adventures of a merchant 1 - a start by arcie emm

7/31/2019 Adventures of a Merchant 1 - A Start by Arcie Emm

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AdventuresofaMerchant:AStartbyArcieEmm

Fairwarningtoyourightfromtheverystart,IamnoheroicfigurelikeIgortheWiseorSanjItheNoseorevenAlasetheSunderer.Onthebrightside,Iamalsonotablack-heartedvillainlikeEstherofNerumanorDarreltheRoamer.Whichlikelymakesyouaskwhyyouwouldwanttoreadthesagaofmylife?WellmyanswertothatwouldbethatalthoughIamnotthosepreviouslymentioned,mypathoftenleadmetomarchinsyncwiththeirandotheradventurers'paths.No,Ihavenotcreatedmuchofthegreathistorythatwillberememberedfromourtime,butinmytravelsIhaveobservedmorethenmyfairshareofitbeingmade.Soinanswertoyourquestion,askedornot,youcouldreadthisstorytolearnmoreaboutwhatyouknow.Orifyouarehopingforsomeentertainmentwhilevisitingthelittlehouseoutback,thenhopefullythattoowillbeprovided.However,eventhoughitisaboutme,itisasmallstorysoyoushouldreaditonlyifyoudonothavemorepressingmatterstowhichyouneedtoattend.

Afterall,thatisthestateinwhichIfindmyselfandwhileamwritingit.

Thatandbecauseeveryonesaysthatitwouldbecathartictowriteofmylife.NowtofigureoutwhyIneedtoparticipateinacathartic

exercise?Well,letusignorethatquestionfornow,itisadeepquestion,andIhavealwaysstruggledwithdeepquestions.Insteadthereisaneedtodealwithanotherlessdeep,butaninfinitelymoreimportantquestionforawriter,thatbeing"Wheretostartmystory?"

Manyofyouwillthinktheanswershouldbeobvious,thatbeingtostartatthebeginning.However,someofyou,specificallythosewhosubscribetotheNesterJournalofAutobiographywillknowthatthecurrentlyrecommendedstartingpointistodefinetheend,andthenwalkbackwardsthroughtime.Nowthisstrategyworkswellforsomeonewhohasreachedtheend,butIpersonallyhavemanymoregoodyearsleftinmeandhopetobeabletoaddmanymorechapters.Sincetheendisnotagoodstartingpointitseemsthatitwouldbebesttostartwiththestart.

Theproblemis,mystartisjustwaytodamnedboringforthebeginningofasaga,evenoneaboutme.DoyoureallywanttoknowaboutthetimewhenIwassevenandstoleapplesfromNanFicklesorchard?Notbloodylikely.Therefore,myeditorsandIhavedecided,thatthebestplacetostartiswiththebeginningofthemiddle.

Don'tworryhowever,youwillnotmissanything,andthereisastronglikelihoodthatmywritingsmaywanderfurtherintothestartatdifferentpointsduringmyrambling.AfterallthestraightpathhasrarelybeenmycompanionandIamnotashamedtoadmitthatmyjourney'shavebeencircularmorethenonce.Sowhyshouldthetellingofmystorybeanydifferent?Andifthisisincorrect,thenIwouldaskmyeditorsattheGreaterAsthelhorneHouseofPublishingtosurveyandlayouta

properroadformystory.

Soonwiththestartofthemiddle,actuallyearly-early-middletobeprecise.

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"You'rewhat?"MyshoutedquestiontotheMasterwaslikelylouderthenrespectful,butheseemedtonotnoticeashecalmlyanswered.


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"Iamasorcerer.Andyouwilllearnthisartaswellwhileapprenticedtome."

"Umm...Ithoughtyouwereamerchant?ForthelastthreemonthsIhavebeenlearninghowtobeamerchant.And...anddomyparentsknowyouareanevilwizard?Theyneverwouldhaveapprenticedmetoanevilwizard!"

"I'mnotanevilwizard,Drake.I'masorcerer,anditismysorcerythatisoneofthesecretstomysuccessasamerchant."MasterElladooanswered,ratherprimlyforsomeonewhojuststatedthathewasasorcererorevilwizardorwhatevertheheckhewas.

"Youaretoo.Ifyou'reasorcerer,youareanevilwizard.MyGrandmatoldusstoriesaboutsorcerersandhowtheysummondemonsandimpsandallsortsofnastinesstobringplagueandplightandbadnesstoallofusinnocenttypes.Ithoughtyouwerenice,butnowyou'renot.You'reanevilman!!"

Bynowmyvoicehaddefinitelyreachedthepointwhereitcouldonlybedescribedasshrieking.Mostparentswouldhaverecognizedthissound,butpoorMasterElladooandhiswifehadneverhadthefortuneofhavingchildrensohiseyeswerebeginningtobugoutinpanicwhilehetriedtofigureoutwhattodowithatwelveyearoldgoingberserker.Thatinitselfshouldhavetoldmethathewasnoevilsorcerer,ifhewashe

shouldhavesmackedmerightthere.Butno,hejuststoodtherecompletelyflabbergastedwatchingmerantincoherently.ThiscontinuedforashorttimeuntilIsuddenlyfeltacufftothebackofmyhead,acuffIrecognizedandonethatshutmeupimmediately.

"Hoy,what'sallthisbloomin'racket?"TurningtothegrizzledanddisgustedfaceofSergeant-of-the-GuardTorinHussel,amanwhowasscariertomethenanyevilwizardfrozemyvocalcords."Iaskedyouwhatyourblastedcaterwaulingwasabout?Tellme!"

"Mas-masterElladoosaidhewas...hewasaevilwizard,"wasmystutteredresponse,asIwiltedunderhisglare.

"He'snotanevilwizardyoulittletwit.He'sasorcerer.Evenmoresoheisaverygoodmerchant.Andyoushouldthankyourluckystarsthathedecidedtoofferyourfatheranapprenticeshipforyou.AfterallitwaseitherMasterElladooorthelifeofapig-herderforyou."

WellIwaskindwaskindoftakenabackbothbythespittleflyingoutoftheSergeant'smouthandtheconceptofbeingapig-herder.AfterallifnotformyapprenticeshipIwouldhavefollowedinmyfather'sstepsasabaker.Butmymotherdidnotraisemedumbenoughtosaythattotheravinglunaticberatingme.Nomyinstincthadmestandtherewithheadbowedashecontinuedhisrant."BetchayourGrannytoldyouthatallsorcerersareevilwizards,crazyoldbat!Anddon'tgivemethatlookMr.Whineypig-herder,ImaynotknowyourGranny,buteverysingle

oneIhavemetiscrazierthenanouthousedogafterbeinglockedinaclosetfullofbumble-beesforafortnightwithasomebitchinheatoutsidehowlingherdesiretheentiretime.Youshouldn'tlistentonooldwive'stales,boy.Ifyoudoyourheadwillbefilledwithrottencrap,notjusttheregularmanurethatitappearstoresidebetweenyourearscurrently.Doyouunderstandme?"

"Umm..."

"Andanotherthingyalittletear-splatteringturnip,thisisthechance


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ofalife-timeforyou.MasterElladooisawisemanwhohasofferedyousomethingthatisamazing.WhyifIhadsuchanopportunitywhenIwasaladIwouldhavebeendivingheadfirstlikeaholyhermitcomingintotownafterspending30yearsinthedesertwhenhefindsthelocalwhorehouse.SoIthinkyoushouldtakesometimetoconsideryourfutureanddecideifyouaregoingtostayasMasterElladoo'sapprenticeorleaveandbecomeyourtown'ssnot-pickin',villageidiot!"

"Yes,sir."

"Andboy,apologizetoMasterElladoo."

Morestunnedthenchastened,Inonethelessapologized,"SorryMasterElladoo!"

"ApologyacceptedDrake.Iamsureitwasquiteashock,IrememberitclearlywhenmyMasterfirstinformedmethathewasasorcerer.IamnotsureIhandleditmuchbetterthenyouhave.Sorunalongnowandgivesomethoughttowhetheryouwanttostayasmyapprentice.IfnotIwillseethatyougethometoCorelssafely.Givemeyourdecisionatsupper."

Withaquick,"Oksir."itwastimetoescapeasquicklyaspossiblefromtheSergeant'sglareandheadtomyfavouritespotatthepost,the

docks.There,allalone,itwaspossibletodosomethinkingaboutone'slife.Lookingbacknow,itiseasytocomeupwithcounterargumentsforeverythoughtthatmademestay,butthenIamoldernow.Andwithagecomesnotnecessarilywisdom,butanexperiencedeye.NowIwouldnothavebeendrawninbyMasterElladoo'sniceness,afteralleviloftenhidesitstruefacefromtheinnocent.Also,ElladooPostwasnotawelcomerusticrelieffromfishysmelling,dirtyCorels,noitwasabeaconforbanditsandraidersandthieves.Furthermore,continuingmyapprenticeshipwasnotagreatopportunitytolearnreading,writing,trading,weaponskills,geographyorevenmysticalarts,itwasactuallyanopportunityforanevilwizardtobendmetohiswill.Anditwasn'tanopportunitytotraveland...wellyougetthepicture.

Thelongandtheshortofitwas,ElladooPostremainedmyhome.Andthoughmyexperiencedselflikelywouldnothavemadethesamedecision,Iwouldnothavebecomethatselfwithadifferentchoice.

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Andsomyapprenticeshipbegananew,butactuallyverylittlechanged.MydayswerespentbrushinguponreadingandmathwithMistressElladoo,theMaster'sprettyandpleasantwifeonwhomIhadamajorcrush.Therewaspracticewithacrossbow,sword,shieldandspearundertheinsaneeyeofSergeant-of-the-GuardHusselandhiscorporalswiththepost'sguard.TeachingofhorsebackridingandanimalhusbandryfortheoxenandmulesweusedtohaulourwagonsfelltoGergenBleke.And

mostimportantlywasthetimespentreviewingtheAnnalsoftheGlanliesTradingCommissionwithMasterElladooandhisjourneymenassistants,ClaraHolndandDurkNorset.TheAnnalswereanevergrowingsetofbooksthatencompassedtopicssuchasgeography,history,laws,taxandtariffinformation,supplyanddemandconcepts,tradinghintsandlistsofproducts,buyersandsellers.ItwasfascinatingandgavemeafeelingofpridetorealizethatweontheGlanliesPeninsulawerenotruledbynobility,insteadweelectedCommissionerswhosatontheGlanliesTradingCommissionandrantheaffairsofthepeninsula.


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Outsideofthetrainingtherewereopportunitiestotakepartinsomeofthetrademissionsinthelocalarea.Ouroutpostusuallydealtinthepurchaseofcommoditiesthatwetransportedtotheoneofthecitiesforusebytradesmen.Inturntheyproducedgoodsfromthosecommoditieswhichwesoldbacktothosewhofarmed/mined/huntedwhatwebought.OverthenextyearIwentWestacrosstheRilliantobuywoolandgrain.WentNorthEastoftheposttomeetwithsomeoftheNorthernPlainstribestoobtainskinsandfurs.ThentherewasatriponwithsomerivercrafttotheNorthtocollectiron,silverandgoldbarsalongwithsomegemsfromtheHanglishMines.Thepeoplewerevariedbuttheywereallhardyindividualsabletotakecareofthemselvesthoughalwayshappytoseesomeonefromoutsidetheircommunity.Itwasagreatadventureforayoungboyjustintohisteens.

ButtheonethingthatseemedignoredwasthatMasterElladoowasaSorcerer.Itlikelyhadmuchtodowithmyinitialreaction,combinedwithhowmanyothertaskswithwhichanapprenticewasdeluged,butforagoodyearandahalfnothingmorewasmentionedofit.Thenonenightwhenthemoonwasturningfull,wellactuallyonesunnyafternoon,MasterElladooapproachedmeandasked,"SoDrake,areyoureadytobeginlearningaboutsorcerery?"

BythistimeIwasquiteimpressedwithMasterElladooandthoughthewasaveryniceman,butmyGranny'swarningstillrung,sotherewasa

bithesitationinmyanswering,"Ok."

Smilingatthisresponse,likelyonethatheexpected,MasterElladoosaid,"WellIwasplanningondoingsomesorcerythisafternoon,sohowaboutyouwatchmeperformitandthenyouwillhopefullyseethatitisnotallthatevil."

ThisofferseemedfairlyhonestsoInoddedmyheadandfollowedmyMasterlisteningashewentintoteachermode."Honestly,myskillsinsorceryareveryminor.InfactIcanonlyperformthefirstandsecondlevelspells.Thefirstlevelspellisonethatallowscommunicationwithothers.Whilethesecondlevelspellisusedtogatherinformation.Itisnotperfectbutithelpsmescoutourterritoryanddeterminewho

isreadytosellorbuy.InfactbothspellsareconsideredtobesohelpfulintheartoftradethattheCommissionwillnotfullysupportapost-masterunabletoperformthem.Andthecommunicationspellsarethoughttobevitalintheprotectionofthepeninsula."

BythistimewewereapproachingoneofthestonebinsinwhichgrainwasstoredbeforeitwasmilledandtransportedSouth.AtleastIthoughtitwasabin,butthenMasterElladoounlockedandopenedthedoor,thenwithawelcominggesturehesaid,"Welcometomyworkshop."

