A table 08 - The smith's revenge

During the hour she had spent still and silent, while he was riveting her chains to the tables, she had regained some composure. She wasn't feeling any shame anymore, it had gone too far. She was filled with a strange mix of fear and anger. She took a breath, and made another mental effort to talk, but her voice, that she would have wanted calm, was trembling.

"I know that you have good reasons to be resentful. I apologise for any wrong that I might have done to you. But listen : today, they're picking on me, but tomorrow it might be your turn. Think about it. Help me escape, and I'll richly reward you. "

"No offense, milady, but with what? I'm afraid that you've nothing left anymore, apart from your head on your shoulders, which is more than your captain and your chamberlain could say, the goddesses bless their souls. And as for myself, the barbarians too need smiths. They offered me a good chunk of their newly acquired wealth if I was willing to join them."

He bowed mockingly : "I must take my leave, milady. I wish you a good evening. As good as the nights you made me spend on the pillory."