Submitted by aakuwari t3_yfxvky in WritingPrompts
I wrote this story based on a prompt made by u/Crystal1501 -> here , note: the prompt was deleted.
I changed the POV, but hopefully stuck with the prompt. Hope you all enjoy!
Dragons and fine tea
I reclined my chair back and looked at the ceiling as I scratched the back of my head. I was really uncomfortable with the current situation presented in front of me.
A man with brown hair and deep green eyes, wearing a crimson red military uniform, on his chest embroidered with silver - a falcon raising its wings above its head, both wings bending in a circular fashion towards each other, the tip of each nearly touching. Between the wings and above the head, lied two crossed scimitars, and a crown on the top.
The man was bowing to me, and I really didn’t like it.
“Sir… We would like to use your services” he requested.
A man next to him, wearing a similar uniform, but with the insignia embroidered in bronze. He was glaring at me and half-sheathing his sword.
“Sir. Anthony! Why must you bow before this… this low-born scum!” He yelled.
Anthony raised his head, locking eyes with me, his face was calm and so were his words.
“Please pay my staff officer, Simon, no mind… Sir. He values my honor - the honor of the Royal Guard Vice Captain more than me it seems.” He said as he bowed his head again.
I let out a sigh, then looked at Anthony.
“I feel bad for you bowing this much… But I don’t want to take the job” I told him.
Anthony remained silent in his bowing state. I stared at him for a couple of minutes. It didn’t sit well with me to see a dignified man like him bowing like this, so I put my foot down and tapped my desk twice.
“Have a seat… let us discuss” I offered.
“E-E-Excuse M-M-Me S-Sir Roland, the T-T-Tea is r-ready!” A familiar voice said.
“Oh, Tim! Perfect timing as always! Please serve the gentlemen” I requested.
Tim placed two cups with Earl Grey tea on my desk, across from me, where two seats were placed. Then, he took his leave.
“That is my assistant, Tim. He has got a bit of a stutter, but he is a sharp one.” I said.
I opened the drawer in my desk and handed the two gentlemen in front of me a pamphlet I had Tim prepare.
It read:
“Roland Bluemark, Private investigator. Our specialty is finding people…
Finding good people is just like finding good tea! That is why… we deal with both! To find your next missing person, or enjoy your next cup of tea, visit the Blumark Private Investigations & Fine teas.
Investigations are definitely… our cup of tea”
“Pfffft!“ scoffed Simon, rolling his eyes.
“Investigations and fine teas, is that even a thing?” He muttered to himself.
“Thank you for your hospitality” said Anthony.
“Now… I will reiterate our request” said Anthony.
I braced myself to hear, again, the request I just rejected. Honestly, how many times was he going to repeat it?
“We would like you to find His Highness Prince Rai, who was abducted. We suspect he is in a cave in mount Sados, and bring his highness back to us” he said.
“Ridiculous…” snorted Simon.
I ignored Simon’s ridicule and focused my attention on Anthony.
“If you know where he is, why not simply send a reconnaissance detachment and rescue him?” I asked.
Anthony had a small smile on his face after I said that.
“We did and failed. So, as a PI we want to task you with finding him for us. Of course, we will pay your fees accordingly” said Anthony, while joining his hands.
Strange… why did they fail? This sounds suspicious.
I shook my head and tapped the table twice with my index finger.
“You are missing the point, Anthony. I don’t take jobs from royalty, that is what I have been trying to say to you since you walked in” I told him.
Whatever it is.. it sounds like trouble, and I want no part of it.
“Insolence!” Blurted Simon, standing up.
“How dare a low born like you to reject commands from the Royal Guard?!” Said Simon, while pointing at me.
I drew a half grin on my face, then said the following.
“You haven’t had your tea, Simon”
“I don’t want any of your tea!” He said.
I looked at him still grinning. He was a tall, with black hair and a black mustache, with dark brown eyes. An intimidating man, so to speak. But I knew exactly what sort of person he was the moment he spoke.
“That is really unfortunate… rejecting my hospitality is not something becoming of a gentleman of your stature, Simon.” I said, letting out a sigh.
He took a step back, obviously taken aback with what I said.
“Letting good tea go to waste. Truly… shameful” I said.
Simon gasped when he heard that. He paused for a few moments looking away.
“Look… even Anthony is enjoying his tea” I said, pointing at Anthony taking a sip from his cup.
He sat down and grabbed his cup, and stared into the tea cup.
“I-I obviously meant I did not want another cup of tea. You misunderstood” he said, finally taking a sip.
After he took a sip, Simon’s eyes widened and looked at me.
“This… This TEA! The silkiness and the maltiness… the sweetness, and finally the sourness of the floral notes in the aftertaste, what… what is this?!” Exclaimed Simon.
The door slammed open and Tim entered immediately after that. I looked at Tim, and the hair on my body stood, knowing exactly what was coming next, and that was…
“Our Earl Grey tea leaves are sourced from the finest tea farming establishments in the east, and we mix the tea with our carefully selected partners all to produce a symphony of flavor in your palate” said Tim.
The very reason why I employed Tim, his… sales pitch!
“Only a remarkable gentleman of your status can honor his guests with such tea - a tea so magnificent, it will make them weep. Only you can grace your tea cabinet with this type of remarkable tea…”
I could see Simon breaking into a cold sweat as he listened to Tim’s sales pitch… A foolish mistake. Once you listen to Tim for a mere minute… you will be dancing in the palm of his hand. The mere thought… makes me shudder.
When Tim pitches… he never stutters.
