The Tattooed Woman Pt. 26

She tilted her head to regard the man, and, in his distress, he utterly failed to recognise the gleam in her eyes or the dangerous tone in her voice, "Quick is it?"

"Yes! I don't know what you win, probably only your life to fight in some other combat, but t'is me they hate, if I die then like as not your next match will be only to blood or surrender, and not death."

The sound of the slap was loud enough to make the guard outside wince.

Gorsini's head was whipped to one side as her hand cracked across his face and she snarled, "Let me kill you?! Let me! You arrogant prick! Like I couldn't beat some broken-down ginger like you in a fair fight!"

"But it's not... I didn't mean... I... I don't want you hurt is all."

She grinned, "Tomorrow you and I are going to fucking settle this on the sand outside, besides you need to get rid of some of that flab, for unless I miss my guess, we'll be off campaigning in the north by week's end."

"What the fuck are you talking about? Look, we've been matched in an arena death bout. We need to..."

"And if you had given me a moment before you started in with your noble self-pity I would have told you that was no longer true."

"What?!"

"Yes, it appears that scarred Overseer did not take kindly to being dictated to or having her authority challenged. Her response was... well, let's say she made her irritation well known, but in truth, I think it was Muriah that saved us."

"Muriah? How?"

"She reacted poorly when those that arranged this death match came to gloat and there was something of a disturbance. Then, when she fell afoul of their temper and drew their ire Falsara stepped in and, well I would say things got a bit out of hand, but I suspect the devious old bitch knew exactly what she was about. Anyway, long story short, the Overseer has claimed ownership of us both, and from what she said I think she intends to send us north to some war that is brewing in the wilds up there."

"Why?"

Magda shook her head, "That I could not say, but she definitely went out of her way to protect us and Muriah."

"There are rumours and gossip that she fancies the girl."

"Oh, t'is clear she likes her well enough, but I don't think she's bedding her. I'm not sure, but I don't think that's her way."

"Why not? She's pretty enough."

Magda grinned, she had wrapped her arms around the man's shoulders as was leaning in for a kiss, but hesitated, "Oho! Like that is it? You fancy a bit of Dark Elven muff, do you? Is that why you had her stripped? Just to satisfy your evil lechery?"

He chuckled, "Ha! She'd stab me in my sleep for sure the first fucking chance she got, and besides! I have you to satisfy my evil lechery."

"We'll see if you still feel that way after I kick your arse on the morrow, "let me" indeed! You're going to pay for that."

He pulled her close, running his hands down her back and she squirmed happily as he grasped the seat of her leather britches and kissed her neck, "I have a new plan," he murmured.

"Oh?"

"Aye, mayhap if I can somehow tire you out tonight, I might stand at least some chance tomorrow."

"You think?"

"Oh, it's definitely worth a shot."

"Challenge accepted."

...

Dana looked about the living room of the modest cottage in utter bemusement. The Dark Elves had simply left her there after a distinctly houseproud Lashelle had shown her to a comfortable bedchamber and passed her a handful of towels and other feminine soaps and toiletries.

"The outhouse at the far end of the garden contains a pleasant bath. A few years back I did rather well on a raid and used the excess funds to engage a sorceress from one of the minor Houses to animate some fiery spirit to maintain the hypocaust, so there is hot water aplenty. Make free with whatever you fancy from the kitchen, but if you can help it, I would avoid devouring all the jam. I thought I might bake some confections, or perhaps a cake on the morrow."

Azure grinned, "She does bake an exceedingly fine sponge pudding. A woman of many talents is my Lashelle."

Dana could only stare as they donned armour and sword, before skillfully fixing their long silver hair into fighting braids. All the while Lashelle was offering apology for "abandoning" her. It made absolutely no bloody sense at all.

"Sorry, for running off like this, but the Captain has some scheme in mind, and methinks it may involve a spot of nocturnal murdering. Well, you know how it is, but make yourself comfortable, we should be back by dawn."

Azure grinned, "Assuming we don't get killed of course."

