adventures of a merchant 4 - dance with a demon by arcie emm

7/27/2019 Adventures of a Merchant 4 - Dance With a Demon by Arcie Emm

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chased by enough clouds to provide periodic relief from the heat. Eventhe prior night's rain had stopped before turning the path to mud,instead it served to keep down the dust that could have been kicked upby the wheels and horses of my wagon train.

Yes, my wagon train.

Admittedly it was not a large train, consisting only of three wagons,their drivers, and six guards. But it was the first one where I was incharge, it contained no journeymen, no senior wagoners, not even one ofthe corporals. Though just a regular run, serving the small farmingcommunities dotting the land around Elladoo Post, still I felt proud tohave been entrusted with the task. And if one looked in the back of anyof the carts, they would judge it a task well done.

Constant checking and rechecking meant that not only did I provide greatentertainment for the veteran crew accompanying me, but that Iintimately knew each wagon's contents. The majority of the trade goods,originally accompanying us from the fort, were gone, in their place wererecently harvested vegetables, probably destined for the Hanglish minesor North Fort. Meanwhile, our real treasures were to be found in chestsstored beneath each wagon's seat. Inside could be found collections ofseeds, leaves, roots, bark and flowers from any number of herbs andplants that were in demand from the apothecaries in the Southern cities.

I hoped that Master Elladoo would allow me to manage their dispersalupon my return to Glanlies for the winter, believing that it would be agood way to continue my summer's education.

Education that had been the foundation of Master Elladoo's plan to keepme too busy to worry about my afflictions. He had proceeded with myapprenticeship, just as if I had not been changed from his apprenticeboy into an attractive, tow-headed girl, who happened to be conjoinedwith a bloodthirsty demoness. When that plan met with skepticism fromMistress Elladoo and myself, we received a rare reminder as to who wasin charge as I found myself part of the work crew, under Durk, headingto Many Song Post.

It proved that he, who had been my teacher for a number of years, hadnot been duped into forgetting who I had been or assuming that I hadcompletely changed. He believed things were going too fast, that theexcitement and attention in Glanlies had gone to my head, and that I wasin need of some grounding. Durk was assigned that task.

Now in my prior writings, I have probably been unfair in my descriptionsof Durk, having him always come off second best to Clara. Yet how canyou compare rock to fire, their strengths are needed at different times.For the next month I learned the way of the rock, while serving as itsassistant. It proved exhausting. Durk was a large man, muscled not fat,who seemingly had boundless energy, allowing him to continuously moveabout the construction site ensuring everything went to plan. And except

when he had me running an errand, I was always at his side. Actually,since I was barely over chest high to the man, despite being tall for mynew gender, it was more like I scurried along a step or two behind.

Nor was it just my legs that were exercised, as he had always been mymost demanding instructor. Our endless trek, around the site, wasaccompanied by constant explanations of what needed to be done, why itwas needed, who would do it, and how it would be done. Or he would talkof the tribes and their history or villages and their headsmen. Then, atany moment, I had to be prepared for quizzes about what he told me, that


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to bargain unless the price he heard was somewhat reasonable, so I justnodded my head and began asking the price of other sticks.

After a slight hesitation Abner preceded to tell me the price of therest of the sticks, placing four within the 40 - 60 silver price rangethe mistress and I had agreed would be appropriate for the thank yougifts, based upon my station and wealth. Separating these from the rest,I studied and tested each, finding that a white oak piece, the cheapestof the four, felt the best in my hands.

Noticing that the oak stick kept finding its way into my hands, Abnerasked, "Excuse me Miss, maybe I could provide further assistance in yourchoice. Do you seek one for your own use?"

"Nay I am looking for a gift."

"For a man or a woman?"

"A man."

"Ahh, I was wondering, because most men would find the stick you hold tobe overly fine."

Confused, since it seemed to be the plainest of the bunch, I said, "But

it hardly has any decorations."

"Not that type of fine Miss. Here hold up your hand, see how muchsmaller it is than mine? Well we men find a lady's stick, like that one,too thin for comfort. We need something more solid."

Feeling embarrassed, despite the logic in my finding a woman's walkingstick the most appropriate, I blurted, "Lord Deglace does have quitelarge hands."

"Lord Hiram Deglace?" Seeing my reluctant nod, he continued, "Well thatchanges everything. He is a collector and you can't just give him anywalking stick. The only one worthy of his ownership is this one."

Cursing the slip of my tongue that had returned our discussion back tothe expensive stick, sooner than I had planned, I none-the-less realizedthat the unwanted bargaining had begun. "It is a nice piece GoodmanAbner; however, it is well beyond my price range."

"You would pay much more for such a work of art in Glanlies."

"I am sure that is true, which would put it even further out of my pricerange. Would you take 35 silver for the grey one?"

Snorting at the choice, Abner said, "I rather doubt that Lord Deglacewill find himself in a dockside bar brawl, for that is all that cudgel

is good for. No the only option is this one, how about 1 gold even, thatis an excellent price."

"Still too much Goodman Abner, would you take 45 silver?"

"It would break me, I couldn't do that."

Surely there is no need to repeat what followed, it being the same asany such dealing. However, we still found ourselves 15 silver apart.Stalemated, it was my opponent who changed tactics when he asked, "You


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seem to like the white oak stick, maybe we can work out a package dealfor both?"

Surprised to find that stick still in my hand, I responded, "Oh no, Idon't need one for myself."

"Don't be too sure. If you spend any time walking about one of thecities, you will quickly find its benefit. Also there will be times whenyou are unable to wear that sword at your waist, yet can carry yourwalking stick, which will offer you almost the same amount ofprotection."

Remembering my aching feet the day Jimi, Stork, and I spent runningerrands for Clara, while knowing that my sword was never included when Ifound myself in skirts, I saw the wisdom in these comments. My beingintrigued by the idea, meant he had himself a customer. In the end hesold me both for 1 gold, more than I had intended, but rarely is thatnot the case when you bargain with as little knowledge as I had aboutwalking sticks.

Nor did my purse find relief dealing with Young Abner, though this timeit was not through lack of knowledge. No upon seeing the footed arrowshe was showing to Jimi, made from cedar though tipped and knocked inpurple heart, I immediately recognized their quality and knew they would

be wonderful for archery contests. And since Julion was my favouriteDeglace, after the mistress, I did not mind paying 31 silver each forthree.

A better deal was found for Archmage Sharlese and Magister Bewlmon. Apair of leather gloves, dyed the same burgundy as her robes, for thearchmage. While for Magister Bewlmon I found a tin ink well, decoratedwith mountains.

This left me with Mary and Lady Deglace, for whom neither Jimi nor I hadany idea what to buy. So I moved from wagon to wagon, hoping to spotsomething that struck my fancy. This, in time, brought us to the wagonof Delilah the Seamstress, a name I remember Mary mentioning during the

day when she and the Washans prepared my wardrobe for our trip toGlanlies. Since it had been in positive terms, I took a chance and toldDelilah that I looked for gift for Mary.

"Mary? She's not ill is she? I missed her visit when we passed throughat Elladoo Post a few days back?"

"No Goodwife, she has decided to stay in Glanlies with her family."

"So she finally decided to follow her own wants, instead of hermistress's, did she?"

"Aye."

"Good for her, some are not meant for the North. Though I will miss hervisits. And yes I do have something that I had planned to show her, holdhere for a moment and I will retrieve it from my wagon."

It was longer than a moment, before she returned carrying a basket.Setting it down on her table, she said, "Now if I had my druthers, Maryis not who I would choose to make me any garment, but she has anexcellent eye for decorating one already made. So often she bought thetrimmings and ruffles I make."


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With these words she opened the basket and began looking through thedifferent trimmings inside. Of various colours, the majority being theruffles that the Roamers used to trim their dresses. Finding what shewas looking for, Delilah pulled out a length, of multiple yards, in arecognizable blue. "Mary was always after me to make some in Deglaceblue, but only recently did I find some cloth that is properly dyed toallow me to do so."

Knowing how much of her time, during the trip South, Mary had spent withher sewing bag out, adding decoration to either the mistress' or mydresses, I could imagine that she would appreciate what was in thebasket. Yet I was surprised with how little it cost me to buy what musthave taken as many hours to make as either of the walking sticks I hadearlier purchased. Embarrassed that I had spent so little on Mary, whowas the most important person to me, I asked Delilah if she had anythingelse that Mary may like, such as a scarf or a dress.

"I doubt that would be a wise idea Miss Drake. Mary is not the type tohave others pick her clothes for her, much rather would she choose forthem."

Laughing, I agreed, "That is true."

"So speaks the voice of experience?"

"Aye, she has strong opinions on what is proper, despite what may bepractical or what I think."

"How would she react to the practical, boyish garb you are wearing?"

