the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 34 - If this is your first looking to the Chronicles of the Midlands, start with Chapter 1 of The Slave Warrior. - The Web Mistress is low on Chocolate, use the Tribute page to send her some

 

“Mistress?” the whisper flowed into her dreams.

Laun opened her eyes and saw Gem next to her in the bed.  Pale light was coming through the windows and there was only one lantern still left burning in the room.  She turned her head and saw Evan and Silar coming onto the bed, tired smiles on all three of them.

The cover was pulled back and Gem snuggled in with her Mistress.  The blonde was in Laun’s armpit, smiling and almost purring.  Silar and Evan lay down with Laun too, surrounding the women and embracing them.

“Looks like you three had a good night.”  Laun’s voice was soft but they could hear the slight odd tone.

Other servants were in the room, clearing the old candles and food away.  Silar glanced outside the bed and then lay his head on the pillow he was sharing with Laun.  “Your father has good tastes in red scarves.  She was worth everything she was paid,” he whispered over her ear from in back.

Laun smiled and turned her head slightly, a lip touch of a kiss on her cheek from her dark man.  “I heard all the party had such visitors.”

Evan reached over Gem and touched Laun on the shoulder.  “Mistress, I hope you do not want us to do much today.  She wore us out more than even you do.”

The three laughed and Laun’s eyebrow went up before she joined.  “I had visitors, too.”

“More than one?  We had to share.  Though...  I think she taught me a few things, Mistress.”  Gem’s lips were on Laun’s and the blondes’ hands started to roam, a few touches that sent shivers up Laun’s spine.

Laun’s head went back as she gasped.  “Fuck!  Let me rest before you start that.”

They laughed and Gem stopped, resting her head on Laun’s shoulder again.  “You must have really tired them out.  One of them forgot their scarf and payment.”

Laun blinked.  “What?”

Gem looked up into her Mistress’ face and said, “The stack of coins in the scarf out there.  He must have forgotten it.”

Laun was not exactly awake, but she was confused.  She had never had direct dealings with red scarves, other than Flora and her house. She had little concept of how things worked.  But it did not seem right that coins to pay someone who had not been there should be on the table in the other room.

Laun kissed Gem on the forehead and started to struggle from the pile of people.  They let her go and Laun crawled to the end of the tall, two level bed.  Servants in the room bowed, several turned when they saw she was naked and not going to cover herself up.  She went to the door into the main room and immediately saw what Gem was talking about.

An elaborately embroidered and sequined red silk hip scarf, similar to what she would sometimes use colored peach while dancing, was on one of the tables.  She went to it and lifted one side, exposing a stack of silver and gold coins.  Laun turned bright red and was angry for more than a flash.  The stack of coins fell over and she saw that there was a folded piece of paper.

It was plainly written, though Laun saw the blue tinge to the ink.  “Highness- You are worth more than this.  You earned this more than I.”  Laun laughed and thought to herself she needed to talk to Falmir about things, and to thank him.

Laun wrapped the coins in the scarf and brought it back with her into the bedchamber.  She put it on the recently cleared side table and crawled back into bed.  She was on the outside of the group, Evan next to her.  Gem’s eyes were looking at her over Evan and Laun laughed a little.

“I evidently earned my red scarf last night.  Not sure how I feel about that.”  Laun put her head down and her arm over Evan.  “More sleep.  Then food.  Those apples and honey did not last.”

Silar had a slight start at her mention of the apples but relaxed as Laun did not have anything else to say.  Gem had been so close to sleep anyway that she fell under easily, her light snore coming between the two men.  Evan was next, his eyes looking like he was awake until his head slipped from his hand and hit the pillow.  Laun’s even breathing and light clutching motions in her hand told Silar that she was asleep and right into a dream.

The household servants continued to move around them, quiet but not silent.  Silar rolled away from the others and thought for a moment.  He had seen Falmir carrying a tray of apples and honey in the corridor as all the servants were being taken from the wing and the three of them led to a room minutes away from their Mistress.  Silar tried to focus on Falmir, but the remembered first sight of the red scarf pushed everything else out of his mind.

She had been delicate, dressed in sheer black except for the bright red scarf on her hips.  She was standing at the window of the room looking at the city at night, turning and lifting her sheer hood from her face.  The pale skin...  Silar swallowed and relaxed, his manhood throbbing at the thought of the woman.  Her skin had been pale and flawless.  After a little bit of confusion, it was made clear that she was a gift, the pile of coins on the table had been left for her payment.

She had started to strip with her scarf, the light thing floating through the air as she placed it over the coins, claiming them subtly.  The gauzy clothing had more layers than it had seemed and she knew her body, showing her thin legs and lightly rounded shoulders as she turned and pulled her clothing off.  The last thing on was a loincloth as she knelt to them and said, “My Lords, my Lady, I am yours tonight.”

Silar smiled.  It had been good.  Very good.  He knew now that it had been a distraction.  But for what reason?  He rolled to the side of the bed and sat there for a little bit, thinking.  He looked up and saw that one of the Palace servants was looking at him, waiting.

“What?”

The servant stepped closer and whispered, “We have been told that his Majesty will require your Mistress at his side for council in three hours.”

Sliar nodded.  He looked around and knew that Laun would go naked and unwashed if they let her.  He could smell the men who had been with her over the bathing perfume he had rubbed into her the night before.  He sighed and was glad he had been able to sleep for a few hours.

A motion of his hand to make the servant wait, Silar climbed out of the odd bed and had the servant follow him into the main room.  He took a large breath, thinking that just five years before, he would have been the one being taken care of, not the one directing the servants, being a servant.  That thought rode out of his mind as he concentrated on what needed to happen before Laun woke to make her ready for council.

Details.  There were so many details.  Silar had orders for food sent down, specific in type and amount.  He sent one of the servants to find out if Laun’s things from the night before had been cleaned yet.  He knew that she did not have any clean halters or loincloths, the last halter would always have the slight taint of the bandit’s blood in it’s pale linen.  Silar stepped into the bathing chamber and saw the tub was still full of the water from the night before.  He ordered the room cleaned and more hot water for the pleasure of his Mistress when she woke.

His foot stuck to the tile slightly and he lifted it.  He pointed and said, “Make sure the floor is spotless.  What the hell was that?”  Silar looked about and saw that all the bathing oils and gellee and such was put away on the shelves above the small vanity, displayed to their advantage.  “And go and get some currying soap from the stables.  She prefers real Midlands soap to this stuff.”

He saw smiles on some of the servant’s implacable faces.  There were low words between the blue and grey clad men and women, showing that they did need to communicate somehow, but only when the nobles were not watching.  Silar wanted to be able to use that, but could not think for what.

Linens to change the shredded bedding were brought up with the clothing from the laundry.  The underthings were still slightly damp, but Silar was pleased that they had been able to get them clean in that short amount of time.  Other things were brought in that had not been sent from the room to be cleaned, basic skirts and tunics with a few dresses scattered in with them.  Silar let them be placed in the wardrobes, hoping that Laun would be able to fit-

Silar mentally backed off.  He was still thinking as though she were pregnant.  It had been months.  She had slimmed down, muscled up.  Her waist would never be as slim, but the roundness on her body was wonderful, the stretch marks over her belly showing she had given birth even as the battle scars glowed out of her tan.  He thought of her and then the red scarf...

Silar closed his eyes and saw the two women as if they were next to each other.  Pale and tan.  Scarred and flawless.  Maid and mother.  Muscled and fragile.  Both subtle and sexually charged in their own way.  But, completely different.  Yes, Falmir had chosen well.

He opened his eyes and Silar saw that there were servants looking at him.  He had a big smile on his face and felt that he was glad he had tied his manhood with it’s thong.  “Thinking of his Majesties gift last night.”

There were many returned smiles, some wistful looks.  Silar turned from the main room and looked into the bedroom.  Candles were being replaced and the lanterns were being taken out to have them refilled with oil.  He stepped to the side as a few trays were brought in, the contents put on the sideboard.  Silar knew that Laun would be ravenous, but he did not want her to be weighed down when in council.  It was going to be a hard day today, having her stomach leaden would not make her mood any better.

