At the Duchess's command, a set of doors were thrown open and the two chief ladies-in-waiting of the household offered her aid in rising from the divan at the head of the table; they followed in her train as Tiranda led Sharon through the halls of the household to a large circular room, its walls padded with cushioning and its wide marble floor strewn in places with smoldering braziers and large potted ferns. Great red silken curtains hung from four cardinal points, suspending at the vaulted cieling and slashing down towards the walls; and in several places along the wals racks of tools were placed that caused Sharon to shiver at the sight.
Tiranda took up a place upon a central pile of pillows, half-reclining back as Ladies Ariel and Jessika shut the room's doors and the few slave girls who had followed them there took up unobtrusive spots along the walls, adding their lush beauty to the already exotic decor.
Tiranda smiled. "Now you see, my dear girl, I take very good care of slaves in my retinue, provided they meet my standards and always show good service. But I have my simple tastes as well."
The Duchess motioned gracefully to Lady Jessika, taking a place at her side. "Soon enough, Lady Jessika and her assistants will set you upon a medicinal regimen to ensure you stay fit and healthy for my enjoyment. That is --" here the young Duchess's voice grew sharp " -- assuming she has learned not to neglect her duties any further." The redhead's eyes were cast low as Tiranda continued, "But before any of this, other changes must be made." Sharon gulped nervously -- "That doesn't sound good."
"First!" Tiranda gestured imperiously towards a rack of nearby instruments, "As a slave, you must be marked accordingly. What do you say, ladies .. shall it be a brand or a tattoo this time?"
Thu Feb 20 19:37:36 2003