Burning Embers Part 1
By: Stacy L.
Fear is a potent weapon that
when wielded correctly can tame even the most difficult and challenging of
opponents. It can tame the wildest of creatures and turn monsters into pets or
pets into monsters, which outcome arises depends on the will and resistance of
the one being trained.
Fear when used correctly can
take root manifesting itself into the deepest darkest terror ever known to man,
and it was a weapon he would often use on me. Why? Because he knew how powerful
fear was, and how easily it could control one too young to comprehend just what
it was.
Fear was one of his weapons of
choice, a weapon he thrived on, a weapon he loved to use whenever I would fight
him.
My first real taste of fear was
when I found myself all alone after my parents were killed. My second taste of
true fear was when I was stolen away and sold to a man whom I would eventually
be forced to call ‘master’. He became the epitome of fear to me, and soon I
learned to respect him and be in awe of him. If I failed in doing so I would
suffer.
He would often find new and
creative ways to torment me when I failed to please him or dared to disobey
him. At first I would test him, call it foolishness or stupidity on my part,
but I would test him and always, always he taught me the consequences for such
actions. I will never forget the strict training regime he put me through to
learn my place, my status, to learn what I truly am to him, what I truly am in
this world, for his lessons were very harsh and very memorable. They were
lessons that will be forever ingrained in my mind.
*
* * *
P7K-6D6: THE PLANET OF YAMAPURA
Mysterious Stranger
The music began slowly at first, eerie, beautiful, quiet…the solitary form on the stage was illuminated by a soft white light and began to dance. He danced slowly, rhythmically moving his body in gentle sways to and fro as he rocked to the calming beat. He was beautiful and every inch man, his body was outlined on the curtain: buff, muscular, lithe and sinewy and he continued to rock, swaying with the erotic beat.
As the first shift in chords began the curtains drew slowly apart and the man was backlit his arms both outstretched above his body, his head back eyes closed as he continued to sway to the beat. As the soft chanting in the song began so did the man begin to move with the song gliding ever so softly, ever so quietly across the stage in slow sweeping steps his hips still swaying gently with the beat, back and forth alluring, hypnotic, casting the room into utter silence as all eyes became fixed on him and him alone.
He shifted in his seat his mouth watering as the man approached a single pole in the center of the stage before wrapping his fingers ever so lightly around it, grasping it and thrusting against it as if in utter need and yearning. He thrust his powerful hips again before beginning to dance slowly around it using the pole as if it were a partner he was trying to deliberately entice and seduce.
He was amazing, beautiful, erotic… He glided so swiftly across the stage, moving with the grace of a ballet dancer always in motion, his every move hauntingly provocative. As the musical beat increased so did the movement of those hips and that body as he flung himself backwards still gripping the pole tightly before arching into it. One bare foot gliding ever so slowly up and down the length of the pole as the man pressed his groin firmly against it before again leaning back gripping the pole as he turned himself ever so slowly beginning to grind his ass against it as he gyrated his hips faster and faster.
As he continued to dance Jack O’Neill became aware of one thing and one thing only: he was determined to speak with the man again, and he would not be dissuaded in his pursuit.
When the dance ended Jack quickly made his way backstage stopping the beautiful dancer as he exited stage right, and smiling as the man almost ran into him. The man jerked his head up and quickly muttered, “Jack but…I thought I told you to…”
“Stay away from you? Yes you did, but I can’t seem to do that, Daniel.”
“Jack…”
“Yes Daniel?”
The man shook his head halting his response before it slipped out. Jack didn’t need to know more than he already did. In fact, Jack O’Neill already knew too much and was taking way too many risks to speak with him. Shaking his head he chose his next words carefully, “You don’t want to enter my world, Jack. It’s a very dangerous place.”
“I find that a little hard to believe.”
“Well perhaps you should believe it.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s a place where freedom doesn’t exist and slavery is a way of life, Jack.”
Jack was about to respond but fell silent as he saw the man Daniel always seemed to be with standing off to the left as if he were awaiting Daniel. The man confused him and he wasn’t sure what to make of him. Was he a body guard, a friend or a close acquaintance of Daniel’s?
