“Then you’re thinking the same things I am. We’ll see later. For now, the water’s hot. Want your back scrubbed?” Java grinned, knowing the answer.
Robin and Java splashed and played undisturbed in the bath, finally emerging when they were clean and wrinkly. Java was the first to see one of the maids. Her eyes widened as the lissome young girl entered the room.
“Well hello,” she said softly in a tone that immediately drew Robin’s attention.
Robin turned, and her eyes reflected the same surprise as Java’s eyes held. The girl was tiny, with a face so refined that Robin would have sworn it was a dream if she’d seen it in a painting. Large, robin’s-egg blue eyes were set in a pale face, framed by straw yellow hair. Her petite nose and sensuous lips completed a picture of classical beauty. Her figure was that of an older girl than she appeared to be, and set both Java and Robin’s pulses racing.
The girl bobbed a curtsy and stepped further into the room. “Lady Robin?” she asked tentatively, unsure which of the women was her mistress. When Robin nodded, she curtsied again. “Barnum sent me with your robes, lady.” She curtsied again, and her wide eyes held Robin speechless for a moment.
Shaking off the spell the girl’s eyes had cast, she pointed to the dressing table. “Just leave them there. What’s your name, child?”
“I am Heather, Lady Robin,” the girl said shyly.
“Very well, Heather. We’ll be down in a few moments. Your mother is the cook?” Robin asked. When the girl nodded, she smiled. “Ask your mother to fix something simple, filling, and hot. And if she knows how to make kay, we’d appreciate some.”
The girl bobbed another curtsey, then backed out of the room. As soon as she was gone, Robin sat on a stool, her knees shaking. Looking to the side she saw that Java was in no better shape. “Damn, Java. The last time I had a reaction that strong was when I was just a teenager. Did you feel it? It’s like someone case a seduction spell on the girl.”
Java nodded and had to swallow before she could speak. “If you mean did I feel like throwing her into a bed, yes. Gods Above and Below, Robin, what a beauty! I’ve never felt that attracted to anyone, you included. Sorry if that sounds harsh, but it’s true.”
“Don’t be sorry. I felt the same way. I think we’d both better keep our hands to ourselves though. I don’t think she’s Le’Ah. Java, that girl would fetch a handsome price at the best whorehouse in town. Do you think Barnum hired them to prevent that?” Robin was still shaken from looking into the girl’s eyes.
“I don’t know. I don’t know Barnum that well, but I would have.” Java was still looking at the door.
In the manor’s dining hall, Robin was introduced to Heather’s mother and sister. Eldora Bel’Carin stood proud before Robin and Java. Her second daughter, Ivy, was a few years older than Heather, but just as pretty.
“We are pleased to meet you, Mistress,” Eldora said softly, curtsying and motioning the girls to join her.
“And I am pleased to meet you, Eldora. The Bel’Carin name is well known. How many of your family made it out of Lender’s Dale?” Robin was far more impressed than she was letting on. The Bel’Carin name was not only well known, it was famous. Salen Bel’Carin had been a minor noble who had made a fortune in trade. A true trader prince, he had bought a title and lands, though he hadn’t been able to buy a place in the peerage.
Eldora studied the floor for a moment, then sighed. “Only the three of us, Lady Robin. Everyone else either fought and died, or fled elsewhere.”
“Well, you are welcome here.” Robin smiled, then laughed, startling Eldora. “Java and I aren’t nobles by birth, so you may find us a trifle odd. Don’t be alarmed if we slip into the kitchen for a snack on our own or if you see us doing something else that we shouldn’t. We’re simply used to doing for ourselves.”
Eldora’s eyes widened as she realized who the woman at Robin’s side must be, but she didn’t react in any other way. “As you wish, Lady Robin. This is your house,” Eldora said, in a voice that left Robin wondering what had happened that had broken her spirit.
Barnum stepped forward then and captured Robin’s attention. “Lady, if you please, there are some things we need to discuss.”
