“Ascension is difficult to reach and rarely used among common gem holders,” said Cadrian. “And oftentimes, those who use it freely tend to suffer from disorders of the mind. They get stuck in whatever the predominant emotion of their gemstone is, and start to lose touch with reality.”
The more Hal considered her words, the more chilling he found them. His heartgem had always seemed like an invaluable tool with potential waiting for him to unlock. It was sobering to recognize that the magic had a dark side to it, one that he’d need to stay aware of in the future.
“Is there anything I can do?” asked Hal. “A way of training myself to… withstand these effects?”
Cadrian furrowed her bow, her hazel eyes taking on a sage like quality as she considered her words.
“For now, no,” she said. “You need rest. And especially to avoid passionate stimuli for the next couple of hours. You should be back to normal by tomorrow, if you manage to keep your cool.”
“Are you still tending to your business in Meldence?” asked Hal. “You found time to come to another one of my fights. Can you find time for us to have a training session?”
The request came out with more hope in his tone than he’d intended. Hal missed Cadrian. He was beginning to feel like the easy rapport of master and apprentice that they’d built through their training sessions in Fool’s Valley was slowly being lost.
“Perhaps,” said Cadrian. “I have much to tend to today, but we shall see.”
She put her hand on Hal’s shoulder, the slightest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Then, she left, nodding to both Hal and Laurel and departing with no further words.
“She’s so mysterious sometimes,” said Laurel.
Hal nodded slowly.
“Not mysterious,” said Hal. “Guarded. It’s like she’s afraid to let anyone get too close.”
Laurel stepped in closer to him, the joy on her face evident and infectious.
“Come on,” she said. “You shouldn’t let the fact that she’s busy dampen your spirits. Let’s head back to the guest lodge to relax for a bit, and then enjoy Meldence for the afternoon. You deserve a reward for your amazing performance!”
She grinned at him, her dimples pushing out from her cheeks. Hal chuckled, taking her hand into his without really thinking about it as they walked back toward the city. Overhead, the clouds parted, the sun finally deciding to make its appearance.
The door was open when they reached the guest lodge. Laurel realized what it meant before Hal did, rushing inside and checking all of the rooms anxiously. Hal frowned, wondering if he’d left the door partially open when he’d left, or if perhaps Zoria had stopped by and forgotten to close it.
“He isn’t here!” said Laurel. “We have to look for him!”
Hal frowned, only following her train of thought after a second or two.
“Karnas,” he said. “Oh. Oh!”
Their baby dragon was loose in the city. Hal hurried back outside, heading off in one direction while Laurel went in another. He swore under his breath, annoyed that the creature had taken off on a whim, like a dog stuck inside for too long.
There wasn’t much else he could do other than keep his eyes peeled and hope. Asking anyone if they’d seen a small dragon run by would only give him a reputation for madness and probably endanger Karnas as well. Hal pushed by a crowd of noblemen who were taking up the center street, and suddenly saw something dart across the top of his vision.
There.
Karnas was in the air, flapping his wings a few dozen feet over the rooftops of the nearby buildings. Hal recognized him instantly, but only because he knew to look for him. If he hadn’t known any better, he would have mistaken the baby dragon for a large, confused bat.
His mind certainly wouldn’t jump to thinking that it was a mythical creature, which explained why few else out on the street had taken much notice of him. Karnas had managed to get the tiny shirt Laurel had put on him off, and had a surprisingly large wing span for such a tiny creature.
Hal hurried after him, following through alleys to keep the flapping cur in sight. Karnas still seemed to be unsteady on his wings, occasionally dipping in odd ways as he caught the wind wrong. He drifted a little lower, circling once over one of the city’s crowded market wards, and then swooped down and through an open window.
Hal found the entrance to the building Karnas had disappeared within and hurried inside, heedless of the circumstances he might be rushing into. He was immediately greeted by the smell of perfume and sweat, only then realizing that he’d stumbled into a brothel during working hours.
