“Smooth… I like it.” Sara said with a grin and a giggle.
They walked hand in hand to meet the others and they all decided to find Sasha so they could take their packs and equipment to their rooms. Exiting the bathing room they walked back down the long corridor towards the dining hall. Rounding the corner into the dining hall they could hear voices around the corner. The voices came from the very counter where they had met Sasha earlier, and she was there again speaking to a man that was apparently another customer. They waited patiently for the conversation to end, and when it did the man handed Sasha some coins and turned and left the inn. Sara motioned for the boys to remain where they were, and releasing Seth’s hand she walked to the counter and greeted Sasha. The three boys were still some distance from the counter and so were unable to hear the women’s dainty conversation but they watched as Sara spoke pausing periodically as Sasha responded with a nod.
Sara left the boys in the dining hall hoping they would be far enough away to remain out of range to hear what she was going to talk to Sasha about. She was a bit embarrassed as it was just asking a stranger what it was she planned to ask, she did not want the added embarrassment that would come if the boys could hear her. Walking towards Sasha Sara greeted her and came to stand mere inches away from the woman.
“Hello Sasha.” Sara greeted.
“Hello again M’lady.” Sasha replied
“It’s Sara. Sorry I didn’t introduce myself properly earlier.” Sara said unused to the title Sasha had labeled her with.
Sasha nodded in understanding.
“You said you could send someone to the market for us if we needed?” Sara asked already knowing the answer to her question.
Sasha nodded in response.
“I was wondering if you might have someone pick up something for me?” Sara asked in a voice barely over a whisper, and continued without waiting for a response. “I have nothing to sleep in, and I plan to share a bed tonight.”
Again Sasha nodded in understanding.
“I would like to get something a bit provocative, yet not too revealing if that is possible.” Sara said still barely above a whisper and unable to meet Sasha’s eyes as she said it.
“That can be arranged, would you like something for your man as well?” Sasha asked mimicking Sara’s muted tone.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I’m not sure if he has anything.” Sara stated. “Though I wouldn’t mind if he didn’t.” She added as an afterthought smiling as she said it.
“Consider it done.” Sasha stated with an assuring tone. “Would you care to see your rooms now?”
This time it was Sara who nodded in response, and the two of them turned and walked towards the boys who waited patiently. As Sasha passed the boys she asked them to follow, and before Seth would comply he made sure Sara’s hand was firmly in his.
Sasha fist led them to the room Sara and Seth would be sharing, and opening the door for the young couple, allowed them to enter and closed the door behind them. She then continued to lead Garret and Ashton to the room they would share.
Seth and Sara walked through the door and stepped directly into a dream. The room was beyond comprehension. The floors here were covered from corner to corner with an amazingly soft rug. The room had various luxurious pieces of furniture throughout its expanse, but both of them instinctively looked towards the bed. The bed was an enormous mass of satin and stained wood. Each corner of the bed was a massive post that rose from the floor to nearly touch the ceiling. The footboard of the bed was carved in a scene depicting nude silhouettes of people dancing in couples, their bodies entwined together in various vertical positions. The headboard was a large frame of stained and polished wood surrounding a large oval piece of some sort of metal polished to a mirror finish reflecting the bed back upon itself. From the tops of the four posts was stretched a white satin canopy that fell in tendrils around the entire expanse of the bed partially hiding the mattress and bedding from view. Pulling back the satin tendrils revealed pillows made from the softest down feathers piled high across the head of the bed. The blankets and sheets were all satin and silk wrapped around an overstuffed down mattress. The bed somewhat resembled a cloud and Sara could hardly wait to see if it was as soft as it looked but restrained herself. Looking around the rest of the room revealed a large writing desk completely stocked with various types of parchment and ink along with small blocks of colored wax. Also opposite the bed there were several overstuffed upholstered chairs. To either side of the bed was a small stand each containing several candles and a small vase of flowers. In one corner on the same wall as the bed stood a small woven partition where one could undress or dress unseen and in the corner opposite of that there was a small room built into the larger one with a single door upon it. Opening the door revealed a small private privy. Most inns had a privy room the tenants would share, but this inn spared no expense. Seth and Sara both dropped their packs at the foot of the bed and sat on its edge sinking deeply into the mattress. They were there many long moments leaning into one another, just enjoying each other’s company.
Sasha led the two remaining boys up a flight of stairs to the second floor. They topped the stairs and walked half way down the hall there and she paused and opened a door. Glancing inside she held the door open for them allowing them to enter. Once they were inside she closed the door behind them and placed the key to the room in the lock to the door and left it there for them to find when they exited.
Garret and Ashton entered the room they would be sharing and were amazed by the quality of the room. The floor here was the same marble as the floors they had seen before, only this floor lacked the filigree. The room was split in two by a long narrow rug that ran the length of the room between the beds. The room was decorated as such that either side of the rug was a mirror reflection of the opposite side. Two beds, two desks, two bedside tables, two upholstered chairs, and two wooden chests decorated the room. All of the furniture looked heavy and crafted from quality materials. The chairs red leather upholstery matched the bed’s red satin sheets and spread. Across the room from the entry door, directly in the center of the opposite wall stood another door. Behind the door was a privy where Garret quickly decided to test the plumbing.
After several long minutes enjoying their privacy Seth and Sara decided to go and wait for the others in the Dining hall. It was just past mid day at this point and both of them agreed they were ready to eat. Leaving their room they found a key with a ribbon tied to it protruding from their door and so they locked the door, and Seth pocketed the key before walking down the hall. Arriving at the dining hall Seth and Sara noticed it was completely vacant and so chose a large table in the center of the room. They waited patiently exchanging smiles and looks of adoration as they did. They did not have to wait excessively long for after a while they could hear the voices of Garret and Ashton coming loudly down the hall.
Spying their friends, Garret and Ashton quickly joined them at the table and seated themselves. Each of the four spoke excitedly about their rented accommodations and the luxurious details of each of the rooms. It surprised them all, it seemed, that a little money could grant a generous amount of luxury, at least temporarily. As they spoke a young woman, younger than Sara, walked through the dining hall carrying some packages. She smiled at the group seated there and continued on through the room and disappeared down the hall. The group watched her go and their eyes lingered on the hall when she returned, this time without the packages. She approached their table and came to stand near them before speaking.
“Hello gentlemen and Miss Sara, if you would care for something to drink I would be delighted to fetch it for you. Also someone will be with you shortly to take your food choices if you wish to eat.” The small girl, perhaps fifteen, said it with the same practiced perfection of Sasha.