When The Gavel Falls (Masters of the Castle)

by Tabitha Black

  "Okay, Rosie girl, this is it. You go and greet everyone you can and wow them all." Giggling yet again, she grabbed her bear, giving him a hug. "Okay, ready or not, here we come." As she hurried down the stairs, she could hear the growing murmur of people already in the ballroom. Stopping for a moment, she straightened her shoulders. "No turning back now and, young lady, no matter who wins you, you will have a great time, starting the moment that Master Marshall's gavel falls." Anyone standing nearby would have smiled, watching the beautiful petite young woman and hearing her giving instructions to the stuffed bear in her arms.

  Rosie came alive the moment she stepped over the threshold. Her eyes were wide as she took in the people; handsome men and beautiful women seemed to be everywhere she looked. The huge array of different costumes spanned centuries. She giggled at the sight of a woman dressed in a simple white toga chatting with a man in full gangster regalia. She gave a smile and a small wave to those people she recognized, chuckling as her coworkers' eyebrows lifted and smiles were returned. Though she had told a few of her intention to participate, it was something else to actually be among them dressed as she was; the distinctive black ribbon around her neck. Scanning the room, she still couldn't see Silver. She was about to duck around a group of people when her path was blocked.

  "I hope you're not running away," a deep voice said.

  Rosie lifted her head to see a man looming over her. He was probably in his fifties, his eyes were brown and kind looking, but it was his head that had her gaping. He was totally bald, his scalp tanned and seeming to reflect the lights of the chandelier. Suddenly remembering he had asked her a question, she shook her head.

  "Does that mean you aren't running away?" he asked. "Don't you know that it's impolite not to answer a grown-up's question?"

  "Um, yes… no, um, I mean, no I'm not running away and yes, I know it's not polite to be rude. I'm looking for someone."

  "Darling, I'm quite positive you have no need to look any further." His finger reached out to touch the black ribbon. "I assure you, I have no intention of giving any other Little girl my attention. Why don't we go sit, and discuss all the ways I know to make a naughty girl be very sorry she forgot her manners?"

  Rosa felt her stomach flipping, her heart racing and her face heating at the suggestion. She had a stranglehold on her bear in order to keep her hands from moving to cover her bottom, which seemed to be clenching in terror. Though she was positive that Master Marshall would never allow anyone at the Castle that he didn't trust, she was just as positive that this man could quite literally eat her alive. "Um, please excuse me. I promised my friend that I'd check on her. The auction starts soon and—"

  The man chuckled. "Fine, I'll let you run for now. However, after I've sealed the deal, any further running will guarantee you'll be over my knees, getting your little bottom blistered." Rosa managed to swallow and nod, dashing off the moment he had stopped speaking. Though he did look a bit like Daddy Warbucks, she prayed she wouldn't have to star as his own Annie.

  Seeing Travis, or perhaps it was Trevor, she gave them a wave, hurrying in their direction. They were incredibly good looking in their matching suits, and impossible to tell apart. They were also a great deal of fun, not being above playing pranks. "Hi, God, I'm glad to see you," she said, glancing nervously over her shoulder.

  Travis followed her gaze and saw a rather imposing gentleman looking as if Rosa was the most delectable morsel he could contemplate savoring. Grinning, he dropped his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. "What's the matter, little one? Does the Daddy Warbucks lookalike scare you?" Feeling her tremble, he spoke softly. "Hey, don't let him get to you. I know Trevor and I aren't really into the Ageplay scene, as we tend to play on the darker side, but we are definitely not going to let anyone devour our favorite Little girl."

  "Ah, is that why you are running from him?" Trevor asked, having also seen the man.

  "Why does everyone keep asking me that?" Rosa said in a huff, pulling away from Travis. Her hand went to her hip, her curls bouncing as she looked up at the twins. "Did Bess tell you I almost pulled out of the auction? I was just a little…"

  "Relax," Travis said. "We haven't spoken to Bess. But, honey, you've got to admit, you were walking awfully fast. Good thing you aren't in heels, or else we'd most likely be helping you up off the floor."

