the Leathermines

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Three teams of messengers had been sent out.  Each had a soldier and two of the Salam-Dir protector teams on horseback.  With the rain and unknown machinations from Rosemond, each set of messengers had the same messages to go to the same people, but were going different routes.

It took a week, but the first of the messenger teams came back, all messages delivered and supplies purchased.  Nothing was reported back publicly to commanders or nobles or the King as nothing had really been amiss on the journey.  The messengers had a few boxes of supplies that had been purchased for the kitchens. Disa took the tea and oil with her back to the kitchen, a smile on her face.

Lady Beatia had sent just one message back with the first team to contact her.  Laun was able to read the message before Selene was presented it and found that the noble Lady was far more understanding than she thought she would be.  Selene was not disowned.  Beatia thanked her daughter for telling her where she had gotten to, and that she was safe with the King.  She did say that if Selene did not get back to their home before the season was over, there would be consequences, but those were not listed.

Selene and Lin had taken over one of the tents in the troupe’s wooded area for several days and both seemed happy as they emerged.  The young noble seemed to have shed her upbringing in more than her clothing.  The troupe accepted her into them and the two seemed inseparable, for the moment.

There was a new baby in the household when the messengers arrived back.  Both of the mothers were now in the birthing bed, Nan almost well enough to walk on her own and itching to get out of the room.  The babies born two weeks apart kept the mothers and healers busy.  Corporal Aloen volunteered a shift, too, once it looked like the births were going to start coming fairly quickly.

Laun had been able to have a few small discussions with the soldier’s medic.  They lay together the first time, Aloen’s head on Laun’s clothed belly as he told her of the woman he had loved and had lost when he could not bring himself to heal her through her pain.  To heal her, he would have had to hurt her more and he had not been able to do so.  She died in her bed with him in the street in front of her home, not being able to bring himself to even look on her.

The medic thanked Laun for just listening to him.  He had not been able to tell anyone what had happened for the two years, having pledged his chastity to Sclepi and vowing to never feel anything for a patient again.  Past trying to kill himself, the Corporal felt better and closer to the soldiers around him now that he let himself know them and feel something about them.

He was not the only one who seemed to want to tell her of their troubles.  There was one young noble who seemed to seek her out several afternoons in a row, but then would just briefly talk with her about the weather or the state of the river and then excuse himself.  Laun assumed that he was shy and that he would like to be with her, but alone, not with others around her.

The afternoon that the first messenger team came back, relief going through the household, was when the young noble finally talked to her.  Laun felt the relief herself and found that she had been tense waiting for the messengers.  With the tension gone, she found that she needed to walk.  With her assassins with her, she headed out to Hellon’s Hill to see how the wooded keep was fairing.  The mats and such were back in under the trees, the night before being too warm inside for many and the treed roof letting the few breezes through to cool those of the outside keep.

Laun sat on one of the benches around the cold firepits looking towards the Grey Waters beyond the fields.  She knew where it was and was thinking of the peridot crystals that lurked in its waters and along it’s banks.  She had been able to find a reference in Lady Hellon’s papers about who might have been the buyer of the smuggled gems and she wanted to start trying to get that resource for her household again.

The young noble man came up the path and looked around.  He saw that Laun was alone except for the servants and approached.  Laun had dropped hints that she was going to be in the woods on the Hill as she went through the keep and had expected to see the young man.

“Your Highness, may I approach?”

“Jan, you are always far too formal.  Please sit with me.”  Laun motioned to the bench and he did as she asked.  He was known as Jan, but she knew that his name was really Chendren.  Jan did fit him more, but with the formalness he always seemed to have about him, she wondered.

He arranged his tunic‘s hem and put his hand on his belt as he sat next to Laun.  He was several handspans away and his position on the bench seemed to keep him slightly turned away, something hidden about his nature.

“We have spoken a little, but you always seem to have somewhere else to go, Jan.  What shall we talk about today, now that you have sought me out?”

He looked around to see if anyone had approached while he was not looking.  “Highness.  You have a reputation...”

Laun smiled and tilted her head.  “I have several.  Please, since no one but my servants are here, please, call me Laun.”

Jan nodded his head once.  “As you wish.  Your...reputation.  Please, if you would.”  He looked away for a moment.  Laun waited until he turned back to her and looked her in the eyes.  “You know things, and I was wondering...”

Laun took in a deep breath and breathed out slowly through her smile.  She leaned back into the table slightly and put her hands on her belly.  “What would you like to know, Sweeting?”

The young man blushed at the familiar word.  “I have never been with anyone and the women who have offered themselves to me in the past have not, I don’t know how to put it.  They were attractive, becoming as a noble should be.  But they...”

