<span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;"><strong>Khalida the slavegirl</strong></span><br/><br/><div class="floatleft">(http://i600.photobucket.com/albums/tt82/android1966/Decorated%20images/hunter_002a-1.jpg)</div>"lu' xal dos neitar ssinssrin whol niar." Khalida's mistress replied to the Nesstran as she shook his hand and sealed the deal. "xal dosst rothe sila dos lilbh'iahin."<br/><br/>As simply as that Khalida was traded from mistress to master and her new owner leashed his property by her slave collar. As she was led away Khalida dared a glance over her shoulder, her former mistress was counting her coin and looking pleased.<br/><br/>The Nesstran spoke in common, most probably realising that Khalida was unlikely to understand much of the noble tongue. It seemed that he was intending to purchase another slave. The man spoke in glowing terms of his prince. Khalida found it puzzling that a mere male might hold a position of rank and importance, but her knowledge of Nesstrans was scant and she held her tongue.<br/><br/>When her master questioned Khalida on her origins, she frowned slightly. It seemed so long since she had been uncollared that she had to think a moment to recall her previous life.<br/><br/>"Master, I come from the great desert." She said quietly. "In my youth I was a warrior and to my shame I confess that I rode and fought against the great Nei's forces. My clan fell before her wrath and were crushed for our foolishness. When but a few of my sisters and I remained, surrounded at bay with scimitars in hand, we were given the choice of the beautiful death in battle or kneeling to accept the collar."<br/><br/>Khalida paused and for a moment her eyes clouded as she remembered her fierce and beautiful sisters in arms and her former life.<br/><br/>"I knelt master." She said. "The soldier of the Nei who became my mistress stripped away my armour and threw down my scimitar. Around my neck she placed a slave collar and I was hers. Now I am yours."