The prisoner kneels on the peas, his wrists loosely bound, while they crunch softly beneath his knees. Lady Blackdiamoond and Missy van Licks stand calmly and confidently before him, wearing knowing smiles. Calmly, almost gently, they remind him that he has not behaved well. With his eyes lowered, he feels their attentive, commanding presence a punishment that is part of a familiar game of power, trust, and obedience.
