After two long agonising hours of utter degradation.., of torment and tears... the six ex-ladies of the Court dragged the cage back into the Palace ya...rd. The gates of the Palace closed. The sounds of the derisive mob faded away. Those who had watched from the balcony were no longer there. Except Flavia. Flavia, the young captive whom she had treated so cruelly when she had been in power. She was enjoying her own revenge to the full. Hopeless despair filled Xena as she watched the young woman. "I've never had a mate like you," she says while Chip's eyes go wide anda surprised smile crosses her lips.Later, much later, when sunrise silhouettes the city's high rises andcommercial architecture, the two of them kick off their heels, with sighsof relief, stretch their toes on Chip's carpet and slump to her sofa'sembrace. With a comforting blanket and mugs of hot chocolate they planto watch the sun bring the morning to light. Her head spins and tiltshappily, the cocktails have been superb,. The only light came from the hearth. I wish I could recall her name."Come," she said at length, "come and make love to me."That was an invitation I seldom refused, especially after a spate of killing, survival must have had a role in that feeling. The small house was only one room with the beds tucked in the corners on the chimney side. She led me to hers, turned back the quilt and smiled up at me."I've been staying out of sight since they came," she said, untying her bodice while I took off my. The women clapped their approval, and as I stared at it with disbelief I heard the whoosh of a cane and felt its sharp sting as Hortense chose to chastise me.“Say thank you mistress, and beg to wear the pretty dress tomorrow!” The women roared with laughter as I carried out the command with a broken voice; the sting of the cane still throbbing. I was truly learning humiliation. Elaine smiled wickedly down at me as she returned to the drawer; I noticed at this point that the damp patch at the.