NOTE: This story is based on the John Norman Chronicles of Gor series of novels. (As always, copyrights are the property of the copyright-holder(s).) Translations for Gorean words (those whose meaning cannot be determined by context) can be found at a number of websites. And for those Gor fans who quibble with details or believe this goes too far afield of the Chronicles of Counter-Earth, remember ... this is fiction.
*
Marius awoke alone. Tarana, who had been draped over his body as he fell asleep, had left sometime before he awakened.
He got off the floor and stood, stretching his muscles to see what still hurt after the previous day's adventures. He felt stiff and sticky and dirty and hungry but otherwise uninjured. He was still naked but unbound.
He decided his quest for information needed to include seeing what was in the compound, including possibly a way out. He was unconcerned about encountering Trask. He was more concerned about encountering Qamar, but at least he would know what Trask was expecting from him. To knock down walls requires knowing where the walls are first.
Walking outside, he saw that the compound had a pool, which at the moment was unoccupied. He decided to see how far he could push his captor by diving in without permission.
The water felt cool on his body, a relief from all the sweating he had done over the previous day, by choice or not. He swam down to the bottom and back up four times, trying to see how long he could hold his breath.
After his head broke the surface of the water, he heard, "I see you still take chances for a kajirus." It was Trask.
"I see you still can't get my name right," replied Marius, slightly winded.
Trask smiled. "And how are you feeling this morning?"
"Sore," admitted Marius.
"Not used to being a kajira?" asked Trask, emphasizing the last syllable to remind Marius of his submissive role at the hands of Trask and Qamar.
"The accommodations left something to be desired," replied Marius. "And I don't know how the food is, since I haven't had any."
"Perhaps we can do something about that," answered Trask. "If I may say so, your ass is just divine."
"Have you ever thought what would happen if your clients found out about your ... tastes?" retorted Marius. "I don't believe they sit for that here."
Officially the penalty for man-on-man sex was anal impalement. The penalty, however, appeared to have been conveniently enforced, based on the records Marius had seen — as if the city or the Initiates assessed the capital punishment on men either wanted eliminated for unrelated reasons.
"Not only are you a magnificent specimen, you are fascinating," said Trask, elegantly squatting down on the pool deck opposite where Marius floated in the water. Trask wore a green tunic similar to his tunic of the previous day. "Here you are, stripped in every sense, alone in every sense, and yet you still play these games of resistance."
"You have an interesting definition of 'game,'" said Marius. His naked body distorted by the water, Marius thought he saw Trask looking between Marius' legs.
"Yes, well, perhaps you would like a little more time with Qamar," said Trask. "You seemed to enjoy him yesterday. I know he enjoyed you."
Trask stood up. "As a matter of fact, I am hosting a gathering later today. And the two of you are the main entertainment."
"I think I'll decline," said Marius. "You have kajirae. Let Qamar entertain them."
"But my guests have never seen anything like you will provide them," Trask countered. "As a physician, I must say the two of you are unparalleled. Statues should be cast from your bodies. And to offer yourself ... or to be taken like a she-sleen in heat ... I would not be surprised if our audience climaxes at the very sight of your ravishing each other."
"You do what you want with Qamar," said Marius. "I am not a kajirus."
