Guns & Flame: The Sara Featherwood Adventures ~ Volume Three

by Guy Antibes

  “We have much to learn,” Sara said. She let the woman lead them into a parlor. “Your tastes seem to be different from other places I’ve seen in Okalla.”

  Linssa put her finger to her lips. “Don’t let my secret out. They think I’m too doughty for their tastes, but my husband, a Minister of the Empire and I spent nearly seven years in Parth too long ago to count.”

  “I wondered how you acquired such a facility for Parthian,” Sara said.

  Linssa looked pleased by the compliment. “I latched onto the theory of decorating there. My husband keeps after me to spice things up a bit, but I know what I like. This relaxes me more. He can always go to his stinky club if he wants bright red and purple walls.” She laughed. “He’s out right now in council with the Emperor. The boy’s even more odious than his father ever was. I truly think the young man enjoys pulling the wings off of butterflies. I’m sure you would just love him.” She gave Sara an enigmatic smile that indicated her ‘love’ comment was meant as sarcasm. “It will be just the three of us, if you don’t mind. I thought you might bring your servants.”

  “Oh!” Lily said in feigned shock. “Not to a formal dinner. You know Parth!”

  Linssa shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose you’re right. We can talk about servants and things over dinner. Right now, join me in a glass of wine and a few appetizers and tell me about the state of the nobility.”

  Restraining a knowing look at Lily, Sara nodded and walked with Linssa to a table set out with a few bottles and plates of small bites.

  “You have no servants to pour, Linssa?” Lily said.

  “Sometimes,” Linssa made a face. “Henker demands it when we entertain. I have a maid and a cook, but for an intimate gathering, I’d rather it remain intimate. My husband will talk and talk around a servant and pretend they don’t have ears. It’s that way in Parthy, too.”

  “Indeed it is. I’m lucky that Willa is more of a companion and confidante than a maid. I stole her from another where she served as housekeeper.”

  Linssa blinked. “Stole? Are they indentured? I didn’t think…”

  “A figure of speech. Willa could choose. There are no indentures in Parthy. King Terrant did away with the practice when he first took the throne.”

  “Ah. We left just before his ascension. Is he well liked, your king?” They all sat down with their glasses of wine and small plates of finger food.

  “He is. There are always disgruntled subjects. I’m sure you’re aware of the recent unpleasantness in Shattuk Downs.”

  “I am. Those poor people. Downtrodden, so far away from the throne.” Sara could tell the woman believed her claim.

  “I’m from Shattuk Downs and I can assure you they weren’t downtrodden. The only unrest came from those who wanted to rule the Downs. In most things, the Downs rules itself. The former Grand Duke ruled with a very light hand and the people thrived under it.”

  “So I take it you weren’t for the revolution?”

  Lily shook her head. “I live in Stonebridge, the capital of the district, and could go where I wanted and do what I wanted. Most of the nobility were aghast at the Grand Duke’s plan to secede and become a protectorate of Belonnia.”

  “I heard that rumor. Untrue, of course” Linssa lied about that. Her face colored and she looked away.

  Sara shrugged her shoulders. “Who knows? We have a temporary Duke who is intent on returning Shattuk Downs to the way it was before last year’s unpleasantness.”

  “So true. I understand you are the only Countess in Parthy? That’s an exalted title for a young girl. I assume you haven’t reached the Parthy majority of twenty yet?”

  “No. I’m a little confused myself by the title. My mother was a Goldagle and if she were a man she’d be the Duke of Goldfields. It’s a large Shattuk Downs duchy. The Royal Genealogist found some other lines in my past and promoted me to the King as a Countess. Frankly, I think it’s a bit of a joke. I’m the Countess of Brightlings, my mother’s manor. The house lies in ashes after the unpleasantness.”

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. In Belonnia, you’re an adult when you reach the age of fifteen.”

  “My mother died two and half years ago and my life hasn’t been the same since.”

  “But you are so intelligent and capable,” Linssa said and sipped her wine. Sara detected the appraising look. She let the woman lead.

  “I have a talent for learning, it seems.”

