Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine

by Jeanne G'Fellers

  “What is she,” yelled someone near the head of the line, “one of them snow-headed witches?”

  “She’s no Taelach. This one’s Autlach through and through.” He whistled again, this time directing it toward LaRenna. “And what a woman she is.”

  All movement had ceased in that section of the Commons. LaRenna, thrown off guard, closed her eyes for a brief moment, wishing she were somewhere, anywhere else but there. Firman had warned she would make a scene, but she hadn’t imagined this. Several more whistles and select lewd comments were thrown her direction, adding to her anxiety.

  “Over here!”

  “I’ll put you to work!”

  LaRenna opened her Autlach eyes and forced an amused expression on her face. If she couldn’t pull this off, fooling two of her own kind would be impossible. “Why, gentlemen,” she purred, tailoring her accent to the regional dialect. “What would I want with a man who doesn’t have work? I’d be no better off than I am now.”

  The cocky Autlach slapped his knee in a resounding laugh. “She’s got us there. This one’s witty, she is.” Every male in the crowd roared their agreement. Several women shopping in the area left disgusted, visioning what kind of work a woman could hope to find at the Hiring Hall and what she would have to do to gain it. The man choked off his laugh and took a step closer, something approaching greed shimmering in his eyes. “Seriously girl, why you here?”

  “Work.”

  “Mean it, don’t you?” His sun-creased face wavered from humored to suggestive while maintaining its smile. “I know an easy way for someone of your looks to make a bundle.” Several men winked at each other while still others began fumbling in their belt pouches.

  “I know what you’re getting at,” replied LaRenna. “And I am far out of the price range of the unemployed.”

  “Miss a few meals,” squeaked an elderly male voice, “and you’ll do it for almost nothing!” The crowd burst with laughter again and began to throw an increasingly vulgar display her direction.

  “What’s going on?” Firman Middle filled the main door of the Hiring Hall. LaRenna hadn’t realized that while a good two heads shy of Krell’s height, he was far broader in the shoulder. “I’m running a business, not a gambling hut.” He looked directly at LaRenna. “Or a brothel. If you men want to work, get in line and shut up. Woman, go sell yourself elsewhere. You’re disrupting my day.”

  LaRenna pushed out of her place in line. “I came for work, just like the others.” Their dialogue had been carefully scripted to gain her entrance.

  “You’ve got a live one here, Hallmaster Middle!” shouted one of the waiting men.

  “I see that,” replied Firman, his thumbs looping his wide belt as he sauntered to where LaRenna stood. “Want work, do you?”

  “Yes.”

  “It doesn’t come easy these days.” His expansive fingers twisted into her hair, the touch reminding him how much finer Taelach hair tended to be compared to Autlach. “Everyone here needs work. What makes you so special, besides the obvious?”

  “I’m good at what I do.”

  “That so?” Firman pulled her head back until it was directly under his then gave her the slightest wink of assurance. “And what work do you do, woman?”

  “Whatever pays the most.”

  “Really?” Firman gave those closest his most enlightened smile. “And just what would you do to get work? The hall doesn’t generally provide employment leads to women. Females of decent upbringing are properly supported by their men and would never be seen here. You know what this will cost.”

  “I’ll do whatever it takes. I have to eat,” whispered LaRenna, intent on her role. “I have to support myself.”

  “Well, if you want it that badly . . .” Firman fairly swooned with counterfeit excitement. He wrapped his hand fully around her upper arm and half-dragged her toward the hall. LaRenna dug in her heels as she was jerked along. She didn’t want to appear too eager for what the others thought awaited her.

  “Not fair!” protested the Autlach who had started the ruckus. “We can’t whore ourselves to get in your good graces.”

  “You could try,” said Firman with a grin. “But the answer would be no and your friends would never let you live it down.” Successful in diverting the crowd’s attention, Firman slammed shut the hall door. He lay against it as he wiped his brow. “You’re good, too good,” he told LaRenna. “You all but got yourself mobbed out there. Aut men aren’t used to a woman commanding attention. It either excites them or pisses them off, neither of which you want when you’re that outnumbered.”

