the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 21 - The start of the Midlands Chronicle is here, in The Slave Warrior - Keep the Web Mistress in Chocolate, and other things, by offering Tribute

 

“They what?”

Laun was on the back of Grace, loving the feeling of riding again.  A protector team had caught up with her in one of the back fields and told her that there were four squads from the 4th at the barricade wishing to come in.

Laun led the way back to the barrier across the main road, a gathering of Protectors and a few of the soldiers waiting on the inside for her.  Laun did not dismount from her palfrey as she talked in low tones to those on duty.

Fount was Laun’s voice as he called out her words, “You claim to be from the fourth.”

A voice from the other side returned with, “Yes.  We are here on leave for our Princess’ pleasure.”

Laun had an odd look to her face and tried not to laugh as she told Fount the next words she wanted.  “We are not a house of the Red Scarf.”

“Ah, shit!  No!  That’s not what I meant.” Laun laughed as she heard Lieutenant Senri try to backtrack with his words.  “Highness!  We took leave from the Company to escort a supply caravan to you.  We volunteered our leave time to do so to make sure it got here.”

Laun spoke up herself and said, “You came on your freed time to do so?”

“Yes, Highness!”

Laun nodded and several of the logs were pulled back to let Grace through.  Laun rode out and turned the horse with signals from her knees as a few of the Protectors came out behind her.  She saw that there were indeed close to fifty men in the group, most she recognized from the Fourth.  There were carts and carriages behind the men, a string of livestock beyond that.

Lieutenant Senri was still mounted and he rode his charger up to Laun.  “We are at your command, Princess Laun.”

Laun half-smiled.  She said quietly, “You have come on your own free will?”

He nodded once.  She held out her arm and Senri tried to go for a hand kiss until Laun hissed.  They gripped arms in a warriors grip and the men on the outside of the barrier cheered.

More from inside the barrier came out, the soldiers waiting to get in straining until the call to dismount and dismiss came.  Many welcomes were given between those who had come back from the Capitol City and those who had stayed in the Salam-Dir lands.  Laun and Senri prodded their horses to the side to let the widening gap clear for the caravan to proceed in.

The Lieutenant took an opportunity to catch Laun’s hand and kiss the palm.  “You are looking well, Highness.”

She smiled and held onto his hand.  “You seem to have been awarded something, Lieutenant.”

The hand still holding the charger’s rein went to his chest.  His hand went over a silver mesh ribbon with a small bird hanging from it.  He smiled and flushed.  “Yes, ma’am.  The King granted me land and gave me Silver Flight.  For service to you, ma’am.”

Laun laughed.  “A military man with land.  What will you do with it?”

His flush was greater and his head turned to look down the road they had just been on.  “I was thinking some more of those crap pits, Ma’am.”

Blinking.  That was all Laun could do.  She opened her mouth but nothing would come out.  She motioned with a hand to the road and past and Senri nodded.

“Your Father gave me choice of land.  I asked for land that was not offered, but I knew he would give.  What would I do with a plot on the ocean, anyway?”

Laun fought back the tears, but Senri could hear them as she said, “You are a bloody fool, Senri.  Thank you.”  She leaned towards him and he made the effort to meet her between the horses.  It was just a peck on the lips, but it was enough.

The livestock was the last of the caravan in through the gap.  Laun kneed Grace around and led Senri in as the last people through.  There was a long line of carts and carriages going down the road, surrounded by a joyful group talking and laughing and joking to make up for the time they had been apart.

The soldier’s encampment grew, two squads becoming six.  Tents went up, the rain channels from earlier in the season redug as the tents were arranged.  Command easily was set, the men understanding that even on leave, the Lieutenant was the ranking officer.

Some civilians had come along on this journey.  A few more masons, a master smith and a master carpenter were introduced to Laun and then were taken to their brother craftsmen.  There was also the fletcher that was desperately needed by the household, one of the Sergeants that had not been with the Fourth before.

Laun had cringed when the hunting party had come back having used and broken half the flights of arrows the household had.  The plan had been to use the fishing nets to catch and then blades to dispatch the deer.  Two days of hunting this way had been fruitless, other than a few rabbits.  The third attempt, Laun was resigned to have the hunters use the arrows, but she had not counted on their enthusiasm, or lack of skill.

That hunt had been successful, luckily.  It had provided meat for almost a week, some of the venison being salted and smoked for later use.  The gruel had been getting thin again, the venison stock Orgia made flavoring it well, but not as filling as it could be.

The caravan had enough stocks to keep them going for several months if they were careful.  Laun was watching the barrels and baskets being unloaded when a man she was not expecting came from around the wagon, directing the men he had with him.

Laun tilted her head and called out, “Klemner!?”

The large man turned and bowed, his large hand taking the cap from his head.  “Princess.  I am happy to see you again.”

Laun signaled Grace to go to her knees and Laun dismounted the palfrey.  “How did you pull this duty?”

A smile took most of his face as he said, “I haven’t been out of the Palace except to our farms in years.  The King asked for me to put together supplies and, well, I put myself in the wagon, too.”

