the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 47

 

There had been introductions.  There had been a little banter back and forth, all meaningless, but with meanings behind it.  There was a little confusion when the seating occurred as it seemed there were a few too many people for the table.  It was sorted out, Evan standing with the household servants as Gem sat between two of the Myrned envoys.

“I hope you like spicy foods, Highness.”  Ambassador Ouetal motioned to the plates being put on the table.  “This is a dish from Myrned that sometimes has foreigners drinking far too much water after a bite.”

Laun picked up a spoon and poked at the brown and orange food.  “I will try, sir.  I hope I do not disappoint you if I cannot finish it.”

He smiled across the table at her and took a bite of the food himself.  He made a ’not bad’ face and continued to eat.  Laun had her bite and waited.  There was a flush of heat and spice after a little bit and she made the mistake of breathing in at the wrong moment.

There was laughter from the Myrned people as Laun coughed and drank from her tankard.  “Milk works better, Highness.”  A slight rolling of his ‘r’ was the only indication that he grew up speaking another language.

Laun grimaced.  She breathed in and shook her head.  “Can’t stand the stuff since I had the children.”

An eyebrow went up.  The Rosemond Ambassador next to her turned his watery blue eyes to her and said, “How are your children, Highness?”

Laun sipped another few times from her water and turned to the man.  “I had to leave them in the care of the household back in Salam-Dir, but we have many mothers right now and I feel they are safe.”

He bowed his head slightly.  “You must get much exercise running after the toddlers.”

Laun closed her eyes briefly and then sighed slightly before turning to the man and saying, “Interesting observation, sir.  You would say that, why?”  She did not hide the testiness of her tone as well as she thought and read surprise in the man’s face.

“No offense meant, Highness.  I just meant that you are in excellent form for being a mother.”  His eyes slightly glazed as he heard himself and knew he had just made it worse.

Laun smirked and tilted her head to look down the table.  “Your Majesty, I think I understand why you picked this fine gentleman for the Ambassadorial lead.”

Ifahyd leaned to look around the envoy from one of the countries from the other continent.  “I don’t know what he said, but if you deem it inappropriate, Cousin, I give you permission to do whatever you think is needed.”

The Ambassador next to Laun had a stricken look on his face.  “I do apologize.  My wife always does the talking at these things but she was unwell tonight.”

Laun smiled at him and said, “Just read your briefings before coming next time, Ambassador.”  Laun leaned closer and whispered, “I had them just a few months ago, to give you a hint.”

He nodded and then looked a bit surprised.  “You are in fine form, then, Highness.”  He had another stricken look on his face.

Laun smiled and nodded to him.  “Thank you.  Keeping track of the household will keep one moving.”

The spicy dish from Myrned was cleared and an egg dish from one of the other countries was placed.  It was a little vinegary for Laun’s palate, but she saw that Silar ate all that was on his dish, a smile on his face and a little of the creamed yolk on his dark chin.  Laun cleared her throat and was able to get Hunter’s attention next to Silar, signaling about the food on his face.  Hunter leaned over and Silar had a cloth on his chin, a slightly embarrassed look going over him for a moment.

The dessert was fairly plain, but cleared the palate of all that came before with cut fruits, fine breads and a soft cheese that was claimed to have been brought over from the Rosemond Island Principality.  Laun was sure it was just some thick butter, but it was an aged cheese that went very well with everything that was on the plate.

There hadn’t been much on each plate, but with a dish representing each of the five visiting country’s envoys, it added up to very full stomachs.  A siting area had been set up in the Gallery, chairs and tables surrounded by privacy screens and lanterns.  The last plate was cleared and Falmir stood, the rest of the guests following his lead.  The King of the Midlands led the way to the sitting area and accepted a tankard of ale from one of the servants.

Laun went to Bett’s side and took her hand.  “You are feeling better?”

Bett smiled and said, “Ask me again in seven months.”

Laun laughed and gave the missed friend a gentle hug.  “Was the food too much for you tonight?”

Bett shrugged and said, “I had some.  It has been more headaches and back aches right now, but I have had some of the other stuff.  It isn’t bad being pregnant in the Palace.”

Laun nodded.  “Not that I did it willingly.  There are some advantages over the Keep.  Speaking of that, I need to find the privy.  Something I had earlier still isn’t agreeing with me.”  They hugged once more and Laun excused herself from the group.

Laun went towards the wall section she knew there was a door to the underbelly of the Palace.  There was a servant near the door and he opened it for her, pointing in the direction of the privy.  Laun smiled at him as she stepped in.

It was right where it had been before.  There were a few servants talking next to the door who stopped when they saw who had come in.  They became quiet and stepped back as she approached.

