“I think the captain and Aster are over that way.” Elwin motioned in the direction he had come from.
The three of them wove their way back in that direction. Valor tilting his head this way and that as he picked up bits of conversation. Prin wondered what he could be thinking about. Probably that Elwin was a third wheel and he wished it were just him and Prin again.
Elwin fished something out of his pocket. “I almost forgot. I figured you would . . . be too shy to take something from the jewelry stash so I got you something myself.”
Elwin went around behind Prin and fastened a necklace around his neck. The heavy blood-red beads had a golden spider hanging from a golden thread, as though it were a web it was spinning.
Prin looked down at the spider, it was almost too real, if not for the glint of gold. It didn’t matter though, his neck had felt rather naked anyway without the lucky coin talisman. He smiled at Elwin. “Thank you. I hope Captain Thompson doesn’t mind.”
“He won’t care.” Valor waved his hand.
In addition to the band, a variety of different entertainments had sprung up for the guests to walk up and view at their own pace. A juggling act with a man and woman dressed as court jesters passing increasingly dangerous looking items back and forth was set up on the other side of the room. Surprisingly enough, the crowd in front of it was small, people apparently drawn to a bigger attraction nearby.
A large group of people were standing around Captain Cornelius Thompson, listening with eager attention to every word he spoke.
“So the tike swung this sword, big as he was and almost as heavy. With all his might! Really put his back into it, see?” As the captain was talking he swung his arm back and almost hit a lady that was standing too closely behind him. “Sorry ‘bout that, out of the way a bit if you please. My stories take up space.”
The crowd dutifully moved away a little, tittering with excited energy.
“He slices that vile mutineer right through the guts! All his internals going external all of a sudden like. But in the process the boy managed to slice his own thumb clean off, dunno how he did it. He didn’t even notice ‘til the man was on the ground and he had pulled some rings off his hands see? We aint opposed to looting the dead, us being pirates and all, it’s nothing to clutch pearls over. Usually though, the cabin boy wouldn’t get share in the loot, not ‘til he’s older and graduated to real crew. If he makes it that long! Anyway, under the circumstances we made an exception. He took those rings and went to put them on his own fingers. Grinnin’ like the cat that ate the goddess’s goose, he were. All triumphant. Went to put ‘em on and fainted dead away when he seen he was down a whole finger since this morning.” Captain Thompson laughed, deep rolling laughter that made him hold his belly. “Course it may have just been the blood loss. Leaking like a sieve he was.”
Most of the fancy party goers laughed loudly along with him, only a few looking quietly appalled. They immediately began talking over each other with questions and urging him on to another tale.
Aster noticed them standing toward the back of the crowd and left the captain’s side to wriggle through the people to get to them.
There must have been something, a look on Prin’s face of surprise or incomprehension (both would have been somewhat accurate to what he was feeling), because she put her hand on his arm and hastened to reassure.
“The elite love a little blood and guts.” Aster gave him a toothy grin.
“It’s in their nature.” Valor agreed.
Prin refrained from pointing out that Valor was one himself, as he was no doubt aware. Prin certainly didn’t feel predisposed to such things, blood and violence. It was more of a recent interest.
“My beautiful boys.” Aster looped her arm through Prin’s and her other arm through Elwin’s. “You know . . .” She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. “You’re better than these people, not the other way around.”
Prin felt his cheeks grow hot. “So are you.”
Aster giggled. “I know it!” She walked along with them.
Prin realized quickly that Valor was being left behind and took his hand.
The four of them must have made quite a sight walking all attached together and decked out in flowers. A lot of people turned to look, and Prin couldn’t help noticing the way that some of them looked at Aster. A look of wanting, he could understand. But on some faces, a look of disgust.
Aster cast her warm eyes, dark honey colored in the candlelight, up to Prin’s. “Never mind them, Prin, they . . . think they know me, what I’m all about. And I guess they don’t like what they think they know. Don’t worry about it. I’ve long since given up being offended.”
“I guess you’re a pretty eye-catching figure around town, like a celebrity.” Elwin said.
“This is true. Half the people in here come to Mama Kris’s place, maybe more then half. For one reason or another. Not all to see me.” Aster laughed at the thought.
“Women don’t like it when their husbands and sons go to brothels.” Valor said. He had been walking along so placidly, not making demands or being a pain about anything, Prin had half thought he fell asleep, or was sick from the drink.
