Page 51 of Apple Boy

“Therefore, it makes sense that you will need to prepare for all eventualities with fine garment to match his Lordship, no?” Mr. Mediean added as if he were trying to coax a child to do something they did not want to do.

Adam gritted his teeth and scowled. He looked quite out of his depth with talk of lavish parties.

“When you both make your debut into Sereinean society you will look so exquisite that when you enter a room, all will still to silence. Can you imagine?” Mr. Moncroix said setting the scene,

“The ladies of Serein—lining up to spend private time with you, and the gentlemen—looking on with fury and jealousy! Oh yes?” Moncroix added, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

“So you must have all of the accouterments, sir, you simply must. A dessert is incomplete without the cherry on top, just as an outfit from Mediean & Moncroix is incomplete without the fripperies.”

With that, Adam let out a deep sigh of resignation. We would indeed be proper Sereinean dandies when our parcels of tailored garments were delivered on the morrow.

Ivon’s coach met us outside Mediean & Moncroix, and we were taken on a long tour through the city to eventually arrive at a club in The Maker’s district named The In and Out. From the name, I expected a disreputable establishment and steeled myself to see all kinds of debauchery on display. I was a little concerned about what Adam would make of it. However, I was relieved to discover that the club itself was housed in a grand, well-kept building and during the daytime anyway, this establishment was a dining club and nothing more.

Ivon later informed me that the name came from the fact that members entered through the grand front entrance during the day to enjoy the dining club, however as night fell, patrons preferred to enter and exit using the back passage! This elicited a filthy guffaw of laughter from both Adam and I.

After some three hours of sampling the many courses of fish, roasted meats, vegetables and Sereinean puffed puddings I was near fit to burst. Adam barely said a word for the whole meal, replying in yes-no terms whenever Ivon asked him a question. He appeared so enamored with the quality of fare and was far too busy eating. Watching him enjoy his food amused me greatly. In fact, everything Adam Sewell did entertained me, and indeed twisted my innards with a clamorous, lustful longing to be alone with him in our chamber once more.

While we dined we observed my Uncle indulging in his pleasures as he consumed as much food as both of us together, and he quaffed double our intake of wine. And so, as we left on our final errand of the day to meet with Luca in Cheapside, uncle was already well in his cups, swaying as he walked to his carriage and speaking in loud, unfiltered, bawdy terms that made me wince with embarrassment.

At Ivon’s request, the carriage stopped several streets away from where we were due to meet his man. Arriving in a liveried carriage would be far too conspicuous, so we were to continue on foot through Cheapside to The Bargewright Inn.

The inn was close to the docks, and as we walked down the slippery, stinking cobbled streets, I could hear the creak of timbers moving with the ebb and flow of the sea and the rhythmic sway of chains, bells, and ropes dancing in counterpoint, making an eerie music all of their own.

As we strode warily down the poorly lit street, the scent of the briny water and intermittent blasts of fierce icy wind sobered us all up a little. We mounted steps on to the bridge walkway above. The moon peeped out from behind fast rolling clouds, and standing on the bridge above the rooftops I could see that the ships we had viewed approaching that very morn had docked, their masts and rigging rising high into the tumultuous sky. Neither was the Spirea or Trillium. But these trading ships spewed out their sailors for shore leave like a bucket of dirty water tossed over the side. And with their wages aching to be spent, Serein was ready to provide whatever entertainment the sailors desired.

We descended from the bridge and find ourselves in a far busier street. From the appearance of the groups of bandy-legged sailors we passed, it didn’t appear the vagabonds were wandering too far from their berths. There was no need when all they desired was right here in Cheapside.

We turned into Fisherman’s Walk, a short street lined with taverns, their signs swinging and creaking in the wind, hooked lanterns lighting the tavern exteriors to ensure all sailors seeking to spend some coin and drown their sorrows knew they were open for business. I could immediately see that other pleasures were also offered on Fisherman’s Walk. Harlots lined the street. Their layered gossamer dresses were most unsuitable for such a frigid wind-swept evening and left nothing to the imagination.

“Y’all right darlin’?” A strumpet called in a Corvayan accent, directing the catcall at Adam. She appeared to be close to his mother’s age, her milky pale breasts spilling from a low cut scarlet and black corset covered with a fine gauzy fabric dress. She strutted beside us, attempting to engage us in conversation then wrapped her arm around Adam’s shoulder and pulled him to her side. I could feel the alarm, like lightning leaping from Adam’s skin to mine when she touched him.

“Ooh darlin’, you’ve got such big strong shoulders.” She flattered, groping Adam through his cloak. “I gots a room over at Betti’s if you’d like a little private time. Maybe show me what yer other big, hard muscles be like.” She offered saucily.

Ivon slowed his step and then moved stealthily behind us. He lurched and slapped the woman’s bottom with a hard thwack, making her shriek and let go of Adam, giving him the opportunity to wriggle out of her grasp.

She turned, “Oh, sir, you are so naughty!” she scolded playfully. The prostitute appeared pleased to lay her eyes on Ivon, an older man who dressed impeccably and, while in his cups he had none of the inhibitions expected of a man of his station. I could see from the way she was sizing Ivon up that she believed he was all-in-all a much better risk as a client.

“You’re out of luck with this pup, lady,” Ivon announced with raucous laughter, reaching out and roughly rubbing his hand through Adam’s dark curls as if he were a mutt.

“He’s a gentleman of the back door! And my nephew will, I dare say, scratch your bloody eyes out if you lay a finger on him again.” Ivon looked at me as he said those words. I was horrified by his indiscretion. Why had he announced that Adam was mine in a place where our desire for one another could see us punished?

“Uncle” I turned and glared at him reproachfully.

“Ah, t’is fine boy!” He slurred, batting my outrage away, “We’re in Cheapside, and as long as you’ve got the coin every hole’s fair game here!” He announced crudely. “Is that not the case?” Ivon asked the prostitute.

“Aye, sir. If you’ve got the coin, any hole is ripe fer fillin’! I’m grand with the back or front door. Show me the shine of yer coin, and maybe you’ll be lucky enough to take both!” The harlot pressed her breasts against Ivon making him stagger and stall in the street. He groped for the woman’s buttocks through her long gossamer dress and steadied himself. With a laugh, he buried his face between her breasts and wriggled his face.

“Ahhhh, such soft lady pillows. I’d wager a good time can be had pressed between these jubblies.” He snickered.

I was thoroughly embarrassed.

“Aye, sir. I’ll show you a good time! Come now, my room ain’t far.” She said taking Ivon’s hand and walking backward, leading him away and like a dog on a leash. He followed, his eyes hungrily transfixed on her large breasts.

“Uncle. We have a meeting!” I called harshly after him. I did not want to be here in this most dangerous part of the city after dark. Ivon spoke many times about the need to remain on guard and watch our backs, and yet he was behaving as a beast led to the slaughter.

As if pulled from a trance Ivon turned and stared at me; his expression was wracked with confusion as if he had just recognized me and remembered why he was in Fisherman’s Walk.

“Ah, yes, mah boy, sorry, sorry.” Ivon slurred apologetically then turned back to the captivating harlot. “I have business to attend to my dear. Very important, secret…” He said tapping his nose and giving a wink. Gods, I was so mortified watching this public spectacle and ashamed that Adam was witnessing it too.