rgv

  invocation of status on social inferiors, rejection of same sex retions

  [colpse]

  The Nobles of Lonely KnollThe next morning, Biyu helped Iris dress. Despite allowing it, she could still feel Iris's dissatisfaction. When they arrived for breakfast, Iris trailing her rather than accepting an escort, the two children were patiently waiting for them. The inn had allowed the children in, as she instructed, she was gd to see.

  While they ate, Biyu tried to engage Iris a few times, but she remained moody as she had her breakfast. Deciding she needed to take another tact, she asked Iris, "Will you help me with that task I asked you about?"

  Iris gave her a bnk look for a moment, then understanding flickered over her features. "Of course, Lady Biyu." She dipped her ft bread into the soup, finishing it, before pushing the rest of the food aside for the servants to collect.

  Biyu had already finished her meal, so while the children finished eating, she took Iris across the courtyard back to their room. She intended to gain the illusion art that would allow her to show her face, finally, if it was possible.

  "My aspect is gmour," Iris said. "That said, it is just a variation of light affinity, to make a few cosmetic effects easier. My techniques work by… how to phrase this, Lady Biyu?"

  Iris drummed her fingers. "The core is not the ability to make light illusions, but the way I use empowerment. You remember I'm quite weak compared to you and Miss May. That's because my empowerment does not enhance, or even really allow for the enhancement, of my body. Instead, it is geared to allowing me to change my form. I am akin to a changeling in that way. However, the changes are not permanent. It is a bit like keeping your hand in a fist. Except, the techniques keep it closed. So, perhaps it is more like blinking your eyes? You can do it, but usually it works by itself. Any permanent changes are like smile lines. So, I could make myself stronger and faster, but only to mortal limits.

  "My techniques, as you may guess, manage and bance the changes. This is quite complex, and leaves me with little spare mana, which I mostly use for the extra cosmetic changes, like coloring my eyes."

  Biyu grimaced at her concubine. "Then, I cannot use it."

  "The light magic might not be beyond you, Lady Biyu. A charm or magic item would be more practical."

  A thought occurred to Biyu, and she looked at Iris contemptively. "I may have something." She had tried to keep to veils while in the city, although she found them inconvenient to eat in. So she still wore her mask, particurly to bed to prevent accidents, despite Anya's admonishments to dress according to her rank. She retrieved the mask, and passed it to Iris.

  The woman examined it curiously. She turned it over, and looked at the strange script on the interior surface. "Where did you get an item like this, Lady Biyu?" she asked. She dropped it onto the floor when it squirmed in her hands.

  "It was made for me by someone I care for. Someone you remind me of."

  "If you expect me to make something like this for you, Lady Biyu, I will have to disappoint you." Iris gave it a gentle poke. The mask had twisted to 'delight', 'joy', or maybe 'amusement'.

  Biyu shook her head. "A great spirit—or you would call it a Sacred Beast—gifted this artifact with a soul. That makes it a Sacred Beast itself. Or, if you like, the ancestral swords who gain their own soul that come up in minstrel tales. It is alive, with a body, soul, and mind. It is able to change itself, like you do. Perhaps it can learn your changeling technique?"

  Iris stared at Lady Biyu for a long moment. "This… is an Elven artifact, isn't it?"

  Biyu gave a nod.

  "Your lover from before, the one I remind you of, was an Elf?" she asked, shivering as she said the foul word.

  "She was Kin. The daughter of a Sacred Beast. Perhaps you can say she is half an Elf, but the Elves rejected her."

  "Tell me more about her," Iris demanded.

  Biyu looked at her pensively, but she did as Iris requested in quiet tones that would not carry. She told her about her Master, the Elf vilge, and enough about her adventures to give context when she talked about Indu. She was torn on telling her about Indu's choice to stay in the City in the Sky, unwilling to reveal that her Master was a demon, so she vaguely alluded to Indu going somewhere very far away. That was a common euphemism for death, but she saw the doubt in Indu's eyes. It was unusual for her to be vague.

  "So, I remind you of a deceased serpent… Kin. I'm not sure that I'm fttered, Lady Biyu."

  "The cuddly and shy parts of you. You are most like her when you are flustered."

  Iris hmmed and then turned her attention back to the mask. She tapped it lightly. "Have you many keepsakes from her?"

  "The mask, my bow and quiver, and her knife."

  "All enchanted?"

  Biyu nodded.

  "Am I a repcement for her then?" she asked.

  Biyu shook her head. "No. You are very different from her in most ways."

  "But you are only attracted to those part of me that are like her, aren't you?"

  "That was what led to my initial attraction. I did say I wanted to know you better."

  "I suppose it's no different from marrying a widower," Iris mented. She lifted the mask, and tried putting it on.

  Biyu watched as the mask affixed to Iris's face. The expression it wore was at first a 'grimace', but after a few moments it became 'delight'. She wondered if it was mirroring Iris's expressions like it did her own. The color and texture changed a few times, a strange kaleidoscope effect that was not very pleasant, until it changed fundamentally. It became a face, but not Iris's. It was a face Biyu did not recognize. The eyes were cloudy gray. The cheekbones were high and sharp, and the cheeks a little sallow. The chin cut to a barely blunted point. The eyebrows were thin and bck. The nose was straight and sharp. The face as a whole came across as austere, with the lips pressed into a stern line.

  "I think it has already learned it, Lady Biyu," Iris said in surprise. "I didn't even teach it, just… tried to use my technique while wearing it…"

  "Perhaps it is just allowing your technique to work through it. What are you trying to look like?"

