Caught Fire

Caught Fire

Part 7

By Dari

Although I quickly agreed with myself that now that I might have the key to getting back at Tane in my hands, provided Elana’s book could teach me anything, the first thing I did after Tane’s disappearance into the caves was to hide the thin volume in my room, safely under one of the wooden bars on which my mattress lay. It was not my intention to hide much from him, but as I couldn’t say how he would react to the independence that might stem from the knowledge hidden in these pages I wanted to acquire it first on my own before bringing it to his notice.

Apparently my worry was for naught again, as Tane and his burden returned refreshed and seemingly invigorated from the caves, and if Tane’s smile was still a bit haughty I reckoned it was from him brooding over my conversation with Lathea, and nothing else. So once again I did my best to act forcefully nice towards Chelsea, although today it was really hard to keep this up. Yet for the first time since she had arrived here it was not overtly difficult to tolerate her. The hidden book seemed to beckon to me like water to a nearly starved man, and everything else was dull and easy to ignore.

Tane didn’t even seem to be suspicious when I retreated early to my room, as I hadn’t stayed up with them during the last week, but rather took my leave, whether being to the outside or my small cot. Back inside my room I forced myself to continue reading in the book I had studied for the last two days should Tane drop in uninvited, but soon I heard the door of the bedroom slam shut, with occasional muffled giggles from Chelsea sounding through the wall that separated the two rooms. I took that for a sure sign that both of them were occupied, and went to study my newly received treasure.

All too soon my euphoria dimmed when I realized that even the invocation for the portal that Elana described as “a basics for first-year students to learn with ease” was anything but similar to what I had read in the sorcerer magic books that Tane had stacked on his shelves. To me the detailed directions on how to move both hands and chant the correct words with the correct intonation just seemed strange, and couldn’t possibly result in anything useful. I even went so far to go outside and try everything on the spot, unhindered by the fact that it was in the darkest hours of the night. As I had anticipated, nothing happened, not even a familiar tingling in the air that I knew so well from failed fire balls.

After that I decided to wait for the next day and get some rest, but as always when you are agitated about something and want to sleep it over, sleep is a far way from coming. So I spent another night fuming and staring at the dark ceiling overhead, as I had done the previous nights, only for a different reason. Yet I was still determined to work this out of my own, and confront Tane only with the facts once I had managed this obstacle. Even if it took me a year.

In the wee hours of dawn sleep finally got the better of me, and I dozed uneasily until a horrible ruckus from the direction of the living room brought me wide awake. With my heart hammering in my chest I stormed across the hallway connecting the sleeping quarters with the front room, unconscious of the fact that I had preferred to sleep unencumbered of any clothes that might rub on my nearly faded welts and marks. But right then this fact never even crossed my mind.

I threw open the door to the living room so that it banged on the wall behind it, and stepped into the room, a flaming sphere dancing over my right hand. The scene before me was nearly enough for me to accidentally throw it even though I had only let it appear out of some unconscious notion. Our normally so large seeming living room was crowded with people, at least compared to our normal quiet three people household. The terrible noise that had brought me awake had stemmed from Chelsea toppling over our stock of pens and kettles when our visitors appeared.

I couldn’t hold that against her, not really, when my gaze drifted over said visitors. I only knew two of them, but the sight of Drake and Anthony, backed by a squad of armed warriors, would probably have had the same effect on me had I been rummaging through the cupboards in her place. Only that now they weren’t staring at her doing her best to ruin our inventory, but at me, coming to her aid like the impersonated fiery goddess of revenge. Lacking proper attire included.

Suddenly the heat emanating from my ball of fire was nothing to the heat creeping up on my face, and the shame mingling with the adrenaline in my body cut my grasp on the elements. With a nearly inaudible sizzle the fire went out, and left me naked in a room full of apparently dangerous man with the knowledge that I wouldn’t be able to summon even a spark before I calmed down again. Now that’s a nice way to start your day.

My mind was so cramped with shame that I never even thought of Tane’s whereabouts, and suddenly the only thing important was to first get something to put on, and second, get out of here. That this might only be possible in the other direction was beyond me, but it didn’t matter when I back-pedalled into the hallway and flung myself into my room. Apparently both Drake and Anthony had been at least as astonished of the sight I must have been, as no bonds of air had formed around me or the door, and I made my way safely into my room, and even into the discarded dress on the floor before I heard anything coming from the others. Only when I was halfway trough the window in my room the peculiar silence in the other room got through my tangled nerves, but was still beyond comprehension.

Loosing my grip on myself and my mind took its toll all too soon when I was moving too uncoordinatedly while literally jumping through the window, as the hem of my dress caught on the sill, and sent me sprawling on the grass, with my head hitting the boards of the house on the way down. Searing pain lashed through my brain, and left me groaning with my arms cradled around my head while each frantic beat of my heart let the agony aflame anew. But it at least cleared my thoughts of anything else. It is always marvelling how easily the human mind steps over society’s conventions when the own health is threatened.

Luckily my fall hadn’t been enough for a concussion, but although it sobered me quite a bit I was still not quite myself, as I only became aware of the two approaching fighters when one of them leaned over me and gazed down with concern in his eyes. “Are you alright, ma’am?” I don’t know what shocked me more, their presence or being betitled with ma’am. No one had ever ma’amed me before. Either I was getting old, or my performance had left that much of an impression. Although my vanity railed at it, I really hoped for the former, but feared the latter was true.

I tried to rise and tell him that I was okay, but the sudden movement seemed to split my head in two once more. With a stifled groan I pressed my hands to my skull, just hoping that the pain would lessen soon to clear my vision from the neon-coloured sparks dancing there. My misery seemed to be quite evidently, as they murmured some sympathetic words and left me to my discomfort.

Apparently the certain concussion wasn’t so bad, as my stomach did not roil at the thought of getting up, and when my headache finally subsided to a low grumble behind my temple I managed to get up, with all the dignity I could muster, which wasn’t much, but better than none. Any guile or smirk was invisible on the faces of the two soldiers, and when they asked me rather politely if I might go back into the house to speak with Drake I decided that they had either been outside when I made my great entry, or were very good liars. Given their age being about my own, or even beneath, I opted for the former. I complied without protest, walking as calm as possible towards certain doom once more.

When I re-entered the living room of the hut, things hadn’t changed much during the last minutes. Chelsea was still having hysterics, now not at the cupboard but sitting down at one of the benches at the table, with a lot of quizzically-looking soldiers around her. Even Drake and Anthony kept eying her uneasily, as if they didn’t know what to do with her. Too good for them that I provided a good means for distraction.

When I entered, both Anthony and Drake turned around, and within instants their frowns changed into more or less triumphant leers. I did my best to ignore that, trying to tell myself that it was simply their usual way to deal with me, but knowing better myself didn’t help a lot. But at least I had my headache to keep myself busy and hopefully calm.

As always with people like Drake, he didn’t let his pupil speak, but addressed me beforehand. “So nice of you to come talk to us, I hope your stay will be longer than the last.” I just blinked at his salacious smile, and went straight to business. “What do you want here?” I tried to stay calm, but my tone took on a slightly malicious quality.

The older sorcerer put on a look of mock hurt. “What, no delighted greetings, no jubilant exclamations of sincere gratitude that we break your bleak daily routine?” I just raised my eyebrows in retort, and repeated my question. “What do you want here?” This time minced with just a tad bit of impatience.

Either he hadn’t really planned on playing games, or I had somewhere along the way left some positive impression, but Drake only sighed and answered without any further jabs. “Well, we came to pay you a visit. All of you, I might say, but I take it from your demeanour that Tane is not present?” I didn’t exactly know what he meant with that, but chose to ignore it, for peace’s sake.

“No, he’s out, but tell me what you want, I’m sure I can help you further.” At that his smirk returned, but he omitted any further comments. “Good, let’s make it quick, we are here to bring Chelsea back to where she might actually be of use.” Apparently she wasn’t that out of her mind as she had seemed to me, because at that Chelsea lifted her head and glowered at Drake before I could utter something to or against her defence. “Elana promised that I could at least stay half a year, without your stupid testing. You don’t have the right to demand my return!”

Drake and Anthony seemed rather puzzled by her exclamation, and I had to say that it also surprised me. Not that I had thought listening and understanding her situation beyond her, but … well, I guess I really had. But still, I did not reckon her to understand the full scope of their intentions. Maybe I should have seen something like that coming and should have talked to her about her former education, but now it was evidently too late for that. And anyway, I was well beyond the point where I would have thought through all the possible consequences. More important right now was to get rid of Anthony and Drake alike.

While I still mused about all that, Anthony was quicker to recover, and to answer, too. He seemed to enjoy this a lot, although I doubted that it gave him his full satisfaction, as Tane likely was their real target, and with him being absent all this must have tasted rather bland. “Elana doesn’t know everything. We talked to the headmaster, and he acceded with us that Drake would be the better teacher for you, and you could still take courses at the Academy.” Apparently her outburst had earned Chelsea the right to be addressed directly, but that didn`t change a thing about the whole situation.

