"So you really meant it? I did really good?" Narina asked Rao-ul as she took to a stool next to him at the bar.
"You was both in top notch form out 'der." Snaug smiled. "Da crowd loved yaz."
"Oh everyone LOVES Rao-u!" the cat man laughed. "Rao-ul brings them in! The lovely Narina serves them drinks, which in turn brings us these lovely coins! Oh ALL these lovely coins! Which reminds Rao-ul that he clevery tucked one away..." he looked around mockingly until his eyes locked on to Narina's cleavage. "Hold still! Rao-ul SEES it !" He purred, getting ready to pluck the precious coin from an even more precious place.
"Nuh-uh! Mine! Back off, ya furball!" Narina protested, pushing away Rao-ul's paw. He exaggerated being wounded.
"OH to be yet again DENIED the warm EMBRACE of a woman so fair..." Rao-ul started, prompting Snaug to toss a bag of coin on the counter in front of the bard. Frozen, Rao-ul's eyes darts to the sack, back to Narry's bust, then back to the coins.
"Money?" He said, still frozen.
"Yeah, your cut of the receipts." Snaug replied.
Rao-ul, still frozen, retrieved a coin from the bag and placed it in Narry's cleavage.
"There, now you have two, one for ea...*" Rao-ul's sentence came to a swift end as Narry clocked him across the noggin and out of his seat!
"Once was cute, twice is pervy, ya alley cat!" Narry roared.
"Saw that comin'" Snaug laughed as Narry offered her hand to help Rao-ul up, but the cat instead pulled the elven maiden down on top of him, thier lips meeting with enough force to surprise the both of them. "Saw that coming too. Y'know I got rooms here if you kids wanna borrow one." The Snaug taps his forehead. "Ah what was I thinkin'? Youse both live in da basement!" Snaug laughed.
"Perhaps Rao-ul has you right where you want him... that is your knee, yes?" He whispered.
Narry nodded and leaned down and applied more pressure to Rao-ul's private performer. "Yeah furball." She smiled, then gave him a genuine kiss before rolling off of him and on to his feet. Rao-ul pulled himself up and brushed his clothes off.
"Oh such fun, but Rao-ul has things to say now." His tone changed. Snaug grabbed three tankards and they took a seat at Rao-ul's favorite booth.
"What's on yer mind, kid?" Snaug asked.
"Rao-ul is wanting to journey to Norrelheim. Rao-ul hears talk of treasure there. Could be good coin in the longer run." He told Snaug. "Rao-ul is believing that Snaug's very good friends may want some of that coin too."
"Yeah, that goes up da chain." Snaug said. "But I can get expedition rights after discovery. I'll send some guys to go clean it out after discovery. That's that dwarven place, right? They shoulda knew their place." Snaug grumbled.
"How did they vanish?" Narry asked.
"Dat was back in the 7th clutch, I think about 10,000 or so. Yeah, 7-10000 give or take a year. It was a ways fukkin' back. Anyways, da dwarves started takin' issue with the House of Draconus runnin' things. They wanted in on da action. Togoru was da King back den, 'n he fukkin hated dem mooks. He sent guys to rub 'em out. Every last dwarf was wiped da fuck out." Snaug told them.
"Da council o' princes took issue wit Da king and unanimously opposed him, allowing them to whack da King and start da Era o' Da 8th Clutch. Dems were good times. The armies were reformed in to royal guards and da council decreed dat dey wouldn't let dat happen agains." Snaug continued. "But dey left da dwaven holds to lie in ruin. Norrelheim has been one da dragons couldn't outright reclaim like da others. Da scavver rights have been around for a long fukkin time. Malkavius has 'em. I want 'em 'cause da old wyrm ain't doin' jack shit wit 'em." He told Rao-ul. "So yeah, go wit Rook. She's ok. You gots my blessing." He told his adopted son."
"Thank you." Rao-ul nodded. "Rao-ul would have went anyways." He added.
"I know, I just needed a good rant for ya ta put in your memoirs." The old dragon barkeep smiled.
"Oh my father, you will STAR in The Book of Rao-ul!" He promised.
"Probably right next to talking about my boobs." Narry sighed. "You know that's all he's after anyways? Boobs! He likes to play with them!" Narry leaned over and whispered "PuuuurrrrrVERT!" She laughed and put her forhead on Rao-ul's shoulder to which he simply rolled his eyes.
"Rao-ul is Rao-ul and if you do not wish to sample Rao-ul's wares, then don't bother Rao-ul!" He flounced.
