Part 2: The Glass Wright's Daughter
Varina was accustomed to labor, having helped her parents in their shop since she was very little. The duties that her mentor showed her were mentally challenging, which was good, but not very physically demanding, which was also good. During her training period there were two doing the work of one so they usually finished early and then went about helping others in Lord Oberon’s house.
Varina had managed to have a skirmish with Cook who chased her out of the kitchen by threatening her with a long wooden spoon. She had been warned about Cook, and Varina made not to take the warning of her teacher a bit more seriously.
Housemaid Fran tolerated no nonsense but was reasonable and appreciative of any help. Varina realized that Fran meant well, even though she didn’t care for the way she had been treated the day she arrived. They could get along, Varina realized, and they might actually become friends.
Maria, Cali and Athelia had such pleasant, infectious personalities that they lifted Varina’s spirits just to be around them. The butler, Gerald, had a serious tone about him but didn’t interfere unless there was a problem. There were numerous other people she interacted with from outside the household, from messengers to delivery boys to the man who brought them fresh vegetables from the garden each day. It all reminded Varina of a happier time, when her father’s shop prospered and the future held promise.
The week had passed quickly for Varina, a period that she had actually enjoyed. She still feared her Master, but not with the loathing she had felt the week before.
"Varina, step forward and report," Lord Oberon commanded.
"I am learning, Sir, and doing all that is asked of me." The nervousness was evident in her voice. Would she be beaten? Would he rape her afterward, the way he had apparently taken Athelia the week before?
"Many have spoken well of you, I am pleased." Lord Oberon replied. "How are you?"
"I am sad," Varina admitted. "I miss my parents, I don't know if they are well, or if they even know of my situation."
"Your family name?" Lord Oberon demanded.
"My father is Osglov Demitri, a glass wright, as was his father, and his father before him."
"I have seen his work, it is very good." Lord Oberon said. "The dowry for a daughter of Demitri should have been reasonable, and your face is pleasant to look at. Why did you not marry?"
"I was promised to a man, one that I was very fond of. He went off to fulfill his duty to the King by serving a term in the army. I swore that I would wait for his return. But since then bad fortune fell upon our family and now no one would have anything to do with me."
"What bad fortune was that?"
"You no doubt heard about the poisoning of the son of Lord Archarav?"
"A fine port, laced with arsenic," Lord Oberon replied.
"They could not trace the source of the contents, but the bottle was clearly made by Demitri. Lord Archarav sent his men to destroy my father’s shop, and he has been unable to find work since."
"That's like killing the messenger for the message," Lord Oberon declared.
"I stole food only so that we could survive. When I was caught I was taken straight away to the King’s city and never spoke to my parents."
"Your story touches my heart but I cannot condone your actions. The law must be obeyed if there is to be peace and order. Have you anything else to say? Anything you wish to confess?"
"No, my Lord." There was a lot that she wanted to say, but wisely held her tongue.
"Very well. Katrina, step forward and report." Varina sighed with relief and slunk backward, keeping her gaze toward the floor.
"Sir, my charge keeps me busy, but I am glad to report that she takes to it well. I regret to report that she frequently speaks without proper respect, and for that I ask for forgiveness." Varina head snapped up upon hearing Katrina’s report.
"I have heard of it," Lord Oberon agreed. "Ten swats of the paddle for her insolence, ten more for not confessing it, double that because she did not accept it herself."
"What??" Varina shrieked! She had been grateful that she had escaped punishment herself, but was horrified that her teacher would be punished in her place.
"Doubled again for her outburst!" Lord Oberon declared. "That makes 80. Now fetch a paddle."
"Yes Sir!" Katrina turned towards the arsenal of whips and paddles hanging on the wall, taking the opportunity to scowl at her pupil. The message was clear, and Varina complied: Be Quiet!
Katrina paused before the selection of paddles available, as Master had not specified which one. She was to get eighty swats, perhaps more if Varina did not hold her tongue or if she did not hold position. The latter wasn't a concern, but the former was a distinct possibility. The failure wasn't hers directly, so a severe paddle was not necessary. The objective was to make a point, so Master would not be happy if it was too light. Katrina settled on a long slender paddle made of cedar and presented it to her Master.
"Over the desk." Lord Oberon smiled, indicating his approval of the paddle choice. Katrina lifted her dress and reached across the desk, resting her torso on the top and exposing her bottom. She tensed slightly when he touched the paddle to her skin, and then relaxed when it turned into a rub. The slender paddle traced the outline of her buttocks then slipped between her legs.
