The rest of the auction was relatively uneventful and once Otto had left, Nita helped Evelin, fixing her breasts, before finding herself falling into her bed in the wee hours of the morning.

“Mistress, you have a delivery to sign for.” Lilly announced attempting to wake Nita with a shake early the next morning.

“Busy…” Incoherent mumbling. “Tell them… receive me later… got to sleep.” Nita mumbled rolling over and presenting her back to Lilly pulling the covers closer.

Nita’s shifting and Lilly’s words served to wake Kit who was curled into a ball sleeping at the foot of Nita’s bed.

“What ungodly hour is it?” Kit mumbled once her eyes were properly focused on Lilly.

“5:00, according to mistresses’ clock.” Lilly responded demurely.

“Right,” Kit said; rolling from bed to her feet in one smooth motion. She rubbed the stump of her ear as she thought for a moment, standing in the middle of the room: giving herself some time to wake properly.

“Right,” She repeated, pushing her hands into her spine till it cracked. Huh, I feel great. Just an itchy ear and pleasantly aching muscles from the workout yesterday. She let out a delighted laugh, playing with her tail before returning her gaze to Lilly. I must remember she’s so young; her size makes it hard.

“Tell the messenger that you couldn’t wake her. She returned late last night due to the auction and has only been asleep for a couple hours. See what they want to do.” She finally said with a hop shaking out her arms. This is amazing. She grinned.

Lilly left. She heard a quick conversation from the adjacent room, before both voices faded from hearing. She bent to retrieve her belt with her new kukris, that the captain had gifted her from the Count’s armory, and the purse Nita had made her carry the night before. She dug into the purse and pulled out one of the kings; slipping it into her mouth.

Nita had told her to take the money and deal with her own armor needs in the morning if she decided to sleep in; her meeting with the smith was at 9:30. Looking fondly at her drooling master, she shrugged. It didn’t look like she would be waking anytime soon.

She pulled on her small skirt and adjusted her breast wrap before striding from the room. Maybe I’ll be able to find a colorful wrap as well, this tan one is getting a little ratty. She thought, fingering the garment.

She found herself standing in the hall, lost for a moment, before she decided to head to the training grounds, to see if Captain Grey was there. He would know where she should go to get decent armor. The king that Nita had allowed for her needs should be more than plenty.

When she arrived, she found the Captain, Sir Edward, and roughly 20 others, running laps around the bailey. Shrugging, she waited for them to pass nearby, before joining them on their run.

She opened her mouth to ask her question, but Captain Grey shot her a disapproving look, so she sighed internally and just continued running.

They finished up a good half hour later and Kit went to start walking it off with the others. However, before she got far the Captain spoke up, signaling her out.

“By my count you have another 5 laps.” He stated, not letting her stop. “Should be another 10 for being late, but your new here, so I’ll let it pass this once.”

With a groan Kit headed off to finish her laps. She pushed to do them at a sprint and when she was finished, she paced back and forth as Edward and the Captain paired the others off for sparring.

“I know your master isn’t awake; especially after the night she had last night. Now since you were late, you get to be paired off with Sir Edward.” Captain Grey said by way of greeting, when he finally acknowledged her.

“But...” Kit tried to protest, before he cut her off with another look. I was never told to be here this morning!

“Fine.” she grumbled grabbing a training spear before joining Edward on the field. How am I going to get anything done this morning if I keep getting shanghaied?

“Good morrow.” Edward Galloway smiled at her as she approached.

“So, Nita bought another slave last night. I admit it’s surprising, she is moving so quickly. I thought she would be more hesitant, considering her morals. Though I should never underestimate a woman’s misplaced belief they can fix people: he is missing an arm after all.” He said speculatively as they got ready by doing some light stretching.

“I think she is just taking the Count’s recommendation seriously.” Kit answered after determining that there was a question in there.

She took a quick look around the field before spotting the huge Bear-ogre. He was holding a very large shield in his one hand, warding off the strikes of two others wielding spears. She wasn’t sure how she missed him in the running group. He was doing surprisingly well at keeping his opponents separated, so only one was engaging him at a time.

