A month after that first night and Jack had a handle on the basics of what the Hispanian empire called the common-tongue or Ulgat. “Jack, quid language training?” asked one of the nicer guards, a man by the name of Sextus.

  After a moment of thought, Jack replied in broken Ulgat, “Language training good… Many… Student understand command.”

  “Good. Tua training sta’re nicely.” Sextus said with a grin before he sighed, “Follow me. More have come from beyond the gate.”

  Jack bowed slightly and hurried after Sextus, knowing there would be scared people wanting to know what the fuck was going on.. And if he wasn’t there, they would be lucky to only get a light beating for moving too slowly, let alone resisting.

  After only a few moments navigating the halls, they were in the main intake room again with three cartfuls of people. Jack looked to Sextus for permission, starting his well-rehearsed speech when he got a slight nod from the man.

  “Everyone, please give me your attention. I know you are scared, but the best thing to do at this point is cooperate. Once the cages are opened, leave one at a time, and go where the guard points, being sure to strip completely naked.”

  Jack paused at the expected commotion, waiting for the guards to quiet the new arrivals. After a round of cudgels banging on bars and shouts of “TAC!”

  Once it was quiet again, he continued, “As I was saying, you will need to strip naked. Someone will examine you, taking notes, while a slave will wash you with a stiff brush and bucket of water. Once that’s done, another slave will help you dry and give you your new clothes. Anyone who resists or moves too slowly will be struck at best, beaten into submission at worst. They don’t need you conscious for the exam, so please cooperate.”

  As he spoke, he walked along the line of the carts, gauging the reactions of those inside the cages. With subtle gestures, he pointed out potential problems, knowing if he pointed them out now, it would cause less grief for others inside the same cages. He ignored the looks he got from the newcomers. After having done these speeches almost every couple of days, he had grown used to the glares and pleading looks he got.

  Following Sextus, he stepped to the side, watching as each person was examined and sorted. Jack almost jumped when someone tugged at his tunic. Looking to the cage he was leaning against, he found Merrow looking up at him. He had learned that the cat-kin was a troubled case and if she didn’t shape up soon, she would be sold to a brothel. Putting his hand through the bars, Jack gave Merrow some scratches between her ears, eliciting purrs that would rival a chainsaw.

  “Merrow likes you.” Jack heard Sextus say. Jack nodded and smiled as the cat-kin pushed into the pets.

  “Yes, Merrow, good cat,” Jack said, tilting his head. “Jack make Merrow assistant?” He asked, hoping his Ulgat was good enough to get the request across.

  Sextus nodded slowly, saying, “I will talk to Dominus Euripides.” Their focus shifted when several shouts broke out and a small group of men tried, and failed, to overpower the guards, earning a beating for each of them.

  ***

  Another three months passed with fewer and fewer new arrivals from the other side of the gate. Jack had become fluent in Ulgat, and understood both the mewling language of the cat-kin and the yipping language of the wolf-kin. “It’s been almost a month since the last arrivals from beyond the gate. You’ll prolly be sold soon, Jack,” Merrow said as the cat-kin climbed the shelves, helping Jack inventory the warehouse. Stopping at a crate, she rattled off the designation on the front of the crate before rummaging around inside, reporting, “I count twenty tunics.”

  Jack nodded as he repeated what she said as he made notes on a wax tablet. It didn’t take long after he was fluent enough in Ulgat that they realized he was literate in his own language, let alone knowing basic arithmetic and more advanced mathematics, at least by their standards. After learning enough written Ulgat, he was quickly assigned to the jobs the other scribes abhorred, such as inventory.

  “I know, but with me basically being a trained scribe, I’m not too worried about being sent to do hard labor.” Jack replied as the pair moved on.

  Merrow’s fur bristled, and she let out a low growl. “You’re the closest thing I’ve had to a friend since they captured me. I don’t want to be separated from my clowder again after only just starting to rebuild it.”

  Jack sighed, then grinned. “Then it’s a good thing I used the pull I had with the other scribes to convince Dominus Euripides to make us a packaged deal.” He said, his tone distracted, as if it was something she should have already known.

  Merrow froze her hand reaching out to grab the next shelf as his head slowly turned toward him. “We can only be sold together? We won’t be separated?” She asked, leaping to the ground with a soft poof before she wrapped Jack in a tight hug, rubbing him all over with her head and body, purring up a storm.

  “Yes,” he said, laughing and pushing at the purring cat-kin, “now back to work. Hey said you were uncontrollable, and that’s why they couldn’t sell you. If I can’t get you to keep working, they won’t keep you marked as my assistant.”

