CHAPTER 31
Cadrian split off from them as soon as they were back inside the city itself. Hal and Laurel walked slowly through the streets. The townsfolk seemed to have recovered a portion of their morale after the attack, and it made it easier for Hal to shelve his own drama.
Yua was cleaning the guest lodge when they returned. She didn’t ask them how the fight had gone, and Hal wondered if word had come ahead of them through Meldence’s expansive network of whispers and rumors.
He sat down with Laurel as she fed Mauve little pieces of meat. The baby dragon was getting big, too big for them to make much of an attempt to hide him from Yua or anyone else. They would have to leave the city soon, Hal decided. It wasn’t healthy for such an energetic creature to be cooped up inside all the time.
Karnas was as affectionate with Laurel as any animal would be with their mother. He nuzzled his head up against her neck, making a repetitive clicking noise from deep within his throat that reminded Hal slightly of a cat’s purring.
There was a knock on the door, and Hal opened it to allow Zoria inside. The petite elf began laughing as soon as she entered the sitting room, taking a few seconds to recompose herself before pulling out a massive bag of coins and showing it to Hal and Laurel.
“Wow,” said Hal. “How much is that?”
“Just short of eleven hundred gold,” said Zoria. “A small fortune. It’s your share of the bet.”
“My share of the bet?” said Hal. “How much did you bring in overall?”
Zoria smiled, but didn’t answer the question.
“Of course, I need you to finish my tattoos, first,” she said. “This is a hard requirement, master. I need to have the full range of my runic magic back. Immediately.”
Hal smiled at her.
“Fair enough,” he said. “You’re doing a great favor for us, Zoria. I hope you realize how much we appreciate it.”
Zoria’s face turned bright red. She glanced away from Hal, fidgeting with the end of a loose lock of brown hair.
“It’s a favor I do for myself, not for you,” she said, quickly. “Don’t assume anything about my motives, cattle. These surface matters mean nothing to me.”
“Of course they don’t,” he said, smiling. “Come on. Let’s get the rest of your tattooing over with.”
“Hal,” said Laurel. “While you’re doing that, I’m going to head out and petition Maxim Cedric for a meeting. I want to get our bid on the homestead in as soon as possible, so we don’t miss out.”
“Sounds good,” said Hal.
They left the sitting room. Zoria took off her tunic and settled into Hal’s bed after teasing him with a few obvious flashes of her breasts. Hal pulled the tattooing tracings and ink shard out of her satchel and set about sterilizing the tip of the shard over the fire.
He was as gentle as he could be as he set the ink into her flesh. Zoria was very clearly in pain, especially as the process dragged on. The designs were large and complicated, some of them spanning across inches of her back without any empty space. Hal’s knowledge of elven lettering paid off in a few places, and he thought fondly of Roth, his tutor.
Zoria’s body was a tricky canvas to work on. She held still enough, but her reactions to the painful ink, particularly sweat and involuntary muscle twitches, were something Hal had to work around. He took frequent breaks, running his hand through her hair and bringing her cups of water to help her stay calm.
“There,” he said, after close to three solid hours of tattooing. “It’s finished.”
“It’s… done?” asked Zoria, her body shivering from the pain.
“It’s done.” Hal set the tattoo shard down. He moved to the other side of the bed, lifting Zoria’s head and sitting down so it was resting on his lap.
“Thank you master,” said Zoria. She smiled mockingly at him, and Hal grinned back at her.
“Thank you,” he said. “We both know these tattoos aren’t worth as much as you paid for them.”
Zoria rolled her eyes, but Hal didn’t let the point drop.
“You’re like me,” he said. “You didn’t ask to be in this realm, but you’re making the best of it. And managing to help others along the way. Even if we are just pathetic surfacers.”
“Bitch’s blood,” muttered Zoria. “You’re going to turn my stomach with your sickly sweet words.”
“I’m serious.” Hal let his hand caress his cheek. He leaned down and gave her a soft, affectionate kiss on the lips. Zoria was too tired to do much more than make the pretense of kissing back.
