CH 90: Travelling Dancer

Alice looked out the carriage she was in, and a pit in her stomach started to form when the dirt road transitioned to paved. A sign that they were close to the fief’s capital city and the noblewoman’s castle. She bit her thumb, trying to calm her nerves, when her son tapped her leg.

“Mom, it’s going to be okay. Anka will protect us.” Toni said as he grasped her free hand and held it tight. He nodded to the knight facing them and continued. She had several scars on her face and short, black hair.  “And grandma’s guard.”

The knight smiled at Toni, the scar on her lips moving with her smile. “Right. But if we need to get involved, it could be war.” She laughed.

“Maeve. Be serious, please.” Alice said, starting to bounce her leg. If Lady Lloyd made a move on Toni and the guard had to step in, then Lady Elfreit would surely retaliate. Her mother-in-law was highly protective of Toni, which could lead to civil war. “Fuck. Why did She want us to even come here?”

“Relax. Lady Lloyd is a pig, but she’s not stupid.” Maeve said, leaning back. She glanced out the window at the platoon of guards that surrounded them. “Even with so few knights, we could probably handle her guard.”

“Really? You could?” Toni asked, beaming at the veteran knight. He contrasted his mother’s nervousness with his excitement. Maeve just nodded.

“From what I’ve heard, the guard is filled with nepo babies…” She said, her voice trailing off. There was only one woman to really be worried about if anything happened. “Except her Captain. She’d be the only real issue.”

“Oh! And why’s that?” Toni asked, leaning forward. His interest was piqued already. “Is she famous?”

Maeve shook her head. “No. But she’s not afraid of fighting underhandedly. She discarded her honor as a knight to work for such a heinous noblewoman…”

“Do you know her?” Toni asked, tilting his head. Despite Maeve’s preference for women, she had to admit Toni was too cute. She smiled warmly at the boy and nodded.

“A long time ago. We trained together back in the day. Her from back then would hate the her now is all I can really say.” Her smile slowly faded when she thought back on those days. “Gave up her pride for money.”

Toni tilted his head to the other side, thinking about Maeve’s words. He hated how she was being so vague about this mysterious captain. His mother squeezed his hands, signaling him not to push further. “Oh, um, that sounds pretty interesting.” He said softly.

Maeve gave him a nod. “Not really… Seen many women follow the same path. It’s unfortunate, but there are good knights too.” She sighed, thinking about all the women she’d seen fall down the same path. “Money corrupts.”

“True. Glad our Lady has a rigorous selection process….” Alice said. She glanced at her only child, her one reason for still living. “Like the one good Lady left.”

“You can say that again… even Her Majesty-” Maeve began before cutting herself off. She was about to go too far. “Ah, forget I said anything, Toni.”

Toni just nodded and looked at his mother with a confused look. “Treason to talk against the Queen. Please don’t even bring it up.” Alice said with another sigh. Her leg would not stop bouncing despite her attempts to control herself.

A knight in a full suit of armor pulled her horse close to the carriage. She saluted her Captain before speaking. “Captain?”

“Aye, what is it?” Maeve responded, returning the salute.

“The capital city is just on the horizon, should take another hour before we arrive.” The knight reported.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Maeve nodded and dismissed the woman. She moved back into formation, joining her squad. “Gods and Goddesses, I pray Lady Lloyd behaves herself…”

“Mhmm,” Alice agreed. She could feel her hands begin to sweat as they got closer to the capital city named after its Lady. She had heard the rumors about the boys that were taken to the city of Lloyd, and it made the pit in her stomach worsen.

“Isn’t this where Claire’s brother was taken?” Toni’s soft voice pulled his mother out of her nerves. He had his head out the window, peaking at the horizon. Alice thought back on the women she had met just a few weeks ago. Jasmine and Lily had talked about Claire.

“Surprised you remember that,” Alice responded.

“It’s tragic! Claire’s brother was taken from her? How could you not remember such a thing?” He asked, pulling his head back into the carriage.

