Celaeno hangs forward motionless with her hands tied and stretched behind her back to a post and naked. She has several bruises covering various parts of her body, except thankfully, her face. That most likely will change especially once Rurik Garrison, leader of the Divortium, arrives.
Her abuser so far has only been a woman named Avyanna Maykov. Celaeno knows her all too well. Her and her sister Valentina. Celaeno went to through the Divortium Fleet Officer training program with the sisters. She didn't at the time care for either of the two and after today's abuse that hasn't changed in the least.
Celaeno is surprised by the strength of Avyanna Maykov. For such a lithe woman, she can sure pack a punch. Of course Fleet Officer training isn't just about command but being able to fight. It is what makes the Divortium so hard to fight, or in some cases, rebel against. Given a change of situation Celaeno wouldn't be in such a mess. Neither of the sisters was ever able to beat her in a fair fight.
Celaeno shakes her head at the thought. Then another enters: Why start now?
So she hangs suspended, aching and waiting. The torture she received was mild in comparison to what Rurik Garrison most likely has in store for her. The questioning that came with the beating was also most likely just a means to justify the beating. Of course Avyanna's hatred and malice would have been enough and Celaeno would have accepted it. Hell, if the situations were reversed, she might just have done the same.
Time moves slowly and the only thing the young woman has to give a small amount of comfort is the slight stream of light that filters in from a tiny skylight in the ceiling. It isn't much, not even enough to provide her with viewing anything other than her own nude form covered in bruises.
With what feels like eternity, the only door that she knows of finally opens, casting an even larger and brighter light into the room. The light is so intense that she has to quickly slam her eyes shut. It is probably done on purpose so that she can't get a view of anything that might provide her an advantage. The Divortium are certainly not taking any chances with her.
Once the light fades and the room is cast back into its natural gloominess, Celaeno opens her eyes. They quickly readjust to the semi-darkness and starting before her in both a mixture of light and shadow is a man. A man that she has known since day one of her training: Rurik Garrison.
The man responsible for ending the Great War and building the empire that brought all nations together as one is and has always been surrounded by mystery. With a dark complexion, shaved hair and long goatee, he gives off a menacing look. The air of confidence and power only add to that. And of course his regal dress let's all know just how wealthy and powerful he is.
Even though she has known him since her days of training, Celaeno and of course every other candidate and officer knows little of and about him. That kind of knowledge or lack of makes the rumor mills work overtime.
Before the war there is no record of his birth, parents or anything of any or little consequence. Because of his ears, there is the rumor that at least one of his parents was a Dranon. Because the Maykov sisters are his two highest ranking officers, they must be his daughters. And there are many others. Whatever the case may be in any of them are irrelevant. Celaeno's only goal is to bring the man to his knees before either running him through with a sword or splattering his brains all over creation.
Just seeing the pompous man standing before her makes her blood boil. The beating she received is forgotten. In fact the resulting pain seems to have even disappeared. Celaeno manages to gather enough saliva and probably even a little bit of blood, considering the taste of copper in her mouth, together and spit it at the man's feet.
The majority of it misses, but a portion does land on the toe of his boots. Rurik frowns, no doubt disturbed at such filth touching him. He is definitely one for not having a speck of anything on his uniform. He, of course, expects no less from his officers.
"Now is that really necessary?" he asks in a deep baritone voice that seems to resonate throughout the room.
Celaeno lifts her head up and tries to make eye contact with the man while putting on the best face of arrogance that she can manage. "Too bad I don't have the spit to try it again," she spats.
Rurik grunts and steps forward. He raises his hand and throws it across Celaeno's face. The sting ripples into her cheek bone and she knows there certainly will be a bruise. In fact, she can already feel it forming.
"Still the arrogant little bitch aren't you?"
Celaeno remains silent but looks at him, not showing any sign of weakness or hurt and simply smiles. Of course, this only enrages Rurik and he backhands her again, this time harder and across her jaw.
"I'll whip that little smirk off you face," he grunts.
The pain stings even worse than the first time and Celaeno tries hard to keep from letting it show. She grits her teeth together briefly, biting back cry and pain before looking up again and smiling. This time, however, a trickle of blood comes out from the corner of her mouth.
Rurik raises his hand to strike her again and then just as quickly lowers it and steps around behind her. "You were an outstanding officer, but you always did have a problem with authority."
Celaeno suppresses a laugh. "I still do."
Rurik doesn't hold back and laughs at the remark. "You most certainly do."
"So," Celaeno asks in the most sarcastic way she can possibly, "what kind of torture am I to endure today?"