Beta (Updated)

I 

Beta moved slowly through the house. He was a petty thief, and he had watched this fancy manor. He knew there were expensive things here that he could steal. He had already found many small things that he had pocketed, and he wanted to see if there was more. Beta moved up a series of stairs and found a room that seemed to be a master bedroom. He moved into the bedroom and began to rummage through a dresser. Then there was a slam as the door closed with force. Beta started and began to turn when he found himself dragged and forced against a wall. “What have we here, are you here to steal from me?” a masculine voice asked. Beta’s blood ran cold “I am not here to steal,” he said. His captors hand moved towards Beta’s pocket and came back with some of the things Beta had taken. “Really, looks like you're trying to steal to me.” The man said. “What are you going to do to me.” Beta asked. “I should call the guards and have them throw you in the dungeon, but I might be persuaded to keep this quiet.” The man said. Beta had felt a cold knot forming in his gut when the man talked of calling the guards. He was known to them and that if he was caught again, he would be severally punished. “What do you want me to do?” Beta asked. Beta felt the man press closer to him “I need someone to accompany me on my journeys and to serve my needs. I think you would do nicely” The man said putting a hand on Betas waist. “You will live with me and whenever I go on a journey you will come with me. You will have full access to my home, and you will not need to steal to survive. So, what do you say.” The man said. Beta was 19 and he had spent most of his life on his own stealing to survive. He was slim with green eyes and black hair. “Yes, I will,” Beta said.

“Very good” the man said and the man's hand touched Beta’s and a there was a burning sensation and Beta saw a mark on the back of his hand. “What is that” Beta asked. “It is a mark to show you now serve me and now for your first service” The man said. Beta felt the ragged clothing he was wearing ripped off. Beta’s body was exposed to the man. Beta felt the man begin teasing him. Beta felt the man tease him. “Good boy” the man said as he felt the man take him. he moaned a he submitted to him. “You are very cute, and I you will make a perfect companion” The man said as he let Beta slide to the floor. “I will get you some new clothing more appropriate for living with me.” Beta felt the man clean him, pick him up, and place him in the bed. Beta managed to finally get a good look at the man. He looks older than he was, looking at least 25. He had brown hair and deep blue eyes. He was muscular and with his clothing off Beta could see his chiseled body. “I am Ragna, you sleep now Beta, tomorrow you will begin your new life.” Ragna said.

II 

Beta awoke with a start and looked around. The first thing he noticed was that he was naked and he was in a large, soft bed. It was when he saw the mark on the back of his hand that Beta remembered the events of the night before, and he felt the heat rise to his face. “Your finally awake my sweet Beta” a voice said “Beta jumped and saw Ragna standing in the doorway. “Come, it is time for you to start your new life. The first thing is a bath and then some new clothing." Ragna raised an eyebrow as Beta did not move from the bed “I am still naked” Beta said, “Where are my old clothes?”  Ragna smiled wickedly “Those old rags are gone Beta. If you're self-conscious about going walking around naked then I can find something to cover you, but we will not be leaving the manor. The only people to see you are me and a few others.” Ragna left and returned a moment later with a white towel. He held out the towel and Beta grabbed it, rising from the bed. Beta wrapped it around his waist and followed Ragna. Beta saw Ragna turn his head and look at him as they moved down the halls of the Manor. Ragna led Beta down into a stone room with large basins of steaming water. The water jetted out of stone fountains shaped in the form of animals. Beta stood dumfounded at the room. “You can bathe here the water is always heated to and the room is open whenever you need,” Ragna said. Beta went to a basin and slowly lowered himself into the steaming water.  Ragna watched Beta as he stood under a steaming jet and washed wariness of years away. Ragna stripped and lowered himself into the bath feeling the warm water. Beta came to him, his hair wet and drops of water running down his naked body. Ragna fought a stab of desire for him. It was not time for that now. “Do you enjoy the baths?” Ragna asked. Beta nodded and Ragna smiled “Well let's go get you some new clothing.” They dried and Ragna put on his clothing, Beta wrapped a towel around himself again and they went to another room. Beta was again shocked when they entered a room made of bright wood and filled with a variety of clothing. Beta was further shock when the woman appeared. 

