by Philip Read
“I suppose you will expect to be well compensated for these services?” The princess asks patronisingly, finding familiarity and comfort in demeaning me but I can see her nervous lust under the façade.
“The queen mother has made a generous donation to the coffers of the temple, so no your Highness. I am simply a servant of the Brothel that is to act as part of your retinue for the two ten-days you are to be conducting negotiations for establishing permanent diplomatic ties with the leadership of Tiba.”
She is instantly alert at my words and in her comfort zone, a princess known for her sharp political and strategic mind but almost hopeless with anything else. Including males in general and sexuality specifically, thus her mother requested she be ‘assisted’ in her duties by a member of the Brothel who will help make the relevant introductions.
“What do you know of my mission here to Tiba, surely a man of your profession will not know of things beyond the bedroom. Do not presume to speak to me of things beyond your station.” She says seriously and I can feel that the two fully armoured guards at her back are getting ready to teach me my place.
I bow at the waist to appease her delicate sensibilities. “Of course your Highness, I am but a humble servant in service of a cause greater than himself and wish to be of great use to furthering your endeavours any way I am qualified to do so.” I remain bowed and this seems to appease her some of she enjoys what she considers leaving me to stew in an uncomfortable position.
“Very well, I will partake of your services but only because the Queen Mother has so recommended and paid a steep price for your services I’m sure. Knowing the way the churches like to run thing you are most likely a spy or an assassin as well so I wish only to have you in my presence when you are called for.
“Now leave, you will be escorted to my private chambers where you will await my pleasure. I’ve heard great and vile things of this Brothel temple of yours, I hope I am not disappointed.” She whispers close to my ear, a light sheen of sweat visible on her upper lip from this close.
She is very nervous and embarrassed to be dealing with me in the presence of her peers, servants and guards. She would have preferred I be a guilty pleasure secret she partook in without anyone from home being the wiser. She also feels guilty for her sexual urges due to the upbringing influenced by the White Church Of Purity.
Had I been a secret though I could have later been used against her, I could have been blackmail material for her mother’s enemies to use. Now she is being a true diplomat, not taking for granted or being rude enough to disrespect the culture and ways of her host nation by refusing what they all partake in.
The nation of Atopia is still independent enough from the church that though her open association with one of my elk will raise a few eyebrows and be frowned upon by some. It can easily be shrugged of as the business of state, not church which has been pushing to have more authority over state matters.
“As her Highness commands.” I say and walk smoothly to the door where a pretty servant with a concealed dagger is already waiting to escort me.
I watch the entire room with my dimensional awareness and I notice a few interesting reactions from individuals thinking they aren’t being observed. It’s the relief that the princess seems to display for just a moment before schooling herself that convinces me the spoilt princess act is as exhausting to her as it seems.
Mavrin may have had been right when he pointed out how difficult it was to service princesses. Giving them the sexual release necessary whilst also maintaining their mental health and the health of their egos through the whole process.
* *
Princess Erena finally deigns to come to her apartments but she is accompanied by her two companions who also work under her in some capacity. The woman is nervous in my presence and though she finds me attractive it’s in a shallow way that only triggers her lust for what she assumes is a pretty face and a big cock.
There is no further attraction, nothing that a person of her personality would find valuable long term and thus just giving her good sex would not satisfy the point of the Queen requesting the Brothel as opposed to any other establishment that has men with magic penises. This woman is definitely a sapiosexual and so I join the small talk the women are having.
Not particularly paying any attention to her or even deferring to her I intellectually oppose some of the points she makes, eloquently giving them a different perspective on an issue to the surprise of all three of the women present and the maid serving the win I notice. The one with the mostly concealed daggers.
“Is that your stance on the issue of why the church keeps pushing for more influence in my home nation?” She asks directly and I smile at her frustration.
“No your Highness, that is not my stance at all but I am simply giving an opposing view in order to assist in portraying a different perspective of the situation. I hope I have not overstepped myself again but I feel I would be remise to not assist you in the full capacity the Queen likely intended for me to be useful.”
The two women are looking at me like I’ve grown an extra nose as the princess ferrows her brow in apparent indecision and annoyance. She is so young, too young to have such worries placed on her shoulders. Worries that affect an entire nation of more than 2 million people,primarily human people and their future.
“Please go on.” She finally says and one of the two women Arlena actually sighs as her shoulders relax.
“As a acolyte of a faith myself I have dealt with many zealots of various cults and somewhat understand their mentality. A zealot will always feel like their god or goddess is entitled to more than they are currently getting and it should be worse in Atopia since the nation itself was assisted by the church in its rise to prominence in the international stage.”
Even as I see her argument coming on I push past it quickly to get my across. “You cannot deny the power of faith Highness in this world where power shouts so loudly. Though the White Church may not be primarily one of arms they have a warrior sect that could be very dangerous if it is ever directed towards the state.” I say and she clamps her mouth quickly.