Laun squinted her eyes slightly.  This was one of the younger Midland nobles that had sided with Falmir.  Yet, he did not seem to have any blade on him, no battle in his muscles.  She nodded as his blush became a blazing red.  “You would rather follow the followings of the Newset priests than be with a woman.”

The blush was still there, but he nodded, his shoulders relaxing.  “I have never been with a man, but I want to be.”  He leaned forward and put his hand over his mouth, talking normally, but embarrassed to be saying, “I want to get fucked by a man.”

Laun nodded, a controlled, pleasant smile on her face.  “You are sure.”  Her statement, his nod.  “Is there anyone you are interested in, or do you just wish to be deflowered and seek out a mate later?”  Laun felt a slight blush creep up her face, feeling like she was a Red Scarf arranging for one of her people to be bought for a night.

He relaxed further and his hand came down as he said, “I would like to be in love, as anyone would.  But I am twenty two years old and I feel that if I don’t just do it, I might never do so.”

They talked for a while after that, Laun learning more about Jan, about his tastes in men, and what he was expecting.  It was not what Laun was herself expecting, but she had an idea how to introduce him to some men who had the same tastes.  The talk came to an end and he seemed pleased, a small smile on his lips as he looked at the ground for a moment.  He stood and kissed her hand when it was presented.  He had a slightly different walk as he went down the path out of the wooded Great Hall.

The two dressed in black approached their Mistress and had different reactions to what they had just seen.  Gem had a wide grin and was suppressing a giggle.  Hazalam had a grim face and stood with his arms across his chest.

“What will you do for him, Mistress?”  Hazalam’s voice showed disapproval.

Laun tilted her head and an eyebrow went up at him.  “Nothing directly.  But I would like to have a list of the men who were your helpers while I was unable to stand on my own.”  Laun smiled and looked at him until he brought his arms down and did not show as much disapproval.

Along with other things that had to be done, Laun arranged for a small gathering that night in Hellon’s Hill.  It was not exclusive, but the people who were explicitly invited were given a length of blue ribbon to wear.  She knew that some of the household’s men were of the type who might enjoy such a romp and the soldiers she knew had been picked to be her support squad so that she could not seduce them.

The skies were clear that night, the torches and fires blazing to keep the darkness away.  Laun ate in the Great Hall with the nobles and officers and then went to the soldier’s mess, now a tradition in the short amount of time they had been there.  Laun listened to the talk of the hunt that had happened through the woods that day, nibbling on a piece of rabbit that had evidently been caught by several of the soldiers around her.  She heard the eight bells call and knew it was time to go.  She let it get just so far with the soldier’s bragging and she declared that she had another appointment and had to get out from under the bull that was being spread.

There was laughter and cajoling as usual.  Laun took out a length of the blue ribbon and tied back her loose hair as she stood from the table.  She saw at least one of the soldiers see the ribbon and react a little.  She excused herself and started for the Hill.

There were several soldiers who were able to catch up to Laun easily as she was walking slowly in the evening light.  They all had the blue ribbons tied around their arms and fell into step behind the Princess.

On the Hill, there was the same revelry that seemed to be there most evenings.  Laun had asked for a few extra things brought out from the keep and kitchens and she was pleased.  The wrestlers were the prime entertainment that night, by request of the Lady Salam-Dir.  Several matches had already been held and there was a bit of a cheer when Laun came up the path.

Everyone with a blue ribbon noted each other, including Jan.  Laun sat in the middle of the gathering and saw the men approach those also with a blue ribbon, a few words would be said and then some smiles.  The wrestling continued, a few of the soldiers with blue ribbons challenging each other to test themselves, and to show off to those also with the mark.

Laun thought it was a success.  Several of the soldiers had approached the young noble and it looked like he was overwhelmed with the attention.  Laun had several of the alcoves’ entrances, including her favorite bower, covered with cloth.  Not all of the blue ribboned men had private places to discuss let alone consummate a relationship.  A little privacy was needed that night.

Jan was not the first to pair up.  Laun was glad of that.  Something like giving up virginity was a personal thing and needed a willing partner as well as self.  The first pairing came to Laun and they both kissed her hand before leisurely going into the paths to find a more private place.  Laun smiled when she saw Charel not so deftly duck into the paths after one of the couples.  Silar, winded from several wrestling matches in a row, was sitting with Laun as another pairing came to her, kissed her hand and then left together.

“What are you doing, Mistress?”

Laun smiled as it looked like Jan had been picked, and had picked.  “Just helping those in need.  And garnering a little good will and perhaps some loyalty.”  Laun smiled broadly as Jan and the soldier with him approached.