“Is someone in the privy?”  There were shakes of heads and Laun went in.  It was not as small as she remembered, though the double skirts she had to deal with did not make it easy to maneuver in the space.  She looked for the rag or paper after she let her body have it’s way and found none.  She shook her head at herself and started to stand from the bench when there was a hesitant knock on the door.

“Highness?  It’s Iffy.”  Laun was confused why he would have followed her to the privy until he continued with, “I brought paper.”

Laun laughed.  “How did you know?”

The door was not locked and he opened it a crack.  “I had to use it last night before I came to you.  I try to have supplies with me.”

She laughed again and said, “Yes, please.”

He reached into the small room with a paper flower in his hand.  She lightly took it from his palm and used it, glad that her body had not been as messy as several hours earlier.

She stood and arranged herself slightly before opening the door to him.  “Do you need to use it, your Majesty?”

He stepped back, holding his hand out to support her as she stepped out.  “Not at the moment.  I am not sure I would be able to if I did.”  He subtly adjusted himself under his tunic and smiled at her.

It took a moment for Laun to catch onto the meaning.  She appropriately blushed and started walking to the door back into the Gallery.  “Iffy, I am glad to know I still have that effect on you.”

He slowly walked beside her in the narrow cut in the Palace walls.  “It has been less than a day, Laun.  I...  Have not been able to think of much else today.”

They were let out into the Gallery by a stoic servant and slowly walked across the beautifully inlaid stone floor of the room.  “I hope that I did not distract you from the needs of State, Majesty.”

He smiled widely and said, “You did.”

Laun had a small smile on her face as Ifahyd walked her back to the rest of the reception, telling her in low tones a few things he would like to do with her, from riding in the moonlight along the shores of the Emerald Coast to specific ways he would like to lay her down and make love to her.  There were several eyes on them as they openly walked together, her hand resting on his.  Many of them would not have been able to tell that some of the talk was perhaps not appropriate for such a gathering if they watched either of the blandly pleasant faces.

Ambassador Ouetal stepped away from the Ambassador from Silar’s homeland, the man even darker than her dark Prince.  “Your Majesty!  It is unfair for the Royalty of one Kingdom to monopolize the time of such a treasure from another.”

King Ifahyd chuckled and raised Launs hand to his lips for a peck.  “I have learned that our Highness is in great demand and I have to catch her time when I can.”

Laun nodded and smiled, a laugh in her voice as she said, “It is wonderful being told such things, your Majesty.  I also like being told of the Emerald Coast.”

The Ambassador stepped further away from the group he had been talking with and made a small bow, taking in both royals at once.  “I may not be able to compete with the Emerald Coast, but, if I have permission, would love to tell you about the Silver Mountains and the amazing views from their peaks.”

Laun raised a hand and said, “I would love to hear of them, Ambassador Ouetal, but please, this is not a competition.”

“Understood, Highness.”  He motioned to one of the unoccupied seating groups and Ifahyd led Laun to the couch.  The Rosemond King sat after she did, a handspan between them.

There were descriptions of the various natural wonders from each country from each man, not exactly competing, but extolling the virtues of each land well.  Laun listened and liked how each man loved their kingdom and could pick contrasting or decadently different places after the other had finished.

Laun saw an in at one point and sighed.  Both men were concerned but Laun just waived her hand dismissively.  “It is nothing you can do anything about, I am sure, Ambassador Ouetal.”

He had a stern look on his face, the pleasant conversational tone gone and a carrying rumble as he said, “If it is within my power, Highness.”

Laun tried not to smile and brought her eyebrows together.  “Hearing of your lands, the views, the cities...  Perhaps one day I may be able to go, but I am not good with the political paperwork I have been told you need to get secure passage.”  She looked at her hands.  “And...”

The Ambassador waited until he knew she was not going to complete her thought.  “What else troubles you, Highness?  Being Princess of the Realm, I am certain that there would be no problem with getting the secure passage writ for you.”

Laun shrugged her shoulders and thought of Ithian.  It was all she needed for a tear to come to the edge of her eyelid, her nose to gain just that little pinkness that showed, even through her tan.  She looked at Ambassador Ouetal and quietly said, “I have been informed that someone is within the walls of your Embassy that... That...”  She looked away and reached for Ifahyd’s hand next to her.

Concern came over Ambassador Ouetal and he leaned forward in his chair.  Several others around quieted their conversations and tried to not look like they were listening, tankards and goblets poised as if just before or just after a drink.  “Please, Highness.  What is distressing you so?”

Laun put the back of her hand to her cheek, a drop glistening on her skin as she pulled it away.  She took in a small ragged breath and looked up to him.  “Sir, I lost my betrothed at the beginning of Summer.  It still hurts to just think of him, and how he was...”

Laun turned away and Ifahyd patted her hand.  “My Cousin is strong, but when it comes to Ambassador Ithian, I understand her loss.”

