The Color of Blood *Closed*

[ForbiddenVerse]

The night was like any other night. It was dark and starless. The only light evident was the pale moonlight that sought to cover the world in its soft motherly glow. Not a torch was lit outside of the castle walls allowing only the natural light to prevail. Shapes in the darkness moved in hurried steps wanting to avoid the whip of their masters. Animals. All of them. They had human appearances but they had been trained and beaten to the point where that they could not be called human anymore if they were to begin with. Some of them were creatures born from the darkness and were cousins to their masters but they too were kept under boot and heel.

Whips whacked and crackled in the night. The vampire masters rode by on horses and herding their slaves back towards the castle walls like cattle. Few were allowed to remain outside. Those were the guards of the gate or crossed the towers with bows in hand. Only one vampire sat back on his white stallion apart from the crowd. He had pale skin like the rest of his kind and cold blue unfeeling eyes on the surface. One must obtain their mask around others if one wants to live to see the next night. His pale blonde hair flattered his defined face as did his black armor.

“My lord Carren, all the beasts are within the castle grounds now,” one male vampire informed the blond with a bow. Carren gave a wave of his hand dismissing him before urging his horse forward.

“You remember what my father said. There is a Creature out there in the forest. He informed us to find this creature and capture it,” Carren answered. “Bring the others and we will go now.”

“Yes m’lord.” The second vampire hurried off and left Carren waiting alone. He thrust his head back to gaze up at the full moon in the sky. It was the only thing of beauty at night. He would spend hours watching the moon and fantasizing that he could pluck it out of the sky and hold it close but that would be selfish of him. Why should he take away the one beauty from the sight of others? It wasn’t his right no matter what the codes said about race superiority.

He glanced about and saw his small little group assembling. He gave an irritated sigh. They were slow to start. He kicked his horse into a gallop and raced for the forest ahead of them. He could hear his men shouting in alarm and calling for him to stop but he did not heed them. He had plenty skill in taming beasts and fighting battles. He had his sword by his side and his instincts for that matter. He didn’t need to be held down by men craving power. Besides, he didn’t believe there was a creature so close to the Coven. Why would any beast in their right mind come near this place?

He road straight through the towering trees and dodged the branches that wished to claim them in their gnarled grasp and stumps that wished to deter them from their path. The deeper he ran, the less the sky was visible and the darker it became. Soon the canopy of trees blocked out the moon but it didn’t much matter. His eyes had taken on a golden hue like most wolves and cats and he could see perfectly. The horse of course, could not however. He whispered turns and signals his horse knew well and they managed to escape most dangers.

Carren scanned the holes in the trees and looked for another set of eyes or movement that would signify some alien creatures about but he saw nothing. Then his horse shrieked in fright and jolted forward and fell. Carren leaped out of the saddle just before his stallion fell to the ground. He hurried over and checked the horse. There was no injury on her body. He looked down at the ground and found the reason for the sudden fall. The horse had stepped in a hole and managed to get her leg stuck in it. He whispered soothing words to her and pat her until she stopped heaving in fright. He traced her leg and started to gently pull her leg free from the hole. Once free, she stood once more and nuzzled his face.

Carren pet her snout and looked back towards the direction he had come from and strained his ears. He heard nothing. Not a neigh or shout, not even panting. He had lost his hunting party. It didn’t much concern him. He had full confidence in himself, but he knew his father wouldn’t be pleased with him.

“Come on Streak, we should probably head back towards the party. I have seen no other sign of life and I am sure there is no creature in this godforsaken place,” he muttered and began to lead the horse away.

[Zinnia]

Hoofbeats.

For a split second, the fairy was frozen in terror. Marina knew that she'd been a fool to come this close to the coven, but what else was there left for her to do? Her sister was nowhere to be found, and if there was the slightest chance that the young fae was here, she had to look. She had to know that her sister was safe. But now there was no sign of Claudia, and every indication that there was something else in the woods looking for her. Something darker and far more sinister. Vampires.

But there was no time for fear, and certainly no time for hesitation. Just as soon as she could gather her wits about her, Marina sprinted off, deeper into the woods and away from the sounds of oncoming soldiers. How could they know I was here? she asked herself furiously. I've only been on coven grounds for a short time. But then, it was after dark. Even she, who had encountered few vampires before, knew that there was nowhere you could hide from them once night fell. This was their time, their land. The best she could do was try to escape before they found her.