“Even though it greatly improves their disposition, go figure!” Aster said playfully.
“It does seem to work that way with my father.” Valor agreed.
Prin could swear they were warming to each other. Right?
As they were walking around the room, the first band departed, replaced by twin harpists dueting. A lilting love ballad filled the ballroom, and a few tipsy couples danced.
Aster steered them in that direction, clearly eager to have a closer look.
They were lithe creatures with long black hair filled with trailing silk ribbons and old-fashioned white dresses that flowed shapelessly around their bodies. Identical in every respect, except that one was singing the male part and one the female part in the ballad.
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Valor listened with rapt attention to their song, leaning forward as though if Prin released his hand he would drift right into the middle of the concert. Prin supposed he would do it too, so he held on. Aster, also, head tilted to the side, seemed to be adding the song and lyrics to her mental collection of such things, perhaps to sing it herself later in her own style.
After a couple of songs the two took a synchronized bow and departed, to be replaced with the previous band again, and the four of them wandered away.
Valor said. “Could you pass me a drink?”
“How about some more snacks first?” Prin suggested. He hated to refuse a plain request like that, not really feeling it was his business to do so. But he knew from books that people could become ill from over indulgence in alcohol, though not from personal experience.
“Ooo, I could always eat!” Aster said enthusiastically. “You know, after all these shows and attractions at this party, I can hardly imagine what the surprise will be.”
“Surprise?” Elwin asked. Prin did not believe he particularly liked surprises.
“Freya has been promising some sort of surprise for tonight. Maybe a big magic trick? Or fireworks?” Aster said.
The servers passed with what looked like tiny sandwiches and they each took one to try.
“Garlic sesame seed bread, thin roast beef with caramelized onions and cheese.” Valor said. “I’m not sure what the sauce is.”
“A type of brown mustard I think.” Elwin said.
“Isn’t he amazing?” Prin asked Elwin.
“That was an easy one.” Valor protested. “And I didn’t even get the sauce.”
“Is this a game? A contest?” Elwin wondered.
“I thought you didn’t eat meat?” Aster asked.
“Oh yeah.” Prin said sheepishly. “I guess I should have warned you this one was meat.”
“No, it’s okay. This is a special occasion.” Valor said. “I might change my mind and go back to being a carnivore after tonight.”
Aster laughed. “You are a bit thin, darling, a little red meat couldn’t hurt anything.”
“He’s still growing.” Elwin said.
“Just a sweet little baby.” Aster said.
“Sto-op, nothing about me is sweet.” Valor grumped.
Prin couldn’t help but laugh. He was having such a good time that he had to forcibly remind himself that he had a mission. He could just barely see a hint of Freya’s pink dress, as she was essentially gobbled up by the crowd of people trying to chat with her. An even bigger crowd then the captain’s. Not the right time yet, then.
“Won’t Captain Thompson be disappointed that you left him?” Prin asked Aster.
“Oh well, maybe eventually. But he was launching into another story as we walked away, so he should be okay for a while.” Aster laughed. “I believe I have heard them all already.”
They took champagne from another server and stood still for a moment while drinking it.
“He likes to hear himself talk.” Valor said.
“Other people seem to be enjoying it too!” Prin pointed out, still amazed that these rich fancy people would want to hear stories of gore and criminality, so far from their own experiences and, one would think, pretty scary to them.
“Of course. He’s a fascinating man.” Aster said.
“I’m surprised you didn’t join the crowd, Prin.” Elwin said. “There was a time you would have gotten in line to hear stories from a pirate.” He winked.
They wandered around for a while, doing a lot of people watching and some drinking and snack eating. No one really tried to talk to them, a fact that Prin was grateful for. The crowd seemed to thin out a little, perhaps some leaving, or spreading out to other places in the mansion for their own mysterious purposes.
Later then Prin had expected, Valor finally requested a bathroom.
“Are you sick, or do you just have to pee?” Prin asked as they headed toward where the server had pointed.
“Some of each.” Valor said.
“I tried to warn you.” Prin sighed.
“I can hold my liquor.” Valor said firmly.
“Something to be proud of at not quite fifteen?” Elwin teased.
“Keep talking. If I do have to throw up I will aim it toward the sound of your voice.” Valor said.