Returning his gaze to Daniel he noticed the man glance off to his left before quickly down casting his eyes. He then lifted his head licking his lips nervously before again warning, “You don’t want to come into my world, Jack. You’d get lost in it. Stay away, Jack, stay away…from me, from him, from the world I live in. It will destroy you, Jack. It will destroy you.”
With that he turned and rapidly headed for the door halting when the man called his name again. He didn’t turn only stood knowing he should run before it was too late but unable to make his feet obey the command, “Wait. Would you just wait a minute, please?”
“I don’t have a minute, Jack.”
Hesitating he licked his lips before stumbling over his words and managing, “When can I see you again?”
“You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because you can’t afford me…”
“What?”
“Good bye Jack.”
With that he quickly made his escape approaching the man who stood at the door patiently waiting for him swallowing hard as he became aware that he probably incited more questions from Jack, made him more curious instead of less and that meant…
Damn.
Jack would continue to pursue him. Damn!
*
* * * * *
PATH OF THE MANES
Guided by the Yama-Dutas
Several weeks later…
It was time for him to leave and return to the one waiting for him. Shaking his head he quickly set out on his journey. Once home he climbed the steps and quickly entered. Upon arrival he was seized by guards and escorted none too gently into the room of the one awaiting him. He was then ordered to disrobe and quickly complied before handing his clothes over and dismissing the guards. They both bowed before excusing themselves. As they left the room he squeezed his eyes tightly shut upon hearing the overly loud click that announced to him that they also secured the door behind him. He was trapped. Now all he could do was await the arrival of the one wishing to speak with him.
As the door quietly opened he tensed swallowing hard before ordering himself to calm and relax. Listening as his visitor approached he tensed upon feeling a familiar roughened hand brush across his left shoulder before moving to trace the mark there. He wanted to fight, to resist but as soon as those fingers began to trace the mark he felt himself growing hard. He arched as the man whispered, “I see you still bear my mark, pretty pet.”
He bit into his bottom lip moaning as the leash attached to the collar he now wore was tugged on and as the collar pressed firmly against his throat adding uncomfortable pressure to his windpipe he felt as if he were about to explode. As the gentle command to heel was whispered in his ear he dutifully obeyed momentarily forgetting that he was here against his will having been stripped before locked in the room to await his true master.
He waited for his next command automatically responding to the one who spoke to him, “Did you miss me? Speak.”
“Yes Master.”
A yank on his leash had him automatically correcting himself, “My Master, yes My Master.”
“Good and did you accomplish your mission, pretty pet?”
“My Master, yes My Master.”
“He will come for you, will he not?”
“My Master, yes My Master.”
He felt a pat on his head as he was told that he was a good pet. His master then softly whispered, “Down, pretty pet, down.”
He complied and his master smiled before saying, “You please me so, pet. You please me so very much, but I fear you will have to spend the night in your cage for daring to resist my men.”
He whimpered arching as a moist finger, obviously made wet by his master’s mouth, began to gently stroke across his opening making him nearly purr in bliss. He soon began to moan and gently thrust against the mattress he now lay upon as each stroke triggered pleasure in his every nerve. He gently thrust again and again as his master freely stroked him feeling his pleasure only increase as his master chuckled before repeating, “Yes, you’re a very good pet.”
“My Master, thank you, My Master.”
“Narayana?”
The door opened to admit one of the guards and his master briskly ordered, “Escort my pet to his cage. I will come for him in the morning.”
“Yes My Lord.”
As his lead was given to Narayana he dutifully rose from the bed before lowering to the floor and crawled behind his keeper to his cage, willingly entering it before settling down for the night.
Narayana lowered before him cupping his face tenderly as he questioned, “Are you all right? He did not harm you?”
“No. No. I’m…all right.”
“But you do not wish to be here.”
“I have no choice.”
Narayana nodded before saying, “I will watch him. He will come, of that I am certain and I will keep him safe for you. I promise I shall keep him safe.”
“Thank you.”
“You are quite welcome, and now you must rest. Sleep, sleep for me.”
He smiled softly before nodding and answering, “Good night, Narayana.”
