Chapter 74 - Desertion

Aden and Eugene strolled along the garden path, the tranquil surroundings providing a contrast to the delicate subject they broached. Eugene's hesitation was palpable as he mustered the courage to inquire about Laura, the woman they both held dear."How's.. uh, how fond are you of Laura?" Eugene ventured, his voice tinged with apprehension.Aden's expression softened as he contemplated his response. "She is sweet and adorable," he began, carefully weighing his words. "And a force of nature, that's for sure."A shared chuckle escaped their lips, an acknowledgment of Laura's insatiable desires and the impact she had on their lives."Yes, she is like a hurricane," Eugene concurred. "One moment peaceful, and suddenly everything is swept away."The men's camaraderie grew as they navigated the intricate dynamics of their unconventional arrangement. Aden searched for the perfect analogy to capture Laura's passionate intensity, prompting Eugene's suggestion of a "whirlwind."As their laughter subsided, Eugene's expression turned solemn. He glanced around furtively, ensuring their privacy before voicing his deepest concern. "I'm glad you have fond feelings for her. I just want to say something."Aden braced himself, anticipating Eugene's request for him to distance himself from Laura."Please don't take her away from me," Eugene implored, his voice laced with vulnerability. "I know from the way she looks at you, she would leave me for you at any chance given. I love her. I know I'm half a man. But I would do anything to make her happy and content." His gaze dropped, the weight of his words hanging heavily between them. "Including letting her go."Aden reached out, offering a reassuring tap on Eugene's shoulder. "Hey, take it easy. You are a good man, Eugene. She won't leave you."Eugene's eyes shone with hope as he sought confirmation. "Really?""Yes, a good husband like you is hard to come by," Aden affirmed, his words carrying conviction.The conversation veered towards the delicate matter of their arrangement. Eugene's voice wavered as he inquired, "Do you want me to stop plowing her?"Another pause, another fleeting glance downward, before Eugene revealed his true feelings. "No, she would be mad at me."Aden probed further, "But do you want me NOT to?"Eugene's response was resolute, a testament to his selfless love. "No, I would be a selfish man if I did. I want her to be happy. I have to see the reality. I want her needs fulfilled, and you are the perfect man for her."Aden nodded, his respect for Eugene's strength evident. "You are a real man, Eugene," he affirmed, grasping Eugene's shoulder firmly. "Every man has their own battle, and not every man could fight the battle as you have now. There is a special place for a man like you in heaven."Eugene's eyes widened, seeking reassurance in Aden's words. "Really?"As they reached a secluded bench beneath a towering tree, both men paused, the weight of their bond and the challenges they faced lingering in the air.Aden's words carried a reassuring weight, offering Eugene a glimpse into the promised rewards that awaited him. "Yes, that's what I was told. In heaven, you would have the strength of ten men and will spend your time deflowering maidens," he affirmed, his tone resolute.A relieved sigh escaped Eugene's lips, his shoulders visibly relaxing. "Thanks, Aden. I feel better now."Aden's words were no mere platitudes; they stemmed from the logical tenets of the Lua Light belief system. In the eyes of Lua, Eugene's actions were those of a great person with an immense heart and vast reserves of patience. His rewards in the afterlife would be plentiful, a just recompense for his selfless devotion.It was an inescapable truth that some women, like Laura, were born with an insatiable sexual appetite, designed to serve man's desires over extended periods and with unrelenting fervor. While the Old Ways Church of Aione prohibited divorce under any circumstances, Lua allowed for such separations, recognizing the strain that mismatched desires could place on a union. Nevertheless, the preservation of marriage remained a guiding principle, even in such trying circumstances.Eugene sank onto a bench in the garden, his expression suddenly clouding with sadness. "I thought you would ridicule me or demean me, just like those riffraffs in Havenmoor," he confessed, his voice laced with vulnerability.Aden settled beside him, his presence a reassuring anchor. "Why would I?" he asked, his tone tinged with genuine bewilderment."I don't know," He looked down and fidgeted with his foot scribbling the dirt.He took a deep breath before telling Aden how Laura got vultured by five men in the Havenmoor, a huge port city just a day of sail from the Monterei port.They walk in an alley where they come past a group of riffraffs and they catcalled Laura. Laura got aroused and demanded sex with Eugene and Eugene was nowhere to fulfill her needs. She got angry and went back to the riffraffs only for them to bring her to a remote shack near the cliff.They vultured her from the night until tomorrow morning plowed and seeded her like there was no tomorrow as Eugene watched on the side.Inside the shack, they were calling him names, demeaning him, making him do errands fetching water, and cleaning the makeshift bed with clothes."That's how she punished me," Eugene closed his story with another sigh.Aden felt guilt but his manhood getting hard hearing that little secret about Laura.'You got this, Eugene." Aden lifted his spirit up but actually, he really wanted to have another round with Laura as soon as possible.The thought of a leisurely day without harpy threats crossed Aden's mind, and the prospect of spending quality time with Laura before resting seemed increasingly appealing.Eugene's voice broke the momentary