Now, I had been tattooed with Solryl's mark. Twice. One as a tramp stamp over my ass and the other on my forehead, all done fairly quickly and by hand as said elven client hummed happily, right in front of a curious audience, with some muttering coming along due to where and how she marked me apparently. See, apparently, like she said, human slaves among her people had a high turn over rate, entirely by design. See, the thing was if there was something dangerous as hell that needed to be done, the reasonable thing was to get a slave and force THEM to do it.

Yes, it may take a few attempts, but again, that was why they got slaves in the first place. Meanwhile, I was apparently being marked as something less disposable. Which don't get me wrong, was great and all, but also came with its own share of complications. As it stood, yes, I had pretty much expected to be in a support role, to use the knowledge downloaded into my head along with the books (several of which were from my own 'so, civilization has collapsed' library) provided in a small pocket space to basically be a sort of...

Well, husbando? Or maybe this WAS the local version of it and this is what all the girls in the company went through when they went to their agents. If so, I had a sudden and great deal of sympathy for them. Still, I was on my hands and knees, and I was just glad that there was no sun to make things that much worse. Except now, as the last bits of ink were pressed in, was when the others, mostly women but a few girls (as in, they were obviously a good deal younger, or just a lot smaller) were coming up and inspecting me.

Really, hands reaching out, slapping my ass, some gripping my chin as they looked at my teeth, grudging interest as they looked me over. It was one of them, one with more elaborately done hair and some jewelry that spoke. But not to me. "Good meat on it. Make sure to butcher it before it loses too much." She narrowed her eyes. "Or does it need to live to give power?"

That question sent some interested and mildly irritated looks (from the elven males) my way, my owner nodding. "Yes. I only had so much to offer the great spirits from beyond. It can get stronger, but is mostly human. For now."

The words were dismissive, even if there was a promise of sorts in there. Others nodding... and then one of them, I'm not sure which, gripped my dick with her hands, feeling it as she let out a cry of interest. Only to be slapped back by an amused looking Solryl. "Oh, no playing until I have used it!" And then her eyes returned to the other. "And before you ask, not sure how many spirit can give power to."

Which was accompanied by a look at me and as it was? I likely could do a bit more, but I was going to lowball it for the moment. "Two more." Probably closer to nine divine spellcasters, but for the moment? "Can grant more than priestess magic." My eyes moved to my client, whose eyes were narrowing and just a touch annoyed. "But, will have to ask her first. After all, is she not my owner?"

Oh, there may have been some venom in my tone, the faintest shadow of amusement in the elder elf's eyes as Solryl flinched. "True. Solyryl. You require things for your home. I have some spare rugs and jars. A suitable gift for a new home, no?"

And there was the not really barter that was going over my head. Though it was just as likely that the elves did in fact have a gift economy. Still, she nodded. "Indeed grandmother." I was not sure if the elder was her grandmother, or if it was a sign of respect. Still, she inclined her head. "It is a good gift. Matt! Bless my grandmother with power."

You know, the thing was, I had time, and so I took a breath. And then another, and then one that cause the wind and sand to stir, and then in and out until a dust devil struck the elder elf. Because yeah, Weather was part of the domains grafted to me, as a druidic bond awoke in her, the Badlands and Desert rooted in her soul as she reached out. There was a look of amazement in her eyes... even as she called to power, clouds manifesting before her and water falling gently to the ground as she laughed.

Why did I have a feeling that was going to be the test to see if the empowerment worked?

Solryl

On the one hand, she had known that she would have to share her spirits empowering nature with others sooner or later. And yet, she may have, as she took him back to her magic cave, which would become a place of power... she may have been too eager and interested in sealing the deal in a fashion. In a way, it was to protect the spirit, as he appeared much too... human. In other words, soft, weak and largely prey if they did not need an easily broken spear.

But the spirit would become more, be able to grant more power and gifts... though it would take time and effort as she placed him down, the male's face a careful mask. Which said all that needed to be spoken. "Humans." She would try and explain, for the spirit was linked to her and her daughters to come. "Are prey. To be hunted by the people or by the beasts of the land. Sometimes, we have tasks, dangerous tasks, that still need doing. So, we grab one not of the people and have them do it. If they survive? It may need to be done again."

She did not sigh as she looked at him, and then at the work that had to be done to make this a home, and not just a hole off the ground. "But eventually, what do you do with prey?" She shrugged. "You eat it." She paused and then tried to express the important things. "You look human, but have my mark. You belong to me in the eyes of the people. They cannot eat, cannot tell you to do dangerous task. Because you belong to me."

That, and she heard, from some of the prey, humans, that there was an institution called marriage practiced in their nest-caves. This was close in some ways? She was not sure on the specifics, even as he looked at her. "This is not how I saw things going. Still... it is as it is." The spirit waved a hand, and two things appeared, like jars but shinier. "I have some food. And as I will be living here, I will do my best to fit in and try and become less... prey like over time." The spirit wrinkled his nose. It was adorable, even as he opened one of the jars. "I did a ten year task before this."

The spirit turned his eyes to me. "So, I can take care of myself on the food and water side of things. As for the cave..." He looked at it. "I'm going to guess you would like me to do something about that as well?"

Truthfully? She did not see too much that needed to be changed, that was what the hides, rugs and furnishings were for, but she nodded as she tried some of the spirit food. It was odd but good, even as her spirit sighed again. "Well then, that will be a project and a half." But, he firmed up. "So, I'll start working on that right after dinner, though... it is going to be long, slow and boring to watch."

She considered. "That is fair."

Hours later, as she woke... she noted that things were... different. Smoother, almost polished. The floor was flat, even as there were several cubbies and ledges to store goods. It was something that was clearly more than natural, one that took power and skill to do. And so, her eyes were wide, a grin on her face.

Best spirit ever.