by M. Gregg Roe
Saxloc knelt in front of her. “The mighty adventurer’s trusty companion is happy to be of service.” He tugged off her boots and then removed her cloak and hung it up. Audrey began to crawl toward the pillows, and the last thing she remembered was Saxloc placing a blanket over her.
29
‡ Temple ‡
Audrey felt much better when she woke up the next morning. It was bright in the room despite there being no windows, and she realized that the ceiling was made of a substance that was passing some of the sunlight. She was famished and could smell fresh bread. Saxloc was already up and wearing clean clothing—a plain dark green shirt and brown pants, instead of the expensive clothing he usually wore. She began to get out of bed and he walked over with a concerned look and asked how she was feeling.
“I feel a lot better,” she told him, “but I’m really hungry. And I desperately need to put on something clean.”
He smiled and pointed to a door opposite the one she remembered entering through. “You can wash up and change in there. There’s a toilet also. I already put your backpack inside. Just put your dirty clothing in the basket with mine. They have people here who will pick them up and wash them later. When you’re ready, we’ll go and have breakfast.”
“Good. I’ll make it quick then. I really am hungry. I just didn’t have much appetite when we arrived last night.”
Audrey was pleasantly surprised to find the temple had running hot and cold water. She quickly stripped off her now-disgusting clothing. After cleaning up, she put on all clean clothing, but the shirt and pants were somewhat wrinkled. Saxloc had unpacked and hung up his own clothing in the wardrobe, but it obviously hadn’t occurred to him to do the same for hers. She put all of her dirty clothes in the basket, and then went out and hung her new dress in the wardrobe.
Saxloc led her out of the bedroom and through two connecting hallways before arriving at a large room containing two rectangular dining tables, each with six chairs. Gabriel, Hankin, and Ariel were sitting at one table, while Alessandra, Julien, Aliva, and Isadora were seated at the other one. Everyone seemed to have already finished eating, but there was still a large amount of food sitting out on both tables.
As the two of them walked in, Audrey noticed many concerned looks. She smiled and held up her hands before saying, “Don’t worry. I feel much better now.”
They sat down with Gabriel and the others, and she immediately began to help herself to the food. Everything was delicious, and she ate far more than she usually did at breakfast. Only when she had finally finished did she note that all of the others were watching her with amused expressions.
Audrey felt embarrassed as she said, “I’m sorry to make such a pig of myself, but I was really hungry. And now I’m starting to feel sleepy, so if you don’t mind, I’m going to go back and lie down for a while.”
“That’s fine, Audrey,” said Saxloc. “I know our trip here wore you out. I’ll see you later.”
As she headed back to the room, Audrey passed a very disheveled and sleepy-looking Siljan just heading to breakfast. Once back in the room, she took off her shoes, laid down on the bed, and promptly fell asleep.
♦ ♦ ♦
It was late in the afternoon when Audrey next woke. She smiled when she saw that she had been covered with a blanket. She washed her face, brushed her hair, and then went out into the temple. She encountered Alessandra and was surprised when the woman said that she wanted to speak with her in private. They went to Alessandra’s bedroom, which was a mirror image of the one that she and Saxloc were staying in. Alessandra asked her some simple questions about her background, but before she knew it, Audrey was telling her everything that had happened to her since Saxloc first saved her life.
When she told her of her concerns about Violet’s pregnancy. Alessandra smiled gently and said, “Audrey, I do not think that you have quite thought this through. There is no way to know exactly when Violet is going to give birth. If I sent someone there, they would likely arrive either too early or too late. This temple is understaffed, and I cannot afford to have someone go and stay there for a long period of time.”
“Oh. I hadn’t thought of that,” she said, disappointed.
“I do sometimes send people to visit the three larger towns near here. I will look into sending someone to Farmerton, and perhaps Merryton as well. In addition, your suggestion that Violet travel to Rohoville is not that unreasonable. If she is young and healthy, then traveling there by caravan should not pose a significant risk.”
Audrey smiled in relief and said, “Thank you, Alessandra. That really helps.”
“You are welcome, Audrey. From what you have told me, you and Saxloc are not actually a couple as I had assumed. Would you like me to move him somewhere else?”
Audrey lowered her head and chewed her lower lip as she thought about it. Saxloc had been incredibly kind to her the last few days. He apologized for his behavior, and she had really enjoyed talking with him. But did that really make up for how he had treated her for so long?
She still missed Erwin, but his non-exclusivity bothered her. Starting an intimate relationship with Saxloc would demonstrate to Erwin that she wasn’t exclusive either, but she had to admit that really wasn’t a good reason to be considering such a thing. She really wasn’t certain what to do.
Finally, she shrugged and said, “I don’t know. I’m sorry.”
Alessandra looked sympathetic as she reached over and placed a hand on Audrey’s arm. “Then give it some thought. Perhaps the two of you should discuss the matter. Do you have AP powder with you?”
“Uh … yes,” she replied with her face turning red. That was something else to consider. She had actually planned for the possibility, despite thinking it unlikely.
“Very good, Audrey. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.”
“Okay. Thank you.”
