the Leathermines

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The Sand Castle was quiet outside the wall.  Inside, military and civilian and slave mixed and mingled and flowed, chaotic if you did not know what the form and flow was.  The gate bell was heard inside and some of the chaos quieted.  The question was said in low tones through the hole, the voice on the other side not having a chance to finish before there was a whoop and the gate started to open.

The front yard was not big enough for all the people who tried to cram in.  Laun had the squad with her and that added twenty to the close to squad number plus mounts already in the gravel area.  Laun had salutes and warriors grips and a few shy kisses as they all crowded in as the gate closed again.

Calls could be heard through the small compound.  Faces appeared at the door, the only one to push through with any success was Disa.  Laun had hands on her, pulling her through the men and into the lamp-lit brightness of the building.

It was as if the Salam-Dir people had drawn lots to see who was to come to the Capitol City.  Hunter was there, waiting until he could get a hug and a kiss before going out to look after Thunder.  Erin was there, Mimi close behind but ignoring the red scarf for the few attentions he could get from Laun.  Silar, dark in dress and skin but bright with his smile, knelt as Laun approached, rising for an embrace and kiss when Laun put her hand on his head.

There were others, mostly waiting in the garden areas.  Lanterns were lit and the small plants had stick walls around them to keep inattentive people from stepping on them.  Laun had a tankard of cold water in her hand and was sitting on one of the benches, surrounded by people before she could really do anything for herself.

There was talk.  Of the planting starting in Salam-Dir.  Of the journey up the river.  Of Fount staying to keep track of Ali and the baby.  Of the rumbles from the greyworld that even the military had heard with the news of the attacks on the Princess.

While Laun was sitting, surrounded by her friends and family, the slaves in the Sand Castle came to her, touched and were touched, some smiling directly with Laun.  It was good for Laun to see the progress the slaves had gone through.  Some might be able to be freed soon, but it was a long process.

Senri pushed through the crowd to give a warriors grip.  He told of the squad of the Fourth he had been leading East until word of Laun’s problems had spread to him.  He had ridden hard from the Golden Plains from the training he was leading for a new logistics company being set up in the East.  He mentioned in low tones that it was to take care of a prisoner camp meant to hold Rosemond soldiers and mercs until they could be sent across the border.

Laun nodded and she was not smiling.  Politics, the remains of war, was going to linger for quite a while.  She grasped Senri’s hand and thanked him for his service.  He tried to come to attention, but could not in the crush.  He kissed Laun’s hand and stepped back, the next person who needed Laun’s attention stepping in the gap.

Pillar had Gem on his arm, talking in low tones as they approached the group around Laun.  There was worry, but the gentle strength of the shaman was making Gem smile a little.  Laun held out a hand, Pillar gripping it and seeing the small wince that caused.  He looked at her hand, the bruising on the wrist covered by the long red sleeves, and gave Laun a slightly disapproving look.

“Laun, your man will be good, but he still needs time to recover.  As it looks like you do.”  The raised eyebrow said much more from the shaman.

Laun nodded and watched as Pillar assessed the few places he could see that needed his attentions.  “There were a few...altercations.  The bruises are nothing.  Later, I think most of you will see my new scars.”

Erin grimaced.  He saw Laun’s eye on him and bowed his head slightly.  “I hope it was not too painful for you, Laun.”

Laun shrugged.  “It was pain.  It was for effect.”  Laun put a hand over her breast and said, “There is no mistaking who this body belongs to at this point.”

There were a few smiles, a few rumbles of disapproval.  More water was poured for Laun, other drinks and a few baskets with smallbreads being passed.  Pillar walked through the crowd, his ghost silent walk on the gravel disturbing if you did not know him.  More talk of the travel, and a few details of the Rosemond bandits at the boat started to come out, Gem chiming in with a few details here and there.

Tiredness was starting to overwhelm Laun.  She loved being surrounded by her family, her friends.  She liked hearing of the little things she had missed while on her adventure.  She was glad to share some of what happened with her and her people while away.  But, it could only last so long.

Laun held up a hand and she was helped up in the middle of the crowd.  “I know it is a little early, but I wish to get some rest.  The ship was crowded and the bunks were small.”

At least one knowing smile and chuckle was in the crowd around her.  “Laun, may I escort you to your room?”  Erin’s voice carried over the crowd noises.

Laun smiled and nodded.  “Thank you.  But, please, I am on my moon and I will not be in a mood for anything tonight.”

There was a momentary grimace, but Erin held out his hand.  Several others followed, the talk continuing as they made their way through the Sand Castle.  It took a while as the place seemed to have more people in it than the keep at Salam-Dir.  It was feeling happy, a steady stream of people flowing through, touching Laun and the others and going past.

The room had changed since the weeks she had been on the ships and in Hamlis.  There were mats on the floors, a pile of pillows near the chairs at the fireplace.  It smelled of people as it smelled of wood and books before.  Laun thought she counted enough space for seven or eight extra people on the added sleeping spaces.  The people around her had been gathering for a while and Laun felt ashamed.

