“I’m so sorry, lad,” she said. “I understand. Better than I think you know. I never could have children. My body just didn’t allow for it. Laurel, to me, well… I think I understand your impulse better than most would.”
She sighed, and poured an odd smelling oil into Hal’s hair, brushing it around before dumping more water and rinsing it out.
“Laurel’s father was a drinker,” she said, quietly. “Her mother was a sweet woman, but she was very sick after giving birth to Laurel’s brother. Very, very sick. I’m only telling you this because it’s something you should be aware of if you’re going to be assisting her in court life.”
“Telling me what?” asked Hal.
“It’s as I said,” said Yua. “Her father was a heavy drinker, and frequented many of the local brothels, even with his wife in a sickly state. Laurel was born barely a month before her mother’s death, and her mother didn’t go out in public much. There are… rumors, in the Meldence court. People talk, and when it comes to Laurel, they talk about the possibility that perhaps she wasn’t her mother’s trueborn daughter.”
Hal frowned. It was no great shame to be born a bastard in the Collected Provinces, and he had to take a few seconds to consider how the implication would be different in Krestia’s Cradle, where nobles and bloodlines were still relevant.
“Is this something that’s going to be more of an issue for her now?” asked Hal. “Given that… it’s just her, with her brother missing?”
“Especially now,” said Yua. “I will be truthful, Halrin. I am extremely worried. Between what’s happened to her face, and these old rumors, she’s going to have a difficult time of things.”
“What do you think I should do?” he asked.
Yua sighed. She began washing his hair again, her hands moving as though the process helped her think through her answer to his question.
“Stay close to her,” said Yua. “But keep your ears open when you’re on your own. Listen to what people say. If you hear anything that might hurt her to know, come to me first. And follow her lead. I worry for her, but Laurel is strong, and she knows better than anyone how to keep her back straight in the face of rumors and court talk.”
“I will,” said Hal. “Thanks for trusting me with this information.”
“Thank you, Halrin,” said Yua. “I thank you with all my heart for what you’ve already done for Laurel. And I pray to the Five that you have the strength to do more.”
Yua left the bathing chamber. Hal took his time rinsing himself off, savoring the warm water and steeling himself for what was to come.
CHAPTER 12
New clothes had been provided for him by Yua, stretched across the bed of his assigned bedchamber. Hal was pleasantly surprised by how well they fit. The colorful garments were a stark contrast to the practical brown and grey cotton he’d mostly worn back on the homestead.
He almost didn’t recognize himself in the mirror as he passed by it on the way to the door. His face looked older than he remembered, though upon closer inspection, he realized that had more to do with his eyes than his other physical features. He found the clothes a little silly and garish the more attention he paid to them, so instead of fawning over himself, he hurried off to find Laurel.
“Can’t you at least try, Yua?” asked Laurel. “Please?”
Her voice was coming from another chamber, the door partially open. Hal had the good sense not to go blundering in, instead waiting in the hallway outside. He wore his sword and pistol on a belt at his waist, and he took a second to readjust them as he waited.
“Trust me, Laurel,” said Yua. “You already have enough cheek paint on. Trying to cover it up completely will only draw more attention to it. You must be strong about this.”
“…I don’t know,” said Laurel. “I see the way people look at me, now. Like I’m just… a bruised peach.”
“That’s why you must smile,” said Yua. “And keep your chin up. Let people see the confidence that both you and your brother have so much of.”
Hal heard Laurel sigh, and then she and Yua left the room. His jaw fell open when he saw her. She wore a stunning red gown that had clearly been made to her specifications, the fabric clung to her body, revealing and emphasizing her lean, petite figure.
Her golden hair was carefully braided and tied with a red ribbon, and her face had been lightly touched up with cheek paint, with a small touch of glitter underneath each eye in what must have been the local court fashion.
Her scar was still visible, though slightly less emphasized by Yua’s makeup job. She was looking at Hal expectantly, nervously, even. He realized he’d been staring at her for several seconds and quickly cleared his throat.
