GDRP - Book One: Norrburahki

Vressin nodded and turned to the Governor. "Governor, are we free to make arrangements for us to sleep, or, as part of your army, do we have sleeping quarters given to us?"

"Ast" -Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Governors Chamber

Nádúiranam stood by the two large pale creatures with hooves and oddly straight horns. He looked at them more fully, studying their clothes, their armor, how they stood. He looked at the long dark brown hair of one of the pale creatures, and his beard, knotted. Muscular bodies, claws. Claws. They had what looked to Nádúiranam to be rather deadly and ferocious claws. Probably something about their origins, with claws like those. Deadly looking.

The strange beast he was studying wore a brown robe, it looked as if he had bits of something beneath it, armor, Nádúiranam guessed. The creature wore leather boots. Strange, he'd thought the creature had hooves. It certainly resembled the Pan-folk of his land, but not entirely. Upon further study, he noticed the creature had silver eyes, perhaps the mask of some hidden intelligence. These great pale creatures were intelligent though, they spoke with the leader of this place, so they were not a feared race. Interesting.

The other creature was clean shaven, but similar in almost all respects. This one had a more complete set of what appeared to be metal armor, moreover, he had almost black hair. The robe he wore did little to conceal his armor to Nádúiranam. His demeanor was different as well, it was calm, and cool. Nádúiranam was almost interested in learning about this less-talkative creature. Almost, if the slave was not present, he would be.

However, the Slave, a young girl, of what appeared to be marriageable age. Dark hair, green eyes, tan yet pale skin. She was quite foreign looking to him, and thus more attractive to him then the women native to his land. She looked lean, not as well endowed as some of the women here, nor did she have good birthing hips. So perhaps not good as a mate. Nádúiranam was conflicted about this. Is this what the natives here found attractive? Nádúiranam furrowed his brow. This was such a strange place. He absently put his hand to his thin beard.

When the slave-girl put her hands to her eyes, Nádúiranam stepped forward, "Anquilla, quid agis?"

Trundum looked... slightly downward at the man. He wondered for a moment where this man had come from.
He certainly wasn't from here. Judging from what he had seen of the people. Hell, he might actually be here.
"Uh..." He looked confused. Then shook his head. "I do not understand what you're saying."

The Governor heard the two sides, that of the Otaizine thief and of the Ljnn guardian, both providing passion to their points. Of the two, it seemed Cejiso had more fury behind him, while Tilki had more will behind him. It was interesting to see, but in the end it didn't change the outcome of Solúmns decision.

"Tilki, you are to be sentenced to front line duty against the Undead Horde. You will ride tomorrow with the likes of Cejiso and his soldiers. I wish to you the best of luck, you will be in need of it."

A guard stepped forward and pushed Tilki forward, leaving him in his shackles as the Governor turned his attention to the last two people. As he did so, he answered the recently asked question from the Standur.
"You may make leave soon. You will be accompanied by two guards as you are each given rooms. I understand you three may want a single room, and it will be given to you."

Now, finally, he looked down at the nomad, smiling a little.
"I suppose now it is your tun."

=Arnethr heard the Governor address him, but did not look directly at the man, instead fixing his gaze just off to the left, playing on his blindness. His voice came quiet and slow, but clear and articulate, as he wanted it to be clear that he was educated in language. In the common tongue he spoke=

"Ask, and I will answer."

Cejiso watched the figure, following his gaze and eyeing his every motion. If he truly had committed these murders, and then brought back those guards as undead, who knew what else he could do? But if he was simply able to tell they had been undead, perhaps he had something different up his sleeve. He simply wondered at this point.

"Hm. There are no questions for me to ask you. You are the one who is arguing for their freedom here. As Ljcien said, you... what was it, assaulted two guards? That is a serious charge."

The Governor was not one to ask. Part of his character had always been that - others gave him their answers without him even raising the point. It had been one of the reasons the people clung to him so closely and admired him so widely. So much had changed over the last year though that Cejiso wondered if the Governor would even live to see much more of his home.

=The young man's response was quick and clear, and carried a certain tone of the voice that indicated a knowing for something yet to be revealed. If he was withholding any information in regards to the Guardsmen, he wanted that fact to be known plainly=

"Your 'guards' were Undead, sir, and a threat to the good people of that Inn."