"Varina, do you see her arousal?" Lord Oberon asked as he held the paddle up for her inspection. "Do you see how the fluids of her sex have coated the paddle? She is excited, she longs for satisfaction, yet she continues to deny herself. She has a goal, an objective, but needs you to take her place."
"Oh, Sir, please don't beat her," Varina pleaded. "I will take her place, beat me instead!"
"Katrina, do you wish to change places with Varina?"
"No Sir," Katrina replied, and then continued for Varina's benefit. "With the punishment comes forgiveness, with forgiveness is completion. I knew what was expected of me, I knew that Master would not be happy so now I need forgiveness. Please Sir, punish me."
And so he did. Eighty times the paddle was raised; eighty times it struck her bare flesh. Katrina whimpered and writhed after each stroke, but never moved from position or cried for mercy.
"Stand!" Lord Oberon commanded. Katrina stood, allowing the dress to fall back into position, her hands at her side. She blinked a solitary tear from her eye and smiled. Varina stood with her hand to her mouth, attempting to muffle her own crying.
"Thank you, Sir" Katrina said sincerely.
"You may go."
- - - - -
"Ow, that one hurt!" Katrina admitted, rubbing the pain from her buttocks once they were outside the chamber.
"Why didn't you tell me before we saw him what my failures were?" Varina asked. "I would have confessed and saved you the punishment."
"The confession must come from your own heart." Katrina explained. "If I have to tell you, then it would mean nothing. The object is not to avoid punishment, but rather to gain forgiveness. Now I desire to be alone, we can talk more later."
Katrina hurried to the sanctuary of her own room, slipped off her dress and sprawled face down across her bed. She rubbed her buttocks briefly before rolling onto her back, relishing the wave of pain the pressure caused. Her hands moved down to her crotch, fingering her labia and clitoris. Her Master was right; she was aroused and longed for satisfaction. Soon, she told herself. This new girl would work out, she knew it would. Meanwhile, solitary sin was her only relief. At least she considered it to be sin, her Master did not. Her thoughts drifted to the time she confessed her masturbation to her Master, how she expected he would punish her for it, which would make her excited, which would lead to masturbation, and more punishment, and so on. Alas, her Master considered it an acceptable form of relief, better than seeking comfort from a stable boy, and he encouraged her to continue.
As her fingers probed her own sex she imagined that it was Master fondling her private parts, taking his pleasure while providing hers. Later, when her immediate needs had been met and her hormones returned to normal she would feel guilty for thinking of Master instead of the lover that waited for her.
- - - - -
"Get up, we have a busy day!" Like, what day hasn't been busy? Varina thought as she dragged herself out of bed.
"It's not even light yet!" Varina protested, although she hurried to light her candle from the one Katrina had brought in so she would not be in the dark.
"We are going to the seaport, there is business to conduct. Now move!"
"We could take this opportunity to escape." Varina observed once they were on the open road.
"The King's city is behind us and beyond that are places I have never been. The seaport is ahead of us, where you might find passage to a far off land, if you could pay the fare. In an hour we will come to a cross roads; the right road leads to the high mountains while the left road leads to the wastelands. There are numerous taverns along the roads where you might be tempted to exchange simple labor for a meal and a night’s stay, but you might find the door locked in the morning and be forced to serve a new Master. Stay off the roads at night, it is not safe."
It sounded like an invitation. Or perhaps it was a test, Varina wasn't sure. Nothing more was said on the subject and the two walked on in silence. It was a four-hour walk to the seaport, which stunk of horse dung and rotting fish. The roads in the seaport lacked any paving at all and the wider roads were deeply rutted from heavy wagons forging their way through the frequent rain squalls. Katrina led them down side streets and alleyways until they came upon a shop labeled "Friedham Importers".
"Katrina!" a male voice rang out as they entered the shop.
"Frank!" Katrina sang back as the two rushed to embrace. "Frank, this is Varina. I am training her for my position."
"Nice to meet you," Frank replied cautiously.
"I think this one will work out," Katrina beamed. "It may not be much longer!"
"That is great, honey, great!" Frank said with a slight hesitation.
They spent nearly three hours at the import shop; Katrina talking "business" with Frank while Varina browsed the piles of goods. There was an odd assortment of silk and brass, spices and glasswork. In the end they bought a good deal of goods with the agreement to have them delivered by wagon.
