Shalador's Lady

by Bishop, Anne

  *Ranon!*

  The joyful shout was the only warning he had before he turned and ended up with his arms full of Sceltie. Coughing from the dust that rose up as Khollie smacked into his chest, he said, “What have you been doing?”

  *The females were cleaning Shira’s den. I helped.*

  The tail banging against him with enthusiasm raised more dust.

  “You used your tail as a dust rag, didn’t you?”

  *Yes! Shira says you need to wash my tail before I’m allowed in the house.* Khollie squirmed as he tried to lick Ranon’s ear.

  The tail wasn’t the only thing that needed to get washed.

  Ranon’s face heated as the other men watched with amused interest. He hated himself for feeling the tiniest bit of shame, but that didn’t change the truth. Khollie was different. There was a sweetness to him that wasn’t about his being younger than the other Scelties, or just a trait of personality. He’d seen children who had a similar kind of sweetness. They weren’t the same as other children. Weren’t quite right.

  Not that Khollie wasn’t a bright boy. He was. He needed things explained carefully, but only one time. And he did wear a Tiger Eye Jewel.

  But if Ranon had to be a Sceltie’s human, why couldn’t it have been someone like Keely or Darcy or, Hell’s fire, even Darkmist? Catching sight of the Opal-Jeweled Sceltie Warlord Prince had made Ferall stop and stare.

  Darkmist made hardened warriors sit up and take notice. Khollie, the homely little patchwork dog, just amused them.

  Elendill shifted to the left, giving Ranon a clear view of his brother Janos—who was bent over double with his arms wrapped around himself. Laughing.

  But the boy straightened up quickly enough and headed over to them.

  “Come on, Khollie,” Janos said. “Ranon has to stay with the other humans, so I’ll help you wash up.”

  *I owe you,* Ranon said as Khollie jumped out of his arms and whapped him in the face with a dusty tail.

  *You do,* Janos agreed.

  Not a youth anymore, despite being eighteen, Ranon thought as he watched Janos and Khollie walk to the house. And much changed even from last summer.

  One of the reasons for those changes walked out of the house. Reyhana wore a long, simple summer dress and sandals.

  Ranon heard Janos’s sharp command that stopped Khollie from a joyful leap. He watched the way his brother went down on one knee to be closer to the cowering dog’s height and pointed to Reyhana, who nodded as if agreeing with Janos’s words. He watched Khollie straighten up, no longer afraid once he understood that Janos’s sharpness had been intended to protect him from doing something wrong—like jumping into Reyhana’s freshly bathed arms.

  And he saw the way Janos looked at Reyhana, saw the brush of fingers against her hand when Janos rose to take Khollie to the laundry room for a bath.

  A hard choice for a young man who burned for more than a few kisses and petting. Reyhana was the Shalador Queen with the most potential in her generation, and it would be a couple of years or more before she would have her Virgin Night. It would cost Janos his life if an imprudent coupling damaged the girl in any way.

  But he knew what it was like to be young and have a woman hold your heart. After all, Shira had been sixteen when he’d fallen in love with her.

  Reyhana walked toward them, and Ranon watched for the moment when the other men picked up her psychic scent and realized she was a Queen. And he wondered why the men tensed, especially Hikaeda and Ferall.

  “Gentlemen,” Reyhana said, tipping her head in a small bow.

  Ranon made the introductions.

  “Lady Reyhana,” Ferall replied as the men gave her a matching vow.

  “We have about half an hour before the meal,” Reyhana said. “Would you like to sit out here and have a glass of ale while you wait? It’s a lovely spot when there’s a breeze like there is today.”

  “That would be welcome,” Ferall said.

  Reyhana turned her head, her eyes having the distant look the Blood sometimes had when they communicated on a psychic thread.

  “Are you staying here?” Rikoma asked her.

  “Yes. I have the privilege of working as part of Lady Cassidy’s court to learn Protocol and the Old Ways of the Blood, as well as the rights and duties of a Queen and court. It’s very exciting to be a part of this new beginning for all our people.”

