Silk and Steel chapter Two

The night was alive and warm, a slight breeze circled, carrying with it the smell of a combination of sweet scented flowers. As we made our way down the to the circle small different colored lights, like fireflies could be seen. Many carriages were going to the ball this night. Laughter floated through the trees and I shivered at the thought of meeting other courtesans from other houses. I chastised myself for I had been in training for years now. All for this night. Was I scared? Yes, but I was trained to hide it. I looked over to Erik's face. He seemed in deep thought and his dark eyes were black pools that one could fall into. When people got to know him it was always his eyes that were his redeeming feature. I wondered what he was thinking about. He was never caught deep in thought. He had nothing to think about. His future was decided and assured. He had already been to one of these balls were he had met his first client. He now catered to a range of woman and men........but I still scowled at the memory of his first client.

Her name was Baroness Parkinson and she had become immediately enamored of Erik at his first ball. She had paid dearly for his one virgin night. I remember when she swept through the door to Orchid manor. That night I was the receiving girl and was standing at the door stiffly. My hair had been tightly tied back and at fourteen years of age I felt uncomfortable at being forced into my first skirt. It was long and extremely tight until it came to the knees, then it flowed out. I could barely walk in it. Under my breath I was reciting the 26 city states of England and Francae. When Baroness Parkinson stopped before me I looked at her and she sneered at me. I opened the door at once and as she went by me I caught a whiff of too sweet oranges. She wasn't ugly or anything, in fact she was quite pretty excepting the fact that her nose had seen better days. I cringed that night as I thought of Erik with her. She seemed cruel and unforgiving. I bet she worked Erik to the extent of all his skills. The next day his eyes were ringed with shadows, but he seemed drowsily happy. That made me scowl the most.

As we arrived at the circle we slowed down and I glanced out the window. The circle was full to the brim of different colored carriages, like a bowl of brightly wrapped sweets that I wasn't allowed to eat. As I leaned out the window for a closer look one carriage in particular caught my attention. The carriage had a royal coat of arms that was made up of a badger, a raven, a snake and a lion. Erik, noticing where I was looking, moved over to my window and scrutinized the carriage I was looking at.

"Erik, to whom does that carriage belong to?"

"I don't know, it looks to be a client's carriage. Perhaps royalty. Wait, I do believe that is the shield of Anjouina."

"You mean the city King James rules?"

"Yes, the beautiful King James." He said this dreamily and I looked askance at him. Although it was known that clients both male and female had spent a night with Erik and indeed I would also cater to both sexes I did sometimes wonder if he had his preferences. Woe find me it the person that I had taken a fancy too preferred the charms of men. But, from what Mistress Elanne had told me, James had never lain with a men, despite many offers from court men.

I squinted closer and from the carriage light I vaguely saw a man's head and what seemed to be a women's head. That definitely confirmed that James loved the ladies. A bit too much it seemed as another shadow of a lady's head leaned in. I immediately stopped staring as the woman's head turned around to look at me and I settled back into the carriage. Erik also leaned back and as he did he took my hand and held it.

"You are cold."

I tried to think of an intelligent reply, but affection had swamped my heart and I just sighed and let him hold my hand. The carriage driver took a sudden turn and I realized it was the back way we were taking. I smiled wryly. Mistress Elanne probably wanted me to be the last there to have the most effect on the guests. She was a shrewd old thing in her later years. Her soft beauty had fallen away to reveal an inside like tempered steel and a mind that was sharper than the daggers I had been given.

I discarded any thoughts of my future and tried to relax. Beside me I could hear a rushing river. I smiled lazily, I hadn't heard a river since...I frowned, when had I last heard a river? According to the geography I had been taught the river's name was Elmalone and it was the longest river in England. It was also very cold in summer and curiously hot in winter. Memories swamped me as I remembered a song that used to be sung about Elmalone. I frowned, I had never been taught such music in Orchid manor, perhaps I had learned it in the highlands. Ghostly snatches of song rang in my head and I was lost.

A pudgy red haired girl sat beside a warm fire as a tough looking fire- haired woman gently stroked her head and sung a song in a low musical voice.

On the river Elmalone On the river Elmalone

The boat sails on to places unknown

The oars go back and forth

While the compass aims North

On the river Elmalone

I was jerked out of my little dream as the carriage hit a bump and I blinked. Erik yawned and asked a question.

"Are we there yet?"

"No. Not for another 15 minutes at least."

"Oh right."

"Well since I'm not going back to sleep would you fancy playing a game with me?"

