Back to Chapter 18
The Desert. Laun sighed.
It was beautiful, but hot. The flowers were starting to fade, even as the evening call to the dining tent was sounded. She heard the call, but stayed on the bench, waiting.
Messages had been written, the lost nail given some, the Royal messengers others. Laun sent a scathing message to Kwarti, Red Master from the far Western shore of Myrned. A year before, they had met in the Spires, some on each side had been lost, one sent to kill, one there to protect. A pact had been made, and part of that was that all Royalty were unwarrentable. A Secret Keeper had witnessed, and by Myrned Law, was unbreakable.
Laun sneered. Nothing was unbreakable.
She did not turn when she heard the soft slide of the sand. He had come as he had said, at the time he had said.
He was dark. He was very dark, and it surprised Laun. She was used to the blonde and pale of the upper classes and had forgotten that there were the swarthier lower class from Rosemond, too. He was plainly dressed and could have been a servant, except for the few details Laun saw. Sailor. Horseman. Dark from being in the sun, not dark like Silar. Brilliant blue eyes that showed another part of his lineage not too far back.
He bowed, putting his palm to his forehead and then spreading his hands to the sides as he stood, palm up and towards her. Laun nodded, putting her hands palm up on her lap as she shifted towards him.
He sat on the ground at her feet, a pace away. He was not kneeling, he was not crouching. He was sitting cross legged, looking up at Laun and giving her the height advantage. It told her that he expected this to take a while.
They looked at each other. Laun was not the one to call this meeting. She was damned if she was going to start the conversation. He squinted at her after a moment, looking at her in the plain white tunic and pink hip scarf, no jewels or weapons to be seen, and the tunic was thin enough you could see the halter she wore under and the skin below that. The skin had designs drawn on, the reddish color fresh and made him want to see the designs without the covering since he knew the rumors of the scars.
He seemed slightly confused. “Mistress Peach?”
Laun inclined her head to him but did not say anything. She heard the thick accent of the lower classes in his speech, but he did not drop his syllables or sound uneducated.
“I came here to talk about your safety.”
Laun tilted her head, his eyes shifting and a small squint until she shifted back to cover his face with her shadow. “I am not concerned with my own safety. I am concerned about King Ifahyd Bedrals’ safety.”
He nodded and she saw his jaw clench a few times. “I am claiming the title of Blue Master.”
Laun waited. He seemed to want a reaction. She did not have one, other than knowing that he was the one that had sent the message. “Many seem to have already.”
He had a snarl of a smile before a real smile came out. “The ones who might deserve the title are all dead, or have found their own.”
Laun’s eyebrow raised slightly. “You were trained by Blue?”
He nodded. “Until she said I could not learn any more. I went and found another Master. And had to teach myself some things, too.”
Laun laughed. “If you don’t teach yourself some things in life, you are just copying those you do learn from.”
He nodded and leaned back, relaxing. “Silver said we thought alike.”
Laun was not relaxing. “Silver seems to have stepped out of the race. But others who should know better have been put into play. And this completion warrant...”
He looked down at the sand. He scooped some up and let it fall again. “She had that posted in all the guild halls for the last year. I have heard of people from the other continent making the journey to wait for notice of Blue’s death.” He looked back up at Laun and said, “I’m surprised you did not know of it.”
Laun smiled and chuckled. “She has had a warrant out for me since we met.”
He shook his head. “No... It only mentions you, if you are with the King. You are not a separate kill.” He looked at her neck and then to her eyes again. “You are not trained.” His eyes flicked back to the bruises on her neck and back to her eyes.
Laun laughed. “Oh, I am trained. I just am not trained through the guild. I don’t just kill people.”
He nodded, saying, “Yes, I have heard. You and your people getting into secure manors to deliver messages and getting out again without leaving a trace. Taking people from out of locked rooms. Even letting your targets choose if they live or die.”
Laun sighed. “I like giving choices. There is little in this life you can truly choose. Keeping what life you have for a while is a great gift.”
He nodded. “I also have standards for wha’ I do take for jobs.” He lifted a hand and slowly took out a small oilcloth and handed it to Laun.
Inside was a small pulp paper with a hand she recognized as Lady Engrid’s, though in the language she had just recently started to learn. It was wrapped around a signet with two pearls. The scratch on the inside of the ring...
She remembered him. She thought she had lost the ring when she had traveled to Hamlis. He had been on the dock off and on the evening she had come into port, looking like he was hounding the captains for a job. He had been on her ship... On Beau’s ship. Laun looked at the ring and put it on, the weight of it feeling very heavy right then.
“I cannot read this. Not just because it was from her.” She handed the paper back to him and saw a flush go across his face.
“Lady, it is a warrant she gave me through a messenger. She wanted me to kill your children. I was going to, but I saw you were heavy with child and...” He looked away, not able to look her in the eye.
“You had already taken the completion token. But you couldn’t follow through.” Laun felt a softening in her heart and straightened her back, keeping dispassionate about what could have been.
“She always said that I had too much compassion.”
Laun smiled, but did not laugh. “Sometimes it is all we have.”
