"Just make up your minds," Cat said, lifting herself up and rubbing her behind. "I just want out of this thrice-damned saddle."
Danica grinned at that. "Then we'll stop for the night." She gave the lounging soldiers a last wary glance. "What's the entertainment like in these places?"
Helene grinned, "Beddy-bye time, love."
"Never again, not even in your wildest dreams," Danica said, ignoring Cat's chuckle.
"I'll be nice," Helene offered, for the hundredth time. "I can be real sweet and submissive, if I want to be."
"Kiss my butt."
"Drop your pants, love."
Everyone laughed but Danica. She gave Helene a doubtful look, then suppressing her own grin spurred ahead. They rode to the Way Station hotel in relatively good spirits. Even Danica. The constant jokes at her expense and Helene's renewed flirting had begun to erode her resolve to be cool toward the decadent Vikon. The long days in the saddle were beginning to take their toll, too. Something she was loathe to admit, but the thought of a bath and clean sheets helped to lift her spirits considerably.
They worked their way through the bustling throngs of shouting merchants and harried teamsters, glaring mercenaries and disinterested soldiers, arrogant nobles and opportunistic cutpurses. Everyone seemed to be moving in a different direction, or yelling with wild hand gestures. The enticing smells of roasting beef and pork made her stomach rumble, and made the rank stench of packed humanity, overworked horses, and stables tolerable.
Danica studied the stables over critically. They looked newly built, with two additional floors built atop them. From earlier conversations she knew the upper floors were large bay accommodations. Anyone could rent a sleeping spot on the floor for a nominal fee. The three hotels were for wealthier travelers. Though the common rooms over the stables would have been fine with her, Helene was going to use her Peeress status to acquire rooms for them at half price. Her treat.
Good thing, since me and Cat don't have a crown to our names.
"Hold up, Brandi!" Helene called, using Danica's Vikon name and spurring up beside her. "Let me take care of the horses."
Taken aback by the generous offer, "You're willing to unsaddle and groom them all?"
"Hardly," Helene said, holding up her right hand. The silver Peeress Ring on her right index finger glinted in the sunlight. "You forget, I'm a Peeress. The stablehands will take care of them for us. No charge."
Danica smiled, "I knew there was a reason I brought you along."
They all swung out of their saddles, giving Helene the reins. She turned to the stable door and crooked a finger at the first stablehand to emerge. The young girl took one look at Helene's shining silver Peeress Ring and hurried over to assist. Danica was slightly surprised. Apparently Vikon Peeresses must not be such a rarity. They then followed Helene into the nearest hotel. It wasn't an impressive looking building by Amazon standards, little more than a large plain three story building.
While Helene went to arrange rooms, Claudia led the way into the dining area. The room was filled to near capacity. Along the back wall a group of Amazon warriors had commandeered four long tables and, much to Danica's surprise, were quietly eating their meals. It was one of the first times she had seen a group of Amazons warriors do anything quietly. They had a well-deserved reputation as being wild and boisterous. She found their polite demeanor and hushed conversation almost disquieting. Indeed, hushed tones seemed to be the rule for all conversations in the dining room.
"Quiet, aren't they," Cat said, glancing around in approval.
"Yes. Rowdy behavior is frowned upon in the Empire," Claudia said, leading them to a table. They received far fewer curious looks than Danica would have thought. Not a single woman reached out and pinched her or made kissing noises. A first for Danica. Even back when she was still a man Amazons liked to make kissing sounds, flirt, and grab her legs and behind. "Inside the Empire everyone is very considerate and friendly. No wild nights of cavorting here."
"What about in the cities?" Danica said.
"Maybe in the bigger cities," Claudia said. "But not very much."
"Are there stiff penalties or jail sentences for it?" Cat said.
"No. There's no need."
Danica and Cat exchanged an astonished glance. They both had extensive experience dealing with Amazons, and had always found them wild and all but uncontrollable. Especially the warriors. Even in the Golden Girl Brothel in Tamera where Cat was a bouncer the Amazon patrons were only barely kept civil, and that feat took three very menacing looking bravos to accomplish. The thought of Amazons being quiet and unassuming was all but incomprehensible to them.
