Dax 03: "The Journey Begins"

[Dustersincc]

This is the third installment of a proposed series that I have created based upon the television shows Hercules - The Legendary Journies and Xena - Princess Warrior. Although I use several established characters, in no way should these writings reflect the actual actors who portrayed those characters nor imply their sexualities.


The sun was shining brightly over the town of Thiebes as Dax and Autalycus strolled through the square.

"Where are we going?" Dax asked is father.

"We're going to meet someone who's actually been on some adventures with Hercules and Xena."

"But I thought you hung around them often."

"I did," Autalycus replied. "But this guy actually traveled with them. Can't stay he was too lucky, either. From what I understand there were some pretty stiff events that took place. Unfortunately, I kept my distance until your folks -- usually your mother -- sought me out for assistance."

It wasn't long before they arrived at an old shoppe. As they walked in, a strange smell sifted through the place. It was littered with all kinds of pottery and clothes, all of different shapes and designs.

"Hello!" Autalycus hollered.

"Well, lookie here!" hollered back a wimpy voice. He was much older than we remembered but still looked, sounded and acted like the same old Salmonius. "Autalycus!"

"How ya doin', Sally?"

Salmonius stepped out from a back room wearing a multi-colored robe and some sandals. To Dax he looked too happy to be a friend of his fathers.

"I'm doing okay," Salmonius answered in a complaining voice. "I could be better. Been trying to work out the kinks that keep creeping up in my back. I go to a messues everyday but I can't seem to. . ."

"I'm good, too," Autalycus quickly interjected.

Salmonius then threw his arms around Autalycus, giving him a big bear hug.

"Ok ok," Autalycus wined as he pushed his way out of the embrace. "Salmonius, you remember my son, Dax."

"Oh I do!" Salmonius exclaimed with joy. "My my, how he has grown. I haven't seen him since he was just a little one."

Dax forced a smile.

"Come in," Salmonius welcomed them. "Would you like some tea or something?"

"No no," Autalycus stated. "We can't stay long. In fact, my boy needs your help."

"Oh?" Salmonius said cautiously with wide and accusing eyes.

"I need to get to the Oracle at Delphi," Dax announced. "My father said that you can take me there."

"Well, it's been a while. . ." Salmonius began.

"Oh, come on, Sally," Autalycus interrupted. "You remember everything. You can find it again."

"Oh, I know I can," Salmonius stuttered. "But. . . but my shop. . ."

"I'll watch your shop," Autalycus volunteered.

"Um, no thanks," Salmonius stated. "Every time you came around me something always happened. And we'd have to leave town." He looked at Dax. "No offense, but your father was always delving into some kind of trouble and getting me involved, too."

"Look, Sally," Autalycus started out. "I wouldn't ask you this if it wasn't important. And it is important. Please, do this for me."

Salmonius stared at both Autalycus and Dax for a brief moment as he was making his decision over in his mind. "Well, alright," he finally said. "But if something happens to my shop. . ."

"It won't," Autalycus assured him.

"It better not," Salmonius warned.

"It won't!"

"When did you want to leave?"

"Now," Dax answered.

"Now?!" Salmonius repeated.

"As I said," Autalycus began, "this is very important. And urgent."

Salmonius sighed a deep breath as a worried look appeared on his face. He had been with Autalycus many times on several adventures and has even joined Hercules and Xena on quite a few of them too. They almost always turned sour at some point in time. And he couldn't help but feel that this one will be following suit.


In a time long ago. . .
And a land far away. . .

A man was born. . .
Half mortal - half God. . .
His incredible strength. . .
Was overpowered only by. . .
The gift of his heart. . .
His name was Hercules.

And a woman
Once cruel. . . once ruthless. . .
Her sins of the past. . .
Were placed behind her. . .
In exchange for the goodness. . .
Her name was Xena.

Together and seperately. . .
They defended mankind. . .
Against the harshness of the Gods. . .
But now they've gone. . .
They've left behind a legacy. . .
And his name is Dax.

Dax: The Legendary Warrior


"The Journey Begins"


The cellblock was cold, dark and stoney. Cast laid there, shivering in the coldness as his naked flesh was ice blue from the freezing night that had just past. He was in a different room now, this one more like a jail cell than a torture room. More importantly, however, was that Cast was no longer tied to a slab. But that still offered little comfort to the boy. The sun was just beginning to shine through the small crack-sized window, creating a circular reflection of skylight on the floor.

