Of The Slave Trade

By Mr. David R. Dorrycott

the Usual Suspects Copyright Mr. Simon Barber

A short explanation of what happened to the Pennington’s,

before Amelia and Molly could rescue them.

An American grey vixen. One who had once had been known as Missy Pennington and now was addressed only as Chestnut, lay quietly on her cages hard bed. Exhausted, her attractive body lay near flat on the hard board that had been bed, table and chair for the last... she didn’t know how long. Time was something that she was just learning how to understand. Remaining quiet meant one was left alone a little longer, left to rest a bit longer. She had been separated from her companion slave, Silk, upon their arrival. Chestnut could remember, barely, the cold trip. They being the only two ‘domestic livestock’ upon that flight, yet securely gagged so that they could not talk to each other. Livestock, if said livestock was locked naked inside a too small aluminum cage, her paws bound behind her back. Once they had been airborne for some time the co-pilot had come to them, a small, ornately carved box in his paw. Chestnut could barely remember the wolf’s hungry smile as he opened that box, taking out two necklaces with shiny black baubles hanging from them.

She could almost remember what they had looked like. She did remember that they both glowed with an oily purple light. With care the wolf had placed one upon each vixens neck, closing the box quickly when he was done. He had acted as if it were dangerous to have it open too long. Almost immediately her memories of the last few hours began to fade, as did her consciousness. She had slept until their arrival, knowing nothing of what occurred during that flight. Upon their arrival, even though woken by having cold water splashed into her face, she had found it difficult to concentrate. It was, Chestnut thought, as though she had been drugged. She remembered absolutely nothing of her time before the aircraft.

She did not remember that Silk was her sister, nor that two other sisters waited upon Spontoon Island. She remembered... Nothing of her past. Unknown to the gentle hearted vixen, it was no drug that had erased the mind that had been Missy Pennington. It was a cursed amulet, one made hundreds, perhaps thousands of years ago. One of once hundreds, now only a pawful used upon all involuntary, and specially captured slaves. It had never been intended for voluntary slaves. Yet in this she had been blessed, for without her memories, with the personality of Missy Pennington erased as one would erase a blackboard with a damp cloth, the pain that would have torn at her heart in the days to come was avoided. For Chestnut and Silk, the destruction of all that they were, even by those who should never have touched them, had been done most delicately. Exactly as would be the implantation of their new minds. Their slave minds.

Chestnuts future was much, much worse that she had ever imagined the day she had signed her life away. Twenty. No more than thirty years would they toil for their Master, or Mistress the rat had promised. Then their contract would end. Before the loss of her mind, the slave Chestnut, and her younger sister, had taken that to mean that they would be released. They would be near their forties, yet still have time to find a husband, start a family. What they could never have suspected was that they would be dead by then. Their bodies used up, in the end cast aside as barely living pig or dog food. As were all slaves of Kou Han, other than a very, very few whom had captured their owners hearts. These resold themselves for life. Always. The slave mind that had been carefully implanted within the sisters near vacant minds was designed for this possibility.

For the Kou Han Slavers had long ago enlisted those of darkness to assist in their lucrative Slavery Business. Wither captured, born into or sold into slavery freely, all their booty was treated exactly the same. As quickly as possible, either a practitioner of the dark arts, or one of the amulets came into each slaves life. For thousands of years those outside the Kou Han slavery business had wondered how they twisted or destroyed a healthy mind so quickly. In most cases destroyed completely, without leaving a single mark upon the new slaves body. Most had decided that drugs were involved. Those few who devised the truth knew better than voice their thoughts. For even the strongest became meek, become happy with their fate. Even a single day after capture the change was evident. Give Kou Han a week and there was no hope. No hope at all. Only the voluntary slaves were spared this horror. As Missy and her sister, by law and contract should have been.

For as soon as those amulets had been placed upon the two grey vixen’s throats they had begun their insidious work. Forebrains were attacked first, erasing any evidence of a personality. Then memories began to be erased, the ability to think for oneself was bound. Sleep was ordered. By the time the two Pennington sisters arrived at their destination they were meek as kittens. Even had they been rescued at that moment, the damage was done. These two once socially correct women had lost all of their independence, and without the care of one who truly cared for them, would never recover it. For the mind that had been was no more, and never would be.

As with all things there was a defense against such action. One only those Dark Ones, and their counters the Honored Mothers knew. One must carefully encapsulate the mind, leaving an outer shell that would be destroyed, overwritten. Thus the affected one would appear a normal slave. At a pre-selected time, or a code word, the encapsulated mind would burst free. Throwing out the uprooted slave mind to replace it with what had been. Though memories of what had happened while captured would remain forever.

Missy Pennington and her sister Cindy had not been so prepared. Thus by now, a long week after her arrival there was nothing of Missy Pennington left. Not one thought, not one dream. Now a new amulet lay upon her throat. This one a sickly green. It was placing into that emptiness that had once been a wonderful, curious mind a copy of the personality that had been bound within it. Bound perhaps thousands of years ago. In three days she would be auctioned off. A perfect slave. One who would follow any order her owner gave her, even if it was to stand in the middle of a fire to burn to death while sweetly singing a favored song.

Three days later Chestnut lay in her cell, having been looked over by dozens of prospective buyers. At night she had found herself at the pleasure of whomever could get her cage opened. Not all of them male either, yet not one male had been canine. Vaguely she wondered the why of that. Of her sister Cindy she remembered not that she had a sister, but only that a like vixen that was to be paired with her upon selling. A guard had informed her of that vixens name. Silk. It was a soothing name, and Chestnut hoped that they would be useful to their owner as a pair.

Eventually her cage opened and she quickly turned to allow her lead chain to be taken. It was one of those canines who worked in the slave pins. The one who had been responsible for her since her arrival. Oddly, they were never rougher than they had to be. Posing no threat to the creature, she eased herself out of her cage as he tugged upon her chain. First he carefully removed her necklace, placing it in a metal box mounted upon her cage door. Then for a few minutes he examined her, most carefully. “Stretch” the male abruptly ordered in very heavily accented English. For language was the one thing that each slave retained, though the why no one knew. “Today you sold. I get one English penny ever thousand Yaun you sold for. You make lot, I get drunk tonight. Beer fifty cent mug.”

“I understand Master” she answered, her voice so mellow that melted butter would have joined with it. She followed his orders and stretched. Days cooped up in that cage, even if she could stand, had made her muscles tight. When the guard offered her a fairly new, and well cleaned brush she favored him with a smile. “I will try to get you very drunk tonight” she promised.

The smile on his ugly face now gave her pleasure. For she had pleased someone without being ordered too. Had any of her mind remained, she would have realized that she would never be treated in a civilized manner again. As she brushed herself, another grey vixen walked by. Both exchanged brief glances, understanding only that this was the other vixen they were to be paired with.

Her guard spoke again, having not only noted the look, but probably been made well aware of their relationship. “Silk sold first, you next last. You next oldest slave here. Buyers want youth. Youth survive longer before sold red lantern house. Then turned clothing, dog meat.” When Chestnut finished her careful grooming he accepted his brush, looking longingly at the grey fur caught within. Unknown to the vixen, she and her sister had been carefully protected from canines. A great deal of gold had been slipped to the Auctioneer by a certain party. They were not to be broken that way. No, not quite yet. He would do that breaking himself. And not gently.

Following her guards lead, Chestnut soon found herself in an underground room with only one way out, the way they had come. As time passed another slave was taken out. Sometimes quickly, sometimes after a prolonged period. Chestnut noted that the guards of those who went quickly had sour looks on their faces. Low selling prices, obviously.

Then it was her time. She left behind her a collie that had to be thirty years old, and very well built. Still thirty was a lot older than Chestnut, almost half again her age. Her guard lead her around a corner, then up stone stairs. Here they waited until either the guard thought his vixens eyes had adjusted, or a signal was made. Abruptly she was out in the open.

In the open, in front of nearly a hundred furs, and with nothing on but her collar and chain. It was, after all she had experienced, an erotic moment. Though she could not yet understand much Chinese, the Auctioneer made comment of her age. It brought laughter from the audience. Then he said something to Chestnuts guard.

