the Leathermines

Back to Chapter 5 - I am working on a BdSM mystery, and I have a short story with some of the characters in Blood

 

The morning was painful.  Laun found that she not only did not want to move from the bed, she could not move from the bed.

She was surrounded by her people, plus the companion with the red scarf.  She had enjoyed the settling into the guest house tent that the companion encouraged.  The stone foundation was knee high on the outside under the tent roof, the steps down making a comfortable open set of rooms dug into the cooling ground.   He had shown them the small wet area and they all were delighted to begin washing the road from themselves and each other.  Which led to most being naked in a very short amount of time.

He had gone to his knees in front of her naked body, words coming out that needed to be translated, though Laun knew what he meant by the tone.  He was in wonder of the scars, but he was in awe of the peach flower carved into her breast and the gold rings with the peridot capture beads through her nipples.  He had looked up and without the next translation, Laun nodded to him.

He had been gentle and thorough with his attentions to her breasts.  Laun needed to sit part way through, and with encouragement to be prone on the curtained bed, the rest of the evening was him leading the sexual attentions on her.

The morning had come and her usual way of waking early had made her move to find that her hips had seized.

All the riding had taken more out of her than she had let anyone know.  The stretching that she had gotten from the sex had helped, but she now couldn’t move from where she was without waking those around her.

The leg draped over hers was the first she tried to move.  The person attached to it moved a little, but the person draped over them didn’t move which locked Laun in.  She put her fingertips on the face of the dancer facing her and stroked gently until her eyes flickered and opened.  There was a smile and then a small kiss before Laun motioned and indicated that she needed help.

There was a sigh and Laun knew that all of her people were road weary.

The dancer within the pile of Peaches extracted herself and then helped Laun out.  The red scarf stirred and Laun saw his eyes were open as she was helped past the curtained bedding to the wet area.  There was a covered bucket for latrine use that Laun gladly did use.  The dancer also helped herself to the facilities as Laun leaned against the stone of the foundation wall and tried to stretch out some of the pain she had.

There was movement behind her but Laun knew if it was bad, the dancer would have done or said something.  A gentle hand was on Laun’s bare back and then his other was on her waist.  She expected a kiss someplace next, but was smiling at her own confusion when he put his foot to the inside of her stance and helped her with her stretch.

It helped.  His training let him know how much to pull and push.  What they had done the night before had been instructional, too.  Laun closed her eyes when she turned around, trying to concentrate on the body she was in, not what it might look like to the red scarf.  She felt herself tense at the thought of how she looked, her eyebrows coming together.

He lightened his touch and then brought his fingers to under her chin.  She opened her eyes to his brown ones and reflexively smiled, though she did not feel really happy right then.  A finger went along under her lip before he smiled at her and said, “Dama, you strength and beauty, should not be so sad.”

Laun smiled for real and then giggled.  “I am in pain, beautiful man.  Thank you for helping me to be able to move.”

He smiled and moved his hand down gently to her shoulder and said, “You not have problem moving last night.”

Laun tilted her head and looked at him.  Light brown hair above a lightly tanned face, the muscles small but had held their own the night before.  He either was shaved or just didn’t have any hair on his body, except for a small amount at the base of his manhood.  That was not immense or small, but it had a small piercing like Silars, the silver ring through the head pulling on him, but not heavily like her dark Prince’s.

She looked back up to his eyes and said, “I had help.”  

He laughed softly and bobbed his head slightly, opening his mouth to a kiss.  She nodded and he kissed her, gently.  He pulled back slightly and bit his lip, looking like he may want to do more.  Laun was not sure she was up for anything before getting some food into her, or at least some water.  She had a flash and pulled out one of her Sticks for him to see, making several red scarf Guild hand motions as she said, “Thank you, Brother.”

He blinked and his smile faded slightly.  “You...?”

She nodded, putting her hands on his shoulders.  “I liked it so much they insisted I join.”  She smiled and saw he was translating in his head, his smile returning and his hand going over his mouth as he laughed.  She kissed him dryly on the mouth before letting go, leaning on the wall for a moment before slowly making a circuit of the yurlodge to stretch out more.

Laun stopped when she saw Gem, Wanda and the baby sleeping on a small low couch outside the curtained low bed area.  Laun had been tired enough and distracted enough she had not known that Gem was not with them, and relieved in some ways that Wanda had not.  Laun continued to walk, finding that her feet were becoming painful, meaning the swelling had already started.

