"Hell's Fire, Mother Night, and May the Darkness be Merciful," Blade breathed as the group of Blood approached the village, his grandson leading a thin, dark-haired woman at the head of the pack. He had known power in his lifetime. His grandson wore a Black Jewel, and Blade was friends with the High Lord. However, the feeling of male power had a distinct feeling from a witch's power, and a witch's power has a different flavor than a males. The last time Blade felt this kind of pull to a witch's power was when he met his wife, and the feeling was more muted than what he felt for the young woman approaching the village.
When his grandson told the people an Ebon-Gray Jewel witch was willing to rule the people of Shalador Nehele, the excitement rolled through the Territory. Gifts started coming in at a record pace, letters of intent to serve rolled into his grandson's mailbox, and various Queens came into town to stay once they knew she was coming. The entire town of Eyota was in a tizzy of activity for the past week. While the women cleaned and prepared the Queen's Residence for the Lady to approve, the men carefully went over the credentials of the males who wished to serve. He only had a handful of men who he felt comfortable presenting to the Lady, but from the other men in the group to the side he could clearly tell the difference of the quality men his other Elders held the male up against.
As the group entered the square, a cheer rose up from the people. The young woman on Luc's arm smiled graciously, and nodded at each cluster of people. Someone threw white petals in the air as she passed, and her laugh rang out over the square. Her delight made the people cheer louder. Blade's smile grew into a grin when one of the triplets rushed up to meet the Lady and she immediately knelt down to hug the child. The last Queen who ruled here did not like children. Oh, she didn't mind them if she had to be around them at a function or another. However, she always made sure to not be around any child for long periods of time alone. No one but Blade noticed, since most of the men were more concerned with wetting their wicks than making sure their people were taken care of properly. When that particular lady's contract ran out, he made sure the Elders were aware of her peculiarities.
Her contract wasn't renewed.
Now, this young woman whose beauty wasn't flashy or glamorous, whose affection for the young ones, and whose dark Jewel was one most hadn't seen in centuries was standing in front of him with a child at her side and his grandson behind her.
"Lord Blade," she said with a slight accent and a voice that caressed and soothed parts of his soul he didn't know was aching. "Your grandson has told me so much about you." Her hands were held out in formal greeting, and he placed his under hers.
"My Lady Mirana," he replied warmly. "Allow me to show you my people."
"Unther, my good friend," Kyle rumbled with a grin as he gave Unther a back slapping hug. "It has been too long since we have seen each other."
"As you can see," Unther chuckled as he stepped back and gestured to the newly decorated hall, "we have been very busy."
"This is marvelous," Kyle laughed while looking around at the furnishings. Unther could see the approval in the old man's eye with the hint of concern. "This must have cost you quite a lot of coin to spruce this place up."
"Actually, it was not as much as you think," Unther replied with pride. He still couldn't believe what Jolin had done in the last week, but the young woman had been full of surprises the last week.
Her morning routine was one which bothered all of the males, but when their Queen requested a ride with a very large furry Warlord Prince it was not something they could well protest. After all, he was a Brother who would protect and defend as well as any of them. It also was a comfort to see how well their Queen rode at a full gallop one afternoon when the sun was bright and the weather clear. Stephen told him Gathering Storm was well aware their Queen was still in the dark about her riding companion being Kindred, and Unther wanted to keep it that way just a little while longer. After all, the opinions his Lady held about Black Widows were still so negative the resident Black Widow, Kalisa, has been unable to approach the Lady about possible cases needing to being investigated over abuse of Black Widow power. He did not want to try to think about what the Lady thought about their Kindred Brothers and Sisters.
After her morning ride, she would sit down at a late brunch with the household to see what would be on her agenda for the day. Unther tried to present her with various files with males who he felt would do well in the Court, but she brushed him off in favor of getting the household together. He couldn't argue with her when she pointed out most males with experience would expect a well done household to live in while serving their Queen.
The rest of the day was spent going through the manor and deciding what to do with everything they found. Jolin was surprisingly willing to use furniture he hadn't seen in years, and sometimes ever, when they found a room full or even a whole wing he had no idea existed until the youngsters asked if it was all right to wander into said wing. There was a particular room he didn't know why Jolin bolted out of it after a few seconds and began to throw up into a basket nearby. It was one of the few times she allowed Kalisa to touch her as the women helped Jolin back to her quarters. Once the rooms were cleansed, the strange furniture in the room made his skin crawl. No one knew what it was for, and Jolin wouldn't even go back to the wing until the furniture was put into a pile in a newly installed bonfire pit. Every person in the house watched as their Queen burned the furniture with witchfire so powerful there wasn't even ashes left by the time it burned down.
