The Racer
 
The tarn racer headed home for the night
His work for the day was done
Tomorrow's victory firmly in sight
He'd rejoice when the race was won
 
A member of the scarlet racing team
The black team his fiercest foe
To defeat the black was his fondest dream
A loss to them his deepest woe
 
Confident in his team's preparation
Their tarns all healthy and strong
Ready to receive the adoration
Of the watching public throng
 
Striding, he began to anticipate
This evening with his sole slave
In his compartments she'd eagerly wait
The return of her Master brave
 
She scrubbed clean the tiles and on them would kneel
In his silks before the door
Nearby would wait his delicious meal
She finished making ihn before
 
Savoring the thought of the slave and food
Rounding the corner to his door
Instantly was shattered his buoyant mood
When he saw what lay before
 
His warrior's knot was severed clean through
Careless ajar was left the door 
He leapt inside and with a glance he know
What had happened just before
 
His girl was gone and in her place was left
Silk cut from her with a sword
To add insult to the shameless theft
Her hair shorn in his drink she'd poured
 
He crouched down to touch a bloodied spot
Felt a sudden surge of pride
He knew that she, though slave, had fiercely fought
To stay by her Master's side
 
Cold fury grew when he saw the black mark
Of the enemy racing team
Drawn as a challenge to him, grim and stark
In the twilight's fading gleam
 
He knew that to black headquarters they'd go
To wait for him to arrive
He knew he had just a few ehn or so
To keep his kajira alive
 
An obvious plot by his black rival
To lure him in for the kill
But more at stake than his mere survival
They feared his racing skill
 
With not enough time to summon the guards
Alone to the ambush he went  
But he had a few secret tricks and cards
To race tomorrow he meant
 
He did not enter the building itself 
But climbed a tall tree to one side
Reconnoitering from a high branch shelf
Darkness hid him from those inside
 
He could see his girl blindfolded and tied
Near a window below the tree
Two men were without and four more inside
All waited tense, silently
 
In silence drew he two quivas to throw
With deadly aim killed the first two
The four men inside did not yet know
That their night's game was near through
 
Then with his shortbow and arrow afire
Ignited the roof of their den
He drew his sword, climbed just a bit higher
And crashed threw the window at them
 
The terrified slave shrank back from the fray
At his terrible battle cry
Flames growing closer, he took back the day
Coldly watched the next foe die
 
The steel in his hand whistled and sang
They had not known of his skill 
Their blows on his shield harmlessly rang
His heart surging with the thrill
 
He quickly finished with his business there
And turned to his screaming slave
She blind, helpless, bloody,  with shortened hair
What he had come here to save
 
With a sword's blow he freed her from her chains
And with her through the window soared
Ignored for the moment his wounds' pains
As flaming roof collapsed to the floor
 
He lifted her blindfold, she trembled and moaned
He saw wild love in her eyes
"Precede me" he ordered to she who he owned
So to her small feet she did rise
 
He watched the nude slave lead them back to his place
This beauty of whom he was fond
On arrival she spun and gazed at his face
His collar her only bond
 
"Master!  You saved me!  Your love is so true!"
The joyous enraptured girl cried
Then shrieked as she felt when her Master threw
Her down to the floor at his side
 
Alarmed and confused she wept as she saw
Him reach for the whip on the wall
She knew not what she did his anger to draw
As she felt the first hard blow fall
 
She screamed for mercy as he whipped her well
Until she lay sobbing and still
He waited in silence until he could tell
He had broken the last of her will
 
At last he said "This blood on the floor shows
You dared raise your hand to a man.
The place of a slave is not to strike blows
But to obey as best as she can."
 
"Further you presumed that your rescue was
Due to my love for you.
Know my actions this night were only because
Honor demanded its due."
 
In shock and fear she at last understood
The strength of this great man
Her eyes grew wider as she knew she would
Love more than when she first began
 
With his power over her clearly shown
Her love for him swelled so much
It sparked a passion she'd not before known
Helpless, she begged for his touch
 
Satisfied, he lifted her to his couch
Where they loved until replete
He knew next day he'd own the winner's pouch
His victory was complete
    
 
            JuliaMarie