Chapter eighteen B.

Before I knew it, the two women had walked out from the back fully dressed. Ashley wore a dress made of light white and pink roses that alternated by layer with deep rich emerald silk. She had a sun hat that matched. The soft colors and the deep emerald made her hair stand out like burnished rays of the sun. It was braided to one side and hung down past her right shoulder.

Rachel wore a light sky-blue dress trimmed in white lace. Her small sun hat did little to hide the long black braid that flowed down the side of her neck and over her left shoulder. She was a swirl of the soft sky, and the two dresses, even though different, complemented each other like the sky shining down over a lush garden filled with roses.

"Well holy fuck, the two of you look absolutely wonderful. I seem to be rather underdressed now." I said as I gaped at the two gorgeous women.

"Nonsense, Lord Grayson; you look very dashing and handsome. And I quite enjoy the simple yet refined outfits I have seen you in; they are excellently made and have a certain nonchalance about them. It does give off the air of high nobility, particularly with your build." Rachel said as a soft pink blush flushed across her.

They picked up sun umbrellas, one green and the other light blue with lace.

Brie and Sasha came out of the back next in outfits that suggested they would be accompanying us out. Sasha wore a pleated blue mini skirt and a cross top. Brie had a matching skirt and top though hers was a plaided green and red, and her white cross top was trimmed in light green lace. The green of the lace and skirt complementing her dark red fur tails perfectly.

"Our Sasha and Brie the only servants we are going to bring?" I asked, clearly not knowing the custom.

"Yes, it is normal for a lady to only bring one slave on her daily outings, any more is seen as overly gauche. When a husband and his wives are out, the wives will bring only one slave and the husband one. It's a custom that formed after the fashion had been to bring as many as you could and as rumors of the time say, hardly anyone could walk in the streets or enter the shops, as lords and ladies had nearly their entire households out with them. Much better this way." Ashley answered.

"I see. That does sound like it would become quite crowded. Do you intend to have Brie crawl around today? Why do the noble ladies do that anyway?" I asked.

"Oh, no not today unless you want her to?" she asked as I shook my head no, "though if we see my rival Tiffany Greystorm, the bitch, Brie knows what to do. The game I guess you would call it; you'll notice that the only times the demi humans act like animals is when stopped in a group of ladies. It is a game to see whose slave can be the best tamed, any slave can stand there, but one who acts, and plays the part the lady had selected well is seen as honoring their Mistress. It's also why you won't see many of the lords participating, they consider it beneath them, though most do enjoy the spectacle." Ashley answered.

"It is quite silly and there's no way to ever truly decide who is winning. Though I suppose that is why the noble ladies love it so much. An endless game of public competition, with no clear victor." Rachel said with a sigh, clearly letting me know what she thought of the whole thing.

"I thought it was something like that, so where are we headed first? I am going to leave showing you my ship for tonight." I said.

"Well seeing as you are new to the world, I do not wish to be impolite, but I don't want to take you somewhere you can't afford either; how are your finances? I know it's terribly rude to ask, just, with certain customs it would look horrible if we had to pay for something society says you should pay for." Rachel said, not quite knowing how to get the information she wanted.

"Quite alright Rachel; I am actually well off. I found gold and gems upon my arrival. So, don't worry." I said, lying slightly, I had made a bunch of gold and gems, but I was well off. Though I was going to have to find a source of income that wasn't just making gems, it was going to arouse too much suspicion if I kept unloading more and more gems every time, I needed money.

"That is fortunate; Handsome, well-mannered, a mysterious world walker, a mage, and well off; what more could a lady ask for." Ashley said the rose hue on her cheeks almost perfectly matching the shade the roses on her dress were done in.

We made our way out of the college tower, Sasha attached to my sword belt by the thin, beautiful silver chain attached to her gold collar. Brie was similarly attached to Ashley though the silver chain she had was lightly looped around her wrist.

It was past mid-morning when we turned and started our way down the avenue of the marina. The air was clear and calm, with only the barest hint of a cool breeze coming off the water.

I had offered Rachel my right arm, and Ashley walked to my left, my sword preventing us from locking arms. The circumference of their dresses where such that I was able to hold their arms politely and not get tangled in the fabric.

"I can't wait to show you some of my favorite shops, they're such a delight to spend time in." Rachel said as we walked past the window displays of the storefronts.

The walkway along the marina avenue was beginning to fill with the ladies that would be promenading around on the day. They clung to the road like strange multiple-colored flowers, their dresses refined and elegant. Very few bustled busily, and there was a lazy sort of atmosphere.

The strolling pace Rachel and Ashley set was easy, calm, and full of dignified grace. I could tell it was more for the benefit of others to allow them an opportune moment to glance at them and myself.

The first shop I was led to was only a ten-minute walk. The hard stone and foe wood of the building gave off a cozy feel. The front windows were two half-circles with a large wood door beset with glass in between the two. The windows held wonderfully extravagant flower arrangements and the sine above the door read, 'The noble rose.'

Brie quickly moved forward and opened the door allowing Rachel, Ashley, Sasha, and myself to enter the flower shop. The floral and fresh plant sent clung heavily in the air. The main room was longer than it was wide. Dotted on tables both long and small were arrangements of flowers. Plants hung from macramé holders, swinging slightly over tables and from the walls.

"This is the lady Ashtons flower shop. It has been in business forever. Her arrangements work wonders on a room." Ashley said with more than just a hint of respect in her voice.

"Yes, she does create the most beautiful and fragrant displays. I have to give her that." Rachel added.

"It is quite a lovely shop; I don't think I saw any flowers in our apartment?" I said.

"You catch on quick; we did not know if we were going to get a practice husband this year or not and some lords hate beautiful things. I had not thought to get any before we met with our perspective suiter." Ashley said.

