Adequate

A/N: It's been a while.

Kazex and his assigned Elven broodmares were taken and escorted by the guards towards their allocated bedchambers, and when they entered Kazex had to admit, they were far better than he thought.

A large king-sized bed with a thick mattress and lush pillows, a warm blanket, a bathroom with tub, toilet and washbasin, and even a single bookshelf filled with a plethora of different books to read. At one side, there was a table with three chairs, crafted with high-quality materials albeit plain-looking, and for the Elven slaves, there was a wardrobe filled with clothes and folding curtains for privacy.

For a goblin so used to even poorer living conditions, it was heaven.

"Her Highness has permitted you limited freedom to wander the facility so long as you are escorted," Said the guard, "Should you need something, ring the bell here, and we will fulfil your requests within reason. As for refreshments, you must wait for us to bring you food, but the fountain there serves as a source of drinking water. Do you have any questions?"

"Yeah, what's your name?" Asked Kazex.

The Elf guard frowned, "I do not believe my name is important."

"Maybe not, but I don't want to just call you 'that guard', even if you don't call me by my name," Kazex shrugged.

"...Rhuksomi," The Elf male said.

"Thanks Rhuksomi," Said Kazex, "Can I ask if that limited freedom extends to my servants?"

"May I ask why?" Said Rhuksomi.

"Because I want them to at least be able to move around, you see," Said Kazex, "When we goblins capture broodmares from other races, we don't always keep them chained down. We want them to remain healthy and fit, so that they can breed strong and healthy children for our tribe. I know, because I had to oversee the health of captured broodmares from my old tribe alongside a few others."

"I see," Said Rhuksomi, "I will forward your question to Her Highness, but I promise nothing."

"Very well, Rhuksomi," Kazex nodded, "For now, that's all the questions I have."

"Mm."

Rhuksomi left the room, and Kazex beckoned for the two girls to take a shower. They used scented soaps and shampoos to wash off their grime and sweat, making their bodies smell clean again. The girls changed into a new set of clean, fresh and plain-looking robes, while Kazex settled for a pair of breeches.

They sat at the table, Kazex sitting opposite the Elf mother and daughter.

"Right then, ladies," Said Kazex, "I don't suppose you two can tell me your names?"

"W-Why?" Asked the Elf mother.

"We are going to be stuck here for the foreseeable future, and I figured that since we've only each other for company outside breeding duties, it's best for us to get to know each other," Said Kazex, "Will that be fine with you?"

"I-I thought... I thought you goblins were hideous creatures incapable of higher intelligence and speech," Said the mother.

"And you talk fine enough. Not like a noble, but..." Said the Elf daughter.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Kazex waved off, "Anyway, your names?"

"I-I'm Ammaiss," Said the Mother.

"And I'm Camyc," Said the Daughter.

"Wonderful," Said Kazex, "Pleased to meet you both. I'm Kazex, a goblin wanderer formerly of the Stoneclaw Tribe."

"Formerly? You mean you were exiled?" Asked Camyc.

"Yeah, got into a lot of trouble with my former tribe," Kazex shrugged, "Won't bore you with the details, but someone was jealous, some other person started a fight with me, and I ended up being banished. End of story."

Camyc wanted to press further, suddenly curious as to the goblin's history, but Ammaiss tapped her shoulder and shook her head. Whether out of fear of angering Kazex or general fear and disgust of the goblin himself, Camyc could not say.

"I see," Said Ammaiss, "You seem very knowledgeable about caring for... broodmares."

Kazex shrugged, "Years of experience. I've seen plenty of broodmares go mad from being isolated and confined all the time. Some even tried to commit suicide. Giving them a little fresh air helps a lot with coping, even though there's always the chance of making an escape."

"You say it as if it's not important," Ammaiss pointed out.

"More like even if they did escape, no one would accept a former goblin broodmare back into society," Kazex explained, "They're seen as tainted, despoiled, undesirable. No one wanted them, so the only place they have to go back to is the tribe that kidnapped them."

"That's just said," Camyc said.

"It is said, but that's society for you," Kazex shrugged.

"Then, if say we were to escape here..." Camyx suggested, but Kazex interjected.

"You won't make it far, I can assure you," Kazex warned, "From what Her Highness Princess Rhohesya told me, this facility is a top-secret place and heavily guarded, isolated from outside society. Even if you do escape, where do you have to go?"

"But... we... I don't want to be here," Camyc muttered, her eyes on the verge of tears.

Ammaiss hugged her daughter, offering what comfort she could.

"I know this sounds really callous of me, but for now, you'll just have to accept that you're going to be here a really long while," Said Kazex, "I'll be reading the books if you're looking for me."

For now, privacy was the one and only thing mother and daughter needed the most.