by Lance Wilson
“It is time to really show him the test of pain, it is time to sterilize him” Lady Elana says and smiles at him
Lady Ebon only winces at all this, she has only seen one other be sterilized and it was not a pretty sight. Pain shot through Attonnan as the Lady Elana’s hand moved lower into my body and then… . then a new pain, a pain so traumatic that there are no words for it. Lady Elana’s hand finds Attonnan’s testicles from the inside… . just the slightest graze of her hand sends a stabbing pain making Attonnan want to curl up and scream in pain. Attonnan then feels her hand then act as a vice slowly crushing his testicles. A pain like no other cascades though him and takes control o fall that is around him. Light flashes before his eyes all that there is, is the pain. Attonnan so desperately tries to scream, to cry out in pain but he can’t. He can’t even gather his breath and so it only built in him… . the pain gathers and gathers… his whole body became one tense muscle. Attonnan begins to pull and struggled to break free of the table, his back and shoulders lifting off the table… tears soaked his face but still he can’t utter a sound… then… . then just as suddenly as it started it stops. Lady Elana watches as his body goes limp. Smiling she pulls her hand out of him and with a cloth begins to wipe the blood off of it.
“We are done here” Lady Elana says and smiles as she hears the door open.
“Lord Fuma” the orc says and quickly drops to one knee
“My Lord, I was hoping to have him cleaned up before you saw him” Lady Ebon says and quickly throws a white sheet over Attonnan, the sheet quickly turns red almost at once soaked in blood.
“Is he broken” Lord Fuma asks looking over that the blood soaked sheet
“Yes” Lady Elana says calmly but with a smile,
Fuma watches as Lady Elana walks over and picks up the pilfered arm bone of Attonnan, she twirls it and moves it over in her hand examining it.
“A trophy I see” Fuma says and chuckles to himself.
“Indeed, it would make a lovely flute don’t you think” she says and smiles at him
“Well, I need him healed, in perfect condition, then, leave him to me. He will be my willing lap dog in a matter of seconds” Lord Fuma says and pulls off the sheet now shocked at the sight
“I can heal most of him, but not all, you see, I sterilized him, and that cannot be reversed” she says calmly but there is a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.
“Other then the lack or reproduction will it work” Fuma asks calmly not sure what to make of the mess.
“It will work.” She says smiling
“Then as I said, heal him. I want him in my quarters when he wakes… . scars are fine, but nothing more then that” Fuma says and growls at them.
Fuma then throws the sheet back over Attonnan and walks out.
Taking great care she places the organs back inside Attonnan and then begins to heal him. She is lucky and the healing takes no time and goes flawlessly. Concentrating on the wounds a golden light pours out of her fingertips and moves over Attonnan’s body. The cuts slowly close and meld back together, she can hear the muscle mend itself, the bones crack back into place, she can even see the his right arm plump up as an entire bone is regrown. Lady Elana collapses into a chair and smiles looks at her work. His skin is now whole and his muscle seem to be perfected again. There are thin faint scars where he was cut and blistered, but they are only the faintest of scars.
“Do you think master Fuma will mind his color” Lady Ebon says calmly looking him over
Lady Elana takes a deep breath to refocus her and then looks over at Attonnan. She is right; his color is off. He was always a pale elf but now, now his skin is the white, as white as perfect marble. His ebony black hair only off sets the white skin making the hair seem that much blacker, and white skin even whiter.
“I have healed him the best I could, only one wound remains unattended. And I will not undo that. He shall remain sterile” Lady Elana says smiling
“I’m sure he won’t mind the color, it’s such a minor thing,” Lady Ebon says as they nod to the orc.
The orc knows his place. Slowly he walks over and undoes the chains. Unlocking each one and, he too looks over the elf, he looks like a ghost, white as porcelain with hair as black as raven plumes. Slowly he opens the elf’s eyes, they are bright blue. Once his shackles are undone the orc picks up the young elf and throws him over the shoulder. He smiles and bows his head at the two sisters of the ebony hand. Then with a sigh he walks out of the dungeon. The orders where strict, he was to be healed and brought to the masters chambers.
