Darterra Sagas Book III Wilderness of Mirrors Act IV

 

Darterra Sagas

Book III Wilderness of Mirrors

Act IV

Discovering Sherwood

 

 

 

Near Quincy Farm

Yorkshire Province

          The Rafe and Kyle left the Quincy Farm with the two former Qunicy sisters, Cassandra and Fiona, in tow as slaves. Both girls with tears in their eyes stumbling along as they look back at their family and home. It was much harder the first time they had been led away as slaves from their home and loved one. That time they were naked and freshly enslaved, prodded on by the hands of the one called Richards. Both girls had chills at the way he looked at them. The Sergeant had told Richards that they were to be delivered intact because it would increase their value if he had to have a slave then to take the other girl already on the rope who had been a slave for a while.

          This time sisters knew that while they were still slaves, it was because what had been done couldn’t easily be undone. It they stayed then the troopers would eventually return, and they would be returned to the chains of the corporation. Worse than that, who knew what penalties would be inflected on their family. Jasmine was on 13 years old and turning into a woman. Neither of them wanted her to suffer the same fate as they had. They hoped that their new owners were exactly what they said they were. Men who hated the Cristo Corporation and were going to be a thorn in its side. They had told father that they would be back and give him Cristo’s money to pay the unfair taxes they inflected.

          Soon as they rounded the bend of the trail. Kyle led the two roped girls on down the direction they had been traveling. Rafe meanwhile had darted into the bushes along side the trail and started to double towards the farm. Someone had been watching them from the tree line as they spoke with the Quincy’s. The question was who was it? Cristo Troopers? Surely they could not have been dispatched out here this quickly. From what Rafe had learned since being here, much of the technologies possessed by the original survivors of the doomed ship Magellan had been lost over time. Mostly because they had lacked the hands on knowledge and materials needed to replicate most of it. At least until someone from Cristo had discovered their lost and all but forgotten about colony.

          Someone at Corporate headquarters when that had happened was one cool customer. Because they choose to sit on what would have been a major historic discovery of a lost colony. Instead, they had only allowed a very select few know of the existence of Darterra. Leaving the people living on Darterra as much in the dark as the rest of the known galaxy. From what McNally had learned from long talks with Davis and Blackstone, instead bringing the technologies of Darterra up to date with the outside civilized galaxy. It was decided to bring it forward a little at a time in key areas. One of those being communications. Wireless communications had been “invented” or rediscovered. But what was available was stationary systems that required a large amount of power to run them. So, they were only in province headquarters and higher. According to Davis, they large airships they had seen were also equipped with the wireless systems as well. That meant while Foster had time to make it back to Brighton and report in. But there was no way to send word back to any agents or spies they had stationed nearby.

          So, who was out here? He had felt like eyes were on them, even thought he had caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He didn’t completely dismiss it. But Kyle seeing something as well confirmed his suspicions. His mind run through the possible things it might be. Count be bandits, could be a curious neighbor, it also could very well be another Cristo asset that was in the area. Quincy had mentioned that Cristo owned a farm several kilometers to the North. One of the foremen from farm had approached Homer that if he was to sell one of his older daughters to him. There would be enough money from just one of them to bring him up to date on what he owed. If he sold both of the older girls then he might be good for another year in hopes of a better crop yield.

          The Quincy sisters were nicely shaped and attractive women, but why would a Corporation owned farm try to keep the girls away from the Prefect slave pens? The only conclusion that McNally could come up with was there was a rivalry or bad blood between the Prefect and the Farm Manager. That might come in handy in the future.

          Then he saw something. It was something red. As he grew closer using stealth and cover to move in closer. There he was roughly 30 meters ahead to his left, someone wearing a red Cristo trooper jacket. Easing the pistol slowly from the holster, thumbing back the hammer. He was 20 meters away now and his target was still oblivious to his presence. He could take out the target easily from here, but he was not sure if there was more than one out here. He needed to get closer and take the target out as silently as possible.

          “Please don’t shoot Luca, Mister” a young soft female voice from behind Rafe.

          Rafe spun around and bringing the pistol down ready to fire. But he didn’t, because to his astonishment was a little girl with brown dirty stringy hair, her dress just as dirty as her. She looked like she had not a good meal or a bath in a while. Then a teenage boy jumped between him and the girl. His hands raised palms facing out empty.

          “Mister, please we mean you no harm. I will do anything you want just don’t hurt her.” The boy pleaded. Rafe swore under his breath, decocking the hammer of the pistol in his hand. Scanning the area around them.

