The Scrivener's Tale #1

ELEVEN

Cassien was seated in a chair while an old woman with few teeth was sucking her lips and lathering up his face with a huge soft bristle brush and gritty soap.
‘Widow Nance is the local herbwoman. She makes up floral charms,’ Ham explained. ‘She’s very busy at the moment.’
‘Is there a feast day?’ Cassien wondered aloud as she slopped on still more lather.
‘Be still,’ Nance warned, reaching for a lethal-looking blade.
Her fingers trembled as the blade approached and Cassien baulked.
Ham laughed. ‘Don’t, Nance. He’s new to these parts.’
She cackled, enjoying her joke. ‘I can clean up your chin blindfolded with one arm tied behind my back,’ she said, slapping Cassien’s shoulder. ‘Now be still, handsome, and let me get this done.’
‘It’s blood month,’ Ham continued. ‘Widow Nance is doing up orders of special red wreaths and posies to hang in all the houses for luck, and especially for food, through the long winter ahead.’
Nance had already trimmed his hair so he no longer looked shaggy and now he could feel the satisfying scrape of the blade over his jaw. Ham had done well to bring him to this place for she was not even vaguely curious about him or his weapons. Soon she was pressing a steaming towel to his face and telling him he was done.
‘Well, Ham,’ she grunted at the boy nearby. ‘You’ve brought me a welcome one this time. Very tasty, indeed. I’m sure the girls at the brothel will fight over you,’ she said, grinning at Cassien. As he opened his mouth, she waved a hand. ‘And don’t deny it either. All you young bucks head straight there. Although those girls charge a pretty penny now for something you can get right here.’ She began to lift her skirts and Cassien leapt from the chair as if stung.
‘No, Widow Nance!’ he all but begged, and this won a guffaw from Hamelyn and a huge wheeze of a laugh from the old girl.
‘I used to be a beauty when I was your age — you’d have accepted me then — but the years have punished me.’ She laughed again at his anxious expression. ‘Touchy, isn’t he? No sense of humour, Ham. You’d better find him one if he’s to survive in this town.’
‘I won’t be staying long,’ Cassien assured.
‘Then you should take your chances when you can, because I don’t make the offer lightly,’ she said, again beginning to lift her skirts.
He grinned this time, didn’t shrink back and of course she only pulled them high enough to reveal wrinkled knees.
‘Now there you are; you learn fast and you’re even more likely to win a kiss when you smile like that,’ she said. Then switching topics rapidly she poked Cassien in the chest. ‘Ham’s a good boy. Don’t you take liberties with him or you’ll answer to me.’
Cassien pressed a silver coin into her crooked fingers, gnarled by the bone-ache, and surprised her again by leaning down and planting a kiss on her hollow cheek. ‘Thank you.’ Beneath his lips her skin felt leathery but she giggled like a young girl.
‘Go on with you, stranger, flirting with an old woman like me.’ She gave a tutting sound to match her arch expression.
Cassien smiled wider and rubbed his naked chin. ‘You give a good shave, Nance.’
‘Don’t you forget it. Now go find yourself a young plaything to help you forget the world for a bit. I feel only a gloom in my waters.’
Cassien glanced up from tying on his cloak. ‘Oh? Why gloom?’
‘Widow Nance has visions now and then,’ Ham explained hurriedly. ‘Pay no attention.’
‘Ignore me at your peril, young man.’ She shook a crooked finger at Ham. ‘Who warned the village folk in the surrounding hamlets that the mouth rot was coming to their cows?’
‘You did, Nance,’ he said obediently.
She nodded. ‘I saw the death of our king … Shar grant him peace,’ she said, touching her hand to her forehead in respect at naming the god. ‘It was a shock for the whole realm, the empire even … but not to me. I saw it in my dreams. And now we have a slip of a girl on the throne.’
‘Have you seen her?’
His two companions shook their heads.
‘Her sister’s very beautiful, though,’ Ham said, eyes widening in memory. ‘She visited Orkyld last summer on official royal business. Golden … like an angel, she was,’ he recalled in a dreamy voice.
‘And a heart like ice, child.’
‘What makes you say that, Nance?’ Cassien asked.
She gave a shiver. ‘Oh, I don’t know. She has enough beauty for several girls but there was something very cold about her.’
‘You spoke about sensing gloom, though.’
