by M. Gregg Roe
Almera appreciated Branwyn’s humor but was still somewhat annoyed. She didn’t regret trying to help Saxloc deal with Rosalind.
After draining her cup again, Branwyn looked puzzled as it fell out of her hand and rolled across the rug. “It’s a sign,” she said, smiling in a silly fashion. “From Arwon. I must cease drinking and take to my bed.”
Almera laughed. She finished her own drink before picking up Branwyn’s cup and the jug. “Good night, Branwyn. Sleep well.”
“I shall,” said Branwyn, definitely sounding drunk. “Have someone wake me up in the morning.”
“I will,” replied Almera. Then she left the suite, closing the door softly behind her.
♦ ♦ ♦
Branwyn did her best to keep Hanna engaged as they traveled back to Rohoville. She had spoken with Carlinda the evening before and was pleased when Hanna showed up wearing a skirt. Hanna hadn’t used any makeup, but her hair still had the same new styling. Despite her efforts, by the time they arrived, Hanna seemed to have retreated within herself, simply staring at the passing landscape.
Due to weak headwind, they arrived somewhat early. Nevertheless, two people were waiting for them as the ship was pulled into its berth. As they disembarked, the odd pairing of Valwyn and Alinda walked up with Valwyn frowning and Alinda smiling.
Valwyn promptly pointed at Hanna. “Who’s this? Did you trade Hanna for her? She’s a definite improvement.”
Alinda looked confused as Hanna scowled and narrowed her eyes. “That’s not funny,” Hanna said. “You’re just jealous.”
Hanna’s reply startled Valwyn, and it was a moment before she responded. “I am not. What happened to you?”
“Marryn,” she replied simply, now looking amused.
“What? How? I want to hear about this.”
As Valwyn and Hanna went off to the side to talk, Branwyn approached Alinda and asked her why she had come along.
“Valwyn said I should, but I’m not sure why.”
Branwyn did her best to smile at the poor girl. Alinda was the daughter of Adrian and Asria, both powerful spell-casters, but she had no talent for magic whatsoever. It was weapons that interested Alinda, and she had both a shortsword and dagger on her belt. The problem was that despite being reasonably intelligent, Alinda was incredibly gullible, and Valwyn had taken advantage of her. Again.
“Since you’re here, you can carry my bag,” said Branwyn and then handed it over.
“Okay. Did Sharp Edges really burn down?”
“Yes, but a new weapon shop is going to be constructed on the same site.”
Alinda smiled, her eyes alive with hope. “Good. I’ll go to the Witch’s City when it’s done.”
“Come on, you two,” called out Branwyn, and Hanna and Valwyn walked over. The four of them set out in the direction of her house, but the three girls were soon lagging as they talked with each other.
Branwyn suspected that Hanna would soon return to her usual clothing and behavior, but she had seen something very hopeful. The Hanna that was, the little girl that laughed and played, was still inside just waiting for her chance to return. It wouldn’t be easy, and would probably take years, but Branwyn was determined to get her back, because she missed her.
17
‡ Attraction ‡
Siljan’s face was bright red as the guard pointedly turned his back to her and went stomping off. Originally from Glasston, Corbin had just been hired two days earlier. Though short, he had a handsome face, a sexy mustache, and eyes the same hazel color as her own. Feeling an instant attraction, she decided to approach him before he heard too many bad things about her. And just like always, it all went wrong as she became more and more nervous.
Corbin had nearly reached the barracks when Siljan felt a hand briefly touch her right shoulder. She turned around and saw Isadora giving her a sympathetic look. Siljan smiled sadly and then looked away.
“I saw,” said Isadora gently. “And I heard the last part. I’m sorry.”
“What’s wrong with me?” asked Siljan. “Why do I keep doing that?”
“Walk with me.” Isadora took hold of her right arm and they headed in the general direction of the winery. “We must understand the problem before we may solve it.” That was one of the woman’s favorite sentences when acting as her teacher. “Siljan, I believe that in your mind you believe yourself capable of intimacy with any man that you feel an attraction toward.”
“Yes. Of course. Isn’t that what you do?”
Isadora shook her head. “Not precisely. I trust in my abilities as a Priestess of Kyran both to make character judgements and to protect myself should there be a need. I did not behave this way when I was younger.”
“I hadn’t thought of that,” Siljan admitted. “But I can take care of myself.”
“Siljan, would you trust someone that you barely knew to protect your back in a combat situation?”
“No.” Siljan sighed. “I get what you’re saying. I need to trust them first. Really trust them.”
“Yes.” Isadora briefly hesitated before continuing. “The way you have been trained, your experiences as an adventurer, they have shaped you. Your desire for casual sex is at odds with your instincts. The conflict creates anxiety.”
Siljan frowned as she thought it through. Isadora’s theory did explain things, but it was also depressing. She was going to have to completely rethink how she approached men.
“Very well.” Isadora brought them to a stop and faced her. “Julien was your friend and teacher for some time before he became your lover. You trust him.”
“Of course.” The two of them were standing near the main winery building, and Siljan had a sudden suspicion why. “Are you going to suggest I ask out Gustav?” she asked hesitantly.
