15. They are yours.

Thursday, October 2. 9:00 am.

Jorge had been in his main house in Tauride for more than ten days. During this time, many changes had occurred, mainly regarding his lifestyle; he ordered new clothes and got rid of what he had brought from Spain; now he wore garments made of cotton, linen, and fine silk, some embroidered with gold and silver threads, but most very simple and elegant. Orange and turquoise were not only worn by Jorge in his clothing but also by all his employees; and banners with a flaming dragon were also omnipresent, just like emblems with the letter "T." The employees closest to Jorge were increasingly speaking a more correct Spanish, and though he had started receiving ketirí lessons, he quickly became discouraged, as he lacked the patience to start learning a language so different from those he knew. Although Yusuf was essential for handling legal and important matters, Jorge felt constrained in his presence, something he tried to overcome or at least hide; on the other hand, he had taken a liking to the company of two employees in his house: Eukario, the protocol officer, and Miceros, the butler. The former was a true expert in local customs and history; he was a tall, lanky young mulatto of about forty years; he always wore immaculate white clothing (except for a turban in the colors of the Tharakos estate), and had a smile with clean, large, well-placed teeth that lit up his face, something that happened very often because Eukario was very cheerful. As he spoke perfect Spanish and other languages (apart from obviously ketirí), he was first Jorge's frustrated teacher of the local language and later his translator and true right-hand man in dealing with people. The sympathy between them was mutual and intense from the very first moment, and indeed the employee soon felt a strong attraction to Jorge; but the evident lack of reciprocity and the difference in positions prevented any progress on the romantic level. Nevertheless, the relationship between them was optimal, and Jorge spent almost all day with him. As for Miceros, he had been an employee of the old Gurión estate of Benassur (like the rest of Jorge's workers); it was evident that he missed the days of the old owner but worked tirelessly to satisfy his new boss. Miceros' position, butler, was the most important in Tauride after Yusuf's, as he was in charge of everything related to the main house of the estate; he saw to it that the master's wishes were fulfilled, that nothing was missing, that subordinate employees were hired if necessary, to provide and supervise everything. Although he was over fifty, he had learned Spanish quickly and efficiently; he had a strong local accent, but otherwise spoke and understood it fluently. Unlike Eukario, the butler dressed exquisitely and formally, in heavy clothing beaded with brocade that gave him a somewhat military air, which suited him perfectly. He was of very dark complexion, but not black, rather he appeared to be tanned by the sun for years. He had a long, thick, and graying beard. This was exactly what Jorge and Eukario were talking about.

—You don’t have a beard, but Miceros is the complete opposite.

—I will grow a beard if you command me to, elí —Eukario was quick to say.

—No, no, it was just an unimportant comment —Jorge clarified—; in reality, it is quite the opposite, I am horrified by beards and mustaches, I would ban them if it were up to me.

—And why don’t you do it, elí?

—How? Ban them? Well, I don’t know, I guess it would be unfriendly and even aggressive to attempt something like that, besides, everyone can have the appearance they desire, am I wrong?

—Elí, you are the law of your estate. Just as we carry your colors with honor and pride, we will groom ourselves or do anything you think we should do; you can regulate what we eat, the language we speak, our working hours, our salaries, our activities in our free time… everything, elí, because everything is yours.

—Do you mean that if I order all my employees to shave their faces completely, they will? And they won’t feel angry with me? Miceros, for example, would shave without feeling attacked or humiliated?

—from Yusuf to the last pig herder will obey you without hesitation. That is being ketirí, elí.

Jorge felt immense satisfaction. This kind of power didn’t exist in the West… well, nowhere else in the world. He was a convinced democrat, a person with socialist ideas, even further left… but now he was enjoying discovering that the limits of his power extended beyond what he had even suspected.

—New rule —Jorge said in a serious voice. Eukario opened a notebook and noted it down with his turquoise ink fountain pen—. From now on, every day my employees will fully shave their faces. They will not be allowed to have beards or mustaches.

Jorge had learned that he could decree "norms," which in practice were laws, and which were progressively recorded in the "Major Book," a sort of civil code applicable to his properties. Each estate had one of these books, and if changes or additions were made, they were communicated to the rest of the estates so that they would know.