“I… will probably be leaving soon,” she whispered. “As soon as my body accepts the tattoos, and I can conjure my full range of runic armor again.”
I should have expected as much.
“Will you head back to the Upper Realm?” asked Hal.
“Not just yet,” said Zoria. “I still have a few more points of interest to explore on the surface.”
Hal nodded. He smiled down at her, feeling like he still had more to say, but unsure of exactly what. Before he could take the time to figure it out, the door opened, and Laurel poked her head in.
“Hal?” She glanced around and saw him, and Zoria, and how they were lying. “Oh. Sorry, am I interrupting something?”
The question had a hint of the friction between Laurel and Zoria in it. Laurel frowned as she looked at Hal, apparently doing her best to pretend the elven girl wasn’t present.
“What is it, Laurel?” asked Hal.
“The Maxim wishes to see us,” she said. “Both of us. He requested you by name, as well.”
“Alright,” said Hal. He gently shifted position and slid by her on the bed. “You can rest here for as long as you want, Zoria. We’ll be back in a little bit.”
She nodded, and her eyes met Hals’ for a moment. There was something in them that he didn’t understand and certainly didn’t expect. She looked conflicted, as though something in their conversation had changed her outlook.
Hal took his pistol with him, tucking it back into its holster as he followed Laurel out of the guest lodge. In that respect, he was glad to be done with the arena fights. Having his gun on hand gave him a sense of confidence, even if it didn’t actually allow much more than his spark ring and sword did.
“What were you talking about?” asked Laurel.
“The future,” said Hal. “She’ll be on her way soon enough.”
“Oh,” said Laurel. “That’s too bad.”
Hal glanced over and saw her smiling. He reached out with a hand and flicked her in the ear.
“Hey!” she protested.
“You should do something nice for her before she leaves,” said Hal. “The two of you may occasionally have trouble staying on good terms, but she’s the reason we have a hope of holding onto the homestead.”
The purse of gold coins felt extremely heavy in Hal’s pocket. He still had trouble believing that Zoria had managed to win so much off such a simple bet.
Part of him suspected that she’d just fabricated the story, and paid him with coins leftover from her time running with the bandits. Or perhaps she had gone to a bookie in Meldence, but knowing her, she might have decided to forgo the bet and just stolen the coins, instead.
No. I trust her. Even if she is an extremely hard woman to predict.
“I’ll thank her before she goes,” said Laurel. “I’m not sure what else she’d accept from me.”
“Friendship,” said Hal. “And of course, an open door to stay at our homestead whenever she pleases.”
The two of them headed into the castle through the main gate. The air inside the stone hallway was cooler than it was outside, and it smelled of dust and old metal.
“Our homestead?” asked Laurel. “As in, yours and mine?”
“That’s what I said,” said Hal.
Laurel glanced over at him, her face scrunched up into an expression of distaste.
“Hal…” said Laurel. “The homestead belongs to my brother, in truth.”
Laurel scowled at him.
“It isn’t that simple,” she said. “If word gets around that we’re joint owners of the homestead, people will… start to talk.”
She blushed and folded her arms under her breasts. Hal set a hand on her shoulder.
“I don’t mind if you continue to play up the ruse of me being your bodyguard,” he said. “But I will be a joint owner of the homestead after this, Laurel.”
The two of them came to a stop in the hallway. Laurel looked at him seriously, her face lit by the flickering orange glow of a nearby torch scone.
“It matters to you,” she said. “Doesn’t it?”
“…Yeah,” he said. It made him feel bashful to admit it.
Of course it matters to me. The homestead has become my new home. The only home I have, anymore.
Laurel was smiling, and Hal could tell that she understood what he was saying on the same level that he did.
“Yes,” she said. “Halrin Kentar. I would love to have you share the homestead with me.”
Hal grinned at her. Without thinking, his hands drifted to her hips. He stared into Laurel’s eyes, feeling so much emotion and appreciation for her. They’d been through a lot together in the short time they’d known each other. He pulled her in a little closer to him. His hand reached out and brushed a loose lock of hair back from her cheek.