The Governor raised his brow, as the two men sitting a few feet before him fidgeted, looking over to him at the mention of undead in their town. Solúmn was silent as Cejiso and the guards watched him, awaiting his response.

"Undead, you say. In Cantai. As my guards."

His tone was not filled with happiness nor wrought with fury or sorrow. It was flat. There was no tone. It was as if he was not even speaking in a way people understood. Cejiso felt a shiver run up his spine.

"How did you know they were Undead?"

=In a snappy motion, as if reaching for a dagger, the nomad's hand went under his cloak. He did this to toy with the guards, and it seemed to work. A smirk formed under his coverings as he slowly pulled out a gold-colored token, which he held up like a coin in display=

"Mage of Energetics."

The guards all gripped their weapons with both hands, in a loud unison of people moving, the sounds of chainmail and wood ringing through the room for a moment. Though none stepped or turned their gaze, they were all ready to leap forward should the need arise now.
Cejiso was different. His blade was now drawn, held at his side. He wasn't going to risk anything happening here.

"Ahh, of course. Interesting..." The Governor rubbed his beard a little, thinking deeply for a moment.

=Arnethr decided to push the envelope of this conversation, perhaps a degree of boldness, sarcasm even, would take the Governor off guard. This was a tactic the nomad had employed before, and knew the risk of it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained=

"If you would consider defending an innocent against Undead to be a crime, sir, I feel I could pick out a few of your own men who would be here beside me."

"This man is toying with you, Governor. He knows far more than he is letting on and he is trying to twist you around his finger to get away with his knowledge."

The Governor looked at Cejiso, only moving his eyes as he continued to think, holding his beard and closing his eyes for a moment, thinking about what he had heard so far, what he knew of the Undead, his guards, everything. He was not sure how to act, really, but he had to show that he was.

"That has not become the problem, young sir. However, my guardian has raised a point worthy of pursuit; what do you know of this? You clearly have something under your sleeve. Perhaps info on the Undead, or even how they managed to infiltrate my guardians."

Cejiso turned to face the nomad, smirking a little as the Governor continued to speak.
"If you know anything else, I implore that you share it with us here and now."

=Arnethr smiled fully now, not that it would be apparent in any way from beneath his coverings. His voice bore a sly tone as he spoke=

"Well, wouldn't everyone like to know. I can tell you this, Governor, the Horde is on the move. Where, I cannot say."

Cejiso turned his head quickly to the Governor, as did the two councilmen, all looking at him closely. The two councilmen seemed less than worried, and the Governor... he didn't even seem surprised. Sitting back in his seat, he frowned a little, tapping the wooden railings of his chair and letting out a soft laugh before he spoke.

"How do you know this?"

"Voices. Echoes from the West. More than this, I cannot speak to you."

=His eyes moved slowly to meet those of the Ljnn guard, then back towards the Governor=

"Their numbers are great. They will come."

Cejiso looked at the Governor, eyeing him and almost speaking with him. The two stared for a good few minutes before the Governor stood, adjusted his fine coat, and raised an arm.
Seven Jazierih emerged out of the shadows, halberds in arms, helms over their heads, covering their faces with fine masks, hiding any person and forming one great ferocious army of clones. Each in their own masters of warfare.

“My Jazierih will accompany you each to your rooms. You will follow the orders of Cejiso and you will remain in your rooms for the night, before all of your fates are decided finally in the morning. Many of you will be taken with the new recruits to New Monali to unite with the main army. From there, your lives are in the hands of the Cejiso. Best of luck to you, all.”
And with that, the guards ferried the people out one by one, each accompanying their dedicated consort. Cejiso remained behind as the door was slowly and silently closed, leaving a few guards, Cejiso, Solúmn, and his council.

“Do you think you are ready for what will come, Ljcien?”
Grand Generazi Matmúd Búliën was the commander of the whole of the forces of Halid, the orchestrator of the Ironkitoi, Steelbyziar, and in the absence of the Governor, even the Jazierih. He was one of the most decorated Otaizines in Easthur, a veteran of the ongoing Tribal Wars, the Undead Campaign, and even the Siege of the Greatwood. As one of Solúmns most trusted friends and colleagues, he had the honour of being among the Council of Five, the council that answered only to the Governor.

