Phaer recalled an old story from his homeland. “There once was young elf maid who lived on a farm. She lived alone, just hiring whatever help she needed. One day, a black dragon invaded her farm and threatened to eat her. However, the elf maid offered `Before you eat me, let me cook two of my best, fattest cows for you`. The dragon decided the fat cows looked a lot tastier than the skinny elf and he had always been fascinated by the way mortals cooked food, so he saw no harm in agreeing. He could always eat the elf tomorrow. The elf maid cooked just about every animal on her farm over the coming months, just to feed the dragon, so still the dragon did not attack her. So long as the elf kept his belly full, he decided, why waste the effort? This went on all through the summer and autumn, until a harsh winter blizzard came along. Then the black dragon decided to sleep out the storm in a nearby cave. The elf maid, seeing that he had slipped into hibernation, killed the dragon and sold the meat all over the village. All the losses she had made on the farm animals, she regained a hundred fold and became very rich.”
Toli clapped her hands and danced in appreciation. “Wow! What a great story! Do you tell a lot of stories like that where you come from? Where was it you said you were born?”
“I didn't,” Phaer replied. “Oh well,” Toli giggled. “That would explain why I couldn't remember, because I usually have a very good memory, you know.”
“Is that right?” the half-elf wondered, gently moving the hobbit's train of thought along, onto a different subject. “It's true! Sometimes I think if I try hard enough I could remember being born. Wouldn't that be something? I wonder what it felt like, I'd really love to know...Oh, hang on a minute - I think we're lost.”
She was right. Eilidh had got so caught up in what her friends were saying that she had lost track of the directions she was supposed to be following. Calandra and Phaer were no help - elves found it difficult to navigate human cities; they preferred to be out in the open.
“We'll just have to ask somebody,” Eilidh said. “I'll try in here. You might as well wait outside, I'll only be a minute.” She opened the first door on her left: a business of some kind, simply called `M Donna's`. When she stepped inside, she had a bit of a shock. There was a bar, at which were sat several young men and women - mostly humans, half-elves, and a couple of half-orcs - all of whom were practically undressed, apart from one striking older woman who was wearing a tight allin-one leather catsuit, bound loosely at the front to show off her ample bosom.
Trying not to blush, Eilidh addressed her. “Er, excuse me, my name's Eilidh, and, er—“
“Welcome, my dear, welcome!” the woman enthused in greeting, cutting her off. “I am Madam Donna, how may I be of service?”
“Oh, ah, well, you see, I'm new in town and I’m not quite sure where I am...”
“Why this is my adult entertainment centre!”
“I see!” Eilidh replied in a squeaky voice. Clearing her throat, she repeated, “I see. Well, as I was saying, erm,” she stumbled on, “I'm new in town and, well, I wonder if you could help me?”
“Of course,” Madam Donna replied, “I have a number young men in my employ who I’m sure would be perfect for you. Do you have a particular preference, or…?”
Eilidh laughed, uncomfortably. “No, you don’t understand, I’m not looking for…erm…men. What I wanted to ask was—“
Madam Donna cut her off, holding up a hand. “Oh, I'm sorry, my dear. Please, say no more. There’s no need to be embarrassed.”
“I’m not—“
“No reason you should be. I simply hadn't taken you for that type, but of course we can cater for your needs. I run a very progressive establishment.”
“Well, that’s good, but—“ The woman appeared determined not to let Eilidh get a word in edgeways. “Now, my dear, this is obviously your first time, so you're bound to be a little overwhelmed. Tell you what, why don't you let me pick out two or three of my best girls, let you meet them and you can choose which one like you'd like to spend time with - or more than one if you wish - I know some young women like you are quite into multiple partners these days. Goodness knows where you find the energy, but it’s good forbusiness so I’m not complaining!”
“Er, Madam Donna, I-”
“Don't worry, my dear!” the lady insisted. “I know you're nervous, but believe me there’s absolutely no need. Just wait there for a moment and I'll be right back.” She left Eilidh floundering. Part of her wanted to run from this place, but she didn't want to seem like an oversensitive, unworldly coward. Therefore she chose to stay - when Madam Donna returned, she would take control of the situation and explain the misunderstanding.
