“I… I don’t know what we would have done if you weren’t there. How did you know how to help him?” Tracey called once the Duke Gaelin left.

I nodded and took a deep breath ready to lie. “It wouldn’t be the first time that I’ve seen someone choking. An old woman once showed me how she helped a child that was choking. Thought that time she just forced the child to vomit strong enough for them to dislodge the food on its own. I was just lucky enough I could reach down his throat far enough to get at it. I am just glad I was able to help him and not just sit there and let him expire on just a dry biscuit.”

Arianna spoke up with anger and vitriol in her voice, “We should fire that blasted chef for serving something so dangerous. Who knows what could have happened if it was our own children that would have been choking.”

“Now dear let’s not be hasty. The Duke was eating quite recklessly. I’ve heard of nobles expiring because they didn’t spend enough time chewing their food.”

“You are only defending her because you’ve stuck her blaster pecker in her!”

I took that as a sign for me to leave and stepped out from between the two as Tracery went as red as a tomato. Grabbing my lute I heard a final choked few words, “Now now, I’m not sticking my manhood anywhere it shouldn’t be.”

“Oh you bastard son of a…” came the growling voice of Arianna full of threatening anger and wrath.

I hid the smug look on my face as the two who had been united against me now warred with one another and I looked the hero of the hour. Striding proudly through the house I approached my room and called for Angela.

She looked a little shaken up and pale as she curtsied to me, “Is it true the Duke almost died. I didn’t even know he was here from the estate.”

“I think you are mistaken. It wasn’t Duke Ursal it was the head of the Gaelin family.”

“I know, if he died here who knows what would have fallen upon the Ursal family for not being able to save his life.”

I kept the thought that it would probably have pleased the king if the man died considering that he might be colluding for the man’s lands to be invaded by another member of the houses. “Oh did I ever tell you that your sister is doing well.” I attempted to change the situation.

The confusion on her face spoke of my success. “Oh I see her every fortnight and she usually tells me how her week has gone. We actually meet in a few days that is when her rotation happens.”

“Ah yes I was arranged to spend some time with the male servants of the houses and cavort with them around the town. Anything I should know about the group?”

“Oh, Dolan I thought your station was above that of us lesser servants. I didn’t realize you would have been interested in spending time with the lesser members of the households.”

“Oh nonsense. I was just a regular peasant minstrel as any other man could be. I just happened to catch the eye of the good Duke Ursal in my time there. If it wasn’t for the recommendation of one of his mayors I doubt I would be worth mentioning and would be wasting away in some tavern here in the city hoping to get noticed by someone affluent.”

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

“Well, that is a good turn of fate for you. Fortune must favor you.”

“Sondet does seem to smile upon me from time to time. As I was asking though is there anything I should know?” I did hope that more than my father looked after me.

“Everyone usually pitches in to buy the rounds of drinks at the tavern they choose to go to. They usually always go to Birch Brews, a favorite for their dark ales. Even the womenfolk choose to go there for their excellent wine. Some say that it is even imported from the elven lands if you choose to believe that.” Her eyes seemed to glimmer as she recalled the place in her mind.

“Oh I might just have to pay for a few rounds to make sure I am well liked. I see myself visiting several of the houses in the near future and wouldn’t be led astray by ingratiating myself with those that serve in the house.”

“Wise decision Dolan. Is there anything else that I can help you with?” Angela seemed less and less enthused by the conversation.

“I missed tea with the entertainment so if I could have some brought to me in the master study I would appreciate it.” I said.

“The master study?” Asked Angela.

“Yes, there is so much more about the houses in those books that I’ll need to know if I am to be a good entertainer of them all when I join the court. Well when I hope to join the court,” My network of people I knew would probably be good enough for me to enjoy being accepted into the court.

Angela curtsied one more time and left the room. She later found me in the study with strong black tea as I poured myself over the books trying to absorb as much information as I could now that I knew the code that the Ursal family worked with.

I spent my time well into the night as I tried to absorb as much information as possible. Time this day seemed to have flown by like the very pigeon I sent out earlier with the warning to the young Duke.

It was difficult not to fall asleep at the desk and I caught a whiff of my overly ripe armpits and vowed that I would have my clothes cleaned and I would enjoy another bath to freshen up before I was summoned to another house. It would most likely be a few days before I made my way to the Gaelin house. More and more the web of deceit and treachery exposed itself to me. I would have to emulate a spider on the web and not be one of the many flies that would be caught in it to be devoured.

The next morning I was happily in the room after a bath when Angela came knocking at my door, “Come in.”

She hefted a large box in her arms and placed it on one of the many tables that lined the lounge around us and smiled at me. “This is one of two gifts that were given to me to bring to you. The other seemed to be a foodstuff though so I gave it to our stand in chef for them to prepare for you. I do hope you enjoy it immensely.”

I approached the box and fingered the wrapping bow on it. Pure silk slipped through my fingers and a small note lay on the box. “For my life I give something that will serve you till you die. There is nothing greater that I can offer you except that if you should ever come to the court you will have my support.”

When I unraveled the box the most beautiful instrument I have ever beheld lay in it. Masterfully carved coffee colored hardwood shaped the body of a lute. The soundhole had a beautiful rendition of a collection of flowers lining it. Each petal is detailed in exquisite strokes. The whole thing shined with polish and the strings were taught and beautiful. I stroked my hand upon it and where my had to have been polished by my own hand sliding up and down it. This one was already perfectly smooth so that it would have been easy to maneuver up and down the neck of it.

I ran my hands across the strings and they hummed beneath my fingertips. The most exquisite gut strings I had ever seen. They were out of tune so I plucked the master crafted instrument and took a seat with it. I tuned it with such ease that I was amazed the pegs didn’t immediately slide back out of tune with how smooth everything was. Angela’s eyes glistened as she watched me wonder in her eyes.

“It came with a case Master Dolan.”

“Please bring it. I wouldn’t want to store this beauty in anything that wasn’t perfect for it. You wouldn’t happen to know anyone that needs a well worn instrument for them to become a minstrel with, would you.”

“Are you talking about your old one? If so I know there must be someone with a nephew or niece that has learned that would happily buy it off you.”

I was lost in thought as I marveled at the craftsmanship of the lute. My old sister Crafter would have adored it with all her heart. She cherished even the drums she was given and the one that I buried her with I hoped soothed her soul.

I was lost playing the instrument when Angela came back in with a leather wrapped and felt filled case that was shaped perfectly for the very instrument I was given. A gift this fine was worth more gold than I had ever earned or would have ever spent one an extravagance such as this. Angela sat across form me. “Would… would you play something for me?”

“I would be delighted. Someone should hear the first song this beauty plays from my hands. I would have hated to be alone for it.”

I played the first song that came to mind. Oh Ye Traveling Bard.

When I was finished I had my eyes closed as I melted my mind into the song and the feel of the strings below my fingers. “I’ll have to write a thank you letter. This is beyond my wildest dreams to have received. It will be perfect for court.”