja's people you are directed to buy them and return them home. If her people consider them tainted, then employ them as my agents when you set up a trading post."

Timasius frowned, "And slaves for Lady Portia?"

Castor grunted. "She can buy her own. Maybe in Cannay. I'll ask her to send agents there. Be careful in Ruique, it may be the slavers have assumed outright control. If this is the case, then you'll need to send a messenger back."

Castor lifted his head and scanned the room. "Shiro," he called. The young man looked at him and Castor motioned for him to come over to the map. Reluctantly the young man walked over and joined them at the map. Castor pointed at three points. "Kalumparu. Cannay. Ruique. Shiro home?"

The young man studied the map, unconcerned with the looks that everyone directed at him. He was, Castor thought, a very brave and resourceful young man. If snap judgements were to be trusted, then he wasn't as bright as his sister but, then, Castor thought that very few people probably were.

Shiro stabbed a finger down on a blank spot on the map. It was further West than Castor had thought it would be, but it made sense. If Aaja's people were at all related to the elves then it made sense that they would have a proximity to them.

"Good roads to Ruique," Timasius mused, "and after to the border. Cross out of the Empire here and move North and West. More like big hill country than mountains there. Dry and cold they say. I might be able to use the river to ship goods back." The young man grinned. "Hard work, but straightforward, lord. We'll do it."

"Leave at nightfall," Castor said. "Portia's spy will want to talk to Shiro before you go. And get that young man a weapon he can use. A good one," Castor said emphatically. He rose and began walking towards the garden. "Bring that map to my study, Timasius. We'll have Shiro draw his own map so the spy has a reference. Bring him along Aaja."

As he crossed into the garden Eloriel came up to him and bowed.

"Shiro is clean, lord. Your room as well. Do you have more work for me?" she asked.

"Tell the kitchen staff the Lady Portia will be dining with me sometime in the next hour. They should prepare food and wine. Then go and adorn yourself. Portia has the lusts, and the likes, of a man. I won't permit you to lie with here but she'll want to see you dance for a certainty. And if Aaja is done soon enough she's like to want to watch the pair of you pleasure each other," Castor said.

Eloriel nodded her head nervously. "As you command, lord," she replied.

Castor, for once, was glad that Shiro didn't understand his language. He led them into the study where Shiro was set at a table with parchment, ink, and pen.

"Tell him to draw his journey, Aaja. Landmarks, things he saw, people he met. Doesn't have to be artwork, but he does have to do it," Castor said. "I'll send Portia's spymaster in when she arrives."

A call from the foyer caught his attention. "And there she is now unless I'm much mistaken."

He hurried back to the foyer and found Portia being assisted from a palanquin.

"Your clients are always so polite and handsome, Castor," she said. "Do you ask for the pretty boys or does it just happen?"

The young man assisting her out of the carrier blushed a bright red while some of the veterans roared in laughter.

"Welcome, Portia. Mistress Hildegaard," he greeted the spymaster. "Your interview is in the study. I believe you know the way?"

"I do, Lord Castor. Thank you," the tall, thin woman replied. She walked through the foyer towards the study.

Castor took Portia's hand and began to guide her towards the dining room.

"Don't be in such a rush, Castor, you'll get your turn," Portia said sweetly.

The roar of laughter washed over Castor, but he ignored it. "I just don't like waiting in line," he replied. Portia laughed along with the men and then they were in the dining room. She let go of Castor's hand and reclined on one of the couches.

"You're early for dinner," he said. "My staff are in an uproar. On the other hand, you're in very good time for questioning Shiro. Thank you."

"It seems important," she replied.

"I think it is," he agreed. "Shiro reports that armed men threw him out of Ruique. I fear the slavers might have outright taken over the town. Beyond that he reports that some of the slaves were, according to rumor, sent to Cannay. I have no one to send to Cannay."

"Yes," she said, "I'll send someone to Cannay. Will I get to keep the slaves I find there?" she asked, with an emphasis on the final word.

Castor laughed. "Yes. They'll be better with you than just about anyone else. It might be a shock to them to have a companion owner, though. I suspect Aaja and Eloriel see me as being no worse than a bad husband might be, and better than some."

"While Xeres and I have been telling you to get re-married for years, this isn't quite what we had in mind." She smiled at him.

Castor shrugged and sat down on a couch across from her. "The gods are capricious," he opined.

"Oh nonsense," Portia snapped. "Led along by your cock like every other man in the world. At least you had the good sense to pick pretty and smart."

"You noticed that, did you?" he said.

"Of course I noticed it. While I'll admit to sharing a certain admiration for the female form, I'm not troubled by blood rushing away from my brain while I do so. Speaking of the female form, when will your lovely slaves be joining us?"

"Soon," Castor laughed. "Aaja will translate for Hildegaard while she questions Shiro. I told Eloriel to adorn herself for you. You can't have her, but I'll let you look a little. Maybe I'll even have her dance for you."

"You'll have her do more than that if I have to send people to Cannay in the forlorn hope of getting one of my own," Portia retorted.

Servants came into the room with wine and a small selection of food.

"We'll see," Castor said. "But let's enjoy ourselves while people doing our bidding actually work."

Portia laughed. "Fair enough. I hope your cellar has improved since last time."

"I don't have a cellar."

"My point exactly," she replied.
___________________________________________

Aaja stood by while Shiro drew his map. He was a very artistic child and took pride in his accurate drawings so he also had completed a very realistic and easy to follow map of where he'd been. She looked proudly from his map, to him, and then up at the person sent to interrogate him.

After a brief bit of questioning with Aaja as interpreter it was decided that they had as much information as possible given that they were basically allowing a thirteen year old to lead them. Shiro was taken, with his map to prepare to leave and Aaja was sent to freshen up and then assist Eloriel in entertaining their guest in the dining hall.

As she entered Aaja saw the now familiar face of Portia whom she'd met at the bathhouse earlier that day. Portia was completely mesmerized by Eloriel as the beauty danced for her. Aaja smiled as she saw Eloriel had added some new moves to her repotoire from the other evening and was getting quite good in her seductive and sweet routine. Aaja entered with an apologetic bow, coming around the back to bow again and kneel at Castor's side.

"Oh, my. I most certainly want as many of these lovely creatures as I can find." murmured Portia as she looked admiringly from Aaja to Eloriel. Aaja smiled and bowed to her in thanks for the compliment.

"Come here, my dear. Let me see if your skin is as soft as it appears to be." she said, motioning for Aaja to come and stand by her as Eloriel danced on. Aaja glanced at Castor for approval and he nodded for her to obey.

Aaja tried not to take offense to the caresses of the woman as she ran her hands along her back, and her breasts, cupping each in her hand, gently running her hand along Aaja's buttocks and thighs, finally resting her hand upon the mound of Aaja's sex. Again Aaja looked to Castor and he motioned for her to open her legs wider. She did so, allowing the woman access to her treasure. She closed her eyes and her breathing quickened as long, thin fingers began to play with her pleasure pearl and plunge her depths. When Aaja opened her eyes it was to see Eloriel, caressing her own sex in much the same way. This caught Portia's attention just in time to keep Aaja from losing control and releasing her passion into her hand. Portia kissed Aaja softly on the mouth and then on her cheek whispering in her ear, "Go to her, Aaja. Show me how you love your companion."
___________________________________________

Castor glowered silently and, he hoped, un-noticed as Portia took undue liberties with Aaja. She should not... here he stopped and corrected himself. He had not intended that she fondle Aaja so freely. But the truth was that she had been fairly restrained. Aaja was just a slave and such were commonly passed around at parties, and yet... He didn't like it and he was certain he didn't have to justify his feelings.

"That was the last time you get to touch Aaja, Portia. I'm consumed with a jealous rage at the moment," he said cheerfully.

Portia tore her eyes away from the lovely women and looked at Castor. After a moment she giggled. "You're serious. I'm so sorry, Castor, I had no idea. You know..."

Castor nodded. "I know you wouldn't have done so if you had known. I didn't know myself until the moment. Thank you for understanding."

"You also know that just because I understand doesn't mean that I won't tease you mercilessly," she commented as she turned her attention back to Aaja and Eloriel.

Castor sighed.

Aaja, appearing much more relaxed, accepted an enveloping embrace and deep kiss from Eloriel. They moved together, slowly dancing to a rythym the observers could not hear.
_____________________________________

Aaja caught El's gaze and wordlessly bade her to forget about the fact that they were being watched and just act on her feelings. This led Eloriel to embrace her freely and they kissed a deep, passionate kiss, tongues tasting one another, hands, gently caressing, until Eloriel had Aaja down on the floor and Eloriel crawled over her in such a way that she was positioned with her own sex just above Aaja's waiting mouth, and Aaja willingly opened her legs to allow her lover access to her wetness. They then commenced to taste one another, ina contest to see who can bring whom the most pleasure. After a few minutes of sharing her passion with Eloriel, Aaja actually did forget they were being observed. She, having been strummed so close just minutes before, was the first to orgasm, shaking and moaning as Eloriel mercilessly continued her mouth's motions on her. It was only afterward that she thought she heard applause.
______________________________________________________


"Wonderful!" Portia cried. "Oh I do wish you'd sell them, Castor. But I also understand why you won't. Can't."

Castor nodded absently, politely he hoped, but his eyes were fixed on Eloriel and Aaja. He beckoned for them to come to him and they crawled to his side, breasts and hips swaying with a mesmerizing rythym. He kissed each of them in turn, tasting their pleasure upon their lips and tongues. "Good girls," he said softly.

"You're the one Horatious will come after," Portia said.

Castor looked up at her.

"Power is what Horatious desires, and you would rip out his pleasure, branch and root," she continued.

"If he would simply move to a more efficient farming system..." Castor began.

"Don't be willfully obtuse, Castor," Portia snapped. "Horatius wants power over people. In his perfect world everyone would be his slave and he's driven by an ambition to try and achieve that perfect world. I'd let him keep his slaves, even his estates if he made some reforms. Xeres will be dead in a few years. But you... You don't understand the first thing about slavery. That must terrify Horatius."

Castor gestured to indicate Aaja and Eloriel kneeling beside his couch. Portia waved her hands in irritation.