Dana shook her head incredulously, "Of course..."

Having armed and armoured themselves they turned towards the door and Dana could contain herself no longer, "Wait! I mean... Are you just going to, um, leave me here?"

Lashelle turned, "Aye, look I'm sorry, truly, it's dreadfully rude I know, but needs must. Oh, assuming we don't die, then tomorrow we need to get you measured up, you know, for mail, or leathers I suppose, but leather offers precious little protection if it comes to a hard fight. Now, we really must be off, apologies again."

"But... shouldn't you at least chain me up... or... something?"

Azure gave the confused woman a typically wolfish grin, "Well now Dana, had I but know your appetites ran towards such. But alas we don't generally keep manacles and the like to hand, er, there is a length of clothesline by the back door if you feel like tying yourself up, I suppose."

"Tying myself up?"

"If you fancy, feel free."

"No! I mean wait, what if I escape or something? Are you really just going to leave me here?"

The Dark Elves both regarded her curiously, before Azure spoke, "You won't."

"I... could."

Lashelle laughed, "Of course, you could, but you won't."

"Why the Hell not?"

Again, Azure looked at her curiously and spoke as if explaining some simple lesson to a child, "I should have thought it was obvious. We made a deal. Your word's good enough for me," she turned to her companion, "Lashelle?"

The younger Dark Elf chuckled, "She won't run," she gave the Half-Elf a cheerful wave, "Now mind and leave some jam for tomorrow."

Then they left her standing there, feeling confused and holding a bundle of towels and a bathing robe. She shook her head, "They're both mad."

...

Deep within the bowels of House Varro the sounds from the dark foundry were a strange and disturbing choir comprising of the sizzling of coals, the beating of metal, eldritch whispers and the hissing of the salamanders as they coiled around the white-hot crucible. Quintus had stripped to the waist and the lean physique of the callow youth dripped with sweat as he worked the hot iron.

Standing back from the forge, almost hidden in a pool of shadow that she seemed to be almost part of, the tall dark figure of Magister Fiamma Vor watched, and whispered, "Yess, that's it, good, you must keep them agitated to provoke the heat, but still bend them to your will so as to avoid an unwanted incineration. Master them, as you must master the metal, see the form you desire in your mind's eye and compel them to make it so."

Quintus almost groaned with the mental strain as the creatures squirmed and hissed as they endlessly attempted to break free, but the words of the muttered enchantment he spoke held them in thrall, but Gods! It was hard, and his head pounded with the effort.

The rod he was fashioning had a dark and ominous feel to it. The metal glowed with the supernatural heat produced by the summoned creatures, and both he and the iron itself should have been all but vaporised if not for the spells he was weaving, and the eldritch materials being used.

He suspected the Magister behind him might be smiling her cruel smile at his pain and discomfort, but he dared not turn to look, for even a moment's distraction would likely prove spectacularly fatal. Still, her voice seemed to come from just over his shoulder like a sibilant whisper in his ear.

"The rod will focus your magicks Quintus, in measure with the skill and art you employ in its making. I sense that soon enough you will have need of such a dire and mortal instrument, and there is no time for safe tutelage, thus you must push yourself to a reckless extent. The iron will aid you, it is a material that even I cannot work well, for I am Fae, and iron does not sit easily in my hand."

"Is... is it to be a weapon then Mistress."

Her answer was immediate, "Oh yes. We have no time for subtlety Human, this is as crude an artefact as an axe," he could literally hear her smile, "but just as effective."

"Do you... argh, fuck!"

"Do I fuck? That seems an odd question given the task at hand."

"No... Dammit, I burned my, never mi- I mean, do you have such a rod?"

"Mine was crafted long ago, from adamant and bone; it took an age to fashion, more than a Human lifetime. I was troubled by dreams boy, dark ones, and so I created this thing and each night I would drip a little more magick into it, until now."

"Now?"

"Now, I think that if I were to attempt to squeeze even so much as one more cantrip into the thing it would fly apart and take me, this House," she chuckled, "and possibly several more, right along with it."

