Sherefin sighed. “Very well, Marian. I’m happy that you’ve found yourself. Shocked.” She laughed and shook her head. “But happy.”
Marian simply smiled and bowed before leaving to join her friend.
*
Gales of laughter echoed down the hall of the Archers Barracks as Morgan and Ari sat with their patrol, reading Java’s letter.
Ari, Morgan, Dannett, Darla, Cindy, Agness and Kerry, you are not going to believe what I have been doing. After a month and a half in the palace, Robin and I had to get out and go home. We went to Lord Ahern’s estate first to see my family.
Lord Ahern greeted us with open arms and threw a party for us. Robin kept disappearing with the ranch hands, but none of them were brave enough to approach me. So I approached one of them. He is a boy named Ralf, and he had a crush on me before I left to join the company. He was only ten then, but he is much bigger now. He was still a virgin, so I was careful with him. I didn’t find out that my baby sister Glori was in love with him until I left. She was so mad I got him first that she tried to bite me! But then, she has always bitten. Anyway, I broke him in right, and they will be a happy couple.
Ari was laughing so hard after reading that bit that Morgan had to take over reading the letter aloud to the others.
I got to be myself again for a whole week as we rode from Equintain to Linkville. I played Robin’s guard, and no one made a fuss over us. We had trouble in Linkville though. You probably heard about our census. I had to turn back into Princess Java because of that.
We are seeing a lot of Stephen Corban. He seems to have assigned himself to watch over us. Either that, or Emily asked him to. Either way, he is turning into a good friend.
My assignations among the nobles have been too few and much too far between. There are only a few men here worth spending any time with. One of the good ones is a fellow county lord, Lord Calin. He is Lord Wellington’s son, from up in Waters County. Lord Wellington is one of the lords who supported me early on, and we have been friends ever since. Calin is just seventeen, but he has had a busy few years.
If you didn’t know, Waters County is where the Thunderfeet have, or had, their base. Lord Wellington was not happy with me over them moving to Mountainstand permanently, but he admitted that he never would have given them the land in Waters, so he understands Captain Thuringer’s choice. Anyway, Calin and I have been going to all the court functions together, and there are all kinds of rumors about us. He told me that he is not ready to settle down yet, and hopes I understand. I have assured him that I do.
Have you ever heard of the Bel’Carin family? Robin’s cook and maids are Bel’Carin refugees from Lender’s Dale. Ari, you keep your hands off these two girls when you see them. I am saying this now as a warning. These two are the most beautiful girls I have ever seen! Even Lieutenant Skyhaven is plain next to them. Robin and I are both in shock over them, but we are being good.
Robin and I met a pair of twins that we have been spending time with. They are not nobles, which is good. They are not intimidated by our titles either, which is great! The parties at Robin’s manor get out of hand once in a while.
Speaking of parties, I have asked Lieutenant Lerves to crack open that box and throw a party for the company on my birthday, since I can’t be there. Gods, how I miss you all!
Love and kisses,
Java
Morgan finished Java’s letter, smiling broadly. “That girl! She wants us to throw her a party even if she isn’t here.”
“She wants to throw us a party and she’s using her birthday as an excuse,” Darla pointed out.
“I know that!” Morgan snapped. “You know, Java’s still a part of this patrol, even if she is in Whitehall. She still thinks like one of us.”
“She still cares for us. All of us.” Ari pointed out. Nods of assent from all the women answered her.
“I like the part about that boy back home,” Dannett said, grinning broadly. “She seems to be having a good time.”
“And learning while she does it. I don’t know Lord Calin personally, but I’ve met Lord Corsair informally once,” Morgan said, grinning. “I was born in Portston, and when I was fifteen, the year I joined the Firewalkers, he came into my uncle’s inn. Even though he was the County Lord, he liked to go dancing in the country. We danced a few times that night, though he chose someone else to spend the night with. His wife, Calin’s mother, had died the year before and he was spreading himself a little thin.” Her grin set the other women laughing.