A quiet clank startled Cast from his somberless state. He sat up to see his intruder coming into the cell. It was a boy close to his own age. Although he was a different lad than the one that was fucked by Hawk just two days before, he wore the same kind of metal strap that covered his genital area and nothing more.

Cast opened his mouth to say something but the boy placed his finger to his lips. "Shhhh," he whispered.

"Wh-what?" the prisoner asked, still in a deep haze.

"I'm not gonna hurt you," the boy said as he squatted over him. "They call you Cast?"

"Yes," he replied.

"I'm Tim. I'm here to help you."

"Where are we going?" Cast asked with anticipation.

"Nowhere," Tim answered as he placed a hand on Cast's bare leg. "I can't get you out of here. But I can help you."

"How?"

Tim's eyes glanced down over the smooth skin of the prisoner. A smile forced his lips open and his hand slid up to cup the boy's jewels.

Cast froze not knowing if he should allow Tim to continue.

"They want you pure," he said as he began to stroke Casts member. "We can change that."

"I'm sure you can!" cooed Hawk as he stepped from around the corner.


***


Dax and Salmonious trekked through the strange city. It's the first one (and will be the only one) they pass before reaching the end of their 4 day journey. Two of those days had already gone by, leaving the couple of bums low on supplies, therefore they had little choice but to make a visit.

It was jumping with unusual activity amongst the rows of buildings. There were men around every corner, and beautiful ones too. They appeared to be paired off, and their attire expressed a certain social class. The younger men, of around 18 or so were bare chested and dressed only in what appeared to be a small little strap, but made of metal. There were chained loops hooked to each hip, as well as on their wrists, seemingly like at some point their hands are locked to their sides.

Some of these young men were alone, but others followed behind older men, most looked around 40. Those men wore chained link trousers and opened cotton shirts -- their hairy chests exposed for the broad daylight. They were the masters, it was clear. But the masters of what?

A few of these men gave Dax a look over. It was an unsettling feeling for the boy, for it seemed that they were looking at more than just his face.

"Where are we?" Dax whispered into Salmonious' ear.

"The fortress of Looma," the elder replied back. "A place we really don't want to be."

"I don't see any women here," Dax commented with another quick look around.

"That's because I don't think there are any. I've never been here before but I've heard Looma is made up of only men. Here, they trade and sell male servants, probably for sexual endeavors."

"What's that over there?" Dax inquired, pointing to a cleared spot in the very center of the fortress.

Where he was gesturing, there was an opened space which stood a ring of unlit torches. In the center of the ring, was a stoned slab with hooks on each corner. It stood upright, but from the swivel beneath it, it looked as if it could be moved to a more horizontal level.

"Oh dear," Salmonious breathed. "I've heard rumors about this before."

"What?" asked Dax with curiosity.

Lowering his voice, Salmonious cleared his throat before beginning. "I hear that they do some sort of sacrificial ceremonies," he said. "They use only virgin boys."

"They're going to kill a boy??" Dax exlaimed.

"Shhhh!" Salmonious hushed. "No. Not kill. They. . . take away their innocence. Dax, we need to get out of here. Let's hurry. I don't want to waste any more time here."

As Salmonious picked up his walking pace, Dax continued to look around with a mixture of curiosity, anticipation and suspicion.


***


In the cell, Tim's naked body laid a little too relaxed on the floor as Hawk pulled out of him. Stroking the semen from his still enlarged cock, the man had a satisfactory grin upon his face. Cast, however, stared in horror. The severe hand marks around Tim's throat, and the fact that he hadn't heard a sound from him for a while now has confirmed his fears.

"He was forbidden to come here," Hawk explained while brushing his long black hair off his bare shoulder. "That is the first lesson, my boy."

Not saying a word, Cast continued to hold himself into a tight ball, backed against the wall, as far away from Hawk as he could get.

"It's your choice if you want to enjoy your stay," the man said. With that, he slung his cloak back around his arms and turned for the cell door. "Guards!" he yelled. As two men came into the cellblock area, he said, "Clean up this. . . mess."

Hawk then left as the two guards proceeded to pick up Tim's limp body from the floor and carry him away.


***


The small cottage was well hidden within the trees. The brown color kept it camouflaged making it very difficult to find.

"It's somewhere around here," said Salmonious as him and Dax wandered around the forest. "I've only been here three times, but I know it's got to be around here somewhere."

