the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 34

 

The courtyard was barely more than grey with the morning light when Laun was up and doing her morning exercises.  She had left the other two sleeping on the bed and had put more covers over them.  She had suddenly awoken and could not get back to sleep.  There was nothing wrong, with the room or herself, she just was awake.

Laun’s lower back was feeling twitchy.  She had not been doing her morning routines as religiously and her body was telling her about it.  She stretched, using the wall of the courtyard to prop her self up with.  Her legs were stretched and she tried to gently twist to see if it was her spine that needed to be realigned.  Nothing popped, so she went back to stretching and moving to relax things.

She tried to do one of the open hand katas, flowing as much as she could, but again, her back was threatening to go out and she found she was not doing things the way she really needed to be doing them.  She switched to another form and could tell within a few steps that it was not coming out right.

She just let her arms swing as she stood there in the courtyard, her eyes closed as she felt and listened to her body.  She started to move slow and found a few movements that did not seem to trigger her back.  She built on those, feeling the dirt under her feet as she turned, the dry air on her skin as her arms went through motions similar to pulling a bow.

It was not a true form, but she felt her heart beat raise and her breathing deepen.  She needed to keep some of her morning form, even if it was just to focus her mind.

The door creaked and she swung around, hands up defensively.  Del was there, his eyes trying to stay on hers.  Laun straightened and put her hands under her belly.

“Lady, I was sent to find the Lieutenant.”

Laun motioned to the room behind him.  “You have found him.  Wake him gently.  He does wake hard and it can make him grumpy.”

He did not move, his eyes going to her naked body.  She tilted her head and just looked at him until he said, “I have not seen dancing like that before, Lady.  It was… good.”

Laun nodded once.  “Thank you.  I need to keep in practice, and with the lumps growing in me, it is hard to make sure I get out of bed, let alone practice.  Though,” she looked down, “I should probably get a tunic on.  I didn’t know others were up at this hour.”

Del moved back from the doorway and Laun went through, picking up the tunic that had landed on the floor just a few hours earlier.  She pulled it on and went to the bedside.  She kissed Senri on the cheek and stroked his head and cheek.

“I hate to wake you, but you are needed, Lieutenant.”

His eyes opened and he was sitting before he was aware of his surroundings.  Laun had seen this before with him and had been out of the way before he had his feet on the floor and was dazedly looking for his uniform.  He rubbed the top of his head and reached for his swordbelt.  Laun took the belt and handed him some of the garments, Del helping some to get him dressed.

He focused on Laun and knew that he had awoken for some reason.  He drew her to him and kissed her.  More lucid, he pulled back and said, “Who needs me?”

Del said, “Sir, your night watch was looking for you.  They had something to report.”

“Right.”  He was out of the door before Del could offer to escort him.  They could hear footsteps in the corridor fading with the echo.

Laun had her hand over her mouth and was quietly laughing.  “I think he has had too many sleepless nights.  He does other things when he isn’t quite awake, too.  But that is another issue.”

Del colored slightly and tried to have his mask on.  “Lady, do you need anything?”

She smiled and he was not sure he liked this smile.  “Yes.  I need a different room.  With a bigger bed.”

“Yes, Lady.  Anything else?”

“I am sure there is, but that is the main thing.  Oh, and a little more center to the manor, if possible.  I know there were advantages to this room, but space is needed for me if I am going to...entertain.”  Laun sat on the end of the bed and ran her fingers through Gem’s hair, a slight moan coming through the sleepy lips of her apprentice.

He swallowed hard and said, “Yes, Lady.  I think I know a room that would work.  It is a suite of rooms, and the old private kitchen is attached to it.  I...  I know the last person who used it regularly will not be back.”

“King Dreng?”

He jumped slightly but shook his head.  “No, Bregnan.”

Laun started for the door.  “Show me.”

The steward led the Lady through the manor and to a second story corridor that looked like it hardly was used.  There were windows down into one of the courtyards on one side of the corridor and only a few doors on the other.  Del took out the keys and opened the lock.  It took a little torque to turn the key but it did turn and the door opened.

Del put up a hand and went in first.  It was dark through the door until Del found and pulled the curtains back from the windows.  He found a lantern and a strike stick to light it.  There was light in the dusty room and Del came out to get Laun.

“He thought he had the only key.  About ten years ago, he just moved in because no one had been on this floor for a while.  He was last here for the festival.  It has been closed since.”

