"I lack a ritual for my task today," I said, "And must therefore create my own. I dedicate myself to the memories of my ancestors and the ancestors of...my new clan, in hopes that my efforts will be successful." I repeated the gesture that Tonrath had used, and was echoed by the other three youngsters, as well as the guards.Turning to the guards, I said, "You are here as witness for your respective clans, one of which I am now bonded to. This ceremony is private. To the extent that your previous. Glancing at the card she said, "Well well Mikah, you'll fetch a nice profit. Only eighteen years old – a senators daughter - and a virgin too. No wonder you were placed in this special auction for council members only." With another disgustingly ugly laugh, the cruel women left me alone. I tried to act indifferently, but my eyes kept drifting down to look at my forced nudity. I could feel the shame and anger deep in my soul, as I realized just how humiliating this pose actually was. True -. After a wonderful little party where I stripped and danced naked for him, I told him I wanted to thank him for the gift of Tequila by doing something special. He answered, and with a side of sarcasm, said, "As if stripping nude and dancing isn’t enough!" I laughed and said, "Well, thank you, but I’m asking you to indulge me in something." "Well then, by all means, I'm in an indulgent mood," I laughed and told him to pull his chair next to the bed. I laid in front of him and, resting my ankles. There was a noticeable slack in the stays, but not dangerously so. Allsion concurred, but noted that with the mainmast gone it would be necessary to rig temporary backstays to the foremast and forestays to the mizzen to stabilize both.“We had better get down to the deck,” Thomas shouted back, and they left the rigging in some haste, still fearing a second lightning strike.Down at the foot of the mast, the Captain was waiting.“How is the foremast, Mr. Grey?”“No damages, Sir, but the stays’ll.