Jan tried to make a courtly bow, but it was far too crowded to do so.  He took her hand and lightly kissed the first knuckles before saying, “Thank you, Highness...  Laun.”

“You are welcome, sweeting.  Be sure to talk.”  Laun looked to the soldier and he nodded before saluting to her.

Silar wiped his forehead with the back of his hand and leaned to Laun.  “Have you turned Red Scarf on me?”

Laun’s smile had a bit of a smirk to it as she turned to him and kissed him on the cheek.  “As if you didn’t know about that.  Perhaps I should start charging.”  She looked down at his loincloth and said, “Perhaps a silver per fingerwidth.  I should own you outright in a few nights-”

He laughed and kissed her on the lips.  “You already own me, Mistress.”

“Ah, yes, as you keep telling me.”  Laun leaned in and kissed him and laughed as he whimpered into her mouth.  She had gripped his thigh close to his loincloth and a few fingernails were making themselves known in his skin.

“As you wish, Mistress,” Silar whispered.

Another set of blue ribbons came up to kiss Laun’s hand, a threesome, and Laun really wished she could have been a leaf above that mat to watch as they walked into the paths.  She turned to Silar and said, “In some ways, I wish I could watch them.  The idea appeals to me, but I don’t know anyone willing...”  Laun saw something in his reaction and just looked at Silar.

He looked across the gathering, the revelry keeping active even with many people going off to enjoy themselves and their partners.  He did not know what to say.  It was not his place to bring things that had happened while she was gone out into the open.  Silar knew that it had been happening before she had gone.

“Would you be willing to let me watch...?”  Laun saw the faraway look snap back to looking at her and she was certain that his dark skin had just reddened.  She untied the blue ribbon from her hair, drawing it down slowly.

“I thought Ali was a boy, you know.  And I saw her with Edgar...”  Silar could not continue with the people around them.

Laun smiled.  She dangled the ribbon from her fingers as she leaned on his shoulder.  “Before others knew that Ali was a she.  But I knew.  It isn’t the same.”  A thought struck her and she turned to whisper to Silar.  “Do you happen to know who took Ali?  I broke her virginity, but... Who...?”

Silar looked at his hands.  “I think it was Fount, but I was not there.”

Laun nodded. “He does like doing that.”  Laun sat back up straight and stretched out her back.

“I’m sorry I can’t help you more, Mistress.”

Laun drew the back of her hand down his sweaty cheek.  “Even I can’t have everything I want.”  She stood making it obvious that her back was hurting as she tried to stretch.  “I think I will head back to the keep.  It is getting late for me.”

Silar stood and was going to escort her.  She smiled and put a hand on his shoulder.  “I can find my way, Love.  Stay and have fun.  I think you haven’t beaten enough sense into the other wrestler, yet.  And,” Laun leaned towards him, “I think one of the troupe has been giving you the eye, if you want her.”

Silar turned to see who she might be talking about and Laun was gone through the crowd before he turned back.

The night was dark and not as hot as it had been.  It was dry and the dirt was turning to dust in the road.  There was a moon in the darkened sky, but it was just a sliver in the West.  She could hear the revelers on the Hill, the soldiers in camp.  She let herself waddle along instead of gliding as she seemed to be the only person on the road.

Laun’s back did hurt, as did her feet and legs.  She stopped and leaned against a stump a ways off the road left from an old oak broken in storms the year before.  The air moved around her, but not in a cooling manner.  There were bird noises and Laun had to listen to be able to tell if it was a protector or and actual bird.  It was not coded and its’ mate called back from above her head.

Laun thought about the men she had just helped to pair up.  She thought that most would be just for the night, but she hoped some of them would continue past dawn.  It was something that could bring the careers of some of the soldiers down, but everyone needed someone to share with.

Laun thought more, and felt a wave of self doubt go through her.  It was not rational, and she knew it.  In a year, she had been able to bring her shattered home and household together, find love, loose love and bring the royal house of Hawkwell back together, hopefully to ward against those who were trying to split the country up into Rosemond principalities.  It did not make her feel better about how her body was feeling or looking.  It just kept getting bigger and more ungainly.

She shook her head and said outloud, “If you keep thinking like that, you will not be able to protect your people.”

There was a clearing of a throat.  “Who are you talking to?”

Laun looked and saw the movement of someone in the road.  “Sorry, myself.  I’m sure you have had nights like that, Father.”

Falmir came close and she could see the outline of his face in the partial light coming from the sliver of moon and stars.  “The night can be hard for those with a crown.”

