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We left the medical bay a short time later once Zox'i's compatriots arrived. We returned to our quarters on the station despite our desire to be on the ship, it just wasn't ready for us yet. Sleep that night was just as difficult as the one before, although the images had dulled if only a little. Master was there to sooth me whenever I was woken by my nightmares, but each time I felt more building guilt that I had woken him by my disturbed rest.

When we finally roused for the next day, we were in less than perfect condition. A hearty breakfast awaited us along with a fresh set of clothes. Masters outfit was imposing, yet regal. He wore his usual under garment with loincloth attachment, however his jacket was much longer than normal. Dragging on the ground for at least a meter. Medals and precious gemstones adorned his chest, and atop his head was an impressive crown. A large ornamental sword hung from his hip and the attendants had spent some time applying light makeup to his face.

If I had been in the right mood or mental state, I would have asked how much all the excess jewellery weighed, or if he even felt the weight. The large crown alone looked like it weighed quite a bit as it sat atop his head. I didn't get the opportunity to ask however as I was pulled to one side by his attendants, who proceeded to force me into my own clothes.

I wore the standard black slave clothing that I had been assigned on my first day as a slave. The only difference being the loincloth hanging from my crotch was emblazoned with the royal crest. I too had been given a make up treatment, if only to hide the tired, pale pallor upon my face and the dark rings under my eyes. Master affixed the best collar he had had made for me around my neck and waved off the attendants.

As we left the room, we were greeted by an escort party. Four female lionesses, they wore what looked to be ceremonial guard armour. Smooth and tight fitting, it seemed to be made to show off their impressive physique, normally hidden beneath their fur. The royal crest was embossed on their right breastplate, with the left adored with medals. They still appeared to be armed and ready to protect their Emperor, but it was more graceful than the usual garb they wore around the ship and station.

I was surprised when we headed to the Sovereign Brigs instead of to what I assumed to be the royal auditorium on the Serengeti for the days events. Master was silent the whole way, stoic and resolved with his decisions. Entering the room, I found out that only the former general remained in a cell, the others having probably been taken away for the days event.

Master started talking to Tsuris, although I tuned it out not really wanting to hear his simpering or complaining. I could tell by his tone of voice he was already talking down to the noble lion. Master on the other hand was being firm, if unusually polite to the captive. The longer we spent there the more the feelings of anger and animosity built towards the portly lion who was responsible for the deaths of so many. Including Joka.

Did he really think that his attempted coup would work? Master had managed to rout it with little difficulty. His and the former admirals dreams and aspirations seemed so pathetic, all of it just as a grab for power. Locked behind a barrier, in only a pair of underwear and cuffs and he was still looking down upon the Emperor. His gaze turned upon me, full of hatred and loathing, my mind suddenly started ringing with just what he had done. All those deaths, all that pain, all that horror. Joka's last moments flashed before my eyes once more and I snapped.

“DON'T FUCKING LOOK AT ME LIKE THAT!” I screamed out, giving the guard next to me a shove without a second thought, or barely a first if I was to admit openly. I grabbed their side arm, aimed and fired. I may never have been good with guns before, but my blind rage only heightened the skills I did poses and I managed to get him square between the eyes.

Everyone in the room looked at me in shock as the man in the cell slumped to the floor in a growing pool of blood. Head missing a considerable portion of what little brains it may have possessed. No one spoke, could speak, staring silently in my direction.

I blinked, rage leaving me and realised what I had done. The guard took back her weapon with nary a word and returned it to its holster. I took a step back, my eyes darting to look at the others around me before settling on my Master. I had just broken enough laws that execution would be the lightest punishment that I could have expected.

However he didn't look angry or upset. He reached a hand out to grip gently at my shoulder and gave me a soft, reassuring shake as a smile spread on his face. He seemed... pleased? It baffled my brain why he was pleased. I had just spoken out of turn, taken one of the guards weapons, killed someone and acted without permission. All serious crimes unless in the act of defending myself or my master.

