Heir of Beasts

Ch. 3.1- Some Things Belong in the Dark

So we're back to Shira. This could easily be two chapters, but there was no obvious stopping point so I just left it as is. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think.

- S. 

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"Well, aren't I a saucy vixen," Esato croons, spinning around in front of the full length mirror in Mirsi Belkau's parlour. We met for lunch and he dragged us to a fitting after reassuring me that the Belkau's private residence is entirely separate from their brothel. I expected a suit, or governmental robes, but the Kamai Minister of Finance is attired in an elaborate fox mask that Mirsi's youngest daughter, Reesah, hand stitched. It's dripping with gold beads and large blue gemstones, the colors of the Amarxi clan. He even has a tail that attaches at the back of his trousers, which Irei pulls now, causing him to yelp.

"What you are, my friend, is a dumbass." The ambassador tries and fails not to smile at Esato's ridiculous antics.

"I'll let that slide, Irei, because I know it's the most tail you've gotten in weeks," he winks at me devilishly and I can't help but chuckle. "But really, Reesah, it's perfect. I'll tell the best lie in all of Kama thanks to your sartorial talents. You're a miracle worker."

"Yes," Irei cuts in. "You've managed to cover almost all of his unsightly face. Might I recommend a veil for the rest of it? And possibly a gag to still a tongue looser than any courtesan in your mother's employ?"

"If you want me bound and gagged, Ambassador Nara" Esato purrs, flipping his tail coquettishly. "You'll have to do it yourself."

"Sorry to interrupt you lovebirds," Reesah says, rolling her eyes. "But there's work to do. Mister Lyu, please stop your peacocking and hold still so I can measure you for your coat." Her Yi'ili accent draws out all of the vowels in a most appealing way. Esato complies, holding still while she draws a measuring tape deftly across the span of his shoulders.

"Anyone care to enlighten me as to why he's dressed as a woodland creature?"

Esato turns towards me quickly, eyes wide. Reesah drops her measuring tape and curses, muttering something about him being lucky she wasn't putting in pins.

"For the Feast of Liars, of course," he replies, completely ignoring Reesah's chastisement. "The biggest party of the year. A night for booze, bawds, and bad decisions." When I fail to recognize the phrase, he looks at the ambassador with a combination of annoyance and disbelief.

"Irei Nara, do you mean to tell me that poor Shira's been slaving away taking notes and filing your papers and you've forgotten to mention the one night he might let his hair down and actually have some fun?"

"I didn't forget. I omitted," Irei replies coolly. "What does Shira want with such a ridiculous, perverse holiday? I'm only attending because there will be whispers if I do not. He's better off at the manor where he's safe from lechers like you."

"I can't fault you for wanting to keep him under lock and key. With a face like that I'd never let him leave the bedroom, let alone the house. But don't you think it's rather suspicious?"

"What?"

"Your esteemed guest is a beautiful foreigner rarely seen outside of the manor, save to play a few rounds of Xalzan at Imiko's or run errands with Tyro at the market. People talk all the more because you hide him away, my friend. The less he is seen, the more they will look for him. And what could be safer than a masquerade? No one will see his face. It'll be a marvelous diversion!"