Page 21 of Storms & Sacrifice
As we walk together, I feel the leash occasionally brushing against my bare skin. Given how close we’ve stayed tonight, wearing it seems almost pointless, like it’s just for show. Which I guess it is. Soon I notice that we’re in a familiar part of the city, and sure enough, I see the shop of Khazak’s friend Brull coming up on our left. If it’s possible, the streets are even busier here with lots of people coming in and out of Brull’s specifically. Makes sense, given the kind of stuff Brull crafts and sells here.
“This weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for Brull.” Khazak reaches over to unclip my leash. “Because of the crowd, I do not want to risk you getting hurt.” I actually feel a little sad when he removes it, though I hide my frown. Don’t need him knowing that.
We walk inside, and the shop is wall-to-wall people. The shelves are all half-empty, and the same goes for the wall racks, which normally are hung with all sorts of costumes and harnesses. There’s even a couple of orcs squeezed into one corner trying things on. Brull is behind the counter dealing with customers, two other orcs back there helping him. I see him occasionally stepping into the back room and returning with what I’m assuming is a specially ordered item. We move toward the counter to try to catch his eye.
“Khazak! Great to see you!” he calls when he finally has a chance to notice us, stepping to the side. “David, looking good in thatharness.”
“Thank you, sir.”See? I remember myprotocol.
“The festival bringing in the business as always?” Khazak asks.
“You know it. Glad I spent the last two weeks making extra stock.” He turns to look over the crowd. “Might have to stay up tonight making more if I wanna make it through theweekend.”
“We will let you get back to it. Just wanted to stop in and wish you a happy festival.Rumk’r Avon.” Khazak ends his sentence with the familiar Atasi saying.
“Rumcar Avon,” I repeat as best I can.
“Getting better.” Brull smirks at me then turns to Khazak. “Can I still count on the two of you for the demonstrationtomorrow?”
“Of course. We would not miss it for the world.” I give both orcs a funny look but say nothing until we exit.
“So, you wanna tell me about this demonstration?”That sounded a little brazen.“Sir.”Better.
“Another surprise.” He chuckles when I roll my eyes. “Every year during the festival, Brull likes to do something to attract customers. A show, of sorts. Do you remember the first time we were there, and whathappened?”
“You mean the ‘funishment?’” I assume he’s talking about the time he tied me down and paddled me in the middle of Brull’s shop while also giving me a handjob in front of some customers. That was an interesting day.
“Irefuseto call it that, but yes.” I stick my tongue out at his denial of my new word. “It will be a bit like that, though not at all a punishment.”
“So you say.”Sounds suspicious.
“So I say,” he challenges with a smirk.
“What are we doing now?” I don’t think I’ll be getting any more answers on the previous subject.
“Meeting Ragnar and Nylan to get the rest of our eveningstarted.”
We walk away from Brull’s, eventually coming upon one of the outdoor bars set up for the festival. There is a band playing on a stage next to the dancefloor, complete with drums, flutes, and guitars—or at least that’s what the instruments resemble. They sound different from what I’m used to, but there’s a steady bass line the people are dancing to. We spot Ragnar and Nylan standing at a table off tothe side.
Ragnar is dressed similarly to Khazak, though his outfit is all black. I think it’s his elf half that makes him look a little slimmer and younger than my orc, but he’s still plenty muscular, and his leathers frame him no less impressively. Nylan is as tall and skinny as ever, dressed in a harness similar to mine, along with a pair ofveryshort shorts. If he’s cold, he’s not showing it, smiling brightly with his dark hair perfectly coifed as always. The couple waves us over when they see us.
“Have you been waiting long?” Khazak asks Ragnar after grabbing each other’s wrists and exchanging an orc-hug.
“Nah, still on our first drinks.” He picks up a mostly empty mug. Nylan has a glass too, but the liquid inside is pink. “Got out here as soon as we could. I traded patrol shifts with Tuskrunner two weeks ago, so I wouldn’t miss anything. Boy, why don’t you go get us another round?”
“Yes Sir!” Nylan chirps happily right before finishing the last of his drink and grabbing theempty mug.
“Pup, go with him and get some drinks of our own.” Khazak unclips my leash again. He reaches for his pouch, but Ragnarstops him.
“Hey, it’s your firstShatu Uzu’gorwith your own avakesh. Drinks are on me tonight.” Ragnar flashes his best friend a grin.
“If you insist.” He turns to me. “A beer for me, David, and whatever you would like.”
“Yes, Sir. Thank you.” I walk with Nylan over to the busy outdoor bar where we wait for our turn with thebartender.
“So, what do you think?” Nylan gestures to everything.
“It’s...a lot, but so far it’s been fun.” Orcs sure know howto party.
