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The Slave Princess Chapter 37

June 8, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

It was so different than her home city in Rosemond. Not just because she was not wearing Lady Engrid’s livery. It wasn’t the few calls to her to sell her wares, from the basket and elsewhere. It wasn’t even that she was wearing her Mistress’ clothing as a disguise.

It was that she was alone.

Gem had not been alone for more than a few minutes for most of her life. She did not see anyone she recognized as she went through the streets of the Capitol City of the Midlands. She had left Evan at the side entrance of the Palace she knew from when Ithian had come to get Laun. She had her training and her blades, but she felt naked and alone.

She went the route she thought she knew to the harbor, almost a straight shot from the Palace to the water. It was the almost that caught her up. She went left when she should have gone right and walked into a warehouse district cull-de-sac that should have been closing up for the night.

Gem did sell a few of the smallbreads to some of the workers, pocketing the copper coins as she tried to look like she was just trying to make sales as she circled back. The fruit was looked at, but most of the men wanted a different fruit from her. She did not have as much experience in saying no as she could have, but she had seen the women of Salam-Dir put off the men without saying no. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 36

June 2, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 35 - Even though The Chronicles of the Midlands is the big work, there are other things , too. Check out the ever-growing FAQ and the Tribute page.

There is death in the world. When there is war, you can get used to it to a point. When it is someone you know, it can be heart rending. When it is someone you have dedicated your life to, it is devastating.

Verat did not even scratch on the door into Princess Laun’s room. He did not notice the servants around him putting new furniture in the main room. He saw Evan directing the blue and grey servants, but did not recognize him as friend or foe.

The distraught man looked around and saw the open door into the bed chamber. He went for the door, bumping into a servant. He did not turn, did not say anything. Verat needed her and could not think of anything else.

Knives were at Verat’s throat as he tried to crawl up onto the bed with Laun. Both Silar and Gem drew and held knives at the trembling man before they knew it was him. Laun woke to the bed moving and hands on her, looking and seeing tear streaks on Verat’s face. She opened her arms to him and her assassins backed off.

Laun’s arms went around Verat and he had his head on her chest, sobbing even before he had touched her. Laun understood that darkness, that profound depression. She held him, motioning for more covers and pillows. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 35

May 30, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 34 - If this is your first looking to the Chronicles of the Midlands, start with Chapter 1 of The Slave Warrior. - The Web Mistress is low on Chocolate, use the Tribute page to send her some

“Mistress?” the whisper flowed into her dreams.

Laun opened her eyes and saw Gem next to her in the bed. Pale light was coming through the windows and there was only one lantern still left burning in the room. She turned her head and saw Evan and Silar coming onto the bed, tired smiles on all three of them.

The cover was pulled back and Gem snuggled in with her Mistress. The blonde was in Laun’s armpit, smiling and almost purring. Silar and Evan lay down with Laun too, surrounding the women and embracing them.

“Looks like you three had a good night.” Laun’s voice was soft but they could hear the slight odd tone.

Other servants were in the room, clearing the old candles and food away. Silar glanced outside the bed and then lay his head on the pillow he was sharing with Laun. “Your father has good tastes in red scarves. She was worth everything she was paid,” he whispered over her ear from in back.

Laun smiled and turned her head slightly, a lip touch of a kiss on her cheek from her dark man. “I heard all the party had such visitors.”

Evan reached over Gem and touched Laun on the shoulder. “Mistress, I hope you do not want us to do much today. She wore us out more than even you do.” »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 34

May 26, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 33

The line to get into the city was not long, but it took time as the negotiations with the Midlands guard at the gate re-started for each person or group that went through.

Senri led the group to the gate, his uniform dusty and mussed from the road. He had tried to get himself in order while he was in line, but it was hard to do while on a moving horse. He glanced at Laun and saw a line of blood still crusted on her neck, but not as obvious as before she had washed herself and her tunic in the stream they had passed at first light. The dark splatter on the brown deerskin jerkin only really showed at an angle and mottled to a woodland pattern otherwise.