“Yes,” replied Isadora, smiling broadly. “I know that Gustav is fond of you. Is he not your friend? Do you not trust him?”
Gustav was the man who managed the temple’s winery. He was younger than Julien, but his thick dark hair and full beard made him look older while failing to disguise his rather plain looks. As part of her training, she had done everything from picking grapes to judging the quality of aged wines. That had often involved working alongside him, and the two of them got along just fine. She had sometimes noticed him looking at her in a more-than-friendly manner, but that wasn’t surprising. Siljan knew that she was good-looking and often dressed sexily. She didn’t mind men ogling her.
Unable to think of any counterarguments, Siljan shrugged. “Okay. I’ll give it a try. It’ll be a good test, if nothing else.” And it might help her to understand her problem better.
“Excellent. After you have spoken with Gustav, you may have the day off.”
“I only want the morning off,” said Siljan, surprising both Isadora and herself. “I don’t want to miss my magic lesson with Alessandra this afternoon.”
“That does not sound like the Siljan I know,” remarked Isadora.
Siljan shrugged and displayed an embarrassed smile. “I guess I’m not the only one who’s changed.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Hankin loved to skulk around the Witch’s City—his city, as he often thought of it. He had grown up there and had never lived anywhere else. He knew every street, every alley, every house, every business, and every place to hide. He knew how to go unnoticed, and he liked to think that he knew everything that went on there. He frequently donned a disguise and strolled around, never being recognized. With one exception …
“Hello, Hankin,” said Almera as she suddenly came up beside him. He had been strolling down a street just south of the central plaza disguised as a fat, middle-aged, bearded man.
Hankin sighed deeply. “Almera, why is it that I can never fool you?”
“You are getting better, Hankin,” she told him, sporting a smug expression that he really hated. “But you just don’t quite move like someone that age, or that fat.”
“I’ll try to work on how I move. I guess I need to spend
time observing fat old men. But I would much prefer to observe a beautiful young woman like yourself.”
Almera laughed and Hankin grinned at her. One of these days he was going to fool the woman and then follow her all around the city, but until then she provided an excellent test of his disguises and always gave him useful feedback.
“Are you out shopping?” Hankin asked. Almera was wearing simple clothing instead of one of her expensive dresses.
“Yes. I’m looking for some plants and seeds. How about you, Hankin?”
“I’m just walking around and practicing this disguise.”
“Really?” asked Almera as she raised her eyebrows. “Because I’ve been following you for several minutes, and it looks to me like you are following her.”
Almera was pointing, but Hankin didn’t even have to look. “Yes,” he admitted, “I am following Cinda.”
“Do you like Cinda? I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
Hankin scowled at her, but that nearly dislodged his beard. “Almera, you are really annoying.”
“But I’m right, aren’t I?”
“Yes.” There was no point in trying to hide it now.
“All right. I’ll keep your secret. I need to head off now. Think old and fat.”
Hankin shook his head as the woman walked off grinning. He prayed that she really would keep his secret. He veered off and headed to the central plaza which was already alive with the daily market.
He hadn’t planned on becoming infatuated with Cinda; it had actually been the opposite. Years earlier, he had met her when accompanying Celebern to an event. He had enjoyed talking with the cute girl with the formal speech right up until she turned against him. Telling her his background proved to be a mistake, resulting in her and the other children turning against him. After that, he despised her.
When Cinda took employment, Hankin saw an opportunity to take his revenge. He would hire her services, and she would have no choice but to demean herself by pleasuring him. And she wouldn’t be able to tell anyone, because Desires guaranteed confidentiality to its clients. In public, Cinda would have to treat him politely, while secretly seething inside. It was perfect. In fact, the only downside he could think of was that it was going to be expensive.
After Cinda completed her initial training, Hankin went to Desires and requested her. He was in disguise and using a false name, but that was common for their clients. After being shown into the small room where Cinda was waiting, he revealed his true identity and reminded her of the incident. Tears and heartfelt apologies were not what he was expecting. It made him so uncomfortable that he nearly fled. She begged him to stay. She insisted on providing the services he had contracted for, and he reluctantly agreed. And afterward, the two of them simply talked, telling each other about themselves.
Despite being a novice, Cinda had delivered a sexual experience far beyond any of his previous ones. And no woman since, not even the fairly-experienced Natalia, could match Cinda’s prowess. He now understood just why Desires was able to charge such outrageous fees. He had been back to see her twice since then, and with each visit his affection for her grew. She would be under contract to Desires for another two and a half years, and he would continue to hire her services. And when she was finally free, he would pursue her in earnest, because he had fallen in love.
♦ ♦ ♦
“Yes! I will be happy to have dinner with you!” exclaimed Audrey, already beginning to feel excited.
“Lucien’s at dusk?” suggested Erwin with a sly smile. He looked very handsome in her opinion.
“Okay!”
Erwin took her into his arms. They kissed for a long while, arousing her even further. He released her and stepped back, saying, “Now I’m very much looking forward to it. Can you wear your gold dress again? You look lovely in it.”
