He was in a deep slumber now, and images of his past seethed into his mind. He could see Sarah's brutal tortures of fire, whips and long term bondage. He could see the many Lords and Ladies he had to please sexually, whom used him as a thing, not as a person. They strangled him and beat him while he was brutally raped. His body was an abstract painting of scars. His back was thick with whippings. It had gotten tough over the years of scars over scars. His nerves dulled, which Sarah felt was permission to ramp up the tortures so that he would feel equal if not worse pain. She would bring in a mage to heal his wounds, and then he would be beat all over again.<br/><br/>Except this time was the most brutal of them all. Also this time, no mage was brought in for days. Not until Lady Kate. He remembered the recent beatings, Sarah whipping him with a metal knife whip, locking him in a torture coffin for hours, burning his wrists just before placing them in shackles so they would hurt even more. He woke in a sudden torrent of fire and fear.<br/><br/>He woke next to Lady Kate, who was laying down next to him, holding him closely. He grabbed her wrists with the sudden shock, feeling the tortures coming back. His heart beat fast and sweat poured from him. "I have you," she told him. Those words hugged his heart, and he immediately felt the security he so long dreamed of. The feeling of hope, the kindness he never received. He let go of her wrists, and held onto her closely. A tear rolled down his cheek. He would only allow himself one tear, because he was stronger than that.