Back to Chapter 18 - If you are a little lost, start with the beginning of The Chronicles of the Midlands with The Slave Warrior
Two days up the river already and it was going to take at least two more. Laun was unhappy with the slowness, but she knew it was far quicker than if she had tried to walk, or even ride.
Most of Laun’s time had been spent on the deck of the ship, from dawn to past dusk. She would do her routines for a few hours in the warming morning, sometimes with Gem, sometimes without. Hazalam was moving slow, but with the nod from the medics, he was on the journey back North, but not an active servant, or assassin.
The babies had each found favorite places to be, much to the chagrin of the officers. Ash had found where the rudder was controlled at the back of the ship. There was a little shelter on the upper deck that Ash had decided was hers, the officers of the watch now watching her as well as the river. Sable liked the open deck closer to the water and charmed most of the men as the voyage continued.
The KingsArrow was full. Three extra squads were assigned to protective detail for their Princess and every available space was being used in shifts, except for Laun’s close entourage. Captain-Major Herrid had escorted Laun to her cabin, apologizing for the cramped quarters. Laun was in a mood, but did not do what she wanted and drag him into the bunk with her to show him how much room there really was. She just put a finger along his jaw and said, “If you say so.” He had stuttered slightly and saluted.
It was probably best that they had not done anything. As soon as the ship was free on the Midland’s River, Laun felt unwell. Within a few hours she knew why as she requisitioned rags for her monthly bleed.
Verat kept close to Laun when the ship was in mid-river. He went over more of the history of the Clapperless Bells. They discussed the standard interrogation techniques that Verat had been taught, and what they were called. Some of the guild politics were brushed against, though Verat seemed to want to keep away from that, for now. They watched the other ships go past, a few becoming familiar as they passed and were passed by some of the same several times.
Verat was going over the standardization of the Guild’s codes when he suddenly turned from the rail. He continued to talk, but Laun saw the flash of almost fear that went through him. She looked over to the now familiar ship passing them again and saw a woman standing on the deck. It had been recognition, and fear because of it.
Laun looked at the woman. She was wrapped in silks, a long veil over her hair that flipped back and showed a dark, almost black hair past her pale skin. The reds and beiges she wore were almost too bright on her, but she had a presence that made Laun look again.
The woman was looking at them. Her eyes were pale, but Laun could almost feel them drilling into her and Verat. She had recognized him. Now the woman was looking at Laun, the piercing stare going up and down the Princess.
Laun was wearing her leathers on deck that afternoon. Her hair was in a simple braid down her back and there was nothing on her to tell the woman across the way who she may be. Laun came to attention and nodded to the woman across the water. Laun saw a smile and a nod back.
Verat and Laun walked to the other side of the ship’s deck, his voice low as he walked at Laun’s pace. “That was the Lady Jessi of Fairhaven. She is the sister of a merchant noble who has an estate close to Hamlis. She is known to stay with him for most of the Winter.” They had reached the other side, Verat leaning on the rail and looking down into the water flowing past. “She is Pebble.”
“Well, shit.” Laun saw the other ship as it pulled ahead in the current, it’s three sails out maneuvering the two on the KingsArrow. “You know her, and now that she saw us together... But she has no idea who I am.”
He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. As soon as she sees you at the council meeting, she will know. She is second to Flint... For a reason. For several reasons, but I will not go into that here.” Verat looked down the rail and Laun followed his gaze, seeing one of the men from the Fifth Armored coming towards them.
“Ma’am.” He stayed a few paces away when he came to as much of an attention as the swaying ship would let him.
Laun leaned on the rail and looked at the man. “Yes, Major?”
“It has been noted in the river log that the next stretch of shore has had problems with bandits. I have been sent to suggest that you go below decks until we know that it is clear.” He looked at Laun and then past her to the slightly moving treeline on the other shore.
Laun tilted her head. “Normally I would tell you to shove it, Major.” She saw an eyebrow raise before she continued with, “But I am tired and want to see if I can get some bunk time before dinner. I mean alone.” Laun came to attention and saluted, the Major returning the salute and motioning for her to lead him to the entrance to below decks.
Verat and Laun continued to talk about the ship the Lady Fairhaven had been on, noting the wear it had, the slight advantage in speed. They went before the Major and fell silent when they were left to find their way below.
“Mistress, do you really need a nap?”
Laun smiled and continued down the narrow corridor. “Yes, apprentice. I am tired and in pain.”
There was concern in his voice. “Do you need something for it?”
Laun stopped at the door to the cabin she and Gem had been assigned, though Verat had been her bunkmate for the last two nights, without more than talking between them. “I know you don’t mind certain things, but unless you wish to wash blood from yourself, sleep is all I am looking for.”
He nodded. “This is odd for me, Mistress, but, at some point, I would like to have another...interrogation.” He smiled and then glanced at the sound of something shifting in a cabin behind him.
Laun leaned on the door and smiled at him. “If I survive the next week, I intend to find out as much as I can from you, Master Sand.”
“Mistress Peach.” He made a slight bow and watched Laun go into the cabin, closing and locking the door behind her.
Onto Chapter 20 where Laun and her entourage get to the Capitol City
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