Upon reaching his house, Nightcaller puts the two burly ones in a storage room to be handled a little later, giving them strict instruction not to attempt leaving or messing with any of the crates within the room.
The blue one he brings to his mostly unused sitting room, takes a seat upon one of the chairs and points to a spot just in front of him.
"Stand here."
The blue one does so and stands there watching the floor just in front of her feet.
Nightcaller nods to himself, satisfied it was at least this obedient. He reaches forward and takes hold of it's chin, pulling the face upwards to allow him to see it better.
His hand seeming ridiculously large around the small almost delicate face, briefly he had concerns of breaking it with just this touch.
It was not an unpleasant face. Certainly young, couldn't be more than fifteen. There was a good chance that if it lived long enough to become mature it would be quite pretty.
While small the face was largely unmarred save for a scar near the hairline which could easily be hidden, the eyes were perhaps the most captivating part being that they were a bright purple peering out beneath the waves of black hair.
Not too pleased about tribal markings on it's shoulder though he supposed he could live with them.
It really was a fine looking creature.
His finger touches the scar near its hairline and says firmly "You will have this hidden from sight. I will make your hair more presentable in the morning, this wild mess is unsuitable."
The blue one gives as much of a nod as they are able with their face being held.
Nightcaller continues to study it's face for a few moments, then lets go and looks at the rest of it.
"Perhaps you will not remain at the yard as I'd intended." the large man continues to watch for a few moments before speaking again "Clearly you at least understand the common tongue. I do not require you to speak it. If you can you will answer all questions and statements with either a yes Master Moor or a No Master Moor. If you do not speak it, a nod will suffice. Understood?"
The blue one resumes gazing at the floor and responds with a quiet "yes Master Moor."
Nightcaller nods, slightly impressed that it could indeed speak the common tongue.
"Very good. I will go over rules with all three of you in the morning. For now you will sleep in the kitchen and you will have a meal ready for me before dawn. I have much to do and will not be delayed. Understand?"
Again the blue one responds with a quiet "yes Master Moor."
Nightcaller rises from the chair and motions for it to follow. Leading it to the kitchen and indicating a place between the hearth and the stores of food.
"You will sleep here. Do not steal food. It will be provided when you may eat. Sleep. There is much to be done in the morning."
He turns without waiting for a nod or a yes and strides to his room. Making a note in his ledger regarding the gold spent for each of them and their uses.
He watches the twin moons rise for awhile and then retires for the night, hoping whatever food awaited him in the morning was at least edible.
Breakfast the next morning is indeed edible though there is too much of it. After eating what he can Nightcaller allows the blue one to finish what is left.
He heads back to his room to finish getting ready for the day, then goes to the store room to get the other two and a few items. Returning to the hall with the burly half-orcs in tow as well as a small bag held loosely in his hand. Yelling for the blue one and waiting impatiently for it to appear before beginning.
"Listen closely as I do not enjoy repeating myself. You work for me now and there are rules to be followed. Doing as I say is a given and any of you disobeying this will be punished.
Firstly you will address me as Master Moor. It is my name and my title as yard master.
Second there will be no stealing. I will provide with what I deem you to need, stealing will result in punishment.
Thirdly idle conversation is a waste of time and money. There will be no need to speak unless permission is granted or I ask a question. Failure to adhere will result in punishment.
Am I understood."
He waits for the affirmatives from all three of them before moving on.
"Excellent." He reaches into the bag and pulls out three bands made of silver and proceeds to put one around each of their wrists. "These show you are mine. They will not come off unless I take them off. Try it if you like but it will not be a pleasant experience."
Nightcaller studies the three of them and then nods to himself. He gestures to a small pile of cloth atop a table in the hall.
"Suitable clothing. You will change into this before we leave."
Nightcaller frowns and then sighs. He'd have to give them designations, at least so he could get the attention of the one he wanted. He points to the burly one with the longer hair.
