I want to announce that SindelV was so kind as to become my proof-reader. She pointed out some very well-founded points and thus, helped me along greatly with my story. From now on, you will read our combined efforts in this story. :)

Acknowledgements

I want to thank my dearest reviewers, CapitalClassShip, overlorddevil, Lord Mortem, BIBOTOT and the dear guest who left such encouraging comments. It makes me glad to see that I got some of you guys hooked so much on that story. *evil smile*
As to the second guest, who said, after reading the first chapter, that this story could be interesting if she became more than just a mere slave... I am sorry, I have to disappoint you, this is not how things work in Commorragh. Besides, this story isn't about exploring the universe and a heroine, who can manage anything with grandeur, but the story of a mere slave of another world, trying to survive the trials and travails of the Dark City. However, I still hope that you keep reading and liking what I produce. :)
As to BIBOTOT's comment: yeah, isn't it strange that the assassin managed to get so easily into the Black Fortress?
I also want to point out that overlorddevil is asking the right question in his review. Why, oh why, would an Archon send a highly-skilled assassin just to kill a mere slave?
We shall see... hehehehe.

I get a lot of heartwarming and uplifting PMs, I just wish that people would share their thoughts also more often through reviews. No pressure here, though.

And the last important thing, before I leave you to it:
Please wait for the next chapter before you complain about Vlokarion's highly implausible payment!
I just did not want to squeeze the whole thing in one chapter, since it would be
a) far too much for one chapter and
b) it keeps the suspense up. ;)

And now, finally:

ENJOY!

Chapter 12

Quid pro Quo

"Yes, a hug. That is my price. I have never felt the warmth of another's body, who approached me willingly..."
—Haemonculus Salthazar Xorn to an employer

VLOKARION WAS NEITHER surprised nor startled as he heard the voice of the Overlord behind him, saying, "How is she?"

Without turning around or acknowledging his presence in any other way – they knew each other long enough to diminish such petty courtesy – Vlokarion said, "Unchanged since the last time." He shrugged and continued, "What did you expect? Even I can't work wonders." It had been a week since the Overlord had checked on the girl the last time. By now, Vlokarion was used to those weekly visits, though they made him wonder.

Vlokarion thought that this had been one of his best works so far, since the girl would be left without any disfiguring scars from her deep wounds. The Haemonculus was proud of his work. Mending wounds was one thing – making them completely vanish, a different one.

Also, though the Overlord had demanded that she was not to be changed in any way, Vlokarion had not heeded that request entirely. He had changed and enhanced some things in her body, yet, the changes were dormant, so that no one but him could know. Only he could activate them, if it should become necessary for her. If she was due for what he thought she would be anytime soon, she would come to him anyways and it would be a lot quicker and easier to just activate her enhancements than cutting her open anew and implant the improvements. After all, she was to stay unbroken and though he would have loved to hear her screams and feel her agony when he gave her the implants, he was quite sure that she did not have the strength to stand it.

Activating her enhancements would be unpleasant enough for her and enjoyable enough for him.

Additionally, he did not want to be the one breaking her and invoking the wrath of the Overlord with that, though he felt quite sure in his position.

A particularly piercing scream from his current subject halted his thoughts and made him relish the sensations he felt from it. And, of course, he knew that the Overlord – who now passed him slowly, to take a closer look at his personal slave – felt it too and relished it as much as Vlokarion did, if not even more. However, right now, Vlokarion needed silence to talk to Vect and he inserted a needle into one of the drilled holes in the head of his victim, inhibiting the brain centre for speaking, making his subject mute in the process. Oh, how he loved those terrified looks out of watery eyes!

Then, the Haemonculus took a look at the girl, who floated in the filled tank in front of him, oxygen mask and metabolism tubes attached to her body, to let her breathe and nourish her. Though she was human, her physiology had been quite different from any human he had ever seen, and he had seen billions of them. Also, her regenerative powers were astonishing. Vlokarion had noticed the latter already on Chu'uk's ship. He sighed without a sound. She would have made a formidable test subject, but he knew all too well what he was due for if he dared to do such things to her.

Yes, even for him.

Therefore, Vlokarion said to the Overlord, "She is truly precious to you, am I right?" There were not many in Commorragh that were allowed such a blatant question, but Vlokarion counted himself amongst them. However, the Overlord did not answer; he just looked at the almost lifeless girl for a while, blankly, but somehow pensive, without saying a single word.

Vlokarion shrugged. He was used to the enigmatic behaviour of Vect and he knew that asking again would not merit him anything but an ill-tempered Overlord in his laboratory. He was not fond of the notion.

After a while, the Haemonculus said, "There will be still my unusual price to pay, as I don't have to remind you."

Vect now snapped out of his intense pondering, nodded and replied, "Certainly. Go on, I interrupted you the last time we talked about it."

Vlokarion thought about his words for a second, then he responded, "Besides the double fee, I ask for her for one day and one night. I want her to stay with me for this period, observe my work, and when my day is done, I want her to stay with me in my quarters and tend to my every need. I want to feel her approaching me willingly. It is something I have never felt before and I want to know that feeling."

Vect again stared pensively into thin air for a while, then he said, "So, it is a night with a willing woman you desire? Why her? I am quite sure that you could have many others."

"It is more than that, far more. I desire a night with a willing woman indeed, but she must understand what I am, hence the day before where she will observe my work. When she is able to approach me after that day calmly and not shivering in fear, I can be sure that it was done willingly, that it was more than fearful admiration she was able to show me. From what I have heard, she is the only one meeting my requirements, who would not put up some kind of show for me, who would possess the openness in mind to accept what and who I am without being scared senseless. I am sure that we both know the difference between the true affection of an Eldar woman and a human one. The latter is not able to fake this to us and this is the feeling I long for, the difference I want to experience. I want it to feel… right. I want to see whether I am able to get a better understanding of the human psyche through it, since, as we both know, this is the key to ultimate torture and therefore, to ultimate regeneration, to endless life. She is, without any doubt, the only human female around that can manage exactly that. You know all too well what I am talking about, don't you?"

