the Leathermines

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Laun had not been in Lady Hellon’s rooms since being back.  It had started to be stripped out because of her death, but it still had much in it that Laun remembered.

Gismar went right to the hidden area.  Laun remembered something about it from when she was very young and almost remembered the latch.  Gismar showed her where it was and Laun unlocked the door.

The chests in the small room were stacked to the rafters.  Some had different noble devices on them, some were painted with plain colors.  None seemed to have actual locks on them.  Gismar was kind and pulled the chests and containers from in the small area out into the room.

“I know you are already doing this, but if you could inventory everything for me...”

He nodded.  And then he opened one chest in particular to show Laun.

She recognized the clothing in there immediately.  Her mother would wear it when Lady Hellon insisted that she be at her side for something.  It was beautiful, a deep red velvet with trim that made it look like flames were going up the sleeves.  And it was heavy.  Laun took it out of the chest and saw for the first time that it had a light warnetting sewn into the inside.

“I remember seeing your mother once in this, right before she died.”  He put a gentle hand on Laun’s arm.  “No one else ever wore it after that.”

Laun felt the tears and could not stop them.  She held her arm over her face to hide her sorrow, and to catch the tears.  She sat on one of the chests and held the heavy dress to her.  Her eyes were tightly closed but the tears still flowed.

“Lady...?”  Gismar tried to be comforting, but was not sure how to do so.  He moved some chests and was on his knees in back of her, trying to put his arms around her.  He was there at her back for a few minutes, feeling the growing sobs until his Lady took a large breath.  She seemed to stop crying, having never made more noise than the deep breath.

“Thank you.”  Her voice was gravely, strained.  She wiped her face on her sleeve and took in one more deep breath.  She leaned back into him and turned her head.  “I know I forced you to swear to me.  I hope you don’t regret it.”

He shook his head.  “Nope.  You kicked me in the head like I needed.  I hope you don’t have cause to regret me...”

Laun shook her head.  A deep breath in came before, “I have come to depend on you, and you have just made me very happy.”

He craned his neck to look at her face.  “Happy?”

Laun held out the heavy clothing before letting it fall back into the chest.  “It made me realize that she is not completely gone, and that the household really is my family.  Stupid, I know.  But this is a good thing.”

Gismar felt like he should do something, but just holding her seemed to comfort her, and made him feel closer to her.  “Lady, do you wish to go through the rest of the chests?”

“No.  But I have to.”  She tilted her head back onto his shoulder and rested it there for a moment.  “The sooner, the more of the day will not be taken by it.”

They opened and looked into all the containers.  There were papers and documents in several of the chests.  Trinkets were in one and some of the local river stones were in another, little green specks glinting through the black.  Some knives and belts were in one chest that was painted in all black.  Several seemed to have things that had no known use or value, to either of them.

She asked that the papers be brought down to her chamber, the clothing her mother had worn and it’s chest be also brought down.  Most of the chests were put back, Laun trying to remember where the latch was for next time.

Laun took Gismar’s hands and looked long into his eyes.  “Thank you.  You have been very supportive and I hope the information you have found helps us in some way.”

Gismar bowed over her hands.  “Lady, as you will, I do.”

Laun walked down the stairs and through the halls of the castle and keep.  She was feeling the lack of sleep, but did not want to go back to the sleeping chamber.  As she walked and greeted the few people along the way, she saw the light from outside was bright and clear.  She made her way to the laundry and, after a few words with one of the laundresses about how to clean velvet, took a quilt that had been tied with a bright ribbon for storage.  Laun had spent most of her day times working.  It needed to be done.  But there was something about that day that made her want to just sleep under a tree in the sun.

She ducked through the kitchens, almost making it out before Orgia and Disa caught her.  They saw the quilt and, with a meaningful look between them, started to pack a basket for Laun.  Laun was sat on a bench just outside the kitchens and told to wait.

