He stared up at me from the floor, as though he could not possibly imagine what had just happened. His eyes followed the tip of my sword up the blade, and then my arm, and to my face, where they finally came to rest with an unbelieving sort of look. And then the realization hit him, and he lowered his eyes, the color draining out of his face.
I knelt in front of him, between his splayed legs as he reclined on his elbows. My sword lay where I had dropped it, his where it had fallen, and both weapons seemed forgotten.
"The conditions have been met," I said, my voice cracking like thunder through the silent room. Only the sound of our breathing could be heard, like rain in the background. "I am now your master, and you will obey me as such. I promise that I will not scar or starve you, but anything else is mine to command. You belong to me for the duration that you stay with me. Your mind and body are mine."
I leaned close to him, watching his eyes as he nodded unfeelingly. They were blank, and I worried for a moment that he would go into shock, but he was not shaking, so I decided it was merely disbelief.
Removed for content.
I lifted him from the floor. He was rigid in my arms, his face red with furry and embarrassment.
"Must you humiliate me as well?" he growled from my arms.
"Don't be ridiculous," I responded. "You're ankle is sprained. You cannot possibly walk back to the room on it."
"Pain in my leg is much better than pain in my soul," he responded, "I am not weak."
"Perhaps not weak," I bantered, "but certainly foolish to walk all that way for mere pride."
"You know nothing of me!" he snapped. "Nor of your slaves! The most prized possession of any slave if pride, and the first piece of them ripped away by their masters as well!"
"Hush," I chided, "You know less of slavery than I. At least I know that pride is the last thing any person thinks of with an empty belly and a whip at their backs. I do not do this to break your soul, I do this to keep you from breaking your ankle. Now, I command you to be silent."
He huffed, but his honor would not let him refuse a command, now that I had met our agreement. I was pleased that he had not broken to me, but concerned still. He had no respect for me, and I still could not be sure he wouldn't prove to be a detriment to my mastery. I could not let my reputation suffer, however I doubted Dragon could do that much damage in a week. After that, if he still proved to be too much of a handful, I could merely refuse to take him again.
It was quiet as I left the dojo, with Dragon fuming in my arms. His pants had been haphazardly tossed over my shoulder, but the longer boxers he wore seemed almost prudish amongst all the naked boys. Still, we received several stares as I returned to the room, and I had no doubt that word of this walk would soon spread to the rest of Collar. On the one hand, I knew it would be good for my reputation, but on the other I had truly not wanted to embarrass Dragon. Still, there was no way for him to walk, so there really hadn't been much of a choice.