Chapter 32

Ailene wandered out to the training grounds where Bjarkë was drilling lots of the lads who hadn't gone. Training was a constant. Thorburn had come from a military background as mercenary and raider and knew the value of well trained soldiers if battle became necessary. He was not one to throw untrained boys out as cannon fodder to protect a cadre of well drilled soldiers. Everyone would be able to fight at the highest levels if attacked. It didn't take long for Isobel to join her.

"It feels funny wearing pants. I'm not used to something rubbing against my legs all the time," she said.

"I was the same way at first," Ailene assured her, "but the advantages of pants over dresses will become clear once you start training in earnest. First, I'm going to show you the way we stand. Frang assures me that stance, balance and footwork can overcome a lot of deficiencies in skill. I want you to stand like this; your right foot forward and your left foot back, but turned at right angles, you see."

Ailene showed her the stance and moved Isobel's legs and feet around until she had it right.

"It doesn't seem natural," Isobel said. "It feels like the feet are all wrong."

"Aye, but you can move quickly without tripping over your own feet, change directions easily, go backwards almost as fast as you can move forward and still maintain balance." Ailene nudged Isobel to show her she wouldn't fall easily no matter which direction she was pushed. "Watch me move forward and back. Look how quickly I can move."

Ailene moved forward several paces, then backward as quickly, always maintaining her feet and balance, almost a hop/shuffling of her feet, but very fast. Her legs were bent slightly, her front foot never went behind the back foot and Isobel was surprised at how quick she moved.

"Let me see that again. Can you go a little slower so I can follow how you're moving your feet?" Isobel asked.

"Of course."

Ailene did it again, slower, but gradually speeding up. She went forward, her right arm extended, back, her arm closer in, changed directions several times, also altering her line of attack and retreat.

"The secret is lowering yourself slightly, moving your balance point lower. Keeping your feet about the same distance apart when you're not moving, a little more than a shoulders width apart. When you move, never get one leg too far advanced from the other so it's too wide, nor get them so close together you lose that base. I try to never get my feet more than two shoulder widths apart and never less than one. All movements should come in that in between range."

Isobel tried it, stumbled a few times, but gradually picked up the pace.

"It's kind of like dancing, isn't it?" Isobel said.

Ailene considered. "Some of it," she said. "In dancing, you can cross your feet, but you have a partner who helps support you and they're not trying to run you through. Keep going."

The worked on her footwork for about two hours. Isobel believed that she was going half the speed of Ailene before they finished.

"My legs are screaming at me," Isobel said. "How can you go so long?"

"You become used to it. My legs were very sore when I started, but I barely feel it now. I suppose it's like anything you do repetitively. Your arms will hurt when you first start using a rapier. You're not used to holding something in that position for so long, but even that doesn't hurt anymore. The only thing I still feel are the bruises I get when I'm not fast enough and my opponent's sword hits me. That happens less and less the better I get. We've got a liniment cream in the armory that you can put on your legs that will help the soreness."

"Please, let's put it on."

Ailene led Isobel into the armory again and locked the door.

"The one disadvantage to pants, is you have to take them off to get to your legs, as opposed to just pulling up your skirts. Take off your pants and I'll get the liniment," Ailene instructed.

Isobel removed her pants and stood waiting for Ailene to find the cream on one of the shelves and return. Ailene took off her own pants and on herself, showed Isobel how to rub the cream into her legs, running from her calves, up her thighs, almost to her sex. She handed the crock to Isobel and watched as she did the same.

"The stuff doesn't smell as bad as it used to. I made Frang add wild marjoram oil and bog myrtle to it to sweeten the scent, but you still may want to wash it off each day. You'll find you need it less and less as your training continues, although it's good for bruises, too."

They both donned their pants again and went out to the courtyard where Muiríol was waiting for them. She had another servant girl, Màiri, with one of the men holding the girl's arm as if to keep her from running away.

"I'm sorry to inform you, Lady Cameron,"Muiríol said, "that Màiri was found stealing some of the silver. We caught her with a couple pieces in the pocket of her apron and when we searched her room, found additional pieces under her mattress."

"Lady Cameron, I'm sorry. Don't beat me. Don't put me out. I'm sorry but my brother was sick and he had no medicine and we were getting low on food as well from the cost of the medicine he had taken. It won't happen again, that I promise."

"What good are your promises, girl?" Muiríol said. "Why should anyone believe a thievin' chit who steals from her employers?"

"I know. I did wrong. I admit it, but I didn't know what else to do."

"How long have you worked here, Màiri?" Ailene asked.

"About two months, Lady," She answered.

"And you never thought to ask any of the Lords or myself for help?"

"No, ma'am. I'm paid a fair wage. I never expected more for an illness in the family."

"I myself keep a stock of herbs for a variety of ailments, and we take care of our own. You should have approached one of us for help."

"I knew about the herbs, ma'am, but the doctor said that herbs can't help my brother. He needs real medicine, and it's breakin' my family. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

"What's the usual punishment for thievery, Muiríol?"

"Fifty swats with the paddle or the lash in the Strappin' Room, my Lady," Muiríol replied.

"Please don't beat me, Lady Cameron. I couldn't take it. I know I couldn't," Màiri cried.

Ailene remembered clearly her own introduction to the Strapping Room. Being tied down to the table, the pain of the paddle on her bottom, the sex with Stuart's brothers and Stuart afterward as her body was shared between them. She imagined Màiri on the table and Thorburn whacking the poor girl's body, Frang and Stuart watching, observing her naked body. What would happen then. Would they take Màiri's body as they took hers? She pictured Màiri strapped tight to the table while Stuart fucked her, and Thorburn took her mouth with his giant cock and would Frang have her ass as he'd had hers? She shuddered. It was too horrible to contemplate, Stuart using Màiri instead of her, his wife.

"Who administers the punishment?" Ailene asked Muiríol.

"One of the Lords, Lady Cameron. We haven't had a Lady until yourself for many years."

No, she was not going to subject Màiri to what she went through. It was better now, of course. She accepted that the brothers would share her, and on the whole, they were kind and respectful, but Màiri might still be a maiden and to have to go through that was unthinkable.

"No. I want her gone. I will not abide a thief in the house. I want her put out. She can seek employment elsewhere if anyone else will have her."

"Please ma'am, no, please don't put me out," Màiri cried. "Beat me instead. My family will starve without my wages. I don't mind. I deserve the beating. I should never have stolen from you. Please ma'am, be merciful."

"I am being merciful, girl. You've no idea what will happen to you in the Strapping Room. Far, far better that you be put out. I want her out today, before my husband returns."

"Are you sure, Lady Cameron?" Muiríol asked. "The Lords usually prefer the punishment be done in house. They don't often release someone from their service."

"I'm sure. I won't have a thief in my house." And I won't have the poor girl beaten and raped by my husband and his brothers, she thought.

"You heard Lady Cameron," Muiríol told the guard. "Let her gather her things and put her out."