Ask about the master.

You discover that you are very nervous about meeting your new master. You wonder what sort of man he is, whether he is kind or cruel. You hate the thought of encountering without any real preparation.

As you follow Tiras along the corridor you find the courage to ask him, "Sir, please, what sort of man is the master."

Tiras pauses in his steps and turns to look at you. He seems to recognize the fear in your face, and he looks at you with compassion. "He's the good sort," he assures you, "He won't hurt you intentionally, unless you violate the rules of the house, but he has..." he hesitates searching for appropriate words, "strange passions. His desires can be... unpredictable."

You get the feeling that Tiras is being indirect intentionally.

"Please," you beg, "Just tell me what he's going to do to me. I'd prefer know what to expect."

"That's just the thing," Tiras answers, "It all depends upon his mood. He may take you right away. He may take his pleasure with you in front of guests, or offer you to another so that he can watch. He may keep you all to himself, or bide his time and not lay a hand on you. He enjoys games and experimentation. When Luna and Adina were new here. He had sex with Luna, everywhere, doing everything to her. All the while he refused to touch Adina, making her stand by and watch as he ravished her sister many times a day. He wanted to see how they would react. When he finally did take Adina, he claims she was mad with lust for him. He intended to use you for his own pleasure only occasionally, to keep her in a state of erotic anticipation in order to enjoy the resulting frenzy, but after he had her the first time and did not summon her again she became sullen and withdrawn, and he didn't have the heart to continue the experiment. She believed she had failed to satisfy him. Do you see? The master is not intentionally cruel, but his games often have cruel results. He won't harm you, but he will toy with you."

"Is that so?"

You had been so focused on Tiras' words that you had not noticed the man who appeared at the end of the hall until he spoke. The man was tall and muscular, like a statue of a god. He has unruly dark hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and piercing eyes the color of the sea.

"Master," Tiras says, turning and bowing low to the man, "I was just escorting Gen to your chamber."

"And giving away all of my secrets it would seem." The master is smiling, his voice even sounds amused, but a dangerous quality seems hidden behind his amusement.

"Master, I..." Tiras pauses, without a ready explanation.

"It's no matter," Silas continues, "It is fitting that you should prepare this girl for what she should expect in my bed. I have decided that I do not wish to take this girl to my bed as a shy virgin. I wish her to be properly trained in the arts of love before she comes to me, like one of the courtesans brought up in the finest brothel."

"Of course Master," Tiras' relief is palpable, "I shall have the steward begin inquiring for a proper instructor at once." Tiras moves to take his leave, but the master stops him, placing a hand on his chest.

"You misunderstand Tiras, I mean for you to instruct her. You are a man of many talents, and a skilled teacher. Who better knows how to prepare a girl for my bed, than the **** who has shared my bed longer than any other."

"Yes Master," Tiras bows his head, prevented from any deeper display of obeisance by the firm hand on his chest.

"Come, you can give her first lesson now, and I will observe. Come my dove," the master says. He extends and arm and hooks a pair of fingers into the collar of your gown. He pulls you close, "Tiras has much to teach you, and I am eager to see his lesson."

Tiras glances at you, a look of apology on his face but his answer to the master does not belie such feelings. "As you wish Master. Where shall we conduct this lesson?"

"In the women's quarter's naturally. Perhaps my other pets can learn something too."

At the master's request you turn and return to the women's quarters with Tiras.