Lydia considered him for a moment. “Is that a euphemism for sex?”
Drake grinned. “Nothing gets past you.”
“I see.” Lydia pondered. “Though you may not be aware of this, Korhaurbauten is known for the quality of its courtesans. It is late, but I could arrange one for you tonight if you wish.”
Drake damn near choked on his next swallow, then stared at her. “Are you serious?”
Lydia seemed confused by his surprise. “The matter will stay between us, of course.”
“Uh, no.” Drake cleared his throat. “I don’t need you to hire me a courtesan.” If he remembered his history correctly, a courtesan was a high-class sex worker. Did Lydia really think he was that eager to get laid?
She tilted her head. “Have I offended you, lord? If so, I apologize for overstepping. Are liaisons with courtesans frowned upon in your world?”
“In parts of it, though it’s stupid,” Drake said. “To be clear, I’ve never had a problem with consenting adults being consensual, but... isn’t that a huge security risk?”
“Those who are approved to become courtesans in Korhaurbauten are registered in the city roster, cannot possess rarities, and are selected for their talent and discretion,” Lydia said. “Moreover, they must state they will not harm you before entering your presence. Finally, I or another maid will be close by in case you encounter trouble, typically in the next room.”
He genuinely couldn’t tell if Lydia was dead serious about this or if this was the most elaborate joke she’d managed to come up with since they’d met. Either way, the idea of banging a professional while all his battle maids listened through the wall was not appealing, and it wasn’t even due to performance concerns. It would just be weird.
“Thanks for, uh... thinking about my needs.” Drake managed a grin that was almost convincing. “You haven’t offended me. I just don’t need any distractions right now.”
“Of course, lord.” Lydia inclined her head. “Now, what will I be doing tomorrow?”
“Right.” He was all too glad to get back to the problem at hand... she couldn’t lie. “Given we now know the cabal is going to be focused on me, I’m concerned about having you and Samuel anywhere near the temple tomorrow. You understand why, don’t you?”
“I do. We should not be available to testify.”
“So how about the two of you take Anna out for a trip around the town? Maybe bring Tamara and another maid along? In plain clothes?”
Lydia raised an eyebrow. “And do what, lord?”
“See the sights,” Drake said. “Get Anna some cookies, or whatever treats they have here that a little girl would like. I don’t have a particular preference for what you get up to, but do it anonymously and avoid the capital guards. It’s important you can’t be found.”
Lydia smiled thoughtfully. “I think Anna will very much enjoy this trip.”
“To be clear, I expect you to enjoy it too.”
She raised one eyebrow. “Is that an order, lord?”
“Absolutely. Go see the sights you’ve always wanted to see, get all the delicious food you can eat without falling over, and maybe see if you can make Samuel crack a smile.”
“I will do my best.” Lydia looked genuinely pleased by this idea. “Now, if you wish, you can return to the balcony or retire. I will inform Samuel of our plans when he returns.”
Drake was actually more tired than he expected. A good night’s sleep in a big soft bed would do wonders. He was just about to agree when a fresh and very devious thought hit him.
“Hey, hold up.”
She paused halfway to the door and turned back around. “Yes, lord?”
“I’m going to ask you a couple of awkward questions now, and I don’t want you to take them the wrong way. When you say this city has the best courtesans, how many are there?”
She eyed him curiously but without obvious judgment. “I would estimate there are easily a hundred with the capital, lord. There are multiple pleasure houses specializing in all sorts of preferences. But you said you did not need a distraction tonight.”
“Stay with me here. Are there also male courtesans?”
Her eyes widened with understanding. “Of course, lord! Now I understand your earlier hesitance. I will—”
“Stop right there,” Drake cautioned. “To be clear, I like girls, and that also has nothing to do with why I’m asking this. If I sent you out tonight, would it be possible to recruit a female courtesan and male courtesan for an all day engagement tomorrow? Do they do those?”
Lydia nodded thoughtfully. “I could arrange for such, lord, though it would be considerably more expensive. But won’t you be rather busy tomorrow?”
Drake rolled his eyes. “Judging from that smirk, you already know what I’m thinking.”
