Broker -CH 17-

Maxwell led a middle aged man into Alex’s study. He was a broad man, tall as well. Every bit the military man from his haircut down to his very polished but worn boots.

His clothes were cut in a uniform like fashion, though didn’t sport any colors.

“My lord, this is David Herel, commander of the mercenary company Bulwark,” Maxwell said, introducing the man.

David bowed from the waist.

Alex stood up and nodded his head to David.

“A pleasure, Master Herel. I appreciate you for coming. I take it you found the contract to your liking as it was presented?” Alex asked, skipping straight to business.

“Yes, my lord. I did. The prospect of settling down in Brit with what you suggested is… very tempting,” David said, standing up from his bow.

“I see this as being an operation where it’s very likely that you’ll take significant losses. I won’t hide that fact from you, but I will make sure you’re paid well for it,” Alex said simply. “Now, Maxwell selected you personally. And I trust him. So tell me about your company.”

“I command four-hundred man-at-arms, two-hundred archers, and one-hundred heavy infantry.

“We’re broken down into military groupings and we have an eighty percent veteran status. By and large, we’re outfitted to a slightly better degree than conventional military,” David said. “I personally specialize in battle-tactics and line fighting.”

You say nothing of strategy. Is that a lack on your part or a cultural pr-

Strategic priorities and battle plans are typically formed by the commanders of armies, or levies.

One must be of the nobility to lead an army.

Ah… in other words, me. Splendid. That means this is before commoners could become command officers.

We can do this. We used to be pretty good at strategy games.

Then again that was forty years ago.

“I understand. Go ahead and deploy to the field and get some rest. We’ll be heading out in two days. Duke Tanulf has made it his intention that all his levy commanders are to meet with him on the border with him. Then we’ll march across into Duke Gaelis’ territory.

“I wondered. Duke Tanulf has been moving his people around quite a bit. Was going to be Gaelis or Malin,” David said.

Alex shrugged his shoulders at that.

He didn’t really know, nor did he care. This whole thing was more than likely going to spend a number of lives for the sake of what probably amounted to an anthill.

A petty insult perhaps. Someone taking offense to a passing comment.

“Anything else?” Alex asked the two men.

Max and David looked at each other, then to Alex.

“No, sire,” Max said.

“Great. Get going then. I need to finish up here, there’s too much to do and not enough time to do it in,” Alex said, shaking his head at the pile of papers on his desk.

No sooner than Maxwell and David had left, then Walter came scurrying in.

“My lord,” said Walter. “I really must say again that I don’t agree with this. My place is at your side.”

“It is. Though in this case, you’re best served remaining here and making sure Anna and Holly keep everything in hand,” Alex said, sitting down in his chair at his desk. “You’ll need to send whoever would take over for you if you were to suddenly pass on from this world. Time for them to get some behind the wheel experience, as it were.”

“Sir… I really do obj-”

“I know, and I appreciate it. But it’s going to be this way. Now, make arrangements for your second in command. They’ll be traveling with me when I leave.

“Is there anything else we should discuss or work through?” Alex asked, changing the subject.

“Ah, who is in charge, my lord? Anna, or Holly?” asked Walter.

“Neither. Run anything at a financial level by Anna. I get the impression she absorbed more of her father than he would have liked. Anything peerage goes to Holly.

“You take care of the rest.”

“I understand. May I ask what else you’re planning for the day, my lord?”

“Ah. How is my new maid-servant coming along?” Alex asked, working his way through several documents.

“My understanding is she’s doing very well. She’s performing her job duties at a level that would not require any oversight for her.

“Though her name is… unconventional.”

“Yes, it is, but neither is it unique,” Alex said. “And how is Two and Three? I haven’t seen them today.”

“Two, sir, is in the city. I believe she’s been working to recruit more body guards for your service.”

Huh. I didn’t tell her not to, but I didn’t tell her to hire someone else. Suppose that falls right in that middle area.

That just means we can take a greater toll from her when she finds someone she wants me to hire.

So be it.

“Good. And Three?”

“That is… I saw her only once. She was in the kitchens. I have not seen her since then,” Walter said.

“Mm. That’s fine.”

