Ashencroft

Chapter 6

"When you said I should lie down, I assumed you meant to sleep."

"I did. Eventually." Siva smiled, pressing her lips to Randa's temple as she slipped a hand beneath the blankets.

"Siva, I- ... I don't have the energy." Randa had known when the constable had accompanied her into the small quarters she had through a door off the main guardhouse that the other woman had every intention of joining her in her bunk, but a token protest was still required.

"Then you don't have to do anything. You can even close your eyes." Still smiling, Siva's hand found Randa's belt, working it open and slipping it from the loops of her trousers. "Just relax for a bit, love."

"If I close my eyes I'll fall asleep, you know..." the other woman warned.

"I'd like to see you try."

Sighing contentedly, Randa turned her head, nuzzling into the crook of Siva neck as she closed her eyes. "Keep an ear out for people coming into the guardroom," she murmured a little distractedly.

"Yes, Captain," Siva replied, unbuttoning the fly of Randa's trousers and sliding her hand under the waistband. Turning her head, she began to place warm kisses on the other woman's lips, her eyes open as she gazed down at her. Randa squirmed a little beneath the shorter woman, lifting her head to deepen their kisses, getting increasinly involved despite her protestations of tiredness, her hand slipping to Siva's waist.

Siva's fingers slipped between Randa's legs, finding the spot that caused the woman to gasp a little in pleasure and surprise, circling her fingers slowly at first as she delved her tongue between Randa's lips. Arching her back, she moaned a little into Siva's mouth, her hand slipping unbidden beneath the other woman's loose shirt to run across her skin. As she found the rhythm Siva gradually picked it up, letting out her own small sighs of pleasure as Randa's hands skimmed over her stomach and sides.

Eventually, in spite of her tiredness, Randa's hand began to work to loosen Siva's own belt, unbuttoning her fly and slipping her fingers inside.

"Thought you were tired," the constable murmured, lifting her hips and re-settling over Randa.

"I am, but I've got to get you off me some- ... -how, haven't I?" Grey returned, shifting to slip her fingers against the other woman, another tiny gasp escaping her lips. "You're-"

"Not as tired as you," Siva finished for her, chuckling. Bearing down on Randa, she dipped her head then to press kisses to her jaw, trailing to her neck and her fluttering pulse there.

"It's the boundless energy of youth, no doubt..."

"Or that fact that I actually got a decent amount of sleep in the past day..."

"Then I suppose I'll have to wear you out so that you'll fall asleep with me in about, oh, ten minutes?"

"I think that could be arranged."

"Have you prepared a statement, then?"

"Yes. Here." Eaton cleared his throat, passing the parchment to Alyth and then linking his arms behind his back.

Alyth scanned the page, nodding to himself once or twice as he did so before passing it back. "Very fair."

"Then we're agreed."

Nodding once more, the young man stood back to let Eaton take the lead. "Then let us go."

"Very well."

Their route round the houses was circuitous, to say the least - the artisans in question seemed to tend to live in side alleys and off quiet squares rather than on the beaten track. Their first stop was at an apothocary, of all places, and when Eaton turned to question Alyth on this he realised that at some point the young man had become a handsome middle aged woman.

Despite the fact that he knew Alyth was capable of such a feat the old man still jumped, shaking his head in embarrassment before pushing open the door to the shop and stepping in.

Ian, having seen a slight downturn in the requirement of his services following the food shipment, glanced up in surprise as the shop door opened, scrambling to his feet a moment later to stand up straight. "Councillor Eaton. I'm honoured."

"Please, no formality is required," Eaton said, shaking his head. "I've come to talk to you about a very important matter, though. If you have the time."

"Of course, sir."

"There is a matter... of great importance." Eaton glanced at Alyth, pressing his lips together in a tight line.

Ian's brow knitted at the sombre tone. "Yes, sir?"

"You may have met... Alyth here before. She... recognizes your superb skills."

"Ah..." Ian scrutinized the woman a moment before recognition dawned. "You bought that carving - last week."

Alyth nodded solemnly, and Eaton cleared his throat before continuing. "And because of this, she would like to... invite you to join her. Abroad. In order to give your skills a wider arena in which to be appreciated."

Ian opened his mouth a little, unsure what to say. "You don't want to just... take a shipment of my ornaments?"

Alyth shook her head. "Where I come from, we have few artisans such as yourself. You would be a most welcome addition to our people. Any dependants or responsibilities you have unsettled here I'll be happy to negociate with you.

