NaNoWriMo '08

“Uh…” Shane uttered, trying to come up with an excuse why he was rummaging in Anaëlle’s bag while wanting to keep Relle’s awaking a secret, “I needed to stretch my legs a little?” Stupid stupid stupid!

“Anaëlle, why is he dressed like that?” said the man.

“I’m as surprised as you are Father. When I left, he was sleeping like a baby,” she replied.

“Lith dear, did you dress him?” he asked.

Mistress Lith-Sela looked up at him innocently, “Why would I do such a thing?” she asked.

“Um sorry to interrupt,” Shane began, then rushed to get the words out before they could tell him to be silent, “I know I’m your captive and all and I’m supposed to be quiet unless you talk to me but I have no idea what your customs are or where I am or anything about here wherever ‘here’ is, so if we could forget for a moment that I’m inferior to you and all that jazz and just talk so I can get my bearings, that’s be great. Coolio?” He raised his eyebrows and watched them, his hands up in the universal gesture of ‘I mean you no harm’.

He could see that Mistress Lith-Sela was boiling with anger and just about ready to explode. The man seemed shocked, but it was Anaëlle he was interested in. She merely observed him as though… well as though he were just a piece of the furniture. Though there was something in her eye…

“I don’t see why not,” she said suddenly in the silence. The other two’s heads spun around to stare at her.

“What? He does have a point. Besides, knowing about our customs might make him a better sell in Melusa. The royal family, remember?” Her eyebrow raised suggestively.

“Well, maybe…” said the man thoughtfully.

“Are you out of your minds?!” erupted Mistress Lith-Sela, “He is Light! He’s just trying to win your trust so you’ll set him free!”

“So he can go where?” retorted Anaëlle, “He’s just admitted he has no idea where he is! Who knows who might snap him up next time?” She seemed taken aback herself at the last words she said.

“She does speak logically Lith,” said the man. Shane thought her name was Lith-Sela but apparently intimates get to shorten the name. No such luck for… did she call him her pet?

Mistress Lith-Sela however, did seem to be simmering. No, definitely bubbling. Shane tried to stand his ground, but it was a little hard when she pretty much broke him to her will so quickly.

“Why don’t we give it a try,” said Anaëlle, “If it doesn’t work, what is the worst that might happen?”

“He will escape! And with knowledge he’ll know that he’ll have to hide! And… and…” Mistress Lith-Sela sputtered.

“Lith, no prisoner has ever escaped Father or I. Why would this be any different?”

“He is not one of us. Who knows how he will react.” Mistress Lith-Sela was stubborn.

“Come on Lith, you’re just looking for excuses. What is your problem anyway?” Anaëlle said.

Mistress Lith-Sela was silent for a moment.

“Because he’s MY PET!” she shouted.

Wrong. Oh so very wrong. Shane could feel the tension snap tight between the three of them.


“Your pet?” said Anaëlle. Icicles dripped from each syllable, no, each letter she uttered. Her eyes narrowed as she stared at Lith. How dare the woman… He was a captive! To be sold! Not a… a… pet! Do’vram didn’t have pets! Do’vram were a proud people who, despite their pearly shimmer, could provide for themselves and didn’t need bootlickers like the nobles did to entertain their ego!

“Lith, what are you talking about?” Toram’s voice was cool as well.

“I decided I wanted him. He’s beautiful and so different,” said Lith as though it were a perfectly reasonable explanation.

“But Lith… we agreed yesterday we were going to sell him in Melusa, possibly to the royal family! This is so important, it could bring in a lot of money for the clan!” said Toram.

“Oh the clan! Is that all you care about?” said Lith, “The clan this, the clan that, the clan is your whole bloody life! What about me? What about our child? Have you ever thought of what I wanted?”

“Lith! Of course, how can you say I don’t think of what you want? Are you not comfortable here?” Toram voice sounded stricken.

“Let’s move inside, shall we?” suggested Anaëlle, as she gave them both a little push and shut the door behind her. She didn’t want to be here, but she could hardly leave the foreigner alone with them. So she edged along the wall as best as possible, and took her usual seat. The foreigner gave her a sidelong look, and she gestured at the seat in front of her.

“You might as well sit down, this might take a while. Besides, it’s between them,” she said.

“Thank you,” he replied, and sat down. Anaëlle couldn’t help but notice that his body was indeed beautiful as Lith had said.

“What is your name?” she asked.

He turned to her, a little startled, “Uh, Shane. My name is Shane, miss.”