They looked at each other for a few minutes. There were few sounds around them over the winds. Laun smiled and pointed over his shoulder.
“I thought you were not bringing your people.”
He smiled and pointed with his chin. “And I had asked you not to bring yours.”
Laun lifted her hand, clenching into a fist when she reached up. Three people from behind her stood. He put his fingers in his mouth and whistled. Three people stood behind him. Laun raised two fingers and the Peaches behind the pretender’s assassins stood, one more of his being held by them.
He looked behind himself when she smiled, showing the tips of her teeth. “Rhioah mer.” He turned back and bowed his head. “Mistress.”
Laun signed and the man was released. “I lead, but they are my strength. The Peaches would blossom without me. Which is why I am concerned for my cousin, not myself.”
There was a slight tick under one of his eyes. “Then, Mistress, what I propose should help. I have already put out a call that the completion warrant is void. That it has a prize to it that cannot be given to just anyone. I am claiming the title, and I am putting myself in front of the old warrant.”
Laun looked grim for a moment. “You are openly targeting yourself?” He nodded. She nodded slightly and said, “It will change, but with the number of attempts that have already been made, and the ones that are still unwinding, it will be difficult to get the focus on you from us pitiful royals.”
He smiled with a smirk behind it and then laughed. “Ma’am, one thing I will not accept is such self depreciation from a leader in the grey.” His smile grew when he saw the tilt of her eyebrow. “Your name is new, but your reputation is solid. Mistress, I ask alliance between our houses.”
Laun narrowed her eyes. His manner had not changed, he was covering many things up, but she could not tell if it was from her or just because of his grey profession. “Man who would be Blue, I see advantages in an alliance, for the immediate stability of Rosemond as well as in the future. Though... Alliances and pacts are easily forgotten and broken. We have just met. What assurances do you have for your side that this is not a ruse to have my household relax?”
He shifted slightly and shrugged. “None, really. You don’t even know my name and I know much more about you than I probably should.”
She looked down into his face and saw a cautious openness. She smiled. She waived her hand as if there was an insect by her ear as she said, “The daylight is fading, Pretender. I have been asked to attend his Majesty at dinner. Let me think, as you already have. I do offer the services of my Peaches if you or yours would like.”
Laun saw his eye flick to the woman who had appeared and started walking towards them. “That is a gracious offer, Mistress. I do not believe that we are at that level, yet.” His eye went back to Laun and she saw him squint slightly. “And, please, call me Bririn. Bririn Mcahmed.” His head made a bit of a bob.
Laun bobbed her head and said, “And please, I am Laun.”
There was quiet as they looked at each other. “Laun. I should let you attend his Majesty.” He stood, holding out his hand to her.
Laun took his hand and stood, sliding her hand along his forearm. He smiled at her as they held each other in a warrior’s grip. “Bririn, I hope that things work out well, for both of us.”
They parted. There wasn’t a pause before he turned, his people forming up behind him as he went out into the desert. Laun felt the presence of her people and made signs, several people leaving from behind her to trace and track the man and his people.
“Mistress...” Wanda’s voice came from closer than Laun was expecting, making her jump just a little. There was a breath as Wanda was almost touching Laun’s back. “The royal dining tent has been filled for most of a bell. Will you be going tonight?”
The temptation to just stay with the Peaches that were not actively on duty... She sighed, both at the thought and the reality that she could not hide. The sigh turned to a gasp as Wanda was the boldest she had been and started to nibble on Laun’s neck. It was tentative, but did not pause. Hands were on her hips, pulling Laun into the girl. Laun felt the need in Wanda, knew that she wanted to follow through. Laun could not let that happen. At least not right then.
Laun’s hand went up and to the veiling over Wanda’s hair. She felt the small coil of silk rope the girl had started to keep there, smiling at the inventiveness of the girl. “Little love, I know what you want.” She turned her head towards the breath on her neck and said, “It will happen. Just not right now.”
“Mistress, I only take what I know I want.” There were teeth on Laun’s neck, gently scraping to her nape and then a kiss. Wanda blew slightly and a shiver went through Laun. It was a good sensation.
“Who have you been practicing with...?”
Laun turned slightly and saw Wanda’s face turn slightly red. “I asked Tris and she showed me a few things...”
Laun turned more and kissed Wanda on the cheek, the kiss sliding and becoming a full kiss. Laun had dryly kissed Wanda before, not wanting to tempt either of them, or encourage the girl into growing faster than she really needed to. This was the first real, deep kiss. Laun could tell she had been practicing.
Laun pulled back from the kiss and the embrace and looked up into the nervous eyes of the girl. “I am going to have a word with Les. I don’t think he was keeping a good enough eye on you.”
There were a few chuckles from Peaches who were close enough to hear, some of them not visible to the women. Wanda’s face turned bright red and she tried to look away. Laun pushed the girls’ chin up and kissed her, the light kiss turning into a long, probing kiss.
“Trying out the goods?”
Laun laughed into Wanda’s mouth. Wandas’ eyes closed tight and she again tried to turn away, but Laun would not let her. “Verat, my knowledge, she was tempting me into not going to dinner tonight.”
