“Who are you?” the innkeeper gasped.
“I am Lord Mage Marlin Gerrin from Winterhaven. And Lady Robin is a peer of Hiddendell as well as being Princess Java’s closest friend. Watch your language and tone if you want to be able to speak when we leave.”
Robin saw the girl peeking out of the inn and waved her over. “You are safe, child. Come here. No one will hurt you.”
“Why do you stay when he treats you so badly?” Marlin asked in a soft tone.
Both the girl and the woman eased out of the inn. “Lord, we got nowhere else to go,” the woman said in a trembling voice. “Mattin says that he took us in, so we belong to him now.”
Robin looked at the innkeeper and he began to whimper when he saw her expression. “Duke Arten issued a decree concerning the refugees years ago. What you are doing is punishable by imprisonment.”
“Mayor Dar won’t do that!” the man gurgled.
Robin turned her attention to the mayor and asked, “And why wouldn’t you uphold the law?”
“Because they are brothers,” an onlooker said from the side. “These two been acting like they were lord and master here since Lord Darby appointed Dar as mayor. Wasn’t supposed to be permanent, just till a good mayor could be found. But Lord Darby died, and Princess Java didn’t send anybody else.”
Robin’s expression twisted, and she shook her head. “She probably doesn’t know about it. I doubt Kellem knew. Very well.” She brushed her hands together as if knocking away dust and said, “I guess it’s up to me then.”
Looking at the mayor, she simply said, “You are dismissed. I suggest you haul your carcass out of Princess Java’s town as fast as you can. She’s nowhere near as forgiving as I am.” She turned away to look at the man still kneeling at Marlin’s feet.
“You I sentence to five years in the duke’s prison.” The innkeeper groaned, but Marlin was holding him too tightly for him to say anything. “You referring to the woman and girl as ‘bed-warmers’ tells me you’ve raped one or both of them.” She looked around at the crowd and asked, “Who owns the inn?”
“Lord Darby did. I guess Princess Java does now,” the same man said as he shrugged.
Robin shook her head and sighed. “And I very much doubt the profits have been sent to Linkville as required. Not surprising.” Turning back to the refugees, she asked, “What is your name, good woman?”
The woman seemed to shrink in on herself even more, then she said, “Sinda Harvaldin, Lady Robin.”
Robin nodded. “Sinda, do you know enough to run this inn?” Sinda looked startled, then nodded. “Very well, Sinda. I appoint you to run Princess Java’s inn.” She looked at Mattin. “He will never be coming back.”
“What about mayor?” a woman’s voice shouted.
“What indeed?” Robin mused as she looked around. “Who here is educated beyond the basics we all learn?” Or we’re supposed to learn.
And older man stepped forward. “Lady Robin, I was a quartermaster with the Hiddendell Guard for twenty years before I was pensioned out here. I suppose I’m the best educated person in town.”
“Your name?”
“Andil Carver, Lady Robin,” he replied with a bow.
“Do you think you can take over as mayor?”
“I do, Lady Robin. And I welcome the opportunity.” He shook his head slowly. “Retirement isn’t as fun as it sounded when I was leaving the guard.”
“Very well, Mayor Andil. You heard everything I said here. Send this fool to the duke’s prison when the next regular magistrate passes through. I’ll write a letter to Princess Java and explain everything that has been going on and what I did.”
“Yes, Lady Robin, but what do I do with the rest of their family?”
Robin looked startled. “How many people?”
“Both men had a wife, and Mattin has one child while Dar has three.”
Robin closed her eyes, then opened them again when Marlin asked, “Does the family have a farm?”
Mayor Andil bowed and said, “They do, Lord Marlin. The boys inherited it from their parents.”
“Then let them go there,” Robin said in a tired tone. “Where did the mayor live, there or here in town?” Half the people watching pointed toward a well-kept two-story house.
“That is the city hall, Lady Robin,” the new mayor said. “There are apartments upstairs for the mayor and his family.”