Laun held out her hand and the man automatically wiped his palms on his nonexistent apron, laughing at himself as he caught what he was doing.  He took her hand and kissed it.  Laun did not let him drop her hand and went for a warriors grip.  He went palm to forearm, not palm to elbow and patted Laun on the shoulder.

“You need to see Orgia.”  She saw him brighten.  “Be aware that she is not as free of a woman as she once was.”

Laun did not give the large chef time to say anything to that before dragging him into the Great Hall and then through one of the Kitchen doors.

“Orgia!  You have a visitor!”  Laun looked around and saw the chatelaine holding a pot as she turned.  She had the presence of mind to not drop it when she saw Laun with a large fellow in tow, and then recognized him.

The gruff woman turned to tears as the man’s arms went around her.  Laun backed out of the kitchens to let them have one less set of eyes on them.  It felt good to see people reunited, but Laun was not sure what Geralk was going to say about it.

Laun watched others greeting each other as she went through the keep.  She was heading for the privy before others did.  It was a good thing, too, because after she got out, she saw a stream of people heading for it.  Her bladder seemed to rule her on occasion, but it helped to keep her from the line forming down the corridor.

She headed for the tower room.  The babies were supposed to be there and the next thing she wanted to deal with was trying to feed them before the people needing her started streaming through.  Gem and Disa were sitting in the corner around the table piled with messages Hunter had brought back with him, each holding a baby and trying to keep them calm.

Disa looked relieved as Laun came through the door.  Her eyebrows knitted back together when Laun said, “Most of the Fourth just came to visit.”

The babies would not nurse at the same time, so Sable went first as Disa and Laun discussed a few things for the household, including what to do about Klemner.  Gem turned pink as she remembered the first time she met Laun.  Ash seemed to fuss more when she heard Laun’s voice, but became amused when she saw Gem’s face scrunch up and color.

Disa left when Sable was done nursing, a mission in mind.  Gem handed Ash to Laun and sat at her Mistress’ feet.  It had been a while since she had been able to just be with her Mistress.  There were always the other three or Laun’s Loves or someone else.  It was nice leaning against the leg of the woman who had brought her out from under Blue Master.  Laun’s hand went to Gem’s blond hair and started to stroke it as Ash nursed.

“Mistress...”

Laun paused as she stroked along the crown of her assassin’s head.  “Yes, little one?”

Gem smiled.  “You haven’t asked me any questions for a while.”

Laun stroked gently along Gem’s hair again.  “Do I need to?”

“I miss it, Mistress.”

“Perhaps you need to ask me questions?”

Gem looked up past the babe in Laun’s arm and rested her cheek on the knee of her Mistress.  “What am I learning?”

Laun smiled.  It was a full, open smile that brought warmth to Gem.  “You are learning to control the men around you.  That is important, and I have seen it.  You are learning how a household is run, even if it is an odd one.  That lets you be able to see how other households are run thru the sameness and differences.  You are learning how to learn, and how to teach.  Evan would not have been able to learn as much as he has without you.”

Gem nodded.  “Sometimes...  I feel as though I am not learning, that I am just being used.”

Laun’s smile faded.  “I understand, my Gem.  I feel as though I am kept around because of that damned paper with my name on it and nothing else.  My mind may not know that as truth, but my heart does far too often.”

“You are our leader, Mistress.  You are our strength-”

Laun gripped the blonde’s hair.  “You have been talking with Silar, haven’t you.  I am only strong because of the people around me.  Because of you.  I never would have survived the Palace without you.  My life was in your hands more often than you may know.  I am grateful to you for everything you have done for me.”  She let go and gave Gem another light stroke to her long hair.

Gem rubbed her cheek on Laun’s knee.  “Still...  I was an assassin.  Now what am I?”

Laun leaned over a little, Ash squeeking before finding the nipple again.  “If I may be so bold, you are mine.”

Gem nodded and reached up to Laun’s lips.  Laun kissed her assassin’s fingertips and smiled.

Ash nursed and was burped and was about to be changed when the first of the expected visitors came.  Gem took over the babies while Laun sat with and talked with and entertained a string of visitors.  Laun was not in a mood to do anything more than talk, and most of the people who came by, starting with Lonn and the new masons, wanted to just talk.

It was as if the new people to the keep and castle were being shown to Laun to keep her happy, and to show them where her room was.  The masons took a moment to look at the swinging section of wall that was the door to the secreted area.  Klemner was dragged up to the tower room by Orgia, the chatelaine left and brought in Geralk, the three of them slightly awkward as they left together.  The carpenter was brought up and introduced, the household carpenters saying a slightly derogatory thing about the scaffolding outside the window.  Many cooed over the children, some completely ignored them.

It went on like that for more than an hour.

Laun felt the flow of the household change with the different and new people.  Even from her room in the tower, there was a different energy.  The food caravan brought hope to the household.  The soldiers brought security and companionship.  The craftsmen promised a better household through repairs.

The Lieutenant had waited until his camp was set up and he had been apprized of all of the things he needed to know.  He glanced at Gem, a smile on his lips, but not in his eyes.

