Mara The Warrior free porn video

Mara The Warrior A Note Before: In the period when Fictionmania was "off the air" I was reading a lot of sword and sorcery fantasy books, including some by Terry Pratchett. So I decided to try my hand at the genre, keeping in mind that I dislike stories that "poof" change the hero into a heroine at the beginning for no logical reason. Prologue: Captain Andrus walked between the cells in the dungeon making sure the three remaining prisoners were securely locked up and also, because he was a good man, that they had been fed and there was water their jugs. He spoke for a while with the corporal on guard and finally easing his collar sat down and accepted a small glass of beer. Looking around the dungeon Andrus shook his head. In the prince's palace the cells were cleaner, the air was better and the prisoners didn't look like caged animals. The Duke's dungeon was a poor place indeed. Andrus was a soldier, not a jailer, but he had been assigned to this duty and was determined to do it well. The Duke of Greenhall had been a fool, Andrus thought. First he tried to take over the neighboring city of Merton then he had challenged Prince Andrew directly. The war had been brief and bloody and now the Duke was dead and so was his son. The Duchess was a prisoner in the Prince's castle and the last significant relative was in cell number two. Andrus cast his eyes over the prisoner. The young man sat on the cot, huddled in the corner with his head resting on his knees. "Corporal?" "Yes sir." "Does he know he is going to be executed?" "Yes sir. The Cirpastion Priest was here this afternoon and they said some prayers about dying." Captain Andrus stood up and looked again at the young man. He was maybe eighteen and lightly built but athletic. "Alan of Greenhall?" The young man looked up, his eyes dull. "Is there something I can do for you?" The prisoner just shook his head and leaned against the stone wall. Captain Andrus spoke a few words to the corporal and headed up the stairs. Unlocking the heavy door that separated the jailers' office from the cells he smiled when noticed that his clerk was napping with his head on the desk. A sound made him turn and he saw a short stout man grinning at him. Andrus reached for his sword, but a cloak was thrown over his head and a wave of pain spread through his body as he felt his opponent's sword slice upward through his stomach. As darkness overtook the redness of pain Captain Andrus wondered if his eldest son was doing well at his new job at the cloth merchants in Arrickport. Then, with his wife's face filling his vision, he slumped to the floor. "OK, Walter. I suspect there will be only one guard downstairs. I've got the captain's keys. Follow me." A thin and ugly man stepped out from the shadows and nodded. The crossbow in his hands glowed dully, reflecting the candle light. The short man opened the door to the dungeon and rattling the keys in his hand descended. Alan of Greenhall slumped against the wall. The priest had explained to him that he was condemned and all that was wanting now was for him to be led to the courtyard and hanged. He was the second cousin of the duke and, when the war came, wanted to fight for him, but instead had been ordered to stay in the city as part of the castle defenses. When the prince's army struck the town it took them all of two hours to breach the castle gates and overrun the small force the duke had left behind. Alan thought about the last day of the war. He was ready to charge to attackers. Slight as he was Alan knew he was one of the best men with the short spear and not bad with a sword. But as he and an older officer ran towards the back gate with a dozen men, they were stopped dead in their tracks. A force of about twenty swordsmen backed by an equal number of archers faced them and when Alan tried to go forward the officer grabbed him. "It's over lad. You and I may be forfeit, but think of the others. If we surrender they may get to see their families again." Alan looked up and stared through the cell bars as the corporal jumped up and tried to reach the bell pull hanging from the wall. A dull "thwock" was followed by a moan and the corporal, a crossbow bolt sticking through his chain mail, slumped to his knees. As Alan stared in shock two men ran in to room. Quickly opening the cells they let out the prisoners. Alan just stood staring at the corporal. For all of his weapon training in the armory and despite the war this was the first man he had seen killed. The thin man grabbed him. "We move now!" Alan was hustled up the stairs. He had to step over the body of the captain and a dark cloak, smelling of blood, was thrown over him. Not saying a word the two men dragged him at a run through back corridors and out a small door. Once out of the castle the three slowed to a walk and keeping to the shadows made their way to a small shop. "This is the cutlerer's shop." "Shut up my lord," said one of the men. He knocked lightly on the door, and when it opened shoved Alan into the shop, pulling the cloak away as he did so. Alan stumbled into the darkness and heard footsteps moving away as the door closed behind him. He looked up to see a fat man in his fifties and a somewhat younger woman staring down at him. Their faces were a mixture of fear, compassion and worry. "Alan of Greenhall, come into the back of the shop. You are free, or as free as you can be, while being hunted by the Prince's men." Chapter 1: At the Bull and Trout The four sat around a table in the back of the shop. Alan had spent the prior evening and all that day in a hidden room off the small courtyard in the back. Twice he had been let out to use the outhouse and once he had heard people pounding around the yard and shouting while they searched the premises. Now he looked at the other three at the table. Across from him sat the fat man of the previous evening. He introduced himself as Sergeant Gill. "But call me Bull, lad. That's what all of my young men called me. Sergeant Bull at your service. Twentythree years in the Duke's castle guard. I saw you when you were just a tot, but you won't remember me." Next to him sat the woman. "Call me Emma. They used to call me Emma Trout, but that was a long time ago." Finally there was the third member of the group. Alan recognized him. "Colonel Marsh. I assumed that you had been killed, Sir." "Not yet Alan, not yet. I do not have much time to talk, though so listen closely. You and I are the two most hunted people in our late Duke's territories; I, because I am the last of the senior officers still at large and you, because you are the last significant male relative of His Lordship." The Colonel stared at the ceiling for a moment. "I will try and sneak out of the city tonight, but I am sure I will be captured. I doubt they will torture me, that is not the Prince's way, but still I cannot know your plans in any detail. Sergeant Gill and his good lady will work that out with you. You must leave the city as soon as you can and make your way to Marle's Hills. The lord of the manor there is a friend of the Duke. I suppose I should say was a friend. Go to the bank in the town and ask for Mr. Sims. I have sent a message to him and he will expect you. I doubt the message has reached him yet, but I have no doubt it will be there within the next two weeks. Explain who you are and he will bring you to his Lordship." The colonel stood up, as did the sergeant. They saluted and Alan quickly stood up and followed the sergeant's example. "Sergeant Gill, you were always the most devious of all my NCOs. Do what you can. Alan, follow the Bull's advice and best of luck to you." When the Colonel had left Sergeant Gill looked at Alan, smiled and gave a chuckle. "The colonel is a smart man. He knows that officers are worthless when it comes to planning anything other than broad strategy. Emma my dear, could we have some wine? Now