by M. Gregg Roe
“Then I should repay you for that too. How much is it costing you?”
Almera crossed her arms, looking very stern. “We are not telling you. And don’t ask Hawina.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey went to see Grasapa that afternoon but had to wait because she was busy teaching a class. Audrey sat quietly just inside the door and watched. There were three men and one woman. They were all wearing loose pants and shirts made of unbleached linen, as was Grasapa herself. She led them through a series of kicks and punches. When they were finished, the students paired off and began to spar with each other while Grasapa stood nearby and observed. Audrey found it utterly fascinating, although it was so fast that she could hardly follow what was going on.
The students managed to land kicks and punches on one another, but no one seemed to be getting hurt. Grasapa stopped them and had them switch partners after critiquing some of their techniques. Finally, she called the class to an end. The four students lined up and bowed to her, and she then bowed back. All four looked tired and sweaty, but they also looked happy.
Audrey stood up as the four students exited. Grasapa walked up to her and said, “Back so soon? Do you wish to take more classes?”
“Yes!” she replied excitedly. “I do. That class was amazing. When can I start?”
“There is another woman’s self-defense class tomorrow afternoon.”
“That’s not what I meant. I want to learn to fight. Like the students in the class you just taught.”
Grasapa’s frown was intense. “That is not how it works. The women’s self-defense course consists of twelve classes total. If you successfully complete the entire course, then we will sit down and talk about possibly continuing your training. Do you understand?”
Audrey was feeling rather intimidated. “Uh … yes. Then I would like to sign up for that course. How much is it?”
“Twenty silver. And that includes one uniform.”
“Oh. Uh … okay. You can … Draymund said to bill him.”
Grasapa shook her head. “No. Get the money from him and bring it with you tomorrow.”
“Uh … okay. I’ll ask him. Or Almera.”
“Why do you look so unhappy?” Grasapa asked with a puzzled look.
Audrey realized that she had been deeply frowning. She lowered her head and confessed, “I don’t like having to borrow money.”
“Almera said you were living with them. What exactly is your situation there?”
“Uh … well … I’m kind of engaged to marry Saxloc.”
“What!” she exclaimed with a look of astonishment. “How can you be kind of engaged?”
“Uh … it’s kind of complicated. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
Grasapa sighed. “Fine. Go on home, Audrey. I will see you tomorrow.”
“Okay.”
On her way back, she stopped at a shop and bought a cloth satchel that she could use to carry her uniform to and from her lessons. She also decided that she would wash the uniform herself in her room. She was determined to keep all of it secret from Saxloc, although he was bound to notice eventually.
♦ ♦ ♦
When Audrey went downstairs after her tutoring session the next morning, she was surprised to find Grasapa in the kitchen speaking with Almera, who was busy fixing lunch. She was immediately worried that Saxloc might be home.
“There you are, Audrey,” said Almera, smiling. “I’ve explained things to Grasapa, and I’ve paid for your lessons.”
“Uh … thank you.” But she still felt nervous.
“Relax, Audrey,” said Grasapa. “I was just curious how you came to be engaged to Saxloc. Almera told me all about it, and all about you. I have actually passed by the village where you are from. And I believe that you have met my daughter Ariel.”
“Ariel is your daughter?” asked Audrey in surprise. “Yes, I did meet her once in Farmerton. She seemed nice.”
Grasapa’s expression turned glum. “Ariel is nice, but she has had some problems.”
“Oh. I see.” Audrey didn’t know what else to say.
“Time for lunch you two,” said Almera as she carried two bowls of soup over to the table. Grasapa moved to help her, so Audrey just sat down at the table and waited.
After lunch, Audrey went to get her new satchel, and then she and Grasapa left together to head to Xlee’s Martial Arts Academy. She again found herself admiring the way that the woman moved. Grasapa noticed and said, “If you study Shorinken long enough, then you will probably move like this too.”