Jorge was adapting to his new lifestyle. Technology increasingly took up less space in his mind, something that had surprised him a lot at first. For example, he requested and immediately received a Sony digital camera, with a dream zoom lens ranging from wide angle to telephoto. According to Yusuf, who was the one who provided it, this camera could function in Ketiris without suffering the “interference” that blocked electrical devices, it was immune to it; but on the other hand, it wouldn’t work for traveling outside national borders, although of course, if that were the case, he could change it for a standard one; besides, the batteries charged by induction, like mobile phones, thus avoiding the possibility of running out of energy. He also obtained a huge digital television ready to circumvent the “interference,” where he could view images from the camera and tune in to stations from all over the world; but within a couple of days it seemed absurd to him to take photos and waste time in front of the screen. Instead, he began to enjoy writing a kind of diary with a fountain pen, even sketching with the same writing tool.

He continued spending nights with Alex. After the initial cruelty, he seemed a little dazed; Jorge used him sexually, but had not punished him again; the whip was there, but he did not use it. He wondered about the slaves: where were they? Rather, he was aware that they worked in the mines, in the quarry, in agricultural plantations, but he didn’t have the courage to visit them. He knew he could purchase them in the market, that those who had been personal slaves of Benassur were now his. Benassur. What had his elderly predecessor been like? He avoided asking Yusuf about him, as he felt that the comparison would be inevitable, and he did not want to face a competition he would lose. He knew that Benassur had had very few select slaves, and that he preferred to spend time with his employees. But at night, in sexual intimacy with Alex, he imagined that having another slave might allow him greater freedom in practices, that he didn’t want to whip Alex but rather some new and unknown slave, although… wouldn’t the same eventually happen with all of them? Wouldn’t they end up being for him a kind of adorable puppies and his house a sort of nursery for abandoned puppies? On the other hand, although he had tried to approach the subject of slaves with Yusuf, he always seemed to deflect the conversation to more serious and relevant matters in such a way that it became impossible for Jorge, due to discomfort, to resume his initial curiosity; the result was that after all these days he had not met any of the slaves of Benassur, who now belonged to him. But he did not intend to leave things that way, primarily because it undermined his authority, and above all because he was dying to enjoy the slaves, his slaves. So that night, after enjoying Alex's ass and mouth, he ordered Miceros that Yusuf should present himself to him at breakfast the next day; he thought about calling him himself, as he had done at other times, but he felt it was much better not to stoop to that and instead decided to convey a direct order through a subordinate.

Friday, October 3. 9:30 am.

When Yusuf arrived at the agreed time the next day, Jorge took a moment to recognize him because his face was shaven, making him look younger. Obviously, his decrees were quick to spread and be obeyed, something that seemed almost magical to him. Jorge had breakfast facing his secretary without inviting him to join him, as if assuming that the employee had already eaten. For his part, Yusuf quickly realized that Jorge was irritated, no matter how much he pretended kindness toward him; as usual, Alex awaited completely naked behind his master's armchair. Once the remnants of breakfast were cleared away and the table was cleared, Jorge changed his attitude and got straight to the point; he was not willing to accept excuses or subterfuge.

—How many slaves are assigned exactly to my estate in Tauride? I mean those in the house, not throughout the estate. I want numbers, Yusuf.

—Of course, elí —the questioned replied hurriedly while looking frantically through his papers—. There are three hundred eleven labor slaves and nineteen personal slaves assigned to domestic service. As you know, elí, the select slaves of the High Benassur Gurión could not survive.

—Good, let all the slaves who serve the house appear before me: both labor and personal, I want to see them all. Now.

Jorge's irritated tone allowed no reply. Yusuf gave a loud order, and several assistants rushed out to fulfill it. Within minutes, the first slaves began to arrive; the type of each was easily distinguished, as the labor slaves were naked except for a brief cloth protector over their genitals, while the personal ones wore a kind of tight, sleeveless yellow bodysuit. Jorge did not want to show desire for any of them, although he openly scrutinized them with the impunity of knowing himself to be their master; moreover, all of them looked at the ground, well aware that they should not raise their gaze, let alone look directly into his eyes. The labor slaves appeared very dirty, although some bodies were undoubtedly beautiful; on the other hand, the few personal ones he had seen seemed overweight and, to make matters worse, hairy, although they certainly all lacked beards, probably because they were complying with the order given the previous day. After twenty minutes had passed, Jorge thought he did not want to wait any longer.

—Have all arrived?

—No, elí —Yusuf said with clear fear in his voice—. Your house is large, and some will take time, but in the meantime we can…

—In the meantime? We can? What can we? You and I? —Jorge roared angrily.

