Lovers of Hyer

The Ribbon Lady II

Hyer craved her.

There was Bren, of course there was, but it wasn't the same. Bren was not interested in him the way she was interested. Bren didn't touch him the way she did. Bren filled the needs of a purely physical relationship, but he left gaps; gaps that her gentle fingers fitted right into.

He came to visit her as often as he could. 

She seemed to expect him at all time, and she always seemed to have something for him to do. Sometimes, it was sitting in the shade of her orchard and listening to her reading. Sometimes it was idle talking, and sometimes she offered him something to eat. And while he didn't need food, he gladly accepted the treats and the drinks prepared by her maids.

He quickly suspected that the woman's staff knew of his existence, even if they kept their distance. She would sit out in the open as if without fear of being seen, inviting him to do so with her; if she would have wanted to keep him as a secret, she wouldn't have done that. And then there was the second cup that was always included for him when tea was served, and that couldn't be an accident.

She often spoke about her life as she spoiled him with her attention, with the easiness of someone that had made her peace with it - a peace that accepted rather than downplayed the importance of what had happened to her. She mentioned her late husband, how his sudden death had torn her family apart: after his sickness and departure, her two sons had grown beyond their years and taken matters in their own hands at the royal court. One was a knight and a promising one at that; the other ambitioned, as a lord, to be admitted to the King's counsellor table. She missed them dearly and hoped that they were doing all right, but her place was here, in her countryside house. No one was interested in her anymore, they had already moved on to the next generation. And, besides, she prefered the quiet.

Yet, for someone so far away from court life, she was quite informed of the ins and outs of it. She spoke of the most recent events and even read him some of the correspondence she shared with her friends still living there. That is how Hyer learned of what had become of the man that had freed him, how the legendary sword in his possession now kept the enemies of the kingdom at a distance. He nodded along to this information as he did for the rest. He was glad that he didn't have to be part of that anymore. Instead, he could enjoy a sunny afternoon with Lady Evella, where the most crucial thing he needed to know was if the maids could see him through the window.

"I had sir Galandor come today," she said one day. "He's told me of a creature that seems to be lurking around the woods and the village and that I might want to take a bodyguard."

He looked up at her and saw in her eyes that she knew it was him the knight had been talking about. He could have sworn that he had taken every precaution, but it apparently he had still been spotted from time to time.

"I told him that I would be all right. He is a good man. He does his best with what he has, but he is nothing but a small knight trying to defend the land he had been given." She passed her hand in Hyer's hair. "Now, tell me. You are not causing him any more trouble than necessary on purpose, right?"

Hyer shook his head. He didn't want anything to do with the knight. He was not his type. He wished there was some way to tell sir Galandor that he meant no harm without coming face to face with him, but so far no occasion had presented itself. Hyer didn't really think that it would be important.

"I thought so. You would never, Sweetheart."

She scratched him under the chin and he sighed in content, fluffing up his hair. There was always that persistent touch of heat down between his legs when she showered him with her attention, but the pleasure he got from it still remained somewhat platonic - and he liked it a lot. The ribbon he carried on his neck was her promise to him, but he was finding it easier and easier to wait as time passed by.