Althanie J
Magistrate
Oh boy! This is interesting. Looking forward to the rest.
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Magister's Crucifixion Work & Stories
- Thread starter Magister_militum
- Start date
Magister_militum
Magistrate
The next part of the story is here. This one is much harder to make than the previous one had been and I can only crank out a maximum of two posts per week as a result. I'm not very good with numbers so I can't say how long this story will be exactly but I can say it will develop in some unexpected ways. Once the main cast has fully assembled, a new poll, too, will be added. Lastly, regarding this chapter, did Thea deserve what she got or should she have suffered worse?
CHAPTER II
By eleven in the morning the following day, Johan and Anna had reached the outskirts of the city of Delgin. The horse pulling their wagon was in good health and they steadily covered mile after mile of the well-maintained dirt path. An hour before, Anna, who couldn't get a wink of sleep during the night, had finally succumbed to slumber, resting her head on her father's shoulder. Though her hair tickled his face, Johan didn't mind it whatsoever. Smiling, he kissed his daughter on the forehead which immediately led to a lump forming in his throat. He didn't know when he' see Anna again following her soon-to-come enslavement. Thankfully, the serene environment of the ancient forest filled with the chirping of birds helped distract Johan's thoughts. This welcome distraction, however, vanished three miles from the city after the wagon passed the crest of a small hill. In the distance a large simple wooden structure could be seen, an unmistakable sight for any Varnulian causing Johan to let out a loud sigh. Referred to as "scaffolds", in actuality, those were places where criminals would get punished or executed and were usually located a mile or two away from a city - far enough that any sounds resulting from a pre-execution torture wouldn't bother the residents but close enough that each execution was regularly observed by a small crowd of onlookers.
Though children were outright forbidden from watching or attending the proceedings, it never did stop a few from sneaking up close so they could take a look. Witnessing and retelling the event in great detail earned one a bragging right among their peers. When she was 13, Anna had been goaded by some of the boys to sneak to an execution of a criminal that was to be dismembered. The sight of a man's limbs being torn from his body, accompanied by his animalistic screaming shook Anna to her core, ever since the causing her to give the "scaffolds" a wide berth. Though slightly nearsighted, Johan could see that the scaffold in front of then wasn't empty. He thought of turning the wagon around and backtracking till the last crossing ten miles away to take an alternate route to Delgin but the narrowness of the road rendered such a maneuver impossible. Clenching his teeth, he instead put his hand on Anna shoulder and gently jerked her awake.
"Dad, are we there.", Asked Anna groggily, her eyes half-open.
"Not yet bug. We'll have to pass by a scaffold. One that it not empty.", said Johan, deciding to tell the truth. Anna's brow furrowed.
"I might see all kind of things as a slave without the luxury of averting my gaze."
"If that is what you wish...", said Johan in a resigned tone. He hoped the execution before them wouldn't be too gruesome.
"You have no one but yourself to blame for this. Yourself and her, that is.”
“Lookin’ mighty comfy up there! let's see if you'll go back to thievery afterwards.”
The words of two guards meant little to the young girl gazing at them from above. Four hours ago, they had tied her arms and feet to two logs tied together in a form of a “T”. Outstretched and struggling to breathe, in her head Thea mused over the events leading up to her crucifixion. For the past five years, she had practiced the thief's trade, pilfering fruit from the stalls and an occasional trinket. For four of those five past years, she had been successful, never getting caught. Her, luck, however had run out and now she and her partner-in-crime struggled, enduring their punishments - one tied to a cross and the other shackled in a gibbet.
"Heads up. Someone is coming.", said the bald sergeant to his helmeted colleague. A minute later, the two halted a passing horse-drawn wagon and its two passengers. One of them, a beautiful fair-haired girl, now gazed at Thea and Leone, her eyes betraying a mixture of shock and compassion in equal measure.
"Under charges for what crime are those women being executed?", asked Johan after the bald sergeant motioned him to depart.
"Executed? Gods no. They are merely enduring the punishment for repeated thievery. First time it was 3 days in a dungeon. Second time was a week. Now, it was either this for eight hours...", he pointed at Thea;
"…or that for two days, in addition to whipping, of course.", said Henry, pointing at the gibbet.
"Dad, I'm going up there to give them some water.", proclaimed Anna in her usual mildly assertive tone. The "Do not interfere, girl." command from the bald guard did not faze her. Before she could exit the wagon, however, she was restrained by Johan who grabbed her firmly by the waist.
"NO. Do not pick a fight with them Anna!", Johan commanded sternly. He wasn't about to let his daughter's compassion land her in unnecessary trouble. Sergeant Henry, however, just chuckled.
"Your daughter's heart is in the right place, mister. But she need not worry so much. We'll be taking the thief down after an hour or two and hope sprained shoulders will have taught her a lesson this time. She's smarter than her friend to have chosen the cross. That one in the gibbet will have to spend two days alone during which might even get kidnapped by bandits. Or a slaver can take her at will, provided they have the coin. You carry on now.", said Henry, his last sentence making it clear there was no room for argument.
"I'm just glad I didn't see any spikes in her limbs.", said Johan, taking the reins. As the wagon creaked further down the dirt path, Anna leaned over the side, glancing once more at the two thieves.
"Speaking of spikes, I haven't heard of any crucifixions happening recently.", said the helmeted guard once the wagon had disappeared behind the crest of the hill.
"Haven't you heard? ", asked Henry with a puzzled expression on his face. The kid was either new or must have been living under a rock for the past two years, though Henry. Given that the young man hardly ever parted with his helmet, the former was likely true.
"Anyways, while I don't know all the details, two years ago, four guards were sent to the mines after they crucified some poor, innocent girl. Duke never did like the practice so this must have been the last straw because he banned its use in executions shortly afterward."
Hearing the guards, Thea breathed a sigh of relief. Silently thanking her god, she once again began to observe the birds landing on tree branches so as to distract her from the pain in her upper body.
CHAPTER II
By eleven in the morning the following day, Johan and Anna had reached the outskirts of the city of Delgin. The horse pulling their wagon was in good health and they steadily covered mile after mile of the well-maintained dirt path. An hour before, Anna, who couldn't get a wink of sleep during the night, had finally succumbed to slumber, resting her head on her father's shoulder. Though her hair tickled his face, Johan didn't mind it whatsoever. Smiling, he kissed his daughter on the forehead which immediately led to a lump forming in his throat. He didn't know when he' see Anna again following her soon-to-come enslavement. Thankfully, the serene environment of the ancient forest filled with the chirping of birds helped distract Johan's thoughts. This welcome distraction, however, vanished three miles from the city after the wagon passed the crest of a small hill. In the distance a large simple wooden structure could be seen, an unmistakable sight for any Varnulian causing Johan to let out a loud sigh. Referred to as "scaffolds", in actuality, those were places where criminals would get punished or executed and were usually located a mile or two away from a city - far enough that any sounds resulting from a pre-execution torture wouldn't bother the residents but close enough that each execution was regularly observed by a small crowd of onlookers.
