by M. Gregg Roe
“Liar. We’d both moved on to other people, and then you quit to start your little business. If I’d know how successful you’d be, I’d have made you marry me.”
“It’s not too late,” he said, then blinked in surprise. “Did I just propose?”
Emotions rippled across her face. “You don’t want me, not like I am now.” She held out her left hand, showing him the swollen knuckles. “Squeeze my hand and I’ll scream in pain. And that’s with taking the medicine that Clarissa found for me. My mother has the same thing, but not as bad. And Clarissa … Well, I was amazed when you found a cure for her problem.” She laughed. “She still complains about you forcing her.”
He paused a moment to collect his thoughts. “Tia, I am going to look for a way to help you. There are many alchemists in this city, and many types of healing magic. Have faith.”
She patted his right hand gently. “Let’s give it a try. It can’t hurt.” She smiled in a fashion that he had dearly missed, warmly, and with her full attention. “I’ve decided that was a proposal, and I accept. Now go see if that girl you hired has my bath ready.”
“Yes, dear.” He kissed her gently on the forehead and did as he was told.
16
‡ Inheritance ‡
Cinda neatly placed the final coin on top of the proper stack. It was all there. She hadn’t expected otherwise, but one had to check. For some time, she simply stared at it all. It was more money than she had ever seen in her life. The liquidation of Lady Aurelia’s assets, including her home, was finally complete.
Sitting in what was now Brigitt’s office, she contemplated her remaining tasks. The money needed to be divided up into thirty-one equal portions, one of which was her own. Those monies would be donated as Cinda had promised, but that task could wait until the rest had been distributed. The platinum pieces would need to be exchanged for smaller denominations—gold and silver—which would require a trip to the treasury department in the Witch’s Castle. She would also need to buy small sacks to hold the individual portions. And then would come the hard part.
With few exceptions, Cinda was not looking forward to handing out large sums of money to the motley collection of people who were both Aurelia’s descendants and her own relatives. They had been pestering her mercilessly for months. Some had a real need for the money, but the majority were simply greedy. She was certain that most of them would quickly squander their windfall.
The door opened inward and Brigitt entered, looking as awkward as ever. She had been Aurelia’s final hire before her unexpected death, and many saw it as a sign that the woman had already been in decline. Tall and skinny, an explosion of frizzy brown hair surrounded a gaunt face with dark, lifeless eyes. Her pale skin was freckled, but in patches that gave the appearance that she had some type of disease. She had been blessed with sizable breasts, but they looked completely out of place on her thin frame.
“It’s that much?” asked Brigitt, wide-eyed and gaping. Her voice wasn’t pleasant either, oddly pitched and grating.
“May I leave it here for now?” inquired Cinda, smiling at the poor girl.
Brigitt bobbed her head. “Sure. I’ll lock it all up in the safe. Do you need help with splitting it up? I can do it for you. We’ve got a bunch of little sacks with drawstrings that’d be perfect.”
Cinda wasn’t about to pass up such a generous offer. She scribbled out instructions and placed them by the coins. “Thank you, Brigitt. Please inform me when you are finished, and I will begin the disbursement.”
“Okay. I’ll have it done by tomorrow unless something comes up.”
After thanking her again, Cinda departed and returned to her room, pleased to have time to rest before preparing for her assigned work that evening.
It was now clear that although Brigitt had been hired as a courtesan that had simply been a ruse. Aurelia had known that Lilina would need assistance with running the business. Brigitt would never amount to much as a courtesan, but she was skilled in accounting and other office work.
After taking a nap and doing a little reading, Cinda went to the shared bath and thoroughly cleaned both her body and hair. Then came hairstyling, makeup, perfume, donning of clothing (a sexy violet dress with even sexier undergarments), and selection of jewelry (two bracelets and a choker, all studded with zircons). When she was finished, she carefully checked her appearance, making use of the large mirrors in the preparation area.
Cinda had taken part in assignments that involved multiple female courtesans, but tonight she was being paired with a male courtesan for the first time. Their clients were a married couple with no children, and the location was a private suite at the Marsh Inn.
She found Devan waiting for her in the common area, and they promptly departed, leaving via the back entrance because it was shorter that way. On the way through the well-tended gardens, they encountered an older gentleman headed the opposite way. He gazed at them with interest before proffering a polite greeting that they returned.
Cinda regarded Devan as a coworker rather than a friend. She found the man’s manner and personality bothersome at times, and the feeling seemed to be mutual. For tonight, none of that mattered. They were professionals.
“I’ve been part of servicing these two twice before,” he said as they made a turn to the west. “They aren’t expecting us to act like a couple, and they won’t be either.”
That was a relief. “Will we be performing for them?” The job description had contained no details, which was unusual.
“Yes, at times.” He gave her an amused look. “At other times they will be performing for us. Expect a wide variety of combinations. This will be a long evening, with breaks between sessions. It’s double the normal pay for something like this. That’s why I always volunteer.”
Cinda knew the reason for that: Devan’s contract was nearly at its end. In less than a month, he would depart Desires and begin a new life. To be polite, she inquired as to how his plans were proceeding.
