by M. Gregg Roe
Whore. That was what he had called her. Whores exchanged sex for money. She had given sex and then immediately asked for something. There was really no difference; she was a whore. Audrey curled up tightly and sobbed until at long last sleep overtook her.
When morning came, she didn’t feel at all rested. She was still sore, and also badly bruised. The sight of Saxloc’s lean and muscular body had thrilled her, but everywhere he had gripped her was aching and tender to the touch. He certainly hadn’t intended to hurt her, but he was much stronger than she was and had understandably been very excited. It was more punishment for her stupidity, and she resolved to endure it without complaint. It was what she deserved.
Audrey put on her robe and went out into the house. She greeted her parents tersely and quickly consumed the food her mother put before her, surprised that she even had an appetite. Her mother looked unhappy, but her father seemed elated, which made no sense to her. After finishing her breakfast, she told them she was tired and went back to her room and laid down. Even that hurt. Everything hurt.
Before long, Marilee came to get her. “Get dressed,” she said gently. “We’re going to go out and see off the travelers with everyone else.”
Audrey sat up and frowned at her mother. “No. I don’t feel like it.” She just wanted to curl up and cry some more.
Marilee walked over to her wardrobe, pulled out the pale blue dress, and laid it on the bed. “Come on, Audrey. Put this on. Your father is waiting.”
Audrey sighed. “Okay. I’ll be out in a minute.” Marilee nodded and walked out.
She quickly changed into her dress, sadly noting the dark bruises on her body. She briefly brushed her hair before leaving her room. The three of them walked out to where a crowd of villagers had shown up to see the visitors off. She wanted to stay in back, but her father pushed his way to the front, and she and her mother dutifully followed him. Her father looked indecently happy, and that worried her. What is there to be happy about? she wondered.
As the travelers prepared to leave, Anton boldly marched up to the five of them. “Good morning! I’m here to announce that, according to the laws of this village, Audrey and Saxloc are now engaged to be married.”
“What?” whispered Audrey to her mother. “What’s going on?”
“Quiet!” she hissed in reply while looking resigned.
Audrey looked at the visitors. Saxloc was stunned and at a loss for words, Hankin and Dayne both looked surprised, Siljan was sporting a mischievous smile, and Alessandra simply seemed to be amused. Audrey quickly glanced around at the other villagers. Most of them looked surprised, and far too many were staring at her.
“No!” said Saxloc suddenly. “I never agreed to that! She’s lying! I didn’t propose marriage to her!”
Alessandra stepped forward and spoke. “That does not matter. If you took Audrey’s virginity, then you are betrothed to her. Many villages such as this abide by that rule. Did you take her virginity, Saxloc?”
Audrey could feel herself blushing as Saxloc’s face turned red with embarrassment. “Yes,” he replied in a low voice with his eyes downcast.
“Then the two of you are betrothed,” declared Alessandra, smiling brightly. “Congratulations!”
Audrey tried to catch Saxloc’s eye, but he wouldn’t even look at her. She desperately wanted to explain. She had heard of it, but it was an old law, and seldom obeyed these days. She had never expected her father to do something like that.
“Well, Saxloc,” said Anton happily. “Will you be staying here with your bride-to-be? Or should the three of us go with you?”
He looked both bewildered and desperate, and she was feeling guilty for putting him in such a situation. Suddenly, Saxloc drew himself up. He looked intent as he stated, “I am afraid that I can neither stay nor take the three of you with me at present. I have responsibilities that will keep me busy for some time. I will inform my parents as soon as I return to my home.” He reached into his belt pouch, pulled out a small sack, and handed it to Anton. “Please accept this as a token of my respect. I promise that I will return as soon as I am able.”
Anton looked inside the sack and then smiled. “We look forward to it.” He turned to her and said, “Audrey, why don’t you give your future husband a goodbye kiss?”
Audrey slowly walked up to Saxloc, trying not to think about all of the people who were watching her. She put her right cheek next to his, and whispered, “This wasn’t my idea. I’m sorry.”