Laun did not see the recognition in the Myrned Ambassador’s eyes, the slight change in posture.  She did hear the tone change as he said, “I knew the Ambassador.  He is missed in the ranks of the diplomats.”  He was much more guarded and Laun was not sure how to push.

So she didn’t.  She sniffed and put her sleeve to her nose.  “I am sorry.  I am making a scene.  There is nothing that can be done and I should just learn not to dwell on it.”  She breathed in and tried to put a pleasant smile on her face as she looked at Ambassador Ouetal, a small tear drifting down the side of her cheek through her blush.

His eye took her in.  A young woman with pain just below the surface from a great loss.  Her bearing showed a refinement, a nobility, the tear a torn heart.  His voice was cautious as he said, “What does his death have to do with Myrned, Highness?”

Laun waived her hand slightly.  “We should talk about something else, something more appropriate for the first time we have met, Ouetal.  I would not wish to put your house into an uproar for something as petty as my wishes.”

He shook his head.  “Ones’ wishes are not petty when you are a Princess.  Please tell me.”

More of the gathering was now listening, Ambassador Ouetal’s deputy coming to stand next to him to hear.  Laun fiddled with the amber flower on the end of the silver chain, looking as if she did not wish to go any further, but really waiting until he leaned just a little more forward.

“Sir, I don’t know if you have been told how my betrothed was killed.  It was at my families’ estate to the North.  There was a gathering of people to witness a marriage.”  Laun looked him in they eye and said, “The gathering was attacked by assassins and Ithian was slain.”

There were a few gasps.  “That is terrible, Highness.”

Laun nodded once.  “There is evidence pointing to who controlled the assassins, and I am afraid that she was last seen entering the Myrned compound.”

It did not take long for his eyes to narrow.  “No one from Myrned would have acted so.”

Laun nodded and kept her head from tilting slightly as she said, “But your house, your Kingdom, now holds that person and her chattel.  Because it is sovereign soil, I feel uncomfortable approaching you about something as simple as travel to your beautiful sounding Kingdom.”

He was thinking.  The Princess had just laid out a scandal that would embroil the Embassy and perhaps Myrned as a whole if it were not dealt with properly.  “Are you sure this person is within our walls?”

Laun openly looked into his eyes and shook her head.  “I was told by one who claims to have seen her.  I did not see her myself.  Even with the possibility of La- of this person being there...”

He nodded.  “I am greatly sorry for your loss, Highness.  For the loss of us all.  You are right and we should probably talk about something else this evening.  But, please, come visit me tomorrow at the Myrned Embassy, say after noon meal, and I would be happy to help you in any way I can.”  He held out his hand until it was only a finger away from her knee.

Laun touched his hand with her fingertips and smiled at him as he had to raise himself slightly from the chair to kiss her hand.  “I would be honored, Ambassador.”

There seemed to be a breath taken in by most of the people who had been listening.  Ifahyd took the hint and started to talk about the latest imports from Rosemond into the Midlands, starting a cordial back and forth between several of the ambassadors and Laun questioning about the need for some of the things that were sold.

Laun laughed loudly as one of the Rosemond envoy finally asked her, “Highness, if you do not use the excellent bathing preparations we bring to the Midlands, what do you use?”

There had been a few chuckles behind sleeves as she said simply, “Soap.”

There was confusion and the Rosemond Ambassador asked again, “What do you use?”

“Soap.  Good, plain Midlands soap.  I have used the oils and gels and other things from Rosemond, but I am a simple girl and I prefer the cake soap we use on our woolens to some of the overly scented goo you sell to our nobles.”

“Overly scented?”  He looked at his deputy and said, “I never thought it was overly scented.”

Laun raised her hand to calm him and said, “Sir, I do have to say that while I was pregnant, I could not stand anything that had too much scent to it, but I still prefer plain soap to most other things.  I know how to make it, too, and I know what is in it.”

A few of the men around her blinked.  The dark Ambassador made a slightly odd noise and then said, “I don’t know how such things are made, Highness.  Why would you?”

She smiled.  “I have a household where everyone knows how to do a little of everything, including myself.  We also use everything we have so nothing goes to waste.  I will not say I am an expert, but I can mill soap good enough to at least wash dishes with.”

“A noble woman of your stature should not have to deal with such common things, Highness,” the Ambassador from another country on the other continent purred.

“Ah, but when I am not here, being Princess of the Realm, I am just a country girl who runs a country household.  If I don’t work, I cannot ask the others in my household to work for me, can I?”  Laun’s eyes were wide and she had a slightly too sweet tone to her voice.  She was starting to get a little perturbed by the assumptions and the pushing of their ways onto what she should be doing.  If only they knew...

“I do not think he meant offense, Highness,” Silar stated, a finality to his tone that made several other comments die before being voiced.

