I’ll grit my teeth and do it. And in return, he’ll give me my freedom (within the restrictions of the culture, of course).
It was a dreadful choice, but Lily’s life depended on it.
If making nice doesn’t work, I’ll try to catch him with his mistress. And if that doesn’t work…
She stared at the wall, deep in thought.
Do I have it in me to order a man’s murder?
She hadn’t killed Etor with her own hands, but she had sent him to his death. She had ordered Shirvey’s torture. After a short reflection, Lily decided that she would sleep fine at night. But it wasn’t enough to have her husband killed. She had to get away with it. If she hired someone else do it, she would be exposed to the threat of blackmail later. Tomas, sitting in her dungeon, was a perfect example of that. No, the local ninjas were of no use against an earl who had been practicing swordplay since he could walk.
Can I poison him on my own? I’ll have to think about it.
She would have to do it right if she didn’t want to hang. Lily didn’t know what poisons were available to her, but she already knew quite a bit about interrogation techniques, and that knowledge gave her goosebumps. She was truthful with herself. She knew that after they drove the first needle under a fingernail she’d tell them everything she knew, all the way back to Adam and Eve and the apple they were supposed to let be. No, she wasn’t cut out for martyrdom.
I have to stay positive. At least no one is trying to torture me right now. Well, until the Earl of Earton gets back and wants me to perform my matrimonial duties, that is… I have to stop this negativity and find something happy to think about!
There was a knock at the door. “My lady, Baron Donter is here to see you.”
Sigh.
Ali soon arrived in Altver. His first order of business was to visit the Eveer jeweler, who would be certain to know how to find the Countess of Earton. He found Helke “sitting on his packed bags” and inquired as to the reasons for his hasty move from town. When he learned the story, he offered his condolences and made a suggestion.
“I am headed to Earton, myself. Why don’t you come with me on my ship?”
“I would be very grateful, as long as Baron Avermal is satisfied with the plan,” Helke hinted.
Ali immediately understood his concern. “She saved my leg and my life. You may be assured that I would never undertake anything that would harm her. And Baron Avermal is welcome to send her gifts on my ship.”
Helke didn’t think Ali was up to anything, but he wasn’t sure.
Ali was impatient. “I cannot wait long for your decision. I have an Avarian stallion on board that I am taking as a gift to the countess.”
Helke whistled. “An Avarian. That will make a princely gift.” He knew that Avarian stallions were the most expensive animals in the world, and that Avarian mares were never sold by their Khangan masters. “Will the countess have the proper feed for such an animal?”
“I have feed for several months. I’m sure she has a stable with grooms.”
“She does. But will that be sufficient for the beast you are carrying?”
Ali raised an eyebrow.
“If I were you, I would find an excellent groom and take him, too. Just in case.”
“You are right. I will leave Lisam with her. He is one of my sailors, and he cares for the stallion as if it were his own child. I must go see Baron Avermal. Make up your mind while I am gone. There is room for you on the ship.”
Torius Avermal had no objection to Helke joining Ali on the trip to Earton. He had traded with the Khangan merchant for many a year and knew the man to be honest. However, he asked him to wait another day until his men could finish loading the mayor’s Earton-bound ship.
Ali easily agreed.
Torius said he would have his men load the ship as quickly as possible. He had been looking to hire guards, but two ships would be better and safer than one ship on its own.
When Ali inquired about the necessity of guards, Torius explained that the King’s envoy was on his way to Earton to see the countess. He had arrived in Altver on a military ship, but its draft was too deep to navigate the treacherous Earta, so Torius had offered the man a spot on the schooner that would soon be departing.
The envoy was a landless noble, a chevalier by the name of Tremain who was unfamiliar with the area and more than happy to take the mayor’s advice.
Ali was happy to wait a day, as was Helke. Now that the mayor’s son was temporarily neutralized, he could take more time to ensure that his goods were well packed.
From Taris Brok’s three-pigeon letter to August Broklend:
“My lord, I make haste to inform you that your daughter is alive and out of danger. However, I am sad to report that she lost her baby and lives in the most awful conditions. Her husband has abandoned her, and an attempt was recently made on her life. Praise to Aldonai, she was only slightly wounded. She has written two letters to you that I will deliver in a few days’ time.”
Lily nodded to Emma. “Did the baron come alone?”
“No. He has five other men with him.”
Lily had no idea what that meant. Was five men a lot or a little? Leif by himself was a lot to reckon with, but he was an outlier.
“I will be down shortly.”
Dear Maria! Wonderful Maria! The first lace shawl I make will go to you. If it weren’t for your classes, I would have told Emma to show them in to the hall. Now I know that they should wait outside. I won’t keep them waiting long, but I’m the powerful person here!
Emma hesitated. “My lady, perhaps you will make haste.”
Lily pricked up her ears. “Why is that?”
