the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 56.

 

Just a few steps from the door to the Chamber of Death, Silar held out his hand to Laun.  She stopped and took it.  He drew her to him, gently, and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her to his lips.  Before he kissed her, he said, “My Lady.”

She could feel, even with the restraint in his touch, and on his manhood, what she had done to him in the interrogation had inflamed him.  She was pleased.  Knowing that she had left her mark on that shoulder, and that he had not gone to get it looked at, she took a chance that it was still tender.  And it was.

And she was finding out how he responded to pain.  She was enjoying the thought of finding out how far she could push him.

Her breath was hot on his mouth as she breathed his name to him, “Silar.”  They parted, Silar bowing over her hand as she started to move off again.

The timing was good.  Not every one had gathered for the evening meal yet.  Space was still available at many of the tables.  Laun did not want to be at the head table.  She left that for Dreng and his favorites.  Laun greeted people along the way to a table that had few people at it and sat, surrounded by the men who had accompanied her into the interrogation.

Geralk was still bright red from the collar up.  He was embarrassed about what he had seen in some ways, but also feeling a rush he had not known for quite some time.  He had thought of Laun as an apprentice in his guild since he had found her on the road, her quick mind learning by observing far more than his attempt to teach had done.  She had shown that she was closer to being a Journeyman information gatherer than her mild outside would seem, perhaps flowing towards a Master in her own right before too long.

He had not seen the prisoner since he had been taken into the Chamber of Death.  He did not know how she had gained that much trust with him, or control.  And seeing her be able to bring an obviously healthy and well trained warrior to his knees with just a touch...  He did not know how she had been able to arrange Silar’s act at her feet, but he was wondering if it had been an act.

The weaving she had done...  The few pieces of information that were sprinkled with a gleam of falseness, a push until she could see a weakness.  The way she was turning him, suggesting things without saying them outright.  Geralk licked his lips as he sat across from Lady Laun.  He thought of the Shell Master and how he would be at his knees if Laun ever had him to herself.  Or even Pebble Master - She had not been seen for years, but word was that she still worked for certain of the other Masters and a few select nobles.

Geralk had to drag his mind back to the present as Laun talked in a low tone with the men around her, asking what they thought of the session.  Geralk paused, fingering his own bell on his collar.

Geralk cleared his throat and said, “It shows that my translation was accurate.  And that there may be people thought to still be around the area that are on Falmir’s side.”  A glance from another table at the usurpers’ name made the merchant automatically smile and nod until the person turned back around.

Laun nodded and looked up at Edgar as he said, “He is strong, but it looks like you have him convinced he was being tested.”  He took Laun’s hand and smiled.  “You are priming him for something and I am not sure I want to know what.”

Laun actually blushed.  She put a hand to Edgar’s cheek and said in a whispered tone, “I hope to use him against one of Falmir’s own trusted.  But I don’t know how it will work out.”  Her man nodded in her hand and she drew her fingers down his cheek and chin.  He moved and kissed a finger as it went past.

Laun turned to Jake and asked, “What did you see while it was going on?”

He glanced down and then rallied himself enough to say, “I think you should just kill him and be done with it.  He is taking resources and space that could be used for other things.”

Laun felt a skip in her heart.  She had been worrying about that, too, but hearing it from outside was hard.  “I am responsible for everyone under this roof, including him.”  She looked around for a moment and then back at Jake.  “What he is doing here - no, why he was here before he came under my hand was to destroy this household, this kingdom.  I want him dead, but he can be useful before he chooses to die.”

Her hand went out to the young noble.  He took it and put it to his lips.  “Jake, I am hoping to get him up and out of here within the next few weeks, just after the first snows have cleared.  If he isn’t gone by then, I will slit his throat myself.”  Her voice was not just steady, it had a hard foundation in the tone beneath the words.

Jake nodded over her hand and his eye flicked up over Laun’s shoulder.  The Lady started to turn when she heard Nan behind her.

There were arms around her in a playful way and Nan’s face in the back of her neck as the other dancer said, “No fair going after him.”