Once that particular drama was out of the way, Jolin went through every piece of furniture, painting, and cloth in the storage. They had just finished yesterday when Unther received the missive from Kyle stating he and several of the Blood who lived in the mountains were coming down for a restock before it grew too cold and snowy to come down. Jolin proceeded to have what Warren called "a polite fit" before settling down to get the main entrance presentable for visitors. Unther was shocked when he came out of his office in the afternoon for the ritual snack buffet Mrs. Thorne set up for people to nibble on in the afternoon to find the entire front hall, the formal sitting room, the informal sitting room, and both of the dining rooms fully furnished. Lady Solye told Unther that Jolin was down for her afternoon nap, and would join the rest of the group as well as the guests for dinner once she was awake earlier in the day. The little time he would have alone with the group of men before his lady came down was a kindness, since he had no idea what kind of males Kyle would be bring with him. A quick glance had given him a good idea of what kind of men were here, and he was glad it was only these particular males.
Most of the men who live in the mountains didn't trust women. They were there because of the wrongs some Queens had done, and even some aristo women who had just enough power to hurt them in more ways than one. It was a sad reality most of the Blood had to live with, especially with dark Jewel witches.
"You must tell me where you got this fabulous wood," Kyle said as he stroked the table in the middle of the entrance holding a very large display of flowers from the overgrown garden out back.
"I am not sure where we-"
"Uncle Unther!" a small voice squealed as a small bundle of witch threw herself at him. His arms automatically caught the young girl, and he spun her around while she laughed.
"How is my lovely young Lavender?" he chuckled, leaning back to get a good look at the girl. Her dark brown hair and golden eyes spoke of the long lived races, but her skin was just a shade lighter than the usual coloring. It was the only thing giving away the young girl's not so pure heritage, which mattered to most when the girl in question is a Queen for most of the Territories, even after the Purge. Lavender wore a Birthright Summer Sky, and was cherished by the mountain group for more reasons than one. She would grow up to be an amazing Queen if he had anything to do with it. He set the girl down and she ran back to the group of men, weaving through till she was out of sight once more.
"One day, she won't have to hide I hope," Kyle murmured.
"Have you anything you need for me to find?" Unther asked Kyle. The man shifted from foot to foot before gesturing to an older man near the doorway leading to the informal sitting room.
"That's Lord Samuel," Kyle murmured. "He is getting too old to be in the mountains. The winters are getting harder for him to bear in our current housing conditions, even with the warming spells on his hut. He almost died last winter from a cold because we couldn't keep him warm enough. Unther, the old man taught most of us how to fight and what it was to be a Blood male. I would like to have him find a warm place to live, a soft bed to sleep in, and good food in his belly his last years."
"I think we can find him something," Unther told the man, but silently hoped Jolin wouldn't find out about the man until he did make accommodations for him other than staying in one of the guest rooms. Unther walked over to the older man with a smile. "Lord Samuel, the informal sitting room has more comfortable chairs to sit in if you would prefer."
"I like it right here Lord Unther," Lord Samuel grumped. Unther opened his mouth to tell the older man it would probably be best if he was out of the hall when supplies were brought through, when his worst nightmare came to life.
"Unther! I have the most wonderful idea!" Jolin shouted as she ran down the staircase. He turned to face her, and found his breath taken away at the sight of her. He was used to seeing her in fancy dresses and her hair done up since the maids have been practicing, he was used to seeing her perfectly coiffed for everyday wear, and he was even used to seeing her look perfectly made up after her morning rides somehow. What he wasn't used to was seeing her like this.
She was wearing old clothes, trousers and a sweater so old they belonged in the rag bin, and a bandanna covering her unbound blond hair she left to naturally flow down her back. Her face was devoid of its usual layer of paint, letting the few accents of dust she must have gotten on her face while digging through storage decorate her gorgeous features. It was amazing the difference the past week made in his Lady when the outside influence of others wasn't around to spoil what he was beginning to find beneath all that snobby and uppity act she put on. The words the Black Widow rang in his head as she skidded to a stop in front of him. He saw her mouth moving, but all he could hear was the words "diamond in the rough" over and over in his head.
"Unther, who is this beauty?" Samuel asked. Jolin stopped speaking and looked around. Suddenly, the Lady he loved disappeared as he saw the Bitch return with each male she laid her eyes on.
"Unther, why didn't you tell me our guests were here already?" Jolin simpered while holding out her hands in greeting to Kyle.
"My apologies," Unther muttered as he watched her interact with Kyle. She was flirty, putting on the flash and glitter he was used to seeing when she was back in Hyall with her pals. It was almost amazing to see how smooth a change she could put on when the time came for it.
"My my my," Samuel said with a shake of his head. The old man shambled his way forward till he was standing beside Jolin. "I never thought I would see such a beauty in all my years here." Unther watched Jolin turn to face the older man, a curious look on her face.
"Did you used to live here?" Jolin asked.
"Oh, I lived and worked here," Samuel chuckled, gesturing toward Unther. "I used to be a footman in his wing of the household. Known him since he was in nappies I have."
"You did?" Unther asked with disbelief.
"I left a great while before your Birthright ceremony," Lord Samuel replied, his eyes not leaving Jolin. "However, if my memory serves, this beautiful young woman is by far the most attractive Queen I have seen since your great-great-grandmother sat as the seat of our District."
