by John Booth
Alone in his office, Peter began the calming exercises he’d practised since he was a child. He knew this argument was just an element of Han No’s game. Dark had been primed to say those things about Saloni and if Peter hadn’t given him the opportunity, he would have found another way to bring her up. Despite knowing he was being played for a patsy, Peter was angry and wanted to punch something. He decided a ride to Tallus might be just what he needed.
As if on cue, Ilarna walked through the open door. “Their Lords and their men are assembled, my Lord Cragus. Our horses are ready to go. Would you care to make a start?”
“Yes, Lady Ilarna, let’s make a start.” Peter jumped out of his chair to follow her to the stable.
* * *
Ilarna discovered to her irritation that her position as Lord Cragus’ Castlemaine did not entitle her to ride up front with Peter and the other Vampire Lords. Instead, she had to make do with riding alongside the twenty men Lord Baldan had assembled. The other Vampires weren’t happy with her being there and they pushed and jostled to such an extent she ended up riding behind them. To suggest she was not amused by this turn of events would be an understatement.
There were no signs of fires as they approached Tallus. A large crowd had gathered in the town market place. From its size, it looked as though everyone in the town including the women and children had gathered there. They all faced towards the end of the market square where a crude platform stood.
The crowded parted as the riders approached. There was no question that two dozen Vampires riding horses and primed for battle was an impressive sight, so it came as no surprise that the town’s folk chose to get out of the way.
As they approached the platform, Peter saw a long bench in the centre of it and two men were holding their arms and legs. The person on the bench was stripped naked and roped down. A queue of townsfolk stood by the steps onto the platform while a woman standing alongside the prisoner used a long leather strap.
The woman brought the strap down hard on the buttocks of the prisoner. Peter recognised the scream instantly and his heart sank. Sal’s ability to get into trouble showed no signs of wearing off.
“Stop.” Peter shouted. The woman with the strap was enjoying it far too much to listen and another four blows hit Sal before the man holding Sal’s hands stopped her.
“She deserves it,” the woman shouted at Peter when she saw he was the one giving the orders. The woman was very angry. Shouts of support rose from the crowd. Lord Baldan drew his sword and held it above his head, quieting the crowd. Some of the more astute citizens moved away from the platform and took up positions where it would be easy to run if a battle started.
“What’s she done?” The sinking feeling in Peter’s belly grew as he realised that whatever they were punishing Sal for, it would be for something she’d done.
“She set fire to three houses,” The woman with the strap stated. To emphasise the point she flipped the strap down hard on Sal’s bottom and got a screech that made her smile. “Admitted it, she has. We plan to take turns whipping her and if that doesn’t kill her, we have a stake set up on the common.”
Lord Drogwar turned to Peter and tried to whisper to him. Sadly, Lord Drogwar’s idea of a whisper could have been heard in Castle Cragus. “That’s a lawful and appropriate punishment for such a crime, my lord. Burning one house would be enough.”
The crowd whooped and yelled in agreement. Lord Drogwar looked shamefaced and stepped back.
Since the moment Peter approached the platform, Sal’s head had been turned away from him. Even when screaming she kept her face the other way.
“Sal, what’s going on? Did you do this? Why?”
The only response was a muffled sob.
Ilarna had worked her horse around the side of the warriors and was level with the platform.
“If I may take over negotiations with the local populace, my lord?” she asked. Peter shrugged his shoulders.
The situation was beyond him. He didn’t have the cultural referents to deal with it. In Castle Cragus he assumed the role of despot, which was relatively easy to manage. He needed someone who could persuade these people to let Sal go. Lord Baldan and Drogwar would kill these people if he asked them to, but he couldn’t do that.
“Did the person give a reason?” Ilarna asked the man standing with the woman. Peter had marked him in his mind as someone of importance, but up to that moment the man had said nothing.
“That she did, Lady Ilarna.” The man moved to the front of the stage. The crowd cheered as he stepped forward and he gestured for them to quiet down.
