The words that went out of Ashley's mouth were barely intelligible, though, due to the cloth on her mouth. Maybe the girl didn't understand the question "why", but she probably understood the pleading for mercy... or at least the gesture. Hands raised in surrender is pretty clear and universal, a traveller Ashley had met had once observed.<br/>Either way, that was an imminently reasonable decision, given that she was not only down, but on her face as well - though that was due more to her own - and badly failed - attempt to avoid being taken down, than due to any uncanny skill by the attacking girl...<br/><br/>But instead of slitting her throat, the woman slipped some cord from under her garments. The cord already had two loops prepared, which she slipped on Ashley's hands. The cord was pulled taut.<br/><strong>"Not a word more, and you may live",</strong>she warned in a harsh whisper.<strong>"Call for help, and I'm slitting your throat on the spot!"</strong><br/>Then the Eastern girl paused to pull something from a purse on her belt, and threw it in the direction of the scorpio.<br/>After that, she went on to bind one of Ashley's legs as well. There were an other loop at the other end of the cord, which was quickly pulled up, and the cord stretched taut, not allowing her to move her hands more than half a cubit from her own waist.<br/><strong>"Now get up. We're going outside", </strong>the woman warned. She also pulled a veil, and put it on Ashley's face.<strong><br/>"Your clothing is suitable. And remember, one wrong move, or word, or even stare - and I'd slit your throat, and take my chances in avoiding the guards...but do as I say, and you may live."</strong><br/>After that, she pulled Ashley on in the dark corridor. Instead of the common room, however, they were heading for the kitchen.