Laun raised her arm to Nan’s around her neck and said, “How could I?  You have him so bowlegged that he can hardly walk.”

Nan kissed the top of Laun’s head and went to her partner.  She sat on his lap and put her arm around the man, kissing him.  “So, what are you getting him into?”

Laun shrugged, feeling the wound on her side twinge and throb.  “He helped us with a bit of a project.  Needed a fresh set of eyes and ears.  He was kind enough to make sure I heard what he had to say.”  Laun inclined her head and smiled, though those around her saw the tiredness behind it.  Nan and Jake looked at each other and there was something between them Laun could not quite read.

There were things being put on the sideboard and people started to pay more attention to the food than their conversations.  It was a simple meal that night, trencher bowls to hold the stew, some cheeses thinly cut for portions and oranges studded with almond slivers.

Laun held up the orange put on the table before her and looked at it.  It was an odd thing to do with the fruit and the nuts.  Dougal came to Laun through the crowd with one of the oranges in his own hand.

“If you would, my Lady.”  He held out his hand and she stood.  He turned and spoke loudly, getting everyone’s attention.  Jake was smiling and Nan had a wicked gleam in her eye as she snuggled into her partner.

Dougal held up the orange in his hand so everyone who wished to could see it.  “You see before you a Conceit Compote.  It went out of fashion long before our Majesty came to the Capitol City for the first time.”  There was laughter.  “There are several around the room.  It is a game.”

Laun was confused, but stood next to her cousin, his hand firmly holding hers so she could not leave.  She felt she had a part in this presentation.  “And, dear Dougal, how is this game played?”

She watched as Dougal turned from Laun and presented the studded orange to Nan.  The protector stood from Jake’s lap and took the orange, making a slight curtsy to the young noble.  She looked over the orange and then picked one of the almonds out of the skin with her fingers.  Dougal looked slightly put upon, but took the hand with the almond sliver in it and kissed it.  He stood from his courtly kiss and had the almond between his teeth.

A few lewd hisses started up.  Nan turned, the orange in her hand displayed for all.  She turned to Jake who stood.  He took the orange and looked it over.  Instead of pulling the sliver of nut from the skin with his fingers, he took it out with his teeth.

There were more calls form the crowd as Nan smiled widely and went in for her sliver of nut.  It took a few minutes for them to pull apart, but Nan could be seen crunching on her prize as they separated.

There was laughter in the Great Hall.  Jake made a show of looking around, trying to find the next person to give it to when he turned to Laun.  He presented it to her and waited.

Laun tipped her head to one side and had a flash of thoughts.  She smiled at the Southern noble and took the orange.  The made a show of saying, “Hum.  I wonder how I shall give back the nut?”  She heard calls for lips around her, the sound growing until she nodded to those around her.

There was a flourish as she pulled back the sleeve on the arm she was holding the studded orange in.  She looked at it, seeing the little knife marks that made the slits the slivers of almond had been pushed into.  She turned it and then went in for one of the nuts with her teeth.

It was surprisingly hard to pull it out with her teeth.  But after it was out, she raised one arm to go around Jake’s neck as he kissed her.  There were fists on tables, clapping and hisses as the two of them kissed.  It was not the deepest kiss she had received, but with their tongues dancing to send the nut from one mouth to the other, it was quite enjoyable.

Jake pulled back a little bit after the sliver had been exchanged and pulled it from his mouth to show the crowd.  There was applause and he ate it, crunching happily as he made a small bow to Lady Laun.

Laun looked about. She saw several hopeful eyes around her.  She turned to the table and picked up the orange that had been set on her table.  Holding both studded fruit in front of her, trying to seem innocent, she said, “I seem to have two full ones here.”  There were a few moans, and laughter as she tried to look around as though she had no idea what she had just said.

Dougal was still there, laughing along with the household.  Laun tilted her head and turned to him.  Quietly, she said, “Since you started it...”  His eyes went wide and she said louder, “Perhaps Dougal would like Right of First on this one,” as she held the unused one up to him.

