the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 12 - Did you start with the first book in the series?

Simple.  Laun smiled at that.

She walked along a hall that was longer than several Salam-Dir Great halls and she still was not at the stairs she was being escorted to.  Clusters of Palace people, some noble, some grasping to be, watched as she went past.  She had been expecting that.  And she hoped that she was making slight waves as she went.

The bath had been good.  She felt clean, the servants having to be taught how to lather the soap and having some fun making the biggest bubbles.  The tub was big enough for two people and Laun had a longing to grab one of the young servants and have someone in with her.  That was tempered when she mentally backed up and looked at them.  They were her age.  She felt old because of what she had gone through.  It was not her place to force one of them for her pleasure.

Selections had been presented to Laun for the clothing.  She did not like any of it.  Her breasts did not like any of it.  They were all too tight when she tried them on.

The chatelaine had been put to use.  One of the silk sheets from under the window seat was sacrificed.  A drawing of what she wanted was created on the pulp paper, the charcoal smudging her clean hands.  The servants understood what she wanted and started to cut and sew as Laun went to clean up again.

Laun smiled at those she was passing in the hall on her way to eat with Falmir.  She thought of the hands that had been busy, including hers, making what she was wearing.  Then the touches she had given the servants in appreciation.  They had been startled.  Most had taken the touch and moved away.  A few had accepted the touch and smiled.  One had touched back.

She thought what had been created was suitable, if not appropriate.  The ivory linen dress that had been the base had been cut partially down the front to make enough room for her breasts and belly.  The ribbon she had been using to mark the place in the book was used as a lacing to help keep it together.  No one could see that as she moved.

The green silk sheet was now a caplet over the dress.  A point down the front ending at about her crotch was only about half as long as the point that was almost to the floor in back.  The hole made for her neck had taken the most time to bind up, a few lengths of ribbon that had been brought to be a belt with another of the dresses being threaded through and around the raw cut in a silver metallic glint.  The other two corners had been sewn together and were hidden under the flow of the heavy silk.

And slippers.  She was not going to get away from the slippers.  At least these had a little more structure to them than the felted wool from home.  They had a little of their own glint, too.  Laun kept herself from looking down.  She knew she would not be able to see the points of the slippers as she walked.  Breasts and belly were in the way.

She put her hand up to her hair to push it back over her shoulders again.  A small ribbon had been tied around some of her hair to pull it back from her face, but that was all she had done to it, other than having it brushed and combed until it shone.  She was starting to like her brown hair.  It was plain, but when she needed it to be a focal point, it was.

When they came to the stairs, Laun paused.  The Dark-clad servants stopped and waited.  Laun had to rest for a moment.  “If I am allowed out of the room at all, I know how I am getting my exercise.”  She saw a flash of a smile on one of the men.  “How much further?”

“Just to the next gallery, Lady.”  Laun turned and saw the Ambassador from Rosemond.

Laun reflexively closed her eyes to compose herself.  She held out her hand to him and had no pretensions as she said, “Ambassador.”

He strolled forward and took her hand onto his fist, bowing over her hand.  “You are looking well.  And please,” He flashed a smile she was sure was meant to be charming, “it is Ithian.”

Laun made a slight curtsey.  “Ithian.  I feel honored that you would talk with me, Ambassador.”  Laun looked at him and did not blink.

He stepped towards the stairs with her hand still on his fist.  The immaculate dark blue velvet of his long tunic had silver tracings along the edge, as did the blue that was drawn on his eyelashes.  It just heightened the color of his eyes.

“You are what the Palace is talking about.  They,” he motioned with his head to the groups of people still watching them, “just do not have the courage to approach the King’s new favorite.”

Laun let herself be led up the wide stairway, the servants trailing only a few steps behind.  “Perhaps a fancy towards me, Ithian.  I...amuse him.  Though my sire may protest otherwise.”

The Ambassador slowly stepped up with Laun, keeping his hand out though she was only lightly touching for balance.  “I have seen several of his...amusements over the months.  You did not strike me-”

The caplet had flipped to the side and her belly had been in full view.  Laun felt his slight pause and his hand almost slipped from below hers.

“Perhaps you have met the King before?”  There was a patronizing tone in his voice.

Laun nodded once.  “Yes, at the Festival.  A brief encounter, Ithian.”  She heard how breathy she was and knew this walk was going to take more out of her than she wanted.

“I see.”  They were at the top of the flight of stairs and he turned to her, bowing over her hand slightly.  “Please, Lady, if you have need of anything while you are here in the Capitol...”  She knew the leading voice, the leading statement.