The smile the Overlord now flashed could only be described as cryptic, and he replied, again without answering Vlokarion's question, "So it shall be. I think I can save my breath to tell what will happen to you if you dare to break her in the process. I want her to stay unbroken."

"All too well," Vlokarion replied with a very self-assured smile.

Threatening a Haemonculus was not a wise thing to do, but in this case, it was rather assuring a mutual understanding than a threat, though the Overlord was certainly the only one in Commorragh powerful enough to back up a threat in this direction.

"One last thing, Overlord," Vlokarion said, hindering Vect again from leaving. The Haemonculus sighed, then continued, "Why did she know my name? I thought that you wanted to keep my survival strictly between Urien, you and me, as long as the time is not ripe?"

A faint smile passed Vect's ancient face. "Indeed. It must have slipped out at some point."

"An unheard-of thing that you would let anything slip from your tongue," Vlokarion said with false concern, head tilted.

"True. However, after all, she is just a slave. Who would ever listen to her if she told anyone? Besides, no one suspects your survival, so she would hardly get asked about it," Vect shrugged.

The Haemonculus was aware that there was a gambit played here. Nevertheless, at the moment, it escaped him what kind of gambit it was. "Am I correct in assuming that you get something out of this, by telling a mere slave that I am alive?"

The smile on Vect's immaculate lips deepened and after a long and meaningful stare, the Overlord left again.

This time, Vlokarion sighed as he was gone. Seeing through Asdrubael Vect was a trick not even he had managed in all the time he had known him. He played his own game and nobody could ever know what he was truly planning and thinking. Either he indeed treasured the girl as much as he wanted to make everybody believe, which would be outrageous, but it was equally possible that he only put up a fuss about this slave just to make his enemies believe that he grew old and weak and that he finally found something he truly treasured, letting them be careless and show themselves.

Also, Vlokarion was aware that giving his name to the girl had been not just a whim or inattention of Vect. He had a scheme there, but in the same moment, Vlokarion was sure that it was one of the most private schemes of the Overlord, possibly shared with no one else, so, therefore, getting to know what it was, was most likely impossible.

Nothing was certain when it came down to Asdrubael Vect and the Overlord would do anything in his power to keep it exactly like this.

I came to now and then.

Each awakening was equally strange.

The first time I came to, I was only barely awake. I felt like I was floating, like in a liquid, and for some reason, I could not open my eyes. After a few seconds and some feeble movement on my part, I felt very much like I was pushed back into unconsciousness.

The second time I felt a bit more alive. I was lying on some warm, but hard ground. I fought for consciousness, dozing off time and again, but I finally came to after some time, feeling terribly dizzy and my vision somewhat blurred.

I opened my eyes and was not able to discern anything farther away from me than one meter. I tried to move and lift my head, to see a few of my surroundings, but instantly noticed that I was far too weak for that. So I did what I could and looked down along my body. My eyes widened as I beheld it, for I was covered with thousands of long needles, who all were attached to hoses and cables and sunken deep into my flesh. I found it highly disturbing that I did not feel a thing and that I was unable to move.

My heartbeat and breathing accelerated.

In a second, I saw a figure standing beside me; from what I could vaguely see, I figured that it was Vlokarion.

My suspicions were confirmed as he spoke to me, "Ah, you silly thing! You should not yet be awake." As always, his tone was slightly amused.

Extremely arduously I managed to say, "What… are you… doing… to me?"

The Haemonculus laid his hand over my eyes, so I had to close them. He said, his voice calm and, strangely enough, soothing, "Easy, my little one. You have been out for quite a while and severely injured. I am merely regenerating your muscles. Calm down now, you still need to gather a lot of strength and accordingly, enough rest to be able to do so."

With that question answered, my mind and body came to rest again and unconsciousness reached out for me with its warm, dark hand…

The third time I awoke, I felt a lot clearer and stronger. I also did not have to fight for consciousness; I felt like I awoke from a long, deep and relaxing slumber.

Sweet oblivion engulfed my mind; only somewhere in the far back of my mind, I thought that I had not felt so carefree and relaxed for a long time.

I slowly opened my eyes and had to blink several times before I could see clearly.

At first, I only saw that I was lying in an enormous canopy bed, with crimson curtains, and it was made out of black stone. I thought to myself that it had a nice design; I had always wanted to own a bed like this.

"It is said that the true spirit of a human is revealed when they are free of memories and thought. I am intrigued to see that yours seems to be utterly innocent."

I knew that I should recognise that voice.

I turned my head to the left, from where I had heard it. And as I beheld the creature that was sitting there, beside me on this gigantic bed, everything came crashing down on me at once.

I groaned as all the memories flooded my brain.

Where I was.

What I now was.

Who he was.

The attack.

And then…

I groaned again, covering my face with my hands.

Through them, I said, "How… how did I... survive…?

A cackling laughter reached my ears. It was not uttered by Vect, who sat beside me.

I looked to the right and beheld Vlokarion, who, as always, sneered at me gleefully. He sat beside the bed on his elongated spine, which he had curled up beneath him to allow for a more comfortable seat, and looked down at me contemplatively. He said, "You gave me quite the challenge, child; I enjoyed it greatly. It has been a while since I had such a lovely patient around for such a long time. I shall miss you."

I looked at him in pure bewilderment. Though I knew that Vlokarion was quite a queer and eccentric personality, even for a Haemonculus, I sometimes was still puzzled by his peculiarity.

