the Leathermines

The Slave Lady Chapter 54

October 6, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 53 - Beginning Chapter of this novel, The Slave Lady - Beginning chapter of The Midlands Chronicle: The Slave Warrior - Please consider Tribute to keep the Web Mistress in Coffee and Chocolate.

There was a small Midlands tent that had been left alongside the road that went to the Salam-Dir lands. Three men were there, left to keep an eye on the people on the other side of the barricade. That, and to have someone there to welcome the royals they were told were to be there a few days after the cease and withdraw.

The sunburnt man half standing, half leaning on the one tree near the tent was not sure what he was looking at when he saw a squad of Midlands soldiers with a few wagons and a carriage travel towards him. It was not the soldiers that was confusing him. It was the woman on the huge charger.

She pulled up next to him and she seemed to be waiting for something. The Captain pulled his horse next to hers and the unranked soldier came to attention and saluted. The salute was returned.

“How far to the Salam-Dir border?” the Captain asked brusquely.

“Sir, less than five minutes in the way you are going. Sir.”

The officer looked at the woman and she smiled. The Captain said, “At ease,” and the mounted woman started forward without seeming to do anything with the horse. »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 53

October 5, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to 52

“Lady?”

Markle was being talked to by the Captain about rooms for the women and a place to set up a tent for the squad. He saw Laun being helped out of the carriage and just about dropped his jaw in the dirt.

Laun looked around at the inn. It had not really changed much, perhaps some repair within the last few months, but that was about it. Looking down the road at the private houses, though, she saw a gap. The place where the boy had come from.

“Markle, it is good to see you again. Is Marie inside?” He nodded and looked at her belly. Laun held her hands together over her belly and said, “My Love’s children. Another few months.”

He smiled and turned back to the Captain, a slightly greedy look in his eye as they continued to negotiate.

Marie did not recognize Laun at first and then she dropped the laundry in her arms and held fast to Laun. It was only midday, but Marie suddenly had plans for Laun and the rest of the day. »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 52

September 29, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 51 - A Clapperless Bell told me you have been reading this, and yet have not contributed to the Web Mistress' chocolate hoard. This can be rectified by going to the Tribute page.

The procession from the Manor of the Hawkwell lands was early in the morning, but it was full of more people and ceremony than Laun had expected. Most, if not all, of the soldiers were in formation and saluted as she passed them on Thunder. Falmir was beside her on his newly won mount, but it was Laun that the soldiers were acknowledging.

Laun waved to each section of men and they gave a small cheer as she passed. She was happy it did not happen more than three times. It made her red, but it also made her grin like an idiot.

They were past the soldiers and almost to the edge of the lands when a halt was called. The order of the group was changed, Falmir gave his daughter one more hug and they rode on past him. Laun dropped the lead to the charger and let him follow the other horses. She felt and let the tears come out as they passed the outer marker of the Hawkwell lands. She tried to turn to see if she could see anyone or anything behind, but the road curved and it was just low hills and trees behind.

They stopped several times at the whim of Laun’s back and bladder, but made excellent time through the Midlands West of the manor. Laun had created a map for herself of the route, going through more than ten map folios and Kingdom cartographic histories to do so. She had shown it to Falmir the night before and told him that was one of the things lacking in the Midlands, accurate maps. »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 51

September 28, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Return to Chapter 50

Three days. Three miserable days. With three wakeful nights.

Laun was much more careful to get out of bed on the fourth morning. The morning before, she had felt better and had pushed it, finding she was on the floor and calling for help. She was taking it much slower this morning and was glad that the cane was leaning against the bed.

She was starting to like the pampering that being laid up in bed brought her. It was the need to get to the privy that made it annoying. That and not being able to do everything she wanted.

Being forced to be in bed did allow her the time to read. She had a stack of books and papers that were next to the bed, both on a night table and on the floor. She had to hobble around the stack on her way to the bathing chamber. The things she was learning was bursting through her skull, making some things clearer to her, clouding things she thought she knew.

