the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 30

 

“We should have left last night.”

Laun was furious.  Angry at the time of day.  Livid at not being on the road to the Capitol City.  Disappointed at herself for falling asleep and staying in bed until at least an hour after she normally would have been up and about.  She hadn’t even been up to nurse the babies, and she was upset about that.

Edgar, Geralk and Laun were in the library, wedged in around the table.  Laun wanted to tell Geralk what had happened so that it could be recorded, since they had not gotten on the road the night before.  It was already mid-morning.  Morning meeting had an interesting twist when many of the people in the Great Hall moved away from Baron Bedral as he came limping in.  It had not stopped the meeting, but talking about the fishing that needed to be done was the last thing openly talked about.  Laun had grabbed Geralk and headed for the library as soon as the after meeting chaos took over.

There was a coded message she wanted to have made to give to Markle and Marie, an accounting of the gold that Gyrip had brought, the new crystals that had been found and a general note as to what really happened at Nestwood.  If it was to be spread, the greyworld was to have the accurate account.

Laun had been finding little details she needed to have completed before they left.  People needed to talk with her, projects underway looked at and given approval or direction.  It was maddening for Laun.  Edgar had come in and sat, just listening to the two others until he could speak to Laun.

“We should be able to get on the road just after mid-day, with supplies from Orgia to keep us going for our trip.”  He held out his hand and Laun took it.  “It is a delay, Love, but we are still going.”

“A small, fast group.  We should be able to make it to the Inn today.  After that, I don’t know the route well.  I hope Hunter is up to riding this soon.”  Laun rubbed the heel of her hand along her forehead, the headache starting at her temples not helping her mood.

“I saw him fixing some of his tack in the Great Hall.  As long as we can keep him away from Erin’s neck, I think everything will work out well.”

Laun blinked.  “What?  What are you...  Oh, the fool.  He is thinking he is going along?”

Edgar nodded.  “He asked for a charger and has been limping around the stables making a show of currying the beast.”

Laun was quiet.  She had closed her eyes and the look on her face was calm, but they could tell that she was seething under the calm.  She took in several breaths, blowing them out through her nose before opening her eyes, the calm tenuous in her eyes.

“I will leave him on the side of the road if he causes us any delay.  It will be good to have him along as another voice against Blue Master, and he may be able to tell us where she has been hiding.  Or at least where her contacts have been in the Midlands.”  Edgar saw a bloodglint in Laun’s eye and knew that if Erin did not live up to Laun’s expectations, there would be another body to bury.

Geralk took Laun’s other hand.  “I will have the note to Marie and Markle in an hour.  The rest, I will put down after you leave, and I will talk with the Rosemond soldiers to confirm some of it.”

Laun nodded and squose the man’s hand.  “You keep me going.  You know that, right?”

“You gave me a chance and a home a year ago, Laun.  I cannot say how much Orgia means to me.”

“I hope you can tell her-” Laun laughed at Geralk’s face.  “I know she loves you.  She stopped smacking you around.  At least in public.”

There was a red flush and laughter from the master of lists.  “It was good to meet Klemner.  They talked about cooking far into the night, but she always came back to me.”  There was a wistful smile on the man’s face.  “I’ve never had that before.”

Laun stood and said, “Good.  Right now, I need you to work, not reminisce.”

Edgar held Laun’s hand as they went back into the bedroom.  No one was in it, the bedding clean and tidy and all the odd bits of laundry that always seemed to be piled around were gone.  Laun let herself get pulled to the bed and they held each other for a few minutes.

Laun wanted to talk, to make sure she was pushing to do the right thing.  The only thing she could really think of saying was, “I am right in leaving the babies alone for this long?”

Edgar kissed her on the forehead and said, “They are never alone.  The mothers of the household understand.  You have duties that are outside being a mother.  They all have that, but you have to sacrifice something to be able to get things done, and I hate to say the security of your children...of our children, comes first.”

Laun nodded into his shoulder, trying to hold back a tear at the corner of her eye.  “Thank you.  I love you.”

“I love you, my Lady.”  They kissed and held onto each other for a little while longer, the comfort and companionship needed to reassure both of them.

Footsteps approached and both Edgar and Laun sighed.  Evan came in and knelt, waiting for Laun to recognize him.

“Yes?”

“Mistress, I have been sent by those who wish to accompany you to the Capitol City.  They are gathered in the Great Hall awaiting you.”  His head dipped down in respect as he finished.

“Thank you, Evan.  I will be down in a few minutes.”  The assassin stood and started to turn when Laun said, “How is your arm?”

Evan’s hand went to his shoulder.  “It twinges, Mistress.”

Laun stood and went to the man and put her hand on his shoulder over his hand.  “I hope that is the worst thing that ever happens to you.”

There was a sad look and he nodded.  “In this new life, yes, Mistress.”

Laun dropped her hand and Evan left the room.  Laun put her hands on her hips and there was a slight tilt to her head that Edgar saw.  It lasted a fraction of a moment, but he could tell that Laun had thought of something, and with the decisive nod, he could tell it was good.

“We should get down there?”  Laun turned to Edgar and smiled at him, nodding.  “Small may not be a way to look at the group.  I know of seven people already who will be coming.”

Laun looked at her hand and seemed to be counting, and them looked at her other hand, her face becoming concerned, the brow furrowing.  “Nine that I can think of.  Dammit.”

Edgar went to her and put his hands on her shoulders.  “We all know how to ride.  Even those of us with saddle sores from the trip to Nestwood can do it.”

