The Oathbreaker's Debt

[monique_minx]

((OOC - Closed for Minx & Rocket1010, a continuation of Varangian Slavegirl with much respect for the groundwork laid by Rom))


It took Kaija several moments to recognize she was being lowered to the ground, she’d been strung up for hours at this point and barely had sensation remaining in her limbs. She’d slumped into a kind of exhaustion to reserve her strength for enduring this barbaric punishment. Her feet touching the ground almost made her sigh with relief but it was short lived as her head was pulled back sharply with a tug of her hair.

Her eyes were wide open now and watching Sigurd carefully. In her periphery, she could see a soldier holding the device she’d refused to open her mouth for earlier. Kaija knew Sigurd was intending to force it upon her now. The hall was somewhat emptier with men having disappeared in drunken stupors or taken slaves to their beds for the evening but there was still a good deal of slaves and soldiers crowding the hall, most were watching with anticipation.

Kaija watched Sigurd take the knife from the fire and she held her breath as he approached her, her eyes glued hypnotically to that glowing knife. Her head was pulled back even further and she lost sight of the knife and Sigurd as he moved in towards her, she trembled despite herself. Not being able to see what was about to happen was even more terrifying than watching.

Kaija felt the pressure first, the knife pressed against her right breast and felt oddly cold. The sensation changed in milliseconds, it went from cold to tingling to searing in only seconds so there was a delayed reaction before Kaija’s head shook uncontrollably, her limbs writhed in their bonds and tears spilled from her eyes before she just couldn’t hold back the screams of pain as it finally hit her like a crashing wave.

Her mouth opened wide, an ear-splitting scream of agony erupted from her lips and echoed throughout the palace halls. The soldier didn’t hesitate, he stuffed the ring straight into her mouth and ensured it was held open as wide as it could be before securing the strap behind Kaija’s head. Kaija paid no attention to this, it didn’t prevent her from screaming and it was suddenly the very least of her problems. Anyone in the hall who wasn’t watching at that point or had slumped to sleep had awoken now and were watching. Unknown to Kaija, several people even re-entered the hall or came in out of sheer curiosity as to whom had caused the loud scream.

 

[Rocket1010]

Sigurd laughed loudly and then sneered at Kaija as the smell of burning flesh wafted in the air. It was the same smell he had endured during battles and the scent tickled his nose. He watched with amusement when Kaija's eyes opened wide and were as large as saucers. Her screams around the circular metal ring permeated the palace hall, alerting others to look and see what was happening. Sigurd smiled at Kaija, knowing there was no way the insolent slave could say anything about was about to happen.

He looked out into the hall, seeing a gathering of soldiers and slaves looking in his direction. It didn't take long for a group of soldiers and slaves to begin gathering around him. Everyone knew Sigurd was not a man to be opposed and now they wondered what punishment he had in store for the new slave.

Rumors easily flew around the palace hall about the new slave sent to them by Aelfric. Whispers among the slaves, who were in constant fear of their own safety, passed between them that she was, at one time a favorite of Doux Aelfric. If that was true, with her beauty, she must have done something that really disappointed her master Doux Aelfric.

Sigurd loved a crowd when he was about to torment a prisoner. Looking around he smiled at his fellow soldiers and the barracks slaves. Turning his attention to Kaija. "So, I'm the son of a goddam viper and can never have you willing?"

He slapped her across the cheek. "You don't have a choice to give yourself willingly because I will take what I want and when that contraption is stripped off your hips, I will have all your whore holes. But for now I'll enjoy the hole you have."

Sigurd looked at one of the soldiers behind Kaija. "Get me a long piece of wood from the fireplace and be quick about it." As the soldier scampered to the large stone fireplace, Sigurd told her. "You are nothing but a barracks whore and as Aelfric has ordered you are to be used as such."

The soldier returned with a long narrow tree limb and showed Sigurd for his approval. Sigurd held the limb in front of Kaija, running his hand over the rough bark and the stubs sticking out from other tree limbs had once been. "Yes that will do quite nicely," Sigurd laughed. "Since all of us ..... waving to the crowd that now had gathered ..... are only allowed to use your mouth you will only use your mouth and not any part of your hands. Pull her arms back."

Two strong soldiers grabbed an arm and pulled them behind her until the chains holding her arms could go no further. Sigurd slid the rough bark covered limb between her arms making sure the stubs from other limbs that were cut off pressed into her back.

Facing her, he grabbed his semi-hard cock, rubbing the tip against her lips. "This son of a viper is going to fuck your insolent mouth before I turn my soldiers loose on you." Sigurd pressed his thick cock into the ring noticing its girt filled the entire ring. Grabbing the short hair on her head, his hips moved forward until he felt the tip of his cock at back of her throat. Holding it inside her mouth, he felt her head start to try and get away but he held her head tightly before he pulled back, hearing her cough. "We've just started barracks whore," he snorted shoving his cock deep into her mouth again and letting out a sinister laugh and hearing the crowd cheer.

 

[monique_minx]

She was still sobbing as her screaming subsided, her breast felt like it was on fire and she took deep, heaving breaths where she stood restrained. Her head was finally released, she was shaking in her bonds as her nerve endings were on high alert.

"So, I'm the son of a goddam viper and can never have you willing?"

Sigurd's hand flashed before Kaija realised what was happening and she cried out, her head snapped sideways as his palm neatly connected with her cheek. A little spittle flew from her open mouth and her cheek reddened instantly, it reflected the strength of his arm and the impact she took. She whimpered and looked back at him, all the defiance her face previously held had vanished. Now she just look terrified and vulnerable.

She couldn't respond because of the stiff iron ring but she wasn't sure she would have if she could. Her mouth had a way of running away with itself and getting her in trouble. She didn't know what the tree limb was for but Kaija had a feeling she wasn't going to like any part of it. He told her he was taking her hands away - what did that mean? She couldn't help but squeak in desperation as her arms were pulled back painfully and the tree limb was placed against the small of her back. The chains were wound around it to connect her wrists to it, it was effectively a makeshift stock.

The soldiers seemed to leave her side then, she knelt on the unforgiving stone floor at Sigurd's mercy. And the mercy of that third limb he called a cock. She could only swallow small amounts with her mouth held forcibly open so quite a lot of saliva pooled in the centre of her tongue. He rubbed his cock against her lips and she endured it, she knew full well that Sigurd would only punish her harder if she pulled away and she couldn't stand the idea of anymore pain. It was humiliating but that was entirely intentional on Sigurd's part so she'd know her place.

