Talia meekly followed the baron down the hallway of the airship, through several corridors and down some stairs. She was soon lost, certain they were in the middle of the ship but sure she wouldn't be able to find her way back. Even if she did, where would she go? She could hardly escape from an airship. Talia's thoughts turned to her family. Quinn would be worried, he'd search for her. Talia had more doubts about her mother's reaction. Could what the halfling woman have said be true? Had her mother sold her? Talia couldn't rule out the possibility. It was Mia who forced Talia into whoring in the first place, and she had mentioned debts. But there was a difference between whoring and slavery, not least that slavery was illegal.
If Mia was complicit in Talia's kidnapping, then she would probably lie to Quinn about her absence, Talia concluded. Which meant that he wouldn't be looking for her, so she shouldn't count on being rescued. Talia concluded that her best course of action was to continue to obey and not cause any problems. The white dragon walking at the baron's heels confirmed in her mind this was the right decision.
Reaching his quarters, the baron took out a small crystal, waving it over the lock on the door. Talia had never seen a magical lock before, and she silently marvelled at it. Thieves wouldn't be able to pick this lock, it was highly impressive.
The Baron's quarters were large and lush. A large four poster bed dominated the room, black and purple coverings making it even more intimidating. At the foot of the bed was an equally impressive black cushion, which Talia assumed was for his dragon to sleep on. To one side was a large wooden desk, and next to it a bookshelf covered in large leather tomes. The other side of the room had slightly ajar door, and a two seater couch. Talia also spied a large wooden chest against the wall with the door that they entered by. The room was larger than Talia would have expected for an airship, though she realised she had no real concept of how large it was. From the amount of hallways they'd walked, the ship felt immense.
The baron closed the door behind them, and locked it with his crystal, before turning his attention to Talia. Remaining silent, he looked her up and down. Talia flushed and kept her eyes looking towards the ground, remembering her previous instructions. Talia was no stranger to men looking at her with lust, but this look was less lustful and more appraising. Did he find her lacking? Remembering the brutality of the guards, Talia silently offered a prayer to Sune that he would keep her and not send her to be used by his men.
"Stand in the centre of the room. Keep your legs apart, and your hands behind your back, and your eyes to the ground." The baron spoke finally, giving his orders dispassionately.
Talia obeyed, and was surprised that he then appeared to ignore her, gliding over to his desk and sitting behind it. Trying to keep her eyes down she nevertheless peeked through her eyelashes to try to watch him. He picked up a beautiful quill pen, and was writing in a hefty book, his attention seemingly entirely on the tome in front of him. His dragon padded over to the elegant pillow, and curled up.
At first Talia was comfortable standing there, but before long her muscles started to ache. She was uncertain whether she was allowed to move or stretch, but as she hadn't been given instructions Talia felt that remaining as still as possible was the safest option. She tried to subtly stretch out her back and arms. She shifted her weight to one foot, then the other, trying to get some relief. Pressure in her bladder began to mount, and she tried to focus on other things.
After several hours, she was in agony, and her bladder was screaming at her. She could take it no longer, and she spoke up in a quiet voice, hoping that he would not be angry with her.
"Please sir. May I use the toilet?"
Keeping her eyes down, she felt his approach rather than saw it. The warmth of his body radiated heat near her, and she found herself shaking slightly as he loomed in silence.
"Bend over the arm of the couch there." He instructed.
Talia quickly did so, wondering what he was planning. Was he going to take her now, despite her full bladder? The fabric of the couch was soft against her bare skin, and Talia was terrified that if she lost control she would damage a piece of furniture worth more than the tavern she grew up in.
The baron spoke again in his clipped voice. "I expect you to endure three strikes of the cane, without soiling yourself. If you do so, I shall permit you to relieve yourself. If you cannot control yourself then you will have earned 20 more strikes. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir."
Talia was terrified. She'd never been caned before. Would it hurt very much? She could feel him behind her, and the anticipation was excruciating.
THWACK