Attonnan feels like he has been sleeping for years. He is shocked to feel the warm sheets around him and the soft bed under him, a soft pillow under his head. It was all a dream, all just a horrible dream. His father is alright, his family never got separated, he was never in the castle of the Hojo, and he was never on that table with those women. With trembling hands he reaches and feels his chest, it is smooth, but then, his fingers stumble across a small bump, at least at first it feels like a bump. He lets his fingers trace down it and feels that it is a scar; it starts at his neck, right were the breastbone starts, and moves slowly down all the way to his groin. Then another moves across his gut, just above the groin, he feels the scar all the way back to the top and then feels that it too has a cross scar moving across his shoulders. They are faint scars but he can still feel them. He then feels his right arm, the same kind of scars move over his arm. One long scar from wrist to elbow then two that cross that, one at the wrist, one at the elbow. So it wasn’t a dream, fear clutches at Attonnan as it all dawns at him. He remembers everything on the table, the way they cut at him, took him apart, the woman; she took one of his arm bones. He can feel his whole body begin to tremble with fear. Without thinking about it he curls up in a ball in the bed clutching the pillow as if somehow it would protect him. Just then the door slowly opens. Attonnan’s eyes flash open as he sees his worst nightmare come through the door. It is Fuma Hojo, the Lord of the Hojo clan. He was the one that ordered him to the ladies of the ebony hand. He wants to scream, run, do something but fear has too strong a hold on him and all he can do is let out a small whimper and clutch the pillow even tighter.
“Attonnan, my dear boy. Shh, everything is well now.” Lord Fuma says holding up his hands in a surrendering pose.
Taking it slow as he walks across the room, each steps slowly. This is perfect; Attonnan is terrified beyond anything he could have hoped for. Fuma knows that at this point he is reaching out for some grip on reality, some sense of the past. This is where he will make his move. He shall warm up to him, make the young elf believe that this was not to be, and then, train him, he’s not sure for what yet, once he convinces Attonnan that he wishes him no ill and only wants to make up for what has happened Attonnan will follow willing, this is not the first young man he has broken with this plan, it is flawless, by the end, Attonnan will see him as a second father and die for him. Soon he is at the foot of the bed, he watches as Attonnan curls into a tighter ball. Gently he sits on the corner of the bed farthest from Attonnan. Attonnan only pushes himself into the opposite corner.
“Attonnan, oh god Attonnan I am so sorry. I was angry at you and wanted them to hurt you, but not like this, I told them, only ten lashes with the whip, nothing else” He says and watches as Attonnan’s eyes sparkle.
That’s right, he is the good guy, it was the evil ebony hand that decided to do it. Not him.
“Please Attonnan, you must believe me. I told them only ten lashes, you stabbed me, and no one had stabbed me in ages. I was furious, so I had you punished, but I was proud as well, you killed my men, impressive for one so young. Like I said, you had stabbed me and I had to punish you, even a father must punish a son. Let me look, let me see what they have done. Please, let me help” Lord Fuma says, his voice like shadows and wind, but keeping a sweetness to it, a sweetness that he can tell
is starting to reach Attonnan.
Ten lashes, that’s not so bad, Attonnan begins to think to himself. His father had given him worse then that for a lot less. He remembers once he had touched his father’s sword without his permission, it was the sword of the prince and only the prince was allowed to wield it. But Attonnan crept up one night when his father slept and took it to the training room. He practiced with it for the whole of the night, the next mourning his father caught him and he paid, paid for the rest of the day. His father hung him and whipped him for hours; he passed out at least three times. He was in the infirmary for a week after that. But Fuma, Fuma was only going to give him ten lashes for stabbing him. Even a father must punish a son, which was what he told him. And that he was proud of him, he was proud of Attonnan for being able to kill his men. No one had told him that they were proud, Rin once or twice, but never his father, Fuma had praised his skills. Slowly Attonnan uncurls his body letting Lord Fuma get a bit closer.
