The atmosphere inside the litter was a wee bit on the chilly side. Memnoch positioned himself opposite Aricia and waited for her to lower the boom. She looked at him intently for several minutes without uttering a sound, just that hard, cold stare. Memnoch knew that being inside this litter and facing Aricia was better than being on the outside facing Thropsus and his two fists. Finally she spoke.
"The next time you betray me I will have you castrated, do you understand me?"
Memnoch shifted uncomfortably and thought what it would be like without that part of his anatomy and his stomach squirmed.
"Aricia, please let me explain..."
He was cut short. "No excuses! I don't want to hear any excuses! I cut you slack the last time, it won't happen again. I was a fool to think that I could rely upon you, you are nothing but a snake." Aricia paused before adding "But you are my snake and I think you understand that I mean business when I say I won't hesitate in changing you from a rooster to a hen in ten seconds flat!"
Memnoch swallowed hard but managed a smile. "Arcica, I promise I won't betray you again. Just tell me what you want me to do and it will be done."
Aricia picked up a small hammer and struck it against it's gong. Thropsus immediately poked his head inside the litter.
"Thropsus get us out of here, take us home to Villa Manlius!"
At that moment Memnoch knew that he was now a prisoner.