They were alone in the hall as they made their way to the baths, except for their escort, who maintained a respectful lead that allowed the two women to converse among themselves. It was there that Solution explained the brief events that took place as Nua napped.

Solution’s cocky smile never wavered as she depicted the improvisation and she slapped Nua’s back over where the worst of her scars lay. “Well, that won’t inspire any rumors ‘at all’ now, will it?” Nua asked sarcastically, while giving an appreciative wink that belied the tone of her words.

“Nope.” Solution lied and folded her hands behind the back of her head casually as they walked the rest of the way.

A few minutes later, they were at a heavy, thick cedar door, their escort stopped at it and stepped to the left of the ornate vertical handle. “My ladies,” he did a half bow, “I will remain out here, there will be bells within to ring to summon me. There will be morning wines already laid within the wooden buckets. But if you require more, I am at your beck and call until you dismiss me.” He fidgeted some, and all of a sudden it struck Nua as to just how boyish he really looked, his face had a faint blush to it that he was clearly trying very hard to hide.

He held one hand behind his back, and she could tell from the very slight tension in his arm that it was clenching over and over again into a nervous fist as he tried to suppress his discomfort at being close to two beautiful women as they bathed.

Nua flashed a charming smile in an impulsive moment of generosity, “That will be fine, all I ask that you do for now is stand at the door and knock if you see others approaching, I value my privacy in conversation, and don’t wish to be eavesdropped on.”

He blinked several times before he got a hold of himself when her pearly smile and gentle voice of instruction utterly replaced the haughty voice and imperious expression from earlier. “Ah, ladies, of course.” He straightened and opened the door to admit them, then as they moved within, he closed the door behind them and stood in position in front of it.

The baths were an underground facility, and around it there were many stone pillars with intricate designs etched on them, however, to Nua’s surprise, there were glowing crystals along the wall. “Didn’t the desk clerk say he’d never heard of glow stones before?” Nua asked as she took in the faint white light.

“He did.” Solution said with a frown, “Should I eat him or interrogate him?”

Nua hesitated for a moment before shaking her head, “Strange thing to lie about, isn’t it? You taught me that when a lie doesn’t make sense, it’s either the truth or you’re dealing with an idiot… most of the time. As a lie, it doesn’t make sense. Why lie about such a common item, especially if you use it ‘in’ this very facility?” Nua’s long blonde hair swayed with the shaking of her head as she moved to a wide central pool where the water was warm and steam was already rising.

“True, but I have a question of my own.” Solution said as she walked beside her charge. “How long before you tell me everything you have in mind? So far I’ve been following your lead…”

“Is that a problem for you, to obey an inferior creature from outside your home?” Nua asked with an even calm as she hung up her robe when she reached the edge and slipped down into the water with a contented sigh.

“No, I was created to serve, my master gave me to you with the instruction that I follow your orders… within certain limits. As long as you don’t exceed yours, I’m the perfect maid and bodyguard.” Solution replied and eased herself into the waters as well.

“But if you have ‘that’ in mind, well you may or may not need to do some convincing.” Solution pointed to the pillar nearest to them, and the pale elf promptly blushed.

The intricate designs she’d barely noticed, were overtly sexual. “Oh… right, this place is like that.” She managed a weak laugh and shook her head. “You’re beautiful, but… not my type, Teacher.” Nua said with a playful wink at the monster beside her.

“Smart of you to caveat that.” Solution chuckled and they began to wash, “But no, my real question is, how long before you tell me everything? I am your Teacher after all. Yet I’ve been forced to ask you everything so far, or wait for you to tell me what you have in mind.”

Nua eased herself further, deeper into the water and moved herself in front of Solution, “Teacher…” She said seriously, “I apologize for keeping you in the dark so much,” Nua looked down into the waters that rippled away from the movement of her bare flesh, “I should tell you. You have a right to know everything. But can I ask a small favor?”

‘What is she playing at…?’ Solution wondered as she narrowed her eyes down at her student. “Ask…” She said slowly.

“Let me enjoy the mystery with you a little longer at least. Part of it is practical of course, but the truth is, despite what you are, your visits to the grave, and the time you stayed with me, teaching me everything, have been favorite times for me. I loved those weeks.” Nua held her white glowing hand out to her teacher, she hesitated for a moment, biting her lip, then spat it out under the blue eyed glare, “I want… I want you to be proud of your student!”

