The compound's water supply had become a pressing concern as expansion continued. The original well system, designed for a small estate, struggled to meet the increased demands of the growing facility. After reviewing several options, Damien had decided to investigate the nearby river as a potential long-term water source.

  Accompanied by a small security team, he traveled to survey the river's course and assess potential access points for a proper water management system. The journey took them beyond their usual territory, following the river's path as it wound through the disputed bordernds.

  "The flow rate appears consistent," noted the water specialist who had joined them from one of Seraphina's trade connections. "But we'll need to establish multiple testing points to confirm water quality throughout seasonal variations."

  Damien nodded, his system already analyzing optimal locations:

  [Water Source Analysis] [Flow Rate: Sufficient for Compound Requirements] [Distance: 2.7 miles from Main Facility] [Engineering Challenge: Moderate] [Recommendation: Extended Survey Required]

  To complete a thorough assessment, they would need to follow the river several miles further, including passing through a small border settlement where various trade routes converged. This market town existed in the gray zone between kingdoms, operating under minimal governance and serving as exchange point for goods that might face restrictions in more reguted territories.

  "We should reach Rivercross by midday," the security lead reported. "The market will be active, which provides both cover for our survey and potential intelligence gathering."

  The settlement came into view just as predicted—a collection of weathered buildings clustered around the point where the river narrowed and could be crossed via an ancient stone bridge. Unlike properly governed towns in established kingdoms, Rivercross had no formal entry procedures or noble oversight. Merchants, travelers, and those preferring minimal official attention conducted business in this liminal space between territories.

  As they entered the market area, Damien's security team maintained casual but vigint formation. Through his shadow Bond with Nyx, he sensed her remote awareness—she had established shadow links throughout the bordernds that allowed her to monitor their progress despite remaining at the compound.

  The market itself was a chaotic collection of stalls and temporary structures, with goods from all seven kingdoms dispyed with minimal concern for traditional trade restrictions. Legitimate merchants operated alongside smugglers, creating a commerce ecosystem that thrived specifically because of its position beyond conventional jurisdiction.

  While the water specialist consulted with local residents about the river's behavior during different seasons, Damien observed the market operations. His system automatically categorized the various exchanges taking pce:

  [Market Analysis: Rivercross Settlement] [Primary Goods: Mixed Kingdom Commodities] [Regution Level: Minimal] [Security: Self-Organized] [Notable Feature: Unrestricted Exchange Opportunities]

  They had completed most of their water survey and were preparing to depart when Damien noticed unusual activity at the far end of the market. A crowd had gathered around what appeared to be a specialized merchant stall draped with moisture-preserving enchantments. His enhanced senses detected distinctive magical signatures associated with water preservation spells—techniques typically used for transporting aquatic goods or specimens.

  "Wait here," he instructed the team. "I want to investigate something."

  As he approached the gathering, Damien heard the merchant's practiced pitch.

  "A rare specimen from the deepest parts of Abyssalia's coastal waters! Observe the unique coloration and fin structure—unmistakable markers of pure lineage rather than common mixed breeding!"

  The crowd parted slightly, allowing Damien to see what was being dispyed. In a rge water tank reinforced with preservation enchantments was a water demoness. Her blue-tinted skin showed signs of dehydration despite the tank, and her fin-like ears were partially drooped—a sign of distress in aquatic demons. The webbing between her fingers had developed concerning cracks from inadequate moisture conditions.

  "She understands complex commands and can manipute water with uncommon precision," the merchant continued, demonstrating by ordering the demoness to create a small water sculpture. "Perfect for estate water features or private collections of exotic specimens!"

  The demoness complied with visible reluctance, forming a simple water shape that nonetheless demonstrated notable control. Even in her weakened state, her water manipution abilities exceeded typical capabilities, suggesting formal training rather than mere natural talent.

  Damien's system immediately analyzed her condition:

  [Subject: Abyssalian Water Demoness] [Physical Status: Moderate Dehydration, Non-Critical] [Magical Capacity: Significant Despite Condition] [Containment: Inadequate for Extended Physiological Maintenance] [Estimated Survival in Current Conditions: 2-3 Weeks Maximum]

  "How much?" asked one observer—a wealthily dressed demon whose attire suggested Bloodreach noble connections.

  "Starting offers at forty thousand soul marks," the merchant replied smoothly. "A fair price for such a rare specimen with demonstrable talents."

