Audrey of Farmerton (Andoran's Realm Book 1)

by M. Gregg Roe

  Audrey stayed until nearly midnight, and they drank an entire bottle of wine that Dora had there—Alessandra’s wine to her great amusement. And later, Dora was finally granted her wish to go inside the castle because Audrey was far too drunk to return by herself.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  “Wake up, Audrey! Breakfast has already started.”

  It was Saxloc’s voice, and it hurt her ears. Audrey tried to lift her head and was struck by a bolt of intense pain. “Just let me die in peace,” she pleaded blearily. “And stop talking so loud.”

  Saxloc chuckled and she heard him walk toward her. She felt his hand on her forehead, and he said, “Recovery!” Warmth spread throughout her head and down into her shoulders, and the headache just faded away.

  Audrey sat up abruptly. “Recovery cures hangovers?” she asked.

  “Yes, but it won’t cure inebriation. I think you may have a problem, Audrey.”

  She gave him an embarrassed smile. “Yes, and now we are headed for a winery. I’m doomed. It was actually Alessandra’s wine that did me in last night—‘Kyran’s Choice’ or something like that.”

  “How appropriate. Now you have to come along on the mission. We can’t risk leaving you behind at the temple with all that wine.”

  Audrey sighed. “True, but I was going anyway. I’d hate to miss a chance to meet an untimely death. Thank you for healing me, Saxloc. I’ll be down as soon as I clean up and change.”

  She suddenly realized that she was bare to the waist and that Saxloc’s gaze wasn’t on her face. She rolled her eyes and said, “Stop staring at my breasts and get out. And close the door.” He gave her a toothy grin and then left.

  At breakfast, Audrey found that Grasapa and her husband had already been there for two days. Grasapa seemed almost frantic to see her daughter.

  After she ate, Audrey was introduced to a very tall man and his gentle-looking wife. The two were Birchbark and Fern, and she excitedly told them that she had recently heard the story of how they met and eventually married. They were pleased by that, and she really enjoyed speaking with them.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  It was cool and sunny as the caravan departed the north shore of the river. Before long, a party of well-armed goblins appeared to provide an escort. Audrey walked along with Grasapa just behind the wagon, noticing that she looked like her normal self again as she walked along steadily holding her metal-shod quarterstaff and occasionally twirling it. Audrey suspected that it was probably because they were finally on the way to the temple.

  “We missed you at dinner last night, Audrey,” she said in a calm voice.

  “I had dinner with a friend in town. She runs a dress shop.”

  Grasapa nodded slightly. “I understand that you and Saxloc stayed in separate rooms.”

  “Yes. We’re having some difficulties.”

  “All couples fight sometimes,” Grasapa told her. “It is part of the process.”

  “Okay. We’re still trying to work things out. I think that no matter what, Saxloc and I will still be friends.”

  “That is good to hear. Then you two can still go adventuring together.”

  “There is one thing, Grasapa.” Audrey felt she had to confess. “I’m still having trouble controlling my temper. I beat someone up recently.”

  “Who?” she asked, clearly concerned.

  Audrey looked down and began to fidget. “Uh … well, Saxloc and I decided to try dating other people. I dated this man named Viktor, and—”

  “I know all about him. Believe me, you are not the first young woman to rough him up.” She frowned and asked, “What exactly did you do to him?”

  Audrey thought about it before answering. “I broke his right forearm and wrist. I dislocated his left shoulder. I broke some of his ribs. Oh! And I broke his nose. Actually, I did that first. I couldn’t believe how much it bled.”

  Grasapa half-smiled. “You are right, Audrey. That was a bit excessive. You could simply have rendered him unconscious.”

  “No. I wanted to teach him a lesson. He needed to feel real pain. I did leave him able to walk so he could get to a temple.”

  “How considerate of you. It is a wise student that recognizes their own shortcomings. I will work with you this evening after we have stopped for the night and had dinner. It is only fair. You have already paid your tuition for the month.”

