The Choosing tbabs-1

by Jeremy Laszlo

  Sara enjoyed teasing Seth. She enjoyed enticing him with her body. It wasn’t that she was over confident about her body, not even that she found herself attractive. She imagined herself the plain picture of the girl next door. She did not think herself anything special, but Seth seemed to be intrigued by her. If he thought well enough of her body to pay it such close attention, then she saw no reason not to give him something to look at. She knew that he wanted to wait, wanted to do the right thing by her. Seth was very old fashioned, and she adored that about him. Though his body showed no signs of having the same intentions his mind had, Seth had been able to refuse her advances each time she had applied herself. She knew all too well how to arouse his body, she had been raised in a brothel after all, and Seth was a man much like every other man. Even so, though his body might scream for hers, he had yet to step over that line, and said he would not do so until they were joined. So it would be that though Sara did not have the same old fashioned opinions, she would not expect Seth to give in to what she wanted. However, if he planned to make her wait, she would do her best to make him think twice about it. Smiling to herself, thinking about how she might tease him the next four nights that they would be sharing a bed, she began to wash herself.

  As promised, just a few moments after Garret had gotten in the tub small hands reached under the stall door and collected his soiled and dirty clothes. He washed his hair and body quickly but thoroughly and laid back in the tub letting his head fall back. The water was relaxing and he eased every muscle in his body allowing the warmth to sooth him. Fully relaxed Garret closed his eyes allowing his mind to wander. It did not wander long, and soon Garret drifted into half sleep.

  Again Garret stood among an army on a battlefield. This time he stood watching the black masses of the enemy swarm towards him. The enemy was upon him in minutes and he hefted his sword high and thrust it forward giving the signal to attack. “For Valdadore!” The battle cry echoed across the plains as steel met steel. The nearest of his enemies sprinted at him in a mass. All of them looked otherworldly with blackened armor and weapons gleaming wetly with blood. Their teeth snapped as they ran at him as if they were some breed of savage animals starved into attacking wildly. Onward his enemy came and Garret let his head roll back on his neck. Whispering something into the sky, his words lost in the sounds of battle, Garret’s eyes gleamed with energy and his body exploded.

  Garret sat upright with a gasp. Shaking his head to clear it he looked around unsure of where he was. Absorbing his surroundings he recalled the memories temporarily displaced by the dream. Looking down he saw his clothes folded in a neat pile below the door. Realizing he must have slept for longer than he originally thought he had, he quickly got out of the tub and dried himself. Dressing quickly Garret stepped out of his stall.

  Ashton watched Garret come out of his stall and smiled to him in greeting. Ashton too was refreshed and redressed in his now clean clothes. Each walking halfway the distance between them they spoke quietly about the giant copper tear hanging in the center of the room.

  Sara, her body and hair already washed, sat on the edge of her tub spreading one of the available salves over the entire surfaces of her legs and another more sensitive region of her body. Allowing the salve to sit until it began to burn, she then quickly wiped it away with her damp washing cloth, wiping the hair away with the salve. Feeling her legs to be sure the hair had been eradicated, and assured it was, she then quickly rubbed a cream lotion over her legs to make the skin soft. Sara then dismounted the tub and toweled her hair dry and redressed. Finished dressing, Sara brushed the tangles from her hair with a brush from the shelves in her stall and pulling it over her shoulder she braided it loosely and tied it at the end with the leather strap. Feeling she had made herself as pretty as she could for Seth she stepped out of her stall just as he did.

  Seth had washed up quickly, and to be sure he smelled clean for Sara he washed his body again, three more times in fact. Seth had no idea what all the creams and salves were on the shelves, but he was able to find a small sharp blade and a mirror which he used to scrape away the prickly facial hair that had sprouted across his face in a little over a week since he had left home. Only managing to cut himself twice he was impressed with himself. Once the bleeding stopped Seth washed the blood away, and quickly dried and got redressed. His clothes smelled exceptionally clean, and he stepped out of his stall feeling terrific.

  Sara and Seth smiled at each other as they both allowed their stalls to close behind them. Taking Seth’s hand with one of hers, Sara reached up with the other to feel his smooth face with her fingertips.

  “Smooth… I like it.” Sara said with a grin and a giggle.

  They walked hand in hand to meet the others and they all decided to find Sasha so they could take their packs and equipment to their rooms. Exiting the bathing room they walked back down the long corridor towards the dining hall. Rounding the corner into the dining hall they could hear voices around the corner. The voices came from the very counter where they had met Sasha earlier, and she was there again speaking to a man that was apparently another customer. They waited patiently for the conversation to end, and when it did the man handed Sasha some coins and turned and left the inn. Sara motioned for the boys to remain where they were, and releasing Seth’s hand she walked to the counter and greeted Sasha. The three boys were still some distance from the counter and so were unable to hear the women’s dainty conversation but they watched as Sara spoke pausing periodically as Sasha responded with a nod.

  Sara left the boys in the dining hall hoping they would be far enough away to remain out of range to hear what she was going to talk to Sasha about. She was a bit embarrassed as it was just asking a stranger what it was she planned to ask, she did not want the added embarrassment that would come if the boys could hear her. Walking towards Sasha Sara greeted her and came to stand mere inches away from the woman.

