Brom nodded and waited, giving Felicity the time to gather herself and speak.  It was a promise he planned to make good use of, to make the girl a partner in her own pain and humiliation until she broke one way or another.  The man had made quite a show of foolish bravery to back up his promises of love to her.  He was almost glad for it really.  Hope would stave off the despair and acceptance that took a slave's soul and the light from their eyes.  Dreams of rescue would haunt her, and the risk of having a lover punished was often so much more effective as a threat.  And in the end, he would see her betrayed by her lover.  His lips curled as he decided to speak to Naiobe about his plans in the morning.  No doubt his half sister would find such a devious game to her liking.<br/><br/>He left off petting his elf just long enough to reach down to brush his fingers over the smooth scar of the brand upon Felicity's shoulder.  "Don't forget your promise," he said as he brought his hand back up to support and stroke the softly panting elf in his arms.  Then he turned and withdrew, leaving the girl alone in her bindings.<br/><br/>Only a few minutes passed before a matronly slavewoman entered with a bucket of water in one hand and a bundle of clothes under her other arm.  She set the bucket down and the clothes on a table before moving to free Felicity from her bindings.  Her creased features were as emotionless as stone and her eyes might have been glass as they swept over the naked girl dispassionately.<br/><br/>"There's a rag in the bucket," she said once she'd finished and stepped back, "His Excellency expects you to be clean."  Without waiting for Felicity to answer or move, she turned to unfolding a plain chemise of white linen that would leave Felicity's arms and shoulders bare as well as a bodice of serviceable leather to hold the dress in place and accent the girl's breasts.  A pair of plain slippers finished out the clothing, along with a towel that the old woman held ready as she turned back to wait for her charge to finish washing herself.