22 - Kamhet's Girl
In the Castle Tavern, perched on the hill next to King Osta's Citadel high above the Port City of Cana, the tavern keeper Gan called over to Lilla, his newest girl. He was a large jolly man, friendly and caring towards his workers, soft and gentle, and even a little shy, truth be told. Lilla was beautiful, charming and polite, but with a fire in her eyes and a confidence in her bearing that poor Gan found more than a little disarming.
"Yes Gan?," she said as she approached. "Here, let me help you with those cups."
"Thankyou Lilla," he replied, surrendering the drying cloth to her. "Tell me, how many nights have you been with us my dear?"
"Oh, this is my fourth."
"Your fourth, indeed. Um, Lilla, you are a lovely girl, popular with my customers. I do like the way you make them welcome. You seem so keen to talk with them, to ask them about their lives. I can see that they really appreciate it. People - particularly men - love talking about themselves, especially to a beautiful girl who listens and seems so interested."
"Oh Gan, I am so pleased that you are happy with me," Lilla gushed, staring into his eyes and giving one of his big hands a firm squeeze.
"Well, yes Lilla, I am....in a manner of speaking....that is to say...."
"What is it Gan? Can I do something better? Please tell me!"
"Well. It's just that, in these last few nights, you haven't....I mean not yet anyway....actually....er....taken a man upstairs. I mean, it's wonderful that men adore you, and I am sure I have sold much ale and wine through your efforts, but this is a business Lilla. I'm sorry Lilla, but I have to make a living."
"Oh, I see."
"Please understand, Lilla, I do not expect my girls to do anything they are uncomfortable with. You are a tavern girl, not a slave. I will defend you if a customer acts improperly, and I accept your right to choose which men you will and will not take upstairs. But Lilla....well, it has been three nights. The Tavern relies on its girls as much as its ale and food."
"I understand, Gan. I will try to do better."
"Look Lilla. There is a man from the East just entered. His name is Kamhet - he is a regular customer, wealthy and charming. Take him wine and sit with him!"
She obeyed, pouring a goblet of wine and taking it to the eastern man, "My name is Lilla, may I sit with you?"
"Why not. But fetch yourself a cup of wine too!" he replied. "My name is Kamhet, I am glad to make the acquaintance of such a beautiful young lady."
Lilla sat close beside him, making contact, sipping her wine and meeting his gaze, "Tell me Kamhet, what is a man from such a faraway land doing in Cana in the winter season?"
Kamhet laughed, "I missed my ship, Lilla. I was travelling further north and got caught in snow storms as I returned. They did not wait for me. But it is of little consequence - I will see my countrymen again in the spring."
"But it must be tiresome for you to be stuck here with nothing to do. And do you not have a wife and family that you miss?"
"I do not. And look, I am passing the time pleasantly with a fine girl of the south, so no, my winter is not being wasted."
He took out his pipe and began to fill it with dried herb from a pouch.
"That picture on the pouch," said Lilla. "It is beautiful. What is it?"
"That is the ship I command in my homeland of Ephirum. She is the closest I have to a wife, in answer to your earlier question."
"Is that the ship which left you behind for the winter?"
"Oh no," laughed Kamhet. "That was a merchant's vessel. Much smaller than mine, which is instead built for war."
Lilla looked more closely at the image on the pouch, pulling it away from Kamhet, "And what are these black things in rows along its sides?"
"My my. You do ask many questions for a tavern girl," said Kamhet. "But it pleases me to talk. They are simple decorations, nothing more."
He lit his pipe and drew smoke into his lungs before passing it to Lilla at her request. But she coughed at her first draw and passed it back to him grimacing. She placed her hand on the inside of his thigh, stroking and squeezing, "Come upstairs with me Kamhet!"
"But I am hungry. And this tavern has excellent hak-swine stew."
"Afterwards! By then I will be hungry too."
And so Lilla pulled Kamhet to his feet and led him up the stairs to approving glances from Gan. When they were alone they kissed and undressed each other. Kamhet held her, and tried to swing her downwards to the bed beneath him, but she stiffened and took her lips away from his.
"What is wrong?" he asked.
"Nothing Kamhet. But would you let me be above you? I would prefer it that way."
