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My Love

Page 291

by Sabrina Zbasnik


  "I don't have..." Gavin sighed before shaking his head, "what's going on?"

  "All the knights are hunkered down in their fancy beds way away from us, meaning...come on, you can't be that sheltered."

  "We're sneaking out!" Gavin gasped as if the concept was the most novel thing he'd ever heard.

  "Lovely town right across the field ripe for the picking. Set up shop in a tavern...ooh!" Snowy rummaged through his pack and tugged out a deck of cards.

  "I think they'd have their own at a pub," Gavin remarked while pulling out the first clean shirt he found. This was sky blue, with a deeper neckline to account for his growing form. He should probably look into acquiring more clothing that was deep green to match his knight's livery. But for now...

  Snowy unfurled his cards, easily snapping the entire deck from one hand to the other like a fountain, "Not like these they won't. Now, come on." After patting his roomie on the shoulder one last time, Snowy dashed out to join the rest of the squires all unearthed from their beds.

  By the time Gavin stepped out, they had a good half dozen in total, practically all the boys who came with on this mission. Calenhad was inspecting his troops, nodding with a big smile at the pile he kept around him. When he turned to spot Gavin, he stopped and crossed his arms. "Look at this, farm boy's gonna break the rules and join us."

  "I'm...yes," Gavin stumbled with a response. He felt a thrill riding up and down his arms. Sure, he'd often travel for days at a time without his parents, but they always knew where he was. Aside from the handful of times he'd perhaps take a minor detour. Never for anything very nefarious, just to see if there was anything interesting out in the world.

  "Right," Cal, the clear leader slapped his hands together, "I got the dirt on this spit of a town. Not much, but seems a lot of soldiers pass through from Denerim to Highever, so I know the perfect place to head out to."

  The other boys cheered, already amped to get up to a touch of mischief. Even Snowy clapped along, excited to get free. At that Cal paused in his devilish plans and eyed up the dwarf. He looked about to say something against it, but Gavin only folded his arms and the boy smiled anew.

  "Let's get the fuck out of here before Ol' 12 bottles catches us," he cried. With Cal in the front, the entire squad ducked down and broke into a soft run towards the town lights. It felt good to stretch his legs after having spent most of the day wandering through the campsite. But Gavin slowed up to remain by Snowy so together they took up the rear.

  As they reached the Bann's estate gates, Cal waved them towards a bit of a break in the fence. It was just large enough for one person to squeeze through, and looked well used. Servants sneaking out the same way they were? No doubt that was how Cal learned of it. "Pst," he whispered, "last one through, put the bush thing back."

  That wound up being Gavin, Snowy ahead of him having to suck in his broad chest to make it past the narrow gap. Oh Maker, what if he got stuck? Would the others ditch him? He paused in his panic to amend after the others ditched him, how long would it take anyone else to find him? His concerns wound up being all for not as he easily slipped on past the break in the iron. Chuckling at the foolish fears, Gavin only glanced back at the big house once.

  It sat silent, the size looming over them like a hammer about to fall. But no swift retribution came, only the slumbering of the lords and ladies inside. Tugging back on the creeping vines seven excited boys shoved away, Gavin hid away the hole.

  The town was quaint, one of those one chantry, one pub types. They'd all met the mayor while passing through, the woman ecstatic to greet the actual Princess. Her excitement dimmed but didn't diminish as she waved to the rest of the riffraff passing through her village to get to the Bann's estates. Mostly packed dirt roads, a single cobblestone square filled out the main street. It had a statue of Andraste in the middle which Cal, upon jogging past, paused and turned back in order to stretch up and grab at her chest. The others around him giggled at the idea of fondling their prophet while Gavin fumed.

  Snowy jabbed him in the side and whispered, "Farm boy not abbey priest, remember." He didn't realize he'd even made a sound and tried to blink it away. If Cal and the gang heard, they didn't let on. They were too far gone in their own freedom to care. Turning on a copper, they were led to the left of the town.