Dax stopped to snift the air. "It's over here," he said with a nod of his head. He then proceeded to cut across some thick brush.

"How can you tell?" Salmonious asked with a giggle.

"I can smell the fireplace," the boy replied.

After only a few paces, the two quickly came to a clearing and there, stood the cottage.

"Oh great!" Salmonious exclaimed with a sigh. "I hope he's home."

"He's home," Dax stated under his breath.

Salmonious approached the door and raised his hand to knock. But before his knuckle made contact, a voice suddenly beamed, "Who goes there?"

"Um. . . um," stuttered Salmonious nervously. "It's me, Theodore. Salmonious."

"I don't know no Salmonious," the voice replied in a harsh tone. "Go away!"

"Wh-what?" Salmonious whispered in confusion. "But Theodore, we. . . we used to be good friends."

"How good?"

"Well, um. . . um. . . well, remember that time when we went up to Barton and dressed up as Castor and Pollux? And we had a Haides of a time trying to convince them that we were the Gemini twins and we said that the Gods were playing a cruel trick on us by making us look so different?"

Dax curled his upper lip and slowly turned his head towards Salmonius.

"We actually convinced them," Sal explained, "and then got all the free wine we wanted."

"Yeah, but that Salmonious is dead!" yelled the man.

Salmonious suddenly developed a shocked look on his face. "No one told me," he whimpered.

"HAAAAhahahaha!" the man bellowed as the door swung open. "Salmonious! C'mon in!"

With a crooked grin, Salmonious stepped inside, followed by an unsure Dax.

The man appeared to be in his mid-forties and was a bit handsome on the eye. He had short brown hair and deep brown eyes that showed a certain amount of loneliness in them.

Theodore lived in a small hut suited for just one person. The main room only had a wooden table in the very center of it, with one chair scooted off to the side. A second chair was placed up against a wall and was covered in dust, showing it's age of non-use. The fireplace was located off on another wall, while a washtub was situated nearby. The only other door in the small house led to what must have been the bedroom.

The hut was decorated with different kinds of displays. Pottery and weapons adorened one side while a small plant and a pair of blacksmith gloves were draped over the mantle above the fireplace. And nailed to the wall just a few inches higher was the sex slave clothing -- wrist shackles and all -- hanging in plain view as if put on display in proud fashion.

"So, how are ya, Salmonious?" Theodore stated enthusiatically as he retrieved the spare chair and swiped off a cloud of dust with his hand.

"I"m ok," he replied with a slight stutter. "My back's really been killing me lately. I don't know what it is but I've been going to a mess. . ."

"That's good," Theodore interrupted. "Who's the boy?" He offered the chair to Dax.

"Oh, Theodore, this is my friend, Dax," Salmonius introduced as he quickly took the chair for himself.

Theodore smiled and then offered the lad the other chair that was already near the table. Dax replied with a silent nod and politely sat down.

"Sorry about being so inquiring," Theodore apologized. "It ain't too safe around here, so I must be careful. What brings you all the way out here?"

"We're on our way to Delphi," Salmonious answered. "It's starting to get dark and we've still got a half day's journey ahead. I was hoping that we could stay here for the night."

"Hmmm," Theodore grunted with suspicion as he placed his elbow atop the mantle piece to support his relaxed weight. "Where'd you get him?"

"He's a good friend's son," Salmonious replied. "He didn't come from Looma if that's what you think."

"He sure is the right age for Looma."

"I know. We've been by there," Salmonious said.

"What's going on over there anyways?" Dax finally spoke up.

"What do you mean?" Theodore asked feigning ignorance.

"There's a setup for some sort of ceremony. What's that's all about?"

"Well," Theodore began with a swallow, "I haven't been there in many moons, but if that's what you saw then that's probably what's going down."

"What is it exactly?" Dax pressed.

"Looma is a fortress that buys, sells and trades male sex slaves," Theodore explained. "The highest paid slaves are the pure ones that come in for the ceremony. They take young virgin boys from their homes from far away villages. They bring them to Looma. Then they perform the ceremony."

"What happens at this ceremony?"

"You don't wanna know," Theodore said with a wave of his hand.

"I wouldn't have asked," Dax replied in a surprisingly commanding voice.

"The boys are usually stripped, tied to a slab, and put on display for any of the potential bidders. The bids are placed first, then the elders of the fortress come out and take away the purity of the boy."

"So he is raped," Dax stated.

