Tam snapped awake, his eyes scanning the room from side to side. The moon shone through the open window, the curtains blowing gently in the night breeze. Made of sheer silk, they made hazy outlines of the rooftops visible beyond the balcony. Carefully, Tam eased himself out of the bed, and felt around with his feet for his clothes. In the moon’s faint light, the red silk of the sheets looked almost black. He crouched next to the bed, pulling up his pants, and fastened his belt. His boots were across the room, next to the wardrobe, and his shirt… where was his shirt? The curtains billowed, and he saw it in the moonlight next to the portal to the balcony. He paused, waiting. He could hear the soft sounds of the city at night, the sound of the river, a dog barking off to the south. All seemed as it should be, and yet… There was something wrong with the silence.
Carefully, Tam eyed the path between himself and his boots. From the door, there was little cover- none but shadows, in fact. From the balcony, there was only a two-pace span that was not covered by either the bed or the edge of the wardrobe. So where had the sound that woke him come from? He breathed deeply, preparing himself to act, waiting for some hint of where the threat came from. The tension of the moment stretched.
“Tam? Come back to bed, darling…” Into the silence spoke Enara, sitting half-up and clutching the red silk sheet to her naked (and quite magnificent) breast. Tam cursed softly, and ripped the covers off the bed. Enara shrieked. At the same moment, the door to the room burst open and two guards with crossbows shouldered into the room. Tam dove at his boots, and grabbed them up in one hand.
Coming in the room, Magistrate Higgins’ guards were treated to the sight of their master’s daughter, naked and moonlit on the bed. She was still emptying herself of her scream, and both men stopped dead in their tracks, jaws on their chests. Tam grinned and, boots in hand, began to ease himself towards the balcony. Enara would hold the men’s attention for a moment longer if he didn’t draw their eyes…
“Avert your eyes! Shut them! Cease!” Enara’s voice did not change its tone from her scream, although she had found words. She flung herself about the bed, grabbing for something with which to cover herself. Tam froze, completely distracted by the young woman’s display. Finally, Enara’s hand closed on the edge of the sheet, and she hauled it back across her body. As she did, Tam shook his head, trying to refocus on escape, and sidled closer to the balcony.
“My lady, I apologize, but we thought we heard…” Tam sneaked a look towards the guards. They both still had their eyes averted, the one looking down at his boots, the other with his eyes squeezed shut. “We were concerned for your…”
“You have no need to concern yourself with anyone I choose to invite to my chambers.” Enara’s voice was cold and hard, and the edge on it promised a temper tantrum of monumental proportions. Tam winced and snagged up his shirt. This would be trouble. Not bothering to put it on, he tucked it under his arm with his boots, and aimed for the only exit available.
“With…” The guards were slow, but not entirely stupid. Both raised their crossbows and began to advance through the room. Tam abandoned all attempts at secrecy and bolted for the balcony. He felt the curtains tug as bolts tore through them on either side of him, and vaulted over the balcony‘s marble rail, catching at the edge to turn himself and slow his fall. The bushes at the bottom broke his fall, spraying leaves and branches in spectacular fashion, and he rolled back towards the mansion’s wall, under the balcony. He winced, and felt at his back. He as going to have some spectacular bruises tomorrow. Jamming his feet into the boots, he held his breath. Both guards’ heads appeared over the edge of the balcony, shouting, then withdrew. Tam pulled his shirt on over his head, and grinned. They had thought he would run, not stick closer to the building. Fools.
Tucking in his shirt, Tam walked casually around the corner of the building, and bumped into a large, velvet-covered chest. Tam looked up into a most unwelcome face, and his grin melted. Higgins was flanked by a full dozen armor- clad guards. Wildly, insanely, Tam put on his most innocent smile.
“Why, Magistrate Higgins! What a fine night for a-”
Magistrate Higgins’ fist cut him off, and Tam saw stars, then nothing.