“Ss-shee-aïay-neh?” She tried to enunciate it. It rolled unfamiliarly on her tongue.

Shane smiled, “Not quite. Sh-AY-nn,” he articulated for her.

“Shee-aïay-nn,” she repeated.

“Close enough,” he said, and flashed his teeth at her in a big smile.

They were silent for a moment, each in their own world, and tuning out Toram and Lith’s argument.

“You have a pretty name,” said Shane suddenly.

“Oh… thank you,” she replied.

“You are also very pretty,” he continued, “I have never seen such light eyes with such dark skin and hair. Usually back home, black people have very dark brown or black eyes as well.”

Anaëlle was shocked at his casual use of the word ‘black’.

“You have… dark-skinned people where you come from?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he replied, “They were pretty persecuted in the old days. Kind of like your thing with skin color here only the other way around, and probably not so bad. Blacks were captured, sold, and bought as slaves, and their children inherited that until slavery was finally abolished.”

“Oh dear,” Anaëlle was utterly shocked. Black people were slaves? How could that be?!

“I don’t want to be offensive, but could you not use the word…” she said, then whispered it, “black?”

“Oh sure…” said Shane, “Why does it bother you?”

“Because only the highest of the hierarchy can be called that. They have power over everyone because they have the ultimate skin darkness. No one knows where they live. They manifest themselves when they are needed,” Anaëlle explained in a half-whisper.

Shane nodded slowly, assimilating what she had just told him. Not that he was racist or anything, but it was pretty strange to suddenly find himself in a place where not only it seemed to be thrown back in time, but also with a completely different history and customs and traditions and, well, everything. Except the language. That was weird. The accent may be something he’d never heard in his life, but they were definitely speaking the same language.

He tuned back in to just barely miss the end of Anaëlle’s sentence.

“Sorry? I didn’t quite hear what you said,” he said. It didn’t come out as smooth as he’d hoped.

“Oh I was just noticing that it’s really easy to talk to you. It’s like you’re leagues away from being my captive,” Anaëlle repeated.

“Um… Thanks?” he ventured. What do you say to something like that?

She laughed softly and looked away. Her smile fell off her face. He followed her gaze, and at the same time suddenly became aware that Mistress Lith-Sela and the man were no longer arguing.

She was sitting on the bed, while he was standing. Both were looking straight at him and Anaëlle.

“So, have you made up your minds?” Anaëlle asked. Though she sounded cheerful enough, Shane could hear the wariness and forcedness in her voice.

“Yes,” said the man, “Would you care to introduce us? If we are to give him knowledge and put aside the fact that he is our captive, and be civilized.”

Anaëlle jumped up excitedly.

“Father, Lith, this is Shaïayne,” she said, glancing quickly at Shane to verify her pronunciation. He gave a thumb up. She would have to ask him about that later.

“Shaïayne, this is my father Toram, and his wife Lith.”

“Nice to meet you,” said Shane as he extended his hand for a handshake. Toram grasped it firmly.

“And you, Mistress Lith-Sela. I don’t believe we were properly introduced when we met earlier,” again he held out his hand, but she refused to even look at him, let alone shake his hand.

“Lith, why is he calling you like that?” asked Toram.

“Because I told him to, you fool. How else would he know my full name?” she retorted.

“Lith! You can’t use your full name, you know that!” Toram sounded exasperated. Shane quietly slipped back to the table where Anaëlle had sat down again.

It looked like another argument was on the way.


Eól walked up to Anaëlle’s wagon door, and knocked. There was a scramble inside, the Toram opened the door a fraction of an inch.

“Yes?”

“Um I was wondering how Anaëlle was doing and if she wanted to talk, I just just wanted to remind her I’m always up to listen to her rants,” he said.

“Oh. Let me see if she’s up to coming out,” Toram answered, and shut the door. Eól was confused. He’d always been let in before, what was the big deal now?

Anaëlle opened the door and slipped out. Eól stepped down to allow her to close the door behind her.

“Hi!” she said a little too cheerfully, “What’s going on?”

“I just wanted to see if you were alright,” Eól said, “Are you?”

“Um, yes. No. I don’t know. Want to walk?” she said.

“Sure.”

They walked down the steps in silence however, and made their way to the edge of camp. It was utterly silent, except for the occasional wail of a child. Today and tonight would be for prayer, reflection, and mourning. Business would open up again tomorrow.

Suddenly it occurred to Anaëlle that Lyas and Theos must still be at the stall.