A bit at a loss here, Chelsea did the only thing she might have seen as a loophole for her – she looked at me for help. If she might have been just a little bit brighter, I would have been offended, but somehow I could understand her. She hadn’t grasped the fact that for me she was more or less an intruder, or a hindrance at best. Not only did her mere presence shuttle away my teacher’s time and awareness for my own studies, both things that were not for my best, but also did she keep my place in his bed warm, whether or not she satisfied all his ilks. In this whole affair I alone stood to gain, and she didn’t understand that, but wanted me to help her. But why should I?

And just in the instant when I wanted to speak up and tell Drake to take her, even literally if he wished so, and that this wasn’t my cup of tea, I realized that Drake and Anthony both hadn’t grasped the situation, either. For Tane alone they wouldn’t have brought so many soldiers – both of them together would have been able to subdue him before he could have caused too much damage for them to risk anything. I really didn’t know what they thought, but it seemed to me that they were in the wrong impression that somehow this whole ménage a trios worked between Tane, Chelsea, and me without hindrance or jealousy, and that I would stand at her side and fight to my last breath to keep her safe. And, to be true, my performance just a little while ago must have affirmed all these fears of theirs.

This was all just too neat for me. On the one hand it was maybe the one chance how I could get back at Tane and cross his plans and get rid of Chelsea all in one motion, and not even be to blame for it, and on the other hand I couldn’t possibly let it happen, as it would show weakness on our side, weakness that did exist to a great extend as Tane and I were not on good terms right now, but a weakness they didn’t reckon with. And just for the sake of it, I couldn’t let Anthony and Drake have their way.

So I more or less surprised myself when I cleared my throat, and stared challengingly at Drake who turned to me at the sound. “No, you will not take her with you. Bring the headmaster up here and we might discuss this matter, but I will not take your word in this. She is in good hands here, and is already learning fast, so why should we send her to you? There is no reason for that.” My, my, I just hoped that for once it wasn’t as evident as usual that I was lying. Tane could always tell with me, but then he knew me quite a lot better than they did. And they were here on false presumptions, so strange behaviour in my eyes could be judged completely different by them.

Either it was that, or I really had learned to tell lies, because both reacted as I had anticipated – not very amused. Yet this time it was Anthony who answered before his teacher could do so. “Oh yeah, learning? I can guess all right what she is leaning here. Might also have a lot to do with sweating, but surely because of an entirely different kind of heat.” I just ignored him, a thing that was not really all that difficult, and spoke on in a measured tone to Drake. “You see, now she is too disturbed by your whole … visit, but she really does know what she’s about. You can take my word on it. And you know what I’m capable of, and what I was shortly after I came up here to learn with Tane. Whatever your personal problems with him are, he is a good teacher, and the same as I earned second level in just under two thirds of a year, she will soon be someone to reckon with. Just bide your time, and leave us alone here.” The last sentence escaped with an underlying tone of malice, but not enough to call it a threat.

Drake didn’t treat it as that, but just as what it was, a hilarious lie. After a significant glance at Chelsea he frowned back on me, but somehow the quality of his gaze had altered, taking on a dark hint of something I didn’t really like. “Well, let’s pretend you are right, although I doubt it, if she really was making progress, she would be good enough to pass the same entry test that you did after one week, am I right?” I nodded, a feeling of certain doom rising in my guts. “And you give your word on it?” Again a nod from my side, and before I could utter a protest about her current fearful state, Drake stalled me with a raised hand.

“I know, you already said that right now she is in no state of mind to do it. But if she were good enough now, she would be good enough next week, too, no?” Once more I nodded, willing myself to stay calm. Somehow I could already see where this was leading to. Drake only confirmed my suspicions when he continued. “So I say, we return next week, and test her, on your word. And as it is on your word, you will be responsible in part if she doesn’t make it. Are you still so confident in her?”

I didn’t need to look at Chelsea to know that her pleading look had returned to me, and the beginning smirk on Drake’s face made denial harder than I would have thought before. But I was not yet ready to plunge into misery head first without staking out the limits beforehand. “So you say, if she messes up, that also means a mess up for me? To what consequences? I mean, I already earned second grade, you cannot simply throw me out the door, now can you?” At least I hoped that he could not. And as I was still not convinced that this matter had really passed the headmaster of the Academy, I opted me a good chance that the consequences wouldn’t be dire in this way.

Apparently I had played right into Drake’s hand, as he was smiling at me very benevolently, showing his teeth like a shark before the final bite. “Oh, let’s call it something like a bet between the two of us. If she cannot prove her worth, she will come with us to learn at the Academy, and you might get a special lecture from me and Anthony. Something you won’t forget so fast, but with no dire consequences.” In my mind I added shrewdly that it might just be something I was needing on another level, but I would never ever tell him that to the face, or admit it to Tane. I wouldn’t go down within two weeks of ascetic life.

Again I looked over to where Chelsea sat, and then back to Drake. Suddenly, with the words spilt between us, the fear and disgust that had risen with the dread had evaporated, leaving me with a sense of gallows’s humour. Although I might not really like what would be in store for me next week, and I was nearly certain that it would be this way, it could be a lot worse. And somewhere below all that musing was also a certain kind of malicious joy how Tane would react when I went willingly with Drake, even if it only were for a day or night. But there was still something to settle.

“And if she does prove to have learned, what will be your part in the wager?” Drake answered with his usual self-possessed grin. “Then I’ll see this whole matter settled until both you and Chelsea have graduated, and will bother you no more with petty things like that.” I just raised an eyebrow in askance about the petty things, and why he was even here if he thought it petty, but chose to end this now, before anyone could escalate it again. “Just fine, so we have a bargain?” I had never before seen someone beam that brightly at me, and felt a little bit of dread return to my guts. But even if I had just then sealed my doom, I didn’t have it in me to step back now.

After that everything went rather fast – dishonest pleasantries were exchanged, and finally, after what seemed like days to me, Drake gathered his soldiers, and off they all went through a portal. The whooshing sound of the portal closing hadn’t yet subsided when my body hit one of the chairs in front of the fireplaces, as all the muscles in me seemed to go slack all at once. I didn’t even feel the silence that suddenly stood between me and Chelsea as anything unpleasant.

Just when I was about to turn my head and look in the general direction of the means of my doom, the door burst open, spilling Tane into the room. Judging from the emotions that nearly chased one another over his features, he had at least seen our visitors, or even spoken to them, although I didn’t count on versed conversation. While I just stared at him as if he were some kind of apparition, Chelsea went into crying fits that were just this side of unbelievably staged.

A certain look of irritation went over Tane’s features, and he took his time looking askance at me. I just shrugged, showing him that it was not that serious, and he went over to Chelsea to comfort her. Meanwhile I used the following minutes to gather my wits once more. What in three hell’s name had I been thinking? Why was I now laying my head on the executioner’s block, when he had messed up my life?

Chelsea took her time quieting down, and from the glances that Tane directed in my general direction it was way too long for him. I finally took pity in him and sat upright to signal a more regal state of mind. When he saw me looking at him, he frowned over Chelsea’s head at me.

“Just what happened here?” Somehow I had anticipated a certain degree of malice in his voice, either at me scaring Chelsea, or at the general presence of Drake on his grounds, but for once he just sounded seriously interested. That sort of left me with no concept for a cunning answer, leading to telling the plain truth. “Drake and Anthony were here, with a contingent of soldiers, to take her back to the Academy. I bargained it down to them returning next week. She’ll stay if she manages the starting exam till then. If she doesn’t make it, she’s gone for good, and me too for a day or two.”

“What do you mean by ‘a day or two’”? A slight tick in the corner of his right eye betrayed Tane’s nearly innocent question – I guess he knew the answer already and just wanted a certain confirmation from me. Or he wanted to grind more salt into these already festering wounds. I just could not ignore that option, and together with my hurt pride concerning the last days, and my anger at my own stupidity, my answer came rather defiant. “Now what do you think Drake would want from me when he saw me keeping her from him by a straight lie to his face? What are you not about to give me?”

At that Tane remained strangely silent, and maybe even stilled bodily; I couldn’t see that clearly as Chelsea was clinging to him like a drowning man to a straw. When her crying began to cease slowly, he finally hoisted her up in his arms, and murmured something to her about bringing her to bed. Just before he left towards the back rooms he mouthed something at me over her head. Maybe I was mistaken, but I was nearly sure that it was a silent “I’m sorry.” I stared after them long past the door swinging shut, then vigorously shook myself and got up, with a slight jolt to my temples reminding me of my former exit. Better not to eat anything.

I went outside, when I finally felt the walls of the hut trying to close in around me. I usually don't suffer from claustrophobia, but right now I needed fresh air. That, and a shoulder to cry on, or at least someone to comfort me, but as usual during the last week Chelsea got both, and I none. I guess by now I should have felt at least a glimmer of hatred at her because of the situation I was in, or that I was about to find myself in rather soon, but apart from a certain numbness there was nothing about regret, or loss. I just felt a little drained, that was all.

Tane's whispered words had somehow undone me. I don't know why, but I had really believed him lost to my cause, or rather myself. But that evidently showed that he still cared - or was I still so besotted that I didn't see behind all this? Was I really in love with him?

