Hal looked back, her face showing instant comprehension. “Yes. They’re a present from your colleagues in Monday Market.”
“Oh. I...”
“It’s okay. It hurt like fuck, but I deserved it.”
“What did you do?”
“I made some very stupid friends. But of course we all thought we were being really clever. Making easy money. And then we got caught.” Hal shrugged. “I still reckon the magistrate was being a bitch, seeing as it was a first offense and all. But it was probably the best thing that could have happened for me.”
“Why?”
“Because I learned my lesson. My friends didn’t, so I made some new ones. Maybe if I’d got off lightly that first time, I’d have stayed around until I was too caught up in the lifestyle to get out.”
“You still like breaking rules.”
“True. But the lesson I learned was never to assume I’m going to get away with it. I make sure I know the consequences of being caught, and that I can deal with them. My friends who didn’t learn—last thing I heard, two of them had been hanged. And that’s the sort of consequence I never want to deal with.” Hal grimaced. “Which is all far too serious a topic for a morning like this. Though I’d point out the consequences for getting a Militiawoman to have a quick kiss while on duty have been no problem so far.”
Hal leaned over the side of the bed to put the flagon on the floor, then rolled back to face Ellen. They lay side by side. Hal ran her fingernails lightly down Ellen’s ribs. “When do you have to be back in Roadsend?”
“Not until midday.”
“Really? Well, Aunt Cassie isn’t likely to stir for another hour, and when she does she’ll just want taking to the latrine and then putting in her chair with some leftover stew. Jo said she’d take the dogs and go down to the north paddock when she gets here. I could go and help her. But I’m sure she can cope on her own, and she knows I’d do the same for her. So...”
Slightly clumsily, Hal hoisted herself forward, until she was lying on top of Ellen, staring down into her face. “You know, it’s not everyone I’d stir myself for, this early in the morning.” Hal ducked her head, kissing Ellen quickly on the lips. “But I’d have to say”—she kissed Ellen again—“that on evidence of last night”—another kiss—“you’re worth it.”
Ellen stared into Hal’s eyes, mere centimeters away. I think I’m falling in love with you. The words shot through Ellen’s head, threatening to find their way to her lips. But then Hal pressed her knee down, between Ellen’s legs, and the contact drove all words away.
Part Three
Split Verdict
Chapter Fourteen—Trust and Doubt
The sound of movement from the floor of the cottage woke Ellen. She rolled over as the door was pulled open. Pre-dawn light ghosted gray on the rafters. Below, Mama Roz stood silhouetted in the doorway, yawning and stretching her arms over her head. A light rain was falling outside, heard rather than seen, to the accompaniment of gusts of wind. At an estimate, under half an hour remained before sunrise, when Mama Roz was due to start work at the Old Docks.
Ellen grabbed her discarded clothes and pulled them on, except for her boots, which were down by the hearth, next to Mama Roz’s. She did up the last button and vaulted down the ladder.
Mama Roz turned around. “Good morning.”
Ellen gave her birth mother a quick hug of greeting. “Morning.”
“You on duty today?”
“Up till fourteen o’clock.”
“Any chance I’ll get to see you this evening?”
Just the faintest hint of reproach underlay Mama Roz’s tone. They had not exchanged more than a few words since Ellen had left to track down Fran Paparung in Shingleford.
“Uh...no. I was planning on spending the night—”
“Are you going to see Hal?” Mama Becky interrupted eagerly, while shuffling out from the curtained off bed area.
“Yes, Mom.”
Mama Roz laughed and gave Ellen a squeeze before releasing her. “I’m sure you’ll have more fun with her than discussing the weather here with me.”
“Hal seems very nice,” Mama Becky said.
Ellen was not sure if nice was the right word for Hal, but chose to agree anyway. “Yes, she is.”
“And it’s good the way she looks after her aunt.”
“Yes.”
“I suppose eventually the farm will be hers?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t asked her. When Cassie dies, I guess it will go to her family, so Hal might end up with it.”