“Princess Laun-”

“It is not good, is it?”

Senri was at parade rest and did not look like he was going to relax enough to sit any time soon.  “Highness, I carry a message from Falmir and the council.”  He glanced at Gem.

“I don’t take messages in private, Senri.  Tell it or let me read it.”

He nodded once and drew out a flattened piece of paper from his leather jerkin.  He handed it to Laun and stood back into his rest stance.

Not fancy.  Just a splash of wax with the seal of the Midlands over a rough ribbon to seal the message.  Laun tried not to break the seal, but even warmed by the Lieutenant’s body, the wax was strong enough that she could not get into the message without snapping it.

Laun scanned the page.  She sighed, looked up at Senri and then read the message again.  She nodded and handed the message to Gem.

“My Gem, you wonder what you have learned.  Tell me not the words, but the meaning of this.”

Senri’s eyebrow went up.  Gem read the message, her face turning to a scowl several times.  The babies felt the tension and started to fuss until one of Gem’s hands went into the basket and they calmed.

“Mistress,” Gem said softly, “We are at war.”

Laun nodded.  “It can still be averted, but that is what I read, too.”

Senri was handed the message and he read it.  His shoulders slumped and his head bowed as he handed it back to his Princess.  “I had been told what was in the message.  I had not read it.  What I was told the words were now sound hollow to what I read, now that you have said what they mean.  Fuck.”

“It is not widespread, and can be averted.  We had the Rosemond King’s messenger here and he had no indication that he knew.  I suspect that Lady Engrid is still in the Midlands, had never left.  Ifahyd’s man came under a guise of a messenger, but once he was known to be a military man, he seemed to be as straightforward as any I have dealt with.  These are not actions sanctioned by Rosemond.  I am sure of it.”

Senri tried to straighten up.  “Laun-  Highness, it is obvious to you, I am sure, but the Fourth is not just here for escort.  We volunteered to come back to make sure Salam-Dir was secure.

Laun nodded.  “I thought as much.  Lieutenant, if there aren’t any more missives to go through, I would suggest finding my Head Wardsman and discuss the actions we took on the bridge to Nestwood.”

Senri nodded, a slight confusion coming to his looks.  “I didn’t know there was a bridge, Highness.”

Laun tilted her head and said, “Not any more.”

The afternoon dragged on.  Laun slept for a while, the babies on the bed with her.  A small sideboard was brought in under the direction of Disa, water and breads and fruits to help with whatever the evening was to bring.  The other assassins came in and were quietly told of the message by Gem, Silar excusing himself to go talk with the other warriors of the Household.  Several more people came by to make pleasantries, but saw that Laun was asleep, and being protected by several dark green dressed people in the room.

The evening meal was held on the Hill.  It was a warm night and not everyone was going to be able to crowd into the Great Hall as wanted.  It was not a feast, but bread and gruel and fruits and some new cheeses were on the tables and it was enough to fill everyone’s stomachs.

The women of the household had started up a little game.  The men who had been shunned were the targets.  They were getting very frustrated as the women would bump against them or lean over, showing their best assets.  They still had weeks to go and their self control was being tested.  Laun spread the word to take it easy on the men when she saw one of them start pounding on his leg after one of the women ‘tripped’ and sat on his lap for a moment.  It was neither fair nor kind, even if it was fun.

About two hours into the gathering, Laun noticed that several of the soldiers who were sitting near her went through some sort of a shift change.  Four men came up, nodded to the men at the table across from her and four men stood to leave.  The new men sat where the others had been and seemed to take up the conversation easily.  Laun had been at the same table thruout the gathering to keep near the babies.  They had settled down after all the attention and a feeding, so, with Hazalam taking baby watch, Laun stood and started to make her way through the people on the Hill.  She talked, laughed, touched shoulders and cheeks.  A few hands were offered and were grasped.  A few hugs were offered and Laun heartily accepted.

The soldiers who had come to the table had followed her.  Laun saw them talking to each other, sharing a sip of something from someone else and laughing about something.  But they were there, and they were following her.

Laun stopped and sat next to a few people, wedging herself in.  She was pointed away from the table, looking at the firepit and around the gathering.  A song was starting up from that table and Laun blushed when the line ’our Lady’s thighs’ came rolling through.  She laughed and slapped a back as the man sang the verse directly to her.  The soldiers did not know the song, but tried to look like they did as they stood just a few paces from Laun.

They had been assigned to guard her, to protect her.  In her own house.  Was it Senri?  Had it been Falmir?  The King was more than likely the one who had given the order.  Protective son of a bitch.

Laun leaned on the man next to her who insisted on singing to her.  She used him to stand and draped herself over him for another verse, Laun having to hide her face in his shoulder as the Lady of the song was having berries eaten from her rose colored lips.  She pushed off of his back before he could reach around and drag her onto his lap, a finger on his nose as she went out of range.  She started to walk back towards the soldiers.

She stopped and smiled at them as she put her arms over her chest.  “Easier to trail someone for protection if you split, or engage them in conversation.”  She nodded to them and walked past them, pained faces turning to follow her.  She motioned over her shoulder to them to follow her without looking back to see if they had seen.

