Herald of Shalia 4

by Tamryn Tamer

  “Herald Law,” Brynn laughed as the nobles all started to share guilty looks. “It is nothing. If it is not that rumor, it’d be another and another. It’s just how the nobility is. I am simply happy that you didn’t believe that ridiculous nonsense. But don’t worry yourself over something so insignificant. This is supposed to be a celebration for you! We should be celebrating the arrival of my wonderful herald!”

  “Brynn,” Frost glared at his wife. “Before you get too caught up in the celebration…”

  “Right, right,” Brynn said, waving her hand at him as if shooing off a pest. She looked up at Herald Law and smiled. “My husband is very worried about the courtesans from his favorite brothel and he asked me to inquire about their release.”

  “Did he?” Herald Law asked, grinning at Frost. “Currently they’re in the dungeon, waiting to be questioned. The Kina woman is believed to be involved with various criminals in the city and is also accused of being one of the heads of Blackwater’s underworld. I’m aware of her unfortunate relationship to Herald Frost but this is a matter of law.”

  “Herald Law,” Brynn shook her head. “They’re demihumans. Do you really believe that demihumans could be running a criminal operation? Why not arrest the rats in the city on conspiracy of stealing all the cheese or the cats for the murder of the rats.”

  “I’ve missed your sense of humor,” Herald Law chuckled. “And for the most part, I agree. But it isn’t uncommon for criminals to employ demihumans with the intention of disposing of them later.”

  “Which would make them fairly innocent,” Brynn said. “If they were merely being used.”

  “You seem rather concerned about them my little songbird,” Herald Law said while tapping her nose. “Do you show the same concern for the rats and cats?”

  “I know,” Brynn sighed, rolling her eyes. “But my husband rather loves that brothel and I’m very appreciative of how occupied it keeps him. If something were to happen to those women, he would likely be spending more time at home and…”

  “I understand completely,” Herald Law said. “But the law is the law. The people demand justice.”

  “Isn’t there anything you can do?” Brynn said, pouting. “For your little songbird?”

  “For my little songbird,” Herald Law smiled while shaking his head. “I suppose I might be able to do something. There was a matter I wished to discuss with Herald Frost while I was in Blackwater. It’s one of the main reasons for my arrival. We can meet tomorrow and if things go well, I’ll consider a pardon. But I do have another condition.”

  “What might that be my herald?” Brynn said, leaning into him flirtatiously.

  “A song,” he said, gesturing at the orchestra. “It’s been so long since I’ve heard my precious songbird sing.”

  “I would be delighted,” Brynn said, pulling her flute from her handbag. “Anything specific?”

  “Whatever you wish to sing,” he said as Brynn played a light note, empowering a gust of wind to take her to the second-floor balcony. The black-haired bard pointed at several members of the orchestra and after a few moments, Brynn began to play a somber tune as the other musicians backed her up.

  “I don’t like this Brynn,” Renna growled.

  “Herald Frost,” Herald Law glared murderously at him. “I’m sure you realize that if I am to let your friends go, I will want something in return.”

  “I figured that was the reason you took them,” Frost said, grinning at the true face of Herald Law. Any semblance of gentility washed away, allowing his hatred to shine through. “People don’t take hostages unless they want something.”

  “You’re not a complete fool then,” Herald Law said. “Just a disgusting deviant.”

  “We’ll talk more about it tomorrow,” Herald Law said coldly as Brynn played. “I wish to listen to my little songbird sing. She always made the most beautiful music. I must say, I find her song choice rather fitting. Do you know it?”

  “No,” Frost said as the somber tune began to grow more intense. “I prefer more upbeat songs.”

  “It’s called The Beast’s Bride,” Herald Law said, smirking in his direction. “It’s about a girl whose parents are killed by a horrible beast and kidnaps the girl, locking her away in a tower. It begins very slow and sad but soon the woman and beast fall in love. Oh, the good part is coming.”

  The pace and intensity of the song increased until Brynn’s flute playing grew to a crescendo of violent sharp notes then stopping. The playing resumed quietly. The tune was similar to the tune at the start except the sadness was replaced by a hopeful sound.

