The material was soft and felt wonderful against her skin. When she looked down, she began to laugh. The dress was far too short for her to wear in public. The seamstress measured her yesterday before the blooding ceremony, and now all of that hard work was for nothing.
Rane practiced walking back and forth in the large room, waiting for someone to come looking for her. She was half way to the bed when Sivdjia walked in the room.
“May I say you look stunning this morning, my Lady Rane? I see the ceremony has been completed. We will need Olivia to come back and make some adjustments to your garment. Showing your legs in the bedroom, and showing them downstairs is not the same thing. Let me send a girl to find her and bring her quickly.”
With that said, Sivdjia walked out of the room, leaving a tray that was giving off the heavenly scent of food under the napkin. Graceful walk forgotten, she lurched to the bed and hopped up onto the thick mattress to pull the small table to her, and began to eat. The food was delicious.
Fluffy eggs on crusty bread with some kind of thin sliced meat that she did not recognize filled her belly to its limit. She sipped a mug of chamomile tea after the meal and relaxed on the big bed. Her mind was on the immediate future.
They would be leaving for Gorgile Hall soon. Tales of the depravity from that place came to mind as she remembered the couple from yesterday. It seemed location did not matter when a man’s heart was as black as night to begin with.
The Lord Loris of Gorgile Hall was a monster. From what the couple told her, he was much like Lord Ludwig had been. Uncaring for any person but himself, and taking what he wanted without a qualm. He was said to have his dungeons full of people who tried to escape the hall and village belonging to it.
Women were stripped naked and whipped until they passed out, while their husbands and children watched, helpless to do anything about the punishment. It was said that young men were placed in stocks and beaten or worse, for refusing to join the soldiers at night.
Lord Loris was elderly and could barely function now. His head henchman, Comwif, was in charge most of the time. The man was said to have learned his evil work from his master’s knee. Comwif was indeed another monster. Both, Lord Loris and Comwif were said to be shapeshifters, and this worried Rane.
She had confidence in her men to win the day and the hall from the evil ones. The cost was what worried her. The knowledge that her men had not insisted she stay behind warmed her a bit. She would be valuable in this undertaking if someone was hurt beyond a few cuts and bruises. Knowing they valued her abilities set her heart to rest. They had confidence in her, and that gave her such pride inside she had to smile.
Rane tidied the bed as best she could, given the fact she had to crawl across it to straighten the blankets. Then she looked around the spacious room for something to occupy her time until the seamstress appeared. She found a hairbrush and used it to smooth the tangles from her long hair. She emptied the bucket of water down the necessary, and picked up the wet cloths, draping them over the tub. She picked up her lords’ soiled garments and placed them on the bench at the foot of the bed, then ran out of things to do.
Chapter Ten
It was past the noon hour when Sivdjia came to her explaining the misses Oriel and Madia were keeping Olive too busy to come and assist the Lady Rane.
Rane could see that Sivdjia was angry. The young girls and their mother were playing a stupid game and would pay dearly if they continued.
“Take me to them please.”
Sivdjia nodded and led her new mistress from the room. Finally someone would set those three women in their place.
Rane noticed that Sivdjia was walking with a limp and asked what was wrong. Hearing the woman suffered back pain at times near her right hip, Rane halted her in the hallway, and laid her hands on the startled woman’s pain filled hip and back.
“This is something you will continue to feel as the years go by, Sivdjia. Please come to me, or have me summoned to assist you when the pain gets this bad. You should not be climbing all these stairs or carrying heavy objects like you do. Don’t you have helpers to assist you?”
Sivdjia hung her head, unwilling to admit the misses Oriel and Madia were supposed to be helping her with day-to-day chores. Their mother, Lottie, was supposed to be working with the head cook in the kitchens, but the woman often complained of various ailments to avoid work. She preferred to lay about until the work was finished, and then pop in as fresh as a daisy, to accept the praises for other people’s hard labors.
The pain in her hip and leg was waning tremendously. Sivdjia stared hard at Rane, and both knew this was the first time in months the woman could stand without being overcome with pain. Most days she had to sit down to alleviate the hurt.
The next time Rane mentioned she would ask the lord’s permission to give Sivdjia women to help her with the chores, Sivdjia told her about the three women.
“They have finer garments than anyone in the castle. Lottie insists and she considers herself the lady of the place, and if two more spoiled girls exist in the world as Oriel and Madia, I have not heard or seen them. They came from Hiens Hall with the first wave of refugees.
“The people that came with them will hide from the women in self-defense when they see them. The trek to Tremble Castle was long, and hard, and from what the people who were with them say, the women refused to lift a finger to help themselves or anyone else during the time.
“Now they are being spiteful to you by keeping poor Olive captive to their whims. They know you are the mated wife of the lords and will do everything they can to make trouble. Beware, My Lady Rane.”
Rane heard her words and took them to heart. Sivdjia was feeling better, but the burns on her hands bothered Rane so she also took the heat and pain from those while the woman stood with her.