Robin nodded. “Let him take his stuff, and make sure he only takes his stuff.” She glared at the former mayor and brought her hand up to flip her hair in a dismissive move that was commonly interpreted as being glad someone was out of her hair. Turning to Sinda she said, “We’d like to clean up before we eat.”
“At once, Lady Robin. I already sent Beryl to light the water heater. This way, please.” She led the way into the inn with Robin and Marlin following her, and the servants following them with their bags. Behind them, they could hear the new mayor seeing to his predecessor and the innkeeper.
* * *
Robin and Marlin left early the next day. “You know, Robin, that inn is going to be a lot of work for just the two of them.”
“I told her to hire the help she needs. That is in my letter to Java as well. I also renewed the protective spells on the building. I just wish I could have done more for them.”
Marlin hugged her to his side. “You are a remarkable woman, darling.”
They finally arrived in Winter Park, the city where Marlin’s family lived, and Robin was impressed. “How many people live here?” she asked in a stunned tone as they drove down into the valley.
“About a hundred thousand,” Marlin answered. “We’re really a suburb of the city of Winterhaven. It’s through the valley between those hills.” He pointed to the right. “There used to be a separation, but both cities have grown together in the last thirty years until the only way you can tell the difference is because of the signs.”
“And the city of Winterhaven?” she asked.
“About two hundred thousand more,” he answered. “They are right on the Green River, so they have a lot of shipping companies located there.”
Robin was looking around with an awed expression on her face as she whispered, “I always thought Whitehall was a huge city, but this is amazing.” Marlin smiled but kept quiet.
The coachman drove into a large estate on the north side the city. Servants hurried down to receive them, and that reception turned joyous when Marlin was recognized. Marlin led Robin up to the front of the house and was met by a robust man and a tiny woman. Robin hung back as Marlin’s parents greeted their son after more than a year away. Then Lord Jallav Gerrin froze.
“Son, who is this?” he asked.
“Father, Mother, allow me to present Lady Mage Robin Cartwright of Whitehall.”
Robin curtseyed very prettily as she said, “Lord and Lady Gerrin, Marlin has told me so much about you.”
Lady Patience said, “We welcome you to our home, Lady Robin. Come, let me get you settled. Toran, bring the lady’s bags.” She took Robin by the arm and led her away while Marlin stayed with his father.
“Well done, son,” Lord Jallav murmured. “Well done indeed. She’s beautiful.”
Marlin grinned. “She’s more than just beautiful, Dad. She is more powerful than I am as a Master Mage. And she is influential in Hiddendell.”
“How influential?”
Marlin smiled. Thought that’d get your attention. “She has been standing in as the House of Carrington’s House Mage. She is on a given-name basis with Duke Arten and Duchess Naria.”
“Very well done, my boy.”
* * *
Lady Patience led Robin to a well-appointed suite. The butler set her bags down by the bed and left while a trio of maids came to a stop behind their mistress. “Here, let the maids see to your bath while I have a word with the kitchen staff.” She bustled away and closed the door while Robin spoke to the maids.
“I have a nice dress in that bag,” she said as she po
inted to the larger on the two. “Someone lay it out, so the spell can take care of the wrinkles. And I would love a nice hot bath. The carriage is nice, but it got sweltering when we came down into the valley.”
All three maids said, “Yes, lady,” and started seeing to Robin’s needs.
In just two hours Robin was led down to the lord’s study to find Marlin with his family. Her entrance caused quite a stir. Marlin walked over with a huge grin on his face and took her by the hands. “You look fantastic.”
“Thank you. Now introduce me.”
Marlin led her through a receiving line and introduced his brothers and sisters with their spouses, aunts and uncles, and several cousins. And just about every one of them looked stunned at the introduction.
Robin called on the lessons Naria had demanded she learn and made a good impression. Especially on the men.
Lord Jallav said, “Lady Robin, Marlin seems quite taken with you.”
Robin curtseyed. “And I am quite taken with him. Being a match in power is a surprisingly attractive circumstance.”