  “Got me in here without anyone the wiser, didn’t it?”

  “That it did, but will it get you past the Hallmaster still clothed?” He took her arm again, not quite so roughly this time, and led her to the double doors on the foyer’s far side. “Ready?”

  “In a second.” LaRenna closed her eyes tight then refocused on Firman through glass-blue eyes. “Now.”

  “Taelach eyes.” He shivered. “They can be so cold.” He slammed his free hand against the doors, flinging them open with a bang. “Look what I found outside, Hallmaster Tynnes.” He shoved LaRenna into the room. “This one wants work.”

  “Hello there.” The Hallmaster peered over the recorder in his grubby hands. “Only one way for a woman to get work out of my hall. She willing?”

  Firman stroked the back of LaRenna’s head, half for effect and half to offer silent support. His other hand still gripped her securely. “She said she’d do whatever it took.”

  “Is that so?” Tynnes scratched beneath the greasy knots making up his hair. “Come here, woman, and we’ll, um, discuss your qualifications.”

  Firman released his hold and she walked around the worktable, careful to keep her gaze from the Hallmaster’s. When she drew near, Tynnes clutched her about the waist, pulling her into his lap. “My, my, but you’re a pretty one. I’m going to enjoy this immensely.”

  “I figured you’d like her,” agreed Firman. “I know I do.”

  “Out!” The Hallmaster pointed to the double doors. “I need to interview this young woman.” He pushed his nose in LaRenna’s shoulder and breathed deep. “Sweet.”

  “I found her, Tynnes!” Firman rounded the table in a single fluid stride. He was not going to allow his superior one second alone with his sibling’s love interest. Damn the pretense. Damn the outcome. “I should get a turn, too.”

  “Very well.” Tynnes sneered. “When I’m finished, she’s yours.” He undid two snaps of LaRenna’s frock and set his face deep into her cleavage as his hand inched up her skirts. She cast Firman a look of expanding terror and revulsion. The lead Hallmaster was disgusting, both physically and mentally; his smell, combined with the pressure of his excitement against her leg, was enough to make her vomit.

  Firman’s expression became anxious. “Do it,” he mouthed, his skin crawling at the thought of Tynnes’s filthy touch.

  “Tynnes,” LaRenna cooed in the Hallmaster’s ear. “I’ll do whatever it takes for work. The better the job, the more I’ll do.” She massaged his bony shoulders and tickled his neck. His skin prickled in response.

  “I can see you will,” he mumbled and pulled her into a greedy, full-mouthed kiss. Then he pushed back to stroke her downcast face with a greasy finger. “Look at me,” he demanded, digging his fingers into her side until she squirmed in his lap. “Look at me, woman.”

  “Whatever you want.” LaRenna focused a deep stare on him and smiled, delighting in the way his expression shot from ecstasy to repulsion.

  “WITCH!” Tynnes jerked his hands back and stood, throwing LaRenna to the floor. She never lost eye contact as she fell, pushing pain phase enough for him to grab at his head. His mind was open, defenseless to the attack. So open, it made her glad Krell had forced her to practice. A loss of control would prove deadly right now and she wanted to temporarily disable, not permanently handicap the smelly little man. When she pushed a little harder, the Hallmaster colla
psed in his chair.

  “Did you kill him?” Firman rushed to his employer’s side.

  LaRenna scrambled to her feet and wiped Tynnes’s slime-ridden kiss from her mouth. “Of course not, I only phased him unconscious. He’ll be out most of the day but when he does wake, he’ll be satisfied. I gave him a wonderful delusion of what happened.” She ran her fingernail over his neck, leaving a thin scratch.

  “Why’d you do that?”

  “Effect. Adding the physical to the mental heightens the memory’s effectiveness.”

  “Oh.” Firman jerked the Hallmaster upright and threw him over one broad shoulder. “LaRenna, remind me never to piss you off. You’ve too much of a mind.” Tynnes’ lack of hygiene forced a crinkle into Firman’s nose. He pushed the offending Autlach as far from his face as possible and carried him through the small door at the back of the workroom.

  “Where are you taking him?”