Though children were outright forbidden from watching or attending the proceedings, it never did stop a few from sneaking up close so they could take a look. Witnessing and retelling the event in great detail earned one a bragging right among their peers. When she was 13, Anna had been goaded by some of the boys to sneak to an execution of a criminal that was to be dismembered. The sight of a man's limbs being torn from his body, accompanied by his animalistic screaming shook Anna to her core, ever since the causing her to give the "scaffolds" a wide berth. Though slightly nearsighted, Johan could see that the scaffold in front of then wasn't empty. He thought of turning the wagon around and backtracking till the last crossing ten miles away to take an alternate route to Delgin but the narrowness of the road rendered such a maneuver impossible. Clenching his teeth, he instead put his hand on Anna shoulder and gently jerked her awake.
"Dad, are we there.", Asked Anna groggily, her eyes half-open.
"Not yet bug. We'll have to pass by a scaffold. One that it not empty.", said Johan, deciding to tell the truth. Anna's brow furrowed.
"I might see all kind of things as a slave without the luxury of averting my gaze."
"If that is what you wish...", said Johan in a resigned tone. He hoped the execution before them wouldn't be too gruesome.
"You have no one but yourself to blame for this. Yourself and her, that is.”
“Lookin’ mighty comfy up there! let's see if you'll go back to thievery afterwards.”
The words of two guards meant little to the young girl gazing at them from above. Four hours ago, they had tied her arms and feet to two logs tied together in a form of a “T”. Outstretched and struggling to breathe, in her head Thea mused over the events leading up to her crucifixion. For the past five years, she had practiced the thief's trade, pilfering fruit from the stalls and an occasional trinket. For four of those five past years, she had been successful, never getting caught. Her, luck, however had run out and now she and her partner-in-crime struggled, enduring their punishments - one tied to a cross and the other shackled in a gibbet.
"Heads up. Someone is coming.", said the bald sergeant to his helmeted colleague. A minute later, the two halted a passing horse-drawn wagon and its two passengers. One of them, a beautiful fair-haired girl, now gazed at Thea and Leone, her eyes betraying a mixture of shock and compassion in equal measure.
"Under charges for what crime are those women being executed?", asked Johan after the bald sergeant motioned him to depart.
"Executed? Gods no. They are merely enduring the punishment for repeated thievery. First time it was 3 days in a dungeon. Second time was a week. Now, it was either this for eight hours...", he pointed at Thea;
"…or that for two days, in addition to whipping, of course.", said Henry, pointing at the gibbet.
"Dad, I'm going up there to give them some water.", proclaimed Anna in her usual mildly assertive tone. The "Do not interfere, girl." command from the bald guard did not faze her. Before she could exit the wagon, however, she was restrained by Johan who grabbed her firmly by the waist.
"NO. Do not pick a fight with them Anna!", Johan commanded sternly. He wasn't about to let his daughter's compassion land her in unnecessary trouble. Sergeant Henry, however, just chuckled.
"Your daughter's heart is in the right place, mister. But she need not worry so much. We'll be taking the thief down after an hour or two and hope sprained shoulders will have taught her a lesson this time. She's smarter than her friend to have chosen the cross. That one in the gibbet will have to spend two days alone during which might even get kidnapped by bandits. Or a slaver can take her at will, provided they have the coin. You carry on now.", said Henry, his last sentence making it clear there was no room for argument.
"I'm just glad I didn't see any spikes in her limbs.", said Johan, taking the reins. As the wagon creaked further down the dirt path, Anna leaned over the side, glancing once more at the two thieves.
"Speaking of spikes, I haven't heard of any crucifixions happening recently.", said the helmeted guard once the wagon had disappeared behind the crest of the hill.
"Haven't you heard? ", asked Henry with a puzzled expression on his face. The kid was either new or must have been living under a rock for the past two years, though Henry. Given that the young man hardly ever parted with his helmet, the former was likely true.
"Anyways, while I don't know all the details, two years ago, four guards were sent to the mines after they crucified some poor, innocent girl. Duke never did like the practice so this must have been the last straw because he banned its use in executions shortly afterward."
Hearing the guards, Thea breathed a sigh of relief. Silently thanking her god, she once again began to observe the birds landing on tree branches so as to distract her from the pain in her upper body.
SavageCourier
Guard
Nicely done, also love the reference to your previous story. Take your time as well, we can all wait patiently.
Iconoclast12
Magistrate
Well done
Magister_militum
Magistrate
The dukedom isn't hereditary but electoral and the current duke is in his early sixties so there's a good chance the new one will revoke the ban. Mind you, Allisa was the reason for the ban, not the other three elves.
Magister_militum
Magistrate
"Dad, where are we going? Shouldn't the slave trader be at the market?", asked Anna while trying to keep pace with her father.
"Not this one.", answered Johan. The way he emphasized the word "this" made it clear to Anna that he knew the man. She was aware her father had once been a sellsword but had not an inkling of the company he once kept.
"Okay. Now clench your fist.", instructed the middle-aged man calmly.
The fingers of one hand in front of him slowly curled into a fist, while those of the other became unevenly bent and stiff.
"It's often like this when the weather is about to change.", said the man's patient, a young elven girl, apologetically. With some effort, she ultimately managed to fully clench her fist.
Markus smiled contentedly. Before him on a sofa sat a small elven girl, her porcelain doll-like skin contrasted by her deep red hair and strikingly blue eyes. The girl possessed an innocent beauty that was further amplified by her short and petite stature - something which often vexed her as from certain distance she could easily be mistaken for a child. In contrast to that, large circular scars on both sides of her wrists served as ever present reminders of the ordeal Allisa had endured.