—Forgive my imprudence, elí, I did not mean to say for a moment that I could make decisions.

The employees, although they did not understand what was happening, were perturbed and terrified; some even trembled.

—Indeed, you cannot. And I will not do anything until my order is fulfilled. Let all the slaves be present in the courtyard; how many were there?

—Three hundred eleven laborers and nineteen personal, elí —Yusuf replied confidently.

—Good, three hundred thirty slaves. I want them lined up in the courtyard in fifteen rows of twenty-two slaves each —Jorge ordered, thinking wryly that he had never imagined he would use his mental calculation skills for something like this—. When this order is fulfilled, you let me know; in the meantime, I will think about how to punish those responsible for this delay, it is outrageous that I have been deprived of knowing my slaves until now —said Jorge, casting a threatening glance at Yusuf, who began to feel truly uncomfortable recalling that Jorge had repeatedly urged him to let him meet his slaves and that he had bypassed his wishes.

In reality, Jorge was not that angry, but he enjoyed the effect of pretending to be.

—You are right, elí, we should have taken it into account; I should have taken it into account. It is my fault.

—Then it will be you who assumes the consequences.

—Yes, elí.

Yusuf was the very image of desolation. Jorge withdrew to the interior of the mansion, thinking about how to pass the time, and made a signal for Alex to follow him. Yusuf immediately began giving all sorts of instructions to Miceros to speed up the arrival of the slaves as much as possible and started organizing those who had already arrived, who were more than a hundred, to place them in the cleared area as the master had indicated. Jorge sat in a beautiful interior patio and summoned Eukario, who promptly came.

—Good morning, elí.

—Good morning, my good friend —Jorge jovially greeted him.

Eukario, unlike Yusuf, had the clear impression that Jorge was in excellent spirits that morning. Jorge gestured for him to sit next to him.

—Tell me, what was the High Benassur like with his slaves? Did he frequently use them? What type of slaves pleased him more? I don't know if you can speak to me about this freely; I wouldn’t want you to commit any sort of illegality or indiscretion. If it poses any inconvenience, let me know, but if you can explain things to me, I would appreciate your total frankness.

—There’s nothing wrong in us talking about this, elí; I can inform you of everything you need. First of all, I will tell you that I entered the service of the High Benassur only three years ago, so I can't speak with certainty beyond that time; in my opinion, the High Benassur avoided all contact with slaves except with his select slave, who accompanied him at night; and also when he sometimes called on the personal slaves; with them, he organized something like parties where they sang and danced for him, even drank together or played cards.

—Was his select slave solely for sex? Did he only have one? What was he like?

—I don’t know if it was only for sex, elí, although I suspect so. Keep in mind that the High Benassur was eighty-seven years old when I met him. His select slave was named Abú; if he had any other, I didn't know him; Yusuf can confirm that for you with certainty. He was a slave approximately my age, tall, and very strong.

—Was he handsome?

—Not for me, elí, but he was to the liking of the High Benassur; well-proportioned, hairy, and virile.

—How was he sacrificed?

—Miceros cut his throat inside his master's tomb so that he could serve him in the afterlife; it is the custom and the law.

—Do you know if he resisted?

—He did not, elí. I was present. Moreover, I would say he desired it from the bottom of his heart.

—Tell me honestly, Eukario, what do you think about the fact that I have not yet seen the personal slaves I own?

—I am no one to judge you, elí.

—But isn't it something strange? I mean both for you and for the rest of the employees.

—Not to me, elí. I would never have thought to judge your actions, much less about something that is entirely private. And I assure you that the rest think like me: only you decide; the rest obey.

Eukario could not have answered Jorge in a more satisfactory way. At that moment, Yusuf came and informed him that all the slaves had arrived and were lined up as he had ordered, but Jorge, now more certain than ever of how he should act, instead of showing impatience, had him sit next to Eukario and suppressed his desire to go out and snoop, which left his secretary perplexed as he did not expect Jorge to appear indifferent when he had urged him so much just a while ago.

—Eukario has told me about Abú, the select slave of the High Benassur, and how he was sacrificed alongside his master. Did he have any other select slave?

—No, elí. If he had owned any others, they would have also been sacrificed in that place and at that moment, but only Abú had the honor of the slaughter —Yusuf confirmed.