"You would be doing your city a great service. But you should not feel obligated," Eaton clarified. "You should know... know that we would be proud to have you represent Ashencroft elsewhere."

Ian frowned. "Um... I'd be doing Ashencroft a service? How?"

"Alyth... There is a way, to lift the siege. It's possible to save the city."

"By my leaving?"

"In part. Your departure would be... part of a greater effort."

"How?" The young man probed. Alyth was silent, keeping to her word to say nothing one way or the other.

"In return for having several local artisans accompany her back to her homeland, Alyth here has agreed to... aid our efforts against the siege."

Ian, having realised almost as soon as Eaton had entered the shop that yes, this woman was the stranger, just nodded bemusedly.

"I... In principle..." Ian cleared his throat, flushing. "There's... a girl. I'd have to speak to her."

"Of course. Your decision doesn't have to be immediate. You have time."

"You have a day," Alyth clarified. "Good luck, Ian, whatever you decide. Make it known to Lu that she could join you, if she wished."

"Next... a potter. One moment..." Eaton paused, frowning down at the list of names. " know this woman. Ales has spoken of her..."

"Ales knows a good number of the artists on that list."

"I suppose so."

Alyth had no need for a change of face as they reached Sasha's, which was located down yet another quiet sidestreet.

The young woman turned towards the door as they entered, a smile on her face even before she knew who was there. "Hello."

"Good morning, Miss Potter. How are you?"

"I am well, thank you... Councillor Eaton?"

The older man raised his eyebrows. "Yes. I have someone with me."

"Good afternoon, Sasha. We've spoken before."

The girl tilted her head to one side, processing the stranger's voice for a moment before smiling. "Yes, you bought the two-handled vase several days back."

"That's right. Councillor Eaton and I have a proposition for you..."

There was a long moment when Eaton and Alyth finished speaking; Sasha had nodded, listening intently but saying nothing as the two explained their proposition. "I see," she said finally, smoothingher fingers over the worn counter in front of her. "And when would we return?"

"I would be returning in ten years," Alyth said. "If you wished to go home then, you could. We cannot imprison you."

"Ten years is not such a long time. And it would help the city?"

"Immeasurably."

"Then I would like to do it."

Alyth pursed her lips, glancing sideways at Eaton. "I think we can be on our way for now, then, Councillor?"

The old man sighed and gave a nod, stepping towards the door. "We will come back tomorrow, miss, and review your decision. Please have a pleasant evening."

And so it went. The pair made their way around the city, Alyth taking on his or her different faces as they went. Some artists agreed to go, with varying degrees of willingness, and some refused outright. Alyth seemed to take these refusals in his or her stride, however, having taken down considerably over thirty names to canvas. Eventually they were left with two stops. One, Dia, the weaver, who lived only a few streets away from Eaton's own villa, albeit with a considerably different social standing. The other, of course, was Ales Eaton herself.

As they neared the weaver's, however, Eaton saw something he had never seen in Alyth before: hesitation. A few yards short of the woman's shop door, she stopped short, running a hand through her long brown hair. Eaton saw it bleach and shrink into a thick shock of white-blonde, then darken and lengthen again, and eventually she shook her head. When he turned, he was once more the austere youth Eaton had first seen enter the Geat Hall. "We will not visit this one. I have enough."

"Enough? But we are not yet finished..." Trailing off, Eaton frowned, glancing up at the villa at the hill. "Then we will return to the Council, and I will speak to the other councillors. We have finished."

"I did not say that."

"You said that you had enough."

"I still want to speak to your daughter. She would be most valued. She can still refuse, just like any other."

"Then we will go to this girl as well."

"No."

"Lord Alyth, she is on the list..."

"I made the list," the young man said, rounding on Eaton in the first show of anything approaching anger the councillor had seen. "I know who is on it. Strike Dia off. We'll visit Ales Eaton, and then we are finished."

Eaton opened his mouth to speak, though whether it was to agree or protest further Alyth would never know as the door to the shop opened just then and the dark-haired girl stepped out into the street. Shutting the door behind her, she turned and lit up with a smile upon spotting Eaton. "Oh, good evening, Councillor... it's quite a surprise to see you here. Are you lost?"

"Er, no..."

"We were just on our way," Alyth said smoothly, with a significant glance at Eaton, his cool smile and amber eyes washed of all the fire they'd held a moment before. "Apologies for disturbing you, Miss Weaver."

