“Come in." Gregory finally called out when they were half way decent. The slave entered carrying a tray upon which were placed three Large bowls filled with boiling stew and a Large loaf of bread. At least they weren't about to go hungry any time soon. The man set the bowl down before the three of them and gave a respectful and discreet nod before turning to leave.

"Wait." Gregory suddenly remembered something very important.

“When the merchant captured Janette here and the one in the sewer pit they might have been carrying a ring. That ring is very important to me. Could you see if you can find it?"

The man thought for a moment, obviously tracing in his mind where their possessions had gotten to. Then finally he gave an acknowledging bow.

“Yes my lord. Would there be anything else?"

"If you do find it then whatever you do, don't put it on. It might be dangerous.”

“Of course sir, I shall return in a moment."

With that the slave left the three of them alone and Gregory turned to find his two women Looking intently at him.

"What?" He asked after a few seconds of pointed silence.

"You still wish to Leave?" Algra's voice certainly had an edge to it.

"I wish to stay actually. That doesn't change that I've got family and friends who'll be worried to all hell that I've just vanished. Plus, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the ring if I get it. I have no idea what it is. Sure, I could put it on and go home but what if it doesn't work Like that? What if I put it on and I turn into a bowl of jelly or something?" He confided his thoughts, his hand running through his dark messy hair as his brows furrowed with worry.

“There is maybe a one who can help you find out its nature." Algra reluctantly admitted after a few moments. It was unnerving how much the worry in his expression bothered her after only a few days.

“Oh? Well maybe if we figure it out then I could send Janette home with a letter or something." He certainly perked up at this information.

"I'm not going." Janette's voice interrupted them both. "You are his now, girl. You will do as he says." Algra's tone turned downright murderous to the point where Janette visibly flinched.

“I will." She nodded resolutely.

“I‘1l do anything he tells me to.

Except that." Her eyes raised to meet his. "Greg, I know I've been a bitch. I'm screwed up in ways you don't even know. Every time I try to do something it gets all messed up and then just now I let someone else decide what I should do. I don't know what this whole master and slave thing is that they've got running here. I do know that you're one of the good guys.

I know you'll look out for me. I know that in twenty minutes you gave me more to feel good about than all those years with Freddie. So I'll do anything you ask me whilst we're here. If you want to go home I'LL do it but you've got to come with me. I'm not going to find this and then leave it behind."

“Jan, what about your parents? Grandparents? Your friends?" He was more than a little overwhelmed by her admission and the implications of it.

“My only family is my alcoholic mother who doesn't know I'm there half the time and doesn't care when I am. All my friends aren't really mine but Freddie's. Now I've got you...or rather you've got me. Either way I'm not letting go." She nodded resolutely leaving both Algra and Gregory silent.

“,..you'll do anything I say?" He smirked finally.

Janette let out a burst of melodic laughter at the sudden change in his tone. Then she surprised him by nodding in agreement.

"You won me fare and square right? I saw you back there. You were pretty amazing. Where the hell did you Learn all that...?" She did a cute little karate chop to emphasize her point.

“Well, He moved over to grab one of the bowls and handed it to Algra, then swiped another to give to Janette before taking the last for himself.

“when we were younger Freddie and some others used to like playing ‘punch the Greg’ so I took some classes to convince them it wasn't such a fun game after all. I stuck with it. I've been learning that stuff for years now."