Flowers were brought in, large ceramic urns filled with cut roses and ferns placed in the main room by several large servants, some of the roses placed in the bathing chamber.  Curtains were brought in and Silar saw that the light fabric would soften most days without cutting the rooms off from the world outside.  Silar asked that the ones for the bedroom be put up after Laun had woken, the servants looking through the open door and seeing the people sleeping, looking back at Silar, wicked smiles momentarily on their faces.

Laun turned, but was not waking.  Silar wished she had been able to share the red scarf with them.  That he had been her red scarf.  He stepped to the side as servants with a thicker rug came in to replace the one in the main room.  He saw the stains on the rug and the upholstery of the silk chairs, wondering what Laun had been through.  If she was right and all those in the group from Salam-Dir had been given gifts of red scarves, none of the group were going to be very awake that morning.  Falmir had spent a pretty coin to keep them happy and apart.

Silar opened the wardrobe doors that he knew her red and black dress was behind.  It had been hung, the wrinkles pulling themselves out with the weight of the dress.  He checked the new thong that was in the quick-pull lacing, ready to be put on her.  The undergarment was next to the dress, the shape of her breasts already in the leather and linen construct.  He checked and, yes, the thin blades the master smith had made were there, the straps around one of the hangers.  And her crown.  Almost an afterthought as it lay on a cloth at the bottom of the cabinet.  No other jewelry...

A bell.  He looked again at the thong.  She did not have her bell.  Silar knew her mind, and even though she had not been through the official training or tests, she was as good of an information gatherer as any journeyman Silar knew.  Better for some because of her lack of boundaries between disciplines.  She needed a clapperless bell to feel complete.

He looked around and found the room seemed bare as his eye searched for something that could be used.  Silar motioned to several of the servants and went back to the main room.  “We were traveling light and I am surprised my sis- the other servant packed our Mistress’ crown.  If she wears the crown, I know she will want other jewelry.  Silver, to match the crown, but delicate.  Things with flowers and bells and birds.  Are there things she could borrow?”

The blue and grey servants looked at each other.  “Lady Tressa’s chest is still in our Majesties’ apartments.  There may be something in there.  And her Highness does have access to the royal vault and treasury.”

Silar nodded to himself.  “If the treasurer is awake, tell him the Princess wishes what I described.  Within the hour.”  Two of the servants ran off, no nod or acknowledgment.

The servant who had been to the stables was back, several cakes of fresh, unused soap in her hands.  The stable hands had also given her some brushes and other things that might be needed for cleaning a horse.  She was looking as though she was going to be punished, but Silar just laughed.  He motioned to the bathing chamber and said, “Take all of that in there and lay it out on the vanity.  She will get a chuckle out of it.”

Silar watched the Palace servants move things, bring things in, remove things in the rooms.  He sat when his thighs trembled, telling him of the night he had behind him.  Those of the Palace knew what they were doing, but Silar wanted things to be just-so, perfect, for his Mistress.  He wanted to be able to provide what he could to make her comfortable, to catch her eye and make her smile.  His manhood throbbed again as he thought of Laun, the contrast between she and the red scarf bright in his mind.

She had been drawn to him first.  He had looked at his dark hand on her skin as she slid across his lap, laying across his legs with her ass presented to him.  She was without the power that Laun possessed, the strength that drew him to his Mistress, but what the red scarf had, she knew how to use.  It was training, not instinct.  There was a slight dullness in her eye, until Silar let her take his livery from him, his loincloth, and saw the thong holding his manhood to him.  There had been an awakening in the red scarf.

Silar heard a noise and stood, adjusting himself as he turned to the bed chamber.  Laun was on her back, a leg stretched up, toe pointing at the ceiling.  He heard a yawn and a slight giggle.  She lowered her leg and he saw her rub her butt, a finger going carefully over her second hole.  Silar heard a sigh and knew that she had been well pleased the night before.

A tankard of water was presented to her as Laun sat up on the lower level of the bed.  She sat crosslegged, the lower mat large enough for a person to sleep on.  The water was gone and into Laun in a few gulps.  There was another sigh and Silar saw a soft sadness in the contentment.

“You didn’t have to stay up.  I know you didn’t get much sleep, too.”

He took the tankard and filled it with cider for her.  He handed it back and said, “Someone had to make sure the dark servants were kept in line.”

Laun giggled and an eyebrow went up as she sipped on the cider.  Her eye went around the room and back to him.  “I never did get a chance to eat last night.  I was... distracted from the sideboard.  Thank you for having more fruit brought up.”

“Something light before you meet with your Father.”

Laun tilted her head.  “Messages?”

Silar shook his head.  “Just word that council will be meeting and he wishes you at his side.  In about an hour.”

Laun closed her eyes and her head tipped forward.  She nodded and said, “Just about enough time to bathe and dress.”

“As you wish, Mistress.”

Silar held his hand to her and Laun took it, coming down off the bed with a heavy step.  She stretched and used Silar and a post for a few more movements, her back and legs showing the fatigue of the hard ride, on the horses and the men the night before.  Laun shook her arms out and smiled at Silar, taking his hand in hers again to be escorted.

Servants bowed, less turned away.  Laun saw the roses and stopped to sniff them, the pinky-yellow blooms giving off only a bare scent.  She touched the edge of a petal and it came off, sticking to her skin.  Laun smiled and continued to rub it between her fingers as she was led to the bath.

Laun sat at the vanity and smiled at the curry brushes sitting next to the fancy bone combs.  She started to untie her braid from the thong and she stopped.  She looked at the end of her braid.  She looked at her wrists and her ankles.  She leaned forward and thought.  She turned and Silar stepped forward.  She continued to undo her hair as she looked up at him.

“I seem to have misplaced my charm, love.”

Silar heard her nervousness in her voice, in her choice of words in front of the Palace servants.  “Mistress, I have sent for some jewelry from the treasury that I hope will be suitable.”  He kept a pace away though she looked so vulnerable at the loss of a simple silver bell.  He wanted to hold her and...

She smiled and nodded.  “Thank you.  You always take good care of me.”  She started to comb out her hair with one of the bone combs, looking at him in the mirror as she did so.  Silar held out a hand and Laun paused before handing him the comb.  He ran the comb through Laun’s mostly dry hair, from root to tip, her eyes closing at the sensation.

A scratch at the outer door announced the Council of the Treasury.  A servant came in to the bathing chamber and softly talked to Silar.  He laughed and nodded.  A robe was brought out and Silar draped it across Laun’s shoulders, a finger lightly drawing along her neck as he did so.

“Mistress, the Council of the Treasury is here.  May we show him in?”  Silar’s face had a slight smirk on it as Laun looked up, still feeling the slight shiver he had sent through her.

“Yes, and more cider, if you would.”

Laun put her arms through the robe and mostly covered herself before the man in charge of the royal jewels and Kingdom money was brought in to see her.  He bowed and motioned, several other men coming in carrying chests and caskets.  Laun continued to comb her hair as she nodded to the man and made him wait.

“Your Highness, I was asked to provide you with some jewelry.  You asked for specific types, and we thought these may please you.”  He bowed at her reflection and stood.  The chests and caskets were placed on the tile of the floor, the locks clicking open to the little keys the men had with them to pull back the lids to show off what was inside.

Laun was not impressed by jewels and glittery things.  Yes, they were pretty, but with what she had seen, been given, she considered most a waste.  She looked at her hair in the mirror, the brown draped across the light tan of the robe and sighed.  Silar knew what he was doing, but she was not sure what they were going to find.  She turned on the stool and looked down.

The morning light was soft as the windows in the bathing chamber were pointed to the West.  There was a small glint and glitter she saw coming from the closest chest that made her breath stop.  She motioned and it was lifted to her.  She was afraid to touch what was inside, perhaps not even breathe on it as it seemed as though a silver spider had woven a silver web with drops of dew hanging from it.  The black cloth the wide necklace was on was shaped as a neck would be, two small dewdrops on thin chain matching the silver chain of the necklace placed in a small depression.

