The other held a thin, pliant rod, no thicker than a finger at the blunt end and tapering to a point at the other. He wielded the rod skillfully, careful to use it only on the fleshy hindquarters of the more attractive slaves so as not to damage that valuable property. He was not a particularly cruel man, but he was impatient. I saw a flick of his wrist, and the girl’s hips jerked forward as the rod struck her handsome rump solidly, impelling her to step lively in spite of herself. He led the naked young woman up the steps and brought her to the center of the high, square platform.

The crowd seemed to quiet down as though sensing something special was about to take place.

“Stand at attention! Clasp your hands behind your neck! Elbows back…head up!” Glutus snapped, stepping up to the tall blonde till he was close to but not touching her, to stand with his eyes just inches from the side of her pale face, appraising her long, clean lines coolly.

At first the blonde barbarian didn’t move a muscle, but a sharp whack on her bare bottom reminded her of the imperative of instant obedience. Her shoulders shot up in abrupt recoil, and she turned to look at her handler with a look of definite disdain. But the wicked rod in his hand rose only slightly. It was enough to cause her to turn back immediately and to bring up her arms slowly to assume the required pose, throwing back her shoulders, thrusting out her firm breasts proudly, locking her eyes on some distant horizon.

There was a lively murmur of approval from the crowd.

The lecherous old goat licked his chops as he passed his hands up and down that magnificent form, feeling up the captive woman freely, savoring each feminine curve and contour, caressing the taut mounds of her breasts, sampling her nipples, slipping his hands between her legs to fondle the soft folds of her blonde sex, greedily exploring the mounds and crevices of that splendid nude body. He looked in her mouth, pushed back her lips to examine her clenched teeth as if she were a mare, and ran his hands up and down her sleek haunches.