Laun nodded and smiled up at him.  “We need to get on the road.  Whomever wants to come, let them keep up.”

There were too many people in the Great Hall.  It was as if morning meeting had never really disbanded.  Laun came in and a way was cleared so she could get to the center of the room.  She turned, looking at the faces around her.

“Are all of you coming with us to see the King?”  There was laughter.  “Then let those who are trying to head out come to me.”

People moved back as they could, some moved forward.  Laun waited until the room had settled again before approaching each of the people who wanted to come along.

Edgar, Hunter and Fount.  Laun had no problems with them being with her.  On the road or otherwise.  She gave them warriors grips and pulled them to behind her.  The four assassins, she depended on them, but one should stay, as a back-up and to watch the children.  She told them to pick one and turned to the next people.  The Lieutenant, dressed in his best uniform, needed to go, to report to his superiors, and to tell Falmir what he knew.  Klemner needed to return to his Palace duties and his hand was strong on Laun’s arm as they gave the wrestlers version of the warriors grip to each other.

Erin.  Laun stopped and looked at him.  He became nervous under her stare but would not sit or back away.  Laun held out her hand and he took it in a warriors grip, though he wanted to kiss it.  He moved to the group of the chosen, many of the household around him shaking their heads at the choice.  Some nodded, liking that he would be gone.

There were several others, most Laun put a hand on their shoulder and had a few words with them, but she did not want them to come along.  They understood and stepped back, not all of them happy.  The last person who had stepped forward to ride to the Capitol City was Dougal.

“Cousin, you wish to go?”

He nodded, forcing himself not to cross his arms on his chest.  “I am tired of others fighting for the Kingdom while I hide here.”

Laun felt a flush go through her, part anger and part embarrassment.  “Having both heirs on the road together is too much of a target.”  Her voice was showing that she was not completely convinced of her own words.

Dougal took a small step forward as he said, “I have to stand up for myself.  I am a fighter.  I am the heir and I am not hiding behind your skirts any longer.”

There were a few chuckles in the crowd, several people sucked in breaths, expecting Laun to smack him somehow.  Laun just nodded and held out her hand to him.  The cousins gripped each other’s arms and slapped each other’s shoulders.

“About time, you laggard.”  Laughter rolled through the room.

Ten.  Ten people who were to travel as fast as they could to the Capitol City.  Laun turned to those gathered and said, “I thank you all, those who are going and those who are staying.  This is not a mission to be thought of lightly.  We are on the verge of a war that none of us really want.  I hope that the few of us who are going will be able to stop the people behind this.”

Someone started to push through the crowd and seemed upset. “Lady Laun.  Please.  I-”  Verat looked around and then back at Laun.  “I just realized that I should go.  My Master...”  He swallowed and continued with, “I can help you with the greyworld once in the city, if you need it.”

Laun shut her eyes and thought for a split second.  She nodded and offered her hand to him.  “And you have more information from the Nestwood mission than any of us.”  Laun saw the flash of embarrassment on the apprentice, but also the nod.

“Well, that is eleven.  I am closing the ranks for this now.  No more, and don’t even try to follow.  And-” Laun turned and pointed at Erin, “If you slow us down at all, I will leave you alongside the road.  Understand?”

The Baron looked taken aback but nodded.  “Yes High... Laun.”  There was derisive laughter around him, but he kept his head high.

“Then we need to get what we are taking and get on the road.  Hit the privy while you can.”  There was more laughter.  Those going were surrounded by those not going, farewells given to all.

Laun went to the assassins and stood, looking at them.  They were quiet and looked at Laun.  It was sort of eerie, but Laun waited until Hazalam stepped forward.  Laun put her hand on his cheek and asked, “Are you the one staying?”

He nodded, turning his face into her palm.  “Yes, Mistress.”

“Do you wish to live today?”  Laun saw the shock of the old question go through him, his eyes closing slightly.

“Yes, Mistress.  Today, tomorrow and the next.”  Laun stepped into his arms and they kissed.

Laun stepped back and held her hand out.  Her first broken assassin took her arm in a warriors grip and they held each other, palm to elbow, for a few moments.  “Take care of the children.”

“I live for them.”

Laun smiled.  She felt a tear trying to come out, but she would not let it.  She turned to the other three and said, “With one gone, you will have more of me to look after.  I hope you are up to it!”  She saw smiles on all their faces.

Geralk met Laun in the courtyard as the last of the supplies were being tucked into saddle bags and bedrolls were strapped onto the horses.  There was a scroll case over his shoulder that he handed to her.  He hugged her and tried to step back.

“This is more than just the message I wanted.”

He shrugged.  “I have been making some documents that you may want to use, and I have a few things I wanted to give to Markle and Marie, too.”

There was a hug and then the master of lists stepped back as the scroll case was strapped onto Grace.  There were more people around in the courtyard than needed to be, even more than had been before the original trip to Nestwood.  Laun was not sure what was different this time, but she did not want to discourage her people from feeling the need to be with those who were leaving.

Soldiers lined the road near the Fourth’s encampment, parade rest snapping to full attention and salutes as the group went by, Laun saluting and getting a call out from Senri after they passed to let the men relax.  The muster had been impressive and Laun was sorry to not have them along.

The gap in the barrier widened to allow the horses through two at a time.  It closed quickly with all the people who had followed them to the wall.  The voices could still be heard from the inside, but it was a shock to Laun as she felt as though it was a very final closing of the barrier.

“To the Inn.”

 

Arrival at the inn leads to  complications in Chapter 32