Chapter 11

To the Markets

The slave quietly remained in thought as the warrior was again transferred to the hated City of Jronia. Every thought pierced his mind into a reeling and angry turmoil as he stepped onto the soil once more. The slave could only wait as Xanatos got off the ship and while holding the leash to the Saiyan's collar, the Master would look to the towering mountains ahead to the East, and beyond those ice capped peaks lay Jronia. It was going to be a long road and as he was tugged forward, the slave would dip his head quietly and he would follow his Master's lead.

Alexandria had suffered being destroyed through neglect and opposing forces and in that time he was again taken to yet another land under the Ownership of a person that would see his return to Jronia. 50 miles was to be estimated, just to the foothills of the mountains, then another 50 after that to the walls of the City. The air was humid, smelling of salt and as he followed his Master, the others of the ship would begin to gain supplies. Now he and his Master would begin the long trek to Jronia.

His pace must have slowed in his thoughts, as he felt the pull of the heavy chain leash upon his collar, urging him to hasten his pace, upon which he had to. It was about 500 yards from the ship that there was a light cart waiting and the Saiyan knew what this meant. Stepping between the shafts, he would kneel down, pull the harness on, and clip into the traces. When he stood up, Xanatos would come to check the harness straps, making sure it was tightened securely.

Then came the bridle. The thick leather straps were slipped over his head, the crown piece resting on the back of his head, the cheek straps had been loosened a couple notches so that it could be tightened again. A band would come across the middle part of his nose upon which two straps would hang. Then came the shock of the steel bit as it slid in his mouth, between his teeth and over his tongue. As he chomped at the bar in his mouth, he would find the bit tightened to where it would lightly tug at the corners of his mouth. The moment it was settled, the muzzle of the bridle would then be lashed and buckled in front of the bit and under his chin so as to keep him from being able to spit it out. The throat latch would then be taken down behind his ears and around the front of his throat. There was no way in which he could remove the bridle as the long reins were laced through the shoulder rings of the harness and taken back.

With the tap of the whip, he would pull out, the reins upon the bridle forcing obedience from the slave. Another tap of the whip and he was brought to the quick jog and it was at this pace he was forced to remain until the steep passes of the mountains. Leaning into the harness, he would listen to the now familiar clinking and jangle of the buckles, the soft creak of the leather, and he had become used to the way the Master handled his reins. The going was slow and trecherous, but his footing remained sure and steady, pulling the lightly loaded cart behind him. One thing he was grateful for was the fact that his Master did not insist on prancing shoes nor the bearing rein, making the pull much easier to bear.

Quietly through the mountains he would then be pulled to a stop, the arch on the back of the U shaped bit pressing against the roof of his mouth. It was then that his Owner got out and looked ahead to the sprawling metropolis below. Holding onto a single rein, Xanatos would look upon the distant City. The glowing torch lights and lanterns lit it up like a sparkling diamond and the mere sight of it made Vegeta want to cringe. It was hard to believe such a grand spectical could be so cruel. However his thoughts were again interrupted by the shift of the cart and the tap of the whip once more.

With the cue to continue, the slave would then quietly begin to pull once more, keeping it steady as the traces drew taut as if wishing to pull him forward to a faster pace. As he made the trip, he could tell his Master would be enjoying the view from the high elevation of the pass. Keeping at the desired pace, the slave watched as ahead of him, the sun was setting, but instead of stopping, he again felt the tap of the whip and he would pick up his pace once more to the quicker jog. Hungry, thirsty, tired, he chewed on the bit, the bitter metallic taste only serving to amplify these feelings. However, the muzzle and the bit kept him from talking or otherwise allowing him to express any sort of need.

By the time they would reach the gates of the vast City, the Saiyan's flesh was sheen with sweat, his breath hard and heavy. White froth would fleck the hide under the leather, the harness, chest, and around the corners of his mouth. The bit would again command a stop as the bridle cinched up on him, as he came to a stop. Two guards would come forth and then grabbed the reins of the slave as they inspected for the brands and upon finding them, would then motion the gates opened. With a guard on each side, he could feel two leashes clipped to his collar and then led in, they would release and close the gate behind.

