Swing and Thrust: A Harem Fantasy (Sword and Sorority Book 2)

by Scot C Morgan

  "Can't blame him for that."

  Jan chuckled.

  I glanced to Alara and the others, just wanting to see if they were still having a good time. They were chatting among themselves and giggling, occasionally looking over to me. I smiled and nodded to them, clueless as to their light-hearted machinations. Returning my attention to the conversation with Jan, I asked, "Is he human? Mortal?"

  Jan took a moment to consider my question before answering. "I think he was once. I've heard as he rose to power he delved deeper into unnatural things, powers which had been long hidden in the deepest shadows of Galderia. I don't think he's a god, though he wants to be. He's mortal, I'm sure. But I doubt anyone has the means to test that claim."

  This was not the sort of thing I wanted to hear, but I wasn't surprised. I'd seen enough movies, read enough books to figure the guy who wanted to take over the world, especially in a sword and sorcery kind of world, had to be into some dark supernatural shit.

  "If someone was going to test that claim, try to take down Thautus Kurg-"

  Jan cut me off. "He'd better be prepared to die."

  Not helpful, lady. I shifted in my chair, wondering if I could get something more useful out of her.

  "Suppose the guy wasn't too happy with dying?" I said. "Any advice for someone hoping to actually win that contest?"

  "Oh, no." Jan looked troubled. She clearly realized I was talking about myself, and I was apparently stupid enough to go after Thautus Kurg.

  I shrugged. "Humor me. Any tips? Anything about him you can tell me which might help?"

  "Why would you do that?"

  I glanced over to Alara and the other women. They weren't dancing anymore. The music had stopped. The band was taking a break. The women were chatting, but it looked like they were about to head back to our table.

  I decided to drop the short of the situation on Jan quickly, just in case there was something she knew which might help. I didn't want to discuss it in front of the others. "It's the destiny of the Guardian of Carnera." I shrugged again. "And somebody's got to do it." I wasn't sold on the line, but I said it anyway. I wanted Jan's take on the situation. I wanted to hear from someone neutral as to whether this whole Guardian thing was bullshit and crazy, or not.

  Her eyes widened. She looked across the room to Alara and then back to me. "I see."

  "You see what?"

  "If what you say is true," she said, "and I have no reason to doubt you, maybe…"

  "Maybe?"

  "Maybe it is possible," she said. "You'll need to be prepared." She chuckled. "How can you prepare for something like that, though?"

  "I was kinda hoping you could tell me." I grinned.

  She shook her head, which was not the response I was hoping for. "Among the Yedians are great warriors, and they have more history across the sea than most. And they're no friend of Thautus Kurg. That much is for sure. All I can tell you is keep seeking. If you are the Guardian, there is a path before you which may lead to Thautus Kurg's downfall."

  "May?"

  She tipped her head. "Well, the path won't be easy. I'm sure." She put her hand atop mine. "You aren't the first Guardian, Den."

  "Yeah. I know."

  I must've looked deflated. She did her best to put on a brighter face. "But you are somehow different than any man I've met," she said. "The prophecy of the Guardian is an old one. I first heard it when I was a small child. I'd sure like to think it might be fulfilled in my lifetime." She smiled.

  I slowly nodded. "Me too." Though it'd be great if I wasn't the guy who had to do it.

  Chapter 2

  Alara came up beside me. "Hey, handsome. I see you're making a play for Jan."

  I turned and looked up at her. Her skin was glistening and her cheeks were a little flush. "She turned me down," I said. "I hope you'll still have me."

  Jan laughed. "Wasn't it the other way around?"

  "Oh, I'll have you, alright," she said, wrapping her arm around my shoulder and embracing me with a squeeze against my upper chest.

  Jan got up. "Well, I have to get back to work." She looked at me. "I'm getting on in years, Den. If it's possible, I hope you're the one."

  She winked then smiled to Alara to let her know it was all in good fun.

  Alara nodded to her. "I'll send him your way when I'm done with him."

  "Thanks, dear," Jan said before walking off through the crowd, toward the bar.