She led them to the edge of the light around the Great Hall on the Hill.  They lined up and faced her, their hands held behind them as they stood at parade rest.  The full moon lit them as much as the torches.  Young, but still older than Laun.  Trained for the sword, focused on the technique, but did not have real experience.

Laun looked at the group and then looked at them one by one.  She shook her head.  “What the hell do you think you are doing?”  None of them spoke, but they looked at each other from the corners of their eyes.  Laun put out her hands, palms up.  “I don’t care who sent you, who will be taking your place next shift or even why you are here.  If you are going to follow me, do not have me get pissed off by being so obvious and sloppy.”

One of the men raised a hand.  Laun nodded to him and he said, “We are following a standing order, ma’am.”

Laun nodded, mostly to herself.  She waived two fingers seemingly idylly in the air.  Two people dressed in dark green, one with blazing bright blonde hair in the moonlight, appeared at Laun’s back from the darkness.  Laun made another hand motion, subtle and flowing.  The assassins stepped around Laun and Laun flashed a smile to the soldiers.

A hand went to the shoulders of Evan and Gem.  “Let’s make it a game.  Find me before midnight and I will give you a reward.”  Laun pushed the assassins towards the soldiers and turned into the night.

It took a moment for the soldiers to realize that she had gone.  One started forward and paused, looking around.  The others looked at each other, a few choice words being said under their breaths.  Evan and Gem stepped to the side and the soldiers went into the darkness.

Laun had the advantage.  To the point that she went through the gathering to Hazalam without really rushing or looking nervous.  There was a smile on her face as she put her hand on the back of his neck and said, “Quail hunt.  I’m the quail.”

“Mistress?”  He started to stand and she pushed him back down on the bench.

“If the babies need feeding before midnight, find a wetnurse.  I know it is last minute, but I have started a...game...”  She ducked down and took a cloth from the basket to put around her shoulders.  She had seen one of the four soldiers across the gathering, look into the mass of the household, turn away and leave.

Laun did not know why she wanted to play like this.  It was spur of the moment, no planning at all.  It was another thing that would keep the people around her off balance, but also kept Laun moving and inspired.

Laun knew the Hill.  She knew the main paths.  She knew the spurs that led to other paths, or to hidden alcoves.  There were a few climbable trees.  There was the spring pool.  And there were the sticker bushes, remnants of the hide from the year before not enough to use, but it was a fleeting thought.

Laun was dressed in a light colored tunic.  The cloth around her shoulders was also light colored.  Both showed well in the waxing moonlight.  Laun trotted to the pool and walked through it, dipping below the water to get all of her wet.  She stayed in the cool water near the dam for a few minutes to see if anyone came from the trees or other shadows.  There was nothing but an occasional breeze.

Laun went out the other side of the pool and found a clear patch of dirt.  She sat and then rolled in it, scrubbing the cloth along the ground to get it dirty, too.  She was now much darker and much harder to see in the night.

Lying on the ground, Laun could feel the urge to just run through the land welling up in her.  She did not know why, but the need to have the hunt was a growing need in her.  They were not the only hunters.  Laun smiled, her teeth showing in the moonlight.

Laun went to the closest trees and sat against the trunk of one of the larger ones.  She was in partial shadow, the grasses and scrub trees letting her blend into the night.  Laun put the cloth over her head to cover her hair, even though her hair was already dark.  The mottled color of the cloth helped the camouflage.

A couple came out and was holding hands.  They sat at the water’s edge, their heads together and shoulders touching.  Laun could hear low voices, the sweet talk of lovers.  It was tempting to stay and watch them, see what might happen, but she had the game to do.

Laun listened to the trees around her.  She could not hear anything out of the ordinary.  Where did she want to go?  Was there someplace she wanted to be found by them?  Or did she want them to not find her at all...

Laun stood carefully and slowly.  She made her way through the treeline and skirted the Great Hall on the Hill.  Her heart was racing even though she was going slowly when one of the soldiers turned near her, looking out into the night.  She was behind a bush and stopped moving until he had turned plus a count of five.  She kept going to the main road.

It was not as dark as she wanted.  With the random crap pits, she had to stay to the road and the open places she knew were safe to tread on.  Several groups of people passed by her, none of them knowing she was there when she went to the side of the road and pulled the cloth over her, just a new rock or log along the road.

Laun smiled to herself as she slipped past the guards into the soldier’s encampment.  She made her way through the tents and tried to find the Lieutenant’s tent.  One of the four was just coming out of a tent, a sour look on his face.  Laun skirted the tent to it’s backside and listened for a moment.  She could hear a low grumbling voice and the sound of papers.

There was a gap between two of the panels of canvass.  Laun looked in and was able to see the layout of the tent.  Senri was indeed in the tent at a small wooden desk, his hands over his face.

Laun took a little time to push up the panel that was as close to directly behind Senri as possible.  She untied one side when she could get to the ties and rolled under the side of the tent.  The creak of her sitting on his cot brought Senri’s head around.