After a moment, the madam did return, a trio of young escorts with her. Eilidh lost the latest round of her battle for control. She couldn't stop her heart racing and it must have showed, as the girls mistook her shock and nervousness for enthusiasm and desire.
The fir st girl, a small blonde human who was barely twenty summers, said, “Hi, I'm Shelly. Listen, I've never done it with a lady client before, but I'd really love it if you could teach me tonight. I just know we'd have so much fun together. If you're nervous, I'm sure I'd be your best choice, because you can take control. We've got all night, so there's no rush - we can take our time. In fact that would make a nice change compared to my experiences with gentleman clients in my profession, if you know what I mean!”
“I-” was all Eilidh managed to get out, before she was confronted by a tall, broad, muscular half-ogre female. “Forget Shelly! You need a woman with strength and power who knows what she's doing. I'm Ulgara. Hurry up and choose me so we can get down to it. I'll make you scream for more and beg to crawl back to me night after night.”
Some detached part of Eilidh's mind decided that if she ever did want to sleep with a woman, whatever her type was, Ulgara was not it. The third girl - a tall, lean, pretty elf maid brunette - stepped forward then, laughing lightly. “Oh, Ulgara, you're so crude! Can't you see this is a woman of sensitivity, of refined tastes? Don't let these two put you off, sweetie, just come with me. My name's T'Pela. We can get to know each other a little first, if you like, so I'll know the special things that make you happy. Then I promise you, when you've enjoyed a night with an elf you'll never go back to human women again.”
Just as she was finishing her speech, the door opened behind Eilidh and her companions stepped inside. “A girl costs one hundred gold for one night,” Madam Donna explained. “Two at the discounted rate of just one seventy five. A little more expensive than some other establishments, I'll grant you, but I run a high-class service. For your first time, payment to me in full, in advance, is required. After that, we can discuss terms for an account and full membership, which comes with many financial discounts and other incentives for regular visits. Even the possibility of work opportunities, though we’d have to work on your image. Anyway, there's no need to rush your decision, but have you chosen which of my three lovely young ladies you wish to try tonight?”
The Catalyst suddenly realised how this must appear from her companions' perspectives and turned bright red, which only made matters worse. Calandra looked shocked, Toli looked fascinated and Phaer was just grinning all over his face.
“Eilidh Hagram! Well, well, well!” said the half -elf, making no attempt to stop laughing. “Now I know why you wanted us to wait outside! I never suspected for a minute, but you've blown your straightlaced, practical image now, girl!”
“You know something, Phaer? You're really nowhere near as funny as you think you are,” she said acidly. Undaunted, he shot back, “Hey, don't get mad just because I've found out your little secret! It doesn't bother me in the slightest. Whatever turns you on! If you want my advice, I'd go for the elf maid, she's gorgeous and I think you'd make a lovely couple.”
Eilidh just sort of growled, but she stopped when she realised T’Pela seemed to like it. “Truth be told,” Phaer added, cheekily, “I wouldn't mind sticking around for a session with T'Pela myself! I’ve got over f
ive hundred gold in my purse you know. What does a simple ranger like me need with that kind of money? But you should go first. I mean, after being cloistered in a church all your life, you're bound to have repressed desires. It's only natural to want to let them loose, so if this is something you want to do, go ahead, we can meet up with you later.”
Eilidh's eyes flashed. “Right now, Phaer,” she said through gritted teeth, “the only repressed desire I am close to letting loose, is my desire to stick you with my knife! I suggest you encourage me to keep it repressed by keeping your mouth shut.”
Phaer didn’t actually believe the knife threat, but judging by the way she was glaring at him or certain parts of him– Eilidh was just about ready to ruin his romantic chances for a while with just one swift kick. Still, the Catalyst had manipulated him into this rescue mission against his better judgement, so the half-elf felt justified in using this as payback. Besides, it was only a bit of fun. It was pretty obvious what had really happened here. For some reason, though, Eilidh seemed not to see the funny side. She was taking his words very personally and getting very angry. Had he touched some kind of nerve? What was she getting so worked up about?