He looked like he wanted to back away, but he heard over the hisses and clapping, “Too late to back off now!” from Dreng.  He shot his Grandfather a look and stepped forward to take the fruit.

He made the show of looking for a sliver and had to decide how he was to approach it.  Laun heard him say a small, “Shit,” before going in with his teeth.

Laun slid her arm over his neck, keeping the other arm down with the already deflowered studded fruit in that hand.  She was protecting the wound with that action and knew it.  She moved in and paused, looking at the nut between his teeth.  She breathed out, “I hoped we were kissing cousins.”

He put his arms around her and they kissed, to the delight and noise of the household.  Laun pulled back after she had counted to twenty.  There was applause and the noise level around them was less, though still a happy loud.  She tried to say in a low tone, “I think I understand the rules, but what does it mean if you don’t get the nut back?”

Only a few people around them heard the crunch of Dougal’s teeth through the nut.

Laun looked about and found that there were other people going through with the oranges, too, including Orgia heading for Geralk on the other side of the table.  Dougal pulled away, took Laun’s hand and kissed it.  She did not let his hand go as he tried to back away.

“Where did this come from?”  Laun kept her cousin held so she could talk to him.  He glanced at Jake and then back at Laun.  She nodded and let his hand go.

Laun turned, studded fruit in hand.  She stood in front of Jake and Nan.  They both turned and looked at her.  “This is your idea, is it?”

Jake shrugged.  “It was mentioned that we were almost out of oranges and I remembered something my Gran had mentioned years ago.  I thought you would approve.”  His smile was tentative.

Launs’ smile was broad.  “I do approve.”  She held out the orange.

Jake stood and almost took it before Laun said, “No, not you.”

Nan had a wicked gleam in her eye as she took the studded fruit.  She turned the fruit over in her hand as she had before, but she kept her eyes on Laun.  A sliver of almond was pulled with her teeth.

There was a growing silence around them as Laun and Nan stood in the middle of the Great Hall kissing.  It was well past a count of fifty by the time they pulled back from each other.  Laun crunched on the almond and she heard a whoop from behind her.  There was a roar of applause and cheers.

They smiled at each other and Nan said, “No doubt that you can be approached, now.”

Laun winced at that, but gave Nan a little squeeze before letting go.

Laun was able to eat off and on for the meal.  Most of the interruptions were of the pleasant orange filled kind, many kisses being given out to her household.  She had a stockpile of four oranges at one point because she had not had a chance to find any recipients.  As the fifth one came to her in the hand of one of the elder nobles, Laun decided that she had to try to escape some how.

Duke Malis, half-denuded orange in hand, came to Laun’s side.  A space was made and the slightly limping man sat next to her.  “If you would, my Lady, honor me with a kiss.”  The orange was presented to her with one of his halfway formal flourishes.

Laun swallowed the cheese in her mouth and took the orange.  She looked at him and said straightforwardly, “What is your bet?”

He looked taken aback and said, “Lady?”

She looked at the orange and glanced over to the head table.  Several pairs of eyes were looking in their direction.  She rolled the orange in her hands and tilted her head to him and said, “Lips or hand, what is your bet?”

His head went down and he quietly said into his red and grey beard, “I think that you would not kiss one as I, so would present your hand.”

Laun put her hand on his furred chin and lifted it slightly.  “Is it because of this?”  She scratched into his beard, making him smile.

He shook his head slightly and said, “Because of my age, Lady”

Laun sat back slightly and had a concerned look on her face.  She thought a few things over and the smile was back.  “As it is true that I seem to have surrounded myself with those closer to my age, I am sure that one as experienced as your self may indeed be able to keep up with me and not tire out as the younger ones do.”  She stroked down his nose with a finger of the hand holding the orange.  “You are about to lose that bet.”

