The batyr didn't pay her attention before after removing the - formerly white-hot - brand from her thigh.<br/><strong>"I'm glad you learned already to call me Master",</strong>he observed with a smile.<br/><strong>"Seems like I got myself an intelligent slavegirl. That's good - that's how you refer to all free men and women from now on! But I'm glad... intelligent slavegirls don't get strangled for annoying a free person, after all...and I'd hate to have to find another slavegirl. Don't waste your master's time".</strong><br/><br/>Meanwhile, the helpers of the executioner handed the man a ceramic pot with some onguent in it. He smelled it, and obviously found it satisfactory, for he took some in his palm, and went on to apply it to her wound. His whole attention seemed focused there...<br/>Of course, a slave isn't<em>entitled</em>to her master's attention, is she?<br/><strong>"You'd have a lovely brand", </strong>he concluded.<strong>"It would raise your resale value, too, should I bore of you."</strong><br/>His gaze ran over her figure, and he licked his lips.<br/><strong>"But that won't happen for a while, it seems",</strong>the man added, prompting a laugh from the others.<br/><br/><strong>"Good. Always great to see a master who is firm with slavegirls!",</strong>the executioner said, approvingly.<br/><strong>"What else can one be with slavegirls?", </strong>the batyr asked, obviously taking it as a joke.<br/><strong>"You have no idea how many weaklings I've seen...",</strong>the executioner shrugged.<br/>Ashley's new master started to say something, but obviously restrained himself.<br/><strong>"I think I do, actually. But I've reduced that number in my life, and aim to reduce it further...", </strong>he answered, looking back towards where the Sun rises from.<br/><strong>"Then good luck on your travels!",</strong>the executioner grinned.<br/><strong>"May the Fates smile upon you as well",</strong>he answered.<br/><br/>Then the batyr bent over, grabbed Ashley's hair and pulled her upright. Afterwards, he inserted his other arm in her crotch, but instead of molesting her, merely used this grab to heave her on his wide shoulders, and carry her out like a shepherd would carry a lamb.<br/>Outside of the court, they were met by the priest, Azon.<br/>Master Azon, of course, was what she'd be expected to call him from now...<br/><strong>"We ride off tomorrow", </strong>Azon said wistfully.<strong>"I've found a couple of others as well, who agreed to help you with my task. But at least one of them won't be available until the morrow."<br/>"Good. Then I'd have the time to enjoy her properly!",</strong>the man grinned. And he carried Ashley towards the mudbrick house that they'd left in the morning.