First lessons

by Lina J. Potter

  A massive hand descended on Lily’s shoulder. “With pleasure. Would you like me to remove them, My Lady?” asked a low voice. It sounded like the string of a bow.

  Lily thought for a second. She didn’t have to turn around. She knew the hand belonged to one of the Virmans. “Gentlemen, you have two choices. Either you pick up your trash,” she pointed a finger at the third young man who had expressed interest in the girl, “and get out of here, or I’ll have these Virmans drag you out by your necks. Which do you prefer?”

  Without turning her head, she could feel the presence of the Virmans behind her. The two rich boys realized that no one was going to step up for them and that the Virmans would be glad to bounce them right out of the inn. After some dirty looks, they picked up their friend and headed for the door. At the doorway, the Baron’s son turned around and spat out, “I swear…”

  Lily reached behind her.

  “…you will…”

  She caught hold of a clay cup.

  “…pay for…”

  Bam! The cup shattered against the wall right above his head. Humiliated and insulted, he leaped away from the wall. One leg slipped out from under him, and he fell right on his rear. The crowd hooted. Red-faced, the Baron’s son jumped up and ran out.

  Lily smiled with pleasure. She had changed the story entirely on her own. Some people in the inn might have said the rich boys had merely expressed a polite interest in getting to know the Virman girl better, and the Virmans suddenly jumped up and drew their swords. That story wouldn’t have ended well for the Virmans.

  But with her involvement, the story was recast in a different light: a noblewoman was resting after a long trip when a group of three young jerks started to pick a fight with some strangers. Annoyed by the ruckus, the noblewoman threw a pitcher at them. When they refused to quiet down, she asked the Virmans to enforce some peace and quiet. Told that way, the Virmans had nothing to do with it. They were just following the Countess’ orders, which was entirely reasonable behavior. She wasn’t a nobody in that land.

  She decided to take one more step to reinforce her version of the story. “Innkeeper, please see that no one else bothers me with such scandalous behavior. And pour everyone a glass of wine with the compliments of the Countess of Earton.”

  The crowd sounded happy. Behind Lily, someone coughed.

  “My Lady.”

  Lily turned and saw the Virman who had started it all. She looked him over. Arnold Schwarzenegger wouldn’t mess with this guy. He could flatten an opponent, roll him up and eat him for breakfast.

  The Virman was at least six inches taller than Lily. The muscles in his arms and neck bulged, and he had some evil-looking scars on his face, but his blue eyes were lively and intelligent. He may be a killer and a pirate, but he’s nobody’s fool.

  Lily shot him a friendly smile. “Lilian, Countess of Earton.”

  “Leif Torvaldson, from the Erkvig clan.”

  “Pleased to meet you. I trust you won’t have any more trouble with those young pups.”

  “I don’t believe we will.”

  “If they show up again, you can count on my assistance. I can’t stand spoiled brats. I’ll be leaving town in a few days, though, so if I were you, I wouldn’t stick around too long.”

  “I’ll take your advice, My Lady.”

  “Countess of Earton. You can find me here; I’ll be staying at this inn.”

  Leif nodded. Then he took his girl by the hand, and they left.

  Lily was highly annoyed with herself. She had just encountered two real warriors, but she hadn’t found the courage to offer to hire them. Even if they had taken her up on the offer, it wouldn’t have worked out. Men like that would only serve someone they respected, and she hadn’t earned anyone’s respect yet.

  To hell with it!

  Lily smiled around at the room and headed back to her table.

  ***

  Children are terrible creatures—just awful. The two minders traveling with little Miranda Catherine Earton had their own business to attend to in Earton, but they had been sent with the girl to watch over her health and instruct her and entertain her along the way.

  Instead, the little monster always behaved so abominably that even the most stellar nannies and governesses would have wanted to stick her head down the outhouse hole by evening. She was a crybaby who found fault with everything.