“Good shot, David,” he said with quite a bit of relief in his voice, his smile somehow reassuring “Never thought he would shut up.”

“M...Master?”

“I feel guilty for admitting this, but that went exactly as I had hoped,” he admitted with an almost evil toothy grin consuming his face. I joined the guards in the small shocked step back at the suddenly sinister look that overcame his usually stoic features. “He was a traitor, and traitors deserve an ignominious death.”

“I... you... you WANTED me to do that!?”

“If I had had him executed today, he would have been made into a martyr for his cause, as foolish as that cause was,” The lion said, watching as the guard I had taken the weapon from retrieved it and returned it to her holster “But he died by being shot by a slave, one he had tried to have killed in a way that wouldn't sully his own hands. I am sorry I have sullied your hands with this, his death couldn't have been any more pathetic and low than this.”

I nodded and gave a sigh as he pat my shoulder a few times. If he had wanted me to do that why didnt he just tell me? Probably so he could feign ignorance and claim I had acted on my own accord. Thereby absolving himself of blame. It was a dirty tactic if I was brutally honest, but it had worked exactly how he had wanted it to.

“I... I'm sorry I shoved you.” I said to the guard who just shrugged and gave a soft chuckle.

“I have had worse,” she answered “If you had taken any longer I would have handed you the gun myself.”

We made our way slowly back through the ship and station, walking instead of taking the lifts directly to our destination. The procession was seemingly being done in such a way purely for appearance. Master seemed to be wanting to put on a show of strength, to show his people he was still strong and that the recent events hadn't shaken him. Even if they actually had.

We parted from our entourage and entered into a waiting room. Master heaved a sigh and made his way to a display monitor and punched in a code, it activating a moment later. It showed another room, in it the man who had been responsible for the attack against us onboard the Algeron. He had been the only person master had been able to retain for punishment for the attack. He wore only a pair of pants, was cuffed behind his back and gagged.

We watched as the door opened, through it in walked Prince Reon. By his side were his twin stallions, Ebony and Ivory. They looked just as imposing as usual, although were dressed up regally just like the prince.

“Meet my twins, Ebony and Ivory,” Reon announced coldly and held up a box which the white stallion took “I am sure you know who I am, but seeing as you attacked our ship I must assume you are particularly stupid, I am Prince Reon, brother to Emperor Leniad Leo... Secure him.”

The twins nodded and without a word, walked over and forced the mans legs apart, securing them to their respective legs of the chair. Once that task was done. Ebony pulled the mans pants open, exposing the captives privates. Ivory opened the box he had been holding and took out a pair of gloves and quickly slid them on. He pulled the gag from the mans mouth and forced his mouth open, the gloves seemingly thick enough that biting would have no effect. As he was doing this, his black sibling donned his own pair of gloves and pulled out a funnel connected to a long rubber tube.

“I only have a few minutes here, so I will get right to business.” Reon announced and stepped over as the two stallions began to feed the tube now the captives throat. He pulled out a data pad, an image coming up on it a second later.

I was able to recognise the princes adopted son Lief in an instant, in a blooming flower garden tending to it. He looked so happy, so at one with the beautiful surroundings, dirt on his hands and a concentrated, yet joyful look on his face. If I didn't know Prince Reon, better I would have said the picture looked staged.

“Lief had no parents, he sold himself on the streets and stole from those he sold his body to in order to survive,” Reon explained slowly as the man choked on the tube being forced down his throat, he spoke with reverence, and admiration for the the fallen fox “He propositioned himself to me when I was passing him in the street. I liked to go out in disguise and mingle with the people back in those days. He was... very young, as I later found out.

“I took him, but simply bathed him and had him join me in bed that night after a hearty meal. I woke later that night to him trying to steal from my jewellery box. Of course I didn't keep anything of great worth in it, only cheap fake jewels for when I would go out. I gave him a choice. He could steal from me, and I'd give him a head start, but if caught he would be convicted and punished, harshly. Or he could stay with me, I would give him a home, a purpose, would never want for anything. He chose to stay.