Solution’s eyes went from narrow to normal and a little knowing smile formed on her lips. “Let me show you all I’ve learned from you! Whenever you left, I pushed myself hard with every new lesson, I read every book you brought to me… repeatedly. I even went out with Mu’Ulm and Mu’Sula to put down a few recalcitrant bandits! I was able to kill without the dead even knowing what killed them! Please… let me show you what I’ve learned, by letting you see my work unfold before your eyes! Please, Teacher… enjoy the fruits of your student’s hard work…”

‘This is… very unexpected. Or should it be?’ Solution pondered as the little elf she’d done such a number on, whose soul she twisted and ‘sort of’ saved, held her false hand out imploringly. Nua’s blue eyes reflected Solution’s own sadistic eyes back at her, and it was all the deadly maid could do not to laugh… until she did.

Solution threw back her head and laughed, kicking her feet happily beneath the waters. “Oh that’s wonderful…” She said, baring her teeth as her ample breasts heaved at water level. ‘She looks up to me that much, I really shouldn’t be shocked, I should have seen it coming.’ Solution thought, and then as Nua’s face seemed about to morph from imploring to hurt, Solution ceased her laughter and nodded sharply.

“Alright, student, on three conditions.” Solution raised three fingers above the water, “First, you consider this your final exam. Failure will not be tolerated, you either conquer, or die, there is no other path. You offer me your life if you do not succeed.”

“Done.” Nua said without hesitation. “If I fail, I don’t want to live anymore anyway, I can’t face Raymond as a failure after he died a success. Better to die trying.”

Solution lowered her first finger and added, “Next, I tell you to kill, you kill, and you do it how I say to, no questions asked, no hesitation. Assassins do not hesitate and live.”

“I know none of those orders will ever hurt His Majesty’s cause but, can you promise that it won’t hurt my own either?” Nua asked with a narrow gaze of her own, her blue eyes turning faintly golden as she stared at her teacher.

“No. You’ll just have to promise to follow my instruction if I give it to you.” Solution said with a cheshire grin.

“Fine. Done.” Nua answered and folded her arms in front of her chest as she eased herself back onto an underwater bench. “And the last?” She asked.

“I know you, Nua. You still have a soft spot for certain… types. Like that one out there, reminds you of a young Aalon, doesn’t he? And that brown haired bitch in the cage that you got as a free gift, she reminded you of you, am I wrong?” Solution asked harshly, her eyes narrowing again and her jaw clenched.

Nua looked down at the water, “No, you’re… you’re not wrong, Teacher.”

“My third condition is that you don’t let yourself act on a personal weakness, you want to turn on the charm, harmless. That’s part of being an assassin, but we’re not taking in every stray bitch with a load in her cunt and a tear in her eye because of your bad memories. You want to give mercy to those, you kill them if they’re not useful. That is mercy to the useless.”

Nua pursed her lips tightly enough that their pink hue turned white, “Teacher, it’s true I showed mercy to that one because of what i remembered, but I have a use for that one. I can promise I won’t be doing… that thing you say. Though.”

“Not good enough.” Solution snapped, her third finger stayed up, “Say it back to me, I want to hear it.”

Nua glared, the hardness of her eyes netted Solution’s approval, as did the ice that poured from Nua’s tongue into the steaming bath, “I promise I will not take in every worthless bitch with a load in her cunt and tears in her eyes. If I have an impulse to be merciful, I will grant them the mercy of Nazarick, and end their lives, and will take on no burdens that have no use. Good enough?” Nua demanded.

Solution’s third finger lowered. “Good, now get over here, let me scrub your back.”

Nua hesitated for only a step before she obeyed, ‘At least she doesn’t think it’s ugly.’ Nua thought as she came close to her teacher and turned around to lean forward standing up to make it easier. The bristles and soap felt good on the many scars. She flinched a little, but stilled herself almost immediately.

They enjoyed the heat of the steam and the feel of the waters until Solution completed the scrubbing, and a knock at the door told her that someone was coming. Nua climbed out of the stone enclosure and went to the pillar where her robe hung. She slipped it on with a brief trembling as if cold, but relaxed again when it was on.