"Oh she would hate it. Thinking it is not lady-like enough, nor wouldshe like me gallivanting about, escorted only by Jimi, with a merchanttrain. But her beliefs also allow her to be a rock when needed. I missher and so will be in one of her dresses when next we meet."

Smiling, Delilah said, "Surely you don't share dresses with her."

"No, no, it is as you said earlier, all of my non-traveling clothes werechosen by Mary."

"Just think how she would feel if you showed up to visit her in apretty, new dress. One you had picked out yourself. Wouldn't that be atreat for her?"

In that moment I felt sudden kinship with the fish swimming about in itspool when presented with the sight of a wiggling worm. Delilah wasright, Mary would probably be just as pleased to see me show up lookingall girly as she would by anything I could get her. And though both thefish and I saw an invitation too good to be true, nature demanded that

we take a nibble.

"It might..."

"Oh I am sure of it. Often did she lament that it was not worth her timelooking at the things I made, since her mistress had no interest in herown appearance. Maybe you would be interested?"

Entranced by the worm, as it bobbed up and down, I took another nibble."I guess I could look."


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"That seems reasonable Dearie, why don't we pop into my wagon and see?"

The worm suddenly moving away confused me for a moment, but as expectedI followed her into a surprisingly large interior, everything from asmall stove, to cupboards, benches, and beds bolted and folded theagainst the walls of the wagon. There was ample room for the two of us,there would have even been room for Jimi, if Delilah had not firmly toldhim to wait outside.

"Being that you are so tall and slender, most of the things I have willnot fit. However, there is one piece I have that, with the slightestadjustments, would be perfect for you. Let me find it. Here it is, yeshold it up against yourself and let me see."

Even after having spent much of the summer in pants and shirt, the dressdid not instill the terror that it once would have done. So I did nothesitate in taking it from her; however, I did not immediately followinstructions, instead holding it up at arms length to get a better viewfor myself. Though the dress was much as expected, the colour didsurprise me. Unlike the usual bold colours you usually see a Roamerwoman wear, this dress was an ivory white whose starkness was offsetonly by the obligatory black ruffles at the skirts hem. Otherwise, ithad the low, square-cut neck line, long bell sleeves, and unevenly cut

skirt, the front being knee high while the back came down low on thecalf, that I always found so attractive on their young women. My initialperusal complete, and with Delilah still waiting, I held the dress up tomy body for her to judge the fit.

"My that does look good with your colouring, though most of our girlscouldn't wear it. And it looks to be a decent fit. How do you like it?"

"It's quite nice," I said, honestly not knowing if the colour was goodon me or not. My fashion sense having not begun to develop, it justseemed like another dress. Maybe a bit fancier than those in thecupboard in my room at Elladoo Post, but nothing like the ones leftbehind in Glanlies. I thought I would be okay with wearing it.

The fisherwoman finally set her hook. "Well then, out of your clothesand let's see how it looks on you."

Too late my instincts cut in and I headed for the weeds. "Umm...that maynot be wise, I have been on the road for days and have not had a chanceto bathe."

She was prepared, pulling back before I swam too far. "Worry not Dearie,I have a basin of water and some soap, you can wipe away the worst ofthe road dust and sweat."

With this offer, she soon had me out of bodice and shirt, wiggling out

of deerskin breeches, even my small clothes and bandeau. And though Ireally wanted to take a dip in the pools monopolized by the Roamerchildren, the hand wash with the cool water proved refreshing. Until theopening of the wagon's door, bringing a sudden rush of light, caused meto let loose a rather high-pitched squeal of distress as I tried tocover myself with arms and wash cloth.

"Kailie, close that door right now."

"Oops sorry Mama, I did not know you were with someone." Said Delilah`s


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pretty daughter, who was slightly younger than my own age, as sheentered the wagon to join the two of us. Looking appraisingly at me, sheasked, "Everybody says so, but are you really Drake the apprentice boyfrom Elladoo Post? Cause if so, you've changed from mouse to vixen sincelast I saw you."

Feeling myself grow even redder, I was happy to be rescued by Delilah."Kailie, where are your manners?"

"Sorry Mama."

"What are you doing here girl?"

"Well the young'uns are done with the pool. Now it's our turn, so I cameto get my brush, some soap and a change of clothes before meeting upwith the rest to head to North pool."

"Wait a few moments, then you can take Drake with you and the othergirls. I am sure you will appreciate more than that basin offers, won'tyou Drake?"

Beginning to recover from the shock of Kailie's arrival, I immediatelysaw the benefit in joining her and her friends while they bathed. Andnot for the reason offered by Delilah. "Yes, that would be wonderful."

"Okay, what you doing anyway?"

"She's looking for a dress."

"Which one? Oh the white one, it's so pretty. You're so lucky it willfit you Drake, I always wanted it for myself, but Mama says I am too bigup top."

"Don't brag Kailie, you don't have Drake's tiny waist. Really herbreasts are perfect for her. At least so thought the boys, who deliveredour groceries."

While I finished washing, the two continued discussion about myappearance, everything from my head to toes. It was almost as if theyforgot I was with them in the wagon. It meant that I was as ready asever to put on a dress, hoping to distract them from offering theiropinions on my finer qualities as a woman. Pulling it over my head, Igave a little shimmy to get it past my hips, then extracted my braidfrom its trap inside the bodice, allowing Kailie to do up the laces inthe back. Dressed, Delilah examined the fit.

"Maybe it is a bit short, but that will just give you a chance to showoff your pretty knees. How does it feel?"

"It is very soft, but the skirts seems tight."

"Nonsense, that is how they are supposed to be and they're not as tightas those breeches on the floor, though they will accentuate thoseswaying hips of yours."

About to protest, I remembered Julion's statements to the mages Sharleseand Tison about how I moved. Instead my attention remained upon thedress, deciding that in particular I liked the sleeves, which did notdrape far past my wrists allowing me to use my hands without the cuffsgetting in the way. In general, other than the intentional tightness at


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my hips, it seemed a good fit. I surprised myself by liking it. "If thatis the case, then I have no more complaints about the fit."

"Not so quickly Dearie." Delilah said, pinching cloth at my waist. "Itis quite loose here, I think we will have to put some darts in to getthe proper fit. Kailie, hand me some pins."

Standing patiently, so as not to be stuck by a pin, the dress was soonshaped to my form. Still a little frown on the seamstress's face saidshe still was not happy. "This may not work. We need to take in morecloth than I had hoped, the darts may end up being too noticeable. Icould try to make them appear decorative, but that is not what I had inmind when first making the dress."

"How about like the ladies of Jewel, Mama?"

"What's that? Oh yes, there's an idea. Let me look."

As her mother searched through the cupboards at the back of the wagon,Kailie noticed my look of confusion and explained. "Drake, you would bea natural for Jewel, where they very much appreciate a woman with a trimwaist. The noblewoman even force their daughters into the most horribleof rib crushing devices to make it happen. Better to be a common womanin Jewel, instead of inflicting such torture upon themselves they wear

wide belts. Mama does good business selling such belts."

"Apparently Mama needs to become serious about replacing her stock. Ionly found two black ones that will fit. Here let's try this one first."

The first was of brocade, decorated with flowers embroidered in redthread, and was at least a hand width wide, I was surprised that it wasnot more uncomfortable. Still I did not particularly like it, thinkingthat the red flowers were rather too gaudy for the dress. That was notthe case for the second belt, made of the softest leather, its blacknessoffset only be the white thread at the edges. However, it was lesscomfortable, besides being twice as wide it was also shorter in length,forcing me to suck in my breath before it could be laced tight, though

it did provide a nice accent to the white dress.

"Well Drake, do you like either of them?"

"They're both nice. Though the first one was a bit too...too much."

Delilah interrupted, "I agree, it just did not go with your new dress atall. Much wiser to go with the leather one."

Kailie agreed, "Definitely Drake, it really shows of your figure. Theboys will love it."

Having not realized that it had become a foregone conclusion that I

would be buying the dress and belt, Kailie's words caused my finalthrashing before I was pulled ashore. "It seems too small."

"Worry not Dearie, it will stretch to a more comfortable size. Now whydon't you change back into your boyish clothes so I can start sewing thedarts, then you can wear it when you finish your bath."

Truly glad am I that none of my instructors were with me on that day,for surely they would have been disappointed to see how few of theirbargaining lessons I remembered. First Old Abner, then Delilah, treating


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with me as if I had no will of my own. Doubtless Master Elladoo wouldsay it was because I was too eager a buyer. Thus when I left the wagon,it was as the owner of a new dress and matching belt. I did not evenhave my boots, they having been kept aside for polishing at 14 copper.Returned to the bright sunlight, I stood there blinking in confusion atwhat had happened and waited for Kailie to join me.

Jimi and the wolfhound, who had been dozing off in the wagon's shade,looked up at me as I stood there, the first asking, "So Drake, did youbuy a dress?"

"Apparently."

"Where is it? And where are your boots?"

