the Leathermines

Back to the welcoming feast of the night before in Chapter 45

 

The morning was already good for Laun.  A good morning routine in the walkway, a light tunic on just to keep any watchers from being too offended.  A glass of milk from the pitcher to keep her stomach from rumbling.  And Ithian back between her legs.

His mouth on her womanhood had been a wonderful way to wake that morning.  She had started to stir, but feeling first his fingers and then his face trying to get below her belly had brought a smile to her face.  He had brought her to a wonderful peak and then he had made love to her as the light in the courtyard started to spill through the walkway and into the bedroom.  He had brought her to the edge and had asked permission to peak with her, as he had seen her servant do.  Laun had said yes and had the rush of her orgasm heightened with the power she seemed to have over him.

Laun cleaned up after her exercises and dressed, a dark set of tunic and skirt over a few of her found knife harnesses.  She was very happy that she had been able to find rooms that used the same keys that Del had given her for opening many of the guest chambers.  Finding another armory with the close arms was like a pastry shop for most other women.

It was still early in the morning, but Laun wanted to push her advantage.  She looked at Gem who had slept on the floor on the pillows and motioned with her chin at Ithian who had fallen back asleep in the bed.  “If you want to...”

Gem grinned and scrambled up into the bed.  Laun checked herself in the mirror and heard a surprised sound and then a gasp as Gem woke Ithian, and the rest of him.

Laun had a cane in one hand and a basket in the other.  She walked through the quiet corridors, only a few servants going through the manor at that hour.  Laun had the key to the rooms Falmir had, but the door was not locked.  She quietly opened the recently oiled door and went to the sitting area of the L-shaped room.  She saw that the large curtain was pulled across the bed chamber, blocking light and eyes.

She put the basket down on the big table in the sitting area, cleaned up a few items draped across the floor and arms of the chairs.  A few tankards were put on the sideboard next to the empty hogshead of ale.  Laun saw that the cask of mead she had put into the cabinet had also been opened.  Many people were going to be unwell that morning.

Laun had planned and several clean, long tunics were in one of the cabinets.  Laun took them out and put them on the table next to the basket.

Laun pulled back the curtain into the bed chamber enough to be able to see where bodies may be.  Laun had placed an extra couch in the bed area, the right height and width for a good and steady fuck for Falmir.  It smelled like he had a really good time, the smell of sex was heavy in the air.  Cloths and oils and a few other toys had been brought in under Laun’s direction to make the evening interesting.  In some ways, Laun had wished she could have been there, but even Laun had limits.

The windows had curtains over them making it dark, but not impossible to see.  Two people on the couch.  A rumpled blanket over another body on the floor.  Laun stepped through the curtain quickly and looked at the bed.  Another three... no, four bodies in the bed.  Laun stood and listened to the breathing in the room, finding the rhythms.

Laun went to the girl on the floor.  It took a moment to get down on her knees, but Laun was there.  She put her hand on the hip of the girl and waited.  Laun felt her stir under the blanket.  Laun moved her hand gently up the girl’s side to the bare shoulder.  A hand touched her own and Laun saw an eye open in the gloom.  Laun put her hand on the girl’s cheek and felt the smile.

The dancers on the couch were just about as easy to wake.  Laun had a peck on the cheek from one as she was passed in the dark.  Laun stood next to the bed and tried to find a limb she could safely touch.  She did and the acrobat slid out of the bed.  Laun went to the other side of the bed when she realized that the next body over was Falmir.

The next person she woke did so with a start and Laun had to put her hand over the woman’s mouth.  She replaced it with a kiss and the woman relaxed.  It took a few minutes of breathing into each other before the woman was awake and aware enough to move quietly out of the bed.

The start had woken the last woman and before she slid out from under the covers, she pulled Laun down and kissed her.  Laun was smiling as the woman did a cartwheel to the curtain.

Falmir was still snoring.  Laun pulled the covers back up around his shoulders and went to the other room.

They were all dressing in the tunics and waiting for Laun.  They all had smiles on their faces, though some sleepier than others.  Laun opened the door to the corridor and they filed out, touching and being touched as the women left.

Laun took in a big breath.  That part was over.

