One Whore's Town Ch. 05

Ghent slowed his mount, and once he was alongside her, he said, "Betty..." with a warning in his voice.

She ignored him and reined in — staring daggers at the local whore, who wore a knowing smile.

Corra's man said, "The line of where our jurisdiction ends and Roja's begins is well established, and she is standing just the other side of it."

"Then I'll be standing just this side of it," Betty said. She didn't even wait for Ghent to help her dismount. Her gaze still fixed on Josephine, she slid down out of the saddle and immediately stalked toward the rival prostitute. Damson moved toward Ghent as he vaulted out of the saddle, and the two big men eyed each other a couple of feet away from the two women.

"Trouble on the road?" Josephine asked, still wearing her wicked smile.

Betty put her hands on her hips and responded, "As if you don't know, bitch."

The redheaded whore shrugged. "I have no idea what you're talking about. If you're having such misfortune, maybe you should find somewhere else to be."

"We're not going anywhere. Speaking of misfortune, how are your thugs along the road doing? And where are your cutpurses?"

Betty saw the slightest crack in Josephine's bored expression. That needle had hit, so she gave it another poke. "Oh, that's right. They're working for me now. You see, I actually make promises I keep, instead of just showing them my tits and stringing them along."

Josephine waved a hand toward her and looked away when she said, "Well, when your tits are that saggy, I suppose you have to improvise."

"Speaking of sagging, how's business? My girls are staying busy."

"Pshh. Camp followers for Corra's dogs."

Though she bristled at the camp followers insult, Betty maintained her composure. "You can stop wasting your time and coin sending spies into my house, too. My girls are too smart for that. By the way, how long was it before you figured out Hoss was one of my boys after he humped you?"

Betty barely saw the glint of metal as Josephine shrieked in rage and lunged at her with a dagger. The whole world seemed to slow down to a crawl as Raven's lessons took over. She was moving before she had time to think about it. Betty turned to the side and stepped back, avoiding the deadly point of the other whore's weapon. At the same time, she grasped Josephine's wrist, twisted it, and yanked it toward the redhead's back.

Josephine's enraged scream turned to a wail of pain, and the dagger fell to the earth. Betty sent a thought to the ring on her finger, but felt a shock coming from the magic item. Josephine's goddess was protecting her from the sleep enchantment.

The redheaded prostitute twisted out of Betty's grasp, and her arm lashed out to claw at Betty's face with long, red-painted nails. Once again, all of Raven's lessons paid off, and Betty was easily able to force Josephine's arm high. A moment later, she doubled up her fist and punched her rival square in the nose.

Josephine's eyes rolled up in her head and she slumped into a heap at Betty's feet.

Betty turned to see Ghent struggling to keep away from Damson's knife. Roja had his sword out, and two other guardsmen had approached, but they were opposed by Corra's man and Trestel, who had drawn their weapons.

Betty snatched her own dagger from its sheath, knelt down, and put the edge against the unconscious whore's throat. She then screamed, "Drop it! Right now!"

Though Damson disengaged with Ghent, he didn't drop his knife.

Seething with rage and filled with adrenaline after foiling the unexpected attack, Betty said, "Drop it right now, or so help me, I'll slit this bitch's throat and watch her drown in her own blood."

The color drained out of both Ghent and Damson's faces. Josephine's bully boy tossed his knife back toward her house and raised his hands.

Betty quickly stood and backed away toward the road. She was immediately surrounded by the cleric, soldier, and Ghent. She pointed her dagger at Damson and said, "Now get this bitch out of my sight. Tell her if she tries something like that again, I'll cut her fucking tits off."

Betty sheathed her dagger as she continued to move toward the horses. Once she and her guardians were a few feet away, Damson moved to pick up Josephine.

"Get me on my gods-damned horse and let's get out of here," Betty growled under her breath.

She didn't even wait for the men to remount before trotting off. Her knuckles were white from her tight grip on the reins, and it was all she could do to avoid kicking the horse into a gallop.

Everyone else caught up as soon as they were able, surrounding her. Betty breathed hard as the rush of battle waned within her. As it did, she felt her stomach go sour. She looked over her shoulder after they rode over a small hill and confirmed that she could no longer see the town.

"Betty? You okay? You're as white as a ghost," Ghent asked.

