“You have a message from Lord Ganflin,” Harlondo said by way of greeting. His voice was high and almost feminine.
Lee handed him the letter and waited as he broke the seal and read.
“I see,” said Harlondo, putting the letter in his pocket. “Greetings my lords and ladies. Welcome to the house of Lord Ganflin. I have instructions to treat you as I would Lord Ganflin himself. Clearly he holds you in high regard.” He gave a loud whistle and four young boys ran from the house. “Your horses will be well-tended and your belongings brought to your rooms. Will you be sleeping separately, or shall I have couple’s suites prepared?”
“Individually will be fine,” Lee answered.
Harlondo raised an eyebrow. “Excellent. Please, come with me.”
“You didn’t want a couple’s suite did you?” Lee whispered to Gewey, trying to hide a smile. Gewey clenched his jaw and shot him a dirty look.
The inside of the manor was even more impressive than the outside. On either side of the large foyer sat marble basins filled with perfumed water that filled the air with the scent of lavender. Beyond the foyer, an alabaster staircase led upward before splitting into two spirals that led to opposite sides of the house. The polished marble walls were covered with elaborate tapestries and fine oil paintings depicting members of the Ganflin family in various heroic acts. To the far left were large double doors that led to the formal dining room, and in the corner was a smaller wooden door that provided access to the rear chambers. On the right side of the room were three separate doors leading to the studies and offices. Directly behind the stairs, a huge archway opened up to a ballroom where an exquisite crystal chandelier hung from the vaulted ceiling. Though the room was currently unused, it was well-lit, and the lights beamed and reflected from around the steps to sparkle against the pink marble floor.
“We have hot showers in each room,” Harlondo informed them. “However, a bath can be prepared if you prefer.”
“A shower?” Gewey asked. “What-”
“Showers will be fine,” Lee said, cutting him off.
“Martin will show you to your rooms,” Harlondo continued, motioning to a tall, silver-haired man in a straight cut, blood red suit and jacket. “I have business to attend to, but I’ll be joining you for dinner this evening. I can see you’ve traveled light, so a change of clothing will be brought up directly.”
“Thank you, Harlondo,” Lee said graciously. “That would be much appreciated.”
Harlondo bowed and took his leave. Gewey smiled, thinking Lee was right at home in this environment.
Martin led them upstairs and to the left. At the end of the hall, they turned right and were shown to their rooms in turn. Gewey couldn’t believe his eyes when he entered his own suite; it was as big as the common room of most inns. An oak feather bed-large enough for three grown men-sat flush against the right wall, and to its left was a glass dressing table and mirror. In the far right corner was a small, round breakfast table with two chairs, and beyond that stood a tall, carved mahogany wardrobe with polished brass handles.
In the near left corner was by far the most interesting feature: a round curtain hung from the ceiling, above a section of black tile. Gewey pulled back the curtain and saw three copper pipes protruding from the ceiling. The first of the pipes hung about a foot from the eight-foot ceiling. At the end of the pipe was a cone- shaped attachment with tiny holes drilled into the solid facing. The other two pipes ran down to his chest, each with a small brass handle. Attached to each handle was a tray; one held a small bar of soap and the other a square piece of pink coral. He knew what the soap was for, but had he no idea what purpose the coral might serve. Curious, Gewey grabbed one of the handles and turned. Water sprayed down from the pipe and poured on his head. It was hot-scalding hot. He screamed in shock and leapt away. He watched the water spill onto the tile and swirl down a recessed drain in the center.
Gewey heard Lee laughing behind him. “I was just coming to show you how to use that. I guess I’m a bit late.”
“This must be a shower,” he said as water dripped down his face. He wasn’t looking at Lee at all. “What a marvel!”
“I thought you’d like it,” Lee said. “Dina’s showing Kaylia how to use hers now.”
Lee showed Gewey how to adjust the water temperature by manipulating the handles and explained that the coral was used to scrub off dead skin.
“Be careful with it though,” Lee warned. “Scrub too hard and you’ll peel your skin right off.”
