Fanfic:Lessons in Daes Dae'mar: Part 2

From Grey Tower Library
Jump to: navigation, search
Lessons in Daes Dae'mar: Part 2
Author(s)
  • Eve
Character(s)
Harp-icon.png This is a piece of fanfiction.
Only the original author(s) or Librarian(s) should make content changes to this page.




Lotte knelt in the mud hole that doubled as her front yard, arms elbow deep in a tub of water that she was desperately trying to keep mud out of so that she could wash clothing. If mud got onto the clothing enough for Father to notice, Lotte would be punished. At the tender age of 16, Lotte feared the 'punishments' her father gave her. It was the one thing she couldn't share with her brother. Caddoc was purposefully kept away at these times, and Lotte knew that if she told her brother what happened, Caddoc would loose his temper and attack their father. Though normally calm and reserved, Caddoc Svan was fiercely territorial when it came to his twin sister and though Caddoc had been instructed in the use of the sword, Father was still Caddoc's better, and if her brother attacked him now, Jeirad Svan would win, and Caddoc would probably die. So Latonia kept quiet, and while she believed Caddoc suspected the truth, as long nothing was proved, things could continue as normally as they ever did in the Svan home.

The dress she wore as she worked at the families' laundry was no more than a thick shift, yet the budding form beneath the cloth seemed to challenge the dress's lack of grace. The cloth clung heavily to the curve of her hips, and collapsed almost seductively between the young swell of her breasts. Lotte had matured you, physically and mentally, and even poverty could not hide the carnal attraction she was beginning to have over men. Add the that the posture as of yet unbroken by the physical toils of the poor, and well as the high cheek bones, slender form, and graceful air that belied a noble (if disgraced) heritage and Latonia was not at all surprised by the tall figure on horseback, horse, clothing, and bearing all flaunting his wealth, that had been sitting across the street for the last hour, watching her.

She ignored the man, her father's words echoing in her ears.

The Game of Houses is one of misdirection and hidden actions. Much like in card games, never reveal your full hand, even when victory is assured. When you have set your sight upon something you want, or, even more dangerous, something you need, one way to hide this from your opponents is to feign indifference. This can be dangerous, though, for showing no interest can be portrayed as suspicious, thus you must judge how much interest someone truly unconcerned would be, and act accordingly. It is much like walking a razor's edge.

As she lifted wet clothing from the tub, she turned and for one moment caught the eye of the Noble watching her. He was young, that was clear, and from the way he obviously watched her with interest likened to the fact that he either hadn't had as good a teacher in Daes Dae'mar as she had, or he didn't expect a commoner like her to know anything and had lowered his guard. Probably both.

Fool. She thought with contempt. Never lower your guard. You never know who's watching, or who's playing.

Latonia feigned indifference, whats more, she allowed the contempt she felt to show. Many common ladies would fall at the feet of a Noble showing interest. They were a copper coin a dozen and could be discarded once there appetites were satiated. They were uninteresting and there was no reason to keep them around. There were also many commoners that viewed the Nobility hostilely, but only a very small amount of those would show that to a Lord or Lady. To do so was different, unique, unusual, and ultimately (she hoped) fascinating, especially coming from a woman with her looks. It was also dangerous, and she would have to be careful.

She paused, dirt on her skirts and wooden shoes on her feet, and took a moment to clearly observe the man. Masking a show of sizing him up, from his clothing (moderately wealthy) to his boots (sans wooden shoes and of course clean above the mud) to his horse (a beautiful animal, probably the finest thing he owned), she decided he was partially impressive. After studying him for a moment, she let her face crinkle in contempt and turned away from him.

Even before she had turned fully away, she saw the fruits of her actions. First shock echoed through his handsome features, followed by effrontery, and finally anger (how dare a commoner dismiss him!) But beneath all that she saw something else, something that made her lips curve with a smile once he could no longer see her face. This man was spoiled. Old enough to be called a man, but still to young to have any experience with disappointment, he did not take no well, or at all, it seemed. The man glowered, and the stubborn fact that he would pursue her was clear on his face.

