Avrielle's Lesson

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

Motioning her to where the silk scarf rested I handed her the end. "Use all of your weight to pull against that- the fabric won't break, silk is very strong." With enough tightness the silk would cut into the flesh like a knife. "In a few moments you should see blood." My own hands found the manacle around the other foot and I rocked it back a forth, causing the chain to jingle as the metal cuff moved.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

Bracing my feet against the floor, I leaned back, pulling the scarf with both hand. At first we were at equilibrium, but I felt the silk tightening, sending me further back. Tighter and tighter it pulled, until the skin broke and blood gushed suddenly over the scarf. At the same time, I was thrown off-balance and I stumbled back a bit, letting go of the scarf. "Oh my," I said, by way of comment. I walked to the pig to examine the wound. It was clean and neat, but deep. "Oh, my," I said again, surprised at just how wrong my assumption about silk had been.

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"Just because a thing is pretty and delicate doesn't mean it can't cause harm, and a great amount of it- silk, a flechette, a shiny hatpin, even a shard of glass can harm you greatly." Taking out a dagger I cut the scarf as neatly as I could but still had to nick the flesh to get all the way through it. "The same thing can happen with wire, string, thread and twine."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Thread?" I asked incredulously. "Wouldn't it break?" The only thread I had ever seen was sewing thread, which snapped easily under pressure.

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"It wouldn't be for true binding but it can leave a nasty cut if wrapped around the skin," I replied. "For a patron, form is much better than function. Someday one may want to bind you with thread as a token show and you would have to keep from breaking it by holding absolutely still. They can be incredibly creative with their cruelties, especially the skilled ones."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

My eyes widened at that, but I snapped back to focus almost immediately. "That's...astounding," I said, unable to find the words I was looking for. "But not in a bad way."

I pointed to the manacle. "What happens with this one?"

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"A great variety of things, depending on the shape and quality of the manacle along with how you are bound and struggle against it. Chafing or tearing are the two usual responses, though if the manacle is rough along the inside or edges it can cut and tear to a more extreme extent."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I nodded. "This particular manacle is in what style?" I asked. "What will it do to - " me " - the pig?"

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"It's a typical manacle, thick metal, edges filed to roundness and smooth- property of Mandrake House. Those at Valerian will likely be just as well cared for, so it's those owned by patrons or sold by shoddy shops you will have to look out for. Those who struggle against this are likely to get rub-burns and chafing but no worse, but Mandrakes are trained to watch for signs of terribly damage."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Ah," I said, "I see." We were almost finished with the bonds; I patiently awaited the next part of the lesson.

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

The pig was starting to look decrepit and almost all of the tools I had prepared had been used; might as well let the girl assuage her curiousity. "Do you have any more questions?"

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

Is Idaeus still angry with me? "Which tool and binding combination, in your experience, is most often used?" I asked.

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"I'm not sure, not having dealt with many patrons who do the tying themselves, but I would sat silken ropes and either the crop or the flail. The have the most leeway for error."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I nodded. "I see. Is there any tool you don't like to use?" Can you read minds?

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"I consider myself capable with all tools," I replied. "It is the technique that is the most difficult part. I'd say that simple brutality, no art at all, is the worst thing to me."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I nodded understandingly. Our time was almost through and I was dying to know if Mordred had heard from Idaeus. Still, I kept my mouth shut. Idaeus had probably forgotten I existed. "I see. Is there anything else we are going to do today? When is our next lesson?"

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"Nothing of note," I told her, a little curious as to why she was inquiring into my personal life. "And our lesson for today is done. Continue reading whatever your Valerian tutor has assigned you and study well- the first lesson is always the easiest." Taking a small key I unlocked the cuff and cleaned it- the ropes and scarf had been easily discarded but the manacles were expensive.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Thank you," I said. "I look forward to the next lesson." I pulled the robes off. "What shall I do with these?"

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"Leave them, they will be disposed of," I replied.

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

I set them down on the ground. I gave him a small curtsey. "Thank you again, and I will see you soon." I waited for him to dismiss me.

[Mordred no' Mandrake]

"You have been a very patient student, thank you for that," I replied. "You may go."

[Avrielle nó Valerian]

"Yes," I said obediently. "Goodbye." I turned and made my way out of the Mandrake Gardens, heading home to Valerian.