The Escape

PORT KAR

(01/19/11 09:40:18 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
: Enters ...

(01/19/11 10:01:47 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
-= CCSH - Inside the Slaver House =-
- The large complex of the Slaver House hosts two stories fully equipped with the standard caste features. -
says to ALL: Hobnailed soles of sandaled feet trudged an arrogant and regal path from one of the two male barracks located within the Slaver House, over towards one of the many outdoor exits of the establishment. With a determined stride, cerulean spheres flickered over towards a few of the stationed guards, men paid a fair sum to protect the business and its property, as I walked past them silently, likely unnoticed and ignored as their focus remained upon a smaller group of a few female slaves in the near distance; after all, with the House filled with an abundance of enticing female flesh, the guards’ notice and attention were naturally and typically directed upon such arousing beauties, rather than the comparatively-miniscule capacity of the House’s male property. Nonetheless, their lack of constant attention was often to my advantage, and especially on such an occasion as today. Today, a day that had sealed my fate in the early ahns of the morning, where in the eastern sky, there was a yellow patch like a rug laid for the feet of the coming sun. In those early hours, within the dismal barracks, much of the early ehns were spent tossing and turning before forming into a time frame that was more stationary and contemplative, where my cerebral waded through a whirlpool of instigating thoughts, inspiring my current actions; I didn’t desire to sleep in a city that never woke up, and continually revel in nostalgia, in past days of freedom, any longer. However, the decision was not arrived with ease; it was risky to runaway, a fugitive and escapee, a collared slave absconding from his owners to seize his fate and outcome in his own hands. Finally, I had discovered the cure to soothe my resentment and wistfulness, my longing for freedom, which had tormented me in its seemingly invincible ignorance like a small bird beating about the cruel wires of a cage; unlike the hopeless bird, however, I managed to unearth a conclusion, even if it was perilous and uncertain, but to me, the pros outweighed the cons. I was determined never to succumb to the bleak fate of slavery again; I would much rather die, I determined.

Dressed in my usual attire of dark sandals, laced leathers and a long-sleeved navy blue tunic, a garment I had discovered in a storage within the House several hands ago in my search for a tunic that would exercise sleeves that were long enough to cover the steel bracelet on my wrist, which marked my ownership to the Crossed Chains Slaver House. Along with the donned clothing, I also carried a 22 inch short sword strapped to a sheath upon my left hip; I was, after all, a fighting slave within this complex, a guard for the owner’s woman, and acquired the weapon from a blacksmith in Victoria under Nov’Lyne’s orders herself. I continued down the hallway and over towards one of the exits leading outside, crossing the path over towards the heavily-guarded gates surrounding the establishment in a protective perimeter. Glimpsing over towards a group of guards, I spoke with practiced ease to explain my departure. “One of the House trainers requires a few items from the great bazaar in Victoria, Master” I stated fluidly and simplistically my rationale for the leave to one of the stationed men. As that singular line and explanation had been used several previous times for legitimate trips to the bazaar to acquire a few heavy items for the trainers or slaver masters, the guard merely nodded at the realistic explanation, and they knew that I was one of the small number of slaves entitled to travel freely, and solely, to and from the bazaar to acquire items every now and then. Before opening the gates, he gestured for a couple guards to accompany me, as guards often escorted slaves on all errands, as the city was very dangerous and the owner of the House was very adamant about theft of property, taking numerous precautions to keep his assets secured. Drifting past the opened gates with the two men, guards of shorter height and a smaller build than myself, we silently entered the sinister streets of the port city, swiftly making our way over towards the docks now, where several vessels typically remained docked, ready to embark on a journey up the Vosk River to several ports along the way, including Victoria, even though I wasn’t planning on making it all the way there. I didn’t know where I would end up in this dangerous journey, but I did know that I’d have to slip away from these guards, somehow.