Before he could do anything other than a look of shock in his eyes, Laun had a sliver of the almond in her teeth and she was leaning against him.  They were facing opposite ways on the bench.  Laun was being supported by his arm around her as she partially lay there, her arm around the back of his neck.  He leaned down and wiggled his head slightly to move his mustache from their lips.  He did not press down, but parted his lips, letting his tongue do all the work.  It was nimble and darted in and out of her mouth as she found she was trying to catch it and suck on it.  He almost pulled back, but stopped, whispering, “I need that sliver, Lady.”

It was in her cheek as she whispered back, “What does it mean if I don’t?”

He pressed his mouth to hers and she relinquished the nut.  He pulled away and said in a low tone, “That we will be together tonight.”

Laun’s eyebrow was up as she was propped back up on the bench.  She made a show of fanning herself as he got up, him straightening his tunic and smoothing his beard.  He made a bow to her and crunched as he turned.

There was a round of applause as Malis went back to the head table.  She was not quite shocked when, instead of giving something to several of the other men at the table, he received things.  He bowed in her direction again and she shot him a look that was unmistakable.  He lifted his shoulders slightly and sat.

Laun was thinking of several of the household problems as she sat trying to finish her meal.  They were running out of things already, a problem she knew would happen.  She picked up one of the oranges and thought that the revelry which seemed to continue many nights would have to be stemmed.  After a while, it would just naturally stop because of not having things any more.  It was going to be a hard season.  She could not think of any way to rein in things before First Feast, the official start of Winter.

It also occurred to her that her birthday was around then.  She was to be a year older.  Eighteen.  Though she felt more than that already.  There were people in the household who would know, and they would force a celebration, or combine a celebration.  Laun was not sure what she would do, but as she had put a celebration together for Dreng, she knew that one had to be done for her.  More for the household than for her.

Laun felt full and pushed the bread trencher away from her.  One of the men motioned to it and she smiled and nodded.  It was gone to his appetite, being pulled apart to be devoured by him.  All she had in front of her were the oranges.

Five studded oranges.  She was not sure who to give the kissing fruit to.  She had already given two each to Fount and Edgar, trying to stem the flow of oranges to her by showing her preference.  But it did not work.  She looked around and got up from her table, putting the oranges into a hammock made from her skirt.  She steadied herself as she stood there, her side twinging slightly.

She picked the five most attentive people in the room.  Venn had kept his eyes on her since the meal had started and the game was introduced.  She went to him, the protectors around him poking him in the back as he stood.  He took the orange and pulled the sliver out with his teeth.  Laun kissed him and found that he was keeping the nut just out of range of her tongue.  She slapped the back of his head after a count of twenty and she had the nut in her mouth.  He looked sheepishly around and sat at the calls of his tablemates.  He looked at the orange and did not know what to do.

The next person she went to was one of the kitchen staff.  She had been hanging at the door of the kitchens watching as the oranges were being passed.  Laun went to her and found that she was pulled into the kitchen and pressed up against the doorframe while being kissed by the woman.  Laun had missed her before and made a big mental note to have her in bed at some point.  There were several thumbs-up at the Lady as she stood against the Great Hall wall recovering.

Laun was trying to work her way around the room as she palmed off the studded oranges to people.  It seemed to be working, though she was not so sure as one of the oranges looked like it was coming back her way.  She quick turned and presented the orange in her hand before she looked at the person.  It was Ali.

Laun had no qualms about kissing Ali.  She had done it many times before, in private and in public.  Ali was the one who was not sure about accepting the fruit.  The shyness Ali showed was magnified as she mumbled something.

Laun put her hand under Ali’s chin and said, “You do not have to accept it if you do not want.  Or just pull it out with your fingers.  We can do a warriors grip if you want.  It is up to you.”

Ali looked at Laun and said quickly, “I don’t have anyone else to give it to.”

Laun tilted her head.  “You have someone you want to give it to.  I can see that.”

Ali nodded.  “But...”

“You are afraid.  Of being rejected?  Or of being accepted?”

Ali shrugged.  “Of what people may think.”  Laun saw the flick of the eye and wished she could look behind her to see who Ali was looking at.