  Rosa looked down at her feet and giggled. "I know, aren't they adorable? I sure don't envy any submissive who is standing around being accosted by total strangers. I might be small, but at least I can run." Her comment had the men smiling. It was true. She was a petite thing, easily able to get lost in a crowd.

  "He's gone," Travis said, having been keeping an eye on the man. "You can't blame him though, or anyone else that wants to meet you. You do make an awfully cute Little girl."

  "Yeah, love the pigtails and the bear," Trevor added. "Too bad you aren't wearing a different color bracelet, or else…"

  Blushing, knowing full well what types of bracelets these Doms preferred, Rosa backed away. "Um, thanks guys, see you later. I've gotta go find my friend." The men laughed as she turned and easily darted through the throngs. As she left, she giggled, hearing Travis say that she cleaned up to be awfully darned cute. Her pulse rate quickened when she heard Trevor reminding him that they weren't looking for cute—they were looking for a stunning girl definitely not wearing pink. She instantly thought of her friend—now there was a stunning woman who wore a black bracelet—a perfect candidate if she ever saw one.

  Rosa was delayed a few more times, mostly by people who worked at the Castle who wished to give her their blessing and encouragement. She stood laughing and getting more and more excited, as the bald man slipped out of her memory and she began noticing some very handsome men giving her glances. Finally spotting her friend, her face split into a huge smile. Unless she was going blind, the man sharing a drink with her was none other than Trevor… or Travis. Regardless, Rosa found herself hoping that they were participating in the auction. While she hadn't seen any evidence or heard that they were, she knew without a doubt that Silver would definitely not leave the Castle unsatisfied if she found herself bought by one of the brothers.

  Any further thoughts disappeared as a soft chime sounded. She knew what that meant, and as people began to move towards the center ballroom, she decided to run to the bathroom before the actual auction began. Making sure the path was clear, she dashed from the room.

  *****

  Slipping into the ballroom, she moved into the position her number indicated. Great, she was neither first, nor last. Her number was twenty-three, putting her well down the line. As she gave the other submissives a smile, she realized that a good deal of them looked just as nervous as she felt. Squeezing her arms around the teddy bear, her attention was captured as the lights dimmed and then centered on the man standing in the middle of the stage. God, the Master of the Masters looked magnificent. He appeared even taller than his six feet, his blond hair seeming to reflect the lights as he stood in front of the backdrop of the red velvet curtains. A quiet hush fell over the ballroom as all conversation ceased and his speech began.

  "Good evening and welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Castle's first ever Charity Submissive Auction. As many of you know, this last summer the Castle lost one of its own to cancer. For those of you who knew him, the loss has been soul-rending. For those who didn't, Master Don was one of the original six Masters with the vision to help me take a dilapidated stone structure going to rubble in Scotland and bring it here, to Ohio. His greatest contributions to our facility have been the Nobles' Program, the period costumes, and the Master's Supper and Show, where he presided every night without fail that entire first year. There are bits and pieces of his influence in every wing and every hall, and in the rules by which we abide. In short, the Castle never would have become the success it is today without Don, and so, what better way to honor his memory than by hosting this charity event? Bid, and bid generously. Each submissive you are a
bout to meet has pledged to make this a New Year's to remember, and every penny you spend, not only will the Castle match, but it will, in Don's name, be donated to aid in a very worthy cause: the fight to eradicate cancer for good."

  Applause erupted through the room, and Rosa felt a sense of pride run through her. No matter what price she brought, she would be helping a good cause, honoring Don's memory. Remembering his face, and thinking of him looking down from heaven and smiling at the activities, knowing he would love the auction, she stood up a bit straighter. She would make him proud—even if she discovered that Daddy Warbucks had won her. It was her duty as a Castle employee to do her best to be the best damn Little they had ever seen. Blinking away the sheen of tears in her eyes, she spotted Silver near the head of the line. God, she looked stunning—hell, what word was more stunning than stunning? Her friend's dress looked as if it was made of metal. It clung to every gorgeous curve of her voluptuous body, ending at a point that made Rosa grin—she might be able to bend over without worrying, but if Silver did, she'd be giving anyone looking at her a view that would be imprinted on their brains forever. Long legs were made even longer by the silver and black heels she was wearing. Wiggling her toes in her comfortable slippers, Rosa gave her bear another hug. There was no way Silver was going to go cheap; she was going to make those lights strobe and those paddles wave like crazy. Smiling, she returned her attention to the stage.