(01/19/11 10:08:32 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
-=City - The Harbour Waters=-
-The sparkling waters of the blue - green Thassa catch the sunlight with gentle swells. The ocean is dotted with the busy vessels ranging from fishing floats to the mighty tarn ships, gulls high above screeching their hunger down to the men on deck -
says to ALL: We boarded one of the vessels, a medium class merchant round ship, drifting aboard the vessel as I, and several other Crossed Chains slaves, had done in the past, on previous passages to the great bazaar; it seemed that several vessel owners that regularly frequented the port city, for business of trade and the like, were accustomed to boarding slaves and guards from the House, as we were occasionally required to travel to and from the home to and from Victoria on errand trips. I took a standing position along the railings as the couple guards drifted over towards the general populace of patrons on the vessel, deciding to begin their journey within the confines of one of the cabins. They ventured inside the cabin with several other men and kept the door of the cabin kept ajar to keep an eye on my lingering form, as they were paid to do. My elbows were propped up, balanced along the trailing of the ship that formed a perimeter, an indication between the threshold of the ship’s deck and the deep waters of the Vosk River as the crew members of the ship prepared to drift away from the docks. As I leaned forward against the rail, with the ship now fully taking off, sailing away to begin a journey towards its destination, the scent of the sea drifted to my nose and I took a deep breath, inhaling a lungful of the air as an additional wave of nostalgia hit me again, which reasserted my plan for escape, encouraging an elevated sense of courage and determination for freedom now.

WATERS OF GOR

(01/19/11 10:08:58 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
: Enters from travelling ...

(01/19/11 10:12:41 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the gleaming Thassa
in the Tamber Gulf in the vicinity of Port Kar
and says to ALL: The green hue of the waters was visibly apparent as filtered streams from the bright sunlight shone down upon the mysterious waters. From past experiences along the large expanse routes of the sea, as I had been a sailor, I had been aboard various ships directed by outlaws and pirates who coloured the hulls, sails, oars, and the ropes green; in the bright sun reflecting off the waters, green is a colour most difficult to detect within the gleaming Vosk River. However, the ship we were on was lead by an honourable merchant and such camouflage was not required. Indigo orbs flickered downward, watching the magnificent waves crash against the hull of the ship, churning at the keel as the shift drew deeper and deeper along the Vosk River, and we were now drifting past the marshes.

(01/19/11 10:13:05 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is in the Vosk River Delta
among the thick rence marshes
and says to ALL: -kicks that post here-

(01/19/11 10:16:19 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is in the Vosk River Delta
among the thick rence marshes
and says to ALL: After a seemingly long period of time leaning against the railings simply watching the waters and crashing waves, I finally tore my gaze away from the mesmerizing and soothing sight, as the call of one of the guards thrust against my ears, directing me over towards their whereabouts, as the vessel now accelerated its speed up the river. Upon the Vosk River, drifting towards Turmus now, as one of the crew members shouted our whereabouts to the other passengers and workers aboard, hobnailed soles of sandaled feet trudged over towards the small cabin area, where both the guards were stationed along with several other travelling men. My face was quiet and a curious look was in my eyes, eyes like the timeless eyes of a statue as I approached them.

(01/19/11 10:19:41 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Turmus
and says to ALL: “Yes, Masters?” I asked, speaking plainly with an inquiry regarding his command for me to approach. One of the guards turned to me, his mouth parted to offer a reply when suddenly one of the other travellers grabbed his arm in an attempt to gain the guard’s attention, which was achieved as the guard turned towards him with a curious look akin to mine. The traveller offered the guards a couple botas of paga, sharing his drinks with the circle of men occupying the cabin with avid, friendly conversation, and now fluid drink, a social lubrication to keep the conversation going and hopefully pass the time quicker. The guards declined the drink at first, shaking their heads and muttering statements of regret over the declined offer, citing responsibilities of their occupation as the reason, but after persistent insistence from the rest of the travellers in the cabin, the guards succumbed to peer pressure, giving in, almost enthusiastically, as they both reached out to grab a couple of the offered botas.

(01/19/11 10:21:45 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Turmus
and says to ALL: The ship continued forth, further upwards along the Vosk River, along the route towards Victoria as I remained in the threshold of the cabin, just at the doorway, awaiting his instruction. The ship sliced seamlessly through the water and the splash of water could be heard in muted tones against the backdrop of the men aboard ship and the walls that surrounded me amidst the cabin. The guard turned back to me, bota in hand, and after taking another long sip, he finally addressed me.

