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“Soumeta Harlah
Eramis’ complexion was as fair as Tharnha’s was dark, and the long hair, temporarily done up in a knot atop her head, was a platinum blond so pale it was almost white. All things considered, Soumeta and her companions made a striking trio, Leeana thought.
“Leeana—Leeana Hanathafressa,” she said, politely introducing herself in return. It still took her a moment or two to remember to use her matronym, and she felt her face go just a little pink over the embarrassing hesitation.
“I know,” Soumeta said with a smile. “Everyone in Kalatha’s been talking about you ever since you arrived, you know.”
“Oh.” Leeana felt her blush darken. She half-turned away from the other woman and busied herself peeling out of the rest of her clothing. She’d spent enough time undressed in front of maids and seamstresses and in Hill Guard’s women’s baths not to be particularly bothered by her nudity under normal circumstances. At the moment, however, she felt sufficiently embarrassed by Soumeta’s comment to climb into the water more quickly than usual.
And, of course, the water is hotter than usual, she thought, trying not to squeal and leap back out as the stinging tide enveloped her. She managed to settle down almost normally, up to her neck in steaming water, and after the first second or two, the liquid heat began its magic and started sucking the aches and pains out of her muscles.
Garlahna joined her a moment later, considerably more cautiously.
“I did notice that they’ve built the fire under the water heater a bit higher than usual today,” Soumeta commented to no one in particular. Leeana darted a look at her, and then found herself forced to chuckle at the older woman’s knowing expression.
“Yes, they have,” she confirmed feelingly, and Soumeta smiled at her.
“Actually,” Leeana continued in a more normal voice, “it’s probably a good thing they did. I can use the extra heat after the way Hundred Ravlahn just spent the last decade or so chasing me around the salle. And beating me senseless whenever she caught up with me!”
“Oh, I think you may be being a bit too hard on yourself,” Soumeta replied. Leeana blinked at her in surprise, and Soumeta laughed. “I’m not saying you’re ready to go out and begin slaying brigands—not by a long chalk! But I’ve seen quite a few new girls do a lot worse than you were doing out there today.”
“Like me, for example,” Eramis agreed with something like a cross between a giggle and a chuckle. She shook her head. “It took me weeks to get to the point of actually swinging back at Erlis—she was still doing all of the training herself, one arm or not, when I arrived. At least you were trying, Leeana!”
“And she actually got through Ravlahn’s guard—once, anyway,” Garlahna pointed out.
“I noticed,” Soumeta agreed with a nod.
“Oh, she just let me do that!” Leeana protested, turning pink all over again. And, she thought, looking down at her half-submerged breasts, I really am pink all over. Wonderful.
“The Hundred doesn’t ’just let’ people get a pop in past her guard,” Soumeta told her. “I won’t say you didn’t have the element of surprise on your side, but you’re quick, Leeana. Very quick.” She considered the younger woman appraisingly. “I think you could work out very well in the Guard after you’ve completed your probationary period.”
Leeana looked up, certain Soumeta was teasing. But the older war maid’s expression was completely serious.
“Oh, I don’t think—” Leeana began, then stopped herself, suddenly aware that she didn’t have any idea what she wanted to say.
The last thing she’d ever wanted to be was some sort of female warrior. Not out of any sort of physical fear, but because it had simply never occurred to her that she might. And, she added honestly, because the fact was that the thought of hurting other people frightened her much more than the thought of being hurt herself. Nor did she cherish many illusions about the “glory” of combat. She was the daughter and granddaughter of warriors—heir of a tradition of women who’d sent generation after generation of husbands and sons off to war … and all too often never gotten them home again. The notion of charging into battle held very little allure for Leeana Hanathafressa.
Yet the truth was that she’d discovered she was one of those cheerful lunatics who actually enjoyed physical exercise. Not only that, but she found a strange, obscure, but solid enjoyment in the challenge of Hundred Ravlahn’s instruction. They were working almost entirely without weapons at the moment, but she’d also discovered that she was looking forward to the day that that changed.
And, she thought, there really are some things important enough to fight for. “Glory” might not be one of them, but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
“Well, it’s not as if you have to make up your mind tomorrow,” Soumeta pointed out. “For that matter, it’s not as if Five Hundred Ermath was going to invite you to take over her duties next week!”
“I’m sure she’ll wait at least, oh, a month or two,” Tharnha agreed with a laugh, and Leeana had to grin back.
“But aside from your physical training,” Soumeta continued, “how are you settling in, Leeana?”
“Better than I expected,” Leeana admitted.
“It must have been hard, coming from your family,” Tharnha murmured,
“I imagine it’s hard coming from any family,” Leeana said, and kicked herself mentally as she heard the edge of chill which had crept into her voice.
“Tharnha isn’t exactly the most tactful person in the world,” Soumeta observed with a grin, and gave the dark-haired war maid a friendly clout on the back of her head. Then the blonde looked back at Leeana. “Still, she didn’t say anything the rest of us haven’t thought, I suppose. In fact, we’re all wondering about why you came and whether or not you’re glad you did.” She cocked her head, gazing thoughtfully at Leeana. “You have to admit, Leeana—we don’t exactly see the heir of a baron wandering around in a chari and yathu every day!”
“Well, no. I guess not,” Leeana said, then shrugged and looked at Tharnha. “I’m sorry if I sounded offended or something, Tharnha. It’s just sort of a sore point with me.”
“Where we came from and why is a ’sore point’ for a lot of us,” Tharnha agreed. “And I should have kept my big mouth shut about it.”
“Well, yes,” Eramis agreed. “But like Soumeta says, we’re all being eaten to death by little bugs trying not to ask you, Leeana.” She flashed a smile at the younger woman. “I mean, if you tell us to shut up and mind our own business, we will, of course. But you have to know we’ll go right on wondering, whatever you say.” She waved both hands over her head. “We shouldn’t, but we’re only human, you know!”
“Yes, I suppose I do,” Leeana sighed. She considered it for a few seconds, frowning down into the water of her tub, then sighed.
“Let me put it this way. I didn’t leave my family because of anything they did, all right? It was a political—” She paused. “My father received an offer for me—one I didn’t want to accept.” She made a face. “No one would have wanted to accept it, actually. Father wouldn’t have made me, but there would have been a lot of political pressure on him to accept it, or something like it. So I decided I’d rather be a war maid.”
She considered that for a few seconds, frowning, and decided it was accurate enough to go on with.
“As for whether or not I’m glad I came, ask me again in a month or so! I should have at least caught my breath by then.”