the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 12

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Edgar was right about the timing for the next day.  Dawn came lazily in the Inn.  The first people up and active being the ones used to pre-dawn activities and who could not sleep any further.  There was a low mist on the ground in the weak light and the dew hardly moistened the dry grasses.  A line of men past the wagons pissing into the bushes was both amusing and concerning to Marie as she looked out her small second story window.  That many people needing to relieve themselves was going to become a flood of problems, in more ways than one.  The chamber pots they had were not going to be enough for the women she had in her bed behind her.  The Innkeeper was surprised at herself for not thinking of it the night before.

The rotund and cheerful form of Marie came out of the Inn towards the group seated by the revived fire.  She held a plater of mugs and day old bread.  The mugs with a warmed cider was appreciatively taken by all awake around the morning fire.

Marie waited for a moment before saying, “Now, I need several of you to dig a privy.”  The small girl holding the shovel came from behind Marie’s bulk and tried to hold out the tool that was almost as big as she was. There were grumbles and chuckles and two of the men, and one of the women, took up the challenge.  A patch near the bushes with a sapling was chosen and within a few minutes, a useable hole was dug, a stave was pushed into the ground and a modesty cloth was draped between the sapling and stave.

Marie went back into the Inn to attend to the mass of potcakes she intended to make.  “Bethany, remember when I brought over those potcakes to your mistress?”  The little girl nodded.  “I’ll show you how you can make them.  All right?”  The tired little girl nodded and followed the directions that Marie gave her.

The smell of food and hot cider and tea woke many more people from their sleep.  The thick curtains were drawn back to let the morning light in, making those who really did not want to awaken do so anyway.  Orgia cursed her bad knee under her breath as she stood from the mat she had been sharing with some of the dancers.  Without missing a step, she pulled back the curtain, tied her apron back on and went to help the Innkeepers feed the household of Salam-Dir.  Disa was also awake, but felt she needed to keep an eye on her mistress, as Lady Laun had slipped out in the middle of the night without her being aware.  Until it was too late.

The people in the common room moved tables and benches around and sat.  Waking up was not the problem for most of them, it was the uncertainty that the day brought that was keeping them from going about something of a standard morning.  Marie and Orgia were more than competent with their household knowledge and duties and platters of drinks and food started to come out of the kitchen to feed and sustain the men and women of the fleeing household.

That was the thought that Laun awoke to.  They were fleeing.  Not outlaws or outcastes, yet.  But needing to travel away from what had happened in the Festival to someplace that may be safe.  She lay between two of the dancers and watched the waking people and did not know what they were going to do.  The talk in the night with Edgar helped with the motions of travel, but the horror that lay in wait for them was ever present in the back of her mind.

Fleeing from the political coup to a scene of slaughter.  Nothing about this was pleasant.  But she needed to give comfort to her people as she could.  What flashed through her mind was what she may want if Lady Hellon needed to comfort her and Lord Vami needed to lead her.  She was not comforted, but she felt their guiding presence.

Laun’s pains were there, but she was in better form and feeling than she had been since the last time she had been at the Inn.  With the help of the dancers, she was escorted to the new privy outside and dealt with a most pressing need before going through with her plan for the morning.

The Dance Master was still in the festival garb from several days before.  It was appropriate to Laun as she asked for him to play the beat for the cane dance.  He nodded and looked like he was going to say something, but started to warm up the head of his drum next to the fire before tapping out the first flat beats.  The dancers found their canes and a cane was provided to Laun as they loosely circled the morning firepit.  The drumming started and Laun, who was never the leader in the dances before, led the women in a slow version of the dance.  The footsteps flowed as the canes arched overhead and between the dancers.  Laun had changed some of the motions when she was working with the sword her Master had given her and several of the dancers saw those changes, made them part of their dance.

Laun still was not healed to her satisfaction and had to bow out after the second iteration of the dance began.  Her body was screaming at her and she could feel where at least one of the stitches had pulled badly on her chest.  She sat on the same hay bale from the night before and was attended to by many of the household.  Orgia had cheese and fresh potcakes at Laun’s hand as Pillar brought out medicines for her wounds.  A cloth was placed around her shoulders by Disa and one of the wardsmen was at her feet unwrapping her bandages.

Laun had tried to show her household a little bit of normalcy, and the way she had been able to protect herself while on the road.  The wardsmen who watched the dancers had many reactions and all were thinking of the now, not of what had happened and what will happen.  Servants had a bright moment in the dancing before finding things that they could do for the household.  Her people understood in different ways what she had done and continued on.