"The former is undergoing some modifications so that it fits properly.The latter are being polished."

Holding out one of his feet, to look at the old, scuffed, brown, ridingboots he wore, Jimi stated, "I don't think any amount of polishing woulddo mine, or me, any good. So what now? Eck and me are all rested up."

"Eck? Is that the dog's name? What type of name is Eck?"

"Don't know, just one of the Roamer menfolk cautioned me to be wary ofEck. But he seems like a good fellow, likely just gets a bad rep becausehe's so big."

Though spoken without bitterness, the words held the ring of trueknowledge. Not knowing what, if anything, needed saying, I answered hisearlier question. "I'm off to bathe in the North pool."

"Is that safe?"

"Sure it is." A voice from the wagon's door, answered. "She's comingwith us and all the boys know how much trouble they will get into ifthey sneak a peak."

"Jimi, this is Kailie. Kailie, Jimi." Introductions complete, I noticedthe canvas bag she carried, which prompted me to ask, "Umm, Kailie doyou mind if we go over to our camp so I can get my stuff?"

"Sure, but let's hurry. Everybody is meeting up fairly soon."

Glad that the glade was grass, with me barefoot, we trotted to our campwhere I quickly scooped up my pack and settled it over my shoulder. Jimilooked nervous about me heading off without him, but settled for tellingEck to look after me. The dog seemed to wuff an agreement before headingNorth with Kailie and I, though she nervously kept me between him andherself. Not until we were back into their camp did she regain her

active tongue.

"So is the big man your lover?"

"What!"

"That Jimi, he's awfully protective of you, like a lover is supposed tobe. He's not the most handsome fellow, but he does have large hands andyou know what they say about men with large hands?"


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"No! Umm no, he's just my friend and has appointed himself as myguardian."

"You have a bodyguard? Why? Didn't you take on a whole bandit camp byyourself?"

"Well its better to avoid trouble, Jimi is good at keeping it away."

"Yeah I suppose so. What's it like being possessed by a demon?"

I was even more stunned by this question, than the one about Jimi. Notbecause she knew, I guessed that everyone in their camp had heard someform of my story. No, it was because nobody had ever asked thatquestion, not even me, yet the answer was immediately on the tip of mytongue. "It's scary."

"Scary, why?"

"It just is. I don't know how to explain it."

Before any other questions could be thrown my way, we arrived at a groupof eleven girls or young women, ranging from Kailie's age all the way upto five who were past the age when most in the North would be married.However, this lack was explained away by them being the primary dancers

amongst this group of Roamers, each would not be married until theyounger girls in this group grew in skill and replaced them.

"Hey everybody, this is Drake. She's going to share the pool with us."

Kailie then introduced them to me. The third of whom was Filice, lookingas lovely as I remembered. My heart beginning to race, I shyly loweredmy look and mumbled a hello.

All, except one, returned pleasant greetings. That one, spoke in a harshtone. "I don't think so. I know who HE is. I remember him leering at mewhen we danced at Elladoo Post last year."

Spotting the speaker, I did recognize her. She had stood out amongst thedancers and had drawn my eye, but not for the reason she assumed.Instead it had been the look on her face, the same look with which shemade her protest, sourness. Competent at the dance she had seemed, yetof all the members of their troupe only she had seemed to hate beinginvolved. Yet I could not explain that, it would be more harmful thanagreeing with her reasoning.

Kailie came to my defense. "Bah, Celise. I saw her naked. If she reallywanted to leer at a pretty girl, she would look in a mirror."

"Quiet scamp. We all know why. He is possessed by a demon and you knowwhat that means."

Things were getting ugly fast, if not for Filice, I do not know whatwould have happened. "Quiet both of you. Kailie, it is not for you tospeak to one of your elders in such a fashion. As for you Celise, Drakeis a respected guest of my family, both of my father and grandmother. Doyou pretend to be a better judge of what is happening than her?"

The response from Celise was a sullen one, but no more was said as weproceeded in two groups, me with the younger six, towards the pool. Ithad always been my assumption that someone had planted the bushes and


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trees that surrounded it for privacy. Moving through the hole cut in thesandilal hedge the answer of who suddenly seemed obvious, it had beenthe Roamers, offering their women a place to bathe out of sight.However, thoughts of the past were brushed aside by shyness as dressesbegan to be unlaced. Not wanting to be caught staring, in spite of mydesires, I once more lowered my head and began to doff my own clothes.Only when I was as unclothed and heard splashes from the girls in thewater did I look up.

I had guessed wrong, not all the girls were in the pool. In front of me,dressed the same as I, stood Filice. It was impossible not to drink inthe sight before my eyes, realizing my dreams had never done herjustice. Even after months in this form, it was as if it was the firsttime I had seen a woman, we were so very different. She was shorter thanme, her soft olive skin covering fabulously rounded breasts, hips, andthighs, making my own curves seem those of a girl not yet ready forwomanhood. I stared.

Yet in this I was not alone. She too stared at me, though withcuriosity. Finally her gaze caused me to look into her deep, hazel eyesas she laughed and said, "Kailie did not exaggerate, as is her want.There is nothing boyish about your appearance. Here, let me help youwith that braid, it wouldn't do to get it wet."

Reaching out to take my braid, she untied the leather thong at thebottom and began to unwind it, gently combing it with her fingers. "Ireally like your hair Drake. It's almost white, like someone from thefar East. Does it hold the curl from the braid?"

"No it will straighten out when washed."

"I often wish mine could be straightened."

My eyes closed, savoring her touch and beginning to feel the warmthassociated with active fingers underneath covers, I sighed mydisagreement. "Oh no your hair is lovely."

"Why thank you. Are you okay?"

"Hmm...uh-huhhh."

"Are you sure? Oh I know what the problem is."

A second later I was shocked wide-eyed as my left nipple was tweaked.Reactively clamping a hand to each breast, I hissed at the smiling face."Filice!"

"Maybe Celise has the right of it. Your girls announce your appreciationof what you see."

Mortified more by what she correctly assumed, than by what she had done,I found myself hurriedly offering the explanation I had hidden earlier.The result being a most attractive full body giggle.

"I don't think you're being completely truthful about what you'rethinking, but your excuse is hysterical. Gods above, I can't wait totell Dowdy Celise."

"Please no, she already dislikes me."


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"What would be in it for me?"

"My undying gratitude?"

"Tempting though that may be, I think my silence is worth more. Let'ssee, what do I want? You know there's going to be dancing tonight?"

"Aye, your father mentioned the possibility."

"Oh there will be and I want you to join us."

"Me? I don't know how to dance, I'll look foolish."

"We'll give you some lessons, nothing too complicated. But if you don'twant me to share your thoughts about Celise, that will be part of mypayment."

"Only part?"

"Well if you're going to play the part, you have to look the part. Youalso have to let me dress you up as one of us."

Eager to please, I said, "I bought a dress from Delilah."

"You did, did you? That's a perfect start, then it's a deal?"

Combining my existing plan to wear the dress, with the opportunity tospend more time with Filice, made it an easy deal with which to agree.Agreement struck and with soap in hand she led me into the pool, provingthat sometimes it is good to be a follower. There we joined the rest ofthe girls to wash and begin my lessons.

What followed was simply an amazing afternoon, starting out as onlytitillating before becoming so much more. Bathing and washing of hairtook barely any of the time and soon the older dancers were done and ontheir way. But not the rest of us, in the waist deep pool they began toteach me their dances, specifically the graceful hand movements and

upper body swaying that caused such happy thoughts amongst their malewatchers. I was not immune. When the six first began their demonstrationthey were amazingly distracting; however, as time passed it grew moreimportant that they were Filice, Kailie, Isselle, Sondra, Katreen, andNadine. It was so very fun to be in their company.

That is the thing about becoming an apprentice in a remote location likethe North, few are those of your own age with whom to share friendship.You are forced to leave your childhood, your youth behind. Thatafternoon I was given the opportunity to relive something missing sincemy boyhood in Corels, being part of a group. In a group it is easier tobe confident.

So when we heard two boys, on the other side of the bushes, talkingabout me in the way that boys talk about pretty girls, I did not blush,but joined in the giggles of the others. Giggles that turned into fullblown laughter when Kailie's shout of, "Bran and Nikolai, you idiots.She can hear everything you two dimwits are saying." resulted in suddensilence followed by footsteps running away.

That confidence stayed, as we moved to the sandy shore, allowing the sunto dry glistening bodies and long hair while we began to work on thesteps to accompany what had already been taught. Never would I have


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guessed how enjoyable dancing could be, it felt right. Even when theothers broke aside to dress I willingly accepted their praise for howmuch I had learned and their encouragement to keep practicing. For ithad begun to feel very natural, as if it was the not the first time thatI had stepped those steps, moved those movements. So when Kailie, whohad dashed away to her family's wagon, returned with a shout that shehad my things, my feet were slow to stop moving before I turned to seethat only Filice and Kailie remained, besides a sleeping Eck.

