Anelle stood before the Wyrish's chambers and knocked softly.
Once Innki was stable, two of the house guards carried her down to Moreal's room.
There was no response. Anelle slid open the door enough to slip though and uttered an apology.
The room was dark. A small slither of moon shone through the far window next to the two beds. A figure sat hunched next to the occupied bed, dozing.
Anelle walked over to Moreal and gently rubbed her shoulders. She stirred and looked up at Anelle confused for a moment.
"Lady Luel sent me to fetch you. We open in a few minutes." Anelle whispered.
Moreal nodded as she stretched her legs to stand.
"That's Dame Luel." Moreal corrected. Anelle looked at her in surprise. "It's a hard yearned title. She will have you flogged if she hears such disrespect."
"Of course, sorry." Anelle responded.
Moreal looked tired to the bone. Her eyes were sunken and her shoulders sagged as she walked down the long room. At the door she looked back.
"Mother's before and after please take care of her." Moreal prayed under her breath.
Moreal led Anelle towards the main hall but stopped at a small door. The door opened into a tight winding staircase leading up toa balcony that overlooked the main hall. Sheer fabric covered the wall allowing them to see out into the brightly lit room while staying invisible. Moreal sat down near the far end of the room and Anelle joined her.
The main hall was lit with Tue stone lanterns covered in thin yellow paper, giving off a soft golden hue. The round platform used as a stage for performing had been brought up to the second floor and repurposed into a lavish chair covered in pillows. Nyssa, the golden goddess, lazed across it, taking centre stage. Her eyes kohled in black and edged in gold. The front of her gown was low, cutting between her breasts and exposing her stomach. The thin fabric of her skirt haphazardly draped over her upper thighs, exposing sections of Siahon script in black ink. Iva and Russelia, her ladies in waiting, stood next to her in similar dresses with white bodices and feathered wings. The rest of the courtesans stood along the two staircases leading up to the goddess, each in varying dresses of white and gold.
Dame Luel stood at the balustrade watching her time piece, a gracious pillar of black against all the gold and white.
Moreal turned to Anelle and picked up her hand.
"I am going to be channeling the Tue through you tonight. I know you might not know what that is. What matters is if at any point you feel sick or you are going to faint, tell me immediately."
Anelle nodded. She felt the tide within her stir. It moved of its own accord. Not in one stream but in multiple thin ones, all at once. They wound down her arm into her hand and out to Moreal.
Moreal gasped. Her hand shook as she looked at Anelle.
Anelle looked back at her confused.
"Are you alright?" Anelle asked.
Moreal opened her mouth but closed it again. She nodded and looked back at the main hall.
The lanterns flickered for a moment.
Dame Luel nodded from her perch, briefly turning her gaze towards them. She raised her hand and the main doors were thrown wide.
Anelle felt another tug in her chest as Moreal pulled more Tue from her. A warmth descended upon the room like the embrace of a mother holding her long lost child; the warmth of a hearth on a snowy evening; a warmth you never want to leave.
Male patrons of all ages and dress funnelled through the statues and into the main hall. Many wore masks or fabric cut into a triangle covering one side of their face. Unlike most nights the courtesans stayed put watching from the stairs. Those on the lower steps called men over with waves and giggles.
One of the guards, Jonnan, gave Dame Luel a subtle nod as the last patron stepped past the statues. She turned and raised her hand. Hush fell over the crowd. Everyone looked up to The Dame.
"Greetings gentle folk, tonight we have prepared an evening of entertainment and revelry for you to enjoy till the sun rises anew." Excited whispers rolled through the crowd. "Tonight the goddess of love, Etis, has graced these halls," She waved her hand indicating Nyssa, "and her two loyal harpies." Iva and Russelia wave to the crowd. "We shall begin the evening with a dance. My girls have been eagerly awaiting a chance to perform. If you could all move to the edge of the room." Luel paused at the sound of shuffling feet. "I challenge thee to overcome the adversities set before you to claim the goddesses hand as the hero Ulos tried centuries ago. I commence tonight's tale of love and debauchery."
Nyssa, Iva and Russelia stayed perched on the throne at the top of the stairs as each courtesan made their way to the centre of the room.
They began in a tight circle formation, waiting till everyone took their place. Anelle watched Liligo walk across the floor and take her starting position in the circle. Anelle recognised the position from her dancing lessons.
The sweet velvety notes of the violin soared across the room. The girls moved with the music's flow, dancing as one. The energy of the song started in their fingers and slowly descended through their bodies.
The audience watched with bated breath as the courtesans moved like birds flying through the air. Every step and movement was in time with each other. Faster the bow moves on the violin strings; faster they dance weaving in and out. The fabric of their skirts flutters out in golds and whites. The music built to its peak. The final flourish. The final leap and spin.
A moment of silence fell over the hall. The only sound was the heavy breathing of each courtesan.
The hall erupted into applause.
Anelle lifted her hands to join in but felt the heaviness of Moreal's. Moreal smiled at her. Anelle looked away, heat rising to her cheeks.
"Do you wish you could be down there with them?" Moreal asked.
"No, but I can appreciate the art knowing how difficult it is." Anelle responded.
"I suppose hours of practicing with aching muscles and sore feet take a great deal of the magic out of it. I certainly don't envy them."
"You were once a courtesan like everyone else?"
"Of course. The position of Wyrish is well sought after. Very few women ever afford their freedom without obtaining the position." Moreal explained. Anelle furrowed her brow in confusion. "To make things fair every courtesan makes the same hourly wage while on the floor. She makes more for every customer she serves. A Wyrish usually makes over double what each courtesan makes in a night. The majority of the money goes to the house's owner. The rest is used to pay for bills, taxes and food. A very small amount goes to the women who earn it."
