A simple debt incurred to the Count from borrowing coin for his supplies: fresh metal bars, a new grinding stone, a new hammer and anvil, was all it took. It was true that her father was the best blacksmith in all of Tivat and had been providing the Count with armor and weapons for years. Her father was well respected in the small village and often provided shoes for the many horses of the towns people at a reasonable price. However, supplies were costly, and business had been very slow. Her father had been receiving loans from the Count to supplement his business for years. The debt accrued was insurmountable and nearly impossible to pay off. Violet was told that she would have to help pay off the debt by working for the Count. She had agreed without hesitation. Her father was a good man, and she loved him unconditionally.

When the Count came calling, her father went with him out to the shop. Violet thought she heard weeping, but she could not be sure. She ran to the window of the main room to look out on the shop, but all she could see was the impressive figure of the Count standing in the window. She saw the Count hold out his hand with a fiery look, as if trying to collect his debt. Violet backed away from the window in fear, not wanting to bring attention to herself. She sat on a chair and waited for the Count to leave so that she could speak with her father privately.

Suddenly, the door swung open, and the Count and two large dogs entered the house. Violet was snatched from the chair and manacles were quickly snapped onto her small wrists and attached to the collar of one of the large canines. Confused and frightened, Violet let out a loud gasp as the dogs began to walk quickly out of the small house and into the village street. The Count did not speak a word to her as they quickly passed her father's shop. Violet turned to see her father standing in the doorway with what appeared to be tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Father?!" Violet called to him. She did not understand why she needed to be handled so roughly if she was simply going to be working for the Count in order to clear up the debt. Her father wiped his face and called back to her, "Be well, Girl. Do whatever the Count says. Be well..." He slipped back into the shop and closed the door. Violet's eyes grew large as she hung on her father's words. Her footing suddenly gave way in a large divet in the road, and she fell to her rear, ripping her meager brown dress on a rock.

The Count simply grabbed her hair and lifted her to her feet. The journey continued in this way for another mile. By the time they reached the castle, Violet's dress was torn and tattered and her knees were a bloody mess. The Count simply walked with Violet and the dogs into what appeared to be a dungeon area of the castle. The stone facade was massive and made Violet gasp in horror as a barred door closed behind them loudly.

They reached a clearing with hooks hanging from the ceiling. The Count released her chained hands from the dog's collar and attached the chain to a large hook causing Violet's body to be stretched uncomfortably. Violet noticed she was not alone as a noblewoman was not too far from her in the shadows of the room. Her expensive green and ivory dress was also tattered from the harsh journey.

Violet heard commotion behind her as Louise was led into the room and hooked up in the same fashion. Louise was the daughter of Tivat's water miller, and Violet had befriended her many years back. Louise looked to be a bit worse off than she, as Louise's clothing was almost completely gone. Louise's stomach and breasts were clearly visible through her tattered outfit. Violet thought to herself for a moment, "I didn't realize the water miller also was indebted to the Count. Louise must be here to work off their debt as well."

As the Count looked them over, Violet swallowed hard. She would do whatever the Count asked to work off her father's debt. Her goal was to return home to her father. Little did she know, her father had not merely given Violet to the Count to work off the debt; however, he had sold Violet to the Count to pay off the debt in full. The Count had not gained a servant in Violet--she was his slave for life.

As the Count's voice boomed through the massive chamber, Violet's body trembled in its outstretched position. All three woman were glistening sweat from their journey, but their journey was just beginning...