“He want you dance. Move. Show how easy body move right way” her guard informed her.

The words were enough for Chestnut, she understood well what ‘the right way’ was. So she danced, stretched, lifted her legs, turned and spun, all the while the auctioneer rattled on. ‘I am selling myself’ the vixen understood. ‘I must make myself very desirable.’ She understood that her promise to the guard was probably the last free act she would ever have, so she threw herself into it.

Finally the auctioneer slammed his hammer down. A tug on her chain brought Chestnut to a easy stop, though her fur was now matted with sweat, and her musk was beginning to drift. “You sell 12,300 Yaun. You right. I get drunk tonight. Tomorrow night. You good slave.” Then he lead her to a waiting bulldog, who took her chain and lead her off.

A little calculation in her mind told Chestnut the truth. Less that $1,600 dollars. Had she the memory, she would be shocked that it was less than what she had sold herself for. That her original buyer had lost money, and he would not be pleased. Pity the next woman who tried to sell herself to him. A smell brought her back to the hear and now, it was the other vixen, also smelling of musk. It was a pleasant smell Chestnut decided. Somehow they had been purchased by the same bulldog. For this little thing her heart lifted. She would have another like herself to share the duties they would now preform, for the rest of their lives. Then they were leaving. Just her, and her vixen companion following the bulldog.

$2,000 dollars” the younger vixen whispered. “You?”

“Sixteen hundred” Chestnut answered, noting the vixens look of understanding.

“You do not talk unless talked too” the bulldog snapped. “Or your voices be removed. Understand?”

“Yes Master” both answered, falling into silence. Losing their voices would be a terrible punishment. It was they discovered, a very long walk, up into the hillside. Both young vixens ignored their nudity as they walked. Slaves after all wore nothing unless given by their owner. Still there were so many things to see and smell. For a while they even forgot that they were slaves. A fact that was brought back harshly when the canine hired a rickshaw. Both girls found themselves tied to the rickshaws back, and had to trot to keep up. It was certain that if one fell, she would be dragged to her death without a thought.

When the rickshaw stopped at a set of bronze gates both girls were panting heavily. Their fur was plastered tight to their bodies and their tails drooped like wet rags. They were exhausted. Yet the canine led them up at least fifty stone steps before turning to walk to a waiting flea dip. Thus, after their leashes were removed, they were forced to swim under a thick pole in the milky fluid. Climbing back to ground level both were given glasses with a greenish fluid in it. “Drink all” the canine barked.

They did, and nearly threw up. The fluid was bitter, and oily at the same time. Still they managed. “That one take you to bath. She not talk English good like me. You keep silent.”

And thus they were first bathed of the stinking flea dip in cold water. After that they were moved to another, much warmer bath. “Stay” the old ferret ordered before leaving. Both vixens looked at each other, unable to say a word still they smiled to each other. They were together. Anything could be survived when there was someone to share the burden with. Then they just lay back and soaked, neither understanding that they were sisters.

As Chestnut soaked she reached down, exploring that mark that had been burned into her flesh. She would go to her grave, or more likely as she now knew, a pig slop with it. Then something startled her. No fur was growing back. Not one touch of stubble. Her slave mind provided the answer. A burning cream had killed her fur there. Well, it would make cleaning after natures call a lot easier, and leave her brand visable forever. She was proud of her brand. Though she could not remember being given it, certainly she had done something important to be given such a powerful mark. For only those slaves in her auction had been so branded, and none with the same brand as her, and this vixen beside her. She wondered what she had done to earn such a beautiful marking.

When the ferret returned there were four other females with her. All of different species, most were in their forties, or more. ‘So’ Chestnut thought. ‘I play the cards well, I will live much longer than that guard claimed.’ Something bothered her though. Although there were four slaves, none but the ferret spoke, and then only in one word orders.

“Out” the ferret ordered. “Stand.”

Standing they were surrounded by two slaves each. Their fur was patted dry with towels, then combed, brushed and trimmed. Both were carefully checked to insure that the cream had killed every hair, then both were re-attached to their leashes. “Come” the ferret ordered. Following her they eventually found themselves in an ornate room. “Kneel” the ferret demanded, then left again. A curtain moved away and Chestnut could see the feet of white furred creatures. But what species she wondered. They spoke together in Chinese for a while, then one walked towards her.

“Look up” a very soft voice demanded in excellent, yet still slightly accented English.

Chestnut looked up, stopping when she reached the woman’s chest. For woman it was, though it appeared that she was smaller that Chestnut. At least there, in the chest.

“You are a pair?”

“Yes Mistress” Chestnut answered.

“Your name.”

“Chestnut, Mistress.”

“Very good, you are intelligent. I saw that when I examined you. Do you like women?”

“I have not yet Mistress” Chestnut admitted. She could tolerate the attention, knowing it would be for a short time. But like? No, Chestnut was certain that she was not Sapphic. “I will learn.”

“Unfortunate. For you.” The woman walked away, as she did Chestnut, who’s eyes were still up, realized what she was. She was a Persian feline. Quite fully furred and absolutely white. She had examined Chestnut very carefully, all of her. There had been no scent about the feline of bleach.

‘So. I am to be her personal slave’ the vixen misunderstood, thinking that a choice had been made. ‘But why unfortunate for me?’

Another set of feet walked the floor, stopping in front of Chestnuts partner. She listened as questions were asked, then the figure walked away again. It too was female Persian, though of a very slightly darker fur. What the two had learned was that both vixens were male orientated. They both seemed quite disappointed by it. ‘Then we will be resold’ Chestnut decided. ‘Will that be better than trying to be a woman’s lover? Or worse.’ She knew that with practice she could accept a woman. Never love, but with acceptance would have come a future.

Then a skunk walked in. Wearing nothing but fobs and chains she walked directly to the two women. A conversation in Chinese followed, until the Skunk turned to the waiting vixens. “You be taken Master now” she informed them in stilted English. “Sisters want Lady loves. You not like ladies, so they look others. We go Master now. Come.”

Both vixens stood, both realizing that something very bad was about to happen to them. But what they wondered. It was a wonder that would be answered, when they arrived at the Masters bedroom. For the Master was an English Mastiff. Tall, huge, and as Chestnuts eyes slid down involuntarily... Very huge. It would be a night of pleasure for the Mastiff. A night of pain for the two grey vixens. Vixens who could no longer be called sisters. Certainly not by the time morning came.

“Su Mahh” a gentle female voice called in Kou Han’s version of High Chinese days later. “May we speak?”

Looking up from her books the middle aged skunk sighed, turning to face one of the two sisters. “I can not make a heart desire a woman” she explained carefully. “Only the Gods may do this. Certainly I am not a God.”

“I know this Su Mahh. Although it is about those perfect vixens. I need an answer.”

“I can not change them Li Sue. No more than I could turn you male, as you much wish. As you know this, why bother? These new personalities are much like their originals. Only having no memories, and being completely subservient to you. They would try, were you to have chosen them. Tried with all that they are. But you would know it was not their choice.”

“Are they related. They look so much alike” Li Sue asked.

“Ah. This I do not know. Traveling their dreams will not help, as their original minds are gone. Not even to the Sky Kingdom, but erased as you would erase a chalk board with rag and water. Perhaps if you asked those who provided them? They bear the mark of those who sold themselves in Spontoon. Find the owner of that mark. He or she will have your answer. Yet again I must ask. Why bother? They are now fully your fathers, until he tires of them. I have been informed that he has tasted all that they have to offer, and is greatly pleased.”

“I want Silk” the Persian admitted. “Can you not make her see me as male?”

Smiling the skunk stepped forward, her thin ornate robes whispering across the stone floor as she walked. “To fool her senses. All of them? This is a very great change little kitten. I would demand a very great price for this doing.”

Shivering, for she had always been awed by the dark priestess, Li Sue swallowed. “What price dark one.”

“Your sister. For the rest of her shortened life. Your father still has not decided which of you he will sell, and which will inherit. By giving her to me, you defeat her. He will see you as the more powerful. There is nothing but a few breaths of time between you. And your fur color of course.”