          “Is there anyone else out there?” Rafe demanded.

          “No, Mister. It is just me and Sally. We are on our own.” Answered the boy. He looked as bad as the girl did. He wore a battered and tattered red enlisted trooper jacket that was clearly too big for him. His shirt and trousers were not in much better shape.

          “Fine, who the hell are you two and what are you doing out here?” McNally demanded.

          “I’m Luca, Luca Santini. This is Sally Harrison. And we are here because we have nowhere else to go or be.” The boy answered.

          “Why is that? Where are your folks?” Rafe asked holstering the pistol to show he meant them no harm. He saw that the question made the boy, Luca, uncomfortable and the girl, Sally, sad almost to the point of tears.

          “We don’t have anyone but each other. My mother died a several years back when I was Sally’s age. I’ve been on my own ever since.” The boy said not lowering his hands or moving from between this man and Sally.

          “What about her’s?” Rafe asked motioning to the girl.

          “Dead or good as. Farm agents found Sally’s Ma washing their clothes down by a river couple years back. They tried to take her for the slave chain. Her Pa told her to hide and tried to go stop the agents. They killed him and took her Ma off in chains. She could be a slave anywhere now. No ways of knowing where to look or buy her back. I found her and been takin’ care of her ever since.”

          McNally swore under his breath again. These two were clearly not a threat. But what to do with them? He could not turn them away. There was the Quincy’s that he could leave them with. He was pretty sure that Bea Quincy would take them both in without a second thought. Showering them with love and attention.

          “Why was you watching us? Soon as he said it he knew that they weren’t watching him and Davis, they were watching the farm.

          “I was trying to see if there might be something that I could take to feed us left out.” The boy admitted.

          “Why didn’t you just go down and ask. The Quincy’s are good folks and would have helped you.”

          “Tired that before, not likely to try it again.” He spat.

          “Why is that?”  

          “Either they want to try and take Sally away separating us, or they want to put us to work like a couple field hands or slaves.” The boy said shaking his head. “Once they tried to put me in one of those orphanages a few times. Good people they called themselves”

          McNally could clearly understand why the boy had felt that way. He was sure that those things had happened. Especially wanting to separate them because they were not blood relation to one another. But with five men and now six slaves in a camp that was supposed to be harassing the corporation in a gorilla style action campaign. The last thing they needed was two youngsters tagging along. They had just gained three slave girls that he had not planned on.

But now back to the question of what to do with these two kids. He thought again about the Quincy’s then ruled it out. They had just lost two daughters, gaining two more children could make things worse for them emotionally. Giving them food and the money he had on him would not likely work as well. The lands were filled with outlaws after all. These two had been lucky so far, but how far would that luck go. something told him that these two would be better off with his party.

          “I am Rafe. Rafe McNally.” He had given his pack to one of the new slaves to take back to basecamp as he wanted to travel fast and light. “I don’t have anything with me for you to eat. But if you want to come with me down the farm or back to the where my people are camped for now. I will see that you are fed and have something to take with you when you are ready to move on.”

          “What do you think, Sally?” the boy asked over his shoulder.

          “I’m hungry, Luca. We didn’t do so well at the last farm we tried to get help from. I say we go with him. If he wanted to hurt us he could have and didn’t.”

          “Alright, Mister. We will go to your camp just for a meal then we are moving on.” Stated Luca.

          “Like I said, my name is Rafe. You’ll find I answer to that faster.” Rafe laughed and smiled. “grab your things and follow me. It’s a couple klicks back to my basecamp.”

          He watched as the boy slung a haversack over his shoulder while the girl picked up a pack that was almost as big as she was. Rafe started to go help, but she picked it up easily enough, so it had to fairly light. If he had to guess their blanket or ground sheet was rolled up inside it. When they were ready, he turned and started down the trail.

 

After they had traveled roughly a kilometer from the farm. Rafe was surprised when a tiny hand reached up and took his. Looking down the girl, Sally was walking beside him.

Dungeon Cells

People’s Hall of the High Council

Haldalion

 

          “Have you came down here to gloat or see the crazy cat.” Snarled Kala from inside her barred prison cell. The proud cheetah standing there wearing the white gown of a patient awaiting her next treatment or procedure.

          “No, Kala, I bare you no ill will or wish to seeing you like this.” Tila spoke softly sympathetically. She sincerely respected the cheetah warrior.

          “Then has Magnus ordered you to “fix” me?” Kala snapped sarcastically. The loin pride had been down here often to mock and humiliate her.

