When Cygnus awoke, there was only faint traces of amber flowing through the windows of his cabin. For a moment he was confused, wondering how soon he had woken up. There had been sunset amber flowing in through the window when he had slept. Rising to his feet, he walked over to the window. Rather than the sun setting the sun was rising.<i>Have I slept that long, </i>he wondered.<i>From dusk to dawn I slept. Longer than I usually rest for. </i>Then, he noticed something peculiar; Altair was nowhere to be seen. Swiveling his head around, he slowly walked over to where his sword lay in his scabbard, set beside his cot. Picking up the scabbard, Cygnus drew his blade.<br/><br/>He thought to circle around his desk before he went hunting for Altair, and there the slave was, resting rather peacefully.<i>I imagined the worst. Either that you would slit my throat and leave me to drown in my blood, then sneak below deck and do the same to my men. It seems that I have misjudged you. You're submissive enough. That will be very good for the sadist I plan to sell you to. Or I might choose to follow another plan... I might keep you. There are many ideas I have with where you'll end up. You have the body of a dancer... let's see if you can dance to the sound of my tune. </i>Cygnus placed his foot against Altair's head, pushing his head into the floor. "Wake up, slave. I'm awake."<i>For now, though, I won't tempt fate. Too soon to Mors' death to make you into another spectacle. </i>He sheathed his sword.<br/><br/>Cygnus crouched and picked up the book, setting it back on the desk. Sitting in his chair, he watched as Altair rose to his feet. The sheathed blade he set on his lap.At the pace of an old man, but he did not comment. He relished being able to brutalize Altair, but now it was of no consequence for him to hit Altair. What the slave had written in the book satisfied him, enough that he might be lenient for the slave being slow. But not lenient enough that he wouldn't taunt the slave for his insolence. The slave deserved any hard stone that the captain gave him, even the whipping. He wouldn't hit Altair, but he would humiliate him in other ways.<br/><br/>"You have the body of a dancer and you claim that you are a dancer. So, why not show me how proficient you are at the art...? Or is your dancing reserved to bed?" Cygnus asked.<i>I want to see the consequences of my whipping. Have I rendered you useless or have I just left an unsightly mark on you? </i>"Strip your sash away, and dance for me nude. If you can dance, I just might give you some apple jam." The eyes of the captain narrowed. "You know that I'll take it off myself if you won't. Which one do you want to happen, hmm?" His fingers gently stroked the hilt of his cutlass, and he raised his eyebrows. "This sword may not be the sharpest or the most well-maintained, but it can and will slice through that flimsy sash with the ease it does flesh."