“I don’t believe you,” he whispered back, before turning and walking away. Audrey walked home, ignoring her parents and the stares of the other villagers as she desperately tried to keep from crying.
♦ ♦ ♦
Two months passed, and there was no sign of Saxloc returning. Her parents were still hopeful, but Audrey was actually relieved. The thought of facing him again filled her with dread. He had probably decided to simply never return to Farmerton. She wondered if he had even told his parents. Her father’s plan had failed, but everyone in Farmerton seemed to think that it had been her doing. Her stupid cousins kept teasing her about it.
Right after Saxloc and the others left, Audrey had become very depressed. She ignored her chores and went for long walks by the shore, although not too close to the shore. She prayed to her goddess Lasrina for guidance but received no answer. She cursed her father for putting her in such an awful situation, but she knew in her heart that she was also to blame. She had acted both impulsively and foolishly. Now she had lost everything: her virginity, her reputation, and her hope for a better life.
It was Violet that finally turned things around for her. Her friend kept coming over to talk to her. If Audrey became upset and left the house, then Violet followed, still talking. Finally, Audrey admitted that her friend was right and that her life wasn’t really over. She resumed her chores, went back to learning from her aunt, and simply ignored any villager that made fun of her.
Audrey decided that she would move to Fisherton at the next opportunity, but made no mention of her plans to anyone, not even Violet. Most of the men there were fishermen, but at least they were different people and she could start fresh. She might even be able to work herself from there to Glasston, or even Millton. Any place was better than Farmerton. Any place at all.
3
‡ Caravan ‡
On the first day of Summer in the late afternoon, Audrey heard a huge commotion. She put down the shirt she had been mending and rushed outside. It looked like the entire population of Farmerton was gathered at the south end of the village. Approaching from the south was a wooden wagon being pulled by a huge green lizard measuring seven yards in length. It reminded her of the crocodile that had almost killed her, and she felt a stab of fear. But the lizard was harnessed and appeared tame. As it began to slow, she cautiously moved forward to get a better look.
The wagon was eight yards long and three wide. It rode on four iron-banded wooden wheels, each nearly two yards in diameter. There was a bench at the front of the wagon, and the area behind was piled with barrels, crates, and sacks. The rear three yards of the wagon was enclosed, with small openings on the side and a door at the back. Painted on the side of the wagon was an angular light blue and purple design.
The wagon’s driver and the man next to him were wearing pale blue surcoats over chainmail, and they had crossbows close at hand. Two identically-garbed men were walking along behind the wagon. They were wearing large swords and also had crossbows.
Shortly after the wagon came to a complete stop, the door at the back opened and people began to climb out. Audrey immediately recognized Gabriel and Hankin, and next was Saxloc. She ran up to him, completely forgetting her qualms about facing him.
“You came back!” she cried as she embraced him, but she could feel how stiff and uncomfortable he was as he awkwardly hugged her back. She let go and stepped back, trying to suppress tears. She could feel his resentment of her, and it hurt. Hankin and Gabriel both frowned at her as she stood t
here dumbly, trying to decide what to do.
Another man stepped down out of the wagon. He had thick dark hair and was slightly shorter than Saxloc, but she could see the resemblance. He was very handsome, and he didn’t look old enough to be Saxloc’s father. She wondered if he might be his older brother, but then she remembered him saying that he didn’t have any siblings. The man was also clearly an elf, or maybe a half-elf. Saxloc had said he was a half-elf, but she still didn’t really understand how that worked.
“Audrey, this is my father Draymund,” said Saxloc in a formal manner.
Draymund smiled disarmingly. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Audrey. Saxloc didn’t tell us you were so beautiful.”
Audrey felt herself blushing and suddenly realized how awful she must look. She had been doing chores all day. Her clothes were wrinkled and dirty, and she had her hair bound up in a cloth to keep it out of the way. She was embarrassed and desperate to return home to clean up and change her clothes.
