Casper was never forthcoming with information, plans, intent, or really anything for that matter.

Alex of course had realized this the very day they had met. He seemed content in companionable silence and got annoyed whenever she had tried to strike up conversation those first few days. She thought perhaps he was just an introvert, but learned quickly that alone wasn’t the case.

Casper was the kind of man who took the mantra of “learn by doing” very seriously. This was cemented in Alex’s mind the morning Casper had almost left her alone in the woods after sleeping in.

Alex had to admit she did deserve it, after all she had inconvenienced Casper with her company, it made sense that he would move on without her at the very least to teach her a lesson.

“How annoying” Alex moaned as she and Nephinae walked down the strip of coastline towards the larger slave markets a little before Casper and Annabelle left to look for clothing.

“Is there a problem?” Nephinae asked softly from beside Alex, ever worried and looking to please.

“No…sorry I was just thinking about how frustrating Casper can be” She sighed.

“Frustrating? how so?” She asks, cocking her head slightly in that way that elves and half elves do.

Alex took in a breath of morning sea air, and regretted it almost instantly as the scent of fish and blood quickly overtook the salt of the ocean, causing her to wrinkle her nose.

“He just confuses me, is all, it's nothing particularly serious. I just can’t understand him” Alex admitted, though it was only half the truth.

Alex had confided in Nephinae for her entire life, she knew Alex’s deepest, darkest secrets, but for some reason she couldn’t quite find a way to phrase her true emotions to her handmaid in a way that would make sense to her.

“Confuses you? Yes he can be confusing at times, perhaps you should try and speak to him directly about the things that are confusing or frustrating you? I have spoken to him in passing and I gather he is a very agreeable gentleman, I'm sure he would be more than happy to clarify his thoughts for you,” Nephinae offered, moving to take Alex’s arm as they got deeper into the throng of the morning market crowds.

“Maybe…” Alex sighed.

She really did want to, and she probably would have, were the circumstances between them different.

She had, in essence, raped him that night and she was veritably horrified at that reality being brought back to the surface if she were to confront him. She knew she needed to apologize but in their travels there simply hadn’t been enough time.

No, she could have found the time, and she needed to do a hell of alot more than to apologize, the truth was she was scared senseless at what might come after.

That was one of the few reasons Casper confused Alex. After that night she had expected to be cast from the camp or reprimanded or beat or some manner of punishment worthy of the very real crime she had committed, but instead Casper said nothing. She had absolutely no idea what was going through his head at all.

Alex’s only real experience with men was her father, uncle, some cousins and the town’s men and boys from her short stay far away from home, and in all of those encounters she had seen them lash out, strike others, among all of the normal responses men often have. That was one of the many reasons she had always preferred the opposite sex.

That too was one such cause of her confusion. From a very young age Alex knew she was different from the other girls, in that she wasn’t obsessive over boys her age. Where her friend Natalie was swooning over the young Sir Loran, and Meladias was lusting after Lord Heccem, Alex was lusting and swooning over both Natalie and Meladias.

This was of course a fact she couldn’t explain for quite some time, and it didn’t fully become realized in her own mind until she was said to be wed off to a suitor beloved by all, and she felt nothing, in fact, the only emotion in her heart was fear, where as others were envious of the arrangement. It was then she had confided her secret in Nephinae, and designed a plan to escape the clutches of her uncle in order to be free of her noble obligation.

She had disguised herself as a man, cut her hair short, wore baggy clothes to disguise her features and set out to a place far far away from her uncles influence, only to fall in love with the daughter of a commoner…and she had already told the rest of the story to Casper and Annabelle, thinking about it now only hurt more.

All that to say however, was that for her entire life she had no interest in men, not that she didn’t find them attractive, she could appreciate the features of any person, it was that she hadn’t felt anything, until Casper.

The night he was injured and needed caring for, Alex, disguised as a man, needed to change him from his dirty clothes to prevent infection, and bandage him, and in order to repay the man who had saved her, she did so without protest, but not without embarrassment.

The memory alone, of removing his tunic to see the muscle underneath. The incredible, almost painful warmth of his skin under her fingers as she cleaned his wounds. The deep, steady breaths he took, everything, it sent her body into a frenzy even now.

She didn’t understand it. She had no idea how a man could do this to her, yet here she was, yearning at the mere passing thought of that night.

“Alex, we are here” Nephinae says softly, shaking Alex from the depths of her memory.

Blinking away the fantasy, Alex realized they had made their way to the central slave market near the very center of the Crimson harbors arcing coastline. Here, nearly a hundred people mulled about and shopped through the new arrival of humanoid cargo. The docks themselves were vast, with several market places being positioned on stages or around the surrounding buildings, meanwhile other slave markets were placed on the ships they had arrived in, saving money on purchasing space in the city it would seem.

The quickly warming sun baked Alex in her heavy disguise, and she couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable Nephinae was in her much thicker maid attire. The heat also forced the stench of the slave market to become far more powerful, the ammonia smell of urine and reek of feces being the worst of it.