“I’ve leased a small house. It’s old but in good repair. The second bedroom will be where I provide massage services although I also plan to offer on-site services at a higher rate. Building a reliable clientele will be the hard part.”
Concern was now evident on his narrow face. “You might consider approaching Lady Grasapa,” suggested Cinda, remembering something that she and Audrey had once discussed. “Her more advanced students, in particular, are usually sore after one of their classes.”
“That’s an interesting idea,” he said, nodding thoughtfully. “I won’t be able to charge much, but it will help spread the word. I’ll speak with her. Thank you for the suggestion.”
On a whim, Cinda took Devan’s arm, clearly surprising him. “I will mention your business to anyone I think might have an interest.”
“Thank you. I didn’t think you even liked me.”
“I did not say that I like you,” she returned, showing her own amused smile. “But I can testify as to your skills as a masseuse. I would like to see you succeed.”
“So would I.” After guiding her through a right-hand turn down a narrow street, he continued. “I don’t want to have to resort to doing freelance courtesan jobs. I want to live a normal life.”
“That is also my intention. I would like to become an entertainer.”
“You do have a lovely singing voice,” he said, surprising her with the compliment. “How are your lute lessons going?”
Cinda sighed. “Poorly. I have been too busy to practice of late.”
“Do you plan to eventually marry?”
The personal question caught her off guard. “I do not know.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have asked.”
They proceeded the rest of the way in silence.
Cinda was thoroughly exhausted by the time they returned to Desires well after midnight. But she was also proud. The rather adventuresome couple, also thoroughly exhausted, had praised both of their performances. After another even longer bath, she we
nt to bed and slept well.
Cinda tried, she truly did.
Worried about the effect of a large inheritance on her more impoverished relatives, she had prepared a set of talking points, warning of possible missteps, offering helpful advice. Few bothered to hear her out, impatiently demanding that she hand over what they now regarded as their money and then leave. But some did listen, promising to give the matter serious thought. A few even thanked Cinda for her concern. It would probably end badly for many of them, but at least she had tried.
She saved Niels for last. Though their family relationship was distant, Cinda felt quite close to the man. He was like a kindly uncle, or perhaps a great-uncle given his advanced years. She visited him frequently, and he always made her feel welcome.
Niels still required the wooden cane that he was seldom far from, but both his energy and outlook had improved as a result of the medication she had obtained for him from a local alchemist. With the pain now under control, he was more than capable of caring for his home and its lovely landscaping.
“So that’s it?” he asked, gesturing at the small drawstring sack lying in the center of the table. As always, he had served her a cup of excellent apple cider.
“That is your share. It is a considerable sum. Do you have a secure place in which to store it?” If not, she was planning to offer to keep it for him.
He took a noisy slurp of his cider before replying. “I got a good hidey-hole, but most of it’s going to others. My niece and two nephews, not that they ever visit, will get some. And I got some friends that could use a little help. They’re like me, old and falling apart.”
She was pleased by his generosity, but also concerned. “You must keep enough for yourself to purchase your medication.”
Niels chuckled. “I’m old, not stupid. I’m keeping enough to buy medicine for years. I’m not having that pain again. I need my sleep.”
Amused, Cinda took a sip of her cider, savoring the flavor before swallowing. As they continued to drink, she regaled him with stories about Aurelia, his unexpected benefactor. Some of them were a bit racy, but that clearly didn’t bother him.
“There’s something else before you go,” he said, following the completion of a story that they both found uproariously funny. Aurelia had been quite the hellion in her younger days.
She watched as he grabbed up his cane and headed into his bedroom, moving in a careful yet sprightly manner. He returned with a sheet of fine parchment covered with neatly written text. Cinda’s jaw tightened as she began to read. The document detailed the disposition of his assets following his death.
It was remarkably detailed, specifying not only who was to receive various possessions, but including contingencies if they were to predecease Niels. He had obviously had assistance, which explained why it wasn’t in his own handwriting. It all seemed to be in order, and she was relieved that nothing was listed as coming to her. But then she read the final portion that described what was to be done with the house.
“No,” said Cinda, carefully putting down the parchment. “I will not accept. I am flattered, but I have no need.”
“It’s not your choice,” he grumbled. “Do what you want with it after I’m gone. You said you’d be needing a place after that contract of yours is up.”
“You will still be living here then,” she protested, wringing her hands. “I will have already purchased a house.”
“I thought of that,” was his immediate response. “I got a friend in a similar situation. If we’re both still around, I’ll move in with her. She’s always offering. Then you can move in early.”
Studying his resolute expression, she saw little hope of persuading him to reconsider. But she had to try if only for form’s sake. If she did end up with the house, she would either live there or give it to someone deserving.
“I am paid quite generously,” she began, adopting a stern expression. “I have already saved up a considerable sum. Furthermore, I own one-tenth of my father’s construction business. I am planning to sell that when my contract expires.” That was actually a lie. She liked being involved in managing the business.
Niels only response was to cross his arms and sit back slightly.
