Aaron: Chapter Nine
Dinner time, wonderful dinner time… As I held my bowl of mushy food. I had no idea what is in it, but I have been living on it for the past few weeks now. Brown water with a pile of black and brown mush in the middle. Is it porridge? Flour in a sauce? Mince? Who am I kidding mince is way too special for us slaves. I couldn't even tell what was in it with the smell and it smelt horrible. Even though the food is detestable I had no idea that I could miss chewing food so much. It is a struggle to eat without getting food all over my mask. At least Master Isil is kind enough to give me a special spoon so I can tilt the mush into the special opening of the mask. After all, he doesn't want me to starve… He wants to teach me a lesson, not kill me.
I can open my mouth a little but it hurts so much… It feels like pins piercing into your gums continuously. I just have to be careful not to swallow too much food or I will choke to death. Communication is also a problem, but then that is pretty much the reason for the brace. I can't say shit anymore… It's one hell of a punishment. I wish they just put me in mind control instead, but apparently, they like how I can think on my feet during a battle situation.
I have no idea when they will remove this mask. But I do have a firm feeling they will never remove it until I am dead. I dab my spoon into the watery mush and mixed it together to hopefully improve the consistency. It still looks and tastes disgusting, but I manage to start eating it.
"Aaron yoush etra da keera ztrangar up".
I know I need to keep my strength up. My strength is all I have… If I didn't have my strength or speed I would have been dead long ago. But looking at Reepyr in front of me, I know he is trying to cheer me up. He is a good guy who himself has suffered much hardship during Iqosha training. You can easily tell by the scars on his face and faded pink hair that would have once been brighter. He is one of the unfortunate ones deemed unworthy to breed and they cut him both root and stem. One fact that I will always be grateful is that I still have my parts and can only hope that they will never touch them.
He is much older and experienced, by being a slave to Master Isil for over thirty years. He is one of the loyal slaves that Master Isil will never be rid of. Reepyr is the name his father named him before he was taken into slavery, but in these barracks, he is known by the masters as number 39. I am 142 and like him, I have my number with chain links tattoo wrapped around my wrist. A constant reminder of what we are. There is an overall amount of two hundred Iqosha official soldiers under Master Isil's command. I may not know how to count well or be fully educated in reading and writing but I do hear of how many we have through dragon conversations.
Reepyr smiles at me as he tries to eat his own mushy shit. By looking at his face as he eats, he makes funny faces at me and the rest of the soldiers at the table. We all chuckled with delight, but it was short lived because the dragon master who is watching us roared for us to be quiet.
The good thing about Iqosha soldiers is that we can connect on a deep level since we are all suffering together. We can call each other brothers in a way, but I try my hardest not to get too close to others. I have learned personally a few years ago having close friends with other Iqosha slaves can go so very wrong.
As I have just finished my bowl a dragon roars loudly. His roar is unlike any other roar it is so shrieking and deafening. It is Master Isil, it is evening inspection. Everyone including I stand up in straight in perfect formation. He has his human rider on him as usual. He walks past his soldiers who stood at the benches. It was so quiet you can hear a coin drop. As he walked past the soldiers in different rows. He eventually gets to me… He looks at me up and down. He then shows his snarky grin and scoffs at me. I had a small sigh of relief, I didn't want to deal with him after what he did to me.
Master Isil is very quiet this round… Usually, there is some form of abuse to a soldier. Beating, berating or gets dragged away forcefully to do whatever business. Master Isil eventually left once he was done and things got back to normal in the hall. Whispering has started amongst the other soldiers. It looks like buyers will be coming tomorrow, one said. Another said it could just be a physical checkup another said. After a while, I stopped caring… Once most of the soldiers finished their meals, the dragon master of the kitchen orders us go back to the barracks. Those who didn't finish were moved by force out of the kitchen, the occasional beat up by our guards ensue. But lucky tonight they just get the bruises.
When we reached to our caged barracks there are fifteen women standing around. They are some of our regular girls who sometimes sneak in, seeing if they could get some extra comfort and possibly some gifts or pay if they are lucky. We are not meant to have any money, no items of fun or anything. However, some soldiers steal some items from their temporary owners. After us being rented away for our services.
Master Isil usually does not mind the women sneaking in as it can boost morale in the ranks. This definitely does not help the girls' owner though as I do hear from Master Isil's dragon guards that she complains about this often.
