CH 7 Dinner with a Deviant
Reaver and the world of Albion belong to Fable and Lionhead studios.
I must have dozed longer than I wanted because the next thing I heard was a knock on the door that sent me flying off the bed.
"Who is it?" I asked my grip hardening on the knife.
A whisper of a voice, female responded, "Ummm, Miss Jessie, Reaver instructed me to get you ready for dinner ma'am." I walked to the door, slipped the knife away from sight and opened it. A small, girl stood there, dirt covering most of her face and her blond hair. She let out a squeak and kept her eyes down, fiddling with her hands. I step to one side letting her in and she scurried to the wardrobe, opening it and going through the contents.
"What's your name?" I asked, keeping my voice sweet. She looked up with a smile and replied, "Emily, miss. Master Reaver sent me up here to make sure you're ready for dinner." She walked over to the bed and laid out gowns and skirts, the works. I glared at the infernal garments; they are so fucking impracticable unless you plan on getting bent over something.
"Let me guess, he plans on making me wear more of these dammed dresses and skirts. Don't people wear pants around here?" I was a little annoyed, but head over to the wash basin and cleaned up with the cold water. Emily handed me a towel and I dried off, wrapping the warm cloth around my shoulders and glowered at the emerald blouse, black silk skirt and undergarments lying on the bed. With a sigh, I started getting dressed and fixed my hair up with the available combs. I really wanted to toss the makeup out the window, but used some of the paint to darken my eyes and lips. Just because I don't like using the stuff doesn't mean I don't know how to. Emily waited with her head bowed near the door.
"How do I look?" I asked her, gesturing with my hands. She looked up and flushed.
"You look perfect miss. Umm, if you would please follow me." She led the way out of my room and down to the first floor dinning hall. Opening the door she bowed as I passed her by.
A wave of laughter and chatter hit my ears. I looked around the decorative room; servants dressed in very revealing garb lined the walls holding trays with food and cabernets filled with red wine. Reaver was sitting at the head of a long and full dining table dressed in a fresh white shirt, dark leather pants and a crimson tail coat. The buzz of chatter and laughter ended when Reaver rose.
"There she is my dears, our honored guest!" He started to clap and it made me feel ridiculous seeing all of these people clapping for me. Although the fact that Reaver would shoot them if they didn't was probably more accurate. I painted a smile on my face, trying to keep a natural appearance and walked towards Reaver, who gestured to a servant to pull out the available chair. I sat as gracefully as I could, infernal skirts or not, I will not look like an idiot that can't wear 'proper woman's clothing'.
"What's all this?" I asked gesturing to the crowd of people sitting around the table. "Getting the party started already?"
His grin widened, "Indeed my pet. This little gathering of friends can hardly be called a party. Although, I really should throw a party shouldn't I? After all I am me and I deserve the best."
With that wolfish grin of his, he wrapped an arm around the busty wench sitting on his other side and pulled her into his lap. She let out a thrill shriek of laughter that left me wondering if my ears were bleeding. I shook it off and took a good look at the others around the table. A few others were dressed in just as skimpy outfits as the giggling broad on Reaver's lap, but the men I recognized from the ship. I grinned at Jimmy at the end, I hardly recognized him all cleaned up and shaved. He lifted his glass to me and started to talk to a non-unconscious Adam. He looked down the table at me and waved; a little pale, but happy which put a smile on my face.
The waiters started to serve food, rich meats and veggies; my stomach snarled and I was thankful that that chatter was loud enough that people didn't hear it. I waited patiently, very patiently until my plate was full, soup poured into fine china bowls, and wine filled glasses. Reaver dispatched the harlot and rose with his glass.
"To all of you who plundered, who pillaged and quite frankly enjoyed all the festivities the inhabitants of that quaint little island had to offer, I say cheers!" There was a round of whoots and cheers before he continued. "And who would have guessed that coming home from that journey, we would fish such a marvel out of the ocean." He held his arm out and I took it on reflex.
As I stood the others did too, well the pirate crew anyways; half the wenches were too enthralled ogling Reaver and the jealous glares I was receiving from the others were, well pathetic. I got meaner looks from puppies that didn't want a bath. So I did what any young lady would do, I flaunted the hell out of it, a smirk never leaving my face if only to turn into a wicked grin. Reaver kissed my hand and we both sat. He placed a napkin on his now unoccupied lap and started to eat; I followed his lead and everyone started to dig in. It's funny when I had the most table manners out lot; I wasn't scooping the food directly into my mouth and I tried to avoid using my hands while I feared others might inhale the plates since the forks were left untouched.
The servers kept on refilling everyone's plate; by the second serving my stomach was full and I had hardly drank any of the wine so I asked one of them for a cup of tea. The young girl bowed and hurried off. I sat back content and watched the others; Reaver was polishing off another rack of ribs, Jimmy had his hands around a bowl of soup, and Adam had half of a chicken in his hand. When the girl came back with my cup, I sniffed it and froze. The smell was familiar and it took a minute to place the scent of poppy seed oil. I gently placed the cup back onto the saucer and beckoned the girl over and asked,
"What is this?"
