Dinae awoke after the first night in Zar'ahk's home, realizing she'd slept better than she had in several nights. That brought with it a sense of guilt. She was worried about Aasha and Tessyn. How were they faring with their new masters? How quickly would Zar be able to free them, if ever? What cruel twist of the Gods put her in a warm bed while the others suffered?
Lying in the warm furs, staring at the ceiling, she felt Duuhra stir in the bed. Zar was still softly snoring when her mistress got up.
"Time to rise, Pet," Duuhra nudged Dinae's rump. "Zar will have a busy day and he will be hungry when he wakes."
Dinae crawled out of the bed and stood near the foot of it while Duuhra wrapped a loose skirt around her waist. The elf stood there, feeling small and vulnerable again in the presence of the large orc woman. Even when Duuhra turned to her, breasts still bare, and led her to the ladder Dinae felt awkward in her nakedness. She wanted to ask again about clothing, but Zar's comment kept her quiet. She would have to be patient, and trust Zar'ahk. And trust Duuhra.
So far, her new mistress had not harmed her, and even treated her kindly enough. She watched Duuhra as they crossed the home to the kitchen area. While similar to Zar in imposing size, the woman was much narrower in the waist and wider in the hips like an elf woman would be. She was broader of shoulder than any elf, but not as much as Zar. Her back was a network of thick muscles that flexed and shifted as she moved. Her ass and thighs were also thickly muscled, and often on display through the slits in the sides of her skirt. Dinae had to admit, Duuhra was quite attractive and many of the same aspects which drew her to Zar, also drew her to his mate.
Duuhra showed her what to do in the kitchen to get breakfast ready for the house. There were few words exchanged, except to make it clear that it would soon be Dinae's responsibility to handle it on her own. When Zar came down, they had the food ready, and again Dinae ate with them as if she were their guest. She began to understand that, at least with Zar and his mate, her servitude was not going to be exactly the way she expected. At least in their home. She wasn't sure if other orcs treated their slaves the same way.
"I'll go to the smith when I'm done here, but I'll have to report to the chief and the elders before I come back," Zar said.
"Take your time," Duuhra said. "I am going to take our pet down to the pits for a good scrubbing. I suspect she will need to build up her strength to be of use to me there."
Zar grunted and nodded. Dinae looked at both of them in turn but realized no further explanation was coming. What were the pits? She was nervous again, uncertain, and she didn't like that feeling. Had she started trusting Duuhra too soon? Dinae had heard of fighting pits, where slaves and animals often battled to the death. Was that where she was being taken? She was no warrior. If they sent her to the fighting pits, she wouldn't last long at all.
They finished breakfast and Zar left them to complete his tasks. Dinae cleaned up the kitchen while Duuhra disappeared up the ladder. The elf cleaned the crude utensils and dishes that made up the orc's dinnerware. She put the extra food away and tidied up the small cooking area before Duuhra came down dressed and ready to leave.
"Come here, pet," Duuhra pointed to the floor in front of her.
Dinae obeyed, now more nervous than ever. She felt like the next few moments would decide the rest of her life, however short that might be. She stood in front of her mistress, looking at the floor between them when she felt the orc woman's large hand lift her chin.
"You will walk close, on my left. No more than two steps behind," Duuhra said. "Until you are marked, this will show you belong to me."
Dinae nodded her understanding.
"No one may touch you. Speak to no one, look only at me," her mistress told her.
"Yes, mistress."
Duuhra nodded her satisfaction and led her out of the house and into the street. The orc town was bustling with activity, but Dinae kept her eyes focused on the orc woman's left shoulder. She couldn't help but notice the activity around her though. Orcs of all shapes and description went about various activities all around. Workers repairing, or building dwellings. Craftsmen making armor or weapons, and all manner of tools and household items. They passed a butcher plying his trade in an open fronted store. Among the orcs walked people from other lands. Some seemed to be free people, merchants and tradesmen from other places. Most were not. She began to realize they all shared something in common. Whether human or elf, dwarf or goblin, they were all topless and wore an elaborate harness. She wasn't close enough to see it in full detail, but it seemed to be made up of a collar and several chains as well as a leash of sorts. She was relieved to notice they all wore a type of loose skirt, much like Duuhra had worn that morning. Two long strips of fabric hanging from a belt that formed a shirt of about knee length that was split up the sides. That must have been what Zar meant by the clothing she would get. She also noticed, there seemed to be as many slaves as orcs and it made the town appear more populous than it probably was.
Their walk took them through the settlement, and up into the rocky hillside north of it. Sheer cliffs offered an impregnable defense in that direction, so there were no walls and no guards. Dinae followed her mistress up a winding flight of natural stone stairs worn into the rock by years of passing feet. At the top she could see a rocky plateau stretch away to the north, but most of her view was obscured by smoke. Were these the pits? Was this where slaves came to fight and die in gruesome ways?
Duuhra led her through the smoke, walking along a stone path Dinae could see under their feet. As they walked, she looked around and began to notice figures in the smoke. Orcs, male and female, were lounging around what she came to realize were pits of steaming mud. These were the pits Duuhra had mentioned. She felt her entire body relax when she realized she wasn't being taken to fight for her life. The two made their way through a maze of rock formations, naked orcs, a few slaves, and several mud pits until Duuhra found one she seemed satisfied with.
"Undress me," Duuhra commanded when she turned to Dinae. The skin of her face and shoulders was beaded with sweat, and the moisture of the steam.
Dinae hurried to obey, working at the damp knots and buckles of the orc's clothing. Again, she marveled at the woman's physique. The elven people were typically all slim and athletic, though the men tended to be more muscular because of their training. Even the largest elven male was no comparison to Duuhra's form. When Dinae was finished removing the orc woman's clothes, Duuhra stepped over to the steaming pit of chocolate colored mud and stepped in. Presumably, there were tiered steps she descended until she was immersed up to her waist. Dinae wasn't shy about getting dirty. She had often returned home, after a day running through the woods with her friends, covered in dirt, leaves, and other detritus. But, to intentionally immerse yourself in mud? It was a serious culture shock.
"Come here, pet," Duuhra said.