"Are you sure this is the Amazon Empire?" Danica said, only half joking.
Helene, joining them, said, "If it's too sedate for you, , love, I can liven things up a bit later. In bed."
Danica pointedly ignored the remark. Helene chuckled and took the chair opposite her. Propping her elbows on the table and resting her beautiful face in her hands, she stared dreamily across the table at Danica.
Claudia gave Helene an annoyed looked. "You'll find Amazons to be a generous and kind people. Very friendly and helpful. Forget about those wild carousers you're used to seeing in the Jarland Kingdoms."
"She means, they're very boring at home," Helene said. "But Dahlys has a few wild spots. You'll see."
* * * * *
After breakfast the next morning, Cat followed Danica out into the Way Station yard while Claudia and Helene argued over some trivial matter in the dining hall.
"Well?" Cat asked.
"Well what?" Danica said.
She had no intention of satisfying Cat's curiosity. Danica ignored her questioning look, and continued watching the early morning crowd in the Way Station yard. The vast majority were caravaners, all trying loudly to leave at the same time. It had been going fairly orderly until a troop of mercenaries arrived and partially blocked the exit.
"What happened between you and Helene last night?"
"Nothing," she said, watching blustering merchants try to get the still mounted, and smirking, mercenaries to move over a bit.
"Nothing? You slept with her and nothing happened?"
"We shared a room," Danica corrected her. "Just like you and Claudia shared a room."
"She didn't try anything?"
"Well, yes."
"And...."
"And we both got a very restful night's sleep."
Cat gave her a doubtful look. "Like I'm supposed to believe that. You were born horny and don't know how to turn it off. And our stay with the Vikon only made you worse."
"Eat me."
"I could never complete with Helene," she laughed.
The uproar in the yard suddenly increased. Danica saw the mercenaries forcing their way through the caravans. Everything came to a halt, bringing a smile to Danica's lips. It was good to see Amazons behaving in a manner she had come to expect of them.
Claudia joined them as the mercenaries made it to the stables and began watering their mounts. They were laughing and joking, and hurling an occasional insult or challenge at passing teamsters and merchants. Claudia watched them with a screwed up face, finally snorting in contempt.
"I'll never understand some people," she said, beginning to eye them warily as they made their way toward the hotel.
"Bad news," Helene said, stepping out of the door. "I lost my purse. Does anyone have any money for the rooms?"
The thought of all four of them being forced to be bondservants to repay their debt flashed through Danica's mind. Legally, the hotel could force them to work off the debt as serving girls, stablehands, and such, until the hotel was satisfied the debt paid. That could take years.
"You had all the money," Claudia said accusingly. "Didn't you have a ward on your purse?"
"I never do," she said, cringing with guilt. "Cutpurses expect Vikon to enchant their purses, so...why bother?"
"I know where to get the coin," Danica said, eyeing an especially wel
l-dressed merchant. The red-dyed leathern purse hanging off her belt was large and heavy. After one last glance to gauge the mercenaries' pace, she whispered, "Wait here."
Danica started walking slowly toward the merchant, a slim brunette in scarlet silk travelling robes. She soon captured the merchant's attention, changing her stride into something more suggestive. The merchant seemed a bit taken aback at first, but quickly responded to the attention.
"Did you stay here last night?" Danica said in a breathy voice. Reaching out, she traced the merchant's jaw line with one finger. "And me spending the night all alone, too."
"If I'd only known," the merchant said. "You wouldn't have spent a single moment alone."
"My loss. My name's Brandi," Danica said, stepping back to get a better look. She stepped back right into the lead mercenary and got rudely shoved straight into the merchant. They were quickly surrounded by angry mercenaries. Danica screamed angrily and whirled on the mercenary who pushed her, only to have Cat charge in and place herself between them.
"No trouble," Cat said. "It was all a mistake. No one was hurt."
"They pushed me!" Danica cried.