Laun held her tummy as she relaxed and then pushed slightly to relieve herself. The babies were starting to show individuality and she could tell when one was awake and the other one wasn’t. This morning, both seemed to be awake and pressing against her innards. She was certain it was because of them that she had developed her hard bowel movements. They were packing it down in her to make more room for themselves.

Laun heard a noise in the bathing room and held still. It was a bare foot on the tile and it paused outside of the slightly open privy door. »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 50

September 23, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 49

The breathing at the back of her neck was steady. The cloak wrapped around her was warm and when she moved, the arm around her tightened, drawing her closer.

“Edgar...?” Laun mumbled. The man in back of her stirred, but not like her Love.

Laun’s eyes were open and she was awake. She saw straw around her, smelled horses. There were blankets and the cloak and his arm under her head and andand...

The tears started flowing when she remembered. The assassins. Ithian.

Hunter woke to Laun sobbing again. She had not slept much and what he had witnessed was troubled and fretful. He drew his hand up and started to stroke her hair. It had worked in the night, calming her and putting her deeper into sleep. But this time, it was not working.

“Shhh. You are safe.” He put his arm over her and tried to pull her closer again through the layers between them. There was a slight shudder through her body and he felt her start to try to move from under the blankets. He also felt her stop, her back freezing and then slowly relaxing.

Her voice came from under the wool blankets. “Did it really happen?”

He nodded and said, “Yes, Laun.” »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 49

September 22, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 48 - Reading this? Consider tribute, as the Web Mistress can always use Coffee and Chocolate.

It had not been planned, but a gathering for the evening meal was under the tent. Many of the nobles felt less confined by the usual social mores after the night before, and having mostly recovered from it. Not having the presence of the Council General and the Bishop helped, too. There was more of a flow of people from all of the groups through the tent as a sideboard being stocked showed that there was more to eat than even the night before. Some hard cider was opened and the men in the nobles served each other, many of the officers, too.

Laun had sat on one of the benches facing away from a table and out towards the field beyond the tent. She had several officers standing around her talking with her about the agreement, though Laun would decline to tell them anything about the way her people had been able to keep them at bay for so long.

The few other women who were not servants or entertainers seemed out of place as they wandered through and found that most of the men were more interested in talking about hunting and military matters than about more domestic things. Laun was not entirely sympathetic; if Lady Beatia was not going to teach her daughters what men really liked, it was up to them to learn by fire.

The troupe was flowing through with little entertainments, and flirtations. It was pleasant and kept the mood up. Though, Laun did note one small interaction and waited. The woman came closer to Laun and she paused in her conversation with the officers. Laun pointed and said, “Nissa,” holding her hand out. The woman looked shocked and then embarrassed as Laun motioned for Nissa to give her something.

The officers saw the hand of the entertainer go across Laun’s palm and a small pouch was there. “And the other one.” A jeweled pin was placed on top. “I thought you also-” And a small silver knife was on the pile. One of the officers put his hand to his waist, an angry look on his face.

“Little thief-” »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 48

September 14, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 47

A few words to Adelmar and a few of his performers and the entertainment for the tea was established. A few requests of the kitchen and the food was set. A few invites to a few of the officers, and escorts were arranged.

Laun was the last to arrive under the tent, Sergeant Hunter supporting her hand on his fist and keeping a slow pace to match hers. She smiled, mostly feeling what she showed and enjoyed that the officers had already paired up with the women under the tent.

A chair had been set aside for Laun within the group and Laun sat, thanking her escort before he stepped back. He excused himself, Laun having to pull her eyes from him as he went towards the stables.

Food was on the table, hot water kettles on several of the brasiers waiting to be poured into the waiting mugs. Entertainers were warming up on the other end of the tent, at least one of them looking as though her head was spinning more than her body.

“Lady Laun! This is delightful. I hadn’t known we had officers from Henrich’s Vale in the ranks,” the noble mother smoothly crowed as one of the Sergeants nodded to Laun.

