Chapter 21: The grand ball
"This is so ridiculous," Entreri sighed, looking at his image from a mirror. He was wearing a blue suit that, no matter how Shandara had praised it, was uncomfortable, showy and utterly horrible. He couldn't believe he had agreed to this, but it was too late to refuse now. He looked at his feet, and his pointy shoes, feeling a bit surreal.
"What are you talking about, you look wonderful," Jarlaxle laughed, obviously enjoying himself. Erik had made him look like a blond human, and the drow had slipped in the role of a human easily. Jarlaxle was wearing a grey suit, which was less showy than Entreri's suit, and the assassin was wondering whether Shandara had wanted to torment him by choosing the bright blue colour.
"This is much easier to you," Entreri said sharply. "You can have all your weapons," he said, referring to the variety of daggers Jarlaxle had hid in his clothes. The assassin couldn't take Charon's Claw, and he had to settle for his jewelled dagger, which he had slid into a little pocket that had been sawn inside his coat.
Entreri had to give the seamstresses credit; they had realized to add the pocket, although even that couldn't make the assassin forgive them for the complicated ornaments sawn outside the coat. Erik had turned the fake box and amulet small, and Entreri slipped them in other pocket. He recalled the word that would turn them to normal size, and hoped that the gnome hadn't messed up this time.
"Well, if everything goes right, we won't need them," Jarlaxle said. "I don't think that this lord can resist Shandara any more than a common man. She has a strange charm that..."
"Why are you still with the elf then?" Entreri asked, wondering why Jarlaxle made him feel even more annoyed than he already was. "Try Shandara if you want."
"Oh, I wouldn't do that," Jarlaxle grinned. "I think that she is somewhat out of my reach. I'm sleeping with her friend, and that's why she wouldn't even consider sleeping with me. Well, maybe consider," the drow added with a smirk. "But she wouldn't do it."
"Let's just go," Entreri said coldly. He didn't have any patience for this anymore, and he almost started to shout to the servant girl who brought him the rings he was supposed to wear as a mark of his high status. He would introduce himself as Therean Asleon, a merchant from Calimport. Jarlaxle would be his business partner from Waterdeep, and Isaldora and Shandara their mistresses. Or property, Entreri thought, and realized that he didn't really appreciate this operation because of the way they would be using people as currency. Although Shandara was a whore, a person who sold her body, Entreri couldn't help to think that this was too... He tried to think of the right word for it, but it was useless.
"Are you going to stare at that wall all the night, or can we go?" Jarlaxle asked grinning, pushing the blond hair from his face. "I have to try to get used to this," he laughed. "The ladies will be ready soon, I think."
"Ladies," Entreri snorted, but then he shook his head. "Never mind. Let's just go."
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Shandara took a pair of earrings and put them on, then stopping to admire her own image from a large mirror that had been brought to her room just for the occasion. She had never understood why people didn't appreciate their own looks and always told themselves they didn't look good enough. Shandara loved the image the mirror showed, and although she knew that most of her good looks were caused by corset, skilled dressmakers and hairdressers and a lots of make-up, she knew that she had nothing to be ashamed of.
"Good luck," Mirjami said, eyeing Shandara's revealing dress like a disapproving mother. "I simply do not understand why that dress has to be so..."
"Whore-like?" Shandara asked grinning. "I dress as what I am. And Lord Kheran will be on his knees before me. Or I'll be on my knees before him," she added dryly. "Not looking forward t it, but what can you do."
"Not do it?" Mirjami asked, but then shook her head. "You have made your choice in life, and all I can do is to support it. So go and show those nobles what you've made of."
"That really helps," Shandara laughed. "I'll see you tomorrow," she said and kissed Mirjami's cheek. "Don't worry, I'll be a good girl."
"I know that," Mirjami replied. "And if that Entreri fellow doesn't take good care of you, he'll have to answer to me."
"That helps even more," Shandara said and put on her black cloak. Then she checked her image one last time and hurried out of the room.
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"I'm telling you, you look perfect," Jarlaxle said to Isaldora. The woman was wearing light blue dress that fit her slender body perfectly, and jewels that - in Jarlaxle's opinion - didn't sparkle as much as her eyes. Although he had begun to lose interest in the woman during the last days, he was once again intrigued, and more interested of seeing Isaldora slip out of the dress than of their operation.
"You both look good too," the elf replied, doing her best job to ignore Entreri's glare. "Don't you think so?" she asked Mitsu, who was leaning on a wall, trying to hide her smile. "Of course they do," the halfling said, winking at Entreri, who was starting to get almost desperate. He had no idea of why he was here with these people, in these ridiculous clothes, in this stupid work. Then again, he couldn't imagine himself anywhere lese either. This was his place at the moment.