“As he sold mother to the red lanterns” Li Sue whispered. “I would rather die, than be a slave. Why would you want Sin Lee?”

“For the same reason I want you. A strong mind, to find a way to return a slaves true mind to her just before her death. That her soul will fly to the High Kingdom, not be forgotten forever by the Gods.”

“Me... You would take me?”

Shrugging the skunk stepped away from her prey. For those without power were nothing to her but prey. “Sin Lee, you. It matters not to me which one. Only that I know your minds, your souls well enough that, if it can be done. Then I will be able to do it. In doing so, release forever our dependence upon those stones we still have.”

Stepping away from the frightening Dark Priestess Li Sue swallowed heavily, yet her throat was still dry. “Yet I would have Silk only those days father was away. Sister or not. A truly high price to pay for only occasional pleasure.”

“Or when your father tires of them, or passes on. He is elderly remember.” Settling down at her desk the skunk ignored the younger Persian’s following words, returning to her studies. After a minute, realizing her audience was done, Li Sue turned. Her fluffed tail well between her legs in defeat. She had her answer, the rest was her choice.

When she was gone Su Mahh looked to her right. A curtain fluttered, moving away to revel the darker furred form of the minutes older Sin Lee. “She hasn’t the courage to turn me over to you” the Persian announced. “You are certain that these drugs will appear as a heart attack? And that the other will place my sister in deep sleep?”

“Absolutely. Sell the little white furred fluffball to me. Tell your father of your actions. When he has announced your new position, place the drugs within his new favorites. Blue within one, yellow within the other. No more than half an hour before he takes them. When he takes his pleasure from one it will prepare him. When he takes his pleasure from the other, his heart will race until it explodes. It will not harm them, it will be useless within an hour of entering their bodies. Nor does it matter which is first. They will then be yours to use as you please, no matter their own desires. All as I promised, for the price I demanded.”

“You will have her tonight Dark One. My word upon it.”

“Or I will have you tomorrow” the skunk continued. “It truly matters not to me which of you I test my spells upon.”

“It will be my sister. My word.” Sin Lee smiled at the skunk, then left by a hidden doorway. Behind her the skunk laid her forehead into her paws. She had long ago come to realize that her way was wrong, but had continued within it for the soul reason that she wanted to find a way to return those lost minds. To date she had only little success, yet enough that she felt ready for this major test. One sister would bring the other by sunrise, and her deal with the father to winnow out the weaker would be done.

A sound from her left returned her to the present. Looking up she saw a small mouse-fem waiting, silver tray in paw. Lee, her most successful work to date. She had found a way to reach within the deepest memories, drawing out the bare shadows of impressions of memories that remained. Yet Lee could even now only remember her name, and that she had been born on Kou Han to a high class family. Nothing else, not even where she had lived, or her surname. If though this next experiment worked, then she would work upon Lee again. “What is it?” she asked softly.

“Supper Mistress” the mouse explained. Unlike a normal slave, Lee looked directly into her owners eyes. She was beginning to create a new individuality, though she hid this from her mistress. And she was deeply, very deeply in love with the skunk. Though the skunk had no interest in her or any woman.

“Then we must eat. You serve a wonderful table my pet” Su Mahh admitted, placing a marker in her journal. Stepping away from the table she barely thought of her doors. Both instantly closed with a thump, their heavy bronze locking bars falling into place. Following the mouse she went to her very private quarters.

A little later that night the skunk found herself facing her Master, the Mastiff who had purchased her contract years ago. “They have chosen” the elderly male asked as one of his new grey furred pets prepared him.

“One or the other Master. You will have your answer by sunrise” the skunk answered.

“Then come to me my dark pet. I would grant you pleasure again.”

Behind her mask of indifference Su Mahh almost threw up. She detested hounds, which was probably why her first Master had agreed to sell her contract to this one so many years ago. Dropping her thin robes she walked forward, not as if it mattered. She was already two months filled with her Masters child. A son her fire travels had informed her. As yet though she had not informed him, for he had a very bad habit of selling those who gave him pups. Selling them to the lowest bidder. With any luck she would be free of him within the week. As she gave herself to the elderly Mastiff, Su Mahh let her mind release from her body. To find a way to grant each slave an afterlife. That was worth any price she must pay.

It was a surprise to Su Mahh to find a bundle of light brown fur waiting within her public workroom the next morning. Beside the still sleeping feline stood one in purest white fur. “I had thought she would win” the skunk admitted, still brushing her tail. Her Master had been more than rough last night.

“I saw her slip the drug within my cup” Li Sueexplained. “It was a matter of nothing to switch cups. I have many times warned her that I will die before I am a slave. Our wager?”

“Will be honored” the skunk agreed. “Will you stay. To watch?”

Li Suelooked down at her sleeping sister. “I have no choice” she admitted. “Though I wish to run and hide, I must be certain. If only she had married. Or something. She is my sister, I do love her.”

“Then help me prepare her” Su Mahh ordered, setting aside her brush.

It was a matter of nearly half an hour before the minutes older, brown furred feline was laid upon a special table. Her slowly waking body had been restrained by collar and cuffs, though once the Dark Priestess was done these things would be unneeded. Leading the white furred Persian away from that table Su Mahh unlocked a special cabinet, removing a strangely colored metal box.

“This was once used upon large numbers of slaves” she explained. “I found it in a forgotten temple. At the cost of a slave. Very rare, there is only one other like it known. Unlike the amulets which carefully unravel the subjects mind, this is pure force. This will wipe her mind clean within an hour. It is best that she sleeps, for the loss of ones mind is a horrible thing to feel happen. I warn you. You must stand with me, for if you step within its light, your mind will be lost as well.” Having said this, Su Mahh spoke several words in a language Li Suehad never heard. In reaction part of the box opened, releasing a purple light that bathed the naked body of Sin Lee.

“Her mind is already damaged” the skunk explained. “Within the hour, it will be as though nothing had ever been. I will then expose her to another stone. One that I have placed a copy of Silks personality within. By noon meal she will be a slave. Only then will I begin trying to return her mind to her.”

She glanced at the woman beside her, noting the fear that was in her face. Fear that emitted from her body as an acrid scent. It would be quite easy to give the white furred feline a slight push. To send her into that horrid beam. She would be lost before she could stand again. She had watched the old wolverine that had trained her do so to an apprentice, simply for amusement. That apprentice had been Su Mahh’s best friend. The mouse now known as Lee. She had sworn to return Lee’s mind, no matter the cost to herself. That had also been the day she had turned from the darker powers. Perhaps it was why she had been sold to the Mastiff. As punishment for failing her greater tests. At least he had given her Lee. Not as a present, but as a warning.

The boxes closing woke Su Mahh from her thoughts. So quickly had the hour had passed. After replacing it into its locked cabinet she turned to the now crying feline beside her. “It is done. There is no Sin Lee. All that remains is the vessel she once inhabited. Bring your father here, that he may see the proof of your work. To know your strength.”

Once the girl had left Su Mahh walked over to the slowly breathing form. Placing on paw upon the forms head she let her mind slip free, entering the dream plane to search for any evidence of Sin Lee. There was, she eventually discovered, none. “So. You have failed” she said softly after withdrawing to her own body. “I will have to find another way.” Releasing the body from its restraints she walked back to her private workroom. The brown furred Persians body would remain there, gradually starving to death unless she gave it a mind. To do that, she needed a quite different stone. And much more than a single short hour.

“I am surprised” the heavily built Mastiff admitted as he stood over the mindless body of his oldest daughter. “I was so certain that she would prove the better.” Looking down at his youngest daughter, who was currently standing beside him he smiled. “Go, your best clothing. We go to announce your new position.” As soon as Li Sue had departed he turned to his pet Priestess. “There is a new auction tomorrow. I will buy her a toy. One certain to please her interests. You will come with me.” He looked down at his other daughter, sneering at what he considered weakness. “When you are done with this one, I will sell her to the farms. They always need strong young backs. And pig food.” He reached down, running his massive paw through the mindless felines softest brown fur. “As she is no longer my daughter, I believe I shall spend some time with her first. Go, prepare yourself. Tonight we celebrate my Heirs announcement. Tomorrow I buy a pet for her. One that you will insure will please her, before I waste good gold upon her.”

