the Leathermines

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It was agonizing for Laun.  She did not want to be there.  She saw the looks from the people she did not know and the expectations as they looked at Ithian, waiting.

The servants had cleared the first course of plain foods.  It had been a time for people to talk, to get to know the people around them, if they didn’t already.  Laun had wanted to make sure that there was that time at the beginning of the meal, since the rest was going to be all distraction.

Laun was between Ithian and Falmir.  At times, both of her hands were being held lightly by them.  She saw the glances down the table by Engrid, and by the mother of the noble daughters.

Laun really did not want to be there.

The goat that the farmer had sold them had been brining for two days.  It had gone over the coals that morning.  It was being carried into the tent by the two strongest men of the entertainers while two of the women contortionists rode on their shoulders. The time for pleasantries was over.  Falmir lost the advantage over the meal when he had not forced Ithian to stand and ask for Laun’s hand witnessed by all assembled in the tent.  Laun had kept a conversation going between the two men, but switching between them if she saw any way it could be turned to Ithian standing for the announcement.

Adelmar came in through the tent, bumbling and doddering his way through.  He made a little speech welcoming all to the Hawkwell manor.  Laun called out that she had already done that, to the twitters of the nobles around him.

“Ah, yes, so you did, my Lady.”  He approached the head table and made an exaggerated wink to her.  “Don’t tell anyone, but I think my mind is going.”

There was more twittering, some laughter.  He went on to tell a small story about how this was a magical goat that had been bought for this meal.  That it was actually raised by birds.  The story went on for a while until Falmir, prodded by Laun, called out, “Get on with it!”

The magician bowed to him and said, “I should show and not talk?  Then, I shall!”

The goat was held by the two strongmen and it looked like they wanted to put it on some uprights that had been struck into the ground for service.  Adelmar waved his hands and many of the people in the tent started to gasp.  The men turned and it was seen by all that the goat was rising up into the air.

The acrobats did their part to distract as they flipped off the shoulders of the men and took up positions on either end of the area, their bodies in odd positions.

The goat came back down into the men’s hands, Adelmar huffing and puffing as though he had just lifted a heavy object.  He went on to say that because it was raised by birds, that it was a bird.  There were a few jeers from the audience and the doddering magician tried to convince them.

Laun knew the cue and called out, “Then show us!”

He turned towards Laun and bowed.  He did some hand waves and a long knife came from where it seemed no knife had been.  Then he made a few practice swipes at the carcass.  He held the knife aloft and swung it down on the side of the goat.

There were pigeons and doves and a crow suddenly flying around the tent, seemingly having come from the middle of the goat.  There was applause from the audience and the musicians started up.  A kitchen servant came and carved the goat, the cheeks and a few other tender bits being presented to Falmir and the head table.  Laun took a small strand of the cheek and smiled.

The rest of the feast was full of noise and action, and the action started to get just a little raunchy.  There were dancers that Laun had asked to do the sexiest performance they could, and aim it at Falmir.  Laun asked for specific moves, ones that might not be seen by everyone, but if aimed at certain people in the audience, they knew what the movement was.  Laun wanted him to be distracted.  With the women ready and able, they would be the distraction.

The performers were happy and tried to make everyone smile.  Then the mood of the music changed and the dancers came out to the middle, the colorful dresses they had on were being tucked up to show leg.  Laun looked down the table and the Bishop was as entranced as her father.

The dance had changed the men’s attention, the few women in the audience becoming uncomfortable, except Laun and Engrid.  The officers who were in the group knew some of the pleasures of the entertainers and tapped on the tables when they liked what they saw.  They helped to create some of the beat the dancers were moving to, and broke some of the formality that had clung on til then.  Laun excused herself and put a hand out to Ithian.  He followed and they went into the night.  Falmir almost noticed, and then one of the dancers came very close and took all his concentration.

“I am here with you.  I will always be with you.”  Ithian whispered as they walked into the waning moonlight.