Alan, any thoughts?" Alan just stared at the sergeant. "Thoughts sir?" "Don't call me sir, lad. I was never an officer. I worked for my living. Sure, thoughts; how do you expect to get out of the city? Or if you have no thoughts at least you should have some questions." "Yes si... sergeant. Who were those men last night?" "Wrong question, lad. The less you know about them the better." Emma came back with a bottle of wine and two glasses. "You and me will share a glass love. That way if we're raided, when you duck back in the hole it will look as just me and my old lover were having a glass together." Alan looked at her for a moment. "Ok, I have a question. Were you a fish monger? I mean 'Emma Trout,' that's an odd name." At that the sergeant began to laugh and Emma flashed him an irritated glance and waited until he had caught his breath. "Tell me Alan," she said, "are you a virgin?" "What? I mean, well, no I'm not." Emma smiled. "Yeah I can guess at it. One of the castle servants, right? Maybe a laundry girl, or the maid who cleaned your room. Ah, well you blush bright enough. Any other experience?" Alan shocked at the personal questions just shook his head. "Good," said Emma. "Stick with your own, I always say. Well, before I retired, and me and the sergeant joined forces to own this shop, I was, shall we say, a lady if the evening, and 'the trout,' let's just say, I had some special skills." Alan felt his ears burning and was sure he was as red as his dark skin and tan would allow. "But that is neither here nor there, love," continued Emma. "I and Bull here loved the Duke for all that he was, an impetuous man who should not have gone to war. So we are going to get you to safety." "Yes and we have a plan. Actually it was Emma who came up with it." "The moment I saw you Alan, I said I've seen that face before, and later that night I turned to Bull and said Masden of Wesh. Didn't I, love?" "Yes she did Alan, and she's right, you look a lot like Masden of Wesh. So tell me lad, how much to know about Wesh." Alan thought for a moment. "Actually I do know bit about the land of Wesh. I mean, they're way up north, and only sort of civilized, and don't answer to the Prince or any other lord. When I was young one of the maids was from Wesh, and she used to tell us stories about the North. We thought her slow speech was funny and I learned to imitate her pretty well. Also our tutor read us some of the myths from there." Alan stopped and frowned. "Who is Madden of Wesh?" "Masden of Wesh," replied Bull. "One of the best and nastiest mercenary types to ever be booted out of this city. Did a lot of caravan protection, some adventuring, and I suspect some theft and murder besides." "And I look like him?" Emma chuckled. "No love, you look like her. Masden was a woman. She died about ten years back during the battle of Lammont. She was a tough one, alright. A little shorter than you and broader, but with your face you could be her son or brother..." "Or sister," interrupted Bull. "That's the point, isn't it, Emma." "Yes, and that Alan, is our plan. In another week or so they will allow the caravans to start moving again. There are a few stuck in the city. When they get ready to move you will present yourself to a friend of ours and hire on as a Wesh mercenary. The Prince's men will be watching the gates carefully, but I doubt they will be looking for a brash barbaric Wesh woman with a sword." "You are asking me to dress as a woman?" "Sure dear and..." "No. We need a different plan. The Book of Cirpasti says clearly, and I can recite it 'All shall be as they appear and no man shall walk forth as a woman and no woman likewise shall take on the aspect of the man. For these are roles appointed at birth and are never changing'." The sergeant leaned across the table and Alan shrunk back seeing for the first time the battle hardened soldier behind the jolly smile. "Listen here Alan of Greenhall, and listen very closely. You are the hope of all of the Duke's followers. You have a job to do, just as I have, or Emma, or the colonel, or any of the rest of us who have not lost faith. Your job is to reach safety, so that we have something to rally around, and a hope to cling to. So just drop the preachy tone and grow up." Emma tried to smooth things out. "Honey, a lot of what we read and pray about has to be diluted in the real world. Anyway it is good that you are a follower of Cirpasti. It means that they are less likely to imagine you dressing in woman's clothing." "I don't think I would fool anyone." "Don't kid yourself Alan," said Emma. "You may have bedded a couple of serving girls who smiled and took your silver coins, but you are no carved statue of manliness. Some clothes, some practice, and you might just make do." Suddenly they heard the shop door creak, and Alan dived into the back and closed the secret door, as Bull poured more wine and Emma went out to see to a customer. "Damn, damn, damn. How am I going get out of this? I do believe in the Book, but they are right. I have a duty to his lordship, or at least his memory. It won't work however, and what did she mean 'not manly'? Ok I don't need to shave, but the maids seemed to like me well enough." Stretched out as best as he could in the secret room Alan turned over the problem again and again, until sleep claimed him and he passed the night undisturbed. Chapter 2: Blades and Bangles "So welcome to the complicated world of the woman." Emma was sitting with Alan in the little courtyard in the back. The shop door was locked with a sign that read "closed" in the window. Bull sat in the back room, ready to delay any intruders. Alan looked at the items strewn over the small table and sighed. "Emma, how am I supposed to persuade anybody that I am a woman? I can pretend all I want, but who will believe me?" "Actually Alan the idea isn't to pretend. You need to believe in yourself and project the image of a woman. Then observers will fill in the gaps. I'm not kidding you, love. Remember how I made my living. A man would walk into my room and depending on the dream he wanted I would be a fine lady, a wanton slut, a scared barmaid, whatever the fool wanted. And trust me Alan, they believed, they really believed and yet I am none of those things." Alan shook his head as Emma started to pick up garments. "Let's start with the basics. Do you know what these are?" "Sure, those are ... oh my, I..." Alan started feeling his face grow hot again. "They don't have any, I mean there is nothing, ahh..." Emma laughed. "You really are a creature of the court and the town. First of all we can't dance around words. Yes, these have no crotch. Most women don't wear full knickers, it's just not convenient. In town there are the privies, but out in the fields or the woods these are the best. If you need to go to the toilet you spread your skirts and squat. Much better. Let's look at the next item." Ala nodded. "Yes, that's for when you have a period." "Correct. You fill the pocket with rags or dried grass, tie the front lace to the front of your knickers and the back lace to the back. In your case, this will give you something to control your rampaging 18 year-old appendage." Emma then held up a long band of cloth, wider in the middle and embroidered with red and black threads. "Now this is a binder. Large breasted women use them to stop their breasts from flopping about; very uncomfortable. You loop it around your chest once and tie it below your breasts in the front." "But Emma. I don't have breasts." "That takes us to our next two items." By the time the courtyard was filled with shadows Alan had held, discussed, and finally put on many items of clothing. Now he was standing, trying to see himself in the hand mirror Emma was holding up. As best as he could make out he looked totally ridiculous. Emma stepped back and looked at him. Neither Bull nor she had found appropriate boots, so Alan stood in