In general, I felt strange, and in some bizarre way charmed as I lay between those two ancient creatures, each of them outlandish and malignant, yet right now, and strangely enough, they seemed only to be interested in my well-being.

I could not help feeling honoured.

Vlokarion then started checking me, testing senses and reflexes expertly and quickly. Some things were not pleasant, especially considering that I was still feeble, quite sensitive and only freshly awoken from a coma that had lasted for two months of their time, as they told me.

After finishing his tests, Vlokarion nodded and said with a satisfied tone, "So far, so good. She is all yours now again. Still, let her take it slowly, it will take some time until she is at her peak again."

Vect nodded, "Very well. After all, there is no reason for killing her right now."

Vlokarion chuckled – I really could not comprehend what he thought funny about that – and said, while he stroked my hair once and tenderly, "Goodbye, my child. We shall see each other again." He exchanged a greeting nod with the Overlord, then he left.

As always, I felt a strange sting of sadness and regret as he left. For some bizarre reason, I felt a lot safer with him than with my master.

I looked at my lord, who still sat like a statue beside me, and I said meekly, "Okay, I just have to ask: how screwed am I?"

"If you mean physically, I can say that your injuries were tremendously severe and you were incredibly lucky that Vlokarion was around to save you. If you are rather referring to whether I am angry with you, I can assure you that I am not. Assuming that you would have stood even the slightest chance against a highly-skilled assassin would be preposterous, to say the least! Besides, this attempt on your life was actually quite fortunate for me."

"If I may ask, my lord: how so?"

"You may, yet, it is none of your concern, therefore, I will not tell you. However, there are some other plans and things that will involve you; all will be revealed in due time, child. First and foremost, I need you to recover fully."

I nodded, though I did not quite understand.

"So, for the next weeks, you will stay here, I will give you some time off from your service in my throne room. And, since I cannot expect you to be stable again instantly, and I do not have the will to care for you personally, I will give you someone for assistance for the time being. I think you know her."

My eyes widened in disbelief. "Lisbeth?" I asked, hopeful, but dreading what malicious plan he had in mind for the two of us.

Of course, he noticed my fright and he laughed evilly.

"Yes, Lisbeth. However," he started and paused there, feeding on my fear for a minute or so. "it will be your task to train her, because she will be your replacement for a while."

Now he had me completely freaked out. I felt sick.

He relished it, but was willing to continue, "Oh, do not look so spooked, I am not replacing you permanently, you silly thing! You will just be gone for quite a while and I will not endure being without a personal slave any longer. Since I like the attitude of the humans of your time, I decided for Lisbeth to be your replacement. I am sending you on a very special errand." He shifted his position a bit to a more comfortable one and I also turned feebly onto my side, to be able to listen more relaxed to him, since I figured that his explanations would take quite the while.

Then, he started to explain, "There is a quinquennial festival around here, the Carnival of Death, which is held in the Sprawls. The Sprawls are one of the lowest districts, war-torn ruins, stricken by a lot of hideous beasts and the Parched, cadaverous True Eldar that have fallen from grace and fight over the remains of battles held down there. The Carnival of Death is hosted by the Cult of Strife and my Kabal. In essence, it is a race, in which slaves have to retrieve a certain prize from the Sprawls, whilst being hunted by and hunt their fellow slaves. Also, they are chased by three True Eldar bounty hunters, to keep matters interesting. For this time, the Sprawls are off-limits to the public, the Parched and beasts are also driven out of there, because there are some rules for the time being, to make this more gripping. Every Archon with honour and self-respect sends her best fitting, alien slave to this race; slaves of our kind are not allowed. Some truly choose their best to show the high quality of their slaves, some choose those they want to get rid of. Each slave gets combat and survival training for one year, and also three favours, which she is allowed to call in from anyone but a rivalled Archon, however, she must know the person she calls it in from. Those favours have to be chosen wisely, since they will decide whether a slave survives the Sprawls or not. Needless to say, only the one to retrieve the prize survives."

My heart pounded and I was scared witless. "Hasn't the Maester said that you should take it slowly with me? Making me face such news is hardly that."

"Stop complaining, will you! Very seldom is a slave with your unique set of connections sent there. Your chances to stand victorious are good, and you can certainly use the training. I will not pay Vlokarion once again to fix you if you get attacked a second time."

I was not able to figure out whether he was mocking me or not, therefore, I asked cautiously and somehow excited, "Are you trying to tell me that I would ever stand a chance against one of your kind?"

A mysterious smile. "Remember: you can call in the favours from anybody. Choose wisely, and you might one day."

I still was confused, though I got a pretty good idea what he was hinting at. "And how will I be able to call in the favours? It is not like I could wander around here without getting myself killed."

Vect chuckled. "Everything will be explained to you once you are in the Crucibael; all I will tell you now is that it is possible for a smart and strong slave to make the race; well, not unscathed, but definitely alive. It is a game designed to hurt, yet, not to kill, if you are sharp enough. You will also stay in the Crucibael for the time of your training, so we will not see each other for at least one year. Before you leave for the Sprawls, there will be some major festivities, where we will meet again. It is a custom for the Archons to see their slaves off personally."

"But…" I started.

However, he cut me off, "Enough! I am done answering your squabbling."

"I am sorry, my lord. I am just curious, that is all," I added carefully. "Because my fucking head is on the line," I thought additively.

Vect let open whether he accepted my apology and continued, "Before I send you away, there is something else you have to do."

"My lord?" I asked, confused.

My master smiled viciously, then said, "Vlokarion asked for a very specific payment for his services and as you know, Haemonculi tend to ask for quite eccentric things. This is one of them."

He then started to tell me what Vlokarion asked for.