“I was so damn proud of the confident, wonderful man he ended up becoming...” Reon continued to hold the picture when the man could see as the tube was finally pushed as far as was required into his stomach. The two stallions, still looking stoic and detached, somehow managed to translate their anger with ease even if their expressions hadn't changed. They held his face, forcing him to look at the image.

“Then you came along, probably thought you were doing something great for your cause... Lief saved so many people that day, disobeying my demands for him to stay close and made sure to try to get as many to safety as he could, sadly he never recovered from his own injuries.” Reon said voice suddenly going cold. He reached into the box and pulled out a metal tube, it looked almost like a thermos and a metal rod with a large hook on it.

“No way... brother even for you...” Master breathed out as he watched, seemingly aware of what the items were.

“I love all of my boys, they are like sons to me. In return I am the best of a father they could ask of me, isn't that right boys?” Reon asked looking to the two equines who nodded.

“Yes father.” Ebony replied with a nod.

“You're the best Dad.” Ivory added with a loving smile in the Prince's direction.

“And you killed our brother.” Ebony then said coldly, the two of them spitting into the funnel with a disgusted look on their faces.

“See, I could have enslaved you,” Reon said as he knelt down in front of the man, “It is well within my rights as the crowned prince. I did think on that. I also thought I could sever your legs, right about here...” he rubbed a finger across the middle of the mans thighs making him squirm and gurgle out in protest.

“And your arms, pull out your teeth, have your insides surgically altered and have you shaved bald, turning you into a portable fuck toy for the rest of your days. But then I thought, why would I give you the benefit of being fucked by me or my boys? I would need to look after you. You may have just become a toy for us, but I'd have to look at you every single day.”

He reached forward, cupping the mans balls and cock in one hand, pulling firmly and squeezing tightly making the male squirm and groan loudly. He was completely at the princes mercy, something which seemed to be far from Reon's mind. He was unable to get free of the two stallions that held him in place, forced to suffer the pain that was being forced on him.

“I'd have to look at you every day, and care for you every day. I would see your disgusting face every day and know that you are replacing one of the sweetest, kindest and most wonderful foxes I have ever had the pleasure to hear call me Daddy. I would have to know that your sorry, pathetic, disgusting existence was replacing his.”

Reon pressed a button on the thin, hooked rod he held in his other hand and a beam of energy appeared from the hook. The man struggled more, crying out as he eyed the implement, yet Reon pulled harder on the mans genitals making him groan out.

“This is a surgical tool that is best used to Amputate,” he explained coldly waving the item where it could be seen “It burns the skin on the outside to cauterise the wound closed and stop bleeding, it saved so many lived during the war. We have since moved on from such technology. The main reason I was told, is because it is excruciating without the proper medications to alleviate the pain... Well I don't have any of that, so let's find out if that's true shall we?”

Both master and I turned away not wanting to watch. We both knew what was going on in the room, we both knew we didn't want to see it. However there was nothing we could do to block out the mans screams or the sound of sizzling, burning flesh. The prince must have been taking his time, the sounds continued for that long till finally they died down.

“I guess they were right, that did look painful,” Prince Reon said and we looked back. Neither of us wanted to watch, I'm sure master felt just as sick as I did at it all, but like a horrible vehicle accident, one just couldn't look away, couldn't stop watching.

“And no one will notice a thing, as soon as we are done here, you will be dragged out those doors, and executed like the trash you are.” the prince said coldly as he picked up the metal tube and flipped the cap on the top. The princes gaze caught the camera's gaze for a moment, looking right through it as if he knew we were watching.

He dropped what he had in his hand into it and closed the lid, a soft whirring noise emanating from it. Ebony bent down and pulled the mans pants closed, which only drew to our attention that his crotch was now flat with a large burn area over where his genitals had been. He looked close to passing out, head bobbing and dipping a bit which caught the attention of the prince. Reon scowled and gave him a couple of hard slaps to the face.

“Now now, none of that!” Reon commanded as he shook him to keep him awake “We haven't even gotten to the fun bit yet, you can rest when you're dead. In ” he looked almost gleeful, although I would have said to a demented degree.

