Castle Walls Read Online Free PDF

whispered. "Nay!"
    "Ilia!" the dark woman snapped, cutting her off. She glared intently at her companion, warning her. "It's for the best." Returning her gaze to Ros, she searched the woman's face, hoping she hadn't caught the royal title.
    The blonde's face remained serious, her hazel eyes revealing nothing.
    Stifling a relieved sigh, Katerin continued. "What say you?"
    Ros was slow to respond, eyeing them both in contemplation. With a reluctant nod, she said, "I've one open bunk right now. I'll hire Ilia at three coppers a week. She'll help with costuming, play the lute at showings and learn to clown." To the servant, she continued, "You'll be sleeping in Lucinda and Gemma's wagon. They've an additional bunk now that Tilly's gone off to have a babe."
    Katerin felt a heavy weight lift from her shoulders. At least Ilia will be safe now. She won't have to follow Hector beyond. She refused to look at her handmaiden, hearing the gentle weeping, not wanting to be caught up by the emotion.
    "And what of your qualifications?"
    Surprised, the princess' dark eyes latched onto the circus owner. "Me? I have no qualifications. Not for any task you would have here."
    Ros sat forward, taking the smaller woman's hands in her own, studying them. "Aye, I can see that you're a stranger to hard work. Your hands are too fine for menial labor. Do you play any instruments? Sew? Cook?"
    The remarks stung and Katerin yanked her hands from the other woman's. "Nay. None of those." She rose to her feet. "I ask for your generosity in supplying me with one meal and I'll be on my way."
    A slow, impish smile crossed Ros' face as she stood as well. Her face took on a decidedly wicked appearance as her eyes roamed the smaller woman's body with a lascivious familiarity. "I think not," she said. "I could… use a woman of your breeding."
    It took a moment for Katerin to comprehend what was being insinuated. When she did, she blushed furiously. She's a… a… a sapphist ! she thought, shocked. Taking a step back, she shook her head. "Nay. I'll be on my way." The princess turned, preparing to leave the clearing and her handmaiden behind when Ros' next words froze her blood.
    "Then take Ilia with you. She'll be of no use to me while she's pining away at your loss."
    Katerin swallowed, eyes staring blindly at the clearing and its occupants, weighing the choices of another death on her head against prostituting herself for both their survival. Hearing her handmaiden hastily rising to follow made the decision for her. She spun around, holding out one hand to stop Ilia. Tentatively, she looked at the circus owner, heartened to see the leer had left her handsome face. "You have me at a loss, madam." With a swallow, she drew herself up. "I'll stay."
    Ros nodded slowly, an expression of grudging respect in her eyes. Gesturing to the table, she said, "Sort through your things. We've no other bunks; you'll be staying in my wagon." She looked to one side, waving a dark complexioned woman forward. "And eat the breakfast Sati has made. We've a long day ahead of us. Rehearsal is this afternoon and there's much to do." The woman strode away from them, dismissing their presence as she headed for the now finished tent.
    Watching her go, the princess bowed her head. A sapphist harlot or a princess with a death warrant on her head, what more could I ask for?
    Reaching Ilia, she hugged the taller woman close. At least my handmaiden will not die, as well.
     
    Ros circled the tent, her practiced eye scanning the structure. Occasionally, she'd pull on one of the thick ropes, checking its tautness. Despite her apparent attention to the task, Ros went over her conversation with the strangers.
    The Invader's personal guard and an obvious man at arms dead , she mused sourly. As if we've not enough trouble surviving in the midst of a neighboring war. Ros kicked at a thick iron tent peg, grunting in satisfaction as it remained firm in place.
    During a normal season, the troupe would have