"People," she declared. "Bound to your will, even collared and marked, but still people. I see that stripe on Aaja's ass. I'll bet the contents of my, excellent, cellar that you were livid with her. But she got one blow of a switch and no more. Horatius doesn't think of his slaves as people. They're things... like a table or a chair. He's had slaves beaten to death with a whip for dropping a plate. He would never be upset that a guest fondled his slaves. And he would never put up with free farmers. How much of your time do you spend arbitrating between your clients?"

Castor nodded his head in understanding. "A lot. They're largely self-organizing and they deal with most external problems on their own, but when they bicker amongst themselves..."

"Exactly," Portia said. "Horatius would hate that. He does hate that, just as he hates anything he can't control absolutely. So you're the one he'll come after."

"As I recall, the traditional greeting for a new child is a slap. Why should the world get any easier with time?" Castor asked.

Portia laughed. "I will miss you when you're gone. But I'm horny and you're not going to share so I'm going home where I can drink good wine while a slave kneels between my legs."

Castor rose from his couch and escorted her to the foyer where she climbed into the palanquin with a minimum of bawdy badinage. After the doors had closed he turned around and saw Aaja and Eloriel looking at him.

"Don't look at me like that. She's crazy. Well known fact. Talked and fucked three husbands into very early graves. Go amuse yourselves for a little while, I've work to do."
_____________________________________________________

Aaja and Eloriel went off to check on Shiro but he and the men Castor and Portia had sent with him were already gone. The nearly empty stables were a testament to that. They remained in the stables for a little while, petting the gentle creatures as they discussed the conversation between Lord Castor and Portia and what it meant for the world as they knew it, and what it would mean for them.

Aaja's head was swimming with pollitical thoughts, theories, new names for lands she had previously not known and as they talked she began to realize that she was doing most of the talking, leaving Eloriel trailing behind. Her mind was not as attuned to the subtlties of these people's politics and Aaja realized after a while that Eloriel was only mildly interested in what was happening in the world, but most of the time her primary concern was Aaja and her secondary concern, Castor. Aaja loved her for her loyalty, and her fierce passion toward her, that had developed so very quickly during a difficult and odd period in their lives.

She accepted her companion for what she was and decided now was not the time to force any more learning on her. Aaja kissed Eloriel and wrapped her arm around her waist, saying, "Come, let's see if we can find something to do in Castor's room. I'd like to have you without an audience for a change." and the two lovers strolled back to the house and up to the room they shared with Lord Castor to spend some intimate time alone.
__________________________________________

It was some time after Aaja and Eloriel had retired to the room shared with Castor to make love and spend time in each other's company that Castor returned. They had been asleep, wrapped up in one another's limbs like kittens in a basket and Aaja looked up to see their Master enter, her 'companion' still quite deeply asleep in her arms.
_________________________________________________

Castor walked into his dark bedroom and set the oil lamp he was carrying on a table as he sat on the couch to remove his sandals. The heady musk of Aaja and Eloriel filled the room and he inhaled deeply and looked over to the bed. Aaja sat up, partially disentangling herself from Eloriel and looked at him. He paused in his undressing to admire the way her body looked in the light and shadows.

"It's an addiction, Aaja," he said as he resumed undressing. "Slavery, I mean. It served a real purpose two or three generations ago, but now it has become a lead weight around the neck of my society. We don't do it because we need to, we do it because we want to. And our addiction has fostered a class of dangerous parasites. Bad enough on their own, but now Horatius will egg them on to organized acts of violence and convince the council to turn a blind eye to their other activities. Soon the parasites will become more than the host can bear and other animals will strike."

He folded the clothing, taking a sort of solace in the physical activity. "I'm no more immune than anyone. I should free you and Eloriel, but I won't. I take too much pleasure in your company and your obedience. I was furious with Portia when she placed her hands upon you. She meant nothing by it; simple, straightforward, and uncomplicated lechery on her part. I've seen worse at a party. I've done worse at a party. But this was... intolerable. She was right, you know, I simply cannot think of you as anything other than a person. I can be cruel to a person, but I could never treat you with the indifference of a thing."

He blew out the oil lamp and walked over to the bed, climbing in so that Aaja would be sandwiched between Eloriel and him. He stroked her hair as she shifted and made herself comfortable.

"There are things I can do to counter Horatius. Some of them I have done, some of them I will do. But some... Does my society deserve to survive if men must resort to deeds contrary to the rule of law to save it? Horatius, I fear, never asks these questions. But if I go outside the bounds of law, am I any better than him?"

He sighed, pulled Aaja close and tried to see a way to peacefully resolve the situation.
___________________________________________________

 

[Otto26]

Aaja listened to Castor's concerns. She was honored he felt she was a competent sounding board and sat up to focus as he spoke to her. It really bothered him, the hypocrisy of both detesting slavery and owning two of them. She and Eloriel had been speaking of this same thing earlier in the stables, or, well she was and Eloriel listened intently. She felt sympathy for his chagrin and as he crawled into bed beside her she wanted nothing more than to comfort him and to ease his burden somehow. But, she didn't know what the right thing to say would be. She only hugged him and said, "I know, I know, my Lord. I could read it in your face the very first moment I looked into your eyes. It's what makes you a good man. I would be saddened to see you harden and lose it. " she replied kissing him softly on the lips.

She debated whether she should tell him of the changes she and Eloriel had been noticing in her body. Her people were extrememly intuitive and had a way of knowing about certain things before any true evidence to prove it were even available. Her own mother credited her intuition with telling her the instant she concieved each of her children and Aaja was now nearly as certain about something similar but wasn't sure how to tell him when he was so visibly dejected. But, his reaction would definitely determine for her what he viewed her as more a person or an object. She sighed, deciding she'd find a way to explain in the morning.
_________________________________________________

Castor lay in the bed in a fruitless pursuit of sleep for hours. Beside him Aaja and Eloriel slowly danced to the tune of morpheus. He sat up in the bed and watched them slowly gravitate towards each other. They snored. He found the sounds amusing, emenating as they did from the petite forms wrapped around each other. He climbed out of bed and walked down the passageway to the stairs and through the garden into the kitchen. He threaded his way through the pallets of sleeping servants and decanted some wine into a pottery cup before retreating to the garden.

He sat down on a bench and looked skyward to the moon and the great smear of stars that lit the sky. After several minutes he heard the sound of someone moving. "Yes?" he said.

"Pardon, lord," Eloriel replied. "You left the bed. I wondered where you went."

"I could not sleep," he explained. "I came to sit. I did not mean to wake you."

She shrugged and knelt on the ground next to him. "I had dreams," she told him.

"Good dreams, I hope."

"Some good. Some very good. But also some bad. I am not the same as Aaja, lord. She is very quick and she learns fast. It is harder for me, but I feel things more than Aaja. Wonderful and terrible things are coming, lord. I feel this."

Castor looked at her and wondered. Magic did not come naturally to mankind, but if Eloriel's people shared a heritage with the elves, then perhaps they also shared some of the affinity for magic.

"What kind of things, Eloriel?" he asked.

She thought for a moment and then shook her head in frustration. "I do not know the words, lord. Not in your tongue or mine. I feel death, but I also feel life, and change, so much change. Like a big river." She gave him an apologetic look as she reached the end of her ability to express the ideas in words.

He stroked her cheek. "Thank you, Eloriel. If you have more dreams, you will tell me."

"Oh yes, lord," she said. "I would not want our family hurt."

"Do you think of this," he gestured at the house around them, "as your family, Eloriel?" He was intensely curious.

She nodded. "You are kind, lord. Mostly. This is a better family than I have at home. At home, I am strange because I feel things. So no one will want to be my companion, and no man will want to have children with me. Here I have Aaja, and you, lord. And I belong here."

"Why do you belong here, Eloriel?"

She looked down at the ground. "I am a slave," she whispered. "In my heart. I... like to dance naked for you. I like it when you watch when Aaja and I play. These are not things a woman likes."

"Some women do, Eloriel," Castor replied. "It doesn't make you a slave because you enjoy that. I admit it salves my conscience a little to know that you enjoy it, so thank you for telling me. But it doesn't make you a slave. It doesn't make you a bad person."

"Really?" Eloriel whispered.

"Really," Castor assured her.

She rested her head on his thigh. "Thank you, lord."

They sat in the garden until Castor finished his wine and then walked back up to the bedroom and climbed into bed with Aaja. This time, sleep came.
_____________________________________________

Early in the morning Aaja awoke to a nausea in her stomach more powerful than any she'd ever felt before but without the side-effect of fever or chill like many tummy-bugs. As she stood, she realized she would never make it outside or to the wash trough of the kitchen and in a hurry pulled out the chamber pot to spill her guts into. Eloriel, sensing the problem had awoken and was at her side immediately, holding her hair back and rubbing her back gently. Aaja supposed she might be right in her ponderings over the changes she felt in her body, if this was the first outward sign. She also thought she should tell Castor soon because he did not react well to being kept in the dark about anything. Before she could find words another wave of nausea hit her and she bent over the pot again.
_____________________________________________

Castor awoke to the sound of someone being sick and sat up. Aaja was heaving into the chamber pot and Eloriel was rubbing her back and comforting her. Castor clucked sympathetically when he saw the worried look Eloriel was directing at him.

"Punish a woman because her body is sick? Please, Eloriel, I'm not a monster. Is she fevered?"
________________________________________________________

Eloriel felt Aaja's cool cheek and shook her head, "No, my Lord. I told her last night I thought it might be that she..."

Aaja elbowed Eloriel in the ribs to stop her from, yet again, telling on her. Aaja looked up at Castor, her face even paler than usual as she said, "My people are very in tune with even the most minor changes in our bodies. I'm not ill...but things are definitely changing within." she said, gladly accepting the glass of mint water Eloriel had run to get her, swishing her mouth out and spitting the bad tastes into the pot, finally sipping the rest of the water to refresh and wiping her face with a towel also offered by her companion.

Aaja then rose to sit beside Castor in his bed. "You know I am yours and no one elses. You felt as you broke my seal the first time we lay together. Tell me please, my Lord, would your culture judge the future of a child based on his mother or his father? Or, is it up to you? I am your slave forever, but is your child to be?" she asked, her face clearly showing her worry.
___________________________________________________

Castor was stunned silent by her question. He stared into her worried eyes and then ran his hand down to her flat belly. She bit her lip apprehensively.