Swallowing hard, she answered in a small voice, "Help me down."

Ghent dismounted without waiting for his horse to stop, and quickly moved to her side. As soon as he lowered her to the ground, Betty hurried off the road, into the tall grass, and retched.

Big hands gathered up her hair, and Ghent asked, "What is it? What's wrong? Is it poison?"

"After a fashion, I should imagine," Trestel said. "Such words are surely as poison to one with a kind heart."

The cleric knelt beside her as well, placed his hand on her back, and after another heave of her stomach, she felt the urge begin to subside.

"Be calm," Trestel said, "For surely they were just words, spoken in haste, and in fear for one you love. Most surely warranted."

Betty spit, groaned, and leaned away from the foul-smelling mess in the grass, as it was threatening to turn her stomach again. When Trestel held out a cloth wetted with water from his canteen, she gratefully accepted it to wipe away the spittle on her lips. When he followed by offering her his canteen, she took pains not to touch it with her lips. She poured a little water in her mouth and spit. It did little to kill the taste, but it did dull the burning a little.

After a couple more spits and then a drink, she handed the canteen back.

"Sure you're okay?" Ghent asked as he knelt next to her in the grass.

"Let's just get back," she answered.

Betty felt numb — disconnected — as she rode in the center of the entourage back to the house. When Ghent helped her down, she said, "The townie gets his hump for free. I need to go lie down."

Ghent asked Pallah to take care of the horses, and then led Betty to the room they shared. He saw her settled into the bed and then asked, "Do you need anything."

Betty shook her head and said, "Thank you. Just keep things running out there for a while, honey."

Though she tried, Betty couldn't rest. The encounter with Josephine kept running through her head, and she still couldn't fathom where the words passing her lips had come from. Of course, she knew that she'd stolen the first threat from Raven, but it wasn't so much the words as the emotions behind them that troubled her.

After a while, Ghent peeked in. When he lifted his eyebrows in question, she waved him inside. She noticed he was holding a steaming cup as he closed the door.

"What's that?" she asked.

"Something Keri brewed up. Ginny says it's good for a sour stomach."

Betty scooted toward the headboard, but her man was quick to move to her side, put down the cup, and help her sit up. When he handed her the cup, she sniffed. She picked up what she thought was ginger and mint. A sip confirmed it. While the taste was odd, it wasn't unpleasant, and her stomach did seem to calm a little as she sipped.

"Scared me a little," Ghent said when she lowered the cup.

"I scared myself." Betty blew out a long breath from between pursed lips. "I meant it, honey. If he hadn't thrown that knife away... If he'd so much as scratched you with it..." She shivered and groaned as shadows of the acidic emotions ripped through her again.

"She started it by attacking you. You can't blame yourself for anything that happens in a fight. Once the blood starts rushing, you do what you got to do to stay alive."

"I was needling her."

Ghent countered, "She started that too. She deserved it. She was the one who actually did try to stick you, remember? Even if you meant it, you didn't do it. She tried."

Betty shook her head as the look on the other prostitute's face during the attack surfaced in her memory. Though twisted with rage, there was something else there as well — fear and pain.

Ghent slipped a hand behind her to the small of her back and caressed her. "That sickness you feel? It's there after any serious fight. That don't go away. If it does... Well, that's when folk go bad. Just means you ain't gone all cold and hard."

Betty turned toward him. The twisted, harsh visage of Josephine vanished, replaced by his, which also held a mingling of emotions. She could see concern, love, and pride in his face — feel it in his touch. She moaned, leaned against him, and suddenly felt a great deal better.

****

"We've got to work out some way for you to get word to me when something comes up," Raven said as she entered that evening. She shooed the brothers off toward the kitchen and then plopped down on the couch.

"There wasn't time," Betty said.

"Well, make time. Bitch is crazier than I thought." The thief shrugged and said, "Then again, you probably took her down a peg or three. You always were a natural when I was teaching you. Glad to hear it paid off." Raven offered a grin and added, "No charge for pinching my threat, either."

Betty winced at the reminder of what she'd said.

Raven's demeanor changed in a heartbeat. Her confident smirk changed to concern, and she took Betty's hand. "You kept your head about you and did what you had to do."

"Still..." Betty muttered.