“Are you even prepared, Ljcien? Do you know what the Undead bring with them?”
Grand Kalizan Adím Cëlik was the head of taxes and treasures in Halid, and through him all monies ran before reaching the Governor, who would speak like this to his council to decide where the profits should merge. Though only Matmúd and Adím were present, the other two councilors still held their presence, their empty seats reminding Cejiso what was required to combat this enemy.

“I know little of the Undead. I have studied them on paper and word, but not physically. I know they carry death over them just as they carry undeath. I know they are the greatest modern threat we face. And I know they will outnumber us before we even arrive at them.”

Solúmn nodded, as the two present council members looked at him, pulling out a small folded note, written on red paper and folded delicately across the seams. He handed it forward as Adím stood up and went to take the note, before handing it over to Matmúd who finally handed it up to Cejiso.
The Ljnn took it, looking at the three men, none making eye contact as he began to read it.

Most Mighty and Proud Council of Governor Solúmn Daëlízh, Protectorate of Halid,

In hopes this letter finds you well, I, Leyicun Lecijien Taijic of Niy, Commander of the Union of Living and it’s forces, in accordance with the Pact of Mainne, will say what has occurred in reference to the Campaign Against the Undead in the borders of Demonsreach, in specific attention to the recent events upon the plains of Stonefall.

Only short ago, the frontlines of the Union of Living Forces made a shocking and unexpected charge into the apparent advancing lines of the enemy. Prince Shayrüsh Indoín received a letter written from Captain Jahl Tarrich in accordance with his hard made decision. As he had said it, the Undead have begun their assault upon the living once again, and our forces have been pushed back to brink of Niy.

We write this letter to inform you in hopes of sending more soldiers and supplies, for as the estimate goes we will be rivalled by a foe beyond our size.

With the loss of the Fifth Legion and the front line of defence, and the lack of reinforcement from the north, it is requested you supply us with three thousand soldiers. It is understood this would leave your people undefended, and as such the Lord and Lady of Lasyra have offered to supply you with five hundred Daibun to protect your borders.

We expect to see your commander and his force soon. I, Leyicun Lecijien Taijic of Niy, look forward to orchestrating what will be our victory against the Undead.

The fine gold ink on the soft red letters ran through Cejisos eyes nearly ten times before he looked up at the Governor, silent and plain faced as always. Though his eyes red very differently than his face.

“What is this, Governor?”

Solúmn rubbed his chin softly, sighing a little.
“With the recent influx of mercenaries, our numbers are at one thousand five hundred. Unless we pull out the full defence of Cantai to back up our army, we will not reach three thousand in time. The council has thought over this problem, and they request your input; as the leader of our force, yours will be an important one.”

Cejiso stood still for a while, thinking. By the time he finally spoke, the final member of that criminal party was already in their room.

“Relinquish the defence of Cantai. We will only get one chance at this, Governor. If we fail, the Undead will claim us entirely.”

The Governor nodded once, and waved his arm gently, giving Cejiso the right to leave. He turned on his heel and left the room, resting against the door and sighing.
“Too much…”

===Plains of Niy===
==Nightfall==

=The Rider cloaked in black was now coming to the borders of Cantai. As she rode East, she came upon three Soldiers in armor. They stood to greet her, but she passed without acknowledgement. When she was a few seconds gone, the soldiers fell to the ground, surrounded by smoke...=


===Cantai, Halid===
==Quarters==

=Zau sat on the small room's bed bearing a deep scowl. She spoke to Arnethr, who was standing opposite from her=

"Vurzra, wath'okn ko-dur namin vre'gavt vinna'darrm?"

"Kethmm, Zaubukra. Ke'ke xethn'dan."

Theisa squeaked and retreated behind the two Standurr, pretty scared od this really weird man speaking in a foreign tongue.

Vressin turned his head and looked at the man speaking to them. He raised and eyebrow and gestured in a question. "What?"

Tilki hung his head, his fears realized. By tomorrow, the crowds of Cantai would have the last laugh. He felt like a dead man already. The fire that once blazed within him had all but been snuffed out. He looked at the trio who he had been with, his expression one of regret.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Governors Chamber


Nádúiranam was taken aback by the the slave-girls response to him, forgetting that his appearance. Though it seemed they were not far in age from each other, his months of living in the dirt, begging for money has made him less than pleasing to the eye. He had little doubt that her reaction was because of his foreign and ragged appearance. It was upon his reflection of his foreign status that he realized, somehow having forgotten in the first place, that none of these people spoke the common language of the north, nor his native tongue. He bore a pained expression when she hid behind the two pale creatures, both of whom asked him a question in the strange tongue of this land.