She nodded. ‘I did. As I say, just a feeling in my water.’
Ham gurgled a laugh.
‘He makes fun of me, silly boy. He’ll find out soon enough. Watch yourself, Ham. Stick close to this one. He looks like he can handle a blade well.’
But Cassien didn’t want to let it go; he knew Fynch wouldn’t. ‘What’s coming, Nance?’
She blinked in surprise. ‘No-one ever wants to know what I think. Why should you?’
‘Because I trust instincts. They can serve us well. They’ve been around a lot longer than religion.’
‘Ooh, you heathen,’ she said, touching both hands to her ears.
Cassien couldn’t help but like the quirky old woman. ‘I’m not heathen; I simply believe we should all trust what we see and hear, what we can touch, taste … and especially what we feel.’
She gave him a toothless grin. ‘I do too, but most don’t set much store by what those of us who are touched by Shar can sense.’
He flipped her another coin. ‘Tell me.’
‘I don’t take payment for my visions.’
‘It’s not for your visions. I’d like to buy a posy of dried flowers.’
‘Then take your pick from those behind you there. As for my instincts, they’re telling me a bad wind is going to blow through Morgravia.’
‘More of the devil’s work?’ he asked cryptically, sensing that she preferred to talk indirectly when it came to her visions.
‘Perhaps,’ she said, glancing at the boy. Her tone said he’d guessed right.
‘I’ll see you outside, Ham,’ he said and the youngster readily obeyed, lifting a hand in farewell to Nance.
‘You’re a good boy, Ham. Come visit me again soon.’
She returned her attention to Cassien. ‘The boy and I have an understanding. We’re both touched lightly by something, and so I suppose you could call us kindred souls. But who are you?’
‘Someone who doesn’t fear the devil,’ he said, without hesitating.
Her gaze narrowed as she regarded him.
‘Where will this dark wind blow?’ he asked.
She shook her head. ‘Pearlis, I think, though I see nothing specific pointing there, other than that the dragon has awoken and the cathedral stirs from its sleep.’
Nance was becoming more cryptic by the moment.
‘The dragon?’
‘Beast of royals. The king.’
‘Why has the dragon woken?’
‘He knows what’s coming. He will warn whomever he can,’ she said, her gaze unfocused.
‘Is the throne in jeopardy?’ he asked, astonished that she was in a similar mindset to Fynch.
She shook her head. ‘I can’t tell. But if the dragon is involved …’ Her words trailed off.
Cassien frowned. ‘What do you mean about the cathedral?’
‘The beasts awake,’ she said tonelessly, her gaze drifting faraway. ‘They sense the danger. An ancient danger. A cunning one. They’ve seen this magic before — the magic that defies death.’ She snapped back her attention to him and she was alert again. ‘Forgive me, I … I forget myself sometimes.’
‘Nothing to forgive.’
‘Don’t speak of this to the boy … to anyone. Keep him safe.’
‘I promise I will. And I have no-one to speak to about what you’ve told me anyway. I walk alone.’
She nodded. ‘Yes, you’re him but you’re not alone.’
He stared at her. ‘Him? Who am I?’
‘One of few.’
‘I told you, I walk alone.’
‘Nevertheless.’
‘I don’t understand.’
She smiled. ‘The dragon has spoken to you.’
In that heartbeat, he thought he saw Romaine reflected in the glass of Nance’s tiny window. He blinked and the notion was gone but he was left with a fresh gust of worry for Fynch. ‘You’re speaking in riddles, Nance.’
The old girl shrugged. ‘I told you, no-one pays me any attention. You shouldn’t either.’
He frowned deeper, could see she’d shut down in her mind and would give him no more. ‘Thank you for telling me.’
She nodded, turned away, looking suddenly fatigued. ‘Don’t forget your posy,’ she said over her shoulder.
He took the nearest one, a tiny heart wreath made of twisted twigs and a few leaves intertwined with red rose hips. He liked its simplicity. It reminded him of the forest and its pristine white wildwood rose.
Emerging from Nance’s tiny shop he found Ham kicking his heels in the dust.
‘Ready for the inn?’ Ham asked. ‘Innkeeper told me she said not to be late.’
‘I’m ready. Ham?’
The boy turned back.
‘Who is Nance? I mean, what’s her background?’
‘She told me once, said it was not something she shared with others … that I was special.’