“That you wish me to find a courtesan with long dark hair who is approximately my height, weight, and proportions?”
Drake grinned as she finally caught on... he hoped. “And purely for a platonic engagement. Just in case that wasn’t clear. This is not a sex thing.” He paused at her placid expression, then raised his hands. “This is not a sex thing!”
“Of course not, lord.” Lydia could scarcely hide her amusement at his consternation. “And the male courtesan should also resemble Samuel?”
“At least in the body. We’ll get him a hood. And get veils for our battle maids.”
“While I believe I can fulfill your request, I am curious as to why you wish to engage in such complicated subterfuge. Do you wish to present our manor at full strength?”
“That’s one benefit, but I actually have another reason.” When he told her, she nodded with understanding. She even looked pleased.
“Now, the second question is more sensitive, and it’s all right if you say no. Are you comfortable with whatever courtesan we professionally engage borrowing your uniform?”
“If that is what you wish, I will offer it,” Lydia said. “However, we do have regular uniforms that look identical to those worn by me and your other battle maids. So if it is simply a matter of making the courtesan appear as one of us, those will do.”
“Good enough,” Drake agreed. “No need for you to let her borrow your uniform then. Though... you’ll probably still want to wear a different outfit out and around town. Do you have any silverweave outfits that will protect you but don’t scream Gloomwood battle maid?”
“We all do,” Lydia assured him. “While I do not have a tremendous amount of covert field experience, since I am primarily needed to run the manor, I am more than capable of blending into the population of the capital. I will not be found.”
“Then that’s your covert mission for tomorrow. You have four objectives. One, don’t be found. Two, fill Anna with sweets. Three, make Samuel crack a smile. And four—”
“See whatever I wish to see,” Lydia finished with a soft smile. “Thank you, lord.”
Even if he hadn’t been worrying about one of the other manor lords asking her awkward questions tomorrow, he loved this idea. “If anyone has earned a day off, it’s you. As for getting in touch after...” Drake pondered, then nodded. “Follow me to my room.”
Lydia followed without question, and Drake entered his private room which was, unfortunately, without a balcony. A balcony and a portal to that warm sea air would be nice, but the upside of not having a balcony was less nighttime visits from assassins. He walked to the reading desk where he’d stowed his magical box when he arrived.
“Earth.”
The box popped open, and Drake pulled out the magical mirror he’d used to communicate with Sky. “Take this with you tomorrow. Sky has the other half. Once night falls, find somewhere you can lay low and check for us to contact you every hour or so. That way I can contact you without knowing where you are, and no one can follow me to you.”
“You seem remarkably well-versed in spycraft, lord,” Lydia said appreciatively. “Do you have prior experience in your world?”
“I just watched lots of spy shows over the past few years. More of those stories we tell to entertain. And I had way too much time to read Samuel’s spy books during that agonizing trip through the city. Now, do you have any suggestions or things I’ve overlooked?”
She tapped her lips and thought for a moment. “I do not. Your plan is sound.”
“Nice. Thanks.”
“With your permission, I will leave at once to engage the courtesans you requested. We will need to pay an extra fee for discretion, but there are routes throughout the city and within this temple that are ideal for covertly allowing exit and entry.”
“So not everyone knows who the visiting manor lord has warming his bed.”
“That is one use for such passages, lord. They are staffed by capital guards, however, who are also sworn not to reveal what they see to anyone save the noble court. So our doubles can arrive undetected without issue.”
“That’s perfect. The cabal is going to start a few after second bell tomorrow?” He was still getting used to the fact that they didn’t have precise times here. He did know the city rang huge bells to announce daily events, but the book hadn’t offered a list of them.
“Correct, lord. I will request our courtesans arrive at our rooms at first light. That should provide more than enough time to outfit them however you see fit.”
“That’s perfect. You’re cleared for launch.”
She paused. “That does mean you wish me to go, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Thanks. And be careful.”
“I always am.” She strode out of the room, once again all business and determination.
Once Lydia left, Drake was finally alone in his big warm room with his big, warm bed. All alone. He knew Valentia, Nicole, and Emily were all right outside the door, and one would be on watch the whole night, so he knew he could finally relax... but he found he couldn’t.
