Knight’s Landing

The bottom floors of the new residential buildings were home to a number of businesses. The bottom floor of one of the residences zoned for the military officers had a small pub called "Knight's Landing." Most of the military officers chose to visit this bar at least once in a while on their off days. Jon Alexander was a frequent visitor to the pub because he was single. The pub was bright and crowded usually with lots of military men signing together or talking about their war stories. The bar itself was able to comfortably seat thirty men in an L shape with the shortest side near the front entrance. Most of the highest-ranking officers liked to sit near the exit door in the back because the front door area would inevitably become so crowded that a line would form to get in and out. There were a number of small round tables big enough for four men in this area and one of them had come to be known as the General's table since, after his normal work hours, you would always find Sir Roger Colton and some of the other top men seated there.

Roger was seated with Andrew as they talked about military experiences when Jon walked over and seated himself without saying anything. He just set a pint of ale down and then sat down his eyes still staring off into space. Andrew smiled slightly and asked, "You get fired today. Jon?"

"The untouchable woman of my dreams loves me." Jon absently said as he took a drink from his ale.

Roger and Andrew looked at each other before Roger snapped his fingers in Jon's face and asked, "Oi, look here, you aren't messing with Her Majesty I hope?"

Jon slowly shook his head, "Not quite..."

Andrew then asked, "Are you saying that Princess Teslaimia said she loved you?"

Jon slowly nodded, "I am not sure what happened, but I think I might be in serious trouble."

Roger and Andrew looked at each other and then Andrew said, "Jon, can you start from the beginning? It's not that I don't believe you, it's just that... I mean, no offense, we just think you are not really in their league."

Jon's spaced-out face returned to normal as he got a little angry with Andrew, "Hey I might be a foozler but at least I'm not a flapdoodle!"

Andrew frowned at Jon and said, "That was low, Jon!"

Roger held his hand up and said, "Enough, both of you. Jon, I really need to know more. You are around the two of them constantly, start from the beginning, why did the Princess say she loved you?"

Jon sighed and then said, "It started a few months ago. The Princess started to wear the products from her shop when I was over to Her Majesty's residence like it was just her normal house attire. I couldn't help looking alright? I mean, the Princess is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen and she was dressed like that? Find me a man who wouldn't be staring!"

He took a long drink from his ale and then continued, "Most of the outfits left almost nothing to the imagination. Almost completely see-through with just a few bits of flowery design keeping you from seeing it all." He took a deep breath, "So yesterday evening, she asked me to come over and help her with something. I had time since Her Majesty was going to be in that meeting and I was only going to be waiting outside, so I went over to their place." He looked at them both before leaning in close and speaking softer, "When I got there she was wearing this black outfit with those really high heels, lace gloves and stockings, a little black lace number with her breasts and you know what all showing. I mean, no panties even!" He closed his eyes and said, "I don't know what came over me, I grabbed her and pressed her up against the wall, kissing her and touching her. I could feel the heat from her as I pressed against her... That's when I realized what I was doing and with who... I tried to act cool and pretended it was a threat and then I left."

Roger swallowed and Andrew looked at him with his jaw hanging open as Roger said, "Fuck my life. I can't even pay a woman to act like that and you ran away!"

Andrew frowned and then said, "Get to the part where she admits she is in love with you! Damn it!"

Jon nodded at Andrew. "Today I was sitting in my normal chair in Her Majesty's office when Teslaimia came bursting into the office crying. She was pleading with Her Majesty for forgiveness and mentioned that she was in love with me and didn't realize it."

Andrew uncharacteristically pounded his drink and then called out to the bartender, "Bring us a pitcher of Ale, on this guy." He pointed to Jon.

Roger nodded and said to Andrew, "I mean, it's not even just bragging is it? This guy is basically angling for a threesome with Her Majesty and the Princess while playing the victim." He imitated Jon's voice and said, "I don't know what happened, next thing I know the two most beautiful women in the world were asking me to impregnate them."

Andrew started laughing at Roger's near-perfect imitation of Jon, "Jon you have to admit, he had you down!"

The attractive barmaid walked over and set down the pitcher of Ale and winked at Jon, "Hey Jon, it's good to see you again." She leaned over and whispered in his ear allowing Roger to see down her shirt before walked away with a seductive sway in her hips.

Andrew pointed and said, "Jon, did you already sleep with Trudy too?"

Roger shook his head and did his Jon imitation, "I was just walking down the street and I accidentally had sex with Trudy the barmaid."

Jon frowned and said, "I can't help it that I am this handsome, you guys are just jealous."

Roger shook his head and then asked, "Jon, in all seriousness, you can't casually sleep with our Empress and her consort. That goes against our oaths of knighthood."

Andrew laughed, "Lord Léon Jean Reno, Roger, you know that's not true!"

Jon frowned and then said, "Well, they invited me over this evening for dinner and cocktails."

Andrew's expression changed and then he angrily said, "Damn it, Roger is right! You can't sleep with them, it's against your oath!"

Roger called out to the Bartender, "Another pitcher of ale on Jon's tab!"