Laun put her hand on Ali’s cheek and smiled.  “You are off the hook this time.  But next time, you will take it.”  Ali nodded and Laun turned to see if she could get rid of the three she still had.

It was harder work than she thought it would be.  She had not ducked enough for the man coming to her with the orange in hand when she had turned to Ali was there.  She accepted it, but took out the almond piece with her fingers.  There was a low moan in the people around her as she did so.  He was gracious and kissed her hand, the almond being between two knuckles.  She was up to four, but Laun thought she had a way to fend off people by only accepting hand kisses.

She was able to get two tables closer to the door, two very happy men left in her wake, when another orange came back to her.  She pulled the sliver out with her fingers and again, the low moan from several of the men around her.  She knew they were teasing the man who had given her the fruit, but it was just getting too disrespectful.  So, she placed the almond in her mouth and kissed the man.

She was almost to the door, a plan of tossing the rest of the oranges just into the crowd on the tip of her brain.  She still had three oranges and she found that some of the people she had picked to go to had either moved or seemed to have lost interest.  But she had to confirm something.  She slid along the back of the Head Table, stopping to scratch at Malis’ beard and lean down to call him a rascal for lying to her.  He nodded, and winked.  Laun moved on and presented one of the oranges to Bett.  She accepted it and immediately went for picking it out with her fingers.  Laun had been kissed on the hand many times so it seemed appropriate that she do it, too.

The sliver was inside Betts hand and was released into Laun’s own as she stood from the formal kiss.  Laun put the piece of nut into her mouth and crunched it.  She saw Bett turn to Dreng with a smile.  She then started down the line at head table again and ‘tripped’.

Since she had one of the last two oranges out, when she ‘tripped’ into the noble seated at the table, she seemed to present the orange to him.  It was calculated, for if he did not want to accept it, he could brush it off as an accident.

“I am so sorry.  My skirts got in the way...”  She looked into his eyes as the orange was between them.

Dougal was being elbowed from the other side and the jostling pushed Laun really off balance.  He caught her and she wedged between men on the bench.  There was a glare over her shoulder at someone and then his eyes went back to her.

“You are pushing this,” he said in a low tone.

Her head inclined as she said, “You are free to take or leave as you wish.  You always have been.”  She smiled, and Dougal was the only one who caught the vein of deception in the mask.

He took the orange and pulled out one of the slivers with his fingers.  Laun went to take up his hand to kiss it.  An elbow in her side hit a little too close to her recent wound.  Dougal grabbed her hand as her eyes closed and a hissing growl came out of her.  The pain flashed, and it took all of her to keep from lashing out.

Laun calmed her breathing and tried to have a placid look on her face as she opened her eyes again.  They were in a warriors grip, palm to palm, thumb over thumb.  Dougal was rightly worried and it showed in his face.  Laun leaned on him, putting her head on his shoulder, still holding tight to his hand.

There were a few, ‘Awww,’ from around them as the others had not seen the pain Laun was in.  It looked like the cousins were having a hug, a proper thing for close cousins.  Dougal waited until Laun had loosened her grasp on his hand to pull away slightly and try to look into her face.

Laun saw their hands between them and saw the white marks her fingers had left on his skin.  She flexed her fingers and saw that her fingernails had dug in, too.  “Sorry.”

Dougal tried to turn in the close place and put his far hand to the side of her face.  He stroked her hair and ear while saying, “Deserved.  You are looking unwell, do you need escort to your room?”

Laun nodded.  She felt that she would scream if she tried to say anything else.  All the bravado of the game had drained her and the last of her reserves had fallen when the pain had hit.  She had wanted to just leave before this happened, but did not know a graceful way out.

Dougal took the last of her oranges and put it on the table beside the one she had just given him, not forgotten, but ignored.  He pulled himself off the bench, his knifebelt catching on the person next to him.  There was a little maneuvering to stand, but he was able to do it.  He stepped between Laun and the warming fire and held out his hand.  Her hand went limply into his and he supported her arm at the elbow as she stood.