The bang of the door of the hut in my back startled me nearly upright, and I felt a certain kind of dread rise inside of me when I saw Tane walking down through the grass. Apparently my unease must have stood plain on my features, as he slowed a few feet away from me, with a faltering frown on his face. During the last few days I had nearly never seen him smiling, and surely not at me, only hunting for pangs of pain in my eyes at Chelsea’s presence, or smirks directed at my general disposition. Now noting of that was visible, although I didn't know what to do with him.

Just like most of the time he took that decision from me and flopped down next to me, staring into the distance while I stared inquiringly at him. When he finally turned to face me, he did it with a heavy sigh. "So now we are where I never wanted us to be - where others make all the decisions for us." Frankly, I had anticipated something different from him, but I was not in the right mind to brake a fight, so I chose silence to be my answer.

When nothing came from me Tane sighed again, and went on. "I guess I cannot blame you for it." As always, my resolutions didn't hold for more than two seconds. "Blame me for what? In my eyes I'm to blame for nothing at all!" A slight smile brought a corner of his mouth upwards, as if it genuinely amused him when he brought me to raise my voice again. Maybe it really did. "Oh, well, you evidently let Drake bait you to do exactly what he wanted with extra juicy bits, and you know it." That only deserved a low growl from me, with the frustration rising that had been buried under tons of grief before. Yet before I could voice that all, Tane went on.

"I know, it would probably have ended even worse would I have been here. And we could have spared us this if I hadn't been so stubborn and been satisfied with paying you back that kick tenfold in the first place." To my surprise he really looked guilty, at least a little. "But that does not change a thing, now does it?" Just like him to destroy any sentimentality that might be building inside of me. But it at least left me with just the truth to say, without any attempts to turn it into something more pleasant. "Well, yes, it doesn't. But I'll be the only one to bear it, so why bother? You wanted me to rue my triumph seriously, and that I'm doing, or at least will be doing in a week's time. What's it to you?"

Even now, somewhat basking in my misery, it was a kind of dire satisfaction to see a brief spurt of hurt in his eyes. To be true, between us it had never been that way that I had always been meek and nice around him. About one third of the pains he had so succinctly dealt to my body had been somewhat provoked by me, be it by words or deeds. But now it was different. This time, maybe for the first time ever, my words had struck true. Whatever the reasons, he seemed genuinely sorry for ... well, I didn't know what exactly he was so sorry for, but in my current situation everything was better than nothing. Maybe not knowing for sure, too.

Nevertheless, he still wasn't at a loss of words, so he did answer after a long silence. "I don't know, maybe it's just that living together with you rather in harmony for the better part of a year has made me quite fond of you." Coming from a man who had never said anything about his feeling for me, but never been short to praise my bodily advantages, that sounded rather strangely like something I was not sure I wanted to ever hear, but at least not now. So I chose to bring the topic back to our, or rather, my problem, to avoid any further confessions.

"So what are we going to do about it? I guess it's a waste of time to try to teach her anything in under a week, even if we take turns trying to explain or show her anything?" A bit taken aback by my change of subject, Tane took his time answering. "Technically she could learn something, but I don't think that we would accomplish enough to satisfy anyone. I mean, you were about to get a knack on it yourself when you came here, she's about two years away from that. I guess she couldn't even save herself if her life depended on it." It is always good to get some confirmations about your own abilities, even in retrospective, but right now I would have preferred it the other way round.

But somehow that was not really all that bothered me. But it was hard to ask the next question, harder than I would have anticipated it. "And do you want her to pass that test? Do you want her to stay?" I left the last part that came to my mind, do you want me to go, unsaid, but I guess I couldn't keep the question out of my eyes, as Tane's sigh came heavy again while he was searching for an answer. That alone was more than I wanted to hear. When he finally spoke, a new kind of numbness began to spread through me, letting something drown in me that I hadn't known existed.

"I honestly don't know. As a pupil she would likely drive me crazy in a month's time, but as a woman ..." I just wished he hadn't put it so plain, but I had asked him directly, and it wasn't his way to talk around a subject without answering it to the point. The helpless look in his eyes made it just a little worse, but not enough not to bear it anymore.

Suddenly I wished that it would already be next week so I would have something to take my mind off this conversation, and maybe a chance to bodily purge me from my misery, but right now my life wasn't running to my favour. Maybe it was for the better, too. And as the silence between the two of us grew heavier by the moment, I chose to break it with the first thing that came to my mind. "Maybe we can bargain it down to something that Drake can accept and still leave her here."

Tane must really be somewhat besotted with her, as he just looked at me in a bewildered way, not questioning my motifs at all. "And what do you propose?" That I would keep to myself, I decided, at least for now, and provided just the basic details I might need for it to work. "Well, if she could somehow learn enough to show a certain potential for further learning, or if you could stage that, it might be enough to satisfy the official part of his inquiry. Concerning the rest, I guess we'll find something, and if not, he might want something we are right now not thinking about. Do you think it might work?"

He seemed to ponder that for a few minutes, then nodded. "Maybe. But I don't know if we will be willing to provide what he might ask for." If I was not too wrong about Drake, that should not be an option with my proposition, but I opted to remain silent and let that be answer enough. Seemingly that was the case as Tane just nodded, and remained silent thereafter.

Even through the numbness in me a kind of restlessness began to surface, and just sitting in the grass became more tedious from minute to minute. Finally I could hold still no longer and got up, to make a show of stretching myself before looking down at Tane. "So I guess we should at least try to get her to throw sparks around, now shouldn't we?" I hadn't intended it, but somehow my tone grew a little bit sharp, making Tane's brows draw together. "I guess you wouldn't reckon it, but I already tried during the last days, as I anticipated something like that." And just like him to leave us just when disaster was about to happen. Yet I was still too disturbed to rise to that bait, and just shrugged. "Maybe I should try it, too. I mean it's just half a year ago since I learned to summon fire at any time, I still remember how it was before. I might just be able to explain it to her. And we are both girls, and there are some things that only girls can learn from one another, if you understand what I mean." I just had to say that, even if it angered him. And somehow I hoped that I was right.

_____________________

This afternoon, and the six following days, proved me wrong. Between the two of us Tane and me did our best to explain things to Chelsea that seemed as foreign to her as flying. We accomplished nothing, at least concerning her progress. What I did manage was getting her to grow fond and attached to me. Even if my mood was never better than indifferent, and often laced with anger and frustration, she saw something like a kind elder sister in me. But that didn't do a thing to lighten the thunderclouds that seemed to follow me around the whole day and night through. And it only grew worse when Tane didn't make any attempts to talk to me again, or make some advances towards me. Either I had really lost his favour, or he thought it still inappropriate in every way.

The only thing positive about the whole thing was that my futile teachings got me so out of my mind that when I tried Elana's portal spell on the last evening before my certain doom, it worked on the first attempt. It left me gaping at the moonlight streaked hills where I had lived my childhood, and long after the portal had closed itself I realized that this way I would at least be able to flee whatever I would submit myself to in the morning. Provided I would be able to reopen that portal again, but somehow I didn't doubt myself or the provided bleakness and desperation that had made it work this time. Desperation I could muster enough for everything, right now.

I didn't sleep at all this night, and more than once I was about to pack my scarce belongings and run away on the spot. Yet every time I was about to get up, the last vestiges of my pride held me back. So the new day dawned with me being afraid, tired and desperate all at the same time. All too soon I heard Tane and Chelsea in the next room, and instantly chose to flee at least my room and the hut. Without eating breakfast I sat down on the meadows well away out of earshot of the hut, and waited. For what exactly I waited I did not know, but I didn't want to hear Tane and Chelsea say good-bye to one another. Even freezing to death out here in the cool morning breeze was better than staying inside with them only a room away.

When the sun hit the horizon well away from our high mountain range, a portal buzzed open only a few meters away from my place. Dread instantly choked me, but lessened when the portal closed itself after emitting only one slight figure. Elana took her time orienting herself, and when she saw me sitting in the grass a benevolent if sad smile came to her face and lit her cunning eyes. "My dear, what are you doing out here in the cold? Even in Mendala it is cold these mornings, but here it must still be freezing!" Judging form the last patches of snow that still littered the meadows she must have been right, but I couldn't care less. Still, her concern warmed something inside of me, and when I got up and went to greet her I did it smiling.

"Oh, I'm used to it by now. And it is good to see you here. But what brings you this early, and why alone? Won't the others come soon?" I didn't dare hope that Drake somehow had let this certain chance to bug us pass, and her sadly shaking her head negated that without words. "I wanted to be here to check on the situation beforehand, and maybe lend a helping hand." At that I just frowned. "She hasn't made any progress, and only a miracle might help us now." I sounded as doubtful as I felt myself, but Elana only smiled benevolently. "As I said, I came to help. Miracles I cannot provide, but maybe a little ... head start."

Now that really made me frown. I hadn't expected something like that from her - if anyone of the mages I knew was respectable, it was her. "Are you suggesting cheating?" Elana just laughed, and I guess it was solely to the benefit of my doubtful tone. "Oh, I wouldn't call it cheating. I'm just trying to avoid a complete disaster!" She chuckled, but sobered all too soon. "Child, I cannot promise anything, and even if it works and no one suspects a thing, I fear that I will not be able to deflect everything. Where there is no spark, no wildfire can erupt."