The curtains over the windows were pulled back, showing a few things Laun had not picked up before.  She left them and went to the heavy curtain at the point of the L.  She pushed first one panel then the other to the ropes anchored to the wall, tying them back to let in the light from the sitting area.  She heard a slight scratch on the door and went to open it.  They were a little early, but there were servants with water and some porridge on a tray.  Laun motioned them in, motioning for quiet.  The big table was set, the dirty tankards and empty hogshead moved from the room.

Laun smiled and touched the servant’s shoulders as they left, receiving smiles in return.

They may not have been early.  If it was eight bells, Del would be there...should be there in a few minutes.  If he had been able to get himself out of the Corporal’s cot.

Laun picked up some of the pillows and blankets and put them on the couch, ignoring the stain that had appeared on the cotton fabric of the seat.  She found a few more pieces of clothing that the women may miss later, taking them back into the sitting area to go with the other things the women had not collected on their way out.

The morning was bright.  Laun smiled as she started to pull back the curtains in the bed area, leaving the one that shaded Falmir’s face for last.  He had not set the curtains down on his bed making it easier to get the women out, and the light in.

There was a snort and Falmir turned his head away from the light.  Laun stood next to the bed and watched him.  She stayed out of the sunbeam that was making it’s way to him and saw him toss his head almost like a horse before turning over, face down.  He burped.  It was a loud and noxious burp.  Laun looked down under the bedframe and saw that the buckets she had placed were still there, at least on the side she was on.

There was a groan and another burp.  Laun picked up the bucket and put a hand on his side through the blanket.  His head moved slightly and then he pushed himself up slightly.  Laun heard something that was like a groan and a growl mixed wetly together.  He turned towards Laun.  She pushed the bucket towards him and it was only seconds before he was on his side and using the bucket.

It was not pleasant.  Laun’s nose was sensitive in the best conditions.

Laun placed a cloth under Falmir’s face before he put it back down on the pillow.  She put the bucket a little more upright and went around to the other side for the other one.  She heard a groan and hurried back to his side of the bed.

The haggard face of Falmir was harshly lit in the morning sun.  His eyes were closed tight and one of his hands was trying to find his face to protect his eyes.  He was not having much luck.

Laun took some pity on him and stood in the sunbeam.  He groaned again, but Laun saw one eye relax and try to open.  And then his body convulsed and Laun pushed the partially full bucket back under his face.

It took a few more heaves before his stomach was empty.  It took a few more for his body to realize there was nothing to throw up.  Laun had been able to go and get a mug of water between bouts, some for a cloth for his head and some to try to get into him.

The first words from him came after the first successful drink of water that did not end in it coming back up were, “May you rot in hell, Laun.”

Laun grimaced at the hangover breath.  “Glad I am appreciated.”

His hand was able to find his face and he more moved his skin around than rubbed it.  “What happened to my face...”  He rolled partially away and lay on his back for a moment, his hand covering his eyes.  He moved his legs.  He moved his legs back.  “What happened to my pants?”

“I’m not sure, but I think the goat was wearing them.”

He carefully moved his head to look at her and squinted.  “Wha?  Not the first time...”  He had a fleeting smile until a groan came out.

Laun poured more water over a clean cloth and reached over to put it on his face.  He moved it around and sighed when it was where it felt the best.  He moved back towards her and reached out.  Laun gently put her hand in his.  He gripped her hand and Laun saw a longer lasting smile before he said, “That was one of the best nights I’ve had in years.”  The smile turned into a frown and he ran his tongue around his mouth, tasting what was still in it.  “I think I have goat hair in my mouth.”

Laun giggled slightly.  “Have more water and I’ll see about shaving your tongue.”

He half-smiled and moved the cloth from his face.  “I still say go to hell, but I think you would take over.”  He started prop himself up and fell back to the pillow.

“Take it easy, sire.  You did in a hogshead by yourself last night.”  Laun tipped the mug of water to his lips, some getting on the bedding, but most going into his mouth.

“Maybe it is boars hair in my mouth then.”  He smiled a full smile and tried to get up again.  He was able to move his head without too much more pain, and nothing threatened to come back up.  He slowly pushed himself to the edge of the bed and hung his arm over.