Su Mahh turned away from her Master, her face again expressionless. That he would do such, it was unacceptable. Even before she left the room the Dark Priestess had decided her next course of action. It would leave this House with a new Mistress within days. A week at most, and her finally free of her contract.

Some days later, in a much disrespected consulate on Casino Island, a certain rat was much, much more than angry. He had just read the results of his query as to the Pennington sisters dismal sale price. Impossible, despite clear verbal and written instructions to the contrary, both highly desirable young women had been exposed to the erasure gems. Dark, forbidden gemstones from so far back that not even the Dark Ones who manipulated them suspected their beginnings. Wadding the report in one sharp clawed paw he called for his communications officer. A rough, black furred rat who’s only enjoyment seemed to be the making of messages impossible to read. Sometimes even by those who were to receive them.

“Loo Son” the grey furred rat snapped as the black furred one approached. “I wish a message sent. To the high ones.”

“High ones Master” Loo Son asked. To contact such, directly. It sent a thrill through his spine. “Your message Master.”

“Regarding the Pennington’s. Justice.”

“That is all master?”

“Sign my name, in full. Nothing else. Highest priority. And Son. Make certain that they will be able to read the message, once it is decoded. In full. As you leave to this task, send Pebble to me. I have a mission for her.”

“Yes Master.” He scurried off, the only creature in the Consulate to know his Masters full name other than the slave Pebble. All knowing the European language, and their sense of humor would have laughed, had they known the rats birth name. Hung Lo Sum.

Pebble was the first to arrive. Nearly throwing herself into that position known as ‘Completely available’ she awaited her masters words. Worried, she waited in silence as he walked around her, studying her, thinking upon the words he would speak. “You are aware of the Pennington sisters fate?” he asked gently.

“No Master.”

He nodded to himself as he walked around the female rat kneeling before him. In this position he could slit her throat should he want too, and had thought about doing so before. If nothing more than to watch her die. Instead he explained the two Southern grey foxes fate, and his loss. “I will give you two months to find equal replacements. Try the sisters first. If not them, this is the height of the tourist season. You may use any method you desire, with these exceptions. They must be worth as much as each Pennington. They may not be drugged. They must enter these gates alone, of their own free will, and they must sign, freely. To make this worth your full attention I will grant you two fates. Succeed, your full freedom. Here, on Spontoon. With ten thousand Spontoon shells to your name. Fail, it is the short flight. Do you fully understand?”

“Yes Master.” Pebble swallowed in fear, for she well knew what the short flight was. She had watched as naked furs were thrust out of a Kuo Han aircraft at fifteen thousand feet. Her other possibility she held no hope for. That two women the equal of even one Pennington were to come to Spontoon, much less be affected by even her well trained manipulations. This was not to be expected.

Walking to his desk the younger rat opened a drawer, taking out a stack of shells. “Two thousand. Should you need more come, it will be granted. Up to two thousand more.” He tossed it so that the cash landed between her spread legs. “Take it, dress and go. Success to you Pebble.”

Following orders Pebble took up the cash, it was equal to the original bet that had cost her her freedom. “Success to you Master” she answered, bowing before she hurried off, with no hope of success in her mind.

A few days later, somewhere in Kuo Han, two very frightened pilots stood in an illuminated spot. Around them was nothing but darkness, and though neither was restrained in any way, both knew that to leave that light was instant, and most horrifying death. Around them they could sent other furs, and at least two reptiles. There was also the musky scent both knew all too well. It was the scent of the Dark Ones. That their lives were forfeit both knew, what they still hoped to do was save their families.

“Pilot” a soft voice asked in Chinese. “You were in command of flight North, nine one to Zemlya. This is correct?”

“Yes sir” he husked, not at all surprised by the dry husk of a voice he now had. His earlier screams of pain had brought this on.

“Your orders were?”

“Transport Dark Priestess Ngoc to Zemlya. To insure that she, and the box that she carried arrived safely. To insure that the box and its contents returned to Kuo Han base safely.”

“And where is Ngoc now?”

“We... we sold her.” He swallowed, “There were no orders to bring her back. Only the sleeping stones. In all such cases before, having no orders to return a messenger, they have officially been ours to do as we wish. This is standard procedure sir. Standard.”

“You did not think it strange that a Dark Priestess would be thrown into the trash?”

“Sir. Please. We have never transported a Dark One... Priestess before. We could not know.”

“I see.” A thump fulled the room, then a head, his neck a dry bloody stump rolled into the light. “This is the clerk who gave you your orders?”

“George.. Oh Gods... Yes sir. This is he.” Gently the pilot kicked at that dead head, watching as it rolled out of the light. Almost instantly a crunching noise filled his ears, a sound of something eating.

“His mistake has cost us a promising Priestess. No matter, his family is repaying the price. Of this mistake you are absolved. You are correct, it is standard operating procedure, as your employer explained it. How did you know the stones are called sleeping stones?”

“Before we sold Ngoc, we drugged her. We.. We pleasured ourselves. She threatened to use the sleeping stones upon us, so we drugged her very heavily before we sold her.”

“Too whom” another voice asked. This was a raspy voice, and the scent that came with it was Dark One.

“Germans Dark One. They offered much. She will make their flight home quite pleasurable they said.”

“Fool pilot. They wish to learn all the Dark Majiks. They will strip from her all she knows, for she was not fully protected from such. And the gold they paid you?”

“Three thousand Marks, in gold. It is in our bank accounts.

“Near two hundred and forty five English Pounds. Such a great amount, for a fully trained, though young and inexperienced Dark Priestess. I congratulate you. This is less that the two hundred and fifty a Red Lantern House would pay for a slave. At least you returned the stones undamaged. There are, after all, but four still in existence.” A sneer was in that voice, one that explained exactly what the speaker felt.

Realizing the depth of his error, the pilot lost control of his bowels. Or would have, had there been anything left within his body to lose. It had sounded like such a great sum.

“Upon Spontoon” that first voice continued. “You were entrusted with two slaves. Freely sold slaves, of extremely high value. Perhaps the most valuable slaves to come to these shores since that Cipangu Princess washed ashore some two hundred years ago. Your verbal and written orders were?”

“To transport without delay. No injury to body or mind.”

“Yet you placed the sleeping stones upon them. Why?”

Since his companion could no longer talk the pilot answered. “Their moans and complaints. They bothered us. We thought only that the stones would make them sleep.”

“You lie” another voice announced. “You were fully aware.”

The pilot blanched. Of course they would have a Star Nosed Mole here, the best they could find. “We knew” he admitted in a softer voice. “It was not their moans that bothered us. We did not want them knowing about our selling Ngoc. And they kept asking for water.”

“Which by contract you were obliged to give them. Correct?”

“Correct.”

Silence filled the room again, broken only by the rasping breath of his co-pilot, who’s throat was still a bloody mess.

“This judgment is over. We find for the plaintiff” a womans voice announced. Sweet, bright, it both brought hope to the two, then dashed it. “All you own, all that is yours, your families. All will be disposed of until payment in full is made. Up and down the line until its ending. You we find worthless.”

At that last word the light vanished, and the feeding began.

Elsewhere on Kuo Han the Dark Priestess known as Su Mahh opened her eyes. She had been reaching deeply within the mind that had once been her masters oldest daughter, Sin Lee. As far as her Master knew, the brown furred feline had been sold. That she now lived her life within the Skunks most private rooms, rooms her Master dared never enter, would anger him. It mattered not to the skunk, who had just discovered a secret unknown to any other. For the dark gems did not erase memories, talents, learned skills. Even at its worst it simply pressed them, down, deeply into the oldest part of the brain. As to the person who had been Sin Lee, she had found no trace. For the Persian’s forebrain was as clean as a newborn babes. Standing carefully she called for her assistant, the mouse Lee.

“Mistress” the little grey furred mouse asked, already carrying a large mug of cool green tea.