Audrey found herself feeling calm and relaxed after her conversation with Alessandra. She went looking for Saxloc and found him and the others sitting in the front part of the temple on the pew. They were discussing some mission that Alessandra wanted them to go on in the Spring. Alessandra hadn’t mentioned anything about it to her, though.
Saxloc stood up and walked over to her. “I’m glad to see that you’re finally up. I looked in on you before lunch, but you were sound asleep and I decided not to wake you.”
“That’s fine,” she told him. “After that huge breakfast, I really didn’t need lunch. I just had a long talk with Alessandra. I really like her.”
“I’m glad to hear it, but I probably should have warned you about her. Alessandra is very skilled at using mind-affecting magic.”
“You think she used magic on me?” she asked, suddenly worried.
“Maybe. But she wouldn’t have harmed you.”
Audrey thought about it. “Okay. I think maybe she did because I pretty much told her everything. But that did make be feel better, so I guess it’s all right.”
But it was worrying how easily she had been manipulated. And that was the second time that she had spoken with someone and truthfully answered every question asked of her without hesitation. At least Alessandra hadn’t made her take her clothes off.
Audrey chatted with Saxloc and the others briefly, and they told her about a plan to go kill someone named Morton in the town of Glasston. She was soon confused, so she excused herself and went to explore the rest of the temple.
The design of the temple was quite odd in her opinion, with an incredible number of sharp right angles where a diagonal wall would have made more sense. The ceilings were all of the same translucent white material. The floors were of large squares of light gray stone, and they were pleasantly warm. Audrey suspected that hot water was being piped through them, much like at the mansion. The walls were made from a darker gray stone. The front and back doors were iron, but the interior doors were all made of oak and had brass handles.
Audrey found a room with several chairs, thick blue r
ugs, and a round stone tub filled with water at the far end. The tub measured nearly two yards high and five yards in diameter. Wood ladders on either side allowed easy access. There was a tall stack of white towels to the right, next to a large wicker basket. Audrey felt the water and it was very warm, almost hot. She could also feel a current, and she suspected that water was being continually fed in and out. The tub would be just perfect for taking a hot soak, and she was tempted to just strip and get in. But there was nothing to stop someone from just walking in and seeing her. The entrance had bright blue curtains, but no door.
The tub was easily large enough that many people could use it at the same time. She wondered if people there sometimes bathed together. It was a Temple of Kyran, which meant that they might do more than just bathe. She thought maybe she would ask Siljan about it if she could work up the nerve.
She continued her tour and found a bar next to the dining area. It had a large rack filled with clear glass bottles full of dark liquid. She looked at some of the labels and was surprised to see that they all contained grape wine that had been made there. A large storeroom nearby held crates full of wine bottles and numerous small casks that she assumed also contained wine. There was a large, well-stocked pantry that was separate from the kitchen, and which had a cellar below it. One long hallway had several doors that she assumed were living quarters. Behind one of them, she heard Siljan’s voice, as well as the voice of the woman named Isadora.
Audrey opened the temple’s back door and startled a guard. She recognized him as the one that had accompanied Alessandra when she first saw her in Farmerton. She introduced herself and he said that he remembered her. His name was Dayne, and he told her that he was originally from Fisherton. She asked him about the large tub, and he immediately began to blush. That was all the answer she really needed.
Behind the temple were one large building and several smaller ones. He told her that they were the winery, the staff housing, the guard quarters, and storage buildings. Beyond them, she could see beautiful snow-covered hills that he told her were the vineyards. She could even see the river in the distance, just past the vineyards.
Audrey was getting cold, so she thanked him and went back inside to her room and laid down. She got back up briefly and took a dose of AP powder because she still hadn’t made up her mind what to do. Like Almera, Audrey liked to plan ahead.
♦ ♦ ♦
During dinner, she chatted with Ariel about the training she had been receiving from Grasapa. Ariel was absolutely thrilled that Audrey had been training with her mother and was remarkably talkative. Audrey couldn’t help but notice that Ariel would sometimes become sad and then change the subject. She also seemed childlike part of the time, and yet she was clearly older than Audrey.
When dinner was over, Audrey excused herself and returned to the room, because she was still feeling tired. She took off her shoes and socks and then began to perform her Slow Form exercise. The familiar motions were comforting, and she could feel her sore muscles start to unkink.
Saxloc suddenly entered the room with a worried look on his face, but he relaxed when he saw what she was doing. She gave him a quick smile, and he sat down on the bed and watched her. When her exercise routine was complete, she stood silently for a while, feeling calm and centered.
“Audrey,” he said suddenly, and she looked over at him. “Alessandra probably put us in the same room because she thought we were still engaged, or maybe even married by now.”
“Yes, she told me that she assumed that we were a couple. After all, you were the one looking after me when I arrived here.”
“That’s true. There aren’t any other free bedrooms in the temple, but I checked with Julien and there are bunks available in the guard quarters. I’ll pack up my things and move out.”
“Why? We slept in the same bed last night, didn’t we?” she asked with a playful smile.
“That is not the same and you know it!” he retorted. “You were completely exhausted last night. You said yourself in Rohoville that we were not a couple.”