“You look beautiful,” he said. “Wow.”
“Thank you,” said Laurel, red flaring slightly in her cheeks.
“This is why you should wear dresses more often,” said Hal. “Pants just don’t look right on women.”
It was a holdover from the cultural norms of the Collected Provinces. Yua gave him a weird look, but Laurel just kept smiling.
“Come on,” she said. “Maxim Cedric will be expecting us. We should head to the castle.”
Hal tried to look like a serious bodyguard as Laurel led him across the courtyard and through the castle’s main gate. The guards waved them through without a word, and they entered a long, high ceilinged hallway of heavy stone and wood doors, with torch holders set at regular intervals.
The interior of the castle had a cold, martial feel. Hal couldn’t help but contrast it against the government buildings and town halls back in the Collected Provinces. The spaces were so different, comfortable and elegant. They’d been built in a land of peace, and Meldence Castle was clearly a structure made for war.
Laurel seemed to know exactly where she was going, and Hal had to hurry to keep up with her. Several servants and a few guards greeted her as she went by, and an older noble woman with failing eyesight embraced her on the way by after Laurel identified herself.
“It’s just through the door up ahead,” said Laurel. “Please, just let me do the talking. Remember that you’re here as my bodyguard.”
“I’m aware of that,” said Hal. “I’m not going to embarrass you, Laurel.”
She took a deep, shaky breath, and Hal sensed how nervous she was. He set a hand on her shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze.
“Hey,” he said. “It’ll be okay.”
Laurel nodded, took another breath, and then approached the massive wood door at the end of the hallway. The guards outside of it recognized her on sight and hurried to open the way for them.
“The Lord Maxim is expecting you,” said one of them. “Welcome back, Lady Laurel.”
Hal followed Laurel into a large chamber trisected by rows of thick, stone pillars laden with torches. A small set of stairs led up to a dais, upon which sat an impressive looking throne which was currently empty.
A group of about a dozen people stood at the foot of the stairs, and it was easy to pick Maxim Cedric out of the bunch. He was a tall man, perhaps in his late sixties, his hair and beard gone completely white. He was in the middle of conversing with several people, but everyone in the room’s attention was focused upon him, regardless of where they stood.
He chooses to hold an audience without sitting on his throne. Why does that remind me so much of the way my father treated his constituents?
The thought made him feel bitter at all he’d lost, and he had to refocus himself on the moment. Laurel was approaching the group slowly, and a few people had already begun glancing in her direction. Hal could see both curiosity and pity in their eyes as they noticed the scar on her cheek.
A man around Hal’s age with oiled black hair and a gold silk shirt broke off from the group and hurried to greet Laurel. He gave a small bow as he approached, flashing a broad smile and reaching to kiss her hand. Laurel frowned slightly as the man’s lips pressed against her hand, but didn’t stop him.
“Lady Lau
rel,” said the man. “By the Five! You poor thing! You’ve seen a healer already, have you not?”
“It’s fine, Reyan,” said Laurel. “I’m okay.”
“Of course,” said the man. “I… should not have assumed otherwise.”
Hal looked at the man appraisingly, and saw him doing the same with him. Laurel noticed the exchange and waved a hand between them.
“This is my new bodyguard, Halrin Kentar,” she said. “Hal, this is Lord Reyan Teymus, an acquaintance of my brother, Willum.”
“We were the closest of friends,” corrected Lord Teymus, a little too enthusiastically. He gave a quick nod of greeting to Hal, but didn’t turn his attention from Laurel for more than a second.
“Lady Laurel, might I have a word with you?” asked Lord Teymus. “Before you speak with the Lord Maxim? Preferably in private?”
He shot a look at both Hal and the rest of the gathered nobles. Laurel looked a little flustered by Lord Teymus’s request, and Hal sensed that there was something he was missing in the interaction.
“Enough,” boomed the deep, commanding voice of Maxim Cedric. “Lady Laurel has arrived. I would appreciate it if we can speak more on these issues later. You’re all dismissed.”
