Lieutenant Skyhaven saluted and mounted Star for the short ride. All the Firewalkers formed up into two columns, and the Guardsmen became distinctly uncomfortable as they rode through the gate. These women all looked like killers.
“Captain?” Sergeant Halloway said softly, watching the backs of the departing Firewalkers. “Sir, that lieutenant said she was Princess Java’s lieutenant. Are they all like that?”
“From what I’ve seen, yes. Emmy said that Java is one of the finest scouts they’ve ever produced, and Lieutenant Skyhaven is the woman who trained her.” He shared a significant look with the sergeant. “If they’d wanted to, those women could have taken the city, and there wouldn’t have been one damned thing we could’ve done about it.”
*
Shair rode through the indicated gate, and was met by Barnum and Lothar—and ten Royal Guardsmen. The lieutenant in charge came to face Lieutenant Skyhaven as soon as she dismounted.
“I can’t let you go in right now, lieutenant. Duke Arten is inside with Princess Java. If you will wait a moment, I will let them know…”
“Lieutenant!” Java’s joyous shout interrupted the Guard Lieutenant as she ran out the door, jumping the steps and laughing.
Shair held out her arms and Java ran into her with an audible thud, clasping her arms around Shair’s waist. “Easy, Java. Easy.” Shair buried her head in Java’s hair. “Gods, child, it’s so good to see you again.”
Java looked up into Shair’s eyes, and the naked joy she saw in Java’s eyes left her momentarily speechless. Caitlin solved the problem by grabbing Java from behind. “Hey, Java, what about the rest of us?”
Java turned and grabbed Caitlin, reaching up to kiss her cheek. “Caitlin, welcome to Whitehall.” Java went from woman to woman, hugging and kissing them all while the Guards looked on in wonder.
Duke Arten had come out with Robin, and they watched the scene from the safety of the porch. Once Java had slowed down, he and Robin joined in. “Shair, it’s good to see you again,” he said, kissing Shair’s cheek.
“You too, Arten.” Looking around, she whistled for quiet. “Ladies, settle down. Duke Arten is here.”
All the Firewalkers quieted and went to one knee, as was proper. Duke Arten nodded his acknowledgment, then smiled. “Ladies, welcome to my city. House Rules: No pillaging, and keep the raping to a minimum.” Duke Arten laughed as his words sparked laughter among the Firewalkers. “No weapons beyond eating knives. Everything else is to be stowed away.”
Shair nodded, then addressed the Firewalkers. “You heard the Duke.” She looked around, receiving nods from all the women. “Good.” Turning back to Duke Arten, she grinned. “No problems this trip, though we almost had one at the gate.”
“Yes, I imagine so,” Duke Arten said softly, realizing that Shair already knew about the attack on Java. “That particular problem has been dealt with.”
Shair nodded. She was willing to wait for the details so long as Java was safe and whole. She allowed Java and Robin to drag her into the manor while Duke Arten smiled and left without further comment. It would take far more resources than Denver could muster to get to Java now.
Barnum and Lothar introduced themselves to the rest of the Firewalkers, and helped see to the horses. Caitlin cornered Lothar in the stable.
“What’s the rest of the story, Lothar?” she asked as the rest of the Firewalkers gathered around.
Lothar glanced around and shrugged. “Well, Princess Java has been hanging around the gate, apparently waiting for you to show up. She was making the Gate Sissies nervous, walking around with so much sharp steel, so they got Captain Corban to ask her to leave it off. That’s what triggered the attack: Those men thought she was unarmed. Fools.” Lothar was hanging Star’s tack on the side of the stall where he had put Shair’s horse.
“Java’s never unarmed,” Caitlin said softly, smiling. “We’re going to have to arrange quarters for a few nights. Do you know of any good inns that’ll take us?”
“I do, but I wouldn’t be hasty. I think Lady Robin is planning to keep some of you here with her. This manor has fifteen bedrooms, not counting servant’s quarters. She has the space for you if some of you can double-up.” Lothar grinned, liking the idea of having so many unattached women about.
