Chapter 3- A night to remember
"I have one more appointment left tonight." I tell Devar, rolling over on the small bed to look at him. There is something special about him, I knew it from the moment I first laid eyes him.
I remember the day he learned I am a girl, the red flush of his cheeks as he'd look back at me; mouth hanging open in shock as his eyes ran up the flat curving planes of my stomach. The swell of my breasts evident beneath the thin layer of my tunic, as I dropped by shirt back into place. Some part of me wonders if I bumbled my disguise that night on purpose, if some part of me that was long forgotten was straining to be free.
Devar captures my gaze once more, looking into my eyes with that serious expression again, his brow slightly furrowed. I reach over and smooth out the crease of his frown with the my thumb.
"I think a smile suits you better," I tell him. "Will you promise me that you'll keep smiling, even if I don't return." His expression turns stormy and he grabs my hand.
"If you don't come back, I'll never smile again." He promises instead. "Your not allowed to leave forever." He tells me. "Anyone but you." He whispers under his breath. I bask in the stolen moment for a breath before I stand up once again, pulling on the waist coat and winching the neck of my tunic tight to hide an Adam's apple that I don't have. It only takes me a second to reapply the light layer of makeup and pull on my heavy cloak. I shouldn't have taken it off in the first place but something always urges me to be real with Devar; As real as I get anyway. Maybe it's because I feel I owe him for what he has given me, or perhaps it's because I want to be him.
"Meet me in 3 days on the westward route out of the city. I will need supplies to play my part effectively, make sure I get them." I entreat him, hesitating for a moment at the door before slipping back into the hallway. The same entertainer who let me in the door catches my arm before I can make it to the stairs. She blushes a deep red, biting her plump, ruby painted lips.
"Sir, I would be very much obliged if you'd spend the night in my qua-quarters." She stutters nervously. "The first time will b-be on the house of course!" She exclaims when I don't answer. Shimmying her shoulders lightly to draw attention to that ample bosom. I can see the hope shinning in her warm honey eyes and I lean down with a smile as I address her. My voice deep from hours of practice that have slowly stretched my vocal range.
"You are very beautiful, my dear. Any man would be surely honored, but I am not your lucky star. Business takes me elsewhere and it cannot be delayed." I tell her, capturing one gloved hand and kissing it as I look up at her through my thick lashes with a wink.
She stands their stunned as I depart, a deep blush flushing over both cheeks as she runs off to tell the other working girls. Most people ignore or distain the women who work the street corners. But if there is anything I have learned, it is that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. The ladies of the night hold a cities darkest secrets, things only whispered in the dead of night. Gain there adoration and you gain a valuable source of information and allegiance.
I slip back out into the pouring rain and onto another narrow street, watching street corners and shadowy hollows as I make my way across town. The docks are quiet this time of night for no new boats are coming into harbor. Not with the rain and the dark adding difficulties to their navigation.
I slip under the Fordawaith bridge and wait for him to appear as I listen to the patter of rain on cobblestones.
Eventually a tall thin man emerges from the downpour, coming to sit beside me on the empty shipping crate I'm perched on.
"I am glad to see you alive and well Nightengale. It is always a pleasure." He announces, accessing me with beady eyes. I grit my teeth in response, unwilling to correct him. I know his name is a mockery and I refuse to engage in his petty games.
"Just give me the message." I insist dryly. Once more unimpressed by the Cornerstones slippery choice of messenger.
"You need to watch for knives in the dark, do not take any time reliant bait that is dangled in front of you, even if the urgency seems great." I nod in response.
"Anything else."
"If the opportunity presents itself, then the wolf must shoot down the crow." I give him a pert nod, slipping back into the streets. I linger in an alley for several moments to watch if I am being followed. I turn the slippery mans … no. I turn my leaders words over in my mind. An unsettled feeling building in my gut. The sigil of house Everett is a Raven, The duke Verdeans Sigil is that of a wolf in pursuit. His message can only mean one thing, I think as I slip into the orphanage.
