The peculiar scent of hot sun on packed earth rose around them as they browsed the displays. The typical mixture of hand-made local crafts and cheap imported replicas filled the stands at the fair. Roni wandered slowly and looked over the wares, Jesse at her side. She saw his interest in the display of knives and swords imported from India and smiled to herself. Jesse did have a liking for cold steel. These were poor quality imports though, and she wandered past them, to his unvoiced but never-the-less obvious disappointment.
She browsed the clothing stands a bit. Eventually she picked out a shirt for Jesse, a loose white one with billowing sleeves and a poet's collar. It would look good on him the next time they went to one of these fairs. They enjoyed the chance to play the roles in public that they lived in private. Nobody took it amiss at a Renaissance Faire if she acted the Lady and he her servant.
The last booth in the row was set near the more permanent smithy built on the fair grounds. Roni heard the ringing of a hammer on steel and looked over to see a heavily muscled man beat a fold into a strip of glowing metal destined to become a blade of some kind. Returning her gaze to the handmade jewelry before her, she thought for a second.
"Jesse, find us some cold drinks please." Her glance at him was as much a command as her statement, and he bowed to her.
"Of course Mistress, right away." She watched him walk away and enjoyed the fit of the snug breeches above the boots he wore. She took a great deal of pride in this young man who chose to serve her. He denied her nothing, and she did her best to assure he was satisfied in his service.
He would like her latest idea. She stepped over to the smithy and looked over the items laid out there. Some fine blades indeed were set out for viewing, the distinctive rippled gray of folded steel. Other items were there as well, shackles, chains, and more mundane things in steel, candle holders, trivets, a variety of household fixtures.
"Anything I can help you with Ma'am?" The deep voice of the smith made her aware the noise of his hammer had ceased. She looked up slowly, enjoying the broad sweat-beaded chest that stood before her. He grinned in her eyes when her gaze reached his, and she smiled back.
"You do custom work?" She had certain ideas in mind, things not generally found pre-made.
"Certainly. I would be most happy to serve your needs, Ma'am." His emphasis made her smile, and gave the words a great deal more meaning than the surface would indicate.
She took his card and the catalogue laid out on the counter and tucked them away. "You will be hearing from me. I'm sure we can come up with some way for you to serve me." She grinned at him and stepped to the booth across the way before Jesse could return with the drinks. She was still sampling the essential oils for sale there when Jesse came back, two large cups in his hands. He approached her and knelt, setting his own cup aside to offer hers with both hands, head bowed. Roni recapped the small vial in her hands before she turned. She caught sight of the smith grinning at them before she smiled gently down at her lover and took the cup from his hands. "Very good Jesse." She enjoyed the cold of the lemonade, if not the rather kool-aidish taste. "I believe it is nearly time for the next show. Let's head that direction."
"Thank you Mistress, yes Mistress, I would enjoy that." He rose, picked up his cup as he did, and stepped in behind her. He stood with eyes down, and brushed the dust from his knees only after she passed him. She enjoyed his natural attention to such minor details; it showed his respect and service to her. She had never had to train him to such niceties. It seemed to be instinctive to him. She just enjoyed him.
The show was the King sitting at court, with his courtiers presenting themselves to him for various purposes. One recited a poem that received both praise and good-natured revilement. The over-all plot for the fair was continued as a lady requested that brave knights be sent a-questing for her missing husband, though it was noted that the poet's words had been addressed more to her than to the court in general. There was gossip about a mystery knight who had entered the jousting scheduled for an hour hence. The costumes were wonderful.
Roni enjoyed herself, leaning into Jesse and sharing comments with him as the performance continued. They happily followed the court as it left to attend the next performance, a puppet show presented by traveling entertainers. By the time they reached the jousting arena it was hot indeed, and Jesse filled their lemonade cups from the ice water pitcher of a wandering water-bearer there for the visitors' convenience. The jousting demonstration was exciting, especially when it was revealed that the "mystery knight" was the missing husband, returning to find proof of his lady wife's infidelity with the poet. The resulting fencing demonstration was beautifully performed, ending in a surprise upset with the knight on his back, the poet holding both swords to his throat. The king spared his life, of course, and the crowd finally dispersed to enjoy whatever they had yet to see.
Jesse was full of comments on the show, especially the fencing. Roni considered looking around to see if there were lessons he might take in the sport. She would enjoy it as well. It was late by the time they reached home, and she was quite ready for Jesse to draw her bath and rinse the dust from her skin and hair.
Roni relaxed, the sandalwood bath oil she had purchased earlier filling the air as Jesse slowly ran the sponge over her. He loved bathing her, his face showing his total concentration as he stroked her. Her skin woke, tingling lightly to his touch as he moved over every inch of her. Last he discarded the sponge and let down her hair. His fingers smoothed the long strands through the water. Her mind drifted as he worked, massaging the shampoo down to her scalp. She envisioned exactly what she would request from the smith, and how she would use it on Jesse, and smiled. Jesse bent to softly kiss her forehead, thinking the smile was for him. It was, of course.
