Page 83 of A Master's Destiny
I shake my head, having already considered it myself. “She and I are equals when it comes to our calculating nature. While I might be able to destroy her, I could only do it by being as ruthless as she is. That is not the future I choose for myself.”
He nods. “It is a wise choice, Mr. Davis.”
A few more uncomfortable seconds pass.
Eventually, Master Nosh laces his fingers together. “Unfortunately, I must inform you that a student cannot graduate from the Training Center without having taken all of the classes.”
His words hit me in the gut, and I feel as if I have been betrayed. Opening myself up to him only to have a door slammed in my face seems unnecessarily cruel.
“Therefore,” he continues, “you will come in on Sunday so Laird and I can instruct you on the lessons you missed.”
Understanding floods through me, and I immediately hold out my hand to shake his. I’m stunned that two of the trainers are offering their only day off to help me. “Thank you, Master Nosh. I am deeply indebted to both you and Laird.”
He shakes my hand firmly. “Every person has burdens they must overcome, Mr. Davis. What defines your character is how you choose to face them.” He glances up at the picture of the Cheyenne chief on his wall. “Little Wolf is an inspiration to anyone fighting to stay true to their vision.”
I look at the man in the painting. Little Wolf radiates a calm but powerful confidence. “I would like to hear his story, Master Nosh, if you are willing.”
He nods. “As you know, I greatly admire Little Wolf. He fought for liberty and justice in the face of betrayal.”
Looking back at the painting, he continues, “The US government promised his people good hunting lands when they were relocated to Oklahoma. But when they arrived, the Cheyenne discovered that they had been lied to. There was no game to hunt because the land was crowded with other Native American tribes, and food was scarce for all.”
Master Nosh turns to me. “Imagine the hopelessness you would feel on facing that situation.”
I shake my head sorrowfully.
“But Little Wolf was unwilling to watch his people starve to death and announced to the government officials that he was taking his people back to their homelands in Montana. Knowing there would be bloodshed, he promised the soldiers that he did not want to fight but that he would if forced to it. He then ordered his own people not to attack first or attack any civilians.”
Master Nosh looks at me with defiant pride. “Although the US agency mobilized many troops to apprehend Little Wolf, he made the long trek back with mostly old men, women, and children. Together, they covered over seven hundred miles before winter. Then, after surviving the harsh winter, he led his people safely into Montana.”
“That’s incredible,” I whisper, amazed that he succeeded against such odds.
Master Nosh gazes at the painting again. “Despite defying the US government, he was highly revered by all because he never wavered from his promises.”
He glances at me. “He is the definition of defying the odds.”
“He is,” I agree, inspired by Little Wolf’s sheer power of will.
“Stay true to your vision, never waver from it, and fight only when necessary. That is the lesson he teaches,” Master Nosh states in a solemn voice.
I nod, soaking in that wisdom as I gaze at the painting on the wall.
Master Nosh faces me again, his gaze open and honest. “The staff and I believe in you, Mr. Davis. We admired the way you’ve handled the conflict with Mr. Slater, as well as how you uncovered Mr. Ashford’s deception so we could take swift action. Which is why we are willing to work within the rules established by the Training Center to aid in your success.”
I sit there overwhelmed. I have no words.
“You are dismissed.”
Overcome with emotion, I clear my throat and manage to say, “Thank you.”
I leave the Head Trainer’s office a different man than when I entered.
The Art of Flogging
The last week of Dominant training is intense. We learn the ins and outs of sensory deprivation, effective roleplay, edge play with blades, and caning. I can only guess what the final night of instruction will be.
Our class has been informed that there will be a one-on-one critique by the panel in preparation for Graduation Day. I can’t believe the course is coming to an end. Frankly, I’m not ready for it.
The accelerated pace has allowed us to cover ground in so many different areas of BDSM, and the experts brought in to train us have been outstanding.
