You would think that with how long I’ve lived I would know a little about deciphering codes. However, I was not. What I was reading seemed pretty scattered in how it was written and was somewhat incomprehensible. I had hoped even I would be able to wrap my head around something like this I was never one for intrigue. The most I’ve ever done is take on new lives and learned to lie quite well. This though, hurt my brain.
It didn’t matter that I had an instinctual understanding of every language as long as a story was told in it. Something quite common. If only this code had been used to write a story I might have had a chance at my natural gods given ability. I scratched my head in frustration after staring at the three journals, each of them similar in their rambling but I couldn’t see the pattern quite yet. Closing my eyes I pinched the bridge of my nose as I tried to calm my boiling mind. Taking long deep breaths I stood from the books and paced around the room. The light from outside was dimming and I didn’t think I would come to some epiphany in what time I had remaining.
Setting everything closed and capping the ink I was taking notes with to keep it from drying. The scribbling on the page was just my random thoughts on how things might have worked but I made so little headway that it was almost blank. I stared at my thoughts manifested in ink and it was almost as rambling as the code itself. It would be quite a waste to crumple it and toss it away in anger. Maybe one day there would be a more sustainable and plentiful way to manufacture paper.
Stepping away from it all the soft slippers I was wearing swished along as I dragged my feet in mental exhaustion. I had been neglecting my need to learn more of the modern things that were developing. Entering the master lounge I was tempted to throw myself upon the massive overstuffed couch and drape my arm over my eyes. Instead I went to the door and left the master room and headed downstairs.
Could I cheat and meet this advisor and rifle through his memories to see if he was taught this code? I had no idea what his tastes were in men or women for a seduction so that I might have a chance to lay down with him. Hurting him would accomplish nothing. The fact that servants were all around us and my Dolan persona was expected to be around made things difficult to slip away. Sighing heavily and more than a little disappointed in the difficulty I was having I made my way to the dining room to see if there was going to be a dinner soon where I could meet this other figure in the Ursal’s lives.
The house had quiet mouselike movements of servants trying to stay out of sight of the more noble guests of the house. The boisterous voice of a man echoed through the main hall as someone yelled at another person.
“What do you mean you’re with child!” Came the harsh whisper filled with anger, “You said you were on your moon flow and couldn’t bear children.”
A feminine voice answered, “That was only the first time milord. You’ve laid with me since and my body hasn’t had its flow for two moon cycles. Most of the women tell me that's a sure sign of a babe coming. Please, you must take responsibility.”
I pressed against the wall by the door that the voices were coming from. “Look, I can’t be having a bastard walking around. My wife will have my balls on a plate if she finds out about this. Look, I can control how much you're paid and you will keep your mouth shut about this. If it is even mine.”
The woman gasped, “I have never laid with another man but you. You took my maidenhead that first night. You promised me a life away from serving others. You were going to have me lead your house servants so that I would have even a little luxury.”
“I can’t be having a son or daughter looking like me running around my house when my own children resemble me more than their mother. My wife will figure it out, she sniffs everything out, that trolloping gossip.” The sounds of hands rubbing across fabric sifted through the door as the quiet controlled sobbing of the woman . “I can make sure you’re taken care of. If you continue to be my flower at night. I have needs that only you can meet.”
“Don’t you give me your honeyed words.” The woman sounded hurt but there was a longing in her voice, “Kiss me like you’d kiss a loving wife.”
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
I walked away as the sounds of passionate kissing filled the room and I made a strong guess that the advisor staying in the house had a mistress. I doubt by the sounds of it he would have someone on hand to sate his desire for women. Maybe I could extract some information in conversation if he was loose-lipped. Though how I would bring that up naturally I didn’t know.
I tried to track down Angela to inquire if I missed dinner or if it was still going to happen tonight. Though I was so unfamiliar with the home I found myself in the grand dining room and sat at the table. I steepled my hands and rested my forehead on them. I let my brain cool as I considered if there was going to be any other way I could figure this out easily. I hated being lazy, but the frustration of feeling dumber than a mortal code grated on me.
I didn’t hear Angela approach as I was wrapped up in my thoughts, the words dancing around my brain. “Sir, what seems to be the issue. Are you displeased with us?”
Startled, I whipped around and tensed, “Oh, yes. I mean, no I am not displeased. I just was lost in thought. I was hoping for a meal if I hadn't missed it. If I have, could you do me the kindness of a meal?”