He slid his cock into the ring and it barely fit through but her mouth felt as full as it had ever been in her life! He was bigger than Aelfric. He took a handful of her hair, further restricting her movements, and she let a whimper escape to plead with him which he ignored completely. As soon as he speared his cock forward and into her throat, she protested instantly and gagged, she tried to pull back to breathe as she choked on him. When he finally did pull back, an awful cough ripped from her and she spluttered. Strings of saliva hung from her mouth, some still connected to his cock.

"We've just started barracks whore."

She wanted to beg him but the thought vanished as his cock sunk into her throat again. His laughter didn't even matter, she felt her lungs constrict as he cut her oxygen supply again and her throat convulsed around his shaft as it tried to repel the intruder. The pain of the stubby tree limb and her breast were all eclipsed by the energy it was taking to just survive the onslaught. Kaija regretted not opening her mouth when he'd told her to the first time, she berated herself for such a risky, stupid move and she felt a good amount of pity for herself. Something Kaija hadn't really experienced much in her life until she came into Aelfric's possession.

Kaija tried to pull against Sigurd's hold at first as he choked her and then she merely tried to angle herself to stop gagging on him constantly. She wasn't successful. Her eyes were streaming tears and red rimmed, her body physically responded of its own accord. Thick globs of saliva started coating his member, drawn deep from the back of her throat. Occasionally she squeaked or whined around his cock, trying to communicate her desperation and displeasure. She also felt a little lightheaded but as it went on, it also felt easier to take somehow. That part she didn't understand at all.

 

[Rocket1010]

Sigurd watched Kaija try to pull away from his cock, buried deep in her mouth. But there was no where for her to go. She was kneeling on the cold stone floor and her hands were useless to try and push him away. It was as if she was a rigid living figurine, a statuette for his personal use.

He thrust his cock into her mouth until it was lodged in her throat, watching her gag and trying to draw in precious air. When he felt she had enough, he jerked her head backward just far enough for her to get air. As she gasped and sputtered he saw his cock coated with her saliva and some of his precum. It dripped down her chin and onto her heaving breasts and he looked into her tear-stained eyes. But there was no pity in his eyes as he simply smiled and forced his cock back into her throat.

Thrust after thrust brought the same results .... gagging and sputtering for air to fill her lungs. On one retreat, he left his cock lingering on her lips as he called out for some wine. A slave was quick to give him a horn and he took a mighty drink before looking down at Kaija. "Maybe a bit of wine to clense the back of your throat slave."

Sigurd didn't wait for an answer, tipping the horn and pouring a generous amount of wine into Kaija's mouth. He heard a smattering of laughter from the soldiers ringing them as she sputtered and tried to spit out the wine. "Or maybe a little wine to soothe your breast," he howled pouring a bit of the wine onto the burnt flesh on her breast and seeing her body jerk from the pain.

She was a mess, wine and saliva dripping from her mouth onto her chin. Some of the mixture dripped onto her breasts while some dripped onto the floor. Sigurd grabbed her head, placing his cock on her lips once more. "You'll have to clean up your mess when we're done with you," he chuckled pushing his cock deep into her mouth. As he continued to torment Kaija's mouth, Sigurd heard a scuffle break out near him.

"It's my turn next," one stout soldier exclaimed.

"No .... it's my turn next," another soldier said pushing the first soldier.

Sigurd stopped, his cock firmly lodged in Kaija's throat. He pointed to the group of six men nearest to him. "Get the dice. Tonight you six will be the lucky ones." One soldier scrambled like a deer to find some dice. He face showed expectation that he was going to be lucky tonight.

The first three soldiers threw the single die and their throws resulted in a 4, 6, and 2. The fourth soldier threw a 1 and shouted out gleefully. "Yesssssss." He was tall and lean with muscles bulging from every part of his body.

Sigurd smiled seeing the soldier who had thrown a 1 was well-endowed. His cock was not as large as his own but it was impressive. Enough so, that some of the slaves gathered close to him reached out, pawing at his semi-rigid cock and telling him they would get him hard. One slave took the initiative, sliding to her knees, grabbing his cock and began to suck it deep into her mouth.

Sigurd turned his attention back to Kajia seeing the panic in her eyes as his cock shut off her airway. He pulled back, seeing Kaija struggle to get a breath. "It's time for a change," he growled, shoving his cock back into her mouth. Holding her short hair, his hips began to rapidly rock back and forth. His orgasm was gaining momentum and after 15 hard thrusts, he held his cock deep in her mouth feeling his cock explode in her mouth. He felt her try to pull her head away from the large amount of his semen in her mouth. But his strong fingers held her in place until he emptied his load into her mouth.

Finishing, he pulled out seeing her gasp and try to spit out what offering did not go down her throat. He moved backward and sat in his chair, acting like royalty as two young slaves kneeled between his massive thighs, taking turns cleaning his cock. Looking at the crowd, he saw movement on the far side of the hall behind Kaija. The figure has caught the attention of some of the soldiers and slaves and there is a familiar figure that commands attention.

Aelfric has entered the barracks hall and is watching the first young soldier begin to fuck Kaija's mouth. Alisa and Freja are hanging on either arm and watching Kaija. Freja knows what it means to be a barracks slave and sympathized with her knowing she was never treated in this manner.

 

[monique_minx]

Kaija was granted a short reprieve when Sigurd called for wine, his cock still lingered at the entrance to her mouth but didn't block her airway and she held as still as she possibly could. But then he offered her the wine...or rather forced it on her. Kaija practically drowned in it, she'd have welcomed the taste and the quench to her thirst ordinarily but she couldn't gulp it back at the rate Sigurd could pour it down her throat so she choked on much of it and the rejected portion sloshed down her chin and dripped down her front.

"Or maybe a little wine to soothe your breast."

She didn't have a chance to react, she hissed and her eyes leaked tears as she shook in her bonds. It stung like a hundred hornets! Kaija trembled for minutes after Sigurd had finished pouring wine on her open wound, she felt a strong wave of nausea threaten her as well. She barely heard his comment when he gripped her head and lined his cock up to shove it deep inside her throat again. He became distracted by the soldiers' argument though and remained lodged there for a good long while. As the seconds ticked by, Kaija began to panic because she could feel the edges of her vision becoming fuzzy and blackening while bright white spots overtook the centre where she stared at Sigurd's pelvis. She was very close to passing out from the lack of oxygen.