  "Nothing, Lady Biyu. Well, just the face I'm wearing."

  "Truly? Would you pass it to me?"

  Iris did so, and Biyu switched from veil to mask. When she looked at Iris while wearing it, her concubine stared.

  "You are beautiful, Lady Biyu, if that's what you look like."

  "I have never seen my own face," Biyu said. "Others did my makeup, so I never needed a mirror, and since I left I have had my face covered. But, if I look like myself, then…"

  "Well, I was already interested in you, Lady Biyu. Does May know your face?"

  "She does."

  Iris left to fetch May without being bid to.

  "Oh, you aren't hiding your face?" May asked in surprise when she came in. "You two are moving pretty… fast…" Her words petered out as her face creased into a frown. "No… it's not quite right. Something's off… an illusion of some sort?"

  Biyu nodded. "My mask has learned a new trick. Do I look like myself?"

  "Yes. Just… just not so you if you know what I mean."

  "Unfortunately, I do. Let us return to the children and pn our day."

  They returned to the dining area, where a smug Iris was taking in the effect of Biyu's entering the courtyard veranda. The minstrels missed a note, and the eyes of the courtyard turned to her. Bert was staring with his jaw dropped, as was his sister. Sighing, Biyu wondered if it was not enough. That changed when people returned to what they were doing, no longer staring. There were no fevered eyes, and no open contempt. Lingering stares, and a few who recognized her as the veiled woman from before pointing it out to their companions, but nothing more than what Anya received. Biyu ignored them, pleased, as May reintroduced her to the children.

  "This is a less intense version of what Master actually looks like," May said.

  Biyu gave a smile in greeting. She knew it was an awkward smile people gave when they knew they should smile, but were not entirely sure how to.

  "I didn't think you'd be so pretty," said Allie, genuinely surprised. "Oh, but it's an illusion, isn't it."

  May smirked. "Like I said, this is toned down. 'cause, well, you can imagine, right?"

  Iris, satisfied after watching everyone take her in, took her own opportunity to drink in her face. Observant, Allie asked her, "You've not seen her face before?"

  Iris shook her head. "I've only been with them a day longer than you, and she wore a mask or veil all the time. Even to bed."

  "Disappointed I have a woman's face?" asked Biyu, examining Iris's expression. Iris turned away, unable to meet Biyu's eyes, as she fidgeted in a familiar way, her fingers twisting together. Ah, that was a good sign. Iris noticed her fidgeting, then scowled as she remembered her recent grievances with her. She smoothed her face and clothes as she forced herself to rex.

  Allie watched the interpy with interest. It didn't take long for her to realize the two of them were fighting. She turned to join May and Bert's conversation, leaving the fighting women to each other. May was telling Bert a bit more about the merchant guard life.

  "Most of the time it's boring. You know the stories your mates are going to tell. You've heard it a hundred times before, and you'll tell your own just as many. In town, you help load and unload the carts. In the mornings and evenings, you spar a bit. Most meals on the road are bad. If yer really unlucky, you get into a fight. You get hurt. The people paying you to protect them get angry when they get hurt. On a really awful day, your brother dies." She patted the boy on the shoulder. "But! The good things were worth it. The new stories you collect on the road. The camaraderie of shared troubles. Seeing pces you never did, like this city! I've never been to a Southnds city before."

  "I'd like to do that," Bert said. "I was getting sword lessons when our parents died. They said we'd talk about me being a caravan guard, but they did say I could try to join an Order if they'd have me."

  Allie nodded. "Must be nice, getting to have your own dream."

  "Mother and Father wanted you to have a choice, too. I dunno if they told you, but they told me that they didn't care if you married a lord or wanted to go to one of the academies down south."

  Smiling, Allie nodded. "They did. But I never knew what to say when they asked me what I wanted."

  "You knew, didn't you?" May asked.

  Allie dropped her gaze. "I don't want to talk about it."

  "One question?"

  "Fine."

  "Issit illegal?"

  "No!" The shout was loud enough to attract Lady Biyu's and Miss Iris's attention. She looked at her hands. "No. I mean, we did steal some stuff, but that was just to eat. I don't want to do bad things."

  "All good then."

  With all eyes on her, Allie asked. "Are you really going to hire us through the winter?"

  "Yep," May said.

  "You don't make those decisions."

  "She knows how I will answer," Lady Biyu interjected.

  Allie frowned up at them. "What's going to happen? I can't imagine you want children tagging along the whole time."

  Miss Iris blinked. "I'm a tag-a-long."

  "I'm the first tag-a-long," May added.

  Allie looked at them in surprise. "Really?"

  "Yep. Now I'm a bodyguard, and Miss Iris here is her bed mate." Miss Iris sniffed, and looked away.

  "Biyu has been thinking about you, you know. She has some ideas she's willing to offer you after the winter is over. Depends on what you want, though. Feel like telling her?" May asked Allie.

  "What can she offer us? I know she's a noble, but…"

  "She can likely get you positions in the Order of the Stone Circle, the Order of Fire Axes, or the Order of Ruthless Sundering. She's been considering sending you to one of'm." Miss Iris looked archly at Lady Biyu at that. "If there's another option you'd like, she will hear you out."

  "She doesn't look like much," Allie started, before flushing at the insult. "I mean, she didn't strike me as someone who has connections."

  May chuckled. "Not many, to be honest, but she's working on it."

  As they discussed pns for the day, a Knight guard entered the courtyard in the company of the innkeeper. The man indicated them, and the Knight approached. His helmet was off for courtesy's sake, and he gave them a low bow of greeting.