  The weather was too cold—she needed a blanket! Then it was too hot. Have the horses go faster! She felt motion-sick. Slow the carriage down! I’m hungry! Stop the carriage! Where’s my favorite doll?

  And on and on, all day… By evening, the entire group in the carriage was worn out. The girl was upset about leaving her father, so she decided to exercise what little power she had. After all, she was the daughter of the Earl, and as such, was not allowed to be punished. Her father had warned the two teachers traveling with her that if his daughter complained about them, they could lose their heads, thereby taking away their only source of control over the little tyrant.

  To be fair, Miranda was never mean. She just complained all the time, and she had no intention of learning anything. Her teachers were terrified of the day they would have to report on her progress to the Count. And then there was the Countess…

  What was a poor teacher to do?

  These two men knew exactly what to do. They had their orders, and they knew who their masters were. They would perform their tasks to perfection. The rest of the entourage existed in a state of daily misery, however, which made the brat’s shouting and tears especially hard on the nerves. They couldn’t arrive at Earton soon enough.

  Maldonaya take these backwoods!

  ***

  The Honorable Darius Avermal, the future Baron of Avermal (if his father ever passed away) raced out of the inn in a fury.

  Why did the Countess take the side of those filthy pirates? The evening had been going so well…

  Darius, Thomas, and Saul had wandered around the fair for a while. They ate some sweetcorn, drank some ale, and decided to continue their evening somewhere inside. They chose The Pig and Dog, where they drank a little more and sat for a while.

  And then it happened. They noticed the Virman girl right away; it would have been impossible not to notice someone so beautiful. Darius’ eyes ran over her golden hair, big brown eyes, and full, pink lips. The outline of her figure! I bet I could fit my hands around that waist!

  He expected her to be flattered by the attention of such highly-placed gentlemen. Why wouldn’t she be? There were three of them, so she should be three times as flattered.

  After all, he was young and handsome and knew how to talk to women. The servant girls in my father’s house all like me, don’t they? His friends were pretty good looking, too. And if the girl pleased them, they would give her a couple of silver coins for her troubles. It was a generous, noble offer no matter how you looked at it.

  But the Virmans turned out to be rude and ill-mannered.

  Instead of being overjoyed and heading out to the haystack with them, the girl whispered something to her husband. They didn’t care that he was her husband. Good grief, we weren’t looking to marry her! Then she sheltered behind the immensely broad back of the man, while he glowered at them darkly. Darius and his friends were not afraid. If they called for the city guards, the Virmans would spend the night in jail, while the girl would spend it in bed with them. So, they didn’t back down. Why should we? They were at home in their own city. The Virmans should be grateful that they were allowed to sit in a room with decent people. Monsters! Especially the chief. Anyone who ran into him in a dark alley would hand over his wallet without being asked. He definitely needed to be arrested.

  Where did the fat lady come from? The young men didn’t notice her at first because they were engrossed in their conflict with the Virmans. They only noticed that there was a crazy woman in the room when they got hit with the soup and wine.

  They believed without a doubt that she was the Countess. Only a
noblewoman could get away with behaving like that. But why did she defend the Virmans? She took the side of a couple of pirates without even trying to understand our position. And she shamed us in front of everyone! Darius was enraged as he flew out of the inn. First, they would take Saul home, and then they would see about the Virmans. He would get revenge on them, as long as they didn’t slip away in their ship the next day. And don’t think you can get away with pirating around here. They would protect you back in Virma, but here you’re a nobody with no name.

  Darius’ plan was to drag Saul home and then stop by the guards’ barracks. He knew they would take orders from him. He couldn’t tell them to fire on the Virmans’ ship in the port; that would be too dangerous. Merchant ships could be damaged. But if the Virmans weren’t in another alehouse…maybe he could catch the big one with the pretty wife. Remembering her gorgeous figure, Darius smacked his lips together.