"Sounds... perilous."

"Hmm? Oh, probably, but the neighbours were ever a tiresome lot. If I accidentally kill myself, the thought that I'll at least take them with me is an oddly comforting one."

Quintus groaned, "Fucking Dark Elves..."

...

Ashunara eyed the blonde woman who followed Cassie like a shadow and tilted her head attentively as she spoke with Azure, "What's this?"

The scout frowned and leaned close as she kept her voice low, "In truth, I'm uncertain Captain, Cassie claims her to be a friend, and I saw her defend the girl with my own eyes. But it is also clear enough that she's no simple Human, and there is a glamour at work."

"Dangerous?"

Azure recalled the mayhem the woman had inflicted upon the Drow and nodded emphatically, "Extremely."

"Very well, make sure Nyx and the others know, and stand ready."

The blonde woman watched as the scout moved off and the Captain saw her lips curl in a telling smile, "She fucking heard us."

Ashunara took a step closer and saw as Cassie seemed to move as if to interpose herself, but the young woman gently stopped her and smiled, "She means me no harm Cassie, she's just cautious is all, and rightfully so."

"I can speak for myself, thank you, but you're right enough. Cassie, go over to Lashelle, and let her look you over, for there was talk of poisons and the like. Besides, I think Varoona would appreciate your company as distraction from Elsadore's rough jests over the crossbow bolt that now protrudes from her backside."

Cassie looked and winced at the sight, but still hesitated as she eyed the Dark Elf nervously, "She helped me, Captain, truly, she offered to let me go, risked angering her mo... Matriarch."

Ashunara smiled at the slip, "Don't fret, no harm will come to your friend in your absence Cassie, now do as you're told, lass."

With obvious reluctance and more than a few backward glances, the girl moved away. Ashunara watched her go, "She seems fond of you."

"As I am of her, good Captain."

The Dark Elf turned to face the woman, "Indeed, but Cassie is a trusting creature, there is no malice in her I think, while I, well I am sadly of a less noble mindset."

"You fear treachery?"

Ashunara laughed, "I'm a Dark Elf, I always fear treachery."

"How then can I assuage this suspicion? I doubt there is any verbal guarantee I can offer that would suffice."

The Captain frowned and shook her head, "It does seem unlikely. I suppose that in the absence of anything material I need must rely on my instincts, and the evidence already presented to me."

"Evidence?"

"My scout is a canny one, if she says you are not as you appear then that is exactly so. But she also intimates that you protected Cassie from Drow who offered her harm, that and the girl herself insists you acted in her interests."

"So?"

"So, while I suppose this could be part of some ludicrously complicated subterfuge of a kind that might make my head explode if I follow its convolutions too far, I think my gut says that you actually care for the girl."

She turned back to the creature, "On that basis, I'll accept your parole, should you offer it."

Ellén smiled, "Then it is offered."

"Accepted," she gave a long-suffering sigh, "once before I took in a supernatural entity of unknown disposition, and my life has literally been thrown into madness and turmoil ever since, why then do I doubt that you will be any different?"

The woman laughed, "Probably because you have good instincts, Captain."

Ashunara shook her head with a groan, "I am so going to regret this."

...

The reunion at the Raven's Nest was as happy and loud as could be expected. Cassie was nearly crushed in Maggie's weeping embrace but after a moment she squirmed free and went off seeking the woman who had, beyond expectation, laid down her life for her.

The room was no longer dark, but illuminated by a witchfire lantern, and Narissa was seated in bed, propped up by many pillows. Immediately upon seeing Cassie her Dark Elven features lit up in a broad grin, but that didn't stop her from swiftly holding up her hand to stop the girl's rush to embrace her, "Woah! You grab me with such exuberance, and I'll likely scream."

Cassie stopped in her tracks and her face fell slightly, "Does... does it hurt?"