  "Lady Biyu? I am Jeremy of the local Guard Order. You have been summoned to the Lesser Pace by Viscount Lonelyknoll. I am to escort you, if you please. You are free to bring your…" The guard frowned at Allie and Bert, his brow furrowing as he tried to pce their faces. "Allie? Bertie? What are you two doing here?"

  Allie gave him a smile while Bert slumped into his seat with embarrassment. "Lady Biyu has hired us to be guides and porters."

  The man looked genuinely happy for the kids, and he gave Lady Biyu another bow. "These kids have had a hard knock of it. Hell, what happened is downright unfair. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."

  Lady Biyu gave him a polite smile. "It is no trouble. We had pns for the day. Please give us a moment to alter our arrangements. I assume the children are not invited?"

  The guard stated firmly, "They are more than welcome to come. I am certain Viscount Lonelyknoll and his wife would be delighted to see them. Can you name your party, so I may send a runner ahead to announce who is coming?"

  "I am, as of yesterday, Defender Biyu Kimmel Lostkes Elderwoods. I left Elderwoods in less than ideal circumstances, as an exile, but my fortune seems to have shifted. You know Allison and Albert, so allow me to introduce Iris, my concubine, and my retainer Lily May, who is fine with being addressed as May with no honorific… although I do believe that will have to change in the future."

  The Knight gave a deep bow. "Congratutions on assuming the head of the family. I will pass along to the messenger that your status is higher than expected."

  Allie and Bert both agreed with emphatic nods that they would like to go. Miss Iris had a pained look, and Lady Biyu gave Miss Iris a half hug. The woman leaned into it, not even trying to feign disinterest. The guard kept his eyes away from the show of affection, his bearded face blushing.

  Lady Biyu and Miss May got their things together, and they left the inn. Sir Stuart had left earlier with his own bags in his search for a city estate for Lady Chelsea and her entourage.

  The trip to the top of Lonely Knoll was long and, for the children, arduous. They used the East Road from the merchant quarter, which was the least steep of the roads to the pace complex. The north road was the steepest, as the 'road' itself included stairs carved into the hillside. The same was true of the West Road, but the South Road was in the trouble spot of being too ft to warrant stairs, but too vertical to be practical for carts.

  The gatehouse halfway up the hill was quickly passed through, the guard escorting them earning them a wave through. In acknowledgment to the long steep climb, there were periodic benches and basins of water for visitors. The children grew tired during the climb, and rather than embarrass them by carrying them, they took a few breaks during the climb.

  The top of the hill was a broad ft space perfect for building upon. It was full of buildings and walled estates. Many of the estates boasted main houses that were paces in their own right, although none of them challenged the grandeur of the pace estates of the Count and Viscount. The Greater and Lesser Pace were staggered so that neither cast their shadow on the other. All the residences and buildings faced north along east west roads, and none of them had gates in the southern wall. The east and west walls had small servant gates, but they were arranged to serve as choke points if the estate was invaded.

  They entered the Viscount's Lesser Pace estate, passing through the outer gate into the gate courtyard. There was a small wooden structure surrounded by guards and servants that obstructed the inner gate, a defense post and reception. On seeing them, a servant ran off to inform the Viscount they had arrived while the waited to be vetted by the guards. Their weapons were taken, except for May's, who as her guard had a right to remain armed. Instead, her weapons were peace bonded with bits of nyard.

  Done checking in, and giving the runner plenty of time to inform Viscount Lonelyknoll of their arrival, they were led up a few steps and through a gate tucked between two buildings and onto a veranda. The open courtyard was a rge functional space where people were working. Servants did the tasks that could be done in the sun, like preparing food to be cooked or sweeping the veranda's, while pace guards not actively on watch went through maneuvers. They paused to give Biyu a salute as they passed along the veranda that joined all the rge buildings, the least of which was still comparable to the main houses of the nobles and rich merchants on their estates below.

  They followed the veranda around the courtyard as servants, soldiers, and civil officials all moving aside to bow their passage. At the far end was another gate, this one guarded by a pair of Awakened guards and a contingent of soldiers, beyond which was a second courtyard. These guards inspected each of them, including May's peace bonded weapon, before saluting them through.

  They passed over the veranda into the second courtyard, then stepped down into the courtyard proper. They followed a path through a te season garden, the st blossoms show color in the fallen leaves that the servants were even now cleaning up. Coming to the far veranda, they stood before a rge stone main house of the estate. It was the first building Biyu had ever seen with gss windows, something the rural estates and cities of the Midnds simply did not have. Shutters covered holes intended for airflow along the walls. They were necessary since no one would risk disturbing a gss window and causing it to shatter, meaning the windows could not air out rooms. The front of the building was carved with geometric reliefs along the top of the first floor. The doors were removed, despite the cooling weather, letting bright sunlight into the first floor of the rge building.

  Upon the veranda in front of the house, they were greeted by a man a few years older than Iris. His hair was a dark red, and he wore a short blue robe over a simirly short cream tunic, all over a long brown gown. He had elegant shoes made of leather with hard wood soles. His green eyes looked at them with arrogance as the guard bowed and introduced them as Defender Elderwoods's party, with his eyes lingering on Iris.

