Lady Razi walked slowly through the street as if avoiding her next stop, but still aiming in that direction. When she finally reached the entrance she stopped, as if unable to will her body to move. With a gusting release of breath, she entered, brow already furrowed with doubt and anxiety.
Kait rattled about in her dressing closet muttering about the absent slave who had left her wardrobe such a mess. Finally tugging on a pair of slippers she headed downstairs.
Lady Razi actually laughed to herself when she found no one behind the counter, such a relief. Only it did not last very long. A woman emerged and she sighed resolutely, ‘Greetings Lady…” then she stood there, her mind formulating all sorts of possibilities.
Kait eyed the women at the counter and in that moment she realized she had left something rather important behind but luckily it was only another FW even if they could be notorious gossips it wasn’t likely to land her in a collar. With practiced skill she inquired as to the woman’s needs, “Tal Lady and welcome to Teslik and Sip Root…is there something I can help you with today?”
Lady Razi was so anxious about what she was there for, she didn’t think twice about the woman’s uncovered face. Clearly her throat she leaned in on the counter and in the lowest voice possible, ‘I’m wondering… what are your privacy policies?” It was a ridiculous thing to ask, but she needed some reassurances.
Kait could have been insulted but that wouldn’t serve to loosen the woman’s pouch so instead she offered her the standard assurances of one of her caste, “Discretion is something that I pride myself on. I’m Lady Kait, Chemist of the great city of Ar. What is it that I shall be keeping close to the vest about regarding you Lady….” she paused significantly hinting for the woman to fill in the blank with a name fictitious or true.
Lady Razi drew in a long breath and laughed nervously, “Look at me… I’m a mess of jumbled nerves. Forgive me Lady Kait, I’m Lady Stela.” She looked around the small shop and satisfied that they were indeed alone she spoke in more solid tones, “I’m in need of…” she paused now for effect… trying to keep her face from burning to ashes on the spot, “…noble woman’s sweet wine… do you carry such a thing?” That last sentence rapid fired out of her mouth so quickly her veil danced comically.
Kait managed barely to suppress the smirk that lifted the corners of her full lips remembering just in time she was without a veil to hide the knowing smile. “You have come to just the right place and I can assure you none will be the wiser. I’ve made arrangements with the vintner to sell me some of the labeled bottles used to house his best wines…empty of course.” Moving closer to whisper the remaining instructions in a conspiratorial tone having grown wary of ears everywhere since that damned bard had released her song, “You will simply poor yourself a glass and all will be well. The cost is nominal as I try in my own way to support those FW who choose to indulge for their own safety.”
Lady Razi could scarcely contain herself from hugging the woman. She did of course and merely marveled, ‘Does it require only one drink? Or do I take some regularly?” Then looking around them again, in utter paranoia, “I’m not in the habit of indulging of course… but it does pay to take precautions, wouldn’t you agree?” as if asking for permission.
Kait lost the battle this time and the smirk appeared for all to see. “I am sure you are not in the habit at all. I’m well aware that women of our status are a chaste lot.” With the veil she might have carried her words off with some level of authenticity offering reassurance rather than gentle mockery. Rushing forward to cover her unprofessionalism she informs the woman of the dosage. “Just a glass and the next wine you would need to drink for these purposes would be its releaser.” Turning to the high shelves she pulled down the innocent looking bottle of wine and settled it on the counter between them.
Lady Razi couldn’t help her own laughter now. It was one part nervous release and another part guilty admission. Who could she possibly fool? As the wine bottle was placed on the counter between them she stared at it while speaking, “Care to have a drink with me?” It was a bad joke, but already she was reaching for her coin purse, ‘How much?”
Kait laughs at the woman’s attempt at humor but it doesn’t ring quite true thanks to an added hollowness as memories of her last dosing of the powerful liquid return unbidden. “I have no need of the stuff Lady as it works just as well unsweetened as sweetened.” Looking away for a moment until she marshaled her features back into the practiced placid smile of proprietor for a customer she turns their discussion to coin, “Seven copper tarsk should cover it Lady Stela. I wish you well in your pursuits and I fully vouch for its effectiveness. The base wine is sold to some of the most discriminant slave houses here in Ar.”
Lady Razi normally haggled until she got what she wanted at half the cost, but this was not only necessary, it would relieve her of a burden that had plagued her. Happily producing the seven copper coins and placing them on the counter she reaches out and touches the bottle lightly, “So I take the whole thing home with me then?” It was like she needed a step by step drawing.
Kait chuckles returning to genuine good humor seeing the coin, “Lady you have paid for the entire bottle but of its contents you only need a glass. The rest you can add to potted plants as I have been told it makes a wonderful fertilizer as well oddly enough. One would think it would be just the opposite.” Holding a gloved hand out she offers one last bit of advice, “Should you need its alternative be sure to come see me. You will need a dose of equal strength.”
Lady Razi stepped back and looked at the woman with some good measure of admiration, “I only need one dose and I’ve purchased the whole bottle…” her voice trailed off as she keeps eyeing Lady Kait as if she were about to berate her for extorting money, but instead she says, “I like you… very shrewd business women should be given the proverbial keys to the Home Stone, I say.” she winks at the woman, now much more herself then what she presented when she first walked in. Taking the bottle from the counter she slips it into her satchel.
Kait smiles…she knew well enough most women rarely trusted that one dose would do the trick so they usually took two glasses. Rather than have them return to trouble her again she had decided long ago just to offer the entire bottle. With a laugh she watched the women hide the bottle away. “Just one glass but I have a feeling the bottle will come in handy… It usually does.”
Lady Razi patted her satchel and nodded at Lady Kait. “You have been most helpful, thank you.” Then looking around them once more for good measure she shakes her head, “Now let’s hope I don’t get stopped 50 times on the way back to the cylinder…. Be well Lady Kait, as pleasant as you are, I hope to not have to see you in this capacity ever again. But if you are in need of a scribe, please feel free to come see me.”
Kait makes a note of the woman’s caste as if the blue robes hadn’t been enough of a clue. “Indeed I will should the need arise. I wish you well Lady and a speedy return to your apartments.”
Lady Razi bows her head and without another word, makes her way out into the city with her little… bundle… or unbundle as the case may be.
