by AJ Adams
“For saving my Florry,” he said. “She’s a great horse, Florry, and if you hadn’t cut her loose she would have died. Those poxy bandits would have burned her just to get to the cargo.”
Amazing, right? I drank it down and listened to him wittering on about how clever his horse was. It would have been okay, but after telling me how Florry knows exactly how many carrots he has for her, the driver turned personal.
“So,” he said, staring at my collar. “What does a sex thrall like you cost, then?”
Rude right? “A fucking fortune.”
“I bet.” he looked around and lowered his voice. “How about a quickie?”
“No.”
“I’ll pay. You can earn another jug of wine.”
“I said no.” I decided to leave before I said something he’d regret.
“Hey.” The driver grabbed my arm. “Don’t you walk away from me, wench! Who do you think you are?”
There was a slight sound behind me and then an arm with a finely worked leather guard came over mine. Ware. Gripping the driver’s wrist with enough power to make him sweat.
“She knows she’s my girl.” The thin-lipped steely eyed look was working overtime. “And if you touch her again, I’ll make her a gift of your head, do you understand?”
I’d never ever had anyone be protective before, so I was all for it. “That sounds awesome, Ware. Thanks! Want some wine?”
Funnily enough he didn’t look pleased at all.
Chapter Nineteen: Fletcher
Lind was soused. She was leaning up against me, giggling, with a half empty jug of cheap wine in her hand. “Want some wine?”
The driver took off, which was just as well as I was inches away from flattening him. “Are you okay, Lind?”
She was rubbing her wrist and peering into the jug. “Sure. Look, he gave me this for saving Florry. It’s not purple ribbon, but it’s nice. Want a swig?”
“No. Why did he grab you?”
“He wanted to fuck me, and I said no.”
“What?!” I was speechless, fury ripping through me. “I’ll kill him!”
“I don’t see why. He was just curious about the fletcher’s sex thrall.” Lind was swaying, her firm body curving into mine. Her scent floated around me, sweet and girlish. “Do you want me, Ware?”
“Yes.” It just came out. “I mean, no.”
Grey eyes were gazing into mine. “Is something wrong?”
It was time to talk, but not in front of curious guards, drivers and migrants, never mind the villagers who’d flocked round, trying to sell eggs, herbs, mushrooms and other goods.
I took her to the inn and led her straight to our room. It was small but nicely furnished and it had a roaring fire. I was warm for the first time since we left Caern.
“This is posh,” Lind sighed. “Oh look! There’s towels and soap, too.”
She was investigating the room, smiling and happy, but all I could see was the firelight shining on her collar. The sight sent a dagger of pain through my gut.
“Lind, I’m so sorry.”
“I’m not. This place is great!” She was bouncing on the bed. “Want to join me?”
“We need to talk.”
“Yes, okay.” She got to her feet and walked straight into my arms. “You know, that first time in Caern, I really hated you.”
I was frozen, thinking back on that first night. I’d forced her and not even known it. It shamed me.
“But now everything’s perfect,” Lind was wrapping her arms around me. “It just couldn’t be better.”
“What?” I couldn’t figure it out.
“Well, I wanted freedom, but I’ve seen now that that’s a waste of time,” Lind rubbed her chin comfortably on my shoulder. “I’d just starve, like you said. What I need are skills.”
“Yes, right.” The feel of her in my arms had me hard as a rock. Her hair was soft and scented with herbs, and her skin was warm, glowing in the firelight. She was beautiful and even in my shrinking shame, I wanted her. “But Lind—”
“I know, free women can’t learn to fletch.” She was wriggling in my arms, dancing on the spot with pleasure. “But thralls can.”
I’d forgotten. How I don’t know, but in my personal shame I’d the realities of the strictures that govern a woman’s lot had slipped by me.
“All the freedom in the world won’t help me,” Lind said, “but when I’m the greatest fletcher in the world, well, second greatest, I’ll have it all: respect and money.”
“I could give you money right now.” I was speaking at random.