Audrey’s face lit up. “Of course! I’ll see you tonight!”
“You will indeed.”
Audrey sighed happily as he walked off. The sight of Erwin waiting for her outside the main entrance of Xlee’s Martial Arts Academy had overwhelmed her. Her attraction to him hadn’t diminished despite his long absence. She liked the feel of his embrace, the taste of his lips, even his smell. He always made her feel special. Saxloc rarely did, and that was the problem.
“Are you dating Erwin?” asked Kora, startling Audrey.
“No. Well, yes, sort of.” Audrey paused and shook her head. “We were dating before he moved away. Now we just get together when he’s in town.”
Kora nodded. “I’m happy for you. Have you learned to play Sparrow yet?”
The question was no surprise. Like Rosalind, Kora was obsessed with the game. Audrey had memorized the rules, but that was only the beginning of the seemingly-endless layers of complexity.
“Not very well,” Audrey told her. “Rosalind is still giving me lessons.”
“I could give you some as well,” Kora offered.
“Tomorrow evening at my cottage?” Audrey suggested after thinking it over. Erwin would be heading back by then.
“All right. Where is it?”
“It’s in the southeast corner of the grounds.”
Audrey launched into a description of the best way to get to her cottage from the gate, including a warning about the kittens. They were incredibly cute, but prone to clawing anyone who tried to pick them up. Audrey had learned that the hard way.
When Audrey finally finished, Kora said, “I will see you then. Have a nice time with Erwin.”
“I will.”
As she walked home, Audrey’s mind was filled with anticipation. Only seeing Erwin now and then made it even more special.
♦ ♦ ♦
Saxloc stared in fascination at the glowing green cube floating above Rosalind’s outstretched hands. It was about four inches across and a bit lopsided. The light it emitted was neither strong nor constant, but he was amazed. He hadn’t known that an Illumination spell could do something like that. That Rosalind could already cast spells was startling. His grandfather had told him that Rosalind appeared to have a natural aptitude for magic. Saxloc wondered how powerful Rosalind would be now if she had started learning at an early age like he had.
Illumination was the first spell that was usually taught, because it was useful but not dangerous. It had simply never occurred to Saxloc to create anything other than a glowing ball of white light as he had been taught. That, apparently, wasn’t made clear to Rosalind, and she had begun to experiment. It made him wonder if there were other spells that could do more than he had been taught. He had started to experiment with Illumination himself but found it difficult to overcome his natural tendencies. All he had managed so far was to slightly change the color.
“That’s impressive, Rosalind,” he remarked as he walked up to the corner of the parlor where she was sitting.
She frowned and the cube vanished. “It’s still not very good, and it tires me out. I have to concentrate continuously,” she complained.
He thought she looked cute sitting there in a chair that was really too large for her. Her attire—a white shirt and long blue skirt—was an outfit that Audrey favored and that he thought also looked good on her.
“My mother said you wanted to see me,” he prompted.
“Yes.” She reached her right hand toward her left wrist, but then abruptly stopped and looked directly at him. “Saxloc, I want to take you to dinner tonight. To thank you. You were the one that investigated my low pay at work.”
“Because my mother ordered me to.” Saxloc wasn’t about to lie. “And she was the one that figured out that you were a spell-caster.”
“You were the one that invited me to stay here.”
“Yes,” he admitted. “I did do that. I couldn’t leave you in that apartment.”
“And you paid for my personal insurance,” she added.
“Yes.”
Rosalind now had a smug look that he feared she had learned from his mother. “Dinner?” she asked.
“All right. At dusk?”
She looked satisfied as she got to her feet. “I’ll make the arrangements, and I’ll meet you down here.”
“That’s fine.” He watched her exit the room thinking that she walked in a sexier manner than she used to.
“Ahem!”
He turned to see Audrey watching him with an amused expression. “How was class?” he asked, noting that she was carrying her satchel and had hear hair tied back.
“Okay. I’m getting used to it, and they’re getting used to me. I came here to tell you that Erwin is in town, and we’re going out tonight. And now I don’t feel so guilty.”
Saxloc smiled at her silly expression. He wasn’t happy to hear that she was going out with Erwin. “Rosalind and I are just having dinner together. That’s all.” He was trying to make a point. He knew very well that Audrey’s date would lead to an intimate encounter between the two of them. He couldn’t help but feel jealous.
Audrey narrowed her eyes and frowned. “Enjoy your dinner!” she said spitefully before turning and rapidly striding toward the front of the mansion.
Saxloc sighed as he headed upstairs to his rooms. Audrey had seen right through him. It was all too evident that Erwin was the one she really liked, while he was simply someone who was convenient. He loved her, but the feeling wasn’t reciprocated. And there was one more complication: He had begun to feel a real attraction to Rosalind.
18
‡ Propositions ‡
The sun was well down in the sky as Siljan climbed up to the stone outcropping. There was already someone up there, sitting with her legs crossed in front of her and hands in her lap. Even from a distance, Aliva looked sad. She looked over as Siljan neared and promptly asked, “Is something wrong?” in her sexy, contralto voice.