“My books. You will write as I speak. Then you will assist me in a changing.”

“Certainly Mistress” the mouse agreed. For there was nothing the skunk could ask that the mouse would not grant her. Nothing.

Nights of hard work later Su Mahh discovered her private victory. Though she was unable to recover the personality that had been Sin Lee, all the memories that woman had made were still in evidence. It was, the skunk discovered, only a matter of linking the new personality with those memories. A delicate, time consuming task. Yet she had finally succeed where no other had ever approached. Not without cost to herself, for her strength was less, yet it had worked. Fully.

She had managed another success as well. Those drugs she had offered Sin Lee had been used by the sister. Today, a great morning was in evidence as the elderly mastiff was taken first from his home to the temple. From there he would be buried, and upon his surviving daughters return many, many things would change. Before that could happen the skunk turned to her assistant. By the time the white furred Persian

Li Suereturned to claim the home as her own, and all that her father had owned, the Dark Priestess Su Mahh was sound asleep. Exhausted. Standing over his was the mouse Lee, who now had access to all the previous personalities memories. All of them.

Elsewhere, unknown, unsuspected by the dark priestess, her destiny had already arrived upon Kuo Han. For in the filthy slave cages under a waiting auction block, two heavily chained Songmark girls waited. It was their plan to locate the Pennington sisters, escape with them and return trumpet to Spontoon Island. Though they would, eventually, return. It would not be with the great victory that they hoped. Nor, after being captured upon Krupmark Island, had their plans gone as proposed. Yet both women were quite used to plans not surviving contact with the enemy. Though they were captured and in chains. They were not broken, they had not been exposed to those dark crystals that though rare, were still much in use. For their value was beyond even that of the Penningtons at their best. No damage would be allowed these two. At least, not until they were sold for the highest price seen since that Cipangu Princess back in the late seventeen hundreds. Only a Priestess would ever demand a higher price than that Princess.

On Spontoons Casino Island the Chinese rat Hung Lo Sum made his way through one of the many tourist markets. Though the natives would sell to him, he much missed haggling over prices. It was, he knew, what he was that denied him this small pleasure. Each native stall holder would name a price. It was then up to Lo Sum to accept or turn away. It was, he knew, their way of snubbing him, for they would haggle with the most noxious tourist. Still it was unimportant, for his real reason to wander the tourist areas was to search for interesting women. Women he would aim Pebble towards. Once in a while, just enough to satisfy his desires, his older sister was successful. Even now he knew that she was on South Island, talking with the remaining Pennington sisters. Not that he held hopes for success, still it was gratifying to know that his slave was doing her best to turn their eyes towards Kuo Han. Even though were she successful, she would still take the short flight. His interest in her was over.

Turning to the stall he indicated a rather delightful scarf. Its quoted price almost raised his eyes, much higher at home. But it was pretty, and it would look very nice upon his secretaries throat, as he signed her enslavement papers in front of her tonight. As a surprise birthday gift. After all, he needed to replace Pebble quickly. Thus he opened his wallet, taking out the asked for price.

Several blocks away two native hounds, member of Tiki Three watched the transaction. They had no interest in what was said, or what changed paws. After all, the fox tending that particular stall was a member of their Tiki. What they were waiting for was The Word. For the rat had finally made a mistake, but it was up to seven furs in a hidden room to determine if his mistake was great enough, or if he would slip through their net yet again. No one yet knew about the Pennington’s fate. Had they, the rat would have vanished long ago.

What did bother them was that the Kuo Han rodent doe Pebble was with the surviving Pennington sisters. The two hounds held out no hope that Lady Allworthy, or Miss Cabot would return from that evil nation. Not even the best trained and prepared agent had returned. That two Songmark girls, even third years, might succeed where long time professionals had failed wasn’t even considered. The two had been listed as lost, to the great sorrow of Tiki Three’s Commander. They had held such promise, such talent.

Noticing the rat moving along the two split up, working their way around the market, keeping their target in sight while they waited for The Word. They had been waiting two days now, they would wait twenty. If they had too.

Pebble had managed to turn the latest conversation with her targets towards the missing sisters, though neither Pennington girl was aware of her maneuver. Though highly trained in any social setting, neither Lucy nor Emily had any experience in the society their hostess had spent her entire life within. Even so, it had taken all of the rats skill to swing the conversation towards those missing sisters without tripping her paw.

“You are most certain that our sisters are well” Lucy asked, taking a sip of her Irish Coffee. That it contained alcohol she was well aware, for Pebble had been careful to warn her of this when she decided to order the drink. It had though, been so long since she had tasted alcohol, that the vixen had taken the opportunity. After all, it was one drink, the three of them had eaten a filling lunch and she intended no further alcohol today.

“In all truth” the Chinese doe answered. “Is not my place know such thing. I help take sisters to aircraft. They well then. Tired, thirsty. Were nervous of future. Know nothing more. Can ask.”

“I read their contract” Emily Pennington added, her voice subdued. “They did sell themselves until their fortieth birthday. Normally, what happens then Pebble.”

“When contract end. If still alive slave have two choice” Pebble answered. “Sign new contract. For life. Be sent home. Few slave go home, all different by then. Maybe mother. Maybe prefer life. But if want go home. Are shipped to where first sign contract.”

“Still alive” Emily asked. “Do many die?”

Pebble pulled lightly at her chains. In truth she knew of no freely signed slave that had returned home. By forty years, if they still lived (and in truth not that many did) they were comfortable with their life. Still the honest truth was, if a freely signed slave wished to return home, they would be packed aboard a small freighter and returned to the island that they had come from. That it had not happened even once in her lifetime did not bother Pebble. That the law existed meant that it could happen. Those though who were taken, for them there was never a contract. Yet she had to answer Emily’s question with the truth.

“Many die. True. I almost die several time now. Illness. Injury. Accident. Same as you today. Could take illness, be dead by weekend. Same Kuo Han. Medicine not like Euro medicine.”

Both sisters looked at their drinks, Emily’s being iced tea, while Pebble held her own hot coffee in her paws. “Tell me Pebble” Emily said softly. “How did you become a slave?”

“I lose wager. Not have money pay wager. Family not pay wager. I become slave. Was large wager” she admitted. “Two thousand shell. Had won. Be rich. Own slave myself maybe.”

“And are you happy with your life?” Emily continued.

“First. No. I cry. I fight not be slave. But law is law. Make debt, not able pay. Must sell self for debt. Time come I find pleasure being slave. Know place. Know what limits are. Know responsibility. My Master. When I ill, injured he pay doctor care for me. Now I find I like be slave. And some advantage.” She lifted her arms, causing the chains that she wore to jingle merrily. “Give greater pleasure. When with Master.”

Against her better judgement Emily, after blushing at the image Pebble’s words had brought, asked why. Quite carefully Pebble explained, and in this she was completely truthful. Her words, her body language told the younger women that the rodent doe’s words were true.

“And are many advantage be slave” Pebble continued, unfazed by the graphic explanation that she had just given. “I travel with Master always. Yes I clean. Important things Master not trust to others. I sometimes wear clothing I never able afford old life. I see things I never dream of. All advantages be wife. But not have marry. Is for me good life.”

“Our sisters” Lucy broke in. “If, say, we followed them. Would we be bought by the same owner? I mean to say, could we be reunited?”

“No” Pebble admitted. “Master buy sisters. He, she, most not want four new slave one time. Is training. Understanding. Many. Many thing go into making new slave part of family. Maybe neighbor buy. Not really many owners city sisters ship too. Maybe twenty five. You make contract be sold same city. Best for you. Many city in Kuo Han. Many many owners. Maybe seven. Eight thousand total. So if sign paper. Insure it say be sold same city auction house sisters sold in. That best chance you have.”

Pebble was fighting to hide her excitement. She had been working upon the two sisters for three days now. Three days, longer than all but a pawfull of targets. They were leaning towards following their sisters. She would have her freedom. Freedom in death. Yet, she dreamed a moment of her collar being removed. Having her freedom. She could go to the Red Lily. Free, the Red Lily could find her a partner to fulfill the needs she had been born with.

