[i]The Black Raven:[/I]

Learning that Paul was in his room alone, Winston made his way up to report what he'd learned, but not before making the obligatory remark about Paul not being able to find a curvy body to warm his bed [i]despite[/i] his noble status.

"I had a woman here," Paul said, smiling.  "But she was more interested in my clothes that what had been inside them."

"At least she didn't try to carve up what was inside them," Winston responded, going on to remind his Lord that care was more necessary than ever before now that they'd reached Westrock and were so close to returning Paul to power.  They discussed an expedition to the Blythe Priory, knowing that there would be great benefit in finding and -- if necessary -- rescuing his mother, Duchess Eddithia.  "She is certain to have information no one else has."  

They finished their discussion, and as Winston turned to depart he casually told his lord, "I'll send up a couple of bodies to keep you warm tonight."

"No," Paul said just as casually.  When he caught his knight looking to him with a questioning expression, Paul smiled, then chuckled.  "One night without isn't going to kill me.  I'll be fine alone.  Thank you, my friend."

Winston gave a slight bow, to remind Paul that while the pair had been friends and cohorts most of the younger man's life, Winston still knew that he served -- faithfully! -- as an underling to the Duke.  

"Good evening, then, m'lord," Winston said as he opened the door to depart.  He hesitated in the hallway for a moment before turning back to begin asking, "Since you aren't--"

But Paul had known what was coming long before his friend began speaking.  He'd pulled a large coin from his pocket and at the bigger man's turning, tossed it his way.  "Yes ... since I'm not going to have them warm my bed..."

Winston caught the coin, checked it, and smiled: it would pay for [i]three[/i] of the tavern wenches, presuming there were enough left after the other Guardsmen had claimed their own.  He laughed, exchanged one last respectful look with his lord, and departed ... already beginning to harden down below his belt at the prospect of warm, soft, energetic company...

...........

Paul was up at sunrise, awoken by the last of three Guardsmen who had watched the second floor balcony -- and specifically the Duke's door -- from a table at the end of the landing while on duty through the night.  He cleaned his body somewhat from a bucket of hot water, donned his cleanest set of cloths, and headed downstairs in the hopes that he had a breakfast [i]date[/i] with a beautiful young lady.