“Hey, Eilidh, I'm just-” “Not a word,” Eilidh warned, eyes narrowed with genuine menace. “Not. One. Single. Word.” She would never admit it, but part of her was grateful to Phaer. Her anger had burned away her discomfort and hesitation. She was in control once more. Turning to the three girls for hire, Eilidh said, “I'm sorry, but with the greatest of respect, I'm afraid you're not what I'm looking for tonight. Madam Donna, we seem to have got caught up in a misunderstanding. When I asked if you could help me, I simply wished to ask for directions.”
“Directions?” “Yes, directions -of the outdoor navigation type,” she added hastily, before there could be any more misunderstanding. “As I said, I'm new here and I have business at a tavern called The Black Dragon's Claw. Could you possibly tellus the way?”
“Oh my dear!” Madam Donna brought her hand to her face. “I'm so sorry. I just assumed...I didn't stop to listen...my fault entirely. You have to understand, so many people come in here pretending to have lost their way and simply wandered in by mistake. It never occurred to me that for once that might be true. Please, forgive me, I hope I didn't offend you.”
“Not at all, I was just a little taken aback, that's all. As my half -elven friend here says, I have lived all my life in the lofty halls of the Church, so I haven't seen much of the world beyond. If it means anything, if I ever did desire services of this type, I'm sure I couldn't find a better establishment than this one.”
“Thank you, miss, you are very kind. I appreciate your understand ing. Now about those directions, I will give them gladly. In fact, I can give you something better.” She went to a drawer and pulled out a map of Avidon. “It's an advertising poster,” she explained. “This building is clearly marked, as are several other landmarks, including The Black Dragon's Claw. Is there any other way I can help you today?”
“I don't think so...Oh, unless you can tell me anything about somewhere called, the Great Fountain of Light.” The girls gasped and for a moment there was silence except for the sound of somebody somewhere dropping a glass. Madam Donna looked troubled and ushered the companions towards the exit. “Be careful who you talk to about that,” she warned in a low voice. “It could get you into serious trouble. That place is forbidden.”
“Can’t you just tell us where it is?” “I'm sorry, I dare not. My business relies on the good will of Avidon authorities. I cannot risk offending the Hand. You will have to ask elsewhere. Maybe you will find someone at the inn. Alcohol often makes people talkative. Now, please, you must go.” With that, she ushered them out.
“You’ve been most kind, Madam Donna. Thanks. Farewell.”
“Goodbye, Miss Hagram.”
The companions were back out in the street, when she called out again.
“Wait a minute! Eilidh Hagram? Don't I know that name from somewhere? Are you any relation to Ahlidh Hagram?”
Eilidh did not answer, but her companions noticed her quicken her pace, somewhat.
A little way down the road, Phaer said, “I'm sorry about what I said in there. I didn't mean anything by it.” “I know, just don't do it again.” “Are you OK, Eilidh?” Toli asked with genuine concern. “You seemed really troubled in there, I could see your pulse beating from across the room! We never actually thought you were really going to pay for -eryou know. You didn't think we thought that, did you? Not that I’d mind if you did want to, but I can't think how you could seriously have thought we were thinking that you did. But if you did think that we were thinking that you thought that we were thinking you were going to do it, I'm sorry we made you think so, but I don't think you did think that, did you? Wouldn’t have thought so...sorry, what was I saying?”
Eilidh smiled at her friend, but Calandra could see she wanted to be alone with her thoughts, so the cleric distracted Toli and gently guided her away to one side.
Phaer silently stepped closer to the Catalyst and asked softly, “So who's Ahlidh Hagram?” Eilidh’s face was a mask. “Tell you what, Phaer: you don't ask about my fami ly and I won't ask about yours.” She had noticed that the half-elf was never exactly forthcoming with details of his own background.
The ranger appreciated the sentiment, so he offered a half smile, inclined his head slightly and just agreed, “Fair enough.”
* * * * * It was a simple matter to follow the map to The Black Dragon's Claw, and they decided to settle down with a drink for a while before asking about this Fountain of Light place everyone seemed so frightened of. Inside, the inn was dark and seedy, which made Calandra in particular quite uncomfortable. The Revered Daughter's white robes stood out like a full moon in the midnight sky and she steeled herself against the dark stares and mutterings. The message was quite clear: she was not welcome here. As an elf and a cleric of Light, that was hardly surprising - it was hard to imagine anything more offensive to a city controlled by the Hand of Darkness.