  “To his bed.” Firman stepped into the bedchamber, tossed Tynnes onto the unmade platform, and partially undressed him. “For effect,” he assured her, then closed the door and drew a long breath. “Only thing worse smelling than Tynnes,” he declared, “is his room. It hasn’t been cleaned once in the seven passes I have worked here.”

  “Neither has his mouth,” replied LaRenna as she snapped her top. “Maybe I should plant the suggestion of bathing in his mind.” Tynnes’s dirty hands had smirched the laced edging of the frock. She rubbed at the stains and glanced up at Firman. “What’s next?”

  “I process some of those waiting in line and you stay out of sight until this Starnes arrives.”

  “Where do you want me?”

  Firman grinned and pointed to the corner door.

  “Oh, no.” LaRenna cringed at the suggestion. “Not in there. Anywhere but there.”

  “Sorry, kiddo, but the crowd will get restless if there are further delays in processing. All the other rooms are in use.”

  “What about your personal quarters?” she pleaded.

  “You have to go through the main waiting area to get there.” Firman shrugged. “And anyone who saw you come in will be expecting you to be entertaining the Hallmaster.” He pointed to the door again. “In there.”

  “Only for my post would I even think of doing this!” LaRenna held her nose and stepped into the doorway quarters, Firman giving her a little shove forward before he pulled the door shut. The room was acrid with sweat and urine.

  “Have fun.” The door muffled his voice but failed to buffer his amusement. LaRenna cleared the garbage from a chair, turned it backward, and straddled the seat. The high back was the exact height for a chin rest when she crossed her arms on the top so she draped over it, trying to ignore Tynnes’s snores. The noise and smell must not have been too offensive because suddenly Firman was shaking her awake. LaRenna stretched and wiped her mouth. She’d been dozing hard.

  “Hard night last night?” Firman indicated her sprawled position. Her skirts were pushed into a mid-thigh wad. “Not very ladylike, especially in skirts.”

  “I’ve always detested skirts. They’re impractical, especially for a Kimshee.”

  “That’s almost refreshing to hear. Personally, I have always fancied the definition leggings bring to the female form. Wish more of you wore them.”

  “Krell was right about you.” She laughed. “You’re too fresh for your own good.”

  “Oh, I’m basically harmless. I like to make a game of flirting and looking. Call it a hobby.”

  “Obsession.”

  “All right then, obsession. Point being, I talk a lot more than I’ll ever do. I’ve had very few serious female companions in my lifetime and would have committed to any of them in a minute. Seems they felt differently.” Firman’s confession tugged LaRenna’s heartstrings. Now she saw him as Krell did, a deeply caring and compassionate hulk of a man who longed for a steady relationship. The antics disguised his loneliness.

  “You’ll find what you’re looking for someday,” said LaRenna.

  “Maybe so, but I’m getting a little long in passes for high hopes.”

  “You’re as old or young as you choose to be. If I were Aut, I’d be after you in a minute.”

  “Girl?” Firman cast her a surprised but appreciative look. “I’m old enough to be your father.”

  “There’s something to be said for maturity. The best wines have age on them, don’t they?”

  Firman squared his shoulders. “You don’t find the mid-age girth distracting?”

  “Your sister is beginning to develop one too, in case you haven’t noticed.” LaRenna smiled. “Though, I don’t think Krell would admit it.”

  “No, she wouldn’t,” replied Firman. Spirits lifted, he resumed his affectionate teasing. “Just wait until I tell her you actually slept with the Hallmaster.”

  “Why should she care?”

  “Because guardians are a jealous lot when it comes to their women.”

  “You aren’t going to give up on that idea, are you?” She wondered if the stench of Tynnes’s breath would linger on her until she next saw Krell.

  “Nope, I’m the eternal optimist.” Firman cast her one of his comical smiles. “Anyone ever tell you you’re small for a Taelach?”

  “Everyone tells me that!” LaRenna groaned.

  “ ’Cause it’s true.” Firman grabbed her under the arms in a dizzying lift. “I used to do this to Krell. Stars, was that ever a long time ago. You’re lighter though. Don’t you ever eat?”

  “More than I should.” She laughed.

