“Master! Clair is being arrested!” The breathless words came from a young boy who also tugged on Antoine’s jacket. 

“What? Why?” Antoine knelt down in front of his student. “What happened?”

“The city guard came through and one of them kicked a cat, so Clair got mad and threw a stone at them. Now they’re gonna hang her!”

“Don’t worry,” Antoine comforted. “I’ll get her back.”

The teacher was no great warrior or wealthy man. He wasn’t the most handsome either. He did love his students. He was just a little short, with silky brown hair that curled if he let it get too long. His eyes were green. His face was clean-shaven and lean. “Stay here, Marc. I’ll get her back.” 

He quickly put on the scarf that only professors could wear, the blue and silver of his university. He took his small bag of coin and headed out of the one-room school in the direction Marc had pointed him in. His pace picked up and he was nearly at a run when he caught up with the small group of city guard. 

The men were all armored, equipped with swords or lances. They were greatly feared in most parts of the city, where they could ask for bribes to enforce or fail to enforce the law at all times. He scooted to the edge of the street and ran to get ahead of them. 

One of them had Clair over his shoulder. She was maybe ten and attending school on a scholarship. Her clothes were not much better than drab rags, but she was clever and kind, and way too brave for her own good. 

“Stop,” Antoine said, holding out his hand, palm up as he stepped into the road ahead of the guard. “I am Professor Antoine and that girl is my student. Release her!” 

The captain of the guard drew his sword. “Out of the way, peasant. The girl attacked us and she will pay for her crime.” 

“She is a child,” Antoine said as he racked his brain for a good argument. “If she committed a crime, then it is my fault. As her teacher, I should have taught her better. Give her to me and I will see to her education.” 

The captain laughed. “You’re not much better than she is, thinking you can interrupt the process of law! Get out of our way, teacher, before I feed your liver to my dog.” 

Antoine’s blood went cold. The guard could do what he threatened and face not the slightest consequence for it. Clair was kicking and crying though and Antoine could not fail to save her. “I’m sure your dog would like better food than that. She’s just a child, hardly a threat to seasoned military men such as yourselves. I can pay a fine.”

“Oh can you,” the captain said, doubtfully. “We do know who you are, professor. You teach even those without the means to pay. I doubt you’ve got more than a handful of coins to your name. You try my patience. Get out of the way!” 

It was true that Antoine only had a few coins to offer. His lips went thin as he pressed them together, his brows also drawing down. “I won’t let you take her. That child is my responsibility!”

“Fine!” The captain stamped a foot. “Surrender yourself in her place, you disrespectful little dog!”

“And you’ll let her go?”

The captain nodded. 

“Fine,” Antoine said, not knowing what would happen to him if the guard took him, but he couldn’t fail to save Clair. “I surrender.” He pulled out his coin purse and tossed it to Clair as soon as she was back on her feet. “You’re nothing more than bullies and I am not afraid of you!”

Clair ran as soon as they let her go. Antoine smiled and held out his hands, which the captain then twisted behind him and wrapped with a thin rope. He grabbed Antoine roughly by the arm and made him walk towards the castle.

None of them said anything more, but Antoine grew more afraid after they passed through the gate into the stone-cold fortress. The captain gave him a good shake that made his head feel like it was spinning then forced him to sit on a wooden bench.

“Charles, go to the temple and tell the Priestess that what she prophesied has come to be. Tell her to send men to get her bird.” 

Antoine didn’t know what any of that had to do with him, but he sat where he’d been set down and tried to think of outcomes that didn’t entail him getting hung. He was willing to trade his life for his student’s life, but he also did not want to die. He had dreams. He wanted to fall in love, to write poetry for his lover, to be important to someone, to someday tell his future lover all of his secrets that he kept hidden. He didn’t really think that there would be a man who could love him and all his dark secrets, his desires to be bent over and controlled. Who could love a man who wanted to be used like that? 

It wasn’t long until a couple of strong-looking acolytes came from the temple. The men in grey robes studied him for a few moments, then grabbed him up to his feet and started walking him to the temple. They spoke in a language he didn’t know, but they held him like he was valuable, firm grip, but not enough to bruise him. 

The temple was even more intimidating than the castle, with dark stone gargoyles and dragons decorating it. He hesitated when they got to the gates, but the men dragged him in any way. The air in the temple smelled of incense and sex. At least that’s what Antoine thought it was. 

Soon he was brought before a woman, who sat on a throne. She also wore a grey robe but decorated with a gold belt and pearls around her neck. Her hair was done up like a fine lady’s would be and decorated with gemstones and more pearls. “You are definitely the one I saw in my dream, Antoine,” she purred, motioning for him to be knelt down before her. “I can see into your mind, pretty man, the things you desire. I know what you want. Does that make you afraid?”

Antoine nodded, jaw clenched. His sexual fantasies were rough and not polite, not something he’d ever share with anyone. “It’s rude to look into someone’s mind without asking!” 

“Yes, it is, my darling boy. You’re the perfect gift though. I’m going to enslave you to Prince Soren, a gift to him. He’s going to do to you all the things you’ve ever desired, and then some! He will be very happy to own your pretty virgin ass.”

“It’s not legal to own people,” he snapped as he tried to get back to his feet, only to have the men beside him press down on his shoulders, holding him on his knees.

“That’s true, but tributes are an exception. The temple can declare a person a tribute and their fate belongs to the one they are given to. You will belong to Prince Soren, body and soul.”

“You can’t do this to me! I haven’t done anything wrong!”

“The gods told me you’d come to me today, Antoine. It’s not about having done something wrong, it’s about you being the perfect gift for the prince.” She moved her hands, etching magical symbols in the air, black and blue mist formed, swirling into the Kasian symbol for tribute. She flung the symbol at him and it hit his face, sinking into his skin, marking him forever. “Take him to the baths! Dress him in something decent. He will be presented to his owner this evening before dinner. Your tribute will keep peace between our countries and save many lives, Antoine. Take comfort in that.”

“No! You can’t do this! I have responsibilities!” He yelled, but the two men pulled him to his feet and dragged him away to the baths, to be prepared for his new master.