  Master Marshall held up his hands, waiting for the room to quiet. "Before we begin, let's go over the rules. What you are purchasing tonight is the use of a willing submissive who has vowed to make him or herself yours from the moment you make payment until ten o'clock Friday morning. Sexual favors are not included in the bidding. As consenting adults, that is strictly between you and your submissive. If you are the winning bidder in an auction, your submissive will be removed to a waiting area while you settle your account. You will then be given a file containing his or her likes, wants, desires… and hard limits. You will make yourself familiar with those limits, and you will not cross those lines."

  The quiet that had descended over the audience became amplified as Marshall looked over them, the ice blue of his gaze seeming to pierce each one of them in turn. "Your submissive has vowed to make his or herself pliant to your desires," Marshall continued, and his stare became positively glacial. "But no still means no. If you cross that line, you will find yourself in my office and I will not be forgiving. Also, the Castle rule regarding gags is still very much in effect. If you do not apply for a waiver and I catch you using one, I will not be forgiving. Are these rules understood?"

  No-one in the audience said a word, but his edicts were crystal clear, and after another sweeping glare, Marshall nodded. "Then let us begin. Our first submissive, ladies and gentlemen. Please welcome… Jasmine."

  Rosa watched as Jasmine took the few steps leading to the stage. She was a beautiful woman, and drew shouts of appreciation as lights began flashing and paddles began waving. On her return from the bathroom, Rosa had seen Master Sam handing out the last of the auction items to those bidders that had not yet received one. She knew that they were each given a small pouch that contained some sort of commemorative paddle—hmm, trust the Masters to hand out paddles as a souvenir of their participation in the auction. She'd also seen him handing out auction pamphlets that she thought contained pertinent details about each submissive and their number in line. She felt her stomach begin to tingle, knowing her own form was in that stack. Each bidder also received a paddle with a motion activated light that would send out a flickering red beam, making it impossible not to catch Marshall's attention. She buried her face in the bear's fur as she watched the dizzying display of lights and heard the price go up and up and up. When Marshall's gavel fell, it was to announce that Jasmine had sold at a very impressive price of thirty-eight hundred dollars. Lifting her eyes skywards, Rosa gave a wink, as if to let Don know his charity would be receiving a great deal of money tonight.

  Her attention went back to the stage to see another woman stepping up to stand by Marshall. God, she was beautiful. A petite blonde who was wearing only the barest of coverings—some tunic that was really just a flap in the front and one in the back, held on by a sash around her waist. She looked vaguely familiar, but before she could think who she reminded her of, Marshall had introduced her as Blossom, and wham, his gavel fell with a thud. Whoa, that had been fast. Only one bid, and Blossom had sold for five thousand dollars! Whoever had wanted her seemed determined not to waste a single moment. As the woman walked off, Rosa realized she reminded her of Sara, a woman who had come to the Castle, fallen in love and was now married to Master Jackson, and who was soon going to be delivering their first baby.

  At the sight of the next submissive walking onto the stage, Rosa saw that the woman had obviously chosen the Ageplay Program. Her mouth dropped open when the gavel fell and it was announced that the submissive had gone for eight thousand dollars. Oh my God, there is no way in hell anyone is going to give that much for me. Shit, I'll be lucky if there are even people left to bid when it's my turn! She watched the lady moving off the stage, obviously very pleased at her price.

  Another couple of subs went up, including a young man, and then Rosa gasped—and then giggled—when she watched as submissive number seven was introduced by only a single initial given as her name. O was gorgeous as well, and had the guts to actually turn her back to the bidders, bend over and moon the entire crowd. It was quite obvious what the audacious move evoked in the bidders as red lights flashed over each other and enough paddles were being frantically waved that Rosa could swear she felt the breeze. When another eight thousand was declared as the winning bid, she couldn't help but smile. If this trend continued, even give or take a few grand, the auction would have to be declared a success. Unless she was mistaken, the man who had won was none other than Master Alan. Seeing a Master of the Castle participating, and paying a rather impressive price for the pleasure, had her praying that Travis and Trevor might, just might, be looking for their own submissive. She knew that either one would find their perfect companion if they bought her friend, Silver.

