There was a clearing close to the more magical parts of the forbidden forest. A part where the trees might not move around as soon as everyone went to sleep. It was a small clear area surrounded by semi dense forest. Aldyn had led everyone to this clearing and began unpacking the scale beasts. Eranor and Rosewood were off on the other side of the clearing. Eranor was sighing as Rosewood hammered a stake into the ground. Attached to that stake was a metal chain, attached to that metal chain was Eranor's collar, attached to Eranor's collar was a very disgruntled Eranor, and she was disgruntled because attached to this disgruntled Eranor was the still soggy diaper.

"Just be patient," Rosewood said finishing her hammering. Eranor didn't even respond. Rosewood left to help Aldyn set up a meager camp with some supplies from the scale beasts. Eranor pouted, as much as she could pout in a strait jacket, left in boredom while the two worked. Once the gear was out Eranor was further insulted as the two scale beasts were tied down onto the same stake in the ground she was. She shifted from anger to a sad acceptance. She was angry at her situation. Angry that this could happen to her. Yesterday she was a princess, today she was tied up with the animals. A scale beast groaned as if reading Eranor's thoughts.

"Who the hell asked you anyway?" The chain on Eranor's collar rattled as she hopped up and struck as much of an angry pose as she could against the animal. Of course she was in a strait jacket and an incredibly soggy diaper, so the display was more comical than anything. Even the scale beast seemed to find the display funny as it snorted.

"Eranor dear," Rosewood said gingerly. "I've got my tent set up, why don't we get your diaper changed?" Eranor looked away embarrassed, but moved eagerly as Rosewood grabbed Eranor's leash from the stake in the ground, releasing it with metal magic. She led Rosewood over to her small tent, just big enough for her bed roll and not much else. "Lay down dear," Rosewood said gingerly. Eranor eagerly obeyed, laying down on the simple bed roll. "Geez we really should have taken care of this earlier," Rosewood said apologetically as she removed the incredibly sodden diaper. Eranor was too embarrassed to acknowledge the statement, though it was obviously true. "I'm curious dear," Rosewood said wiping Eranor down with a wet cloth. "When did you age out of diapers?" Eranor gave Rosewood a look. "I ask because you were a princess you know," Rosewood said fluffing up the new diaper. "I know royalty tends to potty train a little late. I know Tialla did. I was just curious if you were the same." Eranor blushed again, turning away.

"Twenty-one," Eranor said shyly.

"Huh that is interesting," Rosewood pondered, applying some powder over Eranor and the new diaper. "Very late. Even for the Biscotti."

"Yeah well," Eranor said with a sigh.

"I know," Rosewood cut in. "Don't forget I was Tialla's nanny," Rosewood taped up the new diaper snugly. "I know how it can be for kids like you. Parents want to put off aging up out of diapers. Guess they see it like a status symbol or something. I always thought that was messed up, but what could I do about it?"

"Yeah," Eranor said hopefully. "Yeah it kinda is."

"Come here dear," Rosewood asked, though it was a formality. She scooted Eranor closer herself and got to work loosening her strait jacket. "We're not going anywhere. I don't see any reason to keep you all locked up like that." Rosewood grabbed hold of the chain leash still on Eranor's collar and walked out of her tent, Eranor forced to follow behind her.

Eranor wasn't quite sure what to do with the new freedom, for as much freedom as it was. She had her arms free again, but she was still on a leash. Small victories she assured herself. Aldyn was already piling up some small logs in the space between his tent and Rosewood's. He looked up briefly at the two. Namely at Eranor out of her strait jacket, in nothing but her diaper and the chastity top she was still wearing.

"If we're not going anywhere, why do I still need to wear diapers?" Eranor asked having gained some confidence.

"You really shouldn't be out of your strait jacket, much less be out of your diapers." Aldyn warned. Eranors face sank with her confidence at that statement.

"Remember what I told you Aldyn," Rosewood said pointedly. "You should be more nice, but you," Rosewood emphasized who she was talking to by yanking Eranor's leash gently. "Need to learn your place." Both Aldyn and Eranor pouted, having not gotten what they wanted. A successful compromise. "Here let me get the fire going," Rosewood stepped up to the pile of logs, and stuck her glove with the magical focus into the fire. After a few seconds and a bit of a surprised yelp, a fire soon erupted engulfing the logs. "Don't know my own strength," Rosewood giggled. "Come Eranor, keep me company while I get our dinner out."