IfyouarelikeIwas,thenyouexpectaSorcerer'sworkshoptobefullofjarsfullofstrangethings,wallsandwallsofbooks,strangecandlesandflames,bizarresymbolsalloverandjustageneralsenseof

strangeness.Itistruethatthisstrangenessistobefoundforhigh-levelsorcerers,butMasterElladoo'sworkshopwasaletdown.Ithadnormallookingwallsconcesthatwhenlitshowedaplainroundroomwith5piecesoffurniture.Therewasadeskandalargecomfortablelookingchairagainstthewalljusttotheleftoftheentrance.Thenrightinthemiddleoftheroomwasasmallerversionofthechairwithalittletablebesideit.Thelastpieceoffurniture,whichwasnotpartoftheset,wasaregularkitchenchairthatwasaboutaquarterofthewayaroundtheroomtotherightoftheentrance.Outsideofthefurniture,theonlythingthatseemeddistinctwasthatthefloorboards.Theboards


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inthemiddleoftheroomhadbeenlaidinadiamondshapedpatternwitheachwidthofboardinthepatternbeingadarkerwood.Allinall,theroomwasquiteunderwhelming.

Gesturingmetotheplainchair,myMastersatinthechairbesidethedeskandcontinued,"AsIwassaying,Iamabletoperformonlythefirstandsecondlevelspells.Nowthismaynotappeartobethatspectacular,butyoushouldknowthatthereareonlyalimitednumberofpeopleintheworldthatcanperformeventhislevelofspell.Firstoff,youmustbeleft-handed.Secondly,youmusthavebeenbornunderaWaxingCrescentMoon.Andlastly,youmustbethe4thchildborntoyourparents.WhenMasterChenesterinCorellearnedthatyoumetthoseconditionshelettheCommissioninGlanliesknowthathehadfoundapotentialapprentice.AndsinceIwaslookingforsomeonetofulfillthisroleandduetotheproximityofmyposttoyourtown,Iwasinformedofyourexistence.Thiswasmyprimaryreasonforinitiallyofferingyourparentsanapprenticeship.AndIamhappytoreportthatevenwithoutyoucontinuingdownthisnewpath,IwouldbemorethenhappytokeepyouonasanapprenticeMerchant.Butifyouchoosetofollowmedownthispathitwillopenupmanymorepotentialpathsofsuccess."

Yep,theMasterwasasalesman.Feedingmeadoublehandfulofpraiseandpromiseworeawaymanyofmylastdefensesandledtomelistening

moreattentively,evennoddingmyheadnowandthen."Success,becausethesespellsprovidetheabilitytogatherandexchangeinformation.AndasSiggerDulleswroteinBook3ofTheAnnals,'Aforewarnedmerchantisasuccessfulmerchant.'ThefirstlevelspelliswhatkeepstheCommissionforewarnedabouteverythingthatisgoingonatalltheirposts.ItisaspellweusetopassmessagesbackandforthtoCommissionHeadquartersinGlanlies."

Wellthisdidnotseemthateviltome,infactitmadeperfectsense."Isthathowyouknowwhenthecraftersarerunninglowonwoolorskinsororeorwood?Andwhentopurchaseandforwardashipment?"

"Exactly.Butitalsohelpswithsecurity.Icanbeinformedofscouting

reportsaboutbanditsormakearequestforsupport."

"Wow,howdoesitworkMasterElladoo?"

Smilingthesmileofasuccessfulfishermanheopenedupthetopdrawerofhisdeskandtookoutabowlandawaterjug.Thebowlwasaglazed,blueceramicwiththreehandles,oneintheshapeofamouth,oneintheshapeofanearandthelastintheshapeofabell.Thepitcherwasamatchingglazedblue,butheldnootherdistinguishingmarks.AfterIhadranoutandfilledthejugwithwater,MasterElladoousedittofillthebowl,hethenputitbackinitsdrawerthatledmetoguessthatthejugservednomagicalpurpose.Avalidguess,astheMastergesturedatthebowlandbegantoexplain.

"ThebowlhasatwininGlanlies,throughitIcantalkandlistentooneoftheWardersondutyattheHallofBowlsinGlanlies."

"Buthowdoesitwork?"

Whatfollowedwasaratherbizarreexplanationinvolvingspiralsandinvocations,gesturesandhandplacementsandgeneralmagicalmysticaltypeofthings.IamsorrythatIcannotgointofurtherdetailsbutrulesstate,andthepenaltiesarequiteharsh,thatapractitionerof


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thesorcererartscannotpassthemontoanon-practitioner.However,youcanbeassuredthatitwasquiteimpressive.Duringthenextsevenmonthperiod,inadditiontothevarioustasksandlearningalreadydescribed,myafternoonsnowinvolvedahalf-hour,thoughIwisheditlonger,tryingtoreplicatethespellusingasetofpracticebowls.ThatisuntilthedaythatIwasabletotalkwithaWardermyself.ItwasabigdayformeandincelebrationIpulledoutoneofmyFather'sfavouriterecipesandbakedacelebratoryApple-PecanBuntCake.

Beingafirstlevelsorcererbroughtpridetomyheart.Andthecakebroughtgoodnesstomystomach.Yum-Yummy!

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Thenextsteponthesorcerouspathwasactuallyinitiatedbymyself,whenIapproachedMasterElladooandaskedaboutlearningthesecondlevelspell.Buthekeptputtingmeoff,sayingthathewantedmetopracticethefirstspelluntilhefeltthatitwouldprovidenomorelearning.WellmyopinionwasthatIhadmasteredit,buthewasnottobeconvinced.SoforthenextfewmonthsiswasmorepracticeonthelevelonespelluntilthemajorityofthecommunicationwiththeCommissionforthePostwashandledbyme.Finallyheoncemoreapproachedmeandsaiditwastimeforthenextspell.Myexcitementwasquicklydimmedwhenheutteredthefollowingwords.

"Althoughthefirstspellisharmless,thesecondspellistheonethatcanstartasorcererdownthepathofeviliftheyarenotcareful.Foritisthisspellwhichallowsustocommunicatewiththedemonworld."Seeingtheolddoubtsreturningtomyfacehequicklymovedtosmooththefear,"ButIamwiseenoughtoknowthatmystrengthisnotenoughtowalktoofardownthispathsoIonlysummonandtalktothelowestdemon,theimp.Whydon'tyouobservesuchanencountertonight?"

"Umm...okifyouthinkitissafe?"

"AyeDrake,itissafe."

Thatnightaftersupper,andwellbeforethesummersunwasclosetosettingMasterElladoocollectedmeandwenttothekitchentohaveCookWinsetprepareatrayincludingapotofteawithapotofhoney,andaplatefullofsugarcookies.WhenIlookedcuriouslyatthistrayhejustsmiledandshookhisheadasiftosay,notnow,wethenheadedouttothebinthatwasnotabin.Afterthecandlesinthewallsconceswerelightedhetookandsetthetraydownonthetableinthemiddleoftheroom,thetablebesidethesmallchair.Soonafterwardswewereinourrespectivechairsandtheexplanationbegan.

"Itisnotwidelyknownbuttheworldofdemonsisunlikeourworldofrockandearth.Insteadtheirworldisonewithoutsubstance,onewhichencompassesourworld,yetisnotpartofit.InfactiftheimpsIhave

spokentoaretobebelievedtherearemanyworldsmuchlikeourswhichtheir'sencompass.Thismeansthattheycanobservethethingsthatgoonwithinourworld,buttheyareunabletopartakeintheseevents.Thatisunlesswe,theresidents,invitethemintoourworld.Therefore,wemustbecarefulbecausetheyarepowerfulandcapricious,soweuseprotectionsuchastherhombus."

"Therhombus?"

"Ayetherhombusisthepatternonthefloor,withinwhichweareable


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tocreateaportalintothedemons'worldthatallowsustoseeandtalktothem,yetitalsoservesasabarrierthattheycannotcrosstocausehavocinourworld."

"Ohyoumeanthediamond?ButIthoughtIheardthatapentagramwasneededtoprotectyoufromsummoneddemons?"

Frowningatmyquestions,MasterElladooanswered,"Noitisnotadiamond.Thatisapoordescriptionoftheshape,sinceitconnotesagemstonethatisnotnaturallyshapedasarhombus.Noitisbesttocallitarhombus.Anditssimplenessofformprovidesamuchbetterbarrierthentheoverlycomplexpentagram.Itreflectsthefourdirectionsthatdefineourworldandismucheasiertodrawormake.Allinallitissaferandbetterthenapentagram,thoughsomedotakethemoreelaborateapproach.Notherhombusistheanswerforthesmartsorcerer.Butenoughofthefinerhombus,letmeexplainwhatIamuptotonight.

"IamgoingtosummonanimpnameParfalamewwhoisatreacherouslittleweasel,butheisalsoextremelycuriousandsoisfullofinformation.AndfortunatelyforusIhavelearnedhisweakness,remembertoalwayslearntheirsecret,helovesteawithhoneyandsugarcookies.Sowhilemunchingandslurpingawayhewillbemorethenhappytotellus,poorpathetichumansthatweare,everythingthatheknows.Fortonight,I

askthatyoujustobserve,donottalk.TherearecertainthingsIwishtolearnandifyousendParfalamewdownatangentialpath,Imaynotbeabletogethimbackinline.Understood?"

"Yessir..."Imurmured,morethenalittleperplexedaboutwhatwasgoingon.Butthoughperplexedmycuriositywoulddefinitelykeepmeonhandtolearnaboutimpsandtheirsummoning.

Soonmycuriositywasquenchedaboutimps,wellatleastabouttheimpParfalamewwhowasasmall,incrediblythin,grey,mannishshapedfigure.Thoughforhissize,Parfalamewdidhaveadeepvoiceanddamndidheliketohearhimselftalk.MasterElladooonlyneededtoformaquestionaboutanareainwhichhewascuriousandtheimpwouldgoon

andoninacondescendingtonedescribingwhathe,TheGreatParfalamew,waswiseenoughtoknow.BythetimetheteaandthecookiesweregoneIwasreadytodropananvilonParfalamewandimpressedwiththemannertheMasterwasabletoabletosteerthesoliloquytolearnthatthesheepinFavernValleywereintheprocessofbeingsheered,thattheNorthernTribeswerecomingSouthwiththeirtravoisloadedwithwinterskins,thattheSemplelForrestMaraudershadimplodedwhentheirleaderdiedoffoodpoisoningandamyriadofotherinterestingfactsaboutwhatwasgoingonwithinacouplehundredmilesofElladooPost.

Andsobegananotherpartofmyapprenticeship,sittinginandobservingmyMasterconversewithParfalamew,orDingledrolthehappyloverofroastbeefsandwiches,orSerraselliewhowasentrancedbythesmellof

flowers,oravarietyofotherswhomayormaynothavesomeinformationthatwouldhelpourtradingeffortsintheregion.Weknewwhencommoditieswereharvestedorminedandlearnedwhenvillageswererunninglowonwhatgoods.WelearnedofriverpiratesorbanditsthatwereinourterritoryandpassedthisinformationontothegarrisonsatNorthFortorCorels.ItwasnowonderthatMasterElladoo'spostwassosuccessful,forhewasdefinitelyaforewarnedmerchant.

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Aboutfourmonthsaftermyintroductiontoimpsandonlyacoupleweeksaftermyfifteenthbirthday,MasterElladooplannedanothersessionwithParfalamew,whowasboththemostobnoxiousandmostwellinformedimpofanywithwhomwedealt.Therehadbeensomereportsofcrofts,NorthWestoftheRillian,beingraidedandburnedoutandtheMasterfeltitwasimportanttogettothebottomofwhatwasgoingon.SooncemoreatrayofteaandcookieswerepreparedandtheMasterbeganthesummoning.Meanwhile,Isettledintomychairwhichnowhadacushion.ButwebothquicklycametoourfeetwhenPafalamewappearednotonthegroundasnormal,insteadheappearedtofloataboutfivefeetintheair.

Actuallyhoveringisnotanaccuratedescription,insteadhewasbeingheldupbythescruffofhisneckbyatall,blondedemoness.ThoughnotsurewhatMasterElladoothoughtwhenhesawher,myfifteenyearoldbrainwasimmediatelycaughtupbyheroverwhelmingfemalenessinconjunctionwithherminimalamountofclothing.WithasneeronherfaceshelookedaroundtheroomandthenshookParfalamewquestioningly.

"YesMistress.Thesearethenastyhumansthatmademepokemyunworthynoseintoyourbusiness,"sniveledourgoodfriendParfalamew.

"Aretheymysweet?Wellhowkindofyoutopointthemouttome.Still,thenexttimeIfindyousneakingaroundinmybusinessIwillbakeyou

overafirewithanicehoneymarinadeandthenserveyoutomyfriendsIdoandOdi.Nowbegone."SuddenlywithParfalamewgonesheturnedtowardsMasterElladooandsaid,"Hellotherelovelyman,IbetyouwanttobeSandrelessa'sfrienddon'tyou?"

Inanonchalanttonethatwasworthyofmuchadmiration,MasterElladooreplied,"IfyouareSandrelessa,mydearlady,thenIdon'tthinkIdo?"

"Notonlyinquisitivebutrudeaswell,thisreallywon'tdo.WhydoIfeelthisisgoingtoturnugly?"

"BecausebothyouandIknowthattheCarthananarecapricious,vicious

anduntrustworthy?AndsinceyouareaCarthanananythingyousayonlydelaystheinevitablestrugglewhichcannothelpbutendbadlyforoneofus?"

"Ohpoo,soyouknowaboutusdoyou?"Gigglinglikeaschoolgirl,sheallofasuddenturnedandpointedatmeandsaid,"Howaboutinsteadofthetwoofusfighting,yougivemetheyoungone?Heck,justtoshowyouhowniceIam,Iwon'teventellDarreltheRoamerthatyouhavebeenspyingonhimandhisfun."

"Ahhsothatiswhoyouworkfor?Ishouldhaveknownthatonesuchashewouldhaveonesuchasyouinhisservice.Iwarnyoutoleavenoworitwillbetheendofyou."WiththosewordsmynormallymildMaster

tookadeepbreathandalmostappearedtogrowlarger.

"DoItaketheyoungone,then?"

"Nofouldemonessyoudon'ttaketheyoungone.Drakegetoutofhere,now!"