“I’m glad Java has a few friends among the nobility. Friends who accept her as she is,” Kerry said shyly. “Lord Calin is nice. I met him at an inn in Whitehall on my way to Linkville. I was running short of money, and he gave me two silvers. He didn’t even expect me to sleep with him, he just wanted to be nice.” She grinned. “I took him to bed anyway. In his room. It saved me the price of lodgings for the night.”
Cindy gasped, “You have got to tell Java that!” as soon as she finished laughing.
CHAPTER 15: REUNION
The most eagerly awaited events can trigger the most catastrophic reactions.
Master Scholar Prince Stavin Zel’Andral, “Errant Thoughts”
My Dearest Java,
Marta is sending me on leave for the first time in far too long. I never had anywhere else I wanted to go. Sound familiar? Anyway, I’ll be arriving in Whitehall about a week after this letter. I have a few last-minute arrangements to make. You may not be the only one there to see me. If so, then I couldn’t be happier. Until I see you, be well.
Shair
A whooping shout from Java’s suite had the Guards in the royal wing bracing for an attack until Java burst from her suite singing. Disapproving scowls followed her as she danced down the corridor toward the duke and duchess’ suite.
“Naria,” Java burst through the door, waving a letter, “Lieutenant Skyhaven is coming to visit! She says she should be a week behind this letter!” Java was jumping around, laughing and happy.
Naria laughed and held out her hand. Java let her have the letter, then continued her dancing. “Well, she says there may be someone else here to see her as well. Any ideas?”
“Her brother, Ander. He told me in his letter that he wouldn’t object to a purely chance meeting with Lieutenant Skyhaven.” Java was smiling so hard that Naria thought her face might split.
“That’s good to hear, Java, but we still have to be careful. Even if he doesn’t acknowledge her, she could still be in danger.” Naria’s eyes narrowed as she thought of the Shaireese who had joined the Firewalkers years before.
“We know. That’s why Lieutenant Skyhaven is coming and not Shaireese Lesten. Princess Shaireese is dead. Didn’t you know that?” Java tilted her head to the side and grinned, making Naria laugh.
“Oh, yes, I must have forgotten. But we haven’t received any word from Ander about a visit. Are you sure?” Naria frowned again, though it was hard with Java jumping around.
“No, but Sammy’s letter said she sent him a letter. She may have arranged for him to pop in for a visit. Isn’t this wonderful?” Java’s high spirits couldn’t be contained, and she rode out to see Robin as soon as she could.
Robin read the note and began grinning. “Shair is going to need a place to stay, Java. A place away from the palace, where the servants don’t go tattling to someone else.”
Java returned her grin. “A place like here? Would you, Robin? Shair and Ander, if he arrives, may need a little privacy. And she’s definitely going to need a place to stay other than the palace. I could keep her there with me, but like you said, the servants.” Java grimaced and Robin laughed.
“It’ll be good to see her again. Who else is coming?” Robin asked as she turned away.
“Captain Freeholm’s note says twenty mercs rotating home, and five who are opting out and want to return home permanently. Mayor Grendalstone is sending the newest batch of replacements up here, and she’ll take them back with the mercs who are ret
urning from leave when she goes. Oh, Robin! I can hardly wait.”
Java waited all of four days before she began haunting the inns around the city gate. At first, she wore her Scout standard, but it made the Guardsmen nervous, and Captain Corban asked her, politely, to stop.
Then she showed up in one of her dress uniforms, sash, knives, and brooches, and the Guardsmen really got nervous. Having the heir hanging around the gate with six jeweled knives in plain sight had all of them looking over their shoulders. Captain Corban again approached her, and she finally relented and just wore the uniform, minus her sash.
A group of men other than the Guards had also been watching Java. When she finally showed up unarmed, they acted. “Well now, who have we here? If it isn’t that little sellikker from the palace,” one man said, walking up to Java. Java looked him up and down, then looked away, apparently dismissing him. “Oh, don’t go turning your nose up at me, bitch. And don’t go calling for help, either. You’ll be dead before the Guards can get near you. You should’ve kept the knives. They might’ve saved your life.” Five more men closed in, hiding her from the gate.
