Story 19: The Strongest of Bonds

Just when you think your life has settled into a pleasant pattern, when you are content with the regular rituals of your existence, something suddenly appears to disrupt all of it.

Should I just ignore the disruption? Or am I obligated to accept it?

I was working in the library when a man came to my table to speak to me, a man I had never thought to see again.

A man who had been worried once that I was going to kill him, someone who had not known my identity.

Through a torrent of tears, he told me what had happened. I should not have trusted Nori.

When Nori had returned to Ar, he went to Neko seeking the reward for information concerning me. Despite my request to him to remain silent.

Nori told her of meeting me in Schendi. I probably should have moved once I met Nori. Can't trust a Merchant when money is to be made.

So Neko wanted to visit Schendi, to verify the sighting. And Stewart went with her, the dutiful Companion.

And a couple days out from Schendi, they encountered three pirate ships, led by a captain with a thin jagged scar over his right eye. The same pirates I had encountered on my original voyage to Schendi.

The pirates took their cargo and all of their women, including Neko.

Stewart was devastated and hoped to find me. Neko had spoken often of, relating some of my past heroics. Stewart hoped that maybe I would rescue Neko, retrieve her from the Cosian pirates.

Everything was suddenly complicated. My peace and happiness had been shattered in only a couple of Ehn.

What was I supposed to do? Storm the island of Cos by myself to recover Neko? Fight countless Cosian pirates to locate her?

Why should I risk everything to rescue her? She was no longer my Companion. She was Stewart's woman. I had Tiana.

Old feelings stirred, surfacing to remind me they still existed. My love for Neko.

How do you weigh one's love for a Free Woman against one's love for a slave? Which is stronger? Which is deeper? Which is more fulfilling?

Neko had Stewart so any love I had for her was futile. It may exist but it had no outlet and thus caused only pain. Being with Tiana eased that pain.

I was a Scribe now, not a Warrior. Though I still possessed the skills of a Warrior. And I still kept in shape, practicing combat drills.

But invading or infiltrating an island was very difficult. And very dangerous. Why should I take such a major risk for Neko, a woman who was not even mine any longer?

Stewart then made it more difficult for me. He knew exactly where to place that dagger for maximum pain.

When Neko had learned that I might be alive, she had a long talk with Stewart. She told him that if I still lived, she could not renew her Companionship with him. She wanted me. She loved me, even more than she loved Stewart.

And Stewart was willing to step aside to make Neko happy.

I told Stewart I needed to think it over, to ponder it over night. I told him I would meet him in the library at the tenth Ahn tomorrow. He understood.

I went home to Tiana and finally told her all about Neko.

I did not ask her advice about my dilemma. I just wanted her to know everything about the matter.

She embraced me and then left me alone, sensing I needed that solitude. Tiana would accept whatever decision I made. She knew she was but a slave, despite the fact she loved me and I loved her.

I did not sleep at all so I was a bit tired when I met Stewart that next day at the library. He too looked like he had not slept, distraught over the fate of Neko.

He looked at me, his eyes imploring me to help, to agree to make a rescue attempt.

I looked back at him, my own eyes heavy and weary. He asked much of me, to risk my life in a very perilous endeavor.

But his request was noble. He asked for Neko, and not for himself.

Cos has long been a dreaded enemy, the city-state that nearly destroyed Ar. It was a rapacious city, preying upon any who dared sail upon Thassa.

But they were strong, especially on their own island. To journey there to attempt to rescue Neko would be near suicidal.

I was under no obligation to help. I was no longer a Warrior. I was now but a simple Scribe.

And I had love in my life, my dear Tiana. I did not want to lose her.

I had really few people I could turn to for assistance in this matter. I had abandoned Ar, my Home Stone. I had abandoned my Caste, the Warriors. I had abandoned my work for the Priest-Kings.

If I made any rescue attempt, I would have to act largely alone. And I was not sure I was up for such a risk anymore. Those days were in my past.

And who knows whether she was still even on Cos? By the time I reached the island, she could have been sold off to someone from any of the cities of Gor.

I told Stewart that I could not do it. It was far too dangerous.

And he cried, sobbing heavily, pleading with me to relent, to please save her.

I told him again that I could not do it. I was but a single man and I could not prevail against an island of enemies.

With a heavy sigh I made my final decision. I declined to rescue Neko. It was simply too dangerous.

