Lady Jessica could hear the babble of the Court as she approached. They had walked her past a mirror and she knew how she looked. Young, without makeup. She might be mistaken for a teenager! And utterly without class or dignity. For riding by herself, she had chosen simple, old clothes, and had spent the morning sweating in them. Her tumble in the dirt hadn�t done much for her, either, but the worst was that it was obvious she�d been crying. If they wanted any evidence that she was intimidated by them, that would be it. She kept her gaze downcast, and shuddered as her bare feet slapped the polished stone floor. The air temperature was comfortable, but the floor felt like it was freezing! The only comfort she got from anywhere was Roland�s presence. But even that was a double-edged sword. Being pitied by and disgraced before the handsome, Nixie soldier was almost worse than being alone! Under normal circumstances, he would be honored, even intimidated, by her presence. Now he would always see her as a naughty, deserving child! He guided her through one of the smaller arches that fed into the Great Hall, and then into the Court, itself. It was filled, and she felt the weight of the gaze of many, many people fall onto her. She had determined that she would face them impassively, her face set and emotionless. That was impossible when she saw the Princess. Katherine was magnificent, dressed in a gown woven of clouds and star-light, and wearing jewelry sculpted of amber and crystalline fire. Jessica felt an almost elemental shock of awe at the sight of her old classmate. Awe, and envy and shame.

For an instant, their eyes met and Katherine smiled and Jessica looked away, shaken. The Princess enjoyed being admired, she thought. Especially by an old enemy in a wretched state. Her Prince sat beside her, his pressed uniform less spectacular, but with the force of tradition behind it. The room fell silent. She was lead up to the bar and for the second time today, she knelt before her Princess. She could hear her own ragged, edge-of-tears breathing, and she knew that they could as well. In the quiet room the small sounds she made were amplified by the hard floors and curved walls. She did not need to look up to know that Andrea was still there, still suffering on the wrack at Katherine�s side. If anything, the glow between her thighs had gotten stronger. Maybe in anticipation of watching another share her fate. Katherine let the silence draw on, undoubtedly aware that every moment spent waiting wound her subject�s anxiety tighter. Jessica didn�t dare look up or move. Beg them, part of her urged. So what if it�s what they want! They�ll get what they want of you, anyway. . . But she couldn�t do that. She couldn�t surrender what little she had left to Katherine. And she was afraid. What if what they wanted was her to kneel quietly and suffer their gaze and their pity? She could imagine that. And then, at their own pace, they�d work up to the other things. She shivered and Katherine motioned for the Court to begin session. She remembered her Protocol classes vaguely, but from what she recalled, there would be a reading of those in attendance. This was largely for the pleasure of the nobles, who would enjoy hearing their name sounded, but it might last half an hour. All the while, she was getting stiffer and colder, and her knees were killing her. The Royal Announcer was in the �K�s, reading out, "Lord Andrew Killiam," when she rocked forward to try to distribute the weight somewhere else. "Be still," Roland hissed. And it wasn�t an order. It was a warning. She returned to the uncomfortable position, unable to think of anything except how comfortable the thrones were. Even the benches the attendees sat on were cushioned. I must sit still, she told herself. Head bowed, back straight, knees apart. Just as a commoner would, if brought here. I mustn�t shift or move, because they enjoy seeing me like this, and I mustn�t deny them anything they might enjoy. Even if it means going out of my mind! But when they had read Lady Worthing McAlester, she felt another instant of kneeling would do her in and she moved again. Just a little. She had to. "Jessica," Roland hissed, but it was too late. The Princess held up a hand and the reading stopped. With the silence came a feeling of dread. Oh, Mercy, she thought, why did I move? It wasn�t that bad. . . She looked up pleadingly. The Princess smiled at her but addressed Roland. "Lance Corporal, is the Supplicant squirming?" "Yes, Your Highness," He said. "I see. Jessica?" Jessica had been holding her breath. Now, she swallowed, exhaled, and gulped air. "Your Highness?" "You�ve already earned one punishment from the Court. I cannot imagine you want two. And I know you were better in Protocol than that. What do you have to say for yourself?" Mercy, She thought. She remembered sitting in Protocol class with the other girls enjoying the tribulations commoners were put through when they visited their betters. Commoners or disgraced aristocrats. "I�m sorry, Your Highness," She managed. "I t-tried. . ." The Princess waved her excuse away, but spoke in a gentle, understanding tone of voice. "You tried your best, didn�t you?" "Yes, Your Highness. . ." "But you�re not used to kneeling and it�s very uncomfortable, isn�t it?"