But even that was more than I had hoped for only minutes ago, and Elana seemed relieved when I mustered a small smile. "I guess if you can manage her just doing anything, as small as it might be, it would be enough. Let me bear the consequences of my rash tongue, but she has not deserved to suffer for mere ignorance."

In the knowing eyes of the older woman before me I could see that she did understand my words in every meaning there could be, but she didn't say anything to that, but just nodded. "Whatever you believe stands before you I cannot lessen for you, but believe me, if you got well along with Tane, Drake will not be your undoing. Even if he might bear you a grudge, he cannot break any conventions we keep at the Academy, or his status is forfeit, and I do not think that any amount of his pride or anger would justify that. I don't know if it helps you, but Lathea bade me to tell you that she will keep an eye on you, and stop anything that she judges to break the bonds of your bet." Apparently everyone knew about our little bet, and also the stakes. Maybe it said something about me, but that didn't really bother me. Rather the contrary.

I just nodded my thanks, and then pointed towards the hut. "We might as well get up there and things going, before the others arrive. I really don't want this chance to elude me." Elana nodded, and off we went. The front room of the hut was still unoccupied, so I sighed and then raised my voice to call for Tane. Within two minutes all four of us sat at the kitchen table, and the old mage told us about her plan. In the beginning Tane seemed rather doubtful, but soon Elana had persuaded him that her plan would work.

Maybe "plan" was a little bit much to describe the small enchantment she placed around Chelsea's left hand. After two tries the young woman was able to set it off, and a small cloud of sparks emitted from her fingers. It was not even enough to singe the fine hairs on her hand, but we could only hope that it would work under stress. But even I had to grant Chelsea that she wasn't as dumb as she pretended to be. She wasn't much brighter, either, but I was sure that she would manage it. Now the only thing we could hope for was that nobody detected the enchantment in the first place.

As she did not want to raise Drake's suspicion, Elana returned to Mendala long before the commission could gather there and set out to our home. This way it left us with another hour to ponder our fears. I still had no mind to eat breakfast, but prepared a simple milk soup for Tane and Chelsea. Maybe she would just choke on it and rid me of my problem. But of course she did not, and all too soon we could hear a portal being opened outside, and went to greet our visitors.

This time Drake had opted to leave his warriors behind, but was not accompanied by two mages as he had been at my test a scarce year ago, but by six, two of them being sorcerers. Apart from him I only recognized Avelas and Elana, both of them giving me a strange sort of good feeling about this, but the others all looked stern and forbidding, as if this whole matter was below their dignity. For once, I could understand that, although it stemmed from another reason. I guess even my third level test would not have led them to different expressions.

Drake and Tane exchanged their usual pleasantries, meaning snarls and jabs, without much ado. Meanwhile Anthony chose to leer at me, but a certain calm slowly settled over me as the things I had dreaded so much during the last hours slowly set into motion. I was feeling like a small leaf in the wind - unable to control my fate further, but knowing that whatever might come it would not be my certain doom, as I had still believed last week. Anthony didn't realize my attitude, but Drake did. Before his banter with Tane could get out of hand, he stopped it by simply ignoring my teacher, and instead turned to talk to me.

"If I didn't know it better, I would say you look as if the whole thing wouldn't concern you in the least. Have you found a loophole in our agreement that I should be aware of?" I blinked briefly, as if his comment had startled me, and decided to play my hidden cards before anyone could uncover them for me. "If you please, I'd like to have a word with you, alone."

I don't know who looked more taken aback, Drake or Tane, who tried to look questioningly at me without anyone else seeing it. I opted for ignoring him, as there was no way of telling him why I did this without telling him everything, and the last thing I needed was his pride blowing my game. But although he was astonished, Drake nodded, and together with walked a few meters until we were out of earshot of the others.

When he turned to me he was about to get a similar leer as Anthony on his features, and surely let some comments emphasize it, but I forestalled this by a rather harsh declaration. "Please can this crap, you are just undermining your credibility. I'm fully aware of your attitude towards Tane, and I also know what I have to offer what might be worth staring at, so for once let us talk like two responsible adults." Again surprise crossed his features, but it left him stern and concentrated, bidding me with a nod to continue.

I inhaled noisily, trying to summon the courage needed for my undertakings. "Look, we both know that Chelsea is a lame duck, and why ever Tane is so besotted with her, I am not letting her be my ruin." Drake raised his eyebrows in acted concern. "So now you are afraid of the stakes for you in our bet?" I wanted to answer quickly, but nearly choked on the words. So I inhaled once again and closed my eyes briefly. "No. Certainly not." With that I opened them again and stared him right in the eyes. "Just whatever will happen during this test, leave her here. She won't pass it with enough breathing space for me to be out of your dept, that I know, and I will come with you, even willingly and with only small reluctance." I had more or less anticipated a sly remark coming from him, but he only frowned a bit, nearly good-naturedly. Somehow this all was beginning to freak me out, but just because it was getting stranger by the minute.

"Why are you looking at me this way?" Drake blinked briefly, then let the frown disappear. "Well, I guess I just realized that I did you a favour with the bet, not the intended contrary, but nevertheless must have driven Tane nearly insane, judging from the stares he directs at us, and by that I mean not only me." Now it was my turn to look surprised, and when I turned my head to look back at the others, I could only confirm Drake's observation. "There are many things that drive him mad, most related to you." This time he really chuckled, but no real malice shone in his eyes. "That is not for me to answer. But you evidently avoid commenting on my former reflection."

I had to fight down colour creeping up my face, but was sure to be at a loss there. "Yes, you might just have done me a favour, of sorts. But why are you astonished about it? I mean, nearly everyone knows about Tane's tastes, why is it so farfetched that I might share some aspects of them?" The sorcerer just shrugged. "That is not really what bothers me. I just didn't think that my former pupil has been so successful in driving a wedge between the two of you by bringing the girl here. I did not reckon him stupid enough to make you glad to leave him."

I frowned again, but didn't utter another word. For me, there was nothing left to say to this topic. Drake apparently recognized my attitude, and went on. "So more or less, whatever she does, or does not accomplish, you will come with me, and won't try to bail yourself out of our bargain any other way?" I nodded, although the lump was back in my throat. Seeing everything settled, Drake turned around and walked back to the others, with me trailing behind several steps.

To my gratitude, Drake's demeanour changed the moment he was again within earshot, bantering with Anthony, angering Tane, scaring Chelsea, and so on. I just ignored most of the things that went on around me, which was not particularly hard because I felt numb enough that our little staged show did not really awaken my interest - and as Drake had already agreed to let any possible result count, it did not really matter anyway.

Still, Chelsea did a good job in finally setting the hidden enchantment off, and apart from Tane and Elana the others looked as interested as I was myself. With this settled, the assembled mages and sorcerers turned to go. Before Tane could intervene anyhow, Drake beckoned me rather friendly, to Anthony's clear displeasure, to accompany him, but it would have been too easy if Tane wouldn't have tried to cross my plans somehow. Maybe he really thought I needed his rescue, but when he held me back with one hand at my shoulder I just turned and stared right at him.

"Please let me go. You've taken enough from me, at least let me take my own decisions and leave me the last vestiges of my honour!" I had lowered my voice to a low hiss, but I was nearly sure that most of the onlookers would have heard me if they only wanted. This did not seem to bother him, as he neither let go of me, nor spoke on in a low voice. "You really don't have to go with him, we'll find a way around it." Although a slight note of pleading went with his tone, his voice was strangely cold, but then he always acted strange around his former teacher. Right now I was in no mood to let him mess this up.

"I don't mind what you think, now let go of me. I made the decision, and I will stand up to my word." Tane's eyes narrowed at my tone, and his grip on my shoulder only hardened. "No, I will not let you walk into your doom just because of your stupidity and stubbornness!" His fingers nearly dug painfully into my shoulder, but when I tried to wrench free he still didn't let go. "I warn you, leave me be!" Now I was the one to spew poison at him, but he still only glowered at me. This was the moment when I finally realized that he did not do it to save me, but just because he found the thought that his pupil would run off to his declared enemies unbearable. It was just for his own sake that he wanted me to stay here, and not because of me. This hurt nearly as much as seeing him swoon over Chelsea. And it fuelled equal amounts of anger.

"Now let me go or you'll regret it!" With that I tore free, on the same time bringing my other arm around and summoning flames over my palm, holding the medium sized ball of fire before his face. Tane took several steps back as if I had already launched my missile, and looked balefully at me. He did not even seem to battle with his feelings for me, but saw me lost to his egoistical cause the moment I turned from him. That realization went like a shock through me, extinguishing the flames all by itself.

For another ten heartbeats I stared at him, then turned commentless around and walked up to where Drake was waiting for me. Amusement danced around the corners of his mouth, but he remained silent. Only Anthony, looking a bit dumbfounded, opened his mouth to say something, but Drake shushed him with a mere look. Without further invitation I stepped through the already summoned portal, feeling again like I left my whole life behind myself.

The portal opened to the great square inside the entry halls of the Academy grounds in Mendala. The last time I had been here seemed like last year, but it had only been a few days. Somehow that made me feel a little doleful - things had been better then, or so I had believed. I just hadn't known what might be the consequences for my actions, but to be true, I would kick Tane surely again if I had the chance. I very much wanted to kick him right now.