Laun followed him in and looked around.  It was fairly plain in it’s furnishings, more tables and shelves than anything else.  The first room was set up as a study, over a hundred books on the shelves interspersed with specimens and small statues.  One large upholstered chair was near one of the windows, a series of lanterns focused on the chair around it.  There was still a book on the seat of the chair, a metallic ribbon keeping a place in the volume.

Del had gone to the next room and had opened it up.  Laun stood in the archway and watched as the windows were opened, letting in fresh air.  It disturbed some of the dust and papers, but made Laun breathe better.  She hadn’t smelled anything in the stuffy air, but when the fresh air came through, she knew she had been holding her breath.

The second room was a bedroom.  There was a large covered bed and that was about it.  Laun saw attachment points on one wall, a loose rope dangling from where a wrist might be.  She wanted to smile, but also was repulsed.  There was a small fireplace with a stool next to it and it looked like something had been getting burned along with the wood.  Something about how it was stuffed full of pulp paper and parchment made her look closer.  Pieces of legible writing were pulled out by Laun from under the charred.  She put them on the bare wood floor and saw that it was correspondence and lists.  Very incomplete with the majority burned, but she recognized several of the writing styles.

Laun’s heart dropped.  The one, she could understand.  Lady Engrid Pearl was devious and Laun could see the two of them in communications.  Falmir’s writing was easy for Laun to recognize and it made sense for him to be writing to this wiseman.  And...  Ithian.

Laun looked up and had a deadly look on her face.  “Get me fresh parchment.”

Del jumped and went into the other room and found a writing area.  There were several clean pieces which he grabbed.  “Lady, will this do?”

Laun laid the parchment down and sorted out the pieces of burnt documents onto them.  She was methodical and took her time as Del stood and watched.

Laun wiped her ash covered hands on her tunic and leaned back.  One of the letters was almost complete.  She read it several times and had an angry set to her jaw.

“Help me up, please.”  Her voice was cold and hardly was above a whisper.  He offered a hand and she levered herself off the floor.  The parchments with the roughly put-together documents stayed on the floor.  “The other two doors?”

Del opened the door into the bathing chamber.  It smelled horrible, but Laun went in with her tunic sleeve held to her face.  The steward had to lean against the wall as he saw what had been left in the room for a year.

There was a body in the tub, decomposed.  Laun could see the long red hair and an entertainer’s costume.  And the rope around what was left of her hands.  What flesh there was left after the maggots had been there was strung taught over bone, a horror forever on the womans’ face.

“I don’t know what household she was from, but I remember some tumblers with that costume...  Going in front of the grand stage.”  Laun turned and went to the open window in the bedroom.

She breathed in the fresh air and felt something harden in her.  The anger she had became more, but there was no one she could talk to.  Or to take it out on.  She wanted Silar and his pain tolerance.  She wanted blood.  And the one she wanted the most to get blood from was already dead.

Del was next to her, trying to breathe out the death he had taken in.  “I am glad I haven’t eaten yet.  I may not today.”

Laun put her hand on the steward’s arm.  “It doesn’t get any easier.  But I can help take the body out for burial.”

“Lady, I can’t let you-”

Laun turned to him and he saw the stony expression.  “I had to inter half of my household last year, remembering them in life as the dirt was put on them.  I do not know her, but she deserves to be blessed as anyone does.”

The steward shook his head.  “How could I have let things go like this?  A dead body?  And no one noticed.”

“A locked room.  Where no one was supposed to have been.  How would you have known?”  There was an edge of sympathy, but no other emotion.

He nodded.  “I am more afraid to look in the kitchen, now.”

Laun turned, took a deep breath and went to the other door.  It was dark, but Laun found the lantern and brought it with her.  Del followed her and looked around.  There was a door into the corridor that was unlocked and opened, letting in some air and light.  

It was not as bad as the bathing room, but the remains of baking was evident.  Laun poked at an open pot that had molded.  It looked like the last thing cooked there had been some of the poisoned sweets that were delivered to Dreng’s room.

There was another door into another set of rooms that Del opened, but Laun did not go through.  The small kitchen was built around the water tank for the bathing rooms, an oven and raised hearth taking most of the space.  It was enough to keep someone fed who did not wish to go out into the manor.  Or to cook to poison someone.

Laun stepped out to the hall.  “Regardless of who occupies this set of rooms, the body needs to be moved and the stench cleaned.  Do you want help from the soldiers?”

Del nodded.  “I haven’t ever been around a dead body like that.”  He shivered and turned from Laun to regain his composure.

“Let me get those documents and we can go find someone to help.”

