* * *

Haria looked at He. It was evening. He hadn't eaten anything since the hunt and had been confined to his restricting length of chain. Apparently He had decided that lying down was the least uncomfortable way to get through the day. From where she was it even looked as if he was sleeping. But the moment her steps became audible, he opened his eyes and turned his head to look at her. For a moment she could see his vulnerability, then he blinked and his eyes became blank. He turned his head back to look up at the ceiling, waiting.

Haria put the tray with the bowl of food and the cup of water onto the straw next to He. The smell of hot stew must have reached his nostrils for they flared a moment, then he swallowed around the gag. But other than that he didn't acknowledge Haria's presence.

Haria bent down, slipped her hand behind his neck and opened the buckle of the gag. If she had expected him to spit the thing out she would have been disappointed. He didn't react to this any more than to the food. Haria pulled the gag out.

“You must be hungry.” He closed his eyes. Haria's lips twitched into a quick smile. Oh... so it was refusal he had decided on.

“You might think that dying of starvation... or thirst might be an easy way out. But why would you want to do that? I don't think you want to die... and then... if you're dead, how could you get back at me? For that is what you want, isn't it? If you could you'd put your hands around my neck and choke the life out of me. Just think what you're going to miss, if you die first of thirst.” Her voice was teasing. He clenched his teeth for a moment, then turned his head.

“Choking would be too quick a death.”

Haria smiled. “I'm sure you can think of something more... lengthy.” She pulled the plug from the chain link. He gave her a dark look then rolled awkwardly into a sitting position and pulled his legs into a cross-legged position.

“How long will you keep me tied up like this? It's a bit hard to eat that way. Or do you expect me to lap up the food like a dog?”

Haria ignored He's question. He was speaking out of turn but now was a bad moment to discipline him. She scooped up a bit of the stew on a bit of flat bread and held it to his lips. He scowled at her then reluctantly opened his mouth. Haria smiled inwardly. She fed him by hand, and had him drink from her cupped palms. And then she waited. Sooner or later he would need more assistance.

After she had finished feeding him she sat down on her chair and instructed him. He put on a bored expression. After a time he grew restless. Haria interrupted her instructions when he began to rob on his knees towards her, hesitated a moment, then bent forward and kissed her boot. He remained that way while she studied his black crop of hair with a sense of surprise. She'd never expected him to come round this quickly. Finally she put a hand on his head. “Speak.” He sat back but kept his eyes on the ground... apparently some of the instructions had already taken root.

“ My body is hurting from the inactivity. Allow me to get up and walk around.”

“Mistress!”

“Allow me to get up and walk around, Mistress.”

Haria studied He for a moment. Somehow she didn't trust that sudden change. He didn't strike her as somebody who gave in easily. Finally she nodded.

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