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- But sir... she will surely be pleased with a beautiful rose there is nothing more gracious than to give an unsuspecting gift to a woman we love! - Philosophized the smiling young man in our pursuit.
- I have already said that she does not need it! - Cael replied coldly squeezing the fingers of my hand harder.
- But sir...
- I've already said no to your worm! Now get out of my sight before I hire the lowest mercenary to kill you!
The boy looked at us calmly and as touch of irony and his face.
- All right, my lord... but do not forget that a woman who is not loved runs a very great risk of being stolen...
- No problem... she's not worth much for me...
- What a pity that you do not value her... I know many others who would kill themselves for a woman with their first lady.
- What did you say the boy? - Cael turned furiously in order to attack the boy but magically he his big basket of roses.
- Let's get out of here.
We walked as fast as possible in the direction of the ships in front of us. We bump into people, animals and carts until finally we arrive at the seaport of the city.
We got to a big boat parking lot.
The sea breeze and the stink of fish soak up goes every wooden board and every stone that formed the long pier surrounded the whole city.
Dirty sailors, old captains with hanging pipes hanging in the corner of their mouths circulated around the place talking and insulting each other loud and clear.
- Look... It will be on that ship that we travel... the Evening Flowers...
I realized then a large and luxurious ship anchored on which the coast was waiting for us.
The great vessel was imposing and underline. The blue of the sails and the ivory of the hull reflected turquoise blue of the rough sea and the white of soft foam of the waves, several young men and some middle-aged men worked hard inside that great sea monster. They were all uniformed in the same colors that adorned the Evening Flowers.
- Good morning sir! - A young man dressed in a navy blue overcoat up to his neck, leather pants and shiny black boots saluted
- Good morning Arthur! How is the Evening Flowers today?
- It's great sir Cael! We are ready to travel the stock groceries are wonderfully impacted.
- Very good Arthur. You who far is the best Captain I have ever had.
- Thank you sir. I just do my job!
The man smiled with his lungs exuding pride because of the eulogy just received . Arthur seemed to be a man of considerable experience despite his slim body, angelic face and dark eyes... and speaking of eyes... in all my life I've never seen eyes as mesmerizing and penetrating as his. The black that emanated from Arthur's eyes seemed a quicksand that intended and sucked but at the same time they were mysterious as the winter seas during the early hours of the day.
- Good morning Miss Kristima - He greeted - Our Lord Cael warned us about your arrival and we are very happy with your presence!
- Thank you Arthur... I am also glad to have come! - I lied on behalf of good manners and good presentations.
- We prepare a room for you and another for you my lady...
- Thank you for your efficiency Arthur! You will be very well rewarded.
- Thank you very much sir but my coffers are already full enough... And then we go?
- Yes! - Cael replied - You first strange darling.
The gentleness and sweetness in his voice. It was as if the presence of Arthur and the sight for the materialization of Cael's wealth and power that with his candles and tribulation force Cael to abandon his rude and irritable side to give way to a more polite, calm and even gentle version.
- Kristma? How are you? There's something wrong with the Evening Flowers? - Arthur questioned showing genuine concern.
- No... I'm fine I mean... there's nothing wrong I was just reflecting a little...
- Why don't we just go upstairs? - Cael asked a quite nervous- We. We are delaying the journey and I would like to arrive at Nekrós before the emergency meeting with the emperor in the main sanhedrin. So please my love... let's go...
- Yes my lord...
- How many more times do I have to beg you to call me Cael?
- I'm sorry... I forgot - I lied once again realizing his game - Cael's Pardon. So let's go?
- Yes, finally!
Then in quick steps we made the few meters that were left to reach the ship. A long wooden ramp had been improvised so that we could climb up to the deck. Cael was extremely gentle with me, helping me climb every inch from the ramp to the deck. Taking care that I didn't trip or that the skirts on my dress didn't hold some exposed splinter from the ramp. We landed on the long, clean waxed wood floor. To my surprise Cael once again helped me getting up and then putting me on the ground so that even by some misfortune I would not be unbalanced.
- My regards Cael - A beautiful golden-skinned man with a perfectly defined beard revered.
The angular and erect nose, rough and firm eyebrows, the face sculpted by the open temples and the imposing jaw... Everything on that man's face was a sketch carefully devised by the Gods... so that even the mermaids would ardently desire it.
His lips were warm and thick, his eyes were as green as emeralds and the dawn of the turbulent waters and the seas of Cintra. I was not in front of a human being I was in front of a work of art in the flesh.
- Hello my friend! Kris.This is Benjamin Leonel! My old childhood friend.
- Yep... I remember him pissing all over in our first hand-to-hand combat class - Benjamin commented among cheerful laughs.
- Will you never forget this story Ben?
- Never! That day was memorable! Kris! everyone laughed at him!
- Ben you're embarrassing me in front of the crew... - Cael played with the subtle tone of revolt in his voice.
- You are always worried about your reputation! You never change... all of us here know you very well Cael! You don't need to pretend politeness or the control your urinary bladder!
Ben burst into laughter once again. His teeth straight and white were a great invitation to that fun he felt in his comment. Unlike Ben, Cael remained serious with his hands in his pockets and his chin erect.
- Did you know that Aurelius was enchanted by Eleanor? He even asked her to me, but since a series of unforeseen events happened... I'm going to have to give her to him as a gift...
Benjamin pulled himself together as soon as he heard that information. With heavy eyes Ben put his hands in the pockets of his crimson overcoat with no buttons or any kind of cufflinks revealing his white fabric shirt and high waisted pants as black as the boots he wore over the dark piece.
- You know what he can do to her, don't you?
- Yes... But I don't care about it... - Cael replied unpretentiously - I have several pallakis like her in my house. Less one pallaki im my house won't make a difference in my life...
- I know it... you've always been like this...
There was strain and resentment hanging over every drop of air floating around us. Sorrows of a veiled past, anger, superiority and resentment screamed louder than the shouts of tribulation, than the rustle of sails of the ship, than the hull of the ship ripping the waves and moving away slowly from the shore.
- My old friend... I need to know... did you buy a pallaki after...
- No...
- No...
- Come on Ben... you still hold grudges because...
- Didn't say it. I don't hold grudge. I just...- Ben took a long break to catch his breath recently lost- I care about the welfare of the Pallakis... I know how Aurélius can be extremely eccentric and I don't want to think what he's doing with Eleonor... she is delicate and sweet...
- You know that to want a pallaki without your Master's consent is a crime... right?
- I don't want her Cael! You won Eleonor of me there are many seasons...I just don't like the idea of seeing someone as fragile as Eleonor in Emperor hands! She's not a cow a mare to be sold like that!
- You didn't beat her, didn't you?
- Of course not... I got over her! I just have empathy for her. It's not love it's empathy. Pallakis, pornes, sklavois... all them are worthy of empathy!
- So you are a sympathizer of the rebel groups... - Cael accuse with disgust and disdain.
- Have empathy does not mean rebel against the empire or against Aurelius I just do not want to see anyone else suffering with that sadomasochistic crap he keeps doing! That's not being rebellious.