"What does Dame Luel do with all the money?" She asked.
Moreal laughed.
"Dame Luel doesn't own the house. She only manages it. Women can not own property or anything really without a father or husband to back them, even if they have their freedom."
"Oh, then why does the Wyrish get paid more? What could be worth more than serving patrons?" Anelle asked.
"Having a Wyrish separates the expensive establishments from the rest. My duties elevate the entire house. As you have seen I can weave people's faces into their most beautiful version. I also paint the room. I use the Phy glyphs combined with the energy of the Tue, to create a warm atmosphere that encourages the patrons to stay longer and spend more. I also watch the patrons and adjust the room accordingly. If it looks like a patron can't hear a courtesan I make the music quieter near him. Small things to make the overall experience better in the hopes they will come back again." Moreal explained.
Anelle looked over the room. "How do you decide who to focus on? It would be impossible to watch everyone." Anelle asked.
"I look at their shoes."
Anelle was puzzled by the response. She looked out into the room and tried to notice the patrons shoes. She looked back at Moreal hoping she would elaborate.
"Fancy jackets and shirts can be made cheap in order to look expensive. But leather can not. The average man would have one pair of boots for everything. Someone with enough money to look expensive may have two pairs. But only the men that can afford a carriage and only have to take a few steps on the pavement have pristine shoes. As well as bright coloured ones that only suit one outfit. Of course it's not foolproof but it works most of the time."
Anelle looked out over the room. The courtesans were bright sparks amongst the dark suits. Adina, a woman of middle rank, was walking towards the first floor exit with two men in tow. Yulin darted about the room like a dark shadow, with a metal tray taking payments. Two of the lower ranked courtesans were on serving duty. They wove through the crowd with trays of gold and red wine.
Anelle watched individuals make their way up the stairs. At the top they were greeted by a guard holding a notebook and stick of charcoal. They exchanged a quick word before the gentleman walked back down the stairs. Anelle squinted at the gentleman's shoes. He wore a simple pair of brown shoes that have been recently polished.
"What about him?" Anelle asked, pointing to the gentleman in question.
Moreal looked over and shook her head. "No, his shoes are clean but too simple, they don't reflect the current fashion. Plus the inside edge looks slightly scuffed from use."
Anelle looked back to the crowd and noticed a small huddle of men standing slightly back from the stairs, watching the proceedings. She noticed a familiar face, strong jawline, pronounced cupid's bow and long brown locks tied back from his half covered face. A singular blue eye looked across the room from under his half mask, searching a moment before turning back to Russelia at the top of the stairs. Anelle looked at his embroidered collar and cuffs of his shirt. His navy dress pants had the same design running down the side of his legs. His shoes were leather, dyed navy with light blue broguing across the toes.
Anelle pointed down to him. "What about him?" She asked.
Moreal turned her gaze and smiled lightly.
"Well done, my love. Russelia's beau, Lord Lamolli is certainly one I would keep an eye on. Though he seems to be well within her grasp, he could get bored at any moment."
Moreal tilted her head to the side, stretching her neck and flexing her tired shoulders.
"What do you mean?" Anelle asked.
"He understands what we sell here and accepts that."
"I thought we sold our bodies, what more could there be?"
Moreal looked back at Anelle for a moment.
"Any brothel by the docks sells sex and for far less than we do. We sell the illusion of love with no risk or any unwanted consequences. Any romance the client can think of we will perform, providing it is safe for the courtesan.The issue arises when clients believe the illusion is real. They become obsessive and jealous over a courtesans affections. Of course if you can convince a wealthy man you love him, he may buy your freedom but it normally comes with a high price. You are simply trading one master for another. I'm told Lord Lamolli understands that none of this is real but buys into it all the same. I believe he and his wife are on bad terms. Therefore he gets his romance from us."
"Unwanted consequences. You mean children?" Anelle asked.
"Yes." Moreal answered. Anelle opened her mouth but closed it as Moreal continued. "It is common practice to, shall we say, give the unwanted child back to the gods. The child's soul is too young to remember its short time here. Though the same can't be said for the mothers. The clients can enjoy their time without fear of a bastard wanting anything from them in the future."
Yulin walked out onto the mezzanine with the dinner bell. Five sharp chimes ring out across the room.
"What…" Anelle started.
"The silent auction is almost over." Moreal cut in. "The highest bidder will have Nyssa all night. The second and third will get Iva and Russelia." Moreal let out a sharp cynical laugh. "I have a suspicion Lord Lamolli will sweet talk the third place winner to get Russelia."
Nyssa, Iva and Russelia made their way to the front of the balustrade. Dame Luel made another appearance at the top of the left stairs.
"The goddess and her maidens grow restless for company tonight and three heroes have almost found their way to the Syillac isles. The goddess grows tired and will now turn in for the night waiting for her hero to find her." Dame Luel announced.
The three courtesans waved to the crowd before walking out the door at the back of the balcony. Dame Luel followed them.
"What happens now?" Anelle asked.
"The winners will have to pay before they are escorted to the correct room."
The crowd rippled as low ranked consorts moved through them. Yulin stood ready at the door holding her metal tray. A gentleman, escorted by a young courtesan, placed a hefty coin pouch onto the tray and continued through the door. Lamolli grabbed the next winner by the arm and was in an intense conversation with him. The man considered the request and nodded. Lord Lamolli placed a hefty coin pouch on her tray as he passed Yulin.
Once all three payments were collected Yulin reappeared and perched on a stool in the corner, she picked up a lute and started playing. The rest of the room dispensed into more laughter and drinking.