Chapter 186 TEIGEN X
RYKER
"Yer know son, this is a once in a lifetime chance. You have been offered on protect a Duke's daughter with housing and feeding provided"
I continued pouring out the dough, rummaging around for the sac of sugar "Yes, the terms are very favorable"
"So why did you not accept right away? You wasted time to come here instead, what if the Duke changes his mind and you loose this because of an old man? Silly boy" he shook his head at me in disapproval, probably already formulating a way to ship me back to Command Tanner so I could accept immediately. Father always had a way of diminishing his worth, he had no idea how much he had saved me. He gave me every thing good I had right now.
"Where is your sac of sugar?" I ignored him, looking through the shelves of herbs n fruits.
"It's in mi drawer. I have been selling some of the sugar to the bread stalls, good money. Business has been slow, I'm getting old my back is not what it used to be son" he sighs, rubbing at his hip. I smile sullenly, reaching down to find the sugar.
"I am going to be here for the next five market days and while I'm here I can make you better kitchen knives, these are all blunt" I side-eyed father, smirking at his reaction once the words left my lips
"You're getting rusty old man"
I could see a smile bloom on his wrinkled smile lines, warming my heart.
"You came at the right time. There has been news of this popular veiled dancer going around the city, the gossip spilled into the town of course. She is said to stop by at our little town to perform tomorrow"
Veiled dancer. Hmm, interesting
For most of the time I had spent with father, nothing interesting or remotely gossip worthy happened in the town ever since my arrival and now? The talk of a veiled dancer who had become popular not only among the high society of the city but with us common folk? That was something work seeing.
I chocked on saliva when father mentioned she was worth the sight, with a weird suggestive gaze in his eyes that let me know this veiled dancer had a lot of male admirers. I was stunned into quiet amusement, I had never once taken father for a gossip. It seemed things had really taken a turn since I had left.
I finished with dinner and we went to the market to get some more supplies. Apparently the townspeople had been coming together to cook for father since I left. He grumbled about it, saying he hated having so many sweaty, breathing bodies.. His words in his space. I knew he secretly enjoyed the company, it filled the void I had left and the one I had filled. The mamas didn't fail to try their usual gimmicks, offering us as many things as possible, some grabbing me and tugging me to their stalls to buy from their "single, eligible daughters". They never failed to stress the single part. I swallowed my laughter, let
ting it out when I would see Father's disgusted reaction.
I missed my old grumpy man.
"This veiled dancer, no one where she comes from?" I question, slipping on my sandals: yet another gift father had kept for my return. He had handed it to me like it was no big deal and he probably wanted me to treat it that way but of course I did not.
I would get him a new set of clothes before I left for my new duties. I hurry after father as he walks ahead, insisting if we didn't hurry all the good stools would be taken. For an old man he was moving fast, "Nope, not a single person has seen her face so they can't trace her identity or lineage to any of the states"How conspicuous
"Hurry up lad. The townspeople have prepared a feast after in your honor so it'll be quite a shame if we arrive late"
We get to the small sitting arrangement made in the middle of the town. Little stools sat in a circular manner so no one would obstruct the people behind them. There was a space in front which I could tellw as reserved for the dancers. The scene reminded me of my old life, when we would have bonfires and mother would..
"The dancers are in their tents, come on come on" Father pulled me down in a front seat, by stepping someone who wanted to take the seat. I apologized on his behalf while he glared in their direction and rolled his eyes at me
.Everyone got seated and soon after a small group of men trooped out, holding different exotic tools in their hands. I frowned in confusion, watching as they settled at the edge, leaving a good portion of space between themselves.
One of the men placed his lips against the tool and began to play a melodious tune, something I had never heard in my life. The other began to beat the wooden tool in his lap, a thumping rhythm resonating. My gaze flickers to the two women taking soft steps into the centre, their faces revealed.
I let my eyes lick over their attire, it was truly exotic, something out of this world. Long veils adorning their heads, gold headpieces dangled against their foreheads. They wore short tops, revealing their slender torsos accompanied by gold beads that rested just atop their long silk skirts that hugged their figures tightly, slights going from just below their hips and exposing their legs.
Suddenly it was like everything stilled. The hypnotic chimes of anklet bells guided her every step, announcing her presence long before our eyes had the pleasure of beholding such beauty.
She came between the two dancers, an orange attire a stark contrast to the other dancers black ones. The veil was made of the same silk material as the rest of her clothes. The same short top hugged her form but it was different, unlike the other two her clothes seemed to captivate the whole audience and I was certain I was not the only one staring with such a hungry gaze.
Her slim waist, decorated with more beads than the rest it did not take a wise man to know she was the main attraction. Her very presence consumed the whole space and suddenly it was like she was the only person there. Her veil covered half of her face, leaving only her nose and lips to sight.