"You are such a flatterer," Jolin laughed, clapping her hands together and shaking her head. "I bet all the girls loved you in your younger days."
"Who said it was just my younger days?" Samuel faux whispered as he leaned in conspiratorially. Jolin's laugh, her honest laugh Unther was relieved to hear, rang through the lobby while she snagged her arm through Samuel's arm.
"Perhaps you could tell me about what was like living here while Unther was in his nappies," Jolin said while guiding him toward the stairs.
"I would be delighted," Samuel replied, patting her hand as they walked. Unther's lips curled into a smile as he studied the picture the two of them made. It was rather picturesque, an older gentleman being helped up the stairs by a kind younger woman. He was so into the picture he didn't realize Lavender had rushed forward and up behind the pair until the little Queen was tugging on Jolin's shirt. Unther held his breath when Jolin turned to face the young girl, her face an unreadable mask.
"You're pretty," Lavender breathed. Unther could feel the excitement of being near Jolin coming off the small girl without any effort.
*Has she ever been near a Queen before?* Unther asked Kyle on a spear thread.
*This is the first time she has been near a Queen since she had her Birthright Ceremony* Kyle replied, fear buzzing like a bee on the thread while Jolin knelt down.
"You think I am pretty like this," Jolin whispered loudly so everyone could hear, a smile on her face, "then you should see me all dressed up in one of my ball gowns and my hair in curls."
"I have a pretty dress too," Lavender giggled while swishing her faded skirt. "This is not it though. This is my every day dress. I have to be really careful with it because Xavier said we can't get another dress until I am two whole inches taller."
"Two whole inches," Jolin gasped, looking at all of the men in the group. "Well, I am sure the men here would rather you have a new dress now. After all, a pretty young lady needs a pretty gown to wear."
*Lady…*
*If you had bothered listening to me, this has something to do with my idea* Jolin snapped across a Purple Dusk thread, making Kyle wince beside Unther, though her face was still all smiles as she held out her hand to Lavender. "Why don't you, my new friend, and I wander up to the Queen's private parlor, and we can see if we can find you something beautiful to wear to dinner."
"How many marks?" Lavender asked suspiciously.
"Oh, but this is a gift," Jolin insisted as she took Lavender's hand in her own. "Don't you know it is custom for a Queen to give another Queen a gift when they meet for the first time?"
"But I don't have anything," Lavender replied with shock as the three of them walked up the grand staircase.
"Don't you have a story you can tell me?" Jolin said as they turned at the top of the stair and wandered down the hall. "After all, a laugh is a wonderful thing to give."
"It is?" Lavender asked.
"Samuel can tell you, a laugh is sometimes a most needed gift," Jolin said. Samuel's response was muffled, but Jolin's laugh wafted down the hall. Every male held their breath until the voices could no longer be heard, but Kyle's burst of air was tell-tale.
"What?" Unther asked, looking at the man out of the corner of his eye, still not daring to move his body angle from the stairs.
"This is going to be complicated," Kyle groaned while wiping his hands down his face.
"Do I want to know why?" Unther sighed as he tipped his head back to the ceiling.
"Xavier came with us," Kyle muttered.
"That is easy enough to fix," Unther grunted. "I'll just tell him to take the cost of the dress out of the supplies from the mountains you usually send us."
"He isn't the only one we have to worry about," Kyle admitted. "We also brought Lavender's very large new friend." Unther's head snapped to look at Kyle, whose face was in a grimace. He knew the wording of that particular phrase. Unther had heard it in many courts. It was just a matter of one question.
"How big a friend?"
"It is women only time!" Mirana snarled as she slammed the door on four furry faces. "Go bother someone else for a while!"
"That isn't very nice," Talia chuckled while bringing her coffee cups to her lips.
"I want to spend the next hour without any males, without any questions about when I planned on starting my court, and without having to worry about what I am saying getting back to my mother and father," Mirana told the women sitting in the parlor with a pointed look. Talia knew it was ritual of the First Circle to take confidences of their Queen, and Talia was flattered she was considered as such.
"Today wasn't that bad, considering," Coren said as she set a platter of nibbles in the middle of the room.
"I have seen much worse first days in Courts," Paulina snickered while she weaved on a small hand loom. Like most Black Widows, weaving for pleasure is not only practice for the real webs they have to weave but it also gives others the visual of something normal with women who are still feared in most areas.
"Fine, we will talk about it, but you best be on my side," Mirana groaned, flopping onto a nearby couch with an arm thrown over her eyes.
"We wouldn't dare be on any other side Lady," Marilyn replied dutifully. Mirana peered out from under her arm to glare at the Healer.
"You have to deal with them too," Mirana told the young woman.
"It could be worse," Talia said as she took a nut cake from the platter on the table in the center of the room before leaning back. "After all, there could have been more Warlord Princes."
"Oh there are," Coren chirped with a wink. "You just have to wait to meet them because Prince Luc made a ruling you would not be meeting any Warlord Princes who did not live in Eyota or Warlord Prince of their respective areas until after Winsol."
