Herald of Shalia 5

by Tamryn Tamer

  “With the right production the margins could be dealt with,” Madam Gardenia said as she grabbed one of Erena’s tails and started stroking it. “The real issue is the cost of shipping. That eats a significant amount from the margin.”

  “That can be mitigated with larger shipments,” Erena said, grabbing a crimson tail and mirroring Madam Gardenia’s behavior. “A warehouse could hold the goods so you wouldn’t be limited by the current orders.”

  “Larger shipments are targeted by pirates. Warehouses cut into the margins as well,” Madam Gardenia said. “And warehouses require workers and guards to prevent theft.”

  “That’s true,” Erena nodded while rubbing Madam Gardenia’s soft red tail against her face. Her eyes widened as she realized the tail that she’d been stroking wasn’t her own. Erena locked eyes with the crimson-haired fox-woman standing beside her and both women slowly released each other’s tails. “Everything would depend on the quantity.”

  “Quality matters as well,” Madam Gardenia said. “Increasing the quality would increase the margins.”

  “Demihumans wouldn’t be able to afford the higher quality items,” Erena argued. “That’s why Nir exports to Zira and Seera.”

  “Bored!” Jasmine groaned while sitting on the floor with Iris and Zinnia. “Bored!”

  “Just one moment…” Madam Gardenia scowled at Jasmine.

  “Bored! Bored! Bored!” Zinnia said joining in.

  “I said…” Madam Gardenia held up her finger at the dog-eared woman.

  “Bored!” Iris agreed.

  “So bored,” Cassia nodded. “So very, very bored.”

  “How could you find any of this boring?” Erena asked in disbelief. “Are you all out of your minds? It is business! Do you think making mountains of rel is boring?”

  “Bor-ing,” Jasmine said sternly.

  “Don’t bother arguing with them, not everybody enjoys making rel,” Madam Gardenia sighed. “Anyway, I would like to go over the details of my meeting with Lord Sebastian, preferably over dinner since the only thing I ate today was a bit of bread and a piece of fruit.”

  “Yay!” Zinnia said. “A date!”

  “That sounds fun,” Cassia said.

  “Let’s go somewhere fun!” Jasmine said excitedly. “Oh! I know! Let’s go to one of the glow rooms!”

  “I don’t want to go to a glow room,” Iris pouted. “I want to go somewhere fancy! Why don’t we just go back to the Ivory Lounge? They have their dining room and the ballroom.”

  “They don’t have an event tonight,” Erena said. “If you’re looking for somewhere fancy and fun, we could always go to Silk Tails.”

  “Sounds like a brothel,” Frost said, suddenly intrigued. “Is it a brothel?”

  “It’s a Kina lounge,” Madam Gardenia said. “Jasmine, Iris, and Zinnia wouldn’t be welcome so it’s out of the question.”

  “They let in servants,” Erena said defensively. “They just need to stay in their section.”

  “Technically you’re a servant Periwinkle,” Jasmine said angrily. “Maybe we should go there so everybody can see you sitting with the servants!”

  “Stop fighting,” Frost groaned.

  “Might I suggest the Hightower?” Miss Nine said politely. “It’s about a ten-minute walk north of here and it has an excellent view of the castle, good food, a dance floor, a bar, and very talented musicians. I don’t know if it would meet your standards of fancy but it’s very fun.” The weasel-woman grabbed the pile of bras and panties from Zinnia and started walking toward the front counter. “I’ll take these items up to the front and leave you all to your discussion. You can come up and pay when you’re ready and I’ll be sure to include a very generous discount. It’s been a pleasure talking with you Lord Sebastian. I hope things go well for you and that we’re able to discuss things further in the future.”

  “Thank you,” Frost nodded and turned to the group of women. “So, what do you all think? Hightower?”

  “As long as there’s dancing,” Jasmine said eagerly.

  “Good food is nice,” Zinnia said. “I’m starving.”

  “But I wanted somewhere fancy,” Iris pouted. “It’s no fair that everybody else gets what they want!”