  "Thirty thousand," countered another potential buyer. "The deteriorating fin condition reduces dispy value."

  Damien watched as the bidding continued, his mind processing multiple aspects of the situation simultaneously. The water demoness was clearly being sold as property—legal in most kingdoms for beings of appropriate cssification, but increasingly rare for specialized demons with notable magical abilities. The merchant's documentation would likely show authorized collection permits, though the ethics of such capture remained questionable at best.

  Through his years as a sve, Damien had experienced the reality of being viewed as property rather than person. The memory of those experiences crystallized his decision before the bidding concluded.

  "Fifty thousand," he stated clearly, his voice cutting through the haggling.

  The merchant turned, eyes widening slightly at the substantial increase. "A serious collector with appropriate appreciation," he observed, studying Damien's attire which now carried subtle Bloodfang research designation alongside his own compound's markers.

  "I require proper documentation of origin and acquisition," Damien added, maintaining the formal tone of legitimate collector rather than revealing his true intentions.

  "Of course," the merchant agreed readily, producing a crystal containing records. "All acquisition permits properly filed with coastal authorities. The specimen was obtained through licensed collection operations in the outer territories of Abyssalia."

  Damien reviewed the documentation through his system:

  [Document Analysis: Collection Permit] [Legal Status: Technically Valid] [Kingdom Recognition: Partial (Abyssalia Coastal Jurisdiction)] [Ethical Compliance: Minimal] [Exploitation Indicators: Multiple]

  The transaction proceeded with efficient precision. Damien transferred the agreed payment while the merchant provided detailed maintenance instructions for "optimal specimen preservation." Throughout the exchange, the water demoness watched with wary eyes that held intelligence far beyond what would be expected of mere "collection specimen." Her gaze assessed Damien with careful calcution, neither hopeful nor entirely resigned.

  "Will you require transportation services?" the merchant inquired after completing the sale. "We offer specialized containment units for extended travel."

  "My own transportation is adequate," Damien replied. He signaled to his team, who promptly approached with appropriate equipment for transporting the water tank.

  As they prepared to depart, the merchant offered final advice: "She'll respond best to direct commands reinforced with appropriate correction. The containment colr includes standard compliance enchantments that can be activated if necessary."

  Damien acknowledged this with neutral expression that concealed his internal reaction to such casual discussion of compliance enforcement. His own memories of simir "training recommendations" remained vivid despite the years since his sve status.

  Once they had traveled beyond the settlement's boundaries, Damien halted the group beside the river. The water demoness watched warily as he approached her transport tank.

  "I'm going to remove the containment colr," he informed her directly. "It may cause momentary discomfort as the enchantments disengage."

  Her eyes widened slightly—the first genuine reaction she had shown since the purchase. When Damien reached for the control mechanism, she instinctively pulled back before forcing herself to remain still.

  The colr released with a soft magical discharge, the compliance enchantments dissipating into the air. The water demoness raised a webbed hand to her neck, touching the now-bare skin with obvious disbelief.

  "My name is Damien," he said, maintaining respectful distance after removing the colr. "I'm administrator of a research compound in the disputed territories north of here. You are not my property despite what legal documentation might temporarily suggest."

  She studied him with increased intensity, clearly assessing whether this represented some new form of control rather than genuine statement of intent.

  "What is your name?" Damien asked.

  After a moment's hesitation, she replied in a voice that carried the distinctive melodic quality of Abyssalian natives. "Marina Depthcaller," she answered, the formal naming pattern indicating trained status rather than common birth.

  "Marina," Damien acknowledged. "You need proper immersion. This river connects to our compound's territory. You're welcome to depart immediately if you wish to return to Abyssalia, or to accompany us if you prefer to recover your strength first."

  Marina's fin-like ears shifted position slightly—an Abyssalian expression indicating cautious reassessment. "You purchased me at significant cost only to offer immediate release?" The skepticism in her voice was understandable given the circumstances.

  "I purchased documentation that prevents others from ciming ownership," Damien crified. "What you do with your freedom is your choice."

  He gestured toward the river. "The security team will remain at distance to ensure privacy. Take time in the water to recover from inadequate containment. We'll wait until you've decided your preferred course of action."

  As the security team established perimeter positions at respectful distance, Damien helped position the transport tank near the riverbank where Marina could easily transfer to natural water. Once arrangements were complete, he moved away to give her privacy for proper immersion.