  Elendill looked past her shoulder. “You have many servants here?”

  Reyhana laughed softly. “The Queen’s court acts as a training ground. We have a butler, a housekeeper and her assistant, and a cook. The footmen and maids are all young people from the village who want training in domestic service. They get training; we get extra help.”

  “There aren’t many aristo houses anymore that need servants,” Hikaeda said.

  “No, but there are boardinghouses and inns,” Reyhana said. “And there are people like Prince Spere and Prince Haele who share a cottage in the Queen’s square rather than having the whole court living here. Being members of the First Circle, their residence is cared for by the servants here, but there are others who would be willing to pay to have some cooking and cleaning done. Aristo houses are not the only places that need such skills.”

  Reyhana’s face, like her voice, shone with enthusiasm. Hearing a sound, she looked behind her, then looked at the men. Her green eyes twinkled with good humor. “Please step aside to leave a clear path to the table. The girls are still getting used to being around Warlord Princes, and they get nervous. But they’re getting better and drop fewer things. We’ve only had one broken glass this week.”

  Birdie, who was now assistant housekeeper and assistant trainer of maids, carried the pitcher of ale. Copper, a village girl in training, carried the tray of glasses.

  Watching Copper’s hands shake as she glanced at the men and crept after Birdie, Ranon held his breath. Then pitcher and tray were on the table and both girls were retreating back to the house.

  “You’ll notice there is a shield around the edge of the tray,” Reyhana said. “It won’t help anything if the tray is dropped, but it does prevent a wobble from tipping a glass off the tray.”

  “Did you think of that?” Rikoma asked.

  “No, Vae did.”

  The men laughed, and Ranon guessed that had been Reyhana’s intention. Warlord Princes were lethal predators, and they were used to being feared. Being given an opportunity to laugh with a woman was a moment both appreciated and prized.

  Reyhana went back into the house. Hikaeda poured the ale and passed the glasses. For a few minutes, the men looked at the gardens and spoke little.

  Then Cassidy walked out of the house. Like Reyhana, she wore a long, light summer dress, but her hair had been put up in a simple knot at the back of her head.

  She had just reached Ranon when . . .

  “Cassie!”

  *Cassie? Cassie!*

  Cassidy crossed her eyes and made a face as Gray and Vae caught up with her.

  *Hat, Cassie!*

  “No,” Cassidy said. “If I put a hat on now, the hair will fall down, and it’s too hot today to have it down.”

  *Gray, tell her!*

  Coming up on Cassidy’s left side, Gray nodded to the men. He wore a plain white shirt and black trousers—and his Purple Dusk pendant and ring.

  There was nothing challenging about a man wearing his Jewels, and there was nothing special about the clothes, but Ranon felt a curious tension in the other men.

  Gray gave the men a conspiratorial smile as he looked each of them in the eyes. That smile included a mischievous wink when his eyes moved to Hikaeda. Then he called in a parasol, opened it, and held it over Cassidy.

  When she did nothing but look up at it, Gray said politely, “Are you going to take the parasol, or should I hold it for you?”

  “You’re spending too much time with somebody,” Cassidy muttered as she took the parasol. “You’re getting too good at this.”

  “Do you want to hit
me?” Gray asked.

  “I’m thinking about it.”

  Cassidy and Gray smiled at each other—and those smiles had enough heat to take everyone by surprise. Including Ranon.

  “Gentlemen,” Gray said, “if you would join us, the meal is ready.”

  He raised his right hand, an escort’s gesture. Cassidy placed her left hand over his in automatic response—like a Queen would respond to her First Escort or Consort . . . or her husband.

  Cassidy and Gray walked back to the house. Ranon started to follow, then realized the others weren’t coming with him.

  Hikaeda stared at nothing. “We were friends,” he said softly. “Before he was taken and hurt so badly, we were friends. I never thought . . . It’s good to see him again. It’s good to see Jared Blaed.”

  Hikaeda headed for the house, followed by Rikoma and Elendill. But Ferall still lingered.

  “Something wrong?” Ranon asked.

  Ferall shook his head. “I want this for my own village, for my own Province.”