“Lady Laurel?” cooed a voice from around the corner. “Is that you?”
A serving girl was suddenly standing next to them. Laurel hurriedly removed Hal’s hand from her cheek and cleared her throat.
“Uh, yes,” she said. “I was just on my way to meet with the Maxim. If you’ll excuse me…er, us. My bodyguard and I.”
“Oh, a meeting with the Maxim!” gushed the serving girl. “Well ain’t that something! Milady.”
She offered a bow and hurried past them. Laurel started walking down the hall at a quicker pace, and Hal trailed a few feet behind her, like the irreproachable bodyguard he allegedly was.
CHAPTER 32
Maxim Cedric was the only one within his throne room, apart from the two guards at the door. His expression was distant, which along with his grey hair and beard made him look his full age.
He smiled as Laurel and Hal drew closer and stood up from his throne. He walked down the stairs and off the dais, coming within a few feet of Laurel, his smile broadening with each step he took.
“Lady Laurel,” said Maxim Cedric. “And Sir Halrin. What brings you to my audience chamber this afternoon?”
“Milord.” Laurel dropped to one knee and Hal followed her example. “If I may, I’d like to place a bid on my homestead and Fool’s Valley. I’ve had a… small windfall of earnings, from the tournament’s outcome.”
Maxim Cedric nodded slowly, gesturing for his two guests to rise.
“I’d suspected as much,” he said. “I’ve already made the arrangements to have the auction for Fool’s Valley suspended.”
“Milord?” said Laurel, with an edge of worry entering her voice. The Maxim held up a hand and slowly shook her head.
“The situation has changed, Laurel,” he said. “For the better, in case I didn’t make that clear. You’ve gained quite a bit of status in court over the past few days, not the least of which coming from the exquisite performance of your bodyguard in the Harvest Tournament.”
Hal felt a smile creep across his face. He was surprised by how much pride the Maxim’s praise stirred inside of him.
“Because of your newfound position, it will not seem untoward for me to play favorites here,” said Maxim Cedric. “Allowing you preferential treatment in the purchase of Fool’s Valley and your homestead will be seen as an intelligent move to strengthen ties with both you and your capable champion.”
“Oh,” said Laurel. “Of course, milord. That’s wise of you.”
Maxim Cedric chuckled.
“Of course, it isn’t my only reason for allowing this,” he said. “I am so proud of you, my girl.”
He gestured for her to come closer. Laurel kept her hands at her sides, and let out a tiny gasp of surprise as Maxim Cedric pulled her into a tight hug.
“Were I a younger man, I’d use this hug as a chance to sneak a pinch of your bottom,” said the Maxim.
Laurel flinched in surprise. Hal couldn’t stop himself from laughing. The Maxim pulled back from the hug, smiling and staring at Laurel’s face with obvious affection in his expression.
“Fool’s Valley is yours for one thousand gold,” said Maxim Cedric. “It’s the best I can do for you, Lady Laurel.”
Laurel glanced over at Hal and gave a small nod. He pulled the purse out of his pocket, carefully counted out the massive sum of coins, and placed it into the Maxim’s outstretched hands.
“You’ve done well off this tournament, indeed,” said Maxim Cedric. “I suppose you have your champion to thank for that.”
“I am beyond grateful to Halrin, milord,” said Laurel.
“Sir Halrin,” said Maxim Cedric, turning his head to address Hal directly. “I am indebted to you for the protection and loyalty you’ve shown to Laurel. But I admit, there is another reason I asked you to this meeting.”
“Of course, milord,” said Hal. “What is it?”
Maxim Cedric stared at him in silence for a couple of seconds, his face unreadable.
“Keeper Rodani has requested to meet with you in the Matron’s Tower,” said Maxim Cedric. “It isn’t uncommon. More than likely, it’s to offer you an accelerated route along one of the Paths, were you to choose to undergo training through the Temple of Lyris.”