“Hello there,” said an attractive, older woman who sat behind a polished wood counter. “Are you looking for someone?”
“Uh…” Hal scratched his head. There were several women dressed in extremely skimpy clothing, silk wrappings that put up the barest pretense of covering their breasts and hips.
“It’s all right, young man,” said the woman behind the counter, with a smile. “There’s a first time for everything. I can introduce you to a few of the girls that are available, if you’d like?”
Hal opened his mouth to attempt to explain his real reasons for entering the brothel. One of the scantily clad women pushed up against him before he could, triggering a confusing rush of emotions. Hot lust mixed with intense arousal, and he heard a faint echo of Cadrian’s advice in the back of his head.
Avoid passionate stimuli for the next couple of hours.
“I think you’ve tongue tied him, Gia,” said the woman behind the counter. “Why don’t you show him to one of the rooms upstairs?”
“You… don’t understand,” said Hal, fighting to keep control of himself.
“You can explain it to me upstairs,” said the girl embracing him from the side. “I’m a very good listener.”
Her hand ran across Hal’s chest, and then down toward his crotch. He felt himself hardening before her fingers had even brushed across his package. Never in his life had he ever wanted a woman more than he did at that moment. He reached up, trying to push her away and disentangle himself. He grabbed one of her large breasts instead, his hands refusing to obey his will.
Several things happened in quick succession. The door to the brothel opened, and Laurel walked inside. She saw Hal, and her eyes narrowed into an intense glare. A scream came from somewhere above before Hal could explain himself, and Karnas hurtled down the stairs, still in flight, but banging off the walls and bungling his movements.
Laurel surged forward, pushing Hal and his new friend aside and catching Karnas in her arms. The dragon let out an excited mewl and nuzzled his head between her breasts. Hal lifted a hand and pointed at Laurel and the dragon, as though that should have been enough to explain everything.
“Excuse us,” said Laurel. She grabbed Hal by the shirt scruff and pulled him across the room, much to the dismay of the courtesan who’d been seducing him.
“I can explain,” said Hal, as soon as he’d found his tongue again.
“You don’t have to,” said Laurel. “I suppose it makes sense. Given the methods you already use to fill your heartgem, a brothel seems like a natural fit for you.”
“I was only in there to find Karnas,” countered Hal.
“And did you suspect that he might have stuffed himself into the courtesan’s shirt, in place of her breasts?”
Hal scowled, feeling suitably chastened. Laurel rolled her eyes at him, clearly enjoying watching him squirm more than feeling any genuine anger.
CHAPTER 26
After apologizing numerous times and allowing a few interested courtesans to pet and hold Karnas, they were on their way back to the guest lodge. Hal wondered a little about what Laurel had said. Would it make sense to him, money allowing, to just go to the brothel each time he needed to fill his heartgem?
No. It wouldn’t work, long term.
Cadrian had once explained to him that ruby essence fed of the heat of passion, an emotion which couldn’t be forced
like that. It was why another person was required, and Hal couldn’t just top his gem off by giving himself some attention. He figured that the same principal would apply to an encounter with a courtesan, unless whoever was on the other end of the transaction really got into it.
Yua had returned to the guest lodge after her weekend off, and immediately handed Laurel a small envelope as soon as they entered.
“What’s this?” she asked.
“A noblewoman came to drop it off,” said Yua. “An invitation, I believe.”
Laurel raised an eyebrow and opened it.
“It’s to a wine tasting at the Red Cask,” she said. “And… it’s addressed to both of us.”
She frowned and looked at Hal. Hal shrugged, holding his hands palm up.
“Is that weird?” he asked. “I mean, I’m your ‘bodyguard’. Maybe they’re just being inclusive.”
“It’s extremely weird,” said Laurel. “They aren’t inviting you as my bodyguard. They’re inviting you as ‘Justice Halrin’, the arena underdog.”