When he finally pulled back, her gasp was audible, loud even. She heaved in a desperate amount of air and then it was cut off again as he said...something, she wasn't even sure what was happening anymore. All that seemed to matter was the moments to get oxygen at that point. Besides, he had started to roughly fuck her face without consideration and it was all Kaija could do to just endure it. She felt that familiar shudder through his body right as he came down her throat, she could only swallow tiny amounts and it seemed as though she was drowning in it.

Her throat rejected a fair amount but at least 2/3rds easily made its way to her stomach, the rest poured off her chin and joined the fluids coating her chest and made a trail down her torso. It didn't seem to bother Sigurd that she couldn't swallow it all though.

She hoped for a reprieve that never came, as soon as Sigurd moved away, another soldier took his place. Kaija didn't know this one and gurgled a groan as he entered her throat with his cock next. She couldn't see Aelfric or his entourage from where she knelt and she was otherwise occupied anyway but several of the soldiers stood stiffer and started acting right as they became aware of his presence. Kaija might have noticed the whispers and nudges were it not for the cock being shoved in and out of her throat.

 

[Rocket1010]

Sigurd looked at his commander for only a second, seeing him wave his arm at the soldiers who snapped to attention. He knows Aelfric has no intention of stopping the men from having their fun with the barracks slaves. He sees Aelfric's eyes open wider when the looked at Kaija, seeing her hair had been cut and she has a burnt mark on her breasts. But he can't tell from his expression what is going through Aelfric's mind.

Turning his attention back to Kaija, Sigurd knows Aelfric will question him about the burn mark on Kaija's breast. But he also remembers Earl Aelfric saying that as long as no important bits are cut off her, she was to be used and treated like any other barracks slut. He didn't cut any part of her and used the knife to cut her hair and to make his mark on her breast. He also knew that with proper treatment, there should be no lasting effect or scaring. He was sure Aelfric would see to it Kaija got proper attention. Wasn't she only be disciplined for her disobedience and would be returning to his bed chamber at some point? Sigurd pushed any further thought about Aelfric to the back of his mind. Now he was more interested in watching his soldiers fuck Kaija's mouth.

Sigurd wore an amused facial expression while he sipped his wine from the horn, watching the first soldier begin to fuck Kaija's mouth. The soldier held Kaija's head as hips thrust his cock deep into her mouth. He knew his soldiers didn't have a monster cock like his but that didn't matter. What mattered was using Kaija's mouth and it was something she would have to get used to as long as she was a barracks slave.

Sigured smiled down at the two slaves who had finished cleaning his cock of his cum and Kaija's saliva. They both looked up at him with hope in their eyes that they would be selected to stay with him. But he simply waved his hand and like scared children being admonished by their parent, they disappeared into the crowd surrounding Kaija.

Once the two slaves disappeared in the crowd, Sigurd looked at the nearby slaves, chuckling when he saw the hope in their eyes that he would pick them. One particular blonde, who had pleasured him in the past caught his eye and he motioned her to come to him. That was all the invitation she needed, smiling and giggling at the other slaves as she slid between his open thighs. Sigurd heard her gutteral moan as she took hold of his now limp cock.

Even limp, his cock was something to behold, large mushroom head, thick girth, veins popping out of the skin, and it's imposing length. The blonde slave began to lavish kisses on the large mushroom head, her tongue swirling around it before she opened her lips to suck on it. And while the slave began to make love to his massive cock, Sigurd kept his eyes trained on Kaija as did the crowd. The slave was very good at her art and soon had his massive cock hard and standing at attention. When he pulled her to her feet, turned her around, he groaned, never taking his eyes off Kaija as the blonde slave sank down on his cock.

The crowd of soldiers and slaves seemed highly interested in watching the excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures of the soldiers lucky enough to have their cocks fucking Kaija's mouth. They cheered when the first man's cock sliced into her throat and they heard her gurgling. They chanted .... "give her more .... give her more ...." the sound rising higher and filling the hall. The soldier responded to the encouragement, his hips picking up speed, fucking her faster and harder until his body froze and his hips jerked with each shot of cum into her mouth. The crowd cheered seeing his cum become frothy white oozing from her mouth, mixing with her saliva and sliding down her chin and dripping onto her breasts.

The next five men follow a similar routine, holding her head as if she were a statue and ramming their cocks into her mouth with no regard whether she liked it or not. She was in no position to resist them, not with her arms pinned behind her and her mouth held open wide with the circular iron ring. To them she was just an object to satisfy the lust in their loins. And as if to play to the crowd, each soldier's grunts and groans grew louder and more intense from the encouragement of the crowd.

Aelfric, Freja, and Alisa watch from the other side of the hall as each soldier, one by one, fuck Kaija's mouth. Some of the soldiers, not so fortunate, take their slave partner from behind as they too watch Kaija being used by the soldiers.

Freja knows what it's like to have the soldiers pawing her body and using her in many different ways. Alisa, while not knowing how it feels to be treated in such manner, remembers Kaija as the woman she befriended in the baths. helping her get cleaned and combing her hair after her time in the awful dungeon.

After the sixth soldier finishes cumming in Kaija's mouth, Sigurd pushes the blonde slave off his shaft and stands. "Remove the wood and release her arms and take the ring out of her mouth." Two soldiers pull the rough limb from behind her arms, not caring that the rough bark and small nubs scratch and cut into her back while another soldier releases the tie behind her head and pull the iron ring from her mouth.

Sigurd holds his cock and waves it near her mouth. "Use your hands and mouth to pleasure me. If you don't want to show everyone how good you can suck my cock, I can have the iron ring put back in and let more of my soldiers have their fun." He rubs the tip of his massive head against her lips. "What is your decision barracks slave?"

 

[monique_minx]

Kaija felt like an empty vessel for each warrior's use and there were many, she'd barely choke down another glut of cum and another would take his place. Her mouth wasn't empty for over two hours and her jaw ached where the ring held it open forcibly. Her back hurt as the wood pressed into her none too kindly, her breast throbbed to remind her of its trauma and her scalp was searing to the point she wondered if she even had a full head of hair anymore.

Hell. This was hell.

She was pitiful in her attempts to plead between cocks and she was ignored regardless, her words garbled completely. Her face was red with the effort it took to breathe and her eyes constantly streamed in reaction to the abuse.

When the last soldier was finally done, he wiped his cock off in her hair and Kaija swayed where she knelt. She was suddenly not being gripped by her jaw, her head or her hair and she had to find her centre of balance again. She vaguely heard Sigurd's command but didn't know it had anything to do with her until she was being released from her bonds. Her shoulders ached after being held back for so long and she gently worked her stiff jaw just to make sure she still could.

