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Fates of the Unicorns - Chapter 79 - Tightrope

This long running Master and slave themed story series continues the journey of dragons, unicorns and the rest of the furry races in a world threatened with extinction by a monstrous threat. The furry races are grateful for the sacrifice dragons make in fighting the war, but would be much happier if the dragons would just stop trying to enslave them all!

_ SPOILER WARNING : If you are new to the story, this chapter contains plot and character development spoilers for the over all story. This is an onging story, and this chapter assumes you know the story and characters_.

Fates of the Unicorns is the cover and a good place to start for new readers.

(Thanks to all my long time and new readers.

Don't forget to Favorite the chapter you like it!

It's a big help and means a lot to me. Thanks!)

Keli bounced along uncomfortably over the rough road, her squirrel body shifting automatically at every rut and bump the wagon hit. Years of acrobat training served her well now as she effortlessly balanced on top where the flexing of the frame gave at least a bit of relief from the constant jarring. The least the furry governments could do was to keep the roads in good conditions for all the taxes she paid them.

"You sure you don't want a nice stallion ride?" called a voice from below as they patted the back of the horse they rode.

Keli looked at the feral horse trotting beside her wagon and smirked down at it's rider, "I'm not falling for that one!" she said with a laugh. "You haven't yet told me which horse I'm agreeing to ride."

The anthro-stallion winked back up at the squirrel as he gave the reins a bit of a tug, "Just have to come down here and find out."

"Besides, I can't imagine it would be any better. It looks just as bouncy and rough down there as up here."

Ruffes gave another wink, "But the bouncing down here would be much more fun."

Keli huffed and turned away, covering her mouth to hide the giggle. About the only enjoyable part of this trip was teasing the poor stallion. Maybe she would share his tent tonight. Just to cuddle of course, it was getting a bit colder as the season drew on. She sighed as another jolt and rubbed at her hip. For all the talk of gold and riches, she wasn't seeing any of it yet. She looked out at the road ahead, preferring that to dwelling on where she came from. But while her gaze stared ahead, her mind refused to follow. She once again remembered her last real performance in the furry capital. Swinging back and forth in the large, permanent building that housed all the acts that she loved to watch, and perform in. Her two partners, both male squirrels her age that she had grown up with. The thrill of leaping back and forth in perfect harmony.

The terror as one of the lines snapped as both her circus brothers were about to make a leap to her. Watching them miss her hands by inches, nothing but hard ground below, as they worked with no nets. It was like ice filled her very being, seeing them fall. Then they hit a support line, and somehow managed to grab on just enough to hang on, in pain but alive.

She winced at the memory, still replaying it, wondering if she could have stretched a bit more. Done something, anything to have caught them. Then maybe they wouldn't have quit. Then maybe she wouldn't have frozen up when she tried to work with their replacements.

She shook her head, still trying to distract herself from the memories. Without them, with the memories if seeing them so nearly die, she had lost her nerve. She just couldn't work with anyone again, every time she tried those feelings came back, that ice in her veins. She knew it wasn't her fault, but knowing it could happen again was enough.

So when the offer was made to join a small group, work alone in shorter, smaller places, she jumped at the chance. That those smaller places were near the Dragon Empire didn't bother her. That's what guards were for. She knew if you were smart the dragons would look for easier prey. And the pay. With great risk came great rewards. She was promised far more than she ever would have seen even in the furry capital.

Another bump jolted her out of her thoughts and she grumbled. Of course they had to GET there first. The troupe she was traveling with wasn't very good, which is why they were risking it all by signing up with a large, roving circus that toured the lines close to the dragon borders. They didn't have the money for newer equipment, much less the expense of taking a train. The rail lines were nearly for the exclusive use of transport of goods to and from the Dragon Empire. Food, supplies, weapons going in, raw ores and metal and gems and gold coming out.

The fertile fields along the border produced most of the food in the furry realm, and all of what the dragons consumed. It was a profitable, but dangerous endeavor. Dragons mostly left the farmers alone, but mostly was a far cry from never. With the exception of the recent unicorn raids, dragons only took lone travelers or did quick small raids to snatch one or two from larger groups. It was far more risky to work in the mines that dotted the southern edge of the continent. But most would rather risk their lives working among their own kind than risk being enslaved to some terrible dragon overlord. Fools. She knew risk. She lived it, or she used to. She swore she would again, maybe after making her fortune she could start her own company.