sandals with dark brown wool socks reaching his calves. A dark red skirt with a black hem came down over the tops of the socks and a heavy leather belt divided that from the off- white linen blouse. Under the blouse was a binder and beneath that, small linen pockets filled with cotton tree floss gave an impression of small breasts or larger breasts tightly constrained. Around Alan's neck hung a garish necklace with yellow stones, brown wood beads, and what he hoped were animal rather than human bones. "It's a start Alan. Stand up straight and look at me. Well you'll persuade nobody looking like that. Tell me Alan. Remember when you were just starting to notice women and dreaming hot dreams about them. Ahh, I see you do. Try and think of some woman that actually scared you and yet was attractive. What did you see in her face, in the way she stood? What frightened you?" Alan, blushing again, remembered the daughter of a visiting nobleman. What was her name; Yhaira that was it. She must have been 19 and to a 14 year old boy that was old enough to be unapproachable. Even young as he was Alan knew the other women in the court didn't approve of her and the way she smiled was unnerving. She sent out a challenge to any male creature. "That's it," said Emma, breaking into his reverie. "I could see a little of the predator in your face. That's who you have to be. Now let's cut your hair." "What?" "Some of the Wesh women wear their hair short with one braid on the side, with beads strung on it. Either that or they wear their hair very long. You don't have very long hair, so the scissors it is; sit down." That evening, for the first time, Alan ate in the back room with Emma and Bull. Bull made some comments on the clothes, the accent and how Alan carried himself, but primarily they talked about the shop, local politics and when the caravans would start moving. As Allan helped Emma put away the dishes Bull spoke up. "Right, now we need a name. Masden is too obvious. Here's a good Wesh name. How do you like Takana? No? Ok, then Maradek. You could be called Mara. I once knew a soldier who had a Wesh wife and that was her name. Good? Ok, Mara it is." "OK Bull, now there something else I need." Emma and Bull looked at Alan. There was firmness in his voice that hadn't been there earlier in the day. "I need a weapon, actually two. I need a sword, because that is what soldiers carry, and I need a short spear, because that is what I am good at. I saw a sword here that would do, but I haven't any money. Actually I can't even pay you back for the clothes." "No worries there, love," said Emma. "The Colonel left us a purse and you'll even have some coins to take with you when you leave. Show us the sword." Alan walked into the shop, hesitating for a moment when he realized that anyone could look through the window and see him, and then quickly went and picked up a weapon. He brought it back, laid it on the table, looked at Bull and said, "There." Bull reached over and picked up the sword. It was short, almost to the point of being a long knife. The blade, maybe 16 inches long, was heavy enough so that if you couldn't cut someone with it you might just be able to club them into submission. He slipped it back into its sheath. "Good choice. Short enough not to look odd on a woman, heavy enough for a utility tool, and still a nasty weapon. I'll try and find you a spear tomorrow." Emma looked at the weapon. "It's ugly. I don't like swords, but I guess it's part of the disguise. You'll need some more bracelets and things. We get very few people here from Wesh, which is to your advantage, and some of your clothing is from Goren, which is between here and there, so I guess where the bracelets come from is unimportant, just as long as they are barbaric." Emma and Bull looked across the table. Bull spoke first. "Goodbye Alan and welcome Mara. You can sleep in the courtyard unless it rains and then spread your palette here in the back room." Chapter 3: Mara of Wesh "No Emma, I can't go out and do the shopping with you. I look ridiculous." "You don't Mara, trust me. Just remember to stride proudly, swing your hips a bit and keep your head up as though you own the world. You'll attract attention of course, but it will be because you are exotic, dangerous even, and that will distract people from wondering if you aren't really a woman." "And what if someone speaks to me?" "Well, be a woman of few words. Your voice is pretty high and your accent isn't bad. Now give me the basket and let's go." "I'll carry the basket for you." Emma pulled it away from Mara. "No, mercenaries don't carry market baskets unless they are trying to seduce the woman. Now let's go." The two walked out of the shop and Alan, trying to remember he was now Mara, looked around. In the week that had passed since he was rescued the city had calmed down. There were still soldiers and guards on most of the corners, but people were moving about freely. Emma stopped at a bakery, picked up vegetables from a farmer's stand and, after pawing over a couple of chickens, contented herself with a piece of cured ham for the evening's meal. Alan watched closely and listened to the bargaining and joking that went on. As the morning progressed he realized exactly how protected his life in the Duke's court had been. The city was full of life and excitement, and corners and alleys he had never seen. Now and then someone looked at Mara closely and she quickly learned that returning a haughty look and then slowly turning away was all that was required. On the way back they passed the stand of a junk and used clothing dealer. A bracelet caught Alan's eye. "Emma, see the black and red bracelet hanging there. That is like the one our Wesh maid used to wear." "Well go and bargain for it." The Alan within Mara froze. Up 'til then he had spoken no more than to say "Morning" to a shop keeper. Emma poked him hard in the back and whispered, "Move." Alan breathed in and tried to remember how Yhaira moved. He let Mara take over and walked confidently over to the stall and picking the bracelet off the wire on which it hung held it up in the air and shrugged. "Ah, now that is a fine piece of jewelry. You can see it's straight from Wesh and you can appreciate it my dear." The stall owner froze as Mara swung around and stared at him as if trying to decide which part of his body to cut off. "No offense meant Miss, but you can see the workmanship and it would look good on your arm. Normally I'd ask one gold piece and four silvers for that, but seeing it's from your home I let you have it for just the gold." The shopkeeper gave Mara an ingratiating smile that faded as she just gave me a deadpan look. She quickly reviewed how much money she had in the purse Bull had given her and remembered some of the things the Wesh maid had reminisced about. Then, remembering to keep the slow cadence of the Wesh, and a bit of an accent, Mara leaned forward. "I wouldn't pay six silvers for this in the Kunn bazaar at the border hills." The bracelet rung a high note as it was flipped to the table and Mara turned away. "No wait. Please. Ok one gold was a bit much, but the silver and stones alone are worth five silver coins. Would you agree to 18 silvers, 17..." Mara smiled. "Make it ten and I'll take it off your hands." "Twelve." Mara nodded and pulling out her purse counted out the coins. Slipping the bangle on her wrist she then pulled out the sword and passed it back and forth watching the light catch on the blade and the jewelry. Emma pulled on her sleeve. "Let's go," and nodded at some guards taking interest in the display. "You got carried away out there." "Yes Emma. Sorry. It just seemed the natural thing to do. Anyway it was fun to see that runt of a peddler cringe when I drew my sword. You know I think I might be able to pass as a woman." "You still have a lot to learn love, but it sounds like it will be a while before they let