It was his boots she saw first, she thought she'd recognise his boots until the day she died. Then she lifted her eyes slowly to level with his cock, she was a sticky, sore mess where she knelt before him. Then he spoke and gave her the terms of the release of her bindings and the awful gag. Kaija's eyes half closed as if he had slapped her across the face.

She swallowed and said hoarsely, "I'll...suck...you."

It was hard to surrender verbally but it was unimaginable to her that she'd continue being some kind of bound up hole for their use. She lifted one hand and cupped his sack gently while her shoulder pulsed in protest and then she encircled the base of his shaft with her other hand. She began moving that hand up and down while the other squeezed his sack and released it in rhythm with her other hand. Kaija licked her chapped lips and took the thick head of him into her mouth despite the ache in her jaw and began to suck him with an energy and fervor she really shouldn't have had at that stage. But such was her fear of being tied up again and forced to, that she dug deep to find it.

She bobbed heartily up and down and didn't let her hands stop their movements either, though the pain coursing through her body made her fight hard to keep going. Her eyes flicked up to his face, trying to gauge whether she was pleasing him or not.

 

[Rocket1010]

Sigurd saw how Kaija took a moment to comprehend his directive and smiled, seeing her swallow as she announced in a hoarse tone, "I'll...suck...you."

He noticed the large amount of cum coating her mouth, chin, and breasts that had dribbled from her mouth from his soldiers. But the mess she had on her skin didn't bother him as he swiped his cock on her lips. "That's a very smart decision," he murmured feeling her hand cup his ball sac. When her other hand, circled the base of his cock, Sigurd couldn't contain making a snide remark. "You could have saved yourself a lot of pain and agony if you'd done this when I first demanded it of you."

There was a murmuring amongest the crowd that she should have just given in and now the crowd of soldiers and slaves watched Kaija intently sucumb to Sigurd's demand. Some of the soldiers had hoped she would resist so they would have a chance to sink their cocks into her mouth. To others, Kaija looked like a beaten animal who had been punished to the point of surrender and they wanted to see what Sigurd was going to do with her. But he made no move to grab her head as the crowd watched her caressing his massive tool, stroking and squeezing it before she licked her lips, taking the thick cock head into her mouth.

As she began to suck him, taking more of his cock deeper into her mouth, some of the soldiers became bored. They grabbed the nearest slave and moved off to another part of the hall to have their own bit of fun. But some stayed, watching Kaija suck and stroke his cock. There was one person in the crowd who paid special attention to Kaija ...... Aelfric.

He along with Alisa and Freja moved closer, standing such that Kaija could see them as she pleasured Sigurd. Aelfric made no attempt to disrupt the pleasure his top soldier was experiencing. He remembered how inexperienced she was when she had sucked his cock under the guidance of Alisa. Now, Aelfric showed no emotion, thinking she brought this on herself for not cleaning his cock after she sucked his cock and left it sloppy causing him to have Freja finish cleaning his cock. He made sure she could see him smiling when she started to bob her head on his cock while her hands continued to stroke Sigurd's rigid shaft.

Aelfric saw her eyes cast upward to Sigurd's face and so did his. Sigurd put his hands on her head, not directing her but simply resting his large palms in case things might go awry. "You're doing very good slave," he said in his low tone indicating that soon his cock would be erupting. "Keep it up and you just might get to rest," he chuckled and then let out a soft moan.

"Master how long must she endure this," Alisa asked in a rather timid voice, afraid for a moment that by asking, she might be put in Kaija's place.
"Until she learns to be a proper slave," he replied without looking at Alisa never lettting his eyes stray from what Kaija was doing.

There was a disturbance on one of the tables drawing Aelfric's attention. On the table was a slave dancing for the men around her. Her hips rotated secuctively while grinding as if inviting one to the soldiers to join her. At the same time she shook her breasts at the men and her arms moved like serpents, inticing the men with thoughts of joy and pleasure. But what caught Aelfric's eyes was the fact she was staring at him as if she were dancing for his pleasure. "Who is she," he asked to no one in particular.

Freja squeezed Aelfric's arm. "Her name is Chehra and she has been a barrick's slave for about two years. When ...... (Freja swallows remembering her time in the barracks) ..... when I was here ..... she helped me."

"Bring her to me."

"Yes master." Freja hurried to the woman who was now being pawed by three soldiers. When one of the soldiers grabbed Freja, she pulled away and motioned to the commander. The soldier immediately turned his head as if to hide.

"Deux Aelfric wants a word with you."

Chehra, naked and afraid of what might happen, walked behind Freja trying desperately to cover her nakedness. When they got to Aelfric, she tried her best to cover her breasts and pussy. She thought she might be in trouble for helping Kaija when she was first sent to the barracks.

"I understand you were a help to Freja when she was in the barracks."

"Ye...... yes," She trembled a little wondering what he could possibly want with her.

"Kaija will need medical attention. You will tend to her burn mark and other wounds she may have suffered at the hand of Sigurd." His eyes narrowed, looking at Sigurd who was now moaning louder as Kaija stroked and sucked him harder. Even though he didn't interfere with Sigurd's treatment of Kaija, she was still his property and only he has the right to mark her as his own.

Turning his attention back to Chehra, he added a very direct warning which could not be misconstrewed as anything but. "You will teach Kaija the ways of barracks pleasure without the use of her cunny and you will teach her how to dance for me. Kaija will remain a barracks slave doing all the duties of a slave. My orders are for Kaija to learn her lesson on obedience and learn to dance before she can return. Teach her well and you may be rewarded." Aelfric then turned his attention the Sigurd and Kaija, watching Sigurd and hearing his soft moans grow louder as Kaija sucked and stroked his cock.

Sigurd felt the overwhelming urge to cum as his cock began to throb. And when he felt her teeth scrap along the veiny skin, his toes curled and he grab Kaija's hair. He tried to hold his hips still but instinct took over and he thrust forward, shoving his cock into her throat as his cock exploded. Pulling back, he grabbed his cock, pulling from her mouth, stroking it himself, watching more of his cum splatter onto her lips and chin.

Sitting back in his chair, he grabbed a horn filled with wine and gave Kaija a sinisterly look. "You satisfied me for now and I'd have you come and clean my cock. But you're covered with my soldiers cum and you're so filthy. I'll pospone your duties until the next time." He gestured to a slave standing nearby and she quickly moved between his thighs to begin cleaning his cock. Sigurd smiled and looked at Kaija, chuckling. "I promise you slave there will be a next time and I when I do, I suggest you act like a proper barrack's slave."