A dozen other shops were visited in the next hour. Varina was introduced to each shopkeeper, the nature of the business explained, items purchased at some with arrangements for delivery of bulky items. They continued on, not lingering any longer than necessary to conduct their business and be polite.
Their knapsacks were heavily loaded now with goods when they started the return trip. The load made Varina wish they had horses.
"Is Frank your lover?" Varina asked when they were alone again.
"Yes," Katrina replied dreamily.
"We were engaged and were to be married before, before-," Katrina struggled with her sentence. "Frank moved his shop from the Northlands so that he could be close to me. It was fortunate that I held this position, it allows us to see each other once per fortnight."
"Aren’t you afraid that Master will find out?"
"Master knows, I do not keep any secrets," Katrina replied.
- - - - -
"Varina, step forward and report," Lord Oberon commanded. The knot that had been forming in her stomach for some time tightened to the point of causing discomfort. What should she confess? What were her failures? She didn't want to cause Katrina any punishment, but she didn't want any herself, either.
"Sir, I have not been of much help this last week," Varina started. "There has been so much to learn and I have mostly just observed."
"You were not expected to know the procedures, only to learn them," Lord Oberon replied. "Have you been paying attention? Could you assume Katrina's position?"
"There is so much to remember, my Lord! I will learn it in time, but I fear that I would fail if I attempted it alone at this time."
"That is fair and reasonable," Lord Oberon decided. "Is there anything else you wish to report?"
"No, Sir."
"How are you?"
"The mark upon my arm has finally healed, my health is fine, Sir."
"Very well, no punishment is necessary. Katrina, step forward and report!"
"Sir, I am pleased to report that my pupil has improved, in both her duties and with her tongue. She is still occasionally disrespectful, but only by accident, not by intent."
Katrina cringed, realizing her mistake. How could she have forgotten that?
"I also regret to report that I have failed in my regular duties. I allowed a spice that Cook needed to run out, forcing her to compromise her recipe. For these failures I beg forgiveness."
"Very well. Five lashes of the crop for your pupils failure, doubled for her not reporting it." Lord Oberon paused slightly to watch Varina's reaction. Her eyes started to water, but she held her tongue. "Twenty lashes more for your own failure."
"Do you get punished every week?" Varina asked when they were dismissed.
"Yes," Katrina admitted. "Although sometimes I have to be creative in thinking up something to confess, although Master would probably whip me without a confession."
"But why?"
"Because I need him to," Katrina replied. "And now I need to be alone."
- - - - -
The weeks went by and Varina adapted to her new environment. Each week she would make her report, confessing everything that she could think of, and her Master would accept it without requiring punishment. Then Katrina would give her report, citing trivial failures of Varina and her own and receive a variety of punishments as a result.
Varina quit trying to make sense of it and just accepted it.
"You must rise early tomorrow; there is business to attend to at the seaport." Katrina said.
"Where are we going?"
"Not us, just you," Katrina replied. "Master has a design that he wants taken to the glass wright's shop. You know more about glass than I, so I would simply be in your way. Take these papers and offer this pouch of silver as a down payment."
The sun had only been up an hour when Varina reached the crossroads. Her load was light and her pace was slower than what Katrina would have set, but still her feet hurt. She sat by the roadside and ate a portion of the meal she had packed. Varina inspected the papers she had been given. One was an open letter authorizing her to travel to the seaport, which she would need if she was challenged on her trip. An envelope for the glass wright was not sealed, so Varina decided to look at the contents. It was improper of her to do so, but no one would know, and unlike her teacher she didn't feel the need to confess all her sins.
The envelope contained a drawing of a simple bottle with the emblem of Lord Oberon, most likely to be used in bottling his wine, a request for 10 samples with a promise of a large quantity to follow. The design would be trivial for any decent glass wright, no more than a day’s work to make the mold of the emblem. The pouch of silver seemed way too heavy for such a job.
Varina held the tiny purse in her hand and looked at the road leading north, towards her parent’s home. It would take two days to get through the mountains, then another to reach the village where she had lived. The letter authorizing her travel might get her passed any checkpoints or patrols as many of the soldiers either couldn’t read or wouldn’t take the time to read it all and realize that she wasn’t on the road she should be on. One look at the seal of Lord Oberon and she would be on her way.
It would be late before she was missed, and by then she would have enough of a head start that they wouldn't catch her, at least not until she was able to find her father and give him the coins. Beyond that, she didn't care.