And my risk-taking days were over. I was a Scribe now, no longer a Warrior.

Stewart was deeply saddened. He felt that he was out of options and that Neko was doomed to her fate.

I suggested he hire some mercenaries and told him where he could find some names.

Despite Neko’s love for me, and my lingering love for her, I still could not go to Cos. I had a sense that I would never return from that island.

I had to be realistic about my chances of successfully rescuing her. And they were very poor.

And I had the love of Tiana as well. I did not want to surrender that love, dying on some perilous rescue mission.

It would nearly be a year before I heard any more concerning Neko.

Stewart hired a mercenary force to rescue Neko but he chose poorly. They took his money, fled to the Voltai and never went near Cos.

Stewart tried again, this time choosing a more trustworthy mercenary band. They made a stealthy raid on Cos but they all ended up dead, killed by Cosian troops.

Stewart tried one final time, hiring one of the best mercenary bands available. They succeeded and brought Neko back to Stewart.

Neko had been enslaved, owned by a Player of Kaissa. She had begun receiving training as a Pleasure Slave.

Stewart told her of my refusal to rescue her. Neko said nothing in reply though her eyes showed her pain. She never asked about me ever again.

Stewart tried to free her but she refused. She had felt what it meant to be a slave and now desired to remain as such. She had found fulfillment within her bondage.

After some discussion, Stewart accepted her wishes and kept her as his own. He sent her to a school to complete her training as a Pleasure Slave.

Neko was an ardent student. And she became known as a fantastic dancer.

As for me, I remained in Schendi as a Scribe, enjoying the pleasures of sweet Tiana. I never tried to contact Neko. There was no reason to do so.

I thank you for taking the time to partake of my life. I hope it has been of some interest to you.

With a heavy sigh I made my final decision. I would attempt it. I would journey to Cos and try to rescue Neko. I would risk everything for her.

Stewart was ecstatic, his tears now of joy not sorrow. He offered me any monetary support I might need. He was wealthy and would give all of it away to have Neko back safe.

I told him that I needed some time to devise a plan and that I would contact him later. I would likely need some money, at the very least to obtain passage on a ship to Cos. Stewart got a room at the same inn as I and told me he would wait patiently.

I delved into my soul and forced myself to be honest about my feelings, my thoughts. I needed to fully understand, to assess my motivations, to decipher the rationale behind this tremendous endeavor I faced.

At its most basic denominator, its root cause, there was but a single word that explained all of it. Love.

The love I felt for Neko was overwhelming, a deeper passion than I had ever felt before or ever felt since. She was that one woman who I felt truly belonged only to me.

Yes, I loved Tiana. But it could not compare to my love for Neko. It was not a matter of free or slave. It was a matter of individuals. Free or slave, I would never love another as I loved Neko.

Neko filled my heart, warming my blood, caressing my soul. It was a love that could not be denied. It was a love I would not permit to die. It was a love I was willing to die for.

When I returned to my room, Tiana looked at me and she knew. I took her to the furs and we made love all night, and I turned my head aside when she tried to hide her silent tears.

I spent the next two days in deep contemplation, trying to devise a plan to rescue Neko. It was difficult as I had so little information about her whereabouts.

I knew I had to start with the Cosian pirate captain. He had captured Neko, he would know her fate. It was my best hope of locating her.

I had Stewart hire a Merchant ship, buy some generic cargo and a handful of kajirae. I needed bait to attract the pirates.

I left Stewart in charge of Tiana while I sailed on the Merchant ship, hoping to be attacked. We sailed back and forth over the waters where the pirates were known to frequent. And we waited.

The three pirate ships surrounded us and a group of Cosians went to board us. But I opposed them, standing alone with my gladius and shield. I told them I would surrender only to their Captain.

They passed the word and the Captain did come forward, with his bowmen as well. It was the same man I had met before, the same scar. The same man I had intimidated before.

And he recognized me. And in his eyes, I saw a tinge of fear.

I told him I only sought a woman he had captured almost two Hands ago. I was willing to pay much money to have her back.

The Captain told me he did not remember her. Any women he captured, he usually sold once he returned to port in Cos. He had not kept any women recently for himself as none had especially appealed to him.

If I wanted her, I would have to go to Cos. So I asked him for passage upon his ship. And he laughed, thinking I must be mad.

