The Eagle And The Nightingales

'Then by all means,' T'fyrr told him, 'let me hear them!'

Harperus lounged at his ease on one of the damask-covered sofas in the reception room of the suite, watching T'fyrr try out the various pieces of furniture that Nob had suggested he order brought down from storage. Somehow, it all matched_or at least, it coordinated, as the main colors of the suite were warm golds and browns, with gryphons forming the main theme of the carvings. Padded stools proved surprisingly comfortable, as did an odd, backless couch that Nob particularly recommended. And to replace the bed_

When T'fyrr had sketched what a Haspur bed looked like, Nob had studied the sketch for a moment, and then snapped his fingers with a grin of glee. He hadn't said a word to T'fyrr, but he had called another servant_an oddly silent servant_and handed him the sketch with a whispered explanation.

Six husky men appeared about an hour later, just as Harperus arrived with more servants bearing T'fyrr's baggage. The men took the bed out without a single word and returned with something that was the closest thing to a Haspur bed that T'fyrr had ever seen in these human realms. He stared at it, mouth agape, while Nob grinned from ear to ear.

He had a suspicion that there was more to this than met the eye, and his suspicion was confirmed when Harperus took one look and nearly choked.

'Very well,' he said, mustering up as much dignity as he could. 'Obviously this is not the Haspur bed that it appears to be. What is it?'

Nob clapped both hands over his mouth, stifling a laugh. 'You tell him, my lord!' he said to Harperus, gasping. 'I_nay, I can't do it!'

He turned around, growing scarlet in the face, obviously having a hard time containing himself. T'fyrr waited, curiosity vying with exasperation, while Harperus struggled to get himself under control.

'It's_its something no well-bred boy should know about at Nob's tender age,' Harperus managed finally. 'Lets just say, it isn't meant for sleeping.'

Enlightenment dawned. 'Ah! A piece of mating furniture!' T'fyrr exclaimed brightly, and clicked his beak in further annoyance when both Nob and Harperus went off into paroxysms of smothered laughter.

I cannot, and never will, understand why the subject of mating should make these humans into sniggering idiots, he thought a little irritably. It is just as natural as eating, and there are no whispers and giggles about enjoying one's breakfast! So that explains the ever-so-reticent servant that found the thing; in a place like this, there must be a servant in charge of romantic liaisons!

By the winds, there was probably even a division of labor_one servant for discreet liaisons, one for very discreet liaisons, one for indiscreet liaisons, one for the exotic....

Well, at least Nob hadn't been so bound up in this silly human propriety nonsense that he refused to have the object sent for! It might be a piece of mating equipment to these humans, but it made a perfectly fine nest-bed, and T'fyrr looked forward to having one of the first completely comfortable nights he'd had in a very long time.

Finally, after many false starts, the page got himself back under control, although he would not or could not look Harperus in the eye. 'If you need me any more, Sire,' he told T'fyrr with a decent imitation of a sober expression, 'just ring for me.'

'Ring for you?' T'fyrr asked, puzzled, and Nob walked over to the wood-paneled wall, pulled aside a brown damask curtain, and pointed to a line of gilded brass bellpulls.

'This is the guards_this is the kitchen, if I'm off running an errand_this is the bath servants, if I'm off running an errand_this is the maid, in case you need something cleaned. This is for me_I'm your page now, Sire. I'll be sleeping in that little room just next to the bathroom. Unless you want someone older, I'll be your body servant, too. That means I dress you.' Nob eyed the simple wrapped garment that T'fyrr wore for the sake of modesty. 'Doesn't look as if there's all that much work tending to your wardrobe.'

'Not really,' T'fyrr agreed. 'Do you want to be assigned to me?'

'Oh yes, Sire!' Nob replied immediately, and his artless enthusiasm could not be doubted. 'There's status in it; I'd be more than just a page_and you'll be a good master, Sire. I can tell,' he finished confidently.

T'fyrr sighed. 'I hope I can live up to that, young friend,' he answered, as much to himself as to the boy. 'Well, so what are all these other bells?'

When Nob finished his explanations, Harperus intervened. 'I can show him the rest, young one,' the Deliambren said easily. 'My people built most of the complicated arrangements in this Palace. You go see to getting your own quarters set up.'

'Yes, my lord,' Nob said obediently, as T'fyrr nodded confirmation of Harperus' suggestion. 'Thank you, my