There was a giggle that filled the room.  Laun motioned and the next chest was moved for her inspection, a larger one with many matching sets, all in little wooden trays that fit into the chest.  Laun saw designs with birds and stones that were cut to catch the light in one tray.  Dark amber with fine silver and gold mesh was in another tray.  A delicate, articulated flower bracelet with a pearl set to look like an insect with a matching pin was shown and Laun motioned that tray to the vanity.  Laun went to the next tray and her eyes glowed.

Seven chests in all and so far, none were what Silar had been hoping for.  Only one thing had anything to do with a bell, and that was a heavy thing that looked like it had something to do with an official ceremony.  Not what they were looking for since it had a discordant sound when Laun picked it up and had unintentionally rung it.

A few minutes after the bell had been replaced in the casket, Gem and Evan appeared at Laun’s side.  Gem picked up one of the currying brushes and started to brush Laun’s hair as more of the royal jewels were opened for Laun’s delight.  Evan looked at the soap and found a bowl, filling it with hot water and putting a cake of the soap into it.

Laun had a large smile on her face as she held her hand out to the Council of the Treasury.  “Thank you for your attendance.  I was not expecting such a wonderful selection.  Perhaps a few trinkets to enhance my plainness.”

The man bowed again over her hand and said, “I would never call you plain, Highness.”

Laun laughed.  “That’s because of the title, good gentle.  Otherwise, no one would pay attention to one such as I.  But that is beside the point.  I thank you again...”  Laun looked at the pieces she had pulled from the collection and had a sad look to her face.

“Highness?  Is there something else I may do for you?”  He sounded concerned, perhaps a slight bit frightened.

Laun sighed.  She shrugged her shoulders and turned back to him, a dazzling smile on her face.  “It is nothing.  I lost a small charm while I was on the road and I feel naked without it.”  Laun giggled.  “Silly, I know, but I am used to having it.  I was hoping that there was something similar that I would borrow until I could get it replaced.”

His hand swept across the royal jewels he had brought.  “These are yours, Highness.  You are not borrowing, though I am tended to look after them, so I will return them to the vault when you are tired of them.”  He stood and Laun could see his mind working.  “Highness, what kind of charm?”

Laun was not sure how to say it.  Gem spoke up and saved her from having to say too much.  “This one was a small silver bell given her by Ambassador Ithian.”

There was a small wave of tension through the room.  The Council bowed his head and said, “I understand how something like that could never truly be replaced.”  His eyebrows came together and his eyes darted to the side before he said, “I have heard that our Highness liked to wear a small bell.  A silent one.”

Laun spoke, her eyes narrowed slightly, saying, “Just the one.  Though it can still be heard by those who listen.”

Something changed in the attitude, the posture of the man.  “I know of a craftsman who specializes in such charms, Highness.  If one of your people would come with me, I can have them meet with him and select something that is appropriate.  If you do not mind the delay?”

Laun shook her head.  “You have been more than gracious to me this morning.  I have patience and understand.  I hope I have not been too much of a pebble in your shoe today.”

He smiled and shook his head.  “I always welcome such pebbles, Highness.”  He bowed and backed off slightly, a few motions and his men had the unwanted jewels back in their caskets locked and safe.

Laun motioned to Silar.  She said with her hands, “He is bell,” while speaking, “If you would go with the gentle, I would really appreciate it.”

“Yes, Mistress.”  Silar bowed slightly, motioning to his neck.

Laun looked and saw the Council had indeed a small gold bell on the collar of his high-necked tunic.  A thought struck her and she called out, “Oh!  Are you the one I talk to about my stipend?  Father mentioned it at one point and I never did get around to sorting that out.”

He smiled and nodded.  “Perhaps after you are done with Kingdom business today, we can have tea and discuss that in private.  It is a delicate matter that can change with the flow of politics, Highness.”

“If I am ever done with Kingdom business.”  She nodded and turned away, an eye kept on him in the vanity mirror until he and his men were out of the room.

Laun’s eye flicked over the jewelry she had picked.  Some had caught her eye and she just wanted to look at more. Some, she had a lust for as soon as she saw it.  Only two pieces were going to be used that day.

“I should take that bath if I am ever to get to council.  I think I am late already, but all that can wait.”  Laun heard what she said and shook her head.  “I am starting to sound like one of those pampered things Lady Bestina had with her.  Damnit.”

Laun stood, the robe hitting the floor.  Evan showed her the bowl with the softened soap and she took it, starting to lather it herself.  She did not take as much time as she wanted to clean the night from her, but she lathered up, her hair was pinned out of the way and she rinsed in the tub, leaning back and letting herself relax for only a few moments.

Drying off, one of the Palace servants came forward with some fine talc on a sheep’s wool poof.  Laun nodded and held her breath as the talc coated her, paling her tan only by a minor degree.  It did make sliding into the undergarment much easier, but left a few marks on the black of the dress.

Laun put a dab of color onto her own cheeks, the tan letting her be brave with the cosmetics.  She quickly ate an orange and downed a tankard of sweetmilk as she stood at the vanity.  It would have to do as she was feeling the pressure of time on her.  One last look in the mirror and Laun was out the door.

In the ten minutes it took for Laun to walk to the council chamber, five different people approached her.  She knew a few of them from before, sycophants who wished to have her favor to be closer to the King.  One was the minor noble bureaucrat who had failed miserably at the front of the Palace the night before.  All of those, she kept walking by, a gracious nod in their direction was all they got.

Laun stopped and held her hand out to one man who she had not expected to see.  “Liam.  I feared for you when I heard of your messenger.”  Laun felt a change in Evan behind her.

The tall, tanned man bowed over her hand, his fist loose under hers.  “Your concern is welcome, Princess.  He did indeed have a bad end, but he would be happy knowing you think of him.”

Laun pulled the man slightly closer.  “Walk with me to the Council Chamber.  I fear I am already late.”

“Yes, Highness.”  He moved his hand and supported hers as they walked side by side.

“I never did find out what happened to you and your schooner on the river.  You are here, so at least you survived.”  Laun’s voice was quiet and directed at the man in slightly foreign cut tunic and breeches at her side.

There was a little chortle.  “You actually read my adventures?  Most women I know just take the trinkets and leave the paper.”

“I have little use for trinkets, but they mean something when they come from a hand such as yours, Liam.”  Laun’s smile was small, but the gleam in her eye told him much.

His eye took in the woman next to him and he smiled at the dichotomy.  A woman who declares that she does not like trinkets, and yet she was wearing one of the best trinkets any woman may want, the three pointed crown.  He did see how reserved she was in how she dressed, even as she had a few pieces of jewelry on her.  A silver web of a veil with drops of moonstone covered her hair behind the crown, the brown braids tied with leather thong showing a utility under the delicate piece.  Then the long silver chain going down her chest and over the red and black dress covering most of her cleavage, the delicate silver leaf shining at the end, swaying as she walked.

The dress formed to her, moved with her, only showing the tips of her riding boots if she had to speed up slightly.  He felt the bump of something on her arm under the long, loose sleeve as she relaxed her arm into his.  Liam could not tell what it was, but with the reputation she had, he expected it to be a weapon.

“Highness, I am only in the Capitol City for a few days.  I heard you had arrived last night but could not attend you.”

He liked the smile she had as she turned slightly to him as they walked.  “I was preoccupied and it would not have been convenient to visit.  Though, I invited you to the Palace several times while I was being held here and you never seemed to wish to come before.”

Liam looked forward and then back to the woman he was escorting.  “That was because of a certain Master who was residing here.  I only dealt with that person when they needed things...transported securely.”

Laun was quiet until they reached the door to the council chambers.  Laun stopped several paces from the servants on either side of the door and raised her other hand, offering it to him.  It was unusual for the off hand to be offered to be kissed, but as he dropped the one and held his hand out to the other, he saw a ring that he had not noticed before.  He kissed her hand, looking at the ring, the look on his face not as studied and calm as he would like.

“If things go the way I hope, perhaps I will have a blue head for you to transport home to her Nephew, my Cousin, Ifahyd.  As long as certain broken locks cannot be picked by broken keys.”

“At your service, Duchess.”  Liam kissed her knuckle and then the ring before backing off and turning, leaving Laun and her two servants at the door to the Council chamber.

Laun turned to Gem and made an ineffective motion with her hand.  “How do I look?”

