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A Life in Chains

Chapter Four: Settling

Training began right after breakfast. I followed Bastille's nude form across the atrium to and enclosed space, similar to the bathroom. It was set up as large, open space with a square of sand in the middle, with long racks and cupboards lining the two inner walls. The outer two walls being glass, with the same curve as that the ones in the bathroom, giving a clear view of the ocean- which still mesmerised me.

"So, have you had any practice with arms before?" Bastille asked me as he strolled over to one of the racks and started sizing up some training weapons.

"Well, I've used a rusted old khopesh to cut grain with on my father's farm... before he sold me for food." I replied sullenly. Bastille grunted, not much of a response; he was more focused on pawing through the array of wooden swords and daggers.

"At least you were worth something, as I hear it most are simply taken or stolen." He said. His statement didn't help; thoughts and memories of that day began to play in my head, dragging me down as they always did. I didn't think of my family much anymore, they were probably dead, my father was stubborn. He wanted to work the land and make an honest living that would influence others to do the same; the crops never grew, though, and any harvests had been pitiful. Starved and desperate, he had sold me for grain to bake bread with.

"That doesn't make me feel any better, Bastille. There is no way to view slavery as anything other than evil and wrong." My spirits were already soured, I found myself kicking at the sand square with no thoughts to occupy or drive myself.

"And what do you think you are now? You're still a slave; you belong to the Nagan Empire now, same as the rest of us. The only difference being that they see us as people, not things. Unlike the humans we are treated with care and respect... Sure we might not be entirely equal with our nagan masters but we are treated equally enough." He stated warmly, scooping up two wooden swords and offering one to me. I took the blunt instrument and held it up, looking over it; it was plain, and heftier then I had expected.

"Is it really that different? I've heard stories but... The criers in Ludos only ever had foul things to say about the Advent nations." I asked while giving the wooden sword a lazy uncoordinated swing from side to side.

"It really is. Mayoran is a lively place, everyone has a job or a role, and no one gets flogged if they stumble. There's colour and life all over." He replied, sounding genuinely sincere. He even beamed a smile. It was more of a smirk, really, but it was welcome enough to put my thoughts at ease.

"So, I guess we should start training now"? I asked nervously. Bastille wasn't much taller than me, an inch or two at the most, but he obviously had experience. He shook his head and tossed some sort of garb at me.

"Put that on first. If you're going to be a soldier, you might as well dress accordingly." He remarked as he donned his own attire. It was another skirt-like article, which quickly had me frown.

"Must I wear a skirt? Aren't there any more manly attire I can wear"? I complained as I held mine up. Bastille gave me an unamused look.

"Firstly, what you're currently wearing is called a Frai; secondly, these are male clothes; traditional ones, the peak of Vermian fashion and uniform." He stated. With a displeased look I took the new garb. It was similar to the one I currently wore, just with an odd, fine metal mesh or plating in place of the silk and cloth trims atop the leatherwork. I wasn't given a top of any sort as I changed and took up the training sword.

"So what does everyone here on the airship do"? I asked as the two of us readied ourselves; I did my best to mimic Bastille's posture as he readied his sword.

"Tahl works in the kitchen; he's training Briar to assist him. Neil and Mathias work in laundry." He replied, taking a swift step forward and striking at me with a straight jab. It was fast, I only just managed to dodge it with a sloppy back step.

"What about the other two"? I asked regaining balance as Bastille continued with a quick retract and an over armed slash.

"Logan and Luca; they work on cleaning, dusting, mopping, et cetera." Bastille said, his focus unwavering as I managed to intercept the attack. It was followed up directly with a sharp staff kick to my gut, which sent me to the ground, where my nose was met with the point of the training sword.

"You should shut up and focus. Ask questions later, Kaiber." He stated with a serious tone; Bastille was obviously the sort to take his role with intense seriousness. I gave out a sigh and hauled myself back up for another round, keeping my jaws clamped shut.

I came away from the training session limping, bruised, and with pale blue blood dripping from my jaw. Bastille had not been easy on me, yet I knew he had been holding back at the same time. It had hurt, but pain was something I was used to, and this pain felt different. It felt better, because I was learning to defend myself and not just being beaten because I'd looked someone in the eye. Tahl sat me down in the kitchen and had me bandaged and mended in moments with herbs and salves. I had a bath after a quick bite of bread and cheese, and then tentatively climbed the stairs to Virgil's quarters. I'd been told to visit him after training once I woke; the conversation was still fresh in my head, even though it had been six weeks.

Those towering carved wood doors were imposing, and I found myself hesitating to knock; fortunately the door parted before I could manage to muster the courage. I was met by Virgil's smooth, ivory-white underbelly mere inches from my nose. He seemed even larger than before and without clothes as usual. He smelt different to; there was this odd scent in the air, it smelled like the sea. I hadn't noticed it before, but then again my nose was more sensitive now and needless to say, his presence still intimidated me.