Sigurd looked at Aelfric, sensing his commander would have a talk with him. When the slave finished licking him clean, he stood and patted Kaija on her head like one would pat a pet. "Stay where you are slave until you're given permission to move." He rose from the chair and walked toward Aelfric certain his commander would want to have some words with him.

 

[monique_minx]

Kaija choked down Sigurd's cock repeatedly, finding it easier to relax her throat and take him down when she was able to angle herself. Still, her gag reflex reacted of its own accord and attempted to expel him on occasion but she forced herself to remain down on him, convulsing around his shaft. Her eyes shifted from his face after he praised her efforts, she felt able to relax a little knowing he was pleased and wasn't about to restrain or hurt her again. And then she saw Aelfric.

Her throat immediately closed around Sigurd's cock and she spluttered but continued to bob without taking her eyes off Aelfric. She was desperate to plead with him for forgiveness but she knew he was keen to see her suffer, see that she'd learned her lesson. With all her might she tried to convey that she had with just her eyes.

Then he turned away from her to speak to Chehra and Kaija felt her heart get a little heavier. Sigurd's hand then gripped her hair tightly and she cried out around his cock, protesting the burning pain in her scalp. His hips tilted and Kaija prepared herself for the onslaught just before he came down her throat. Kaija was able to swallow a little faster this time but then Sigurd didn't finish completely, he pulled out and she felt the splatter hit her lips and chin. She held still. She took it. She had to.

When Sigurd finally released her completely and moved away, Kaija rested back on her heels and lowered her eyes. She had to remain where she was when all she wanted to do was retreat, bathe and nurse her wounds. Then perhaps the walls would tumble and she'd allow herself to process everything that had happened and get emotional.

She didn't really dare to let herself hope Aelfric would forgive her and take her back now but Kaija also couldn't help that little bloom of wishful thinking either. The mere fact that he'd come here had been a surprise to her and given the reactions of some of the men, she could tell they were just as surprised. Aelfric didn't tread the barracks hall often.

Chehra had sought a bowl of water and a rag in order to clean Kaija up when she was released from her duties and had placed it aside. Kaija's jaw was aching like she'd never felt before, her whole body felt like a bruise and she longed to collapse but at that moment, she was just grateful she was being left alone. Though some of the warriors still stared at her as they passed, they still desired her even in her wretched state. More than one made a dirty or humiliating comment as they passed her by. She was starting to get used to that now though.

 

[Rocket1010]

As Sigurd walked toward him, Aelfric saw Kaija sit back on her heels, keeping her eyes cast downward. For a split second, he felt a little sorrow that she was cruely treated by Sigurd. Aelfric knew only too well the savagery Sigurd could inflict on men and women. He had seen first hand during battles and raids how Sirgurd had, with fury and violence, killed men and raped women during their campaigns. He was a brutal man subject to severe outbursts when angered.

But Aelfric's momentary compassion for Kaija disappeared instantly when he thought of how she continued to disappoint him. Didn't he treat her better than most slaves that would be bought at the market place. Yes she was the daughter of Vladimir the Oathbreaker. who had stiffed him and his men for large sums of gold, plunder and pay. He could have made life really difficult for her but didn't he make her his bed warmer? And when he wanted to give her pleasure when he licked her cunny she bucked away from him and screamed. Aelfric thought that it was now evident she wanted no part of his world and would do anything to displease him. Maybe she secretly hoped he would send her back to Vladimir but that wouldn't happen. At least not anytime soon.

Aelfric looked at Chehra and thought some time in the barracks would temper Kaija's anger. He turned his attention away from Kaija and directed Chehra to attend to Kaija. Then turning to Sigurd, his facial features changed to dead seriousness and with a slight anger in his voice. "You were out of line with that slave Sigurd."

Sigurd felt anger growing against his commander and his voice rose a few decibels. "What do you care? You sent her here and she is now a barracks whore!"

Aelfric's voice also rose and others around him, including Kaija could hear him. "You knew she belongs to me and it is I ..... only I who can mark her for my own. You'd better hope that the burnt flesh will heal with little or no scaring."

Sigurd knew Aelfric's threat was an idle one as his jaw tightened, more anger growing inside him. His fingers curled into fists as he looked at his commander. He wouldn't take this kind of talk from any normal man. But he knew Aelfric could be just as mean and nasty as him and that is why they fought so well together againist their enemies.

Sigurd knew Aelfric was a far superior leader of men and he stood by his side. They had often talked and Sigurd knew he was the only one who could question him. Kaija may mean something to Aelfric but to him she meant nothing but a fair piece of ass. As far as he was concerned she was fair game to all the soldiers and some of the female slaves who liked to tag team the soldiers.

"Why did you send her to the barracks? You know every soldier knows barrack slaves are to be used for their pleasure." Sigurd turned to look at Kaija. "The flesh will heal and her hair will grow back commander. I doubt her anger will subside but maybe after our men have the pleasure of her mouth, she might start to change her mind."

Aelfric saw this arguement was going no where. Soldiers and slaves were standing nearby watching the two men discuss Kaija. "You know why she is here. Because she displeases me and she needs to learn more respect. It is now that we need to get on with other more important issues. Meet me in the morning to discuss the Baris and Maleinoi matter. We must have something for the Emperor to ease his loss."

Though Aelfric didn't mention her by name the soldiers and slaves knew he was referring to Persephone, the Emperor's personal concubine. The matter of Persephone death and murderer needed their utmost attention. Considering the conversation over, Aelfric turned to Alisa and Freja. The trio looked at Chehra attending to Kaija and then turned walking out of the barracks hall. Both women knew Aelfric would need them tonight to warm his bed after seeing all the sexual acts in the barracks.

 

[monique_minx]

Chehra nodded her understanding of Aelfric's command and hurriedly took the bowl and washcloth to Kaija, she knelt in front of her and began to wipe the cloth across her chin and down her slender throat. For her part, Kaija still didn't move, not even when Chehra moved further south. Chehra dipped the cloth in the water repeatedly and was careful when she dabbed over the branding on Kaija's breast. Kaija winced but tolerated the pain as Chehra continued to clean her skin of seminal fluid and saliva.

Aelfric's raised voice reached Kaija's ears though and she looked up to see him and Sigurd engaged in a heated argument - about her. She didn't really know what that meant but she could hear Aelfric was displeased so perhaps he hadn't intended for Sigurd to treat her as harshly as he had. It didn't matter to Kaija, she'd already endured it and she was unwilling to go through anymore pain.

