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There is death in the world. When there is war, you can get used to it to a point. When it is someone you know, it can be heart rending. When it is someone you have dedicated your life to, it is devastating.
Verat did not even scratch on the door into Princess Laun’s room. He did not notice the servants around him putting new furniture in the main room. He saw Evan directing the blue and grey servants, but did not recognize him as friend or foe.
The distraught man looked around and saw the open door into the bed chamber. He went for the door, bumping into a servant. He did not turn, did not say anything. Verat needed her and could not think of anything else.
Knives were at Verat’s throat as he tried to crawl up onto the bed with Laun. Both Silar and Gem drew and held knives at the trembling man before they knew it was him. Laun woke to the bed moving and hands on her, looking and seeing tear streaks on Verat’s face. She opened her arms to him and her assassins backed off.
Laun’s arms went around Verat and he had his head on her chest, sobbing even before he had touched her. Laun understood that darkness, that profound depression. She held him, motioning for more covers and pillows.
They were both propped up in bed, soft blankets covering Verat even though he had just been walking the long corridors of the Palace. Laun had Verat comforted, but he still could not talk because of the overwhelming sadness and grief that gripped him. Laun held him, stroked his hair, murmured small things in a calm voice.
The household servants were asked to leave. The door was locked and the three assassins sat around on the lower level of the bed, ready for whatever may be asked of them. It took a while for Verat to calm, but when he could speak without immediately bursting into tears again, Laun had tears down her face.
“Sand Master is Dead.”
The statement lay where it fell, everyone having many reactions to it. Silar turned away for a moment before coming behind Verat and putting his arm around the man. Evan kissed the tips of his fingers, even though he did not know the man. Gem went and poured several tankards of water, the distance between her and the bed needed as she tried to think of who Sand had been.
Water was at hand, Laun thanking her girl with a nod and a smile. They all drank, some needing it for the momentary pause, some to clear raw throats.
“I only met him the once, but I was impressed with him. I am so sorry for you Verat.” Laun stroked down his cheek, wiping more of the tears away.
Verat nodded but did not look up. “Laun, I don’t know what to do. Tradition says that I am now Sand Master since I was the last and closest of his learners.” He looked up, his eyes red and his voice getting harsh as he tried to not cry any more. “I can’t do it. I’m just not the man my Master wanted me to be.”
“I don’t know what tests or ceremonies you need to claim the title, but I have seen you work a little of your skills and I wish I had even a finger’s worth of what you have,” said Laun, sincerity in the soft voice.
“I know you are not a member of the guild, Laun. Of any of the guilds or brotherhoods. But-” Verat looked at the other three, putting a hand on Silars’ dark hand around his waist. “I am impressed with how you get things done. How your people work. How you work, even outside what I was told was needed to get information.”
Laun smiled a little. “I have done what I needed to, and have had some fun with it. I am happy that one who has had the training likes what I have done.”
Verat still had tears going down his face as he said, “I have not learned enough. I may have the title, but I will not use it until I am worthy of My Master’s recognition. Laun...”
She waited as he seemed to have problems with the words he wanted to say. “It’s right to be upset right now. You are away from your lover, your Master is dead. Do not be afraid of what you are feeling. It is not wrong to feel bad. I just hope you can use it to grow and become stronger. For Franc.”
His head bowed and he sobbed again. “I had not even thought... I don’t know how I will tell him. But... I wanted to ask-” He looked up at her and then pulled the bell from his belt. “Mistress Peach, I ask to become your learner, to learn from you what you would teach me.”
Laun tilted her head, and not in the thinking way she normally did. She was confused and it showed in her voice as she said, “What do you mean? Gem is supposedly learning from me, though I really don’t know what at this point.”
“Please, let me be an apprentice. I don’t think I know enough to take his place. You have ways, techniques, that I want to learn. Please.” He had to close his eyes as the tears were coming out so fast he could not see through them.
Laun put her hand over his, closing their fingers around his brass clapperless bell. “You are welcome to stay with Salam-Dir for as long as you wish, as is Franc. But... Would you move to your Master’s home here in the Capitol City?”
There was a shiver and a haunted look in Verat’s eye. He shook his head. “I went to the Castle.” He looked up and had a sad smile. “Did you know it was called the Sand Castle? He named it when he bought it.” More tears went down the side of his nose as he bent his head forward.
Laun felt a giggle come through her, but it came out a sigh. “He had a sense of humor, when he wasn’t being all business.”
Verat nodded and looked back up. “He is still there.”
Laun pushed her eyebrows together and glanced at Silar behind the heartbroken man. “You mean... His body hasn’t-”
Verat shook his head. “The slaves were still there and they didn’t want me to come in. I went to his chambers and he was still in his bed. It looked like the slaves had been trying to feed him even after he had died.”