Running through the woods, Marina wished there was more than just the light of the moon to guide her. She was light on her feet--for that, she could be grateful at least--but sky blue eyes didn't adjust to the darkness very well. In the back of her mind lingered the thought that, somewhere, her sister was in the woods, about to be overtaken by the vampires that were descending upon it. That was the only thing that she could blame for her recklessness in the first place, panic the only thing she could blame for her foolishness later. It was why, when she heard a quiet voice in the woods, she leapt at the opportunity, rather than thinking it through.

"Claudia?" she called softly, slowing only slightly. "Claudia, are you here?" Had Claudia taken one of the horses? At barely fourteen, the young fae might or might not know how to ride proficiently, but there was no telling what the head-strong girl would try. Though the voice wasn't quite clear, Marina could hear the horse was frightened and lead the way to it's location. Come on, Claudia. Where are you? Slowing to a brisk walk, the fae stepped into the trees and stopped dead in her tracks. That was not one of their family's horses, and that was most certainly not her sister. Damn it to the abyss, why did I not think of a point man? But it was too late for caution, now. She'd already come far enough outside of the safety of the trees that he'd surely seen her.

Getting a better grip on the sword in her hand, Marina took a step backwards. Maybe, maybe... But as the moon shone down through the trees at the man and horse, she was almost positive that she was looking at none other than a vampire.

[ForbiddenVerse]

Everything had been quiet except for his horse’s breath and footsteps. Then he caught another sound. He tensed and laid a hand on his sword’s hilt. He strained his ears and searched for the movement. He heard the rustling of the bushes and light footsteps. Then a voice but it was too low for him to make out and too far. The noise however was getting closer to him with each heart beat. He squatted a little ready to strike if need be. Then he caught the movement with his eyes. He followed it until they rested upon a girl. She wasn’t human though. He could smell the difference. It was a Fae. He had been wrong. There was a creature here.

His lips curled back a little to show his fangs and frighten the Fae off. He didn’t want another Creature enslaved by his family. If he managed to scare her off without the slightest touch of skin or being spotted at last by his fellow riders, she could still run free. He would never voice his intentions though. Other things listened in the forest and he didn’t want anyone to find out of his kindness to the creature. His reputation would be finished then. His father would rage on and who knows what punishment he would receive for his disobedience?

He snarled at her and started to pull out his sword. He stepped forward and his horse neighed in fright. She stepped back and away from him and swished her tail nervously. Then all too soon his hope vanished. He heard his men and they quickly filed into the clearing and formed a ring around them. Now there was no choice but to tame the poor Fae and claim her for the rest of the family to use. He started to walk closer, slowly. He pulled the sword free from its black scabbard and hidden in his cloak he pulled out a nice long whip. It was the trademark weapon for a tamer.

His men began to laugh in excitement. He was the best tamer in the coven and it was always a pleasant show to watch. Carren started circling the Fae next. He always waited for them to make the first move. He had plenty of patients for it. If she didn’t strike, one of the men around her would force her to and then he would take action. He wondered how much of a fight she would give him. If she was a good fight, he might spare her the shame of being a slave for his father. He would take her. He had yet to claim a slave anyway.

“Come on Carren! Stop dancing with her! Attack her!” one of them coaxed. He glanced at the speaker and snarled at him just as threateningly. He wouldn’t deal with their impatience of such matters. The men started to laugh again and pat the interrupter on the back. Coin started to be passed between them, betting how long the Fae would last against him. Most said she wouldn’t last five minutes. He was tempted to drag it out just to spite them, but that would be cruel to the poor Creature. He stepped forward again, closer to the Fae to encourage her attack.

[Zinnia]

If the fact that this...thing...was a vampire had not been apparent before, it certainly was after he bared his fangs at her. An arrogant gesture, to be sure, as he made no move to attack her. Marina thought, at first, that she either had the option of taking out the point of their army and escaping or simply fleeing into the forest, but those hopes were dashed once she saw the others approach. She was trapped, and she'd probably be killed.

Or worse, enslaved by these creatures of the night. She watched carefully as the put his sword away. What is he...? Oh. The whip gave her all of the answers that she needed, and Marina drew her own sword in response. Hopefully if she fought fiercely enough, her fate would be death, rather than to serve one of the vampires that jeered at her now. It was apparent to them--and to her, as well, if she was honest with herself--that the fight was over even before it had started, but she wouldn't give up until they pried the sword out of her cold, dead fingers.