"Where did everyone go?"

Filice answered, "They had to go do their chores. Kailie and I decidedto stay and help you."

"Oh sorry, I did not know that you were waiting on me. Hopefully I havenot kept you away from your duties?"

"Well I am personally happy to skip chores, how about you Kailie?"

"Me too. Though I did run and get Drake's things. That was exhausting."

Laughing as she pretended to swoon, I said, "So I guess it is time tostart paying off my bargain."

"What bargain?"

"Well Drake let something slip, which she did not want to share, when wewere talking earlier and she needed to buy my silence."

"What was it?"

"I can't very well tell you, Kailie. Otherwise, she wouldn't have tokeep her side of the bargain."

"Oh yeah, I guess. Can you tell me what Drake has to do?"

"Yes, she's promised to dance with us tonight, but first she is going to

let me turn her into a beautiful dancer."

Though that was a bit more than promised, I did not dispute her claim.On that day, more than any day since being doomed to me new body, I feltcompletely happy with myself. Being one of the girls had been moreenjoyable than any since the days I had ran free as boy. So my lack ofdissension went beyond being fine with the idea of being a beautifuldancer, in that moment I wanted to be one.

Unaware of my desire, Kailie had similar thoughts as she said, "Let mehelp Filice. I've been thinking all afternoon about how Drake should doher hair, I even brought these for decoration."

These proved to be a number of small, black, cloth flowers, probablymade by her mother. Though I was not sure how they were used, Filiceseemed happy with them. "Those will be perfect Kailie and another pairof hands would be appreciated."

"I can just braid it like before."

"Eww, Drake that was ugly. Like some greasy haired city guard, you haveto let us do something better."


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"Well I did offer to put myself in your hands, and just as you I willkeep good faith with our bargain. Just don't make me look too funny."

"Funny is definitely not my plan. Now why don't you get dressed, you'veplayed water nymph long enough."

A good idea, since stopping my dance I had noticed that the lateafternoon sun had begun to lose some of its warmth. Finding some freshunder clothes within my pack, I replaced them with my traveling clothesand those I had already soiled. This time, after Kailie and I repeatedthe same actions as earlier, the dress had no slack in the waist. Thedarts, which I thought were hardly noticeable even before they werehidden by the belt, did their job to ensure that though covered, my bodywas not hidden. Yet since the fit was no different than the matchingdresses, black with red trim, worn by my two companions, I wasunbothered by the results.

Ignoring my clean boots until later, I followed Filice's instructions tokneel in front of her so she could brush my mostly dry hair. With myrecently found flexibility, the position was comfortable instead of thesquirm-inducing torture it would have been in the past. I also learnedone benefit of the uneven skirts, they allowed me to kneel withoutbinding, sensible for a nomadic people who could carry a limited numberof chairs and would spend much time on the ground beside a campfire.

Once Filice was done with the brush, it did not take long to guess thatshe was braiding my hair in a fashion I had never experienced, nor hadit ever taken so long, requiring the girls to periodically trade off.Though all my hair was pulled away from my face, they did notimmediately begin braiding it into the rope that I could create, insteadit was gently woven together from the top of my head down to my nape,the little flowers being artfully included in the weave. Only then didthey begin to create the expected braids from some of the hair cascadingdown my back, three of them, the centre full and thick while the outsidetwo were thin, being looped back to be pinned underneath the looseweave. So pleased were they with the results that I wished to have amirror or that the pool offered a better reflection.

Smiling at the result, Filice stated, "You need some nicer jewelry. Thatsteel stuff is practical, I suppose, but that's not what we're shootingfor. Let's head back to our wagon and I will find you something tolend."

Due to the spell of Asolde's priestess, Desmona, had cast upon me, mychains, which masqueraded as beautiful jewelry, changed to match anyearrings I wore. This had led to me finding a simple pair of steel hoopsbefore I had left Glanlies, which made the pieces less noticeable."Thank you very much for the offer, Filice; however, I need to keepthese."

"But Drake, they're so plain. Nothing that any of us would wear and youpromised."

"It's not that I don't want to, it's because I can't. Everything isbespelled so they cannot be removed." Then putting action to words, Ishowed how, though my rings could spin, they would not move to beremoved from my finger.

"Why would you do that?"


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Jumping in, Kailie guessed, "It's because of the demon, isn't it?"

Not wanting to lie to my new friends, I answered honestly. "Yeah, it is.While in Corels a magister of Durnst, along with his colleagues from theother Gods, performed a ritual which bound the demon via these chains.It stops Sandrelessa from gaining control of my body."

"Sandrelessa, is that the demon who possesses you? Why didn't theyexorcise it instead? What happens if it tries to take over?" The Queenof Questions asked.

"Aye, that's her name, but it is not the normal type of possession, soMagister Bewlmon did not think an exorcism would work and as acompromise with Furigal's people, decided to add my chains. IfSandrelessa makes her presence known, they begin to glow and will stopher, well my body actually, from acting on her will."

Filice said, "Magister Bewlmon, you say. You can tell he's a man,because no woman would have chosen such boring jewelry as chains."

"Actually Mistress Elladoo chose the jewelry to use. Really quitebeautiful too, sapphires and filigreed silver."

"Then why didn't they use them? Or were you just pretending when you

tried to remove your ring?"

A feeling mischievousness, combined with a desire to show off for my newfriends, caused me to smile and reach up to remove the steel hoop frommy right ear. My intended air of mystery disappeared as I struggled withthe clasp holding it in place, but finally it came free and I removedthe left. What resulted was not a slow acting magic, as soon as thatsecond hoop left my ear I saw both of their eyes widen in surprise.

Filice reacted first, with a startled hiss of breath she hesitantlyreached out to touch the circlet about my forehead. "Are they real?"

"Yes."

Kailie burst out with, "But they're so beautiful, why do you hide them?"

"You cannot expect Drake to wander about with them on show Kailie, shewould be under constant threat of robbery."

"I guess, but she already has a bodyguard."

"Well I don't want Jimi to be hurt in order to protect my vanity. Butthey are rather extravagant for daily wear."

"I suppose."

"No supposing about it Kailie, look how they almost make her prettydress seem almost shabby. It's the earrings, isn't it?"

"Pardon?"

"Your earrings, when you took out the silver hoops out, the glamourdisappeared."

Glamour seemed an appropriate description of what happened, for I didnot think they truly changed, as they never felt any different before to


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after. "Yes, it results from a spell cast by a Priestess of Asolde,which makes everything match whatever earrings I wear."

With a smile, Filice mused, "Why isn't that handy."

"Filice, your mother makes jewelry, we should see if she has anythingthat will go good with Drake's dress."

"Umm...yeah...Kailie thanks for stating the obvious. You want to checkDrake?"

"I guess, though can I drop my pack back at our camp first?"

"Sure, but put your hoops back in, I don't want your jewelry distractingfrom the hard work that we put into your hair."

Laughing at this I followed directions, being quicker at putting themback in than I had been at taking them out. Then pulling on my shiny,clean boots, I tied the thigh flaps down to make them knee high.Stomping to get feet into place, I nudged Eck awake and the four of usleft our sheltered world of the afternoon.

People noticed us right away, in particular their young men. Yet theirlooks did not affect me in the same way as earlier, for I was not alone

as I had been when selling vegetables. Yes, yes, I know I had been withall my friends from the Post, I was writing metaphorically (well I thinkit is metaphorically, but if not, let's just keep it between the two ofus), and though excellent at dealing with physical threat, they wereuseless as tits on a boar at protecting me from teen-age lust. MeanwhileFilice and Kailie, along with Sondra and Nadine who joined us as wepassed through the camp, were experts. Like rapiers, their words stabbedout to deflate confidences, and the follow-up laughter clubbed home eachclownish suitor's general unworthiness. I am not ashamed to admit that Ipreferred being on the side not being embarrassed, after havingexperienced that a time or two myself.

Back in the camp, my similarities to the girls seemed even more

noticeable than around the pool. None of them spoke in the deep voicesthat had surrounded me all summer, nor did their pace out stride mine.Mine naturally being longer than theirs, as the tallest, but we were notin a hurry and if I swayed as we sauntered, so did my companions. It waspossible to believe I did not stand out.

So I was glad that Jimi was not about when we arrived to drop off mypack. He probably would have tried to attach himself to me, and despitehis having become my best friend, I wanted to be alone with my new ones.Nor was it just Jimi missing from the camp, the only member of our trainthere was Felix who eyed us curiously until he recognized me and did adouble-take. That was surprisingly gratifying, still I pretended to misshis gesture for me to come over and talk. If I did not want Jimi's

company, I definitely did not want his. It did not take long to drop mypack, beside my saddle, and let Filice guide us back to the Roamer campand her family's wagon where she gained her mother's permission to bringout the chest of jewelry for sale.

