Continued from S3-2-1: Caterina Dotta, Lady of Galeazzo. “What’s going on here!” Caterina shouted into the empty hall beyond the door of her cell. “I demand you release me at once!” But her cries only echoed away into nothing. She could see other cells across the hall, their iron bond, heavy wooden doors a match to her’s, and held closed by a large iron bolt. “This can’t be happening… Not to me!” she sobbed to herself as she retreated into the corner opposite the stinking, grated hole, sank to the floor and drew up her knees to huddle herself against the chilled air. As the hours passed, she continued to sob in growing hysteria. Then she heard the sound of heavy footsteps approaching, and a face with dark, soulless eyes appeared in the bared window of the door. The sound of the heavy iron bolt being pulled back echoed through the cell, and a large, heavy framed man strode in with a commanding swagger. He had dark, swarthy skin with strange tattoos cover his face and bald head, a hooked nose and a heavy beard, and was dressed in rich, warm robes of deep red. “Up!” he commanded in deep, thickly accented voice. But numbed by the cold, and shock, Caterina did not respond. “Up, I said!” he roared, as he seized roughly her by her arm and jerked her to her feet, dragging her to the center of the cell. She tried to cover her breasts and womanhood, shocked that anyone would dare treat her this way, while his hungry eyes roamed across her naked body. “Hand at your sides!” he commanded. But she did not move them. “How dare you treat me like this?” she scolded. “Do you know who I am? I’m a daughter of house Dotta… a noblewoman of Galeazzo! I’ll see that you…” Her threat was cut short when he struck her hard across the jaw with the back of his hand, knocking her off her feet. She looked up from the floor, her rage replaced by abject terror, as her jaw throbbed with pain. No man had ever dared to strike her… Not even as a child! “I am Dregolath Xorn of Pan Tang,” he growled, leering down at her with evil fury blazing in his eyes, “and you’ll be amazed by how I dare to treat you! You are my slave… my property, and I’ll treat you any way I wish! Now on your feet with your hands at your sides!” She sat stunned for an instant. Unable to believe what he had said… How could he claim her as his slave? She was a noblewoman of Ilmiora. Then he raised his hand to strike her again, and she scrambled to her feet, keeping her hands at her side, her naked body open displayed for him. “You will learn to obey me,” he growled, “or you may not live to be ransomed!” His eyes roamed over her, while he cupped her chin in his hand and raised her face to his. “Yes,” he hissed, “you’ll fetch a fine price, if your father fails to meet my demands… and I don’t choose to keep you for myself.” To be continued on S3-2-3: Pieto Dotta, Nobleman of Galeazzo. The second image from the second "book" of my Stormbringer characters' adventures. Thanks for looking... Hope you enjoy! Comments and suggestions always welcome and appreciated!