  "I am Lord Herbert Kurt Lonelyknoll. Allow me to greet you into my home." He gave a slight bow, turned while tugging the bottom of his jacket into pce, and led them along the veranda to a small room. With the doors removed, the garden could be enjoyed while entertaining. The room had a long low table, a bit wider than a person, arranged so that the person sitting at the head of the table would face the garden, and those to the side would be able to turn towards the garden for a view, or to the head to speak with their host. This signified an informal private meeting, rather than a reception in a great hall or, in some cases, the courtyard.

  An older man sat at the head of the table, dressed in finery as he gazed upon them. He did not stand to greet them, but then he was a Viscount within his own home. This man's red hair was touched with streaks of stark white, matched by a mighty and well groomed beard. His eyes were green. His smile was easy, but behind the calm greeting he offered there was steel.

  There was a couch besides Viscount Lonelyknoll, where an older woman reclined. She was dressed in a robe of blue simir in shade to what Iris wore when they rescued her. She was obviously older, but her face was smooth and free of wrinkles. Her carefully groomed hair had a familiar fire shade, and she wore a beaded cap full of glimmering gems.

  A second woman sat upon a pillow, her hands folded in her p. Her hair was dark red, like Lord Herbert's, and seeing them she rose from her seat and gave them a bow. Speaking briefly with Iris, she brought them to the table to be seated, and arranged them according to decorum. Biyu sat beside Viscount Lonelyknoll. May stood against a wall behind Biyu so she could guard her back. Iris took the spot next to Biyu at the table, but she was seated slightly back from it. The children were given their own small table behind Biyu.

  The woman then took a seat next to Viscount Lonelyknoll, but set back from the table like Iris was. Besides her sat Lord Herbert at the table, gncing at the woman with pressed lips as though he was annoyed with her.

  Once the woman had escorted the guests to their seats, the man continued the greetings. "I am Lord Emanuel Kurt Lonelyknoll, Viscount and City Lord of Lonely Knoll, the second seat of Count Lonelyknoll. This is my wife, Lady Vanessa Kurt." At Biyu's raised eyebrows, he expined, "She was a distant cousin, a small family of petty nobles managing nds down south. I was fortunate enough to marry a woman I fancied." He gave her a smile, challenging her to comment.

  It passed, and he continued, "You have met my son Herbert, and this is his mother, Crice, my concubine." He gave the woman a fond smile. "She was Vanessa's servant, and my wife is quite fond of her. It was at her request that I took her into my household, and she has born me a fine son." Crice gave a bow when she was addressed. Greetings completed, she rose to begin the tea service.

  Now that it was time for Biyu's household to be introduced, Lily May stepped away from the wall. Attention drawn to her, she announced them. "Defender Biyu Kimmel Lostkes Elderwoods. Her concubine, Iris." At this introduction Lord Herbert straightened up noticeably enough that he drew all eyes. His angry scowl had deepened, but he gave a tip of his head in unrepentant apology for the disturbance. "These children are Allison and Albert, and are currently in our employee."

  "Oh-ho! Allie, Bertie, do the two of you remember me?" asked Viscount Lonelyknoll genially. The two children nodded their heads hesitantly, unsure of the protocol in these circumstances. The man smiled. "I hope you do not mind if I take a walk in the garden with the children ter, to reacquaint myself with them?" The woman reached from her sofa to touch her husband's arm, and he gave her a smile. "I did mean to include you, too, my dear."

  Tea was prepared by Crice, and each of them were served a cup, including the children. Crice personally poured each cup at their seat. Iris put her cup onto the ground in front of her, and Crice did the same with the cup she poured herself. She collected ptes of fluffy cakes covered in icing to accompany the tea, and provided two pieces to each person at the table except the children, who were favored with three.

  The service complete, Crice retook her position besides Lord Herbert. Viscount Lonelyknoll lifted his cup, and all in attendance lifted their own cups, using both hands. He intoned, "May the gods bless us with health." Then he sipped the hot drink, and all at the table followed suit, a few blowing on their drink first. One did not have to take the drink with him, but they could not set down their cup until they had sipped.

  It was bck tea, a luxury imported from the northern Midnds. Only nobles and rich merchants could get their hands on it, and for many it was a dispy of wealth rather than simply enjoyed for pleasure. That would change as bck tea went from wild harvested pnts to a cultivated good, but that was still far in the future. In other circumstances, Biyu would assume the serving of bck tea to be intended as a show of wealth. With Iris beside her, it was likely intended as a show of respect, good will, or simple hospitality.

  Viscount Lonelyknoll looked around the table, his eyes resting on both Iris, painted and dressed in her finest, and Biyu. "We have heard about your valiant attempt to rescue my unfortunate daughter. While you did not succeed in preserving her, you tried, and so we wished to invite you here to show our appreciation. I apologize for the ck of service and entertainment besides ourselves, but we desired to keep this meeting intimate."

  That expined why there were no servants, and the concubine was personally serving them rather than providing entertainment or conversation. Biyu bowed in her seated position, and she replied, "We are honored to be invited into your esteemed presence. You have my condolences for your daughter. If I may be of service, please let me know."

  "We have a measure of privacy right now, but it is an uneasy privacy. Archduke Marble's boy Sebastian has no sense of decorum, so should we need to speak on personal matters, we should be circumspect. First may I ask, are the children aware of the circumstances?"

  Biyu shook her head. "No, Viscount Lonelyknoll."

  "I see. For now, I shall keep my peace on certain matters. Let me ask instead, how did you come to be acquainted Allie and Bertie?"

