30 - Sorrow

The dining hall had been cleared of the previous night's celebrations leaving only the decorations and winter veil tree in place. The staff as always had been up early and diligent in their tasks making ready the large room for breakfast.

The Nightflames and their special guests sat at the main table while servants duly arrived with a variety of mixed berries and warm honeyed oatmeal and sunfruit juice. Once that course was finished they were then served with eggs - baked or as an omelette - hams, forest mushrooms and crusty breads with jams and preserves. Large pots of strong black coffee and tea were also provided to wash it all down.

Oscar looked a little under the weather and was encouraging Heidy to fill his coffee mug to the top.

"Be careful, Sir, it is very hot," she warned the engineer.

He simply nodded and took a large slurp instantly burning his mouth. He coughed and spluttered, drawing the napkin to his lips. Heidi panicked and then offered some cold water to drink. He snatched the glass from her and gulped it over. After a few moments, he calmed down, as did the housemaid.

She then proceeded along the back of the seats asking if anyone else would like coffee. Catherine and Piper wanted tea, which the maid signalled to another servant to fetch.

"Master Sauren?" Heidy asked, gesturing towards his mug. He passed it to her and watched as her hand shook slightly while she poured some of the fresh black liquid for him. His eyes travelled slowly up her bodice to her face and he found her blushing.

"Thank you, Heidy," he said taking the mug, just touching her trembling fingers and no more.

She bowed her head then quickly moved on to Sa'themar and poured some for him.

Sauren blew on his coffee and sipped. The conversation between mother and daughter then reached his ears. He grinned.

"And where did you disappear to last night, young lady?" Catherine interrogated Piper. "You were gone a good hour and a half. I even looked for you in your chambers."

Piper shot a furtive glance Sauren's way. He continued to drink his coffee, but she could tell he was smirking. "I - I was..." she stammered.

"Piper said she felt a little hot and so I suggested some...relief," he offered, smiling as he met Catherine's suspicious eyes. He also noted Piper's throat flexed as she swallowed quietly and cast her eyes to the half-empty plate in front of her. His fingers caressed the back of her hand as she held her knife tight, nervous. "I think she was a little overcome with the festivities and the wine." He concluded.

Catherine glanced at her daughter then returned her gaze to Sauren. "Indeed," she muttered. "An hour and a half though?"

Sauren put his mug on the table and dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin. "Forgive me, I saw it as an opportunity to show her around the premises for I knew you were leaving today. I'm afraid I did not realise it took so long, nor did I think you would worry when she was in my care."

At that Catherine relaxed slightly but she did not miss the look which passed between her daughter and the young beau. She managed a small guffaw and attempted to look self-assured. "It is a parent's eternal obligation to worry for their children, Sauren. You will perhaps know that yourself one day."

He toyed with the handle of his mug. It seemed she was not so easily beguiled. The temptation to shock was almost too strong to resist but he had won over Piper's mother the night before and did not wish to lose her favour. "I am sure I shall," he replied, measured, as he looked back at her. "I could not hope for a better mother for my children." He lifted Piper's hand to his mouth, brushing his lips across her knuckles. "Nor indeed, a more considerate and loving grand-mother for them." Again he held Catherine's gaze. This time she smiled and nodded appreciation of his sentiment.

"Have you considered a date yet?" Oscar piped up, ramming some bread with jam into his mouth.

The question threw Sauren. The couple had not discussed it at length although he had considered it was perhaps wise to be married sooner rather than later, especially in light of the previous night's activity which would, no doubt, be the first of many. He had at least advised her to douse herself with vigour following their carnality, but he strongly doubted Piper was educated in any other precautionary methods. So, he took it upon himself and sent word to the apothecary to deliver a potion post-haste. It was expected within the hour. That aside, Oscar, Catherine and even Sa'themar were all now looking at them for an answer.

"Sometime in the Spring," Sauren heard himself saying. Piper's fingers closed around his. She smiled at him, a look of utter adoration in her eyes. He managed a brief smile.

"Wonderful!" Oscar enthused. "We had better start getting things organised then, Catherine, Sa'themar."

Sauren looked to his father. The high elf sat stock-still, his face impassive. "The time of year for new beginnings," he offered, his voice bearing a somewhat mnemonic tone. He then nodded consent.

"Then it is decided," Sauren said. "Details will be discussed after the holidays."