"Well, on a more serious note, Rao-ul and I got somethin' for ya, kid." Snaug said and placed a scroll on the counter in front of Narry. "This came for you today."
Narina picked up the scroll and pulled the golden ribbon that kept it rolled.
"Dear Miss Faukenwood." She read. "We the staff of The Drakkenreach School for Bardic Studies are pleased to..." she caught her breath, "accept you as a student beginning with the next term." She squealed with glee and started to jump up and down.
Rao-ul snatched the scroll from her and continued reading. "Your tution has been paid in full by a pair of anonymous donors. We looked forward to introducing you to your new life in show business." Rao-ul smiled and put the scroll on the bar.
"Pair... of anonymous donors?" She asked. Snaug smiled and Rao-ul tilted his head. "You see darling, Snaug pay for Rao-ul's training." The cat man explained. "Rao-ul wanted to pay forward and see you walk in Rao-ul's majestic footsteps! Snaug? He offered to contribute." Rao-ul smiled.
"I paid half." Snaug said.
"Guys! I don't know how to repay you!!!" She cried.
"Rao-ul says to you that is is a gift. No money should come between friends. Between boobies... that is... different story."
"Yeah, perv!" Narry teased.
"You ain't gotta pay me back, but I want you working here. You'll make good coin. Ask Rao-ul." Snaug told her.
"It is true." Rao-ul nodded. "Rao-ul has a small fortune stashed away for Rao-ul's retirement."
"You're going away for good?" Narry sobbed.
"Oh no! This is Rao-ul's home, but Rao-ul dreams of maybe cabin on a shore where Rao-ul can catch fishies for Rao-ul's dinner and perhaps compose beautiful music."
"Yeah, on that. I know a guy who's got a place up at Lake Thrace. I'll make an introduction. But that will have to come later. I gotta card game ta get to." Snaug said. "Get some sleep, kids."
The three said their goodbyes for the evening but Rao-ul remained behind to finish his lager and count his coins.
Rao-ul set his coin pouches on the table and positioned his tankard. Tonight had been a good night. Rao-ul knew that by the weight of the precious metals in the bags. His thoughts wandered between Narina and his gold. He genuinely loved the young elf, but knew that though he could have her if he wanted to (she had made that clear to him on several occasions) but knew that her destiny was not to be wed to someone with the motives of an alley cat and the ambitions of ambitions of a master thespian.
He set aside 10 coins for the Drakkenreach orphanage which he would drop off at the orphanage on his morning stroll. He set aside another 50 gold coins that he intended to gift to Narina. Rao-ul remembered first meeting her. He was cleaning the bar for Snaug while the old dragon spoke with Narina. He hired her on the spot and gave her a room in the cellar next to Rao-ul's. The rooms had a connecting door, so they had spent many a night together talking. Rao-ul's joy and antics inspired the young elf who came to Drakkenreach seeking her fortune just as Rao-ul had, but Rao-ul didn't have to go far.
He looked across the Inn's tavern that had first been his home. It had since become his stage and he was proud to be the lead act. Then he noticed her.
A dragoness of bird egg blue skin and scale approached Rao-ul's table. Her shimmering dress hung off her body, caressing her form while it glistened in the candlelight.
"Be still my heart." Rao-ul whispered. He rose and bowed. "Never has Rao-ul's eyes been set on such beauty fair!" He sighed and gently kissed the dragoness's hand to her approval. "It is with the most humble of intention that Rao-ul presents himself to such a lady fair."
"Rao-ul." The dragoness smiled. "I love how it rolls on the tounge, so sensuous." She cooed.
"Ah yes, like a fine rose wine. Shall Rao-ul fetch you some?" He asked. The dragoness nodded her approval, sending Rao-ul behind the bar. He selected a bottle and a glass. Setting the glass before her, he gently poured a sample for her.
The dragoness put her lips to the rim of the glass, taking in the boquet, then allowing a mere taste to reach her tounge.
"Markare, 10th Clutch... 5086." She daid.
"Rao-ul is impressed." He said. He noted the label as he put the bottle back. "Such knowledge of wine is a talent reserved for nobles, Lady..."
"Myska." The dragoness finished.
"Lady Myska? Forgive Rao-ul but Rao-ul is not knowing your name, oh that Rao-ul would never forget Myska's elegence."
She smiled. "I grew up at Caprilla. I am new in town."
"Oh and a fine town Drakkengard is, m'lady!" Rao-ul told her. "Here, you are at Snaug's Inn! The finest hotel and tavern in Drakkengard... the only one, but the finest!"
