Page 32 of Storms & Sacrifice
“My master and I dine here together every year.” He smiles warmly at the thought.
“Can I ask who you were having dinner with earlier?” Seemed prettyintimate.
“My master’s wife?” Yeah, okay, a wife isdefinitelyintimate.
“I didn’t realize.” So, the councilman has a wifeandan avakesh? Wow. Now I’m even more curious. “Do you...” I’m not sure how to word my question. “...Serve them both?”
“I serve my mistress in many of the same ways I do my master.” He nods his head knowingly. “However, sexually is not one of them. She has retired for the evening to allow us to enjoy the festivities with oneanother.”
“That’s nice.” They’ve got an interesting dynamic for sure. Though I’m just now realizing that I basically just asked about the councilman’s sex life. “Sorry, I probably shouldn’t be asking you about that stuff.”
“It is alright. Learning too much about the sexual proclivities of a stranger is almost a festival tradition at this point.” He looks over at the rest of the group. “For example, right now your kavan is telling mine the details of your first encounter. It sounds like you put up quite the fight.”
I swivel my head around at Khazak who seems quite pleased to be telling this story. “What are you—” I’m cut off with a piece of steak, and I scowl at the orc as I chew.He’s lucky this is good.
The conversion wraps up not long after that, Councilman Bloodfield standing with Xugar. “Well, I hope you men enjoy the rest of your evening, and I hope the two of you behave.” He looks at Nylan and me before turning to Xugar. “Come, boy. We havemanystops to make before we make it hometonight.”
“Yes, master.” Xugar bows to us before following his owner out of the restaurant.
The four of us wrap up our own dinner not long after that. Khazak leaves money on the table, despite the server telling us our meal has been covered. Benefit of being the owner’s son, but Sir seems like the type to refuse that sort of perk when he can. Bellies full, the four of us head off for the rest ofour night.
After some more walking around and letting our food settle, we end up at an outdoor tavern. We have a few drinks but take it much easier than we did the night before. Nylan and I actually manage to get the two orcs dancing without having to get them drunk first. I think we’re only there for only an hour or two when Khazak tells us it’s time to wrap up.
“Where are we going now?” I ask as we leave the tavern.
“The park, for the final part of our night.” He turns to Ragnar on his right. “You have the ticket?”
“Right here.” He pats his left pocket.
“What’s happening in the park?”Besides more surprises, apparently.
“You will see.” Khazak smilesknowingly.
What I see when we approach the park is dozens of tents spread across the grass and among the trees. There are light stones set up on poles at various points, each softly glowing in a different color. I hear music being played from somewhere, the low thrum of a drum beat in the background. The fabric the tents are made of is near-translucent, the shadows of the people already inside visible from a distance. When we get closer, I can see that each one is just a large bed pallet with a canopy. I feel a stab of guilt.This is what Liss and Adam were setting up.
Ragnar hands a slip of paper to an orc on the outskirts of the park, who looks at it before leading us to one of the tents. Ragnar and Nylan climb in first with Khazak and me right behind. The base of the tent is essentially a large mattress with a short wall of pillows along the edge, and each couple settles on opposite ends of the “floor.”
“So, what happens now?” I’m asking all the dumb questions tonight.
“We enjoy a night under the stars together.” Khazak pulls me down to laywith him.
That sounds kinda nice, if not cheesy. Then I hear a moan coming from somewhere else in the park, and I remember what this festival is really all about.Also, we’re literally on a giant bedright now.
“I got us somethingelsefor tonight, too.” Ragnar reaches into his pocket to produce a smallround tin.
“Really? You do not think we are getting a little too old for that?” Khazak looks at the tin unimpressed.
“Oh what, grandpa? Not cool enough anymore?” Ragnar mocks as he removes the lid, dipping a finger in. His fingertip emerges covered in a dark liquid that he proceeds to suck into his mouth while Nylan does the same. “Besides, David’s still young.” He closes and hands the tin overto Khazak.
“What is it?” Besides some kind of drug,obviously.
“Ruhax. A narcotic, and technically a poison.” Khazak uncaps the tin. “In large amounts, it can make you sick and cause you to hallucinate, but in small doses, it stimulates and enhances your senses. It lasts several hours.”
“Is it...safe?” I am admittedly curious. I’ve smoked weed a few times, back at the Academy, but never so much as tried anything else.
“Safer than many other drugs.” He shows me the contents of the tin. “As it is a poison, should something go wrong, I would be able to help you, or we could take you to the healer’s clinic. Please do not feel obligated to take any just because thesetwo did.”
“...I’ll try it.” He’s not exactly talking it up, but he’s not saying that he doesn’t want to do it either, and he’s right that his magic should be able to help if it gets to be too much.Right?