          “No, I have come to speak with you because I have some” pausing, “questions.”

          “And what sort of questions do you have.” Kala said stepping closer to the bars. She did not know Tila personally. But did know that she was a highly respected member of the medical and scientific community. Had they sent Magdella to her to be experimented on?

          “I understand,” Tila started choosing her words carefully, “That when Commander Magnus’ patrol returned with you. There were several human female slaves with you.”

          “Yes,” suddenly very concerned, “What do you know of them?”

          “I know very little actually. I was told that four were taken to the common herd to be evaluated and sold. I have heard of a fifth slave that was brought down here. But know nothing more of that one.”

          “So how can I help you?” wondering what she was getting at. Macon and the others were to be sold, and she knew nothing of the Goddess.

          “My assistant, Doctor Zarin, witnessed the arrive of the patrol and why I know what little that I do. Two of the slaves taken to the herd were very unusual. Their skin pigmentations were unlike anything we have came across. In all my years I have never came across a human with red or green skin.” Kala had been listening and simply nodded her understanding. Olaca could be a bitch pushing the limitations placed on a slave. Kala had been close several times to taking a lash or switch to her. But she was the slave of the Goddess’ charge Druilla, who was pleasant enough and likeable. Had they been sent to Tila’s lab?

          “Dr Zarin, fascinated by this took upon herself to purchase the two unusual slaves for testing and experimentation. She wants to place them on the rotation to find out if they are different from the other humans.”

          “Have you done that yet!” Kala said worried

          “No. No, not yet. Nothing has been done to either of them. While they appeared very much the same physically to the humans we own. My instincts say that is not necessarily the case.” Tila went on. “I wanted to speak with you before any testing was started on either of them.”

          “They are the same and not the same.” Kala started relieved. “They are not from Darterra. The green skinned one is called Druilla and from a planet called Psitau 3. From what little I know that they are like the humans in physical appearance. But I do not know how much else matched more compatible they are. Her people are subjugated by the red girl’s people as labor and sex slaves.”

          “And the red one?”   

          “Her name is Olaca, She is from a planet called Latoria, she was one of high birth who once owned Druilla as her slave. Bad dealings with the humans found them both slaves. They came here with one of the human slaves that was with us. The blonde haired one.”

          “Interesting,” Tila said deep in thought. This was much more information that she had imagined getting. There was much to be taken into consideration.

          “I have no right to ask this, but please do not let Doctor Zarin do as she plans with them. It would make us no better than the vile Cristos.” Kala pleaded.

          “No, No I quite agree with you. But it will considerably complicate things. I fear that Zarin is in awe of Magnus and may let him know what she wishes to do. I do not know.” Tila said thinking.

          “There is more I have to tell you if you are willing to listen and believe me.” Kala said evenly.

          “There is more?” she paused then guessing, “The fifth slave or the human?”

          “They are all five special. My girl Macon may be only to me. You remember her as the mute slave I saved.” Pausing till Tila nodded she remembered, “The human is an enemy of the Cristos and those that came with her plan to resist or cause a rebellion if they can. So, we need to protect her if at all possible or at the very least keep track of where she is.

          But the pale skinned fifth slave is more than special. If anything happens to her. I shudder to think of the repercussions to our people. I believe that she is of the same those that helped our people so long ago. The ones we called Gods and Goddess. Magnus for whatever reason refused to hear me out. I suspect he knows I am right and fears a great one returning.”

          “How can you be so sure?”

          “She physically is exactly the same as the great ones described in our ancient writings.” Kala started.

          “That is pretty thin, Kala. Nobody is going to believe that she is of the ancient great ones simply because she appears the same.” Tila cut her off knowing fully that if what Kala said was true the impact on their people.

          “Tila, she healed my slave girl Macon. She is no longer mute! Magdella has to be a Goddess. I have seen her healing power.”

          “I must think on this all. So much to digest and consider.” Tila said backing away from the cell.

          “Tila, find Macon and talk to her you will see.! Please don’t harm any of them or let harm come to them.” Kala pleaded and begged.

          “I will look into it,” Tila responded turning and walking away.

McNally Basecamp

Yorkshire Province

 

          McNally arrived back at the base camp just before darkness fell. While Davis and the slaves were not that far ahead of them. Rafe had to keep a slower pace because of Sally. He had even ended up carrying her a couple times. Luca didn’t say much but watched everything. He was older and had been fooled before too many times.