My eyes grew wide in disbelief…

I was knocked even more out of the skies and right into hell as Vect had ended telling me about my fate.

"So… you are telling me that the Maester desires me in a sexual manner? I never thought that this was even possible or interested Haemonculi in the slightest," I said, utterly perplexed.

"It is more than that, far more, child, since he longs for true affection, if only for one night. Do not ask me why he desires that – the ways of Haemonculi are often unfathomable. However, this is what he asked for and you will give it to him," my master said and his last words made clear that I was not allowed any kind of resistance.

How, in the nine hells, was I to manage that?

"I… I will need some time to figure this out," I said, still flabbergasted.

"Of course, child. You will have a lot of time for that while you are recovering. Maybe your little friend has an idea for you, hmm?"

I would have loved to gouge his eyes out for his mockery right now. Though it must have cost him a fortune to have me patched up again, for I was sure that Vlokarion would not be satisfied solely with my service as a payment, my master still seemed to care little about what was happening to me. It did not make any sense, but then again, this was exactly what Asdrubael Vect always aimed for: making everybody around him believe that there was no method to his madness, whilst playing everybody so nicely that they did not even notice.

Vect chuckled at my helpless and pained stare, then brushed with his fingertips against his left ear and said, apparently into a com-bead, "It is time. Bring her in."

I turned on my back again, to be able to eye the entrance. Only a few seconds after the Overlord had voiced his command, the door opened and in came an Incubus with Lisbeth on a leash. She was now no longer covered in cuts and bruises and her fair skin shone in her usual pallor; enough of it was to be seen because she was scantily dressed, as it was usual for slaves around here. Her copper hair was done in a simple braid, some strands were plucked out of it and they framed her delicate face nicely. She seemed exhausted to me; the sheen of her aquamarine eyes seemed to be a bit dulled. It pained me to see heavy manacles around her wrists and the collar around her tender neck; then again, I knew that this was one of the cardinal rules around here: no slave, who met the Overlord for the first time, was allowed to do so unbound.

Though she was my best friend, Lisbeth and I could not be any different. She was tall and slender; I was rather short and muscular. Though she was tough as nails if she needed to be, Lisbeth was actually a tender and gentle personality, where I was headstrong and irascible. We were a perfect counterbalance to each other, which was possibly one of the reasons why we got along so well.

"The slave girl, as you commanded, Overlord," the Incubus said with a bow.

I took it that the translator was turned on for Lisbeth, because I saw her eyes widen as she heard the title the Incubus voiced. I still had not figured out how translators actually worked, because I heard the Incubus speaking in the Dark Eldar tongue. Apparently, it had not been made clear to Lisbeth whom she would be dealing with. I was relieved on the inside that she was quick enough in mind to also bow down.

I pitied her so much. She had not been taught at all, where I had been profoundly trained and she obviously had not had any idea until now whom she would be given to.

It was hell of a mountain to process.

Vect let out an amused chuckle and said, "Get up, both of you!" To the Incubus, he said, "That will be all. You may leave."

As they rose again, Lisbeth now also caught sight of me and I heard her gasp in disbelief. The Incubus removed the chain from her collar and then he bowed again and left.

It was easy to see how much she wanted to storm towards me and hug me and, damn, I wanted to hug her too, but one short look at each other – and we reached a silent understanding that this was not a wise course of action.

I could almost feel Vect's appetite for our dismay.

It was also him who broke the silence by shifting his position to the foot of the bed at my side, seating himself there and saying to Lisbeth, "Child, come here! I want to take a closer look at you."

At first, I feared that Lisbeth would not be able to comply; she paled visibly and I could not blame her, since I also still was not completely used to his presence. She just got thrown in at the deep end and what hurt me the most was that I could do nothing to help her.

With unsure steps, she neared the Overlord; I could see her trembling all over. He did not do her the favour of leaving some space between them, but rather grabbed her by her collar as soon as she was in reach and drew her close to him. Lisbeth let out a surprised yelp as he did this, but held still as he examined her; he did it in the same appraising way as he had done with me the first time I had met him. It was apparent that she was cringing on the inside, hating that she was bound, as he stared at her long and pensively after he was done; standing his gaze was more than a challenge after all. To her credit, she did not back away, though she was quivering all over.

After a while, Vect said, "I was told by Temira here that your name is Lisbeth. Is that correct?"

Lisbeth gulped, then stuttered, "Y… Yes, Overlord."

A faint smile could be seen on his face. "Good, you certainly possess the basics of wits and manners." Again, Vect just looked at her, apparently drinking her fear, then he tilted his head and added, "I take it you know the basics about the society of my city, since you use the correct title to address me. Therefore, I also deduce that you know how your chances are against me, if you should be dim-witted enough to try and attack me. So, child, let me know: will you be a good slave and behave if I take those shackles off?"

Once more, Lisbeth had to give herself a push to answer. She nodded and said obediently, "Yes, Overlord, I won't be disobedient."

The Overlord let go of her and she stumbled half a step backwards. However, that did not hinder him from gently laying a hand upon her face and tenderly running his thumb over her cheek once. She jumped at his touch and I could see her fear and confusion all too clear and again, I could not blame her.

Vect, of course, enjoyed her fear and chuckled. He said, as he touched her, "Good girl. Now, hold still and I shall free you from your shackles."

It was not like Lisbeth was able to move at this particular moment. She apparently was frozen in horror and bewilderment.

Without altering this terrible smile of his, my master took off her manacles. He very much reminded me right now of a cat with a big prey in its paws. The comparison fit very nicely, I thought. As the Overlord was done, Lisbeth drew her hands back, hugging herself in a defensive manner. It almost tore me apart to see her so profoundly scared.