“When your time with the Militia is over, you could go and work on the farm with her.”
“Mom!” Ellen felt exasperated. Already her mother was planning her life out for her.
“Oh, I know I’m being silly, but you must invite Hal over to meet us properly. She’s welcome to stay here overnight. We’d love to get to know her better.”
“She’s got the farm to run. And a busy time of year is coming up.” Ellen made the excuse.
“What about once the cloning is over and the sheep are back on the hills?” Mama Becky’s zeal was unmistakable.
“Maybe. I’ll mention it to her.”
Ellen made the vague commitment, hoping to end the debate. Her reticence was not because she objected to her parents meeting Hal, and of course they both knew that she and a new girlfriend would not be spending the evening playing tic-tac-toe. Ellen glanced up at her open sleeping platform. But there was a difference between knowing and hearing every sound. This evening would be only her and Hal’s third time, and restraint was not likely to be much in evidence. Perhaps, in another month or two, they would be able to spend a night together without running the risk of finishing to a round of applause from the surrounding houses.
At the thought, Ellen felt a grin split her face. A month or two with Hal sounded good. A year or two sounded better. Maybe even the rest of her life. She had dismissed Mama Becky’s ideas about her future on reflex, but to be fair, they did not seem too bad. The thought of her and Hal, living on the farm together, was definitely one she could get to like.
Mama Roz sat by the hearth and pulled her boots toward her. “You got anything interesting lined up work-wise today?”
“Just routine patrols.” Ellen was grateful for the change in topic, and equally grateful that the patrols would be without Terrie. The corporal had been discharged from infirmary several days ago, and immediately requested a leave of absence. She had not been seen since.
“You won’t be working with the Rangers?”
Ellen sighed. Straight from one tricky subject to another. “No, Mom.”
“Do you know if the Rangers will be needing your help again?” Mama Roz was clearly making an effort to sound as if it was a casual question, but her tone gave her away.
“There’s no plans for it.”
Ellen knew her deployment with the Rangers frightened her parents. In part because of the danger, made all the more real by the massacre of the 12th, and in part because they were worried she might get a liking for the lifestyle.
Even without the curtailment of the normal probation period, her time as rookie was over. Ellen could now apply to join the Rangers, but there was no rush. Nothing in the regulations imposed a time limit on how long she had to submit her request. Surely it would be better to wait a month or more, to see how things worked out between her and Hal, and to put the whole affair with the Butcher and her gang into the past.
The meeting at the barracks had been nine days before. Now just five more were left to go. The squadrons of Rangers were currently converging on the Butcher’s base, getting closer with each day, traveling through the Wildlands so that nobody would spot them. The first the Butcher would know was when her hideaway was surrounded. Five days, and the Butcher and her Knives would be either dead or prisoners, with just the headless scrag-end to wrap up in Eastford. When life had returned to normal, Ellen would have plenty of time to decide if normality was what she wanted from lif
e.
“Those Rangers still haven’t caught the gang. I don’t know what they’re up to.” Mama Becky sounded as if she thought the Rangers were guilty of incompetence—even malicious stalling, in the hope of ensnaring her daughter.
“They will.”
“They’ve been saying that for weeks.”
“But now—” Ellen stopped. She was not supposed to say anything to anyone about the Rangers’ plans, and although it was a ludicrous idea that her parents were involved with the gang, or even remotely likely to pass the news to anyone who was, they would be horrified to learn just how closely Ellen had been involved in the operation.
“I don’t know what the world’s coming to. It’s awful.” Mama Becky placed her hand on Ellen’s arm. “You know we just want you safe.”
“Yes, Mom. I know. I promise I’ll be careful.”
“That’s what you said before you went and got your head cracked open.”
“Oh, Mom. That was only...” Only something Ellen knew she was never going to hear the end of.
