Bit of Chapter One

Finally, Felix spoke up, “I have been exiled out of all three kingdoms on this continent! By the Lord Overseer, where am I to go?”
Timothy walked back and sat down next to his single-booted friend as he began to rave.
“How can I, who has served all three kings in this land, go serve some petty noble man and his pitiful little castle in some remote area?” Felix said as he gave no time for Timothy to answer his question. “Most country nobles have a least three wives or at best one wife, another mistress and a cousin. How am I to entertain anybody when it is sex, sex and more ugly sex with these country nobles? I certainly don’t want to watch those ghastly encounters! Ugh! No one but their kids will want to watch my juggling unless it is with flaming torches. Do you know I have burned my bell hat more than once with the fire? The fire is one of my finales, not the middle of the show! But fire is all they want. Burn those little—”
“Felix!”
The Jester shrugged and continued, “And the constant monster hunts are so dreadful when you are in the remote regions.”
“Monster hunts are mostly for protection so you don’t have to draw a blade and realize that you should have spent precious guild credits on learning how to use one,” Timothy said.
“Ha, I know more than you think,” Felix said as he winked at Timothy. “I always have an ace in the hole when it comes to protection against assination. Recall that I worked for all three kingdoms, my good Sub-Knight.”
“Well, when the time comes I hope that your ace in the hole is more than a cheat in cards. By the way, I have only known two nobles who openly had more than one woman in his court. It is the exception and not the rule.”
“If it isn’t in the open, it is on the side. That is where you will be getting yours from now on.”
“I am in love. I don’t want any on the side. Dammit! I wish I could have seen her, explained what is going on,” Timothy said as he pounded his fist into the palm of his gauntlets—a fusion of soft worked leather and steel backing. “I hope this isn’t the last time. Felix, I may never see her again.”
Felix ignored the emotional plea of his friend and slapped him on the arm. “On the side. On the sly. Slippery and divide. That should be your path, noble sir.”