Even I looked at Vect in bewilderment as he took a deep, utterly relished breath, in through his nose, out through his mouth, producing a hissing sound as the air hit his sharp teeth. His whole body shuddered while he did it. Apparently, he was enjoying the situation. "Mmh, I sense that I will have quite an entertaining and pleasant time while I have the two of you around. It will be my genuine pleasure to exploit your strong feelings for each other." My master made an amused, yet contemptuous sound and eyed the two of us with a look that glowed with malice.

Then, and to my utter surprise, he sighed and said, "Alright, go ahead, children, embrace each other already! I can feel that desire burning in you almost as strong as if it was my own!"

Lisbeth did not need any more permission than that.

She stormed to me, flung herself to my side and hugged me with a sound that showed pure relief and pain at the same time. "Temira!" she gasped.

I closed my eyes as I hugged her back, for I felt hot tears burning in them. It felt so good to be touched with love for once, though she squeezed me a bit too hard and hurt me. I could feel and share her relief. Yet, in the same moment, I was absolutely aware of the fact that the Overlord would torment us the most with our connection. However, in this moment it was absolutely irrelevant. I felt better in this short while than I had in all the time I was here.

Then again, was it surprising?

I softly whispered to her, "I never imagined that I would see you again, my dear Lisbeth."

For a while, we were allowed to have this peace.

However, our moment of reunion and comfort was disrupted far too soon as the thunderous voice of the Overlord cut in between the two of us like a scalpel, "Easy, girl, Temira here is still quite feeble! She has just recovered from some grave injury; you are here to be her aide and she will teach you what you need to know."

Lisbeth drew only very reluctantly away from me. I smiled at her, and wiped one single tear that had run down her cheek off her face, whispering, "Don't cry."

I hated it that Vect again cut in from behind with an extremely mocking tone, "Listen to her, child, she is right. Crying is just a waste of your suffering and I personally despise to see things as precious as the sweet nectar of anguish wasted. You do not want to anger me that early, now do you, slave?"

Lisbeth paled again, turned to face the Overlord and said carefully, "No, my lord, of course, I don't want to do this. Please, forgive my failure!"

I was relieved as a satisfied smile started to slowly grace his features as she said that. I was really assuaged that Lisbeth acted carefully with Vect, though it was unlike her. I knew her to rebel blindly against anybody who oppressed her; then again, I had told her enough about him back in our world – the cruel irony hit me that I had cherished him quite a lot – to let her know what fate she bestowed upon herself if she acted up against him.

"Good, very good. I like your tone, girl. Maybe you could teach Temira a thing or two about courtesy again, since she tends to forget about it sometimes." He stood up and went to the couch, where some black robes lay. While he put them on, he said, "Alright, children, I shall leave you to it, then. I will be back in a few hours. Lisbeth, it will be your task to see to it that your friend gets fed, bathed and a bit of exercise, just enough to remind her circulatory system what it is there for. Have I made myself clear?"

Lisbeth nodded and replied, "Yes, my lord, perfectly clear."

Vect sized us up with a final, long stare, then left, taking his sceptre with him.

We both exhaled in a relieved manner as he had left. Then, we hugged each other again.

"Damn, I am so fucking happy that you are here!" I said, now no longer holding the tears back.

"You tell me!" Lisbeth replied in the same, heartfelt manner.

We stayed a while like this, just enjoying each other's friendship and touch and we took strength from the notion that we were no longer alone in this blasted city, though we both knew that ultimately, they would destroy us with it.

At some point, we drew away from each other again, and I said carefully, "Do you want to tell me how you have survived until now or do you rather not talk about it?"

Lisbeth sighed heavily and stared into thin air. "Actually, I'm not so sure how and why I survived myself."

"Ok, now you got me curious," I said.

Lisbeth looked miserable, but she continued, "If you have to know, and somehow I have the feeling that it truly would be best, I will tell you. However, I think I should get you up first and see to it that you eat, because I would hate to neglect my duty. I take it that the Overlord is not much fun if you disobey."

I shivered and said with fear, "You have no idea."

She nodded. "I see. So, you too, have not gone unscathed. Let's exchange stories over lunch."

Thus we began the arduous process of getting me into a sitting position.

It took me a while to muster the strength to do it and at this point, I was incredibly grateful that Vlokarion had regenerated my muscles while I had been out. Lisbeth helped me as well as she could, but I still needed some time. Now I sat on the rim of the bed, panting and barely keeping myself from falling back again, since my vertigo had reached new, unknown heights. Unsurprisingly, nausea was also one of the side-effects I experienced.

"Damn, girl, you look like shit. What the hell happened to you?" Lisbeth said to me.

I smiled joylessly and told her, while I recovered enough to dare the next step. As I looked down on me, I noticed for one that I was naked, but also that my skin was utterly flawless. Even the small scars I had always had from an appendicectomy were gone. Vlokarion really knew his stuff.

Lisbeth shook her head. "Right into the biggest heap of shit, as usual, eh? You also have to tell me later on how you have fared until now. I am dying to know how you became Vect's slave," Lisbeth insisted.

I smiled and nodded, then said, "Alright. However, I must ask you to name him by his rightful title. We can't know whether he has some means to spy on us and I would hate to be punished because of such a stupid mistake."

"Are we a bit paranoid?" Lisbeth teased me.

However, this time, I did not smile. "I mean it, Lisbeth. You don't wanna be punished by him! Please, believe me when I say that you should do everything in your power to avoid that!" I felt my eyes getting watery. I still had not entirely processed my last punishment, I now got aware of that.

Lisbeth looked shocked. "Oh my god! Temira, what the hell happened? This is so unlike you!"