Seeing those scars, Markus was yet again reminded of one particular day two years ago. Busy managing his finances, he had been abruptly summoned to the castle infirmary due to being one of only three doctors present in the city at the time. The sight that welcomed him when he opened the door of the infirmary was far from pleasant. It was that of two young elven girls, a blonde and a redhead, tightly bound to their beds with leather belts. The blonde elf gritted her teeth and moaned in pain as the two doctors washed the massive oozing wounds on her wrists and ankles with strong alcohol so as to prevent an infection. Markus was informed of the source of girls' injuries and told to tend to the other patient, visibly younger and in greater distress. His previous medicinal experience from his time as a sellsword employed by the Warg's Claw mercenary company still failed to prepare him for what he saw. Covered in a layer of blood, the girls’ wrists and feet were completely ravaged, having been pierced by nails as thick as her fingers. It took all of Markus' considerable skill to clear away the shattered bone pieces from the girl's flesh. She had thankfully lost consciousness during the operation and felt no pain when Markus cleaned the wounds with alcohol before binding and immobilizing them. Over the next two months, Markus observed in awe as the two elves' fractured bones healed at a faster rate than those of any human he had seen. It, however, took them a month more to start moving their fingers independently, albeit with some struggle. The blonde elf left the infirmary as soon as she was able with Allisa following soon after. Luckily for both of them, they were not penniless. During their recuperation, the two elves tutored a noblewoman who wished to learn the elven language for which earned each a tidy sum. Enough for Allisa to open a small shop which she now ran with her sister.
Markus' recollection of the past was interrupted by the appearance of one of his slaves, a comely 30-year-old woman with dark auburn hair. A former seamstress, she was an obedient, if melancholic slave who was nevertheless one of Markus' favorites.
"Master, there are visitors at the door. A man and his daughter by the looks of it.", said Marie, bowing slightly.
"I'm just about done with Allisa so I'll greet them. You get some rest Marie.", said Markus, moving out of the annex where he performed routine medicinal checks and into the main room. The two guests, however, had let themselves in and Markus couldn't help but stare in amazement for it was none other than...
"Johan?! Gods be good it's good to see you!", said Markus excitedly. The two had served and fought together in the past, both being members of the Warg's Claw mercenary company. Both, too, had left at the same time: Johan to be with his pregnant young wife, and Markus to seek new business opportunities.
"How can I help you, old friend?", asked Markus warmly, puzzled by the demure look on Johan's face.
"Sir, we're here to discuss about forming my slave contract.", said Anna following a short pause. It was a formal way of saying one wanted to be sold into slavery.
"We are short on funds for my brother's medicine and we are up to our throats in debt. We can't and won't borrow more money so this is the only way to save him.", continued Anna to the bewilderment of Markus, his slave and the young elven girl watching from behind the corner.
"My ears must be playing tricks on me."
"No, girl..., no."
Markus' and Marie's responses were what in line with Anna's expectations yet she would not be backing down.
"Doctor, miss Marie, I'll be going now.", Allisa said, breaking the tension.
"Come by whenever you need miss.", replied Marie as she always did when Allisa, whom she adored, would leave after a check-up.
She was not the only one charmed by the elf as Anna, who had never seen one could help but stare. The two men, at the same time, were engaged in a tense discussion.
"Have you talked to her about this, Johan?"
"Of course, I did, but she takes after her mother. There's no dissuading her when she puts her mind to something."
"What if I just offered you money? I'm not all that rich but I wouldn't mind helping out a friend."
"That's kind of you to offer but good luck convincing Anna."
Markus shook his head. The prospect of buying his friend's daughter he found deeply unsavory. Still, he could read between the lines. There really was no way of convincing either of the obstinate blondes otherwise. Sighing, he turned towards Anna, gently guiding her towards the small annex. Johan, meanwhile, was escorting Allisa outside.
"Before we begin, I'll need you to remove your clothes so I can examine you.", said Marcus, causing Anna to instinctively blush. Up until that point, the only people who had seen her uncovered had been her parents and two female friends at the town bath. Noticing this, Marie placed her hand on her shoulder.
"You aren't a slave yet. Just treat it like a visit to the doctor."
Anna nodded, stepping into the annex. As she took off her blouse, her curiosity finally got the better of her.
"Sir, if you don't mind me asking, how can a doctor also be a slave trader. How does that work?"
"Not to be insensitive but let me ask you a question. Would you rather purchase a cow from a general trader or a farmer who raised and cared for the beast?", asked Marcus.
"From a farmer, I guess. Wait, sir, are you saying you provide treatment for your slaves?", asked Anna, her eyes widening in surprise.
"Well of course I do. Who in their right mind would buy a slave that's emaciated, weak or near death? A waste of money if you ask me.", said Johan, adding: "I see you've never uncovered yourself in front of a stranger before but it's something you'll have to get used for if you're intent on becoming a slave.”
SavageCourier
Guard
I'm glad to see Alissa doing well after the last story, also awesome work on the new chapter.
Magister_militum
Magistrate
A little longer continuation this time hopefully worth the wait. What do you think of the cast so far and what could have happened to that woman?
Her face flushed, Anna continued to undress, unwrapping the cloth binding her breasts. Anna had come out of puberty endowed with a pair of medium-sized, voluminous breasts topped with small maroon nipples. Like her breasts, her buttocks, too, were round and firm and Markus felt a bulge growing on his groin. Her being his friend's daughter notwithstanding, there was no denying Anna was a lovely young woman in her prime.
Remaining only in her smallclothes, Anna began to hesitate. Baring her breasts and taking off her skirt was one thing but this...
"All clothes.", said Markus, which caused Anna to let out a quiet sigh. Closing her eyes, she took off the last of her undergarments and turned around, fully exposed. Markus did not delay, immediately stepping closer to examine Anna's body in detail. Her pale skin was healthy, unmolested by blemishes or acne. Her muscles, on the other hand, were weak and underdeveloped, something Markus couldn't help but mention when he lifted her arm. He would also examine her spine, posture and legs.
"One last question. Are you a virgin still?", asked Markus after finishing the examination of Anna's body.
"Y-yes...", muttered Anna whose entire face had turned beet-red. She instinctively covered her crotch with her hands even though Markus had turned around and was leaving. Exiting the annex, Markus approached Johan who had been waiting outside.
"She's a picture of health. Hale and hearty, mind and body both.", said Markus tactfully to which Johan only nodded.
"There's no dissuading her so I'll just ask it. Are you willing to purchase her?", asked Johan, finally admitting defeat.
"I am. Because we're old friends, I'll give you six gold ducats for her."
Johan's brow furrowed. Six gold ducats were a large sum that equaled 600 silvers. Enough to not only purchase medicine for Otto but also to pay off his debt and procure weapons and armor to boot.
"Markus, for my daughter you're offering me a small fortune. I know I have no say in this but for our old friendship's sake, do not sell her into some mine or a brothel.", said Johan looking Markus directly in the eyes.
"You have my word. Marie will give you the contract."
Moments later, both women appeared - Anna partially dressed and Marie holding a piece of paper containing a bill of sale.
"You will have to place your signatures or a seal on the contract.", said Marie pointing at the document.