Eranor didn't really have a choice in the matter, the chain leash jingled gently as the two made their way over to one of the scale beasts. Eranor could briefly make out that Aldyn was setting up some chairs by the fire.

"I've got to hold your leash so you get to hold the food," Rosewood sang, abruptly putting a sack into Eranor's hands. Eranor studied that sack as Rosewood sealed up the compartment on the scale beast that held the sack.

"What is it?" Eranor said concerned.

"Nothing by your standards I'm sure," Rosewood closed up the compartment on the scale beast. "But for roughing it, it's a veritable feast." Rosewood made her way back to the fire and thus so did Eranor. "Some jerky, some bread, and some beans." Eranor grimaced. It really was nothing compared to the royal meals she was used to, but the gentle tugging against her collar reminded her she didn't really get to complain.

Rosewood and Eranor returned to the fire where Aldyn was sitting on one of two chairs set up by the fire. Eranor huffed quietly as the implication sat in. Two chairs for the two people who were in charge. She would be sitting on the ground.

"Problem?" Aldyn asked accusingly.

"No problem," Rosewood cut in quickly. "Eranor was just taking her place next to me. Right dear?" Rosewood prompted.

"Yes," Eranor said picking up on the hint. Though not enough as she got an elbow from Rosewood. "Yes master," Eranor corrected with barely contained spite.

"Good girl," Rosewood ignored the anger and gave Eranor a quick pet between her ears. She took the sack from Eranor and knelt down by the fire, using the heat to make the cold food a little warmer. After a few moments, Rosewood handed a cheap plate with food on it to Eranor. "Go give Aldyn his food," she commanded in a cheery tone. Eranor's leash was long enough, and the area around the fire short enough, that she could deliver the food to general Aldyn, while Rosewood still held her leash. She did just that, though she couldn't look the general in his face as she handed him the plate.

"Thank you," Aldyn took the plate tensely. He glanced over to see a look from Rosewood. "Good girl Eranor," he corrected his statement. This time it was Eranor's turn to get the look from Rosewood as she looked at her.

"Yes master," she said quickly. She looked back to get the approving look from Rosewood in response.

"So tense between you two," Rosewood said putting together a plate for herself and for Eranor. She took her seat and Eranor sat on the ground next to her chair. "We've got a long trip ahead, it won't do to have this awkwardness between you two."

"I don't think the awkwardness is avoidable," Eranor said chewing her piece of jerky. She noted the expectant pause. "Masters," she added.

"You're giving her too much freedom," Aldyn chastised. "We need to have her properly trained before we give her to the queen. We don't have time to be nice to her."

"She's not some hopeless idiot Aldyn," Rosewood countered. "She knows what slaves are supposed to do, she's been around them her whole life, had one change her diapers." Rosewood stopped to giggle. "I guess that's still happening." Eranor groaned. "Regardless, she knows what's expected of her. It's just a matter of giving her the proper encouragement."

"I don't think this is the proper encouragement."

"And I suppose you would have her strung up and beaten at every offense? I can tell you from experience that such a method is not effective." Rosewood let that implication sit heavy in the air. "I know you're nervous Aldyn, I am too. Just be careful it doesn't get to you. We need you to keep your head on straight. I know you're not that person, don't let this make you that person." Aldyn looked away in shame.

"You're right," he admitted playing with his beans. "It is getting to me." There was another silence. Eranor looked back and forth between the two, a new perspective on her situation. She let the comment she had die in her throat and went back to eating her food.

"Come Eranor," Rosewood gestured to a spot closer to her. "Sit," she commanded. Eranor shifted her positon quickly. "Good girl," Rosewood said reaching down to the now closer Eranor to gently pet her head. "I wanted to pet you while I eat," Rosewood said non-chilantly. "And you do have soft hair." Eranor blushed and tried to keep eating, though she was secretly thankful for the command. The petting felt good, and she would have loved to sit there and relish in it, but her pride wouldn't let her. Since it was a command though, she didn't really have a choice but to enjoy. Rosewood scratched just the right spot behind Eranor's ear, and her head involuntarily twitched in appreciation. "This is what I mean general. See what you can get if you treat your slaves with kindness."

"What?" Eranor said surprised.

