I headed back to Featherdown and adjusted the amount of coins I would be carrying. I hid a couple coins in the bottom of my shoe for emergencies that I could slip away and pull out. I looked at my hair in the reflection of the polished metal. The image was clouded and hard to see details. I wondered if other places in the lands were getting more and more luxurious in new and interesting ways. The progress of man was interesting and seemed to get quicker every generation.
I had this night and then I would be teaching the Rutherford children for a while. If I could string along this guard and get as much information as possible from him it would help. I held no guilt for the thoughts of using someone to help satisfy my worries. I would make sure he enjoyed himself enough that it would be hardly a sacrifice. Plus the nebulous nature of my profession often would pull me away from any sprouting relationships and I would have to make sure to make that fact plain to him.
Knowing I would be up late into the night I laid down for a small nap so that I wouldn’t be so tired at the end of the day and lose my wits that I would need in order to handle this properly. As I sat down I slipped off my boots and their secret compartment of coins and relaxed on the bed that Featherdown provided. I relaxed and let myself drift into that halfway place where I could keep an eye on the light of the sun and not sleep past when I needed to get up.
When the sun was nearing the horizon and the tinges of color were starting to streak across the sky I sat up and left Featherdown. I had a handful of copper bits for drinks and some food for me to enjoy and let myself be at least a little merry. I turned and headed south, keeping my eyes out for that group of roving thugs that had attempted to assault me in the night.
The people of the town filtered out of the stores as they locked up their doors and made their ways to the homes above. Some of the apprentices leaving to go to whatever hostels and inns they stayed in. I got to the most southern street and chose to head west first. My eyes looking for the pig balancing a mug upon his head.
It took me until the sky was red as blood before I found the tavern that Trevor wanted to meet at and made my way inside. It was a cozy place, a single story of close tables and chairs. A stuffing of as much seating as possible in order ot maximize however many people the owner could handle. There were no women when I entered. The servers were all thin men with easy smiles and relaxed flirtatious demeanors. The columns around the tavern were carved with depictions of the gods, their paint worn down from people touching them for good luck.
I scanned the area and found Trevor as he nursed a mug. A look of nerves upon his face as he waited for me. He was wearing much nicer clothes than I had expected. I lightweight tunic that wouldn’t be much protection from the cold. His hair was combed and looked damp from maybe a rinse of washing. When he found me looking at him a broad inebriated smile spread on his lips as I approached winding my way through the thin walking areas between tables. Trevor pulled out a chair next to him instead of motioning for me to sit across from him. I sat and smiled in return.
A server approached and gave Trevor a familiar and soft smile before a flash of jealousy on his face when he noticed Trevor had company. A huff of frustration came from the server’s throat. I wondered if it wasn’t jealousy and instead a loss of income. If he laid with customers for a little extra coin it was a common enough practice. If the feelings of the tavern were truly telling this is where those that enjoyed the company of other men would gather. A luxury in the larger towns where populations were higher. It was a lot rarer for men to be so open with their desires in the smaller towns were there was little to no anonymity.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Before the server could ask I spoke, “I’ll have whatever dark ale’s the tavern has. A pint would be nice, do you have any foods here?”
“We provide some bread and for the right price a bowl of nuts can be brought to the table, it is for sharing though.” The server looked at Trevor with a little greed, “Trevor doesn’t do well with harder foods though. Be prefers a softer meal.”
Trevor blushed a little and cleared his throat, “Daniel, let me enjoy the company I met today. I think he would enjoy some of the smoked meats you didn’t mention. Bring some of that and the dark ale. This one will be my treat.”
“Thank you Trevor, at least you can let me buy the next round of drinks.” I leaned back and looked at him as we waited. In a few minutes I was brought the food and drink. The beer was thicker than I expected and the meat was overly salted. The heavy smoke flavor suffused through the food was nearly overpowering. “How did someone so young not get stuck with working overnight?”
Trevor smiled and a hint of smugness filled his face and voice, “I’m just more observant than the others. See they test us on spotting pickpockets and cutpurses. They also drill us on capturing criminals and keeping them under submission. I’m the best with a club out of all the newcomers. They get stuck with what night patrols we have.”
I gave him my full attention as I listened. I shifted in my seat and faced him more directly and he did the same. “So, you guys have some night patrols but I didn’t see anyone the other night. I was almost accosted by a group of thugs. It was dreadful but I was able to slip away. Thank the gods.”
Trevor frowned and looked back and forth. “I have no idea why you would’ve been in danger. I’m sure that someone would have come upon you before it was too late. We guards are ever ready.”
I nodded and sipped at my drink and let my body relax a little more. “Well, there has to be more pleasant conversation. Tell me how they tested you, I had to apprentice under another bard for quite a long time before I was able to get my own living out of it.”
Trevor puffed up his chest as he let me fan his ego, “Well, I’ve always been a good fighter. I did quite well when we were being tested on what to look for and how best to treat criminals. A few beatings and maybe taking some coin for our troubles. I try not to push it too far though. Just a good bruising. Some of the older guards don’t stop until they break something. I have the grace of mercy.”
I touched his arms gently and smiled, “That is so nice of you. To be merciful. I didn’t know you were so strong. You seem a little smaller than a lot of the guards I’ve seen. No offense.”
Trevor’s eyes glanced at me as he clenched his jaw. “I can’t lift as heavy of stones true. But sometimes a smaller stature lets me be quite quick on my feet so I can catch the runners a lot better than those fat bastards. They enjoy too much drink and get quite the gut. Especially the captain. He says his rotund body is the pinnacle of beauty standards with the people that fund us. I find getting that large to be disgusting.”
“I find that the road keeps someone from getting a little rounder in the body and gut. I hear also the paleness of the flesh is also heavily sought after by the affluent. I don’t see the appeal. I like someone that seems hale and strong. Like you.”
He flushed as he took big gulps of his drink. A curiosity burned in his eyes. A desire that was being fueled slowly by my compliments and touch. “You seem pretty sun kissed. I didn’t think a bard would find himself getting as dark as a farmer. Don’t you try to stay in a town for very long? Find a steady income?”
I pulled my gentle touch away and nibbled a little on the food and took a heavier drink of my ale as if I was girding my courage, “I actually seem to be near to serving in the courts. It is kind of the pinnacle of what we bards can strive for. I find myself more and more excited as I approach the capital of the king’s own city. What about you, how well does the guard work support you?”
He picked up his own smoked food and bit at it. His mood a little quieter now that I made it plain that I was going to be a fleeting part of his life. Tervor was still pretty young, but everyone craved having a long term partner.
I settled in and gently touched his leg under the table. His body grew a little stiff under the touch and his breath quickened for a moment before he schooled his nerves. His own hand touched mine as he sipped his ale. After a lingering moment I pulled my hand away and went back to eating and drinking.
I paid for another round and found myself later that night in the throws of passion. I laid with Trevor curled up against my side, his head resting upon my chest as he snored lightly. His loud moans had been far from subtle and I wondered what his neighbors had thought of his choice of lifestyle. I touched Trevor’s temple and delved into his memories with magic. Time to know how he became a guard.