This time the whip would be lashed across the weary slave's back and he was again forced at a quick jog through the City streets. It wasn't long before they were on the main street and headed for the markets. Vegeta, barely able to keep the pace after the long trek would soon find himself slowed up, the reins tightened in the Master's grip as he was guided on the tight rein through the streets. Merchants would heckle this person and that and it wasn't long before the Master pulled him to a stop.

Xanatos would get off the cart and then taking a tether, would clip the hook upon the side of the gag bit before tying it off to the post. It was there that Vegeta would shift his weight to one foot and close his eyes, as he quietly rested from the long journey. Xanatos on the other hand would then walk the markets finding weapons like those of spears, bow and arrows, swords, and the likes. Then came the casks of ale, and imported drinks. Upon gazing some of these drinks, they seemed unfamiliar. He would pull a merchant aside whom was wearing the white and gold of his caste colors.

"Sir," Xanatos spoke most curiously. "What is the name of this drink that you sell here in the markets of Jronia and where does it come from?"

"It is Ka-La-Na, Sir. Imported from the planet Gor, the City of Ar where only the best will suffice for such a drink. A very fruity drink, able to satisfy the taste of those that drink of it."

Xanatos nodded. "Three barrels please, and by which do you prefer your coin?"

Minov would shrug. "3 gold pieces."

Xanatos would instead, hand him a pouch containing 20 gold pieces which could be converted easily to the Gorean coin. Then with the help of a couple slaves, it would be hoisted to the back of the cart, the weight shifting enough that it brought Vegeta from slumber. It was his first time seeing a person from Gor, but paid it no mind at the moment, nor did the Merchant pay him any mind. Once the cart had been loaded, the tether was removed, the slave felt his Master climb aboard, perhaps a strange sight even to the Gorean merchant as the rein was cinched upon, forcing his head to tuck lightly. With the snap of a whip, he set his feet and then finally pulled forward.

The next stop was at the slave markets where the Saiyan slave dreaded. However the slave again was stopped and this time he was unhitched, the short reins now in place of the long. Then taken to a cage, the Master would then place him within as an auctioneer began the bartering.

"800 gold" He stated

"Do not insult such a fine beast, the value of that slave is 4800 gold. Look at the brands upon it, The beast has been here at least 24 years now, where slaves don't last half that long in Jronia. It has the fight championship, a show championship, and two event championships. Tamed to the whim of the Master, a Saiyan which makes it rare, and is trained for more than four uses. 4800 gold, no less, or I take the slave back."

Reluctantly the auctioneer would pay the 4800 gold pieces demanded of the Master and then he looked at the slave confined, still harnessed and bridled within the cage. Walking up to the bars, he looked to the slave within. "I swear slave, if you do not fetch that much back, I'll sell you to the slaughter house."

Vegeta heard and through the bars of his prison, he gave a light sigh. Sold to the markets, he knew his fate was uncertain and it was at that time he would sit down in the back corner of his cage and sleep. A couple hours later, a gavel would sharply crack upon the podium and Vegeta startled awake. It was then that a guard would open his cage door and bring him to the stands. The slave stood quietly as he was inspected over and it was then that the Saiyan found himself eyed by Delenkra.

As she stopped at the bars of his cage and poked a whip within as he quietly remained at the back of the bars. "Tell me slave what is your breed?"

"Saiyan." He replied just loud enough to be heard.

"Saiyan." She repeated as if trying it on her rose colored lips. "You don't seem to be much to look at for that price. 4800 starting. However I do plan on needing a gift to Syn, and if you're really worth that, then you should suffice enough for the Realm Ruler. Gaurds!" Her voice cried out loud enough to be heard by two heavy set, well muscled men who would approach the woman outside his confinements.

It was then that a choke chain would be lashed around the throat of the slave and he was roughly drug out of the cage. The guard would then hoist up the leash, drawing it taut around the slave's throat, forcing him to stand still as Delenkra would poke and prod. With a smile, she nodded and placed the bag of gold coin in the hand of the guard whom would turn it in to the auctioneer. Then as they reached the outside air, the suffocating dryness again hit his nostrils and his weary body, having only had two hours rest, was now once more being taken to a heavily loaded cart. His thoughts reeled through his mind to what could happen at the Realm Ruler's citadel that sat high within the Northern Mountains.