But her father wouldn't take the money; he wasn't that sort of man. Stealing from her Master would only add to her family's shame. Varina sighed and replaced the items in her knapsack and continued on towards the seaport.
The directions to the glass wright's shop were confusing and Varina had to ask for directions several times. Eventually she stood outside a small building that had neither sign nor samples. The shop was scattered with the tools of the trade: steel tongs, long blowing tubes, a coal fired furnace. There was little organization to it and it was also cold, which is something a glass wright’s shop should not be.
"Hello?" Varina called as she entered the shop. She could hear voices in the back, then a scurry of footsteps coming her way.
"Varina!" the woman cried out. "Oh Mother of God, can this really be true?"
"Mama!" Varina shrieked.
"Father, father, come quick!" the woman shouted before turning to embrace her daughter.
"Woman, what is the problem, can't you see I am busy?" a familiar voice replied. "Can't a man-" he stopped, dumbfounded.
"How can this be?" He said softly, joining his wife in a three-way hug. "We were told that you were arrested and taken away. We waited, not believing it was true, but when you didn't return I expected to never see you again."
"It is true, father," Varina said sadly as she raised the sleeve on her arm to show the mark of the slave. "Through my actions I brought more shame to you. I am so sorry."
"You did what you felt you had to," her father replied. "But how did you escape? How did you find us? Praise the kind souls that helped you come to us!"
"I haven't escaped, father, I am here on my Master's bidding. Lord Oberon sends a bottle design and a request for ten samples."
"Oh!" her mother gasped, her eyes growing wide with alarm. "There are so many tales of Lord Oberon."
"I know Mama." Varina replied. "But so far I have only been treated with kindness, and none of his other slaves harbor any ill will towards him. I am in a good place, Mama, and now that I know that you are well my heart is at ease."
"Indeed, our fate could have been much worse. There must truly be a guardian angel looking over us!" her mother declared. "We have but just arrived and we already have a customer!"
"We have no coal for the furnace, and no money to purchase any," her father complained. "We lost all of our molds, and were able to salvage only the most basic tools. How can I possibly hope to meet the requirements of Lord Oberon?"
"The design is simple," Varina assured him. "And he sends a generous down payment and doesn't need the samples for yet another week."
"Praise the heavens for the Lord of Oberon, and for the messenger!" her mother declared.
"What messenger?" Varina asked.
"Two weeks past, a kind man delivering goods to a nearby shop told us that the seaport was in desperate need of a glass wright. We had to go someplace, so this seemed like a good choice, so here we are. With the greatest of luck the man’s wagon was empty returning to the seaport and he agreed to carry our tools for free, and then he introduced us to a landlord that was willing to provide free rent in return for a share of future profits. Now you show up, and with an order! So much luck must come from an angel!"
"Yes," Varina agreed. "A guardian angel."
- - - - -
"Step forward, report," Lord Oberon directed. Varina shuffled forward and tried to speak, but only her crying could be heard.
"My dear girl, you cry prematurely! I have not yet heard of your crime, let alone established punishment."
"Oh, Sir, I beg that you beat me senseless, for surely I deserve it!"
"I can't imagine what crime you could have committed to warrant such punishment," Lord Oberon continued in his typical banter. "Tell me what troubles you so."
"Oh, Sir, I have had such ill thoughts of you, despising you, even hating your name since that moment on the road when I first learned who my Master would be. All this despite the generosity and kindness you have shown. I was so blinded by my own selfishness that I couldn't see how wrong I was. I am beyond forgiveness, but I beg for it none the less."
"People will see what they want to see, that is human nature," Lord Oberon said. "I cannot make any claims to know the grief and hardship that you have endured, nor the torment suffered prior to coming into my care. I would fully expect, however, a certain amount of animosity. It pleases me to see that you are getting past that."
"I don't know how to thank you enough, Sir." Varina cried. "It is a mystery to my father, but I can recognize the touch of your kindness."
"You give me more credit than is due," Lord Oberon countered. "The seaport had no glass wright, and the long journey from the King's City often resulted in a great deal of breakage. Furthermore, I had to compete with the royal palace, either paying outrageous prices or accepting poor quality."
"I fear not the wrath of Lord Archarav, who victimizes your father. When I learned that a glass wright such as Osglov Demitri was available for but a mere pittance, I would have been a fool to not capitalize on the opportunity. My needs are not great enough to keep a glass wright busy so it was in my own best interest to provide the necessary opportunities for your father to establish an independent shop. It was a simple business investment for which I expect to reap a profit."