“And good night to you.”
Narayana watched as he settled for the night and closed his eyes. He could only shake his head as sleep soon overtook the man still not able to comprehend how he could fall asleep in a cage when his master required it of him and saddened greatly as the unfairness of his life again impacted him full force.
*
* * *
CROSSING THE
VAITARANI
Beyond the
He returned each night to the nightclub searching for the man of his dreams, awaiting his act and meeting him off stage right ignoring the one who always watched them from afar. Each night he became more and more fascinated with the young dancer and desired to get to know him better. Each night he’d ask him out, but the man would always respond with a warning for him to stay away, to stay out of his world. His world, whatever that was. He knew he should stop his pursuit, but each night he saw the man he desired to get to know him better. He had even stopped hanging out with his teammates as they continued to work out an agreement and treaty with the citizens of this world and chose to return to the club in hopes that he’d get a glimpse of the man and have a few moments to speak with him. He had danced every night for the last three months and now? Now he was no where. Now he was gone. It was as if he had just…disappeared, and he found that he wanted nothing more than to locate the man and speak with him again, to see him again.
Irritated by the owner’s constant refusal to answer any and all of his questions regarding the beautiful dancer he found his anger building and after several nights of repeatedly hitting a brick wall with his inquiries he found himself demanding in a voice none to calm, “Where is he?” and again the owner of the club only shook his head. As he practically shouted the question for what must be the hundredth time the owner finally snapped back, “He’s gone! He’s returned to his home!”
“And where exactly is that?”
“Far from here.”
“Will he be back?”
“Hard to say, he could be back in a few weeks but I don’t see it happening.”
“Why?”
“His job is done. He’s no longer needed here.”
“You fired him?”
“No. No, I had no say in that decision, no. He was here for a job and he did what was expected of him. Now that it’s completed he returned to his home.”
“Will he ever come back here?”
The man offered a weak smile before answering, “If he does it won’t be for awhile and it will only be at the discretion of the one he’s with.”
“And who is he with?”
“The one he’s always with, of course.”
“You mean the one he always leaves here with?”
“No, no. Not him though he’s there too. He watches him, guards him if you would.”
“Guards him? From what?”
“Look Mister you should really take his advice.”
“And what advice is that?”
“He told you to let him go, to not pursue him. It would be in your best interest if you did as he has told you. Trust me on this. You don’t want to get involved with him.”
“I already am!”
“You barely know him, and you’re willing to track him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
“Ah don’t tell me it’s because you fell for him. You did, didn’t you? Look, Mister, take my advice and don’t go after him. It’ll save you a whole hell of a lot of heartache in the end. He’s not up for grabs. He’s spoken for. Stay away from him and you’ll be fine. Go after him and you’re liable not to return. Many are never seen again. He told you to forget him so I’d suggest that’s exactly what you do. Forget him.”
“I can’t.”
“You’re not even from around here. You came through the chap’pai. You know nothing of this place, of our world. You’d be best to listen to those of us who have lived here all our lives. When we say stay away from him. We mean it. He’ll only lead you to heartache and pain. Not intentionally mind you, but the boy has no control over what he does, what he’s made to do.”
“What he’s made to do? What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
Shaking his head he answered, “I’ve said too much already. My advice is to leave this place, leave this world and forget about us, forget about him, forget everything. You’ll be a hell of a lot safer in the end. Trust me will ya? Trust me and trust him. He said stay away, he means stay away.”
Of course he was a stubborn son of a bitch and even though he repeatedly replayed the same conversation over and over in his head and knew it was a warning to not pursue the man he desired above all others he found that his heart just wouldn’t let him forget so he pushed all those warnings out of his mind and prepared to embark on a journey to locate the one man in the universe who he cared for way more than he should. When he told his team to return without him his 2IC was first to order him to halt in his plans. She was furious and was quick to voice her disagreement with, “Sir, you’re not going after him are you?”
Without looking at her he grabbed his rucksack and headed towards the door. Instead of accepting his decision she spoke up, “Colonel, I’ve been talking to the locals and they all say to leave him go, to forget him… He’s dangerous, Jack.”
“Like hell he is!”