“Highness!  What the fuck-”

Laun put her fingers in front of her lips.  “A game.  Because someone thinks I am in danger.”

The Lieutenant looked at the dirt all over her, the slight scratches on her legs and the leaves in her hair.  She was still moist and a glow of sweat was coming from under the dirt on her face.  She looked happy, her eyes glistening in the lamplight.

Senri stood and went to Laun, dragging his camp chair with him.  He put his hand out to her and she took it.  He did not kiss it, but sat and held it.

“The King and Dreng knew we could not let you stay here and not have our help.  We have a mission to keep you safe-”

“What about Dougal?”

Senri blinked.  “Highness?”

“He is the heir.  I am second, at best.  If anyone here needs an escort, he does.”

Senri tried not to look away.  “He is a fighter...”  The Lieutenant stopped, his voice trailing off as Laun’s head tilted and the eyes looking at him started to blaze.

Her voice was quiet.  “Would you like to tell me what I am?”

He bowed his head and had a scratch in his voice as he said, “You are the future of the Kingdom, my Princess.”

Laun took a moment to try to think upon what he had just said, the importance she seemed to have been given.  “You think both too highly of me and not high enough.  I have had to depend on many to survive this far.  We all have.  Do not think I will let anyone take me down without a fight.  I will not have the men you assign to me follow me around like sheep to the bell.  I do not believe I like that the Heir, who is under my roof, has not been accorded the same protection.”

Senri put his hand to Laun’s cheek.  “We are not his company.  We are yours, Highness.”

Laun blinked.  Her eyebrows tried to come together under the drying mud.  A shuffle outside the tent caught her attention.  She moved in and kissed him on the lips, smearing a little of the dirt on his nose and cheek.  She whispered, saying, “We shall talk of this later, Senri.  The soldiers are checking in-”

There was a knock on the upright pole at the doorflap.  Senri kissed Laun briefly before calling out, “Who is it?”

“Sir, Corporal Henri from her Highness’ escort.”

Senri stood and moved his camp chair back to his desk.  He whispered, “Go play the game, if you mus-”  The Lieutenant turned back and all he saw was the flap of the canvas move as she rolled back out into the night.

He smiled and called out, “Enter.”  The soldier came in and stood at attention until his commander told him to be at ease.  

“Um... Sir?  You have dirt-”

Senri’s hand went to his mouth and he wiped across.  He smirked as he looked at the dirt in his palm.  “So I do, Corporal.  Have you found her, yet?”

Laun stayed for a moment until she could tell Senri was delaying the man.  Asking about search strategies that don’t work at night was far too obvious, but made Laun smile as she made her way back out of the soldier’s encampment.  She watched the gate area for a moment and went through when the guard’s back was turned, taking his tankard of cider from the camp stool next to him.

Way too easy in some ways.  The men who had been on hard march to get to the Salam-Dir lands were tired, easy to distract and work around.  Laun was finding that it was being too easy to just walk around the lands without being seen or questioned.  They were secure, but what if a lone assassin or thief was able to slip in some how?  She thought that the military trained men would be more on their toes, but seemed easier to get by them because they felt safe themselves.

Laun made it to the main gate to the Keep.  There was light, more light than she was expecting.  One of the soldiers had been smart and had put more torches along the road and was standing right outside the main gate keeping watch for her.  It was a good strategy to keep her out, but it would not let them find her.

Laun left the emptied tankard alongside the road and moved around the cleared area along the walls of the keep and castle.  She came to an area that did not have as much light.  She went past it and saw that it had been a trap.  She almost walked in sight of one of the soldiers but she was keeping to the trees and bushes even in the darkened area.  It was the area where the garden wall abutted the courtyard wall.  It was one of the potential blind spots of the keep, even with the raised patrol on the other side of the wall.

Crouching, Laun saw the soldier standing against the wall in the dark.  His dark uniform was perfect for that type of ambush.  They had made sure that it was an area that could be tried for, a way that could be climbed and into the inner ways of the keep.  Brilliant.  Laun could not see any way around...

If not around, then over.  Laun made her way to the outside stable.  The apple trees sheltered the horses but also made it dark except for the night lamp at the curtained entrance.  Laun went to the back and pushed through the loose boards.  The mule there shied away from her but did not make a fuss.

One person was nodding off against a stable wall.  Laun looked at all the horses and mules, and one cow, that was there and was not sure how to get them out without creating more of a fuss than she wanted.  The best way would be to get the stablehand to help.

Laun padded up to the young man and went down to her heels in front of him.  He was quite asleep.  She waited, watched his breath and then put her hand over his mouth after he had breathed out.  He started awake, eyes wide and his hands about to strike when he sort-of recognized who was under the dirt.

Her hand moved slightly and he said, “Laun?”

She nodded and put fingers in front of her mouth as she whispered, “I am playing a game with some of the soldiers.  I would like to get into the keep, but they have it blocked and guarded.  Can I get your help?”

He rubbed his face and nodded.  A yawn came out and he stretched slightly.  “What do you need, Lady?”