Laun curtseyed slightly and said, “My sire has provided me with...most of what I desire, Ithian...”  She lowered her eyes for a moment and then back up to his piercing gaze.  “Thank you for the offer.”

She saw a twitch in his eyebrow, but his expression did not falter.  “It would be my honor, Lady.”  He stood and stepped back before he went back down the stairway.

Laun put her hands on her back and stretched out a kink that had developed on the way up the stairs.  She sighed and looked around her.

Gallery.  That was what he had called it.  It was another too long hallway, but this one had columns along the sides with even more beyond.  There was a servant about halfway down next to one of the columns.  He was looking in her direction, waiting.

It still took her a good five minutes to walk the length between the stairs and the servant.  He motioned and she saw a table that was set past the row of columns.

Set was perhaps not quite right.  Yes, there was a table, but there were so many layers involved with the presentation.  The rug that the carved feet were on.  The layers of cloths that the feet peeked out from.  The ceramic and glass dishes.  The goblets of crystal and silver.  The candles and flowers.  The chairs that were draped as the table was.  The wall of dark servants all around.

Standing to the side was Falmir.  His back was to her, a parchment of some sort in his hand having his attention.  He was still wearing the tunic and long split overtunic from before, but now he had his crown on his head.  It was odd, she hadn’t thought the addition of the crown would make a difference, but it did.

It took a moment for Falmir to look up from his reading.  Laun knew she had made noise while coming up the gallery, but he was either oblivious or just hadn’t cared.  “Lady.  I am glad you made it.”

Laun did not have to force the breathiness as she said, “As you commanded, sire.”

His eyes went wide.  “That is on the other side of the Palace, isn’t it.”

Laun just nodded.  She was catching her breath but still just stood where she had stopped.  She saw him glimpse down to the parchment again, before he held it out and a servant took it from him.  Falmir stepped forward and took Launs hand as she curtseyed to him.

“Sit.  I made you walk too far.”  Laun was glad to be led to one of the chairs.  There was a little of a delay in sitting as Laun was not used to chairs that would move to the table as she sat.  She laughed at the look on Falmir’s face as she tipped slightly sideways as the seating moved and she stood back up again.  She was settled at the table and he sat, pulling the chair to the table from between his legs.

Little sweets were placed on the glass plate before Laun.  Things that looked like flowers, but smelled of almonds.  A decanter of wine was about to be poured for Laun and she raised her hand.

“Please.  Just milk or sweet milk for me.  Thank you.”  The servant backed away and went to pour for his King.

“Serious about that milk, aren’t you.”

Laun shrugged, lifting the silk slightly on her shoulders.  “It is the only thing that helps with the heartburn.  I’ve had it for the last four months.”

Falmir had an odd look on his face.  “Then milk it is.  You don’t mind if I...?”  He raised his goblet.

“Please, sire.  I am sure that the food has been prepared and the wine selected to pair with each other for your tastes.  Enjoy.”  She smiled, feeling the role of hostess coming to her as it had at the keep.

He took a sip and looked like he did enjoy it.  He broke off a petal from the flower on his plate and ate it.  Laun followed suit and was not sure with the first bite if she liked it or not.  But then the sweetness overcame the slightly mealy feel in her mouth and she smiled.

“We have a new pastry cook and he insists on making these.  They have grown on me, but I was not so sure when I was first presented one.  They seemed too...”

“Feminine, sire?”  Laun tilted her head and had part of the petal in her hand, poised for her mouth.

He nodded.  “He does a good job.”  Another piece went into Falmir’s mouth, crumbling a little down his tunics.

A servant came to his King and deftly picked up a few of the larger crumbs off his chest.  Laun looked at her place setting and tried not to giggle.

A carafe of milk was placed on the table along with a goblet that had already been poured.  Laun reached for it, a servant taking it up and to her hand as she was almost touching it.  Laun turned her head slightly and said, “Thank you.”

Falmir looked up and saw the servant at Launs elbow.  It was a servant, just like any other.  “It’s his job.  You don’t have to thank him.”

Laun took a sip of the milk and felt relief.  “Even a slave likes to know when they have done well, not just when they have displeased you, sire.”

Falmir blinked.  “You are very odd.  But, I think I see your point.”

Laun sniffed and turned towards the smell.  A tray with a still slightly smoky roast was on it.  Laun had been hungry before, but this...

Thin slices of the beef were brought to Laun on a glass plate that replaced the one with the partially eaten flower.  Laun saw the look on the servant’s face as he turned and was certain that the plate would be clean before too long.

A knife and a two pronged fork were set before Laun.  She watched Falmir as he took up the fork and knife and cut into his portion of the roast.  She followed his example and took a bite of the pink meat.

