by Aaron Crash
She exhaled her relief. “Thank goodness you understand. I’m nervous about us talking. I’ve put this off, but I can’t, not any longer. Your life was in danger. I know that.”
Suddenly, this little meeting had taken a dark turn. He was on his guard. He’d lie and pretend he had no idea what she was talking about. Lying was the main strategy in the games these southerners played. “Yes, the merfolk are dangerous. That battle could’ve gone either way.”
“I don’t mean that,” the professor said carefully. “I know about the assassin sent to murder you. I thought she was from the Silent Scream, but now, I believe, she was from another organization that wants you dead.”
Ymir didn’t answer right away. She was talking about Hayleesia Heenn, using the singular and the female pronoun. “My life has been in danger,” he agreed. “But I believe the worst is behind me. I’ve been very careful, and I’ve learned to control my magic well, and that includes Flow magic.”
Linny glanced around. “I am afraid. Can I be honest with you, Ymir?”
“I don’t think you can lie very well. So please.”
She swallowed as if her mouth was very dry. “I have consulted the spirits, the orishas, and they are watching. You mustn’t tell anyone, but my interest in demonology isn’t exactly academic, though I am careful. I have to be. I think you need to be careful as well when it comes to the darker forces in the world.”
“There are many things on the Stair that would destroy us.” Ymir used language the strange professor would appreciate.
“Yes, the Stair, which leads to all worlds everywhere. Yes.” Her dark brown eyes glittered. “That is what I think. Some of those worlds have demons, others have angels, still other heroes. The orishas of our world are helpful, I think, and they want you to continue your work on the Akkiric Rings. They’ve told me that. They requested I give you this book.” She slid it over to him.
The cover was leather with iron bindings. On it was a single word in ancient Theranus.
He nodded. “Circulum. I know this book from the Keez Forta Index. There is no known author, and some believe it was transcribed by a madman before he was killed by the very demons he summoned. You didn’t get this from the Illuminates Spire, did you?”
The woman shook her head, making her curls dance. “No, never. I would never steal a book from there, though I now have access because I’m a Studia Dux. This is a copy from friends of mine.” She paused. “We call ourselves the White Rose Society. We want to make the world better, Ymir. And we want to help you.”
Ymir nodded to show he was listening, but he didn’t reply.
The professor again glanced around. “If you need me, if you need help with your special projects, please come and see me. I have resources. I have knowledge. And again, I’m careful. Dealing with the orishas is difficult because they are not human. They have strange ways about them, though I don’t believe they want to do us harm. I think they merely want to be helpful.”
Ymir kept a wry smile off his face. Here was another secret organization who was interested in him, and they seemed to be in exact opposition to the Midnight Guild. Could he trust them? Never. Could he use them? Yes. “Thank you, Professor Albatross. I told the Princept I wouldn’t make any more Akkiric Rings. I made this one, and that is all.” He showed her the Black Ice Ring. “I don’t suppose you know what it does.”
“Ringology isn’t my specialty,” she said. “I think you’ll know, in time, its nature. I don’t mean to catch you in a lie, but I know you have crafted the Veil Tear Ring. I saw Tori, I think, or at least her astral body. And I think you used it to undo Haylee. To think, she was my friend. She would use the orishas for evil. I would never do that.”
Linny seemed as ardent as she was upset. If she was lying, she was lying well.
Ymir found himself trusting her.
The Moons professor stood. “Gatha is coming. I’ll go down the other stairs. Please, Ymir, keep our friendship secret. Keep your ring-crafting secret. Della is a good woman, but she doesn’t understand the forces at work. We of the White Rose Society do.”
The woman left, hurrying away.
Not a minute later, Gatha came up the steps. She sat down, noticed the book, and snapped out her tusks in anger. “Where did you get that book? Have you been accessing the shelves on your own again? You know that’s not fucking allowed.”
Ymir did enjoy the she-orc’s fiery temper. “Don’t worry. It’s not one of yours. I’ll tell you and the others about it, but not here.”
Gatha relaxed and retracted her tusks. She stood, got on her knees in front of Ymir, and put her soft hands on either side of his face. She looked into his eyes.
They stayed like that for several minutes, looking into each other’s souls, and Ymir knew they didn’t need to talk. Gatha was telling him she loved him, in her strange orc way. He let his own eyes show her he loved her back, and that she would be safe with him and his harem.
“I’m no longer igptoor,” Gatha said firmly.
“You are no longer igptoor,” Ymir agreed.
And then he kissed her, tenderly, stroking her fine white hair.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
YMIR SET HIS SATCHEL, which contained the book Circulum, on the floor of the entryway to Jenny’s apartment. The balcony doors were open. Flames flickered in a firepit on the balcony.
Lillee stood in the living room with a hand on her hip, frowning. Forearm cuff in place, in her school robes, she looked as severe and unapproving as Issa Leel. “Tori, you have to stop this. You’re still healing.”