As they moved through to the large living quarters at the base of the private tower, Thomas ran towards Sauren. He held a small box in his hand. "We will join you in a moment, father," Sauren excused himself and Piper from the company. Sa'themar nodded, merely eyeing Thomas then leading the Alstons through to the sitting room.

Sauren accepted the box and gave Thomas some coins for his troubles. A note was attached and Sauren read it carefully. He then refolded it and smiled at Thomas. "Run along now, enjoy the festivities," he said to the beaming little boy.

Piper looked at the box, then at Sauren. He realised what she must have been thinking. "No, this is not your gift, that is indoors. But this is for you," he said softly, taking her hand.

"Oh? What is it?" she smiled.

He pulled her aside, ensuring no inquisitive ears heard their conversation. "I need you to drink this - now."

Piper staggered back a little, surprised by his fervent instruction. "Why? What is it?"

He removed the lid of the small box and took a deep breath before explaining. "I do not wish you to suffer the humiliation of being with child before we are wed. This will ensure last night's passion does not inconvenience you so."

"Oh. I see." Her breathing was short and rapid. She still seemed unsure and stared at the bottle nestled within the box, it's amethyst content strangely hypnotic.

"Trust me, Piper. This is for your own good."

She nodded and accepted the vial. The top came away with the quietest of pops and she raised the bottle to her lips. She halted. "This will not prevent me from being with child indefinitely, will it?"

Sauren smiled reassuringly. "No. According to the apothecary's note here..." He unfolded the note again. "It is only to be used shortly after love-making and will not affect future impregnation. But, perhaps we should abstain or..."

"No!" She blushed furiously at her sudden protestation. Sauren smiled and laughed lightly. She lifted her eyes to his. "I cannot wait until Spring to be with you again."

"Very well," he traced a slender finger down her cheek to her chin. "There are other elixirs available, I believe, which can aid in such matters. They are taken before we have pleasure."

She nodded, then with only a brief hesitancy, she drank the contents of the vial. Her tongue traced over her lips, the act having quite an effect on Sauren. "Alright?" he breathed, his voice unexpectedly weak.

Smiling, she nodded.

He sighed. "Then let's head inside ... before I have to order up another bottle."

Piper giggled and handed the empty vial back to him. He secured it in the box then placed it in his pocket. He moved aside, allowing her to precede him into the sitting room.

As her skirts rustled past, he could not help but smirk, smug in the knowledge she hungered for him. There was something decidedly delicious that a woman other than his favourite royal concubine or the whores at Odette's wanted him. The smile then faltered slightly as an image of Heidy flitted, unbidden, across his mind. Further consideration soon had the smile return.

"Sauren?" Piper whispered as she waited just inside the doorway of the sitting room.

The sight of her sweet and inquisitive face banished the maid's visage from his thoughts -although it did not completely disappear until the realisation settled that he knew Heidy would succumb to his charms if he so much as invited her. He offered Piper his arm, and together they joined the others for the exchanging of gifts.

To save the Alstons the painstakingly long journey by carriage to Darkshire, Sa'themar had one of the still resident mages conjure a portal to take them home. It was the one time Sauren noted real relief in Catherine's face.

Oscar being simply excited to travel by such a method as it was his first time, was already discussing the magical schematics with the mage. The elf shrugged his shoulders at the never-ending questions and apologised as all he knew were the chants which summoned the power to open the portals. Catherine, who had been engaged in conversation with Sa'themar, then told Oscar to stop pestering the young mage.

The betrothed couple looked on. Piper smiled as she watched her parents at the threshold of the portal. "Father is relentless in his quest for knowledge on how everything works," she said.

"He has an inquisitive mind, as it should be for one of his profession."

Piper turned to Sauren and clasped his hands, pulling them close to her bodice. He noted a look of doubt in her eyes as she gazed up at him. Loosening his right hand, he traced her cheek, tucking some strands of her hair behind her ear. "Why do you worry?" he asked.

"I don't know exactly," she replied. "All I know is I ache for you and the thought of being apart, not knowing when I can see you again, fills me with sorrow. And..." she stopped, lowering her eyes.

"And?" He lifted her chin so she had to look at him again.

"I have to know, Sauren. Will you be faithful to me?" Her voice dwindled and tears brimmed.

Sauren adored her, he could not deny that. She was pretty, funny and could hold an interesting and intellectual conversation with him. He thought he may even be happy with her in due course. But her question was one which made him feel the need to tread very carefully with his answer. There was a side to him, recently awakened which was becoming more prominent as time went on. "If you feel you cannot believe in me, then perhaps it is your inability to trust which is truly in question here. Have I done something to cause this?"