Thankfully they found the bathroom before it came to that.
Elwin went in with Valor in case he needed help, and because he also had to pee.
Once they had gone out of ear shot, Prin turned to Aster.
“You like him, don’t you? Once you get to know him . . . he can be endearing.” Prin prompted.
“Who, Valor?” Aster nodded. “When the calamities ease off a little, he’s not so bad.”
Prin smiled. “I’m glad you think so. Listen, I know we only have a few minutes before they come back, but can I ask you something?”
“Well, you can ask me anything, darling. What’s stopping you?” Aster said.
“Okay.” Prin took a deep breath. “So, why don’t you let Captain Thompson just pay Mama Kris to release you. It’s the easiest thing to do. I’m sure he would do it.”
Aster’s eyes went wide as she looked up at Prin. “What on earth, where’s this coming from?”
“I have not stopped thinking about helping you.” Prin admitted shyly. “But when we saw . . .” he lowered his voice. “You know . . . that thing outside Mama Kris’s place . . . the man who owed money and tried to run . . . Anyway, it was discouraging. And I think if there is any easy route to just appease her and make her let you go, we should just take it.”
“I’m not sure she would let me go for any amount of money.” Aster said. “Maybe in ten years, when I’m old and tired.”
“Let’s say she will, let’s just say, what if she will?” Prin said. He didn’t want to tell Aster that they had talked to Mama Kris and what that had been like, not right now.
“Okay, for the sake of argument, what if she will. If Captain Thompson bought me out, I would belong to him. I tried that before, being kept. Do you know what that means? It’s like having one client forever, like being a professional mistress, you know? They pay for your room and board in a nice house or apartment as well as everything you want and need, and then come see you just whenever they’re of a mind to. It works out good for some people. But, Prinny it is so terribly boring, I couldn’t stand it and had to give all that up and run away. Boring and lonely.”
“No, no, it wouldn’t be like that with him. I think he might be in love with you.” Prin said. “Of course you would move into his house, not a separate place. And the kids . . . well, you are halfway there with Valor. As far as Wrena, she will be difficult but on the bright side she seems to have an active social life and isn’t at home a lot.”
“Do you think I want to marry Cornelius?” Aster gave him an incredulous look. “Didn’t I tell you my job was customer service? Part of the service is making them fall in love with you a little bit. It’s all, it’s an act. You know?” Aster gave a cheesy fake grin. “To be happy, and cheery, and sweet, all the time. And sexy, and cool. And ideal, idealized. Fake. I’m fond of Captain Thompson, but I don’t love him. And he doesn’t love me. Because he doesn’t even know me.” She looked down at her shoes, as though secretly a little ashamed of all this, or just embarrassed to be talking about it in a public place. “And maybe you don’t either.”
Prin felt a lump in his throat, and his voice came out a little funny. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that. You’re right, I don’t understand. But I’m sorry.”
Aster lifted her head up and smiled, taking his hand in both of hers. “No, I am. I shouldn’t have said that to you. You’re only trying to help, right?”
“I don’t know anything. I’ve been in a tower for seventeen years. With only books and one friend.” Prin felt tears prickle the corners of his eyes.
Aster laughed. “What are you talking about? You’re fine. What me and you have.” She pointed at Prin and herself. “That’s real. No money exchanged hands. We just haven’t been friends long enough to learn everything about each other yet. Give it time. You’ll know all my secrets.”
Prin wiped away a tear with the back of his hand. But I can never tell you mine.
“I like that necklace. Where did it come from?” Aster asked idly, trying to change the subject. “Oh, wait, look.” She pointed across the room.
Freya, the witch of the pink dress, was donning a robe again and going around a hidden little corner, waving away a group of her friends.
It looked like she was saying, shoo, don’t follow me, I’ll be back in a minute.
“Well, she’s either going to her own private bathroom or, she is going to prepare something for the big surprise.” Aster said. “You should try and follow her! Not into the bathroom but, you know, right to the door. It might be your only chance. If you can just get a minute or two of her time you can make an appointment for a longer interview! Umm tell her, not too much. Be intriguing.”
“I don’t know. What if someone tries to stop me?” Prin fretted.
“Go, hurry! She’s getting away.” Aster urged. “Just act confident.”
The prince, thinking confident thoughts and patting the pocket that held his carefully prepared notes, hurried after the witch.