  “We’ll be here for a couple days,” Frost said while patting the Florenne’s head. “I’m sure we’ll have time to go somewhere fancy.”

  “I heard some of the girls at The Ivory Lounge saying they’ll be open for three nights straight starting tomorrow,” Erena said politely.

  “Really?” Iris said, clapping excitedly. “Yes, yes, yes! We’ll be able to go, right? Right? Right?”

  “As long as Lord Sebastian gets accepted into the Black Crown his temporary permit will be replaced with a permanent one, allowing him to come and go as he pleases,” Madam Gardenia said.

  “Wonderful!” Cassia said cheerfully. “So, we should probably get ready to go out!”

  “About that,” Madam Gardenia sighed as she pulled out a large slip of paper with dozens of names and addresses written on it. “I got a list of all the vendors with upcoming slave auctions as well as the locations of their storehouses. There are quite a few and since only one of us has any idea what we’re looking for…”

  “Oh, no,” Frost groaned.

  “Oh, yes!” Cassia said as she happily snagged the paper from Madam Gardenia. “I know this street, and this street, oh, that’s a new street, hopefully I can find it easily. Maybe I’ll stop and ask for directions!”

  “Maybe I should go with her,” Frost said.

  “No!” everybody whined simultaneously.

  “You promised us a date!” Iris pouted while stomping her foot.

  “And dancing!” Jasmine said. “You’ve never taken us dancing!”

  “He’s never taken me dancing,” Madam Gardenia said while glaring at him. “Apparently he only dances for harpies.”

  “No fair! No fair! No fair!” Iris whined.

  “Please, please, please come with us,” Zinnia said while latching onto his arm. The brown-haired Durra stared at him as her tail wagged back and forth.

  “She really shouldn’t be left alone,” Frost grumbled.

  “I’m sure she’ll be fine,” Madam Gardenia said. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

  “The worst?” Frost scoffed. “Are you joking?”

  “Please, please, please!” Jasmine said while tugging on his arms. The other women quickly joined in and Madam Gardenia even gave him several small tugs while smirking at him.

  “Fine,” Frost groaned while staring at Madam Gardenia. “But don’t forget that you’re the one that vouched for her so if she causes trouble that’s going to blow back on you.”

  “Oh, please,” Cassia scoffed while staring at the list. “As if I would leave witnesses. I’m not an idiot.”

  “Are you sure you trust her to do this?” Frost asked while staring at Madam Gardenia.

  “She’s just playing,” Madam Gardenia said while glancing nervously at the pointy-eared prophet. “I’m sure she’ll be good.”

  “So good,” Cassia said while shoving the list in her brassiere. “Anyway, a lot to do. I suppose I’ll be back when I finish!”

  “Alright,” Frost nodded. “Seriously, behave yourself.”

  “Yes, yes,” Cassia said as she walked toward the exit. “I already told you I’d be good! Have a little bit more faith in me Lord Sebastian.”

  “What exactly are you looking for at the slave auctions Lord Sebastian?” Erena asked. “I might be able to help. I have been in the city longer than Lady Bloodtail.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Frost said while playfully rubbing her head. He felt that the white-tailed Kina might have already guessed his identity based on context but he wasn’t about to let her know their objective before it was secured. It would complicate things if anybody found out that the prophet of an enemy country was in Nir. “Just let us handle it. You’ll find out once we’re on a ship back home with our objective.”


  “Fine,” the blue-eyed Kina said while pouting at him.

  “Anyway,” Frost smiled at Madam Gardenia. “About that date?”

  “Finally!” Jasmine shouted. “Let’s go!”

  CHAPTER 27

  The Hightower was a massive stone building and looked like it might have been a renovated warehouse. It clearly got its name from the tower portion which, based on the difference in age between it and the rest of the building, was added during the renovation. It was still an impressive building and based on how many people he saw entering and leaving, extremely popular.

  When they entered the building, his theory about the venue being a renovated warehouse was pretty much confirmed.