"Tea miss, it's a special brew Master Reaver drinks. Is there something else I can get for you?"
I sighed, "If you can be so kind as to get me normal tea, the kind you or the staff might drink that would be fine, as long as it's hot. Please." I try to remember my manners to the people handling my food.
She nodded and took the acrid smelling liquid away and was back in a few moments with a good cup of tea. The last thing I needed was to have narcotics in my system. I took a few sips and let the heat seep into me, down to my bones. Reaver looked over at my empty plate and said, "Well my dear, if you're done we could move on to more enjoyable activities." He leaned close to me and I blew some of the steam from my cup into his face.
"And leave all of these sex deprived ladies with out you to comfort them in their time of need." I chuckled; it was the only thing I could do to prevent the shiver crawling up my spine at the sheer lust emanating from the man. Before Reaver could say anything, his attention was grabbed when the previously discarded harlot was making a pleading sound as she pulled at his pants. Some of the other girls got up from their seats and headed towards Reaver, his eyes gleaming and his pants too tight.
"Hehee it's rude to leave your adoring fans waiting my dear Reaver. Go have fun." I made a shooing gesture as the swarm of harlots led a very hungry Reaver towards the door. His eyes met mine just as he was about to turn; it was a mix of lust, a vengeful promise and a gleeful cheer at being escorted by a gaggle of girls and some men. That left me with a few drunken sailors that right now were better company then that narcissistic bastard.
I stood, stretching a little and headed over to Jimmy and the boys; none of which were sober. Apparently one of them tried to out drink Saul and was literally snoring from under the table. I pulled the currently unoccupied chair closer to a some what sober Jimmy and asked,
"So besides the drinking and the whores, is there anything fun to do around here?"
Jimmy scrunched his eyebrows in thought, his hands on his chin. "Well, the marsh is a great place to shoot some stuffs, the slavers dock once a week, twice if the sea doesn't misbehave …"
"You could go fishin', the boats go out every day." Suggested Adam.
"How about we get yah inked." Eddie said. I felt my face twist into a grimace which made the boys laugh. Well at least I made them smile. It was then that I noticed Cookie come out from where I assumed the kitchen was and clamped a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"Ink? I don't think this little lady would look good with someone's scrawl on her. If she wanted entertainment, she should head to the coast. Beautiful reefs, fresh fish and the purest white sands." He slumped into a chair with a sigh, "Simply gorgeous."
"Eh, you softy. The lass isn't interested in being totted around in your sandy paradise." Saul huffed as he got to his feet and wiggled a crooked finger at Cookie. "Mark my words, you sorry bastard, she best not be getting into any trouble, or the Capt will be puttin' pretty little holes into yah skulls." He wobbled on his feet a bit before heading towards the door.
"Let's take a note from Saul for once and head to bed. I know I wouldn't want to be around in the morning with Reaver. Anyone gonna help my get Caleb outta here?" Adam said, lifting the sleeping drunk off the floor with Cookie's help. I recognized the man as the one being man handled by Reaver earlier. On the docks
"Get home safe guys, see you tomorrow." I said rising and heading upstairs to my given room. A few muffles and chair moving was the only sound until I got to the top floor where apparently Reaver was having fun with those poor sex deprived girls. Sitting on the bed was a pair of pajamas, a full night shirt and cap with frills and lace. If I could only set it on fire with my glare; I despise lacey, itchy cloths. With a sigh, I stripped off the clothes and rummaged through the wardrobe for a plain shirt, while trying to ignore the giggles, groans and squeaking bed. I found a simple red silk shirt that was long enough to cover most of me and slipped into it.
The window was still open so I took a few moments to lean on the banister and look over the sin city of Albion. The sound of the ocean came in clear and blocked any racket coming from the next room. My eyes went straight out to the open waters. I stood there for a while, twirling my pendent between my fingers, the weight heavy on my heart. My pack was safer not being in this world, but to see them lying there dead to the world; it made my throat tighten and tears silently roll down my face. I needed them; they are my everything. To not feel Daga, to have him locked away, out of sight tore at my chest and I choked back a sob. I let my chest and back relax, resting my head on the stone.
Everything will be alright, you will find them. You are inseparable from them, they are safe with the master. We are strong child, never forget your power. The dark voice purred; it was an unusual comfort to hear it.
I took a deep breath, focusing on clearing my mind, my emotions. There will be plenty of time for that later. Right now I need to survive, no. I will thrive in this place. How many hours have I spent killing hollow men and balverines; collecting gold and weapons. With the sun, a new day, a new day, a new challenge and a new challenge is exactly what I need.
It was silent when I headed back in, hopefully it will stay that way until morning. I slid under the covers, checked for my knife under the pillow and fell into a dreamless slumber.
Hope you are all enjoying reading this. Let me know what you think!