“Eól, do you know if someone took Lyas and Theos? I haven’t seen them since I… well since I left the stall earlier, and Toram and Lith came home without them.”

“Oh, I think Slivia took Lyas, and Erin took Theos, along with their own, when Toram didn’t return.”

“Okay,” she said, “I’ll swing by and pick them up on our way back.”

They were silent again. Reaching the edge of the camp, they walked beyond it and into the fields of gently waving green wheat. Eól knew better than to prompt her. She would start talking when she felt like it.

“What do you think of the foreigner?” she asked after they had been walking for a good fifteen minutes. Eól was taken aback. He thought she’d be in utter turmoil after having discovered Methal.

“Well he was asleep the whole time I watched over your captives, so I’m afraid I don’t have a lot of insight, but… He is pleasing to look at and will no doubt fetch a good price. But he’s not from here. He’s… different, and I think more so than just on the outside,” Eól glanced at his skin. It and Anaëlle’s reflected the sunlight rather brightly.

“His name is Shaïayne,” she said, still looking straight ahead, “He… well he has talked us into treating him as an equal so he can learn our customs. Lith was very upset. Apparently she,” here Anaëlle’s voice grew angry, where before it was relatively flat, “decided to claim her as her own and had laid out clothes for him. When we came back… well he was dressed and near my bag where I keep my skin of sleeproot. He was respectful, but he knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to ask for it.”

Eól was shocked at such a request, but immediately saw how it made sense.

“Lith was very upset. She and Toram argued, and I, well, I talked to Shaïne,” she continued, “His world is so very different from ours. Opposite in fact, in terms of skin color, for one, which shocked me at first. But he is very nice, and you’re right, he is attractive.”

Eól glanced at her. Her features had softened as she obviously recollected him.

“What about Zane?” he teased, poking her in the ribs. She turned to him, outrage painted on her face.

“That scumbag?! Ugh! He’s never going to give up, is he?’

“Probably not. Speaking of him though, he tried to get to you through me, you know? He asked me to point out his good points to you. I listened, then impishly said ‘what good points are you talking about exactly, that Anaëlle would be interested in?’ I thought he was going to hit me then, but he just asked me again to talk to you about him. Honestly though, what exactly is so bad about him?”

“Well he doesn’t attract me for one. I know some people marry because they must and it is a good alliance, but I want to marry when I find someone who attracts me, who treats me right, and who respects me. I just don’t think Zane really respects me, no matter what he says,” Anaëlle explained, “Besides, I don’t want to get married yet. I still have so much to learn, and a husband and family duties will only get in the way.”

“Fair enough,” said Eól.

They walked in silence a little more.

“Methal was… oh Eól it was atrocious!” Anaëlle said, bringing her hands up to rub her arms. He wanted to embrace her, in nothing but a friendly way, but he knew that that kind of comfort could only be brought to one of the same gender or between couples.

“She must have been opening the shutters when it happened. She was supposed to bring her captive to the stall this morning. He must have woken up before she administered the antidote, or maybe she gave it to him and then turned to open them. There was blood everywhere and one of her knives are missing.” Anaëlle seemed to suddenly realize where they were walking.

“We should probably turn back. No one knows where he is,” she said, and turned, tugging Eól by the sleeve. He followed without a comment.

“She was on her back, blood stained her light dress, blood pooled beneath her. I knew it was too late before I sent Erin for Zelda and Ireth. How did he manage to get rid of his bonds though?” she wondered aloud.

“I don’t know. It’s a tragedy. Erin must be devastated,” Eól said. Anaëlle nodded in agreement.

“Let’s go see him first. I can pick up Theos at the same time,” she said. They headed in direction of the camp. It took them another twenty minutes, maybe more, before they reached the edge again. It was as still as ever. As they entered, they went to the right, and soon came before Erin’s plain brown wagon. Anaëlle went up and knocked, Eól close behind.

A haggard-looking Erin opened the door.

“Oh Erin,” Anaëlle said, “I’m so sorry, I –”

“Don’t say anything please,” he said hoarsely, opening the door a little wider and turning inside. Anaëlle and Eól followed him in. Anaëlle was surprised to see Theos sitting quietly with Arwen, both of their eyes on the floor in front of them. Eól embraced him tightly. Erin hugged him back fiercely, trying not to cry, but failing. Analle turned away, knowing that Eól would give her condolences to Erin. Instead, she knelt before Theos, and picked up his lead.