When they reached the door of the large room where the three women stayed, Rane leaned over and whispered in Sivdjia’s ear a request. The old woman looked puzzled but went back the way she came to take care of the lady’s wishes.
Rane walked into the room unannounced. The nasty bitches were lounging around the room while the seamstress was busy with a pile of material.
Her presence startled the women, and they all jumped to their feet. Oriel spoke to her mother.
“This is the whore that graced our Lord’s bed last eve and claims to be the mated wife to both men. Do be careful, Mother, she has the Lords Lion and Nord wrapped around her sausage fingers. According to the crone, Sivdjia , there is a death edict over anyone insulting her or causing her harm.
“Look at her, our Lords would not pick such a cow to mate with in truth.” The girl turned her back on Rane and sat back down in her chair ignoring the woman. Anyone in the room could feel the rage in her words, and see it coming from her face and body language.
Rane ignored the spiteful brat for the time it took to tell Olive to go to her rooms and lengthen any garments that she might be working on for her.
Olive left the pile of cloth and almost raced from the room. She was in such a hurry that she ran smack into the Lord Lion and gasped in embarrassment. He nodded at her and she continued on her way.
Addressing Lottie, Rane began with pleasantries. The woman turned her head and pretended that Rane was not standing in front of her.
“Alright, ladies, since you wish to play at being ladies of leisure, then I will suggest to my lords that you need homes of your own to play in. You, madam, have raised children with no respect for anyone, and very little respect for themselves. My understanding is that your Oriel and Madia were given the task of assisting Sivdjia with the housekeeping duties.
“I also understand that none of you have once turned your dainty hands to a task. I have been told that you, Lottie, are supposed to be helping with the cooking for the castle folk, but I find you lounging with the two sluggish children that feel menial labor to be beneath them. I see an overwhelming abundance of dresses lying on the floor. I also see a pile of clothing that you
have deemed more important for the seamstress to take in hand, than allow her to assist me in sewing a dress or two to cover my naked frame. A true lady of a castle such as this, would know how to repair small rips or tears in their own garments.
“Your child has insulted me not once but twice. Yet you sit with the indulgent smile on your face and allow her to delude herself into believing her fantasy. I had hoped to reason with you, and now know that my efforts are in vain.
“So, when I see the Lords Lion and Nord I will request their guidance on how to handle three such disrespectful and ignorant women.”
Rane turned to leave, feeling disgusted at the waste of her efforts. She hoped Sivdjia had found her lords, and that she could get a garment to cover her legs to make her presentable in the presence of the castle folks.
She felt hands closing on her shoulders and began to warn the person to back away. The screaming that followed the touch would have warmed her had she known it was Oriel. Rane could do nothing to stop the flow of Sivdjia’s pain into those hands that touched her. The girl deserved some retribution for her attitude, and this small pain was not much punishment for the brat. Until the pain was released, the flow of energy would continue to be absorbed by her assailant.
Rane looked up and saw Lion standing in the doorway. From the look on his face, she knew he had heard most of the words spoken in this room, and was glad she would not be the one telling tales. By their own words and actions, the women had bought their own punishment. From the look Lion was giving them, it might be a harsh one.
The screaming had finally stopped. Rane turned to see Oriel crumpled on the floor continuing to whine. Lottie was standing with her mouth gaped open staring at Lion. Madia stood as far from them as possible crying in her hands quietly.
Nothing was heard in the room except the muttering from Oriel, as she threatened Rane with all manner of horrid ends to her existence. Lottie came closer to Lion with her hands held out in a pleading gesture, which he brushed aside.
He stepped up to Rane and lifted her chin to look into her eyes. Then he looked down and his eyes widened at the sight of her legs and half of her thighs that were not covered. He grinned and arched his brow while she stood there blushing under his scrutiny.
He leaned in for a kiss that made all the day’s unpleasantness go away for her. The kiss gave her thoughts of last evening and the early hours of the morning. His arms enfolded her, and she felt treasured by the tenderness he showed her even in front of the hostile audience. She smiled when he drew back and knew he would make everything all right.
Rane stood proudly beside her husband when he turned her toward the three women. She had nothing to be ashamed of, and she had what they most coveted. While she could feel a small amount of pity for the women, she knew they would bury her in a shallow grave, and not let her cross their minds again. As long as they resided in the castle, she would need to watch her back for knives.
Madia had not done anything to cause problems as of yet, but what if she were of the same bent as her mother and sister? Could she stay Lion’s punishments from the girl with any assurances that she would not turn on her at a later time?
“I have heard your threats and insults to my Lady Rane, mated wife to both me and Lord Nord. By your own words, Sivdjia has told you what my orders were, and still you dare to toss careless words and jealousies her way.
“I have allowed you to play at the roles of ladies hoping you would grow into marriageable females for some of my guard. I truly considered that you might become friendly with my lady and welcome her. Now I see that allowing you the privileges was a mistake. You, Lottie, have done no service to your children teaching them to pretend airs that do not belong to any of you. I remember when you first came to Tremble Castle. You begged prettily, and bragged of skills to earn your keep that you do not possess.