“Justice Halrin…” He shook his head, trying to keep a grin from spreading across his face. “It does have a certain ring to it, you have to admit.”
“Yua, can you help this oaf get ready?” asked Laurel. “I’m concerned what he’ll pick to wear if he tries it himself.”
“Certainly, Lady Laurel,” said Yua.
A few hours later, Hal and Laurel were ready to leave. Hal had on a fancy blue tunic and black trousers, both of which he assumed had once belonged to Laurel’s brother. Laurel wore a long gown of grey and blue that was cut from thin fabric and hung tight on her frame.
The sun was setting as they made their way through the streets of Meldence. It was the first time Hal had been through the market ward near the start of evening, and he was a little surprised by what he saw.
Commoners, peasants, and merchants alike seemed to be in a rush to pack up whatever supplies they’d brought to the market with them and get inside. Hal saw fear on more than a few people’s faces. When he considered the husk attack that had almost gotten him and Laurel killed, their reactions made sense.
“The city isn’t in a good place right now,” said Laurel. “I can only hope Maxim Cedric has a plan to calm the worries of these people.”
“I think that’s what the Harvest Tournament’s prize is for,” said Hal. “Though, I’m not sure if it’s having its intended effect as a recruitment drive.”
Laurel slowed as they approached the Red Cask, the wine bar in which the testing was taking place. She had a small hand mirror with her, and stopped to examine her face. Or more specifically, her scar.
Hal frowned, finding it hard to watch her fussing over herself and giving into insecurity over something that was, at least in his eyes, so superficial.
“You don’t have anything to worry about, you know,” said Hal. “Anyone who would judge you over it isn’t worth your time, Laurel.”
She smiled, but there was no heart in the expression.
“I’m not so sure about that,” she said. “Appearance matters in Meldence, whether it should, or not. I’m in a rough spot right now, Hal. I have to do the best I can, even if it means doing things I don’t want to do.”
Hal shook his head, putting a hand on her shoulder.
“But what can you do about a scar, Laurel?” he asked. “Other than wait for it to heal?”
She didn’t answer him.
They found the Red Cask by the sounds coming from within as much as from the sign out front. It was a long, rectangular, wooden building, and the entrance hallway ran in between two rows of wine casks stacked to the ceiling.
A servant led Hal and Laurel into the tasting hall, where several dozen members of Meldence’s noble court were well along their way to getting drunk rom wine served in massive goblets. Several of them turned their attention in the direction of the new arrivals, most notably Precia, Laurel’s old friend.
“You made it!” said Precia, grinning as she hurried over. “And you brought the mighty Hal with you!”
Precia clasped hands with Laurel, and then turned almost her full attention to Hal. He felt uncomfortable as her eyes ran over him, sizing him up like a horse at auction.
“I cannot tell you how impressed I was by your fight against Maniac,” said Precia. “A gem mage as a bodyguard? Laurel, you are just full of surprises!”
“Uh, yeah, ha ha,” said Laurel.
“Is that the fellow everyone has been talking about?” Another noble blundered his way into their conversation, pushing a goblet of wine into Hal’s hand as he shook it. “My good man, let us talk, you and I! I’m in need of a bodyguard myself, and I promise you, I can make it worth your while!”
Hal frowned.
“Yeah, I don’t think my current employer would really approve,” he said. He looked over at Laurel, or rather, the space where she’d been standing. She’d slipped off toward the serving table, apparently interested in catching up to the others in inebriation.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Donius,” said Precia. “Halrin is devoted to his Lady Laurel. And if he weren’t, I’m sure he’d favor someone who he has at least already met in passing over a random bid.”
“So, you admit that we are placing bids on him?” asked Donius. “At least you’re being honest and forthright for once, Precia!”
Hal tuned out of the conversation, drinking his wine and tasting the surprising potency of it. He’d lost sight of Laurel, and as he started toward where he’d last seen her, another noblewoman swooped in to command his attention.
