Chapter fourteen D.

There were three bowls of a thick-looking soup and two loaves of bread that had steam rising from them. “I beg your pardon my lord, but I have made some food. A beef soup and have warmed some bread. Would it be permitted for Timothy to eat with you?”

“Of course, its fine. Thank you May it smells lovely.” I said as she placed the food down. The stew was rich, and Sasha, Timothy, and myself dug into it while he continued.

“Thank you master Grayson. I know eating with your slave means nothing to you, but it is quit the gesture of friendship. Thank you.” Timothy said.

“You should have seen my face when he ordered food for us at the marina club in Laga’vast. I thought he was insane or a simpleton, but let me tell you, it was worth it. First proper meal I had had in ages.” Sasha chimed in.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it so much Sasha. Does the mage college have a marina?” I asked, turning the conversation back to Timothy.

“Yes, and a grand one at that. It can easily hold dozens of ships twice this size. Many mages have their own vessels as travel by the rivers and lakes is the most efficient.

“No portals I interrupted?”

“No, teleporting is possible but only a few mages can manage it, and only for themselves. travel by the river, wagon, carriage, or beast is how everyone travels. The location of the college is in the capitol city Tagin’ura. The proper name is the Imperial Royal College of Tagin’ura. Only free citizens may apply to the school, though there is no citizen ship test. The admittance test is very quick, an orb I’m told, measures your affinities. It only lights up green if you have the required ten percent affinity in mana manipulation though.”

He ate a few bits of soup before continuing, “It is one of the rudest questions to ask, what is a mages affinity or to try and find out. As it implies you are an owner of a free citizen and an exalted lord. The bond between slave and master allows the master to see such information. Civil wars have been fought over the insult. That’s why a simple green pass red fail is used at the admittance exam.”

I looked over at Sasha for a second and could see she was visibly relieved as much as I was. I really did not want to stand out any more than I knew I was already going to.

“Once a citizen of any rank is excepted, they receive the title of exalted lord. Regardless of their title before. A viscount for example would only regain his title upon completing his time at the college. The college sits above a dungeon that they use for training and the exams. A normal course of study at the college takes eight years. Each student is given a debit of one mithril coin per year. This covers classes, a room in the dormitory’s, food, basic robes, personal course books and supplies for classes. The debt ensures that when the mages finish schooling, they will work with in the Empire, because not paying a debit is one way of becoming a slave. That is all the information I have, but when we arrive, I am sure you can get more information.” Timothy finished.

Timothy had given me a lot to think about as I got ready to head to bed. “Sasha, you can join me whenever you like, no need to try and finish it all to night.” I said, standing from the table and heading back to my cabin.

As I passed May finishing in the gally, I heard her say to Milly, “Run along and go to bed with the master, no need to keep him waiting or wake him when you go to bed.”

Milly blushed as she turned to follow me. On the floor in my cabin, Zora and Holly were laid out on the floor with blankets and pillows Sasha had made. She had made quite a bit of progress in the room. Black curtains hung from the windows looking out over the water. The bed had sheets and thick blankets on them. A good dozen pillows were on the bed also.

Deciding I was just going to have to get used to being freer with my body than normal, I took my shirt and pants off. Climbing into bed, I looked at Milly, who was standing by the door, “you know, you don’t have to sleep with me if you don’t want to. It’s OK.” I said.

“It’s not that master, it’s just…I’ve never… I’ve never slept in a bed before next to a man.” She said timidly. As if saying it out loud had spurred something in her, she reached up and undid the straps behind her neck and back. Letting her top fall. She confidently nodded to herself and slipped the skirt she had gotten, probably from Sasha, from around her waist getting ready for sleep.

She had on a soft-looking pair of green panties that hugged her wonderfully. She made her way to the bed and got under the covers with me. I pulled her close to me and lightly stroked her stomach reassuringly. We held each other, breathing each other in as we kissed.

I kissed the side and back of her neck. It was light and quick but just what we needed before sleep. Rolling her onto her back and then back into me, we both settled down for sleep.

Sometime later, I woke from sleep to the feeling of Sasha’s body curling up on my opposite side. Milly’s leg was over the top of my right leg, and Sasha’s leg quickly claimed my left leg. I kissed her briefly as her feeling of her warm leg, on my leg sent my mind diving into pleasant fantastical dreams.