Date: Sat, 15 Jul 2017 07:16:05 +0000 (UTC)
From: Christian Debus <servus4u@ymail.com>
Subject: Master of River's Bend Chapter 18

Master of River's Bend
Chapter 18
"Conversations at the Dinner Table"

This is a story of slave fiction meant to be read by adults over the age of
eighteen years

Written by Jean-Christophe:

My stories are archived at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Jean-Christophe_Stories

"The characters and ideas contained in this story are products of the
writer's imagination and bear no resemblance to actual persons or
events. Please respect the integrity of the story and don't do any
rewrites, make alterations or add another's artwork or pictures"

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Chapter 18:

With the dessert course eaten, Charles, Edward and Yancy relax over coffee
and talk about the day's operations on the plantation. At first, the
conversation focuses on the slaves' labor output, the state of the crops
and other relevant matters. Finally, Massa Charles asks.

"What about discipline, Edward? Other than the normal whipping to keep the
slaves' backs bent to their labors. Are the overseers maintaining strict
oversight of the slaves?"

"Of course, Charles!" Edward sounds slightly offended by the question. "I
always ensure the overseers keep the slaves in order. If a slave offends,
it's punished immediately and, I might add, very severely. In recent days,
there have been three floggings."

"Why were the floggings ordered?" Charles asks. "And how severe were they?"

"Charles, all three floggings were well warranted. One was for
insubordination - a slave answering back to an overseer. The second was
given to a slave bought from Saggory Clutterbuck on his last visit for
repeated laziness; he'd been given several warnings to improve his work
performance and failed to do so. So I had him strung up by his arms to a
rafter in the barn and whipped his ass twenty times with a quirt. After
that, I left him suspended there all day to think about his situation but I
returned every hour to whip his ass some more. Needless to say he's learned
his lesson. He begged for mercy and promised to increase his work
quota. And the third was of a more serious nature. A slave assaulted an
overseer by pushing him. And yes, care was taken not to incapacitate
them. All three were able to continue with their work after they were
whipped. Although the slave who assaulted the overseer was removed from his
field-gang to work on a water-wheel. There he'll work permanently in chains
out of harm's way."

"You acted wisely, Edward and the punishments were appropriate. Our slaves
need to understand that even the slightest show of defiance or laziness
won't be tolerated and will be severely punished."

"Rest assured, Charles. No mercy is shown to a slave if it
misbehaves. Ever!"

As their masters talk, Ptolemy and Ramses stand close by ever ready to step
forward to serve them if necessary. The young slave, Zapthenath stands in a
corner of the room mindlessly tugging the cord that operates the ceiling
fan suspended over the dining-table. The air in the room is warming up and
both Ptolemy's and Ramses naked torsos are covered in a glistening sweat
sheen which reflects the soft, golden glow of the candelabras lighting the
room.

Despite the fan and the slave, Zepthenath's best efforts, the air in the
room continues to become oppressive until finally Charles grumpily orders
Ptolemy to throw open the French windows leading onto the porch in the hope
of catching the cool evening breeze gently blowing from the nearby river.

As Ptolemy opens the windows his back is turned to the table prompting
Edward speaks.

"Charles, I see from your slave's ass that you have punished him. Was it as
a result of my complaint?"

"Yes it was, Edward. Ptolemy told me that you'd caught him loitering in the
fields and that you'd ordered him to report this to me. Needless to say, he
did so and received ten strokes of the cane."

"Good!" Edward replies maliciously. "Sometimes he forgets he's just a slave
and still thinks like a free, white man. A periodic thrashing helps to
correct this."

"Indeed it does Edward. But tell me what do you think of my new slave,
Ramses?"

"It is official then, Charles? He's agreed to a trial period as a slave?"

"Not exactly! While he did agree to spend his time at River's Bend
experiencing life as one of my house slaves, circumstances changed quite
dramatically and I found it necessary to enslave him permanently. So now he
joins the plantation's permanent slaves as one of their number. "

"Excellent! And can I ask - what are your plans for him? I can always use
another slave in the fields."

That's something we need to discuss after you have assessed him, Edward. I
would value your appraisal of Ramses."

"Well, Charles, my first impression is a favorable one. But it's only a
visual appraisal and I'd rather wait until I have had a hands-on inspection
of him. Can I inspect him now?"

"Of course, Edward. There's no time like the present. And after you have
done so, I'll collar him making his slavery permanent. After which, I have
some light entertainment planned."

Edward pushes his chair away from the table and orders Ramses to.

"Get your white ass over here, boy! Stand and face me with your feet apart
and your hands on top of your head. DO IT! NOW!"

Terrified, Ramses hurries into position and stands in front of Boss Edward
with his eyes lowered to the floor. Even with his eyes downcast, he is
aware that Massa Charles and Sir Yancy are watching with great interest.

For several minutes, Boss Edward doesn't move or speak and the time drags
for the frightened slave as he awaits developments. He's unaware that Boss
Edwards is closely scrutinizing his body. He is analyzing the different
muscle groups and judging them for their obvious strengths and weaknesses.
This is something Boss Edward excels at; he has examined many white slaves
over the years and has become an expert in the judging of prime
slave-flesh. As his gaze lingers on Ramses upper body he is pleased with
what he sees. Ramses has all the foundations of a good slave. He is young,
personable and possesses very good muscle definition. The muscle groups are
all clearly defined but they are "soft" and will need work - very hard work
- to turn them into solid, hardworking muscle. The slave has wide
shoulders, a broad muscular chest, and a flat belly in which the underlying
abdominal muscles are easily discernable through the overlying layer of
"puppy fat" around the midriff. This puppy fat isn't unusual in young males
as they transition from teenagers into adults and it can easily be
eliminated by a regimen of hard work and adherence to a strict slave
diet. He hopes that Charles will give him oversight of Ramses; if so the
slave will soon benefit from his supervision.