"The children of slaves are often enslaved themselves, but it is forbidden by law. Even were it not, no child of mine will grow up a slave. Our child will be free, Aaja," he told her. And then, because he had believed himself incapable of fathering children, he asked excitedly, "Are you certain?"
__________________________________________________

Aaja shrugged, "We'll soon find out for sure. But...my mother said she knew the instant each of us was conceieved. Every woman in our circle knew within hours, sometimes minutes, if they were with child. I am a little more uncertain than them because this would be the first time I've ever felt this way, but I cannot think of any other reason for this...I can't explain it. I just know. Even Eloriel felt the change in me. She told me last night. And, although I have been... harmed by others,it was always anally, no one has had my...my treasure besides you, my Lord. "
_____________________________________

Castor grinned delightedly. "I had truly thought I could not father children, Aaja. This is wonderful news. At least, it is for my me."

He placed his hand on her cheek and looked seriously at her. "Is this good news for you?"
__________________________________________________

She thought about this, "If I had never been taken I would be anticipating a matching right now. Most likely I would have been pregnant within months. So...I guess, either way, I would have been becoming a mother around the same time. I love you, I really do. I just want to make sure this child will not be born into slavery. I would like my child to have an education, boy or girl, and to have a life much as any free child in this land would. As long as you can promise me that, my lord, then I will not worry and can be happy."
___________________________________

It wasn't the ringing endorsement Castor had hoped for, but life was imperfect and a wise man was happy with what he had.

"This child," he pressed lightly against her belly, "will have all the advantages I can provide," he promised.

He pulled Aaja back against him, holding her in his arms as he kissed the top of her head. He saw Eloriel waiting impatiently, almost twitching in excitement, and he released Aaja into her exubarant embrace.

"Alright, I'm supposed to disappear now, and so I will for a few minutes. Clean up the room and get some food. That includes fruit for you both."

He stood and walked out of the room, heading for the foyer.
______________________________________________

Eloriel squealed in excitement as she hugged Aaja, just as excited as if it were her own baby, because to her, it was adding to her family and she would love the child as if it were her own. Aaja was growing more excited about it as she realized that both of her love's were hapy about it and that Castor promised he would not let the baby become a slave. They cleaned with renewed energy, although already Eloriel was denying Aaja the especially dirty or heavy tasks. "El, I am not full-bellied yet..."

"I want you and this baby safe. Leave it to me." she said to Aaja. Aaja simply shrugged. It was a good morning.
___________________________________________

Castor stalked cheerfully into the foyer and found his men in groups eating the morning gruel and talking. They started to get to their feet as they noticed him, but he waved them down and found one of the new boys.

"Calodius, I want you to summon Mistress Fortunata, the midwife. Tell her to come when she can," he said.

The boy jumped up and dashed for the doorway, not even pausing to finish his food or take it with him.

"He'll learn, lord," Maurice commented. "Does this mean one of your slaves is knocked up?" the man inquired cautiously.

"Aaja," Castor replied. "How is that for a surprise?"

"A welcome one, lord. There's those of the lords will look down on such a child, but Westerners don't place much store in fancy breeding. They'll feast on the farms to celebrate and set aside a calf or kid to fatten for the birth. Congratulations, lord."

The other men raised a small cheer of congratulations and Castor beamed. He had married young, to a woman chosen by his father, because he was an only child and the military was dangerous. That marriage had been, distant, and had not produced a child. Morganna had died of sickness before he returned from his first campaign. His second marriage had been happier, to a widow some five years his elder. Mula had fallen from a horse and lingered for some weeks before passing on. Both women had seemed perfectly healthy but neither had quickened a child despite his best efforts. There were those that would blame the wife for such misfortune, but Castor had no such illusions. After the death of Mula he had contented himself with satisfying his lusts at Mistress Weia's house. Being twice widowed was enough to satisfy the public sense of propriety and he had no interest in the complications of a marriage or the continued heartbreak of being childless. But now...

He walked back to the kitchen where the news had arrived before he did. A fact of life, one could have servants or privacy, but not both. Amidst the polite congratulations one of the younger women said, "They turned out to be for the good after all, lord. Master Democritus didn't think much of them."

"And he's gone now, as you may have noticed," Castor replied. "In my house slave means a person at the bottom of the pecking order, not a dog to be kicked. They've still much to learn and if they misbehave they'll still feel the switch. But you'd be false in your service if you treated them unkindly out of wrong thinking. A smart woman might also consider how much time those slaves get to spend talking to me," he added.

The looks that passed around the room were about equally divided between thoughtful and surprised. He nodded approvingly as a few faces lit up with understanding.

"Mistress Fortunata will be by later. I've heard she places a great store in exercise and proper diet. So when she tells you what Aaja and Eloriel will be eating, I'll be displeased to hear of any backtalk."

"Both of them, lord?" asked the girl. "We only heard as the one, Aaja, was bearing."

Castor shrugged. "I'm not one to play favorites. They'll eat and exercise the both of them. And since we're on the subject, it seems I've let my stingy nature run rampant. We can afford to eat a little better the all of us. So I'll see more meat on our menu in future."

He ducked out as the kitchen erupted in a buzz of whispered conversations and walked to his study. He drafted three letters and sealed them before taking them out to have them delivered. When he walked back to the room Aaja and Eloriel were sitting at a table and eating. They started to slip to the floor, but he waved them back into their seats.

"I have sent for a midwife of some repute; Mistress Fortunata. She'll examine Aaja and, I've no doubt, will prescribe a diet and exercise. You'll both do the exercise. If you want to argue about the diet, talk to me about it after she has left. I've no desire to argue with her. I have also engaged a reputable tutor. She will teach you and some of the younger boys. She will also spend a part of her day learning your language and what you know of the plants in the garden. So, mornings you'll clean the room, exercise, clean yourselves, eat. Afternoons will be classes. Evenings, and any other time I desire, will be spent with me. Have you any questions?"

He sat down and watched as they finished their food.
_____________________________________________

astor came in and although both women slipped to bow to him her waved them back to sit and finish eating their breakfast. "I have sent for a midwife of some repute; Mistress Fortunata. She'll examine Aaja and, I've no doubt, will prescribe a diet and exercise. You'll both do the exercise. If you want to argue about the diet, talk to me about it after she has left. I've no desire to argue with her. I have also engaged a reputable tutor. She will teach you and some of the younger boys. She will also spend a part of her day learning your language and what you know of the plants in the garden. So, mornings you'll clean the room, exercise, clean yourselves, eat. Afternoons will be classes. Evenings, and any other time I desire, will be spent with me. Have you any questions?"

Aaja stopped between bites of the best breakfast the cooks had made for her thus far and asked, "She? our tutor will be a woman? I had no idea your culture educated women so highly that they could teach others."
______________________________________

Castor laughed. "As a rule, we do not. By and large we expect our women to know how to run a household and little more. But there are always exceptions, many of them. Lady Portia, for example. Mistress Gemina has the reputation of a scholar and runs a free school. I imagine that I will end up paying for that school in return for her services, but that's no bad thing."

He leaned back on the couch and relaxed. Soon enough he would have to consider the problem posed by Horatius, but for now he was content to bask in the joy of the moment.
______________________________________________

"Will she also be the tutor of our child, or is there someone even better you have in mind for that?" she asked, genuinely beginning to enjoy planning for the future care of someone else. Eloriel ate and listened to the conversation, all giddy smiles. Aaja found herself feeling quite fortunate to have a companion who seemed genuinely delighted to help take care of her lover's baby.
________________________________________________

"I haven't decided yet," Castor admitted. "She is sufficient to the task of begining to educate you and the others. Will she be good enough to continue at this task or educate our child? I don't know. We'll just have to see."
_____________________________________________________


Aaja nodded. "Thank you, for everything. I was really a little worried you might not be happy about my being with child. I was worried you'd punish the child. I keep forgetting you are not that kind of person." said Aaja.
________________________________________

"I understand that concern. But I view our child as a gift from the gods, so you need have no worries on that. As it happens I am also not a man that would mistreat a child," Castor replied.

His stomach rumbled and he looked down and he looked down at it.

"I forgot to get my own breakfast," he remarked. "Go bring me some food, Eloriel."

The young woman stood up and jogged quickly out the door.

"That's not your only hunger, lord," Aaja remarked.

Castor dragged his eyes away from the doorway the bouncing Eloriel had disappeared through and saw his cock hardening. He laughed.

"I've sent Eloriel to satisfy the one, so come over here my fertile minx and satisfy the other," he said.
___________________________________________

Aaja smiled, rising from the table to crawl seductively toward her master, taking his manhood in her hand as she began to pleasure him with a combination of her hands and her mouth. Stroking gently, amused at the responses his organ had to her touch, she then moved her hand to the base of it, massaging his balls as she sucked and licked his manhood, looking up occasionally to see the effect of her ministrations in his facial expression. She saw a blissful expression there which only encouraged her to work even harder to make him even more happy.
__________________________________________________

Castor smiled down at Aaja and ran his fingers lightly through her pale hair. The sensations she created made his eyelids heavy with pleasure, but he forced his eyes to remain open so that he could see her. The sight, the sound, he inhaled and smiled widely, and the scent of her blended together with her touch and set his heart racing. She glanced up at him, eager to see what sort of reaction she was causing, and he beamed lustfully at her.

Eloriel bounded carefully into the room and bestowed a smile upon them. She appeared uncertain, so Castor motioned for her to sit down. She complied, kneeling down on the floor with the bowl of food in her hands and watching. Her expression puzzled Castor for a moment, but then he realized she was studying and he nearly burst out laughing.

