Chapter 11

The next morning I put on the tunic I always wear when meeting with prospective purchasers for one or more of my slaves. I’ve invited three existing clients who have previously shown an interest in acquiring young female slaves from distant lands. Yasir and Jona are agents, and each has several wealthy men as patrons who prefer to assign the sordid task of selecting nubile flesh for their harems to an intermediary. Since each patron has a different taste in women, I don’t envy Yasir’s and Jona’s task.

Tabib is the owner of an up-market pleasure enterprise which offers a variety of entertainment for those wealthy enough to pay. Many of his slaves get on-sold to the private harems of his clients, so he is always on the lookout for new slaves. Tabib has been a regular client of the Halls of Valhalla since the days when Leif and Sigmund owned the Halls. In those days, Leif would allow Tabib the opportunity to fuck me as a bonus whenever Tabib purchased a slave from their stock. Tabib hasn’t pushed for the same bonus since I became a free-woman, and the new owner of the Halls, although if the truth be told, he would find me willing enough. Unfortunately, the social mores of our society forbid a free-woman from asking a man for sex. It’s one of the aspects of my former life as a slave that I really miss.

Hafsat and Esme have been well behaved overnight, although neither seems to be talking to the other. Once the three men are settled in the viewing room, and Isa has provided them with refreshments, I parade Damla, Esme, and Seda before them. Each has been groomed and perfumed to my exacting standards. I’m pleased with their efforts to appeal to the men. They are understandably nervous, but I’m confident that each of them is emotionally ready to start the next phase of her life.

Once the presentation is over, I have the three slaves stand at the back of the room to await further developments. On average I can sell one slave in four through a private viewing and subsequent negotiation over price. It’s a process that demands great skill on everyone’s part. Agreeing a fair price is difficult since a public auction can sometimes deliver a surprise outcome. Only last month I took the risk of declining a good offer from Yasir at a private viewing and surprisingly achieved a much higher price for the slave at public auction. Not that I’m always successful in gauging the best price for a slave, but I have been pleased far more often than disappointed with my efforts at picking, training, and selling slaves.

“One hundred and twenty for Esme,” bids Tabib.

It doesn’t surprise me that Esme attracts the first offer. If I was being dispassionate, I would regard Esme as the pick of the trio. Since I only paid thirty for her dirty and untrained self six weeks ago, it’s a very profitable offer. But I think I can get more.

“I couldn’t let her go for less than one-fifty,” I counter.

“One hundred and thirty,” offers Yasir. I shake my head in refusal.

“Hmm. I could be tempted to meet your price,” muses Tabib.