Her body shifted as the wagon came to a sudden stop, and anyone else would have been thrown from it. She swore down at the driver and looked out to see what the problem was. She blinked as she saw light ahead, and sighed as she recognized one of the way-posts they had seen along their journey. They had made good time, despite the condition of the road.

A wolf walked out and waved at them, followed by two more who tired and irritable. The first called out, "You the carnival folk?"

The driver of the large wagon said, "Aye we are. Be good to refresh our supplies, we still got a ways to go." He took a swig from a flask and shook it to point out the lack of a splashing noise. His dark black and white skunk tail twitched as he shook the flask again.

With a laugh the wolf said, "If you got the coin, we can take care of all your needs. Just get the inspection out of the way and you can come in." The two others moved to the back of the wagon with an impatient pace.

Ruffes hopped down from his horse, the stallion landing solidly on his own hooves as he moved to the back, "What inspection? We are not anywhere near the actual border yet."

The two shrugged at him as the wolf called out from the front, "Some nasty smugglers have been trying to sneak things in of late, it's been decided to inspect caravans further out. Didn't your driver tell you? You got the notices, right?"

"Y... yes I did, it's all in... in order" called out the driver in a stuttering voice.

On top of the wagon, too high for the low hanging lamps to reveal her, Keli's eyes widened as she saw the wolf holding a wicked looking dagger to the neck of the driver, one of the stage magicians who had taken the reins for the night part of the trip. Bandits? At a way-post? She glanced back at the building, which looked much less impressive and more run down than it seemed at first glance. She stiffened as she realized what had happened. This wasn't the way-point but some abandoned dwelling, or maybe one taken by force. They were WAITING for them!

"Well, fine, just be quick," the stallion said, his ears twitching at the tone of the driver. He moved a hand to his sword as his instincts told him something was not right. The rest of the troupe was inside, probably just waking up and the leader would not be happy if it turned out to be nothing. He rapped his knuckles on the back, keeping an eye on the pair when he heard a whispered warning from above.

"Bandits! They got Miksey!" said Keli as low as she could. It wasn't low enough as Ruffes spun around, drawing his sword as the other two pulled weapons of their own. She watched the stallion let out a stallion cry and engaged the pair.

His sword blocked the first blow and a hoof kicked out to take one of the wolves in the leg, knocking him back onto his ass with a cry of pain. He swung his sword in long arcs, trying to keep the dagger wielding wolf at bay, knowing he wouldn't fight off the quick stabs of a dagger at close range. "Everyone stay inside!" he yelled. He put pressure on the still standing wolf, needing to take him out before the other recovered.

Keli backed away from the fight, turning to see if she could help the driver. She crawled silently forward, not thinking he had heard her and peered over the edge. The wolf was gone, and the skunk was slumped in his seat, unconscious and bleeding from his head. She scrambled back, using to all fours to rush back, just in time to see the third wolf creeping up behind the stallion. "Look out!"

Ruffes turned just in time to see the third wolf stabbing for his back, managing to avoid the blow and get his sword around to block it. He snorted in frustration as the downed wolf got back on his feet, moving in a circle to surround him, not giving him anyplace safe to put his back. His spine tingled at the feel of predators behind him, unable to face them all at once. He lunged at the one he had been threatening, watching him fall back in surprise, making sure he was out of range of the others behind him, hoping to keep them on the run. If he could get past this one, he could turn and get them all facing him at least.

The stallion took another step forward before stars exploded in his vision as something struck him in the back of the head. He stumbled, hearing the thud of something heavy landing behind him. A rock? Did someone just hit him with a rock? He blinked away waves of dizziness, struggling to regain his senses before it was too late. Arms grabbed him from behind as his the world spun around him, warm liquid truckling down the back of his head. Somewhere along the line he had dropped his sword as she struggled against the now two wolves holding him.

"Noo... no!" screamed Keli as she saw the formerly chased wolf grinned and stepped forward, dagger in hand and walk right up to the struggling horse. She watched the horse double over from her vantage point above and behind him, hearing the horse grunting in pain as the wolf made stabbing motions with is arm into the stallions gut. She closed her eyes as he collapsed in a heap, trying not to think about the poor horse. Were they going to kill them all?

