Jade was horrified at the pirate governor’s treatment of her body as if she were no more than a piece of meat. She stiffly endured his fondling until he sternly ordered her to hold still for examination. Her shriek was heard outside the door and a tall, lean man dressed in a brown hassock tied with a rope entered.<br/><br/>His face was dark and disapproving as he held out his crucifix as a talisman against evil. He came across the floor in his sandaled feet and the pirate stood to meet him, patting Jade on the backside while he smoothed down her skirts. At a gesture from him, Beatrice escorted her out.<br/><br/>Alone now, the pirate and the priest, the Father spoke sternly,<br/><br/>“Senor Ronen, Senor Ronen. How many hail Marys did you have to say just last month for despoiling those new serving girls? In your confessions you admitted that you no longer could be at peace with  yourself when you took that which was not freely offered from among the flowers of the ladies.  We decided together on a course of action that permits you to take of the spoils of battle, any and all that you wish as long, of course that you double tithe on that amount. We agreed that you could enslave any and all that you  wished. You could buy or sell or punish even to death those slaves as you saw fit,but YOU, SIR, you alone decided that having carnal knowledge of a lady brought you nothing but sickness of soul. I am here to remind you sir, that you have crossed the line or were about to cross that line with this new slave of yours. One look at her and you can see that she is a lady, born and bred, and not some base born serving wench. Strip her, beat her, have her serve you in all places but your bed sir. I said, serve you, not service you. If the day comes that she learns to trust you and willingly accepts you to her bed, then Senor, we will discuss new terms and conditions. Did you have any of that fine rum left? I find that discoursing leaves me dry in the mouth.”<br/><br/>Father Diego accepted a mug of rum from a serving girl and returned his attention to Senor Ronen.<br/><br/>“Think Ronen, of the ways to gentle a horse. Of course, you can put spur and whip to the tender flesh and break the will of the beast or you can blindfold her, feed her from your hand, bind her to you, until she cries out to be ridden by you and follows your commands without a hesitation. “ He drained the mug and held it out for more. “Some just take a little more time than others, but the ride will be that much sweeter. “ The good father leaned forward and peered in his face,<br/><br/>“You do mean to ride her, do you not?”<br/><br/>Beatrice waited for orders in the kitchen. She watched the girl pacing the floor, crossing her arms and rubbing them as if cold. Finally, a small boy brought her a missive.<br/><br/>“Come on, girl.” Iron Face said, “El Senor requests that you sleep in his chamber.”