I was finally able to get some time alone now that I had done my best to plant the idea to bring drugs into the dinner to better manipulate the guests of the Portage family and slipped away from the grasp of Heather. I was under constant watch by the other servants for signs of me showing affection or seeking out the woman in order to maintain our tryst. I kept myself as scarce as possible and memorized the story of the king and his concubines so that I might perform it. If my plans fell through and I wasn’t able to stop an assassination that I myself had planned I wouldn’t ingratiate myself into the royal family and be stolen away from the Portage house.
I lay in a perfumed bath. The door to the chamber locked so that I wouldn’t have to worry about Heather tracking me down to lay with me again. The water was lukewarm and not very pleasant to be in today and I longed for the heat that had once soaked into my bones to relax me. I felt a tension rising in my shoulders and neck at the idea of failure.
Stepping out and drying myself, my skin smelt fragrant and clean. I combed my hair in the proper mirror. I dressed in my finest clothes for the dinner that was happening later today. As ready as I could be I stepped out of the bathroom and made my way to the small chamber I was afforded. My heart sank.
My prized new lute of dark hardwood sat upon the bed I was given. The strings sliced and spread around the room. Signs that someone tried to damage the lute itself but it was saved by its very make. Heart sinking, I walked to it and opened my case. The strings I had there had been taken away and I had nothing to replace them with. Sighing I stroked the scored neck of the lute and snatched it up off the bed. Tucking it away I grabbed my purse and headed to leave the house and get something to replace them.
The house guard stopped me as soon as I approached the exit of the house. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Sighing I looked at him with as much authority as I could put in my voice, “I need to run to a merchant that might help me procure more strings for my lute. Someone has entered my chambers and cut the strings to my instrument. I won’t be able to play for the Master and his dinner without them.”
The smirk on his face and a flash of smugness told me that I was being targeted by the guard as well. “Sorry, the Duke has stated that you are not to leave today. You are supposed to be ready to entertain everyone at the dinner so you better turn around and get ready.”
“I can’t be ready unless I get more strings. Now step aside so that I can do that.” I went to walk past him and he shoved my shoulder backwards. “Step aside,” I warned with vitriol lacing my words.
“No, Duke’s orders so turn around and head back into the house or I’ll make sure to beat you where it won’t show.” His warning brought murder into my mind. I wouldn’t get away with it though and that would ruin my plans.
“Well, is there a runner I can pay for them to go get me strings? There has to be someone that can.” I kept my distance and hands relaxed fighting off the frustrations I felt.
“Runner is already out getting some things for the Duke. Getting things that will make the dinner all the more memorable. Your doomed minstrel, hope your voice is as good as your instrument.” That damned smirk played across his face and I could hear the giggling of several of the female servants as they stared at my back.
I felt my frustration radiate off me in waves like water crashing on a beach. My knuckles popped and I turned. The lute felt heavy on my back. Emotions warred in my soul as I walked towards the master lounge. Another guard was standing at the door this time and he moved to stop me. A sharp piercing look seemed to pin him in place as I barged into the room.
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I found the Master of the house buried under a skirt. The woman he was tending to gripped the cushions around her as she heaved in ecstasy. Her eyes darted to me and she screamed. Her sudden movements shoving away the older man. Her flush spread from the mound of her breasts to her ears even through the pale makeup that she wore.
I took a closer look at the woman as she scrambled away from the compromising position. She was older, regal in bearing, her built up hair towered a hand taller than the top of her head. Thick pale makeup covered her face with eyes that were blue as a roiling sea. Her lips rose red and perfectly shaped. The breasts that had been presented so well by her corset were quite impressive and nearly fell out as she fought to be free of the intimate encounter.
Reginald straightened himself and with a delicate movement wiped the dew off his face with a handkerchief. The picture of calm and proud as he looked at me with a slow scowl on his face. “You are interrupting something I was very focused on. This better be good.”
“Reginald toss him out!” Screeched the woman who I hadn’t recognized.
“Dear,” He motioned his hand towards her and she silenced instantly, “Dolan, speak up.”
“One of your servants has sabotaged my instrument and at the same time your dinner. I have mastered nearly every instrument in the land. Please tell me that you have something I can use to entertain your guests.” I made sure to seem as oblivious as possible to what I had interrupted and kept my eyes on the Master of the house.
“I have one, it is from the east though. Would you be able to perform with that?”
“If it has strings I can play anything. Just give me some time to practice and I will be as elegant as possible.” I was full of confidence. I had spent lifetimes in the east and would make sure to be as impressive as possible.
“I’ll have it brought to the dining room. You’ll wait for it there. I’ll make sure whoever is responsible for this… misdeed.” Reginald turned to his ‘guest’. “Now where were we?”
…
I was in the dining room as I looked upon the instrument that was brought out. A zither of impressive size. It was as wide as my torso and beautifully carved. It was propped up on stand and a chair was nearby.
Taking the chair I started to tune and familiarize myself with the instrument so that I would break off the rust. It was terribly mistuned. It took me several minutes for me to get the instrument ready for practice. I had to close my eyes and play by ear until my body started to remember a few songs that I hadn’t played in years.
I was lost in the music before someone cleared their throat in the room and I opened my eyes and saw the resplendent beauty of Heather. For all her madness she was amazingly attractive. Her hair was pulled back into a tall bun with bangs hanging down to frame her face. The raven black hair shined. The fragrance of roses wafted off her from some delightful perfume. Her dress was light and pale pink in color making her hair and eyes stand out. The bustier presented what I knew to be fine breasts to the world. She caught the eye.
“What can I do for you Lady Portage?” I tried to remain still and not let my eyes wander across her body. Memories of our two times together were vivid in recent memory.
“Well, as you can see some men will be fawning over me. I just don’t want you to get jealous. I’ll keep you around no matter what happens.” She stroked my chin with a single fingernail.
“Why’re you so interested in keeping me around? What has drawn you to me? I don’t get why someone so noble and beautiful would stoop to my level.” Curiosity burned in me as madness danced in her eyes.
She smiled and winked lightly, “That is for me to know. Now be a good boy and do your job.” She strolled away in her fluffy dress and whipped out a fan of fine make and used it to flutter air into her face. The strands of her hair dancing in the homemade wind.
Thoughts of the lovers I’ve had over the years flitted across my mind. All of them were special and unique. Why had I never stayed with another dragon and enjoyed one another for the times eternal. The beauty that mortals had seemed to be as alluring as a thousand tales to my mind. My hands danced across the strings as I contemplated. Sighing wistfully I stopped my hands and rested them across the strings to quiet them. I had warmed up and would be able to play as well as I was required. I just had to wait.
Soon enough I could hear the servants move into a frenzy as the tablecloth was perfected and the whole thing set in a flurry of movement. The master chair was switched out for something even more regal and impressive.
Duke Portage walked in and sneered at me as he inspected everything. Reginald was behind him and seemed smug and happy with himself. Slowly members of the Portage family walked in. I didn’t see any presence of the woman Reginald was tending to earlier in the day. I suspected she was going to be some kind of guest of importance.
“May I announce her Ladyship Orianna Acreage and her son, nephew of the King Edward Acreage!”
The woman that I had seen earlier was escorted in on the arm of a strapping young man who probably was barely old enough to shave. She spotted me and flushed with embarrassment. The sister of the king, in bed with Reginald Portage. I hoped her husband was already dead. Otherwise I stumbled on a bigger scandal then I had thought.
It was time of dinner.