Matt lay dying in his bed.
As he looked around his room, he knew his time was short. Sure he knew he could have gone into the hospital and eked out a few more days, maybe weeks. But here, this was his world, his things, his home. Here he could bask in past glories. Momentos from old friends. Memories of conquests, deserved and not so deserved. The scent of his darling Silva.
Oh how he loved her! Other's said how unfair his sickness was. What Matt thought was unfair was the limited amount of time he got to spend in her life. His mind replayed the first time he met her in that coffee shop. She was so scared looking and could not look at him. Even then Matt wanted to take her in his arms and hold her tight.
She was so new to the lifestyle and wanted so much to be a part of it! Her emails and phone calls told him how much she needed the lifestyle and, Matt thought then, it would either scare the crap out of her or she would be a shining star. So he took a chance and met with her.
As the old cliche goes: the rest is history. As the weeks turned into months and turned into years, Silvia learned as much as she could. And all that time, he became more and more enchanted. Silvia went from protege' to submissive to slave under his watchful eye. She learned and craved more.
Tears fell from Matt's eyes over those memories. Oh how she learned and oh how she craved.
But now his story was at an end. He could teach her no more. Not that she needed more, but the time was too short for any more of his teachings. Matt's only regret was not being there to see the real woman Silvia would become.
He knew Silvia didn't need a protector. She was strong enough to defend herself, but Matt wanted her to continue to grow within the lifestyle. He wanted to to bloom, as the rose she was. But that would take nurturing and that meant someone to tend her. Someone to be there because he could not be.
Matt's attention came back to the room from hearing a knock at the bedroom door. "Come" he said, grinning to himself. Too much Star Trek.
The door opened and there was his shining triumph coming into the room. Silvia approached the side of the bed and knelt down. Always in proper form, Matt thought to himself. Just like I taught her. "Madam Webb is here, Master", Silvia said with a slight frown. She was worried visitors would wear Matt out. "She says you sent for Her."
"Yes, my Dear. She and I have things to discuss, before the final sun sets." Matt struggled to sit upright and then felt Silvia's firm but gentle hands help ease him along the way. She fluffed pillows behind his back and groomed his hair that had become dislodged from moving. With delft movements, Silvia got Matt properly situated and then nodded to herself before returned to her position next to the bed.
Matt waved his fingers at Silvia and told her to fetch Webb in. "Yes Master", Silvia replied and regained her feet and left the room, looking back only once to make sure everything was alright and closing the door behind her. Matt barely had time to organize his thoughts when there was a knock at the door again.
This time there was a startling looking woman with long black hair who entered. She carried herself with every bit of grace as her office of manager of Sötëria, The Club they both belonged to. Madam Webb's skin, every bit as dark as her hair, was mostly covered with a red satin dress. Scarlet being her favorite color.
She walked over to the side of the bed, Silvia following close behind. Webb leaned down and took one of Matt's hands in her's, and asked "How are you doing, Mathew?" Then she looked back, as she felt a chair slide behind her knees. Webb smiled at Silvia for the service.
"I'm dying, Cynthia. But otherwise ok." Matt grinned as much as he could at Webb. They both knew their relationship was built on a no bullshit edict, established years and years ago. Webb released a small gaffa and then gave Matt a mock stern look. "None of that now! You didn't call me here to tell me you were dying. What do you need from me?"
Matt shifted his eyes from Webb's face to that of Silvia. "My Dear," Matt almost sighed, ' Cynthia and I have a bit to discuss in private. Please return to your kitchen duties and She will fetch you back when we are done."
"Yes Master. Mistress." Silvia bowed to each one and then retreated quietly from the room, closing the door behind her.
Webb looked back at Matt after watching Silvia leave, grasping his hand again with both of hers. "It's about Silvia, isn't it Mathew" Webb stated, not asking. "We both know your will will provide for her. She get's this house, your money, even your share of The Club. What have we not covered for her? She will be in pain for awhile but she can handle herself. She is as smart as she is beautiful".
Matt shook his head as much as he could, lying there on the pillows. "She needs instruction. She needs guidance. Someone to take up her leash." Webb's eyes widened at Matt's words. "But I'm......I'm not the Domme for her!" Webb exclaimed. "She respects me as much as any of the Elders, except you! But she and I have no connection. There is nothing but dead air between us. You know this, you Wombat."
This time it was Matt's turn to laugh. He carried on for a few seconds before it turned into a slight cough. Shaking his head again at the offer of glass of water, Matt continued. "I wasn't thinking of you, Cynthia. There is someone else who should take my place as Silvia's lead. Someone I can trust with her. Someone who I have done wrong and hope they can forgive me enough to take up this task".
Webb let go of Matt's and leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. Then she simply stated "Sarah."
Matt closed his eyes and nodded.
For awhile Matt was motionless. His breathing shallowed. Webb wondered if he had fallen asleep when Matt popped his eyes open and asked her to get some paper and a pen from the desk. She retrieved the needed articles as well as a large book for Matt to write on. Holding the book steady, Webb watched as Matt wrote a few lines on the paper and then folded it as carefully as he could.
"Please give this to Silvia at my service. Not before. And tell her.....I'm sorry. But it is better this way."
With that, Matt leaned back in the pillows and shut his eyes for the final time.