There was a small metallic noise and Laun looked over.  The companion was putting on his layers, quietly stringing the metal belt over his ballooned sheer pants before putting on the thin silk tunic with the exquisite embroidery.  He looked up and signed, ‘go must courtyard’.  Laun nodded and thanked him with a kiss on her fingers held out to him.

He nodded and smiled, standing and shaking his hips slightly to settle his heavy jewelry.  There was tinkling from the motion which made a few of the others in the bed move, but not really wake.  He squared himself to her and went down slightly, bending one knee as if he were going to kneel, and touched his forehead, lips and chest as he bowed his head to her.

She nodded to him and watched as he quietly left, the canvass at the entrance showing a bright morning already before it closed again.  With the tinkle of his jewelry fading, the sounds in the yurlodge seemed almost boring, with the snores and sighs of the Peaches, and the cooing and slight flap of wings of the pigeons they had brought from Salam-Dir.

All the low couches and the bed were occupied, the dancer that had helped her having crawled back in and over those still sleeping.  Laun pulled on a random tunic from the pile and found a chair to sit in.  She thought and compared.

Laun knew she was a sexual creature.  Since she had been introduced to it, she could not have enough.  But...  She thought of the times that people had offered her red scarves if they did not offer themselves.  Sometimes it was for distraction.  Sometimes it was for pleasure.  She knew several had been to try to get information from her.  Laun looked over to Tris and smiled, knowing she had bought that woman’s contract after Stone had sent her looking for something, and had turned her from her obvious mission.

Laun looked over her people around her.  Making love was wondrous and Laun could easily spend time just being with her loves and family.  But there was always something else to do.  She knew that her attitude went against almost all of the social mores in the Midlands and perhaps the other kingdoms.  She had used that in her missions, but it had been used against her in the court.  King Falmir didn’t care what was said and was able to keep the line steady for several years.  She had accepted her role as Mistress Hawkwell, though most did not understand the actual implications of that barb.

She sighed.  Falmir had taken her Mimi as a regular bed companion, giving her more than the usual coin to do so.  Mimi had been used as a messenger between Laun and her Father, most of the missives showing an open longing for Laun to be in his arms again, and most of those being destroyed before any one else could get ahold of them.  Mimi was a surrogate and all three knew it.

Surrogate.  Laun leaned back and shifted when her back tried to twinge.  The beautiful companion would probably report back whatever he was supposed to.  He was not a substitute for Ith...

Laun stopped herself from sobbing.  She saw Ithian, his bright blue eyes and bleached blonde hair and the wicked smile.  And then the dead, slack face with the streak of blood from his lips.  Years.  It had been years and she still had moments where his ghost would come to her, making her want for something she was never going to have again.

Someone else was making their way out of the pile and to the bucket privy, letting Laun distract herself.  There was a nod between them, the man carefully putting his feet down even after he had gotten past the last of the bodies.

Laun counted.  Twenty two.  And herself, Gem and-

Laun stood and went to the doorway.  She pulled herself up the stairs and looked out into the morning.  It took a moment for her to be able to see and until she could, she panicked.

A Royal Guard came to attention and saluted by putting his fingers together and touching his forehead before letting his hand drop in front of him.  Laun motioned to him and he came forward, helping her up the rest of the stairs and into the morning.

If she hadn’t been so agitated, the soft morning breeze through the fragrant shrubs would have been delightful to her.  She looked around and then motioned to a small stone bench under a carefully contrived piece of head high cliff side.  He helped her to it and she sat, noticing that he turned so that he was not looking directly at her.

“Captain, has it been a quiet night?”

He started to turn to her but kept in his parade rest at her side, his head held in place by his helmet.  “Highness, I came on duty at sun rise.  I did not have a report of anything...outside your lodge.”

She heard his humor and smiled.  “I am glad.  It seems I forgot to set my own people for sentry and I thank you for being here.”

He did turn towards her and she wasn’t sure what emotion she saw go over his slightly pock-marked face before he smiled.  “Our duty, Ma’am.”

Laun nodded to him and looked over what she could see around the canvas structure.  Small vignettes like the one she was sitting in were scattered about, small open structures following a meandering path back to the main rambling building.  Many places to see the beauty of the desert.  Many places to hide and observe.  Many places to have a bit of privacy for a moment.  Many places to be ambushed.

“The morning is beautiful.  I am sorry you had to see so much of it already, Captain.”

He turned to her again, a glint from the sun coming off of his cuirass.  “I have had harder duty, Ma’am.”  He blushed and turned away when she tilted her head and bit her lip.

