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    Main Gauche and Other Tales
    Main Gauche and Other Tales
    Main Gauche and Other Tales
    Ebook122 pages1 hour

    Main Gauche and Other Tales

    By Megan Derr

    4.5/5

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    About this ebook

    Tales of brothers, swords, and the men they most desire...

    Main Gauche — Though he was born to nobility, the loss of first his father, and then his mother, has left Dagger a peasant. His stepfather is cruel and greedy, and refuses to claim Dagger as his own. Instead of living the life for which he was meant, Dagger spends his days as the apprentice to a blacksmith, and pining for the handsome lord who frequents the smithy.

    Then the king calls for a royal tournament for his son the crown prince The chance to be a duelist again, to see the lord he so admires but can never have, is more than Dagger can resist...

     

    1000 Victories — Epee loathes the noble life; his heartless father, his overbearing brother, the hypocrites he must call peers. He wants the simpler, ordinary life of a peasant. It is a life he is slowly working toward, and soon to hold in his grasp, no matter the consequences.

    All that holds him back is Lord Sharp, the man he has long loved but never been able to win. But, he is very close to winning his thousandth victory over Lord Sharp in the dueling ring. With that 1000th victory, Epee hopes to win at last the man he loves more than even freedom...

     

    The Perfect Son — Sabre has always lived according to the wishes and desires of his father, to the exclusion of everyone and everything else. His father's eldest son, he strives to be what his father wants. He is affluent, educated, a talented duelist, respected, and feared. He is everything he is supposed to be. Except happy.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMegan Derr
    Release dateMar 21, 2021
    ISBN9781393526575
    Main Gauche and Other Tales
    Author

    Megan Derr

    Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.meganderr.compatreon.com/meganderrmeganderr.blogspot.comfacebook.com/meganaprilderrmeganaderr@gmail.com@meganaderr

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      Book preview

      Main Gauche and Other Tales - Megan Derr

      A picture containing diagram Description automatically generated

      Tales of brothers, swords, and the men they most desire...

      Main Gauche — Though he was born to nobility, the loss of first his father, and then his mother, has left Dagger a peasant. His stepfather is cruel and greedy, and refuses to claim Dagger as his own. Instead of living the life for which he was meant, Dagger spends his days as the apprentice to a blacksmith, and pining for the handsome lord who frequents the smithy.

      Then the king calls for a royal tournament for his son the crown prince The chance to be a duelist again, to see the lord he so admires but can never have, is more than Dagger can resist...

      1000 Victories — Epee loathes the noble life; his heartless father, his overbearing brother, the hypocrites he must call peers. He wants the simpler, ordinary life of a peasant. It is a life he is slowly working toward, and soon to hold in his grasp, no matter the consequences.

      All that holds him back is Lord Sharp, the man he has long loved but never been able to win. But, he is very close to winning his thousandth victory over Lord Sharp in the dueling ring. With that 1000th victory, Epee hopes to win at last the man he loves more than even freedom...

      The Perfect Son — Sabre has always lived according to the wishes and desires of his father, to the exclusion of everyone and everything else. His father's eldest son, he strives to be what his father wants. He is affluent, educated, a talented duelist, respected, and feared. He is everything he is supposed to be. Except happy.

      Main Gauche and Other Tales

      By Megan Derr

      Published by Megan Derr

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission of the publisher, except for the purpose of reviews.

      Edited by Samantha M. Derr

      Cover designed by Megan Derr

      This book is a work of fiction and all names, characters, places, and incidents are fictional or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual people, places, or events is coincidental.

      Second Edition March 2021

      Copyright © 2021 by Megan Derr

      Printed in the United States of America

      Table of Contents

      Main Gauche

      A Thousand Victories

      The Perfect Son

      Main Gauche

      ––––––––

      Sweat streamed down his forehead and irritably Dagger wiped it away on his already damp and grimy sleeve. He gave the sword he was working on another look, then went back to pounding.

      Another hard hour of labor later and he set the blade aside, then took care of his tools. Striding to the bucket in the corner of the smithy, he took several deep swallows and then dumped the rest of the water over his head.

      It was hot. Summer at its peak and being stuck inside the smithy was not his preferred method of dealing with the heat.

      Untying his hair, he raked it back into some semblance of order and retied the thong. Thick and black, it only added to his misery. He really should cut it, and accept his lot, but gentlemen wore their hair long...

      Sighing, determined not to ruin his day further by dwelling on the stupid facts of his sorry life, Dagger looked over the work waiting for him and pondered what to do next.

      He didn't want to do any of it, not really, but he would. Maybe some of the tools next, so he could finish his day working on the swords. Nodding, decided, he headed back into the work area of the shop—

      Only to be stopped by a cacophony of shouting and cheering, the sharp tolling of the bells in the village square. A duel already? It was only midmorning. Rolling his eyes, suspecting he knew exactly who he would see in the dueling circle, Dagger snatched up a cleaning cloth and scrubbed at his hands and face as best he could as he walked down the street to the village square.

