Circling, she only spotted a few obviously rundown areas, mostly near the docks and in the Old City. She noticed the palaces and mansions tended to rule the hilltops, while warehouses and the tenements of the common citizenry held the low ground. The palaces and mansions were some of the largest, most spectacular residences she had ever seen. They weren't the blocky, square or rectangular structures of the Jarlands. But sprawling multi-storied buildings covered with colonnades, arabesque arches, and multiple wings shooting out at odd angles. She spotted many noblewomen enjoying the views and cool evening breeze from their balconies and terraces. As impressive as these palaces were, the Imperial Palace made them look like hovels.
The Imperial Palace complex completely engulfed the most central hill, overlooking the Tegar River. Danica knew cities that covered less area. Within its environs numerous enclosed courtyards and gardens, balconies, and terraces could be seen with exotic flowering shade trees and elaborate fountains. She even spotted at least three ponds on leveled terraces. Like most of the palaces, it was constructed of white marble with a myriad of red terra cotta roofs. From talks with Helene and Claudia, she knew that the hill beneath it was honeycombed with tunnels and chambers as well. And dungeons.
From her lofty vantage point, the one thing she was unable to discern was the location of the Court Mages. Considering the size of the palace, they would have to know exactly where Monique was being kept before venturing inside. Seeing it laid out below her, she had little doubt of how easy it would be to get lost inside.
After they made a circuit of the city, Helene led them toward a warhawk mews just inside the north wall. Across the Tegar River and city from the Imperial Palace. They were easily several miles away from the palace. Danica started to protest, wanting to find a place closer to the palace. Looking about, she realized that all the mews were near or hugging the outer walls. The only two she could see toward the city's center were undeniably military bases, and probably held by the Empress's personal guards, the Votarian Guard. This was the nearest mews to the palace where they could land.
Guiding her warhawk to a landing with voice commands, Danica perched next to Helene. There was already a bird in the next perch, so Claudia landed two down. As each landed, young girls ran up and secured the warhawks by the retaining straps hanging off their talons. Danica waited until everyone safely landed and strapped before dropping her saddle ladder.
Danica descended after Cat, tipped the girl who helped her, and sought out Helene. Taking her aside, she asked if she could arrange for the birds' upkeep at a Peeress rate.
"Afraid not, honey thighs," she chirped, giving Danica's rump a squeeze. "I won't be the one taking them out, so you're on your own."
"You won't be staying with us?"
"I don't think so." Helene grinned. "Dahlys is my town. A wild town, and after our narrow escape I'm in serious need of a good time. Since you seem reluctant to submit..."
"See you around then," Danica said quickly, grimacing.
"Not just yet. I have to see you properly quartered first," she chuckled. "But if it's any conciliation, this is the cheapest mews in Dahlys. Of course, they aren't known for taking very good care of their charges."
"Someone might steal them?" Danica said, looking around suspiciously.
"No, more likely they won't be fed very well or exercised much, if at all," Claudia said, walking up with Cat. "Since you aren't planning a protracted stay, this place should be perfect."
"Security is rather lax, so a midnight escape shouldn't be beyond your capabilities," Helene added.
"In that case, we'll leave in broad daylight," Cat said. "Danica never takes the easy way out."
Danica smiled, then led them to the office. She paid for two days upkeep for their remaining three warhawks. Cat would ride the white, with Monique taking the black. Unless...
"I was thinking," Danica said. "Monique is reputed to be a powerful sorceress, and she might be able to transport us back to Allaria with magic."
"So you'll need someone to take over the warhawks," Claudia said. "I'll see to it."
"We'll see to them," Helene corrected her. "After all, I could use a little extra coin, too."
"Now that we have that settled, take us to the palace by the shortest route," Danica said.
"Already?" Cat said. A look of desperation crept into her eyes. "But we just got here. Give me a chance to rest and get used to the feel of solid earth under my feet."
