The Dubious Heir

The Dubious Heir

A gigolo who doesn’t know he is the heir to the throne and a Notorious Pirate's daughter become involved in a deep plot to overtake the throne.

The story is about a gigolo who is heir to the kingdom but doesn't know it. It takes place in a tavern in a university town. The crux of the story involves someone reading a diary. The client is the daughter of a well-known pirate. She employs the gigolo knowing he is the heir to the throne. Her plan is to kidnap him and hold him for ransom and the release of her father who is being held prisoner in the Dungeon of Luxonbulm.

The Dubious Heir

By Lydia Clark

The Dubious Heir

Published by Lydia Clark at Kindle Direct Publishing

Kindle Edition

Copyright 2014 Lydia Clark

Image Copyright /rgporter 2014

Used under license from SelfPubBookCovers.com

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Dale Montey flexed his biceps and admired himself in the mirror. The women loved him. It had to be his muscles he was sure of it. His flowing brown hair could have something to do with it too. As long as he kept his ears covered or they would know he was a half-breed, which was why he kept his hair long like a woman's. If he tied it back in a ponytail, his pointed ears would give him away.

It’s not that the women don’t like elves, he was just overly conscious about his pointy ears. His mom told him the elven part was from her side of the family. The genes were two generations removed, making him not officially a half-breed, but those who saw his ears thought differently none the less.

A quick spurt of Cardome on his chest would do it. It was one of those enticing scent lures he had picked up from the potion shop. It came in handy in his line of work. Not only did men like to play but women also liked to romp about and would pay a good price for an experienced man or Halfling as in his case. It paid his way through college.

The bottle of Cardome was almost empty he would have to buy more when he returned in the morning. Hopefully, this bit lasted him all night. It would make his job easier.

His client was to meet him at the Black Line Tavern at sundown. It had been prearranged by an undisclosed person. Just as well. The fewer people he knew on the finding end, the better. Last thing he wanted was to be thrown into the dungeon for prostitution.

He donned a grey broad-brimmed hat and a dark scarf for around his neck to keep the chill away. A button down leather shirt was slid on next to match his suede britches. The snake skin boots were next with their two-inch heel making him even taller than he appeared to be. Dale had been instructed that his client liked tall men.

A crooked walking stick completed his outfit. He gave the fireplace a quick poke with this same stick being satisfied they were nothing but coals and out the door he went into the cold night. His mom was asleep in her bed in the corner, never once stirring. It was best that she didn’t know what his line of work was, saving her from the possible embarrassment.

Bats flew above the gas lamp lights being lit as he walked down the cobbled street. The workers paid him no heed while they buzzed about doing their nightly task.

Stone buildings lined the streets in such a pattern one could become lost in the maze of streets and cobble paths. The college campus was cramped for living space. Every room was taken while school was in session. The classes ranged from Alchemy to the white magic healers, being taught by witches and a warlock or two. A Sorcerer was the college president. That would be Professor Pyer, a very notable gentleman from the years of a great war.

The magic classes were taught in secrecy due to the Duke’s views about the matter. The white magic was referred to as herbalism and healers. The fact that the King’s wife had died mysteriously of some unknown illness prompted the king to give special permission to the college to train such individuals in the healing arts. His belief had been that had a healer been present, they may have been able to save the life of his wife. Her death had happened two years prior.

Permission was granted against the Duke’s liking and licenses to teach were given to only certain individuals by the King. This alone made the college the most sought out school in the land. It was why Dale needed to resort to such a profession to pay for his education.

The tavern now loomed ahead. Dale held the door for two goblin patrons exiting the establishment. He gave them a quick nod as they hurried on their way.

Thick smoke filled the room from cook fires and tobacco filled pipes. His eyes burned for a moment while they adjusted to the dim lighting. A cough had escaped his lungs before he was able to fight off the spasm from the smoke. He almost didn't see her sitting toward the back of the room. She was waiting just like was said.