  “You see,” Herald Law chuckled. “That’s the part where she kills the beast followed by her leaving the castle having avenged her family.”

  “We have a similar story in my world,” Frost said. “Happier ending.”

  “I think the ending is very happy,” Herald Law said cheerfully as the song came to a close. “He was a murderer and kidnapper. He deserved to die. Maybe you find it unhappy because of how much you relate to the beast. Preying on helpless women.”

  “Brynn’s not helpless,” Frost said.

  “Maybe not,” Herald Law said. “She did pick a rather courageous song, didn’t she? I can’t help but think that song is a sort of cry for help.”

  “Think what you want,” Frost said coldly. “Just as long as you don’t harm any of my friends.”

  “We’ll see how our meeting goes,” Herald Law said smugly.

  “Herald Law,” Frost met the blue-eyed herald’s gaze. “It would be unwise to harm any of my friends.”

  “Oh,” Herald Law chuckled. “Because you’ll impale me on a tower for everybody to see?”

  “There’s no evidence that I was responsible for that,” Frost said, grinning. “I have a peace agreement with Zira after all.”

  “We both know it was you,” Herald Law said. “I must admit it was rather creative and effective. Word of that atrocity spread like wildfire.”

  “It might have been effective but it wasn’t creative,” Frost said, smirking at the golden-haired man. “The people of my world are far more creative than that. It would be a terrible thing to introduce that type of creativity to this peaceful world.”

  “So, let us hope we can come to an agreement tomorrow,” Herald Law said as Brynn floated down on a gust of wind to rejoin them.

  “Did you enjoy the song my herald?” Brynn asked while grabbing Herald Law’s hand excitedly.

  “It was magnificent as always,” Herald Law said, hiding his hatred as he returned to his jovial expression. “I could listen to you play all night. Unfortunately, I do have to mingle with other guests as well. They put so much effort in the celebration and it seems your beautiful playing may have made some of the other nobles jealous.”

  “Of course,” Brynn said, smiling bashfully as she stared up at him. “I suppose it is rather selfish of me to claim you for myself.”

  “Ack,” Renna quietly feigned, throwing up as Fayeth and Ena tried not to laugh.

  “Princess Fiora,” Herald Law gently pulled his hand from Brynn’s grasp and turned to Fiora. “You’ll make sure they have accommodations for the evening, won’t you?”

  “Absolutely,” Fiora said while bowing politely at Herald Law. “I’ll make sure of it.”

  “Wonderful,” Herald Law said. “Be sure to enjoy the evening Herald Frost. I’m sure your pets are excited to see what a civilized party is like.”

  Herald Law took Fiora’s mother’s arm in his and began to walk toward a group of nobles congregating on the other side of the room. Brynn watched as Herald Law wandered off before eventually turning toward the group, smiling nervously as they glared at her.

  “You all understand,” Brynn said quietly as the elves growled, looking around to make sure nobody was in listening distance of them. “You know I didn’t mean any of that.”

  “How would I know that?” Renna said mockingly. “I’m just a stupid animal.”

  “Good thing you t
rained us,” Ena piled on.

  “Are you sure you want to be around us?” Fayeth asked. “I wouldn’t want you to catch our smell. There aren’t three bathhouses for you to use here.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Brynn said softly while continuing to check for eavesdroppers. “But I have a very specific image that I need to uphold while around him.”

  “Oh, really?” Renna said sarcastically. “Thank you for explaining it to me or else my tiny elf brain wouldn’t have figured it out.”

  “I said I’m sorry,” Brynn said, looking to Frost for help.

  “Oh?” Frost scoffed. “The little songbird needs my help? Why not run over to your herald?”

  “You too?” Brynn said, scowling at him.

  “This is why I have no interest in being the favorite,” Fiora said while smiling at Brynn. “But I can’t help but be curious about how you managed to fool his Truthfinder Ring.”

  “I told the truth,” Brynn answered.

  “You expect me to believe you haven’t laid with any demihumans,” Fiora scoffed while scanning Brynn. “You know what, it’s fine. Don’t tell me. I refuse to hold the cursed thing anyway. Just continue this little farce while I talk to somebody about having a room prepared.”

