I was woken up by a knock at the door and I pried my face off the desk. A small puddle of drool had dripped from my mouth overnight and I wiped at it with the back of my hand. I looked around the office bleary eyed and the journal that was loaned to me by Tracey lay open just out of reach from where my drool was. I thanked the gods that I hadn’t gotten it wet and embarrassed myself. The knock came again and I shook the cobwebs from my brain.
“Come in.” I straightened my back and clothes as teh door creaked open and Angela peeked in through the crack half leaning into the room.
“I’m sorry to bother you so early in the morning but we didn’t see you in your room. The sun is rising and Sir Ermine has called for you to come to his chambers. There was a messenger late last night that he read this morning. I assume it has something to do with you.” Bold shimmers of curiosity burned in her eyes as she looked at me.
Standing up the chair scraped along the floor as I stretched my arms and tucked my tunic back into my trousers. I moved around the desk and motioned for Angela to lead the way to Tracey’s room. I knew where it was but it was only proper to be guided by a servant when one moved through the house of a noble.
The house was quiet and nearly empty. I didn’t hear the soft sounds of servants scurrying about just yet but it was still before breakfast. We moved throughout the house and soon I was in the lounge of Sir Ermine’s room.
He looked at me and seemed as tired as I was. Why he was up so early I would only have to guess. His wife coming probably meant he wanted to be as presentable as possible. The faint whiffs of soap through the air spoke of his earlier bath. I could see that his cheeks were clean shaven and smooth as a baby’s foot. Tracey’s hands rubbed idly at his eyes and he took me in with his gaze.
His voice was slow and groggily wavering in volume, “We received a missive from the Truose’s estate. The daughter was so taken by your story that she has requested you for morning tea for another story and to hear about your dealings with the young Duke. You are to sing his praises and make sure that she is pleased with the news that she is to be betrothed to our fair lord.” The strong scent of black overly steeped tea filled the room as Angela stepped in with a steaming cup with a small pot next to it.
“I understand, I will make sure to give her a fine story and tell her all about my dealings with the Duke. I’m sure she will be enchanted with him by the end of tea time. Would you like me to tell her any specific tales for her to enjoy while she has tea?”
Tracey waved his hand dismissively. “I don’t think I need to guide you in this situation. Just keep it short and to the point. I’ll pay you ahead of time for your services and look to get our reimbursement from the Truose’s later. I’m sure that some amenities or private supplies might do you some good. Pence doesn’t go too far but we can’t be picky with how we gather money.”
I nodded and looked at the tea. There was only one cup and the sadness that filled me that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the reinvigorating drink quite yet dimmed my morning like a cloud over the rising sun. “I understand, I will tell a short tale so that she can focus on the stories about the Duke. How long will I be staying at the house?”
“I assume until dinner time. Being requested by the daughter would allow you several chances to entertain her throughout the day with music and stories. So if you want to make sure and take as much time as possible I would recommend that. Though you’ll probably be relegated to the servant’s quarters. You are a guest here of the good Duke but I don’t know how you’ll be treated in other houses.”
I bowed at the waist and nodded to Tracey, “I thank you for all the warnings and the chance to inform me of everything I might expect while I am there. I would hate to have been taken off guard and expected more from my hosts.”
“Yes, you are welcome. Now leave me for my tea. I need to get ready to greet my wife today. After dinner I would like for you to entertain us with some music. I believe some of my children will be here as well. Something light hearted for a song or story would do them well so keep that in mind while you go about your day. I want it to be perfect for the evening to go well.”
I could feel waves of nerves come off of him like water crashing on a beach. A dread that his wife would find out about his affair with someone of such low birth would probably be a scandal he wouldn’t be able to recover from. I would have to keep it in mind if I needed the leverage against him. Though if I maintained some semblance of friendship I didn’t think it would be necessary.
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“Thank you once more, I’ll see you and your family later today.”
Angela led me away, “Is there anything else I might do for you in order for you to be prepared for your journey to another house?”
“I would do with a good shave, if there is some soap and a straight razor at your disposal.”
“I can’t allow you to shave yourself when we have someone in the house that is supposed to do that. I wish you had informed us of this at your bath as that would have been the best time. I’ll send him to the bathroom and you can wait for him there. Would you like anything to eat while you wait?”
“I’d like a little fruit. Something light and sweet to start the day off. If you could also make me a strong pot of tea to help energize me for the day I would appreciate it.”
“As you wish,” Angela bowed and left me to my own devices as we parted ways.