“We’re leaving Theos,” she said softly, and stood. Anger still smoldered in his eyes, but he stood silently and followed her outside. Anaëlle stood outside in the warmish spring weather, waiting for Eól.

After several minutes, he appeared at the door. Murmuring something to Erin, he hugged him once more, and then came down the steps. The door shut firmly behind him. Anaëlle thought she heard a bolt slide home.

They walked in silence to Slivia’s wagon. Recuperating Lyas took now effort whatsoever. As they reached Anaëlle’s wagon, Eól turned to her.

“Good luck,” he said, “You know where to find me.” He smiled.

“Thanks,” she smiled back, as he turned and headed to his own wagon. More than half the afternoon was gone, and the sun was sliding steadily towards the horizon. She climbed the steps to her home, and opened the door, leading Lyas and Theos.

Lith was sitting in her chair, resting her back and feet. Shane and Toram, however, were sitting at the table, quietly talking. Shane was wearing more normal clothes. That is, instead of the sequined short vest he had on earlier, he had on a borrowed shirt of Toram’s. It was rather large on him, but was much more decent. His leather collar, bracelets, and anklets were gone as well.

“I’m back,” Anaëlle said softly, though both men’s heads had turned when the door opened, “I’ve also picked up Lyas and Theos from Slivia and Erin.”
“Ah great,” said Toram, “We’ll be able to work on Theos’s behavior then.”

“Actually, he’s a lot better than he was this morning,” countered Anaëlle, “Or at least he has been ever since I picked him up from Erin’s.”

“Well we’ll see,” he said.

Anaëlle unhooked the main leads and the connecting one between the collar and bracelets, to allow some mobility to Lyas and Theos.

“Here, take your showing clothes off and put on these robes,” Anaëlle said, handing them each their set. They were plain dark blue robes of medium wool. She then joined Shane and Toram sitting at the table, and they all turned to face the wall to give Lyas and Theos some privacy.

“So have you and Shane been getting along, Father?” Anaëlle asked.

“Yes I think you could say we have,” Toram replied, glancing sideways at Shane.

“Good, good,” she said, “I’ll make stew for tonight, yes? I think it’s the easiest, with all these people to feed.”

“Yes that would be wonderful. There are still some carrots and potatoes I think. And maybe some meat on the packhorse, but I can’t guarantee it,” said Toram.
“Alright, well I’ll go and see what I can scrounge together,” she said, peeping over her shoulder. Lyas and Theos were done changing. Lyas had folded his clothes neatly and put them in a small pile, whereas Theos’s were still flung about his feet. No he definitely hadn’t changed all that much.

“I’m off, be civil!” she called as she grabbed her bag and headed out the wagon. The sun was just touching the horizon as she made her way to where the supplies on the packhorses had been stashed in the wagon that usually held the supplies to put up the stalls.

As she rounded the corner made by the wagons, she almost came face-to-face with probably one of the last people she wanted to see. Zane.
“Hi there my dear,” he drawled, a cross between a smirk and a smile spreading across his face, “Come to get some food, have you?”

“Yes actually, and I’d like to get back to prepare it too, so if you could please move out of the way, that would be perfect.” Anaëlle said shortly.
“Woah there sweetheart, why do you have to be so annoyed with me all the time! I haven’t done anything, have I?”

Anaëlle took a deep breath to avoid telling him exactly what was on her mind.

“No no, I guess I’m just a little upset.” She said. Damn, now that would just get him all concerned. Nice one Anaëlle.

“Well, you know my door’s always open if you want to talk or anything,” Zane said. There was something in his voice that made her look up to his face. To her surprise, he seemed genuinely concerned about her. Maybe he really was in love with her. Now that would definitely complicate things.

“Thanks Zane. Do you think I could get some food now?” she asked, smiling a little.

“You’ll have to go through me!” he laughed, and Anaëlle realized that that one second was really just that. Zane was still obnoxious Zane. But maybe not quite as big of one as she thought he was. She rolled her eyes, and pushed past him. He seemed surprised that she did so with such ease. Anaëlle smiled. She was used to training servants after all. She had to be strong to control some of the males, when they thought their strength could be used as an advantage.

She climbed into the storage wagon, and to her delight, found some fresh meat! Some of the men must have gone hunting earlier and been lucky. Humming to herself, Anaëlle cut a large slab and wrapped it carefully in some clean rags. She also found some leeks, potatoes, and carrots. Scooping some of those into her basket, she looked around one last time to be sure she hadn’t forgotten anything.

