Lee laughed. “Certainly not. From the directions he gave me, his manor is in the southern garden district where they prefer traditional, two-floor houses. The aristocrats consider the rest of the city to be somewhat tacky.”
Gewey looked at Lee in amazement. He couldn't imagine anyone thinking such wondrous buildings to be tacky. “The lords here must be a bunch of idiots.”
“I’ll tell Ganflin you said so,” Lee teased. “I’m sure he’ll agree.”
“Maybe that’s not such a good idea,” Gewey said with a smile. “Considering we’re staying at his house.”
Just then, Gewey noticed something he didn’t expect: an elf. He was standing in front of the door to an inn, talking to a short human. Kaylia noticed too.
“I know they told us that elves walk freely in this city,” said Kaylia, “but to actually see it…”
“You should remove your hood,” Gewey suggested.
Kaylia paused for a moment, and then did just that. Her auburn hair flowed free, and she closed her eyes, letting the sun shine on to her face. With her bronze skin glowing in the sunlight, Gewey thought she looked beautiful. He scanned the crowd to see if anyone had noticed. A few people cast a quick glance in their direction, but for the most part they were ignored.
“How does it feel?” he asked.
“Strange,” she replied. “But good. I hate hiding.”
“You shouldn’t have to hide,” Dina said. “None of us should.”
Kaylia nodded in agreement. “Maybe one day we won’t have to.”
Lee led them through the crowded streets to the southern garden district. Just as Lee had said, the houses in this area were single and two-story dwellings, their brick walls covered in ivy and protected by wrought iron gates. The streets were clean and far less crowded than the rest of the city. Fine coaches driven by haughty men in red and gold jackets and pulled by horses nearly as well adorned as the drivers navigated the wide avenues. Lords and ladies in elegant attire strolled down the broad sidewalks.
Lee stopped in front of an immense manor and dismounted. The double-gated wall was at least ten feet high. A man in a gold silk suit and waistcoat stood at the gateway.
“Is Harlondo in?” Lee asked politely.
“He is,” the gatekeeper responded. “Might I tell him who calls?”
Lee pulled the letter Lord Ganflin had given him from his pocket. “I have a message from Lord Ganflin.”
“I see. Please wait here.” The man passed through the gate and disappeared inside the manor.
Gewey was amazed by the size of the estate; it was bigger than most temples. The entire structure was made from polished white granite and sat upon at least three acres of land. The vestibule was lined with stone columns supporting a veranda that spanned the entire front of the house. The driveway was almost as wide as the avenue, and the well-manicured lawn and gardens held plants and flowers of so many varieties that it would take someone an entire spring just to name them all. He recognized flowers such as roses and tulips from back home, but others looked as though they belonged in a fairytale. Low lying lavender blooms sprinkled with deep yellow swirls followed a stone path leading to a white, ivy-wrapped gazebo.
At the center of the yard was a marble fountain created in the likeness of Althetas Mol, the Goddess of Wisdom and Compassion, the patron goddess and namesake of the city. Beautiful carved wooden benches faced the fountain at six-foot intervals, and a small table had been placed beside each of them.
When the gatekeeper returned he was accompanied by a short man in a gray-buttoned shirt and trousers, together with a thin black jacket. His hair was jet black and slicked back with oils. He wore silver reading glasses and was carrying a leather binder under his arm.
“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 into 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 full of perfumed water that gave the air a pleasing scent of lavender. Beyond the foyer, an alabaster staircase rose majestically 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 hand side 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 that 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 back wall, and to its left was a glass dressing table and mirror. To the right 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 tiles. Gewey pulled back the curtain and saw three copper pipes protruding from the ceiling. The first of the pipes hung about a foot below the eight-foot ceiling. At the end of this pipe was a cone-shaped attachment with tiny holes drilled into the solid facing. The other two pipes ran down to his chest level, each one fitted 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 no idea what purpose the coral might serve. Curious, Gewey grabbed one of the handles and turned. Water sprayed down from the pipe above and poured over his head. It was hot - scalding hot. He screamed in shock and leapt away. He watched the water spill onto the tiles 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 u
se hers right 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. “This is to the left from your room, at the end of the hall.”
When Gewey stepped out of the shower he felt refreshed - even more so than after a good night’s sleep. The clothing Martin had supplied was every bit as fine as the suit Lee had bought him for his coming of age party, which he’d sadly had to leave behind in Gristol. His fresh attire was a cream silk shirt with gold buttons and gold stitching, along with a pair of shiny 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 wearing 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 toward the chair in front of the dressing table.
Gewey wasn’t sure what to do, so he complied. “How long will this take?” he asked.” My friends are waiting in the parlor for me.”
“Your friends are being tended to 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 less accustomed to dirt and grime, if you ask me. Such a gorgeous complexion on her. Well-tended skin and hair. It’s nice to see a woman who knows how to take care of herself. 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.
He had never spent much effort before in grooming, and by the time she was done he almost didn’t recognize himself. 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 had been 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 wearing this,” she growled. “How am I expected to fight in such clothes 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 that 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 you.” 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 to the tavern, assuming all is well there,” 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 that 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 w
as surprised to see that there were a dozen fine coaches parked out front. The building had clearly been renovated, though Lord Ganflin had allowed the old, faded sign depicting a frog with a wishbone in its mouth to remain. 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 that he owns it, we thought we should see it while we’re here.”
“His Lordship 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 inside 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 leather couches had been placed on either side of this. A lutist strummed lightly from the near corner, enthralling the small crowd gathered by him. 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 a man he assumed to be 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.”
The Godling Chronicles : Bundle - Books 1-3 Page 30