Gewey relished his first shower. He had never felt anything like it, and he swore that when he finally returned home, he would build one for himself.
Martin came in during his shower and announced that he had placed Gewey’s belongings next to the wardrobe and laid out fresh clothing on the bed.
“Your friends will join you in the parlor,” Martin told him. “It’s to the left from your room, at the end of the hall.”
When Gewey stepped out of the shower, he felt refreshed-more so than after a good night’s sleep even. The clothing Martin had brought was every bit as fine as the suit Lee had bought for him for his coming of age party, which he’d had to leave behind in Gristol. It was a cream silk shirt with gold buttons and gold stitching, along with a pair of shining black trousers. A short black jacket, soft leather shoes, and a belt with a gold buckle completed the ensemble. Gewey quickly dressed, but as he was about to head to the parlor, there was a knock on his door. Gewey gaped as a young woman in a baby blue housedress stood smiling in the doorway, a small basket propped against her hip.
“Lord Starfinder said that you were in need of grooming,” she said, scrutinizing Gewey. “I can see he was correct. Please sit down.” She motioned towards the chair in front of the dressing table.
Gewey wasn’t sure what to do, so he complied. “How long will this take? My friends are waiting in the parlor for me.”
“Your friends are being tended too as well,” she assured him. “To think of beautiful young women in such a state. Your elf friend-what was her name?”
“Kaylia.”
“Yes, Kaylia,” she continued, brushing the knots from his curls. “Such a lovely girl. Elsa couldn’t wait to get her hands on that one. Elves have such natural beauty. But when Elsa’s finished with her, she’ll be a goddess. The other one too. Celandine. That one is accustomed to less dirt and grime, if you ask me. Such a gorgeous complexion on her. Well tended skin and hair. It’s nice to see women who know how to take care of themselves. Don’t get me wrong, elves take care of themselves too, but it’s just different.” For the next hour, the woman talked and talked as she worked.
Gewey chuckled at the thought of Kaylia being fussed over and made up.
After a while, he found the process wasn’t so bad. The girl shaved him, then rubbed a sweet smelling cream on his face, letting it dry as she trimmed his hair. When she wiped the cream off with a warm towel, his skin felt alive, as if it had never felt the air before. ‘So this is how a lord lives,’ he thought. ‘No wonder they always look so healthy and clean.’
By the time she was done, he almost didn’t recognize himself. He had never spent much effort grooming. He cut his own hair most of the time. Occasionally one of the women of the village would do it instead, but none had ever made him look so…lord-like. Refreshed and filled with a new confidence, he thanked the woman and headed down the hall to the parlor. Lee was already there, sitting in a large cushioned chair and sipping a glass of brandy. He was wearing a navy blue suit and jacket, and an ash walking stick with a silver knob was leaning on the side of his chair.
Lee smiled as Gewey entered. “Now you look presentable. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
“Thank you,” said Gewey. “It feels different.”
“We still have plenty of daylight,” Lee observed. “I thought we should see if Dina can make contact with her people. I also think we should make contact with Lord Ganflin’s friends at the Frog’s Wishbone.”
“Don�
�t you two look handsome?” Dina remarked as she walked in. Kaylia followed close behind.
Gewey’s jaw dropped when he saw them. Dina was wearing a dark blue satin dress that hugged her figure lightly. Her hair was lifted away from her face and tied with a silver band, allowing it to fall loosely down her back. Kaylia wore a smooth silver dress with a small diamond cut in the midriff. Her hair was left down but Elsa had added shining gold strands that caught the light when she moved.
“By the Gods…” Gewey gasped.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” Dina teased. She did a little twirl, causing the skirt of her dress to swish and spin around her.
Kaylia, on the other hand, looked very displeased. “I refuse to go out in public in this,” she growled. “How am I expected to fight in this if something happens?”
“Don’t worry,” Lee assured her. “You’ll be back in your old clothes before you know it. I admit it’s a bit early for such attire, but they probably assumed we intended to stay in until the evening.”