Shrugging, she headed out of the storage wagon and back to her own. Stealthily, she tiptoed up the steps and pressed her ear to the door. There was only silence from within. Well, she supposed that could be either a good sign or a bad one. So long as Lith hadn’t tried to claim Shane as her ‘pet’ again, then things should be fine. Shane and her father were on relatively good terms, considering the situation, when she left.

She entered, and indeed found silence, but only because Shane appeared to have fallen asleep where he sat at the table and Toram was reading. Lith was still resting in her chair.

“I’ve got some food, so I’ll go make dinner alright? Stew out on the fire outside,” Anaëlle said, putting her basket down and putting on a heavier cloak and hat. The sun was setting and it was getting chilly outside.

“That sounds lovely Anaëlle, thank you so much,” Toram said, smiling at her over his book. He was definitely in a good mood.

“Thanks Anaëlle,” Lith murmured.

Anaëlle smiled. It was good that everyone seemed to be getting along.


The evening went by without any incident. Everyone was silent as they ate, each lost in their own thoughts about the events of the day. For her part, Anaëlle just tried to concentrate on the present, rather than dwelling on Methal. Several people stopped by their fire, for a word or two with Toram about business the next day. Shane was eating inside – it would have been too strange to have him sit with the family, and though the clan was relatively seamless, it was a pretty big digression from customs and would not reflect well upon Toram.


At night, as Shane was getting ready for bed, Anaëlle set up a pallet for him on the floor. There was a slightly larger pallet for the other four to share at the end of the wagon, near the door, which was of course, locked.

The female twins were already lying there, sleeping a natural sleep the sleeproot induced. Theos was already curled up near them, asleep. Lyas however, sat watching his surroundings. Anaëlle was a little uncomfortable with him. It was as though he had already been a servant – it was impossible that a Light would know so much about it and never been captured. She was beginning to think that they may have caught a fugitive, and knowing this, told her in turn that Lyas would not lay down to sleep until everyone else had. Even then, he would only sleep a light sleep.


The next day, Shane woke early. Anaëlle was snoring lightly in her bed, and he smiled at her. Grabbing the long hooded cloak he was given by her yesterday, he slung it around himself and made for the door.

A hand grabbed his ankle, stopping him from going further.

“Where are you going?” Lyas’s pale green eyes stood out in the darkness.

“If you must know,” Shane sighed, “I really need to pee.”

“Be quick,” said Lyas, and he released his ankle.

Yessir, thought Shane sarcastically. He stepped outside, and inhaled the sharp morning breath. The sun was barely peeking over the horizon. Walking a little way away from the wagon, Shane did his business, then turned to regain the wagon. He came face to face with a tall pale man with a shock of curly strawberry blonde hair and a medium-thick ring in each earlobe.

“Sorry there,” Shane said and tried to step around him. The big man just moved fluidly in step and kept in front of him.

“Oh, um, sorry I’d like to get by,” he repeated. It was really cold and he wasn’t exactly wearing a whole lot.

“Oh, um, sorry,” the man mimicked in a surprisingly deep rumbling voice.

Shane got annoyed.

“Look mister, I don’t know what your problem is, but I’d like to get back to my wagon,” he said angrily, his breath misting in front of him.

“Aw the poor thing,” said the man.

“Who are you anyway?” Shane asked, as his curiosity overcame his anger. Well, not completely, but a little.

“I am… was Methal’s captive. But I am named Janeth,” he said, sticking his hand out. Shane was completely taken aback, but sheer politeness made him stick his hand in Janeth’s and shake.

“Shouldn’t you be on the run or something?” he asked, “People here would so kill you if they found you.”

“That’s why I’m going to be careful for them not to find me.”

“Well then, why are you talking to me?” Shane asked, confused.

“That is a very good question,” Janeth replied, “Didn’t you start talking to me?”

Shane thought, “Well, now that you mention it,” he said, “I suppose I was the first to say something. But why were you not letting me by?”

“Because you intrigue me.”

“You’ve been watching me?!” Shane’s voice raised slightly. How could he have been watching him? He’d been in the wagon for the past however many days it had been since his capture!

“Of course. All of us watch each other,” Janeth said, “You just… are interesting. Exotic and exciting.” He reached out with his hand, as though to caress Shane’s cheek. Shane took about three steps back hurriedly.

“Uhh okay, thanks,” he said, “I really do have to go now though.”

