Ancient Binds

A unicorn colt with black fur and a black mane, with blue stripes going down it, smiled nervously. Sitting in a crowded classroom with a number of other foals. None of them particularly knew what they were about to learn, just that it was 'about the way things are' as the janitor had said rather loudly on their way in.

"Right, let's see that everypony's here, this is important!" The teacher said in her usual tone which sounded a little angry. "Dark Shard?" She called, to which the colt raised his hoof. This went on for some time, the teacher looking down some notes "...Good, everypony is here, let's begin."

The class quietened down, as the Teacher leaned back "So, today is a special lesson. And for you Colts, it will likely dictate most of your lives. So pay attention!" She snapped, glaring at each 'Cutie Mark Crusader-sized' foal in the room.

"Now, for Generations, ponykind has used a particular law regarding Stallions. Commonly known, as the three month law. Upon reaching legal age, any Stallion can be approached, and then restrained, and ultimately enslaved, by a mare of legal age." The teacher explained, looking over the class. To her amusement, a few of the 'young lovers' were glancing to each other

"You may ask, 'Why three months'? Well, this is a simple answer. To ensure that a Stallion is not permanently enslaved by a Mare, on the ninetieth day of their enslavement, they must be released, and allowed freedom. Now, a couple CAN remain permanently in a slave-master relationship. This is known as 'Claiming', or very rarely among the youth as 'Marriage'. This is one of the only things which a Stallion actually has the right of choice to."

Surprisingly to modern eyes, not many of the Colts seemed that worried, and most of the Fillies were smirking

"...Now then, there ARE some restrictions to the slavery. No permanent physical damage to the stallion is allowed. No psychological torture beyond reasonable limits. And no death." The teacher said, as of the few worried Colts, most calmed down. She noted with disgust that some still did look worried. Maybe they thought it was unfair... They'd just have to live with it.

"Now, two final things before we move back to our regular lessons. One, just because somepony has been enslaved, does not mean that they are the sole property of their master. Oh no, the master of a stallion can decide many things, even get the stallion to... 'Work for' their friends." She said, as the truth sailed over the heads of the class

"And, for the second... There is an exception to the three month limit." She said, watching the class gasp and move in surprise and, for some, fear. "...A princess can hold onto a stallion forever." She said, watching the class relax. Heh, yeah... Nopony here would ever be enslaved by a princess. The likelihood of that was minute.

...But if they were, everypony could agree, that would be a tremendous honour...

Throughout it all, Dark Shard listened. The only fear he had gained, was lost at the mention of the three month limit. Smiling gently, even.

'I can't believe some of the colts around here are actually looking scared, or annoyed by this... Ha! Of course fillies deserve this. It's one of the first things we learn when we're young. For them not to have boosts over us... That'd just be wrong, maybe even evil.' He thought, smiling in amusement as he looked over the class.

"Alright class, let's move onto multiplication." The teacher sighed, turning to the board.