"You lout, you stepped into me!" the mercenary, a heavy-set blonde, said.
"What's happening here?" a tall soldier said, stepping though the ring of mercenaries. Her rank insignia proclaimed her to be a Sergeant. "Who started this?"
"She pushed me for no good reason," Danica growled, pointing at the enraged blonde.
"The witch is lying," she said. "I was minding my own business when — "
"Ha! Everyone saw how you and your stinking cohorts were disrupting the place and issuing challenges to any and everyone," Danica said.
"That's true, Sergeant," the merchant said.
A group of soldiers began forming up in front of their barracks, their leader casting nervous glances at the situation. Danica wanted to smile, but maintained her outraged demeanor. The mercenaries also noticed, watching the soldiers warily.
"I think you girls should leave," the Sergeant said.
"Before I turn the lot of you into toads," Danica added, raising her hand dramatically. Several of the mercenaries stepped back. Looking at the blonde, "I'd then feed you to a snake."
"No!" Helene cried, pushing though the crowd. "You promised Mother Jeanine you would behave yourself."
Giving Danica a hard look, "No one is doing anything to anyone else. Understand?" the Sergeant said. Pointing at the blonde, "You and your bunch are out of here, now."
Grumbling, the mercenaries backed away and hurried to their horses. They mounted up, and then they plowed through the crowd, causing even more confusion and angry yelling.
The Sergeant turned on Danica, "I want you out of here, too."
Danica started to protest, but Helene grabbed her arm and pulled her toward the hotel, saying, "We'll pay our bills and leave right away, Sergeant."
Helene dragged a balking Danica back into the hotel, Cat and Claudia following. Once inside, Cat pulled Danica from Helene's grasp.
"Why did you do that? You purposely started that fight," she said.
Helene laughed and Danica chuckled.
"For this," Danica said, pulling the merchant's purse out of her boot top.
"I almost missed it you were so good," Helene said. "I thought the part about turning them into toads was a nice touch, too."
"High praise from a Vikon," Danica laughed, tossing her the purse. "Pay the bills and let's get out of here before that merchant realizes she's been robbed."
Laughing, Helene left to pay for the rooms. Cat and Claudia stood glaring with disapproval at Danica. To which Danica answered with her widest, self-satisfied smile.
"So much for knightly honor," Cat said.
"I've done worse," she said. "Besides, it's always fun to try my hand at it now and again."
"It saved us from having to pay our way with menial labor, as bondservants," Helene said as she rejoined them.
"Shall we go?" Danica said, stepping towards the door. A group of teamsters entered and streamed around her. After they passed, Danica held up three purses. Cat glowered at her as Claudia groaned. Melodramatically, "Have I no honor?"
"None," Cat said, pushing past her.
Claudia followed, snorting and shaking her head.
"They have no appreciation for talent, ," Helene said.
"Obviously," she said, dropping the stolen purses into her boots.
Laughing merrily, they followed their companions. They let Cat and Claudia open a path through the crowd, telling off-color jokes as they followed. Halfway to the stables they were brought up short when someone started screaming of being robbed. Cat whirled on Danica, glaring.
"We don't know..." Danica started. Then "Vikon in blue" clearly reached them in the merchant's voice. "Well bugger me to tears."
"Let's run," Claudia said.
Danica glanced around. No one was paying them any attention. Few seemed concerned about the robbery. She could see their mounts already saddled and waiting. But it would be difficult leaving without being noticed. They were the only Vikon in the yard that she could see.
Slipping Helene her empty purse, and the three stolen purses, Danica threw back her head and shouted at the top of her lungs, "I've been robbed! Where are the Station Guards!"
Cat whispered, "What are you doing? Are you crazy?"
"Probably," she whispered back. Then shouted, "Get the Guard, my purse has been stolen!"
Several Way Station Guards pushed their way to her. Danica rushed to meet them, seething. She immediately went into a tirade about lax security and lazy Guards. About how she had been roughed up earlier and now had found her purse missing. She demanded to know what the Guards were going to do about it.