"Have you anything else to report?" Lord Oberon asked, letting it known that the previous topic was no longer open.
"Only to restate what I said a moment ago, that my selfish behavior has influenced all that I have done. I recognize my failure and beg forgiveness."
"And how are you?"
"I am not sure, Sir. I am both sad and happy, tired and energetic. Otherwise, I am fine, Sir, thank you for asking."
"Very well. I do not punish slaves for being or thinking like a slave. No punishment is necessary."
"But Sir, you must!"
"Only I will pass judgment!" The words were spoken softly, slowly, and with such deliberation that Varina was afraid. She had never heard Master raise his voice or speak in anger, but the others had spoken of the consequences of making Master truly angry.
"Katrina, report!"
"Sir, I apologize for my pupils actions, it was most wrong of her to question your judgment," Katrina said.
"Did you not instruct her?" Lord Oberon's voice was barely above a whisper, the words spoken with deliberation. "Did you not tell her that my decisions are not to be questioned, and that judgment is mine alone to pass?"
"I regret -"
"She did, Sir!" Varina burst out. "The failure is mine, I should be punished!"
"Your outburst has just doubled what was already to be a most severe punishment!" Lord Oberon said. "I think it best if you waited outside the chamber door, as Katrina might not survive if I add any more to her punishment. Now GO!"
Varina hurried out into the hall, then pressed an ear up against the chamber door but only a slight murmur could be heard through the heavy oak timbers. The routine was standard: Katrina would be reporting additional misdeeds prior to begging forgiveness. Lord Oberon would ask how she was, then pass judgment.
Katrina's scream could be heard clearly out in the hallway. Varina had never heard her teacher cry out so, and suddenly she felt sick to her stomach. A moment later, the faint sound of a whip and another scream, followed by sobbing. Scream after scream, until they faded away until there was only the sound of the whip, and at last it went silent as well.
A moment later the heavy door opened as Lord Oberon exited the chamber.
"See her to her room," he said, and then departed.
Katrina still lay across the desk, her dress pulled up high onto her back. Dozens of angry wheals, which were already spreading to deep purple bruises, marked her buttocks and thighs, some of which oozed drops of blood. Varina helped her to stand, and then draped an arm over her shoulder to help her walk.
"Uh-oh, what happened," Athelia asked as she was passing in the hall, grabbing the other arm to assist.
"Master was angry with me, and punished her for it," Varina replied. "Why? Why does he punish her and not me?"
"Do not question Master's motives," Athelia advised.
"Oh, Damn!" Varina cursed aloud. "Don't tell Master that I did that or Katrina will get more!"
"Do not ask us to keep secrets from Master!" Katrina mumbled between her moans.
Damn! Varina thought to herself.
They negotiated the narrow doorway into Katrina's room and helped her lay upon the bed.
"Let's take a look," Athelia said as she lifted the dress. "Impressive. She will carry those marks for a while, but they are not likely to scar. Go fetch some hot water, a washcloth and some ointment so we can tend to these wounds."
"I mean no disrespect, nor do I question Master, I simply do not understand," Varina said as they washed the wounds on Katrina's backside.
"What does he - NO!" Varina caught herself. "What am I supposed to do? Can you teach me what Master wants?"
"Master wants your submission, your respect, and your devotion," Katrina replied. Her voice was still a bit shaky, but her strength was returning.
"After the kindness he showed my father, I was prepared to offer Master anything!" Katrina continued. "I thanked him, I admitted my most serious of crimes, and I begged for his forgiveness, yet he spurned me."
"You insult Master if you offer yourself in exchange for a favor!" Athelia exclaimed. "A Master has the right to take his carnal pleasure with any slave he owns, and needs not your offer or permission. Our Master chooses not to partake of carnal pleasures from those that prefer not. That is a gift Master makes to you. Offering it back in any form of barter reduces you to the status of a whore."
"Your obedience must come from your heart, not from fear of punishment or as an exchange of favors." Athelia concluded.
- - - - -
"Step forward, report!"
In the moment the words were spoken, Varina forgot her speech. It would have been eloquent and moving, sure to soften her Master's heart. It could have been, if she remembered the words she rehearsed all week.
"I am sorry, Sir." Varina struggled, unable to say anything more eloquent.
"What are you sorry about?" Lord Oberon asked patiently.