A few minutes later, the stablehand had many of the mounts on a line and was leading them to the wall of the garden.  Most of them had blankets over their backs, one had Laun lying on his back.

The soldier could not understand what the stablehand was doing and started to step away from the wall.  He looked around and did not see anyone else as the rock that held the end of the line was being placed near the foot of the wall.

“Hoy!”

The stablehand made a show of being startled and said, “Frighten my old age to me, will ya?  What are you doing there?  Oh, I’m sorry, waiting for one of our women?”

The soldier still wanted to step forward but did not as he said, “On guard duty.  What are you doing bringing the hobble out this late?”

The stable hand went to the soldier and leaned on the wall opposite from the line of horses.  “With all your men comin’ in, I figured I would let our horses get a crack at the new growth around the wall before you guys started to pasture.”

“At night?”  The soldier was suspicious, though by then it was too late.  The stable hand went on about how horses don’t actually sleep and with the moonlight in the clear night, it was almost as good as pasturing them during the day.

Laun had used Thunder, the charger that was used to her, to lay on as the line was brought to the wall.  He was not the last horse, but he was close to the end of the line.  She prodded him closer to the wall and found that with how tall the horse was, there was little difficulty stepping from the back of the horse up to the wall.  Standing on the wide back of the horse was terrifying, but once she was on the wall, she rolled over and was on the platform.

The Protector on duty was leaning on the wall, listening to the stablehand prattle on about how the feed for the horses had been whatever they could spare until the caravan had gotten there.  He had not noticed Laun come over the wall at all.  Disturbing.  Laun saw that his staff was leaning against the wall and took it as she climbed down to the garden.

Laun walked openly to the door and waited, listening to the inside of the keep.  She knew where two of the men were.  One at the front, one at the back.  One had been at Senri’s tent, but that was long enough ago that Corporal could have been anywhere.  The fourth...  Two unaccounted for.  She had to be careful.

Laun made her way to the bathing chamber without passing anyone.  There was luke warm water in the tub left from someone else’s bath.  Laun put the staff across the door, blocking it from being opened.  She stripped, lathered and dipped herself in the tub to rinse.  She still had some of the soap on her in a few places, it was not enough to show, just itch.

Naked but the sap strapped on her arm, the sandals and staff, Laun found the laundry, one of the kitchen staff there getting rags and cooking linen.  Laun told him about the game and he laughed.  He suggested that she dress as one of the Protectors, since she had one of their staves with her.  Breeches and tunic and cape were readily at hand, though no boots.  Socks under the sandals was as close as they could come without trying to get to the wards boot closet.  A dark headscarf completed the disguise.

Laun hugged the man, getting a warm kiss she was not expecting.  They made their way out of the laundry, Laun carrying some of the rags as well as the staff.  He looked out into the Great Hall for Laun and did not see any soldiers directly outside.

A few people were tending to the fires, talking low between themselves.  A nod to the Protector who walked by them was enough for Laun to be comfortable enough to go outside.

The courtyards were not as brightly lit as the outside of the wall and gate.  Laun looked up and saw that there were lights on in her room, more than she thought there should be.  She hoped that the man who had decided to go there was not too bored.

“Vik, what are-”  Edgar stopped when Laun turned.  “Love?”

Laun smiled.  “Uniforms are useful, aren’t they?”

They went to the dark part of the courtyard and Laun explained what she was doing.  Edgar closed his eyes and shook his head, but smiled as she told him of the ruse that was used to get into the garden.

He went to hold her, but one of the Protector teams went through, waving at their leader and another Protector talking to him, so Edgar restrained himself with just leaning close to her on the wall.

His voice rumbled and Laun felt other thrills go through her that she hoped would become more later.  “I’ll go talk to the Protector on duty in the garden.  He should not have let the corner lamp be extinguished.  That is why it was put up.  If you are able to make it til midnight without the four catching you, I will have a reward for you from me, My Love.”

Laun gasped slightly.  “And if I get caught?”

He leaned in slightly and said, “I may have to punish you with some special training.”

Laun closed her eyes and tried to not melt from the voice and the breath on her neck.  “Yes, my Lord...”

Edgar leaned against her and kissed her strongly, almost brutally.  “Stop that.  Now get out there and...”  He pushed away from her.  “I can help you get past the one at the gate.”

Edgar walked with Laun on the other side of him from the soldier.  “...and if he doesn’t show up for duty, come back.  I will have his head.  Now go!”

Laun did a bit of a running bow and went into the night right past the soldier.

It had been late evening-glow when the game had started.  The sky had been dark, just a small shot of a glow on some far clouds to the West from the sunset that evening.  The growing moon now lit most of the land that was not under the trees and the trees made a strong dark night.

Laun was not sure what she was going to do next.  She knew that she had about another half an hour before midnight.  She had been to the Fourth’s encampment, going back there would not be safe.  She had been to and through the keep.  The most obvious place for her to go would be back to the Great Hall of the Hill.  She could have just gone to ground to wait it out, but that was not part of Laun’s game.

