Captain Corban led them to the palace gates, where they were greeted by Duchess Naria.
Samantha walked forward and curtsied. “Hello, Cousin.” She smiled, then hugged Naria.
“Hello yourself, Sammy,” Duchess Naria said as she returned the hug, then looked at Java’s smiling face.
Java went to one knee and bowed her head three steps from the duchess. “I have come at your summons, my Lady Duchess.”
“Welcome, Lady Java. Captain Corban, please see to the comfort of Duchess Samantha and Lady Java’s escort.” Duchess Naria smiled at Emily where she still held onto her brother’s arm.
The duchess led her guests into the palace herself. “Java, Samantha, it’s good to see you both again. And it’s a good thing you’re here, Samantha. There are rumors that you were never really found, or that you had been found and killed.”
Sam looked at Java, then spoke for both of them. “We’re glad to see you as well, Naria. Java brought me along to help her with court etiquette and politics. You’re not going to believe the trip we had.” Samantha was smiling, but there was something haunting her eyes. “It wasn’t always nice, but it was real.”
“Yes, I imagine it was. Well, we’ve set aside a suite for you Java, but we’re going to have to make some arrangements for you, Sammy. Java, is it all right for Samantha to be housed with you for the time being?” Duchess Naria looked at the young woman beside her.
“She can stay permanently if you like, Duchess Naria. We share a tent, and we’ve shared rooms all the way here. We didn’t want it known who she was.” Java smiled, knowing that Naria would understand.
“And for protection? I noticed that your mage friend is here. Who else did you bring?” Naria looked at Java, but Samantha answered.
“We brought the triplets.” Sam was serious for a moment, then she grinned and giggled. “Captain Freeholm didn’t want to try and deal with them without Java’s civilizing influence.”
Duchess Naria whispered, “Marta said those three are…Oh, dear. Yes, they’ll have to be housed with you, won’t they?” Naria tapped her lips as she thought.
“My old patrol is here as well, Duchess Naria, in addition to the ten cavalry and Sergeant Whitehall. And don’t discount Samantha and the triplets. Those knives are sharp.” Java looked at the duchess and saw a glimmer of respect in her eyes.
“We need dresses, Naria,” Samantha said softly. “Our dress uniforms are the best any of us have. I really want a real, grown up dress. Something to wow the men.”
Duchess Naria threw back her head and laughed loudly. “Oh, you do, do you? Well enough. We’ll see to that tomorrow. Tonight, we are having a private conference, you two with Arten and myself. There are a number of things that we need to discuss.” Naria led them to a set of doors. “These are your rooms, Java, Sammy. I’ll have your friends brought up.” She pushed open the doors and stepped back, grinning in anticipation of Java’s reaction.
Java walked into the room and stopped in her tracks, struck dumb by the sheer enormity and grandeur of the outer room. Her eyes were wide as she looked around, and her mouth was hanging slightly open. She had been expecting something along the lines of the room she had occupied in Greensboro. The reality was far more than she had ever dreamed.
The anteroom was easily the size of that room and the bathing room combined. Java guessed it was thirty feet deep and forty-five wide. Couches and lounges were placed along the walls, and a table and chairs sat in the center of the room.
Doors in the opposite wall led to a private dining room, a study, and a bedroom that was beyond Java’s wildest imaginings. Thirty-by-thirty, with a huge canopy bed, it was the largest bedroom that Java had ever seen. Off to one side was a private bathing chamber. To the other side were servants’ quarters.
“The triplets’ll never stay in there,” Samantha remarked dryly as she looked at the servants’ quarters.
“No. Even if we tried to put them in there, they wouldn’t stay,” Java agreed. “Duchess Naria, would it be possible to have some extra beds brought in here? Robin and I, well, we can share. But Samantha and the triplets are going to want something at least semi-private.” Java stood straight and looked the duchess in the eye, addressing her as she would Captain Freeholm.
Naria laughed. “Semi-private? After Samantha just asked for a dress to wow the men? How about completely private? This suite adjoins two others. Give me a little time, and you’ll have three of these suites available to you.”