Inside were the pieces you expect from Roamer jewelers, items made notat great cost, but beautiful things made with care and time. And by far,the greatest number of these were made of the coloured, glass beadsabout whose making they were so secretive. It was earrings of this typethat Filice first dug out and told me to try on. Looking at them, a hook


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with five strands of dangling red beads, I frowned. Even I could tellthat they were a poor match for my dress. But when she winked at me, Irealized she wished to surprise Sondra and Nadine, who shared my frownand had not seen my previous display.

Not wanting to spoil Filice`s surprise, I did not remove both hoopsbefore hooking in the red beaded pair. So their exclamations of surprisewas rather loud as the hook of the second one dropped through to danglefrom my ear. Their reaction also drew the attention of Filice`s mother,who looked at me with suspicion.

"I recognize those earrings, but where did the rest come from?"

"Oh Mama, it's so amazing. Drake has a spell cast on her so that herjewelry will match to any pair of earrings she wears."

"She does, does she? And how does this spell decide what matches, notthat I can complain about what it did this time around?"

"I am not sure Ma'am, though since the spell was performed by aPriestess of Asolde, the Goddess's power must be involved somehow."

"Yes, well I suppose the Goddess would have good taste."

What followed was almost a re-enactment of that evening with MadameDeglace. Remembering both how much Mistress Elladoo's mother had enjoyedthat activity and my surprise that many of her earrings were notmagnificent pieces, I purchased the first pair, of red beads, as hergift. By the time a choice for me was made, none of the earrings in thechest had been missed, though Filice's mother found the experiencingrather frustrating, mumbling as she would dig out matching pieces andjudge her pieces as second best to the magic's creations.

The final choice was obvious to all. A pair made from varying length(short to long to short), alternating strands of white and black beads,attached to half an oval of wire below the hooks. Hanging most of theway to my shoulders they were rather distracting when I turned my head,

but I liked the resulting bracelets, made from ten similar strands, andeven more so by the rings of interwoven black and white glass. As formy circlet, it too had dangling strands, which sometimes ghosted into myvision and clinked together when I drew my fingers through them, yet Ifelt nothing upon my forehead. Rather eerie.

This action did bring an end to the girl's afternoon of relaxation, asit was time to begin getting ready for the evening meal, whichunsurprisingly fell to the women of their band. Before thinking itthrough, my feelings of camaraderie had me volunteering my assistance.Something that was gladly accepted and soon had me acting as a packmule, carrying items from their camp's cooking area to be set up upon atable near the bonfire, beginning to burn brightly between the two camps

As their menfolk began wandering into the area, my task grew moredemanding. I, in some twisted, though likely just, payment for enjoyingtheir discomfort during the afternoon, ended up acting as serving wenchto a number of the younger men and boys, ensuring their mugs were fullof wine or small beer. For no matter the age of the man, once one placedhis keester upon ground or log, he appeared to lose all ability to walk.

Cut from my herd, their attention focused upon me. Yet still there


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existed some of my strength gained, from the group, earlier and while Iwas unable to reply with clever quips, putting them in their place,neither was I overly bothered by their crude attention, finding myselfmore likely to laugh than blush. Though one event just about had merunning away. It occurred when one boy, probably acting on a dare fromhis friends, familiarly rested a hand upon the curved part in the backof my dress as I poured some small beer for one of his friends. Startledby his brazenness, the rest of the pitcher's contents ended up on hisfriend as I spun to find him snatching his hand back, as an angry growlcame from Eck, who had been docilely following me about.

Reaching down to steady the strangely protective dog, I said, "Lucky foryou it was Eck and not my friend Jimi who saw you do that. You wouldhave found he bites before he growls."

Dignity intact, I made my way back to cooking fires to find everybodyoblivious to what had happened. There my dignity disappeared for amoment as I fawned over the tail thumping hero of the moment.

From that point, with Eck watching the group of boys with baleful eye,my serving went much smoother. Though it definitely was not an activityI enjoyed, so gladly did I join my friends to eat our own meal, beforeassisting in the cleaning up. Finished that chore they easily dissuadedme from going to check up with my colleagues, who had eaten back at our

camp, since it would not be right to eat food we had sold them earlier.Well unless like me, they worked for it. Convinced that they were comingaround later for the planned show, I sat around talking with them, meabout what it was like to be a guest of the Deglaces in Glanlies, themabout their band, and life on the move.

Wrapped up in this, the sun had begun to sink behind the treessurrounding the glade before I knew it. Noticing it first, Filice stoodup and announced, "Why don't the rest of you keep this spot, while Drakeand I go get some blankets for us to sit upon against the ground's nightdamp."

Used to following her orders, the rest of our group readily agreed. Me,

well I was just happy to spend time alone with her and willingly allowedmyself to be pulled to my feet.

Reaching their wagon, her mother, after learning our purpose, said,"Here I'll get some and give them to Drake. You see if your Grandmotheris ready and then help her to the bonfire."

Curious as to how someone who needed help could also cause Celise'searlier reaction to Filice's words, made me to watch as she moved to thesmaller wagon besides her family's, to knock on the door. "Grandmama,it's Filice. Are you ready to go?"

There was no immediate reaction, none before Filice's mother returned

and offered me a armful of fur blankets. Only then did the door of thesecond wagon open, offering some satisfaction to my curiosity. The mostnoticeable thing about the elderly lady, who Filice helped down thestairs at the doorway, was her apparent feebleness. A hard life on theroad had left her stooped, leaning on a walking stick in one hand andFilice's arm with the other. Yet in that tired body I sensed power of adegree not felt since I left Glanlies.

Filice's Grandmother was a magic user, the power manifesting itselfstrangely to my newest sense. Not as sound or colours, but as a feeling


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24/41

embarrassing myself too much."

"Pish tosh Child, look at the way you move, I am sure you will put on alovely show. But if that is to happen, we best hurry, for these old legsof mine do not move as fast as they once did."

Despite her claims, once we started moving, it did not take long beforewe reached our destination, there we sat the old lady upon one of thechairs set aside for her and the other elders. Then joining the othergirls, we spread out the blankets and waited for the entertainment tostart. With my curiosity piqued, I only half listened to them whilelooking about to see if anybody else amongst the Roamers held powers ofmagic. There were none who approached Filice's Grandmother's power, butin two of the men, one in the leathers of a hunter and the other gentlytapping away on a pair of hand-drums, I felt some of the same sense ofseeking.

Doubting they would offer any answers the old lady was unable toprovide, I decided to enjoy the evening, just as I had the rest of theday. So as the music began to play, led by the drummer with power, Ijoined in the clapping as the children started their dance. Moreenthusiastic than skilled, their performance began the evening, with thebeginning of the music drawing my companions from our camp.

It would be easy to judge them harshly in comparison to the Roamers.Dressed in dun coloured leather armour, with sword belts wrapped aroundwaists, they showed none of the brightness that seemed to imbue ourhosts. Yet I doubted not to which group I wished to belong, even whileplaying as the other, for that brightness was paid for by a harshexistence.

The children finished, we were treated to a succession of jugglers,tumblers, singers, and a story-teller who told some most off-colourjokes, though not as foul as those told in The Hole. All of which servedas an appetizer for the main entertainment of the evening, the dancers.So when the jokester left the area between the fire and the watchers,nobody replaced him. The musicians, who had played between and during

acts, stayed silent. Slowly the last members of the crowd quieted asfinal drinks were poured, the jokester found his seat, and the lastchild was settled.

Anticipation grew. Then...

Thump...

Silence.

Thump...

Silence.

By the third repetition, everybody's eyes were turned to the drummer.Watching as he tapped his drum to coax forth another...

Thump...

Silence.

Slowly that constant sound drew me and every other watcher in, until itwas as if our hearts beat to the will of the drummer...


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Thump...

Silence.

Having become a member of the beast whose heart beat as one, I turnedback to the fire, to see, through the flicker of the flames, thatfigures had appeared...

Thump...

Silence.

The thumping continued uninterrupted and if it appeared the figuresmoved, it was only because of the dancing flames that obscured them.They would not move until the least willing had joined the rest of us...

Thump...

Silence.

Only when that moment arrived did they move for real. Each step matchinganother...

Thump...

Silence. Pause.

Around the left side of the fire came a line of woman, ten strong,wearing dresses of red with black trim. Moving as one, connected to oneanother by lengths of ribbon held in either hand...

Thump...

Silence. Pause.

And from the right side of the fire came a matching line of men. Wearing

the same colours and carrying the same ribbons...

Thump...

Silence. Pause.

Step by step, they strutted. The women crossing in front of the men, themen behind the women, until they formed two straight lines in front ofthe fire. Turning, they faced us, and leather boots that had previouslybeen silent were raised to crash down with the next drummer's beat.

Ker-Thump...

Silence. Pause.