the caravans travel, so you can help in the shop and get more comfortable. Let's get back to Bull he is probably worried and hungry by now." A look of relief spread across Bull's face when Emma and Mara walked through the door. "I was starting to get worried." Mara held out her wrist. "I practiced bargaining." "How did she do Emma?" "Very well my love. She still stands and walks too much like a man, but she passes to a casual glance. I think Mara will start helping out in the shop today to get more practice." Mara helped Emma heat up soup and slice bread for their lunch and when they had eaten Bull stood up. "I'll head down to the docks and visit some of the shops there. Maybe I'll find some cutlery for our stock and I'll try and find you a spear." Alan looked up. "Oh I'll come with you." "No you will tend the shop." "I am not and Mara is certainly not a shopkeeper." Bull swung around. "Maybe not, but until you leave here on your own you are in my squad and you will follow orders." Alan had to restrain himself from saluting, the tone of command was so sure and Bull nodded and went out the door. "Whew. I forgot he was a sergeant. How did you two meet?" The afternoon passed as Emma reminisced and Mara helped serve customers. The shop was small and most of the ware used. People would come in and buy a fork for two coppers, a cleaver for five, or maybe a full serving set for one gold coin. The two relaxed more and more and were taken by surprise when two of the Prince's soldiers walked through the door. Mara started to reach for her sword and then stopped, moving her hand to pick up a small carving knife. She gathered in a stone and began to slowly sharpen the blade, watching the soldiers with what she hoped looked like boredom. The older of the two began to rummage through a selection of pocket knives, but the younger gave Mara a long look. "Hey Sarge, it's a Goren broad." The older man looked over and gave Mara a quick up and down look. "Wesh Charley, not Goren, and be careful, she's not your type." The younger soldier was not to be deterred and with a smile that said "I'm part of the conquering army so you better submit" sauntered over to Mara, leaned over and quietly said, "Hey what say you go in the back with me for a couple of minutes. I think I have a few copper in my..." He stopped and looked down. The carving knife was between his legs, sharp edge pressing uncomfortably upwards. Mara quietly, and sounding as calm as she was nervous, whispered to him, "In my tribe we cut off balls, dry them and hang them over the stove for good luck." The sergeant started laughing. "Let him go Miss. Let him go. He's too small game for you. Charley I warned you. Now Ma'am, how much for this two blade folder? I'll give five coppers for it and no more." When the two soldiers left the shop Emma rounded on Mara to give her a lecture, not realizing that outside the shop a sergeant was lecturing a private about not recognizing a mercenary. When Emma was done Mara looked at her. "Well what should I have done? Flirted? Asked for help? Taken him out back so he could lift my skirt? What? I am supposed to be a brash, dangerous, hired sword. What would you have done in my place?" "Taken him out back and given him a blow job, accepted some coppers and sent him on his way." "Ok for you Emma, but I'm not a whore." The slap almost spun Mara around. She turned quickly in anger only to receive another blow. Then Emma grabbed her by the chin and shoved her down in the chair the smaller woman's anger giving her strength. "Maybe I was a whore, but until you've been out in the world earning your living and supporting others you do not have the right to call me anything. You are a spoiled inexperienced thing. You aren't even a full person. You've lived in a womb all coddled in the court and you don't understand how much responsibility you have. What if the sergeant hadn't called the punk off? Would you have fought him? Maybe been killed or hauled off the jail. Now get out of my sight." Mara stormed out and stood in the court yard. She drew her sword and did exercises until the sweat poured off her and soaked her blouse. When she calmed down she leaned against the wall. When she stopped crying and had washed her face in the rain barrel she went back inside. "Emma I'm sorry. You are right. I should not have called you that. I can't judge you. Please accept my apology." Emma gave Mara a long look. "Yes dear. Now sit down and let me tell you a bit about real life." The tension had eased somewhat by the time Bull came back and tossed a bundle in the corner. He grabbed Mara by the waist and swung her up and hugged her. "You are great. You won't believe what I heard. It seems that some private made a pass at a handsome Wesh female and nearly had his nuts cut off. The story is spreading and everybody knows that you are a woman. It's wonderful. Now let me show you what I bought at..." Bull stopped and looked at the two women. Neither of them looked happy. "Don't tell me you had a fight." "Let it pass Bull," said Emma. "We've solved our differences. Anyway it's something a man wouldn't understand. Come on Mara, let's see what the great provider has brought back from the hunt." Chapter 4: Trial and Passage Spear over her shoulder, sword on her hip, bracelets clinking, Mara walked beside Bull and Emma, striding through the streets to the open space where the caravans gathered. Word had come that the army was opening the routes and commerce could resume. People stepped aside, giving the bulk of Bull and the exotic danger of Mara a wide berth. On the wide plain next to the southern wall of the city merchants gathered into groups depending on where they were going. Horses and oxen ate their hay, while camels chewed their cud and looked irritably out on the passing humans. Bull walked through the crowds until he came to a series of tents, and motioning for Mara to stay outside poked his head in one. Mara stood and watched the drama around her. In the two weeks since she had first stepped out of the shop she had changed. A lot of the show and brashness had fallen away, to be replaced by a mixture of confidence, wariness and pride. "Mara, this is Kendel. He was a corporal to me for a number of years before he decided to venture out on the road. Kendel, Mara of Wesh. She needs a job and is tired of our fair city." Kendel, a large man, younger than Bull and as muscled as Bull was fat looked Mara over. Mara studied him in return. Years of working with the weapons master at the court came back and she knew that as bulky as he was he would be quick in a fight, but that he would have trouble turning quickly. "I've never hired a woman Bull. Anyway I won't hire a person unless I know if they can actually fight." Mara smiled and dropped the butt of the spear to the ground. She pulled the scarf from around her neck and quickly bound it over the blade. "Alright sir, try me." Kendel laughed. "Oh you will be tried, but not by me. Halloo, Mirsk, where are you?" A slender man, not much bigger than Mara, came around the tent. "Yes boss." "Mara, this is Mirsk. Mirsk, Mara wants a job; let me know if she can fight." Mirsk looked Mara up and down for what seemed to be minutes and then walking over to a nearby wagon pulled some lengths of wood out. He balanced a few, trying them out as swords, and then taking one in his right hand without warning with his left threw a second at Mara's feet, following that with an immediate attack. Mara jumped over the flying stick, cursing the skirt which almost tripped her, and swinging up the head of the spear blocked the staff in Mirsk's hand as it headed towards her head. She took two quick steps back and heard the weapons master's voice in her head. "Once you have blunted the surprise attack, take a solid stance before attacking in return." Mirsk lunged at Mara's mid-section and then as she blocked that blow he started to run to her left, hoping