Chapter 2
Chapter 2
It was believed that non-canids had no soul. Their minds could thus be easily conditioned through their bodies. Canids had taken advantage of this since time immemorial. Techniques were developed to break and tame other species. Through the centuries, it had evolved into an art form, and was such an integral part of their development as agriculture, war and the assorted sciences that made the day to day possible.
Karma found it fascinating…from a scientific perspective, of course. Since it was a generational trade, there had always been as many ‘do’s and don'ts’ as families dedicated to the art. His first work had been to travel across regions to compile all this oral wisdom into paper.
Impressed by his efforts, the University had surrendered the requested fundings to put each of these techniques to the test. A lab was put together and furnished with all the required equipment. Wild slaves were acquired, and a team of handlers hired. All Karma had to do was organize the experiments, write down the results, and analyze them with the aid of specialists in different medical fields.
Some techniques were labeled useless; others were tweaked and improved; some had their effectiveness confirmed behind any doubts. It had taken a decade of loving work, but by the end of it, Karma had given the world the most efficient method to tame and train slaves; standardized and easy to follow.
All his efforts were passed off as a desire to safekeep knowledge that may otherwise get lost, and to refine taming practices overall. All for the improvement of Canid society, and the lives of the slaves themselves. A selfless pursuit…
After two years trapped in Freedom Town, he knew better. He understood now the fallacy of the whole system, and the nature of his selfish predator hungers.
Karma raised his gaze from the journal that had kept him busy most of the night. Bagual was stomping about in the hut, huffing and puffing for no apparent reason. He cleared his throat, and the horse immediately turned to glare. Karma’s muzzle wrinkled.
“Do not look at me like that.”
“...I still can’t believe we are doing this. We should have said no.”
“It’s too late for that now. Besides, we couldn’t have. They would have killed us all. Ximiao’s going to be fine, Bagual. Trust me.”
The mere mention of the dragon made Bagual wince, and Karma spoke the last words to his back as he stormed out of the hut. He sympathized with his frustration, but the attitude was getting tiresome. This wasn’t his fault. He had reassured him of that several times…
…maybe he just missed their BDSM sessions and was unable to consciously process it. The last few months had been so busy that there hadn’t been time to be intimate. He wasn’t resentful of him; he was jealous, and lonely, because Ximiao had all of his attention…
How ironic was it that their “love triangle” was resolved with the pairing of the dissonant points…
Karma winced, slammed the journal close and rose to his feet. There was no love here. Ximiao was a patient; he was a doctor. That’s what this was. Cold, distant, business. Diplomatic business. From the civilized world, to these barbaric creatures.
And the day had to start.
The ride to The House was quick. Despite all efforts, Dogee trotted by their side. Karma still thought it was dangerous for the feral to come, but her presence was comforting. Nothing short of a-crazy- bear would dare face the massive beast.
He focused on that, listing all the predators in the area, on the deer and birds, on the prairie, the mountains…but as the distance grew shorter, and The House became visible, his anxiety peaked again. To tame it, Karma began to recite the core principles of the BDSM regime.
“A Slave’s every action must have consequences; either reward or punishment. The Master’s words are Law. If punishment was promised, it must be delivered. If a reward was promised,it must be granted. Thus, the Master’s words will equal action.
Wanton cruelty ensures absolute obedience…in the presence of the Master. Fairness and benevolence secures loyalty. A loyal grateful Slave is a safe and dependable Slave.
Honey catches more flies than vinegar. Conditioning a Slave to yearn for reward-instead of fearing punishment-will make them eager to please their Master…”
In Freedom Town, Karma had come to understand that these principles were the core values of a natural born leader. Bagual applied them in the day to day without ever being taught to. The BDSM regime was an extra step to convince someone of one’s capacity to lead them. That’s how Shilao and the other dragon elders saw it. And that’s why this was all happening…
…it was his fault…But it was Ximiao’s fault too, for getting into his things and stealing the book. Hell, it was even Bagual’s fault for not setting boundaries with that damn creature. He was well aware of how jealous Ximiao was, and how he kept terrorizing him.
They all deserved to be in this situation. Some had just been luckier than others…