Senri was hailed by the guard, warriors grips from the back of the horse to the standing soldier. “Lieutenant Senri, Fourth Logistics and Supply. In to report and escorting these people.” He motioned with his head and the Sergeant looked at the tired travelers.

There was a nod and the Sergeant saluted. “I hope your roads were clear, Sir. Come on in, but the civilians still have to pay entry.”

“What? But I am escorting them in to the-”

Laun kneed Grace forward past Dougal, second from Senri in the line. “How much.” She was not going to do much negotiating if she could help it, but she knew how much they had in her pouch. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 33

May 17, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 32 - If this is the first chapter you were directed to, start at the beginning The Slave Warrior. - Please consider Tribute as the WebMistress is out of chocolate.

“Milady, it’s not needed, but I thank you!”

Laun handed the silver to the man, the horses and the people having been watered, and some information about the troops that had used the man’s field just a few days before gleaned through conversation.

“Since they did not pay you for the use, it is only right that someone from the royal family take care of it, good farmer.” Laun held out her hand and the man did not hesitate to give the woman in men’s riding clothes a warriors’ grip.

“An’ who are you?”

Silar spoke before Laun could. “She is Princess Laun, daughter of King Falmir.”

Laun smiled at the man and quietly said, “I hope that your day goes well after we leave.”

The man held up the silver and nodded. “It already has, yer Highness.”

Laun mounted and swung her palfrey to meet the others who had already mounted. She waved to the farmer and they rode off.

“Was that the fourth or fifth troop camp?” Fount trotted next to Laun and raised his voice to be heard over the hoofbeats.

“I am not sure at this point. Could be fifth.” Laun looked at the destruction left by the Rosemond military in the field as they went by. “Erin, do you think this was one of yours again?”

The Baron moved up to pace Laun and said, “I don’t think so. He said they went West when they packed up. If they were from my lands, they were completely lost.”

Laun was quiet. She put heels to her bay and came to the lead horse. “The sun will be down in about an hour. Hunter? How clear is the road to the Capitol City around here? »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 32

May 14, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 31

It was close to two bells in the morning when the horses were being walked in a cool down circle on the green next to the Inn. They were trying to be quiet, but Markle heard the horses and went to see what was going on. He quietly welcomed the tired riders and brought them inside when the horses had been unburdened and partially brushed down.

Marie held a shawl around her, a long, loose night dress on her the only other clothing. She stood in the main room of the Inn and greeted the late night travelers. The shutters were pulled over the windows and lights were brought to full flame to light the room.

Laun was leaning against the wall, trying to keep upright until she knew where she would be sleeping that night. She was too tired to talk to the couple who ran the Inn, the people who had been so important to her when she was on the road over the last year. She wanted to give them the messages, but decided to wait until the next morning.

The others were also very tired, most leaning on benches and tables and not sitting. The saddles were good, but they had been riding hard to get there. The way everyone walked showed how much it would take to get their hips and backs to work properly again.

Marie had water for all of them as Markle cleared out a few things from the alcoves and opened the private rooms. No one else was there that night, much to the relief of the group. Markle motioned to Laun and she started to follow to the room she was used to, several of the men trying to follow.

Before she knew what was gong on, Laun was surrounded by men, all vying to be her companion that night. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 31

May 12, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 30

“We should have left last night.”

Laun was furious. Angry at the time of day. Livid at not being on the road to the Capitol City. Disappointed at herself for falling asleep and staying in bed until at least an hour after she normally would have been up and about. She hadn’t even been up to nurse the babies, and she was upset about that.

Edgar, Geralk and Laun were in the library, wedged in around the table. Laun wanted to tell Geralk what had happened so that it could be recorded, since they had not gotten on the road the night before. It was already mid-morning. Morning meeting had an interesting twist when many of the people in the Great Hall moved away from Baron Bedral as he came limping in. It had not stopped the meeting, but talking about the fishing that needed to be done was the last thing openly talked about. Laun had grabbed Geralk and headed for the library as soon as the after meeting chaos took over.

