Chapter 17: House of Sforza

Summary: When Damon arrives at his masters home...

PLEASE read and review.

* * *

Damon opened the carriage door when they arrived at the House of Sforza.

The sun was peaking from behind the hills and Damon was dead tired.

His men would deliver a tied up Montone to Muzio Sforza.

With the mission completed it was time to relax. He walked up stairs to his room and fell backwards onto the bed.

This was the most fun he'd had in years.

No father to tell him what to do or how to use his time, no perfect younger brother to rain on his parade, and no woman nagging him.

And if he did want a woman, all he need do was walk down stairs to a party that was always taking place in one of the many ballrooms.

Life was good, but the old saying went that 'good things never last'.

Damon knew something was about to occur, though he knew not when or what.

He rolled onto his stomach and emptied his loot bag.

He had taken many things from Montone's up stairs bedroom.

Jewelry mostly.

He slipped on a diamond ring that he'd found in a box on the dresser. In edition to this he had also taken some silver necklaces and rings, along with some gold.

A knock sounded on his door.

Damon put his newly acquired jewels back into the bag and walked to the door.

"Damon, come downstairs." Angelo Fabian said, "There is a great party in the ballroom."

"I am tired, Angelo." Damon replied, "I think I shall call it a night."

"Too tired for beautiful women?" Angelo asked.

The thought did give him a renewed energy.

"I suddenly feel the urge to dance." Damon said, smiling, "Come, Angelo, to the party."

They walked down the spiral stair case to the ballroom.

Angelo hadn't deceived him.

Women of all stature and color danced with his men.

This was going to be fun.

He followed Angelo to a group of ladies that sat in a small area in the far corner of the room.

"Go get them, tiger." Angelo joked.

This particular human did not bother him. For some reason he was able to tolerate Angelo, when all the other men got under his skin, sometimes driving him crazy. Damon would go so far as to call Angelo his friend. When Damon had first come to serve Sforza, Angelo had been the first he'd met, and he had quickly realized that they had similar natures. Both of them ladies men by instinct and masterful swordsmen.

Damon headed towards the women he wanted.

A beautiful red head, with piercing green eyes and a feisty looking brunette.

These two shall do quite nicely for the evening, he thought, and walked over to introduce himself.