Since my purpose was now on hold, I felt real fear. I wasn't sure they would keep a slave that was not responsive; that seemed important to them. I followed Damien and tried to coax him back to bed. My terror wasn't lost on him and he stroked my head as we waited for the Healers.
"You will not stay ill, Ciara," he soothed. "We will care for you and you will be better. My brothers and I do not wish to worsen your malady by forcing your use."
I wasn't sick; I knew that much. Without spilling Christof's secret, there was no way to explain that. It wasn't clear to me what they would do to fix a non existent illness. Wow, how I wished they had listened to me and just used oil. The healer's advice was disgusting.
At the next meal after my usual vitamin drink the first thing Master Bane offered me was a slimy green worm about six inches long. It wiggled in his fingers as he held it. I backed off of my kneeling place and stared at it from the wall.
"Master Evan, that's not funny," I said addressing the most playful member of the group. If this was joke it had to be his idea.
"Ciara," Master Damien chastised, "it's not a joke. These are very good for humans. It will stop the illness and the weight loss. Kneel back down and take your sustenance."
I continued to watch the thing move around and refused to move back to my place. Out of habit I was shaking my head 'no'. At least they finally understood what I meant when I did that.
"Ciara, if you do not kneel down and take your meal from my brother I will hold you down while he puts it into your mouth," Master Evan threatened.
I continued to refuse and Master Evan had me around the waist before I could blink. They laid me across the table and I screamed at them, in English I think. They did exactly what they threatened and it was positively the worst experience I have ever had.
They force fed me the worms. Master Damien pried my jaws open as Master Evan and Master Kein held me down. Master Bane chewed the worm and then spit the chewed up remains into my mouth. They would hold my mouth closed until I swallowed. By the third worm I swore to them I would eat anything they wanted. Christof asked them to let me try again.
Shaking head to toe I kneeled down and took three more of the disgusting worms. It was like eating blood mixed with rubber. Afterward Master Bane fed me the slime from the bowl they had been in. I gagged on it, but took it all. The salty ooze was also supposed to have healthful properties.
After the worms I was asked to eat a little of the meal they were having. Fearing it would be delivered like the first two worms if I refused; I took all they gave me. Master Kein commented what an effective way to feed me that had been and I just glared at the floor. I couldn't stop the question from popping out in response.
"Why can't they at least be cooked?" I asked to no one in particular.
"Who are you speaking to, slave?" Master Damien asked pleasantly.
My eyes got wide as I realized my dual mistakes. I hadn't addressed them as Master and I was asking too many questions.
"I'm sorry, Master Damien. I was wondering why the worms can't be cooked, Master Damien?"
"The creatures lose the nutritional content when they are cooked. They must be eaten the way you just did. We will feed them to you frequently. I do not suggest you argue with us about this again," he stated.
"Yes, Master Damien," I answered him defeated.
The next day the men were scheduled to leave for their coupling and I was a wreck. They took me downstairs and gave me to Fuji's Masters. They would be my Keepers while my Masters were away. Master Damien quietly told me to behave for them. I heard the threat in his voice.
Fuji was excited I was there with her. She said she had asked her Masters to get us a set of drums so I could play and she could dance for them. It was hard not to be happy spending time with such a perky person.
We sat and talked quietly while her Masters got ready for their day. A commotion outside got everyone's attention. Fuji's Warriors opened the front door and asked a passing man what the problem was.
The man said Christof had refused to go to the coupling again. The General had been alerted. I panicked and bolted out the door.
I felt Fuji's Warriors behind me and one of them grabbed me. I screamed bloody murder and fought him.
"I have to talk to him!" I screamed at the man holding me. "He will die if he doesn't go. Please, Keeper, let me speak to him."
Shockingly the man dropped me and let me go. I felt him follow me, but he didn't interfere.
I ran as fast as I could up the stairs to our dwelling. There was a swell of Warriors outside the front door. I wove between them and dashed into our apartment. Master Damien, Master Evan, Master Bane, and Master Kein were standing in the main room looking frustrated. I could see Christof in the bedroom.
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