Master Isil never used to be this "nice", but the differences in the results could not be denied. Many of the men are of course excited, which usually means fifteen women out of fifty men in this area, fights will break out. However, the women quickly solved this issue and they are the ones who choose who they want to be with. Unless the man tells them that they have something worthwhile. Most men don't like it, but it has to be this way otherwise we won't get it at all or they will chop off our manhood's and join the ball fewer barracks across from us.
"Hello, my lovely…" As I hear a soothing voice behind me, it is Keyra. As I turned around she had a look of sadness. I haven't seen her since before they masked me. "My god… What have they done to you sweetheart?" She started to play around with the sides of my mask. I then took her hand and bought her to my cage. A small room with a small mattress and wooden bucket to shit and pee in. She sits on my mattress, probably wondering how I eat with this thing on. I wave hello to her since it is really the only way I can say hello. I then sit next to her wondering what she is going to say. It didn't help that it was a bit awkward since those who are having "fun" in their cages are being noisy.
"Well… Whoever made this contraption, I bet certainly got a nice lordship. There is no better game that orange dragons like to play… Create the best torture devices win."
Nothing surprises her anymore… We first met after my second year as a trainee. I was fourteen and she was seventeen. When I was fourteen they gave me permission to be a breeder. Which means one day I will be assigned a woman to have children with. My name is in their books, but in order for me to have children, I must good looking and be the best Iqosha soldier I can be. I wish to never have children as I will not be permitted to raise them or even be near them. They will be raised by their mother to age five where their owners will decide where the child should go. It is a life I don't wish on anyone…
Keyra is charged to teach me the ways of creating children. Which I admit is the best lessons I have been taught as a slave. I have benefitted much from it and I'm sure she did as well. We saw each other once a week for our lessons and eventually, we became very good friends. We know each other almost completely so much so she shares me her secrets and I share her mine. The only thing I don't know is her real name, for her own safety and mine.
"I really wish they didn't do this to you… It's so cruel. They have only started bringing these in recently because one of my girls back chatted to the master and she was immediately punished the same way, the other day".
She knows the Draconis tongue because she is not from here. She is from the city of Mille Voix the main capital of the Turquoise Empire. She told me that she was the only daughter of a poor baker who sold her to make ends meet. Which is why her original accent is very different than ours, she masks it and speaks Prisshek to blend in. She is very popular amongst the men and women, with her bright blue hair and petite physique. But I am happy she chooses my company even though sometimes we don't end up having sex.
She gets extremely close and whispers in my ear. "You know Aaron there are a few people who are interested in buying you. Viscount Libre Blagour, who is an interesting fellow, he helps rule the small city of Danse. The Countess Elfie Fleurir who owns quite a chateau in Mille Voix and Viscountess Amelie Elegant who helps rule Sain".
I know what she is doing… She is vouching for me to be bought by these people. How does she know these people? Did she sleep with them? Or did she know them before she left Mille Voix? She didn't have to do this… It's so dangerous to be jeopardizing herself for me like this. All I could do is look at her… If only she could read my mind. She smiles that sweet slanted smile of hers. I really had no idea how to communicate with her.
"Don't worry my friend this time I hope to find the perfect buyer for you. Who should treat you well, who can match Master Isil's price this time. Just be a good slave for the time being and everything will be alright".
This time? What does she mean this time? Have all these people come to see me in the past few years are from the influence of Keyra? I have so many questions, but I can't ask them. She lowers her left hand to feel my inner thighs and begins massaging them. I was not going to lie that this is feeling very good. I needed it after a long day of training.
"Let's have a nice sleep… You and I both need it. I have drunk the Silphium tea, so you need not worry. While also let's make the other soldiers jealous". She kisses my forehead as I lie down on my bed with her on top of me. It is going to be a great night.
The next morning quickly arrived and hugged a farewell to Keyra as she needed to go back to the brothel with the other ladies. It is time for another long day of training, however, the whispers from the other soldiers last night are correct. A group of nobles from the golden pyramid, Mille Voix and Inclementia have begun to arrive. We all heard the horn and we all had to put our armour on as quickly as we could and march into a formation and line up inside the arena.
I stood up with a spear in my hand awaiting orders. It is always nerve-racking knowing that you are being judged, by your looks to how you fare in battle. If you fail by even slouching in your stance you get severely punished by being whipped or worse. We must look in front of us until ordered, you cannot move your head unless you are told. We are trained not to fall for distractions so easily. The large gate to the arena opened, all two hundred of us stood in rows of twenty in perfect order. All of the nobles who are interested walked through the gates. Orange dragons with their personal vessels, Inclementia nobles with their long white hair and Mille Voix nobles with their exaggerated makeup with overbearing outfits and parasols.