Caitlin saw the grin and returned it. Lothar was well into his fourth decade, but he was still a handsome man. “Fine by me. I’ll only be staying a few days anyway. I’m going home to see the folks.”
*
Java and Robin led Shair into the manor and introduced her to the Bel’Carin family. Shair’s reaction to Ivy and Heather was predictable enough, but their reaction to her was not.
“You are a mercenary?” Eldora asked, not believing her eyes.
Lieutenant Skyhaven snapped to attention and bowed. “Scout Lieutenant Shair Skyhaven, at your service.”
“But, I don’t…that is…why?” Eldora was stunned by the beautiful woman standing in the library sipping wine.
“It was the best thing for me to do, given my situation. Why do you ask?” Shair was, as always, polite and proper.
“It’s just that…I don’t know. You don’t look like a mercenary. I guess I thought of mercenaries as being large, rough, hulking women.” Eldora finally shrugged her shoulders, indicating that she didn’t have anything else to say.
Shair smiled, then chuckled. “There are some like that, especially in the infantry. You’ll get to meet some of them as soon as the horses are taken care of. Scouts, archers, quartermasters, even cavalrywomen don’t necessarily need to be big. We count on other things to give us an advantage.”
Ivy and Heather shared looks that Java couldn’t read, but she decided that having one or both attending Lieutenant Skyhaven in the bath might not be a bad idea. Java’s scars were bad, but Shair’s were worse. Java drew attention to herself by walking over to the window.
“You heard what happened?”
“Part. How did you let that bonehead talk you into leaving your knives behind?” Shair was suddenly Lieutenant Skyhaven again, and Java snapped to attention to report.
“Sir, Captain Corban asked me to leave off my bandoleer because his Guards were nervous. I retained my back sheaths, sir.” Java finished by detailing her actions, blow by blow, staring straight ahead.
“That’s not a good idea, Scout. Back sheaths are hard to get to in an emergency. If Captain Corban has any other problems concerning your weaponry, I would suggest you ignore him. You must remember that he has no real authority over you.” Shair smiled and held out her arms, and Java was again enfolded in her embrace. “If they had hurt you…” she whispered.
“They didn’t. I had the shakes for a bit, but it was mainly from anger. Men here don’t expect women to fight. Not even us.” Java snuggled into Shair’s ample bosom and sighed. “Gods, how I’ve missed you.”
“You have been missed as well, sweetling. Have you made any arrangements for us yet?” Shair didn’t look up, so she missed Robin’s soft smile.
“I have room here, Shair, so long as some of the troops can share,” Robin said from beside the fireplace. “This manor has plenty of beds.” Her grin set Shair laughing.
“Nice big beds, I’ll bet,” Shair said with a grin. “So, how have you two avoided the scandals?”
“We both like boys, Shair. A boy here, a man there. We both have a reputation for being choosy,” Robin said while Java remained in Shair’s embrace.
Shair’s expression flickered to distaste for a moment, then she shrugged. “Beats being stoned to death.” Patting Java on the back, she began moving about the room, keeping an arm loosely around Java’s waist. “Has Ander sent any word?”
“No, sir. Sammy said she sent him a letter, and I was hoping he would show up. How long can you stay?” Java looked up and caught a flicker of disappointment in Shair’s face.
“Twenty days. I hope he does show up. It would be good to see him again. He used to play horsy for me.” Shair smiled softly as she reme
mbered her beloved big brother.
“We have some time. How long will the troops be staying, Shair?” Robin asked from behind her desk, shuffling papers to find her supply list.
“Only a night or two for most of them. Only two are from this area. The rest will be traveling home over the next few days.”
“You and those who don’t have someplace else to go are welcome to stay here. This barn gets lonely.” Robin laughed, happy to have someone to show off the manor to.
“Then we are pleased to accept your hospitality, Lady Robin.” Shair half-bowed, making Robin laugh.
*
Supper was loud with laughter and singing. Robin had sent Eldora to the market for supplies, and Lothar had gone with her. He’d purchased a cask of good beer at Java’s request and the Firewalkers were all in high spirits early in the evening. When some of the women began making bawdy comments, Java suggested that they head into town where there were more men. Within moments the room was deserted except for Robin, Java, Shair and Caitlin. At Java’s questioning look, Caitlin smirked and glanced at Lothar. Java’s nod sent her into a giggle fit.
