[@BellBottomBlues]
Marië leaped into Erudessa's arms, and the two fell back on the bed. "I've never had an elf friend before!" the girl exclaimed. Erudessa laughed. "I've never had a human friend before!"

"Marië," came Lanik's stern voice.

Marië scrambled off the bed and stood to attention. Erudessa sat up and straightened her shirt. Both of them hung their heads.
"Captain," the girl acknowledged.
Lanik knelt to eye level with his daughter. "Marië, What did I say about being alone with the slave?"
[i]He must have told her while I was sleeping.[/i]
"Go to your room," he continued, "finish unpacking. I'll speak with you before bed."
Marië nodded an apology. Lanik offered his cheek, which she kissed before hugging him and leaving the room.

Lanik stood up. "She's got the liveliness of a fox sometimes. It makes it really hard to keep track of her sometimes." He pulled up a chair, took a seat and stared at her for a few moments.
Erudessa clenched the bed. [i]This is going to be a very long stay without her.[/i]
"I guess I haven't formally introduced myself," Lanik began, "so my name is Lanik Wintergate. I'm commander of the Wintergate Rangers and Captain under commission of the Imperial Crown."
[i]A Captain? If the Imperial ranks are a meritocracy, that would make him exceptionally strong.[/i]
"Normally we're not allowed to take slaves, but I...uh...made an exception for you."
[i]I'm touched.[/i] Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I appreciate what you did for Finnigan. He's a good man and deserves to go back home with at least a fighting chance."
[i]You can show your appreciation by setting me free.[/i]
He did not. "But let me make myself clear. You're a slave here. I didn't buy you out of pity. I didn't buy you out of spite. I bought you because, unlike a lot of my kin, I have a sense of obligation and...honor. Whatever my reasons are, it doesn't change this fact: you're legally bound to me. Under Imperial law, I can have you killed on a whim, and I won't hesitate to if you try anything, especially with Marië. Do you understand?"

Erudessa stared at him for a few moments.
[i]Why does he still keep me enslaved? Is it because he spent a lot of gold on me and wants his money's worth? I don't owe him a thing. I was taken against my will. He bought my services, not from me, but from my captor. I'd like to play the power card and scare him, to make him back off. I could pull it off; I'm taller than he is, and brimming with enough power to snuff out everything he is and has. But he's awfully close, and despite his youth and inexperience, he could still kill me if he chooses. Pride won't get me anywhere with him. He hasn't yet seen my strong side; he's only ever seen me when I was compromised. If I can maintain that image, perhaps he could be persuaded to trust me, and maybe reveal his true intentions.[/i]

So Erudessa shrank between her shoulders and looked away. "I understand," she replied with a small voice. She gently took the collar out of his hands and examined it.

"Will I ever be free?" she asked, demurely lifting her eyes to him.