The Treasure of House LaRue, page 1
The Treasure of House LaRue
BC King, Phantom Dame
Copyright © 2023 by BC King and Phantom Dame
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Contents
1. Bound
2. My Lady
3. The Beast
4. The Baths
5. Duty
6. The River
7. Hatchet Cave
8. Bitter
9. Moonlight
10. Family
11. Fear
12. Hope
13. Love
14. Onward
Glossary
Characters
Chapter one
Bound
The unending hunger felt like a knife in Jade’s gut. Her food supply was depleted, and a recent bout of food poisoning had made her wary of the local berry bushes. She’d had luck with a few local strains of seed and tea leaf, but that just wasn’t nourishing enough to survive on, and she felt herself growing weaker. She hadn’t trapped any game, and she had no clue how to fish.
What I wouldn’t give for a roasted boar skewer, she thought.
It had been five days since she’d found herself in this forest, and she had yet to find a cave to sleep in, being forced instead to sleep in the open. Apparently, the tales of the Grasslands were true; the whole region was covered with vegetation of some species or another, with no exposed rock to speak of. The separation between her and the earth set her on edge, and as she trudged westward, the foliage choking the land only seemed to thicken.
There was also something… off… about the air. The scent of sulfur had long since faded, replaced by a musky aroma of wildlife and pollen. She hoped to find civilization soon, but she still felt apprehensive. This continent was supposedly inhabited by Beastvolk, and she didn’t know how a Goblin would be received by an unprepared Volk. But her strength was deteriorating, and the miner’s garb she wore didn’t offer much protection during the increasingly cool nights. If-
Jade heard loud, rapid footsteps approaching her, and her flight response kicked in. As she dove to the side, something brushed her feed and crashed behind her. A giant, unnatural figure began circling her, and she bolted in the opposite direction. The giant form was unexpectedly fast, however, and it quickly caught up with her. The form threw a net at her and she was instantly immobilized, its weighted tips twisting around her ankles. Jade crashed onto the underbrush, and a small, short-haired wolf ran up beside her, snarling.
Damn, she thought, these bastards mean business. As she struggled, the form approached, and she realized that it was a large, strange man on an even larger, stranger animal. He had pale white skin, a balding head and full mustache of rusty red, and the ears and tail of a wolf.
A Beastvolk.
It was true, then; in the Grasslands, people were fashioned after animals. She had always assumed the tales were an exaggeration.
“Who are you?” the man asked. “Do you understand me?” The beast he rode was tall, lean, and muscular, with skinny legs, short white fur, and a long face.
“Release me or I’ll tear out your throat,” Jade said.
“C’mon now, none of that, then.” The man pulled an elegant sword from a scabbard at his side, and she realized how easy it would be for him to plunge it into her heart, helpless as she was. “I promise you’ll be fine if you come quietly.”
Jade eyed the wolf-like creature, the giant beast the Volk was riding, and the gleaming steel in his hand.
Guess I’ll make it to civilization sooner than I imagined, she thought, nodding.
“Let’s get these ropes off you, then,” he said, dismounting the beast. He sheathed his sword and fiddled with the knotted weights around her ankles before untangling them and releasing her. “If you follow nicely, I won’t need to bind you. Easier for the both of us. But try and run and you’ll take an arrow in the back, clear?”
Jade decided to trust his threats. They started in the direction he had come from, tension hanging in the air like smoke. Despite their size, the man, wolf, and mount made surprisingly little noise as they deftly wove between the trees. After a half-hour of hiking, the trees and foliage abruptly gave way to a grassy expanse. Compared to the untamed nature of the woods, the fields felt artificial and barren. Aside from an occasional shrub, the only thing that broke up the endless green were the gophers that ducked in and out of burrows. The earth was still hidden from her; Jade was beginning to worry that the entire continent was covered in plant life.
In the distance, Jade could see a handful of buildings. Most were squarish and made of wood, but in the center, a massive stone structure broke up the sky with sharp, peaked tops. As Jade drew closer to the town, she was taken aback by just how much effort must have gone into its construction. The central building’s architecture was whitewashed stone, adorned with dark red drapery, and complex hedgework surrounded the premises. The stone itself, initially a welcome sight, quickly began to disturb her with its unnatural shapes and colors.
“Hands to yourself,” the Volk said as they approached an open-walled wooden structure. He dismounted the spindly-legged creature and handed the reins to a young girl with fox-like ears and a bushy brown tail. She guided the creature by the reins, deeper into the structure, and Jade spied no fewer than 20 of the beasts separated into different stalls. The insect-filled air smelled terrible, and Jade decided that Beastvolk were altogether disgusting people. They approached a similar, smaller structure, and a dirty young boy took the wolf.
If nothing else, they seem pretty organized, she thought.
As they continued walking, Jade tried her best to build a mental map of her environment, but she quickly became disoriented. She’d spent most of her life in Hatchet Cave, and whenever she ventured outdoors, she had oriented herself against the Whetstone Mountains, the impassable mountain range that formed the border between the Stonelands and the Grasslands. Now, there was nothing but trees, and the vast, empty air made her dizzy.