Pillar was about to cut yet another tunic off of Laun when Disa became indignant.  “Sir!  If you insist on ruining the remaining clothing of my Lady, shall I follow you to the privy so you can just shit on it?”  Pillar stopped in midair with his blade and looked hurt at the maid.

Laun could not but laugh.  She stood with little effort and put her arms out as far as she could.  “Just strip me.  Everyone here has seen me over the years in far less.  I don’t care.”  It took a few seconds, but hands were gently pulling off the tunic and the underskirt from Lady Laun in the midst of the gathered household.  

She truly did not care who saw what as the various wounds were poked and prodded and rebandaged in the open air that summer morning.  Disa gave up trying to use the cloth she had brought out as a shield and just put it on the hay bale for Laun to sit on again.  One of the younger wards watched intently as Pillar, through his hangover headache, attended to her wounds.  Pillar saw that the young boy was looking at the medicines and techniques, not the naked body, and used the youngster’s hands to help.  Seeing Laun naked, the dancers took off their own traveling tunics and kept dancing in the loose flowing skirts, breasts and smiles bared.  The Dance Master changed the beat and a happier dance started.

One of the tunics from the household’s chests was sacrificed for Lady Laun.  Orgia and Disa talked together for a few moments and came up with a plan.  The sleeves were cut off of the tunic and it was modified so that the top was more of a halter that tied behind Laun’s neck than a traditional tunic.  The sleeves were then reattached with a few stitches at the shoulder and it was all held together with a cloth girdle laced up in front.  It was modest for Orgia’s sensibilities as well as accessible for the shaman and his new helper.  Laun liked it because her armpits were open to the air for the first time in what felt like weeks.  

Laun watched as the household around her swirled and changed.  The dancers stopped after a while and some put their tunics back on.  The wagons were changed back from sleeping areas to transport, Orgia directing the servants with a few words here and there as needed.  Many of the household people came and stood near Lady Laun, most not speaking, an uncertainty that kept them from speaking their mind.

The heat was starting to become heavy and the early morning fog had cleared hours before.  Repacking the wagons went well, the horses were groomed and the harnesses strapped on.   As each of the wagons was readied, the wardsmen would push it into the road, lining them up, ready for the horses.  Orgia oversaw the Salam-Dir servants as they cleaned and polished the Inn from top to bottom, chasing dust and soot from every crevice.  Edgar made sure that each rut, each scar on the grounds around the Inn were filled in and masked, all the bales used for seating stacked in the freshly mucked out stable.  Laun thanked each of the borrowed servants herself and gave trinkets from the largesse chest Orgia had found while repacking the household items.

The household was working as it should.  Laun had a flash that made her pause for a moment-that anyone could have been the leader, they would still have been this together, this co-ordinated.  And then Edgar came to talk to Orgia, his hand resting on Laun’s shoulder as he did so.  The secure, familiar gesture pushed the fears and doubts back down.

Laun saw that everyone was ready to go, but she had one last piece of business to attend to.  With Disa at her side, Laun thanked Markle and Marie in the Inn’s kitchen.   “I do not know how such things are usually done for such a large group as ours...”

Maria took the Lady’s hand and said, “A coin in our hand is good.  How you have left our home, this Inn, is more than enough payment.  It has not been this clean in years.  And,” Marie brought Laun’s hand to her lips to kiss it.  “Lady, we are your servants.”  Markle followed suit and kissed Laun’s hand.

Laun was speechless.  She curtsied because that was all she could think to do.

Disa laughed and said, “You are hopeless, my Lady.  A noble would thank them and leave, not curtsy like a servant.”

Laun smiled, though a tired smile.  “Even with all the fuss, Disa, that is what I am.  Right or wrong, I will do what I know.”  She held out her arms and without waiting, hugged Marie.  Several more hugs went around, and a few coins were subtly passed before Laun and her maid came out to the awaiting caravan.

Geralk was talking to Edgar at the front of the line as Laun and Disa emerged into the bright summer day.  Geralk finished what he was saying and bowed to Edgar.  The merchant went to Laun and held his hand out to help support her as he escorted her to the first wagon.

“Where have you been, good sir?  I missed you this morning.”  Laun was walking slowly in a deliberate attempt to have a moment to talk with the merchant, not because of the pain in her feet and legs, lessening as it was.