There was a scratch at the door.  Laun put her hand on Falmir’s cheek before putting the bucket on the floor under his head and answering the door.

Del and a few other servants were there.  Laun stepped back, motioning for quiet.  She motioned to the bathing chamber and then two of the servants.  One of the servants she motioned around at the sitting area and the other with Dell she pointed to the bedroom.  Del stood and watched Laun take over his staff and sighed.

Laun poured more water into the mug and forced more into Falmir.  He swallowed, and groaned.  He was able to bring himself more upright and the covers fell around him.  Laun smiled and sighed while looking at the man who was her father.  She did seem to have an appreciation for large men, and not just tall.

Falmir tried to stand and sat back.  He held his head with both hands and leaned forward.  Laun readied one of the buckets and he motioned it away.  He stood, Laun and Del going under his shoulders for support.  Falmir swore and complained about the light and the world moving but they got him into the privy and he seemed grateful.

Water was being warmed for a bath, the cistern for the room having been flushed and filled in preparation for the visit.  Laun pulled the split tunic she had picked from the stack of loop cloth towels and put it next to the copper tub on a chair.  Laun went and got the mug of water from the other room and was able to hand it to Falmir as he came out of the privy.  He leaned against the wall and downed the water.  He held the mug out and Laun took it again.

One of the servants was holding a fancy glass container with a bath preparation.  Laun had not removed any of the bathing things from the room, just had added to them.  The stopper was taken off the top and the servant poured some onto a cloth.  Falmirs’ nose wrinkled and then he suddenly went back into the privy.

Del pointed and said, “Get that out of here.  Wash your hands before coming back.”

Laun handed a new mug of water to her father when he came back out.  He did not drink it as fast, but did finish it as he was standing with his forehead partially against the tile of the wall.  He held it out and Laun almost didn’t catch it when he let go.

There was a small basket with plain soap in it near the towels.  Laun motioned to them and Del shrugged.  Falmir walked to the tub and was leaning on it as a cloth was being sudsed up with one of the cakes of currying soap.  The big man just stood as the cloth was run up and down his body, trying to wake and focus without more pain than there already was.

The servant tried to soap his hair and Falmir first started to shake his head and then, while holding his head, cursed and motioned for the servant to go fuck himself.  Del motioned for the servant to just step back.

The tub was filled with warm water and Falmir stepped in and sat.  It took a few moments before he relaxed into the water.  When he did, he sighed.

Another mug of water was at his hand.  He took it and held onto Laun’s hand before she could get away.  “My Thorn, you could have just left me to suffer.  Thank you for taking care of me.”

Laun squeezed his hand and said, “We evidently have business to discuss today.”

Falmir almost nodded.  “I have a feeling you know the big thing.”

“Yes, sire,” Laun said.  

The humor in her voice worked it’s way through his pain and he smiled a crooked smile.  “Past time to tell you this isn’t proper.  Hell, a Daughter setting her father up like that isn’t proper.”  His grin widened.  “But it might have been worth it.”

Laun leaned in and whispered, “Especially that one acrobat...”

His eyebrow went up and she could see most of his teeth in his smile.  “Sampled the goods?  Good girl.”  His head went back against the tub and he sank down into the water, covering his head.

It was only about a four count, but Falmir came back up and blew air out of his nose as he surfaced.  He rubbed his hands over his face and shook his head.  Laun was glad she was wearing the darker colors to not show the splashed water too much.

Laun pulled away and made a bit of a show of trying to swipe the water from her.  “The last clean thing I have that fits, by the way.”

“Wear a sheet for all I care, girl.”  He pushed himself up and stepped out of the tub.

The split tunic was put on his wet body and he sat.  “So, I am awake and bathed.  What in hell’s gate do you want?”

Laun stood and held her belly.  “There are a few discussions that need to be held, and most of them entwine.  If I may have your ear before others come, I hope to be able to show you a few things.”

“Sounds like business.  Cold hearted bitch.”  He smiled and held out his hand.  Laun moved to his side and he wrapped his arms around her, using her belly as a pillow.  “Just stay there and talk.  I’m listening.”