In the end, it was money that decided. The Captain cared not about me but he was willing to accept plenty of money to provide me passage.

He also captured the cargo and slave girls as well. I did not dispute him in that regard.

And then we sailed for Cos. I spent time speaking with the Captain, leaving politics out of the available topics. And we shared some wine, an excellent Ta wine. He was a good conversationalist.

We eventually arrived at the port of Telnus, a well fortified area. The Captain moored his ships and then I disembarked, headed toward the slave markets.

I spoke to a number of Slavers, providing a thorough description of Neko to them. And after six Ahn of questions, I found one who recognized her. After paying him for his time, he told me about her sale.

Neko had been purchased by Kalax, a Player. Kalax lived in a small insula on the northern edge of Telnus. He was a brilliant Player, hoping to soon be awarded status as a Master Player.

When I neared his insula, I saw a man sitting outside, playing Kaissa against another man. Kneeling behind one of the men, likely Kalax, was Neko. She was garbed in a rep cloth tunic and had her head down.

I stopped, trying to force my heart to stop racing. Could it be this easy to find her? I prayed that Kalax would be willing to sell her. I knew Kaissa Players often did not earn much money.

I approached the two men and stood by quietly and watched the game. Interrupting them at this point would have angered them and been disrespectful.

And with her head down, Neko did not know of my presence.

20 Ehn later, Kalax’s opponent conceded the match. He handed Kalax a few copper tarsks, thanked him and said his goodbyes.

Kalax asked if I was here to play. He would give me odds of 40 to 1, let me take Yellow and would be willing to negotiate further terms. Yes, it seemed Kalax did not make much money if he was forced to play as such.

I told him I was not there to play. I wished to discuss a business proposition. I wanted to purchase his slave.

At the sound of my voice, Neko raised her head just enough so her eyes could peer at me. With my peripheral vision, I saw her smile and my heart started to race again.

But, Kalax was unwilling to sell her. He was enjoying her far too much.

But he was willing to play for her, but under different conditions.

I knew I could not beat him in Kaissa. I was only an average Player. It would not matter my determination or motivation. He would still beat me.

An idea had come to my mind. I believed I knew a way to defeat him at Kaissa. Much depended on the type of man he was and the extent of his loyalty to his Caste. A man seeking to become a Master Player had to be truly devoted to Kaissa.

I asked him if he would allow my champion to play him for me. I told him I could have my champion available within one Ahn.

I would also allow Kalax to have Yellow, letting him move first and thus gain the initial advantage. If my champion won, Kalax would give me Neko. If my champion lost, I would pay him 500 gold tarns.

It was a deal he could not refuse. It was a deal he gleefully accepted, saying he would play any champion I found.

Kalax really did not care if he won or lost. He thought that the game alone would be worth it, to match his skills against some other skilled Player, in a true test of skill. He tried to guess who I might obtain. He knew all the locals and knew he could beat any of them rather easily.

And with only an Ahn to get my champion, that also limited who it could be. And Kalax knew that the famed Centius of Cos was off at a tournament in Thentis.

I had correctly assessed Kalax. He was loyal to his Caste and the honor of the Game meant everything to him. And I would test that Honor.

I told Kalax to set up the board. He began to do so when he realized that I was not leaving. He then asked how I would contact my champion.

I grinned and said my champion was already available. Kalax looked around and saw a few people though they were all people he knew. Local business men. And none of them were Kaissa experts.

Kalax shrugged and finished setting up the board. He then asked me the name of my champion. He was now very curious, and slightly worried. Somehow, things did not seem right to him.

Kalax looked at me confused. “But she is a woman and a slave. Neither can play Kaissa.” He said.

I replied, “You stated I could choose anyone as my champion. And I did. You placed no limits on my choice. You must play her or forfeit the match. And if you forfeit, I win the wager.”

Anger flared in Kalax’s eyes when he realized he had been tricked. Tricked and defeated.

For a slave, especially a female slave, to play Kaissa would be an insult to the Game. A slave was not even permitted to touch the pieces, let alone play. No proper Player, loyal to his Caste, would permit such an insult to occur.

If Kalax allowed Neko to play, and others learned of it, he might be ousted from his Caste. And Kalax would not want that. Kalax would have to forfeit the game.