III 

The woman was beautiful and had the look and bearing of a matron. She looked at Beta and nodded, so this is the new boy she said. I can see why you like him, Ragna. He has a cute and innocent look. The woman smiled at him and motion for him to approach her. Beta moved towards her blushing as he held his towel up. “No need to be shy, boy.” She said, “Stand right here and we will get started”. The woman took some measuring tape and began to measure Beta. “You will need to lose this so I can finish” The woman said as she took the towel off his middle revealing his body in the mirror. Beta blushed again as he saw Ragna in the mirror staring at him with a hungry look. The woman saw Beta’s blush and the seeming to know what the problem was and suddenly a curtain moved without anybody touching it. The curtain surrounded the area in front of Beta and the mirrors. Ragna’s eyes widened with shock before he was lost from sight. Beta could hear Ragna shout and the woman smiled “Now that we have taken care of him” she said smiling. She finished taking his measurements and prepared to get some clothing “You just stay here dear. If Ragna tries to come in just call for Zelda” Zelda said smiling. Zelda moved past the curtain and Beta heard Ragna speak though he could not hear what he said. Then he heard Zelda respond “You were making him nervous watching him” Zelda said “You can see him again when I have his clothing ready. I don’t want you encouraged to take him while I am getting his clothing ready or worse ripping his clothing in a fit and Ragna if I find out you ripped his clothing, we will have a problem”. Beta heard Ragna laugh and for a time Beta looked at his body in the mirror as he waited for Zelda to come back. In a few minutes, Zelda reappeared with a stack of clothing. “Now let's get started,” Zelda said. Zelda quickly began to set out the clothing. She gave him silken underwear and a gossamer silk undershirt, both of which were cut perfectly to his body. Then she gave him his main clothing tight britches, a tunic, and a coat of dark cloth. She also gave him a set of gloves and a pair of sturdy black boots. “These will be useful for any occasion for any jobs that Ragna sends you on. The coat is woven with hidden pockets in which items can be stored. The dark cloth will make you harder to spot in the dark and magic woven into them will deflect most people's attention even in the day. The gloves and boots have power on them to muffle noises you make and make it easier to pick locks. The coat is formal enough for almost any occasion, and the undergarments are for your enjoyment, not Ragna’s,” Zelda said smiling. Beta dressed in the clothing and found each piece conformed to his body perfectly. He looked at himself in the mirror and liked the way he looked in the clothes. Zelda nodded approvingly, you look go in those. They are made of fey sown fabrics and will take a long time to wear out and will take a lot before they get damaged. They will offer you a good amount of protection, but that does not mean you will be invincible so be cautious.   

After telling him about the clothing the curtains moved again and Beta saw Ragna waiting for him. Ragna still had a hungry look in his eyes but also there was a look of approval as he saw Beta’s new clothing. Zelda told him about his new clothing qualities and Ragna nodded. Beta noticed she did not tell him about the underclothing, and he was grateful to her. Zelda said that his measurements would make a few more sets of clothing for him. Beta thanked Zelda and said “Your welcome Beta, don’t let this one use you too much” Zelda said while pointing at Ragna. Ragna smirked as they left Zelda’s room and came back into the hall. “Well now we have got your clothing Beta” Ragna said, “Let’s go to the armory and find you some weapons”. Ragna then led Beta down the hall.   

IV 

Beta followed Ragna through the house. With his new clothing, Beta was able to look around the house as they walked. He saw they passed many rooms including a Library and a lard study. He also saw many things that he would likely have taken as a thief. Beta did not see any other people as they moved thought the mansion. “Did you enjoy meeting Zelda?” Ragna asked. Beta nodded “She seems like an interesting person” he said. Ragna smiled “She is for sure. The others are just as interesting, and you will meet more of them soon”. Beta nodded. Beta followed Ragna to the ground floor and traveled down a long hall and came to a hard wood door. Ragna opened the door and Beta saw a room full of weapons and armor. “This is the armory” Ragna said “Hal are you here”. There was a series of bangs and Ragna called again then Beta heard a gruff voice answer “I am coming, I am coming”. A man appeared he looked be in his early 30’s he had white hair, light blue eyes, and he had a lean muscular body. He came in wearing a smith's apron and gave Ragna a hard look “What do you want, I was in the middle of smithing a new sword” Hal said. Then his eyes moved from Ragna to Beta. His look softened when he looked at Beta. “The new boy” He said nodding “Now I understand”. Hal came over and began to examine Betar. “His build is more of an Archer or a knife wielder” He said to himself “Have you ever used a bow Beta?” He asked. Beta shook his head and Hal smiled “No matter, we can train you for Archery but for now.” Hal said going to the racks and pulled out a long knife. Hal handed the knife to Beta “See how this feels”. Beta took the knife and felt the blade was made for his hand. Beta smiled and thanked Hal and Hal nodded. “The blade is enchanted and can cut through almost anything so be carful with it” Hal said “I also think you could use a Bow but we can deal with that when you get some training.”  