A moan from Aaja quickly grounded his levity and his body resonated to her sound. "Oh, good girl," he groaned. Her eyes sparkled mischieviously and seemed to laugh in wicked delight. Her lips and tongue were both soft and firm and he felt his climax rising in him.
___________________________________________________

Aaja could feel the changes in Castor's body, indicating he would climax soon. She could see Eloriel was eager to enjoy this too, as the last time they had shared his organ between them. Aaja looked up at Castor, pumping him with her hands as she asked, "May Eloriel also enjoy you, Lord?"
______________________________________________________

Castor's throat was as tight as the rest of his body and he didn't feel capable of speech. He nodded and gestured for Eloriel to join them, groaning again as the woman quickly set her bowl aside and crawled to Aaja's side.
___________________________________________________

Aaja moved to let Eloriel have a turn at licking and sucking him. Finally, As she felt his spasms in warning, Aaja pumped the rest with her hand and as Castor ejeculated both women moved to capture as much as possible with their mouths and onto their bodies, then turning to lick his seed from each other as well.
___________________________________________________

Castor sighed as the shuddering pleasure slowly faded and Aaja and Eloriel licked him clean. When their lips ceased ministering to him and began exploring each other he knew he ought to feel jealous, but he simply couldn't find it in himself. He reclined on the couch and enjoyed the sight of them. He found their play arousing and satisfying on an unexpected level. He liked to see people happy and people he cared about... That was what he really found satisfying; he cared about these two women. It went beyond simple pride of ownership and even beyond the care that he extended to those who followed him. In a strange way, the two slaves had moved into the category of family.

As he continued to watch them he wondered when that had happened. Amusingly the answer seemed to be that it had happened when he had beaten Aaja. He had been so absolutely furious because he didn't hold her at the emotional distance he kept everyone else to. So when her actions had hurt him, the hurt had been unexpected, the prick upon tender flesh. And then, of course, he had been compelled to apologize for over-reacting.

So he couldn't be jealous of two of his family members finding pleasure in each other, but he could feel a sense of satisfaction that he helped to foster and sustain that happiness. This, he felt, was an accomplishment to take a little quiet pride in.
______________________________________________

Once finished Aaja turned to Castor and smiled up at him, "You must be hungry, we should let you have your breakfast." She stood and began cleaning up the room, preparing to start the day, a part of her hungered for Castor but it wasn't her place, she felt, to approach him for more play.
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Castor took the bowl that Eloriel handed him and ate methodically while watching the two women at work. The lines their bodies formed as they moved... stirred him. When he was finished with the food he set the bowl down and dressed himself. He kissed both of them, lingering at the action, and then took the bowl down to the kitchen and went to the foyer.

Calodius was walking in the door with the mid-wife.

"Mistress Fortunata," Castor greeted her.

"Lord Castor," she replied. "Your very insistent client tells me you managed to get it up for long enough to stick it in. I had not heard that you had re-married."

Tart humor. Castor had heard that about her, but this was his first time at the receiving end of it and he was resolved to bear it with good humor.

"I have not," he replied. "But I've two lovely slaves that could make a dead man stand up and whistle. I seem to have been fortunate enough to get one of them pregnant."

"'Fortunate' is it? I'll not be bringing your bastard brats into the world to see them collared," she stated.

"My child will not be a slave," he assured her.

"And the child's mother?" she pursued.

"Don't ask so much decency of me this early in the day, Mistress, it'll spoil me for council business," he replied.

"You're honest, at least. I'll look at her, but I'm keeping an eye on you," she promised.

"Thank you, Mistress," he said. "Mistress Gemina may be in shortly to begin tutoring them," he called after her as Calodius led her deeper into the house.

Castor, with most of his grinning clients in tow, went out to work.
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Aaja answered the door and Mistress Fortunata stood looking her up and down, "Are you the one who believes she's pregnant with the master's child?"

Aaja nodded, "Yes, Mistress, my name is Aaja."

"I'm hesitant to learn your name. Names lead to attachment and I could never afford to grow attached to one who may be beaten to death tomorrow."

Aaja looked puzzled. "Why would I be beaten to death, I have not done anything wrong and..."

Eloriel chimed in, "...and Lord Castor is too kind to do something so horrible."

"You're the other one?" asked Fortunata.

Eloriel bowed, "Yes, Mistress."

"Are you pregnant as well?"

"No, mistress, not that I am aware of." replied Eloriel respectfully.

"Then you can leave us for now and return in about fifteen minutes with a bowl of warm water and a clean, dry towel to clean my hands with." said Mistress Fortunata.

Eloriel nodded and excused herself from the room leavign Aaja with the midwife.

Fortunata smiled, "Don't be nervous, lovely thing, I won't hurt you." Her face then became more business, "Lie back on the bed with your hips hanging off the end." Fortunata brought a chair from the table over to the end of the bed and sat. "You can place your feet on my shoulders."

Aaja found the position awkward and strange. Her sex was now even with Fortunata's head. The woman's face just a few inches from it. It made her wonder about the nature of this woman's intentions. Fortunata rubbed her hands together brisquely to warm them and then used one hand to separate the walls of Aaja's love hole and peer inside. The two front fingers of her other hand began a search, for what, Aaja could not tell. It was not painful, but it was certainly nothing at all close to comfortable either and unlike the feel of Eloriel or Castor's fingers this bore her no pleasure whatsoever. Aaja laid back and waited for the midwife to finish her poking around. Soon, but not nearly soon enough, the woman began pushing on Aaja's flat belly, between her navel and her nether-mouth. This was painful and Aaja sucked in her breath a few times to keep from shouting out in pain.

"Patience, dear Aaja, patience. I am nearly finished with you." said Mistress Fortunata. She looked over Aaja's breasts, asking if various pinches and movements caused her pain, which they did. "Has this hurt you before?" she asked, and it was the first time Aaja noted that, indeed her nipples were more sensitive than before and answered to the negative. "Mmmhmmm." said the midwife, taking note.

A knock on the door indicated that Eloriel was following her instructions to the letter and was waiting with the warm water and clean towel for the midwife. Mistress Fortunata stood to answer the door and washed her hands, handing the damp towel to Eloriel and siad over her shoulder, "It's ok, my dear. You may get up now. Thank you, ladies. I'll be seeing you both again in a fortnight. Congratulations, Aaja, eat lots of good meat, fruit and vegetables, get plenty of excercise and fresh air, try not to do heavy lifting or too much dirty work, no scrubbing chamber pots or shoveling horse shit, ok? Eloriel, sorry, love, I suppose that would leave the dirty stuff to you now. Perhaps it's good incentive for you to get knocked up next. " she joked, laughing at her own humor as she walked out of the room to report to Castor. Leaving both girls puzzled by her odd humor.

They didn't have long to puzzle, though. Soon the new tutor arrived.
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Mistress Gemina walked into the foyer of the house wondering what she would find. The messenger had offered no more information than had been contained in the letter. Lord Castor wanted someone to educate two family members, young adult females, in the mornings. The letter had promised generous compensation but she would have come anyway. A summons from a councilor was not something to be ignored, even if Castor didn't have the vindictive reputation that many other councilors enjoyed.

She recognized the woman leaving the house and greeted her. "Good morning, Mistress Fortunata. What brings you here?"

"The randy bastard finally managed to do the trick; knocked up one of his slaves. His political opponents will have to find something else to tar him with," the older woman said. "And what brings you here?"

"I was engaged to teach two of his family. Young women. I hadn't heard Lord Castor had any family," she confessed.

Fortunata laughed loudly. "'Family members' is it? Well I guess he's a sense of humor too, or some of those stories they tell are true. We'll see."

The midwife did not elaborate and, still laughing, exited the house. A very young man greeted her.

"Good morning, Mistress. I am Calodius. How may I assist you?"

"I'm Mistress Gemina, I have been engaged by Lord Castor," she replied.

"Ah, the tutor. This way please, Mistress, to Lord Castor's study."

She followed him through the foyer and into a study filled with books, scrolls, and artwork. She was enthralled by the sight, so much so that she didn't pay any attention to Calodius. The books, she saw, were organized by subject matter and there was a clear preponderance of books related to the natural sciences. She had never, in her life, seen so many books in one place and knew that whatever money Castor might offer, he was going to give her access to this collection if he wanted her services.

A cough brought her attention back to the present and she whirled to see Calodius in the doorway with two slaves behind him. That they were slaves was obvious. The collars around their necks, the marks, still fresh she saw, in their flesh, and the scandalous jewelry all proclaimed their status.

"Yes?" she said.

"These are your students, Mistress," Calodius repeated.

The two slaves bowed their heads and greeted her politely.

"I don't understand," Gemina said. "I was told I would be teaching two of Lord Castor's family."

"Yes, Mistress. Aaja and Eloriel. Aaja there is carrying Lord Castor's child. He dotes on the pair of them, Mistress. Hasn't hardly beat them and won't share them at all. If he told you they're family... I won't gainsay him, Mistress," Calodius responded.

He bowed once and then turned and walked away, leaving Gemina and her charges to regard each other uncertainly.

"Uhm... do you speak our language?" Gemina ventured.

"Yes, Mistress," Aaja replied. "I speak it a little better than Eloriel, but I still make mistakes. Will you teach us to speak more?"

"I, ah, yes. Lord Castor mentioned that as one subject. I am also to learn more about your language and culture as well as cataloging your knowledge of plants." Gemina swallowed. "Come in and sit and we will begin," she instructed.
____________________________________________________

"Uhm... do you speak our language?" Gemina ventured.

"Yes, Mistress," Aaja replied. "I speak it a little better than Eloriel, but I still make mistakes. Will you teach us to speak more?"

"I, ah, yes. Lord Castor mentioned that as one subject. I am also to learn more about your language and culture as well as cataloging your knowledge of plants." Gemina swallowed. "Come in and sit and we will begin," she instructed.

The first lesson felt a little bit awkward but as they went on Mistress Gemina seemed to enjoy Aaja's intellectual curiosity and questions and Eloriel's sense of enjoyment when she understood something new. After the first half hour the three ladies were on more friendly terms. The afternoon flew by.

When they were interrupted to begin dinner preparations Aaja and Eloriel were in the garden with Mistress Gemina, showing her each plant they valued, explaining it's purpose in medicines, teas and incenses and the names their people used for them. The woman was carefully writing down everything the girls told her on this subject.
___________________________________________

Castor walked into the foyer as Mistress Gemina was leaving.

"Good day, Mistress," he called.

"So it seems, Lord," she replied. "I've spent the day working with your... family members. They seem intelligent and eager to learn. I believe I can accomodate your wish that I instruct them."

"In return for funding your school?" he smiled.

"Not at all, Lord. A new school. But I'll name it after you," she said.

Castor didn't bother to sigh. "Discuss the funding with my factor," he instructed.

"There's one other thing..." Mistress Gemina said.

Castor looked at her, curious as to what else she could want.

"Your library is particularly large. I'd like to copy some of your books."

Castor laughed. "A bibliophile. Very well. You can read anything in the library and make any copies you wish. But if you bring in a scribe, then the price is a book for a book and I'll split the copy cost with you."

