Jeanne G'Fellers - No Sister of Mine (14 page)

“Oh, I’m basically harmless. I like to make a game of flirting and looking. Call it a hobby.”

“Obsession.”

“All right then, obsession. Point being, I talk a lot more than I’ll ever do. I’ve had very few serious female companions in my lifetime and would have committed to any of them in a minute. Seems they felt differently.” Firman’s confession tugged LaRenna’s heartstrings. Now she saw him as Krell did, a deeply caring and compassionate hulk of a man who longed for a steady relationship. The antics disguised his loneliness.

“You’ll find what you’re looking for someday,” said LaRenna.

“Maybe so, but I’m getting a little long in passes for high hopes.”

“You’re as old or young as you choose to be. If I were Aut, I’d be after you in a minute.”

“Girl?” Firman cast her a surprised but appreciative look. “I’m old enough to be your father.”

“There’s something to be said for maturity. The best wines have age on them, don’t they?”

Firman squared his shoulders. “You don’t find the mid-age girth distracting?”

“Your sister is beginning to develop one too, in case you haven’t noticed.” LaRenna smiled. “Though, I don’t think Krell would admit it.”

“No, she wouldn’t,” replied Firman. Spirits lifted, he resumed his affectionate teasing. “Just wait until I tell her you actually slept with the Hallmaster.”

“Why should she care?”

“Because guardians are a jealous lot when it comes to their women.”

“You aren’t going to give up on that idea, are you?” She wondered if the stench of Tynnes’s breath would linger on her until she next saw Krell.

“Nope, I’m the eternal optimist.” Firman cast her one of his comical smiles. “Anyone ever tell you you’re small for a Taelach?”

“Everyone tells me that!” LaRenna groaned.

“ ’Cause it’s true.” Firman grabbed her under the arms in a dizzying lift. “I used to do this to Krell. Stars, was that ever a long time ago. You’re lighter though. Don’t you ever eat?”

“More than I should.” She laughed.

“Can’t prove it by me.” He carried her into the workroom, setting her by the double doors. “Time for you to make your appearance in the waiting area.”

LaRenna blinked to regain her Autlach appearance as Firman waved her through the door. “If anyone asks, Tynnes is taking a rest, recovering from his encounter with you.” He couldn’t resist the urge. “You wore the man out, you trashy wench.”

“Like you said, Assistant Hallmaster Middle, I’m good.” LaRenna said this loud enough to carry into the waiting area.

“Play it up, why don’t you?” He chuckled then shoved her gruffly from the room. “If we desire your services again, I’ll call for you.” Firman flicked up LaRenna’s calf-length skirts for the benefit of the room’s occupants. She brushed the folds back into place and glared at him.

“I gave you what you wanted. Now give me what I came for— work.”

“If something comes in calling for your special qualifications, you’ll be called.” Firman pushed her into a chair. “Until then, sit down and keep your mouth shut.”

Firman left her sitting among a group of Autlach males. Aware of the stares she was receiving, she folded her hands primly in her lap and gazed out the window. Let them look. She had nothing to prove.

Firman soon returned. “Come here, woman. I’ve a position for you.”

One of the waiting men confronted him. “Didn’t you get enough last time? I’ve been in here all day every day for half a cycle and haven’t been called for a job yet.” His scathing glower was meant more for LaRenna than the Hallmaster. “Then this, this, whore comes in here, spreads her legs for you and gets a job within minutes.”

“You would too if you had the right assets and the gumption to use them,” replied Firman, nodding toward LaRenna’s generous proportions. “I’ve got three more positions to fill after I finish with the girl. You’ll be out of here within the hour if you can do one thing.”

“What’s that—screw you myself?”

“No, smartass, sit down and shut up!” Firman’s bass voice rattled the decaying building. Aggravated but mindful he might be thrown from the hall, the man returned to his seat, growling under his breath when LaRenna flicked the back of her skirts at him.

“See ya later.”

“Trollop,” he mumbled.

“That’s employed trollop to you.” Firman jerked her away before she could say more.

