Chapter 2


	The new slaves were soaked as they finally reached the Employment Hall. It was located on the outskirts of Norvo City. The building from the outside was nothing less than massive, like a castle, but lacking a moat or surrounding wall to protect it. The flags fluttering in the stormy winds had a yellow border and black in the middle with a design of red 'X' in the middle and a red diamond over above, below, and to either side of it.

	As one of the slavers, a wolf with ratty black hair and aged plate mail armor from his neck down, approached the front gate he took the horn at his side and blew into it. The sound was like that of an elephant's cry. He blew on it till he emptied his lungs of air then pulled it from his maw as he breathed deeply to refill them. Seconds later, the metal gate shook and started to rise for them to enter.

	"Start bringing the livestock in," the wolf ordered and the other slavers complied unlocking the frontmost wagon and leading those slaves in first. They hustled to get inside only to get their waterlogged bodies out of the rain. When it was finally time for the wagon Drag was on to go, they hurried in too. The inside was much warmer, live by fire stones placed on slots in the wall. The slaves gathered close to them to warm their bodies. The boar and fox went to join them along with the three other members of their wagon. Drag stayed near the entrance taking the chance to shake himself dry, the water and mud soaking his body flinging in every direction.

	"Bastard!" scowl a large grizzly that stood by the crank for the gate. He was dressed in a red leather uniform with golden buttons. It had the same mark that the flags had on them seared onto the breast of the outfit. He glared down at the mud that had splattered on it and grabbed his whip. "So we have someone who needs discipline already! Fine! Come take fifty lashings!"

	Fearfully, Drag attempted to run, but the chains still on his arms activated and drained his strength away. He fell to his knees barely managing to look up as the bear loomed over him.

	"Wait now," called the wolf. "You know the rules, we are to avoid any injuries to the slaves. You know how upset the slave master gets when we do things to hurt his profits."

	"He got me dirty!" the bear snarled. "We have to show these slaves their place. Any leniency will only encourage them to defy us."

	"Listen," the wolf whispered. "If it was any of the others I wouldn’t give a crap. Hell, I'd join you just for the fun of it, but this one’s bound to be worth a lot. Maybe more than all the others here combined. The slave master will definitely take notice if he is needlessly roughed up. Besides, this little lamb, he will be submitted to plenty worse than either of us can do before long."

	"You think he will be used for the Familiar Program?" asked the bear with a curious grin.

	"I got a good feeling about this one," he answered. "And the commission I get from him will be huge too. I’ll treat you to all the booze you can drink at the pub once I get paid."

	"Heh, now that's what I like to hear!" declared the grizzly with far higher spirits. "Been too long since I drank myself silly."

	"You get going now," ordered the wolf to Drag. "I did it to get all the money I can get from a fat little lamb chop like you."

	"You were the wolf from the tavern," Drag recalled.

	"Honestly, I was thinking of fucking your ass before bringing you to the wagons," he stated with a horny look in his eyes. "I am still yearning for it. You were so adorable and innocent-looking." Gently he placed his paw against Drag's fat belly. The scent of wolf musk and pre was strongly emanating from his crotch and Drag could see a very big bulge form there too. "And so soft. It was so tempting that I almost gave in to my baser instincts, but my friend talked me out of it. Still, I might just be tempted to plow your ass right here and now!"

	"No!" cried Drag, his strength drained away before he could even move and was left helpless again, but the wolf merely burst into laughter.

	"Ever so tempting, but I will decline," he told Drag lifting him up carefully by his tail. "I'll just keep that look in your face in my head and relieve my lust in the bathroom later. But for now, how about a private audience with the slave master. I’m sure he’ll be happy to see you too."

	The other slaves watched as Drag was carried off, but none made a move to help him. They remained silent and still till the wolf turned a corner and vanished from sight.

	"Poor kid," whispered the fox that had traveled with him. "Isn't even granted the mercy to endure this place with the rest of us."

	Turning down a few corridors, the hall appeared more like a labyrinth. The numerous hallways always split into four-way intersections every fifty meters leaving perfectly square sections with a heavy metal door each ten meters apart from one another. They halls were all lit by fire stone and tapestries colored the same as the flags and with the same design on them were hung over each door. The scent of the burning fire stone embers was the strongest scent in the corridors, but Drag could still smell the lustful scents of the wolf. Far fainter, Drag could make out scents by some of the doors. He could smell the scent of seed, blood, and odors that would have made him retch if they hadn't been so faint.

	Turning another corner, they came to a staircase leading down to an underground level. They descended down to the lower level, everything no different from the floor above. Once again the wolf carried Drag down one hall followed by another and another. Looking around, Drag became completely lost, his sense of direction lost against the countless identical halls. He observed the wolf as he continued to proceed, never pausing his pace to consider which way to go.

	The wolf turned his head to Drag noticing him watching him. "Feeling lost, my little lamb?" he asked. "Well, it is no surprise. This place was designed to prevent slaves from escaping. The number of floors are so vast and the repeating layouts easily make one lose all sense of direction. There are no windows either so before long you will lose all concept of time too."

	"Then how do you know where to go?" asked Drag. "You've been walking like you have the entire layout memorized, but even if you did, you don't hesitate like you know you won't make a wrong turn and get lost."