Then hands grabbed her, the wolves having gotten up on top when she was cowering in fear. She tried to scream, realizing she was wasting the chance the stallion had given her by sacrificing himself, but rags were shoved into her mouth and leather tied tightly around her short muzzle. "Mmmmph!" she said bit a kick to her side quieted her, making her only able to whimper quietly. By the time she managed to open her eyes, a bag had been pulled over her head, further muffling her as she was carried and thrown down, her legs and arms bound behind her. She squirmed, but another smack to her head stopped her. She could tell she was inside the cart when it began moving again, feeling other bodies pressed around her.

She had no idea how long she was kept in the dark, huffing into the cloth sack, but eventually could hear muffled voices. The real checkpoint! She took in a breath but froze as a blade slid under her neck and a soft voice threatened her to be quiet.

"Scream to alert them and you, and all your friends die," said the cruel voice.

Keli froze again, believing the threat with all her heart. She had seen what had been done to her friend. She regretted all the teasing she did before. She really DID like the poor guy. She fought back tears, not wanting to cry and instead tried to hear what was going on outside. They seemed to be talking to the outpost, saying they were in a hurry and would stop at the next one. She tried to call out with her thoughts, begging them to inspect the caravan, but all too soon it started moving again.

She swore silently, the damn bandits inspected them but the real checkpoints didn't? When she got out of this she was going to have words with those jerks!

The wagon bounced Keli around roughly, they clearly were moving fast, and off the main road. Eventually she heard more voices.

"Better take those off so none of them suffocates. You remember what happened the last time!"

There were noises of agreement and then Keli gasped for air as the bag was ripped off her head. It was dark, only a few lanterns lit the large interior, filled with circus equipment and a half dozen captives. She coughed as the rags were pulled from her mouth and groaned, spitting out the taste.

"No screaming, no trying to escape. We want you alive, but if you risk getting us caught we WILL kill one of you as an example," said one of the wolves.

Keli winced and squirmed. She was facing one of the walls and she struggled to turn around and see the condition of the rest of the troupe. She hardly knew and of them, but was still worried for them. She managed to flop over and came face to face with the clenched teeth of Ruffes, the stallion lying beside her. She let out a silent whine, realizing that of course they would have brought the body with them, even as she recoiled from being so close to the dead horse.

"Nnnngrrrh... it's just me..." managed Ruffes in a pained, almost inaudible gasp.

"Ruffes! You're alive!" Keli said in sudden shock. She suddenly looked down in concern, "You need medical help... we have to get you out of here."

Ruffes shook his head with a groan. "I'm fine, just... hurts. A lot."

"But I saw them stab you!"

The stallion took a few moments to gather himself, seeming to wince at every bump, and there were a lot of them. "He reversed his grip on the knife. Hit me with the hilt of it over and over." He gasped for breath, "It just hurt so much... I'm sorry I let them capture you." He closed his eyes, slowly panting, obviously in great pain.

Keli nodded, relived that he wasn't stabbed, but worried there might be internal injuries. The stallion was clearly in agony. "There were so many of them, and they fooled us all... it's not your fault. Just rest... I'm sure someone will find us. We will be missed, won't we?"

Ruffes nodded, but nether of them believed it.

...

The path to the Dragon Empire was a hard one. The bandits didn't dare take any main roads, and even if they had been near one of rail lines, they were reserved for trade, official use, and those that could afford a seat. Moving the amount of food and goods into and out of the Dragon Empire occupied most of the capacity. Not to mention it would be impossible to hide six captives from the frequent inspections.

Instead, they took back roads, less traveled paths, making their way to a pre-arranged spot along the border. It wasn't hard to avoid the furry guards. There were very few this close to dragon lands. Any small patrol would get snatched up by the dragons, and there was not enough money to pay to secure the border with a large force. Even worse, such a force would surely tempt the dragons to mass THEIR forces which could quickly escalate into war, and nobody wanted that!

Keli and the rest were helpless as they were taken across the border and handed off to a group of dragon slavers. Once on the dragon side, they were gagged, blindfolded, and transferred to much faster transportation, taken swiftly deeper into dragon territory.

She never even found out the names of those who had kidnapped her, not that it mattered. Nobody came back from dragon lands once they were kidnapped or captured, nobody. She couldn't see the dragons, but could hear and smell them. Feel them as she was grabbed and moved, forced to walk or carried and lifted. She felt like a sack of potatoes, goods being moved from point to point. But nobody fondled a sack of potatoes! She squirmed at every one of the touches, and there were lots.