  “Okay,” Brynn said, turning to the group of irritated elves. “So, all we have to do is…’

  “Would you three like to get some food?” Frost asked the elves, ignoring Brynn.

  “I’d prefer drinks,” Renna said cheerfully as she pressed her body against him.

  “Me too,” Fayeth said, pulling his arm into her chest. “Lots of drinks.”

  “We should find a nice corner away from everybody,” Ena suggested. “I don’t want to force humans to eat with me.”

  “You don’t have to be like that,” Brynn said, looking around nervously. “We can still eat and drink together.”

  “You didn’t have to be so mean earlier either,” Renna said indignantly.

  “That’s right,” Fayeth said. “You hurt our feelings.”

  “We will definitely be paying you back for that,” Ena added.

  “Goddess help me,” Brynn groaned

  CHAPTER 14

  The nobles took special care to avoid Frost and Brynn throughout the evening leaving them to entertain themselves. In order to stave off the boredom, Frost and the elves took to drinking and dancing which quickly escalated to the elves kissing him and grinding on him while Brynn attempted to rein them in.

  Frost could tell that the petite bard was growing irritated with them but the more he drank, the less he cared. All he could think about was how much he disliked the way she behaved around “her herald”.

  Commander Grey and his wife spent the night talking with Lady Grey’s socialite friends, much to her husband’s dismay. It was obvious that the old man would rather be sitting in a tavern than hobnobbing with nobles.

  Slade, on the other hand, appeared to be entirely focused on the guards. The silver-haired ninja chatted with virtually every one of them as if hunting for a specific one. Whoever he was looking for, Frost figured that the bastard better pray that Slade didn’t find him.

  As evening neared its end, Herald Law vanished and soon after everybody else began to head out.

  “Herald Frost,” a blonde handmaiden approached him bowing politely. “Princess Fiora has asked me to show you to your room for the evening.”

  “Room?” Frost looked at the lovely blue-eyed woman. He’d entirely forgotten that they were offered a room in the keep. It was probably a good thing since Madam Gardenia’s brothel was closed and most other places wouldn’t accommodate demihumans. “Right, lead the way.”

  The elves snatched up an entire bottle of wine each before following behind Frost and Brynn as the handmaiden led them to a corner room on the third floor. It was a fair distance away from the other rooms on the floor and there was an almost dungeon-like feel to it.

  “Really?” Brynn said, glaring at the handmaiden. “The hostage room?”

  “Um,” the handmaiden looked away nervously. “I would never deign to call you a hostage Princess Brynn Hilde. Fiora asked me to guide you to this room specifically.”

  “Are we hostages?” Brynn asked, eyes narrowing as she scowled at the anxious woman. “Tell Fiora…”

  “She s-said,” the woman fidgeted while avoiding eye contact, her face turning bright red. “S-she s-said to t-tell you it’s the only soundproof room in the keep other than the basement. She said you’d know what that means.”

  “Oh,” Brynn said, glancing at the elves hanging off of Frost. “I see.”

  “Soundproof,” Renna said, drunkenly running her hands up Frost’s chest. “Are we going to test how soundproof?”

  “I’ll just…” the handmaiden opened the door revealing a surprisingly well-decorated room with a large master bed and a small living area. Although completely windowless it appeared to be fit for royalty. “Is it to your liking?”

  “It’s fine,” Frost said, admiring the handmaiden’s slender frame and full chest. “Care to…”

  “No,” Brynn said while shoving everybody through the door. She nodded at the young woman and waved her along. “The room is fine. You can run along.”

  “Th-thank you,” she said, almost sprinting away as the elves started to drunkenly help each other undress.

  “I can’t believe you four,” Brynn snapped as she closed the door. The black-haired bard scowled at the group as she secured the locks. “I said to be on your best behavior and you ended up getting drunk and…”

  “Oh?” Ena scoffed as she helped Fayeth untie straps of her shimmering gown. “You can’t expect animals to behave like people.”