          Tyrell and Vargas were preparing to go back and look for him when they started into the meadow the camp was set up in. While adding three new slaves to the camp chain didn’t bother any of the men other that now having more mouths to feed. Rafe arriving with a teenager and a little girl was a different story all together. Nobody wanted to cast them out into the night. Harry Orbach had thought he was finally going to get the busty slave Naomi into his bed roll. Now with children he saw that fading fast. To his dismay, Rafe had granted his three slaves, Leta, Marla, and Naomi all the privilege of pleasuring who they wished. Leta was never far from her Master. Marla had stayed far away from any of the men until recently and she was spending her time when not doing chores close to Davis. Piper was Blackstone’s, so that had only left Naomi till now. Then there was the new one, the sisters were a little young for his taste. But then there was other one they took from the patrol, Josie. A booming voice brought him back to the moment.

          “Rafe, why didn’t you leave them with the Quincy’s?” Tyrell wanted to know.

          “Because they didn’t want to stay there. And I was not going to stand there and let them vanish into the wilds.” McNally answered matter of factly. Davis was not saying much but listening. The boy, Luca, was listening to everything as well from the darkness outside the fire light. After he and Sally had been given all they wanted to eat. Naomi and Josie had taken Sally to the stream for a bath of her and her cloth Luca. Now she was washing his clothing while he sat wrapped in a blanket like Sally was. Naomi had checked her over medically and was brushing her hair.

          “I understand and agree with that, Rafe” Vargas added. “But I hardly think that a rolling gorilla camp as you call it is the place for children.”

          “No, it isn’t,” agreed Rafe nodding, “But I saw the options were extremely limited. If left them at the farm like I think would have been best for now. My instincts screamed that they would be gone before morning. Hell, they still may be. But if not they are better with us than out there.” Pointing into the darkness of the night. “Besides I have been thinking. Having them with us keeps them safe and makes us look more like a family caravan instead of a rolling military unit. Luca can be instructed on how to handle weapons and can protect the camp with one of us or Leta and Naomi. Hell, even Marla for that fact but I figure one or two of them might be with us. But if we keep growing, we are going to eventually have to set up a permanent outpost to work from.”

          “That would require having someplace that we can defend. Which will require more people than we have.” Davis finally speaking up.

          “I might have something.” Vargas smiled. “I might have the perfect place for us.”

          “Do tell, Jose. You have my complete attention.” McNally looking over.

          “What I found when I was out with Piper was a hidden cavern entrance while we were refilling our canteens and watering the horses. From a distance it looks like the water is from an underground stream. But when you are up close you see that the water flows from inside of the cavern.”

          “That might do for a hideout when we are on the run. But we can hardly get the wagons inside a hidden cave. Not to mention grass for the horses which someone will surely see.” Tyrell argued.

          “Not in this case,” Vargas’ smile widen. “Don’t be mad at your girl Piper. I asked her not to spoil my surprise. I just haven’t gotten the chance to tell all of you at the same time till now. And she didn’t see it all herself anyway, she only knew what I told her being that I had her stay with the horses. But it’s not just a hidden cavern. It actually the entrance to a hidden naturally formed passage through the ridge into a hidden canyon. It’s long enough that you can’t see the light form one end to the other.”

          “That does sound like it has possibilities,” Rafe nodded.

          “When I got to the other end, I saw grassy meadows, plenty of timber, and it looked like it was overran with game.” Jose added.

          “Gentlemen, I think first thing in the morning we break camp then go find this hidden canyon of Vargas’” Rafe was smiling. This might be just what they needed. Taking over a town or outpost from the Cristo people would be a known location for them to come try and take back. This would be something they didn’t know of or where to look for it at. It would need to be carefully explored and checked out. But it sounded good. And the nods and the smiles from the others said it was unanimous Then looking over to the boy Luca, “What do you think? You two in to check this out?”

          “We’ll stay along for a look. No promises.” Luca answered.

          “I want to see it.” Sally said walking up with Naomi holding her hand. “I like it here so far, Luca. We haven’t had it this good in a long time. I like Naomi and she says she is going to make me a new dress to wear.”

          “She’s a slave and your not. That is what slaves do.” The boy said coldly.

          “So is my mommy, Luca. And I don’t care she is nice.” The tiny dynamo spat back with her hands on her hips. “And so was yours too. So, you be nice. I want to stay with them and see. I am tired of being cold hungry and scared.”

          “Settle down, Sally,” he answered her quietly. “we will stay and see.”