  Laun tried to put on a smile, but the pain that had been ignored and building was too much.  Dougal slowly helped her past the backs of many of the nobles risking stepping too close to the fire at their backs several times.  She heard a hiss start that was abruptly cut off.  She also heard the scrape of several benches as people stood from them.

Laun turned her face to the people in the Great Hall and smiled, but the movement was not kind and she did not see the faces turned towards her past the flash behind her eyes.  She kept walking, being led by Dougal on her arm.  Then she felt a familiar wetness on her side and put her hand to it.  She looked down at the small red stain that had come out on the tunic.

“Crap.  Orgia’s going to kill me.”  Laun continued to walk, her hand over her side, past the head table.  She was met by many people, serious looks on their faces and in their actions as she was led out of the room.

Dougal was left in the wake of the people around Laun.  He followed, feeling somehow responsible for her pain.  He watched as the young man she favored picked her up with little hesitation and carried her through the corridor.  The group went upstairs and the practiced swirl of putting their Lady into bed was amazing to watch.  She was stripped down to nothing, Pillar gently pulling the soaked bandage away from her wound as the bed was turned down around Laun.  The wound was cleaned and rebandaged as her hair was released from the ribbon and sticks.  A split tunic was on her as she lay back, a tankard with a bitter elixir for her to drink in her hand.  Laun smiled and thanked those around her, the greyness of pain taking her color as she lay there.

The men stood near the window to watch as Laun let the sleeping drought she had been given work.  Edgar put his hand on Dougals shoulder and shook his head.  “She pushes herself.  There is really nothing to stop her.  And she does it more if she is doing it for the household.”  Dougal nodded.

They all stood there, trying to think of something to say.  It was partially awkward because they watched Ali strip down to breeches and crawl into bed with their Lady.  Dougal was not used to the openness, and turned to the others at his side to cover his confusion.  He said the first thing that came to mind and he cringed inside and out as it was coming from his mouth.

“So, we are about to get a lot of weather...”

The others turned and looked at him, various versions of incredulity on their faces until Edgar snickered.  Laughter broke out and some of the tension was released.

They were able to talk a little about the household, the people within and the defenses without.  It was nothing specific, nothing daunting, but communication to fill the emptiness that hung over them when they let the talk slack.  Pillar saw that he was not needed any more and made one last small check on their Lady before quietly leaving.

Dougal had been satisfied that Laun was being well taken care of and let what guilt tied him there go.  He still wanted to talk to the men, but it was getting late, and he knew that if he did not get to the noble’s enclave soon, he would be sleeping in the ward’s room that night.  He excused himself and let himself out.

Fount and Edgar stood, looking at each other.  Edgar thought he saw a flash in the younger ward’s eye and shook his head.  “We should either go back and be present in the Great Hall or stay and be warmth for our Lady in bed.”

Fount looked over at the sleeping Laun and then to his superior.  “I guess she isn’t the only one who needs rest.”

Edgar pulled the younger man to him and messed his hair as they embraced.  “It is a good thing once in a while, youngster.”

It felt good to be in his arms, but Fount could tell that Edgar was not in a mood for distractions that night.  He stepped away, combing his fingers through his never straight hair.  “I think that there was half a keg of cider still down there when we left.  If we hurry, we may get some.”

Ali watched them leave, a hand on Fount’s shoulder from Edgar as the door closed.  She was alone with her Lady, curled up next to her trying to provide comfort and heat as the winter winds were trying to come to them through the stone and glass.  It was not snowing yet, but the temperature had dropped.  It was thought that the frost would be coming, possibly even the next morning.  Ali was happy that she was not sleeping in with the horses.  It was always difficult to find a warm enough space, though with the amount of horses there were, it may not be a problem at that point.

The stablehand moved her hand under the linens until she felt Laun’s side.  The bandage was there and she felt the slight heat from the wound beneath.  She covered the area with her hand, wishing it to be healed as she fell asleep.

 

Next, Chapter 58.