“Is there a way to have something to eat brought here for my people?  Or do we have to take ourselves into the main building?”

He thought and held up his hand for a moment to indicate to stay.  He moved around and away from the yurlodge and out of sight.  Laun saw movement at the doorway into the guest tent and eyes looked at her.  She shrugged and the canvass moved back into place.

Minutes passed by.  The heat of the day was creeping in, the shade lent to her by the rock at her back blocked the sun, but did not block the heat that was now being pushed by the scented air.  Laun saw figures in the distance through the plantings and rocks, a slight haziness blocking their full forms.

“Ma’am.  There were orders to have a full first meal ready for you when you stirred.  It will be here within moments.”

Laun smiled and saluted the officer, getting the bunched finger salute back.  “Good work.  I am glad that he remembered that I get up far too early.”  He smiled and then turned his head towards the yurlodge as much as he could.

Laun winced slightly as the cry of the baby came through.  It was not long, but she new that most of her people were now awake, whether or not they wanted to be.

The officer stepped forward and offered his hand.  Laun looked at it and tilted her head.  He dropped the hand slightly and said, “Is that not yours?”

Laun shook her head.  “My Gem’s.  The baby is still nursing and I would not separate them unless it were dire.”  Laun put her hand over a breast and said, “My children are back home.  I miss them, but they are safe.”

He stepped back and went to parade rest again.  “I understand, Ma’am.”

Laun relaxed.  There was something about the presence of the officer at her side as she was in the shade of the rock that made her feel safe.  There was just something ingrained in her that trusted that the military trained men knew what they were doing.  He was not from her military, but the slight movement of his head, watching the empty spaces as he was at parade rest said to her that he was seasoned and competent.

And watching for real threats.

Lady Engrid was in the Royal Estate.  Her very presence brought danger, and Laun knew it.  The subtle watchfulness of the officer told her that it was standard to be on alert.  He had experience and knew what to watch for.

Laun heard the slight chime of jewelry and scrape of feet on the sandy path and turned as the officer did.  Laun whistled and the canvas pulled back, several people having moved to the top of the stairs after waking.  The servants holding huge platters between them handed the food to the waiting Peaches and stepped back, looking slightly confused.  A barrel of water was placed to the side of the entrance and Laun knew that this was their ration for the day.

Laun stood, a slight grunt coming from her as there was a pain that shot up her left leg.  She smiled to the servants and motioned a dismissal.  They bowed, touching their foreheads and backing up before leaving.  Several of the Peaches came up and helped their Mistress back into the yurlodge.  Laun turned at the top of the stairs and caught the Captain’s attention.

“If you need, please share our water.  You have the worst duty, looking after a spoiled royal as myself.  Don’t let the heat take you because of it.”

He nodded and saluted.  “Thank you, Ma’am.”  His eye saw the scars on her legs, the ones around her wrists.  He saw her limp, but also the way she moved purposely before hands were there to support her down into the shade of the guest tent.  He went back to parade rest, his back to the entrance, and his mind wondering if the talk of her taking assassins on and winning were more than rumor.

The platters had been mounded with fruits and sweets.  Flat breads and pots of flavored thick cream were artfully arranged around a few wedges of cheese, soft in the heat.  Laun was helped into the midst of the group and given a small bitter drink before a full glass of water.  She hated it, but knew that the draught would take some of her pain away.  The food and companionship would take more.

They ate, they talked at a low level.  Hands said more than mouths did.

Several of them had horrified looks on their faces when Laun simply asked who was on duty.  They had all been so relieved to be at the Royal Estate, having finished their mission, that they had all just relaxed.  Lieutenant Beau asked permission to leave and was out of the building within minutes of Laun mentioning it.  His duty while there was to be the interface between Laun and the local military, and to suss out what he could of their defenses.  They all heard him talking, military man to military man, with the Captain outside before leaving for the Royal Estate barracks.

Wanda and Jules took the current watch, the girl taking a length of rope with her and a marling spike to work on a new to her way of splicing rope together.  They would not blend in with their dark hair and Midlands clothes, but most people would assume that the man was looking out for the girl.  Laun smiled after them as she knew that Jules was still learning and that Wanda was his superior within the Peaches.

Things were set, people ate.  Laun felt some of the pain fade, but not disappear entirely.  The relaxation she had because of the pain lessening made her feel sleepy.  She smiled at the people around her and kissed Edgar before laying back on the bed and letting sleep take her further from the pain.

A hand on her ankle woke her several hours later.  She moved her hand and made a ‘what?’ sign that was suspiciously close to a swear gesture.