"Done, Lord. I will return tomorrow morning to teach your slaves."

Castor chuckled as the woman departed and then walked back to the cloister and to the kitchen. The staff did not cease their work when he entered and neither, he was pleased to note, did they allow Aaja or Eloriel to do so. He poured his own cup of the heavily watered wine maintained for the household to drink and walked back into the garden where he sat on a bench and enjoyed the end of the afternoon.

After a time Eloriel came out of the kitchen and knelt by his side. "Where will you take your dinner, Lord?"

"In my room, Eloriel. You and Aaja will eat with me; I'm excited to hear how your day went."
________________________________________

Aaja and Eloriel brought up dinner for the both of them and Castor and entered the room, one servant in tow to help carry the wine and water jugs for them. Castor was already waiting when they found him. "I hope we have not kept you waiting too long, my Lord." said Aaja as she set out the things on the table and thanked young Ernstis for his assistance before he bowed to Castor and left the three to their dining. Aaja and Eloriel bowed and kissed Castor's feet, waiting for permission to join him at the table. Aaja couldn't wait to tell him all about their day of learning and teaching.
________________________________________________

Castor smiled as Aaja and Eloriel brought dinner to the small table in his room and bent to kiss his feet. He considered the action to be a little over the top, but he was not going to criticize them for demonstrating their willing obedience and, if he was going to be honest with himself, he enjoyed the physical manifestation of his control over them. He motioned for them to join him at the table and tried a bite of the food.

Eloriel poured wine for him and for her, but Aaja got water and a loving smile. Castor chuckled the emotions that played across Aaja's face.

"Tell me about your day," he said to them.
________________________________________

Aaja and Eloriel first looked at each other, as if silently agreeing to who could tell about what. They still verbally tripped over one another expressing their gratitude for such a kind and good teacher.

They recited grammar rules they had learned, and the parts of speech. Eloriel proudly recited the common alphabet and both showed through drawing with their fingers on the tabletop -how they had learned to forms for writing the letters and the beginnings of putting them together to make some simple words. Aaja explained how they were tested in their knowledge of mathematics and that Aaja knew almost as much as the teacher did wheras Eloriel was still learning but was eager to show that she now knew how to express the mathematics she understood but never knew how to explain.

"...and she read us some beautiful poetry. I am thinking about writing a few of my own with the help of a word-conversion book we are helping her create. A reference, so that we can check our spelling and look up the occasional forgotten common words as we endeavor to write and read, converting our own thoughts into your language." explained Aaja, eager to learn to write in this new language so that she could express her thoughts on paper.

"We also studied some maps. She wants to teach us the names and locations of the known capitol cities. In return, we will tell her about the lands we come from." said Eloriel. "I drew a map for her. We'll make it nicer tomorrow."

"...and we began showing her the plants in the garden, and explaining their uses and names to our people. She wrote everything down. Even some things I don't think are very important to know but she seemed quite interested in our culture. It pleased me that she valued our knowledge as much as we value hers." said Aaja, already after one proper day of tutoring, feeling more eloquent.

Both were very excited about learning, Aaja wanted to be as educated as the teacher, if not more, and Eloriel was eager to please Castor and Aaja by doing well in her lessons.
_____________________________________________

Castor... beamed. The two women were absolutely bubbling with enthusiasm and it filled his heart with joy, pushing out the bile that always settled there after a day of trying to inject some sense into the politics of the Council. He ate slowly and listened to their animated recitation of the events of the day and the plans they were making for the coming days. He was glad that he had remembered Mistress Gemina and very pleased that she seemed to be working out well.

He was finished eating long before either of them, more interested in talking, had made a significant dent in their food. "Enough," he finally laughed. "Eat your food. It will be cold soon if it isn't already. You can tell me more when you've finished."

The two women blushed and began to quickly eat.

"I'm very glad you are enjoying your learning. This will continue. I spoke with Mistress Fortunata about your pregnancy and there will be a few changes to our diet. More meat, more vegetables, more greens. Less grain. She says you may become very hungry for certain foods. If you do, tell me. Beginning tomorrow Maurice will be in charge of your exercise. Calisthenics and some wrestling. You may not enjoy the wrestling as much, but you will learn that. It strengthens the body, which is as important as strengthening the mind."

The pace of their eating slowed as they digested this information and they exchanged a look, but they didn't speak until they had finished all the food before them.

"Are we allowed to fight, Lord?" Eloriel asked.

Castor shrugged. "The laws are contradictory. Slaves may not be armed, but it happens all the time, not the least in the gladiatorial games. Maurice will not be teaching you to use weapons in any case. And whatever the law might say, I have decided that you will know at least a little about how to defend yourselves."

As the two women busied themselves removing the dishes Castor walked over to the window that overlooked the garden and sat on the broad window seat to sip at his wine and ponder. They came back shortly and knelt behind him.

"I walked with her beneath the moon,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
Through gently rolling waves of wheat,
See the blush upon my lovers rose."

"What was that, Lord?" Aaja asked.

Castor smiled at her over his shoulder. "A bit of a poem I recall. The poet Zaphas. She wrote very elogquently about her lovers. Her love, I suppose, since she seemed to love all women equally. My tutor despaired of teaching me about poetry and settled on this since he felt the subject matter would hold my interest. A very scandalous choice at the time; Zaphas is still considered risque. We have temples with life size illustrations of the gods sporting with women, but we still think of women pleasuring other women as taboo."

He laughed. "I think the priests simply fear women would end up prefering other women to men."
_________________________________________________

"I walked with her beneath the moon,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
Through gently rolling waves of wheat,
See the blush upon my lovers rose."

"What was that, Lord?" Aaja asked, intrigued by what she heard. It was the imagery that held her attention but the rhythm of the words that had first caught her ear...poetry, her newfound friend.

Quote:
Castor smiled at her over his shoulder. "A bit of a poem I recall. The poet Zaphas. She wrote very elogquently about her lovers. Her love, I suppose, since she seemed to love all women equally. My tutor despaired of teaching me about poetry and settled on this since he felt the subject matter would hold my interest. A very scandalous choice at the time; Zaphas is still considered risque. We have temples with life size illustrations of the gods sporting with women, but we still think of women pleasuring other women as taboo."

He laughed. "I think the priests simply fear women would end up prefering other women to men."


Aaja joined in his laughter. "I think you might be right. This Zaphas, she sounds like one of my kind. Are there books of her writings in the house I may read, Lord?" asked Aaja, leaning forward to brush a crumb from Castor's chin/beard very lovingly. "I want to practice reading all I can." she asserted.
_______________________________________________________

"If nothing else some of my notebooks will contain verses my tutor forced me to copy and study. I was far more interested in natural philosophy, wrestling, and girls. I was not a good student. You are welcome to read anything in my study, if your other tasks are complete."

He finished his cup of wine and stood up.

"Await me in the bed," he said and then walked out of the room and downstairs. He took a moment to return the cup to the kitchen and then went into the study looking for one of his studybooks. He found them clustered upon a shelf and selected one. He returned to the room and smiled at the sight of the two women laying on his bed.

They made room between them for him and he settled on the bed, carefully placing the oil lamp on the shelf at the head of the bed. As they arranged themselves comfortably he flipped through the book.

"Did you understand the reference to the rose?" he asked.

Aaja frowned but Eloriel laughed and reached across to stroke lightly between Aaja's legs. "Our most private places look like a flower, Lord," she said.

Aaja smiled, as did Castor. "Correct," he said.

"I walked with her beneath the moon,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
Through gently rolling waves of wheat,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
Every moment lush with promise.

We lay down upon fading warmth,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
With fires ablaze within our breasts,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
Every moment lush with promise.

My touch my lover did demand,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
At her altar did I worship,
See the blush upon my lovers rose.
Every moment lush with promise."

In the flickering light of the oil lamp Castor read them poetry.
_____________________________________

" 'gently rolling', 'fires ablaze'...movements, not unlike those of bodies enmeshed in sexual pleasures..." was Aaja's analysis of the word choice, "The way she describes these acts, using nature's movements to mimic those of a body in the heat of a lustful moment...she's saying that such desire is only human nature, as natural as a field of wheat or a flickering flame." she concluded, proud at her understanding at not just the words, but their symbology. She was beginning to truly love written words and their power in this culture. "Every moment lush with promise, lush, like a blooming garden, like a full grown field... she is speaking in code again, a little about a moment, a little about her lover and her relationship...perhaps even little about the place where her lover hides her...'rose'."

Eloriel looked confused at that last comparison but Aaja explained, "Human women are not like our kind, El, they have hair hiding their private-most places and in this description one can also see the poet is not just describing the moment's promise but the 'lush' growth of hair protecting her lover's netherplaces, the promise beneath, her 'rose', blushing pink and waiting for her touch. " Aaja laid her head on Castor's chest. "I am a fan of this poem." she said softly, wanting to turn the page and study another. But, Eloriel's yawn made her wonder if it was getting too late for more reading. Perhaps she'd have to wait until morning...a 'lush promise' in it's own right, something to look forward to for the following day.
____________________________________

Castor listened to Aajas analysis with interest. He had drawn many of the associations himself, but he had done so as a youth under the guidance of his tutor. Eloriel yawned and stretched her body out against him, soft and warm. Castor looked at Aaja and saw lust in her eyes. He chuckled, a rumbling sound deep in his chest. "One more," he whispered to her, "and then to sleep. The books aren't going anywhere."

She nodded eagerly and he flipped through the pages in search of another copied poem.

"Come back to me, Gongyla, here tonight,
You, my rose, with your golden lyre.
There hovers forever around you delight:
A beauty desired.

Even your garment plunders my eyes.
I am enchanted: I who once
Complained to the sun-born goddess,
Whom I now beseech

Never to let this lose me grace
But rather bring you back to me:
Amongst all mortal women the one
I most wish to see."

Castor flipped the book shut and placed it on the shelf behind him. He pulled down the lamp and Aaja blew out the flame. He smiled and put the lamp next to the book.

"My tutor said that we see the everyday in poetry, and should strive to see the poetry in the everyday. Then he moved on to teach me how to use meter in prose to make my oration more appealing to my listeners. I regret to say I was far more interested in persuading people to do what I wanted than I was in the artistry of poetry," he confessed.
_________________________________________

""Come back to me, Gongyla, here tonight,
You, my rose, with your golden lyre.
There hovers forever around you delight:
A beauty desired.