I am definitely voicing an argument she has already had or a thought she herself has been dreading a while. “But besides that the healing and peace garnered from being dedicated to the White Goddess is legendary amongst the circles of the destitute and down trodden.
“It is no wonder that the church keeps growing and seems to be looking to actually run the people’s lives and not just their hearts. And that’s were the danger primarily lies because spirits as I’ve come to know them are not as pure and benevolent as they try to seem even the ones associated with purity and benevolence.
“The White goddess will likely take worship where it comes unless it actually becomes anathema to the Aspect and Law she has chosen for herself. There are numerous examples of this happening in many other cults that branched out to activities that seemed unwholesome or evil but were expedient for providing their deity the power they garner from worshing.
“The god hunters came to prominence for such reasons and disregard of spirits for life and the sustainable future of our worlds.”
“The godhunters are a myth.” Arlena says quickly and the other women nod to her statement with a self convinced surerity.
“Is that what the White Church has told you of one of the few bodies that curtail the appetites of the faith, that they don’t really exist?” I ask with a raised eyebrow and I let them stew on that for a moment. I let even these ‘liberal’ Atopians realise that they have been influenced by the propaganda of the church so deeply that they think the thoughts originate from within themselves.
“Besides the fact that the church has warriors, with the war in Argenta the population of Atopia is likely to double in the next 10 year from refugees and exiles fleeing or being displaced by the fighting. They won’t all go to Atopia of course but with the reputation the church has so many will flee there that it won’t matter.
“And the state will not be able to absorb all those people so again the church will step in and provide shelter and food. The coffers of the White Church are said to even contain Stela coins from Atrium an ocean and a continent away.”
“What would you suggest to help save my nation from cannibalising itself Mr…. I’m sorry I’ve been a poor host. What is your name again?”
Now I’ve got her, she sees me no longer as a servant for her pleasure but as an adviser or even a prominent person that she needs to have on her side in the many trials she has to overcome to safe the future of her people. A potentially useful ally, and that perspective is important.
“Sachihiro, Sachihiro van Damage and I’m afraid I have to retire for the night highness I have had a very busy day. But we have two ten-days together and I’m sure we will keep each other up with such discussions at all hours of the night and day.” I stand and bow to her respectful before standing to face the maid.
“I place myself in your care lovely lady in finding appropriate lodging for the duration of my stay in her Highness’s retinue.” I say to the servant trying hard not to grin at me.
She looks at her mistress who nods and I’m led off to an almost adjacent set of rooms that clearly weren’t prepared for anyone’s occupation. “I will get a chamber maid to prepare this room in a moment.” She says and is off.
That’s a mission accomplished I think with a sigh and fall into the sofa by the unlit fireplace. I’ve seduced her with intelligence, now to get her into bed and free from her burdens, I don’t say this to myself enough but I really like my job.
Chapter 119
Sachihiro
I’m in beautifully tailored court garb, or at least what the rest of Erena’s retinue are wearing so I am not out of place. But I also have a sword on my hip which most of her countrymen don’t, I have on a cape I liked from the Brothel dressers that frames my shoulders nicely. But also acting as a wind breaker as we travel through the desert to the other side of the mountain.
My horse has been provided by the princess and I have a ‘prominent’ place at the shoulder of her carriage. We are heading to one of the Hidden Palaces of the Order, one that deals primarily with sorcery and the occult. A sort of counterpart to the Spiritus of the Conclave.
The meeting is very important because without the aid of other powerful spiritists Atopia will not retained it’s independence from the church. Nothing else is as effective at dealing with spirit as spirit itself, and if they can’t negotiate in good faith with the Faithful. Then they will find a way to negotiate with the deity itself.
Not something that can be safety done in many places, not something that can be done without the aid of powerful sorcerers. Not something that can be done anywhere the cults have influence for fear of reprisals. I must applaud the queen of Atopia for even thinking of doing things this way, very unorthodox.
If the White Church has spies here they won’t likely know what’s going on until it’s already done. Unless one of these ‘noble retainers’ snitched. I have met thousands of new people whilst I’ve been in Tiba and I’ve made hundreds of lasting relationship with people of many fields. I have spoken to many on various different topics and some in the know of the gossip of the Orders themselves.
I have gotten myself placed in Erena’s retinue as the acolyte that services her because I suspected from my own research where her eventual goal would lead her. The Order of Sorcery is not someplace I could have walted into without an invitation at my own leisure.
This way though no one will barely give me a passing glance, for I am nothing but a ‘whore’ that can heal sexually using the blessing of the goddess Erotica. Nothing else, though that I’m also a warrior is not something I can hide from anyone with eyes to see. Not like Nilsa, Erena’s servant who doesn’t even walk like she is a warrior yet the frequency at which she vibrates to my awareness clear to me to see past her amazing façade.
We reach the large dark cave entrance as the wind picks up, blowing sand all around us. The horses snorting and shaking their heads to clear it from eyes and nostrils. The desert sun is always scorching hot, always. But within the mountain where the city is build one can forget how hot it actually is out here.
