Winter

[Elayne]

The dawn was cold with a tang in the air that threatened snow. It was already grey and overcast out as the people in the small camp began rising from their bedrolls near the dimmed down fires that staved off the worst of the chill.

Liliana groaned softly as she woke. She wasn't used to the cold nights out or the hard ground but travelling with the gypsy caravan was the safest way to make it from her small port town to the Capital. Liliana stumbled out of her bed roll, heading over to the bucket of chilly water that had already been fetched. She washed her face and hands with a shiver at the cold, brushed out her honey blond hair, then went into one of the wagons to get dressed.

"Breakfast, Lili," a voice called from at the fires as Liliana emerged from the wagon. Liliana walked over to the other woman, Papusza. Papusza was the wife of the chief, Marko, and the official leader of the women of the tribe. Liliana suspected Papusza knew or guessed that Liliana wasn't her true name, but the other woman had never commented or inquired.

Papusza handed Liliana a plate of soft eggs and hard bread and two different types of herbal mix. Liliana looked at the concoctions and groaned again, but Papusza only smiled and said "Mala says you have need to take them both."

Marko and Papusza may have been the chief and headwoman of the caravan, but shortly after joining, Lili had learned that Mala was the leader. She was the oldest woman, possibly the oldest Liliana had ever met. She was skilled in herbs and medicine and fortunetelling and everyone in the tribe deferred to her age and experience, even if she rarely came out of her wagon.

Mala had not be pleased when Marko had taken Liliana in as a dancer without consulting her and had insisted on meeting Liliana for a shockingly frank discussion 'to insure she was healthy and honest'. Lili didn't know if Mala approved of her or not after that conversation, but she had insisted that Lili drink a potion of fennel with every dawn and dusk, and a draught of some sort of seeds with every breakfast. Both tasted relatively awful, but Papusza always just smiled and shrugged. If Mala recommended it, it must be right.

Liliana downed the potion of fennel, twisting her soft lips distastefully, then moved on to her breakfast. Around her, the camp had begun to come to live, people waking, breaking their fasts, and beginning to pack to travel. Lili drank the draught of seeds, then wiped her lips off daintily, rising and moving to roll up her own blankets, tossing them into the wagon.

The teams of horses and oxen were soon hitched and the wagons began out on the road. Marko sat on the front seat of the wagon, holding the reins. Liliana and Papusza were crowded in the back. With no husband of her own and no father, Liliana had been 'adopted' by Papusza and Marko who treated her much like an unwed daughter.

"Today will be an exciting day," Papusza comment as the two women rocked back and forth in the back of the wagon.

"Why is that?" Liliana asked, smoothing her skirt and shifting slightly as the wagon bumped on the road.

"We'll reach a town to trade with today," Papusza replied. "It's the last before we head to the wintering grounds,"

Liliana nodded, distractedly. The gypsies wintered near the capital. This meant that Liliana was close then...

(Closed for Elayne and Jagged)

 

[Elayne]

Chapter 2

The heavy wagons rolled and rumbled along, bumping on the hard packed ground of the well trodden road. Liliana rubbed her chest with her slim right hand. She had been sore and tender ever since she joined the caravan, probably a result of the jolting wagon rides and nights sleeping rough on the ground.

Liliana was fit and athlethic, more so than any of the other women in the caravan, but she wasn't used to the out door life of a vagabond, having lived the majority of her life in comfort.

Marko turned on the wooden seat of the wagon. His breath was frosting in the chill air of the early winter and his beard sparkled with rime. "We'll be there in two hours," he called back into the covered portion of the wagon.

Papusza nodded, brushing her dark hair back then turned to Lili. "We should get changed for town."

Liliana nodded and the two women rose slightly, hunker over the clothes chest and taking out their formal wear for town and setting them out. In the closed confines of the back of the wagon, the two women back to undress from their travelling clothes, stripping bare. Marko turned back to watch the two women and whistled teasingly as they bared themselves.