  “Then come inside,” Ranon said. “There are people around the table who can help.”

  “Yes,” Ferall said softly, “I think maybe there are.”

  CHAPTER 23

  TERREILLE

  Ranon gave his horse its head and caught up to Burle before the man reached the landen community.

  Something had surprised Lord Rogir when he stopped at the community to see how the cleanup and repairs were coming along, and anything that would surprise a senior guard was something Ranon wanted to check out for himself—especially when Cassidy’s father was about to ride into that community.

  Ranon rode through the arched gateway ahead of Burle, then reined in, understanding Rogir’s surprise.

  Lilly Weaver and JuliDee had been staying with Rogir’s family since the flight from Grayhaven. Lilly and Rogir’s wife had worked together to clean up the senior guard’s household. Other women in the village had also pitched in to give two other cottages a good scrubbing. One cottage went to Lord Brandon and his wife, and the other was to be a general residence for the unmarried guards. After that, the women had been driving out to the community to start cleaning up the attached row houses.

  Now there were several wagons parked close to the houses and many unfamiliar faces—and there was James Weaver, hugging his wife.

  Rogir stood off to one side with a couple of his men, watching the reunion. Deciding that was the best choice for an explanation, Ranon guided his horse over to the men and dismounted. James, spotting him, gave Lilly one more hug and joined them.

  “You made good time,” Ranon said. “I don’t think all the houses are ready to be occupied.”

  “Lilly says they have three that are clean and in good order,” James said. “Mostly good order. Lilly wanted to know about—”

  *Puppies!*

  Ranon stiffened. So did Rogir. Burle just climbed off the wagon and headed over to them as Wynne, a Sceltie with a pure white head, and black-f aced Duffy jumped out of the wagon.

  Burle looked at Ranon and shrugged. “They wanted to come.”

  *Puppies!* Wynne wagged her tail at the smaller landen children.

  Then Duffy froze for a moment before shooting straight up into the air to hover well above the buildings. His tail began wagging so hard the motion knocked him sideways as he shouted, *Sheep!*

  Oh, shit, Ranon thought.

  “You outrank the rest of us,” Rogir said.

  The man didn’t have to sound so damned cheerful—and relieved—about it. Of course, Keely had taken up residence with Rogir’s family. Having enough experience now trying to deal with just one, the man could be somewhat forgiven for not wanting to deal with a pair of Scelties.

  “Duffy, come down now,” Ranon said.

  *They have sheep!*

  And may the Darkness have mercy on them. “Duffy,” he said firmly.

  Duffy dropped out of the air so fast, Ranon was sure the dog would hit the ground. But he came to a stop an arm’s length from the ground and gently floated down the rest of the way.

  “What did your lady want to know?” Burle asked.

  Looking a little apprehensive, James pulled his attention away from the Scelties. “There isn’t an ice chest that she could find in the kitchen area.” He sounded apologetic. “It would help our food last longer if we could purchase some ice.”

  Burle frowned. “There are cold boxes, and each of them have a small freezer inside the main box. I checked them out, and they’re all in good working order. Need a good scrubbing, of course, but if that’s been done, they’re ready for a cold spell.”

  Seeing James’s discomfort, Ranon said, “I think that’s the problem, Burle. The cold boxes don’t work without Craft, and landens can’t do Craft.”

  “There aren’t any youths in your village who are interested in earning some pocket money?” Burle asked. Then he huffed. “Look. I know things have been hard here. You just need to look around to see it. And I know there have been bad troubles here between the Blood and landens. But the fighting is over, and from what I understand there wasn’t any of that kind of fighting in Eyota. These people are here because you all decided you were willing to work together to build a new life. Isn’t that so?”

  “Yes,” Ranon said.

  “So.” Burle looked at James. “Cold box is more dependable than ice. The spell needs to be renewed on a weekly basis.” Now he looked at Ranon and Rogir. “Around Weavers Field, where I come from, a couple of enterprising young Warlords go to the neighboring landen village where some of the people have bought cold boxes. They charge a fee for maintaining the spell on each cold box. Now I know things are tight here and no one has much coin to spare, but these houses also have a tank for hot water that needs Craft too. So it seems to me that charging three coppers a week for both spells would be fair. At least for this first little while.”