It was a small sword, more suitable to her stature than the one that the vampire wielded. Light and quick, it suited her tactics quite well. Mind scrambling, Marina wondered if there was a way she could take down the tamer and still escape into the forest. Even the slightest chance, perhaps, but she wouldn't know until after she'd tested his skill.

Sword in hand, she looked him over, her face as calm as stone. He was waiting for her. Well, she'd meet him. Feigning to the right, she turned quickly to lunge in the direction opposite of the hand he held his whip in, hoping to get under his guard.

[ForbiddenVerse]

Carren watched her take out her sword. Her face was deadly calm. Her eyes only betrayed that she was debating her move. She knew she was trapped but she wouldn’t give in. Good. She had spirit at the least. He hoped she could fight and wouldn’t be one of those poor excuses they had gathered at home. He watched her face carefully. The first thing he could see under her mask was the hate she held for him. It was a pity. Vampires called themselves the greatest things and for what? To only have every other race in the world despise them and call up for hunters.

Then she struck. She feinted to the right but then attacked his left. He moved with her and twirled to the right, managing to get his left shoulder into her guard and kneeing her in the diaphragm before pushing her back. She stumbled away and he started to circle her again. He stopped snarling at her but he couldn’t stop the growl at the back of his throat. His men cheered him on and raised their fists high. He didn’t listen to them. His full attention was on the Fae.

From his fingers he let the whip uncurl and slide to the ground like snake. He edged closer before lifting the whip high and striking the Fae across the back. He winced as the whip met her flesh. It would be brutal since he had to break her before he tied her with the whip or she would break it. The men howled again and started to chant, ‘break her, break her” in low whispers. Carren raised the whip again to strike her from a different angle as she began to stand up. He knew she would attack and he braced himself. He sent the whip after her again.

[Zinnia]

When he caught her through the middle, it knocked the breath out of Marina for a full couple of seconds. It was just as well, she supposed, because it saved her the indignity of screaming when the whip cracked across her back. There will be enough time to indulge in pain later, she told herself firmly, gritting her teeth and thrusting back up to her feet. With a fluid movement she was up again, facing him as he prepared to strike out again. Though she knew now she was fighting an experienced tamer, it didn't change anything.

The soldiers that cheered competed with the sound of her blood pumping in her ears, and for a moment, they circled one another, each sizing up the one opposite them. How many others have you broken? How many other creatures have you sold into slavery, you bastard?

When the vampire raised the whip to strike at her again, Marina lunged forward, closer towards him rather than out of the way, dragging her sword across his side as she did so. Whipping herself around and presented with his back, she ignored the pain in her back as she tried to bring her sword back up and underneath his whip arm. If I can relieve him of his weapon and defeat him, I can at least go down with dignity.

[ForbiddenVerse]

For a while, they circled each other like wolves. Each calculating their next move. She was smart and she knew how to fight. That was obvious on her form, the way she crouched as she circled, and the way she held her sword. His mouth twitched in a smile. He hadn’t had a good fight in a while and he was pleased it was this Fae that provided it. He would have use for her. Good. Now you won’t have to work like the others. I am proud.

He sent the whip out but she had already stuck. With his form for the whip, he couldn’t move out of the way as fast as he would have liked. She struck him in the side and a hiss escaped his lips from the pain. He leaped away from her, not liking the fact that she was behind him. With his free hand he clutched his side and looked down. The cut was deep. Blood was already seeping through his clothes. Lucky for him it was beginning to heal. She was watching him now and his blood stained her sword.

His men howled in rage and their horses stamped their feet. He turned to them briefly and called out, “Silence you pack of animals! I have had enough of your howling and cheering.” Instantly they quieted. “The next man that cheers is a dead man,” he threatened and kept his eyes on her. Then he attacked first. He ran at her and raised the whip and let it loose on her sword arm. If he could get it to wrap around her arm, he could yank the sword away from her.

[Zinnia]

Marina was almost as surprised as the men that jeered at her when this 'Carren' turned and snarled at them, telling them to stop their cheering. Between that and the odd smile that played across his lips as they fought, she wasn't sure what to make of her opponent. Does he enjoy toying with me, or am I missing something? Either way, his break in concentration, even for just a moment, gave her an opportunity...or so she thought.

When she tried to take advantage of the moment, the whip snaked around, wrapping around her sword arm almost too fast for the eye to follow. In that moment, her cool facade broke just enough for her to snarl in frustration as her fingers, of their own volition, flexed and released the hilt of her blade.