Lili blushed slightly at that. She wasn't shy and had been seen nude while bathing or practicing by other women, but being watched change by a man was something she wasn't used to and not certain if she liked. To the gypsies though, there was nothing more inappropriate or sexual between her and Marko than a father having seen his young daughter in the bath. Papusza, of course, wasn't embarrased at all. She gave a throaty laugh, turning to her husband and shaking her shoulders, breasts bouncing as she did. Seeing Lili's flush, she turned and gave her a playful swat on the bare bottom, not at all self concious.

Liliana couldn't help but compare her body to Papusza's. Papusza was only two or three inches over five feet, a good six inches shorter than Lili. Lili had a very slender build, well toned from swimming and dancing with very long slender legs, a small heart shaped rump, slim arms and a flat, toned belly. Papusza on the other hand was buxom, with round soft thighs, a fuller bottom under over a soft, rounded belly. Papusza had heavier breasts, though Lili's own smallish breasts had recently felt a bit swollen and were certainly more shapely. Lili's face was heart shaped, elegant with full lips and tilted, blue eyes. Papusza's was round and more cute than pretty. Still, Lili felt she measured up well against the more experienced woman in most respects.

Liliana began to scramble into her dancing dress. She wore a wide, russet skirt with golden vines embroided on the hem and thin hoops inside to flare it out away from her legs. Her blouse was loose and low cut, the scooped neck line showing the tops of her breasts and the start of her pale cleavage, the tails long enough to be tucked into the top of her skirt.. Papusza's dress was the same, but her skirt was dark maroon.

After the two women were dressed, Papusza pursed her lips, looking at Lili critically. "Do a turn, dear," she said kindly, and Lili complied, making a slow circle, skirt whispering. Papusza shook her head, her raven hair spilling down her tanned nape. "No, no," she murmured, stepping in and taking hold of the bottom of Lili's blouse.

She tugged the tails of the blouse up out of Lili's skirt, rolling them up to tie off just beneath her breasts, baring her flat belly and the small of her back. Papusza chuckled, smoothing her own blouse over her belly. "When you've had a few babies in your tummy, you should cover it, dear. But while you are young, you should show it off while you're still slim." Nearly fifteen years older than Lili, Papusza had borne three daughters, all of whom had already married and had wagons of their own in other tribes of gypsies.

Liliana blushed slightly. She didn't mind showing off her flat navel or wasp waist, but the tails of blouse normally acted as the only undergarments a gypsy wore under skirt or blouse. With them tied up, Lili felt remarkably bare. Papusza chuckled as if reading her mind, then the two women moved on, beginning to apply their cosmetics, lining their eyes with kohl and their lips with berry stain. After they were made up, Lili sat on one of the furs, bowing her head slightly as Papusza took out a bristled hair brush and began to stroke out Lili's honey blonde hair, till it had the sheen of fine silk as it framed her face and spilled down her back to just below her buttocks. Papusza's raven hair would have normally been even longer, but as a married woman she wore it in thick curls piled in an elaborate heap on top of her head, baring her neck and shoulders.

Preparations complete, Lili wrapped the furs around herself to ward off the chill as the wagon rumbled on. Papusza puttered on around her cosmetics chest. It was custom in the caravan for a dancer to only wear what jewelry she had won in competition or received as a gift from an admirer. As a newer girl in the caravan, Lili had none. Papuza on the other hand had a wide array of bracelets and anklets, necklaces, rings, beads and ribbons.

Finally, the heavy wagon rolled into the town. Lili could hear the bustle of traffic and the calls of hawkers and criers out on the streets, even despite the winter. The wagon slowly shuddered to a stop and Marko hopped down. Lili and Papusza crept up to the front seat and slid down off it into the town square as well. A tall tower of an old Czar stood proud in the middle of the town square and Lili stared at it for moment, lost in thought.

The gypsies began to hop down from their wagons, gathering. A group of some nine or ten men was formed, and as many women. Marko announced to the men, "We will go to the merchant houses and trade for supplies," leading his group of men off, carrying some bags of excess and trade goods that the caravan no longer needed.

