A Chink in the Finish

Writers: Heather
Date Posted: 11th August 2014

Characters: Rethisa, Verlow
Description: Rethisa gets a little vengeance of her own.
Location: Elsewhere on Pern
Date: month 8, day 2 of Turn 7

"What were you doing out in the barn?" Verlow's voice was low and dangerous.

Rethisa looked up from her vanity, her eyes meeting her husband's in
the mirror, "I just wanted to feed some treats to the runners."

"Really? Everlow says he caught you out there in the barn with your
legs spread open for one of the stablehands." The edge in Verlow's
voice was laced with a deadly anger.

"That's not true, Verlow. I would never do that. You know I am yours."
Rethisa tried in a placating tone, although her stomach was writhing
with nerves.

Verlow snatched Rethisa by her hair and jerked her head up, "Are you
calling my son a liar?" He hissed in her ear.

Rethisa cried out in pain, "N-n-no! He's just mistaken! I swear it, Verlow!"

Hauling her out of her chair, Verlow tossed her on the floor and
snarled, "Show me that you are mine."

Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes as she rose up on her knees,
and with trembling fingers, reached for the buckle of Verlow's belt.

~*~

The morning light was blinding when she woke the next morning. At
first she was confused. She never slept so late. As she pushed herself
up from the bed, she gasped, pain rippling from her back. The whelps
from Verlow's belt still stung, and she moved gingerly as she slipped
on the softest blouse she could find.

Pulling on a black skirt with a wide belt, she cinched it loosely in
place before lacing up her boots. Platinum hair was swept up, twirled
and clipped in place. She never put very much effort into her
appearance. There was no reason to do so. Verlow would take her anyway
he could get her, regardless. And if she looked too nice he would
claim that she was trying to flirt with other men.

As she made her way into the great room it was blissfully empty.

"Ma'am?"

She turned to regard one of the old women from the kitchens.

"Yes?"

"Would you care for some breakfast? Tis a bit late but we saved you some."

"That would be perfect, thank you." Rethisa lowered herself into a chair.

"Master Verlow also wants you to bring him his lunch today in the
lower pasture. I have packed the basket ma'am." The old hand said as
she handed Rethisa her plate.

"Thank you." The thoughts of taking Verlow lunch made her stomach
churn, and nearly killed any appetite for breakfast that she'd had.
She picked up the crispy piece of fried meat from her plate and
crunched on it noisily while her eyes narrowed. The bastard wanted his
lunch, did he? A dark smile crossed her face.

~*~

With the basket of food in her hand, Rethisa made one small detour to
the herb garden. She had not been there since... Well, since Verlow
had ruined it. As she walked through it she bent and picked a couple
of leaves from a particularly spicy plant.

"You want me to bring you your lunch, dear, sweet husband? I hope you
choke on it." She muttered as she rubbed the leaves between her
fingers and then smeared the paste it made onto the bread of his
sandwhich. One bite and surely his entire mouth and throat would be
engulfed with invisible flames.

Schooling her features, Rethisa put the basket back on her arm, and
followed the well worn path down to the lower pasture. As she
approached she spotted Verlow with his four oldest boys, and a few
work hands. When he saw her he left the others to meet her half way.

"Ah, my beautiful wife with my lunch."

**I hope you choke on it you great big tub of lard.** Rethisa thought,
but she curved her lips into a smile.

"I hope you haven't been working too hard." She replied back sweetly.

Verlow snorted, and reached around to grab her rear and pull her
roughly up against him, "Not so hard that I won't be able to pleasure
my wife later." He placed a slobbery kiss over her cheek and neck. She
wanted to cringe and wiggle from his grasp, but her smarting back
reminded her of how cruelly he could wield his belt.

"Very good, love. I will leave you with your lunch then. I am going to
be doing some sewing inside today."

"Good girl," he grunted and patted her backside, "stay out of that barn."

"Yes, dear." She replied back, relieved when he released her so that
she could go back to the house. "Enjoy your lunch." She called over
her shoulder as she walked away. Oh, how she wished she could be there
when his beady eyes bulged, when his veins popped, and when he broke
out into a sweat.

She had just reached the door when she heard the echo of his gargled
scream, "WOMAN!"

Last updated on the August 19th 2014

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A Chink in the Finish