  Merrow froze for a moment before she practically flew up the shelving, moving on to the next crate, rattling off its designation and contents. After another couple of hours, they had finished the audit. Jack shook his head as the cat-kin insisted on staying as close as physically possible, which in practice meant that she was practically hanging off him as she rubbed her head against his shoulder.

  “Finally tell her you’re stuck with her?” Sextus’s voice called teasing.

  Merrow hissed while Jack chuckled, nodding. “Yeah, though I can’t say I hate the attention.”

  “Well, I got some news then. We have a buyer interested in you. I will take the audit while you report to meeting room seven.” Sextus said, his hand outstretched to take the wooden tablet.

  Jack handed him the tablet, giving Merrow a couple of scratches to distract her, eliciting purrs strong enough to massage his shoulders before giving her head a soft pat. “Alright, you need to stop hanging on me. We need to be professional during the negotiation meeting. If we don’t fetch a high enough price, they will separate us and cut their losses.” He said, his tone shifting from teasing to serious.

  She let go of him, taking position to his right and a step behind. They walked to the meeting room, and Jack knocked on the door. “Enter.” A voice called.

  Jack opened the door and found Euripides, the bejeweled man Jack had first seen negotiating with the centurion, sitting across from a well-dressed man flanked on either side by armed and armored guards in the Iconic armor he had seen in movies like Gladiator or Spartacus though they didn’t have the iconic helmets.

  Jack bowed and said, “We are reporting as ordered, Dominus.”

  “Good both of you are here. This is Overseer Octavian Septimus. He runs a gold mine for Senator Markus Arrellius and is looking for a skilled slave capable of organizing the laborers. As you have helped organize the new arrivals and tamed this previously untamable cat-kin, you seemed particularly capable of such a task.” He said.

  “Are you sure this is the same unruly cat-kin you showed me only a year ago? They are not only staying quiet but showing proper deference.” Octavian said, rubbing his chin, his voice curious. “Where is the mark I ordered you to brand on her?” he asked after studying Merrow for a few moments, the question coming out with an edge.

  Euripides gave Jack a nod, and he straightened, turning stiffly to Merrow. “Show the Dominus the mark you earned for disobedience.” The only sign of his discomfort with the topic was the look on his face. A look that only Merrow could see.

  “Yes, sir.” She said as she pulled the burlap tunic over her head. In the middle of her stomach, one of the only places clear of fur, was a brand of the word “disobedient” nestled between four pairs of nipples.

  “Is this the brand Dominus?” Jack asked, gesturing to the word burned into her skin, somehow still showing proper deference.

  The overseer stood and walked over to the pair, the guards tensing when Merrow let out a low growl, otherwise remaining where they were. Jack only gave her a glare, and the noise stopped.

  “I can see she is indeed the slave in question, and you say this one tamed her?” He asked, beginning to look Jack over.

  “He did.” Euripides replied, getting up. “He is one of our first acquisitions from beyond the gate and in only four months learned to speak, read and write Ulgat. He also understands the bestial languages and knows mathematics. We have been using him for routine audits, and he is diligent and accurate in his work.” He said, selling Jack. Taking a breath, he continued, “You can…” only for Octavian to interrupt him with a raised hand.

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  “I would see how obedient the cat-kin is to your proposed slave if I am to take them as a lot.” He said, turning to Jack. “You will order her to stay still as one of my guards marks her ear.”

  “I must object, sir…” Euripides began only for Octavian to toss a pouch to him.

  “That is ten denar. I’m sure it is already more than she is worth.” Octavian said, giving Euripides a glare.

  Jack watched the exchange neutrally his eyes shifting to Merrow, who gave him a subtle nod, though her eyes were filled with fear, both of her ears were flat against her head, and her tail was tightly tucked between her legs. “Merrow, you will remain still while your ear is marked. Is that understood?” Jack ordered, surprised at how calm and steady his voice was.

  “Herodotus, use your dagger to make a cut in the left ear. Do not damage her more than necessary for the mark. She could still be valuable.” Octavian ordered.

  “Yes, sir.” The guard to the left, Herodotus, said, a sadistic smile stretching across his face.

  “Dominus, if I may make a suggestion?” Jack said suddenly his voice calm even as part of him was screaming in his head to stay quiet.

  Octavian held up a hand, stalling Herodotus’s advance while he gave Jack a cold, assessing look. “You would speak out of turn?” He asked.

