I came too, to the feeling of being carried. The problem was I could feel the stress it was placing on the wound."Put me down". The motion continued. I repeated myself. A female voice said "she's coming round". The was the sensation of motion again, this time a sort of falling, and then the sensation of hitting something soft. People were fussing. My side now hurt like hell and I could feel it was both hot and wet, neither of which were good signs.
I needed liquid and sugar. "I'm okay. Do you know what tea is? I need a large cup of hot tea and a jar of thick honey. I also need to see the girl whose arm I broke.I think she's called Molly, she needs her arm setting or it won't heal. And bring me the needle, thread, knife, and bottle of spirit"
The voice spoke again. "You collapsed. Just rest and you'll be fine". I turned to face her. She was just out of reach. I waved my hand floppily at her. She leaned in closer. I grabbed her by the throat "You heard what I asked for" She gurgled an acknowledgment. "Do it or your clients will need to find another doxie. Understand?" Again the gurgle. I let her go.
The effort had cost me but I couldn't sleep now. I started to build the framework for a healing Chi. Fixing the wound in one stage was beyond my current abilities but I could help it along. Molly arrived before the tea did giving me something to focus on.
"Come here and sit. I need to feel the bones in your arm. It's going to hurt a great deal". She backed away. "Suit yourself, but you have three choices
She moved towards me and sat on the bed cradling her arm. I could see immediately it was a bad break. Bone ends were sticking out of the skin. Her hand had also swollen, which meant there was a circulation restriction. I would need help to do this. "Somebody go find me the big lug who tried to cosh me and be quick about it"
The tea arrived and I added two large spoons of honey to it. I sipped it. It was disgustingly sweet but I need the sugar boost. I carried on sipping until the lug arrived. "I need you to hold Molly still. Especially her arm. I'm going to have to pull the wrist which means she's either going to feint or throw up or possibly both." Then speaking to the rest of the room "I'm also going to need three pieces of wood slightly shorter than the length of my forearm each about and inch thick and some more linen for bandages"
I uncorked the bottle of spirit and passed it to Molly. "Drink this until I tell you to stop". She looked at me. "Drink it". She started to drink. I let her drink about half of what was left, then took the bottle from her. "Okay, whatever your name is hang onto her tight" He moved in and I adjusted his grip until he had her and her arm pinned. "Are you both ready?" He nodded and she started to giggle - a good sign the alcohol was working. I poured the alcohol over her arm and she started to scream and struggle. The lug started to relax his grip. "I told you to hold her now do it". He tightened his grip. I started to feel along the bones. She started screaming again and her struggles became more frantic. I had the lie of the bones now. One was broken cleanly in one place whilst the other had fractured diagonally and in two places. When she'd fallen or cradled it she'd caused the bones to twist. I was amazed she hadn't severed a vein or artery, although she wasn't to of the woods yet.I looked at the lug. He at least read that one correctly and tightened his grip again. I grabbed the arm below the break in one hand and the wrist in the other. Slowly I pulled and twisted and the bones withdrew into the arm Somebody was smiling on her today and there was no fountain of blood. I felt along the arm and pushed the pieces of bone together as best I could. It was obvious from the way the lug was now holding her she'd feinted sometime during the manipulation. I took another slug of syrup from the cup.
A breathless figure arrived and asked if "these would do". Somebody had hastily chopped a chair into pieces and sent three of its legs. They were a little long but they'd have to do. I used another dose of alcohol on the arm, before wrapping it in a layer of linen. I then placed the splints along the arm and had the girl who'd brought them hold them whilst I bandaged them in place. "The arm needs to be kept clean and dry. It needs to stay bound like that for 6 weeks. If it starts to smell or the skin in her hand or upper arm turns red then the arm is infected and will have to be removed. She needs to go somewhere quiet and somebody needs to stay with her. I need you" pointing at the girl who'd held the splints, "to stay the rest of you can leave"
They all moved except for the woman whose throat I'd grabbed. "I've heard that deafness can be cured by the removal of ears. Perhaps you'd like to participate in a little experiment." I moved to get off the bed. She took the hint and fled the room. "What's your name?"
