Feral: Chapter 14

Allgowlden City was usually one of the most beautiful buildings I’d ever seen. Jennifer only let me visit when I came of age, and I’d spent my childhood wondering what it was like. Of course, I’d had no idea it was a brothel.

Two stories tall, taking up a small space near the docks, it had ivy vines trailing along the walls, cloth drapes on all the doors stained glass windows depicting scenes from history, and of course, the prostitutes that frequented the building.

Jennifer hired people of every species and origin to work for her. While those who worked in the more ‘unsavory’ aspects of her business were beautiful in every sense of the word, she also hired people to cook, serve, and clean. She was all about equal employment, and those who worked for her tended to be safer than they would have been in other cities while doing the same work.

That was where we were headed too.

Katya rode alongside us on Mountain, finally settling the theory in my mind that he was her mount. The rest of us rode in a carriage, led by a contingent of guards. If any of the armor-clad men and women guarding Katya realized where we were headed, they kept it to themselves.

When we got there, a small group of Jennifer’s ‘employees’ immediately assembled into two lines. Noticeably, all of them were fully dressed.  Beautifully dressed of course, with flowing dresses and well pressed shirts and trousers for each person, but at least there were no scandalous sections of skin showing. Apparently Jennifer had warned them that today’s guest of honor was more innocent than most.

Richard stepped out first, his face showing relief when he noticed the workers were fully dressed. Katya and Mountain came around the carriage, shocking the workers when the massive dog and armored girl appeared.

Jennifer followed, looking as regal as a queen in a flowing green dress that shimmered in the torchlights. Compared to Richard, Katya, and Jennifer, who looked like they were headed to a kings court, Arthur, Hasha, and I stood out thanks to our simple shirts and trousers.

I was fine with that. Seeing Katya smiling as people gazed in awe at the beautiful girl wearing the armor set I’d created, I felt a fierce sense of pride.

“Come on lad,” Arthur grabbed my arm and pulled me along. “And stop smiling like that. We get it, you did well. Now come on.”

I smirked, but acceded his point. We walked into the brothel, with the workers on each side bowing down as we came. The guards took spots at the door, and I could see more moving off, possibly to defend other areas. Then we entered.

The brothel itself had red for a theme, considering the season, with long banners and drapes hanging from the ceiling, plush carpets, cups and plates, and paintings all following this theme. Jennifer liked to change the colors for things like holidays and such. The main lobby only had a small table in the center, rather than the dozens of them that was the norm. Trays of food and drink sat on the table, and two men and three woman stood nearby in simple clothing that flattered their appearance. Unusually, the room was rather empty.

“Considering the occasion, I thought it best that we might celebrate alone,” Jennifer said.

“Probably for the best,” Richard agreed. He pulled a chair from the table for Jennifer. She arched an eyebrow, smirked, and sat down. “I’d like for Katya to get an early start tomorrow, so only three hours here.”

Hasha, with all the elegance Richard had displayed, pulled out a chair for Katya. “I must say, this will be nice,” the wizard said as Katya sat with a giggle. “To be able to truly have a chance to talk.”

“We could have talked at the shop,” I grunted. “Eaten there too.”

“Oh please,” Jennifer rolled her eyes. “If it wasn’t for the more refined minds around you, you’d never leave that shop of yours.”

“Nothing wrong with a bit of work,” I said back, reaching out for a pitcher of water.

“A bit, yes,” Hasha sat down as well. “But too much will turn you into… well, Richard I suppose.”

“What?” the dour-faced man glared at Hasha, then grabbed a cup from Katya’s hand before she could take a sip. He swigged it, waiting a moment, then handed it to her.

“She can’t be poisoned,” I said with a quirk of my eyebrow when I noticed the motion, Arthur sitting next to me as I did. “She has runes against that in her armor.”

Richard rolled his eyes. “Light orcling, you say that word too damn much. Runes, runes, runes!”

“Runes,” I said.

Katya giggled, then gave her caretaker an innocent look when he turned to her. Richard sighed.

“Still, thanks for that.”

“No problem.”

As Richard and I tried to pretend we liked each other, Katya was looking around happily. “This place is so beautiful Jennifer!”

“Why thank you dearie,” Jennifer raised her cup. “Well, let’s start with a toast. To the Prophesied Child, and her armorer!”

“Here here!” Arthur, with three bottles of alcohol hidden beside him where Katya couldn’t see them and a poison rune glowing under his shirt, clinked his wooden cup to Jennifer’s. We all joined in, laughing at the enthusiasm in his voice.

The cups clinked, and Mountain barked happily. The waiters began revealing food, and the party began in full.

------

“You’re a priest?” Arthur asked Richard in shock.

Richard frowned. “Why does everyone say that?”

“Because you act more like a cantankerous old man with anger issues than you do a wise priest?” I asked rhetorically.

Richard glared at me. I shrugged, not seeing how I was wrong. 

The three of us had taken on corner of the table, and were eating together. Katya and Jennifer were giggling over something. Considering the two girls, the topic could have been about fighting, fashion, or some new aspect of magic Katya was studying. Mountain and Hasha were talking with each other. I have no idea how, just that the elf and dog were somehow having a discussion. Something very odd about that dog…

“It was a requirement of the Chapel,” Richard said abruptly.