  Biyu gnced at the children. Allie was turning red at being the subject of conversation. Bert was looking at his sweets glumly. "We came across them in a small spot of trouble. A man had captured them, intending to sell them to an orphanage. My Iris begged that I intervene. Since she has asked it of me, I would like to help them further. I am in the good graces of a few Orders. I may be able to send them to finish their educations, if they wish. However, we have yet to speak about what they wish to do, and I am loath to force them to do as I see fit."

  Biyu drew out a letter from her things and handed it to the Viscount. He took a look at it, raised a brow, and passed it to his wife who looked it over with a pleased expression before sharing it with her son.

  "I'm familiar with the Order of Ruthless Sundering. Not a great Order, but getting a Letter of Honor from them is still a feat. May I ask for the story? I expect it would make for fine entertainment."

  That was how Biyu's companions heard the story of her and May's exploits during the conflict with the Wizard creating ogres. Iris's eyes shined, and so did Bert's. Allie had a specutive look to her eyes, as though plotting something.

  Bert asked May when a moment allowed him, "Miss May, what did you do at the battle?"

  "My Master has a secret technique that allows us to converse over a long distance. I used it to keep in contact with Master, so that she could rey information through me. My Awakening was a reward of sorts for my service. Otherwise, I was just an observer during the battle."

  "Are you all Awakened?" asked the Viscount.

  "May and I are. I'm a poison aspect, and May is gale. Iris has gmour and illusion, but I am sure you could guess that. The children are not Awakened. If funds or opportunity show up, I may sponsor them when they've come of age. Assuming it is something they wish for."

  "The children would be fools not to accept such an offer," Lord Herbert said. "Provided the terms are good. What do you ask of them in return? Concubinage?"

  Lady Vanessa gred at Lord Herbert for that, and then her eyes turned to Crice, who looked at her hands in shame. Viscount Lonelyknoll gnced at Lord Herbert, and instead of anger just looked a little sad and disappointed.

  Biyu addressed Lord Herbert, noting the disapproval on his face. "Not that. We would have to discuss it. I could make them retainers, like May, if they like. I could leave them with an Order as their patron. That could help them find employment, if they do not wish to remain with me. I would not bme them, Elderwoods is not an attractive pce to live compared to this city. I could make them wards, and broker weddings for them with the little political capital I have. If I come into some wealth, I could invest in them to begin a new merchant company. I could adopt them into the family, but I am not sure how they feel about that."

  "Rather generous," Lord Herbert said. His tone suggested she was selling snake oil. A reproving look from his father quieted him, but he fshed her a look of anger as if she was to bme for earning his father's ire.

  The children, ignoring the bypy, listened with wide eyes. It was obvious neither of them had suspected Biyu's rgess towards them.

  "Ah, I have forgotten something. Before we return to pleasantries, I do have a request for you, Defender Elderwoods. Would you do me the honor of attending my daughter's memorial service? It will be held in three days. And again, I must thank you for performing her funerary rites."

  "It would be my pleasure," said Biyu. "Viscount Lone—"

  "Please, call me Lord Emanuel in private. After all, I am in your debt." He made a point of looking at Iris as he said that.

  "As you wish, Lord Emanuel. Please call me Lady Biyu as well." She frowned. "Will Lord Sebastian be in attendance at the memorial? You said he is still in the city?"

  "Yes, the bastard is still here. Unfortunately, he does outrank me, so there is little I can do. Even if he caused it, even if it is offensive for him to be there, I cannot bar him from the ceremony." Lord Emanuel let out a sigh. "You should be careful with him. He may have heard of you, and he is likely to seek fault with you and demand satisfaction. Particurly since you are a 'mere' Lord of the Fortress, whereas he is a prince of the realm."

  "Thank you for the warning, Lord Emanuel." Biyu considered. "I was asked to fetch sves from tomorrow's market as a duty for May's Awakening. Do you think it likely Lord Sebastian will be there?"

  There was a gnce between the members of the Viscount's household. Son and wife nodded, while the concubine simply looked grim. Consensus reached, he said, "Perhaps do not bring Miss Iris with you."

  Biyu gnced at her companion. "I only intended to bring Lily May. I have been contempting pns for dealing with Lord Sebastian. Should it come to that."

  "Oh? Do be careful in your pns, Lady Biyu. I will not tell you not to retaliate, but do tread carefully so that the Archduke does not find need to take umbrage. There is obligation in seeking redress for even a disliked son's wounded dignity."

  If he was strong enough, her pn would not work. A lot of her power had been invested in blessing May, Iris, and the children. There was also the power spent in empowering her body, with little left to fuel her techniques. Despite being much stronger now, she was not sure if she could defeat the ogre maker as she was. Then again, she might be effectively as strong now as she was then, with a body that was much more difficult to wound.

  "Children, you will not be going with us tomorrow, either. Only May and I will go to the auction." She considered for a moment. "Lord Emanuel, I do not wish to impose upon you, but—"

  He lifted a hand, his eyes fixed at a figure crossing the garden. Lady Vanessa sat up in her seat, and Crice stood up to give a deep curtsy. Biyu and her companions stood at the signal, and they all gave a courteous greeting to the woman crossing the garden fnked by two Knights. The woman was tall, not May tall, but tall for a woman. Her wavy brown hair was down and loose, blowing in the gentle breeze. She was beautiful, statuesque, and her eyes were sharp and shrewd.

  "You did not inform me you were greeting such an honored guest! I was quite surprised when my servant mentioned it. I searched, and found not a single note of invitation to meet the esteemed hero Defender Elderwoods." Her voice was low-pitched and penetrating. It carried easily across half the garden as she strode towards them. "Why, she never even sent word that she would greet us!"