Her housekeeper’s answer worried her. It seemed that young Baron Donter was known for being a petty tyrant with a terrible temper. He was the kind of minor noble who raped village girls, set his dogs on the peasants, let his cattle trample their crops, whipped people for minor infractions and hunted on his neighbors’ property. In short, he was one of those angry young men who walks around completely unaware that everything doesn’t revolve around him. His uncle, the old Baron Donter, had been more respectable, but the new baron took after his dear mother.
Lily wasn’t sure what to do with this information. Should she invite him in, or should she call for her Virmans? Anything could happen…
Leis appeared as soon as she called for him. He had been busy.
“My lady, I put archers on the wall. If anything goes wrong, they will take his group down.”
“Won’t that create a lot of trouble with other neighbors and the king?”
“My lady…” Leis hadn’t thought that far.
“Exactly. No archers.”
“But…”
“Call my Virmans. I believe just the sight of them will work wonders.”
“Yes, my lady. I already sent a boy to run get Erik. They will be back soon.”
Soon? It’s at least a mile to where the Virmans are fixing boats by the river.
“How long do we need to hold out?”
Without offending the baron or making myself look ridiculous!
“About half an hour.”
Can I distract the baron for half an hour? You bet I can!
“Send me a maid with my best clothes!”
Lons was in his room when Mary went running by, followed by Ilona. He reached out and caught her apron. “What’s going on?”
Her explanation took exactly two minutes. The neighboring baron had come calling, and the countess needed to hold him off until her Virmans could get back from the river. Ilona and Mary were going to dress her in her best clothes so she could go downstairs and engage him in pleasant conversation.
Lons let the girls go and raced back to his room to change clothes. He was a chevalier. He would help the countess. At the very least, he could stand behind her and look respectable. Which he had every intention of doing, since he knew he would probably need her help in the near future. Lilian Earton looked like the kind
of woman he would mind being grateful to.
He quickly changed into one of the suits of clothing the countess had issued him. Now he looked the part.
It took Lily all of five minutes to change because she simply pulled her best dress on over what she was already wearing. The results pleased her: the dress laced up the back, but the girls had made it to sit comfortably on her new shape. Then she waited while Mary rebraided her long hair with several strands of pearls and hung a few more strands around her neck. Clothes and hair complete, Lily made her way downstairs with a stately air.
On the stairs, she was accosted by Lons Avels. The chevalier was clean, dressed neatly, and even handsome.
“My lady, will you allow me to assist you?”
“How?”
“If we work together, it will be easier to hold him off.”
Lily nodded. “That is so. Shall we go?”
“Allow me to offer you my arm.” Lons draped his cape over his arm and bowed. Lily nodded and placed her fingers on the cape. They were icy cold.
“My lady, I do not believe he is looking for a fight.”
Lily was not reassured. It was always easier to make an enemy than a friend, and in this particular case she would have to make nice with a very unpleasant person.
The young baron was standing in the courtyard. Leis went out first and bowed.
“The countess will see you soon.” He continued to talk, assuring the baron that the whole castle was pleased to see him.
From the window, Lily looked out at the five men who were with him. In her own world, she would have categorized them as a pack of mangy dogs and done her best to avoid them. Unfortunately, she wasn’t in her own world. She sailed out the door and gave the entire group a winning smile. Lons bowed. He had obviously had practice.
“Baron Donter, allow me to introduce myself. Chevalier Lons Avels.”
The baron’s eyebrows went up.
Lons coolly explained, “Fate brought me here to Earton, where I am tutor to the earl’s daughter and guest of the countess.”
The baron gave a brief bow and turned to Lily. “Clive Donter, my lady. I heard that you had trouble and stopped to express my condolences.”
It was Lily’s turn to be surprised. “Your condolences? What for, Honorable Clive?”
“I heard that you were ill, and that you suffered the loss of your child.”
Lily sighed and wished she could tell him to go to hell. “Honorable Clive, that is all in the past. But still, I am glad that you have come to see me.”
He smiled broadly. “We are neighbors, my lady, and it’s important to have a friendly relationship, isn’t it?”
Lons jumped in. “Very important, Honorable Clive. Guests are rare in our part of the kingdom, so we are always grateful for a chance to hear the latest news.” He cut his eyes at Lily.
One-one-thousand, two-one-thousand, three-one-thousand…
In her mind, Lily was running down to the river. She figured it would take the messenger twenty or thirty minutes to get there and another thirty minutes for the Virmans to get back. Then she saw the look Lons shot at her. She smiled sincerely, “Perhaps you will stay for a bit, Honorable Clive? We were about to sit down to our noonday meal.”
The baron bowed. “My lady, your invitation is a great honor. I will gladly stay.”
“Then please, come in. Your men can eat in the kitchen.”
Baron Donter’s eyes glinted, but he did not look offended. After all, the countess had invited him to eat with her. And if his men had to eat in the kitchen, at least it wasn’t the stable.
As they walked through the great hall, Lily decided to have a quiet word with Jaimie. If the meal did not go well, she might offer the men some compote of aconitine or mezereum jelly.
Jokes aside, if you try to mess with me, I’ll make sure you come down with a bad case of diarrhea. You won’t have time to even think about taking up arms against me.