Jessica sat perfectly still. She wanted to cry, �Yes! Oh, Mercy, please! Oh, I beg you, cease toying with me!� But she didn�t dare. The Princess�s offer of leniency was something she couldn�t pass up, even if she mistrusted it. Her voice quavering, adorably on the edge of tears, she managed to say, "Yes, Your Highness," "Well," Katherine spoke to the Court, "I�m not sure what we should do." She smiled. "I think we might ask an expert, such as she is, in proper Court etiquette." She paused to consider and then turned to the girl at her side. Every eye focused on Lady Andrea Conner and the effect was immediate. Miserable enough when she wasn�t the center of attention, being called upon in such a manner was merciless torment for the naked young lady. Jessica felt her own breath catch as she looked at what lay before her. Andrea�s legs were opened uncomfortably wide, and she was raised so that her groin was only inches from her Princess�s armrest. Her hips were pushed forward by a wooden rod that disappeared between the soft cheeks of her buttocks and into her anus. Not permitted a stitch of clothes, she made a fetching display for the court. Mortified, she blushed painfully, at being addressed, even after all these hours. Jessica saw that she was clearly petrified of what this might bring. She moaned and wiggled as much as she could. "Well what do you think, Lady Connor? Should Jessica acquire another punishment or should we spare the girl?" There was some laughter and a murmur of approval. They found the whole idea psychologically fascinating and more than entertaining. Andrea looked away, utterly unable to meet the Princess�s eyes. Wherever she looked, she found a patient, smiling face, waiting for a reply. Whispers traveled back and forth, and finally Andrea looked at Jessica. Jessica looked down miserable and furious. Of course the girl didn�t have a choice. If she said anything other than �punish,� she risked the Princess�s displeasure. And the attention of the Court was agony for her. "Punish her, Your Highness," She managed, but her voice was all but inaudible. Another murmur from the crowd. They were pleased! Very good! The naughty young lady who couldn�t sit still was going to get punished for it! Very proper! Andrea turned her head to face her arm and whimpered pleadingly to Katherine. But Katherine wasn�t done with her yet. "And, tell me, Lady Connor, how should she be punished. I know you favor very sever and humiliating punishments for bad little girls, but let�s make sure the punishment fits the crime, shall we?" Katherine was certainly entertaining the Court now! Jessica listened to their excited discussions about what fate the mortified Lady might choose for her. They were sure to appreciate the helpless fury she was feeling. After all, playing one supplicant off against another was an incredible game! And the line about �favoring sever punishments!� Such playful irony! "Hmm?" Princess Katherine prompted. "Mustn�t take forever. . ." Desperate to have this part of the game over, Andrea babbled something out. "For the Court, Dear," The Queen told her. "Repeat." "M-make her k-kneel on rice. . . And bind her wrists to her ankles. . . " Oh, Mercy! No! Oh, Andrea! She looked back pleadingly at Roland, but he only stared ahead. There was nothing he could do. There was nothing anyone could do. A servant boy no older than fifteen came out with a bowl of rice, and she was allowed to stand, her head bent forward, while he sifted it onto the rug. She was grateful for the momentary respite, but she couldn�t imagine what it would be like to return to the floor. A tear escaped down her cheek and she quickly wiped at it. Soon she wouldn�t be able to. "Kneel," Roland told her, not unkindly, but without sympathy. "It could be much worse." Owww. She whimpered herself when her knees touched the grains. Oh, mercy. . . oh, this was terrible. . . She hung her head and sniffled, while Roland tied her. He was quick about it, but she was basically hog-tied. As when he had lead her in, the ropes were tight enough to prevent escape but not so tight she would loose circulation. He was, she reflected, very good at this. "That�s much better, isn�t it, Jessica? Can we continue reading without interruptions?" "Yes, Your Highness," She said quickly, in a voice that was obviously threatening to disintegrate into tears. Silence. Why weren�t they reading? Didn�t they know this had to end immediately! She looked up and realized what they were waiting on. It took all of her self control to say, "T-thank. . . th-thank you, Lady Cuh-Connor for my punishment. . ."

