A/N: Sorry it took so long; I was on vacation. These chapters are getting
harder and harder to write; not because I don't have any ideas-I do-but
because all those ideas take place in a later part of the story. So
basically I'm just winging it.
Thanks to all my reviewers!
Wormy
$$$$$$$$
Bemused, William watched Tayli disappear into her room. "Without certain appendages?" he murmured, and beside him Ster burst out laughing.
"It figures," the wiry man said. "She'd do it too."
William winced. "That's hardly decent!" Ster just chuckled.
The Duke was staring at the closed door, bemused. "She 'just knows'?"
Ster nodded gravely. "Oh, yes. She gets 'feelings' about things like this, and she hasn't been wrong yet."
From his spot against the wall, they could all hear Malay mutter something that sounded suspiciously like 'damned bitch'.
William jumped as Ster suddenly stood, face contorted in fury. "Which reminds me," he said in a voice that somehow managed to sound loud and booming and icily cold at the same time, "Captain Malay of the Guard of Lubran, I challenge you. You have dared to question my morals; not only in betraying my wife before we are even married, but to suggest that I committed such a foul act with my adopted sister! I am disgusted, 'Captain'. Not only that, you have also challenged my integrity and hers by suggesting that we are part of an outrageous plot to 'murder you all in your beds', and in doing so have doubted the judgment of our Lord Bruno. I challenge you personally to duel with me on the day of the tournament. Do you accept it? Or are you afraid?" He added the last part with a leer.
"I accept your challenge, Ravernon Ster, Chief Advisor of my Lord. But why can we not duel now, here? Do you need extra time to practice?"
Ster smirked evilly. "Oh, no, Captain. I want everyone to watch you lose." Malay was just about to make an indignant response when Duke Bruno stood up, banging his fist on the table.
"That is enough! I will not have this squabbling amongst us! Captain Malay, you have dishonored yourself by your slandering tongue, but I am willing to let it pass once. No more. And Ster, you have made your point. Taunting him is not helping matters. One more such incident and I will see to it that you are both 'reminded' of proper decorum accordingly! Have I made myself clear?"
William was struck with a vision of his father, who'd had a manner surprisingly like the Duke's, using that same phrase to discipline his often-wayward son. As a child, he'd been terrified of facing his strict father, and he understood the sheepish, chastened looks on the two grown men's faces perfectly.
The Duke turned to Terian. "Your Highness, I am sorry that you had to experience this on your first night here. I assure you that Lubran is much more pleasant than this on normal days."
William stopped listening as Terian graciously replied, and many of the other knights also lost interest. Soon the room became alive with the buzz of busy chatter. He saw Luke gesturing him to the fire, and went to join his friend.
Luke had a dreamy, lustful expression on his face that made William's stomach tighten. "What a woman, aye Willy?"
William scoffed. "Do you want to keep your 'certain appendages' or not, Luke? Don't be a fool and keep to seducing the court ladies. Speaking of which, where's your lovely damsel for the night?" There was more than a little sarcasm and scorn in his tone, but Luke cheerily ignored it, as always.
"Oh, don't fret you head about me, Willy. We have an appointment for later tonight." William shook his head, disgusted. Granted, he had the occasional tumble with a flirty maid or so himself, but they were just that: occasional, and he was never the seducer. His bed partners always knew exactly what they were getting themselves into.
Luke, on the other hand, persuaded foolhardy ladies of the court to join him on a regular basis with false promises and implications. William shuddered away from thinking about how many hearts he'd have broken by now, not to mention the amount of bastard children he could have sired . . . It was repulsive. But, by now, he knew better than to use logic against his friend. It hadn't worked so far.
Vaguely, he listened to Luke's chatter, occasionally putting in a grunt or sound of approval, letting the noise in the room wash over him, leaving him alone in his little island of thought. He wasn't sure what to think of Tayli. She had proven her worth as a warrior, obviously. William was sure that she was a better fighter than any of them. She'd also just shown one of the best examples of hotheadedness he'd seen in a while. Her rage had been so all-consuming that he found himself wondering what else had instigated it: no one became that angry at a few choice words. There must have been a deeper rage already there, covered by the cool façade. What could have possibly made her that angry?
She was Ster's adopted sister, which didn't really surprise him because they'd been so comfortable with each other from the beginning. And she was also beautiful and unreachable. She'd seemed to open up a little after Evening Petition, but that had been canceled by the abrupt attack.