Laun had to close her eyes as the horror of the description went through her. “What are you going to do about the slaves?”
Verat shrugged and shook his head more, saying, “I don’t know. Most of them have been there so long I don’t think they know anything else. His taster is dead, too. They left her chained to the bedpost.” A sob came out and Verat’s thin veil of civility shredded. The tankard tipped in his hand, spilling some before Silar grabbed it. Verat collapsed forward into Laun’s shoulder and began weeping again.
Minutes passed, Verat grieving for his loss, Laun thinking.
His breathing was steadier, the tears flowing less. Laun stroked his head, and watched his eyebrows and nose, the only part of his face she could see. He sniffed in, going to wipe his nose on his sleeve. He had already created a large wet spot on the linen between them, tears and snot and sweat all mixed. The touch he made on his face moved things, but did nothing to clean him.
“Gem, do you think I can teach this man anything?” Laun looked at her and had an open concern on her face.
“Yes, Mistress. You are still teaching me and I am still learning.”
Laun nodded. She put her hand under Verat’s chin and raised him up enough that by moving her head slightly she could see into his eyes. “Verat, I have to ask this. Do you come to me willingly?”
“Yes, Mistress.” He sniffed in again and propped himself up higher to see up to Laun’s eyes better.
Laun nodded. She thought for a moment, trying to remember the words she had used with Gem. “I take you as learner to the knowledge I may have to teach.”
He had a slow blink and swallowed. “As you will, I do, Mistress.”
“I accept your word and your mind as mine as you accept my hand as your Mistress.” Laun put her hand on the man’s cheek and he pulled it around to kiss the palm.
“Thank you, Mistress.” His head went back on her shoulder and he had a quick sigh catch in his chest as he relaxed.
Laun stroked his head and thought more. “Evan, I need paper and such for a message. Gem, I think there was a message from Liam on the table. I would like to see it, please. Silar, please run a bath for Verat.” As the words were out, they were at their tasks.
Laun held Verat, humming to him and stroking his hair. Laun could feel the shivers and sobs lessening in him until his breathing was regular and she could feel he was on the edge of sleep. Silar came in and motioned to the bathing chamber. Laun waived Silar to the bed.
“Verat, we should get you into the bath and get some of this death from you.” Laun stroked down his nose and felt his eyelashes touch her skin. He nodded slowly and pushed himself away from her.
Silar helped the now exhausted man from the two level bed and out of the bedroom. Laun watched how Silar supported Verat with a strong arm around at his hip, and a gentle hand on his shoulder. They had a trust between them that Laun has glad of, and a little envious of, too.
The linen sheet that had been between them was soaked. Laun saw that it was not all just from Verat. Her nipples had been leaking from the pressure of not nursing, the wetness being layered with Verat’s and not noticed until she pulled the sheeting back. No babies to feed, Laun looked around and saw a tankard and decided it would have to do. Laun had a pang of homesickness. There was nothing to do about it, so she sighed and started out of bed.
Gem had been waiting to bring not just the message from Liam, but all of the messages in until Laun was free. Gem had opened and read the messages, putting them in an order Laun would like, and had looked at the little presents. She saw the sad figure of Verat being helped into the bathing chamber and took the armful of messages and things into the bedroom.
Laun had climbed out of bed and was standing with her back to the door, doing something that seemed odd in her arm movements. Gem set the messages on the bed and turned, seeing that Laun was trying to force milk out of her breasts. Only a little was dripping out into the tankard she had in her hand, Laun’s face going from concentration to frustration in two blinks.
“Mistress? May I help?” Gem bowed down so that her head was at Laun’s breast level and looked up. Laun sighed slightly and nodded. The blonde’s lips went around the swollen nipple in front of her and started to suck. A moan came out of Laun for the feelings going through her. Gem made little humming sounds as she sucked and drank some of the milk, adding to Laun’s own sensations.
Evan came in with a wooden secretary’s case in his hands, pausing at the door to the bedroom. He put the case on the bed next to the messages and then to his Mistress’ side. He saw what Gem was doing for Laun and had a slight rush go through him. He knelt and put a finger on Laun’s breast. She opened her eyes and looked down at the small man. She smiled and nodded, her head going back as Evan started suckling.
The sensations enflamed Laun, her knees threatening to give out more than once. She let low moans out but did not let her body fail her. She felt when the breasts were drained enough and did not want them to stop, but had to. She put hands on her assassins and they looked up at her.
“Thank you. That is much better.” Laun stepped back from them, encouraging them to unlatch.
Both stood and bowed slightly, a lop-sided grin on Gem’s face and a slightly lewd one on Evan’s. Gem went to the messages and pointed at Liam’s in the middle of the stack while Evan unpacked the paper, quills and ink that were in the secretary.
