The evening started off better than most. I remember how happy Poppy looked as we sat together in the atrium while guests were being welcomed.

At risk of being too full of myself, I think she was so cheerful that evening because it was the first night we were back working together since she was moved away from the wine room.

"He doesn't look like he belongs here," I'd whispered to her while subtly gesturing to the last guest we'd welcomed with warm smiles.

Such was our work in the atrium. Ours were the first lovely faces the guests saw upon entry. Poppy and I sat atop a plush divan, sitting suggestively like we'd been instructed.

Bria was also present; hers was a more involved role. Confident, sociable, and skilled at putting guests at ease, she and Cora were the established courtesans directly engaging the guests as they stepped in.

A girl named Daphne was showing her skill with the lute this evening. Not as skilled as Sabine, who was already in some corner of the pavilion getting showered with attention by her captain, but good enough to create a lovely atmosphere.

I drew Poppy's attention to the young man I'd been speaking about.

He looked very anxious and seemed thoroughly flustered by our attention alone.

"I don't know," I caught her smiling in his direction. "I think he's charming."

"Do you know him?" I asked while watching her smile turn into a blush. "I don't think I've ever seen him before."

"His name is Felix," she replied. "I believe he's a scribe in the treasury."

"You seem really interested in him," I said to her just as Bria was taking charge and swallowing up all of his attention.

Poppy blushed again. "Maybe a little." Her gaze finally shifted to me. "I just think-- he wouldn't be the worst one."

I nodded. That much I understood. I'd been here long enough to know that some guests were, in fact, worse than others.

"You could show him that you're interested," I offered, and she shook her head almost immediately, seemingly petrified by the idea.

It seemed Poppy and I were birds of a feather in that regard. Despite having been taught to smile flirtatiously at the guests and make them feel wanted, we dared not press any further because what would we do if they took us up on the offer?

We would have to thank Bria later that night for repeatedly steering the guests away from the pair of us and sending them deeper into the pavilion.

Of course I knew I couldn't hide behind Bria forever. Sooner or later, I'd have to take up a guest. How else would I start gathering information for the spymaster and Selene?

I knew that; I just didn't think it would be tonight.

The night began to turn with our very next guests.

Three men, dressed well enough but each with hardened looks on their faces that told me they weren't of particularly high station.

'Soldiers?' I thought to myself.

Bria and Cora got right to work, welcoming them with warm smiles, while Poppy and I just sat there, looking pretty. A mistake in itself, as it seemed to draw the attention of one of the men.

Like a contagion, more of his number turned to examine us on our divan despite Bria's attempts to funnel them into the next area, where more established courtesans were waiting.

"I understand this establishment has an upper floor," one of the men grinned excitedly.

"Well yes, but the velvet pavilion is an experience in itself," Bria replied shortly after following his lustful gaze. "Just step through that door and you'll be attended to."

"They right there will do," he replied while staring in our direction, which caused me to tense up. As it turned out, I wasn't alone in my unease because I felt Poppy's hand grip mine tightly. "You can join them too," the man said, turning to face Bria.

"If you'll just allow me to—" Bria had begun to gesture to the path that led deeper into the pavilion when she was interrupted.

"What kind of service is this?" Another one of their number frowned. He was a stout man with a protruding belly.

"We've stated what we want." The third, a man with a gash on his face, echoed, "Do you intend to accommodate us?"

"It's very expensive," Bria attempted.

"We have coin" They wouldn't be deterred.

"It's just—" Bria leaned in. "They're both new, and one of them is already booked for attendance tonight. If you just give me a moment, I can have experienced girls show you a good time tonight."

"Which one is booked?" the stout man asked.

Bria looked like she might have been going to say something but sighed instead. "The one on the left," she replied simply.

"The other one then," he replied, seemingly pleased with himself. "The two of you can join in as well," he addressed Bria and Cora.

"I'm sorry, we're not available tonight." Bria replied sharply before turning to Poppy, who was still gripping my hand, "Poppy, could you see the guests to an empty room upstairs? I will send others to join you with more wine."

She gripped my hand tighter, and I felt terribly guilty over the relief that washed over me.

Still, I selfishly placed my other hand over hers to reassure her.

It took Bria nodding her along, which she followed with a reassuring smile, before Poppy began to let go.

I wanted to whisper that it was all okay, but I couldn't lie to her. It wasn't. And she knew that too, but still, she managed to put on a smile.

"This way, please." Poppy shakily gestured in the direction of the stairs.

"I'll get her help," Cora said quietly before stepping away too as soon as the men were out of earshot.

