The Christmas decorations included dozens of sex-slaves, bound in inventive positions and in many cases spray-painted or costumed to blend with the white-themed baubles, foliage and cartoon-inspired dioramas. In the subdued light it was not always easy to distinguish the humans from the plaster or plastic figures, so the guests went largely by feel. All penises were erect and all apertures were presented invitingly, and male guests all took pills that kept them erect for the duration of their visits. Females came 'in heat', ready to orgasm from a couple of minutes' penetration, so most of the guests probably expected to use half a dozen of the 'decorations'. Some proved more popular than others, and queues tended to build up, so servants in Disney-style uniforms but wearing chastity belts or cages stepped in to ask that time with the exhibit be restricted to fifteen minutes, and to try to direct some of those who were waiting to other attractions that they might like just as much. Food and drink was available at multiple locations, but where there was anyone waiting the wenches brought it on trays.

Traditionally, the family admired the displays, touring the circuit and sampling the food and drink, but did not use the sex-slaves on display. It was an occasion for them to thank the Earl's loyal subjects, and to acknowledge their dependence on them. They often paused to chat to those they knew well, and point out slaves that were worthy of a personal recommendation. Lord Deganwy could not do that, of course, and I was not part of the display, being kept close to him on my lead. He was, like me, a mere spectator, and we were both astonished at the extravagance involved. Doubtless the manufactured decorations were kept for re-use in the capacious caverns below and around the residence, and many of the slaves were borrowed, but the celebrations as a whole must have used up a significant proportion of the County's revenues. That, presumably, was why every opportunity was taken to involve the public.

We wandered through the groves and grottos, with Master Noel greeting people at random, for he knew none of their names. I could only wonder at the variety and ingenuity of the presentations. In one of the larger chambers it was possible for guests to have souvenir photographs taken, sitting on Father Christmas's knees. The picture could be adjusted to either show or conceal the fact that the jolly bearded gentleman was chained to his seat, and that his erection was sunk deep into the guest's pussy or bottom. His current user was male, and one of the several hu-reindeer was sucking his cock. Those beasts- well used that evening- were actually ponyslaves drafted from the stables for the occasion. In another, even more lavishly decorated grotto, four slaves were wrapped up as Christmas presents, each exposed at just three points. Most passers-by used them only very briefly, saving themselves for the more full-bodied offerings. Generally, the most attractive slaves were the most exposed, with the very best pleasure slaves being lightly sprayed with white pigment. They were displayed spread out on netting with other decorations sewn into it, attended by wenches who could adjust their positions to allow the penetration of any or all their holes. Guests who indicated their willingness to share always had priority, and those who felt that the wait was too long often made do with one of the wenches.

The displays and grottos occupied two wings of the residence, with a very broad hallway between them. That had been left undecorated, to be used purely as a display area for some of the slaves recently captured on Holy Island. There were six in all, bound naked to upright posts, and the guests were allowed to fondle and grope them, but not to attempt penetration. Each had a little notice board- as might a statue- explaining their origin, giving a few interesting details, and suggesting their likely fate.

The displays included the senior elder's- or 'presbyter's- wife, who was much younger at about thirty, and very attractive. Being completely natural her breasts were modest, but that could easily be dealt with. Having never before been naked in public, she seemed to be constantly on the verge of a panic attack, struggling to breathe when fingers tested her for wetness, or assessed the tightness of her bottom. The notice explained that she would probably have made an ideal pleasure-slave-cum-housekeeper for an elderly master, but as her husband had escaped the round-up she was an obvious escape or rescue risk, and so would have to be consigned to a secure dungeon-brothel in a distant lordship. The armless girl was also present, and she would be auctioned in the New Year, after the palace staff, free and enslaved, had tried her out. To some potential owners, her built-in helplessness would be an added attraction, but it was not an unmixed blessing. She needed to be in a household large enough to spare her full-time attention, and some users disliked the lack of bondage opportunities. At least she seemed willing. Exploring fingers found her soaked and oozing, and when anyone came close she was straining forward to make contact. She was also very buxom, and was trying to attract attention by shaking her breasts. All the slaves on display had been given injections to temporarily disable their speaking voices, and would be dumb for at least a week.

The two other women on display were cult virgins who were deemed pretty enough to be pleasure slaves, and they would be deflowered as the last act of the old year and the first act of the new. Noel was much more interested in the remaining two exhibits, who were the two shemales. So far they had been kept out of sight, being interrogated in the dungeons, but they had sung like canaries so no torture had been necessary. They were South American products, intended for sale in Canada but seized by pirates on the way, and brought to Europe. The cult had been holding them, for a fee, prior to an auction that was planned in Bristol, which boasted the largest slave-market in Great Britain. Now they would be kept until after the New Year before a decision was made about them. As we approached them, Noel told me that members of the immediate family had been invited to express their interest in giving them a trial.