Hunter saw that Laun suddenly was not feeling the smile she was holding on her face.  He took Laun’s other hand and brought it to his lips.  “Do you need to sit, Love?”

Laun looked up at the dark grey eyes of Hunter, seeing and reading how deep the concern was.  “I think that would be wise.  Thank you.”

Laun was seated, her boots off and Silar kneeling at her feet with his hands massaging her.  Laun sighed and closed her eyes as he started with her toes and worked up.  Another tankard of water was in her hand, the cold feeling good as it went down.  Someone was stoking the fire, the smell of slightly green wood mixing in with the aromatic smoke from the herb kindling that was tossed on.

“Laun...”  There was a smile as she turned towards the voice, the young Wanda coming through the people still circled around Laun when she saw that her Lady was receptive.  “I’m glad you made it back.  It’s been lonely but...not with you gone.”

Laun smiled wider.  “That is the way of things, isn’t it?  Missing the people who are not with you, but enjoying the people who are still at your side.”

Wanda knelt next to Silar, watching the dark hands on the light skin for a moment.  She was wearing a new long tunic, her hair more tidy than Laun had ever seen it.  Wanda even had a small bracelet on, a copper thing with a rope design embossed into it.  Her young eyes looked back up to Laun and Laun could see the enthusiasm and need to tell of the adventures in the City.

“What was your favorite part of being here while I was gone?”  Laun held out a hand and stroked down the young girls cheek.

Wanda’s eyes flicked back and forth as if searching for something.  She stopped and looked back up to Laun, pushing her cheek into Laun’s hand.  “I think the first time I went out to the markets with Disa and Lutaris.  They dragged me around and I followed as they talked and looked at things.  I didn’t want to be there, but then it was different because I didn’t have to want and not have.”

Laun thought about that for a moment, stroking the girls’ cheek as Silar was stroking up her leg.  “I do not want to spoil you, but you shall not want for anything while you are in the household.  It is different being able to have something from a merchants stall and not having to walk away.”  Laun motioned to Wanda’s wrist.

The trinket was shown and Laun was more impressed with it than she had been before.  “This is quite fine work, little one.  You have a good eye.”

Wanda smiled.  “I...  I know that everyone in the household has a...specialty, Laun.  I have been working on my rope work and I figgered-  figured I should show that is what I do.”

Laun nodded.  “Excellent.  I am happy you have found something that you enjoy.  You still need to watch and learn other things, but this is good.”  Laun leaned over and kissed Wanda’s forehead.  The girl pressed herself into the kiss and then moved quickly, kissing Laun on the cheek as she stood.

“I know I am keeping you from them, Laun.  But I wanted to see you.”

Laun laughed.  “Thank you, little one.  I am glad you have had a good time while you were here.”

Laun saw a small shadow but it was under the wide smile the girl had.  She curtseyed and left, several of the adults smiling and chuckling at her.

“She is trying not to grow up, but it is going to come fast for her, isn’t it.”  Erin was leaning against the mantle in the pose Laun had mimicked at Mayor Cori’s estate.

Laun nodded and put a gentle hand onto Silar’s hand, making him pause.  “She grew up around a slightly different culture, knew what was going on before-well.  We are sheltering her, but it sounds like she is sheltering herself, too.”  Laun looked into Silar’s face and saw him smile.  “It is time to show you all what has happened to me while I was gone.”

There was a slightly nervous noise among the people in the room.  Laun stood and started to pull on her clothing.  She found hands helping, and then a few negative noises as the new cuts were uncovered.  And one positive voice.

“Mistress...”  Silar paused before touching, but could not hold his fingers back as he touched the leaves and flower cut into her breast.  Laun could see he wanted to do more but was holding himself off.

Laun was given a little privacy to change her bleed rag and loincloth, but not much.  Silar did not care if she was on her moon.  The cuts on her were beautiful and he wanted to have her ride him right then, share her blood.  He did not touch her after taking his hand from the flower, but he could see her watching him as she replaced her loincloth.

Erin had to turn away.  The cuts on her breast were bad enough, but when she turned and he saw the lines of puncture marks, he could not stand to see her any more.  He had not entirely forgotten that she had the scars, but seeing new ones made the rest stand out.  She had become perfect in his mind.  Having the skin as smooth as... Mimi, but with that talent and wit of the Princess.  He looked back and Laun was being tended to by the shamen.

People swirled in the room.  Laun had some lotions put on her new scars, a wrap with a fresh sprig of something on the skin next to the bruises.  Hands touched Laun on her new scars, caressed her on her old ones.  Clothing on other people was starting to loosen and come off.  Laun was escorted to the bed, Silar reaching for some oil to use on her.