HearinghiscommandImovedtowardsthedoor,exceptthatmyfeetwereplantedwhereIstood.InsteadmygazewaslockedontheCarthanan,whowassmilingatmeasshetitteredandcooed,"HelloDrakey-poo.Don't


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youwanttocomeandplaywithSandrelessa,sweetheart?"

Ireallydidn't.Infactthehappythoughtsinmybrainwhichhadbeensoenthusedtoseesomuchofherwaschasedawaybythecreepy-crawlyfeelingbroughtforthbyhersicklycooing.Yetsheheldmewithhergaze.AsmyfeetbegantounconsciouslymovemeinherdirectionIwasnotdistractedbytheMaster'sshoutedinvocation.Norwastherhombusbeginningtoglowandshrinkinwardsadistraction,northeactionofMasterElladooduckingbehindhisheavy,oakendesk.ButSandrelessamusthavefoundthemdistractingforsheglancedinhisdirectionandlostsomeofherholdoverme.However,shequicklyreturnedhergaze,agazethatnowheldsomethingclosetofearandshouted,"Cometome,Drake!"

Likeastoneoutofacatapult,Isuddenlyfoundmyselfleapingtowardsher.Butjustbeforereachinghertherhombusfinisheditsrapidshrinkingintonothingness.ThisresultedinanexplosionoflightfromwhereSandrelessahadstood,anexplosionoflightthathitmyleapingformfullon.Thentherewasnomore.

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Ohcourse,youhavelikelyguessedtheresultoftheexplosionoflightthathitme,butpleaseforgivemeifIdonotjumptotheobvious.

InsteadletmerelatemynextmemoriesthatIrememberinthemannerinwhichIrememberthosememories.Andthefirstofthosememorieswaswakingupsoreandexhausted.ThesecondmemorywastherealizationthatIdidnotwanttobeawakewhichresultedinmymumbled,"Leave'lone.Wan'sleep."

"Drakesweetie,weneedyoutowakeupforafewminutesthenyoucangobacktosleep."

"Don'wanna.Sleepy."

"Ijustwantyoutodrinksomethingandthenyoucangetbacktosleep,honey."

ThevoicebecamerecognizableasMidwifeNerise's,whowasinchargeofthecareandwellbeingofthecitizensofthepost.Andwiththisrecognitioncameagrudging,reluctantrecognitionthatshewouldwinthebattle,sinceMidwifeNerisepoliteandsweetasshealwayswasneverlostanargumentwithsomeonewhowasinhercare.Openingmyeyeswasachoreandahalf,andsuccesswasmetbytheagonizinglightoftheMidwife'scandlethatmademeslammylidsshutoncemore.Butshemusthaveseentheblinkasshesaid,"That'sadearie,Iwantyoutodrinkthisandthenyoucouldsleep."

Itwassomesortofbroth,butshedidnotgetmuchintomebeforeIfellbacktosleep.

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Thenextawakeningoccurredwithmefeelingmuchbetter.InfactitwasundermyownpowerthatIawoke,awareofthedisastrousencounterwiththedemoness.Onthisawakeningthescentoflavenderintheairinformedmethatoncemoretherewassomeoneotherintheroomwithme.Basedonmysmellitwasnosurprisethatthistime,insteadofMidwifeNerise,itwasMistressElladoowhowaswaitingformetoawake.Aspreviouslymentioned,thelovelyMistressElladoowasthetargetofmy


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majorcrush.ItwasacommonbeliefatthepostthatMasterElladoo,successfulashewas,wouldnevermakeabetterdealthentheonethathadresultedinobtainingherashiswife.AsaDeglaceshehadherpickofsuitors,butnoneofthemrealizedthatshewasnotafterthesoftlifeofamerchantprincess,tuckedawayinapristinetownhouseinsideofGlanliesoramanorjustoutsidethecapital.No,EsseldeDeglacewasmadeofsternerstuff,shewantedadventure.Shewantedtoseetheborderlands,learnofthewildtribesmen,testherselfandnotbecoddled.Sowhensomewhatgawky,yetvisionary,HiramElladoocamecallingupontheDeglaceforfinancialbackingtoopenapostintheNorth,hehadbeenluckytohaveEsseldeactingasherfather'sassistant.Shedecidedafterthatmeetingthatshehadmetakindredsoul.BeforeheknewitathoroughlybedazzledandecstaticHiramElladoowasheadingtotheNorthwiththemeanstobuildafirstratepostbutalsowithabeautiful,newwife.

ButIdigress,whichisaneasythingtodowhenthetopicisMistressElladoo.Noitisnottimeinmytaletodwelloverlongonthatfinelady,andastimepassestherewillbemanyopportunitiesformetotellyoumoreofher.Fornow,letmesaythatitwasnotthenormforhertobeinmyroom,whichwasactuallyasharedbachelorquarters.Infactitwasdownrightshocking.

SointhatshockIfoundmyselfscramblingoutofbedandhurryingto

apologize,"MyapologiesMistressElladoo,Ishouldnotbeabedatthishour..."

Itwasatthispointthataninklingthattherewassomethingdrasticallysurfacedinmymind.Notbeinginmyroomwastheleastofmysurprises.Everythingfeltdifferent,frommyquiveringasIjumpedoutofbedtoanunusualpresenceundermynightshirt.ThestrangenessIfeltresultedinaquestioninglymuttered,"What?"

Loweringmygazeresultedinmybeingstruckdumb,orawed,orsomethingedatthesightbeforemyeyes.Asight,thatwhencombinedwiththebloodthathadrushedtomyheaduponjumpingoutofbed,causedmetoploprightbackdownindizzinessandstate,"Ohmy!"

"Isthisadream?"Iwasfinallyabletoask.

"NoDrake,sadlyitisnotadream.Hiramisnotsurewhatwentwrong,buthesurmisesthatwhentherhombus'protectionspelldestroyedthedemonessthatherlasttietorealitywasthespellshewascastinguponyou.Inherpanicatapproachingdeaththespellwasabletoovercomehercontrol,thusitdrewmuchmorefromherthensheintended.Thuswhenshediedthespell,includingherveryessence,floweddownthelinktoyoulikearopetoananchor.Itmakesnosensetome,itseemssoveryimpossible,butlookatyou!"

Atthisstatement,shecoveredhermouthinembarrassment,butshe

continuedtostareatmewithwideopeneyes.Hershockwasunderstandable.TheformthatsatwhereIshouldbesittingwasdefinitelynotDrake.Whatshesaid,bizarreasitsounded,heldsomesemblanceofthetruthandmadememutter,"Ilooklikeagirl."

"Iwouldsaymoreofayounglady,anextremelyprettyyoungladytobeexact."

"ButIdon'twanttobeaprettyyounglady!"Admittedlythatcameoutsoundinglikeawhine,butithadnothingtodowithmynewhigher


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pitchedvoice,mystateofmindwouldhaveturnedthatstatementintoawhineevenwithmyoldvoice,afterallIhadnotexactlyhadaboomingbaritone.

"Iknowyoudon't,Drake."

"EverybodywillthinkthatIamafreak!"

"Notheywon't.HiramandIwon'tletthathappen."

"HowaboutmyMomandDad,theywon'trecognizeme!"

"Don'tworryDrake,wewillletthemknowwhathashappenedandthatalthoughchanged,youarehealthy.Theyaregoodpeopleandnothingwillstoptheirloveforyou."

"Idon'twanttobehealthy,Iwanttobeaboy."WellbythispointIwaswellonmywaytobeingtheGoodShipEmotionafterithaswreckedupontheShoreofDespair."(EditorsNote:Iapologizeformakingyoureadoneoftheworstmetaphor-likecombinationsofalltime,butDrakerefusedtoletmechangeit.Heexplainedthatwhenwritingit,thatitwaslikeridingacanoethroughariver'srapids,suckingyouinandmakingyouholdonfordearlifeuntilyousafelymakeitthroughtotheend.)

Seeingthetearsrunningdownmyface,MistressElladoohadrushedovertositbesidemeandpullmeintoahug.Andthoughonlyadaybeforethiswouldhavebeenmydream,onthatdayitwasjustacomfort,thoughacomfortneededtobolsterthethinbarrierofsanitykeepingmefrombreakingdownintoabawlingbabe."Don'tcrysweetie,HiramandIwilldoeverythingwecantomakesureyoucanbechangedback.Andifnot,wewillensurethatyoualwayshaveaplacehere."

Notwantingtothinkabouthersecondstatement,Ihadfoundmyselflatchingontothefirstandasking,"WhereisMasterElladoo?Can'thedosomethingtofixme?"

"Wellwethoughtwithyourcondition,itmaybebetterifyouwokeuptoNeriseormyself.Also,Hiramisverybusyand..."

IwouldliketointerjectsomecontextbeforeIcontinuewiththestoryline.SofarmywritinghasglossedovermuchofmylifeatElladooPostinsteadfocusingonthenon-mundane,allofwhichwereeventsofexcitementortimesofhighstress.Therefore,Imaynothavecomeacrossatmybest,appearingtobedisrespectfulofmyeldersandborderingonspoiled.Honestly,thathadnotbeenthenormforme.Ihadusuallybeenanattentivekid,followingordersandrarelygettingintoserioustrouble.Okonwiththestory.

BeforeMistressElladoocouldcontinuewithherexplanationIshouted,

"He'sbusy?I'vebeenchangedintoagirlandhe'stobusytoseeme?WhatissoimportantthatiskeepingMasterElladoobusy?"

"WellDrakewehavelearnedthatDarreltheRoamerandhisbandofcutthroatsareintheregion.Besidesthedemonessmentioninghisname,oneofthelocalhuntersarrivedtwonightsagowiththereportsofacampjustwestoftheriverwhereheandhismenappeartobegathering.Weexpectthattheyaregatheringtoattackthepostwithinthenextdayortwo."


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Thisgotmyattentionandhijackedmythoughtsintoanentirelydifferentdirection,"ButbothClaraandDurkouroutwithcaravans,wehavelessthenhalfourguardcomplement.Wearenotreadyforanattack."

"Aye,Drake.Wedefinitelyarenotinshapeforanattack,ontopofthatwehavebeentakinginallthefarmingfamilieswithinadayswalkandwearecrowded.Happilyanumberofthemareabletouseabowsotheywillaugmentourdefensesomewhat,buteverybodyisreallybusy.EspeciallyHiram."

ItwaseasytoimaginehowbusybothMasterHiramandSergeant-of-the-GuardTorinHusselwouldbe.Wehadaplanfordefendingthepost,butitdidnotinvolvehavinghalfofthemen-at-armsnotbeingavailabletomanthewoodenwallthatsurroundedthepost.AndevenifwehadourfullcomplementwestillmaynotbeabletostaveoffanattackbyDarreltheRoamerandhismerrybandofmurderousthugs.Theyhadbuiltupquiteareputation,notjustforbrutality,butalsoforskill.EmbarrassinglyDarrelwasactuallyaproductofGlanlies,bornintooneofthegentryfamilieshehadbeenaneasyfitintotheCommissionMilitia.Anaturalwiththesword,agiftedleaderandonewhohadavoraciousappetitewhenitcametotacticsandmilitaryhistory.Therehadbeenonlyoneproblem,thatbeingthefactthathewasbatshitcrazy.

Likeallthetop-notchcrazieshehadbeenabletokeepthishiddenforquitesometime;however,aboutfifteenyearsbeforehevisitedthepost,therehadbeenarashofabductions,rapesandmurdersinthecityofGlanlies.UntilonenightwhenDarrelwascaughtred-handedtryingtobundleastrugglingyoungladyintoacarriagebyapatrolofwatchmen.Wellfortunatelyfortheyoungladyshehadbeenabletoescape,butDarrelhadkilledtheentirepatrolandafewothersbeforemakinghisescapefromthecity.Forafewyearsnobodyonthepeninsulaheardanythingmoreofhim.Then,eventhougheverybodyhopedhewasdead,itwasheardthathehadjoinedupwithamercenarybandsomewhereontheSimoleancontinent.Everyonceinawhileanewrumourwouldmakeitswaynorthconcerninghisadventures,eachrumourbloodierthenthosebefore.

ThenabouteightyearsafterheescapedGlanliestherewasastorythathismercenarybandhadtriedtocommitacoupinthecitystateforwhichtheywereworking.However,hisemployershadsethimupsotheydidnothavetopayhimandoncemoreDarrelhadbeenluckytoescapewithhislife.Afterthatpointheearnedtheeke-name"theWanderer",whenhedecidedtogiveupallattemptsatrespectabilityandjustgoitasabandit.Fromthatpointonheandhisbandhadbeeninvolvedinnearlyeveryvillainyaboutwhichyoucouldthinkandthebountiesthatwereofferedmatchedthenationsandplacestheywandered.

Recentlyhehadstartedabrandnewgame,hedecidedtogoafterhisoldcolleaguesoftheGlanliesCommission.Hehadmadeseriousprogressbyhittingacoupleoutposts,aminingcampandanumberofcaravans.With

thosesuccesseshemusthavelookedanddecidedtotargetElladooPostandhecouldnothavepickedaworsetimetodoso.

Itisamazing,butthefearofdeathpusheslesserfearsintothebackground.Forinstance,theknowledgeofDarreltheRoamer'sclosenesswasmuchmoreurgentinmymindthentheincomprehensiblechangeofsex.Thechangewaspushedintofurtherrecessesofmybrainwhenthealarmbellstartedtoringandweheardashouted,"RidersApproaching!"

