Head into town

Stewart considers his options and says, “There are going to be so many travelers arriving for the Festival that we should be able to blend in pretty easily and not be recognized — provided that we keep a low profile, that is.”

“Capital idea!” agrees the younger brother. “This is my favorite time of the year for sneaking into town. There are always fun things to do, and there are plenty of innocent, voluptuous beauties experiencing their first visit to Central City, and eager to experience everything the Spring Festival offers!”

Stewart rolls his eyes and wonders if he should reconsider his decision. Duncan seems a little too eager to be a tour guide to the Festival’s pilgrims. Then again, had he decided to go to a more remote area, he is fairly certain his younger sibling would have a contingency plan for hooking up, even in the Kingdom’s remotest reaches.

“Let’s not be too eager to fulfill every young lady’s expectations, shall we?” cautions the king. “We are supposed to keep a low profile, after all.”

“Not to worry, brother,” replies the prince, casually. “But don’t forget that the Spring Festival is a coming-of-age ritual, time-honored throughout Mirantia. It is a chance young people to cast off their cares and stresses after years of study before entering into the solemn responsibilities of adult life. I can’t really be blamed if some love-starved maiden throws herself at me and insists upon me being the one to give her the Spring Festival experience she will remember for the rest of her life, can I?”

The brothers walk toward the lights of town, talking as they go. The closer they get, the louder the sounds of music, laughter, and general merriment. The Spring Festival festivities are already well under way.

When they arrive at the populated area of the community, they see plenty of evidence of the festivities. Merchants have their tents erected here and there, offering food, trinkets, and curiosities for sale. In several different places there are musicians, each competing over the music of their neighbor as Mirantians pair off to dance under the lights of the moon and the torches.

Duncan grabs Stewart’s arm and points to two young ladies who are wandering around, soaking in the sights with undisguised appreciation.

“Look at them, brother! Obviously they are from out of town and are seeing Central City for the first time. Wouldn’t it be a crime if they went back to their meager, drab lives without having had a full, life-changing experience?”

Stewart is about to remind his brother about keeping a low profile, but as the ladies approach, Duncan takes off his hat and bows toward them in dramatic fashion.

“Good evening, ladies. It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it? I trust you are enjoying the Festival thus far?”

The ladies exchange amused looks before one of them answers, “It is nice, so far. It would be better if we could enjoy the spectacles without being accosted every few feet by over-eager men!”

Duncan nods, sympathetically. “I know... It’s terrible, isn’t it? Men can be such cads at times! You know, my brother and I would be happy to assist you in keeping such uncouth peasantry at bay; it’s the least we can do, since you are our guests in our fair city.”

The girls exchange looks again. The one who previously spoke answers the prince. “I suppose your kind and generous offer would extend to protecting us throughout the night, too?”

Duncan smiles. “Why, of course! It would be improper for us to abandon you at a time when you are at your most ****.”

The young woman seductively steps toward Duncan and says, “Before you make such a selfless offer, you should know that the custom in our far-off, provincial community is for unmarried women such as us to sleep in the nude. Would that make you uncomfortable to stand guard over us?”

Stewart is watching the exchange with growing interest. While he was wary of Duncan chatting up these ladies, he has to admit that the direction the conversation has turned has definitely grabbed his attention.

Duncan is unperturbed. “That would not bother us in the least. In fact, under those circumstances, my brother and I would promise to stay extra close to you, to offer our bodies as protection against any ruffians who might wish to take advantage of such beautiful, innocent, young travelers.”

The woman places her finger on Duncan’s chin and slowly traces it downward over his neck and chest. In a sultry voice, she says, “We would, of course, expect you to share in our custom, by removing your clothes, as well. Would that be acceptable to you?”

Stewart gulps and feels a rise between his legs. His determination to simply observe and not get involved in Duncan’s shenanigans is rapidly evaporating.

Duncan is still unabashed. He smiles politely, and says, “We would insist upon making you as comfortable as possible by adhering to you. I mean, adhering to your customs.”

In a low, meaningful voice, and with eyes filled with suggestion, she says, “We would want nothing more than to have your hard, naked bodies against ours throughout the night.... To feel your hands on our bodies... To fall asleep in your arms and to wake up to your every need and desire....”

Duncan’s grin threatens to split his face. He opens his mouth to speak, but the woman puts her finger to his mouth to stop his words.

“We have only one condition...”

Duncan and Stewart wait, breathlessly.

She continues. “Our culture dictates that if you are stupid enough to fall for that load of bullshit, you have to compensate by having eight inches between your legs. Otherwise, it’s just a waste of our time!”

Her companion bursts out laughing, and the two ladies turn their backs on the brothers and continue on their way, laughing and berating the young men as they go.

“Well, that was spectacular, Duncan. It really was,” says the king, drily. “I’m just in awe of your seductive charm. I often wondered if your success with the ladies had more to do with the fact that you are rich, powerful, and famous, but you just showed me tonight the true power of your charm with the fairer sex when you are stripped of the luster of royalty!”

Duncan looks irritated and replies, “Are you kidding? You heard her... They were totally ready to hop in the sack with us. She said they’d only do it if we had eight inches between our legs, and I don’t know about you, but I’m not cutting off four inches for anyone!”

“Good try, brother,” says Stewart. “One thing is certain, though: they didn’t recognize us. Perhaps your plan will work after all.”

Duncan looks less than thrilled. “Yeah... My plan is going swimmingly. First you make me leave those girls behind at the Palace, and now, the first women we see are man-hating lesbians.”

“Or maybe your charms are not as impressive as you think they are,” replies the king. “Adella always told us that if we hadn’t had the good fortune of being born in the palace, we’d be just another couple of — how did she put it? — ‘pimply-faced, sexually frustrated perverts’?”

Duncan scoffs. “That’s just plain insulting! I haven’t had pimples in months! Besides, we just had bad luck with those two gals. Watch me — you pick out any female here at the Festival, and I’ll bet you a bottle of vintage cognac that I can have her in bed before the night is out!”

Stewart shakes his head at his brother’s boastfulness, but at the same time, he can’t quite shake the feeling he felt when he thought the women were actually interested in sleeping with them.