Never Trust the Rules

We’ll need to pick a good spot for your training. There’s a couple of places that could work, there’s the pond on the other side of the estate, though that’s also filled with blood suckers. Then there’s down stream a bit where the rapids slow. Not that the blood suckers bothered him, he’d swum in the pond as a kid just the same. Only occasionally ending up with one on him. It didn’t really matter to him where they went, only that Siora needed to learn. He simply couldn’t accept a gap in her training. He’d put too much time and energy to let her off the hook about not being able to swim.

Just doing your duties. I’ll need a change of clothes when we get back, and these will have to be washed and aired out. He used Siora for everything, instead of having different servants for different things, anything that had to do with things he wanted or needed, it was always Siora. He felt it was easier to train one servant correctly in everything, than try to get multiple servants to do multiple things correctly.

The pond was a far better starting point for her than the rapids, even less turbulent, taking her under again. This time she voiced a preference, backing it up with a logical reason in an effort to placate his tortuous appetite.[color=#c19e00] “I don’t mind the inconvenience of leeches and starting in the pond.”[/color] She’d take the leeches over drowning in her next lesson. [color=#c19e00]“We’d have a better assessment of my level before moving back to the stream.”[/color] An extension of her torture, he wouldn’t resist that opportunity, not to emphasize the importance of her efforts.

Upon hearing what was expected of her, Siora again nodded. Despite his unpredictable mood and potential reactions, his domestic expectations were routine, almost mundane in nature though he held things to a constantly changing standard. Just to keep her guessing. Perhaps once she was done, he would grant her the further mercy of a peaceful rest, just for one evening, she was too exhausted to run or even attempt escape even if the Maker came and offered it.

[color=#c19e00]“You must be exhausted my Lord, I apologise if I worried you.” [/color]

Bastien tipped his head at her response to the pond or the stream, it was sound logic and he had to admit the notion of the blood suckers might be rather fun. It wasn’t like he was going to spend much time in the pond, at least not as much time as Siora would. He accepted that he’d be teaching her, but he was only going to be hands on to a enough of a degree to make the teaching worthwhile.

It would make the most sense. It of course, was why it was my first thought. Because there was no way it was Siora’s choice that made him see the logic in the choice, no of course not, that would be silly.

Bastien laughed at her apology, the sound harsh and devoid of warmth. Oh, Siora, dear, you didn't worry me. You merely inconvenienced me. Let's not make that a habit, shall we? he replied, a threatening edge to his voice.

Her breathing had long evened out, her clothes still stuck tightly to her skin but the edges were beginning to finally dry. Siora nodded along with his thoughts. He knew it, she knew it. There was no such thing as choice. His training was the only way that an opportunity might arise, but as long as he had control over her sister, Siora was bound. Even if she was somehow able to weave her way into his good graces it would only be a short-lived season and even in those lulls there would be a constant need for vigilance.

I’m fortunate to be under your instruction, was all she could reply.

His laughter though, brought on a fresh wave of anxiety, unknowing if the outcome meant reprieve or further punishment. Her words had been careless, his reply only confirming it more and the servant hung her head a fraction lower as the dark pupils of her eyes studied the gravel around them. Of course. My life is to serve, failure isn’t to be tolerated, nor coddled.

Siora maintained the submitted aid, and only after letting some time pass did she lift her eyes to study their surroundings. The fading light and darkening sky, hinted at a wild storm on the horizon. You must be famished my Lord. Shall we return to the Keep, or do you wish to dine outdoors tonight?

Bastien took a moment to consider her question, his gaze sweeping the increasingly darkening surroundings. We've spent enough time outdoors for today. We should return to the Keep, he declared, rising to his feet and dusting off his now dry clothes.

It had proven to be an interesting outing, he’d never really considered whether or not Siora could swim, it simply hadn’t come up before. He was glad it had though, any weakness in Siora meant she wasn’t as valuable to him as she could be. This needed to be rectified and soon.

We’ll set up a training schedule for you to fit in with your regular duties tomorrow. Because it wasn’t like he was going to give her more time to fit in the training, no it would have to be fit in with all the duties they already have to perform every day, without question. He would be glad to be back at the Keep for the evening, he was tired, but didn’t want to show how tired in front of Siora, in case she got any bright ideas. Never show weakness, never back down.