Her voice still soft, Raven said, "There's no still about it. I know it turns your stomach, but that's not such a bad thing. Just means you haven't gone bad."

"You sound just like Ghent."

A little of Raven's smile returned. "Well, the big lunk is smarter than he looks."

"That ain't hard," Ghent said where he sat by the door. When Betty glanced at him, he was wearing a ridiculous slack-jawed expression that she couldn't help but chuckle at.

Pallah approached and said, "Maybe Abel could stay and help me in the stable, and then find you if something happens."

Betty and Raven both turned toward him in surprise. Even though Betty had been attempting to narrow the chasm between the young stableman and the brothers, the overture was still unexpected.

His face flushing slightly with embarrassment, Pallah said, "He seems interested, and it's a trade he could apprentice in even at his age."

Raven let out an amused snort. "Well, he could find one of us, that's for certain. Betty?"

"If he wants to, that seems like a good idea," Betty agreed.

Pallah added, "I could teach him so that when he finds a master to apprentice with, he'll have a head start."

"Or, you can just take him on yourself as soon as we get you your master's shingle," Betty reminded him. "I already asked Alice to talk to your guildmaster."

The brothers were hardly out of earshot, so Abel walked into the room and asked, "You'll teach me?"

"If you want to learn the trade," Pallah said.

"I like horses," Abel said with a shy smile.

"Sounds like a plan," Raven said as she walked over to the youngest brother and put a hand on his shoulder. She then asked his siblings, "Any problem with that?"

The two elder brothers glanced at each other, shrugged, and then Shad answered, "I'll feel better with him here where he's safe."

"Well, safer maybe," Raven said, and then addressed Betty, "That settles that, then."

Shad spoke up and poked the middle brother. "Wynn was getting pretty good with a bow before ours broke. I think he could be a good huntsman with some practice. He's better than me at setting snares, too. Maybe a trapper?"

"Something you're interested in?" Betty asked.

Wynn nodded. "I was just starting to get good when Pa's old bow snapped on me."

"Well, I'll see what I can do about getting you a new one," Betty said. "No such thing as too much fresh meat when there's a fort full of hungry soldiers just down the road. It's a trade that will keep food in your belly for sure, and that's half the struggle."

Raven chuckled. "Bound and determined to make honest men out of them, aren't you?"

"I don't think two more will overcrowd the world," Betty said, and rolled her eyes.

"Saves me from having to worry about younger competition."

"As if..." Shad muttered with respect in his voice.

"Will you listen to that? I've gone and turned this one honest too," Raven said while throwing her arms up in an exaggerated gesture, and then winking flirtatiously at Shad. "Truth to tell, he could probably apprentice as a locksmith, if he doesn't want to walk the dodgy path. He took to filing the pins for your locks like a duck to water."

"I could always drum up business by picking locks and pinching things from folks," Shad said.

Raven laughed. "Okay, maybe you haven't gone completely soft on me."

"Wait," Keri cautioned from the kitchen, accompanied by the sound of sloshing water. The redhead then walked toward the brothers lounging near the entrance of the kitchen, waving her hands at them. "Shoo. Lilly needs to get out of the bath."

While it was amusing to hear the young woman protecting the modesty of a whore, Betty had to agree that the two younger brothers weren't ready for that sort of education yet. She was about to say something when Raven took charge.

"Okay, you bush ghosts — let's go. You can eat outside, and then we'll go get Abel's things to set him up in the stable."

Keri was standing guard, and there was no way she was going to let the pretty Draxnian come out while the boys were still around.

Before following the boys outside, Raven leaned in and whispered, "Wynn's majority is in two days. May as well break him in right and get it out of his system. I'd do it myself, but I doubt that Shad would like that much."

The thief then headed for the door without waiting for a response. She paused and chuckled in the doorway, waved for Ghent to come to the door, and then continued on her way.

Ghent briefly spoke with Mack, who was sitting outside. Ghent turned and said, "Got a puppy about to have a conniption because he's too late tonight. Been saving his coppers and all fit to bust."

Jan shrugged and said, "I'll take him."

Betty nodded and the buxom blonde walked over to the door. She led a wide-eyed young man back to her room a moment later.

He didn't interrupt the peace and quiet for very long.

