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The mountain of a man wearing a leather whip at his hip opened the cell door and closed it again behind him. The two boys scooted themselves farther back against the wall of the fetid cell, hoping not to be noticed.
The dark-haired, dark-eyed mountain of a man said, “I am Master Zurtio. Which one of you is Jason?”
Farrin curled up tighter as did the blonde boy on the straw pile a few feet away.
“I am not here to hurt either of you. I could check your tags, but it would be easier if you just told me your names.”
Farrin thought about the tag still attached to the uncomfortable collar he wore. It hadn’t hurt when people checked the tag, but it had meant that the person had to be behind him. It was scary not to be able to see what the adults were doing as they moved behind him, poking, prodding, bickering, laughing, and speculating.
The other boy’s voice shook. “I’m Jason.”
Master Zurtio, stepped toward Jason and crouched. “Jason, you’re a fire magic user. You will train with Master Capso. Would you like me to take the restraints off?”
Jason nodded, his brown eyes wide.
The master nodded, taking out a ring of keys. “I will, but you need to understand, boys, that trying to harm a master or trying to escape will earn you a whipping.” He touched the whip at his side.
Not if you can’t catch me, Farrin thought.
“All the doors and gates in the arena are charmed. They won’t open without keys.” He finished unlocking Jason’s restraints, allowing them to fall to the floor.
He stood, stepped in front of Farrin, and crouched again. “You’re a special case, Farrin, because you have two magics. You’ve been matched with Master Varig. He can be a hard master. Keep your head down. Do everything he tells you to do, boy. All the power is on his side. Defying him will get you killed.” He brought his massive, calloused hand to the child’s shoulder. “Farrin, even at your young age, you have some well-developed muscles–it’s obvious you know how to work hard. Do your job. Do it well. You’ll come out all right.”
The man stood.
“Sir?” Farrin said timidly, bringing slate gray eyes to meet the master's, “What about my restraints?”
“I’m sorry. Your master won’t allow them to come off yet.”
“When?”
Zurtio crouched before the boy again. “Always say ‘Sir’ to the masters, Farrin.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Master Varig will allow your restraints to come off after your first training session tomorrow.” Zurtio took out his keys again and loosened the manacles slightly. “It won’t be easy, Farrin. But bear up under it. It won’t last forever.”
Farrin nodded. This slave master made him feel more like a person than had anyone else since he had been stolen from his family several weeks before. “Thank you, Sir.”
The man gripped Farrin’s shoulder for a moment, then he was gone.