“It is a very delicate step” Emily warned her sister. “We would not be a family again. Still. To see them. Talk to them. Twenty or so years. That is not so long a time that we two could not endure. For to be with all my sisters.” She took a drink of her tea. “Lucy. You are all the family I have now. To have our sisters again. I would endure a great deal for that. Even to being owned, as though I was some darkfur dragged from the jungle.”

“Emily. Remember what lady Allworthy warned us” Lucy reminded her impulsive sister. “She has gone to find them, there is a chance yet that she will bring them home with her.”

“I know my sister. But Lady Allworthy and her friends have been gone a very, very long time. I fear that they have failed. Or worse, abandoned us.” She turned to Pebble, a soft smile on her lips. “We must talk upon this. Perhaps tomorrow. Those chains though, are they painful?”

“Like earing. Sharp pain when hole is made. Long aches for time. Navel take longest heal. But care for, when heal no more pain. Only pleasure. Much, much pleasure.”

“I see.” Emily looked again at those delicate golden chains their new friend wore. Wore and was obviously very comfortable with. “And punishment?”

“I not lie. I punished just this month. If careful, do what Master train do, punishment rare. Is truth, first year always worst. But like all thing. Because learn what do, how act always difficult.”

“I see.” Emily stood, looking to her sister. Noting the signal Lucy followed suit, after finishing her coffee. “Pebble. If we go to the Consulate. Will we see you there?”

Pebble looked up into those confused faces. “Maybe. I often help with chains” she admitted. “Train positions, as show you last night.” She drank her own drink then, standing. “I not in room when you deal. Never in room. Not my place. I not witness signature. You really think you follow sisters?” Something came over the rodent then. She wasn’t certain what, but her own pending death seemed to free her mind somewhat. For Pebble was well aware that even should she turn these two, her Master would take her on that flight. For she no longer amused him in any way. “I warn you. Slave life often hard. Please. I ask you think hard. Lady Allworthy, she like you. Maybe better you sell selves her. She good woman. She care for you.”

“But she doesn’t own our sisters” Emily answered.

“Wait until Lady return. At least give two week. Maybe she return with sisters. Then you sell self to her. Be with sisters. At least she have news of them. That worthy two week. Yes?”

“Yes” Lucy agreed. “Emily, we do so need to talk. Pebble, I would like to see you tomorrow. Inside of your Consulate. If you Master will allow.”

“I try” the doe agreed, then stood in silence as the two left. ‘Why’ she asked herself. ‘Did I warn them off? Maybe my brother would have kept his word. Maybe he would have let me free. Away from Kuo Han and the family, I could find one to rule my life. Male, female. I just can’t...’

A touch on her elbow woke her from her thoughts. Looking beside her she found that two native women stood beside her. They were hard looking, their eyes like burning coals. “I have broken no law” she near stammered, for these two could only be secret law officers.

“We talk” the larger, a lioness said.

Shaking Pebble managed a nod. “Will you kill me fast?” she asked. “Please? I break no law. Is truth.”

“We shall see” the hound on her right answered. “But the crabs. They are so hungry this time of year.”

Accepting her fate, Pebble turned to walk with the two. Tears slowly fell from her eyes, matting her cheek fur as she walked. The death before her would not be quick. Unlike a fall of fifteen thousand feet, with its quick death at the end, she would be eaten alive. Slowly. Almost she tried to break away, but the women had a very good grip upon her chains. Fragile looking, they had held her well enough before. All she could do would be to tear delicate flesh, and grant herself even more pain. Believing her life ended, the Kuo Han slave known as Pebble walked between her captors without hope.

On Kuo Han the feline Li Sue entered her home. ‘My home’ the feline thought. “Bring me Su Mahh” she yelled, ignoring the fact that three slaves were attending her slightest needs at the moment. “Chestnut and Silk too.” As slaves scurried to follow her bidding the young feline made her way to her fathers office. It was her office now, even though it still held her fathers scent. She had a great deal to learn, and knew it. Though she owned slaves, slavery was not her families business. Several dozen mines worked day and night to supply the gold needed to keep a lifestyle such as Li Sue’s a going concern. As did dozens of plantations, and more than seven freighters. Her father had often complained that he spent more time keeping their business’s running than enjoying life. In the short two days since her fathers long expected heart attack and the following cremation, the young woman had discovered that her father had not lied at all.

A few minutes after she had called for them, the two grey foxes were standing in her office, displaying themselves as the cat had previously ordered. Silk now accepted her, though it was certain from looking into her eyes that she saw the Persian as other than she was. When the dark priestess Su Mahh arrived Li Sue made her desires known to all three.

“I wish both to see me as Silk does” she told the skunk. “And each other. All women. Thus they may entertain me, as I work.”

“You now have the English vixen Copper” Su Mahh reminded her Mistress. “Is she and Silk not enough?”  

“She is joy. Yes. Much pleasure. But needs further training. Not stones training. I like hear about England. Like hear her claim father come for her. Buy freedom. Was fool walk empty Hawaii beach night, alone. She desire come to me yes, but still look for freedom. Cannot leave her alone. Yet. These two. Safe let wander. You make want each other. Yes?”

Su Mahh silently sighed. Of the two sisters, the white furred Li Sue was most interested in pleasure, and the love of other women. It would have been so much easier had the older sister won that struggle. Yet what was done, was done. “My price. My freedom, my slaves to come with me. My own temple, to be built in the mountains. Away from here.”

“You still be available. I need you?”

“I will remain at your call. But not as your property. As a free woman, to follow my studies.”

Standing, Li Sue approached the two vixens that had haunted her dreams since their arrival. She now knew without question that they were sisters, and had never been touched before selling themselves. Placing a paw on Chestnuts naked left breast, ignoring the vixens slight flinch, then her other paw on Silks right breast she tried to work out the future. Her father had somehow purchased the dark priestess’s contract from her Master. In the seven years that Su Mahh had been a servant in their home, many things had occurred that had been for the betterment of her house.

“No” she decided. “You remain House Priestess. I keep contract. I give you Lee contract, and my sister. Yes, I know you keep sister. I know her scent. Is one thing you not able hide even from me. I give you right travel temple end of avenue. No one use, I buy, give to you. You do experiments there. No longer my home. But you live here.”

She turned to face the skunk, granting her a smile that promised things the Priestess did not want to experience. “You come my bed tonight. As you did father. That I offer.”

The thought of Li Sue’s embrace instantly turned the skunks stomach. It was with effort that she kept her last meal down. “Grant me freedom from your bed” Su Mahh responded. “And I will insure they are all you could desire, and more. By mornings light.”

“Your word?” the feline asked.

“My word.”

Li Sue indicated the two vixens with a wave of one paw. “They yours play with. But not please me, then you please me. Understand?”

“I do. Mistress.” Taking the two womens leashes Su Mahh turned towards the door. Only to hear the felines last words.

“If not this time. Next. I take you sweet Dark One.”

Li Sue, the skunk decided then. Was quite power mad.

Pebble stood in silence before three rugged looking furs. Wolves, they wore native masks that hid their features. They were in a small room deep within a busy restaurant. “You are to never approach the Pennington sisters outside your consulate again. This you understand?”

“I do Master” she answered, unsure which of the masked wolves had spoken. “I am now dead.”

“Explain” a second voice asked. So carefully she explained. Explained everything that her Master would allow. When she was done the three remained silent. Then abruptly, at a barely seen signal she was ushered out of the small room. For some time she remained with the two women who had captured her, until abruptly they returned her to that room.

“If you were free. What would you do” that second voice asked.

Carefully Pebble explained her only dream. Not to be a slave, but to be ruled by another. Male, female. It mattered not to her. “I would even become a Huntress” she continued. “Were it the only way to have this life. And enjoy every moment of that life. It does not matter though. I am dead.”

“And were your Master to die?”

“I would be expected to return to Kuo Han. To be resold” she answered. “Most likely to pig farm. As food.”

“And if one offered to buy you?”

“Old slaves have little worth. Would be decision Master’s brother price.”