She smiled and flashed her teeth at those around her.  She noted that there were a few smaller groups talking, but that she was the center of the largest group there.  “Good gentles, I do apologize.  It is one of the things I feel strongly about.  I can tell I am getting tired and I am sorry if I have ruffled a few feathers.”

There were gracious comments assuring her that it was well within her rights to say what she willed.  Laun started to stand and all of the men who were seated stood.  She turned, handing her tankard to Gem behind her.

“May I get you something to drink, Highness?”  The Ambassador from Myrned had stepped from his low conversation with Falmir and held out his hand.

Laun saw the quick signs from Verat who had heard most of the conversation between the two men and nodded.  “Something a little sweeter than the red wine, I think.  It was a little...acid for my taste.”  She took his hand and nodded to the other men, letting herself be led to a sideboard with many different libations on it.

“Sweet?  Let me introduce you to this.  It is a sherry from the far West of Myrned and well worth the wait.”  He poured just a finger of the thick, reddish brown liquid into a goblet and handed it to her.

Laun sniffed at it, watched as it coated the clear sides of the goblet.  She took a small sip and felt a little burn to it before tasting the sweet almost cherry flavor of the liquor.  She rubbed her lips together and smiled.

“I have several more bottles of it back in the Embassy, Highness.  Another enticement to come tomorrow?”

She raised the goblet slightly and said, “I have very little usually, but this could make me want to have more.”  She took a sip and had to lick just a little off her lower lip.

His eye was on her tongue.  “There are other delights from our country that I would love to be allowed to show you.  Somethings that are quite sabroso...tasty, Highness.”

Laun smiled at him and tilted her head.  “I hope that the little matter we were discussing earlier can be dealt with before you show me too much.  I would not want you to be in an awkward position because of me, Ambassador.”

Ambassador Ouetal nodded, a smirk of a smile on his face.  “As you wish, Highness.”  He held out his hand and she put hers in it.  Ouetal’s lips hovered over the back of her hand for a split second, the breath across her skin sending small shivers through her.  His lips brushed her hand and Laun felt herself blush as he looked up into her eyes and winked.

“I hope you know what you are getting yourself into, sir.”

“Exploring the unknown is always part of the adventure, no?”  He stood and followed her hand down as she dropped it, letting go as her hand arced away from him.

Laun wondered if there was a big sign on her saying she was the royal whore.  “Sir, thank you.  I will be there tomorrow afternoon.  I hope things work out.”

He nodded and they stepped away from the sideboard.  Laun excused herself and walked slowly to Falmir’s side.  She smiled at him and he stepped away from one of the other Ambassadors and took her hand, kissing it without her offering.

Laun’s voice was soft as she said, “What have you been telling these men?  I swear that they all think I am up for grabs.”

He put his hand on her shoulder and looked down into her eyes.  “I might have mentioned that you may be looking for companionship after loosing Ithian.”

“Bastard.  Fuck you,” Launs smiling face said.

Falmir smiled broadly and said quietly, “You are worth the price, Thorn.”

She coquettishly looked down and then back up to him through her eyelashes.  “Do you not want me to sleep?  Or is it you are vicariously fucking me through the others you are sending to me?”

He shook his head and his smile lessened slightly.  “You know I am using you.  You are a resource and you have already made a few things easier since you have been back to the Palace.”

Laun blinked.  She stood up a little straighter and nodded.  “How are the negotiations on the coin owed to Rosemond going?”

Falmir pulled her to him and kissed her forehead.  “I didn’t want to tell you.  You always seem to be able to tell what I am up to.  If we can get Lady Engrid out of Myrned control, the Midlands will owe almost nothing.”

She tried to step away but his arms were a little to strong for her.  “Convenient, Father.  I will be going tomorrow.  Whatever things you have been planning for me, I need to be briefed on before I go over.”

“Tomorrow morning?”  His grip loosened on her and she stepped back a little.

She nodded and put a hand to her head.  “Do not send any of them to me tonight.  I have some reading to do and I would rather not be ill prepared for the visit.”

“Yes, Thorn.”

Laun stepped away and looked pained. Her voice was slightly louder as she said, “If I may be excused, Father.  I suddenly have a bit of a headache.”

Falmir saw the expressions on several of the men’s faces as he said, “Go and rest, little one.  I will make sure you are not disturbed.”

Laun made a curtsey to Falmir and turned to the rest of the group.  “Thank you for the delightful evening, good gentles.  I hope the rest of the night is good for you all.”

There were several bows and a few diplomatic comments about her needing to rest up from some of the assembled men.  Laun made polite smiles and turned as the ones from her people who were going to follow did.  King Ifahyd tried to catch her eye, but she did not see him as she departed, her hand on Fount’s arm as they went to the stairs at the end of the Gallery.

 

Onto Chapter 49