MistressElladoo'sglancejerkedtowardthesound,althoughshecould


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nothaveseenanythingthroughthewalls,andthenreturnedtomewithalookthatseemedtoaskpermissiontoleave.SomewhatinadazeInoddedapprovalandshehustledoutoftheroom,leavingmeunsurewhattodo.However,nosoonerhadherfootstepsbeensilencedthenIheardanotherset,whichsoonresolvedthemselvesintoMidwifeNerise.However,unlikeMistressElladooormyselfshewasnotfocusedonwhatwasgoingonoutside,shewasinterestedinherpatient,me.Whomshefoundstillsittingonthebedwhenshebustledintofeelmyforehead,saying,"Youlookalotbetter,Drake.Howareyoufeeling?"

WithlessthenmyfullattentionIprovidedthatolestand-byanswer,"Good."

"Areyoustillfeelingtired?"

Shewasslowlydrawingmebackinsidetheroom,sothistimemyanswerinvolvedthought,notjustreaction,"ActuallyIamnotfeelingtiredatall,Ifeelwideawake."

"Ahh...thatisinteresting.ThenMasterElladoowaslikelyrightthatyouwerenotsick,justexhaustedfromyourtransformation.Howabouthunger,areyoufeelinghungry?"

Wellthishadbroughtmefullybacktomybody,oratleasttheonein

whichIfoundmyself."I'mstarving.AndI'mreally,reallythirsty."

Smilingatthisanswer,shesaid."WellDrakeyouareinluck,Ibroughtupatrayoffoodwithme,butleftitinthehallincaseyouwerenotwantingany.Whydon'tyoumoveovertothischairherewhileIstepoutandgrabit.

Movingovertothechaircausedcertainthingstocomeintofocus.Ofcourse,asaguythemostnoticeablethingwerethebreastsonmychest,theydefinitelyseemednoticeablebutnotoverlylarge.ThenextthingIrealizedwasthatIwasatow-head,althoughnotquitethepurewhiteofthedemoness.Stillitwasanunusualcolourinanareaofblackandbrownhair.Outsideofthecolour,therewasquiteabitofit,for

twin,thickbraidshangingquitealongwaysdownmyback.Realizingthatsomeonemusthavehadthetimetodothebraidingmademewonder,"Ma'am,howlongwasIasleep?"

"Adreadfullylongtime,dearie.It'sbeenalmost3dayssinceyouandtheMasterhadtheruninwiththatdemoness."Thelastwassaidwithmorethenahintofdisapprovalinherfaceandvoice."Everybodywasawfullyconcernedaboutyou.Butyouneverhadafever,youjustsleptthesleepoftheexhausted.Mybiggestworrywasthatyouwoulddryout,whichyoumusthavesomewhatifyouarethirstyasyousay.Butenoughofmynattering,haveaseatandeatyourmeal."

StandingclosetotheMidwifeIrecognizedthethirdthingaboutmy

change,Iwasdefinitelytallerthenbefore.ThewindowwasaseasyasdaytoseeoutofandthetopofNerise'swasnowchinheight.Thisbothsurprisedandpleasedme,sinceIhadpreviouslybeenontheshortishsize,likelyonlyafewinchestallerthenher.TakingtheMidwife'slastbitofadvicetoheart,Isatinthechairbesidethetablenowbearingthetray.Sittingonthewoodenchairbroughtaboutthenextdifference,onethathadnotbeennoticeableonthebed'smattress,thatbeingthatIhadmorepaddingonthebacksideofmylaptheninmypriorincarnation.GulpingdownacupoffreshwellwaterandbeginningtoeatmymealoftastyvenisonstewandfreshbakedbreadIfurther


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noticedthelastfewitemspossibletoseewithoutamirrororafulldisrobing(somethingIdon'tthinkIwaspreparedforonanemptystomach).ThecolourofmyskinwasnolongertheolivethatwascommononGlanliespeninsula,insteaditwasnowapale,peachycreamcolour.Thelastitemofnotwasmywristsandhands.Theyweremuchmorefinelyboned,anarrowwristattachedtoanarrowhandwithlongfingers.Andattheendofthoselongfingerswerelongfinger-nails,strongandwellshaped,butalmostseemingclawlike.

Tryingtoignoretheobservationsofmynewself,IwasdistractedfrommyeatingbytheworriedwaythatNerisewaslookingoutthewindow.Fightingthebattlebetweenmyhungerandthedesiretojoinherobservation,Isolvedtheproblembyasking,"Whatishappening,Ma'am?"

Glancingquicklybackatme,shereplied,"NowDrake,don'tworryaboutit.Justeatyourmealandthenwewillgetyoubackintobed."

Thiswasnotananswerthatdidmeanygood,somyreplywassensibleandreasoning,"Ma'am,MistressElladooalreadyinformedmeoftheapproachofDarreltheRoamerandhiscrew.Furthermore,Irealizethatwearemissingalargecontingentofourguard.IalsoknowthatbothyouandtheMistressareworried.Evenignoringwhathashappenedtome,thesituationseemsbleak.HowcanInotbeworried?Please,won'tyoutellmewhatisgoingon?Otherwise,Iwillhavetoquiteatingandcome

seeformyself."

Withasigh,shenoddedandturnedbacktothewindow,thenshebegantokeepmeinformedaboutwhatwashappening,"Thereisagreat,bloodygaggleofthebloodsuckers,buttheyappeartohavestoppedagoodwaysawayfromthepost.Maybetheyaresurprisedtoseethegateclosedandmenonthewalls,theylikelyareusedtohavingsurpriseontheirside.Wait,oneofthemiscomingforwardwithawhitefacedshieldshowingandMasterElladooisuponthewallresponding.Oh,itdoesn'tappeartobeahappyconversation,theyjustexchangedrudegestures.WelltheriderisreturningtohisfriendsandtalkingtosomeoneinblackwhoIwouldguessisthatbeast,Darrel.Ohmy,heretheycome.Actuallynotallofthem,justthosewithbowsandshieldsarecomingforward.Now

theyareshootingatthepost.Andthemenonthewallsareshootingback.Someoneisgoingtogethurt,Ishouldgoandprepareincaseithappens."

Atthispointthedescriptionofwhatwashappeningwasnolongernecessary.ThelastofmymealwassittingforgottenonthetableandIwasusingmynewheighttostareoutthewindowwatchingthearrowsandboltsflytoandfromthepost.Withaquick"gettothebasement."inmydirection,MidwifeNerisewasonherwayoutoftheroom.Asshelefttodoherduty,Ibegantothink,whatwasmyduty?

Thosenottakingplaceinthefightwouldbehidinginthebasementwarehouse,butwasthatmyplace?IfnotformychangeIwouldhavea

roleinthedefense,Idrilledregularlywiththeguardsandwasconsideredagoodshotwithacross-bow.InfactIevenhadmyowncrossbowandsword.ButthatwasbeforemyruninwithSandrelessa,didthatchangemyduty?Iknewthatnobodywouldbesurprisedtofindmedowninthebasement,but......itwouldbemakingastatement.ItwouldbesayingthatIacceptedthischange,thatIwasnolongerDrake.TherewasonlyonechoiceformeanditwasputintoactionwhenIhurriedoutoftheroomonmywaydowntothesecondfloorbachelorhallwheremybunkwastobefound.Arrivingthere,Ithrewopenmychestandpulledoutsometrousersandatunic,unconsciouslypulledoffmynightshirt


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andwasstruckdumb.

NowIhadneverseenanakedwoman,outsideofmydreams,andwasnotpreparedforthesightthatmetmyunclothing.Letmestartbysayingitwasimpressive,butyoulikelyguessedthatalready.Justasmyhairwasnotthenormforthispartoftheworld,sodidmynewbodynotseemtoconform.Againtherewaspalecreamyhueofskinthatseemednottohaveahairtobeseen.Thenwheremostofthelocalwomenwereshorterandmorecurvaceous,Iwasnowtallandwillowy.Notlackingincurves,justalesspronouncedhourglassthenthewomenIknew.Muchoftheheightdifferenceappearedtobeinmylegsthatappeareddisproportionatelylong,butverynicelyformed.Ihadtofightthedesiretoexplore,but...

...butIhadnotime.myfriendsneededmyhelp.Shakingmyheadindenial,Ipulledonthetrousers,encounteringaslightamountoftensionovermyhipsbeforefindingthattheydidnottightenanywhereclosetomycurvedinwaist.Hopingmyhipswouldkeepthemup,Ipulledonthetunicquicklyrealizingitprovidednosupportformynewattributes.ThuscoveredIpulledonmyboots,theywerenowsomewhatlargebuttherewasnodangerofmysteppingoutofthem.Pullingonmyleatherjerkinandwrappingmyswordbeltaroundmywaistdidmakeitfeelmoresecureuptop.Lastlyitwastimeformypothelm,againendingupsomewhatlooseonmyhead.Thusclothed,Iscoopedupmy

crossbowandaquiverofboltsandranoutoftheroom.

Inthegapbetweenmyrunningoutofthebachelorquartersandarrivingatthewall,letmedescribewhatweweredefending.ElladooPostwasagoodsizedfrontierfort,butitwasstillafrontierfort.Thatmeantthatonitwassurroundedonthreesidesbywoodenwallsmadebyembeddinglogs,sidebyside,uprightintotheground.Theselogsstuckoutofthegroundtoaheightofaround10feet,whichwasmadehigherviaaditchdugaroundtheoutside.Thelongestwall,ofabout70paces,wascenteredbythegateandhadwoodedtowersof15feetateitherend.Whilethefourthside,theriversidefacingthelongwall,consistedofthemainbuildingofthefortwhichwasacombinationkeep,hall,warehouse,inn,barracksandgeneralallpurposebuilding.Itwasin

thisbuildingthattheresidentsoftheoutpostlivedanditwasactuallyquiteanimpressivestructure.Themainbuildingwasthreestoriestall,fourifyoucountedthebasementwarehouse,withallbutthetopfloorandroofbeingstone.Thelikelihoodofanyattackcomingfromthatsidewasminimalenoughastobenotconsidered.Notheattackcamealongthelongwallandthegoalofthebanditsattackingwastopullthewalldown.

Anotherthing,thiswasnotgoingtobeabattleofgreatnumbers.Thepost'smaximumpopulationwas78peopleand32ofthosewereawayinthetwocaravans.Andoftheremaining46people,only26ofuswouldbedefendingthewalls,althoughIdidlaterlearnthatourdefensehadbeenaugmentedby10huntersandfarmerswhohadcomewiththeir

familiestothepostforprotection.MeanwhileweweretolearnthatDarrel'sbanditsnumbered57men.Youwouldthinkthatwiththewall,eventhoughoutnumberedwewouldhavenoissuesdefendingourselves.Butthiswasnotthecase,Darrelandhismenwereveteransatthistypeofendeavor.Professionalsoldiers,whoworechainmailarmour,makingthemhardtokill.Ifwecouldfightatadistanceviabowsandcrossbows,wehadachance,butonceitbecamehandtohand,onlyafewoftheguardsmanwouldnotbeattheirmercy.WehadtohopetokeepthemawayfromthewallslongenoughforthereinforcementsthatMasterElladoohadrequestedtoarrivefromNorthFort.


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Ok,backtomerunningouttohelpwiththedefense.IdonotknowwhatwouldhavehappenedifsomeonehadstoppedmeinmydashthroughtheMainHall.Therewassomethingdeepinmysoulthatwaswillingtobestoppedandsenttothebasement,butwhenIwasoutthedoorandwascrossingtheyard,thenoreturnpointhadbeenpassed.RunningtoasectioninthewallthathadagapbetweendefendersIbegantoloadmycrossbow.Onceloadeditwastimetolookthroughoneoftheverticalslitscutinthejoinbetweenlogstotryandfindatarget.Butbeforemyeyewastotheslot,Iwassuddenlygrabbedbytheshoulderandspunaround.

"Hoy!Whointarnationareyou,girlie?AndwhatintheNameoftheAllfatherareyoudoingoutinthismess?"

BeingconfrontedbySergeantHusselandhisnotknowingmewasbizarre.Thatcombinedwithmygeneralfearofthemanresultedinquiteasqueakyvoicedanswer,"I'mDrake,Sergeant.Iamheredoingmyduty."

Treatingmetomyfirstlookofappreciationfromamanashereplied,"BySera'sSacredWomb,theMastertoldmeyouhadbeenturnedintoagirlie.Buthedidn'tmentionthatyouwerethetypetomakethelittlemaninagent'spantsstandupandtakenotice."

Welldidn'tthathitmelikeablackjackbetweentheeyes.TrusttheSergeant'sbrutalhonestytotakemymindindirectionsbestleft,atleastatpresent,unexplored.AsIfeltablushspreadacrossmyface,hecontinued."Abeautylikeyoushouldn'tbeouthere.Youshouldheadbacktothebighouseanddownintothebasementwiththerestofthewomen."

Thankfullythisbroughtmymindbackonasafepath,duty."Ican't.Iknowthatweareshorthandedondefense,everybowcanhelp.Iwasabletoloadmycrossbow,soIdon'tseewhyIcan'tshootit."

TheSergeantfrownedatmyanswer,butitwasapparentthatheagreed."Okgirlie.Youcanstay,butifappearstheyaregoingtomakeitinto

theyardyoumakesurethatyouhustleyourcutelittlebehindintothebighouse.Youdon'twanttoletthoseassholesouttheregettheirhandsonaprettylittlemorsellikeyou."

Thenglancingovermyshoulderheyelled,"WhatinthenameofCaling'sSwordareyouidiotslookingat,theenemyisontheothersideofdamnedfence.Yaknuckleheads,thinkaboutit,youwillgetalltypesofopportunitytostareatournewchickie-poointhefuture,butonlyifyousurvive."

Withthatlastjab,hebeganrunningdownthefencetowardsthetower.However,inthisbriefencounterhehadestablishedthebasisofournewrelationship.Onethatwouldleftmefeelingbothaccepteddespiteand

horrifiedaboutmychange.Inthatparticularinstanceheleftmeblushingatthemennear-bye,themenIknewasDraketheboy,whoreturnedlooksthatrangedfromfrownstoleers,nodsofacceptancetoheadshakesofbewilderment.Butthelookswerequickandfleeting,becausetheyfollowedtheSergeant'sordersandfocusedtheirattentiononwhatwasgoingonoutsideofthepost.Tomysurprisetherewasmuchmorelookingthenshooting.

