I was awakened by the sound of a door slamming shut and footsteps approaching. Though I could not see, I could tell that I was laid out flat on my back in a large bed atop the softest linens I had ever felt, with a small pillow underneath my head. Yet they provided no comfort, for my arms and legs were outstretched to the four corners and bound tightly, leaving me wide open. A dull ache troubled my jaw. I probed with my tongue and found that it was held open by something large, round and leathery. Down below I felt a fullness that made me wonder at first if I needed to relieve myself, but as my groggy mind continued to awaken, I realized the sense of fullness came not from my bladder but from a foreign object inserted where it did not belong. Anxiety and confusion swirled in my head, but the blindfold over my eyes prevented me from discerning anything else about my current situation.
Soon the footsteps stopped near the edge of the bed. Hands grasped at my extremities and I was untied one limb at a time, but my wrists were quickly tied back together. The blindfold was removed and after the initial shock to my eyes I saw a plain room illuminated by slivers of sunlight filtering in through a trio of high and narrow windows. Two women attended me, and by their attire I assumed them to be maids. I sat up and glanced at my surroundings. The lofty chamber was made of stone from top to bottom, such as what one would find in an ancient castle. Strange, for I knew of no castles anywhere the road where I had been abducted. Perhaps I had been transported over a much larger distance than I had originally thought. I began to fear that my guardian would never discover my location. I scanned the room quickly and furtively for possible weapons but found none. Neither woman seemed particularly concerned with me attempting to escape or attack them anyways. I presumed that a phalanx of guards stood within earshot on the other side of the chamber door, ready to assist if summoned.
After removing the ball that had gagged me, one maid went to arrange a pile of clothing on a low-lying settee across the room. The other, who appeared to be much younger, stood by a basin of water with a sponge in her hand. I understood I was to approach her and be bathed. But first I had questions that needed answering.
"Do you know who I am?" I asked, tentatively, rubbing my sore jowls with one hand.
The two maids glanced at each other, and the one with the clothes shook her head at the other almost imperceptibly. Neither answered me.
"Please," I beseeched them, gesturing with my tied hands, "you must know I am here against my will."
Still no response. The maid with the sponge beckoned to me again.
"I don't know how you expect me to obey if you won't talk to me! Listen: my guardian no doubt is searching for me right this moment. I am sure he will be more than generous with both of you, were you to help me escape this place."