“Actually, I think we should do just that,” Dina suggested. “My people are hard to find in the daytime, but I know where to find them after dark. We should wait until then.”
“Excellent,” Lee said. “I asked Martin about the Frog’s Wishbone, and he said it’s a very nice establishment. It turns out Lord Ganflin bought it a few years back and completely remodeled the place.”
“He should have changed the name, if you ask me,” Dina said. “It sounds like a low-class tavern.”
“Maybe, but from what I’ve been told, it’s anything but,” Lee replied. “The good news is that we can keep wearing these fine clothes a while longer.”
“Wonderful,” Kaylia grumbled.
Just then, Martin walked in, followed by three men carrying a lute, a harp, and a flute. He served everyone a glass of honeyed wine as the musicians began playing softly. Gewey took a seat and allowed the music take him. The songs were sweet and intricate-much different from the music he had heard at the taverns, or even at the festival of Gerath. When the first song was over, he actually sighed.
“There’s so much left for you to experience,” Lee said to Gewey, noticing the boy’s expression. “When all this is over, I promise to show you as much as you want to see.”
“That would be great. But right now, I wonder if I’ll ever see home again, much less the rest of the world.”
“You’ll see your village again,” Kaylia vowed. She had been listening to the music as well, but now a fire lit her eyes. “That I promise.” Gewey smiled, but he was saddened with thoughts of home.
They talked until dusk, keeping the conversation lighthearted. When Lee noticed the fading daylight, he called for Martin.
“Will you be dining here tonight?” Martin asked.
“No,” Lee answered. “Please inform Harlondo we will be at the Frog’s Wishbone.”
“I shall send for the coach, my lord,” he said, backing out of the room.
“We’ll stop by the tavern first and make certain all is well,” Lee told them. “Then Dina and I will make contact with her people.”
“Shouldn’t we all go?” Kaylia asked.
“I didn’t really want to take Lee,” Dina admitted. “The order is very secretive, and distrustful of outsiders. For me to bring one person may be a problem; if they see me with three others, things could get…complicated.”
“You two will wait for us to return, assuming all is well at the tavern,” Lee instructed. “Then, we’ll come back here to regroup.” They all agreed, though Kaylia still wanted to change her clothes.
Martin returned shortly after, to inform them that the coach awaited them downstairs. They thanked him and left.
Lee told Gewey to make certain he wore his sword. “It’s fashionable here,” Lee said as he dropped by his room to get his own. “As for the ladies…”
“I’m armed,’’ Kaylia assured him. “As is Dina.” Gewey tried not to think about where they had hidden their knives.
“We’re off then,” said Lee, and they all walked down to the waiting coach.
Chapter 28
When they arrived at the Frog’s Wishbone, Gewey was surprised to see that there were a dozen fine coaches parked out front. The building had clearly been renovated, though Lord Ganflin had left the old, faded sign depicting a frog with a wishbone in its mouth. Before they had a chance to exit the coach, the door flung wide to reveal Harlondo, smiling in at them.
“I was just about to head back to the manor to join you for dinner,” he said. “But I see that you’ve decided to join me instead.”
“Lord Ganflin recommended this place to us,” Lee replied as they stepped from the coach. “And since Martin informed us he owns it, we thought we should see it while we’re here.”
“He finds it to be prudent to have a place where old prejudices aren’t allowed,” Harlondo told them, glancing at Kaylia. “You’ll find that everyone is welcome here.”
Harlondo walked them in and instructed the barmaid to find them a good table. The tavern was by far the most elegant Gewey had ever seen, though of course he was no expert. Still, the floors were laid with solid stone tiles, and the sturdy wooden tables would have made anyone in Sharpstone proud. Fine lanterns hung from the ceiling, and the walls were decorated with beautiful oil paintings.