Even your garment plunders my eyes.
I am enchanted: I who once
Complained to the sun-born goddess,
Whom I now beseech

Never to let this lose me grace
But rather bring you back to me:
Amongst all mortal women the one
I most wish to see." '"

Aaja listened intently and then repeated the poem to herself as she lay in the darkness, the quick-witted young learner had something to hang onto with her intellect as she drifted off that night, reflecting on the words, turning them this way and that in her consciousness to admire them in different lights, to analyze...

She drifted off to sleep while analyzing softly,musing about the poetry dancing in her mind,seeing the maps and the artwork, working the mathematical equations, but her favorite the words as art, words to tell stories within simple turns of a phrase... neaurons firing and burning new pathways for her brain as she expanded her thoughts to consider meanings within meanings, words to be used as tools of expression, tools of persuasion, ways to paint pictures with no pigment, ways to climb a way up a ladder to understanding.

Never having had formal education, this was all very exciting to Aaja. She spoke of poems in her sleep, repeating newly learned, translating them into her people's tongue and back again. Analyzing and dissecting the new one as she treasured and memorized the first one. Aaja dreamt the whole night of words, new vocabulary and how to read, write and pronounce them, then how to turn them into magic...into poetry.
________________________________________

Castor woke in the middle of the night to find Aaja's hand wrapped around his member. He looked over at her and saw that she was sound asleep, the action was no more a precursor to sex than was the slightly snoring sound of her breathing. None the less, he was aroused. He rolled over onto his side and lightly ran his hand over her body, letting his fingers see her in the darkness. They lingered on her belly and he pondered the life growing within her and how it was likely to change their lives.

Then he smiled and traced the line of her hip and down her leg, then back up the inside. Her breathing changed, the snoring stopped, and something very like a sigh came out of her. The ball of his fingertips played lightly across her most intimate skin, following the line of her until warmth and moisture opened her. Her scent played across his nose in tantalizing wisps that fed his desire and the definite sound of pleasure that passed between her lips was more welcome than the finest music.

He sat up and rolled her over onto her belly pulling back on her hips to center them over her legs. She stirred then, waking from her slumber as he spread the lips of her sex and pressed against her with his cock. The head of him pushed along her warmth and slowly, so exquisitely slowly, spread the walls of her until he was buried inside her.
______________________________________

Aaja was dreaming of her lessons and the use of them. In her dreams she was writing beautiful prose and stories about her people and her experiences of this new culture and teaching the old folk songs of her lands to her children, Eloriel and Castor ever at her side, loving and nurturing, each in their own way. These dreams warmed her heart and she knew she could find happiness in such a life, and such a life was within her grasp which only added to her contented sighs. Her sighs soon turned to moans of ecstasy and she envisioned her lovers, Eloriel, dancing her seductive dance, Castor holding his strong manhood before her in a request to be pleasured...then an abrupt motion woke her, and she realized she was on her stomach, being mounted by Castor from behind. She sleepily accepted this reality too, she had just been dreaming of him and therefore her body was quite moist and ready for his entrance. She sighed as he slowly filled her, pushing forward with a slow thrust as filled with love as it was with wordless hunger and she shivered as her desire was met by his manhood spreading and filling her to his hilt, his balls tickling and taunting as they pressed against her mound. He then pulled almost all the way back, and then pushed forward again, slowly, ever so slowly, building his rhythm up, Aaja, although half dreaming enjoyed this very much and her soft noises let him know her awareness of him and how very much in agreement she was with this.
_________________________________________________

Castor knew that Aaja was awake now. She uttered no words, but still she spoke with sounds of pleasure that encouraged him. He slowly moved with her, pushing deeply on each slow stroke though his desire demanded speed. Castor's heart, however, demanded care and his ego insisted upon it, desiring her pleasure as much or more than his. His hands rested in the curve of her hips, a perfect fit it seemed to him, as was his cock within her.

"Gods above I desire you, my lovely lusty Aaja," he whispered.

Despite his intent to go slowly he felt the pace increase, his abdomen slapping forward against her ass and the fever in his loins rode him as surely as he rode her. With a groan of satisfaction, feeling almost as if she pulled him into her, he stiffened and shot into her in an orgasm that seemed to go on for much longer than usual.
___________________________________

"Gods above I desire you, my lovely lusty Aaja," he whispered and her response was a muffled "I love you, my Lord." before he pushed into her harder and faster, his cock soon twitching and shooting his seed deep and long, initiating her own trembling orgasm as a result of his extended one. Her body squeezed his manhood, over and over, milking him as he rested against her, both of them captive in their passionate moment. When it was finally over Aaja sighed and laid her cheek against the soft pillow, she looked behind her slightly, to see Castor's face gazing down at her and she smiled contentedly.
______________________________________________

Castor took deep breaths, calming his body but not, apparently, his cock, which remained stiff. He heard Aaja sigh and her head turned on the pillow to look back at him and he smiled warmly at her. He carefully lay down on his side, moving slowly so that they ended on their sides, spooning together with his member still buried inside her. He held her closely to him and nuzzled at the nape of her neck while his hands enjoyed the freedom of her body.

A faint snore as Eloriel stirred, tentatively searching for the human contact that had gone missing, made him chuckle.

"She'd sleep through a battle," he joked quietly.
________________________________________________

Aaja chuckled at that, noting Eloriel's peaceful state had barely changed since she and Castor had begun their love-making. His rod was still stiff within her and Aaja moaned softly as he moved to coninue their act in this new position.
_____________________________________________________

Castor's fingers traced across her belly and their joined sexes as he continued to kiss the back of her neck. Rapidly becoming slick with her honey and his seed, his fingers found the inflamed nub of her pearl and circled around it, indirectly applying stimulation to it. He smiled as her body stiffened and he sucked hard at her flesh, mentally smiling at the marks that would undoubtedly form by morning. She moaned again as his fingers continued to play upon her and he kissed her ear.

"Shall we wake Eloriel? I imagine you would enjoy the feel of her mouth here," he said, fingertip brushing across the top of her clitoris.
_______________________________________________________

Aaja gasped as he brushed against the sesitive pleasure pearl yet again and she nodded as he rocked against her, "Yes...ahhhh." she moaned as he teased her again with his finger and they both reached out to Eloriel, gently nudging her awake.

El, turned and looked up at the two of them, her face a sleepy question mark as it slowly became apparent to her what was being asked. She smiled and drew closer, kissing first Aaja and then Castor's mouth in silent agreement, her hand moving to the place in question, feeling the connection between the lovers and the swollen nub above the juncture point, begging for attention.

 

[Otto26]

Castor felt Eloriel's hand against his and he traced his hand up Aaja's body, abandoning her clitoris to Eloriel's attentions. He brought the fingers to Aaja's parted lips, tracing them across the thin gap while his lips continued to hungrily play at her neck.

His hips moved to slowly stroke her, to savor the feel of her hot flesh and the sounds their bodies made.

 

[slippedhalo]

Eloriel kissed her way down Aaja's body, soon, her mouth finding the pearl which she had previously been teasing with her fingers, she was nonplussed by Castor's manhood as it continued to stroke within her lover. Aaja found the same pearl on Eloriel and began to stroke her 'comapnion' as she felt her own massaged with Eloriel's tongue, and Castor continued his suction upon the flesh at the back of her neck, pumping slowly with his rod. So much sensation had Aaja in a blissful state and she moaned her happiness for both her lovers to hear.

 

[Otto26]

The scent of Eloriel and Aaja filled Castor's nose and he almost felt that he could taste them. But he could definitely taste Aaja's flesh and he could hear her, both her moans of pleasure and the sound of her mouth against Eloriel's wet flesh. Everything seemed crisp and though every one of his senses was being stimulated he felt as though he was being carried along by a current of joy that could last all night, he felt that he could last all night.

The thought amused a portion of his mind, but far more entertaining was the idea of Aaja's orgasm. He was suddenly consumed by the desire to hold her while she trembled uncontrollably and his hands sought out her breasts, gently playing with them, softly teasing the nipples.

 

[slippedhalo]

Mouth's upon nether mouths, manhood in her love-hole, and now warm hands pinching and kneading her breasts, finally all of these pleasures managed to drive Aaja over her edge. She trembled and shuddered in Castor's arms, her cries of passion reaching a heartbreakingly musical pitch as she felt herself releasing nectar in what she imagined to be bucketfulls, panting and writhing as she shook her orgasm down.

 

[Otto26]

'This,' Castor thought, 'is one of life's great treaures. There are very few things as fine as a woman's pleasure and the knowledge of your part in it.' He and Eloriel continued to play upon Aaja's body, drawing out her pleasure until she relaxed in his arms, limp and panting.

He felt Eloriel's mouth wandering slightly, occasionally licking the exposed portion of his shaft. A few moments later he felt her hands upon his testicles, softly juggling his balls. He groaned.

"Please, Lord," Eloriel whispered, "may I feel you inside me?"

Aaja's head turned towards him and he released her, reluctantly opening his arms so that she could wriggle away from him. He relaxed onto his back and felt Eloriel straddling him and then, with Aaja's assistance, sliding herself down on his shaft. She sighed appreciatively and arched her body as he ran his hands up it.

 

[slippedhalo]

Aaja helped Eloriel onto Castor's shaft and watched sleepily as they made love. She lay beside them, cuddled up to Castor, her head resting against his chest as she looked up at Eloriel, the beauty of her lovers in motion.

 

[Otto26]

Eloriel rode Castor energetically, her back arched and her fingers tracing down her torso to the juncture of her thighs. She touched herself softly, teasing herself as much for her pleasure as for Aaja and Castor's. Castor ran a hand up her body to her throat and held her gently as she began to move more quickly on him. She bent her head down and he caressed her cheek; she turned her face and drew his fingers into her mouth.

"Aaa.." Castor groaned as he felt a climax stirring inside him.

Eloriel smiled and reached a hand back to play with his testicles. Her other hand continued to play with her clitoris and she mewled in pleasure. The sound was enough to send Castor over the edge and his hips lifted up, trying to drive deep into Eloriel. She, however, was in pursuit of her own climax and continued to move up and down on him, fingers working furiously until she came a moment later, gasping for air and collapsing forward onto Castor.