His expression still pained, he shrugged, hoping that it would be a universal sign of ignorance, of not knowing something. He looked from the pale creatures before him to the slave-girl, surly she would feel safer by someone who was like her and not these beasts? What cause had she to fear him, and not these creatures that looked like they could tear her limb from limb and without straining a muscle? She had only been in their custody since earlier today, he had seen the transaction. In that time she has not only grown attached to them, but behaves in such a way that she would have almost certainly grown up with them. She didn't behave like a slave, more like a child in the presence of strangers, hiding behind ones parents out of shyness and fear.

What sort of person changes so quickly of the time period of mere hours? Perhaps she grew up a slave? but wait, that wouldn't give a reason as to her actions, why would that come to mind? Her behavior was most strange. Perhaps she was mentally broken? That might explain things. Nádúiranam puts his hand up to his beard again, stroking it in thought. Yes, perhaps she has some sort of problem that affects her ability to comprehend the world around her, finding more comfort with these beasts than someone who bears more resemblance to her. But still, if she grew so attached to this creatures in such a short time, does that mean she would grow close to others she spent time with as quickly? That would certainly be interesting.

Nádúiranam's inner mage began turning gears cranking away hypotheses, trying to understand this girls strange behavior. Do all natives of this land behave in such a manner? Perhaps a test is in order, but how would one go about it? Perhaps -no, knowing the language would be imperative, perhaps they are her lovers from before she entered Del Mantis? Nádúiranam didn't know how this world worked. Perhaps they were fetishists?

Nádúiranam was making strange facial expressions as each thought passed through his sieve of a mind. But lo! he was interrupted by a gentle push of a guard, towards the door and off towards some room.

Trundum wondered what the odd man was thinking. He must have known we didn't know his language. Why would we approach us?
Trundum didn't care for the answer. Or couldnt, he was so tired. It seems the day had finally caught up with him.
He just walked along with the Jiralhanae or whatever they were called. Leading him to his room.

Vressin followed with Trundum, making sure Thesia was in front so he could make sure she was fine. She was scared, he could tell, and he wanted to make sure she was as safe as possible, and wasn't worried.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Dignitaries Chamber

Nádúiranam was taken to a room that he could only describe to be worthy of a god, if this is what living in this land could be like, it is no wonder their are so many weighty men. When Nádúiranam was at his room, he had a question that struck him, he turned around and attempted to relay that question to the man, unfortunately he became aware of the language barrier once more. The guard, sensing Nádúiranam had some request, lingered. Nádúiranam but his hand to his beard again, stroking it as a habit while he thought about a means of communication.

"Vel..." Nádúiranam brought his hands together, one in the position of holding a quill, or perhaps a pieve of charcoal to write with, and the other held flat, he dragged his thumb and forefinger across his palm. Hopefully they had writing materials hear, "Ego scribio et tu legis? Interpretari?" The guard, although confused by the language Nádúiranam spoke, understood that he wanted parchment and ink. The guard nods to Nádúiranam and leaves the room, quickly returning with an ink pot, quill, and spare parchment.

Nádúiranam found a flat place to write, and began writing down his question.

"VOLOSCIREDEANQUILLAEHAECTERRAMQUIDFACUINTINVACAM
CURANQUILLAEINTERRAMHAECINTEGUMENTUMETQUIDDEANQUILLAINPROXIMECONCLAVE
QUOSUNTPOPULUSILLUSALTERUS"

Nádúiranam finished writing his note and lightly blew on the ink, so that it would dry faster. The guard waited, knowing that if he left and the man went to the governor himself, he would be punished. When the ink had dried, Nádúiranam brought the parchment to the guard, who looked at the lines of text with utter confusion. Nádúiranam then attempted to make clear to the man that he should take it to the man who spoke the language, the guard eventually nodded, still not understanding what Nádúiranam's hand gestures meant, and went to the Governor, since he was the only man the guard knew of who had any knowledge of the language.






Translations in order of appearance:
[Perhaps...]
[I write and you read? Understand?]
[I want to know about the slave women of this land, what they do in their spare time.]
[Why are the slave women in this land veiled (wearing veils)? What about the slave woman in the room next (to mine)?]
[Who are these other people?]

