Jaina felt bad for the nervous elf as Roric led them naked through town on his leash. She knew there were people here who had a grudge against Evalynn, and they would love to see her collared like this. No doubt, some of them took advantage of the dance a night ago and worked out some of that anger on her body. It was such a shame that so beautiful an elf maiden found it hard to find love. She was absolutely gorgeous, with her delicate features and long golden hair. She had an innocent youthfulness to her face and knock-out curves that made you want to grab hold of those hips.
The poor woman wasn't being protected by one of Jaina's soothes or swimming in the high seas of arousal. Roric didn't want Jaina helping her avoid the lessons by stripping away the fear. He wanted Evalynn to become comfortable on her own with nothing but the collar to shield her. She was acutely aware that she was naked in public, and people were appreciating the sight. Jaina wasn't absolutely comfortable with it yet either, but knowing that it made Roric happy helped ease her through the doubt. She held Evalynn's hand the whole time and encouraged her to enjoy the tension as people looked at her body.
Roric took them to the shop where he got the first collar and ordered a second one for Evalynn. He then took them into the market to a shop he saw when he picked up the picnic treats. It was a store that sold magic items and was full of shelves lined with objects of every description. One wall was a massive cabinet full of colored bottles, some of which glowed. Some objects were spinning, bubbling, or just giving off a strange smoke adding to an air of mystery.
The woman behind the counter gawked when two naked women came in. She was a thin slip of a woman whose race appeared to be some kind of short elf. She wore a fancy blue robe and a wide-brimmed hat with a small round clock on the front.
"Can I help you?" the woman called and came running. "Maybe a magic robe or dress?"
"The girls are fine," Roric said as he looked about the shop. The woman took a closer look at the two girls, noting the collar and leash.
"Oh, you poor things," she said and gave Roric a frown he wholly ignored. When he went to move about the shop, she darted into his path and asked if there was anything specific he wanted.
"I have some money to spend," Roric replied as he picked up an odd metal box. "I was looking for something that made travel easier for the girls."
"Why don't you try some clothes and maybe boots?" the woman said.
Roric gave her a glance as she held her ground, then set the box aside and went to pick up a strange wand with a chicken head carved at one end.
"Perhaps something to help carry equipment?" Roric asked with a raised brow.
"I have a few bags of deep pockets and a pack of a hundred spaces," the woman replied with an annoyed tone.
"Hmm," Roric said as he poked about and picked up a small glass object shaped like an acorn. "What is this?"
"A seed of translucence," she replied. "You throw it at a forest, and you can see through the trees."
"Ha," Jaina laughed, causing the woman to turn to her.
"Aren't you upset that he's parading you around like this?" the woman asked.
"Why should I be?" Jaina asked. "I love to obey my master, and he likes his pets to be naked."
"And what about you?" the woman asked as he turned on Evalynn.
Evalynn blushed and looked nervous, but she also said she wanted to please her master. The woman looked frustrated and turned back to Roric as he looked through a table of bags for the ones of deep pockets.
"It's the purple ones," the woman cried as Roric picked up one with a funny green rope tying it.
"What is this one?" he asked.
"A collapsible shelter," she replied with hands-on-hips.
"A what?" Roric asked and held up the hat-sized bag to look more closely. "What does it do?
"It folds out into a big tent," the woman said and plucked it from his hand. "You can fold it back into a bag and take it with you to use anywhere it's needed."
"How big a tent is it?" Roric asked as he eyed the bag.
"Too big for the likes of you," the woman said. "Something like this has a pretty high price tag."
"How high?" he demanded as he folded his arms.
"Six hundred gold," the woman snapped and waved the bag at him. "I doubt you would have that much in a year."
Jaina and Evalynn started to giggle as Roric took the comments stoically and asked her how big the tent was again.
"I will not waste my time telling you all about things you can't afford," the woman replied.
"Excuse me, miss," Jaina said to get her attention. "You may want to start explaining because Roric could easily afford two."
The woman looked shocked as Roric picked up one of the purple bags and tossed it at her.
"I want that too," he said and looked around a bit more.
"How could you have so much money at your level?" the woman said in disbelief, then took a second look at the two women. "Wait a minute. Are you the girls who have been dancing in that inn?"
"That's us," Jaina said with a smile as Evalynn blushed even more.
"You mean to tell me he exploits you?" the woman gasped.
"Now, you hold on," Jaina snapped. "I came into this world specifically to be his pet. I wanted him to take me to places I was afraid to go, and I encouraged him at every step. Roric hasn't done anything but try to help me achieve my fantasies."
"You actually wanted this life?" the woman said in surprise and looked at Evalynn.
"I want him to keep me," Evalynn said. "I may not be as eager to push my limits as Jaina, but I know Roric will do his best to be good to us."
"Are you done being judgmental?" Roric asked.
"Fine!" the woman cried. "That will be eight hundred gold."
"I am going to have to work extra hard to make that up," Jaina whispered to Evalynn as the woman giggled.
Roric refused to pay her until she explained the use of the tent. It was a simple process where you placed the bag on the ground and pulled the cord. As you pulled, the cord would get longer and longer as the tent folded out of the bag. Next, you tied off the rope-like any tent rope, and could use the tent. You untied the rope and let go when you wanted it to fold back up. It would all collapse back down on its own, returning to a simple bag. It had the added bonus that any items put inside the tent would fold up with it and be inside the bag. The next time it was unfolded, the items would be exactly where they were left.
Roric didn't carry eight hundred gold on him, so he bought the bag of deep pouches and went back to the inn. He stuffed the magic bag with the gold he needed and went back to buy the tent. Now with both items in hand, he began to peruse weapon shops looking for a new spear.
"Are you looking for a decent weapon?" Evalynn asked when she noticed him pick up his tenth spear.
"I am still using the starter one," Roric admitted. "I think it's time for an upgrade."
"I know where you can get a good weapon," Evalynn said and pointed down the street. "There is a road that leads out of town and a big farm to one side. There is a blacksmith named Eric who specializes in pole weapons. That's where I got my magic glaive."
Roric put the weapon back and asked Evalynn to lead the way. Jaina was proud of Evalynn, who was trying so hard not to notice the constant looks and even a few pointed fingers. She walked with purpose, eager to get out of town but slowed an hour later as the farm came into view.
"Is something wrong?" Jaina asked as they arrived at the road that would take them to the farm.
"I am known by people here," Evalynn said nervously. "I feel embarrassed to let them see me naked."
Jaina nodded and stopped her on the road. She understood that it was one thing to go naked before people who didn't know who you were. But once people with history were involved, things got complicated. Roric waited patiently as Jaina explained that she should try to think of it as a badge of honor. She was showing her friends how happy she was that she had a new master.
"I wouldn't exactly call them my friends," Evalynn said and looked around. "The blacksmith has been rather lewd to me in the past. He always looks at me with a sick hunger."
"Oh," Jaina said and looked at Roric. "She doesn't want to put herself in harm's way."
"You know theirs a very good chance he was at the inn when she was dancing," Roric said. "He might even have paid for a turn."
Evalynn started to breathe heavily as she considered that possibility. Roric came to her side and pulled her into a warm embrace, cradling her head as he whispered.
"I won't make you do this," he said softly. "But if you can bring yourself to do it, you won't ever be afraid of it again."