Laun carefully layered the unused and burnt paper and used one of the large books from Bregnan’s library to hold them together.  She held it to her chest as they made their way through the manor to find Lieutenant Senri.

When they did find him, he was outside the stables mounting his horse.  Several other officers were following his lead.  They paused when they saw Laun and the stern look on her face.

“Lady?”

“Lieutenant, I ask for your help in a delicate matter.  But...it looks like you have a pressing duty.”

“There are people camping on the land who are not supposed to be here.  But they can wait.  What do you need?”

Laun hugged the book close to her, wishing she did not have it, but not wanting to let it go.  “Del and I found a body and it needs to be disposed of.”

Senri was off the horse and at Laun’s side.  “Are you well?  Who...?”

Laun shook her head.  “I don’t know.  It looks like it happened during the coup.  In the suite Bregnan used to use.”

A sour look went across the Lieutenant’s face.  “You are unharmed.  That is what matters.”

“Yes, I am well.  If I may ask for several men to help get her out and to the...”  Laun turned to Del and asked, “Does the estate have a burial grounds?”

Del nodded once, his mask fully up.  “Yes, Lady.”

Senri stood and pointed at one of the soldiers who were standing close to the paddock.  “I need a burial team.  It sounds like it is not going to be pretty or easy.”  The soldier saluted and five of the men gathered near Del.

“You can handle this?”  Laun put a hand to the stewards’ arm.

“Yes, Lady.”  Laun could see a little water gathering in the corner of his eye.  Laun motioned a dismissal and the group headed back to the manor.

The Lieutenant held out his hand and found he was holding an ash-covered hand.  He bowed over it and stood closer to Laun.  “Are you sure you are well?”

“I have seen death before.  I am sure I will see death again.”  Laun smiled, but it came off more as a grimace.

“Please, Lady.  It is being taken care of.  Do not worry about it.”

“I will and do worry about it.  Even after death, that damned wiseman is affecting me.  I disliked him even before the coup.”  Laun took her hand back and pressed the book into her chest again.

“Lady?  What is that?”

Laun did grimace.  “I hold this not for what was originally written in it.  It is holding evidence...  That I am not going to talk about.  I said before that when I think-”

“You become more dangerous.  I understand, Lady.”  He rubbed his hands together to try to get some of the ash off his hands.

The Lady closed her eyes and took a deep breath.  “You were about to ride off.”

He turned and saw that the other officers were still on the horses behind him.  “Yes.  Patrol this morning found a campsite in some of the woods.  It looked like about thirty people, so he came back to report.  Unusual for him...  We are going to go roust them.”

Laun shook her head.  “Ask a few of their leaders to come to the manor.  I will not have unnecessary bloodshed.  You can even tell them that the Lady of the house asks for them if you need to.”

“That is not protocol-”

Launs voice lowered and she looked at him past her taught eyebrows.  “Lieutenant.  You will not harm these people.  Bring their leaders to me.  If after I meet them it is determined that they are a threat, then they will be escorted off the land.”  She took a half step forward.  “Do you understand?”

“Laun-”

Her head tilted to the side.  “Any familiarity is inappropriate right now, Lieutenant Senri.  I can take you down if I have to.  You know that.  If I have to ride with you to make sure you do not harm these people, I will.  Do you understand?”

“Yes, Lady.  I will bring back some of their leaders and have you decide.”  He had a closed expression as he saluted.  She nodded back and he mounted.

Laun watched as the soldiers rode away.

She closed her eyes and tried to center herself.  The faces of those that were buried the year before came to the surface and she could not stop them.  She had them flow through her and then the faces of people she had left behind on the Salam-Dir lands started to go through her mind.  Only slightly happier, but still making her feel more alone than ever.

Laun opened her eyes and then nodded to the soldiers that were gathered at the stable.  Many either nodded or saluted back.  Several looked at the barely dressed Lady with questions going through their minds, but their duties keeping their hands busy.  She turned and started on her trek back to the winter painted room.  It was good seeing people in the halls, even though several times they asked her where things were and she had to shrug.  She was able to direct one soldier to where the household plates and such were, and warned him about the broken mess.

Gem was gone from the room, as was right and proper as there still was much to do, even for the apprentice.  Laun put the book on the couch and took off the tunic.  She shook her head at herself and looked at the ash and dirt stains that were on the light colored fabric.  She left it in a heap on the floor and went to clean herself up.  

As she was getting back off the privy, she felt light headed.  It was close to mid day and she had not eaten, had not even had water.  She cleaned her hands and face and then drank from her cupped hands of the stale water in the water pitcher.  It was not good, but it was something.

