I had been called to entertain, there was nothing special about the night or the command as I rushed from the kennels toward the large dining hall, the sounds of bracelets and bells lingering in the hallway as I hurried past. It wasn't until I entered the hall that I knew... nothing was as it seemed and this night was not like any other, atleast not one of recent memory. I suppose when the a moment like this comes, it's just like the rest, but each seems to stand out like a pillar at the moment in time it is taking place...

He watched me, and I was frightened suddenly of his narrowed eyes upon me. I felt them, heavy, like a weight bearing down upon my skin from the moment I entered. It warmed almost immediately within the expansive room, though it truly hadn't. I flushed under his gaze, I couldn't help but to do so... I heard the comments and the deep laughter as he turned back and nodded to my owner who in turn waved his hand and I then approached, lowering before them with the splay of my thighs to their view, exposed, vulnerable.

My Master watched me as well, though my throat bore his steel he had yet to truly make use of me. I was well trained in his ownership. I mastered dance and was taught to be a feast slave, serving a multitude of free men and women who came to my owners home. Even though, I was simply another girl as I had been many times before, my training was improved upon, for him it would increase my worth, he made me into a dancer and I fell to the task of learning with a fervor that few of my chain sisters could compare to.

The months blended seamlessly into years, I served with perfection and found true joy in dance. It allowed me the freedom that I craved. I was able to be truly free before men. I watched their expressions as I passed and listened to their cries, though I was not particularly special, it was simply the joy that shone in my eyes and the acquiescence to their will that made me stand out, that is what I was told by the En'girl of the house. She praised me and whipped me for the slightest imperfections. She was terrifying...

I knelt well before my Master, feeling the burn of thighs pressed a bit too far apart, though to do so made my body bow beautifully, my back arching with the subtle roll of my shoulders to press forth and lift firm breasts to their eyes. I had watched myself many times in the mirrors of the training room. I took pride in the things I could do in the hopes of being found more pleasing, and strove to improve upon each in turn. As I moved, the curves of my body pressed against the multi-hued diaphanous purple and red dancing silk. My breathing quickened already, their eyes trapped me well.

My lips were rouged and I had been perfumed, the scent was musky and sweet, a slave scent. As I knelt before them I could not remain still and although I was held within the constraints of my position I moved, as if music already filled the room, my belly hot to dance and their gazes lingering upon my body only enflaming it more. The shimmer of bells sounded as I shifted against my heels, about my ankles dancing bangles with tiny bells were locked. My owner clapped his hands and I rose, dancing back a multitude of paces in a swirl of color, spinning on the tiles, hands rising above my hand, bells ringing sensually with the slightest movement, feeling the caress of silk and the fall of my hair as it hung down my back.

It was then that I heard the music begin, not truly did it sound in the great hall, though in my mind it rose and as it did I bent backwards, the bow of my back sending a cascade of midnight locks to the floor as I brought smoldering sage eyes to them, and the turned my face away, my hands entwined above me in a sinuous pattern as I began to dance... with passion... with need... with desire... I danced. The music I heard, that of an owned girl striving to please, rolled through me until almost half an ahn later I lay nude upon the cool tiles of the floor, a sheen glistening upon my skin, my breathing wild... I lay at the feet of men a conquered woman, joyously so, I writhed helpless before them, whimpering with my need as it set upon me. The free man who was there regarded me for a very long time before he nodded to my owner and with that, I was once again thrust into a new collar, the locking of this new collar bringing a new day to dawn...

He had locked a shipping collar about my throat, never was my neck bare, as one was locked the other was removed. I was Kajira, I was owned. I feared him and rightly so, he was a free man. One who could with the slightest whim bring the heat and seer of a whip to my flesh, bind and gag me with a simple look or the steel of chains, put me on the block or give me away, and also One who could skim a blade across my throat. There are many things that can be done when a one is owned, and all you can do is give yourself over to them. Allowing the fear and the joy, the terror and the laughter to become a part of your submission to their will, the will of the free, knowing that the needs and the fears of a collared, owned girl mean nothing unless a free man gives them merit or notice.

