Chapter eight E

"Now my Lord I believe we can begin to truly assess your clothing needs." Madam Bristol said.

"Yes. Yes indeed. I came to inquire about some new clothes. I will be requiring a few sets. Undergarments, socks and all the rest. I need forest sets made for rugged travel. Three fine sets of attire for every day wear. Two suits fit for the company of the nobility and lastly four sets of robes."

"That is quiet the order my lord…" madam Bristol trailed off.

"Lord Eric Grayson." Sasha provided.

"Yes, well let me see here, we'll just double check Sasha's measurements. To make sure she wasn't too distracted. Then I will find something suitable for you to wear today. Is there someplace we can deliver your clothes when they are done, it will take until tomorrow evening to have everything finished?"

"I am staying at the marina club. In the master suite number nine. I'm sure that you can have the packages delivered there." I said.

The rest of the time spent in the shop went by rather quickly, with Madam Bristol quickly checking over my measurements and hurrying into the back of the shop. This left me standing in front of Sasha, whose cheeks were glowing a warm red as she eyed me nervously.

"I do hope the madam was only joking about what she was going to do to you?" I asked.

"I'm afraid not Lord Grayson. It is one of the many faults with kitsune, we go to heat 3 to 4 times a year and become quite unmanageable. It is one of the common treatments for it, that is to have slaves clipped during that time, the feeding it…well that's just madam Bristol." Sasha said as she adjusted her shorts.

"What the fuck…Well that's just absolutely fucking abhorrent. I wish there were something I could do for you."

"Really?" Sasha said as she cocked her head to the side and looked out the curtain. "The only thing I could think of that you could do is to purchase me. I would never be so impertinent as to ask that of the Lord. But Amara…"

"Wait Amara?"

"I didn't say anything." Sasha quickly added.

"That's right the brand they give you all is the hearts. What do you know about her?"

"Um…she…she… she came to me in a dream four nights ago and showed me, well, you. She said you were safe and would help me, help all of us?" Sasha shuddered, the fear in her voice lacing every word. She looked at the ground when she spoke, her eyes tightly shut as if she expected a heavy blow to land on her at any second. She was taking a huge leap of faith, and it was apparent in the trembling of her body.

"I suppose this fits the general atmosphere of the Empire I find myself in, and yes I know Amara. Is there any reason why Madam Bristol would not sell you to me?" I asked.

"What, wait you would buy me. You know Amara? but I am only ranked as a copper slave and I don't see how I would be of any value to you."

"Ranked only as a copper slave, tell me what does a copper slave mean?"

"As my Lord surely knows copper slaves are ranked as some of the lowest in skill and value. I only just recently achieved my copper rank as I became an apprentice tailor. I am lucky to be valued so highly as a branded of Amara." Sasha said in a soft and pleasant voice as her eyes shifted from looking up at me to down at the floor.

"Well, if I were to purchase you Sasha, I must warn you that I am in adventuring Lord and do not have any holdings in the city. Nor do I have any land currently. Would you be willing to travel with me? I cannot guarantee your safety, only that you will be as safe as me, when you are in my presence."

"Absolutely Lord Grayson, I trust our Goddess Amara. I've dreamed of going on adventures since I was a little girl. But slaves rarely get the chance to explore the world at large. I would absolutely assume the risk of traveling with you. By your demeanor and handling of me I can tell that you'll be a much nicer master than mistress Bristol. If I may be so bold to say."

I stood contemplating Sasha's proposal. After a few minutes, Madam Bristol reentered the dressing room. She held a finely crafted pair of black pants, black boxer undergarments, a loose forest green button-up shirt with long sleeves, and a pair of socks. She also held in the other hand a pair of boots.

"These should fit quite nicely as I have just adjusted them for you. I also took the liberty of selecting boots and shoes for the attires you selected." She said as she handed me the items one by one, and I put them on. Finally dressed in something decent for the first time since arriving in this world, I felt far more at home.

"As you know lady Bristol, I have just arrived from a long prospecting campaign in the mountains and find myself without servants. I've taken quite a liking to your young Sasha and was wondering if you would be willing to part with her?" I asked as I admired myself in the mirror.

"Really my Lord Grayson, she just got your fancy that much. I must advise you that she can be quite a handful during her time of heat. She has also just reached the rank of apprentice in tailoring. Though she is not one of my more skilled girls it would be a slight loss to lose her. She is as well a follower of the Amara Goddess, fool of a girl." Madam Bristol said.

"I am well aware of the loss that this would mean for you lady Bristol and I'm more than willing to compensate you. As for the Amara nonsense, we shall see if I can change her mind about that. I also find that her apprentice tailoring skills will come in handy as I am currently traveling by sailboat, and she can work on the sails."

With a malicious glint that sparked to life in her eye, madam Bristol said, "See that you do try and convince the worthless bitch. Very well Lord Grayson, as I endeavored to only provide the best of service, I can make this allowance to you for Sasha. The requested items and clothing will come to a cost of fifteen gold. As well to purchase the kitsune Sasha from me I will have to insist on an additional five gold. Is this acceptable to you?"

"That is most acceptable to me lady Bristol, you have been nothing but accommodating." I said as the three of us walked to the front of the counter. "Can I use my bank ID here or shall I pay in coins?"

"You can most certainly use your bank ID here; in fact, you will find that most of the stores in the noble district will allow you to use your bank IDs, even some of the restaurants. Sasha will handle your receipts and I will go to the back and get the slave contract."

After a few moments had passed, I had the receipts in hand for the clothes, and lady Bristol came out with a neatly folded parchment that outlined Sasha's complete enslavement. When all the transactions were finished, lady Bristol removed a copper bracelet from around her wrist and handed it to me.

"This is Sasha's binding ring; I would advise you to wear it at all times as it is against imperial law for a slave to be wandering about untethered to a master. Stupid mandatory slave transference verbal notification, really what imperial citizen doesn't know that. Now Sasha go and run into the back and collect your things, and don't leave your new master waiting too long." Lady Bristol said, offering me a placating smile.

Sasha emerged from the back wearing a completely new outfit. She had on a light blue tank top and a skirt that came down to her thighs. Slung on her back was a mismatched, poorly constructed backpack. Sasha's head hung low, and she was extremely nervous as she approached me. "I'm ready my Lord master Sir." She said, unsure as to which title to use.

"You may call me Lord Grayson or master Grayson while we are in public." I said, answering her unasked question.

"Yes, master Grayson."

"Very good lady Bristol thank you for all of your assistance and I look forward to receiving my packages tomorrow. Sasha; follow, we have a few more stops before we head back to my room." As we left, I slipped the binding ring around my wrist, and a notification popped up.

[ You have purchased and bound a slave: Sasha: Kitsune, female. Age 23; revives 7. Level 5.]