Lookingthroughmychosenslit,Ifiguredoutwhy.Theenemywerenotmakingthemselvesreadytargets.Theywereaboutthirtypacesaway,


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whichdidputthemwithinkillingrangeexceptthattheywereusinglargeshieldstohidebehind.Oneoftheirnumberwouldholdtheshieldwhiletheotherattemptedtotakeshotsattheslitsthroughwhichwewereshooting.Isaytry,becauseeverysuchattemptwasmetbyanumberofboltsorarrowsfromourside.Itwasbasicallyastalemate,thoughIcouldseethreeorfourbodieslayingonthegroundamongsttheirranks,showingwherewehadfoundthemark.Thiscatandmousecontinuedforagoodhourwithlittlechanging,thoughwedidgettwomoreofthem,buttheyluckedoutandtookoutoneofourmenwhenhespenttomuchtimelookingouthisslit.PersonallyIonlytooktwoshotstheentiretimeandbothofthemendedupembeddedinashield.Formyfirstbattle,itwasturningouttobemuchlessexcitingthenexpected.Stilleveryonewaspessimisticenoughtorealizethatthiscalmwouldnotlast,thoughwehoped.Everymomentofdelaywouldbringourreliefthatmuchcloser.

Thebanditsmusthaverealizedthisaswell,forinmyquickpeeksIsawapairofmen,likelyDarrelandhislieutenant,beyondtherangeofourbowsinearnestdiscussion.Afterabitmoretime,thelieutenantstartedyellingsomethingatthebanditswhowereexchangingarrowswithus.SeeingasitwasinalanguageIdidnotrecognize.Butthoughthelanguagewasunrecognizable,theresultwasnotasthreequartersoftheirshieldpairsmovedtowardstheirleaders.ThesurgeofhopethattheywereretreatingwasdashedwhenCorporalDeagelshoutedout,"Sarge,lookslikethey'removingtostagetwo!"

Ionlyhadamomenttothink"whatthehellwasstagetwo?"beforetheSergeantstartedyellinginstructions."Hoy,listenup!DamnittoArdente'sAnte-chamber,Isaidlisten,notlook.Keepaneyeontheprickswhoarelookingtobuggeryou.That'sbetter.Nowthebastardshavelearnedthatthepostisnotgoingtobeaneasyplacetogetinto;therefore,theyaregoingtotryandgetridofthewalls.Soheadsupforgrapnelscomingoverthewall,trynottoletthemcatchinthewall'scross-bracing.Ifonedoes,trytocutthedamnedropebeforetheassholespullthewalldownandarealloveruslikeahornydogonthemayor'swife.Alsothecandy-livered,turd-eaterswillbeeasiertohitwhenthrowingagrapnelthenwhentheyareshootingbackatus,somakethempayforattemptingtopulldownourloverlywall.

"ButifthetheydoyankthehorseshoeoutoftheirassandgetachunkofthewalldownIwanttheciviliansandthebeautifulMissDraketohigh-tailittothebighouseandgetupstairstothewindowsonthethirdfloor.BostlywhenthathappensIwantyoutotakeacoupleofthelads,grabsomepikesandholdthedoor.'Causewhentherestofuscannotholdthewallsanylongerwewillretreattothehouseourselves.AndBostlymyboyyoubetterhavethedooropenforusormyshadewillcomebackandnevergiveyouamomentofpeace.Everybodygotthat?Good.Let'skillussomebanditbastards."

SothenextstageoftheBattleforElladoo'spostbegan.Unlikethepriorphase,thebanditsmostlygroupedupastheymovedtowardsthe

wall,exceptforfourpairsofthemwhokeptuptheirsnipingatthewall.UnfortunatelyformethebiggroupendeduponthesideofthegatewhereIwaspositioned.Understandablymostoftheirthrowsdidnotmakeittothewall.Isayunderstandablybecauseittakesacertaintypeofmantostandupforalongenough,leavingthecoveroftheshields,toreallygetawayagoodthrow.Afterabitoneofthembecamethatsortofman.Itmayhavebeenbravery,impatience,angerorstupiditybutonebigdevilwashavingbetterluckthenhisbrethren.Heevenhadonegrapnelmakeoverthewall,thoughwewereluckyinthatitdidnotcatchonanythingwhenhepulleditback.Stillsoonerorlater


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hewasgoingtohavesuccess,soIdecidedthathewouldbemytarget.AimingtothespotfromwhichhehadbeenthrowingIwaitedforhimtoshowhimselfagain.Waitedandprayedthatoneoftheirshooterswouldnotnoticemeandbringasuddenendtomyplan.

Asyouhavelikelydeduced,fortunedidsmileonmeandhavememaketheacquaintanceofanyoftheirarrowswhileIwaited.Itseemedlikeminutes,butwassurelymuchlessbeforeIspottedaspinninggrapnelwheremytargetwouldlikelyappear.Thoughreadyforit,Iwasstillsurprisedwhenalargefigurestood.ButthesurpriselastedbarelyamomentbeforeIshiftedmyaimandletfly.Ididnotseewhathappened,focusedonduckingawayfromtheslitasIwas,butayelldidriseupfromtheothersideofthegate.LaterIwastolearnhisnamewasDuncanSmytefromDelosVillageontheIsleofCurns.Hewasamurderermanytimeovers,hadcombinedbountiesonhisheadof2300goldandhadthedubioushonourofbeingthefirstpersonIeverkilled.Butatthetimetherewasnowaytoknowifhehadbeenhimorifhehadjustletoutabellowasmyboltwentwhippingbyhishead.

However,itdidseemtoputfireintheirbelly.Formoreandmoreofthembecamethetypeofmanthatwouldstandupandmakeagoodthrow.Theypaidforthisbravery,butsoontherewasthesoundofsteadythunksastheirgrapnelshittheoutsideofthewall.Thenitwasn'tjustoutsideofthewall,butinside,untilfinallyoneofthemhooked

onacross-braceandwithaheaveoftheirdesperatemusclestheywereabletopulldownasevenfootsectionofwall.Atthisbreakthrough,SergeantHussel'sorderswentintoaffectandwebeganscramblingbacktothehouse.Wellwebeganthescramble,butitwastheotherswhoactuallyfollowedthrough.Me,wellIwasthevictimofanotherindignity.TurningtoruntothebighouseIwasstruck,squareuponthemelonbyanotherheavedgrapnel.SureIwaswearingahelmet,butitwasonlyhardenedleatheranddidnotprovideenoughprotectionforhalf-stoneofleadfallingfromthesky.Itwasmorethenenoughtoleavemeknockedoutonthegroundandnobodynoticedmynon-presenceuntileverybodywasbackinthebighouse.

IfIhadwrittenthisstorysoonimmediatelyafterithappenedthereis

nowaythisembarrassingtidbitwouldhaveincluded.Butinthetimesinceitoccurredtheincidenthasbecomeawatershedmomentinthehistoryofthepost.Ofallthestrangenessthathappenedtomearoundthistime,thegrapneltotheheadwastheonethatbecamepartofthepost'sfolklore.Itwasnotunusualtohearsomethinglike,"notthatlongafterDraketookthegrapnelonthenoggin"or"wasn'tthataroundthetimeDrakewasknockedout".Friends!Don'tyoujustsometimeswanttoholdtheirheadunderwaterforanhourortwo.Afterafewyears,evenIbegantoseethehumourinthehappening.ButrightafterithappenedIwasrathermortifiedbythewholethingandwouldhavecomeupwithsomethingmuchmoreheroictoexplainwhyasIslowlyregainedconsciousness(dang,doesn'titseemlikethathappensalotinthisstory)itwastothesoundofacoupleofunfamiliarvoicestalking.

Thefirstvoicewasonewithanaccent,likelythesamevoicethathadbeenshoutingordersearlier,"ThisbetterbeworthitDarrel,wehavealreadylostninemenandhaveanothertwelvewithinjuriesofsomesortoranother.Themenarepissedoffabouttoday."

"Youbetterbelieveit'sworthitGunther.ThemonthlyshipmentoffromHanglishMineswillbepassingElladooPostinthreedaysandbythattimewewillownthePost.Whenthebargewiththeshipmentdockshereforthenightwewillbeabletocatchthemunaware.Thelootwillbe


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enoughtokeepusinwineandwomenforyearstocome."Thissecondvoicewasmuchsmoother,cultured.OutsideofthefactthatitwasamaleitsoundedquitesimilartoMistressElladoo's.ThisandtheGuntherfellowcallinghimbynameleadmetoguessthatIwasinthepresenceofDarreltheRoamer.Andthatwasfarfromgood.

"Willwebeabletotakethepostintime,ittookusawholedaytogainthewallandpushthembackintotheirwarehouse?"

"TodaywasthehardpartGunther.Fromthewalltheywereabletoshootatuswithbetterluckthenwecouldshootatthem.Butnowthatweareintheiryard,allwehavetodotonightiskeepthefiregoingattheirdooranditwillbereadytocomedowntomorrow.Thenitwillbehandtohandandtheboyswillslaughterthem."

"Areyousurethatwearen'tgoingtohavetodealwithanyGlanlies'militia?"

"Gunthermyboy,youreallydoworrylikeaGrandmother.OfcourseIamsure,mycontactinGlanliesinterceptedElladoo'scallforhelp.AndIamsureofmycontactinGlanlies,becauseIhavehimbyhisshorthairsandheknowsevendeathwon'tloosenmygrasp."ThiscausedDarreltobeginlaughingandwithlaughterallcivilitywasstrippedawayfromhisurbanevoice.

Guntherjoinedinwithaheartierlaughthenhismaster,buthestillhadmorequestions,"Isn'tthatdangerousforyourcontact,whatifsomeonefindsout?"

"Whoistoknowthatamessagewasevensent?TheseCommissionfoolsaremuchtoconfidentintheircommunicationsystem,theyneverthinktosendaphysicalmessage.Sotheonlypeoplewhoknowaboutthemessagewillbedeadbythetomorrownight?"

"Killthemall?"ThewaythequestionwasaskedendedallpositivethoughtsthatImayhavebeenfeelingaboutGunther.Thetoneless,indifferentmatterinwhichheaskedthisquestionshowedthathewasno

bettertheDarrel.

Darrel'slaughtergrewcolderashereplied,"Welltheboyscanhavesometoys.ButsaveElladoo'swifeforme,IremembertheDeglacebitchtobequitethelooker.Wellonlysaveherformeifshehasn'tbloomedintosomefatfarmer'swife.Andifwearelucky,therejustmaybemoretastymorselslikeblondieoveronmycot."

BythistimeIwasfullyawaketryingtoignoreaterribleheadache,butIhadkeptmycomposureandhadnotmoved.Buthearingthatterm,"tastymorsel"almostthesamedescriptorthattheSergeanthadattachedtomeearliershookmetomycore.ItmusthavealsohadanoutwardimpactbecausesuddenlythatawfullaughterstoppedandthenDarrelutteredthe

followingdreadfulwords,"ButenoughfornowGunther.Leaveme.ItlookslikeitsplaytimeforDarrel."

SensingsomeoneapproachIdidnotmove,butitwasuseless,likeabeastsensinghispreyDarrelwasontome,"Reallysweetmeat,Iknowyouareawake.Nowopenyoureyesandlet'shavesomefun."

Ignoringhim,Ijustlaytheretryingtofallbackintounconsciousness.ButhewashavingnothingofitandsuddenlyIfeltaslaponmythigh.Boththesoundandthefeelmademeawareofmylackofclothing.No


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clothesandbeinginthepresenceofarapistlikeDarrelcausedmyeyestojerkopenandanattempttocovermyselfwithmyarms.Anattemptthatwasmetwithpainwhenmywristswerebroughtupshortbytheropesholdingthemtothecot.Staringupatthesoullesseyesandleeringgrinmyfearcausedmetobegintoshake.

"Hellosweetmeat,IhadnotrealizedthatElladoodealtinexoticgoodsuntilIsawyou.IfIwascuriousmanIwouldbeinterestedinyourstory,butalas...Iamnotacuriousman.Iamasimplefellowjustinterestedinslakingmythirstsandyoumydeararelikeacrystalpondinthemiddleofadesert.ButbeforethathappensLittleGirl,Imustaskafavour.Willyouliestillforamomentandletmeuntieyourarmswithouttryinganything?"

NotbelievingmyluckIcouldonlynodatthisbizarrerequest.Thoughtherewasdoubtitwouldoffermetheescapethatimmediatelysprangtomind,butitdidmakeescapepossible.However,Darrelwaswiseinhisevilways,beforehefollowedthroughwiththeuntyinghefirstwentandsecuredtheentrancetohistent.Thenmakingwhatwasabouttohappenevenmorerealhetookoffhisclothes.IcoulddescribewhatIsawwhenhewasnaked,butthatwouldhumanizehimandhewasnotdeservingofthat.Darrelwasavicious,cruelbeastfeedingoffofsocietylikearabiddog.Hewasworthyofnothing.InsteadIwilltellyouthatwhenhewasnakedallIsawwasaterriblefate,onethatwasnotimproved

whenheuntiedmywristsandsteppedawayfromthecot.

Hesitantlygettingtomyfeet,myglancewhichhadbeenbouncingbetweenhimandthetent'sentrancebecamerivetedtohimwhenheasked,"DoyouknowwhyIuntiedyousweetmeat?"Hardlywaitingformytinyheadshake,hefinishedinanemptyvoice,"BecauseIwantyoutofight.Iwanttohereyouscream."