Laun rolled onto her front, the fresh linen and cotton beneath her smelling and feeling good.  Silar started to smooth the oil with his fingertip down her back between the lines of light needle marks.  Laun knew he could read her, know where she needed work.  Having been slightly motion sick most of the way back along with her monthly bleed had not been pleasant.  The slight rocking motion her dark Prince was using to relax her was nothing like the ships’ motion, letting her drop into a place where she was just happy for a while.

The sounds of Gem and Deni came through to Laun as Silar enjoyed running his hands over her.  Laun was glad that the two women were there.  It took some of the pressure off of her.  She did not mind performing, but she just...  Didn’t feel like doing anything right then.  The looming meeting, and possibly not surviving it was starting to take up most of her thoughts.

Laun sighed and turned, Silar working on the arm and side that Laun presented him with.  He was delicate along the parallel cuts along her ribs and gently ran his hands over the ring in her nipple.  She knew he was enjoying the new scars, the new signs that she was strong.  Laun was not sure she did, but they were part of her.  There was little she could do, and for many of them, she would not have done much different.

The sounds of the others around her started to peak.  Laun looked at Silar and grasped his oil-slicked hand.  “I will be sleeping soon.  Enjoy those around us.”

He brought her hand to his lips.  “I am doing what I want to, Mistress.”

Laun smiled and drew her finger along his lower lip.  “Not everything, my Prince.”

There was a quick bow to his head and then he was looking at her eyes again.  “I know how you don’t like to do things on your moon.”

There was a nod as Laun said, “If I survive the Bell Council, I will give you a day.”

He was blinking.  “Bell Council?  You...  A day?”

Laun moved slightly and she was more on her back.  Her voice was low as she said, “If I can confront Flint and win, I will give you a day of my time.  To do with me as you will.”  She smiled as the thoughts going through his mind started to make his teeth shine in the firelight.  “Anything, my love.”

“Thank you, Mistress.”  Silar’s hand went to the breast with the flower.  Not to fondle and grope, but to caress.

There was not much more that could be said that night.  It seemed as though the people who were in the bedroom, other than Laun and Silar, were all entwined, all moving, all sighing and gasping.  Laun might have wanted to talk more, but the noises were not just loud, they were distracting.  There were times before when she would have been upset, jealous of the people around her.  That night, she smiled, feeling the pleasure that everyone was having, enjoying that the people with her were enjoying each other.

Laun rolled onto her side again, Silar moving to lay along her back.  His arms went around her, his breath on the back of her neck.  Laun sighed happily and let her tiredness take her into sleep.

Her dreams were not entirely pleasant.  Her dreams were not entirely beautiful.  They clung to her as she rolled over, her hip hurting from being in one position for a little too long.  Her arm went out from under the covers as she turned, but the room had enough people in it that the air was warm, even in the early morning.  She listened to the breathing around her, felt the bodies to either side of her.  Smiled when she recognized the slight snore of Edgar.

Laun could not see him next to her without turning completely over.  She smelled horse and sweat on him in the moonless dark.  She moved and his hand reached for her in his sleep, ready to pull her closer.  Laun smiled at the ever protective action, even in his sleep.  He must have ridden through the night to get there, but did not want to wake her when he arrived.  Laun smiled and moved so that his arm was more around her, letting his protective nature collect her into his chest as he slept.

There was the warm, soft edge between sleep and awake.  Laun did not want to move from the arms of her Husband and Lord.  He had been one of the constants in her life for years before the coup as the household’s Head Wardsman.  He had been at her side while the Salam-Dir household regrouped and rebuilt it’s self.  He had been her first Sworn, the first she had had sexual thoughts of.  He had not taken her virginity, that had been Fount.  But Edgar...  His voice and his eyes and his strength...

Laun sighed and his arm moved slightly.  It was not the protective grasp.  He had slid his arm along her, his hand going up her body.  Laun lay in his arms, knowing he was awake, enjoying him around her.  She moved her hand to be with his.  They weaved their fingers together and held each other like that for a while.

Eventually, there was a breath of a whisper across her cheek.  “Good morning, Wife.”

Laun smiled in the dark and replied, “Good morning, my Lord.”

There was a warm breath and then a kiss on her shoulder.  Laun felt a shiver go through her even before he rumbled, “How is my Wife this morning?”

Edgar could always go right through her with that voice.  Her head went back as her back slightly arched, more kisses being given to her shoulder and neck as she presented different skin to him.  Laun let out a small gasp and then a sigh as he continued with his mouth and his hands.

The hand stopped at her breast, the heavy gold ring unexpected and slightly confusing.  Laun put her hand over his and encouraged him to touch, to move the ring.  His fingers touched and stroked along the cold and warm metal.  He rolled her nipple in between his fingers and then moved to her other breast, brushing against the new scaring.

Edgar propped himself up on his elbow and looked at Laun as she rolled onto her back.  The dim light did not show much, but Edgar knew her, knew her skin.  He felt a flush of anger.  His hands found the edges of the new scars covering her breast, branching off of that scar from the coup.  The scar that was there to remind him of his own folly when she came and fought her way to them at the Festival.