"I am sorry that I have been so slow to learn my lessons. Katrina has been most patient with me, and has tried so hard to instruct me properly, yet I have failed her repeatedly."
"I am sorry that I have failed yet again. In my ignorance I questioned your motives, and then in my stupidity I asked others to hide my failure from you. There were other occurrences as well, as my habits are strong and I often speak without thinking."
"I have also made mistakes in my duties. Cook was most upset when her supplies were not in the expected location."
"I recognize these failures, and realize that there may be others that I am not aware of. These failures are mine, and for these I beg forgiveness."
"You are right, Cook was most upset, and she called for your dismissal." Lord Oberon's words sent a wave of panic through Varina's body. Would she be sent to the fields because of Cook? A few short weeks ago she would have preferred that, but now it terrified her. "Fear not, for if I dismissed everyone that Cook has complained thusly I would have no staff at all!"
"And how are you?"
"I am very well, thank you, My Lord," Varina answered as she curtsied, welcoming the rush of relief.
"Very well. You are to be punished for your failures." The words shocked Varina, even though it was the answer she desired. "Prepare yourself for a whipping by chaining your wrists to that overhead ring."
"Yes, Sir! Thank you Sir!" Varina replied, and then looked quizzically at the indicated ceiling ring. It was the same ring that Athelia had been secured to the day she had arrived so she set about repeating the same preparations.
"Katrina, step forward and report."
"Sir, I am happy to report that my pupil is doing well. She confessed her failures and I have nothing further to report on her. I believe that I have met my objectives and ask to buy my freedom." A crash of a chain falling to the floor created a brief interruption while Varina clumsily attempted her assignment. Katrina stole a quick glance at her ward and smiled before continuing. "Please forgive me if there is anything I have missed."
"Your pupil has made mistakes," Lord Oberon observed, smiling to himself as Varina strained to pull a short bench across the floor so that she could reach the ceiling ring, its legs emitting a high pitch screech as it slid across the polished wood floor.
"Yes Sir, she has. I make no excuses for her failures, although I would like to say that Cook can be very difficult to please." A loud CLUNK rang out as the bench tipped over.
"The failures are hers," Lord Oberon agreed. "And she has accepted them graciously. You have taught her well. Is she ready to assume your duties?"
"I would expect her to continue making minor mistakes for quite some time, but this would be the case regardless of my involvement. She can handle the job, and has the ability to learn on her own what I have not taught her."
"Very well," Lord Oberon decided. He opened the desk drawer and withdrew an envelope and a ledger. "You have met the requirement. Let's see, eight years ago I paid 6 gold plus 25 silver coins for you at auction. In those eight years you have earned 8 gold coins, leaving a balance of one gold coin plus 25 silver."
Varina stopped her preparations in awe of the proceedings. One gold coin per year? That was a sizable amount of money, considering Master paid for all their needs. Varina had rarely even held a gold coin, and never had she been able to call one her own.
"These are your papers," Lord Oberon said, referring to the envelope. "The envelope is closed with my seal, do not open it. Present it to the magistrate at the King's city and you will officially be free. Here is a letter, authorizing your passage in case you are challenged."
"Thank you, Sir!" Katrina beamed.
"I will miss you, Katrina. I wish you the best of luck in your free life, but know that you are always welcome to return if your freedom does not meet with your expectations."
"I will miss you too, Sir." Katrina replied.
"Please help Varina secure herself so that I will not be here all night, then you may be excused. Stay the night, and then you may leave in the morning. Those are my final orders."
"Yes Sir!" Katrina replied excitedly, and then turning towards Varina, "You should start by taking off the dress, Master does not want to ruin any clothing!"
Varina blushed deeply as the dress was pulled over her head, as she had not exposed herself to Master until now. Katrina fastened leather cuffs to her wrists, then fastened the cuffs to the chain Varina had hung from the ceiling. When the bench was pulled out from underneath her toes barely brushed the floor.
"Good luck, and keep up the good work," Katrina said. "Enjoy yourself now!"
Varina did not appreciate sarcasm at this moment. She was about to be punished, the thought of which was making her ill in her stomach. She watched in fear as her Master selected a dreadful looking flogger from the assortment hanging on the wall. The whip had numerous strands of leather, each one as wide as her finger and as long as her arm.
Varina closed her eyes and braced for the impact, then whimpered when the whip fanned closed to her side but failed to connect. Again and again her Master teased her so, watching her tense as the whip swung and then relax when it passed by. Eventually she stopped tensing, relaxing in the face of the teased threat.