silence, his tone resolute yet tinged with vulnerability. "I will do my best to give her a child."Aden offered an encouraging nod. "That's the spirit."A slight stammer betrayed Eugene's nerves as he continued, "I, uh...I think I might need your help." His gaze met Aden's, a silent plea in his eyes. "You know, I don't mind if she is having your baby. You will be my guest of honor."Aden couldn't help but chuckle at Eugene's choice of words, recognizing the influence of the beloved stage plays. "I would be very grateful," he replied, a hint of amusement in his tone.While the concept of the "guest of honor" held cultural significance in certain circles, Aden was well aware that Ruhim, the founder of the Emirates of Lua in the Median peninsula, had frowned upon and ultimately abolished the practice. However, some Medianites still observed the tradition behind closed doors, a testament to the enduring power of respect and tradition.As a guest of honor, a host would let his wife or the youngest and prettiest wife warm the bed of the honored guest. The honored guest seeds were the best gift for the host after he left. The honored guest was usually an Emir, a median king, or someone equivalent. Not some warrior or mercenary like Aden. although not in some cases it was uncommon.Aden saw there was no way so he played along, "Okay I'll do my best too.""Thanks." Eugene grateful.Eugene's gaze darted towards Aden, a hint of hesitation flickering across his features before he spoke. "Actually, when you found me and Laura in the ransacked house, it was her idea."Aden's brow furrowed slightly, curiosity piqued by Eugene's revelation. "How come?"A chuckle escaped Eugene's lips as if acknowledging the absurdity of the situation. "She wanted me to have sex with a harpy so I could have the everlasting strength of a man from the harpy."Aden couldn't help but nod in agreement, a glimmer of understanding in his eyes. "That, I'd concur. If I had a wife like her, I would love to have the strength of ten men and take that risk. Laura or harpy, both will wear you down to your bones."Their shared laughter rang out, a momentary respite from the weight of their circumstances.Aden could relate to Eugene. His mother was a nympho. When Aden was very young, his father got impotent from getting trampled by a horse and his mother had to find another way to satiate her lust.She became an open wife. She would let men take advantage of her. They would grope her in the crowded streets or bustling market and she would pretend she doesn't know.She would walk the pleasure streets in the cities nearby as a hur. Satiated her lust with strangers. Plowed and seeded by another man than her husband. from a young to an old man, as long as they were strangers, his mother would spread her legs.It was a brilliant move. none of her customers recognize her, as hur mostly wears a face veil. They only took off their face veil when the deal was struck or they kept wearing face veil during the transaction. She would deny a customer if she knew them personally. Yet they didn't know it was Aden's mother they talked to.Aden's mother rarely took off her face veil during the service. She kept her secret real tight.Aden believed his father knew about his mother's little adventure. under the Law of Lua, his mother has every right to demand a divorce from his father, and the civil court would authorize it.but she didn't. she didn't demand a divorce, and his father also didn't divorce her.With all their flaws they do their best to keep the family intact.to let his own wife plowed and seeded by strangers on the pleasure streets was indeed, a selfless act of Aden's father.and to not demand divorce from her impotent husband was indeed, a selfless act.his father kept it to himself as his sacrifice for love and family. His mother didn't demand divorce out of love for his father and the family household.They did all of that just to give Aden an ideal family. they sacrifice much and fight their own invisible battle for the sake of the family.vultured by five men and swung another way also, Laura is an upgrade of Aden's mom although she was lovely but wasn't as pretty as his mother. If only she had not a good husband like Eugene, Aden would snatch her away like a harpy and take her to his hometown.The night sky loomed overhead, the stars peeking shyly from behind the gloomy clouds. A chill wind whispered through the camp, the harpy's lullaby nowhere to be heard."Tomorrow would be a harpyless day, God willing," Aden murmured, his gaze fixed on the heavens above."Amen," Eugene replied, a hint of relief in his voice."Let's take a rest. It's getting late," Aden suggested, motioning for Eugene to accompany him to the tents outside. Eugene had been staying in a tent with Agnes's husband, Ralph, a chedaim scribe who worked at the Monterei port's trading post.As Aden made his way to his own tent, his mind wandered to the prospect of slipping out later and finding Laura in the stables for another intimate encounter. However, his plans were disrupted when he spotted Corporal Knightly frantically rummaging through the smugglers' tents.Alarm rippled through the camp as Corporal Knightly's frenzy became apparent – the smugglers and the harpy were gone. Aden hurried to Oliver's sleeping bag, lifting the cloth to reveal a carved wooden ship nestled beneath. A sense of dread settled in as they realized the implications.Without wasting a moment, they made their way to the seaport, determined to secure one of the available sailboats docked there."What is it, Corporal?" asked Aden."Aden, did you see where the smugglers went?" Corporal Knightly demanded, his gaze darting around the camp."No," Aden shook his head. Corporal Knightly proceed to Ethan's tent.In another tent, Knightly confronted Ethan, who had been left behind by