There was a coded message she wanted to have made to give to Markle and Marie, an accounting of the gold that Gyrip had brought, the new crystals that had been found and a general note as to what really happened at Nestwood. If it was to be spread, the greyworld was to have the accurate account. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 30

May 11, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 29 - Please consider Tribute - The beginning of the story is in the first chapter of The Slave Warrior.

The noon sun was hot. Several of the guards on the barrier wanted to know why there had been extra guards and watches when the only thing of note that morning had been a wild dog that had chased a rabbit past and back into the underbrush.

Their answer was shown to them as a call from the road came to them. The rescue mission was back. With a guest.

The gap was open for them when they arrived, call and response telling them that all was clear on both sides. The group went through, the gap closed and the horses kept walking, knowing where their food and water was.

The soldiers stopped at their encampment, Erin and Edgar dismounting so the Baron could see his men. The rest went to the keep, tired and sore from all the riding and work at Nestwood.

Gem was helped down off the back of Grace, Laun waiting until she was clear before climbing down and finding she was in Ali’s arms. It had become a tradition for the farewell kiss and the welcome kiss, and one Laun heartily loved. She felt a movement from within Ali’s rounding belly and smiled.

Orgia and Disa both were in the Great Hall, waiting with the staff with water and cider for the group. Laun sat, several of the protectors helping to take off her boots, much to the chagrin of those directly downwind of them. Laun liked sitting without moving. The water was gone and replaced several times before she brought her legs up and lay back on the bench. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 29

May 7, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 28 - The beginning of the Chronicles of the Midlands starts with the First chapter of The Slave Warrior

The Harvest Moon was full and red. It looked like it wanted to take up half the night sky.

There had been harvests thruout the Summer, but the big grain harvest and the apple harvest were coming to a peak. There would still be work, in the fields, in the streams, in the woods. Tonight, the only thing being harvested was debauchery.

Fires were spread as far as the watch on the top of the Salam-Dir keep could see. Each was a small gathering, a party that would flow and ebb to the next fire under the red moon. Song could be heard drifting up to the walkway, the protectors on duty wishing their relief would get there early, their reliefs knowing they would be late.

A touch of chill was in the air that night, the fires not just for companionable light. Capes and ale were openly shared between many. It had been a hard week of work and through the tiredness, most were playing hard.

Clothing had started to come off even before the evening meal had come to a close, the Great Hall having several secreted studded oranges appear, leading to faces in cleavage within a few passes. On Lady Hellon’s Hill, the scene was similar and even the soldiers opened their tents for guests of any kind. »Read More

The Slave Princess Chapter 28

May 5, 2020 / Miss R posted in Chapter Book, Stories / No Comments

Back to Chapter 27 - Please consider Tribute in these trying times

The carriage was hitched up, the wagon with the servants being loaded. Many tired faces were among those in the dark green, most of those also with smiles.

They were waiting for Laun and the babies. The common soldiers were not allowed onto the gravel surrounding the keeps black stone wall, but that did not mean there weren’t Rosemond military walking in the early day. Several of the officers who had been with the women strolled by, low voices thanking for the activities of the day and night before, some placing a coin or trinket extra to make the Officers feel better about what they knew would happen in two days. There were a few that stopped to nod at Verat or Franc, hands gripped in the warriors way, that left gifts for them, too.

Servants opened the gate before Erin escorted Laun out to the cleared area. Servants trailed behind, the men of the household watching Gem as she carried the basket with the babies. Hazalam carried a chest to the carriage and stepped in, the motion of it showing he was settling the luggage before himself. Grace was being held loosely by the reins waiting for Laun to mount.

Erin held Laun’s hand to his lips and murmured something to her that made her blush, but also made her grin widely. She waved a dark feathered fan at her self to try to cool off on that hot morning, the red and black dress drawing heat seemingly from the air. »Read More

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