“Here, let me.” Solution ordered and knelt in front of her just before a couple entered.

Nua felt the lustful eyes of the male on herself and Solution, but he had the grace to not let his eyes linger long. The female companion, a woman of middle years and half elven lineage sat beside him a stone’s toss away from where Solution bound Nua’s robe closed, while Nua held her arms up at her side so that they were parallel to the ground, appearing every inch to be accustomed to allowing servants to tend to her body and dress.

Her haughty and cold expression restored, Solution stood as Nua stepped aside, and took her own robe off the hook, and followed her ‘mistress’ out.

The young man outside bowed more deeply than he needed to when they exited, ostensibly out of courtesy, but Nua felt amusement rise when she recognized his nervous innocence. “Back to our rooms to dress before breakfast. Has our stock arrived yet?”

“Ah, ah m’mistress, ma’am, My Lady, ah, forgive me but I have not left this place to find out. I will find out as soon as I have taken you to your quarters.” He blushed a little deeper when he had no choice but to straighten up, and spun on his heel with evident relief as he walked them back to their quarters.

When they were alone in their rooms and the young man scurried off, Nua and Solution were quick about getting dressed. Solution cast off her robe, as did Nua, and the elf reached for the previous day’s clothing, and suddenly swore.

“What?” Solution asked as she saw Nua staring at her outfit.

“We left so quickly I didn’t think to pack much, of all the stupid things to overlook… I’m supposed to be this wealthy elven woman of mystery, I can’t go out wearing ‘yesterday’s clothing’. I guess I can come up with a decent lie about someone stealing it but…” Nua rubbed her forehead with her fingers. “Damnit.”

Solution laughed, “As final exams go, that would be ‘points off’ little elf, but think nothing of it, here.” She reached inside herself and withdrew a similar outfit, black boots, blood red pants, and a green shirt to go under her armor, and a pair of black gloves to go with it. She laid them on the bed and bent her fingers toward herself to call Nua over.

“Teacher, you never fail to impress me.” Nua grinned as she looked down at the neatly laid out choice.

Solution laid her hand on her breast, arched her back so that she thrust her chest out proudly, closed her eyes confidently, and pronounced, “That’s what you get when you’re served by a created being, perfection.”

“I can’t argue with the facts before my eyes.” Nua muttered, and she held still as Solution assisted her with dressing, until at last the armor Nua loved like life itself went down over her body. She touched it affectionately, a deep black with its faint runic glow, her fondness for it was now surpassed by only two pieces of equipment.

She let Solution tug the black gloves over her hands, concealing the magicine false hand that was a gift of her teacher, and accepted the dagger made from the bones of her mistress and the coins that mistress got from Nua’s sale.

She caressed the sheathed blade delicately and gave a hate filled smile down to it, one that lingered so long that Solution was entirely dressed by the time Nua had shoved the dagger’s sheath onto her belt and thrown her traveling cloak onto herself.

When they were ready, closed her eyes and placed a hand over her heart, “OK…” She whispered softly, “Bear her face.” She swallowed hard, and put on the cruel, haughty expression of her long dead mistress. She then opened the door and found the raised hand of the same servant that had led her to the baths, ready to knock on her door again.

“Ah, My Lady,” He slowly lowered his hand and folded it behind his back, his lips moved without a sound for a second as he was caught off guard by her sudden appearance, “I wanted to inform you, th-the slaves have begun to arrive. They sent only two laborers however, so it will take some time to unload, my colleague remains on watch and will find you at breakfast when they’ve finished, and bring up the two you asked for.”

“Good, what’s your name, boy?” Nua asked with as much arrogance as she could manage as she looked down her nose at him as if appraising an interesting specimen.

“Karlo, My Lady.” He replied just a little too quickly, and lowered his eyes in deference.

“Accompany me to the dining hall, then go inform your supervisor that you’ll be my liaison to this hotel for the remainder of my stay.” Nua didn’t wait for a response, she simply took a long step forward and the boy stepped back sputtering his stunned acknowledgement and leading her to the dining area.