“They say that he’s not free. They say he’s owned by a man named Mara. They say he’s one of this Mara’s pleasure pets. They say that he does the man’s bidding without question, Jack. The villagers they all say that Mara commonly sets traps for those he desires to conquer and claim and he’s the bait.”
“Mara? Who the hell is Mara?”
“The lord of this land, sir, he’s the ruler of this world. They say he possesses magical powers…powers that are very indicative of him being a Goa’uld, sir, and he serves him in his most intimate circle. Please tell me you’re not seriously considering going after him.”
“Well I am.”
Drawing in a calming breath she firmly stated, “Colonel he’s marked.”
That drew Jack’s head up and as he focused on her she shifted nervously awaiting his response. After several moments he questioned, “What?”
“He bears Mara’s mark on his left shoulder. He obeys Mara. He BELONGS to Mara. He was sent to entrap you, sir, and you’re falling right into it.”
“No I’m getting him the hell out of there.”
Shaking her head she continued hating to tell him what he needed to hear but knowing she had no other choice, “He’s sworn allegiance to Mara. He’s a pleasure pet, sir. They kiss the ground their master walks on. Mara…he treats them as animals and they follow him anywhere. He isn’t even addressed as Daniel there. His name is Sarameya, Colonel.”
“And…”
And? AND? She shook her head aware that Jack just was not listening so she tried harder, “And his name? It’s the name given to one of Mara’s messengers. In the mythology Mara had two dogs whose roles were to guard and to act as messengers to dying souls, sir. He…Daniel serves as Mara’s faithful dog Sarameya.”
“Right…”
“Sir…”
“Look, Carter, I understand your concerns. I really do, but I’m going after him regardless of what you tell me. Now I want you and your team to go home. I don’t want the rest of you to be endangered on this mission…”
“
“That’s enough, Carter! You have your orders. Now go.”
“And the General, sir, what do we tell him?”
Pausing briefly he shook his head before answering, “I don’t know, Carter, but what I do know is that if I let him go I may be giving up my only chance at true happiness and I’m not sure I can do that, Carter, so please do as I say and don’t question why. Please?”
She opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again searching for words and unable to find any before opting simply to nod her head knowing that she was sending him into a trap set up for him and possibly to his death, but also knowing that the Colonel was more serious about this Daniel than she had ever realized.
* * * *
RECEIVED BY VAIDHYATA
The
After haggling the club owner more Jack was given a location of the dancer. He was told that the man lived with their ruler and that he would be impossible to get to. If he were to undertake his pursuit he would be walking into a danger he would be unlikely to return from. Thanking the man for the information he provided he headed off on his own not sure of what to expect and taken completely by surprise when he slowly approached the gates leading onto the property where the dancer supposedly lived. He was determined to be cautious and find a different way in then through the front door, but he didn’t even make it to the gate before he was apprehended by several guards who joyfully announced, “Ah you must be Colonel…O’Neill is it? Perfect you are just on time. We have been expecting you.”
“What?”
“Our lord has been expecting you. It would seem that Sarameya was successful in yet another mission.”
Confused he spoke without thinking, “Another mission?”
“Yes, his mission was to seduce you, to lure you to our lord and he has again succeeded. He never fails to lure them all here and all now serve their lord diligently. Sarameya has been very successful in entrapping many an enemy and a spy. He has also been successful in trapping those our lord desires to possess and own. Our lord will be pleased. You are a fine specimen as he had hoped. Yes he will be very pleased.”
He was then physically escorted by the two guards into a throne room that he was very certain belonged to Mara, the man Carter had tried to warn him of. As he was led before a presently empty throne he recognized the man who stood off to the left of it noting he was the man who always awaited Daniel after his performances. Shaking his head he recalled what the guards had just told him out front. It had been a trap, all of it, just like Carter had said and he foolishly waltzed right into it. How could he have been so stupid? How could he have allowed himself to fall for a blue eyed vixen with a heart of stone? How could he have been so wrong? Hanging his head he felt the coldness encircle his heart. He had come here thinking he was pursuing a man he loved only to find that the man he had fallen so quickly for was evil and cruel. Fate was so unfair and he was its latest victim.