I closed my eyes and let my head hang. "I know, it's just... I barely can stand it myself; I don't know what will happen if he makes me watch when he punishes you. I mean, I know that you probably also got your share of torture, but believe me, he will be something else." Somehow, it felt good to be finally able to admit that something was wrong with me and that I was not as collected as I tried to make everybody believe.

Lisbeth laid one arm around me and said, "Ok, I will listen carefully to what you have to teach me and I will be extra-careful. Promise!"

I looked at her and smiled sadly. "Thank you. And I will try to teach you as well as I can."

Lisbeth smiled. "Good. And now, one other thing."

I looked at her in a querying manner.

"You now wipe that sadness off your face or I will have to tickle you!"

I laughed wholeheartedly. It was strange at first, then it felt good, but I also realised that I had almost forgotten what joy felt like. The notion made me wonder whether I was really as ok as I thought I was. Then I said jokingly, "Mercy!" With a smile, I added, "Come on, help me get to the table. I am starving."

She nodded too, then fetched a dressing gown, that was laid out for me, from one of the chairs and helped me to put it on. The gown was a lot warmer than I was used to, but I was happy about it, for I felt quite cold. Then, I laid one arm around her, so she could help me up.

It was quite the arduous journey to the table and I stumbled around a lot, but we managed alright.

With a relieved sigh I fell on one of the chairs and told Lisbeth which dishes I wanted to eat, also explaining them to her in the process (and warned her of some really nasty ones), since I figured that she would not have eaten much of them by now.

As we were both set, I said, "Tell me already! What the hell, Lisbeth? How did they get you too?"

She sighed, then started to recount, "Well, it all started during a stormy night..."

I giggled and I almost jumped again at the feeling of joy. "Stop shitting me! I know it was not stormy back then!"

Lisbeth smiled too, then continued, "Nevertheless, it was night. I was dragged out of bed by those bastards. Of course, I struggled, since I had no idea what was happening to me, and I started my custody by gotten beaten almost senseless. Then, they tied me up and brought me back to their ship; I guess I was one of the last, because they were dragging lots of others into the ship, who they had gathered in front of it. I was thrown into a cell, well, rather shackled to a wall. Since they had me beaten up good in the first place, but apparently, not bad enough for some medical care, I was just left alone. I still think that it was best like this, because I heard around me that people were taken out of their cells occasionally and shortly thereafter, the screams started. Thus, I arrived in Commorragh without many physical injuries, but I guess I don't have to tell you that I wasn't quite alright in mind. I tried to remember everything you had told me, but to be honest, the biggest part escaped me. And I was so stupid in the beginning. I struggled hard against everything, and all it got me was more pain. Took me a while to learn that lesson. They dragged me from the ship right to the slave markets. I changed hands many times there, from one merchant to another, since no one wanted to buy me, for some reason. I did not act any different than the rest, you know. I screamed and cried when they took me to the selling dais to torture me in front of the bidders, hell, I even stopped struggling entirely and you know how I am. But never was I bought. I don't know why and to be honest, it unsettles me. I spent all this time down there, never able to have anybody else but myself, since everybody else got sold at some point, but not me. And then you and the Overlord came along. I thought I was going crazy as I saw you, I did not believe my eyes at first. I still don't know whether it was the worst or best thing that I cried out to you."

I smiled sadly and replied, "I think it is a bit of both. It is the best thing, because we get to have a short break from all the shit around here, but I fear that soon enough it also will be the worst thing. Our lord will exploit our relationship."

"You are possibly right, as always. Nevertheless, I was actually sold that day. And this makes me wonder. It is a bit obvious, don't you think? All the time no one bought me, hell, though I don't understand a word of their language, I am quite sure I saw the merchants refusing offers. What if he has planned this all along?"

I shook my head and said, "Believe me, never try to question his motives. You will never get an answer. And do yourself a favour and never ask him why he is doing something. Ever. He really doesn't like that."

"I understand. Well, it is no use then. So, I guess, he knew about our connection somehow, right?"

"Possibly. It would not surprise me, though I never told him anything like that. But, I guess, you also saw that something is severely off with him."

"Oh hell, yes. Damn, he looks far too good for his age. You wouldn't believe the hideous visages I have seen at the markets."

I chuckled. "I know, right? He has an ace up his sleeve, but, well, let's leave it at that. What happened next?"

Lisbeth shrugged. "Well, I was brought somewhere around here and locked up in a cell, but one of the nicer ones, with a bed, shower and toilet. You wouldn't believe how happy I was."

I smiled without joy. "Believe me, when it comes down to being grateful for the tiniest things, I so know what you are talking about."

"Well, and that's it, basically. I'll spare you the grisly details. I spent the rest of my time in that cell, unscathed and untouched. Gave me some time to recover. Well, at least, until they dragged me up here. And that's it."

I exhaled sharply. "Damn, quite a lot to take in."

Lisbeth snorted. "You tell me." She shook her head. "There is something about him that makes your blood freeze."

I nodded in approval. "So, I take it you want to know what happened to me, right?"

She nodded. "Right. How the hell did you manage it to get in this position?"

I smiled joylessly and wanted to start to tell her, but she made me stop as she tasted one of the dishes and let out an utterly relished sound.

I looked at her, one eyebrow raised.

"What?" she complained jokingly. "You didn't really think that I got anything nice to eat until now?! Believe me, standard slave food around here SUCKS!"

I chuckled, but then said, again serious, "I don't even want to imagine."

She shivered. "Damn right you don't!" Then she smiled and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to keep you. Go on!"

So I did. I told her almost everything.

Lisbeth was taken aback as I was finished. "Oh dear. And I thought that I had it bad."

"Actually, I think your fate was worse to mine," I said, bewildered.

She shook her head, "I hate to break this to you, but you are... changed. I can't tell what it is, but you seem not to be entirely... you. Am I making any sense?"

