Chapter No. 7 Coniūrātiō

Thou shalt not kill

While lounging on his down-feathered bed, Grimsy amusingly followed his sister's provocative entrance into his well-appointed bedchamber. She was attired in her shiny silk nightgown and it did little to hide her feminine charms. He enjoyed filling his eyes with her ample form.

"What brings you to my humble abode at this late hour?"

She pouted. "I'm bored and cannot sleep, my lord."

He flashed a mocking smile at her. "You are not easily satiated, my sister. I'm surprised that tormenting prisoners all day is not fulfilling enough for you."

"I find the duty most distasteful. It does little to fulfill me."

"Come and sit," he said, gesturing to a plush velvet chair near his bed. "And tell me about your latest accomplishments."

She alighted on the chair, crossed her legs and leaned back, turning her face away. "I am not proud of my latest works. I'm not sure you want to hear about them."

"On the contrary. I would love hearing about them."

She sighed before turning to look into his bright eyes with her disturbed eyes. "You are sick, my brother. My stomach turns most uncomfortably when I recall my deeds."

He pointed at her and frowned. "I command you to tell me about your latest work."

She swallowed hard. "He was a fair young man of good bearing. He was convicted of making threats against the royal family. Despite his crime, I did not enjoy inflicting injury on his person."

"What did you do to him?" Grimsy asked with interest showing in his wide eyes.

"I ordered him to sit in a most uncomfortable chair. He voiced his displeasure of my command."

"What made this chair so uncomfortable?"

"It was an iron beast affixed with many nasty sharp spikes. Even the platform on which it sat was so equipped."

Grimsy laughed. "You made him sit in the Chair of Inquisition."

She looked at him with confused eyes. "What say you?"

"A chair such as you describe is used to extract the truth from those unfortunate to face Inquisition."

She tilted her head. "I know nothing of these things, my lord."

"How did he take it?" Grimsy asked, grinning at her.

"He protested most violently, especially when I applied hot pokers to his flesh."
"Ah, you spent a most pleasurable day, my sister."

She glared at him. "I took no pleasure in his suffering. The entire process was most distasteful."

"I don't understand your protestations." Grimsy got up from his bed and took her hand in his. "Punishing criminals of the state is a tough job, but someone has to do it."

"You mock me, my brother," she said with an annoyed look.

"I'm simply trying to cheer you up. You seem melancholy of late."

She lowered her eyes and sighed. "I'm sick to death of this dastardly business. I'm having problems sleeping. I see buckets of blood and gore and I hear tormented screaming. It's awful."

Grimsy sat on his bed and crossed his legs. "When I ascend to the throne, I will relieve you of these distasteful duties."

"I would be most appreciative, my lord, but you are not even First Heir. Your ascendancy is not assured."

He blew out a disgusted breath. "You are right to say so. I need assistance to achieve my destiny."

"May I be of assistance in your goal?" she asked, taking her original seat.

He shook his head up and down at her. "Perhaps so, my sister." He lowered his eyes as if unsure of his next statement. "But, it will require courage on your part."

"How so, my lord?"

"The only candidate for First Heir is our cousin Taka. If he were to take ill, my advancement to First Heir would be more assured than it presently is."

"What role can I play in this mission?" she asked, furrowing her brow.

"A most important role, my sister. If you could see to Taka's fall from health, I would be most appreciative. Your reward will be great."

Her eyes jittered, advertising her contemplation of her brother's request. "Perhaps, I can hasten his fortunate downturn, my lord. I will see what I can do."

He stared into her eyes with eyes that commanded fear. "What ever you do, I must remain above suspicion. Do you understand?"

After a brief period of hesitation, she bowed. "Yes, my lord." Her acquiescence was laced with timidity. Deep in her gut she knew that she was getting into something dangerous, but she had this problem: she found it difficult to turn down male requests, especially a powerful male.

###

Estard's heart rate quickened when she heard a knock in the night. She had good cause to worry. Visions of assassination ran through her head.
"Who is it?" she asked in a soft voice.

"Come on, Estard. I don't like standing out in a corridor this late."

Estard opened the door to allow Lady Sara to enter. She smiled when she saw that the good Lady was wearing only a nightgown.

"You dress casually for a night stroll," Estard teased her.

"What more is necessary for a visit to your bath?" she shot back.

Estard gave her a kiss on her cheek. "You're welcome."

Sara plunged backwards into Estard's bed. "Your bed is most soft, my lady. I may stay the night."

"I would welcome your warmth."
Sara gave her an ornery grin. "I bet you would."

"The bath is ready, my lady," Estard said in a teasing tone, gesturing to a doorway near the back of her bedchamber.

Sara jumped up and entered through the doorway. Estard followed her.

"The water is just right," Sara said, plunging her hand into the bath. "It beckons me so."

Estard grinned, but her grin transformed into a frown when she heard a new knock. "Now who could that be at this late hour?"

"Go see," Sara said, lines of worry appearing on her brow.

Estard went through her bedchamber to her anteroom.

"Who is it?"

"Your Lord and Master," the voice from outside replied.

Estard opened the door, but stood in it. "What brings you to my humble abode at this late hour?"

Grimsy smiled. "I'm here to visit you in your bath, my sister."

Estard glanced back into the room before turning back to him. "I have a visitor."

"I don't mind." His smile broadened.
After a suitable sigh, she finally said, "Come in."

"You seem reluctant, my sister."

Estard frowned. "You choose a poor time, my brother."

"On the contrary. I get two for the price of one."

Sara appeared at the entrance from the bath. "Good evening, my lord."

"Ah, it's the marvelous Lady Sara. How are you this fine evening?"

"Quite well, thank you."

"Well, ladies," Grimsy said. "I've come to honor my sister's invitation to visit her in her bath, but I had not assumed she would have a bath partner. I will not invade your privacy."

Sara forced a smile. "That will not be necessary, my lord. My privacy is of no importance."

"Thank you," Grimsy said with a coy smile. "I'm sure that I will enjoy you as well as I enjoy my sister."

She gave him a teasing look. "Thank you, my lord, but I was under the impression that you prefer males."

Grimsy laughed. "You have been listening to the court gossipers. They are not very accurate in their assessment of my personal appetites. I can derive enjoyment from both genders."

Sara bowed facetiously. "In that case, I pray that we will provide you with all the enjoyment you desire."

Estard rolled her eyes.   

"I look forward to it," Grimsy said with a wide grin.

Sara tilted her head in a playful manner and flashed a coy smile. "Perhaps, you would enjoy relieving your manly desires with us. It would do wonders for your duplicitous reputation."

"Are you offering this favor on behalf of both of you?"

Estard gave Sara an annoyed look, but it did little to deter Sara's passion for unique adventure.

"When she sees how much fun we're having, she will join in."

"The thought of two in one night is quite intriguing," Grimsy said, rubbing his chin. "But it entails exhausting work."

The lady Sara gave him an encouraging grin. "Work of pleasure, my lord."

Estard bowed her head and sighed.

"What troubles you, my sister?"

She looked up at him and tilted her head. "As you know, I prefer only one gender."

"Love has no gender," Grimsy said with a tilt of his head. "Pleasure comes in many ways. I will show you ways that you were not aware of."

"A boast?"

"A fact."

She bowed. "I am your submissive student, my lord."

Secretly, Estard loathed the idea of servicing her brother, but she had no choice. To deny him could lead to suffering and possibly, death.