"To give you time to adjust to the area and make sure you have the right frame of mind to make decisions," Talia informed the young woman. Of course, Talia expected the reasons were more personal than for the good of Mirana. However, Luc discussed that particular ruling with Talia, and she agreed Mirana needed to get used to being around males wanting to serve before she was bombarded with more males than she could handle.
It wasn't doubt of Mirana's ability to handle Blood males. The girl knew how to respond to all of the questions asked, including some of the more delicately and not so delicately asked ones about her current status of bed partner, the males put to her this afternoon. Talia had a suspicion more than one of the males would be escorted to the border this evening by a very angry trio of young men, and told they were never to return as long as Mirana ruled Shalador Nehele.
However, Talia watched the young Queen very closely today, and it was very apparent Mirana was going to have a long road ahead of her when she was finally the official Queen of the Territory. Meeting the Elders was a success. Mirana made sure to spend equal time with each of the Elders as to make it seem fair before taking Luc's offered arm to be lead around the village. Talia had to admit, for such a small village, their lending library was impressive. Mirana's hands gently caressed the cabinet Luc had explained was the Queen's private collection for her use while Luc's eyes caressed Mirana without the young woman realizing it. Talia wondered how long the two would dance around each other before Mirana formally asked him to be her Consort.
Next, they group was taken to the Healer's House, where Mirana met Yarek's mother. Lady Hester was a kind and gentle woman, and obviously knew her craft. Talia was clueless about what exactly the house was used for, other than the Basic Craft she knew for minor injuries related to her old profession, but she was impressed none the less. Mirana and Marilyn gushed over the supplies and various webs hanging in the main healing room, which Talia did not dare set foot in. Healing craft is delicate business. Having someone in the room who doesn't understand the craft poking around in things they shouldn't could make all the difference in the healing of a person.
The only real snag of the day was when the formal dinner was set. Mirana was, of course, sitting where the Territory Queen should be sitting, and Protocol dictated where the others should sit. Everything was fine until a young Queen decided to get a bit too big for her britches.
"I don't understand why I have to sit all the way over here when some no body from a slum is given the place of honor," the young woman stated much too loud for it to be meant a private omission between her and her friends. "After all, I have been a Providence Queen for over three years, much longer than any of the women here, and I should be at the head of the table."
"Lady," one of her male companions hissed as a few of the Eyotan males shifted in her direction.
"From what I hear, she has no experience ruling, nor has she had any offers since she has finished her training," the young lady sniffed before taking a swallow of wine. "It makes one wonder what she did to get the position she is in now."
"Lady," the companion pleaded while his eyes darted around the room. Talia watched the Eyotan males near the end the Lady was seated looking at each other, and could feel the silent communication they were having as the young woman continued to dig herself a hole deeper and deeper with every word.
"I don't know about the rest of you," the young woman now shouting when she realized she had everyone's attention, "but I believe we should be questioning the decision the males made on our behalf. If we are going to let someone like her rule, maybe we should reconsider letting the males make-" The young woman choked, and her hand went her throat. Talia watched the young woman struggle to breath as the Eyotan males who had crept subtly close enough to physically remove the woman stopped in their tracks. It was silent in the room, the only sound the clinking of forks setting down and chairs creaking as people shifted themselves away from the woman. Talia shivered, and registered the room had dropped several degrees in the last few seconds when her breath fogged in front of her. She turned to look at Mirana, and saw what could only be considered a beautiful nightmare.
Mirana was standing at the head of the table, with Luc standing at her side. Her eyes were deep glittering amethyst pools staring down the young woman as the food on the table began to form ice crystals and wine began turned solid. Talia grabbed Blade's hand for comfort when a roll of thunder rumbled through the room. Mirana nodded, simultaneously releasing the young woman from the choke hold to finally breath after what seemed to be a lifetime but couldn't have been more than a few seconds while giving a gesture to the males nearest to the young woman.
"The Queen has dismissed you from her presence for the rest of the evening Lady Amy," Luc informed the young woman as she was lifted from her chair and dragged out of the formal dining area. The young woman was lifted out of the chair and whisked away without effort, and the rest of the table dismissed for the after dinner coffee and dessert since the food and wine were now no longer edible. It was a custom for the men and women to separate after the meal, which was why the women were now sitting in the parlor without any males of either two or four-legged variety.
"I think you should have Luc gather a list of the women who are a concern from the Queens in the areas," Talia told Mirana as she watched the young Queen pace the floor.
"She might just end up with a list of petty squabbles from the Providence Queens," Coren snorted while taking the seat closest to the fire with a shiver. "However, if Amy is an indication of the Providence Queens you will be dealing with, you might want to have a conversation with the Queen of Dena Nehele."
"The woman would have an idea of what kind of Queens you will be working with," Talia replied with a nod in Coren's direction.
"Or removing from power," Paulina murmured, turning her weaving in her hands and ignoring the glare Mirana threw in her direction.
