Time Will Tell

Chapter 2

England 1192

Sebastian Drake, Earl of Northampton toyed with his tankard of ale as he watched his younger brother from across the table. Eric had two wenches sitting next to him, feeding him something or another. They were pushing their bosom into his face. He didn't seem to mind, in fact, he encouraged it.

Looking around the tavern, Sebastian noticed that they were not the only nobles that visited this tavern. Many of the men where enjoying the company of a girl or two. Some even enjoyed them behind curtains, if the moans where any suggestion.

"Ello milord..." A pretty girl sat on his lap, throwing her arms around his neck.

Sebastian looked down at her huge breast. The neckline so low, her nipples peeked from her bodice. Attracted as he was, he could not escape her scent. She smelled of urine and sweat. It wasn't a normal practice for the lower class to bathe. Matter of fact, pheasants bathe once a month, sometimes once a year. Unfortunately, this girl must have went far passed that period of time. Most people believe that every time you bathe, you lose a layer of your skin. Eventually there will be nothing left and all you have is you inner flesh showing. Sebastian thought the notion was ridicules. He is happy that his family has no such beliefs.

"Not this night, sweet."

The wench pouted but smiled happily as he tossed her a coin, then ran off to find another patron.

" Well now, Sebastian, I have never seen you turn a woman away before." The women next to Eric started to giggle. Eric put his arms around them and continued. " I am serious. I wouldn't be surprised if he left a litter of bastards across England."

"Be quiet, Eric. And wipe that stupid grin off your face."

Eric raised his hands as if in surrender.

" We will take our leave now." Sebastian stood and downed his ale.

" Now? But..."

"Now!"

"If I must." He turn to the bar wenches. "Until next time, ladies."

Sebastian watched them protest as his brother finished his ale and stood.

As they walked towards the door, Sebastian noticed that the tavern wenches watched them leave, with disappointment on their faces. After all he and his brother were the most richly dressed. The whores knew when they are losing out on an opportunity to make some coin.

Outside, they mounted their horses and began to trot away.

"Something is troubling you brother. What is it?"

Sebastian was not sure, himself. There was so much running through his mind that he was not able to organize them. He turned to look at his brother. Eric was nearly as tall as him. After all, they were only a year apart. Sebastian and his two siblings inherited their mothers golden hair and fair looks. Don't misunderstand, their father was no hideous beast, but they inherited very little from their father's visual. What, at least, the boys have inherited from their father was a large body frame. They're both tall with broad shoulders and although Eric was a bit smaller then Sebastian, both their bodies showed the labor of years of training and war.

Jonathan Drake, the late Earl of Northampton was a very rich man. His coffers where always full and he had many holdings in England and France. He even had a few in Spain and Italy. Being his eldest son and heir, Sebastian now owned everything, since his father left this world three summers passed. Except for the few castles he left to Eric and to Elizabeth for her dowery.

" There are many things that bother me, Eric , but you need not bother your pretty little head with these things. I am sure, you would not have the brain to comprehend it, anyway." Sebastian teased his brother.