  "So," Alara said to me, "who was that man?"

  "Who?"

  Alara looked behind us, then around the room before leaning on me again with her head close to the side of mine. "He's gone."

  "Who are you talking about?"

  "Nevermind. I thought he was talking to you and Jan. He was right behind you two. You didn't see him?"

  "No." I felt uneasy knowing someone might have been eavesdropping. I looked around. "You don't see him anywhere?"

  She looked around the room again. "No."

  The room was crowded and lively. I wanted to ask the man who he was and what he was doing behind us, but I realized it would be difficult to find him, especially if he was up to no good. He'd disappear if he saw us looking for him, I thought. I decided to let it go, promising myself I'd stay alert, just in case.

  Nithia, Tara, and Victoria came to our table and sat down. Alara continued to hang around my shoulders.

  "So, what have you ladies been up to?" I asked.

  "Oh, don't pretend you weren't watching us," Nithia said.

  "I suppose I might've noticed you all over there doing something."

  Tara, who'd taken the seat beside me and slid her chair closer to mine, shifted her rear to gently bump her hip against me. "See anything you like?"

  I laughed. "Yeah, but I think she left with somebody else." I pretended to look over toward the dance area for someone.

  Alara jerked her arm up from my chest and pressed it against my throat. "You want to change your story?" she asked.

  I exaggerated my struggle to breathe and held up my hands. "Okay," I said with unnecessary difficulty. "Maybe I was mistaken."

  All the women laughed and Alara released her arm from my neck. "That's better," she said.

  I noticed Victoria, who sat across from me, was looking a little uncomfortable. I felt guilty. After all, she was probably having the hardest time with the situation. Obviously, she was relieved to be free of Ruja, who'd held her captive since the first day she appeared in Galderia. We'd learned she had the horribly bad fortune of arriving through the world-hopping portal in Pertlass in an alley beside Ruja's stronghold. His men noticed her moments later and forced her inside, turning her over to him.

  Though Monica in particular, and the other women in our group in general, did what they could to make her feel welcome and safe, I hadn't spent enough time with her—I mean platonically, of course. I had no intention of hoisting myself upon her otherwise, though she had an allure, to be sure. Maybe it was her name coupled with the sheer lingerie she had on when I rescued her from chains beside the dragon in Ruja's place, but more than any of the other women, she made me think of a Victoria Secret model—which of course, was a good thing, right? Rocking the boat is what it was, at least potentially. That's why I had mostly kept a distance from her, after our initial conversation.

  "How are you holding up?" I asked her.

  She smiled and looked to each of the other women at the table, then to me. "I know you all are doing what you can to make me feel welcome, and I appreciate that. I do…feel welcome, I mean. Thank you."

  "Of course," Nithia said.

  "You are welcome," Tara said.

  Alara, standing behind me still, but now with her hands resting on my shoulders, one on each, chimed in. "Yes. You're one of us, with us, I mean. As long as you want to be."

  "Thanks," she said.

  Monica came to the table and stood between my seat and Victoria's. "So, what did I miss?"

  Victoria looked up at her. "Would you go back, if you could?"

&nb
sp; I watched Monica closely to see what she'd say.

  "To Earth?" Monica said, glancing at me, then quickly returning her attention to Victoria. "I…"

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Tara looking at me. I assumed everyone was waiting to see how the moment played out. Victoria was not privy to the fact that the way back to Earth was in my loins.

  "You know," Tara said, "this world has a lot to offer."

  "I'm sure it does," Monica said. "But that's not really the point." She looked to Victoria. "Is it?"

  Victoria looked in turn to each of us before she answered. "Actually, it is."

  "What do you mean?" I asked.

  "I want to go back home," Victoria said. "At least, part of me does. But I also want to see more of this world."

  "But that doesn't make any sense," Monica said. "I mean, since you arrived in Galderia you've been captive, slave to Ruja. How can you have anything but contempt for this world?"