"Sorry, am I late?" Shandara asked, stepping in the room and flashing them an apologetic smile. "I was talking with Mirjami and she was acting like a worried mother once again."
"Just in time, my lady," Jarlaxle said bowing his head. "I am truly blessed to have the pleasure of spending this evening with such..."
"Is he always like this?" Shandara asked Isaldora, who shook her head laughing. Jarlaxle took Isaldora's arm, and nodded to Mitsu. "I hope you have a wonderful night too, my lady."
"His really in his element," Shandara smirked. "Hopefully he can shake that off tomorrow."
"I wouldn't count on that," Entreri responded, eyeing Shandara. She noticed his stare and flashed him a quick smile, swirling around once. "What do you think?" she asked.
"You..." Entreri started, but then he simply smiled and offered his arm to Shandara. "You look beautiful, my lady," he said with a strong Calimport accent. Shandara took his arm and flashed a smile to Mitsu. "Try to convince Mirjami that I'll be alright."
"Will do, my lady," Mitsu said, and winked at Entreri again. The assassin escorted Shandara out to the luxurious carriage waiting outside, wondering how he would survive the night among people he despised.
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When they entered Lord Kheran's estate, Entreri noticed that things were even worse than what he had thought. Rich men with their wives or mistresses, or possibly both. Courtesans entertaining the men who had come without women of their own. Shandara left her cloak to a servant at the door, and Entreri stared at her dress that revealed a lot, but still left some things hidden.
"Don't' do that, your eyes might fall out," she whispered, winking at him. "Now, introduce me to Kheran. If he's not interested at first, we'll have to force him to be."
"How?" Entreri asked, looking around the ballroom. To his relief many men were dressed in clothes that were even more ridiculous than his. Jarlaxle and Isaldora were walking right behind them, and the drow leaned to whisper: "Where is this Kheran, then?"
"That fat man in yellow clothes," Shandara replied. "Let's go. Isaldora, try to look less like a fighter and more like a..."
"Whore?" she asked. "I'll just do what you do then?"
"Good girl," Shandara said. "Not everything I do, though."
"Wasn't even planning to," Isaldora said when they headed towards Kheran. Many men turned to watch them as they walked through the room, and Isaldora felt disturbed by hteir stares. Shandara, on the other hand, seemed to enjoy their looks. She winked at few of the men and then leaned closer to Entreri, ignoring the others completely.
"Just look like you owned me, and things will go well," she whispered to the assassin, her lips almost brushing against his cheek. The assassin gathered all his self-control and reminded himself once again that he was Therean Asleon for the night.
"I'm seeking an audience with Lord Kheran," he informed to one of the guards standing around the man. "I believe he will want to see me."
"And who are you, if I may ask?" the guard said, and although his words were addressed to Entreri, his eyes were jumping between Isaldora and Shandara.
"You do not know who I am?!" Entreri asked sharply. "I am Therean Asleon of Calimport, and I find it hard to believe that Lord Kheran has hired someone so incompetent to greet his guests."
"Master Asleon," Lord Kheran, who had been listening, interrupted. "I am sorry. Let them pass," he said to the guard, who saluted and stepped out of the way. Entreri stared at the guard coldly and then walked past him as if he was air.
"My lord, I am pleased to finally meet you," Entreri said to Kheran, who was sitting on a pile of pillows that reminded Entreri more of pashas of Calimport than merchants of Athkatla.
"Master Asleon, the pleasure is all mine. Might I inquire who your companions are?" Kheran asked, and he eyed both of the women, although Netreri noticed that when he noticed Isaldora's ears, there was a disgusted look on his face.
"This is Jarneon Lawer, my business companion from Waterdeep," Entreri introduced Jarlaxle, who did a complicated bow. "And these are Aneiryn and Kira," he continued, pointing at the women. Isaldora curtsied quickly, while Shandara smiled at Kheran lazily and winked.
"Interesting," Kheran. "Why are you with an elf?" he asked Jarlaxle, spitting out the word elf like it was a swearword. The drow smiled obscenely, although he really wanted to hit the man. "Well, they have their good sides," the mercenary replied laughing.
"But we humans always have more fun, don't we?" Shandara giggled, leaning closer to Kheran so that his attention was drawn to her very low neckline.
"You are right, my dear," Kheran said, patting Shandara's hand. "Please, enjoy the ball."
"I'm sure we will," Entreri said, bowing. "I hope we have time to discuss business in the following days."
"Don't think about that now," Kheran said. "I was wondering..."
"Good sir, I really want to go to dance," Shandara giggled. "But I wish I can come and talk with you later. You have a... wisdom that I find most attractive."