  You won’t get away from me, darling. You’ll be mine…

  His wounded pride demanded that he get even with the Virmans, and the sooner, the better.

  ***

  The Lady Adelaide Wells was pleased with herself and life in general. She was young and beautiful and traveling with Estate’s delegation to Wellster and then to Ivernea. Her prospects looked good. The red roses, accompanied by a note that stood on the window sill brightened her eye and her heart. She had caught Jess Earton.

  He sent her flowers the day after he first saw her. Adelaide, or Adele as her friends lovingly called her, thought for a moment and sent them back as if to say, “You’re very charming, but I’m in mourning, you see…”

  He sent even more flowers the next day. They continued to arrive each day. Then she started running into him at court. Adelaide shivered at the memory. No, there would be nothing like that. She wasn’t free to do what she wanted. Jess Earton was too good a catch; handsome, spoiled, and accustomed to the attention of women. If he got what he wanted too soon, he’d forget all about her in short order. So, whenever she saw him, Adelaide blushed and lowered her eyes and whispered that she couldn’t allow him to court her because her sorrow was too deep. It was hopeless; she was still suffering greatly from the loss of her husband.

  Jess paid attention to her. He stroked her hand in its silk glove and told her not to bury herself alive. Adelaide let her head drop even lower as if to say “Don’t trifle with a poor widow. You’re leaving soon, anyway…”

  Adelaide never knew how Jess managed to obtain an invitation for her. Once she knew she was going, she kept her servants busy with preparations for three days. She absolutely had to look like a queen! Jess Earton wouldn’t be able to look at anyone but her. Who cares that he’s married! A wife isn’t a wall—she can move over.

  “Adele?”

  Adele gritted her teeth. Not now! Then she gave a lovely, glittering smile. “Alex! I’m so happy to see you!”

  The man smiled. He pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “How are things going with the Earl of Earton?”

  “You know I’m traveling with the delegation.”

  “I do. But don’t rush to give in to him. Play with your prey, first.” The two exchanged a look of understanding.

  Alex was her husband’s nephew. Against all odds, he got along beautifully with his uncle’s young wife. The first time they met, they were drawn to each other as if by a powerful magnet. Their friendship continued in the drawing room, in the stables, and on picnics. Adele’s elderly husband never suspected their affair. To cover for herself, Adele always complained to him that Alex was a lazy freeloader and a groveling toady. Alex, in turn, whispered to his uncle that his wife was corrupt and venal, a woman of loose morals. Her husband was certain that they couldn’t stand each other.

  The old nobleman never worried about a thing, including his financial affairs. Old fool! When he died, it turned out that Adelaide’s inheritance would only be enough for about three years of humble country living. The lovers wouldn’t settle for that. They sold what they could, pawned the rest, and headed off to conquer the capital. After all, they were both young and good-looking, and Adele had a title after her name.

  Reality turned out to be more complicated. Their money drained away three times faster than they had hoped, and Adele had yet to find a lover who was well-placed at court. She could always marry another old man. She even looked into several options, but she dreaded going through with it again. Jess Earton was a gift from the heavens.

  “I’ll be very careful. I’m not sure what to do about his wife.”

  “She lives out in the country. Don’t worry about her. I’ll take care of her.”

  “How do you plan to do that?”

  “Don’t worry about it. Wives are mortals like the rest of us.”

  Adelaide made the sign of Aldonai. Alex shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. You just tame your prey. We need him. Just don’t forget about me once you’re his lawful wife.”

  Adelaide smiled. “I doubt that Jess Earton can hold a candle to you in bed.”

  “Don’t try to find out just yet. Remember, you’re a good woman. You’ve never been with anyone but your husband, and only on special holidays.”

  Adelaide smiled again, and this time her face was lascivious. “Isn’t today a holiday?” Her slim fingers pulled her corsage down on her breast.

  “It is a holiday,” he agreed and caught her up in his arms. “Let’s celebrate… for a long time.”