The absence of the next beat could almost be physically felt, socompletely had we accepted its lure. Yet that shock was nothing comparedto the next moment, when with a shout the dancers began to whirl about,accompanied by all the musicians. After the previously deliberate pace,the wildness of sudden speed, sound and spectacle were like beingdrenched in ice water on a hot day.

Having seen it before, did not make it easier to follow that evening,


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trying to understand how the twenty dancers weaved amongst each other.Attention seemingly focused upon one, I would suddenly realize that myeyes were upon someone else. Yet if I did not watch one, the flash ofmulti-coloured ribbons caused me to be lost in a kaleidoscope ofdazzling colours and shapes. It became hard to imagine how the dancerand musicians could keep up their wild pace, so breath-taking was it forme as a spectator.

I need not have worried, for like everything about this performance,this too was considered. The pace began to slow. The dancers began tospiral away from and towards each other, until the women were once morealigned in front of the men. Once more they came to a stamping stop...

Ker-Thump...

Yet this time there was no silence. Released from the pull of theperformance, the audience could finally react. Through shouts orwhistles or clapping, we could establish our individuality whileapplauding those who had made us one.

Now there was no need to wait for total silence before sound andmovement returned with another shout. This time I could almost convincemyself it was possible to follow their movements, to stay focused on aparticular dancer. They did not blur into a single entity before once

more spiraling apart, this time resulting in the women forming onecircle and the men a second. The music slowed, but it did not stop.Dancers regained their breath, musicians flexed their fingers or wettheir lips. Meanwhile we waited expectantly for the next part, it alwayswas my favourite.

Slowly, deliberately, the dancers began to move in a circle, right footcrossing in front of left, then left behind right. Once moreanticipation grew as we all waited for the next stage of theperformance. Then in each circle a name was shouted and that member ofthe troupe dropped their ribbons, whose ends were adroitly caught by thedancers on either side, and moved into the once more closed circle.

Inside, each would begin to glide, almost running, around the circle asthe music regained its tempo. Then at another shout from their fellows,they would begin to spin or twirl about. Now the spectator was givenchoice, whether to watch the man who leaped and kicked as he spun about,or to watch the woman as she gracefully twirled, her arms seeming todraw fanciful patterns in the sky. Always before, my eyes had beenpulled away from the women to the men. Though the former would be sureto fill my dreams in the evening, the athleticism of the latter alwaysseemed impossible to ignore. But now, after the lessons of theafternoon, my attention stayed upon the women, understanding that whathad seemed comparatively simple, was not. They amazed me.

As each dancer grew tired, they would return to the circle, the music

would slow, and the anticipation would once more be allowed to grow.Then in a flurry the next dancers would move into the middle.

If we had been in front of the post, and the Roamer band had beenputting on a show, each dancer would have performed once before theentire troupe would have exploded into a finale as breath-taking astheir beginning dance. But tonight they apparently danced as much forthemselves as for us guests. At shouts from the crowd, dancers wouldonce more return to the circle, trying to better what they hadpreviously done. In turn, the dancers would shout the name of an


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audience member who would be cajoled into showing what they could dothemselves.

At some point, during this time I found myself, along with my group,standing and clapping along to the music. Enraptured by the wholeaffair, my shouts of encouragement joined with those of the Roamers,though never louder than when one of my friends were in the circle. Andwhen one returned, joined in offering hugs of congratulations.

It was in one of these moments, with Nadine who seemed as good as theregular dancers, that I was shocked to hear Filice and the others shout,"Drake!"

Caught up though I was in the moment, they still needed to push and pullme towards the circle before my feet began to move on their own. With mypromise ringing idiotically in my ears, I continued forward to expecteddoom. Feeling the countless eyes upon me, my attention was drawn tothose of Celise, who slowly swayed in front of me with a look ofmaliciousness on her face. That look added steel to my back, made mewant to try, and it was with impatience I ducked under her ribbon.

Then I began to run.

Well not exactly run, instead it was that shuffle-run-dance step that

the others had used to gain momentum. Circling, I tried to remember thesteps and gestures taught to me that afternoon. I tried to figure outwhen to begin. I need not have worried, it happened at the exact rightmoment, even before I realized it.

But then I was no longer alone and my partner had centuries of practice.

Sandrelessa loved to dance. In that moment it was blindingly obvious tome. Just as I knew the nerves she had overcome in order to take control,I knew the fear that our chains might deny her. For though she waswilling to lose everything else, she could not be denied the dance andstill wish to exist. Yet remembering the purpose of the chains, toprotect innocents from us, she had reasoned they may not stop her from

leading our dance. So with trepidation she chanced it, success made herexultant.

Having felt her anger, hate, even fear, I knew that her emotions weregreater than I ever wanted to feel myself. Her joy had me rethinkingthat. It was absolutely exhilarating. As was the dance, though I wishedshe would better share it with me.

With that wish, memories flooded my mind. I remembered being locked in aroom, from whose floor grew hundreds of blades a hand length long andfrom whose ceiling hung more hundreds of blades, each of a differentlength. I remembered twirling amongst those blades, stepping ever sogently, ducking, and weaving. I remembered the pain of thousands of cuts

and exhaustion whose escape was always punished by the blades havingreconfigured themselves in my sleep. I remembered days, years later,beginning to gracefully move my arms between and under blades, addingartistry to athleticism. And mostly I remembered our pride when the doorwas unlocked and we were able to dance before our prince.

Understanding, I found it impossible to hold back a laugh of disdain atthe mockery into which the Roamers had turned the Dance of Blades. Thenas if I was a child riding a galloping horse I found myself shouting,"Faster! Faster!"


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And faster we moved, until the only instrument accompanying us was thedrummer, his magic flaring brightly every time a twirl caused me to facehis direction. Though neither it, nor the two other lights I saw in mymovements, were more than a candle flame compared to the white glowcoming from my chains, announcing Sandrelessa's presence. Knowing whocaused each of the flickers, I began to feel curious as to theirpurpose. That curiosity grew as I noticed that the circle, about me, nolonger resembled a circle and that the dancers had stopped moving tocrouch on the ground.

Curiosity did not equal readiness. I was fortunate to be so involved inmy dance, to be moving quickly, and to be remembering the room ofblades. For when I saw that the spell the hunter cast was upon the arrowthat he was loosing from his bow, I had no time to react. If my dancedid not have me ducking low beneath imaginary points I would have beenpierced by a real one. Instead the only mark of the arrows passage, wasa plucking at my hair streaming behind my dance.

Sandrelessa's outrage quickly followed. Outrage at the man forinterrupting our dance, our joy. She flowed in his direction, but wasbrought up short. But not by the chains, they allowed an aggressiveresponse to threat. It took us moment to understand what was wrong, tolook down and see the ribbons spanning the distance between the ten

dancers, each crouching to serve as a point in a pentagram given life byFilice`s Grandmother`s spell. My understanding immediately translateditself to Sandrelessa, who rage caused her to swipe a hand toward thethroat of the nearest dancer, this time forcing the chains to come tolife and lock us in place.

Helpless, I watched as the hunter began to nock another arrow, only tosee him collapse beneath the fist of a large figure. Recognizing Jimi, Iwatched the guards from my wagon train to see they were amongst thosefew people that had reacted to my attack. Each of them dashed forwardwith dagger in hand to rest it at the throat of a crouching dancer, allexcept Jimi stood warily over his victim and Felix whose blade soontickled the throat of the old witch.

These actions brought forth a surge of anger to the Roamers, startingthem forward until Headman Meryers, who better understood the danger ofthe situation, shouted, "Hold! Damnit, hold I say."

Felix's voice, though not loud, filled the void left behind by theshout, as he sardonically said, "Yes everyone, do hold. Otherwise allthese lovely ladies will feel the kiss of a blade and learn why daggersare known as such terrible lovers."

"Do it and you will soon join them in Aredente's realm."

"Not just us. With your witch dead and that pentagram broken, Drake will

be free. And with Drake free, well let me just say that after being partof the cleanup crew in that bandit camp she visited, she will see thatall of you soon follow us."

"That is why she must die, she is evil."

"Bah, Drake's not evil. Sure she can be as annoying as any of themerchant class, ambitious sort that they are. But she's a good sortnone-the-less. Honestly there is no way we are going to let you just upand kill our friend."


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The Roamers may have disdained Felix's feelings, but surprisinglySandrelessa did not. Noticing my surprise at what I felt from her, sheshared, ~Do not be surprised, we Carthanans value friendship. More eventhan you humans, since while seeking power, it is always important totrust those at your back.~

Used as I had grown to her extreme emotions, the perfect normalcy in thetone of her response caught me by surprise. Her rage dampened by ourhelplessness, she now looked for escape, just as did I. I found myselfasking her, "What do we do?"

~We can test Felix's abilities as a fortune teller.~

"No!"

~Aye, you are right. I do not want to be known as a slayer of dancers.Nor would it be good to lose your friends, particularly the loyal bigone, since I am not sure if you could find your way home without them.~

"I could too."