Cejiso looked down the long hallway, that was home to twenty rooms, ten down either side with grand doors, each more extravagant than the last. These rooms were normally reserved for dignitaries and guests that were visiting, and something stung in Cejisos mind to know these people would be slumbering in these beds, some of if not the finest in the whole region. Better even than his.

Probably the best kind of sleep a person could get outside the filth of Halid. He hoped these scumbags would appreciate it. However, he was currently more involved in the strange silence and motionless these people had taken. The Standur, who had outwardly questioned the Governor while he was speaking, had gone oddly quiet, along with the talkative Thieves and muttering Maeyr and nomad. It was an odd situation, and the slowness of the guards even moreso.

"What's going on? Why are you not in your rooms yet?"

The guards suddenly jumped into action, escorting people to their rooms in rows, separating the group into singles, one per room. Cejiso watched from his door, eyeing each one of them, huffing a little.

(Layout)

Tilki glared as he was shoved to his room, his shackles feeling like lead weights.

Bastard...stinking Ljnn bastard...

He trudged forward, keeping Thesia in the corner of his eye. He felt a tug at his heart as he was put in the room and the door started to close on him. He wanted to spend more time with her, because he never wanted to admit it to Standur, not then.

I...I think I'm in love with her. I just want to give her something that has she has only briefly experienced: True freedom...

He sat down and broke down in his room, placing one of his hands on his face to cover up the sounds of his sobbing, the other braced against the wall of his room.

Vressin was ushered into his room and the door closed behind him. He sat down slowly on his bed and waited for something else to happen. His thoughts wondered to Thesia, Trundum, his gear, the future, the others, and basically everything else that had happened recently. He laid back on one of the beds and looked up at the ceiling as he thought, hearing his heart suddenly beating in his ears.

Thesia had chosed to go with Vressin, instead wanting to just sit in silence.

So, she followed Vressin into his room and took her bed, hiding in the corner to slip her dress off before hurrying to her covers; Vressin was too busy staring at the floor to see her, so she was safely under her blanket, dress on the chair.
Thesia's thoughts wandered elsewhere; mainly, to why the gods gave her to Standur...and why the good standur.

Vressin looked over when he heard a noise. "Little one, I thought you had your own room. I'm sorry I didn't notice you before." he said, his throat actually starting to hurt from speaking so much in such a short period of time. He coughed lightly and massaged his neck.

Thesia shook her head. "No...they told me to pick one of the rooms you or Trundum was sleeping in...I...I chose yours..."
She went silent...hoping he didn't take offense she counted on his silence.

Vressin shook his head and waved his hand. "Alright" he managed to get out, coughing lightly. He sat up and looked over at her, mentally noting her new dress on the chair, meaning...he shook his head as it didn't matter. He turned his body and laid out on the slightly stiff surface.

Tilki, after a minute of raging like a wounded animal, finally succumbed to exhaustion. His body had enough of the day's punishment. He flopped onto the semi-hard bed, feeling more comfortable than I had in prison.

Tomorrow...tomorrow is a new day. I've had about enough of today...

He took a few deep breaths, trying to get to sleep.

Trundum yawned as he was shown his room. He went inside and simply asked why they were being split up.
One of them reminded him that if they wished it, they could share a room together. And he didn't want anything more.
Why? He wasn't slept in a room by himself in... decades? How long was it ago that he met with Vressian? A long time ago...
He gathered his things and silently left the room, knocking on the one next to his.

Vressin sighs and gets up, making sure to face the door. "Avert your eyes." he grunts and starts taking off his armor and robe, sliding the fabric up and off his armor and putting it aside before getting to work on the buckles and clasps of his armor.

Thesia threw the blanket over her, even though her back was already to Vressin.
"Yes master..." she said sleepily, defaulting due to exhaustion.

"Vressin, Thesia, Vressin. I'm not your master." He rasped as he finished disrobing, stretching slightly before getting his robe back to put on.

Thesia whimpered. "I'm sorry."

Vressin sighed and sat down on the side of her bed. He put his arm out and put it down on the lump under the blanket. "It's fine, don't worry."

The lump near where Thesia's head was shook in a motion akin to nodding.
"OK."

Vressin rubbed back and forth before getting up and going back over to his bed, stretching out on it. "You can come out from under the covers now. I'm clothed again."