He drew out a pack of glittering gold cards from his coat pocket and I laughed and told him I would. He was full of surprises. We spent the remainder of the time happily playing Bourgesa. I heard a clock striking in the distance and I knew that we weren't far from the city center of Donavue. When I happened to glance up I saw the city of Donavue and smiled in wonder. We both paused in the middle of the card game to look at our fair city. Donavue was famed far and wide for its stunning architecture and I could see why. Buildings that scraped the sky and rivaled the jewels of the earth glittered in the moonlight. I noted the famous Leaky Cauldron pub that alone among the beauty of the city seemed plain and simple, its windows bereft of any decoration besides the usual notices. Gracious willows lined the wide roads and many enormous windows looked down on us. Some were even lightly tinted and the light that filtered outside ranged in colour from indigo to sanguine. My gaze lingered the longest on the Courtesan fountain though. It was as pleasing to the eyes as to the ears. Sounds like rain falling onto exquisite crystalline china could be heard coming from it and six beautiful women that were the founders of the flower court stood to attention. Each had the flower of their house in their hand. The founder of Orchid stood the tallest, it seemed to me.

When we passed by the magnificent Church of Allonsa I decided that it was time to straighten up. I neatened my hair a bit and Erik put the cards away. He moved across to the other velvet covered seat and sat in the middle and then gestured for me to move to the middle of my seat. I complied and sat ramrod straight in my seat, steeling myself for the time when the footman would open the door. Lessons of etiquette flitted through my mind and it calmed me. I was prepared for my future. I gave into the grace that had been taught to me for years.

We drew up to a marvelous palace. It was a pure luminous white that even the darkness couldn't mar. A poet once said that it rivaled the moon. I didn't let my composure slip as the footman opened the door and I floated down to the ground. Erik came after me and took hold of my arm. We looked up the wide steps leading to the doors and began to walk as one. I could feel the footman watching us as we stepped up and arrived before large glass doors. I only saw a minute part of the etchings in the glass that made these door so famous before they were swung open by another couple of footmen. We walked in slowly and I heard my skirt whisper in the silence.

There were two doors on either side of the elegant blue hallway that we were in. I knew from my lessons that I was supposed to go through the right one and Erik the left. He turned around to me.

"Are you very sure you want to do this? You can change your mind and run away. I have a cousin who would train you to be a horse master or something."

I looked up at him and words failed me. I simply shook my head and he drew me into a tight embrace. He kissed my forehead and said, "Good luck then. I'll meet you at the center of the stairs and our names will be announced."

I was ready. A small tear slipped down my face as I faced the door. Erik was waiting for me to walk through. I breathed and relaxed myself. No better time than now. I pushed the door open and took a few mincing steps. I was hidden from view in a small partially enclosed area, but I could see the large wide staircase that led down to the announcing platform and from then on down another even wider stair to the grand hall. Everything was gold, red and white. I looked up and Erik was waiting in the same place as me except at the other staircase at the opposite end. He would descend his staircase at the exact same time as I would alight upon mine. I nodded at him and poised myself at the top and then we both started our way down the two stairs.

I concentrated so hard on the grace of steps and composure that I barely even glanced at the extravagantly beautiful hall and the many members of nobility it contained. I didn't trip or even fall as I walked down the very center. The intricately patterned velvet carpet pressed into my shoes and I feared that I would lose my balance and then finally I met Erik at the golden platform. I was shaking slightly as he took my arm and whispered, "Just breath, you look like a goddess and stop shaking!"

"I'm fine" I snapped at him, but at the same time I took a deep breath and the smell of sweet beeswax calmed me down. Erik shrugged and told the announcer in a low voice our names. The announcer glanced at me as he said this and he seemed a little startled. Then the moment came and he announced Erik and I.

" I Present to This Court Lilly Merry Lassana de Orchid Adopted Daughter of Lady Elanne Reina de Orchid, Daughter of the Clan of Evans and her escort Erik Haviey Sonta De Orchid Son of Lady Elanne Reina de Orchid"

My jaw almost dropped open as he announced me as the daughter of the clan of Evans and Erik as the son (the son!) of Mistress Elanne. It shouldn't have surprised me, yet it did. I should have known. They had the same eyes. He took my arm firmly and without even looking at me, led me down the staircase. People had turned around quickly at our announcement and I looked straight ahead and walked with pride. Erik smiled slightly as he recognized the defiance that hadn't been pounded out of me and led me to the bottom. We stopped at the end of the staircase and the hall that had been rather quiet as we walked down the stairs filled with chatter and laughter again. I looked up at the top of the hall and gasped, I could not contain myself this time. The ceiling reflected the night sky. A pale, breathtakingly silver crescent moon and glittering stars shone benevolently down on us.

"It is said that it was done by magic"

"Erik, you know as well as I do that magic doesn't exist."

Erik smiled secretively as music started playing a fast tune and men started to take laughing woman out to dance. The rest sat at tables and ate the delicate and sumptuous looking food and drink that lined the sides of the hall. The king and queen even danced a stately waltz among the nobility, who respectfully left an area of space around them. Erik smiled and bowed to me and said,

"Will the lady have a dance with me?"

I wouldn't give in so quickly though." Erik, why did you tell the announcer I am the daughter of the clan of Evans? Don't give me that look! I won't dance with you unless you give me a good reason! I mean what was that?!"