"And the Court thanks Lady Conner as well," The Princess said. "Let the record show that we have expressed our appreciation." Jessica tried to look away, but couldn�t, while The Princess reached out and slid her fingers between the furrow of Andrea�s sex. Andrea closed her eyes and begged desperately for it to stop, while her body squirmed with pleasure she couldn�t hide. It was all the more poignant that she was almost powerless to pursue her own pleasure. She was spread ever so much wider than was necessary and impaled, so that even the most ardent thrust of her hips only gave her what her Princess allowed. Her nipples and nether-lips glowed brightly, and Jessica caught a glimpse of the young woman�s clitoris, shining like a bright star in the hidden folds of her organ. The room was full of mirthful comments about how embarrassing that must be and how it was so obvious that she enjoyed it, and of course she enjoyed it�she�s obviously needed it for quite awhile! "That�s enough for right now," The Princess cajoled, pulling her hand away, and when Andrea struggled earnestly, and implored with painfully sincere whispers, the Princess laughed and said, "I know you�re quite frustrated, Dear, but it would be so improper to let you spend in front of all these people!" Satisfied that Andrea�s humiliation was complete and Jessica�s punishment was just beginning, she let them return to the reading. It hadn�t been bad before, Jessica thought. It hadn�t been anything before! Oh, how could she have been so stupid and weak! This was murder! Agony! She cried silently because it was the only thing she could do but it didn�t help. She knew they were remarking upon it amongst themselves, and she heard, in half-understood voices, their pity for her. The poor, sweet thing was learning her lesson, wasn�t she? A little exercise in self control and submission! Two subjects she obviously needed a refresher in. . . And yet this was nothing compared to what Andrea had just endured! Tears trailed down her cheeks and she shook and quivered and truly suffered every second of the eight minutes it took to finish the list. Then there were a few more things to do, and the Princess found this and that to bring up, before she could get to the business at hand. Jessica was, by this point, physically and emotionally exhausted, and miserable, so that she was almost relieved when the Princess addressed her directly. "You know why you are here. I was merely going to inquire as to what you knew, but given your behavior, I believe we have reason to accuse you. As such, you may enter a plea. I believe you have been dream meddling, Jessica. What do you say?" So that was it. They wanted her to confess without having to Compel her. Because if they were wrong they would loose considerable face for compelling testimony. And maybe the Princess was just fishing. Maybe she really didn�t know, and wasn�t going to use the oath at all. . . but it went unspoken. To lie, would bring much greater retribution. It might be her only way out, but if it failed. . . She closed her eyes. If she were to show any meaningful defiance, this was it. If they were to respect her at all, she would earn it now. The Princess had taken a risk by doing this in public, and there was no doubt that the Court knew it. And the payoff? If she was as cowed as Katherine hoped, she would be forced to deliver herself into the Princess�s full authority before them all. Knowing, as Katherine did, how hateful that would be for her, it would make the morsel of her surrender and subsequent misery even more succulent. She glanced at Andrea and knew that she didn�t have a choice. "I plead guilty, Your Highness," she said, her voice quavering. There was flat silence, broken only by her own breaths. Not a murmur. "Guilty? Are you sure? The punishment for such a thing is quite severe, Jessica," Katherine teased. In this game of cat and mouse she had the mouse right where she wanted her. Why not rub it in a little? Sobbing, Jessica nodded. Someone pulled the rope and she was lifted to her feet. Now, with the vast relief of being off her knees, she sagged, and moaned. "Face the front," Roland said. "You must, Jessica. Please." She did because he asked. Her vision was blurred and all she could see was the great, bright blur of the Princess. "Please sentence me," She gasped. "Please punish me as I deserve. . ." She put a hand to her face and cried into it. Roland supported her. When the Princess spoke, her voice was pleased, but oddly gentle and lacking the cruelty of her earlier pronouncements. "Very well," She said. "The Court will adjourn to consider Lady Jessica�s punishment. I will assign. . ." She looked around the room, "Lord Sopwith to determine a punishment for her attempt at flight earlier today Lord Sopwith?" A portly man with a dark blue jacket stood and mused, stroking his chin. He spoke loudly so the court could hear his thoughts, "It should be something. . . elegant. . . and I think she has apparently been coddled more than is becoming, so I would like to see it toughen her. And she is exceptionally beautiful when she cries so she should be encouraged to cry all night. . . A rather. . . hmm. . . perplexing combination." He studied her and she found some strength in the loathing she felt for him. He smiled, "Ah. I have it. But I must confess that it could be more humiliating, I felt that she should be spared such," He nodded to the wrack, "public displays until the sentencing for her, ahem, real crime."

