12347 I fear it has twisted a bit.

Chapter 2

Arrival at the Plain.

 

 

 Charity pulled into the camp and smiled it looked nothing like a Merc camp, but was orderly and well set all the same. The tents were a bit wrong in shape and the colors bright. It was fitting, they had stayed to the tame designs but yet was enough off to say clearly they were not from the area. Which would do well, explain both the guide and the unknown name. There had been no objection yet, and so the Chosen must have agreed to the conditions that they brought in a second company and they were owed the same contract. It wouldn’t do from them to come in not requesting payment, and the Chosen could easily afford to pay them. He should offer some to all that came to his aid, but likely wouldn’t. It wasn’t long until they were seen, a voice rang out. “See I told you it wouldn’t be a long wait. They know Mom’s months.” They got off their horse, and Charity shook her head a bit as Asaim came and started getting the bags off before she tried to.

Another said. “Fine you got that one Kaneb, but you were wrong about who would come.”

Kenab said. “Well so were you so I won. Hi sis, good to see you again, and looking well. I thought my brother would be with you, but at least you didn’t come alone. Come on and we will go get some food in you. There is a tent already set up for you, so Asaim don’t worry about that, just get the bags there. Yes Mother and Uncle Siam is taken this chance to see you have a decent tent, for all you refused one. Your servant has orders to see it is the decent one that gets set up from now on. There is one for Jab as well, when you are not together.”

Asaim bowed. “Thank you sir, that will be welcome. Mistress,” Charity frowned, but he ignored as he always did. “I will just see to the bags and then will be with you.” He bowed again and headed to the tent, not needed to ask which one it was, as they were marked with the owners name signs, which in Charity case that was a flying gold dragon, and under it a smaller red stag, for Jabari.

Charity shook her head when she saw it. “I should have known. I wonder how much of the code Luke and Mike worked out. I might just find myself cornered again when they see the tents.” She let them lead her to the cook tent, and thought she might as well explain the contract. He wasn’t going to like it, and the others even less. So best give him time to work out how to tell the. “Now De knows who you are, but as far as Crater is concerned you all are a foreign Mercenary company tagged The Olive Knights. Yes it is silly, and not what you wanted, but what folks start calling you, as some wore the symbol of their homes. See that way your men can have their medals openly, as I am sure some will. One of the conditions for us return was that you came with us, under the same contract offered to us. For we know from last time the area is to big for just us and a unit of there’s to hold, even though we have expanded a bit.” He was frowning. “I know, but a good Merc company will never go in without an offer of payment, no matter the evilness of the other side. Besides, the Crater is in no way hurting for funds. It will do them good to pay you. I have a copy of the contract here, so you can read it. Those going to De, that includes the ones sent from Sehiam will be under contract as well. For all it rubs you wrong, it is your way in. Nothing else would look right.”

Garstern said. “Dad told us all before we set out that we were under you and Jab once we reached, which meant we were know hired swords until further notice and were not to give you any guff about it. So no worries about us, WingSib.” He hugged her, and was glad to feel more meat to her. “It is good seeing you, and you are looking better Jabari and Asaim have been doing good, though I am sure you didn’t make it easy on them. I have been acting as commander until we reached you, but am now gladly turning those duties over.” Charity shook her head, and clearly wanted to protest. “Father was clear, you and Jab are in charge. So it will do you no good. I have kept your servant with mine, but will be glad to get it turned over to you. I think Asaim will be willing to leave you in its care and see to Jab. Just where is he by the way? And how did he get you to take Asaim with you? I thought if it was you, you would be alone. Kaneb said you and Jabari would both be here.

Kanab shook his head, but figured seeing just who her servant was would give her enough problems, and mother did tell him he would have to. that payment was part of posing as a Company, for all it was wrong. “We knew it was likely, but still seem worn to take money to fight the evil we are sworn to see ended, but Mother said we to do so if it was deemed necessary. That name though. That is worse than the yours. Now before we pull out you need to walk the camp and see what we can’t have. We don’t want anything that your folks will think is not possible, but likely missed a few things. Are the tents all right? I did keep to the plane looking ones, so as long as none enter them I hope they will do.”

