Castle Walls by D Jordan Redhawk

voice to remain steady.
    Sati smiled in sympathy. Squeezing the smaller woman's arm, she said, "Aye. Though Ros says you're not to clean up prior." She reached up with her free hand to muss Katerin's recently shorn hair. "She says to act the simpleton and follow her lead."
    Nodding, the princess raised her chin, giving the impression of a lamb being led to slaughter. A simpleton who warms the sapphist owner's bed.
    A scowl crossed the Sati's face and she squeezed Katerin's arm again. "Stop that! Ros would never hurt or take advantage of you despite her tendencies."
    Katerin ducked her head in shame. "Forgive me," she murmured. "You're absolutely correct."
    Sati shook her head. "Let it go, Kat. We've no time to discuss it." Glancing around at the now empty tent, she released the dark woman's arm. "Come. Let's see how good an actor you are."
    As she followed, Katerin mused that she was royalty - Acting is in my blood. Reaching out, she grasped Ilia's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as they stepped out into the evening. Certain the pair would follow orders, Sati left them at the entrance, joining her small family at their wagon.
    "Milady...?" the nervous blonde whispered, eyes large as she spotted the guardsmen walking about the encampment with Ros.
    "Do as Sati said, Ilia. All will be well. Remember, you and I joined the
troupe a month ago." With an encouraging nod, Katerin released the woman's hand. In sudden inspiration, she leaned over and whispered, "Pretend one of the guardsmen is young Malcolm."
    Ilia blushed, dropping her gaze at the memory of a certain young smith apprentice who'd been sweet on her. "Aye, milady," she said. At Katerin's urging, Ilia grabbed up her skirt and left to join Gemma and Lucinda at their wagon.
    The princess watched the handmaiden until she reached her destination. Scanning the encampment, she saw that Ros had almost completed a full circle and only had three more wagons to go before her own. "Best get on with it, then," Katerin said under her breath.
    Aware of the soldiers' watchful eyes, she ducked her head and allowed her shoulders to slump. Her steps became a shuffle as she went to Ros' wagon. Once there, Katerin settled on the stool that the owner used to prop her feet. Her wait wasn't long.
    "And here is my wagon," Ros said, leading the Invader's trio.
    "Who's this?" the captain grunted, looking down at the woman seated on a low stool.
    "Kat! Stand up and greet our guests!" the circus owner insisted, pushing past the guard and dragging the brunette to her feet.
    Startled, Katerin jumped at the sudden strong grip on her arm. Biting her tongue at the immediate irritated response, she opted to keep her head down, masking an angry flush. "Good evening," she mumbled, giving an awkward curtsey.
    Apparently satisfied, Ros released the younger woman's arm, rubbing it gently. "Aye, much better." Turning to the captain she grinned ruefully. "Please excuse her. She's not had much experience with proper etiquette."
    The captain eyed the smaller woman in speculation. Ordering his men to search the wagon with a nod of his head, he returned his attention to Katerin. "How long have you been here?" he asked the filthy woman.
    There was an uncomfortable silence broken only by the sounds of Ros' wagon being tossed. Finally, Katerin shrugged with one shoulder. "I don't know, sir. A long time."
    "She's a bit simple," the blonde explained in an undertone, finger circling the air beside her ear. "I picked her up in Aimsbury at the same time as Elsa."
    Ignoring the owner, the captain reached out and tilted Katerin's face up. "Here, girl. Let's have a look at you." His touch was not unkind as he turned her face this way and that, squinting at her ash covered features in the light of a nearby lantern.
    Katerin's dark eyes were fearful as she met his. While her royal training insisted she keep his gaze, she knew better. Allowing her trepidation to show, she chewed her lip, attempting to stare at the ground during