It was good.  But as she had her first bite, the rest of the roast was taken away and a platter full of vegetables replaced it on the sideboard.  A small plate was brought to Laun and then another to Falmir with one each of the various vegetables that was on the mounded platter.  That platter was replaced with a selection of small breads.

“Sire?”

Falmir looked up from his food.  “Yes, Thorn?”

Laun smiled but continued.  “What happens to all the food you don’t eat?”

Falmir turned and looked at the sideboard where the breads were already being taken away since a plate for each of them had one small bread on it.  The fruit compote was being ladled from a large tureen into small bowls.

He turned back to Laun across the table from him and mirrored the tilt of her head.  “I...  I’m not entirely sure.  I’m not sure I have ever really thought of it before now.”

Falmir motioned to one of the servants.  The older servant stepped forward and bowed to his king.  “What does happen to this food?”

The servant tried to not show panic.  “The other nobles have vied for your scraps, your Majesty.  And then the servants are allowed to clear the rest.”

“At least it is getting eaten.”  Laun put more of the delicious meat into her mouth.

Falmir pointed his knife at Laun.  “No more questions.”  Laun inclined her head towards him and continued to eat.

It was fabulous.  Everything presented to them was done well, the flavors mixing and complimenting each other.  It did not take too long to go through the food since there wasn’t any talking.  The last scrap on Laun’s plate was looking lonely, but she was full and could not finish it.

She sat back in the chair and watched Falmir.  He was watching her.  They both drank from their goblets, his red, hers white.  She was waiting for him to say something, and perhaps he was waiting for her to say something.  It was a companionable silence with underlying tensions.

Falmir finally broke the silence.  “You know you look like a novitiate for one of those One True God sects.”

Laun nodded her head, even though she had little knowledge of any of the religious orders.  “I made due with what was available, sire.”

An eyebrow shot up.  “What do you mean?”

Laun, little modesty running through her, lifted the point of the top layer to the side to show the way the dress had to be modified underneath.  She also showed the skin beneath the lacings, and several scars.  “I’m getting fat, and the things they brought to me didn’t fit.”

Falmir had to force down the swallow.  “Lady.”

Laun pulled down the green silk caplet and shrugged.  “Sire, I do not care who sees me.  If any of the people around us have never seen a naked woman before, they need to get laid.”

That mouthful was spat out and stained the linen on the table.  Falmir roared.  His laughter could be heard halfway down the next hallway.

Laun smiled at him over the rim of her goblet as she sipped on the milk.  He shook his head and held up a finger at her as he finished off the wine in his goblet.  He set the vessel down on the stain and said, “You are dangerous!”  There was a sparkle in his eye as he shook his finger at her.

Laun inclined her head, a smile on her lips.  “As an adversary should be, sire.”

He did not loose a beat as he continued with, “But that leads me to something I have been dying to know.  Who is your Lord.”

“My Lord was Lord Vami Salam-Dir.”

Falmir waved his hand dismissively and said, “No.  Your husband.  The father of the child.”

Laun became quiet and put her goblet down.  She still had a little smile but the look in her eye was not as happy.  “Sire.  I do not have a husband, nor do I intend to have one.  The title is mine alone.”

“But who did this to you?”  He pointed at her stomach.

Laun smiled broadly and pinked her cheeks.  “All I can say is one of my household.  I have...appetites that are strong.  Which I have not been able to slake since I was kidnapped from my home.”  Her eyes went sideways and caught one of the younger servants looking at her, his eyes going wide and not able to turn away.  She looked him up and down, and made him feel very nervous under that momentary stare, as if a rabbit had been caught away from it’s hole.  She turned back to Falmir and the young man stepped away.

Falmir had his hand over his mouth, thumb along his jaw.  He took a moment to compose his thoughts.  “Would you like the servant?”

“Perhaps.  Would he be more appropriate than Ithian?”  Launs head dipped to the side as she looked at Falmir.

“What?”  It was not as loud as the laughter, but it did leave several groups of nobles wondering what their King was talking about.

Laun put the goblet to her lips and took a small sip.  “He offered.  Shall I take him up on the offer?”

“When?  How did-He?  What?”  Falmir was having problems forming a complete thought, let alone sentence.

“I apologize.  You did say no more questions.”  Laun sipped on the milk, blinking at Falmir.

He had a flash of rage that took a moment to cool.  He sneered slightly and nodded.  “You do not leave the Palace.  Bed whomever you like.  Ithian is with me, anyway.  I don’t think he is one to pillowtalk.”