I sighed heavily. Lisbeth had confirmed something I had feared all along. "I was not sure until now. But since you now also pointed it out, I am sure that something is indeed wrong with me. I can't tell why and how that is, but I felt it before. On one hand, I handle the Overlord far too well, on the other, I think I am starting to become like them. I can't help it and it scares me."

"Does it really surprise you? I mean, with all that you told me, the constant pressure you were under, the things he did to you... you just simply had to change. Either that or you would have broken by now."

Completely unexpectedly, I started to cry. This time, the tears felt different. This pain came from the inside, not from some physical injury I had to bear.

Lisbeth came beside me and hugged me. "Ah, you poor thing! Just let it out, I am here."

Her words just made me sob harder. What was wrong with me all of a sudden? Why was I so unrestrained? I had to find my focus soon, or Vect would destroy me.

Maybe this break from all the horror did me no good at all. Maybe it was just enough time for my maimed psyche to open up.

I did no longer know.

After a while, I calmed down again and said, "Thank you, Lisbeth. Thank you so much that you don't judge me for what I have done." I had told her about what I had done to the other slave.

With a snort, she replied, "Come on! I probably would have done the same! It was her or you and after all, you tried to protect her and she misused that trust."

I smiled, my face puffy from crying.

"Now, girl, let's get you showered, right? Do you have any idea what he meant by I should get you exercised?" she asked.

"I guess he just meant that I should do some walking to stabilise a bit more. I really can't imagine anything else," I said, frowning. I shrugged and added, "Well, I wanted to show you the quarters anyways, so let's see how I fare against stairs."

Lisbeth chuckled and helped me up.

I directed her to the bath and somehow it made me happy that she was as much taken aback as I had been the first time I had seen it.

Lisbeth whispered, "Damn, he doesn't make a secret of who he is in any facet, right?"

I nodded. "Have you been to the throne room?"

Lisbeth shook her head.

"Wait until you see that magnificent piece of atrociousness," I warned her.

She drew a face. "Aren't you encouraging."

"Sorry. Comes naturally to you once you spend enough time with the master of gloom," I retorted.

"No, your humour always sucked," Lisbeth teased me.

I stuck my tongue out. God, it felt so good to be childish for a change...

So, I showed Lisbeth around, told her what she needed to know about the quarters, the basics about how to deal with Vect and how to behave in the throne room, since I did not know when she was due for that task and I wanted to prepare her properly. I, also, showed her some massage techniques, in case Vect wanted to test her expertise.

Additionally, I tried taking her upstairs, but I felt my strength failing me after three steps. Therefore, I just walked around in the quarters at ground level, first with Lisbeth beside me, later on, on my own, while I explained. I was so happy that Lisbeth was as bright as I was. I also decided to try to teach her the basics of the Dark Eldar language, but today was no time for that.

After that, we had both settled down on the couch and again talked about our master.

"I hate to ask this, but has any of them ever... you know... raped you?" I asked Lisbeth. I had to prepare her for that too and it would be the hardest part for her, I knew that, since she knew sexual abuse.

Lisbeth was as serious as ever and said, "No, I was spared from that. Why do you ask?"

I hemmed and hawed a bit, then said, "There is one thing I haven't told you so far: I have been."

Her jaw dropped. "What?! By whom?"

"Make an educated guess."

"Oh, my god! And you try to tell me that I had it worse!" Lisbeth was profoundly shaken by that.

"Actually, it could have been much worse. He at least made me enjoy it somewhat," I tried to ease up the situation.

"How can this ever be enjoyable?" she gasped.

I sighed, somehow ashamed. "He really knows what he is doing, you know?"

She shook her head. "I see. Why haven't you told me earlier?"

I made a sad face. "Because I honestly thought I could spare you from telling you this. I only now realised that I possibly can't."

Lisbeth closed her eyes and took a few, deep breaths. "Alright. I will manage. At least having an audience whilst screaming and crying stops now."

I let her have this naïve thought and decided against telling her that Vect would possibly make me watch. I just said, "Just try not to struggle when he touches you, ok? If I were you, I would expect a kiss."

Lisbeth nodded and stared into thin air. "Yeah. Do you have any advice on how to stay calm?"

I smiled reassuringly. "Actually, I do."

Therefore, I spent the rest of the time we had alone, teaching her a few meditation and breathing techniques.

Far too soon, for both our taste, the Overlord came back. I felt tired again by the time he did and was not happy about the notion of having to deal with him.

We greeted him courteously and I was relieved to see that his mood was good, for he smiled satisfied, yet evil, as he beheld us. As he undressed, neatly storing his clothes in one of the cupboards, and then, finally, putting on another, simple tunic, he said, "It is good for both of you that you followed my orders and did not dawdle. Too bad, I had hoped that I could do some punishing today. Humans tend to get stupider the bigger the group they are in."

I smiled shyly and said, elegantly ignoring his remark, "Then again, you can always do as you please, my lord."

Lisbeth shot me a look that screamed whether I was out of my mind. She did not understand. I knew that he loved and expected to be 'reminded' of his supremacy. Also, I drew his attention towards me with that.

"Ah, Temira! It is good to see you up anew. I can hardly wait to employ your services once again," Vect said as he went to the table to seat himself and eat.

His words charmed me. "Thank you, my lord, you honour me," I said.

The Overlord chuckled. "Indeed, I do. Now, come, children, let us eat!"

Lisbeth helped me to my feet and stayed at my side as we walked to the table. I could feel how tense she was and I could not blame her. I knew exactly how I had felt in the beginning.

"Temira, I want you to my right today. Lisbeth, you take Temira's old place to my left."

Lisbeth looked at me inquisitively and I nodded. Then, we parted ways and did as he had bidden us.

