by M. Gregg Roe
“You look like a sl—” Valwyn bit off the word, suddenly aware that her mother was nearby instead of being on the other side of the shop. She desperately tried to come up with some way out of her self-made problem. “A slip of a girl,” she said, trying to look innocent.
“You were going to call me a slut,” accused Petra as she frowned and put her hands on her hips. She glanced down at the oval cutout that displayed her cleavage. “Actually, this dress is kind of slutty. Is it too slutty?”
“Stop using that word!” demanded Branwyn, looking both exasperated and irritated. “Do you even know what it means?”
“It usually refers to a woman who practices casual sex with many partners,” stated Petra with a serious expression. “Whore, harlot, and strumpet have similar meanings. In this case, the adjective form slutty means that my dress looks like something a slut would wear.”
Valwyn grinned at her mother. “You should have known better than to ask that. You know that Petra has memorized a dictionary.”
“Three, actually,” said Petra brightly. “And a thesaurus. This dress could also be described as whorish.”
“And that is another word you shouldn’t be using,” said Branwyn as she shook her head. “That dress is a bit … extreme.”
“Yes,” agreed Valwyn. “And you need to either wear underpants or not twirl like that.”
Petra began to turn red. “I didn’t realize. I didn’t bring short underpants.”
Aliva pushed through the curtains from the back area.“What do you think?” she asked Branwyn.
“The fit is fine and Petra certainly looks good in it. It is somewhat revealing, but I’m neither a young woman nor the one who is going to be wearing it. What about it, Petra?” she asked with a grin. “Is it too whorish?”
Petra scrunched up her face as she thought. “No. I like it, and I think Gabriel will too.”
And that, thought Valwyn, is what really matters to her.
“Very well. Go change and I’ll pay Dora.”
“Thank you, Branwyn!” said Petra as her face lit up with joy. She went through the curtains with Branwyn following.
Valwyn walked up to Aliva and said, “I want a dress like that when I start dating.”
“It’s nice,” said Aliva, “but I can make you something far better.”
“Really?”
“Yes. You should see the ones I made for Siljan and Audrey. I know how to make a dress that will really get a man’s attention. But you will need to wait until you’re older.”
“How much older?”
Aliva made a curving gesture. “Until you are full grown. And filled out.”
“I’m not convinced that last part will ever happen,” said Valwyn sadly.
“I have a feeling it will. Just be patient.”
“Okay!” Valwyn was looking forward to it.
♦ ♦ ♦
Saxloc found it surprising just how menacing someone as small as Rosalind could appear when she was angry. And she was unquestionably angry at the moment, glaring at him as she stood in front of the shelves that displayed her cat carvings. The two of them were supposed to be going out on a date, but he now doubted that was going to happen.
“You lied to me!” she yelled, practically spitting. “You went on a real date with Kora!”
“It wasn’t a real date,” he insisted. “It was a practice date. It was her idea.” And he had told Rosalind about it in advance.
“I’ll bet it was,” scoffed Rosalind as her face reddened. “She was dressed like a whore. And you went to her house afterward.”
Saxloc was beginning to become angry himself. Rosalind had just admitted that she had spied on the two of them, and he wasn’t happy with how she had referred to Kora. “She dressed nicely because we were going to Lucien’s. And I only went to her house to borrow a book she mentioned.” It was the truth.
“Are you going on another practice date with her?” she asked scornfully.
“Yes.” It was already arranged and he still had many things to tell her about Andoran. “I thought you liked Kora.”
“I did. But that was before she started trying to take you away from me.” Rosalind crossed her arms and scowled. “You agreed to date only me.”
“She’s not your rival!” he objected. But Audrey was, and at the moment he couldn’t wait for her to return. He decided that there was no point in delaying things. “Fine. We are no longer dating then. Goodbye.” He headed for the door.
“Stop! Please.”