	"Hmm," he said scratching his chin. "You are smarter than you let on. Indeed, I rarely ever come in here after delivering some livestock. You are one of those special exceptions. I would get as lost as anyone, but I’ve been enchanted with to be able to visualize the layout of the Employment Hall every time I set foot inside. I can navigate to where I need to go with ease and I can tell where everyone is who is inside the building. As a result I can get around here with complete ease whereas a slave could get lost and wander around until they die. I wonder how many have perished attempting to escape."

	"Y-you wouldn't just let your slaves die of thirst in starvation in here, would you?" asked Drag shuddering at the thought.

	"Why not? It is an effective way to teach the our livestock to not stray from their shepherd. In fact, how about a little story? We still have a bit more walking to go, but there is no need to be so hasty. There is nowhere else you need to be after all."

	Lowering Drag, the fox allowed Drag to walk on his own and even undid the lock on the cuffs around his wrists. Nervously, Drag placed a foot on the ground as if testing to see if it was hot. The wolf stifled a chuckle and continued to watch with amusement. Once Drag on the ground he stretched a little and rubs his wrists around where the cuffs had been discomforting. The fatigue that they caused him vanished Almost instantly and the weary expression faded as well. Staying a couple steps from the wolf, Drag looked up at him and told him. "Ok, I am ready."

	"Didn't even try to run," said the wolf sounding impressed. "Most slaves try and escape the second they feel their leash slacken." Gently rubbing Drag's head he grinned a bit seeing Drag's tail wag a bit. "But you are quite a well-behaved, intelligent lamb."

	"There is no sense in running when I can't escape," replied Drag. "It'd just be a waste of time and energy."

	"Exactly right," agreed the wolf placing a paw on Drag's chest and felt the thumping of his heartbeat. "So terrified, but still able to think be so rational. Now follow me and I'll tell you the story." Walking forward, Drag followed behind him. The wolf gave Drag one glance behind him then remained facing forward as he told Drag the story. "There was once this noble, probably one of the wealthiest in all of Zalbad. He lived with luxuries few could even dream of including plenty of slaves to do all he wouldn’t do himself. It seemed like a life of luxury that would never end, but one day, it all crumbled away. I don’t remember if his entire inventory of goods went up in flames due to arson or if he was destroyed when a conspiracy he was a part of ruined his life. Either way, he lost everything. Full of desperation, he came here to speak with the slave master. It was thanks in part to the noble’s repeated business that the slave master possessed such a great wealth and the two had developed a good relationship  he hurried right over to the Employment Hall and asked to have an audience with him. The guard at the front gate went to deliver the message and returned a short while later to invite the former noble in. He met with the slave master and they greeted one another just as they always had. He then pled his case and the slave master listened intently, not speaking a word. Once finished, he awaited for an answered and received a simple, but devastating 'no.' When the noble asked why the slave master told him that if he was no longer able to be a customer for him, he could be merchandise. That struck the former noble to his core and before he realized it he was dragged away. Over the next few days he refused any and all cooperation no matter what was done to him. Despite living in such comfort he was surprisingly resilient. Finally, the slave master made a deal with him. If he could leave the Employment Hall he could be free once again and he would even restore his fortune. Naturally, he agreed and began his search for the way out. Time passed and hunger and thirst began to get to him, but nobody he met would so much as acknowledge him. More time passed and his hunger and thirst grew worse. He was willing to plead for help, but all of a sudden he could not find a single soul. He was alone and hopelessly lost. Finally, exhausted, famished, and broken, the slave master found him. He asked the pitiful creature if he still wanted his freedom and he answered 'no.' After that he never refused again to submit again. He was more than willing to do all that was asked of him and more. He went on to be a very profitable sale to another noble."

	"An interesting story," commented Drag. "But is there a point to it?"

	"How long do you think he was lost in this labyrinth?" asked the wolf.

	"A week, maybe two?" Suggested Drag.

	"Not even half a day," answered the wolf. "He lost his sense of time and all alone it must have felt like days were passing by instead of minutes. His own mind destroyed itself and he broke himself. So keep that in mind during your stay here. No matter how hard one tries to resist, they will be broken. If you remain obedient you might be able to get through with little trouble. That is normally the truth, but not for you."

	"Wh-what do you mean?" asked Drag his heart beat increasing and thumping loud enough for the wicked wolf to hear.

	"Because what will happen to you is not going to be something that you can simply give in to. You can surrender your body and bend to their will, but can you forfeit your soul?"

	"My soul!?!" cried Drag trembling. "Why? What is going to happen?"

	"Something terrible," he snickered. "I don't know what exactly the slave master does with his personal training, but it is more terrible than anything else you could experience here." He had stopped at one of the heavy metal doors and banged on it. "Slave Master Falice, it is Slaver Owen. I have a special delivery for you today." Looking down at Drag, his frightened little lamb, he petted his head one last time and walked away. "Good luck... my little lamb."
Drag trembled too frightened to move. By the time he regained some courage to do so, the wolf Owen was gone. Sniffing the air, the only thing he could smell was the burning embers of the fire stones on the wall. "So that's why they use fire stones," said Drag. "I can't find my way by scent."

	"What is the hold up?" hissed a voice from behind the door. "If someone is there, come on in. The fun cannot begin if you do not."

	"I have no choice at all," gulped Drag gripping the door handle and pulling the door open. Inside he saw the Slave Master Falice.