to tangle her in her skirts. Mara knew this move; it was the one she would have used if she had been fighting Kendel. Quickly she stepped towards Mirsk, forcing him to widen the circle, and then turned in the reverse direction and swung the spear at just above knee height. Misrk managed to jump clear, but Mara followed, spinning the spear so that the butt and the covered blade kept coming at her opponent forcing him to block and giving him no chance to move from retreat to attack. "Enough, enough," Kendel's voice rang out. "Oh I could watch that all day long. I haven't seen such legs in years." Mara turned and gave him a look of surprise, and then spun back to Mirsk in case he was planning to jump her, but Mirsk was just leaning on his stick with a big smile. He held out his hand. Mara took it and Mirsk pulled hard jerking her off balance. Mara hit the ground and rolled, coming up prepared to block another attack, but Mirsk had turned back to Kendel. "She'll do." That night Bull insisted on eating with the caravan guards. Mara listened as the guards told stories and Bull and Kendel talked of past battles and lost friends. Towards the end of the meal Mirsk came over and sat down next to Mara. "You'll need some warm clothes and boots, not sandals. We walk with the caravan, though occasionally we ride on one of the wagons. Make sure you have a good water bottle. We leave on Wednesday morning very early, so I suggest you come here tomorrow night and sleep with us. The lads are good and probably won't try anything on with you. You're not as experienced as you pretend to be, but that's Ok. None of us were when we started." Mirsk laid a hand on Mara's shoulder, gave it a friendly shove and then wandered off. Emma looked at Mara. "We'll get you a cloak and a vest tomorrow, also some boots. I am going to miss you love. When you get settled in Marle's Hills send us a letter. Remember to write it as Mara. Let's go back to the shop. Bull will be up late tonight, drinking with Kendel and the boys." The caravan moved off slowly. It would be eight days of travel to the market town of Kent. There Mara planned to leave and work her way to Marle's Hills. No one seemed in any hurry, and though the caravan leader and Kendel had started bustling about a dawn it was almost nine before the two dozen carts, the many pack horses and one disgusted camel headed towards the city gate. At the gate the Prince's men and a few of the remaining city guards looked at every passing male, occasionally reading a list of descriptions of wanted men. Mara walked by a group and saw the sergeant who had been at the shop. He smiled and nodded and then the caravan moved on out of the town and into the dust and sunlight of an early fall afternoon. Mara walked next to an ox cart carrying a middle aged couple and a pile of carpets. After making some light conversation she dropped back a little and concentrated on letting the miles and the hours pass. It took her by surprise when she heard a loud whistle from the front and the carts came to a stop. The caravan leader trotted by on his pony. "Ten minutes break." Kendel's voice could be heard saying which guards could rest for the first five and which the latter. "Mara, Peter, Mirsk, Kipp. You take five now. The rest of you on the wagons and keep a look out." Mara watched as the woman on the ox cart climbed down. She smiled at Mara. "Good, I drank too much tea this morning." Then she wandered off into the field. A number of women were squatting in the field with their backs to the road. Mara noticed that her companion had grabbed some grass as she passed so Mara grabbed a bunch as well. Squatting down in the field the woman spread her skirts and Mara did the same, surreptitiously reaching under to move the pad to the side. It felt awkward peeing there only a few feet away from one woman and looking at the back of another. When she was done Mara reached under, used the grass to blot away some dampness, tucked her penis away and stood up. Her companion from the ox cart was already walking back and Mara hurried to catch up. Together they walked back and Mara climbed on the cart to keep watch while the rest of the guards stretched, drank water, and backs to the roads stood up and peed in the fields. "Ah I envy them sometimes." Mara turned and raised a questioning eyebrow. "Yep when the ground is frozen or wet it must be nice to just swing out the hose." The leader's whistle started to sound again and the train moved on. Mara walked along gathering in the smells of the animals, the sounds of hooves and sights of an open road she had never seen before. Chapter 5: Truly a Warrior After a while Mara stumbled over a stone and realized she had been daydreaming. Bull's voice rang in her head and she remembered how over the past few weeks he had drilled into her some of his rules for survival. "Don't let the road hypnotize you. Danger will come from the side of the road so keep scanning from your shoulder forward. What is behind you is the job of the next man." "Avoid witches and wizards, particularly drunk ones. They'll see through your disguise in an instant." "Always carry more dry socks than you think you need." Mara shook herself and spent her time scanning the road and the woods to her right. They had been cut back about fifty paces from the road edge. The shadows of the woods seemed beckoning compared with the dust and glare beneath her feet. As the caravan prepared for the night Kendel divided the guards into an early and late shift. Kipp, a skinny man with a broken nose, boiled up barley and meat while Mara took an opportunity to wander the campground they had chosen. There were carts full of household goods, carpets, bolts of cloth and one cart piled with chairs painted in bright colors. Mara walked among the merchants and families setting up their tents or just sitting around enjoying the break from the constant jarring of the road. Some of the people smiled at her, some frowned, but most barely noticed her amidst the hustle and confusion that makes up any caravan at the end of the day. At one tent two horses were tethered and a pack saddle lay on the ground. A woman in her thirties was finishing tightening the tent lines and Mara petted one the horses as she looked at the bright colors of a small banner hanging from the front of the tent. The woman stood up and smiled. She was short, barely coming up to Mara's chin. Her dress was a dark blue, cut low exposing an ample bosom. Her eyes moved up and down Mara's dust stained clothes. "Hello love. You're one of the guards. I rarely see a woman carrying arms like you do. My name's Helen." "Mara." "Really. You're a northerner. I can tell. Oh it has been a hard day. Maybe I should get a cart like some of the others, but I like the feel of a horse between my legs." Helen gave Mara another smile. Slowly she rubbed her thighs. "Do you like riding, girl?" Mara just nodded as she began to feel uncomfortable about the conversation. "Yes it does feel nice. I like the road though it does make me bounce a bit," continued Helen putting a hand on one breast, "but the nights can be lonely. I'm alone in my tent you know." Mara felt Helen's eyes moving up and down again and mumbled about having to get dinner before she went back on guard and quickly walked away. "Ooof. Oh wow." Alan had of course known about lesbians. There was a music teacher at the court who the kids gossiped and made nasty comments about, but no one said anything aloud. And there was the daughter of the Duke's accountant who was sent away very suddenly. However it was clearly stated in the Book of Cirpasti that to lie with someone of the same sex was a sin to be punished after death by being forced to stand in a pool of boiling mud that burnt away your genitals. The problem was that as Mara walked back to the space Kendel had taken over for the guards it was Alan who thought about the large tanned bosom and