She was relaxed under his hand.  He touched her new jewelry, her new scars.  He saw a glint of a smile in the low night lamp flame, nothing to tell him that she was unhappy with what had been done with her.  Edgar dragged his fingers along her skin, finding one of the heavy rings again.  He moved down and kissed her breast, kissed the unscarred skin, kissed what was left of her that was undamaged.  He started to work his way to her nipple, finding that it was hard and already at attention with the ring through it.

Laun moved under him, wiggled slightly.  There was a low sound from her to tell him that she was enjoying his explorations.  He knew that she had her loin cloth on, knew that was a barrier not to be breached.  But it had been close to a month since he had seen her, felt her against him.  The other women...other men...in the household were good companions, but Laun was his Love, his Wife.  He wanted to touch her and hold her and make love to her.  He breathed her in as the ring clicked against his teeth.

There was movement on the other side of Laun.  Silar was awake and watching, but not venturing to touch or include himself.  He had accepted the role he was in, knew that there was a hierarchy to who could approach Laun and when.  Edgar was Lord Salam-Dir, Launs first Husband.  Even with Laun’s own thoughts made fairly clear that she respected and loved those around her, did not want barriers, they were there for the people around her to cross.

Edgar kissed his way up Laun again, knowing there were eyes on them.  “My Love, when did...”  His whisper trailed off before he could finish what he wanted to ask.

Laun stroked his short hair and whispered, “Liam.  A gift of sorts.  And a way for me to remember to always negotiate.”  She felt his hand go lightly along the new flower scar.  “That is pure decoration.  It is healing well.  I... I like it.”

Edgar moved his face to be at her neck, her hair smelling of roses and trees.  “You are your best decoration, my Love.  You don’t need any more to carry with you like that.”

Laun felt a slight physical thrill from his voice coming to her through her neck.  She heard the worry, the concern.  “I was safe in Liam’s hands.  It was the mercs that destroyed the moment.”  She turned and was able to brush her lips against his cheek.  “I am back.  All I need is to get through the Bell Council and-”

Edgar pulled himself from her neck and looked down at her.  He moved slightly and looked into her eyes in the gloom.  “Bell Council?  What is that?  You sound like you may not come back.”

The edge in his voice stirred several of the others near the bed.  It was early morning and Laun knew that they had all been enjoying each other to exhaustion that night, but most of the people in the room were now seasoned to wake at the hint of trouble.  Edgar having anger and a streak of hysteria in his low voice brought several people out of sleep with alarm in their hearts.

“My Love, I don’t know what will happen.  But I have to face what I put in motion, even unknowingly.”

There was a heat from Edgar, a tension that Laun did not like.  “I will stand at your side and defend you-”

Laun’s fingers drew down his lips and quieted him.  “Not this time, Edgar.  You cannot protect me from everything, even if you want to.”

There was frustration in his snort.  He pressed his lips into her fingers and then into her lips.  There was an insistence in his touch, his motions, that Laun rebelled against to start with, then relaxed into.  They kissed until Edgar moved and watched his Wife under him in the dark.  “I will be there with you.”

Laun closed her eyes and sighed.  The dark was more complete behind her eyelids, but she could still see the disapproving look on Edgar’s face.  “No.”  She opened her eyes and saw the look she knew had been there.  The pressure of his body on her was suddenly too much and she started to push at him.

There was a clench to Edgar’s jaw and then he pushed into her.  His hands were holding her down by her shoulders, his lips forcing themselves on Laun’s.  Her head moved and he found his anger coming out of him as he moved to her throat and took some of her skin between his teeth.  She took in a breath and clenched her own teeth at the pain.  Fingernails went into his arms, Laun baring through the pain, but trying to give some of the unexpected aggression back.

Silar could not stay back.  His hand was on Edgar’s arm, feeling where Laun was marking him.  “My Lord-”

The anger flared, the eyes that glowed in the darkness at the dark man clear to read.  Edgar did not get angry often, let it show even less.  He was angry at Laun for deciding something that could take her away from him, from the household.  From their children.  She would not let him help her.  She...

Edgar rolled off of Laun.  He rubbed his hands on his face and tried to focus on anything but his anger.

Laun sat up.  Her hand was on her throat, feeling the mark Edgar had just given her.  It was the first time he had ever shown a spark like that.  It frightened her.

“The household will need you, Edgar.”  Laun’s voice cracked.

“We need you.  Fuck it!  You don’t have to do everything on your own!”

Laun knew that most of the people in the room were now awake but were being quiet.  “Love, I don’t.  But I cannot drag anyone else to the meeting.  It is bad enough that people were hurt because of me already.  I can’t have you hurt because of me.  You have protected me for so long-”

“The good it did...”  Edgar knew that he would tell her of his guilt for the underlying scar on her breast if he kept talking.  Now the horror of knowing that his actions pushed the greyworld bandit into her with his sword had been embellished.  He had not seen it, but felt it and could not think of his Love, his Wife as anything but disfigured.