"She's okay," Bria said to me after one glance at the worried look on my face, but those words might have been intended to convince herself as much as me.

=^..^=

While consumed by Poppy's situation, I hadn't processed all of what Bria had said earlier. So much so that I was utterly unprepared when a guest walked in, and no sooner had Bria finished welcoming him thanshe turned to me.

"Rowen, would you escort our guest upstairs?" she said to me. I stared wide-eyed in response before turning to the man in question. Middle-aged and balding, but strong in countenance.

His beard was impressive but not nearly as much as his fine robes. I could tell he was wealthy, but the way his gaze shifted from one section of the room to another told me he was new here.

It was hard not to think about the path that had led me here. It was a man, and I was to attend to him. And to find a way off this path, I would have to go deeper and hope I didn't suffocate first.

The only way out was further in. So I steeled myself and smiled at my quarry standing in front of me.

He smiled too. "A rare beauty," he muttered.

"Please," I said, rising to my feet, "this way."

=^..^=lp

I had mustered up some courage, thinking this was my way back to Orin, but I had to admit, now that we were reaching the top of the steps and I could feel the man's eyes on me, my courage was starting to wane.

"Are you really a boy?" I heard him ask just as we reached the upper floor and the sound of the music was starting to fade, replaced with muffled sounds of intimate laughter. "I had heard, but I'm finding that hard to believe."

We passed one door after another, and my gaze darted from one handle to the next, searching for the absence of a hanging velvet rope that indicated the room was empty.

It briefly crossed my mind that Poppy was in one of these rooms. I spared only a thought of worry before deciding to focus on my own situation.

"Did you seek me out hoping I was?" I turned briefly to glance at him before pushing one of the doors open.

"I suppose it was a draw," he replied while following my lead into the room.

While I placed a velvet robe on the handle, ensuring we wouldn't be disturbed, I noted that he was already helping himself to the grapes on the table and pouring wine into a cup.

"Please, let me," I hurried over to him. Madam Selene would collapse if she knew I let a guest pour his own wine.

He let me take over, opting to use the opportunity to inspect every inch of me. As a consequence, I was careful with the expression on my face. A courtesan may feel discomfort, but she must never show it.

And it would take every last bit of discipline because, as luck would have it, his position on the divan offered him a view at my chest, where the robe would have perfectly framed a pair of breasts if I had any.

He swallowed even before I handed him his cup.

"Now that I'm here, I dare say, it will be difficult to keep my hands off you," he said as he took the offered cup.

I could only force a smile as he took a quick swig of the wine.

"Mhmm please," he gestured with his free hand. "Help yourself; it's decent wine."

I nodded graciously. As I understood it, it was very rare for guests to drink alone. Some of the coin pinchers might jealously keep it all to themselves, but most guests insisted on sharing. Especially since it made the girls more agreeable.

I didn't argue and poured myself a cup. It was my only goal to make sure I didn't overdrink.

"But don't worry, I intend to follow the rules of this fine establishment," I heard him say and wondered whether he was trying to put my mind at ease. It was thoughtful in a way.

But could he sense that I was tense? And here I was thinking I'd been doing a good job of hiding it.

I forced a smile in response. Now no matter how I looked at it, I was doing a terrible job. Turns out training was utterly different from the real thing.

"I was told you don't perform the more—" he paused and looked at me almost longingly, "physical services. A pity."

"I'm sure I can find other ways to entertain you," I replied.

"Such as?" I had his attention.

The only way out was further in. The sooner I started gathering information, the sooner I could find leverage. And escape was on the other end of that leverage, so I readied myself.

"How about we start by getting to know each other better? I want to know everything there is to know about you." I spoke softly while maintaining eye contact. Step by step I advanced until we were sitting next to one another.

"Oh, there's nothing interesting about me," he let out an unbothered laugh.

"I find that very hard to believe," I replied. "Your name then, my lord. May I be so bold as to ask it?"

He laughed again. Was it the wine, or was he just such a naturally cheerful person?

"Oh, I'm not a lord."

I knew that much.

"Oh, my mistake," I lied.

"Not an uncommon one," he told me. "Alas, I am but a guild master. You may call me Master Sirius."

"And you may call me Rowen, master."

"A fair name,"

"That is very kind," I smiled at him. "May I ask what a guild master does?"

"Nothing of consequence, I'm afraid," he said to me. "I just organize the rabble."

I quickly came to the conclusion that Master Sirius was incredibly tight-lipped. It wasn't a good pairing for my goals.

I sighted his nearly empty cup and reached for the pitcher, hoping the wine would help me along. He let me pour.