      Sure enough.

      Epee stood in the far right corner, the morning sunlight bringing out the threads of red in brown hair. Opposite him was Lord Sharp. Dagger rolled his eyes again. Honestly, these two never seemed to tire of trying to kill each other.

      He narrowed his eyes as they fought, shaking his head slightly at Epee's slipping defense—but Lord Sharp was too hasty, as always. Their fights were becoming predictable. He would have to tell Epee so.

      The bruise just below his left eye throbbed, a reminder of the last time he'd voiced such an opinion within range of his stepfather's hearing, and Dagger made a mental note to tell Epee about his slipping defense before they returned to the house.

      Yesterday Lord Sharp had won. Today, Epee took it. Dagger clapped for his stepbrother, smiling faintly when Epee finally noticed him. Before he could motion Epee forward, to speak about his defense, his stepbrother was called away by another.

      Oh, it was his stranger—Tan, he'd always called himself. Dagger knew nothing about him, save he was a noble and knew how to use the sword slung so casually at his left hip. Very fine hips, those, on a very fine body. Light brown hair, just long enough to barely be fashionable. Handsome features; if not for the smile he'd be rather stern looking. Simple, elegant clothes.

      He conversed avidly with Epee, who clapped the man on his shoulder and motioned. Dagger blinked. Epee knew the man? Surely not...but they conversed lightly, easily. He watched, frowning now, as Epee motioned to the board where notices and all were hung. The frown deepened as Tan tore away a notice Dagger didn't recognize, though he'd looked at the board just this morning. Epee snatched it back, holding it laughingly out of reach, and Dagger could see he was taunting Tan. Where they friends? How had he never known Tan and Epee knew each other?

      But why should he have known, Dagger acknowledged bitterly. He hardly moved in the same circles. He grimaced at himself and looked back at the two men—and realized they were walking toward him. Dagger suddenly felt every last bit of grime plastered to his body with sweat. His clothes were damp beneath the hot weight of his work apron; he looked nothing like Epee in his careless prettiness or Tan's simple elegance.

      Well, of course he didn't. Dagger scowled at himself. He wasn't them, of course he didn't look like them. He'd been reduced to peasant status since his mother's death, when her will had left every last thing to her husband 'in good faith he would take excellent care of his stepson.'

      He loved his mother, but she'd always been an idiot.

      Dagger, Epee greeted. I could see from the look on your face that I was doing something wrong. He motioned before Dagger could speak. Reprimand me later. I believe for now you have a customer.

      Sketching a bow, Dagger quietly recited all the niceties and accepted the sword the stranger held out. Greetings, my lord. I see you've been putting it quite thoroughly to use. When would you be wanting it back?

      The sooner the better, of course, the stranger said with an easy smile. However, there is no special rush.

      Dagger nodded. I can probably have it finished by tomorrow afternoon.

      Excellent. Thank you. It is always worth it to come out here to have my sword tended.

      Dagger looked at his stepbrother, who had looked as though he were struggling not to laugh the entire conversation. Suppressing an urge to roll his eyes again, Dagger ignored his stepbrother and returned his attention to Tan, drinking in the sight of his hopeless crush to have new images with which to torture himself.

      Thank you, Tan said. It's truly most appreciated. This should cover it, I think. He pressed a small bag of coins into Dagger's free hand, then clapped Epee on the shoulder and bid him farewell before turning and vanishing into the crowd.

      Epee burst out laughing.

      What's so funny? Dagger asked.

      You—how long has he been bringing his sword to you, Dagger?

      Dagger shrugged. At least as long as I've been working the smithy, I guess. Like he'd admit he knew exactly, to the day, how long Tan had been coming. Epee obviously had enough to be amused about.

      Epee slowly got his laughter under control. Never mind. Take a look at this.

      Frowning, thoroughly vexed with his confounding stepbrother, Dagger nevertheless accepted the notice he held out. His eyes widened as he read it. A tournament? Really? His breath caught as he read the prize. Oh, he wished... Dagger shoved the frivolous thought aside. He was a peasant. Entering the tournament was impossible; dwelling on the idea for even a moment was stupid. Are you planning on entering?

      Of course I am, Epee said dismissively. Why were you glaring at me after the duel?

      Because your defense is abhorrent, Dagger retorted. You're getting lazy and sloppy; it's little wonder to me that Sharp took you so easily yesterday.

      Epee grinned; it was more a baring of teeth. I'm sure he'd like to take me, the bastard, but father will give his estate over to you before that happens.

      You're an idiot, Dagger replied. Go provoke Sabre; fighting him will force you to improve your defense. I have to get back to work.

      "As you

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