Eventually she heard the distinctive noises of a steam engine, and a jolt as it began to move. She was on a train, and there would be only one direction she could be possibly going. To the capital city. She groaned into the gag, one of much higher quality than the one used on her by the wolves. It let her breath through her nose, but otherwise kept her jaws closed and useless. In all the handling of her, nobody has even said a word! Like she really were just an object to them. It made her shiver and want to curl up into a ball, imagining the horrors that awaited her.

She was released on a regular schedule, given food she could eat, taken to use the facilities at stops. Always chained, always blindfolded. Always muzzled and gagged right after, never allowed to see. Her circus training again served her well, she had little problem walking blindfolded, being led. It was something she had done often in shows, but she trusted those that led her back in the furry capital. Here she obeyed, but out of fear.

At each stop the noises grew louder, the crowds larger... but it was clear when they finally did arrive at the capital. They had gone through several tunnels on the trip, but the entrance to the capital was impossible to miss, the echos having a deep reverberation in the large bore tunnel that was the only ground entrance in and out of the capital. Once they pulled to a stop the noise was almost palatable. The sound of so many dragons talking and moving about. Not just near her, but across miles and miles of what must be a bustling city. And she still couldn't see a damn thing! The blindfold was made of heavy leather and covered her ears too.

She was tugged up and led around again. Sometimes made to sit, other times kneel. She could tell each time she was handed off to another dragon. Her arms were pulled over her head, chained tight and forcing her to her toes. She could feel her legs shackled to the base of the wooden post her back leaned against. She wondered how long she would be here when she felt clawed hands at her head, the blindfold ripped off and yelled into the gag at the bright light.

Keli squinted in pain at the light after so long, blinking as he vision slowly cleared. She was looking down onto a sea of dragons. There must be hundreds of them out there, or more. A large group was gathered in front of her, but there were far more walking back and forth and gathered at similar stages. She glanced around her, seeing the platform she was on for what is was, a stage. But not for performances of music or acrobatics or plays... but for selling of slaves. Ruffes was next to her, the other members of her troupe also displayed as she was, strung up and, naked! She couldn't help but glance down at the naked stallion, then away as she blushed. She was glad his blindfold was still being removed, and looked away.

A large white dragon strode back and forth across the stage, "We have a special offering today, these fine slaves were a troupe of acrobats, captured on their way to their next performance. Having fine skills, they have been brought directly to the capital to be sold as-is. No slave training, no breaking, these fine specimens are yours to mold as you wish."

Keli flushed at being called a slave, and a specimen! She could feel the eyes on her body and groaned at some of the looks.

"Come on up and take a look, prices will be negotiated on a case by case basis, with a discount for buying them as a group," said the slaver.

Keli shrank back as dragons stepped up the stairs onto the stage and began to browse it's wares. Her! She whined and tried to avoid the first dragon that looked her over, grabbing her face to examine it, then moving to tweak her nipple! She tried to jerk away, swearing into the muzzle at being touched so blatantly. But it was only the first of many as dragons of all shapes, sizes and genders pawed and examined her. Her head swam with over stimulation and fear. She had seen dragons before in the capital. Not often, but sometimes they would come to shows. But she had never seen one so close, or so many... and never been touched by one!

She heard grunts and groans from both sides of her, turning her head in between being examined to see Ruffes being similarly explored and handled. She flushed even deeper as a male and female pair took an interest in the stallion, both fondling him until he was erect and tapping his member thoughtfully as he struggled and jerked.

"This was just a guard I'm afraid," said the slaver in answer to a question. "But you know how well horses can be trained. He would make a fine guard and taskmaster to keep other slaves under control once he was broken."

The pair discussed this, but eventually nodded politely and moved on.

"An acrobat, hmm?" said one dragon who was reading from a sign placed in front and to Keli's side. She wished she knew what it said, and then decided maybe she didn't.

"Yes, they are all skilled in various gymnastics," said the slaver.

The customer hmmed, "She doesn't have as detailed of a description as the others."

"No, she was a replacement for another that had recently quit, our informants never got a chance to talk with her like the others."

Keli fumed at hearing this. Informants? They were targeted! Those wolves didn't just happen upon them, but had been sent to catch them. She huffed in anger, thinking they were still out there, and others were secretly scouting out likely targets. How dare them!