“You caused my boy to suffer, so I am going to return the favour for the last few minutes of your life.” he held up the container and its whirring started to slow to a stop, the vengeful look on the lions face only getting worse. “Your death will be painful, and depending on how well it is done, potentially quite slow. But first, as per protocol, the condemned is to be given his final meal.”

Master couldn't have hit the mute button any faster if he had tried and we turned away. Master looked queasy, understandably so seeing what his own brother was doing. I never believed that such dark tendencies existed within either of the lions.

Master eventually clicked the sound back on, his brother had pulled the funnel from the guys throat and gagged him again. Clearly they were done with him, the captive slumped in the chair and looked like he either wanted to cry or throw up.

“You could have never replaced Lief,” Reon said as the three of them started to head towards the door to leave “Not even on your best day, not even then could you have replaced him.”

Master sighed and pressed the off button for the monitor. He turned from it and gave a soft growl. Even through his fur and makeup he looked a little pale, probably as much as I did.

“Looks like it is over...” the lion said with a sigh and looked to me “I knew he was planning something... I thought I knew my brother... never realised he had THAT in him...”

I shifted to sit, feeling a little numb and in shock, which wore off quickly. I had always thought Reon was a odd, a little to blatant and honest. A bit of a pervert but he had never put his hands on me in any way that wasn't unwelcome or unbecoming of a gentleman. He always insisted that his arms were always open and welcoming if I ever needed him. All of his boys were well care for and always happy around him. Even his slave, Nyios, spoke highly of him during that brief conversation we had.

I was starting to think I didn't know him at all despite only being around him a short while. Whatever shock I had at the realisation of just how dark he was inside convinced me of three things. The first that he genuinely did love his boys like family. The second was that no god would ever be able to help those that messed with his family. The third was that I was now considered part of that family.

Master was silent, eyes still locked on that black screen as he rubbed at this chin, deep in thought. I wondered if there was something I could say, realising that this was probably a good moment for it. I was at a loss though, mind racing a little as I tried to think of something, even just hold his hand to try to remind him I was there. Before my mouth was able to open to say anything, we were interrupted by a knock to the door, it opening to one of the guards stepping in.

“We are ready for you Sire.” she said giving a bow.

“Thank you, come David.”

The Auditorium was larger than the one on the Sovereign, and packed full of people. The raised dais at the front was furnished with chairs for Master and his brother whom was already seated and sipping at a glass of red wine. I was a little taken aback by just how nonchalant he was, as if the past few minutes had never happed, yet I could see some level of self satisfaction on his face. Behind Reon's chair was one for each of his boys. All of them were dressed for a formal event, each with a small tiara of their own and a bored yet aloof look upon their faces with the obvious exception of Nyios who was standing by the Prince's side serving him his wine.

On one side of the stage, tied up like witches to be burned at a stake, was Jezebel and the Elven prisoner. Behind them with a leash attached to his collar was Amadio, the former assassin turned slave. While Jezabel was struggling and spitting through her gag, the Elven man was downcast and almost sobbing. Amadio however stood tall, a proud look on his face as he, like everyone else, completely ignored the two condemned prisoners.

“I believe I demanded a chair for my slave, Where is it!?” Master growled out looking to one of the guards by the door we stepped out from, the guard shrinking back a little.

“I...I am sorry Sire, w...we...” she started to grovel and I gave the lions arm a gentle shake before speaking for him. I knew master was angry, but even he knew taking it out on his own guards wouldn't help with his current mood.

“Probably forgot with all the rest of the setup that had to be done,” I said trying to be a little diplomatic in the lions place “Please acquire one as requested as expediently as you are able.”

The guard nodded and rushed off, Master heaving a sigh and shot me a thankful look. I smiled in return before motioning for him forward, wanting him to take the lead and head out onto the stage. He may punish me later for speaking in his place, but it would be a punishment I would willingly accept.