“Would you care to tell me what she said?” Ilarna asked when the silence between them continued for a little too long.
“She talked plain nonsense, foolish talk. She said the Dragon Han No was going to come and kill us.” There was laughter from the crowd. “We all know the players of the Great Game have declared Tallus as neutral territory. She claimed she set fire to the houses to wake us to the danger. Well, if the danger is an insane woman we are surely wide awake.”
“Was much damage caused?”
“No, not really. One of the houses burnt more than you would expect before we doused the flames with magic. The other two were put out within a couple of minutes by the householders.”
“Was anybody hurt?”
“Not until we got her on the whipping bench. She’s been feeling the strap for a good half hour. We didn’t want to hurt her so bad she passed out or couldn’t feel the pain any more. Long and hard for her screams to fill the night is the way to deter others.”
“Can we negotiate a Blood Price?” The crowd murmured angrily at the suggestion. Someone threw a stone that clattered across the platform. The man gestured at the crowd and they quieted.
“I don’t see how we can. You can see how the citizens feel about it.” More murmurs came from the assembled citizens along with a few shouts of “Burn the bitch”.
“Full restitution for all damages and all the ale there is in the taverns, if you let her go. Paid for by Lord Cragus,” Ilarna shouted as she turned in her saddle so that the crowd could hear her. This woman is the Lady Saloni, the Lord Cragus’s consort. She has been out of her mind with grief since her lord was injured on Earth. He has barely recovered to come here today. Note that he brings with him two dozen with him willing to kill at his command.”
Ilarna’s statement brought a hush to the square. The man on the platform moved to the middle of the platform and shouted out. “What say you, citizens of Tallus? Shall we fight these interfering Vampires and suffer many deaths, not to mention grievous injuries, or shall we accept their offer of full restitution and all the ale there is to drink?” The crowd remained silent.
“Those who most wish to fight the Vampires should move forward so you may go first.” The man waved at the crowd to move closer, but most stood well back and some retreated.
A voice shouted from the back of the crowd, “Well I for one am much more thirsty for ale than for a fight. We’ve already given the girl a good licking. Let’s get on with the drinking!”
A roar of approval came from the crowd along with some good natured laughter.
“She is all yours, my Lady Ilarna, and you are more than welcome to her.”
The townsfolk headed for the taverns. The woman with the strap in her hand looked annoyed and laid two vicious strokes across Sal’s thighs before a Warlock grabbed her and dragged her from the platform.
“Thank you, Lady Ilarna.” Peter said as he dismounted from his horse. He discovered Ilarna hadn’t been exaggerating about his recovery as he hobbled bow legged to the platform.
Peter cut the ropes tying Sal, but she turned her back on him as he tried to hug her.
“Are you going to talk to me?” Peter asked.
“No. It’s all your fault.” Sal hunched even further away from Peter.
“Here are some clothes for her,” Lady Ilarna said, “and here’s the strap they used. Might I suggest that if s
he doesn’t start behaving, you start with the strap and leave her clothes for later.”
Sal turned, revealing a tear stained face. “You bitch! You only want him for yourself!”
“If I had only wanted him for myself, I would have let the citizens of Tallus burn you,” Ilarna said coldly. “I will purchase a horse for when you are ready to leave, my Lord.”
Sal burst into tears. She shuffled painfully over to Peter and hugged him so tightly he had trouble breathing. “I’m so sorry, Peter. I’m so sorry.”
Ilarna gave a sad private smile as she turned away.
Chapter Thirty Three
Lessons
Peter helped Sal to get dressed. Where her own clothes had gone was anybody’s guess and it was fortunate Ilarna was an excellent judge of body size. The trousers were a little small, which was unfortunate given the circumstances. Sal cried with pain as she squeezed her battered and bruised bottom into them. Peter couldn’t help wondering if Ilarna planned for that.
His men were in party mode and drinking with the citizens of Tallus by the time Sal and Peter made their way back to the horses. Ilarna waited for them already mounted. It was clear the others would be staying the night. Peter asked for no explanations from Sal. He decided to keep his questions until they were back in their room.
