Chapter Nine
Bind me up, Konrad ordered his serpents. I cannot do this alone.
But, Master—
No questions! I will fray to ribbons before I can answer them.
Yes, Master.
Konrad’s relief was short-lived. He discovered, by the most unpleasant means imaginable, how repulsive a process it was to be bound back to wholeness and coherence by his serpents.
I find that I have had enough of pain for the present, he said tightly as the wretches brutalised his fragile shade. It is not possible to be fractionally more gentle, I suppose?
How full of complaints you are, Master, Eetapi returned with a depressing lack of sympathy. Had you rather be ribbons?
Yes. Forget it, let me have oblivion—
No. That was Ootapi, cold as winter and approximately as comforting.
Konrad resigned himself, once again