He unlocked Neko’s collar and handed her over to me. I was so very happy as was Neko. I thanked Kalax and quickly departed, not wanting to anger Kalax any further.

Now, all we needed to do was to escape from Cos, find a ship willing to transport us away.

And somehow, everything worked out well. We booked passage on a Tabor ship and left Cos. My mission had been far less dangerous than I could have hoped for.

Maybe my life had been filled with more than its fair share of perils. Maybe the Priest-Kings were willing to let me pass by this one without great risk, without a duel.

And once on Tabor, we took passage on another ship headed to Schendi. And I returned home.

I did not free Neko and she did not ask for her freedom. Maybe it was time for her to wear my steel, to taste life as my possession. She did not seem opposed to the idea.

And we spent most of our time aboard ship talking, discussing our situation, Stewart, Tiana, and our love.

And we reacquainted ourselves with our love for each other.

At a bottom line, we truly loved each other. The bonds of our love were stronger than any Koroban steel. The bonds could not be shattered by any circumstance. We belonged together, forever.

Once enslaved, Neko’s Free Companionship had ended. And she did not wish to be free again. We wanted to remain as my slave. She wished to belong fully only to me.

When we returned to Schendi, Stewart was so pleased to see that Neko was alive. They talked together for awhile. When they finished, Stewart thanked me and walked away. He would return home. He wished us both the best of luck.

I then told Tiana about what happened. And I saw the sadness in her eyes as she surmised that she would soon be sold.

But that was not to be the case. I would keep her as there was no reason to sell her. She was a superb slave. And Neko was aware that I would be keeping Tiana. Neko had never had a problem with my slave ownership before. That made Tiana very pleased.

Everything ended happily and that is the way it shall remain.

I thank you for taking the time to partake of my life. I hope it has been of some interest to you.