"Simone"
"Okay Simone I need you to take the dagger and cut down the seam of my dress. I need to see how bad the wound really is. Can you do that." She nodded. She was a little tentative at first, but manged okay in the end. The problem was I still couldn't see clearly. "Have you got a mirror?" she nodded "Can you go and fetch it?" She scurried off. I finished the tea, and added a pain blocking construct to the healing one.
With the mirror I could see but there was no way I could stitch it myself. "Simone you're going to have to stitch the wound for me. I need you to wash your hands in the alcohol, then empty the bowl and bring it to me". When she handed me the bowl I put a small amount of the remaining alcohol in it then dropped the needle and thread in. I then lay down and poured the remaining alcohol into the wound.
It took me a minute of two to recover enough to instruct Simone what to do. She was shaking and I had to cure that first or she'd do more damage than good. As she started to stitch it was barely all I could do to remain focused and by the time she'd finished I was sweating heavily. I told her to go and get another bottle of spirit. When she returned Torvald was with her. He had my sword. "Since you're in no fit state to return to the Eagle I've arranged to have your things brought here. Despite your killing my men I owe you thanks for treating Kiona and Molly. You've also shown me indirectly which girls I can now trust and which ones won't be working here any longer." He hung the sword over the end of the bed. "You're going to have a scar. Shame you have a good body. In other circumstances I'd offer you a job." He sat down on the bed and started to run his hand up my leg. When he reached my thigh I grabbed his wrist then applied a joint lock, forcing him off the bed and onto the floor.
"You don't have the correct form of invitation. Were I feeling more able I'd have thrown you out the door." I released the lock. "However, it would be discurtious of me not to thank you for your hospitality, but that is all you're getting. So if you don't want anything else you'll excuse me so I can finish treating my wound"
He got up and massaged his wrist. "Suit yourself. Flora never objected"
"But I'm not Flora. I take it you've not met Fiona."
"Oh we've met. It took me months to get over her first visit. Anything you need, just ask Simone to get if for you. Now if you'll excuse me I've got a new girl to break in, then I need to find four replacements, two for those who are leaving and two to cover for Kiona and Molly"
"She's your daughter isn't she"
"To be honest I don't know, but most likely she is. She's a smart girl. One day all of this will be hers.Now if you'll excuse me"
I looked at Simone. She had tears running down her face. "Come here. Whats wrong?"
"I'm sorry. I should be over it by now, but I still remember that first night when I was bought here. No matter who I go with or how many times I still remember that first night.. Here's the spirit"
She handed me the bottle and I uncorked it and poured it over the wound. At least the blood loss had eased. I handed her the bottle. "Don't drink too much. I need you to wake me in about 8 hours.". I closed my eyes and triggered the healing trance.
When I awoke, Simone was in bed next to me, the bottle of spirit empty beside her. My side was stiff, and the wound had closed and showed signs of healing. I shook Simone awake. "Where's the privy?" She made a few incoherent noises and lapsed back into unconsciousness. This would never do. I shrugged the remains of the dress off and stood up. I walked round the bed and pulled her into a sitting position. Ignoring the pain in my side I hoisted her over my shoulder and headed into the corridor. A figure came out of a door at the far end and headed away from me. I started towards it. I'd passed three doors when another one opened. "Where's the bathroom?" She looked at me. "We're not allowed in there unless with a guest"
"I am a guest, now where's the bathroom". She pointed. "No. Show me"
"But I'll be late, Torvald will be cross, and I'll get dross and cheapskates all day".
"Just show me. Torvald will do as I tell him. You'll be okay"
She moved passed me and down the corridor. When she reached the end she turned left then went down the stairs, and along the corridor at the bottom before turning right. At the first door on the right she stopped. "In there. The privy is through the door on the right." She turned and ran back the way we'd come, turning right at the T junction.