Laun did not know what to say.  She did not know if there was anything to say.  It had been a beautiful way to wake up, in Edgars arms, surrounded by her family.  It had turned badly and she just did not know how to deal with it.  She thought he was angry at her for going with Liam, for letting herself get attacked.  Laun had thought that he trusted her to do what was needed.  Her heart fell and she felt the need to escape.  She relied on her body to get her out of the situation and said in a small voice, “I need to use the privy.”

Laun crawled to the end of the bed and through the curtain hanging there.  A mat was below, but Laun missed the people on it as she blindly went through the room to the door.

There was a growl.  Edgar rolled onto his stomach and pounded his fists into the bedding.  Many of the people in the room started to move, reach for where they thought their clothing had landed.  The fire was coaxed back to flame and more than the night lamp was lit.  There was more light, if not warmth, in the room in just a few minutes.  There had not been talking.  Perhaps a few hand-signs, but nothing verbalized as the frustration of the always calm, always reasonable Edgar was vented into the pillows of the main bed.

Silar put his hand on Edgar’s shoulder.  There was a violent motion, intended to be a shrug but had lifted the man partially of the bed.  “My Lord, we don’t know-”

“Because she will not tell us.  She will not let us in.  First this trip to pay a debt that I have no idea how she incurred.  Then these attacks where they were after her.  What the hell has she done?  Where was I...?”  Edgar fell back into the bedding but did not hit the pillows any more.

Another voice was heard as people started to dress to get going on the early day.  “Edgar, she went into debt for me.”

Edgar looked past Silar who in turn rolled slightly to see Verat sitting up in bed, the covers still up around his waist.  “What are you talking about?  For the Sand Castle?  She told me she paid you-”

“No.”  Verat became quiet and would not look at Edgar or Silar.  “Sand Master died.  I became Sand Master.  My Mistress Peach went into debt for me to the smuggler to dispose of the body for me.”  Verat’s voice failed him and he was not sure why he had said as much as he did.

Edgar was still.  The heat of anger was still in him, but it was fading.  “The night the girl... When Laun went to the brothel.”  Verat nodded.  “She never mentioned it.”

Verat turned his head and looked at Edgar.  “She couldn’t.  It was not something for her to tell.”

The frustration, even fading, had an unwanted tear in Edgar’s eye.  “What else does she have in her?  I thought she shared everything...”

Verat moved his head just a little and looked into Edgar’s eyes.  “That is what comes with getting information as she does.  She has to remember it.  Some of what she holds in her mind cannot be pleasant.  Many bells never see their old age because the knowledge they have overwhelms them.”

Edgar heard what Verat was trying not to say.  “She would not take her own life.”  It was a statement.  One that Edgar was not certain of.

“She has her other talents to focus on, but even that...”

There was a moment where Edgar expected Verat to continue.  Edgar sat up and turned to the man, Silar moving slightly up the bed into the pillows to not be directly in the line of sight.  “Tell me.”

Verat could not hold back.  He told of the attack during the storm.  Of defending Gem, even without a weapon in her own hand.  Of the men she took down after Hazalam had taken a thrust meant for her.  Of her darkness taking her after she had broken the leader and tossed him out into the storm to go back to Flint.  Of the way she closed herself off because she had killed and did not wish to feel, to respond to those around her.

Verat paused, not knowing how much to tell.  He could not keep it from Laun’s Love and Lord.

Waking with Laun was told, the surprise from her.  His testing of her.  Her offering of herself.  And then her wishes and his taking of her.  And the way she was able to get into his mind.  Verat could obfuscate the information she was able to get out of him, but he described her method, and blushed at how effective it was.

Edgar had been silent while Verat spoke.  Silar drew himself up and felt a frustration growing in him.  Several others had stopped dressing, stopped before they left the room to hear the almost military way Verat reported his interactions with Laun.  No emotion was in the words chosen, no emotion in the tone of voice.

“...and then, she was as if a fire had been lit in her.  The darkness was gone and her hunger...”  Verat blushed again and did not know why.  “Edgar, she went through the squad attending her during the storm.  I was certain she was going to wear out every man in the building before the winds died down.  It is how she...  It is like many of the heroes I have read about who are warriors and leaders in battle, seemingly without mercy, but use the softness of women to help them forget what they have done.”

“Her appetites...”  Edgar felt jealousy flash through him.  It was not the first time.  He knew it was not the last.  “Her talents...  I know she fights the darkness.  She has had it since the deaths in the keep.”  He looked at his hands and stretched them, still feeling her in his grasp.  “I am in her bed-  Hell, I married her and I never saw...”

Silar spoke, his voice not soft, but it did not carry far.  “I know she keeps parts of herself for each of us.  The parts that she knows we can handle.”  His hand went to the last grouping of cuts she had given him while they were Playing, the light stripes on his chest still easy for those around him to see.