As with all white slaves, the first thing that needs to be done with Ramses
is to "break" him much as one does with an untrained colt. His spirit needs
to be crushed and his body trained for hard labor or for the giving of
pleasure to his Black Masters. And Edward would relish the oversight of
such a task.  This newest of River's Bend slaves is special. He is a member
of the hated St Jean family who'd once owned him. Like Charles he'd never
forgotten the treatment they'd received from the St Jean family nor has he
ever forgiven. This slave's resemblance to Ptolemy is uncanny; they could
easily be mistaken for father and son. But of course, the slave's true
father is Robert Trevannion. And the thought of Robert causes the bile to
catch in his throat as the unhappy memories of long ago come flooding
back. Like Charles he'd been the victim of the teenaged Robert's
spite. Robert had been the instigator of several whippings that Edward had
received. On one occasion, indelibly seared into his memory, Robert had
strung Edward up by the heels and "ass-paddled" him taking great pleasure
as he watched Edward's suffering.

Well, the tables are turned and Robert Trevannion's snotty-nosed brat is
now a slave delivered into his hands. Oh, how he'll make this slave suffer;
he visualizes putting his whip to Ramses naked ass and shoulders and
working him mercilessly in the sun-drenched fields of the plantation that
had once belonged to his family. Or perhaps working him in a mud-filled
irrigation channel. Or even better, chain him to one of the
waterwheels. The possibilities to make Ramses pay for his father's sins are
limitless.

Suddenly, Edward leans forward from his chair and wordlessly takes hold of
Ramses cock and uses it to pull the slave closer to him. Now, he cradles
the smooth, hairless scrotum in his hands searching for the slave's balls.
Edward knows that some whites do, in fact, have hereditary defects. For
example, they could be born with one gonad larger than its mate or, even
worse, with just one ball.  And he firmly believes a slave's testes are the
source of its strength. Finding both balls, he notes both are evenly
matched in size and shape and grunts his approval. Edward then switches his
attention to the cock. He quickly strokes it to an erection - the slave is
easily aroused - and squeezes the piss-slit looking for any signs of a
discharge. Happily, he finds none. The slave's genitals are sound and free
of disease or physical defects. Edward believes a slave-owner can't be too
careful when it comes to his slaves' sexual health and, being aware of the
plantation's slaves unbridled promiscuity in the slave barns, he can't
afford to risk disease infecting the general herd under his control.

Satisfied, he orders Ramses to.

"Turn around boy, it's time to see your ass."

Humiliated, Ramses turns with his back to Boss Edward and winces as a
finger traces over the marks of the cane on his ass.

"I see his ass has been whupped, Charles. Can I ask why?"

"I gave him an order and he took his time responding to it. One thing I
demand of my house whiteys is that they are spry and quick to obey. I won't
tolerate anything less from them than immediate compliance with an order."

"Im sure he's learned a valuable lesson. And looking at his stripes you
caned him hard. "

"Well actually it was Yancy who caned him and I have to say I couldn't have
done it any better."

"Well done, Yancy!" Edward's compliment is effusive. "You seem to have
mastered the cane. Now we need to teach you how to use a whip to good
effect."

"Thanks Edward." Yancy replies. "Using the cane was simple. But I guess
using the whip is more difficult. But it's a skill I would like to master."

"And so you shall, Yancy. It will be my pleasure to teach you how to use it
and there are plenty of whitey backs for you to practice on. When you're
ready come visit me in the fields and I'll give you your first lesson."

"I'll take up your offer Edward as soon as Charles tells me I can."

"On that subject, Edward," Charles interrupts, "I would like Yancy to
become better acquainted with the day to day running of the plantation. I'd
like him to start at the bottom as a junior overseer so that he learns the
proper management of the slaves as the first step. And I'd like you to take
him under your wing and teach him."

"Charles, I'd be delighted in showing Yancy the ropes." Edward's reply is
enthusiastic. "There's always room for another overseer. When can he
start?"

"What about tomorrow, Edward? Is that too soon?"

"Not at all, Charles! The sooner the better. Whenever Yancy is ready he'll
find me in one of the fields.

"Thanks Edward. Now changing the subject. Ramses committed a second, more
serious offence and his punishment needs to reflect that. Any suggestions?"

"How serious was his offence?"

"He displayed truculence and defiance!"

"Well Charles as I see it - that's a whipping offence."

"Normally I'd agree with you, Edward. But at this early stage, I don't want
his hide damaged or permanently disfigured by the whip."

"Well Charles the only other option is an ass-paddling. And I'd be happy to
do it for you."

"I was thinking along similar lines, Edward."