Laun felt his heat as he stepped up to her and leaned on the tall stump at her back.  “I am just concerned with my household, sire.  The Kingdom is now yours with little hinderance, even from me.”  She put her hand on his chest and leaned into him.

His voice lowered as he leaned in.  “You could convince a pig it was a bird.  I still need to get back to the Capitol City and make sure I am still in control.”

Laun felt a flash of nervousness.  “You have been gone for a while, but I am certain, with the messenger team back, that, um...”  His mass next to her was distracting.  She turned her head slightly and said, “That your throne is safe.  With it known that Grandfather is behind...you...”

He was so close she could smell the game he had eaten and the tea he had washed it down with.  His body smelled of the hunt of the day and the horse he had ridden. The dark made it easy for her to smell him, her own body reacting to it.  Her face was still turned from him and she knew what she wanted if she turned back to him.

“That was a devious way of getting him out of here.  But, you are right-”  He bent down and his voice went to a whisper in her ear.  “I do need him to keep the Kingdom.”

The breath against her ear made her shiver.  She swallowed and could only get a whisper out of her tightening throat.  “Sire.  Sh-shall we go inside?”

He chuckled.  “It would be my honor to escort you, Princess.”  He moved and brushed his hand down her arm, taking her hand in his.  She tried to suppress the gasp and shudder that went through her, but Falmir could feel his effect on her.  He pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed the knuckles, lingering with his breath over her skin.

Laun felt her knees try to give way.  She turned her face further away from him and leaned against the stump, her free hand trying to find something else to hold onto.  Her voice was breathy as she said, “Please...”

Falmir pulled her from the stump and into his arms.  Laun kept her face away as his hands pressed into her back, her loose hair covering her neck but not protecting her from his warm breath.

Something in her wanted whatever Falmir would give her.  She knew it was wrong.  A stone formed in her and she said, “Please stop.  I don’t want to hurt you.”

He chuckled again.  “My Thorn, you could try.  Your skills could-”  He stopped and barely breathed and carefully swallowed.

Laun whispered into his chest, “I am fighting myself right now more than I am you.  I have only just enough will power to either kill you or walk away.  I don’t want to have to kill you, Father.”  The double threat of her fingers on his throat and the blade having cut just to the skin on his ribs through his leathers made Falmir stand very still.

Falmir relaxed his arms around her.  “I was just playing,” he whispered.

Laun felt her knees again try to give out.  The knife slipped slightly and Falmir sucked in air.  “Father, you don’t know how I play.  We need to have boundaries, and this has crossed too many of them.”

Laun could feel his voice through her fingers as much as she heard it as he said, “I understand.  It is good you have your head about you...  I fucking don’t.”

They pulled away from each other, Laun’s hand following his throat for a moment before she let go.  His hands lifted from around her, one going to his side to the cut that was freshly stinging on his skin.  Laun leaned more against the stump and tried to stand straight, but a weakness, a tremble in her legs threatened to take her down.

“Thorn, I apologize.  I can’t even blame good drink because we had the last of the ale days ago.”

Laun felt her hand tremble as she put the blade back in it’s forearm sheath.  “I also apologize.”

“For what?”

“My weakness.  I should have seen...”  She breathed in a deep breath.  The sour taste of unused adrenaline was in her mouth.

Falmir went to one knee, swearing slightly as he hit a stone.  He tossed the stone away and held one hand out to her.  “Princess, I swear to you that I will never try that again.  You are a minx, but you are also my daughter.  As my daughter, I swear that you are as safe with me as with any of your household.  Well...  I will not force myself upon you.”

Laun felt a slightly hysterical giggle come out.  “Thank you, sire.  I swear to you that I will try to be more...demure around you.”

Falmir laughed.  “Just keep your door closed or put a curtain up or something.”

Laun put her hand over her mouth.  “Crap.  Sorry.”

Falmir wiggled his fingers in the wan moonlight.  “Shall we go inside, Princess?”  Laun hesitantly put her hand into his outstretched hand.  Falmir stood and made a fist under her hand to escort her properly back to the Keep.

Laun walked slowly.  It was partially the shock she was working through and mostly her body screaming at her.  She stumbled a few times, each time, Falmir held out a hand and she steadied herself before they continued further down the road.

They were within the light surrounding the keeps outer wall and gate when Falmir stopped.  They turned, mostly facing each other and he had a wicked smile.  “I didn’t say anything about not sharing the acrobat with you, did I?”

Laun’s face dropped, but then she laughed.  “No sire, you didn’t.  We will have to thoroughly negotiate that before anything happens.”

Falmir raised his fist with her hand on it to his lips and said, “Yes, my Thorn.”

 

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