Master Isil stands on a stage across from us, ready to present us. After all, he is trying to sell our services as he is a salesman. When I heard him I noticed that he is using a different human slave as his rider this time.
"Welcome nobles! Today I present you the Iqosha soldiers! Who has super strength and super speed! They will obey all your orders and will protect you day and night without rest! They have been trained with fists, spears, swords, daggers, shields, bows and arrows! They can swim and have trained to live in harsh environments for long periods of time! Their pain threshold is better than any other weak human! These men do not fear death! Death fears them and they will bring it!"
He now has a human that speaks draconis. This certainly makes things easier for his customers to understand, since they usually have to purchase their own translators. The nobles all look interested and seem excited to see what we can do. Some even clapped after listening to my masters' awful speech, at least they're having a good time…
"Come nobles, first we will see them in this state before we do the weapon demonstration".
Master Isil I hear a shout out "TURN RIGHT!" and we all incorrect unison turn right. "TURN LEFT!" and like before in perfect unison we turned left facing to the stage once again. Master Isil then gets off the stage and leads the nobles, in a similar fashion that he did last night during our inspection. We all stood perfectly still, not one of us moved. We were like statues perfectly built formation. The nobles eventually got to me. They moved my arm up, looking around and feeling all over me. The dragons even sniffed me… When you are being bought or borrowed there I no such things as personal space.
"This one has a unique mask on his face… Why is that?" One of the Inclementia nobles' question to Master Isil. This made me nervous because if customers keep asking questions about me, Master Isil will stop others burrowing me or selling I and I have no idea what will happen to me then. Maybe he might even take this stupid brace off so I can easily be more sellable.
Master Isil had to make a quick reply to try and excuse my weird brace. "142 has a mouth brace on. It is a recently new form of punishment given to slaves who talk back or talk too much. We used to pull out their tongues but we realized we do need them to talk since they need to report to their masters what is happening. It is only temporary… We also cannot always rely on mind control gear as it restricts their minds on the field of battle. They need to think on their feet to truly use their strengths. This one in front of you has shown great power and strength in his fighting and survival trials. He has proven to be one of my best."
The noble from Inclementia scoffs at Master Isil and even chuckles a little. She grabs my face and examines the brace closely. She pulls and she probes the bars on my head. "That is because your orange mind gear is weak and short ranged. If he was at my home he would have been made a mindless servant by now. This also, however, present a problem since you say they are very obedient yet here is one who apparently answers back to his masters. Hence the mouth mask. But the word about your soldiers and their endeavours have reached my ears, so here I am. Prove to me how good they are. I heard they are very expensive and hard to make".
Looking at master Isil he is intimidated by this particular noble. I have no idea who she is, but it looks like if master Isil fails her something will happen and it won't be good. After when they have looked at every one of us, they all sat on the seats in the viewers' box in the arena. It is time to show our battle prowess. The nobles have each chosen the Iqosha soldiers that they wish to be presented. I was one of the chosen and those who were not chosen by any nobles have been dismissed so they go back to the barracks.
I and twenty others need to show what we can do. Each of them took their turns in which they specialize in different things. It was interesting to watch them because even though we were trained in such similar ways we still differ in style and grace. We can vary a little but we must at least master three different weapons. One of the nobles in Mille Voix after a presentation shouted saying that this is a problem because they like uniform and that the discipline of different styles is distracting. Master Isil roared at him with a reply in annoyance. It was frustrating to watch, some sales dragon my master is.
The noble from Inclementia deliberately asked if I could go last. She wants to compare me with others. It was finally my turn, I took a deep breathe in as I prepared my mind. To begin I decided to show my use of the spears, I grabbed a large spear that is double the size of me and threw it across the stadium landing a bullseye on a scarecrow. Then after that in a quick motion, I grabbed the bows and arrows and nearby orange dragons threw ten apples I the air and I shot at all ten moving targets in quick succession. I can hear the nobles clapping but my mind is so focused on what I was doing. After the showcase with the bows and arrows, I grabbed a sword and shield and went against another Iqosha soldier. He attacked and I dodged, blocking his attacks over and over again. I struck at him, he blocked successfully against me. However I pulled a quick one and switched hands, I began to fight as a left-handed fighter and this caught him off-guard. I managed to disarm him with my right-handed shield and he yielded. The nobles still clapped, it looks like they seem to be enjoying themselves. After that, I demonstrated my use of throwing knives. Like the spear, I bulls-eyed every single hay dummy without failure.
