Description
In the Asharan Empire, all men are slaves.
Celine is a student of feminist theory who has long been fascinated by Asharan culture. She is visiting the Asharan Empire to write a report about life there, and she has invited her college roommate, Eli, to come with her and help with her research.
For two weeks, Celine and Eli will be staying with Anais and Phoebe, who run a vast cotton plantation worked by hundreds of male slaves.
Anais and Phoebe have invited Celine up to the rooftop pool, where she can relax after her long journey, and three of them can get to know each other. Meanwhile, Eli has been assigned to work with the household slaves, cleaning, tidying up, and preparing refreshments for the women. Celine wants Eli to experience life as an Asharan male, to help with her report.
One of the other males approached Eli holding a bow and a quiver. 'Our mistress Phoebe has asked you to bring her these,' he said.
Eli took the bow and quiver up to the roof. Celine, Anais, and Phoebe were sunbathing by the pool in their swimsuits, while far below, hundreds of male slaves toiled in the cotton fields. Seeing the women sitting atop their vast empire like this, Eli felt a sense of just how exposed and powerless he was. 'Your bow,' he said - his voice coming sheepishly.
Phoebe took the bow and quiver from Eli, and aimed down toward the plantation. Anais handed Celine a pair of binoculars. 'Watch the cute little expression he makes,' she said.
Phoebe loosed an arrow, and Eli saw one of the males collapse in the middle of the field. She quickly fired a few more, striking the same male with each one.
'Wow, you're such a good shot,' exclaimed Celine. 'Aw, he's like a little pincushion.'
Eli was horrified. How could Celine enjoy something like this? Celine turned to him, and seemingly noticing his expression, decided to clarify.
'That male was slacking off,' she said. 'It's only right that his mistresses should punish him.'
Eli wanted to interject, but he was too nervous.
'Let's send a video message,' said Phoebe, picking up a tablet from nearby. 'It might be fun to tease that male a little in his final moments.'
'Good idea,' said Anais. 'And of course, since those arrows were drenched in aphrodisiac, I wonder how he'll react when he sees us in our swimsuits. He might die of a heart attack before he even bleeds out.'
An enormous holographic screen appeared in the field below, displaying a video feed from Phoebe's tablet. The males stopped what they were doing to watch their goddesses' edict.
'Aren't you males impressed by my archery,' said Phoebe, her voice sounding out across the cotton fields. 'Even though males are worthless creatures, you are quite useful for target practice.'
The three women laughed.
Eli felt unnerved that Celine could laugh at such a thing. Perhaps she was just trying to impress these other women? But just how far would she go to impress them? Eli got a sense that he was in danger.