Laun knew that Engrid was watching.  “Hold me, Ithian.  I want to feel you against me.”

He was more than happy to take her into his arms.  They embraced.  They kissed.  Laun felt a heat rising in him that her own body was responding to.  She raised her hand to his lips.

“We are arguing.”

“What?”  Ithian stepped back half a step.

Laun turned away slightly.  “You know I cannot have you ask for my hand tonight.  We are now arguing.”

Ithian put his hand on her shoulder and she turned back towards him.  “Why would we be arguing?  I love you.  They know that.”

Laun shook her head.  “But that is why I want them to see us argue.  To put off your public proposal.”

Ithian frowned and said, “I wish you would reconsider and marry me.  I know your reasons for not, but I can make you comfortable-”

Laun’s voice raised.  “By taking me to Rosemond?  By locking me in the Embassy?”  She stepped back and felt a pain go through her foot, making her stumble slightly.

Ithian stepped forward to give her a hand and Laun waved it away.  “My Love, please.  Come back to the table.  There must be a trifle or something coming for the end of the meal, and I know how you like those.”

Laun stood straight and looked at him, a hand over her mouth.  She flicked her eyes to the tent and saw that there were more faces than backs to her then when they had stepped outside into the darkness.  She held out her hand and bowed her head forwards slightly, trying to make it look like she was embarrassed.  “Yes, I do like those.”  Her voice was soft and warm to Ithian’s ear.

He escorted her back to the light in the tent, many eyes on them.  As Laun sat and was very still for a moment, Falmir’s eyes dragged from the dancers to the daughter at his side.  Laun looked up and he saw tears in her eyes, a real pain beneath the calm mask she had.

He held out his hand and she put hers into it, the small hand in his large one.  “Thorn, what troubles you?”

Laun looked around, most of the nobles and hanger’s on seeming to watch the dancers and side performers outside the tent.  Except for Engrid.  “Tomorrow.  If we could talk tomorrow when I am not so tired and there is light to see what is ahead more clearly.”

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the knuckles.  “In the morning.”  He smiled, a knowing smile, before turning back to the dancer who was doing an excellent job of presenting herself to him.

Laun’s hand went to Ithian, his gently covering hers.  They watched the dancers flow in front of them, replaced by the acrobats again.  Laun had not talked to them specifically, but she could see that they had changed up their routine slightly so that the women had much more contact with each other than usual, and it was a lingering contact.  Even the other women in the audience could not deny the excitement that the acrobats raised, and Laun could see one of the noble daughters being perhaps a little too interested in the way the entertainers moved and brushed against one another.  Laun noted that and swung her eyes back around the assembled sycophants under the tent.

The drinks were changed at the hands of the nobles.  It had been sweetened cold tea or clear water or sweet milk for most of the meal.  Laun had found in the accounting book a local farmstead that sold them beer in the past.  Laun had insisted that Del order several full barrels of beer or ale from them for the welcoming meal.  The tankards of the cellar cold ale were placed as the sober drinks were finished.  Laun saw surprise on several faces, and a look of relief on some as the tankards were drained.

Laun tried not to smirk.  She did not know how Falmir’s tolerances were, but with the ale at the meal, and the hogshead of ale in his room, he was going to be in a tough state in the morning.  Laun did smile thinking of the women who were going to be keeping him...awake and drinking into the night.  If everything went well.

The entertainers were starting to look tired.  The noble men were starting to get loud.  Falmir was enjoying the attentions of one of the dancers who had come around the outside of the tent and was leaning over his chair, blocking his view of Laun.

It was time to subtly bring the official night’s entertainment to a close.  Laun stood and the chair was pulled back for her.  She looked around at the gathering and liked the slight chaos that had descended.  She turned to Falmir, touched the back of the dancer to have her move a bit and did a little curtsey.

“I hope you have enjoyed tonight, Father.  I am tired, so I will head off to my rooms.”