“What was?” I turned from my observation of Hasha telling Mountain a story.

“Becoming a priest,” Richard took a swig of ale. “I was just a soldier. The Arch-Bishop, he made me a priest when I came to teach and protect Katya. Said it was to keep the politicians off my back.”

“What, the Chapel ain’t above politics?” Arthur rasped.

Richard scoffed. “Fuck no. There are okay folk, like Father Mitchell and the little one there,” He waved to Katya, who was looking over Stormcall with a critical eye as Jennifer spoke to her. “But there’s politics wherever you go.”

“Not for me,” Arthur thumped his chest. “Self-made man. Never had to deal with that shit as a blacksmith.”

“Lucky you then,” Richard shrugged. “I suppose your shop will be busy now, once Katya starts going around in that armor of yours.”

“As long as no one asks us to make the exact same thing,” I winced. “Her armor cost as much as it takes to outfit a small group of soldiers. I still can’t believe you convinced the Chapel to pay for all those reagents and what not.”

“Perks of being the caretaker,” Richard said blithely. “As long as it’s for her protection, I get the full resources of the Chapel in whatever I do.”

“Must be hard not to misuse that sort of power,” I noted.

Richard shook his head. “No. Sweet girl like Katya? I’d never do anything that could hurt her.”

Arthur grunted in seeming approval.

On seeing Hasha nod as Mountain growled, I finally rose up and walked over to the elf and dog. Behind me, Arthur and Richard continued to speak.

When Hasha noticed me walk up he grinned. “Ah, Char, sit! I was just having a lovely conversation with our dear Mountain.”

“Yeah, I wnted to ask about that,” I looked at Mountain. The giant dog smiled and panted heavily. “Can… he talk?”

“Oh, not a bit,” Hasha smirked. “But I’ve learned a few things. First, his parentage. It turns out, a beast spirit of magic is in his ancestry. Fascinating, isn’t it?”

I quirked an eyebrow. “Spirits can have children?”

“In some rare cases,” Hasha shrugged. “Well, in truth they simply manipulate the genetic makeup of a fetus after it has been created, giving it a portion of their power, but it amounts to the same thing. I think, when this is all over, we should do some research into Mountain,” he gave Mountain a quick smile. “Uh, non-invasive of course.”

“Speaking of ancestry,” I looked at Hasha. “I was wondering what you could tell me about orcs.”

Hasha’s smile widened. “…Come by my workshop tomorrow. I have more than a few texts that might give you some answers, and I can tell you of my own experiences.”

I blinked. “Just like that?”

“Knowledge only comes when you’re willing to accept it,” Hasha nodded. “And you seem willing.”

Katya suddenly came in and wrapped Mountain in her arms. Well, tried to, her arms were too short. Still the big dog growled in happiness as Katya nuzzled him.

“What are you two talking about?” Jennifer asked. She held a flute of wine in her off-hand, and was sipping at it as she joined us.

“Genetics,” Hasha said smoothly. “Ah, Katya, have we looked into genetics yet?”

“Yes,” Katya’s voice was muffled against Mountain’s fur, but she still managed to smile with her eyes as she looked around the big dog.

“Hm…” he rubbed his chin. “Seem to burning through subjects quickly.”

“Yeah, how are you doing that?” I asked, my curiosity at the rapid pace of Katya’s learning under Hasha. “Weren’t you teaching her geology yesterday?”

“Trade secret,” Hasha answered simply. “Besides, I’m a wizard. It’s part of our mystique to keep secrets.”

I smirked at that. After a few more minutes of talking however, I started to feel a bit hot under the collar.

“Uh, Jennifer?” She turned from where she’d been making fun of Richard for something. “I’m going head outside, get a bit of air.”

“Oh, well then,” she smiled briefly. “Come back soon, okay?”

I headed for the back door. Walking through the empty kitchen, then through the area where food was stored, I opened the door that led outside, and found myself in an alleyway. An alley very similar to the one I’d been jumped in the day before meeting the Prophesied Child.

I took a deep breath of the night air, and licked my right tusk. I felt…good. Great even.

I’d made the best armor in my life, though I’d need to finish the helmet for Katya later tonight. My friends, new and old, were having fun in the building behind me. And Richard had been right earlier. Ignoring the large commission for making Katya’s armor, creating such an elaborate piece for a high profile client would bring a lot of business for the shop.

After all these years, after all the pain, things might finally be getting better. I felt at peace. I stood there, breathing the night air and remembering the best parts of the past days. Even with the random assassin that had tried to kill me, and those knights who’d done the same, there was more good than bad to enjoy.

I stood there for about a minute. Then, I turned to enter the brothel again, only to realize the door was locked. I shrugged, and turned to walk around.

A crossbow bolt slammed deep into my shoulder.

For a moment I didn’t understand what had happened. I looked at the piece of wood that had stabbed into my muscles as I staggered back under the kinetic force of the blow. Then, when the pain struck, I roared, my orc lungs erupting in pain and rage.

“Rush him, now!” I looked up to see a man in leather armor carrying an empty crossbow yelling at two men wearing steel plate as he reloaded. Two other men in leather armor stood alongside the crossbow user, brandishing knives.

As the men in armor rushed me, I felt a sense of familiarity. 

“Back to normal then,” I growled, breaking the bolt in my shoulder away.