“Shorinken?” asked Audrey. It was a strange-sounding word.
“That is the name of the type of unarmed combat that I teach. There are a variety of different styles, particularly in the area I came from originally.”
“Oh. Uh … I noticed that you have the same accent as Gabriel and Siljan. Are you all from the same place?”
“More or less. It is hard to explain simply, but we are all from outside Andoran’s Realm.”
“Uh … I don’t really understand.”
Grasapa shrugged. “That is fine. It is not important.”
There was one other thing that Audrey really wanted to know. “Grasapa, what does the name of your school mean?”
“Which part?”
“All of it,” she admitted sheepishly.
Grasapa smiled, but she didn’t laugh. “Xlee is the man who founded the school, and who was my teacher. He eventually turned the school over to me before retiring and moving away. Martial arts actually refers to any type of combat training, even with swords and bows and such. I primarily teach unarmed combat, but I occasionally teach weapon skills as well. Academy is just a fancy name for school.”
“Okay. I understand now. Thank you for explaining.”
Grasapa looked at her, arched one eyebrow, and said, “I am beginning to understand why Almera decided to take you in.”
Audrey was confused, so she just gave Grasapa a puzzled look and didn’t ask any more questions.
♦ ♦ ♦
The classes were held every other day in the afternoon. Audrey was grateful because it gave her time to heal and rest up before the next one. She was still sore after every class, but she was also beginning to feel stronger. The lessons always began with stretching, and she was shocked to find that even the male instructor was more flexible than she was. She began to do additional stretching in her room in the evenings to try to improve.
The entire course was geared toward warding off and escaping from would-be attackers. Grasapa emphasized avoiding such situations if at all possible. If someone demanded your money or jewelry, then you should just hand it over. If they tried to grab you, then run. If they had a knife, then you shouldn’t even think about trying to disarm them. Audrey found it disappointing; she wanted to learn how to fight back.
One class was devoted entirely to dealing with rape and potential rapists. It made Audrey very uncomfortable. A woman spoke to them about her experience being raped and how she had dealt with it afterward. For days after that, Audrey found herself eyeing every male she saw with suspicion.
♦ ♦ ♦
Later that month, she again accompanied Almera to sell at the daily market, but the weather soon became a factor. It clouded up and became dark, but it never did rain. Instead, it became incredibly windy. Audrey was soon chasing packets of spices and herbs across the plaza. Gusts began to blow over tables and booths, and the crowd rapidly dispersed. Almera told her to pack everything away. Because Audrey was heading straight to her self-defense class, Almera looked through her coins and handed over three silver—Audrey’s share of their sales.
After her class, Audrey walked to the Temple of Arwon. The sky was clear now and it was also cooler. She walked up the stairs and Carlinda again came out to meet her. “Are you here to donate another silver piece?” she asked with a friendly smile.
“Yes, and one of my old dresses.” Audrey pulled the bundled dress from her satchel and held it out. Carlinda too
k it from her, and then accepted the silver piece that Audrey handed her.
“Thank you, Audrey. That’s very generous. You know, you didn’t actually tell me your name before. I only know it because Preston spotted you leaving and told me.”
“Oh! I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself.”
“It’s all right. But if you had told me you were living with a wealthy family and engaged to their son, I would have been surprised, but I wouldn’t have come to the wrong conclusion about you.”
“Wrong conclusion? What do you mean?”
“You looked poor, and you told me that you had earned six silver in one day. You’re also very pretty—”
“No, I’m not,” protested Audrey. “I’m plain and overweight.”
Carlinda shook her head. “You are pretty, Audrey. And like many young women, you are insecure about your appearance. But as I was saying, I thought that you were probably a prostitute.”
Audrey couldn’t believe what Carlinda had just suggested. “But that’s illegal! And I would never!”
“Actually, it’s not illegal here. Prostitutes earn income and pay taxes just like anyone else. Whether or not it’s immoral is another matter.”