Charity said. “They look fine, it will help that they look different. The fact that Jabari and I will have he same make can be explained by the family tie. After all it is the though the relationship of the units that we meet, which in a way it is, come to think of it. No one should enter the tents without being asked, and the regs are likely to stir clear of you all. They will us as well, females shouldn’t fight, and then the use of unapproved spells. The exception will be in the med tents. Last time they went out of the way to go to De’s over the local ones. Not that I can blame them any.” They reached the cook tent and Kaneb opened the door for her. She knew by now what she would find, yet still had to pause a bit and take it in. for inside the tent was a full dining hall, and kitchen. Her tent would likewise be a full set of rooms, likely a bit bigger then what she had in camp. It still amazed her, even knowing the spell, and having used a one like it. “I wonder if I will ever get used to that. It is odd to be in a tent and yet not in one. Garetern, are you sure you don’t need another servant? I truly don’t. I mean I am a Merc, there is no need for servants. Heck Asaim works with Chad just to have enough to do as it is. So just what am I to do with it?”

Garstern said. “On top of the two I have? You have to be joking. The trip here was more then long enough to balance three servants. Besides It wouldn’t be happy, even knowing I was bringing It to you there was still too much distress. Once the owner is known the training becomes person specific.” That made her scowl, that shouldn’t have been. She had agreed only to one not trained for bedroom. “And yours is fully trained.” She turned and looked at him, but before she could start he said. “Yes I know you said no. However one of the laws said it was to be and the votes were not there to remove it. The fact that the training wasn’t done and you had outside obligations is the main reason you were allowed to get by. Even so there were a lot upset you didn’t have a temporary one. If Asuim hadn’t have been there he would have had to assign you one. It took a lot of dancing as it was. The difference in traditions had some worried. We are at the first table, of course. You didn’t say where Jabari was.”

Charity shook her head as they led her up though the rows of tables. Those in there stood once they realized who had entered. It was impolite to sit when your commanders were standing, and doubly so when they were royalty. Neither of the men took any notice, but it made her nervous. She didn’t like the attention. “Jabari really wants to be here, he is not happy. However De was pulling out shortly and he was needed with her. Given that we are going to my Father’s place there is no way I would have been getting by traveling alone, for all you will be with me when we get there. He was thinking of having Mike or Luke come as well. I was able to point out why they couldn’t.” Looking at the tables and those waiting on them she realized that the servants had their ropes on. “I do hope everyone knows that things need to be less formal when we are among the others. Those working with De can not be standing like that. It would be best if yours didn’t, but it can be said to be what it is, a cultural thing. It would look odd though if there were a lot so new as to not have worn away a bit of the habit among De’s men. Also the ropes have to go, even on yours.”

Kaneb nodded. “They will be gone when we are among others, but they wanted them until then. I saw no harm in it. It is hard on them traveling without them. I forgot how nervous there standing makes you. They won’t do it in the communal areas, but that was as much of a compromise as I was able to get.”

Charity nodded. “I know it does, but ropes scare people, these lands have a bad past involving forced bondage, and that makes it hard for them to know there can be non-forced bondage. Asuim rides with the reigns wrapped three times around the wrist and orders that he may not dismount without permission. It helps him a bit, though it is not the same as actual ropes, it cause less upset.”

Garsern said. “That should help I will let them know. Though yours needs to be kept in the ropes tomorrow, It needs too know you will. Even though you hate to.” She also needed to use him, but he didn’t know how to tell her that. It was strange enough. She was mad now and soon going to be more so. Once she realized just who was standing at the table. It wouldn’t be much longer. “If we need to we will just wait a day.”

Charity said. “We won’t be around many towns the first few days, so they can be used to ease the servants out of the ropes. That might help. Yes I know the train means It needs to be, and as It is fully trained I need to fully take It. Which I wanted to avoid.” She closed her eyes, and knew she had to, as they would see it anyway. “Actually if you need to, Crater is not going to mind the ropes, there servants are life long placements and they do get tied now and then. De’s folks will give them some odd looks at first. However they have seen Asuim ask, and tie the first knot, so do understand a bit.” She looked at the table wonder just how big of a deal they were going to make it. Then saw who was there. “Critern why” Her voice trailed off as the ropes registered. “Just what is going on here?” She had stopped walking.

Gar and Kaneb exchanged a look. Garstern took a breath. “I thought it best your servant wait at the table for you. It seemed the best place to conduit the transfer of It as well as the formal transfer of command.

