The dark was peaceful and quiet, but after another short while Elissia realized that she might need to be up early tomorrow. If Torbans people found a way out of the city for them, she and Gardal would have some hard riding to do. For that reason she left the peaceful night, went inside, then climbed the stairs to her room.

  Gardal didnt stir at all, not when she came in then relocked the door, and not even when she took off her

  cap and lay down beside him. His slow, even breathing showed how deeply asleep he was, probably the first good sleep hed had in days. It suddenly came to her how hard it must be to sleep in captivity, what with worry over the condition and more worry about when it would end and what would happen in between. No wonder he hadnt even gotten up for supper

  Elissia moved around in an effort to get more comfortable, but something seemed to be keeping it from happening. It was true she wasnt terribly happy about sleeping in her clothes, but that wasnt the point of greatest disturbance. It was something else, something she couldnt quite When sudden understanding came, she voiced a low groan and closed her eyes. The thing disturbing her was the fact that a man lay on the other side of the bed, reminding her about a different man who had shared a bed with her. That other was a man who had seemed at first to care about her, a man who had even gone so far as to spank her hard when she did something he disapproved of. She could almost feel his hand coming down, each swat bringing an ache to her bottom and then adding to it. Hed held her across his lap and warmed her seat until she howled, and during that time at least, shed truly regretted doing what had caused the spanking.

  And afterward he had lain with her, bringing her such pleasure that the spanking hed given had been a small price to pay for the ecstasy coming after. In spite of herself shed almost begun to believe she meant more to him than his desire to go along with something both their fathers wanted. But then hed savaged her like that, hurting her more with his uncaring actions than he ever could even with a paddle. He didnt care about her, no one did, they were all just interested in doing their duty by her. Her father and brother just wanted her off their hands, and as for him hed refused to have the marriage annulled for all the wrong reasons. Assuming he hadnt even changed his mind about that by now Quiet tears ran down Elissias face, tears of betrayal and hurt and very deep loneliness. She was a woman and useless and nobody wanted her, and she really wished she were already dead. That was the only thing keeping her going, the promise shed made to herself about what would happen once Gardal was safely on his way home. She just wished the time would hurry up and come to be, before her strength failed her completely

  Princess Brat

  Chapter 10

  copyright 1999, 2002 by Sharon Green

  Elissia, wake up! The hissed words brought her out of too deep a sleep, the worry in them immediately banishing all desire to stay asleep. There are guardsmen downstairs, and I think theyve started to search the inn.

  Elissia scrambled up and joined Gardal by the window, and unfortunately he hadnt been imagining things.

  There really were guardsmen downstairs, and from the not-too- distant sound of the thud of boots it was clear he was also right about the search.

  Someone must have finally gotten up the nerve to tell Waysten that his prisoner has escaped, Elissia muttered as she stepped back from the window. They couldnt have told him right away, or those guardsmen would have been here last night. Do you think you can roll yourself up into a ball under the bed?

  Itll be a tight squeeze, but I think I can just make it, Gardal allowed. He eyed the bed for a moment, then brought his attention back to her. What kind of plan do you have in mind now?

  Something that might not work, but is at least worth trying, she returned with impatience. Stop wasting time and get under there.

  Gardal shook his head at the way he was being ordered around, but he still did as she said. He lay flat on the floor and slid himself carefully under the bed, and a moment later all sign of him was gone. Elissia made sure of that and then hurried to do her part, the first of which was to smooth the side of the bed hed used. A tug and a push and a stroke of her hand removed the signs that someone had been sleeping on that side, and then she hurried over to the other. It took only a moment to get out of her clothes and put them and her cap and boots under the bed with Gardal, and then she got under the quilts.