Her hand went to his head and just stayed there. She did not stroke or pet, but lightly held her hand on his short hair, fingers on his forehead.  “Falmir, I would first like to commend our steward Del.  He has been working under difficult conditions in trying to keep the manor and lands functioning over the last year.  He has also been...patient with me as the household has been filling.”

Falmir waved a few of his fingers at the general direction of Del and said, “I should commend you or something.”

“Thank you, your Majesty.”  Laun could hear the control that Dell was having to use to keep the low monotone voice he used to match his mask.

“Lieutenant Senri has also been most accommodating-”

“So I hear.”

Laun tried not to laugh.  “Not so much in that way now that he had to actually take orders from me.  Not one who can separate those fields of action.”

Falmir took a moment to say, “I was worried I had sent the wrong company.”

“I am just glad you didn’t leave Captain Leon.  He was a gilded prick if there ever was one.”

Falmir moved his head across her belly and dropped his hands lower on her hips.  “This is what you have brought me to, Thorn.  Freshly bought commissions by untried lesser nobles.”

“Sire,” Laun gently ran her hands along his hairline, “I may have a solution that could work in both our favors.  That is the main reason I am here.  There are other things, such as finding that Bregnan was torturing and killing women in his suite and that some of your trusted advisors were killing off all the heirs in the Kingdom over the last few years.”

Falmir looked up her belly and his hands gripped her painfully tight.  “What?  Wait...  First Bregnan.”

Laun nodded down to her Father.  “Del was there when Bregnan’s suite was opened.  Our steward was trying to find a more...private room for myself and my servants.”

Falmir’s eyebrow went up and then his eyes closed.  He moved his face back to her belly and nodded slightly.  “After the first message that made no sense from Del, I was wondering.  Go on.”

Laun started to lightly stroke Falmir’s short brown hair as she said, “Bregnan’s suite was one of the old dowager suites and had it’s own small kitchen.  I am constantly hungry, and Del considered that when he showed me.”  Laun motioned to Del.

The steward sighed and said, “While airing the rooms out, we came across a body in the bathing chamber.”

Flamir pushed away from Laun slightly.  “Who?”

“We do not know, your Majesty.  A woman performer from the Festival, we think.”

Laun cut in and said, “She was tied up, her clothing in tatters.  The suite still cannot be used for more than a few minutes at a time without the smell being overwhelming.  She is in the burial grounds.”

His head went back to Laun’s belly like a magnet.  Falmir rubbed his cheek against the tunic and said, “Bastards taste caught up with him.”

“In many ways, sire.  Again, Del was supportive and was able to start the cleaning process of the room.  The soldiers also were crucial in helping with the burial.”

Falmir nodded into her belly.  “My ass is cold.”

Laun giggled.  “Sire, there are clean tunics available and there is cold porridge if your stomach can handle something firmer than water.”

“But I like my pillow.”

Laun dropped into command voice and said, “Get up and get dressed.  Now.”

Falmir’s body straightened up and he was on his feet before he had time to think.  His hand went to his head and Laun put a hand on his arm to steady him.  There was a groan and he cursed her.  “Fuck you, Laun.”  He sighed and smiled slightly as he looked down at her.

“Sire, now that is not appropriate.  Go and let the servants get you into something dry.”  Laun pulled on his arm and he let himself be directed into the bed area.

Laun went to the sitting area and took out a few things from the basket.  She was hoping that the idea she had would work.  She desperately hoped it would work.

Falmir was dressed and sitting in the large upholstered chair, a mug of water in his hand and the untouched porridge on the table pushed to within reach.  He was looking at the food as if it were some sort of creature poised to jump at his face.

“Father, we have come to a place where you have power but I am a hinderance.”

“Caught onto that, did you?”

Laun smiled and looked at her hands.  “The idea that was placed in your head to marry me off would solve many problems for you, but it causes many more than I think you know about.”

Falmir looked at her over the rim of the mug as he took some water.  “How can getting you in a marriage contract cause problems for me?”

“Not just you, Sire.  The Kingdom.  You gave me access to the library here, the most complete set of Midlands law books in the land.  And I know how to read.”

He blinked.  “You read them?  I haven’t even read them.”