“Sire… they are all… that is to say… One was-”

“Yes, she was. They all were. And they’ll serve me as loyally as any other retainer would. So you’ll give them the respect their position deserves, no more, no less,” Alex said. Setting the quill to one side, he looked up and caught Walter’s gaze and held it. “Anything else?”

“No, my lord. Nothing else,” Walter said. Excusing himself, he left the room quickly and closed the door behind himself.

Alex shook his head looking back to his papers.

He still needed to talk to Sylvia and figure out what he was going to do with her while he was away.

Again.

“He doesn’t like us,” Valeria said from the far side of the room.

Tilting his head back, he looked around to find her.

It wasn’t until she lifted a hand that he spotted her.

She was slouched low next to his cabinet, dressed all in darker clothes.

Made of strips and bits of cloth, she had no shape and seemed to blend into the shadow.

Even her face and hair were bound up.

“Of course he doesn’t. You all showed up out of nowhere, and he has no idea what your relation is to me.

“For all he knows, you’re all foreign agents who got close to me to make an attempt on my life,” Alex said, then grinned at her. “Impossible to think of, right?”

Valeria stood up and walked over to him, pulling the fabric down from her face and head.

“I’ve been trying to hone my field skills before we leave. I know you said you wanted me to teach you, but I think it might be best if I actively work defensively as well,” Valeria said, explaining herself.

“Ok? No need to creep around the shadows. Just play the part of my doxy and stay at my side. Most nobles travel with a few after all,” Alex said, shrugging his shoulders.

“I could do that… certainly wouldn’t be hard to pretend since I’ll be in your presence every night.

“Any of us, really.”

“What, you, One, and Two? Yeah,” Alex stood up and then patted his desk. “I haven’t checked lately by the way. What’s your count right now for getting your ass spanked?”

She gave him a slow smile, setting her hands on her hips.

“I’m not sure anymore. I stopped counting after a hundred. I figured I might as well run up my tab before we go into the field. I might not be able to get anymore soon.”

Quirking a brow at that, Alex couldn’t help but grin at her.

At least she’s being honest with herself.

“Well, we’ll see if we can’t take care of that while were out on campaign. And did you want to bring your trunk by the way?”

“Yes, please, Master,” Valeria said, nodding her head quickly at that. Her eyes dropped to the floor as her cheeks turned bright red. “And a couple shackles, too.”

She mumbled something that he couldn’t quite make out.

“What was that?” he asked, unsure of what she’d asked for.

“And a riding crop.”

***

“Sylvia,” Alex said, sitting down in a chair next to the noble woman.

“Alex,” she said, smiling at him.

“If you’re going to offer to send me back to the city while you’re gone, I think I’ll decline,” Sylvia said, setting down the book she’d been reading when he entered.

“Oh? That’s surprising. I thought you were tired of playing prisoner for me.”

“Hardly. Everyone already viewed me as being a scandalous and amoral woman due to what the charges they laid on me.

“Since our deals, and being able to see people, they simply view me as the Count’s noblewoman concubine. The one he can’t marry, but doesn’t want to get rid of.

“It’s not that glamorous, but it’s better than the previous stigma that I felt in Brit during your last absence.”

Alex thought about what she’d said.

Logically, it made sense. If she suddenly spoke him up to everyone she knew, lived in his keep, and seemed perfectly content, it did lead to the concubine theory.

“I see. Alright. Then I’ll not make that offer. Did you want to talk about your walks then? I imagine you might end up getting tired of being in the keep all the time.”

“That’d be wonderful. I am growing weary of only seeing the sun through my window. I’d also like to be able to have my nails, hair, and clothes attended to.

“I’m afraid I’m growing… well, I’m not looking at my best right now. It limits who I’m able to see.”

Alex took a moment to really look at her now that she mentioned it.

Her nails were long, chipped, and a bit ragged. Her hair was a bit tangled, but not terribly so.

Her clothes were also looking extremely worn since she only was allowed the one set.

“Alright… I’ll give you free reign to be anywhere in the city of Brit,” Alex said, picking the book up and looking at the cover. He’d given her several to help pass the time since her room was devoid of entertainment. “In exchange, I want you celibate. You cannot engage in any sexual conduct between a man and a woman, at any level. And let’s make this clear, this goes for other women as well.