  Lord Emanuel and Lady Vanessa had risen by this time, and they both lowered their faces to the woman. Lord Emanuel introduced her, "This is my sister-in-w, the second wife of Count Lonelyknoll, Lady Tabitha Lewis Bcksands, daughter of Count Bcksands from the south-east. Lady Tabitha, allow me to introduce," and he presented each of the guests to the newcomer. Seats were rearranged, and Lady Tabitha took the couch at the head of the table, while Lord Emanuel and Lady Vanessa took their pces on Lord Herbert's side. Lord Emanuel was next to the head, while his wife sat beside him at the table. Crice was moved down a spot, still backed away from the table, while Lord Herbert was seated near to the foot.

  "A woman with a female concubine?" asked Lady Tabitha with amusement. "You do not see that often. Tell me, should I look for a nice consort for you, Lady Biyu?" She gave a broad smile, her eyes looking at Iris the whole time she spoke.

  "She already has a prospective consort," said Iris, speaking out of turn. Lady Tabitha showed no offense for being addressed by the concubine, in breech of etiquette.

  Instead, her smile widened. "Oh? Tell me, who is this prospective consort?"

  Frowning at Iris, Biyu said, "Anya, from the Guild of Salutary Fellowship. She's currently in Lady Chelsea Stonemason's retinue. They should be here in another two weeks. As I am in their entourage, I had intended to introduce myself after they arrived, so as not to steal a march on Lady Chelsea. My station as Defender is very new."

  "Anya? Another woman?" asked Lady Tabitha, her smile slipping. "Oh, you are that way? Still, a Healer, that is a coup if you manage it."

  "Anya is that way. She approached me for a marriage soon after we met. Iris has been prodding me into accepting it."

  "Interesting," Lady Tabitha said, her eyes slipping from one to the other. "Iris, are you not up to satisfying Lady Biyu yourself?"

  Lord Herbert colored again, but to Lady Tabitha he dared not speak out.

  Iris shifted a bit, and admitted, "I do not know. We have not taken that step yet."

  "Oh? Why ever not?"

  Iris saw Biyu preparing to answer the question, and tugged at her sleeve to stop her. It was too te. "While it is not necessary, I intend to carry her over the threshold once our companion has rented us a small estate. He has not yet found a residence in the city for Lady Chelsea Stoneshield and her entourage, but he promised to include a house for us."

  Iris was not the only one with a look of dismay. Lord Emanuel gave her the same disappointed look he had given his son earlier, and Lady Vanessa's expression… Biyu could not read it.

  Biyu was polite as she said, "Lady Tabitha, we are with Lady Chelsea Stoneshield of the Order of the Stone Circle and her retinue. I cannot presume to speak for them, and they will insist that I share their accommodations. They only allowed me to come ahead of them because I have urgent business to attend to."

  Lady Tabitha tapped her chin. "Well, then, I need only contact the companion you mentioned. It should be simple enough to coerce them into staying here." She then feigned a cough, as if she had not meant to say what she had. "Pardon me, I meant to say I shall invite Lady Chelsea to stay as my guest." She gave them another broad smile.

  Biyu could feel May's gloom in realizing that something bad had occurred, but having no idea why it was bad.

  "You were asking a favor of me?" Lord Emanuel asked, trying to change the subject.

  "That was it," admitted Biyu. "Our companion, Sir Stuart, has had difficulty finding a suitable residence for Lady Chelsea and her entourage in the city. I was going to request help for him."

  "Is it not a joy that this issue has been resolved," said Lord Emanuel dryly. Once more, he gave Biyu a disappointed look. She felt it was uncalled-for, as she was in the thick of the swamp without a pole. "I apologize it was not I who granted you this favor. Please, if you think of any other help you should need, do contact me."

  Lord Herbert spoke up. "Like if you should find yourself tired of your concubine. I am certain we could help you find her a proper husband."

  It was a slight to say it at all, but it was base rudeness to imply that their retionship was not proper. Lady Tabitha let out an undignified ugh. Lord Emanuel put his face in his hands, no longer able to maintain a pretense of stoicism. Lady Vanessa stood and gripped her son's ear in her fingers, and with a twist, dragged him from the room. Iris gred after him, and even stuck out her tongue childishly before correcting herself with a blush.

  "Forgive my son, Lady Biyu. He is not always the best at social niceties," Lord Emanuel said.

  "Say it pinly, Emanuel. Your son is a dulrd, and not kind enough to get away with it."

  "Please, Lady Tabitha. My son has his faults, but he is still my son."

  "Yet, his only hope to succeed you was your daughter's marriage to the son of the Archduke. He could not do so on his own merit."

  "I understand your joy that your son is guaranteed to succeed me, My Lady. That was already assured when I asked Archduke Marble to break the betrothal. Your obvious joy at my daughter's passing is unbecoming, and far too soon."

  Lady Tabitha looked at Iris, visibly weighing her options, then her smile slipped. "That was not my intention, Emanuel. I know you do not believe it, but I assure you that my son will provide for yours whatever happens. Were you not my husband's brother, I would have brokered our children to wed. With your daughter's," she gave Iris another knowing look, "passing, I will have him swear an Oath by Gunthar if you wish to make Herbert a pce of honor as his retainer. We are still family, and your son does have connections within the city. Perhaps he can join the Council of Nobles and Merchants? That should be a fitting role for him."

  Lord Emanuel looked ready to say something, but he held his tongue. Seeing his distress, Crice opened her mouth to speak, but at a look from Lady Tabitha she held her tongue.