  “Talent. You are confounding the professors, my dear. I’d swear you know more than they do.”

  “What I’ve read. I remember what I learn and read.”

  “Are there many more like you?” Linssa said.

  “None,” Lily said. “Sara is unique in my experience. We met at the Tarrey Abbey Women’s School.”

  “Oh, so you followed Banna Thresher to the Women’s College?”

  Sara nodded. She wondered how she knew about Banna?

  “That explains how well the both of you are prepared for our exchange.”

  Linssa’s maid entered and said in Belonnian, “Dinner is ready, Matron Linssa.”

  The woman could just have easily said Lady Linssa. Sara sensed the strong strain of Belonnian nobility in the house.

  The three of them sat at one end of a long dining table. The dining room was again a symphony in good taste. Pale green velvet covered the spaces in between warm brown wall paneling. Long-stemmed white flowers of a kind unfamiliar to Sara were arranged in cream colored vases set at intervals in the room.

  “A lovely dining hall,” Lily said as she sat down. She seemed genuinely impressed.

  Sara compared it with the garish restaurant in the hotel. What a different atmosphere.

  “What do you do at the University, Linssa? You are the Matron, of course, but we don’t know what Matrons do,” Sara said. It was their turn to obtain a little information.

  “I organize curriculum and ensure the quality of our instructors. It’s a thankless job. We have nearly as many female students as men, but in many ways, for all of the progress Belonnia has made, it’s still a man’s world.”

  “You and Banna Thresher would get along quite well,” Lily said. “However, tit was not easy setting up a Women’s College, when the rest of the academic world is aghast at your trying.”

  “It’s that bad?”

  Sara nodded. “You’ll note that this is the first evening we’ve been asked out since the reception at the hotel. Even then, I’m sure you noticed how ignored we were.”

  “I did notice.” Linssa thought for a moment. “Are you both training to become professors?”

  Lily laughed. “No. I’m a dabbler—a little of this and a little of that. I’m more comfortable being the criticizer rather than the one being criticized.”

  “Ah, a cynic,” Linssa said.

  “If you will. I’ve been useful to my friends in the past.”

  “I’m sure you have. And you?”

  Sara took advantage of dinner being served before she replied. “I once thought I’d like to teach, but I’ve found I like doing other things more.”

  “Teaching is doing.”

  “It is, but I suppose I don’t want to disperse knowledge, I want to use it. I once thought I’d seek a certain solace in teaching, but…” Sara shook her head.

  “I’m sure Banna is disappointed by that.”

  “She is,” Sara said. “I don’t know what I’ll eventually do. I’m happy to be here, for now, and learn how life is practiced in Belonnia. I’ll be writing it down for others to learn about. I’m just not settled yet.” Sara didn’t know why she burdened Linssa with her thoughts, but she had not given away any state secrets.

  “And well you shouldn’t, you’re young with many years ahead of you. Plenty of time to do lots of things before it’s too late and you get old like me,” Linssa said, laughing but Sara could hear a trace of pain in her voice. “Now tell me more about your King Terrant. I assume you’ve been in his court before…”

  By the time the ev
ening ended, Linssa thoroughly confused Sara. The woman wanted to talk more about Parthy and less about them. It was as if she wanted to relive her time spent in Parth. Perhaps Linssa was so clever, she had gotten whatever she wanted and Sara didn’t know it. The night only made her more wary of the woman.

  They walked out of the house and the same men still maintained their same positions. Sara wondered how stable the country might be with so many guards.

  “You two have a good time?” Willa said as she woke from dozing in the chair with knitting on her lap.

  “We did. Matron Linssa is an interesting woman,” Lily said as she took off her cloak. “Has Meldey returned?”

  Willa shook her head. “I’ll take your cloak.”

  “I’ll hang it up with mine,” Sara said. Lily’s trunk sat in the walk-in closet shared by both of them. Sara wanted to see if it also had a hidden compartment. She hung up the cloaks and opened up Lily’s trunk. It revealed a compartment identical to Sara’s except for one important difference. Meldey had cleaned it out. The padded velvet lining revealed the indentations of a number of items—no guns in hers. Sara didn’t think Meldey needed any close-in weapon other than a sword, knife or her own body.