“King Ifahyd wishes to show us some of the grounds, Love.”  Edgar’s voice was low and calm, the hand on her not tense.

“Can I say no?” she mumbled into the thin pillow.

“I would be greatly offended if you did, Beautiful one.”

Laun opened her eyes and saw the smile on Ifahyd’s face.  She raised her hand to him and he was on the bed next to her.  “I ride hard for days after being on a ship for close to a month and you wish for me to move again?”

He had her hand to his lips.  His breath tickled as he talked through her fingers.  “My Midlands Rose, I went through my morning’s business quickly so that we could spend time.  The desert around the Royal Estate is not like your home, but it is mine and I would like to show you.”

Laun sighed.  She turned and looked up at him.  The sun coming down through the canvass roof had little pinpoints that looked like daylight stars behind his head.  “When you travel for a month to Salam-Dir, I shall force you to walk the wall, Majesty.”

“Iffy.”  He kissed her palm and looked into her eyes.  “Please, Laun.”

Nodding, Laun pulled on Ifayd’s hand to try to pull herself up.  “Please give me a few minutes to dress and I will waddle after you.”

He laughed and helped Laun to stand and get off the bed.  Laun noticed the lushness of the carpet on the floor under the low bed for the first time.  She was feeling better and looked around, noticing more of the guest tent.  It was well suited to one or two people and still held the mass of her Peaches without too much difficulty.

Several thin layers went onto Laun, thin enough that she did not feel right putting on any of her thin peridot topped knives under the garments.  A rope belt went around her hips, holding a pouch and one of her blades to her.  Sandals were put on her as Laun leaned on the back of one of her men, the ribbon tied just tightly enough to let it not slip, though most of those in the yurlodge knew that her feet were prone to swelling and the ribbon might have to be cut to get the sandals off later.

A small group came out of the tented structure, the guard coming to attention as King Ifahyd escorted Princess Laun up out of the cool inside.  It was a different soldier, but he had the same build, and the same searching look in his eyes when he went back to parade rest.

Edgar was on one side of Laun, Ifahyd on the other as they walked through the grounds.  He pointed out several of the imported plants, many of them with little shades or larger plants around them to protect them.  Laun found them pretty, but the desert plants that had been cultivated for the Royal Estate caught her eye more.  They were used to the dry conditions and flourished with the extra attention and water that the gardeners gave them.

They walked past roses and cacti in bloom, each with their own scent, some strong, some subtle.  Trees that seemed to have no leaves until you saw that the bark it’s self was green.  A few vines that climbed up the rocks, pale blue and purple blooms hiding in the shade of the thick leaves.

The small structures and rock outcroppings were cleverly designed to cast some shade as they went along the path.  A few clouds were in the sky, but what moisture had been in them had been wrung out on their journey above the Golden Plains and scraped out when they had come to the sharp edge of the Rosemond Plateau.  Laun felt the sun on every part of her and she knew it would not be pleasant if she were to stay out without some shade.  She now understood why everyone had veiling on, even with the heat.

One of the carefully groomed areas they wandered to held several children with a few adults watching them.  The children stopped their play and came to Ifahyd, many trying to hug him.

Instead of trying to step back from the children, the Rosemond King went to one knee and let himself get mobbed by them.  Laun heard several of the children call Ifahyd ‘Da!’ and blinked.

He stood back up and motioned to Laun.  “This is the beauty I told you about.”

The girls curtsied, the boys bowed.  Ifahyd said names, but Laun just did not catch them as the children were being introduced.  One of the girls came up to Laun and held out her hand.  Laun took it and found she was looking into eyes very blue in a pale face topped with pale blonde hair.

“These are my offspring, Laun.  My bastard children, the Princes and Princesses of the Rosemond Royals.  But not my heirs.”  Laun looked at Ifahyd and marveled at the bluntness of the statement.  It made sense that he would have children even without a Queen Consort at his side, but to say it so in front of them seemed harsh.

“Are you one of Daddy’s kept favorites from the Midlands?”

Laun was not sure how to answer.  She looked at Ifahyd, who had his hand over his mouth to keep the smile from showing.  “I hope I am a favorite, but not in the same way you are, little one.  My Father is the King of the Midlands and I am also a Princess like you are.”

The girl looked at Laun and smiled.  “Cedric already told me about that.  Will you come and play with us?”  

Ifahyd moved forward and shooed his daughter away from Laun, saying, “Not now, Jewel.  You need to let the adults go.”

