The Dangers of Having Snakes Under the Bed

[Kender Bard]

Luminous's reaction is instinctive- she ducks away, yelping with a little, "No!" and tries to run out of the room. She was all for helping her father, but at her age she couldn't just take any punishment dished out to her that might be physical.

[Northen Light36]

Sombra lunges forward, grabbing the girl roughly and clamping one hand firmly over the child's mouth. "Be silent, you little beast," she hisses, then, after checking the cost is clear, drags Luminous down to the very lowest rooms of the mansion, used for storage.

It's a Brightmore family secret that there are hidden tunnels down here, for escape in the event of the city being overtaken. One such tunnel caved in long ago and was forgotten... until the day a thirteen year old Sombra had uncovered the enterance. If it hadn't been for Damien's interference, Shadow would have died down here, leaving Sombra's path to leadership clear.

Scowling, Sombra flicks the switch that reveals the hollowed space between the hidden door and the cave in. "Time for your lesson," she hisses to Lumi.

[Kender Bard]

Luminous tries to scream and squirms frantically, flailing. She even tries to bite Sombra.

[Northen Light36]

Sombra hisses in pain as Luminous bites her hand, but it's no use. The strength of a four year old is no match for a grown adult and Sombra soon manages to push Luminous into the little prison and close the door. Then she leaves, knowing no one is likely to hear if the little girl screams.

During dinner that night, Sombra explains Lumi's absence from the meal by claiming the child is with her father and ordering that no one disturb them. As is becoming usual now, Sombra personally takes Shadow's meal to him, dosing him with yet another dose of poison before going to bed.

It's not until nearly dawn that Sombra goes to release Luminous, haulling her out of the hole and keeping an iron strong grip on the girl's wrist. "Are you going to behave now, or do I have to put you back in there?" Sombra asks coldly.

[Kender Bard]

Luminous trembles in Sombra's grip, almost too frightened to speak. "I'll b-be good," she whispers, keeping her eyes to the ground.

[Northen Light36]

"Good," Sombra replied. "Now, you are to speak to no one from this point on. If you break the rule, you go back in there. And the next time you go inside there, you will never be let out. Now, go to your bed. And don't you dare wake Sarah, or you'll never see daylight again."

[Kender Bard]

Luminous looked up - almost said something - but hastily shut her mouth and slipped away to do as told.

[Northen Light36]

Sombra smiles coldly, satisfied that her threats would keep Luminous under control. Once Shadow had 'tragically' died from his illness, she would marry, or sell, the child off, perhaps to her own son, or to Morilanta. It would depend on how things went. She might even keep the girl, farm her out to their loyal subjects as a reward. There were some who had an intrest in that age, after all.

Satisfied and ploting, Sombra returns to her bed.