Gem smiled and said, “If anyone thinks you are anything but royalty, I’ll kick their ass myself.”

  Laun smiled and then closed her eyes.  She turned and her face had a pleasant and calm look.  The servants scratched at the door and a call from inside came to open.

The room was crowded.  The full council plus many others were in the room, ranks of those standing behind those seated along the long table, and all quieted and turned to look at who was coming in.  Laun paused until she saw Falmir stand at the other end of the table.  Many other men started to rise up, a few of them coloring slightly.

“By the gods, Highness.”  His voice told her much about how he saw her, and how he had expected her to present herself.

Laun curtseyed deeply, bowing her head to her father.  “Your Majesty.  I apologize for being late.  I seem to have overslept.”

He laughed.  “It was worth the wait, my Thorn.”  He looked around at the council, almost all of them noble men who should have known better than to have their tongues hanging out.  “May I present her Highness, Princess Laun Dresden, Lady Salam-Dir ... my Daughter and second heir to the throne of the Midlands.”

Laun’s eye caught Dougal standing to Falmir’s left, a three pointed crown tilted on his head.  He had a sideways smile and nodded to her as she rose from her curtsey.  Laun could not suppress a smile and so she smiled brightly at everyone in the room.

“Thank you for inviting me, your Majesty.”  Laun moved along one side of the room towards Dougal and Falmir, touching shoulders of a few of the men she knew, letting others take and kiss her hand.  Dreng stood and had nothing for protocol as he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her on the forehead.

She made it up to the head of the table, Falmir still standing as he was watching her go through the room.  Her gait had been slow, her smiles spread to all as she passed.  The touches she gave out made more of an impression than she knew, Falmir seeing men his age blush and having to turn away after she had passed.

A hand was presented and the hand was kissed.  Laun moved from his left, a momentary brush on Dougals cheek of a light fingertip, to Falmir’s right, a small, high stool placed for her to sit on.  Her people faded to the wall and kept watch on everyone around them.

“You know many here, Thorn.  If you need them to be, I will introduce them, but we are already in the middle of a mix-up of asinine proportions.”  Falmir sat and most everyone else did.  The ones that didn’t waited for Laun to perch on the stool.  Laun’s hand went to Falmirs shoulder and he briefly put his over hers before starting to talk about the attacks by bandits on travelers.

Laun saw that most of her people were on the right of the table, a few of the councilors scattered between them.  Senri stood behind General Alsen, a nod going between her and the older military man.  Hunter and Fount sat next to each other, several fancily dressed people behind them looking put out at the plainly dressed men taking their places.  Laun nodded coldly at her Uncle, Heran Dresden, and saw the tension between he and his next chair neighbor, Erin.  Verat seemed to easily drift from behind Erin to the brothers, a calm but knowing look on his face.

So many faces she recognized.  She saw the Mayor of the Capitol City talking to someone in a plain black tunic behind him.  A man on the other side of the table who she had known just as Dem now was much better dressed than when they sat under the tent on the green of the Palace, his talk of harvests and moon cycles making her like him for his down to earth ways.  Servants and pages connected to the men around the table kept looking up and down the table, as if looking for a scrap of something to present to their masters.

The only other woman seated at the table was across from her Uncle.  She was plainly dressed and had a cloth wrapped around her head and neck, in a veiling way that reminded Laun of Lady Uetoi.  She was sitting back, watching the argument around her, but not engaging any of them

“... It happened several years ago, too.  When we had the dryness and the famine in the far South-”

“Jake, you aren’t getting it.  They are more organized than the hungry bandits ever were.”  The man with the floppy blue hat leaned on one of the maps on the table and pointed.  “If the information we have been given is right, these three main roads have been hit by the same tactics on the same nights four or five times this last month.  Robbing, killing... Pardon me, Ladies, but rape, too.”

Heran stood shaking his head and sounding more like a man than Laun ever thought he would, even though his words were those of his puppet master’s.  “I don’t believe that could have happened.  The people reporting things must have the days wrong and it could not have been as gruesome as they say.  That just does not happen under the nose of our military-”  He turned towards Alsen who had snorted.

“Ambassador, people do not exaggerate about death when they come across it.  The first hand information we have about the bandits makes it clear that they are not just bandits.  They aren’t even from the Midlands.”

“How can that be?  Invaders?  Greyworlders?”  The tidy looking man shook his head.  The woman next to him nodded and a low word or two was said.  “No.  Not even the Greyworld Masters could pull something like that off.”

Laun saw Edgar start to stand.  Dreng put a hand on his shoulder and he let himself be seated again.  Dreng stood instead and captured everyone’s attention.  “Good gentles.  Not everyone in the room has the information the King and I have.  With his permission?”

Falmir leaned forward, Laun’s hand leaving his shoulder.  “We should have someone from the team who took down one of the bandit units make the report.  Lieutenant?”

Senri looked at Laun and she nodded slightly.  “Your Majesty.  Two nights ago, a group of eleven of us were camping along the road, partially separated from the road by a hedge.  We set guard rotation, but the bandits surprised us.”

Alsen looked back over his shoulder and asked, “So, your squad was caught flat footed?”

Senri tried to not shake his head, his head tilt and slight grimace showing his choice of words was hard for him to say.  “Sir, I was the only active military of the group.”

There were a few chuckles.  “Don’t tell me you were the one on watch when they attacked?”

“No, sir.  I was in my kit asleep.  I woke to a blade in my chest.”  He stood a little straighter, looking straight ahead.

One of the other council stood and pointed, saying, “They must not have been good bandits.  You are standing here with us.  How many were there?”

“Four, sir.”  There was laughter.

“Four against eleven, did you say?”  The councilor laughed.  “How many did you kill yourself?”

Senri turned slightly red and his eye flicked to Laun.  “None, sir.”

The councilor looked around and saw the unfamiliar faces.  “You let these civilians do it for you?  They do look strong enough.”  He led the laughter and sat down.

The Mayor of the Capitol City stood, a serious look on his face.  “Regardless of what my fellow councillor is insinuating, I would like to know who took out the bandits and brought back the information.”

Senri turned and saluted Laun, not saying anything.  There was quiet in the room as Laun stood from the stool and bowed her head to the Lieutenant.  There was disbelief on many faces, a great big smile on the General’s.

The councilor who had been trying to egg Senri on stood again and pointed at Laun as she sat again.  “I don’t believe it!  No woman could take out four bandits!”

Laun smiled and did not hide her teeth.  She was quiet as she said, “You are quite right, good gentle.  I did not take out all four.”

“See!  All of this is a lie!  We shouldn-”

Laun raised her voice and the command behind it silenced the councilor as she said, “I only killed two.  My servant killed the third.”

There was quiet as Gem stepped forward, her head bowed and looking at the ground.  Eyes went back and forth between them, both women calm and not flinching.

The councilor swallowed and said, “Um, what about the fourth?”

Laun tilted her head and was quiet again.  “We were able to retrieve information from him and left him helpless for the dogs.  They were one of several bandit units put together from Rosemond troops here in the Midlands.”

There were low whispers as people turned slightly to one another in the room.  The woman stood and said, “Proof.  Is there any proof?”

Edgar stood and threw a pair of boots onto the table, scattering maps and lists.  “These are Rosemond issued boots.  The name of the Sergeant we interrogated is in them.  We have their mounts, documents and items only military personnel would have.”

It took a moment, but the room erupted in argument.  No one could hear further than the person next to them, if at all.  Falmir sat back, used to the chaos and watched as it ran it’s course.  Laun’s hand went back on his shoulder, his hand touching hers for a moment.  She could feel him sigh, but seemed very patient, unlike most of the rest of the time she had known him.

Verat glided through the people yelling at each other to stand at Laun’s side.  She noticed him and leaned closer to him.  “Highness.  I hope you had a pleasant evening.”

Laun nodded and motioned him closer.  “It was late and energetic.  And yours?”

Verat smiled broadly and laughed slightly.  “She was pleasant enough-”

Laun laughed, Falmir turning to look up at her before turning back to the verbal mess in the room.  “I’m sorry.  I did not know it was going to happen until my own... entertainment showed up.”