The gathered nobles all gave Maxim Cedric a small bow before hurrying toward the door. Lord Teymus looked torn over whether to stay, or to go with them.
“You may stay, Lord Teymus,” said Maxim Cedric.
Laurel quirked an eyebrow at the allowance, but she was already on the way over to Maxim Cedric. Hal followed close in her wake, and when Laurel dropped to one knee in front of the man, he mimicked the gesture.
“Laurel,” said Maxim Cedric. “Oh, by sweet Mystra, Laurel.”
He reached down, pulling Laurel up by the shoulder. She turned her head, trying to keep the Maxim from looking directly at her scar. He set a hand on her cheek and gently turned her face, wincing as he saw the extent of the damage.
“Was this done by a person?” asked Maxim Cedric, an angry edge entering his voice.
“No,” said Laurel. “The dragon. And it’s dead.”
Maxim Cedric took a deep breath.
“Yes,” he said, contemplatively. “I’d heard as much.”
He shot a glance at Hal, though his expression was totally unreadable. Looking back at Laurel, the Maxim brushed back a few strands of her hair, smiling fondly at her.
“Were I half a century younger, I would jump at the chance to marry you,” he said. “And you would make me such a happy man, indeed.”
Laurel smiled at him, and a tear ran loose from one of her cheeks. The Maxim pulled her into a tight hug. He let out a long sigh before finally releasing her, and only then readopted his serious demeanor.
“Lady Laurel,” he said. “I must commend you on your spirited stewardship of Fool’s Valley. I received your missives on the death of the desert dragon and the reopening of the eastern mountain pass, and I fully approve of the actions you’ve taken.”
“Thank you, milord,” said Laurel.
“I hope your accommodations suit you during your stay.” The Maxim gave Laurel a quick smile, as though he’d just told an inside joke. “And I offer an open invitation to any in your service who may be interested in entering the Harvest Tournament. Have you heard of what the reward amount is, this year?”
“We have, milord,” said Laurel.
“Good,” said Maxim Cedric. “I must admit, it’s an obvious ploy to bolster the ranks of my militia with fresh recruits. There has been a rash of… mysterious disappearances in the city. And on that point, I must also advise you to keep your man close at hand when out in the streets late at night, Lady Laurel.”
“Of course, milord,” she said.
Maxim Cedric nodded, and then finally waved to Lord Teymus, who’d been standing back a short distance for the duration of their interaction.
“This brings me to my next point,” said Maxim Cedric. “Which is news that must be delivered, though it pains me to know how it will affect you. Lord Teymus, if you will?”
Lord Teymus moved to stand next to Maxim Cedric. He cleared his throat, seeming more than a little uncomfortable with whatever he was about to say.
“This, er, is why I wished to speak with you before,” said Lord Teymus. “Laurel, I bring news of your brother’s fate.”
Laurel’s hand went to her mouth. Hal took a step closer to her, but managed to catch himself before putting an arm on her shoulder, thinking better of such a casual display in front of the others.
“He and I were a part of the same hunting party, along with a few others,” said Lord Teymus. “We were in the Brissaltan Forest, and true to the many legends concerning the region, we became inexplicably lost.”
“Did he…?” The question died on Laurel’s lips before she could finish it.
“I’m sorry, Laurel,” said Lord Teymus. “We were set upon by a pack of forest wolves. I was the only one who managed to get away from them.”
Laurel stared at Lord Teymus, too stunned to speak. Hal felt his heart aching for her. How would he have felt if he’d been told the news of Lilith’s death in a situation where he needed to maintain his composure?
“Did you actually see his body?” asked Laurel.
“Uh…” Lord Teymus frowned. “He didn’t escape, Laurel. I’m sure of it.”
“But did you actually see him dead?” she snapped.
Lord Teymus looked at Maxim Cedric, whose face was lined with weary grief.