‘Will you tell me? It’s important,’ Cassien said.
Ham’s forehead creased in concern as he considered the request. He nodded once his decision was made. ‘She was a nun, but she fell from grace because she loved a man, had a child with him. The man and the child died soon after its birth. I don’t know the details but she said to me that it was her punishment. Shar was making her live her penance, rather than perform it through prayer or good deed.’
‘She obviously likes you.’
‘She likes few people and she’s not terribly popular anyway because she used to share her visions. They were always bleak, so the townsfolk hated it and shunned her. Now she keeps them to herself and shares them only now and then. She was right about the livestock and the king. I don’t know how much else she sees. I’m surprised she was so open with you. Maybe she saw something in you.’
‘Like she saw something in you, you mean?’ he asked carefully.
Ham squirmed. ‘She says I’m touched.’
‘By what?’
‘She’s never said,’ he replied with a shrug. ‘She did tell me that she came to Orkyld because it cleaved to the old ways, accepted magic.’
‘Perhaps people who are more in tune with the spiritual world come here because of it.’
‘I was born here,’ Ham admitted. ‘I had no choice.’
Perhaps your parents did, Cassien thought, but kept that to himself. ‘Come on then, to the Yew Inn we go.’
‘Will your guest be staying the … er, night?’
‘No. Are you happy to wait downstairs for me?’
Ham scratched his head. ‘Am I now travelling with you?’ Cassien stopped. ‘I mean, are you employing me to be at your side at all times?’
He smiled. ‘Yes, I am. Are you comfortable with that?’
‘I’m leaving the orphanage?’
‘Do you want to think about it?’
Ham shook his head. ‘No!’ he said vehemently, startling Cassien. ‘I want to travel with you, wherever you go.’
Cassien grinned. ‘Right, then. Get yourself some food. Let Innkeeper Erris know you have my permission to put it on my tab. There’s a second cot in my room, anyway. I’ll pay for the use of it. Here’s some coin for you. You should not be without.’
Ham looked at the money as though Cassien had just placed several gold sovereigns in his palm.
‘Be my ears and eyes when I’m not around,’ Cassien said, his tone grave. ‘Tomorrow we go to Wevyr’s.’ He was intrigued to see the boy squirm. ‘Now, we need to hide my weapons. Any thoughts?’ He wondered if Ham would be curious as to why. If he was, he didn’t show it.
‘Wait here,’ the boy said and ducked into a nearby stable, returning shortly with a sack. ‘Put your blades in here. I’ll keep them hidden until you need them. I know the stableboy and checked. That stable is going to be empty for the next two nights on the orders of one of the nobles, whose unfriendly horse is usually stabled there. He’s away but pays for that stall to be kept free — it’s the end stall. I can hide them under the hay. I can even sleep there if you want.’ He shrugged. ‘I’m used to it.’
‘No need for that.’ Cassien frowned. ‘You’re sure you can keep them safe?’
Ham nodded solemnly. ‘My friend Joch can be trusted.’
As they entered there was no immediate sign of the innkeeper, although the inn itself was filling fast and the sounds dragged him back to his early childhood. He’d forgotten how loud men drinking could be. Sporadic bursts of raucous laughter permeated a convivial atmosphere of talk and the clank of pewter mugs. At trestle tables around the room a few people were already eating and the fire at one end burned steadily. Hanging softly overhead was a thin cloud of smoke drifting from the clay pipes of a few of the older men, who sat closest to the fire, chewing the cud of winters past, no doubt.
‘Will you be all right?’ Cassien asked.
‘I’ll eat in the kitchen. I know some of the girls,’ Ham said.
Cassien grinned. ‘Is there anyone you don’t know in this town, Ham?’ he said, as he moved toward the back stairs. ‘I’ll see you shortly.’
‘Have fun,’ Ham said, and Cassien raised an eyebrow as Ham hastily departed.
‘Ah, there you are, sir,’ Erris said, arriving from the kitchens and hurrying along three serving girls. ‘Those are for the merchants from Briavel.’ The first girl nodded and the others pushed past. ‘Tell them the ale is with my compliments,’ he called after them, returning his gaze to Cassien. ‘Your visitor was shown upstairs not long ago.’