She saw dozens of Volk of all ages, shapes, and colors, but one thing was clear: none of them looked like her. Compared to other adult women she saw, she was a full head shorter, and her olive green skin and wide, pointed ears branded her as an outsider. As they walked, she took note of the numerous fields, gardens, and plazas that dotted the fields. It was strange to see so much infrastructure lying exposed and out in the open, especially if the tales of frequent, heavy rainstorms in this region were true.
Eventually, Jade and her captor approached an ornate shed. The man knocked thrice on the door, and a robed figure emerged. “Hello, Richard,” said a feminine voice. “What do you have for me today?”
“A Goblin, I figure,” said Richard, her captor. “Caught her ’bout two miles easterly. Seems well-behaved. Didn’t put up too much fight, doesn’t have any weapons. Understands language, but isn’t much for talking.”
The robed woman let out an appreciative whistle. “We haven’t seen a Goblin in decades, and we’ve never had the chance to Bind one before. I’ll take it from here.”
Oh, shit, thought Jade. Jade wanted to bolt before they could Bind her, but there just were too many armed guards in the area, so she held off.
“By your leave, Rochette,” said Richard. He lifted his hand to his breast and bowed curtly before hurrying off.
The robed woman, Rochette, ushered Jade into the dark room. The interior was dimly lit with candles, the walls were weathered wood, and the floor was bare, flattened dirt.
At least there’s one place where I can feel dirt under my feet, Jade thought.
Rochette lowered her hood, and Jade saw that she was a middle-aged woman with tufted fox ears and a bun of walnut hair .“What’s your name, my dear?” she asked.
Jade hesitated. “Jane,” she said, deciding to use an alternate name.
“Jane,” Rochette repeated. “Let me take a moment to describe your situation to you. Stop me if you have any questions.” She took a seat on a stool near the wall, enabling Jade to see her nearly eye-to-eye. “The LaRue family owns all of the forest within 20 miles of this manor, and our houndmaster, Richard, found you within our territory. Do you dispute this?”
Jade shook her head.
“Do you have a merchant card, travel passport, diplomat’s badge, or any other documentation that would grant you passage onto LaRue lands?”
Whatever that means, thought Jade. Are all Beastvolk this long-winded? She shook her head again.
“By trespassing on this land, you’ve committed a serious crime. The Ordinances of the Grand Duchy of L’Arachette enable us to punish trespassers as we see fit. Lucky for you, in lieu of execution, we will give you the chance to pay for your crimes through service.” Rochette smiled reassuringly. “To put it simply, for the next year, you’ll work for us. We’ll provide for your daily needs, and you’ll do whatever work we deem fit for you. At the end of your term, you’ll be released, and you may even receive a permanent job offer. Do you understand?”
Jade’s skin went cold. A proper Binding would make the yearlong sentence all but inevitable, and she needed to get on with her search as soon as possible. But when Jade considered her rumbling stomach and the armed guards patrolling the manor, she decided to play along. She nodded.
“Excellent!” said Rochette. As Jade watched, Rochette pulled an ornate key from within her robes and approached an equally
It took all of Jade’s willpower not to burst out in a laugh. If that’s what I think it is, Jade thought, then these foxes are bigger fools than I could ever have imagined.
“This device will ensure your compliance,” said Rochette. “With it, we can magically Bind you to follow the commands of your superiors.” She smiled gently. “I’m afraid you’ll need to remove your clothes for this next step, my dear. They would burn away in the process, and we’ll have new clothes for you afterwards.”
Jade had never been shy, but after everything that had happened in the past hour, she was reluctant to lower her defenses any further. Even so, she untied the cord around her waist and pulled her dirty clothes over her head, dumping them on the floor. Rochette seemed surprised that Jade wasn’t wearing anything underneath; either that, or she was surprised at Jade’s figure. Presumably, she hadn’t seen many naked Goblins, and Jade’s green, scarred skin and lean, muscular build were a stark contrast to the tall, curvy bodies that the locals sported.
Rochette beckoned Jade forward. “I know this seems like a lot, child, but I promise you’ll be alright. This next part may be frightening, but it won’t hurt. Step into the center of the room, please.”
Last chance to run, Jade thought. She truly didn’t want to be Bound, even with a rod such as this, but she looked down at her body and decided that a naked streak past a dozen armed guards was an even worse fate than a Binding. She acquiesced and stepped forward.
Rochette used one end of the wand to stamp a series of glowing glyphs onto the dirt, forming a circle around Jade. They started off a dim red color, and with each successive glyph, the previous ones brightened, grew, and raised off the ground, forming a series of floating glyphs. Soon, Jade was surrounded by burning pink light. With a start, Jade felt herself lift off the ground, and she began slowly rotating with no way to steady herself. Her rotation speed increased, and a low, ethereal hum filled her ears.
Rochette raised her voice over the clamor. In a loud monotone, she recited an incantation in a language Jade didn’t speak. The glyphs flared, burning complex shapes as afterimages into Jade’s eyes. She felt fire on her neck, and suddenly, she found herself unable to inhale. Terror filled her as the chaotic energy of the room filled her senses while her lungs strained for breath. Then, in an instant, the light flashed out, the droning speech ceased, and Jade fell to the earth. She gasped for a breath, mostly out of shock, and shakily rose to her feet.