Several people were in the Great Hall spreading out the canvasses from tents sometimes used for tournaments or traveling.  Large needles and waxed thread were being used to mend them.  Emma and the boy sent to them ran out from under the canvasses draped over tables and up to Laun.

Laun was not sure what game they were playing, but each of them handed her a stone and ran away, giggling madly.  They were adjusting well to the household.  Laun was happy that the boy was doing well enough to play.  She had seen the scarring that was happening on the burns and watched as his arm did not move correctly as he ducked around one of the people working on the tents.  One hundred and three.

Disa came out of the kitchens carrying a large basket full of tasty bits from the kitchen.  She made a slight curtsey and waited for Laun to proceed her.

They made their way over the mud in the courtyards with help from some of the people working in them.  Laun was about to step into the mud when Disa pulled her back.  She called over to one of the men who had a wheelbarrow of straw.  The basket was put into the wheelbarrow and the women were carried by several people.  They were out on the road before they were put down.  Laun was giggling as the man who was carrying her was singing some sort of marine song about hauling cargo into port and would not let her down until he had finished.

Laun saw at least one team of protectors notice them and follow them down the road.  Her brain was enjoying the sun of the day, even while contemplating the nap she was heading towards.  She ignored everything, and everyone, else.  They came to the path up to Lady Hellon’s Hill and Laun considered it before walking a bit further.  There was another path opposite she remembered and she took that one.

  It went into an area that had a few deep ditches around it, but a beautiful moss and grass carpeted area with apple and plum trees was waiting.  Laun stepped across one of the ditches and helped Disa.  They were in amongst the trees, the sun shining through the slightly yellowing leaves and warming the ground between them.  A few rocks and twigs were moved to clear the area.  Laun laid out the clean quilt and sat carefully as to not anger her back again.

Disa busied herself with unpacking the basket.  There was enough food and drink in it to feed a small company, along with a few special items.

Disa rolled up the sleeves to her tunic and pulled out the massage oil.  “Not that it is hard to get you to do this, but, if you would take your tunic off...”

Laun was asleep within a few minutes of Disa’s hands starting her work.  The oil warmed slightly as it was being used, the sun helping.  Laun felt a few pains as pressure spots were rubbed, but the smooth strokes and the general welcome touch let Laun drift into her needed rest.  The sounds of the late summer breezes thorough the trees were comforting, as were the sounds of cows lowing in one of the fields.  Birds flew overhead, making a racket as they headed for their next stop.

Laun found that she was sleeping under a tunic that had been placed over her.  Her face was warm and her feet also, the sun again doing it’s job.

“How long have I been asleep?”  Laun stretched and felt wonderfully lazy.

Disa looked up and said, “I think about two hours.  Go back to sleep if you wish.”  The maid pulled part of the quilt up to block some of the sun on Laun’s face.

“Mmmm...  That sounds like a wonderful idea, though my stomach is telling me that I should eat something.  What did you bring?”

Disa smiled and uncovered a platter she had put together while Laun was deeply asleep.  Disa pinched some of the cut cured ham off the small pile and dangled it above Laun’s mouth.  Laun rolled over slightly and opened her mouth, the salty meat slowly being lowered in.  Laun made appreciative sounds as she was sucking and chewing on the meat.

Disa offered Laun tidbits like that for a while.  Cheeses, crumbs of fruited bread, slices of apple with a drop of honey.  They were all wonderfully tasty.  Laun started to look around and saw a stoppered crock and started to reach for it.  The maid took it and took the stopper out.  She took a swig of the cider and smiled at the prone Laun.  She took some more of the cider and held it in her mouth.  She leaned over and pressed her lips to Laun’s

Yes, there was the drink that went from one woman to the other.  There was also Laun pulling her maid to her as the kiss lingered far longer.  Laun had her hands on either side of Disa’s face, holding her there.  Disa was willing and pushed into her Lady.