Papusza looked over the group of women, from young adults to women almost at the end of their child bearing years "And we will go earn some coin for them to trade with," she said in a bright voice and the gathered woman chuckled, the older ones with low throaty confidence and the younger with nervous anticipation.

The women broke up, heading off individually, unlike the men who had travelled in a group. Liliana stayed for a moment, lost in staring at the old Czar's statue, till Papusza tugged her arm. "Come, Lili," the older woman said. "Let's head to the Golden Sheaf, the owner is an old lover of mine."

Lili frowned slightly, but let herself be tugged away. The two women trudged away through the cold town to the Golden Sheaf.

 

[Elayne]

Chapter 3

The Golden Sheaf was a cozy building with a warm thatch roof and a wide common room. A blazing fire lit that halllike room and the tables were crowded with patrons eager to avoid the winter night's cold and fill their bellies with vodka and their ears with gossip and chat.

The owner of the Sheaf, a balding, slightly heavy set man had been delighted to see the two gypsy dancers walking into his tavern. Lili had been a touch surprised that Papusza had ever considered the round faced apple cheeked man a lover, but the two had barely crossed the threshold before a serving girl had brought roasted beef, fresh bread and wine for the pair, an excellent meal that Papusza had not touched as the tavernkeeper swept her into the back room 'to catch up on old times.' Well, Marko himself had always said that the good of the tribe was more important than fidelity and as long as no children came of it, a woman was allowed and even encouraged to use her wiles to benefit the caravan.

After she had finished her wine, Lili rose from her seat, walking out towards the small open space around the fire space. The hub bub of conversation was loud in the inn as she began to clap her hands, a few men nearer to her beginning to turn to look at her. Liliana stretched her arms out and slowly began to spin, making barrel turns, her wide skirt barely stirring but the jagged vines writhing as she spun, graceful and light on her feet. Liliana had learned mostly ballet and belly dancing from her teachers, this was neither. Rather, Lili danced a uniquely gypsy traditional dance that Papusza had taught her. As she whirled, her arms outstretched, she slowly shook her shoulders, her smallish breasts swaying as she did. At the tables around her, a few men began to clap, taking up the timing of her feet as she spun and whirled.

As the attention of the tavern began to turn to her, Lili began to work her way out from the fireplace. With slow steps, long legs pacing through a dancer's strut, round hips rolling beneath her flared skirt she walked the slim aisle between the tables, her skirts brushing the seats of the patrons. In the open spots, she would whirl, like a girl spinning on top of a music box, slowly shaking her shoulders, rolling her hips, slender waist writhing as she did. Men began to whistle and catcall and Liliana smiled enigmatically, cool and mysterious as she danced.

She gamboled in and out amongst the tables, weaving between them, till she had the attention of the patrons, then padded back towards the counter of the bar, flinging herself against it, stretching out and resting the small of her back against the lip of the counter, an expectant smile on her face as she recline, luxurious and wanton. The patrons cheered and clapped, then a few called out "Dance for me, gypsy!" Liliana gave a slow shrug, smiling as if half tempted, but not quite sure. "Dance for me!" came a few more calls as men dug in their purses, pulling out various coins and slapping them down on the tables.

After a few moments, Lili gave a decisive nod and began to clap her hands again, taking a slow, sensous rhythm. The patrons quickly picked it up, the tempo echoing through the inn. Lili began to dance once more, starting at the table nearest her. She slipped along, running her finger across the shoulders of the patron, then leaning down over him and shaking her shoulders, her breasts bouncing as she did, then sweeping up his coins. She continued to the next, the table with the most money and after a slow turn she fell into the customer's lap, resting across his knees lightly, ankles cross demurely as she kicked her legs out, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a light kiss on his cheek. He laughed drunkenly, trying to scoop her up, but Liliana gracefully sprang out of his arms, sweeping up his coins and continuing on, ignoring his disappointed groan which turned into an appreciate whistle as soon as she began to roll her round hips, gamboling towards the next table.

After she was finished with collecting the coins, Liliana scooted back to the counter to cheers and catcalls. The loudest applause came from Papusza who just emerged from the back room, skin slightly pink and hair a bit mussed, but other than that in good order. She came around the counter and whistled loudly, lifting her arms to the roar of the crowd, then began to dance.