  Most of the house's lights were out; not even a flickering haze from a sleeping fireplace answered them. All they had to go on were the stars and the moon. Funny, a village this small it seemed unlikely to find anything open this late at night. Maybe an older man would throw open the barn doors and invite a few people in for a drink. But the town proper was too busy preparing for tomorrow to bother with such things. No, if there was a tavern to be had, it wouldn't be on the outskirts which seemed to be where Cal was leading them.

  Gavin tensed up, fearing he was being pulled into an ambush. Stupid. He didn't think to bring a sword. There was a dagger on his thigh, but that was it. Well, perhaps he could count on Snowy to back him up. Two on six, that would in no way be impossible odds. Maker's sake, why would you think he'd be your friend? It's not as if...

  "Here we are!" Cal shouted, waving a hand to encompass a solitary house sitting alone on an empty street. Candles burned in every window, an eerie red flame lapping off them. Was this a sacrifice site? Did blood mages live here?

  Gavin was about to speak up, terrified of the answer, when the door opened and Maker awful lute music fled through the gap. A man was garbling the fast paced song, but what caught all their eyes was a woman clearly dressed in her underthings waving goodbye to an older gentleman. Before he turned from her, he reached back and gave her a hard pinch on the bottom. Instead of slapping him, she giggled so high pitched it drowned out the terrible lute music.

  "I don't think we're heading to the tavern," Snowy whispered softly to himself.

  "Wh...what is this?" Gavin asked.

  "Oh abbey," the dwarf sighed, shaking his head.

  Cal slapped his hands together as if he couldn't wait to dive into a great feast, "Well, what are you all standing around for? Let's get in there!" All the other boys were mimicking him, giggles passing from one to another as they began to shout random words that seemed to have no bearing upon anything. The air stank of nervousness and sweat, the others leaping on their toes as if to reach up taller than the rest of the boys around them. Some would dash forward, only to scamper back and let the rest overtake them. Cal continued onward, dead set on his path.

  Only Gavin was left fully confused. If they weren't going to a tavern what was this? A musical interlude? He'd heard of bards, of the Orlesian intrigue types, but this couldn't be it. His mother said bards were good at singing and whatever gifts the Maker blessed that woman with, it was not the musical arts. Hanging towards the back, the others all rushed headfirst into the house clustered so tight some of them actually squeezed through the door frame together. Gavin risked a glance to the side to catch Snowy's eyes opening wider. The dwarf had a hand jammed deep in his pocket as if he was counting every coin at his disposal.

  Uncertain and beyond his depths, Gavin stepped into the house. Perfume struck him like a blow to the head. Some ointments were ethereal, a flower in the meadow, or cherries being squished to make a pie. This assortments of oils was the equivalent of someone dumping an entire censer's worth of incense into your nose in one go. He could barely breathe in the thin air. And the smoke lingering around the heavy drapes and peeling furniture enhanced Gavin's fear he was about to pass out.

  "Well, what do we have here?" a voice giggled from behind one of the curtains that cut off the various rooms. Stepping out was a woman dressed in one of those restricting bodices that often had bones inside. She'd painted her face, then went over it all again to emphasize various features that screamed for attention. Gavin was oddly fascinated by her nose which she seemed to have drawn a small circle on the end of. Perhaps it was meant to make it appear more buttony but he couldn't stop thinking of a walking target.

  Cal walke
d forward, prepared to explain whatever was going on, when another three women stepped out of the curtains. Two on the left, one on the right. They were dressed similar to the first one, a couple in sheer skirts that cut off at the knees and the last...

  Gavin's entire face lit up red as he realized she was without the bodice portion of the whole being dressed part. There was a skirt, his eyes that all but whipped down to the floor made certain of that. And she seemed to be wearing slippers. Admirable, the floors were a bit dirty, and if one needed to head outside one wouldn't want to mess with any potential ringworm.

  Catching on to the topless woman in their midst, the other boys began to snigger and jab each other in the sides. Some of them loudly whispered incoherent sexual things, while the last decided to try hooting instead. The girls all seemed to be charmed by the slavering pack that wandered into their home. They cooed in response, curling their bodies into passive positions while Gavin's brain drained out of his ears.