"Do tell. Is it yours?" She asked.
"Alas no. Rao-ul is but a humble entertainer. Rao-ul's friend and father-type-person Snaug own this. No, Rao-ul is only an entertainer.
"Well, count me entertained!" Myska smiled. "This wine is very good."
"When Rao-ul entertains, he never settles for anything less than the best." He assured her. "Tell me, does Alarys still sell flowers in the town square?"
"Yes, she there every morning with the prettiest of roses. I always stop to smell them." Myska smiled. "Now they will remind me of you."
"To compare Rao-ul to a rose, the softness of the petals, the strength of the stalk and the prick of the thorn." Rao-ul extended a claw to accent. "Rao-ul is like only the rarest of roses." He then took her hand. "So strong yet delicate, and these claws, Rao-ul cannot compare these to a thorn, no! These are the hands of passion, the hands of a great lover!"
Myska slid a dress strap off her shoulder. "Perhaps Rao-ul would like to see how the rest of Myska compare to her claws." She smiled, mocking him though the invitation was genuine enough.
Rao-ul gathered his coins and their drinks, then motioned for the stairs to the cellar. Myska looked around as she descended the stairs in to the dimly lit basement of Snaug's Inn. "You live down here?" She asked, becoming a little repulsed.
"Ah but this is only the foyer!" Rao-ul chided as he opened the door to his room, with decor fit for a wealthy Bedouin.
"Well, a diamond in the rough." Myska smiled and sat down on Rao-ul's plush bed. "Soft." She ran her hand across the blankets, giving Rao-ul the cue to sit. He took her arm and ran his paw up her dragon skin. "You too are soft." She said.
"Rao-ul is a fine luxury, to be savored, enjoyed, but not all at once, my dear. Please, enjoy Rao-ul's hospitality." He took a seat on a plush bag and watched the dragoness disrobe, but instead of crawling in to the bed, she joined him on the plush bag.
"I think that this is where you sleep, is it not?" Myska asked. Rao-ul only had his shirt of exposing his fur covered muscular chest.
"...yes. Bed is for women only, Rao'ul prefers to sleep here." He confided.
"Then here is where I will sleep, curled up next to you." She whispered, allowing her wings to appear and extend around Rao-ul.
"Ah, something NEW has been added!" Rao-ul purred.
"...and you are certain he seduced you, then drugged you?" A woman's voice asked.
"Yes." Rao-ul heard Myska whimper shortly before a very powerful hand pulled him up
"WHAT IS GOING ON!?!" Rao-ul gasped, seeing the guards who placed Rao-ul in chains.
"Shut it." The Sherriff growled as the guards lifted Rao-ul off his feet and carried him out to the cellar where Magistrate Glyndrana was talking to Myska. A guard kept Snaug and Narina back as they brought the bard infront of the dragoness judge.
"Rao-ul A. Cat?" Glyndrana asked.
"Yes, please tell Rao-ul what is going on? Rao-ul is confused!" He pleased.
"You are being charged with adultry involving the Prince's daughter." She flicked her head, signaling to the royal guards to take him away.
"We'll figure this out, son! You know I will." Snaug called out.
"Father!!!" Rao-ul called back as he was hauled up the stairs.
"GORRAMIT GLYNDRANA!!!" Snaug roared! "THAT'S MY KID!!!" He hissed. He was much shorter than Glyndrana, but she was nonetheless intimidated by Snaug.
"Sir, we will get to the bottom of this." Glyndrana told him.
"Oh, you'll get to the fukkin' bottom o' dis!" Snaug challenged. "You fukkin' better!"
"I do not take kindly to threats." The Magistrate sneered. "Snaug, we've known each other for a very long time, please don't make this difficult." She told him as the guards escorted Myska out. Narina noted that her waterworks ended pretty quickly, but kept quiet.
"My son is a good boy!" Snaug told her. "Everyone in the town KNOWS him except for your precious prince because he doesn't come out of is damn long house!" Snaug hissed.
Glyndrana sighed. "I know he is good, Snaug. I am as puzzled about this as you are and I know Lady Myska is trouble. We will get this sorted out, please be patient for all of our sakes." She told Snaug as she made her way to the stairs.
Snaug turned to Narina. "Somethin' stinks." He growled.
"That woman was faking it! She wasn't shedding a tear after she talked to the magistrate!"
"Yeah, I heard things about Myska too. C'mon, we got work to do."