Liliana looked around the tavern for a good mark to flirt with and pump for information while the majority of the crowd focused on Papusza's dancing.

 

[Jagged]

IV

http://www.miniclan.org/pathrell/romany.html

The Golden Sheaf is perhaps one of the best Inns in the city of Volgograd and is the stop over of choice for many a traveler. The Inn sits perfectly between the highway to Kiev and the harbor on the Volga that serves so many cities and is active for trade. Also the city is just Southwest of Moscow. It is short walk from where the gypsy camp is located, and you pass the army barracks along the way. The camp has a palisade around it with spikes driven into it and sentries pacing pass the entrance. They are dressed in chainmail and helmets and are armed with spears shields and swords. They don't look like the troops you remember from your father's day. These men are more crude and less polished. The city though seems warm and inviting with smoke coming out of the chimmies, lighted streets, and candles glowing from the windows.

As ususal the bar is packed with army officers who are off on campaign against the rebels and sailors waiting out the winter. The bar is a cross section of locals from Father Krasnoruki the head of the church in this area drinking with a local merchant about the cost of timber to a blacksmith chatting with a Tatar fur trapper about a possible barter for repairs of tools and weapons. The ground is covered with snow and the fire rages in the large fireplace near the center of the room. As you keep up your heels your senses are filled with the sites and sounds of the Inn. Clinks of glasses of Volka and mugs of beer can be heard over the music and the smells of hot meat and fresh pies only makes your ranishly hungry. Serving girls playfully fight off advances of the the patrons who have volka fueled courage. Papusza who treats you as a daughter is off enjoying her pleasures though she does return. You think this will be another night building a cover for you role as a spy until you notice someone looking at you......

Koyla Sergeivich you know him from court and you didn't not like him one bit then when the slug kissed your hand then and your don't like him staring at you now. He and his father Sergei Krovski are about ugliest, nastiest, brutal Cossacks you ever heard of in Moscow. Your father barely tolerated to deal with the tribes in Siberia. They would go through the trouble of riding through the steppes and woods collecting tribute from the some 80 tribes an clans that occupy the forbidding section of the island. They have a reputation for cruelty and are know for involvement in the slave trade, arms dealing, and other criminal activities. Your father's ministers always over looked this crimes because of they take the difficult work collecting taxes in the rough and hostile region.

This all comes back to you as Koyla and his friends call to you from across the room.....

"Girl come we have another room....you dance for us you sit you drink we give you gold." You think it over and place your hand on your thigh where your best dagger is shealthed and tied to your leg with strips of leather. Papusza said nothing when she saw you tie it to yourself and simply nodded. Now though she does interwine on your behald.

"You pay for both of us or I do not leave my daughter alone with you animals." Papusza says as she walks up holding you close to her body staring down the men.

They look at each other and laugh, "alright mama you come she dances and we talk. You both keep your mouths shut and you make money for the night. You talk we leave you to bleed to death in a field. Now come!"

Warily you both walk into one of the side rooms of the Inn which are setup for privacy, and are often used to entertain business clients. Tonight though you soon gather is the business being handled is war. Papusza takes up a loot and begins to play as you dance before the fire with your shadow image dancing on the way as table of men watch. They pay attention for abit before the begin to talk around and only periodically glance over at you as you perform. Half the table seats Russ Vikings who were Vikings who long ago settled on your island building colonies but over time integrated with your native slavic people. The other half of the seats occupied by well armed vetern Asian warriors with the scarres to prove it and carry exotic weapons that you have never seen before in your life. It seems most likely that they are the mercenaries among the allied troops sent to aid the "Czar" from his Asian in-laws. Aside from the occasional serving girl entering to bring more food and drink you and Papusza are along with these men. They are crude, impolite by anyone standards and hear more then a few graphic descriptions of of that they with you who they refer to you as "Dance."