That brought to mind her 'feelings' about danger and the necessary precautions. They were odd, to say the least, and he wasn't sure whether or not he could trust them yet. After all, they were just feelings. But she had known that extra precaution was needed on the night that Terian had almost been assassinated, and none of them had guessed at that necessity.
A puzzle. William smiled. He liked puzzles.
". . .and I said to her-Willy? Are you listening?"
"Uh, what? Oh! Of course, Luke, of course."
^^^^^^^^
Rafe groaned, exasperated. When would these subtle courtiers forget their blasted socializing games? There was a prisoner to be questioned, damn it, and they stood there talking idly.
Well, it seemed as if everyone else had forgotten the anonymous assassin, so it was Rafe who had to remind them; like a mother hen after her chicks.
Picking his way through the crowded room, Rafe was at the Duke's side swiftly. He coughed discreetly, interrupting his conversation with Sirs Zachary and Jerrold.
"Oh, hello Ster. I was wondering where you'd gone. What is it?"
He tried to subtly direct the Duke's mind to matters other than 'good stud stallions' and 'fine-tempered mares' and all the other nonsense they'd been going on about. "Ah, they did manage to capture the would-be-attacker, milord."
Duke Bruno looked as if he'd suddenly seen the light. "But of course! Sir Michael!" Said knight politely extricated himself from Terian's clutches and moved over to them.
"Yes, milord?"
"What did you order done with our esteemed prisoner?" Sir Michael had a revelation very similar to the Duke's.
"But of course! He is in my room at the moment. I will bring him out, if you'll excuse me." He made a polite half-bow and moved towards his chambers, motioning to a few of his knights to follow him. They obliged unhesitatingly.
Rafe considered his options. On the one hand, he knew Tayli would personally rid him of his 'certain appendages' if she found out that he hadn't called her for the questioning. On the other, if she were asleep, it would be quite embarrassing for her and their company. He'd seen her sleep enough as a child, it wasn't anything new for him, but the knights?
He decided that castration was far worse than a little embarrassment, and knocked on Tayli's door. There was a curt 'Enter!' and he opened the door a fraction and slipped inside.
Just as he'd guessed, Tayli was doing everything but sleeping. She was sitting on the ground with her legs crossed, polishing Kanai el' Kumme. The rhythmic stroke, stroke of the rag never ceased as she glanced at Rafe.
"What, Rafe?" Stroke up.
"They're going to question the prisoner. I figured you'd want to grill him." Down stroke. Up. Down. Up. Down. Stroke, stroke, stroke . . . Rafe thought he'd go mad from the meditating silence as her hands continued to guide the rag up and down the blade, washing off all imaginary dirt. Last stroke and turn the blade over, repeat on the other side. Rafe gritted his teeth. This was his one pet peeve when it came to Tayli: her habit of cleaning her sword to relax. It irritated him no end when she did it. He couldn't stand it.
Then, slowly, she put the rag down and rose gracefully to her feet, a soft breath of a sigh escaping her lips. Tayli had a way of sitting that he'd recognize anywhere-it allowed her to stand up without help and without tripping over her legs. And no matter how much Rafe tried it, it remained a mystery how she managed.
She sheathed Kanai after one last, longing look and followed Rafe out of the door.
^^^^^^^^
Later that night, William added a great deal to his letter, describing the incident. He'd talked about Tayli in the real letter, when he'd thought he was done, but this was too important not to write. He managed to shorten the story a great deal:
'After Evening Petition, which was quite boring, Tayli came back to the rooms early, with Zachary (and no, not for that!). She stopped at the door because she was sure that there was someone there. The long and short of the matter is that she went in, was attacked, and managed to fend him off- even though he was armed and twice as big as she was. We only got around to questioning the man an hour or so later. I'll make this much briefer because it took a long time to get this much out of the man, during which Tayli lost her temper and scared him into talking. It was quite impressive, actually.
This is what we ended up with: his name is Casey, and he's a rogue bandit/mercenary who was stopping in Lubran and ended up taking a job from a woman who paid him well. He was to assassinate Terian. Why, he wouldn't say, and he claimed not to remember what she looked like. It's got all of us thinking. The only one who doesn't seem bothered is Tayli, but then, she's barely shown any emotion but anger. I'll keep you informed on what happens, I know you love mysteries.
Take care of yourself, Melizia.
With love,
Willy'
$$$$$$$$
A/N: Ok, so the important event will have to wait for the next chapter. But in the meantime . . . who is this mysterious Lady Melizia? And the equally mysterious woman who wants Terian dead? Lots of questions that may or may not have answers. Please review!