"Yes. He is raped. Then he is made to spend a quality of time with each leader in the pivacy of their own quarters, throughout that first night. The next morning, he is sold to whom the highest bidder was."

"How often does this happen?" Salmonious interjected.

"The night following the day when both the moon and the sun are in the sky."

"Why?" questioned Dax. "Is it in reference to a God or something?"

"Nooooo," Theodore said with a shake of his head. "On the contrary, actually. They say that when both the moon and the sun are in the sky at the same time, then that is when the Gods are pairing up for a night of passion. Once the sun goes down, the moon usually follows close behind leaving it unusually dark. They say that the Gods are too busy making love to watch the mortals. Therefore, there are no Gods to witness the sins that are being made."

"And that's when the boys are raped?" Dax confirmed.

"Yes."

Dax' vision was redirected up to the wall directly behind Theodore, where the metal loin strip and leather arm straps were stapled. "You take part in this ceremony?" he asked with a bitter taste.

"No," Theodore said, a sudden sadness sweeping over his gaze. He turned his head to the side in an attempt to look at the suit but turned back before he could see it. "That was. . . that belonged to my love," he whispered. "His name was Gale. I saw him tied to the slab on my first pass through Looma. I saw his fear. My heart went out to him. I heard of the rituals that were going to take place. I couldn't let it happen. But I couldn't do anything about it either. I thought if I had bid upon him, then I could save him from it. I won the bid. But then I saw the actual ceremony." Theodore's voice lowered even more as his head sagged. It was clear he was reliving the memory.

"I couldn't do anything about it," he continued quietly. "I couldn't even watch. I had to turn away. The things they did to him was unbearable. It was. . . hard. . . to tolerate. The next morning he was handed over to me. I brought him home and freed him. Although those things had happened to him, I made sure that it would not continue.

"I dressed him up in his own clothes and we packed away the. . ." Theodore glanced over his shoulder again, this time actually eyeing the suit. "I told him he was no longer a slave. He stayed with me on his own will. We fell in love. I never thought that I could love another male like I did him. It was very nice.

"Until one day, Gale had went out hunting. He was alone. He came across several Looma guards. They assumed that he was an escapee by not having his suit on. They. . . executed him. . . on the spot.

"That suit is all I have to remember him by. Even though it represents nothing good on the outside -- to me it represents the only love of my life. . ."

As Theodore's words slowed to non-existance, the three men fell into a moment of silence.

Salmonius suddenly clapped his hands together, breaking the solumn mood. "I'm starved," he announced. "You got anything to eat?"

"Not much," Theodore replied as he moved away from the fireplace. "But I think I can probably scrape together enough for the three of us."

As Theodore rummaged through his food basket, Salmonius began talking about something that had happened in the past. Something that obviously the two of them had shared at one time. However, Dax was uninterested. Instead, his attention continued to be directed towards the suit hanging up on the wall.


***


The morning sun was casting a bluish haze over the forest where the small cottage was located, still engulfing the building in shadows. A small stream of smoke silently rose from the chimney atop the roof. Inside, Salmonious opened the bedroom door to find Theodore and Dax standing by the fire.

"Good morning," he yawned, before stopping dead in his tracks. "What is that?!"

Dax was dressed in the metal loin strap and Theodore was finishing the touch up by tying the last leather strap to his wrist. Both fellows looked at Salmonious, but didn't have to say a word.

"No!" Salmonious yelled. "Absolutely not!"

"We have to, Salmonious," Dax pleaded. "We can't let a boy be raped. We have to do something. It's wrong!"

"No, Dax. No!"

"We've got no choice," Dax said, looking back at Theodore, as if he understood.

"Of course we've got a choice!" Salmonious exclaimed. "We've got the choice to continue on to Delphi."

"Delphi can wait," Dax stated.

"No!" Salmonious forced out of his mouth. "Look, I promised your father that I would see you safely to the Oracle. And that's what I'm going to do." He stomped his feet like a child having a temper tantrum.

"He would understand," Dax said softly.

"Besides, we've got no money," Salmonious pressed. "How are we gonna buy a boy with no money?"

"I'm not planning on buying him," Dax threw out.

A moment of silence passed as Salmonious sat down at the table to the realization of what Dax had in mind. "Ohhh, this is not happening," he whined. "As long as I've known your father, he always got me to go along with him on some damn adventure. I've never been able to say no. But this time, I am going to say no. No, Dax! I'm not going!"