It still bothered him that Sky had seemed so standoffish tonight. It wasn’t like he’d had his heart set on dating her, but it had been nice to have someone close to his own age who understood what he was dealing with. He only now realized how much he’d liked having those nighttime chats with her about their duties as manor lords. It was a way to feel sane.
He hadn’t even asked if she wanted to do a summit so their thralls could go have a day on the town. He’d been too focused on racking his brain for why five manor lords, the minimum number who must agree to call a cabal, had called a cabal to discuss him.
Lydia’s offer to hire him a courtesan had also thrown him for a loop. He hadn’t expected to suddenly feel this lonely. He’d been too busy trying not to die to feel lonely.
He had mentally vowed from the moment he decided he was going to command this manor that all relationships with the people who served him would remain professional. He was not Lord Blackmane. Yet Lydia’s offer to hire him a courtesan, just like when Samuel had blatantly tried to marry him off to Sky, was another reminder of how alone he was here.
As much as he trusted and cared for his people, he was their lord. A line in the sand had to remain between a leader and his followers. It would also be difficult to maintain friendships with anyone who wasn’t working for him, at least if he wanted to avoid undercover assassins, and it would definitely be impossible to date without some absolutely mood-killing limitations.
It wasn’t like he didn’t want some sexy times once he wasn’t in danger of being killed. He wasn’t a monk. He was a dude. A dude who, apparently, had only one real prospect who might already be reconsidering her alliance with him.
Still... as problems went, a lack of dating options was the least of his. Another cup or two of that delicious wine/mead would solve the loneliness issue for tonight. He’d need to do one last skim of Zuri’s dossiers as well, which would definitely put him to sleep.
Tomorrow would be his first cabal as the lord of Gloomwood Manor, and given all the trouble his enemies had gone through to stop him and Sky from being here, he was more determined than ever to fuck over every last one of them.
Author's Note: Next week, Drake opens a jar, shows off his crossbow, and attends a cabal.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Read Ahead on the Patreon
Chat on the Discord
Lydia considered him for a moment. “Is that a euphemism for sex?”
Drake grinned. “Nothing gets past you.”
“I see.” Lydia pondered. “Though you may not be aware of this, Korhaurbauten is known for the quality of its courtesans. It is late, but I could arrange one for you tonight if you wish.”
Drake damn near choked on his next swallow, then stared at her. “Are you serious?”
Lydia seemed confused by his surprise. “The matter will stay between us, of course.”
“Uh, no.” Drake cleared his throat. “I don’t need you to hire me a courtesan.” If he remembered his history correctly, a courtesan was a high-class sex worker. Did Lydia really think he was that eager to get laid?
She tilted her head. “Have I offended you, lord? If so, I apologize for overstepping. Are liaisons with courtesans frowned upon in your world?”
“In parts of it, though it’s stupid,” Drake said. “To be clear, I’ve never had a problem with consenting adults being consensual, but... isn’t that a huge security risk?”
“Those who are approved to become courtesans in Korhaurbauten are registered in the city roster, cannot possess rarities, and are selected for their talent and discretion,” Lydia said. “Moreover, they must state they will not harm you before entering your presence. Finally, I or another maid will be close by in case you encounter trouble, typically in the next room.”
He genuinely couldn’t tell if Lydia was dead serious about this or if this was the most elaborate joke she’d managed to come up with since they’d met. Either way, the idea of banging a professional while all his battle maids listened through the wall was not appealing, and it wasn’t even due to performance concerns. It would just be weird.
“Thanks for, uh... thinking about my needs.” Drake managed a grin that was almost convincing. “You haven’t offended me. I just don’t need any distractions right now.”
“Of course, lord.” Lydia inclined her head. “Now, what will I be doing tomorrow?”
“Right.” He was all too glad to get back to the problem at hand... she couldn’t lie. “Given we now know the cabal is going to be focused on me, I’m concerned about having you and Samuel anywhere near the temple tomorrow. You understand why, don’t you?”
“I do. We should not be available to testify.”
“So how about the two of you take Anna out for a trip around the town? Maybe bring Tamara and another maid along? In plain clothes?”
