Bertrice Small - The Twilight Lord

A second party of guardsmen crept up the stairs to the top of the house. Bursting into Lady Gillian’s apartments they slew Ulf, who was sprawled exhausted in a chair, having satisfied his initial lust, while Fernir vigorously rode Lady Gillian, seeking his own glory. Fernir’s throat was slit before he might howl with either his surprise or his emotions and his lifeless body was dragged from Gillian.

“My lady! My lady!” A guardsman sought to rouse the obviously abused woman, but then to his surprise she arose, naked and so beautiful that his eyes bugged from his head. Never had he seen a Pleasure Woman of this rank! He would always remember this if he lived to be a hundred.

Gillian walked slowly across the chamber and opening a wardrobe, drew out a garment that she quickly wrapped about herself before turning a brilliant smile upon the party of guardsmen now crowding into her apartment. “Thank you,” she said simply.

“Are you all right, my lady?” the guardsman who had dared to touch her asked.

“I have in my day entertained far more vigorous lovers,” Gillian said. “Is Lady Vilia safe? She was keeping me company when those creatures burst into the house. Do you know how they got in, guardsman?”

“I believe one of the old tunnels beneath The City was used,” he said.

“Of course,” Gillian murmured. “That is how they would have circumvented the enchantment of the gates and walls.” She moved quickly past the guardsmen and down the stairs into the cellar where Vilia stood with a second part of guardsmen. The two women embraced. “You are all right?” Gillian asked. “How did you escape your guard?”

Vilia’s voice was soft and low. “I let him have his way with me and when he was fully involved I hit him several times with that lovely heavy, brass vase in the hallway. Let that be our little secret, however.”

“Was he as lusty and satisfactory as my Wolfyn were?” Gillian murmured and Vilia laughed softly. “You are obviously a very bad girl, my lady Vilia.”

“I used to help Anora whip Gaius and I must admit to quite enjoying it,” Vilia answered. “What a pity there are no Pleasure Houses for women to visit. While I love Jonah and will be ever loyal to him, I do enjoy a bit of variety now and again. I expect that most women do if they would but admit it. Why should we be censured for it? Men are never censured for desiring change.”

“Now there is something we might consider in the new Hetar,” Gillian replied low. “And it would certainly solve some of the employment problem, wouldn’t it?”

“I hear something,” the old guardsman said softly. He crept down the steps into the tunnel, looked back at them and nodded. Then he tossed the lighted torch as far down the tunnel as he could and scrambled back up the stairs just a moment before the oil in the tunnel blazed fiercely up. Suddenly frantic screams were heard from the tunnel as it filled with flames. One enormous guardsman hacked with a great ax at the wooden landing, leaping back through the door just as it gave way and the stairs to the tunnel collapsed partly, catching fire. The flames, however, were not high enough to reach the door of the cellar, so the house was safe.

“I will leave a contingent of men here, my lady Gillian,” the old guardsman said. “We must report this incident to the authorities. A search must begin immediately for any other tunnel entries beneath the houses of The City.”

“Thank you for all your help,” Lady Gillian said. “Be certain that the emperor will learn of your devotion to duty. And Lord Jonah, too.”

The old guardsman bowed gallantly and left them.

“Come back to my house,” Vilia said.

Gillian shook her head. “It is here we have hatched our plots and here that Lara will come back to us, Vilia,” she said.

“Then I will remain with you,” Vilia answered. “We should try to get word to Lara of what has happened. Perhaps if we just call to her she will come to us.”

“We can try,” Gillian responded. Together the two women walked back upstairs to Gillian’s apartments.

Both women bathed themselves in Gillian’s private bath and then donned fresh garments. They discussed quite frankly their encounter with the Wolfyn males, noting that indeed below the neck they were quite human if perhaps a bit larger. And both admitted to have obtained pleasures with their partners but then swore each other to secrecy with a smile. When they had settled themselves again they decided to call out to Lara and see if she would come to them. She had told them that she would.

“My lady Domina, Lara of Terah, please come to us,” Gillian said. “We need you.” They waited.

And then after a short time Lara appeared in her colored haze. “Why have you called to me?” she asked them.

“The Wolfyn found another way into The City,” Gillian began.

“We believe we have stopped them for now,” Vilia added.

“Tell me,” Lara said, her face suddenly grave. When would this all end?

They explained what had happened and Lara nodded finally.

“There could be more tunnels,” Vilia said. “And we cannot be certain if our oily flames have stopped the Wolfyn from the tunnel beneath this house.”

Prince Kaliq, heed my call. Come to me from out yon wall, Lara intoned.

At once the handsome Shadow Prince was with them and Lara explained her need for him. Kaliq nodded. “We shall seal all the tunnels,” he told them. “I had forgotten about them as they have not been used in centuries.” Then he turned to both Gillian and Vilia. “You were very brave, my ladies. Hetar can be proud of you both. You are heroines.”

“Hetar must never know,” Vilia said quietly and Gillian nodded in agreement.

“You fear what people would say?” the prince asked.

“I am wife to the emperor’s right hand,” Vilia replied. “That Gillian and I saved The City by yielding our bodies to these Wolfyn would not be considered an honorable act. My husband would be embarrassed and it could harm his ambitions. Whatever I may be, my lord prince, I love Jonah. I did not seduce him and cuckold Gaius Prospero on a whim. There is no need for Hetar to know what happened.”

The prince bowed again and nodded to her. “It will be as you wish, my lady.” He bowed to Lara and Gillian, then faded into the shadows of the room.

“What of the guardsmen who helped us?” Gillian wondered aloud.

“They will remember nothing more than that Vilia sought their aid when a trio of Wolfyn invaded Lady Gillian’s home. And that Lady Gillian kept the Wolfyn entertained and at bay with wine and promises until the guard arrived. Then the tunnel was discovered, oil poured into it, and fired. The Wolfyn were killed or beaten back and the tunnels now sealed by Prince Kaliq,” Lara said. “It is all anyone need know about this matter. You will both be commended for your bravery before it is forgotten.”

“Thank you,” Lady Gillian said quietly.

“Can you tell us what is happening?” Vilia asked.

“The combined forces of Hetar and Terah are even now being transported into position,” Lara told them. “Some have been placed behind the Wolfyn encamped outside of the city waiting to attack. Within The City Terahn forces have joined with the remaining Crusader Knights and the Mercenaries. They are now massing before the main gates of The City. Your husband has been returned, my lady Vilia, but he is with the troops. Even now the guardsmen are going through The City warning the folk to remain indoors this day. Those without homes are being sheltered by whomever will take them in.”

“Send me women and children,” Lady Gillian said. “I have more than enough room. Vilia, will you remain and help me?”

To Lara’s surprise Lord Jonah’s wife nodded. “I’ll stay,” she said.