"Charles, I suggest we let his ass rest for a few days to recover from his
caning. After all there's plenty of time and the slave's not going
anywhere, is he?" Edward laughs. "Then we can take him to the barn and
string him up by his heels and give his ass a good paddling followed up
with a liberal dousing of pimentade." Edward's suggests
enthusiastically. "The pain from an ass-paddling is the next best thing to
a whipping and pimentade aids healing and prevents any permanent damage to
his skin. And the good thing about using pimentade is the pain it
inflicts. It's like a secondary punishment. I've yet to see a slave that
doesn't holler like a pig in the slaughterhouse as the pimentade does it
work. Charles, can I ask - will he be branded? And if so, will it be on his
ass?"

"Of course, Edward. That's a foregone conclusion. On both the ass and the
breast like Ptolemy. I'm surprised you asked."

"Charles I only ask because of timing. My suggestion is that he is
ass-paddled before he's branded for obvious reasons. As you know a brand
takes time to heal."

"I take your point, Edward. We'll delay branding him until after his
punishment."

"And he still has his 'skin.  Is that to come off too?"

"Naturally, no slave of mine retains its foreskin. Ramses will be skinned
by the vet when he's ready."

"Do you want me to take care of that? I can arrange for my boy, Immutef to
attend to that if you wish?"

"I'd be grateful if you would Edward. But please let me know when it's to
be done. I want to be there to witness it and I'm sure Yancy would too. Am
I correct in thinking that, Yancy?"

"Yes please, Charles!" Yancy face widens into a broad smile as he replies
enthusiastically. Obviously, the spectacle of seeing his former master's
circumcision is not to be missed.

Ramses continues listens in horror as the three Blacks discuss his
punishments and his upcoming branding and skinning. It would seem he is to
undergo much humiliation and pain over the next few days. Suddenly, he is
very afraid and wishes that he was safely back home with his parents. But
that part of his life is now a closed chapter and another grimmer, more
frightening episode awaits him.

Edward loses interests in the cane marks and once more he turns his
attention to Ramses balls.  Reaching between the new slave's thighs he tugs
down on the scrotum stretching it to its fullest limit.  He uses the cup of
his hand to "weigh" and evaluate them.

"The boy's well-hung, Charles! He has a decent pair of knockers considering
his tender age. Under other circumstances, they'd qualify him as a
breeder."

"And they may yet be put to that use, Edward." Charles replies.

Puzzled by Charles' comment, Edward asks.

"How so, Charles?"

"Why, to ensure River's Bend continuity as a black ruled plantation,
Edward. By enslaving Ramses we have the next 'de facto' owner of River's
Bend and as I don't have a son and heir, hopefully Yancy will become the
black owner after me. But we need to find a 'white wife' for Ramses and for
him to sire a son who will become his heir in the eyes of white law. As you
know, hereabouts, blacks can't own property and until the law does allow
that we have to put on a 'white face'. However, Ramses' git will be a slave
like him and will work on the plantation no differently to any other whitey
slave."

Edward is delighted by Charles' words.

"Charles, that's diabolical!" He laughs. "But I like it! I really do!
However, as there are no females on River's Bend, you'll need to find a
suitable wench for Ramses to breed."

"That shouldn't be a problem, Edward. As you know we are due for a visit
from Saggory Clutterbuck and his coffle very shortly. I intend to ask him
to 'find' a suitable 'wife' for Ramses. I'm sure there are many fertile,
white-trash wenches that can made to disappear with no questions asked."

"You astound me, Charles! You leave nothing to chance."

"I can't afford not to, Edward. If River's Bend is to continue as a black
operated plantation, then it is imperative that the white line of
succession continues. Of course, it will be necessary for Ramses to marry
the wench to ensure his git is recognized as his legal heir. But that's a
mere detail and once we have Ramses son, we'll simply sell the wench back
to Saggory. I don't really want a female slave living permanently on the
plantation."

"I agree, Charles. Having female slaves creates too many problems. It makes
the bucks randy and unsettles them. It much simpler to turn a blind eye to
their nocturnal activities with one another; it keeps them settled and
easier to handle. A single wench could jeopardize that harmony."

Bent double with his feet splayed, Ramses looks back between his legs to
where Boss Edwards is fondling his balls. Dumbfounded, he listens as Massa
Charles and Boss Edwards discuss these plans for his future. These are
plans which intimately involve him and over which he has no control or say.
At some time, he'll be made to breed with a white female with the express
purpose of begetting an heir for River's Bend.

Ramses has never had intercourse with a female; indeed the inclination was
never there to do so. In fact, the mere thought of sex with a female is
anathema to him. It runs counter to who and what he is; a gay youth who is
yet to find true fulfillment with another man.

At the same time, he's not unfamiliar with the 'mechanics' of breeding
slaves solely to produce another slave. In fact, some years ago, as Luke,
he'd been a silent witness to a 'breeding session' instigated by his
father. It had taken place in the stables and he'd been excluded at his
mother's insistence because of his impressionable age. Left to his father,
he'd have been happy for Luke to be present - it would make a man of the
boy - but reluctantly, he'd given into his wife's wishes and told Luke he
couldn't watch as the two slaves copulated.

This happened as a result of a visit from the local minister of religion
the Reverend Clarence T Witloff with a young, female slave in season asking
permission to mate her to one of his father's male slaves.

Luke's parents are a deeply religious couple and wholly committed to their
church. They are also generous benefactors of their local parish church and
Robert Trevannion saw the donating of his slave's sperm as just another
part of his Christian commitment in supporting the minister as a servant of
God in much the same way as he tithes his income.

