Sky Pirates

Chapter 39

Parker Greene heard the chimes announcing Rifle Helm's arrival. He bound out of his chambers only to find a little woman opening the door and welcoming his dinner guest.

"Lord Greene!" Rifle called, dropped his hat with the girl, and approached the master of the house. The two men hugged once again, holding each other for a long embrace without words but filled with information.

"I'm so pleased to see you." They broke their hold. "I have given the women the night off, once the meal is served. We'll have the whole evening alone together." Parker couldn't stifle his broad smile and was happier still to see it reflected on Rifle's face.

"Excellent."

The men stood for a long moment assessing each other. Through their open faces and relaxed posture, they knew already they were on the same page. "Here, I brought this for you." Helms handed Parker a bottle of wine.

"Thank you." Greene inspected the label. It was a French vintage. The date was the year Parker's brother had disappeared. Parker looked expectantly at his guest, but Rifle only continued smiling.

A maid joined them near the entry where the two still stood. "Would you enjoy drinks in the parlor before dinner?"

"No, let's get right to it. Please lay out the meal on the buffet, and then you may all take your leave. We will be just fine on our own. And, we will have this with dinner." He moved to hand the bottle to the maid.

"Perhaps we should save that for after." Rifle's tone was, once again, filled with coded nuance.

Greene pulled back the bottle toward his chest. "As you recommend," he replied, with an acknowledging tone.

"As you gentleman wish. Give us just a moment." She rushed from the room, skirts sweeping the floor around her.

"Where do they get all these dwarfs?" Rifle asked. "I've been here for years, and still don't understand it."

"They do seem to be everywhere, don't they? And, those pointed rings. Each one of them wears one." Again the two stood staring at each other until it felt a bit awkward. "I'm the master of this strange house. Let's just go in." He led the way into the small dining room to discover a stream of women, like a line of ants, entering the room, each depositing a dish, glass, or tray in its perfect location, and departing in a merge-like dance out through the same door they arrived, alternating one arrival, one departure with a perfectly swinging door.

With the table set and a line of steaming food on the buffet, the men set about filling their plates and sitting down at the table. Rifle took the initiative and filled glasses for both of them, one of water and another of wine.

A girl entered, stopped close to Parker. "Will that really be all, sir?"

"Yes. All of you should now vacate my home. All of you."

The girl curtsied so low, her head dropped below the tabletop.

"We have so much to discuss. What is your plan?" Rifle Helms launched immediately into the discussion.

Parker, with a raised hand of caution, spoke: "Let us take a few moments to enjoy our meal before we embark down that path. These walls still have ears." As he spoke, the two men heard the scurry of small feet nearby. In silence only broken by noises of approval, the two dug in joyfully to their meal.

* * *

Want to find out what happens next? Use this link to read Sky Pirates free on Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2tncj1H