The other mages and sorcerers quickly went their way, even Elana after a last glance at me, for which I was rather grateful. Somehow the whole thing with the bet was very humiliating, even though it was less so than the others might believe. But there are some things where it is simply impossible to see them in a positive light. This was one of them. I would make the best out of it, but in the end it remained a remainder for my own stupidity.

Again Anthony tried to coax me, but as before Drake very efficiently intercepted this with a growled remark, and off we went through the halls to Drake's private quarters. Once again I was feeling a little light-headed, and even if I had tried, which I did not, I would not have seen much of my surroundings. Maybe there would come a day when I would be granted to look at the interior of the Academy with open eyes and mind, but surely not today. My mind was simply railing too much.

It took our small party rather long to get to our destination, as Drake's quarters were situated at the opposite end of the complex. In passing he told me that most of the other mages and sorcerers lived near the library, but as he seldom needed books for study he had opted to live near the storerooms where only few people went every week, to grant undisturbed working conditions. He couldn't really keep from smirking a little but then, but I did not hold it against him. Tane's hut also was not exactly inside the bustle of a village.

Thinking about Tane automatically tightened my throat considerably, so I tried to ban him from my thoughts. Maybe I had made a mistake in nearly attacking him, but then everything could have reverted back to normal by the time I got back to him again. Considering the mood swings during the last days this was not entirely impossible - at least if Chelsea somehow grew horns and flew away. At least I was sure to have something to take my mind off this matter before me for a rather lengthy time.

When we finally arrived at his quarters, Drake opened the heavy oak door for me and bid me formally to enter his home. I just raised my brows in question, and entered. Inside, I began to wonder why Tane lived in a small, spartanical hut if other sorcerers could live in quarters like these.

From my point of view I could only see the large entry hall, and archways to two rooms leading opposite and to my left away from here. The sandstone blocks on the floor were partly obscured by intricately patterned carpets, and a few pictures lined the walls. Plants were arranged together with scarce sofas all over the place, and moderately filled bookshelves lined the walls. It all had an air of understated luxury, and was strangely homely, too. From the room that led away opposite of the entrance door, I could see more couches for reclining, a small table and chairs for dining, and a huge sunny balcony that seemed to open into lush gardens.

Drake left me enough time to admire his home, then bid me to follow him, and went into the room to the left. This one looked more like a study, with two large desks, and bookshelves from floor to ceiling, most of which were filled with scrolls. The same as in the entrance hall, all visible wood was of a deep, lush mahogany. Without stopping Drake went on into the next room, apparently the anteroom to the two sleeping quarters. The room was not particularly large, and looked even smaller because the side that would lead towards the living room was occupied by a large flight of stairs. Without hesitation Drake went below, with Anthony and me trailing in his wake.

Below was only one room, about half the size of the entrance hall, with no door towards the stairs, and only a curtain obliterated what lay beyond. I nearly winced when suddenly candles and torches all over the room burst into flame, casting the room into eerie light. Drake just looked enquiringly at me. "Are you not able to alight that many candles at once, that it bothers you when I do so?" I shook my head, but as this clearly did not answer his question correctly, I spoke after casting another futile look around. This was a dungeon. A real dungeon.

"We don't have that many candles up at the hut, but I am sure that would I know where they all stand I would be able to ignite them without a second guess." Bringing out a coherent sentence was rather difficult, as my mind needed several moments to grasp what my first impression meant, and that was far more impressive as Drake's little show. The whole chamber was stacked with what I might refer to as tools, although I could not really be bothered to determine the exact use for all of them. To sum it up, it might best be described as a place for torment and pain, but I was willing to bet a lot that it was more frequently used as a pleasure chamber than an interrogation room. I could just hope that I would not find out the use of some of the more dangerously looking objects.

What I could definitely put a use to was a whipping post at the end of the room, several racks for being tied down in various degrees of discomfort and suspension, and an oddly out of place looking armchair that I thought was not really for the comfort of the one to visit the other attractions around the room. There were also a lot of supplies visible, ranging from ropes to whips and floggers, and several other paraphernalia of the trade. It all let my mouth go dry, my knees go week, and my pussy wet.

I guess I could be happy that my lie a week ago had worked, because judging from Drake's smug grin my thoughts were readily displayed on my face. To be true, even if I had deemed it important I would not have been able to hide my feelings, but as he had surely not brought me down here just to talk, he could as well know that I was not only feeling unease creeping up my spine.

I was just about to offer some words of admiration for the assembled collection before me, when Anthony finally could no longer keep his mouth shut, and ruined the whole situation. "Now what is this all about? Are we gonna fuck her, or just stand around the whole day through?" For a moment, Drake's face looked like a solid mask, before anger broke over his features. When he spoke, it was in clipped tones, with malice seeping in underneath. "It is my place to decide here, and if you cannot rein in your temperament, you might as well go do something useful, like study the whole day in the library."

I just blinked, being a little surprised that he spoke with his pupil as if he were an unruly child, not a sorcerer of the second grade, and a nearly grown man, too. Apparently Anthony thought along the same lines as I, because now it was his gaze that heated up. "Oh, come on, it's the sole purpose she's here, why stall if we can have her now? I'm sure she doesn't mind, she likely wants to run back to her saviour as fast as possible. And it's the only use she will ever be to anyone, so why not take the chance now?" For a moment it looked as if Drake might get even more angry, but suddenly his face froze up again, making him somehow look very alike Tane.

"Anthony, sometimes you are a dumb as a stone. If you cannot even judge a possible ally if you see one, I should just let you have your way with her, and brush down your ashes two minutes later. Now go be useless somewhere else, and don't return until evening. I will explain it to you then, if you don't have the whit to recognize it yourself." This time there came no retort from the pupil, who just stared balefully at me for a moment, and was gone for good after a short murmur that did not entirely sound friendly to my ears. About ten seconds later the door to the outer hallways banged shut loudly.

Drake emitted a sound of pure annoyance, before turning back to me. Seeing my somewhat wary look, he briefly grunted. "Sometimes he still acts like a child. Apparently a trait that most of my pupils never loose. I guess you know behaviour like that quite well." He chuckled when I just stared at him, and folded his arms before his chest. "Now before we get to the juicy details and the fun, we should have a talk. Opposed to my former view of you, you have been acting rather sensible today, so it gives me hope that you are not yet a lost cause." I just blinked at the comment, wondering if it was a compliment or not. When there came no answer from me, Drake went on.

"You see, I am not the monster Tane has likely let you think I am, and if I want to, I can be as sensible as the next person. Now tell me again why you are here, and don't say because of loosing the bet. Why the bargain, and why the willingness?" I took my time answering, and when I finally spoke up my voice sounded nearly normal, although I felt quite nervous.

"I could just say because of this room, but I guess you want some more civilized answer." For that I gained a chuckle and a small smile. "So let me take a guess - the walls are talking around here sometimes, and gossips spreads faster than a wildfire. You have fallen from grace, and been replaced by that miserable excuse for something pretending to be a woman, and the ascetic life is not yours to enjoy. And suddenly you realize that there is more to it than just the attraction of her boobs, and cannot stand being rejected, so you do the first thing that comes to your mind to hurt him back, and welcome the possibility to come to me."

Again I nodded, even if I would not have put it quite this way, and not quite so frankly, either. Drake just seemed more amused by the minute. "So as I already said, I unwillingly did you a favour." "A favour yes, but one I'm willing to pay for, if you might accept it." I tried to put a little suggestive attenuation to my tone, but as I knew myself likely failed. The sorcerer just scratched his chin, and leered a bit, as if to answer my advance this way. "Very well, I'm happy to give you a tour through my little chamber here, and rest assured, tomorrow no one will be able to say that you not fulfilled your side of the bargain, as it will likely be visible on your body and in the way you are likely not able to act as if nothing happened. If you want that to be everything, we will conclude our deal, and declare things settled between the two of us."

That sounded very much like an invitation for more. "And what if not?" For that I got a sincere smile. "Well, apart from being a woman with bodily needs you are a young sorceress prior to coming into her full abilities. Tane might be able to teach you a lot, but I've had twenty years longer to learn than he had, and there are things he might likely not teach you out of some sentimental fear that they might corrupt you, that I am very willing to let you decide for yourself if you want to know them. And if you feel the need for some distraction, you will always be welcome down here."

The whole thing did not really surprise me, but in the contrary made me somewhat suspicious. "Two weeks ago at my test you looked as if you'd give anything to see me burn, as the pupil of your opponent, and now you offer me your knowledge and expertise? Don't you think this strange?" Drake just shrugged. "Last year at your initial test I thought you were ... let's stick to no pretence, I though you were just Tane's fuckmeat. He never before accepted female pupils, and you are not a hag to be only judged by her abilities, so it was the thing that seemed most plausible. And call me childish, I like to spoil Tane's stupid games. At the test two weeks ago I still reckoned you as someone like your dear Chelsea, that's why I put Anthony at your trail - to mock your teacher, and to show you that there is no place in our community for you."

He paused briefly, as if his words needed emphasis, before speaking on. "But you proved yourself capable, and not only that, regarding the short time period of your study you show a lot of talent. After the test I was willing to leave it at casual pranks, but when Lathea told me last week that Tane was direly neglecting your training, if not you yourself, I decided to cross his plans once more. If it left me with you at my mercy instead of his bed, and as my prospective pupil, all the better."