Laun nodded.  She reached for one of the documents she had made and pushed it towards Falmir.  “If your head does not hurt too much, this will tell you much more than I could in a short amount of time.”

It was not one of the transcriptions from the burnt letters.  It was copies of sections of the Midland laws that Laun was concerned about.  She had put several like this one together, depending on how the conversation might go.  She watched Falmir read it, his hands rubbing his eyes more than once in pain.  He finished it and put it on the table.

“I don’t think I am getting something.  What does that have to do with me?”

Laun turned to Del and said, “Please have the other staff leave.”  The four who had come in with Dell rushed out.  Del stood at the wall, his mask on but watching.

Laun had to gather her courage.  She had told Ithian.  She had to tell Falmir.

“The first section is about the heirs of the Kingdom.  By lineage and appointment.”

Falmir nodded.  “I get that part.  I have acknowledged you as my daughter.  You are in the line.”

Laun shook her head.  “Because I was a hidden offspring, you need to make me a Princess of the Realm to make me an heir.”

He blinked.  “I can do that?  Yes.  I remember, a long time ago, something like that.”  He looked at her and said, “Done.”

Laun blushed.  “Thank you.  I accept it and willingly take the responsibilities of the three pointed crown.”

He leaned forward and looked at her.  “We will have to do the scribe thing later.  The next section you copied down?”

Laun looked at the paper to remind herself which section it was.  “Falmir, now that I am an heir, think about who else you have.”

He ran his hand over his face.  “I just became King and you are making me think of heirs?  Well, you, now...  And my-no, he’s dead.  And then...  Wait, I haven’t seen him in about a year.  But...”  Falmir’s face became grim.

“If I was not your heir, your advisors would pick one.  Who are your advisors?”

Falmir was starting to get concerned and it was making his head hurt even more.  “Mace and Duke...no, he went missing three weeks ago.”  He went silent as Falmir went through the people he knew.

Laun’s voice quieted.  “The people you rely on, sire, are all from Rosemond.  And if not from Rosemond, have been bought or blackmailed by someone in the Rosemond hierarchy to work against you.”  Laun stopped her eye from flicking to Del.

A redness was raising on Falmir’s neck.  His breathing was getting deeper, but his face was only showing the pain of his hangover.  “My Thorn, the third section you wrote down.  I think I understand now.”

Laun nodded.  “If I marry, I cannot be an heir by law of the Midlands and my children can only be in the lineage if you make them Prince of the Realm.  Father...  My Lord, I believe that you are not safe here if I marry.”  It was not the position she had expected to take, but it looked like it was working.

Falmir heard the change in Laun’s tone, her words.  “We are here to marry you off.  Lady En-”

“She insisted that I needed a father for my children.  Because she is so concerned with my well being.”  If anyone had been listening at the door, the sarcasm would have been plain even to them.

“Damn you, Laun.”  Falmir sat back in the chair again and finished his water.  Del came forward and took the empty vessel before it was dropped on the floor.  “How the hell did you cut through all that while you were sequestered?”  He turned his head and rested his hand under his chin, the worried look on his brow making him look like Dreng more than ever.

Laun stood from the couch and moved to the table, moving the porridge and papers before sitting.  She put her hand on his knee.  “Father.  Remember that I have training and talents that most nobles do not have.  The training was hard won and every time I use them, I feel myself change to something I do not like.”  She pulled her braid around to the front and held up the little bell.  “I am an elite information gatherer.  I am also trained by a royal warranted assassin.  I have training and knowledge from almost all the guilds and sects in the grayworld.  And being a rogue, I am dangerous to those who would do you and the Kingdom harm.”

His eyes focused on the bell.  He reached for it and took her braid.  “Her excellency did mention that she thought you had been trained by one of the lead redscarves.”

Laun laughed.  “That is the only sect I have not been trained by.  That part was all me.”

Falmir pulled her off the table by her hair, making her sit on one of his splayed legs.  He looked at the little bell closer, seeing the dents and slight tarnishing on the silver.  “You wore this.  All the time you were in the Palace.  And you tried to tell me.  Used your talents when I was scoffing you, patronizing you.  And your bell was visible for all to see, the warning that comes with being in the guild.”  He pulled her close with her hair, but released it when her head was on his shoulder.  “Royal Warrants pass from master to apprentice.  You could have killed me at any time.”  He kissed her on the forehead.