Laun nodded back to him and smiled a closed lipped smile before saying, “I wanted to make sure you were entertained before I arrived. I seem to have much to attend to and I knew something would pop up to be handled before I could get here. I hoped that our soldiers have been keeping you well amused?” »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 47

September 12, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 46 of The Slave Lady

Laun was almost to her room when she saw the Noble and her daughters approaching. It looked like they had just been turned away from the door to her room and the mother’s face went from hateful to pleasant within a fraction of a blink.

Laun stopped and waited, knowing that she was not going to like whatever it was the Lady was going to say or do.

“My dear! I just had word that the engagement is off! I was surprised when the Council General mentioned it on her way past and I wanted to come and console you.”

Laun looked into the eyes of Beatia and wanted to punch her. “My Lady, I am well. The Ambassador and myself were rushed to a decision and my Father has agreed that it may not be time for this.”

The greedy eyes looked to the basket for a moment and waited for Laun to continue. Not getting anything else, the noble said, “Down in the kitchens, Lady?”

Laun did not want to play games. But she had to. “No, Lady. I just came from my Father’s rooms after discussing some business of the realm. It is hard for me to carry things with only one hand available to me...”

Lady Beatia narrowed her eyes and her hand went to a heavy chain necklace at her cleavage. “Ah. It is nice that our King asks your opinion of matters of state. It does make one feel important.”

Laun sighed. “Yes, it does. And now that the wedding is off, I am sure we will need to find something for you and your beautiful daughters to do. Father mentioned that I should...entertain you.” »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 46

September 9, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to the welcoming feast of the night before in Chapter 45

The morning was already good for Laun. A good morning routine in the walkway, a light tunic on just to keep any watchers from being too offended. A glass of milk from the pitcher to keep her stomach from rumbling. And Ithian back between her legs.

His mouth on her womanhood had been a wonderful way to wake that morning. She had started to stir, but feeling first his fingers and then his face trying to get below her belly had brought a smile to her face. He had brought her to a wonderful peak and then he had made love to her as the light in the courtyard started to spill through the walkway and into the bedroom. He had brought her to the edge and had asked permission to peak with her, as he had seen her servant do. Laun had said yes and had the rush of her orgasm heightened with the power she seemed to have over him.

Laun cleaned up after her exercises and dressed, a dark set of tunic and skirt over a few of her found knife harnesses. She was very happy that she had been able to find rooms that used the same keys that Del had given her for opening many of the guest chambers. Finding another armory with the close arms was like a pastry shop for most other women.

It was still early in the morning, but Laun wanted to push her advantage. She looked at Gem who had slept on the floor on the pillows and motioned with her chin at Ithian who had fallen back asleep in the bed. “If you want to...”

Gem grinned and scrambled up into the bed. Laun checked herself in the mirror and heard a surprised sound and then a gasp as Gem woke Ithian, and the rest of him. »Read More

The Slave Lady Chapter 45

September 5, 2019 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 44

It was agonizing for Laun. She did not want to be there. She saw the looks from the people she did not know and the expectations as they looked at Ithian, waiting.

The servants had cleared the first course of plain foods. It had been a time for people to talk, to get to know the people around them, if they didn’t already. Laun had wanted to make sure that there was that time at the beginning of the meal, since the rest was going to be all distraction.

Laun was between Ithian and Falmir. At times, both of her hands were being held lightly by them. She saw the glances down the table by Engrid, and by the mother of the noble daughters.

Laun really did not want to be there.

The goat that the farmer had sold them had been brining for two days. It had gone over the coals that morning. It was being carried into the tent by the two strongest men of the entertainers while two of the women contortionists rode on their shoulders. The time for pleasantries was over. Falmir lost the advantage over the meal when he had not forced Ithian to stand and ask for Laun’s hand witnessed by all assembled in the tent. Laun had kept a conversation going between the two men, but switching between them if she saw any way it could be turned to Ithian standing for the announcement.

Adelmar came in through the tent, bumbling and doddering his way through. He made a little speech welcoming all to the Hawkwell manor. Laun called out that she had already done that, to the twitters of the nobles around him. »Read More

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