Lady Maribelle stood at the front of the Grand Ballroom. She was wearing a rough spun smock and trousers. The Mercenaries stared down at her from raised steps. Surrounding her were engineers with poles and contraptions. Dottie stood by with her clipboard, a blush on her cheeks and a prim expression.
“Jacque, if you and three of your captains would join me.” She clapped her hands and ushered the men forward.
“Belle, don’t you think it would have been better to have one of the engineers demonstrate?” Dottie asked, tapping her pen.
“I will not have these devices used on our guests until I am certain that they are safe and comfortable.” Lady Maribelle turned to the engineers. “Shyla, if you could present your creation to Commander Jacque.”
The white-clad engineer stood forward with a long pole. She held it with two handles, and the opposite end was six feet away from her. It was bronze, and circular, as big around as a man’s shoulders. Inside were padded sections of wrinkled leather.
“Jacque, the problem cases, we have had so far, how have we been moving them?” She took a step towards the man as she spoke. He was ogling the contraption.
“We have been gentle, like you asked. We bola their legs, and wrap them in nets. Tie the net to a board and carry them.” The man twirled his curly hair. ”You requested we not drag them.”
Lady Maribelle pursed her lips and sighed. “Three have died so far. I am not here to assign blame, merely to provide an alternative. We will decide if it is preferable today.” She turned to the engineer and gestured to the device. “Shyla, if you would please explain the operation of your invention.”
The large woman shuffled her feet and looked at the ground as she demonstrated. “First you put the Immobilization Circlet over the head of the patient. Then I have a pneumatic pump in the handle, it takes a bit of strength…” Shyla lifted the weighty device and swung it up easily. “Like this, pump it just a couple few times and it inflates the bladders in the collar.” The last came out in a flurry of words, punctuated by the hissing of the pump.
“Thank you, Shyla. Once the collar is in place, then what?” Lady Maribelle placed a hand on the woman’s brawny shoulder.
“We have smaller models for the wrists.” She turned and two other engineers held up implements that were half the size of Shyla’s. “Catch the hands the same way, give it a good quick pump and then turn the handles counter-clockwise to stop the valve. The handle will disconnect, and you can clip it to the collar. It just snaps in. There are magnets for guidance.” The woman’s face had gone beet red.
“Thank you so much, Shyla. Now, if you would relinquish your marvelous invention to Commander Jacque, we will have a live demonstration.” Lady Maribelle stepped back, away from the group. “Give it a quick test, see how it works, if you please.”
Jacque and two of the three captains took their devices. They practiced filling the bladders, the engineer showed them how to release the air. They clipped the poles for the hands to the collar and one of them laughed.
“Excellent,” said Maribelle, “Now, please catch and restrain me. I would be much obliged to be the first live test.”
A murmur went through the assembled company. Maribelle could feel sixteen hundred eyes on her. Jacque stepped close to her and whispered, “You would have the men see you like this?”
She raised her voice loud over the hum. “These are not our enemies. These are our own kinsmen. These are human beings. I will not have the first one they see in this being the ones they call furies.” She spat at the floor.
Jacque looked down at the ground and took a step back. She spared a glance at the crowd and saw wide eyes. She took a breath and stood tall.
Jacque raised the pole and approached her with the circlet. It hovered in the air, nearing her head.
She snapped her teeth and laughed when he leapt back. “Come on, they are not gentle! Though we must be.”
There was a glint in his eye that reminded her of an evening or two. He came at her with more assurance now.
She tried to dodge back, but he was a skilled swordsman. The loop fell heavily over her head. She tried to pull out of it. It followed her.
Kshhhhh. The sound vibrated through the collar surrounding her neck. She pulled with all her strength. It did not pinch. The pressure was even and comfortable. As it expanded, her chin raised clear, and her eyes were forced to the ceiling.
Something grazed her hand and she flailed it wildly. Then it was caught. Her other hand took a moment longer. She held it behind her back, and the man had to circle her. She could see him out of the corner of her eyes. It too was caught.
“Belle, are you satisfied?” Dottie’s voice was high and tight.
“Of course not! Attach the poles to the collar.” She mumbled through gritted teeth. It was not easy to open her mouth.
I suppose that’s the point.
She felt vibration in her wrists and then they were forced even with her neck, outstretched a few feet.
Click. Click.
From the corner of her eye, she watched the two captains step back. “Now Jacque, try to lead me. Gently.”
She felt a tug at her neck and took a few tremulous steps forward. “Excellent. Marvelous. Fabulous! Now. Once the patient arrives at their bedroom, you must remove their clothing for sanitation. There is another device—”
“Belle, I am sure we have tested enough!” Dottie was close to her face, undoing the clasps.