  Just when did Duke Northcross expect them to find the weapons? Sara quickly closed the trunk and walked out on the balcony, oblivious to the cold night. She breathed in the sharpened air, hoping it would clear her mind. A light snow began to fall. What would Okalla look like covered in white? She hoped it would last the night. What kind of snow covered up Okalla and the Belonnians? Why did they give up so easily in the spring? Was it only because Shattuk Downs fell so quickly? General Heathergate’s run to the eastern mountains just might have been the deciding factor.

  Sara doubted that the war was over. The first two skirmishes proved Parthy the more nimble party. She didn’t view King Terrant as the driving force, but Duke Northcross seemed to be leading the decision-making. A team. Perhaps that was why Terrant so adamantly dragged a young Renall Passcold to Parth and made him Duke Northcross so he could help him rule. The brothers certainly complimented each other. Perhaps that union made up the strength of the kingdom.

  Kingdoms rarely survived when ruled by force of personality. She wondered if the brothers were planning for the succession of the monarchy after they were gone. Perhaps that would be a good question to put to Obed Handy when she returned.

  ~~~

  Chapter Twelve

  A Ride in the Country

  Willa opened the door to the suite on the morning of Sixday. A porter presented her with a message and left.

  “Lily. This one is for you.”

  Lily entered the room wearing a silk bathrobe with fur cuffs. Her hair had been combed but pulled back and tied into a ponytail. “For me. How charming.” She gave Willa a half smile.

  Sara looked up from a Belonnian general science book, preparing for the Science exchange on Oneday. Two full days of Science. She wouldn’t be caught unawares by the current state of Belonnian sciences.

  “It’s for the both of us,” Lily said. “The ever-delightful Master Dairyman has requested our company for a tour of the countryside. His treat. He actually wrote it down. Charming man.” She put the message above Sara’s lap and let it float down. “I haven’t even seen him since the reception.”

  “Can you get ready in an hour?” Sara said. She fought for a memory of him in the general sessions, but she couldn’t remember him there either. Could he be preparing for his mission? Sara had no idea.

  “Honestly? No. I don’t wish to spend a cold day in a carriage. I think I’d like to take Willa to the Black Market, perhaps I might spy Meldey.” Lily smiled at her comment, knowing it was a pun of sorts.

  “I doubt we’ll see her again,” Sara said. “As much as I’d like to do the same and find something to take back to Seb and Enos, I don’t think we can pass up a chance at making at least a tiny attempt at friendship with the University boys. I’ll go myself.” How typical of Lily. Sometimes the woman was too infuriating. The nerve to turn down an invitation, but Sara wouldn’t try to dissuade her. Her rejection stiffened Sara’s resolve to make the best of a potentially unsavory afternoon.

  “You’ll need a chaperone, lady,” Willa said.

  Sara patted her leg. “I have one. The driver will serve but hopefully Hans will be smart enough to bring another student. You know, two couples?”

  “Indeed.” Willa snorted and then smiled. “I trust you will take care of yourself.”

  “I will. What I do today, I do for Banna.” Sara said with a smile, but Lily would understand Sara’s anger. Lily had that infuriating side to her that informed one that she didn’t care what others thought. Willa had a touch of that, too, but in a different way. Sara wished she could cultivate that bit of hardness, but it just wasn’t in her.

  Sara wore the darkest dress she had brought with her and slipped the black lace overdress on, hoping it would be sufficiently dark enough to blend in. She walked down to the lobby, never enjoying the bright colors, but waited for Hans to join her. A short sandy-haired man stood beside him. The student who had told the driver they were impoverished.

  Could she be walking into some kind of a trap? Hans tried hard to look innocent, but he couldn’t. Only Hans smiled as she walked up. It seemed to be a very weak smile.

  “My apologies, but Miss Evertrue will not be joining us. She had alternate plans. Short notice, you see.” Sara smiled and watched their reaction.

  Hans seemed unaffected at the prospect of Lily not joining them.