“Oh, how I’ve missed this!” Java said loudly. “I don’t care what anyone else says, there’s nothing like having a big, noisy family.”
CHAPTER 16: ROYAL COUSINS
Family, even the odd ones, are always welcome.
Master Scholar Princess Sharindis Zel’Andral, “Travels with Stavin”
SHAIR WAS INVITED TO THE PALACE for a private conference with Arten and Naria two days later. “Well, Shair, what do you think?” Naria asked from the couch that she shared with Arten.
Shair smiled and looked sideways at her host. “About what?”
“About Java. Don’t play coy, Shair. You haven’t come to visit us in years, even when you were down in Linkville. What do you think of her as the next duchess?” Naria asked with a smile and a laugh.
“I think you have no idea how close you came to having the company knocking on your door to get her back. Marta was furious! You know full well what kind of effect Java has on people. It was only the messages she sent that kept Marta and the rest of us in Firedale.” Shair appeared deceptively relaxed as she sipped wine and regarded her hosts.
“We suspected as much. That archer, Roseville, made it clear the last day that she wasn’t happy about losing Java, even if Java’s star was rising,” Arten said softly. “She’s a natural leader, Shair. People fall in love with her as soon as they see her.”
“Yes, we know.” Shair smiled softly, sipping her wine before continuing. “Arten, why didn’t you give us some warning? If we had known why you were looking for a special girl, we could have been more observant.”
Arten shook his head. “No, this was better. Shair, we wanted someone who could handle the temptations of this place. Someone who could look a bribe in the eye and spit. If you’d known we were looking for a daughter to adopt, you would have looked among the better born. We would have accepted a girl like that, but only if she’d been as special as Java has proven herself to be.” He stood and began pacing the room, refusing to look at Shair as he spoke.
“Shair, my ancestors weren’t nobles in the Old Kingdom. They were innkeepers. Amberdrake made Barten the leader by speaking to him like a friend while they were rebuilding Whitehall after Blackmoore’s attack. He made Barten a Dragonblessed. People just started flocking to him after that. Plus, Duke Reban and his whole family were dead, so someone had to take over. Barten and Amberdrake organized the people, and when Amberdrake left, Barten took over. We need to get back to that. Back to the people. Back to the reason we exist. Back to serving our people, not having them serve us.”
“Let he who seeks power be shunned, for he shall never stop seeking more. Follow the one who offers his hand when you have fallen, for he seeks to uplift you, not top you.” Shair quoted Amberdrake. “I remember.”
“Pretty close to Java, don’t you think?” Naria asked.
Shair fixed Naria with a glare that almost made her squirm. “I told you how I felt about her, Naria. When Ari told me you’d adopted my baby, I almost rode here against orders. I had begun grooming Java to take over the Scouts after Lenver. Anness and I are both too old to last much longer in the field. Lenver will be promoted to sergeant in a year, and then to lieutenant when I resign. Java would’ve been Sergeant of Scouts in four years.”
“And now she’ll be a duchess,” Arten said from the side of the room.
Shair’s smile turned mischievous. “She will indeed. And what a duchess she’ll be. Neldan with brown hair.”
“Oh, what a thought!” Naria said as she laughed. “And with her relationship with Sammy on top of that? What a pair.”
“If we can retake Lender’s Dale,” Arten said softly from the wall where he was leaning. “If.”
*
Java spent half of her time on her duties, the other half on Shair. She hadn’t fully realized how much she’d come to depend on Shair until she’d had to do without her.
“I’ve wished I could run to you so many times over the last few months that I lost count. I never had any idea what it was the nobility really did. I always thought it was just parties and ordering the servants around all the time. I never thought it was hard work.”
“That’s because you saw the privileges, not the duties,” Shair said into Java’s ear. They were sitting in Robin’s study with Java reclining in Shair’s arms. “As you pointed out in your letters, you had a great deal more freedom as the butler’s daughter in Equintain than you do as heir. Nobility is a tight, confining suit of armor. The higher you go, the thicker the armor has to be. And the more confining.”
