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The calls from the men handling the fenderheads were loud, the clanging of chain and the slap of wet rope filling the air as the KingsArrow came into it’s slip in the Capitol City harbor. The word had already been passed that the military vessel was coming in, a squad of the Princess’ Fourth waiting on the pier for their namesake.
Laun had been preparing for the docking. She saw that they had caught up with Pebble’s ship by not taking harbor at night. The three masted ship was being brought in at almost the same time as the Kings Arrow and Laun wanted to use that. Verat was not sure how it was going to work, to who’s advantage, but could not say no to his Mistress.
A sharp salute came from the men on the pier. Laun stood at the top of the gangplank, thanking the Captain-Major for the swift journey before turning and coming to a good attention and salute herself. The men almost snapped their hands down to their sides as Laun brought down her hand, a big smile on her face.
She saw smiles on many of her men’s faces, too. She was in full Blacks, the cap with the pin straight and sharp on her head. Concern went across many faces as they saw Gem helping Hazalam to the gangplank, though hesitating going down herself. There were calls and signals and the squad were instantly making their hands and backs available where they were needed.
The heavy cavalry was unloading their horses from the hold, the Infantry and the squad of marines mustering on deck for their disembarkation. The chaos of the ship coming into port had just started, but Laun had a small bubble of calm around her, several soldiers thick. She motioned, signing and the group started down the pier and to the dockside road. Laun stopped the group, positioning them where the Lady Fairhaven would have to pass.
Laun spent the time asking the men around her how things had been, personally and generally. Generally, they admitted to having been getting far too drunk at their favorite tavern two streets over from the Sand Castle in the last few weeks. Laun shook her head but smiled as she was quietly told of citizens buying them ale and wine, and the hangovers the next mornings. Personally, one of the soldiers admitted that he had proposed marriage to the woman he had been spending off duty time with for several months. Laun congratulated him and asked if he needed a sponsor for a rise in rank. He blushed and nodded, some ribbing from the others quietly filling the time.
Laun’s head snapped up and the soldiers came to parade rest around her. They were all at least a head taller than she and she felt safe in their midst. Laun clicked her tongue and the men in front of her parted before Lady Jessi of Fairhaven had come fully down the pier.
“Ah! I am glad I didn’t miss you, Lady.”
Lady Fairhaven slowed, her porters and servants slowing with her. “May I help... From the military boat.” She came closer but Laun stepped the distance between them and came to attention.
Laun’s hand went out and Lady Fairhaven automatically placed hers in it. “May I introduce myself? I am Laun.”
The older lady blinked. She watched as her hand was gently kissed on the back of the hand by the military figure before her. She curtsied and smiled, saying, “It is a pleasure-” Her bland smile came off her face and she looked Laun in the eyes. “I mean, an honor, your Highness.”
Laun helped the woman up and did not let go of the hand in hers. “It is unusual for noble women to be traveling so far at this time of year, don’t you think?”
“If it wasn’t for business, I would not have been further North than Four Bends. The flow has not been kind this year.”
Laun heard the code, now that Verat had gone over much of the complicated wordplay with her. The Princess Commander nodded and brought the hand in hers back to her lips, kissing close to the fingertips before saying, “I hope that you find your way through the troubled, silted water to the precious pebbles beneath.”
The Lady drew her hand back slowly. A raised eyebrow accompanied, “The eddies have been catching more of the pebbles than usual this year, Highness.” She glanced towards the KingsArrow. “And some issue of Sand, I saw.”
Laun smiled. “It can get muddied without clear water from the source, Lady. I for one am glad to be back in the King’s City. I am looking to find the source of one muddied stream here, in...three days, I believe.”
There was a shifting of the servants behind Lady Fairhaven. She looked back and some sort of command was silently issued, the servants going to the awaiting carriages. She turned back and put the hand Laun had kissed against her chest. “Highness, you know that there shall be a collection of precious...pebbles and such in three days?”
“Called by a striking man, a flinty man, one might say. And all to cut into a peach, Mistress.” Laun smiled and stepped slightly to the side, allowing the Lady a clear path to her carriage.
“I am surprised that you are here, Highness. Being seen with me could mean political trouble for you.” The Lady started stepping slowly towards her carriage, keeping a smile on her face.
Laun offered her arm as any good officer would do and escorted the Lady to the vehicle. “Ma’am, politics are the least of my worries, if what has been flowing past has been any indication. The headwaters shall need to be cleared one way or another and either way, I am not concerned with what politics may await after three days.”
Lady Jessi took her hand from around Laun’s arm and made a small curtsey. “Highness, I hope that we have chance to talk about the flow.”
Laun bowed slightly and said quietly, “Only if Flint is broken, Master.”
There was something Laun could not read that went across the Lady’s face. She stepped into the cabin of the carriage. Before the door was closed, she whispered back, “No one has ever broken him. No one.”
The carriages moved away down the dockside road. Laun had much to think about, and some to discuss with her people. A signal went out and a charger was brought to Laun. She clicked her tongue automatically and saw the black horse kneel. It was Thunder, which meant Hunter was waiting at the Castle for her. She smiled and mounted the charger, the rest of her squad forming up around her.