Hal nodded. The Maxim licked his lips and sighed.
“I loathe to separate you from your champion for any amount of time, Lady Laurel, but I must admit that the tension between myself and the Keeper makes this a hard request for me to refuse on your behalf,” he said.
“It’s fine, milord,” said Laurel. “Halrin would be more than happy to meet with the Keeper. Right, Halrin?”
“Of course,” said Hal.
Though it doesn’t really seem like I have much of a choice.
“Very well,” said Maxim Cedric. “I’ll have one of my own boats take you over. Ask for a man by the name of Dresault once you reach the docks.”
The Maxim nodded to both of them, and Laurel bowed deeply, followed by Hal as he picked up on the cue for their dismissal. They left the audience chamber and then the castle.
Laurel was grinning as they stepped back out into the afternoon sun, and Hal couldn’t help but grin, too. He felt a huge weight slow off his shoulders as he let his breath out.
“We did it,” he said.
“You did it,” said Laurel. “Hal… I don’t know how I can ever repay you for this.”
“Don’t mention it,” said Hal. “I would do anything for you, Lilith.”
She stared at him blankly, and it took Hal an embarrassingly long time to catch his mistake.
“Laurel,” he said, far too late to be a proper correction. “Slip of the tongue.”
“…Right,” said Laurel.
The moment grew extremely uncomfortable as the silence between them lengthened. Hal cleared his throat as they arrived back at the guest lodge.
“Well,” he said. “Maxim Cedric is probably expecting me to make the trip to the Matron’s Tower before it gets dark.”
“It’s not a long trip,” said Laurel. “Maybe a half hour across the water. Assuming nothing happens, you’ll be back later tonight.”
Hal nodded, though something in her words put him a little on edge.
“Assuming nothing happens?” he asked. “What do you mean by that?”
Laurel glanced around, as though she was afraid of someone overhearing.
“I’ve told you this before, but the Temple of Lyris has its own doctrine concerning what’s appropriate and what’s not when it comes to using gemstones,” she said
. “The Keeper might have taken a special interest in you.”
Hal frowned.
“Did I do anything during my fights to give myself away?” asked Hal. “Do you think the Keeper knows about my heartgem?”
“That’s not what I mean,” said Laurel. “The Temple of Lyris frowns upon gem holders using… alternative methods when it comes to storing and channeling essence. Even the lords who have their mages and knights learn gem magic outside of the Matron’s Tower still go to the Temple to purchase the herbs and draughts needed for safely generating emotional essence.”
“Alright,” said Hal. “So you’re saying you think this is about Cadrian? And about the ‘True Ruby Path’ that she teaches?”
“Exactly,” said Laurel. “I’d be very careful about what you say to the Keeper. You can probably get away with getting vague answers if she asks you anything compromising. After today, I’m technically back in Maxim Cedric’s favor, and that will extend to you, too.”
“Anything else I should know?” asked Hal. “My homeland wasn’t exactly into religion like people are, here.”
Laurel pressed a finger against her lips, thinking for a moment.
“Try to avoid taking the names of the Five in vain,” said Laurel. “Not that you do that much, now. The Temple of Lyris worships them. They’re the chosen of the Matron, Lyris, and they brought peace and tranquility to Krestia’s Cradle after a hundred years of strife.”
“Uh-huh,” said Hal. He tried to keep his skepticism from his tone as he did the math in his head. Krestia’s Cradle had only been cut off from the Collected Provinces for a little over two hundred years. He made a mental note to try to get a look at a local history text and see what the “hundred years of strife” were really all about.
“When the Five were first chosen by The Matron, they were given gemstones and taught to use the magic within them,” said Laurel. “Lyris showed them Misery and Bliss, and showed them the evil of losing control of their emotions. Her lessons spread through the Five as more gemstones began to appear in the world, washed up on the shores of Lake Krestia, legend has it.”
Harvest Tournament (Sexcraft Chronicles Book 2) Page 18