“Yes, sire.”  She pulled up the sleeve on the tunic and showed the bottom of he knife strapped to her arm.

“Shit.  How many do you have on you right now?”

Laun smiled.  “Enough, sire.”

Falmir put his hand on her belly and started to rub.  “You would not be telling me all of this unless you had a plan.  I am assuming you are not going to marry Ithian.”

Laun nodded into his shoulder.  “I will not marry him.  He and I have come to an agreement and he has sacrificed much to do so.”  Laun looked at Falmirs neck and saw the pulse.  “His cousin will need to find and appoint another ambassador, if Ithian is true to his words.”

“I hope you broke the boy in two.”  There was nothing disguising the hate in Falmir’s voice.

“Several pieces, Sire.  All held together with a collar.”

Falmir squinted at Laun.  “Collar?  He willingly let you collar him?”

“At least last night.  I have taken him and the responsibility the collar is, but I expect him to try to change and deny today.  Once her excellency sees.”

Falmir’s hand went to his head.  “Just thinking of the crap she has been delicately feeding me for the last weeks...”

Laun lay in Falmir’s arms for a while, his hand feeling and following the bumps and motions under the tunic.  Her hand was on his chest feeling the steady beat and the calm breathing while he was thinking.  He turned his head against her and kissed her forehead.  “You will have to move, Thorn.  I think something is falling asleep.”

Laun tried not to laugh into his ear and pulled herself up, Del at her side with an arm.  Falmir stood and shook his leg, a hand adjusting his loincloth through his tunic.

He stood, tall and imposing.  He looked down at Laun and Laun had a flash that he was about to haul back and strike her.  It passed and he wrapped his arms around her holding her against him.  “I wish you could have met my sister.  You could have traded stories.”

“Yes, Father.”

It felt good.  It felt comfortable.  But she still needed one more major thing with him.  She felt like she was just throwing information at him and finding what was true.  She knew that almost all she had said was based in something she had heard or read.  It scared her.

“Sire, I have one more thing that I would like to present to you, if you would.”

He kissed the top of her head and stepped back.  “I am not making you consort.”

Laun could not stop the laughing.  She saw the pained look on his face and covered her mouth until she got it under control.  “I hadn’t thought of that.  That would make people think, wouldn’t it.”  Laun had a big grin on her face.

“It’s been done in the past.”  Falmir reached for the cold porridge and started to mix the goopy stuff around.

“Though I would be honored, I have something else in mind.”  Laun reached into the basket and pulled out another document.  This one she had tried to do a little illustration on and had failed, hatching out her attempt with broad strokes of the quill.  The words were in the royal blue ink, ready for names and signatures.

Falmir took the parchment and read through it.  He looked at Laun and read it again.

“Covers all Sticks, doesn’t it.”

“Not swearing fealty.  Not swearing an oath to you.  But an alliance to you as the holder of the crown.  To support the Kingdom and to be at your back against any known or future enemies of the Midlands.  Absolving myself and anyone in my household of actions or inactions against you and the kingdom while you have held the throne.”  Laun moved and sat on the couch as her back started to twinge.

Falmir started to pace.  He read the document again.  He paced more.  He started to eat the porridge as he paced, the look on his face showing his full disgust with the oaten glue.  He paced and ate, stopping to look out the windows several times.

He held out the bowl to Del who took it.  There was more pacing.  He read it yet again and then turned to Laun.

“You know that I will have to start paying Rosemond for their support if I sign this.”

Laun nodded and had a serious look on her face.  “I do not know what your agreement was.  Breaking it would not be good, since the Rosemond nobles now hold most of the lands in the Midlands.”

He got a look on his face that changed quickly into a sneer.  “My friends.  Ass kissing Rosewhores.”

Laun pressed her lips together.  There were several other things she wanted to say, but she knew that the time was almost up.  There were noises from the hallway.  And she thought she heard Lady Engrid’s voice.