Cassien climbed the stairs thinking on the ugly task ahead. If he could depend on her silence he would, but he doubted any whore could be entirely relied upon. He would kill her if he had to. He opened the door quietly, fully expecting to find her rummaging through the room to see if he’d hidden anything beneath loose floorboards or behind the sparse furniture. Instead he found her sitting by a window, her cloak tied around her throat. There was something still about her that immediately captivated him. She cocked her head to one side and regarded him closely.
He might have smiled, if not for feeling suddenly and intensely annoyed. ‘I am Cassien,’ he said evenly.
‘Yes, I presumed that.’ Her voice was slightly raspy in a pleasant way.
‘You’re not Penely, are you?’
She blinked, disconcerted. ‘I was told to come here by Innkeeper Erris. I am Penely.’
‘You’re lying. Please leave.’
‘What?’ She stood abruptly in a fluid motion and he noticed she was taller than he had first thought, and far slimmer than he’d imagined after gazing at the small window of flesh she’d exposed just beneath the tie of her cloak.
Cassien motioned to the door. ‘I said leave.’
‘I’ve given up several —’
He threw her a crown and then a second, which she caught deftly, but also with defiance. ‘More than payment for your time. You don’t even have to go back to your brothel sore.’
She scowled at him. ‘You don’t have the manners to go with those looks.’ She stepped lightly across the room. ‘You missed a good —’
‘I don’t think so,’ he cut in, not meaning it for a moment, but his scornful smile made her bristle.
She pushed past him to the door and Cassien took her arm. The woman hissed, shrank back, clearly afraid of being assaulted. He pulled her closer. ‘Tell the real Penely I still want to meet her and that if she doesn’t come willingly, I will hunt her. And the next time she wants to send a friend, she should colour her friend’s hair with fracca nut. The beetroot and cherlot mix looks far too unnatural. Give her this,’ he said, handing out another crown. ‘She’s safe,’ he lied. ‘I will only hurt her if she doesn’t come willingly.’
‘What do you want with her?’ she hissed, clearly giving up on the disguise.
The skin tightened around his mouth. ‘I have a question. She knew a friend of mine. I also want to know why she’s so afraid that she sent you instead.’
He could smell her perfume. It was surprisingly light and subtle. This woman smelled like the fresh grass that he rolled around in when playing with Romaine. Her fragrance distracted him. He blinked.
The woman shook off his grip easily enough. ‘I’m her sister. And she’s frightened.’
‘Of what?’
‘Strangers like you, with more money than they should have and throwing it around in her name.’
‘She’s a whore,’ he said, stung with surprise at the accusation. ‘How else does she get business?’
The woman prodded him in the chest for the second time that evening. ‘She may earn her living by servicing men’s needs, but that doesn’t give you any right to look down upon her or any of us. Does she bleed? Yes, like any other. Does she have feelings? Yes, just like you. Does she dream? Of course, and it’s not about keeping the likes of you happy. She knows nothing about anyone.’
‘Do you know every man she’s pleasured?’
‘Near enough. I told you, I’m her sister, and none of her clients should interest you.’
‘Let me decide that. I’m warning you, I can find her anywhere.’
‘I’m sure you can, but I’ll kill you before you lay a finger on her, stranger.’
Their faces were close together and her teeth were almost bared … and there was that stillness again. She reminded him of Romaine in a woman’s form.
‘What’s your name?’ he asked.
‘Vivienne,’ she said curtly.
‘Sit, Vivienne. I’ve paid for your time. I demand what I’ve paid for.’
She flung one of the coins at his feet. ‘And only my time. Touch me again and I’ll scream.’
‘I’m sure you will,’ he replied. Then added, ‘Be assured I have no intention of laying a finger on you.’ He said it in a scornful manner, so Vivienne could be left in no doubt that he found her not in the least bit attractive. Cassien decided then and there that he was fast becoming a superior liar.
She looked down the length of his body. ‘It’s not your finger I’m worried about,’ she said, the sarcasm biting.
Cassien stepped away, clearing his throat. Damn her! It had been too long. ‘If you sit over there by the window again, then even my massive need can’t reach you.’
She laughed, in spite of her mood, and returned to her seat. She said nothing, watching him remove his cloak, but he could tell he was making an impression on her, and it wasn’t making her feel any safer. He sat down, placing the cloak in his lap for modesty.
‘How is it that you and your sister are prostitutes?’
