No Risk No Reward

The next day was more bearable as Alex tried to be as low profile as possible. He imitated the behavior of other slaves when the celestial noble came around to tour the dungeon.

"Greetings, Great Noble!" Alex was crouched on the floor with his head touching the floor. The celestial noble just gave him an brief glance and walked away. The new few days went on like this. He couldn't have any conversation with the other slaves as they are either unresponsive or incoherent. The old man who responded to his query the other day had also started to completely ignore him since the other day.

The loneliness was kind of getting to him after a month. Even with taking great care, he still got randomly beat up sometimes but the injuries healed quick. He tried to occupy his mind by either thinking of his memories back on earth or sometimes daydreaming about what he could do when he got his freedom. He refused to accept that he would be locked up here forever.

After another month of no progress with his situation, he decided to try something different. He didn't have anything to lose right? When he the celestial noble who bought him made his next tour, he decided to speak out a few more words than ordinary greetings.

"Greetings, Great Noble! You bless me with your presence. It is my great honor to be visited by you time to time. It is my life's greatest fortune to be bought by you! I pray everyday for the honor you have given me. Please forgive this insignificant one for talking in your presence. Allow this lowly one to serve you faithfully…"

As Alex was spouting off these random praises, the celestial noble was surprised and then there as a pleased look on his face. The guards around him were shocked and then looking at him with slight displeasure.

"Hm, not bad. Not bad. You can be my pet. You can come with me the next time I leave MariJois to tour around Chambody Islands. Gurads, bring this slave with me on my next excursion."

"Yes, Great Noble!" The two guards immediately responded. Their looks toward him were more downright hostile.

When they left, Alex was quite excited. He thought his opportunity had come. If he could get out of this dungeon, maybe he could come upon a chance to escape while following the noble. Any change was better than the current situation who held no hope for him.

When there had been no news for two days, Alex was getting nervous. Did they forget about him? The noble also hadn't come around the last two days. Just when he thought he should give up, he saw a couple guards walking towards his cell. One of the guards was holding a collar in his hand. 'Shit, I knew it. They were gonna put that on me. I had expected it but was hoping I would be lucky'.

The guards came in and one of them said in a cold voice.

"Feel honored, slave. The Great Noble had given you the privilege of accompanying on his tour outside. We will put this collar on you. If you run away more than five meters away from our transponder, your head will explode. "

The other guard added in. "We have seen many such instances, so we dare you to do it. We even have a betting pool going on to see if you will survive the trip. Let me tell you kid, things don't get easier. No one will blame you for taking the easy way out."

"Shut up, Ned. You are not supposed to encourage them to suicide. I know you are going around taking people's gambles. If I report it to the chief, how much trouble do you think you will be in?"

"Hehe, Bran. Don't be like that. We are all like brothers here. You will also get some compensation for your understanding so please let it slide, this time, ok?"

Alex was chilled by the conversations taking place around him. He almost started doubt his decision to take the risk by speaking out the other day. After they put the collar on him, they brought him out of the dungeon.

'The transponder device must be in the other guard. Is it in his pocket? This was way more risk than I initially considered but it was too late to regret now.' Alex was ready to face the dangers and possibilities that awaited him.