Anna understood the situation with perfect clarity. With a single signature, she would be signing off her status as a free woman to become a property of her owner. Still, she took the quill offered to her and wrote down her full name: Annabel of Ressyl. Unlike her, Johan momentarily hesitated but ultimately wrote down his signature as well.
"Well, that does it. There's 5 gold ducats and 100 silvers inside. ", said Markus, handing Johan a bulky leather pouch. Johan opened it, looking at the shiny coins with disgust.
"Do not worry, sir. Anna will be in good hands. Master Markus has never abused or beaten us.", said Marie.
Johan did not respond, grabbing Anna by the arms instead.
"Remember not only your promise but also this. You will always have a home and a family to return to. And don't worry, for I'll do my very best to buy back your freedom as soon as possible.", proclaimed Johan with utmost conviction. For once, it was Anna who was left speechless, opening her mouth but failing to find the right words.
"We'll be departing for the Grand Duchy of Vuldrung tomorrow. You're welcome to stay until the evening.", said Markus but Johan refused his offer. He was determined to return home and finally purchase the much-needed medicine for his son, as well as to dust off his old martial gear. Glancing one last time and saying farewell to his daughter, Johan stepped out of the house. For a moment, Anna shivered, which had nothing to do with non-existent cold. She couldn’t shake off the dreadful thought of never seeing either member of her family again.
Shortly after Johan left, Marie took Anna into the wardrobe. Being Markus' personal slave, and, as such, responsible for house chores and serving guests, Marie always had access to clean clothes. Her attire consisted of a simple brown linen shirt with a matching rectangular piece of cloth she wrapped around her waist as a skirt. Since the weather was still warm, on her feet she wore light leather sandals.
Anna took off her clothes, neatly folding them and put on her new slave attire. Marie was slightly taller than her but the shirt nevertheless fit. As she finished dressing, Marie handed her three small pieces of cloth.
"You'll be given shackles like the rest of us. Those should help with the chafing.", said Marie.
"If I may ask, how long have you been a slave ma'am?", inquired Anna. Based on her appearance, she estimated Marie to be around 25 years old.
"For two years, but I'd been a seamstress before if that's what you're wondering. Also, don't call me ma'am. Marie is perfectly fine.", said she with a smile.
Marie then took Anna downstairs where Markus was waiting for them with an iron collar and a pair of shackles in his hands. Anna stood patiently while Markus placed the shackles on her forearms and the collar on her neck. Like Marie had said, the cloth underneath really did prevent chafing.
"This is it, Anna. I'll explain all the rules to you later. Marie will escort you to the dormitory where you'll be staying with the others.", said Marcus.
"How many are there?"
"You'll see soon enough, though I'd advise you against getting too attached. There's no telling who you'll be sold to."
"Understood..., master."
"Then we're finished here. Show her to the dorms Marie and for gods' sake, get some rest yourself."
Marie nodded and bowed before taking hold of Anna's hand and leading her outside. The dormitory where Markus' female slaves slept was located some 150 yards from his house and right next to the city's eastern wall. Anna immediately noticed the shutters on the windows of the wooden building were closed - likely to prevent anyone from peeking inside despite the guards patrolling nearby. In addition to them, one guard, likely employed by Markus, guarded the building itself. It was clear the said guard was tired and bored seeing as he leaned against the wooden fence while his spear lay on the ground. Noticing Marie and Anna approach, he groggily took up his weapon and corrected his posture.
"A new slave?", asked the guard, looking Anna over with apparent interest.
"Yes Ioan, now please open the door.", said Marie calmly.
Ioan obliged, unlocking the door with a large bronze key.
"Right, in you go.", said he boredly, escorting the two women inside and immediately leaving to resume his dull job.
It took a few moments for Anna's eyes to adjust to the darker interior lit by a torch on the wall and one lantern in the corner of the room. The room itself was barebone: the “furniture” present were a few ledges and barrels as well as six wooden beds. When she looked around, she noticed four young women curiously looking at her. Three of them were fair-skinned like her while the fourth, the leftmost one had the skin the color of dark umber.
"This is where you'll be staying from now on. The beds aren't very comfortable but you'll get used to them eventually. I'll let you meet the girls yourself.", said Marie, nudging Anna forward, while she herself went over to her (rightmost) bed and laid down.
"I'm Anna. From R-Ressyl. Glad to meet you all.", said Anna somewhat clumsily, bowing gently as was custom among peers.
"Why, pray tell, are you bowing? We aren't exactly royalty. Anyways, I'm Myla.", said the shortest of the girls with a baby face, large eyes and chin-length light brown hair.
"Giselle.", said the girl to her right. Due to the facial resemblance between her and Myla, Anna guessed the two were sisters. Unlike Myla's short hair, Giselle's darker and reached her chest.
"Name's Emmeline. Glad to have more company but I'm sorry this had to happen to you.", said the beautiful dark-skinned girl with black hair and eyes.
"Beatrice, but just call me Bea.", said the last girl, a tall blonde with high cheekbones whose long hair was tied in a messy ponytail.
Thus all the girls had introduced themselves. Anna quickly noticed Marie was the oldest out of all of them. The others were around her age, the sisters possibly younger. Talking with Emmeline, Myla, Giselle and Bea, Anna learned how they came to be slaves. Emmeline's country far to the south had been stricken with famine, with her ending up a slave after a shopkeeper from whom she tried to steal a bag of barley noticed and captured her. She was mistreated but eventually ended in Markus's possession after he bought her for a small sum due to her failing health. In short time, largely due to decent food she was given, she regained her strength and wholeness of body, ultimately becoming Markus' most expensive and (in his opinion) most beautiful slave.
Bea's story couldn't have been more different. She was the fifth child and a third daughter of a minor noble whose meager lands couldn't support a sufficient number of men-at-arms. Thus, one day, when Beatrice was traveling alone, she got waylaid by a group of brigands. Craftier and smarter than most, they faked her death by ripping apart her gown, drenching it in blood and leaving it next to a bear path. Her horse, too, was killed and savagely butchered to make it seem more like a vicious bear attack had taken place. Bea, who was 15 at the time wasn't raped or physically abused as that would have lowered her "value" as a slave - something she realized when the men, posing as slave traders, sold her in a city 300 miles away. Between the age of 15 and 24, she had served 3 different masters, two of which died of old age whereas the third perished in a war. Left without a master (whose line had died with him), she and the others were sold in bulk with Bea being bought by Markus' agent.
The war that caused the death of Bea's master and his line also led to the two sisters, Myla and Giselle falling into slavery. After their village was raided and their parents killed, the two girls, aged 17 and 19, were snatched by the soldiers and forced to the market. Luckily for them, a middle-aged member of the Cobblers' Guild bought them to serve as her (unpaid) aides. Excluding Anna, they were Markus' most recent acquisitions. He had personally bought the girls from the woman who was glad to be rid of them as Myla's farsightedness frequently led to sloppy work.