“Yeah, and I could run off and get this collar off me, but it wouldn’t do me much good, would it?” Lind laughed. “I’d run out of silver sooner or later, sooner probably, and then I’d have nothing.”
“You could invest it. Buy a snug farm.”
“Where’s your brain, Ware? Only citizens can own land.”
“I do know. But you can become one. You were born free, so the law gives you a break.”
“If I work hard and keep my nose clean for seven years,” Lind giggled. “With my luck and temper, the steward or one of his pals would have me locked up within the month.”
If that long. I had a sudden vision of Lind running around Tanweld. She’d be arrested for drunkenness, profanity, and god knows what else within days. Thralls are invisible, or at least, punished for most offences by their owners, but a free woman would be dealt with by the justiciar.
She was swaying against me, wine swirling around her in a happy cloud. “Why are we talking about this, Ware?”
I looked into the soft eyes, somewhat bloodshot with wine. “I have no idea.” I needed to think. Clearly, just handing her money and her freedom wasn’t going to do anything except land her in trouble, and I couldn’t bear that idea.
Then a treacherous little voice spoke up, reminding me of why I’d bought her in the first place. Without Lind, there would be no revenge. The mere thought paralysed me.
“Let’s take advantage of the bed.” Lind was running her hands under my tunic. As before, the wine was fuelling her lust. But I wasn’t sure what was truly in her heart. Or mine, for that matter.
“You go to sleep. I’ll go for a walk.” And stand under the pump for an hour to get rid of my hard-on.
“Have I done something wrong? Don’t you like me anymore?” Lind was looking worried. “We haven’t had sex in days.”
“And I’m a complete bastard for having forced you!” The words spilled out. “I didn’t think, Lind! I’m as bad as that pig Jarvis or that fat-gut Duggard!”
Lind was staring at me, her mouth open with surprise. “Steady on,” she said weakly. “I thought I was asking you. Where’s that coming from?”
“You said so yourself: thralls don’t want to sleep with their owners. We force you.” The shame was throttling through me, running deep, but I felt better for finally owning up. “I ought to be whipped for what I did to you. I’m so sorry.”
“Bloody hell, is that was this is?” Lind tottered back and sat on the bed. “Is this because of what I said about Violet and Duggard?”
“Yes.”
“You’re feeling guilty? You want to set me free?” She’s razor-sharp, Lind. Even drunk, she knew exactly what had been going through my mind. “And give me money?
“Yes. No. I don’t know.” I’m a master craftsman, educated, at the top of my profession, and there I was, no better than the village idiot.
“I’d be free and I’d have money, but they wouldn’t let me work for you.”
“Yes.”
Lind sat on the bed. “Well,” she sighed, “I want to be free, but not if I can’t have some skills.”
“I’ll teach you everything I know. You can learn to read and write, too.”
“Right, but I’d still be a thrall.”
“Yes.”
“Except, I was thinking, that when I’m really good, people won’t care. They’d work with me because I was your student. They’d make new
rules.”
Told you Lind was clever. “Yes, that’s probably true. Some duke or lord would employ you, just to get his hands on your work.”
“Would you teach me, even if you knew I’d go off someday and use all your secrets for myself?”
“Yes.” At my words, the burden of guilt rose from my shoulders. I felt light again. I’d make up for my sin by giving her a gift. “If that’s what you want. Or I’ll give you money now.”
Looking at her eyes convinced me that my revenge would have to come later. Lind was filled with delight at the thought of freedom. It was as if a light was shining on her. She looked like an angel.
I couldn’t let her see that future and then take it away from her. If she wanted to walk away, I’d hire a tumbler in Tanweld or go looking for one elsewhere. Somehow I’d make my revenge work.
Lind was thinking it over. “I want to stay and learn from you,” she said eventually. “Pennies can be lost or stolen, but skills are forever.”
“Okay. But anytime you want to go, just tell me and it’s done.”
“You won’t change your mind?” Lind asked anxiously.
“Of course not.”
