The Scrivener's Tale #1

FOURTEEN

Cassien stood over the prone body of Penely. To all intents and purposes she was dead to the world, but the erratic rise and fall of her chest told him she clung to life.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said.
Vivienne threw a mirthless smile at him. ‘Are you?’
They were in a tiny back room of the brothel. He’d followed Vivienne in and had to run a gauntlet of whistles and pinches from the girls on their shift.
‘Aren’t I good enough?’ one had pouted, sucking her finger.
Another lifted her considerable breasts almost into his face. ‘These will keep you happy all night, my cherub,’ she’d promised.
They were pretty, vivacious women. Vivienne had solid competition. The mistress who ran the brothel had obviously chosen with a discerning eye, and clearly paid her girls well for they looked fed and well kept.
‘I’m with Vivienne,’ he had replied lamely and duly followed her deeper into the brothel, down two small flights of stairs, until he was far enough below ground that he expected it to feel damp. ‘Where are we?’ he’d asked as she turned and placed a finger to her lips.
‘The cellar is where my Penely’s been put. I doubt she’ll emerge from here again.’
And now that he was looking at her sister, he had to agree.
‘Has a physic seen her?’
‘They can’t do anything for her now; she’s too far gone. She’ll die in this state. She’s not going to wake up and wish me farewell or smile that bright smile of hers again. She’ll just slip away, I’ve been told. You can see her breathing is very shallow.’
He nodded, feeling sympathy for Vivienne.
‘How long has she been like this?’
‘A couple of days now. I know you came here to kill her, but you don’t have to. It is done, Cassien.’
Vivienne was right. He had no further reason to remain. Both the tailor and his whore were silenced, and he had to wonder if the killing was necessary. He’d been overly cautious. He should have gone south to Pearlis immediately. Perhaps the rules of the Brotherhood didn’t apply in this instance. Yes, the Brotherhood would clean up all loose ends when working on behalf of the Crown. His task was the Crown. No loose end was not important enough. Had he already failed?
‘I shall go,’ he said.
‘Wait,’ she said. ‘About earlier with Murdo. No-one’s ever fought for my honour before.’
He shrugged. ‘I fought for Hamelyn as much as I fought for you.’ Her nearness in the cramped cellar made him feel self-conscious again. ‘Where is Ham anyway?’
‘He said he had something to fetch.’ She shook her head to say she didn’t know anymore. He guessed it must be his weapons. ‘Where are you going?’
‘What does it matter?’
She shrugged. ‘No-one ever beats Murdo … other men do their best to avoid him or just give him what he wants. But you defied him and you trounced him. But what’s far more unnerving is I watched him burn you and you didn’t make a sound. I don’t understand that — it frightens me. We also have to dress the wound.’
‘I won’t trouble you, Vivienne, I promise. And my wound appeared to be far worse than it is,’ he lied. ‘Just a surface scald.’
Her expression told him she didn’t believe a word of it. ‘Wait,’ she said, touching his arm. ‘Don’t go yet. Stay with me here tonight.’
He looked at her with curiosity. ‘I won’t, but —’
‘No need to explain,’ she said shortly, looking aggrieved. ‘It was just a way to thank you …’ She didn’t finish and her tone was so tight, it made Cassien feel momentarily breathless.
He let out a sigh. ‘I was simply going to say that while I wouldn’t remain here, I would like you to come to the Yew Inn with me.’ He scratched his chin. ‘For what’s left of this night.’
She paused before a small sheepish smile ghosted her mouth. ‘What about Hamelyn?’
‘I’m sure he can stay downstairs. The innkeeper’s kind to him, seems to know him well enough.’ He waited expectantly, watching her. ‘I think when he sees my coin he’ll forgive our earlier disturbance.’
She nodded. ‘I suppose you have paid me for the night.’
‘I have.’ He took her hand, inwardly delighting at the feel of a woman’s skin again. ‘I would prefer you come with me because you want to. There is no obligation. The money I’ve paid is yours without encumbrance.’
Vivienne leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the lips, but the pressure of her breasts against his chest promised so much more. ‘You’re very … polite, aren’t you? I’m not used to that. All right, I will spend the night because I want to,’ she said staring deeply into his eyes. ‘And because you haven’t hurt my sister.’
Later, in his room, after Vivienne had assured the innkeeper that all scores were settled, he allowed her to begin undressing them both. He’d been with women in his youth, but it had been far too long since he’d had such tender attention.