There were other soldiers around beyond the four of the game.  Laun kept walking as a small group came towards her, nodded and started past.  Laun nodded back and kept her stride, but she heard one of them slow.  His footstep slid to a stop on the gravel and the other soldiers stopped a few paces further on.  She heard a call from the soldier and did not acknowledge it.  She had to assume that the four had recruited others from the Company as she had from the Household.  Laun kept walking at the same pace, but heard the footsteps start towards her and another call.

At the third call, Laun turned, saw that the half-squad was heading for her and just waved at them.  A few slowed, but the rest continued to follow her.

Laun turned again and did not speed up as she started away from them.  The thorned hedge was next to her and she could not push through that.  She had to wait until the gap to Lady Hellon’s Hill.

She was being herded.  She felt more than saw or heard the man waiting at the gap.  She stepped to the other side of the road as she got nearer the gap and saw the boots before the rest of the uniform.  He held a night lamp and tried to flash it at Laun.  She understood the tactic and threw the staff at him and started to run down the road.

There was a clatter and swearing and heavy footsteps on the gravel following her.  She knew she did not have much of a chance, but she had a place she was trying to head for.  The apple grove that last hosted the troupe.

She saw the tree that marked the safe path.  She skidded on the gravel as she grabbed the trunk and swung around to the grass past the first crap trap.  Night visits to the troupe had been dangerous, but she thought she could get to the apple grove before they caught up to her.

Three steps in from the road.  Bushes on her right, tree on her left.  Hold onto the tree and go around it.  Go another five steps...  Or was it six?  Laun went to her knees and felt around until she had the flat stone under her hands.   Stand on the flat stone and poke a toe out in front.  It was solid under her foot.  One more step in that direction and she stopped.

Her breathing was labored.  She squatted down and put her hand over her mouth.  The cape billowed a little and she drew it in closer to her as she tried to calm her breath.  Her heart was pounding and she was not sure if what she heard was her heartbeat or footsteps.

Swearing.  One of the men had been caught in one of the traps.  He was not going to be happy for a while.  He was making enough noise that Laun started forward from where she was, slowly and still in a crouch.  Her heathered cape made it difficult to move.  She took it off and put it under the next marker bush.

A step to the right.  There should have been a stump.  Laun could not feel it in the tree darkened night.  She felt around and her hand started to go into one of the pits.  She was off the path, but she was not sure how far.  She felt along the edge of the pit, crawling as she went, until she found the stump she was looking for.  She went to the far side and put her back to it.  She drew her legs up and tried to listen.

The night was not as dark as she thought.  A few stars shone and the moon’s light was giving her odd shapes to look at.  She could still hear the soldier behind her.  But he was making far too much noise for far too long.  Laun wished she had not dropped the cape, but it had been getting in the way.

She was about three paces from the treeline inside the apple grove.  There were several pits between her and the grove.  There was also a very climbable tree a pace or two to her left, if she remembered correctly.  It was an old apple tree that had more trunk and branches than apples.  If she could get to it, she knew she could get higher than most people usually looked.

She might have waited too long.  She heard something behind her, not quite at the stump but close.  The night lamp swung and Laun could see the line of light go above the stump.  She was small enough and had her legs in enough that the light did not touch her.  She stayed where she was as the soft footsteps went past behind her and to the right.

There were other sounds.  They went past a pace to her left, a low branch slamming into the head of one of her pursuers.  No lantern with them, but the moonlight was strong enough that many people would not need a lamp.

How many men had just gone past her?  Three.  There had been five in the group.  If the one man had really stepped into the crap pit, it was likely that he had headed back to the encampment to get cleaned off.  One man unaccounted for, probably still at the road.

Laun felt a chance to move when she heard a twig snap from one of the men who had gone to her left.  She swung around the stump and held still as a sliver of light passed over her head above the stump.  Laun saw the glint of a call thong of one of the men just a little more than three paces away from her.  There was a grunt from the man in the light and the lamp swung away.

She had to be careful of her breathing.  It sounded loud in her own ears.  She held still, breathing with her mouth as wide open as possible until a bug flew in.  She was lucky that one of the soldiers found another crap pit just a second or so later as she gagged and spit out the bug before she started to suppress a cough.

The soldier did not slip completely into the trap, but made enough noise to cover Laun moving away back to the road along the same path she had used to get there.  At three paces from the road, she could see one soldier there, looking into the darkness under the trees.  Laun felt for the pit she knew and smelled was to her left and was able to skirt around it and further down the road.  Laun took her sandals off and put them just beside the road.

There was a covered smile on Laun’s face as she went along the roadway, creeping up on the man looking too intently into the darkness.  Laun only moved when he moved, paused when he was still.  She drew the sap from the harness on her forearm and waited just a few breaths, looking for the timing she needed.  Silar had shown her a move which he had let her practice on him.  Laun saw her moment and took it.

Laun stood, a handsbreadth away from the soldier. She clicked her tongue and he turned.  She caught his arm and swung him off balance, bringing his arm behind him and the sap up to his throat.

