Evening came before a loud knocking sounded on the other side of the door. Startled out of sleep, Clyde jumps up and stands next to the bed.

The woman that examined him from before, enters the room. She walks up to Clyde and licks her lips, as she pulls the bag from his mouth.

“I think that has been in there long enough.”

The woman stares at Clyde. “Do you know who I am or why I am here?”

Clyde mumbles “No...”

“I am Lady Aithne Raine, I bought you.”

“So… I'm like a slave then?”

Aithine raises her brows. “Normally, in polite company, when someone introduces themselves you return the favor.”

“Y-yes, sorry. My name is Clyde Savian.”

Aithne twirls her finger in a circle on Clyde’s chest. “Nice to meet you Clyde. Oh, and yes- you are a slave. I’m sure you have many questions to ask me.”

Clyde swallows. “Where am I?”

“You are in a brothel that sells illicit services and slaves.”

“How did I even get here? This place doesn't even seem like my world.”

“It is not. You were summoned. The gateway between our planes was opened with magic and you were pulled through.”

So I was Isakei’d then...

“Why did you buy me?”

Aithne smiles softly.“Normally, I would never buy a slave, as I'm very morally against ownership of sentient beings; however, I saw you and wanted you. Don’t worry, though- you will be respected under my care.”

Clyde avoids Aithne’s gaze. “What will happen to the other people that were summoned alongside me?”

“If the women are attractive and still virgins, they will be sold to harems and become concubines. If they are not virgins but attractive, they will likely serve here. And if they are ugly, they will most likely become laborers. As for the men, they will be sold off as laborers, probably to the silver mines.”

Processing the information from Aithne, Clyde shudders at the potential horrifying fates that await Richard and Victoria. Guilt ridden, he pushes the thoughts away.

“Why was I tattooed?”

“To hear and speak our language, of course. I thought that much would be obvious, though I do not know the specifics behind the magic.” Aithne grabs hold of Clyde’s hand, turning it over to look at his palm.

“I’ll take my turn for questioning, now: your calluses. They are thicker than any swordsman or laborer’s I have seen. How did you get them?”

Clyde looks down at his palm. “I train every day in historical martial arts.”

“Interesting, and your body- it’s more defined and well built than any others I’ve seen, more so than even the most hardened laborers. How did you sculpt it in such a way?”

Clyde shrugs. “Diet and exercise. Generally speaking, to have muscle growth, you have to train to muscle failure, and then eat 1g of protein per pound of body weight.”

Aithne nods, “I see. So, in order to build muscle, you have to diet and exercise. How many hours do you exercise?”

“One hour a day.”

Aithne looks genuinely shocked. “What! Only an hour?!”

“Yes. Over training is a common problem, so you focus on certain muscle groups and then stop.”

A knock raps on the open door, and a man in a tuxedo and two swords on his hip walks in. “M’ Lady, the carriage is ready.”

Aithne gestures to the door. “Well now, let us take our leave then, Clyde.”

Aithne and Clyde walk to the carriage behind the man, who opens the door for Aithne and helps her in.

Clyde moves to step in behind her, but the man’s arm blocks his way.

“Servants do not enter the carriage. You will ride up top with me.”

Aithne, slightly annoyed, waves him off. “It’s fine, Allister, let him in.”

Clyde enters the carriage, and couldn’t help but look at Aithne’s slender legs, which are crossed. The door then shuts behind him, and the carriage lurches forward.

They sit in silence with Aithine’s eyes focused on Clyde. Clyde, feeling uncomfortable, could not find it within himself to look or even talk to her.

After some time, Aithne breaks the silence. “Clyde, what is your age?”

“I am 18 years old.”

“Oh, so young… And how old do you think I am?”

“24?” Clyde guesses, trying not to offend.

Aithne giggles, “Oh, so close.”

“Tell me then.”

Aithne leans over and whispers into Clyde’s ear, “Only ask a woman her age, if you want to be responsible for her.”

Aithne then puts her hand on Clyde’s thigh. Clyde blushes and sits straight up. Aithne moves her hand and whispers again, “Tell me, have you ever felt a woman's touch before?”

Clyde blurts out. “No.”

Aithne grins. “Mhm, you look so delicious. A delicious dessert is before my eyes and is so sweet. I don’t think I can resist this temptation…” Her hand moves up his thigh and under his shirt.

Bothered by this, Clyde grabs her hand. He looks at her earnestly and says “If we do this, I want to do this right! Please get to know me first!”

Aithne laughs. “Do you even understan-”

The carriage hits a hole in the ground, which stops it dead in its tracks. Almost as suddenly, bolts hit the back of the carriage, shattering one of the windows. A loud voice can be heard from outside the carriage, yelling “HOLD IT!”