"Because it's who you are and I thought you might need to be reminded. You haven't been a courtesan in training your whole life you know"

I opened my mouth to speak, but he led me out to the floor just in time for a new piece of music to play. I gave up and we glided to the middle of the floor. He put his hand on my waist and I complied and wrapped an arm around his neck and lightly touched my fingers to his palm. There was a sudden change in the air. A metallic sense, like the world was taking a deep breath and holding it. I looked at Erik as he put a hand on my waist and my hand in his. I felt a thrill, but not because of him. I shook it off and lost myself in the powerful song that was being played.

I knew the dance well as Mistress Elanne had practiced with me endlessly, but dancing with her was merely a dance, with Erik it was.....more. We danced flawlessly in a way that only those of the flower court can dance. I felt the very bass pounding in my feet and the feeling of fullness and heat. As he spun me around the floor and others looked on at us with envy we locked eyes. They sparkled at me with love and caring, but my heart fell as I saw his innocent love for me. I was like a sister to him. Ah well, it's not as if anything would've come of it. I arched my back and dipped my head to the ground and just as quickly snapped back to straightness as a single tear glistened in the deep grey of my eye, like a pearl, but it was like a diamond that my heart hardened against Erik. I would never love anyone of the night court. That I vowed to myself

We continued to step in and out of each others whip-like legs until it was time for the mos difficult part of the dance; lover's lament. I separated from him and he lowered himself to one knee and I stood poised with one foot flat on the ground and one leg stretched high in the air and my arms reaching for the stars of the top of the hall. Three other dancers followed suit and I realized that all of us were the center of attention from everyone in the hall. So lost had I been in the music that I had failed to notice the audience.

The music reached its frenzy high pitched top and one violin could be heard playing a fervent cacophony of notes and then everything exploded into a deep loud thumping tune. I did a splitting leap into the air and swept around Erik with my feet doing fast complicated patterns before joining the other dancers as we circled around each other. My eyes met with the three dancers and I noted the colors of their eyes: umber, obsidian and a startling onyx. Then we raced towards our partners. Erik stood up just as I came at him and he lifted me clean off the ground. I could feel his fingers wrap themselves around my torso as I arched my back as hard as I could and the tip of my head and tops of my toes connected. Then I straightened and bent into a pike and landed beside Erik except facing the opposite direction. I hid a wince as my feet throbbed slightly. We were both panting, but we stood our ground as did the other dancers. A low rumble in the audience burst into cheering and clapping. I murmured from the side of my mouth,

"Just a second longer holding me up there and people could've seen up my skirt!"

Blaise chuckled and said, "My dear, by the end of this week you shall have received so many propositions that it won't matter anyway as they will know what is underneath that skirt and more."

If I had been Lily from the highlands I would've slapped him, but as it was my fate I merely settled to making him dance with the most foul mouthed woman at the ball. Erik hated it when people cursed.

"You'll regret that"

"I'm sure I will."

We separated and he bowed to me while I curtseyed.

"Erik darling I think that it's definitely time for a good strong drink."

" Lily sweet mouthful I second that, but you get the drinks I'll get the table."

I almost scowled at his nickname "Lazy beast."

"That I am."

I giggled and walked off to the drinks table. Thought consumed me. My attraction to Eril had disappeared as early morning mists on the harbor. Mistress Elanne had told me that attraction, especially first love, never faded. Well, at least I knew I didn't love Erik. Why had it dissapeared so quickly though? A new thought came to mind. Was I meant for someone else. No, I was meant for all. I am a courtesan, it is my life and will be from the night I have my first client, onwards.

As I walked through the room many men approached me with offers, but I would have none of it until I had a drink. I was also keeping my eye open for more esteemed candidates. Besides, I also wanted to enjoy myself on my first night and though many of these men were handsome, they were all averagely so."

Winding my way through the many massively overdone skirts and piles of perfume, I finally found myself at the drinks table. I poured myself some cold mint juice and gulped it down then I took some lemon juice for Blaise mixed with whatever alcohol was on the table. I knew I would have to keep my wits about me this night if I was to get a good offer. I picked up the glass of liquid for Blaise and headed out towards the table Blaise was at. As I was nearing his table I felt my throat go dry and my stomach twisted itself into a knot. My breath, which had returned became shallow once again. Licking my lips I turned myself around and gazed under lowered eyelashes at anyone who was looking at me. My eyes met with nothing but the usual lusty men glancing at me. Nothing out of the ordinary except something was near. Something was coming. I could sense it like a rabbit sensing a wolf or perhaps a doe sensing a stag

I flicked my head almost unnoticeably towards a large group of men and women that were laughing at something that someone had said. Bits of my hair clouded my vision slightly, but I hurriedly brushed them to the side. A woman in a white gossamer dress moved her head to one side to display the curve of her neck and time stopped for me as I gazed at the man they clustered around. All memories and thoughts of anything left me. Bewitching was the only word that came to my heart. Wariness rang in my head.

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