She wore a leather skin dress. The bodice fit her figure like a glove making him ponder how he was going to get it off of her. It also evoked his manhood. It was rising to the occasion and ready for action. Her breasts bulged against the dress and pucker at the deep v-neckline exposing white skin and deep cleavage that could accommodate his manhood in a playful way.

Blonde curls splayed about her shoulders lightly. Her hair was long enough to use to tickle her fancy or the protruding nipples peeking from underneath her dress.

"What a beautiful night to find a fine lady as yourself in an establishment such as this." Dale extended his hand to lift hers to his lips for a tender kiss.

She smiled and let a little giggle slipped from her lips. His cologne wafted toward her and immediately began to do its job making her feel a small twitch between her legs. It was potent. She had never experienced anything like it before.

Dale took the seat across from her. He did not know if they were to engage in small talk first or if they were going to get down to the bottom of their business. He could see she had already eaten by the looks of the plate on the table before her.

"Would you like me to call the barmaid? Have you eaten?"

"I will take a jug of mead with me when we leave. But my food this evening will be you." Dale licked his lips in anticipation of the night's activities.

"So you will." She agreed.

A minstrel began playing a quick step tune.

"Do you dance?" She asked.

"I can if that is what you wish."

He reached for her hand and led her onto the floor and began a fast waltz with one arm about her waist the other he held her hand. Their closeness only made his cologne stronger. She pressed her body against his.

The heat of her body excited him more and soon he began to forget where they were. His lips sought out her neck and he began to kiss her down her neckline making her dance steps falter.

"We need to go." He whispered in her ear. "Or at least find the shadows."

He led her off the floor and stopped by the bar for his jug of mead to take with him to the room upstairs.

"All hands wanting to go a-shore, should do so while they can," Captain Pellesi called out to the crew on deck while they finished tying the boat to the moorings. "That goes for you too, Sweetie Pie."

"Pop, I think I want to stay behind," Treea replied to her father.

"Are you feeling all right child?" Captain Pellesi asked as he pressed the back of his hand to his daughter's forehead.

Treea pushed it away. "I'm fine Pop. I just don't feel like going into town. You go and have a good time." She looked across the deck and caught sight of the first mate Hurley while he gave a final tug on the rope he had been securing. He looked up in time to catch her looking at him, and scowled. "But bring me back some of that sweet bread."

"I will, love, and that of their cheeses too." The Captain turned and addressed the first mate. "Hurley will you join me into town?"

Hurley nodded. "Aye, sir. Indeed I will." He continued to scowl at Treea.

This did not go unnoticed by the Captain. "Don't tell me you two are at it again."

Treea opened her mouth to speak but held her tongue.

"Hurley, let's go."

"Aye. It will do some good to get away from the ship for a while."

Treea and Hurley were almost always fighting over some silly thing. Captain Pellesi would be the one to break the two apart in the middle of a heated argument. He wasn't sure as to which one would win if there were blood to be shed. He wanted to bet on his daughter. Her beauty would stall any man's hand for the seconds it would take for her swift sword to come down on her opponent's neck. The Captain taught her well.

It wasn't hard for the captain to notice how Hurley had a soft spot for Treea. Captain Pellesi had his suspicions about the two for the past few months. He hadn't caught them yet. Sometimes it was the way Treea looked at the first mate or how Hurley looked at her. The Captain knew that look. It was the same way he had looked at his own wife of many years before her passing some time ago.

He wasn't sure what he would do if he learned that the two of them were together as man and wife. Would he accept the arrangement? Or did he feel that Hurley was just too old for his daughter?

Though, they shouldn’t be together anyways in that sense. His daughter was supposed to be off limits to all the men on his ship. Including the likes of Hurley. It was one of the reasons the captain wished he could find her a little apartment in the town and keep his trade route close to home.

Hurley was only ten years younger than the Captain. He could almost pass as her Pop. Didn't she deserve to be with someone of her own age?