Mama Roz stood, stamping her boots into place. She took hold of Ellen’s shoulders and turned her around, looking at her, eye to eye. “I know you think we worry too much. We’re your mothers. It’s our job. We know you’re an adult now, and we can’t look after you, but you have to understand it can be hard for us sometimes. When you have children of your own, you’ll understand. But whatever happens, you know we love you, and we’re proud of you.”
Mama Roz pressed a quick kiss on Ellen’s cheek and headed for the door.
*
The next morning, Ellen was woken by movement beside her. She opened her eyes. Dawn was past and light crept through cracks in the closed shutters, along with the bleating of sheep from the paddocks. Judging by the strength of the sunshine, the sky outside was clear and the day promised to be better than the one before. Although, seeing as Ellen was scheduled for the late patrol in Roadsend, the evening was going to be much less fun.
Ellen stretched her arms up so they touched the wall above her head and then she rolled onto her side, a little surprised if Hal had woken before her—something that had not shown the slightest chance of happening on either of the two previous occasions. However, Hal had only been turning in her sleep. Ellen raised herself on an elbow and looked down at her sleeping lover.
Hal’s face on the pillow was turned toward Ellen, eyes closed and mouth slightly open. Her skin was dark against the bleached cloth, her hair almost black, lying in spikes across her forehead. Beautiful was not the word that came to mind. For Ellen, such a description was for the studied contrivance of her previous girlfriends, who had worried about their haircuts and complexions and whether their clothes flattered their figure. Hal’s looks were far too natural, too unique. Her face was totally Hal, and as Ellen lay studying it, she knew there was nothing under the Goddess’s wide sky that she would rather look at.
A couple of times in the past, she thought she had been in love with her girlfriends. Now she knew that emotion had been no more than excitement and pleasure at a pretty face. What she felt for Hal was redefining everything she had thought she knew about herself. Her heart was Hal’s.
Ellen brushed the hair back from Hal’s cheek and kissed her gently on the lips. Hal groaned and grimaced. She twisted her neck as if trying to bury her face in the pillow.
“Good morning.”
“Is it?” Hal mumbled.
“It’s morning.”
“What’s so good about it?”
Ellen lay down on her side and placed her free arm around Hal’s shoulders. After a few seconds, Hal opened her eyes and stared back.
“What isn’t good?”
Ellen raised her knee, so that it lay over Hal’s thigh. With her fingers she traced the outline of Hal’s biceps and then across her shoulder blades. She pulled Hal close and pressed their lips together, at first a soft, sisterly kiss, but getting more ardent. Her tongue slipped between Hal’s lips and then started to prise Hal’s teeth apart.
Hal rolled away, chuckling softly. “You know I don’t do this, first thing in the morning.”
The protest was not to be taken seriously. Ellen had felt Hal respond. “Then lie still, while I do it.”
Ellen rolled on, to lie half over Hal, pinning her down, while still leaving most of her body free to explore. Ellen cupped Hal’s breast, pinching gently at the nipple. Hal sighed and opened her eyes again. In them there was manifest hunger, and humor and also tenderness. This last emotion struck at Ellen. She had not seen it so clearly before in Hal’s expression, and had not expected to, at least not so soon in their relationship. Hal’s arms crept around Ellen’s back, weak and uncoordinated, as Hal was when she first woke, but clear in their intent. Feeling totally happy, Ellen lowered her head and continued kissing Hal.
The sound of horses arriving in the farmyard interrupted.
“Hey. Hal.” A voice rang out.
“Fuck.” Hal pushed Ellen away and sat up.
“What is it?”
“I...hopefully nothing.” Hal half fell out of bed and then stood, swaying groggily, before lurching to the window.
“What is—” Ellen scrambled from the bed.
“No. Stay where you are.” Hal pulled open the shutters, peered out, waved, and then closed them again.
“What’s...”
“It’s one of my neighbors. Must be some problem with the sheep.” Hal drew a deep breath, and then shook her head sharply, as if hoping to dislodge her torpor. “It’s okay. I’ll go to see what she wants. You stay where you are.” She pointed, emphasizing her words. “Stay just where you are. Don’t move a centimeter. I’ll be back.”