Vivienne watched him with a thoughtful frown creasing her face as she undid her bodice.
‘Let’s have some wine.’ Cassien knew once that bodice of hers was undone he wouldn’t be able to think straight again this evening.
‘Let me get it for you.’ She smiled seductively as her blouse fell fully open and he saw her body properly for the first time. She returned with a goblet of the wine that he’d ordered sent up.
Cassien sipped and groaned, closing his eyes. ‘That’s so delicious.’ How long had it been since he’d tasted wine?
‘Strike me, I haven’t begun yet. Pain first, before pleasure,’ she teased, pulling two small vessels closer. One contained tepid water, laced with vinegar. The other was a tiny pot containing a gluey paste he recognised as the ash of burned cotton emulsified with lavender oil.
He gave a brief laugh. ‘Vivienne, you need to have walked in my boots to know why this wine, a beautiful woman sitting on top of me and this soft pallet is an incredible treat.’
‘Why don’t you tell me about the path you’ve walked in those boots?’ she said, unlacing his breeches. ‘I’m intrigued.’
‘Why?’ he said, sipping again and allowing the fruity wine to roll around his mouth.
‘Well, let’s see. These are fine clothes,’ she remarked, fingering his linen shirt, ‘and you’ve handed out money easily today. I heard you speak of Wevyr weapons — those don’t come cheap.’ She loosened the laces of his shirt. ‘You are hardly without …’ She stopped talking and her mouth remained open as she stared at his bared chest.
Cassien had known this moment was coming. It couldn’t be avoided if he was to live normally among ordinary people. Fynch had asked the old girl who’d helped bathe him in the barrel not to mention it and paid her handsomely for her silence. But with someone like Vivienne — unless he’d insisted on darkening the room — he was never going to escape a confrontation. And every man needed the release that he was about to enjoy. He could wish that her silence was due to the oozing of the burn wound, but he knew he was clutching at clouds.
Embarrassed, he reached to pull his shirt together. Vivienne held his hands away, refusing to let him cover himself.
‘Light!’ she said, her voice trembling. ‘Tell me about that pathway, Cassien. What has been happening to you?’
He covered her hands. ‘This is not something I can speak freely of to anyone.’
A tear escaped down her cheek and she stayed silent as she traced a finger over the marks of old wounds, and even older wounds under them, that crisscrossed his body.
‘Who did this?’ she whispered.
‘Someone I know.’
‘You permitted it?’
He nodded. ‘For all the right reasons.’
‘The right reasons? When can anything this vicious be right? Cassien, this is savage. What kind of person does this to another? What kind of person permits it to be done?’
‘He was not a bad man.’
‘So you asked him to do this to you?’ she said and he could hear the loathing in her voice.
‘No, but I also didn’t have any choice.’
‘He tortured you?’ He nodded. ‘But you didn’t have to let it happen?’
‘Ah,’ he said, feeling trapped. ‘There you have me. Don’t press, Vivienne. Please. I have now left that part of my life behind.’
‘Behind?’ she repeated. ‘Yet here it is. Travelling with you, wherever you go, for the rest of your life. These scars will always be here.’
‘I know this.’
‘It looks painful. This scar goes deep.’
‘Yes, I can remember that one well.’
She pulled away his shirt fully and began to peel off his breeches, gasping louder.
He stopped her. ‘You’re spoiling our time.’
‘I want to cry for you.’
‘No need.’ He put his goblet down, took her arms firmly and in a single movement spun her.
Before she could take a breath, Vivienne found herself pinned beneath Cassien. She looked confused, surprised by the speed at which that movement had occurred, mixed with awe at his strength.
‘Your wound needs tending.’
‘All in good time,’ he said.
She gave him a soft look of exasperation.
‘Now,’ he said, in an ironic tone. ‘There is one part of me which is unblemished, extremely friendly and intently eager to wish you good evening.’
She smiled in spite of herself. ‘You’d better introduce us, then.’
‘Vivienne, it’s my absolute pleasure for you to meet …’
The sound of Vivienne’s gust of laughter filtered down from the room upstairs to where Hamelyn was curled up near the hearth in the parlour, his arms clasped around the sack containing Wevyr’s weapons. In the realm between alertness and semi-consciousness, he smiled as he dreamed of dragon’s blood and a stranger crying out for help.
The following day Vivienne woke to find Cassien sitting on the bed watching her.
