They hunted for turtles, not to eat or capture, but to find, catch and then let them loose. Laelliandir loved turtles, and it had been Bella’s idea to find a few for fun. She was in an exceptional silly mood making Laelliandir laugh at her random displays. She couldn’t stay still or contain her happiness and would randomly skip or jump on his back and demand to be carried, which he didn’t mind. He enjoyed just being around her and loved her strangeness. Ever watchful for turtles on the stream, the two talked.
“What about White Lion? I could do that too?” Bella inquired as the two strolled side by side.
“The White Lion code needs reworking. It’s truly nothing more than a knight. Title for Javalla sword master knights.” Laelliandir explained as Bella rolled her eyes.
“Whatever. A knight or something. Simple enough. I can do that. Can’t you knight me? Or does that have to be your mom?” Bella asked.
“Either. We share the same duty here. I can arrange a ceremony for you to be knighted. White Lion is trickier, and Overlords must be present and offer the merit. Do you want people to know your worth or?” Laelliandir left his question unfinished.
“Something more than a Fair Noblewoman of…argh. You understand what I mean? I’m more than a dress. And I can’t be like Lumi. I’m no good in front of people and say the wrong things. Town meetings? They ask me something, and I’m all ‘Why are you asking me if you can open a dog shop? Do I look like a dog? Do I care? Open the damn shop!’ then Lumi gives me this stern look. I only want something that suits me better. I should be grateful,” Bella stopped her rant when she spotted a turtle on the side of the stream. Abruptly coming to a halt, she raised her arm to stop Laelliandir. “Shhh!” she said, pointing toward it. It sat down a small drop-off about a dozen feet away.
“He sees us,” Laelliandir whispered. The turtle was a decent-sized, about a foot long, and his neck was stretched out with its head perched on a fallen tree branch.
“Nah. Asleep. Sunbathing,” Bella assumed. “You like that one?” she asked, as she saw him staring at it. She did not understand what his fascination was with turtles, but she found his longing look adorable.
“Can’t reach it. It’ll scatter in the water before we get down there.” Laelliandir remarked and Bella smiled.
“I’ll get it for you.” She said, looking down. Her choices were jumping six foot down hoping to snatch it before it dove in the water, or creep down the slope undetected. She could not foresee any way she might sneak up on a healthy turtle, given the twigs and grass she’d crunch with every step. A fast leap it would be. Laelliandir watched her peculiarly to see what she planned to do, but couldn’t imagine her being fast enough to catch it off guard and collect it for him. She braced herself looking down to where she wanted to jump and stepped a little closer to the edge.
“Careful, Bell.” Laelliandir cautioned.
“I know what I’m—” No sooner were the words out of her mouth than her foot caught a patch of slick mud on the ledge and she rolled down the hill, bouncing around noisily as she went. Long gone the turtle was by the time she tumbled aside of the stream. “Bell!” Laelliandir shouted, jumping down after her.
“Yes! I’m still winning!” she shouted, pushing herself out of the dirt and muck feeling imprudent, but laughing at her own mistake. Laelliandir came to her side to help her up, making sure she was okay. Her pride was hurt a little, but other than that she was good. Bella brushed off her knees and picked up her satchel from the ground.
“Winning, huh?”
“We were tied. You did not catch two, and now I’m at failure number three. I win!” She said, jumping up pretending to cheer making Laelliandir smirk.
“I see. We need to catch one roaming in the forest and away from the water. They are too quick here,” Laelliandir advised, but Bella now had other ideas gazing about the stream which was deep enough for a swim here.
“How about we cool off a bit? Swim with me,” she said. Laelliandir looked at the freshwater. It wasn't warm out, but it was mild for the season, and they both were sweaty. After running about in the forest, the last couple of hours, their bodies were warm. However, Laelliandir knew they didn't have clothes for it. “Here. We're set!” Bella said, reaching in her bag and throwing him something for his legs. “I planned ahead. Let's swim, Lai!” Bella suggested, bringing a smile to Laelliandir’s face as he looked over his trunks.