  “About that,” she said, feeling ashamed. “I paid for it myself. I didn’t dare ask Saxloc because we had just had a fight. Then I spent just about all of the money I had left getting ready for this trip.”

  “Well, perhaps you will earn some money on your adventure. I assume that you are reluctant to borrow any more from Draymund and Almera. Audrey, I am not going to have you drop out because of money. I do not casually teach my students the skills that I have been teaching you because they are too dangerous. Being able to easily kill without weapons is a serious responsibility.”

  Audrey was feeling overwhelmed. “Yes … I understand that. It does worry me.”

  “And that is precisely why I agreed to teach you those things. I trust you not to abuse them. They are vital skills if you are going to continue to adventure with Saxloc and the others. If someone or something is trying to kill you, then you must be willing to kill in return. It is not something to be taken lightly.”

  “I don’t. And thank you. Do you know anything about this Morton we are supposed to kill? I heard that he knows unarmed combat too.”

  “I have heard that as well. You should not try to face him. Limit yourself to a supporting role.”

  “I will,” Audrey promised. “I know that I can probably be raised from the dead if I die, but I would really prefer to just stay alive.”

  They caravan stopped a few miles south of Merryton, and she spent quite a bit of time working with Grasapa while her husband Dulls worked out with Gabriel and Saxloc. This trip was the first time she had seen Dulls outfitted as an adventurer, and he looked impressive in his armor, employing a shield and sword that were both larger than Gabriel’s. He was remarkably mild-mannered and friendly, but she could tell that he too was concerned about Ariel.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  It was warmer the next day, and partly cloudy. The caravan stopped briefly in Merryton, and there was some buying, selling, and trading conducted by the Novox guards accompanying the caravan. The goblins departed, and one of them walked over and said goodbye to her. Audrey was pleased and wished her well—at least she thought the goblin was female.

  As they headed toward Farmerton, she went to speak with Saxloc, but she made certain they were well away from the others before saying what was on her mind. He looked to be in a good mood; he really did like adventuring.

  “There’s something I need to get off my chest,” she said in a serious voice.

  “Yes. Go ahead.”

  She sighed and frowned because he was now smiling and staring at her chest. “Stop that! Haven’t you seen my breasts enough by now?”

  He smirked while still staring. “No. We males can never see too much of female breasts.”

  Audrey rolled her eyes. “Fine. Can we be serious now?”

  He raised his gaze to her face with a sheepish look. “Yes. Sorry.”

  She lowered her head in shame. “I lied to you before when I told you about copulating with Erwin.”

  “You didn’t copulate?” he asked. “You were drunk when you told me.”

  “No. That’s not it. I didn’t want to hurt your feelings. Erwin and I did copulate and it was more satisfying than when we do it.” She looked fearfully at him, but he looked more thoughtful than angry, which she thought was a positive sign.

  “Is Erwin more experienced?” he asked, and she looked at him in surprise.

  “Yes.” It was the truth.

  “Was anything different?”

  It was another surprising question. “Yes. We always start off slow, just kissing and caressing.”

  “Go on.”

  She could see that he
was serious, so she continued her description. “We slowly undress each other. Then there’s more kissing and caressing, and some fondling.” Telling him was embarrassing, and she hoped he didn’t ask for more detail.

  “And?” he prompted.

  “Then we copulate, and I think it’s better for me because of the anticipation and slow build-up.”

  “I see. So the difference might be due to Erwin’s greater experience, or it might be because I always rush things. Or both.”

  “Yes.” Audrey was impressed by how much effort he was putting into their discussion.

  Saxloc smiled and raised his eyebrows. “It sounds like we need to do an experiment so that you can compare.”

  She smiled saucily, saying, “Okay, but we need to do it on the wagon or we’ll get left behind. I’m sure the others won’t mind.”

  “I am not kidding, Audrey. I want to know.”

  She could hardly believe what she was hearing; he really was serious. “Okay. At the temple?”

  “I don’t think so. It’s going to be crowded there. We should also wait until after Morton is dead. Maybe afterward, or maybe not until we get back home.”

