~ Tavern ~

The sign in front of the place proclaimed "Broken Wheel Tavern and Inn". From this hung, well, a broken wagon wheel.

Straight forward enough, I suppose.

It's three days travel to it and already further than I'd ever been from home. You never realize just how small your world is until you are rudely ejected from it.

As we pulled up behind the place I noticed another Slaver's Guild carriage. It was propped up on one corner by some logs, and near by two people were examining it's, well, broken wheel.

I found this amusing.

I decided that it would be wise to keep this fact to myself when the people in question heard us coming, and turned to waved to us. Radam apparently knew these people, calling out, "Good day, Kimdel. Having some problems there?"

Following some obscenities, Kimdel explained, "snapped the band and lost three spokes. It's going to make me late for market" which was followed my more foul words.

Kimdel is a raccoon. Fairly plain, not to tall, a little pudgy as the breed tends to be, but not badly so, he was of the brown and gray variety. Usually I expected a larger man as a slaver, and his apprentice turned out to be such. Ansen, I think his name was. A big powerful tiger.

I'm not usually much for the big strong type, but there was something rather intriguing about how he carried himself with a very casual and complete confidence.

Kimdel threw up his hands in disgust at the wheel complaining that he was not going to get anything done until the blacksmith got there, and this let him really pay attention to us.

"Well, what have you got there? They look like... no, they can't be twins, can they?"

Radam said simply, "yup" as he was unhooking the team, and dealing with the stable boy.

"Selling them as pleasure slaves, Radam?"

Radam nodded and he says, "As a bound pair."

The raccoon rubbed his chin thoughtfully and said, "Really now, you don't see that too often. But I suppose that only adds to the exotic value in that market."

"So I hope" said Radam.

Now this is the first time that we were talked about like an object in front of our faces, and I was finding it very uncomfortable. From the hand that found it's way into mine, so was my brother. I tried to keep a good posture, though, as I had been taught, and I kept my eyes down.

Kimdel narrowed his eyes and looked at us carefully. I was not looking up to see this, but I could just feel it. After a pause he said, "new, eh?"

Radam looked up at the setting sun, and he said, "mmmm, little over four days collared now."

The raccoon hmmmed to himself and said, "Well behaved for four days. Willing, I take it. Debt?"

Kaust was keeping himself out of the conversation, busy digging through some stuff. What his father said next got him to look up though.

"Yep. Not been a good few years for many" which got some nods from everyone. "Say, Kimdel, you like the boys, don't you?"

Even the raccoon raised an eyebrow at this, and he said, "well, I've not suddenly taken a fancy to women. Why?"

"Do me a favor? I'd like to see what you think of these two. Besides, it might take your mind off your troubles."

Kaust frowned a little, but went back to what he was doing. I'm pretty sure the shock was nicely written on both our faces, however.

A smile started to spread over Kimdel's masked face, and he said, "I think that would be a pleasant way to spend an evening." His eyes narrowed though, and he says, "They won't fight it, will they?"

Radam turned to us, and I looked up just to find him looking into our eyes. He said, looking to us, "No, they won't make a fuss." That authority in his voice... I knew there would be no arguing with him on this.

I found myself breathing a bit to fast, and my heart pounding, and I felt my hand squeezed tightly, and looked at my brother. He was scared, I could see it. My concern for him let me for a moment forget my own dread, and I touched my muzzle to his cheek gently, which got a smile, and he relaxed his grip on my paw.

Kimdel's eyes got wide in that mask for just a moment, and then he laughed, saying, "By the gods, they are lovers? You've got yourself a little gold mine Radam. Yea, send them up after dinner."

So, it was decided.

We carried the few things that were needed up to the room, and helped pack the rest of the lose things into the cage, which was locked. Then we went inside to eat.

I was scared, but trying very hard to bite it down. I could not hide it, not from my brother, but I could try and be strong for him. I could tell he was scared too, but the little smiles he gave me let me know he appreciated my trying. In a way, that made it easier for me, too.

We found a table... well, ok, Master Radam and Kaust found a table, and we kneeled beside them. We would not take a chair unless told we were allowed to. What we were allowed to do was wait at the moment as the two ordered food for themselves, and us.

Now, taverns. The only time I'd been to a tavern was with my father, for very rare special occasions when he would treat us to a meal there. Not to say there was anything wrong with my mother's cooking. It's just that a tavern had a lot more to work with than we ever did. So, my brother and I, were used to having nice food at taverns.

We got the stew.

I should have known that was coming, but, it was a disappointment. I knew better than to voice it, and I tried not to let it show. But it did. Thankfully our Masters seemed content with the fact we were trying, and didn't say anything.

When we were told we may have a seat and our stew, we thanked them politely if unenthusiastically, and ate.

Bland, but filling. I suppose that's all a slave should ask for.