There were a few disappointed sounds, but the children went back to their games easily as the group walked past.  Laun glanced back at the children and smiled, but wistfully as she remembered fleetingly her own childhood as if it were through a veil, and then the faces of her own children and she smiled warmly.

Laun saw that someone had joined the group and was walking in the back as Ifahyd gave Laun and Edgar the tour.  Silver was there, but not being intrusive.  He did make sure to catch Laun’s eye several times, but did not try to approach closer than the back of the group.  Laun nodded to him and tried to ignore him, focusing on what ifahyd was saying about the plants.

The Monarch of Rosemond stopped and picked a small bloom from one of the shrubs when Laun commented that she liked the tenacity of the native plants over the delicate nature of the imported plants.  Laun smelled the bloom and found there was a delicate scent hiding in the papery petals.  She started to put it behind her ear in her hair and she stopped.

Laun looked at Ifahyd and asked, “There isn’t something in your laws about this... is there?”

He looked quizzically at her for a moment and then laughed.  “No, My Midland Rose.  It is just a gift.  One that pales to your own beauty.”

Laun saw Edgar’s jaw tighten, but smiled at the monarch of Rosemond.  “Thank you, Iffy.”

Ifahyd turned to Edgar and smiled as he said, “You are lucky she wakes in your arms, Edgar.  And he in yours.”  Laun saw the sparkle in the monarch’s eye again before he turned and led them further around the rough gardens.

The walk was taking it’s toll on Laun.  She would stop and admire things, her feet and back being the reason to stop, not the arid beauty around them.  Laun was not going to complain, though she was walking slowly.  Edgar was alerted to blood flowing from a rub-wound on his Lady Wife’s foot by one of the others with them and he brought the tour to a close.

“Your Majesty, our Lady will not say anything, but she is leaving a trail of blood and she needs to be tended to.”

Ifahyd backed off a step, looking down Laun’s body until he saw the red on the side of her foot.  “Belim el-topa-  Lady!  I did not know you were in distress!  Why would you not say anything?”

Several people came forward but Laun waved all of them away.  “You are so proud of your home that I did not want to spoil it for you.  You are persuasive, your Majesty.”  Her head bobbed down in a respectful way and lifted again slowly, showing how tired she really was.

Ifahyd brought Laun into his arms, the embrace making the few Royal Guards with them move forward a step and the Rosemond nobles who had joined the group have a slight shock go through them.  “My Beauty, I am sorry.  I did not see.  I keep forgetting that though you seem delicate, you are made of iron.  When I saw you in your uniform, I was reminded you are a eunich that can-”

Laun raised her hand to his chin and said, “You are not the only one to call me that.  What do you mean by it?”  Laun’s voice was sharper than she meant, her defenses and filters failing with her pain.

Ifahyd blinked and looked about him, being hard pressed to explain and translate the Rosemond concept into other words for Laun.  He looked into her eyes and they both saw pain, one emotional, one physical.

His voice was soft as he said, “It means, My Midlands Rose, that you are not limited to your feminine role in life.  You explore what it is to be a man but you have not lost what it means to be a woman.  You...”   

He looked into her eyes and could not hold back any more.  Almost three years had gone by and he had waited.  They had written to each other, his messengers were sometimes artists and sketched her without her knowing.  He had wanted her from the first time he had heard of her heroism when presented with her hair, had tasted her in the Midland’s Palace, and hungered for her.  His lips pressed to hers and he felt her meld with him as they stood there, surrounded by their people.

He loosened his grip on her, but did not step back from the kiss.  Neither did she.  They both opened their eyes at about the same time and slowed their tongues.  It was mutual when they stopped.

King Ifahyd knew he had been very inappropriate.  He knew that word of his open indiscretion would already be running through the court.  Not just holding the Royal from the other Kingdom but openly kissing her.  The double standard for him annoyed him, but he had accepted it years ago with the Mark of Office.  He was expected to take lovers, to have his companions and concubines, but he could not show preference in public to any one person to keep the court from too much infighting.

He took her hands and kissed the backs, and then put both to his forehead.  “My Beauty, I am keeping you from being tended to.  Your Lord and Husband has been patient enough with me for taking your time and causing you pain.”  His eye flicked to Edgar and back to Laun before he said, “Your people should be able to help you back to your lodge.”

Laun saw that Ifahyd did not want to leave her, but seemed embarrassed by his own actions.  A flash of doubt went through her but she was too tired to give the slight self-loathing any actual thought.  “Thank you for your time, Iffy.  You have been very sweet today.”  Her voice became soft and she took in several deep breaths.

