Jane:

Jane, the border post captain, surveyed the newest additions to her little community.

The Misfits, Aragon and the slaves had just arrived.

Yep, those four Misfits certainly go together. Young and sweet and innocent, and I'm sure they will be a bloody pain. I mean, the news about them going to abolish slavery has already spread throughout Manifestoria.

Plus, two slaves, totally dependent on us.

At least Aragon is competent and reliable. Providing we can stop him from running away again.

And, by the Voice, those clothes the Misfits are wearing!

Plus, the Misfits have absolutely no discipline. They're supposed to be meeting with me and establishing some interaction, but they're already chatting madly with each other and rubber-necking everything in sight.

Jane had been in the guards her entire working life. She was happy to grant young children plenty of leeway, but these four teenagers were no longer young!

If it wasn't for the slaver menace, I could get annoyed by all this...

She clapped her hands to attract their attention.

"You need to be on your way to Manifestoria as soon as possible, but beforehand, shall we get you teenagers and you two - she nodded in the direction of Esther and Evereena - kitted out in some decent clothes?"

It was midday, so most of the guards (except the ones on night watch) were awake. She pushed Aragon, followed by Bronsen and Drayden, out of the meeting room with orders to grab some clothes from the store. As for the four women, she got a female guard to bring back something suitable.

Esther and Evereena obeyed obediently; they took the clothes offered, moved to the far corner of the meeting room, and quickly changed. The two girls, however, looked at what was on offer and had questions.

"How come there are no dresses or skirts?" said Alice.

"None of the females we have seen have been wearing anything like a dress," said Cassy.

"Sorry? What's a dress?" said Jane.

She looked mystified. She also kept tight control of her emotional reaction. After all, she recognised that from their point of view, these kids were in an extraordinary situation.

"Well, you know, instead of wearing trousers, the girl wears a single length of material around their waist and legs - ahh, like this," said Alice.

She demonstrated by taking a shirt, folding it, and putting it around her waist.

Jane still didn't understand the concept.

"You mean, a tunic or short coat thingie? With, of course, trousers underneath," she said.

Alice and Cassy exchanged glances as if to say there was a gap in the communication somewhere along the line.

"No, just the skirt. And panties, of course," said Cassy.

That doesn't make sense. What sort of society did they come from?

"Err, how long is this 'skirt'?" said Jane.

"Oh, anywhere between the ankles at the lowest and above the middle of the thighs at the highest," said Cassy.

"Middle of the thighs? Isn't that kind of drafty? And, kind of revealing? It sounds like what, ahh -" said Jane.

Jane had to rapidly re-think what she was going to say here. She remembered that there were two slaves, two female slaves, listening in on the conversation.

"Like what certain professional ladies might wear to show off their figures."

Both Cassy and Alice were startled somewhat at this. Cassy's face went red. Naturally, no one except Alice knew if her face turned red.

"Well, yes, I suppose so, but it's perfectly acceptable to wear for other females, too. I mean, school girls all wear short skirts!" said Alice.

"They do?" said Jane, in total disbelief.

At this, Cassy and Alice must have decided to give up. They took the clothes offered and changed into them without further complaint.

Cassy:

A couple of hours later, they were off. Esther and Evereena were still weak, so the Misfits still carried them. Every so often, they were rotated amongst the four teenagers. Aragon led the way, and the teenagers followed. Currently, Cassy was carrying Evereena. Cassy attempted to make some light conversation.

"Why did you end up walking on the Rimwall top, anyway?"

"Ah, the master was running away."

"What was he running away from?"

"The blue collars are always fighting amongst themselves. This time, the master lost."

"What do they fight over?"

"I don't know."

This is like extracting teeth. Slow and painful.

"So, what were you doing before the master had a fight?"

"The master was taking us to be sold at a big slave auction."

"Oh. Err, you and your mother were going to get a new master?"

"No, Mum was going to be sold to a breeding brothel since that is all she was good for. And I would have been sold to the highest blue or green collared bidder."

Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

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What do I say to that?