Thesia peeked out.
"Um...I'm sorry...I'm really tired..." She smiled shyly. "I...I can go to sleep now, right?

Trundum sighed, knocking louder. Wait, did he have the right room? No. This was Thesia's. Knowing her, she'd already have the door open.
So he turned and went to Vressian's room. Hoping he wasn't asleep already. And knocked on his door.

Vressin got up and opened the door. He stood to the side and gestured for Trundum to come in, smiling in welcome.

"Thank you." He said as he walked in. Then made his way over to a corner and sat there. "Sorry. I get too paranoid when sleeping by myself."

Cejiso stood as the guards moved people around, watching them and watching Thesia, the young slave girl, as she asked to be moved with one of the Standur. It was a fair request – they weren’t being held in as prisoners. With everyone in rooms, Cejiso did his mandatory patrol, checking the small openings in each door, the wooden panels moving aside as he pulled a small chain by their sides. Everyone was doing something. Talking, resting, whatever. It was fine.

Cejiso looked at the other Jazierih as they stood out front of each door, even the empty ones. Every so often they’d check through the same hatches he’d used that everyone was acting peaceful, before finally he made his leave, holding in his hand a note, given to him by one of the other guards.

“What kind of language… is this one word or a jumbling of letters? How peculiar.”

He made way towards the Governors Hall, waiting out front as Adaleza held a hand up for him to stop. Apparently, someone had made way to speak to the Governor. Probably one of the more important figures that had been standing out here, or at least one of the more notable.

After a few moments, out came the figure who had taken up the Governors time. A Breniin. By the look of him, a mage too. Cejiso nodded at the man once, before making way into the room and locking the door behind him as Solúmn sat back down, tiredly.

“Cejiso, this is getting far too tiring. So many men and women from the far corners of Easthur, wanting so eagerly to throw themselves into the dust for my armies and efforts… It’s too much for one man.”

Cejiso nodded, holding the note tightly in his grasp. It had been from Nádi… Núdá… Ast, and Cejiso liked to think that his Governor would at least enjoy again reading this note. He so loved the world and it’s cultures.

“I have a not for you, from Ast. The Northerner. I cannot read it myself, so we are to assume it was meant for you.”

Cejiso handed it over to Adím who tried to read it himself, only proving incapable.
“Truly, lord Governor, I can only imagine where it is this language had come. Rarely have I heard of it myself.” The councillor spoke softly as always, rubbing his head a little as he handed the note over to his Governor, who began to read, eyes wide as he tried to remember this uncommon language.

“It is indeed from Nádúiranam… I think he wishes to… He is saying something of slave women. Perhaps he requesting company for the night. Women… veiled… my room… Yes… I see. Cejiso.”

The Ljnn stood straight, looking up at his Governor intently.

“Bring Nádúiranam three of our most expert dancers. Ensure they swear to please our foreign guest. If something is wrong, he will likely send me another message.”

Cejiso bowed, before Adím spoke up again, his voice wavering just a little.
“Was that all he asked, lord Governor?”

Solúmn nodded, stroking his chin.

“All he asked that would not have already been given him, at the least.”

Cejiso waited for a few seconds before turning and making his leave, heading down through the Governors Quarter, before leaving the Grand Hóuis all together and making passage to the Crimson Shroud, the largest and most renowned brothel in Halid, Easthur, and damn near all of the Otaizen Empire.

As he entered, the Ljnn was bombarded by women all cooing over him, asking what he came for. He was silent as always; these women knew guards carried good money on them, and loved screwing them into a coma before robbing them of their purses.

“I’m here for Asyun, Cemila, and Díalay.”

The women looked at him, shocked, as two of the most beautiful Otaizines on Easthur stepped forward from the group, smiling and bowing at him.

“Back for more are you, dear Cejiso?” Said Cemila, her crystalline eyes twinkling in the flames that lit the entrance hall up. Asyun giggled happily, pressing herself up against him, forcing a slight frown from him as he looked down at her.

“Where is Díalay?”

“Ooh, are we not enough for the big Jazierih? Mm?” Cemila had a way of speaking that sent shivers down mens spines. Cejiso, a soldier and veteran who had killed at a young age, felt his knees nearly give way as she purred into his ear.
“Fine then. She’s in the Beginner Room, fourth one down.”