Piper balked. His response had not been what she had hoped for, nor expected. That the problem maybe lay with her and not him was something she had not even considered. For a moment she seemed lost for words. "It's just... that day I met you when you were with your friends after the siege, you spoke of Odette's and I have heard whispers between you all since."

He smiled. "That day was before we were even courting, Piper. And yes, my friends and I still talk of Odette's for they are regulars. Is that my crime?"

She exhaled, then slowly smiled. "Forgive me. I guess I am still a little overwhelmed that you, son of a highly respected Guild Master and heir to such a lucrative empire would be interested in a country girl like me."

He laughed softly and took hold of her hands again. "All this," he gestured the complex with a nod of his head, "...has taken my father many years of work to accomplish. Granted, he was always ...fortunate shall we say, to be able to provide for me in the manner you see here. But, it has been and always will be hard work to maintain. I am therefore not determined by material things, I am simply a man you see before you who will have to work hard to provide for those that matter to me. So, how can you consider yourself unworthy of the likes of me?"

The look in her eyes confirmed he had deftly swayed her from her fears. She reached up on her tiptoes and kissed him, to which he responded warmly, pulling her against him.

"Piper," Catherine called.

Sauren looked over at the straight-laced matriarch, expecting a look of disapproval but was surprised to see her expression more that of a wistful woman. He groaned a little as Piper pulled away.

"Coming, mother," she replied. Then with one last kiss, she joined her parents at the portal.

They thanked both Sa'themar and Sauren for their hospitality and generosity, wishing them a continued joyful Winter's Veil.

"Miss Piper!" A voice called from behind them. They all turned to see Heidy running forward. She was carrying a small, clutch bag. When she reached the Alstons she curtsied and addressed Piper. "I am so glad I caught you before you left. You had left this bag. I found it when I was tending to your rooms just a few minutes ago."

Piper smiled and accepted the bag. "Thank you," she said. "I had forgotten all about it."

The maid curtsied again then walked back to the towers where she would finish her duties. Sauren did not watch her, but in his mind's eye, he traced her steps. A moment later with the Alstons having stepped through, the portal closed with a small pop.

Once more for that day, little Thomas came running towards Sauren with something in his hand. A letter. Sauren thanked him and the boy ran off again without looking for a reward. The half-elf looked curiously at the seal on the folded parchment.

"Are you sure you wish to proceed down the matrimonial path?" Sa'themar asked his son suddenly.

It appeared to be a day for questions which left Sauren momentarily stumped. "Yes, father I am. Why do you ask?"

The high elf turned to face him and took a deep breath before looking at him square in the eyes. "I know you have been indulgent with women in the city. You are young, curious and no doubt, insatiable for now. But, do not hurt that young woman, Sauren."

Sauren's brow creased. For all this was his father talking considering the subject, he nonetheless found it rather impudent of him. In an uncharacteristic response to the man he held in high esteem, he felt his lip curling in a sneer. "I am not wed yet, father, I am still my own man. And I shall continue to be so even after Piper and I marry. That is not to say that I do not intend to be the faithful husband, but who knows what lies ahead?" With that, he turned and made for his rooms.

Sa'themar was left staring after him, perplexed by his son's retort. Perhaps it was just the boy's youth; confident, brash, which made him so assured of his own abilities. But it also had him failing to recognise the seriousness of what he was about to commit to. And there had also been a coldness in his words. It was then Sa'themar pondered the measure of human to elf which resided within his boy.

Once inside his rooms, Sauren leaned his head back against the door. He felt irritated. Firstly, Piper's testing of his fidelity and then his father having the audacity to follow suit and tell him, no - demand that he did not hurt Piper's feelings. He hit his head on the wooden panels. How dare they!

His hands curled into fists. It was then he remembered the letter in his hand. Opening his fist he stared at the vellum as it slowly uncurled within his palm. It bore the royal crest of Lordaeron. He blinked then broke the seal.

Young Master Sauren

The time has come to execute your promise to me.

Make yourself present the day after tomorrow at the very place you and your friends cavorted with the royal concubines.

Do not disappoint me.

Your Queen

Lianne.

His heart clenched. So, she knew. Leola and Maya had said she would not be best pleased if she knew they had used her secret pool. He squeezed his eyes shut, praying his precious lovers had not been harmed. If not, he would have to come up with a convincing argument as to why they were there and ensure he did not incite the Queen's anger.