Maeve gave Alice a look, and she waved her hand in dismissal. Not many people were fond of her shielding Toni from the horrors that could come from being a man. “Happens more than you’d think… but yes, this is where he would have been taken.”

“Wonder if we’ll meet him,” Toni said. Maeve opened her mouth, but Alice dismissed her again.

“Maybe… Toni, don’t get your hopes up. Not everyone is like grandma…” Alice said with pain. She hated having to expose her son to the realities of the world. Her maternal instincts were screaming at her to just shield him. “You may see things that will scar you forever here…”

Toni tilted his head again, making his mother’s scowl soften. “Like what?”

Maeve stepped in despite Alice’s objections. “A lot of women see men as mere objects. Having one in your possession boosts your status and having a harem even more.” She ignored the daggers Alice was staring at her. “This… Lady… she doesn’t even give dowries to the families. She just takes the-” “That’s enough, Maeve! I get warning him, but do-” Alice said, almost yelling. She was cut off by Maeve again.

“No, he deserves to know what he’s walking into,” Maeve said, her voice rising to meet Alice’s. “At least a warning before entering!”

Alice opened her mouth to respond when Toni rushed to her side. “Mom, let her continue. Please, I want to know.” He gripped her hand tightly, pleading with his eyes. Alice let out another sigh, holding Toni’s face with her hand.

“Toni, sweetie… this isn’t some story or song. The city we are about to enter is filled with bad women. Like the demon queens from your stories, but these are entirely human. These are corrupt women who abuse their powers for their own selfish desires.” Alice said gently. “Myrtle is one of the worst, too. You already know she kidnapped Claire’s brother, but she’s done that countless times.”

Toni nodded. He knew bits and pieces about the situation. Despite Alice’s best efforts, he had gone behind her back to seek out the knowledge. “I understand.”

“She’s a greedy, lustful woman who takes what she wants. I don’t understand why Anka would even want us to visit her.” Alice continued. She sighed again, leaning back defeated. “If those go poorly and she makes a move on you, then grandma will retaliate.”

“Right. That’s why we mobilized so many knights. You wouldn’t typically need an entire 30-woman platoon to escort you.” Maeve added. “But, Myrtle is a step above the other noblewoman...”

“Mhmm, she does quite a bit of posturing around other nobles. Displaying herself as a just and merciful Lady who cares for her people. I don’t know how other Ladies fall for it.” Alice said spitefully.

“Most noblewomen don’t even speak with commoners. They are above that.” Maeve added. She scowled just thinking about all the noblewomen she’d been forced to interact with. “Though, there are a few just like Lady Elfreit who aren’t fucking hypocrites.”

“Really? Grandma’s one of the good ones?” Toni asked. Maeve’s expression broke, and she smiled.

“Yes. I lucked out joining her Guard back in the day. She gives me hope that nobles aren’t entirely corrupt. I just wish there were more like her.” Maeve said. She could count on her hand how many Ladies of the dozens out there were like that.

“You can say that again. I lucked out by meeting Grace.” Alice said thoughtlessly. She was thinking back on her wife.

“Mother? I wish I were able to meet her…” Toni said, dipping his head. Alice pulled his head into her chest and held him.

“Me too, sweetie.” She cooed. Alice took a moment to hold him before speaking again. “She would be so proud of you. Becoming a Bestowed, traveling on a pilgrimage.”

“Like hell she’d let Toni visit this place…” Maeve chimed in. She had fond memories of her young Lady. She even helped in her Knight training.

“True. She’d throw a silent fit. My goddess, if she were here, then maybe I would be less worried…. She’d attack Myrtle for even looking at Toni’s crotch…” Alice said solemnly.

“Aye, but that would guarantee a political incident,” Maeve said. Alice just nodded in agreement before letting go of Toni. Her nerves were eased somewhat, but her leg kept bouncing.

“Again. Why did She want us to come here?”