Kalla's Plight

“Knifing the guard. Usually, that would get you buried to the neck out in the dunes and left for the lizards… but the Magister himself has decreed otherwise. His seneschal will be here in the morning to collect you.

“Don’t think it’s a reprieve, Kalla. The Magister plans to give you to his daughter for her coming-of-age ceremony… and I’m told the girl can be very rough with her playthings.”

The gate slammed shut, leaving Kalla alone in the gloom. She winced as the muscles in her legs began to ache. Balanced up on the balls of her feet, she could just barely ease the tension on the chain that was locked to the back of her collar. Kneeling or lying down were out of the question.

It was going to be a very long, very uncomfortable night…