“I’m pleased to tell you that dinner hasn’t happened yet. The Advisor was meeting with the chef so that he could discuss what he wanted for his meal tonight. I’m sure you won’t mind if he decides for you. I assure you he has excellent taste.”
I kept the rendezvous at the back of my mind. Noting that this man had a taste for the head cook. A burning curiosity about how this came to fruition tickled my mind. The urge to learn the story built high in me, I was going to try and get this advisor one on one and learn his secrets. “That would be lovely, I’m sure he will make a good decision.”
Angela departed and I waited just a minute when a man entered. He had a long flowing half cape of royal purple that had sleeves open for his arms. The billowing tunic fluttered as he walked towards the head of the table and he glanced at me down his nose. His shoes were soft and barely made sound on the floor as he scraped the legs on the wood as he took the royal seat. It should have been reserved for the Duke even in his absence. His voice was deep and sonorous, “Who might you be?”
“Dolan Talespinner, I was gifted by the good Duke to bring letters to be given to various houses on his behalf. When that is complete I have a recommendation and introduction to the court for my minstrel skills.”
He scoffed and looked down his nose even more, “I see, a lowly minstrel has to share a meal with me because a boy is taken with his skill. Should it be up to me you would be tossed out of this home.”
His brashness grated on me and I decided to lace my words with magic to influence his mind, “Don’t be like that. We can be friends can’t we? Why don’t you introduce yourself like friends would?”
With clouded eyes he cleared his throat, “Oh where is my manners? I am Tracey Ermine. Advisor to the Ursal family. I’ve helped their family and was close friends with the late Duke.” A servant came in with a pitcher of wine and two goblets. They set them out before us both and poured. “I’ve been enamored with the capital for so long I’m glad to stay here on his behalf. I’m a master negotiator and my family has been some of the best merchants in all the lands. I know best how to make the Ursal family safe in trade.”
I sniffed the wine and could smell the potent sweetness of the grapes with the smell of oak from the press. While I sipped he gulped it down and grabbed the pitcher for more. I was surprised he didn’t have a gut with how he drank. I noted though on his fingers stood large garish rings of gold with inset gems. His hands seemed weak with underdeveloped forearms for someone I thought would be writing treatise and trade deals with other houses.
With my mouth wet with wine I looked over at him, “That is quite a noble endeavor, how many deals have you made this year.” I kept the whisper of magic in them while I waited for the wine to loosen his tongue so he would be more inclined to share.
“Oh, I have a couple just this week. The word is that a war has been started and with the Duke on the forefront I have secured plenty of weapons and armor for the troops that might be mustered by the Duke. I hope it won’t send us into debt though, I’ve borrowed against my crop amounts. There is plenty of buffer crops, I wish we had access to use the strong lumber industry but we can’t spare that with needing to reinforce doors and palisades. I could get so much stone and metal for our hardwoods.” Tracey’s eyes were clouded as he continued. “Alas, it is going to be a difficult thing. The Duke is too young to manage a war. I’ve been trying to buy a good general to send to him but there are heroes that charge so much.”
A couple plates were carried in by Angela as she put them in front of each of us. A large slab of salted port covered in gravy sat next to a hot potato split open with a puck of butter melting in the steaming vegetable. Crisp fruit and some small tomatoes lay together on the side of the plate. I felt my mouth fill with water, I had been spoiled with meals lately that I would often be too spoiled for traveling rations once this was all done.
We dug into our meals as my magic faded from his mind. Though he would be much warmer to me now I doubt I could influence him much more. The man moaned with every bite as he consumed the food like a starving man. He seemed immune to the heat of the food and it didn’t scorch his mouth with how it steamed and it seemed a marvel. The food was exquisite but lacked the hominess that Featherdown had. Though it beat rat stew by miles.
Once the meal was done he looked at me, “Would you like to join me for some more wine and I can regale you about what has been going on. I’m sure the Duke’s chosen messenger would be able to return with good news about my actions.”
“Why not use a pigeon? Is there something wrong with them?”
“Oh, I’m not too close to the roost master. He would deny me in spite after his marriage failed. He blames me because she strayed with thoughts of me. Apparently if his yelling is right she called out my name in the sheets.” Tracey winked heavily as he stood taking the pitcher and goblet. “Come on. Let’s go have some more warm conversation by a hearth.”