Rochette approached and handed Jade a gray robe-like garment, along with a colorful sash and some plain pants, underwear, and shoes. “Put this on, dear,” said Rochette. “Servants of House LaRue all wear the color and crest of our house - burgundy, and a golden hyacinth blossom - which you’ll find on the provided sash. If your mistress bids you to wear something else, ensure that the sash, or something similar, is visible. Additionally, all Bound servants in the Duchy are identified by the Binding brands on their necks, so whatever you wear, make sure your neck is visible.”
Damn, thought Jade, I was hoping this Binding wouldn’t feature a brand. She pulled on her underwear and pants, and while she never wore a bra if she could choose otherwise, she nonetheless found it strange that she wasn’t offered one. That better not be a comment on my chest size, she thought. She pulled her robe around her shoulders, and was intrigued by its cut. The top half felt more like a men’s tunic than a robe, and the bottom half hung like a skirt to her knees. She examined the burgundy sash, which featured a golden embroidery of a soft-looking flower, before tying it around her waist. Lastly, she slipped her feet into her shoes, though she wished she could simply go barefoot instead.
Jade stretched, attempting to limber up. She felt clean, as if she’d just emerged from a hot spring. The ritual must have purged the filth from her body; no wonder she had to remove her clothes. Upon further inspection, she found that everything from the dust on her feet to the sweat in her armpits was gone without a trace. I’m honestly surprised that my hair was spared, she thought.
“You look lovely,” said Rochette, who had been scribbling away in a notebook as Jade changed. “How do you feel?”
“Clean,” Jade said. Abused. Violated. Enraged. “Refreshed.”
“That’s to be expected,” said Rochette, smiling. “The Binding has given you a clean slate, a fresh start. The next chapter of your life has officially begun. Follow me, please,” she said, opening the door to the blinding sun.
“Where are we going?” asked Jade.
“You’re going to meet a very important member of the LaRue household. She’s in need of a maidservant, which necessitates that the attendant be female, but she’s also in need of a bodyguard. The women in our society tend to be fairly docile, so we’ve been on the lookout for a woman like you, a woman who is…” She gestured for the right word. “...scrappy. If I may be so bold, from what little I know of your kind, you’re perfectly suited to this job.” She smiled again, and Jade felt no warmth in it. “Take it as a compliment, and be glad your position will be one of relative ease. Now, let’s go meet your charge.”
Chapter two
My Lady
Cosette LaRue plopped down on her featherbed. “How could I love the man, Julien? I’ve never met him.”
Cosette was the only daughter of House LaRue. Her sunset-orange hair, ears, and tail were the sign of her noble heritage, and while she was a touch tall by Fuchsvolk standards, she nevertheless found herself with a letter from a new suitor every day.
“You don’t need to love him, you just need to obey him. You’ll still have a good life,” said Julien, leaning on the doorframe. Her older brother was a vain, flippant man with even more beautiful hair than his sister, and Cosette had always relied on him for support.
Cosette shook her head. “I don’t know. I don’t know what I’m looking for in a husband, I don’t know if I’m ready to be married, I don’t even know if I’ve ever been in love.”
Cosette’s suite, known formally as the Rose Suite, was small for a noblewoman, consisting of a single room with a large featherbed, a vanity table, an armoire, and a strangely-shaped wall closet. Her father had long since wanted Cosette moved to a nicer suite, but Cosette enjoyed the view of the gardens from the window.
“Love is a myth. The best you can hope for is someone who shares your goals and whose tongue you enjoy the taste of.” He made a flourish with his hand hand. “If you keep waiting for some ephemeral concept of ‘love’ to manifest, you’ll spend your life alone.”
Cosette scowled. “I don’t have the luxury of being carefree like you, brother. No matter who you marry, you’ll be the husband, you’ll set the rules. If I marry the wrong man, my life becomes a prison, my marriage Binding a chain.”
“If your husband ever mistreats you, send word to me and I’ll serve you his head on a platter.”
“You think it’s that simple?” Cosette asked. “What happens to our family then? What about the people who rely on us? If our status falters, so too does our authority.”
“Honestly? Maybe that wouldn’t be such a bad thing. What did we do to establish our claim over these lands, over the people who live here? What gives us the right?”
“You’re missing the point.” Cosette let out a frustrated breath. “I guess I don’t have to think about it quite yet. I should enjoy my freedom while I still have it.” She threw up her arms and flopped onto her back.
“Drama queen,” teased Julien.
“I’ve just always imagined how lovely it would be to be married,” said Cosette, staring at the ceiling. “To spend every day with someone who sets my heart racing. I thought I’d be able to handle anything as long as I had a happy marriage, but I don’t even know who this Victor Laurent is. I feel as if I have an untapped well of love to give, but who’s to say I’ll be able to give it to him?”
“Have you ever given it to anyone?”
Cosette pursed her lips. “Not that I can recall.”