  The main floor of the establishment was completely open and reminded him a bit of Jasmine’s Wilderness Theater except without the decorations. The polished wood floor of the venue was crafted from a high-quality hardwood that almost seemed out of place given the old stone walls of the building. At the center of the ground level was a massive dance floor and a good-sized stage for the band to play on.

  Tables were set up around the dance floor and a massive bar spanned the entire rear wall of the building. The kitchen was open and located directly behind the bar like many of the restaurants in his own world. Frost could see fire and steam as the chefs ran around the kitchen completing orders.

  There were also two separate stories of wooden balcony dining areas that had obviously been added during the renovations. Food was delivered from the kitchen to a pair of bars located on the balcony using magically powered dumbwaiters. The waiters assigned to the balcony dining areas picked up the food at the dumbwaiter and the busboys dropped off the bins of dirty dishes. But each of the balconies had their own exclusive bars and bartenders.

  The final two floors of the Hightower seemed to be roped off and Frost couldn’t see them upon entry. A spiral staircase led to the tower portion of the building which was likely much fancier than the main floors.

  “Good evening…um…lord and ladies?” a nervous Myrran hostess bowed politely as she welcomed them. “Are you looking for a table this evening?”

  “I was told that there’s a nice view here,” Frost said as he glanced at the roped off area. “Is it closed for the evening?”

  “I’m afraid the Stormbow Company has rented out the floors,” the Myrran girl quietly asked, tensing her shoulders as if preparing to be yelled at. “I’m very sorry my lord.”

  “Is it normal to rent out an entire section like that?” Erena asked while staring at the section.

  “It isn’t,” the Myrran girl said nervously. “And I’m very sorry my lord. It’s just that we’re attempting to convince the Stormbow Company to become our new distributor since our previous one will not renew our contract.”

  “You don’t need to explain,” Frost said while staring at the stairway leading to the tower. He wondered how many businesses in the city were going to suffer because the next King of Nir disliked demihumans and then wondered how much money he could make by taking advantage of it. He smiled at Jasmine and nodded toward the dance floor. “You’re all okay getting a table down here, right?”

  “Lord Sebastian,” Erena placed her hand on his arm and shook her head. “If you dine in the common area it’ll reflect poorly on your station. Maybe we can pay for Jasmine, Iris, and Zinnia to dine here while we go to Silk Tails.”

  “I apologize for the inconvenience my lord,” the Myrran repeated while bowing her head more deeply. “I am not blind. I can tell that you are very wealthy and don’t mean to offend you. Please accept my humblest apologies for the inconvenience.”

  “It’s fine,” Frost said while looking around the floor. He noticed a small group of unoccupied tables that was a short distance from the bar and only a couple rows back from the dancefloor. “I see some tables that would work over there.”

  “Um, my lord, are you sure?” the woman asked while glancing at the available section.

  “Is there something wrong with them?” Frost asked.

  “Typically, a human would select a place on the balcony,” Erena said politely while pointing upward. “The second balcony appears to be exclusively human while the first balcony seems to be higher class demihumans and humans. Sitting down here would reflect poorly on you. Think of it this way. This floor is the commoner floor, the second floor is the low-level merchant floor, and the third floor is the high-level merchant floor. The tower tonight would be a step above that.”

  “Lots of things reflect poorly on me,” Frost smirked. “And I like commoners.”

  “But…”

  “It’s fine Periwinkle,” Madam Gardenia interrupted while placing her hand on the white-tailed woman’s shoulder. “Lord Sebastian has dined in far worse places.”

  “Can we go to the table yet?” Zinnia asked. “And can I order whatever I want? Can I?”

  “Yeah,” Frost nodded at Zinnia and turned toward the hostess. “Those tables work, right?”

  “Yes, of course my lord,” the Myrran girl said as she crossed the tables out in her notebook.

  The polite Myrran walked them to their table while making hand signals at several waitresses. Two waitresses rushed over to the table and began adjusting things before they arrived and a third rushed into the kitchen to inform them of the situation. Seconds later, two larger Durra men walked out and moved the other tables to create some distance between Frost’s table and the rest of the room.