—Isn't it odd to have only one select slave when the High Benassur was such an important figure?

—No, elí. In reality, the High Benassur had several select slaves in the past, but for years he had reduced them to one, and that was Abú.

—Do you mean he freed them or something like that?

—Free a slave? That is not possible, elí —Yusuf said, unable to suppress a smile—. No, what he did was sell some select slaves but that was more than ten years ago. I don't know if they were resold to other masters or where they might be now, although they are likely now labor slaves if they are still alive.

Jorge thus learned that slaves could not be freed and mentally noted that he needed to investigate that matter as soon as possible. Yusuf also explained to him that he had entered the service of the High Benassur ten years ago after the death of his previous secretary; he was personally selected by the old owner for his position; previously, he had been an accountant for the Justice Office, where he had also caught Kamar Abumón's attention; without a doubt, Yusuf was a person full of good qualities. They chatted for half an hour or so, and when Jorge thought he could again interest himself in the issue of the slaves (which he thought about all the time with impatience), he stood up trying not to appear anxious.

—Let’s see how those slaves are —he said.

They made the short walk to the outdoor gallery where he had had breakfast. He sat in his armchair. From there, he overlooked the adjacent courtyard, where indeed the servants were lined up in rows; in the first row were the nineteen personal slaves, although the last three were labor slaves, as each row could accommodate twenty-two. The gallery was nearly a meter above the courtyard, accessible by a small staircase. Jorge focused on examining the unfortunate beings he had total dominion over, but found he could not do so in full comfort.

—New rule —he said abruptly. Eukario hastily took good note—. Any slave who presents himself to me for the first time must do so without any clothing or genital or anal device.

Eukario gestured for Miceros to come closer and explained the newly dictated rule; he did so in ketirí so that the butler could understand it perfectly; automatically the slaves were left completely naked. Then Jorge was able to ascertain that not a single one of the personal slaves appealed to him, and this for many reasons; although it could not be said their bodies were poorly cared for, they were not exemplary either but leaning towards flabby, and they exhibited all their natural body hair on their chests, armpits, pubis, and even their backs; undoubtedly, this had been decided by Benassur at the time. The size of the penises of these nineteen slaves was quite large, certainly above average, and Jorge also correctly assumed that this was not by chance. He noticed that their clean-shaven faces appeared quite irritated and showed bare patches where presumably there had been full beards until a few hours prior, which must have been shaved off. The labor slaves, on the other hand, seemed to be in quite good shape, undoubtedly due to their daily activity. A hasty jet of pressurized water had removed most of the filth, but they were still dirty; they also had their natural hair all over their bodies. Marks from recent and old whippings dotted their bodies, although he did not notice too many either.

The review had been both an exciting and disappointing experience for Jorge, who realized that none of those slaves could provide him with the pleasure he desired. He then ordered them to return to their tasks and decided to replace them somehow as soon as possible, but in the meantime, he also wanted to take the opportunity to showcase his power. He turned to his secretary.

—Tell me, Yusuf, is it possible to permanently depilate the slaves?

—Yes, elí, in fact, depilation of slaves is not uncommon. Laser technique can be used; it is the most delicate one, although for some time we have also had an alternative called "electrolysis" that completely destroys the follicles; it is totally effective, although very painful if applied without anesthetics.

—And is it possible to perform that electrolysis right here?

—Yes, elí, you have a large and advanced laboratory in Tauride that is used for many processes with the slaves.

—Perfect. Have it applied immediately to all the slaves.

—To the nineteen? —Yusuf wanted to know.

—to the three hundred thirty. And going forward, I order that every slave I own be cleaned in this manner even before I see them. A slave cannot have hair or body hair.

Yusuf was impressed; as he did not want to make a mistake, he dared to ask.

—Eyelashes and eyebrows too, elí?

No, just that they must keep it; slaves without eyelashes or eyebrows repulse me. Oh, and let the first to receive the depilation treatment be Alex; of course, the process must always be applied without using any anesthetics.

—As you command, elí.

Jorge felt vexed that certain moral scruples assaulted him over the enormous suffering his favorite slave was going to experience, and he was about to change his mind and allow his pain to be mitigated, although he did not; on the contrary, his nipples stiffened with pleasure at the thought of the screams the other hundreds of slaves would give, at that moment naked and ignorant of their fate, sweating impassively and naked under the midday sun in front of him. In any case, he thought, he was going to sell them all soon.