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I wasn't sent back to the Keepers the next day or the day after. My owners barely allowed me out of

bed. Healers came to see me and marveled over my leg. Living through the attack of a fleint was

quite a feat. They congratulated my owners on my continued survival.

As the swelling went down and the chewed on look got better the leg took on an exotic

appearance. The marks started on the bottom of my foot and ran to just under my knee. Two

parallel lines of deep black ran around my leg about 5 inches apart. Between them was an intricate

swirling of lines and circles. Just under my knee it looked like the head of a snake, as the parallel

lines got wider and semicircular.

I had my own group of Keepers that watched me during the day. They barely let me turn over on

the bed by myself. One of them watched me at all times. If I slept one of them would sit by the bed

and stare at me. It was like they expected me to jump out the window if I got a chance.

The second day the Keepers closed the leather door to the bedroom and I heard knocking around

in the main room. They wouldn't tell me what was going on out there. I peaked out after they

opened it back up. We must be expecting company, there were more chairs and the table was

expanded.

My owners arrived home early that night. They didn't go to the bathhouse, but instead showered in

their quarters. They washed me head to toe. My leg had mostly stopped hurting, so I didn't fuss

when they washed that.

They dressed themselves in crisp linen shirts and new looking leather pants. I even noticed Master

Christof shined his shoes. Stupid me, I should have known who was coming.

The General and his brothers arrived at dinner time. After the food was delivered and set up on the

table, Master Damien carried me out of the bedroom. He laid me on a floating pad in the middle of

the main room. If I hadn't been so terrified of the General I might have been curious what held it up.

The General and his brothers were fascinated by my new markings. They touched all over my leg

and explored it. The General even licked it. I would have thought that was odd, but Master Evan

probably would have done the same thing. Eventually they were satisfied they had explored it

enough.

"I wish to feed it," the General said.

My owners didn't hesitate and helped me off the floating table. I knelt obediently next to the

General. He and his brother fed me thorough out the meal. I didn't play any games. I would have

tried to eat the plate if he gave it to me.

After dinner the men retired to the lower sitting area. Master Christof pulled me to stand, which was

good because I needed the help. My leg was starting to ache. I didn't know how much longer I

could kneel on it. Limping slightly, I walked with him into the sitting room. Thankfully, he pulled me

to sit on his lap.

"Your bond is repaired, I see," the General stated.

Master Damien told him it was.

"The slave was of use then?" the General's brother asked watching me.

My owners all agreed I had been helpful.

"The Administrators are pleased," the General said and then asked. "What do you plan to do about

the slave's escape attempt?”

Surprised, I looked up. I wasn't trying to escape. With wide eyes I looked at Master Damien and

shook my head. A hard look from him made the comment die in my throat.

"We will take it to the village,” he said decisively.

I'd been to the village. It didn't seem that bad. I knew they wouldn't let the shopkeepers touch me,

so I wasn't that worried.

I should have known something horrible was going to happen. I might have prepared myself for it,

but I wasn't thinking. When they didn't put the plug in the next morning, I was glad they forgot.

They didn't dress me, but I didn't let it bother me. We got on a transport like every other morning

but it went the wrong way. All of this should have alerted me. I might have had the chance to beg

them, but I didn't.

We went toward the mountains. I watched as mile after mile of dry rough countryside passed

underneath us. I just considered the beautiful scenery and didn't wonder why we were going this

way.

After a long while a building broke the horizon, it was surrounded by the crumbling remains of a

town. We drifted to a stop in front of the building. Like lightening, my collar and cuffs were off me

and Master Damien pushed me from the transport pad. I stumbled down and turned to look at him.

The transport raised in the air so it hovered just outside of my reach.

"You wished to be free, so here you are,” Master Evan smirked at me.

"No collar to indicate you are owned, no owners to feed or bathe you,” Master Damien continued.

"Please, no," I said looking around.

The area looked deserted. If they left me here I would die.

"You may explore all you wish,” Master Bane said in a hard voice.

"Careful of the Warriors that patrol the area,” Master Kein warned. "You are nothing to them, just a

tool to use and discard."

I paled and reached for them. They couldn't be leaving me to the others.

"Perhaps if you are good enough one of them may choose to put their symbol on you," Master

Damien sighed, "but I doubt it. They have no reason to take home and be burdened with what they

can freely use here.”

I screamed for them as the pad lifted off and they left. Dropping to my knees on the dusty ground I

cried like a baby. I couldn't figure out why they would go to all the trouble to save me just to kill me

themselves.