(01/19/11 10:24:51 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Turmus
and says to ALL: He reached into the pocket of his leathers and pulled out a couple coins, a rather small amount as paga was cheap, handing the change over before directing me to purchase a jug of paga from one of the dockside taverns when the vessel mad e a brief stop at one of the cities along the way, likely Port Cos as that was the city that the vessel typically docked at before continuing straight onwards to Victoria. The stop was brief, with mostly trades and items sold from the vessel to citizens of the city, an export rather than an import of items back onto the ship, without many purchases being made by the crew members or travellers or even the merchant, as the final destination of the great bazaar, within the Trade District of Port Victoria, boasted a greater variety of goods for purchase instead.

(01/19/11 10:28:03)
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Port Victoria
and says to ALL: I nodded to the guard, with a plain “Yes, Master” drifting past rugged lipped tiers in my usual masculine and timbered tone, but while I remained calm and composed on the surface, inside I was screaming, with a flurry of thoughts and emotions swarming through my head in an adrenaline-raising blizzard. On the bright side, however, at least the small collection of coin might help, in the short-term, though I knew that more would need to be ‘liberated’ somehow. I offered them a short nod of my head before turning to exit the vicinity of the cabin, leaving them to their boisterous talk and now-heavy drink as I made my way back over towards the railing of the ship, tucking the coin into the pocket of my leathers before folding my arms against the railing and peering outwards again, to the wide expanse of the river ahead. As a faint breeze washed across my frame, ruffling dark curls atop my head in its passing movement, a brief smile of content lifted the corners of lipped tiers in the realization that soon, like the wind, I would be free to roam the lands of this world once again.

(01/19/11 10:32:27 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Port Victoria
and says to ALL: The very mystery of what lay ahead excited my curiousity like a door that had neither lock nor key; while filled with tenseness and apprehension, I was also thrilled and determined at the same time to begin this new course of my life, to seize and make my own luck and fate. Those bleak and endless days within the restrictive confines of that Slaver House were over, I imagined, and those nights spent pleasuring the Mistress of the House were long over, as well. Surely, her ‘transgressions,’ offered stories of those animated and vocal evenings spent at her estate, with her vulnerable and pinned under my thrusting body, her pleads and begs for me to fuck her harder, slap her more forcefully, to rape another orifice, would soon be leaked at some point in the not-so-distant future, by one of the workers in the House, persuading her companion, my ‘former’ owner, to slap a collar onto her delicate throat. One could always hope with optimism, at least.

(01/19/11 10:36:52 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Port Victoria
and says to ALL: Once again, my thoughts were interrupted as the cries and shouts of the crew members thrust against my ears again, this time to announce the arrival and docking at Port Cos, one of the cities along the way before Victoria. Pushing off against the railing, I glimpsed back over towards the guards who remained within the confines of the cabin with their newfound friends, still engrossed in conversation and drink. It seemed that most of the men, including both the guards, were well on their way to stumbling off the edge of the vessel and into the waters of the river, should they get too close the ledge. They were avid drinkers, these men, but I doubted their swimming abilities matched their drinking talents. With a light smirk tugging at the corners of lipped tiers, at the observation of their foolish and unwise conduct, I drifted off the ship and onto the port’s docks, glimpsing along the long harbour to the available taverns and storefronts that resided along this stretch. A few of the other crew members drifted off the ship to grab a few items themselves, and the merchant was busy conducting a few trades with the people of Cos who flocked over towards the vessel to catch a glimpse of his offered wares.