  “Can’t prove it by me.” He carried her into the workroom, setting her by the double doors. “Time for you to make your appearance in the waiting area.”

  LaRenna blinked to regain her Autlach appearance as Firman waved her through the door. “If anyone asks, Tynnes is taking a rest, recovering from his encounter with you.” He couldn’t resist the urge. “You wore the man out, you trashy wench.”

  “Like you said, Assistant Hallmaster Middle, I’m good.” LaRenna said this loud enough to carry into the waiting area.

  “Play it up, why don’t you?” He chuckled then shoved her gruffly from the room. “If we desire your services again, I’ll call for you.” Firman flicked up LaRenna’s calf-length skirts for the benefit of the room’s occupants. She brushed the folds back into place and glared at him.

  “I gave you what you wanted. Now give me what I came for— work.”

  “If something comes in calling for your special qualifications, you’ll be called.” Firman pushed her into a chair. “Until then, sit down and keep your mouth shut.”

  Firman left her sitting among a group of Autlach males. Aware of the stares she was receiving, she folded her hands primly in her lap and gazed out the window. Let them look. She had nothing to prove.

  Firman soon returned. “Come here, woman. I’ve a position for you.”

  One of the waiting men confronted him. “Didn’t you get enough last time? I’ve been in here all day every day for half a cycle and haven’t been called for a job yet.” His scathing glower was meant more for LaRenna than the Hallmaster. “Then this, this, whore comes in here, spreads her legs for you and gets a job within minutes.”

  “You would too if you had the right assets and the gumption to use them,” replied Firman, nodding toward LaRenna’s generous proportions. “I’ve got three more positions to fill after I finish with the girl. You’ll be out of here within the hour if you can do one thing.”

  “What’s that—screw you myself?”

  “No, smartass, sit down and shut up!” Firman’s bass voice rattled the decaying building. Aggravated but mindful he might be thrown from the hall, the man returned to his seat, growling under his breath when LaRenna flicked the back of her skirts at him.

  “See ya later.”

  “Trollop,” he mumbled.

  “That’s employed trollop to you.” Firman jerked her away before she could say more.

  “Don’t overdo it.” He shut and barred the door
behind her. “LaRenna, let me introduce you to Starnes Bane, owner of the Waterlead.”

  Starnes frowned. “This little girl, this child is what the Kinship sends to stop their renegades?”

  “Things are not always as they appear, Barman Bane.” LaRenna bowed a short greeting. “Rest assured, I’m qualified for this post. The Kinship would not have sent someone who isn’t.”

  “Hmph.” Starnes snorted. “I don’t think one Autlach barmaid will have any impact.”

  “Probably not.” LaRenna blinked hard. “But a Kimshee will.”

  Starnes’s double chin dropped to his chest so fast it coaxed a laugh from Firman. “Amazing what a good dye job can do, isn’t it?” The big Autlach chuckled.

  “I’d never of known.”

  “That’s the intent,” said LaRenna. “I have to appear real enough so another Taelach won’t suspect me.” She noted a marked change in Starnes’s attitude since she had revealed her identity. He seemed to stand a little straighter, with renewed confidence. Were things really so bad? “Anything new happen since you met with Taelach Middle?”

  “My father has taken a turn for the worse. He can’t eat anymore.”

  “I’ve medicine with me. We’ll begin treatment this evening.”

  Starnes’s tension reduced even more, permitting him to accomplish a short smile. “We’ve got to get back. If I’m gone too long, Cance will come hunting.”

  LaRenna nodded then gave Firman a quick hug about the waist. “Thanks for the help.”

  “Anytime,” he said, cupping his hand to her ear. “After all,” he whispered, “we’ll be seeing each other often.” He gave her another swift swat and unbarred the door. “Carefully, my friends. Much depends on your success.”

  They departed the Hiring Hall from the rear, away from the prying eyes of the mouthy and unemployed. Starnes was only slightly taller than LaRenna, but his hurried pace forced her to jog. They made their way across the Commons and through a small ramshackle housing area. On the far side, he stopped and pointed ahead to a shabby two-story building just as old if not older than the Hiring Hall. “There it is.”

  “Needs work.”