Java again looked at the man, then attacked. Driving her knee into his groin, she pulled a knife from a back-sheath and slit the throat of the man to her left, then another to the right. The others were backing away in shocked confusion, and she threw the knife, quickly pulling a second and third. Two more men went down, then she returned her attentions to the man she had kneed, kicking him in the crotch a second time for good measure.
“If you move, you die,” she said in a soft, dangerous voice.
“You bitch!” the man screamed, finally finding his voice again. “You kicked my stones off!” He pulled his hands away from his pain and gasped when he saw blood. Java’s second kick had been viciously effective. Four Guardsmen came running from the gate, but it was all over.
Java turned to face the shocked Guards. “Have this fool bound and taken to Duke Arten. He and his friends wanted me either dead or for ransom. Duke Arten’s Mage can determine which.” Java’s calm voice didn’t reflect the battle surge of adrenaline she was still feeling.
The Sergeant of the Guard was looking at Java in shock. She was covered in blood from the throats she had cut, and was holding a knife in one hand. More knives were sticking out of three men lying on the ground. Only one man was moving.
“Princess Java? Are you all right?” he asked, awed and frightened by the apparent contradiction of the princess being a killer.
Java looked at him and scowled. “Of course I’m all right!” she snapped. “No thanks to you and your nervous little boys. These fools were waiting for me to show up unarmed, and you tried to make sure I was!” she finished with a shout that drew even more attention. She continued more quietly. “I have news for you: I’m never unarmed. Not even in bed.” She turned her back abruptly and stalked off toward Robin’s manor for a bath and a change of clothes, only pausing to retrieve her knives.
*
Sergeant Halloway watched his princess walk away, then began issuing orders. There were five dead men to attend to, and a sixth who was wishing he was dead. Captain Corban arrived as the bodies were being loaded into a wagon.
The captain dismounted on the run and stopped facing Halloway. “Sergeant, report.”
The sergeant snapped to attention. “Sir, Princess Java was hanging around the gate, like she has been the last few days, and these six tried to take her. That one is the only survivor,” he finished, pointing to a man curled up on the ground, groaning in apparent pain.
“I thought she was leaving her knives behind,” the captain mussed softly, and the sergeant nodded in agreement.
“She did, sir. There wasn’t a knife in sight. Then, after the fight, she had four. I didn’t see where she was keeping them, sir.”
Captain Corban quickly took charge of the prisoner, and went to the palace to report. He spoke softly as he rode away, apparently to himself. “Duke Arten is not going to be happy about this. Not at all.”
*
Java stalked through the gate of Robin’s manor and was met by Lothar. “Princess Java! Shit! Are you hurt?” He was quickly at her side, looking for wounds.
“No, Lothar. None of this blood is mine. Go get a bucket. I want to wash some of this off out here.” Java walked calmly toward the pump while Lothar ran to do her bidding.
Barnum had come running at Lothar’s shout, and skidded to a stop when he saw Java. He and Lothar reached her at the same time, and Java soon had both men pouring buckets of cold water over her head and sluicing the half-dried blood away. Robin joined them in the courtyard.
“Java, are you all right?” she asked, looking into Java’s eyes. At Java’s nod, she relaxed. “Who?”
“Don’t know yet. I left one alive, five dead. Arten will find out. I need a bath and some clean clothes. And I need to finish shaking. Gods, Robin, I haven’t done that in such a long time.” Java was walking to the manor’s kitchen door, past a very shocked Eldora.
“El, have the girls stay away. They don’t need to see this. I’ll see to Java’s needs,” Robin ordered, and Eldora nodded as she watched Java with wide eyes. Robin and Java took the servant’s stairs up to the bathing room to avoid getting blood on the carpets.
Java was clean and dressed in one of her dress uniforms by the time Duke Arten reached Robin’s manor. Clasping Java into a tight embrace, he closed his eyes for a moment. “Oh, Java, I’m so glad you insist on being yourself! Those men were sent by Denver to capture you if they could or kill you if they couldn’t. He’s made a mistake that he won’t survive. This time I have proof and can jail him.”