“I didn’t know that. I’m still getting used to things here. There’s a lot I still don’t know.”
“I think you are doing well for someone who recently moved here from a small village. Thank you for your donations. And may the blessings of Arwon be upon you.”
“I actually worship Lasrina,” confessed Audrey, “not Arwon.”
“But Lasrina is Arwon’s consort, so this is the right temple for you.”
“Consort?” she said before she could stop herself. She knew that she had just exposed her ignorance again.
Carlinda smiled gently as she explained, “Consort is something like wife or companion.”
Audrey smiled brightly. “I see. Then this is the right place for me to worship. That’s good to know. Maybe Lasrina is watching out for me.”
“I’m sure she is, Audrey.”
♦ ♦ ♦
The next month brought another trip to the market. When they arrived at the central plaza, Audrey noticed that it was less crowded than usual. She suspected that was due to it being completely overcast and looking like it might rain at any moment. Surprisingly, business was brisk, and she was kept busy assembling purchases and carefully packaging them while Almera handled the money.
Audrey was looking through the few items that they still hadn’t sold when Almera tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up and saw a striking older woman with blue eyes and long auburn hair standing in front of the table. Accompanying her was a slim teenage girl of perhaps fourteen or fifteen. She also had blue eyes, but her long braided hair was a vivid red, and she was so beautiful that Audrey felt a bit intimidated.
“This is my friend Medea,” said Almera, “and her daughter Marryn. Medea is Gabriel’s mother.” Medea smiled, but Marryn looked hesitant.
“It’s nice to meet you both,” replied Audrey, while thinking that this definitely explained where Gabriel got his looks from.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Audrey,” said Medea. She looked at her daughter and said, “Say hello, Marryn.”
Marryn hesitated before saying, “Pleased to meet you,” in a barely audible voice. She was now frowning, and Medea looked unhappy with her. Medea and Almera exchanged a look, and Audrey assumed that Marryn was simply at that age where she was acting up and not getting along with her parents.
“How did it go with Saxloc?” asked Medea.
“Better than I had hoped,” replied Almera. “Draymund’s plan worked perfectly.”
“That’s good. I’m glad that Gabriel and I could help.”
Audrey was curious what the two of them were talking about, but it began to lightly rain before she could ask a question. She hurriedly began to stuff the paper packets into a waterproof sack.
“Drat!” exclaimed Medea. “I was hoping we could talk longer, but we’ll have to do it some other time. Goodbye!” She and her daughter rushed off in the direction of the castle.
“Let’s call it a day,” said Almera and then helped pack up everything. The two of them headed back to the mansion, but it began raining harder and they were both completely soaked by the time they arrived.
Audrey went downstairs after drying off and changing clothes. She found Almera at the kitchen table counting out the day’s profits. She counted out eight silver and six copper and pushed them off to the side. “That’s your share, Audrey. Thank you for your help today.” Almera grinned. “From now on, we take waterproof cloaks along any time it even looks like it might rain.”
Audrey nodded and picked up the coins. “Okay. Thank you, Almera.” She began to leave, but then stopped and turned around. “What were you and Medea talking about? I mean, about Saxloc. Wait! Was that about his allowance? I had forgotten about that.”
“Yes. That’s exactly what it was about. Saxloc no longer receives an allowance.”
“But I didn’t hear him complain or anything. He barely talks to me, but I still thought that I would have heard about it.”
Almera smiled in a smug, self-satisfied manner. “Come back and sit down, Audrey. I’ll make us some tea and tell you all about it.”
Audrey insisted on helping her, and once they had sat down with their tea, Almera began to speak. “It was Draymund’s idea, although I ended up doing most of the preparatory work. I went to the castle and first spoke privately with Medea. She immediately agreed to help me.
“The two of us cornered Gabriel. He’s a very honest young man, and he certainly wasn’t about to refuse a request from his mother. He wrote out a list of all of the money and other treasure that he and Saxloc and their friends had brought back from their adventures. It was more than I expected, but Medea and I were both pleased that the four of them had sometimes given away money to those in need.