  Elissia arranged herself carefully, with most of her body on her own side of the bed and her head and arms on the pillow beside her own. People who slept alone tended to spread out, and it was vital that she seemed to be alone. The sound of boots on the wood of the floor had gotten louder and louder as shed worked, and now they stopped just outside her door. If shed miscalculated and they knocked instead of just letting themselves in

  But they didnt knock. The sound of a key scraping in the lock came, and then the door was thrown open and more than one set of boots stomped in. That was when Elissia let herself wake up with a start, and when she saw the men staring at her she pulled the quilt up to her chin with a gasp.

  Your pardon, young mistress, but were searching for an escaped criminal, one of the two men said, the older of the two. Have you seen or heard anything of someone creeping around here?

  N-no, sir, I havent, Elissia answered in a quavery voice that wasnt all acting. Ive been sleeping, bubut if anyone had tried to come in, I would have heard them.

  Maybe we ought to make sure by checking under those quilts, the younger guardsmen said with a leering grin, obviously impressed by Elissias wide-eyed innocence. Its a dirty job, but Im willing to do it.

  Save it for your off-duty time, the first guardsman growled in disapproval, then looked at Elissia again.

  Were sorry to have bothered you, young mistress, and were leaving now. But if you happen to see any sign of that fugitive, send for us right away. Theres a reward for anyone who helps us to recapture him.

  A reward? Elissia asked, less nervousness and more interest in her voice now. How much of a reward?

  Ten silver pieces, the guardsman answered, glancing at the younger man with satisfaction. Frightening the young girl wouldnt have done anything to make her want to cooperate with them.

  Think of all the things you could buy with that much silver.

  Oh, I am thinking, Elissia agreed with a small amount of distraction, then she looked at the older guardsmen again with a smile. Ill make sure to look around very carefully once Im up, and if I see anything odd Ill send for you at once. Or will sending for any guardsman do as well?

  Any of us will do, as long as the fugitive is put back where he belongs, the man answered with a sigh.

  But make sure he doesnt find out what youre doing. He likes to play with pretty young things like you

  before he kills them, so dont take any chances.

  No, I certainly wont, Elissia agreed, back to being wide-eyed and frightened. Ill make sure Im very careful.

  The man nodded before gesturing his companion out with him, and once they were outside the door was relocked. Elissia stayed where she was until she heard them finish up checking the last of the rooms on the floor, then got up as the sound of their boots faded down the stairs. If for some reason theyd come back, she hadnt wanted them to find her dressed in boys clothing. She pulled her clothes out from their hiding place and began to get into them, and by the time she was dressed, Gardal had slid out from under the bed.

  You sounded awfully interested in that reward, he said as he stood up. Does that mean you intend to turn me in as soon as Im not looking?

  Of course, she agreed as she finished with her boots and also stood. I knew that freeing you would put a price on your head, and Ive only been waiting for it to get high enough. Once I collect, I intend to buy myself some new clothes. This outfit has gone well beyond rank, and if I take a bath it will only be worse.

  Im in the same position, so I know what you mean, Gardal agreed wryly. Living in the same set of clothes for days ends up turning your stomach, but looking for new ones could get us caught. Well just have to put up with it until were out of here.

  Elissia nodded her agreement, then went to the window. She had no intention of going downstairs until the guardsmen were completely gone from the whole area, not even with her cap on. If one of those two guardsmen happened to see her, they were bound to get suspicious While were waiting for them to leave, why dont you tell me about what happened that turned you so completely against Derand, Gardal said from a small distance behind her. At first I thought you were just voicing an opinion with nothing to back it up, but thinking about it made me change my mind. Youve actually met and talked to him, havent you.

  Elissia hesitated a very long minute, but Gardal wasnt guessing. Hed always been good at knowing certain things, and this time she couldnt walk away from the conversation. But that didnt mean she had to tell him everything

  Yes, I met and talked to him at the palace, she admitted, speaking the absolute truth as she continued to keep her gaze on the window. He acted gracious and charming while Father was there, but once we were alone he hurt me. At one point he said hed let the marriage be annulled, then he changed his mind and afterward changed it a second time. I have no idea where he stands on the question at the moment, nor do I care. I refuse to be his wife under any circumstances.