  After an impolite moment of silence that Lady Tabitha had the grace to overlook, he said with dignity if not politeness, "I thank My Lady for her kindness."

  Lady Vanessa returned, a chastened Lord Herbert at her heel. When she looked at Crice, it was with apology, and she retook her seat while Lord Herbert found his own.

  "I admit I have been boorish. Please forget my words," Lady Tabitha said. She waved a hand to a Knight, and he came forward to receive her words. "Fetch Sir Stuart. He is a Knight of the Stone Circle. Ah, Lady Biyu, does he wear a surcoat depicting the symbol of his Order?"

  Shaking her head, Biyu said, "No, Lady Tabitha. It was our intention to lie low before Lady Chelsea arrived." She then gave a description of him, and the pces he would most likely be.

  With servants of the pace complex tasked with finding a single man in all of the merchant quarter, they fell into conversation to wait. Biyu mentioned they had intended to see a py, and Lady Tabitha stated that she would watch it with them. She would request a performance from the troupe upon the pace stage.

  After a while, Lord Emanuel and Lady Vanessa excused themselves, expining to Lady Tabitha they wished to tour the garden with the children. That left Biyu and Iris alone with Lady Tabitha, Lord Herbert, and Crice. Fortunately, there was nothing but idle talk and gossip. Crice was allowed to speak, adding her own comments and stories to entertain their guests. Biyu reyed her meeting with May, but declined to talk about meeting Iris except to say 'the circumstances were too simir to May's to be a good story.'

  Stuart had been stymied in finding accommodations. Renting a residence over the winter was not difficult in itself, there were a number of homes avaible for those from outside the city to take residence when they had extended business within the city. It was a primary source of income during feasts, the meeting of the county lords, or during the midsummer and fall tournaments. However, most avaible residences were too small. They were for Lords of the Fortress who could not afford to keep a residence in the city, and who would leave most of their retainers behind to manage their nds.

  Some of the properly sized estates were for wealthy merchants, and that demanded not just coin for the building, but a cut of the revenue. On hearing, they would not be selling anything, he was brusquely turned away. Rather rudely, too, but he did not introduce himself as a Knight but as a retainer for a visiting daughter of a wealthy Lord of the Fortress. That was close enough to the truth that it would not be conceived of as a lie after the fact, and that was good enough for his honor. However, this caused another problem. Many people did not believe him, or were unwilling to extend credit until Lady Chelsea arrived to verify his cim.

  So far, every door had been closed to him. Most were polite, and expined the same things to him about why he would not be given a pce. A few admitted that if he had a deposit, they would be willing to make a deal, but many of them were just too small. He cked enough funds to make the deposit they asked for anyway.

  There was plenty of time, and it would not be the worst thing if they had to camp in the fairgrounds outside the city for a few nights once Lady Chelsea arrived. It would be cold, but a Knight-Errant was at their best when they suffered some adversity. It made for a better story, in his opinion.

  A young man, no a boy, was looking at him hard. He was dressed finely, but he could not be a noble. Perhaps a servant? He looked like he was wearing livery. Perhaps some merchant had heard of his plight and sought to extend him credit. He hoped it would be good news as he acknowledged the boy.

  "Beg pardon, mister. May I have your name?" A good choice. If he was asked if he was a man with a given name, it was much easier to lie by saying yes, than guessing the name he was looking for.

  "Sir Stuart of the Stone Circle," he said.

  The boy looked relieved. He held up an arm, and made a signal. Other servants within sight made the same signal along the street, and he suspected along the entire quarter. "You have been requested to join your companions in having tea with Lady Tabitha, second wife of Count Lonelyknoll."

  That was surprising. Why was Lady Biyu with her? Iris was not a direct member of the family, and in all honesty there was little reason for the wife of a Count to show interest in Iris unless they had been unusually close in Iris's previous life. Then again, they lived in the same pace complex. Perhaps they had been close, since both women would be in the same social circle here.

  "Very well. Please, lead the way." The boy bowed to him politely, and then they were off. The boy was slow. That was a truth of those without the empowered body of a Knight. However, it was a virtue of a good Knight to be kind to the commoners who relied on them for protection and defense. It was two hours before they reached the pace complex, waved through by the guards who knew the servant and were informed of Stuart's arrival. He was surprised the boy had been able to climb the hill without a single rest. He must make the trip often to do so with such ease.

  Stuart was escorted to the smaller of the two paces upon the hill, the Lesser Pace, where a statuesque woman held court. He wondered why Lady Tabitha was not in her own Greater Pace. The children were there with uncomfortable and worried faces, like children waiting to be scolded. The rest of the people at the table looked displeased to be there, although they hid it as decorum demanded.

  He gave a bow, and allowed Lady Biyu introduce him. Lady Biyu also introduced all of their hosts. The wife of Count Lonelyknoll, and the family of the deceased Isolde.

  "Very good! With that done, come with me. I have a gift for your Lady that I do think you will be grateful for." As innocent as the words would sound to a commoner, the statement that he should be grateful was code that he could not refuse her offer.

  Viscount Lonelyknoll, his wife, and Lord Herbert all excused themselves from the tour, each citing duties they were te in returning to. Crice came with them, trailing the group quietly as they walked across the pace complex. When they came to a stop, it was at the gates of a rge estate. It was composed of two inner courtyards, like the pace estates, with a west side second story row house for soldiers in the northern inner courtyard. When they entered, they found that the courtyard was a marshaling yard perfect for soldiers to practice in. The southern courtyard was dominated with a huge willow tree set in a small deep pond. This te into the fall, the tree was shedding its leaves, but servants had been dutifully removing and burning the clutter.

