Herald of Shalia

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Herald of Shalia Page 32

by Tamryn Tamer


  “I’ll ask Madam Gardenia,” Jasmine blushed as she ran out of the room. Frost heard a bunch of commotion downstairs and a minute footsteps rushing up the stairs.

  “Please, please, please, please, please,” Iris closed her eyes and clasped her hands together as Frost and Brynn finished getting dressed. “Please, please, please, please, please.”

  “She said okay!” Jasmine said grinning maniacally as she entered.

  “Yes!” Iris and Zinnia screamed as the three scurried about grabbing their clothing and rushing out of the room.

  “We’ll meet you downstairs!” Jasmine said excitedly as the three rushed off.

  “They’re just the cutest things ever,” Frost said as he stared at their naked asses as they rushed out of the room. “Aren’t they?”

  “They’re cute,” Brynn agreed while slapping his ass. “But you’re the cutest thing ever. Let’s get some food downstairs.”

  CHAPTER 27

  Frost and Brynn walked downstairs and sat at the bar as several courtesans stared at them anxiously. He was surprised by how crowded the brothel was so early in the morning. It wasn’t only women he’d seen the night before but if he wasn’t mistaken their families.

  They seemed uncomfortable with Frost and Brynn but it could have equally been due to the guards that’d barged in earlier. He heard several of them mumble the world princess under their breath while trying to discreetly point at Brynn.

  Madam Gardenia obviously knew as well as any of the women around the night before. But it seemed there were a lot of people just finding out that the Herald of Shalia and a princess of Zira were staying in a room upstairs.

  After a while the women became more comfortable and began chatting as if Frost and Brynn weren’t even there as they ate. The breakfast was basically some type of potato hash, bread, and fruit. It was clearly made to be inexpensive while serving as many as possible.

  Frost felt something tug on his shirt and looked down to see a young lizard person. The only thing indicating gender to him was the fact they were wearing a dress. Her face reminded him of a snake and the forked tongue that flickered out solidified that image.

  “Who are you?” the girl asked.

  “Omari!” the serpent woman at the other end of the long counter rushed over and grabbed the girl. She protectively hid the girl behind her and bowed. “I’m so sorry. Please allow me to take punishment in her place.”

  “Right,” Frost sighed as he was reminded that humans regularly beat demihuman children for not knowing their status. Frost glanced at the green-scaled woman and shook his head. “I’m not going to punish anybody.”

  “You’re not?” the lizard woman asked.

  “No,” Frost waved at Omari. “Omari is it? I’m Frost, I’ll be staying her for a couple days.”

  “Hi,” Omari waved back and turned to the other lizard woman. “Mom, I’m hungry.”

  “Oh, sorry pet,” the lizard woman rushed behind the counter and made the girl a plate. “Now go sit down and eat.”

  “Ready!” Jasmine said as she came rushing down the stairs with Zinnia and Iris. The three of them were dressed in matching yellow sundresses which made Zinnia and Jasmine’s tan skin stand out. As for Iris, she reminded him of a warm summer day. As he looked around the room, he noticed a lot of the women wore a similar style although different colors. He wondered if the madam bought in bulk.

  “Ouch,” Frost said as Brynn jabbed him in the arm with her fork. “What?”

  “You didn’t look at me like that,” Brynn smirked wickedly. “I’m your fiancé. You should only look at me like that.”

  “First off, I definitely looked at you like that. Second, I told you I’d make an awful husband,” Frost said as he jumped out of his seat. He reflexively grabbed their empty plates and began walking toward the kitchen as everybody stared at him. In the kitchen he saw a dark-haired Myrran male and a blonde elf cooking. The two stopped what they were doing as he walked the dishes to the sink and left. Brynn was staring at him as he came out. “So, I did something weird again, didn’t I?”

  “How did you guess?” Brynn asked. “Did the fact that everybody’s staring at you like you’re doing something weird give it away?”

  “That’s exactly it,” Frost laughed.

