by Mary Corran
The group moved on, subdued and eager to get out of range of the smell. Mallory found himself watching Asher with increasing concern as she rode between himself and Mylura, for the track was wide enough for three abreast. He was struck by an alteration in her, not simply a change in character which could have happened during her years in Venture, but a new element that puzzled him, as if she were trying to prove to him — or to herself? — that she was equal to anything, no task beyond her ability. He had noticed it that morning, watching her try to lift a pack as heavy as herself, refusing to ask for help, even from one of the other women. That she was reckless he had always known but now he could almost believe she was fighting an internal battle with herself. He wished, for the thousandth time, that he had not agreed to her coming.
Although how he could have stopped her was a moot point.
*
They left the forest as dusk was fading into night, the landscape ahead changing from a seemingly endless vista of trees to one of flat, arable lands stretching away as far as the eye could see, broken only by low walls and hedgerows. The Assart Plains were good farming country, irrigated by two major rivers and a great many tributaries which led west-east towards the coast, and to Mallory it was a relief to return to open ground; a life spent at sea inclined him to prefer wide skies to the darkness of the forest.
‘There should be a smallholding not far off,’ Kerrick observed importantly. ‘My uncle sent word ahead we should want accommodation, the place belongs to him.’
‘I know the one.’ Tarm, still leading, did not look back, obviously finding the reminder unnecessary. ‘It’s only a short ride from here.’ He pointed to a light not far distant. ‘That’s it.’
‘Asher, you’ll keep with the other women tonight?’ Mallory asked warily. ‘Don’t let Kerrick get you alone.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t.’ Her expression satisfied him and he said no more. The rain had ceased, and both moons lit up the sky, Aspire dominant, though waxing; Mallory hoped it was a good omen for the remainder of the journey.
As they rode along a narrow track he began to be able to make out a cluster of buildings grouped together, obviously the promised smallholding. The farmhouse was larger than he expected, a square, cheerful building with lights showing downstairs; the front door swung open as they approached and a woman came out to meet him, obviously alerted to their arrival by the sounds of the horses.
‘Is that Master Kerrick?’ she asked, rather anxiously, at the sight of the long tail of horses and people.
‘You’ve rooms ready for us? And a meal,’ he demanded, nodding curtly.
The woman screwed up her eyes and counted, using the fingers of both hands. She was very thin, with mousy hair thickly speckled with grey; her back was bowed, by weakness or disease, but Mallory, when he saw her face, realized with a shock she was little older than himself.
‘If the ladies would be willing to share, there’s my son’s room, and my daughter’s as well as two more. The rest could sleep in the barn — it’s clean, and warm.’
Kerrick’s nostrils twitched, and Horton gave a snort of disgust, but there was no choice to be had. ‘Then the Councillor and I will take two of the rooms, the women another, and my clerk here can share with the Councillor’s man,’ he decreed haughtily. ‘My slave will sleep with the horses.’
‘Come in then, sirs.’ She gestured towards the door. ‘I’ve a parlour you can use, then I’ll see about your suppers.’
Neither Horton nor Pars seemed delighted by the arrangement, but the party dismounted, Ish and Ancil joining the guards in taking the horses round to the rear, the remainder entering the house.
‘How long have you lived here, mistress?’ Asher enquired, as the woman led them to a barely furnished room at the front of the house and knelt to light the fire.
‘Since I was married, eighteen years since.’ She blew on the sparks and got to her feet, hauling herself upright with difficulty. ‘My man died before my son was born, but we’ve only fifty acres and help from a hired man so we manage; my daughter, bless her, is a hard worker. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll send Liss with ale for you and get on with your dinners.’ She hobbled out.
‘I suppose this is better than a night in the open,’ Kerrick observed doubtfully; the room was spotlessly clean, but there was no rug on the floor, and the chairs and table, though highly polished, were poor-looking and had known long use.
‘Better than more rain.’ Mallory walked over to the fire and re-lit it, for it had gone out. Kerrick sat down at the table and began to drum his fingers on it impatiently. Asher and the two women joined him, waiting for the fire to take the chill from the room, which felt damp and unused.