Java bowed her thanks while Samantha hugged Naria. “I knew you’d understand,” Samantha whispered.
“I do, but be careful. There are a number of handsome bastards here who make your father look like a gem.” The duchess’ eyes were cold when she spoke of Samantha’s father.
“I won’t make Mama’s mistake. If I find a likely candidate, I’ll check with you. But, really, I’m more likely to do like Java. Or Arten.” She grinned up at the older duchess. “A wild merc would make a good match for me, don’t you think?”
Naria burst out laughing again. “Oh, my child, what are we going to do with you?”
“Hide yer virgins, M’Lady: There be mercs in town,” Samantha drawled, drawing more laughter from Naria.
Samantha and Java settled in and waited for Robin and the triplets to be brought up. Java looked at the bed and almost giggled. Jah’Moke and I could have a wild time in that— Then she stopped. I haven’t thought of him in days. When the girls entered the suite, all their eyes were as big as saucers.
“This is bigger than our house back home,” Mayrie noted, trailing her fingers along the edge of the bed.
“Duchess Naria is placing the suite to either side at our disposal as well. I want Samantha here in the center, with at least one of you with her at all times. Robin and I will be on the other side.” Java looked at the triplets, waiting for them to acknowledge her decision.
“Why, Java?” Samantha asked.
“Because, Duchess, you are the most obvious target.” She went over to face Sam and held both of her hands. “You are the whole of the Lender’s Dale government. Killing you would complete Frander’s goal of eliminating the rightful government of your duchy. I want you protected to the best of our abilities.” She glanced at the triplets and saw the serious expressions on their faces. “If we could get away with it, I’d have the entire patrol around you day and night,” Java was saying when she was interrupted by Samantha.
“Java!” She yanked her hands out of Java’s. “Don’t you dare! I want to dance, and have a good time, and I can’t do that surrounded by the Firewalkers.” Samantha’s eyes were large, and she looked slightly panicky.
“Then carry your knives. Sam, Duchess Naria is worried about something. I could feel it, and I bet you could too. That’s why she and Duke Arten want to see us alone.” Java looked at Samantha, and finally received a reluctant nod. “We’re supposed to be there soon. Do you know the way?” Samantha simply looked at her, then turned to go. “We’ll be back for supper. Robin, please scan the rooms. I trust Duchess Naria and Duke Arten, but no one else.”
Robin nodded as Java left the room. Turning to the triplets she said, “You heard her, girls. Scan, then unpack. Dress uniforms until Java and the duchess can arrange for dresses.”
*
Samantha led Java through the palace to the private quarters of Duke Arten and Duchess Naria. The guards in the royal wing looked somewhat suspicious as the two women in Scout standard, knives included, walked up to them. Samantha said, “We are to see Duke Arten and Duchess Naria.”
“Not dressed like that you’re not,” the young lieutenant in charge said, only to be interrupted by Duchess Naria herself.
“Duchess Samantha and Lady Java are expected, you twit. You were warned not to give them a hard time.”
The lieutenant looked hurt, but still said, “My Lady Duchess, they are carrying knives!”
“They are Firewalker Scouts. Of course they are carrying knives. And they are both far higher r
anking than you are. Now let them pass.”
The lieutenant looked like he was about to have an apoplectic fit as Sam led Java past him. Naria ushered them into the room and managed to close the door before she started giggling.
Duke Arten met them just inside the suite and hugged both Samantha and Java, embarrassing Java by the easy intimacy.
“My Lord Duke, you honor me,” she murmured as she blushed.
“I’m just happy to see you made it, Java. Why so formal?” Duke Arten smiled at his little lady.
“My Lord Duke, I’m afraid I don’t know why I’m here,” Java said softly in a small voice that conveyed all her uncertainty to Arten and Naria.
“Oh, don’t worry, Java. It’s nothing you’ve done. Or perhaps I should say it is what you’ve done, but we couldn’t be happier with you. What could we fault? Just look at the job you’ve done with Sammy.” He smiled and drew her along as he walked farther into the suite. “Relax. You’re here to show my other nobles what a woman you are. Especially that bonehead, Denver.” Duke Arten held his mouth in a sour grimace that set Naria laughing.