  After the tour, Lady Tabitha looked into Stuart's eyes, and decred quite firmly, "This will be fine for your Lady, will it not?"

  Stuart looked to Lady Biyu, feeling a moment of anger. She had completed his quest! Outwardly, he smiled genially to the high noble, bowed deeply, and replied, "This is more than adequate to our need, Lady Tabitha. In truth, we have but four knights, five squires, and only a dozen servants including the cart drivers. I do not wish to sound ungrateful, for I surely am, but this is far more than we need."

  The woman shook her hand dismissively. "Surely too much is far better than too little. This is a small gift from Count Lonelyknoll to the granddaughter of the Hero and god Eugene Stoneshield. Surely, you will not deny me the right to offer hospitality as an offering to such an august being?"

  Stuart lowered his head. "I just did not wish you to waste your rgess on our paltry party. Of course, I, and I assure you My Lady, would be pleased to accept your hospitality. I just did not wish you to feel I had misrepresented out needs."

  With a wiggle of her fingers, Lady Tabitha dismissed his concerns. "This is a guest house for counts and above. We have no such worthies coming that I have been informed of, and I would have been informed one way or another. It will y vacant if not used, and it is not like you must use every room. If you do not use it, then it will be cleaned, maintained and unused. If you do stay, some of it is used, and nothing else changes. Surely, you can see the wisdom in allowing you to use it?"

  Lady Biyu asked a question that, if she were wiser, she would have asked sooner. He cursed the noble once more in his heart, even if any of his animosity toward her was long since id to rest. "Where is it that Lord Sebastian is staying?"

  "Archduke Marble maintains an estate outside the city. It is a beautiful pce, with a stocked ke for fishing. It is the only building made of marble within miles the city, which makes it the most beautiful building in the region. Were circumstances otherwise, I would recommend requesting a tour of the estate and a luncheon. As things are, I am sure you would prefer not to see him if possible."

  Giving a nod, Lady Biyu agreed it was true.

  Crice politely approached, bowing, and spoke when Lady Tabitha acknowledged her. "Lord Emanuel has requested that I serve as their steward for their stay, if it pleases you, Lady Tabitha."

  The noble woman lifted a brow in amusement. "I suppose that is fitting. I cannot expect a newly taken concubine to know how to run a house. Very well, I approve." She looked up at the sky. Evening was coming, and she said her farewells before departing. "Ah yes, and Iris, you will be having tea with me the night after, yes? I do want to hear all the details." Stuart gave a little shiver at the licentious comment.

  With Lady Tabitha leaving with those words, and Miss Iris looking after her with annoyance, they went into the compound. The children, forgotten until now, hesitated, hedging that they should go home.

  "It will be too dark when you get half-way down the hill. Stay with us tonight, and if you must, return to the streets tomorrow evening after another day of work." Lady Biyu frowned, turning to Crice. "Will they be able to return?"

  "I will have them issued an entry permit. They will have to line up, but it should be easy enough for them to visit you." She paused, her mind obviously reviewing what she said. "Well, except that they will have to climb the hill." She looked at the children. "Present the entry permit at the guard post at the base of the hill in the early morning. There are oxcarts that come up the hill with supplies with the dawn, and the guards will get you a ride in one."

  The children nodded. Lady Biyu must have suspected they would not come, because she told Allie, "You heard Lady Tabitha. She will have a private performance of the py performed for us on her own stage. Can you imagine a better way to see the show?" It was wrong to bribe people, especially children, but in this one case he was on her side. He would call is rewarding good behavior.

  Allie gave a tentative smile, as though not convinced.

  "I promised to bring you to a py. You will not make a liar of me, will you?" Allie nodded reluctantly. "Very good. Now, for tonight, do stay."

  "We still shouldn't avail on your kindness for the night," Allie said.

  "The kindness I ask for is that you say yes and ease my concerns about your safety," Lady Biyu said.

  Allie still hedged, but then tentatively nodded. Bert, at least, looked relieved to accept.

  "I'll take them for a walk through the estate, while you arrange for the setup of the estate with Miss Crice," May said. She then went with the children and a servant to walk the grounds. Lady Biyu looked after the children, and looked disappointed they were rejecting her kindnesses.

  "After dinner and a bath," Lady Biyu said, apropos of nothing.

  "Pardon?" Stuart asked.

  Lady Biyu gnced at him as if she had forgotten he was there. She gave a polite cough. "Before I take Iris into my bedchamber," she said. That was rather forward to admit, and he decided to pretend to neither have asked nor heard.

  Unfortunately, this was the start of a conversation, not the end of one. "Lady Biyu, I am still displeased with you. I will come to your bed if you demand it, however it will be begrudgingly."

  Deciding he needed to cut the conversation short while he was still there, he said, "I will take one of the buildings on the sunrise side of the south courtyard. Lady Biyu, take your pick of the residence you desire, but it must be one of the ones in the south courtyard. You may also stay in the main residence, as your status is equal to Lady Chelsea's."

  Iris nodded, using this as a means of getting out of her own conversation. "Of course. Miss Crice, shall we go discuss how to arrange the household?"

  Miss Crice put on a smile, pretending she had not heard the previous conversation. "Of course, Miss Iris. Defender Elderwoods, shall I fetch musicians to entertain you in the gardens?"

  Lady Biyu gave a nod, and looked at Iris a moment with resignation before they split up.