  “Hello Sasha.” Sara greeted.

  “Hello again M’lady.” Sasha replied

  “It’s Sara. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself properly earlier.” Sara said unused to the title Sasha had labeled her with.

  Sasha nodded in understanding.

  “You said you could send someone to the market for us if we needed?” Sara asked already knowing the answer to her question.

  Sasha nodded in response.

  “I was wondering if you might have someone pick up something for me?” Sara asked in a voice barely over a whisper, and continued without waiting for a response. “I have nothing to sleep in, and I plan to share a bed tonight.”

  Again Sasha nodded in understanding.

  “I would like to get something a bit provocative, yet not too revealing if that is possible.” Sara said still barely above a whisper and unable to meet Sasha’s eyes as she said it.

  “That can be arranged, would you like something for your man as well?” Sasha asked mimicking Sara’s muted tone.

  “If it’s not too much trouble, I’m not sure if he has anything.” Sara stated. “Though I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t.” She added as an afterthought smiling as she said it.

  “Consider it done.” Sasha stated with an assuring tone. “Would you care to see your rooms now?”

  This time it was Sara who nodded in response, and the two of them turned and walked towards the boys who waited patiently. As Sasha passed the boys she asked them to follow, and before Seth would comply he made sure Sara’s hand was firmly in his.

  Sasha fist led them to the room Sara and Seth would be sharing, and opening the door for the young couple, allowed them to enter and closed the door behind them. She then continued to lead Garret and Ashton to the room they would share.

  Seth and Sara walked through the door and stepped directly into a dream. The room was beyond comprehension. The floors here were covered from corner to corner with an amazingly soft rug. The room had various luxurious pieces of furniture throughout its expanse, but both of them instinctively looked towards the bed.
The bed was an enormous mass of satin and stained wood. Each corner of the bed was a massive post that rose from the floor to nearly touch the ceiling. The footboard of the bed was carved in a scene depicting nude silhouettes of people dancing in couples, their bodies entwined together in various vertical positions. The headboard was a large frame of stained and polished wood surrounding a large oval piece of some sort of metal polished to a mirror finish reflecting the bed back upon itself. From the tops of the four posts was stretched a white satin canopy that fell in tendrils around the entire expanse of the bed partially hiding the mattress and bedding from view. Pulling back the satin tendrils revealed pillows made from the softest down feathers piled high across the head of the bed. The blankets and sheets were all satin and silk wrapped around an overstuffed down mattress. The bed somewhat resembled a cloud and Sara could hardly wait to see if it was as soft as it looked but restrained herself. Looking around the rest of the room revealed a large writing desk completely stocked with various types of parchment and ink along with small blocks of colored wax. Also opposite the bed there were several overstuffed upholstered chairs. To either side of the bed was a small stand each containing several candles and a small vase of flowers. In one corner on the same wall as the bed stood a small woven partition where one could undress or dress unseen and in the corner opposite of that there was a small room built into the larger one with a single door upon it. Opening the door revealed a small private privy. Most inns had a privy room the tenants would share, but this inn spared no expense. Seth and Sara both dropped their packs at the foot of the bed and sat on its edge sinking deeply into the mattress. They were there many long moments leaning into one another, just enjoying each other’s company.

  Sasha led the two remaining boys up a flight of stairs to the second floor. They topped the stairs and walked half way down the hall there and she paused and opened a door. Glancing inside she held the door open for them allowing them to enter. Once they were inside she closed the door behind them and placed the key to the room in the lock to the door and left it there for them to find when they exited.

  Garret and Ashton entered the room they would be sharing and were amazed by the quality of the room. The floor here was the same marble as the floors they had seen before, only this floor lacked the filigree. The room was split in two by a long narrow rug that ran the length of the room between the beds. The room was decorated as such that either side of the rug was a mirror reflection of the opposite side. Two beds, two desks, two bedside tables, two upholstered chairs, and two wooden chests decorated the room. All of the furniture looked heavy and crafted from quality materials. The chairs red leather upholstery matched the bed’s red satin sheets and spread. Across the room from the entry door, directly in the center of the opposite wall stood another door. Behind the door was a privy where Garret quickly decided to test the plumbing.

  After several long minutes enjoying their privacy Seth and Sara decided to go and wait for the others in the Dining hall. It was just past mid day at this point and both of them agreed they were ready to eat. Leaving their room they found a key with a ribbon tied to it protruding from their door and so they locked the door, and Seth pocketed the key before walking down the hall. Arriving at the dining hall Seth and Sara noticed it was completely vacant and so chose a large table in the center of the room. They waited patiently exchanging smiles and looks of adoration as they did. They did not have to wait excessively long for after a while they could hear the voices of Garret and Ashton coming loudly down the hall.