At present, their ages were as follows: Emmeline was 21, Bea 24, Myla 18 and Giselle 20. Anna had been somewhat right in her estimate. Curiously, Marie, who was 30, was the only one who refused to disclose the circumstance leading to her enslavement. The women chatted until the dusk when the guard Ioan brought them supper consisting of a milk porridge and several apple slices. After they finished eating and Ioan left, they mutually agreed to go to sleep early, having been informed by Anna and Marie that they would be taken to the Grand Duchy of Vuldrung in the morning. The "bed" was nothing more than a long and wide wooden bench though Anna was thankful they each had a straw-filled pillow and a blanket to cover themselves. Exhausted from the long day, she quickly fell asleep. A few hours later, something would wake her from her slumber. On the far side of the room, someone was quietly sobbing.
Her face flushed, Anna continued to undress, unwrapping the cloth binding her breasts. Anna had come out of puberty endowed with a pair of medium-sized, voluminous breasts topped with small maroon nipples. Like her breasts, her buttocks, too, were round and firm and Markus felt a bulge growing on his groin. Her being his friend's daughter notwithstanding, there was no denying Anna was a lovely young woman in her prime.
Remaining only in her smallclothes, Anna began to hesitate. Baring her breasts and taking off her skirt was one thing but this...
"All clothes.", said Markus, which caused Anna to let out a quiet sigh. Closing her eyes, she took off the last of her undergarments and turned around, fully exposed. Markus did not delay, immediately stepping closer to examine Anna's body in detail. Her pale skin was healthy, unmolested by blemishes or acne. Her muscles, on the other hand, were weak and underdeveloped, something Markus couldn't help but mention when he lifted her arm. He would also examine her spine, posture and legs.
"One last question. Are you a virgin still?", asked Markus after finishing the examination of Anna's body.
"Y-yes...", muttered Anna whose entire face had turned beet-red. She instinctively covered her crotch with her hands even though Markus had turned around and was leaving. Exiting the annex, Markus approached Johan who had been waiting outside.
"She's a picture of health. Hale and hearty, mind and body both.", said Markus tactfully to which Johan only nodded.
"There's no dissuading her so I'll just ask it. Are you willing to purchase her?", asked Johan, finally admitting defeat.
"I am. Because we're old friends, I'll give you six gold ducats for her."
Johan's brow furrowed. Six gold ducats were a large sum that equaled 600 silvers. Enough to not only purchase medicine for Otto but also to pay off his debt and procure weapons and armor to boot.
"Markus, for my daughter you're offering me a small fortune. I know I have no say in this but for our old friendship's sake, do not sell her into some mine or a brothel.", said Johan looking Markus directly in the eyes.
"You have my word. Marie will give you the contract."
Moments later, both women appeared - Anna partially dressed and Marie holding a piece of paper containing a bill of sale.
"You will have to place your signatures or a seal on the contract.", said Marie pointing at the document.
Anna understood the situation with perfect clarity. With a single signature, she would be signing off her status as a free woman to become a property of her owner. Still, she took the quill offered to her and wrote down her full name: Annabel of Ressyl. Unlike her, Johan momentarily hesitated but ultimately wrote down his signature as well.
"Well, that does it. There's 5 gold ducats and 100 silvers inside. ", said Markus, handing Johan a bulky leather pouch. Johan opened it, looking at the shiny coins with disgust.
"Do not worry, sir. Anna will be in good hands. Master Markus has never abused or beaten us.", said Marie.
Johan did not respond, grabbing Anna by the arms instead.
"Remember not only your promise but also this. You will always have a home and a family to return to. And don't worry, for I'll do my very best to buy back your freedom as soon as possible.", proclaimed Johan with utmost conviction. For once, it was Anna who was left speechless, opening her mouth but failing to find the right words.
"We'll be departing for the Grand Duchy of Vuldrung tomorrow. You're welcome to stay until the evening.", said Markus but Johan refused his offer. He was determined to return home and finally purchase the much-needed medicine for his son, as well as to dust off his old martial gear. Glancing one last time and saying farewell to his daughter, Johan stepped out of the house. For a moment, Anna shivered, which had nothing to do with non-existent cold. She couldn’t shake off the dreadful thought of never seeing either member of her family again.
Shortly after Johan left, Marie took Anna into the wardrobe. Being Markus' personal slave, and, as such, responsible for house chores and serving guests, Marie always had access to clean clothes. Her attire consisted of a simple brown linen shirt with a matching rectangular piece of cloth she wrapped around her waist as a skirt. Since the weather was still warm, on her feet she wore light leather sandals.
Anna took off her clothes, neatly folding them and put on her new slave attire. Marie was slightly taller than her but the shirt nevertheless fit. As she finished dressing, Marie handed her three small pieces of cloth.
"You'll be given shackles like the rest of us. Those should help with the chafing.", said Marie.
"If I may ask, how long have you been a slave ma'am?", inquired Anna. Based on her appearance, she estimated Marie to be around 25 years old.
"For two years, but I'd been a seamstress before if that's what you're wondering. Also, don't call me ma'am. Marie is perfectly fine.", said she with a smile.
Marie then took Anna downstairs where Markus was waiting for them with an iron collar and a pair of shackles in his hands. Anna stood patiently while Markus placed the shackles on her forearms and the collar on her neck. Like Marie had said, the cloth underneath really did prevent chafing.
"This is it, Anna. I'll explain all the rules to you later. Marie will escort you to the dormitory where you'll be staying with the others.", said Marcus.
"How many are there?"
"You'll see soon enough, though I'd advise you against getting too attached. There's no telling who you'll be sold to."
"Understood..., master."
"Then we're finished here. Show her to the dorms Marie and for gods' sake, get some rest yourself."
Marie nodded and bowed before taking hold of Anna's hand and leading her outside. The dormitory where Markus' female slaves slept was located some 150 yards from his house and right next to the city's eastern wall. Anna immediately noticed the shutters on the windows of the wooden building were closed - likely to prevent anyone from peeking inside despite the guards patrolling nearby. In addition to them, one guard, likely employed by Markus, guarded the building itself. It was clear the said guard was tired and bored seeing as he leaned against the wooden fence while his spear lay on the ground. Noticing Marie and Anna approach, he groggily took up his weapon and corrected his posture.
"A new slave?", asked the guard, looking Anna over with apparent interest.
"Yes Ioan, now please open the door.", said Marie calmly.
Ioan obliged, unlocking the door with a large bronze key.