The message from Liam was read first. It told of a small adventure he had while getting back to his schooner from the Palace. Laun read it again, catching the references to certain streets and a schooner a few slips down the dock from him. Liam knew more but could not be certain that the message was not going to be intercepted. One of the small boxes was from him and Laun put on the small pearl drop pendant on a silver chain when she saw it.
Laun wrote a small message and was about to seal it up when she had a thought. Sand Master always had sand in with his messages. She had nothing to really put in like that to make sure people knew it was from her. Except her. Laun still had her hair up in braids, the crown and delicate necklace that had been used as a veil off and on the sideboard. Laun pulled her braid apart and pulled a single hair from her head. She coiled it up and put it in the fold of the paper, folded it again to make a square, and sealed the paper with the green wax from the secretary, putting her thumb into the wax as the seal.
That message was put to the side as Laun went through the other messages. Several of the nobles she had been with before had found out that she was in the city and wished to have some of her time. Laun made small notes to each of them after consulting with Gem about who each of them were, all saying similar things about not having time, but thank you for the offer.
One message was from the Merchant Noble they had seen at the front of the Palace. Laun saw that there was a small box attached to the message and was loathe to open it. The message asked for time, a meal, possibly more. It went on to say that he missed her delicate, glowing coloring from the Spring, but that her darker tone had reminded him of some goods he recently imported into the Midlands. She looked at the small box, her eyebrow raising slightly. There was a black wooden comb in the box with a small pot of a dark cosmetic and a small pointed glass rod within it’s own silver case.
Laun wrote another note to the merchant, thanking him for the gift and saying that if business was concluded within a few days, that she may be free to have a walk on the Palace Green with him.
One of the councilors from the meeting had sent a message, asking to have an interview with Laun. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but she wrote a small message back that she may be free the next afternoon to have tea and talk. With what Laun was seeing as a plan, she would not be back to the Palace until at least noon the next day.
Laun made one message to General Alsen, asking him to attend her as soon as he could. Laun wanted to see if there was another meeting between Heran and Morse, and she had a plan on how to do it. It did depend on Alsen, and if she could pull off a little acting.
The messages were written. Laun was not sure how to deal with getting the one she needed to get to it’s destination immediately. The rest, the Palace messengers could find those who they needed to be given to.
Laun turned to Gem and put a hand on the blonde’s shoulder. “Do you know the city at all?”
Gem shrugged. I can get from here to the main gate in the Western wall. And to the Grand Church.”
“Could you get to the harbor?”
Gem nodded. “I can.”
“Use a veil to cover your hair, it is very distinctive and if Blue is only a few boats down from Liam, you may be recognized.”
Gem took the message from Laun’s hand and bowed slightly. She went to the wardrobe with the plain clothing in and changed from the dark green of the Salam-Dir colors to beiges and tans, a rough cloth covering her head as a veil.
“No boots. You need sandals. The boots look out of place.”
Gem took off the boots and found a pair of slightly too big for her sandals in the back of the wardrobe, the large leather straps leaving gaps. Thong from Laun’s weapons belt were used to tighten them down. They would not be very comfortable, but they would work for the trip to and from the schooner.
“You know the Palace and how to use the servants ways. Do so. If you cannot give the message directly to Liam come back, running if you have to. Take Evan to the door you are taking out of the Palace. I want to make sure you get back in.”
As the two were leaving, Laun stopped them and handed Gem a tray left from before, fruits and breads on it. Another cloth was used to cover the food and the two assassins were gone.
Laun pulled on one of the tunics from the wardrobe, the surprisingly soft fabric flowing over her skin. It looked like it should have been coarse like rough cotton or linen, but Laun found that it was silk, rough in look but soft and light in feel with an earthy smell. She took the messages that had been written and went to the corridor. A clutch of servants was there and turned to look at Laun.
“I don’t know who usually takes care of this, but I have a few messages that I need delivered.” One of the blue and grey servants stepped forward and bowed. His hand was out and waiting. Laun looked at the names, making sure she had labeled each one. She handed them to him one by one and made a definitive nod after the last one was gone from her hand.
“Highness.”
Laun did not find it odd that the servant spoke at first, but then smiled at him. He had the baring of a soldier, the short hair of a soldier. Laun tilted her head, catching him before he turned. “Fourth Company?”
He colored slightly. “Ma’am. Your Highness’ Company.” He dropped the servant pretensions and saluted.
Laun saluted back and turned before the other servants had a chance to know what was going on, or follow her back into the room.
Laun looked around and was amazed that the room was different yet again. The velvet covered dark wood chairs and couch were replaced by several simpler pieces that looked much sturdier. Leather and dark hardwood in a smooth and heavy form. Low to the ground and wide enough to be used as a cot, each of the three couches looked like even Falmir couldn’t break it.