“Sire.  Please decide.  I am forcing my Stick to your stack, but if you do not sign that, I will make more problems for you than I already have.  A promise, Sire, not a threat.”  Laun reached for the inkwell in the basket as the scratch on the door sounded.

“Now I know why she was calling you a tongueless whore.  I should have had you before this, Princess Thorn.”  Falmir motioned to Del and the door was opened.

Lady Engrid Pearl strode in and did not stop for pleasantries when she saw the form of Laun on the couch.  “I see you have been working your ways on his Majesty already, Lady Laun.”

Laun had to look at Falmir to read him before replying.  “We were discussing many things, your excellency.  I hope that Father and I have come to an agreement that we all can live with.”

Falmir broke in before the verbal cat fight could get underway with, “And you are in time to help witness this, Engrid.  Laun, where is that quill?”

Laun placed the open inkwell and raven’s feather quill on the table.  Engrid walked to a mostly respectful distance from Falmir and tried not to squint as he went to one knee and put the parchment on the table.

“Your Majesty, should I read this thing before you sign it?  How do you know that it is best for you?”  Her voice was smooth and calming and she stopped speaking when Engrid saw that it was not working.

Falmir put his name and signature on the parchment, his thumbprint in the royal blue ink in place of the royal seal.  He handed the quill to Laun who did the same thing.  Laun then lifted the black feather to Lady Engrid and smiled.

“There is a place for a witness, if you would be so kind.”

Lady Engrid blew a breath through her nose, not quite snorting.  She took the quill and moved so that she could see the parchment.  She scanned it and became livid.  But she signed, and as Falmir had started, put her thumbprint on the document next to her signature.

She stood, dropping the inked quill to the table.  “Perhaps it would have been better to have the ambassador sign it, as he will be your husband, soon.”

Laun looked at Falmir who stood back with his arms across his chest.  He wanted to see what Laun could do.  Laun bowed her head slightly at Falmir and the looked at Lady Engrid.

“Your excellency, I do believe that you will need to talk to Ithian and see what his feelings are.  Last night, for the second time, he swore himself to me and last night he also renounced his ties to Rosemond.”

“He can’t do that!”  The older Lady’s voice rose, the assassin apprentice in servant’s clothing by the door trying not to cower.

Laun tilted her head.  “He has, though it may have been a pillow decision to try to get me to wed him.  Which I will not do.  I do not share my title with anyone.  Any of my titles.”

Something clicked in Lady Engrid’s mind and her voice lowered, but was deadlier as she said, “Well played, Lady.  That does not save you.  The fancy worded parchment just makes this Kingdom’s debts come due.”

Laun felt herself shaking.  Her voice was calm and her face did not show much emotion as she said, “And I now say that at least two debts that you took notes for are now canceled.  You will not be getting your hundred plate a month from my steward and Ithian is now mine and you will not be sucking him dry for his hundred a month.”

“Little whore!”  She stepped forward, her hand going to her sleeve.

Laun stood, the knife in the arm sheath dropping into her palm.  “My Mistress did not wish to join your coterie because she knew what you were.  She knew what you were aiming at.  With her at your side, the Kingdom could have been yours without repercussions.”

“Your Mistress?  Who the hell are you talking about?”

Laun saw the expression change in Lady Engrid’s eyes when she said, “Hellon, Lady Salam-Dir, Daughter of Duke Barnerd, apprentice to-”

“Stop!”  The older woman’s hand went up and her eyes went to Falmir and then back to Laun.  She went to the door of the room and turned.  “You have the turn, but not the game, bitch.”

Laun’s head tilted and a sneer was on her lips as she said, “That is Princess bitch.”

The door slammed, the echo rebounding in the manor as much as in Falmir’s head.  He lurched forward and used the back of a chair to support himself, but he had a smile on his face such as Laun had never seen before.

“If you weren’t my daughter, I would throw you down and fuck you right here.”

Laun smiled.  “Thank you, sire.”  She sat, her hands shaking so hard that the readied knife dropped from her hand to the floor.  “If I wasn’t pregnant, I would have some of that mead.”

Falmir shook his head.  “That’s what did me in.  Not the ale.”  He stood and looked at Laun.