“Draymund and I went over the list together later. That evening, the two of us went to Saxloc’s room to confront him. I think that you were out for a walk at the time. Anyway, it was perfect. Saxloc was actually sitting there at his desk counting his money.
“Draymund immediately announced that we were cutting off Saxloc’s allowance. He began to get angry, but then I handed him the list that Gabriel had made. Actually, it was a copy I had made so it wouldn’t be in Gabriel’s handwriting. You should have seen the look on his face, Audrey!”
Almera paused to take a sip of her tea, and Audrey couldn’t help smiling as she imagined Saxloc’s reaction.
“Draymund told Saxloc that someone earning that much income was expected to pay for their own expenses. Then I told Saxloc that he should really refund us all the allowance that we had paid him since his very first adventure. There was a great deal of whining and yelling and threatening before we finally reached a compromise.
“Saxloc no longer receives a monthly allowance, but he doesn’t have to pay rent or pay for the food that he eats here at home. He’s also going to have to pay for any new clothing himself. He even agreed to refund some of what we had paid him. Draymund put the money straight into his charity, but don’t tell Saxloc.”
“Okay,” replied Audrey. “It sounds like you made real progress. I’m glad.”
Almera sighed. “We should have done something like this years ago.”
♦ ♦ ♦
It had stopped raining by mid-afternoon, so Audrey went to the Temple of Arwon to make her donation. Carlinda took her silver piece and then asked, “Did you hurt yourself, Audrey? It looks like you’re limping.”
Audrey frowned in thought. Her right calf did hurt, and she realized that she probably had been favoring that leg. “I think I just sprained something. I’m sure it will be fine. I’ve been taking self-defense classes.”
“At Xlee’s Martial Arts Academy?” asked Carlinda.
“Yes. Have you taken any?”
Carlinda shook her head. “No, I’ve never felt the need. I
prefer to fight with weapons.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I was one of Draymund’s weapon instructors. But I know Grasapa, and I greatly respect her abilities.”
Audrey was having difficulty picturing Carlinda fighting with a sword, but Draymund didn’t exactly look like a warrior either. “Okay. When I finish my self-defense course, I’m hoping to become a regular student.”
“If you do, then I guarantee that it will solve one of your problems.”
Audrey was totally confused. “What do you mean?” she asked.
“You will lose that extra weight before you know it. Grasapa works her students hard.”
She thought about the students and instructors that she had met. None of them were plump, let alone fat. They all had a lean muscular look that she admired.
Audrey grinned, saying, “In that case, I can’t wait to become one of her students!”
When she arrived back at the mansion, she found Saxloc in the parlor reading a book. He frowned at her and she frowned right back at him. “You’re limping,” he said. “Let me look at your leg.”
Audrey stopped and glared at him. “What do you care? You hate me. Don’t you enjoy seeing me in pain?”
“I did say that, didn’t I?” he mused to himself, looking ashamed. He sighed and said, “I don’t hate you, Audrey. I don’t want you living here, but I am not going to let you walk around injured. Sit down and let me look at your leg.”
She stared at him for a moment before taking a seat in one of the upholstered chairs. He stood up and walked over as she pulled up her right pants leg. He squatted in front of her and examined her leg. “It doesn’t look bruised,” he commented.
“I think it’s just a pulled muscle. I tripped on some stairs,” she lied.
Saxloc nodded, and she was startled when he placed his hands on either side of her calf. He closed his eyes and said, “Recovery!” His hands began to softly glow, and she felt warmth spreading throughout her lower leg. The glow vanished, and he opened his eyes and removed his hands. The pain was completely gone.
Saxloc stood up and stepped back. Audrey stood and cautiously tested her leg. She smiled at him and said, “Thank you, Saxloc. It feels fine now.”