"Listen," Marilyn sighed as she called in a stack of paper and a pen. "Why don't you write a missive to the Queen and ask her to meet you for an informal reception? It is custom for the two of you to get together anyway. Protocol dictates there should technically be a court set up before the meeting takes place, but I think we can fudge that particular part since you are taking over the Territory bordering hers."
"It would also do the boyos some good to have some time with their buddies," Coren explained as Mirana took the pen and paper with a grimace. "Allan was mentioning something about grumbles from them about how they haven't been able to spend time with the neighboring Blood Males in a while in preparation for this event. The sending of the missive would give the boyos a much needed break, and quite frankly I need a break too. Allan has been smothering me since the day he found me and I would like to be able to spend time helping Mirana get settled. After all, a busy Male is a happy Female."
"And may the Darkness be Merciful for busy Males," Mirana laughed with a shake of her head as she took a seat at a little desk in the near the large painting of a Sceltie.
"So, does anyone want to comment on the fact Teral couldn't keep his eyes off of Yarek's mother, or are we going to discuss how the young Prince from the Heartsblood River Providence made eyes at Talia the entire evening?" Paulina mused while picking up another skein of color and started to wind it a shuttle.
"Do what?" Talia croaked, blinking in shock and looking around at the women in the room.
"Oh, you didn't notice Prince Ian's eyes following you around the entire reception and during dinner?" Marilyn asked with a smirk while her eyes blanked for a moment. A tray with the after dinner nibbles and a pot with coffee surrounded by cups appeared on the table in the middle of the women.
"He probably heard about my prior profession," Talia coughed as she reached for the coffee pot to pour. The pot was lifted by craft and started to pour in the cups without a pause. Coren smirked with a shrug and a cup floated to Talia without so much as a bobble. Damn Hearth Witch manners, Talia thought, taking the cup and wondering how she was going to distract herself from the thoughts swirling in her head. "It isn't often a brothel runner comes into a place such at this."
"There aren't any Red Moon houses in the entire Territory," Paulina muttered while tilting the loom with squinted eyes. "Do you think this pattern looks all right? It seems to be a bit muddled."
"If it is wrong, it is a creative feature," Hallidoria sang, walking through the door with a grin and a flourish of her hands. "Apologies for missing the evening my dear friends. My mother was having a moment and I had to get her settled before making an appearance. Paulina, I will need more of your Calming Draft if you can for tomorrow if I will be joining the group for the tour."
"I already have a fresh batch brewing, and Zachary's mother volunteered to sit with her while you attended the festivities," Paulina replied with a smile as she set the loom aside and patted the couch cushion next to her. Talia admired the young Green Jeweled witch. Her father abandoned the mother and daughter when Hallidoria's mother was Broken at a Winsol house party. Hallidoria fought for her mother, and in turn they received amply compensation as well as became famous for having such courage. The fortune from her speaking engagements on how to have courage after such a tragedy funded the care for her mother so the compensation could be saved for a rainy day, which was used to purchase a home in the village close to the Landens. What was a complete shock was the change of venue and routine making her mother inconsolable as well as unable to be left to her own devices over the last few days. Talia offered to live with the young woman and take turns watching the troubled woman so Hallidoria would be able to have time for herself, and it gave Talia a way out in case a male wanted to push the issue of bedroom entertainment on her. Plus, a Broken Witch needed to feel included in life of other Witches so she knew her life was not just about Craft.
"What were we discussing?" Hallidoria asked while taking a cup of coffee with a grateful nod to Coren.
"We were talking about Prince Ian's interest in Talia while Mirana writes a request to meet the Queen of Dena Nehele," Marilyn chimed in with a wink in Talia's direction.
"Marvelous!" Hallidoria said as she took a sip of her coffee. "Let's continue the discussion. Are you going to allow Prince Ian to pursue you, or are you going to hide behind the feeble excuse he is only interested into you because of your old profession?" The expectant looks on every female face made Talia extremely grateful for her years of telling false flatteries to males, because she was going to have to use her skills right now if she was going to make her coven believe she wasn't bothered by the attention of the young man who may or may not have good intentions.
Jolin took the cup of tea with a grateful smile at Mrs. Thorne, who also placed a small plate of nibbles on the side table with a pointed look. With a nod and a roll of her eyes, it was an unspoken reluctant agreement to eat something the two of them had created when Jolin was practicing a cleansing ritual with the others she decided would be the foundation of her coven on a large amount of furniture. Kalisa and herself were sick to their stomachs dealing with the furniture and old paintings in the attic most of the time. It was difficult to eat when dealing with the negative psychic energies filling the attics, and Mrs. Thorne pushed a plate of food at them both whenever she saw them about. Samuel telling a story about his times before he ran from the estate distracted her enough to be able to ignore the knots in her stomach caused by the furniture she discovered behind a sight shield near the front of the attics she wouldn't have stumbled upon at all if Solye hadn't pointed out a lovely armoire no one had bothered to look at in the past few rumblings. The spell was broken the minute Jolin turned the right key in the lock from the large ring Unther had placed in her hands when she said she was hunting around in the attic and wished she could open the trunks. A whole area was revealed containing furniture so divine it was a wonder it was even up there. Once she touched the first piece, however, it became clear the furniture was used for such terrible things even Kalisa had a difficult time cleansing it so it could be used in the guest rooms once there were enough people to come visit.