Watching Aelfric leave with Freja and Alisa but not her though - that hurt. That crushed her. Kaija's head bowed again as Chehra finished cleaning the top of her chastity belt and her thighs.

"He'll have you back soon." Chehra told her softly, "Don't be disheartened."

Kaija nodded, "Yes, eventually. He just wants me back when I'll obey him..."

Her voice had dropped to a mumble though, she felt numb and downtrodden. As if her will to hide her body or refuse to pleasure men had faded, she just wished to be left alone but she knew it wouldn't happen.

"May I take her to rest now Sigurd?" Chehra had gotten up without Kaija even noticing.

Chehra was hoping to be allowed to take her to the supply room so she could put a salve on Kaija's breast before they went to bed. Of course Chehra would take her turn to clean herself up later on.

 

[Rocket1010]

Sigurd watched Aelfric, Alisa, and Freja walk away before he turned his attention to Kaija. He smirked seeing her still n her knees and her eyes cast downward. When Chehra ask if she could take Kaija for a rest, Sigurd didn't say anything for a moment, taking in her naked body.

He would love to have full access to her body without the chastity belt guarding her pussy. A brief thought flew through his brain that he could get the key and have some fun with her while she was in the barracks. But just as fast as the thought crossed his mind, he knew it would be wrong to cross Aelfric. The consequences would be bad.

The barracks was starting to empty now that all the excitement was over. There were a few soldiers still enjoying the barrack slaves, getting their last chance before the day ended. Some slaves not entertaining soldiers were beginning to clean the floors and tables. It was a nightly routine to clean and ready the hall for the next day.

"Yes you can take her for a rest as soon as your work is done." Sigurd lifted Kaija's chin, smirking. "You're nothing but a barracks slut and I'll claim you again and again. So if you don't want to be hung up like a doll again, I suggest you know your station in this hall." He slapped her cheek hard and added, "if not your punishment might just be worst than what it was tonight."

Sigurd slapped her cheek hard again and stepped back. Pressing his foot against the chastity belt and as he rubbed back and forth. "Maybe I'll make a deal with Aelfric for a chance to have your pussy. Or maybe I'll get the key and not tell Aelfric," he grinned wide and pulled his leg back. He wanted to put fear in her that he might be the one who violates her.

Turning to leave, he told Chehra, "If I hear a report that you and some your sluts do her clean up work, I'll make sure you're hung up next to her." With that, Sigurd let out a loud laugh and walked out of the hall.
******************************************************************
Tonight Aelfric felt sexually stimulated by all the sex he witnessed in the barrack's hall. Visions of slaves having sex with his soldiers only intensified his desire for sex. And what better way for him to be serviced than by Alisa and Freja. Freja had proven valuable sexually and he enjoyed that she would do anything he asked of her.

Freja walked with Aelfric and Alisa to his bedchambers. Her thoughts were on Kaija, wondering how she would handle the day to day life in the barracks. She knew how hard that life could be when she was caught taking the maidenhood of a slavegirl Jarl Rodger, Aelfric's second in command, had intended to deflower. When she caught Aelfric's eye, she felt she was given a new life. She also knew Alisa was Aelfric's favorite but wondered if Kaija was starting to compete with her. Freja would never say anything about that and she was not about to ruin her good fortune in any way. She would do whatever Aelfric wanted her to do so she did not have to go back to the barracks hall.

Arriving at Aelfric's bedchambers, the women slipped out of their robes and began to attend to Aelfric. They quickly relieved him of his robe and began to caress his hard toned body with their lips and fingers. They giggled when both their hands found his rock hard cock at the same time. Feeling frisky, Freja and Alisa pushed him onto the bed and quickly joined him.

Alisa was the first to put her mouth on the head of his cock and she couldn't resist thinking how she had directed Kaija the first time she was told to pleasure her master. But that thought soon evaporated as she moaned and took his shaft as deep and as far as it would go into her mouth. She held her mouth on his shaft before pulling back and gasping for air. She smiled seeing Freja eagerly take her place, sliding her mouth down until it was in her throat.

Back and forth the women pleasured his cock until Aelfric pulled Freja's hips over his face. He smiled, seeing her moist pussy lips just above his bearded face. As Alisa slid onto her knees and held his cock agasint her cunty lips, he moaned and pulled Freja's pussy to his mouth. He let out another groan when he felt Alisa's pussy pushing down on his cock and then he felt the heat of her sex surrounding his shaft.

Aelfric licked at the moisture on Freja's pussy lips before he dipped his tongue between the soft folds. He thought for a moment how Kaija's pussy tasted before she bolted away. He knew that some day he was going to have the chastity belt and rings removed from her cunt and whether she liked it or not he was going to have her.

But the way Freja was moaning and telling him to suck her pussy, he forgot about Kaija. Here was a slave women who knew how to move her hips over his face making sure he hit all the right spots. No tonight, he would enjoy the pleasures of Freja and Alisa all night long and in many different positions.

 

[monique_minx]

Chehra left to put the bowl back and Kaija felt Sigurd's fingertips beneath her chin and she lifted her head as he guided her face up to look at him.

"You're nothing but a barracks slut and I'll claim you again and again. So if you don't want to be hung up like a doll again, I suggest you know your station in this hall."

Before she could respond, he slapped her and Kaija's head snapped sideways with a grunt. Her forehead crinkled and her eyes welled up as evidence of the pain it caused, her cheek bloomed as blood rushed to the surface of her skin. She brought her head back into an upright position.

"If not your punishment might just be worst than what it was tonight."

He slapped her again and she couldn't bite back the cry this time. Her cheek welted rapidly and the tears slipped down her face. He didn't want her reply though she wanted to say she'd obey him. It didn't matter to him. He stepped back and pressed his foot to her chastity, she endured that humiliation without moving as well.

"Maybe I'll make a deal with Aelfric for a chance to have your pussy. Or maybe I'll get the key and not tell Aelfric."

Kaija stared at him stubbornly, she showed no concern over his threat. Aelfric didn't layer her in chastity to give her pussy to one of his men. She'd either be sold for a higher price later so he could make money on her or he'd take it for himself. If anything, she was more worried Aelfric would allow her to be sodomised, he'd threatened to sell her ass more than once and to more than one person. She vividly remembered the conversation, she'd never forget it. And Sigurd had more than enough respect and healthy fear of Aelfric not to cross him. Kaija was aware of the loyalty Aelfric's men had to him.