"Right, in you go.", said he boredly, escorting the two women inside and immediately leaving to resume his dull job.
It took a few moments for Anna's eyes to adjust to the darker interior lit by a torch on the wall and one lantern in the corner of the room. The room itself was barebone: the “furniture” present were a few ledges and barrels as well as six wooden beds. When she looked around, she noticed four young women curiously looking at her. Three of them were fair-skinned like her while the fourth, the leftmost one had the skin the color of dark umber.
"This is where you'll be staying from now on. The beds aren't very comfortable but you'll get used to them eventually. I'll let you meet the girls yourself.", said Marie, nudging Anna forward, while she herself went over to her (rightmost) bed and laid down.
"I'm Anna. From R-Ressyl. Glad to meet you all.", said Anna somewhat clumsily, bowing gently as was custom among peers.
"Why, pray tell, are you bowing? We aren't exactly royalty. Anyways, I'm Myla.", said the shortest of the girls with a baby face, large eyes and chin-length light brown hair.
"Giselle.", said the girl to her right. Due to the facial resemblance between her and Myla, Anna guessed the two were sisters. Unlike Myla's short hair, Giselle's darker and reached her chest.
"Name's Emmeline. Glad to have more company but I'm sorry this had to happen to you.", said the beautiful dark-skinned girl with black hair and eyes.
"Beatrice, but just call me Bea.", said the last girl, a tall blonde with high cheekbones whose long hair was tied in a messy ponytail.
Thus all the girls had introduced themselves. Anna quickly noticed Marie was the oldest out of all of them. The others were around her age, the sisters possibly younger. Talking with Emmeline, Myla, Giselle and Bea, Anna learned how they came to be slaves. Emmeline's country far to the south had been stricken with famine, with her ending up a slave after a shopkeeper from whom she tried to steal a bag of barley noticed and captured her. She was mistreated but eventually ended in Markus's possession after he bought her for a small sum due to her failing health. In short time, largely due to decent food she was given, she regained her strength and wholeness of body, ultimately becoming Markus' most expensive and (in his opinion) most beautiful slave.
Bea's story couldn't have been more different. She was the fifth child and a third daughter of a minor noble whose meager lands couldn't support a sufficient number of men-at-arms. Thus, one day, when Beatrice was traveling alone, she got waylaid by a group of brigands. Craftier and smarter than most, they faked her death by ripping apart her gown, drenching it in blood and leaving it next to a bear path. Her horse, too, was killed and savagely butchered to make it seem more like a vicious bear attack had taken place. Bea, who was 15 at the time wasn't raped or physically abused as that would have lowered her "value" as a slave - something she realized when the men, posing as slave traders, sold her in a city 300 miles away. Between the age of 15 and 24, she had served 3 different masters, two of which died of old age whereas the third perished in a war. Left without a master (whose line had died with him), she and the others were sold in bulk with Bea being bought by Markus' agent.
The war that caused the death of Bea's master and his line also led to the two sisters, Myla and Giselle falling into slavery. After their village was raided and their parents killed, the two girls, aged 17 and 19, were snatched by the soldiers and forced to the market. Luckily for them, a middle-aged member of the Cobblers' Guild bought them to serve as her (unpaid) aides. Excluding Anna, they were Markus' most recent acquisitions. He had personally bought the girls from the woman who was glad to be rid of them as Myla's farsightedness frequently led to sloppy work.
At present, their ages were as follows: Emmeline was 21, Bea 24, Myla 18 and Giselle 20. Anna had been somewhat right in her estimate. Curiously, Marie, who was 30, was the only one who refused to disclose the circumstance leading to her enslavement. The women chatted until the dusk when the guard Ioan brought them supper consisting of a milk porridge and several apple slices. After they finished eating and Ioan left, they mutually agreed to go to sleep early, having been informed by Anna and Marie that they would be taken to the Grand Duchy of Vuldrung in the morning. The "bed" was nothing more than a long and wide wooden bench though Anna was thankful they each had a straw-filled pillow and a blanket to cover themselves. Exhausted from the long day, she quickly fell asleep. A few hours later, something would wake her from her slumber. On the far side of the room, someone was quietly sobbing.
SavageCourier
Guard
Amazing job I'm loving the story so far this looks like it will be your best story yet, as for what happened to the woman I think she was sold against her will by someone she trusted or someone forced themselves on her.
damuffin653
Onlooker
I’d do anything to be crucifed and whipped
Magister_militum
Magistrate
The story is about to get darker.
Two years ago, Duchy of Varnulia, County of Rillun.
The day was still young when 28-year-old Marie departed on her journey, having previously loaded her few possessions into a small cart. She sighed at the thought of traversing four hundred miles but knew what she had to do. Her partner and husband in all but name, Nicolas had left or been forced to leave his job as a guard.
Marie thought of her future as she slowly made her way across the fog-covered mountain pass, pulling the wooden cart whose ungreased axles creaked incessantly. Indeed, so thick was the fog, she couldn't see more than 10 meters ahead. If not for the old cobblestone road, she knew that before long, she'd have gotten hopelessly lost. Click clock click clock, the unmistakable sound of a horse's trot instinctively made Marie move to the side of the road, as close to the cliff face as possible, lest she be trampled by the beast blinded by the fog as much as her. The sound of iron-shod hooves grew louder in intensity by the second, and before long, three armored horsemen emerged from the mist. Two of them were guards, wearing the black and red colors of the County of Rillun over mail hauberks, while the one who lead them wore the steel plate panoply of a nobleman. Just like Marie, the three men rode adjacent to the rockface, lest their horses veer off in the treacherous condition.
"Watch it, woman!", shouted one of the guards that passed mere inches from Marie, who breathed a sigh of relief. Getting trampled by an oblivious animal was her preferred morning activity.
“Halt!”, the noble suddenly commanded, turning his horse around. Stunned by the suddenness of the command, Marie, too, complied.
Dismounting his horse, the noble made his way towards her, allowing Marie to clearly see his face. And recognize it.
There was no doubt in Marie's mind as she struggled not to start trembling or to run. The man standing before her was none other than Count Ulrich. The same man from whom she had stolen a sealed letter over ten years ago. 18-year-old Marie hadn't been wily enough not to get caught and only the intervention of a sympathetic guard who let her out of the dungeon spared her from a grisly fate. Memories of the unsavory past flooded Marie's mind as the now middle-aged count approached her.
"What is your name, woman?" asked the man once he was close enough that she could smell the oil on his armor.
"Stefanie... of Varnas.", answered Marie, knowing the deception was her only chance?
"Can I be of assistance, my lord?", continued she, placing her right hand on her heart and bowing as was custom. The man kept eye contact far too long for Marie's comfort.