Master Isil then ordered me to show my physical strength an orange dragon lied on the ground pretending it was asleep. I took another deep breathe in as I prepared to lift this two-ton creature off the ground. I grabbed the bottom of him and with my might as I managed to lift the creature above my head. Everyone in the viewing box looked astounded. The others have shown their strength but to lift two tons is something else. But it was immensely heavily I had to be careful not to strain myself. I accidentally dropped the dragon a bit clumsier than expected as he whacked his head on the floor. He of course immediately roared at me in retaliation, with Isil demanding him to shut up.
The final demonstration is fighting against dragons with mag fighting abilities. Humans general weakness is fighting against this as dragons can just mag push you away. However, I am fast and them trying to mag at me slows them down because they are focusing on using their powers to aim. I went against three of the dragons and I managed to kick each of them out cold on the head one after the other.
After when all that is finished I bowed before them to signal I have finished my presentation. They stood up and clapped enthusiastically.
"Well done!" The nobles said, "Bravo!"
I admit I was actually sort of happy. I felt like I did something right for a change. They were all rushing down to see me in the arena.
"Well, this one has certainly proven yourself. I can see why you like him so much Isil. How much is he?" This noble from Mille Voix is so giggly and excitable. She has been throughout the whole presentation. But yet weirdly enough she seems rather kind than all the rest of them even though she owns people and dragons as objects.
"My name is Elfie Fleurir. I wish to purchase 142". She smiled at me with a slanted smile. It reminds me of Keyra's smile. But it is a trait I have realized that many people from Mille Voix have. But I remember that Keyri mentioned her name in our conversation last night. Master Isil has the happiest grin that I haven't seen in a long time… "142 is also trained in the arts of pleasure. So if a female wants to be mounted he will always be on call for you". Elfie chuckles in retort. "Well, it is a good thing I am not yet married. But then even if I was I wouldn't mind still doing it with you…" She continues to giggle as if she is a little girl and strokes her finger on my arm muscles.
The Inclementia noble rolls her eyes. "Hold up there Countess Fleurir, I wish to bid on him as well". The noble from Inclementia cuts into the conversation. "How much are you asking for him?" She inputs in.
Master Isil sends a dragon slaver who keeps track of slave purchases to his side. His name is Master Orvir with his human rider who has parchment of paper with ink and quill. His saddle designed with a desk so he can write down what the masters say. With the Orange draconium Empire, there are many who are literate and they have endless records of slave transactions that are known to be located in the golden pyramid library.
"Five-thousand gold to purchase and five hundred gold to hire for a week," Master Isil said with pride.
"FIVE-THOUSAND GOLD?" Elfie shouts with the highest pitched voice I have ever heard. "That is unfortunate…. That is too much gold. You can buy a nice house with that gold". Elfie looks defeated, however the noble from Inclementia has her hand on her chin thinking up her options. I hear to buy a normal soldier or guard slave usually can cost from fifty to three hundred gold. But they do not have the same reputations as we do. She eventually gives out a heavy sigh, "I'm going to have decline that amount, and even if we barter it will still be too ridiculously high. I can purchase many more soldiers and train them myself when I go back".
Many of the other nobles didn't say much and politely said that he was charging way too high a price for me. Some even left with other Iqosha soldiers who went for a bit cheaper. They all began to leave without even trying to barter for me in the end. It looks like another day to be back at the barracks… Does Master Isil deliberately put up the price to make sure I never sell to taunt me or is he just a greedy dragon? I think both…
"I would like to barter for him! Sorry if I am a bit late to the presentations."
A voice shouted from behind the taller nobles. It was a small man… A really small man. He walks out with pride with a man who is much taller than what he is and just smaller than me. The small man was decked out in Turquoise Draconium finery. Long black and dark purple velvet coat. He must have been extremely hot from wearing those clothes. He had bright blue hair, large ears, light green eyes, skin that had a tint of light green and is carrying a fancy black velvet bag. I have never seen a man like him before. Hard for my training because since he is small I have to look down. The forever haunting feeling of me being punished because I am not looking straight forward like I am supposed to. The taller man next to him was wearing basic black leather light armour that has been tattered and used. There are so many holes the armour you can easily tear it off and he will be exposed. One of his swords even looks like it is beginning to rust. Just by looking at him he is dual sword wielder. He is much older and is clearly a seasoned fighter by looking at his scars on his arms. No sigils or anything on him… I cannot tell where he is from.