Around one table, a group of the tavern’s customers and staff were gathered around an apparently popular warrior, listening to his wild stories of battle. The crowd obscured the companions' view of him, but his voice carried well.
“If he’s really as good as he says he is,” Calandra suggested, “he could prove useful to our cause.” After a time, the warrior put aside his stories and began playing an old air on his lute. Eilidh was not experienced in sensing the unique magic of bards, but she had a hunch that this man's music was just pure music, which of course had a power all its own without it being bard magic.
A young barmaid with flaming red hair came over to the companions' table and asked, “Can I get you something to eat or drink? It might be best if you just stayed in your places and let me serve you. We are a welcoming tavern, but we don't like trouble and while you don't look like the kind of people who would start anything, you could get caught up in something if you move around too much, even to go to the bar.”
“You are wise, child,” Calandra said. “We will do as you suggest.” The group ordered a bottle of elven wine and the house special for four. With a glance at Tolbrietta, Eilidh corrected, “Actually, better make it five.” The girl smiled, knowing a hobbit's appetite, and left.
Soon they were drinking their wine and eating some freshly cooked steak, over which even Eilidh felt compelled to comment favourably. As they ate their meal, three large warriors loomed over their table, emitting what could only be described as fermented body odour. One of them - apparently a leader of sorts - sniffed the air and demanded, “What's this? I smell elfish scum! What are you doing in our place, elf dirt?” The companions chose to ignore that. To Calandra, he said, “You, wench, I asked you a question: what are you doing sitting in our spot and contaminating it with the stink of elf? Me and my mates don't like anyone taking our place, especially not slime like you!”
“Yeah!” his thug friends remarked. It was one of those
times when Eilidh simply lost control of her flip tongue. “It's `My mates and I`,” she corrected calmly. “Not `me and my mates`. If you're going to insult us, you can at least get the grammar right.”
The lesson seemed to be completely lost on the warrior, who just repeated, “I'll ask again, tell me who you are and what you think you’re doing in our place!”
“Repeat yourself a lot, don't you?” Eilidh observed, examining her fingernails. “I find that to be a symptom of a limited vocabulary.” The other two warriors piped up together to e cho, “Well, wench? What you doin' in our place?” They were trying to sound like they were the biggest thing next to a giant or a dragon. They were bullies – used to scaring people with their size. The disinterested non-reaction they were getting from Eilidh and the others had them confused.
“Let me guess,” said the Catalyst. “You two are the brains of this outfit, right?”
The first man spat, “Elf sympathiser!”
“Sympathiser? My, what a big word! I wouldn't have thought you'd be capable. I wonder if you know how to spell it. Why don't you go find another table and think about it for a while?”
Phaer stood up, his sword just one swift movement away from his hand.
“Yes, why don't you do that, before somebody takes offence to your tone and decides to hurt you?”
“We'll kill you, half breed!”
“Ha! You're like a trio of toothless old wildcats trying to frighten us with your roar.” In that moment, the warriors drew their weapons, and Phaer did the same, sword in one hand, dagger in the other. He wasn't keen on facing three big warriors alone in such a confined space, but he had little choice. He knew Eilidh and Toli couldn't do much with their magic, and Calandra was torn between helping and staying out of it, since a prayer to Patrelaux was a capital offence in dark Avidon and might make things a whole lot worse. By now, though, the warrior who had been entertaining the crowd had pulled his sword from its resting place on his back and had begun to draw in some inner strength from his blood. One of the smaller thugs turned and saw the new threat and tapped their gang leader on the shoulder, who turned and paled. They had heard tales of a white-haired warrior that dressed in all black and wielded a sword that could steal one’s soul. Phaer suddenly recognised him, too, and given their last meeting, he wasn't sure whether to consider him friend or foe. At least he was a welcome distraction for the moment. The thug leader got over his initial shock and waved his two stooges to attack the man Phaer knew to be a dragon. That left Phaer free to concentrate on the biggest one.
Chosen (Majaos Book 1) Page 10