Danica chuckled as they stepped out of the mews and onto the bustling streets. It sounded much like every other city she'd visited with dogs barking, vendors shouting sales pitches at disinterested passersby, the ringing of hammer on steel from a smithy, children laughing and squealing in play. Above it all, the clop-clopping of countless horses on cobble. The aromas — fresh bread and pastries from the bakery across the street, rotting meats and vegetables from the farmers and merchants displaying their produce along the side of the street, sweaty horses and manure, the hint of a tannery — all gave her that familiar feeling of well-being she always experienced after long periods of fresh air while traveling.
"We're not going to do anything today," she said, checking out the crowds. She still had difficulty adjusting to the total absence of men. Even the background drone of voices was different here. "I just want to check out the route."
"Easy enough, the tenement we're going to stay in is only a short walk from the Imperial Palace," Helene said, waving down one of several open coaches passing by. The cabs were all painted bright red, with black canvas tops folded down. The cabdrivers were one and all wearing a standard black uniform with wide-brimmed felt hats. Opening the door, "And I see no reason to wear out our boots."
"As long as you're paying," Danica said, stepping up into the low-slung coach and sinking gratefully into its overstuffed seat.
Danica took the opportunity to admire the scenery while riding through the streets. As she deduced from the air, the city was packed with impressive buildings and monuments dedicated to the Empire's past and present glories. Every square was overseen by a tall bronze or marble statue of some past general, noble, or Empress. None of the statues of the vanquished Galletine Empire remained, at least not those of men. She found it offensive that they could so callously disregard so magnificent a heritage.
Helene and Claudia pointed out points of interest, such as monuments of past rulers or generals that were commonly known outside the Empire. Danica looked and smiled appreciatively, even asked a few polite questions, but the only structure she truly found interesting was the sprawling bathhouse. As they passed by she became acutely aware of her own stench, and that of her companions. She made a mental note of its location.
The trip through the city proved slower than Danica anticipated. By the time they reached the Imperial Palace all that could be seen were its tall diamond-paned windows glowing golden and a myriad of outdoor lamps and torches lighting garden paths. Danica, sore, hungry, and feeling a terrible need for a bath, took it in good spirits. There would be plenty of time to scout the palace out. In fact, she planned to make several trips into it in the guise of an Amazon citizen seeking an Imperial Audience. She could hardly wait to see Cat's face when she told her of the plan.
"Here we are," Claudia said, face lighting up. "Home."
They stopped before a five story tenement that took up the better part of a block. It was relatively plain by Amazon standards, but impressive to Danica and Cat in its sheer size. Windows could be seen from only the third story up, many glowing golden with lamp or candle light. The great portal in its south side, now closed for the night, was guarded by a half dozen Vikon, who were looking them over with some curiosity. Helene hurried over to speak with them. They spoke a moment, then the group was admitted through the imposing gate's small, short wicket door.
Danica looked the cavernous courtyard over with interest. If it was typical of tenement courtyards in Dahlys, then they were much larger than she had judged from the air. One end of the courtyard
was packed tight with the colorful Vikon wagons. From conversations with Helene and Claudia, she already knew that the stables were underground, along with storage areas for more wagons. A yawning entrance to the spiraling driveway down below was opposite the main entrance.
The ground floor looked to be taken up by a smithy, a large communal kitchen, and an assembly hall. Everything was lit brightly by countless multicolored lanterns hung all about from the ground floor all the way to the topmost floor, and a half dozen blazing fires in steel braziers scattered about the cobbled courtyard.
The courtyard was filled with the exotic drum, flute, and guitar music of the Vikon. Everywhere she looked, Vikon gathered in small groups talking, laughing, or singing and dancing around fires. Mostly singing, clapping, and dancing. Children of all ages raced and played all around, with barking dogs joyfully joining in. As they watched a group of children playing, a small ball bounced toward them. Danica caught it and handed to the child chasing it — a small boy child!
"A baby boy," Cat said. "But how? Isn't his life in danger here?"
"No," Helene said. "The Vikon have a special Imperial Charter to bear male children and raise them up to the age of ten within the Empire."
