Yamada felt the taste of iron course through his teeth, and the crunch of scales between his teeth. And in an instant, a rush of arcane energy rushing through his body. He felt it brimming through his body. The sensation felt the same as, when he dove into the Fork. "It's an amazing rush isn't it?" Irina asked, carrying the platter away. Yamada stood up, staring at his hands. The energy coursing through him, was the most euphoric thing he had ever felt. And the serpent had become quiet. She set the plate down, and took a seat crossing her legs. "You should know, that rush never disappears. It feel's exactly like that with each one you devour." Yamada eyed Irina, and removed Harbinger. He rested it against the wall, and took a seat in front of her. "You're with Skora, aren't you?" "Perceptive." She winked. "Yet you disarm yourself." He wiped his mouth, of the blood.
"As it stands. If you're willing to give me a Wyrm heart to devour. It means you weren't afraid of me before, or now." A grin stretched across her face. "You are a fascinating one." "So what happens now? You kill me, unless I join?" Yamada asked, locking eyes with her. She reeled back appalled by the notion. "Oh no. I do not subscribe to such barbaric ways of recruitment. I believe you will come to us, when you are ready." She said opening the black book. Yamada couldn't read the cursive writing, but could at least tell it was a list of names. She ripped out a page and handed it to Yamada. "What is this?" He asked, struggling to make out the letters. "A list of people, I want you to teach a lesson to." "You want me to kill them?" Irina stood up, clasping her hands behind her back. "I said teach them a lesson. The same way you did with that Blessed."
Yamada counted five names on the page. "If you're curious. The men on that list, are currently stealing young women from the refugee camps. And selling them as breeders to Kal'Nar, or slaves to Artaraxus." Yamada made a fist. "Then why haven't you stopped them?" He growled. "I have long cultivated an image of being a weak woman in power. I cannot simply go out and teach those cretins, justice." "And Commander Gwayn?" "A powerful man indeed, but one tasked with protecting us at all costs." She said walking over to Harbinger. "That is where you come in." Yamada watched her inspect Harbinger, running her finger along the hilt. "What do you call it?" "Harbinger." She smiled. "A fitting name, for your role here." Yamada stood up, slinging Harbinger over his back.
"You'll find them loitering near the Alexander library. They've been known to frequent, a certain pub nearby." Yamada tucked the paper away, heading towards the door. "No questions? Simply going to do as your told?" Irina asked. "If I don't do this, you won't pay for my stay. The reason you're sending me, and not the guards, is because these men are stronger than the average guard." He said without turning around. She smirked, filled with pride. Irina tossed him a silver coin, from her side pouch. "If the guards confront you. Show them that. They will understand." He nodded, and walked out the door, before quickly poking his head back in. "Which way is the library?" She cocked an eyebrow at him, before stepping out the door with him, and pointed towards a building in the distance. He nodded and bowed, before walking off.
Jacara and Ul'lanna were escorted to separate rooms. Jacara settled into the lavish life style, by immediately disrobing in front of the handmaidens. He kicked aside the dirty and sour clothes, swiftly making his way into the hot bath. He let out a euphoric sigh, entering the hot bath. The scent of flowers, and aromatic oils infused in the water. Jacara wouldn't have to smell that rancid sour odour, wafting from Yamada's leather. A smell that he somehow couldn't smell. Several handmaidens surrounded him, each one pampering and catering to him. One to massage each hand, and foot. Another to massage his scalp, another to scrub his body, while another cut him a slice of steak. He smiled, taking in the luxurious sight and heavenly feeling, before eyeing, a busty handmaiden setting up his close. This was the perfect time to test, if Yamada's teaching would work.
Ul'lanna was ushered into her room, with several hand maidens swarming around her. Quickly unclasping the straps of her armour. Her eyes bulged, and jaw hung low, as she gazed at the room. Everything that could be made of wood was made of silver. The room itself bigger than a war tent. "We'll ready your clothes in your bedroom." One of the handmaidens said. Her ears perked up, and she snapped to the handmaiden, shock over her face. 'I have a bedroom!?' "What would you like to eat?" Another asked, tossing aside her dirty leather. Ul'lanna responded with a confused growl. "Savoury, salty, sour, bitter, sweet-" "Sweet!" She exclaimed. They all jolted back. Blushing, she lowered her head and calmed her voice. "Sweet please." The handmaiden nodded and walked away. "Come Lady Jiyū, your bath should be ready." Ul'lanna failed to keep her glee inside, and let a smile stretch across her face. 'LADY JIYU?'
Hours passed, and Ul'lanna melted into the bathtub, as the handmaidens catered to her every whim. One gently washed her ragged and oily hair. They massaged her skin with rejuvenating oils, and treated her calluses and broken nails. The sound of giggling, caught her attention, and she eyed the handmaidens, bouncing giddily. Ul'lanna cocked an eyebrow at them. "What is it?" She asked. "How is he?" One asked, biting her lower lip. "Ah." She said nodding with a smug smile. "He's amazing. I couldn't walk properly, for a few good hours every time we did it." They all reeled back in amazement, before leaning in closer, raring to hear more.