Now it was my time to contemplate this for a while, and when I answered, I began to feel slightly light-headed. "So you really meant your offer about teaching me?" Drake confirmed it with a nod. "Yes, and as there are a lot of other capable people around here - or rather a lot of people and some of whom are capable, you can always go pestering them if I feel like they could teach you something useful. This is the second-greatest magical academy in the land, so why should we keep our pupils confined to small houses in the middle of nowhere? And as you are already quite versed in the ways of defence, I might also send you on small errands, so that you won't get bored sitting around here all the time."

It just sounded too good to be true, and when I told him exactly that, Drake laughed out loud. "Then don't let this chance pass you by. I mean, no one forces you to continue your training anyway, so why bother? Just do what you like." That made me somewhat be taken aback. "What do you mean by that?" "By what?" My frown deepened. "That no one forces me to continue learning. I'm only second grade, not yet finished with my training." The sorcerer looked a little dumbfounded.

"Now did Tane never tell you that after mastering the first level, you are free to go and study on wherever and whenever you like?" I only shook my head, feeling a little bewildered, with a certain degree of despair rising inside of me. Not only had be kept me locked away and used be, but never told me that there would be so many alternatives around for me. And I had been bothered about Elana sending me her book of spells. I would have had every right to visit her myself, had I just known it.

Apparently some of my feelings showed on my face, because Drake clicked his tongue in an annoyed way. "Now don't rue any missed chances, it is just over two weeks that your so happy life got ruined, and the same time span that you could have ventured out on your own. And in one point I have to agree with Tane, with someone who shows potential, it is always best to continue your apprenticeship before strolling off into the wilds. And Tane has suffered enough because of his former ignorance, so blame him for betraying you but not for omitting these details." Again something that got me thinking. "So he left before finishing?"

Bewilderment briefly crossed Drake's face, before he smoothened out his features again. "Oh yes, or would you think that someone as innate to magic as Lathea would have overpowered a sorcerer of the final grade? Not even the most powerful potions can keep a fully trained sorcerer from his element for long. But he was only second grade, and not good at his defensive spells, so things went the way they did. I guess that was one little detail he omitted when telling you his sad, sad story. I guess he also did not tell you that he afterwards begged me to continue his training, on his knees, and only hates me now because I denied his plea because of his former insolence."

Of course this made sense. Nevertheless, it cast many things I had heard over the last year into a truly different light, including Tane, and also Lathea. Still, even if I was more than ready to take everything for granted right now that cast my teacher into a bad light, I could not believe that he had lied that much about everything to me. It was even possible that both versions of the same facts were true, as contradictory as they might seem at the first look. But right now I was really not in the mood to rack my brains about Tane’s past. My present seemed far more important.

“Well, thank you for telling me all this – but it is not the reason why I am here, now, is it?” The sorcerer’s face lit a bit up when my voice took on a slightly throaty tone, but the smile he granted me was nearly benevolent. “I guess keeping you up in conversation without perspective of anything splendidly corporeal happening to you soon might well be the worst kind of torture you will likely meet here today.” I couldn’t help smirking a bit. “Might just be right. So what do you have in mind?” I could just hope that he either did not hear the tremble in my voice, or judged it for the anticipation that it was.

Before Drake might have acted like a prick towards me, but now he revealed himself to be of a quick wit when it came to seeing through schemes. “Just to the point, I value that when it comes to important things.” He briefly scratched his chin, then extended one hand to encompass the whole room within the gesture. “If you want to, I can give you a detailed tour through my little playing room, but I prefer showing by using, and as we have roughly 24 hours of time, I guess we will get through all the major attractions. Is that okay with you?”

Once again my mouth was going dry, so I just nodded. Drake did not linger on that, but went on with a more serious tone. “You see, I will take great care that nothing seriously dangerous will happen to you here, as I hope that you might somewhat enjoy your stay with me, and return presently, but for today, as sort of a punishment for your loosing your bet I would like you not to have a saveword to use, so that you have to trust me. Can you abide to that?”

Fear began to quench my stomach and heart, but I quickly fought it down. I had until now never used a saveword, and the times when I had been near using it Tane had always told me afterwards that it had been quite apparent how far he could have gone, or if I had been at the end of my capabilities. But that had been after nearly half a year of playing together. Drake and me had been nearly enemies hours before, so unconditional trust came slowly, and very grudgingly.

Seeming my hesitation, the sorcerer spread his hands in an assuaging way. “Of course I will do my best to keep you near, but still far away, from needing such precautions. And should there be some emergency, like cramping or a fit of uncontrollable panic, rest assured that I will instantly stop with whatever I am doing, and release you. It is just my way of getting back at you directly, thinking of outwitting me.” His deep smile was as teasing as his words, and somehow broke the fear in me a bit. “Ok, I guess I can always incinerate everything around me anyway, so I can well manage without a saveword.” At that he just smirked. “Trying it again, hm?” That needed no answer, and also got none.

Drake just went on after making sure that I had nothing to add. “As another condition I want your permission to leave marks on your body. Nothing permanent, but with enough impression that Tane will be hard pressed to ignore it.” I blinked briefly, before shrugging. “Well, I generally don’t mind marks as long as they fade with time. You surely have more detailed visions of that?” Somehow I got the impression that Drake was already enjoying himself, as he looked like a sated cat lying in the sun.

“Oh, I thought about spanking you long and hard enough to leave your ass and thighs in red stripes, if you can stand it even with some longer lasting slight injuries that will keep you from sitting for a while. I’d also like to tie you up about two hours before you leave again, releasing you just beforehand, so that there are rope marks on your ankles and wrists. And I guess I’ll also find something for your breasts, should he want to check there.” I couldn’t help blushing a bit while Drake elaborated his plans, much to his apparent delight. Still, he went on without comment.

“If everything works out fine, and mind you, only if you can find some appeal in it, I’d like to do a short rape scene with you and rough you up a bit. Should you desire me calling for additional backup, that should also not be a problem.” This made me blink, before I could even look surprised or disdained. Of course I had been fantasizing about being forced into sex against my will, I guess that comes with my lifestyle, but never with a concrete idea of making it real. When I spoke, there was an audible tremble in my voice that could not entirely be due to anticipation.

“Just define rough me up and backup?” Somehow I waited for a smirk, but Drake stayed honestly neutral with a hint at concern and understanding should I decline. “With backup I meant that it might appeal to you to be taken and used not only by me, but by several men. There is a certain group of young recruits here that have a favour for this kind of play, and play only I mean, who have already done things like that, and show quite some experience and efficiency. I guess they would be quite happy to assist me in making you scream because of different reasons. And with roughing you up I meant really beating you and slapping you in the face, most likely ending in several blotches and marks, and surely swollen eyes from crying. It can be quite appealing to have a woman dissolve in tears during play.”

Somehow all of this was too much for me, at least presented in one compact sentence all at once. On the one hand it made me highly afraid, but if I had some time to consider it properly, I might even come to terms with it. But still …

Apparently I must have looked a bit white around the edges because Drake indicated the cosy seat to my left. “If you feel a little wobbly, feel free to sit down before you fall and injure yourself. I understand that I am asking quite a lot of you, but you strike me as the woman who might enjoy something like that.”

In most other situations I might have declined, but now I was happy to let myself fall into the soft cushions. Meanwhile Drake briefly looked around the room. “You don’t have to answer me now, if you are not sure whether you might accept this offer. I could just start with anything different, but you don’t look as if you would appreciate that much in your present state of mind.”

I just stared at him, before I licked my lips and answered. “No, I guess I’ll have to think about it for a moment. Do you want the answer now?” He just shrugged. “When you know it, you can always tell me, but for now I am happy to got you guessing. The boys should be available even on short notice, so as long as you are willing to stay another hour, you can take your time with deciding. But let me stress that again, they have done it before and know what they can do and what not, and when to react in what way. Of course there is a slight risk for you that you really panic and not only play on doing it and that no one will recognize it, but as you have put it so nicely before, when you start setting fire to everything we will know to have overstepped our limits. In that you have the advantage over us.”

I still did not know what to do about that subject, so I nervously switched to another. “Apart from that and the spanking marks, what else do you have in mind for me here?” The sorcerer seemed to have anticipated that question, and went on without hesitation. “I would generally like to tie you up and cause you some discomfort, being through pain or simply prolonged bondage. For a certain time I will stimulate you but not let you come, but when I come to the conclusion that you have suffered enough you will be allowed release. Still, I personally will not fuck you today, simply because it might be expected of me. So if you want to get banged you will likely have to submit to my former suggestion. But as I said already, not being penetrated by a man’s penis will likely not mean you having to stay unsatisfied. And in the end I would like you to give me a blowjob, sort of showing your appreciation for my efforts this way. Do you consent to all of that?” This time I was quicker to nod, and earned a brief smile from Drake.

