"Strange as though they may be, judgement before realization will get you into trouble."<br/><br/>The guardsmen opened the doors, the heavily decorated stone taking a few moments to tug open with two on each door. There was already a fire burning in the hearth on the far side of the room, providing warmth. "As cold as the marble and stone of the mountain is, it holds heat exceedingly well. You should feel more comfortable in here. It's relaxing not to have my cock shriveled as it has been finally." The last remark was said followed by an amused little snort.<br/><br/>Picking at the already loosened laces on the cuirass he wore, he finally pulled at them enough to get it over his head. Settling it on one of the high backed chairs that encircled a small table, Darius headed over to an ornate end-table. From within, he pulled a box that was decorated in gold and silvered wiring, expertly woven so as to give the illusion that the wires were unbroken. It hid the hinges well, and unless one knew where to press, the box could not be opened without destroying it and the contents. Setting the box onto the bed, he pulled a large pouch from the table as well, and unrolled what appeared to be a large roll of fat.<br/><br/>Holding it up, he explained. "Pig's fat. We use it in seiges. It burns hot enough to melt stone. It also burns uniformly enough to keep the needles heated without much time in between to quicken the process. Otherwise we would have to wait between each needle for them to reheat." As he found the hardened steel candle holder, he gestured to the large cushion on the floor, indicating it was for her. "I'll need you to completely disrobe. As for where I place my mark, I haven't taken a mistress before this. I've bedded women, but none have earned that honor. Generally, there are two marks done. An ornate one in a location that isn't generally covered. A shoulder, a thigh, some even choose the neck. The second mark is smaller, more intimate. Hidden beneath clothing to prove ownership should an issue arise. A breast, the cheek of the ass. Along those lines."<br/><br/>As he talked, he quickly formed the fat into a crude candle, and twisted a thick wick into the center. An ember from the fire quickly lit the greased wick, and the fat hissed quietly as it began to burn red. "There are five needles that I will cycle through, to make sure they stay hot enough to immediately cauterize any bleeding. To manage the pain, generally when I've witnessed it done, two routes are taken. They take their owner inside them as a lover, and use the distraction to distance themselves from the pain. Or, more commonly, they simply find something to bite down on."