"Oh, no, it's no disturbance at all. You're not lost, are you?"

"No, we're on our way to the villa."

"Actually," Eaton said suddenly, stepping forward towards the girl. "Before we go there... there is something we must speak with you about."

There was no discernable reaction from Alyth at this stage, except to turn and walk a couple of paces away from the conversation.

Ignoring the foreigner's actions, Eaton motioned the girl closer, quickly and quietly explaining to her what the proposition entailed. Dia was understandably surprised, glancing occasionally at Alyth and frowning to herself.

Alyth turned as Eaton spoke, although he offered no extra encouragement, and indeed seemed reluctant even to look at the young woman.

"I... I don't know what to say," Dia said finally, offering Eaton a nervous smile. "It's very flattering, sir, and I would like to help the city..."

"Very well," the councillor said with a nod. "We will return tomorrow, then, to hear your decision."

"Thank you, sir," Dia said, and as soon as Eaton turned away, she hurried back inside, no doubt to speak with her siblings about the strange visit she had just received.

"You try my patience, councillor."

"She has a choice. It would not be fair to make it for her, Lord Alyth."

Alyth seemed like he might say more on the subject, but instead, he simply nodded towards the villa. "One more visit."

"Mm. Lead on then, sir."

It was obvious where Ales must be as soon as they reached the villa from the sweet singing emanating from the music room to the front of the house.

With a sigh Eaton let them into the villa, making his way slowly towards the music room. Each step felt heavier and heavier, and the vise around his stomach turned slowly until he felt as if he would not be able to move at all.

"Father, is that you?"

"Ales, yes, good evening. I'm sorry we interrupted you."

"Not at- Oh, sir, I believe we've met."

Alyth nodded, giving Ales a small bow as he stood in the doorway of the room. "Yes, miss."

Ales put down the lute she'd been strumming and stood, walking over to the corner where a pitcher and some glasses were located. "Can I offer either of you some water?"

"No, thank you, dear..."

Pouring herself a glass and and nodding at Alyth's polite refusal, she took a seat again, sipping at her water. "To what do I owe the pleasure?" she said, smiling at the pair. "You're not about to invite me to leave Ashencroft and go on an adventure with you, are you?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"How did you hear of that?" Eaton asked, eyes widening.

"Ryle? He couldn't get here fast enough after you spoke to him. He's over the moon at the opportunity. I think you've made his year," Ales directed at Alyth. "He said Sasha's going too."

Alyth smiled and inclined his head. "Then our explanation will be very short indeed."

"I don't think I can, Lord Alyth," Ales said with a grim smile.

"May I inquire as to why not?"

Ales' eyes darted to her father and back. "I cannot leave my father here alone. I'm sorry."

There was an awkward pause before Eaton stepped forward, kneeling down beside Ales's chair. "Ales, darling... thank you for considering me, but this decision should be what you want..."

"Father," Ales' voice dropped to a whisper, and it was only then that Eaton could hear the regret that ran through it. "I saw your face last night, and when I heard about today, from Ryle... I knew why. I can't leave you, no matter... I can't leave you here alone."

"Do you wish to go?"

"I..." Ales closed her eyes for a moment. "It doesn't matter."

With another heavy sigh, Eaton laid his hand on Ales's knee. "Ales, please. Think not of me and answer this question. Do you wish to go?"

Ales took a deep breath before answering. "I've never had such an exciting opportunity in all my life."

"Then... perhaps you should go. If it is what you want."

"Father, I-"

"Ales, please. You have said the truth. I will not have you ignoring that for me." Eaton's face was pale.

"I..." When Ales looked up this time her eyes were filled with tears, and she shook her head. "I need time. I need to think."

"You have a day," Alyth said, nodding gravely.

"Tomorrow then. Could you... Could I be alone now?"

"Yes, of course."

"You needn't make your way back to the hall with me. I have other places to be in any case," Lord Alyth said as he walked down the pathway to the villa with Eaton. "I spent yesterday out at the blockades, and I must do the same tomorrow. I'll be travelling overnight."

"Very well." Eaton's demeanor was obviously distracted; he nodded vaguely at the other man.

Alyth seemed about to say something more, but a moment later he simply nodded, and swept off down the street. Eaton watched his gait change, and his hair grow longer as he walked, falling down his... her... back in long dark waves.