“I guess you did. All right. Swim it is then. Let’s have at it.” Laelliandir wouldn’t have considered a swim, not without coming more prepared, but Bella’s cheery eagerness made him want to even more. She reached in and pecked him on the lips.
“Thank you!” She said, looking for the nearest tree to change. “I’ll take the tree you can change here,” she insisted. No sooner had she gone behind the tree Laelliandir looked around to make sure no one else was watching. Bella was still in slight view, yet turned away, so he hurried to get changed kicking off his boots and removing his clothes hastily to slip into the trunks. He was much quicker than Bella, for when he glanced over in her direction, he caught her backside as she squeezed into short leggings. Turning away quickly, he got a little red as if he’d done something awful. But part of him was so curious he kept glancing back as she fidgeted to find her top in her bag. As she did, Bella caught Laelliandir looking at her in the corner of her eye.
“You are peeking, Lae?” she hollered back with a smile, knowing she’d caught him, but he turned away and denied.
“No, Bell. Not at all.” He said in reflex immediately realizing he was lying. “I mean, I didn’t mean to. I didn’t see anything. I was—” Bella laughed as she pulled her top over her head.
“You can’t lie to me. I saw you looking,” she teased, turning around.
“I didn’t mean to. I just saw your back,” he admitted. Still, he had seen a little more and had to correct himself. “And a little bit of your bottom. But I swear—” Bella came up to him and grabbed the sides of his face kissing him again.
“You can’t lie to save your life, can you?” Bella laughed, not worried. She felt good about herself, knowing he was being a little naughty. Even if he wouldn’t do anything more than kiss and keep his hands upon her waist and back, at least she knew he was curious about the rest of her. “I win again. I didn’t peek. Promise,” she said with a smile and a wink before grabbing his hand to pull him along into the water. Laelliandir followed along, feeling silly now.
“You’ve got a way with me, Bell. I don’t know what you’re doing to my mind lately,” Laelliandir said as they entered the water and he scooped her up in his arms.
“Whoa no,” she said, looking back at him. “What are you doing?” she asked as he trotted deeper into the stream lifting her high.
“Punishment for teasing me all the time,” he declared before throwing her into the water. Down she went shrieking even before experiencing the cold water. He ducked in waiting for her to rise, prepared to splash her as soon as she surfaced. To his surprise, she came from under grabbing his legs sending him under too. As she rose, Bella did exactly what he’d planned to do and splashed him as he came back up for air.
“Get me, huh?” She taunted splashing at him as he defended his eyes with his arms and hands. “Have to do better than that!”
“I will!” he declared reaching out to grab her, but she dove in to swim around and sprung upon his back, wedging her fingers in his pits to tickle at him. Laelliandir and Bella were both ticklish people. Laelliandir squirmed to get her to stop as he laughed, but Bella had wrapped her legs tightly about his waist.
“Sure, you will.” Bella teased. Laelliandir had just about enough of her tickling, and if she was determined to stay on his back, he’d have to let her. Without warning, he launched himself backward into the water, giving her a shock she wasn’t ready for, and once underwater, he fought to slide out of her grasp. However, Bella’s grip was tight. She kept her legs locked around him twisting around under the water. By the time they came back up, Bella had wrenche
d to his front side looking upon his face. Laelliandir looked up to her grinning down on him and went weak. She had an incredible effect on him, making him forget everything, as did he to her. “You going to kiss me or just stare?” Bella sneered.