He held her as they both basked in the residual pleasure of the moment.

"Thank you, Lord," Eloriel said softly. "I wanted that for two days. But I did not think I could ask and I did not want to take away from Aaja."

Castor kissed her. "You may always ask, Eloriel. I may not always say 'yes', but I will not be upset. Quite the opposite. No sane man objects when a woman says she desires his attention."

Eloriel snuggled her face into the side of his neck and kissed him. "Then I will ask, Lord. I enjoy that."

Aaja snuggled up on his other side, more than half asleep, but smiling. Castor wrapped an arm around her and kissed her hair. With Eloriel atop him, and still buried inside her, Castor relaxed into the moment and drifted off to sleep.

 

[slippedhalo]

A persistent knocking on the bedroom door awakened the trio early in the morning. It was just a little bit past sunrise, still a good couple of hours before their usual waking time. Eloriel rose first to answer the knocking, being on the side of the bed nearer to the door and one of the servants apologetically explained that a messenger had arrived from one of the towns his men and Shiro were investigating in and had some news for them. He waited in the courtyard while his horse was watered and fed some grain.

 

[Otto26]

When Castor heard the servant's explanation he felt certain he knew what the problem was: Ruique. He ordered the messenger taken to his study and then quickly dressed. He gave both of the women an absent-minded kiss and then strode out of the room and down to the study.

"My Lord Castor," the man greeted him with a bow.

"You are?" Castor asked.

"Inopan, Lord. Master Timasius engaged me to deliver a message to you and provide you with my knowledge of Ruique." He handed over a small scroll container.

Castor examined the seal and the position of the lid on the canister after he had removed the seal and then opened the container and read the contents of the scroll. He looked up from the scroll and fixed his eyes upon Inopan's. "How are matters in Ruique?"

"Bad, Lord," the man responded. "The slavers gather in large numbers and strike in all directions. They have denuded the countryside, for those they have not pressed into slavery have fled. Every tenant farm is abandoned and crops lay untended in the fields. In the town the slavers have subverted the watch and public officials. Bribery and intimidation are their weapons, and murder if intimidation fails. They divide the town amongst themselves and administer matters to their own liking. It's sword law, plainly put."

Castor nodded, simply to let the man know he had heard his words, but he was deeply in thought. "Can you write?"

"Yes, Lord."

"Write down the names of ten families. I want solid members of the community with a reputation for honesty." He pulled out a piece of parchment and a quill and ink. While the man wrote, Castor stepped into the cloister.

"Calodius!" he bellowed.

The young man came out of the foyer at the run and skidded to a stop in front of him.

"Lord?" he asked.

"A message to Lady Portia. Ask her to have her chief spy and a dozen subordinates ready to move North in an hour. Wait for a response and return."

"Yes, Lord," the young man replied.

"Maurice!"

"No need to shout, Lord," the man commented as he stepped out of the foyer.

"I want a messenger sent West. I need one hundred men ready to work farms in a dangerous area. Wives and children to follow in a month. They should bring spears and swords. Dangerous times."

"Yes, Lord," Maurice replied. "Will you want me to command or another?"

"Another, Maurice, I'll select a field first from those that come from the West. I need you here. Horatius is clever enough to stage a diversion to get me out of the capitol, but this has the feel of insubordination boiling over. Keep to the house and allow no one in or out. I should not be gone more than a week."

"Mistress Gemina, Lord?"

"Damn. I had forgotten. Allow her in when she arrives but sequester her here. On the plus side Aaja will be ecstatic to have a full time teacher," Castor said. "And perhaps it would be best if your wrestling instruction included some practical instruction on everyday weapons."

"Is that wise, Lord? Meaning no disrespect, but they are slaves," Maurice pointed out.

Castor shrugged. "They sleep unrestrained in my bed, Maurice. If they wanted me dead I'd be so by now."

Maurice nodded his assent and Castor clapped him on the back in silent thanks. Maurice had been a troublemaker in the army, a command problem for a very young officer. But they had each saved the other's life more than once and what the man lacked in Democritus' polish, he more than made up for in loyalty and bloody-minded perserverance. In any event, Castor had no one else he could trust in this role.

He walked through the house and into the stables where the horses were saddled and most of his clients were waiting. Calodius handed him a sword and belt and then held his horse as he mounted. The young man held a door to the stable open as they clattered out into the street and then closed and barred it. He looked over at Maurice who was already wearing a sword-belt.

"Likely nothing will happen, lad," the veteran said. "A week or so of boredom. But if something does happen, our job is to get the others out. The Lord would be vexed with us if we let his people die trying to defend a thing. So best you get a sword and wear it. And you can help me with teaching his Lordship's ladies."

"The slaves?"

Maurice put an arm around the younger man's shoulders. "Lad, when a man dotes on women the way his Lordship does, then those women are his ladies. Anything else don't matter. You think on that."

 

[slippedhalo]

Aaja and Eloriel were alarmed when Castor never returned. There was a big to-do in the courtyard and they watched out the window as he and several of his people left on horseback and the men who remained were arming themselves and talking quickly as if preparing for something bad.

The girls set about preparing themselves for the day and their chores with haste as they hoped to make it down to the study for their lessons early so that they could perhaps find out what was going on. Aaja hoped Shiro and her mother were ok, the thought had occurred to her that perhaps this apparent sense of danger might have somethign to do with something terrible having befell her family. She hoped she was simply overthinking the subject and was wrong on this point.

As they made their way down to the study they heard Mistress Gemina sounding annoyed, "What do you mean I can't leave?"

Maurice stood calmly and explained that it was Castor's orders for hers and the slave's protection that she not leave until his return or until further orders given. "My apologies, Madame, but it is a time of danger for a woman such as yourself out there." he said.

"....and of course keeping me here also helps you people rule me out as a possible spy or assassin, am I right?" she asked, knowing their true intentions behind holding her.

"Well, Madame, my apologies but can you blame us for wanting to cover every angle?"

"I suppose not, Maurice." she said, calming a little as she resigned herself to the fact that she would not be able to argue her way out of this. She instead wrapped her arms around each slave's shoulders and ushered them into the study with her to resume the lessons they had begun the previous day.

Maurice closed the door behind them but before doing so reminded the girls to meet him in the courtyard for wrestling and some armed combat training after mid-day meal.

"Armed?" asked al three ladies with surprise.

"Castor wants you ladies prepared for anything. Don't worry. I doubt you'll ever need such training."

Aaja and Eloriel simply shared a look as the door closed and Mistress Gemina began.

 

[Otto26]

Castor stood carefully on the floor of the council chamber. He was exhausted after ten days of constant campaigning with only sporadic sleep but his task was not complete until he finished this accounting. He had come straight here, not stopping to change his clothing or clean up or speak with anyone in Kulamparu.

"Lord Castor," the First Speaker intoned, "You are called upon to deliver a reckoning for your actions in and around the town of Ruique."

"My Lords. Ten days ago I received news of a disturbance in Ruique. A group of my men travelling North on business found civil unrest and alleged a breakdown of civil authority. They engaged a citizen of the town to return to me with this news. I immediately proceeded North to Ruique to investigate."

"When I arrived at Ruique I found conditions seemed to be as the messengers had described. I attempted to contact the civil authorities and found them largely confined to their homes or absent. I questioned several of them and offer their attested accounts into testimony."

He placed several scrolls in front of the speaker and then continued. "During this time I was attacked by bands of brigands on two occasions. I believe they were attempting to kill me and prevent the results of my investigation becoming known. I next interviewed several respected citizens to solicit their views of recent events. Those citizens are gathered outside this chamber and await the Council's pleasure."

"I concluded that civil authority had collapsed and acted in the interests of the Empire. I conscripted able-bodied men, ordered the civil authority dissolved, and imposed the direct rule of the Council. I sent a messenger to the Council detailing my actions and requesting the Council appoint a governor to assume control until an investigation could be held."

"To restore order in the town I drove the brigands out. The brigands had been engaging primarily in slaving and it was impossible to distinguish between brigands and honest slavers. All were instructed to leave the town and apply at the main gate for re-admission. They instead took up arms and began to erect barricades. With my conscripts I swept them out of the town. This caused significant damage to certain areas of the town."

"Once outside the town, the brigands and slavers assembled on a slave estate owned by Lord Horatius and managed by one Master Marsellius. They were ordered to surrender to the authority of the Council or depart the Empire. Instead, they gathered in more slavers from the surrounding area. Judging this to be a significant threat to the citizens of the Empire I took my force out at night and engaged the brigands. We seized the villa and held it while the brigands assaulted it. At mid-morning a second force of conscripts attacked the brigands from their rear. This broke the brigand force and they fled. We pursued and captured any that would surrender. The rest were killed or harried to the borders. The prisoners are being held in Ruique."

"Because of the damage caused when we drove the brigands from the town, and the extensive damage done to the villa I ordered the assets of the slavers and brigands seized and sold to raise funds for compensation. During this process it became clear that both the brigands and the slavers had engaged in unlawful slaving, depriving citizens of the Empire of their rightful freedom. Because of the difficulty of identifying rightful citizens, I ordered that all slaves in Ruique and in the vicinity be freed and ordered a complete census."

"The assests of the prisoners being insufficient to provide adequate compensation I ordered the prisoners to be sold as slaves. This money was distributed in partial compensation to the owners of damaged properties. The villa owned by Lord Horatius was largely destroyed. I felt somewhat responsible for this, so I have out of my personal funds compensated Lord Horatius for the entire value of the villa as declared in his most recent tax assessment."

"Evidence uncovered in this affair has been disturbing. In addition to illegal slaving within the Empire, the slavers were raiding across the borders. There are rumors that they have even dared to enslave members of the Eldar. These actions are perceived as being sanctioned by the Empire. The slavers themselves claim their actions were sanctioned and protected. There is some small, but insignificant, evidence that these claims may have some basis in fact and I believe the council should investigate this further."

Castor placed the remaining scrolls and bundles of parchment in front of the Speaker and bowed.

"Thank you for your testimony, Lord Castor. You will leave the chambers while your evidence is reviewed. We will call you when we require clarification of your testimony," the Speaker said.

Castor bowed again and walked out of the chamber. His travel-stained and weary retainers awaited him and they began the trudge towards home.