Java looked confused, so Naria filled her in. “Lord Denver Broward, Arten’s First Cousin. He’s Lord of Devon County. When Lord Darby died, he made a bid to takeover Link County as well. He’s your neighbor to the west. When we gave Link County to you he threw a fit, swearing he’d never set foot in Whitehall again. Unfortunately, he hasn’t kept his word.” Naria’s expression mirrored her husband’s.
Java smiled softly and nodded. “Marian’s family.”
Duke Arten frowned. “Who?”
Java slowly shook her head. “One of Master Sherefin’s journeymen, Duke Arten. She and I had a run-in long before you ennobled me. Her mother is related by marriage to Lord Broward.” Java grinned. She and Marian still had problems.
Duke Arten nodded. “A bunch of self-important fools, but they have a lot of friends. Word is loose in court right now. Your appearance, with Samantha in tow, is going to set a number of complacent lords on their ears.”
“Clearing the cobwebs,” Samantha stated softly as she nodded. “I knew it was something like that.”
“Yes, one of Neldan’s favorite pastimes. You may or may not know this, Sammy, but your mother had a mean streak.” Naria smiled fondly, remembering her friend.
“I have been told that I inherited it,” Samantha said primly as she smiled and bowed her head, looking like her mother for the first time that Naria or Arten could remember.
“Java, Sammy said you all need dresses. Tomorrow we’ll visit a few dressmakers I use. Have you decided on your colors yet?” Naria asked, trying to turn the conversation to more pleasant topics.
Java fingered her Firewalker dress uniform. “This is who I am, Duchess Naria. Do you think Captain Freeholm would mind?”
“Marta would be delighted. Especially since you hold Link County. And the colors suit you.” Naria smiled, thinking of just how pleased Marta was going to be when she found out. “We understand that you are allowing the companies to build towns on your lands in Greencastle.”
“Yes, Ma’am. Captain Wilkinson approached me first. He wanted to bring his family out to be with him. When I got a note from Captain Thuringer asking for a meeting, I went to Captain Freeholm about a town for us. I think she was really surprised, but why should they have towns and not us?” Java’s expression set Duke Arten laughing again.
“Only a Firewalker. And I suppose you just gave them the land?” he asked, watching her closely.
“Of course. Should I have charged them when they may die for those patches of dirt? Should I have charged Captain Freeholm? Charged my family?” Java was looking back and forth between the duke and duchess.
Naria spoke softly as she pointed out, “There are any number of lords who would have done exactly that, Java. This is one of the reasons we chose you over Denver Broward or the like. He would have seen it as a chance to make a profit. You could have charged a year’s pay for permission to build, and not given them the land. That way you would have had three ready-built cities when this is through.” As she spoke, she watched the horror grow on Java’s face.
“Take it away?” Java asked in a harsh whisper, shock and disbelief written plainly across her face. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes as she continued. “After all that hard work, clearing the land, cutting fields out of meadows? Who would do that?” Java was upset and becoming more upset by the moment. What type of people would do that?
“Denver Broward would do exactly that, Java. He would do anything to fill his pouch. Your answers please us to no end,” Naria said, smiling broadly at Java’s distress. “We knew you were special when Marta told us about you. The reason you’re here is to show the fools of the court what you just showed us.”
Duke Arten stood and gathered an unresisting Java into an embrace. “Gods Above, what I wouldn’t have given for a child like you,” he murmured into her hair, surprising her. He kissed her on the forehead and drew away, but not before Java saw a tear shining in the corner of his eye.
Duchess Naria stood next and added her hug. “We’ll see you in the morning. I’ve already sent your supper to your rooms.” She patted Java on the arm, then turned and followed her husband.
Java and Samantha returned to their rooms to find that Duchess Naria had opened the additional two suites to them. When they were comfortable, Samantha started questioning Java about the interview.
Sam sat cross-legged on the sofa, balancing a plate on her lap. “Did any of that seem strange to you, Java?”
“Sam, all of that seemed strange,” Java answered around a mouthful of bison. “What part do you mean?”