You do notice on the table a map layed out of the Western half of the island with a circle around Kiev which sits next to many scrolls detailing supplies, equipment, and numbers of troops. As you dance to Papusza's wilded playing you move about themtaking quick glance trying to absorb as much as you can while not letting them know your able to read. Most of the information you have already heard from your spies, but at least is updated and you have a clearer picture. The truly great find is that another small map showing arrows in red ink approaching Kiev in three directions along with a fourth with the word fleet beneath it showing a naval attack. You wish you could take notes but you have to make yourself look disinterested and keep them convinced that you are a simple gypsy girl.

Koyla pounds his fist on the table to get everyone's attention but gestures to Papusza to keep playing. "Gentlemen thank you for coming tonight to eat and drink. Now I know there his much doubt and this has led to desertion among some of your men and even among nobles. Some promise to return in the spring, but this is doubted. So knowing this the Czar has spoken to me directly about this matter and has granted large parcels of land to all those who serve with extra measure during the campaign."

I flurry of voices are heard asking the same question in a number of ways. Basically they wish to know what that means to them and once again Koyla answers them after pounding his against the table. "It means that Kiev will divided up among you the loyal followers of the Czar. More men you bring to the fight in the spring and the more victories we march to and the higher the body count the more land you and your followers with have at the end of the campaign."

Roars of aproval come at the conclusion of Koyla speach along with boasting of all the heads that will be taken. He laughs and boasts as well before calling their attention to by slamming the hilt of his blade against the side of the table.

"Oh and if you take the bitch's scalp you can have her estate and hores. Make sure to kill the sister and child though. No heir's to the throne shall be left are we clear?" The men nod and slowly the conversation goes back to more mundane things like horses, food, and women. You called over to receive payment some hours later as several of the guest have left and others sit smoking their pipes. As you reach out to get the gold for you Papusza when Koyla grabs you and pushes you down on the table and begins groping you while his commrades laugh. Papusza had left just moments before to talk with the owner about getting some food to go back to camp and you are alone with this animal.

He his arm is cross your throat as he touches your breast with the other as thoughts race through your head. What if he realizes who you really are or he finds the dagger and thinks you are an assassin. You felt horriable the last time you took a mans life, but now you know it is perhaps the only path to escape. Your hand slowly moves down to your thigh under your skirt as you ready yourself to do what you must to this animal.

The the door opens and in comes a tall blond man in full armor through the darkness. A gaunlet clad hand comes down on Koyla's right shoulder and he is forcefully turned around and another metal hand smashes your attacks face blood streaming down his face as he falls to the floor. Others stand and pull their weapons then realize who they are dealing with as you look into the eyes of your hansome and strong rescuer. He looks like the statue in the gardened with chiezed features and a strong body supporting an impressive suit of armor.

As Koyla bleeds on the floor grasping at the chair and table to pull himself up the knight speaks to him harshly, "you pay the woman to dance not to whore. If you want her in your bed you ask her so you do not force her to do so and even then you ask nicely." He remarks kicking him once again.

He turns to you and looks you in the eyes and picks up the bag of gold and gives it to you and says, "for services rendered. Now go back to you people and be caughtious while you stay in the city. A sleigh waits for you outside with your mother."

He reaches out and kisses you hand which reminds you of a time when you were regarded as a lady. "I am Arnwolf I saw you dance before and you are very beautiful. Now go my dear."

You run out of the Inn pulling on your winter clothes and boots as you push out the door. It has begun to snow again and the wind is blowing making it feel that much colder. As was said a pair of horses are their to pull a sleigh with a driver and Papusza waiting. As you climb in Papusza wraps you in a blanket and hugs you close as the driver whips the horses and you head off into the night.

She whispers to you, "I am glad you are alright I never should have left you alone with such animals. One of Arnwolf's men told me what happen he gave us transport home. He insisted on dealing with Koyla himself. He believes he is responsible for the rape of a serving girl at another tavern."

She smiles and holds your hand as she goes on, "Arnwolf is my only German baby," she says giggling.