The distraction of watching Lavender spin in her new skirt, blurring the colors of the scraps into a rainbow of colors. Lavender's excitement and joy over the simple skirt gave the idea she had about the uses of the fabric being cut from the old dresses merit. It seemed a waste to let all the fine fabrics go into the rag bin. The hearth witch Bethany insisted the designs were so simple she would create a few to send out as gifts for the Winsol season to the young queens in the area while also making some more to sell once they were popular enough. Jolin was surprised to hear herself say the proceeds of the sale of the skirts should go into the town treasury for the school so they could build a new school house next spring. Normally, the sale of the skirt would go to the Queen's coffers since they were part of the Queen's clothing collection and would be used for the purchase of new clothing, but after the three seasons of wardrobes she was getting from the alterations it would be very unlikely she would have to purchase anything new.
"Lady Jolin," Unther interrupted as he strode into the room with a smile and a few gentlemen following behind. "I am afraid we must have this visit come to a close."
"What?" Jolin gasped, watching Lavender droop and Samuel stand. "Why?"
"It is growing darker and we need to travel to the mountains while we can still see," one of the men behind Unther explained while holding out his hand to Lavender. "Come Lady, it is time to go."
"But you weren't done with your story," Jolin protested as she scrambled to her feet and jumped in front Samuel, preventing him from joining the group. The older man grabbed her hands and brought them to his chest with a glimmer in his eye.
"I can come back when the passes clear in the spring," Samuel assured her. "My stories will hold out until then."
"Doesn't it get cold for you in the mountains?" Jolin asked with a glance over at Unther.
*Lady* Unther warned.
"Oh, nothing this body hasn't handled before," Samuel replied as he pulled her to him and kissed her cheek. "I promise to come back."
*He almost didn't make it last winter* she heard on an Opal Spear thread, the voice on the thread a deep, rich bass meant to caress a woman's senses until she quivered with need. A shiver coursed through her and the hair on her skin stood on end as she gripped Samuel's hands tight in desperation.
"But you know how to serve in a great house," she insisted with a gesture to a footman nearby. "Why, this young man has just started his training and we don't have the staff to spare to give him the proper training in protocol. Couldn't you just stay for this winter, to show him and others the ropes?"
"I am far too old to be fetching and carrying," Samuel laughed while prying his hands out of hers. "Besides, I am needed in the mountains. The boyos need me to keep them entertained on the cold nights around the fire when the snow piles up past the windows and the cold seeps through even the strongest warming spells."
"You could teach them all the subtleties of service," the same voice from her head said aloud as a tall young man came forward. Jolin's eyes roamed over the young man with approval and quickly stepped away from him and Samuel when she saw the injury on his neck. It seemed her eyes were deceiving her at first, because the large gash in his neck is normally a death sentence surely. The psychic sent hit her a moment later, confirming he was one of those who walked the night and feasted on blood: a Demon Dead.
"There aren't any subtleties to serving in a house like this," Samuel snorted, giving a shake of his head and patting the man on the shoulder as he walked past him.
"A moment," Jolin called out as she gathered her skirts and hurried to him, looping her arm through his when she reached him and guiding him towards the young footman. "Why don't you ask him questions you knew about serving then? Just to make sure we aren't doing anything wrong?"
"Lady…"
"Indulge me," Jolin interrupted while patting his hand and stepping away from him. Samuel sighed and turned his attention to the young footman, whose face had beads a sweat forming on it as the older man stared him down.
"All right boyo, tell me," Samuel finally spoke after a long minute, "what is the proper way to bow to a Queen of a rank of our ladyship here?" Everyone watched at the young man turned to Jolin, and bowed, earning a roared "WRONG!" from the older man.
"I'm sorry sir," the young footman sputtered, moving back to the place he was stationed with shining eyes.
"What order do you pass out the after dinner coffees when there is a room full of Queens?"
"You hand to the guest Queen first," the young man stammered as his eyes darted over to Unther.
"You hand to the Queen who is the highest ranking guest present, and if two Queens are the same rank you hand off to the one furthest from the door and move your way around the room counter clockwise after," Samuel sighed with a shake of his head. "Bedroom work-"
"Is not a requirement in this house," Joline snapped, surprising even herself she came off so bitchy and had no idea where that reaction came from. Samuel nodded with a sniff of approval.
"Which is exactly what is needed in a house as this," Samuel replied as he gave her a smile before turning back to the young man. "This your first job boyo?"
"First in a house sir," the young man trembled under the stare of the older gentleman. "Worked on the family farm till my mom got injured at the mill. This job pays enough to keep my parents from starving while my pa takes care of her. First one in my family to serve in a house ever."
"Has anyone even taught you the proper way to approach a guest if they are doing something not permitted?" Samuel groused. The footman burst into tears, and Samuel took the young man by the shoulders with understanding eyes. "None of that. What's your name?"