The pain and fatigue and heat was almost too much for her.  The Peaches around her took charge and she was up in Edgar’s arms before her slight waiver could become a full faint.

They had almost made it all the way around the main building in the tour of the grounds.  One of the Royal Guards took point and escorted them back to the yurlodge, several servants scattering when they saw the foreign Princess being swiftly taken past.  They had several followers from those who had joined them, but only the Marquis went all the way to the yurlodge.

Silar stood at the entrance of the guest tent and tried to look menacing.  He succeeded, slowing the Marquis and stopping him.

“I am worried about her Highness.”  He held his hands slightly out from his body, loosely but not limply.  Silar did not outwardly change his expression.  Marquis Blaque motioned in back of him, saying, “I know of a healer within the compound that is not attending her Excellency.  Shall I send for him?”

Silar narrowed his eyes.  One of the other Peaches came up from the shelter and turned so that only the dark man could see his face.  Silar did not break eye contact with the Marquis but nodded after just a moment, only a few words having been said out loud.

“Our Lord would be appreciative if assistance could be sent as the few medicines we have are limited.”  Silar spoke and then went stony again.

There was a nod from the Marquis, his braid whipping along his back as he turned.  He stepped, but stopped, looking back and saying, “I never thought you would be here again, Fallion.”

“I was thinking the same of you, Justin.”

Anyone who heard the exchange knew there was something between the two men.  They would have had to have been in the Rosemond court almost a decade before to know the outward reasons.  You had to be within the High Council of the Sword and Crow brotherhood to know why.

Silar watched Silver walk away.  He relaxed slightly, but kept watch.  He tried not to, but thought of the past.  Blue had seduced him when she had gone to his home continent, had gone to meet with the Great Dragon in the monastery.  He had been at the yearly Festival to gather the plants and animals the monastery gave to the leaders.  He and the others from K’tahll had gone carousing, enjoying the different women that were there for the Festival.  Blue had seen him, had Played with him, had promised things and had brought him over to Rosemond with her, making him break from his lands, and the Royal House.

After pledging himself, letting her make a contract for him, he found out what she was.  She trained him and used him and made him into an assassin.  One for one purpose.  To kill Silver’s family.

It had looked like an accident.  She had made sure he had done it that way.  After he had done the job, he had found that Sand was in Rosemond for something and had begged for him to buy his contract.  Until he saw her at the Palace in the Midlands, he had rarely thought of her.  Or why she had picked him specially.

Watching Silver’s form disappear into the haze of the desert, Silar remembered the Marchesse, Silver’s sister.  How easy it had been to get into her bed chamber, how easy it was to be used by her, fucked by her, bled by her.  Then waiting until her husband was there and killing them both, burning the bodies and most of their home to cover.

It had been to punish Silver for something.  Blue Master was patient.  It had taken years for her to execute the plan, and have Silar execute the family.  Silver had known Silar was with his sister, knew her taste for blood.  He had accused Silar openly in court.  There had been an argument, and both had been asked to leave the Royal presence.

When you are asked to leave the Royal presence, you are usually banned.

Silar sighed.  So many things had happened since then.  His own status was...  Not what it once was.  But, because of negotiations with the ambassador from his own country, with a few nights he knew about that Laun spent with the ambassador, Silar was now welcome to go back at any time.  He glanced behind him at the canvas over the door and smiled.  He would have to think quite hard if he wanted to leave his new family.

A healer did come.  His phials and powders were inspected and thought to be medicine, not poison.  Laun was propped up on the low bed in as comfortable a position as they could arrange.  Translations had to be made, Gem bouncing her girl on her hip as she did the back and forth.  Gem had to make clear that her Mistress had to have at least twice the dose of the pain reliever as the healer wanted to give her.  He finally understood when Daffyd told him what she normally took for her monthly woman’s pains, when she did not just endure.

Laun was left to relax, Wanda staying near to watch.  The Peaches went out in shifts to explore and to find good defensible places around the yurlodge.  Edgar and Lieutenant Beau DuMonde held a small conference outside the tent, the Lieutenant reporting back the number of usual residents had been almost doubled with the people coming in to see Lady Engrid die and the Royal Guard were not happy about having to draw more troops from the rest of the plateau.  Several of the Peaches went into the main building to scout, coming back with food and drink after a while.

It was a fairly calm and usual day, even if it was half a continent away from their usual home.

 

Onto Chapter 7 Laun has recovered enough to have evening meal with her family, and a guest