          “Sounds like we have a big day tomorrow people.” Rafe smiled before draining a tin cup of some homemade hooch. “Naomi sounds like you have little miss Sally taken care of. Luca there are fresh clean blankets in the wagon bed down where you want.” To the other slaves, “If you are not sharing a bedroll with one of the men, to the chain. I’m going to take the last watch, so the rest of you decided who has watch when.”

          Standing Rafe collected Leta on his way to his already prepared bedroll. Laying out his pistol and rifle where he wanted them, he laid down next to Leta who was already under the blanket and tossing out her slave clothing. Joining her under the blanket she curled in close to him.

          “Rafe, you did a good thing today.”

          “Hush slave,” he laughed kissed her.

          “Yes, Master.” She giggled and kissed him back. Then purred as she snuggled.

          “About time you learned your place, Terra” He teased hearing the guard set and everyone settling in for the night. The three new slaves had been chained. Not that he thought they would go anywhere. As the fires started to burn down the camp went to sleep.

 

         

 

 

 

 

                

From the desk of Paladin July 15 2026

 

    I hope that everyone has been enjoy Wilderness of Mirrors. It is coming along nice and I should have Act IV ready and posted here and on Deviant Art as well. If you are not watching me on DA, look  me up under the name Ranger011. I am sure if you like my work here then you will love the art and stories there.

    I got the wild hair to start doing comic book style covers for the mini art stories that I do on DA. What can I say being off for two months I had built up an impressive number of credits on Open AI that I have been burning through. Here are some covers that I did for the Darterra Sagas. I thought that I would share them.

Now I like this one and you will likely be seeing it again at somepoint

I like this one as well.

This one was pretty decent as well. Even got the new slave girls Cassy and Fi in on the fun.

This one was okay I guess. Marla is over dressed and not sure who the guys on the ends are.

Again this is one is not bad with a badass Piper.

And as a bonus here is the cover for the mini art story on DA. If you would like to see some of those here. Let me know.

Darterra Sagas Book III Wilderness of Mirrors Act III

 

Darterra Sagas

Book III Wilderness of Mirrors

Act III

Best Laid Plans

 

New McNally Base Camp

 

 

          Upon returning to the old camp, Tyrell has ridden out to find their patrol after a rally point had been determined by him and Rafe. It was decided that like the trooper’s uniforms, their wagon with it’s markings could be of future use to them. Orbach had returned with Piper, reporting that they had not discovered anything of interest in their area. Vargas being overdue getting back either meant trouble or he had found something in his area.

          It was time to reduce their number of wagons. As one wagon had been outfitted as a slave transport wagon already. That was one that would be kept. The taw wagon one of the other two wagons was loaded down with all of their supplies and equipment. The decision was made that they would need to move fast so none would be walking this time. The horsed not needed to pull the three wagons were tethered together to the back of one of the supply wagons. To the dismay of Leta and Piper, they were loaded into slave wagon and chained with Marla and the three new slaves. Rafe knew that both of them wanted to be driving one of the wagons themselves or riding one of the horses. The remaining wagon was burned in the hopes that when it was found by the Cristo Patrols looking for them it would be assumed to be the burned tax wagon.

          Rafe, Kyle, and Vargas had driven the wagons all night. Stopping only long enough to rest and water the horses, while also watering the slaves and allowing them out of the wagon to heed the call of nature. Once they were rested and watered, they set out once more. To hide their tracks, Davis had them following the roads instead of traveling cross country. This required them to change directions at crossroads and turn offs, taking them twice as long to cover the distance to the rally point for the new base camp.

          Just before dusk, Tyrell, Orbach and Naomi joined up with them. As suspected, they had found something of interest that would require further investigation. But neither of them wanted to go into detail about that it was. Saying that they didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.

          Once they reached the location of the new basecamp, The girls were released from the slave wagon and set about their chores. All but the three new slaves were allowed to put their halters and loincloths on. After the meal had been served, Leta and Piper knelt near the fire and their masters as the three newest slaves on the chain stood as their fate was being discussed.

          “I like this legend of Robin the Hood as you describe it.” Tyrell said, His mispronunciation of the name cause three Earth slaves to giggle when they heard him.

          “It’s Robin Hood,” Rafe laughed correcting him.

          “Whatever, I like the plan of robbing the tax patrols and returning the money they carry to the people they took it from when we can. But there are some very large problems with your plan.” The big man snorted then explained.

          “Such as?”