Cejiso strode over, wiping some sweat from his brow as he swung open the door, looking at a half naked woman dancing over what looked like a peasant boy who’d managed to scrounge up enough money for just a dance. The stain in his pants was certainly not urine.

“Díalay, come with me.” Cejiso pulled her out before she even knew he was there, throwing a Gern down to the boy as he made his way out with the three girls, leaving a small bag of moneys with the owners desk.

“Where are going, Cejiso? We’re not normally allowed to leav-“

Cejiso held a finger to her mouth, frowning and looking forward as he walked hurriedly, not wanting to spend much more time on the streets with these women.

“A foreign… dignitary, has requested some good quality women. Considering you’re the best we have, we decided it would only be fair to send you his way.”

Asyun looked at him doubtfully, followed by the same look from the other girls.
“Oh? What, you think because you’ve paid for us before we’ll-“

“The Crimson Shroud is owned and paid for by the Governor and his Hóuis. You work for him, you always have and you know it. Just because you don’t normally get this treatment doesn’t mean you aren’t able to perform it.”

The girls were silent as they walked with Cejiso through the Grand Hóuis. It took a while before they finally reached the Guests Hall. Cejiso smiled a little as he saw three outfits laid out before Ast’s room.

“Put those on. Make sure you wear the veils. Apparently he requested them.”

The women looked at each other confused as they made their way over to the room, getting changed as Cejiso made sure none of the guards acted out of order.
“What’s this mans name?”

Cejiso scratched his head, and sighed, hoping he pronounced it right.
“Nádúiranam.”

Vressin shook his head and closed the door. "Not a problem. Feel free to sleep wherever. We were just starting to get comfortable.

Nádúiranam
Cantai
Grand Hóuis, Dignitaries Chamber

Nádúiranam sat on one of large pillows in the room, meditating. His eyes closed; legs crossed; hands on his knees, palms facing skyward; his breathing regulated. Nádúiranam's body relaxed, his mind clear of thoughts. His thin frame magnified by the fullness of the room. The bones of his ribcage pressed through his skin, expanding outwards slightly, and then retracting with every soft breath he takes. However, when a new smell wafts into his nose, his concentration begins to break down.

Thoughts begin intruding on his peaceful mind. Slowly, the tendrils of thought begin seeping into his brain. Bringing him closer and closer to a more conscience state of mind. A muddled thought begins to rise through his conscience, floating to the top like a bubble rising from the bottom of a lake to the surface. The bubble is pushed by currents, and brushed by the watery denizens. It's path altered time, and time again, by the interference of others. When the bubble reached the top of the lake, it burst, releasing it's contents into the air above, with a wet plop.

But as this thought came to the forefront of his mind, the door to his room opened. Though Nádúiranam's eyes were closed, his nose told him that a woman, or women, had entered his room. He thought nothing of it at first. Not until he remembered where he was and what he was doing. He opened his eyes and felt blood rushing to his face, turning near scarlet. The visage before was unique to him, three women standing in clothes that barely covered their bodies, and veils that sparked a small memory in his mind.  The contents of that memory was lost on him, due to the sudden lack of thought in his brain.

Before him stood three of perhaps the most beautiful women in this land that he's ever seen. From right to left: the a darker skinned women, with brown eyes that he could lose himself in, well endowed chest, curves that enticed him; A woman with lighter skin, a kind of dark red hair, green eyes, a beautiful face perfectly complimented by her other natural features; And a lighter skinned woman with brown hair and green eyes. All of them had bodies that would attract any man in his village, they wore purple*, yellow, and green.

Nádúiranam swallowed and opened his mouth as if to say something but nothing came out. He stood up from his meditative position, and took a deep breath. "Salve." He said hesitantly, what was their purpose here? After he had spoken the girls looked at each other, and spoke to him in their native tongue, of which he knew little to nothing of. "non comprehendeo haec verba." He said, furrowing his brow, communication will certainly be difficult with these people.

One of the girls looked him up and down, and spoke to the other girls, they smiled, and walked toward him. He took a step back, moving the pillow he had been sitting on. "Iihhh..." The women began moving their hands over him, rubbing his skin, pushing him down onto the bed in the room. Nádúiranam opened his mouth as if to say something, but as he did one of the girls put a finger to his lips to silence him. When he was on the bed, sitting on it, the girls stepped away, two of them moving to the other side of the room, and one staying to dance in front of him.