“I have a ship that is sailing for the new continent in two days. Oriel will be on that ship. While aboard you will scrub the decks or polish the brass as any menial would do. If you work without attempting to manipulate the Captain or crew, you will be given ample means to support yourself, until you find a husband that will put up with your airs, or employment in whatever capacity you can find.”
The screeching that his pronouncement caused from Lottie and Oriel did not faze him. He waited until they stopped caterwauling before continuing.
“My ship that trades with the western continental coast is in need of a cook. Lottie, since you claim to have skill, even if none of us have seen or tasted your abilities, will be on that ship as the cook’s assistant. From this day forward you will serve in that capacity. Should that not be to your liking, you may remove yourself from the ship at any port along the coast. If you do not work at the duties assigned, the Captain will have orders to find suitable employment for you until you reach the coast, and then you will be put off the ship to make your own way.
“Madia. You have been silent today. In fact, I do not believe I have ever heard your voice. Can you speak girl?”
She nodded and spoke in a small voice, “Yes, my Lord Lion, I can speak.”
“Good, I will have to think of a punishment for you since I have only two ships leaving port within days. I will not force two of you on my captains.” He turned back to Lottie and Oriel.
“Once you are gone, do not come back or attempt to return to Tremble. If you are found within the boundaries of the country, you will be sent into the far jungle, where the beasts live. The only thing staying your banishment to that place is my wife, so remember it well.”
Chapter Eleven
Once they were back in their bedroom, Lion told her how proud he was of her for standing up to the women. His apology for putting her in the situation was very satisfactory, and she still felt the tingles an hour later as she made her way to the main rooms of the castle on his arm.
Nord was standing at the long table with four men. They were drawing on a large parchment. When he saw her, Nord smiled and winked at her before again paying attention to the man who was speaking.
When they were standing beside Nord, Lion introduced her to the men.
“For those of you that do not know, this our mated wife, the Lady Rane. You will extend to her every courtesy due to the lady of our heart. She might well save your life in the future as she saved mine and the others that went to Droildorf. Do not underestimate her strength or intelligence.”
His words on her behalf warmed Rane deep inside. He had faith in her and her abilities. She stood taller, feeling pride in her husband for acknowledging her talents.
Rane was fascinated by the drawings she saw on the parchment. She had no idea how large the country of Tremble actually was. If this drawing was any indication, the country was huge. The island was divided by lines that had been drawn on the map.
She could not read the letters that were showing the names of each Hall of Care. Perhaps she could learn to read the letters and numbers that she saw. Then she could understand better and not have to rely on others to decipher things like this.
It was decided that they would leave after dinner to intercept the two bands of mercenaries who would make their way to the castle before tomorrow evening. The scouts reported the groups had at least twenty-five men each. Both forces were led by wolf shifters and since the majority of Tremble castle soldiers were wolf shifters, it was only fair to allow their own soldiers to join in the coming skirmishes.
Dinner became a jovial affair with Lord and soldier teasing each other into laughter and embarrassment over stories of past battles. Mouse was lauded as the spy extraordinaire, and then teased unmercifully about his rat form.
“That creature would inspire night terrors with his dripping fangs and tiny front arms,” one astute soldier stated. The real shudder that followed his words allowed everyone to know he actually did think the animal could induce night terrors. Many who heard the words heartily agreed.
Nord held up Rane’s hand and kissed her arm nearest his mouth. Then he told the ta
le of her rescuing all of them without embarrassment.
“Imagine our small Lady pulling my hulking ass from a dungeon. Without our Lady Rane, and her quick mind and healing touch, our adventure at the hall would have turned out entirely different.” Then he talked of the coming battle.
“When we get close to the rovers, lady Rane will be stashed high in a tree for safety. You will all protect her with your lives. She is more important than any one of us. She goes with us because of her ability to heal the direst of wounds, and the unique ability to know when the enemy is close. She can detect an enemy from his energy. Unlike our beasts, she does not rely on sight or hearing, so trust her if she urges caution.
“We leave when darkness falls, so be ready.”
Nord picked Rane up and started for the stairs. Lion was close behind and grinning at her when she looked over the wide shoulder of her transportation. She smiled back then laid her head on the thick muscle beneath her head. She knew what kind of rest these two men wanted to have. Her body had been humming most of the day with anticipation of being held between her men again.
By the time her feet hit the floor she was pulling her dress over her head and tossing it onto the bench, then began helping her men from their clothing. Lion was naked first, and she dropped to her knees before him. Her hands stroked his cock from the top of his thick head, to the silky wrinkled sac holding his stones.
Nord picked her up from the floor and held her, until Lion got into the bed. She was placed between Lions spread thighs, and she continued to explore his man parts. She bent to taste the silky skin and heard him moan. She licked the sac with short strokes of her tongue, and continued up onto the shaft of his cock.
She felt Nord‘s body make the mattress dip, and cried out when his finger slid down the crack of her ass into the slit of her pussy. She could feel the slick cream trickling from her needy body, and rolled her hips trying to sink his finger deeper inside.
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