~Then is it acceptable to let them die?~

"Of course not. I want to get out of this with no blood being spilled."

~It does make a mess of one's clothes, does it not? Still I think mostof the Roamers agree with your wishes, even the ambushers who soughtours. We just need to find a way to make them reach the sameunderstanding as us.~

"But how?"

~I'm just a dancer, but if I were a merchant, I would try to sell themupon the benefits of letting us go.~

Of course. If I acted quickly, there was no reason that I could not be

like Old Abner earlier that day. Bargaining from a position of strength,offering something the buyer wanted, but did not understand. But to takethat role I needed to be free of my bounds and to do that I needed mynew ally's approval. I began my explanation.

~No need to explain, I know what you plan. And my immediate question iscan you pull it off, do you have the confidence to pull it off?~

"I believe so, with your help."

~I am to be the puppet master?~

"No, but you can act as mentor as guide, suggesting paths for me to

take."

~What is in it for me? Why would it not be better for me to end ourexistence now?~

"And give up the dance?"

~The dance? What is it you offer?~

"If you give me free rein in this, then I will see that we dance again."


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~You enjoyed it too, you will dance in any case.~

"Maybe, but are you willing to take the chance?"

~Actually I am, I know it is now surely as much a part of you as is yourheart's beat. But it is not worth arguing over our pleasure, no I willaccept your plan without a price, for I do not have a better one tooffer.~

When I felt the slackening of my chains, the ability to lower my arm tomy side, to shuffle feet into a more comfortable position, I knew shewas true to her word. She had returned full control to me, though shedid not retreat as far as was normal, as shown by the glow continuing tosurround me. I was free to act, but nobody watched.

The length of time to read our conversation, little mind how long ittook to scribe, is ages compared to the time actually required to haveit. Everyone's attention was still upon the Headman and Felix. Thatneeded to change. Taking advice from Sandrelessa, who was a performer ofthe first order, I began to move. Not to escape, though I did sneak atoe over the ribbon, ensuring that the pentagram was meant to encloseonly the demoness. Instead of immediate action I once more began totwirl about my supposed prison, finding that movements performed by the

will of Sandrelessa remained mine to use. I felt eyes turn towards me,heard the voices of the arguers quiet, and realized the moment had cometo act.

Again I circled the enclosure, but did not stay inside. Instead Iswerved and danced about the crouching dancers, crossing back and forthover the ribbons that were to hold me in check. At a gasp from theaudience I came to a stop, beside Celise, who was closest to Felix andthe Witch, and dropped into a deep performer's curtsey with armsoutstretched gracefully to my sides.

"And what about me, don't I get a say?"

Then before anyone could answer I looked at Celise, brushed anoutstretched finger against her cheek and said, in that nasty, sweetchirp, remembered from the bandit camp, "Oooh look, even your fear doesnot wash away that look of pure hate. I think I may let you live."

~Nicely played my host, isn't being menacing such fun?~

Ignoring her laughter, I gestured at Jimi and our men kneeling behindthe dancers to join me. As a group we moved towards the group around theWitch and Felix, who watched me with a savage grin of appreciation.

My act almost came apart when another moved to join me, its verymonstrosity would have caused me to startle back if not for

Sandrelessa's gentling whispers. Steady I could see in its form theshape of the wolfhound Eck, but large as that breed can be, the dog wasdwarfed within a transparent figure from nightmares. Initially it seemeda bear, a giant one with curving fangs coming from both its jaws, withlong claws to match, and grey bark-like hide. Definitely not a bear. Itlooked evil and if not for the demoness I would have turned and fled.

~Fear not my host, it is just a beladin.~

Slipping easily back into our silent communication, I asked, "A what?"


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~A beladin. Carthanans keep them as pets and to guard our homes.~

"You keep monsters as pets?"

~Oh they may look ferocious and act it when defending their master andhome, but really they are just as loving as your dogs. Their fierceappearance is due to the defenses they need to survive the terrors of myworld. And look they're both happy to see us.~

Now I could see, both a long wispy-haired tail and a shadowy barbed onewagging as the dog...beladin...dogadin approached. Nervously reachingout I scratched the befurred head with my hand, while another fine,long-fingered, talon-nailed, ghostly hand appeared to do the same to thehide-covered one. My prior fear was brushed aside by the contact withthe fierce pair, though not my curiosity. "They're like us Sandrelessa,but how?"

~I do not know, it is very strange.~

Strange true, but a mystery for another time, more important mattersneeded to be addressed. Coming to a stop in front of the Roamers' eldersI said to Felix, "I think you can let the lady go."

I then addressed myself to her. "You know, here you are trying to killme and I don't even know your name."

"It's Marni, but Child you have it all wrong. Our purpose is not to seekyour death, we are trying to free you from your demon."

"Are you going to tell me that it will hurt you more than it would hurtme in causing my death to set me free."

"Oh I would never deny that you will feel pain, but would it not bebetter to be free of the burden you bear, the threat you constantly poseto those you hold dear?"

"Actually I am going to have to go with no. I am looking forward to along, happy life, regardless as to whether Sandrelessa is around ornot."

~Hey!~

Shaking her head sadly, Marni said, "Then truly there is no hope foryou."

"And my friends?"

"We have no fight with those who seek only to protect those they see astheir friend. They will be free to go."

"You expect me to believe you will let them go after they witness whatyou plan for me?"

"We only do the work of the Gods, we do not slay needlessly. We willaccept the price of doing what is right without doing more harm than isnecessary. You have my word."

~Harvesters!~


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"What? Not now Sandrelessa."

~No, you said you would accept my advice. Look at the hounds behindher.~

Looking where she wanted I saw three wolfhounds. Rather patheticspecimens, when compared to Eck, two seeming to cower on the groundwhile the third gave off all the signs of being a bitch in heat. But itwas the two male dogs that drew my attention, something seemed off aboutthem. Then I saw. They were not as different from Eck as I thought, theytoo were not alone. Yet instead of being dwarfed by a beladin, the dogsdwarfed the greyish imps which they held, allowing little but a shimmerof a skull from which burning, hate-filled eyes seemed to flicker.

"What?" I think I spoke aloud.

~Just as mothers in your world tell tales to scare your children aboutthe denizens of our world, so to do our mothers have their stories aboutthose from yours. Specifically they talk about those who harvest oursouls, using them in foul rights, to create instruments of power. Thewitch is a harvester. And to top it off she means to house me in a bitchin heat rather than with pretty you. I hate her.~

I believed her. There was no reason for Sandrelessa to lie, since she

needed me more than I needed her. I addressed Marni's promise. "Whatgood is the promise of a fraud, Witch? You seek not to protect the worldfrom me, but to profit from she within me. It makes me wonder, do youhave the power to imprison Sandrelessa's soul in some ring or braceletyourself? Or would you sell her to someone else to work their darkarts?"

~Tell her that I want to be pretty dancing slippers.~

Ignoring my inner voice, I saw the grandmotherly smile was gone from thewitch's face, but what replaced it was completely unrepentant. "You dosee much for one so young, or maybe it is the one not so young whoactually sees? But yes, you are correct, we will profit well in selling

her to one much more powerful than I. Enough to feed our families foryears, give us homes, allow us to stop begging for the pennies from youand your kind. Further you are also right that we cannot let any of yougo free, or the Commission will be on our tails. Better for you to alldisappear without a trace, sadly the victims of bandits."

"You won't succeed."

"But what choice do we have? How else can we buy your silence?"

I could tell she truly wanted an answer, that she wanted a way out,knowing that where we were headed was good for nobody. Yet neither of uscould see a way to get off the path along which we barreled towards the

other.

Felix broke in to say, "You know it is too late for even that."

Both of us looked at him, the witch speaking first, "What do you mean?"

"Well I had one of our men ride for Elladoo Post this afternoon, to tellthe Master we had met up with you and that we may need some help."

Looking around, I noticed, for the first time, that one of our guards


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she would be free to respond. And though she would do things to add tomy nightmares, I would not try to stop her."

The witch looked into my eyes, trying to and maybe even succeeding inreading my thoughts. "You know, I believe you. Still I do not feel youoffer a price as high as ours, for we will need to find new places toroam if we do let you go. Therefore, I want more, I want you to give ustime to escape, to delay those who would chase us."

"I would, but I cannot promise to be able to do so. Those who followwill not be mine to command."

"Would you offer to attempt to do so?"

She could have asked for me to do a naked jig and I would have done so,this was nothing. "Aye I will try."

"Then I accept your offer."

"Mother!"

"Quiet Gillan, how can we say what we do is for our people, if it willbring them more harm than good?"

He stared hard at her for a moment, then looking questioningly at thosearound him his eyes settled upon a nodding Freido, and said, "Very well,I too accept the offer."