****

Having fallen asleep and awakened in Ghent's embrace, Betty felt far more centered when she entered the front room the next day to the delightful mingled scents of cooking pork and brewing coffee.

Hoss was leaning on the front door frame and said, "Mack says a bunch of the General's soldiers rode by toward town not too long ago."

"Trouble?" Betty asked as she headed toward the kitchen, where Keri handed over a steaming cup of coffee.

"He said they looked more like they were on parade than charging into battle. The General was leading them." He hiked a thumb toward the outside and said, "Already a couple of fellas lounging about by the road. Want me to go let them know what for, so you can get some coffee in ya?"

Ghent said, "Thanks. Appreciate it."

They all heard the sound of hoofbeats and jangling tackle when Hoss opened the door. Hoss turned back and said, "Guess not. General's men are passing by again, and them two skedaddled."

Ghent gave Hoss a playful shove so he could look out the door. "Yep, they look like they're on parade. Got their armor all shined up. Every buckle in place. Riding tall and straight in the saddle. There's the General. He's coming here."

Betty sighed and put her coffee down after only having a couple of sips. She stood, straightened her dress, patted her hair, and then nodded to Ghent. He moved aside to let her walk out with him to where the General was reining in with one other soldier at his side.

Corra vaulted out of his saddle with a flourish as flamboyant as his handwriting and a smile on his face so broad that Betty thought his cheeks must be sore from it. The general held out his hands, and the soldier with him handed over a bottle of wine and two cups he'd retrieved from a saddle bag.

"It is my pleasure to announce that a common thorn in our side is currently in my protective custody until such time as he will be escorted to answer for his actions before the governor. I believe such a moment demands a toast of celebration."

"Can't argue with that, General," Betty said.

Corra chuckled and gave the cork in the bottle an expert flip of his thumb. He then caught it against the neck of the bottle and filled two cups — one of which he extended to Betty. She raised her cup, and he returned the salute before they both drank.

Betty's eyes and her tastebuds lit up. "Oh my, this is good," she said.

The general gave a half bow and said, "Thank you. It is my family's own vintage. Only the best for such an occasion."

"Here, here," Betty said before taking another sip.

"What's more," the general continued, "The governor's factor has determined that such a transgression could not possibly have occurred without the knowledge and at least forbearance of the other local officials. As such, he intends to conduct a thorough investigation into the actions and accounts of each and every one of them."

"I bet that causes a stir," Betty remarked.

Corra took another sip of wine. "I rather expect the town already reeks of piss-soaked silk and burning parchment by now. Your rival has most certainly lost her grip on those of power. Her little empire is crumbling to dust."

"If it's all the same to you, I think we'll keep arranging for our supplies through you. She doesn't need government lackeys to poison any food we try to buy."

The general smiled. "Most wise." He then quaffed what remained of his wine and handed over his cup to his soldier. He replaced the cork in the bottle and cradled it in his hands, offering it to Betty.

"I couldn't. It's your own vintage," she said.

"Please. I have two more bottles, and I can send for more whenever I choose. The rest of your company have cause to celebrate as well."

Betty accepted the bottle and said, "True. Thank you."

"The thanks all belong to you," Corra said as he mounted his horse. "It is your arrival here and the information you have provided that have brought this joyous moment to pass."

"To our mutual benefit."

"Indeed. Good fortune to you, Madame."

"And to you, General."

Corra offered a final wave as he and his soldier rode away.

Ghent offered to take the bottle, which Betty handed over. The big man then said, "Well, this has to take the wind out of Golden Pussy's sails."

Betty couldn't help but wonder if some of Raven's cynicism was rubbing off on her, because her first thought was that it might very well make Josephine even more dangerous.

****

The first man from town arrived at about midday. Ghent recognized him from the taproom of the inn. Not long after, another pair arrived. Betty was suspicious in the extreme, and made sure to whisper to the girls they'd chosen to remain tight-lipped.

When an older man showed up that Ghent had bought a round for that first night in town, he was able to strike up a conversation outside, away from potentially unfriendly ears. Once the townie followed Lana to her room, Ghent gestured for Betty to follow.

Once they were at the back of the kitchen, Ghent whispered, "Guess word's gotten around already. The old man says folks are feeling brave enough to risk coming here, because her grip on everyone is broken with that factor in town, snooping in everyone's coin purse."