Kari had clearly underestimated how weak his near-death experience had left him. An escape attempt while they traveled was laughable. He could barely stay awake for more than half an hour after eating before he was sleeping again until being woken up for more food. Enid had praised his increasingly healthy appearance and even his Master had seemed pleased although he had a greedy glint in his eye when he observed Kari.
He had quickly learned that Enid was Oran’s only personal slave. All the others he owned helped to run his slave trade business. He specialized in pleasure slaves and Kari was exceedingly glad he had avoided having any personal lessons. But the way the man watched him with unveiled greed and lust made Kari’s blood run cold.
His brief waking moments had been plagued by thoughts of what this Lezzker person would be like. Enid revealing that he was the Niamrean Prince of War had rocked Kari to the core.
He was being given to service the man that was responsible for so many of his people’s deaths? What kind of dark and cruel man would he be?
Although the other slave’s words that he was known as being fair and respectable were at odds with the dark demon his mind conjured. He finally gave up and expressed his concerns to the other man, who quickly soothed his fears.
Lezzker was apparently highly vocal in his stance against the war between their people. He saw it as a waste of time and resources. He had initially helped with planning and executing the plan of attack for the beginning stages of the war as required by his station but withdrew himself and his men as soon as he could. He hadn’t been back to the front lines since.
Kari was incredibly relieved that his new master was not behind the attacks since he had joined the Aithyean army. The thought of the army, home and the events that got him captured left Kari feeling sick and despondent and he quickly buried those thoughts away in favor of losing himself continuously to the void of sleep. If only his dreams were not dark and twisted things dripping with blood.
*****
The two weeks it took to travel across Niamrea were gone in a flash. Kari slept through most of it but could finally stay awake most of the last day.
The temperature was as mild as Enid had said it would be, especially considering it was going into autumn, and Kari found himself in awe of the beautiful countryside. The trees were just taking on their autumn coat of red and orange and they lined the large road that led into the city of Mishal.
The omega felt like a country bumpkin with the way he caught himself mouth agape as he stared at all the sights. He was from a small village and had never ventured too far from his family until he joined the army. Then he was almost always on the front lines and desperately trying to stay away from any large cities or towns because that would mean more innocent people in danger.
Everything here felt so large and busy and they weren’t even in the city yet!
The road they traveled on could easily fit three of their carriages across. It was heavily packed and almost smooth with the constant traffic. Theirs wasn’t the only carriage either, along with large wagons, a few people on horseback, and a number of people on foot. Kari quickly noticed that the clothing style was strange. Or perhaps it was the lack of one consistent style.
He was used to people wearing similar attire, materials, and color. From where he came from, the only choice of clothing were loose long dresses for the women and loose pants and shirt for the men. The only time this changed was in the army when everyone wore the same armor for safety and practicality. Here though, was very different. So many colors and styles. Women in pants, skirts of varying lengths. A few people wearing next to nothing or skin-tight clothes. He was certain he even saw a man in a dress!
Enid nudged his arm, sitting next to him in front with the carriage driver, and pointed ahead. “That’s the main gate into Mishal. Are you ready to see a real city, country bumpkin?”
Kari protested the name loudly and earned himself a chuckle. Enid must have noticed his staring. Well, it wasn’t like he had tried to hide it.
It wasn’t long before they reached the large stone walls that framed the gate and were quickly waved through into the city proper.
There were so many sights, sounds, and smells! And to think Kari had been awed just by the farmland that surrounded this place. Large buildings packed together alongside the road and the carriage had to slow down to make its way through the crowded streets.
They finally pulled to stop outside a building made of stone bricks and dark wood that Enid informed him was an inn. They would stay there until much later in the night before they sought out Lezzker in the keep at the edge of the city. Kari was shown to Oran’s room and advised to get some more sleep before the evening.
He curled up on the large cushion at the end of the plush-looking bed and tried to will himself to sleep. It was no good.
Kari was wide awake thinking about the mystery man he would soon be given away to. Was he a nice person? A good person? Was he like Oran- all sly cunning with a touch of cruelty? Enid had said he had never had a pleasure slave before and that he had no pleasure slaves now. Why? He was clearly powerful and wealthy enough if he ruled this city and the entire province. He was royalty after all.
Did that mean he wouldn’t be wanted? Just an omega foisted off on a reluctant man to be occasionally fucked and then left in the corner? Was he a cruel man that killed his pleasure slaves and that’s why he now had none? No, surely not.
He tried to remind himself of Enid’s words. He was a fair and well-respected man. Niamreans took great care of their property- it was a matter of pride. If the man had killed previous slaves, he wouldn’t be so well respected, right?
Kari worried at his lip with his teeth while he tossed and turned, sleep eluding him. No matter what, he could not escape his thoughts.
Who was this man and how would he shape Kari’s future?
Because sure as anything, there would be no escape for now.