On that occasion, Robert Trevannion had his chief overseer select a half
dozen or so prime, young, male slaves from among his herd and had them
stand naked as Reverend Witloff scrutinized and inspected each slave at
close quarters before choosing one to impregnate his female slave.

The actual coupling took place in a stall in the horse stables and it was
actively supervised by the Trevannion's head overseer in the presence of
Luke's father and the minister.  After the door was closed and bolted from
the inside to prevent him from entering, Luke searched and found a gap in
the wall which allowed him to secretly witness the two slaves' coupling.

What Luke witnessed that day, had a profound effect upon him and it would
define his adult personality.

Luke's line of vision was limited by the crack's width and he couldn't see
the female slave. But he could hear her soft, appreciative moaning
interspersed with a loud cry each time the male slave thrust deep into her.

Luke had a better view of the young male slave; and he decided that
Reverend Witloff had chosen well in selecting him. In fact, the slave he'd
chosen was Sir Yancy's older brother, Erasmus. At the time Erasmus was
probably seventeen or eighteen but the long years of hard, physical labor
as a field- slave had given him a body of a young Adonis. The filtered
sunlight entering the stables cast dancing patterns of light and shade on
Erasmus' warm, honey brown skin and as Luke watched, he could see the play
of the slave's powerful back muscles under the glistening sheen of his sex
sweat. Enthralled, Luke watched as the rivulets of perspiration meandered
over the sweeping plain of his back before being channeled down through the
deep canyon of his ass and trickling over his inner thighs.

Luke watched the erotic way Erasmus' buttocks flexed with each powerful,
forward thrust of his body; he heard the intake of his breath on each
partial withdrawal of his cock and his loud grunt as once more he plunged
deep into the female lying prone before him. And he heard the slap-slapping
of Erasmus' balls against the female slave's warm, yielding flesh.

And as he watched, Luke's own cock throbbed with a new found intensity and
strained at the tight confines of his undergarments for release. And it
only got worse!

True to his role as stud-master, the overseer "encouraged" Erasmus in his
efforts. He'd taken up a position behind the slave and as Luke watched he
uncoiled the short, leather whip - known among the slaves as the viper -
that he habitually wore clipped to his belt and applied it to the young
slave's ass.  The crack of raw leather striking solid, naked flesh
reverberated throughout the stables and startled the equine occupants of
the stalls into nervous whinnying and shuffling. Luke lost count of how
many more times the overseer used the viper but each time it had the
desired effect; Erasmus quickened the pace of his thrusting and the
strength of plunging.

Each time, the viper left a tell-tale stripe that showed livid red against
the honey-brown, smooth, rounded curves of the slave's buttocks. The erotic
sight of the beautiful slave's striped ass flexing with each forward thrust
of his hips proved too much for Luke. He released my own cock from the
constriction of his clothing and timed his hand strokes to the plunging of
the slave's cock into the female.

Erasmus and Luke climaxed simultaneously!

That day awakened Luke to his own sexuality. How he ached to take the
female slave's place on the rutting bench and to have that magnificent
young slave fuck him.

As he watched, Luke Trevannion had been too self-absorbed to consider the
feeling of either Erasmus or the female slave. He'd not considered their
feelings of shame and humiliation at being publicly mated. Indeed, his
interest had been voyeuristic and he'd felt only envy of the female. How he
wished it was he who lay prone as Erasmus plowed into his ass.

Now it would appear he, as the slave, Ramses is to experience the shame and
degradation of an enforced coupling closely watched by Massa Charles and
Sir Yancy. Perhaps Boss Edward will act as the stud-master spurring Ramses
to greater effort with his whip.

Since his arrival at River's Bend this morning - was it really that
recently; it seems a lifetime ago - the pendulum has swung irreversibly in
favor of his Black Massa and he is now to suffer as Sir Yancy and his older
brother, Erasmus suffered at the hands of his father, Robert Trevannion.

Recollections of Erasmus' mating with the wench and the fact that Boss
Edward has switched his attention to Ramses' ass serve to arouse him
further.  Boss Edwards finger gently traces itself from the base of his
balls along the perineum and into the deep ass crack and causes Ramses to
tremble and buckle at the knees. Suddenly, Boss Edward's finger finds its
mark and stops at his anus. As the finger prods and probes at the sensitive
opening to his body, Ramses begins to moan softly. Waves of pleasure sweep
through his body and he gasps audibly as, with one swift movement, the
finger is thrust deep into his rectum. He'd not expected this and
momentarily, he tenses up at the crude invasion, but Boss Edward's gentle
massaging of his puckering hole relaxes Ramses and he offers no further
resistance to the finger's violation of his body.

"Charles, this slave's ass is as tight as a drum. There's no doubting he's
a virgin. Is that right boy?  Have you ever been fucked?"

Despite his face being hidden from view, Ramses blushes at the directness
of Boss Edward's question.  No one had ever spoken so bluntly to him and
momentarily he feels anger. Then he realizes that he is now a slave and
such questions are routinely asked of slaves by free men or women. As a
slave, he no longer enjoys the privileges of privacy or self-respect and he
knows he must answer Boss Edward and do so cheerfully.

"No Boss! I......" he stutters, "I've never been used."

"No Boss! I've never been used." Edwards mimics derisively. "The boy is
modest, Charles."

Unexpectedly, Edward delivers several hard slaps to Ramses perfectly
positioned ass. The sound of his hand making contact with Ramses firm,
naked flesh reverberates throughout the dining-room.