Perfect.

She sauntered away from the Noble, hops moving rhythmically beneath her dress. As she headed towards a small room with open windows to hang the clothes to dry away from the mud, she passed Caddoc sitting in the front yard. She flashed him a triumphant smile, and he responded with his own, slower, one. Trained to work individually or as a unit since birth, the twins could easily guess the other's thoughts and actions and would move accordingly to better their actions. Caddoc was doing this now. In the young man's head, he also heard his father's words echo.

When trying to get people to react a certain way, closely observe the way they pose themselves. If they appear to desire your good graces, sometimes a few well placed words are all you need to generate the appropriate response. However, if they are strong will, goading can work just as well. If they are easy to anger, and you can use them angry, insult them, prod them either with words or actions. If they are spoiled or proud, and you wish them to desire something, deny them it. Be hostile. Often they will react just the way you want them to, and seek to achieve what has been denied them, just because they were told 'no'.

Lotte had used indifference, he had seen it as he had been sitting on the porch steps, taking a precious moment to relax and watch over his sister. She had played her part, and while he had only an inkling of what she could want from a Noble, he still knew how he could react to help her. Lotte was smart and she was after something, and when Lotte wanted something she usually had a reason to. He would preform his act, now that hers was done.

He turned his eyes towards the Lordling that had been watching his sister, and showing hostility in his eyes was the easy part. He didn't like it when men watched Latonia, hated the lust he saw reflected in their eyes. What right did they have to watch her so? To assume they deserved to see her, touch her? Anger always boiled within him when he saw this, and he was happy to have someone to turn that anger upon.

Their eyes met, and the Lording's face flushed red with anger at the impertinent way Caddoc regarded him. Caddoc found himself pleased to observe the Lordling was only mildly attractive. Light of hair and brown of eyes, he knew there were many woman that would throw themselves at him only because of his money. Caddoc, on the other hand, with his dark, mysterious features and serious nature was truly Latonia's twin, as handsome as she was beautiful. Even poor, dirty, and exhausted, Caddoc far outshone the Noble in looks. The Noble had to know this as well, because he glared at Caddoc, commanding the boy with his eyes to look away, submit, and show the Nobility's superiority over the dirty Commoners. When Caddoc refused, the Lordling was goaded into reacting out of pride instead of careful thought.

Once again. Perfect.

The Lordling gigged his horse forward and approached the Svan's front yard. Caddoc inwardly smirked and slowly pulled the thin blade from his hip. The Lordling paused, but Caddoc only laid the blade across his knees and proceeded to polish the blade. The Lordling flushed again from embarrassment over the fear he had felt and anger over his fear. Caddoc chuckled.

Boy.” Came the Lording's voice, crisp and clear in the muddy air. Caddoc did not look up. “You! Boy!” He said louder, and Caddoc, head still down, said:

“My name is Caddoc.” His voice dripping with contempt.

The Lordling sneered. “I am Erics Jers, son of Lord Matrim Jers and Lady Sonia Jers, formerly Kants.” He declared proudly.

“Good for you.” Caddoc said with no trace of a smile, though inwardly he was suddenly suppressing a giggle.

“You impertinent little...” Jers began, shifting slightly to dismount from his horse.

Caddoc only lifted his blade a few inches, and his eyes as well to lock with Jers'. For Caddoc, only 16, murder was already neither a problem nor an unknown. Perhaps Jers sensed that as his eyes met Caddoc's, for he paused and seemed to rethink his actions. He settled back onto his horse, and when he spoke, he seemed to be trying to change the subject.

“The woman who was just in this yard, the one doing laundry,” He said, still trying to keep his pride by giving a command, “Who is she?”

“My sister.” Caddoc answered vaguely, his eyes once again down turned to finish polishing his blade, seeming to ignore the Lordling. Jers seemed to be just upon the edge of climbing down from his horse and attempting to beat Caddoc down in his own front yard, whether or not the boy was creepy.. Caddoc's hand tightened upon the hilt of his sword, and his body tensed upon his perch on the step. However, Jeirad Svan's sudden appearance at the front door of the house broke the sudden moment and delayed any violence.