Her parents walked up, and she quickly introduced them to Saxloc’s father. Draymund was quite charming as he told them he wanted to speak with them in private. The three of them soon walked off together toward the lake. Saxloc ignored her and went off with Gabriel and Hankin.
Meanwhile, another half-elf had climbed out of the wagon. His hair was also dark, but shorter, and he wasn’t nearly as good-looking as Draymund. He was sporting a sly smile as he stretched his arms and legs. He made a small bow to her before saying, “You must be Saxloc’s fiancé, Audrey. My name is Celebern and I run a trading and insurance company called Novox. The wagon and the goods on it belong to my company.”
Audrey was feeling overwhelmed, but also confused. “Uh … fiancé?” she asked.
Celebern was unperturbed. “That is just a fancy word for intended or bride-to-be in your case.”
“Oh. Uh … I see. Thank you.” She was feeling totally flustered. “Excuse me, I have to go now.”
Audrey fled back to her house in a panic. She hadn’t expected this to ever actually happen, and she wasn’t sure what to do. She said a quick prayer to Lasrina, asking for guidance.
♦ ♦ ♦
Her parents invited Saxloc and Draymund to have dinner with them at their home. Draymund was quite complimentary, praising both the house and the meal. Her parents seemed to be soaking it up, but Audrey knew better. Their house was clean but also small and run-down. The food was fine, but probably nowhere near as good as their guests were accustomed to. As rich as they were, they probably had a cook. Or maybe even several cooks. Saxloc barely said a word, and he looked uncomfortable the whole time. Audrey helped her mother serve the meal and then clean up, and she also said little.
After dinner, Draymund announced that he and her parents had decided that a long engagement would probably be best for the two of them. He invited Audrey and her parents to accompany Saxloc and himself to the Witch’s City when they returned through Farmerton in a few days. Audrey couldn’t believe it; she was actually getting her wish! But it was a shame that her parents were coming along. That had never been part of her plan. Saxloc also didn’t look at all happy about his father’s decision, and that worried her.
The caravan departed the next morning, heading north toward Fisherton. Several villagers had traded for some of Celebern’s goods and were proudly showing them off. Her parents immediately began to pack for their upcoming trip even though it would be several days before the caravan returned. Audrey didn’t really have much to pack, so she spent her time mending her clothing and trying to think of a way to talk her parents out of going along.
From speaking with her mother, it sounded as if Draymund had basically tried to bribe her parents. He had offered them a considerable sum of silver if they would simply call off the engagement and forget everything. But Draymund didn’t understand just how greedy her father was. That just made Anton more eager for her to marry Saxloc. He was now talking about moving to the Witch’s City for good, and Marilee also seemed to want to move there. That made Audrey very unhappy, but she hid it from them and decided that she would just have to deal with it after they got to the Witch’s City.
The next day, Audrey went to visit Violet, finding her clumsily trying to repair a rip in one of her husband’s shirts. “Give it here, Violet,” she said. Violet gave her a grateful look as she handed the shirt over. It only took Audrey a few minutes to complete the repair.
“You really need to learn how to sew properly,” Audrey advised her. “Husbands here expect their wives to have some skills.” She had also heard Orian complaining to some of the other men about the poor quality of Violet’s cooking.
Violet sighed. “You’re right. I really didn’t think about things like that before I got married. Orian treats me well, but I think I may have made a mistake.”
Audrey gave Violet a friendly smile. “Give it some time. That he treats you well counts for a lot. You’ve heard the stories about men who seem really nice, but then beat their wives.”
“Yes. My mother’s father used to beat her and my grandmother. They were both really relieved when he ran off with another woman.”
“I didn’t know that, Violet. You never mentioned it before.”
Audrey paused a moment to think. “Look, Violet. Why don’t you ask Berna to teach you how to sew properly? She taught me and she’s really good at it.”
