Civilizing Influences
Civilizing Influences Part One
by Kathy Pulver
Email: kathepulver@hotmail.com
"'On a cloudless day, I thought I saw the shadow of your love cross my
path.'"
Gecki stopped sweeping and stared at her master. Hummold was stood at
the window, staring out at the countryside. He didn't seem to realize
she was there.
"What'd you say?" she asked.
"'What'd you say, Master,'" Hummold said.
Gecki sighed, this was turning out to be more work than it was worth.
"What'd you say, Master?"
"Very good," he said. "I know Redcaps are naturally thick-skulled but
do you think you could at least pretend that you're going to try to
remember proper master/slave etiquette? I mean, you've only been with
me for what? Two years now?"
Definitely more trouble than it's worth. Gecki thought. Someone's in a
snit today. "Yes, Master. Sorry, Master."
"Good," he said. "Now, to answer your question, I was quoting the poet
Terabian's 'Celestiatta.' It is a classic love poem."
"Oh!" Gecki grinned, remembering better times. "I know a couple of
those! My man used to say them after a couple beers. There once was a
lady from Lemus...'"
"Yes, yes," Hummold said. "I'm sure it is quite lovely, now shut up
and listen. I have something to discuss with you."
"Something to do with that poem?" Gecki asked. The thought of Hummold
being in love with anything other than his studies made her smile, which
showed her mouthful of sharpened teeth.
"Yes, in a way." Hummold tried hard not to show his discomfort.
"Recently, I have made the acquaintance of Elliana Gedensbrook. She is a
most beautiful woman and I have decided that I will call court on her.
The problem is, her father is a very pompous man who believes me to be a
social climbing upstart."
"That's not true, Master!" Gecki said. "You're more than that!" A lot
more. He forgot you're a tightassed prigg.
"Thank you for your vote of confidence, Gecki." Hummold sounded almost
touched. "At any rate, I need to prove myself to Lord Gedensbrook. For
that, I'll need your help."
"You want me to kill him or something, Master?" Gecki almost dared to
hope. True, it wouldn't be anything like her days back at her clan's
Tower, but it'd be close. Besides, her cap was downright
shabby-looking.
"Gods no!" Hummold said. "Although..." He paused. "What am I thinking?
Gecki, don't be stupider than you already are! What I want you to do is
to help me impress his Lordship."
"How?" Gecki said.
"How..." Hummold motioned at her.
"I'm asking you, it's your stupid plan."
Hummold sighed heavily. "You and I are going to dinner at the
Gedensbrook's home. I'll impress Lord Gedensbrook with how well I've
tamed you."
Gecki nearly bit the tip of her tongue off in an effort not to laugh.
Him? Tame me? Never in a million years!
The laughter wouldn't be held back; despite her best efforts, Gecki
snorted. Hummold turned on her, eyes flashing angrily.
"Don't forget that you are my slave, Gecki," he said. "So long as you
wear my collar, you owe me your life."
"Yes, Master," Gecki said.
"Good," he said. "Now, go see about lunch. I need to plan my
strategy."
#
Gedensbrook was the largest town Gecki had ever lived in. Compared to
the cozy dishevel of her clan's tower, the town was uncomfortably open
and clean. There were no easy hiding places within sight. Gecki kept
looking over her shoulder, half-expecting an attack of some kind.
Part of it was the natural suspicion of a Redcap. You didn't grow to
adulthood in even a small clan without being ready to defend yourself at
a moment's notice. Humans, elves, other clans, and even your own family
were always waiting to attack an unsuspecting Redcap. It was part of
growing up ready for anything the Mother Spider spun for you.
The rest was perfectly reasonable paranoia that came from living in
hostile territory. Gedensbrook was only five miles from the Border,
making it one of the few trade towns between the two Realms. Neither
humans nor elves had much love for Redcaps. Even though the humans of
the town were used to her presence, not many were happy about it.
"Halt, you." Gecki stopped dead at the sound of a man's voice behind
her. Nervously, she turned to face it. Behind her stood a human
dressed in the red and green tabard and brown leather trousers that were
the uniform of the Border Rangers. "What is your business in this
town?"
"I...I slave." Gecki gestured helplessly at the steel collar around
her neck. She hated the fear in her voice; this wasn't the first time
this had happened and it wouldn't be the last but every time it
frightened her more than she liked. "Belong to Scholar Jackson. See
the collar?"
The Ranger stared down at her, his eyes thin, angry slits. He fingered
the hilt of his sword. "I see the collar, filth. Why are you here?"
Just told you, stupid. Gecki thought wildly, searching for an answer
the Ranger would like. "Scholar Jackson sent me for food." Gecki held
up her shopping basket. "I'm taking it home. I can take you to him, he
can tell you."
"You're not taking me anywhere. What clan are you?"
"Kneesnappers," Gecki said. The Ranger's eyes narrowed.
"I've heard of you," he said.
Despite herself, Gecki felt a stirring of pride. Her clan had
developed a brutal reputation before they'd been wiped out. They'd been
one of the last clans to remain free outside the of Faerie's borders.
She kept her face expressionless.
"I should take you in," the Ranger said. "Let them ship you back across
the Border where you belong."
Gecki didn't move. If he grabbed her, she'd defend herself. If he
didn't cut her down, she'd be executed later. If it meant she didn't
have to go across the Border, it would be worth it.
"Don't have anything to say, rateater?" the Ranger said. "Thought you
Redcaps were supposed to be so tough? Look at you; not even wearing
your hat. How many babies died so you could keep it red, bitch?"
Gecki didn't answer. Hummold had her hat in his study. Truth was, she
didn't miss it much. It was just another reminder of how alone she was.
"Never kept track," Gecki said. It wasn't quite a lie; she'd never
killed babies to dye her hat. Tradition said you could only dye your
hat after defeating someone in battle. Even then Redcaps didn't use
blood for their hats, it didn't keep the color and it stank.
No, the only proper red dyes came from plants. Only a fool would use
blood as a dye; or believe that someone else would.
Lot of fools in this world.
"Here! What's going on?"
Gecki and the Ranger looked up to see a young human woman riding toward
them. By the cut and cloth of her outfit, Gecki knew she was wealthy,
if eccentric. Instead of wearing the fashionable wide-skirted dresses,
this young lady was wearing a simple riding skirt and blouse with
jacket.
"I said, what's going on?"
"Nothing of your concern, Miss Gedensbrook," the Ranger said. "Just
dealing with this trash."
"Has there been a crime?"
"Well, no Miss but this Redcap..."
"Appears to be on an errand, judging by her basket," Miss Gedensbrook
said. "I suggest you let her get on with it and go look for an actual
criminal to arrest."
Gecki was as surprised as the Ranger was, possibly more so. She stared
at Miss Gedensbrook. The girl was soft looking, especially by Redcap
standards but she had an inner strength that made Gecki feel safer.
"Miss, protecting the town is my business." The Ranger snarled.
"Then get on with it and let this slave get on with hers," Miss
Gedensbrook said. "Now."
Gecki stared at the two humans unsure of what, if anything, she should
do. To her utter and complete amazement, the Ranger walked off.
"You, do your work and get back to your master," he said, glancing back
over his shoulder at her. "Don't let me catch you causing trouble; your
master won't be able to protect you if I do."
"Yes sir," Gecki said.
When she looked back to Miss Gedensbrook, she was already riding off.
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