She opened her eyes to bare slits. ‘You’re up early,’ she croaked, still tasting the wine on her breath. She peered toward the window. ‘It’s not even slightly light yet.’
‘It will be light in moments.’
‘Still early for me,’ she groaned and dropped her head back onto the bed. ‘How is that weeping burn of yours?’
‘I’ve seen to it. It will be fine.’
‘It must hurt like merry hell.’
‘I dressed it.’
She opened her eyes wider and yawned. ‘Not only is your wound dressed, I see you are as well.’
He grinned, shifted a lock of hair that had fallen across her face. ‘You’re very lovely, Vivienne.’
She shrugged beneath the sheet. ‘So you are leaving?’
‘Yes,’ he said, bluntly, ‘today.’
‘To where?’
He stared at her with an amused look.
‘Is it a secret?’
‘No, but I have a creed of not discussing my life … perhaps you’ve noticed.’
She nodded. ‘I couldn’t sleep for thinking on your scars.’
‘Couldn’t sleep? Really? I thought I might have to leave the room due to your snoring,’ he said, in a surprised mocking tone.
She reached behind her and flung a pillow at him. ‘And you make love like a man who has hungered too long.’
‘Aren’t all men hungry for a woman like you?’ he flattered.
It didn’t work. ‘Cassien, is this a religion of yours?’
‘I asked you not to press,’ he said, his tone instantly low, his expression sombre.
‘You did, but I have to know more.’
‘Why?’
‘Because it’s not normal. Hamelyn said he’s going to be travelling with you. He’s just a lad. We all like him. And …’
‘Ham’s in no danger from me.’
‘Not from you, no, perhaps not. But with you, maybe he is. What are you?’
He wasn’t sure what prompted him to say more, although he was extremely careful. ‘There are times in this world when we can’t always count on praying to our gods to deliver us from situations.’ She frowned. ‘Sometimes we need to count on ourselves … and when the stakes are bigger, to pay others to look out for the common good.’
‘You’re taking care of the common good?’ she repeated, unable to disguise her sarcasm.
‘Let’s just say my role is as a safekeeper.’
She gave him a look of doubt. ‘You were going to kill my sister.’
‘Fortunately for me, the gods are doing it on my behalf.’
‘No, they’re not!’ Vivienne snapped. ‘She’s done that on her own and with the likes of you who pay her so freely for her services.’
He didn’t respond but watched her carefully.
‘What are you afraid of?’ she demanded.
‘An angry woman,’ he said, standing up and straightening his clothes. ‘I must leave.’
Vivienne’s expression became dark and clouded. She covered herself with the sheet and refused to look at him.
‘What do you want from me?’ Cassien asked softly.
‘The truth.’
‘I’ve given it to you as best I can. I don’t owe you anything.’
That stung. He could see the pinch of it in her eyes when she quickly looked away. ‘No, you don’t,’ she said swinging her legs around and to the floor. ‘Maybe you now have to kill me because I know you have secrets. I know you can fight without weapons and still lay Murdo out cold. I know you have a mission, one you are clearly touchy about. Surely I know too much?’
‘Again I ask, what do you want from me, Vivienne?’
She shook her head.
‘Tell me.’
She lifted a shoulder in a slightly sulky manner. He knew she was embarrassed. ‘To know you.’ She stood, reached for her clothes and began to slowly pull them on.
Morning had broken and its brightness had begun to slowly creep into the room; its pinkish light touched her skin and seemed to add a fresh glow to its smooth, supple creaminess. He had enjoyed every moment of her generous lovemaking, knowing their connection was more than simply physical. But he had to remain focused on his role for Fynch.
‘The problem is mine, Cassien,’ she said, turning with a doleful smile. She reached for a clip that he’d pulled from her hair and flung down by the bed at the start of their night’s frolic. He watched her clip up her hair and wondered how lovely she would look once that terrible red dye was washed out.
‘It’s not impossible to imagine we will meet again,’ he said, thinking aloud.
‘I doubt you’ll come back,’ she said sadly. She checked her clothes were straight in the small mirror above the single tiny cabinet in the room.
He tied on his cloak. ‘The room is paid for. So is food, so please take advantage of that. I never think you should start the day on an empty belly.’
‘Or an empty heart,’ she said brightly, turning around to smile at him. There was little warmth in it.