He nodded and clasped his hands over his small brass bell he had on a thong at his belt.  “I have information on which house our King uses, what his preference is, how often he calls for red scarves from them.  And more.”

Laun smiled at the man.  “Good.  Always working.”

He shrugged.  Verat looked around and leaned in, saying, “It is amazing what not fucking someone will let them tell you.”

Laun snorted, Falmir turning around to look at her again, several others following his line of sight.  Laun smiled at them and took Verat’s hand, patting it as if he were a dear friend or relative.  “Too bad she didn’t earn her coins,” Laun said as quietly as she could.

“I never said that.  I was trained well, and I think I saw a good smile on her face when she left.”

Laun nodded and smiled.  “I am happy to hear it.”  Verat bowed as much as he could in the space by Laun and drifted away again to behind Fount.

Laun turned and looked at the people still yelling around the table.  She squose Falmir’s shoulder and stood.  Some people noticed the difference and turned to her, some did not until they were forced to shut up as Laun said, “Councillors.  If I may...”

Dreng stood and clapped his hands together.  That quieted the last people down, especially when he turned his one good eye to them and stared them down into their seats.  He turned and bowed slightly to Laun.

Laun nodded to her Grandfather.  “Good gentles.  If I may, I have an idea that may help some with the outlaws.”  She paused, waiting for an objection.  None seeming to come up, Laun continued with, “It seems to me that, after the men of the Rosemond military were dismissed from helping keep the peace in the Midlands, that they did not really have anything else to do.  They are far from their homelands and many of them do not have any other way to support themselves now that they do not have the merc wages given to them by our treasury.”

Laun saw one of the men nod his head.  It was the fastidious one next to the woman.  Sitting in for the Council of the Treasury?  Laun could not think on that for too long.  She took in a breath and said, “If my Father wishes to, he could proclaim that any Rosemond National who wishes to leave the country back to his homeland can do so, with full secure passage given.”

There wasn’t even a pause before the room erupted.  Ambassador Dresden was one of the loudest, saying that sending all those men back at once would create tension, making it look like we were rounding Rosemond people up and expelling them.  Laun heard him make a slip, calling the Rosemond military ‘our men’, but he pushed through and continued to yell.  Verat was close behind him and was keeping mental notes on what the man was saying.  Laun felt that was good as she lost track of his voice as the woman, declaring herself the deputy Ambassador to Myrned, yelled at the top of her lungs that if the Midlands was going to offer Rosemond people safe passage, it would put a stress on the Myrned people who may want to leave, the workers and merchants that the Midlands depended on.

Falmir stood and many of the people sat and quieted.  It took less time for those still talking to tell that they were a minority and they sat, some with unfinished sentences on their lips.

“We are not getting anywhere yelling at each other.  It was just a suggestion by my Daughter.  One that I feel needs some time to be considered, but not heatedly.  I will table that discussion until I can have a chance to talk to all of you whom that type of declaration would effect.”  There were several nods.  “My Lady Uista did make a good point, though.  What about the workers and merchants?  The bandits have effectively cut off trade through parts of the North and West, making it difficult if not impossible to get goods through.”

Dem stood and talked as his Majesties agriculture and internal trade council.  “It has come to my attention that because of...  There are repercussions from last years...”  Falmir leaned back and Laun put a strong hand on his shoulder.  “Your Majesty.  The way the coup was handled, most of the land was not as productive this year after many of the nobles that had been put in charge of Midlands nobles’ lands did not have the reserves to effectively utilize what they had been given.”

“Fuck you for bringing that up, Demner.”  Falmir leaned back further into his chair, a loud creak coming from the uprights.

There was a rumble that was threatening to take over the meeting again.  Laun did not bother to stand but said, “You are right.  Things could have been handled differently.  Some may say better.”  Laun felt Falmir turn away slightly under her hand.  “Let us not dwell on the sins of the past, gentles.  They happened.  If the Hawkwell family can get past it, the rest of you should-”

“Highness, who are you to tell us how the Kingdom should be run?  You come out of the far North, claiming heritage and getting the three pointed crown by waiving your breasts around.”  The councilor looked around and saw disappointment and outrage, but not all at Laun.  Laun remembered him as being one of those who tried to get into her room, but she blocked every time.  There was something about how he treated those around her that she did not trust.  At that point, he hadn’t been on the council.

“I run a household up North, yes.  And yes, I seemingly came from nowhere.  It was up to Dreng and Falmir to accept me as a Hawkwell, even though I kept my mother’s name as I grew on the Salam-Dir lands.”  She saw several people glance at Heran.  “I do not know you all as well as I would like, and perhaps I know some of you better than is usual.”  Several people turned slightly pink but did not turn away.  “I do ask you though, Lyle, have I treated you with anything but fairness and respect?”

“Well, I...”  He looked around and then back at Laun.  “No, Highness.”

Laun stood and stepped forward, pressing her legs against the table, the knives on her thighs digging in slightly as she said, “I only ask that you treat me with the respect you have been treated.  If you will not, I will treat you as you have treated me, and I do not forget.”  The council sat, his hands flat on the table in front of him.

Laun looked down at Falmir, holding her hand to him.  He took it.  Laun looked around the table and said, “When I first came here to the Palace, yes, I wished to kill Falmir.  I knew who he was, and I was willing to kill my own father.  But, I made a promise and I am glad I did so.”  Laun raised her hand clasped with Falmir’s.  “I speak only for myself, and I can only ever speak for myself.  I know that our King was led astray and led to actions that we all regret, some more than others.  Those responsible for pulling strings have mostly been found and dealt with, each appropriately.”  Laun saw Erin glance down.  “You all are here because our King believes that you have value.  To him and the Kingdom.  I don’t see it.”  Laun heard the intake of breath that she knew would lead to more chaos.  “But he does, and without you, this Kingdom cannot work, cannot survive.  But this fighting has to stop.  And, as I was saying, if the Hawkwell family can come together after such an awful thing happening, then you all should be able to sit the hell down, shut the fuck up and listen to the people around you.”

There was stunned silence.  It was the only way the scratches from the outside of the room would have been heard.  Falmir called out and the doors were opened, the Council of the Treasury standing on the other side.

“What the hell just happened?  What did I miss?”

Falmir shook his raised hand still around Launs and said, “My daughter just told the children to shut the fuck up.”  There were nervous chortles around the table.

“I am sorry I am late.”  He came in and took his place, the seat vacated by the fastidious man Laun had pegged for the treasury deputy.  Silar came in behind him before the doors closed again, carrying a tankard and a small thing wrapped in cloth.

Falmir looked at the tankard and looked pained.  “You missed some, but I am sure you will get a full report by your man.”

Laun sat back on the stool, her hand going back to Falmir’s shoulder.  She took the tankard and sipped on the water as the discussion about internal trade and the difficulties of feeding the Kingdom continued, at a much lower volume than it could have been.  She handed the tankard back to Gem and took the wrapped thing from Silar’s hand.  It took both her hands to hold and unwrap it and she was a little nervous doing so in the middle of council.  When the cloth was removed, she saw that it was some confection with fruits and nuts in it, and her stomach told her that it would be a good idea to eat it.

Laun took a small piece and handed the rest back to Silar.  She ate it and tried not to make happy noises as the Mayor of some harbor city at the other end of the table was talking about the ships that came into his port.  She motioned for the water again and sipped on it, trying to concentrate on the man behind Dem who was giving statistics about how much grain and meat it took to feed each person in the Kingdom, and where they needed to get the supply from.

Silar seemed to be looking intently at her tankard.  Laun looked and knew she was hungry and inattentive because of it.  A small black ribbon on the handle held a solid silver bell.  A true clapperless bell.  Laun fiddled with the bow, untying it as the deputy Ambassador to Myrned was expounding on the goods that come through the Western and Northern passes that are crucial to trade with Myrned, and the comfort of the Midlands people.

Laun handed the tankard back to Gem and had the ribboned bell in her hand.  She paid some attention to Dreng as he tried to tell of a time when he was stuck in a small valley one winter with very little to eat.  The small bell was tied to Laun’s looped lacings near the bottom of her bodice before Dreng restarted for the third time.