He stood, almost at attention, and waited. "And that would be?" The Princess asked. "Yes, Well. . . I believe there is a balcony beyond your chambers, Your Highness. I felt she might be tied there in some. . . revealing position. And quite naked. Such bondage will help prepare her for the more figurative servitude that will come with her sentence, and to help her cry. . . well, I am sure that some magics can be applied that will summons mosquitoes? But since we wouldn�t want her overly tormented, I would like to protect all parts of her body from them except, let us say, her buttocks and anus. Her sex. . . should definitely not be spared. The insides of her thighs? No. Let them suffer as well. . . and the soles of her feet." He nodded. "Such a night should prepare her quite nicely for her appearance tomorrow." He smiled and moved to return to his seat when the woman at his side whispered something to him and he stood quickly, "If the Court would please, Your Highness, I forgot to include, in the list of targets, her breasts. I cannot see preventing the insects from sampling such delicacies." Jessica was stunned. She trembled, and it was good that Roland held her because had he not, she would have collapsed. Her mind reeled with fear and anguish. That was. . . no. No, that couldn�t be allowed! She turned and looked pleadingly at Roland. He didn�t look away this time, but his gaze told her that she was in fact going to suffer this. She felt panic swelling up inside her and she turned to the Princess. "Don�t," Roland said. "Thank him and be done with it." "I can�t," She stammered. Didn�t any of them realize what agony they had consigned her to? She looked around the room, and found pity and sympathy, but also interest and pleasure. That she couldn�t stand such things as kneeling and being tied, made her a perfect plaything. They were eager to see her suffer for them. And because of that they were merciless. Because these are such minor punishments, she realized. Nothing you can�t live through. Nothing that will harm you. And your fear of them is a heady elixir! Just look at how Andrea glows at the thought of it! And under their dresses and gowns and suits, they are all bright as well! "Jessica," The Princess said, "I think that was an excellent idea. What troubles you? Do you feel you need something more severe?" "P-please. . ." She trailed off. Katherine glared at her and she shank back. This was not the time to plead. That was not what they wanted from her. And she was taught that. "Very well, then. Lance Corporal Roland, when you tie her, we will provide a solution of sugared water that you are to apply to her nipples but not the rest of her breasts, her clitoris, but not the rest of her sex, and the opening of her anus. That way those areas will suffer just a little worse and she will be quite satisfied and thankful for her punishment, won�t you, Jessica." "Yes, Ma�am," She whimpered, forgetting the proper from of address, but using a less formal one that a student might use with a teacher. Katherine seemed pleased and nodded for her to continue, "T-thank you, Lord Sopwith. . . I. . ." she looked down and blushed furiously.

More babble. Sounds of pleasure and approval. They found her fate very appealing and appropriate, and they knew that, while she might not be displayed before them, they would certainly look forward to seeing her in the morning. All around, it had been a very entertaining and productive evening. "Take her back to her room, but stay with her," The Princess told Roland. "Preparations will be made, and she will be �put to bed� as soon as they are ready."

He nodded once, and took her arm to lead her away. "And, Jessica," The Princess said. Jessica looked back. She was so relieved to see a normal, almost friendly expression on the girl�s face. "I shall be up to visit you once you are �tucked in,� and we�ll talk." Then she was taken away.