The Archon is making sure John gets to enjoy all that Mygela has to offer a wary, virile stranger.
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"Lord John, this is Desi," Calista introduced John to yet another beautiful woman outside of a building that smelled of freshly baked bread.
John's stomach rumbled, fighting with his interest in the dirty blond for his attention. Her breasts, or at least the one displayed outside of her dress, were the fullest yet of anyone he'd seen on the island. She was a beautiful woman with a fuller figure. John tried not to imagine all of the things he could do to her without worrying about breaking her. The darkness inside of him was only too happy to imagine all of those things.
John bowed and took Desi's hand in his and placed a kiss on her knuckles. "The honor is mine, Desi."
"Oh my," Desi said and looked to the Archon with sparkling eyes. "This is quite a surprise, Archon."
Calista smiled and said, "I have a long and tiresome day ahead of me. Rather than bore our guest with administrative tasks, I thought it would be better if he got out to see how we function here. And what better way than to have him spend the day with our cook?"
Desi's lips parted as Calista spoke. She turned her focus on John and her eyes dropped to his feet and then rose back up. She lifted one eyebrow appraisingly and finally met his eyes with a smile on her face. John's robe didn't flatter his body but the breadth of his shoulders and his handsome face were enough to pique her interest.
"Tomorrow we will broaden his experience and have him go with another," the Archon added.
"Tomorrow? Oh, so... well, Lord John, is it?" Desi asked as she realized she had John for the entire day and night.
"It is," John said. "But I insist you call me John."
"If you insist," Desi flirted. She turned to Calista and said, "Archon, you honor me in your selection."
"I've always felt it was a shame that such a necessary job as yours does not receive the notice and accolades you deserve. This seemed like a small way to show that appreciation."
John tilted his head and nodded at the Archon's statesmanship.
Desi grinned. "Come along then, John, and let me show you how the Archon likes extra spices in her meals."
Calista laughed as Desi led John into the bakery.
The rising sun in the east had combined with the warm air from the lake surrounding the aisle to drive away the last of the morning chill. The air in the bakery, on the other hand, was heated by ovens and took him back to a forgotten memory of a time where he'd opened a door or a window and been struck by a strong gust of desert air. The memory faded as he struggled to hold on to it. He scowled, shook his head, and then realized he looked like a fool standing in the open doorway of the bakery.
"Girls, this is Lord John. The Archon gifted me with his companionship until tomorrow. He is to see what sort of things we do that make us some of the most important people in Mygela," Desi introduced him to her team of four younger woman.
John smiled at the woman, momentarily unable to speak. Younger was an unfair term to use. They were younger than Desi but still within a few years of each other. All of them seemed unharmed by the passing of years. Without exception they all stood with their dresses hanging about the cord at their waist, leaving both of their breasts free and their upper body glistening in the warmth of the bakery.
John gaze lingered for a moment on one woman with hair the color of chocolate pulled back into a bun. She had dusty streaks of flower across her breasts. He moved on as quick as he could but worried that they might have noticed his distraction.
If they did, they gave no indication. Their eyes sparkled as they took him in. Work stopped while they chatted with him and basked in his charm. One of the girls, Binda, offered him a sample of a sweetroll she was making. He couldn't help but notice the damp smear of flour across both of her breasts when she turned to offer the treat to him.
"Girls! We've a village to feed," Desi admonished them. She waved them back to their tables and ovens and turned to John. "We've been working since before the sun was up and the food has been sent out already. Have you had a chance to eat yet, John?"
John's stomach rumbled, drawing giggles from the bakers. "I missed the opportunity," John admitted.
"Well, we always have a little something around here," she said. "The benefits of making the food is we get to eat it first and make sure it's good enough for everyone else."
John chuckled. "I hadn't thought of that before. You're making this profession sound better and better by the minute."
"Oh, it is," she confirmed and then smiled and rubbed her hip, "All the sampling does have its drawbacks though... and it's not uncommon for me to need to stay here and finish up while the others go to the morning calisthenics."
"Well, I think you look lovely," John said. "All of you, to be honest. I've been in the presence of such a fetching group of women in my life."
The girl with the bun laughed and said, "He's got a tongue sweeter than Bindy's rolls, Desi."
"Is that right?" Desi asked.
"I saw his companions. Beautiful women, all of them! And two of them wore armor fit more for a bedroom than a battlefield," she tattled.
John grinned. "They were gladiators when I met them. The armor was for show, but believe it or not they know how to make the most of it. They do have far more protective armor should the need arise. The women of Mygela are so beautiful they felt threatened and wanted to show off."