Laun looked at herself in the small mirror and was displeased with her hair.  She tried to put a brush through it and failed.  The ends would brush nicely, but the middle had started to become a tangle.  Laun twisted her hair up and firmly put in several hair sticks to keep it in place.

There was a tunic spread on the end of the bed.  Gem had made the bedding and had straightened the room before she had left.  Laun smiled.  Her apprentice knew that Laun would need another tunic.  The halter had been picked up, supposedly to be washed.  Laun was mentally uncomfortable knowing that she would not have the support for her breasts, but she had already been wandering around the manor, inside and out, without it.

The tunic she had was a heavier weight tunic, some leaf-styled embroidery around the neck.  It was a darker green with shots of light green in the weave.  It was big.  The sleeves were past her fingertips, but it fit around and went to below her knees.  She tried to roll up the sleeves, but the weight of the cloth made it difficult.

The arming room.  Laun slipped the woolen slippers back on and started for the first open door she had explored the night before.

She opened the door and saw what she had felt in her explorations.  The window was dirty and did not let in much clear light, but there was enough.  It took a while to search through again, but Laun was able to find some leather thong long enough to wind around her shoulders and tie off to keep the sleeves of the tunic at a reasonable length.  She also found a leg sheath she strapped to her thigh, the knife with the pommel down.  

For some reason, having a knife on her made her feel relaxed.  She had not had one to wear the entire time she had been in the Palace, for obvious reasons.  Now, she needed one, as a tool if nothing else.

Laun mentally cataloged the room again, finding more in the daylight.  It was a fairly complete armory, other than the missing large weapons.  Enough equipment for about a dozen warriors to be outfitted completely.

She closed the door after checking to see if there was anyone in the hall.  She headed for the kitchens to find some food as her stomach and the kicking from inside was telling her she needed to eat.

She could smell something cooking before she went through the open door into the kitchen.  It was much cleaner, much more organized.  Laun looked around as she stepped in and to the side of the door, keeping out of the way of the soldiers who were still cleaning and toting things.  Laun approved of the men down to their breeches and smiled.

Laun watched for a few minutes, but her body made it clear that if there was food, she needed to eat it.  She started through the men, most moving to the side as they went through carrying things.  She had spotted someone who looked like they were in charge and went to him.  She waited for a count of five breaths before saying anything.

“Corporal, may I have something to eat?”  Laun smiled at him as he turned to see who had spoken.

He glared at her.  “There is gruel in the pot over there.”  He pointed with a long cooking fork that had been turning some fresh vegetables over the flames.

Laun did a little curtsey and said, “Thank you.”  She found a bowl and a spoon and ladled out some of the oat and chicken gruel into the bowl.

She went back to the bench against the wall and watched the kitchen while she ate.  Several of the men whispered between themselves as she sat there, looking between the corporal and Laun.  She just smiled and ate and watched.

Her stomach was full.  It felt good and it was helping her mood.  She still had flashes of the faces behind her eyes, but it was more of an afterthought, not all she was thinking of.  The kicking inside had calmed down, too.  She smiled and rubbed her stomach for a moment before standing back up.

Laun made her way to the sink and was appalled at the mound of dishes.  She started to scrape what she could into the offal bucket and piled the dishes and utensils in a better way as she started to clean.  The corporal walked by and tossed something into the sink without looking, either at the sink or Laun.

She untied the thong around her shoulders and ran it through her sleeves, bunching them up and out of the way.  There was an apron on one of the tables that she took and used, thinking of the nice tunic she was wearing for once.  Laun started cleaning the dishes in earnest, hot water being brought when one of the other soldiers saw she was going to tackle the mess.  She had lye soap and a new mapple to scrape and clean, a sturdy loopcloth to wash the more delicate of the items.

A clean stack of dishes was on the other side of the sink, one of the pots that was being hard to clean still being worked on when there was a voice that cut through the kitchen noise.  “Lady!  What the hell are you doing?”

There was quiet as most faces first looked at the Lieutenant and then at the woman cleaning dishes at the sink.  Laun wiped her hands on the apron and turned towards the voice.

“What needs to be done, Lieutenant.”

The Corporal at the raised hearth had a horrified expression on his face.  He looked at Lieutenant Senri trying to make his way through the kitchen and then at the woman taking the apron off over by the sink.

“Corporal Juden!  How dare you put our Lady to work!”  Senri was red above his leathers and looked like he was out for blood.