Sal scrunched down over her horse’s mane. Peter winced in sympathy seeing the look of agony on her face. The look on Ilarna’s face, by comparison, was one of grim satisfaction. Ilarna looked away from Sal when she saw Peter watching her.
“How are we managing the cost of all this?” Peter asked as he waved in the direction of the taverns. Loud singing could be heard coming from them.
“I’ve spoken to the landlords and have an arrangement with Major Jant. He was the man on the platform. I dare say I’ll have to pare a few items from the castle budget to pay for this mess. I don’t suppose Lady Saloni would be prepared to lend a hand in the kitchens if I’m forced to sell the slaves?” There was no mistaking the cattish tone in Ilarna’s voice.
Sal was far too busy dealing with her pain to reply.
“I dare say we can cover the expense from the castle treasury.” Peter had almost managed to get these two women to be friends and now they were right back where they started. He was certain it would be much easier to stop the war than sort out these two young women.
“As my Lord Cragus wishes,” Ilarna said with a sniff of disdain and urged her horse forward. This brought her past where Sal stood in her stirrups keeping her bottom as far from the saddle as she could. Ilarna’s hand left her reins and gave Sal’s horse a slap on the rump. The horse broke into a canter with Sal bouncing up and down in the saddle. She shrieked in time to the stride of her horse.
Peter mounted his horse and rode after them. Sal used such inventive invectives that Peter was impressed. If she had used as much inventiveness in Tallus, none of this would have happened.
Peter stayed some distance behind the women as they swapped insults. He didn’t think that Sal seeing him having trouble controlling his mirth would help her temper.
When they arrived at the castle, he helped Sal from her saddle and to their private apartment. Peter wasn’t at all surprised to find Mary had already run a bath for Sal and waited to assist her.
“How could you!” Mary snapped at Peter as she peeled Sal’s trousers down and looked at the damage. Peter was flabbergasted to realise Mary thought Sal’s injuries were his doing.
“She did this to herself,” he protested. “It was nothing to do with me.”
“Whipped herself raw on the bottom, did she?” Mary sneered as she slammed the door in Peter’s face.
Peter poured a large drink. I’m eighteen years old and well on my way to becoming a drunk. He sat down on the bed and sighed. Insulted by the slaves as well. I suppose it shows I’m making inroads on the way things were. Once upon a time Mary wouldn’t have dared say a word to me. Oh yes, those were the bad old days.
He was in bed by the time Sal emerged from the bathroom. Mary slipped out of the room as Sal made her way slowly their bed. She was naked. Peter had left the lamps burning and lay watching Sal approach. She pretended not to notice as she prepared to climb into bed. A little squeal escaped her lips as her bottom made contact with the bed.
“Han No thought I ought to punish you for what you did to me,” Peter said conversationally. “I received a message from him offering the services of the guy who punished you last time.”
Sal made no response, preferring to concentrate on the task of moving herself into position in the bed.
“I suppose it isn’t a wholly bad idea. You were quite well behaved for a time.”
Peter caught Sal’s fist as it sped towards him. He’d been expecting her to do it and she was hardly at her best. Instead of fighting him, she burst into tears, burying her face in her pillow. Rather than comforting her, Peter decided to try a different tactic.
“The message was delivered by your father. He was rather rude about you.” Peter lay back on his pillow with a slight smile playing across his face. Just for fun, he started counting slowly in his head as he waited for Sal to rise to the bait.
At a count of one hundred and thirty two, Sal lifted her head from her pillow and looked at Peter. “Okay, you can stop grinning now. Why did Dad come to talk to you and what did he say?”
Peter explained that Han No couldn’t use Solly as a messenger because Solly had disappeared. He failed to mention Solly arriving at the castle with his young Grimm women. He explained that Han No was worried because the Establishment was collecting Dragon eggs. Peter avoided telling Sal how successful they’d been. He said that the Establishment wasn’t in any hurry to start negotiations over the eggs and Han No was becoming worried.
