Ludmilla steps forth and pulls the subdued Freydis to the ground, bottom up, exposing her so very unarmored behind, holding up a large iron riding crop...the kind of which you use to spur bears into a full charge..
"I AM CAVALRY SEARGANT LUDMILLA YENINGOROTH, YOUR OFFICER IN COMMAND BY THE ORDERS OF KING JOHANNES FALKETH, 23RD RULER OF VALKEIN, RULER OF HAEARN, CONQUERER OF THE NORTH, DESCENDANT OF ELSBETH. IT IS MY ORDER TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE VANGUARD OF THE CONQUERING OF ESBELLERN, AS THE LEADER IN CHARGE OF ONE OF THE 20 GREAT-HUNTS TO PACIFY THE LAND FROM THE CLUTCH OF NATIVES, PAVING THE PATH FOR MANKIND."
WHACK
the beating began, and it was a merciless one, leaving more than just red lines.
"FROM NOW ON YOU WILL ONLY SPEAK WHEN SPOKEN TO AND THE FIRST AND LAST WORDS FROM YOUR MOUTHes WILL BE MA'AM! WHEN YOU LADIES LEAVE MY TRAINING, IF YOU SURVIVE LONG ENOUGH YOU WILL BE WEAPONS. YOU WILL BE MINISTERS OF DEATH, PRAYING FOR WAR. BUT UNTIL THEN YOU ARE NOTHING."
WHACK
"BECAUSE I AM HARD YOU WILL NOT LIKE ME! BUT THE MORE YOU HATE ME THE MORE YOU WILL LEARN."
WHACK
"I AM HARD BUT I AM FAIR. THERE IS NO BIGOTRY HERE. I DO NOT MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WOMEN, FREE MEN, SLAVES, SUB-HUMANS OR NOBLEMEN. HERE IN THE FROZEN DIRT YOU ARE ALL EQUAL. AND MY ORDERS ARE TO WEED OUT ALL THE NON-HACKERS WHO DO NOT HAVE THE GEAR TO SERVE IN MY BELOVED HUNT! DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT?!""
One more whip echoed through the valley, when Ludmilla finaly finished her punishment. It was an act of mercy. It was either that, or a dismounted footsoldier in improper armor against bear-cavalry