There was no response for some minutes, as the five with Pebble digested that information. The rodent doe was much less than thirty years old, certainly not old as they saw age. This opened another tiny window into the fates of those who found themselves in Kuo Han as slaves. “Very well. You will remain away from the Pennington”s” that first voice repeated. “Until we speak again, all others are your prey. As before. But break even one small law, your death will be upon Sacred Island.”

Pebble, upon hearing those last words, fainted. She would eventually wake upon a South Island beach not far from the restaurant, her few, untouched belongings beside her. That the local water taxi stand was within sight was not lost upon the Chinese woman. Standing, she gathered her few things and quickly made for the waiting water taxies.

Back at Kuo Han the dark sorceress Su Mahh woke from her latest trance. It required the efforts of her slave move for the skunk to stand, then stagger off to her own bed. She had just accomplished what for centuries had been believed impossible. For the Persian feline once known as Sin Lee, and was now known only as Amber, now had access to all the memories of Sin Lee. She was though, still Amber. A slave who lived to please her owner. No matter what the cost to herself.

“When I awake, I will give you your memories back Lee” she promised as the smaller mouse helped her to her bed. “You will become my student, and Amber will become your slave.” She laid down then, too tired to undress. It was no matter, for Lee had many times undressed her when she was so exhausted. What the skunk wasn’t aware of, was that Lee took her own pleasures while Su Mahh slept the sleep of near death. Even the thought of such things would sicken the powerful skunk. And insure that Lee found herself in the Hall of the Boneless.

Meanwhile, Chestnut and Jade continued their duties. With their Master now dead, and his daughter now in power they had been reduced from favorites to cleaning maids. Yet even this normally drudgery was a delight for the two. For the slave minds that had replaced their own could only know pleasure when they were preforming duties for their Master. Or in this case Mistress. Even the most filthy, or painful duties brought pleasure. Neither knew the future that awaited them in just two days, or that their rescuers were now living less than a thousand feet away from them. Had they their original minds, they would still be of two thoughts. After all, they had freely sold themselves. Yet to return to their sisters. That though would never be, for both personalities had been erased so fully that no mortal power could return them. Thus they preformed their duties, watering plants, picking up discarded clothing, forgotten dishes while their polished golden chains swayed, the tiny cylindrical bells that Lee had attached before they returned to their new Mistress. As they moved the rooms filled with delicate chiming. Such were their lives now, and they welcomed the work, and the new bells.

Thus went things in Kuo Han for the next four days. Lee marveled in her new memories, and the skills that they brought with them. Once incomprehensible texts now opened a new world to her. As did memories of an older love for the skunk, and the rebuff that had come from her admission of that love. Meanwhile Chestnut and Jade preformed their duties, one being to join their Mistress’s young lover in bed each night. For when Li Sue called them to her, their hearts saw not an overly pampered female feline, but a loving male. Thus was the change that had granted the skunk sorceress such freedoms as she now enjoyed.

Then one night she called the two slaves to her own chambers. As with Li Sue they saw not a powerful female skunk, but a powerful male. That was, until Su Mahh informed them that she had no interest in such pleasures. That they would be given their memories back that night. Disappointed, both slaves recovered their clothing, for they had become used to nightly pleasures and now missed them. That would change in the morning, when their forgotten memories filled their minds. They looked at each other, now knowing that they were sisters, and that their were two further sisters.

Su Mahh studied her latest success. She was as exhausted as before, for even with Lee’s new help to open two minds was exhausting. In her right paw she held a rose colored crystal. Normally it would have been green, or a darkest purple near to black. Withing it was her new spell. With it, she would be able to open a slaves mind to her old memories without any effort. Simply slip it about the slaves neck, and within an hour, two at most, the work would be done. Su Mahh was beside herself with joy, for she had finally done what she had blood sworn to do. Though Lee’s personality was gone forever, her mind was again free. As were all the slaves she had tried this with.

“Lee” she whispered, the soft sound bringing her returned friend to her. Or at least as returned as she could be Su Mahh now knew. “My bed. Do not worry, for I must sleep two days. Tell the other owners what can be done now. Take Amber with you as proof. We will become rich, and we will destroy the Dark Council one by one. There will be no more lives shattered by their dark stones. For when we are in power we will destroy every one.” She sighed, her eyes closing even as she felt first Lees paws, then the larger paws of Amber lift her from her chair. Foolishly, she believed that Lee’s attentions were now taken by Amber. Had she known what happened that first day, when she slept so deeply that she could have been skinned alive without waking, she would have killed the mouse with her own paws. Slowly. Very slowly.

Thus came the first inquiry, and when the male wolf returned to his Mistress, remembering all he had been before, yet still happily subservient, the messages came. Hound was replaced by a vixen, who was replaced by a rabbit, mink, two more hounds. Her fame was spreading, for even the Dark Ones now wished to know her secret. She refused, using the excuse that what was created by one, was not shared until a year after their natural death, or fifty years if the death was unnatural. The Dark Ones reluctantly agreed, sending their own reptilian slave to her. Then one evening a heart stopping doe entered her rented temple rooms.

“Ahm hear cause mah Master, and friend thinks yah can make me happy tah be with him” the slave announced as she offered a sealed envelope to the skunk.

Su Mahh was shocked, for this was the first to come who’s mind had not been washed. Taking the envelope she read carefully the words upon the paper within. They were written in a womans paw she quickly noticed. A very well educated woman, one who’s paw showed friendship to the doe. It was a request, “To make her happy with her new life” she read softly. Setting the paper aside she studied the doe. Lee would want her, she knew that instantly. She would have to send the mouse, and her ever enquiring tail away for this ones change. Su Mahh knew that their new wealth was just equal to this ones worth. She could not afford to beggar herself for a pet. Perhaps in a year, or two. She had heard about this one, and the English housecat that came with her. Songmark third years, and rumor was that this one was loved by a Priestess. A White Priestess.

“Lee, the sleeping drought” she ordered, motioning to the doe to a waiting bed. “You understand that I will change you?” she asked. Not that it mattered, upon reading that letter the does life, as she knew it, was over.

“I’ll accept tha Master” the doe asked.

“You will enjoy his every touch” Su Mahh answered. “There will be within you a desire to be with him, as long as he desires you.”

Lee returned with the cup of sweet tasting liquid, offering it to the doe. “It will only make sleep. For the change can be painful” the mouse instructed as the doe took that cup. Without another word the doe drank, returning the cup to Lee. At a gesture from the skunk she sat upon a waiting bed. Already the drug was taking effect, but she was a Songmark third year. After being double-crossed by the stage she loved, then sold as a slave nothing more could happen to her that she could not accept, and overcome.

Or so the doe believed.

Su Mahh watched as the doe slipped into sleep. “Lee. I need you to take the stones home when I have washed her mind. I will use my own skills for this one. Then return to me. But Lee.” She turned to face the mouse, who was already nearly salivating at the does sleeping body. “Do not return for three hours.”

“Three hours Mistress” the mouse asked, her active tail winding about one leg. “But...”

Smiling the skunk flickered her own tail. “In two hours she will be ready. You may play then with her then, for I can see that she would accept you. Until midnight. Then you may return her to her owner.”

“Yes Teacher” Lee agreed, though her lust was obvious to the older skunk. “The wiping stone?”

“Yes. It is best that we begin now. I shall raise the wards, for there is one who is as powerful as I watching her. It is best to complete, only then allow her protector to know her fate.” As the mouse Lee went to fetch the wiping stone Su Mahh chanted her wards spell. By the time that Lee returned the skunk was finished. Now no one would know what happened to this barbarian female. Not until the wards were down, or her body left them. It helped the skunk knew, that whomever was this ones protector seemed to be otherwise occupied at the moment.

She accepted the box holding that dark stone, walking over to flip up the transparent skit the doe wore. Her owners mark stood out proudly, but there was no mark indicating that she was with fawn. That would change, and quickly. Once Su Mahh’s work was done. For it was obvious even the skunk, who knew nothing of medicine, that this slaves body had been designed to carry fawns. Many, many fawns. “Your owner will kill you, bearing sons and daughter for him” she whispered.

