Rex's wreckers were just coming back to Caluzar. Returning in minor glory from almost a month of diving into the nearby dungeon. Unlike most adventuring teams, his was made up mostly of slaves. All of them were beastkin slaves, save for himself, their owner.
Such a lineup is fairly rare, as the slave collars used to keep them obedient also make them unable to use magic at all. This makes the team weaker as a whole. But that wasn't a concern for this mage, talented as he is. It was only a matter of time 'til he reaches mithril rank.
The youngest Rank A 'Magister' in the central region of the human controlled part of the western continent Avov. He'd even qualified for the Rank B mage Class 'Arcanist' when he was only Level 30. And it's even possible he could eventually qualify for a class upgrade to the S-Rank upgrade of the basic mage Class: 'Archmage'!
With him are Pan, a 'Shield Soldier' tigress, her greatshield doubling as a protective wall. Almost 50 kilograms of fine dwarven steel. In addition to scaled armor, a longspear, heavy sword and maul. Pushing her racial bonuses to strenth and constitution nearly to their limits. Wolf twins, each with reinforced leather armor. The brother Rolaf a 'Dual Swordsman', with a pair of short swords, sheathed one per hip. Of his usual four spares, one currently remains intact. The sister Vela, a 'Wild Huntress'. Two class-ups from a mere Archer, but only accessable to beastkins. And of course Lule the trapfinder, a rat 'Spotter'. He uses dual daggers up close, or a poison needle blowgun at range. Each of them B Rank or higher.
All of their spacial packs are stuffed full with loot. Their master, Rex's was the only one with any food. The better to keep them motivated to keep him safe. He could have sold all of their gains to the outpost just outside the dungeon's entrance. But the prices are always better in the local population center. Besides, it's not like anyone was going to complain about them carrying all of it for so far.
Rex chose to keep to his usual routine when successfully returning from a dungeon. He sent his slaves to unload his loot in the guild hall. While they don't quite have the best prices in town, they are the hub which does business with those who do. You'll get the second-best price in town, with no haggling or wandering from shop to shop. For a small cut of course.
¤
While he went to visit his favorite hang-out: Jodie's Beast Emporium on flower street.
"Hey Jean, get me a libido an a pleasure potion. And the bun- wait, wasn't the fox wench supposed to mature half a month ago? Then I'll take her instead."
"Sorry Rex. She got slave-napped. You didn't hear?"
"I just got back in. Well, I guess the bunny is fine.
Can I talk with Jodie first?"
"Sorry, she went out on a personal errand. Is room 12 okay with you this time?"
"Alright. Pleasure before business."
"Pardon me for asking, but don't you already have two slave girls of your own?"
"Yeah, about that. One of 'em is jus not my type. Way too muscle-y. An the other? Well, variety is the spice of life as they say."
[This sick bastard is just as twisted as the rest of them. And lusting after mom too? Don't give me a reason. But who is he that he's on a first name basis with the help?] {Identify}
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Name: Rex . Class: Magister (Mage) . Level: 63
Rank: A . Species: Human . Title: Stoner
HP: 656/656 . SP: 257/341 . MP: 2026/2275
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{Hey, mom? How are MP's counted up for someone?}
Noticing a slab appear, she paused from her archery practice for a while.
"Well, you get two for each stat point in Int and Wis. Then 5 more per Spi. And usually 5 per Level, unless you're a mage, then it's at least 15. Why?"
{We may have a problem. Some jerk just came in up there and he has over two thousand.}
. .
"Is it Rex the Stoner?"
[That probably doesn't mean the same as it does in English.]
In response, a palm sized object with the word 'yes' written on it popped into her hand. This way he wouldn't have to spend some of his always too limited DP to 'Alter' a stone slab. Etching the words upon it.
"Then we're probably in trouble. The guild should have hired a stone mage to look into my disappearence. Especially with the way you first helped me out from there. And he's the best around these parts."
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{We might still have time, since he's busy bouncing the bunny on his balls. Like he muttered, pleasure before business.}
She remembered about how interested in her he seemed to be with every visit. Causing her to shudder with revulsion and fear.
"Yeah, he always unwinds for a day or two after each dungeon run."
[Ugh, now I have to keep an eye or five on this ass.]
¤¤¤¤¤
Jodie the slave had no problem getting the bracelets. But convincing the slave-smiths to cursify them was another matter. In the end, she overpaid by 5 large gold. Nearly a full week's income for the whole brothel. Again. But it'll be well worth getting rid of the iron noose that was still resting on her weary shoulders. [I wonder if that fox will be able to fulfill her side of the bargain. Not like it matters, when there is an Order. Usually, only a specially trained Magister can undo a curse like that one.]