“Indeed,” Marlin’s oldest brother, Fortal, said from the side of the room. “And you are very attractive as well, Lady Robin. Marlin tells us you are more powerful than he is, though.”
Robin shrugged. “A little. I spent a lot of time on the border when the war was just starting.”
“On the border?” Lord Jallav asked. “Why would a lady do that?”
Robin face her future father-in-law squarely and said, “I was being trained to be a Warrior Mage. My Master was friends with Captain Freeholm of the Firewalkers, and we went out to support them.”
“Then you know Princess Java.” The lord made a statement rather than asking a question.
“Who were you born as, and how did you come to be called a lady?” Fortal’s wife demanded in an aggressive tone.
Marlin was making cautioning gestures with both hands, but Robin ignored him. “I am the daughter of the miller in Linkville. As for becoming a lady, Duke Arten elevated me when I saved Java from a suicide spell.”
“You’re that Robin!” One of the sisters snarled. “You’re Princess Java’s—”
“That’s enough!” Marlin shouted. “You will not attack Robin in front of me.”
Lord Jallav gave his youngest son a blazing glare, then led his wife from the room. One-by-one, or in pairs, everyone except Marlin and Robin followed him.
“Robin, I don’t know what to say,” Marlin said in a tone that sounded like his heart was shattered.
Robin whispered, “It’s all right, Marlin. You warned me that they might not approve.” She looked into his eyes and said, “You need their approval. I don’t.” With that she turned and walked back to her suite. Her things were all there, but the maids weren’t. She struggled out of the dress and put it away, then found the one plain mage-robe she’d brought and put it on.
No one confronted her as she left the manor. No one even spoke to her. She walked away from Marlin’s home with a broken heart as tears ran down her cheeks. At a bakery, she received directions to a man who would sell her a horse. From the horse trader, she received a pair of saddlebags and travelling supplies.
She rode to the outskirts of the city and got a place at a common inn. She’d brought fifty silver royals to spend on gifts for her family, and now that silver would take her home.
Alone.
* * *
Marlin went to Robin’s suite and found the note she’d left him.
My dearest Marlin, there is no point in me staying. You know as well as I do that your parents will never accept me. I love you. Robin
He was still holding the note crumpled in his fist when he slammed through the doors to his parents’ suite. “I hope you’re happy, Dad. Mom. She’s gone!” He shook the note at them as tears streamed down his face. “I finally found a woman who loved me, really loved me, not your money and title. And you chased her away over some vicious rumors.” He took a long, shuddering breath. “I told you she was influential. She is like a second daughter to Duke Arten and Duchess Naria. I don’t know that she’ll oppose your expansion into Hiddendell, but I hope she does.”
Marlin threw the note on the floor and turned away. The doors to the suite exploded into a shower of splinters under the force of Marlin’s grief. The whole manor shook with the force of his sobs. Walls cracked, windows broke, and his mother’s vases fell and broke on the floor. No one was there to save them. All the servants had fled to escape what they were afraid was the end of the House of Gerrin.
Marlin went to his rooms to finish crying. No one dared disturb him. His display of power left even his parents afraid.
In the morning he was gone.
No note explained. His parents already knew what they had done.
* * *
Robin rode away from Winter Park with the sun rising over her right shoulder. She hadn’t slept much. I knew this was a mistake. They are old nobility. I’m not. A sob shook her whole body. I’m just a jumped-up servant. Robin’s grief didn’t lessen her caution. A woman alone on the road was a target few men would pass up. It was on her third day that three men blocked her passage.
“Well, well, what have we here?” the apparent leader said with a gap-toothed smile. “Looks to be rich pickings.”
Robin looked at him and sighed. “Walk away while you can.”
The leader laughed. “You think we’s afraid of a little slip like you? What ya gonna do? Cry at me?”
Robin shook her head slowly. “No, I think you’ll be doing the crying.” Her hand moved slightly, and all three men started howling in pain as they clutched their crotches. Smoke rose as Robin’s spell lit their pants. Soon flames licked upward from their belts. One-by-one they finally stripped off their clothes and stood naked to the world while Robin smiled evilly.