One foot stumbled against the other as he tried to get ahead of them and maintain a respectful distance until they reached the stairs, at which point Nua began to walk slowly down, keeping her hand on the smooth cedar colored bannister as it bathed in the orange glow of the many candles. What would have been a soft echo of her steps was sharpened by their decisive fall, giving a clipped, small sound that rang over the open area as if to announce her coming.

Her eyes swept the luxurious entry, where despite the presence of so many humans, her shoulders remained relaxed and her muscles did not tense. Elves not unlike herself mingled with humans who in turn mingled with orcs, who also mingled with small being that looked to her eyes like underfed dwarves.

When she reached the lower level, following her youthful human escort, she slowed her pace down a bit, she felt a number of eyes catch hers, felt them digging into her back like they were mining coin from the blood beneath her many scars. Her hand tensed on the bannister, and cracked it just a little. She removed her hand from it and folded it behind her back, letting her left hand capture her right and holding it still so that it would not shake. ‘I can never repay Lady Solution… or our God… for the marvelous gift of this wonderful left hand, which will never tremble when others look at me the way it feels right now…’ Gratitude swelled within her heart again, and she took the moment obscured by the pillar to which the spiral stairs were attached, to swallow hard.

Ahead of her the servant rushed and whispered something to a white clad attendant behind a podium. Her eyes widened briefly and she snatched up a quill.

“Lady Aiwenor… we have a table prepared for you, right this way. We reserved a table for you and your bodyguard.” She spun on her heel in a motion that reminded Nua vaguely of a military maneuver, and wound her way through a sea of tables to a small two person space near where several musicians were beginning to set up with several unfamiliar stringed instruments.

The table had a round white cloth draped over it and hanging equally from the center, while the chairs were of ornate dark stained wood that blended with the carpet and reflected faintly the many glowing candles.

“It will do.” She said after staring at it for a moment as if weighing her options, while noting with more attention the swiftness Karlo used to scurry off outside to carry out her orders.

Solution went to Nua’s chair and pulled it out, allowing her to take a seat and then sliding it in, before taking her own. A moment later a black haired woman of sylvan figure and pale skin approached holding a single menu. “What may I provide My Lady today?” She asked in the charming voice that could only come from one who loved her work. Her bow was sincere and her eyes danced happily, her tiny gestures told Nua that she was truly enjoying her task.

‘If this one is property, I’ll eat my other hand myself.’ Nua thought but did not take the offered menu. Instead she folded one hand over the other and simply said, “Your best.”

Green dancing eyes blinked in uncertainty, “Your pardon… I don’t…” She began.

“Your best, whatever is your very best to eat, that is what you should bring me, and the same for my bodyguard.” Nua replied in an abrupt military manner, “And to drink… is it too much to expect that you have western coffee?”

“I… we don’t… I’ve never heard of that. I can check…” She said, suddenly looking crestfallen, as if she’d failed.

Nua pressed one finger down on the other as it twitch and she held her tongue to keep back a forgiving phrase. “Then your best tea, with milk, and sugar.”

“As you wish, My Lady.” She perked up and the smile returned to her face as Nua’s orders became possible.

When the woman was gone, Solution glanced around the room, it was slowly starting to fill, and both women barely concealed their amusement with one another. “Pop quiz, student of mine.” Solution purred to her as she folded her hands in front of her on the table.

“Yes, teacher?” Nua asked with a tiny, knowing smile.

“What am I looking for as I look around the room?” Solution laid one hand out beside the other with all five fingers flat on the table.

“Entry, exit, line of sight, cover and concealment, potential threats, and opportunities.” Nua rattled off her lessons swiftly as if she’d just heard them and Solution’s fingers rapidly closed into a single fist.

“Good, and where is our opportunity?” Solution asked with an inquisitive inflection, keeping her eyes on Nua’s own so as to give nothing away.

“They’re not here yet, but the table that says ‘reserved’ tells us where they will be, which tells me where I need to be, before they arrive.” Nua answered and raised just one finger from her hand to point at the table thirty feet from where they sat.

She ceased to speak as the bubbly raven haired server approached holding a tray in each hand. One laid in front of Nua, the other in front of Solution. It was a rich smelling concoction of lobster and eggs, served with a thick sausage and a biscuit that was so golden and fluffy it might have been carved from a cloud before being baked.