“Lil, I love ya, you know that, but you aren’t my ahmy. I’m fine. Really. I’d feel a whole lot worse if I wasn’t cooking.” The little woman was in a blue dress, frilly and lacy, but barefoot. Her boots and robes were in the entryway along with everyone else’s gear. It was a tight fit there. Tori had a number of pots burbling, and a big bird roasting on a spit in the fire. She was cooking a ton of food all by herself.
Gatha brushed past Ymir. “Tori, I will help you. In that way, you’ll rest quicker.”
The dwab threw her chubby hands over her head. “No, this is my treat. Gosh me underground, but you all are making me nervous. I’m fine! I hate the scars, though.”
The she-orc’s face was marked with lines of lighter-colored flesh. She motioned to them. “I am proud of my scars. I won them in battle. I killed many of those fucking fish people.”
Tori let out a yelp of protest. “They aren’t fish people. They’re just people like us, some good, and some bad. As we saw, that Marrib was definitely bad. And you’re a Gruul, Gatha. You like that scar stuff. I’m already saddled with these big tits, and now I have ugly scars as well.”
The she-orc came up behind the dwab and filled her hands with those breasts. Gatha kissed Tori’s ear. “I love your tits. I love your scars. I love you, Toriah Welldeep.”
Tori got so full of emotion she couldn’t help but turn around and kiss Gatha for real. Standing on her stool, she was a good height for a hug also. Lillee looked on with a certain thoughtful expression on her face. Her right hand fiddled with her essess.
Ymir glanced around. “Where’s Jenny?” Then he saw her, out on her balcony, sitting and watching the fire dance in the ocean wind.
The clansman went outside and pulled up a chair to sit next to her. She had a big glass of wine, half of it gone, and she was watching the flames with her striking blue eyes. Her hair was a midnight pile on her head, a few wisps hanging in her face, which she played with. He hadn’t seen her twirl her hair in a long time. She must be upset. At least she was comfortable—her white dress was loose on her, and she wasn’t wearing a brassiere. Her cleavage caught the light of the fire.
Ymir could guess why she was worried. “Jenny, we’ll keep this apartment. I’ll find the money. I think once we start working with the fairies, we’ll have plenty for both your tuition and your rent.”
She took his hand. “No, Ymir, it’s too expensive. I never thought I’d lose all my m
oney. I never thought I’d rebel against my family either. I’m just feeling it tonight. I shouldn’t, I know. I should be happy we’ll have this place for another few months. After that? We’ll just crowd in together in the sea cells. I’ll sleep on a bag of xoca powder.”
“We also have the Amora Annex,” he said. “I’ve been eyeing a drying rack that looks comfortable.”
Jenny found some laughter. “We have some options, I know. I’ll miss this place, though. I have so many memories here, mostly of you and Lillee.”
Gatha shouted something, and Tori laughed. Even Lillee giggled. The three women were loud and happy.
Jenny gave him a smile. “Y’all are my home in the end. I’m being dumb. I’m getting used to that, being around you. I thought I was the smartest person at this school until I met you. Nope. I’m dumb. D-U-M.”
“No, you’re perfect.” He leaned over and kissed her. “We’ll make other memories in other places, if it comes to that. I have news, though—about Ziziva, and about a secret ally that could help us make more rings.”
Jenny stuck out a tongue. “These rings sure are hit and miss. The Black Ice Ring does shit. The Veil Tear Ring is powerful beyond belief. As for the Yellow Scorch and the Winter Flame Rings? They’re like fucking cantrips.”
“Powerful cantrips,” Ymir pointed out.
The swamp woman rolled her eyes. “Whatever. Yes, you were able to charge up the Fractal Clock, but after next year, we’ll have access to the fascinara spells. That will allow us to enchant items.”
Ymir’s hand dropped to the little pouch on his belt where he kept the two new rings. For now, Tori kept the Veil Tear Ring. So far, Lillee still hadn’t tried to use it.
“We’re still learning about these things,” Ymir said. “I think there are more secrets we can unravel. We shall see. And if Tori can make alchemical treats for the hellhound, I believe anything is possible.”
“I heard my name!” Tori called. “And as for the hellhound, I’ve decided to name him Fluffy.”
“Woman!” Ymir roared good-naturedly. “He’s a beast from the abyss. You can’t name him Fluffy!”
“I can! I did! It’s done!” The dwab came out, wiping sweat from her brow. Her red hair was frizzy. “You two come and eat. I made us a roast bird with special gravy, so it won’t be dry, as well as some mashed corn, my own recipe, and stewed mushrooms, again, my own recipe. We’re eating like dwarves tonight!”
They went into the living room. The food was laid out on the table in front of the sofa. Two other chairs had been dragged over. Jenny had her own set of dishes and silverware. While they ate, Ymir told them about his conversation with Ziziva and his strange encounter with Linny.
For dessert, Tori brought out her xocalati puff corn balls. She’d cooked them up in the Amora Annex and was still working on her recipe. Ymir liked to eat them with kaif, strong and black. It was the perfect antidote for the bitter taste.
