I awoke to an empty bed and a pounding head. It took me a while to find my bearings; then I remembered the previous night and felt sick. I jolted up and rushed clumsily to the water basin. My head was better after emptying my stomach.

I was freshening up when Svana bolted in, hugging a bundle of fabric. She seemed ill at ease. I greeted her but she avoided my gaze.

“You must put this on and come with me, Einarr Godi’s orders.” She unfolded the rag; it was a smock, old and torn beyond repair. The treads mending it were all that kept it together. I stared at the thing in disbelief.

“Hurry, he’s waiting!” She still wouldn’t look at me. Did I offend her somehow? I had no recollection of it.

Confused and ashamed at my drunken behavior, I didn’t bother arguing. I had far more pressing matters to consider, such as why I had been so attracted to my captor while under the mead’s influence. I wanted to act like I was, but it wasn’t supposed to be real. I had to be careful not to fall for my own deceit.

With infinite precautions I donned the fragile shift. It was see through in places, and I was deeply embarrassed when we stepped outside. I reached back for a cloak and Svana shook her head. Why wouldn’t she let me cover myself? Were we going to the pool again? I crossed my arms on my chest to protect my breasts from wandering eyes. I could do little for the rest of my body.

The sun was already high in the sky. I had overslept. She led me to a vast space directly in front of the mead hall. Yesterday, it had been empty. That morn, it was crowded. I recognized the household servants and many warriors, some I knew, most I didn’t. I reddened, head hung low, indecently exposed. They parted for us and we progressed slowly until we reached the foot of a high post in the center.

With a sad smile Svana left me. A tall man grabbed my shoulders, pushing me flush against the rough wood. I pushed back and glared at him. Why was he manhandling me? He had no right!

Unimpressed, he seized my wrists and jerked them up. I struggled against him but he didn’t let go.

“What are you doing? Lord Einarr won’t be pleased!”

“He is acting on my orders,” a stern voice said behind me.

My arms were now solidly secured to the post with a thick rope, but I managed to turn my head towards him. “Why?”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he bowed to his mother and addressed his kinsmen.

“You are here to witness the punishment of this woman. She insulted me publicly when I was a guest in her father’s hall. She was given to me as a slave in compensation, and she will receive fifty lashes to improve her manners.”

I gasped together with the crowd. I had hoped that he would have forgotten. How could I survive this? Fifty lashes were a huge number, and I never had to endure pain. The picture of slaves’ bleeding backs after a flailing flashed into my mind. It wasn’t a pretty sight. Some were cut to the bones, others died from blood loss. If I survived, I would be scarred for life. Should I beg him for mercy? I mulled over it and discarded the idea. He wouldn’t budge, and I would lose what little honor I had left.

I heard him stride to me. Grabbing the smock at the base of my neck, he tore it open. I shrieked in surprise as the tired fabric broke in his hands. Then I shivered, my whole back exposed to the chill. My tormentor walked away. Terrified, I braced for the first hit.

It came with a wheezing sound as the leather strands cut through the air, but it wasn’t as awful as I feared. It stung strongly, yet it was bearable. I could do this. I relaxed a little, and wasn’t quite ready for the second, slightly worse as it partly covered the former. Still, I could bear it.

By ten, my back was burning. By twenty, it was a raging inferno. My chest was heaving and tears cascaded down my cheeks. How could anyone live through this? I wasn’t even half way there!

My lip bled from biting it as I tried not to scream. It was useless. By thirty I couldn’t hold them in. My whole body shook uncontrollably. By forty my throat was raw and my voice hoarse. I was in agony. Black spots danced in front of my eyes. I counted forty-eight before I blacked out.

I regained consciousness spread on my front on a pallet. Mildred was at my side, looking worried.

“How are you feeling? You were gone for two hours!” She pushed a damp strand of hair away from my face.

I licked my dry lips and tried to speak, but I had no voice left. “My back hurts. How bad is it?” I whispered.

She frowned, staring at me intently. “Red and raw, but no blood. He didn’t cut your skin, there will be no scarring. You should recover fully within a few days.”

I didn’t believe it. Flailing always left open wounds, I had seen it done.

“Don’t lie to me Mildred. I want to know.”

“I told you the truth. It is the first time I’ve seen Einarr Godi punish a slave in person. He usually leaves it to the overseer. They don’t use the same knutr. This one has many strands, and they are just leather, without knots or steel. He clearly is adept at wielding it. You are lucky, he wanted to cause you pain without maiming you.”

I didn’t feel lucky at all.

Svana walked in, carrying a small jar triumphantly. She waved it at Mildred. “Lady Disaelfr’s famous salve! I had to beg for it, she wouldn’t give me any. She wasn’t pleased at hearing of your disrespect for her son.” She knelt at my side. “Here, let me apply it.”

She dipped her fingers in the jar, bringing up a strong smelling green paste. I couldn’t figure out the ingredients. She massaged it in as lightly as she could, still earning some pained grunts from me.

“How could you be so foolish? Insulting your father’s guest! Do they have no manners in your land?” she blurted.

“He was asking for slaves as tribute, not only my kinswomen but me as well! I reacted without thinking, I threw mead at him…”

“You did? You are either very brave or completely mad! Maybe it’s why he let you live…”

I was outraged.

“He enslaved me, raped me and whipped me. I’d rather have been killed,” I said coldly.

Svana shrugged but Mildred didn’t let it go.

“Then you ARE a fool. Slaves are common trade, even amongst our people. They are exchanged as goods on the market. He wasn’t asking for anything out the ordinary. You revolted because he wanted you. Demanding your host’s daughter as a slave is quite unusual, why did your father agree?”

“They made a deal, there were other conditions…” I didn’t want to tell her all, so I pretended to ignore them.

“He is very lenient with you. I believe he likes you, Sunngifu.”

I huffed in annoyance. If he did, he had a strange way to show it. I hated him even more now.

I turned my head away. “I am grateful for your help, but I need to rest.”

They looked at each other and went away. I sighed in relief. I didn’t want any more of this discussion.

My back felt better though. The salve was efficient. I pushed on my arms and knees and sat tentatively. I was very uncomfortable, yet bearable, like a bad sunburn. I was still in the old smock and had to clench it to my chest as it kept slipping.

The door opened and my tormentor sauntered in. I flinched away from him when he crouched in front of me. He caught my chin in his hand.

“How are you Sunngifu?”

I nearly choked in anger.

“How can you ask me this? You scourged me until I fainted, how do you think I am?”

He chuckled.

“Still feisty, my little dreki? Maybe my hand was too light…”

I pushed him away.

“Next time, don’t stop till I’m dead.”

He smiled and kissed me, insisting until I ceased denying him. His mouth lingered on mine, soothing my sore lip.

“Behave, and there will be no next time. You know it was necessary, Sunngifu. Your insults were public, so your punishment had to be. It was a matter of honor. Be glad that you will bear no mark from it.” He inspected my back, touching it lightly. I winced.

“You will sleep here tonight, but I want you by my side at the banquet.” He sniffed the air. “I’ll ask my mother to give you more salve so that you can get dressed.”

Remembering my resolve, I nodded. He stroked my hair and left. I watched him go with a mix of relief and regret. Somehow I had hoped that he would hold me in his arms, console me, tell me that things would get better. I shook my head. What was happening to me? The beating must have caused me to lose my mind.

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