“NOW ENTERING, EMPEROR LENIAD LEO!” a voice boomed out through the room and I watched as everyone in the large room rose to their feet as silently as they could. We walked out onto the stage and I helped master adjust his outfit before sitting. I stood just behind his seat as was expected till a chair, much like what Reon's boys sat on, was brought out for me.

“Welcome to all of you,” Master announced finally once the rest of the room had returned to their own seats “I am grieved that it is not a joyous occasion for which you have all gathered. Today we are here for the official funerals of chief of staff Joka Henka, Lief Leo and the men and women who perished aboard the Sovereign. Along side that, we are here to witness the executions of Jezebel Kamale and Tolith Rojeon. Lastly, for the sale of slave Amadio. I am aware that Lord Kamale is in the audience, and I wish to extend my deepest condolences to him for what is to happen. However she broke the laws, of which even I am not above. Speaking of which, bring forward the condemned.”

There was a struggle as the guards dragged the lioness on stage, she was in plain black clothes, much different to what she probably was used to. The guards forced her to her knees and locked her cuffs to a locking ring on the floor behind her.

“Jezebel Kamale,” one of the guards announced, reading from a data pad as she stood over her “You have been found guilty by confession of the attempted assassination of Royal slave David Ursus. The method of execution is death by suffocating bite, to be administered on this day.”

Master stood up, attendants rushing forward quickly taking his crown and robe. I watched him in surprise, wondering just what the hell he was doing. Even the lioness seemed confused as the tall white lion strode forward slowly.

“As is decree by Imperial law, as you ordered the attack upon and seriously injured his personal property, Emperor Leniad Leo will administer the bite himself.” The guard then announced, a collective gasp coming from the audience which was quickly silenced.

“May the gods have mercy on you Jezebel, for I will not,” he growled out as he approached. She started to struggle again and he gave a sigh “Take this with dignity, Jezebel.”

Master launched himself at her with a loud roar, his teeth finding the soft, sensitive skin of her throat. They dug in deep, his bite so strong it crushed her throat in an instant. Blood welled up around his lips and dribbled from her own as she gurgled trying to draw in breath through her collapsed wind pipe. They held that position for a few moments before her eyes closed and her movements stopped.

Pulling away from her limp body, an attendant rushed forward with a cloth for him to wipe his mouth clean with. He seemed grateful for it as he wiped the ruby red blood from his fur and lips. Two guards stepped forward, starting to collect up the body.

“Oh this day,” master started as he watched them work “Dies a woman of much wit, and very little judgement.” there was a soft collection of chuckles around the audience. As her body was carted away, the next prisoner was brought forth and set in the same spot, forced to kneel in the large blood puddle that had formed.

“Tolith Rojeon,” the same guard from earlier started to announce loudly, reading once again from the tablet she held “You are guilty of leading an assault on an imperial vessel, theft of an Imperial vessel, attacking the Royal flag ship, the deaths of twenty six crew members of the I.F.S. Sovereign and the death of Prince Lief. You are hereby sentenced to death by Suffocating bite. To be administered by Emperor Leniad Leo.”

Master cracked his neck and looked down on the man with some disgust. Clearly he wasn't looking forward to this and he probably remembered what his brother had done not too long before. I noticed out of the corner of of my eye Prince Reon straightened up in his chair, clearly wanting to commit this to memory.

“May whatever gods you pray to take pity upon you, and may they never cross me if they do.” Master growled out before lunging. This time seemed to be more brutal, the lion taking his time to rip the mans throat open. When he finally pulled back he spat what blood was in his mouth down upon the newly deceased, clearly not wanting to swallow it.

He gladly washed his mouth clean when an attendant stepped forward with a bowl, rag and toothbrush. He returned to his chair slowly as the body was collected, making sure to try to get his face and mouth as clean as possible. Behind him the floor was being quickly cleaned and polished. Disposing of any blood that lingered.

“Next is the Sale of slave Amadio,” The guard announced as the lizard was brought forward. His earlier bravado appearing to have diminished. He had become timid and afraid of what was about to happen. Master had his jacket and crown put back on and sat in his chair silently to watch.