As if everything, or at least the most pressing issues, were solved with that, he briefly rubbed his hands as if in anticipation. “Do you feel up to starting with a little warm-up?” My knees were still trembling, but I nodded nevertheless. I did not think standing unaided for prolonged times would be a prerequisite for starting. “Well, then I’ll get up and dressed accordingly. When I come back, it would be nice of you to be already completely undressed, awaiting me kneeling with downcast eyes in the middle of the room.” When I nodded hesitantly, his smile broadened a bit. “I have a knack for ceremony, so don’t let it get through to you too much if you don’t get everything right on the spot, or if things seem strange to you. I mean I need reasons why I do certain things to you, so don’t hesitate to provide them, now will you?” He never waited for my answer but went to the stairs behind the curtain and left the room.

For a moment I stayed sitting, then got up and started to undress. My fingers still shook, but now it was clearly from anticipation and not from fear. Somehow the sudden rush had cleared my mind again, as it might just have been intended, and I thanked Drake silently for it.

In no time I had gotten rid of my clothes, leaving them in a neat pile in one corner. The stone under the soles of my feet was strangely warm, as if it were heated somehow, while the air was of the cool quality that is still cosy but always gets my breasts all hard and perky. For just a moment I wondered what he would say to the patterns on my body, but before I could conclude the thought I heard someone approach, and hurried to kneel down with my eyes fixed firmly on the floor before my knees.

A slight tremble ran through me when I heard the curtains glide away, and out of the corner of my eye I could see Drake moving towards me, but kept my gaze downcast. I was sure to mess up everything all too soon, mustn’t provoke it to happen all the faster. From what I saw he had exchanged his robes for black leather pants and boots, leaving his aged yet still not unattractive upper body bare, but I couldn’t see much further than that.

“Ah, very good, such a good girl to follow orders so quickly. That deserves a little treat, now don’t you think?” He patted me on the head like a dog, and I heard him walking to one of the shelves behind my back. When he returned he stopped behind me. Something briefly touched my shoulder, and he told me to hold still. While I tried to figure out what he was about to do, he gathered my hair up and started to braid it in a rather tight braid. Once or twice I hissed when he pulled a little too hard, but his soft scolding noises brought me to keep silent without words. Still I found it a little strange for him to braid my hair, but I guess everyone after his own fancy.

When he was finished he tied the hair with leather cords together, and told me to lift the braid off my back. I did as told, and he gently ran his fingers over my neck and throat, making me shiver instantly. His fingers left my skin again, only to return with a broad leather collar that he fastened around my neck. He closed it rather tightly, but before I could protest his hands descended in my shoulders, forcing my down a bit.

“I will do as I please, and if it is my will to strangle you, you will comply. Do you understand that?” His voice had taken on a wholly different quality compared to our talk before, and I started to realize what he had meant with playing and scene beforehand. While Tane just delighted in staying wholly himself, Drake seemed to prefer acting. I guess that was what he had meant before he had left, and judging form his words about stressing his care I decided not to take his sentences too seriously, as long as they did not seem threatening. And the collar was not that tight, just tight. So I nodded, showing my compliance.

Apparently that had not been the correct answer, or not sufficient, as a hard smack on my head got me rocking forward, forcing me to catch my weight with my hands. Not knowing what to do I looked up at Drake, looking for a cue, but that only got me a second slap, this time on my cheek, with enough force to rock me back into a kneeling position and make me see stars a bit. He brutally pushed my head down again and downright shouted at me. “When I tell you to kneel, you will do so, and not change your position on your own. And even if you are too weak to stay in your given position, you will try to resume it as fast as you can, do you understand?!”

This time I kept my head down, blinking tears out of my eyes, and willing my shoulders that had involuntarily clenched to go down again. “Yes, I understand.” Still he was not happy with me, what a second slap in the face, this time on the other side, proved. A slight whimper escaped my mouth while I fought for balance, what only seemed to encourage him.

With agility he crouched down before me, caught my chin in a surprisingly hard grip, and turned my face upwards to meet his gaze. “You are only allowed to speak when directly spoken to, and you will always honour me by calling me ‘master’ or ‘sir’. Do you understand that, you ungrateful slut?” Being deprived of the possibility of moving my head, I opted for a verbal answer. “Yes, master.” My voice shook more than the slaps could be accounted for, and when he smiled cruelly I shuddered again. I was so not used to being treated this way, but somehow it was even more appealing to me as Tane’s mostly casual way.

For once being satisfied Drake let go of me and got up again. I cast my eyes to the floor again, not wanting to defy him by interested gazes. As things went, I did not have to wait long to get a feel for what would be coming next.

“It is amazing how even so simple tasks seem to be out of your grasp. I guess I have to make myself clearer. Maybe you will obey more after a short demonstration of what will await you should your disobedience continue. Now get up and walk over here, facing the pole.” When I turned around I saw him indicating the whipping post. With a queasy feeling in my gut I hurried to comply.

Drake got me to stand directly in front of the post, telling me to raise my hands and clasp them on the other side of the pole. He then got up on a stool and began to secure my hands together and to some sort of attachment site that I could not see. When he was finished he had me step back a bit, spread my legs and push my behind out. Once he had me this way he began wandering the room, all the while telling me what a slut I was as I was displaying my intimate parts so readily, but as he had in the first place wanted me this way I just listened to his voice, trying to ignore the content.

A whooshing sound, followed shortly by a sharp bite over my ass cheeks, confirmed my fear that the blocking had been too good, as it was accompanied by another roar. “You filthy cunt, are you even too dumb to do the simplest things? I told you to get closer, and open those legs more, will you!” I hastily complied, thereby forcing my bum even more out. Drake just grunted, and the whip bit into my flesh again, this time at my back. I jumped, but resumed my position again when I remembered his order from before. Still, I was too slow, and the whip caught me across the back of my thighs, making me howl for the first time, and unable to stand still with spread legs. Drake kept this game up for a while, making me jump and squirm while alternating shouting at me or just chiding me sweetly.

After fifteen or so lashes he stopped, dropping the whip where he was, and came to stand behind me. Once again he told me to spread my legs, this time accentuating it by shoving with his hands at the inner side of my thighs until he was satisfied. He left me briefly, only to return with a lot of rope. Quickly he secured it around my ankles and bound the other side of the ropes to until then hidden rings laid into the stone of the floor. When he was finished, my position was somewhere between uncomfortable and hard on my leg muscles, what he conformed my slowly stroking down the quivering muscles in my thighs.

Without warning he pushed his hand between my legs, exploring my labia briefly and gently tugging on the ring through my clit. I instantly tensed all over and hissed when a slight tough of pain radiated from the still sensitive spot, but Drake just leaned into me and whispered into my ear. “Just had to confirm the most curious story around here. Until now I wouldn’t have thought the wimp able of doing such a delicious thing.” With a chuckle he returned to the whip and took up making me jump and shout, only that now it was a lot more difficult to try to evade the whip. And Drake had a terribly good aim, as I soon began to realize.

Within minutes my whole back, ass and the back of my thighs was covered in flaming whip lashes, only rivalled by the pain in my muscles, and the starting pain in my shoulders. Of course they had recovered from Tane’s tender care one week past, but as there was considerable stress on these otherwise untrained muscles it was enough to keep me distressed all on its own.

The next three lashes landed dangerously near the inner sides of my thighs, and I was just about to get really bothered when Drake confirmed my fears, and the last whiplash landed on my labia, neatly between my pussy lips. This time I really jumped despite of the ropes, and my cry was instantly muffled my tears and heaves that got not enough air into my lungs to continue screaming. The pain was simply unbearable, and my voice seemed my only way of escape, pitiful as it might be.

Drake’s hand squeezing my shoulder made me go stiller again, while his second hand slipped between my legs. New pain welled up when he began to first stroke my hurting pussy lips, and only got worse when he started to deftly massage and pinch the flesh. I sobbed and whimpered, still breathing too rapidly, and finally started to beg for him to stop, but that only resulted in him letting go of my shoulder and banging my head forcefully against the wood of the pole. While stars marred my sight he took hold of my upper body again, pressing it towards to pole.

“Have I not told you that you are just allowed to speak up when directly addressed?” His voice sounded more amused than angry, but I guess it was hard to stay serious when I was making a fool of myself sobbing around. “Yes, master.” I just hoped he understood it between my whines. “And why did you just speak before, without being asked your opinion?” I noisily snuffled around, then answered. “I am sorry, sir, it was just too much for me. I won’t do it again, sir!”

Apparently happy with my answer he snorted good-naturedly. “Let this be the last time I have to remind you. You are my filthy, slutty slave, choice is beyond you. You are just here to obey, do you understand that? Unquestioned.” I nodded for emphasis. “Yes, master, I understand.” Luckily he left it at that and went on pinching my most private parts.

I hissed again when his fingers finally found the ring through my clit, but this time he was only tugging gently on it, more in a probing way than to hurt. A strange tingling sensation started to emanate from his fingers, and when I wanted to jump he pressed me down with his second hand again. “Just making sure that everything is all right and fit for my further exploits. I guess you’ve never until now been healed my a spell, hm? Just stay still, it will be over soon, so that we can resume.”

Once again he was true to his word, and soon the strange tingling was gone, same as the pain when he gently tugged on the ring. It just disturbed me a bit when it was instantly replaced by a strangely pleasurable feeling that was too close to having to pee to be comfortable for me. Once again he judged my reactions correct and inquired if everything was alright. I assured him of that, and after him nudging me told him about the strange sensation. This only made him chuckle. “Well, either you really have to use the bathroom, or it is just your way of responding. Is it similar to this?”