As dawn broke the next morning, I was back braceletted and stripped. Displayed well by my new owner as we left the house I had been in for over two years. I was kenneled the night before, I did not see any of my chain sisters before I left and had cried in the kennel until I fell asleep.

Lead by collar and leash through the house and out toward the tarn cots, I was frightened of the beautiful, vicious beast, it canted its head toward me and I shuddered, my owner felt the tug back and turned. He backhanded me and it was felt before I knew what happened. I tasted the coppery tinge of blood as it colored my lips, he had struck me to the ground at his feet and growled. I was terrified of him. I struggled to my feet, my wrists trapped behind my back, he jerked me up by the leash and then lifted me with ease, my weight nothing to him as his shoulder dug into my belly and his hand closed on my thigh. I whimpered softly as he carried me toward the tarn, seating himself in the saddle before he lashed me to the rings, my body bowed over the tarns neck in front of him, I was at his complete mercy and knew there was little of it to be had. I closed my eyes as the tarn took flight, my stomach lurching as I listened to the wings snap out and catch the wind. Thankfully it was still warm, or the chill during flight would have been terrible, naked as I was, a mere slave, bound to the neck of a tarn. The flight was long, sleek muscles ached, burning as I struggled a bit against the bindings that held me. They tightened as I did so, but still I was too scared to shift or move, if the bindings broke, I'd plunge to my death. The high walls of Ar came into view, the city was the largest I had ever seen, Lar torvis blazing behind high cylinders as they rose upward into the sky, even as I was, bowed over the back of the tarn it was a glorious sight that I will never forget.

My owner, being of the city, was granted entry by the tarnsmen who flew to meet him, the cots sought out near the Warrior's Cylinder, there he left his mount in the tarn keepers care after a pouch of coin was given. I was led then through the streets, muscles aching, leashed and back braceletted still. I tried to heel him, his stride was swift and I was running behind him, pulled every so often by the leash as the slack was taken up. The streets were a maze, but he knew them well. A worn sign swung in the light breeze of late afternoon, it read, "Two Lamps Inn" which I later found out this was in the Metallan District. It is located southeast of the district of the Central Cylinder, west of the Avenue of Turia, and south of the Plaza of Tarns. All of this I would eventually learn as I was sent on errands by the Inn keeper through the streets of Ar. Once inside the Inn, my owner laid down coin for a room and purchased kennel space and basic care for me which included slave porridge and water, for how long I did not know...

I felt the eyes of men upon me and the scorn of free women spat at me as I had been led naked through the streets of Ar. The safety or perceived safety of the Inn was welcomed as I felt the tug of the leash and I was led up the stairs, the night was a blur from that point on... exhausted and aching I served my new owner. Allowed to finally sleep, it took hold me quickly. I woke in the morning, watching my owner packing a small pouch, he told me to go find the Inn keeper and beg to serve. I did as he commanded without question or hesitation. I have not seen him since that morning when he strode out of the room. I had spent only one night chained at his feet...

I did not know how long my owner had paid for the kennel at the Inn of Two Lamps, I hadn't seen him in almost two hands now. The Inn keeper let me out each morning, fed and watered me then sent me about my tasks. I would spend the day there, cleaning, serving, whatever was commanded of me. After the second hand passed and my owner, who I only knew was called Marcus, did not return the Inn keeper began to speak about putting me on the block to pay for my keeping. He called me to him and displayed me as he spoke to another man, both commenting on my looks, good and bad, fault found by one and then disagreed with, then fault found again and disagreed with by the other. I stood well before them and tried to look pleasing, the brief, worn slave rag that I had been allowed left little to the imagination, as they often did such was the reason for dressing a slave in such a garment. I was dismissed as the Inn keeper grumbled something about having to pay more than he'd get for me if my owner returned.

Each night as the kennel door clicked shut, I prayed my owner would return, I was frightened not knowing what would happen to me. Information is given on a need to know basis only to slaves, and I could not ask... If my owner did not return, I would serve the Inn keeper well or whomever came into possession of me. I must serve well in all ways, I am Kajira.