Falmir stood, putting his hand out to his Father.  “I think we have all heard that one several times over the years, but Dreng makes a good point despite his stories.”

“Bastard,” came from Dreng under his breath as he sat down.

Falmir smiled and said, “We need to feed our people.  How are we going to do that?  Having spent time in a place recently where every meal is parsed out carefully, even for happy gatherings, I know one household can do it, but how can we get the whole Kingdom to be able to do it?”

A reasonable level of talk filled the room.  People turned to one another and discussed things, bringing up ideas and situations to their neighbors.  It seemed to be working well until the Mayors, seated right across the table from one another, started to get loud at one another.

“No!  We take precedence because the King resides here.  If any seafood comes in, we should have first pick.”

The white haired Mayor from the Port City of Hamlis leaned on the table and said, “How the hell are you going to get it here?  Messenger pigeon?  It has to be processed before it is shipped, and since it is there, my people have access to it and will be fed.”

The room erupted, accusations of hoarding and diverting goods being thrown about by many there.  Falmir’s head went back, his eyes closed as he seemed to be reciting a prayer.  He waited for a little bit until he stood and pounded on the table.  “Shut Up!!!!  Will you people listen to yourselves?  When the cool heads want to come to the table, I will listen to them, until then-Shut Up!”  He looked at the people around him.  “Do you even know where your food truly comes from?  I mean, the food I feed you in the Palace?”

Many of the people looked at their hands or other places, some shook their heads.  Falmir sat and motioned to Laun.  She stood and looked down at Falmir.  He motioned again and Laun started to speak on what was foremost in her mind on the subject.

“You are talking about food as if it were a Sticks piece waiting to be played on your field.  Do you think that the food here in the Palace just magically appears when you send a servant for it?  You are fools if so.  I have seen the kitchens, I have talked to the people who cook the food here.  I know the hands that touch it.”  She saw a wince from one of the servants along the wall.  “It takes supplies that the rest of the Kingdom does not have access to for to keep those in the Palace happy.  For the cost of feeding the Palace for one day, I could restock my household and keep everyone fed for a month.”

Unbelieving eyes met hers, except for the Councilor who actually dealt with the money.  Laun nodded to him, fingering her bell.  He stood and said, “You all know that our farms have been having shortages, even for the Palace.  We have to spend more every month to get what you all eat than we have ever spent.  The war was not kind and it is effecting everyone.”  He sat nodding again to Laun and then to Falmir.

Laun spoke before anyone else could.  “If you want those of the Kingdom, or at least the city to be able to eat well, tithe your evening meal to those who are outside the Palace tonight.  Feed those who see but can never be in the Palace.”

“Feed beggars and tramps?”  The deputy Ambassador sounded like she had just stepped in something very bad.

“Perhaps some.  Most of the people in this city are trying to live, to work and to get through life without a horrible death.  Think about what you would have for your evening meal and then let those who will never have the chance otherwise taste what you have access to.”

There were a few grumbles and a few nasty looks, but most of the council was quiet.  Eyes darted around, looking to see who was going to be the first to speak, for or against.  No one wanted to speak out against charity, but no one wanted to give up their dinners, either.

Dreng stood.  “I was also part of the household that my son speaks of, for close to a year.  I know how it can get desperate, but with a strong hand and a gentle heart, my Grand Daughter was able to keep us all fed and showed this old man how a household is run.  I am more than willing to forgo my evening meal to make sure one of my Kingdom does not go hungry tonight.”  He looked around the room with his one good eye and then sat.

Falmir was not to be out done.  He stood and pulled Laun back off the stool to stand next to him.  His hand was around hers as he said, “The nobles are supposed to be leaders.  I thought I knew what a leader was.  In the last year, I have learned there are many kinds of leaders, and I was not one of the good ones.”  He waved to his side to Dreng and then held his hand to Dougal who took it and stood.  “These people taught me what it is to truly be a leader, and by example, I hope to show you all that I am the leader this Kingdom needs.”

The King turned and motioned one of his blue and grey servants forward.  “Send word to the kitchens that I will wish my evening meal to be made as usual, but that tables shall be set in the lower green so that my people of the Kingdom may know and enjoy that which their King would share with them.”  

The servant bowed and started to back away when Dreng stood again.  “And mine.”

The councilors looked at each other and then there was a rush of people standing and giving their voices to the group, showing that they had hearts and wished to keep the Kingdom fed.  Several of those who stood knew that they had already spent money on their evening meal, having bid for the scraps from the Kings table.  But, to show a generous face, to make it seem as though they would be willing to do this to curry favor with the King was worth it to them.

The servant was able to make it out of the room and people started talking as they stood around the table.  It was almost pleasant the way they talked amongst each other, but then the anger and nastiness came forth again.

Dougal leaned to his Uncle and said, “Do they ever get along?”

Falmir shrugged and sat once again.  Laun sat on the stool, feeling the edge of it in the backs of her thighs.  She tried to not let it show on her face, but her shoulders drooped and she told of too many sleepless nights and hours on horseback as she stretched out her back, her hand going to where it did when she had been pregnant.

The water was presented to her again and Laun took it, sipping on it and finding that her mouth had gone slightly gummy.  Another piece of the confection was broken off for her and then signaled that it should be passed around to the Hawkwells and the Salam-Dir people.  Evan took the pieces to those at the head of the table, Silar to those down the table.  Laun squinted at her dark man and signed, “Big, too.”  Erin nodded to Laun when Silar handed him a piece over his shoulder.

The official conversation around the table started to go to things Laun had no real background on, no informed opinion.  She listened, finding bits of information, but other than that, found she was bored.  She started to look intently at people, looking at their clothing and hair and posture.  She saw little things, like clothing that needed to be repaired under new overgarments.  She put together big things when she realized that the deputy Ambassador had the same cloth in her under dress as the deputy Treasurer had for a sash around his waist.  She saw buckles that needed to be replaced.  She saw glances between people that meant more than they wanted others to know.

Laun caught the eye of one man as he was looking up from one of those meaningful looks to another council member.  She smiled and did not blink, lowering her head slightly and then tilting it slightly to look at him in a becoming fashion.  He smiled back and then blinked, his ear hearing something he should have reacted to.  His head turned but it was too late, someone else had already stood and made the point he wanted to.

It was now a game.  Laun still tried to listen to the roles of the seventh division armored something or other, but she was more interested in catching and holding the attention of those around the table.  Some of the men would be caught, nod to her and move on, not too fun, but telling.  Some of the men Laun had been with were the easiest to distract with a slight tilt of her head and a small smile.  She even was able to catch one of those who had started yelling by a finger drawn along her bottom lip, her mouth slightly open.  He slipped and had to sit as another person had become louder and pushed the councils conversation in their direction.

Falmir saw the slip of the council and followed his eyeline.  He put his hand on Launs at his shoulder, getting her attention.  “Wench,” was all he said.  He had a twinkle in his eye and was not upset.  He watched her distract more of the men for a few minutes, knowing that she could have any of the men at the table she wanted with just a little push of that smile.

The King rose slowly from his chair.  The argument about the color that the ships from the Midlands should fly quieted and everyone else who could sat.  He looked around and felt that things had been accomplished, even with the loud voices that had started to pain him more in the last few minutes.

“Well, I don’t intend on missing more than one meal today, so I think this meeting is over.”  Many of the councilors objected loudly, a few had weary looks that showed they too were tired and hungry.  Falmir ignored those at the table and offered his hand to Laun.  She took it after signing “all my room ten” to Fount and Hunter.  Falmir put his hand on his Nephews shoulder and Dougal rose.  The doors were opened and the council that was not on their feet stood, some bowing as the Hawkwells made their way through the people and to the corridor outside.

Laun walked at Falmir’s side, Dougal on the other side of her Father.  She slowed slightly when they had passed a group of lesser nobles in the hallway and spoke softly.  “It seems my red scarf left his scarf and his payment when he left this morning.”

Dougal looked over and paused, Falmir pushing him along by his shoulder.  Falmir did not turn his head as he said, “I’ll have to make sure that his master is recompensed for his thoughtlessness.”