"We'll look into it," the Guard Corporal said. "But I've a few questions for you."
"That's her!" the merchant said, pointing at Danica. "Arrest her, Sergeant."
"What are you whining about?" Danica said hotly. "I've just been robbed."
"So someone stole my purse from you? How fitting," she sneered. Turning to the Sergeant, "Why aren't you arresting her?"
"Arrest me? What are you talking about?" Danica demanded.
The Sergeant said, "Mistress Janna believes you stole her purse earlier."
"During the incident with the mercenaries," Janna said.
"Mercenaries? That's it!" Danica cried, face lighting up. "They pushed me into her, and stole my purse at the same time. Those sleazy..."
"Lies, all lies," Janna cried, though her confidence was shaken. "I only remember you touching me."
"It's a common trick," she said. "While your mind was focused on me, they lifted your purse, and mine." Turning on the Sergeant, "You have to hurry. They're getting away."
"You should at least search her," Janna said.
The Sergeant looked Danica over. Took in the skin tight pants and skimpy armor. "And just where is she going to hide a stolen purse in that outfit?"
"Our horses are already saddled," Danica said. "We'll ride with you. I want my purse back, and those thieving dogs hanged!"
"We can't," Helene said forcefully. "We have strict orders from Mother Jeanine."
"But my purse..."
"Was all but empty," Helene said. "If you want, you can come back later and pick it up. But we have a job to do."
"But..."
"No arguments," Helene said sternly.
"I've no coin."
"You should've had a ward on your purse," she sneered.
Balling her fists up in rage, Danica turned on her heel and stalked off toward their horses. Halfway to them, she turned back.
"Sergeant, when can I pick up my purse?"
"You'll have thirty days after we recover it. If we recover it," she said.
"'If' you recover it?" Danica said incredulously, then turned on her heel and stalked into the crowd with an angry snort.
"Wait!" the Sergeant cried. "I need your names."
"Dame Helene of Dahlys, and a
Peeress," Helene said haughtily. She immediately turned on her heel and headed for her mount.
"Dame Claudia of Dahlys," Claudia said, following Helene.
Cat simply said, "Catina Manarsima of Chimmarsal."
Danica glared at the Sergeant a second, then, "Dame Brandi, the Accurst."
"The Accurst?" the Sergeant said, cocking her head.
"Yes. Any problems with that?"
Frowning, "I guess not, Lady."
Danica turned and pushed her way through the crowd. She swung up into her saddle, then jerked her mount around. Cat ducked under its swinging head and scrambled up into her own saddle. Helene and Claudia quickly followed. When all were ready, she spurred her horse through the crowd and out onto the Tyborian Way. Heading south.
Once out of sight of the Way Station, Helene laughed. "What an actress! You have the fastest mind I've ever encountered, Danica."
"In my line of work you have to think fast if you want to live to an old age," she said, grinning. "But I was rather convincing, wasn't I?"
"You could've gotten us all thrown in jail," Claudia said. "What if they had searched all of us? How would you have explained all those purses down Helene's boots?"
"But they didn't."
"They could have!"
"But they didn't," Danica insisted again. "We got away, so forget about it."
"You seem to have overlooked something while busy basking in your own misbegotten glory," Cat said. "It shouldn't take long for them to catch up with the mercenaries and when that doesn't produce any stolen purses, what then?"
Danica shrugged. "Don't know. Back in the Jarlands the City Guards rarely pursued anyone outside of the city walls." Turning to Helene, "What will these Amazons do?"
Helene thought on that a moment. "Probably send word ahead to look out for us, and hold us until they can send someone to get us."
"We'll ride hard and stay ahead of any messengers," Danica said.
"Won't work," Claudia said. "Imperial Post Riders fly parallel with the Tyborian Way. If a letter or message is waiting at any Way Station, a flag will be raised to call them down. Since there are at least four flights a day, the next Way Station will know of us long before we can reach it."
"Yeah, and the Post Rider will probably to instructed to look for us along the way," Helene said. "They'll know exactly where we are."
Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2) Page 16