Robin nodded and followed Barnum toward the library, Java close behind. Once the door was closed, Barnum stood at attention in the center of the room. “I trust you saw for yourself why I brought all three of them here, lady?”
“If you hadn’t, I would have discharged you. Gods, what beauties! Eldora is a fine-looking woman, but those girls! Where were they before here? I’m afraid to ask them. Eldora seems to be fighting with herself about something.” Robin kept her eyes locked with Barnum, and he didn’t try to look away.
“The Silk Couch, Lady. Eldora was a washer woman, the girls…” He paused and bit his lips as his hands clenched into fists. He also looked dangerously angry. “The girls were being bid on to see who was to have first honors, as they called it.”
“So, you got to them first? How much did that cost?” Robin was looking at Barnum, fearing his answer.
“I offered fifty gold for the two together, lady. When that piece of scum Dorval said it would take more than that for me to buy even one of them, I offered him his stones on a plate.” Barnum’s eyes were cold as he spoke. His eyes shifted to Java, and he bowed slightly. “Princess Java, I’m afraid I invoked your name and reputation to convince him that I was serious.”
“My reputation as a sellikker? Or something else?” Java’s eyes were cold as she looked at Barnum. I do not want it bandied about that I am buying young girls.
“No, princess. Your reputation for taking things into your own hands and mangling them.” Barnum smiled evilly, making Java shudder. Barnum usually looked like a kind old grandfather. Now he looked like a demon. “Talk has been fast and loose in the city while you were away. Your confrontation with Lord Broward. Your position as a scout. Your tendency to step on toes. All of that has been the talk of the alehouses for more than a month. I pointed out that you and Lady Robin are close friends, and that you are the heir to the duchy. All in all, you are a woman few would dare cross.”
Robin laughed. “What did he say then?”
Barnum grinned. “Nothing. He started backing away when I mentioned Princess Java, and kept going out the door. I took the girls and their mother in for a few nights, and offered them the jobs when I realized who they were.”
Robin and Java looked at each other, grinning broadly, then burst out laughing. “Oh, Barnum, what a trick to pull!” Java crowed. “You’re right, I would have marched in and pulled them out if I’d been here, but to actually use my anger as a threat? Oh, Gods, Captain Freeholm would love this!”
Robin went forward and kissed Barnum’s cheek, surprising him. “Well done. Those girls are so beautiful they would have made that bastard rich on their backs. Just out of curiosity, where would you have come up with fifty gold if he’d said yes?”
“That’s what was in the coffer, lady. I would have worried about where to find other funds later. I just had to get those two away from Dorval.” He seemed dead serious as he looked into Robin’s eyes.
“Good enough. Has he caused any other problems for us?” Robin asked, seeing the relief on Barnum’s face.
“No, Lady. He sent over a bill for a thousand gold, but I let Duke Arten see it, and the girls. He was not in a good mood when he left. I haven’t heard from Dorval again.” Barnum smiled, indicating that he had an idea why.
“Why was the duke here, Barnum?” Java asked.
“He’s come out every week to ensure that Lord Broward and his people haven’t been trying to come back. There’s a title in the desk for you, all properly signed and sealed, Lady Robin. And it names you a Lady Mage, as well as giving you title to this manor.” Barnum smiled when Robin realized what he had just said.
“Lady Mage? What in the world…is he serious?” Robin was astounded. Duke Arten and Duchess Naria had been calling her lady, but she had
simply assumed that they were doing it out of habit.
Java laughed. “I’ll bet Naria did it. Remember, if I have to play the game, you have to play the game. Duke Arten gave you the estate, but no title. You would have to have a title to properly hold this place. Otherwise, some lord could come in and order you to sell it to him.”
“Oh, I hate these games!” Robin whined, much to Java’s delight.
*
Once their hair was dry, Robin and Java dressed in more appropriate clothing and traveled to the palace. Duke Arten and Duchess Naria greeted them enthusiastically, dragging them off for a private conference.
“Java, darling, it’s good to have you back. Did you have a good time?” Duke Arten asked. He was sitting in his suite, in an old chair that had seen better days.