Digging in her heels in the hopes that he couldn't pull her too far forward, she leaned back enough to grope along the ground with her free hand for her sword. If she could just get it with her other hand, even if she wasn't as proficient, he would still have to contend with that at least. If I can get it...

[ForbiddenVerse]

Carren gave a brief smile. It was a success! He had wrapped the whip around her arm and she dropped her sword. Now he needed to throw her to the ground and finish this battle. Then she tried to reach for the sword with her free hand. His eyes narrowed on her. That just wouldn’t do. He wanted to finish this battle and prevent any other torment for her. He would have hurry before she managed to get a hold of the sword. She was so close to it.

He yanked her back with the whip and ran forward. He grabbed her with his arms and pushed her to the ground. From the momentum, they rolled on the floor and something touched his still open wound. He yelped but made no move to get away from her. He tried to wrap himself around her long enough to get a hold of the whip that was now twined both of their arms. He cursed himself all the while. How could he let his whip lock them together? He couldn’t even whisper to her to make her understand. He was too close to the others and feared they would hear him.

He hissed in annoyance and tried to slide his arm out of the loop but still keep his hold on the Fae. Then at last, the whip loosened and his arm slipped through. He quickly tried to wrap it around her. He managed to get her under him and completed the not. The men were about to cheer again but remembered his warning and kept silent.

(You can write her reaction. I just thought we should wrap up the fight scene already.)

[Zinnia]

Face in the dirt, only stubborn pride kept Marina from collapsing altogether. The vampire had won. Even though she'd known what the outcome would be, there had been that last shred of hope that she could somehow defeat him and make her escape, but even that was gone now as he got a better handle on the whip and tightened it around her arms.

Though she gave a token struggle, it was clear that her heart wasn't in it. Even if admitting defeat was the last thing she wanted to do, Marina was stubborn, not stupid. Continuing would be even more pointless than it had been in the first place, and would most likely just result in further injury.

The silence of the vampires around the combatants--now the victor and the fallen--was almost more oppressive than their cheers had been earlier. But she clung to the tatters of her pride and held herself stiffly in preparation for whatever was to come.

((Sounds good :3))

[ForbiddenVerse]

Carren gave a small sigh of relief that it was over. Maybe if this had been a free fight, they could have tested their swordsman ship and they would have danced to the rhythm, but fate was not on their side. He kept one knee on her back and looked up at his men. He wiped the dirt from his face and patted the dust off his clothes. His once black attire was now dusty and taking on the appearance of something grey and worn. He heard someone dismount and he turned his face to watch as one of his men began to walk towards him and give a bow.

“My lord, allow me to take her back to your father. Why burden your own saddle with such a lesser creature?” the man questioned.

Carren raised an eyebrow and watched the man’s movements. His intentions were clear like a knife. He wanted the Fae for his own and for his own satisfaction. His lips curled back in a small threat. The man quickly took a step away and gave another bow, afraid he had offended him.

“No. She will ride on my horse. I will make her my property. This one won’t be my father’s. I have some use for her.”

“Yes my lord.”

Carren grabbed the knot of the whip and yanked the Fae upright and walked her towards his huffing horse. When she saw him, she wasn’t sure if she should be afraid, or calmed. Usually his presence was a good one, but she was often frightened by him when he took on his cold disposition. Carren hoisted her up on his horse before he swung himself on behind her. He fastened her to the horse so she would not fall and kicked his mare into a run.

Once more his men shouted and cursed. Why would he never wait for them? When he could not hear them anymore, he glanced back to make sure he was alone. Then he bent down to the Fae’s ear and whispered, “Relax. You are safe from the whip now. You may not believe me but I have saved you from a worse fate than the one I have planned for you. At least now you can keep a little of your pride.” Then he straightened and acted like he had said nothing.

Soon enough they were free from the forest and the castle of the coven was visible towering over the bare land. He rode straight for it and the two guards at the gate lowered it and allowed him entry. He slowed his mare to a stop just in the center of the field and men hurried over to him to relieve him of his burden. He kept them all back and lowered the Fae to the ground himself. He pulled free a collar and snapped it in place around her throat. Now with that around her, he didn’t have to worry about her running. He undid the whip and placed it back on his belt.

“Come,” he commanded and began walking towards the castle doors. The other vampires around her pushed her forward and towards Carren. Once inside the doors, he traveled the halls easily until he stepped in front of a door. He lifted his hand to knock but a voice from behind the door called him in before he had the chance. He opened the door and pulled the Fae with him.

