* * *

Kilniara woke, her sleep disturbed by muffled movement in the other room. She yawned and looked at the window, wondering about the time before she groaned. Truly? So early? The sun has not even risen! Who works by the light of the cradle? Kilniara sighed and rolled over, pulling her blankets up and covering her ears, clawing back at her sleep. She lay there a few moments, mind drifting and body falling back into sweet insensibility, but even as she teetered on the edge of falling, her conscious got the better of her and she rolled back over and sat up in a long groan. Why does master have to be so serious!

She stood, pushing herself to prepare for the day, wishing to maintain her precious place as an apprentice to such a master. Chances to ever be trained to become a great warrior or even possibly nobility… Kilniara shook her head, clearing her mind and focusing. I must perform now, to his expectations or I may lose all chance! She quickly stood and gathered herself in the dim light of the morning, preparing as best she could for the day. She stumbled a bit because of exhaustion, but was finally able to be ready for the day, stepping out into the main room to begin their morning worship of Tyr. I think? This… it’s hard to know who he worships with his morning rituals!

Even when opening the door, Kilniara stepped through absent-mindedly, exhaustion still plaguing her movements. It took her several moments to become aware of what was happening, but then she felt her blush rapidly rise through her entire upper torso and face. Master! Where are your clothes!

Master performed his kata, as he always did, with Garnedell and Zilnek following as best as they could, but this morning had Master wearing only his pants, loosely tied to his hips and riding incredibly low; too low to be appropriate in mixed company.

She glanced to Garnedell and Zilnek, both returning embarrassed looks of their own, but also shaking their heads and shrugging slightly. Master must be in a mood, but we are likely not in trouble then. I wonder what troubles master?

She quickly took her eyes away from him, attempting to keep her eyes away from his glistening torso. Why is it glistening? Why is it so wet? What is happening? She glanced towards Garnedell and found him normal, without any form of liquid on his face or torso, although it might be under his shirt but she found no wet spots. So… not a base thing? Garnedell would do it, too. Where is the water coming from?

Kilniara found herself so distracted that morning that she struggled to even grasp the several new rituals he was teaching, her eyes missing significant portions of his movements as she found herself glued to his chest or upper arms, watching the slick rivulets sliding down his muscles.

Kilniara jerked her eyes away again, mind coming back to her form and quickly corrected hers to follow Joe. Her moves smoothed once again and flowed as his did, following his perfectly. Her arm went up and shifted in a swoop over her head, coming down in front of her with palm up as if cupping water or wine. Her arm followed his exact swoop, then pulled back, as his arm came back and upper arm bulged thickly, as did his right side chest, the light of the cradle shimmering weakly off his chest as the muscles rippled und…

Stop! Kilniara took a deep breath and returned to the movement, following the ritual exactly. She found herself soon trapped in watching his chest as she struggled to continually look away. It was the unusual nature that left her distracted, and she just couldn’t keep her mind clear for any significant amount of time.

Suddenly, Kilniara huffed, a gasp that exploded from her chest and left her trembling. I can’t… I can’t stay… I can’t do this! She stood and mumbled a weak apology to Master before escaping back to her room before rushing to her bed and collapsing on it. Maybe… just a break? The other boys took several breaks … me, too… just… just a break… just recovering our stamina… just… need a break… but…

Why is he… leaking water? Where is all that water coming from? Why doesn’t Garnedell leak… is it… natural for eccentrics? Is he removing poisons and detritus? Maybe it is… because of strength? Master’s strength is unquestioned! His muscles are so… She shuddered and ripped her mind away from the image. It wouldn’t be so bad if it wasn’t for the smell! Just… Again, she tore her thoughts away once again, unable to keep equilibrium while thinking of his body or strong wash of his scent.

She stood quickly and went to her window, opening it and taking a deep breath, washing away his scent and calming, feeling herself coming more under control. Stupid brother! Why did he have to bring up Master as a mate! I’m sure Master would not even consider me as wif… She sighed and turned away, knowing it was not true. Men of Master’s stature often gathered great wealth of all kinds, including many wives, including those who sought out such men purely for the security and wealth they would gain from such arrangements.

While she considered herself to not be such a woman, she couldn’t easily disregard her interest in him, as his strength, obvious wealth, knowledge, and surprising concern and care for others plucked at her heart in a way that left her struggling to defend against. She took another several deep breaths at the window when she heard a knock at her door.

She turned quickly and went to the door and pulled it open, “Yes? How can I… help?” Kilniara ended in an embarrassing squeak.

Master stood before her, a massive wall of muscle and strength gleaming… like oil! It is like his body is oiled! How is body so … “Yes? Uh… sorry… I did not hear you, Master.”

“I… I’m just worried that you’re OK? Is everything alright?”

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

“Ah, well… I’m feeling,” Kilniara tilted her head back as his scent brushed her nose and she suddenly pulled in a deep breath through her nose. She blinked a few times and struggled to maintain equilibrium, but found it very difficult. She heard another wash of background noise she identified as Master’s voice and replied desperately.

“Ah… Could you say it again?”

“You… are you really OK? You don’t seem fine!”

His hand came to rest on her forehead before he pulled it back, “Oh… right… cold blooded. No fever to help indicate…”

Kilniara yelped, stepping back quickly as her thoughts caught up to what he had done and the cold wash of reality quickly washed away her distractions, “Ah! Ah! I’m fine. Please… do not worry! I just… I … um… I needed some rest!” Kilniara finished in a loud rush.