"Shush. Finish your food. Quietly." Rosewood switched to a short but not angry tone. Eranor did just that and after a moment the petting resumed. "It's ok to like it dear," Rosewood whispered. "It is supposed to be a reward." Eranor blushed, and tried her best to eat without commenting. Even in her position she had to appreciate what Rosewood was doing here. Forcing her to enjoy the petting and associate it with a positive reward to reinforce her submissive behavior.

After the dinner the group quickly moved to get some rest. Dark had already begun to sink across their clearing, the trees blocking what was left of the setting sun didn't help this. Eranor sat silently as Rosewood put out the fire. Instead of using water she used a kind of fire magic to dissipate the fire into the air. As she was doing this Eranor had another, but familiar thought. There were two small tents, and three of them. Just like with the chairs, it seems she would be left out in the cold.

"I'm going to turn in," Aldyn said getting up with a stretch. "Night you two," he yawned as he sank into his small tent. Now that the two were alone Eranor looked expectantly at Rosewood, who was finishing up her task of dissipating the fire.

"Something on your mind?" Rosewood asked in a way that let Eranor know she knew exactly what was on her mind.

"I just don't wanna sleep outside," Eranor admitted meekly.

"Well that is something reserved for good girls. I don't know if you have been today," Rosewood gave a mildly accusatory smirk. Eranor looked away defeated.

"I'm trying," she said quietly curling up.

"I know dear," Rosewood sighed. "And I'm not that cruel. You can sleep in my tent, but in exchange I expect your best behavior, and if I don't get that ..." Rosewood let the question answer itself.

"I'll do my best," Eranor said hopefully.

"I know you will. You're a good girl," Rosewood stood up with Eranor's leash still in her hands. "Come on we're turning in too."

"Yes master," Eranor said eager to be on her best behavior.

The two crawled into the small tent. Eranor taking her expected place on the part of the tent that Rosewood's bed roll wasn't covering. It wasn't quite the ground, there was a small tarp like floor of the tent, but it was notably less comfortable. Rosewood tied Eranor's leash tightly to the pole in the center of the tent that held it up.

Eranor sat curled in a ball quietly while Rosewood got comfortable in her bed roll. It seemed that Rosewood got comfortable quickly, and soon Eranor was left alone, well alone with another sleeping Miqo. Once she thought Rosewood was asleep Eranor struggled to get comfortable on the floor of the tent. Even her best efforts didn't really bear fruit, every pose she tried was just uncomfortable. She settled into one of the more comfortable stances and sighed. It was the first time she had a moment to herself really. Even now she wasn't really alone. Rosewood was just right there, only asleep. Still alone was alone, and she finally had a moment to process everything, and have it really hit her.

She halfheartedly tugged against her chain leash as tears welled up in her eyes. It held firm, just like she expected it to. It was unyielding just like the reality she found herself in. She was a slave, nothing but an object now. A sacrifice to a world that was rapidly evolving, a casualty of circumstances beyond her control. It wasn't fair, she didn't do anything to deserve this, but the universe didn't care. It didn't care who was or wasn't a good person, who did or didn't deserve the punishment it dealt out.

Eranor started to cry at the weight of it all. Struggling to cry quietly so as not to wake Rosewood.

"Eranor," Rosewood said sympathetically.

"Ah," Eranor gasped is surprise. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you I ..." Eranor didn't get to finish as Rosewood dragged her over to her bed roll in a gentle embrace. Eranor was in silent shock for a moment.

"It's ok," Rosewood said genuinely. "It's ok." Rosewood cradled Eranor into her chest and gently started rubbing her back. Eranor couldn't contain it anymore and started sobbing into Rosewood's chest. Rosewood remained stoic and calm, continuing to gently rub Eranor's back and shush her quietly. "I know sweetie. I know. It's not fair none of it." The continuing encouragement garnered more tears from Eranor. Eventually though the energy of all the crying caught up to Eranor and she fell asleep still cuddled into Rosewood. Rosewood smiled gently, and went back to sleep gently pressing Eranor into herself.

AUTHORS NOTE: Here's the next chapter everyone. Remember you can read the next chapter early on my patreon page at patreon.com/bigred0603. I hope you all enjoy this characterization, and stay tuned for more as we continue on our way to Vas Naga. As always I hope you all enjoy.