  “You don’t need to clear your own plate my lord,” Jasmine said embarrassedly. “We could have done that for you.”

  “It’s fine,” Frost said as he gestured at men and women getting their own food and clearing their own tables. “I was just doing what everybody else was doing. Anyway, let’s head out. I want to look around.”

  “Alright,” Jasmine said excitedly. “We’ll take you to all the best shops! At least the best shops in this part of the city.”

  “Right,” Frost nodded. “I want to learn as much as I can about Blackwater. If possible, I’d like to meet as many crafters as possible as well.”

  “Crafters?” Brynn looked at Frost suspiciously. “I thought we were relaxing.”

  “I am relaxing,” Frost smiled. “I relax by learning new things. Let’s go.”

  The three courtesans led him around the demihuman part of the city while introducing him to different types of crafters. There were tailors, blacksmiths, leatherworkers, alchemists, jewelers, and other crafters as well. None of them were permitted to learn their crafts from the proper guilds and instead learned themselves.

  While there were crafters in the elf village, none of them were even close to the level of the demihumans in the city. The human part of the city probably had even better crafters although he wouldn’t get to see them.

  Whenever he met a new crafter, he asked them to teach him the most basic item to craft and just as Lysandra had explained to him he unlocked the abilities relating to that crafting job. Fortunately, several of the crafters were more than eager to talk about their respective professions and much like Shael had been with his combat training, they were impressed with the quality of his questions.

  Similar to combat classes, adding points in something like blacksmithing would unlock new abilities while increasing his overall technique. But if he wanted to improve the quality of an individual item, he needed to spend points mastering that specific item. It seemed they mostly progressed by gaining restricted ability points and allocating them in items.

  “Do you gain levels from crafting?” Frost asked while scanning a large Durra blacksmith. He was level nineteen and his job was set to blacksmith but Frost didn’t get the impression he’d seen any combat. “Or do you have to go kill monsters?”

  “You’re a strange man,” the Durra boisterously laughed. “You ask such complex questions but you don’t know something like that? There are as many ways to gain experience as there are leaves on the trees. I imagine if you’ve only ever hunted monsters for experience you wouldn’t really notice though.”

  “Wouldn’t notice?” Frost asked.

  “The amount is small compared to killing monsters,” Brynn said. “Additionally, there’s no point in a crafter gaining a lot of levels. The ability points are more important.”

  “It’s as the lady says,” the muscular dog-eared man nodded. “Sure, there are advantages to leveling up like having the stamina to craft faster or for longer periods, but none of that matters if you turn out a poorly made product. And leveling up only earns you ten free points. That’ll get you nowhere in crafting when you have thousands of things to craft.”

  “Really?” Frost scanned his blacksmithing ability and sure enough, there were about a hundred different recipes to learn and they were basically all common sense components to make a larger item. Things like armor probably required instruction of some sort to learn. “I see. So, how fast do you earn restricted points?”

  “I earn about an ability point per day,” he answered. “Others earn less and those in the blacksmith guild earn more.”

  “Why do they earn more?” Frost asked.

  “Well,” the blacksmith stroked his chin. “They have more materials
on hand, proper instruction, more recipes, things of that nature.”

  “I see,” Frost nodded as he thought about the materials in particular. In games, if he purchased thousands of components at an auction house he could level quickly.

  Most of the day shaped up to be the same with Frost wandering around learning about crafting abilities. The more he learned the more he thought about how they all intersected and started creating a mental assembly line. If he thought about it enough, he was sure he could create his own optimized crafting guide.

  It was likely possible to level several crafts simultaneously as he’d done in games if he thought about the specific recipes and items necessary. He was sure that the various guilds utilized a similar thought process and worked with each other to provide materials. The alchemist’s guild most likely provided essential oils to tanners, blacksmiths, and even cooks while blacksmiths might make high end equipment for them.

  Even if the guilds weren’t working in tandem, they at least knew the best items to craft to increase their abilities. They also had the connections to quickly sell the items for a profit to purchase more materials. Based on his conversation with vendors in the demihuman part of the city, they didn’t sell very much so they didn’t craft very much slowing their progress.