“Oh of course,” said Janeth, a little sadly, “Will I see you again?” He asked as Shane walked around him and towards Anaëlle’s wagon.

“I don’t know,” said Shane, “Maybe.”

“I hope so,” said Janeth softly. Shane caught his words.


Mulling over the strange encounter, he made his way back to the wagon and entered it easily. He dropped his cloak at the end of his pallet, curled up under the blankets, and fell asleep rather quickly.

He had disturbing dreams and a generally disturbed sleep up until Anaëlle woke him. Sunlight streamed through the windows again. Lyas and Theos were sitting at the kitchen table.

“I’m afraid I’m going to have to put in the holes in your ears for the property rings now. Best to do it early so they can heal by the time you go on sale,” she said cheerfully. Lord, how could she be so cheerful? Shane wondered. His spirits fell a little as he came to the conclusion that despite what she had said, their relationship was still strictly capturer-captive and he was going to be sold, end of story.

Shane stood only to sit again on the third chair. On the table were a rather large and scary-looking needle, and several metal hoops. Ten in fact. Shane glanced at the twins. They were no longer on the pallet. Instead, there was a small discretion screen set up in the corner of the wagon, and the sound of gently lapping water came from behind it. They were washing.

“Lyas, you first,” said Anaëlle. She numbed the lobe by placing a smooth piece of metal that had stayed outside all night on it. Picking up an apple wedge, that Shane had previously not noticed, she placed it under the lobe. Grasping the needle firmly, she jabbed quickly. Lyas’s face tightened in a flash of pain. Working quickly, Anaëlle pulled the needle through the lobe, and immediately replaced it with one of the hoops.

“One down, one to go for you!” she grinned, and deftly repeated the procedure on his other earlobe. When he stood to switch places with Theos, his lobes looked red and sore.

“Does it hurt a lot?” Shane asked him as Theos sat. The only indication of her piercing him was the slight jerk and shiver that ran down his spine.

“It could be worse, I suppose,” said Lyas, “It’s surprising more than anything.” His hand reached up to finger it.

“Hands off Lyas!” said Anaëlle, as she concentrated on putting the hoop through Theos’s earlobe, “Let it heal a few days before you do that.” Lyas’s hand dropped from his ear and into his lap.

“There you go Theos. Shane?” Anaëlle beckoned him. He wished it were for something else than mutilation.

Gingerly, he sat down in front of her. His eyes scrunched as she pierced his first ear, and scrunched more, if it was possible, as she did the second. It was over quickly, but then his earlobes throbbed hotly.

There were still four rings left. Shane guessed they were for Relle and her sister.

“Lyas, please put on the show clothes you had on yesterday. When you are ready, I’ll powder you again, and bring you to the stall. Theos, you will stay here today and we’re going to work on your behavior and attitude,” Anaëlle said, “The two females will join you in that education. Shane, you must attend as well.”
Lyas stood as soon as he had his orders. He stood, waiting for the twins to be finished with the water, so he could rinse off a little, in order to look his best.
Relle and her sister peeked around the screen within a few minutes. Both were wearing long woolen robes, which utterly concealed their bodies. Shane had no doubt Anaëlle intended on having all the men out when they would get dressed.

“Alright, which one of you wants to go first?” Anaëlle asked as she disinfected and sterilized the needle by running it through the flame of a candle. Relle and her sister looked at each other, then Relle stepped forward.

“I’ll go,” she said.

“Sit here,” said Anaëlle. Relle complied, careful to keep the robe shut tight around her. Anaëlle quickly pierced her ears and slipped the two rings in.

“Samira, your turn,” Anaëlle said. She looked really pale after seeing her sister get her ears pierced. Relle led her by the hand, and Shane saw that she was actually trembling.

“Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt too much,” said Relle softly. Samira didn’t seem to believe her. She sat down in front of Anaëlle and shut her eyes, her hands gripping the edge of the chair.

She flinched when the cold metal numbed her ear, and flinched again when the needle pierced her. Her face paled even more, something Shane didn’t think was possible. And she was only halfway through. Well, at least she only had to go through this once. Once she was marked as property by her rings, that would be that and her future was sealed.

Relle slid her hand over her sister’s, and Samira gripped it tightly, her knuckles turning white. Pain flashed across Relle’s face, but she said nothing. Anaëlle pierced Samira’s other ear, and as soon as she had backed away, Relle whispered to her sister that it was all over. Samira’s face began to regain color as she continued to sit.

