On awakening, I found myself to be stiff and aching from my uncomfortable position, tied as I was to the bars of the cage.
Thankfully, at least, it seemed that the virtually uncontrollable desires that had assailed my body subsequent to my ingestion of the slice of slave-biscuit had predominantly diminished.
I reflected upon the events of the previous evening, and the manner in which I had conducted myself.
I moaned with shame and apprehension.
My plight was exacerbated, of course, by the regrettable circumstance that no-one but myself knew that I had purportedly consumed enough slave-biscuit to last all of the slavegirls in the tavern for a week. As far as any neutral eyewitness could ascertain, I had simply behaved in a mien befitting a wanton slut. The sort of girl who squirmed and juiced at the slightest provocation, even whilst ostensibly undergoing punishment.
I knew, at least, that I was not that sort of girl.
But I also knew, now, that it might be difficult for me to convince others of that assertion. In fact, it would seem, that the only course by which I might do so would be to admit that I were a thief.
Such an averment would, of course, bring its own perils.
I mused what might be considered appropriate redress in this milieu for a slavegirl admitting theft. On my own planet, I knew, some cultures penalised theft with mutilation, such as the loss of a hand. My offence had not been great, that of a single slice of slave-biscuit, together with some associated crumbs, but I did not know the monetary value of such a commodity. Besides, as I had been informed on several occasions, one such as I might be cut up into animal feed due to even slight infractions such as that of being unpleasing.
Indeed, for a previous offence of allowing a customer to go to sleep whilst I was servicing him, I had been deprived of food, clothing, and shelter for an indefinite period, and, in addition, had had a public spanking administered to me. I quivered at the memory. To my own surprise, I found myself feeling rather 'hot and bothered' by the mere recall of being stretched over my Mistress' lap. I recalled her paddle bringing painful retribution on my vulnerable, upturned ass in front of the assembled, jeering, patrons and slaves of The Juicy Pudding tavern.
I moaned softly, trying to put such thoughts from myself.
They were, no doubt, the last remnants of the effects of the slave-biscuit.
Behind me I could hear the snuffling of Heracles as he rooted about in his trough. I recalled that I had been tied in place against the bars so that I not be tempted to intrude upon his beauty sleep. Had my condition been thought sufficiently depraved to have rendered such a precaution necessary?
At least, it would seem, that contrary to the prognostications of Lady Draca, my Mistress, I had retained my sanity. Indeed it seemed that the effects of the slave-biscuit had largely subsided, except, perhaps, for a faint gnawing of shame and embarrassment in the pit of my stomach, and the perverse sensations when I recalled my public punishment.
I leant my head against the bars and sobbed a little at my imbroglio. I was not particularly hungry at that moment, but felt terribly thirsty. I saw Tuka coming across the yard.,towards the cage that I shared with Heracles.
"Greetings, Tuka" I said, softly.
She smiled, not unkindly.
"You are still to call me Mistress, I think," she said.
"Yes, Mistress," I replied, "Please forgive me, Mistress. Greetings, Mistress."
"Greetings, Suckslut" she answered, pleasantly, "And how are you this morning?"
"Well, enough, Mistress," I said. I felt myself blush a little. There had been a certain element of insinuation in her question.
"You have made Tela cross," she said.
I felt frightened at this disclosure. I looked at her quizzically.
"She was telling the whole slave-kennel that you are a total slut. She said that you distracted her patrons while she was performing."
I felt tears prick my eyes.
"She has always hated me, Mistress" I said, "Since I first came here."
Tuka laughed.
"She hates everyone to some extent," she said, "She is a bitch. But yes, you, most of all, now, I think."
I looked up from my tethered position, tears in my eyes.
"But why, Mistress?" I begged, "I have done nothing to hurt her."
Tuka smiled. How beautiful she was, I thought.
"Do you not know?" she asked.
"No," I added. Beautiful, yes, but there was also a hint of spitefulness about her, whether purposed or accidental. She enjoyed, for example, teasing and withholding information. That I could see. In time, I would find that this was true of many or even most slavegirls. Our rivalries might seem petty to Masters, but they are there, nonetheless, never far from the surface.
Tuka went on, "It is because you are a barbarian. It was a barbarian horde that pillaged Tela's village, captured her and sold her into slavery. She used to be free."
"Oh," I said, "I see."
"It was two years ago," said Tuka. She named then Tela's village, which I, of course, had never heard of.
"Were you involved in the attack?" she asked, her beautiful eyes questioning..
I smiled. Beautiful, perhaps, but also rather simple and naive.
"Of course not, Mistress, " I answered, offended, "I am not that sort of barbarian."
"What do you mean?" asked Tuka, her brow furrowed a little.
"I was not involved in pillaging and so on. I am from earth."
Tuka looked at me patiently.
"A barbarian is a barbarian," she said, "All of you are ignorant and uncivilised. It does not really matter whereabouts in the wastelands you come from."
She smiled at me, patronisingly, as if explaining a simple truth to a child.
I felt a pang of further realisation as to my status on this world. As far as Tuka, and, presumably the other Goreans were concerned, I was not a sophisticated girl from a superior planet brought low by slavery, but essentially a savage, of the type that pillaged villages.
"Do you think that I am ignorant and uncivilised, Mistress?" I asked, trying to keep my voice calm.
"You were uncivilised last night," grinned Tuka, "At least that is what Tela said in the slave kennels"
I felt myself blush and looked away biting my lip. I wanted to explain to Tuka about the slave- biscuit, but knew, instinctively, that I could not trust her with such a confidence. I suspect that once Tuka knew, it would be all over the slave-kennels immediately.
"Please tell Tela that I mean her no harm, Mistress, " I said, "and that I was not involved in the attack on her village."
The beautiful blonde nodded, and gave me her kind smile.
"I might do, Suckslut," she said, "But watch out for her all the same."