Sigurd was trying to scare her further, he didn't need to though. Kaija had a healthy fear of Sigurd already.

Chehra had wandered back when Sigurd addressed her and she half bowed to acknowledge what he'd said as he stalked away before she scurried over to aid Kaija in standing. Kaija was shaky on her feet and needed Chehra's aid just to make her way out of the hall. Chehra led her to a large storage room, it smelled faintly of sandalwood and citrus - dried rinds were packed into the linen bundles to keep insects out. Chehra quickly lit a lantern to give the room light to work by and Kaija wearily leaned against a small table.

Chehra went about finding the salve to treat Kaija's wounded breast but Kaija stopped her with a question, "Chehra...how do you do this?"

Chehra paused and looked over her shoulder at the younger woman, "Be a slave, you mean?"

Kaija nodded tiredly and Chehra sighed and wandered back over to Kaija, helping her off the table, "Come with me."

Kaija didn't argue and Chehra walked her over to a polished silver mirror that was very nearly full length and resting against the far wall.

"Can you stand here?" Chehra asked her and only let Kaija go when she nodded.

"Kaija, what do you see?" Chehra asked her softly.

Kaija looked at the reflection in the mirror, the battered young woman who stood there looking back at her. Her hair shorter than the last time she'd seen herself, an angry red arrow shaped wound to her breast and a swollen cheek. She hadn't realised Sigurd had split her lip until then. She supposed the blood wasn't noteworthy mixed in with all the semen she'd been forced to ingest. Her eyes traveled to the bronze collar encircling her throat.

She sighed and her eyes flickered from her reflection to Chehra, "A slave."

Chehra smiled kindly, "Look past the collar, the injuries, look at you without them. Have you ever really seen yourself? Not the slave Doux Aelfric made you but you as a woman."

"Of course I have...well maybe not my whole self like this." Kaija's eyes looked back at the mirror again.

"Well take a good long look because this is what I see, what Sigurd sees, what your Master sees and what all the other soldiers see too. And I see a beautiful young woman, so beautiful that she'd have men at war over her in another life." Chehra told her.

"What does that matter?" Kaija asked, confused.

"You're dangerous, not just because you're beautiful but because you're smart too, you're educated. Choosing to submit doesn't make you weak, you're doing that to yourself. You can choose to do it and use it, they may never say it but they notice. Your power lies there."

"I don't know how to use it," Kaija frowned, "I'm not like my mother or you, the whole charming thing that I've never wrapped my head around. I don't know how to even fake that like some women can."

"You don't have to. You just have to submit." Chehra held her hand up to stop Kaija interrupting her, "It's not weakness. By submitting before they make you, you're choosing where the line is drawn. You're making a choice for yourself that they can't take. There's more power in doing that than you realise. Aelfric doesn't just want your obedience, he wants your will and that gives you leverage, if you're brave enough to use it."

"But how do I do that without becoming something that I'm not?" Kaija asked.

Chehra wandered over and gently tucked a strand of Kaija's hair behind her ear, not like a mother but like a woman who remembered being 19 and torn between fear and fire.

"You don't have to change anything, you just have to decide what you do. That's where you begin, you choose. It doesn't have to be all pain and fear - not that those certainly don't have their place. You might find that out later."

Kaija's eyes drifted back to her collar stamped with Aelfric's crest. It was obvious. Ugly. Symbolic. She hated it when it was first put on her throat. Now she saw it a little differently, now it was a question of how she could have control in a situation where she'd never thought of having any. And it gave her warmth...it gave her hope, it was like seeing herself as woman for the first time with the strength and power it possessed.

She let the feeling rise.

As Chehra finally led her from the room and back to their sleeping chambers, Kaija thought tomorrow could look different if she just looked at it differently.

 

[Rocket1010]

Aelfric, Alisa, and Freja enjoyed spirited rounds of sex until well into the early hours of the morning. Freja and Alisa have traded positions a number of times enjoying Aelfric's tongue and fingers along with his cock in their pussies, bringing giving them heightened pleasures.

Aelfric is rougher then normal when he slams his cock deep into each woman. His mind varies from the two women to Kaija. He kept thinking of Sigurd branding her and cutting her hair. She was his property. He bought her and found out she is the daughter of the man who cheated him and his men. But the way Freja and Alisa moaned louder as he sank his cock deep into them before pulling out and unloading huge streams of cum on their lips and faces.

And for their part, Alisa and Freja make sure that when Aelfric's cock erupts, they clean him up. Then while he is recuperating the two women kiss and caress each other to the delight of Aelfric who also caresses any part of a body he touches. After arousing themselves, Alisa and Freja, return to kiss and fondle his cock until he is hard again. It is early morning when Aelfric calls a halt and they fall asleep, their bodies draped over each other.

Morning rays of light seep into his bedchamber, rousing the trio to wake from a deep slumber. "I need my bath," Aelfric says in a sleepy tone as they untangled their arms and legs. Freja doesn't say a word. She just scampers off the bed and heads to the bath area while Alisa remains cuddled against Aelfric. Freja knows her duties and doesn't expect Alisa to follow her.

Freja learned very quickly the reason Aelfric picked her stay and not go back to the barracks. She has no qualms as to why she was chosen because Aelfric liked the way she fucked and obeyed him. Alisa on the other hand was a gift from Basil and is Aelfric's favorite. Freja sees he cares for her much more than normal even though she was captive for two years with Basil before she was given to Aelfric.

Walking into the bath area, Freja smiles seeing a eunuch attending to the line of slave girls lined up against a wall. They have been on stand-by for a long time waiting for Aelfric. She doesn't say a word but retreats to Aelfric's bedchamber and announces, "your bath is ready master."

Leaving the bed, Aelfric and Alisa along with Freja are stark naked as they take their time walking to the bath. As Aelfric steps into the pool, the eunuch motions to the two girls at the head of the line. They immediately take off their tunics and join him in the bath. Alisa walks into the bath while Freja stands near a table of food. When Aelfric looks at Alisa and nods, Alisa motions for Freja to join her.

Freja knows she has gained favor with Aelfric but there are still invisible barriers she must adhere to. She knows to wait until given permission to enter the pool and sit next to Alisa and across from Aelfric. They watch two slave girls begin to wash their master and hear Aelfric tell them to make sure they wash his beard extra good. The two women look at each other and giggle knowing his beard is soaked with the nectar from their pussies.

The eunuch waits for a signal and when Aelfric points to Alisa and Freja, two slave girls walk into the pool and begin to wash them. This is something new for Freja and she realizes if she is not invited to join Alisa, she would need to bathe in the public pool. Could it be, she was gaining more favor with Aelfric?