  “I can ask around the village and see if anyone is interested,” Ranon said.

  *We could do those spells,* Wynne said.

  *We know our Craft,* Duffy said.

  The men looked at one another. No one had noticed the Scelties joining them.

  “Well,” Burle finally said. “You come with me. I’ll show you the spells, and you can give them a try. Then we’ll see.”

  *What happens if they do it wrong?* Ranon asked Burle.

  *Then I guess I’ll be buying that landen family another cold box or ice chest,* Burle replied as he and the Scelties went into one of the houses.

  “We didn’t expect you for a few more days,” Rogir said.

  “That was my decision, sir,” Jaego said.

  “Mine too,” Ristoff said. “Moore is about a day behind us with the rest of the landen families and livestock.”

  “You must have driven the animals awfully hard,” Rogir said.

  “No, sir. We had help.” James shook his head and sounded like he still didn’t quite believe what had happened.

  Jaego nodded, then looked at the other guard. “Ristoff and I took the liberty to make some decisions on the Queen’s behalf.”

  Ranon stiffened, then forced himself to relax. Hadn’t he also taken the liberty to make some promises in Cassidy’s name? If these men were going to serve as guards in her court, he had to show some confidence in their decisions—at least until those decisions proved unworthy of that trust. “Explain.”

  “People are still feeling plenty uneasy, and we were concerned about the landen families traveling so far,” Jaego said. “Especially since some of the raiding parties had traveled the same way during the uprisings. Some animals, and a couple of women with a lot more men.”

  “Two days out, we stopped at a Coaching station on the outskirts of a village,” Ristoff said. “Showed the Coachmen the letters of passage from the Queen’s Steward, and told them that she wanted these craftsmen and the other families settled near her home village as part of her plans to restore Dena Nehele. They had heard of some of the things Lady Cassidy has done already to hel
p restore our land, so they offered their livestock Coach and a passenger Coach. Since it required several trips, and we had to load the wagons into the livestock Coach after the animals, we agreed on a spot south of the Heartsblood River as a place to disembark.”

  Jaego called in some papers and handed them to Ranon. “We didn’t have enough marks to cover the usual fares, but the Coachmen didn’t name a price. Those papers indicate the number of trips they made, the number of wagons and livestock taken. They said they’ll accept whatever fee the Queen deems fair.”

  “They did ask that we mention their names,” Ristoff said. “They wanted Lady Cassidy to know there are others beyond her court who are willing to serve in their own way.”

  The ripples from one heart can change so much, Ranon thought. Cassidy has changed so much.

  “Well done,” he said, his voice warm with approval. “Well done.”

  Then he noticed Burle coming out of the house. The man kept scratching the back of his neck, but Ranon didn’t think the itch was on Burle’s skin.

  “Problem?” he asked.

  “No,” Burle replied. “Not exactly. Those two youngsters are right. They do know their Craft. They learned both those spells after being shown once, and they can do them better than a good many young humans I’ve known.”

  “Then what’s the problem?” Why did he ask the question when he didn’t really want to be given the answer?

  Burle wasn’t looking any of them in the eye, and that made Ranon nervous.

  “It’s like this,” Burle finally said. “Wynne and Duffy want to try out this payment-for-work idea humans seem so fond of.”

  Ah, shit.

  “So they’ll maintain the spells on the cold boxes and water tanks for three coppers a week for each household.” Burle looked at James Weaver.

  “That sounds fair,” James said.

  “They also want three coppers a day to guard and herd livestock.”

  “I thought they liked herding sheep,” Rogir said.

  “A man who likes his work still wants to be paid for it,” Burle said.

  “Anything else?” Ranon asked.

  Burle nodded. “Since they’ll be helping guard the community, they’ll live in the guardhouse with whoever is stationed here. They want their own big chair so the humans can’t snarl about them being on the furniture.”