Edgar looked at the scars on Silar.  He looked hard at them and put his hand over them.  “She tries to keep us all happy.”  Edgar tried to drop his hand, but found Silar’s hand over his.  “I don’t even know when she did that to you.”

The dark man had a partial smile as he said, “You were on patrol between Nestwood and Salam-Dir.”  Silar wanted to say more, but felt it was not his place.

A quiet settled between the three men.  The others in the room cleared, except for one.

“I know that she tries to be even with us all,” Hunter said from the side of the bed.

Edgar moved slightly, drawing his hand from Silar.  “It seems we have a quorum here.”  There were a few chortles as the men formed a circle on the bed.

It was not the type of morning meeting they were used to.  It had come from a heated temper, an angered ego from Edgar, but led into a discussion between many of the men Laun held close to her in her life.  They all knew that they wanted to be with Laun, felt that this was similar to the discussion that had been had at the Palace in Autumn.  But, this was different.

Laun had left the room, finding her nakedness chilly as she went through the corridors of the Sand Castle.  She easily found the privy, a sleepy slave being motioned away as Laun dealt with her own bodies’ needs.  Laun did not replace the soiled loincloth as her woman’s time had ended in the moonless night.  She did take the robe offered before she went out and wandered the ways in and around the building.

It was just on the grey of morning as Laun stepped outside into the garden.  The gravel slid and crunched under her feet, cold, but not painfully so.  It was dark in the walls.  Laun could hear the sleepy sounds of birds just waking to the light, a few road noises from beyond the wall.

Laun found that she was at the back of the garden, sitting on the bench that Mimi had been on when Laun had arrived from Salam-Dir.  It had a good view of the garden and Laun saw that there were cut-back roses budding to either side.  She felt tears, tried to keep them in, but it roughened her throat before she let them out.  She missed the roses in the garden of Salam-Dir, even though she knew that she had them cut down to let the Masons in to repair the wall.

She missed the roses.  She missed her Lady Hellon who taught her the usefulness of roses.  She missed her mother, dead for far longer than her Lady.  Laun missed all the people she used to know in the household.  She missed the people that were still there.  Laun felt the mourning for the people she may not ever see again welling up in her and she could not hold it back.

So much that had been gained in two years.  So much to be lost because of it.  Laun still had to protect those who looked to her.  Edgar could not let her try to protect him, even if he did not understand that was what she was doing.  She was expendable.  Always had been.  She had skills, yes, but if her life was to be taken to protect those she loved...

There was a small noise.  Laun uncovered her face from the sleeve of the robe and saw a slave standing there.  He held a tankard of water and waited for Laun to let him approach.  Laun motioned to him and he held out the water to her, an uncertain motion to his head.  Laun saw that he did not know if he should look at her or away.

There were several things that went through Laun’s mind.  That he needed reassurance.  That she was chilly.  That he must also be cold in the early morning grey.  That Laun really did not want to have anyone around her or else they would get hurt.

Laun wiped her face on her sleeve and smiled at the man.  He smiled back and started to turn to go.  Laun motioned, not even a hand-sign, and he stopped.  Laun took a sip of the water and felt it wash several layers of soreness and dryness away.

“Thank you.”

The simple statement made him smile.  He nodded and turned.  Less of a trudge was in his step than most of the slaves had.  Laun did not feel any better, but she knew that he was reassured, comforted.  Laun sighed and saw several more naked slaves at the door to inside, watching.

Watching.  Laun looked into the water and saw her own eyes reflected.  There was always someone around.  Always someone to watch.  Laun did not have any privacy, unless she worked hard for it.  Yet, she had secrets.  Secrets of the Kingdom.  Secrets of her relationships.  Secrets of the Household.  How people did not even guess at some of her secrets, she did not know.  But, she could not share them openly.  Many for very obvious reasons.

The moonless night turned into a clear day.  Laun watched the glints of sun on the top of the wall as it came up over the horizon she could not see.  A small breeze went through, smelling of horses and green things.  A Jay squawked above her head for a few minutes and left.  The world continued.  It did not care about what was, or could be.  It only cared about the now.

There was one way to get the chill from her.  Laun stood, leaving the tankard on the bench.  There was a good path there, narrower than the carpet she had below the windows in the room back in the tower.  Laun scuffed her heel in the dirt and gravel.  It would work.

A breath in.  Closed eyes.  Foot placed here as the hands moved there.  A turn and she felt the edge of the path brush the side of her foot.  Arms swung, a leaf brushing the back of her hand from the tree above.  The edge of the robe caught on the stick fence at the edge of the growing area, but pulled free as she stepped through.  Laun concentrated on hearing the crunch of the gravel under her feet, on the wind as it hissed over the wall and through the greenery around her.  A knee was brought up, the foot pointed as it went out in front of her.