“What's going on here?” demanded Caddoc's father of the boy. It was the Lord, however, that answered.

“I was asking the child here about his sister.” Jers said, “However, it seems he has not been taught proper respect of his betters.”

Jeirad Svan turned fluidly and delivered a sudden and powerful blow to Caddoc's ear, knocking him from the step. “I'll have to beat him soundly then, My Lord.” He told Jers, bowing deeply. Caddoc, laying in the mud, unmoving, paid close attention to his father. Jeirad Svan rarely delayed a beating to Caddoc for any reason, he seemed to enjoy it, and the fact that he had decided to wait so that he could scrape at a Lording's clean boots (something he would never do) made Caddoc wonder.

Had their father been watching the whole time? Was he purposefully playing his own part in The Game? Caddoc decided to stay silent and watch, pretending the blow had rattled his senses.

“It's about time...;” Jers was saying, and Jeirad bowed again. “I would like to meet your daughter.”

Jeirad Svan nodded, then turned towards the door and commanded. “LATONIA!

After an appropriate pause, the girl reappeared. She had put on a simple dress and had flicked her long, gold hair behind her shoulders. These two simple thing had combined to show off her ample bosoms. Jers' eyes practically bulged from their sockets as he looked at her.

“Yes Father?” She asked dutifully, though she still feigned indifference by not even casting Jers a single glance.

“The Lord...” Jeirad paused while Jers supplied his name, puffing up like a foreign fish. “The Lord Jers would like to meet you.” He told his daughter.

Latonia then turned her violet/blue eyes on Jers, her expression just as contemptuous as before. “Oh.” Was all she said.

Jeirad slapped her, hard, across the face, causing her beautiful gold locks to fly as her head was jerked to the side. On the ground, Caddoc tensed and sat up suddenly in anger, but Jers had raised a hand.

“No need for that, sir.” The Lordling said, a smirk on his lips despite his words. “It just seems that the young lady has taste. As she should, as beautiful as she is. You must be very proud to posses her.”

“I am, my Lord, thank you.” Their father said, but Jers ignored him and continued.

“However, I am sure I can surpass her expectations, if she will only allow me to try. Come here, girl.” He commanded, and Lotte, pretending to be chastised by her punishment, did so immediately. “Look at me.” He said. Lotte raised her eyes to his face. “Am I not attractive?” He asked. Caddoc was sickened by his vanity.

“You are, My Lord.” Lotte said coolly, faking the chill as well as fear of further punishment. The Lordling only chuckled.

“Still you are not convinced?” He asked rhetorically, “Well then, allow me to convince you. If you and your father would but dine to allow you proper lessons on how to act in public, miss, I would then enjoy taking you to a play.... in Tear proper.” Lotte could hardly keep her excitement concealed, and down cast her eyes to hide it, he body rigid as if this displeased her.

“She will.” Jeirad said at once.

The Lordling then turned his eyes to Caddoc, mocking, “I will even allow the brother to accompany us.” He said as if granting a great favor. “To assure him of my.... noble intentions...” He feels threatened by me. Thought Caddoc, and he wants this triumph witnessed and complete. That was fine by Caddoc, still sitting in the muddy yard.

“Thank you, sir, thank you so much.” Jeirad said, scraping and bowing to the Lordling as he turned his horse away.

“I will send for them to begin their lessons on the morrow.” Jers said before moving away from their home, heading for the gates of Tear. The Svan trio watched him go in sudden silence. Only once he had disappeared did Caddoc pull himself from the mud.

“You two did well.” Jeirad Svan said quietly, shocking both twins with seldom heard praise. “The rest of your chores can be put off today. You earned it. However,” he said as the twins grinned at each other, “I will expect the both of you to bathe and scrub completely, and tomorrow you will dress in your finest. It shall not be good enough,” he inform them, “but it will be expected of you to do so.” The man then proceeded inside and the twins embraced each other in their joy. Lotte looked triumphant, Caddoc smug but they both felt the same thing.

They had taken their first step out of this mud hole.