Total pages in book: 159
Estimated words: 149470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 149470 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 747(@200wpm)___ 598(@250wpm)___ 498(@300wpm)
“She is probably owned by some Naggian male who bought her from the AMI the same way I bought you, little one. I cannot take another male’s property just because she happens to be your same species.”
I looked up at him in frustration. He wasn’t getting it! My Master had many good qualities, but he still felt it was just fine for one person to own another—probably because he didn’t consider that anyone besides his own species could really be classified as a “person.”
“But she might be trapped here—alone and cold and scared,” I tried again. “What if that happened to me, somehow? Wouldn’t you want some kind stranger to come along and rescue me?”
“I would never let such a fate befall you, little one,” Sir said, drawing me close to him and putting one long arm around my shoulders. “You are under my protection—I won’t let anyone hurt you.”
Again, he wasn’t getting it. I wanted to stamp my foot in irritation but just then the door of the lift gave a muted ding and slid open.
We stepped out into a far grander area than the hub of tunnels down below. There was a rich, velvety red carpet on the floor that led down a long hallway. But just as we stepped onto the carpet, a Naggian man I hadn’t seen standing there suddenly appeared before us. He was wearing some kind of dark uniform and his long hair was combed severely to one side.
“Names, please,” he said, frowning up at Sir.
“I am Sir Barinthian Ver’Toklar the Fourteenth, Lord of the Realm and Overlord of the Northern Continent of Korrigon Four,” Sir said. “And this is my pet, little one,” he added, indicating me. “We are here at the request of Baron Vik’tor who has invited us to a feast.”
“Ah yes.” The Naggian man who must be the Baron’s servant or butler nodded and gave a short bow. “You are expected. May I please take your wrappings?”
I started to say no, he couldn’t, when I realized that it was warmer up here than it had been down on the lower floors. Oh, it was still plenty chilly, but I could no longer see my breath when I exhaled.
“Yes, you may,” Sir said, allowing the servant to help him out of his long black fur coat.
The servant hung Sir’s coat on a hook on the wall and turned to me.
“And the lady? May I help you divest yourself of your garments?”
“Just the outer one, please,” I said and let him help me out of the bulky fur coat. After that, I felt much lighter, even though I still had plenty of layers on.
“And now, will you take us to the Baron?” Sir asked.
The servant nodded.
“I will indeed, but first may I present you with these sigils, which you must keep with you at all times when you are in the building.”
He withdrew a rectangular, flat box from his uniform pocket and opened it to show us two long gray wires. He picked them out of the box and tapped them smartly together.
“Oh!” I exclaimed involuntarily as the ends of the wires burst into red sparks. They looked like the sparklers you get at the Fourth of July—you know the kind you play with as a kid? I always held those damn things too long and then when they burned down to the end they scorched my fingers.
“Here you are—sigils of the Baron’s favor,” the servant said, trying to hand one of each of us.
Given my history with sparklers, I held back.
“Er…will it burn me?” I asked uncertainly.
The servant gave a polite chuckle.
“Not at all, my lady! The pyrotechnics are all simulated—thought they do make a dazzling display, do they not? With one of these in your hand—or even poking out of your pocket—everyone will know you’re under the Baron’s protection. They won’t dare to lay a finger on you!”
“Oh, well—thank you, I guess,” I said, taking the stick with its brilliant red sparkles gingerly from his hand.
“Thank you,” Sir said, taking his as well. “Do we need to wear these in the presence of the Baron?”
“Not necessary,” the servant said. “They are simply for you to carry as you move about the Baron’s building.” He hesitated. “Do forgive me—I was supposed to meet you at the front doors of the building to give them to you as soon as you entered. I hope you did not encounter any problems without them?”
“None whatsoever,” Sir assured him.
“Ah, good! Then everything is well.” The servant looked vastly relieved. “I am so glad no one troubled you.”
I snorted.
“Of course they didn’t. As if anyone is going to start trouble with someone who looks like my Master!”
Sir gave me a warning look.
“Now, little one…”
“Well, it’s true,” I pointed out. “You’re ten feet tall, extremely muscular, and you can break things with your mind! Nobody with half a brain is going to start trouble with you.”