It was a small parade that went through the Capitol City. Because of her striking presence, Laun went to the Palace first. The squads of Infantry, Armored Calvary and the Marines were dismissed after Laun had taken the time to walk the lines, thanking the men for their service. With a moment to stand and look over the men on the green slopes around the Palace, her own squad behind her at attention, Laun raised her hand slowly to a good salute, seeing and hearing all the men around her do the same. She paused and then let her arm fall, the sixty men in front of her relaxing and moving away to their new assignments. Laun watched the armored horses being walked down the green and sighed before she turned and signaled, “wait in front,” to her squad.
Word spread quickly. Laun stepped into the receiving hall of the Palace and she did not have to do anything but follow the dark clad servant who stepped forward. The men of the squad came in behind her and formed a loose formation to wait for their Princess.
“Fuck me! I haven’t seen that insignia for forty years. It looks good on you, sweeting.” Laun found she was in the strong embrace of her Grandfather even before she was a few steps within the Hawkwell wing. Falmir and Bett were close behind.
Hugs were given, Betts stomach making it slightly difficult. They went to Laun’s rooms, the servants having already freshened it at word of her approach. The yellows and browns were warm and welcoming, the low couches an appreciated place to sit. Drinks were available, bites of many things on a tray filing the top of the table in the front room. Laun sat on the center couch and reveled in something that was not moving in some way.
“I am going to use the fuck out of that tub and then change fucking dress and get out of here,” Laun said through the hands she was rubbing her face with.
Falmir snorted. “You sound like my Daughter, but that language...”
The royals laughed. Laun looked over and saw wanting in her Father’s face. “Sire, I am tired, I am in pain and I am on my moon. I think I have the right to swear.”
He understood and nodded. He snapped his fingers and the servants knew what he wanted. “Where are your usual servants?”
Laun started to pull on her boots before a servant came quietly up and offered to do it for her. “My man was injured in one of the attempts, but he is well. I sent him to the Castle. And I could not part them, so I am here by myself.” Laun chuckled. “Well, I have the squad from the Fourth waiting for me in the front hall.”
Dreng knew that Falmir was upset that Laun was not going to spend the night. He cut his son off by saying, “A strike and run visit? At least have some food with us.”
Laun nodded. She did not care that the boots had been taken off and the scent was not the most appetizing. She motioned and a goblet of spiced cider was in her hand. She drained it and more was there without her even looking for a servant. The others started in on the bites and drinks as Laun rested her head on the back of the leather and wood couch.
“I will be spending the next few days at the Castle. It is because of the problems that I am doing it. The Palace, as secure as you think it is, cannot be completely shut down.”
“Thorn, I fucking hate it, but I understand.” Falmir drained the wine from his goblet and waived away the refill. “That place is much more secure than I had given it credit.”
Laun laughed. “Thank you, Sire.” Laun put down the goblet after draining the third fill of the spiced cider. She stood and looked at the other three of her family sitting on the couches. “I am going to show you a few new scars. The fresher ones were from the attack during the storm-”
Falmir stood and took Laun into his arms. “Two attempts on you? You pissed someone off.”
Laun nodded into his chest. “I am going to confront him in a few days. I hope it goes my way, sire.” Her hand went up and went to his neck pulling his head down. She gave him a peck on the lips and stepped back. “But that is later.”
The layers of the uniform, armor and weapons came off as they talked, the room growing quiet as the lines of needle marks up her back were uncovered, a gasp from Bett when Laun turned around to show what had been added to her front.
“Gold...?” Bett held her own breasts in a reflexive protective motion.
“To remind and warn. Always negotiate. I like them.” Laun rubbed around her nipples and Falmir did not hold himself back as his hand went to her breast.
“Carving flesh is a Rosemond fixation. It... It looks like it hurt.”
Laun let him trace the thin leaves that had been carved along her old breast scar. Her hand went to his and held it over the petals carved into her, holding him there. “It did, but it was also exquisite, Falmir. The man who did it is an artist and showed me things I never knew existed. I went into it accepting what he would do, and asked for more.”
Falmir smoldered. He wanted her, even on her woman’s time. He drew back and looked at her hands, moved her to look again at the row of needle marks, light pink and white spots in her skin. “You had better get into that tub. Your cloth is done-for.”
Laun looked and her loincloth and rag were not just pink but fresh red. She colored and nodded. She looked at Dreng and Bett, saying, “I keep forgetting that others have boundaries. I’ll go get cleaned up.”
Falmir turned away from the bathing chamber’s door as Laun went in, the servants taking her well in hand to get the blood and travel from her. He took up his goblet again and it was full of wine as he brooded slightly.
“She’s home. Not for long, but she is here.” Dreng leaned forward and tried to catch his Son’s eye.
Falmir was not playing that game. “She will kill herself if someone else doesn’t get to her first.” He gulped half the goblet down and looked at the remainder. “She just won’t let me...us help.”
Bett was quiet, but she got the men’s attention. “She is, by coming here.”
Dreng nodded and Falmir fumed. They both held out their goblets for more drink, the action similar and amusing to Bett, though she could not say anything about it.