Carty looked at them then at him and shook her head for his ropes were indeed gold and blue, which are her colors. “Just when I think things can’t get anymore complicated. One of care to explain how this happens?”

She did start moving again the other two relaxed a bit. However her voice was just a bit to controlled, she was clearly angry, but they had expected it. Asuim and Jabari were going to be upset as well. Likely something should have been said, but tradition was no one knew who was bond to them until the leash was transferred. And he would be leashed this day, which didn’t help. Critern smiled glad to have her there. Wanting more then anything to feel the anger he saw in her, and ease the other need. He bowed low and stayed that way as he pulled the chair he was tied to away from the table for her. It was so good to be able to at last. Knowing how odd it must be for his brother he answered, for all he shouldn’t speak. “I am sorry Mistress, but tradition meant you couldn’t know I belonged to you at that time. When you were in the hills I was in my year of army service, as I said. I just failed to say what I was out of it. I never told Jabari either, for this is one of the differences in our people and I didn’t know how to explain it to him. Then when you came and the tie was know, and it was to late for me to dare say anything for fear he would think I was doing it because of his bond to you. Forgive me Mistress I know I should have at least said what my training was. By failing to I lied to both of you. I was going to, once he finished that class and knew a bit more. I just well.”

Charity said. “You were worried tell him before he knew a bit of your ways would cost you a friend, and then you were sure he would blame you. Still the transgression must be dealt with, as must you speaking out of place. However that will wait until we are alone.” She shook her head, but knew it had to be if she didn’t the guilt would come to hurt him. That was the way the training work, it made them seek correction for infractions. She sat down, and let him see to the chair. “Rise you can’t very well see to the food that way.”

Critern was still smiling, her saying that just helped, for all he knew it must trouble the others. He slowly straightened up so he would be able to take the food from the workers. Here as all were know he didn’t need to taste it so he just sat it in front of her and waited to be told what she wished to drink.

This time Kaneb was frown a bit, the idea of punishing a servant for something so understandable, and for answering a question that seemed aimed at all of them seem wrong. But then it was a meal service and they were to be silent during such. Garstern nodded though, as that was just what was needed. He knew it would be hard on her. Not liking being waited on and him needed a firm hand. “I know it has to be odd. I couldn’t believe it when I found out It never told either of you he was even in the servant program. It really should have.”

Charity said. “That It should have. I am sure it was strange for you. Now I can better understand why It was such a hassle on the trip. I image It shocked a few people.” She looked at the offered drinks. “The white tea will do servant.” It felt wrong, but she couldn’t use his name at the table, or in any kind of formal setting do to who he had been. She took a bite of food and did her best not to laugh as she saw the others relax. It was so clear they had expected her to throw a fit. He quickly pored the tea in her cup then moved back behind her where he could see the cup and plate remained full.

Asuim had entered but stayed to the side, it was now Critern’s job to see to her so as long as he did it Asuim would just observer unless called or there was something need that was out of the others reach, where he was tied. As was only fitting of one new to the place. Not that he had been a bit pleased to see who it was, fearing that the prince would let her get by to easy, but so far the boy was working. He was seeing the plate was full so Mistress was eating, so it seemed they had seen he knew that much. she tended to stop to soon if the plate wasn’t kept full.

Garstern said. “It was not what we wanted, but father was not surprised when it asked him if he could allow it. It did check with him first and tell us. So we at least knew. Given who he used to be there were a few more hopes to go through then normal, but the titles are all striped so there is no worry that way. Of course the console was scrambling for a way to undo it once they learned who Its holder is. The ceremony confirming new servants was used to finish dissolving the titles and was done at the meeting when he told them of the Tower and that he was sending troops. Just after the ceremony was done they were telling Father he had to see you had a servant, that with the war the law wound not present them a delay. He told them I would be delivering the one they just passed to you. That had them all sputtering.”

Charity had to get a drink before she could answer that. “I bet they were. That might have been worth seeing. Now did you guys bring a med team? From the last time we know they like poisons, by the end we had seen thirty different ones, six that I had to seek to find an antidote for because no one had seen. More I did because I didn’t know and no one was free just then. I am just glad I could do it, for all I didn’t know what it was I was doing.”