Aelfric insists he be well washed before he leaves the bath. The two slave girls finish washing Alisa and Freja and return to the back of the line. Alisa stands and walks to Aelfric, giving him a deep kiss on the lips before she walks out of the bath. Another slave girl from the line is holding a towel and dries her body before helping her put on a clean tunic.

Freja, stands in the water watching Alisa and does not attempt to go to Aelfric. When Aelfric crooks his finger to come to him, she smiles and is allowed to give him a kiss on the cheek. He whispers to her, "I am pleased with you and the way you handled yourself in the barracks and later in my bedchamber. I want you to join us for some food."

Freja is surprised by his words and smiles as she walks out of the bath to a smiling Alisa. Did Alisa have anything to do with her being treated better than she had in the past? A slave girl wraps a towel around her and begins to dry the water off her. Freja is surprised at how she is being treated and not like a common slave. But she has no doubts what her station in life is. She is still a slave and she can't forget it.

When the two slaves finish washing Aelfric and return to the line, Aelfric walks out of the bath and two other slave girls begin to dry him off. When they are done, they help him dress in a long silk robe and he joins Alisa and Freja at the table. The food is a variety of nuts, fruits, cheese, and meats and plenty of wine. While Aelfric and Alisa sit next to each other feeding and drinking together, Freja sits on the opposite side, unsure of what is expected of her until Alisa tells her to eat and drink as much as she wants.

During the meal, Alisa thinks of Kaija and the ordeal she endured at the hands of Sigurd. "Master? I know Kaija is your property and she has displeased you. How long will you let her stay in the barracks with Sigurd lurking around? He was very hard on her last night, cutting her beautiful hair and branding her. If he gets angry with her, he might do something much more terrible to her."

Freja listened and then turned to see a scowl on Aelfric's face. Did Alisa say something to anger him?

Aelfric's scowl didn't change as he picked up his horn and took a healthy gulp. "I have given Chehra instructions on what I expect from Kaija." He took another gulp of wine and looked at both women. "When she has completed what I have asked of her then I will consider freeing her from the barracks. In the meantime, she is to be treated as a barracks slave and expected to behave as such."

There was a deathly silence and then Aelfric looked at Freja. "You have experience with the barracks. I want you to monitor what Chehra is teaching Kaija and report back to me."

Freja was stunned that Aelfric would give her the assignment but she gladly accepted the mission. "Yes master ..... I'll do as you request."

The trio returned to eating when a eunuch entered the room holding a rolled-up parchment. "Pardon the intrusion Master Aelfric." He bowed his head, his eyes downcast not looking directly into Aelfric's eyes as he handed him the rolled-up parchment and then stepped back a few paces. "Master this comes directly from the emperor."

Aelfric's eyebrows arched and furrow lines etched his forehead as he unrolled the parchment. His eyes quickly scanned the note and then he reread it again before looking at Alisa and Freja. He reread it a third time before rolling it back up again and looked at Alisa and Freja. "I have been summoned to brief the emperor on Persephone's burial and murder suspects."

Aelfric turned to the eunuch. "Tell the emperor he will have his answers by this time tomorrow." He addressed another eunuch. "Tell Jarl Rodger I will meet him at midday in the dungeon to interrogate John Baris." Aelfric turned back to the table of food and picked up his horn.

He looked at Freja. "You are to go to the barracks today and give me a report on Kaija by this evening."

Then turning to Alisa, he smiled. "I am sending you with some of my most trusted guards to Miriam's town today and want a report on what she did with Persephone's body so I may properly inform the emperor.

And then took a mighty gulp wine and then wiped his mouth and then to no one in particular said, "today will be a day of truth."

 

[monique_minx]

Kaija was dressed in sackcloth again that rubbed uncomfortably but it was her screaming muscles that were the worst of all. The stillness she'd held the night before, the suspension, now the exertion and weight of what she carried made her shake just a little. She'd spent the morning hauling firewood to the hearth wearily after the morning meal. When she finally finished, Chehra told her to make the beds in the novice dormitory - this was where the newest Varangian guards slept. Chehra was off to fill the barrels in the drinking hall with water, so Kaija was left alone with her task. She found the linens and entered the novice dormitory where roughly 50 beds lined each side of the room.

Kaija sighed and dumped the first lot of linen on the nearest bed, this would take time. She’d thought the room empty until she heard a grumble off to her right side. A novice was fumbling with his armour.

“You’re late.” Kaija said to him.

“I know.” Came the frustrated reply.

“The training master will not be pleased.” She murmured in warning and slight concern for him.

“I know.” He groaned as his upper arm plating fell off and Kaija swooped over to pick it up.

“Let me help you.” Kaija said kindly as she went about reattaching the armour, tying it on. Novices were of the lowest dominion in the guard and were still learning, they had no real assistance from anyone.

“Thank you.” He sounded relieved and Kaija stepped back as she finished to survey him while he fumbled with his belt.

He was young, barely into manhood, with such a boyish face. His hair was a tousled flaxen gold, cropped short at the back in the Aenglish fashion but unruly on top, like he hadn’t yet learned the soldier’s discipline to tame it. Pale-skinned, sunburned across the nose, with a faint scatter of freckles that would fade once he stopped being new.
His eyes were bright, too bright, a northern blue that still held curiosity rather than cruelty. The axe strapped across his back looked oversized for his frame, more ornament than weapon just yet, and the mail shirt he wore hung heavy on narrow shoulders still filling out.

“I’m Oswin.” He muttered as he finished with his belt and finally looked upon her. Despite her bruised face and healing lip, her beauty still managed to take his breath away and he forgot what he had been about to say.

“I’m Kaija, it’s nice to meet you, Oswin.” She beamed at him and bowed her head slightly in respect.

“You speak…umm, very good Aenglish. I haven’t met a slave here that does.” He remarked.

“I’m not from here but I speak Greek too if you prefer?” She offered.

He grinned, “Oh, no. My Greek is terrible; you’d be deeply offended to hear it.”

Kaija giggled and sighed, “You should go Oswin, you’re terribly late for training.”

“Oh!” He’d almost forgotten and went to hurry out the door, pausing just before the threshold to look back at her, “Thank you, Kaija.”

“You’re most welcome, Oswin.” She bowed her head again as he left the room.

The beautiful and strange slave girl who helped him would remain in his thoughts for the rest of the day. Kaija busied herself with the bedding.