Java snuggled into Arten’s embrace, taking comfort in the protective circle of his arms. “They said my knives might have kept me alive. They meant to kill me. Too bad for them you adopted a scout.”
Duke Arten eased his hold on Java to look down into her eyes. “Indeed. He loses his county now, and his family status. This means that I have to find someone else to be Lord of Devon County.” He looked up and smiled at Robin.
Robin saw the look and stood, pointing at him. “Don’t you dare!” she shouted. “Don’t even think about it!” Robin was backing away, her eyes wide as saucers.
Duke Arten threw his head back and laughed. “All right, Robin, I won’t.” He kept smiling, watching Robin calm down. “No, I suppose you wouldn’t want the county. It’s not an urgent problem.” He smiled at Robin’s obvious relief.
*
Lieutenant Skyhaven and her group arrived in Whitehall while Duke Arten was with Robin and Java. She was met at the gate by a group of very hostile Hiddendell Royal Guardsmen who were in no mood to deal with a bunch of female mercs.
“…You heard me. You can’t enter the city without the permission of Duke Arten or Captain Corban,” the Sergeant of the Guard was saying as he stood in the road, blocking their path.
“Sergeant, please summon Captain Corban. We will wait for him here.” Lieutenant Skyhaven looked down at the sergeant, but the man just stood there shaking his head.
“The captain has more important things to do. Some bastards just tried to grab Princess Java. They have a prisoner, and he’s under questioning now.” His voice faded away as saw the reaction of the mercs to his announcement.
Shair vaulted down from Star’s saddle and got nose to nose with him. “Was she hurt, and how many were there?” she asked in a low, dangerous tone that made the sergeant blanch. Behind her, the Firewalkers had instantly armed themselves.
“N-No. Princess Java wasn’t hurt. She killed five of the men, and left one alive for questioning. Who are you?” he asked, but his expression said he was afraid of the answer.
“I’m Java’s Lieutenant. Where is she?” Shair was losing patience, and it was only her desire to avoid conflict that kept her from riding over the Guards and finding Java herself.
“She, ah, I believe she went to Lady Robin’s manor, Lieutenant.” The sergeant was looking about for help, but the rest
of the Guardsmen were watching the Firewalkers. Twenty-five combat hardened veterans sat their horses in the sun, looking ready to take the city.
One woman on a monstrous Morrisdale stallion rode to Lieutenant Skyhaven’s side. “Sir, talk to us. What happened?” she demanded, looking at Lieutenant Skyhaven through narrowed eyes.
“Java got jumped by six men. Five dead, one survivor for questioning.” Lieutenant Skyhaven said in a loud voice that carried to all the women. Her announcement released the tension that the sergeant’s words had caused, and the women began putting away their weapons amid laughter and jokes about Java and her knives.
Sergeant Halloway stared aghast as the Firewalkers treated Princess Java’s killing of five men as a joke. Even the horses were relaxing. Caitlin stroked Omalaha’s neck and whispered into his ear, making him shake his head.
“Well, she hasn’t changed much, has she?” she asked Lieutenant Skyhaven, grinning.
“Now wait a moment,” Sergeant Halloway said in an aggrieved tone. “You don’t understand. Princess Java was attacked, and she killed five men!”
“So what?” Caitlin said lightly. “It isn’t like she hasn’t done it before. She’s a scout.”
Captain Corban arrived during the laughter and recognized the Firewalker uniforms, if not the women themselves. “Sergeant Halloway, let them through. They’re friends of Princess Java.” Walking forward, he addressed Lieutenant Skyhaven. “Lieutenant, please have your women behave. We’ve had enough trouble for one day.”
“Yes, Captain, we heard. I have a letter for you from Emily. Where’s Java?” Her blue eyes bored into Stephen’s, demanding an answer.
“At Lady Robin’s manor,” the captain said, pointing up the hill. “Third street to the right, on the left-hand side as you ride in. Crest over the gate is green mountains over a golden mill,” Captain Corban said, describing the crest that Robin and Java had designed.
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