Wormy
Thanks to all my reviewers!
Wormy
$$$$$$$$
Bemused, William watched Tayli disappear into her room. "Without certain appendages?" he murmured, and beside him Ster burst out laughing.
"It figures," the wiry man said. "She'd do it too."
William winced. "That's hardly decent!" Ster just chuckled.
The Duke was staring at the closed door, bemused. "She 'just knows'?"
Ster nodded gravely. "Oh, yes. She gets 'feelings' about things like this, and she hasn't been wrong yet."
From his spot against the wall, they could all hear Malay mutter something that sounded suspiciously like 'damned bitch'.
William jumped as Ster suddenly stood, face contorted in fury. "Which reminds me," he said in a voice that somehow managed to sound loud and booming and icily cold at the same time, "Captain Malay of the Guard of Lubran, I challenge you. You have dared to question my morals; not only in betraying my wife before we are even married, but to suggest that I committed such a foul act with my adopted sister! I am disgusted, 'Captain'. Not only that, you have also challenged my integrity and hers by suggesting that we are part of an outrageous plot to 'murder you all in your beds', and in doing so have doubted the judgment of our Lord Bruno. I challenge you personally to duel with me on the day of the tournament. Do you accept it? Or are you afraid?" He added the last part with a leer.
"I accept your challenge, Ravernon Ster, Chief Advisor of my Lord. But why can we not duel now, here? Do you need extra time to practice?"
Ster smirked evilly. "Oh, no, Captain. I want everyone to watch you lose." Malay was just about to make an indignant response when Duke Bruno stood up, banging his fist on the table.
"That is enough! I will not have this squabbling amongst us! Captain Malay, you have dishonored yourself by your slandering tongue, but I am willing to let it pass once. No more. And Ster, you have made your point. Taunting him is not helping matters. One more such incident and I will see to it that you are both 'reminded' of proper decorum accordingly! Have I made myself clear?"
William was struck with a vision of his father, who'd had a manner surprisingly like the Duke's, using that same phrase to discipline his often-wayward son. As a child, he'd been terrified of facing his strict father, and he understood the sheepish, chastened looks on the two grown men's faces perfectly.
The Duke turned to Terian. "Your Highness, I am sorry that you had to experience this on your first night here. I assure you that Lubran is much more pleasant than this on normal days."
William stopped listening as Terian graciously replied, and many of the other knights also lost interest. Soon the room became alive with the buzz of busy chatter. He saw Luke gesturing him to the fire, and went to join his friend.
Luke had a dreamy, lustful expression on his face that made William's stomach tighten. "What a woman, aye Willy?"
William scoffed. "Do you want to keep your 'certain appendages' or not, Luke? Don't be a fool and keep to seducing the court ladies. Speaking of which, where's your lovely damsel for the night?" There was more than a little sarcasm and scorn in his tone, but Luke cheerily ignored it, as always.
"Oh, don't fret you head about me, Willy. We have an appointment for later tonight." William shook his head, disgusted. Granted, he had the occasional tumble with a flirty maid or so himself, but they were just that: occasional, and he was never the seducer. His bed partners always knew exactly what they were getting themselves into.
Luke, on the other hand, persuaded foolhardy ladies of the court to join him on a regular basis with false promises and implications. William shuddered away from thinking about how many hearts he'd have broken by now, not to mention the amount of bastard children he could have sired . . . It was repulsive. But, by now, he knew better than to use logic against his friend. It hadn't worked so far.
Vaguely, he listened to Luke's chatter, occasionally putting in a grunt or sound of approval, letting the noise in the room wash over him, leaving him alone in his little island of thought. He wasn't sure what to think of Tayli. She had proven her worth as a warrior, obviously. William was sure that she was a better fighter than any of them. She'd also just shown one of the best examples of hotheadedness he'd seen in a while. Her rage had been so all-consuming that he found himself wondering what else had instigated it: no one became that angry at a few choice words. There must have been a deeper rage already there, covered by the cool façade. What could have possibly made her that angry?
She was Ster's adopted sister, which didn't really surprise him because they'd been so comfortable with each other from the beginning. And she was also beautiful and unreachable. She'd seemed to open up a little after Evening Petition, but that had been canceled by the abrupt attack.
That brought to mind her 'feelings' about danger and the necessary precautions. They were odd, to say the least, and he wasn't sure whether or not he could trust them yet. After all, they were just feelings. But she had known that extra precaution was needed on the night that Terian had almost been assassinated, and none of them had guessed at that necessity.