	Introduction \| Table of Contents \| Updates \| Stories \| Links \| Contact Luther Life is never simple. Just when you think your life has settled into a pleasant pattern, when you are content with the regular rituals of your existence, something suddenly appears to disrupt all of it. Should I just ignore the disruption? Or am I obligated to accept it? The choice is very difficult. How does one weigh love? I was working in the library when a man came to my table to speak to me, a man I had never thought to see again. Stewart. Neko's Free Companion. A man who had been worried once that I was going to kill him, someone who had not known my identity. So why was he here now? And why was he so glum? Through a torrent of tears, he told me what had happened. I should not have trusted Nori. When Nori had returned to Ar, he went to Neko seeking the reward for information concerning me. Despite my request to him to remain silent. Nori told her of meeting me in Schendi. I probably should have moved once I met Nori. Can't trust a Merchant when money is to be made. So Neko wanted to visit Schendi, to verify the sighting. And Stewart went with her, the dutiful Companion. They took passage on a ship sailing south. And a couple days out from Schendi, they encountered three pirate ships, led by a captain with a thin jagged scar over his right eye. The same pirates I had encountered on my original voyage to Schendi. The pirates took their cargo and all of their women, including Neko. Stewart was devastated and hoped to find me. Neko had spoken often of, relating some of my past heroics. Stewart hoped that maybe I would rescue Neko, retrieve her from the Cosian pirates. He had no one else to turn to. Everything was suddenly complicated. My peace and happiness had been shattered in only a couple of Ehn. What was I supposed to do? Storm the island of Cos by myself to recover Neko? Fight countless Cosian pirates to locate her? Why should I risk everything to rescue her? She was no longer my Companion. She was Stewart's woman. I had Tiana. Old feelings stirred, surfacing to remind me they still existed. My love for Neko. How do you weigh one's love for a Free Woman against one's love for a slave? Which is stronger? Which is deeper? Which is more fulfilling? It seemed an impossible choice. Neko had Stewart so any love I had for her was futile. It may exist but it had no outlet and thus caused only pain. Being with Tiana eased that pain. And I did love Tiana. I was a Scribe now, not a Warrior. Though I still possessed the skills of a Warrior. And I still kept in shape, practicing combat drills. But invading or infiltrating an island was very difficult. And very dangerous. Why should I take such a major risk for Neko, a woman who was not even mine any longer? Stewart then made it more difficult for me. He knew exactly where to place that dagger for maximum pain. When Neko had learned that I might be alive, she had a long talk with Stewart. She told him that if I still lived, she could not renew her Companionship with him. She wanted me. She loved me, even more than she loved Stewart. And Stewart was willing to step aside to make Neko happy. Damn, damn, damn. I told Stewart I needed to think it over, to ponder it over night. I told him I would meet him in the library at the tenth Ahn tomorrow. He understood. I went home to Tiana and finally told her all about Neko. I did not ask her advice about my dilemma. I just wanted her to know everything about the matter. She embraced me and then left me alone, sensing I needed that solitude. Tiana would accept whatever decision I made. She knew she was but a slave, despite the fact she loved me and I loved her. It was a very long night. I did not sleep at all so I was a bit tired when I met Stewart that next day at the library. He too looked like he had not slept, distraught over the fate of Neko. He looked at me, his eyes imploring me to help, to agree to make a rescue attempt. I looked back at him, my own eyes heavy and weary. He asked much of me, to risk my life in a very perilous endeavor. But his request was noble. He asked for Neko, and not for himself. Cos has long been a dreaded enemy, the city-state that nearly destroyed Ar. It was a rapacious city, preying upon any who dared sail upon Thassa. But they were strong, especially on their own island. To journey there to attempt to rescue Neko would be near suicidal. I was under no obligation to help. I was no longer a Warrior. I was now but a simple Scribe. And I had love in my life, my dear Tiana. I did not want to lose her. I had really few people I could turn to for assistance in this matter. I had abandoned Ar, my Home Stone. I had abandoned my Caste, the Warriors. I had abandoned my work for the Priest-Kings. If I made any rescue attempt, I would have to act largely alone. And I was not sure I was up for such a risk anymore. Those days were in my past. And who knows whether she was still even on Cos? By the time I reached the island, she could have been sold off to someone from any of the cities of Gor. I told Stewart that I could not do it. It was far too dangerous. And he cried, sobbing heavily, pleading with me to relent, to please save her. I told him again that I could not do it. I was but a single man and I could not prevail against an island of enemies. And his tears continued. And then my own began. And I finally told him... Ending One With a heavy sigh I made my final decision. I declined to rescue Neko. It was simply too dangerous. And my risk-taking days were over. I was a Scribe now, no longer a Warrior. Stewart was deeply saddened. He felt that he was out of options and that Neko was doomed to her fate. I suggested he hire some mercenaries and told him where he could find some names. Despite Neko’s love for me, and my lingering love for her, I still could not go to Cos. I had a sense that I would never return from that island. I had to be realistic about my chances of successfully rescuing her. And they were very poor. And I had the love of Tiana as well. I did not want to surrender that love, dying on some perilous rescue mission. It would nearly be a year before I heard any