“Okay. I’ll do that. My mother has been coming over and teaching me to cook, but she’s no good at sewing.”
Violet stood up, walked over, and gave her a gentle hug. “Audrey, I’m so happy for you. You’re getting to go to a big city just like you always wanted. I just know that things will work out between you and Saxloc.”
“Thank you, Violet. I hope so, but I really didn’t plan on my parents going. Don’t be surprised if I turn up back here before long. I don’t think that Saxloc’s father likes them at all. Or me either.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Finally one rainy afternoon, the caravan returned. Audrey’s parents rushed out clutching their bundles of clothing, and she followed with her own small bundle. Two of the caravan guards promptly took the bundles and stowed them in the front of the wagon under a canvas cover. The three of them climbed into the back of the wagon, finding it to have benches along both sides. Audrey sat down next to Saxloc on the left, and her parents sat opposite her. Saxloc glared at her briefly and then ignored her as he talked with his friends. It sounded like the three of them had gone on some kind of adventure while they were at the temple, but she couldn’t understand most of what they were talking about. Her parents only seemed interested in speaking with Celebern and Draymund. Audrey spent most of her time staring out one of the small openings.
The caravan reached the village of Merryton by nightfall. They all climbed down out of the wagon, and Audrey began looking around with interest. The village was slightly larger than Farmerton, and it looked cleaner and better organized. The houses were widely spaced, and they were larger and better made than the ones in Farmerton. Merryton was surrounded by farms, but Audrey didn’t see hardly any livestock. There was a single pier that went out about ten yards into the lake with a few small boats tied to it. She wondered if one of them was the boat that Saxloc and the others had been searching for.
Several of the villagers approached the wagon and Draymund spoke with them. He made arrangements for Audrey and her parents to spend the night in Merryton’s meeting hall. The villagers provided a hot meal for everyone in the meeting hall, and they were delighted when Celebern gifted them a cask of the wine that he had obtained at Alessandra’s temple.
The others left immediately after eating. The guards hadn’t eaten with them, and she suspected that Celebern had been unwilling to leave the wagon unguarded. After the dishes had all been cleared away, the villagers brought several blankets and pillows. Her parents looked tired and they just wanted to sleep. Audrey thought about going for a walk, but it was dark now, and she didn’t really know the village. So she made herself a bed at the
opposite end of the hall and tried to sleep.
Audrey was thankful when the sun finally began to rise. Because of her father’s incessant snoring, she had barely slept at all. At home, her parents’ bedroom was at the opposite end of the house. Her mother never complained about it, but that was probably just because she was so used to it. Audrey quietly got up and went outside. The sky was clear, and it was already warm.
There were only a few people about as she began to walk around. The wagon was being watched by two of the guards, and the other two were sleeping on blankets underneath it. The lizard had been unharnessed and tied to a tree by the shore. It was munching contentedly on some vegetation, looking quite peaceful. She wondered if it was solely a plant-eater. Its teeth definitely looked more suited to that than to eating meat.
Audrey desperately wanted to have a private talk with Saxloc to try to explain, but she didn’t know where he was. She finally spotted both Saxloc and Gabriel down near the pier. They had donned their armor and were performing a series of movements and sword swings in near-perfect unison—presumably some kind of training exercise. It was impressive, and she stopped and watched a while before continuing her walk.
She came upon Hankin speaking with a man that looked like an older version of himself. The man was dressed entirely in black just like Hankin, but his dark hair was beginning to gray and his face was lined and gruff. They both turned their heads and looked her way as she approached.
Hankin called out, “Good morning, Audrey!”
“Good morning, Hankin,” she replied as she walked up to them.
Hankin gestured toward the older man. “Audrey, this is Wilkin. Audrey and her parents are traveling with us.”
Wilkin nodded at her and said, “Pleasure,” but he wasn’t smiling at all.
Audrey nodded in response and told them, “I’m going to head back and see if breakfast is ready.” She began to walk away and was startled when Hankin suddenly came up beside her.