“His last request of me, when it looked as though we were not going to make it away from the beasts, was to watch over you and the homestead,” said Lord Teymus. “And I fully intend to make good on that request. I’ve already set aside the money to make a bid on Fool’s Valley as soon as the auction opens.”
“The… auction?” Laurel looked so overwhelmed that Hal feared she might fall to her knees.
“I wished for you to hear of the news of your brother first,” said Maxim Cedric. “I am so sorry, Laurel. It’s unfair of me to dump all of this on you at once.”
Laurel slowly shook her head, one of her hands coming up to fidget with the end of her braid.
“Please,” she said. “Explain to me why this must happen.”
“With the dragon gone, Fool’s Valley has become a point of contention between myself and High Lord Proctor,” said Maxim Cedric. “When I allowed you and your brother to become stewards of the area, the situation was different.”
Hal made a mental note to ask Laurel more about those circumstances later. She’d once told him that she and her brother had been sent to Fool’s Valley, back when the threat of Aangavar still loomed over it, the move had been a form of punishment and intended to shame them.
This man doesn’t seem like the type to do something like that lightly.
“Lady Laurel,” said Maxim Cedric. “I must place Fool’s Valley into the hands of someone who will have the means to keep guards on hand in case of aggression on the part of Ostreach.”
“I would be more than happy to play such a role, milord,” said Lord Teymus. “Lady Laurel could even stay on as steward. The two of us have always been quite fond of each other.”
The look of fury and disgust on Laurel’s face seemed a stark contradiction to Lord Teymus’s words. Maxim Cedric let out an apologetic sigh.
“I wish there was another way, Laurel,” he said. “I hope in time you come to understand. If you wish to remain here in court, the guest lodgings are open to you for as long as you find them comfortable.”
“Thank you, milord,” said Laurel, the words sounding forced and tightly controlled. She bowed to Maxim Cedric and then turned and left the throne room.
CHAPTER 13
“That bastard!”
Laurel’s voice was emotional almost to the point of a sob as she and Hal walked out of Meldence Castle and through the darkened courtyard. Guards carrying torches moved along their assigned routes, creating tiny, moving spheres of warm, orange light.
; “It’s okay,” said Hal. “We’ll figure something out.”
“He’s lying!” shouted Laurel. “I don’t know what actually happened, or what his motivations are, but my brother isn’t dead!”
She looked over at Hal, her expression intense, yet fragile. He felt a mixture of sympathy and pity for her.
How would I have reacted to news of Lilith’s death, if circumstances had been different?
“We can look into it more,” said Hal. “Maybe he does have an ulterior motive. Maybe he knows more about what really happened, and if your brother is still alive.”
Laurel nodded slowly, and let out a loose, shaky sigh.
“And he was never one of my brother’s friends!” spat Laurel. “He always wanted something out of Willum and me, whether it was money, or to get closer to the Maxim, or to take my maidenhood!”
“He… took your maidenhood?” asked Hal.
“Of course not!” said Laurel, quickly. “But he’s certainly tried, setting up situations for us to be alone, and luring me into vulnerable positions. This is only his latest attempt of many.”
Laurel started walking faster, her hands curling up into fists as she stomped across the grass. Hal reached out and took her by the arm, pulling her into a small garden with a large, central statue of a previous ruler.
“Laurel,” said Hal. “Take a deep breath.”
“I could sell my possessions, I guess,” said Laurel. “Raise enough money to bid on the homestead, possibly. But I don’t think it would be enough… Maybe I could take out a loan?”
She looked at Hal hopefully.
“It’s possible,” he said, with a shrug. “But do you have anything to put up for collateral?”
“…No,” Laurel took a shaky, deep breath. “This is so unfair! Why is there no way for a desperate young woman to make money fast?”
“Uh…” said Hal.
Probably better not to touch that one.
“Hal,” whispered Laurel. “I’m really scared. I can’t lose the homestead. My life here in Meldence would be like that of a leaf in the wind. I’d have no say in anything, no way to control my own destiny.”
Harvest Tournament (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 2) Page 7