“Kiss you,” he muttered, reaching out to meet her wanting lips. Bella shut her eyes and lowered her head. She loosened the restraint of her legs, she slid down around his waist, wrapping her arms around his neck. Bella had an agenda this day, even if Laelliandir didn’t know it. She was certain he would not make a move on her, and she wanted more than the light kissing they’d been playing at for a couple of weeks. She caught an unsuspecting Laelliandir by pleasant surprise when she slipped her tongue into his gaping maw. He didn’t even blink but caught her tongue with his as his hands grazed her bareback. For several moments this ecstasy consumed the two, whirling their tongues. And then something happened neither expected. Bella felt something she hadn’t considered. At first, she was confused and speechless unsure what was pushing against her. Her eyes shot open when she realized Laelliandir’s arousal. No sooner had she stopped kissing, than did Laelliandir realize what she was reacting to and tried to squirm out of her grasp ashamed. The look of his awkward humiliation calmed Bella understanding his shame.
“Bell. Let go now, please,” he insisted, but Bella grabbed the sides of his face gently.
“Lae,” she said calmly getting his attention. “It’s all right. It’s natural. Tells me you like me.” She smiled, trying to comfort him.
“I know what it means,” he confirmed still worked up like he had done something terrible, but Bella came back to kiss him lightly.
“How is the bravest man I’ve ever met also so cowardly?” Bella kidded.
“I am not a coward,” he proclaimed. Bella shook her head.
“No. You aren’t. But you are scared of me,” she said, kissing him again while reaching for his hand.
“It’s not that I’m scared. I am...” he began as she brought his hand against her chest, forcing him to freeze up.
“Bashful. You’re shy,” Bella said, pressing him against her, while lowering her shirt with her other hand. “I don’t bite.” She had him hypnotized and now trembling in her embrace with his hand upon her bare breast.
“Bell?” he asked.
“Hey. I’m new as you to all this, and you’re the older one here. For some reason, you’re making me be the brave one,” Bella teased. “It’s fine. You can touch me. You can kiss me. Treat me like I’m your girl. I want you to,” she insisted, fighting her own thoughts, wondering if she’d gone too far or was scaring him. She hadn’t a clue what she was doing and was herself nervous enough to faint, but she wanted him to break out of his shyness, and Bella was not a patient person. Bella moved in close once more to delve into his lips. When he reciprocated, she knew she couldn’t have scared him too much.
“I’ll get better,” he said when they finished.
“Lae, you are perfect. I am sorry. I’m trying too- I’m impatient, I guess. And I will scare you off. You’ll run for the hills and tell your mother, ‘get rid of this crazy girl!’” Bella japed. Laelliandir smiled and sighed.
“I don’t know what you are doing to me, but I don’t want ever to be rid of you. Crazy maybe. But I like it. I promise, I do.”
At that moment, they were not alone. Lady Laella had followed the stream until she came to an abrupt stop seeing the two in the water the way they were. She had expected nothing so personal this quickly between the two. Laelliandir wasn’t the hasty type, but she had underestimated Bella’s feisty nature. She promptly turned in embarrassment and left no sooner than she arrived. “She truly is how I was at that age,” Laella thought, unsure how she felt about their intimacy. She had a plan to speak to both, but seeing Bella exposed told her they’d moved beyond her speculation. Now she’d need time to ponder on exactly what to say and figure out if the two might be more than just a passing fling.
Chapter Nineteen
Something New
“I t’s worse than last time, but he’ll leave her all the same. I’m giving her space. Trying not to think about it. But thanks for reminding me,” Markus told Luminear.
“I didn’t mean to. I just wondered how you were holding up. You’re tense and grouchy, and I guess I was trying to help,” Luminear admitted, regretting her inquiry now.
“No. You are kind to ask, and I’m sorry. Just a long day at work already,”
Down at the old church west of the courtyard, Luminear had gathered a few helpers to clean the property. The building’s size would accommodate a series of gambling events planned for the fair, but since it was old and untouched for some time, it would require a thorough cleaning and removal of debris. Luminear had enlisted Laella’s smaller children to help by bringing the rubble outside to be burned. Albatros joined in by tending to the fire, and he hauled the heavier debris. Fern picked weeds in the front of the estate as Markus and Luminear washed the walls and floors after knocking down cobwebs. She stood on a stool with a damp cloth trying to remove a stain caked near the ceiling, while Markus sat cross-legged under her working on the floor. The place was filthy as the building had been abandoned for years, save the time it had been used as a homeless shelter of sorts during Casen’s rule.