"Years ago when all my children were little we wintered near Moscowy a German Prince's wife passed away while her little boy was still young. A sweet woman who always treatied the gypsies well and for many years we would make camp on their land and not be charged rent. Arnwolf was little but strong and need of a mother's love. So I breast fed him took care of him he played with my children and he even called me mama. We stayed until late spring, but my little boy always remembered me so he always come to visit his pagan mother. Even though we are not Christians I always find a gift from him no matter no matter what where we winter. He is a good man and was talking about you earlier. Oh and he does not believe Ivan is the real Czar. " She squeezes your hand as you head off towards camp.

The night before you go to sleep Papusza checks on you once more to see that you are alright considering all that happen. "We dance again tomorrow but we bring a few of the younger girls so they can learn and make some money. This time though we will bring some of the boys. We can bring Duntshi he and his brothers love to throw knives. On and Arnolf may need dinner company. He is a very brave knight and has killed several bears as well killed some 30 men protecting the island." With that she says a pagan prayer with you kisses you on the forehead and to rest as well."

 

[Elayne]

Chapter 5

Liliana was tugged reluctantly into the back room of the Golden Sheaf by the boyar Koyla and his Siberian men. She considered bolting, but Papusza came along and Lili thought there would be safety in numbers.

The Siberians and their Asian allies were crude men, openly discussing her and Papusza's bodies and figures like they weren't there, or at least were deaf. Lili was flushed even before she began to dance to the accompanment of Papusza's lute.

Soon enough though, Koyla and his men were involved in a deep discussion of their own. Lili could practically feel her ears pricking as she leaned forward a bit, to get a peek at the map. She couldn't be too obvious about it. One of the Asian men, a scarred man with an oddly shaped club wasn't joining in on the conversation and was watching her.

Still, Koyla said much. It's worse than I thought, Liliana thought to herself.

As the night drew to a close, Papusza slipped out to order some provisions for the camp. Lili stayed a moment, to begin gathering up the gold they were owed. Suddenly, she felt a shadow lurking over her. She spun, and Koyla seized her wrist, pushing her back against the table. Lili yanked her arm, but couldn't free it from his grasp.

He's stronger than me, Lili quickly concluded fearfully.

Yet, before Koyla had more time than to leer at her, a strong hand clapped down on him, yanking him off and sending him reeling to the floor with a bloody nose.

In her panic, Lili scarely noted the knight at all. Instead, she quickly scooped up the gold and darted out past him, letting him keep Koyla's Siberians at bay as she rushed out to the waiting sled that would take them back to the camp.

The sled careened through the streets to the wagons waiting at the edge of town and Papusza babbled breathlessly the entire way. Lili could tell the other woman was somewhat panicked by their run in with Koyla.

There was snow on the ground, so the caravan members slept inside their covered wagons, curled up into whatever odd shapes the narrow wagons would allow.

The next morning, Lili woke up stiff. She stepped down from the wagon to begin her morning stretches, resting her heel on the side of the wagon like a ballet bar and stretching along it to grab her toes, limbering her body from the night folded inside the chilly wagon.

As she stretched, Dunshti came by. All the older women in the wagon called him and his friends the boys, because none of them had moved into their own wagon yet, but Dunshti was a man, only a year younger than Lili, and all his friends had their full growth as well.

"Mala wanted you to come by her wagon," Dunshti said with no preamble. He never bothered with idle chat or interested glances in her direction.

"Alright," Lili replied to Dunshti's back as he strode off to attend some other chore.

Lili finished her stretches and then headed over to Mala's wagon. She knocked on the door and the crone's voice beckoned her in. Lili hopped up to the edge of the wagon and pushed aside the curtain, slipping inside.

The inside of Mala's wagon was a mess of hanging dried herbs and stacked chests, oddly formed crystals and strangely marked cards.

Mala herself was fiddling with a large bowl, carefully crimping leaves down into it, a steaming kettle set on the table next to hers. "Sit," the old woman commanded imperiously and Lili sighed, taking a seat on the one uncluttered chair in the wagon and rubbed her slightly sore chest discretely.

After a few moments, Mala straightened up, rummaging about an impressive collection of beakers and coming up with two draughts, which she handed to Lili stiffly.