"Oh, I'm sure you're downplaying your significance," I spoke again after he took the cup to his lips.

"I suppose I am," he replied.

"But I am truly interested," I continued. "I see so little of the world here."

"Then how about we make a deal?"

"What sort of deal?" I asked.

"I will tell you everything you want to know about my dear tanners guild, all for a kiss," he said casually and understandably. I was taken aback.

I stared at him wide-eyed, making no attempts to keep a composed expression. I was proving to be a failure at this, and was it any wonder? I was a man despite everything.

"I jest," Master Sirius let out a hearty laugh as though he was having the best time. "I would never dream of purchasing your touch. Intimacy is never better than when freely given. How about this then? You can dance for me in exchange."

"Must it be so transactional?" I recovered from the shock. "I only want to know more about a man I find very interesting."

"I am a merchant, my dear," he seemed amused. "Transactions are the way of the world."

I chuckled, "Very well."

In the past few months, I'd been taught well enough how to move, how to dance in a way that left men at the edge of their seats. If I could only get over the embarrassment, that is.

As I took center stage and began to move without music, I couldn't help but notice how different this felt from dancing in front of the girls. When I danced in front of Thisbe during our sessions, despite her harshness, it only ever felt like dancing in front of a sister.

This was different. I was dancing in front of a man. I was unbelievably self-conscious. I only found solace in focusing my mind on Thisbe's teachings. Her critiques of my form and her own demonstration that never lacked in flair. In a way, she saw me through to the moment Master Sirius began clapping enthusiastically.

"You are a magnificent creature," he applauded. "Truly," he added before gesturing me back to his side.

I curtsied to end the performance, dreading the moment I would have to repeat it in front of a larger crowd.

"I suppose I must keep my end of the bargain," he announced when I was satisfactorily by his side. "Let it not be said that Master Sirius reneges on his deals."

I nodded politely.

"How much do you know about the tanners guild?" he asked me.

"I suppose you deal in leather?"

He laughed. "Well, that's the short of it. The long of it is that every last person—the peasants, the military, and the nobility—they all need our service. Now more than ever with the ongoing skirmishes"

Skirmishes? That could be promising. I hadn't heard tell of any while I was at the orphanage or in the months since. I knew I'd have to find a way to pry into that.

"I knew you were important," I commented just before taking another sip from my cup that had been left alone for too long.

"My dear, you know nothing of it." He seemed pleased with himself. "Tanning is an empire with infinite potential. Those weavers know it; that's why they're trying to pull us down now before we get too powerful."

"Weavers?" I asked, while reaching for the pitcher once again, "Who are they?"

"A visionless lot, that's who," he downed the liquid left in his cup, then held it out for me to pour. "They wish they had my innovation."

"I'm sorry, I don't follow," I said as I poured.

"Of course not," he laughed. "This is more than your pretty little head can comprehend."

"You're probably right," I smiled.

"Quit nursing that cup and drink," he gestured to my almost full cup on the table.

I obliged him, brought the cup to my lips, and without warning, he reached over and held it there. I was forced to keep drinking till it was empty so as to not show resistance. Men didn't like resistance, and I couldn't afford for him to withdraw. Especially now that he was finally speaking.

"Damn weavers," he growled. In the blink of an eye, gone was the carefree man from earlier. He seemed irritated now. The shift left me wary of pressing on, content to let this attempt end here, but he wasn't finished. "They're jealous, you know? Jealous that I saw the potential in leather to be a thing of beauty, not only for crude, utilitarian purposes."

"The weavers guild?" I gambled my advantage. "What have they done to upset my master?"

"Petitions," he hissed. "There's a new one every single day. And what's more, it's not just the petitions. I have it under good authority that they're bribing City Council to consider their baseless petitions."

He turned to look me in the eyes. "You wanted to know more of the world, little bird? The vultures out there would only taint your sweet innocence. Better remain here in quiet oblivion."

"How about we forget about them tonight?" I decided to shift the conversation despite my need for more information.

The guests came to the pavilion to forget their worries. So far I had only managed the opposite. I figured it would hurt me in the long run to have him leave more sour than when he came. And at this rate, that is where we were headed.

"We shouldn't let an inferior guild ruin our night," I said to him.

He sighed, "You're right. Of course you're right."

"Do you play chess?" I offered a more lighthearted activity.

He shook his head, appearing disinterested. "An unrealistic game. A queen could never hold that much power. She is just a woman after all. Inferior creatures, wouldn't you say?"

'Quietly nod,' I thought to myself. Agree with him. Affirm his moods and offer support for his biases if it gets him to open up. At least, that's what I should have done.