Thosetwostatementssolidifiedsomethingwithinmeanditwasnotjustfear.SuddenlyfromdeepwithinmeIfeltsomethingstrugglingtogetoutandittookmeamomenttorealizeitwasrage.Rageatwhathadhappenedtome.Rageatwhatwasabouttohappentome.RagethatIwasunwillingtoholdin.Andwhentheragewasreleased,Iwasnolongerin

control.Darrelmusthavenoticedsomethingofwhatwasgoingonwithinmesincehestaredandsaid,"What?"

FinallyIverballyrespondedtoaquestion,andyetitwasnotmewhovoiced,"Don'tyouremembermeDarrelhoney?"

"Who?"

"NowDarrel,youmakeagirldoubtherself.It'sonlybeenafewdays,howcouldyouforget?"

Aswitchwentoninhismindashiseyesopenedwide,"Sandrelessa?Ithoughtyouweregone?Howareyou...whatare..."

WithagiggleIheardmyselfanswer,"Ohgoodie!Youdoremember."

ThenbeforeIrealizedwhatwashappening,orbeforeDarrelcouldreact,mybodyglidedforwardandsnappedhisneck.Ashisbodycrumpledtothegroundatmyfeetmyotherselfsaid,"Ohpoo,Ibrokemytoy.WellIguessIwilljusthavetogofindanother."

Whatfollowedwasahorrifictime,maybeevenmorehorrificthenwhatwouldhavehappenedifSandrelessahadnotbeenlurkingdeepinmysoul.


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IneithercaseIwasapassengerwithoutanycontroloverwhatoccurred.Admittedlythissituationleftmealiveanduntouched,yetitfilledmewithnightmaresalmostimpossibletototallyshake.Thisislikelyoneofthoseinstanceswheremywritingcouldbecathartic,butIdon'twanttorememberwhathappenedsoitcanbewrittendown.Insteadletmesaythatyestherewerescreams,buttheyweremale.Iremembermovingfast,Iremembertalkinginthatlittlegirl's,chirpyvoice.AndmostlyIrememberdeath,lotsandlotsofdeath.

Thentherewasnobodyleft.Everybodywasdeadorfled,myragenolongerhadatarget.Asquicklyasitcame,soitwasquickindeparting.Thatotherself,yesitwasSandrelessa,whowasincontrolrecognizedwhatwashappening,butsheonlyhadtimetoshout"No!"beforebeingsuckedbackfromwhereshehadcome.AndthenIwasalone.Naked,surroundedbydeathandcoveredinthegoreofthatdeathandthebloodfromcutsallovermybody.Raisingmyhandstocovermyfaceitappearedthatmyearlierthoughtaboutmyhandshadcometrue.Thelongnailsonmy,claw-likeastheywerehadservedthatpurposewell.

Suddenlyshocksetin,combiningbothphysicalexhaustion,painandmentalanguish.Fallingtomyknees,Ivomitedortriedto.Butallthatcamewerehugedryheaves.Notknowingwhattodothepostbeckonedme,hardlynoticinghowmuchofthewallwasmissing,allIcouldthinkwas,"Iwanttogohome.Iwantmyfriends.Theywillhelpme."

Itriedtostand,butitrequiredtomuch.SoIbegantocrawl.Icrawledthemilesandmilestothepost.AndIjustaboutmadeit.Iwasalmostatthetatteredgatewhen...

...youguessedit,Ipassedout.

-------------

Mypromisetoyoudearreaders,thiswillbethelastofmyawakeningsaboutwhichyouread,atleastforthenearfuture.Icannotsaythattherewillneverbeanothertime,atsomepoint,afteralltherehavebeenmanyawakeningsformesincethatpoint,butfewareallthat

worthyofwritingabout.Thisawakeninghoweverwasworthyofnote.

Ithadaspectsthatremindedmeofmypriortwoawakenings.Itwassomewhatslowcomingabout,butsomethingimmediatelytoldmethatIwassafeinthepost.MyguesswasthatIwasoncemoreinthesamebedinIhadawokebeforethefight.SimilartothattimeIwasdressedinmynightshirt.However,unlikethattimeandsimilartothesimilartotheawakeninginDarrel'tentIappearedtohavemyarmstiedtothebedframe.Therewerealsotwomentalkingintheroomwithme.thoughthistimetherevoiceswererecognizable.AndthoughIknewthosevoices,mybeingtieddownmademenervous,sooncemorewithnomovementtobetraymywakefulness,Ilistened.

"Tellmehowthesharesworkagain,Stork?"

BythesighinStork'svoice,itwasapparentthiswasnotthefirst,likelynotthesecondtimeeither,thathehadansweredthisquestionfromthelessthensharpwittedJimi,"Ok,eachmanthattookpartinadefensewillgetafullshareofthelootfromthebanditsandthebountieswecancollectontheirheads."

"Thefarmerstoo?"


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"Ayethefarmerstoo,theytooktheriskjustasmuchaswedid.AndoneofthemboughtitjustlikeEddieandMort.Speakingofthethreeofthem,theywillhave2fullsharesgrantedtotheirnames,themoneywillgototheirfamilies.Sothattakesusto35sharessofar.ThenyouaddinthedoublesharesforDeagelandBostly,plusHussel's5sharesandwearenowupto44.Doesthatmakesensesofar,Jimi?"

Thewheelswerelikelyturning,butJimisoundedfairlysurewhenheanswered,"Igotthatpart,Stork.Idon'tunderstandthenextpart."

"Youmeanthehalfshares?Welltheguysthatareoutwiththecaravansgetahalfshare.Sosincethereare22guardsand2corporalsoutwithClaraandDurk,thatmeanstheyget13shareswhichtakesusto57shares."

"Butwhydotheygetanything,theyweren'there?"

"I'mnotsureoftheexactreasons.It'sjustthewayit'salwaysbeen."

"WellIdon'tlikeit,"Jimipouted.

"Actuallyitmakessensewhenyouthinkaboutit."Storkthenpausedasifhewasgatheringhisthoughtsbeforecontinuing,"Itcouldhavejustaseasilybeenthemhereinsteadofus.Iguessthatimpliesthathalf

thebountywereceiveistherewardforjustbeingready,meanwhiletheotherhalfistherewardfortheactualfight.Andthinkhowmuchitwouldsucktoseeallourbuddiesgettingarewardandnotgetanyourselves."

"Yeeeah,"Jimibegrudginglyagreed."Whatabouttherestoftheshares,youhaveonlytoldmeaboutfiftyseven?"

"Wellwewillhavetohireafactortodisposeofthegoodsintheircamp.Armor,weapons,horsesandsoforth.Thefactorwillalsobetheonewhogoesandgathersupallthebountiesfortheturdsthatgotkilledyesterday.IheardtheSergeantreadingfromaledgerhefoundDarrel'stentanditappearshekepttrackofthebountiesonalltheir

heads.Helikelyuseditasathreatoverhismen,butiftheledgeristobelieved,theyareworthquiteabitallovertheplace.Thefactorwillhavetodoafairamountoftravelingandwillkeep10sharesforhimself,whichtakesusto67.Thatleaves23sharesfortheofficers."

"Officers?Wedon'thaveanyofficers."Jimistatedcategorically.

"Surewedo,MasterElladooandDrake."

"Wowtheysuregetalot,Stork.AndIdidn'tknowthatDrakewasanofficer."

"Aye,andevenifshewasn'tanofficercanyouthinkofanybodywho

deservesthebountymore?"Storkstated.InthestatementIgleanedacoupleofthings,bothgoodandbad.Eventhoughhehadknownmeforyears,theuseof'she'showedthathehadalreadymadetheswitchinhismindanddesignatedmeafemale.Thatwasbad,whiletheseconditemwasmorepositive.Eventhoughtheyhadmetieddown,heseemedquitehappywithmeandmyactions.Hopefullyinthishereflectedthethoughtsofthecommunity.ItwasmuchbetterthentheirthinkingthatIwassomesortofmonster.EvenifIwas.

"Aye,Ican'tbelievewhatshedid.IwaswiththeSergeantwhenhe


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scoutedthecampafterallthescreamingstopped.Rememberthattrapperwhowasattackedbyabearafewyearsback?Itwaslikethat,asifabearhadbeenloseintheircamp.Notkilledbyweapons,insteadtheyweretornandbroken.Andnotasingleoneofthemwasinjured,everyoneofthemwasdead.TheSergeanthardlyseemedtonoticehowever,hewasfranticallylookingforsomething."

StorkbrokeinonthelongestspeechIhadeverheardfromJimi,"HewaslikelylookingforDrake.Youknowhewassuperpissedoffwhenhelearnedthatshedidnotmakeitinsidewithus,blamedhimselfforlettingherstayoutside,hedid.Andwhenthescreamingstarted,youcouldseetheangeronhisface."

"AyehewaslookingforDrake.Weactuallyfoundherjustoutsideofthegate.YoushouldhaveseenherStork,shewascoveredinbloodandcuts.IwasactuallyscaredbywhatIsaw.Canyouimagine?Scaredofalittlegirllikeher.ButIknewthatitwasherthathadkilledallthosemenintheircamp.Ofcourse,SergeantHusselwasn'tscared,hewasworriedabouther.Andhetoldmetopickherupandcarryherbackintothepost.Shehardlyweighedanything.Howcouldshehavekilledallthosemen?"

Bythesounditseemedthatoneofthemgetupandmoveovertolookatme,TheclosenessofthevoicewhenStorknextspoke,confirmedby

guess,"Areyoustillscaredofher,Jimi?"

"NoStork,"herepliedwithconviction,whichwasexplainedbyhisnextwords."Irealizedhowshedidit.ItwastheworkoftheGods.Darrelandhismenwereterriblepeople,theyneededtodie.TheGodsdecidedtouseDrakecarryoutthesentence."

Wellwasn'tthatjustthemostpositivespinonwhathadhappened?Storkmusthaveagreed,fortherewasquiteabitofdisbeliefinhiswhenhequestioned,"Areyousure?"

"NoStork,whocanbesureoftheGods.Butitmakessense.WhyelsewouldDrakehavebeenturnedintoagirl,beforetheattack?Ibetit

wasbecausehewaspossessedbyJiringel,theGoddessofJustice.AGoddesswouldbeabletokillallthosemen,whilealittlegirlcouldn't,heckanysinglepersoncouldn't."

"Idon'tknowJimi.Itseemslikeastretch."

Thistimethefootstepsthatapproachedthebedwereheavier,Jimi'sfootsteps,"LookatherStork,she'sbeautiful.Yetthreemorningsagoshewascarriedintothisroomwithcutsandbruisesalloverherbody.Wherearetheynow,Stork?"

ThistimeStorkwasmuchmorehesitantinhisanswer,"They'regoneJimi."

"AyeStork,they'regone.YouandIbothknowthatcutsandbruisesdon'thealthatfast.IcanonlythinktheGoddesshealedher."

Ok,thiswasstartingtogetabitfreaky,IknewthatJimiwaswrong,yethisthoughtsweresopositivethatIcouldnothelpbutwanttobelieve.Still,thedirectionconversationofthisconversationwasdefinitelymakingmeuncomfortable.Idecidedthatitwastimetostartawakening,soIletoutalittlecough.


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Thisgotthereaction,asJimiblurted,"She'swakingupStork."

"YouwatchherJimi,IwillgettheMasterandtheMidwife."

Drawingoutmyawakeningforafewmomentslonger,Ihopedthatthetwonamedworthieswouldhurryupandarrive.Butittooksometime,longenoughthatIrealizedevenJimiwouldbegintothinkthatitwastakinganoverlylongtimeformetoawake.Finallytherewasnothinglefttodo,nothingthatisexcepttoopenmyeyestoseeJimilookingdownatmewithagazethatheldbothworryandtrust.

Nowthatmightnotmeanmuchtomany.Buttosomeonewhoknewtheywerepossessedbyademon,itwasworthalot.Itmademesmile,asmilethatwasquicklyreturnedbyJimiasagroupofpeopleincludingboththosewhoStorkwenttoget,aswellastheMistressandSergeant,cameclamoringintomyroom.AroomthatwasmadesmallerbyallthosepeopleandnotmuchlargerwhenJimiandStorkweredismissed.

JimineverconvincedStorkofhisbeliefs,insteadStorkjustdecidedIwasanotherskirttochase.EventuallyJimiwasconvincedthatIhadnotbeenJiringel'sinstrumentofjustice.Butfromthatdayforwardhewasmyfriendandoftenmyprotector.

Whenthetwoguardsweregone,nobodysaidordidanythingforafew

moments,untilMasterElladootookastepforward,lookedmeintheeyeandasked,"Drakeareyouthere?"

Itwasasimplequestion,yetitheldhiddenmeanings,"AyeMasterElladoo,it'sme.Although,somewhereinsideSandrelessastilllurks.WhichIamguessingisthereasonIamtiedup."

"Wellbasically,butwedidn'tdoit.No,youaretiedupbecauseEnsignElfosTillindalinsiststhatyoubetiedup."Basedonthesneerinhisvoiceashesaidthatname,itwasapparentthattheEnsignwasnottheMaster'sfavouriteperson.

Ofcourse,itwasnecessaryformetoask,"WhoisEnsignElfos

Tillindal?"

"He'sasmarmylittlegitwhoismuchmoreimpressedbyhimselfthenhehasarighttobe."BurstoutSergeantHussel,showingthathesharedtheMaster'sfeelingsabouttheEnsign.Butthenagain,theSergeantdidn'tlikemanypeople.

Beforehecouldgetfurtherintohisrant,MistressElladoointerjected,althoughevenshehadatingeofdislikeinhervoice,"EnsignTillindalisthecommanderofthemilitiadetachmentguardingtheHanglishMine'sbarge.Theyarrivedthismorningandoncehelearnedoftheraidhehasbeentryingtotakecontrol.WhenheheardthestoriesbothaboutyourchangeasaresultofHiramandyourmeetingwiththisdemoness,

followedbywhathappenedtothebandits,heimmediatelydeterminedyouwereadangertotheentirepost.Hewasgoingtoclapyouinironsandhaveasquadofhismenwatchoveryou,butwefinallyconvincedhimthatwewouldsecureyou.IamsoverysorryDrake."