There was another sound in the gravel.  Laun continued her kata, but listened to the sound she had not made.  It moved to be near her.  She did not stop, it did.  Laun flowed and felt the edge of the path again, changing where she placed her feet slightly, coming closer to the stopping place of the other footstep.

A forearm touched hers, blocking the blow in the kata but not stopping it.  Laun felt her smile and continued with the form, her balance there.  It was a rough balance, the person not used to it.  Laun slowed slightly, keeping her eyes closed as she moved.

The end of the form came and Laun stood, her breathing faster then normal, but a good feeling going through her.  She held out her hand and felt it taken up to a man’s lips.  Her own lips were soon there as she was embraced.

“You have not done that with me before, my Love,” Laun said into Edgar’s neck.

He did not say anything, just held her.

“I am sorry I walked out-”  Laun began.

“No, My Love.  I understand now that there are things you cannot share.  I don’t like it, but I understand.”  He looked into her eyes when she looked up at him from his chest.  “I forget that you are not just the woman I have chosen to be next to.”  He leaned down and kissed her forehead.  “You need to do what you need to do.”

Laun looked up into Edgar’s eyes.  Something had happened and there was still concern in his eyes, but there was also understanding.  He was not going to push to be with her, at her side at the Bell Council meeting.  He still was there to be her support, to be the rock that she clung to in the swirling chaos that was her life.  She had a flush go through her because of her love and appreciation of him, her cheeks turning more pink than from her exercise.

Laun opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Edgar said, “I want to share more of what you are.  I was warded to be a warrior, but I did not see the way you train...  I mean...”  He clenched his teeth and saw that Laun was waiting for him to continue, to finish what he needed to say.  “Could you show me that form?”

There was a smile and nod.  Laun stepped back and raised her arms, going into the form she had just done without any more prompting.  It forced Edgar to defend himself, backing up on the gravel path, his bare legs brushing the sticks along the edges.  Laun slowed the form down so that they could move together, so he could see where he needed to be the aggressor.  She smiled.

Word had been spread that the morning forms were being done in the garden.  Many of those who had participated in the keep back in Salam-Dir went out into the morning air and smiled as they saw their Lord and Lady practicing together.  The paths were filled with people, the steps into the building filled with people watching.  Different people chose different katas, some with balance partners, many without.

Edgar was tired, his legs starting to twitch as the end of the form came to a close for the third time.  Instead of going to first position again, he stepped into Laun and drew her to him.  They held each other, breathing heavily.  The sun was above the wall, it’s warmth on them for a few minutes as they just existed together.  The others moving along the paths came to the ends of the forms they were doing, some stretching out muscles that were complaining, some sitting on benches nearby.

Slaves quietly went along the paths, water pitchers and tankards on trays.  They were gratefully accepted.  Edgar took a tankard and offered Laun the first sip, looking into her eyes as the metal vessel tipped back.  Laun held the tankard up for him and he took a sip, having to break off his gaze to do so.  He looked back down and saw, just for a blink, a shred of her darkness, but then it was gone, her love for him, her enjoyment of the moment glowing from her.

Laun pulled at him slightly and they sat on the bench.  The other tankard was filled by a passing slave, Laun reaching out to touch and thank the slave.  The naked woman smiled and nodded, moving to the next thirsty person along the path.  Edgar saw the action that Laun did with everyone, but saw it again with his eyes that had been just pried open with the discussion with the other men.  He took her hand and kissed the back of it, looked into her eyes knowing that there was far more behind them than he would ever understand.

It was as if Edgar was relearning Laun again.  They shared a plate of cold meat and smallbreads that was brought to them, Laun making sure that Edgar had the first bite and the bites that looked like they were the more succulent from the plate.  Edgar touched her, caressed her, but did not pull her to him as he really wanted to.  Laun returned the touches, smiled and giggled if the touch tickled.  Edgar saw her for the young woman she was, the woman who still had much to learn about first being that woman, not the leader and warrior she had been pressed into being.

He wanted to make love to her.  Right there, regardless of who may be in the garden with them.  If what Verat had said was accurate, she may not live past the night of the meeting.  Edgar did not want to mourn for the living woman he was sharing his first meal with, but he could not help it.

There were few words said between them.  They ate, looked at each other and watched those around them.  The heat of the day made the garden start to become too hot to be comfortable, but Edgar would not be the first to complain, to make Laun move from his side.

Laun looked at him and he saw her head tilt ever so slightly to the side as her hazel eyes flashed their gold flecks in the morning light.  “You know, Ali would gladly be your wife.”

Edgar blinked.  His face showed his confusion.  He sighed.  “I have no idea how you got there, my Love.”

Laun put her fingertips on his cheek and slowly drew them down to his lips as she said, “You will need the companionship of someone who knows the household inside and out.  She loves you and Fount and would do anything for you.  She will raise Sable and Ash with Lin-”

Edgar closed his eyes and clenched his jaw.  He wanted to yell at her, make her stop.  He wanted to hold her to him so close that she could not leave.  He wanted to walk away from her and never have the heartache she put him through again.

