Three knights travelled through the Kingdom of Lucia--they were known as Sir Elliot, Sir Godfrey, and Sir Alwyn. For months they had been searching for the Lady Isolde, who ran away the day before her wedding. She was arranged to be married to the Prince of Lucia and her disappearance shocked the kingdom. Many knights were deployed to search for her, to no avail.
The Prince was desired by many women but chose Lady Isolde the moment they met. She avoided all his advances and courtship but it did her no good, her future was decided for her. Her parents forced her hand, ignoring her pleas to be freed from the arrangement. Isolde was free-spirited, and independent, and knew the Prince intended to try to tame and domesticate her.
The three knights were sent north to look for her and as winter grew colder, they grew slower in their search. They spent longer in each village, spending nights drinking in taverns and staying warm in brothels. They would spend days questioning locals and handing out sketches of Lady Isolde's portrait. Everyone in the kingdom knew of her escape but wouldn't be able to recognize her if they had seen her.
One night in a small village, Sir Elliot lay in a bed of straw in a barn, holding the portrait to the light of a lantern and gazing at the depiction of Lady Isolde.
'I always thought she would marry a knight,' said Sir Alwyn, from another haystack across the barn.
'And it would've been Elliot, she had a sweet spot for him back in those squire days,' teased Sir Godfrey from the doorway.
'I'm going to the brothel to show the women the portrait,' Sir Elliot told them.
'Sure you are,' Sir Alwyn amused. Sir Elliot stood from his place to begin tacking his horse.
When Sir Elliot reached the brothel he was greeted by two women before he had even dismounted his horse. They cooed around the stallion, stroking the horse's dark coat and mane as they shot lustful eyes at Sir Elliot. He was the first knight to visit them in some time.
'Good evening, ladies,' he swung out of the saddle and landed firmly on the ground. One girl took the reins and tied the horse, while the other slipped under Elliot's arms, coaxing him to the door. Once inside the brothel, they lowered him down into a sofa.
'I have some business to address first, with you,' Sir Elliot managed to say as the girls crawled onto him.
They looked at each other and giggled, thinking it was role-play. 'Of course, Sir, tell us how we can help you,' one purred, straddling his leg and beginning to kiss his neck.
Sir Elliot reached into his satchel and pulled out the portrait, 'I'm looking for her.'
The girls stopped, unwillingly, as he held the paper out in front of them. They examined the sketch and grew confused.
'We are the only ones available right now, Sir,' one took the paper away as they continued their movements around him. 'We will please you.'
'No, no, you misunderstand,' Sir Elliot insisted but was ignored. The busty girl took both of his hands and pressed them to her breasts.
'Let's do pleasure first, business later,' the other one whispered into his ear, running her hand down his chest and stomach. They smiled devilishly. 'Do you want both of us?'
He stared at them blankly, the blood had already rushed away from his head.
'Look,' said the girl looking down at his bulging trousers and biting her lip. 'He wants us.'
They guided him from the sofa, up the stairs to the hallway of rooms where exaggerated sounds of pleasure could be heard. They pulled him through an open door and Sir Elliot saw a maid making up the bed. He could only see her from behind, her long auburn hair cascading down her back.
'Oh, it's you Issy,' one of the girls said to her. 'This man was looking for you, we figured you were busy.'
The maid turned around, surprised.
'Lady Isolde?' Sir Elliot stammered in disbelief, looking her up and down. Instead of the fine gowns he was used to seeing her in, she wore a simple chore dress with a leather bodice laced up the front. Her cleavage spilled out, revealing her glowing, supple skin. She did not have the skin of a maid, she was still a Lady.
'No!' She tried to run for the doorway but Sir Elliot grasped her by both arms, holding her firmly as he stared at her.
'What are you doing here?' he said, angrier than he intended.
The two girls didn't know what was happening.
'Hey, don't touch her! Let her go!' They began hitting Sir Elliot and trying to pull Isolde away, but he remained steady, only growing irritated.
'Tell them to stop, Isolde!'
Lady Isolde had begun to cry, overwhelmed and defeated.
'Leave us,' she told the girls but they didn't move. 'Now!'
The girls stopped trying to fight Sir Elliot and they left, shutting the door behind them. Isolde tore away from his grip and walked backwards until she hit the wall. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to shield his view of her exposed skin. Sir Elliot flushed, he felt guilty for finding her like this.
'I'm not a whore!' she exclaimed, sniffling back her tears. 'I needed somewhere to hide. I asked to be the maid but I had to wear this.'
'Do they know who you are?' he asked.
'No, nobody does,' she assured.