A marble fireplace had been built at the far end of the hall, and two leather couches had been placed on opposite sides. A lutist strummed lightly from the near corner, enthralling the small crowd gathered around. Looking around the room, they found they were by no means over-dressed; lords and ladies in fine dress were everywhere, and scattered among them were at least a half-dozen elves. The barmaid showed them to their seats, and Harlondo ordered a bottle of wine for the table. Lee spotted who he assumed was the innkeeper talking to a group of three elves near the fireplace.
“The food here is excellent,” Harlondo declared after the wine arrived. “Lord Ganflin is very particular when it comes to cuisine.” He looked at Kaylia and smiled. “They even serve elven dishes, if you’d like.”
Kaylia looked surprised. “Really? I haven’t had mint roast lamb in a while. I wonder if they have it.”
“They do indeed,” he answered cheerfully. “It’s a favorite here. In fact, if your friends have never tried it, I must insist they join you.”
“Unfortunately, Dina and I must leave shortly,” Lee replied. “But I would appreciate it if you would have some sent to the manor for us.”
Harlondo looked a bit disappointed. “I am sorry you won’t be able to join us. But I will see to it that you both have a dish awaiting you. Might I ask why you must leave? The nights are quite entertaining here, especially when the elves start singing-such magnificent voices they have.”
“Nothing of consequence,” Lee answered dismissively. “But I must attend to it before morning-a nuisance really.”
“I understand.”
Lee excused himself and spoke briefly to the innkeeper. “We must go,” he said when he returned. “We’ll be back soon.”
“Take your time,” Gewey told him. “I think I’ll have a fine time right here.”
“If you’re delayed, I’ll see them back to the manor,” Harlondo promised. “I have a carriage outside.”
Lee nodded in thanks, and he and Dina took their leave.
Harlondo took the liberty of ordering for the group, and they listened to the lutist as they waited for their meal.
“Greetings, sister,” said a tall elf who had seen them from the fireplace. He was dressed in a green ruffled shirt and pants with black buttons and had a long knife at his side. “I’m Drantolis. I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“Not at all,” Kaylia replied. “I’m Kaylia. This is Gewey and Harlondo.”
“Harlondo I know,” he said. “But you say you’re Kaylia? It is truly an honor to meet you.” He bowed low. “We have anticipated your arrival. Lord Broin says that Linis speaks very highly of you.”
“Is Linis he
re?” Gewey asked.
“No, I’m afraid not. He wanders the land, as Seekers do. We rarely see him. But Lord Broin sent word that you and the lovely Kaylia would likely come here. But where are your other companions?”
“Attending to some business,” Kaylia replied. She sounded uneasy.
Drantolis gave her a knowing look. “It’s strange the first time, speaking openly among humans. I still find it hard not to cloak myself. And the clothes are a bit difficult to get used to.”
Kaylia was suddenly aware of her all too human attire and blushed. “It is strange,” she agreed. “Especially the clothing.”
The elf scrutinized Kaylia for a moment. “They certainly know how bring out the beauty in a woman though,” he said with admiration. “Please, join us once you’ve eaten. The rest of my kin will be excited to meet you.”
Kaylia nodded, and the elf politely excused himself. Gewey felt a familiar twinge of jealousy that Kaylia immediately picked up on.
“At least something good has come from this evening so far,” she observed.
“And what’s that?” Gewey asked, trying not to sound upset.
“You get to feel as I have during our trip,” she replied, looking satisfied.
Gewey looked confused. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t try to understand the fair sex, my lord,” laughed Harlondo. “It will only cause you grief. Just accept that they know more than you, and try to keep up as best you can.”
“Wise words,” Kaylia agreed with a smile.
The meal was very good. The mint lamb had a uniquely wholesome flavor that made Gewey think of spring.
More and more elves filed in as they ate, and he could tell by the wandering eyes that they had become a topic of discussion among both humans and elves alike.
When they had finished, Gewey was stuffed. He leaned back in his chair and sighed heavily.
“So what did you think of it?” Harlondo asked.
“As good as I’ve ever tasted,” Kaylia said, wiping the sides of her mouth with a napkin. “Thank you.”
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