Her fingers brushed his lower lip and then went down his throat.  “It is not just a possibility but a certainty that the meeting will not go well for me.  I do not want to leave you.  I-I know that the household will continue without me, has always been able to do so.  I am not needed to run the Kingdom.  You have... I was going to say everything...”

His hands were over hers on his throat.  Laun could feel the rumble as it came out, Edgar pushing his voice more than she could remember.  “If it comes to that, those you leave behind will work with what is left.  Right now, you are here and I want you.”

He saw the little tremble under her eyes as she tried to suppress the shiver that went through her.  Edgar reached for her and she was straddling him as he sat on the bench, his arms around her, the robe falling back and covering nothing of their passions.  Their lips more than pressed together.  Their hands held and stroked and kneaded into each other.  Edgar was hard and the tunic strained to keep him restrained.

Laun did not care who was around.  She knew that people were there, but there were always people.  Her hand went between them and under his hem.  It was just a small motion and he was in her.

Edgar’s arms were strong around her.  He did not move once Laun had committed them to making love in the garden.  He was suddenly embarrassed and excited to the point that he was not sure if he would be able to last more than a few strokes.  Laun could sense at least part of that and held onto him, her legs around his waist as they held each other on the bench.

They held each other.  Edgar breathed in Laun as they kissed.  Laun felt his strength as Edgar held her tight to his chest.  He felt her tremble as their small motions moved him inside of her.  She heard his breath quicken with every small move.  His fingers felt the raised bumps of the needle marks on her back.  She smelled the heat and horse on him.

His legs started to tremble under her butt, the effort of not moving while wanting to move taking it’s toll on his already tired legs.  The tremble moved Laun on him, making her tense around him.  They both knew it was not going to last.

Laun leaned back, Edgar’s manhood going deeper into her.  His face went to her breasts, between them as the peak rolled through him.  She moved, used her hips to bring him more pleasure as he growled and bellowed into her chest.  The pulses and the wetness filled her, making her gasp with it’s intensity.  She was not even close to coming to her own edge, but she felt satisfied that Edgar had.

Laun held Edgar’s head to her.  He was gasping after his orgasm, his eyes shut tight against the world.  Her hands stroked down the back of his head, the short hair slick with sweat.  She started to hum lightly, one of the tunes she used to lull the children to sleep when she had the chance.  His breaths became steadier.  His arms relaxed as they held her.

“That was wonderful,” Laun whispered.

Edgar moved his face towards her voice and opened his eyes.  “I-we...  Yes.  It was.”  Their lips gently met and the passion was still there, but less intense and of the moment.

They continued to hold each other, Laun’s legs wrapped around Edgar, for a while.  His manhood had slipped out of her and they caressed each other’s faces.  Low words were exchanged, talk about the children and travel being as intimate as telling of hearts desires.  Fingers went across Laun’s cut flower, the artistry balancing the pain and becoming beautiful for Edgar.  They shared.  Each other.  More than they had been able to for months.

Laun moved slightly and saw that Edgar was ignoring his legs, the pain obvious as she shifted on him.  She moved, his arms tightening for a pulse before he let her go.  Laun stood, the robe falling completely to the ground, his seed thickly flowing down the inside of her thigh.

Slaves were there.  Most of them held their heads down so that it looked as though they had not seen anything.  They had created a wall of bodies between the lovers and the rest of the garden without Edgar or Laun noticing.  Cloths were offered, water was offered.  The Lord and Lady Salam-Dir cleaned each other up, a reawakening of his manhood encouraged by Laun.  She knelt between his legs and cleaned him with her mouth before wiping him with a damp cloth.  Edgar put his hand on Laun’s head and she looked up his body as she knelt in front of the bench.

“We’ll never get out of the garden if you continue that...”  Edgar stood and helped Laun to stand.  “If you want more, I am certain that you have many offers available.”

Laun blinked.  She turned and looked past the slaves and saw the shamen tending the garden and a group of people loosely gathered near the door to inside.  She blushed as they turned, one seeing that Laun had noticed them.

She turned to Edgar and he heard the embarrassment that went along with her blush.  “I let my heat take control- I am-”

Edgar pulled her to him and held her.  “This is your home.  You are my Wife.  If we make love in the garden, it is of no concern of anyone else.  I...”  He looked into her eyes and said, “I am sorry that I didn’t follow your rules-”

Laun smiled broadly.  “That particular rule doesn’t apply to you, my Love.  I want to have...”  Tears were in her eyes as she swallowed and continued with, “I will have your children.”

They kissed.

Laun waived away the robe and long cloths the slaves offered.  With a nod from Edgar, Laun walked through the gardens towards the group of people near the door.  She smiled and held out her hand, a warriors grip turning to a kiss on the palm from Hunter.  Laun led the people inside, the day to be filled with making love.  And making plans.

Chapter 22 starts here