“Word of honour?”
“Yes. I promise, Lind.”
At that she sighed with relief. “Okay then.”
That really got to me. Lind had been treated brutally most of her life, yet she trusted me. “Promise, Lind, and when we reach Tanweld, we’ll go to a lawyer and make a contract.”
“Your word is enough.”
“It’s best to do it properly.”
“Because we must observe the law?” Lind was grinning. “I can’t believe this is happening! No more bossing me about? No more sir and curtsying?”
“Lind, you only call me sir when you’re being rude, and your curtsy is a slap.”
“And I thought you liked it.” She was on her feet and dancing into my arms, laughing and crying as she hugged me ruthlessly. “Ohmigod, thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m free!”
I’m a man so I don’t weep, but I did have to blink a bit. To cover it, I was practical. “The village smith passed away a few months ago.” I’d asked as soon as we’d arrived. “We’ll have to wait till Tanweld to take off the collar.”
“I can live with that,” Lind said. “After all, if we stash it in the wagon, someone would try and steal it. So it’s probably better off where it is.” She rubbed herself against me. “Let’s celebrate.”
Lind was tugging me towards the bed. Then she stopped and added wickedly, “You don’t have to do me if you don’t want to, Ware.”
For a moment I just stood there, totally flabbergasted, and then I collapsed in laughter.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” Lind peeled me out of my clothes, dropped hers on the floor, and wound herself around me.
Her hair swirled softly, silken feathers brushing my collarbone. The touch of her tongue, delicately tracing a line from my neck to my ear, sent a sharp shiver of pleasure straight to my balls. Her scent enveloped me, its sweet fruitiness setting my pulse hammering.
My breath was ragged, punching out of me in little gasps. I teetered on the edge of rapture, my body tightening with excitement then surging with lust. I closed my eyes, awash with delight, drowning in pleasure, resolved to linger in that heaven forever.
Then her nails ran lightly down my spine, and I was lost in sensation.
It was the best night of my life, the end of my old life, the start of the new, and yet all I remember is a series of snapshots.
Lind looking down at me, grey eyes hooded, her mouth half open as she moaned with pleasure.
The feel of her silky molten centre gripping my cock.
A giggle in the dark and a warm body wrapped around mine, soft as down, strong as steel.
Her breasts against my chest, her hands in my hair as our breaths gasped and our bodies surged together.
An explosion of delight with her cries ringing around the room.
A deep sense of comfort as our bodies sank into the feather mattress, entwined in blissful harmony.
The fading of my senses as we drifted in divine slumber, sweetly entwined.
If there is a heaven on earth, I was there that night. It was a dance of gentleness and passion, loving and giving that would stay with me forever.
I woke to find Lind standing over the luggage. She didn’t look pleased. “Shoddy,” she sighed. “Utter rubbish. Wolf could do better.”
I felt a burst of joy, just looking at her. “I hope you’re talking about your work and not mine.”
“You’re awake.” Lind came bouncing over, settling on the bed next to me. “My arrows,” she said mournfully. “They’re bent and the feathers are limp.”
“You didn’t have time to age the wood, and the heat of the room will affect the feathers.”
“I’m useless.”
“They’re good enough for on-the-road work. Fowler does fine with them.”
“But this one didn’t even start off straight!”
“You’ve been working a month. Give it time.”
“What happens when we reach Tanweld? Do we turn around and go to Llanfaes? You’ve got a workshop there, right? Can we go there? For proper lessons?”
She caught me completely off guard. I was back home, staring at the horror of the funeral pyre.
“Ware?” Her eyes were huge with concern. “What did I say?”
I don’t think I spoke. The rage and despair were back full throttle. It swallowed me up, eating my soul.
Then she was there, her arms around me. “Okay now. I’m here. Hold me, Ware. Come now.”
Like the time I’d lost it with the steward, I found myself being brought back.
“Take a breath. Hold onto me.” She was wrapping herself around me, gentling me. “No rush. Hold onto Lind.”