Saxloc stopped just in front of the door and turned his head. Rosalind looked close to tears. “I’m sorry. I … can we discuss this over dinner? Please.”
“All right.”
It was an opportunity. With luck, Rosalind would agree to drop her insistence on exclusivity. And if not, he really was going to end things.
29
‡ Traveling ‡
“Siljan, we have a visitor that I would like you to attend to.” Isadora looked relaxed as she stood in the doorway, her lips showing just a hint of a smile.
“Can’t you do it?” Siljan pleaded as she scowled at the woman. “I’m busy with the monumental amount of reading you’re making me do.”
Isadora wrinkled her nose and laughed. “You are excused from your assignments until our visitor has departed. She arrived with the caravan and will be departing with it tomorrow, so she will only be with us one night.”
Siljan reached out and closed the book on her desk firmly. A break from her studies was always welcome. “Okay. Who is it?”
“Her name is Cinda. She is about your age and I met her in the Witch’s City. She is the one who unexpectedly accompanied us on our return journey.”
“I don’t remember ever meeting anyone by that name.” And she really hadn’t been paying attention when Isadora told them about her trip.
“She is a close friend of Audrey’s,” Isadora explained. “I want you to show her around and look after her while she is here.”
Siljan sighed. “So it’s work then?”
“Not entirely.” Isadora looked sly now. “She is employed as a courtesan. Perhaps you can learn some things from her.”
“That sounds good to me,” said Siljan, now eager. “I’ll get right on it. Where is she?” She knew about courtesans, of course, but had never met one. Audrey has a friend who’s a courtesan? How did that happen?
“We put her in the guest room. She will come out to the main hall once she has cleaned up.”
Isadora left and Siljan made her way to the main hall after using the washroom. There was already someone there examining the statue of Kyran. She was tall, with wavy dark hair that fell halfway down her back.
“Greetings,” said Siljan as she walked up. “I’m Siljan. I’ve been assigned to look after you.”
The young woman turned and bowed deeply. “I am Cinda av Louisa. I am most pleased to make your acquaintance, Priestess Siljan.” She hesitated. “Or should I address you as Princess Siljan? I am uncertain of the proper etiquette.”
Siljan frowned at her. The woman spoke in a horribly pretentious manner that she both detested and recognized. Cinda was obviously from one of those old money families in the Witch’s City, none of which had done anything useful for centuries. They just sat around collecting dust, chortling about how rich they were, and ordering the servants to bring them more scones.
“Just call me Siljan. I don’t suppose that you can speak normally?”
Cinda shrugged. “You want me to talk like some peasant from a poor farming village?” she asked as she gestured.
Siljan burst out laughing as Cinda smiled proudly. Cinda hadn’t just dropped her formal speech, she had changed her speech cadence and body language. And she had sounded just like Audrey. “Talk however you want, Cinda. That was impressive.”
They started off with a quick tour of the temple. Siljan told her that they would use the bath that evening, and Cinda replied, “I am very much looking forward to it. Audrey speaks of it often.”
They went outside and Siljan described the purposes of the other buildings as they strolled around. They finished by going to the large winery building. Gustav gave Cinda a quick tour and let the two of them taste some of the newest wines.
The two of them ate dinner with Alessandra, Isadora, and Julien. Alessandra was charming—literally since Siljan could tell that she was using charm magic. Cinda told them about how she had fled her arranged marriage and ended up as a courtesan. Her story was somewhat tragic and sad, but Siljan was impressed by the courage she had shown. And amazed that Audrey had been indirectly responsible.
After dinner, Siljan took Cinda for a walk to the west where there was a nice view of the river valley. Cinda asked her a number of questions about her upbringing, and especially about her father. She was amused to find out that Cinda had been subjected to one of her father’s stories during her journey there. Not having to listen to those regularly was one of the best things about moving away from home.