Having set the scene for his meeting with Grant Dark, Peter told Sal her father was under instruction to unsettle him and the only weapon Han No had at his disposal was Sal’s father. Only when he explained these facts did he tell Sal what her father said. Peter’s memory was excellent and he repeated the exchange pretty much word for word.
Sal went through a variety of emotions. She settled on embarrassment by the time Peter finished his account.
“Thank you for sticking up for me,” she said in a tiny voice. “Those things he said about me are true, every one. But they weren’t the way he said. Things happened to me and I’d go crying to Daddy. He’d pick me up, cuddle me, and tell me it was all right, tell me these things happened. Why does Daddy hate me so much?”
“He doesn’t hate you, silly,” Peter put an arm around her. “He’s a drug addict and he does whatever his supplier tells him to. When he comforted you, those were his true feelings.”
“Is he going to be okay, Peter? Can you save him? You’re younger than me and we’re both kids, but everybody’s looking to you to save the world. Lord Baldan, Ilarna, Jorge Dallman and Solly, they’re all waiting for you to make it come out all right.” Sal kissed Peter lightly on the cheek. “Me too, Peter. Can you save me and my Daddy too?”
“No pressure, then?”
Peter grinned and Sal punched him lightly on the shoulder. Rather than try to answer Sal’s impossible questions Peter thought the time had come to ask some of his own. “Where’ve you been, Sal? It’s been weeks and Mary was certain you weren’t in Tallus.”
“I left your flat and went to hide in St Bruno’s Park. I’m so sorry, Peter. I didn’t mean to hurt you …” Sal started crying again. Peter reassured her that he wasn’t mad at her. “I stayed in the park until early in the morning and then I went to Hellogon and Castle Cragus to apologise. But they told me… they told me…” Sal broke down and it was some time before she could continue with her story.
“I left the castle and I didn’t know what to do. I walked in the forest for ages before I thought of going to Zandar. I thought I could help with the war against Han No. I could tell Jorge Dallman all about Han No and rally all the free Warlocks.” Sal looked glum.
“It isn’t easy t
o ferment a revolution, love, especially if you’re telling things people don’t want to hear.”
“You could have told me that earlier. And they’re all male chauvinist pigs too, the lot of them, including Jorge Dallman. They let me in without any problem, but as soon as I told them about Han No they got upset.”
“One guy threatened me with his sword and told everyone I must be the slut shagging a Vampire. He said they should take it in turns to have me over a barrel to cleanse my body. I think they were going to do it when Dallman turned up and recognised me. He made them stop, but it was a close call because a lot of the men were really worked up.”
“I imagine Jorge wasn’t happy?” Peter asked.
“How can you possibly …? Oh, I forgot, you’re an Establishment spy and know how everything’s going to turn out.”
Peter moved his hand so it was just touching her bottom and Sal got the hint.
“He said his men wouldn’t listen to nonsense. He knew it wasn’t but he wouldn’t admit it!” Sal snuggled into Peter’s arms.
“Walls have ears, Sal. Have you noticed how hard it is to keep a secret? Had he agreed with you, it might have got back to his men.”
“I suppose I should’ve realised that. I stayed with the Warlocks for weeks until I couldn’t stand it any more. People spat on the ground when I went past, just because I’d slept with you. They kept going on about how Han No was going to provide them with weapons to finish the Vampires. Ooo, Peter don’t squeeze like that, it hurts!”
“What sort of weapons? Did they say when they were getting them or anything else?” Peter asked urgently.
“You have to be gentle. I’m a delicate girl.” Sal complained. “They didn’t say anything. It sounded so stupid I never asked them any questions. After all, what kind of weapons could Han No give them?”
“Guns, rockets, machine guns, hand grenades, carbon fibre bows and arrows, to name a few off the top of my head.” Peter sat up. “Maybe he’s found an explosive that can cross through the portals. It could be anything.”