(01/19/11 10:40:48 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains

is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Port Victoria
and says to ALL: While everyone was otherwise engaged and occupied in their own interests, I glimpsed back over to the ship, ensuring that the guards were still within the cabin, which they were. Reaching over with each hand, one directed at its neighbour, strong digits easily tugged down the sleeves of my tunic, which were more than long enough to completely conceal the steel bracelet collar affixated to my left wrist. After ensuring that it was hidden completely, I made my way along the docks and in the opposite direction of the incoming crowd of citizens and travellers who were flocking over in my direction to take a look at the merchant’s wares. Brushing past them, having learned a few tricks from general observation in the lawless port city of Kar, my hand swiftly found its way downwards towards the belt of a passing boy, a seemingly overweight youth, only several years younger than me, who was in a rush to glimpse at the items for sale, likely hoping for some rare, exotic and fattening edibles to purchase. Without touching him directly or even stopping, I ripped the coin pouch off his belt and continued forward.

(01/19/11 10:44:39 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Port Victoria
and says to ALL: With the swarm of people occupying the docks just near the vessel ship, it seemed that the crowd was large enough to get ‘lost’ in. I emptied the boy’s handsome amount coins into my own pocket before discarding the pouch and making my way over towards a quieter vessel in the distance; it was another merchant ship, and after speaking to the crewmen stationed at the docks, preparing to swiftly load the ship with a few purchased crates, I discovered that the vessel was sailing straight up the Vosk River, past Victoria and to Ar’s Station, where they would be docking and stopping for several days. The men naturally assumed I was free, as there was no collar visible or any other indication of ownership on my form, and after paying for passage with a few recently-acquired coins, I slipped onto the ship undetected by the guards, who were likely still engaged in their lively conversation and excessive drink. It wouldn’t surprise me if one, or both of them, would be soon passed out for the duration of the journey to Victoria.

(01/19/11 10:48:59 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains

is on the Vosk River
in the vicinity of Port Victoria
and says to ALL: I slipped away into a small cabin on the larger ship that I transferred onto, keeping to myself, contemplative and introspective, trying to map out my next course of action and my final destination. I glimpsed upon the room thoughtfully, like a master kaissa-player who meditates his crowning move as the ship began to move now, away from the docks and onto the Vosk River, beginning its continuous journey ahead to Ar’s Station. I slept for a few ahns, within the small confines of the cabin, a restless but needed sleep, and when I finally awoke, we had docked and landed at Ar’s Station.

CROSSROADS OF GOR

(01/19/11 10:49:49 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
: Enters from travelling ...

(01/19/11 10:52:23 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is at the docks on the Vosk River
near the city of Lara
and says to ALL: As the ship docked, with a huddle of travelers departing and some lingering behind to stick around with the crew members, I left the ship with the cluster departing, eager to continue my journey onwards and further away the port city of Kar, as far as possible. Drifting aboard onto a crowded skiff, the small boat travelled downstream to the docks, where we were all able to safely unboard, the hobnailed soles of sandaled feet brushing against the timbered surface of the docks below.

(01/19/11 10:54:16 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is at the docks on the Vosk River
near the city of Lara
and says to ALL: Indigo spheres flickered around in a curious scanning motion, drinking in the unfamiliar surroundings with mild interest; I had never arrived at Ar’s Station before, an outpost and trading station on the south bank of the Vosk. The politics and hypocrisies of highly ‘governed’ cities left a sour distaste in my mouth and I much preferred the quieter sanctuary of smaller cities, albeit with ordered establishments in existence but less involvement with affairs of state and policy.

(01/19/11 10:56:43 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road south of the great Vosk River
following the bends of the wide swift river, leading past villages, farms and orchards
and says to ALL: A group of the travellers, distinct in their dress of worn and destitute clothing, voiced their course of action, mentioning their final destination to be a mix between Venna and Ar. With a negligent shrug of broad shoulders, in response to asking myself the location of my final destination, I still was indecisive as to the whereabouts of where I would establish my hideout.

(01/19/11 10:59:02 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road south of the great Vosk River
following the bends of the wide swift river, leading past villages, farms and orchards
and says to ALL: Ar was too big a city, and could likely prove detrimental to my fate; with the vast number of people, someone would likely notice the bracelet upon my left wrist, even if it was a small slip-up on my part that revealed the collar. With a smaller city, a smaller population and less curious, prying gazes, I would have a greater chance. Perhaps, instead, I’d travel to the Village of Minus, and if geography served me correctly, it was located around the same vicinity of Ar and Venna.