Tongues dipped in and out of each other’s mouths.  Laun moved her hand, trailing down the maids body and held her by the waist.  Disa’s non-supporting hand went down Laun’s body, her nails dragging slightly on the bare skin.

Laun pulled back and gasped as the feeling made her tingle.  Disa took the opportunity to start kissing down Launs’ chin, down her neck and lingered at the pink strap scar there.  Disa’s tongue flicked on the skin around the scar and then pressed a kiss into it.  It was the first time anyone had paid particular attention to the wounds.  It was different, and Laun could feel a series of sensations that flowed through her.

It was good.

Disa made it down to Laun’s breasts and paused.  She was looking at the scar.  She started to trace it with a finger, lightly around the edges and then kissed along it.  She made her way past the scar and to a pink, and very hard, nipple.  Laun found she was holding her maid’s head to her as the feelings shot through her.

When Disa came up for air, Laun looked into the woman’s eyes.  “You do not have to do anything you don’t want...”

“Who said I didn’t want to do this?”  Disa went to the other breast and tenderly stroked and licked it.  Laun’s eyes closed and she had the feelings rush through her from what her maid, now one of her lovers, was doing.

A hand traveled down under the tunic draped along Laun’s belly and hip.  The touch made Laun breathe in and then she sighed as Disa’s fingers brushed the fur between her legs.  She welcomed the touch and her legs parted.  A finger slid across the sensitive button hidden there and Laun could not hold back the gasp that came out.

Disa shifted and held Laun against her, her arm under the Lady’s head and shoulders.  The tender fingers made their way back down and started to stroke Laun in earnest.  They kissed and Disa took the gasps and moans into her as she took charge.

The fingers went from stroking outside to tentatively slipping inside.  Laun found herself pushing against the dexterous hand.

Laun wanted to do the same, give the same to Disa.  She grasped Disa’s breast through her tunic, finding the nipple hard through the fabric.  The maid gasped in, taking Laun’s breath into her.

There was a pulling and turning and a few giggles as Disa had her own clothing taken off.  They were a tangle of legs and arms and hands and lips and tongues.  Laun took note what made Disa gasp, what made her seem to purr or growl.  Laun found a position that gave both of them pleasure as they moved together and felt her own pleasure taking over.

Laun and Disa did not come to their peaks together.  Laun felt her maid tense, her head go back and the deep growl start.  Laun set her own body aside as she held and stroked and forced her mouth over Disa’s.  She felt the convulsions start under her and held tight.  

Disa was going limp under Laun and weakly tried to help Laun to her own release.  Laun was close enough that she was able to bring upon herself a small orgasm with just a few rubs and strokes.

They were still entangled, the quilt pulled over them, about half an hour later.  The purposeful snap of a twig underfoot let them know someone was approaching.  Laun looked over Disa’s messed hair and saw Edgar and Fount coming.  There was a warm flush that went through her, settling in her belly as she watched them come through the trees.

“Laun?  Are you...busy?”  A teasing tone was in the Head Wardsman’s voice.

“Not actively...  Though I could be?”

She saw a flash of a smile on Fount’s face before it turned serious again.  Edgar shook his head as he led the way to the sunny spot.  “I wish I had been here a while ago.  I was told it was quite a show.”

Disa put her hands over her face.  The blush went all the way down on the skin still exposed.  “I am glad we were a distraction.”  Laun sat up, trying to keep the quilt over Disa.  “I am assuming this is not a pleasure visit.”  Laun felt most of the afterglow of their tryst flow out of her.  “Should we have not taken the time?”

Edgar shook his head and raised his hand in a negative fashion.  “Nothing dire, Lady.  There is a guest that has installed himself into one of the farmer’s huts.  We have not approached, and wished to have council on how to deal with him.”

She took a moment to stroke Disa’s cheek.  Laun started to pull on her tunic and lifted the quilt to try to find her sandals.  “Well, lets go talk to him.”  