Java grinned, and giggled. “Oh, yes, we had a grand time. I almost felt like a real person when no one knew who I was.”
Naria joined in the laughter. “See, it isn’t so bad. Did you get to see your family and friends?”
“Yes, and then some. Expect some rumors about me and young men. There was this boy on Lord Ahern’s estate…” Java gave them a mildly censored account of her exploits while Arten and Naria laughed.
“We hadn’t heard that one. We did receive a complaint from Lady Annibel about Robin seducing her son.” Duke Arten laughed, looking at Robin to see if she blushed.
Robin simply grinned. “Who seduced who? That man’s had a lot of practice.” Robin laughed, sipping a glass of wine. “His mother has to realize that he’s twenty-three years old.”
“She can’t. If she did, she’d have to admit how old she really is, and there’s no chance of that!” Naria laughed. Annibel Griffith’s fight against Father Time was a running joke in the palace. “Her little sister is already a grandmother, but she won’t admit it.”
“From what I experienced, she may very well be a grandmother herself.” Robin’s eyes danced, happy and content.
*
Java and Robin settled into daily life in the palace. Robin being named Lady Mage had ramifications that neither of them had at first considered. As a lady, she was expected to conform to a certain set of behavioral rules that she had partially avoided before. Java, of course, had already been subject to those rules, but as a commoner in the palace, and a friend of the heir, Robin had not. Now she found herself the target of many of the same amorous attentions from the lesser nobles that Java had been subjected to, as well as having to avoid some of her earlier partners due to her change of station. Java had saved many of the notes that she had received, especially the more ridiculous ones, and they spent hours comparing them. Duchess Naria occasionally joined them and the sounds of hilarious laughter came from Java’s suite more than once.
Java and Robin directed their energies and time to collecting, comparing and distributing information on skilled and unskilled refugees throughout the duchy, and the needs of each of the ten counties. Even Lord Broward was cooperating, which was a surprise until they realized that he had sent only a list of refugees, not needs.
“It looks like Lord Denver wants to get rid of the refugees, not accept more,” Java commented in a dry tone. “For some reason, I don’t find that surprising at all.”
*
Robin discreetly moved out to her estate to avoid rumors in the palace due to her continuing to live so close to Java. Eldora and her daughters found her to be an easy mistress. Robin had the simple tastes of the common folk, and like Java, refused to change for the sake of appearances. She started using gentle persuasion to bring out Eldora’s story.
Eldora spoke softly about their predicament. “We, the girls and I, fled Lender’s Dale at the first word of Frander’s attack. My husband stayed to fight while we fled, as did every male member of our extended family. We haven’t received any word in the last four years as to their fate. We fled with a good supply of money and trade goods, seeking refuge in Greencastle first, then in Hiddendell. The Bel’Carin house has cadet branches in both duchies, and at first they greeted us with open arms. Then the trouble started.”
Eldora looked down and shook her head slowly. “Gandel Bel’Carin, the head of the Hiddendell branch of the Bel’Carin Trading House, tried to force me to sell him my claim on the trading house. When I said no, he manufactured papers with forged signatures and stole everything from me except my pride. Rather than live off his charity, I tried to make it on my own. We ended up in the Silk Couch through bad luck and a chance encounter with Dorval.” Now her voice faded until Robin could barely hear her.
“Dorval promised me that we would be well cared for,” she whispered. “Then he tricked me into signing papers of indenture that made us his virtual slaves, to do with as he pleased. That’s what finally broke me.” She shook her head slowly, but a hint of a smile curved her lips. “It was only luck that brought Barnum to the Silk Couch that day, and luck that he saw the girls. It’s Dorval’s bad luck Barnum is the man he is, and in the position he is.”
*
The eleven days of the Mid-Winter Celebration began as the solstice approached, following a tradition that was older than the most ancient history recorded. The first five days were marked by somber contemplation of the previous year. Thanks were offered to the Gods Above and Below, as well as the newer Gods like Lady Sahren, for another year, and tears were shed for lost friends.