Nádúiranam had never seen a dance like this before. It was alluring, did all women in this land know how to dance like this? or, only ones who dressed like this? Nádúiranam watched one of the girls, whose name he would later learn is Díalay, a name that was easy to pronounce for him. While Nádúiranam was entranced by Díalay's dancing, the other girls, whom he would learn to call Asyun and Cemila, were preparing a bath to clean him.

Geez, am I really writing this? I'm going to skip some things...

When the bath was ready, one of the girls came over to dance with Díalay, as they danced they pulled Nádúiranam from the bed and teasingly moved him over to the bath, where they tantalizingly stripped him down. Which didn't take long, considering all he was wearing was pants given to him by a slave lord. When he saw the bath, he was taken aback at first, in his village, they bathed beneath a waterfall. Here, they used some kind of built in depression and filled it with water.The bath was fairly large too, made of sandstone and decorated to be pleasing to the eye. Not as pleasing as these women though.

As they stripped him they introduced themselves, using a more basic form of communication, they pointed to themselves and said their names until Nádúiranam understood what they meant. Asyun, who had stripped and entered the bath, splashed the other girls, Cemila and Díalay, and Nádúiranam as well, while making the most adorable pouty face Nádúiranam had ever seen. When Nádúiranam stepped into the water he realized that there was an elephant in the room that no one was making note of, and that was his manhood**. As he stepped into the warmth of the bath, Asyun turned him around, so that his back was against her soft pillowy chest, and facing Cemila and Díalay. While he was facing the other girls, he felt himself being caressed by Asyun, rubbing her smooth feminine and dark hands over his back and arms, massaging away the pains of the day. He was melting beneath her expert ministrations as the other girls slowly removed their clothes and danced in an erotic fashion. It was a miracle Nádúiranam wasn't thinking about sex.

Except that it wasn't, because he wasn't a sexual kind of man. That's what he told himself as one by one, the women entered the bath. Their soft skin rubbed against him, bring soap and water over his body, removing the dirt and grime of the day, and washing his long hair and beard of all things that had accumulated since his misfortune in Del Mantis. It wasn't long before one of their hands accidentally, or perhaps, purposefully brushed up against his member. A chill ran down his spine as pleasure briefly entered his mind.

When he was well cleaned and no longer had the stains of the past on his flesh, one of the girls poured some kind of mineral into the water and then Díalay began to massage him as Cemila began to do a slow sensual dance in the water in front of Nádúiranam. He was plainly aroused, and they kept him that way for the entire time they were in the bath, rubbing him and massaging him and embracing him in ways he had never dreamed or fantasized about.

One of the girls began stroking his beard and combing his hair. Pulling out all the knots and straightening the tangled mess it had become. After an hour of combing, she finally got all the knots out of his hair. He could tell she was a little shocked at how his hair had been in such disrepair. But once his hair was combed he pulled it back behind his head, and tied it into a knot, or, a pony-tail. When he did, he felt a tug at it, and he turned his head to see one of the girls go under the water, and then surface, with her breasts dragging up his legs and thigh up to his chest, teasingly close to his erection.

The girls played this teasing game with him until he fell asleep, his member never satisfied. He fell asleep in a tangle of the three girls.

Asyun, Cemila, and Díalay¹

[Greetings. (pronounced: Sal-way]
[I do not understand these words.]
[Uhhh]

*might do a color change
** possibly the worst sentence i have ever written.

Thesia moved a bit, then sighed.
"I'm sorry...but...I...I don't think I can sleep here..." Thesia looked a bit ashamed. "I...I'm just...not used to this..." She sat up, covers against her. "You...don't mind if I go to....th-the room I was assigned?"

Vressin looks at her and shakes his head. Looking back at Trundum. "You still afraid of the dark, old friend?" He says in native Standur, smiling.

Hurrying to grab her dress, she dressed reasonably quickly and slipped outside.
"E-excuse me."
The guard turned. "Yes?"
"I...I wish...for my...my own room?" She stuttered out.
Nodding, the guard led her a mere two doors down and opened it for her, and she stepped inside. Before the guard closed the door, she turned around.
"Wait!"
He did.
"Um...I...I'd like some company..." She looked at her feet. "I uh...don't wanna be alone." She finished, clasping her hands behind her back.