  “Forgive my impetuousness, Dominus. I will take whatever punishment you deem appropriate.” Jack said, knowing he was walking a tightrope, but being unable to help trying to keep Merrow from permanent harm. “I just thought of a method to make sure the cat-kin demonstrates proper discipline while not risking permanent injury.”

  Octavian raised an eyebrow at the declaration, keeping his hand raised much to the irritation of Herodotus, he said, “I am listening.”

  “Have her mark her own ear. She would know how best to do so with as little detriment ot her usefulness as possible.” Jack suggested.

  “You would have me give a slave, one known for rank disobedience, a weapon?” Octavian asked.

  “She will not attack Dominus.” Jack said, his voice unwavering.

  Octavian grinned. “Then let it be so. Herodotus, give Jack your dagger so he may hand it to the cat-kin.”

  Herodotus glowered but obeyed, handing Jack a dagger that seemed to be made of an exotic alloy he had never seen before, with an edge that glinted menacingly. By the time the exchange happened, Octavian was already behind his other guard, with Herodotus taking up position to defend the man while Jack turned to Merrow.

  Merrow gave Jack a sad look, though her ears and tail had relaxed. Carefully taking the knife, she carefully cut out a triangle of flesh no larger than Jack’s pinky-nail at its wider point, then handing the knife back to Jack, who exchanged it for a piece of cloth he had hidden away on his person. After checking the blade and finding a small line of blood, Jack wiped it on his pants. As he did so, Herodotus growled, “You’re going to ruin the blade!” before backhanding him.

  Jack’s head went blank for a moment, his ears ringing in an all too familiar way. He had endured his share of beatings from bored guards, and knew it was easier to take the blow, acting weak and cowed. What no one knew, aside from maybe Merrow, was that he had learned to heal himself from having watched the potion work the day he had arrived.

  He had even figured out that if he constantly cycled the power through his body, it would constantly heal whatever injuries he gained, including when he overused his muscles. This ability allowed him to unlock the full use of his muscles, though he had to endure all the pain from any injuries as he got them, even as they healed. This made using his muscles to their fullest extent nearly unbearable.

  He heard shouting as his mind shifted back to the time he had to do just that to save Merrow from a crate full of old chain-mail from the local legion forces. Euripides intended to sell it to a mercenary company that had established itself inside the city.

  ***

  Time seemed to slow as Jack watched the crate teeter just as Merrow walked below it. He didn’t think, he moved. The tablet and styles forgotten as he dashed forward, one hand pushing the cat-kin to the ground, the other already in the air as the crate crashed into it. His second joined it a moment later, stabilizing the crate now precariously balanced on his back, nearly crushing him as he slammed onto his knees.

  Everything sped back up as Merrow rolled and spun, her claws flashing as she hissed, “What the fu…” the last word lost as Merrow saw Jack holding up the crate filled almost to bursting with chain-mail. His supposed assault forgotten as she dashed forward only to watch him shift, first getting one foot beneath him, then the other.

  Standing, he groaned as he forced the crate back onto the shelf. A crate she knew had taken two strong bear-kin to put in place.

  ***

  He was brought back to the present by the metallic taste of blood. He instinctively started to circulate the mana, as he called it, only to stop to keep from showing his hand. The next thing he noticed was the figure of Merrow standing between him and Herodotus, her claws bared and a feral hiss escaping from her. “Row stand down.” Jack barked, getting back to his feet.

  Before she could do anything stupid, he placed a hand to the back of her head and forced her into a low bow as he did the same. “Please forgive this unfortunate display, Dominus Octavian, Dominus Euripides. I will accept the lashes for my failure.” Jack said, keeping his hand firmly planted on the cat-kin’s head even as she tried to struggle against his grasp. She tried only once, deciding against doing so again when he gave her head a gentle squeeze.

  He just hoped she hadn’t ruined their chances. He had overheard one of the guards talking about how if she wasn’t sold soon, the Dominus would cut his losses and sell her to a brothel, letting them drug her into submission. He suppressed a shudder, waiting for the decision of the two men who held their fate in their hands.

  What he hadn’t anticipated was deep, amused laughter. Chancing a glance up, he saw that Octavian was doubled over laughing. After a few moments he regained control and breathlessly said, “Please stand. I see she is loyal and obedient.”

  Taking a deep breath and wiping tears from his eyes, he finally regained control and turned to Euripides. “I think this one will be perfect for the job. I have some new beast-kin that, while they work, are not as cooperative as I would like them to be. My guards have had to discipline them more than I thought would be needed. Unfortunately, the seller in question is already dead for selling a defective pleasure slave to a good friend of mine.” He said before muttering, “The bitch killed him in his sleep.”