Laun smiled slightly and handed the little note to Falmir from her cleavage.  “Remember not to use the royal ink next time.”

Falmir dropped her hand and took the note, laughing loudly.  “Nothing gets past you, Thorn.”  He tucked the note in his tunic and offered his hand again.  He smiled down at her and then had a thought go across his mind, showing in his eyes.  His voice dropped.  “Next time?”

Laun smiled up at him, tightening her hand on his.  “You have set the price, your Majesty.”

Dougal looked away, bright red.  “Never again.”

“As you wish, cousin.”  Laun kept walking, but glanced across Falmir’s bulk, seeing Dougal shyly look at her and look away again.

“Your room, Daughter.”  Falmir bowed over her hand, kissing it and putting her knuckles to his forehead.

Laun made a small curtsey and said, “I hope to have some time with my people before taking a nap.  I am certain that they have things to tell me that I overlooked at the meeting.”  Falmir squinted his eyes at her before turning his nephew around and heading down the corridor.

Laun went in, closely followed by her three assassins.  The furniture had been changed out, the light silk stained from the night before changed for plusher velvets over dark woods in yellow and greens to go with some of the other colors in the room.  Several envelopes and a few boxes were on the table by the low couch.  Laun glanced at them and shook her head.  She went through and to the bathing chamber and let her body have the relief she had wished for close to an hour.  It felt good to sit on the ceramic seat for just a moment more than she needed to.

There was a knock on the outer door and Laun sighed.  She cleaned herself, stood and arranged herself in the dress before stepping on the pedal.  She looked at herself in the mirror on the vanity and liked what she saw.  She stepped out into the main room and most of the Salam-Dir people were there waiting.

“I don’t think I have been that bored in ages,” Laun said as she leaned against the back of one of the chairs.

Hunter moved to her and stood next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder, a finger lightly touching part of the spiderweb of silver chain over her hair.  “I kept wanting to come over and see what this was.  You would turn your head and it looked like morning dew had formed in your hair.”

There was a little wonder in Hunter’s eyes and Laun smiled up at him.  “I had hoped that it looked good, but I didn’t know it was going to be that distracting.”

“You are always distracting.  I don’t think that is why we are here.”  Edgar stepped to Laun’s other side, distracting her for a moment as his fingers brushed against her cheek before putting a stray hair back of her ear.

There was a smile and Laun closed her eyes for a moment.  “Um...  What did I miss at the meeting?”  Laun looked up at Edgar and wondered who Falmir had sent to him.

Verat took lead in the discussion.  “Highness, from the subjects discussed, and several that were talked around, I think it is safe to say that most of the people who were in that room have no idea that we are at war.  Of the people who know, even less know that the Rosemond sovereign is not actually backing it.”

Laun nodded, feeling the two men’s hands still on her shoulders.  “Which leads me to ask, does my Uncle know where Engrid is holed up?  I heard him slip several times while everyone else was yelling.”

Verat nodded, but it was Erin who spoke.  “He mentioned a skirmish that was not on the map, calling it ‘a hole in their lines.‘  It is the Midlands that would have the line.  No one else mentioned the conflict, so I think he has been talking with someone who knows more than most people.”

Verat nodded again, leaning forward on the couch and saying, “Highness, I heard that slip, too, but had not thought as much about it.  If he is really on the Rosemond side and playing at loyalty to the Midlands, this could be a way to find Lady-”

There was a knock at the door.  Laun dropped her head slightly and then stood, motioning to the door.  General Alsen waited for Gem to invite him in, but the door did not close as Gem saw the Council of the Treasurer coming down the hall.  He was invited in and the door was closed and locked.

“More people in here than I expected, Highness.”  The council bowed and looked around, seeing the General go to Laun and kiss her on the hand and then get pulled in for a hug.

“I was starting our debriefing-”  Laun punched Alsen in the arm and shook her head.  “We had just started.”  Laun motioned to an open seat and the council took it.

Laun squinted at the man with the gold bell at his collar.  “You know, I know your title, but I don’t think I ever caught your name.”

He looked down and shook his head slightly.  “Old habit from training, Highness.  Lucas Veris.”  He genuflected loosely with one hand and let it drop between his knees.  He hadn’t looked tired until just then.

Laun looked from Lucas to Verat and back again.  She needed them to talk privately for a moment, but could not think of how.  In fact, it was getting hard for her to think at all with the men trying to crowd around her.

“I noticed that the clothing of the Deputies next to each other were partially of the same cloth.  Are they married?”

Both Alsen and Lucas seemed shocked, for different reasons.  “It’s not widely known, Highness.  They married a few years ago, but because of political maneuvering, Ritil thought it would be best if his wife kept her name so she could get higher in the diplomatic corps.  I was at their ceremony as a witness,” Lucas said, a slightly different look in his eye than before.

“I had no clue.  I just thought they were lovers.”  Alsen put an emphasis at the end, not being as subtle as he thought he was.

Laun smiled.  “Other clothing details?”

Evan raised his hand slightly.  He spoke when Laun nodded to him.  “The Mayor from Hamlis had blood on his boots and the bottom of his tunic hem.”

“Where is he staying?”  Laun looked to Lucas who’s eyebrow was going higher with each piece of information.

“I believe he has a schooner at the harbor.”

“Slaughter houses or such on the route he is most likely to have taken?”  Heads shook a negative of the people who would know.

Laun nodded and leaned forward on the chair in front of her again.  “The new loose over-tunic on Dem, the Agriculture council?  Did it look like a cut from Rosemond and slightly too big for him?”

Silar spoke, saying, “I saw a few stitches along the back that made it look like it had been much bigger recently.  I did see shell buttons made from shell usually only found in Rosemond, but it could be his tailor convinced him that it would be fancier to have imported buttons.”

Laun shrugged.  “I saw many of the council with worn and needing to be repaired clothing, most under brand new garments.  Is this the way things usually are?”

Alsen shrugged.  He moved off slightly and looked at the group, saying, “Highness, what information are you looking for?”

“I’ll know it when I hear it.”  Laun dipped her head down, her mind trying to work but starting to close down for sleep.  “Did they clear the sideboard?”

It was found that food and drink was still set in the bedroom.  The meeting changed locations, most people sitting on the little beds around the room as Laun had one of the chairs brought in for her to sit on.  She was not going to encourage other bedroom activities, yet.  Food had been taken, drinks poured, and butts sat on surfaces.

Most everyone had an observation about the councilors and their minions.  Laun directed the conversation around what they were wearing, in one case what a councilor was not wearing as Alsen had found it odd that a family necklace that one of the councilors always wore was not on him that day.

The attitude of many of those sitting at the table was gently mentioned by Laun when she mentioned again the Councilor of Agriculture and internal trade.  “I have had chance to talk with him before, but was he more... Staid, I guess is the word.  Reserved, perhaps?”

Both of the men who were used to the chaos of the meetings thought.  Alsen nodded and said, “He was having difficulty standing.  He usually does not have someone else read statistics and reports.  He really likes droning those into our heads himself.”

Lucas was rubbing his chin, partially in thought and partially to get some crumbs from his stubble.  “I believe he had been traveling until just yesterday.  He might have been too tired.  But-”  Lucas leaned forward and put a hand on his knee.  “If he was going to and from his estate, he had to have gone through the bandits web.  I’ll see if I can find out more on that, Highness.”

Laun bowed her head to the clapperless bell across from her and smiled.  “Thank you.  It is good to know that the waters around here are kept clear by a gentleman such as yourself.”

Fount cleared his throat and caught the room’s attention.  “I kept on looking across the table and seeing the man in the blue hat looking at the Ambassador.  You know, your Uncle.”  He looked hopeful at Laun and then down at his tankard of cider.

There were nods in the room.  Laun said, “They were the most obvious.  I wouldn’t be surprised if other small meetings like this are going on around the Palace right now.”

Alsen waived his tankard and said, “Morse and Heran have been meeting over at the diplomatic enclave most mornings this week.”

A few heads turned to the General, Lucas saying, “And how would you know that, General?”

