Erica stopped before they reached the circle of tents, her attention caught by a flash of something going on behind the tents. She gave the others one quick glance. They were intent on the reaching the circle and the challenge. She ducked back down the lane.

There could be little doubt who the man was. He was huge, with reddish brown hair and a neatly trimmed beard, but his features were enough like his brother, Loki, for Erica to identify Fenrir Garmenson. He stood tall and proud, like a man used to getting his way.

The woman was more than a head shorter, with dark brown hair that didn't quite reach her neck, a leather collar around her neck and not a stitch of clothes on. Erica watched her bare back and buttocks as she stood, facing away from Erica.

"I've had about enough you, pet," Fenrir spat. He slapped the woman hard, hard enough to rock her back.

She made no move to raise her hands to protect herself. Instead she put her hands behind her, clasping her hands together. He face was down. "Sir, I am sorry I displease you."

"Quiet, slave," he barked. He watched her, his cold eyes cruel. "No," he decided. "I've had quite enough and it's as fitting punishment, I think. Not slave. No. Undo the collar. Give it to me."

"Sir," the woman gasped. "No, anything. Not that."

He cocked an eyebrow. "You'd defy me even now."

"Sorry," she squeaked out. She reached for the collar, her hands shaking. Tears spilled down the side of her cheek, but she kept her head down and Erica could not see her eyes.

Erica's chest ached and she longed to rush to the woman's side. How dare he... what? She wasn't sure what was going on, but he was doing something that upset her terribly and that was more than enough to make Erica furious.

"Hurry," he rumbled out.

"Sir, I'm trying."

He slapped her again. Caught off balance she fell heavily to the ground. It had rained last night and when she rose, her legs were streaked with mud. "Try harder."

She got back to her feet and got the collar off. "Sir," she said as she presented it.

"Perhaps you will earn this back in time. For now you are dismissed. Get dressed and be gone." He turned without a backward glance and strode off.

The woman slumped forward, her face in her hands.