Laun caught herself. She could not think like that. Once. That was it. If she let her mind play with what-ifs too much, she would be tempted to let things happen again. With both of them. It was not a safe thing to think about and Laun tried to push it out of her mind.
A sound came from the bathing chamber. Laun let herself be drawn to it. The door was slightly ajar and Laun pushed at the door until she could see enough.
Silar had just helped Verat out of the tub, a large looped cloth wrapped around the man. Silar put his arms around the younger man and Laun saw Verat relax onto the dark man’s shoulder. A pale hand went to Silar’s face, turning it so they could kiss.
Laun wanted to watch, to learn. She did not feel right intruding on them, even by watching. She slowly closed the door and made sure it was closed. She leaned against the door for a moment, thinking of scratching, seeing if they would let her in now that they had their privacy. She couldn’t. Verat had chosen her for his Mistress, not lover.
The plan she had. Laun could not get into the bathing chamber. She did have whatever it was that the wardrobe had in it and the little presents that had been given to her. Laun’s hand went to the pearl drop at her throat. It was such a simple thing, but because it came from the hand of someone who had been kind to her, it meant more to her than almost everything she had with her.
There were many tunics and dresses and skirts in the wardrobe. All plain in cut but Laun was finding that the fabrics were more luxurious than she had first thought. The colors were earthy, most dark. Laun thought of the image she wanted to project, using what she had.
Laun stripped down and then started to put on her layers. The loincloth and supportive garment. The various knives in holsters. Linen socks and boots. She took the dark brown silks and matched them up and smiled.
Two skirts, light under dark, the under one tucked up and wrapped around her legs as if it were breeches. A long tunic she cut the side seams on until it was open from knee to just above her waist on both sides went over the skirts. A belt made of a wide tan ribbon she wrapped around her middle several times, tying it with a knot close to the ends. Her leather jerkin, the dark brown of the deerskin blending with the browns of the silks went over the tunic. Laun drew her fingers along where the blood spatter was, the Palace’s dark servants having brushed most of the bandit’s stain from the surface.
Laun looked at herself in the mirrored doors. It was almost what she wanted. She needed a veil but she did not have anything sheer enough for what she wanted. The rest of the cloth she had was useable for cleaning or drying one’s self. The sun was getting low to the horizon and Laun could see through the curtain that the city was starting to change to it’s night mask, telling her she had little time.
The curtain. Slightly yellow to go with the colors in the rooms. Laun put the sleeve of the tunic next to the curtain and knew that was what she could use. She did not want to bring in a servant to take the curtain down, but it was on a slide several feet above her head. She looked and did not see a stick to use, so she pulled one of the small beds over to the window and stood on it. She was just tall enough to reach the top of the curtain.
The sun flowed in through the gap of the curtains. It lit the room with the golden light that came before the darkness, making the day glow to remind Laun of how much time she had wasted.
The curtain was also silk, strips of silk elegantly stitched together to hide the seams in the folds of the curtains. She did not have time to be elegant herself and tore at the seams. The thread broke and she soon had several long strips of yellow silk to work with.
She used the black comb to comb her hair. She braided her hair with thong, the tiny solid bell going on the end before she pinned her hair up using quills from the secretary, breaking the tips of the feathers off. She started to wrap the silk strips around her head to cover her brown hair. There was a noise from the bathing chamber and Laun turned to see the men come out, Verat dressed and looking much happier.
Silar had a smile on his face and then blinked when he saw Laun. “Mistress? You look like a dancer from my homeland.”
Laun smiled. “I read a few stories while I was being held of the other continent. I was hoping this would seem right. Though I can’t seem to get the silk to stay still on my head.”
Verat sat on one of the small beds and watched as Silar took over wrapping Laun’s head. “You need to twist the fabric as you go or you just look like you are putting a shroud on your head. We need a weight in here to keep the balance.”
“Can we use any of the jewelry in the bathing chamber?”
Silar nodded. Laun held the silk where it had stopped being wrapped in one hand and motioned to the box with the gifted comb and cosmetics. They went to the bathing chamber and Laun saw Verat lay down, a smile on his face as they left.
It still smelled of men. It smelled of sex and soap and sweat. Laun tried to not seem to notice, but the obvious contentment that Verat had told Laun that he would not think hard of the tragedy of Sand Master dying for a while. Laun went to the vanity and there was a pearl necklace, long and with a silver starburst as the pendant in with the other pieces. Silar was able to use it as the weight, the pearls showing through the sheer fabric.
Laun was satisfied with that part. She looked up at Silar in the mirror and said, “Do you know how to use this stuff?” She held up the pot of dark powdery cosmetic and the glass rod.
Silar nodded and smiled.
Chapter 37 Gem is shadowed back to the palace, leading to a messy situation
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