The Corporal looked like he was going to use the cooking fork to defend himself from his commanding officer.  “I didn’t!  I didn’t-”

Laun was beside the Lieutenant and put her hand on his arm.  “He does not know who I am, Lieutenant.  It was obvious no one was going to do that job, so I did.”  Laun’s voice was quiet, but most in the kitchen heard.  No one had taken a deep breath since they had heard the Lieutenant bellow from the door.  They were watching, waiting to see what was going to happen.

Senri was not appeased.  “Corporal, do you need more help in here or shall I assign you to an easier post, such as stable hand?”

The Corporal straightened up and looked ahead, focusing on something in the distance.  “Sir, no, sir!”

  The Lady squose the Lieutenant’s arm.  Laun smiled, enjoying the attitude change of the Corporal.  “Do you have anything else to say, Corporal?”

His eyes flicked to her and then ahead again.  “Lady, I am sorry I did not recognize you.  It will not happen again!”

Laun stepped closer and said, “Good.  Your vegetables are burning.”

His eyes went wide and he made an effort to not turn around until the Lieutenant saluted and the Corporal saluted back.  He rushed and was able to save most of the food that was over the coals.

Laun turned and smiled at Senri.  “Thank you.  I assume you have guests with you?”

The Lieutenant took her hand and escorted her out of the kitchen, some smiles behind hands and a few formal salutes following.

“You are hard to hunt down, Lady.”  They were walking towards the receiving hall.

“I go where I am needed.”  There was a clear corridor around them.  Laun stopped and the Lieutenant turned to face her.  “I am sorry that I told you off in front of your men earlier.”

He dropped her hand and stood straight.  “I should follow your orders, Lady.”

Laun’s face dropped slightly and she said what was running through her mind.  “This has changed things between us.  Things are always changing, but I hope that this is not for the worst.”

He had an uncertain look on his face.  “Lady Laun, I have enjoyed our times together and hope that you will find me worthy in the future.  Please let me do my duty and show you that I can and will follow you.”

Laun smiled, but not as much as she would have if she was not guarding herself.  “Thank you, Lieutenant Senri.”  She held out her hand and they started to walk to the front of the manor again.

It looked like there were more than a few of the people that had come with the soldiers.  Many were wearing bright colors and Laun thought she saw familiar faces.  A man in an overly large full length robe was talking to a young woman in a plain brown dress and turned when he heard Senri’s boots on the stone.

“Lady, these are the-”

Laun had a grand smile on her face as her mind raced.  “Adelmar?  I am glad you made it!”  Laun stepped away from the confused officer and held her hand to the magician.

The entertainer looked from the soldier to the Lady in green and took his tall hat off, making a grand bow over her hand.  “Lady, I did not want to disturb the household...”

“You have not.  I was looking forward to what you had hidden under your hat.”  Laun winked and saw that he put her face with the reception night.

“That has been quite a hit at the rest of the gigs we have had, Lady.  Easier, too, I might add.”  He stood tall, the doddering persona gone.

“You did give my escort a bit of a scare...”  Laun saw a face she had not expected and smiled again.  “Thank you for bringing me my servant, too.”  She snapped her fingers and Hazalam came out from the crowd, a bright blue sash around his black clothes.  His head was down and he walked to behind her and stood a pace from her.

“Our women will be much displeased at his loss, Lady.”  The entertainer bowed his head and they smiled at each other.

“Wait!  You invited them?”  Lieutenant Senri was very confused.

Laun turned and looked at the soldier.  “Why else would he and his troupe be here?  They need space to practice and are between paying customers.  No festivals this year, after all.”

“Your father didn’t say anything about this.”

“He didn’t know.  He would not have approved.”  Laun moved to the Lieutenant and put her hand on his arm.  “Thank you for bringing them here.  You have done well.”

He saluted but did not move away.  “How are we to deal with them?”

Laun turned to Adelmar and said, “I am sure we wouldn’t find any broken keys among these jewels.”  The lead of the entertainers bowed and had a stern look on his face.  Laun turned back to Senri and continued with, “Those who wish to stay in the manor will have to work for their trencher.  Those who wish to stay in the camp will be left alone.  I do expect to be entertained while they are here, though.”

“Yes, Lady.”  Senri bowed and backed away, turning and making his way past the crowd to outside.

Adelmar was not too subtly looking at the mural.  “Lady?  You are a Hawkwell?”

Laun put her hands on her back and stretched out some of the pain from standing.  “Laun Dresden, Lady Salam-Dir, Princess of the realm.”  She felt something pop into place and sighed.  “And cow of the Hawkwell manor.”