"Hmm, well perhaps one of the others would do better. That one over there is good at contortion it says... tell me more..."

Keli could hardly keep track of the commotion, voices talking all at once about her and others.

"What a tail on that one, would make a great bed warmer. Squirrel you say?"

"She's cute but I'm not sure, don't skunks smell bad?"

"Would he even make a good lair guard, look at how he flinches when I poke him in the belly. Not a warhorse for sure."

"What, you want me to buy without a test drive? Can I at least taste her pussy?"

"Nah, I don't care about their sex, as long as they have an ass to fuck when I get bored of their performance."

"Cute squirrel, but that mouth looks too small to take my cock. I'm rather wide, see?"

Keli alternately fumed at her treatment, and flushed in humiliation and embarrassment. She was almost too busy bouncing between both emotions to be afraid, but some looks she got made her shrink back. Predatory, hungry looks that promised more than just being worked for entertainment. One such green dragon stepped up to her, a smaller male, twitchy as he looked back and forth.

"Thissss is a cute one," it said as it prodded her fur.

"Good balance too I am told," the slaver said with a wink.

The green dragon was wingless, and his horns were short, making him look like a lizard and the lisp didn't help. "I like squirrelssss. I'll make you an offer and take her off your hands right now."

Keli whined, she did NOT like the look of this one. Not in the least! A quick smack stunned her into silence.

The slaver looked a bit dubious, "The day is early, and..."

The buyer interrupted, "And this one is new to the troupe, with hardly and listed skills. Unproven. I'm offering quite a fair price too." He began to count out gold coins from a rather large purse he had produced from under his cloak.

The slaver said, "Well, she is a pretty thing..." but watched the coins clink into the green dragons hand. His protests grew quieter as the clinks continued, one after another.

The green dragon said, "Issss this enough? It ssshould be more than fair, don't you think."

The slaver nodded and held out his hand, "I think that will do... yes..." he said as he eyed the pile, counting the profits in his head. "Guards, prepare her while we finalize the paperwork."

Keli watched the two move from her line of sight, and then rough hands freed her wrists and ankles. But her freedom was short lived as her hands were locked behind her, legs shackled and a chain ran from ankles to wrists and then to the back of her collar. A leash was attached and she was led off the stage. She looked back at Ruffes, whining in her gag but a dragoness had a hand on his ass, pushing him into an arch to examine and was too scared to notice her sale and departure.

All too soon she was led down the side, and the green dragon was back, right in her face as he took the leash. "You are mine now, sssslave. Come quietly or I'll rep your faccce offff." he said with a cruel snarl.

Keli cowered at the threat, but came along meekly as he pulled, terrified of what lay in store for her. At least she wasn't blindfolded. She tried to pretend she was a tourist, a visitor as she looked around her. The buildings hid much of the view, but now and then she got glimpses of the huge bowl of the volcano the capital was built into. She had always imaged it as cramped, a town stuck into a small, high crater. But it was instead very open. The crater walls were tall, she could see, but the crater floor was huge, the walls far off. It was shaped more like a ring than what she pictured a volcano would look like. The buildings were mostly made of stone, and she supposed they must have a lot of it.

Now and then she was tugged when she let herself get too distracted by the sights and sounds. It was hard, both as it was all very fascinating, and because she so desperately wanted to distract herself from her fate. Soon they hopped into a private carriage, pulled by a large feral horse and were whizzing through the streets, making their way across the busy town. The buildings changes as they passed through various districts, from fancy to plain to war like back to plain again. Then the stone buildings began to be replaced by stone and wood, the wood beams clearly for decoration but making the buildings look quite a sight. The stones were cut with more precision, many of them carved with designs. Lights and banners were everywhere, large well crafted and painted signs written in dragon.

She squinted at several of them, not used to being unable to read. The furries all had a common language, but dragons had their own that they seemed to like to use for writing, even if they spoke common too. It was one more thing that made them stand out from furries. The carriage stopped and she was lifted out and set on the ground, the green dragon smaller than the others, but easily handling her. She groaned as he copped a feel when he did so, even giving her neck a lick. Gross!