I pushed open the door. The fire for heating the water had gone out, and the room was a little chilly. Thankfully the bath was still full even if the water was cold. I dumped Simone fully clothed into the water. She flailed a bit, orientated her self and came up coughing and spluttering. I let her grab a couple of lung fulls of air , then poured a jug of cold water over her head. She swallowed a couple of mouthfuls of water, which caused another bout of coughing. When I was sure she wasn't going to drown I moved over to the privy. Taking a look inside I decided against using it. I returned to where I'd deposited the jug, squatted and urinated.
Simone had by this time recovered enough to contemplate getting out of the bath, but the weight of her saturated dress was making it difficult for her to do so. I reached in and help her out. "Feeling any better" she nodded." Take off your wet things and put them to dry. Then empty that jug in the privy. I've a couple of things to straighten out. I'll see you in my room once you're in something dry." She looked at me blankly. "Well, get a move on"
She started to remove her things and I went into the corridor. Taking the route the girl had taken I made my way though the building until I came to what must be their private lounge. The girl who'd helped me was stood naked in the middle of the room. Torvald had a whip in his hands. "If you strike her it'll be the last mistake you make"
He looked up. "Butt out. This is none of your business. I'll run this place the way I want and punish these", he waved his hand to indicate the girls in the room," the way I choose".
"No wonder you're doing so badly. The sanitary conditions are abysmal. Most of them could do with a bath. They all need their hair washed, and brutalizing them destroys their self respect and willingness to work. As to your method of introducing them to the joys of sex , it leaves a great deal to be desired. As to the young lady in front of you, she was assisting me, in recompense for which you will buy her a new dress and give her the pick of today's clients."
" I will do no such thing." he lashed at me with the whip. I easily avoided the first lash, but the second came close enough for me to feel in whistle past. He didn't get the chance to strike a third time, as my kick to his genitals left him poleaxed. I retrieved the whip, removed his dagger, and a bunch of keys.
"You, sorry don't know you name. I need that chair. Help me sit him in it . One of you go and get Molly. If her mother is awake and can move bring her as well. One of you go and get Simone. She'll either be in her room or the one I was put in last night. Whilst your there, bring me a dress from my luggage and my sword. I've a feeling I may need it". Figures sped out of the room, and the girl I'd evicted plus two of the others help me maneuver Torvald into the chair. I used the whip to tie his hands behind his back to the chair. I then had the girls strip him naked This freed his belt for tying him to the chair and the legs of his trousers for tying his ankles to the chair legs at the front
When Molly arrived she wanted to know what was going on, why Torvald was tied up and why Genivive was huddled in the corner naked. I told her there had been a change in management and that until her mother recovered she was in charge. She stared in disbelief. Simone arrived shortly after dressed in what can only be described as a tatty sack, and carrying my sword and a dress. There was then a scream and two girls came hurtling into the room perused by a pair of goons. They saw Torvald, then me, and skidded to a halt, confused by the fact that I was only wearing a pair of skimpy knickers. "There's been a change in management.. You can either stay and take orders from Kiona or in her absence Molly here, or you can leave now."
Their momentary indecision passed and they charged. I wasn't in the mood for games. I blocked the first one, putting him between myself and the second, then punched him in the throat. As the second turned and lunged I rolled backwards, catching his wrist and planting my feet in his midriff as I did so. As he passed the apex of the roll I let go, sending him into thewall on the otherside of the room. There was an audible crunch and he didn't get up. As I rolled back to my feet a large figure was making its way along the corridor. It appeared to be carrying something. I turned quickly. "Simone! Sword!".
She half threw it and it landed short. By the time I'd retrieved it, drawn it and turned to face the corridor the figure was in the doorway. It was the lug carrying Kiona. He appeared to be bleeding from a wound on his upper arm. A weak voice said "Put your sword away Cordelia. You've done enough damage for one day. Kengrin put me down on the sofa. Tell me why is Torvald strapped to that chair with no clothes on?"
"He was going to beat Genivive for helping me, amongst other things. He's there because he's going to be punished in a manner consistent with your trade."