“I couldn’t sleep so I went towards your lands to scout what was ahead.”  Laun still was not used to the references to ‘her lands’, but knew it was to be for a while.

Disa took a nod from Laun and went ahead to the wagon.  “What have you found?”

“I told your head wardsman already that it is known that all the landed nobles in the area are either dead or have disappeared.  I myself barely got past a blockade on the main road set up by bandits to take advantage of the confusion.  I can lead you past the blockade, but I do not know what is past that.”

Laun stopped and turned to Geralk.  “You have been more than helpful, kind sir.  If we actually get back to the Salam-Dir keep and castle, you are welcome to stay as long as you wish.  It is...”  Laun reconsidered what she was about to say.  “Geralk, if you had not found me on the road, I don’t know what I would have done.  More to the point, I don’t know what my people would have done.  You have helped more than any coin can buy.”

Geralk looked at his feet and blushed.  “Lady Laun, I am happy I was able to help.  I will continue to help as I can.  And,” he looked back up with a twinkle in his eye, “I am going to take you up on the offer to stay.  I have my eye on one of the kitchen maids...”

Laun laughed and let Geralk escort her all the way to the wagon.  Many of the bare-breasted dancers were seated on trunks waiting for their Lady.  Laun saw one of the dancers seated with the younger wardsmen and Pillar in the second wagon and at least one more behind the saddle of another wardsman.  Orgia was taking the opportunity to do some sewing while waiting in the still wagon and Disa was arranging some padding on the remaining trunk for Laun.

Edgar took Laun’s hand and kissed it before helping her into the wagon.  He mounted his horse and waited for Laun’s signal.  Disa had to say a low word into Lady Laun’s ear before a raised hand and a nod was taken for the signal to leave.

The caravan traveled quickly that day as they were most of the traffic on the road.  A few people here and there were passed or passed them, but nothing came in their way.  Even the bandit’s blockade was circumnavigated by taking a road passing through an area too rocky to easily farm.  Songs started and traveled up and down the line, a lighter mood than in the days before.  About mid afternoon, Edgar called for a halt near a crossroads along the river road.  Again, his seat was sore so he knew others would need the rest, too.

The household was versed in setting up a protected camp by that time and had shelter, a fire and sentries within a score of minutes of stopping.  The wagons were anchor points for cloths between them to make some sun block for those resting on the scrubby grass beneath.  Laun walked with Edgar along the river and told him of the flat bottomed boats, the ferry man and Lord Helmic.  Edgar looked toward the lands he had grown up at in the Jerald noble lands.

“You are worried...?”

“Lady, I am worried, yes, but it is nothing I can do.  My family is across this river also, but my Lord Jerald must be one who died in this horrible adventure.”

Laun nodded, both at Edgar’s worries and the knowledge that the Jerald lands were masterless.  “I am sorry for your loss.”  Laun stopped walking and held out a hand to her swornman.  “If you wish to go, I understand.”

Edgar took her hand and went to one knee.  The edge of the river was grassy and open, the water flowing past not lingering enough to have a beach but a cut bank at it’s edge.  Edgar glanced at the ripples in the water glinting in the clear sunlight that led towards his families’ land and then up to his Lady.  “I will leave only if you wish it.”

She was flustered.  “All this formality.  I know it is what is done, but you do not-”

“My Lady, yes, I do have to be formal.  I swore a pledge to you last night that I intend to keep.”  He went to kiss her hand and paused when he realized that they were not alone.  He continued by pulling her hand lightly to his lips and then around towards the waiting man.

Laun followed the motion and saw Fount standing a discrete distance from them.  She was pleased that he was well enough to be allowed to wander from Pillar’s tending.  She was worried at his frown, though she saw it only for a moment.

“Wardman Fount, please...come here!”  Laun took her free hand and gestured to the young man.

Fount watched Edgar stand behind Lady Laun, still holding onto her hand.  His feet betrayed him and he stepped forward, though the flash of jealousy unfamiliar to him since leaving Nestwood would have made him turn and leave.  With the arm not bandaged to his side, Fount took Launs free hand in his and went to kneel.

“No!  Damnit! Not you, too!” Laun went to pull her hand away but Fount’s firm grip did not let it go.

The wardman pressed his lips to her knuckles, less of a kiss than trying to imprint himself through the bandage and onto her skin.  He looked up and the playfulness that had been in his Lady’s face was gone, replaced with a concern.  She moved her hand in his until they grasped thumb over thumb, palm to palm, clasped as warriors greeted each other.  The strength it took to pull Fount partially from his knee surprised the wardman.  He followed her lead and stood.