They returned to the temple as the sun was setting and it was beginning to cool off. As the two of them approached the curtained entrance to the bath, the sounds coming from inside were making Siljan blush. Cinda, however, didn’t appear bothered.
“Maybe we should come back later or try in the morning,” suggested Siljan.
“I wish to bathe now and in the morning before I depart. May we not enter? They are not using the bath. I do not mind.”
Of course, she doesn’t. “Okay.” Siljan pushed through the curtain and called out, “Don’t mind us. We’re just going to use the bath.” She hurried toward the tub with Cinda following.
“That is fine,” said Isadora, sounding somewhat out of breath. “We will join you when we are finished.”
Of course, they will. Siljan quickly stripped and tossed her clothes onto a chair before climbing in. Cinda was slower due to the fact that she was carefully folding each item of clothing. Cinda’s slim build was similar to Isadora’s, but with more muscle—not surprising for one of Grasapa’s students. Siljan had quite a bit of muscle herself.
Cinda smiled delightedly as she lowered herself into the water. Siljan concentrating on ignoring the increasingly fervent noises being made by Julien and Isadora. Cinda, of course, was soon watching the two of them intently. “He appears most skilled,” she remarked. “Have you copulated with him?”
Copulated? “Uh … yes.” Gods, this is embarrassing!
“Perhaps you might go next,” suggested Cinda with a look of complete innocence. “I would myself were it permitted.”
That part of Cinda’s employment had shocked Siljan, but not as much as what she had just suggested. “I’ll pass. It’s been a long day. And I’m not sure if Julien will have any energy left after Isadora is through with him.”
“You may be correct; she is quite energetic. I look forward to returning home and copulating with my clients. It has been many days.”
Siljan stared at Cinda’s wistful and happy face. How in Kyran’s name did Audrey ever end up friends with this girl? I hope she’ll be my friend too.
The next morning, alone in the bath with Cinda, Siljan learned a number of things. Cinda could talk about the most embarrassing things imaginable without showing any evidence of blushing. After seeing Cinda off, she went to seek out Julien. This time she was going to be the one to teach him something new.
♦ ♦ ♦
The bright sunlight hurt Petra’s eyes despite her wide-brimmed hat. The four dwarven warriors that had escorted her from Hard Rock City to the place where they would meet the caravan were now standing in a circle around her facing outward. They had scarcely said a word to her during the trip and weren’t showing any signs of becoming more talkative now. But Petra didn't really mind.
The dwarves had agreed to let Petra visit her mother and the others. They had been waiting for her five days earlier when she had taken the northbound caravan from Rohoville. But they had insisted that no one accompany her, to Branwyn’s obvious disappointment. Petra, however, had been glad. She and the others from the cavern shared a bond that outsiders would never understand.
Petra’s former companions had been delighted to see her. They were still living underground, but now had proper living quarters and a greater variety of foods. The dwarves looked after them, even sending clerics to tend to their injuries and illnesses. Like Petra herself, they had gained weight and were much healthier. But unlike her, they showed no interest in moving above ground. And there was another problem, something that greatly concerned her.
One of the dwarves called out in a deep, booming voice. Petra looked and saw that the caravan was now visible approaching from the north. It was guarded on all sides by goblins—a total of twenty from what she could see. The driver brought the giant lizard pulling the wagon to a halt about thirty yards east of where she was standing. Petra walked up along with the dwarf that was carrying her canvas bag. He handed it over to a Novox guard and then simply nodded in response to Petra’s words of thanks before turning and walking away. As Petra headed to the back of the wagon, she was surprised to see a young couple heading rapidly toward the dwarves. They were followed by a young woman that Petra recognized, even though she had only ever seen her once before. Audrey gave her a startled look before hurrying after the other two.
The doorway at the back of the wagon was so narrow that Petra had to remove her hat before entering. She climbed in and was surprised to see another young woman sitting next to a baby crib on the bench to the right. Petra, however, suspected that the baby actually belonged to the couple.
