AUDREY FLAMESWORTH

“Halt!” The deep voice of one of the two armoured guards caped in black, boomed from the gate of King's city, stopping the clattering wheels of the carriage drawn by a pair of sturdy bay shire horses.

“House Flamesworth,” one of the two mounted men, attired in gleaming scalemail and bascinet helmets, proclaimed, pointing to the sigil of a phoenix on the sternum of his mail. “We ride with the young lady,” the other mounted added.

“State your purpose.”

“We have come to deliver steel to the artillery. Swords made for the kingdom,” a mounted replied, directing with his thumb, the gaze of the city guards towards the cart fastened to the carriage.

The black cape doing the questioning, gestured slightly with his head for his partner to validate the authenticity of the wares. His partner nodded in reply, and the clanging sound of his armour sang as he walked towards the cart. After validating the wares, he raised a thumb of approval in reply.

“Castle pass?” The black cape inquired, returning his unvisored gaze back to the mounted men.

One of the mounted dipped his hand into his belt pouch and pulled out a rolled paper, handing it to the black cape who collected and inspected its contents; after confirming the seal of House Flamesworth, he handed the paper back to the mounted man, making way for them through the city gate.

“Thank you,” one of the mounted said as they spurred the bay shires’ gallops into the city, the clattering sounds of the carriage wheels resuming in harmony.

…

“Not up to your liking?” A steward of the Flamesworths’, Renly Bailiff questioned, watching with concern at the rather displeased grimace planted on the young lady, Audrey Flamesworth’s face while she peered through the carriage window at the chaotic scene before her. The city was teeming with people: children ran about noisily on the filthy narrow streets, while the common folks yelled and cursed at each other from the windows of their cramped houses. There were even bloody fights and robberies happening at every turn. She wondered how the city could be so disorganised.

As if reading her thoughts, Renly immediately replied to it, “You should know: the bigger the city, the harder it is to control, and this is the biggest city in the kingdom, Ironhold bears not a candle to it. It is also—”

“Renly… you talk too much,” Audrey interrupted, turning her eyes to him as she brushed strands of her bejewelled silver hair behind her ear. She wore a simple azure gown with a gray scarf wrapped around her arms; and her small nose along with her round shaped face, which complemented the beauty of her clear skin, was something that could captivate even the most unamorous of men.

Renly lowered his head in reply as he said, “Pardon me, my lady.”

Audrey flashed a bright smile before returning her gaze to the bustling streets. She observed the chaos for a few moments until she spoke up, “Let's stop here.”

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“Why, my lady?” Renly inquired curiously, knowing they had not yet arrived at their destination—Aeron’s castle—where the royal artillery was located.

She turned back to him, smiling. “I’m hungry. Are you not hungry?”

…

“This…” Renly muttered as his gaze fixed onto the red-haired siren carved on the stone façade at the entrance of the building they looked upon. “This is a brothel, my lady,” he squealed.

“I’m not blind, Renly.” Audrey chuckled, turning her eyes to the dismounted men as she said, “wait a moment.” She then made her steps gracefully towards the entrance, pushing the wooden door open as she stepped inside, Renly following behind, compelled to do so.

The air inside the brothel was thick with the mingling scents of burning candles, incense, and perfume. Natural light filtered through small windows in the walls, casting the space in a reddish glow, and the dim illumination revealed an assortment of low tables and cushions arranged for lounging. Soft music and hushed conversations from the workers filled the room, creating a gentle hum of activity.

“My lady, there are better places to seek—curses!” Renly interrupted himself, placing his palm over his eyes as soon as he caught sight of the colourful tapestries designed with exotic and sensual decorations adorning the walls.

“Even the brothel in King's city is sparsely filled during the day.” Audrey’s eyes perused the room, watching it like it was a pile of gemstones placed before her eyes.

“As is typical of such establishments. All brothels bustle at night rather than day, my lady,” Renly said, his palm still tightly placed across his eyes. “Lord Winston will not be happy that you’ve made it into yet another brothel,” he added.

“Well he won’t know now, will he?” Audrey said, smiling as she pulled his palm free from his eyes. “Let’s rest a bit before we leave.”

Just then, a worker caught sight of them and hurried over, inquiring whose service they’d be most pleased with. She had a slender shape covered by a plain gown the same colour as her brown curled hair.

Audrey gave a light smile. “We want to dine.”

The worker’s eyebrows twitched as she resigned her steps a bit, replying, “Pardon me, my lady, but we do not offer meals; a tavern would best befit that purpose.”

Audrey stretched her palm outward towards Renly, spurring a resigned sigh from him as he loosened a brown pouch filled with coins stuck to his belt and placed it on her palm.

Audrey grabbed the pouch, showing it to the worker as she let out a crafty smile. “How about a drink then?”

The worker’s eyes, glued to the pouch, sparkled slightly that it was almost unnoticeable. “Give me a moment to speak to my madame.” She sighed, then gave a bow before retreating into one of the rooms covered by a large rose-coloured curtain.

Renly let out a deep defeated exhale as he shook his head. “Was this why you gathered such a sum? I should have known.”

After a while, the worker came out of the room and gestured for them to follow her as she said, “This way, my lady.”

She led them to the best spot they had for lounging; a low table made of cherry wood with cushions made of vermilion silk, designed with intricate floral patterns and silver tassels.

“What would you like to have, my lady?” She asked as Audrey and Renly took their seats on the comfort of the cushion.

“What’s the best wine you have?”

“The red mist, my lady.”

“Then we shall have that.”