Merrimay should stand aside tonight.

Merrimay stands with Phaedra and Flora, hesitating at the threshold of consummation. Flora advocates that she do the deed and give her virginity to the Phoenix Company, on this, their wedding night. Phaedra says Merrimay should not do so if she doesn't feel truly ready. And now Merrimay looks to you, while Phaedra and Flora scoff at her for seeking advice from a man.

You shrug. "Mistress Merrimay," you say, "you're Mistress of Quarters. As you will. There will be no man uncoupled and unhappy tonight if you wish to preside and not participate." You look out across the room. The soldiers of the Phoenix Company are consummating their collective wedding night with the Company's wives. "I don't see any fellows looking lonely. Well, except for those two."

Indeed, though there are more soldier-husbands than there are wives, the men seem content to wait their turn, except for a couple of fellows standing over an empty pallet and looking expectantly toward Flora. One of them, you see, is Pinch. If Pinch favors Flora, it's testimony that she'd be an eager and accomplished partner, maybe a good choice to give you a real start in the ways of a man with a woman.

Flora looks, nods, and laughs. "Those boys were talking to me earlier," she says. She looks back and them, gives them a broad smile and cocks a hip at them before turning back. "I think I'll keep them waiting a bit longer."

"No, go, along, Flora, I will be well," Merrimay says. You enjoy the foreign lilt in her voice, though you can't quite place it. Maybe Count Holly would know.

"Thank you, Mistress Merrimay," Flora says, nodding her head and sketching a curtsey, holding the sides of her white smock as if it's a fine wedding dress. Flora takes her time making it over to her suitors, stopping for a drink for herself, then filling two cups and lazily threading her way between the pallets where the Phoenix Company's men and women are consummating their wedding night. Moans, sighs, giggles, groans, and all manner of exclamations of lust, pleasure, and joy are tonight's evening music, each couple's fervent sounds encouraging the others. Flora hands her two suitors cups and strikes a pose as they drink to the beauty of her broad smile, her gleaming red-gold hair, and her lush figure which is soon bare for all to admire. With a giggle, Flora pulls the two men down to the pallet they were keeping for her.

Merrimay smiles at Flora's antics. You catch her eye. She says, "Should you not to go along also, Rex?" she says, stumbling charmingly over her Itherian. "It is your wedding night too."

The thought seizes you for a moment. But your eyes lock together again. A long minute passes as you look deeply in each other's eyes, the joyful noises of rutting couples filling the lack of words between you.

Phaedra nods to Merrimay and moves off to please herself. You and Merrimay watch as Phaedra picks out a likely fellow, a strapping young recruit who has quickly rallied after his first consummation, raising his pole at a stiff upward slant. Disdaining a mattress, Phaedra maneuvers him toward the wall, goes on tip-toe and lifts a leg to mount upon him standing, and has him lift her up to take her hard and deep with her back to the wall.

Merrimay looks pleased that her other right-hand-woman has found a good coupling for tonight.

"I think you're right, Rex," Merrimay says. "All the men will be satisfied tonight." Then she tilts her head and looks at you, still standing with her. "Did you want to go wait for Flora?" she asks.

You smile. "I'm pleased to keep you company, Mistress Merrimay," you say, giving her a bow and a sweep of your hand, though you have no hat to doff.

"Such manners, Rex!" she says, laughing, as you rise.

"For you, I rise to grace," you say. "Would you like to watch, and bless the other newlyweds with your attention?" you ask. You offer your hand.

Merrimay smiles. "Perhaps, Rex. As you say, I should keep an eye on them."

She takes your hand, and the two of you turn to face the room with the soldiers and women of the Phoenix Company consummating their common wedding night. A woman's legs kick high, her toes curl, and she cries out her climax. Her partner calls out, "Oh Janie, Janie, Jane!" and batters her with his own climactic thrusts. At another pallet, Flora is being covered alternately by Pinch and his fellow soldier. Flora is flushed quite pink, and every time Pinch switches with the other man, she cries out as the new man's member penetrates and thrusts deep. Phaedra is still with her first young man, receiving his thrusts as he holds her up against the wall.

Merrimay squeezes your hand. She looks more closely at you, and her brow furrows. "Are you truly but a soldier, Rex? You seem well-spoken for a young recruit. And where did you have a chance to practice that bow?"