“This includes kissing others, and even holding their hand. I want you to be as pure as driven snow from here on out.”

Setting the book back down, he smiled at her.

Sylvia stared at him. Then she suddenly made a small noise and bobbed her head.

“That makes sense. If I’m going to be your concubine, I’d have to be dedicated to you, and you alone.

“You have my oath then, and I swear it. I’ll be untouched by all from here on.”

“As to your clothes, nails, and hair… most of that you can solve on your walks. Let’s cut to the heart of the matter on this one. Being able to own anything that isn’t already in this room,” Alex said. “This is a prison cell to be sure. And you’re not going to be leaving any time soon. Truth in the matter is you’ll likely die of old age before you’re released from my possession.”

Alex said it as gently as he could. He wasn’t sure if Sylvia had taken her thoughts that far down the line. Admittedly he expected her to, but that didn’t make it so.

“I’m aware, my lord,” Sylvia said, her smile turning sour.

“Mm. I’ll allow you to have seven sets of clothes, and make use of the keep laundry. Nothing else will be allowed to be brought in to your room. My price is rather simple. I get to pick out all your clothes, and even your hairstyle.

“I think I’d like you to fit my tastes, since you’re my concubine.”

Sylvia’s brows drew together, her ragged fingernails tapping against the table.

“Would the outfits be in fashion? The hair style as well?”

“Certainly.”

“Then… I agree, and do so swear,” Sylvia sighed, crossing her arms in front of her chest. “I’m well aware of what you’re doing, you know.”

“Do you?”

“Yes. You’re slowly turning me into what you want. I realized it only after I came back. Your bodyguard the situation abundantly clear to me. I imagine what she went through was similar to my own situation.”

“Quite right. So, what are you going to do about it now that you know?”

“Barter myself slowly,” Sylvia said with a rueful smile. “And hope that I somehow manage to outwit you and escape. That or you die in battle.

“Before I’m little more than an actual bed warmer.”

“Good luck with that,” Alex said with a grin, and then stood up.

“If I may ask… what number did you plan on assigning me… if the time comes that is,” Sylvia queried.

“Numbers are assigned merely as the next number in order. If you were to be… numbered today… it’d be Four.”

***

Sitting alone in his bedroom, Alex couldn’t sleep.

Anna and Holly had kept him company every night this week, except tonight.

Apparently they’d both had their period start up, and now were playing nurse to each other in their shared bedroom.

Staring out his small window he could see the guards go through a rotation down below.

Must be close to midnight.

The door behind him creaked open. It was silent, almost to the point that he didn’t hear it.

Looking over his shoulder, he could see Carla slipping through the doorway.

She swayed for a second where she stood, then moved towards her attached room.

She’s drunk. Hah.

Bumping up against what he thought was a dresser, she stumbled to the side and fell heavily to her knees.

Holding back a snicker, he walked over to her and reached under her armpits and lifted her up.

“Master?” she mumbled.

“Yeah, it’s me.”

“Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t, I was already awake.”

“I’m not that drunk… just… tipsy. Didn’t see the damn dresser.”

“Uh huh.”

Carla took a step forward, her hands resting on his shoulders.

“Master, I wanted to talk to you about hiring another body guard,” Carla said, staring at him.

“That’s fine, but I think it’d be better to talk about this in the morning. Don’t you?”

“No, because I needed to drink to do this for the first time. You’re hiring another body guard, and I already found the right woman for the job,” Carla said. “Going to pay you for it now. Will do this once a week. I swear on my oath.”

Dropping down to her knees, Carla hooked her fingers into his nightwear and yanked them down.

<Redacted!>

Then with a shuddering breath, everything was over.

Carla’s hand shot up and grabbed him by the back of the head, and then she kissed him furiously.

As quick as she had kissed him, she released him.

Her arms flopped to her sides, her body slumping into the ground, and she started snoring deeply.

“Two?” Alex asked.

Damn she was way drunker than I thought. Can’t leave her on the ground. Might as well get her in the bed then.

Getting his arms under her, he somehow managed to lever her up off the ground, and into his bed.

Taking a moment to undress her of everything but her under shirt, he arranged her limp form as best as he could, and covered her up.

Then he crawled into bed with her, and immediately fell into a deep sleep.