“We should search the city side selection. No one on ships will be from around here” Alex said curtly, trying her best not to plug her nose for risk of appearing too much like an outsider.

“Agreed” Nephinae nodded, somehow unbothered, or disguising it really really well.

The two women worked their way through the collection of individual markets of people, taking a glance over the prospects with analytical eyes.

Casper was right to send the both of them. As nobles they had the best experience with slaves, and could tell even at a glance if one's demeanor would be agreeable or not. Some of the lower tier sellers would simply beat and break a person long enough for them to agree to stand around to be sold, but the minute the buyers back was turned they would either run or try and kill them. The more seasoned sellers would work to break down a person over time, to train them, turn them into a very agreeable slave that could easily be worked with.

“We should look for someone attractive as well. I know Casper said he didn’t care for looks or sex but I believe it would still be preferable to have a woman” Alex said passively as she moved from the lower tier selection up to the middle.

“Is that so? I had been under the impression that Casper didn’t think favorably of slavery, would he not want someone he could later free?” Nephinae asked with an equally casual air.

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Nephinae was correct. Casper had said very publicly he viewed the practice unfavorably, but still, perhaps that was because he had yet to encounter an agreeable one.

It's not as though Alex liked or disliked the practice herself. She saw it as a natural tool of society. There was the slave caste and it was their duty to be bought and sold and used as commodities. After all it was a practice that had been in place and had worked for many hundreds of years.

“It is a valuable resource and asset that Casper is unwilling to fully realize and that might cause problems for us in the future. It would be better to convince Casper to engage in the practice to see its merits and benefits before coming to any sudden conclusions. After all, the only reason you, Nephinae are with me now, and likely the reason I am still alive at all is because you were bought as a slave.” Alex explains.

Nephinae nods her head along with the words “I suppose you are correct. In this world might makes right, and I was weak. For my weakness I was sold and bought. In elven culture we do not practice slavery in a traditional sense as you know, but we do very much operate on a meritocracy. Slavery is the human equivalent to this system” she conceded.

“Which is why I think showing Casper the best possible use of the practice will really help us all. It might let him see the world differently.” Alex finished, standing at the base of a stage where a number of individuals who looked much more local were up for purchase.

Examining the slaves for sale, they looked perfect, which would mean they would be slightly more expensive, but it would be worth it.

In truth, it wasn't just to convince Casper that the slave market was useful and shouldn't be dismissed so readily, but she was also hoping to help apologize for her actions with the purchase of this slave.

despite Her actions that night. Casper did in some way seem to enjoy it… Even if just slightly. That didn't make it correct but it meant like most men he was sexual in nature. If she could purchase a slave that she knew fit his type she could have The slave pleasure Casper in whatever way he wanted as a show of apology perhaps.

She knew Casper must be pent up… The way he looked at Annabelle. The way he tried to adjust himself when he thought no one was looking. How….much he came in Elisayra's mouth. Casper must be the kind of man who doesn't want to use his power over the women with him for his own pleasure. A proper, bought and paid for slave wasn’t the same as a free woman owing a debt, it would be property, and wouldn’t count as holding power over any person.

Besides, being pent up couldn't be fun. Alex didn't possess the anatomy to feel the sensation of what men called “blue balls” but she had been incredibly pent up for so long she couldn't help but sympathize with How Uncomfortable it must be.

If she could find the perfect slave, to both fit Casper’s needs, and satisfy him sexually without having to worry about his opinions of life debts owed or power dynamics, and instead was able to see the slave as a tool to be used, it would only serve to help, wouldn't it? Though it might be hard to get Casper to see things her way. She knew it was the best course of action for all of them in the long run, So it would be well worth the extra effort and the extra coin.

The slaves on the stage Before her were perfect. The crier advertising them was shouting about them being tribal slaves captured from hillsides further south from here.

Getha had always been a coastal kingdom, with its more fringe townships deeper inland having struggled to fight off the local tribes of demi-humans. It was quite the effort in the beginning, though now the problem was being solved more efficiently.

Most of the tribes had been wiped out, but a spattering of particularly elusive tribes managed to stay mobile in the countryside to avoid capture. As far as Alex was aware, there were only 3 or 4 tribes left. Meaning these slaves were some of the best at navigating the surrounding area.

“Are they trained?” Alex asks one of the criers As he shouts about renown tracking skills making them excellent for farm defense.

“Of course of course my dear boy!” the round, balding man proclaims with a great deal of enthusiasm. “Here, allow me!” He Gestures to one of the women to come forward.

Obeying the man. The demi-human woman walked forward and stood quietly awaiting orders.

The demi-human tribals were all half-fiend it looked like. Their body's were tall and toned and in perfect shape. The men were muscled and well defined, while the women were curvy, with broad shoulders. Narrow waists and wide hips with flat stomachs and well defined assets.

Their skin was darker, an almost reddish hue tan to them all, with defined pale tribal markings in the form of tattoos around the length of their naked bodies.