We ate in silence, but this time, one could almost slice it. Vect eyed us alternately; I would have loved to know what he was thinking and plotting at this particular moment.

As he was finished, his next words hit us unexpectedly, "Alright, it is bedtime, my little ones! Temira, off to bed with you! As for you, Lisbeth," His tone turned to pure mockery. "I fear I have to tell you that your sleeping place will be a lot less comfortable than that."

Her and my eyes grew wide as he pointed to the slave-cage in the corner of the room.

Lisbeth wanted to protest, but I shot her a sharp look and she closed her mouth again without uttering a single sound. It actually looked funny.

I said, "My lord, I have a suggestion to make, if I may?"

Vect bared his fangs, looked at me and said, "Go ahead." "You know you will not convince me," his stare added silently.

Nevertheless, I tried, "I just wanted to point out that this would be highly impractical if I should need Lisbeth's assistance during the night. I still need her help for getting up and walking."

Vect slowly tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. Either he was going to devour me right now, or he was truly contemplating my words.

After a while, in which I was dying a thousand deaths, he said, utterly reluctant, "I need to remind myself that you are quite the sharp, well-trained, little bird." Then, and to my utter relief, he nodded. "Very well. You may also come to bed, Lisbeth." Without looking at her, he added, "Take a shower. Temira and I have something to discuss." Those words bode ill for me.

Lisbeth fled the room and I hated to see her go.

Because I was completely sure that he would go medieval on me the second she left, I was surprised to see a faint smile on his lips. "Very good, Temira. I see that your cognitive functions are coming back to you quickly."

I just looked at him, completely confused.

He chuckled. "Well, after all, you convinced me, agreed?"

At first, he smiled at me, then, the realisation hit me that he expected an answer to that, to assure him that I was aware that he was still in control, though I had used the right argument to seemingly convince him by my own efforts.

Alas, it was too late, I was too slow.

With an angry snarl, he grabbed me by my throat, dragging me out of my seat and close to him, hissing at me, "Then again, I think I have overestimated your quick-wittedness. Do not dare to think that this is any kind of victory for you, slave! You only convinced me because I let you convince me! Are we perfectly clear on that?!"

I answered with a strangled voice, "Yes, my lord, I am absolutely aware of that! I did not mean any disrespect!"

His eyes still narrowed, he almost impaled me with his stare. I had a hard time breathing, because he had grabbed me quite fiercely. Vect stared a long time at me like that and I felt very much like he was staring right into my skull, reading all my thoughts. Only as he was seemingly absolutely sure that I was telling the truth and not trying to act smart with him, he let go of me. I dropped to the floor, completely engulfed in vertigo. I was far from being at my full strength again.

"Get up!" he demanded.

I tried to obey and fought my way back up with a lot of trouble. I wheezed like a stopping bus as I sat on my chair again and I barely kept myself from falling to the side.

Still angry, he took a sip from his cup, then said, his inflexion like a scalpel, "Alright, I shall believe you. Nevertheless, the next time I decide to test your little friend, you will hold your tongue or I will have it removed!"

I nodded, not being able to talk.

Then I blacked out.

It could have only been a second or so, but as I came to again, I felt that I was falling to the side...

...and that I got caught.

As I arduously opened my eyes again, I was on the floor, but in the arms of my master, who apparently had caught me and laid me down on the floor. I tried to get up again, but had to fall back with a pained grunt. The world was definitely spinning too hard for that.

A malicious smile graced Vect's features and he said, "Easy, child! Evidently, I have overestimated your shape. Vlokarion was not lying when he had said I should truly take it slowly with you. Very well, then!"

I almost died with shame as he took me around my shoulders and knee pits, lifted me and carried me to the bed. At this occasion, I noticed once again how strong he had to be, because I seemed to weigh nothing to him.

And he relished my dismay.

As he had tucked me in – it felt utterly strange admitting that – Lisbeth came back. She now wore a light, silken dressing gown and a worried look appeared on her face as she beheld me.

Vect chuckled at that, got out of bed, went to her, dragged her against him by reaching around her waist, nailed her in place by grabbing her hair, and kissed her.

Neither of us had expected that.

My eyes grew wide in disbelief; I sincerely had hoped that he would wait a bit with that. I saw that Lisbeth fought against his vice-like grip in the first few seconds, but then she either remembered what I had told her or started to reluctantly enjoy it, because she relaxed visibly and stopped her pointless struggling.

He kissed her for a while, but still, I knew he was tempering himself, because he neither French-kissed her, nor did he bite her. Nevertheless, Lisbeth had a shaken look on her face as he finally drew away from her.

Vect just laughed at her. Then, he said, "Not bad, not bad at all! Alright, child, you may flee to your friend! Do not worry, I will not follow you... yet."

Lisbeth truly fled beside me. I moved a bit towards the mid of the bed, to make room for her beside me and the rim, so I would lie beside the Overlord, not her. The bed really was big enough for the three of us. I hugged Lisbeth as she lay down beside me. I felt that she was trembling.

While I stroked her hair, I said, "Are you truly not joining us, my lord?"

Vect smiled evilly, but shook his head. "Not yet. I have some things to finish. I will be right beside you later on, my dear Temira! Sleep well!" His last two sentences were pure mockery. He ascended to a higher level in his quarters; I figured that he would use his library.

I also bade him a good night, though.

Then, I hugged Lisbeth tighter and tried to comfort her with stroking and shushing her. It took her a while to stop trembling – I could not blame her – but as she stopped, I felt her relaxing.

I followed her lead and also closed my eyes.

Because I was still feeble, I did not have a hard time with falling asleep...

That's it for now, folks! I hope, you enjoyed it. Reviews and opinions are as always appreciated!
And as always... patience. I need to do some tinkering on the next one.