Lydia raised an eyebrow. “And do what, lord?”
“See the sights,” Drake said. “Get Anna some cookies, or whatever treats they have here that a little girl would like. I don’t have a particular preference for what you get up to, but do it anonymously and avoid the capital guards. It’s important you can’t be found.”
Lydia smiled thoughtfully. “I think Anna will very much enjoy this trip.”
“To be clear, I expect you to enjoy it too.”
She raised one eyebrow. “Is that an order, lord?”
“Absolutely. Go see the sights you’ve always wanted to see, get all the delicious food you can eat without falling over, and maybe see if you can make Samuel crack a smile.”
“I will do my best.” Lydia looked genuinely pleased by this idea. “Now, if you wish, you can return to the balcony or retire. I will inform Samuel of our plans when he returns.”
Drake was actually more tired than he expected. A good night’s sleep in a big soft bed would do wonders. He was just about to agree when a fresh and very devious thought hit him.
“Hey, hold up.”
She paused halfway to the door and turned back around. “Yes, lord?”
“I’m going to ask you a couple of awkward questions now, and I don’t want you to take them the wrong way. When you say this city has the best courtesans, how many are there?”
She eyed him curiously but without obvious judgment. “I would estimate there are easily a hundred with the capital, lord. There are multiple pleasure houses specializing in all sorts of preferences. But you said you did not need a distraction tonight.”
“Stay with me here. Are there also male courtesans?”
Her eyes widened with understanding. “Of course, lord! Now I understand your earlier hesitance. I will—”
“Stop right there,” Drake cautioned. “To be clear, I like girls, and that also has nothing to do with why I’m asking this. If I sent you out tonight, would it be possible to recruit a female courtesan and male courtesan for an all day engagement tomorrow? Do they do those?”
Lydia nodded thoughtfully. “I could arrange for such, lord, though it would be considerably more expensive. But won’t you be rather busy tomorrow?”
Drake rolled his eyes. “Judging from that smirk, you already know what I’m thinking.”
“That you wish me to find a courtesan with long dark hair who is approximately my height, weight, and proportions?”
Drake grinned as she finally caught on... he hoped. “And purely for a platonic engagement. Just in case that wasn’t clear. This is not a sex thing.” He paused at her placid expression, then raised his hands. “This is not a sex thing!”
“Of course not, lord.” Lydia could scarcely hide her amusement at his consternation. “And the male courtesan should also resemble Samuel?”
“At least in the body. We’ll get him a hood. And get veils for our battle maids.”
“While I believe I can fulfill your request, I am curious as to why you wish to engage in such complicated subterfuge. Do you wish to present our manor at full strength?”
“That’s one benefit, but I actually have another reason.” When he told her, she nodded with understanding. She even looked pleased.
“Now, the second question is more sensitive, and it’s all right if you say no. Are you comfortable with whatever courtesan we professionally engage borrowing your uniform?”
“If that is what you wish, I will offer it,” Lydia said. “However, we do have regular uniforms that look identical to those worn by me and your other battle maids. So if it is simply a matter of making the courtesan appear as one of us, those will do.”
“Good enough,” Drake agreed. “No need for you to let her borrow your uniform then. Though... you’ll probably still want to wear a different outfit out and around town. Do you have any silverweave outfits that will protect you but don’t scream Gloomwood battle maid?”
“We all do,” Lydia assured him. “While I do not have a tremendous amount of covert field experience, since I am primarily needed to run the manor, I am more than capable of blending into the population of the capital. I will not be found.”
“Then that’s your covert mission for tomorrow. You have four objectives. One, don’t be found. Two, fill Anna with sweets. Three, make Samuel crack a smile. And four—”
“See whatever I wish to see,” Lydia finished with a soft smile. “Thank you, lord.”
Even if he hadn’t been worrying about one of the other manor lords asking her awkward questions tomorrow, he loved this idea. “If anyone has earned a day off, it’s you. As for getting in touch after...” Drake pondered, then nodded. “Follow me to my room.”
