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