I decided to head to the bathroom and prepare. Once there I stripped off my tunic so that it wouldn't get any soap of hair put on it. I looked at the room and it was rather warm and the floors seemed to be heated somehow. I built the house in my mind and realized that I was somewhere over the kitchen and this room must be heated through the floor by the great ovens and stoves. The walls having hidden chimneys for the warmth to spread.
I found a chair that had a natural incline and sat ready for the man to enter. He did so and smiled at me benevolently. In his hands were some simple tools and I could smell the soft soaps tinted with the smell of sandalwood waft from the small pestle he had in his hands. Pulling a small table next to the chair he began to prepare.
I noticed a thick scarring around his neck as if someone had raked it over with sharp nails. The scars of a pox being picked at by someone that wasn’t tended to most likely. His movements were smooth as well churned butter as he lathered my face up and started to shave nice and close to my skin. He worked in silence and spoke no words. His eyes so focused and intense I felt as if I was being scrutinized for not taking care of myself properly.
By the end of it the modest growth of hair I had cultivated was stripped from my face and wiped away on a cloth for some cleaning. With a nod he rubbed some sort of scented oil on my face and it stung lightly at the parts that were closest to the skin. His fingers gripped my hair and he ran it along looking at the length of it all. He rubbed some more oils into it and his fingers going across my scalp sent goosebumps running down my neck. Then all without a word he departed the room.
I stroked my face and felt what he accomplished with his great skill and sighed contentedly. To be so pampered was always something to be enjoyed to the utmost. I dressed in my clothes and came out of the room smelling good and feeling better. I returned to the chambers I was given and combed out my hair. It was getting on the longer side so I did some parting to the side and made sure it was as presentable as possible.
I rang the rope for Angela and summoned her. When she arrived I was dressed and ready. Her plate of fruit was nice and easy to eat in a short amount of time. “Thank you Angela. Would someone be able to escort me to the Truose estate? I have been summoned by the good lady Patricia and need to make sure to get there before morning tea.”
With a curtsy she looked at me, “I can guide you quite easily I have a sister that works for their family and we often visit one another so that we can talk about how our lives are going in the respective houses we are in.”
“That would be lovely. Now I am prepared so if you would be so kind we can leave now.”
With a nod we left the house and the brisk morning air greeted me. The smells of everyone making breakfast was on the wind. The strong scents of bacon and ham being the most prevalent. Some oats and sweetness as well made the light breakfast I had a little less appealing.
I was soon lost through the streets and if it wasn’t for my guide all these extravagant estates would have blended together. The sound of coaches going along the cobblestone streets echoed throughout as lords and ladies rode in their carriages.
As I was just getting distracted and letting my mind wander all the way into daydreaming we came upon the Truose estate.
It was easily twice the size of the Ursal home and I could see why they called the good Duke’s family as waning if other houses could be so opulent. I did my best not to gape as we approached the front gate and presented ourselves to the personal guards that were posted outside the house.
Angela introduced me, “This is Sir Dolan Talespinner he has been summoned to entertain Lady Patricia. He will be in your care for the day.”
I looked at the nice garden with his rows and hedges that had yet to grow in their leaves for the spring. The buds were nice and thick and promised that there would be plenty of growth the trim and shape later in the year. The budding flowers spoke of just how much sunshine the garden was able to get already. No gardeners were around as things were allowed to grow wild for now.
The house was four levels high and there were signs of a cellar for cold storage. The first two levels were made of stone and I could see the many chimneys spread throughout the house to keep it warm in the winter. The windows were broad and clear, a rarity that was growing more common now that the process to make glass was getting honed and refined.
The entrance door was broad with two ornately carved doors clasped together with more guards standing on the stairs watching me approach. Their eyes were scrutinizing and seemed to be scanning my entire body up and down for hidden weapons. Their eyes stopped on the lute case. One of them stepped forward and held up a hand.
“We will need to inspect your case to see if there is anything inside that might pose a threat to our charges. Either you let this happen or you will be turned away.”
I bowed at the waist, “I’d be more than willing to allow you to take a look. I have nothing to hide. If we could do it inside though so that the cold air doesn’t cause too much damage to my cherished instrument I would truly appreciate it.”
“Take him to the foyer. We can do the inspection there.”
Now inside I looked around at the grand entrance and the movements of the many servants that moved throughout the chambers more blatantly than that of the Ursal household and I wondered about what minor changes there were in culture throughout the kingdom. A sense of interest and enjoyment filled me. Time to make some connections with members of other houses.