[to be continued in part 2]
aakuwari OP t1_iu5q4c6 wrote
Part 2:
“We have one last box remaining, and the customer who reserved it just cancelled because he had to travel. If you do not act now… you will never be able to show off your gentlemanly knowledge… of tea. Only for 2 silver coins… the bag can be yours” Tim concluded.
“I-I am good… t-thank you” said Simon.
It is over… once you show Tim any sign of weakness. It is over for you…
“Good… are you really? Are you really good with not having exquisite tea in your cabinet? Are your guests that unimportant to not even consider this tea? I am sorry… it seems…” said Tim and then paused.
He walked to the door and grabbed the handle, opening the door slightly, then stopping.
“It seems I have mistook you… for a gentleman” said Tim.
Simon slumped forward as soon as he heard those words, then he finally… declared defeat.
“I’ll take it…” he said softly.
“P-P-Please c-c-come with m-me!” Requested Tim.
Simon got up and followed Tim out of the room to the small store we had in another room.
I looked at Anthony, expecting we will continue to talk about the subject at hand. He was smiling softly.
“T-That is some formidable assistant you have” he said, while I could see ripples in his tea, as his hand trembled.
“Yes… it is hard to believe that he is only 18. He is an orphan, and I am sponsoring his studies. He is a good kid… I think.” I said.
“Now… since we are talking in private. What is the real reason you failed?” I asked while looking seriously at Anthony.
I could see Anthony’s face change, he lowered his gaze and smiled bitterly.
“His highness… was abducted by a dragon” He said.
Lightning. Those words came down on me as if I was struck with lightning. My eyes widened, and I was at a loss for words for a few moments. I managed to recollect my thoughts and then I reclined my seat back again.
I took a deep breath, then I spoke.
“Why me? A Reconnaissance detachment failed… what can a single PI do that a trained group could not?” I asked.
I don’t like where this is going… it is as if…
“Why, you ask?” Prompted Anthony looking back at me with a small grin.
No… it can’t be…
“You thought you could fool us?”
“You thought you could hide who you were? That we wouldn’t suspect anything…”
Anthony pointed at a blue marker I had placed on my desk.
“Seriously… ‘Bluemark’? Couldn’t you have come up with a better alias? You looked at that blue marker you had on your desk and made that your last name?”
“How utterly foolish… Sir Roland Stenroy, of the fallen kingdom of Thasiel” He said.
I went quiet for a few moments. Obviously, in shock.
“We accepted you into our kingdom, years ago, knowing full well who you were. You started your own business and it was doing reasonably well. You have a debt to pay to this kingdom that hosted your, Sir Roland… the ‘dragon slayer,’ the youngest Royal Guard Captain to ever assume that position. Honestly, I can’t believe you are only 27, only three years older than his highness. You… you have to help our kingdom… or would you rather … watch it fall like Thas—”
I took a deep breath and slammed the table.
“Enough…” I said.
Anthony went quiet for a few moments, observing me carefully. I paused for a few minutes.
“The kingdom fell because of greed, Anthony. The greed of the Royal Family. Dragons are majestic beings that are peaceful and live away from us, humans. The Fall of Thasiel happened because of a forbidden magic that was cast on dragons, driving them mad. They destroyed everything in their wake. His majesty… he…” I said and then paused.
The words stopped in my throat, as memories of that horrible day came rushing in. My heart ached as I saw the final moments of his majesty in my mind. A sight I will never forget. It was only then that I…
Anthony stood and looked me in the eye; then, he bowed deeply.
“Sir… The very same thing is happening here in the Kingdom of Hanir. Greed is finding its way to the hearts of the royal family prior to his highness’s coronation in two weeks - our nation is in danger. Please, save his highness” he said.
I facepalmed, rubbing my face and eyes as I heard that. History repeating itself… another disaster was bound to happen. It is as if I was an agent of calamity bringing it to whichever kingdom I went to.
“You know very well that I have failed in my duty to protect his majesty, so why insist?” I asked.
“Facing three dragons is three too many for one man… Let alone slaying one” Said Anthony.
The guilt I have buried in my heart… the horror of that day. I… will never let my weakness take command over me again - I swore that.
“Very well… but you will have a hefty bill to pay” I said as I stood up.
Anthony raised his head, looking at me with glittering eyes, his jaw dropping slightly. He then bowed again.
“Th-Thank you, Sir! We will help you with men—“
“No… I will travel alone. You will just bear the expenses” I said as I pulled a contract paper from my desk, walked round and placed it in front of Anthony.
“Sign here… with the blue marker” I said.
Anthony took the blue marker and signed the contract; then, pulled out his seal and stamped the paper.
“Alright… everything seems to be in order. I will depart immediately, please process the payments through Tim” I told him.
Anthony extended his hand towards me. I looked at him, then shook his hands.
“Thank you…” he said, to which I nodded.
“Alright… let us leave” I proposed.
We exited the office and stood outside. I looked at Anthony, and extended my hands, palms open.
“One more thing… I want a sword” I requested.
Anthony unbuckled his belt with the sword he had on and offered it to me. Looking me in the eye. I looked at the belt, and back at Anthony. Then I took the belt and buckled it up.
“Simon… sure is taking his time” noted Anthony.
“W-Wait Sir Anthony!” Asked Simon.
Be huffed carrying a big knapsack over his shoulder.
“W-Wait… sir…. Huff … huff” he wheezed.
I could see Anthony facepalming as he saw Simon, and behind him was Tim waving.
“All the tea… I bought all the tea!” he said happily.
Anthony looked at me with a small smile.
“We are definitely not processing any payments through Tim… You would have to come and collect it personally” he said.
“Understood” I said with a small scoff.
I looked back at Tim.
“Tim… please bring my stuff. I am heading to the mountain” I said, to which Tim nodded and dashed back inside.
[to be continued in part 3]