Bernice meets me when I'm not two steps through the door, she flies into my arms like a long lost lover. Kissing me on the cheek and pressing her breasts up against my tightly bound chest.
I tousle her dirty blond hair, dangling a pouch of coins in front of her with a half smirk on my lips.
"Anything new for me today?" I ask as her Cupid's bow lips pull into a pout. She shakes her head and she grabs my arm as I turn to leave.
"At least have a bowl of stew!" She pleads, her soft green eyes blinking up at me.
"Oh Bernice, you know I'm about to sing at the tavern again. The patrons will be getting antzi waiting for me!" I tell her.
"Pleaaaase mister!" Says a small child in ratty clothing that is already clutching at her skirts. No doubt he was instructed to do so I think as I give a long sigh in response.
"Just this once and it has to be quick." I say, but Bernice is already bounding over to the small kitchen happily. I gaze after her, wondering what it would be like to live such a simple and happy life.
She sets the bowl of plain stew before me and I do my best not to grimace at the taste. I shovel it down my throat as quickly as I can manage and Bernice frowns at the display. Smacking the back of my head and nearly causing me to choke.
"Your going to choke and die one day! Scarfing your food down like a starving animal." She chided. The children that have slowly gathered around, giggle conspiratorially, no doubt they have been subject to similar admonishments. I stand and lean down, giving her a quick peck on the forehead.
"See you later Bern" I call as I escape out the scullery door. Her hand flies up to touch the spot and I catch the longing look she turns my way as I depart. Silly girl, I can't possibly give you what you want. I think to myself as I make my way to the tavern I have been frequenting these past months.
"Late again!" Grumbles the inn keep in a low booming voice. He leans on the bar, a lute placed in front of him next to a mug of ale. I thank him with a wink, taking both and striding to a small table in the corner of the dimly lit room. I set down my ale and sweep my cloak dramatically from my shoulders, resting it on the back of my chair. I leaning on the table next to my ale, lifting the beverage to my lips and taking a long swig.
"Ladies and gentlemen! I will be your humble entertainer tonight!" I announce in a dramatic voice as the blaggard sitting several tables down chokes on his flagon of ale.
"Humble?!" He exclaims, prompting a chuckle that resonates through the room. I ignore the rowdy voices, giving my instrument a quick tune before I break into song. The men cheers as they recognize the first verse, raising their mugs and clinking them together.
The fool sat on his throne of lies
With gold piled round his ladies
He draped them all in silk and jewels
And feasted on roast boar
A bite he took, bone and all
And down his maw it slid
He horked it down just like a hog
Til the meat struck back! It did!
Oh gold can't buy back breath!
Oh gold can't buy you love
But gold can buy you ale!
And gold can buy you song!
Mayhap if he had drank that day
A little bit of wine
Mayhap if had drank that day a
Pint of ale or nine!
That hellish hog would still be here
To drink the kingdom dry!
But gold can't buy you love
And gold can't buy you life
But beer it brings in great supply!
And wine it carts aplenty
So lest you choke
Let's drink tonight
The liquor flows in bounty!
Mayhap if he had drank that day
A little bit of wine
Mayhap if had drank that day a
Pint of ale or nine!
That hellish hog would still be here
To drink the kingdom dry!
Oh, that hellish hog would still be here
To drink the kingdom dry!
A bellow comes from the patrons as booming laughter echoes through the tavern.
"A favorite of all!" Exclaims the barkeep. Bring me a plate of bread that is already buttered "my wife Cecilia always scolds me for letting you look like a sack of bones. Put some weight he." He tells me, patting me on the back with a heavy hand as large as a dinner plate.
I stay until the early morning when even the most ardent of patrons have already filtered out the door. I end on the song lady vengeance just as I always do, before standing to take my leave. I sling my lute over my shoulder, tucking a newly fattened coin purse into my belt.