Novel 543
53
As we rode back to the Warrior’s compound I watched the scenery. This really was an amazing planet. It was harsh and the landscape was certainly unforgiving, but it had a certain beauty. I would gladly experience it, as long as I wasn’t left naked and to fend for myself.
A nudge at my mittened hand surprised me. Master Damien wrapped my hand in his as he looked out over the land. On the other side Master Bane did the same thing. We rode back to the compound like that and I wasn’t really sure what to think about it.
A huge sign etched into rock suddenly got my attention. I had not seen it on the way to the inlet. It was an arrow, actually two arrows with a symbol carved in the rock between them. We were going in the direction on the arrows.
I craned my neck to watch the sign as we flew past it. Master Damien noticed my attention and leaned close to me.
“You saw the travel sign?” he asked and I nodded.
“Signs like that tell men that travel these routes that they are protected by Warriors from our compound. It also reminds them the correct direction to the compound,” he said.
I wasn’t sure I should speak in my brown outfit, so I just nodded again and Master Damien looked away.
I wondered what type of men would travel to the compound. Perhaps traveling salesmen I thought, but I could not be sure.
When we got back home the men undressed me and we walked down to the bathhouse. I walked confidently into the water and cleaned Master Damien like I was supposed to. He made me go underwater to wash his feet and I didn’t have any trouble with it.
After the bathhouse we didn’t go back to our rooms right away. The men had brought clothing with them and had changed into their outfits in their alcove. They didn’t bother to dress me. Not that it made much of a difference, the clothing I typically wore was almost see thru anyway.
I kept my head down as we walked, but I recognized the wide steps to the General’s quarters. Master Damien approached the door and politely knocked twice. The door creaked open and I recognized the voice of the General’s brother. I could hear the General’s booming voice in the background.
“Greetings, Hersham,” Master Damien said politely, “we only came to tell the General we plan on using the tent tomorrow, if it pleases him.”
“He will be happy to hear it. Did you accomplish what you wished today?” the man asked.
“All is well, Hersham,” Master Damien said as he stepped back.
“You are welcome to visit, Damien,” Hersham said and I heard the door open further.
Two huge boots appeared in my frame of vision and I knew they didn’t belong to my owners. A moment later strong fingers were lifting my chin. I shut my eyes reflexively.
“Look at me, slave,” the General boomed.
My eyes shot open and I drank in the burly man in front of me.
“I had heard it was injured in the village,” he said looking me over.NôvelD(ram)a.ôrg owns this content.
“Only the foot General,” Master Damien replied tersely, “and it is well now.”
The General patted the side of my face with his massive hand and smiled a little. “Tell me slave, will you be escaping again?” he asked.
“No, General,” I replied honestly.
“You have a coupling soon,” the General addressed the men.
“We will be ready,” Master Damien said.
I was glad when we left the General’s house and went back to our own lodgings. The men changed out of their outfits and into their nighttime clothing. They put me in the bed and lay down around me. No one was really talkative tonight. I figured they were tired.
My nighttime routine was usually not to fall asleep until after they did. I’m not sure why. I just liked the sound of their breathing when they were relaxed. Laying quietly, I waited, but they stayed awake.
“I am surprised the women let us keep these slaves,” Master Kein finally said.
They were quiet and eventually fell asleep. After considering the implications of what they had said; I finally fell asleep, too.