He looked up as a man who must be Mara entered the room before settling on his throne and handing a leash to a guard before ordering, “Syama, heel.”
Jack watched as Daniel crawled in front of Mara’s throne before settling on his knees before him. The leash Mara had held in his hand moments before was connected to a collar that fit perfectly around Daniel’s neck and the man seemed very comfortable wearing it. Shaking his head he watched as the beautiful dancer spread his legs wide as he bowed his head in a show of submission. He wore a translucent red silk outfit that barely covered him or his assets, for it hung loosely over each broad shoulder before falling like a curtain down over each arm to pool on either side of his spread thighs. His chest and cock were fully exposed to all who gazed upon him. The color Jack had learned from the villagers marked the man as a pleasure slave, one who could be purchased for the evening if his master desired to rent him out. Jack found his hands itching to produce the money it would cost to spend a night with the beautiful bitch and felt his fingers tingle as he envisioned bringing his hand down across those beautiful thighs hard enough to mark and induce pain.
He had been a fool falling for a man who was as beautiful as he was sinister. He would never have suspected that a man who had seemed to possess such a gentle nature could be so cruel as to entrap another at a master’s command. He should have never been so trustful. He was a fool, and now he was an imprisoned fool. The slave would suffer for his lies and deceit. Oh how he would suffer.
Mara began to talk but Jack heard little of what he had said instead choosing to watch the betraying bitch who sat on his knees like a good little doggy. He held his head lower, but whether that was because he was ashamed of what he had done or out of respect for his master he wasn’t certain. He suspected it was the latter.
As he was ordered to rise he shook his head casting an icy glare at the pathetic slave who bowed before him, and as he was escorted to the dungeons by two guards he started to think of how he would escape and how the bitch would pay for his betrayal.
* *
As he had entered the room and caught a glimpse of their visitor he felt his heart breaking. The visitor was the man who had spent many a night pursuing him. The visitor was the man his master had ordered him to entrap and lure here. He had warned the man not to journey into his world but apparently the stubborn Colonel didn’t listen to warnings or take them very seriously. If he had he wouldn’t be here right now.
From the moment he entered the room he had felt Jack’s eyes on him and was certain the man now hated him…and why wouldn’t he? He had just discovered that the reason for his capture was that he was set up by Mara’s faithful servant. He felt disgusted and dirty for what he had been made to do to the man now no doubt gazing at him in pure hatred. He’d never be seen as anything more than a liar and a manipulator to Jack, and he felt the loss of the man’s respect drive a stake in his heart. He had had no choice but to obey and had been determined to do so without question certain the man was evil, as his master had said, only to discover the man was nice and kind. He had been sent to him so long ago, or so it seemed and had never planned to become the least bit connected to the man in any way. He had been determined to treat Jack as any other client his master ordered him to please. He had been determined to remain cold and distant, aloof and instead had fallen and fallen hard for the man who seemed to treat him with infinite kindness and concern, a man who actually cared and showed it, and then he had to betray him. It was his master’s command. If he had refused he would have been executed immediately or something far worse than that. He had had no choice, had he chose to betray, to disappear his master would have found him and punished him. He had had no choice and in the span of a heartbeat he had lost Jack’s respect and concern, and he felt very ashamed. He squeezed his eyes tightly shut as they burned threatening to reveal how he hurt inside. He couldn’t allow them to see that, especially Mara.
As Mara had ordered Jack to be taken to the dungeons Daniel felt relieved for he no longer felt the piercing gaze that Jack had now fixed on him or the tension and hatred he was certain now came off of Jack in waves. Hostility and rage…he didn’t like it and felt rather uneasy about it, uneasy and so very afraid.
His master interrupted his train of thought with, “He intrigues you, does he not?”
“My Master, yes My Master.”
Silence fell for several moments between them before Mara added, “Sarameya, you may visit with him if you so choose. I will permit you that much.”
“My Master, thank you, My Master.”
“I am very pleased with you, Sarameya. You have done very well this day.”
Clenching his eyes shut tighter he softly answered, “My Master, thank you, My Master,” and felt the knife in his heart twist even deeper.