His finger left my clit and slid lower to tickle the spot where my urethra ended. I instantly began to wind myself in his grasp, but not because of discomfort, but just because it felt so good. This just made him laugh all the more. “Ah, I see, you are enjoying yourself quite well, you little pain slut. I just have to whip you and you get wet as a waterfall.” To underline his words he pushed two of his fingers into my vagina, what only made another slopping sound and made me giggle, something I rarely did, even during sex.

“So you find this funny, ha?” I shook my head, and just moaned when he used three fingers the next time he slid into me. The force with which he pushed me against the pole was getting heavier still when he leaned against me, pushing his fingers mercilessly into me. “You are really awfully ready to be fucked. Just how long has he left you unsatisfied?” There was no real question to whom Drake was referring, so I answered promptly. “About two weeks.” I nearly feared redemption when I realized that I had forgotten to address him by title, but his let it slide this time, apparently judging this a private conversation.

“And already you are that much yearning to be fucked? You should really consider the option I presented to you. With you so ready and wet it would surely be an amazing thing to be pounded into unconsciousness.” With that he suddenly stopped, withdrew his hands from me and left me leaning on the pole. At least it gave me time to cool down again a bit.

While I waited for him to continue, Drake took his time fidgeting around where I could not see him. When he finally approached me again I was breathing normally and thought myself rather composed. Without much ado Drake freed me from my bonds and had me turn around again.

After a quick once-over he clucked his tongue and extended one hand to encompass my right breast. His touch was firm, and I nearly didn’t flinch when his fingers moved on to pinch my nipple briefly. He did the same with my other breast, too, and then drew his hand pack to land a deftly blow first on one breast, then on the other. Again he uttered a noise of discontent, before leaving me again.

“Your breasts are simply too full to spank them properly unaided. Too much flesh to move away. I guess I will have to secure them properly before I can work with them. You like showing your breasts around, now don’t you?” When I did not answer, mostly because I did not know what he wanted to hear, Drake turned around and looked directly at me, while fetching some lengths of rope. “Say that you are my filthy whore, and beg me to bind your breasts and punish you for your unseemly pride.”

I had to swallow twice to keep a smirk out of my voice and from my face, but faithfully repeated the sentence. Drake just seemed delighted of my uttering, and went to work. At first he had me leaning my torso a bit towards the floor, so that my breasts started to hang down. With sure fingers he wound the first two ropes around my breasts, and a third around my neck, shoulders, and beneath my breasts. This way they directly jutted out on front of me when he told me to stand strait again. The rope bit painfully into my flesh, but I just gnawed on my lip and hoped for the best.

Next he told me to follow him, and lead me to a rope that was simply dangling from the ceiling. He fastened a large wooden bar to it that had additional attachment rings at the ends, and told me to stretch my arms to my sides, as far as I could. For a moment the ropes around my breasts moved, but the knots held tight and nothing slipped. My tormenter quickly secured my extended wrists to the wooden bar, that he started to raise with a winch fastened on the wall. In the end he left me balancing on the anterior parts of my feet, with my heels well off the floor. Naturally my breasts looked quite prominent in this situation.

When he came back to me Drake had a small flogger and a paddle with circular holes in his hands. He showed both to me with a succinct smile on his lips. “First, I will use the paddle on your breasts, and the flogger on your ass, just for warm-up. And then I will change the places, and flog your tits until they are a nice steady red and your bum is a warm to the touch. And I want no sound of protest from you, as you begged me to punish your breasts. Do you understand that?” I nodded, and decided to play nice. “Yes, master, and thank you for granting me my plea.” That got me a surprised smile, and a deftly smack at my breasts. “Nice to see that you mean what you say. You will not go unrewarded from this, my little cunt.” With that he disappeared from my field of vision, starting with the flogger on my behind.

Even with the whip lashes beforehand it did not really hurt to feel the strands of the flogger on my flesh, and also the paddle applied to my breasts with utmost signs of care was not even enough to make me flinch. It even made me relax a bit, while I tried to relish the steady rhythm of his beats. Before long he decided that I had had enough of a warm-up, and turned serious.

The first two or three impacts of the flogger on my bound breast were still light, but he steadily increased his force, making me dance on my toes to avoid the unavoidable. Within minutes my breasts began to colour to a warm red, aching all over. Drake briefly stopped to pinch my nipples, making me cry out, and decided that now my ass needed some serious spanking.

Soon I knew why he had taken his time warming my behind up, as the paddle was one mean instrument for spanking. I had anticipated it to be only a little worse than being spanked by hand, but either I had been wholly wrong, or the holes in the flat of the paddle made the difference. Whatever it was, it stung like nothing I had ever felt before, and within seconds I was shouting, moaning and trying to avoid the next slap that Drake finally gave up trying and stopped. I was so relieved that even the two slaps in the face he dealt me for my disobedience were easing in comparison. When he tried a second time it was even worse, and after slapping me he finally ended it for good. By then I hung sobbing in my bonds, quivering all over, and although I could not see myself I would not have been surprised if the whites around my irises would have been visible.

In all the past months nothing had ever brought me to bolt so fast, and if I had had a safe word I would have called it after the second slap. At first Drake set about scolding me, but when he realized that I did not react to his shouting he suddenly stopped, and within seconds I was sagging down to my knees when he released my arms from the bar. My chest was rising in erratic heaves, and although I was breathing deeply I could not get enough air into my lungs to stop from shaking and crying. In this very moment I so desperately wished for Tane to be there and comfort me in his arms that I felt like my heart was about to break, bringing me from sobbing to wailing loudly, while tears freely flowed over my face. I was only sure of one thing – I had never before been so miserable in my whole life.

Over time something started nagging at the rest of my mind, and when I was finally able to open my eyes and wipe away some of the still welling tears, I recognized Drake crouching before me, supporting me with one hand on my shoulder while speaking soothingly to me. I was still beyond understanding his words, but they somehow helped me to reassemble myself. And as it so often is with me, I went from wailing desperation to flaming hot shame within an instant.

When I crinched away from him Drake let me, and meanwhile got up to clean up the ropes that were lying on the floor. Only then did I realize that he had also rid me of the breast bondage, and was instantly grateful that there was no reason for him to touch me any further right away. I just felt so stupid, dissolving completely just because … because of nothing. This realization did not really help me, but at least the tears slowly stopped and started drying all over my face and upper body, leaving a salty taste in my mouth and on my lips.

Before I could even begin uttering an apology that I dearly felt was needed, Drake returned to me and handed me a blanket. I gratefully accepted it and nestled into it, more hiding behind the wool than bringing my nudity out of sight. When I looked up at Drake again I waited for reproach and disappointment, but he only smiled down gently at me, and held out his hand to help me to my feet. Hesitantly I let him help me, fighting down the bewilderment, as the shame was beyond going. My face felt like burning up, but as I must have looked a general mess, that could not have been the worse.

“I’m so sorry, I really don’t …” My voice was hoarse and broken, and maybe it was the best that he silenced me with a finger over my lips. “Don’t apologize, there is nothing to blame yourself for, and nothing to be sorry about. Things like that happen from time to time, and I guess it is vital for some things to simply come out on their own, or we would not be able to deal with them. Never felt something like that before?” I was about to shake my head, when suddenly unbidden images of Tane raging and nearly strangling me came back again. Once again I nearly broke out into tears, but something like a big weight was lifted from my chest, leaving me tired, drained, but also somehow cleansed.

When I reopened my eyes again, Drake was still watching me inquiringly. I just shook my head. “Not to me, no, but it explains something I have been wondering for a while.” And while it still hurt to think about Tane, at least that kind of pain had somewhat subsided to a dull ache. It still left me wary and shaking, but only tired, and no longer desperate.

Drake just grunted sympathetically, and softly patted my blanketed shoulder. “Would you like to return home? I could open a portal for you right here, if you want to and don’t feel up to the task right now.” For a moment I was about to accept, but the shame was still deep in my bones, and I was still not sure what would happen to my reacquired peace of mind when I saw Tane and Chelsea again, and together. So I just shook my head, rather vehemently. “No, I’ll stay till tomorrow, if you don’t mind. I mean we still have some unfinished business?”

The sorcerer clucked his tongue irritably. “Ah forget about that. I had my fun, you your enlightenment, and we surely both got back at the one who we will likely be blaming both for whatever happened or might have happened. Let’s call it even.” This somehow irritated me a bit, and shame flooded back, rearing its ugly head again. “If you say so for yourself, I still feel like I have not fulfilled my part of the dept, and would like to do so. Only maybe a little later, if I could rest somewhere here?”

Drake smiled slightly, and shrugged. “Well, who am I to decline the plea of a damsel in distress? We’ll talk about it later. You are welcome to sleep as long as you want, we have a nice, cosy visitor’s room just near the gardens, I’ll show you to it.”

With that we left the dungeon, and although I was partly loath to admit it, I was somewhat sorry that my behind and breasts only dully ached when I crawled into the soft covers of the offered bed and closed my eyes to catch the dearly needed sleep to regenerate my energies. If things went my way, I would need them dearly soon. And so I fell asleep with a smile the first time since my first visit to Mendala.