Read Online Princess by Aishling Morgan - Free Book Online Page A

of beer before asking directions. Finally she found the place she wanted, a single story compound to the north of the dock area. An arch led in to an open yard, in which people sat at tables, eating, drinking from the earthenware mugs and talking. Several curious looks were turned to her as she entered, but once more nobody disputed her right to be there.
    See chose a vacant table and sat down, feeling somewhat dizzy. Determined not to look foolish, she put three of her big copper coins out in front of her, as others had done at the surrounding tables. A man in a leather apron approached, giving her a quizzical glance.
    â€˜Black beer,’ she stated, trying to sound confident, ‘with a plate of bread, olives and honey cake.’
    â€˜Olives and honey cake together?’ the man queried.
    â€˜I was advised by Luides, from the Gull of Cintes,’ she answered. ‘I hope to meet him here.’
    â€˜Yes,’ the man answered, ‘I had heard there were barbarians in. I will fetch a platter, at three tenths, yes?’
    Iriel nodded, not at all sure what she was doing but happy so long as she was fed. As the man departed, one of those at a nearby table turned to her.
    â€˜You were with Luides then, on the Gull? I am his friend Meles, this Nuidan, this Dound, that Bages. And what is your name?’
    There was a wolf like quality to his grin, and his eyes had been fixed on her bodice more than her face, but Iriel found herself smiling at the four young men, glad of any friendly attention. Also, the least of them was notable more handsome than Luides, for all their small size.
    â€˜I am Iriel,’ she said, ‘and I was galley maid, yes, beneath Corbold.’
    â€˜Join us,’ he offered, the others quickly making room for her at the bench. ‘Rumour says you are from barbarian Aegmund, and took the ship by force before reaching an agreement with Captain Baltrank?’
    â€˜Not by force, no,’ she answered. ‘The saga belongs to Aeisla, who took the part of the Squireling Kaissia for the embellishment of her escutcheon.’
    â€˜I had heard one stepped in to prevent another being given a dose of troll cock?’ the man introduced as Nuidan sniggered. ‘Is this how you treat malefactors in your land, by having them fucked by man-beasts?’
    â€˜What had Kaissia done?’ Meles demanded.
    â€˜She was punished for taking a bull-nymph as lover,’ Iriel said, blushing slightly.
    â€˜Taking a bull-nymph as lover?’ Dound queried. ‘What lady of rank does not have a bull-nymph to hand for her carnal amusement?’
    â€˜So,’ Bages queried, ‘if it is a crime to let one man-beast into her cunt, how so that the punishment is to be forced to take another?’
    â€˜There is a difference between a bull-nymph and a troll, Bages!’ Nuidan scoffed. ‘In bulk, in manner, above cock all in size. You saw the one at last year’s fair, his cock had the dimensions of a young marrow!’
    â€˜But the barbarian girls are big,’ Bages objected. ‘You could take a troll cock, I imagine, Iriel?’
    Iriel’s cheeks had flamed red, but the men merely laughed and Meles gave her a good natured slap on the back. Grimacing slightly nonetheless, but feeling she ought to explain so as not to make her fellow Aeg look foolish, she went on.
    â€˜Kaissia had given in to her urges with the bull-nymph, yes, but that was a private thing. She had also surrendered her maidenhead, by deliberate choice, picking the lock of her purity-girdle...’
    â€˜Purity-girdle?’
    â€˜A device of chain worn around the hips to prevent the easy attaining of a highborn girl’s maidenhead. Kaissia should have waited until some highborn man achieved her.’
    â€˜Achieved? Fucked you mean?’
    â€˜Yes. She should have waited to be ravished by one who wished to take her in marriage. By fucking with the bull-nymph she disgraced herself.