The 'negotiations' (arguement) lasted until midday. At last she convinced them it would help raise a high class sex-slave's price. Creating a niche market they can cash in on for themselves, as they would need at least 2 per slave. And by special order no less. It would also allow more members of the bunny tribe to be made submissive. Due to their unnaturally high Spi stat making them resistant to slavery, even at a young age.
Since the Madam's Mistress had no other errands for her, she could take her time getting back.
A good lunch at the golden goose. A local inn renowned for its excellent kitchen. But mediocre lodgings.
..
About a candle (~80 minutes) (1/20 of a 27 hour day) was spent browsing the used books store.
..
Another candle of wandering through the town's flower gardens.
..
Then a quick stop at the baker/confectioner for an apricot pie and some "doggies' delights." A small, hard bisquit with anise root baked in. Which dogs and wolves, regular and beastkin alike, react to just like cats do with catnip.
She had taken to eating them in front of her canine slaves. At first for the giggles at their reactions. The beasts' instincts demanding they partake as well, but with her orders preventing that. But soon after, she came to like the flavor in its own right.
By now she judged that enough time was wasted, that the bracelets' curses should have been completed. So she returned to the slave-smiths' shop. Since they were already paid for, she recieved their storage box from the clerk at the front and headed back to her own home hell half a kilometer away. Nibbling on a delight the whole way. Certain slaves passing in the streets turned their noses, or in some cases snouts, her way with desperation in their gazes. Causing a masochistic smirk to appear on her face.
¤¤¤¤¤
"Welcome back, miss." offered the brothel's private alchemist.
"Thank ya, Elicia. I'll have ta ask ya ta keep in charge while Ah go an' change."
"Sure thing, hope you feel better. By the way, your boy Rex was here earlier."
"Oh, good." True relief washed over her face for a moment. [Maybe be could remove this damned slave collar?] Then she quickly remembered she must still keep it a secret from everyone. She won't even be able to hint at him taking it off.
"How long ago was 'at?"
"About a single session."
This was enough time for an average patron to use one of the slaves just once. It would have been roughly the same time that she started heading back with her snack.
"Maybe we'll catch up together later on." And returned to 'her room' that the former slave took over. Hope and dread warring in her heart.
.
After entering her private office, she locked the door behind her. Then proceeded to the door of the private room beyond. *bow* "Mistress, I have returned, are you here?"
Sometimes her new owner was missing somehow, from the only refuge she had available.
[Where could she be going? And why?]
[Though I could guess how.]
At this moment, Dara was climbing up the 10 meter ladder from an archery session. Having been informed of her slave's return by her Hero dungeon son.
Once she was at the top, the dungeon replaced the stone plug atop the hole. Then the rug atop that stone. Finally the writing desk atop the rug.
With everything in its place, the fox called out to her slave. "Enter."
So ordered, she had to obey.
"Did you finally get the bracelets?"
"Yes, mistress. They were finished today."
"Show me."
Slave Jodie opened the case. And with a flash of inspiration, 'stumbled' toward her tormentor. Causing the gold accessories to fall directly toward her.
Dara danced to the side, letting one of them clatter to the floor. But the other happened to bound off her furred knee, flying back up toward her wrist. To settle upon there.
Quickly checking her status, she saw that it indeed dropped her Spi stat by 25. As promised.
A heartbeat later it vanished.
Reappearing behind her on the desk at the back wall of the room with its twin.
"That was very clever of you. Well it would have been, if it could have worked, anyway.
But doesn't that violate my order not to betray me?"
The slave didn't need a verbal reminder. As she was already shivering in pain on the floor. Hands gripping her head.
"Strip!"
She did so.
.
"Put on the cursed bracelets."
She did so.
.
"Stand up straight, perfectly still."
She did so.
Trying to avoid flinching as her owner-fox tore up her breasts with her sharp claws.
A few minutes later, the fox laid her palms on the slave's shoulders. The dungeon used this conduit to channel his Cure-1 Holy healing spell. Taking a few castings until she completely healed.
Then she touched the cursed black iron collar adorning her neck. It abruptly vanished as the Hero flexed his Inventory skill upon it. Something he couldn't do without her touch.
[Oh, good it DID work. I was worried about that. Seems like The plan can go on like we discussed.]
"You must still keep your status as my slave a secret. Also that these bracelets are cursed. If any of the other slaves ever find out that they are no longer beholden to you, all the rest will learn within twenty heartbeats.
Then they'll tear you apart.
LITERALLY!"
"You're prob'ly thinking that would be preferrable to living your whole life like this.
Well, I don't plan on keepin' you bein' my slave forever. Once I'm satisfied with this karmic justice, you'll be free to go. You just have to put up with it 'til then."
[Wait, that's a good point. I was so caught up in 'doing what's necessary', I could have lost sight of 'being a good person'.]