more concerning Neko. Stewart hired a mercenary force to rescue Neko but he chose poorly. They took his money, fled to the Voltai and never went near Cos. Stewart tried again, this time choosing a more trustworthy mercenary band. They made a stealthy raid on Cos but they all ended up dead, killed by Cosian troops. Stewart tried one final time, hiring one of the best mercenary bands available. They succeeded and brought Neko back to Stewart. Neko had been enslaved, owned by a Player of Kaissa. She had begun receiving training as a Pleasure Slave. Stewart told her of my refusal to rescue her. Neko said nothing in reply though her eyes showed her pain. She never asked about me ever again. Stewart tried to free her but she refused. She had felt what it meant to be a slave and now desired to remain as such. She had found fulfillment within her bondage. After some discussion, Stewart accepted her wishes and kept her as his own. He sent her to a school to complete her training as a Pleasure Slave. Neko was an ardent student. And she became known as a fantastic dancer. And Stewart was a very, very happy man. As for me, I remained in Schendi as a Scribe, enjoying the pleasures of sweet Tiana. I never tried to contact Neko. There was no reason to do so. And so my saga now ends. There is no more to tell. I thank you for taking the time to partake of my life. I hope it has been of some interest to you. I wish you all well. And I hope all of you find love in your lives. Adamo Scribe of Schendi Owner of Tiana. A happy man. Ending Two With a heavy sigh I made my final decision. I would attempt it. I would journey to Cos and try to rescue Neko. I would risk everything for her. Stewart was ecstatic, his tears now of joy not sorrow. He offered me any monetary support I might need. He was wealthy and would give all of it away to have Neko back safe. I told him that I needed some time to devise a plan and that I would contact him later. I would likely need some money, at the very least to obtain passage on a ship to Cos. Stewart got a room at the same inn as I and told me he would wait patiently. Why? I kept asking myself that very question. Why? I delved into my soul and forced myself to be honest about my feelings, my thoughts. I needed to fully understand, to assess my motivations, to decipher the rationale behind this tremendous endeavor I faced. At its most basic denominator, its root cause, there was but a single word that explained all of it. Love. The love I felt for Neko was overwhelming, a deeper passion than I had ever felt before or ever felt since. She was that one woman who I felt truly belonged only to me. Yes, I loved Tiana. But it could not compare to my love for Neko. It was not a matter of free or slave. It was a matter of individuals. Free or slave, I would never love another as I loved Neko. Neko filled my heart, warming my blood, caressing my soul. It was a love that could not be denied. It was a love I would not permit to die. It was a love I was willing to die for. When I returned to my room, Tiana looked at me and she knew. I took her to the furs and we made love all night, and I turned my head aside when she tried to hide her silent tears. I spent the next two days in deep contemplation, trying to devise a plan to rescue Neko. It was difficult as I had so little information about her whereabouts. I knew I had to start with the Cosian pirate captain. He had captured Neko, he would know her fate. It was my best hope of locating her. I had Stewart hire a Merchant ship, buy some generic cargo and a handful of kajirae. I needed bait to attract the pirates. I left Stewart in charge of Tiana while I sailed on the Merchant ship, hoping to be attacked. We sailed back and forth over the waters where the pirates were known to frequent. And we waited. And three days later, the pirates came for us. The three pirate ships surrounded us and a group of Cosians went to board us. But I opposed them, standing alone with my gladius and shield. I told them I would surrender only to their Captain. They passed the word and the Captain did come forward, with his bowmen as well. It was the same man I had met before, the same scar. The same man I had intimidated before. And he recognized me. And in his eyes, I saw a tinge of fear. I told him I only sought a woman he had captured almost two Hands ago. I was willing to pay much money to have her back. The Captain told me he did not remember her. Any women he captured, he usually sold once he returned to port in Cos. He had not kept any women recently for himself as none had especially appealed to him. If I wanted her, I would have to go to Cos. So I asked him for passage upon his ship. And he laughed, thinking I must be mad. In the end, it was money that decided. The Captain cared not about me but he was willing to accept plenty of money to provide me passage. He also captured the cargo and slave girls as well. I did not dispute him in that regard. And then we sailed for Cos. I spent time speaking with the Captain, leaving politics out of the available topics. And we shared some wine, an excellent Ta wine. He was a good conversationalist. We eventually arrived at the port of Telnus, a well fortified area. The Captain moored his ships and then I disembarked, headed toward the slave markets. I spoke to a number of Slavers, providing a thorough description of Neko to them. And after six Ahn of questions, I found one who recognized her. After paying him for his time, he told me about her sale. Neko had been purchased by Kalax, a Player. Kalax lived in a small insula on the northern edge of Telnus. He was a brilliant Player, hoping to soon be awarded status as a Master Player. So I went to visit Kalax. When I neared his insula, I saw a man sitting outside, playing Kaissa against another man. Kneeling behind one of the men, likely Kalax, was Neko. She was garbed in a rep cloth tunic and had her head down. I stopped, trying to force my heart to stop racing. Could it be this easy to find her? I prayed that Kalax would be willing to sell her. I knew Kaissa Players often did not earn much money. I approached the two men and stood by quietly and watched the game. Interrupting them at this point would have angered them and been disrespectful. And with her head down, Neko did not know of my presence. 