  Suddenly, she took a step closer—Silver was next. Crossing her fingers, Rosa said a quick prayer that whoever purchased her friend realized how very special she was. If anyone here tonight deserved an incredible experience, it was Silver. She had tried everything she could think of to keep her marriage intact, but when it became obvious that she and Stephen simply weren't meant for each other, they had divorced. It had taken a great deal of persuasion to get Silver to agree to come all the way to the US to attend tonight. If she wound up with somebody who wasn't truly magnificent, Rosa would be very upset—as well as feel guilty.

  As she listened to Master Marshall ask her to do a twirl and then go on to describe her likes and desires, the sound of clapping and wolf whistles allowed Rosa to take a deep breath and relax. It was obvious that the bidders had no doubt as to what Silver was worth. Seeing that her friend was looking straight at her, Rosa held out her hand, her thumb up, her smile huge. She listened as the bids rang out higher and higher, her smile growing even larger as she felt sure she could recognize a familiar voice. She held her breath for an instant when the bidding seemed to stall, and realized that the last bid had been given by a lady. Her heart leapt into her throat—as far as she knew, Silver wasn't really into women—well, not in that way. Please, please, come on. Silver is worth more than that. Let me go for less—hell, let me pay them—just somebody bid… please! Her prayer was answered as a bid of an additional five hundred dollars was accepted. When none followed, Rosa let out her breath and sagged a bit. She couldn't tell who had won the final bid, but her friend had also brought the amazing sum of eight thousand dollars!

  She watched and listened as one after another, the submissives before her stepped onto the stage to be sold. A beautiful dark-haired woman was number thirteen. She was pale and slender, almost to the point of being too skinny; her long legs seemed to
go on for miles. Marshall introduced her as Kitty. As paddles waved and lights blinked, Rosa smiled—it seemed that the number thirteen was definitely not unlucky as the woman left the stage after bringing in four thousand dollars. Some submissives went for a bit less, but as she kept track, she realized that at this rate, they would collect over $200,000 for the charity. And, since the Castle had agreed to match the total, they would be donating almost half a million dollars in Don's memory. It was a humbling thought, and made her feel a trifle guilty for ever thinking about backing out of such an opportunity to be even a small part of that donation.

  One of the only two male submissives stepped onto the stage and drew quite a few whistles of appreciation. He was very tall and lanky, and had short, curly black hair. His only clothing was a very skimpy black speedo, and black leather cuffs around his wrists. Rosa grinned as he went for a high price. With only one person left in front of her, she began taking deep breaths. Surely the room had to be practically empty. After all, twenty-two other submissives would have been purchased, and that meant at least the same number of bidders had left, not to mention those who had been unsuccessful in their bids for the submissive of their choice. Trying to remember how many people there had seemed to be in the room, she felt a light tap on her bare shoulder.

  "It's your turn," the submissive behind her whispered, nodding towards the stage.

  "Oh, thanks," Rosa whispered back, before she took a last calming breath and stepped towards the stairs. Seeing the ears on the rabbits on her slippers flop, she giggled, hugged her bear, and took the last step in a bunny hop. She heard people laughing and couldn't hold back her own mirth. No longer caring how full the room was, she kept her eyes on Master Marshall, his smile giving her the last bit of courage she needed.

  "Our next submissive is our sweet Little Rosie," Marshall said, giving her another smile. "Rosie is the perfect girl for anyone who enjoys things a bit saucy and sweet. As we all know, Little girls can be quite naughty, and you will have many choices of implements to use on her sweet bottom." Hearing him, Rosa turned around and lifted her nightgown just enough to show off her cute panties. Wolf whistles encouraged her to show some more, but she shook her head, her curls bouncing, one hand going to stifle a giggle as she gave them a look that said she knew it was a very naughty thing to expose her bottom—covered or not. Paddles lifted before Marshall had even finished his spiel, but he did make sure that anyone thinking about paddling that precious ruffle-clad rump knew that any and all whips were a hard limit.