As Hal was speaking the door to the Armory opened and a young man of a similar age to Beta came in. The young man was slim and had brown hair and hazel eyes. The young man knelt before Ragna. My lord you have a message, “Very well Luke, please give me the message. Beta watched Luke give Ragna a sealed note and Ragna broke the seal and started reading. As Ragna read, Hal approached Luke “You know you don’t have to kneel and say My Lord” Hal said to Luke. Luke looked up at Hal “You should always give people their proper titles, Lord Hal” Luke said. Hal snorted “I am no Lord and neither is Ragna. We are just men with overblown ego”. Luke smiled and was about to reply when Ragna finished reading. “Well, this is interesting. I am going to have to leave you for a while, Beta” Ragna said, “Luke will you show Beta around for me?”. Luke looked at Beta and smiled “Yes, my Lord. I will be happy to show Beta around,” he said. Ragna nodded and saying goodbye to all he left the Armory. Luke approached Beta “Hello Beta, I am Luke lets go have a look around”. Beta nodded, and he followed Luke out of the armory.  

V 

Luke and Beta moved down the halls and began to talk. “What room should we see first?” Luke asked, looking at Beta. Beta shrugged “I don’t know. There is so much here,” he said. Luke smiled “Come on let's go see some of my favorite rooms” he said then Beta’s stomach rumbled. “Let's go to the Dining Room first and get some breakfast,” Luke said. Luke led Beta across the main hall of the manor and into a large Dining hall. The Dining hall had a large Dining table that stretched the length of the hall. The large table could sit Dozens of people off to the side were smaller table and Beta saw one of the side tables was heaped with a variety of foods and drink and silver plates stacked and utensils set out. Luke led Beta to the side table “Just grab a plate and take as much food as you want Beta” he said as he began to fill his plate. Beta grabbed a plate and loaded his plate with food his stomach rumbling as he saw the variety of meats, eggs, and fresh bread. “Is this how you always eat?” Beta asked Luke as they sat at the great table. Luke nodded “All the time, Ragna only does formal meals on rare occasions. Those times we are asked to serve”. Luke smiled as he saw the look of shock on Beta’s face. “Don’t Worry, I will show you how to serve those formal dinners. Other than that, you are free to act as you like” He said, “Lord Ragna is not very demanding on the formal stuff.” Beta looked at his plate and asked, “Why do you call Ragna and Hal lord?” Beta asked. “Because they are Lords. Well, Ragna’s prince and Hal is a Lord,” Luke said. Beta dropped his spoon in shock “Ragna’s a prince?” he asked. “Yes, he is the king’s heir. I do not know the reasons for sure, but Ragna and the Kiing are estranged.” Luke said “Hal and Zelda are nobles that fell out of favor. We have a few like them and a some more people who are low born.” Beta looked at Luke “Shouldn’t you call Ragna prince instead of lord then?” He asked. Luke smiled “That is something Ragna doesn't want” Luke said “He told me not to call him by that honorific”.   Beta nodded as he continued eating “What is expected of me here Luke. Am I a slave?” Beta asked. Luke almost choked as he drank a glass of juice. Luke took a moment to compose himself “No Beta, you are not a slave. We are servants here and we have more freedom than most.” Luke said and saw Beta’s look of doubt. “I know you don’t believe me?” Luke said, “But trust me, Beta”. Beta looked over at Luke, and he saw Luke looking down at the table with a look of pain and sadness. Beta swallowed a question he wanted to ask as he saw the look on Luke’s face. Luke pulled himself together and finished eating and looked at Beta. “Shall we go on with the tour Beta.” Luke asked. Beta nodded and looked at his plate “What are we supposed to do with our plates?” Beta asked. Luke took both plates and the cups to the side table and placed them on a pile of dirty dishes. Beta looked at the pile with a question in his eyes. Luke smiled again “The Kitchen staff is in charge of the dishes Beta. We don’t worry about it unless we are asked to work in the kitchen,” he said. “You talk like we only have to work when asked Luke,” Beta said. “We serve based on our abilities, Beta. We might be asked to do other work, but our abilities are what we are here for,” Luke said “Now let's get on with the tours Beta”. Beta’s head was still full of questions as Luke led him out into the main hall.