Laelia had fought him as hard as she could and barely seemed to annoy him.  His hand at least left her pussy, still sore from last night's activities but now it wrapped nearly all around her throat, snuffing her air supply and threatening to end her trip before she had even started.  She flinched at the thought of the blow that was to follow as the look in his eyes was truly frightening.  She had made a grave mistake but it was too late now.  She felt her feet begin to leave the ground her full weight supported by her neck.  She pointed her toes downward, trying to keep some small contact with the ground to keep him from strangling her outright or breaking her neck.  Her lips and mouth formed a scream for help but no air could come out to bring it life.  Soon her own life would be snuffed out as well if he didn't release her.<br/><br/>She nodded her ascent to never lifting a hand to him again, at least as much as her head could nod given her situation.  The force of his snarl blowing back some stray hairs that had escaped her braid in the struggle.  She flinched as his fist hit the wall, brushing her ear as it went by.  Had it been her face she was sure she would be a bleeding pulp by now.  Just as she thought her life was about to end he lowered her back to the ground.  As he eased his grip enough for her to talk she sucked in air desperately.  It took several long breaths before she could even try to talk.  Her voice raspy and soft.<br/><br/>Still she stood as straight as she could, even within an inch of her life she still had her pride.  "I...cough...ahhh...I"  She rasped a few more times then cleared her throat as best she could.  "I was going to ask for your discretion, about last night."  Her face flushed red in shame thinking about how eagerly she had pleased this man just last night.  How her indiscreet quest to slake her sexual desires before her long journey had turned back on her so wickedly.  She had done nothing worse than he, desiring a night of carnal pleasure before a long journey.  But now he thought he owned her, and they would be very far from the imperial capital and he would be the closest thing to the law that existed once they entered the Sea of Grass.  "But I see that was a mistake, as clearly was last night."<br/><br/>She shrugged away from him, not waiting for his answer.  She knew she should go to the Cartographer's Guild and reject this assignment.  But there would be questions and her reputation ruined.  Her pride was her weakness at times.<br/><br/>Tears could be seen running down her cheeks as she cleared the corner of the building.  She walked purposefully wiping her tears as she did.  She went towards the horses and the gathering team.  She made a bee line for the blonde, sitting alone and strumming a guitar.  She was still fighting tears when she introduced herself.  "I'm Laelia, but my friends call me Lia.  Are you joining us on the journey across the Sea?"  She asked, her hands still visibly shaking from her near death experience.