20 Ehn later, Kalax’s opponent conceded the match. He handed Kalax a few copper tarsks, thanked him and said his goodbyes. Kalax asked if I was here to play. He would give me odds of 40 to 1, let me take Yellow and would be willing to negotiate further terms. Yes, it seemed Kalax did not make much money if he was forced to play as such. I told him I was not there to play. I wished to discuss a business proposition. I wanted to purchase his slave. At the sound of my voice, Neko raised her head just enough so her eyes could peer at me. With my peripheral vision, I saw her smile and my heart started to race again. But, Kalax was unwilling to sell her. He was enjoying her far too much. But he was willing to play for her, but under different conditions. I knew I could not beat him in Kaissa. I was only an average Player. It would not matter my determination or motivation. He would still beat me. So I declined for myself. And a couple Ihn later, I said “But…” An idea had come to my mind. I believed I knew a way to defeat him at Kaissa. Much depended on the type of man he was and the extent of his loyalty to his Caste. A man seeking to become a Master Player had to be truly devoted to Kaissa. I asked him if he would allow my champion to play him for me. I told him I could have my champion available within one Ahn. I would also allow Kalax to have Yellow, letting him move first and thus gain the initial advantage. If my champion won, Kalax would give me Neko. If my champion lost, I would pay him 500 gold tarns. It was a deal he could not refuse. It was a deal he gleefully accepted, saying he would play any champion I found. Kalax really did not care if he won or lost. He thought that the game alone would be worth it, to match his skills against some other skilled Player, in a true test of skill. He tried to guess who I might obtain. He knew all the locals and knew he could beat any of them rather easily. And with only an Ahn to get my champion, that also limited who it could be. And Kalax knew that the famed Centius of Cos was off at a tournament in Thentis. I had correctly assessed Kalax. He was loyal to his Caste and the honor of the Game meant everything to him. And I would test that Honor. I told Kalax to set up the board. He began to do so when he realized that I was not leaving. He then asked how I would contact my champion. I grinned and said my champion was already available. Kalax looked around and saw a few people though they were all people he knew. Local business men. And none of them were Kaissa experts. Kalax shrugged and finished setting up the board. He then asked me the name of my champion. He was now very curious, and slightly worried. Somehow, things did not seem right to him. I pointed toward Neko. “She is my champion.” Neko did not even know how to play Kaissa. Kalax looked at me confused. “But she is a woman and a slave. Neither can play Kaissa.” He said. I replied, “You stated I could choose anyone as my champion. And I did. You placed no limits on my choice. You must play her or forfeit the match. And if you forfeit, I win the wager.” Anger flared in Kalax’s eyes when he realized he had been tricked. Tricked and defeated. For a slave, especially a female slave, to play Kaissa would be an insult to the Game. A slave was not even permitted to touch the pieces, let alone play. No proper Player, loyal to his Caste, would permit such an insult to occur. If Kalax allowed Neko to play, and others learned of it, he might be ousted from his Caste. And Kalax would not want that. Kalax would have to forfeit the game. And he did so. Begrudgingly, but he did so. He unlocked Neko’s collar and handed her over to me. I was so very happy as was Neko. I thanked Kalax and quickly departed, not wanting to anger Kalax any further. Now, all we needed to do was to escape from Cos, find a ship willing to transport us away. And somehow, everything worked out well. We booked passage on a Tabor ship and left Cos. My mission had been far less dangerous than I could have hoped for. Maybe my life had been filled with more than its fair share of perils. Maybe the Priest-Kings were willing to let me pass by this one without great risk, without a duel. And once on Tabor, we took passage on another ship headed to Schendi. And I returned home. I did not free Neko and she did not ask for her freedom. Maybe it was time for her to wear my steel, to taste life as my possession. She did not seem opposed to the idea. And we spent most of our time aboard ship talking, discussing our situation, Stewart, Tiana, and our love. We shared tears and smiles, embraces and kisses. And we reacquainted ourselves with our love for each other. At a bottom line, we truly loved each other. The bonds of our love were stronger than any Koroban steel. The bonds could not be shattered by any circumstance. We belonged together, forever. Once enslaved, Neko’s Free Companionship had ended. And she did not wish to be free again. We wanted to remain as my slave. She wished to belong fully only to me. And I would keep her as such. When we returned to Schendi, Stewart was so pleased to see that Neko was alive. They talked together for awhile. When they finished, Stewart thanked me and walked away. He would return home. He wished us both the best of luck. I then told Tiana about what happened. And I saw the sadness in her eyes as she surmised that she would soon be sold. But that was not to be the case. I would keep her as there was no reason to sell her. She was a superb slave. And Neko was aware that I would be keeping Tiana. Neko had never had a problem with my slave ownership before. That made Tiana very pleased. And so my saga now ends. There is no more to tell. Everything ended happily and that is the way it shall remain. I thank you for taking the time to partake of my life. I hope it has been of some interest to you. I wish you all well. And I hope all of you find love in your lives. Adamo Scribe of Schendi Owner of Neko and Tiana. A very, very happy man.