When she got to the stables, she began walking though and absentmindedly stroked the horses' heads. They responded to her touch immediately. She could easily lose track of time grooming a horse when in here. She had no idea how long she had been strolling though until she heard her name being called.

Moira ran over, a bit winded from trying to hurry to be the first to find her friend. "Marika, the Queen is livid! She told me to get you before she had one of the guards come! What did you do?"

Marika's eyes widened in disbelief. "I - I didn't do anything, Moira," she nervously stated, shaking her head a bit. She had no idea what this could be about.

"Well, you better come with me," Moira replied. Her voice was gentle but held a bit of fear. "The Queen wants to have a word with you."

Marika nervously nodded and followed Moira to Diana's chambers. The annoying young man from before stood at Diana's side. It was a post she often took when Diana laid out a punishment for another slave. It made Marika tremble inside to see it because she knew what it meant.

"I have heard rumors, Marika," Diana proclaimed in a stern but breathy voice, "and I don't like what I'm hearing."

Marika narrowed her eyes on the slave at Diana's side. She knew what was afoot. He wanted her status around this place and would use any deceit necessary to get it. She silently vowed to get revenge on him for this but knew it would have to wait. First she'd have to placate Diana. Then she returned her attention to her queen. "What rumors, your Highness?" Marika requested, innocence lacing her voice.

"Ones about you preparing to run away from my service," Diana answered. Her gentleness didn't hide the menace from her tone. "I hope they're not true, my dear."

"She wouldn't tell you if they were," Longinus suddenly added from his position at the window, "would you?"

Marika's dark eyes darted between the two. Longinus always made her uneasy and right now it seemed like he was working against her as well. "No, my Queen," she pleaded as she realized the direness of her situation. "I would never run away. I gave myself as a gift to you. I could never take that back."

Diana pursed her lips as she thought it over. "You'd never lie to me, would you?"

Marika shook her head adamantly. She was a slave but she wasn't stupid. She had a good life here and didn't want to put that in jeopardy if she could help it. "Of course not, my Queen," she replied. "I have no reason to."

"And so you say," Diana countered, "but if the rumors are true, you'd lie to save yourself, of course." She rose from her chair and walked over to her slave. She couldn't afford to show mercy, even to one of her favorites. "You've always been one of my favorites, Marika," she announced. Her honey coated voice hiding the venom behind her words. "So young and beautiful. You do as your told without question or argument. I take good care of you, child. You've been like a ... like a daughter to me. That's what makes this so difficult."

Marika stared wide-eyed at Diana. This wasn't happening. It couldn't be happening to her. It had to be a dream. There had to be some way out of this. "Please spare me, your Highness," she cried. Tears were threatening to spill over now. "I'd never run. This is my home as it always will be. Please spare me!"

Diana gave her decision no further thought. Her mind had been made up already. In fact, it had been made up long before Marika had even arrived. Mercy was not in her nature and she certainly wasn't going to show any to a slave. She spun around and with the single wave of her hand, two guards dragged Marika out, kicking and screaming her innocence.

"What will happen to her now?" Moira requested. Her tone was strangely calm despite the scene that had just played out.

"Marika will pay for her treachery," replied Diana, "and all will return to as it was before this incident. Now go and ready my horse." Her tone was even, matter-of-fact. It was as if nothing had happened here and to her, it felt that way.

Moira stared, her jaw dropped for a moment as she realized what this meant for her friend. She sputtered for a moment. "Ready ... ready your horse? You're going to punish Marika for doing nothing and you want your horse?" she yelled.

Diana whirled about to face her. Her face held no emotion, only malice. No one was going to speak to her that way and if she had to, she'd make an example out of Moira as well. "Are you rebelling as well?" she asked coldly.

Moira took a deep breath, knowing she would be of no help to Marika if she died. "No, my Queen," she said slowly.

Diana smiled icily and nodded. "Good. Now, you go and ready my horse."

Moira glanced over to the window where Longinus stood. How he could be a silent party to this when he knew the truth was beyond Moira's understanding. "Yes, Queen Diana. As you wish." She turned to leave, offering a little bow as she did. "I wonder sometimes how you can stand her," she hissed to Longinus and ran out.