Scarlett Fontaine's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Scarlett Fontaine had bought a burned-out tavern in the frozen north, and she meant to turn it into the region's greatest pleasure house. She stood in the empty main room and pictured warm lamps, silk, and nobles handing her their secrets along with their coin. She had the money. She had the plan. But a pleasure house sold influence, and Scarlett did not yet know who in this cold town actually held power. Charm the wrong lord, and every door stayed shut. So she went to the one person who would know. She wrapped a bottle of ruby spiced wine in cloth and rode out to a quiet villa beyond the town. Her huge hound loped beside the horse, ears sharp, breath steaming. The beast hunted these lands and knew whose borders the guards truly patrolled. But borders were not politics. For politics, she needed the woman inside. Vivienne Delacroix answered her own door. She had run the north's finest house for twenty years before she sold it and left. Retired, yes, but the sharp eyes and the fitted corset said she had not softened. She looked at Scarlett, then at the hound, then at nothing in particular. "A new girl with a big dog," Vivienne said. "You want something, or you'd have knocked somewhere else." Scarlett held out the wine. "I want your honest read on this town. Who really opens doors here. I'm building a house, and I won't waste my time on men with titles and no teeth." Vivienne took the bottle. She turned it, read the label, and finally let a small smile show. "Spiced. Good. You did your homework." She stepped aside. "Come in before the cold ruins my floors." They drank at a small table. Vivienne poured slowly, testing her. She spoke of the noble houses one by one. Scarlett listened and kept her face calm, even when the answer surprised her. "The magistrate signs the papers," Vivienne said. "But he's a puppet. The woman who owns the shipping docks owns him. She controls what enters this town, and everyone who wants goods bows to her. Court her, and the rest follow. Ignore her, and you'll rot with the men who think they matter." Scarlett set down her cup. She had come for one name, and now she had it. Not a lord. A merchant queen who ruled the ice roads. "Thank you," Scarlett said, rising. Vivienne watched her over the rim of her glass. "You'll need more than charm for that one. She trusts no one, and she buries rivals in the harbor." She swirled the wine. "But you already knew this wouldn't be easy." Scarlett smiled and pulled her cloak tight. She had her target now. The dock woman was the key to the whole town. All Scarlett had to do was reach a woman who let no stranger close. The hard part had only begun.