Oh shit.

"Ahh..." said Cassy.

She couldn't think of anything more to say, so she gave up.

The Misfits:

They had camped for the night. Fortunately, there were little stopping places along the route from the wall to the town. This particular location had two small single-room chalets. The Misfits had one, the slaves had the other, and Aragon had nicely volunteered to sleep outside.

As he said - "I've spent a lot of my adult life sleeping rough, so a few more nights is neither here nor there."

Four teenagers were sitting on the floor in their usual order. Alice had told the boys about the discussion about dresses, while Cassy had just finished telling the others about her conversation with Evereena. Everyone was glum and depressed.

So, after a while, Drayden offered to continue the talk.

"Actually, I have always wondered: why do you girls wear such short skirts? I mean, surely you don't want us boys to see your panties?"

"To look good, of course. And to feel good. I mean, what else?" said Alice.

"But, but, if you think about it, looking good is sort of the same as saying: please look at my legs - and possibly my panties when I sit down," said Bronsen.

"No, we don't wear dresses or skirts so that you can see our panties!" said Cassy.

"Then, that still leaves the question of why - not that I'm complaining, mind you!" said Drayden.

"Because it's feminine, of course," said Alice.

"But, wearing trousers is also feminine. And sexy," said Bronsen, "After all, just look at you right now!"

"I agree, bro; they both look lovely!" said Drayden.

Both boys were looking at the girls as they sat cross-legged in front of them.

Both girls looked at each other, disdain on their faces.

"We die and are reincarnated, go through hell and survive in the wilderness, and now have to conquer the entire slaver nation, and all you boys can think of is how sexy we look?" said Cassy.

"Yes!" said both boys.

"Remember!" said Cassy.

"No group sex!" said both Cassy and Alice.

"Hmm, actually, I don't feel the slightest bit aroused right now," said Bronsen.

"Yeah, neither do I. Remember back in our little garden shed? Round about now, us boys would both have erections."

"Hmmph. We are no longer innocent virgins, don't forget!" said Alice.

"Not to mention, I just looked at my status: it says Sexuality: Cassy and Drayden: off," said Cassy.

Everybody agreed that their own statuses were similar.

There was an embarrassed, awkward moment before Bronsen decided to risk his life and step up.

"So, what happens if one of the girls tries to switch on their sexuality right now?"

Two girls glared at him. But he was brave and managed to withstand the power.

"Well, what does happen? It's a perfectly valid question," said Drayden.

He also got some glares. But, eventually:

"OK, OK, I'll try... Yeah, as expected, nothing happens," said Cassy.

"Same here," said Alice.

Some more silence.

Alice fidgeted around but couldn't quite bring herself to say it.

Bronsen and Drayden also looked like they were kind of reluctant to say anything.

Eventually, their very own delinquent flicked aside her lovely, straight, flowing red hair and said.

"Very well, I'll ask the obvious question. What happens if I'm alone with Bronsen, or Alice is alone with Drayden, and we try to turn on our libidos?"

"But, the menu option is always 'Alice and Bronsen'. That is, for us it is. It's 'Cassy and Drayden' for you two," said Alice.

"Well..." said Cassy.

More silence.

"Look, we are in our couples, so there should be no problems, Right?" said Alice.

"I guess so," said Cassy.

Silence.

"Say, wouldn't this be an ideal scenario for us to make a vow? Promising never to stray outside our respective relationships?" said Drayden.

A looooong silence.

Nobody seemed willing to commit themselves.

Which seems to be a bit of a habit for these four teenagers.

"Well, anyway, I expect Bronsen to be faithful to me! OK!" said Alice.

"Ah, sure, sure. Err, you want me, that is us, to make a vow?" said Bronsen.

"I think - considering the unknown consequences of the first vow we made, and how unexpectedly powerful it appears to be, and how we don't know how this whole vow system is supposed to be used, and, well, perhaps we should be cautious and research the matter first?" said Alice.

"Yeah - that might be a good idea. Considering," said Bronsen.