 

[slippedhalo]

It had been a lonely but busy pair of weeks for Aaja and Eloriel. Castor had not yet returned in twelve days. But, meanwhile, they had been busy with even longer days of tutoring, and more intense work-outs than ever, learning wrestling and physical combat, learning how to use a staff and a short sword as weaponry, even the beginnings of archery, and Mistress Gemina had been able to copy and refine everything the girls had to teach her about thier language and their skills in herbology and natural sciences. They were in the middle of one such exchange when a familiar whistle at the gates alerted them to the arrival of a large group. The looked up to see Shiro and the men Castor sent with him, leading their horses in to the stables.

Aaja ran to welcome her little brother with a huge exuberant hug, anxious to find out what they knew and to tell hhim about the new life growing in her womb. But, a melodic voice diverted her attention immediately and she looked up to see one of her previously missing cousins, Jessiwe helping Castor's men heft a stretcher from their travel vessel. Once it was lifted carefully down Aaja could see her unhealthy pallored mother lying upon the stretcher looking bone thin, old, weary...looking like a living corpse. Aaja's eyes filled instantly with tears as she let go of Shiro's hands and ran to see her mother. "Mama!" she whsipered over the women's clammy forehead, she looked through Aaja as if she was too delierious to see her. "Mama, it's alright. Everything will be alright."

"My daughters...they took our family, Shiro, go find your sisters..." mumbled Aaja's feverish mother as she stared into nothingness.

Aaja looked up into the face of Jessiwe, "My cousin, it's so good to see you. Are your sisters..."

Jessiwe put up a hand to stop Aaja's questioning. "I don't know anymore. We were separated ont he first day." she answered. "Shiro says your master is a kind one and will care for us. I am glad. Mine...nearly killed me." she said, turning to show Aaja the many scars on her back and limbs from many terribly brutal whippings, explaining how the wounds from the last one caused an infection in her blood and she was near death when Castor's men had found her but was now well enough to care for her dear aunt Ferey. Aaja wept for her cousins suffering and they wept together over the unspoken aggreement that Ferey looked as if she would not make it. Shiro remained somewhat hopeful so Aaja and Jessiwe both said nothing over their true feelings, only shared knowing glances between themselves and with Eloriel.

 

[Otto26]

When the door to the stables was opened, Castor limped inside leading his exhausted mount behind him. Calodius ran up to take the reins from him just as Castor noticed the extra horses in the building.

"The men have returned from the North, Lord," Calodius said.

Castor looked at him in weary interest.

"You had better hear the details from Remus, Lord. But they brought Aaja's mother and she looks bad," Calodius added.

"Where?" Castor rasped.

"In your room, Lord."

Castor handed the reins over and trudged through the house and up the stairs to the bedroom. Entering, he cast his eyes upon the scene before him. A pallet had been erected in the sitting space and a wan and feverish woman lay upon it. Aaja and another woman of her tribe knelt next to the bed, attending to the feverish woman. Shiro, Eloriel, and Maurice stood off to one side.

Castor walked over to the bed and knelt next to it. "Hello Mother," he greeted the woman. In her fever she looked right through him, speaking in her own language.

"Physician Ahkbar has been sent for, Lord. But it looks like a festering gut-wound..." Maurice trailed off.

Castor nodded quietly. He'd seen wounds like this before and even powerful healing magic was frequently unable to do anything. Not that they had access to powerful healing magic in any case. Like as not the only thing they could do would be to make her comfortable. Still, where there was life there was hope.

 

[slippedhalo]

In her sadness Aaja almost had not noticed the entrance to Castor until he was at her mother, Ferey's bedside. It touched her heart that he called her respectfully, 'Mother' and did not refer to her as 'old woman' like some of the other staff had been doing until Shiro forced them to learn her proper name.

Aaja looked up at Castor, her eyes red rimmed from much crying and whispered, "It is good that you are home, my lord."

She introduced her cousin Jessiwe, who bowed low and thanked Castor for being kind to Aaja and Shiro thusfar.

Aaja's mother then began to stir, another dillusion again, and the two young ladies bent over the delerious, sick woman to try to calm her. Each time she fought off her phantoms she did herself more physical harm and the bleeding would begin anew. Shiro broke down into weeping, unable to stand seeing his mother in so much pain. Castor's men tried to soothe the boy with pats and softly spoken kindnesses but the whole room knew Ferey was teetering on death's brink.

 

[Otto26]

Castor made polite sounds at Jessiwe while a corner of his mind wondered what in the hells they were going to do with her. And Aaja's brother for that matter, though there was certainly a place for a brave young man in Castor's house. He patted Ferey's hand once and stood.

"Physician Ahkbar?" he asked.

Maurice was already running out the door. Castor sighed wearily and put his hand on Aaja's shoulder. What could be done was being done. If the physician arrived in time he might at least ease Ferey's passing.

 

[slippedhalo]

Shiro finally dragged himself to his mother's side when she began to frantically call out his name. By some miracle she recognized his face in her rantings and grabbed onto it with both hands. "Shiro, my son!" she rasped.

"Yes, mama, it's me. I'm here." said Shiro through tears.

"Did you find them? Do you know what happened to them?" she asked.

Shiro shook his head, about to answer with the truth as he knew it but he looked up and met Aaja's gaze. Aaja shook her head to indicate he should not deal that blow. He lowered his gaze to the floor as he lied to his mother. "Yes, mama. I found all of them, working together in the same house. They are being paid well for their skills, and fed, and educated with real books, mama. The older ones, they are promised to well bred, kind men who will treat them well. I know I interviewed every one of them. They all promise to come back to our circle one day, with thier education and their new families and better our people. It will be alright, mama. They are all ok." he said, spinning a tale of fantasy that sent the dying woman's eyes aglaze as she imagined this wistful version of reality and accepted it as fact because her dear son told her no lies.

Aaja knealt before her mother, taking the opposite hand from the one Shiro held. "It's true, mama. Look..." she pointed to Castor with a look to indicate he play along with their version of 'truth' to appease the woman on the pallet. "That is my husband, Lord Castor. I am married, I live in this fine home and I am having his child, your grandchild. Your spirit and teachings will go on because I will teach this child everything you have taught me. Mama, you don't have to worry about us. You can let go and join the ancestors if they are calling to you."

"You hear them too? They call my name, so loud...It's tempting to go...but my girls..." said the woman's faint voice.

Her daughter held back her own tears as she smoothed back the greying blonde hair from her mother's forehead. "If you hear them calling you...you should go to them, mama. Let them take you home again. You don't have to live with this pain any longer. "

"As long as I know my girls are safe..." Ferey trailed off as if listening to something else none of them near her could hear.

"We are." lied Aaja, she wouldn't dare tell her mother the fate of her cousin or perhaps her own sisters. "We are all well, together and safe, mama. You did a fine job raising us and a wonderful job in sending Shiro to find us. We love you so much."

"I love you too, Aaja. Are your sisters here too? I can't see them."

"They're here, in the shadows. Can't you see them? It frightens them to see you so pained." lied Aaja.

"I love all of my children, and my beautiful nieces. I held on so I could know what happened to all of you. I felt I was already dead while I waited for news...but now I feel so tired. So tired, Aaja..."

"You should sleep." said Shiro, finally having voice enough through his tears to help Aaja with the illusion again.

The woman nodded, "I should?"

"You did what you sought to do. Now, you can rest." said Aaja, almost calmly.
The two of them settled a soft blanket up around their mother's chin, tucking her under it like a small child at bedtime.

Ferey smiled, squeezing Shiro and Aaja's hands before letting her hands rest on the soft blanket upon her chest. "I hear my mother calling me, and your father, Aaja. I think I will sleep and say hello to them." she said with a faint yawn, closing her eyes...within minutes her breathing became uneaven in her slumber and turned into a rattling in her chest that startled the room before the rise and fall of her chest was still.

The only sound that could be heard in the room was the weeping of Shiro, Aaja, and their cousin, Jessiwe. Ferey was dead and had followed the calls of her ancestors, leaving her worldy worries behind her.

 

[Otto26]

Castor watched, feeling helpless, as Shiro and Aaja spoke with their mother. He couldn't understand a word they were saying, but he stood there with his hand on Aaja's shoulder in an attempt to offer what support he could. When Aaja pointed at him he smiled at Ferey even though he doubted she saw him.

And then it was over and Aaja, Shiro, and Jessiwe were weeping over the corpse. Castor beckoned for Eloriel to approach him. "See that Aaja gets whatever she needs. You speak with my voice on this. I have to go talk to someone right now. When I return I'll need to know how Aaja wishes to mourn her mother and honor the body."

"Yes, Lord," Eloriel replied.

Castor left the room, walking slowly down the stairs and through the cloister to the foyer. Physician Ahkbar was entering from the street, but stopped and turned around when Castor shook his head. Remus, as travel-stained and weary looking as Castor, trotted over when Castor gestured.

"Tell me," Castor said.

"After Ruique we went North again, Lord. Timasius had us sweeping. A pair of men riding to the towns and villages to either side of our route and then re-joining the group on the route. We found Jessiwe outside a villa along the way and bought her. Didn't really think she'd live, but she hung on and started getting better when we fed her proper and cleaned her up. She was a real help when we got there too. Speaks more proper language than Shiro."

"When Timasius figured we were about center of the lands Aaja's people in we set up a palisade and lit a smoky fire. That brought them round. They were curious. Shiro talked to them some, and so did Jessiwe. Pretty soon we found out where Aaja's mother was and Timasius sent us to get her and take her home. He sent some samples back with us too, Lord."

Castor waved his hand, indicating the samples were currently of no interest to him.

"Came back a different route, Lord. Avoided Ruique altogether. And a good thing that was, too. You had the lands around Ruique in a boil. We treated her best we could, Lord. I've seen gut wounds like that before and we did what we could. No one ought to suffer that way."

Castor nodded in agreement. "You did well, Remus. Thank you."

The man walked off, to be replaced by a woman. It took Castor a moment to place her in context.

"Mistress Gemina. I apologize for the inconvenience I have caused you. I assure you that I will not forget this."

She nodded. "You have a reputation for remembering your friends. I'll take my payment in books."

Castor chuckled. "Done."

"Then I'll go home, Lord. My condolences."

"Thank you." Castor turned and walked back up to the bedroom.