A knock at the door heralded the arrival of a girl bearing a heavy tray carrying the promised refreshment. Mallory judged her age to be about sixteen. She was a little plump, fair-haired and very pretty, and he saw Kerrick’s sour expression alter to one of positive geniality as he watched her pour the ale.
‘Supper won’t be long,’ she said softly; it was a pleasant voice, low and lightly accented. ‘Is there anything more you’ll be wanting?’
‘Not for the moment.’ Kerrick actually smiled at her. Mallory thought he could guess what service Kerrick would be requiring from her later.
‘If you will excuse us?’ Margit and Asher had risen. Kerrick nodded a curt dismissal; he drained his tankard, then refilled it, losing interest in his companions. Mylura, Mallory noticed, was keeping an eye on Kerrick, and he wondered why. He liked Mylura, finding her easy good nature appealing in contrast to Margit’s more sober temperament, although the older woman was physically the more attractive. He did not, however, approve of Mylura’s indifference to convention, which extended to her wearing men’s trousers for riding, unlike the other two who contented themselves with more modest divided skirts. The women of Darrian had considerably more freedom than most in the Dominion; in Petormin in the east, a country where decent women did not appear in public, Mylura would have been stoned for such a display of long, thin leg.
It was Liss who served their meal, when it was ready, and Kerrick watched her as she did so, his gaze greedily following the curves of her breasts in a tight-fitting grey dress which was a little too small for its wearer. It was plain he believed his uncle’s ownership of the property extended to its tenants, and Mallory was amused to find himself silently warned off, although there was no need. He had never been attracted to girls half his age.
‘I hope you enjoyed it?’ the girl asked shyly when she came to clear the table, surveying the host of empty plates. ‘My mother’s generally accounted a good cook.’
‘Excellent,’ Kerrick said agreeably, sitting back in his chair. Asher and Mylura offered their own compliments as Liss moved round the table, gathering up the debris and piling it on a tray. As she bent to take Kerrick’s plate, she started, then blushed; Mallory felt suddenly uneasy as Asher and Margit exchanged glances.
Kerrick followed Liss from the room, and Mallory seized the moment. The other members of the party were being entertained in the kitchen, and he was alone with the three women.
‘Why do I get the feeling you’re planning something?’
Margit opened her mouth to answer him, but someone must have kicked her under the table for a look of pain crossed her face and she remained silent. Instead Asher said hurriedly: ‘Why do you ask?’
She assumed a look of innocence which filled him with deep suspicion; when she was younger, it was a look that had always meant she was intent on some mischief or other. He sighed. ‘Just natural foreboding.’
‘We were talking about our hostess,’ Mylura said easily. ‘She has two children — Liss, who’s sixteen, and a son, Garris, who’s fourteen. Liss is betrothed to a local farmer, but they can’t wed until Garris is old enough to take over the farm in a year or so; Hanna says Liss does most of the work, because Garris is not too clever.’
‘I see.’ The information did not relieve his mind. ‘Quite
a paragon, in fact.’
‘Yes, she is.’ Margit looked defiant. He was surprised at her speaking, for she rarely addressed him. He had the impression she did not care much for men, which was a pity for she was very good-looking even now, when she must be close to his own age. Asher had told him Margit was to do her own work while she travelled to Kepesake with him, since Avorian had not allowed enough time for her to do both journeys; he had been surprised and not a little shocked, but Asher had only said the job was not so difficult. Anyone could add up a few numbers.
‘I’m tired, I think I’ll go to bed.’ Asher yawned ostentatiously. ‘Are you coming, you two?’
‘I think so.’
Mallory watched the trio depart, his suspicions unallayed. Kerrick returned, carrying another brimming tankard; he made no secret of the fact that he would prefer his companion’s absence to his presence, staring moodily into the flames of the fire and ignoring Mallory. Assuming him to be waiting for Liss, Mallory decided to leave him to it and seek out his own chamber, although it offered scant comfort; it was, however, as clean as the rest of the house, and Ish had obviously been busy setting his things in order.