  They returned to the inn and Frost had another wonderful night with the women. He thought about having different ones join them but the look on the three’s faces when they asked if he was finished with them broke his heart. He decided right then that he didn’t need anybody else.

  Brynn also seemed to like that idea since she was already comfortable with the women. Although, he could tell by the look in her eyes that she was almost in pain at her inability to join in the fun.

  The routine the next day was similar to the previous except this time there were several more demihuman children in the brothel. They were running around like, well, he didn’t want to make the comparison but wild animals.

  All of the girls were dressed in similar dresses to what Jasmine, Iris, and Zinnia wore the previous day and the boys wore identical pants and long tunics. He was positive that they were all buying in bulk to get a discount.

  “I apologize for the disturbance,” Madam Gardenia said as they ate their breakfast. “It’s a school day so…”

  “It’s not a problem,” Frost smiled at the madam as the children shoveled down food while several of the courtesans washed the children’s faces. “So, do they all live here?”

  “Goddess no,” Madam Gardenia laughed. “Although I could see why you might think that.”

  “The madam provides food for all the workers and their families,” Zinnia said while shoveling down her food. “And she buys large clothing shipments in bulk whenever she can find deals. She’s really good with money! Like, really, really good! She taught me a lot about saving money and spending smart.”

  “Most of the employees with children bring them here for breakfast,” Jasmine said. “She also negotiates for clothing for the children. She gives a lot back to the community.”

  “Hello Madam Gardenia,” a tan golden-haired Florenne walked in and a dozen similarly aged Florenne children rushed in behind her. Frost was suddenly very thankful for the infertility spell. “Sorry we’re running a little behind this morning.”

  “Stone!” Madam Gardenia yelled to the back group. “Hyacinth is here! Speed it up!”

  “You got it,” the Myrran male in the kitchen yelled back. “Could use a little help though.

  “Jasmine, Zinnia, Iris,” Madam Gardenia stared at the three judgmentally. “Go help him.”

  “But…” Jasmine started to object but was silenced with a stare. “Yes ma’am.” Jasmine and the others got up and rushed to the kitchen. “We’ll be back in a little bit. Don’t leave without us!”

  Frost watched as the Florenne woman methodically directed the children to line up to have their hands and faces wiped before directing them to seats. Once they were in their seats, she cheerfully skipped past them and headed toward the kitchen.

  She was slightly pudgier than Iris in the waist but her chest was almost the size of Zinnia’s. Additionally, she had a glow to her that reminded her of the elves. To top it all off, her tail, ears, and hair all looked so soft and fluffy he just wanted to touch them. The more he stared at her, the more he thought she might be the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.

  “Huh,” Frost shook his head as he suddenly felt like he was being pulled into a dream. He wondered if it was love at first sight. Then he felt a growing tightness in his pants and figured it might only be lust at first sight. “Um.”

  “Oh,” Madam Gardenia smiled while looking over the counter. “That is interesting.”

  “Frost,” Brynn glared at him. “Really?”

  “Sorry,” Frost said while pulling his collar. “Is it hot in here?”

  “Herald Frost,” Madam Gardenia grinned wickedly. “Hyacinth! Come here for a moment!”

  “Yes madam,” Hyacinth rushed out of the backroom. The Florenne smiled as she stared at the fox-eared madam. “What do you need?”

  “Can you stand next to the herald for a moment?” Madam Gardenia pointed at him as he took a drink of water. His heart was pounding like he was in battle and the room was getting uncomfortably warm. But all he could think about was how happy he’d be if Hyacinth stood next to him.

  “Herald?” Hyacinth’s eyes went wide and she bowed several times before rushing around the counter to stand by him. His heart pounded faster. “Like this?”

  “Yes,” Madam Gardenia nodded. The fox-woman leaned forward and smirked. “How are you feeling Herald Frost?”