Keli stumbled a bit as she was led to a large, very fancy structure. The sign was black and red, with gold trim and several dragons were standing outside looking at a massive bay window with a mannequin dressed in revealing clothes. Then the figure moved, making her blush at both realizing it was a furry on display, and her seductive, gyrating dance moves. She was led off to the side, into an alley and to a back entrance where a large dragon guard let them in.

Inside it was even more luxurious. Even the back entrance was well furnished as she was led down a carpeted hallway and into a small room.

The green dragon took a seat, but left her standing as he looked around, and ran a finger a long the soft upholstery of the chair. He seemed to be waiting, and Keli wasn't about to ask what, even if she had not been gagged. This was clearly some sex house. Was he taking her here to... molest? Or to let others? Was he a pimp? It was all happening so FAST.

The door opened and a dragon walked in with a saunter. He was tall and thin, but not scrawny like the green, more lithe and sleek. Somehow, even with similar shapes the two dragons couldn't be any more different in her eyes. The green was in a permanent slouch, where the black walked with shoulders wide, head high and moving about like he owned the place. He was dressed in similar colors as the sign out front, wearing a well cut suit in black and grey to match his coloring. Red and gold highlights accented his clothes, and his body she noted. His horns were gold, as were the spots on his neck and tail, his eyes the same red as his shirt collar and cuffs.

The green hissed a greeting, "Master Athain, a pleasure."

The black dragon nodded with a friendly smile, offering a hand and shaking it with the green, "Setheous, what brings you to my establishment? And who is this pretty lady?"

Keli watched quietly, as the dragon approached and looked her over. It wasn't the hungry, sexual look some had given, nor the cruel glances of anticipation others shown, but like he was truly interested in knowing who she was. It made her feel almost, welcome.

The green hisseed, "Your newest attraction of courssse! For the right price. An expert circus performer."

Athain cocked his head at the green and looked back at the squirrel, "The troupe that was just brought in?"

Setheous nodded, "Yessss."

Looking her over again, Athain said, "She is a pretty thing for sure, but I had advance notice of this group. Not a well skilled group, they were touring the borderlands because they were not making any money where there was more skilled competition. I have quality standards to maintain you know." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "How did the sale go? I heard he rushed them here with no training."

Setheous shrugged, "Ssslow. Was a missstake to push how untrained they were. Most like a little fight in new slaves, but not fresh ones with no training at all."

Athain nodded, "Yes, much as I thought. Well, sorry to disappoint, but I think I'll pass on this one."

Keli felt her heart sink. Sex shop or not, she liked this dragon much more than the creepy green. If he just bought her to sell to him, what would happen to her? Would he sell her off at a discount to another? What kind of dragon would she be dumped on? She gulped, and almost choked at how she was thinking. She should be trying to escape, not hoping she would find a good owner! She didn't want ANY owner!

Setheous grinned, "But I know her sssecret."

"Oh? A secret you say?" said Athain with a bit of a smirk. "Do tell."

The lizard moved up and gave the squirrel a shove, grinning as she kept her balance even in her bonds. "Sssshe isn't really from that little troupe, she's from the furry capital. She starred in sssshows there. Very skilled, very talented. Verrrrry valuable."

Athain looked interested for the first time, "The furry capital you say? Some small theater or performance?"

"Not small. One of the big four carnival housessss. Big time."

"Really now. Then what was she doing with them?"

"She quit. Accident with her fellow high wire acrobatsss. So my sources say."

Keli held still as Athain reached out and neatly undid the straps of her muzzle, pulling it off. "So, you performed in the capital in one of the big four circus houses?" He pulled something out of his shirt pocket, a small rod with thin golden threads hanging from one end. He toyed with it as he regarded her, stroking the golden hair-like strands from one end.

Keli worked her jaw and stood up straighter, showing a bit of pride for the first time since her capture, "All four of them."

Athain hmmed and gave the rod he held a quick flick, the golden strands making a small but sharp snapping sound in the air, "You will call dragons Sir when speaking, slave" he instructed.

Keli flinched at the sound of the toy, and the tone of his voice. Her eyes widened a bit as she figured out what it was. She had seen dragons with them at the slave auction, much larger and made of black leather... floggers. This was a flogger, but small, almost a toy. She gulped and nodded, "Yes Sir."

Athain hmmed and walked around her, studying the squirrel. "You lost your nerve, slave?"

She straightened even more and shook her head, "No! I mean, no Sir."

"What were you doing running around with such a group then?"