“Maybe. Still a quick change.” He mused watching the man with Kit.

“He’s obviously military trained. He doesn’t talk much, one syllable answers; that’s hard to do with the collar. Corten is looking into him, there wasn’t much documentation on him when he was delivered. Make sure Nita talks to Corten later. Also, I signed for him and her other purchase, so she’ll have to come find me later.” He added with a smirk.

“She doesn’t exactly treat us like slaves. I think she would feel more guilty if she sold us. The security and treatment are nice though. Yeah, he looks good. Scary that he can move that fluidly, with his size. I will let her know.” Kit pointed out. Feeling she had to defend Nita.

“Fair enough. Though that behavior can lead to other trouble down the road. Thanks.” He said jumping on the spot lightly.

“It’s too bad about the arm. Captain Grey is going to look into some different shield strapping options. It will take some training though; it appears his missing arm was his dominant and it hasn’t been long. It’s likely the reason he was sold. Now, show me what you can do with that stick.” He grinned wider, brandishing a heavy wooden saber and large round shield.

It was another half hour before Kit found the opportunity to bring up the reason she came here to begin with.

After she explained, Edward contemplated for a minute before answering.

“You should seek out Smith Los in the Kin quarter. He’s the best for Kin armor might have to wait a few days but it’s better to have gear that fits, then castoffs. Though he can be hard to deal with at times. How much did she give you?”

She opened her mouth to show the king on her tongue.

“Flower. I swear I don’t know what you're thinking sometimes.” He muttered quietly shaking his head.

“Give me that and go get Viktor. She gave you more than enough for what you both could possibly need. I’ll take you.” He said wiping the sweat from his brow with a rag; after racking the training gear. He took the coin from her with the rag and wiped it before dropping it in his own purse.

“You don’t have to do that.” Kit reasoned.

“Nonsense, I have nothing planed for the morning and your mistress has an appointment with Master Durgon this morning; that you should be present for.” He waved off her protest.

It wasn’t long before Kit found Viktor and herself ushered out of the keep and on their way to armorer, following in Edwards wake. His guards worked efficiently to block any potential hindrances' as they make their rapid way to a small, but will kept, smith in the Kin quarter.

The smithy was open to the street on 2 sides, letting the breeze cool the 5 workers hard at work inside. The whole set-up was very neat and tidy for a smithy. With clear bins and places for everything.

“Wow, I don’t think I’ve seen a smithy this tidy before.” Kit marveled.

Viktor grunted. This was the first sound Kit had heard him make. She eyed him for a moment, realizing how truly massive he was now that he was beside her, before she was interrupted. Damn those tusks are scary. Bran is he ugly, I wonder if ogres or bear-kin find him attractive.

“Why thank you dear. However, I find myself a tad baffled, it’s unusual for Edwards servants to speak out of turn.” She found herself address politely, with a touch of disdain, by a surprisingly burly Elf, of all things.

“Master Smith Los, please forgive Kitten. She has the fortune, or perhaps misfortune, of belonging to Lady Alexander. She has the habit of letting her people speak their minds.” Edward said sardonically, while shooting Kit a look that said be quiet.

“Ah, yes, I can see how that would be her way. Very well, forgiven. Now what can I help you this fine morning Mage Galloway?” The very straight-backed Master Los addressed Edward respectfully.

An aristocratic smith? The world never ceases to impress. Kit kept quiet as Edward quickly ran through what Viktor and her might require and the budget they had to work with.

Nita is spoiling me, and since when do I talk out of turn? She flicked her ear in annoyance, at herself.

Los had one of his people take quick measurements of her and Viktor while him and Edward debated various items based on what Edward had observed of their skill. He seemed to be very knowledgeable on the subject, so Kit listened intently. Armor was something she knew little of, having spent most of her life aboard a ship.

Viktor made no comment or movement throughout, standing there stoically like a soldier at parade rest. I think Edward is right about his background.

Once the list was agreed upon Kit was made to try on a few items.

She sighed. It doesn’t look like I’ll be getting a new wrap after all.