Jennybelle jumped on the various conspiracies in front of them. “No wonder the Fayee are so rich, and no wonder they hold so many positions of power in the Undergem Guild. If they can make you forget things, they could try different deals, and then gauge your reaction. Did I really have sex with Ziziva in the shower? I don’t remember a thing.”
“You did,” Ymir said.
Gatha’s tusks shot from her mouth. “If they try to hurt you, Ymir, if they try to hurt any of us, I will murder them all.”
Jenny frowned. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, green stuff. It sounds like Z and the rest of the fairies are willing to work with us. This is good. This would bring in a lot of money.”
“Enough to save this apartment?” Lillee asked. As an artist, money and numbers weren’t her strong suit.
The she-orc retracted her tusks and frowned. “Green stuff? Really?
“Sorry, G.” Jenny laughed. “As for this place, it’s really not worth the money. We have other options.”
“Like I could pay for everything,” Tori insisted. She brought them more of the puff corn balls. She poured more kaif and wine.
Ymir felt a knot of lust in his belly.
“No, we couldn’t make you do that.” Jenny adjusted her breasts. Her nipples were hard, and there was a blush rising up her chest. Sweat dribbled down her face.
“Make me? I’m offering,” the little woman said.
“You’re already paying too much,” Ymir said. “I’m keeping track. I’ll pay you back. I still have ideas for other products we could sell.” His eyes went to Tori’s chest.
Gatha was already staring at the little woman’s breasts. There was still so much about the she-orc’s past he didn’t know. What had happened to her friend Migdish? What was the full story of that dark day at the arena? What was her relationship with this Donnalg person?
He did know one thing about Gatha, though—she loved tits as much as he did.
Lillee slid the cuff off her forearm. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I can talk more until we fuck. I’m so horny suddenly. My oheesy is so wet. Maybe I could just masturbate while you talk.” Without her cuff on, Lillee was shameless. She gathered up her dress and spread her legs. Right there, on the couch, she started touching herself.
Jenny blinked. “I’m as randy as a dog in June as well. Tori, did you make those puff balls with the Amora Xoca?”
Tori smiled mischievously. “I like to work, and I like to plan, just like the next girl, but I’m liking this sex stuff more and more, now that I have some control over it. I figured you all would want to blather on about demons and magic rings, and I’m tired of all that. I hope you don’t mind. If you do? Well, it’s too late!”
Gatha dropped to her knees and pulled Tori over. The she-orc growled and buried her face between Tori’s breasts, her big nipples clearly visible.
Jenny’s eyes fell on Ymir. “We can worry about this White Rose Society later. And yes, you ain’t wrong about the money. If the new deal with The Paradise Tree should cover my bills, good. If not, we’ll figure it out. As for the rings, we’ve made four of them. We might as well keep going.”
Tori let out a gasp. “See? You people can’t stop. Let’s just get naked and screw.”
“Agreed. Less talking and more fucking.” Gatha rose, stripping even while she kissed the little woman. Her green breasts dangled from her chest.
Jennybelle stood and pulled Ymir into her bedroom. “Come on. I want you first before these other greedy bitches drain you.”
The clansman let himself be pulled in. Lillee came in first, flinging off her dress, her face shining with sweat.
Tori and Gatha followed, both as different as they could be—the dwab was red-haired and freckled and chubby while Gatha was tall, green, and muscled.
Ymir found himself on his back, with the women around him, kissing and touching him. Life at Old Ironbound wasn’t easy, not at all, and his life had been threatened at every turn.
Yet, he wouldn’t trade his life for anything. He was nearly halfway done with his formal education, and he’d begun to wonder what lay after graduation. Would he explore foreign lands? Would he seek empire? Would he conquer the Ax Tundra?
Or would he simply find a home for his growing harem of beautiful women and take care of them? He loved all four. And though they were all outcasts in their own way, they’d all found belonging and warmth with each other.
After hours of lovemaking, they all tried to sleep in the same bed, but soon gave up. There was no room. Gatha left first for the couch, growling and cursing.
Tori escaped next. She noticed Ymir still awake. She bent and whispered into his ear, “Monday night, it’s just you and me. We’ll stay in the Zoo. I love you, Ymir, son of Ymok. I love that I can have you all to myself every now and again.”
“As much as you want,” Ymir whispered back. “I love you too, Toriah Welldeep.”
They kissed sweetly, and the dwab left.
He heard her pull the two chairs together in the other room. She was short enough to make that work as a
bed.
Ymir had to admire the little woman. She was making his harem work for her by asking for what she needed, and by keeping her jealousy in check. Tori was a marvel. He was lucky to have her in his life.
He sighed and tried to sleep. Even with only Jenny and Lillee, Ymir got too hot in the cramped bed.
He went into the living room. He adjusted the blanket on Gatha, who slept on the couch. He brushed Tori’s red hair away from her face. His heart filled with love, looking at her adorable freckled face.
He then went outside to the balcony to enjoy the cool air. The embers of Jenny’s fire only needed a little coaxing to reignite. Flames licked from the last of her wood.
Leaning back in the chair, with his feet up, Ymir soon found sleep, next to the fire, under the stars above, with the two moons shining down.
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