dreamed about going back to Helen's tent. Eating dinner with the guards took Mara's mind off the subject of sex. Kendel laid out the system for the night, the danger points and the signals if there were problems. Then Mara took a bucket of water and her pack and found a place behind some bushes to wash, change her knickers, socks and breast binder and take care of her other needs. Guarding that night was easy. Occasionally Mirsk came around to check on the guards and finally Peter came to relieve her. They stood together in the chilly dark and talked quietly for a bit. Peter spoke of his wife and three grown children. Mara said she had been on the road for a year and had heard that they might be looking for guards in Marle's Hills and that it might be nice to stop traveling. Then she went back to where her blanket lay next to Kendel's wagon, stopping to squat and pee in the shadow of rock and lay down to sleep until Kipp nudged her with his foot and whispered, "Time to get up, it's almost dawn." On the third day the caravan leader stopped in the early afternoon and spread the word that just over the hill was a good pond to bathe in and wash clothing. The men went off first with the guards taking shifts. Then it was the women's turn. "Mara, you go with them. Catta here will keep watch while you bathe." Mara looked from Kendel to the woman standing next to him and grabbing her pack followed the women to the pond. "You bathe first Catta. I'll stand guard." Mind spinning Mara stood watching over the pond as the women quickly took off their clothes and climbed into the water. As a young man Alan had dreamed of peeking into the women's baths and had tussled with a serving girl in the dark of his room. This was different. There were old women and young ones, girls barely budding and women his own age. His penis strained against the binding cloth tied tight to the knickers, as nipples and, buttocks and pubic hair moved back and forth. Then he saw Helen climbing out of the pool. She looked and smiled. Facing Mara Helen slowly wiped her breasts and raised one eyebrow. "Hey Mara," Catta's voice rang out, "I'll take over. You take a dip and toss me your clothes. Wannette says she'll rinse them out for you." Alan was jerked out of his reverie and out of Mara's persona. He froze as he looked down. About 16 women were drying off, rinsing their hair or washing clothes. More than a few were looking up at him. Suddenly he saw a bucket unused on the shore. Handing the spear to Catta he grabbed the bucket, filled it with water and grabbing his pack scurried into the bushes. "Look's as though our warrior is a bit shy," he heard Helen call out and then barely within hearing, another woman's voice, "Oh, she's just a barbarian. I'm surprised she washes at all." Alan quickly moved deep into the brush and as quickly as he could he shed Mara's clothing, and using a kerchief washed between his legs and under his arms. He poured water over his head and sponged down his legs and arms. Desperate to be dressed again he put on clean knickers, tied on the pad, pulled a shift over his head and, realizing he had forgotten the binder, started over. Finally he stood up dressed and somewhat refreshed. "OK calm down. I am Mara. I am a warrior, a woman, from Wesh. Take a deep breath. OK." Back at the pool some of women grinned at Mara and one grabbed the bucket and said she would rinse out the clothes and hang them from her cart. Helen gave her a smirk and as she went by commented about how cold the tent got a night. Then the caravan leader's whistle could be heard and after a while all of the women were back and the carts moved on along the dusty road. "Don't let the road hypnotize you. Danger will come from the side of the road so keep scanning from your shoulder forward. What is behind you is the job of the next man." Mara thought about Bull's words as she walked along and then slowed her pace until Kipp, walking behind her, caught up. "Hey Kipp, I think there are men in the wood keeping pace with us." "Don't point or stare Mara. You are right. Good eyes. Kendel knows. Move to the other side of the caravan for a moment and take a look." Mara crossed over and noticed that three of the guards were now carrying bows and walking in such a way that they could not be clearly seen from the woods. She went back to her position and, with her stomach so tight it hurt, kept walking. When the caravan stopped for the night Kendel and Kipp handed out biscuits and cheese instead of the normal cooked meal. "We are all on guard until about two," said Kendel. "The caravan leader and his helper will join us. After two we'll split into the early and late shift as always. Keep to the shadows." The attack came just before midnight. Mirsk had relieved Mara so she could slip away and squat behind a wagon and as she was adjusting the pad she heard first Kendel's horn and then the caravan leader's whistle followed by a scream. Grabbing her spear Mara ran back to where she left Mirsk to find him fighting two men. She was too far away to help immediately, but passing a cart she grabbed a stool from the ground and threw it as hard as she could. It bounced in front of one of the attackers, causing him to stumble. Mirsk took advantage of that to get his back to a wagon. One of the men turned to look at Mara and he smiled as he saw the skirts and blouse of his attacker. He raised a two handed sword over his head and stepped forward. It was a classic horse and snake maneuver from the practice room and Mara stopped just out of range of the sword. She threw the spear underarm just catching the butt as it reached her hand. The spear flicked out and back like a snake's tongue catching the man on the forehead. It wasn't a deep cut, but he reared back in shock and Mara slashed the blade of the spear across his arms causing him to drop his sword. Then Mirsk, having defeated his opponent, brought his sword down from behind and the man dropped with a spray of blood. "Back to the guard wagon Mara. I'll stay here." Mara ran, too fast, to reach the center or the encampment and almost missed the shadow as it came from behind a cart. She tried to block the blow and caught most of it on the spear shaft, but fire spread down her left arm. Whirling the spear with her right hand she forced her attacker back for a moment and then lunged at him driving the spear deep into his thigh. He fell back against the wagon and Mara pulled out the spear and thrust again. Her attacker fell down motionless and Mara stopped and stared. The image of the corporal in the dungeon and the captain of the guards in on the office floor flooded her mind and helpless to stop it she leaned against the wagon and vomited. Trying to wipe her mouth on her kerchief she ran back to the center. Kendel saw her and waved to her. He pointed and Mara turned and went in the direction he ordered. She came upon a group of women beating a man with shovels and then Kendel's horn could be heard. The two slow notes and a fast note signaling "All's well." Leaving the man to his fate Mara leaned on her spear, went back and slumped on a stool next to the fire. Kipp came over and pointed at her arm. Mara looked down. Blood was flowing and soaking the sleeve. She looked back up and grinned. "Damn. This was a new blouse." A woman came over and ripping off the sleeve washed and bound the wound. "It's not deep dear. We won't need to stitch it. I'll just pour some vinegar on it. Yes that does sting; I'll wash your arm and, hold this for a sec love, and bandage it. There." Mara, feeling dizzy, just nodded as the woman bustled over her. When asked she pointed at her pack hanging from Kendel's wagon and didn't object when the woman pulled off the bloody blouse and pulled a clean one over her head. "That's my last clean one." "No dear, remember Wannette washed one for you. It's on her cart drying." Bit by bit guards came back and reported. Kendel kept