Edgar was not entirely surprised by the action.  He helped Laun up and waited.  Laun seemed to be looking for something.  “Disa, if you get help from those who were watching over us, can you get things back to the keep without the basket?”

Disa nodded.  She was balanced between the warm feeling of having just made love and the slightly embarrassed feeling of knowing there had been people watching.  She had been the one watching in the sleeping chamber, but she had completely forgotten that it may happen in the woods.

Laun took the basket and put some of the food into it.  With a nod, she led the way out of the grove.

It was quite a walk to the hut.  It allowed Laun time to talk to both Edgar and Fount.  She felt that she needed to talk, to reconnect, after being left to herself for the first time the night before.

The men looked between themselves.  Fount volunteered, “I had been upset about your injury.  I didn’t want to make it worse.”

Laun smiled and held out her hand to the youth.  He took it and changed his step slightly to not pull away from her.  “Thank you for your concern.  My back is better.  I am surprised that Lucaris has not hunted me down and strapped me to a chair today.”

Edgar coughed slightly. “Well...  She is the one who told us where you were.”

“I hope she enjoyed.”  Smile was not the word for the happy face Laun had.  It was her whole body, even down to her step.

Edgar inclined his head.  “I think you have inspired many of your people today.  We shall see tomorrow morning.”

Laun liked his light touch on her shoulder, the look in his eye as he gazed down at her.  It was loving and apprizing.  She looked at Fount as they talked and his shyness was still there, but he held tight to her hand, the need of her strong in that touch

The men became quiet.  They were about to round the bend leading to where the hut was.  Edgar went down to one knee and drew a sketch of the small cluster of huts in the road dirt.  “He seems to be alone and has put himself into the end hut - here.”  Edgar pointed.

Fount pointed at one of the other huts.  “He has at least two mules that he has stabled in the middle hut.  No one else has been seen for the last few hours since the patrol saw him and alerted us.”

Laun tilted her head and thought.  “Do either of you have a few coppers?”

The men looked at each other and a few coins came out of pockets and pouches.  Laun took a straight stick from beside the road and rolled it in the dirt, grinding the end in for a few minutes.  She rubbed dirt on her feet and ankles and across her nose.  She made sure that her hair was trailing over her shoulders and face.

Edgar nodded as Laun transformed herself into a traveler.  He added a belt with a pouch from his own outfit.  Fount took a thong from his belt and tied it around her neck.

Fount made a bird sound.  The return call came from within the field the huts backed up against.  They all were satisfied with the all clear.

Laun started to walk down the road.  It was not hard for her to look like it had been a while since she had rested.  She was still flushed from walking and from making love and her back was hurting.  The basket was getting heavy over her arm.  The walking stick was helping to steady her as she went around pits and potholes in the dirt road.  She sang in a light manner, knowing she was not on tune and missing half the words to the marine song that had been sung to her earlier in the day.

As Laun approached the huts, a man stepped out.  He was dressed simply enough in a loose tunic and breeches, but his baring was of a noble upbringing.

“Sir!  All the huts along here are black marked!  You scared me!”  Laun stopped a few yards away and leaned on the stick.  She was hoping that she looked like she was catching her breath.

The man looked at her and seemed to dismiss her outright.  He ducked into the hut.  Laun took a small step forward and tried to peer into the darkness.  The black strip of fabric was gone off the doorway into the huts.  It looked like he had started to do some repairs to the structure.

“Sir!  Since you are here, may I show you some of my wares?  I have cheeses and some cured meats, straight from my own-”

He came back out, a stern look on his face and a short sword strapped to his side.  “I haven’t seen anyone on this road for two days.  Where are you from, girl?”

Laun motioned with her elbow down the road.  “Me and my family have a steading down the road.  With the troubles, we haven’t seen anyone for a month.  I was hoping to find someone who would buy or trade for some of the extra we have...”  She pulled back the cloth over the food and she saw his eyes flick down and back up to her.

“I haven’t had real food for weeks.  What do you have, girl?”  He stepped forward and Laun could see that he did seem drawn in the face.