“Mistress.” There was humor in Verat’s tone. “I was just sent by his Majesty and Edgar to ask if you were unwell.”
Laun shook her head as she stroked a fingertip down the side of Wanda’s face. “I have my outer garment and belt here. I will join them in a moment.” Laun pulled on Wanda and let her full passion loose on the girl. She slowed, softened her grip and kisses when she felt the knees of the 14 year old weaken. Laun stepped back and put her fingertips over Wanda’s heart. “Little love, think well of what you have just done. And what is to come. You have almost crossed the line you cannot go back over.”
There was a breathlessness to Wanda as she said, “I love you, Mistress. I want to be with you.”
Laun knew that Wanda had strong feelings. Laun could almost remember her own longings, before she knew what she was to do with them. There was no denying the girl. There was delaying her.
“Help me on with my garments and then walk with me to the tent, Wanda.”
They were walking hand in hand, the blush of youth on Wanda, the steady smile and grace of Laun. The girl had energy that she was controlling, barely. They talked a little of the flowers, how the blooms tore easily when touched violently. They breathed in low tones about how the lips and fingers of women are different than the manhood Wanda had been forced with two years before. There were smiles as Laun complimented the girl on her intelligence and dexterity, the blush changing on the girl but showing a pride in herself. The Royal dining tent was just a few steps away and Laun was not letting go of the girl, telling her that Wanda needed to be properly introduced to the King as an explanation for Laun being late.
They started to make their way through the tent, between the groups of nobles and red scarves, servants and entertainers. The food smelled good to Laun and the heat that had suppressed her hunger could not fight against the delicious smells of the roasted lamb that had been prepared for that night. She felt happy as she pulled Wanda along towards the center of the tent. The small tinkles of the jewelry sounded happy to her ear, almost joyous. She hadn’t realized that she had been waiting for Wanda to press the issue, and now that she had-
Knife. Laun saw the flash of the blade and was able to push Wanda away as Laun let her legs just crumple beneath her. Laun felt the ring fly off her hand but could not think of it any more when the pain of her knee twisting went through her. There was a scream as the knife hit, the noble woman suddenly having the slim pommel of a K’tahll flying Viper blade in her gut. There was another scream, and a shout and chaos took over.
Laun was swearing as she scrambled to her feet. Her knee had twisted badly, but she forced herself into a skipping run through the people trying to leave the tent. She saw the Peach that had pulled Ifahyd off the couch before her shoulder had caught the Viper aimed at the King’s neck. The area had cleared around the King’s couch, food and goblets on the carpeting over the sand. Royal Guards and Peaches were running in the evening golden light chasing the man who had thrown the Vipers.
Silar pushed his way through and held onto the arm of the Peach who was wounded. He saw the black along the edge and growled. His own belt came off and went around her arm above the dagger, knowing that it would not be enough. She was held down as the dagger was pulled, the black poison that had coated the blade leaving a smear behind and a stink that made those near gag.
Laun held the Peach. Ulis, one of those who had been able to hide and escape from the raids on the Uetal lands North of Salam-Dir. Daughter of the headman, Myrned by blood, Midlands by birth, Peach in death. She had come to Salam-Dir before the snows two years before, seeking a home, and training. She had been an excellent seamstress, making many of the garments with hidden armor and hidden pockets for the Peaches. She had been taught the ways of Salam-Dir, and then the ways of the Peaches.
Ulis was still breathing, but her skin was cold to the touch. She was sweating and her eyes had become almost all black, the brown a thin line. She started to say, “For the Peaches, I go into the darkness. For my Mistress, I go into the darkness. For my...family...I-” She convulsed, her breathing stopping before her body knew it was dead.
There should have been tears. Laun just felt the emptiness that sometimes happened when she was on a mission. She had just gone from a pleasant place, a high emotion, to the cold rage of vengeance.
The call came that the assassin had been captured. Laun looked at Silar who started towards where the captive was. Laun turned to King Ifahyd and was not sure what she wanted to say.
“Love...?” Edgar’s hand hovered above hers still gripped onto Ulis. Laun looked down and slowly released her hand. She watched as her Husband and Lord took her hand, feeling it, but not feeling it.
“I...” Laun looked up at Edgar, his jaw clenching at what he saw. She turned to Ifahyd and said, “If he is still alive, may I interrogate him?”
The tilt to her head that always seemed so innocent, so charming, made the cold request sinister. The King of Rosemond nodded and watched as Laun rose and limped out of the tent, an onyx and peridot knife that had been on the dead woman in her hand for all to see.
Ifahyd started to rise, Edgar’s hand on him and a shake to his head. “Unless you want to see more blood tonight, I would not leave.”
The monarch looked at Lord Edgar’s hand and then his own. He put his hand over his lovers’, the fingers fitting together and then twining together as the hands clasped. “She has...you all have done so much while you’ve been here. I... I need to see what she does.”
There was pain in his eyes, a pain that Edgar thought he understood. He nodded and helped Ifahyd up. He paused and turned, leaning over the now blue-tinted form of the dead Peach and kissed her on the forehead. He would miss her, and her warm body.
Onto Chapter 20 An interrogation in full view of the court
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