Laun felt a body behind her and put one of her hands up over her shoulder.  Hazalam wrapped his arms around her and supported her as she ran her fingers along his cheek and head.  His head turned so he would not be poked with the hair sticks and said, “Thank you, Mistress.”

One of the women dressed in bright colors came from the crowd and looked Laun up and down.  “So.  You’re tha one.”

“Depends on what I’m being accused of.”  She was feeling happier than she had for a while and did not mind wordplay right then.

“When he would talk, ‘ll he would talk abou’ was his mistress.  You’re she?”

“For a while now.  Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

The woman swaggered up, her arms crossed under her bust and a haughty look in her eye.  She leaned forward and said, “You wouldn’a think of rentin’ him, would ya?”

Laun laughed and many of the rest of the troupe joined in.  “He’s not red scarf.  As long as his duties to me are fulfilled, negotiate with him.”  Laun turned and looked back over her shoulder and said, “Unless you think I can get you a better price...?”

He blushed and looked down her body to her belly.  “Thank you, Mistress, I think I can handle it.”

There was another round of laughter and Laun felt a bit of a pain.  She straightened up and looked down the hallway.  “I have to find a privy.  I have very little idea where...oh, I think I know.”

Laun thought about the map in her head.  “I can show you a place to bunk if you are staying in the manor.  It is on the way to one of the privies I know about.  Follow, if you can keep up.”  Laun smiled and started to walk into the manor.

She opened the door into the old servant’s bunk room on her way past to the privy.  Hazalam followed her into the private room and knelt facing the door.

“I am glad you found your way to me, my little quail.”

His head went down as his eyes went to the floor.  “I hope you will forgive me for being with other women, Mistress.”

Laun had to pause as her body was finishing it’s business.  “You will have to tell me about it.  It sounds like you pleased them.”

He nodded.  “I came across them the night I left you, Mistress.  They took me in and fed me.  I did not talk until they said I had to do something for my food.  I told them I knew little to trade with.  One of the women said she would take me...for the food.”  He paused and turned slightly so she could see his profile.   “I didn’t sleep until after mid day the next day.  I think I serviced all the women at least once before I came my self, Mistress.”

“Good boy.  I am proud of you.”  Laun stood after finding a piece of paper to wipe with.  “And they came here...?

He nodded once and stood.  “I mentioned you so often that their leader decided to check out the Hawkwell lands.  We have been here for a few days.”  He looked at Laun and took her hand.  “I missed you, Mistress.”

Laun put her other hand on his cheek and said, “You were missed.  I really need a bigger bed.”  She leaned towards him and he did not need any more prompting than that.  He put his arms around her and kissed her.  She took the kiss and felt much more complete.

Her hands went to his shoulders.  “You did not have a price on your head.  But if you want to play it as if you did, you may.”

He shook his head.  “I serve you, Mistress.”

She motioned to the door and he opened it for her.  There were several people on the other side, some obviously having been right up against the door a moment before.  There was a call from one of the entertainers down the hall of, “That didn’t take long!” and most of the people cracked up.

Laun laughed too and went to the doorway of the bunkroom.  “Is it to your satisfaction?”

Adelmar nodded.  “Not everyone will come up here, but being closer to the soldiers, I have a feeling the women will like it.”

Laun drew her eyebrows together.  “If that is the case, ground rules.  The women can offer but not pursue.  I have a feeling it is an easy company so there shouldn’t be any problems.  And only take what is offered.  If I find redscarves draining the men dry of more than their juices, they have to deal with me.”

He nodded again.  “Yes, Lady.”

“And...” Laun smiled, “If any of your troupe are interested, I may be, also.”

The entertainer’s eyebrow went up and he said, “Yes, Lady.  He wasn’t jesting when he said you knew what you liked.”

Laun looked down and put her hand under her belly.  “I have them for a reason.”

He had a serious look on his face as he said, “We have a healer with us if you would like to have her.  Look at you, that is.”  He smiled.

“That would be a good idea.  I was poisoned.  The night he came to you.  He killed the man who was trying to kill me.  Having a healers’ hands on me would help some of my anxiety.”

“Done.”  He straightened up and motioned one of his people to him.  “Get Kell off her butt at the camp and bring her here.  And have her bring her midwife kit.”  The brightly dressed man bowed and then flipped down the hall before going for the front door.

Laun clapped her hands.  Her face was all enjoyment of the moment and it made Adelmar smile, too.