  Audrey stared at him. “Now you’re the one who’s full of surprises. You’re really willing to wait?”

  “Yes. I can take care of my urges myself if I have to. I do know how to—”

  “Self-copulate?” she suggested, smiling mischievously.

  He laughed. “I like that. Self-copulate. I’ve never heard it called that before.”

  “That’s because I just invented it,” she said proudly, trying to look haughty.

  He laughed again, and the two of them walked along in silence for a while. Something occurred to her and she asked, “What about with Tabitha? Did you two take it slowly, or were you impatient as usual?”

  He began to look embarrassed, and she narrowed her eyes and stared at him. “Impatient the first time,” he admitted. “Slower the second time.”

  “And which was better?” she asked, maintaining her intent stare.

  He sighed. “Slower. I think it’s pretty clear my impatience is the problem. If only you weren’t so sexy, Audrey.”

  Audrey smiled at his now silly expression. “So now you want to try copulating with someone ugly? Well, you’re out of the luck. The temple is full of good-looking women.”

  “That’s true. You know, it is a temple of Kyran. Why don’t we ask Alessandra or Isadora for advice?”

  “Okay. That’s a good idea. But that will probably also have to wait until Morton is dead.”

  “I agree.”

  They continued silently walking. It started to lightly rain, and Audrey pulled up the hood of her cloak. Saxloc pulled his hood up too.

  “That’s a new cloak, isn’t it?” he asked.

  She rolled her eyes. “Yes. That cloak I wore last time was completely ruined by bloodstains. Hopefully, this one will do better.”

  “I like that tan color, but maybe you should have gotten one the same color as blood,” he suggested with a grin.

  “But then I wouldn’t be able to watch myself bleed to death,” she pouted.

  Saxloc burst out laughing. “I’ve really missed these silly talks with you, Audrey.”

  She took his arm and smiled. “Me too.”

  38

  ‡ Concerns ‡

  It was a brief stop in Farmerton, so Audrey had to rush. She paid a brief visit to her parents and found them much the same. They weren’t getting along well at all, and she wondered if it ran in the family. Maybe her relationship with Saxloc really was doomed.

  She visited her Aunt Berna and told her about the dress she had designed and made for herself. Berna was happy to see her, and she showed her some of the clothing she was working on. Ilona and Iris came running up as she was leaving and started peppering her with questions about the Witch’s City, alternating speaking as always. She only answered a few of their questions, because she wanted more time to visit Violet.

  Audrey was surprised to find Violet’s mother Nadine at her house. Nadine told her that Violet was now confined to her bed due to issues with her pregnancy, but that she didn’t anticipate any problems. That was a concern because it was now impossible for Violet to travel somewhere before the baby was born. On the other hand, Nadine was Farmerton’s most experienced midwife, so her opinion was reassuring.

  “It’s about time you came back to see me,” were Violet’s first words to her when she walked into the bedroom.

  “You were supposed to come and see me,” countered Audrey as she walked up smiling. “After moving, that is.”

  “I’m sorry, Audrey. We really did want to travel to Rohoville to have the baby, but that’s not going to happen. My mother told me that I need to stay in bed until the baby is born. Alessandra was here recently, and she told me the same thing. So here I am,” she concluded, waving both arms.

  Audrey smiled and took her friend’s hand. “I just want what’s best for you, Violet. And the baby.”

  “I’m sure it’ll be fine. We’re still thinking about moving after the baby is born.”

  Hearing that made Audrey happy. “Good. Just let me know if there’s anything I can do.”

  She gave Violet a quick update on her life, but she didn’t mention her troubles with Saxloc. Or Almera’s breakdown. Or her money issues. Or that her friend Cinda worked as a prostitute. She wasn’t going to say anything that might upset her.

  ♦ ♦ ♦

  After leaving Farmerton, Audrey and Saxloc walked together again some distance behind the wagon. “I’m sorry you had such a bad visit with your parents,” he said.

