I didn't mind the journey to D'Hara. As soon as the other Mord'Sith were all packed up, they took me with them on horseback. Of course, I had to ride with Garren. The other Mord'Sith were all as beautiful as she was, but she was my favourite. She was actually quite young, only about 23 or 24 years old. But she was damn good at what she did, which was why she was in charge. There were four other Mord'Sith. One had dark hair, with dark eyes and she looked mean. She was called Constance. There was another one, blonde like Garren but many shades lighter but nowhere near as white blonde as my own hair and she had hard blue eyes. She was called Rikka. Another blonde was Nyda. She didn't talk much but her blue eyes seemed to take everything in, every small detail. The last Mord'Sith was called Triana. She was a cold bitch. She never said anything nice and she thought it was funny to poke me with her Agiel every now and then. We soon had to stop and make camp.

"Right Sisters, you know the drill. We need firewood, sleeping mats and the food out and ready." Garren was sorting everyone out, as usual.

Triana rolled her eyes. "Oh please, Garren, enough with the instructions, we know what we're doing."

Garren smiled wickedly. "Well, in that case, Triana, you can go and collect new firewood."

I winced. Firewood collection was the worst job ever. Garren whipped round to face me. I stood back, wondering what I had done.

"And if you find that so funny Melanie, you can go with her."

I groaned inside. She had mistaken my wince for a laugh. "Yes, Mistress."

As we collected firewood I noticed that Triana just stood back and let me do all the work. I didn't dare complain but I wasn't happy about this. Then I noticed a deer, quite a large one and I dropped the firewood I was carrying.

Triana came over and slapped me in the face. "Stupid girl! Pick it up!"

I pointed to the deer. "Look, look! Get a bow quick!"

She grabbed me by the throat. "Do I look like I care about a stupid animal? I told you to pick up the wood you dropped, now do as you're told!"

I stood my ground. "If you get a bow, you can shoot it and you'll have more meat for the journey."

Triana looked murderous. She took out her Agiel and pressed it into my side. I couldn't help it, I screamed because it was the worst pain imaginable, like fire burning my insides. My mind went dark and all of a sudden a bright white. I opened my eyes to see Nyda and Rikka holding onto Triana and Garren gazing into my eyes. She was cupping my cheek.

"Are you alright Melanie?"

I try to sit up, shying away from her touch but I can't manage it so I fall back, limp. I'm so embarrassed, ashamed of my weakness. I try again, with the same results. I hear Garren shouting.

"She can't even sit up, Triana!"

"She was disobedient!"

I murmur in protest. "The deer…"

I feel Garren near me again but I am so afraid of them all now, with their Agiels that I shy away from her again. She strokes my hair.

"There was a deer? Is that what you were saying?"

I manage a nod. "Wanted…to…shoot…it…more…food…for…journey…"

Garren glared at Triana. "You see? She just wanted to shoot the deer so there would be more meat!"

Triana scoffed. "What, she felt underfed? Greedy little cow!"

Garren drew her Agiel. "She probably meant the meat for us. It is not uncommon for the young girls to gift us, remember? They like to please us because they think that if we take a liking to them, their torture will be less severe. In most cases, this actually happens."

"Oh put away your Agiel, Garren, you're not fooling anyone."

Garren sheathed her Agiel. "Get her out of my sight, before I kill her."

Nyda and Rikka oblige, dragging Triana away from Garren, Constance and I. I was still afraid of them all. But it did seem that she liked me. I felt myself being picked up by gentle, strong hands and then I passed out.