The first whip was likely made of deerskin, and was so soft and supple it wouldn’t have done more than caress the skin. The second was braided leather, barely broken in, and it would give the most delicious pain. The last was alternately braided and knotted from an ultra-stiff, heavy leather, and the knots had some kind of animal claw sticking from them — the recipient would be a bloody mess after less than two dozen strikes.
I put the knotted whip down and lifted the braided one again. I wasn’t sure where to look, so I focused on her feet when I turned to face her. I balanced the whip on my two open palms without grasping it. “Since I believe you’ll be able to take your time today, I feel this is the best choice, Your Majesty. However, if you only have a few minutes to spare then the knotted whip will be best.”
“You’ll attend an orientation tomorrow, where you’ll learn the castle rules and expectations. Some of your rules will vary slightly. For instance, in private, you may look me in the eyes to answer a question. Around others, you should look at my chin or my breasts. When at rest, you may look at the floor unless there’s a reason to be alert, in which case you can lift your gaze as long as you don’t stare in an unseemly fashion.”
I met her gaze before dropping my focus to her chin, and her smile told me she was pleased.
“Walk to me and ask me to whip you, Little One.”
I looked at her chin while I walked to her, and dropped to my knees as gracefully as I could when I reached her. Again unsure of where to look, I focused on her feet and lifted the whip in both hands, as an offering. “Please, Your Majesty, I beg of you to find favor of me while you whip me.”
She removed the whip from my outstretched hands, and I placed them behind my back.
“I appreciate the respect and grace you’re demonstrating,” she said, “but if you’re looking at my feet, you won’t see where I point you to go.”
I met her gaze again, and she pointed to a rope hanging from the ceiling, in an open area so she’d be able to walk all around me. “It’s been spelled so you won’t be able to let go. Once you grasp it, only I can release you.”
She didn’t order me to grasp it, but I knew what she wanted. Some Masters and trainers expect you to know what they wish you to do without having to spell it out, others will punish you for taking any initiative, and only want you to follow direct orders. Learning the expectations of those you serve is an important part of learning to be a good slave.
I walked to the rope, reached up, and wrapped my hands around the large knot a few inches from the end. I had to stretch to reach, so I stood with my weight on my toes and my body elongated below the frayed rope.
The first strike snaked around my hips and sliced into tender skin. Fire ripped through my nervous system, and my shrill scream echoed around the room and returned to me.