The blow across her shoulders caught her off guard, and she screamed in shock and surprise. Another blow to the buttocks elicited a sharp gasp, then a blow to the lower back a grunted "oof".
Varina was puzzled, as it was nothing like what she had expected. No searing pain, no agony, no tearing of flesh. She had endured far worse at the hands of her own mother. She cried out no more, as the pain was minimal. Some blows were full on, and the simple weight of the many strands impacted with a dull thud. Other blows were glancing, causing the tips to streak across her flesh. An occasional blow was whipped, causing each strand to snap with a tiny bite, each one rather insignificant but the sum creating a sizable sting.
Varina gasped when Lord Oberon reached up and pinched her left nipple, using it to rotate her body to better present her buttocks to his whip. She threw her head back, moaning when he pinched her right nipple and turned her to face him. The pinches hurt, a little, but were not objectionable.
The hardest blows were directed at her shoulders and buttocks, lighter blows to her legs, lighter still to her breasts, and the lightest of all towards her groin. A heat built, from the surface of her skin inward and from her nether region outward. Yes, she had to admit, she was enjoying it.
"Enough of the warm up," Lord Oberon announced as he traded the flogger for a crop. "This is your punishment."
The crop whistled through the air before striking with a decisive CRACK against her buttocks! Varina screeched in genuine pain, as this did hurt!
Lord Oberon waited for her to relax again before administering the next swat, and so on until a total of 10 were delivered.
"You took those well," Lord Oberon praised. He touched her back gently, lightly rubbing her skin. "You are forgiven."
"Thank You, Sir," Varina purred. She wasn't sure herself if she was thanking him for the praise or for the whipping. She relished the gentle touch, and moaned softly as he cupped and lifted her breasts, then whimpered when his hand put pressure upon her genitals.
Her body ached in a way that was most foreign to her. She wanted him. She wanted him to take her, to use her. She was most disappointed when he released her.
"Ah, no soothing the pain in my presence!" Lord Oberon corrected, slapping her hands away from her buttocks with the crop. "Get dressed, and you may go."
Varina's hands shot back to her buttocks the instant the door closed behind her to sooth the sting. There was another ache that she needed privacy to sooth. She decided that she needed to be alone and hurried off to her room.
- - - - -
Never had the sun shone as brightly, or the air been as clear, or the wild flowers smelled as sweet as they did this morning. Freedom! It felt good, and Katrina basked in its glory. She set an easy pace, as she was not in any hurry.
"Katrina," Frank greeted her. "What brings you to town so early in the week?"
"Freedom!" Katrina exclaimed, rushing to embrace her lover. "Lord Oberon accepted my replacement and he set me free! Isn't that great?"
"No, that's not great," Frank replied sullenly.
"Frank, what's wrong?" Katrina asked, puzzled by his lack of enthusiasm.
"Lord Oberon was my primary account," Frank replied.
"Not to worry, Lord Oberon will still be buying goods!" Katrina assured him. "I showed Varina this store, she will know to come here. Nothing has changed!"
"With you making the purchases I could always count on the business of Lord Oberon, and you didn’t haggle. I doubt that your replacement will be so committed to one shop out of so many."
"Surly there are plenty of other customers."
"No one else is as stupid as you and your Lord Oberon!" Frank exclaimed angrily. "You were my cash cow, my security!"
"Here, I have something else for you," Katrina said hopefully. She dug the coins out from her knapsack and handed them over. "One and a half gold coins! This should get us by!"
"You were worth two gold coins a year where you were!" he exclaimed as he pocketed the coins. "Why couldn't you just leave things as they were?"
"This is all we ever wanted, being together once I had my freedom. The money doesn't matter as long as we have each other!"
"You stupid wench!" Frank yelled. "We don't have each other! I have a wife, kids, a family!"
"No!" Katrina cried.
"Did you really expect me to wait eight years for you? Eight years of seeing you once every two weeks, never having you in my bed while you return to that precious Master of yours?"
"You, you used me!" Katrina sobbed.
"Get out! OUT! I have no further use of you!"
Katrina ran from the store, down the street and kept running until she had no more room to run. She fell to the ground next to the sea wall, where the crash of waves occasionally sent a mist of salt spray over her. She didn’t care, she didn't move.
Darkness crept in and with it the cold, and then a light drizzle. Katrina had cried all the tears that she had, and now the chill in her body forced her to move. She thought of shelter, and of the coins she had so foolishly given away.