Stepping away from the doe she sat the box down, carefully aligning its split lid upon the sleeping slave. It was the only one of its kind left upon Kuo Han, and even the Dark Ones were unaware of its existence. Where the smaller stones would take a day to wash a mind, this stone would need only an twenty minutes for this work. No matter how many were bathed by its glow. Setting the box down she chanted its unlocking spell, stepping well back as the purple glow enveloped her newest, and to date most interesting experiment.

There had been a second page with that letter, and now Su Mahh took time to read it. In minutes she knew the full story. This was one of two Songmark Students that had been captured on Krupmark. Captured with the willing assistance of a well known stag. He would, the skunk realized, be very wealthy after this sale. He had sent several young women to Kuo Han’s slave pins, and this Master owned three others. She smiled to herself as she folded the paper. This one was to be given her memories back only that she would act as one of her bodyguards. He would send the feline only if she began giving him problems.

As the time passed she prepared herself. Prepared for the hour long ritual of reaching within that mind, gathering the threads of memories and attaching them to the new personality. In a few weeks Lee would be able to do the same. Then they would begin taking power. Within ten years the Dark Ones would fall forever. Never to rise again, and the mind washing stones would be destroyed. Yes she decided as she brushed her tail, her plans would now come to pass. As long as she was careful in her plans, no one would stop her now.

When Lee had left with the stones Su Mahh settled down, taking herself to the upper paths, where she would be able to complete the delicate work ahead of her. As she did, her protective shield began to fall. Soon, very soon the doe’s protector would know the truth. And it was already much too late.

Much later the skunk helped her latest commission stand. It would be a few more minutes before the does new personality had full control of her new body, in the meantime Su Mahh had questions for her. Questions about Songmark. Their instructors, their security. She had just asked her first question, which the doe was answering fully, when the wooden door behind her exploded inward. Su Mahh barely had tome to turn and face her attacker when the world ended for her.

When Lee came running into the shattered temple’s ruins it was to find the cooling body of her love laying in rubble. It was a world shattering event for the mouse. One that struck her so badly then almost two hours passed before she was able to raise the alarm. Later the next day she placed her paw upon the skunks breast, staring into her face. There were no eyes to look into, for the skunks skull was completely empty. All its contents had been ejected through her ears, leaving a grey mess of brain, eyes and other things upon the shattered temples floor.

“I will avenge you” she swore to the dead skunk. “I will learn all theat is within your books. Then I will find her. I will destroy all that she loves. Leaving her to greave as I now do. I swear upon the life that you have returned to me. I swear upon my love for you.” Raising her paw she stepped back, accepting a torch from a Dark One waiting. A simple movement placed the torch into waiting kindling, and as the blaze builtr, the mouse stood unmoving just ten feet from it. Yet not one fur upon her was scorched. Nor did she appear to feel the heat.

That night the feline Li Sue picked at her dinner. Her favorites, who had proven so inventive in pleasing her, had been stolen. Though she had announced a reward for their return, a reward equal to their purchase price, as yet no one had brought them to her. Depressed, she did not notice the little mouse Lee ease behind her. Nor that other than Lee she was alone in the large feasting room. Her first indication of anything wrong was when the mouse voiced the words that opened a certain box. She turned just in time to stare in horror as that purple beam enveloped her.

“You will be my first Li Sue” the mouse told the horrified feline. “You will appear normal to those around you, but your new mind will obey only me. Your riches will fund my vengeance, and when I am done with you.” She leaned forward, madness now evident in her eyes. “When you have no further value to me, I will have a coat made for your sister to wear. It is time for revenge, and you are the first to taste it.”

Several days later, on Casino Island Pebble stood from an outdoor table, having lost yet another potential target. This one had been a German. A Doberman of refined taste, who Pebble had eventually discovered wanted her as a pet, rather than the other way around. It had taken only a little of her skills to turn the German’s eyes towards a rather well developed British housecat who was having lunch alone. It would do the German no good, for Pebble knew who Millicent Wei was, ad that she was married to a second year Songmark student. Still it had given her an escape, one, after leaving payment for both their meals she used quickly.

“So. You are the Kuo Han slaver” a soft voice whispered in perfect Chinese as Pebble stepped around a corner of the restaurant.

Ice water poured through the rodents veins, her spine weakened and she almost fell what a rather strong paw wrapped itself around her right arm. “I have broken no laws” she whispered, unwilling to garner attention from those walking past her. “I left payment for the meal. I have avoided the Pennington sisters, even when that visits my consulate. Please. I do not want to go to Sacred Island.”

“That isn’t your choice. Shall we go?”

Pebble nodded yes, only discovering that her captor was a rather nice looking vixen after they arrived at the nearest water taxi dock.

“Meeting Island. Priority” the vixen ordered. She pressed the doe forward, until Pebble found herself sitting in the middle of the boat. Absently she look her long tail into her paws, running then up and down its length in her fear.

“What have I done” she begged from the vixen. For what Spontoon did with her kind the rat well knew. Experiencing short flight would be merciful when held against what she had heard done to slavers.

“Other than sending that french vixen to her doom? Nothing” the Spontoon agent answered once they had left the wharf. “Even that is unimportant, she went of her own free will. Fools will find there doom no matter what others do. You are aware that the Songmark rescue was successful?”

“No” Pebble admitted. She fidgeted in her seat, the bells attached to her chains ringing softly. A sound only she heard over the boats engine. It was to her a comforting sound, though she could not say why. “I am denied the Consulate until end of tourist season.”

Leaning forward the vixen studied her captive carefully. Though obviously she was no star nosed mole, she was well trained in body language. Watching Pebble, it was obvious that the rodent was telling the true. This surprised her, as every other Kuo Han creature that she had encountered had been filled with nothing but lies. “Why is this” she asked.

Pebble looked up, her eyes captured by the strength in the others eyes. “The Pennington sisters. They sold for a fraction of their worth” she explained. “I do not know why, but my Master is furious. I must replace them by end of tourist season. With willing furs. Or I will take the short flight.” She paused a minute. “Thrown from the consulate floatplane naked, at fifteen thousand feet. I have decided to jump” she answered weakly. “It is a faster death than what you are going to grant me.”

“Then you do not know that the Pennington’s are back? Or what happened?”

“No.” Pebble admitted. “I train the basic positions. I insure the chains are correct and I search for those who have given up on life. Other than that, I am my Masters toy. Nothing more. I know little of what goes on in the Consulate, beyond my low station.”

Sitting back the vixen thought for a while, then looked towards the water taxi pilot as if for orders. When she did Pebble took her chance, leaping upon the water taxi’s anchor, gathering it into her arms then leaping for the water. She almost made it, but a strong paw upon her arm stopped her. Hysterical, she tried to jerk away, tried to take herself to the bottom of Spontoon Harbor. “Please. I die this way. Not Sacred Island. Please” she cried. A sharp blow on her head stunned her, her body falling near lifeless to the boats deck.

“She wouldah been successful” the pilot commented. “Nah near hundred feet deep here. Chest implode, she’d die. Painful, but certain.”

Looking down at the sobbing rat, the still unnamed vixen took a deep breath and held it. Silently she counted to ten, then to twenty. Finally releasing her breath she faced the taxis pilot. “You’re the boss. Now what?”

“What yah think you should do” he answered, then returned his attention to his driving as a fast boat piloted by four Songmark girls screamed across his path. “Hydrofoil?” he could be head to whisper. “Dang girls jus too inventive.”

Accepting that Pebble was her problem, the vixen kneeled down beside her. Slowly drawing a wicked looking stiletto from somewhere, she showed it to the doe. “My word” she said just loud enough for the Kuo Han slave to hear. “If death is the sentence, this will find your heart instantly. You will not go to Sacred Island.”

Pebble stopped crying, looking now at the deadly point near her eyes. “This you swear” she asked.

“By my name, I swear” the vixen agreed. “Now please, sit up. I have some questions.”

Thus it was that the Vixen, and soon the Spontoon government discovered many things about Kuo Han, it slavery business and the fates of all slaves. As to Pebble’s and her Master’s fate, that is for another story.