"A mouse? What are you doing here little rodent? Shouldn't you be in that tent shithole you call a city?" Master Isil scolds. "Your people should be chains… Why are you walking around proud?"
"A mouse? Rodent? How original… Are you like this with all of your customers? I am a free man since I am not from Suravi, Dragon City or Inclementia. I am a free man just visiting from the Turquoise Empire if you can't tell by my robes. My name is Mali Piccolo… Insult me again and you will regret it". He brings out the pendant that reveals that he is a free man that shouldn't be touched. With this, he also reveals his large bag of gold and his friend also reveals that he is carrying more gold.
Master Isil begrudgingly apologizes to him. Which is a pure joy to watch, this is such a rare occurrence to see my master make a fool of himself.
"Has he ever been outside of this city?" The small man sharply asks Master Isil.
"Not officially, he has only been out there for his survival training. He has been rented to other nobles here and they loved his service. He is more expensive because he has had a bit more training than the others in some matters and is stronger and faster than others". Master Isil turns to me and demands I walk I walk three steps forward. Which I do in perfect posture and timing.
Mali looks at me and his face looks sympathetic. "I saw your presentation boy, it was very impressive. I can see why your master likes you so much. I will barter one-thousand gold for you".
"You will not rip me off rodent! You will give me at least four-thousand gold!"
The bartering has begun. They begin to suggest random amounts of money and they keep refusing each other's offer. Five-hundred, one-thousand, three-thousand, two-thousand five-hundred, four-thousand, it just kept going and going. Eventually, the bartering began to slow down between the two. Then out of the blue, my master Isil shouts one-thousand by complete accident!
"DEAL!" The small man points at him with triumph. The dragon master Orvir who is a slave dealer smiles at Master Isil. "You have no choice but to honour this deal Isil… You have named the price and he accepts. You cannot back down due to trading laws, even if he is human. He has the gold, he will pay and you will give him your property".
Master Isil breathes in deeply. "Very well take 142… Wished I could have gotten more gold from him. You stupid rat take him!" He scoffs and then mags him two small items into Mali's hand. One looked like a key and whip.
"If you want his best obedience, keep this brace on him. Feed him whatever mush you please as long as he is fed. He needs to train at least two hours a day to keep his physique up. He can live on weeks with minimal sleep. He can take whichever weapon you please from the armoury as part of the purchase."
"Well boy… I am not going to tell you which weapon you want to use. Go ahead and choose one for yourself." Master Mali points to the weapons still left out from the presentations. I walk over and I had to think carefully… I cannot take a sword and shield because that is two weapons. Master Isil will never allow that when he says one weapon he means only one weapon. Bow and arrows will not be as useful if I cannot get my hands on arrows. My mind then trails off to the greatswords, spears and hammers. I played around with the weapons for a bit and I felt closest to the greatsword. Not as heavy-handed and clunky as the hammer or as finicky as a spear. I have made my choice I choose the great sword.
I walk back over to Master Mali, Master Isil and Master Orvir who is signing the papers. Master Mali signs the final document. Master Mali then smiles a cheeky grin like he has won a great victory today. In a way he certainly has… He managed to trick Master Isil. Which I can guarantee he feels embarrassed to be outsmarted by a human. "You are now mine boy… You will protect me and my charges when I ask of you".
It's official I am sold! My heart is skipping many beats, I am so excited and terrified at the same time. Because now I have no idea what to expect. Tough and horrible as this place has been. It has been the longest place I have lived. Longer than with my mother and longer than Lord Caspian. I will NEVER call this place my home as it has scarred me in many ways and has destroyed any hopes of what I hoped my life will be. But it is going to be a whole new dangerous adventure. Will my new master be kind? Or could be just as evil or even crueller than Master Isil. Even though Master Isil tortured us for fun at some points I do hear that some slaves have it worse…
Master Mali with his friend then begin to leave the arena and I quickly follow behind them. We walked past the beautiful gardens which are still tending to the human gardeners. We all eventually reach the front gate of the mansion and it opens. It felt like it was the longest gate opening I have ever seen. When the gate opened we just left… I looked back and the saw the gates close once more. I hope this is the last time I see those gates… But what will be in store for me in the future…