Laun stepped back slightly.  “Now sir, with the blade on you, what intentions should I take from you?”

The man raised his hands, empty and open and said, “I swear that I am honorable and will not hurt you.  Please...  The smell of that meat is starting to make my stomach cramp.”

Laun went slightly sideways, placing herself close to the center of the road.  She put the basket down and put the cloth on the road, kneeling with a little difficulty.  She picked out some of the food and displayed it.  She looked up into the man’s hungry face.  “What do you offer, sir?”

His hand went to a pouch on his swordbelt.  He reconsidered it and looked around.  He looked resigned and opened the pouch.  “I only have gold crowns, girl.  That should buy you along with the food you brought.”

Laun smiled and could not stop herself as she blurted out, “Oh, sir, I am much more expensive than that.”  She had the decency to blush and continued, “I have some smaller coin, sir.”

He shook his head and had a different hunger in his eye.  “Now that we are negotiating...”

Laun pulled herself up using the stick for balance.  “You said you swear to not hurt me.  On what or whom do you swear.”

“The life of the King.”  His eyes went wide and he looked around, expecting to have someone attack him.

“And, good sir,” Laun raised herself up and tried to be as straight in her back as it would allow, “which King do you serve?”

His face flushed in anger.  “There is only one king, girl.  I serve King Dreng Hawkwell.”

Laun curtseyed.  “My Grandfather will be happy to hear that.”  She pointed to the food displayed on the ground before her.  “Please, take what you wish of the food.  I am sure that the nobles who own the land will pay you back for anything you give me.”

He stopped in mid stride, his eyes still on the food.  “Where am I, anyway?  I am very lost.”

Laun leaned on the stick.  “These are the lands of the household of Salam-Dir, good sir.”

A look went over his face that Laun did not like.  He looked at her and narrowed his eyes.  “I heard that the household was dead, taken over by the bandits.”

Laun shook her head, a coquettish look at him through her eyelashes.  “Oh, no, sir.  I can assure you that the Salam-Dir household is alive and well.”  Using the stick to point, Laun started naming outrageous starting prices for the food on the ground.  She pulled off a little of the cured meat and handed it to him, his eyes closing briefly as he savored the taste.  They actually started to negotiate and Laun felt like she was stealing from him as he bought the basket in total for two gold.

He had a smile on his face as he handed over the coin to the dirty girl in front of him.  “I should have had you last time I bought grain in the Capitol City’s main market.  We would have walked away with the building.”

“I am happy that I was able to provide today - food to you and gold to my family.”  Laun stepped back and started to walk back the way she came.

“Girl!  The Salam-Dir keep?  Which way is it from here?”

Laun pointed with the stick.  “Go down this road, turn at the large apple tree between the two large stones.  If you get to the Grey waters, you have gone too far.”  Laun curtseyed.  “Good luck to you, sir!”

Laun walked until she was around the curve in the road.  Her men seemed dumbstruck.

Laun had seen several things when he was negotiating.  He was wearing plain clothing, but the crest of a noble was on the pouch at his belt.  The pouch had at least four more coins in it, and several small paper scrolls with red ribbon tied around them.  The sword was well balanced and etched with different metals on the pommel and sheath.  He had a healing wound on his arm, making him keep it close to his body, the blood stain old on the tunic.  The mules that had been seen were well kept, though one seemed to have a slight limp as it jostled with the other mule in the center hut.  And, except for a slip that Laun blamed herself for, he had been a gentleman, even hungry and tempted by many things from Laun.

“I was going to just hit him over the head...”  Edgar said in a low tone.

Laun looked back to the huts and said, “I think he will last about three days on that food before he comes looking for the household.  Keep an eye on him, but I don’t think he is going to be a problem.”

They made their way back to the road to the keep and told the protectors at the different posts about what had happened.  They all nodded and thanked for the information.

Onto Chapter 38