  Victoria shrugged. "I thought that was the end for me—destined to die in chains in that awful place. But I didn't." She looked at each of us again and then focused on me. "Because of you. You saved me. And now, after what I've been through, how much worse could it get? I mean, yes, I miss home, but is there even a way back? I don't know. Maybe someday, somehow. But until then, I want to see more of this world." She glanced to each of the women again. "If you all will have me?"

  "Oh, we'll have you," Tara said, with a subtly inappropriate tone.

  I gave her a stern nudge with my elbow but kept my eyes forward toward Victoria. "I can't argue that you don't know there are dangers out there. You've experienced that firsthand." I looked to each of the women at the table. "Any of you are welcome to stay here at the inn. You don't have to go with me to Yedia. Jan said as much too."

  Tara scoffed. "Yeah, right. Like that's going to happen."

  "Seriously, Den," Alara said. "You know you're going to need us. Not that it's even up for debate." She looked to Monica and Victoria. "I mean, you two don't have to go, but-"

  "I don't want to stay here." Victoria spoke forcefully as if she felt she had to state her position before it was too late.

  Monica exhaled audibly. "I'm going too. I don't want you to stray too far, just in case I decide to…"

  I knew what she meant. She hadn't ruled out spending an intimate evening with me so she could go home.

  "It's going to be a long trip, probably dangerous," I said, looking at each of the women to make sure they were taking those facts in mind. "I aim to find the other Earth woman there, and to seek the Yedians' help with the dragon situation here, and…"

  I glanced around the table. Each of the women gave me a nod, signaling they were in, but I had to put the last reason for the trip on the table. "I want to talk with them about Thautus Kurg, and about crossing the Sea of Ronak…to kill him…somehow."

  Alara put her hand on my forearm and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Yes. That is your destiny."

  Damn, I hate destiny sometimes. But a sense in me that I must face Kurg was growing by the day. I was tired of hiding from the feeling.

  "I heard Ruja speak of him," Victoria said, looking troubled.

  "Yes." Alara put her hand on the table as she spoke. "A hundred times worse than Ruja though. He's the one who has been bringing the darkness to the land." She looked around the table at everyone. "He must be stopped!"

  "If anyone wants to back out, we'll understand," I said.

  "Why can't we just cross the sea from here?" Nithia asked. "There are boats at the port. We could pay for passage."

  "Jan told me the waters between Pertlass and the shores across the sea are controlled by Kurg's men."

  "It's true," Victoria said. "Ruja had contacts across the sea. I heard their control on the other side was stronger than in Pertlass."

  "So, we go to Yedia, to find the woman, to get their dragon pest control advice, and then maybe the sea. Who wants out?" I turned to each of the women, pausing to each to see if they wanted to bow out. Each of them, in turn, shook her head. It wasn't really fair to Monica and Victoria since I was the only other person from back home they knew in this world, but fair wasn't the way things were going to be in Galderia. The world was at the same time more honest than Earth and more savage. "In the morning, then," I said. "We'll get horses and supplies, then head out…as early as possible."

  Alara leaned over to me. "And tonight?"

  "Tonight? Probably get as much rest as we can."

  Alara shook her head slowly as if trying to be subtle about it, but I doubt anyone at the table missed it, based on the funny looks I got when I stole a few glances to the others.

  So much for getting a good night's sleep before the road trip.

  Chapter 3

  Despite our plan to get an early start the next morning, instead of heading upstairs after my self-declared last drink of the night, I found myself holding a borrowed dagger and standing twenty feet from a wall which evidently had been on the receiving end of such blades many times.

  Jan had gone to bed, leaving a few staff to take care of the wind-down hours. Most of the customers who hadn't already stumbled out the door or upstairs gathered at the back right side of the room, to watch me and the other two men prove our skills. I felt the men behind me bump into me and one of them spilled a little of his drink on me. I let it go. With all interested parties packed in tight, cheering the three of us, little standing room remained. Only the path between the three of us and the chipped and faded black outline of a man painted on the wall was clear of onlookers.