  ***

  Lily spent the rest of the evening getting information about Virmans. Her source, the innkeeper, knew his subject well and was more than happy to sit with the Countess and tell her about his homeland. It pleased him that she had so many questions, and was interested in what he had to say. Virma was a little island where almost nothing grew. In bad years, they used up everything they had—even ground up fish heads—to feed their animals. Cows couldn’t survive the harsh conditions, so they raised goats and sheep. The fleeces were then spun into extremely fine yarn that was used to knit beautiful wool shawls. But they couldn’t feed themselves with shawl-making alone.

  So, the Virmans were also pirates. Everyone knew it, but no one could do anything about that wasp’s nest. Neighboring nations would have had to create a strong alliance to take on the Virmans, who had plenty of big ships and weren’t afraid of a fight, or death.

  There was no such alliance, so the other nations put up with piracy as an unavoidable fact of life. And the Virmans could be useful sometimes. Their ships circumnavigated the entire continent carrying cargo and engaging in trade. Virman warriors also offered their services to other kings as mercenaries. They were trusted because they took their promises very seriously. Everyone knew that a Virman had three things: his ax, his ship, and his word. If he lost his ship, he would earn it back with his ax and his word. If he lost his ax, he would earn back both with his good word alone. A Virman without his good word was no longer a Virman.

  Lily sighed with relief. Then she wondered, Should I swallow my pride and go talk to the Virman about giving him a job? She hoped she wasn’t getting in over her head. Pirates should be easier to do business with than peasants, right? They have a larger worldview, and those two obviously aren’t idiots. But on the other hand, they may not respect me. They only respect strength. Do I have enough strength? Not yet. Should I jump out of the frying pan and into the fire?

  The castle needed better defenses. Art said that the slave traders who had been buying young girls from Etor would be back in four to six weeks. She wanted to be prepared to greet them properly. There shouldn’t be many losses on her side. Losses…that meant people! Her every step and thought affected human lives. Maimed bodies, mutilated futures; it was terrifying. She would have crawled under her bed if she thought that would help.

  With the Virmans, Lily was contemplating setting a fox to guard the henhouse. She would tame and feed the fox and hope for the best. I don’t have a choice, do I?

  Her husband obviously didn’t have the tiniest concern about her. Her father
was indifferent, as well. “You’re married now, so run along and have babies. If you have a son, I’ll make a man of him.”

  So, what else can I do? Lie down and die? Like hell, I will! There was plenty of fight left in her. I have plans for my estate in the middle of nowhere. And it’s a good thing we’re out in the middle of nowhere. That means fewer envious eyes and ears—fewer people to carry tales.

  Of course, it would be nice if the Virmans were honest people. But even if they weren’t, she would try to buy their loyalty.

  I have to at least give it a try. Good people are worth their weight in gold, and without people on my side, I’m nothing. A big zero.

  ***

  Leif Erkvig watched the shore gloomily.

  He didn’t get too close. The harbor was full of merchant ships. If a storm blew in, they would all be swinging on their anchors. He preferred to stay further away: thieves were less likely to bother him, and he was out of range of catapults. Scratch that. They’ve got their catapults set up to cover the entire harbor. These Ativernese are no fools…

  He still stayed offshore. They could use the rowboats to go in as needed.

  Leif knew he should set sail, but they had just arrived and still needed to buy supplies and fix one of the sails. And he had no idea where to go next. It was a crucial question. They could sail down the coast offering their services for hire, but they weren’t alone. Some of the men had wives with them, and children! He didn’t want to drag families from port to port.

  Leif was fine with that kind of life, but he suspected that Ingrid and the other women wouldn’t last. So what am I to do? The sea takes care of Virmans.

  It’s easy to seize and board a ship when you have your crew behind you, but not if you have defenseless women and children along who are depending on you. Anything could happen during a fight. That made it hard to look your beloved in the face.