Laun put the milk down and raised her chin.  She leaned forward and glanced at the surrounding servants.  In a low tone she asked, “What would you like to know from him?”  The deadly serious tone and the slightly dangerous look to her eye cooled Falmir further.

Trying to be flippant, Falmir leaned forward and said, “How much he spends on his hair.”

Laun nodded.  “I don’t work cheap, sire.”

He blinked.  “An hour on the green if you can give me the amount he spends on his hair.”

“Done.”  Laun leaned back and took up the milk again.

Falmir sat back and looked at Laun.  He wanted to say several things, ask several things.  But with the servants, always the servants, nothing could come out without it being spread instantly to those who should not know.  “Well, shall we have a sweet to seal the deal?”

Laun’s eyebrow went up.  “At your pleasure, sire.”

He waved and the stained cloth was removed along with the rest of the table settings.  Another cloth appeared and was set just before a large glass vessel was placed in the middle of the table.  Laun could see layers of all sorts of stuff in the thing and instantly had a childlike look on her face.

Two small bowls of the concoction was placed on the table.  Laun put her hand up to stop the servants from removing it immediately.  She could see cake and clotted cream and fruit and a tan sauce and...

Laun looked expectantly at Falmir.  He had a spoon partway to his lips when he caught the look.  “It’s called a trifle.  I don’t know why.  Just eat it!”

Laun did.  And held her bowl up for a second helping.  She considered a third, but the fullness of her stomach stopped her.  She was leaning back, her eyes closed, still licking her lips when she heard Falmir ask, “Lady, can they take it away, now?”  She flicked her hand and she heard it lifted away.

“I think Orgia has competition.”  A small burp came out and Laun covered her mouth as an afterthought.

“Your chef?”

She shook her head slightly.  “My chatelaine.  She runs the household from the kitchens.  I think she would like to know your pastry chef.  Though-”  Laun looked at Falmir.  “Your new baker needs a few tips.”

Falmir nodded.  “I have noticed...  How can you tell?”

“Who can’t?”  Laun burped again.  “Pardon me, sire.  The baby is kicking to make room.”

His eyes went to her stomach.  “Is he really?”

Laun smiled and pushed herself off the chair.  “Do you want to feel?”  She did not wait for a verbal answer for she could see it in his eyes.  He may be a warrior, bigger than two of her and stronger than five, but he was in awe of the small thing wiggling around in her belly.

She took his hand and placed it under the green caplet.  There was no movement for a moment, but then a series of kicks that she could feel even through Falmir’s hand.  He leaned in and moved his hand slightly.  “He’s big.”

“Runs in the family,” Laun said in a low tone.  He was smiling and had a slightly far away look.  She waited until his eyes were partially closed and his head dipped down slightly to speak again.

“Sire?”  Laun was quiet, but it got his attention.  “It is going to take me a while to get back to the Green chamber.  May I be excused?

He looked up at her and was smiling.  It was a relaxed smile that Laun did not expect.  She put her hand on his cheek.  He closed his eyes and nodded, rubbing her belly just a little before releasing her.

Laun stepped back and made a slight curtsey.  “Thank you for the company and please send my compliments to your kitchens.”

Falmir nodded and waived her off, but kept his eyes on her.

Laun had to steady herself as she turned.  A hand went to her back and she straightened up before starting back down the gallery.  It was going to take quite some will power to pull off walking, let alone gliding.  But she walked slowly and was able to look like she did not have the weight pulling against her back painfully.

Laun came to the top of the stairs and held out her hand to one of the servants so she would have some stability on the way down.  She saw movement at the base of the stairs and tried not to smile.

“Lady?  May I help?”

Laun waived the servant back.  She crossed her hands and supported her belly under the green silk as she watched the Ambassador come up the stairs to her.  She also saw several of the little groups lean in and start talking.

The Ambassador was slightly winded as he reached the top of the stairs.  He coughed once into his fist and tried to wave off the concern Laun had on her face.  “I need the exercise.”  He put on a smile with sparkle.  “You are worth a little sweat, Lady.”

Laun inclined her head.  “Thank you, Ithian.”  She took the fist that he put out to her.  She tried to not put too much weight on it as she stepped down, but she felt herself going sideways and grabbed onto his arm.  His hand went over hers and they steadied each other.

“I am so sorry.  It’s the food and all the walking.”  She started to release his arm but he tightened his grip on her hand.

“Your safety is much more important than protocol, Lady Laun.”  He had more than the light tone in his voice he had just used.

“Thank you, Ithian.”

They slowly went down the stairs, her arm around his, their heads possibly closer than necessary.  They were not actually saying anything more than comments on how many steps it takes to get from place to place in the palace, but it looked salacious enough to be good rumor fodder for those gathered in the lower hall.