"Kaiber; how wonderful to see you awake, finally. And just look at you! Teal and bright scarlet, how rare." He said boisterously, with a warm smile. His statement made me think a little though as I looked down at myself.

"I guess I am brighter than the others. Well, except for Neil, I guess." I muttered, taking a moment before looking back up at the looming Naga.

"Oh, most definitely. Brighter colours are rare for your kind, especially when the pelt has three colours or more." He stated, his body moving aside to invite me in. I strode forth politely as possible, thanking him- unsure how I was supposed to address him, or even how the Nagan Empire's laws of slavery worked. Yet again, that's why I was here, to study; Virgil had said he would tutor me himself on the way to Mayoran.

“Have a seat Kaiber, being comfortable is key to study, you can't focus or absorb anything if you're uncomfortable" he said in that all too familiar smooth voice. I took to one of the lounges by the fire pit which was now gently smouldering.

I watched as Virgil combed the book shelves, hand on chin picking out a few tomes here and there.

"You can read, correct?" He asked. I nodded in reply with a sharp,"Yes sir.", as he slithered over to join me. He had only picked out three books, not too big either. The first was titled 'Simple Burakian', obviously a phrase book of some sort. The other two were bigger, labelled 'Ezala khal culture', and 'Sheoagath's Laws of slavery'. I was handed all three with a smile.

"Thought we would start with the simple things, take your time in reading them, and you can keep the phrase book in your bunk if you'd like." Virgil said warmly. I did just that, tucking a soft pillow under my head and cracking open the culture book first, aiming to familiarise myself with my new species. I had always loved reading; I learnt at a young age through patience, reading road signs, tavern names, and things alike. I was still unfamiliar with larger words, but I quickly became absorbed by the books offered to me. Sheoagaths laws of slavery in particular answered a lot of questions I had swimming around in my head, and even featured diagrams of the capital city of Mayoran. It put many of the fears I had to rest, reading those pages I became excited about it; I'd have access to the skills and opportunities that only the richest of scum in Aldoran could even comprehend.

I was roused sometime in the afternoon with a gentle caress across my shoulder; I'd fallen asleep whilst reading. My eyes cracked open to see Virgil smirking down at me, I felt embarrassed and quickly sat upright.

"Sorry sir, I didn't mean to fall asleep in your chambers"! I quickly blurted with that sleepy tone that came with waking. He shook his head lightly with that smirk still present, before yawning. The sight of those jaws stretching wide enough to swallow my head and shoulders sent a shiver up my tail.

"It's alright, Kaiber. Any book that can put you to sleep is a good book, in my opinion." he said tiredly as his jaws came back together. At that moment, the smell of food struck my nose and my stomach growled loudly.

"Go on, it's late. You'll miss dinner otherwise. Run along and sleep well, my dear." He said giving my cheek a caress with the tip of his tail as he slithered up over the couch toward his bed.

I made my way to the kitchen as quick as I could, not wanting to miss whatever delicious meal had been prepared. I was treated to roast duck, served alongside a risotto of creamy rice, chives and mushrooms. My jaw was agape at just how well-fed Nagan slaves were; this sort of meal was something I couldn't even dream about before. I only knew what risotto was because vendor stalls would serve it back in Ludos due to its ease of making. It was nothing like this though; I had to restrain myself from licking the plate clean after I was done, which I failed to prevent. Tahl was certainly talented, but I wondered about who he had been before this; unlike me, his transformation would have stripped his memories away, all of them.

I trudged off to the baths with a full stomach. I washed, and brushed my teeth- a practice I was still not used to- and then cleaned myself out in the lavatories before heading to bed. The first day of my new life was over. I felt heavy and went near limp as my head hit the pillow. My eyelids were like lead weights and I could barely keep them open. I was close to passing out when Tahl tapped my shoulder; he stood there by my bunk timidly holding his shoulder.

"Could I join you, Kaiber? I have nightmares when I sleep alone..." He said with a few long pauses. Without even thinking, I pulled the sheets back, muttering to myself as he slipped in under my arm and against me.

Back on my father's farm I'd had a sister, Orion; father had wanted another boy, but luck had betrayed him. She had suffered from nightmares too and had sought refuge from them with me so many times it had become ingrained, even through the several years of torture I had endured. Tahl's body I found to be warm. The feeling of scale on scale was pleasant, and his muzzle tickled my neck slightly as he settled. I knew he wasn't my sister but it was a comfort I had long forgotten, the only pleasant memory I still had after all these years. So I wasn't that bothered by the fact that I was sleeping nude with a guy. I was tired, comfortable and happy, and so I slipped away to my sleep, deep and blissful.