Expecting the answer though I did, it still left me confused. Usually atthis point of a deal, one side handed over some goods and the otherspayment, or you shared a drink to finalize it. Neither was appropriatehere, between enemies. I said, "And I agree."

With those simple words, it became time to tempt fate, to see if theywould prove my faith in their words wrong. Slowly turning away from thewitch and her son, I began to move toward our camp, the Post's mencautiously following, blades still out and eyes darting about.

"Wait."

Surprised, I turned and that surprise made my voice angry as I demanded,"What?"

"The dog, he is not yours."

Only then did I notice that Eck was still at my side, so natural did heseem there. "You mean the beladin don't you? He follows me at his ownwill, I do not coerce him. Why don't you call him? Why is he not cowedlike the imps?"

"A beladin? Is that what type of monster he is? I have long been curiousabout it, for he has been with me since I was young. It was in defendingmyself from its attack that I stumbled upon the magic to capture ademon's soul. I would not part with him."

"I will not force him to follow, but he seems to have attached himselfto me and neither will I force him not to follow."

Her gaze moved from me to the dog and then she sighed, "He was stubborneven before he became host to your beladin, going where he wanted


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despite whatever he was ordered. Being host to a demon did not changethat, maybe the two of them are too similar, it would explain why theymelded so naturally. So be it, go now before I change my mind."

We did, moving quickly, though not at a run. The men, with me, trying tostare down each and every Roamer who met their eyes. Me, I did not lookat anybody, not even a glance towards the girls who had acted as myfriends, while preparing me for slaughter. Currently too focused to feelthe betrayal, I knew that looking at them would bring it crashing in.And I could not afford that right now, we were still not free of theRoamers' influence. They could still change their mind.

Back in our camp, the men began breaking down the camp, except for Jimiand Felix who with loaded crossbow in hand watched the Roamers as theybegan to move away from the bonfire to their own camp, many castingfearful or angry glances in our direction. Me, I headed straight for mypack, recognizing my dress was not suited for the travel required thatnight. There, not caring who watched, I stripped from boots and dressleaving my feminine curves minimally covered by my small clothes, beforedigging out my breeches and shirt. Wiggling into the pants and pullingon the blouse, I studied the dress. Dressed and deciding it was toopretty to leave here, I crammed it into the pack before moving to saddlemy horse and to help get ready to leave.

We were fast, for the camp had been a temporary one, built with theknowledge that we would be on the road come morning. The one problemarea was that our horses knew this as well and displayed theirgrumpiness at being saddled or hitched to wagons. But the old hands,with whom I traveled, soon dealt even with this. It was time to trulyleave. At least try to leave.

It was in these moments that we most expected a flight of arrows to comeslashing down at us. And so we did not yet mount saddle or wagon seat,instead in the shadow of our horses we began to move to the path leadingout of the glade. Eerily lit by the still roaring bonfire, lanterns ateach of the corners of the wagons, and the glow from my Roamer inspiredjewelry, showing Sandrelessa's continued interest, we moved further and

further away. Though we saw watchers, they did nothing as we distancedourselves from them, only mounting when Felix determined we were farbeyond the range of even their finest archers.

Yet he did not allow us to gallop off in a panic. Sending three of theguards forward to watchfully lead our way, he kept Jimi, myself andhence Eck back to keep him company, looking backwards as much asforwards to see if the Roamers came after us.

Nobody spoke, each now armed with cocked crossbow, we searched beyondthe light, listened over the sound of hooves and wheels, waited torespond to an attack. Seeing or hearing little, I looked towards thedogadin, trusting his senses more than mine. Somehow guessing my

thoughts, he moved away to trot around the edge of the light. A coupleof times he stopped, looking back the way we had traveled, growling,sometimes even letting out a warning bark, causing us each to tense upfor what we though was about to come. Yet each time his hackles wouldslowly lower before he would return to his patrol.

His reactions did confirm that we were being followed. But we did notknow if it was to see that we kept our word or if they still plannedmischief. Passing time seemed to point to the former reason.


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like approach to my death, when compared to the calculated hatred of theFollowers of Furigal. If only Filice and the others had not pretended tobefriend me first, callously playing with my emotions.

~Blah blah blah, you do enjoy your black funks don't you?~

Startled to have my thoughts broken into by Sandrelessa, I asked her,"What?"

~Well it seems that you enjoy putting yourself down. Now I canunderstand that thinking before we met, such a sorry specimen you were,but now, well that makes no sense. Look how much better life is for yousince I came on the scene.~

"Yeah, right. I specially enjoy the regular attempts upon my life."

~Bah, just some spice to liven up every day drudgery. As for beingbetrayed by your maybe friends of today, what else were they supposed todo.~

"What do you mean?"

~Well if you were ordered to do something similar by either of theElladoos I would guess that you would do it.~

"Not to someone I liked, I wouldn't pretend that."

~Sure you would, just because you are someone's enemy doesn't mean youcan't like them. I like some of mine and I know all of mine like me.~

"Yeah, right."

~No it's true, I'm really quite likeable.~

"So you're saying that Filice and her friends may have actually liked meand were only following orders?"

~Not at all, my thinking is that bunch of cows were happy to take usdown because we're prettier and better dancers than them.~

That actually made me laugh out loud, forcing from me a gesture to Felixand Jimi to ignore me, before answering Sandrelessa. "We are, aren'twe?"

~Of course.~

"Maybe it's like what Marni said at the end."

This time it was Sandrelessa who was confused. ~What did she say?~

"About Eck and the beladin, how they melded so strongly. Maybe we'relike that."

Her confusion was replaced by disgust, ~You're comparing us to a dog anda beladin?~

"Not really, I'm just saying that maybe we are more similar than I hadthought."

~It is possible, we do both enjoy the dance.~


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"True."

~And being pretty.~

Though I would not admit it to another, with her I agreed. "True aswell."

~And killing things.~

"No way."

~Yes, you would prefer to talk your way out of things. In fact talkingseems to be preference for most everything. What do you think of Felix?~

"What do you mean?"

~Well have you been thinking about knocking him out of his saddle andhaving your way with him. Hmm, maybe even if in the saddle.~

"Gods no!"

~See we're not alike at all. And you really like all that merchantstuff, you're always reading from those boring annals.~

"Their not boring."

~I've been around a lot longer than you and all the wisdom I have gainedtells me that yes they are. So see we're not really all that similar,though you are beginning to loosen up under my guidance.~

I decided not to dignify that with an answer, "I don't think the Roamersare going to do anything."

~No, they are likely running as fast as they can. Which means that mypresence is no longer needed on this long boring ride, I think I will goto sleep.~

"Umm...okay. Thanks for the help tonight."

~You can pay me back by letting me out to dance.~

Getting the last word, she was gone, and instantly I felt lessened, Imissed her. Nor was I the only one, her departure leaving our way litonly by the lanterns on the wagons and the often cloud covered moon andstars, my companions, including Eck who now appeared nothing more than adog, looked in my direction. "She grew bored with the ride."

Felix nodded his head, as if in understanding. But for the next whileall our attention was drawn to the closer borders of darkness. Then it

turned into a tired plod forward, me wishing that like my companions Ihad taken the opportunity to get some sleep in the afternoon instead ofgallivanting about with those who would betray me. This is where Felixshowed even more worth, as he rode extra miles between us, trying tokeep us awake and watchful of our surroundings, calling for breaks, orhaving us dismount to walk for a time. And it was because of his effortsthat those at the front of our train heard approaching hoofs, giving ustime to stop and build a barrier of our wagons, everybody behind waitingto see if those who approached were the ones we hoped for or if theywere the ones we feared.


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The brightness of the torches, that each man in their party carried,brought relief upon their arrival, Sergeant Hussel being recognizableeven before he stopped to shout greetings to us. "Caling's shiny balls,it looks like you need our help after all. And here we were all lookingforward to having a few words with that dickhead Felix for making us goon an ass-busting, night ride. Can we come forward?"

"Please do," I shouted.

Dismounting beside a waiting Felix and I, he demanded of the Senior-Guard, "So what in the name of Furigal's three-pronged prick happened?Sammel came riding pell-mell into the post early this evening shoutingas if the Dark One and his horde rode with the Roamers."

Happily I let Felix explain, although this did not last long as theSergeant dragged me into the conversation after cursing the two of uslong and hard for our lack of communication. At the end of our jointexplanation, he thought about his options for a moment before saying."My gut tells me we have to go after them, no telling what othermischief they will get into."

"I don't think that is a good idea," I said, and not just because of mypromise offered to Marni.

"Quiet you, I don't need one of Asolde's tarts telling me how to do myjob."

I was tired and that pissed me off. "No you listen here Sergeant.Despite some mistakes, we were able to extract our entire train, with noinjuries from a hostile situation in which we were drasticallyoutnumbered. All that can be done by your rushing off to hump atAredente's leg is needless deaths. Don't you think they will be wait

adventures of a merchant 4 - dance with a demon by arcie emm

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