While she had seemed somewhat enamoured by him at the grand opening of the Crimson Blade and had kept her word about having his "need" sated, he was not stupid. It would not do to underestimate the power of a woman who could so easily make heads roll.

He folded the letter and pressed it into his pocket. Then he cast off his jacket and threw it on the armchair across from where he stood. His waistcoat quickly followed.

A scuffling sound from his bedchamber alerted him he was not alone. He crossed the few feet to the bottom of the stairs which led to his bed-chamber and peered around the partition.

There, standing like a startled deer, was Heidy. She had been changing the bedding and cleaning his room. Her face was flushed, panicked. Her throat flexed with a dry swallow as she clutched the end of the bed sheet in her hands. Lips moved but no sound emanated from them.

He stared at her. She didn't flinch, she seemed almost frozen to the spot but her eyes did not leave his. Inwardly he smiled. The opportunity had presented itself after all. He resisted the temptation to speak, wanting to see how things played out - how much she could withstand before she either ran out in panic or melted against him. He had never felt more like his so-called spirit animal, the serpent, than he did now; his prey, trembling at the side of his bed, caught in the middle of smoothing out fresh linens for him to sleep on, which, if all went according to plan, would prove a fruitless exercise anyway. The anticipation awakened his own desire, the result starting to chafe against the fabric of his britches. Slowly he climbed the steps.

Still, she remained motionless - the only movement being her eyes as they followed him and a pulse - putt-putt-putting away at the side of her neck.

Coming to a stop in front of her, he maintained his silence. His eyes raked over her; the plain brown dress fastened at the neck, covered with a crisp white apron hiding what assets she possessed. Her hair, pulled back in a loose bun, tendrils of it framing her face. Rosy cheeks, growing hotter by the second and brown eyes darkening rapidly. Her mouth, unpainted but still a deep, natural pink looked full and soft. Inviting.

His eyes drifted to the sheet she still clutched and the hint of a smile played at the corners of his mouth as she released it. Awkwardly, her hands rested at her sides, fingers flexing, brushing against her apron, not quite knowing what to do.

He towered over her, her face barely level with his collar-bone. Curling his fingers around the fabric of his shirt he yanked it out from his waistband and pulled it off over his head. Freeing his hands from the cuffs, he stood looking down at her then let the shirt drop to the floor.

He studied her face. Nervous anticipation swam in her eyes. She barely moved, except for her chest, which rose and fell in short, fevered breaths. Taking a step forward he shortened the distance between them. Now he could hear her breathing. Her lips parted and the tip of her tongue slid across the crease. A soft moan sounded in his throat. With a simple nod of instruction aimed towards her apron he watched as shakily she untied it and slipped it over her head. He took it from her and cast it to the floor.

His hands reached forward to the small buttons at her neckline. It was the first time her eyes left his as she watched the slender fingers deftly undo the fastenings. Slow, measured, he continued down to her waist.

A small gasp escaped her lips as he tugged the bodice open. He jerked the dress down, peeling the sleeves from her arms and letting the fabric fall, pooling around her feet. All that remained between him and her flesh now was the thin shift she wore under the dress. She stood, trembling slightly, her small pert breasts heaving, prominent against her undergarment.

He brushed his fingers across her nipples causing the pink buds to pucker more, tighten. A sigh.

One more step forward and his chest almost touched hers. His hand travelled up between her breasts, raking up the shift before his fingertips stroked her collarbone and on around the nape of her neck. His other hand loosened her hair making it tumble over her shoulders in soft, bouncing waves.

Tentatively, she placed her hands on the planes of his chest, fingers spreading as she caressed his skin.

Now the fire in his belly started to grow as her touch ignited him, the carnal need coursing through his body, screaming to be sated. Gently, he pressed her down. She did not resist, her hands travelling down as she sank to her knees. With her hands resting on the ties of his trousers she looked up at him with hungry eyes. His lips curved in a lascivious smile.

"Please me," he said in a voice thick with lust.

He watched as she pulled at the lacing and opened his britches, setting him free. As she took him, his head lolled back, his long hair brushing against his skin. Closing his eyes he abandoned all notions of fidelity and decency, allowing himself to wallow in the pleasure Heidy's tongue and lips awarded him.

He had every intention of enjoying this young woman. Tonight and many other nights.