  "We're a pack of brave squires, my good lady," Cal laughed, his hand snaking around one waist. He plucked a wide eyed girl towards him, her hair plunging into his face before he figured out what he was doing, "And are in desperate need of some entertainment."

  "Ooh, squires," the one in Cal's hands giggled again.

  "You're rather cocksure for one so young," the first woman, who seemed to grow to an imposing stature, folded an arm over her chest. "There are rules for..."

  "Yes," Cal waved her concerns away by placing a full sovereign into her hand. That melted her icy exterior instantly. "I know the deal," the boy's wolfish grin danced by the red candlelight, his sharp teeth seeming to elongate before he plunged his mouth onto the girl's lips. It wasn't a kiss but a hungry bite, as if Cal couldn't contain himself any longer. The reaction through the others wasn't one of aww for a display of romance, but an extension of the hooting.

  There weren't enough girls to go around, but the squires didn't seem to mind. The girls picked up a boy on each arm, their rose red lips whispering things that could make them blush like mad. More coins glinted in the light, promises being offered while the ones chosen were led back through the curtains.

  It wasn't until Cal glanced up with a mix of lust and fear that Gavin's brain snapped back into place. This was a brothel. He brought them to a brothel for the express purpose of... Oh Maker. Gavin clasped his hands together less for prayer than to receive strength, but it drew the attentions of Cal and the pursing lips of the Madame. She took in Gavin with a calculating look. It reminded him of tailors sizing up potential customers before the measuring tape even came out.

  "What's your matter, farm boy? None to your liking?" Cal ran his sticky fingers up and down the woman's naked arm while he taunted Gavin. He pressed a few more touches of his lips to her neck before snickering, "Or do we need to find you a sheep?"

  An anger that few expected to find flared up inside Gavin. He didn't ask for this. He wanted the quietness of a pub, a few card games, even losing his shirt to a large man named Tiny would be better. This! Maker, his father would kill him. Who knew what his mother would do. And it was all Cal's fault.

  The Madame slid away from the traitor who was suckered to a poor woman forced to humor it. Gavin could see her straining against it, her hands trying to get Cal to not grip so tight or pinch her. But she had to be pleasing too. The customer is always right and what not.

  "Trinity," the Madame purred, "why don't you take your gentleman upstairs. I'll handle this one."

  Trinity turned from Cal's grip to smile at Gavin. Without the pressing need to appear desirable at all times, her eyes sparkled with a shocking amount of mirth at him. "Aren't you the lucky one."

  Unaware she was talking to someone else, Cal muttered, "Wait until you see what I can do."

  As Trinity ushered the boy out with her, the Madame rolled her eyes at the poor seduction attempt. She turned to the last two hold outs, Snowy being surprisingly quiet beside Gavin. "Well, what of you two gentlemen? There are more girls I can send for. Though..." she tapped a finger to her lips, her eyes staring right into Gavin's. It felt as if she was peeling every layer of skin from his bones. "I suspect you'd prefer a more full blooded woman."

  "No!" it squeaked pathetically out of his throat, Gavin scampering back on his heels. How did she...? No. No, it couldn't... He wouldn't. He promised.

  The Madame sighed as if he gave the wrong response on a test. Her eyes turned away from the tallest to the shortest. "Dwarves are extra," she said like informing a customer about the price of an apple.

  Gavin glanced down at his roomie, hoping that'd be enough to send the pair of them fleeing into the night. Maybe they could wait outside, find that supposed pub that had to be here, or head back to the grounds and forget anything even happened.

  Reaching into his pocket, Snowy exposed a glint of coins and sighed, "I know."

  Behind the Madame two new girls who must have been off the clock wandered past. They didn't spot the final two guests standing limply in the doorway as they talked shop.

  "Heard it was a knight company coming through."

  "No, squires."

  "Oh, I adore squires," the second cooed as if they were lap dogs.

  "Yeah, full price for maybe five minutes work."

  "Assuming they don't pop off before their trousers drop."

  The Madame coughed into her fist, "A hem." It sent both girls spinning to eye up their boss. As their eyes trailed back and upwards to spot Gavin attempting to merge with the walls, their lips parted in shock.