Java and Robin joined the celebration, dressing in traditional black to mourn the passing of friends and family with the passing of the year. Java was reminded of all her friends still out in Greencastle, and of the friends who wouldn’t see the spring sun. The entire duchy mourned, and tradition decreed that symbolic stoning punish any violation of the somber occasion, though the “stones” were confined by law to loose-packed snowballs.
As the week passed, Duke Arten assumed the role of Elder, representing the passing year. As the sun rose on the solstice he extinguished the last candle in the palace, as did fathers and grandfathers throughout the duchy. The day of the solstice was a day of fasting and rest, with only the most urgent of chores, such as feeding and milking the stock, allowed. Hearths were scrubbed to ready them for the fresh fire of the new year. As the sun set over a cold world, people noted the passing of the year by singing dirges in the dark. Families bundled together for warmth and told the tales of their family histories.
In the early morning hours Java stood in the courtyard of the palace, waiting for the sun. Throughout the duchy, parents supervised the youngest child of each family. It would be the children who would light the first fire at the rising of Arandar, signifying the birth of a new year.
And the start of the party.
Somber clothing was shed for the brightest festival garb, and dances raged throughout the duchy. Java was a much sought-after partner in the dances and found that, during this day at least, no one cared who she was. She danced with noble and commoner alike with no regard as to station. An amorous young tanner made an indecent suggestion, and Java eagerly agreed. It had been a month since she had been home with Ralf. Traditionally such assignations were informal and unencumbered, and Java was soon back in the swing of the dance. Few other men had the audacity to ask her to slip away, but by the end of the day she was feeling quite satisfied.
Robin had her share of assignations during the day as well. She found, much to her surprise, that she was as well-known as Java, and as feared. Only the bravest, or drunkest, men propositioned her, and they seemed genuinely surprised when she accepted. As the sun set, Robin and Java retired to her estate for a more private party.
*
A visitor arrived at the palace on the eleventh day of the celebration. She was pale, and dressed in threadbare clothes, as were the two children who huddled together behind her.
“Your pardon, Lord,” she said to the sergeant of the guard, “but I would like to speak to Princess Java, if it is allowed.”
The guard looked at her and frowned. “Why would the princess want to speak to you?”
“We were friends growing up,” the woman answered softly. “We are both from Equintain.”
The guards exchanged glances, then a young man ran off into the palace. The sergeant said, “Come in from the cold. We’ve hot cava and some bread and stew to share.”
The woman nodded and led the children behind the sergeant, and brought them in front of her when they reached the guards table. The sergeant said, “Eat, little ones. Brandar, is there any of that honey cake left?” The man nodded and placed a pie plate on the table. There was barely enough left to make a whole piece, but the children seemed to be in awe of it. The sergeant placed three spoons by the cake and stepped back as he smiled.
Another of the guards had spooned up three bowls of stew and placed them on the table. “You said you grew up with the princess?”
She nodded, then said, “Yes. We are of an age. When she ran away to follow her dream, so did I.” She shook her head, then sighed. “My dream didn’t turn out as well.”
The sound of footsteps leading up to the guard shack made everyone turn, and Java pushed through the door. “There is someone to see me?” she asked.
“Java?” the woman said in a soft, hesitant tone.
Java looked at her, not recognizing the ragged woman, then something clicked in her mind. “Morin?” She asked softly, then rushed forward to hug her. “Oh, Morin, I’m so happy to see you! Are you all right?”
Morin simply whispered, “No.”
Java hugged her close and then looked at the children. Her eyes narrowed when she was how thin and raggedly they were dressed. “Two of you men pick up the children and come with me.” She kept her arms around Morin and started leading her away when the little girl started crying. “What’s wrong?”
The little boy said, “We hasn’t had so much food in a long time. She wasn’t done.”
Java’s heart broke when she heard that and went to hold the girl. “There is lots more food inside where it is warmer,” she whispered into the child’s ear. “Come with me and you can have all you want.”
Liberator Page 17