Kaiji watched as the more aggressive slaves struggled in their cages, while those whose hearts had broken when parted from any loved ones they had, largely just held onto the bars to keep from getting bruised more. Sullen and silent, a few had gone from angry discipline problems, to empty dolls.

Kaiji felt the lump in her throat and looked away from them. ‘I failed you.’ She thought as she recalled her failed plea to her Prince to negotiate. ‘Where is he now…?’ She wondered wistfully. ‘In spite of everything… I…’ She cursed under her breath as her cage was jostled when the one beside her was unloaded. Thus warned, she grabbed the bars of her cage as she too, was dragged to the end of the cart and lowered to the ground.

A few yards away, a well dressed human, youthful, with a freckled face and a voice just beyond the edge of boyhood, spoke, “I need two of you!” He called out to the group of slaves. “Your owner is seeking the ‘most’ expensive, and the ‘least’ expensive, to be brought to her suite. Who are you?”

Kaiji stood from her crouching position, “I cost the most…”

“And she…” Kaiji gestured slightly with one hand, only for the seemingly mute girl to spit out words with bile.

“I was not even worth a coin.” She all but vomited the words before she punched the bottom of her cage in the first act of spirit Kaiji had seen from her.

Karlo turned to his waiting compatriot who had been supervising the unloading and looked up at him, “Have a pair of large basins brought and filled with water, as well as something to scrub them with. Their mistress wants them clean. Also, she ordered them fed before delivery so…” Karlo hesitated, ‘It’s still early, there will be no leftovers yet, last night’s are probably gone…’ He came to a snap decision, “Send out two servings of whatever has been sent back or can be made within minutes. Hurry!” He urged, his eyes partially bulging, he hissed through clenched teeth, “I don’t think we want to keep this one waiting.”

His compatriot moved with great, swift strides back within, without further question, and in short order, two wide, round wash tubs used for laundry were delivered by four servants each, who did their best not to slosh themselves with the water.

One of the laborers approached and held out the key as he looked down to Karlo. “Two keys, one for cages, one for chains, also, this.” He reached behind his back and took out a whip. Only one comes with this buy. The Lur’gin Slave company thanks the mistress for her patronage.” He then withdrew a delivery receipt and extended it with a quill. “Sign here.”

Karlo quickly counted the slaves and called out the numbers associated with them all. “Here!” “Fuck you!” “I’ll kill you!” “Let me go!” “Please!” Were a few of the shouted answers when he called off the numbers until he got to the last two.

“Zero.” He said, and there was no answer, he looked up at the big orc with the tree trunk sized muscles. “Zero!” He shouted.

“That one.” The orc grunted, went over and stuck his boot into the cage, pressing the bottom of it against her lower back.

So nudged, she managed a whimper of acknowledgement, but nothing more.

He marked her off, and then his eyes widened when he saw the name in place of a number, “Kaiji?” He asked.

“Me.” The demon elf said as she made a pathetic attempt at covering herself as she looked with dread at the bath.

“Oh.” He said abruptly, and marked her off swiftly. He scrawled his signature and handed over the delivery document. “Stand fast for a short time, their delivery needs to be to the mistress’s room.” The laborers grunted and shrugged, then sat themselves on the back of the cart to chat idly.

Karlo put them out of his mind and turned around to go between the two cages. He took a long deep breath and looked at the pitiable pair, “There’s no escape from here, you two know that, right?” He asked gently, small nods were given to him in return.

“So if I open up these cages, it’s going to be so you can clean each other up, it’s that, or them.” He tilted his head back, gesturing to the sweaty orc laborers. “What’ll it be, will you cooperate?”

“Zero?” He asked, the woman barely responded, Karlo reached in her cage and pressed his hand to her forehead, and tilted her head back firmly, “Hey… hey… do you understand?” He asked as he sought her eyes.

She mouthed a soundless ‘Yes’.

‘She’s not going anywhere, not like this anyway.’ He thought and gritted his teeth as grim thoughts of what she’d want with both the most expensive, and the least expensive, at once went through his mind.

“OK.” He said quietly, and unlocked Zero’s cage, he took her hand and pulled her slowly out. If she was even aware of what was happening in the stable area, the neighing of horses, the sounds of other miserable two legged creatures less well provided for than the four legged beasts, she gave no sign.