‘I’m sorry that I’ve offended you in some way, Vivienne.’ He took a step forward and knew he surprised her when he kissed her cheek. ‘I hope you will think on me kindly and know that I could never regret that you pretended to be your sister.’
Cassien closed the door behind him and took the stairs two at a time. Hamelyn was waiting for him, sitting in a window not far from the main door, the sack tucked safely behind him.
‘Morning, Master Cassien, sir,’ he said, straightening immediately.
Cassien shot him a look of mild exasperation. ‘Did you sleep all right?’
The boy nodded. ‘They even gave me food to break my fast.’
‘And you’re still going, I see,’ Cassien said, nodding at the pear the boy carried in one hand and the small hunk of cheese in the other.
‘Waste not, want not, we were told in the orphanage,’ Hamelyn grinned and pocketed the food. ‘Where’s Vivienne?’
‘She’ll be down,’ he replied evenly, ‘but we’re on our way.’
‘Oh,’ Hamelyn said, standing, accepting the decision immediately.
‘Master Erris. We’ll be taking our leave now.’
The innkeeper looked up from where he was stacking some flagons of wine. ‘You’re all paid, Master Cassien.’
Cassien nodded. ‘Um, my guest will be down shortly. I hope my coin covers food for her?’
‘Since you haven’t partaken of any, sir, we can call it square.’
‘Good. May I leave a message for her?’
‘Of course, I’ll be glad to pass it on.’ He looked at Cassien expectantly.
‘Er, I thought I might write it down,’ he suggested.
The man grinned. ‘Vivienne can’t read, sir.’
‘Right,’ he said, frowning. ‘In that case, please tell Miss Vivienne that her sister has something to show her.’
The man frowned. ‘I’m not sure I understand that message, Master Cassien.’
Cassien grinned. ‘I’m not sure you’re meant to, Erris. Farewell and thank you for passing that on all the same. Ready, Hamelyn?’
The boy pushed out the door and Cassien followed.
‘To Master Wevyr’s?’ the boy asked softly.
‘Yes, but first I need to return swiftly to the brothel. Do you know the mistress there?’
‘I do.’
‘Why am I not surprised to hear you say that?’ he grinned.
At the brothel and wearing his weapons again he was intrigued to discover that Mistress Pertwee was nothing as he’d imagined; she was enormous, amply filling out a long gown that could have happily swamped two, maybe three of her girls. Her hair was white and dragged up into a tight bun and she had to be at least six decades, perhaps more. And yet she possessed a beatific smile, the sort of smile that made the person standing in front of her beam back. Cassien realised he was doing just that as she welcomed him.
‘Hamelyn, my boy, I haven’t seen you for a while.’
‘Mistress Pertwee, this is Master Cassien … one of your newest clients. He is Vivienne’s customer.’
‘Nicely done, Ham,’ she beamed before turning her bright smile on Cassien. ‘Ah, the handsome fellow who bought our lovely Vivienne for a night. The one who put that nasty Murdo in his place.’
Cassien raised his eyebrows. ‘News travels fast,’ he remarked, bowing gently over her hand, the fingers of which were near enough splayed from the number of thick rings she wore, all sparkling with gems.
She tutted gently. ‘Men must beat their chests,’ she said, her tone amused as she laid one of her ring-encrusted hands against his heart.
‘I prefer to move less … um … obviously, than I have in Orkyld, Mistress Pertwee.’
‘I’m afraid, sir, looking as you do, you are going to attract attention wherever you go. My advice,’ she said, pinching his cheek, as though he were younger than Hamelyn, ‘is to embrace that. Walk proud, walk loud.’ She waggled a finger. ‘You know, sometimes secrets can be kept more easily in public amongst all the noise and colour of open life.’ She tapped her powdered nose. ‘If you get my meaning.’
‘I think I do understand you, mistress,’ he replied, ‘and I will bear your advice in mind. Now I have a favour to ask of you. It will cost you nothing.’
He smiled and told her what he needed.
‘Now to Wevyr’s,’ he said, clapping Hamelyn on the back as they walked down the street.
‘What are you hoping to learn, master … er, I mean Cassien, if I may ask?’
‘I want to know everything about these weapons I carry. There’s a mystery to them and it’s best I understand it.’
‘Are you going to tell him what I saw?’ Hamelyn wondered.
‘You are not in any trouble. Trust me now and don’t worry.’
‘It’s not me that’s worried, Cassien,’ Hamelyn replied. ‘It’s your sword. It’s beginning to moan.’