“Don’t overdo it.” He shut and barred the door behind her. “LaRenna, let me introduce you to Starnes Bane, owner of the Waterlead.”

Starnes frowned. “This little girl, this child is what the Kinship sends to stop their renegades?”

“Things are not always as they appear, Barman Bane.” LaRenna bowed a short greeting. “Rest assured, I’m qualified for this post. The Kinship would not have sent someone who isn’t.”

“Hmph.” Starnes snorted. “I don’t think one Autlach barmaid will have any impact.”

“Probably not.” LaRenna blinked hard. “But a Kimshee will.”

Starnes’s double chin dropped to his chest so fast it coaxed a laugh from Firman. “Amazing what a good dye job can do, isn’t it?” The big Autlach chuckled.

“I’d never of known.”

“That’s the intent,” said LaRenna. “I have to appear real enough so another Taelach won’t suspect me.” She noted a marked change in Starnes’s attitude since she had revealed her identity. He seemed to stand a little straighter, with renewed confidence. Were things really so bad? “Anything new happen since you met with Taelach Middle?”

“My father has taken a turn for the worse. He can’t eat anymore.”

“I’ve medicine with me. We’ll begin treatment this evening.”

Starnes’s tension reduced even more, permitting him to accomplish a short smile. “We’ve got to get back. If I’m gone too long, Cance will come hunting.”

LaRenna nodded then gave Firman a quick hug about the waist. “Thanks for the help.”

“Anytime,” he said, cupping his hand to her ear. “After all,” he whispered, “we’ll be seeing each other often.” He gave her another swift swat and unbarred the door. “Carefully, my friends. Much depends on your success.”

They departed the Hiring Hall from the rear, away from the prying eyes of the mouthy and unemployed. Starnes was only slightly taller than LaRenna, but his hurried pace forced her to jog. They made their way across the Commons and through a small ramshackle housing area. On the far side, he stopped and pointed ahead to a shabby two-story building just as old if not older than the Hiring Hall. “There it is.”

“Needs work.”

“Work?” exclaimed Starnes. “It needs to be leveled. I hate it.” He scratched his side and shrugged disconcertedly. “But I guess it’s a living.”

“Better than the Hiring Hall, I’m sure.”

Starnes grinned at her. “I suppose it is. So, you going to cover those gorgeous blue eyes of yours or not?”

“Yeah, right now.” LaRenna closed her eyes to replace the lenses. “Better?” She didn’t want to admit she had forgotten about their removal.

He still grinned at her.

“Something else wrong?”

“No.” Starnes’s smile spread all the way to his outward-turned ears. “Can I ask you something?”

LaRenna nodded, though she knew the question he was about to ask.

“Sorta short for a Taelach, aren’t you?”

He who aids the Taelach shall become as soulless as the blue-eyed witch, his misdeeds punished in the cleansing fires.

—from the text of The Raskhallak Stipulations

“I expected you to bring back a barman, Starnes, not a waif still smelling of the farm.” Cance watched LaRenna clean a corner table. “Was the selection at the Hiring Hall that pitiful or have you that desperate a need? Brandoff was perfectly willing to—”

“No, Cance, quite the opposite. She was the best the Hall had to offer skillwise.” Starnes averted her eyes as he restocked the bar. Cance rattled her empty glass against the counter until he slid a filled decanter to her.

“Good boy, Starnie, you’re learning.” She swiveled and lounged against the heavy glass counter to watch their new employee. “Best qualified, eh? I’ll be the judge of that. You, girl, let me see your worker’s card. I want to know your job history.”

LaRenna rose until she could see the other Taelach through the maze of chair bottoms and table bases. Cance stared back at her, mouth pursed as LaRenna whiningly objected. “Barman Starnes has seen the card.”

“I don’t give a damn what Barman Starnes has or hasn’t seen of you, though I suspect he already has seen quite a bit. He may be the owner, but I manage this establishment and I require your card. Bring it here.” LaRenna pulled the card from her skirt pocket and grudgingly offered it to Cance, who snatched with a scowl. “You want to work here, girl, you do as you’re told. Get it?”

