Sipping the tea while relaxing under her hands he replied, “Karen. She’s a skilled Assassin.”
Stacia's hands paused briefly on hearing the obviously feminine name. “I see, sir. Other then dinner did ya have other plans that require me for the evenin'?” Her voice become very businesslike, losing the silken edge.
“Actually, yes. I’m looking forward to a massage later. Considering that I told Karen how good you are at giving them, she would probably like one as well. Is this a problem?” The last four words come out with a bit of fire in them, as he tilted his head back to meet her eyes.
Stacia met his gaze, shivering at the sheer force she saw there. She dropped her eyes, her head bending slightly forward so her hair covered her face. She spoke very softly,” No, sir. Anything ya want I will be given to ya if ya ask.”
Alburet reached out and gently touched her cheek, brushing back her hair, “Good girl. If you do a really good job I promise you any one reward you want later.”
She tilted her head into his hand, looking at him eagerly, “Anythin' sir?”
Lips quirking up into a smirk at her sudden change, he chuckled, “Oh, so you do want something from me after all. I can't promise anything, but if I reject your first request you can keep asking until I find one I can grant.”
She turned her head a touch further and kissed his wrist, “I will do me best, sir,”
A knock sounded at the door and Stacia went to answer it, smoothing her outfit as she went. As she opened the door, Alburet saw Karen standing there in a black dress that flattered her small figure.
“Welcome to Alburet's room. Be ya Karen?” Stacia asked her, eyes flickering over the small woman as a smile formed on her face.
Karen looked at Stacia with a raised brow, glancing at Alburet briefly before addressing Stacia. “Yes, I’m Karen. Who might you be?”
“My name be Stacia. I be Alburet's personal maid while he stays with us here. Please, come in and be welcomed as the sir desires.” She ushered Karen into the room.
Alburet got to his feet as Karen entered, bowing to her. “Good to see you again, Karen. You look amazing in that dress. Please come in and have some tea, dinner will be along shortly.” He pulled a chair out for her.
Lips quirked in an expression he couldn't read Karen nodded, taking the offered seat as he pushed her chair in for her. He was about to pour her a cup of tea but Stacia had come back to the table by then and was doing it already, so he took his seat again.
“I'll be back in a few minutes with the food, sir,” Stacia said, curtsying.
“So, a personal maid?” Karen asked as Stacia left the room.
“It kind of happened, yeah,” Alburet chuckled slightly, feeling a touch nervous for some reason.
“Just had to keep her close after the massage, right?”
“Actually, she asked for the arrangement,” he replied. “Having a personal maid was eight times as expensive as the room for the month. If you're up for it after dinner though I can have her rub you down.”
A small laugh escaped Karen as she shook her head, “You just want me naked in your room.”
“Well, that is part of it. Also, watching her rubbing you down does have an appeal to me.” Alburet said with a chuckle, deciding he might as well be completely honest with her. “It’s your choice, of course. We could also make use of the baths in the building. If you haven't had a bath in game yet you should try it at least once.”
“So you want me naked, wet and in easy reach?” Her eyes were sparkling with laughter.
He was about to reply when he caught the hint of heat in her eyes. He let his smile broaden, “It has a very firm appeal to me, I won't deny it.”
Karen was about to reply when the door opened, admitting Stacia along with one of her sisters carrying two trays each. Stacia’s youngest sister followed with two bottles and three goblets in hand. The trio of sisters quickly set the table, then the other two left leaving Stacia in the room.
“Dinner is ready sir,” Stacia said, removing the covers from the platters. Before them sat steaming bowls of stew and two loaves of bread. “Tonight ya be havin' the best stew in the inn, me Ma's special recipe. The drink be a good wine that will complement the stew.” She opened one of the bottles and poured wine into two goblets before stepping back.
Shaking his head Alburet, turned to her and pointed at a chair, “You will be joining us, Stacia. Why do you think I had a meal for three prepared?”
Stacia stood her ground, refusing to look at him, “It would nay be right.”
“I do not care one whit, sit and eat with us. That is an order.” His voice became steel as he spoke.
Slowly she came forward and sat down, pouring herself some wine. Her voice was meek, “As ya wish it, sir.”
“Wow, you do have a firm side,” Karen murmured. “I think tonight is going to be more fun than I’d thought.”
Glancing at her, Alburet raised a brow, “Oh? Do you like a man who can take control, then?”
“Only if they prove they can tame me,” Karen replied with a smirk, “I recall you failing at that a lot today.”
Absently rubbing at one of the spots where she’d bruised him during the sparring earlier, he nodded once, “True, but I did manage it once.”
Conversation faded as they dug into the stew. Alburet's eyes widened as the flavor permeated his mouth. It held a touch of sweetness that blended perfectly with the spice that was beginning to warm his mouth. He took a second bite and the heat begin to spread throughout his face.
“It's spicy, but not overbearing. That touch of sweet makes you want another bite,” Alburet said, taking a third bite.
“This is the best stew I've had,” Karen added. “Beef with barley is the base, but I have no idea what seasonings are in it.”
“Ma will nay even tell us, sayin' she will only tell once we find a man to settle down with.” Stacia said softly, nibbling a chunk of bread between bites of the stew. “If the heat gets too much eat the bread.”
Alburet broke a chunk off the bread, setting it beside his bowl as he took his fourth bite of stew. He could feel heat spreading through his body by then. “Does the heat keep growing?”
“Aye, like the fires of hell,” Stacia said softly. “Me Da can't even finish a bowl without bread, and he’s been eating this dish for years.”
Karen took a bite of bread, “Wow, it really does ramp up. This is wonderful. The bread quenches the heat in the mouth then spreads to the rest like the stew did.”
Alburet took another bite of stew as he gauged how many more bites were in the bowl. Fifth bite in and he hadn't made a noticeable dent in the serving. Now the heat made him start to perspire. He wiped the sweat from his brow and took another bite.
Stacia eyed him nervously, “Sir, ya should nay push ya self like that.”
Karen chimed in, “I agree with Stacia, Alburet. It wouldn't do for you to be unable to enjoy the rest of the night.”
Alburet was about to take another bite of the stew, doggedly determined to see how much he could stand, then glanced at the women. With a sigh he put down the spoon and took a bite of bread instead. Stacia let out a relieved sigh, her hand dropping under the table to squeeze his thigh once.
The meal continued with minimal talk, each of them enjoying the stew. Alburet discovered the wine didn't affect the heat from the stew at all. It did however add a whole different flavor to the stew which seemed to help emphasis the sweetness. The flavors mingled like two lovers in the throes of ecstasy.
When they finished Alburet sat back, sipping the wine in his goblet as he nibbled the last of his bread. “Wow, I really need to make sure your mother is compensated for that meal. I would easily rank it in the top five meals I've ever eaten in either world.”
Lips pursed, Karen nodded slowly, “Top five might be a bit much, but easily the top ten. Top five is hard to beat out but it surely gives them a run for it.”