"Nonetheless, there will be no hanky panky!" said Alice, wagging her index finger in Bronsen's general direction.

"Of course!"

Alice saw Cassy and Drayden exchanging glances.

"Cassy, do you think we should try making our own dresses?"

Cassy gave this proposal due consideration.

"Probably not. We don't want the general population thinking that we are nothing but professional ladies, do we?"

"Ahh, you are right."

"That brings up a point: how do we earn a living and pay our way in this Manifestorian place?" said Bronsen.

Since they didn't have a clue, they called it a night, and the two couples separated and lay on opposite sides of the room. Since the room was only four metres wide, they weren't all that far apart, so, of course, nothing of interest could happen.

Because of their high-temperature resistance and high strength, they were pretty comfortable despite laying on the rough wooden floor with no blankets.

The couples cuddled each other in their respective pairs and eventually went to sleep.

Drayden:

He reviewed a few points in his head as he drifted off to sleep.

The girls still didn't say why they wear such short skirts.

But, then, I suppose, getting an answer to that question is probably more challenging than getting an answer to how we are supposed to remove slavery.

The Treasurer:

At about the same time, the treasurer received the news from Jane, relayed by the fast runner. He returned to his office, sat at his desk, and started fossicking through his piles of papers and folders.

So, four teenagers with insane strengths and a weird history.

The way they are babbling to everyone and dropping hints galore about their abilities, they won’t remain unknown for very long.

Just what we need, something extra to attract the slavers.

But, at least their strengths and combat abilities could be helpful in various worst-case scenarios.

And two quiescent slaves.

What a headache. If someone with an undisclosed slave collar gets their hands on one of them...

He remembered the last couple of times that happened in this little kingdom.

I suppose it was worthwhile... But the repercussions... Shit.

Fortunately, it was unlikely that there were any hidden slave collars. But then, he realised...

Fuck, someone could just take both females!

There was no choice; he would have to recommend to the king that a permanent guard be placed on those two.

What a drain on our resources - But wait! Aragon is involved and has no place to stay, so he can stay with them. And he can bloody well join the guard; it's about time! That'll take care of providing one motivated guard.

And I know! Those Misfits. They can live with the slaves, too! They are already committed to freeing, Voice help us, all slaves.

I'll still need to assign a few other guards, also. Those kids have zero discipline, after all.

I'm also going to have to notify the king of Crysteth. They are in just as much danger from the slavers as we are.

He set to work, allocating the resources needed. Fortunately, he already knew of a suitable building, which used to be the old dormitory for boarding school students. But, since all the wealthiest people had all moved out, basically running away from the slaver menace, the dormitory was now unused.

He eventually discussed all of this with the king.

"You already know Aragon, don't you?"

"Sure, sure. Fine man. Member of the guard, isn't he?"

"Ah, yes, he will be soon."

"Good, good, I'm sure he's a fine man."

I think he's forgotten that Aragon has spent half his adult life roaming around, fleeing his ghost. Anyway, let's pretend that he's always been in the guards.

Now for the tricky bit.

"And, sire, that is what I recommend for the two slaves and the Misfits."

"Hmmph! Two slaves, eh? They could come in use, you know." said the king.

Not if I can help it!

"Sire, we should try very hard to protect those two; after all, Crysteth is looking over our shoulders, and they will get upset if they are - used."

Like sending in their army upset. Doesn't he remember the last time?

"Ha! I can deal with all of that! The slavers were repelled last time, you know!"

Actually, only a small party of slavers, fleeing from one of their interminable internal squabbles amongst the blue collars.

The treasurer was going to argue a bit more, but the king's thoughts were sidetracked.

"Where's all the wine gone? Servants! Get me some more!"

The king turned to the treasurer, "This is one fine drop, you know, care to join me for a drink?"

Aww, forget it. I'll issue the orders myself, as usual.

Oh, better make a note to schedule a debriefing meeting with Esther and Evereena. We might get some information about the current state of play in the slaver world. Handing some extra information to Crysteth may curry some extra favour from them.