The General smiled broadly and bowed his head slightly to Laun, his eyes going to the red scarf still covering the gold coins on the sideboard.  “There is a delightful little place I have been staying perhaps a bit too late at that has a good line of sight into the Ambassador’s quarters.  It’s been every morning at about nine bells and Morse leaves usually an hour later.”

Lucas motioned his hands in mock surrender and said, “Why the hell am I here?  You all seem to have much more information than I.”  Laun saw a wink and smiled at him.

“Councilor, I know that you were hoping for a more private meeting.  I just don’t work that way.  Without the observations of these wonderful people, I would have been completely lost.  I know that you have better training than I, but I hope that the information that has been gleaned will be helpful in keeping the Kingdom safe.”  Laun leaned back and relaxed some into the velvet of the slightly overstuffed chair, a tankard of cider in her hands.

Erin motioned and Laun made a lazy wave to him.  “Highness.  Your uncle was not the only one who seemed to slip when he was saying something.”

Lucas’ head turned to the Rosemond noble.  “I missed something.  The Ambassador said something he shouldn’t?”

Verat went over the mention of the skirmish, the use of ‘their line’ and other small inconsistencies.  Lucas and Alsen both had sour looks on their faces which became darker as Erin was encouraged to continue with, “The Hamlis Mayor mentioned a name that I don’t think he meant to.  He stopped himself and changed what he was saying while the rest of the councilors were yelling, but I heard it.”

There was a pause and Laun had a flash of a headache.  “Please, shall we guess?”

Erin shook his head.  “It was while the...conversation was about the bandits possibly being greyworld Master’s machinations.  He mentioned the new Mistress.”  Erin for some reason did not want to say the name in front of the General and Councilor.

Laun did not want to take pity on him, but looked around and asked, “Did anyone else hear what he had said?”

There were negative grunts and shakes of heads.  Erin looked down and then up, shifting his weight slightly off his injured leg.  “Highness, he said Mistress Peach.”

There was quiet.  Laun took a sip of cider.  She sighed.  She held the tankard out and Evan took it from her hand.  All eyes were on her, two sets confused at the reaction in the room.  Laun sat forward and put her hands out in front of her, palm up.  She looked at the palms as if she could actually see something resting there.  Then, slowly, she tilted her left hand until she had turned it palm down.  She closed both hands into fists as if she were holding the haft of a two-handed sword in her hands and smiled.

“She’s in the harbor with him.”

The General had a start and Lucas narrowed his eyes as the Salam-Dir people nodded and looked at each other.  “How the fuck would you get that from a name of some greyworld whore?”

Laun laughed and looked to the floor between her hands, coloring slightly before looking up at the General.  “Alsen, we never did negotiate price for my services, did we?”

Gem giggled behind her sleeve as the look on the General’s face changed.  “Oh, Fuck!  Laun...  Highness...  You?”

Laun smiled with many teeth showing.  “I was known as Peach when I was a dancer for my Lord and Lady Salam-Dir.  I am sure there is some sort of coincidence there.”

The councilor was intently looking at Laun as he said in a very straight and serious tone, “How many people know?”

Laun motioned to the people in the room and said, “The name was mentioned to one other.  The man we left naked and bound, surrounded by the other dead soldiers.”

“You also said Blue where he could hear, love.”  Edgar had a very worried look on his face.

“We should get you back to Salam-Dir.  It is safe there,” Fount said, standing.

Laun held her hands up, palms out to the people around her.  “Things are not done, yet.  We need to follow the strings that have been dangled in front of us to see what they are connected to.  If she is as close as the harbor here in the Capitol City, we need to rout her out and take her down.”  Laun moved one hand to her mouth as she covered a yawn.

Verat stood and briefly looked at those in the room.  “Highness, I should go and see if Franc’s father is well.”

Laun held up a hand to him and he came forward, lifting the hand to his mouth to kiss the back of her hand as she said, “I know you have both been worried about him.  Go and find out how he is.  Before you go-”  Laun motioned to Lucas.  “Please, Councilor, I know that my friend has an interest in jewelry and there are some interesting pieces I pulled from the selection earlier on the vanity in the bathing chamber.  If you would tell him about the pieces?  He is especially interested in the sandstone.”

The eyebrow that went up was subtle, but Lucas stood and bowed over Launs hand.  “If you wish, your Highness.”

The men went out of the bed chamber, both slightly confused.  Laun smiled after them, but it changed to another yawn that Laun was not able to cover.  Gem stepped forward and put her hand on Laun’s shoulder.

“Our Mistress needs sleep.  I would suggest those who can take the time do so also.”

Laun nodded and put her hand on her girl’s hand.  “Thank you.  I also thank all of you.  This has been a good meeting, even if we had to sit through the last one to have it.”  There was laughter.

Laun stood and had a line of men to hug and kiss as they were gently asked to leave by Gem.  Laun felt needs in some touches, companionship in others, but all would take time and energy and with the plan she had in her mind, she wanted to have a clear head for the evening.  She did ask Alsen to come back later, a smile on her lips but a bloodglint in her eyes.

Edgar was the last to give Laun a hug and a kiss.  He looked at the small beds around the large one, but said into her hair, “Rest well, my love.  I hope you will call on me if you need help.”

Laun pulled Edgar down for another kiss and said into his mouth, “I always need you, my L-”  Edgar forced another kiss into Launs lips, not knowing if she was going to say Love or Lord.  The kiss turned into a yawn and Laun turned her head away and into his chest.  “I need sleep.  I just have not been getting enough, and with the last few days-”

Edgar stepped away.  “I will leave you for now, my Love.  We need to consider our trip back, just as the boy mentioned.”

“He pissed you off?  You will have to tell me later.  Now, I need to sleep.”

Laun was stripped of her dress, underthings and even her knives before she climbed up and into the center part of the bed.  Gem and Silar went to the lower sections of the bed on either side, Evan taking the watch in the main room.

Verat and Lucas were still in the bathing chamber, the door mostly closed.  Evan scratched on the door and there was quiet until Verat opened the door.  “Please.  I know the Mistress wished for you to speak, but she is now laying down for a nap.”

The men nodded and went out of the rooms, more knowledge between guild members and comrades in arms between them.  Evan saw blue and grey servants waiting outside, available to do the cleaning and minor things that the servants always seemed to be doing.  Evan let the servants in and tried to keep them out of the bed chamber after they pulled the curtains to block some of the afternoon light.

Evan had seen Gem and Hazalam be Launs servants before he had seen their talents in other things.  He had not been a servant, had not been a noble.  He had been a craftsman, working with his hands and wood before the noble who had taken the life of his family had changed everything for him.  Late in life to train to be an assassin, but his woodworking skills gave him advantages in some ways.

He looked at the furniture that had been brought in.  It looked solid enough, but as he looked at the turning of the legs, the uneven stain of the color, he knew that this had been refashioned from other furniture and was one good, hard sit, or in the case of his Mistress fuck, from collapsing.  He knew it had just been installed in her rooms, but he asked for a simpler, heavier style, mentioning several current makers by name.  The other servants consulted with each other in low tones and one of them nodded.

The table with the messages and gifts was the only furniture left in the room within minutes.  There were a few small piles of things, plus the urns with the flowers pushed to the edges of the room.  Evan looked at the names on the messages and had a little bit of a jolt.

Liam.  He had been installed as Liam’s messenger for the mission.  Laun had taken him and broken him, hard and gently.  She owned him, but he had not completed the mission.  The only one he had not.  He had given her the message, but she had not died as he had been told the poison would do.  He knew what that type of poison did and seeing her handle the message and not be effected had scared him more than he hoped she ever knew.  Falmir did not show any sign of being effected, either, but he had not handled the message as much as she had.

Evan sat in the middle of the floor in the main room facing the door.  He closed his eyes and started to meditate, going over catras of control and catras of emptiness.  The guilt he had go through him a few times about not completing the job was dismissed.  The guilt that he took another’s place, and he had been killed to do it was pushed out.  The guilt that stuck with him was the thought that the poison had not killed her, but he had heard of the baby she had birthed dead.  He still could not push out of his head that it had been his mission that had killed the child.  It hurt more since he had taken the life of an assassin to have vengeance on the man who had killed his own children.

 

Chapter 36 A nap interrupted by horrible circumstance