  Within moments, Marina had slipped from the containment tank into the flowing river. The effect was immediate and visible—her blue-tinted skin regained healthier coloration as proper hydration began restoring her natural state. The cracked webbing between her fingers began healing as she performed fluid movements beneath the surface that seemed partly medicinal and partly expressions of relief.

  After nearly an hour of complete immersion, during which she occasionally disappeared entirely beneath the water only to resurface at unexpected locations, Marina finally approached the riverbank where Damien waited.

  "Your actions defy conventional categorization," she observed, now floating comfortably with only her head and shoulders above the water surface. "Purchase followed by immediate release contradicts standard acquisition patterns."

  "I was once cssified as property," Damien replied simply. "I found the experience undesirable and see no reason to inflict it on others."

  Marina studied him with increased interest. "Former sve status is rarely acknowledged by those who achieve administrative position," she noted perceptively. "Most prefer to obscure such origins."

  "Denying reality rarely improves understanding," Damien responded. "Your condition has improved with proper immersion."

  Marina nodded, unconsciously touching her neck where the containment colr had been. "Collection methods prioritize transport efficiency over physiological maintenance," she expined. "The merchant acquired me during coastal trading expedition when my research vessel encountered difficulties in disputed waters."

  This additional information confirmed Damien's suspicion that her status exceeded simple "specimen" cssification. "You were conducting research?" he asked.

  "I am—was—assistant hydrologist for Abyssalia's Coastal Management Authority," she confirmed. "Our vessel was documenting water quality variations in boundary regions when separatist raiders attacked. My colleagues were killed while I was incapacitated and subsequently 'collected' as exotic specimen."

  The professional title expined her advanced water manipution abilities and educated speech patterns. Marina was clearly trained specialist rather than random capture—which made her treatment as saleable property even more ethically questionable despite technical legal compliance.

  "My compound includes water resource development projects that would benefit from hydrological expertise," Damien noted, careful to frame this as information rather than recruitment attempt. "You would be compensated appropriately as consulting specialist if you chose to offer professional input before returning to Abyssalia."

  Marina considered this with evident calcution. "Direct return to Abyssalia presents complications without proper documentation or resources," she admitted. "Temporary professional engagement while arranging formal status restoration might prove mutually beneficial."

  "The choice remains yours," Damien emphasized. "The security team can provide escort to any regional destination you prefer, or you can accompany us to the compound. Either option comes without obligation."

  Marina's assessment continued for several moments before she responded. "I will accompany you to evaluate your water resource requirements," she decided. "Professional consultation provides practical transition period while I determine optimal long-term arrangements."

  With that pragmatic decision, they prepared for return journey. The specialist equipment was repurposed to create water-friendly transportation that would allow Marina to maintain proper hydration during travel. Unlike the merchant's inadequate containment, this arrangement prioritized her physiological needs while maintaining her dignity.

  As they departed, Damien noticed Marina studying him with continued careful evaluation. Through his experiences both as sve and now as administrator with unusual authority, he recognized the calcuted assessment of someone accustomed to being underestimated and potentially exploited. Her caution was entirely reasonable given recent experiences.

  What had begun as simple water resource survey had resulted in unexpected encounter with specialist whose skills might indeed benefit the compound's development. More importantly, it had provided opportunity to prevent continued mistreatment of another being who, like himself, had experienced the dehumanizing reality of being cssified as property rather than person.

  Through his three distinct Bonds, Damien sensed varied reactions to this development. Lady Lilith's connection conveyed scientific interest in Abyssalian water manipution techniques alongside practical assessment of potential research applications. Nyx's shadow Bond carried strategic evaluation of security implications and potential intelligence value. Seraphina's fire-based link registered practical consideration of water resource management alongside personal approval of ethical intervention.

  As they journeyed back toward the compound with this unexpected addition to their party, Damien reflected on how his own experiences had shaped his immediate response to Marina's situation. The memory of colr removal—that first moment of realized agency after ownership—had influenced his decision to begin their interaction with simir symbolic action.

  The water demoness maintained cautious observation throughout their return journey, her professional demeanor banced with understandable wariness. Only time would reveal whether this chance encounter would develop into temporary consultation or more significant connection, but the foundation had been established through respectful acknowledgment of her personhood rather than continuation of her cssification as property.