          “Such as, we hit one patrol like we just did. They will likely just assume that it bandits. But if we continue to take out their tax patrols then they will increase the number of troopers assigned to each patrol as well as increase the number of regular patrols to find us.” Kyle interjected.

          “How often do they send out their tax collectors, Kyle?”

          “It is generally a two month patrol. One month out and one month back. They will stop at each property twice. Like say Quincy,” Davis paused in his explanation to point to the two slaves that had been Quincy’s daughters. “The last patrol would have informed him of his tax obligations. If he could not play his taxes on the spot, they would leave and stop back to see if he had it on their return leg.”

          “And if he still doesn’t have it?” Rafe asked.

          “Then the patrol,” Tyrell answered for Kyle, “returns to their garrison. There they will transmit a report to Regional Headquarters with from whom and how much they collected. They will also send who was not able to pay and a summary of that individual’s available assets.”

          “The Prefect will sign orders of confiscation to settle the tax debt. Those orders may include warrants of enslavement for the debtor or members of their family.” Kyle added motioning to the Quincy sisters. “Officially on paper in those two are legally slaves of the Cristo Corporation. When the tax patrol returned they would have been turned over to the local Corporation Kennel Administrator to be processed. Depending on the needs of the Corporation or wishes and desires of the Administrator or Prefect. They might be kept for their personal kennels, shipped to another kennel, to a Cristo farm or ranch, or sold at public auction.” Both girls had their eyes down cast and were sobbing softly. Knowing that this is while they were now naked and collared. Their father had been behind for the last four months.

          “So, we alternate. We never strike twice in the same sector in a row.” Rafe said pointing to the map taken from Sgt Foster. “They will without a doubt increase their patrols. But they can’t be everywhere at the same time. And without requesting additional troops be sent to help, they only have so many troopers to use.”

          “Such a request would definitely draw attention and suspicion from the higher headquarters on the Prefect.” Kyle pointed out.

          “Just a guess, but I am thinking that the Prefect are over taxing their subjects and skimming off the top before sending funds up the chain. It will be interesting to see how much the Prefect is willing to lose to keep from letting their superiors know that they have a problem.”

          “It’s sounds like a pretty good guess.” Tyrell agreed.

          “I have seen firsthand the lavish lifestyle of the Prefects and many of the high officials that far exceeds their allotted official budgets not to mention their salaries. So, I would have to agree as well.” Kyle concurred.

          “It all sounds pretty good, Rafe. We steal the tax money and return the majority of it to those it was taken from.” Tyrell said nodding, “Just one problem with your plan.”

          “I don’t see what that could be.” Rafe defended. “We will have the records from the tax collectors, so we know who paid what. We just go around and return each families taxes to them.”

          “What about them?” Tyrell nodded pointing to the three new slaves that they had taken from the patrol.

          “We simply return them to their families and owners.” He responded speaking of the two enslaves sisters and the slave taken from another farmer.

          “If it were only that simple,” Laughed Kyle.

Haldaloin Institute of Science

 

 

          Two lionesses entered one of the surgical rooms of the research hall of the Institute of Science. Tila had been top of her class and well on her way to becoming one of the top doctors in her field. She had studied these humans for several years and felt certain that there was none that knew more that her. She looked over to her test animal for today, a fair skinned brown furred female human. Tila was starting to feel sorry for the poor beasts. There was little to be learned from this procedure today. It had been done before and confirmed several times that if humans were fed or injected with selimas berries or extract they would die. It was not a pleasant death. Tila herself had conducted several of these tests. That was why she had ordered this test animal be sedated so that she would die in her sleep and not in pain. Why Magnus was demanding more tests was beyond any reasoning that she could understand. But he stood high in the Lion Pride and was rumored to be in line to rule the Pride soon. Which is why she did not challenge him over this. After all it was just another human test subject.

          Tila’s assistant Doctor Zarin walked over to the table and checked on their test subject to insure the animal were properly sedated. Tila had worked with Zarin for a couple years and liked the young lioness. She showed great promise, but Tila truly wished that Zarin would use her talents and skills to serve their people instead of what Tila more and more felt was senseless slaughter of the humans from the herd. But not all the test animals came from the herd. Sometimes they received animals from Magnus’ soldiers. She was not sure where those animals came from.

          “Did you hear?” Zarin asked as she was preparing the syringe with the extract from the selimas bean plants.

          “No what gossip have you heard now, Zarin.” Tila laughed thinking that Zarin could be such a gossip. She was always coming in with something that she had heard from someone. It was amusing to listen to at time.