Claudia shrugged, adding, "Amazons kind of worship Vikon women as a group. Amazon legends of the Liberation say the women of the Galletine Empire were inspired by the freedom of Vikon women to overthrow their male masters."
"Which means we can get away with things here that others would be exiled or imprisoned for," Helene said.
Danica couldn't explain why, but the knowledge of Vikon male children within the Empire gave her a warm feeling. Strange as it sounded, somewhere among the countless Vikon family groups roaming the lands outside of the Empire were men who could reasonably claim to the male Amazons since they were born within the Empire.
Thus cheered, she renewed her scrutiny of the tenement in considerably better spirits. The apartments all opened out onto the courtyard and thick wooden walkways, overgrown with ivy and honeysuckle — which reminded her of her family's townhouse in Dakkor which was similarly build around a honeysuckle sheathed courtyard. She could see many more women up there leaning on the railings and watching the goings on in the courtyard.
"Nothing like home," Claudia said with a sigh.
"Is this your real home?" Danica asked.
"Yes," she said, pointing to an apartment on the third floor above the gate. "I was born in there. My sister still lives there."
"Where's your mother?"
"Back with the group we left," Cat said, strangely annoyed. "Don't you ever pay attention to anyone but yourself?"
"If I'd been the one riding with her instead of you, then I would know," Danica argued, not knowing why she should feel guilty.
"Oh yeah? Where's Helene's mother?"
"Like it really matters," Danica snapped, turning on her heel and stalking off. Looking up into the heavens, she muttered to herself, "Even as a woman, women continually make me feel guilty for no good reason. How is that?"
Coming up behind her, Helene said, "Don't let her upset you, Danica. If my mother's location was important, I'd have mentioned it."
Turning abruptly on her, "Exactly! Why can't Cat understand that? Why can't most women understand that?"
Helene, who hadn't been apprised of Danica's true predicament, gave her a curious look, then chuckled. She gently stroked Danica's cheek, stepping up close.
"Poor Danica. You're just not a talker, that's all. Not one for opening up and sharing what you feel, or need."
"I see no reason to burden others with my problems," she said.
Helene wrapped a comforting arm around her, pulling her in close. Burying her face in Danica's neck, she held her tight a moment. Danica relaxed, enjoying the feel of a woman in her arms once again. The feel of Helene's hot breath on her neck began to stoke a fire deeper down. Helene's soft hands caressing her exposed midriff, then sliding down over her buttocks, inspired thoughts of lovemaking, slow and passionate. Then the memories of that night of kinky sex and pain flooded back in.
Pushing her away, Danica said hoarsely, "I don't think this is a good idea."
Gently, but firmly, Helene pulled herself back in close. "I promise to be nice. We'll do it your way." Danica hesitated, doubt written on her face. Helene reached out with her lips, gently kissing Danica's. "My apartment is on the top floor."
"No whips, or ropes..."
"Sweet and gentle, love," Helene purred, kissing her more deeply. "I'll be exactly what you want me to be."
Danica, throat suddenly tight, body beginning to quake in anticipation, nodded her agreement. Reaching one hand up deep within Helene's luxurious red mane, she took a firm grip and bent her head back before kissing her hard and passionately. Then she let Helene lead her up the stairs and to her apartment. All thoughts of Cat, and Monique, and retrieving her body were gone, washed away in a deluge of lust. This was how she had always wanted the sultry Helene in the first place, and nothing was going to deter her from getting exactly what she wanted now.
* * * * *
"So, now that the Mistress of Discipline has quenched your darkest desires, maybe we can get something productive done," Cat said the next morning when Danica came back down.
Danica smiled as she walked past her. Glancing around, she began searching for some food. After spending all night, and almost the entire morning, in Helene's silky smooth embrace, she was starved. Nothing like extensive sex to wet an appetite.