Falmirs head moved towards her, but his eyes were on the cleavage of the dancer.  “I will see you in the morning, my Thorn.”

Laun smiled and left, Ithian excusing himself just a few minutes after.

There were several clusters of the soldiers who had not been invited to sit with the nobles standing just outside the light spill watching the women inside.  Laun was approached by one of the nonranked soldiers, a slightly sloppy salute that Laun acknowledged.

“Lady, thank you for the barrel.  We haven’t had rations like that in six months.  Thank you!”  Laun heard an echo of his thanks in the close group and waved to them as she passed, a big grin on her face mirroring many of theirs.  She walked slowly, her foot and back both paining her, but the glide was in her walk bringing an air of nobility to her that she had hoped for.

Laun saw Hunter in one of the groups she passed on her way to the Manor.  He started to step to her when Ithian caught up and offered his hand.  Laun was looking at Hunter and closed her eyes before turning to Ithian and accepted the hand poised for hers.  Laun opened her eyes and smiled at Ithian, feeling another part of her heart tear at not being able to have both of them.

The lanterns lit the manor brightly along the ways to the rooms.  Laun saw servants standing outside of certain rooms, waiting for their masters and mistresses.  The contingent of Palace household servants that had been brought were scurrying back and forth, trying to find things and rooms and look like they knew what they were doing if they had been there before.

Laun knocked three times on the sitting room door and Gem opened the door.  Laun put her hand on Gem’s cheek and smiled.  “Your brother?”

“Still trying to find what you asked for, Mistress.”

Laun nodded and turned to Ithian.  “We need to sit and talk more, my love.”  She led the way to one of the couches and sat, her back and baby-extended belly making it slightly difficult.

Ithian perched on the edge of the couch, his knees towards her and his eyes on their hands touching between them.  “My Love, please, can we just have the marriage and have peace between us?”

Laun’s jaw clenched and she felt a muscle twitch in her cheek.  “You still are trying to follow her plans.  You must have been deep in the planning for years.  How you think you can hide your debts to her...”

“Her excellency did advocate my position about ten years ago, and yes, my cousin appointed me.  But I have worked just for the diplomatic solutions I could-”

Laun drew her hand away from him.  “Your own words and hand betray you, Ithian.”  Laun closed her eyes and tried to remember what the letter she transcribed said.  And the messages that Gem was able to find in the panel in the wall.  And what Engrid and Bregnan...  Laun opened her eyes and said, “Perhaps I have been too hard on you, if you were just being tossed about in the political sea, but I know that you have the backing, the knowledge, and skill that brought you to the attention of Engrid.  You are ever the diplomat, but you were still working for Rosemond against my King and Kingdom.”

“I had to try.”  Ithian held out his hand to her close to the couch’s seat and Laun took it.  “And I will try to make you love me more.”

Laun smiled.  “You are persistent.  And I have missed you, your touch, your wit...”  Laun tilted her head and caught Gem’s eye.  “Is there anything you have missed, Ithian?”

The Ambassador leaned forward and kissed her hand.  “I have missed your eyes, those glints of gold shining out at me.  I have missed your touch.”  He kissed the inside of her wrist and moved closer.  “I have missed your skin against mine.  The feel of you next to me.”  He drew his lips up her forearm.  “Waking to you next to me...”

Laun had her eyes half closed as his touch ran through her regardless of her feelings against him.  “Would you like to wake to me tomorrow?”

Ithian came off the couch and leaned down to Laun.  “Yes.  Please.”  His lips were close to hers and she smiled and leaned the rest of the way into him, encouraging a very long and deep kiss that took Laun’s breath away.

He stood back up and offered his hand to her.  She maneuvered to the edge of the couch and pulled herself up with his help.  “With or without my servant?”

His eye went to Gem and he had to think about it.  “If I may, I would like you all to myself tonight, my Love.”  He moved in and they kissed.