"M-my lord?", stuttered she, unable to tell what intention lay behind Ulrich's focused expression.
"I'm sure you've heard of that old saying that the truth is written in a person's eyes. Am I correct?"
"Yes, my lord."
"And yet, in your dark eyes, I read only lies. Care to explain why?", asked Ulrich snarkily.
"I don't know what you mean, my lord.", said Marie, now visibly frightened.
"Oh, but I know you do. It's been a while but I'm not the one to forget a face. You've grown into a lovely woman compared to the skinny pipsqueak you used to be... Marie."
Marie involuntarily gasped, her eyes widening in shock, the panicked reaction only affirming Ulrich's discovery.
"I don't know who helped you escape the jail and I don't care. I'll have you know, however, that your antic caused me a great deal of embarrassment. The good people of Delgin had expected an execution that morning, only for you to escape and MAKE ME APPEAR A FOOL!", shouted Ulrich. A few drops of spit flew from his mouth and onto Marie's distraught face. Both her body and voice began to tremble.
"My lord, I never opened that letter. I was coerced to steal it. I r-ran away be...cause I d-didn't w-want to be c...cruc..."
"Enough! Seize the woman!", ordered Ulrich to his two guards. Ignoring Marie's protests and pleas, the guards grabbed her arm each, violently forcing her back on her feet before gagging her mouth with a piece of cloth.
"Shall we deal with her here, my lord?", asked one of the guards, his view scanning the nearby tree for a branch thick enough to hang Marie from.
"No, we're taking her back to the keep. I'll decide what to do with her there.", said Ulrich. Despite her attempts to resist and run away, in less than two minutes, Marie's arms were tied behind her back and she was placed on the back of the rearmost horse. The men wasted no time, spurring their horses and hurriedly leaving the area. Marie's cart containing all her worldly belongings was left at the side of the path, abandoned.
The bumpy and uncomfortable ride lasted for a little less than an hour before the stone walls of a small keep appeared before the count and his entourage. Marie closed her eyes, nervously gritting her teeth. Surely the ten years have softened Ulrich's grudge, reasoned she internally.
Two years ago, Duchy of Varnulia, County of Rillun.
The day was still young when 28-year-old Marie departed on her journey, having previously loaded her few possessions into a small cart. She sighed at the thought of traversing four hundred miles but knew what she had to do. Her partner and husband in all but name, Nicolas had left or been forced to leave his job as a guard.
Marie thought of her future as she slowly made her way across the fog-covered mountain pass, pulling the wooden cart whose ungreased axles creaked incessantly. Indeed, so thick was the fog, she couldn't see more than 10 meters ahead. If not for the old cobblestone road, she knew that before long, she'd have gotten hopelessly lost. Click clock click clock, the unmistakable sound of a horse's trot instinctively made Marie move to the side of the road, as close to the cliff face as possible, lest she be trampled by the beast blinded by the fog as much as her. The sound of iron-shod hooves grew louder in intensity by the second, and before long, three armored horsemen emerged from the mist. Two of them were guards, wearing the black and red colors of the County of Rillun over mail hauberks, while the one who lead them wore the steel plate panoply of a nobleman. Just like Marie, the three men rode adjacent to the rockface, lest their horses veer off in the treacherous condition.
"Watch it, woman!", shouted one of the guards that passed mere inches from Marie, who breathed a sigh of relief. Getting trampled by an oblivious animal was her preferred morning activity.
“Halt!”, the noble suddenly commanded, turning his horse around. Stunned by the suddenness of the command, Marie, too, complied.
Dismounting his horse, the noble made his way towards her, allowing Marie to clearly see his face. And recognize it.
There was no doubt in Marie's mind as she struggled not to start trembling or to run. The man standing before her was none other than Count Ulrich. The same man from whom she had stolen a sealed letter over ten years ago. 18-year-old Marie hadn't been wily enough not to get caught and only the intervention of a sympathetic guard who let her out of the dungeon spared her from a grisly fate. Memories of the unsavory past flooded Marie's mind as the now middle-aged count approached her.
"What is your name, woman?" asked the man once he was close enough that she could smell the oil on his armor.
"Stefanie... of Varnas.", answered Marie, knowing the deception was her only chance?
"Can I be of assistance, my lord?", continued she, placing her right hand on her heart and bowing as was custom. The man kept eye contact far too long for Marie's comfort.
"M-my lord?", stuttered she, unable to tell what intention lay behind Ulrich's focused expression.
"I'm sure you've heard of that old saying that the truth is written in a person's eyes. Am I correct?"
"Yes, my lord."
"And yet, in your dark eyes, I read only lies. Care to explain why?", asked Ulrich snarkily.
"I don't know what you mean, my lord.", said Marie, now visibly frightened.
"Oh, but I know you do. It's been a while but I'm not the one to forget a face. You've grown into a lovely woman compared to the skinny pipsqueak you used to be... Marie."
Marie involuntarily gasped, her eyes widening in shock, the panicked reaction only affirming Ulrich's discovery.
"I don't know who helped you escape the jail and I don't care. I'll have you know, however, that your antic caused me a great deal of embarrassment. The good people of Delgin had expected an execution that morning, only for you to escape and MAKE ME APPEAR A FOOL!", shouted Ulrich. A few drops of spit flew from his mouth and onto Marie's distraught face. Both her body and voice began to tremble.
"My lord, I never opened that letter. I was coerced to steal it. I r-ran away be...cause I d-didn't w-want to be c...cruc..."
"Enough! Seize the woman!", ordered Ulrich to his two guards. Ignoring Marie's protests and pleas, the guards grabbed her arm each, violently forcing her back on her feet before gagging her mouth with a piece of cloth.
"Shall we deal with her here, my lord?", asked one of the guards, his view scanning the nearby tree for a branch thick enough to hang Marie from.
"No, we're taking her back to the keep. I'll decide what to do with her there.", said Ulrich. Despite her attempts to resist and run away, in less than two minutes, Marie's arms were tied behind her back and she was placed on the back of the rearmost horse. The men wasted no time, spurring their horses and hurriedly leaving the area. Marie's cart containing all her worldly belongings was left at the side of the path, abandoned.
The bumpy and uncomfortable ride lasted for a little less than an hour before the stone walls of a small keep appeared before the count and his entourage. Marie closed her eyes, nervously gritting her teeth. Surely the ten years have softened Ulrich's grudge, reasoned she internally.
Magister_militum
Magistrate
Just what kind of horror do you think awaits Marie?
Marie's heart beat like it wanted to jump out of her chest as her captors rode through a gatehouse and into the keep's courtyard. Although there wasn't more than a handful of guards present, Marie has long given up hope of escaping. Quickly dismounting from his horse, Ulrich approached the guard captain who stood in salute.
