Page 22 of Storms & Sacrifice
“This is one of my favorite times of the year.” Nylan looks over the crowd happily. “So much dancing. So much drinking. So much public sex.”
“How many of these festivals have you been to?” They’ve been together a while now, I think.
“This is our sixth. I can still remember our first.” Nylan smiles, reminiscing. “Did I ever tell you how I became Ragnar’savakesh?”
I shake my head no. He told me some of the story when I first met him, but I was a little preoccupied with my own shit to press him for more details.
“We had already been together for two years,” he starts. “Traditionally, when a couple wants to go through with the Ritual of Steel & Thunder, the avakesh-to-be will commit some sort of “crime” against their would-be owner. Theft is the most popular choice, though I’ve heard of some real brats that decided to go with vandalism instead. In any case, they’re ‘arrested’ in a big, over-the-top display, usually by a ranger or officer the couple is friends with. Then the arrestee issues the ritual challenge, their lover accepts it, and the two are taken to the arena where…you knowthe rest.”
“That sounds kinda fun, at least hearing the way it’ssupposedto go.” I try not to grumble the last part too much. I’m not upset about being in this situation with Khazak anymore, but sometimes I can’t help but feel a little raw thinking about how Redwish tricked us.
“I hope you know how terrible Khazak feels. I mean, we all do, but him...” Nylan leans his shoulder into me. “It really sucks that someone would take something that’s supposed to be fun and romantic like that andtwist it.”
“It’s okay, it worked out in the end. It’s not like it’s your fault. It’s not even Khazak’s.” Still, the city should really consider doing something to ensure this doesn’t happen to anyone else. “Alright, what did you do to Ragnar to get arrested then?”
“Alright, so like I said, we had been together for two years at that point,” Nylan continues his story. “We’d been talking about moving in together for a while, but we kept getting into fights about where we were going to live. He had this crappy little apartment over on the west side of the city, while I was living in a place that was biggerandcloser to both of our jobs. So, one day while he was at work, I went over to his apartment and took his stuff.”
“You stole some of his things?” Seems simple enough.
“No, David. I tookeverything.” He opens his eyes wide for emphasis. “I hired some people to clean the place out and cram all of it into my apartment. It was a mess, but I got it done all in one day. After Ragnar came home to empty rooms, he stormed right over to my place and arrested me himself.Thenhe made me wait almost a full day in a jail cell before he accepted my ritual challenge. I thought it was because he was busy moving all of his stuff back to his place, but when we got home after the match, I saw that he had spent the day organizing everything in mine, combining our things. I loved it…after some arguing over his furniturechoices.”
“That sounds really sweet.” I’m almost kinda bummed I didn’t get to do something like that. “What about the match?” I noticed he completely skipped overthat part.
“…He chased me screaming around the arena for fifteen minutes until he finally caught me.” It’s Ny’s turn to grumble. “Then he tickled me until I gave in and he fucked me in front of the crowd.”
“I would have loved to see that,” I tease.
After finishing our story, the bartender finally comes over to serve us, and Nylan starts to tell her our order. “Wait, do you want a beer, or one of what I’m having?”
“What are you having?” I gesture to his empty glass.
“Ooooo, you won’t be able to pronounce it, but you’ll love it. It’s sweet andverystrong,” Nylan informs me happily.
“Alright, sure.” I’ve had a few beers since I’ve been here, but never in a situation where I could actually relax and enjoy them.
He finishes talking to the bartender, who leaves and returns a moment later with our drinks. Dropping some coins on the counter and thanking her, the two of us gather our glasses and return to our owners.
“Good boy.” I get a hand stroking down my back as Sir takes his beer from me.
I take a sip of my drink, andwoahis that strong. Sweet too, just like Nylan said. The flavor is actually a little familiar, but I can’t put my finger on it. It’s similar to the dar-buk filling.
“What do you think?” I must have made a face cause Nylan is laughinga little.
“Strong. But good.” I smile and take another sip.
The four of us stand around talking and nursing our drinks. There is thankfully no work talk, except for Nylan telling us the story of some customer he had this week arguing with him over a book title. I’m the first one done with my drink, and when Nylan notices, he immediately offers to get me another. I eye him suspiciously but say yes because even though I’m pretty sure he’s trying to get me drunk, I think I’ll be okay around these three.
By the time I finish drink #2, I’m starting to feel warm and fuzzy, and I can feel myself swaying a little tothe beat.
“Yessss.” Nylan watches me and grins before turning to Ragnar. “Can we go dance now? Pleaaaseeee, Sir?”
“Uh-uh, you know I’m gonna need at least one more of these before I’m ready for that.” He holds up his mostly finished beer, making his half-elf pout.
Maybe it’s the alcohol (it’s definitely the alcohol), but from across the table, I tell Nylan, “I’ll dancewith you.”
His face brightens at my offer. “You will?”
“Yes, you will?” Khazak asks from my left, amused.