          “Magnus has returned from his patrol.” Zarin started as she injected the subject with the extract.

          “That is hard anything to be excited about.”

          “No, this time he had Kala with him. She had been arrested and to shame her. He ordered her to be collared and muzzled and herded in with the human beasts she was with.” Zarin said excited.

          “No! How dare he humiliate her like that.” Tila exclaimed. She had always admired Kala. Kala had shown her courage and bravery not only in battle but against the far reaching and heavy handed tactics of Magnus. Looking at the animal on the operating table before her, she remembered that once Magnus had once attempted to have Kala’s pet sent to her as a test animal. Kala had stormed in and defied him claiming her female pet. Now she was paying for her defiance.

          “Yes, I felt so bad for her. So many did but dared not to challenge Magnus.” Zarin went on, as the test animal begin to shake and convulse on the table between then bucking and thrashing against the restrains that held her on the table for a moment before going completely still as death claimed her. “I saw the whole thing. Kala and a pale skinned human with a hood over it’s head were taken to the dungeon below the People’s Hall of the High Council.”

          “Test animal has succumbed to death from exposure to selimas extract at this time.” Tila pronounced ending the test procedure. “Have the remains sent to the incinerator for disposal.”

          “Oh, wait! I forgot the surprise!” Zarin blurt out with glee. “There were four humans animals herded back with Kala and the pale skinned one. They were taken down to the common herd pens and processed. One was Kala’s pet. Another was a blonde furred beasts that might make a good breeding sow.” Tila gave Zarin that get to the point look. “But the last two while appearing human like the other two had unusual skin tones like I have never seen. Come with me, please” Leading her superior out of the room and down to the holding cages.

 

 

          “I paid dearly, but I bought these two for further examination and testing.” Zarin said proudly.

Cristo Corporation Headquarters

Brighton, Yorkshire Province

 

          “Sergeant Foster, am I to believe that a soldier of your experience allowed yourself and your patrol to be taken by surprise by hooligans and all the taxes that had been collected taken?” Prefect Horatio Pennington said with a mixture of anger and astonishment. The Sergeant standing before the desk was clearly uncomfortable and wishing that he was anywhere, but where he now was.

          “Your Lordship,” Foster paused as he was choosing his words with great care. Pointing out that he had been assigned inferior troopers for the patrol was not the way to go. Two had been green and the third spent more time in the guardhouse than out of it. But most of the better troopers had been pulled to investigate whatever had happened in the undeveloped Western Territory bordering the lands of the savages. “while that is what happened. It is not that simple.” This was like walking across a frozen pond and not knowing if or when the ice would give way under you. “Trooper Richards had been sent with Abbott and Jasper to bring back water. While investigating a noise near the river crossing when they were flanked.”

          “Yes,” The Prefect said picking up the official reports. “they were distracted by two naked slaves girls playing in the water as I recall. Surely, one of them had the intelligence to realize two female slaves would not be there alone. That someone would be watching them.”

          “As I said, Your Lordship, two were fresh from the training academy and the third has had his challenges.”

          “He’s a bloody drunk!” Pennington exclaimed.

          “That is not in dispute, Your Lordship. I do the best that I can with what I am sent. Richards is a drunk, but he was not drunk when they were flanked and taken by surprise. Besides that, these were not simple local bandits and thieves. I think that I might know one of them.”

          “Yes, what did he say their names were again.” Picking up the report and reading it aloud. “They were one John Little, one Will Scarlet. Oh, and one Robin Hood!” The Prefect stopped as if he had been struck. He looked at the Sergeant before him, then around his office at the antique books that had been brought to this world on the Magellan. Stepping over to the bookcase and scanning the titles on the spines of the books till he found the one he wanted. All of these had been copied and reprinted many times. But all of these were originals to this world. Finding the one he was looking for, his eyes wide as he pulled it from the others. “Robin Hood,” he said in a whisper. Opening it and flipping through the brittle paper pages scanning the words till he found two names. “Will Scarlet and John Little aka Little John. I think you are correct, Sergeant. These are not simple brigands and hooligans. These are educated and intelligent men we are dealing with.”

          “That was the impression that I got from the leader who called himself Robin Hood, Your Lordship. He spoke as one that knows things and that robbing the taxes was amusing to him.”

          “What was the total of our estimated losses?”

