The master spy or Puss in the boot adventures

The unfortunate event, Part 22

Unexpectedly, as Spartacus and his new friends Shadowcat and Mer-mer prepared to mutiny, a great clatter was heard on deck.

"Has the mutiny been revealed to us, "thought Mer-Mer with a shudder. He didn't want to imagine what would happen if their mutiny failed and they were taken to the slave market. Who knows where they'd end up then...

Get all the slaves out!" came a stern voice and suddenly the guards burst into the ship, whips and swords in hand.

 They broke the slaves from the common chain, chained them individually and led them out.

"Move, dog!"

An overseer with a huge body and an evil dog-like face, who they called the Jackal kicked Spartacus and made him hurry. Fire blazed in the Thracian's eyes and he barely restrained himself from cracking the warder's skull with his heavy chains.

"Not now, Spartacus," Shadowcat nodded his head. "There are too many. "

Not far from her was Mer-Mer. He looked to be in a pitiful state. His once lustrous pelt had lost its luster and he was much weakened.

"You don't look well," whispered Shadow-cat.

"We're not on a picnic, "Mer-Mer replied reluctantly. "First I threw up my guts from the sea swell, then from the spoiled worm food they fed us, and not to mention we were chained up and had to ...stink like sinful cheese..."

"Silence, you unfaithful dogs!" cried the Jackal. "Arrange yourselves in two lines, the master to see you."

The shackles rattled and under the whips of the overseers the slaves lined up.

The fat pirate with the red beard they called Barbarossa began to look them over taking notes. If any slave pleased him, he was set aside for his estate. So far he had set aside 2 young slaves and a beautiful slave girl.

"This one- "he indicated Spartacus, "leave him for the gladiator school. He will make a good gladiator and make me a lot of money. He has a lot of fire in his eyes."

The overseers put Spartacus aside and came to Mer-Mer and Shadow-cat. 

"What are we going to do with these, "the Jackal asked.

"These, "smiled Barbarossa, "are our special guests. "

"Shall I prepare them for the slave quarters?"

Barbarossa thought for a moment. Solalis had set him a difficult task. These two had to return at no cost to their time or...Barbarossa would pay with his life. But either way, they couldn't go back to their own time without the Time Compass , and its parts were scattered across the Three Realms... And even if they managed to find them, which was unlikely, without Stardust, the compass wouldn't work... Either way, his job was to keep them here... he had no right to kill them, because that would reflect badly on Luck... but if an accident happened... it was another matter. Barbarossa hadn't responded for a long time, and the Jackal had struck several slaves with his whip, who had gone berserk.

"Quiet, dogs. Soon you will be bought and start a new life!"

Barbarossa finally shook himself from his thoughts and said...

"Take them to the gladiator school."

"But they won't survive a week there, "the Jackal protested.

 "We could take some good money for the female cat..."

"You forgot your place, dog , "hissed Barbarossa, and his sharp sword painted a deep furrow on his cheek. 

The blood spurted down the Jackal's face and he fell into the dust...

"Lie there, dog..." Barbarossa said" and remembered when I bought you in the market... and you were like them."

 A few slaves went berserk and Barbarossa had to personally pacify with his whip. 

"Why must I do your work?" he barked at the overseers. "Whip them, but not in the face. They  must look good for the market..."

The group split into 3. Most of the slaves , the overseers and Barbarossa went to the slave market, the young slave girl and the two slaves and two overseers to Barbarossa's manor, and Spartacus , Mer-mer and Shadow Coot for the gladiator school...

What awaited them in the gladiatorial school?...Who knows...