I was allowed a brief moment away from the Inn, the Inn Keeper though particularly stern and gruff also treated the girls I served with well. We were beaten when needed and sometime when not needed, a reminder of our place. I ventured out into the city, given strict rules on where I could and could not go. I was allowed to go to the gardens and the arena and I did, asking a passing slave where it was after getting lost in the many winding streets of Ar. I stayed close to the buildings, and then ventured into the road, crossing only as I saw the flood of people streaming in and out of the tunnel leading into the arena and the stands.

I entered slowly, staying back within the mouth of the tunnel, looking out over the stands, I could not believe how expansive it was... I looked down the walkway and started for the far corner, there I would be well out of the way of the throngs of people and also able to see if a spar should occur. I had knelt down, settling and shaking back my hair as I looked over the stands once more, seeing the look first and then feeling it as well. It was a look that pinned me to the cold stone for a breaths time before I rose, called to his feet with the sweep of his hand and the pointing of his fingers. He was ruggedly handsome, I had looked upon him as I drew closer and then lowered my eyes as I sank to my knees at his side, splaying my thighs with an arch of my back, I hoped I knelt well before him. He made me nervous, though I knew not why. It wasn't until he turned and looked down at me that I felt seized by that fear... and even as I write this, I am trying to put a name to it, but all I can say is that I truly felt my collar when I knelt at his feet. I shuddered, I write this and I remember the feeling vividly.

He asked a question of me and it was one that I answered quickly, the appeasing reply given without thought as if a litany were spoken. He knew such immediately and I was corrected swiftly, his hand within my hair as he drew me forward off my heels, I wanted to cry out and did so, his eyes were vicious, they made me burn... I could not look upon him, it was too hard to do so, I could not meet his gaze. I wanted nothing more than to fall before him and attempt to find forgiveness bellying to him, my lips pressed to the gritty leather of his boots... and such was eventually allowed. Though the thought of doing it and being truly at the mercy of One such as him who commands so much power within the simplest gaze or gesture are two different things... as I fell to the cold ground, sprawled out before him as he shoved me away I cried out more in misery that he had pushed me from him and to the stones even though the grip he held me with was fierce, I ached to have it renewed. At the first word I began to crawl to him, my belly pressed to the stones, salty tears mixing with the sand and grit tasted, felt on my lips and my tongue as I bathed the warm leather of his boot with my futile caress. Had I never been allowed such, I would never have known pleasures like that existed...

Within such a short period of time I had been commanded forth, made to kneel, stripped, displayed, appraised, supplicated, seized, kissed, tormented, all of which happened in the natural acquiescence to he who commanded me. It was then in the true forcible and undeniable terms, that the reality of my situation, my helplessness, rang true... I was at his mercy. Regardless of my will, I was now his to do with as he pleased, in my belly the simmering of such knowledge lit through me as I flushed, so ingrained within me that I was Kajira. The terror I felt, the vulnerability at his feet, under his force of will and whim, I so desired to be found pleasing by him, a free man who at that moment had absolute power over me. Given no choice but to do as he bid, as a collared and dominated woman at the feet of a Master.

Still upon the stones at his feet, I had been seized, kissed, my lips raped by him, well bruised were they left as he turned from me, clear for all to see that the kiss of a Master had been exacted upon me. His voice low and deep as he spoke looking down at me, I felt his gaze lick across my bared flesh, "Ambrosia." Was it the kiss he spoke of or a name he placed upon me. I watched him walk toward the stairs, the sounds of the arena gone and what remained were his solid, sure footfalls upon the stairs as I watched him ascend toward the tunnel. I shuddered, my eyes fixed on the expanse of his back as he walked away, I was poised half kneeling, half ready to rise and as the shadows engulfed him I sprang to my feet and ran after him, it was all I could do, though even that could mean a beating, brazen was the act... a slave, anguished, driven by the steely grip of what simply felt right. I had truly been handled well.