"The woman on the horse is a filthy thief. She needs to be taught a lesson.", said Ulrich grimly.
"Shall we throw her in a dungeon, my lord?"
"Ain't no one throwing that one in a dungeon. No, for her, something permanent is in order. First of all, find me a long plank.", ordered Ulrich.
"Understood, my lord.", said the captain, immediately beginning to scan the courtyard. He knew better than to aggravate the man whose foul temper and cruelty garnered him Duchy-wide infamy. Meanwhile, the two who had been Ulrich's entourage, were stripping Marie of her clothes, having taken her down from the horse. By the time Ulrich approached her, Marie was buck naked, her face beet red. The guards had tied her arms behind her back, leaving her unable to cover herself.
"Take that damn thing out of her mouth.", ordered Ulrich. A guard quickly untied and removed the saliva-drenched cloth from Marie's mouth.
Standing over the kneeling Marie, Ulrich looked at the shivering woman with utter contempt. A guard to her right grabbed her by the chin, forcefully tilting her head so as to meet Ulrich's gaze. The count smiled yet there was warmth in it - his grin exuded nothing but pure malice.
"Here we are Marie, ten years later. I think we ought to continue where we left off.", said Ulrich with an expression akin to a beast relishing before digging its teeth into its prey. Taking a deep breath, he finally said the inevitable.
"Soldiers, nail this woman to the cross."
"Noooooo!!!"; Marie's frantic scream echoed across the courtyard. Held tightly, unable to move, let alone run, she watched with trepidation as the captain and another guard affixed a long, thin plank to the top of a tall hitching post. Every time the mallet struck the nail's head, Marie's heart skipped a beat. To her dismay, the men were efficient in their work. She, however, knew that would not be the case when it came to her limbs.
"Not quite like those crosses outside Delgin but it'll have to do. Remember to take it slowly. I want to hear her scream.", said Ulrich, confirming Marie's worst fears.
As the guard dragged her by the arms towards the makeshift cross, Marie tried her best to resist, shifting all her weight to her lower body and planting her feet firmly on the ground. Unfortunately for her, the stone was still slick from the recent rain, leaving her unable to get a solid foothold. In the corner of her right eye, she saw the guard captain rummaging through a wooden box in search of nails. Nails that would soon be used to pierce her skin and shatter her bones and ligaments, causing her indescribable agony. The thought itself caused tears to roll from her eyes and snot to flow from her nose. No, it couldn't end like this...
"NOOOO!!! PLEEEASE, MY LORD, PLEEASE D-DON'T DO THIS!!! I'M YOURS!!! I'LL DO ANYTHING! ANYTHING YOU WANT!!!", screeched Marie like never before in her life. The throat-tearing, ear-piercing scream of a damned woman caused Ulrich, normally indifferent to the suffering of those he considered beneath him, to raise an eyebrow.
"Wait. Stop. Anything I want, you say? There might just be something...", mused Ulrich. After a brief deliberation, he turned towards one of his men-at-arms guarding the gatehouse.
"You there, head inside and bring out my pet. And its cage, too.", shouted Ulrich loudly enough for helmeted guard not to miss a word.
Marie's heart beat like it wanted to jump out of her chest as her captors rode through a gatehouse and into the keep's courtyard. Although there wasn't more than a handful of guards present, Marie has long given up hope of escaping. Quickly dismounting from his horse, Ulrich approached the guard captain who stood in salute.
"The woman on the horse is a filthy thief. She needs to be taught a lesson.", said Ulrich grimly.
"Shall we throw her in a dungeon, my lord?"
"Ain't no one throwing that one in a dungeon. No, for her, something permanent is in order. First of all, find me a long plank.", ordered Ulrich.
"Understood, my lord.", said the captain, immediately beginning to scan the courtyard. He knew better than to aggravate the man whose foul temper and cruelty garnered him Duchy-wide infamy. Meanwhile, the two who had been Ulrich's entourage, were stripping Marie of her clothes, having taken her down from the horse. By the time Ulrich approached her, Marie was buck naked, her face beet red. The guards had tied her arms behind her back, leaving her unable to cover herself.
"Take that damn thing out of her mouth.", ordered Ulrich. A guard quickly untied and removed the saliva-drenched cloth from Marie's mouth.
Standing over the kneeling Marie, Ulrich looked at the shivering woman with utter contempt. A guard to her right grabbed her by the chin, forcefully tilting her head so as to meet Ulrich's gaze. The count smiled yet there was warmth in it - his grin exuded nothing but pure malice.
"Here we are Marie, ten years later. I think we ought to continue where we left off.", said Ulrich with an expression akin to a beast relishing before digging its teeth into its prey. Taking a deep breath, he finally said the inevitable.
"Soldiers, nail this woman to the cross."
"Noooooo!!!"; Marie's frantic scream echoed across the courtyard. Held tightly, unable to move, let alone run, she watched with trepidation as the captain and another guard affixed a long, thin plank to the top of a tall hitching post. Every time the mallet struck the nail's head, Marie's heart skipped a beat. To her dismay, the men were efficient in their work. She, however, knew that would not be the case when it came to her limbs.
"Not quite like those crosses outside Delgin but it'll have to do. Remember to take it slowly. I want to hear her scream.", said Ulrich, confirming Marie's worst fears.
As the guard dragged her by the arms towards the makeshift cross, Marie tried her best to resist, shifting all her weight to her lower body and planting her feet firmly on the ground. Unfortunately for her, the stone was still slick from the recent rain, leaving her unable to get a solid foothold. In the corner of her right eye, she saw the guard captain rummaging through a wooden box in search of nails. Nails that would soon be used to pierce her skin and shatter her bones and ligaments, causing her indescribable agony. The thought itself caused tears to roll from her eyes and snot to flow from her nose. No, it couldn't end like this...
"NOOOO!!! PLEEEASE, MY LORD, PLEEASE D-DON'T DO THIS!!! I'M YOURS!!! I'LL DO ANYTHING! ANYTHING YOU WANT!!!", screeched Marie like never before in her life. The throat-tearing, ear-piercing scream of a damned woman caused Ulrich, normally indifferent to the suffering of those he considered beneath him, to raise an eyebrow.
"Wait. Stop. Anything I want, you say? There might just be something...", mused Ulrich. After a brief deliberation, he turned towards one of his men-at-arms guarding the gatehouse.
"You there, head inside and bring out my pet. And its cage, too.", shouted Ulrich loudly enough for helmeted guard not to miss a word.
SavageCourier
Guard
Oh my, can't wait to see where this goes~