“The way Naria and Arten kept questioning you. How they provoked you into answering without thinking by upsetting you. How friendly they were towards you. Gods, Java, Arten hardly ever kisses anyone, even Naria. And what did he say to you there at the end? I couldn’t hear.” Samantha was looking closely at Java, watching her the way Arten and Naria had earlier.
Java thought for a moment. “He said, ‘Gods Above, what I wouldn’t have given for a child like you.’ That doesn’t make much sense, but it’s what he said.” Java looked at Samantha and saw her freeze.
“Those exact words? Java, are you sure?” Samantha was looking more frightened now than anything else now.
“Yes, I think so. He seemed upset, too. There was a tear in his eye. What are you driving at, Sam?” Java was suddenly not in a good mood.
“I don’t know anything for certain, but nothing I can think of is good.”
*
Morning found Java and her girls riding through Whitehall in a carriage with Duchess Naria, trailed by twenty Royal Guards. “Java, this is an opportunity for all of you to dress up.” She smiled at the triplets. “We’ll get several dresses started, but I’m calling in a number of favors to get all of you a dress for today. Court is after lunch, so we have to hurry.”
“Yes, Duchess Naria, I heard. The servants were talking about it when they brought in our breakfast. Some of the older lords are already asking questions about us.” Java was rubbernecking, trying to see the whole city as they rode in the open carriage.
Naria laughed, but didn’t say anything else. They finally arrived at a seamstress’ shop in the uptown district. “Here we are. Mistress Angela is an old and true friend. She’s called together all her old apprentices who live in the area to see to you. With six of you to outfit, we need at least twelve seamstresses.” Duchess Naria entered the building without waiting for the Guards to precede her, much to their obvious annoyance. And her evident amusement.
“Angela! Where are you?” Naria shouted as she entered the shop.
“Right here, Duchess. Do you always have to be so loud?” Angela walked out and hugged Naria. “Who do we have here?” she asked, eyeing Java and her girls.
“Angela, this is Duchess Samantha of Lender’s Dale,” Samantha curtsied, “Lady Java of Link County and Greencastle,” Java bowed, “and M
age Robin of Sherefin’s Mage School. Mayrie, Maygren, and Maylee Salem, of Lender’s Dale. Don’t ask which is which. As soon as you figure it out, they shuffle themselves so you can’t tell anymore.” Naria grinned as the triplets smiled sheepishly.
Angela was blinking rapidly. “Well, yes, of course. Duchess Samantha, I am pleased to meet you. You as well, Lady Java. Well, Naria, this is some surprise. As you requested, I’ve assembled a good team of seamstresses. Now, I think I should see to the duchess personally.” She turned and signaled a number of older women forward. “If each of you will go with my colleagues, we can get started.”
Java and her girls split up, each pairing off with a pair of seamstresses and a few apprentices. Java found herself paired with Mistress Fran, Mistress Erica, and two apprentices. Fran was a large woman, with surprisingly small, delicate hands.
“Now, Lady Java, what colors are we using today?” Fran asked as she smiled, looking at Java serenely.
“If possible, I would like to match the Firewalker colors I am wearing. I’m also going to need a sash with Greencastle’s emerald, and Hiddendell’s blue and gold,” Java said confidently, hiding her nervousness.
“If you will pardon my asking, why the green?” Mistress Erica asked as she looked at Java with her head tilted slightly to the side.
“Because I hold the Greencastle/Lender’s Dale border, as well as Link County. I have to honor Duke Kaster, and the trust he has put in me.” Java spoke softly, casting her eyes down demurely.
“Well, indeed! How extraordinary!” Fran looked Java over again, more closely this time. “Well, the dress first. Now these colors you want…”
Duchess Naria stood back and watched the young women being fitted and dressed. Samantha and the triplets were being dressed in Lender’s Dale ruby and white. Robin had copied Java, choosing matching red, with orange and yellow flames on hem and sleeve. Neither of them was leaving any doubt as to who she was, or who she served. The thought, I wish Marta could see this, flitted across Naria’s mind, and she grinned.
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