‘How is it you’re such a nosy prick?’
He gave a soft snort of exasperation. ‘I’m trying to set you at your ease.’
‘It’s not working. What do you want with us?’
‘Are you older than her?’
‘Younger.’ He was surprised. She seemed to know his next question. ‘Penely can wrap most men around her little finger but she needs to be treated like a princess. She’s just not …’ Vivienne thought about this for a few moments. ‘She’s just not tough enough here,’ she said, pointing to her head, ‘for when anyone treats her badly.’
‘Isn’t she in the wrong line of work if she’s that fragile?’
‘I can assure you, Penely probably makes more money than most of us girls put together. As I told you, she’s exceptionally talented at her work and that means she’s the most popular prostitute in the region. She can pick and choose her customers. She chooses not to meet with you.’
‘So she sends her little sister?’
‘I offered. I am not scared of you.’
‘So I see. Vivienne, do you remember a man by the name of Zeek?’
She shook her head.
‘Your sister spent a somewhat debauched night with him a few moons back. He was a tailor.’
‘Yes, I do remember him now. I didn’t know his name. I do recall him but only because he gave her a beautiful shawl of his own design.’
‘Well, Zeek is now dead.’
Her poise crumbled slightly. ‘Of what?’
‘Of murder.’
‘Shar’s wrath! Why?’
‘That’s what I’m trying to establish. He died in my arms. He told me he’d recently been with your sister. I want to know what he told Penely.’
Vivienne untied her cloak, slipping it back over her shoulders to reveal wide shoulders tapering to a slim waist beneath large, full breasts. Vivienne’s skin was like honeyed milk, smooth and unblemished, but right now her hand was clamped to her throat in anxiety.
She turned back. ‘Master Cassien, I can assure you my sister knows nothing about murder. Men talk all the time between the sheets. And girls in our business let it wash right over us like water. They’re usually bleating about their wives or their money woes. They all want their mothers! No, not like that,’ she hastily assured him. ‘They just want to be held for a few hours by someone who won’t judge them, someone who likes them in spite of themselves. I’m sure Zeek was like all the others. I seem to remember now that she told me he was desperately drunk, mostly talking nonsense.’
‘If she knows nothing, why is she scared to meet me?
She shrugged again, looked genuinely bewildered. ‘I probably remember more about their conversation than my sister does. Penely takes the “smoke”.’
‘The smoke?’
Her expression turned slightly bemused. ‘Where are you from?’
‘Here and there.’
‘But obviously not here. And by here I mean Morgravia, or even Briavel. Shar, even the Razor people know about smoking the embers.’
Cassien cleared his throat lightly. ‘I’ve been away for a long time.’
She regarded him intently before she sighed softly. ‘The embers of the lugara. Do you know it?’
He wracked his mind. Was sure it was a bark or plant. She didn’t wait. ‘It was brought in from the east, I think. Ever since we opened up all these new trading routes we are seeing spices, plants, fabrics, even foods we’ve never known before. Lugara is a leaf. It takes the pain away.’
‘Is your sister injured?’
She gave a low laugh and it sounded kind to him. ‘No, she is healthy enough, I suppose. The smoke takes away thoughts … the present you could say. Penely needs escape and the lugara delivers that. Some people have beggared themselves in pursuit of it. But you, clearly, are in no fear of it.’
‘No,’ he replied, once again reminded of his sheltered former existence. ‘Tell me what she said to you of that time with Zeek. Please, Vivienne, it’s important.’
‘It was all silly girls’ talk — nothing relevant, other than a remark she made about some special blades he’d had to commission for a client, but that’s it.’ She flicked a glance at his hip and he was glad he’d taken the precaution of hiding the weapons. ‘The man was very drunk, I recall,’ Vivienne continued, ‘and Penely was the only one of us who could be bothered with him. He paid very well and lavished her with food and that gift. As I say, I never knew his name until you mentioned it. She called him the tailor.’
Cassien closed his eyes.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Who else did she mention this to?’
‘All of us. It was in the common room. She was laughing about Zeek, showing off his shawl.’
Now Cassien held his head. He’d have to kill them all. ‘There was nothing else,’ she claimed, her frustration escalating again. ‘She’s never mentioned him again. Why is this so important?’
‘It’s not. I’m trying to find the clue to his killer,’ he lied.
