“Halt!” Garett shouted after he had seen the Master raise his hand. The whole party came to a complete stop and began to dismount. Their legs hurt from riding for the better part of the day, and each one of them were relieved to be off their horses. “Attention!” Garett shouted again and everyone looked at the Master. “I want you all to listen closely, as I will only say this once,” he began with an air of caution.
“This is mainly directed to the juniors of the party, so I will be curt. Where we’re about to enter is full of influential people and politicians from all four countries. They will be scattered around the palace, so mind who you talk to and how you talk to them. As tempted as you may be to try and do something out of league simply because you think I won’t be watching or hearing about it later, don’t,” he said with his intonation falling heavily on the last word.
The younger ones swallowed hard and tried to keep a straight face.
“Not that I expect you to, but you’ve been warned,” he said. Bernar grinned, trying to hide it from the others. “Don’t forget. Simply because we’re amidst other people, and important ones at that, never be caught off guard. Do you understand?” he said sternly. “Yes, Master,” everyone said in unison. He nodded and turned on his toes - like he had the night before - and proceeded towards the stairway.
“You heard what he said?”, Batch asked. “Yeah, I find it rather odd how they would simply all be here at once without something bigger going on,” Irun replied. I wonder what he’s not telling us, Thoma thought.
At the top of the stairway, they were met by a short man with graying slicked back hair and a large stomach. He was clean shaven, and wore the Coltend’s colors on his doublet. “Welcome, Masters,” he said bowing low. “My name’s Fulco, and I am honored to be the one tending to your needs on behalf of King Truls,” he said cheerily, and the wrinkles around his eyes scrunched up. “We’re honored to have been invited,” the Master replied. “Tell me, good man, where might our accommodations be?” he asked plaintively.
“Follow me, good sirs,” Fulco replied with a motion, and they walked through the doorway. Once inside, they saw the tall granite pillars that supported the great roof, lathered in carvings of grandeur and battles from times past. On the walls were six stained glass windows that had depictions of the six gods, one for each window. The floor had the red strip of carpet leading all the way down the hallway to the end of the large room.
Benches were placed in rows facing the back of the room, where the king and queen would sit. They didn’t make a sound as they walked down the length of the room, silent as it was. The boys were astonished at the level of detail that was put into the pillars and windows. If only Edryd were awake to see this, Thoma thought.
“This way, please,” Fulco called out and turned to the left wing of the room where there was yet another stairway. They followed him up the stairs, and on the walls they saw paintings of the old captains of the Guard, depicted in fine oil paintings. “I’m just going to assume he’s taking us to the barracks portion of the palace,” Irun said. He had been hoping to sleep on a comfortable bed for once. “Seems like that’s where we’ll be sleeping,” Batch replied. Thoma was in too much awe to come up with any intelligible response. “You will have all of the necessary items to take care of yourselves and your equipment, so shut up for now,” Bernar whispered back.
They continued walking for a few minutes, down the corridors and through the doorways, taking it all in.
“We’ve arrived,” Fulco said promptly, pushing open a door to a large room with numerous beds lined up beside the walls. Batch spotted a hallway that looked like it led to a bathing area, and nudged Irun excitedly.
“I shall summon the servants to take your…” he paused, getting a glance at Thoma, Batch and Irun’s armor that still had a few bloodstains from the battle earlier in the day. His eyes opened wide. “My goodness, is that…?” he began. “Yes, it is good sir,” the Master cut him off. “We’d very much appreciate it if the servants could assist us in getting their garments all cleaned up by tomorrow,” the Master said politely. “I-I-I assure you they’ll be cleaned by then,” Fulco said with a slight bit of disgust in his voice. “Thank you for your troubles,” the Master said, and Fulco scurried off to find the servants.
The Master turned around and smiled. “He turned about as green as the blood on your armor, boys,” he said. It was the first time anyone aside from Bernar or Master Garett had heard him say something with a hint of humor. The boys weren’t entirely sure it had been meant as a joke, so they grinned nervously as a result. “Let’s get cleaned up and get some food in our bellies,” Bernar suggested to everyone. “Yes, I’m aching to try their apple cobbler. I hear it’s superb,” the Master said.