  Spying their friends, Garret and Ashton quickly joined them at the table and seated themselves. Each of the four spoke excitedly about their rented accommodations and the luxurious details of each of the rooms. It surprised them all, it seemed, that a little money could grant a generous amount of luxury, at least temporarily. As they spoke a young woman, younger than Sara, walked through the dining hall carrying some packages. She smiled at the group seated there and continued on through the room and disappeared down the hall. The group watched her go and their eyes lingered on the hall when she returned, this time without the packages. She approached their table and came to stand near them before speaking.

  “Hello gentlemen and Miss Sara, if you would care for something to drink I would be delighted to fetch it for you. Also someone will be with you shortly to take your food choices if you wish to eat.” The small girl, perhaps fifteen, said it with the same practiced perfection of Sasha.

  The group each stated that they would like some cold ale, and did intend to eat and the girl turned on her heel and strode back into the hall. Moments later she returned carrying a tray with four mugs and a large pitcher. She placed a mug expertly in front of each of the guests and placed the pitcher in the center of the table. The companions all thanked her before she once again walked off, and as she left a short lean man came from the hall wearing a white smock and a funny looking fluffy hat of the same material. The man sauntered up to their table with a noticeable limp. The group watched him approach and each smiled to the man as he did so. Coming to stand beside their table, easily in sight of everyone the man first looked to Sara as he spoke.

  “What will you be having to eat this afternoon M’lady?” The man asked his voice coated in a strange accent.

  Sara unable to comprehend the question, was unsure if she had not noticed a list of their food choices somewhere and so quickly glanced around the table at her companions. Seeing her look mirrored on their faces, she returned her gaze to the man.

  “I’m so sorry sir. I am unaware of the meal choices.” She stated with a meek grin playing across her lips.

  “Ah, this is your first stay with us then.” The man said, and without waiting for a response he continued. “We have no meal choices here M’lady, whatever delicious food your heart desires we will prepare fresh for you if the ingredients are available to us and the recipe known.” This the man stated with a look of pride and wide toothed smile.

  Sara was a bit taken aback, she hadn’t prepared for this, but also did not want to make the man, or her companions wait excessively so she spoke the first food that came to mind, the last meal her mother had prepared for her before her death.

  “If it is possible, could you prepare a chicken soup with noodles?” Sara asked hopefully.

  “It would be my pleasure M’lady.” The man stated honestly with a smile. “And what might you be having young master?” This time the man looked to Seth as he spoke.

  Seth had been dreaming about the possibilities while Sara decided what she was going to order. Several ideas crossed his mind, and he had nearly decided upon a meat pie like the one he had eaten at the inn in Stone Haven, but hearing Sara’s choice he changed his mind. Seth had never had a chicken soup with noodles before and the thought intrigued him.

  “I will take the same as she ordered.” Seth said to the man smiling first to him and then to Sara.

  “Well that will be two soups then.” The man said making a note of it. “What will you be having sire?” The man asked, his gaze meeting Garret’s.

  “I would like a meat pie.” Garret stated immediately.

  “Ah, it’s a hardy meal indeed.” The man replied and then added. “Would you like chicken, beef, or pork sire? Also would you like it with a cream sauce or a cheese sauce?” He asked as if sorting through different recipes in his memory.

  Garret thought deeply a moment, his face twisting into compositions that looked incredibly uncomfortable, and then he answered the man’s question.

  “Seems you will already be preparing chicken for two meals I’ll take chicken as well.” Garret stated now smiling at the man. “I hope it lightens your burden a bit, also I would like to try a cream sauce if it isn’t too much trouble.”

  The man in the outlandish white garb smiled broadly at Garret knowing as he did that the boy had indeed saved him much effort.

  “No trouble at all young sire.” Was the man’s simple reply. “What shall you be having young master?” The man now
spoke to Ashton.

  “If you have it available, I would like an assortment of fresh fruit.” Ashton responded politely.

  “Indeed you shall have a wide variety young master. Is that all you require?” He asked the group now as a whole.

  Accepting their nods in response the short man spun on his good leg and sauntered back out of the room the way he had come.

  Sara turned to Seth with a disarming smile on her lips.

  “Chicken soup huh?” She asked him mockingly.

  “Why not?” Seth asked rhetorically. “Oh and what is a noodle?” Seth added unsure if he had ever had one before. “Do you think I will like it? I have only had chicken soup with potatoes in the past.” He stated honestly.

  “Well my love a noodle is warm, moist, and tender. I think you will like it.” She said her smile fading slightly as she continued. “It was the last meal my mother made me before she died.”

  Seth had not expected the revelation and so reached under the table to take her hand and hold it tightly.

  “I’m sorry angel.” Seth said not knowing what else to say.

  “It is ok my love, she is gone, but I do like to remember her.” Sara said her eyes and expression blank, as if she looked into the distance to see something just out of sight.

  Seth, wanting to change the mood of the conversation, but not wanting to take away time from Sara’s memories decided to ask a question.

  “Do you think your mother would have liked me?” Seth asked. His question born out of honest curiosity, however Garret and Ashton also looked on curious of her response themselves.

  “Well love, you are young, strong, intelligent, handsome, and have several silver at your disposal. My mother more than liked several men who were either: young, strong, intelligent, or handsome. So I would say yes she would most defiantly like you, if not try to bed you.” This last part she added with a wink to Seth.