Lessons in Manners

“You seem tired m’Lord.”
“Huh?”
“I said you look exhausted, was the day really that taxing?”

Lord Markas turned his attention from empty space to the old man that interrupted his mental break.

“How about you sit from sunrise to sunset meeting people you’ve never seen before, wishing you long life and a prosperous reign.” Markas said, again adjusting his position on his new throne.

“Well yes I suppose that could be true, but it’s all part of a good transition, people need to see the face of the person who’s going to rule them.” Sir Steven said, putting a little more weight on his cane.

“I honestly don’t think they care that much, I look a lot like my father anyway, it’s what I do, or more specifically how much I tax, that the vassals really care about.” Markas said, moving again.

“I certainly hope you don’t emulate your father in that respect, he wasn’t known for being greatly loved.” Steven said, leaning a bit forward.

“Yes yes, the assassin’s dagger proved that, do we know who did that by the way?” Markas asked

“Most people think you did it my Lord.” Steven said, as if he was commenting on the weather. If anyone else had said that it would have been a quick trip to the dungeon, but Markas knew Steven meant no offense, hell since he was a boy Steven had been grooming him for the throne.

“I wish I could take credit, given another year I would have probably done it myself. He was too indulgent, hunting was worse then any opium, and he went every day making the vassals pay for it. The parties were also way over the top.” Markas said.

“My, my, sire, not even cold in the ground and you’re already cursing your father’s name.” Steven said, shaking his head in mock shame.

“Don’t give me that, you probably arranged his untimely demise yourself… no matter anyway, enough gold to the clergy will buy his way into heaven and I can get to far more important matters. Namely making sure I don’t follow him anytime soon.” Markas said.

“And how do you propose that my Lord?” Steven asked, in sarcastic curiosity

“Simple, cut taxes to something this side of reasonable, sure they’ll have something new to gripe about next year but for now I’ll be celebrated as the good sovereign.”

One week later he was sitting on his throne feeling on the whole accomplished, as the various servants brought him food and Steven handed him documents to read. The older servants he knew since boyhood, but after cleaning house he had to hire new help from the outside and he was still getting used to them all.

“No, no, I got it.” A girls voice came from the end of the hall, so loud as to drown out everyone else.

“I got it, I got it…….. I GOT IT!” Then came the crash of plates and the spilling of food everywhere. This of course got everyone’s attention, and she blushed bright red out of embarrassment. She was a servant girl in the traditional homely uniform, about in her late teens. The dress she had on however couldn’t hide her unusually large breasts and Lord Markas had to admit that she was pretty.

“Steven, who is she?” Markas asked

“Oh her” Steven sighed, “As I recall her name is Ellie, as green as they come, pretty enough, no pox marks, all her teeth, large…. Um but the problem is that she’s as clumsy as a mule, can’t seem to do anything right.” Steven said.

“Odd that a girl her age isn’t already married.” Markas mused.

“The problem, sire, is that she’s a peasant’s daughter, absolutely no dowry to speak of, pretty only goes so far but because of that her father believes she should be married to a nobleman.” Steven said, rolling his eyes.

Markas chuckled at that, “What a foolish father.”

“Indeed, and she’s wasted so much food dropping it that I’m going to have her let go.” Steven said.

Markas went silent and thought for a moment.
“No, actually I want her assigned to serve me food, I’ll cure her of her clumsiness one way or another.\"

It happened a full two weeks later, until that day Ellie had been the image of caution. He was in his study; approving this and denying that when she was bring him a mug of wine. Ellie must of let her mind wander for only a second, but that’s all it took, she tripped over the carpet and spilled the contents all over Lord Markas’s pants.

He jumped a bit by being suddenly surprised, but his stained pants and horrified look on Ellie’s face told him exactly what happened, causing him to jump up.

“How Dare You!” Markas yelled, “These were made of the finest wool, coming all the way from the continent, and now they’re ruined!”

Ellie became completely terrified, and cringed in the corner.
“Guards!” Markas called, and a large man with a halberd promptly came in. At this point Ellie broke out into sobs.

“Yes m’Lord” the guard asked.

Markas stared at her for a moment, and he cringed under his gaze.
“Bind her hands and take her to the dungeon.” Markas said

“Yes m’Lord.” The guard said without hesitation.
The guard pulled out course, thick rope and proceeded to tie her hands in front of her. He was not kind and the ropes bit heavily, causing her to cry more. The guard pulled her up by the rope and dragged her out of the room.

Markas followed, he wasn’t really mad, he was more annoyed it took her two weeks to make a mistake. Everyone has their hobbies, his father’s was hunting, time consuming and expensive. Markas liked to think his was more frugal and far more fulfilling.

The dungeon was as dim and full of fiendish devices that tradition demanded. But it wasn’t in use; Markas, the guard and Ellie were the only ones down there. She was still sobbing but mostly cooperative, her hands were already turning red from the ropes. Markas looked for something that would suit his purposes, and found it rather quickly. There was a pulley attached to the ceiling, and in turn had a chain with a hook on one end. The other end could be anchored to a bar in the nearby wall allowing the hook to be raised or lowered depending on how high you needed to hold up the prisoner.