  "One of these fine gentlemen would like a bit of your time," the Madame said.

  Both pairs of kohl coated eyes honed right in on Gavin. They tried lifting their chests, exposing a chasm of cleavage, and frilled out the thin skirts to emphasize the hips. "Someone that cute, I'd offer a discount," the first smiled wide.

  "Look at his frame, and those hands..." the second tacked on, causing Gavin to shuffle both arms behind his back. He felt like they were two wolves about to tear into a stag with a broken leg.

  "Nice try," the Madame snickered, "but it's this one," she jerked her head towards Snowy who seemed to be taking his mistreatment as no big deal.

  The second woman visibly let her face falter, a sneer rising upon the pursed lips, while the other shrugged. She bent over at the waist, her breasts practically falling free from her top, in order to look Snowy directly in the eye.

  "I always had a thing for short men," she lied, but it didn't seem to matter. The entire place was lies, fantasy, and commerce.

  Snowy's hand slid along her waist before coming to rest right upon her ass. He frowned a moment, but shrugged it off. Before trailing away with her, he paused and glanced back at his roomie trying to merge with the wall. "Hey," Snowy released his grip on his choice for the evening in order to whisper to Gavin. The dwarf attempted to yank Gavin down but the boy was too stricken in terror to bend. He feared he'd snap in half if he tried.

  "Abbey boy, what's the matter? You're scaring 'em off."

  "I..." He couldn't tell him. Couldn't tell anyone. Maker, they'd all...would they laugh? Commiserate? Or worse?

  Snowy tipped his head a bit, then sighed, "You know, virginity ain't really all that special."

  That caused a single laugh to echo up Gavin's throat. Virginity. Sure. Right. That was the problem. Why not? He was their simpleton farm boy after all. Fully incapable of moving, Gavin stared impotently at the last girl who was trying to get him to her side. Maybe she was nice. He had no way of knowing. She could kick puppies and eat orphans or something and he'd never know. That was the point of these places, to not care.

  "Right," Snowy patted him on the forearm and shrugged, "you do you, abbey." Having given his final say, the dwarf vanished with the girl on his arm along with everyone else who came with Gavin. He was left alone in the entranceway to a brothel.

  "Look," the Madame dropped all pretense, her once soft baby voice dropping into a tenor. Gravel crunched through her words as if she'd inhaled dust
her whole life. "Here's the deal, kid. We ain't a charity here. And we don't let people sit around having a lookie loo, so... If you're not into it, and," her eyes traveled down Gavin, "it sure looks like you are." At that he snapped up, his hands swooping over to try and cover himself but Maker, that probably made it look even worse.

  "There's the door," the Madame jerked her hand towards the scrap of wood behind him. "Come back when you've gotten over your hangups. Cause I can assure you, my girls will give you a better religious experience than anything the chantry can offer."

  Gulping, Gavin slid away with his cheeks burning, his eyes focusing on the ground, and both hands covering his groin. The door barely offered any resistance to him bumping into it, the hinges used to people coming and going as they pleased. By the time he made it down the front steps and out into the night, he finally risked glancing up. No one bothered to close the door he barged through, giving him a glimpse of the Madame stuffing a fallen hair into her complicated bun as she wrote something down in her book.

  Up above him, he watched as shadows played out across the various windows. Bodies doing what bodies did. Cal, a year younger than him, thinking it a normal thing, an easy thing. As if one could just dip in and out without thought for any consequences.

  Abbey boy. Chantry do-gooder. Virgin.

  Gavin wished he was. That it was so simple to be right, to know you're right, and never question it. To have that purity of soul that the Sisters spoke of. He hadn't done a thing, but he felt dirtier than he had in years marching back alone towards the campsite. Silence echoed down the streets. He didn't realize how quiet the town was without six other boys jabbering on beside him.

  Maker's sake. His first foray out with friends and it was right into a bordello!

  Was that what they were? Friends? How did one know when they made a friend? When he was all of maybe six or seven, he curled up in a stuffed chair and asked his father that. Plain as day, "Dad, when do you make a friend?"

 

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