"That's not what I asked, boy!' Boss Edward angrily exclaims. "I didn't
asked if you were used. I asked if you'd ever been fucked. Free folk use
one another for sex. Slaves aren't used; they are fucked.  Now, I ask you
again. Have you ever been fucked?"

"No Boss!" A much chastened Ramses answers. "I've never been fucked."

"That's better, boy! Remember to always answer a question in the way it's
put to you. A slave isn't allowed to have 'airs and graces'. They make him
'uppity' and the one thing I can't abide is an uppity, whitey slave."

"Yes Boss! Thank you, Boss!"

Tears of shame sting Ramses eyes as he listens to the conversation between
his Black Masters. Despite the humiliation of being bent double with Boss
Edward's finger enthusiastically probing his ass, Ramses is massively
aroused. His cock throbs with unfulfilled longing and he feels the
pleasurable sensation of two or three preliminary spurts of precum issuing
from his cock. Looking back along his belly, he sees a thin silver thread
hanging precariously from the eye of his penis and working its way
downwards to eventually pool on the waxed floor-boards beneath him.

This doesn't go unnoticed by Massa Charles who explodes in anger.

"Look at the mess you're making on my floor, boy! Clean it up!"

Boss Edwards removes his finger and delivers another stinging slap to
Ramses ass.

"You heard your Massa, slave! Clean up your mess!"

In the absence of either a mop or cleaning rags, Ramses wonders how he is
to clean up his mess.  Perplexed, he looks towards Ptolemy for guidance but
the older slave's gaze is fixed on an imaginary point on the wall opposite
to where he is standing and he offers no help. Left to his own resources,
Ramses wonders what he must do. Even as he considers this, Massa Charles
explodes once more.

"CLEAN UP YOUR MESS!"

The tone in Massa Charles voice frightens Ramses. Nevertheless, he finds
the courage to speak.

"How do I clean it up, Massa?" He asks timorously. "Do I fetch a mop from
the kitchen?"

No, you don't! You have a mouth." Charles answers in exasperation. "Get
down on your hands and knees and use your tongue to clean up your mess."

It's a testimony of how quickly Ramses is transitioning into his new role
as a slave but he wastes no time in falling onto all fours and lowering his
head to the floor. Momentarily, he sniffs at the small pool of his precum
and finds it not unpleasant. In fact, the opposite is true and its scent
serves as a mild aphrodisiac; his cock which had been wilting under the
barrage of shouted orders and sharp slaps to his ass springs back into a
full erection. Unconsciously, he moves his legs apart giving a salacious
view of his hind-quarters. This is a move appreciated by all three Black
Masters; especially Massa Charles who takes particular notice of his newest
slave's puckering asshole. Will bedtime never arrive?

Ramses flickering tongue tentatively "tastes" his precum as a preliminary
to licking the floor clean.  He expects it to taste either bitter or salty
but it is neither. He is surprised to discover his fresh precum tastes like
sweet nectar and he wastes no time in licking the floor-boards clean.

As he does so, Ramses is lost in the moment. It accords with all his
long-held fantasies about slavery and sexual gratification. He feels no
shame nor is he bothered by the fact that the three Blacks are watching him
intently. However, if he could see, he would notice Sir Yancy's smile of
satisfaction as he watches his former master debase himself at his feet.

"That'll do!" Massa Charles shouts impatiently. "Get to your feet, face the
table and assume the display position."

Hastily, Ramses scrambles to his feet and faces the three blacks sitting at
the dining-table. Frantically, he moves into the display position and
places his feet apart with his hands on top of his head.

"That's not good enough!" His Massa comments. "Yancy, would you do me the
honor of posing Ramses correctly?"

"Of course, Charles! I'm only too happy to help!"

"Good lad, Yancy! Here use my strap to get him into position."

Charles hands a thick, leather strap to Yancy. Ramses had notices the strap
earlier; it was lying ominously on the table where Massa Charles was
sitting. Ramses had guessed - quite rightly - it was there to be used on
any of the serving slaves who offended Massa or his guests. Now it was to
be used on him.

Enthusiastically, Yancy picks up the strap and swipes it through the air
gaining a feel for its weight and also to limber up his arm. Then he
positions himself behind Ramses.

Yancy has been in Ramses position many times throughout his life. It was
routine for Robert Trevannion accompanied by his son, Luke to regularly
survey his slave properties by having them stand "at display" with their
bodies stressed and all their muscle groups highlighted. Indeed, from
boyhood onwards he, his father and brothers had been regularly inspected by
their master and his son. Usually, they'd been lined up and stood naked in
the display position while Robert slowly walked along the line of slaves
viewing them firstly from the front and then from the rear. Robert would
pause at each slave; sometimes to assess them visually and at other times
to prod at a hard muscle or to heft a slave's balls or to stroke a
tumescent cock into erection. Throughout these inspections, he'd tried to
remain "detached" however he'd seethed with suppressed anger whenever,
Robert's hands had roamed over his back from his shoulders down to his
ass-cheeks. How he'd hated those white hands kneading his buttocks and
parting them for a closer inspection of his anus. From an early age, Robert
Trevannion had insisted that his son and heir, Luke accompany him in these
inspections.

They had started in early boyhood and continued through puberty into young
adulthood. In fact, the most recent inspection had taken place only days
before he'd left for River's Bend. On that occasion, Robert was assessing
him as being a suitable body slave to serve Luke on his visit.