There was a small voice behind Laun.  “Lady?”

Laun motioned and Gem stepped forward, her eyes on Hazalam.  “Yes?”

The blonde had a smile in her eyes though a bland look on her face as her eyes went to her Mistress’.  “Del would like me to ask that you come to the burial grounds.  The body is ready to be blessed.”

Adelmar took a partial step back.  “Not plague, is it?”

Laun’s smile was completely gone.  “No.  A victim of the coup.  If you would excuse me.”

Laun started walking towards the front hallway.  She started to untie the long thong that still held up her sleeves.  She wound it around one of her wrists and tied it loosely under the long sleeve.  She whispered, “Any idea where the burial grounds are?”

Gem stepped closer and said, “There should be an escort at the entrance.”

Laun looked over her shoulders at her people.  “Take the tabard off and you take the sash off.”  They were at the door into where the dry wood was stored and Laun opened it.  The extra garments were put in there and they continued to walk towards their escort.

Laun was starting to regret being up so early, and walking all over.  Her feet were hurting, even in the thick slippers.  Her breasts were sore and her back was screaming.  She had to be there to remember the woman who had been forgotten.

Laun had the two black dressed servants behind her as she walked out into the sun.  Del and several of the soldiers were waiting for her.  Del looked at the extra servant behind the Lady but did not say anything.

They walked around the building and down a small trail away from the manor.  Beyond an ill kept hedge, a small grove of trees and stones stood silent and waiting.  Towards one side, a soldier stood next to a hole that had been dug.  Laun tried to keep her hand down, but the oder was overwhelming to her even before she came within four paces.  Her sleeve was against her face as she stood at the foot of the grave.

The remains were wrapped in a linen sheet, lime powder scattered over it to help with the stench.  The red hair was visible out the top and the general form of a woman was there.  Laun took a handful of the piled dirt and felt tears coming.

“We do not know who you were.  Your life was taken from you for no reason.  But, know that we will remember you as one in this land, given to the Gods protection.  May the light bring you through the darkness.”

“The dark will not overcome,” was the response from several of the people around her.  Laun threw the dirt onto the still form and backed up.  Shovels started to move the dirt back into the hole.  Laun stood and watched as the dirt made the death disappear beneath it.  The cool shade beneath the trees made Laun start to shiver, the tears flowing warm and then cold down her face.  The mound was completed and Laun knelt, putting both her hands onto the dirt.

Her voice was quiet as she said, “Know that your death was revenged and walk free into the night.”  Her head bowed and she thought of the look on Bregnan’s face as his limp body had fallen into the fire.  Bregnan did not suffer as much as Laun wanted.  It was not enough, but it was sufficient.  She put one hand up to her mouth, kissing the fingertips in reverence, tasting the dirt and the life that could come from it.

Laun looked up at the solemn faces around her.  “Thank you.  She deserved to be properly buried.  This was good.”

The soldiers’ heads nodded almost in unison.  Del offered his hand and helped Laun from the ground.  She glanced around and then back to the soldiers.

“You are dismissed.  Thank you for your service.”  They all came to attention and saluted, Laun saluting back the best she could with her back suddenly twinging.  Her hand went down and they turned and left.

Gem was on one side, Hazalam on the other, supporting her arms as Laun started to waver.  “Is there someplace to sit in here?”

There was a stone bench marking the resting place of one of the Kings of the Midlands under an old ash tree.  Laun sat and then laid on the stone as her back started to cramp in earnest.

Laun’s legs had started to swell as she had stood at the graveside.  Gem could see the size of the ankles and started to massage Laun’s leg, pushing up with the strokes to try to get the puffiness down.  Hazalam went to the other leg and they worked in unison to try to relieve some of the pain.  Hazalam touched the knife strapped to her leg and pulled her tunic down slightly on the return stroke.

Del was at a loss of what to do.  “Lady?  May I help you in any way?”

Laun had her eyes closed and tears were still coming out.  These were not the same tears, but they made trails on her face and her voice was affected.  “The troupe has a healer named Kell.  I’m not moving for a while, so if they can get her out of the camp, could you have them bring her here?”

“Yes, Lady.”  Del moved quickly to find the entertainers.

Gem whispered, “I am happy to see you, brother.”

Hazalam whispered back, “I am happy to see you, too, sister.”