"You're so lucky." Another fawned. "He's so dreamy." "And amazing." Ul'lanna nodded, filled with pride and superiority. "What I wouldn't give to be cleaning the prince right now." They all lamented. Ul'lanna froze, and then quickly played along, sinking deeper into the bath tub. "Yep...the prince is amazing..." She said with a nervous smile. "You're so brave. To spend nights with that monster." The all nodded, before shaking their head at the thought. "I mean, what a poser. Walking around with a giant sword made of 'Deiridium'." Another mocked. "It's just paint. I bet he's not even a real Forsaken knight." Another whispered back. Ul'lanna nodded along with the gossip, pursing her lips. 'You girls are in for a wild ride, once you see him in action.'
A hand maiden returned, holding a large wine glass, filled with shaved ice and fruits atop. Ul'lanna's mouth watered instantly. It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. "What is that?" "It's a simple dessert. Shaved ice with different fruit syrups. This one is mango flavoured." She said handing the glass and spoon to her. Ul'lanna took a restrained and proper bite. Levelling the shaved ice on her spoon. As the shaved ice melted on her tongue, an explosion of flavours burst forth. Ul'lanna threw restraint out the window, and devoured the dessert, with more fervour than a starving beast. The handmaidens all looked at her anxiously. "You should probably slow down." One said. Ul'lanna shook her head, and continued to eat, licking the sugar off the rim. "More." She said. "The same one, or another flavour?" The handmaiden asked. "There are other flavours?" She asked, with a crazed look. They all nodded. "All of them." She said. "I don't think-" "ALL OF THEM!" She ordered. They rushed out in a frenzy to fulfil her desire.
Ul'lanna hopped out of the bath, still licking the remnants of the dessert. With her affinity, she was dry by the time, she reached the bedroom. A room more lavish and larger than Encara's. A top the bed, was a long flowing dull red dress, and a demure handmaiden waiting in the corner. Ul'lanna jumped and let out a yelp, startling the handmaiden. "How long have you been there!?" She exclaimed covering herself. The demure woman covered her eyes, helping Ul'lanna relax. "We were told to treat you the same as the Monarchs." Ul'lanna gave her a confused look. "That means you stand there all day, to dress me?" "Well the Monarchs, change their clothes every two hours or so. And if we're not at the ready, they punish us." Ul'lanna let out a sigh. "Well you don't need to do that. I can get dressed myself. Go and get another flavour of that dessert." She said licking her lips, ready to devour another one. "That dress can only be put on with help."
Ul'lanna let out another sigh, but smiled. She had already been bathed by others today. Being dressed by others wouldn't be a stretch. "Well, how do we start?" Ul'lanna asked, taking a star pose. The handmaiden kept her head down, grabbing the dress, she approached from behind. The dress draped over her front, and buttoned at the back, with an intricate lace weave. "Is this a good dress?" "One of the finest dresses in the kingdom." Ul'lanna pursed her lips, patiently waiting, feeling the handmaiden make the knots on her back. The dress felt soft and velvety, but otherwise felt nothing new from what she had seen. She stood in front of the mirror, with the sleeves hanging, and the dress stretched across the floor. Feeling glum and disappointed.
"Now, add a touch of your arcane energy into it." Ul'lanna cocked an eyebrow, but followed. In an instant, the dress came alive with a vibrant ruby colour, and gold glittering throughout. "AHHHH!" She squealed, hugging the handmaiden tightly, before releasing her. "I'M SO PRETTY!" She gawked, at herself in the mirror. Ul'lanna twirled in the mirror, with her dress flowing behind her. The handmaiden took out a small silver disc from the drawer, and dipped her thumb into it. She drew a line across Ul'lanna's lips. They shone like flawless rubies. Before she could squeal again. The handmaiden combed her hair, letting her ears poke out, and letting a fringe cover the edges of one eye. "There, this is called the princess look." Ul'lanna squealed at her presence, hugging the woman again. She spun around in joy. "I look like a princess!"
She froze, when she noticed Jacara leaning against the wall. He wore a regal, princely outfit. His hair had been styled and gelled back. A black doublet, with striking golden edges and buttons. Underneath was a white shirt, with loose frilly excess material in the middle. A pair of black tight trousers, and shoes of the finest leather. "How much of that did you see?" She asked, frozen in place. "All of it you dorky princess." He chuckled. Ul'lanna went bright red. "Shut up." She snapped pushing past him. In the living room were a dozen glasses, each one filled with different flavours of shaved ice. "You really like those huh?" He asked. Ul'lanna said nothing, and indulged strawberry flavour. Jacara sat down in front of her, with the handmaidens fawning over him. "You should try mango, and bananas. That's my favourite." She froze, glaring up at him. "You can mix the flavours as well?" He nodded, confused if she was being serious or not. "That opens up so many possibilities!" She shouted.