There were a couple of others on board who would be better suitable for her if only they were a lot smarter. Treea liked intellect. Hurley was smart, the Captain gave him that much credit. Should that be enough to go on for a man to be all that good for his daughter? Captain wanted more for her.

She deserved more.

A crowd of twenty men followed their captain off the ship leaving two men and the captain's daughter behind to keep watch. The men hated leaving Treea behind, but it didn't matter whether she was on board ship or out with them at a tavern, she never had any problem defending herself no matter what. Skilled in fencing at a young age of ten, she had joined the ranks of the crew three years ago when her mother passed away. She'd been just a young 'un at the time, sixteen birth years to be exact. Captain Pellesi didn't have to take her with him on board the ship. She was of age to put her up for a hefty dowry, but he believed in true love and wanted the same for his daughter, he just didn’t want her to be alone.

Sailing was his third love, Treea's mom was his first and she was his second.

A sea captain by nature, it was what he loved to do. He, himself a mercenary, took odd jobs offered by various countries. The jobs were to either retrieve a relic or stop a shipment from being made or merchant trading as what the King had him do recently with the Norbese Clan. Some considered him a hero and others called him a Pirate. A notorious Pirate known around the world.

The tavern was not far from the ship. Looks from passerby's let the crew hands know how the townspeople regarded them. Some of the looks were contemptuous and others were excited to see them. Those excited to see them knew they brought welcome supplies of spices and teas. To seal the deal, they needed to see Ager Wells, the merchant who specialized in mercenary shipments at the Black Line Tavern.

If all else failed then he would have to resort back to the black market trades, as long as he didn’t get caught.

Not all taverns were as large as this particular one and as well lit either. Each table held an oil lamp, tables long enough to seat ten men on each side. Two hundred men could fill the room, eating, drinking, or womanizing the waitresses. It did not matter whether they are human, goblin or elf. Some of the waitresses were nightly companions for a price. Prostitutes without the title. They were offered as escorts for companionship. These waitresses were available to the travelers at a hefty cost as part of the tavern's perks, making it the most popular venue in the city.

As soon as the Captain and his crew entered the inn another group rose from the table, paid and left, freeing up space. Nods and greetings were passed about on their way to the table as it was being cleared by their goblin waitress for the night. She was short and stout and full of vigor and hopes of making a substantial tip at the end of the night.

"What may I get you and your men tonight?"

"Bring us the house."

The waitress clapped her hands together, delighted to have the best patrons of the night. "Leg of lamb, goat cheese, boar's head, and plum pudding bread will be right out. Do you want your regular along with that? The jug of mead?"

"Aye, lassie, a large jug of mead will be good, and a romp with you later." The Captain reached out and smacked his hand gently against the goblins rump and gave it a provocative rub. She let out a quick giggle and hurried away into the kitchen to gather the fixings for her patrons.

"How can you carry on with a goblin?" Hurley asked as soon as the waitress was out of earshot.

"Easy," replied Tyler, a deck hand, "put a sack over her head and turn out the light."

The table sounded with hand slaps on wood and bold laughter.

"Aye, what makes you so sure it will be that goblin I will be taking up with later?"

"Well." Hurley mimicked the captain's hand movement on the goblin's arse in the empty air beside him. "What else am I to think?"

The crew laughed again.

"Go ahead and laugh. You see that one over there?" The captain pointed to a young maiden elf tending another table across the room. She did not look happy with her patrons, a group of king's men. "She will be my mark for tonight."

"That we'll have to see." A voice announced directly behind the captain.

Heads turned, the room went silent.

"Duke Ellington, what a lovely surprise. What brings you in this neck of the woods?" Hurley asked pleasantly.

"Why, it's your captain."

"Oh? What is it that you need of our Captain?" Hurley asked.

Duke Ellington opened up the scroll and read: "Captain Pellesi, you are hereby ordered under arrest by the King of Luxonbulm for piracy. Guards seize him."