"Then I'll go by myself," Dax stated with determination. "Can a slave wear a cloak? I'll need something to hide weapons in."

"No," Theodore answered. "A slave can only wear the suit. Nothing else."

Dax then looked at Salmonious. He approached the table and sat on the other side from his older friend. "We can't let them do that to a boy," he whispered.

"But it's suicide," Salmonious whimpered. "Theodore, tell him. There are too many guards. We'll never get through."

"He's right, Dax," Theodore said. "It probably will be a one way mission."

"But we have to try," Dax pleaded. "We can't just sit back and do nothing."

The room fell into silence once again and Salmonious looked back and forth between Dax and Theodore, who both stared straight back at him. His eyebrows squished together while the corners of his mouth sagged towards his chin. "Ohhhh," he cried with a worry.


***


The fortress was swallowing with men of all shapes, sizes and color. Most of them were paired off, but in some of the more richer cases, there were two slaves tagging along behind a single master.

It seemed as if the entire surrounding villages had came out to watch the events that were going to take place that day. There were so many people that they were practically shoulder to shoulder.

Theodore led the way. Wrapped in a tight brown cloak, he played the part of a prospective buyer, while Salmonious followed close behind, dressed in his richest looking silk robe. It was multi-colored with what appeared to be a rainbow trailing it's way down towards his sandaled feet. He held a small chain, which was connected to the hoop on Dax' wrist. Wearing the sex slave suit, Dax felt nearly exposed as he passed by many wandering eyes. A few wandering hands also found their way to graze against his buttock as the three passed through the crowd.

"There he is," Theodore whispered, with a nod of his head.

Dax looked over the tops of people's heads to see the slab, situated into a slanted 45 degree angle, with Cast lying on top, shackled at his wrists and ankles. The boy was completely naked, exposed for all to see.

There were two guards standing on each side of the slab, and as men approached to get a good look at the boy, the guards were quick to slap their probing hands away.

"Do not touch!" they were heard saying over and over again.

"C'mon," Dax whispered. "I want to get a better look up there."

The trio made their way through the thick mass of people. The torches remained unlit as they passed them by. They pushed themselves toward the platform, and as Theodore, Salmonious and Dax stepped up onto the step, a guard lurched forward.

"No slaves up here!" he shouted, placing his hand across Dax' bare chest.

"Um," muttered Salmonious, "he's secured." He raised his hand to show the guard the chain that connected Dax to himself.

"Ok," the guard replied. He quickly pinched one of Dax' nipples before stepping back. "No touching!"

They were allowed to pass, and it was at this time that Dax was able to look out upon the crowd. With a quick scan, he made a mental note on where the guards were stationed throughout the fortress.

"Doesn't he look sweet, Sally?" Theodore cooed in a very seductive voice.

"My, yes!" Salmonious replied in an equal tone. "He'd be perfect for you, Theo!"

Dax turned around and found himself eye locked with the boy. With all of the men standing around, gawking at his youthful beauty, this kid was looking right back at him, silently pleading for some help. Dax could instantly feel the fear within his eyes. He desperately wanted to free the boy right then and there and rescue him from this embarrassment but he realized that now was not the time. He also realized that the longer he stared at the boy the more he was in danger of alerting the guards to his future actions, so Dax quickly broke the gaze and turned himself away.

"What's the opening bid?" Theodore asked.

"He opens at 100 denars," one of the guards answered sternly.

"Excellent," Theodore replied before looking back at Salmonious and Dax. "Shall we go and find our spot to watch the festivities?"

Dax gave a slight nod and a yank on his chain for a signal to Sal.

"Yes," Salmonious replied. "I'm starving, though. Let us feast first."

Theodore then turned to his immediate right and stepped off the platform. Only a few feet away, there was a small merchant shop selling fresh fruit. The three made their way over.

"Give me a hive of grapes and an orange," Theodore ordered.

After an exchange of coins and fruit, Theodore handed the grapes to Dax, while he pulled out a dagger and went to work with peeling his orange.

With a wry smile, Dax held up the grapes and plucked one off. He placed it carefully against Salmonious lips, and gently pushed it into his mouth. Then, he plucked off another one, placed it against his own bare chest, and squeezed the juice out of it, letting it run past his nipple.

Salmonious leaned forward, stuck out his tongue and ran it up Dax' tummy. With one long swipe, he sucked up the trickling juice, until reaching the nipple. This action alone, attracted stares from just about everyone nearby.