(01/19/11 11:01:02 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road south of the great Vosk River
following the bends of the wide swift river, leading past villages, farms and orchards
and says to ALL: Approaching the caravan of similar travellers, I assimilated myself in their convoy, the procession leading onwards by foot, travelling upon the many crossroads that led to these various cities of destination. Incorporating myself with the caravan was a suitable option, I mused, as they had likely navigated around these roads before, knowing the course better than I did.

(01/19/11 11:03:25 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road south of the great Vosk River
following the bends of the wide swift river, leading past villages, farms and orchards
and says to ALL: Forcing a friendly smile to dance across my lips as I proceeded with the small group of people, the look within cerulean spheres was anything but sociable as they contracted and lightened until they were like two menacing points of steel, attentive, alert and ominous as my mind continued to design the next step, the next course of action.

(01/19/11 11:06:55 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road south of the great Vosk River
following the bends of the wide swift river, leading past villages, farms and orchards
and says to ALL: Walking silently, the sounds of idle chatter and the crunch of leaves beneath the soles of our trekking feet caressed the air in their inactive soundtrack as we continued forth. The journey would be long and tiring on foot, but the caravan seemed as determined as I was, to reach our destinations swiftly. In my unoccupied thought, with a continued brisk pace forward, the man beside me began to make casual conversation, inquiring about my whereabouts and where I was headed. He was a sturdy-looking individual, with dark hair and darker features, definitely not hailing from these parts of the land, but he seemed knowledgeable in his words and had an air of truthfulness surrounding his determined and firm strides. Ignoring the first question intentionally, I mentioned that I was looking to spend my time in a small city, likely Minus,

(01/19/11 11:10:16 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road north of Ar
leading through small villages, vast farms and sprawling orchards
and says to ALL: With a light nod of his head, he began to speak of his intention to arrive at a city called Kargash, a small town that was closer than Minus, but just as quiet and hushed. He mentioned that it was located just North East of these crossroads, which join Venna, Ar and Minus together. Having thrived as a largely independent settlement for many years, Kargash was now under the control of Ar, and as a result the town’s population and wealth have grown, but not to exceedingly obscene numbers. Lifting my right hand upwards, my left remained at my side the entire time as I didn’t wish to lift it to accidentally reveal a glimpse of the collar upon my wrist, rough digits brushed against the dark forming stubble upon sculpted cheeks as I considered his words.

(01/19/11 11:12:55 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road north of Ar
leading through small villages, vast farms and sprawling orchards
and says to ALL: “Kargash, then?” I asked, the words dripping with an obvious hint of interest and reflection as I reconsidered the Village of Minus. Kargash was nearer, after all, with less of a distance to walk, which, at this time, scored a large point for Kargash over Minus. Besides, if they were similar in population size, as that was the sole other criteria, then Kargash seemed to be the winning option. I offered him a short nod of my head in agreement as we continued to walk, earnest and resolute in heading to Kargash behind the man’s lead.

(01/19/11 11:17:23 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road north of Ar
leading through small villages, vast farms and sprawling orchards
and says to ALL: The ehns grew to ahns and the caravan took numerous breaks in between our continued trek, stopping for food and water, which my newly-acquired friend shared with me, and before long, dawn seemed to press like a cool hand against the wind. The sky was grey, caught between darkness and light, that trembling and unknowing edge where you just wait for the sun to sink below the horizon.

(01/19/11 11:19:23 )
Narcissus in Chains
[PIC]
Kairos
Property of Crossed Chains
is along the road north of Ar
leading through small villages, vast farms and sprawling orchards
and says to ALL: But thankfully, by this time, we were dwelling very close to our destination of Kargash, and leaving the rest of the caravan members behind, the newly-acquired friend and I made our way over towards the gates of Kargash, following his lead and keeping to within the streams and patches of filtered light that shone above the canopy of trees and covering clouds, the last bursts of sunlight that would shine today, we would soon arrive at Kargash before dusk fully spread its presence upon the sky above.