*****

Emily and Teslaimia were beautifully dressed in formal evening wear as Roland went to the door and announced, "Sir Jon Alexander." Roland extended his arm inviting Jon into the residence. As Jon turned the corner from the entrance hallway he saw Emily and Teslaimia who were seated in the living room. He sucked in a breath suddenly feeling uncomfortable is his normal knight's work uniform.

Emily motioned to the empty chair and said, "Ah, Jon, welcome. Have a seat, please. We need to discuss some things tonight. Roland, could you check with the Kitchen and let us know when we can be seated?"

Once Roland left the room Emily looked at Jon and said, "I have spoken with Mia and we have come to an understanding. The time isn't right for us to indulge in any kind of dalliance with people outside of our relationship. Mia is of course, interested in you as she made that clear today."

Teslaimia looked at Jon and said, "I'm sorry Jon, I know that I have been pushing you for a physical relationship." She looked at Emily and said, "I know that you have plenty of female companionship with other girls around the city already," She looked at Jon and said, "It would be unfair of me who is already in a relationship to offer you a half-hearted relationship built just on physical intimacy. So I will promise not to tease you anymore."

Emily nodded and softly said, "I know that I too have done similar things to tease you in the past and I would also like to ask for your forgiveness. The three of us spend a lot of time together due to the nature of your work, and I think at times, we may have imposed upon you as a man because of it."

Jon looked at both women and said, "I see. Well, if that's what you wanted to say, then I'll excuse myself."

Emily looked a little surprised, "You won't stay for dinner?"

Jon looked at them and shook his head, "Good evening ladies."

"Jon, are you angry with us?" Emily asked just as he reached the door.

Jon turned around and looked at the two of them standing beautifully in the hallway entrance, "You two care for each other, which is wonderful. I am glad that you rediscovered each other. I have listened to you explain why you won't..." He held up quote fingers, " 'Tease me' anymore. So, thank you for the wonderful apology. I'll be leaving now."

Emily asked, "Have I offended you somehow, Jon?"

He laughed and turned walking back a few steps, "You know what, it's really not worth my saying it, but I will anyway. Did you ever think to ask me about my feelings? About what I want? No, of course, you didn't. You both treat me like the help or like your lover depending on the situation and quite frankly I have had enough of it. Do you know why I have all of that female companionship you spoke of? Because being around the women I love all day every day and not being allowed to touch or admit my feelings leaves me hollow inside. I am getting off of this heartbreaking assignment starting tomorrow. I'll make sure you have another capable Knight, but it won't be me any longer." He turned and left without another word.

Emily and Teslaimia looked at each other before hugging and walking hand in hand to the dining room.

*****

Jon returned to Knight's Landing and noticed the General's table was empty so he sat down at the bar. Trudy the barmaid walked by and said, "Hey handsome, back already?"

Jon nodded and motioned to the bartender, "Whiskey... Stiff. Leave the bottle."

The bartender walked over and asked, "Rough night?"

Jon nodded, "I told two gorgeous women to stuff it."

The bartender shook his head, "If it wasn't for the way women can treat a fella, I don't think I'd have any business."

Jon downed the first shot of whiskey and then poured himself another, "You ever joust before, Mike?"

The Bartender nodded, "I was a Hedge Knight in my youth, I did the tournament circuit through Eurment." He pointed to a family crest on the wall, "I ended up here after getting conscripted for the last crusade. Took an arrow to the knee and ended up putting roots down here in Connaissance."

Jon asked, "A woman?"

Mike nodded at him and said, "I couldn't make a living through war anymore and she was a nice girl. Why did you ask about jousting?"

"That's what I have been doing with these women. I was racing headfirst into that lance. I knew it was going to hurt, but I put my head down and stared right into it as I charged." Jon downed the second shot pouring a third.

Mike smiled and said, "I know what you mean, you think the glory, the victory is going to feel better than the pain of hitting that lance."

Jon nodded and said, "You know in your head that you have a one in however many knights there are chance of winning, but you trust in your heart and skill to be the one who makes it to the end."

Mike nodded as he cleaned out a few of the glasses, "So you got knocked off your horse then?"

Jon shook his head, "I won the tournament. The Empress just decided that she wasn't happy with the quality of the opponents and decided to extend the tournament instead of giving me the prize I earned. I threw my lance down and said to hell with taking any more lances. If I can't have the prize, why the hell should I bother?"

Mike shook his head and said, "There were a lot of knights who were in the circuit not just for the prize, they were in it just for the thrill of staring down that lance."

Jon slammed another shot, "Well not this Knight." He poured another shot and slammed it as well, "I only fight for the prize."

Mike took the bottle and said, "There isn't going to be a prize at the bottom of this bottle. You should go home and get a good night's sleep. Go out and eat a tasty breakfast, try not to think about them. There are plenty of beautiful women in this world, but a good woman is harder to find."

Jon reached into his pocket and pulled out a few Sprite and left it on the counter. Mike cleared his throat, "I need a hundred Sprite. Your friends charged up a few rounds on you after you left."

Jon looked annoyed as he took out the rest of his cash and set it on the counter. "It's my lucky day."