"Really. What are you going to do, get them to beat him until he bleeds to death"
"No. Something much simpler. They're all going to have sex with him in turn one after the other. When they've all been with him once then they go round again, until they've each been with him twice. He will then understand the pain and degradation he inflicts when he breaks them in."
"I can't see how that will work. After the first girl he will be soft as he is now"
"Then they do what they would normally do with a reluctant customer. I'm sure I don't need to spell it out. After 5 or 6 of you its unlikely to be a problem. By the time he's been done a dozen times or so it will hurt. After you've all finished with him, he won't go soft for sometime and will remain in pain for days."
"How do you know this?"
"I have a book that belonged to my mother. It is an old book, written over several centuries. It details methods of pleasure and punishment for both men and women. My mother was given it by her mother, who in turn received it from her mother. It has been in my family for generations, for until my birth my mother's trade was the same as yours"
"And you're ashamed of that so you're punishing Torvald for it."
"No I'm punishing Torvald for the way he treats you. When was the last time you had a bath, or washed your hair, or were bought a new dress. How about the last time you had a decent meal, or a visit from a healer, or had clean bed sheets or clean privies?"
She looked at me dumb struck. "But we're well treated. We're warm, have somewhere to sleep, and have food to eat. He only punishes them if they're bad"
Now it was my turn to be shocked "You've become as bad as he is. Look at them, really look at them. Can you tell me they're really happy. Where's their self respect? Being abused by the punters is one thing but being abused by your boss is something else. You may not have a choice about what you do for a living but at least you can expect some respect whilst doing it"
The girls were now watching the three of us. Torvald looked
apprehensive, and Kiona was being torn by the reality of what I'd said.
Then Molly stood up, hitched up her dress and moved in on her father.
"Molly No. You can't".
"I can mother. It's what we do." She sat astride him and began to
massage him with her fingers. Suddenly he looked very small. He started
to beg her not to, but I could see from the look on her face that there
was no turning back.
After she'd finished Simone moved in, and then one by one the
rest of the girls in the room, all except Genivive who remained in the
corner. Molly walked over to her, bent down next to her and helped her
to her feet. Slowly they walked over to the chair, Molly talking
quietly to her all the time. Genivive stood there for a moment and then
began to urinate on him. As she did so she started to cry. Molly just
held her. When she'd finished. Molly looked down at her farther.
"You've never done to me what you did to them. But it doesn't matter
does it. You still forced my mother to force me to do this so it
amounts to the same thing..
Genivive undo my dress I want my father to see what he has
made"
Genivive loosened the lacing on the back and Molly allowed it to fall to the floor. Torvald tried to look away, but Molly grabbed his head and forced him to look at her, then she squatted down again. "Genivive. Hold it and put it in". She didn't move. Molly repeated the command. Still she didn't move. On the fourth repeat she lent over and took hold. Molly kissed her "Now put him in" As if waking from a dream Genivive obeyed. Last time she'd been unsure but this time she really went to town and her cry when she finished was genuine. From the look on her fathers face he was feeling something completely different. She'd barely stood up when Genivive pushed her aside. If I thought I'd seen everything in Molly's performance I was thoroughly mistaken. Genivive went at him like somebody possessed. Torvald screamed for her to stop but the more he did so the more she kept going. In the end Molly grabbed her and pulled her off, then spoke to one of the other girls "Get him some water. He can rest for 10 minutes then your up next." She picked up her dress from off the floor and put it back on. "When each of you finishes with him come through to the front. Simone, you're the last. Make sure he remembers it. Cordelia I owe you and apology. Do you have his keys? I need to open up. Kengrin, take my mother back to her room, then come out front. Cordelia can you do me a favour. The new girl, Kendra, is in room 12, I want you to bring her down here and make her watch."
"I'm not sure thats a good idea, she's probably still traumatized from last night."
"I'm aware of that but I've saw what happened to Genivive and Simone. I think it will help. Just don't let her injure him." She moved over to where Genivive was sitting. "Come on . Lets get you a bath, and a clean dress".
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