Lons bowed as they reached the dining hall. The baron did the same, tossing his cape over his arm and offering it to Lily. She now knew that this was proper etiquette. She smiled sweetly and put the tips of her fingers on his arm. They were already warm.
The meal was preceded by large quantities of syrupy local wine. Lily smiled and was charmingly polite. The baron grinned at her like he was selling something. Lily had ordered Martha to keep Mirrie locked in her room until after their guest departed. Martha readily agreed. She had heard rumors about the baron.
The servants came and went like mice. Emma was as regal as the king’s own flagship.
As they waited for the food to arrive, Lons conversed politely with the baron. They discussed the weather, horses and hunting dogs. Lily smiled and looked interested. Soon the food was served. Baron Donter seemed pleased with what was offered. Spices were highly valued, and the new cook Emma had hired knew how to use them to good effect. Lily tried small portions of each dish and was impressed with the honey-glazed smoked ham, the goose poached in wine, the chicken broth with cream and, of course, the steamed vegetables.
I wonder how she put this together so quickly? Did she just heat up some leftovers? If so, good for her!
Lily held up her end of the conversation, but she could see that Lons was doing most of the work, and doing it so well that the baron never even noticed.
I need to learn how to have a decent conversation as a countess. And I’ll teach Mirrie, too.
Pleased by the attention, Baron Donter let Lons steer the conversation in any direction he wanted. Soon, Lily learned that the Earta was a decent river near its mouth, but that not far past her castle it became impossible, with sharp rocks rapids around every corner. She also learned that, unlike her husband, the baron had his own harbor on the coast. However, he did not use it for trade, since the coastline in those parts was dotted with reefs, shallows and difficult currents. Sailors, said the baron, were of the opinion that anyone sailing to Earton or Donter had better be prepared to swim to shore.
Lily smiled at the baron to acknowledge the humor. Then she looked up as the door opened softly. It was Erik. The modest Virman – all of six-and-a-half feet tall and at least three feet wide at the chest – looked impressive. His chain mail glinted, his axe reflected the light from the window, and his helmet shone like a mirror.
He reminded her of the Terminator in the third movie.
“My lady, may I give you my report?” His voice rumbled so deeply that Lily saw a cobweb come loose in the far corner of the room.
“The boats are repaired. All that is left to do is apply pitch. If you wish, I can…”
“I do wish,” Lily nodded. “I will have pitch delivered tomorrow. Thank you.” She paused. “Are you here with your men?”
Erik nodded. “Yes, my lady.”
“Good. You can take your meal in the kitchen.”
“I thank you, my lady!”
“I am the one who should thank you,” said Lily with a smile. Erik turned and left. He hadn’t expected to be invited to share her table, but he understood that the baron needed to see him. Now he was free to head to the kitchen for his food. In his brief time at the castle, he had found that excellent food was prepared for everyone, not just for the countess.
Baron Donter watched Erik leave with round eyes. “Who was that, my lady?”
Lons jumped in to answer. “I’m sure you understand that the countess needs guards, living out here as she does.”
“But Virmans?” He sounded like a pious Christian speaking of devils with horns.
Lons shrugged. “The countess is a woman. If her husband desires something, she would never cross him.”
It was all Lily could do to keep from laughing. Lons, of course, knew the truth, but there was no way for outsiders to see through her. For all they knew, the earl issued commands and his wife followed them.
The baron nodded politely. He heartily agreed that husbands should be obeyed. Lons turned the conversation back to the weather.
The baron’s five men in t
he kitchen were having a lovely time pinching the servant girls, eating all they wanted and cracking bawdy jokes. Their bacchanal continued until the Virmans appeared. Erik and ten of his strongest warriors in chain mail made such an impression that a chicken leg fell out of one man’s open mouth. Erik grinned. He had noticed that people were afraid of his smile, but he wasn’t sure why. Sure, he was missing a few teeth and some of the others had been filed into points, but he was a seafarer, not a lady’s man.
“Good health to you!”
“And to you!” one of Donter’s men managed to cough.
“Yes, and to us.”
Suddenly no one was in the mood to tell jokes or pinch behinds. Erik might have considered it, but he restrained himself. Instead, he politely asked for food for himself and his men. Their plates soon appeared.
Three hours later, the baron was three sheets to the wind, so Lily had him sent home in her carriage. She would have gone to even greater lengths to get rid of him; however, she suspected that she was much more likely to see the baron again than her carriage.
He’ll be back. Asshole.
After waving her handkerchief at the disappearing carriage, Lily blew her nose on it and turned to Lons. “You have my gratitude, Chevalier Avels. You certainly helped me today.”
“My lady, it was nothing. Any nobleman would do the same.”
Lily bowed, and he returned the bow. They understood each other
“I owe you.”
“I know.”
The words were not spoken, but Lily knew how to show gratitude, and Lons knew how to be useful. Two intelligent people can always reach an agreement.
The Clearing Page 21