Theexplanationmademefrown,thoughitwasunderstandable,"Iunderstand,itsnotyourfault.Anditmightbeagoodidea,Iampossessedbyademon.Ireallydon'tknowwhensheisgoingtopushmeaside,likeshedidinthecamp,andtakeover.WhenshetookmeoverinDarrel'scamp,Ihadnocontrolandshedidterriblethings."


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Seeingtearsinmyeye,MistressElladooreacheddowntograsponeofmyhands,butMasterElladoowaveddismissively,"BahnoneofthatDrake.ItalkedtooneofthemagesbackinGlanliesandshesaidyouarenotthefirsttohavesuchapossessiontakehold.Sheguessesthattheprotectionspell,whichIinitiatedintheworkshop,isstillworkinguponyouandwillkeepSandrelessaatbay."

"ButMasterElladoo,shewasabletotakeoverwhenIwasinthecamp."

"Wellthesagebelievesthattheonlyreasonthespellreleasedherwasbecauseyouwereingreaterdangerfromsomethingotherthenthedemonessanditbecameconfused.Wereyouindangerbeforeshecameout?"

Okcallmeawussoragirlofwhateveryouwant,butthatquestionbroughtsomefairlyawfulthoughtstotheforeground.Ididnotknowhowtorespondtothequestion,notwantingtothinkabouthowcloseIhadbeentobeingrapedbythatbastard,Darrel.Ididnotwantmyaudience,eventhoughtheyweremyfriends,toknowhowcloseithadbeen.Andinparticular,IdidnotwanttheMasterorSergeanttoknow.Onlydaysago,Iwasoneofthem,butnolonger.Theywouldnotunderstand,hellIdidn'tunderstand,butneithermanwouldeverfindthemselvesinthepositioninwhichIhadfoundmyselfinDarrel'stent.Theywouldnot

evenbeabletoevenimaginethemselvesinthatposition,theycouldnotunderstandthefear.Iwantedtobestrong.

ButIwasn'tstrong.Iwasascaredlittleboyandascaredlittlegirl.Tomuchhadhappenedtome.Thepastwashorrific.Thefuturewasbleak.AllIcoulddowascry.

MycryingcausedMistressElladoototakecontrol.PointingattheSergeant,shefirmlystated,"Youwilluntiethischildrightnow,thenyouwillgoaboutyourduties.Nerise,canyoulookafterDrakewhileItalktomyhusband."

Shethenstoodup,grabbedMasterElladoobythearmanddraggedhimout

oftheroom.Astheylefthervoicemimickedhisscornfullybeforetheygotoutofhearingrange,"Wereyouindangerbeforeshecameout?HiramElladoo,whatkindofstupidquestionwasthattoask,ofcourseDrakewasindanger.YousawthepoorthingwhenTorinandJimIbroughtherin.Shewasnaked,whatdoyouthinkthat...."

MeanwhileSergeantHussel,withthespeedheexpectedfromoneoftheguardswhenhebarked,untiedmyarmsandsteppedoutofthewayofMidwifeNerisewhosatonthebedandpulledmeupintoawarm,tenderhug.Helookedatusforamoment,thenawkwardlypattedmeontheshoulderbeforeapologizing,"SorryDrake,youshouldn'thavebeentiedup.Idon'tknowwhywelistenedtothatfoolEnsign,he'sawetbehindtheearslittletwerpwithoutanounceofexperience.Iamembarrassed

thatthetwitconvincedustotieyouup.Callifyouneedanything,Nerise."

Ireallydidn'tnoticemuchofthisby-play,beingwrappedupinMidwifeCerise'sarmsandemotionallywrappedupinmythoughts.Theysaythatagoodcrycandowondersforaperson,butIamnotsurethatistrue.EverytimethatIhavefoundmyselfinthatsituation,itseemsmoreexhaustingthenhelpful.Evenwhenyourstomachandlungsandthroatwantyoutostop,yourmindisnotwilling.Maybeitisdifferentforotherpeople,maybeithelpsthem.Butformeitdidnotmakemefeel


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better,insteadthecryingbecamemorepainfulthenmymemories.Itforcedmetocompartmentalizethosememoriesintoaplacetobedealtwithlater,myfocusbecametheneedtostopcrying.Itsoundseasierinwritingthenitwasinreallife.StillmycontrolslowlybegantoreturnandafterawhileIwasabletostop,eitherthatorIwastodrainedtogoon.Afterstoppingmybawling,InoticedthattheMistresshadreturnedandwaswatchingmewithworriedeyesandItriedtosmileather.

Itcouldnothavebeenanythingbutahorriblesmile,stillsherespondedtotheattemptbysmilingbackatmeandasking,"Areyoufeelingbettersweetie?"

"NotreallyMa'am,butIdon'tfeellikecryinganymore."NoIdidn'twantcryanymore,nordidIwanttosleep.Ididn'twanttobeinthisroom.WhatIreallywantedwasabath,Ifeltdirty.Andlikeanormalfifteenyearoldboy,Iwantedfood,Iwasstarving.IwantedmycreaturecomfortsandIdidnotwanttothink.SoIletthemknowwhatIwantedandtheyobliged.

-------------

Afterbeingfed,MistressElladootreatedmebytakingmetoherandtheMaster'squarterswhereasteamingbathhadbeenprepared.Neverhaving

beentothatareaofthebuildingIhadlookedquestioninglyattheladyandsheanswered,"Iamguessingthatyouarenotreadytodealwithtomanypeople.SoIhadMarypreparethebathinmyroom,insteadofforcingyouusethebathhouse."

Mycuriosityaboutthequarterswassomewhatquenchedwhenweenteredintoasittingroomandthatcuriositywasreturnedinkindbyitsinhabitant,Mary,theMistress'smaid.Shewasanolderlady,whohadbeenwiththeDeglacefamilyformuchofherlife,shehadvolunteeredtojointheMistresssoonaftershehadlostherhusband.Buteverybodyfeltsheregrettedherdecisionassheneverhidherdisdainforuspeasants.AndoncemoreshewasunabletohideherdisbeliefthatMistressElladoowasdeigningtoallowmetouseherroom,worseher

tub.Thiswasmadecrystalclearwhenshestated,"Thebathisalmostready,Milady.Iwillseethatsheisbathedandsenttoherroomassoonaspossible."

LuckilyMistressElladoowasmadeofsternerandkinderstuff,"Thatwillnotberequired,Mary.IwilllookafterDrake,butcanyoulookthroughmythingstofindsomethingforhertowear?"

Nowthatstatementwasstartling,thoughitshouldnothavebeen,stillitcausedthefollowingthoughtstoscramblearoundinmybrain,'Gack,whatwasthat?Everybodyseemedmuchtosureaboutmebeingaher.FindingmesomethingtowearfromtheMistress'thingscouldonlymean,dresses.I'mnotreadyforthat.'

"Miladythatisreallynotappropriate.Iwillcheckamongstthepost'swomentofindsomethingforhertowear,"Maryreplied.

Pissedoff,annoyedattheentiredirectionofmylifeDrakedecidedtotakethisastheinsultwhichitwas,androaredwithinmymindthathewasgoodenoughtowearEsseldeDeglace'sdresses.Meanwhilerational,yetfreakedoutDrakeclamoredindefensethatwewereaguyandthatguy'sdon'tweardresses,eventoprovetheyweregoodenoughtowearthedress.


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TheMistress,unawareofmyinnerdebate,focusedontheoneshewashavingwithhermaid.Pointingatme,shesaid,"LookatthegirlMary.Isthereanybodyonthepostwhohassuchatall,slenderfigure?IknowIdon't,atleastnotnow,butifyoulookinsomeofmyoldthingsthathavebeenputawayyoushouldbeabletofindsomethingthatmayfitDrake."

"YesMilady."Withthissurlyresponse,MaryheadedoutofthesittingroomfurtherbackintotheElladoo'ssuite.

Andwithherexit,rationalDraketooktheopportunitytostate,"ReallyMistress,Maryisright.Itwouldn'tbeappropriateformetowearyourthings."

"NonsenseDrake,whatelseareyougoingtowear.Youcan'treallywearyouroldthings,canyou?"WellIcouldhaverespondedyestothisquestion,afterallClarawasaslikelytobeseenwearingtrousersandashirtasshewastobeseeninadress.ButIdidn't,fortherewassomethinginhervoicethatmademerealizeitwouldnotbeappreciated,thesamethingthatMaryhadheard,thevoiceoftheDeglace.EsseldeDeglacewouldhaveherwayinthis,despitewhatwemaythink.Therefore,Icouldonlynodmyheadinagreement.Seeingmynod,shemovedovertothetub,anicesizedbronzedaffairthatmusthavebeen

broughtfromGlanlies,andtestedthewater.Frowning,shewentovertoadresserandpulledoutapolishedwoodenbox.Whenshegotbacktothebathshefirsttookabottle,fromthebox,thatsheunstoppedandfromwhichshepouredsomeoilintothebath,causingthescentoflavender,herscent,tofilltheroom.Turningtomeandseeingmestareinsurpriseatthebottleinherhand,shesmiledandpurposelymisinterpreted."Iknowyoudon'twanttosharethescentwithanoldwoman,butfornowitisthebestwecando.Nowtakeoffyournightshirtandgetinthetub."

Smilingatherattemptathumour,Idisrobed.Thistimeitwasnotmynewformthatwassodisturbing,nodisturbingwaswhatcoveredmyskin.Someonehadattemptedtocleanmeaftermymisadventuresinthebandit

camp,butadampclothcannotcompletelycleanoneofthemessthatisviolentdeath.Andthoughmycutshadmagicallyhealed,leavingnoscars,theyhadleftsignsoftheirpresenceindriedbloodandgunk.Nowevenatmyyoungageslaughteringpigsandcattleandfowlhadmademenonovicetobloodandgore,butthiswasnotsomeanimalsblood.Itwasareminder,aterriblereminderofwhathadhappenedtometwodaysbefore.SuddenlywishingIhadnothadanythingtoeatitbecameastruggletonotthrowup.

HappilytheMistresssensedsomethingofmythoughts,likelynotthatdifficultwhenseeingmedoingthefishface,andcameovertograbmyhandandguidemetothetub."Heresweetie,getinthetub.Agoodsoakwillwashthatallawayandthenyouwillfeelgoodasnew.Oops,don't

getyourbraidswetyet,weneedtoundothemfirst."

SteppinginIwasstartledbyhowhotthewaterwas,beingusedtothebathhousethatrarelyhadsteamingwater.Butitwasagoodhot,itburnedawaymythoughts,mademefocusontheactofsittingdownandwaitingtobecomfortable.Atthatpointitbegantofeellovely.ThetuballowedmetomostlystretchmylegsoutandwashigherattheendatwhichIsatandevenwhenleaningbackthewatercamealmosttomychin.DidImentionitfeltlovely?


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"Oksweetie,firstletmegetthosebraidsout,wereallyshouldhavedonethisfirstIthink.IguessIfailattheLady'sMaidbusiness,butwewon'ttellMaryandupsetherprofessionalstandards."Aftersomeminutesoftugsandpullsonmyhead,tugsandpullshardlynoticeableinthewondrousnessofthehotwater,shementioned,"Yourhairistrulyararecolour,itseemsinitiallywashedoutofcolour,butit'snot,Ibetitwillshinewhenwegetitclean.Andmyitisthick."

UntilthatmomentIhaddonelittlemorethennoticethatIhadmorehairthenbeforeanditsstrangecolour.Nowwiththefocusonthatfeature,Ifoundmyselfmumbling,"I'llhavetogetsomeonetocutitforme."

TherewasafrownintheMistress'voiceassheasked,"Areyousureyouwanttodothat?"

"MMmmm?"Okthatmayhavebeenaratherdisrespectfulreply,butthewaterhadstartedtomeltmybrain.

"Wellitisveryraretoseeayoungladywithoutlonghair.EvenClara,whoisaslikelytobeintrousersasskirthaslonghair.Iamthinkingyouwouldlookstrangewithshorthair."

Wellyoucan'tdenythatEsseldewasasmuchasalespersonasher

husband,preyingonmyinsecurityofbeingnoticedworkedperfectlyinmakingmeseethevalidityinhercomment.Anditwaseasytofoolmyselfbeforeseeingamirror,afterthemirrortherewasnodoubtthatIwasnoticeable.Butforthemoment,MistressElladooseemedtohavemadeavalidpointandsuchwasherholdonme,therewerenomomentsinthefuturethatwouldconvincemetogoagainstherwill.Notthatitwouldmatterinanycase.

Aftershehadfinishedremovingthebraidsfrommyhairshereachedinherwoodenboxandpulledoutachunkoflavenderscentedsoap.Whenshehandedtheperfumedchunkofsoaptome,shesaid,"MybathistheoneareainwhichIallowmyselftospoilmyself,Drake.Myfamilyregularlysendsmesoapsandoilsandeventhismagnificenttub.Ifthereisone

thingImissfromaboutGlanlies,itisthebathingfacilitiesinmyfamilyhome.Thissoapismadeusinghempoilinsteadofthetallowwithwhichwemakethesoapusedaroundthepost.Iadmit,itissillyhowmuchitcoststoshipithere,butyouwillseethatitiswortheverycopper.Now,putittogooduse.Anddon'tbeshyDrake,itsyourbody.Cleaneverywhere,andIdomeaneverywhere."