*
* * *
AWAITING CHITAGUPTA
Entering the dungeons Narayana approached the prisoner and offered him food saying, “I brought you some food. Daniel said that you would probably be hungry.”
“Take it back and tell that conniving bitch that I want nothing from him.”
Narayana flinched and nodded, still leaving the tray before turning and pausing debating only a moment before saying, “Do not be so hard on him. He has no choice but to serve. You were his hope for a better life, but he now tells me he deserves to be treated as his master sees fit…it is punishment to himself.”
“What?”
“He is punishing himself for something he could not control. Daniel lives a very difficult life and you were the first to inspire him, to breathe hope into him. You were the first to CARE and now he is certain he has lost even that.”
With that said Narayana left.
Jack glared at the full tray of food determined not to touch anything on it. He wouldn’t accept anything from the conniving bitch. Hell, the food was probably tainted anyway. The bastard probably got his kicks out of drugging the food or some twisted shit like that, and he wasn’t about to fall for another of the bastard’s lies. No. Instead he’d spend his time weighing his options, figuring out how to escape and how to make the slave suffer for his betrayal. Anger and hatred was all he had at the moment and that was what would keep him going.
*
* * *
Several hours later Daniel arrived being led by Narayana. Once to the dungeon Narayana told him he could rise and would wait. Daniel thanked him before approaching Jack.
The first words out of Jack’s mouth were, “Aren’t you supposed to be on all fours Sarameya?”
He drew in a hissing breath before speaking, “Sam told you then…”
“That you’re a guardian bitch who serves as his messenger? Yeah she told me.”
“Jack…”
“Don’t.”
Silence fell between them for several long moments before Daniel spoke, “Narayana told me that you aren’t eating.”
“Yeah, guess I’m waiting for my messenger to guide my dying soul.”
“Jack please. I have no choice.”
“Why did you tell me your name was Daniel? That’s an insult you know. It means…”
“God is my judge.”
“Yes and you’re so far from…”
“Daniel is the name I was given at birth, Jack. Syama is the name Mara addresses me by.”
“Thought it was Sarameya…”
“Same thing, different spelling.”
“What does it mean? Betraying bitch?”
He flinched before answering, “No it means the heavenly
hound. It came from
“And you serve him as his bitch.”
He flinched again before managing, “Unfortunately yes. I have tried to escape, but he has an army that worships the ground he walks on and when I attempt such a feat I not only have to face his wrath but that of his army. The last time I ran I was forced to walk a gauntlet and nearly died as a result. The respect I now receive? It’s from having survived the gauntlet and being able to walk away. Most people don’t survive. I was lucky and since I showed strength in defeat Mara honored me with the name Syama.”
“What was your name before that? Bitch?”
“Pretty close. The first thing taken from me upon capture was my name, and I’m ashamed to admit it but after serving so long I did forget who I was. I forgot my name and nearly lost myself.”
“But?”
“Narayana was watching over me.”
“Ah yes Nirvana…”
“Narayana. Also Hindu.”
“And what does his name mean: caretaker of bitches?”
“Hmm no. Narayana means protector of man. His name is another name for the Hindu god Vishnu.”
“Vishnu, uh? Study Hindu do you?”
“I’m a culture buff, an archeologist, a scientist and a historian all rolled into one, yes.”
“Hmm and you serve as his pet?”
“I have no choice in the matter.”
“Oh right, captured was it?”
“Unfortunately yes Jack.”
“Hmm I don’t believe you.”
“I know,” came the sad quiet reply.
Jack felt like an ass and decided to back up his words with, “You wear his mark.”
Again the room filled with Daniel’s quiet sad voice as he answered, “I know that too.”
“Why? Why do you wear his mark?”
“Escaped slave. I ran from him, so he decided to mark me. As soon as that brand is recognized I’m returned to him.”
“Brand?”
“Yes.”
“Thought it was a tattoo?”
“No it’s a brand, burned into my skin, Jack, punishment from him for daring to defy him.”
“What is it?”
“A vulture.”
“And why is it a…?”
“It’s his symbol.”
“A vulture is his symbol? Why a vulture?”