Each possessed a long tail that swished in their air behind them. It looked like they had quite a great deal of control over them as well.

The other features separating the half-fiends, were the horns on the tops of their heads. Their horns had been filed down, removing what would typically be a point. The horns on each were unique and visibly distinct from slave to slave, much like the pale tribal tattoos.

“Go on. Give it a try” the balding man pressured, gesturing enthusiastically.

Alex suddenly flesh her cheeks blush as she tried to determine the best order to give the slave to determine if it would be adequate. Surely she would have to see if they were capable in the bedroom. But she couldn't make any large displays out in the open or else her male disguise would fall apart.

“Perhaps you should ask her to kiss you?” Nephinae offered. As If reading her mind.

“A wonderful idea! Wonderful, I assure you each will be able to perform quite desirably” the bald man said much lower.

This was for Casper's sake right? The only way to determine if they were trained and would be acceptable for the multifaceted role she had hoped for would be to test the extent of their training after all…

“K-kiss me” Alex asked, worried that the bashful nature of the demand would come off as strange.

The demi-human women before her diligently obeyed. Stepping forward and pressing her nude body against Alex's.

Surprise shot through the demi-human as her body first made contact with Alex's breasts. Even compressed down they were still sizable and could easily be felt through her clothing.

Alex Melted at the gesture, worried at first that the disguise would be broken, then relieved to find this slave was trained well enough to not protest a kiss with what was obviously another woman, despite how taboo it was.

The demi-humans tongue worked diligently around Alex's mouth. The woman's long nails danced across Alex's scalp as she worked her dexterous hands through her hair. Her soft moans made Alex's knees weak as her mind began to flood with what those incredible lips could do if directed elsewhere. She had kissed other girls before. Though not many. She had kissed Nephinae when she was young and curious. She had kissed her cousin though only in politeness, and she had kissed the commoner girl in that town that felt further and further away ever day… and then she had kissed Casper that night.

None of those kisses felt like those. Casper's kiss was sultry, in the heat of the moment. It was messy. Her kiss with her cousin was nothing more than a peck as custom required overseas. Her kiss with Nephinae was delicate and testing, gentle and uneasy.

This kiss was hot, passionate, deep and full. Alex felt equal parts dirty for having received it and lost in the pleasure of its intimacy. Her head was buzzing, on fire, it was like she was drunk and short of breath all at the same time. It sent stars in her eyes and a heat down her body she couldn’t describe. She felt consumed, pleasured, as if she would finish right here from only the movement of this half-fiends lips around her own.

Alex gasped and broke away from the kiss. Panting.

She was alot more pent up than she realized.

“See? Quite proficient I assure you. Interested?” The crier said, focused much more on Alex now that he knew he had almost guaranteed a sale.

“Yes. I'm very interested. I just need to figure out which one would be best….” Alex swallowed and struggled to regain her composure after the incredible display.

Each of the demi-human tribals were attractive in their own right Alex had to admit. She didn't typically find demi-humans attractive. Though given Casper’s...response… to Elisayra’s performance that night she didn't think Casper minded much. Besides, If even Alex found these women attractive then surely Casper would too.

Three of the women looked like they would be to Casper’s taste, but of those three only one was the obvious choice. She was perfect in fact.

The half fiend woman appeared to be approximately 19 or 20 years old, though it was difficult to pin down much like elves. She was probably a half head shorter than Annabelle, though most of that height was in her impressive, long legs. She had a narrow waist with a more “bottom heavy” build, which was pronounced by her wide hips and full ass. Despite her shoulders not being as broad as Annabelle's the half-fiend's bust was nearly the same size, maybe only a little smaller which was still enough to make Alex's back hurt at the thought of carrying that around all day.

She had two arcing horns that protruded from the front of her head just above the far corners of her eyebrows, each curled outward and away from her head in a pleasant, delicate arc.

Her hair fell in tight curls down to just below her Jaw line. much like Elisayra's length but with far more volume to it, and brushed over to one side giving her a rather dangerous look.

The pale tribal tattoos on her body drew the gaze all across her form, as it was intended to. This particular half-fiend was half succubus it appeared. Evident by the pale womb tattoo of fertility. She had a series of pale bands around her calves and thighs as well as her shoulders and forearms marking her as a hunter, or a soldier.

Her pink eyes locked onto Alex's, and the half fiend offered a pleasantly seductive smile with her full lips. Maybe it was because Alex was objectively the most attractive “man” in visible proximity. Maybe it was because this half succubus could smell Alex's growing lust, or maybe Alex was simply imagining it. Regardless Alex fished through her coin purse quickly, before she became too weak in the knees to stand.

“How much for her?” She asked, perhaps too enthusiastically.

“The half-succubus? Let's call it even at 100 gold marks? She's quite the catch you know. One of the best trackers in the lot-”

“Sold” Alex palmed the man his coin.

“wonderful! Let's get her clothed and collared and you three will be on your merry way” the crier smiled.