Anaëlle then turned to go and pick out their clothes. Lyas slipped behind the screen to use the water and then dressed in the same green clothes he wore the previous day. Shane just sat and observed everything.


Anaëlle walked over to the chest of clothes. Rummaging around, she finally managed to come up with twin outfits. She murmured a couple words, and they resized themselves to Relle and Samira’s slim figures. Out came two dark purple-blue floor length dresses of soft wool. They were unadorned and had long sleeves. The necks were high. Two pairs of leather boots followed. Lastly, Anaëlle found white shifts for the twins to wear beneath the dresses.

“Lyas, please wait for me by the door,” she said as she fastened the leads on to the rings, “Shane, please watch Theos, Relle and Samira. Girls, dress in m absence. For all of you, lessons begin when I return.”

Shane wished she hadn’t used the word ‘lessons’. It only made him think of school and therefore of home, which he was starting to miss.
Anaëlle left, locking the door behind her. Theos sighed loudly and angrily, and stalked over to Lith’s bed. He deliberately sat on it. Shane was quite sure that wasn’t allowed, but there wasn’t a whole lot he could do about it. Theos looked a lot stronger than him, and he had no desire to find himself in a fight.

“Come on Samira,” Relle said, standing and pulling her sister to her feet, “We’d best get dressed.”

Samira only nodded. Shane wondered if she was mute.


Anaëlle walked over to the large cream tent with Lyas in tow. It felt like a repeat of yesterday, only she knew there would only be three servants on the show, instead of the planned five. Well. At least these three were properly behaved. She was not worried about Methal’s captive, since it was unlikely he stuck around – only a fool would do that. Besides, it was broad daylight. Still, she couldn’t help a twinge of anxiety as she walked through the camp, despite the abundance of her fellow clan members. Tension just floated along in the air.

Eól waved at her and she waved back.

As she approached the tent, Toram came out.

“Ah, finally!” he said, “The other two are already here and in place.”

“Sorry Father,” she said, “I had to pierce his ears, and I did the others’ as well.”

“Don’t worry, just get inside.”

Anaëlle slipped inside and led Lyas to his place between Arwen and Nessa. The two females were dressed in the same outfits as the day before, and Anaëlle suppressed a shiver although she supposed that Lyas was dressed the same, and that they really didn’t have the luxury of several showing outfits. Didn’t mean she had to like the repetition.

She had Lyas stand between the two females, on a small pedestal-stool like block that would allow potential buyers to easily walk around him and view him from all angles. When he was in place, she went to stand to the side with Erin and Slivia. Erin looked a mess, but since Lyas was being shown, he had to be there. If a client wanted to see him naked, he would have to go in one of the stalls at the back wit him and the client, to dissuade any indecent behavior. For viewings, despite whose captive it was, the pairings were always of the same sex, to avoid shame to the seller. Even though servants were not considered quite on the same level as free people, it made for a more comfortable atmosphere.

Toram was at the front of the tent, making sure that everything was in place. He then made the rounds at the other stalls. Finally, he stuck his head in through the flap.

“I’m going to let the townsfolk in now,” he said, and disappeared.

Anaëlle decided she would stay for a little longer, just to be sure that Slivia, Erin, and Toram would not be overwhelmed, before returning to the wagon.
When Toram reappeared, she went to him.

“Father, would it be alright for me to return to the wagon? I need to start the lessons for the other four, and I don’t like leaving them too long. I know it might be much for Slivia to manage the two girls, but maybe you could take over, unless the client wants to see her in the back?”

He mulled over her words.

“Yes, get back to the wagon. Lith is at the cloth stall, so I don’t think you’ll have to worry about her returning. Good luck with them, and Anaëlle,” he said as she took a step back to leave, “Be careful.”

“I will Father, thank you,” she said, and made her escape.


Theos was still sitting on the bed when Shane heard the key turn in the lock, announcing Anaëlle’s return. Relle and Samira had made Anaëlle’s bed and hooked it back to the wall with Shane’s help, rolled the pallets and stacked them in a corner, and folded the blankets on top of them. They were kneeling on the floor in silent contemplation when Anaëlle pushed the door open. Shane was unsure as to his position, so he remained sitting at the table.


Anaëlle walked in and took in the scene before her: Theos scowling on the bed, the twins on the floor, and Shane at the table.