  “That’s really not necessary,” Frost sighed as the waitresses inspected everything.

  Frost pulled out a seat for Madam Gardenia at the round table and as she sat down Jasmine and Iris rushed toward the seats that were exactly two spaces away from Madam Gardenia. The women obviously anticipated that Frost would sit next to his crimson-tailed mistress and placed their wagers.

  Frost sat down between Iris and Madam Gardenia since Iris didn’t get to go somewhere fancy.

  “I won!” Iris said excitedly as Zinnia and Jasmine glared at her.

  Erena sighed and took the seat on the opposite side of Madam Gardenia while Zinnia begrudgingly sat beside Iris. Almost immediately, two waitresses arrived at the table to take orders for appetizers and drinks. Frost ordered several samples of their strongest alcohols to see what Goldsail had to offer.

  Most of the alcohol he’d tasted in the world would have been considered a wine or a port and capped out at a flavored brandy. Nobody was serving whiskeys, rums, or vodkas which was strange to him because there were plenty of vegetables that would work for it.

  The waitresses brought over a couple bottles of wine for the women and a tray of small sample shots for him to try.

  “Please let us know which you prefer,” the waitress said as she set down the tray.

  “Can I try some?” Jasmine asked while staring at a small glass of brown liquor.

  “Sure,” Frost said, offering the cat-girl the small glass.

  “Ack!” Jasmine said after a sip of the alcohol. “What is that? Why would you drink that? It’s like drinking fire!”

  “Hm,” Frost took it down like a shot. The liquor tasted like a cheap whiskey mixed with soap. If they all tasted like that it was no wonder everybody was serving wines instead. The drink was certainly stronger but the brandy-like drinks the elves brewed were much smoother. Frost put down another drink and while the flavor was slightly better it still wasn’t good. It was as if all of their liquors were diluted with some type of cleaner. He reached for a clear liquid and took down the shot. It was basically a flavored vodka, which was definitely something he could work with. “This one’s not bad.”

  “A fine choice my lord,” the waitress said. Frost shook his head and took down the remaining three drinks, all three of which seemed to be some type of rum but only one of them was half decent. “Maybe you’d like to slow down…”

  “He’ll be fine,” Madam Gardenia chuckled. “It normally takes him a few bottles of strong wine before he really starts having fun.”

 
“Yeah,” Jasmine said, wincing as she licked her lips. “Taste certainly doesn’t go away.”

  “So,” Frost smirked at the waitress. “What I would like is a bottle of this, this, and this. But, I would also like a few bottles of fruit juice. If possible, if you have anything with mint that would be nice as well. Finally, some syrup if you have it.”

  “Um,” the waitresses looked to the other for approval. “I think that’s okay, right?”

  “We’ll bring them right over,” the other said while looking around the table.

  “What about food?” Zinnia whined. “I’m starving!”

  “Right,” Frost said while looking over the small paper menu. “You all can get whatever you want obviously.”

  The women immediately started talking over each other as the waitresses attempted to take down their orders. Jasmine’s order consisted of various grilled fish and fowl while Zinnia ordered virtually everything with ribs or steak in the name. Iris asked if she could try all of the salads and Frost immediately agreed.

  Madam Gardenia and Erena both showed off their refined tastes by ordering complex dishes that combined multiple different types of foods.

  “For you my lord?” the women asked while waiting for him to order.

  “Before you get started on the food bring us one of each appetizer and then for my meal, have your chefs pick their three favorite dishes,” Frost answered. “I’m not really a picky eater.”

  “Very well my lord,” one of the waitresses said while bowing. “I’ll take care of your drinks and we’ll let the chefs know.”

  “Thanks,” Frost said as the second waitress gestured at a waiter to help her lock down a second table since their orders weren’t going to fit on the single round table.

  Liquor and mixers Frost asked for arrived almost immediately and then he asked for various glasses. It instantly went to work mixing the liquids like an alchemist brewing a potion. He started by creating a vodka gimlet using the clear alcohol and syrup brought to the table and after a quick taste pushed it over to Iris.