She had no money, no food, and no friends. There were lots of business acquaintances that she might befriend the next day, but she knew of none that she could call on at this late hour. It was then that Katrina realized the seriousness of her position. She was homeless, penniless, drenched and dirty. The papers in her knapsack would declare her to be free, but they must not be opened, so as far as anyone would know she was just a run-away slave.
She wandered the streets and alleyways, cold and hungry until she came upon a small shop that still burned a lamp. She expected to be chased away, or at best to be offered a brief respite from the cold.
The bell on the door chimed merrily as she entered. "Just a moment!" a voice called out from the back. Inside she found it to be quite warm indeed. Take all the time you want, Katrina thought.
"Who calls at this late hour?" a man asked as he entered the front area.
"I beg your forgiveness," Katrina replied. "I am cold and I am wet and I seek only a bit of warmth before I continue on my way."
"Who is it, Papa?" a woman asked. "Oh, dear! Get the poor girl a towel, I will get some tea!"
"Mama!" he replied. "She looks to be an escaped slave, this will only bring more trouble upon us!"
Katrina held her tongue. An unscrupulous man could use the papers she carried to sell her back into slavery, and she had had enough of unscrupulous men for one day.
"Osglov!" she scolded. "A few weeks past you were singing praise to anyone who helped bring our daughter to us, and now you would refuse shelter to another!"
"You are right, Mama," he sighed, recognizing his hypocrisy. "Forgive me, and make yourself at home."
"You would be Osglov Demitri," Katrina stated, recognizing the name. "And your daughter would be Varina, in the custody of Lord Oberon."
"You know of my daughter?"
"I was also in the custody of Lord Oberon," Katrina nodded.
"My Varina spoke kindly of him, and he is my only customer at this time." Osglov said in a concerned voice. "What brings you to seek refuge from him?"
"Lord Oberon is very kind man and the most merciful of Masters," Katrina said. "What led me here was only my own foolishness. Your daughter is in good hands; I trust that she will not be as foolish as I. I appreciate your concern about offending Lord Oberon and I can assure you that you have no reason to be concerned."
"It matters not, a friend of Varina is welcome in our house any time!" Osglov declared. "We have not a bed for you, but at least you will have warmth. We have been keeping the furnace hot night and day to complete this order for your Master! "
"How I wish Lord Oberon was still my Master," Katrina said sadly. "But I would die of shame to face him now."
"Shame and pride are the both the best and worst of human emotions!" Osglov declared. "They are great when they work in our favor, but they have a dark side that can lead you to ruin. If your Master is as merciful as you say, then you would do better to return on your own. Don't let your pride stand in your way."
- - - - -
"I am glad that you came back," Lord Oberon said. "But I am surprised you are back so quickly."
"Your surprise is only in how soon?" Katrina asked, and then continued after a moment's silence. "Was it so obvious to everyone but me?"
"I had suspected that it was not love that motivated the man. The fact that he had already taken a wife was not known to me."
"He used me to cheat you," Katrina observed. "If you suspected, why did you allow it to continue?"
Such a question would have been unthinkable as a slave, and it was only her burning desire to know that gave her the courage to challenge her former Master in such a way.
"I admired your work and your dedication. It was a reasonable price to pay for your devotion. For that reason I welcome you back. As you know, I keep only slaves in the house, but there will be a suitable position available under the foreman."
"No thank you, Sir," Katrina declined. "I did not come here seeking employment. I have business to conduct."
"Oh?" Lord Oberon said. "And what would that be?"
"I understand that you are in the market for a new house slave, and I happen to have one for sale," Katrina offered the envelope that contained her freedom. "I believe that you will find the papers are in order."
"What are you asking for this slave?"
"Sixteen gold coins, Sir."
"That is a steep price. Katrina, why do you do this? What do you need the money for?"
"To repay my debt, Sir. Frank said I was worth two gold coins a year, over eight years is 16 coins. If you won't pay it then I will find another Master who will, but I am going to repay you, or at least as much as I possibly can."
"You drive a hard bargain," Lord Oberon said. "I accept."
"Thank you, Sir." Katrina said. "And Sir, it should be known that your new slave does not wish to deny anything to you or herself."
"Well then." Lord Oberon smiled. "I think we should continue our business discussions in my bed chamber."
Katrina smiled, and followed her Master.
You can also leave feedback & comments for this story on the Plaza Forum
14.08.14