Chapter 13: Chapter 13 – Earning Loyalty

 

The two sisters looked at each other, and smiled. They crawled into their bed, after they gave instructions to their people. Strict instructions were given to their guard force about Aila. The one who led the guards to rebel against the rules of Underground Black currently serves out his punishment in the prison, but with stoicism.

When he returned to the barracks, the Leader of Underground Black's forces told him that the Black One was extremely angry at him, and the Seer was disappointed. He was told that if Aila had not said to follow the rules, he, as the Leader, and one who saw all that Aila did for the Mistresses of Underground Black, would have gutted him.

"Ivadra." Alara said softly, and was embraced by her sister.

"We're free, Alara." She said warmly. "Our children will not watch their parents die young, and they won't follow us to the grave." Alara smiled and lightly touched her sister's cheek.

"Do you feel her?" She asked, and saw a flush come to her sister's cheek.

"How can I not?" She said in a low voice. "She's so strong, Alara." She watched as Alara closed her eyes in ecstasy as her name was called, and she heard the soft voice of their new Master inside her space.

"Ivadra." The Black One shivered as she felt that same ecstasy. Within their consciousness, each time their name was called, it sent a warmth throughout their bodies. Then as if to dare, Alara whispered in her sister's ear. "Aila." Ivadra cried out as the altar within her spiritual sea glowed and sent out a more powerful wave of warmth. Immediately, she felt their Master's eyes on them.

'Master, Alara was just being naughty. We're not in trouble.' She felt a fresh wave of warmth, and affection.

'Bad girl.' Ivadra panted, and Alara watched as her sister went to the brink. She knew how she felt. They were soon entwined on the bed, and utterly exhausted from the release. Ever since she had deteriorated, she had not allowed her precious sister to see her body, and Alara had missed her greatly.

They were close sisters, two bodies, two halves, only whole when together. They were such close twins, their physical relationship was inevitable. Alara put her hand on her sister's belly. Her hand glowed yellow as she checked. She was surprised to see how healthy her sister's womb was now.

"Almost, sister." Alara didn't now what it would take, but it felt like her sister could become pregnant at any time.  They were the twins of Underground Black, and while together, one or the other would become pregnant through their powerful cultivation.  Now that things had changed, and they no longer needed to produce heirs so early in life, Alara was not sure how their lives had changed.

Or how the tragedy of her sister's death also saved her from the precautions of the elder generations.

 

* * *

 

"What can I help you with today?" Toral watched as a young woman in rough clothing walked into his store. She held out a token, which made his eye twitch.

"I wish to redeem this." She held out one of the tokens Ivadra sent to her. "I need a few people, women preferred. One who can cook, while the other should be able to make clothing." Toral frowned slightly.

"I actually have several pairs of sisters. Recently sold by a local clan. Perhaps you would care to see them? Although some are a bit unhealthy, and despondent due to being sold so casually." Aila pursed her lips.

"I'll judge each one by what I see. I take it there are special circumstances as to why they are sold as pairs?" She asked.

"You picked that up? These sisters are unusually close, and seem to deteriorate when away from each other. I tried to test that while they were here, and could see their moods drop, and they wouldn't eat. Not even when using the slave collars." He sighed. "Something about how they were raised, I guess. Come." He guided her through a corridor, and into a room.

"I'll have all three sets brought in, and you can choose."

 

* * *

 

"Unexpected." Aila said as she looked each one over. "These two are twins, as are these two. Each is linked, which shows why they deteriorate when separated." Toral pursed his lips. Such twin sets are not unheard of, but selling them is.

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"These two...what is this?" Her eyes glowed green. "Poison?"

"What?" Toral stood up.

"Looks like a drug to abort babies, but it clings to their organs. They've been forced to take it a lot. This has led to a bond between the two. They are not related, but have made a deep supportive bond. They would collapse if they didn't have the support." Toral growled. He went to a cupboard and pulled out a pouch.

"I had them all examined, and the doctor didn't mention poison." He ground out.

"They look healthy enough, due to how they were fed, but the forced feeding actually damaged them as well." Aila said, and frowned. "Who would actually treat their servants like this? They are an investment, not only of time, but training, skills, food, clothing, and shelter." Toral snorted.

"A declining clan that can't see the bigger picture, or the long term. Extend your hand." He said to the taller, and more plump woman. She obeyed, and he pricked a finger with a silver needle. It turned black fast.

"So fast!" A servant said from the side. "There is a lot of poison in her body, master!"

"Yes, but the type..." He looked at Aila. "Do you know what type it is?"

"Abortive. Although I don't know what they used to make it, I can tell that their organs are being damaged over time. They might have three years tops. Within a year, their bodies will show signs. By the second year, they will wish they were dead." He growled at her words.

"Then I know this poison. Easy to get, but hard to purge." Toral grit his teeth. "Blacklist the Inaris clan. Send word to the other dealers about their treatment of their people." The servant bowed.

"At once, master." After she left, Toral sighed.

"I can't sell them this way."

"I'll buy them. All of them." She held out a second token, and ten large silver coins.

"But the poison..."

"I can take care of it myself. It would be too expensive for you to purge, and there are no life element users around. For me, this is easy, but the cost for me to do it is what you could sell them for." Toral thought for a moment.

"Half what you offered. I don't intend to profit off them as you will heal them." He sighed. "I am not a softy, but when slaves are treated this poorly, and will have a miserable death, it really bothers me. I am in the business of making profit, and that means properly fed, trained, and taken care of." Aila smiled a little.

"Some don't get that small detail. The higher the quality, the higher the price. Investing in people, with training, clothing and food, makes a good looking person who can make you profit, or earn you profit." She looked at the tall woman. "This woman, for instance. Large wide hips, good structure, and was once really fertile. The same for the other one. Once pregnant, both could be rented as nursemaids for wealthier families. Their softer bodies would be comfortable to sleep with at night. They can bring comfort to someone who grieves by offering the solace of their hug, which looks as soft as a mother's." Toral nodded.  He did not hear the soft melancholy of her voice.

"All good ideas. I must start looking deeper at each slave, and see beyond the final payout." He pursed his lips.

"Your servant, the one concerned about your slaves, also does your accounts and journals, correct?"

"You saw that too?"  He said, and nodded.

"She held the book in her hand, and though my back was turned, I can see without seeing them. Anyway, her skills as a bookkeeper could also earn you coin. You could have her train a few others and set up an accounting shop. Since they are slaves, with collars, you can guarantee their loyalty, and discretion." Aila pursed her lips. "There are always possibilities hidden within the skills already known, or for things they can be taught." Toral nodded thoughtfully.

"Yes, I can see what you mean. See beyond the sale of the person, and see if I can sell their skills. If one can make clothing, why not be a supplier for shops? Good call. That would allow me to retain the ones I don't wish to sell due to their potential." He smiled a bit. "These ideas you've given me are worth a lot more then the silver. Allow me to gift them to you. The tokens from Underground Black are worth more then just a pair, after all." Aila smiled a bit.

"If you have any sick slaves, bring them out. As a favor to a good master, I shall help you earn a little loyalty in their hearts."

 

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