Now the tables are turned! And He'll enjoy "posing" his former master for
Charles.

Ramses knows what to expect; he braces himself for the inevitable and holds
his breath in an attempt not to cry out. His effort is in vain and he cries
out loudly as the heavy, leather strap lays itself across his ass.

"Straighten up, boy!" Yancy orders and reflects on the times Robert
Trevannion had given him a similar order. "Stand up straight!"

And as the strap cuts across the back of Ramses' legs he is told to.

"Straighten your legs! No sagging at the knees. Feet apart!"

Ramses is quick to obey but then the strap is laid over his shoulders.

"Square your shoulders, boy! Thrust your chest out and suck in your belly
so it doesn't protrude.  Now tighten your body."

As Yancy poses Ramses' body, both Charles and Edward look on approvingly.

Yancy's use of the strap and his shouted instructions are unrelenting. But
they have the desired effect.  Soon, Ramses is standing perfectly erect and
the stress on his torso and legs highlight his physique to perfection. Even
Yancy is satisfied with his handiwork and asks for Charles approval.

"Is that how you want him, Charles?"

"I couldn't have done any better, Yancy. Wouldn't you agree, Edward?"

"Indeed I would, Charles. And I have to say that Yancy has a natural
ability in handling a slave. He'll make a great overseer. I look forward to
working with him in the fields."

Yancy is very pleased with the compliments both the older men are paying
him. And he is surprised at how easily he is fitting into the role of being
a dominant, black man. Only this morning, he'd awakened as a slave and
tonight he is a free black man with control over his former white
master. As he looks at Ramses, he feels nothing but contempt for him and
decides he is deserving of all that is happening to him. He looks upon
Ramses' naked body and salivates at the thought of him toiling under his
whip or running before him in harness much as the two ponies Kip and Clem
had done earlier in the day.

But Ramses fate is yet to be decided and almost as though he is reading
Yancy's thoughts, Charles raises the matter of Ramses immediate future with
Edward.

"Well Edward, what do you think of my newest acquisition?"

"He's a prime, young buck, Charles. You have acquired well. He's comely in
appearance and has a good body. A bit 'soft" perhaps but nothing that hard
work won't rectify. Looking at his stressed body, you can see that the
building blocks are there. We just need to improve upon them."

"And what do you suggest to improve his physique, Edward?"

"Well you know me, Charles! My answer is always hard work. Nothing builds
up a slave's muscles like hard, physical labor. I'd like to have him in one
of my work gangs."

"I rather thought you would, Edward." Charles laughs. "But seriously, I
don't want him damaged or harmed in any way. He's too valuable to be
disfigured with the whip. I do intend to use him in the house and I don't
want to look at a permanently whip-scarred back."

"I take your point, Charles. I agree that he's too pretty to ruin with a
heavy duty whip. But we could always use a lighter whip on him; one that
won't mark him permanently. Much like the whips we use on our two legged
ponies."

"It's strange that you mention the ponies, Edward. Yancy was saying earlier
that he'd love to use Ramses as his pony. What do you think?"

"Well, he does have the right body for a pony. He's tall and with long legs
made for running and broad shoulders made for pulling a heavy load. He has
a thick chest ideal for deep breathing and a flat belly. And his ass is a
great pony's ass. Well shaped and rounded without being oversized. Yes, I
think he'd make a good pony...." Edward pauses before
continuing. "... eventually."

"Eventually? Why do you say that, Edward?"

"Well a pony not only needs strength, Charles. It also needs stamina and
it's my guess that's something this slave lacks at the moment. Firstly, I
feel we need to build up his strength and endurance before he can start to
be broken into harness."

"That's a good point, Edward. So what do you suggest we do with him in the
short term?"

"My recommendation is that we put him into a work-gang with the proviso
that he isn't subjected to any heavy whipping. Or we could chain him to a
waterwheel. There's nothing like a waterwheel for building up strength and
stamina."

"Your point is well taken, Edward. So it's into the fields for Ramses. I'll
deliver him to you tomorrow morning. The only proviso I put on that is he
must return to the house at the end of the day. For obvious reasons, I
don't want him stabled with the field-slaves. A fresh slave is soon ruined
by the older hands.  I have promised Ramses to Yancy and I'm sure he
doesn't want his slave raped by the field-hands."

"I look forward to having him join the other slaves in the fields. And I'll
ensure he isn't abused by either the overseers or the slaves, Charles."

"Thanks Edward! There now remains one other thing to attend to before we
move onto tonight's entertainment."

"What's that, Charles?"

"I need to collar Ramses and to enter his details in the plantation's Slave
Register. Ptolemy, go to my office and bring me the Slave register, quill
and ink and the box from the top of my desk. Quickly now!"

Ramses listens in silence as his fate is decided. He now knows, that come
the morning, he'll be working with a slave gang. He thinks back to this
morning when he'd first seen the slave-gangs toiling under the lash and how
he'd envied them to the point where he'd wished he was one of them.  Now
his wish has been granted and he finds the prospect daunting. He wonders if
he'll have the strength and endurance necessary to cope with the hard
physical demands that will be made of him.  Or will it be coaxed out of him
by the whip.