Cinda sighed theatrically. “Very well. But I intend to continue protesting.”
After chuckling, he said, “And I’ll keep on being stubborn.”
“I also have an additional item to discuss. My mother wishes to meet you. I thought perhaps that we might come by for lunch. We will bring the food.” She wasn’t about to ask him to walk over a mile to where her mother lived now.
Niels nodded. “Will you be bringing that girl your sister adopted?”
“Yes, we will bring Polly.”
“That’d be fine. The day after tomorrow? I need time to tidy up.”
“Agreed.” Cinda thought that the house was already quite clean.
After chatting for a while longer, Cinda headed first to her mother’s house and then home to Desires.
After entering without knocking, Siljan found Rosalind sitting in her desk chair staring at an orderly line of stacked coins. They appeared to be separated by type, and there were several stacks of silver coins. The money had obviously just arrived on the caravan that was still being unloaded.
Rosalind finally seemed to notice that Siljan was in her room. “This is my inheritance,” she said, jabbing a hand at the coins. “It’s more than I was expecting.”
Siljan closed the door and walked over to the desk. “Are you still planning to send some of it to your brother?”
Rosalind began to rub her left wrist with her right hand. It was a nervous habit of hers that had become more frequent of late. “Maybe half. Or maybe I should send more?”
“Half,” said Siljan, knowing how indecisive Rosalind could be. “Send it back with the caravan to the Rohoville Novox office. Include a letter asking them to deliver it to your brother and to deduct their fee from the amount. That will guarantee that it gets to him.”
“I thought I’d take it myself. I’ve never been to see him and his family there.”
Siljan didn’t even want to think about what might happen if Rosalind tried to go there by herself carrying a large sum of money. Zardis was dangerous at the best of times. At the moment, the city was under martial law and might soon be a military dictatorship.
“Send the money now,” advised Siljan. “Visit in a few months when the weather is nicer.” Zardis should have calmed down by then.
“Okay.” Rosalind began to divide the coins into two piles. “I’ll put a little extra in his to pay for the delivery.” When she was done, she transferred the smaller pile into a desk drawer. Then she pulled out a piece of paper and a stylus, and Siljan told her what to write. After signing it, Rosalind folded the paper and put it in a small cloth pouch along with the money.
“No lessons today,” said Siljan when Rosalind looked over at her. “We’ll pick it up tomorrow after the caravan leaves.”
Rosalind started to rub her wrist again, stopping abruptly when Siljan narrowed her eyes. “Garym said he has a girlfriend in Rohoville. I … don’t want him to.”
They each had a boyfriend that worked as a Novox caravan guard. That meant that they saw each other rarely. This caravan had arrived just after noon, and would be leaving tomorrow morning. And the guards would spend most of the afternoon unloading whatever goods and supplies had arrived, then loading it with bottles and casks of wine from the temple’s winery.
Siljan shrugged. “Barton sometimes goes to a brothel. It’s not like we’re engaged or something.” She really didn’t even know that much about him.
“I thought he was serious about me,” she said, rubbing her wrist again. “But he’s just using me for sex.”
“What’s wrong with that?” protested Siljan. “Haven’t you been doing the same thing?”
Rosalind looked off to her left. “I really like him. I thought this was special.”
Siljan stepped forward, took hold of Rosa
lind’s left forearm, then gently pulled her right hand free, exposing skin that had been rubbed raw. Rosalind looked away as Siljan cast Recovery and healed the injury.
It was time to play counselor. Trying to sound casual, Siljan said, “Let’s go to the bath and talk about this.”
“But it’s the men’s time,” came the utterly predictable objection.
“Those are just guidelines.”
After some additional cajoling on Siljan’s part, the two of them went to the room that housed the large round tub. Rosalind came to a dead stop once they entered through the blue curtains. Siljan spoke up before she could protest.
“Hey, Julien. Mind if we join you?”
“No. In fact, I’m nearly through.” He closed his eyes and moved toward the back right portion of the tub.
Siljan began to remove her clothing, simply tossing each item onto one of the chairs that surrounded the large oval blue rug. She had actually lost her virginity on that rug, and Julien had been the one to take it. That brought back some happy memories.
Rosalind was still folding her clothing when Siljan climbed in the right side. She sighed happily as she lowered herself into the warm water. It was fed from a hot spring deep below and constantly replenished. Rosalind climbed in on the opposite side, which was where there was a piece of stone on the bottom that she could stand on without risking drowning. Even for a half-elf, Rosalind was unusually short.
When Julien began to climb out, Siljan moved over and patted him playfully on the behind, causing him to laugh. His face wasn’t exactly handsome, but his body was in superb shape, a result of daily combat workouts. Siljan still felt a real attraction to him, but he didn’t seem to feel the same way. She moved to the front of the tub and watched appreciatively as he toweled off and then dressed.
As soon as Julien had departed, Siljan moved to the center of the tub and faced Rosalind. The young woman had been letting her brown hair grow out, and it was swirling around her. Siljan had done the opposite, finding that she looked good with short hair, and that it was much easier to take care of.