“Yes, I did. Do you want us to be a couple?” she asked seriously.
“I don’t understand how you can even still be interested in me after the way I treated you. Why didn’t you just find someone else?”
Audrey sighed and looked away. She was going to have to tell him about Erwin. She needed to be honest with Saxloc if they were going to have a relationship.
“I did,” she told him seriously. “His name is Erwin, and I met him in class. We’ve been on several dates.”
“Does his father have a carpet and rug business?” he asked.
“Yes.”
Saxloc nodded. “I’ve met him. My parents know his parents.”
That wasn’t all that surprising. “Saxloc, I want to be honest. Erwin and I have been intimate. More than once. I saw him not that long ago, but he spends most of his time in Rohoville now. He also doesn’t believe in exclusivity; he dates other women.”
“And you’re fine with that?” he asked in surprise.
Audrey looked down and chewed on her lip. “I don’t know. It does bother me. But it bothered him that I was living in your house and engaged to you.”
“This has been such a problem for both of us,” he sighed.
Audrey would have loved to tell him who was really responsible, but she didn’t dare. “Yes. It has. What about you, Saxloc? Weren’t there any girls that interested you?” She really had wondered about that.
“I can’t say I haven’t thought about it. I always thought I would wait on romance like Gabriel, but then you had to go and seduce me.” He was smiling now, and she matched his expression. “And besides, how would I explain having a beautiful young woman living in my house?”
Audrey pretended to be confused. “Who do you mean? Do you keep a woman in your room?”
“You know exactly what I mean, Audrey. This is serious”
“Fine,” she replied as she narrowed her eyes and put her hands on her hips. “Why are you even talking to me on this trip? You should have been overjoyed when I broke the engagement. You didn’t need to look after me; Gabriel or one of the others would have done it. You should be planning to tell your parents to toss me out as soon as we get back. You could probably have gotten away with just leaving me in Farmerton.”
He frowned as he thought about it. Finally, he said, “It’s because the person I thought you were would never have broken the engagement.”
She was taken aback. “I never thought of it that way. You’re absolutely right. Gods, I’m stupid.”
He shook his head. “You are not stupid, Audrey.”
“Yes I am!” she said as she waved her arms. “I should have thought of that. I should have listened to Grasapa. I should have listened to your parents. I should have listened to Violet. I never listen and I keep coming up with what I think are clever plans, and they always go wrong.”
“Not entirely. You did get yourself to the Witch’s City, and you have been getting an education and training with Grasapa. That’s quite impressive for a girl who grew up in a small village.”
“I suppose.” She really had accomplished a great deal.
“You aren’t the only one who wasn’t listening. My parents spoke to me repeatedly about how I was treating you. My grandfather too. Gabriel didn’t say anything, but I could tell that he didn’t approve either. I am never going to hear the end of it.”
He looked at her intently. “I keep thinking of other things that should have tipped me off. I noticed you speaking with Grasapa at my mother’s party, and wondered how you knew her because you two seemed so friendly.”
Audrey held up a finger. “Actually, I first met Grasapa at the market. She’s one of your mother’s regular customers. She invited me to take one of her free self-defense courses.”
“I see. I just thought of something. You know Nissa, don’t you?”
“Yes. That’s also where I met Cinda. We started out as mortal enemies—the rich gir
l and the peasant. We even got into a fight one time at the school. Grasapa was not happy.”
Saxloc smiled and shook his head. “And now you two are the best of friends. Amazing. How is Cinda doing now? It’s been over a month.”
Audrey was pleased by the question. “She’s doing well. She seems happy with her choice. She’s been visiting me some evenings.”
“That’s good to hear. So, how far ahead is Cinda now?” he asked with a sly grin.
Audrey sighed heavily. “Pretty far. And it’s not like I’m ever going to catch her.” The incredible thing was that Cinda was actually keeping track.
“That’s true. Not with her job.” He stood up, again looking serious. “I’ll pack up now and leave you alone.”
“Please don’t.” The words had just come out, and she was as startled as he now looked. “Stay here. With me.” Now she was pleading.
He gazed directly into her eyes. “Is that really what you want?” he asked softly.
She realized that she had made up her mind. “Yes,” she replied simply.
“Are you saying it’s all right for us to sleep in the same bed or—”
“Saxloc!” barked Audrey. “You can either leave or help me to catch Cinda. It’s your choice.”
He had a wolfish grin as he said, “I’m behind Cinda too. Let’s get started.”
30
‡ Together ‡
Audrey again woke to the aroma of bread baking. She smiled. Last night had been ever so much better than their first time. Saxloc actually woke her up in the middle of the night and she thought he wanted to do it again. Instead, he worriedly exclaimed, “Audrey! What if you get pregnant?” She started giggling and told him that she had taken AP powder earlier. He was very relieved, and then, since they were both awake, they did it again! It hadn’t been as good as with Erwin, but she really hadn’t expected it to be. After all, Erwin was much more experienced.
He was still sound asleep, so she quietly got out of bed and went to wash up and dress. When she came back out, she found him sitting on the bed in his underpants and rubbing his eyes.