-= the breeze of him moving past her rushed over heated skin and brought sage eyes upward, crystalline tears stained her cheeks, still unchecked they were left to dry, her gaze widened as she watched his broad shouldered form stride toward the tunnel, her lips parted as she choked on a breath, he was vicious, the kind of man who gave no allowance or leeway for anything but perfection, that alone made her shudder, she had not been commanded, she knew not if he had given a name or a random compliment... even teeth tormented the pliant sanguine hued swell of her lower lip out of habit and worry perhaps ... she winced, tasting blood once more as she coaxed the cut to tear the smallest bit more before she brought her fingertips to her lips, pulling them away they were tinged crimson, she had been well kissed and it would be quite apparent to any who looked at her, she rose on unsteady legs, the railing used to brace herself, grabbing up the brief rags she had worn as she started up the stairs, weaving past those milling about as she made her way down onto the street below, she looked one way then the next, trying to see where he had gone, she barely knew what he looked like... her gaze passed over several Rarii as they walked along the street in the fading shadows of the night, she felt her belly tighten ... was it that she feared she would not find him ... or that she would, both thoughts were frightening, she turned to the right and started down the street, keeping close to the buildings once she cleared the arena walls, she knew not where she was going, though she now walked well behind one whom she thought might be him, his stride made it hard for her to keep up, following him was indeed a brazen act and one she may truly regret in the end as the thought of the keen edge of cold steel whispering across her throat if she angered him flashed through her mind - of course she thought the worst, she paused in her steps... watching him get farther and farther down the street, before she cried out in the frustration of a true kajira and started to hurry after him once again, a fading, fleeting shadow to a striking figure now several feet well ahead of her =-

"Kajuralia, Master!" I had called as I ran laughing from the Baker who was upon my heels, a pan of flour had been dumped on him and he had chased after me, laughing. The wrought iron gates of the central gardens rising up before me as I turned the corner and tried to catch my breath, thinking the Baker had given up his chase. I looked over my shoulder as I heard the murmured sound of voices, seeing first the free man from the day before, I had smiled at him and then shrieked as the Baker tried to grab me. I ran into the gardens then seeking a place perhaps to hide, though my gaze was drawn to the broad shoulders of One so familiar, I heard Him comment and yet another name was given to me, though this time I was certain it was just that. He called me, "His stalker." I knew His voice, and saw Him glance at me, I knew that gaze, my eyes fell quickly as His passed over me. I stood frozen for a long moment as I then saw the free woman, I would remember her always, I feared her greatly. I took a step back and glanced toward the gates to leave but the steely grip of a man's hands upon me stopped me from turning as I was seized and the heat of kisses were fanned along my neck, I squirmed in his hold, trying to break free, as I grinned at him and he set me back to my feet amidst the calls of Kajuralia, the holiday of slaves...

The free woman paid me no mind, she and the One from the arena were engaged in a heated discussion. I knew she found me displeasing and nervously I tried to seem smaller than I already was, pulling on the garment I wore as if trying to conceal myself. The free man who had grabbed me and kissed me, in the spirit of the holiday made a suggestion that the woman should serve me as some sort of penance. She then cast her cold eyes to me and vehemently refused. I wanted to run from this place, fear struck me well, though I had not been in the city long, I knew she commanded respect that others equal to her status as a free woman did not. I knew this the first day I had come into her presence. It was in the way in which she carried herself, the way she was dressed, those robes were finer than any I had ever seen. I did not know I was in the presence of the Ubar's sister, I did not need to be told. The difference between her and others was clear.

The free man who had kissed me was again at my side, I had stood in their presence, a mistake indeed though thankfully overlooked as the holiday lit the city with the laughter slaves. A bowl was extended to me, the sweet smell of the wine rising as I looked to him and cautiously reached for the bowl to take it from his hand. He smiled, serving me, and calling me mistress. I was speechless and all I could think to say was thank you Master... The wine was incredible, such a rich flavor that I will never forget its taste. I drank it slowly, though in reflection I drank it too fast. It warmed me, making my cheeks flush and a laugh come to my lips. I watched them all now in a warm funny haze, swaying and then gasping as the bowl slid from my fingers and the wine spilled in the grass. I was quickly startled, swept up in strong arms and spun, it would be the death of me I was certain as I clung dearly to His tunic, only when He slowed and I was able to pull my face away from the warm crook of His neck did my eyes rise to meet His. Staring into them with a child-like curiosity as the torches cast light over His face. I was held there for a moment then, gasping, feeling a firm pinch as gloved fingers caught the tender flesh of my arm. I hadn't heard the free woman approaching, the wine had made me dizzy. I was set down and His hand was placed on top of my head, the weight of it alone did nothing to steady me as I dropped to the soft grass with a gasp and a soft laugh. I knelt slowly, looking at peoples legs as they passed, I found it all quite funny. I turned my head, watching robes sweep over the grass, coming closer and closer until she stood before me. I lifted my eyes to her, she was very beautiful, and the wine eased the fear I had for her. She lowered a mug of steaming Blackwine to me and whispered softly, I again did not know what to do, I lifted my hands to take the mug from her, smiling softly as I thanked her and she turned away. I held the warm mug watching her, it all seemed so strange and wonderful at the same time.