Vivienne stood. ‘Leave her alone … please. She’s —’ The woman shook her head. ‘Just leave her.’
‘She’s what?’
‘She’s dying!’ She began to weep and her voice shook. ‘The smoke is killing her. It’s all she does now — smoke and pleasure men. One feeds the other. Some even pay her with the lugara. It’s sickening!’
He took a breath. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘No you’re not. You don’t even know her. Like everyone else, you wanted something from her. Well, she’s got nothing more to give. Leave her alone. Let her be in peace.’
‘How long?’ he asked, his tone cool.
Vivienne snatched away a tear. ‘I don’t know. The physic says no more than a moon. So don’t worry, the leaf has done what you came here to do. You can leave with your hands free of her blood.’
Faster than she could react, Cassien leapt up and in a stride had her in his grip. But Vivienne showed no emotion this time. She stood limply beneath his close fist. ‘It’s what you intended, isn’t it?’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘You’re a killer, for sure. I see no weapons but I’m not fooled. Other men would have been happy to have me but you’re so obsessed with what you need to discover that you can move past the desire I see in your eyes, trembling through your body. Either you’re being paid to do this or you are frightened enough to want to silence my sister. What does she know, you’re wondering? You probably killed Zeek.’
‘Perhaps I should kill you?’
Her grey gaze looked at him with contempt. ‘Well, I can’t defend myself, but I have taken some steps for protection.’
He waited.
‘Very soon men will come to this door. In fact, they’re already lining the stairs and they’re outside, if you’d like to check.’
He pushed her away and strode to the window; right enough there were four men looking up at him.
‘There’s no way out. So if you kill me, they will kill you and the boy you arrived with.’ His eyes widened. ‘And the woman you visited before you came here. Widow Nance, wasn’t it? I may look defenceless, Master Figaret, but no man’s strength is a match for a woman’s cunning. I am very well liked in this town, and if I am very well liked then Penely is worshipped. It wasn’t hard to conscript men to offer me protection while I had this appointment to keep. Now, I think all of us would judge you’ve had long enough with me for your carnal gratification. They await my safe emergence from your room because I told them I was scared of you.’
He looked down, knowing he had been outsmarted.
‘The boy Ham will already be in the hands of the men.’
His eyes snapped up to meet hers. ‘You’d better not hurt the child.’
‘Who is Hamelyn to you?’
‘A friend.’
‘What sort of friend? We’re wary of strangers who befriend our children.’
‘Hamelyn has nothing to fear from me. I have hired his services, that’s all.’
‘What are you afraid of?’ she demanded.
He looked at her with surprise. ‘Me?’
She nodded. ‘You came to kill my sister, all right, I have no doubt of that. I know you’re probably the one Zeek had the weapons made for.’
A fist hammered on the door. ‘Vivienne?’
‘Yes,’ she called and moved back from Cassien, out of arm’s reach. ‘Don’t try anything,’ she warned. ‘Come in, Murdo.’
Cassien sagged inside.
A huge man stepped in and leered at him. ‘Evening, stranger,’ he said in a mocking tone. He looked at her. ‘You all right?’
She nodded. ‘Thanks, Murdo. Ham will keep him co-Opérative.’
‘What about Nance?’
She shook her head. ‘The boy is enough.’
Murdo turned and growled a few low words to the person who was obviously on the other side of the door.
Vivienne returned her attention to Cassien. ‘I’m not in the habit of hurting children. I had to be sure. He will be safe, but you will be going with Murdo and his men.’
‘I’ve heard you’ve got a blade by Wevyr.’ Cassien sighed. ‘I’ve always wanted some of Wevyr’s weapons,’ Murdo baited.
‘If I do you’ll have to find it first and if you find it, you’ll have to win it,’ Cassien said calmly.
Murdo laughed. ‘And you look like you’re in a position to bargain, stranger.’
‘Kill the boy, kill Nance, but I can assure you, I can kill Vivienne with a single fist to her face before she can take another step in this room. And if you value her services and she values her life, then you’ll agree to a fair fight. You need not threaten a child or an old woman in order to get to me. I will come willingly but I will not willingly give you my weapon. And every man has a right to fight for what belongs to him. A true man of the Razors would believe that.’
It was said quietly but Murdo appeared stung, as if his manhood had been questioned. He looked at Vivienne and she nodded.