Cat, annoyed the jab she'd been rehearsing all morning didn't evoke more than a sly smile, followed her in silence. After a few minutes Danica found an elder and wheedled a cold piece of ham, cheese, and bread from her after being lectured on the merits of an early rising. Perched atop an upended wine barrel to eat her meager fare, Danica stealthily watched the brooding bravo. Cat wasn't one who liked sitting idle, so she undoubtedly was feeling keenly frustrated after a morning spent waiting for Danica and Helene to come down for the day. That and the prospect of the coming fight with a sorceress had her on edge. Danica almost felt guilty for allowing herself the luxury of an extended romp with Helene, and then not allowing Cat to vent her frustrations. Almost.
"You know, Cat," Danica said, pointing the half-eaten slice of ham at her. "You need to get laid. An hour in my arms would put a smile back on your pretty face."
Cat screwed up her face at the thought. Danica laughed as Cat scowled at Danica, which only made her laugh harder.
Shaking her head, she said, "Why do, and pretty much all men, think that any woman who isn't smiling and outwardly happy needs sex. As if sex is the great cure-all."
"Sex always makes me happy," Danica said.
"You are not my type."
"Well, if that's the case," Danica said, sobering a moment. "Maybe we can get Claudia to warm your bed or Helene, since you seem to think of her so often." Winking wickedly, "I'll bet she could make you crawl and grovel and lick real pretty like. Gets me excited just thinking about it."
"Pervert!"
"Are you taunting Cat again?" Claudia said.
They turned as Claudia walked over. She’d changed her clothes, now sporting a shimmering green silk shirt with billowy sleeves and tied off just under her bosom. Her thigh boots and leather pants had been traded in for loose black trousers and short boots. Danica idly wondered if there was some significance to the Vikon love of exposing their bellies. Even the men liked to do it. The only thing unchanged was her face paint and the sword hanging on her hip.
"What, no armor?" Danica said.
"I never really like wearing armor. So, since it’s reasonably safe within the walls of Dahlys..." Claudia said, turning around to show off her new clothes, "...I'm going for utility and comfort."
"I'm impressed," Danica said with a wink. Claudia seemed genuinely flattered, and, Danica thought, interested, but sobered up when she noticed Cat's disapproving frown. Killjoy. Pushing the thought of what Claudia would be like in bed aside, "Could you take
us to a place to get some food first. I'm famished."
"Sure, there's a coffee shop across the street," she said and looked around. "Where's Helene?"
"She won't be going with us today," Danica said. "She said something about meeting up with some old friends."
Claudia nodded with a frown and led them out of the tenement. The street outside teemed with young armed and armored Amazon and Vikon warriors, and older Vikon witches in colorful dresses and robes. They clustered in small groups, either standing in animated conversation or slowly walking together. Further down the street to her right, Danica could see and hear an open market with all manner of crafted goods and produce on display. The building across from the tenement looked to be another tenement, but she soon learned it held a variety of shops and services. Including a small bathhouse.
All three quickly agreed a light meal would be better after a bath. Amee's Bathhouse wasn't the spacious place of leisure a Jarland bathhouse was. Inside it was dark, cool, and humid. Behind a glass-bead curtain, Danica could see a large bathing pool full of women. Unlike a Jarland bathhouse, it had a low ceiling and no real creature comforts such as padded couches for lounging. She could see little horseplay between the patrons. Everyone seemed so serious.
They paid a small fee and received their towels. After undressing, attendants immediately led them to a darkened room of one-person tubs of steaming water where their personal attendant urged them in and began working in the cleansing oils and lathing their bodies. No time was wasted. Once the attendant was satisfied, they were removed and the water changed for the next customer. After their hair was washed in small basins along the wall they were taken to the large room with the enormous pool of what felt like ice cold water after the steaming hot bath.
"No leisurely baths here," Danica said, slightly miffed.
"This is not a public bath," Claudia said. "In fact, most private bathhouses are even more brusque than this one. In some they only pour hot water over you before working in the soaps and oils, then rinse you off with another bucket or two of water."
Into Lands Forbidden (The Elfmaid Trilogy Book 2) Page 20