Sultan's Scraps

Sultan's scraps was what the galley masters swore about over a flagon in a quayside bar.

"Sluts who broke at the oar within a day. Or worse kept alive for longer but weakened your arm from the flogging to make them any use at all"

These were what these masters thought of the slaves gifted on them for a fee from the inquisitors chamber and cells.

Usually much marked by the lash and brand they were a pitiful sight hanging on the auctioneer's hook. A good galley master would check for broken bones from the rack or strappado pulley or the Horse and its weights. Most were dragged to the Pit in their dungeon fetters.


This household slave had  run away from her master and stolen food. Caught by the city guards she'd been sent to the Inquisitor for questioning. She broke under the lash and the pinch of red hot iron pincers. Spared the cross because the Inquisitor's surgeon judged her strong enough for the galleys, the wench hung from the auctioneer's hook and was sold to a merchant man who needed flesh for his grain barge


Gallo had inspected that morning's coffle from the cells, checking the quality of the stock before submitting a bid.

The kitchen slave Julia had stolen food for another slave who had runaway. She had been taken by the guards and sat on the Horse for a day. When the irons were bought to be stroked on her perspiring limbs, she had gabbled out her secrets. Her sale to the galley would compensate her master for her loss. Brought to the arena in chains, Julia is presented for sale as galley stock. The auctioneer decides to amuse the buyers by crushing the nipple where she was kissed by the hot pincer



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