"I have no objections, my dear," Kheran said, his eyes still fixed at Shandra's breasts. "I'll send one of my guards to find you when I have time. If you have nothing against it," Kheran added to Entreri.
"Of course not," he replied smoothly and bowed again. "Thank you, my lord."
"That went well," Shandara said when they walked away. Jarlaxle had already led Isaldora to the dancefloor, and from the way they were clinging to each other Shandara speculated that they would stay together even longer that she had thought.
"You almost pressed your breasts to his face," Entreri said dryly. "How could it not go well."
"Bitterness doesn't suit you," Shandara laughed. "Put your hand on my waist."
"This is ridiculous," Entreri sighed, but did as she had told him to. Shandara leaned closer, pressing against his body. "Let's go and sit down. Try to look like you're enjoying your time. Although it might be hard," she sighed, seeing Entreri's look.
"I'll live through this, I think," the assassin replied and lead Shandara to a sofa. She sat down and then curled close to him, running her finger down his cheek. "I hope you do," she whispered. "I'll talk, you'll smile and I think Kheran won't be able to take it any longer. Men love to get a chance to play with other people's toys."
"Toys?" Entreri asked, trying to force a smile on his lips. Shandara leaned closer, touching his hair and smiling, but there was a serious look in her eyes. "To these people women are nothing but toys. Which is good, because we can use it. But I might hire you one day to strike a blade in Kheran's heart."
"Really?" Entreri laughed, this time genuinely. Shandara shook her head and was about to say something when Jarlaxle and Isaldora walked up to them.
"These shoes are terrible," Isaldora sighed and sat down. "I'm not going to dance anymore."
"So I wondered if you would like to dance," Jarlaxle said to Shandara, holding out his hand. Shandara took it and got up, flashing a quick smile to Entreri. "Take care of her. Flirt a little if you want," she said, grinning at Entreri's expression.
"This is nice," Jarlaxle said to Shandara when they danced to a slow tune.
"Don't even think about using me as a way of hurting her," Shandara said, still smiling. "If you want to leave her, do it honestly."
"I'm not going to leave her. Not yet," Jarlaxle sighed. "She gave me a chance, but I didn't do it. Although I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed that you think I would use you in any way."
"The problem is that I don't know you well enough, or what you are capable of. But I trust that you'll do what's right," Shandara said in a serious tone. "But don't play any games with her."
"I can't play any games with her, and you're not letting me play them with you," Jarlaxle sighed. "Or can I?"
"I don't think that would be a good idea," she said smiling, this time honestly. "But I'm honoured that you asked."
"I wouldn't do that even if you had said yes, Jarlaxle said. "Artemis would kill me if I did."
"What do you mean?" Shandara asked, feeling puzzled. The drow looked into her eyes, and although their colour had been changed from silver to brown, she felt almost uncomfortable.
"I don't think I need to tell you," Jarlaxle laughed. Shandara started to say something, but then she simply shook her head and enjoyed the dance.
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"I think it's time to make Kheran want to play," Shandara said to Entreri when they had been sitting for a while, trying the exotic food from all over Faerun. "Come on, you can try your dancing skills now."
"Very well," Entreri got up and then helped Shandara up, completely ignoring Jarlaxle's grin. Shandara winked at the drow when Isaldora wasn't looking and then Entreri lead her to the dance floor.
"You remember this pretty well," Shandara said when they were dancing, her eyes fixed on Kheran. "He's looking this way," she continued, turning to look into Entreri's eyes with a tempting smile on her lips. "Pull me a bit closer, and try to look like you couldn't see anybody but me."
"What is he doing now?" Entreri asked after a few spins when Shandara was once again looking at Kheran. He felt her soft body against his, and although he tried to deny it, he realized that he wanted her. The thought was so clear that it surprised him, and when Shandara suddenly stopped and touched his cheek, he felt not like himself at all.
"He's not sure yet," she said, staring into his eyes and winking. "But after this he will be," she continued and kissed him on the lips.
Entreri's first thought was to push the woman away, but then he remembered his role. And it wasn't because of his role alone that he wrapped his arms around Shandara and pulled the woman as close as possible. Her lips were so soft and tasted of the wine they had just been drinking, and it was almost impossible to him to let go when she pulled away.
"He's sending a guard here right now," Shandara laughed, and then she kissed him again, this time quicker and less passionately. "Good work. After Kheran takes me to his room, wait five minutes and come after us. You know where the room is, just be quiet and I'll keep Kheran distracted enough."
"My lady, Lord Kheran would like to speak with you," the guard said, bowing to Shandara. Her eyes widened with surprise and then she giggled, letting go of Entreri. "Well, I can't refuse his invitation," she said, flashing a charming smile to the guard. "Have a nice evening, my lord," she said to Entreri before the guard escorted her away to Kheran.