"Should we fetch some more Prince Cagim?" A handmaiden asked, leaning in close to Jacara. "No thank you. Could you give us some privacy if possible?" The handmaidens all nodded, jumping to the wrong conclusion. As the doors shut, Jacara leaned forward wearing an ecstatic smile. "It works." He said. She cocked an eyebrow at him, continuing to devour glass after glass. "What Yamada does. I didn't think it would, but I tried it before. And she was speechless, dazed and immobilized." "She might have fallen ill with something?" Ul'lanna remarked, with a smile. "Whatever princess." He mocked. She went red again, keeping her head down. "So, when are you going to tell him?" Jacara asked, leaning back into his seat. "Tell who, what?" She asked with a full mouth. "Tell your lover Yamada, that you like to be a woman and not a warrior?" He sat forward clasping his hands together. "Because, I remember you telling us, that you prefer armour to a dress."
"Firstly, armour is more practical. Secondly, that was before I knew how damn pretty I can be." Jacara nodded, staring at her beautiful smile, accentuated by those ruby lips. He ignored the thought, that she was with Yamada. Just for now. He could enjoy this moment talking with her alone. "Thirdly, Yamada and I aren't in love." Jacara froze and shook his head confused, unsure if he heard correctly. "I'm sorry what?" "I can't love him, when he'll eventually turn into a monster. And he can't love me, because all I do is remind him of the greatest tragedy in his life." She said solemnly, placing the glass down. "Love finds-" She stood up and sat beside Jacara. The act caught him by surprise. "What Yamada and I have, is something purely physical. We've discussed it. Should we find anyone else that interest us. We won't stop the other." She said looking up longingly. "I doubt there's anyone, willing to love a crazy Elf woman, who betrayed her kingdom. I mean look at what that says about me. I can't even be faithful to the place that raised me." She said with a melancholic smile. "It tells me, that you're braver and smarter than over a million other Elves."
She looked back to see Jacara staring at her. Not at her breasts or ass. But her. He was gazing at her soul, with his soft eyes. She quickly changed the subject, and shied away from him. "Practicing your lines on me, 'Prince' Cagim?" Ul'lanna said pretending to swoon for him. He groaned and chuckled at the same time. "Please don't make a big deal out of that. It's just a title." She shrugged her shoulders at him. "You had me fooled. Because I saw a prince when we entered." "I'm not a prince though. I'm a free spirit like my father." Jacara said. She shook her head at him. "Sure thing." Ul'lanna eyed him up and down at his attire. "I can still look the part." He pouted, before standing up, and offering out his hand. "Come on, there's so much to see. And everything is free for us." She hesitated and glanced over at her melting shaved ice hoard. "Don't you want to show everyone your dress, Princess?" Ul'lanna took his hand, and the two of them marched into the streets. Several of the Monarch's guard followed behind them.
The two of them garnered everyone's attention. People whispered and stared at bewilderment. Fortunately for Ul'lanna, she could hear all their jealous comments about her dress. Unfortunately for her, she could also hear everything else. Why is the prince with that Elf? A high priced whore. Like father, like son. What a waste of a man. Ul'lanna opened a fire gate in her palm, when Jacara stopped in the street. He took out the card of Drown, and doused several of the women sneering at them. As the women scurried off drenched, and furious. Jacara tucked the card away under his coat, and smiled at Ul'lanna. "I don't have good ears like yours, but I can see when people are being assholes." Has he been looking at me the whole time, we've been walking?
"What do you want to see first?" He asked. "You choose." She shrugged. "Oh, we should probably go see if Yamada, actually went to the library. Like he said." Ul'lanna looked to the setting sun. "We should hurry, before we run out of light, and-" "They'll make you fresh shaved ice desserts, if you ask for it. The ones in the room have already melted." She pouted, folding her arms. What a waste of good dessert. "Wait, does this place have more than one library?" Ul'lanna asked. "Of course it does. Three to be exact. The first one we'll go to is the furthest one in. It's a little run down from what I'm told, but we can make our way there first. Then work our way back here by night time. To make dinner." Ul'lanna's face was still pouting. "And dessert." She perked up, more giddy than a small child filled with sugar. "Which library is it?" "The Alexander library." "You really think he'll be there?" Jacara shrugged. "Who knows-"
Several armed guards sprinted past them, with their lances at the ready. Jacara stopped one of the men, grabbing his arm. "What' going on?" The gaunt guard bowed to him first. "A report just came in. A brawl has broken out in front of the Alexander library. Several men and women have been injured and they say the man who started it, is incredibly powerful. Jacara and Ul'lanna both let out a long exasperated sigh. "Does the reported man, wield a giant single edge sword?" The guard's eyes lit up with shock. "Yes, how did you know!?" Jacara slowly clenched his fist, closing his eyes and pursing his lips. He turned back to Ul'lanna. "I think it's safe to assume Yamada is there as well." "Please lead the way." Ul'lanna ordered the guard. Jacara followed after them, angrily mumbling to himself. 'One damn job. One damn day. Is it too much to ask for?'