“Yeah.” LaRenna turned back to her work.

“Hold on! Did I say you were excused?” Cance caught LaRenna’s leg with her foot, nearly causing her to fall. As it was, LaRenna fell to one knee, bashing her forehead on the nearest chair back. Cance laughed uproariously at the sight. “Clumsy! Stand straight and tell me where you’ve worked.”

“It’s on the card.” LaRenna rubbed at the small knot rising on her brow. It wasn’t a serious bump but enough to bruise her pride.

“Humor me.”

LaRenna rolled her eyes as she recited the list contained in the card’s small writing. Krell had been correct in insisting she memorize it. Cance was thorough. “I’ve worked at the Base Ender, the Downsider, and the Planetrise.”

“Uh-huh.” Cance read the card’s front then flipped it over and eyed LaRenna expectantly. “Tell me about your background.”

True to her disguise, LaRenna questioned Cance again, in a tone more whining than before. “Is this really necessary? Everything I’m saying is on the card. The Hiring Hall has verified it.”

“You’ll answer.” Cance’s Taelach drawl began leaching through. “Or find yourself whoring to get back into the hall.”

“If you must know, I’m from one of the farming compounds west of here. My father was in charge of the community stores, so I helped there until I took out on my own. Anything else?”

“By the look of you I’m sure you were thrown out, but I’ve no more questions. Not for now. Get back to work.” Cance flung the work card to the floor and poured a glass from the fresh crystal, watching with wistful interest as LaRenna bent to retrieve the card. The low cut of LaRenna’s frock was the reason she’d tossed it to the floor to begin with. “Finish up, girl, we open in less than an hour.”

Starnes had completed stocking the shelves. “Father needs tending. I’m taking him some food before business starts up.” He turned toward the kitchen.

“He stinks.” Cance’s crinkled her nose. “Clean him up.”

LaRenna was bent over yet another table, wiping the base. When Starnes returned from the kitchen, he came close to inspect her work. “Who taught you to clean? Not like that, girl. Like this.” He placed the tray on the table and crouched to scrub the base himself. “Don’t just stand there. Get down here and watch the right way to do this.” LaRenna hunkered beside him with an inquisitive look on her face. She knew the job was adequate and wondered why he chose to criticize her so. “Medicine,” he whispered when she was close enough. “Please.” She glanced to see if they were still being observed. Cance’s back was to them.

LaRenna flipped up the hem of her skirt and popped two of the stitches. The medicine packet fell into her palm. “Here.” She slid the pack into his hand. “Half now, the rest in four hours.”

Starnes placed the packet in his vest pocket and stood. “That’s better, girl. Finish them last two tables then get something to eat. You can’t work half the night with nothing in you.” He left her to finish the task.

When she’d finished, LaRenna removed her apron and washed her hands in the kitchen basin. A variety of aromatic roast meats and breads were keeping warm on the steam table, a difficult choice, as Starnes was an excellent cook. She chose a slice of each then carried her plate and a neglected sweet jam pot to the dining area. Cance leisurely observed all the while, expressing mild surprise when LaRenna walked behind the bar counter, chose a dusty crystal from a high shelf, and took it to a table.

“Drinking the profits with our dinner, are we?” Cance tossed LaRenna a clean glass.

“It doesn’t look like bitterwine is a popular choice. It won’t be missed.”

“Bitterwine and sweet jam, interesting combination.” Cance stared piercingly at her, wishing her lenses were back so she could edge into the barmaid’s mind. “Where did you say you were from again?”

“West of here, near the Lanslotchin valley.” LaRenna spread a thick layer of jam on her bread and poured a shot of wine. Cance’s brows knitted with suspicion.

“Then where the hell did you pick up that habit?”

Only then did LaRenna realize her mistake. Sweet jams on bread was a decidedly Taelach habit. Her mind raced for a second then she smiled. This was easy to explain away. “We had a Taelach teacher who divided her time between my parents’ farm compound and three others. When she was teaching at ours, she usually boarded with my family. I guess that’s where I picked up my affection for jam.”