As I knelt on the grass I turned, watching a man walk into the garden, my eyes squinted as I tried to focus on his face, it was painted, it looked as if the trees had been painted on his skin. I didn't know who it was until he was greeted and called Commander. I had watched him walk past and head toward a bench, he was joined there by the One who had spun me in His arms. I did not know his name, again that was something most Kajira never knew. The names of the free are not for slaves to utter and as such that knowledge if gained at all, is done so by their wish and whim. I saw Him pat His thigh and I set the steaming mug down, finding it easier to crawl to His feet, the wine adding more of a sway to the feline prowl that brought me forth, I knelt for less than an ihn at His feet before he pulled me off my heels and into his lap, sinking into the warmth as He pushed my face to His chest. I lifted my hand to His chest and grasped His tunic, everything was spinning, and I hung onto Him as if He were the rock in the center of a whirlpool.

The screech of a tarn overhead drew both His attention and that of the Commander who sat beside Him. Suddenly He stood and set me to my feet, unsteady were my steps and I laughed, my eyes lifted to the blanket of stars above, indeed that was not a good thing to do. A couple steps to the side taken before once again I landed on the soft grass a groaned, sending a hand in a vigorous caress over the curve of my ass. I glanced toward the free woman and another woman at her side, watching them a moment and wishing them well before turning and focusing on the mug set down in the grass. I crawled to it, thinking the drink would fix everything. I held the mug against the swell of my breasts, poised there in my grasp as I looked from one free man to the next and then looked at the tarn, it was clear the free men appreciated the beast, I shivered though it wasn't cold, tarns were terrifying creatures and even at the distance at which I knelt I felt like nothing more than a possible meal to the great winged beast. I sipped the still warm Blackwine, it was indeed strong and I couldn't stomach much of it, the wine was more to my liking though it would be some time, if ever, before I tasted like it again.

"Kajira!" I heard Him call and was startled, the mug slipped from my hands, had I not been tipsy from the wine, I would have held fast to the mug. I looked up quickly and cringed as the liquid soaked the slave rag well, I could feel the material forming to my body as I moved and pushed off the ground to stand. Hurrying to follow as I was commanded to heel Him.

I looked up slowly as I asked how I could serve them, they too wanted paga. I took the coins he cast onto the table and I rocked back off my heels and rose to my feet, weaving through the low tables and other girls serving to the counter, handing the coins to the man who was standing there and then turning to the fire to fill the two bowls I had procured from the shelf. (to be continued)

-= agony it was indeed as she gave the smallest almost pained whimper, unabashed was she, she rose and shook back long ringlets of midnight hue, sage eyes fixed upon the tunnel as she climbed the steps and then caught a glimpse of him rounding the corner at the end of the tunnel, she was upon the cobble stone street in a matter of ihn though the night afforded him the advantage and the streets again became a maze, she crossed the street and quickened her pace, long dark hair streaming behind her as she tried to follow yet again, though the sound of the booted stride which she heard was not his as she turned the corner and the street beyond stretched out, half lit and deserted all expect for the city guards, slender brows furrowed as she turned where she stood, though it did no good, yet again he could not be found, she turned as the guards called to her, she was out late without reason, she shrank back from them slightly and then approached, unable to answer their questions, she begged them not to take her to the city pens and await her owner to collect her =-