There was a splash and a sigh. Falmir grinned and looked up at his Father. “I don’t know anyone who sounds like she is enjoying her bath more than my Thorn.”
“You haven’t heard this one-” Dreng motioned with his thumb to Bett who pushed at him, making him have to turn his good eye towards her. They kissed and Falmir looked at his goblet again.
Falmir put the mostly empty goblet on the table and stood. “I might as well make myself useful.” He went into the bedroom and went to her wall of mirrored wardrobes. He had spent time in there, thinking of what could have been, after thinking about what had been. He knew what he would like to see her in. And out of, but he had to put that fantasy in it’s own cupboard for now. His Thorn wanted to get back to the Castle, and not in the uniform that had looked stunning on her.
He looked at himself in one of the mirrors. He was getting old. He shaved the sides of his head to take the grey away, but that was not going to work for ever. He was gaining weight, and not loosing it, making him feel as old as the man who was looking at him from the reflection seemed. Falmir saw the worry lines, the frustration marks that his Father had always had. Now he knew why.
Thinking of Laun made him feel young. Made him feel as though he was the age when he had taken her Mother. Made him want to be young again-for her. That was never going to happen. The treasured forbidden fruit he had in his mind kept his step lighter than it would have been, and that was good for then.
Three outfits. Falmir had three outfits laid out for her by the time she was out of the bath and into fresh, clean loincloth and rag. The Blacks were being lightly cleaned there in the rooms and put away into a travel bag. Except for the boots. Falmir knew she disliked shoes, but she tolerated boots when she was riding. They had been brushed and cloth polished as the royals were talking, placed next to the door to the corridor for when her Highness needed them.
“Dressing me now, Sire?” Laun had a length of cloth draped around her, the flow making her seem softer. It was as if she was pregnant again with the folds over her stomach. Laun tilted her head and smiled, looking at him and then the clothing he had put onto several of the smaller beds.
“I know you want to get out of here.” Falmir heard the bitterness in his voice after he had said it.
Laun came to him and held out a hand. He took it and did not pull her to him as he wanted to. “Sire, I promise, my time is yours for a while, once my business with... Well, once my business is dealt with.”
“Be careful, Thorn. I don’t know what is going on, but I don’t want you to be hurt.”
She shrugged. “Not any more than I already have been.” She moved over to the beds with the outfits laid out, her Father in tow. “What have you put together for me?”
The fancy outfit with the gold trim was put to the side. Laun liked it, but it was too flashy. The one that had breeches and a mens’ style tunic turned out to be too big for her, so that was set to the side. The one Laun started to put on was a very basic, long dress-tunic with a sideless surcoat to go over it, both in dark reds. Falmir watched as her skin was covered, the flow of the under dress catching on the nipple rings before fully covering her. The linen and silk were nondescript, though soft on Laun’s skin. She put her weapon’s belt on between the two layers, her boots hidden by the fall of the skirts. A black veil was pinned into place, a simple gold circlet going over to weigh it down.
Bett looked at Laun when she came out of the bedroom and frowned. And then laughed. “Lady, I should have your Father dress me. This one has no concept-” Dreng had her in a lip-lock to silence her, the kiss lasting far longer than just a simple silencing should have. Dreng’s hand started to rub on the baby-extended belly of Bett, low murmurs going between them.
Laun saw Falmir turn away from the display of his Father and bride. Falmir was lonely. He could not stand that his Father had something that Falmir did not, but could not say anything about it. Laun nodded to herself and put thoughts of introducing him to other women to the back of her mind, to be dealt with when her meeting with Flint and the rest of the Bell Council had concluded.
She found she had turned away at the thought of Flint. She continued to move, going to the little desk that had been wedged into the front room. A few old messages waited for her, including one from Liam. She opened the box before she broke the seal on the paper. The necklace that was in there was a simple silver chain with little ruby chips hanging from it. Laun tried to place it around her neck but was having problems with the clasp. Her hands were still bruised and battered and did not want to work properly.
“Father... Could you help me?”
His hands were not the most delicate things, but he took the fine silver chain, drawing it along her neck before connecting the halves of the clasp. She felt a slight shiver and knew he had done it for the reaction. Laun put her hand over his on her shoulder and enjoyed the feeling of his presence behind her.
“I think I am ready to go.”
Bett started the process of standing with her growing stomach unbalancing her. Dreng stood and helped with a steady arm. “Laun! We miss you.”
There was a smile on Laun’s face as she moved around the couches. Bett saw happiness in the smile. Dreng saw calmness in the smile. Falmir saw wistfulness in the smile. Laun felt resignation.
Hugs and kisses and tummy rubs were given and taken. Laun was escorted through the corridors and halls of the Palace of the Hawkwells, the rulers of the Midlands, her blood family. Her adopted family of the military came to attention when they heard the talking of the royal family come close. More hugs and warrior’s grips were given before Laun was surrounded by her men and escorted to the darkening City.
Liam’s story of the attack on his messenger and how he barely escaped himself lay unread on the desk.
Chapter 21 has Laun and her household reuniting, with good and bad reactions to the future
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