Marcus, deemed too lost in nostalgia to be of use.Aden slipped into Oliver's tent, carefully inspecting the area. Beneath the blanket, he discovered a small carved wooden ship – a token used to mark positions on the war room maps."Corporal, I think I've got something," Aden called out, emerging with the carved piece."What is it?" Knightly responded, his footsteps hurried.Aden handed over the wooden token, but before Knightly could examine it, Captain Willem appeared, plucking it from his Corporal's grasp."I think I know where they headed," Willem announced, his voice carrying a sense of grim determination.Without further delay, Captain Willem dispatched Aden, Ethan, Corporal Knightly, Ser Percival, and Maeda to descend swiftly to the Monterei port. As dawn's first light peeked over the horizon, they confronted Marcus, who clutched a harpy close, surrounded by the remnants of their provisions.⁕⁕⁕*Clack Clack..In the middle of the night, on the downhill path of the Stormsteps mountain. Three persons headed toward the empty seaport down below the mountain. They brought what looks like a woman-bird with them. Hung on a log of wood strong enough to carry the creature like a captured game animal.*Clack clack."Are you sure about this Marcus?" Asked Victor. The flamboyant former actor trod carefully the path. They only have the moonlight as their source of light to travel. They couldn't afford to light up a torch to avoid unnecessary guests."I have checked the seaport the other night, Victor." said Marcus, "There is a boat we can use to sail to the Havenmoor.""I told you," said Ralph with an arrogant face proud for being correct as he fixed His bowl hair messed up by the sea wind."A sloop?" asked Victor.Marcus shook his head in front of Victor. "No, a small merchant ship."*Clack clack.. clack clack."Hey, shut up!" Ralph kicked the harpy, enough to make it silent for a while."Easy with it. remember our deal. If she was harmed we can't sell it and you won't get anywhere near Eclipsa," Marcus warned Ralph."I know, we get to the seaport in Lujtesia Republic, you sell the harpy, and with the money, we head to Eclipsa and give you guys a new life.""Clean slate?" asked Victor."Crystal clean," Ralph smugly answered. "My uncle is one of the senates in Lujtesia parliament. Way more powerful than Lord Malachi in Lyondyn.""Lord Malachi? The man who pulls the string in the Empire? your uncle is more powerful than him?" Victor unsure."You'll see," said Ralph with a smug face.The former actor smelled horseshit. It was too good to be true. Marcus glanced at Victor, his dark eyes telling Victor to shut his mouth. Ralph was the only person who could help them navigate the affairs in their next destination, Lujtesia Republic. They knew better not to mess with the boatman before they landed on the other side.The smugglers carried on their trip.Marcus' eyes were fixed on the declining path. horseshit or not they have to get away as far as possible from the doomed village. If Ralph horseshitting them, Marcus would dump him into the sea.Ralph claimed he had friends in the Orchid seaport who were ready to help them. Marcus believed this because Ralph was a chedaim and Lujtesia was a dominion heavy of the Aione church influence. The Aione church worshipped chedaim, they would do anything to help the smug scribe.Lujtesia and Regalyon, along with other dominions, were still at war against each other in the Valuel Front. Although they were using vassal lords to wage their war, Lujtesia and Regalyon were very much not on good terms.The Lujtesia Republic didn't acknowledge the Regalyon Empire's jurisdiction. Marcus and his fellow smugglers wouldn't be captured by authority in their seaport. They would be safe from the Empire's hand of justice. The authority would see him as a mere hunter who captured an unblemished harpy. The market wouldn't ask where they got the harpy from.It would take them five days to sail to the Orchid seaport in Lujtesia, that's why Marcus stole all the provisions in the storage, two barrels full of jerky beef.Marcus glanced once more at the captured harpy.The golden-winged harpy was gagged, she couldn't scream. All she did was make clicking sounds with her throat along the way down the mountain, she used vibranote in emergency distress, which the rescue party was unaware of. They thought it was just the harpy wanted to make a voice but she couldn't speak."If we keep our pace, we could leave the seaport before sunrise. The harpies won't notice and when the Empire knights are aware of us missing they won't be able to catch up with us." Marcus resumed his talk and kept treading the path."We would already sail on our way toward Lujtesia."The smugglers and Ralph had been treading the path down since bedtime, they were already halfway to their destination, the Monterei seaport. Normally they could reach there in less than half a day but carrying the harpy would take them longer. Thus they had to leave before midnight.Not far behind them was Oliver tailing the two smugglers who carried the harpy in front of him. The boy also carried a full bag of stuff and two small barrels in both of his hands. The boy seemed overwhelmed yet Ralph didn't even carry anything.The boy kept silent since they left the village. His pace was unsteady."Keep up the pace, Oliver." Said Marcus. "This path is tricky, you could get lost before you know it.""We should stay in the village." The boy broke his silence after a while."What did you say?" asked Marcus as if he didn't hear the boy the first time."I think we should stay in the village." The boy repeated himself."You know their condition, they are barely able to keep up with the food. They are a lost cause. The barrels you bring are the last provision they had." Marcus explained while keeping his pace on the descending road.⁕⁕⁕