  The short man gave her a cursory glance. “She is a tall one.” The top of the boy’s head only came to her shoulder and Han’s barely topped the other in height. Tell her my name is Baronet Heathergate.” Ferdik Heathergate, one of the instigators. What kind of game were these two playing? She thought better of Hans, but he must have wanted an in with the University boys and arranged this ride. She would have to be very careful.

  “Any relation to General Heathergate?” Sara said, as casually as she could.

  The man fidgeted a bit and made a face. “Tell her that the man is my uncle.”

  The two Heathergates obviously didn’t get along. Perhaps the Baronet, Sara noticed he provided no first name, had too small a mind for the General. Sara had a distinct impression that the uncle had no place for fools and the Baronet seemed to be a likely candidate.

  “I met him just outside of Shattuk Downs,” Sara said.

  “You were there last spring.” Hans said. “I understand you were instrumental in putting down the rebellion at Belting Hollow, Obridge and Stonebridge. You’re exploits amazed me.” How did he know? What kind of briefing did the Duke give Dairyman? Ferdik’s lack of reaction told her that he had no idea of her recent past.

  Sara nodded. Since Hans had heard of her exploits, she wouldn’t be bullied. She lifted her chin like Lily. “You may call me Sara, Baronet Heathergate.” She didn’t sound like Lily, but perhaps it would serve well enough.

  Hans rubbed his hands together. “See, Ferdik? We can still have a nice time. Let’s be off.”

  The sun’s light seemed weak just before midday. Yet with all of the black buildings and pavement absorbing all of the solar heat, little snow remained in the city. The carriage clanked and rattled out into the countryside. Patches of snow still clung to the north sides of the buildings.

  Neither of the men had said a word as they traveled through the city, spending their time gazing out of their windows. Sara would put a stop to that.

  “Did you know every citizen has a tattoo on their wrist?”

  “You know Handson, I haven’t cared to examine the Belonnian wrist,” Ferdik said. “Belonnians wear black from head to toe. What’s a tattoo to me?”

  Sara addressed Ferdik directly. “Only the elites—Belonnia’s upper class. The further you get out from the city, the more the commoners dress like commoners in Parthy.”

  “How observant,” Hans said. He sat on the edge of his seat. “What othe
r things have you found out?”

  “The tattoos have letters and numbers and the letters show where a person lives. They can’t leave that district without a written document from a local magistrate, just like slaves.”

  “You think such order makes them slaves?” Hans said. “Perhaps they like the security of not having others come into their lives unbidden.”

  Why was he defending such a hideous practice?

  Ferdik shook his head looking out the window. “Slaves, commoners. They are the same thing.”

  Perhaps both of them would fit well in the Belonnian elite society with so much disdain. Ferdik would be the type of noble who would make a terrible successor to King Terrant, thinking back to her thoughts on the succession in the cold night air a few evenings ago.

  “No they aren’t, Ferdik.” Hans said, but his eyes remained on Sara’s. “We don’t have slaves in Parth. Every man is free.”

  Ferdik shrugged and turned his green eyes back to the countryside.

  “More about the tattoos. What do they look like?” Hans’ comment had the hint of a command.

  “Just a line here.” Sara pulled up her sleeve and dragged her finger about an inch below her wrist. “If we stop somewhere, you’ll notice that everybody has one. You can have the driver show you his.”

  “An awful custom. I’d call it barbaric, but I think the act falls on the other side of the political spectrum where men are viewed as chattel to the state.” Hans gazed at his hands, but didn’t show his wrists but rubbed them over his coat. “Such a thing dehumanizes the population.”

  “Exactly,” Sara said. Perhaps there was some hope for Hans, after all, but then why the first comment about order?

  After an hour of riding without another word, Sara broke the silence. “Now do you have something planned or are we just riding through the countryside?”

  “Tell her,” Ferdik said to Hans.

  Hans twisted his hands and took a deep breath. “The University men would like you two to leave Okalla when we return to the hotel.”