“Where did they cut you, show me where they hurt you” Lord Fuma says now inching up the bed. He is sitting right next to him now.
“They, they cut me up the middle, and my arm” Attonnan says his voice trembling, Fuma only wants to help, he keeps telling himself in wonder and disbelieve
“May, may I see, I only want to help. If you don’t want to show me” he says and with a smile he watches as Attonnan nods.
Attonnan slowly pulls the covers down, just far enough so that Fuma can see the wounds but not so far that he sees everything. With slow movements Fuma lets his hand move toward the scars. He watches as Attonnan winces as his fingers gently trace the scar, Attonnan’s eyes are closed tight. The touch is gentle, almost loving
“My god, what have they done. Yes I recognize this. I cannot heal you any further, but I would like to make it up to you. This is my fault, I sent you too them. To see you like this… I feel so guilty” Fuma says and lowers his head. He can hear the next line even before it comes out of Attonnan’s mouth, he will be forgiven, Attonnan will forgive him and let him make it up to him. Make it up to him, ha, he will train and make him his willing slave
“It’s, it’s not your fault, you told them ten lashes right” Attonnan says his eyes sparkling up at Fuma
“Of course, I was angry, you had stabbed me. But you were so skilled, I was as proud as I was angry, only ten lashes, then I was going to see if you would join me” Fuma says and gently places his hand on Attonnan’s shoulder
“You, you were proud” Attonnan says his voice trembling, he sounds like a small child
“Of course, you killed 3 of my men, it may seem like a small feat but my men are well trained, and you were still brave enough to fight me. That is no small feat for anyone.” he says and watches as Attonnan looks down thinking.
“Lord Fuma, what of my family” Attonnan asks tears rimming his eyes now.
This is a bit unpredicted, but he was prepared for that as well, he knows that the family was split up and that it is still fresh in his mind.
“I do not know, I know they were sent to the major clans, your mother stayed with Mecmed, I believe your oldest brother as well. I could learn more about it, it would take time but it is the least I could do for you, after all this” Lord Fuma says and smiles at him
Like a flick of a switch Attonnan snaps and breaks down. He lunges at Lord Fuma and holding him tight and begins to sob into his shoulder.
“Shh, everything will be alright, I’m here for you” Lord Fuma says with a grin spreading ear to ear
Perfect, this is just what he wanted; everything has gone perfectly to plan. Patting Attonnan’s back he lets him sob. He is Attonnan’s friend now, and soon, he will be his master, the transformation will happen so quietly Attonnan himself won’t know. Attonnan seems to sob for hours; Fuma only stays there holding him. Letting him vent all of his frustrations and fears, let him sob. When finally he is finished Attonnan pulls himself back and begins to wipe his tears on his arms. His body is still trembling. Fuma smiles at young Attonnan but Attonnan only looks down at the bed his face going flush. It is an interesting blushing, what would normally barely show on a young man almost glows on him since his skin is now so white
“You must think I’m weak, nothing more then a child” Attonnan says his voice now full of hate and distain for himself now
“You have been though a lot, even for a full grown man. No one thinks your weak, everyone can cry, and sometimes you just can’t take it anymore” he says, reaches over and gently strokes Attonnan’s hair.
“I’m sorry, I guess I’m just shook up” Attonnan says his mind in shock and confusion.
All his life his father had told them that the other clans cannot be trusted, and out of all of them the Hojo clan was the most to be feared. But here he is, in a warm bed with Lord Fuma Hojo himself comforting him, telling him he is proud. The sweetness in his voice, the way he talks to him, holds him. It reminds him of Rin and how she always used to take care of him, hold him, make him feel better after his father hurt or scolded him for no reason.
“Attonnan, I am sorry but I have other things I must tend to, I am still Lord of this house. I have left some cloths in the dresser over there, you are free to roam the palace, this is your home now, I have ordered everyone to treat you as an honored guest.” Fuma says and stands up.
