AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Behind the barracks was a well with a bucket and several troughs. That was what they got to bathe with. Soap and drawers would become a distant memory. The senior guard left him, and Luke hauled himself some water even though his shoulders protested. He did his best with no soap and still didn’t feel clean, but he put the pants and shoes back on, held his shirt, and headed for the bigger guard building.
The new brand had been pulling on the good skin all day long, and he didn’t want his shirt rubbing on it. The boots looked like they’d already been worn out two owners ago, but at least the soles would give the bottoms of his feet some protection.
When Luke stepped through the door, a hall went left and right, and the common room was through an open doorway. It looked like a well-used sitting room, and he caught the fruity scent of tobacco smoke. Guys sat around in armchairs, on couches, or at tables. Shelves held books, another held what looked like wine and booze, and two closed doors led elsewhere. Luke didn’t see Jagger, so he picked right, passed a few doors with wooden plaques, and went upstairs.
On the top floor, he finally found Jagger’s name. The stairs had damn near made his achy legs feel like they were about to break, and he leaned on the doorway as he knocked.
After a day of toiling with exhausted criminals, cruel guards, pain, and barely any food, Jagger’s stern face was the best thing he’d seen.
Jagger's eyes immediately softened. “Come in.”
Luke wobbled in, and Jagger reached to hug him. “I don’t feel clean.”
“It’s fine.” Jagger wrapped him in his arms and was careful not to touch the new brand or welts he had. “I know the first day is the worst. If I could have spared you that, I would have.”
“I know.”
He closed his eyes as he leaned on Jagger. He probably could have fallen asleep there, but Jagger made him straighten up.
“Pets can use their Master's privy room. Sit on the bed, and I’ll get you a bath going.”
Luke stared around the room in a daze after his Master went through a door near the foot of the bed in one corner. The bed was big enough for two people and had a plain, dark green blanket and sheets. A couple of lanterns filled with glowing Norian crystals hung on hooks from the ceiling, and across from him was a desk and a bookshelf. The window above it was cracked open. A wardrobe was by the door to come in, and Jagger had a chest next to it.
It felt rather homey to Luke, although the room was still rather plain. Jagger didn’t seem like the sort who collected knick-knacks or put art on the wall.
Jagger brought him into the privy room. A pipe came from the wall for water, and if he pulled a plug at the bottom of the tub, it would drain out. He left Luke to soak and went out for something.
Luke knew if he leaned on the side, he’d go to sleep, so he told himself he just had to stay up for a little longer. The soap was scented with mint and something else he couldn’t quite place, and he thoroughly washed himself. At least he wouldn't go for years without proper soap.
Jagger returned and helped him to get out since his legs weren’t so eager to cooperate now.
“Sit.” Jagger flung a drying sheet on a stool and used another to wipe him down.
Luke’s eyes welled up at how nice he was being. When Jagger was nearly done, he crouched next to him.
“Listen to me, Luke. It gets better. The first day is the worst, and the next couple of weeks are harsh. It doesn’t grow easy, but it becomeseasier. Remember, I’ve had other slaves, and they told me this themselves, and it’s not me saying what I think or expect it to be like. Everyone is fed three times a day, they’re allowed to sleep, and work stops in the evening. Your body will grow stronger, and as long as you remember everything I’ve told you or will tell you, you’ll get through this.”
Luke nodded and moved to lean on him. “I know. I…”
“What?” Jagger rubbed his arm.
“I’m glad you took me on because I don’t think I could get through without you.”
Jagger stroked his damp hair. “I think you could, and you’re stronger than you imagine.”
“You’ve been hard on me at times, but you’re also so nice. You toughened me up a bit too, and I think that helped a lot last night and today. Nobody’s ever really taken care of me. Not like you.”
“I try.”
Jagger had gotten him a spinach bun from downstairs. Luke was almost too tired to eat, but Jagger told him he needed it, and he could sleep in the room tonight. Tomorrow night, he should stay in the barracks and make an effort to get more used to the place, but in the future, he could sleep in here every few days. Jagger had balm for the blisters, the burn, and the welts. Luke almost cried again as Jagger gently applied it.
“Other guards don’t always do this much do they?”
Jagger sighed. “Some treat their pets as nothing more than a private hole, and the pets accept it so nobody else touches them. Some are nicer within what’s accepted here. Some are…terrible, and they won’t let the pet go either. You can go if you make friends and think you’ll be okay. I’d never force you to remain as my slave.”
“I’d rather stay with you,” Luke said as he lay on his stomach on the bed where Jagger had drawn back the blanket. His eyes felt like they were about to slam shut and never open again. “Not just for protection, but…I like you.”
Chapter Eight