Meanwhile, Theodore had backed away a bit. The dagger, which he'd been using to peel his orange, was carefully slid beneath the perch of a full bowl of apples. Quickly, he pulled out another dagger and resumed his orange peeling.

"Woooo!" yelled a chorus of men as Dax squeezed out the juice of five grapes, cascading down Salmonious' cheek. He then leaned forward and began to slurp up the liquid, as Salmonious closed his eyes.

"I have taught you well," he said, loud enough for several people to hear.

"He's a beauty," one man stated. "Is he for sale?"

"If the price is right," Salmonious replied. "Are you interested?"

"Yeah!" the man yelled.

"So am I!" yelled another one. "What are you asking?"

"What are you offering?" Salmonious asked.

"I got thirty denars," he replied.

"I got thirty-five!" yelled another man.

Salmonious grinned. "Do I hear. . . forty?!" he asked.

Meanwhile, Theodore had moved over to the other side of the fruit stand. Taking advantage of the fact that nearly everyone nearby was now preoccupied with the bidding upon Dax, he reached beneath his cloak and pulled out a full 24 inch sword. Quickly, he placed it upright between two tall baskets before moving away.

"Seventy!" hollered the man who had spoken first.

"Ohhh!" cooed Salmonious. "Anyone else?"

"That's all I got," pouted one of the men who had been bidding.

"No one?" Sal asked. "Sold at seventy denars!"

"Alright!" the winner exclaimed.

"What's your name, my friend?" Salmonious asked.

"Virgil," he replied.

"He's yours, Virgil. But first let me go on over to the courthouse and get the transfer papers drawn up. I'll meet you over by the castle's entrance."

With a tug of the chain, Salmonious led Dax away, leaving Virgil standing there with an excited grin upon his face.

The hawk circled overhead, eyeing the crowd, before heading for a ledge protruding out from the castle. There, stood Hawk, the man, with his black hair softly blowing behind him in the cool breeze. His attention was diverted upwards, for his pet had signaled it's landing. He raised his hand and the bird came to stop right on his forearm. He smiled as the hawk ventured his way up to his shoulder, then made a chattering noise. Hawk's smile vanished as he looked out over the crowd. It was clear that his pet had seen something out of the ordinary.

Salmonious and Dax convened right behind the building that was known as the courthouse. It stood on the opposite side of the castle, away from where the action was taking place -- away from the people.

"Ok," Salmonious said, pulling out a rolled up scroll that looked brand new. He handed it to Dax. "I hope you know what you are doing."

"I do," Dax replied.

"Then what's next?"

"I don't know yet."

"I thought you knew what you were doing," Salmonious whimpered.

"I do," Dax stated. "Well, I will anyway."

Theodore had moved towards the middle of the crowd. He pushed himself up towards the front, where he could stand right in front of Cast, who appeared to have fallen asleep. The platform was now bare of people, for they were all getting situated for the bidding to begin in just a few moments.

At the castle entrance, Salmonious and Dax met up with Virgil, who was wielding a brown sachel of coins.

"It's all there," Virgil stated. "And then some. I have a feeling I'm going to get my money's worth from this one."

"Ohhh," giggled Salmonious. "You'll get your money's worth. And then some!"

Sal unclipped the chain from Dax' wrist. "He's got the transfer papers," Sal said. "It's all legally binding."

"Great!" Virgil exclaimed as he snatched the scroll from Dax' hand. He started to open it, but Dax gently laid a hand over his shoulder.

"I am yours, now," he whispered.

Virgil grinned even bigger, as he put away the scroll. "That you are."

Salmonious giggled a little more before turning away. But his smile was suddenly replaced with worriedness for the knowledge of what was about to come.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen!" announced the speaker as he stood before the crowd on the platform. "This night, we have new merchandise. His name is Cast and he's sixteen of age. His purity has been identified and we shall take great pleasure in addressing it very soon."

Laughs erupted from the crowd from the speaker's mischievious statement as Salmonious pushed his way to stand next to Theodore.

"All set?" Theodore asked.

"Yeah," replied a nervous Salmonious.

"Don't be so nervous, Sal," Theodore stated. "It only makes things worse."

Virgil led Dax towards the back of the crowd. At the speed they were going, as well as the direction, it was clear that they were not going to stick around for the bidding.

"Where are we going?" Dax asked.

"Shut up, Slave!" Virgil ordered. "I'm taking you back to my place. I want to see exactly what all you can do."