Three goblets of wine later, Hal was still politely refusing the offers made by the nobles. And not all of them had been offers of employment. A chubby, dark haired woman had asked Hal if he’d help her find something in the room she’d rented upstairs, making her intention clear with an exaggerated wink.
The experience did little to bolster his view of the frivolous, superficial nature of the Meldence court. They were treating him like a curiosity, or rather, like a commodity. He was talented when it came to gem magic, and had advanced a moderate distance into the tournament, so now he was worth their time and attention.
What of the commoners in the street tonight, terrified for their lives and facing real threats? Do any of these nobles even see them?
Hal finally spotted Laurel across the crowd in the corner of the room. He excused himself from the nobles and started toward her, only noticing that she wasn’t alone after the first few steps. Lord Teymus was standing next to her, closer than he should have been. Lord Teymus had his hand on her waist, or… not her waist, Hal realized. Her butt.
A rush of confusing emotions hit him in a wave, straightening out into hot anger as he noticed the frown and embarrassment on Laurel’s face. Hal forced himself to move slowly, not wanting to draw attention to the groping if he didn’t have to, and approached the two of them with a set jaw.
“Lord Teymus,” said Hal. He shouldered his way in between Teymus and Laurel, being casual enough about it to avoid making a scene while still separating them. “I think the lady needs some space to herself.”
“Hal…” said Laurel. “Please. It’s okay.”
She kept her gaze on the floor, and her cheeks reddened even further.
“You heard your master,” said Lord Teymus. “Lady Laurel and I were speaking. Why don’t you go sharpen your sword, or something?”
“Laurel,” said Hal. “What’s going on here?”
Laurel still wouldn’t look at him. Hal felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, along with an unwanted, burning realization.
“We were having a conversation,” said Lord Teymus. “Similar to the one we had last night. Lady Laurel was worried about how you might react.”
“Laurel…” Hal shook his head. “What?”
“It’s complicated, Hal,” she whispered. “I… I didn’t–”
“We came to an understanding, as people do,” said Lord Teymus. “Laurel agreed to be more responsive to my gracious atte
ntion, in exchange for me relaxing my pursuit of her quaint little homestead. Isn’t that right, Laurel?”
Laurel bit her bottom lip and finally looked at Hal. She looked more ashamed than he’d ever seen her before, and tears crested on the corners of her eyes. Seeing her like that had a strange effect on Hal. He felt numb, unable to think, unable to summon a reaction that fit the situation appropriately.
“We sealed the deal with a kiss,” said Lord Teymus. “She has such sweet lips. And tonight, I’ll be tasting that and so, so much more.”
Hal felt himself snap back to the moment. The numbness vanished, replaced with a burning, wild rage. He saw red, and before he knew what he was doing, his fist was in motion. He hit Lord Teymus square in the jaw, his knuckles connecting with teeth and bone under skin.
“Hal!” Laurel grabbed his arm and pulled him back. The entire room was looking at him. Hal turned to face them and still saw everything in shades of red. He realized, with a start, that he’d accidentally slipped into a Ruby Trance. He could feel the temptation of his magic, urging him to continue with his assault, to give Lord Teymus a taste of what he really deserved.
I need to get out of here. I can’t control myself when I’m like this…
He pulled away from Laurel, not wanting to be around her or anyone else, and hurried out into the night.
CHAPTER 27
Hal didn’t make it far before he heard the sound of Laurel’s voice calling after him. He took a deep breath, letting himself relax, colors returning to normal as he left the Ruby Trance.
Tears were streaming down Laurel’s face. The ones that found their way to her scar ran over it, like runoff water reaching a river. She walked toward him slowly, looking to the side as she drew in close.
“Hal…” she said. “Please. Just let me explain.”
Hal sighed, forcing himself to examine the situation from a calmer perspective.
“You don’t have to explain anything,” he said, feeling his heart break a little as he said the words. “Laurel… I get it. I know how much the homestead means to you.”
Harvest Tournament (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 2) Page 15