He helped her into the tub, a little water splashed onto his pant leg and he was struck by the cold. He felt Zero’s sudden tension as the water of the unheated well shocked her flesh. But she made no attempt to resist as she got in.

He then unlocked Kaiji’s cage, and stepped out of the way to let her walk out. She reached into the basin and took out a brush and got to work. Zero uttered only one sentence over and over, and it made Karlo turn away from them. “Scrub harder, and scrub it all out.”

‘Could this get worse?’ Kaiji wondered when they switched places. As the slow and barely living hands of the brown haired ‘Zero’ worked the brush, Kaiji reflected that, ‘Yes, yes it could. At least this human seems to pity us a little, though he seems to fear the woman we’re going to. Maybe with good reason. She seemed to have ice in her veins.’

‘I would know more if I just knew a little about where she was from, that coin, looked like it had a skull on it, no nation or city for hundreds of miles around here uses that, not that I know. And I didn’t recognize that symbol on her armor, or her armor either. Definitely didn’t recognize her face so she’s not from any of the cities around…’ Her train of thought derailed as she thought of her now nonexistent home. Her lower lip quivered and she shut her red eyes tight, it did not stop the shaking of her body.

“I know, it’s cold, but the food will be warm, it’ll be alright.” The young man said from behind her, she felt his eyes on the dark skin of her back, but tried to nod at his words. ‘Don’t show weakness, not now.’ She reminded herself.

She was just emerging from the bath, keeping her breasts and sex hidden as best she could, he opened the cage and stood beside it to allow her to walk in unimpeded.

Despite herself, Kaiji walked with her back straight and head held high, with a long confident step as if she were walking into a palace rather than into a cage. It shut and locked behind her, and then she watched the young human assist Zero with a staggered, slow, graceless entry into her own confinement, before he slowly locked it.

Just as this was done, a servant bearing two large steaming wooden bowls of thick grey stuff came out, along with two hunks of day old bread sitting in it. The bowls were thrust in the cages, and at that, even Zero seemed to come to life. She dipped the bread and wolfed it down, then heedless of her dignity, she scooped it up in her now clean hands and shoved it into her mouth. Her fingers, she licked clean before turning her tongue’s attention to the bowl itself to repeat the same process until it looked like it hadn’t been used.

Kaiji ate more slowly, scooping up as much of the stuff as she could on the bread, using it as a kind of crude utensil. There was no real smell, no flavor, it was simply grey goop. ‘Good enough to live on, might as well get used to this, but… I don’t have to eat like an animal.’ Out of the corner of her blood red eye, she watched the crudity of Zero, ‘Is she just starving, or did she never have any manners? Guess it doesn’t ‘really’ matter, not to us, whatever I was before, I’m now the same as her.’ She swallowed the bitter pill, and then tilted the bowl to her lips, and swallowed the flavorless, ash colored slop.

“Thank you… sir.” She said begrudgingly, and extended the bowl through the bars. He set them aside, but didn’t answer her beyond a lingering look that Kaiji turned her face away from.

It was a relief when he moved away from them and went to the carts where the laborers sat waiting.

Karlo looked over to the orc workers, “take those two in their cages, and follow me through the side entrance, we can’t take naked stock through the lobby.”

The workers grunted indifferently and revealed the extent of their strength by hefting the cages individually onto their backs, resting the slaves against them as they leaned slightly forward, and keeping their hands holding the undersides.

When they reached the room, Karlo dismissed the workers, and after they left, and he was alone with them, a sudden fear ran through the demon-elf, and a sense of doll-like resignation seemed to wash over the human that simply flopped her legs out.

‘No… no… he’s not going to…’ Kaiji’s heart began to pound in her breast and she cursed the collar that bound up her magic.

But when she looked at his eyes more closely, she didn’t sense lust, instead it was something else. His eyes didn’t water, but they didn’t leave ‘her’ either.

Sweat sprang on her body as the silence stretched, until he snapped forward into a deep bow to her and words poured out like spilled milk, “Lady Kaiji… I am… truly… truly sorry that this has happened to you. Please forgive my inability to do more than get you into your owner’s room without being disgraced by passing through the lobby as… as you are now…”

‘What the hell do I say to that?’ Kaiji mentally exclaimed in consternation.