  “That’s right,” Fayeth said, pushing her ass into Ena as the cerulean-eyed elf finished untying her top. Fayeth moaned seductively as Ena slowly pulled the sides of Fayeth’s dress, exposing her massive chest as the gown fell to the floor. “Animals are going to act like animals.”

  “Fayeth,” Ena gasped as the busty elf grabbed Ena’s hands and guided them toward her chest. Ena gripped Fayeth’s large breasts from behind as the curvaceous blonde elf wiggled her ass against her lover. Fayeth smiled as she slid her hands down her sides and hooked her thumb in her white lace thong, playfully snapping it against her skin. “Goddess…”

  “Am I?” Fayeth giggled as Ena kissed her neck. “Am I your goddess Ena?”

  “I don’t know how you two can be so happy,” Renna said while staring daggers at Brynn. “Brynn’s supposed to be our friend but she said all those horrible things.”

  “And acted like sleeping with us is disgusting,” Fayeth added while turning around to face Ena. She reached around Ena’s neck and untied the cerulean-eyed elf’s top for her. She tugged it down excitedly, as if opening a present, and the moment Ena’s perfect pink nipples were revealed, Fayeth’s mouth was on them. “Is this disgusting to you?”

  “You know you’re not,” Brynn said while watching the display. “We do stuff together all the time. Stop acting like…”

  “Animals?” Renna scoffed as she drunkenly unbuttoned Frost’s shirt. Renna looked up at Frost, her emerald eyes glistening as she pouted. “Your wife called us animals.”

  “She did,” Frost said, smirking at Brynn. Not only had she called the elves animals but she wasn’t exactly complimentary when talking about him. “I can’t say that I’m a big fan of her behavior tonight.”

  “You too handsome?” Brynn scoffed as she stomped toward him. She turned around and gestured at the back of her dress. “Do you mind?”

  “Why do you need to undress?” Ena said as she and Fayeth butted between Brynn and Frost. “You can sleep on the sofa.”

  “Yeah,” Renna said gesturing at the living area of the room. “We’d hate to make you smell like demihumans.”

  “You’re joking,” Brynn said while glaring at Frost for confirmation. “You want me to sleep on the sofa while you all fool around?”

  “You’re the one that said they smelled,�
�� Frost said, pulling the string of Renna’s gown. Unlike Fayeth and Ena’s gown, it slid right down her slender frame to the floor, not stopping at her petite chest. “I can’t blame them for not wanting to sleep with a person that called them smelly animals.”

  “It was an act!” Brynn said, stomping indignantly as she stared at the quartet. Frost tossed his shirt on the chair and began unbuckling his belt. The elves were more than eager to assist him as he kicked off his boots and quickly helped him out of his pants. Brynn watched, growing more frustrated with every item of clothing that was removed. “You know that I love you all!”

  “How would we know that?” Ena said, glaring at Brynn. “The only person you ever say it to is Herald Frost.”

  “And when Herald Frost goes on trips you spend most of the nights in your office,” Fayeth said. “But when Herald Frost is in the village you spend every night you can with him.”

  “Oh?” Brynn said, crossing her arms as she nodded toward Ena. “And how often do you and Ena invite me to your room to spend the night?”

  “That’s different,” Fayeth said defensively.

  “And it still doesn’t explain not spending time with me,” Renna said. “You always used to spend time with me but…”

  “Seriously Renna?” Brynn interrupted. “Even when handsome is in the village the bedroom is basically me, Lysandra, and Des. You’re too busy with your fiancée.”

  “She’s not my fiancée!” Renna snapped. “And it’s not my fault! Every time I try to get away, she follows me, and she cries if I don’t do stuff with her and then I…”

  “My point is that just because I love handsome the most doesn’t mean I don’t care about you,” Brynn said defensively.

  “That doesn’t change the fact you called them all filthy animals,” Frost said, guiding the elves toward the bed. He slid his hand down Renna’s soft back, admiring her athletic ass, her black thong leaving everything exposed as she climbed into bed. “That’s not something you say to people you care about.”

  “And you weren’t very nice to Herald Frost either,” Ena said, running her hand down his chest. “That was mean.”