"You missed your dinner draught of the fennel," Mala said sternly, "so I had to brew it strong to make up."

Lili sighed. She didn't like either potion, but she reluctantly took the pair of beakers. Mala continued to glare at her, so Lili grimaced and raised the fennel draught to her mouth, draining the beaker with a bitter twist to her lips.

"You rubbed your chest?" Mala said abruptly, nodding as Lili drank.

Lili started, then shrugged.

Mala continued, "You're tender and swelling? Good. That means the fennel is working."

Lili drained the second draught, handing back the beaker and wiping her mouth. "What are these... infusions supposed to do anyways?" she demanded irritably.

Mala's grey hawk's eyebrows shot up and for a moment, Lili expected a lecture on not questioning the wisdom of her elders. Instead, Mala motioned with the two beakers. "Lace seed, to make sure no one puts a babe in your belly before you're ready. Fennell, to make sure that babe has something to suckle when you are ready."

Lili flushed slightly at this earthy description, but Mala appeared finished and shooed her out of the wagon briskly.

Lili went back to her own wagon to change for the day in the town. She paused briefly to examine her breasts self conciously. They did seem rounder, and when she shook her shoulders, they felt heavier as well, with a soft bounce that was different from her usual lithe sway.

"Admiring yourself?" Papusza's voice called teasingly from behind her. Lili jumped and blushed red, crossing her arms over her breasts as she whirled to face the older woman, who was grinning playfully. "I've heard women in love stare at themselves and daydream about their lovers," Papusza continued lightly.

Lili barely suppresed a glare, tossing her head indignantly and then quickly scurrying into her blouse. "Do Mala's potions always work?" she said in a muffled voice as she pulled her blouse on over her head.

"Always," Papusza replied serenely. "She's herb-wise, the envy of all our people."

Lili nodded, tying her blouse off over her flat navel and Papusza nodded serenely.

"Marko says we didn't trade enough yesterday," Papusza said calmly. "We'll be going back into the town today, but Dunshti and the boys will escort us to make sure."

Lili shuddered. Koyla was the sort of man who held grudges. She didn't want another encounter with him. "When will we move on?" she asked quickly.

"I don't know," Papusza said cheerfully. "With Muscovy in the state it is in, we don't know if it will be safe... Marko thinks we'll stay here for a few days, take rooms in the city and wait for news before we decide to dare Moscovy or winter here."

"A few days?" Lili said in dismay. "Where will we be staying...? And working?"

Papusza coughed and blushed slightly. "I had thought to go to the Golden Sheaf again..."

Lili snorted. Papusza likely desired more 'business' with the portly owner of the Sheaf. Liliana didn't want to go back, as Koyla would likely be staying there.

"What inns are far from the merchant's quarter? With no other girls working them?"

Papusza hedged for a moment. "You should come with me, we'll be safe with Dunshti,"

Lili shook her head stubbornly. The last place she'd be safe was the Sheaf under Koyla's beady eyes.

Finally, Papusza relented. "Well, there's the Crimson Frog," Papusza said reluctantly, "But it's a wild place."

Lili nodded impatiently, wanting to be off. Finally, after finishing her dressing for the morning, she set off into town, to head to the Trade Quarters.

Lili walked through the Trade Quarters, snow crunching beneath her shoes, to the rougher streets of drovers and cartmen and miners. Finally, she came to a large music that radiated lively music. The sign had no words on it, but instead a painting of a weather beaten ochre frog. Is this the place? Lili thought to herself. No words were on that hideously garish sign, but from Papusza's directions, this had to be the place.

Lili stepped inside. Even at this relatively early hour, just after noon, wild music filled the tavern. The tables were full and raucous with catcalls and whistles. No fewer than five other women already worked the tables, but they were a different breed from the girls of the Golden Sheaf. Skirts were shorter and slit, blouses lower, legs flashed bare and unstockinged.

Lili nervously approached the bar, which was being manned by a garish woman with absurdly rouged cheeks and red stained lips, despite a somewhat heavy build. "Hello... um, do you need an extra girl here today?" she said nervously.