"Well, let us just say I am a little tender still, but the potions and healing draughts are doing their work well enough. Maggie won't let me rise from my bower yet and threatened to box my ears for me if I vex her further with childish complaints but otherwise, I am well enough, though marginally disappointed."

Cassie frowned, "Disappointed?"

The Dark Elf's eyes glittered with mischief, "Well aye, I was promised that my life would flash before my eyes at the moment of death, and I was looking forward to reviewing the good bits. In particular, there was this stable lad and we got up to a few things I wouldn't have minded seeing again. But there was bugger-all! I confess to being a wee bit put out."

The girl couldn't help but snigger, but then her expression sobered, she drew a breath to speak, but Narissa stopped her again, "Don't."

"But..."

"What's done is done," she grinned, "and in truth, I'd do it again, though mayhap I'd grab a sword, or crossbow next time, and not a stupid cudgel. Just tell me my ma settled things."

"Oh, she did, and then some. I think the Captain had to dissuade her from bringing his head back here as a trophy."

The voice from the door sounded playfully aggrieved, "Aye, and I'm still vexed about that."

Nyx slid into the chamber holding a flask in one hand and a trio of mugs in the other.

"Maggie says I've not to let you imbibe strong drink until your guts heal a bit more," she winked, "so we'll just keep this between family, yes?"

Cassie blushed and Narissa looked up at the word, "Family?"

Nyx poured the libation with a flourish and proffered a mug to each of them, "Well, I made offer of adoption, but she has yet to give me an answer," shrugging she shook her head in mock disappointment, "I don't know, perhaps she awaits some better proposition."

The younger woman pursed her lips nervously, "No! Well... I mean, it didn't seem right... Not without talking to Miss Narissa first, I mean... um... after all, she's my... owner."

The old veteran grinned, "Well now Cassie, Narissa here likes to pretend she can boss me about at times, me being the shy and retiring sort that I am of course, but I am Mistress of my own House, and the offer is mine to make, but still, there is wisdom in discussing the matter fully I suppose. Here, mayhap I can assist."

She turned to the woman in the bed with an impish grin and all but snarled, "Got any objections?"

Nerissa sipped her drink and winced, "Gods! What is this stuff?"

"No idea, but I stole it from the top shelf of your bar so you should know, now answer the damned question."

"Hmm? Oh, I don't know," she grinned, "I'd still be the elder sister though would I not? So, I'd still get to boss her about and bully her as a big sister should, yes?"

"Oh, certainly, but remember, she has another sister, and we both saw her throw a Half-Orc clean across the bar, so if she takes it into her head to upend you and tan your arse for picking on Cassie, I'll not be the one to get in her way."

"A fair warning. I'll be sly."

"As you should girl, remember who we are and all that."

"Yes, ma."

"So?"

"So what?"

Nyx grinned, "Maggie might not be the only one to box your ears girl if you keep this up."

Narissa held out her hand to the younger woman and smiled, "I owe a life debt, and as you and Ashunara have said often enough, "All debts must be paid in the end", and in truth, this is a happy price to pay. I have no objections."

The old veteran turned to Cassie, "Well, there you have it girl, the offer stands. Will you have us?"

Cassie blushed, "I... um, have a condition."

"Oh?"

"Will you let me buy Maggie's freedom?"

Nyx frowned slightly, "It was ever my thought to offer Maggie a place in our House Cassie, not as immediate family as such, but still as kin of sorts, for that is how we do things. First, she would serve her dues and then we would offer her indenture, and from there in time we would doubtless offer to adopt her into our House, for she's clearly a woman of value."

"But I want to help her, she has done so very much for me. She's always been there when I needed her even when I was a bairn, and..."

"T'is a debt then," offered Narissa with a grin.

Nyx shrugged, "So it would seem."

The old veteran looked to Cassie and smiled, "If that is your wish, Cassie, I'll loan you the coin to buy her freedom and you can make the offer yourself."

The young woman blushed profusely, "Um, about that," her hands delved into her pockets, and she pulled forth a handful of coins and assorted gems, "would this do?"

"Holy fuck?!"

...