Laun motioned to Gem and she pulled the curtains in the sitting room.  Laun knew there had been at least an extra set of eyes on the room, but not the ones she was used to in Charel.  She expected because of the open courtyard and walkway that there was a servant from each of the others who had a stake in the marriage going through.  Five or six, to be sure.  They had just seen the two lovebirds have a tense conversation, and then make up.

Laun pushed Ithian away.  She pulled on the tunic she had and it was off and in Gem’s hand.  Her halter and the few hidden weapons she still had strapped to her were now out for Ithian to see.  Laun put her hands under her breasts to cup them slightly, his eyes on her cleavage and then his lips there.  Laun untied the neck strap and Ithian held her breasts, his mouth seeking out one of her nipples.

His eyes met hers and then closed.  Laun untied the back strap, feeling a pull in her shoulder as she reached around.  The various things strapped to her were untied by Gem as Laun’s hands went to Ithian’s head and held him to her breast.  The skirt was undone and fell around her feet, the other harnesses strapped to her legs revealed.

  Laun was fully naked.  She pulled Ithian upright and started to undo the buckles and ties of his own clothing.  With Gem’s unobtrusive hands, he was standing naked before Laun in just a few moments.

Laun led Ithian into the bedroom.  Past the heavy curtain, there were many, many candles and lanterns lit.  A platter with a few bites and a pitcher each of water and milk was on a table brought in and set near the bed.  Extra pillows had been placed around the foot of the bed on the floor and a silk blanket was draped over the footboard.

Laun pulled on his hand and walked to the edge of the bed.  She pulled him towards her and he leaned into her as they kissed, his hands roving over her and finally going around her to embrace her.  Their lips and tongues slid against each other, both of them heating to each other’s touch.

Laun started to turn slightly and they parted lips but Ithian’s hands were still around her.  She leaned against the bed, his hands on her breasts as she pressed her butt into his erect manhood.  He started to kiss her back where he could reach, fondling her breasts and grinding himself into her.

There was something that Laun had placed on the bed before she had left for the welcome feast.  She reached for it and turned back around.  Her hand pushed on him and he was kneeling, his face pressed into her breasts again.  She let him lick and fondle and grasp and suckle, drawing some of her thin milk out.  It felt wonderful.

His hands started to stroke down her skin and she raised his face up.  “I give you a choice, my love.”

He was breathing heavily and said, “What, my Love?”  His hands were on her hips and were grasping her close to him.

“You were going to put the shackles of marriage on me.  Literally with that bracelet.  If you are serious about your commitment to me, I offer you an alternative.  Between us.”  Laun held the item between her hands so he could see it.

His eyes had a hard time focusing, but when he did, Laun saw a frightened man at her feet.  And then he relaxed and she saw a resigned look go over him.

“I have had too much time to be able to think about this.  And to read.”  She took an end of the thin leather collar in each hand and looked down at Ithian.  “This collar is a promise that all will be able to see.  Not just from you to me, but from me to you.  I think you understand the commitment I ask of you with this.”  Laun dropped one end and held the empty hand palm up.  “You do not have to accept this and we can still have fun.  It is your choice.”

He closed his eyes and pressed his face into her belly.  There were tears in his eyes and Laun felt his sighs on her skin.  He looked back up and nodded.  His voice was weak and one of his hands went up to the dangling end of the collar.  “Please, Mistress.”

Laun felt another rush through her.  She pushed him away from her slightly and placed the collar around his neck.  It was loose and had a very simple catch without a lock.  There was a small sound as the catch went into place and he jumped slightly.

“Good boy.  Now,” Laun pulled on the collar until he stood.  “Shall we celebrate our commitment to each other?”

He was crying silently, but his body was still more than ready for anything Laun wished to do with it.  Laun used his body that night as much as he had wished to use hers.

 

But what comes the next morning?  Find out in Chapter 46