"Lord Timothy sir," the young man replied while wiping at the tears on his cheeks.
"We will set this right," Samuel told the footman with a shooing motion. "Now go off to your bed. I am sure turning in now won't affect you any. Let me speak to your Queen."
"Yes sir," the young man breathed shakily as Samuel turned to face Jolin. Jolin noticed the young man looked over at Unther to get permission to do as Samuel said, and was glad to see Unther nod his head. She knew there was more said on psychic threads, but she wouldn't push if it didn't harm the household.
"You do need to have someone train them young lady," Samuel sighed, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "I am sure you can find someone younger who can keep up with the-"
"Why not just for this winter?" Jolin asked while looking around at the other servants in the room as well. "It will take some time for me to find a suitable tutor for the household, especially with Winsol season coming up. I am sure the men in the mountains can do without you for one winter to help a new Queen train her household staff."
"The physical-"
"We can have a classroom portion for training," a young footman by the fireplace, the youngest Jolin had seen so far, piped in with an eager nod and vicious poke of the logs in the fire. "There is so much to learn about Protocol of serving in a home, I wouldn't mind a few hours doing some book learning about service. Plus…" The young man trailed off and hung his head with red cheeks.
"Go ahead Warlord," Unther encouraged.
"Some of the staff didn't have much in the way of schooling," the footman admitted with a shrug. "It would be nice for some of the others to try and get some schooling to do reading and writing."
"I can arrange that," Jolin told the young footman, giving him a smile and turning back to Samuel. "So, are you going to stay to teach and entertain the household with your stories?"
"I'm not sure," Samuel replied as he looked over to Kyle.
"Lord Samuel, we would all consider it to a service to do this for the new Queen since the rest of us can't be spared to do our part," Kyle explained while the rest of the men nodded in agreement.
"It`s settled then," Jolin laughed with a quick message on a general thread for the household. "I am afraid I will have to put you in one of the guest suites until we can ready a room for you in the servants quarters."
"Wouldn't do to have them waiting on their teacher for long," Samuel grumbled while following the young footman from the fireplace out the door.
"I want to stay too!" Lavender whined as she tugged on the Demon Dead man's hand.
"We have to go back to the mountains now," the man sighed with a gesture to one of the men in the group.
"NO!" Lavender screamed, latching onto the Demon Dead man's waist. The girl tried to drag him away from the approaching man as she began to wail. "I don't want to go back to the cold cave and stupid straw I sleep on. I hate being cold and I hate eating yucky dried meat and fruit. I want to be here with the nice lady and the pretty dresses and the soft beds and the tasty food."
"Come along now," the man from the group soothed while attempting to pry Lavender from around the Demon Dead man.
"I am a Queen and I say no!" Lavender screeched with a twist of her body, putting the Demon Dead between her and the other man.
"That is not how a Queen speaks Lady Lavender," Jolin gasped as she walked over to the young girl and knelt down to look her in the eyes. Tears shone in the girl's golden eyes with flecks blue while Jolin held out her hands to the girl. Lavender took them and Jolin lead her away from the Demon Dead man to sit on the couch near the fire. Once they were settled, she tapped the young girl's nose. "Tell me, if I can convince them to allow you to stay, do you promise to behave for me? Go to school, learn Protocol, and do all your chores we give without question?"
"Lady, she has to come back to the mountains with us," the Demon Dead man informed her with a gesture to the man.
"Please Xavier!" Lavender whimpered, cowering away from the man reaching for her. "I promise to be good."
"It wouldn't be any trouble for her and her family to stay with us," Jolin laughed while reaching out and patting the Demon Dead's knee. "The house is certainly large enough."
"And as her only family I say she has to go back to the mountains," the Demon Dead man sneered as he pushed the other man aside and picked up Lavender. "Now." Jolin winced as the little girl's screams rang through the room and followed her out into the main foyer.
"Unther…"
"No Lady," Unther huffed with a shake of his head while the other men turned and followed Xavier out of the room. "What Xavier says is final. We cannot ask him to set aside a decision-" A roar interrupted Unther, sending everyone including Jolin and Unther into the foyer where the men from the mountains were frozen.
"Out of my way," Jolin demanded, pushing through the men and making her way to the front of the crowd only put her and Lord Kyle between her and the scene at the front door.
Xavier was standing a few feet back from a very large white bear with an impressive set of teeth and Lavender hanging around its neck. The young girl had her face buried in its neck while the bear snarled at a now very frightened Xavier.
"We are staying!" Lavender's muffled yell carried through the foyer, enhanced by Craft so everyone could hear the young Queen's decision.
"Now, let's not make any rash decisions about our lives," Xavier said as he held up his hands in a placating gesture. "After all, the mountains are safer than living in town." A brush against Jolin's first inner barrier made her shiver at the feral, wild sensation at the attempted communication. Allowing the brushing sensation to permeate her inner barrier, a deep voice filling her head.
"-has nice smells," a light tenor voice told her and, Jolin assumed, everyone else since the thought was sent on a general thread. "Lady Lavender wants to stay. We will stay."