“Lord Fuma, thank you” Attonnan says and watches and Lord Fuma give him a polite bow and then leaves the room.
Once Lord Fuma is gone Attonnan snuggles into the bed a bit and closes his eyes. This has to be some kind of dream. Lord Fuma is actually a good man. He never wanted for all that pain to happen, and now, now to make up for it he is treating him like some kind of honored guest. Then there is the fact that Lord Fuma was shocked at the fight and proud of him, actually proud. Even though it was his men that he slayed and he did stab him, he was still proud of him. It was all just too good to be true. He lays there for a bit but then lets out a sigh and come to the conclusion that it is time for him to get up. Lord Fuma did give him free range of the palace and told him that he was a guest and would be treated as such. Slowly Attonnan gets up and walks over to the dresser. He is shocked at what he sees. Above the dresser is a mirror and for the first time since the torture he gets a good look at himself. His skin is as white as polished ivory, his lips are red, they seem to be the only thing that has color too them. His hair is still black, as black as raven plumes and his eyes are still the deep royal blue. He looks like some kind of doll that the nobles give their daughters. He looks over his whole body, it is all the same white, he wonders how it got that color, maybe he will ask Fuma but he is sure it had something to do with the torture, something they must have done. He only shakes his head; there is nothing he can do about this now. He opens the drawers to the dresser and finds several different kinds of cloths. He finally picks out a set of white puffed out pants. The pants are white with elastic around the cuffs and waist but the legs are puffed out they are not stiff and the material seems to be silk. He then reaches in and pulls out a fold over shirt it is mostly white with a blood red floral pattern along the right shoulder and on the cuffs. The sleeves are loose hang down. Attonnan throws a few quick punches and enjoys the snapping sound of the fabric he then finds a wide and long silk sash. The sash is yellow with royal blue floral pattern on the ends. He lays the middle of the sash along the waist, wraps it once around then ties it in a large bow, strong enough though that it is not coming undone. He smiles at himself in the mirror, never has he had such cloths as this. Everything he is wearing is silk, it is soft and feels perfect on his body, and he can’t help but rub his cheek on the collar. These people have treated him so well, they are kind to him, they take care of him and they have shown him what it means to be nobility, or the son of nobility, a side of it he has never seen before. He takes one last look at himself in the mirror; in the white cloths, with his white skin he looks like a ghost. He only c
huckles and walks out the door.
Moving down the halls he sees that he is almost in perfect contrast to everything around him. The halls are dark gray stone and the banners that are hung are blacks and reds, the whole castle has a dark appeal to them. Yet here he is white skin and cloths, he is like a shimmering body moving through shadow. All around him others are walking through the halls as well, they are dressed in the cloths of the Hojo clan, black and red. Most are dressed like him, black puffed out pants, fold over shirt and a silk sash tied around, although their sash seems to be tied at the side. He also sees that those that have some kind of rank have a armor on them, some of the armor only covers the left arm, some covers that and the chest, he has even seen armor that almost covers the whole body. Although he notices as he walks around that those with more armor on seem to be those with lower rank. He ignores a lot of what is going on around him, he is only a guest and it would be impolite for him to interfere. As he walks down the halls he finds a room where the door is left open a crack. He can’t help but look in. in the room there is an older man standing in front of a group, a large group, of younger men, most about his age. They are all throwing punches and kicks to each other and in the air. It is a training room; this is where the Hojo army must be trained. The old man walks around and nods at the students, Attonnan is shocked, he watches as the students are either encouraged or if they can’t seem to get something the old man will take his hands and guide the young student slowly. There is no yelling, no cursing, not like his training with is father. As the old man walks around the room he spots him, a young man in white, so this is the Attonnan he was told to expect here sooner or later. The ghost of the Unagi. He smiles and walks over to the door. Attonnan only stand there in shock.
“You must be Attonnan, I have been told you might stop by” he said and smiled with a polite bow.
“I… um… yes sir” Attonnan says stammering for a bit but then bows low and polite