Hal grabbed the nearest set of clothes and left the room, still pulling the shirt over her head. Her bare footsteps slapped unsteadily on the stairs and then the front door opened.
Ellen lay, listening to the voices in the yard. Someone sounded angry, although Ellen was unable to make out any words. A number of horses seemed to be milling around. A couple of times, Ellen picked out Hal’s voice, but again, not clearly enough for words. Hal did not sound happy, but neither did she sound hostile, so presumably, whatever the cause of the other speaker’s anger, it was not directed at Hal.
“Okay. Ten minutes,” somebody other than Hal shouted—the first words Ellen could decipher since the initial hail. The discussion was clearly drawing to a close and the horses moving away.
But what was going to happen in ten minutes? Ellen’s curiosity could be held in check no longer. She bounced out of bed and opened the window shutters. Sudden glaring sunlight made her wince and by the time her eyes had adjusted, it was too late. She caught only the rump of the last horse, disappearing around the side of the farmhouse.
The front door closed and Hal’s feet sounded again on the stairs. Ellen closed the shutters and was sitting on the side of the bed when Hal returned.
“What was it?”
“Like I thought, trouble with the sheep.”
“What sort of trouble?”
“Nothing that need concern the Militia. Just sheep being their usual, damned awkward, pain in the fucking ass selves.” Hal sighed. “And I’m afraid I’m going to have to go and sort it out immediately.”
“Will it take long?”
“Most of the day, I expect. Unless the sheep have a funny turn and cooperate with me. You never know. They might decide to do it for once, just for a laugh.” Hal pouted. “If you get yourself dressed, I’ll go and saddle your horse while you grab breakfast in the kitchen.”
Ellen slumped on the bed, feeling deflated. “Are you sure? What will you do about breakfast?”
“I’ll head off as soon as you’re gone and eat something on the way.”
“When will I see you next?”
The question clearly caught Hal by surprise. She froze, her expression pained. “Er...whenever you’re next off duty. I...I’ll be here.” She looked down sharply, and then pulled up the bottom of her shirt for inspection. “That’
s lucky. I didn’t grab your clothes. I’ll get your horse ready. See you in the kitchen in a minute.” Without meeting Ellen’s eyes, Hal grabbed her boots and hurried from the room.
Once she was dressed, Ellen followed on more slowly. The house was silent and the kitchen was empty. Nobody could be seen through the front or rear windows. Where was Jo? She was supposed to be around that morning. Had she already gone off with the neighbor? And which neighbor was it? Ellen had not recognized what little she had heard of the voice. The “ten minutes” had to be the time for a rendezvous. But what could be so urgent? Something decidedly strange was going on. Ellen frowned, trying to make sense of it all.
Food was kept on a slate slab in the pantry. Ellen cut off a chunk of yesterday’s bread, and a slice of salted mutton, but her appetite was poor, and she put the food aside, half eaten. If she wrapped it in an oilcloth from her saddlebag, maybe she would feel more like breakfast later on. The ride into Roadsend would take her over an hour.
Ellen dithered around, trying to think of something useful to do. If Hal was in such a hurry to be off, would it be helpful to get Cassie out and into her chair? However, Ellen did not know where the room key was. She was about to go to the stable and see if she could lend a hand with the horses, when the front door opened and Hal returned.
“Your horse is ready and in the yard.”
“Is there nothing I can do to help?”
“No. We just need to go off and track the buggers down.”
“What about your aunt?”
“Er...” Hal looked distracted, as if her thoughts were elsewhere. “We’ll see to her once you’ve gone.”
“Who was it?”
“Who...”
“Who was the neighbor?”
“Oh. Fay Wisniewski from Three Firs.”
“Who was with her?” Seeing Hal’s frown, Ellen added. “I could hear there was more than one horse.”
“She had a couple of her shepherds along.” Hal had been holding the front door open while she spoke; now she backed out, clearly wanting Ellen to go as quickly as possible.
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