Laun smiled.  They worked well together and Laun knew that a true affection had developed between them.  She knew it wasn’t just the sex, but having the assassin background between them was a bond that had been almost instant.  Laun thought and came to an idea to present to them both, later.  Whether or not she moved into the rooms left by Bregnan, there were resources there that Laun wanted.  Having the two assassins read through the books, too, would help.  While doing that, Laun could have them teach each other, as well as herself.  There was always something to learn.

There was a slight clearing of a throat and Laun motioned vaguely.  Del had several people with him who came forward and stood, waiting for Laun.

The Lady turned her head and opened her eyes.  Several entertainers were standing there, and several soldiers.  Laun could see the medic symbol on one of the soldier’s uniform leathers, red sleeves on his tunic, and one of the entertainers had a large carpet bag slung over her shoulder.

“Two when I asked for one.  I know that those of the healing arts do not always agree, but please discuss around me, do not argue.”

There were nods from many of the people around her.  The carpet bag was off and onto the ground.  “I am Kell DuMonde.  I have been trained by wise women and at monasteries.”

The soldier did not move, but he said, “I am Corporal Aloen.  I am a field medic trained with the army of the Midlands, but I started out in my uncle’s stables at a horse training arena.  I...”  He looked slightly sideways before looking at Laun again.  “I am also the vet of the company.”

Laun smiled slightly, glancing at the red sleeves he had on his otherwise standard military uniform tunic.  “Since I feel like a cow, I think that works.”

The two teams talked a bit between them and then started to ask questions and poke and prod and generally make Laun feel like an object not a person.  When the movement from within Laun started, her tunic was pulled back and many hands went to her bare belly.  The strapped knife was ignored by the woman, stared at by the soldiers.  Nods and comments back and forth about her body finally made Laun impatient.

“Pardon me, but what are you two talking about?”

“Lady, we agree that you have twins, since you know when you, well, started the pregnancy.”  The Corporal flushed slightly.

Kell nodded and pulled the tunic down as she said, “They seem to be fine, but they are also big.”

“I knew that part.”  Laun was tired and in pain and the sharpness in her voice made her two people reach to her.  Their hands helped to calm and focus her as she said, “But what were the big words you were using?”

Kell spoke first.  “We would recommend bedrest for the next few months.  You have been on your feet too much-”

Laun pushed herself up on the bench and her people helped her sit, even though her back screamed at her.  “I have been on my feet because this place was in need of work.  It still needs work, even with the Fourth Company being here.  And since I am forced yet again to lead, that is what I have been doing.”

The Corporal broke in, saying, “But the children are taking too much from you and you obviously are still recovering from some sort of trauma-”

Laun winced as she sat straight, but her voice was steady.  “Yes, the coup.  I became Lady and held the title tight because I fought for it.  Those are not scars from wayward needlepoint.  I earned them.”

Kell reached into her bag and brought out a metal container that sloshed.  “I can make some of those fade with this.”

“Is it a good massage oil, too?  That is what I need.  The babies are doing well on their own, but my back has always been a problem.  Ever since I started...training.”  Laun stopped herself from saying dancing.

“Massage would be good, along with hot stones and bedrest.”  The Corporal was nodding along with what Kell was saying.

Laun sighed.  “I know I will not win with you two.  I cannot do bedrest.  I know my body.  If I stop moving, I really stop moving.  As long as I am held here, I will run things from my feet, not my back.”  Laun smiled at the various meanings of what she had just said.

The Corporal looked at Laun and put his hand on her forehead.  “When was the last time you ate?”

He was quick.  She had just felt a little lightheaded before he had touched her.  “Let’s see...  Close to two hours ago - over two hours ago.  Before I cleaned the household dishes because Corporal too good to talk to anyone was also too good to assign anyone to do the damn things.”

The Corporal at her side nodded, a sly smile on his lips.  “Yes, Lady.  Word is spreading that Juden may be taken down in rank, again.”  He turned to the healer beside him and said, “She won’t rest.  I don’t have any willow and flax, do you?”

Laun had a repulsed shiver go through her.  “Is there anything else besides that?”

The carpet bag was open and Kell pulled out a leather wrapped phial.  “I have some damiana, but too much will harm the babies.  The willow is the best for your pain.”

“I hate the taste.  I can’t taste anything else for hours afterwards.”

“It is either the medicine or the bedrest, Lady.”  It could have been either of them who had said it with the equally stern looks on their faces, but the Corporal was the one who had voiced the sentiment.

Laun shook her head.  “There are always more than two options.  I will take it at night before I go to sleep.  Will that satisfy you two?”

There were nods.  “And getting out of this place of death, too.”  Kell was looking at the stones around them.

 

Next, Chapter 36