Chapter 10That night, before dinner, I went out back with Daisuke and fed the dogs. They were leery of me at first, but I let them each smell my fist and they turned their attention to their food. After dinner, I helped Aki wash dishes. We were almost done when my ben-wa balls vibrated. I excused myself and hurried into Joō-sama’s room. I immediately took my sheath off and tossed it onto my futon to be put away later.
“Hai, Joō-sama?”
“Are you ready for me?”
“Always, Joō-sama,” I answered.
She led me into a room at the front of the house, on the side opposite from the dining room. Behind folding screens, there was a thick beam suspended from the ceiling with pegs, hooks, and pulleys attached to it. There was a large rod of rope hanks there, too.
“Clasp your hands together,” she said.