some at the fire and sent some back to keep watch. Finally he cleared his throat. "Not bad lads. We killed two by the stream, two on the road, the women beat one to death and there's a sixth with two spear wounds on the east side. Mara, was he yours?" Mara nodded. Kendel gave her a brief smile. "We've gotten some wounds, and Peter is dead." "Damn," said Mirsk. "Yes, damn." Kendel paused. "We will bury him in the morning." One of the others coughed. "He was a Strician. He would have liked a pyre." "Ok. Kipp and Saul, get a few men and gather wood. We'll send him off at dawn. He was a good man. Now you men, and you Mara, get some sleep. You'll take the watch in two hours." Mara lay on her back. Her arm was throbbing too much to let her go to sleep. She thought of Peter telling her about his home. She thought about the feeling of the spear as it entered her attacker's stomach. She felt tears roll down her cheek and was surprised to find she had slept and it was time to stand watch until dawn. Chapter 6: Reesetown The days following the attack passed peacefully. Kendel had Mara and Altani, the other wounded guard, ride on the last wagon. They sat facing backwards watching the road, taking turns napping and regaining strength. It was later when Mara was walking by the carts again, that Mirsk drifted over to her and they talked. He described Reesetown where the caravan was bound and told of his hometown by the ocean. After a while they just walked in silence. Then Mara spoke. "Mirsk, is Kendel upset with me?" "No, not at all. Why?" "He has barely said a word to me since the attack." "Oh, well he is very pleased with how you fought that night. It is more that you project a 'don't touch me' attitude. It goes well with your warrior woman disguise." "Disguise?" Mara felt a chill running through her. "Sure. We figured out you aren't really Wesh. Oh you've got Wesh blood and either spent time there or were raised by someone Wesh, but that's all. It's alright though. People who become caravan guards often rewrite their pasts. All we care is that you look out for your friends and fight well if called on." After a moment of silence Mirsk continued, "Actually that is part of the reason I came back here. I have something for you." He handed over a small leather bag with a polished round stone in it. "I've known a few Wesh including some women and once traveled to the borders of Wesh. Every Wesh woman carries one of these. Do you know what it is?" Mara sighed and shook her head. "It's a symbol of their goddess Tyrenna," said Mirsk. "They are a land of many gods." Mara remembered some of the stories the tutor had read to the children in the court. "Sure, Tyrenna. She's the goddess of childbirth and fertility." "Correct and every Wesh woman occasionally during the day faces north and rolls the stone between her palms saying a prayer to Tyrenna. I don't know too much about the religion because I am a man and I wouldn't be welcomed in the temples. I mean if I, Mirsk of Collen, was to be found in one of the sacred groves, the women would tear me limb from limb. The cult of Tyrenna is strictly women only and they kill men who pry too deeply." Mara looked at the bag. "Thanks Mirsk, but I can't pray to this. I am Cirpastian and it is said 'Other gods are for those whose minds remain in darkness and those who have seen the glory shall not bend down before them'." To Mara's surprise Mirsk laughed. "Oh Mara, supposedly of Wesh, you are far from your home where ever that is and it is not a good idea to ignore local gods. The further north you travel the more Tyrenna and her companion the Winter God will be present. It won't hurt you to pray to them." Mirsk winked at Mara. "I'll get back to my position now or else Kendel will accuse me of flirting and he does get jealous you know." Mara walked, trying to come to terms with what Mirsk had said. They had figured out she was not who she was pretending to be, but only so far as not really being Wesh. They accepted her as female, but to pray to other gods, that seemed too much. Also what did Mirsk mean about Kendel getting jealous? He and Mirsk did spend a lot of time together and shared a tent. Shaking her head in frustration Mara went back to scanning the road and woods and walked on. They would be in Reesetown the next day. She would collect her pay, say goodbye to her companions, travel to Marle's Hills, find Mr. Sims and become Alan of Greenhall again. Until then she was safe and could keep up the pretense as needed. When the morning break was signaled Mara joined the other women squatting by the side of the road. Then she stood and looked to the north. The great mountains could be seen on the horizon. Mara took out the pouch and removing the stone put it between her hands and slowly rolled it back and forth. Torn between feeling guilty for betraying her Cirpastian upbringing and desperate for some comfort she began to pray. "Tyrenna, please hear me. I know I am not really a woman and do not deserve your protection or guidance. My name is Alan of Greenhall, but everybody knows me as Mara. While I am on the road I travel as a woman. Please help me keep my secret and guide me as I walk." That evening, as the caravan set up for the night, a smaller group of carts came down the track from Reesetown. Both groups studied each other from a distance before coming together and agreeing to share the open space. One of the travelers joined the guards around their fire and noticing Mara asked where she was from. Mara said a few non-committal words and then mentioned she was planning on heading up to Marle's Hills. "Oh you're too late for that miss. The fighting's all over." The men around the fire looked up their eyes flashing the question on their minds. "You must have been heard. No? I guess you missed it being on the road. Well let's see. Just over a week ago the Prince sent two regiments of foot into Marle's Hills. They captured and executed the lord of the manor because he was a supporter of the Duke of Greenhall. They also arrested a number of others in the town. I remember the mayor was arrested, a banker was arrested, oh yes also a couple of the town guards." The traveler drank a bit while the others waited for him to continue. "As I said the fighting is over, so neither side will be hiring. The Prince's men were looking for someone. The person who was telling us about it didn't know who they were looking for, but the soldiers were searching everywhere. Well I am off to get some sleep. I want to be past the ford before evening so I'll set out early. Thanks for the wine." The guards wished him a good night's rest and then either went to bed or dispersed to take up their positions. Mara had the second shift and wrapped in her blankets lay down next to the cart and tried to absorb what she had heard. Without thinking she began to roll the stone in her hands. "Now what am I supposed to do? A banker arrested, that is sure to be Sims. Anyway I was supposed to reach the lord of the manor and he is dead. I know none of the other contacts. Oh God what am I supposed to do? I don't think going back to Greenhall is a good idea. I can't stay as Mara." The questions with no answers kept coming and Mara had barely drifted off when Saul came back and sent her to take a turn on guard. Standing in the cold air looking at the stars Mara realized she would have to continue with the caravan and keep her ears open for talk about the duke and his supporters. Until she had more information, she was Mara of Wesh and that is what would have to be. Compared to Greenhall, Reesetown was small. Here and there in the middle of town were stalls with geese or sheep, the occasional pig ran through the streets and there was an air of the frontier in stores and houses. Kendel had told the guards to meet him at the Blue Wing Inn to be paid and the group wandered off in different directions. Mara explored the streets of the