“Father, the rumors were correct. I found and tamed the Fae creature that had been lurking in the woods,” Carren informed. Before them, an older vampire with dark hair and eyes was seated at a desk and watching his son with a gaze of indifference.

“I see you have brought her to me. I assume you have a request,” he said flatly.

“Yes. I have never chosen a Creature for myself. I have chosen her now.”

“Oh? She must have impressed you somehow.”

“She has. I have come to ask permission to train her in the art of war. I’d make her my guard to hunt beside me. That way you wouldn’t have to worry and send hordes of men after me.”

“Your guard? She’d rather kill you than protect you. I reserve judgment. If she proves loyal then maybe. Not before then. Now, have you drunk tonight?”

“I have not.”

“Then finish breaking her by drinking her.”

“Yes father.” Carren bowed to him and left the room and pushed her forward. He kept his silence until they reached his personal quarters. He closed the door and locked it before he turned to her and lifted her face towards his own to examine her.

“What is your name?” he asked.

[Zinnia]

"I will make her my property. I have some use for her." The cold chill that went through her had little to do with the air as Marina was tugged around like a...well, like a slave. Like property. She could only hope that her sister hadn't been as foolish as she had to come so close to the coven. Thinking of Claudia worried her, but surely there would be more talk among such vocal soldiers if there had been more than one fairy caught in the same forest, in the same night. It was what she would have to tell herself.

She said nothing during the trip despite Carren's whispered assurances, which only served to throw her thoughts into turmoil again. What is he talking about? Surely he doesn't mean that by humiliating me and constraining me like a beast he's done me some sort of favor! There was so much that she didn't know about what was to come, Marina couldn't even be sure of that.

So she was dragged into the castle, collared like a dog and pushed along into what she could only guess was the masters' chambers, all in stoic silence, cold eyes straight ahead. If all she could do was listen and gather information, that was what she would do. A guard? In this, she agreed with her captors father; she'd just as soon gut him like a fish and move on. One less vampire in the world could only be a good thing. The fact that he was going to 'finish breaking her' by drinking from her only reaffirmed this in Marina's mind.

Trudging stiffly along behind him, the fairy waited, seemingly patiently as she allowed him to examine her. His fingers were cool against her face, and not as rough as she'd expected.

"Marina Vanness," she said, after a moments thought. She supposed it was better than them giving her a name, along with the rest of their pets.

[ForbiddenVerse]

Carren grinned at her and suppressed a laugh. It was easy to tell that she lied from the look on her face. He played along though and looked her up and down. If the fight hadn’t proved the formation, his examination did. She was strong. She was well built and perfectly proportioned. He gave a nod of satisfaction and amusement crept into his eyes. Why not make his little fairy squirm a little longer before he released her from her fears and anger at him? Besides, he wanted to know what she would do.

He leaned closer to her throat and traced the visible skin with his nose and gave her a small quick kiss on her flesh. His fangs began to extend and his thirst became a little more evident to him but he made no move to bite her. He only placed his lips at her ear and whispered, “If I bit you, all your lies would be revealed my dear.” Then he drew away from her and walked towards the window to stare out across the night and towards the forest they had come from.

“Lucky for you I will play along and I am not going to drink from you. I have no use of a slave and no intentions of breaking you. Relax. I will bite you though. No doubt my father has already spread the news and the guards will expect to see markings on your throat. I will make it as painless as possible.” He looked back at Marina and cocked his head to the side.

“And it seems I have already forgotten my manners. My name is Carren but around others you will refer to me as master and nothing else. If you want to stay alive in this game, you will act afraid around me. If you do not wish to survive under my hand, then by all means ignore my information. You’ll just be taken by my father and given to one of the other men and I assure you they will treat you worse than a dog. I have another question for you Marina, why were you so close to the Coven?”

[Zinnia]

When he kissed her neck, Marina sucked in a breath through her teeth, hands clenching at her sides. He's already bested me. If I fight him again, I'm as good as dead. The thought crossed her mind that, in the end, it might be the better option, but if she was dead she'd never know if her sister had gotten home safely. If anything happened to Claudia, or if she was captured by vampires as well, she would be the only one in the area to even try to protect her.

Not that I'm in a position to do anyone any good.

"My name is Marina of Vanness," she repeated firmly, eyes locked ahead of her. "There is no purpose in lying." Less purpose than she had previously thought, however. The fairy had no idea that being bitten by a vampire would reveal to them the truth versus a lie. What else did it show them? What other secrets did her blood hold? Beyond even that, the Vanness family name was known only for it's generations of loyalty to the king and their willingness to do battle. A warrior caste wasn't nearly as valuable in monetary terms as was, say, a duchess or a princess.