  Shaking his head, Octavian turned back to Jack. “I will finish negotiations. Take what preparations you need and get a potion for yourself and the cat. Can’t go buying damaged goods.” He said with a dismissive gesture.

  Being careful to remain at a half bow, Jack walked backwards several steps, almost dragging Merrow along, before turning and exiting the room. “Let’s get you that potion, Row,” Jack said, letting go of her head and starting down the hall.

  “You mean get us potions.” She countered, stopping him in his tracks. Turning, he saw her right behind him, eyebrow raised, tail twitching in agitation. “You are so easy to read when you’re worried.” She teased, licking the tip of his nose.

  Jack shook his head, taking a step back. The rough feel of her tongue shocked him back to reality. “Right, we should get potions.” He repeated. After walking for a few minutes, he asked, “How long have you known?”

  She glanced at him before looking forward. “I suspected something after you saved me from that crate. I started spying on you after that. Even after they beat you to the point that you should have had bruised ribs and broken bones, you were fine the next day. You only acted hurt when the guards were around.” She explained.

  “At first, I just thought that humans from your world were quicker to heal. That was until I saw how long the others that came with you took to heal from the same injuries. You can use magic, can’t you?”

  Jack didn’t answer for several minutes, to the point that she was about to ask again. “I don’t know. There is no magic on the other side of the gate aside from stories.” He heard voices up ahead and added, “We’ll talk later, Row the Medici is just up ahead.”

  There were a few guards holding a limp wolf-kin between them. “Good, the beast whisperer. Can you please explain to this one that fighting will just mean another beating?” Muttered one of the more antagonistic guards, Antonio, if Jack remembered correctly.

  “Stay calm, Row.” Jack muttered softly, seeing her hands tense and her claws sliding free. He relaxed when he saw her take a deep breath. Focusing back on the wolf-kin, Jack didn’t recognize the markings, but the build suggested the wolf-kin was female. “She new?” Jack asked.

  “Yeah, that customer with the two guards brought her. Said she was too unruly. He was right. As soon as we got her out of the cage, she jumped Rock. The medicus is checking him out right now.” Antonio nodded to the wolf-kin between them. “He’s going to check her out after Rock’s patched up, to make sure she’s healthy enough to sell to the brothels.”

  His partner chuckled. “If we’re lucky, Euripides will let us take her for a ride before he sells her. Could be fun to see her break before she’s drugged into a stupor.”

  “I’ll check on Rock while I get a potion for myself and Row,” Jack said, giving Merrow a look that he knew she would recognize as, Stay here and don’t cause trouble.

  Her ears flattened, and her tail twitched, but she nodded. Jack opened the door and saw Orion, an elderly man who had been a medicus for as long as Jack had been alive. Walking to the table the man was laboring at, which was surrounded by bloody rags, he spotted Rock, a large bear-kin, whose torso looked like someone had used an industrial grinder on it. “How’s Rock?” he asked after grabbing a nearby basket of clean white cloths.

  “Thank you, young man.” He said with a smile that turned into a scowl when he turned back to the bleeding bear. “Rock should live, but I have told him to be more careful. Even his muscled frame needs blood to stay alive.” He admonished even as he used the cloths to staunch the worst of the bleeding.

  “There, I think it’s stopped.” Orion said, turning to face Jack. “Now what are you in here for, my boy?” Jack always liked Orion. The man treated everyone the same regardless of status. Jack thought the only reason he got away with it was a combination of his age and how competent he was as a healer.

  “I was ordered by my future owner to get a healing potion for myself and Row. One of his guards struck me, and she was required to notch her left ear. The bleeding has stopped, but a potion should stop any chance of infection, and I think it’s already been paid for.” Jack explained moving to the cabinet that held the potions. “Rock need one?” he asked as he opened it.

  “You know Euripides would never authorize a potion unless absolutely necessary for treatment. They aren’t cheap to make,” Orion said with a scowl.

  Jack nodded and handed him a potion vial. “Looks like I drank that one.” He said, taking a second potion and walking out.

  “There will be questions.” Orion called.

  “And you will have answers, old man. I’m sure it looked worse than it was, right?” Jack said, giving the old healer a mischievous grin he had learned from Merrow. Orion shook his head but lifted the potion in thanks and poured the vile concoction down Rock’s throat.