Laun only looked briefly into the grey eyes under the black hair before bringing their clasping hands to her chest.  Fount was unbalanced and found Laun’s head on his shoulder as he straightened up.  She was still holding Edgar’s hand, his strength and security at her back.

“I am so happy you are well!”  Laun had let so many emotions and feelings out since leaving the lands of Lord Falmir that she did not know how to keep them back any more.  “We came on the household and you were wounded-”  Laun stepped partially back and looked into Font’s eyes again.  “I couldn’t let them live for that...”  A tear went down her flushed cheek, though she was smiling.

Font loosened his tight grip on her hand but did not let go.  “You were the one...”  Font looked to his superior at his Lady’s back and saw the nod.  “I heard the wardsmen talking about it, but I was in so much pain...”  A smile softened his face and warmed Laun’s heart.  “Lady, I owe you my life.”

Laun went to drop her hand from Font’s but he would not let it go.  Edgar guessed what was about to happen and loosened his hold on his Lady’s other hand.  Laun started to turn but stopped when Edgar stepped back slightly and Font went to his knee at the same time.

“My Lady, I ask for one thing, but beyond that, I am yours.  As you will, I will do.”

Laun found that her eyes were streaming tears.  She could not stop them.  The grey eyes that looked up into hers were bright and waited for her to say something, anything.  She put her sleeve to her face to wipe away the tears, and to wipe her nose, and saw others at a distance from the three of them.  Half the household were gathered to see if Laun would accept her swornman.

It was as if Lady Hellon’s voice had taken over.  Something that Laun would never have thought to say without the teaching and prompting of her Lady came tumbling out as Laun said, “I accept your word and your hand as mine as you accept my hand and word into you.”  Laun knew there was other stuff that she should have said, but the tears and sobs overcame her.  The emotions were too much and the next few minutes threatened to blur together.

Others came forward and either went to their knee to swear to their new Lady or to just take one of her hands to kiss briefly before the next person took their place.  The river was flowing past a solemn gathering on it’s bank, the household reaffirming it’s self and the Lady that had become their head.  Fount was jostled as the others went around him, but he stayed there, looking up at his Lady, being a rock in that stream of people.

The nature and need of such an event did not go past Laun, but she also was finding that she was not comfortable with how it seemed they were all starting to force her above them.  Font finally rose to his feet when the last of the others had backed away from their Lady.  Laun leaned forward, and with a whisper she said loudly enough for just the few people around them to hear, said, “Damn, and all I wanted to do was show you the scar I got for saving your ass...”

Laughter followed and the mood lightened again.  Laun did actually untie the halter top and show Font the sewn wound across her chest, much to the chagrin of Disa.  The maid had been one to kiss Laun’s hand and then went and stood beside Edgar at Laun’s back.  Disa saw Edgar glance at the wound and turn away, a slight anger tightening his lips for a moment.  The knot of people drifted back to the secured encampment and entered an area full of people with bowls.

Orgia was waiting with the meal she had been preparing and had a happy smile on her face as one of the other household members told her of the impromptu ceremony that had just happened.  “Lady, I hope you are well.”

“Yes, Orgia.”  Laun sat and accepted the bowl of gruel from her chatelaine.  Laun waited until she saw all those around her also had food before she started to eat.  Several of the household saw her actions and nodded at each other.

Geralk’s voice came over the companionable chatter around the fire.  He had been out scouting more and was back in time for the food.  “Yes, I will vouch for her.”

Laun saw Geralk and a woman come past the guards and felt Pillar start.  The woman seemed to relax and almost ran to the shaman through the seated people.  The shaman stood without the usual silent grace.  A hand below caught the bowl of gruel as Pillar let go to catch the woman in mid-leap.  A few whistles started among the wardmen as the kiss the shaman and woman shared went beyond just a kiss of greeting to a passionate kiss of those thought lost.

Pillar sat, still with her wrapped around him and they embraced and whispered and shed happy tears into each other as those around them continued to eat and wonder about the scene before them.

Geralk was seated near the fire with a bowl of gruel in his hand, a few mouthfuls swallowed before he said anything.  “Lady, I was able to go up and see that the way to the turn to the Salam-Dir lands is clear.  After that, I am not sure.  And I found Lucaris heading for your lands, too.”