He was not especially tired since travel in all its forms had been his life for many years, and even this short journey he found preferable to sitting in the Council Chamber in Venture. He sat down on the hard bed and listened, trying to hear what the female voices coming from the neighbouring room were saying, but he could not distinguish the words. Not sure why, he did not undress, and was glad a short time later when he heard the door next to his own open and close softly.
Now what?
Someone was going downstairs; he could hear the boards creak. Carefully, he opened his own door and looked out, to have a rear view of Asher disappearing down the passage on the ground floor. Without a second thought, he followed her.
By the time he had descended the stairs, Mallory knew there was only one place she could have gone: the parlour. In that instant, it occurred to him it might be for Asher, not the girl Liss, that Kerrick was waiting. A surge of fierce rage ran through him before common sense reasserted itself, reminding him Asher had shown nothing but dislike for the Chief Councillor’s nephew; whatever she wanted with him must be something quite different from his fears.
He trod softly down the passage and stopped outside the door of the parlour, which was ajar, and listened to Kerrick, who was speaking and sounding less than pleased about his visitor.
‘— do you want?’
‘To talk to you.’ Asher’s voice was clear and confident.
‘What about? Can’t it wait till morning?’
‘I don’t think so.’
‘Oh, very well then.’ The acceptance was bad-tempered.
There was a pause. Mallory felt a touch on his shoulder and turned to find Mylura behind him, a finger to her lips. He nodded, no longer angry but frankly curious to know what was going on.
‘Master Kerrick, I’ve come to say something you won’t want to hear,’ they heard Asher say. ‘But it must be said. I know your plans for tonight; I heard you talking to Hanna. All I want to say is, you must forget them.’
‘What?’ Kerrick sounded as incredulous as Mallory felt at that moment. He found he could almost feel sorry for the other man; Mallory knew what Asher was like in this mood.
‘The girl Liss is not included in the assets of the property, Master Kerrick. She’s a decent girl, and soon to be married; it’s not right for you to threaten her family with the loss of their tenancy unless she beds you. They have farmed here for six generations, and they’re well respected and pay their rent. Leave her alone.’
‘How dare you!’ Mallory tensed, sure Kerrick would lose his temper and strike Asher, but a touch from Mylura held him still; she shook her head.
‘What business is it of yours what I do? And,’ Kerrick added more firmly, ‘just how do you propose to stop me?’
Mallory, still stunned by Asher’s outrageous demand, listened harder.
‘You forget, I travel with authority both from your uncle and from the city,’ Asher was saying calmly. ‘A councillor of Venture is also staying in this house, and he would have to back me in this. I’m aware it was not the reason I was given such authority, but I’ll use it. If you force me to.’
‘You ... ’ A series of expletives followed. Mallory saw Mylura put a hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh. He, however, had no desire to smile; he was furious with Asher. Even though they were to be under this roof for only one night, she could not resist interfering in matters which did not concern her.
‘Come away. It’ll be all right now,’ Mylura whispered. ‘I only came to offer my support, if needed.’
Mallory followed her grimly down the passage, drawing her aside when she would have gone up the stairs.
‘Whose idea was that?’
‘Asher’s.’ Mylura grinned, obviously expecting him to share her satisfaction at the outcome of the affair; Mallory breathed out heavily through his nose.
‘Where’s the girl?’
‘In our room. We thought it might not be safe to trust Kerrick, even after this. She’ll spend the night with us, don’t worry.’
‘It’s not her I’m worried about. Do you know what you’ve done? What happens when Councillor Avorian gets to hear of this?’
‘Oh, I don’t think he will, do you?’ Mylura was quite composed. ‘It hardly reflects well on Kerrick. Hanna and her family are good tenants. And I hear the Chief Councillor is an excellent landlord.’
Loud footsteps came noisily along the stone passage, and Kerrick appeared, passing Mallory and Mylura with an angry glare before he began to climb the stairs with a heavy, wrathful tread.