A puzzle. William smiled. He liked puzzles.
". . .and I said to her-Willy? Are you listening?"
"Uh, what? Oh! Of course, Luke, of course."
^^^^^^^^
Rafe groaned, exasperated. When would these subtle courtiers forget their blasted socializing games? There was a prisoner to be questioned, damn it, and they stood there talking idly.
Well, it seemed as if everyone else had forgotten the anonymous assassin, so it was Rafe who had to remind them; like a mother hen after her chicks.
Picking his way through the crowded room, Rafe was at the Duke's side swiftly. He coughed discreetly, interrupting his conversation with Sirs Zachary and Jerrold.
"Oh, hello Ster. I was wondering where you'd gone. What is it?"
He tried to subtly direct the Duke's mind to matters other than 'good stud stallions' and 'fine-tempered mares' and all the other nonsense they'd been going on about. "Ah, they did manage to capture the would-be-attacker, milord."
Duke Bruno looked as if he'd suddenly seen the light. "But of course! Sir Michael!" Said knight politely extricated himself from Terian's clutches and moved over to them.
"Yes, milord?"
"What did you order done with our esteemed prisoner?" Sir Michael had a revelation very similar to the Duke's.
"But of course! He is in my room at the moment. I will bring him out, if you'll excuse me." He made a polite half-bow and moved towards his chambers, motioning to a few of his knights to follow him. They obliged unhesitatingly.
Rafe considered his options. On the one hand, he knew Tayli would personally rid him of his 'certain appendages' if she found out that he hadn't called her for the questioning. On the other, if she were asleep, it would be quite embarrassing for her and their company. He'd seen her sleep enough as a child, it wasn't anything new for him, but the knights?
He decided that castration was far worse than a little embarrassment, and knocked on Tayli's door. There was a curt 'Enter!' and he opened the door a fraction and slipped inside.
Just as he'd guessed, Tayli was doing everything but sleeping. She was sitting on the ground with her legs crossed, polishing Kanai el' Kumme. The rhythmic stroke, stroke of the rag never ceased as she glanced at Rafe.
"What, Rafe?" Stroke up.
"They're going to question the prisoner. I figured you'd want to grill him." Down stroke. Up. Down. Up. Down. Stroke, stroke, stroke . . . Rafe thought he'd go mad from the meditating silence as her hands continued to guide the rag up and down the blade, washing off all imaginary dirt. Last stroke and turn the blade over, repeat on the other side. Rafe gritted his teeth. This was his one pet peeve when it came to Tayli: her habit of cleaning her sword to relax. It irritated him no end when she did it. He couldn't stand it.
Then, slowly, she put the rag down and rose gracefully to her feet, a soft breath of a sigh escaping her lips. Tayli had a way of sitting that he'd recognize anywhere-it allowed her to stand up without help and without tripping over her legs. And no matter how much Rafe tried it, it remained a mystery how she managed.
She sheathed Kanai after one last, longing look and followed Rafe out of the door.
^^^^^^^^
Later that night, William added a great deal to his letter, describing the incident. He'd talked about Tayli in the real letter, when he'd thought he was done, but this was too important not to write. He managed to shorten the story a great deal:
'After Evening Petition, which was quite boring, Tayli came back to the rooms early, with Zachary (and no, not for that!). She stopped at the door because she was sure that there was someone there. The long and short of the matter is that she went in, was attacked, and managed to fend him off- even though he was armed and twice as big as she was. We only got around to questioning the man an hour or so later. I'll make this much briefer because it took a long time to get this much out of the man, during which Tayli lost her temper and scared him into talking. It was quite impressive, actually.
This is what we ended up with: his name is Casey, and he's a rogue bandit/mercenary who was stopping in Lubran and ended up taking a job from a woman who paid him well. He was to assassinate Terian. Why, he wouldn't say, and he claimed not to remember what she looked like. It's got all of us thinking. The only one who doesn't seem bothered is Tayli, but then, she's barely shown any emotion but anger. I'll keep you informed on what happens, I know you love mysteries.
Take care of yourself, Melizia.
With love,
Willy'
$$$$$$$$
A/N: Ok, so the important event will have to wait for the next chapter. But in the meantime . . . who is this mysterious Lady Melizia? And the equally mysterious woman who wants Terian dead? Lots of questions that may or may not have answers. Please review!
Wormy