He bowed solemnly to me. “Thank you, Master Tisera.” He was all formal courtesy and a part of me loved it.
Leo treated me with respect, a gentleman through and through. It was… refreshing. Most men either recoiled from me because I wasn’t womanly enough, or — if they didn’t know me — treated me like they treated most women, which wasn’t well. Then there was Kel, who’d abandoned me. And Daz, who was always so awkward, which was adorable but a bit tiring after awhile. Leo was different. For the first time, someone saw me — all of me — and accepted me.
I hesitated then, wanting so very badly to invite Leo back to have a bath with me, knowing I wanted more than just a bath.
But… I couldn’t. He was such a perfect gentleman and student, and I didn’t want to ruin that. I simply nodded to him.
“Tisera,” he said softly. He seemed hesitant, as if he had something to say, but was unsure of himself.
I waited, curious and a bit nervous. What would he say?
“I…” He sighed. “I… really appreciate everything you’ve done for me. I know I can find more students for you. You’re an amazing instructor. Thank you, Master Tisera.”
I smiled. It hadn’t been what I’d hoped, but it was kind and wonderful nonetheless.
“You’re welcome. Would you like to use my bath, to clean up… before I do?”
He smiled. “No, thank you for the offer, but I’ll be well. You go, enjoy yourself.”
I would.
We parted and I headed for the bath. Daz still hadn’t returned, so I’d have to settle for a tepid one, but it was a warm enough day that I didn’t mind.
While I bathed, I fantasized about a school of combat for women, where women came from all over to train with me. They were all perfect students, like Leo, and learned quickly. I was truly helping people and making a good living out of it, which didn’t involve the possibility of dying… nor killing.
And that was truly a wonderful thought.
CHAPTER 15
Tisera
This timeI wasn’t inside the carriage, but riding in the footman’s position, standing on the back, hanging on to a heavy bar with one hand as the vehicle moved from the main road to the rougher track heading north.
I kept a warry eye out. No one should know the Heir Apparent was out of the capital, but that didn’t stop me from being cautious. Prince Victor had managed to sneak out of the palace for an afternoon in the countryside with his love, and I was theironlyguard.
His logic had been sound: a massive contingent of men might have been safer but would have drawn much more attention. As it was, any passerby would think him only some fancy noble with his wife, not the crown prince.
Still, I didn’t like this one bit. I had a bad feeling about this excursion. From within the carriage came Veora’s giggles and sighs. It seemed the two of them couldn’t wait to be together.
The carriage pulled off the road where a grassy field nestled between the road and a burbling brook. On the other side ofthe road were farmer’s fields, flat lands with no one about for miles except herders and plowmen. Rising from the far side of the brook was a pleasant woodlot. Overall, it seemed a fairly innocuous and safe location, but still, I was on edge.
I jumped off the carriage, sword out and ready as I walked the perimeter of the site. I was in full battle armor, a chain mail shirt with full sleeves and a four-segmented skirt which fell to the knee, for easy movement. Over that I wore a breastplate and back-plate, pauldrons, and bracers, with a helm covering my head. On my legs were padded leggings under sturdy steel greaves on my calves and winged poleyns over my knees. It was heavy, but I’d trained for years in this and even heavier armor to make sure I could go for hours without tiring.
The carriage driver laid out blankets and pillows, along with the extravagant lunch, while the two lovebirds remained in the carriage for now. Only once everything was prepared and I’d given the all-clear did they come out.
Veora’s dress was already undone and loose on her. She was flushed and giddy as she pulled up the shoulder of the dress, which had slipped down exposing some skin. She and the prince sat on the blanket, ignoring the food, returning their attentions to each other. The carriage driver made his way to the other side of the carriage so the two would have some privacy and I… patrolled.
The afternoon wore on as the prince and Veora intermixed play with food. I remained vigilant, trying to ignore the grunts and moans and sighs and cries.
Something — a flash of movement within the shadows of that woodlot across the stream — caught my attention.
I peered more intently and saw it again.
It might have been some wild deer, but I’d still check it out.
The brook rose to my knee at its deepest, but I managed to avoid sloshing through it by hopping from stone to stone. Theopposite bank was higher, so I grabbed a low branch from a tree to pull myself up. Once on the other side and within the confines of the quiet woodlot I put a tree to my back and listened.
Birds chirped and wind tousled the leaves and branches above me. It seemed like a perfect summer’s day. Quiet…