‘I want a word with your friend!’ Mallory took Mylura’s arm and pulled her back toward the parlour. Inside, he let her go, and she walked across to join Asher at her place beside the fire, which had gone out. There was a brief, hostile, silence.
‘What’s the matter?’ Asher asked.
‘Don’t ask such a silly question! What do you think you’re up to?’ Mallory snapped. ‘And why didn’t you tell me what you were going to do?’
‘You know the answer to the first, and I don’t think I need explain my reasons for the second,’ Asher answered calmly. ‘Would you have helped us if I had?’
‘Why should I?’ He could not understand why she felt so strongly about a farm-girl she had only just met. ‘No doubt Kerrick would have paid her for her favours, and they could certainly use some coins here.’ He glanced about the bare room.
‘And you think being paid is enough recompense?’ There was a new, cold, light in her eyes. ‘I see. Her feelings aren’t important?’
‘She would have come to no harm,’ Mallory responded dismissively.
‘How nice you can be so sure of that!’ She spoke to him as if he were a stranger. ‘And I thought you believed in responsibility, Mallory, owing a duty to those weaker than yourself.’
‘But not to the whole world, and not when I have a greater concern,’ he snapped back. ‘Or had you forgotten our reasons for coming here?’
‘No.’ She stared down into the cold grate, at the grey ash. ‘And I wouldn’t use that as an excuse to stand back and let a young girl be abused by a bully. But I forget, her problems aren’t real to you.’
‘Why do you say that?’ As his ill-temper waned, Mallory tried to comprehend some of Asher’s concern. ‘Of course they’re real!’
‘No, it would be real to you if Liss were your daughter, or your sister, or even a member of your own caste, but it isn’t real now.’ The flat tone of voice made the words a chill rebuke. ‘Your experience is on the reverse side, isn’t it? If a man wants a woman, he can always find one, isn’t that how you see it? Custom gives you the right always to please yourself, where we have none. No doubt whenever your ships made port you visited the brothels, or your men did?’
Mallory was silent, shocked at her frankness but also struck by the weariness in her face, wond
ering what experiences could have made her so bitter. Was it only the memory of Lewes, or had there been others? ‘I’ve never taken an unwilling woman,’ he said stiffly.
‘I didn’t accuse you. I simply said you don’t understand, or care, why we did what we did. You’re only interested in how our actions might affect you.’
‘What if it had been Asher?’ Mylura asked coolly, after another uncomfortable silence. ‘If Kerrick had a hold over her or her family? How would you feel then?’
Remembering the rage he had experienced at the thought of Asher with Kerrick, there was only one truthful response Mallory could have given. ‘Would you really have used the authority Avorian gave you?’ he asked her.
‘If I had to.’ There was a pause. ‘He never even asked her name.’
He sighed, disgusted with the absent Kerrick and a little with himself. ‘I wish you’d told me, I would have dealt with it.’ It was the closest he was willing to go, at that moment, to an apology.
‘Would you?’ She sounded openly disbelieving.
‘I’m not quite lost to decency!’
‘No.’ She looked away. ‘Then I’m sorry.’
‘With men like Kerrick in the world, I shouldn’t be surprised you don’t trust me.’ Yet he could not help himself remembering his dead wife at that moment, Melanna who had been unfaithful, and found it hard to be accused of a lack of sympathetic understanding by reason of his sex when he knew that women, as much as men, were capable of deceit and cruelty.
‘I think we see the question of duty differently, Mallory.’ Asher’s voice was still remote. ‘To me, all of us have a duty to those weaker and more vulnerable than ourselves, but you seem to see the responsibility as being for, not to. If Liss were your tenant, you’d not have let Kerrick near her, but as she was not, you let the matter pass. You’d have helped her if he’d held a knife at her throat, but you can’t see that that’s exactly what he was doing.’
Mallory caught a glimpse of the difference she was trying to explain, but all his instincts were against agreement; he frowned, saying nothing.