          “All total, Your Lordship it was estimated as nearly 15 gold Crowns. We had collected from all the homesteads and towns in out sector and just turned to start the journey back here when we were hit. Thirteen of that was mostly silver and copper coin. The slave taken from the Stockdale ranch was estimated worth nearly a gold crown by herself. And the two raw slaves collected from the Quincy Farm were given the generous estimate that once properly trained to be worth 50 pounds silver each.”

          “How soon till our people are due to return from the Western Territory?”

Quincey Farm

Yorkshire Province

 

          “I don’t think you understand, Mr. Quincy.” Rafe said once again exasperated at the exchange. “I am returning your daughters to you.”

          “And I am telling you that they can’t come back.”  Homer Quincy snarled back. His wife Bea was beside him in tears as she looked upon her two oldest daughters, kneeling in the rags of slaves with slave collars still on their necks.

          “We tried to explain this. Rafe.” Kyle Davis said with a smile as he shook his head. If it were not so insane it would have been hilarious. “They can’t take the girls back no matter how much they want to.”

          “Aye, the Lieutenant is correct. It was made clear to us last fall. That we had until this collection to either get caught up or surrender Cassandra and Fiona to the Troopers as slaves. When the Troopers came, young Davis here was one of them, a corporation man was with them, He took the girls into the barn and assessed their potential value. Papers were drawn up and filed that they were slated for enslavement to the corporation.”

          “I get that part,” Rafe agreed, “But we have taken them from the Corporation. Restored their freedom, returning them to you and your wife.”

          “Rafe, They have papers of enslavement that were filed in Brighton even if they were not turned over to the Corporation slave kennels as they should have been. As far as the law or Corporations are concerned they are slaves, and when found will be returned to the custody of their legal owners, the Cristo Corporation.” Kyle tried to explain.

          “Mr. McNally,” a Bea Quincy said clearly having mixed emotions and upset, “I dearly want my girls back. But those vile bastards have legally taken them from us. Yes we could take them back. Act like nothing had never happened. But even if we hid them from other patrols, sooner or later they would be discovered. They would be returned to Cristo slave collars. Worse they might take our other daughter and me as slaves as well. My husband arrested our farm taken for stealing corporation slaves. The risk is too great for us and them.”

          “I took them to return to their families.” Rafe said not sure what to do next, “Now I clearly see that is not possible because it will put the rest of you in danger after we are gone. And that doesn’t leave me any good options other than to consign them to this life that has been forced upon them.”

          “As much as this pains me to say, McNally,” Homer Quincy took a deep breath, “Blackstone came here asking for help and support. I can give you some food now and then, but for now take these two slaves to do with as you need.” His voice shaking as his wife clutched his arm nodding in agreement.

          “Rafe, these people are right. Is it right that they were forced into slavery. No but it was no more right for Leta, Marla, or Naomi. Yes we or you could have freed them, but you haven’t. And why is that?” Kyle challenged,

          “Because it was believed to be safer for them on this world to be seen as slaves already.” He admitted reluctantly. Hearing how weak and lame that sounded when he said it.

          “And it really hasn’t been has it.” That was a statement not a question. “Not counting when Blackstone captured them all before joining with you. We were damn lucky to have gotten to that market to buy Leta and Marla back not that long ago. Yes we rescued these two from the chains of the Prefect, they are only still in chains because we knew they would draw less attention if they were thought to be our slaves if we were seen. But Rafe they can’t come home and if we let them go then within in days they will likely be wearing the chains of someone else without someone to protect them on the roads. So would it not be better to keep them with use with the slaves we have?”

          Rafe did not like the facts, but they were what they were. Cassandra and Fiona Quincy had been enslaved by those he had sworn as his enemies. He had taken the girls from them. If he freed them of slavery, they had no skills right now to offer his band of misfits. They would need to be look after and take someone to watch them. They could not return home and would not last on their own. As slaves on same chain with his other girls. They would be safe and cared for. They could watch and learn things that would increase their odds of making it on their own if he let them go later on further down the road.

          “Homer, Bea,” looking at them, “I can’t promise you anything more than I will do everything in my power to keep them from harm and out of the chains of the Cristo people. Beyond that I don’t know what the future holds for any of us.”

          “Rafe,” Kyle cut him off in a voice only loud enough for them to here, “there is someone watching us from the tree line.”

          “I am sure that we will meet again and I thank you for your help.” Looking at the kneeling girls. “Up slaves! We have much ground to cover” both girls leaped to their feet, shouldering their packs before moving to stand head down behind Davis. Rafe nodded and smiled at the farmer and his wife as he departed with their daughters before they could be discovered.