town, covering them all in 10 minutes, and ended up back at the inn to find Astani and Mirsk drinking beer at an outdoor table. She sat down with them, dropping her pack and resting her spear against the wall. "Well met Mara," said Astani and he waved to the serving girl. "A beer for our companion please." Mara thanked the girl who gave her a long look before putting down the mug. She sipped the beer which was thick and tasted of burnt barley. Mirsk shoved a plate of cheese across the table and, putting his hands behind his head, leaned back and sighed. "It's good to get off the road. Kendel says there's a caravan heading west and one going back to Greenhall, so we can all get jobs if we want to leave soon. Astani, what's on your mind?" "I'll sign on with the Greenhall caravan. I told Kendel I would take Peter's money back to his wife. I wonder how much extra we made." Mara looked up. "Extra? I thought we were each getting two gold and a silver." "Nope. You are getting that because you are the new member. We are getting three gold apiece and then Kendel will bargain with the caravan leader about a bonus. Also we get to keep any weapons or cash found on the attackers' bodies, but we'll sell all that and send it to Peter's widow." Mirsk mentioned that Kendel would decide which way the pair would go next and asked Mara her plans. "I don't know. I was planning on working my way over to Marle's Hills, but it sounds like they won't need mercenaries for a while, so I am sort of lost. I have a more important question though. Are the rooms good in this inn and could I get a bath?" The two men laughed, commented how like a woman it was to ask about nice rooms and a bath when there was a river nearby and then assured Mara that the inn was clean and for two silvers would give her a room, a bath and breakfast as well. While Mara was talking with the innkeeper's wife, paying for a room and arranging for one of the maids to do some laundry, she heard Kendel's voice. Pushing some coins across the counter she went back outside. By now all of the guards had gathered and Kendel passed out the wages plus eight extra silvers a piece. They discussed caravans coming up, Peter's widow, the coming winter and then split up with barely a goodbye or good luck. Kipp looked at Mara standing alone in front of the inn. "Sudden, isn't it. First we are a team and then in a flash we are all individuals. You know where the caravans gather so if you want a job, show up there tomorrow. Few of us are really friends. We see each other now and then and briefly mourn when we hear of a death. Mirsk and Kendel have each other, but for the rest of us it doesn't pay to get too close. Who knows, you may be fighting against me in a month's time." Kipp gave a smile and a wink. "Well I have a pressing errand to run and unless you want to be introduced to some very interesting young women I will leave you here." Sitting in the bath Alan looked down at his body. At the court he bathed every time he was sweaty or just wanted to. Now he scrubbed trying to get the accumulated dust of the road to release its hold. The cut on his arm had scabbed over and there was no sign of infection. Keeping what clean clothes he had, he dropped the rest in a basket and put it beside the door for the maid to take later on. The sounds of Reesetown, shopkeeper's calls, geese honking and the creak of carts came through the window. Tonight he would sleep in a real bed and tomorrow he would see the town, visit the caravans and try to plot out the rest of his life. He would still be Mara, but soon, very soon he would leave behind the women's clothing, take on a new name and be a man again. That evening in the inn an elegantly dressed man tried to engage her in conversation, but Mara brushed him aside. Later, as she climbed the stairs, she felt his eyes following her. "Oh hell. The last thing I need is an admirer." Chapter 7: Truth Through Other Eyes. "Oh he was a right bastard." "Too true. My sister was in Merton when the Duke attacked; can't say we'll miss the man." Mara sat at breakfast in the inn. Someone had asked where she came from and she mentioned that she had come guarding a caravan from Greenhall and then said she had stayed there for a few weeks, because the Prince had shut down the city after the brief war. That brought the discussion around to her beloved Duke. "I hear there is still one descendent," said a wool merchant over his porridge. "Can't catch him too fast for me," said another. "The sooner the country has that group stuffed into a basket and drowned the better." As Mara ate she listened while everybody agreed that the Duke of Greenhall was, as one man had said "a wild dog." Disturbed by the unanimity of the outcry she raised a point. "You know when I was stuck in the city I think some of the people were saddened by his death." "Sure," replied the wool merchant. "Low taxes because they stole from their neighbors. I'd like it too." The talk went on and when Mara left to walk about Reesetown she tried to match what she had heard with the kindly man who occasionally wandered through the court back home. She moved through the gathering caravans and talked to a few about signing on as a guard. Then she walked back to town and, finding a stand where someone was grilling lamb, sat down to eat some lunch. "Ah Mara, I was looking for you." Kendel was walking towards her, his arm draped over Mirsk. The two sat down on the bench next to her and signaled for beer. "We don't like any of the caravans so we'll camp here for a while until we find one forming where we can be in charge of the guards. If you want you can join us. We live cheap and there will be a lot of caravans moving south in the next month to avoid the winter." "I don't know Kendel. Guarding is all very fine, but I think I want to stay north." Mirsk reached out his hand and smiled as Kendel counted some coins into it. "Yeah, Mirsk said that is how you'd reply and foolishly I took the bet. Well there is an alternative. We know two adventurers who are looking for a third to join them on some kind of job up north. They are Strumm and Daniel. Good fighters and relatively honest. We bumped into them earlier. It will pay a lot, but that's all we know. Interested?" Mara nodded and after finishing her lunch joined Kendel and Mirsk as they went to look for the pair of adventurers. Mirsk spoke first. "One thing Mara. Strumm and Daniel have been a team for a long time. They won't turn their backs on you, but it does mean that if they have to decide who is expendable it will be you." "Understood. Thanks Mirsk. Hey Kendel, tell me something. What did you think of the Duke of Kendel?" Kendel walked for a moment or two before replying. "When I was in Greenhall I liked him and kept my mouth shut." Just before they got back to the inn they passed a shop with clothing in the window. Mara stopped and looked in. Mirsk joked about women and clothes, but with only two blouses to wear Mara knew she needed another and there was a dark blue blouse with red threads on the collar that caught her eye. "I'll meet you at the inn." In the shop Mara looked around. Another woman was shopping, holding up lengths of cloth with a lace trim. The shopkeeper, a thin woman in her fifties gave Mara a short glance and the universal "just a minute" wave. Standing there surrounded by skirts, dresses, shawls and blouses Mara suddenly felt road worn and ragged. Her clothing was clean, but it had already been used when Emma had bought it for her. Now it was faded, mended and poor. "Can I help you ma'am?" "Yes, how much is that blouse there?" A while later, carrying a bundle with the blouse, a new skirt, three pairs of socks ("Always carry more dry socks than you think you need") and two knickers, Mara left the shop and headed on to the inn. Kendel and Mirsk were sitting by the fire and Kendel nodded towards two men sitting at a table looking over a map. Mara tossed