Feldare Tales: High Society Ch. 03
He snickered at her now. "Yes, I see that my plan is a good one," said Lentan. He eyed her figure in the elven-cut dress she had worn to impress Wenn and, only half-known to herself, Crissa. You would make a fine wife to press forth several young strapping lads from my loins." He paused for a long moment, eyeing her long, slender legs. "Why are you dressed like that? And off to see your wizard, no doubt." He glanced toward Marrat's house. "Well, no matter, I wouldn't want you for your pristine cherry, only your title and lands, and that you pop out my pups for me. So, if you wish it, lie with the little whelp of a finger-wiggler, if you like. I am not a jealous man."
The callous and base words struck her like a blow and she stepped back, as if staggering. "You know, Lentan, many barons and lords die of poisoned sweetmeats laid out before them by their ever so loving wives." She smiled at him sweetly. "Did you know I got high marks in culinary arts? I would insist on making the meals for my beloved husband by mine own two hands, so that he knows the full measure of my adoration."
"We'll see if, after a long honey moon night, if you still can harbor anything but true respect for your lord," said Lentan, turning stiffly and rejoining Churle, who had waited a half-dozen paces away.
She sighed in relief as he walked away. That he might just write such a missive to his father worried her greatly. Many youths spotted their future wives at the academy, which was half the reason to send one's daughter to that place. She plodded on toward Marrat's home, hearing vaguely the snickering of the two upperclassmen as she walked stiffly. She kept her head up, though tears fell from her hazel eyes. With forced casualness, she ascended the short stairs to the front door of the house. Being witnessed by those two hooligans would not allow her to use the traditional kitchen entrance, for she knew they would have words in the future to say of that.
Crissa opened the door a few moments after she clacked the brass knocker against the plate. One look at the tear-filled eyes of the girl caused her to grab her and pull her into the house.
Crissa was dressed in a more normal peasant skirt and blouse. "What happened?" she asked, sitting Peris in a chair in the anteroom.
"That bastard Lentan scared me is all," said the young noblewoman.
The eyes of the apprentice sorceress hardened. "Do you wish me to deal with it?" she asked, then was nearly knocked over backward as a wave of desire struck her from Peris. The younger girl's eyes smouldered at her.
"If only you could," said Peris, her hand touching Crissa's long, golden hair. "I fear Lentan is too closely related to the duke to be thrown out of the school, even for a gross indiscretion."
Crissa was still clearing that desire from her mind as she sat quietly and listened to the girl rant. "He says now he will ask for my hand, and then use me harshly to bear his heirs," said Peris, tears beginning anew.
Wenn came into the anteroom. "I thought I heard talking," he said, a small grin upon his lips. Then he, too caught the look in the young woman's eyes. "What's wrong?"
Crissa stood and moved to sit upon the couch opposite the noblewoman. "Peris had a run in with one of the seniors from yesterday. He's threatening to talk their fathers into marrying her to him."
A look of horror crossed Wenn's face. "Not if I can help it," he said, his own eyes hardening in a manner almost identical to what Crissa's had. Again, the sorceress felt desire flow from the girl, toward Wenn this time. A passionate creature, she thought, watching Peris' eyes flickering over Wenn as he stood in the doorway, fuming.
Peris giggled, a hollow sound. "If you were highborn, you might could stop it, by sacrificing yourself to that cause," she said. "Assuming he's serious, though I've no doubt he is considering it."
"I know that your feelings are secondary in such matters," said Crissa, "but surely, they account for some portion of the decision."
With a shrug, Peris said, "Oh, certainly, in a instance of one young nobleman over another, it would, but I've not been asked for of yet. I have something of a reputation as a bit of a shrew, something many young highborn are loathe to take on in a wife."
"Then we'll just get another young nobleman to ask for you, one you approve of," said Crissa, as if it were like hanging out linen. "I can easily make one fall for you, you know."
Peris giggled. "I don't think that a good option," she said. "Despite they will marry me off at my age, they will not marry off a young man until he's eighteen or more, usually." She looked into the middle distance. "There are no upperclassmen I find appealing, most of them are spoiled like Lentan."
"Such a thing would not last long enough, anyway, Crissa," said Wenn reasonably. "Do you really think he will ask for you?"
Another shrug from Peris was his reply.
Marrat's voice came filtering in from the study, he was calling for both Wenn and Crissa. They excused themselves hastily and trotted to the study.
Old Marrat was ensconced behind his reading podium. "Boy, girl, you listen now, and listen well," he said, his voice uncharacteristically hard. "You don't get to meddling in the affairs of nobles. There's an uneasy truce between the highborn and the practitioners of the arts. Without that, we would be persecuted and they would be assassinated and neither would know a moment's peace." He peered around the podium at the two as they hung their heads down. "Heed me in this. I'm fond of Peris, also, she's a sweet girl. But I'd not have you two branded as troublemakers by the nobility before your apprenticeship is even finished."
"Yes, Master Marrat," they said in unison.
"You'll learn subtlety in time. Only by that means may things be rectified that are truly wrong. You cannot use your powers to correct all the evils of the world." Marrat looked at them again. "Subtlety is your art, even more than the gifts you both have." He finally returned his gaze to the tome before him. "Go see to your young guest, and remember what I've said."
The two apprentices walked back to the anteroom, where Peris was still sitting on the short couch. "Please don't do anything that might cause you trouble," she pleaded.
Crissa and Wenn looked at one another a moment, then smiled. "Seems that advice is quite popular this day," said Wenn.
The young noblewoman stood up and kissed Wenn's cheek. "I am flattered that you seek to redress this issue for me, really, but you must not act against Lentan." She looked at the floor with worried eyes. "Some that have crossed him have had – accidents."
"I think Lentan will find me quite unprone to such accidents," said Wenn, his back stiffening.
Crissa snickered. "You should see him practicing a new spell, he needs no help with accidentally killing himself," she said.
The young wizard aimed a playful poke at Crissa's ribs, causing her to giggle more as he prodded her under her arm. "Not all of us are perfect," he said.
A toss of her head sent her golden hair flying over her shoulder. "I know, I am simply divine," she said. "You may kiss my pinkie ring." She held up an unadorned pinkie finger while tilting her head back and peering down her nose at Wenn.
Peris laughed at the display of the two. "You two really are good together," she said. "I envy you both."
The ‘both' did not escape Crissa's notice, though she did not react to it. "Next you come to visit, we will come gather you from the dormitory," said the sorceress. "That should at least give young Lord Lentan pause before accosting you again."
Peris smiled. "Yes, it would," she said, "he was always watchful of this house as he spoke to me. No doubt he feared one of you would emerge and turn him into a toad."
A thoughtful look overtook Wenn's face. "Transmutation, hmm?" he said quitely. "I've not thought to study that yet, but I easily could." He broke into a florid smile. "No, I'll not waste essence on such a thing when a swift punch to the nose will have a more telling effect."
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LADIES IN NUDE
Russian Brides
LADIES IN NUDE
Russian Brides
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