Capter 1, Pages 1-4
The
sun was setting, red streaks of light shot across the azure sky
making it look as if the sky was bleeding. A brisk wind began to
blow from the north bringing with it a cold wintery chill causing her
breath to crystallize with each exhale. Pulling her cloak tighter
around her shoulders, she turned her head into the wind.
“How
much further do we have before we reach Geal,” Rielari questioned
the grouper she was riding.
It
shook it’s horse like head, “Not far.”
Rielari
settled back on it’s broad shoulders, her journey was not over but
Geal would be a wonderful distraction. The bright lights of the city
were visible in the distance and Rielari urged the grouper into a
faster gate.
The
boisterous noises emanating from Geal grew as Rielari approached.
The town of thieves was a dangerous place for the unaware and naïve.
Bright fabrics draped over everything, making the place look alive
and vibrant. A sweet aroma filled her senses as she took a deep
breath, perhaps cinnamon she thought.
“Rielari?”
A shout came from the door to a colorful brothel.
Rielari
turned towards the melodious voice, standing in the doorway was a
short woman, overly rounded in all the right places. She smiled
inwardly, of course out of all the people in Geal, Brinarey would be
the first to greet her.
“God
it is you, get over here,” Brinarey sauntered over to the grouper
and placed a knowing hand on it’s neck.
“How’s
business,” Rielari smiled down at the Mistress of The Hidden
Treasure.
Brinarey’s
round nose wrinkled in distaste, “Not so well these days.”
Rielari
shook her head with understanding, “Shall we talk more inside.”
A crowd was beginning to form making her nervous, a boy of perhaps
twelve tried in vain to pick her pockets. She swatted his useless
effort away without a backwards glance.
“Yes,
follow me,” Brinarey gestured for Rielari to dismount. Gingerly
taking Rielari’s hand she led her to the small stable behind the
brothel. It was in need of repair, the rotting wooden door protested
their entry. The straw on the floor was molding and smelled of old
manure, dried blood, and stale sweat.
Brinarey
shrugged her shoulders apologetically, “Business has been real
slow.”
Rielari
unbuckled the saddle, slipping it from the groupers back and tossed
it over the stall door. Reaching for a brush in the bucket next to
the stall, she began to groom it’s thick fur. Finished, she looked
around for fresh hay to cover the filthy floor. Throwing an armful
of the yellow scratchy stuff around the groupers feet it began to
relax. Brinarey brought warm oats, handing them to Rielari silently.
“You
will have to go to the pump outside for fresh water,” Brinarey said
over her shoulder.
Rielari
shook her head, it was just like Brinarey, she never wanted to do any
hard labor unless it involved a bedroom. Sighing loudly she trudged
to the water pump, the bucket underneath the spigot was full of
stagnant water. With disgust, she kicked the bucket over. Rolling
her sleeves up she grasped the cold metal handle and began to pump.
Gradually water spewed into the awaiting bucket.
Rielari
walked back into the stables and emptied the water into the trough.
The grouper greedily lapped up the cool liquid. Feeling that that
was all she could do for it’s comfort, Rielari closed the stable
door.
The
back door to the brothel was adjacent to the stable entrance. With a
hurried pace Rielari walked in to the warm interior. It took awhile
for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, and the thick incense
that perfumed the air with sickeningly strong odors. Jasmine seemed
to be the primary smell today, which brought a smile to Rielari’s
face. It was a sweet flavor and it covered the
ever present aroma of
sex that lingered in the air. The first actual room Rielari entered
functioned as a kitchen and the head cook was leaning over a steaming
pot of stew. His long greasy black hair was pulled back and tied
with a thin strap of rawhide. The sleeves on his shirt were rolled
to his protruding elbows and as he stirred the slop a rather loud
belch escaped his slack jaw.
“Smell’s
good, Joreb,” Rielari chuckled slightly behind the large man.
Joreb
spun on his feet almost gracefully and smiled, “Lady Rielari, it’s
been awhile since you’ve graced us with your beauty.”
Rielari
returned Joreb’s smile, “I’m just passing through.”
Joreb
turned back to his stew, “You say that every time.”
Rielari
chuckled as she pushed open the swinging door to exit the kitchen, “I
will see you at dinner.”
Joreb
waved over his shoulder and continued stirring his stew, with a grunt
he dismissed her.
The
doors swung shut as Rielari entered the dinning area. Asunjia, the
cooks wife was setting the tables for the entertainers. She was a
very short lady, only reaching Rielari’s waist. Unlike her husband,
Asunjia’s hair was very short and reddish in color.
“Ai
heer me mon givin ye a herd taime,” Asunjia’s spoke over her
shoulder, never turning from her task.
Rielari
smiled gently at the older woman, “He always does.” Most people
found it hard to understand the woman but Rielari had grown up here
and was quit used to her slurred words.
“Ai
ope yar staaing fer sooper,” Asunjia said as Rielari was leaving
the dinning area.
“That’s
the plan,” Rielari said over her shoulder as the door shut. The
hallway she entered was well lit compared to the rest of the
establishment and she could move more quickly without fear of falling
over anything. It was a side of the brothel the patrons never saw.
Agilely
climbing the steep back stairwell, Rielari expertly navigated the
narrow hall. It was the secret passage between rooms, the
entertainers used them frequently. She was quiet familiar with them,
having played in them as a child.
Finding
the green door, Rielari tapped once then knocked three times. The
door slide open effortlessly on well greased hinges and a beautiful
petite woman stood aside. Rielari entered the bedchamber fluidly and
closed the hidden panel behind her.
“Yislon,
I’ve missed you,” Rielari whispered, tenderly stroking the smaller
woman’s pale face.