His thoughts are interrupted by Ptolemy re-entering the room carrying a
large, leather bound ledger together with a quill and ink bottle and a
wooden box. Ptolemy crosses the room and kneels at his Massa's feet and
holds them at arms' length before him.  At first, Massa Charles ignores
Ptolemy and continues talking to Boss Edward and Sir Yancy. Then, after
several minutes, he takes the proffered items from Ptolemy and places them
on the table before him.

Charles opens the book and slowly leafs through its pages before coming to
a page that is only partially complete. He looks up from the book to where
Ramses is standing then invites Yancy to come sit at his side.

"This is the plantation's slave register, Yancy which records the details
of all our slaves. It looks complex but the system I have devised is quite
simple. Would you please open the box and remove its contents?"

Ramses watches as Yancy opens the box and takes out a metal collar. The
collar is hinged and obviously made to fit around a slave's
neck. Wide-eyed, Ramses realizes this collar is meant for him.

"Yancy, I know you can't read as yet so I'll read out what's inscribed on
the collar. I had the collar inscribed in anticipation of this moment."

Yancy's curiosity is aroused and he asks, "What's written on the collar,
Charles?"

"Firstly, there is the slave's name - 'Ramses, the property of River's Bend
Plantation'. This is followed by the numbers 32701. The first three numbers
record the month and year of purchase or enslavement - in this case -
March, 1827 and the last number is the order of acquisition for that
date. As Ramses is the first slave and only slave acquired for March, 1827
he has been given the number 01. There may well be others to add in a week
or so after Saggory Clutterbuck visits with his coffle. We usually purchase
more slaves from him. All our slaves are so numbered and you'll find their
numbers on their collars. Bear in mind that we only name my house-slaves
and the ponies; we don't name our field slaves. They are known to us only
by their numbers. It's a much simpler system than naming an entire herd of
slaves. All you need to do to identify a slave is to look for his number
inscribed on his collar."

"Yancy, the system is simple," Edward adds, "and you'll soon learn to call
the slaves by their numbers. For example, while Ramses is working in the
fields, he won't be called by his name. He'll quickly learn to answer to
being called 32701."

Yancy listens with interest to all that Charles is telling him. After all,
if he is to stay on permanently at River's Bend he must familiarize himself
with all its operations. As Charles explains the workings of the Slave
Register, Yancy examines the neck collar. He opens it as far as its hinge
allows before loudly snapping it shut. He does this several times.

"Charles, why do you use collars on your slaves?"

"Mainly for ascetics, Yancy. I like to see my slaves collared. It's an
obvious sign of their servitude.  However, the neck collar does have a
practical use. A length of chain or a leather leash can be attached to it
for subduing a troublesome slave or to lead him about. And a neck collar
reminds a white slave of what it is - a beast-of-burden and humiliates him
by reminding him of his worthlessness when compared to his black betters."

"All that is very true, Charles!" Edward adds. "The collar reminds a slave
of its true standing. But I believe the brand is a more potent symbol for a
slave. A collar can be removed but a brand seared into a slave's hide is
permanent and can't ever be removed. It is always there to remind the slave
that it is a marked animal and an owned property."

"I can't argue with that, Edward." Charles concurs. "And the memory of the
pain inflicted on a slave by the branding iron remains in his consciousness
and serves as a permanent reminder of his slavery."

"Charles, I see there's another collar in the box." Yancy asks. "Is it a
spare?"

Charles and Edward exchange glances and Yancy senses their common anger.

"No, it's not a spare, Yancy." Charles answers grimly. "It's waiting for a
very special slave."

"Can I ask who the special slave is, Charles?"

"Yes, you may, Yancy and he is known to you. It's Robert Trevannion."

Yancy is made speechless by Charles answer that the collar is meant for his
former master. Sensing Yancy's confusion, Charles continues.

"Yancy, Edward and I have a long held plan that Robert Trevannion should
end up a slave at River's Bend like his cousin, Ptolemy and now his son,
Ramses. When Edward and I were slaves, we suffered much at the hands of a
very young Robert Trevannion. He was responsible for having us - and other
slaves - unfairly whipped during his numerous visits to River's Bend. And
he did so for no other reason than he could as a member of the St Jean
family. We never forgave him and we have always harbored a desire to bring
him here as a slave. It seems fitting that he should end his days as the
slave of those he'd once tormented so mercilessly."

Ramses listens in horror to the fate that awaits his father and his own
enslavement takes on a new dimension. It would appear that Massa Charles is
hell-bent on revenge against his former St Jean masters and won't rest
until the three surviving male descendants are his slaves.

Yancy is over his initial shock. Indeed, as he thinks on it, he is
delighted with the prospect of his former master being enslaved and brought
to the plantation. He'd relish using the whip on both Robert and his son in
the fields. Or perhaps he could use them as a pair of ponies. The thought
of Robert and Ramses running naked under his driver's whip fires his
imagination.  The imagery is so real that he can see their stressed bodies
straining to keep pace with his demands and responding to his constant
whipping of their flexing asses. His cock stiffens at the mere thought of
Robert Trevannion becoming a slave. But how can this happen, he wonders.

"Charles, you amaze me." Yancy exclaims. "But how will you make it happen?
Robert Trevannion is too well known. If he disappeared he would be missed
by and there would be searches made for him, surely."

"You're quite right, Yancy! He would be missed if he were to simply
vanish. For my plan to work, Robert Trevannion must die. Now I haven't
worked out the method of his supposed death. However, I have already
discussed my plans with Saggory Clutterbuck who was to look into ways and
means of 'killing' Robert Trevannion. I hope on his next visit - in a week
or two - Saggory will have some news for me."