The bite did not follow the soft kiss and whispered words, however, and this time she couldn't help but watch him with thinly veiled curiosity as he crossed the room. Away from her. Game, indeed, she thought to herself, wondering what it was exactly that he was playing at. When he asked his next question, however, she winced slightly, praying that whatever game it was had nothing to do with her sister.

"I was looking for someone." There was a heartbeat of silence. "Master." The word was bitter on her tongue, but as stubborn as she was, Marina would much rather bend under her own terms than let them teach her manners in ways more reminisce of how she'd been captured.

[ForbiddenVerse]

“You are right to believe that lying has no point now. It is a pleasure to meet you Marina, if only in different circumstances. Tonight could have gone quite differently for us if my men did not show up to watch the fight. Too late now. What is done is done and we should let it die in the past,” he sighed and gazed back out the window. Down below him were other slaves and masters. The masters were whipping their poor servants and he had to turn away from the sight. He wasn’t one to enjoy or thrill at torture.

“Don’t call me master,” he snapped at her. “Not when we are alone. I despise the title. I will not treat you as a slave, so do not treat me like some executioner.” His eyes took on a golden hue in his anger but quickly calmed. Now wasn’t the time for this. He had other matters to attend to and drinking was one of them. He was always irritated when he was thirsty. He hadn’t had any blood in a few days and it was beginning to get to him. He cleared his throat then.

“Are you thirsty? Hungry? I can have a guard bring you food and drink if you need it.” He walked back towards her and gently lifted up her chin to get to her throat. “It will hurt a bit at first,” he warned and let his fangs extend. He found her jugular and bit down. Blood seeped into his mouth and licked it off before pulling away. He was tempted to drink from her but he had more control than a starving puppy.

[Zinnia]

Her non-master was odd, or so Marina thought. Not that I will complain, of course, she mentally added, keeping her expression carefully neutral though she watched him carefully. Strange that a vampire would look on the beating of slaves with such regret, and strange that he would despise the use of the term 'master'. Could it be a farce? the fae asked herself. Is he trying to trick me into being comfortable? Betraying myself or my secrets? But what secrets did she have? And she was sure that Carren was a good weapons master, she was not quite convinced that he was an accomplished enough actor to pull off such a role.

The bite, however, and the sharp sting it brought with it reminded her that he was a vampire, whatever else he might be. Can I really be grateful for anything when I'm still shackled to such a creature? The first real licks of fear and the fight against resignation pumped through Marina as she waited for him to release her once again.

I'll play your games, vampire. There was no other choice.

"I am not," she said after a moment, referring to his request about food or water. She felt too ill to be hungry or thirsty. Releasing her gaze on him, she looked around the room. "Where is it that I will be staying?"

[ForbiddenVerse]

Carren gave her a nod before returning to the window. He looked up at the sky and took note of the moon's position. It was soon going to give way to the rays of lights from the flaming sun. Oh how he detested his curse. He would never be able to set a single foot into the sunlight or he would burn and smolder into nothing but ash. Then he would cease to exist. He longed to see the world bathed in light but it was not something allowed to creatures of the night such as himself. He often wondered what it was the first vampires on earth did do obtain this curse, but looking back at the people that surrounded him didn't bring surprise to his mind. His race deserved the punishment.

He allowed a small pause to lapse with her question. Where she would be sleeping in deed. If it were up to him, and he had no doubt it would be soon, she would have had a room to herself. As it were, she would be forced to rest in the sickly dungeons provided for the slaves. Maybe if she were a good girl like he had asked of her, she would obtain the room or respect and be allowed to do the things others of her race were denied. Only if she did as asked though. He would offer her freedom from fear but she had to earn it or his father would be quick to suspect something. Every word and step had to be placed correctly or someone would sniff treachery.

"You'll be sleeping in the dungeons unfortunately. Remember my offer though. I know well you would love to see a stake run deep through me, but I have no such wish for you. I have high hopes for your talent in battle and if you prove yourself worthy of the respect, you'll rise high through the ranks. You'll be immune to most punishments then and you'll have more freedom around the grounds. For now, I am forced to keep you on a tight leash. Outside, among the others, I will not show you any mercy. To do so would only put us both in line for a grizzly execution. Now go and rest. The guard will take you to the dungeon. I will seek for you tomorrow night."