She was holding her arms, shivering in the summer heat.  Her eyes were closed and he could see her calming her breath.  She looked small, vulnerable.  Not the weapon she had just been.

“Del, do we have a scribe in the manor?”

Before Del could say anything, Laun said, “Private Finri has the best hand.”  She looked up at her Father.  “On the page, that is.”

There were a few words between the Master of the Kingdom and the steward before Del went on the errands Falmir sent him out with.

Falmir sat next to Laun, kicking the knife away and under the table.  His arms went around her and she leaned into him.  “My little Thorn, you just declared war.  You do know that, right?”  She nodded into his shoulder.  “But, our war is now over.”

“Thank you, sire.”  She looked up to him and he wiped the tears from her face.  “You are a good Father.”

His face did a few contortions before he said, “Not with some of the thoughts running through my mind.”

“Do you want some of the acrobats back?  I am sure they wouldn’t mind...”

He laughed and held her tighter.  “You are in charge of finding my bedmates from now on.”

Laun squinted at him.  “So, I should seduce the daughters she brought wi-”

He put a finger on her lips to quiet her.  “She is too obvious and they are too young.  I think I would snap them just taking their clothes off.”  He shook his head.

“It is not what their mother wants.  They have been groomed to attract you so that you will pick one for a Queen Consort.”

“I know.  I would rather not have any of them.”

Laun’s head swung around getting Falmir’s attention.  There was a knock on the door and Laun relaxed.

The soldiers entered when called, the scribe being escorted by several of the officers, including Lieutenant Senri.  Salutes were made and acknowledged, only a few outward notes about their King holding his Daughter so close.  The scribe set up his small kit and Laun handed him the recently signed parchment to be copied.  Falmir headed back to the bathing chamber with several of the officers to talk, and to relieve himself.  Laun sat back in the couch’s velvet upholstery and tried to think calmly about what had just happened.

She hadn’t completely displayed Lady Engrid, but now Del knew who the Blue Master was, at least by name.  She had not had to bring Ithian’s history into it, though it could still be waived for all to see now that he had turned from Rosemond, and his Mistress, Engrid.  Her home and lands and people were protected, but the order to stop the assault on Salam-Dir still needed to be sent.

She may be able to go home.

“... for my Daughter and her people.  How do you think I can send it through without it sounding false?”

Lieutenant Senri motioned Falmir through the door into the bed area of the room and said, “Any message with your signature and the seal will be passage and accepted.”

Falmir shook his head.  “I don’t have the seal with me.  It’s back in the Palace.”

Laun blinked.  “You didn’t travel with the seal with you?”

Falmir heard the condescending tone in her voice and started to say, “Fuck you,” but stopped before the first syllable was actually out.  “Wait, there is an old seal in the library.  At least there should be.  It will work.”

Laun’s head tilted and Lieutenant Senri tried to stop a shiver going through him.  “Sire, unless you need me for something else, I think I should go.”

Falmir nodded.  “I will have the writ made, and the orders.  Thorn, you knew where to poke, but you did the impossible.”

Laun was kneeling to try to get the knife from under the table.  “Impossible, Sire?”

“You changed my mind.”  He had his arms across his big chest and he was looking down at her on her knees.

Laun found the knife and swiftly put it into it’s hidden sheath.  She knelt at the table edge and looked at Falmir.  “I just showed you my Sticks and you played the field.  I lost some on that, and you know it.”

Falmir came to her and helped her up off the floor, noting the bump of a pommel on one leg and another strap showing above her wrist scar on the other arm.  “The game is not over, and there are more players than I thought.”  He drew her to him and kissed her on the forehead.  “We will see how things go.  And-” he looked down into her eyes, “now that I know more of your talents, I am not going to let them go to waste.”

Laun stepped back and made a small curtsey.  “Thank you, Sire.”  She picked up the basket that still held several things she had not had to use and found her cane against the wall.  The door was opened for her by one of the Officers, a smile from her bringing a formal salute above his returned smile.  The door was closed and Laun waited for a moment.

“Once you finish that, I need a few things.  She is now a Princess of the Realm, so I need-”

Laun started down the corridor towards a different uncertainty.

 

Chapter 47 has low-level politics, but Laun is always learning.