  I glanced to my left, over the heads of the crowd. Tara and Monica stood on the bar top, free from the drunkards below. Tara winked at me. She wouldn't listen when I told her I didn't know how to throw a dagger, let alone accurately. She showed me how to hold it and the arm and wrist movement I should make.

  The whole thing started when a man stopped by our table and sat down to join our conversation before we could stop him. Alara told him it was a private party, but the guy didn't hear or didn't want to hear. He introduced himself as Lop. He seemed to be having a good time and looked harmless. So, we let him sit for a few minutes.

  He turned his head to the side, so we could get a good look at his left ear, or what remained of it. "That's why everyone calls me Lop."

  I nodded and tried to act like it didn't look as bad as it did.

  "Wifey did it," he said, then he laughed and elbowed me. "Could’ve been something else, though. Right?"

  Most of us chuckled, myself included, but I felt he'd given me more than I needed to know. He didn't seem to realize it though, and he kept talking. After a minute, he grew on me. He just had that kind of personality. Of course, a hand from one of the staff darted in and refilled my mug every time it got close to empty. That might've played into Lop's affable-ness.

  He shared a story of an adventure he and his buddies went on one time. Something about taking a small boat out to a place called Keluthia to find a sorcerer's tower, and a narrow escape from strange creatures. They lived all over the island, he said. It reminded me of The Island of Doctor Moreau. He got a laugh from the table when he finished his story, saying his wife's complaining of his long absence upon his return almost made him want to go back to the island.

  Tara told a story after him, but by then my head was swimming. I wish I'd heard what she said. She kept pausing in the story and smiling at me. But shortly after she began, I got up to empty my bladder—couldn't wait. Somewhere along the line his skills and my skills must've gotten compared. When I returned and sat down, she and Lop were arguing about whether I could beat the man at dagger darts. Who the hell does that? I shook my head to signal it wasn't my thing—that I wasn't interested in the challenge—but no one noticed. Then Monica grabbed my wrist and blurted out, "You threw a sword into a man!"

  Twenty feet from the wall with the painted outline of a person, three of us stood, certainly too inebriated to have daggers in our hands, definitely too far gone to be throwing them with that man
y people crowded around us. Everyone clambered so loud I couldn't hear anything in particular. Lop tapped my right shoulder and I looked over to him. He pointed to his chest and, with his eyebrows raised, nodded at me. I took his meaning and, pushing into whoever stood behind me, stepped back and extended my arm to offer him the first throw. He repeated his inquiry to the man on his other side. I hadn't gotten the man's name, but he had overheard Lop and Tara at our table. He was the one who proposed the throwing contest.

  He wore a dark gray hood which drooped down in front, covering his forehead and brow. He was smaller than Lop and way smaller than me. He bowed his head to answer Lop and stepped back as I did.

  "Closest to the head!" Tara said, raising her voice to be heard over the excited onlookers below her.

  Lop glanced to her and nodded, then he raised his dagger, holding it by the end of the blade.

  "Wait!" The hooded man raised his hand and stepped forward.

  Lop lowered his dagger and waited for the man to continue.

  The crowd quieted down a little, apparently interested in why the hooded figure interrupted Lop's throw.

  "What's our wager?" he asked, his face still hidden.

  Lop looked at me. I shrugged, then I remembered the gold Cormac had given me. "A few coins?" I didn't know what they were called, or how else to refer to them, in terms of denominations, but I knew I still had quite a lot left. I could spare a few, regardless of their worth. I worked my fingers into the pouch and pulled out three gold coins.

  Several people around me gasped. Oh. Maybe I went too far.

  Lop shook his head. "I can't." He looked at the wall which was our target, then back to me and the hooded man. "I don't keep that kind of money. Maybe we could just throw for glory."

  I became aware of more than a few men in the crowd taking an interest in the coins in my hand and in my pouch. I glanced behind me, hoping nobody had gotten the idea to snatch the coins from me. I felt relieved when the two behind me—a man and a woman—both looked genuinely excited for the competition and apparently hadn't fixated on the gold I'd revealed.