  I really dont understand this, Gardal said, his voice now showing his disturbance. I can see youre telling the truth, but that doesnt sound at all like Derand. Hes been my friend ever since we were boys, and hes never been anything but honest and fair.

  Maybe thats because he had no interest in getting you into bed, Elissia said, forcing herself to sound disgusted and disillusioned. He made me lie with him, and when I tried to protest he just laughed and said it was something his family believed in doing. And then he used that to hurt me even more.

  Elissia had carefully slanted the story, but there was enough truth in the last part of it that Gardal couldnt

  help but notice. His hand came to her shoulder in silent support, commiserating with her without using possibly empty words. She reached over and put her own hand on his, thanking him just as silently, and they stood there like that for quite some time.

  The guardsmen were very thorough before they finally left, and Elissia didnt rush from the room as soon as they were out of sight. It was clear they were still in the neighborhood, checking everywhere, and could conceivably come back. For that reason Elissia resigned herself to even more of a wait, and then jumped when there was a knock at the door.

  Your breakfast is now being delivered, Rennis voice came from outside, calming the pounding of Elissias heart. Please open the door for me, my hands are rather full.

  Elissia put a hand up to keep Gardal from going immediately to the door, then went there herself after gesturing him into standing behind it. Renni hadnt used any names, and it was just possible that she was being forced to say what she had. Elissia unlocked and opened the door slowly and carefully, putting only her head out, but the precautions were unnecessary. Renni stood there alone with a tray in her hands, and she grinned when she saw Elissia.

  If youre not going to let me in, Ill have to eat all this myself, Renni said in a very soft voice, obviously teasing. I thought there might be hungry people in this room, but if I was wrong Youre not wrong, so come on in, Gardal said at once after having looked through the slit of the opened door. Its okay, El, shes alone out there.

  Elissia had already begun to step back, and once she was out of the way Renni carried the food in.

  After missing supper last night, I knew someone would be interested in this, she said, glancing at Gardal.

  If youre still hungry once this is all gone, send Sentor down for more. He still has a long way to go before using up the silver he paid when he first got here.

  Ill do that, he said, following her to the bed as though he were on a string. My, my, but that does smell good.

  Then help yourself, she said, putting the tray down and giving him clear access to it. There really is enough for two.

  Shed turned to Elissia with that, but after closing the door Elissia found that she wasnt in that much of a rush to get to the food. The conversation shed had with Gardal had done a good job of killing her appetite

  Youve got nothing better to do than eat, so you might as well get down to it, Renni said when she saw the expression Elissia hadnt been able to hide completely. With all those guardsmen prowling around the neighborhood, Wyole wont be by for quite some time even if hes expected. And I got the impression theyre checking out all neighborhoods, trying to find this escaped criminal of theirs. Theyve even got part of the army involved in the search.

  The part thats voluntary rather than conscripted, Ill bet, Elissia said, disliking the sound of the whole thing. That criminal is someone who really sounds dangerous, so I wont be surprised if they have orders to take him dead instead of alive. Waysten would be in a lot of trouble if people found out who the fugitive really is.

  She said shes decided to turn me in because she wants the silver theyre offering as a reward, Gardal put in around a mouthful of food. Now that she thinks theyll probably kill me out of hand, I wonder if she intends to change her mind.

  Not if you keep saying things like that I wont, Elissia told him as Renni chuckled. And stop looking at the food on my plate. If Wyole makes it through after all, I intend to be ready to leave at once.

  Gardal protested his innocence without pausing in taking his meal, so Elissia went over to the bed and began to do her own eating. She really did need the food to keep up her strength, and she knew her brother well enough to know that he would have eaten her portion without a second thought. She would not mind at all going after more for him if he was still hungry when he finished, but she still had a younger sisters hatred of letting her older brother near anything of hers.