  “So am I,” she replied, sighing. “My father was actually angry that I hadn’t brought them any money. The two of them just aren’t getting along. My aunt says they fight all of the time.”

  “Do you think they will divorce?” he asked.

  “People don’t really divorce in Farmerton,” she explained. “Though sometimes a spouse will run off with someone to another village. I can’t really picture my mother doing that. And my father’s not going to leave his pigs.

  “My aunt also says that my father is now bemoaning not having accepted Draymund’s bribe to forget the engagement. It’s all he talks about. Is there a god of greed? Maybe he’s an avatar.”

  “Are you sure that they’re actually your parents?” he asked.

  “Yes, but at this point, it feels more like Draymund and Almera are my parents.”

  “How was your friend Violet?”

  “Larger. She’s due in another two months or so. She’s confined to her bed, but she seemed happy. Alessandra was there recently and checked her over.”

  “That was good of her,” he commented.

  “Yes, but I’m still worried.”

  They continue walking on in silence for several minutes as it became steadily more cloudy. She suspected that it would be raining before long.

  “Audrey,” he said, and she gave him a sidelong glance. “It’s occurred to me that there’s something that I should tell you now that you have met Fern and Birchbark. You remember me telling you about our adventure in that other world, right?”

  “Yes. The one that was ruled by the Dark Lord Birchbark. That still sounds like a silly name, and it’s hard to imagine after meeting him.”

  Saxloc looked very serious as he said, “You’re right, Audrey. Birchbark wasn’t the problem there—it was his wife. She somehow corrupted him and turned him evil.”

  She had to think a moment. “Liandra. Wasn’t that her name?”

  “Yes, but what I didn’t tell you, or my parents, was that Liandra looked exactly like Fern. She was physically identical, but with a completely different personality.”

  “You’re kidding!” But she could tell that he was serious.

  “No. Fern was originally someone else back in the old days on Kaldir. She probably served Vismo Than. Fern ended up being transformed into what she called a plant woman, losing all of her memories in the proc
ess. When my parents encountered her, she was kind and innocent, and it wasn’t an act.

  “In the other world, Fern regained her original memories and became Liandra. She coerced Birchbark somehow, and the two of them slaughtered all of the old adventurers and their families, including me and my parents. Then they conquered Andoran’s Realm and enslaved everyone.”

  Audrey was aghast. “That’s absolutely horrible. Are they really that powerful?”

  “Birchbark possesses a powerful artifact called the EarthStaff. It was created at the same time as the LifeStaff, and the two are related. With that, he could easily level an entire city.”

  “What about our Fern? Is that going to happen to her too?”

  “That’s what we were worried about. When we returned, we discussed what to do. We didn’t want to start a panic so we just informed a few people: Sabrina, Adrian, Asria, Medea, and Mardan.”

  “I noticed that you didn’t tell Danj,” she commented with a slight smile.

  “That’s right. Danj would have just gone charging off to confront Fern. We let Sabrina handle it; she’s the real ruler of Rohoville after all. Danj did end up going, along with Asria, Medea, and some others. Gabriel went as well because they wanted someone with first-hand knowledge.

  “They traveled to Tritown where Fern and Birchbark live. Asria questioned Fern thoroughly. As a Priestess of Dukane, she can tell when someone is lying. She was satisfied that Fern remembers nothing of her past life. Fern and Birchbark were very upset, and many people are still worried.”

  Now she was worried too. “I can understand why after hearing the things that Liandra did. I’m glad I didn’t know this before I met them. Fern seemed so incredibly nice that I still find it hard to believe.”

  Saxloc smiled at her. “Fern and Birchbark live where there are a large number of ogres. Gabriel says that they absolutely adore Fern. They act like little children around her.”

  Audrey smiled as she tried to imagine it. “I’d really like to see that. Maybe we can go there some time.”

  The caravan stopped again about six miles north of Farmerton. She again spent time working with Grasapa, but they were forced to stop when it began to rain. Everyone ended up sleeping inside or under the wagon, with the exception of the guards on watch.