‘We’ll take him from here, Vivienne. You and your sister should be ready for us later. Once we’ve softened him up, we’ll come looking for your pleasuring.’
Vivienne threw Cassien a look and he wasn’t sure if there was an element of apology in it. ‘I just want you to leave Penely alone. She knows nothing of what you seek.’
Curiously, for all her cunning he trusted Vivienne. Nothing Loup had taught him could prepare him for a woman’s wiles. And now she looked sorry for dragging Murdo into their midst.
‘Please assure your sister she is safe. I have nothing further to say to her.’
Innkeeper Erris had arrived. ‘What is going on here? Vivienne?’
‘We were just leaving, Erris,’ she said hurriedly.
‘Well, begone all of you. I want no scenes or fights in my inn. We run a safe house here. Murdo, you know how I feel about you and your braves picking on my customers. I won’t have you or your louts coming into my kitchen. You know where I drew that line last time you were down from the mountains.’ He waggled a finger. ‘And you’ve grabbed Hamelyn and terrified my girls.’ He shooed at them. ‘Come on, out! All of you. Master Cassien, I’m sorry that goes for you too. I know you’ve paid. I’ll return your coin.’ He threw some money onto the bed. ‘I can’t have this going on or word will get around that I don’t have control of my own inn. Take it all outside the Yew and sort out your differences.’
‘After you,’ Murdo said mockingly to Cassien.
They filed down the stairs. Hamelyn, waiting below, looked at Cassien with wide, frightened eyes. Before he could speak, Cassien did.
‘Hide. You know where.’
‘What about —’
‘Do you hear?’ Cassien insisted, his tone angry now.
Hamelyn nodded, pushed past and whispered only for Cassien’s hearing. ‘He is the son of the Razor king, Metheven.’
‘Go,’ he said. Then he looked at Murdo. ‘Lead on.’
They left by a back door that Erris herded them through. Once outside, Murdo shoved Cassien. ‘Follow my men. We’re going to use one of those outhouses,’ he said, pointing his huge jaw in its direction, not far from the inn.
Vivienne laid her hand on the mountain man’s enormous arm. ‘Murdo, why don’t you come to the brothel now? I have no other customers at the moment. And surely we are done here. I’m not worried about him anymore.’
Murdo shook off her hand. ‘Go and wait for me, woman! I want to show this fellow that he shouldn’t sneer at Razor men. He might be used to fancy weapons but I’ll make him use an honest blade made in the forges of the mountains. But later I’ll use my fancy weapon on you,’ he promised, and grabbed at her breasts.
She nimbly stepped back and slapped at his hand.
‘I have no intention of using any blade against you, Murdo,’ Cassien said, irritated by the man’s attitude to Vivienne. ‘In fact, I have no intention of striking you.’
‘What?’
‘You heard.’
‘Then I shall beat you to a pulp and your fear of me will not stop me striking you.’
Cassien simply smiled. He stole a glance at Vivienne and was surprised to see her staring at him, worried.
Murdo shoved her as he strode past. ‘Go bathe for me.’
‘Why? You don’t bathe for me,’ she snapped from behind him.
He swung around and looked confused to see Cassien standing between them.
‘Don’t touch her like that,’ Cassien said evenly.
‘I pay so I can do what I like,’ Murdo snarled.
‘Right now, Murdo, she’s on my time. Isn’t that right, Vivienne?’ He turned to her.
‘Yes,’ she replied and cut him a look that was half amusement, half gratitude.
‘I did say one night, didn’t I?’ Cassien added, not looking at her. His attention was focused on Murdo.
The pause felt like an eternity. She jangled some coins behind him.
‘I believe you did. I’d forgotten.’
Murdo looked stunned. ‘You asked us to protect you,’ he roared at her over Cassien’s shoulder.
‘And I paid you! All of you,’ she snapped. ‘The brothel will expect you, but I can’t look after you this evening, Murdo. He has paid,’ she lied.
Cassien had to suppress a grin. A glance at Murdo reminded him this was no laughing matter.
‘When I’m finished with him, Vivienne, he won’t be able to hold his own cock to piss, let alone get it up to f*ck you.’
‘Let me worry about the rise and fall of my cock, Murdo.’
This brought a roar of laughter from the other men and for this they won a glare from their leader. ‘Take him inside,’ he growled to them.