At the bottom, Laun had to stand for a moment to catch her breath.

“I don’t understand how going down stairs can be more tiring than going up.  I have never had a problem going down before...”  Laun caught onto what she was saying just as she was saying it and blushed.  She put her hand over her mouth and hoped that it had not seemed too forced.

He smiled and it looked like he didn’t care if it had been forced or not.  “My Lady, if you are having problems going down, perhaps you need some guidance, or at least a hand to help.”  He motioned down the hall and they continued their walk, her arm around his.

“I am afraid I have had only my hand to guide for a while, Ithian.”  She pouted slightly.

He looked surprised and said, “Lady, it is a shame it has been so.  I would think that his Majesty would have accommodated such a need.”

Laun’s hazel eyes sought out his blue and said, “That is much more complicated than his guidance can attend to.  He has given me permission to find...a tutor to keep me occupied.”  She let her hand slip down the velvet arm of his tunic and she could feel wiry muscles underneath.

“Perhaps...”  His eyebrow went up as Laun smiled.  They kept walking for a while before he spoke again, Laun letting him try for the advantage.  “There are a few things that I am proficient in, Lady.  May I offer myself as a...tutor?”

Laun smiled.  She glanced ahead into the hallway.  Servants were starting to light lamps with crystal faces that glowed.  There were still more of the clusters of people to get past before she would be in the green chamber.  Several sets of stairs up, too.

“I feel I will not be in a learning frame of mind this evening.  Too many steps, you see.”

He nodded.  “Perhaps we can meet tomorrow evening?”

Laun nodded and smiled as sweetly as she could.  “As long as my sire does not force this walk on me again, I think I would be an attentive student.  It’s just...”  Laun turned her head away slightly and did not have to pretend to be slightly worried.

“Lady?  Is there something wrong?”

Laun looked back to him and stopped walking.  It was almost the end of that hallway, before the stairs she needed to climb.  She had a thought of how to get information out of him.  “Ithian.  I-I have been shunned by many who have said they wanted to be my lover.  Even the man who...”  She looked down at her hand on his arm.  Laun was trying to create a tear and thought of Fount and Edgar, being away from them brought a pang of heartache that showed on her face, and the lone tear that went down her face was real.

The Ambassador put a finger under her chin and raised her face to his.  “Why would anyone shun such a beautiful woman?”

Laun shook her head.  “I am not beautiful.  I am disfigured.  And men have only approached me for my titles.”  She stepped back from him and pulled up a sleeve to show the wrist scar.

“That is nothing.”  He said it a little too fast.

She turned slightly away from him and talked quietly so that he had to step forward to hear her.  “It is not just there, sir.  The scars never really healed...”  She put her hands to her face and thought of Disa and the shamen.  A sob came out.

There was a pause.  He took her arm and lightly pulled on her hand to take it away from her face.  “There is no one more beautiful than a woman with child.”

Laun sniffled slightly.  “Thank you for saying so, Ithian.  I am sorry for causing such a scene.”

“You are overly tired, Lady.  May I call on you tomorrow?

Laun nodded.   He took her arm and went the entire distance up to the Green chamber’s door with her and her servant escorts.  Laun was exhausted by the time they reached the door.  She did not have to feign any lack of energy, and it seemed the Ambassador was also winded.

He bowed to her and was about to leave when Laun turned and said, “Ithian, so that I know the lesson plan you prefer, may I ask you something?

He came back to her and raised an eyebrow.  “Yes, Lady?”

“You are...so well put together.  So beautiful.  Can a man be called beautiful?”  He smiled and partially bowed his head.  Laun tried to seem slightly flustered as she pulled on a lock of her hair.  “I would like to try to-to be...  Oh, this is difficult.”

He smiled.  “I think I understand.  I employ someone who takes very good care of those needs for me.  He spares no expense so that I may be presented in the finest light.”  He put his hand into her hair, pulling slightly.  “You do not need anything like that.  You are glowing from within, Lady.  You would be worth the hundred crown plate I spend on him just to have you see yourself as the wondrous creature you are.”  He tightened his grip and it felt to Laun as though he was going to pull her to him.

But then his eye flicked to the side.  His grip loosened and he ran his fingers down through her hair.  “You were appealing when I first saw you on your King’s dais.  You have a freshness about you, even with...  That I find intriguing.  You shall have quite a lesson tomorrow.”  His hand went to hers.  He touched fingertip to fingertip and kissed the back of her hand.

Laun’s hand was against her chest holding the green silk to it.  “I look forward to it, Ithian.”

He finally moved away and she stepped into the Green chamber.

Onto Chapter 14

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