“Relle, Samira, good. Shane, I’ll excuse you because you have absolutely no idea what is expected of you, but know that I am expecting you to learn fast. Theos, off the bed. Make it and hook it back to the wall,” she was all business as she walked back to the chest and selected a light switch of leather.

“Theos, I have had enough of your rebelliousness. From now on, every time you trespass on something I deem that you should know by now, you will be punished. I dislike and disagree with corporal punishment, but there are times when it is necessary.” His face didn’t change as he firmly attached the bed to the wall.

Anaëlle walked over and pulled out one of the chairs from the table.

“Bend over, my knees,” she ordered, “And drop your pants.”

With an arrogant look on his face, Theos took his time walking over to her, and made a show of unlacing his pants and shaking them down his legs. Anaëlle just rolled her eyes at the spectacle. She grabbed his shirt and yanked. He was not expecting that, and so fell over her. Her right arm came firmly down across his shoulder blades. Her left hand held the switch. Lifting it high, it came down with a swish and a smack: a red line appeared across Theos’s buttocks. Again and again, the switch came down as Anaëlle calmly carried out the task. Inside, she cringed because she knew there was a possibility that this humiliation might just make Theos more rebellious, but she hoped that if that was the case, she would manage to break him to her will soon.

Ten times. Ten times the switch came down on Theos’s buttocks. Shane counted them. He didn’t watch, but he heard them. Apart from the swish and smack, there was absolute silence in the wagon. Not once did Theos call out in pain. When Anaëlle was finished, the last smack resounded in the air for a moment.

“Get up and get dressed again,” Anaëlle said coldly, “That was your first lesson in obedience.” She stood and made her way back to the door of the wagon. Relle and Samira were still kneeling on the floor. Shane had joined them. A moment later, Theos joined them. He winced slightly and only for a second, but Anaëlle caught it and a spark of satisfaction ignited in her.

“Obedience is the most important aspect of your new life,” she began, “It is what will earn you a higher position and sometimes more comfort. Your owner will be looking for prompt obedience. When they ask for something, you are expected to carry out the task immediately and in the quickest way possible, while still fully meeting your owner’s expectations. They will, of course, inform you of their preferences upon your entry in their home. They may give you a few days to adjust, but within a week, you will be expected to know their routines and schedules, and blend into them seamlessly.

“You will be provided with a room of course, and a pallet to sleep on. You will most likely be sharing this room with other servants. In there, you are all equal beneath, in some households, the head servant. Your owner will generally not show preferential treatment, although he or she may decide to have one of you over another, or vice versa, on certain occasions.

“You must remember that you are all pleasing to look at. That is one of your assets, although it can be problematic on occasions. There have been cases when part of your services required are sexual services. No matter what your orientation or whether you are attracted to your owner, you will be expected to fulfill these services as though they were any other service asked of you. You do not have a choice in the matter. To you, Relle and Samira, I will provide you with herbs to prevent you from getting with child. These are useful and there is generally no objection to you taking them. They avoid potential complications.

“Though this may not seem like a lot, it is. Another important aspect of your life as servants, is respectfulness and keeping your distances. You undoubtedly know now, that there are basic respectfulness rules to keep. One, you do not speak unless you are spoken to. Two, you do not speak unless you have been addressed in such a way that requires an answer. For example, a direct question. Three, an occasion on which you may speak without prompt, is when introducing a guest to the room where your owner is, or when informing them of the presence of the guest outside the room.

“Distances are trickier to figure out at first, which is why I have these special leads,” Anaëlle held them up, “The one between your legs allows you to become used to the length of the steps you must keep to. This is an easy way to help maintain distance behind your owner. Of course, depending on who your owner is exactly, old or young, they will have a different walking style, which is why I have this second longer lead which measures the distance you are to keep between yourself and your owner when you are walking behind them. So long as you maintain this distance, you then adjust your step.”

Anaëlle stood and retrieved bracelets, anklets, and collars for the twins. Shane collected his, and attached his anklets and collar. Anaëlle attached his bracelets, as well as those of the twins. Standing again, she picked up the leads, and attached them in all the right places.

“Stand up now, and walk backwards until the lead is loosely taunt between you and me,” she said, holding the end of each of the four leads in her hands at the level of her midriff.

“Good,” she said, “Now try to fix that distance in your heads. You will be walking around with these so long as you haven’t been sold, so there will be time to practice and adjust, but the sooner you do this, the easier it will be for you.”

The four captives drank in her speech in utter silence. Even Shane, whom she expected would have questions, simply sat and stood with a non-descript look on his face.


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