  “I don’t know,” Frost said while glancing at his wine and food. Everything felt tingly and soft. Tingly. Soft. Warm. He realized he was smiling but couldn’t stop himself.

  “Frost?” Brynn asked while pointing at his hand squeezing Hyacinth’s fluffy tail. “What are you doing?”

  “It’s not a problem!” Hyacinth said cheerfully. “It’s my fault! Completely my fault! I was out running this morning! I should have bathed before coming here!”

  “What’s going on?” Frost asked as he resisted the urge to pull Hyacinth onto his lap. But her tail was beyond fluffy, it was unnaturally fluffy. He wanted to use her backside as a pillow.

  “Pheromones,” Madam Gardenia laughed and shooed Hyacinth off. The bunny-woman blushed and bowed while rushing to the kitchen. “Florenne women start exuding pheromones after giving birth to encourage males to care for them. You seem to have a rather extreme sensitivity to them. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Pheromones?” Frost said while splashing some water on his face. Hyacinth smiled at him as she walked out of the kitchen and delivered food to her children. She was definitely the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. There was no way it was just pheromones. “You said to keep their men around, so Hyacinth has a…”

  “Mate?” Madam Gardenia grinned. “No, she’s a single mother. A very good mother and a hard worker. I’m sure she would do anything to please a strong caring man who wanted to care for her and her family.”

  “Fuck,” Frost smiled as he started thinking about inviting her back to the village. “I mean, I suppose she’s only interested in a human…”

  “I believe calling it an extreme sensitivity may be an understatement,” Madam Gardenia laughed as she reached behind the counter and pulled out a bottle. She poured some red liquid into his water and pushed it toward him. “Drink this.”

  “Ack,” Frost said while making a disgusted face as he guzzled it down. It tasted like cough medicine mixed with coffee grounds but almost immediately he felt like he was waking up from some wonderful dream. “Oh, that stuff tastes foul.”

  “That it does,” Madam Gardenia said. “It’s primarily used to sober people up. Even when mixed with water it’s effective.”

  Frost still found Hyacinth unbelievably beautiful but he couldn’t believe he was about to consider taking her back to the elf vi
llage. Although, as he stared at her, he wondered if it would it really be that bad. She was still beyond beautiful, he would be lucky to have her. He could cuddle up next to her every night and care for her…

  “Pour me a shot of that,” Frost gestured at the disgusting red liquid. After taking it both down he started to think more like himself. Yes, she was beautiful and fluffy, but Iris was just as pretty. Although he wouldn’t say prettier, the way Hyacinth glowed. “Fuck, that is potent.”

  “Yeah,” Madam Gardenia said while staring at the empty shot glasses. “Normally you just add it to water. I can’t believe you drank it straight.”

  “I wasn’t talking about the shot,” Frost said looking back at Hyacinth. He couldn’t get her out of his head. She was downright dangerous. “Damn.”

  “Lady Brynn,” Madam Gardenia said mischievously. “You are marrying him soon, correct?”

  “That’s right,” Brynn sighed. “As embarrassing as he is.”

  “I can make a special perfume you may be interested in,” Madam Gardenia grinned while gesturing at Hyacinth. “For your wedding night of course. And the proceeds would go to help a single mother care for her children. Only ten rel for a bottle.”

  “I’ll take three,” Brynn nodded while sliding her the coins. “Have them ready before we leave.”

  “Of course,” Madam Gardenia said while wandering off. “Hyacinth, I need you in back for a moment.”

  “Coming!” Hyacinth rushed off with the Madam.

  “Okay,” Frost laughed. “I know what you two are plotting and don’t you think it’s a little wrong to take advantage of my sensitivity like that?”

  “Don’t you think it’s a little wrong to sleep with other women?” Brynn countered.

  “Not the same thing,” Frost argued.

  “If you don’t want me to wear it…”

  “I didn’t say that,” Frost interrupted as his cock pressed against his pants. He definitely loved the feeling it gave him. “You just have to let me know when you’re wearing it. And if you try using it before our wedding night, no promises of how I might react. Got it?”

 

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