"But I was hoping we'd at least stop by and get some fruit," Dax commented. "I mean, that's one of my specialties."

Virgil stopped and looked at the boy. The huge grin that seemed it couldn't get any bigger, just did. "Yeah!" he breathed. "Fresh fruit would be delicious!"

"The opening bid begins at 100 denars!" the announcer shouted.

"120 denars," yelled a man from the crowd instantly.

"130 denars!" yelled another man.

"150 denars!" shouted yet another one.

Both Salmonious and Theodore glanced at one another in surprise at how quickly the bidding was being raised.

Arriving at the fruit stand, Virgil went to work at ordering a hive of grapes and some bananas. While doing this, Dax found himself positioned right in front of the bowl of apples. With everyone's attention diverted to the bidding, he quickly slipped his hand beneath the bowl's perch and pulled out the dagger. With a smile, he pressed his body up next to his new master, giving him a nibble on his ear, hiding the weapon between the two.

"205 denars!" yelled a man from the crowd.

"210 denars!" hollered another one.

With his arms full of fruit, Virgil looked back at Dax and smiled. "Ready!" he said.

He turned and began to walk, but then Dax pulled him behind the fruit stand for some privacy and kissed him on the lips.

"Mmmmm," Virgil groaned, as one by one the bananas and grapes fell to the ground. The fruit piled up around the two pairs of feet and drops of red gradually coated them.

Dax stepped back to allow Virgil's body to fall to the ground while pulling the dagger from his belly. Acting quickly, he unfastened himself from Virgil's grasp, and moved to the other side of the fruit stand.

"Do I hear 275?" the announcer shouted.

"275 denars!" yelled somebody from the crowd.

"280?" asked the announcer.

"280!" yelled someone from the other side of the platform.

Suddenly one of the guards that stood next to Cast, dropped to the platform floor, a dagger stuck in his back. Dax jumped up onto the cemented area, and shoved his sword, from which he also retrieved from the fruitstand, into the stomach of the second guard.

Screams of terror erupted from the crowd of men. Being unarmed, the announcer leaped off the stage and dashed into the group of people which were beginning to grow hysterical. Dax turned and with four quick heavy swings from his sword, cut the ties that bound Cast's wrists and ankles.

The boy sunk down the slab until his feet touched the floor. Dax grabbed him by his wrist and shoved him down the steps toward the screaming citizens just as more soldiers rapidly approached the platform.

As Cast nearly fell into the crowd, Theodore whipped out another cloak and wrapped it tightly around the boy's body. Placing him firmly between him and Salmonious, the two began pushing their way through the rest of the people who were scrambling in every direction to get away from the slaying.

Dax raised his sword as he was met by four palace guards. The attack was furious and fast and Dax did everything he could to hold them off. He took out two of them with no struggle, but the remaining two was quickly joined by four more. Before he knew it, his sword was flipped out of his hand, sailing into the air.

Dax squatted down and retrieved the dagger from the back of his first victim. He raised up and sunk it deeply into one of the assailants chests. But then, his feet were kicked out from beneath him and swarms of guards filled the platform.

Dax fell to the ground, face first, expecting the blades of the swords to end his life. But the blades never came, instead, swift kicks to the stomach, legs, back, shoulders, and even face, blurred his vision. Shades of red filled his eyes while the beatings continued.

Losing the wind in his lungs as well as his strength for fighting, Dax laid on the cement floor, unable to move. The big black boots of the guards gradually moved away, as a sudden hush fell over Dax' ears. He was sure he had just lost his hearing at that moment.

Two new feet stepped before Dax's blood filled eyes. They were sandals. White sandals. A flutter was heard, like wings being flapped in the wind and the new being knelt down to him.

"Well, well, well," Hawk commented as he looked the tattered body of the boy over. "What have we here?" He ran his hand over Dax' near bare hip as he silently checked the wounded prey. "He's no slave. He's got no markings."

Hawk then brought his hand up to his nose. He sniffed. And smiled like he'd just found something new. "I can just -- smell -- it!" he sniveled.

"Sire, it looks like the boy has escaped," said a guard stepping up onto the steps. "We're conducting an entire search of the grounds."

"No matter," Hawk said with a sigh as he stood up. "Go ahead and continue your search for the boy. If he is found, then we'll have two of them to celebrate. If not, well, this one is just as pure as he is. He will go on in his place!"


Until next time. . .