The woman looked up at her name.  Pillar did not turn, did not remove himself from her but just said, “Lady Laun, I would like you to meet Lucaris, my Anchor, my Love, my Wife.”  A sigh from one of the servants near Laun made her slightly jealous of the two of them in their closeness, but they were so obviously in love and happy to know that they were together again that Laun just felt happy.

“Hmmm.  You never told me that!”  Geralk kept eating through his smile.

Pillar didn’t miss a beat as he quipped back, “I know who you would have sold that information to.  And you would have stopped buying that certain salve that-”

“Hey, hey, hey!  None of that!”  Laun raised her voice and the two friends laughed.

The meal was eaten and cleared away, river sand cleaning the remains from the wooden bowls.  It was time to decide to stay or go.  The crossroads they were near would take them towards the Salam-Dir lands and away from the river.  A few hours more in the caravan would mean one less day of travel, though perhaps setting up the next camp in the dark.

Laun had many of her household around her as it was discussed about the late afternoon’s plans.  Edgar was about to quiet one of the younger wards when Laun reminded him that she had asked for all to feel free to talk.  And they did.  It was finally decided after many voices were heard that they would go in two groups toward the castle and keep.  One group would leave immediately and find a place to camp for the night, the other to stay, clean up and follow shortly.  The people split up as directed by Orgia and Edgar and the first group left within a few minutes of the decision.

As the group split, Font came to Laun’s side.  “My Lady, I now ask you for the one thing.”

Laun felt dread but nodded as she said, “If it is within my power...”

Font motioned down the river and said, “I have a need to go to my father’s mains and see for myself.”

Laun had felt it coming, if not known in the front of her mind.  “Take one other person with you and see if we can spare a mount for you.”  Laun put her hand on his cheek and made him look into her eyes.  “I will not loose you.”

The finality to that statement shook Font to his heart.  He took her hand and kissed it before her nod dismissed him.  Edgar saw the action from a distance and had a mount for the swornman as he approached.  There was a group of wardmen about to leave with the first group and Edgar pulled one of the youths he knew was a fast runner to mount behind Font.

“See what you must, but come to your Lady as soon as you can.”  Edgar held the horse’s bridle until Font and the other ward nodded.

The three groups parted and a quiet settled with the dust on the people left on the riverbank.  Orgia had sent ahead several of the kitchen servants whom she trusted, but had stayed behind with her Lady.  One of the reasons was that she had a need to talk, and with Edgar seemingly now attached to Lady Laun, that had been impossible before he had led the other half away.  Orgia sent most of the others who wished to attend Lady Laun away on errands before she started in on what she needed.

They sat face to face, Orgia holding both of Laun’s hands as she said, “Lady, I need to know...”

Laun felt a drop in her stomach.  “What is it?”

“Did...did you let Edgar take your maidenhood?”

It took a moment before Laun understood what Orgia was not so tactfully trying to ask.  She smiled as she said, “No.  I am still intact in that way.”  Laun looked at her chest and said sorrowfully, “I doubt if any man will want one as scarred as I am now.”

“Oh, Lady!  Any man in his right mind-”  Orgia lifted Laun’s chin with her age roughened hand.  “Any one who does not see your beauty does not deserve it.”

“Why is it so important that I am a virgin?”

Orgia was the one to look away.  “Lady Hellon wanted you to be protected.  Of all of the household, you were her favorite.  Now I know why.”

Laun was about to say something she hoped would seem wise when several of the other women came back from their errands.

Orgia asked one last thing before they were surrounded by the other women again.  “You do want to keep me as chatelaine, Lady?”

Laun smiled and put the older woman’s hand to her cheek.  “The household would disappear without you.  I think you are stuck with the job.”

Orgia smiled.  She held Laun’s face in both hands and kissed the Lady on the forehead.  “Your mother would be proud.” 

Laun felt a melancholy go through her, not the cold one that was ever present in the back of her mind, but a warmer one that she had not felt in a while.  Her mother had been gone for years.  She hardly knew her mother for what she was, but Laun knew that Lennie loved her.  Laun let the feeling go as the water that Orgia had asked for was brought up from the river.

Time was taken for many of the people to take baths in the river and some of the clothes and linens to be rinsed out.  It felt good to have a bit of freshness, though Laun had to make do with wet cloths and someone to scrub her back as she watched some of the travel come off and go downstream from her people.  The sun was about an hour from the tree horizon across the river from them when they finally left for the next encampment.

 

Onto Chapter 14  The household has split, the first group in starts to clean the dead from the keep and castle.