The place was a whispered myth he had always thought growing up. A tavern far from the roads, hidden on a cliff overlooking the West ocean. It made no sense, why would you have a tavern.. a wealthy one that no one could find? As an adult he understood, the tavern was a meeting place for those who had no wish to be seen together. For those with power and wealth who were accustomed to a level of comfort far above the average roadside tavern. It was a secret handed from father to heir for generations. It had been by chance he learned it really existed, a conversation over heard one night when he had almost been caught.
The lord and his son had returned alone, a lucky break for the thief allowing him to hide in a small room normally reserved for guards. He had been sure they would arrive any moment and his head would be in a noose as soon as the sun rose. That is if they let him live that long. Instead.. the lord was telling his son about a meeting to take place. One that would have risked their house if it became known, so would have to be at the Cliff House. That had gotten Rafe's full attention. Myth becoming reality and more.. wealthy people arriving to an isolated location, one they couldn't admit they were ever at. Oh he instantly had visions of gold and information, of a life of leisure and debauchery.
Cliff house on the West ocean turned out to be more elusive than he first thought. Two long years before he found it. The area was barren of farms, a single road through it, and an unmarked path that led off from it and up into the hills, then out to the cliff. The tavern was larger more impressive than he expected. A smaller building was hidden from the main one guards, servants, the stable near it. Nothing to disturb the peace of those who stayed at the tavern. He smiled, that meant that there would be few people inside the main building at night. He saw little in the way of guards oddly. Then again no one wished to cause trouble here.. it was too valuable to them. And isolation offered protection from the random thief.
He was not average, and he would be patient, wait for the perfect time. In the mean time he could perhaps gain some tidbits of information to sell later. He waited and watched, the tavern keeper.. owner maybe was a Velso. Odd for one of them to be here, they were from the far south, his skin tone was still darkly tanned, hair black as midnight a little long for average, tall and well muscled. They were known for being ruthless on the ocean. Maybe that was how he had come here. He stayed in the main building at night with one other person. She had been another shock to Rafe.
Tahma were not mythical.. but they were damn rare. The children of the bright moon, they lived to the far north and east, lands of open grass, snow, ice and wind.They never left their homeland he had thought. But here SHE was and she was a perfect example of one, crystalline white hair fell to her knees in soft waves, pale skin, eyes so pale a gray they seemed colorless, huge pupils. Tiny coming only to the Velsos' chest, slim and well portioned, breasts that were high and round, begging a man to cup them. She was graceful and calming, perfect to serve the men who arrived. Although he quickly noticed none touched her. Looked... oh yes any male who was attracted to female would look at her. And he had a feeling that the rumor he had heard recently of a Princeling offering to trade a Tahma for her weight in gold was inspired here.
But this was not a brothel and some services were not offered. Fine food, excellent wines and beverages, exotic fruits... and safe meeting places that one need not worry of disturbance. In fact Rafe was finding it impossible to even figure out where the meetings took place.
Food was mostly served on a veranda that overlooked the ocean, they would drink and chatter about inane things, children and horses. But the meetings they had come for were held.. away from prying eyes and ears. He had a perfect hiding place that allowed him to watch the veranda, watch her as she moved among the guests, carrying plates or glasses, she never seemed so much a server.. but the Lady of the manor hosting a fine party. She smiled and spoke softly, checked on each and every visitor at what seemed the perfect time. All while the Velso sat at the main table, lord of his domain. And no doubt he was the host and master here. Show any disrespect to him or his staff and you were banned, political suicide for some, financial suicide for others. The deals made here toppled kings, sent markets into frenzied panic and Rafe had little doubt started and ended wars.
Tonight it was only the two of them, the Velso took his place at the table as if it were a dozen there. She brought him a plate, and his favorite goblet, standing near. The conversation was too soft for him to hear but he was relaxed and she smiled often. Rafe dared to come a little closer, even though it would deny him the ability to watch her.
"We will have a few quiet days Serna. The next will not arrive till dark moon's wane." His voice was deep, rumbling whiskey and smoke in it. Rafe frowned as he realized it would be a bit of a wait now for his first chance at a little gold.
"We could use the time Grandfather." Her voice was a delicate a song as he had hoped, as sweet... Grandfather?!? His eyebrow shot up. No way the pair was in anyway kin to one another.
"Yes Serna. I know you need to restock after this past moon, more that you need to recover. You are too thin again." Rafe didn't think so, remembering the shimmering gown that had caressed her curves. Oh how he wanted to run his hands over those curves.
"Grandfather you worry too much. I am not a bit different than I was before they arrived."
"I wish you would stop calling me that."
"You made the one that made me. You once told me to think of her as mother.. so that makes you Grandfather."
A low husky laugh, "I forget that you merely look as sweet and gentle as a snow dove, but truth is you are one of the falcons that dives and sends them flying in panic to their deaths."
He laughter made Rafe's cock twitch and waken hopefully. He silently moaned, he was not here to steal a woman. And he couldn't let the woman know he was here. Maybe on the last night.. after he had the wealth he wanted. Maybe he could even take her with him.. sell her to the Princeling.. gently used of course.
"Grandfather are you going to allow those magi back?"