“Never would have taken you for having a sweet tooth, Master,” a voice came from behind. They all turned towards the direction of the voice. It was a servant girl. Her hair was covered by a red head wrap but for a single strand of black hair that hung from the brim down to her pale cheek. Her deep green eyes flicking from one person to the next indicated that she felt as though she had done wrong. Gods above, she’s gorgeous! Thoma thought.
“I didn’t even hear you approaching, young one,” the Master said, genuinely surprised. No one had heard or seen her coming. “I’m sorry,” she said quickly. “I had no intention to startle you. Especially not all dressed up like that in fancy armor,” she said. “Not at all! It’s alright,” the Master said warmly. Thoma still hadn’t taken his eyes off of her when she caught his glance with hers. He briefly blinked and shook his head, trying to wake up from the trance her beauty had put him in. Bernar saw it, and grinned lightly.
“What is your name, child?” the Master asked calmly. “My name is Meliss, Master,” she said timidly. “Well, Meliss, would you do us all a favor and take our garments to have them cleaned? I’m sure Fulco has probably already instructed you to do so,” the Master said. “Yes, of course, Master,” she replied quickly. “But, they need to be off your bodies for me to wash them, Master,” she said quietly.
The Master smiled and turned. “You heard the young lady. Strip,” he said. The younger synners looked at each other seeking counsel. None came. None of the youngsters had been in their undergarments in front of a lady before, let alone entirely naked, so most were apprehensive to be in that state.
“Except for the females who will change in the bathing area, the rest of you go ahead. Now,” the Master said sternly with a slight tilt in his head, and they reluctantly began removing their jerkins. Thoma blushed, but with a nudge from his brother, he began to remove his armor. He tried to avoid eye contact with Meliss so as not to make the situation more awkward than it already was.
Meliss felt almost nothing seeing them strip. It was a common thing for maids and servants to wait on other people to undress, so they could take their clothes. To her it was nothing more than a few bloodstained people changing their attire. To Thoma on the other hand, it was the most embarrassing experience he had ever had in his life. First impressions are everything, right? he thought.
How can she be so beautiful, and yet be unphased by everyone being naked in front of her? It seems cruel that someone would have to see so many different people in their birthday suits enough times to become numb like that. Especially at her age, he thought while mentally admiring her beauty.
He quickly finished undressing, as did the others, and they placed their jerkins and undergarments into a small trolley she brought. She smiled at Thoma when he put his bloodstained jerkin into the hamper. He froze on the inside, butterflies doing somersaults in his stomach, but he kept his arms and legs moving so as not to appear as though the winged creatures fluttered within.
He caught her gaze. She knew.
Fuuuuck, he thought.
He stepped away from the trolley without turning around, and she watched him. She couldn’t have been much older than he was, and yet they connected in a way that he had never even known or heard about.
“Well, then,” the Master said, clearing his throat after noticing the connection between the two. “Oh,” Meliss said, breaking her train of thought. “Right away, Master,” she said and scurried out of the room. She almost ran into the frame of the door on her way out. Her mind was somewhere else entirely.
Bernar laughed at Thoma after she had left. “For someone as quiet as she was when she arrived, she was a bit clumsy on her way out. Although, she didn’t even have to say a fuckin’ word, and she’s got your prick all tied up in a knot,” he said in jest. “What, I can’t think someone’s beautiful, now?” Thoma asked. “Of course you can, just don’t get hung up on one of them,” Bernar said. “Just take my word for it,” he cautioned. “Alright, alright! I get it,” Thoma retorted somewhat reluctantly.
“Gentlemen,” Fulco called out, relieved to not see bloodstained clothing everywhere. They all turned to face him. He was walking through the doorway with two servants just then, each carrying a bundle of clean, red, linen undergarments. “These are for you after you bathe and, if you so wish, you may keep them when you leave. We are as generous as we can be with our guests,” he said with an air of pride.
“Thank you,” the Master said, grabbing one from the pile. The two servants began handing them out according to size. Comments on the softness and smoothness of the undergarments came en masse, and others could simply not fathom the quality of the material. “I will leave a servant for you just outside the door should you need anything be it food or drink,” Fulco said.
“Thank you, dear Fulco,” The Master said. “I think now we shall all retire, for tomorrow is a big day from what I hear,” he continued. “Oh very much so, Master,” Fulco said, with some excitement. And there it is again, Thoma thought. “I leave you to it,” Fulco said as he bowed and walked out the door.
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