"I can't say I agree," I replied.

"Their form can be enchanting, though," he entirely ignored me. "That is what makes you so perfect."

"Master, if you aren't interested in a game, is there something else you would like to do?" I changed the subject.

"Matter of fact, there is. Let's retire to the bed." He looked at me purposefully in the midst of an uncomfortably long pause before letting out a small smile, "Bring the figs. I would lie in your lap and have you feed me."

He was toying with me.

"Very well," I replied.

"We'll have to be inventive until the day your body is open to me," he added as he rose and made his way towards the bed.

I had to fight the urge to tell him that would never happen if I had my way. I also had to fight the urge to push him away when he placed his head on my lap. When he shifted repeatedly to find a comfortable position, I fought the urge to tell him this whole thing made me uncomfortable.

Not to mention the back of his neck was making contact with my thigh through the slit in the robe, and it was anyone's guess when last he bathed.

Again, unlike with the courtesans, there was no such expectation of perfect cleanliness with the guests.

The thought made me uncomfortable, but instead I forced a smile.

"Now this is a nice view," he said, appearing pleased.

For one of us, perhaps. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes. I noticed that along the line, I had begun to find myself disgusted by him.

'When was it?' I wondered as I lowered the first fig into his mouth.

Was it when his somewhat charming personality had turned bitter at the thought of the weavers? When he unveiled his feelings about women?

Was this all that remained as the tension I was feeling dissipated?

"How about some more wine?" I asked after placing the next fig in his mouth. Anything to get him up long enough to adjust my robe to cover where his skin met mine.

He shook his head. "Too much wine will leave me impaired. It will be a bane when I meet with the weavers tomorrow."

"Perhaps," I decided there was no better time to pry information from a man than when he was eating out of my hands, "you could tell me more about that. I may be able to offer clarity."

"You?" he laughed. "What would you know about guild charters and city ordinances?"

I smiled. "It is as you say. But what harm could fresh ears bring? I only wish to share in my patron's burden."

For good measure, I fed him another fig and let my fingers linger in place.

A confused feeling followed when he all but admitted to encroaching on the weavers' business by producing and selling a new, brightly dyed leather to compete with traditional fabrics.

As we walked to the door following an evening together, I couldn't help but wonder. Was I feeling... pride?

"You lovely creature, I will come again," Master Sirius proclaimed.

I curtsied gracefully in response. "Have a good night, Master."

I had to lean on the room wall for balance after he took his leave and I listened to his footsteps fade down the hall.

I needed a moment alone to gather my thoughts before anything else. I'd succeeded in attending to a guest. More importantly, I thought I may have stealthily retrieved information from him.

How useful that information would be. Cassian was anyone's guess. As far as I knew, it may as well have been worthless information. A petty feud between two guilds? Couldn't imagine that would hold much weight.

But it was a start, and that had to be enough for tonight.

I had planned to steal a few more moments before exiting the room, but it wasn't to be.

Madam Selene suddenly appeared by the door and watched me for a moment before speaking.

"Don't slouch," she said as she walked in, "you will ruin your posture."

I quickly obeyed and corrected the slight, like I'd become used to.

"I trust you had no problems?" she asked me.

I shook my head.

"Anything to report?" she asked.

"I think so, but I don't know if it's worth anything."

"Oh child, everything is worth something," she said as she approached. "Even you, as it turns out."

I looked up at her somewhat pleased expression. A rarity.

"I will admit I didn't see what Lady Isolde saw in you when she purchased you," she told me. "A boy to be trained as a courtesan—it was laughable, you have to admit."

When I didn't respond, she sighed to herself, "You'll tell me all of what you've uncovered tomorrow as well as what you intend to relay to the spymaster. For now, your sister Poppy could use some comforting. Return to your room."

Just before turning to leave, she glanced at the bed with its roughened sheets but said nothing.

I couldn't stop wondering about this talk about Poppy.

=^..^=

I found my friend lying in bed. Soft sobs could be heard coming from her.

The room was illuminated by a sole oil lamp, and there were no others present. That was no surprise since it was still early enough in the night that everyone was still working in the main wing.

"Poppy?" I called out as I approached. "It's me," I said softly.

She didn't answer. In fact, the sobbing grew louder.

"Are you okay?" I voiced softly while taking a seat at the edge of her bed.

Still, she didn't answer. She just curled up into herself, balling up like a child, and cried.

I placed a gentle palm on her back and just let her cry. It was on that night that I decided, whatever our plan was, Orin and I, whatever path to freedom we plotted, we just couldn't leave Poppy behind.

=^..^=