The bidding started, surprisingly low, especially when compared to the price my own had started at. It grew slowly, throughout it all the blue and yellow lizard remained quiet and as still as he could. If I had been able to I would have bid on him myself, however master had not given me an allowance, and the price was already well beyond what I could possibly hope to bid.

“Ten thousand.” Merin suddenly announced drawing my, and the reptiles attention. He had his hand raised and a smile on his face, Prince Reon was resting back in his chair, eyes closed, content smile on his face and sipping at his wine.

“Eleven.” the bull beside him, Ronan, called out and Merin gave him a dirty look.

“Fifteen.”

“Twenty.”

“Twenty five!”

“Twenty seven!”

“Thirty!”

“Boys,” Prince Reon interrupted with a warning tone and looked over his shoulder at them “What did I say about fighting amongst yourselves?” There was a soft chuckle around the room and they both shared a guilty look between them.

“Sorry.” they said in unison looking guilty.

“Thirty thousand going once,” the guard announced looking over the room “Twice... Sold! You may pick up your slave after today's ceremonies.” Merin gave a cheer and broad smile, Ronan looking a little irritated but stayed quiet.

The funeral that followed was solemn, light heartened but deeply respectful to not only Lief and Joka but to all the crew whom had been lost since we left Mayfair 3. Master did most of the speaking, trying to remain calm and collected as he spoke. When he finished, a guard read out the names for each and every life lost. Everyone in the room, including Master, stood in silence.

Afterwards, I returned with Master to our quarters. Our entourage not following us beyond the entrance to the royal sections. When we arrived, the communications console was flashing to indicate a waiting message. Master gave a soft grumble and motioned for me to find a seat while he walked over to it.

“Remind me to demand the holo systems be installed before we leave the station,” he grumbled before opening the recorded message.

“Good evening Sire, this is tower station aboard the Sovereign,” a wolf greeted “I am sorry to disturb your evening, however Lord Kamale has announced that he is holding a feast in honour of your arrival here at Planet Thar. He requests that you, your brother and his extended family join him in the grand hall for a twelve course meal at eighteen hundred hours. Thank you for your time. Tower, out.”

Master heaved a sigh as the screen flicked off. He didn't seem impressed by any stretch of the imagination and his gaze turned to me briefly before he pressed a few buttons, the wolf's face coming up once more on the screen.

“Tower station, Sovereign, Yes my Emperor?”

“Thank you for leaving the message for me, I apologise for missing when you first attempted to contacted me,” he replied staying calm and composed, something he had not been able to do over the prior few days “Contact Lord Kamale and inform him that we shall be attending the feast, We must prepare ourselves first... Also inform him I will be requesting a position for David by my side at the table during the feast. I wish for him to also take part. If he is unwilling to acquiesce to this simple request then we shall not be attending. Please contact Zox'i that his services during the feast will be required this evening. Lastly, make sure you confirm from the Lord that I shall not be the one who is footing the bill for this feast.”

“Yes sire, I can already confirm that he has graciously offered to supply the funds needed for the event,” the wolf replied with a smile “I will convey your simple request to him and Zox'i now and get a message back to you promptly. Tower..”

“Before you go,” Master cut him off making the wolf jump in his seat.

“Y...yes Sire?”

“Contact the Serengeti engineering and construction crews. I want holo systems installed onboard before the station leaves orbit,” he ordered almost like one would order a glass of water “Make sure that they are aware, that I am aware, that it has been in development for almost two years now. It took six months for it to be installed on the Sovereign, Two years is pushing my patience for this installation.”

“Yes Sire. I will convey your demands immediately. Is there any way in which I may further assist you Sire?”

“No, thank you, Leniad out.” he pressed the disconnect button then heaved a sigh. He pulled off his long heavy jacket and crown, depositing them on the table as he made his way towards me.

“Well David, it looks like our quiet evening together, wont be...” he said softly with a light chuckle and helped me up “We have enough time for a bath at least. Come and help me, I think I still have some blood in my fur.”