She sighed and looked down, not wanting to talk about it, but afraid of what he would do if she refused. She hadn't spoken to anyone about her real feelings, they had been too painful. Too recent. Now she was being forced to as she said, "I... there was an accident. They almost died, and I just... couldn't be responsible for others. But you can't do a big show with just one... so I had to take work elsewhere so I could perform on my own." She jumped as the flogger snapped in the air again, "Sir!"

Athain regarded the squirrel, and then like so many others, began to examine her. His touch was light, gentle as he felt her, looked over every inch of the squirrel with a considering look. He ran his hands through her long tail, up her sides, feeling the curves of her hips. His hands lifted her breasts, fingers teasing at the exposed nipples as he watched her bite her lip and squirm in his grasp.

"Untrained, unbroken. Skilled I am sure..." he said, and then slid his hand between her legs.

Keli felt a finger press against her VERY sensitive folds and yelped, hopping away.

"See? Can't have her acting like that if a customer gets his hands on her."

Setheous said, "You don't let cussstomers molest your girssss anyway."

"No, but the bouncers handle anyone that gets too out of line, the girls have to put up with it until they can be rescued or squirm out from their grasp without being rude. She will require a lot of training."

"She could dance on stage first, she could be very entertaining on the stage supports. Add a few more bars and ropes for her to ussse. A profitable attraction."

Athain shrugged, "More money to be spent on the stage, and still need to train her to move right. Dancing in a club is not the same as walking a tightrope."

"Imagine ssssexy dancing ON a tightrope..."

Keli watched the two talk, shrinking a bit as the black dragon talked about how worthless she was. She almost wanted to call out and protest that she was worth it, until it dawned on her that the black dragon wasn't disinterested, but the two were bargaining price! One trying to talk up her skills, the other pointing out her flaws. She squirmed in place, feeling even more like an object than when she was on stage. That was so blatant, being shown off like a piece of meat it was easy to simply be angry and ignore the fact of the matter. But here, it was clear she was being discussed like property... treated as property. Somehow the fancy setting made it even more real. This was no stage she would walk off of and back into her old life, this WAS her life.

Or it could be, if the price was right. She wasn't sure what she wanted. She certainly didn't want to be some girl in a brothel. As fancy as this place was, she was sure that's what her place would be. She has seen such girls back home in the capital, working the streets, or working at clubs and bars. No way she wanted any part of that. She saw how hard life was on such girls, and how hard guys could be on them. Would a dragon be any better? They were so big, and mean. She shuddered at the thought.

Athain finally nodded, "Well, perhaps with the right training she could be useful. All right. You let me train her for a week and I'll buy her off you if she works out."

Setheous hissed, "I could sell her..."

"You could sell her for half of what you probably paid for her anywhere else. I'll give you what you paid for her, plus ten percent."

"Thirty."

"Fifteen."

"Twenty."

Athain gave a nod, holding out his hand. "Twenty."

Setheous looked at the hand and added, "And free ticketssss to watch her perform once she isss trained. I didn't even fuck her first. You get her untouched. I should get a little extra for that."

Athain gave a chuckle, "One free show a month then."

Setheous said, "Deal!" and shook the hand.

Keli licked her lips, feeling afraid and nervous as the green left, closing the door behind him, leaving her alone with the black. What was he going to do with her now? Rape her? Beat her? What kind of training was he talking about?

Athain put the miniature flogger back in his pocket and regarded the squirrel, "Well, I have a busy day today. I'll set you up with a room, and find a girl to show you the ropes. I normally don't deal with such, raw slaves... so let me be blunt. I treat my girls well, but expect obedience and respect in return. You are NOT my employee. I own you. Perform and make me happy, and I will make you happy. That is how things work here. You serve those above you, and are served by those below you. As a slave, every dragon is above you. Is that clear?"

Keli gulped again, shivering at how final it all seemed. "Yes... Sir."

Athain smiled, "No need to call me Sir any more. I own you. You will call me Master from now on."

Keli's tail twitched as she grimaced, but nodded reluctantly. "Yes... Master."

"Good girl... I think you will do well here. You have a week to prove me right."

Keli bit her lip and nodded, wondering what that week will be like, and what would happen to her at the end of it. Did she even want to stay here? Would she have a choice? She didn't know... but knew she was going to find out. She shuffled forward as the dragon took her leash, and walked into her new life.