Shemusthavenoticedmyinitialhesitancy.Myurgetoexploremynewformhadbeenlurkinginthebackofmymind,butitwasnotsomethingIplannedtodoinherpresence.Stillherpermissionwasencouraging,soIwasabletowashmyself,yeseverywhere,whiletryingtoblockoutthestrangenessthatwassometimesencountered.ThoughIdidmakenoteofareasthatdeservedsomefocusatalater,alonepoint.Letmetellyou,

itfeltfabuloustobeclean,andtheMistresswascorrect,thesoapwassomuchnicerthenthatusedinthebathhouse.Evenifitdidmakemesmelllikeher,thenagainshealwayssmellednice.Althoughinmymind,veryfeminine.WellIcouldlivewiththatforthemomentifitmeantnolongerfeelingicky.

Whilefocusedonmycleansing,IstillhadalargeenoughpresenceofmindtonoticeMaryreturntotheroomwithaarmfulofcolourfulclothing.MistressElladoowentovertotalktoherabouttheselectionandthoughMarytalkedtoquietlyformetohearwhatshesaid,the


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Mistresswasnotnearlyassubtle.Therefore,Iwasabletohearatleastonesideoftheconversation,"Yes,that'sagoodidea,Mary.Abodiceandskirtwillbeeasiertofitthenadress...Theyarekindofmustysmelling.Theyshouldlikelyspendsometimeonthelinefirst....Ok,beforeyouleave,wherearethetowels?...Nodon'tbesilly,Ihavelots.Youwilljusthavetodosomeextracleaning....Ahh,inthearmoireinthebedroom.Couldyougetustwoorthreebeforetakingthedressesdownforairingout....Yes,that'sagoodchoice,thebluewilllookgoodonher.Anditseemstobeinthebestshapeofthethingsyoufound."

AsMaryhustledoffdoingthechoresjustassignedtoher,MistressElladooreturnedtothesideofthetub,rollinguphersleevesasshecame.Takingalastbottlefromhermagicalbathbox,sheasked,"Allclean?"

"YesMa'am,Ifeelmuchbetter.Justlikeyouthought."

"Aye,youcannotbeatthehealingpowerofanicebath.Justonemorethingleft,wehavetocleanthatmaneofyours.Holdyourbreathandcloseyoureyes,I'mgoingtogiveyouabitofadunk.Ok,nowsomeofthishairsoap,keepyoureyesclosed,itwillburnifyougetanyinthem."

Thenshebegantoneedmyscalp,followedbymoretuggingandpullingasshewashedthelonglengthsofhairthathungfrommyscalp.Itreallydidfeelincrediblynice.Withmorewarnings,Iexperiencedmoredunks,evensomescoopandpoursbeforeitwasdeemedthatmyhairwasfreeofsoap.Thelastpartofthehairwashingprocedurewasdefinitelymyleastfavouritepartofthebathingexperience,astheMistresswrungasmuchwateraspossiblefrommyhairasherstrengthallowed.Withmyhairwashed,mybathwasdone.

Isteppedoutofthetubandwashandedabigquiltedlinentowelwithwhichtodryoff.ThentackledmyhairasIwouldnormallydo,butwasstoppedbytheMistresswithacommentthatdoingsowasaninvitationforknots.Insteadsheinstructed,thenhelpedmetowrapmyhairin

anothertowel.WethenfoundourselvesinaquandaryasIhadnothingtowear.Whenshehadleft,Maryhadtakenmynightshirt,withoutattemptingtoconcealalookofdisgustatit'sfilthiness.Norwasthereanyofthethreateneddressesavailable,atleastnotuntiltheyweredoneairingout.Butaswitheverythingelse,MistressElladoowasnotstumpedforlong.

Bustlingintothenextroomshequicklyreturnedwithawoolenshift."HereyougoDrake,youwillneedashift.Andwhileitwon'tbethebestfit,itwillhavetodountilwecanfindsomethingbetter."

Shewasbeingsonicetome,thatIdidnotevenfightitwhenshehelpedmepullitovermyhead.Afterall,itwassimilartomy

nightshirt,althoughofmorecomfortablematerialandwaslonger,coveringmetojustbelowmyknees.Butitwascleananddecentlycomfortable.

Thequestionthenbecamewhattodonow?InMistressElladoo'smindIwasnotdecentlydressedenoughtoleaveherrooms,yetsheneededtogorunsomeothererrandsthatshehadignoredwhilelookingafterme.Shesolvedtheproblembywrappingmeinablanket,despitethepleasantwarmthIstillfeltfromthebath,andsittingmeinalargestuffedchair.ThenhandingmeAnnals#8shetoldmetostudychapter12to14,


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whichIfoundtofocusontheperfumetrade,andthenleftmewiththefollowing,"I'llbegoneforacouplehours,Drake.LongerifIhavetospendtomuchtimecalmingdownthatidiotEnsign.Marywilllikelybebacksoon,shecanhelpyouwithanythingyouneed."

WellIdidn'tholdoutmuchhopeofMaryhelpingmewithanything,butkeptthatthoughttomyself.InsteadItriedtoreadthebook,butfoundmyselfconstantlyhavingtorestartthefirstpage,IjustdidnothavethefocusrequiredtoreadfromtheAnnals,whichnobodyeveraccusedofbeingexciting.Nomymindwaswrappedupinthoughtsaboutbeingchangedintoagirlandpossessedbyademon.InfactItriedtomakethefirst,thelessdisturbingchange,myfocus,butwasquicklydrawntothesecond.

Thenmymindstartedapityingdebateastowhichofthetwothingswouldcausepeople,specificallymyfriendsandfamily,todislikemethemost.Theturnedintofemalethingmademeafreak,whilethedemonthingmademeadangerousfreak.Wellitwasn'tmuchofadebatewhenIreallythoughtaboutit,lotsofpeoplelikedgirls,speciallyprettygirls.Andallindicationspointedtomebeingaprettygirl,whichremindedmeIstillhadnotgottenmyhandsonamirror.Meanwhile,veryfewpeoplelikedsomeonewhocouldrandomlygoinsaneandtearthemapart.

Closingmyeyesandconcentratingonnotthinkingaboutwhathappenswhenapersonistornapart,almostresultedinahead-ache.Luckily,wellkindofluckily,thehallwaydoor'sopeningcausedadistraction.OpeningmyeyestherewasnosurprisetoseeMary,butIwaslesspreparedtoseeDougieandMarcel,twoofthewarehouseworkers,withher.

Mary,inthatsokindfashionofhers,orderedthetwomen,"Ok,youcantakethetubdownstairs,emptyitoutandseethatitiscleaned."Whenthetwomenkeptglancingatmebedeckedinablanketandatowel,sheactuallymademegratefulwithabarked,"Payattentiontowhatyouaredoing,Idon'twantyoutobesloppingwateralloverthefloor.Ihaveenoughtodowithoutcleaningupagreatspill."

Afterthetwoofthemleftwiththetub,weexperiencedafewmomentsofuncomfortablesilence,mewatchinghercleanupthebathingsuppliesandshewithregularfrownsinmydirection.AfterhavingpackeduptheMistress'boxandreturnedittothedressershelookedaroundtheroom,asifhopingtofindsomethingelsetodo.Whenunsuccessful,shesighedandthenturnedtometoask,"Howlonghaveyouhadthattowel,wrappedaroundyourhead?"

Decidingthatpolitenesswouldlikelybethebestapproachtokeephersharptongueatbay,Ireplied,"SinceIfinishedmybath,Ma'am.ShouldItakeitoff?Ihaveneverhadhairthislong."

"Yes,youmayaswell.Fromitsappearance,itistowettobeofanygood.Hereletmehelpyoutakeitoff."

"Thankyou,IneededtheMistress'helpputtingiton."Whenshehadtakenthetoweloff,Iimmediatelynoticedandcommented,"It'sstilldamp."

"Ofcourseitsdamp,ittakeslongerthenaglassturnforhairlikeyourstodry."Shethenbegantorunherfingersthroughitasshewentintoteachermode,"Afterwashingyourhair,orwhenyougetup,you


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shouldrunyourfingersthroughittomakesurethereisnoknots.Itisnotfunwhenyoucatchaknotwithacomborbrush.Speakingofwhich,doyouhaveacombandbrush?

"IthinkIhaveacombinmychestinthebachelor'squarter,Ma'am.ThoughIusuallyjustuseoneatthebathhouse."

"Hummph,wellthatwon'tdo,Iwillhavetotakeasetoutofthesupplies,weusuallyhavesomeonhandtotradetotheNortherntribes..Everygirlshouldhaveherowncombandbrush."

AdmittedlyIwaslessreadytotakethegirlstufffromMarythentheMistress,butthiswasthemostpolitethatMaryhadevertreatedme.SheseemedtohaveenteredamodeIlearnedwasherlady'smaidmode,whichmeantthatshehaddecidedtopigeonholemeinasaladyinhercharge.Ack!Actuallynowbetterknowledge,itlikelywouldbemoreappropriatetosaythatsheappointedherselfmygovernesswhichmeantthatshelikelysawmeaslessasaladyandmoreasagirl,oramaiden.DoubleAck!Stillatthetimeitwasnaturaltoflowintoaroleoffollowingherorders."WhatshouldIdonowMa'am,shouldn'tIbrushmyhair?"

"Noitsbestthatweletitfinishdryingbeforebrushing.WhenIgotogetyourthingsofftheline,Iwillstopandpickupabrushandcomb

foryou,thenyoucanbrushit.Nowstandup,Ineedtotakesomemeasurements,LadyElladoowasrightinthatnobody'sclotheswillfityouproperlysowewillhavetomakesomeforyou."

SomewhathesitantlyIstoodandunwrappedmyselffromtheblanketforherinspection.Whenshesawmeintheshiftherfaceflowedintoafrownofdisapproval."Nowthatreallywon'tdo,thatshiftismuchtoshortonyou.Wewilldefinitelyhavetomakeyouyourown,letmegetmytapeforsomemeasurements."

Shemeasuredmefrommyshoulderstothemiddleofmyshins,thelengthandaroundmyarms,andfinallyaroundmytorsoinafewdifferentplaces.Notingthemeasurementsdownshestated,"Ok,Ishouldbeable

tomakesomethingworktoday,buttomorrowwewillhavetolookintomakingyousomeofyourownclothes.IwillcheckwithNanandseeifsheandhergirlcanfityouin."

Nothavinganythingtoaddtothisone-personconversationIstoodtheremutelyonlypartiallylisteningtohermuttering.Insteadmythoughtsweredrawnoncemoretotheneedforamirror,theneedtoseemyself.ItwashardnottobelievethattherewasamirrorsomewhereintheElladoo'squarters,allitrequiredwasformmetoworkupsomecouragetoask,"ExcusemeMa'am,isthereamirrorIcanuse?IwanttoseewhatIlooklike."

"Youmeanyouhaven'tseenyourselfyet?ItwouldbethefirstthingI

wouldaskforifIwentthroughachangelikeyouhave."

Shrugginginresponse,Ireplied,"Weweresobusywithothermoreimportantthing,plusIamkindofscaredofwhatIwillsee."

"Idon'tknowwhy,youreallyturnedoutratherwell.StillIsupposeyoushouldseeyourself,IwillgettheMistress'mirror."Sointothenextroomshewent,Iwasgettingabitcuriouswiththatnextroom,butnotascuriousasIwasaboutmyself.Whenshereturned,shelostsomeofthenicepointsshehadearnedwhensheblurted,"Nowyouaren't


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goingtofeintoranythingwhenyouseeyourself,areyou?Iwouldn'twantyoutobreakthemirror,itisveryexpensive."

Thatwasreadilyapparentbylookingatit,theframeappearedtobedoneinsilver.StilltherewasnowayIwouldfeintanddropit,andtoldherso.Notfullytakingmeatmywordshemademegetbackinthechairbeforeshehandedthemirrortome.Whenshedid,sheregainedmanyofthosenicepointsbackwiththekindnessinhervoicewhenshesaid,"Heredear,whydon'tyougettoknowyourself."

Andthereshewas.Ittooksometimetoconvincemyselfthatactually,thereIwas.Ashadbeenimplied,wellactuallystated,multipletimesIwasquitepretty.ButtherewasnothingofDrakeleftinmyappearance.ThereflectioninthemirrorwasnotafemaleDrake,itdidnotlooklikeeitherofmysisters,infactitdidnotlooklikeanybodyIknew.Aswithmyhairandskin,myfacecontinuedthethemeofpale,thoughitwasnotanunhealthypale.Myeyes,seeminglargeandround,werecolouredalightgrey,almostsmokish.Abovemyeyes,werethinlyarchedeyebrows,whosecolourmadethemhardlyvisible.Mylipsalsofitthethemebybeingapalerosethoughtheyhidbright,whiteteeththatwereasperfectasanyIhadseen.Outsideofpale,theothercontinuedthemewasthefinebonestructure.Anarrow,petitefacewithhighcheekbones,asmallupturnednoseandasomewhatpointedchin.Allofitframedbyagreatmassoftowhair.

Itwasarefinedface,notcoarselikemyprevious,peasantface.Anditwascompletelyunrecognizable.Ifoundmyselfjuststaringintothemirror,tryingtorecognizesomethingofmyselfinthemirror.Whenthatfailed,itwastimetotrytogettoknowmynewfacemakingmeoblivioustotherestoftheworld,sothatIdidnotnoticewhenMarylefttheroom.HowlongdidIstareintothemirror?Whoknows,butbasedonhowmuchmyhairhaddried,itmusthavebeenanextendedperiodoftime.ActuallyitwasnotuntilMary'sreturnthatmyinspectionended,butbythattimethenewmehadalmostbeenburnedintomythoughts.

UponreturningMaryapproachedme,heldoutherhandandsaid,"Handthe

mirroroverDrake,Ithinkthat'senoughvanityfor

adventures of a merchant 1 - a start by arcie emm

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