The two guards that were sent forward return at a trot, one reporting to the head guard the other going straight to the carriage window. He whispers something to the princess and the procession again continues forward into the cave created by the large rock outcrop in the desert.
I feel the moisture in the air as soon as I’m in the shadow of the cave. Though the surface of Tiba is dry sandy and rocky desert, there is so much water under the surface. There are spirit wards that shine to my senses carved into the rock I notice as we enter, which makes sense considering where we are.
The horse beneath me visibly relaxes and I’d dare say sighs as we slowly move forward in the now shaded and humid cave. A cave that is actually a passageway I notice with pillars and reinforcing with enchanted stone, something I’ve seen plenty of before.
We pass a sort of guard station where two of Erena’s guards remain with the guards here and we move forward through the widening sloping tunnel until we reach a set of huge double doors guarded by some sort of spirit possessed stone golems.
The doors open with a click and a hiss and I’m surprised and how thick they are, how easily the move and how strongly warded they must be because as they open I start to feel things I wasn’t aware of before on the spiritual coming from the other side. Most alarming of which is a summoned creature bond similar to the one I have with Katya.
One of Albert’s summoned creatures is in this place somewhere and it also now knows I’m here as well. I’m worried, my heart is racing as we get off our horses and walk them through the gate slowly taking everything in. Albert was a pervert and a pedophile but also very clever.
He could easily have had many different types of summoned spirits merged within people. In fact I’m betting on it and I seriously doubt whoever is in here has the meek harmless spirit within Katya that only keeps her healing and in good health.
This one could be malevolent, this one could be within a dangerous being, this one could be in an agent he used to gather information for himself. This one could draw unnecessary attention towards me but there is no use in speculating until I know what’s what.
*
We are given a short tour of the public areas of the Palace grounds before being placed in a waiting room. I’m mostly at the back as the only one of these well dressed peacocks to be wearing a weapon. Razor looks exotic and efficient on my waist I’m sure, but already some of these fools thing I’m a war wearing a prop to act like the warrior the Brothel wants to dress me as.
A number of men and women from the Princess’s retinue have tried to approach me discretely on several occasions to find out how to acquire my services for themselves. There is a person for everyone that the Brothel but I’m not one of the acolytes that occasionally service men along with women. Sexual preferences are respected and no priest or acolyte is force to adopt to a sexual orientation they aren’t comfortable with.
I get comfortable at the back with my attention at the edges of my awareness waiting for the summon possessed being to eventually show itself. But it’s still not moving so I assume the being is preoccupied or otherwise in captivity so my cover is still safe.
A cover that has actually become my life as I really am an acolyte of the Brothel now, mission or no mission. I am what I was to pretend to be and it’s also a duty I’ve learnt to enjoy. The introductions are made as fou of the ‘Brothers’ meet Erena’s refreshments and tea are served, the pleasantries.
I take my own and nibble politely keeping quiet and staying back, watchful. Erena’s is very nervous as previous she is used to negotiating from a position of strength. She is used yo being the princess admonishing the nobles, or an emissary of Atopia her poorer less organised neighbours.
This is a first for her but the que I was waiting for comes and a s
elect few of the princess and her retinue elect to negotiate on a more private setting with reduced numbers. I’m hoping to slip away now when the princess and her best advisors leave to go negotiate with the sorcerers. I will see how far I get in looking for circle members and Joseph.
But my plans are disrupted when Nilsa, Princess Erena’s servant indicates that my presence is needed in the other room with the other advisers. I can’t have made that good of an impression in a single night of talking surely, but I follow and I see one of her five advisors barred from entering the side door by one of her guards as I walk past.
So she doesn’t trust that one but was sneaky enough to pretend otherwise until the last minutes so he wouldn’t be able to sneak another spy inside with her. “I bet you advised her to let him feel secure until the last moment.” I send to Nilsa we misses a step at my mental communication.
She doesn’t say anything though but I can feel her trying to examine me, trying to look deeper within me as she walks behind me. She didn’t feel that I was an Awakened, nobody does these days who isn’t more powerful than I am as I have mastered the cloaking skill Entril taught me. I have not being able to practice martial skills in a way that improves them but I have been able to maintain my level of skill. Only my tracking, building and other craft skills getting rusty on the wayside with my focus on being an acolyte and a spy my primary focuses these many months.
But I have had a lot of time to meditate still, on a daily basis in fact when I should be in prayer. My chakra is about ready for being released the way Ava does with the power of Intent, Will, and Image behind them. I have wanted to learn as many chakra releases as is humanly possible but only a few are generic, able to be learnt by everyone.
The rest are specific and specialised to each person and their natural affinities and abilities. There are only two of the 316 releases taught to me to practice I have been able to learn, or I should say my chakra has been able to take the shape of. My bodily skills have been mostly stagnant for years now but the skills needing mental exercises, spirit body exercises, imagine exercises, chakra exercises have never been more sharply honed within me.