"Well, I trust the floral arrangements of the room are in good hands with you Ashley."

"Oh, don't give her a blank ticket just yet, Lord Grayson, will be swimming in flowers if you do that." Rachel playfully mocked.

"Will not, I was only going to put us on the list for a once-a-week delivery. Maybe let's see...three for my room...two for your room Rachel... four for our bathroom... six for lord Grayson's bathing room... two for lord Grayson’s room...five for the sitting and study room...one large one for the dining room...and a small fragrant herbal selection for the kitchen. Maybe one simple pleasant smelling one for the slaves room... and the outdoor table... so that's twenty-six?" Ashley said, looking at me with hopeful eyes.

By the indicated pleading, I think I was supposed to pay for this floral decadence. "Hum... ok but only two for my bathroom, one for my room and three in the sitting area." I said, adjusting the count from twenty-six down to nineteen.

"yes!" Ashley said, letting out an excited squeak.

She had totally overdone it knowing I would bring the real number down to what she actually wanted. Sneaky, sneaky. Oh well, it was only flowers.

We spent the next, oh I have no idea how long going over flower books and arrangements. Well, more aptly, Ashley did; Rachel found a corner chair and began reading. While I had found the most interesting plant to play with. It was called a jiggly giggly wiggly and did exactly what it sounded like. It looked like a small cactus plant but with no thorns. It was green and had a jelly-like consistency. It was like a slime monster only rooted in place. The thing was about the size of my hand and was carnivorous; it would catch small bugs and digest them. I went around the shop and caught the bugs and fed them to my new little friend.

So, upon exiting, we would be getting weekly deliveries to our room of nineteen flower arrangements. Crazy, and the weekly price of four gold was nothing to scoff at either. I had also purchased the jiggly giggly wiggly and insisted it go in my room. Ashley was flummoxed that my little wiggling cactus would offset her floral arrangements, but I would not be swayed. The thing was too cool; well, it entertained the five-year-old part of my brain at least.

We stepped out of the shop and off to the side, and I noticed Ashley wiping a small tear from her eye. "Are you all right Ashley?" I asked, thinking she might have allergies or something.

"Yes...it's just..." Ashley trailed off, looking at Rachel.

"You see lord Grayson, though Ashley's father is a duke...well... Winter shore is of more strategic value than an economic hub. She's also the fourth daughter and her stipend while large...is not as large as some others. You made her very happy by indulging her." Rachel explained, smiling up at me for bringing such joy to her friend.

"Ashley..." I trailed off while taking her hand and pulling her in for a light kiss.

The wonderful flush on her face returned, and the two women who were already in a good mood turned even brighter as a lightness filled their steps as we continued our strolling pace.

There was a marked difference in the way the surrounding nobles treated me while in the presence of Rachel and Ashley. The countless monopoly-looking men and ladies would go out of their way to sidestep us. They must have known the two because I was sure as hell was not garnering these responses.

There were mild looks of curiosity and polite, short hellos. Some of the groupings of ladies even moved out of our way as we approached. A few of the more practically dressed men even took their hats off and offered polite bows.

After Another half-hour of leisurely walking down the street, stopping to look at dress shop windows, handbags, glass trinkets, and bobbles until we reached our true destination, it was a bookstore; in fact, it was a Hobbs's and son's store.

Besides me, I could feel Rachel's anticipation, and as a book lover myself, I could understand her excitement. The rows of shelves were like old rooms. The smell of parchment and paper a delightful haze that sent my mind into the wide worlds of fantasy.

"I just love this store; I could spend a fortune and a lifetime in it." Rachel said in a fawning voice, making me question if nuptials were soon to be forthcoming.

"I know what you mean, the smell of knowledge," I said, offering her a companionable smile.

"Not you too. One book lover as a friend is bad enough, not my husband too." Ashley playfully wined. But I could see her eyes light up as well, she was a mage after all, and if there is one thing all mages have in common, it is the love of books, tomes, and scrolls.

"What are we shopping for here, though I would love to buy every book I don't think even I am that rich," I said jokingly.

"Well in truth, I just wanted to pick up some new quills, ink and fine parchments for some enchantments I am working on." Rachel said.

"You enchant?" I asked.

"You haven't even asked what kind of mages we are yet. So, I'm going to let the mystery stand a while. Let you brood on it." Rachel said with a play full tease of her bottom lip.

"Ashley?" I asked.

"Nope, I'm with Rachel on this one, you're just going to have to wait a bit, maybe over lunch." Ashley said with a firm nod of her head, settling the matter.

It was true I really did not know much about the two, but I was going to dive deeply for answers if I had to.

"Well while were here, might as well pick out a few books as well Rachel, Ashley. Call it a bribe to get even deeper into your good graces."

"Any deeper my Lord Husband and I'm not going to be able to stop from gushing your praise all over." Rachel said with a nerdy playful grin on her face.

I walked through the rows of shelves and admired the selection that was on display. I had enough skills and abilities for the moment. I selected mundane books, a bestiary, an herbal encyclopedia, and alchemy text.

Ashley wandered close by and seemed to pick books off the shelf at random and skim through them. Rachel, on the other hand, was in the writing supplies section going over everything she needed.

The store attendants, while waiting to be helpful, did keep their distance, except for when I selected a book, one would come over and take it to the counter quickly.

Supplies selected and tomes stored in my ring of holding, we made our way out of the wonderful shop.

"Why don't we head over to the kettle and pan for lunch?" Ashley suggested.

"Sounds good to me, Rachel?" I asked.

"That should do nicely I think, I bet Lady Elizabeth will be there as well."

"Most likely." Ashley added.