“That will be all, leave us.” Markas said
The guard nodded and quickly walked back up to the first floor. When he was confident he was gone Markas turned his full attention onto Ellie.

“You know I believe that guards are among the most intelligent of people, they keep their head down, collect their pay, and serve whatever Lord happens to be in power. Wouldn’t you agree?” Markas said.

“Please.” She managed to say, “I’m sorry, please, please let me go.”
Markas grabbed by the rope and pulled her over to where he needed her. Ellie still pleaded with her eyes, but he pulled her up and placed the ropes on the hook. She muffled a scream as the ropes now bit even deeper, but it didn’t end there. Markas pulled on the other end of the chain, lifting until her toes barely touched the ground.

“As I hear it you’re clumsy, and as you can see by the state of my clothes I happen to agree. Such carelessness cannot go unpunished, and in the end it’s for your own good.” Markas said, seeing if she would challenge him. But she only whimpered, still asking in her gaze to let her go. Markas then pulled a rather large handkerchief from one of his pockets.

“You may not say it but your eyes still defy me, so I’ll have to quiet them.” Markas then blindfolded her, causing more sobs as she moved her head in an effort to see.

“Well I’ll just have to see what I can do.” Markas said.
Her clothes were slightly torn and worn in a few places, but that was normal for servant clothes. He found a place at the top of her back, and then inserted his fingers to widen the hole. He could feel the warmth of her skin and the heavy breathing as her body shook. Gripping the cloth, he tore in one fast motion the dress in the back. She again muffled a scream and sobbed, but he ignored her.

He again inserted his fingers near her backside and tore down, pulling off the rest of the dress on her backside and most of the skirt. Ellie’s back, butt and legs were unusually soft considering she was a servant girl, and he felt first the top of her thigh and moved his hand slowly up.

“I’m surprised, you must take very good care of yourself.” Markas said mostly to himself.

Markas grabbed a sleeve from the top and tore down violently, pulling her down while putting more weight on the ropes overhead. Then taking the collar of the dress he pulled down and to the right exposing half of the chest. He cupped a now exposed breast in his hand; he rubbed the nipple and got a slightly different response of what he had been hearing earlier. Markas slid his hand down her abdomen, but then circled around placing his hand on a butt cheek.

“Naughty little girls are traditionally spanked for what they do.” Markas raised his hand, “Far be it from me to argue with tradition.”

He brought down his open palm on the left side with a loud smack. Ellie yelped and swung slightly from the impact. Markas put his left arm around her waist and held her body up against his. He could feel her heat and rapid breath from the exposed parts of skin, now bracing her against swinging again he brought his hand up.

Again and again his hand came down, she cried and shook with every impact but he didn’t stop. He felt the shivers run up her body with every blow and Markas was pleased. He then stopped and again felt her bare bottom, it was red and warm to the touch, and he rubbed the area lightly for a moment to get a feel of it. Markas brought up his cheek to hers and rubbed it affectionately, then let go and moved off. Still unable to see, she still tried to sense what was going on.

“Well that’s a good start, but it will take more then this to bring my point home.” Markas said.

He brought out a solid wood board, longer then wide, with a handle and large holes drilled in two rows. He held it and put the tip against the heel of her foot; then dragged that tip slowly, slowly up her leg. When he reached the top he put the board against the now reddened area, and rubbed it in a circular motion. Then without warning put his hand on her abdomen and brought the board down.

Ellie cried out in pain and then her body spasmed, he could feel the vibrations through his hand. Then he came down again, then again. She stopped crying out, but her breathing became heavy and her body continued to shake with each hit. Even he lost track of how much punishment he gave her, but blisters were already forming.

Ellie’s body was drenched in sweat, hot to the touch and she was panting like a dog. Markas knelt down on the ground and took a close look at his handiwork. It was red, swelling and had several blistering forming where he was more harsh. He found a large blister to the right near the center; Markas felt it with his hand and then rubbed the area. She only could tell what was happening by touch, but she then felt a cold, wet sensation.

He was licking her where he hit her, covering the entire area, feeling every spot with his tongue. Her muscles tensed from the new sensation and Markas could feel it with is tongue. He then sucked on some places and nibbled on others, and her breathing would grow more quickly each time. Markas then stood up and rubbed the exposed parts of her skin, the heat and sweat feeling good. It was when he felt up her inner thigh that he became surprised, and then smiled.

Moving close to her ear he whispered, “You’re wet down there, you like this don’t you?”

Ellie shook her head, “No, no, please stop, it hurts so much.”

“Are you sure, are you really sure you want me to stop?” Markas said, moving his hand over her butt again. She breathed in hard and moaned, as it seemed he would hit her again, but he didn’t.

“That’s all the answer I needed.” Markas said.
Pulling out his dagger he cut the ropes, she fell and cried out in surprise. On her knees she clung to the remnants of her dress in some foolish attempt at modesty. Markas then took back his handkerchief and she looked up at him like a child.

“The servants quarters are on the second floor, if you can get there half naked without getting caught I’ll be impressed.” Markas said, walking off.

Before he left however he turned and said, “If you ever need to be punished again, my duty as your Lord compels to be diligent in your instruction. Which I am more than happy to do.”

Markas felt fulfilled, and he guessed she did as well.