Luminear hoped this project would bring them all together as to her, this ordeal was as much about spending time together as preparing the old church. Luminear realized the children enjoyed being a part of the preparations and doing new things, and she needed Albatros’ muscles to help lift the broken pews to burn. Fern had been willing to take part as always, but she had to beg Markus to come along. Luminear didn’t need his help, but she preferred Mark not to be stewing alone and sad.
Mark, eager to change to a better topic, turned the spotlight on Luminear. “What about you? You miss Wolf already? He didn’t stay long.” Luminear bit her lip unsure how to answer.
“I do miss having him around, and I wish he had stayed and quit working in Magwhen, but he’s a complicated person. I guess we’ve always had a strange bond,” replied Luminear. Lonewolf had intrigued Markus since he first heard about him. A man who went from nothing to having so much, and how he’d given to Luminear and Bella all the same. He envied Lonewolf from what little he knew of him.
“He’ll be back around when he’s done with whatever he’s doing, and it must be important since he works next to the High Queen and King. That’s work to be proud of, I say.” Luminear sighed hoping that was the case.
“He’s always been good at whatever he tries. I’m sure he’s enjoying it, even if he pretends he doesn’t. He doesn’t do what he doesn’t like. At least that’s what I’m coming to believe. As long as it’s good, and he’s happy then that’s all that matters,” Luminear admitted.
“Why did he choose to care for you and Bella, you figure?” Markus asked, his curiosity genuine.
“That’s easy.” Luminear smiled glancing down at Markus. “He used to have a family before meeting us. Wife and a boy close to our age. They died on him a few years before he met us. That’s what he told Bella and me. Looking back at it now, I reckon he was trying to make up for something. His wife got sick, and he, being the wayward man he was, tried to steal antidotes.” Luminear spoke barely above a whisper, stricken by sadness imagining Lonewolf’s plight. “He was caught and jailed. By the time he made his escape and went home it was too late. Said he found his wife’s burial spot behind his house. He never found his son. He looked for a few years before meeting us in Frenmere.
“Oh, that’s terrible.” Markus looked away. “I have never heard that. Neither of you told me about his family.”
“You never asked. It’s an uncomfortable matter anyway, so nothing I’d bring up in normal conversation.” Luminear explained, keeping one eye on Markus as she scrubbed away at the wall. She could tell he was moved by Lonewolf’s tragedy.
“He gave up looking for his son?” Markus asked, wondering if his orphan son still searched for his father. “Wha
t if he’s out there somewhere? How old would he be? Where did this happen?”
“He would be older than us, if that’s what you mean. A couple years older. Way north of here in the Freelands at any rate. Lonewolf claims where he lived there were packs of wolves nearby. He said after he found his wife’s grave, he realized what happened to his son. A young child roaming off defenseless would have been easy prey. He probably died the night he wandered off. They lived in a remote place, nobody near for days. It’s just a sad story, Markus, but looking back now, it makes sense that he would stay close to Bella and I and take care of us.” Luminear feared this was not the best story to discuss given Markus’ state of mind, and she wanted to change the subject yet again.
“I’m not sure what I would have done if that had been me. I suppose it explains things some, but damn, that’s terrible.” Markus muttered.
“Aye, it is. But what about the theater?” Luminear asked with a smile. “You looking forward to the traveling theater? They are definitely coming, and it will be great. Are you excited?” Markus smiled briefly, but his response was far more cautious than Luminear had hoped.
“I am. I hope I can talk to someone about service as a theater hand if not a theater apprentice. If they let me join as a worker, it at least gets me close enough to the right ears. Someone might give me a chance.” Markus affirmed casually although his tone belied his enthusiasm for the acting troupe.
“You’d leave us?” Luminear looked down at him grimacing.
“Maybe,” he said imagining what it would be like. “I like theater, and I think I can act.”
Medley of Treason Page 20