"They don't want us here," Xavier replied, holding out a hand to the two of them. "Come Lavender, it is time to go."
"Who said we didn't want you here?" Jolin asked while stepping forward to stand beside the Demon Dead man.
"The look on your face and psychic reaction told me all I need to know about how welcome one of my kind are," Xavier sneered without looking away from the girl and bear in the doorway.
"You are the first Demon Dead I have encountered," Jolin admitted as she gave the Demon Dead man a sheepish smile. Xavier snorted and shook his head.
"Oh, the privilege of living the life of a sheltered aristo," he laughed quietly with a wipe of his hands down his face.
*If you stay for the winter it would widen my education on Demon Dead, as well as educate some of the others who may not have been exposed to one such as yourself* Jolin informed him while watching the bear bumble forward with Lavender still attached to his neck.
*She needs to learn she cannot get everything she wants when she whines or because she is a Queen* he snipped back, disdain flowing through the private thread as he walked over toward the bear and girl, who had somehow made their way to the large staircase.
*Has she ever demanded like this before though?* Jolin asked while reaching out and grabbing his upper arm.
"Don't touch me!" Xavier roared as he whirled around and grabbed both of Jolin's shoulders. He shook her so hard her teeth rattled."The last time a Queen touched me, she slit my throat for speaking against her choice to have a young boy as the entertainment for the coven. Do you know what I mean by that little bitch? Because I will give you a picture if you need it so not to scare my granddaughter, who by the way is the only Queen born in the mountains, or offend anyone else's delicate sensibilities!"
"If you stayed for the winter, you could teach us about the atrocities as well as give Lavender what she wants," Unther insisted as he grabbed at Xavier's hands. "But you need to take your hands off our Queen." Xavier snarled, throwing Jolin back into a large wall of person and walking out of the open doors.
*We are staying* the light tenor voice told Jolin with a growl from the bear. Jolin looked up at the large man who was holding her and gave him a smile of thanks as he set her on her feet.
"We have no issue with you staying Brother," Unther replied, placing himself between Jolin and the bear. "However, if you stay there is a no swatting or biting without discussing it with one of the human males first."
*Horse told me no trample rule* the tenor voice.
"Then that settles that," Jolin said as she sent a thought on a thread to the servants in the Court Wing. "Why don't you head upstairs with Lady Lavender Lord…"
*Prince Krakel*
"Prince Krakel," Jolin corrected with a gesture to the stairway. "Welcome to Moonbright Manor. Please make you and your charge welcome."
Unther watched the bear and young girl make their way up the stairs, his insides still quivering from the fear their would be a clash of power so great in the foyer it would destroy everyone in it. Xavier may be Demon Dead, but a Green Jeweled Warlord Prince going up against another Gray Jeweled Warlord Prince who possessed bigger teeth and sharp claws would cause more damage than anyone had seen in years.
"Unther," Jolin said from behind him, making his insides ball up as he turned to face her. Bracing himself for the rant on Kindred being evil and not really part of the Blood, he closed the gap between them with a smile.
"Thank you for allowing Samuel to stay with us Lady," Unther told her while watching as the rogues from the mountains followed Xavier out the front door. "He is a very important part of our lives, and we were afraid he wouldn't make it through anymore winters. It-"
"What did Prince Krakel mean by 'Horse told him no trample rule' Lord Unther?" Jolin asked, her eyes glittering with a queer look he hadn't seen before.
"The, uh, well you see…"
"I think I need to go to the stables for a few moments." His Queen turned on her heel and marched off in the direction of the kitchens without waiting for his reply. The thought he should warn Prince Gathering Storm about the storm heading in his direction crossed his mind, but the perverse need to have the youngster have a crash course on how to calm a Queen who was less than pleased with a male in her court overrode the duty to a Brother of the court. The man who caught Jolin stepped forward with a large smile and held out his hand.
"Lord Unther, I am Lord Jeremy," the man informed Unther as he took Lord Jeremy's enormous, callous hand. "I wish to discuss the possibility of my family and I staying here as well." Unther sighed and jerked his head in the direction of his office.
"Let's discuss in there," Unther replied while letting go of Lord Jeremy's hand and heading towards his sanctuary. "And I hope you don't mind if I be unprofessional and have a strong drink while we go over terms of you and your families stay." The rumbling laugh he got in reply didn't exactly sooth Unther's nerves, but it was enough of a response he didn't feel guilty about the large glass of port he had before he began the long conversation with Jeremy about possibly serving in his diamond's court.
Author's Note
I want to thank all of you for being so patient with me while this has sat in my hard drive for over two years. It was half written, and I couldn't find a way to get where I wanted to go with everything going on in my life.
My husband grew ill, enough so that I put everything on the back burner for a while. I finished my own personal novel, started the second, then his health tanked to the point I had to stop so we could move... for the third time in four years.
With Nanowrimo, I may or may not write the next chapter. I will make sure to have a list of ranks and men at some point. I know all of you have been needing one.
Hope you guys enjoy!