Lydia followed without question, and Drake entered his private room which was, unfortunately, without a balcony. A balcony and a portal to that warm sea air would be nice, but the upside of not having a balcony was less nighttime visits from assassins. He walked to the reading desk where he’d stowed his magical box when he arrived.
“Earth.”
The box popped open, and Drake pulled out the magical mirror he’d used to communicate with Sky. “Take this with you tomorrow. Sky has the other half. Once night falls, find somewhere you can lay low and check for us to contact you every hour or so. That way I can contact you without knowing where you are, and no one can follow me to you.”
“You seem remarkably well-versed in spycraft, lord,” Lydia said appreciatively. “Do you have prior experience in your world?”
“I just watched lots of spy shows over the past few years. More of those stories we tell to entertain. And I had way too much time to read Samuel’s spy books during that agonizing trip through the city. Now, do you have any suggestions or things I’ve overlooked?”
She tapped her lips and thought for a moment. “I do not. Your plan is sound.”
“Nice. Thanks.”
“With your permission, I will leave at once to engage the courtesans you requested. We will need to pay an extra fee for discretion, but there are routes throughout the city and within this temple that are ideal for covertly allowing exit and entry.”
“So not everyone knows who the visiting manor lord has warming his bed.”
“That is one use for such passages, lord. They are staffed by capital guards, however, who are also sworn not to reveal what they see to anyone save the noble court. So our doubles can arrive undetected without issue.”
“That’s perfect. The cabal is going to start a few after second bell tomorrow?” He was still getting used to the fact that they didn’t have precise times here. He did know the city rang huge bells to announce daily events, but the book hadn’t offered a list of them.
“Correct, lord. I will request our courtesans arrive at our rooms at first light. That should provide more than enough time to outfit them however you see fit.”
“That’s perfect. You’re cleared for launch.”
She paused. “That does mean you wish me to go, doesn’t it?”
“Yes. Thanks. And be careful.”
“I always am.” She strode out of the room, once again all business and determination.
Once Lydia left, Drake was finally alone in his big warm room with his big, warm bed. All alone. He knew Valentia, Nicole, and Emily were all right outside the door, and one would be on watch the whole night, so he knew he could finally relax... but he found he couldn’t.
It still bothered him that Sky had seemed so standoffish tonight. It wasn’t like he’d had his heart set on dating her, but it had been nice to have someone close to his own age who understood what he was dealing with. He only now realized how much he’d liked having those nighttime chats with her about their duties as manor lords. It was a way to feel sane.
He hadn’t even asked if she wanted to do a summit so their thralls could go have a day on the town. He’d been too focused on racking his brain for why five manor lords, the minimum number who must agree to call a cabal, had called a cabal to discuss him.
Lydia’s offer to hire him a courtesan had also thrown him for a loop. He hadn’t expected to suddenly feel this lonely. He’d been too busy trying not to die to feel lonely.
He had mentally vowed from the moment he decided he was going to command this manor that all relationships with the people who served him would remain professional. He was not Lord Blackmane. Yet Lydia’s offer to hire him a courtesan, just like when Samuel had blatantly tried to marry him off to Sky, was another reminder of how alone he was here.
As much as he trusted and cared for his people, he was their lord. A line in the sand had to remain between a leader and his followers. It would also be difficult to maintain friendships with anyone who wasn’t working for him, at least if he wanted to avoid undercover assassins, and it would definitely be impossible to date without some absolutely mood-killing limitations.
It wasn’t like he didn’t want some sexy times once he wasn’t in danger of being killed. He wasn’t a monk. He was a dude. A dude who, apparently, had only one real prospect who might already be reconsidering her alliance with him.
Still... as problems went, a lack of dating options was the least of his. Another cup or two of that delicious wine/mead would solve the loneliness issue for tonight. He’d need to do one last skim of Zuri’s dossiers as well, which would definitely put him to sleep.
Tomorrow would be his first cabal as the lord of Gloomwood Manor, and given all the trouble his enemies had gone through to stop him and Sky from being here, he was more determined than ever to fuck over every last one of them.
Author's Note: Next week, Drake opens a jar, shows off his crossbow, and attends a cabal.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Read Ahead on the Patreon
Chat on the Discord