“Because in Hindu mythology Mara personifies evil and death. He’s the same as the death demon Mtryu who’s a messenger of Yama…”
“Yama?”
“The king of the dead, Jack.”
“And you serve him?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I already told you…”
“You have no choice. Bullshit. You’re a seducer, a whore for him.”
“No I’m not.”
“Tell me you weren’t sent to entrap me. Tell me that Daniel.”
Daniel hung his head before answering, “I also tried to protect you, but you don’t seem to have noticed. I warned you of his plans and you came anyway.”
“You never warned me of anything.”
“Did you listen to Sam?”
“What?”
“Did you listen to Sam?”
Jack looked at him dumbfounded prompting Daniel to answer his own inquiry, “No you didn’t. Perhaps if you had then you wouldn’t be here. I took a big risk to forewarn you. Technically I nearly forfeited my own life to do so, but you don’t even know it. Do you Jack?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. Forget it. I’ll leave you alone.”
He watched the man turn abruptly from him before exiting the dungeons. He stared at that door for what seemed like hours before Narayana returned. He debated for several moments about speaking with the man and when asked if he needed anything quickly answered with, “He said that he nearly forfeited his own life to warn me. What did he mean by that?”
Narayana focused intently on the prisoner knowing he was asking about Daniel. He paused for a moment before answering, “If he had been caught he would have been executed. A slave performs without question. They feel nothing. They do nothing without their master’s consent. Their only duty, their only right, is to obey their master without question. He chose to break such rules to forewarn you of his master’s plans. Had his actions been discovered…he would have been executed immediately.”
“He would have…”
“Yes. He chose to take the risk, yet still you treat him with dishonor and disrespect. Why do you treat him so poorly?”
“He betrayed me.”
“He warned you.”
“He… I… I don’t know what to think.”
“You do not understand what life as a slave entails. You do not understand what it means to BE a slave. You believe that he is free. He has not been free for many years. His life has not been his own for many years.”
Nodding he licked his lips before inquiring further, “Narayana, can I ask you something else?”
Narayana inclined his head prompting Jack to ask, “What exactly does Sarameya do?”
Silence answered the inquiry before Jack continued, “I’m correct in saying he’s a…whore, right?”
The anger that graced Narayana’s face startled Jack who quickly apologized. Narayana spoke then, “You dare to judge him and call him by that name? He does not sell his body to the highest bidder. He does not entertain Mara’s army with his body. He does not sleep with multiple partners. He belongs to Mara and while Mara can choose to rent him out to whomever he desires that does not make him a… You insult him by addressing him as such.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean any offense by it.”
“Really? And do you use such an address where you are from?”
“Yes.”
“And what does it mean?”
“Uh pretty much what you think it means.”
“So why would you use it in reference to Daniel?”
“I… He…”
“And again you stumble over words.”
“He… I mean look at how… I…”
Narayana nodded before speaking again, “As I have said already Daniel is a slave. He is owned by Mara. He is Mara’s property. He belongs to Mara, and he has no choice in the matter.”
“But why would he stay? I mean who would…?”
“Has he not already told you of his penalty should he run?”
“Um yes but…”
“But?”
“I mean, that is um…”
“You do not believe him. You believe he has a choice in the life he leads. You do not realize what being a servant, a slave, what being owned by a master truly means.”
“Tell me why should I believe anything that…man tells me?”
“Because he is telling you the truth… His life is not his own. He does not have the right to do as he pleases.”
“He came here on his own now didn’t he?”
“No he did not. His master has granted him permission to visit with you when he desires. Daniel does nothing without his master’s consent or he suffers.”
“He suffers.”
“Such is the way of things.”
Hating the man for his betrayal and swearing he didn’t give a damn about him Jack still found himself asking, “How does he suffer?”
Narayana gazed intently at the man before him seeing his rage and anger, his hatred of Daniel so noticeable in his eyes, but he also saw an emotion that surprised him: O’Neill still cared. Shaking his head he simply replied, “I have told you too much already. I must take my leave.”
And he quickly left as he recognized another unexpected emotion in O’Neill’s penetrating gaze: love.
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