I clutched her, gasping for breath. Her scent wafted around me, sweet and warm. Her hands were rubbing my neck and shoulders, the rough skin comfortingly familiar. “I’m okay,” I told her, but I couldn’t let go.
“Lie down.” I lay down like a child being comforted. “Something went wrong back home.” She was cradling me. “You can tell me.” Her voice was gentle. “Trouble?”
“All gone,” I whispered. “Every one of them.”
Her arms held me tightly. “Oh fuck it. A raid? All of them?”
We sat there, Lind rocking me as I talked. I told her everything, every little detail, even why I’d bought her.
When I ran down, Lind just held me, stroking my hair. “Last night you said I could go any time. This Ranulf’s big trouble. Suppose I don’t want to get involved. You’d let me walk, knowing you’d not get him?”
“I gave my word.”
She lay next to me, gazing at me thoughtfully. “You’re something else, Ware Fletcher. I don’t think there’s anyone like you in all Prydain. You expect me to help you take revenge for your family? To risk my life when I could be free?”
She was going to walk away. I’d been a fool to tell her. I knew I should rouse myself, make my case, but I was exhausted. Lind would leave and I’d be alone. The knowledge left me desolate.
“Don’t let that poxy sergeant or his fat-gut cousin know,” Lind said thoughtfully. “They’re bound to fuck it up out of sheer spite.”
I couldn’t breathe, but this time it was hope crowding my chest.
“In fact, don’t tell them about anything,” Lind mused. “If we’re going to sneak up on this Ranulf, it’s best the world sees nothing out of the ordinary. We go on as master and thrall.”
“You’ll stay?” It seemed incredible. “You won’t leave me?”
Those grey eyes looked straight into my heart. “I’ll stay. You’re not alone.”
Tears are for women, but there was a lump in my throat. “Why?”
“Because you’re not a pig.”
I didn’t get it. “But Lind, I forced you.”
“Actually, you would’ve stopped if I’d said something, so that�
��s as much me as you.” I’d agonised over it, but Lind simply shrugged it off. “What really matters is that you never raised your hand to me.”
I was remembering all the times I had wanted to wallop her. Also, that dreadful scene in the inn came rushing back. “But that time in Caern when you called me a pig.”
“You were bloody furious,” Lind grinned. “The spanking was deserved, and you held back, you know you did. In fact, even when you were mad with me, you’ve always protected me. You got me out of trouble with the steward, and that cost you.”
“I’m responsible for you.”
“Nobody would have done what you did, Ware. Not a bloody soul.”
It didn’t seem enough, but there was more.
“You never starved me or hurt me,” Lind continued. “You made sure I was warm, fed and comfortable.”
“That’s just duty.”
“And one that I appreciate. Nobody else ever bothered.” The grey eyes were looking at me speculatively. “Did you offer to teach me because you need me to climb that tower?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm. Will you stop if I don’t climb it?”
“No.” That came from the heart, and it took me a minute to figure out why. “I offered because I needed you, but now that I know you... Lind, I thought about telling you just to go, because you want to be free, and to just give you some money, but then I realised that you’d be in jail within days.”
“What? I’m not a thief!”
Lind was furious and I hastened to reassure her.
“Of course you’re not a thief. But Lind, as a thrall you get away with murder. As a free woman you’d be whipped for blaspheming, for singing about pigs or for cursing some fat-gut Guild member.”
She cast her eyes down for a moment and thought. Then she looked up, brimful of mischief. “Fat-gut’s rude,” she said reprovingly. “Not all Guild are poxy whoresons, you know.” And then she fell over laughing. “Oh gods, Ware. You’re so right! I never thought. You’d better teach me how to get on.”
“I can teach you to fletch, but I’m not sure if I can teach you manners.”
I was joking because I was grateful and humbled by her forgiving spirit. It was sheer relief, but it wasn’t very long before I understood that offering Lind her freedom meant my life changed. The useful if difficult thrall vanished. Having thrown her lot in with mine, Lind became a partner.