“I prefer Scout standard to armor,” Java said in a sour tone.
“You prefer being a Scout to being heir,” Robin said from her seat.
Java nodded and turned to kiss Shair on the cheek softly. “I prefer this. Being able to sit and talk to the people I love without worrying about some servant running off to tell someone.”
Shair returned Java’s kiss gently before speaking. “You have to be careful here as well, Java. Not because of the servants, but because of the watchers. Not all of those men out there are working for Arten or Naria.”
“We know,” Robin said as she stood and walked over to the window. “Several of them are watching us now, trying to look through the window from across the street. I’ve even felt other magi trying to peek past my shields.”
Java sighed. “Every time I come here they try really hard to catch us at something. Robin let one through one time, giving him just a crack to peek through. We had the twins in here.” Java grinned as Robin laughed.
“He saw, all right. I could feel him blush through the link his scrying had built. He must have been a young one.”
“You two are rotten.” Shair grinned, but her eyes were serious. “Has anyone else tried to catch you?”
Java nodded. “A few. They mostly try when we’re in the palace, where they can send a maid bursting in at almost any time, day or night. The only problem is that when we stay together in the palace it’s usually because we’ve been busting our butts all day and we’re too tired to ride back out here. Robin keeps some clothes in my suite, and I keep clothes here.”
Shair nodded, absently caressing Java’s hair. She didn’t often have the luxury of sitting quietly with a young woman in her arms, even a woman she felt motherly toward. Holding Java, she was reminded that this young woman and her friend were as close to children as she was ever likely to have.
Java snuggled closer to Shair, sensing at some level that she was needed and reveling in the feeling. She knew deep down in her soul that Shair loved her and needed her, something that even her real mother seldom made her feel. Nightingale was far too self-sufficient to really need Java.
*
Duke Ander Lesten of Helena arrived in Whitehall without fanfare or prior notice. He and a contingent of sixty Helena Royal Guards rode over the hill and into the valley that held Whitehall lat
e in the day, causing the Gate Guards to sound alarm horns and summon help. Captain Corban arrived just as the Duke of Helena reached the gate. Kneeling, he bowed his head.
“Lord Duke, you were not expected. I will conduct you to the palace at once.”
Duke Ander looked down from his horse and nodded. “Word was sent two weeks ago. It’s strange that it didn’t arrive. Is Arten in residence?”
“He is, Lord Duke. If you will follow me, I will be pleased to escort you to the palace.” Captain Corban stood and mounted his horse as the duke and his Guardsmen looked about. Whitehall was an impressive city, and few of the Guards had visited it before.
At the palace, they were met by Duke Arten and Duchess Naria. “Ander, this is a surprise. We didn’t expect you,” Arten said as he strode forward to clasp hands with his cousin.
“Yes, so I’ve been informed. I sent a messenger, but he seems to have gone astray. I’ve come to meet this young woman you adopted. My lords are all very curious as to what type of woman she is.” Ander smiled softly as Arten and Naria both nodded.
“Well, come in and we’ll get you settled. Java is out at her friend Robin’s manor. Captain Corban, please have someone drop in and ask Java to come back to the palace.” Duke Arten smiled and acknowledged the captain’s salute, then led Ander inside.
Captain Corban detailed a lieutenant to see to the quartering of Duke Ander’s men while he rode to get Java himself. He had his own suspicions concerning Java and Robin, and was determined that they be given every opportunity to be alone. As Emily had pointed out, truly good people were hard to find.
Robin met him on manor the porch. “Yes, Stephen, how can I help you?”
“Hello, Robin. Is Java here?”
“Yes. She’s inside with Lieutenant Skyhaven. Is there a problem?” Robin and Stephen often played word games, but she wasn’t in the mood today.
“Duke Ander of Helena is here to see her. He just rode in. Duke Arten wants Java back at the palace as soon as possible.” Stephen grinned as Robin rubbed her temples.
“Every time I think things are going to settle down… Come in. She’s going to have to change before she goes.” Robin motioned for Stephen to follow as she returned to the study.
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