  Renni wished them a good appetite and went back downstairs, leaving Elissia and Gardal to eat in peace. After a short while Elissia discovered that she wasnt able to stuff any more down, and Gardal graciously offered to help finish what she hadnt. So she sipped tea from her cup while Gardal cleaned her plate, and once he was through she gave him the best smile she could.

  If you really do want more, I dont mind going after it, she said when he looked over at her. Rennis a marvelous cook, isnt she?

  Yes, she is, but unfortunately I dont have the room for more, Gardal said with what sounded like true regret. If were still here by lunchtime, Ill see if I can take you up on your offer.

  All right, Elissia agreed, and then they ran out of what to say. She wished she knew whether they would still be there at lunchtime, and the worry that they probably would be obviously bothered Gardal as well.

  The longer it took for them to leave the city, the greater the chance that someone would discover the whereabouts of the fugitive.

  The minutes and hours dragged slowly past, and Elissia discovered that Gardals pacing was beginning to fray her nerves rather badly. When she knew she couldnt stand another second of it, she decided to take the breakfast tray downstairs and see if anything was ready for lunch. Eating would distract Gardal for a while, and maybe then

  Once again Elissias heart began to pound at the knock on the door, and this time Gardal didnt have to be told to stand where he couldnt be seen. Elissia went to the door the way she had earlier, but peeking out showed no one but Renni. This time, however, the small woman looked excited rather than amused.

  Wyole is here, and hes come with good news, she said as soon as she was in the room. The word is spreading everywhere that the fugitive has been recaptured, and it seems to be true. The men from the army have gone back to their barracks, and the guardsmen have stopped searching houses. That should mean that you two will be able to leave soon.

  That is good news, Gardal enthused while Elissia tried to forget what it was she would be leaving to find.

  And if things go well enough, we might even be able to ride straight through the gates without anyone stopping us.

  Dont think about that even for a minute, Elissia said at once, brought sharply back to the problem of keeping Gardal safe. If Waysten decided it was taking too long to find you, he could well have called off the search and circulated that rumor just to draw you out of hiding. If you thought it was safe to just ride through the gates you might be silly enough to try it, and then he would have you again without turning the

  whole city upside down. Well wait for Wyoles people to find us a different way out, even if it takes longer than we want to wait.

  All right, all right, well do it your way, Gardal said with both hands held up in front of him. You always have been better at this sort of thing than I am, so I wont argue with you. But what about going down for some lunch? Im starving again.

  Youre always starving, Elissia said while Renni chuckled, then Renni took the tray and the two of them left. As they walked downstairs, Elissia couldnt help wondering if the story about the recapture was just a ruse. If it wasnt, some poor innocent had been taken in Gardals place, and Elissia felt really sorry for whoever it might be

  Derand, in his male disguise, finished the breakfast Kravil had cooked for him and then he went to a window to stand and look outside. He, Kravil, and two of the men were the only ones left in the house, everyone else having gone out looking for the girl and her brother hours earlier. Even Listan had gone, joining the search rather than simply directing it. There was also someone keeping an eye on the blue house, just in case the girl took her brother there . Derand didnt really expect her to, but the possibility still had to be covered.

  If we dont find them soon, well find instead that weve run out of time, Derand muttered, staring out at a neat back garden without really seeing it. If Id told her the entire plan, at least shed understand what Im up against and do something to ease the situation. But she cant work with a plan she doesnt know about, so if this whole things comes apart its no ones fault but my own.

  Derand had done a lot of thinking since the fiasco of the day before, and because of that hed also spent a lot of time cursing at himself. Hed admired the girls cleverness and ability, and then hed gone ahead and discounted her entirely. Hed seen her in the future as one of his most trusted advisors, but he hadnt trusted her enough to tell her everything he meant to do. Now he stood here waiting and worrying, about her and Gardal both. Time was quickly running out, and what could happen to the two if they werent found soon was something he didnt want to imagine.

 

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