"You. From now on you will be called Bardo." He points to the other burly one. "You will be called Akad. Go. Change quickly."
The two half-orcs each quickly pick up an article of cloth and return to the room they'd been in during the night to change.
Nightcaller stares down at the blue one with his dark green eyes. After several long seconds he speaks in an almost irritated tone. "You will be called Blue. There are additional rules for you, but for now go change. Quickly!"
He watches Blue scamper off after picking up the cloth and then stands there impatiently while they change. As soon as the one he'd called Bardo returns, he takes his dagger and begins removing large sections of the hair until it was short.
Bardo remained still during the process, not wanting to accidentally get sliced by the dagger if he moved.
When the other two had returned in their new attire, Nightcaller leads them out of his house and back into the city.
Only stopping to obtain a bit of food for Bardo and Akad. They'd need their strength for the work ahead of them.
The day was long and the sun hot as it beat down on the open shipyard. Yet Bardo and Akad, as well as the paid yard workers, did not stop working until just before sundown. Even with a short break for the mid-day meal it was rigorous work which left all of them exhausted and ready to unwind at a local tavern before heading home.
Nightcaller spent his day either overseeing the work being done, speaking with captains and quartermasters of the ships currently docked to ensure everything would be loaded on time, or remaining hunched over ledgers in his office with Blue seated in a corner on the floor.
He'd not known what else to do with it so had instructed it to remain there. He was semi-impressed that it had not fallen asleep or tried to entertain itself by messing with things.
Upon days end Nightcaller took the two half-orcs to the main store room he owned, gave them some food and locked them in for the night. This was where they'd stay from now on unless working.
Walking back to his office to gather his ledgers, he then turns to leave only to stop at the doorway and bark at Blue. "You! Up! We are going home."
Without waiting to see if it obeyed, Nightcaller began the journey home, pleased when he heard the faint sound of it's barefeet padding along behind him. Perhaps simply having it follow him and cook at the house would be enough.
Thankfully it was not an overly long journey home. During the walk he'd thought of a few more rules for Blue and decided now was the best time to instruct it. Upon entering the door to his home he set down the ledgers on the hall table and went to the sitting room where he sat in the same chair as the night before. He points to the spot in front of him and is pleased when it immediately walks to the indicated place and stands there.
"Good. Very good." His hand once more reaches forward and cups it's face, finding he did enjoy looking at its features.
"There are more rules for you to follow so listen closely.
First you are not allowed to touch me or any other person. However they may touch you and you must let them. If you resist you will be punished.
Second you will remain where I tell you to until I tell you otherwise. You will not move from that spot.Failure to comply will be met with punishment.
Third I am altering the previous statement about food. I will tell you when you can eat, otherwise you will not touch food except to prepare it for others.
Fourth when I tell you to come, you will come immediately. You will kneel in front of me and place your face in my hand. You will not move from this position until told to do so.
Do you understand these rules?"
His green eyes focused intently upon its face while waiting for the answer.
Blue gives a very small "yes Master Moor."
Nightcaller smiles and rubs his thumb over it's cheek, quite pleased with this creature after only a day.
"Good. Now go make me some food." He releases its face and watches it scurry out of the room towards the kitchen. Deciding he had made a good investment in all three purchases.
Nightcaller read while waiting for his meal. Only setting down the book when Blue returned and placed the tray of food upon the side table beside him. He was pleased when it then knelt in front of him and stuck its head in his waiting hand.
Nightcaller stroked its cheek absently while eating. When finished he pulled on its chin until it stood, then handed it the tray.
"Take this and wash it. Clean up after the cooking of my meal, then you may sleep. Do not forget to have my morning meal ready before dawn. I will cut your hair tomorrow."
Blue hastily stood when its chin was pulled upwards, taking the tray it then lowers its head and gives a small "yes Master Moor." Then scurries off to do as it was told.
Nightcaller watches it leave and smiles to himself before picking the book back up and retiring to his room for the night. Satisfied that he'd instructed Blue well enough at least for now.