"This Saggory Clutterbuck sounds like an unsavory character, Charles. Can
he be trusted?"

"Yancy, yes he is unsavory but in my dealings with him I have found him
trustworthy. He's a greedy individual and his only motivation is the making
of money and lots of it. He's unscrupulous as many an innocent, young,
white boy who ends up as a 'mustee' slave on the auction-block in New
Orleans can attest to. But if anyone can deliver Robert Trevannion to me
with no questions asked then that person is Saggory Clutterbuck. And while
this won't happen during his impending visit, I'm hopeful that he'll
deliver Robert to us on the visit after that in six months."

Ramses feels desperation for his father's impending fate. The fact that
this is openly discussed in front of him shows Massa Charles' total regard
for his feelings. He is powerless to intervene on his father's behalf and
he will be a mute witness as Robert Trevannion is spirited away into
slavery at River's Bend.

Ramses recalls his father's eagerness for him to accept his cousin,
Beauregard St Jean's invitation to visit River's Bend and to become its
next heir. Ownership of the plantation would ensure Robert's continuing
prosperity and finance his extravagant lifestyle. For Ramses there is
bitter irony in the fact that he is now the heir to the plantation but in
reality he is no more than a slave; a fate soon to be shared by his father.

Charles picks up his quill and adds Ramses to his list of slaves. He uses
beautifully written copperplate lettering to meticulously record he has
acquired an eighteen year old male, 'mustee' slave with the registration
number 32701. He further records that the slave is the progeny of "Robert"
and "Margaret" and is named "Ramses". In the columns headed with Brand Mark
and Circumcised/uncircumcised, he records "branding pending" and
"circumcision pending". When these have been attended to he'll revisit the
register to record the date of those procedures. He also makes note that
the slave was purchased from Mr Saggory Clutterbuck Esquire, slave-dealer
of New Orleans.

For a small fee, Saggory will issue Charles with the appropriate documents
verifying that Ramses is slave-born of slave parents and that he was sold
to Mr Beauregard St Jean of River's Bend Plantation for the sum of
$875.00. These papers clear the way for Ramses' future sale should it
become necessary.

In effect Ramses has now acquired two personae. For legal reason, he is
Luke Trevannion, the soon to be legal heir to Mr Beauregard St Jean but in
reality he is the young, mustee slave, Ramses.

All that remains now is for the collar of slavery to be fitted to
Ramses. Charles decides this is a task for his new prot‚g‚, Yancy.

"Edward! Yancy! The night is moving on and I have Horus and Osiris waiting
in the kitchen to entertain us. But before they do, we need to collar
Ramses. Yancy, would you oblige me by fitting the collar to my newest
slave's neck?"

"Charles, I'd be pleased to collar him!" Yancy answers with alacrity.

The prospect of fitting the collar onto Ramses is one he truly relishes.

"Ramses, step forward!" Charles commands imperiously. "Kneel boy! On your
knees!"

Ramses compliance with the order is immediate; he drops to his knees, bows
his head and waits.  Yancy fits the collar around Ramses neck, then closes
and locks it. As the collar snaps shut around his neck, Ramses feels a
sense of degradation combined with those of hopelessness and despair. The
collar reminds him that he is now a slave and an owned chattel belonging to
Massa Charles who can use and abuse in any manner he chooses.

The collar weigh heavily upon Ramses. There is no discomfort but it is
cumbersome and uncomfortable and Ramses wonders if he'll ever adjust to its
feel. However, over the next few days, he'll discover that he will adjust
to this necessary accoutrement of his slavery.

Ramses curses the Fates that have brought him to his present
situation. Despairingly, he rues his decision to come to River's Bend and
curses his naivety in agreeing to Ptolemy's suggestion that he sample the
life of a slave. Of course, he'd made that decision in accord with his long
held erotic fantasies which bordered on the romantic and he'd allowed the
desires and needs of his cock to overrule his commonsense.

And even as he thinks on these matters, he slowly realizes they have
nothing to do with him being a slave. He now understands he isn't a slave
because of his foolish fantasies; he is a slave because of Massa Charles'
secret decision to enslave him. His supposed needs were incidental to Massa
Charles' overriding need for revenge against the St Jean family. His fate
had been decided long before his father had agreed to his visit to River's
Bend. Obviously, Massa Charles had been plotting this for some considerable
time as evidenced by his plans for Ramses' father.

Massa Charles is proving to be a formidable enemy of the St Jean and
Trevannion families. They are no match for his intellect and
resourcefulness and suddenly, Ramses is in awe of Massa Charles!

Yancy has one more indignity to inflict upon his former master. He orders
him to,

"Crawl over to your Massa's feet and pay him your respects, slave. Thank
him for your collar and pledge your loyalty and obedience to him."

Ramses wastes no time in obeying. He scuttles across the floor to where
Massa is sitting. He leans forward and kisses Massa Charles' feet and tells
him.

"Thank you Massa for allowing me to wear your collar. I promise I'll be a
good and obedient slave and serve you faithfully."

And despite his new doubts and fears, something of the old Luke Trevannion
manifests itself in the new slave Ramses. His words are sincere and the old
desire to serve as a slave resurfaces. He has found his true place;
kneeling as a white slave at the feet of a Black Master.


To be continued . . . . . .