“Perhaps you would do better to find honest work rather than try to waylay travelers. Not everyone is easy prey.” Then she rode away while the men cursed her back.
It took Robin eleven days to cross back into Hiddendell. She again stopped in Bly, though it was early in the day, and went to the inn. Sinda recognized her after a moment and went to her knees.
“Lady Robin, welcome back. Lord Marlin?”
Robin shook her head. “His parents rejected me. I need a room for the night. Nothing fancy.”
“At once, Lady Robin, and, if you’ll pardon me speaking out of turn, it’s their loss. Come, sit down and let Jonna bring you something to drink. Wine?”
Robin smiled sadly and shook her head. “Beer. A lot of beer.”
A woman set a large wooden mug down in front of Robin as soon as she sat at a table. Robin said, “Thank you,” and tossed a silver royal on the table. Jonna cautiously picked it up and backed away. It was just moments later that Sinda returned and put the coin back on the table.
“You don’t pay under this roof, Lady Robin.”
Robin sighed and shook her head. I should have expected that. “Yes, Sinda, I do. Java expects her people to be honest, and I’ll pay an honest rate for what I receive. You are keeping the ledger?” At Sinda’s nod, she smiled again. “Keep the ledger balanced. I’ll be eating and drinking, as well as staying the night. And my—My horse.”
“Delban, Jonna’s husband, took her around to the stables. I took you at your word and hired them to help.”
Robin nodded. “Are they refugees like you and your daughter?”
Sinda bowed her head deeply. “They are, Lady Robin. Mayor Andil suggested them. They have been share-cropping on one of the farms, but they were just barely getting by.” She shrugged. “The Barlad family didn’t really need them, and I did.”
“Very good, Sinda. I’d like a bath, then I’ll retire for the night. I’m still—I just need to lay down.”
Sinda again bowed her head and stood. “I’ll see that the water is hot for you, Lady. You just finish your beer and relax.” Robin noticed that Sinda had taken the silver royal and nodded. Good. This place needs a bit more work.<
br />
Robin spent the night in the same suite she’d slept in with Marlin. She hadn’t noticed before, but it was the only private room. She found, much to her relief, that exhaustion and beer let her sleep the night through.
Delban brought her saddlebags to the table while she was eating in the morning. “Your pardon, Lady Robin, but Sinda said to replenish your supplies.”
Robin smiled as she nodded. “Thank you.”
“It is we who owe you thanks, Lady Robin. You’ve made our lot here so much better.”
Robin nodded and finished her meal. She found her horse saddled and ready out front with the mayor and a few others clustered about her. The mayor cautiously approached Robin as she tied the saddlebags behind her saddle.
“Lady Robin, we would all like to thank you. Life under those boys was miserable.”
“Mayor Andil, it was my pleasure. I hope you find the challenges of being mayor enough to keep you interested for years to come.”
The mayor laughed for a moment. “Interesting is a mild term for this post, Lady Robin, but I’m enjoying it for the most part.”
Robin rode away with a much lighter heart. Losing Marlin still hurt, but it wasn’t her first broken heart. Seven days later she rode into Linkville and went to her parent’s mill.
She let her grief spill out to her parents, and they convinced her to stay. And it was a good thing that Lord Jallav Gerrin wasn’t within reach. Barris Cartwright was massively muscled. He was a dangerous man when he was angry, and the treatment his daughter had received enraged him.
CHAPTER 9: OLD ENEMIES, NEW PROBLEMS
Never let down your guard unless you are at home.
Even when everything seems safe, you can be in danger.
Master Scholar Prince Stavin Zel’Andral, “The Short Warrior’s Guide”
“THE BITCH IS ALL BUT ALONE, Lord Broward,” the scout whispered.
Lord Persin Broward, eldest son of Denver Broward, simply nodded. He had caught wind of Java’s trip to Blackburn County from a servant who had been loyal to his father. Quickly laid plans had brought him to Blackburn slightly behind her, and he had waited patiently for her to leave. Now was the time to act.
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