“Welcome,” said the woman. “I am Cinda av Louisa.”
Petra sat down on the other side of the crib with her hat in her lap. She noted that the baby was a newborn. “I’m Petra av Sofia.”
“Ah. High Witch Ermizad’s cousin. The one who lives with Priestess Branwyn.”
“Yes.” Petra remembered everything, but it took her a few moments to mentally review what Branwyn had told them about Cinda. “And you’re a courtesan.”
“That is correct. Were you visiting the dwarves?”
The baby gurgled in his sleep and Petra smiled. “No, not exactly.” She quickly explained about her history.
“I see,” said Cinda. “I had not known about that.” She then launched into an explanation of why she was there, revealing that the baby did, in fact, belong to the couple.
“Hello, Petra.”
She saw Audrey smiling at them from just outside the door. “Hello, Audrey.”
“Violet and Orian want to walk for a while. I’m going to walk with them.” She pointed. “You two are in charge of Quentin.” She closed the door and the wagon began to move almost immediately.
“I fear I have little experience with babies,” said Cinda.
“I have lots. We all helped out in the cavern.”
As the two of them continued to chat, Petra found herself intrigued by how Cinda spoke. It was even more formal than Gabriel’s speech. Petra was interested in learning more about courtesans and Cinda willingly answered her questions. Some of what she learned was actually kind of shocking. She decided to tell Cinda some of what had gone on in the cavern and managed to shock her in turn.
The caravan stopped briefly so that the other three could climb inside. Petra was introduced to the couple, and Violet especially made for entertaining company during the remainder of the trip.
♦ ♦ ♦
Branwyn watched as Stanley and Aliva walked up together and then separated. Stanley made for the landing, while Aliva walked over to join her where she was standing. The ferry was about halfway across the river, carrying more people than she had expected.
“Are you waiting for someone?” asked Aliva.
“Yes. Petra went to Hard Rock City to visit her mother.”
Aliva squinted as she looked at the slowly-approaching ferry. Nearby, a giant lizard walked around in a circle, turning a large wooden post with rope wrapped around it. “I’m here because I need to talk to Audrey. I can see her, b
ut I don’t recognize the women next to her. And I’d swear the couple are Violet and Orian. Violet is Audrey’s best friend from Farmerton. She just had a baby.”
“And the other woman is Cinda,” added Branwyn, suddenly recognizing her. “She is also one of Audrey’s friends. I should offer to check over Violet and her baby.”
Aliva shook her head. “Isadora already did that when we traveled here. She’s a priestess from Siljan’s temple.”
Branwyn had never met Isadora, but she had certainly heard Siljan complaining about her. The ferry continued to slowly approach the landing. Branwyn could now see that the woman named Violet was clutching a swaddled baby to her chest. Even before the ferry had been tied up, Petra walked off struggling to carry her bag while preventing the wind from blowing off her hat. Branwyn waited for her as Aliva headed down to meet the others.
“How was your visit?” she asked as Petra let the bag fall to the ground.
Petra looked stricken for a moment before answering, “Disturbing.”
“In what way?” asked Branwyn. It wasn’t the answer she had been expecting.
“They’re still living the same way. Well, not entirely. They have real food and beds and things. But they’re still having children! They can’t just keep doing that. There aren’t enough of them. I didn’t understand before, but I do now. They’re inbreeding.”
Branwyn could hear just how serious and concerned Petra was. “They’re a closed group now,” she commented.
“Yes! Adventurers aren’t going to magically appear and breed with them like they used to. They need to stop having babies, and the children need to be raised outside.”
“We can’t just take their children away.”
Petra pursed her lips and frowned. “I know, but something has to be done.”
Branwyn picked up Petra’s bag and the two of them began to walk toward home. Petra’s expression was serious as she walked alongside still keeping a hand on her hat. It was a complicated and delicate issue, and Branwyn gave it considerable thought before finally speaking.