Laun whispered, “I just killed you.”  He nodded his head as she bent his back awkwardly using his own arm against him.  She loosened her grip, he made no attempt to retaliate.  Laun kissed him on the cheek and let go of the soldier.

“Ma’am,” was all he said before he turned and left, heading for the soldiers encampment.

Laun did not sit on her small win.  She popped across the road and knew she narrowly missed another one of the pits.  She went to her knees and went through the underbrush until she came to one of the paths.  She could hear that there was still a gathering happening up on top of the Hill.  She could also hear several of the alcoves were occupied.

Laun quietly went through the path towards the Great Hall of the Hill.  There was laughter and Laun could hear some betting going on.  She smiled.  She reacted as a movement behind her caught her by surprise.

It did not save her.  The Private tapped her on the shoulder and her leg went out sweeping him sideways.  Laun helped him up with a warriors’ grip and they embraced, a strong pat on the back for each of them.

“Ma’am.  That was a good game.  I am honored to have found you.”

“You deserve the reward, Private.  This is not it.”  She leaned forward and meant to peck him on the cheek, but he moved and it was on the lips.

He smiled.  “Ma’am.”

They were laughing as they approached the group still around the firepits.  A few hands slapped backs, motions to hand over whatever was bet.

“I was caught by this Private, but, I ask what time is it?”  Laun was blushing and had a great big smile on her face as she leaned against one of the tables.

A call came from near the path to the road.  “It was midnight when I left the keep, Highness.”  One of the other soldiers came into the firelight.

“Ha!  You owe me-”  There was a good natured uproar around the fire as the payees changed on the bets.

Laun held out her arm and the Corporal took it, elbow to palm, and slapped Laun’s shoulder.  The other two soldiers came to the Hill over the next few minutes, each getting the warriors grip from their Princess.  The five of them sat and compared notes, the ones who were on opposite sides of the Keep amazed that she had been there at all.

“I was suspicious of the stableboy, but he seemed too earnest to have been able to hide anything.”

“All I can say is don’t play Sticks with him,” Laun laughed.  “You didn’t hear or see anything while I was bumbling around by the wall?”

He shook his head and smiled.  The Private who had caught her had a sideways smile and raised his hand.  “Ma’am, I saw you go into the spring, but I got caught up by a pricker bush before I could get out to you.  You had disappeared by the time I had gotten out.  I figured you weren’t one of the couple.  Gave them a bi’ of a fright, though.  Had to make sure.”

There was laughter all around.  Laun saw Edgar coming towards them, followed by four more soldiers and two protectors.  “Laun, I’m glad I found you.  Though it doesn’t look like you shook your tail after all.”

The phrasing struck Laun as funny and she laughed loudly.  She looked around and, even though people were amused, they did not get the joke as much.  She sighed and nodded.  She pushed the Private in the shoulder and said, “He was able to surprise me and catch me, but it looks like it was past midnight when he did so.  He was the only one who was able to get close.  Twice?”

Edgar nodded.  He held out his arm and the Private stood, taking the warriors grip and grinning.  “When she wants to hide, she is good.  Don’t ever let her plan or else you don’t find her at all.”  Edgar winked at Laun.

“Well, men, it is well past midnight and I have babies to look after.  Come to morning meeting.”  Laun stood and all the soldiers around her stood.  They saluted.  Laun smiled and had a teariness in her eyes as she returned the salute.

Edgar held out his arm and Laun took it.  He escorted Laun back to the road, the six others following a discrete distance behind.  They walked in the moonlight, Laun describing the chase through the underbrush to him and the final capture.  He laughed and rumbled his approval of how she handled herself.

“... But does it count that he caught me after the time I said I was to be found?”  Laun leaned a little heavily on Edgar after a stone sharply pushed into the bottom of her foot through the sock.

“He was good enough to lay a trap for you, but you evaded it.  The time does count for you.  At least in my opinion.”  They walked further on, almost to the gate.

Laun looked and the tankard was still there.  “I owe that guard tonight some cider.  I stole his.”  Laun scooped up the tankard and brought it inside with them.

There was a small round of applause as Laun went through the Great Hall.  Laun stopped and made a curtsey before going through to the corridor.  The six were still behind them.

Laun leaned over to Edgar as they were walking and said, “You know, it was being followed that started tonight’s game.”

Laun saw the profile of Edgars frown.  “I talked with the Lieutenant after I sent you back out.  He told me somethings about the attacks and troop movements.  I may not agree with everything Falmir does, but I do with this one.”

Laun grimaced.  “Did he mention my objections?”

“He really didn’t have to.  I think I know you well enough to guess.”  He stopped and pulled her around into a loose embrace.  “You showed your skills well tonight, My Lady Love.  But you still need training if you are to do it on a real combat field.”

Laun was tired, but she could think of several ways what he just said could be meant.  “Do you think it cannot be avoided?”

Edgar paused at the Tower stairs landing.  “I don’t think even your devious mind could come up with ways to get the Rosemond troops to stop once they have started.”

Laun put her hand on his arm and said, “Let us sleep on it, my Love.  I am sure something will occur.”

 

To the next day's training, in Chapter 23.