“Oh… OK,” Joe stepped back taken a bit back by her reaction, “Well… take some rest, then. Make sure everything is fine.

“Yes… yes… thank you, yes!” She finished the conversation in as quick of a rush as she closed the door and it shut rapidly, if quietly. Kilniara collapsed against the door, pressing it firmly against the frame as she guarded her entrance, heart beating rapidly!

* * *

Joe stepped back, a bit concerned by how Kilniara reacted to him, but let the conversation end as it was obvious it was what she wanted. Well… of course, idiot, she was just badly injured only two days ago! She needs rest and I’ve got her out here overworked… even went dungeon diving yesterday. Should we take a day off? I really shouldn’t… but…

Joe turned away from Kilniara and looked back at Garnedell and Zilnek, finding both of them gasping and exhausted, although neither really seemed to be sweating at all. Huh… still can push them a bit, I guess… but…

“OK. You guys… look exhausted. I’ve been pushing us pretty hard. Why don’t you guys get some rest or something, OK?”

The two looked at him in surprise before they collapsed on their beds. They hid it well, but Joe noticed the wash of relief and realized that he might have been pushing them pretty hard. Might be sleep? I’m used to much shorter sleep times, but… well duh! They’re used to longer hours of sleep! More hours in the day… gonna have to figure that out some time…

Joe looked back at the two boys collapsed on the bed and sat, deciding to stop his exercise for the day, “How long do you usually sleep?”

The two boys looked up, then struggled to sit up.

“No. No… lay back down. It’s fine. You’re exhausted and need rest. You can just talk to me while laying.”

The two collapsed back down and Garnedell responded, “All night.”

“And… that means from sunset to sunrise?”

“Ah… about. Most usually fall asleep shortly after sunset and wake shortly after.”

“So you have not been getting enough sleep with me staying up late speaking with Kukurnal and waking up early to exercise.”

The two looked at each other, cautious looks of consideration flashing between the two before looking back at Joe.

“It has been difficult, Joe,” Garnedell replied.

“Hmm… then after you have finished eating, you can leave early and come to bed from now on. And in the morning, I will practice outside or in another room. I didn’t mean to wake you guys up. I was rude. I apologize.”

The other two tried to quickly deny Joe’s apology but he wouldn’t accept it and forced it, not allowing it to be pushed aside. Joe sat back on his bed and glanced out the window. It was still dark and no glow of false dawn was even hinted at. Joe sighed and stood, dressing quickly, if a bit grumpily as he was covered in sweat.

“Get some more rest. Relax for the day and sleep as much as you can, OK?”

The two boys nodded but gratefully accepted Joe’s suggestion.

“Maybe let Kilniara know… no. I’ll do it. You guys rest.”

Joe didn’t want to bother Kilniara too much so he knocked on the door and called out quickly, “Kilniara? We’re done with exercise for today. We’re sleeping and resting some more, so get some more sleep, as much as you want, OK?”

Joe waited for Kilniara’s response but found the door opening slightly, with Kilniara sticking out her head while staring at her feet. She whispered quietly, “Yes, Master.”

Joe hid his exasperated sigh at her use of master once again and backed away, “Good. Rest as much as you can. We all need sleep and rest today. So… no dungeon diving or anything today. You have a free day to do what you want.”

Kilniara nodded and Joe turned away as she closed the door behind him. He quietly opened the room door before shutting and locking it behind him, although he left the keys inside right next to the door for the others to lock up after they left.

He went downstairs and found the common room empty, without any wait staff or anyone that might be able to serve him. He sat at a table and waited, but found himself restless and unwilling to wait any longer. Finally, he stood and explored the downstairs floor, hoping to find an exit to a courtyard or some other such area, but found nothing readily accessible.

He went outside and wandered around the outside of the inn, but found it so crowded up on both sides by the buildings that they were almost literally sharing a wall, with no alleyway in between. Huh… I was sure they would have some kind of stable or something… but… I guess not?

Joe then found himself standing out in front of the inn, the dark of the night above him alive with stars over the dead streets below. He turned back to the door to enter the inn but then stopped, not wanting to be alone with nothing to do and finally decided to just head to the dungeons for himself. He didn’t have much by way of equipment, only his club and nothing else. He debated going back to the room but was pretty sure the boys were asleep by now, and he had no way in or to open the door.

I’m fine! This will be easy. Joe squared his shoulders and headed out, steering for the temple plaza and a job change. What he really wanted was to just get away, and the only place he knew to get away was the dungeons, but he wasn’t going to waste a day and so needed to change his job. He made it to the temples but found all of the main plaza temples empty acolytes. He tried the next temple on his list first, seeking out the acolyte and asking for a job change.

Things did not proceed smoothly, though, and he found out that their job change service was closed until the next day. Joe sighed and left, looking to the alleys full of lesser temples and could only hope to find one that could at least help out.

He spent a good half hour wandering from temple to temple before he found a drunk priestess outside a temple who accepted the job, giving Joe his change to education theorist for a core which was an exorbitant payment but was the only thing Joe had on him and about the only way he was able to convince the priestess to do it. The priestess was so drunk, the woman was almost unable to even stand, and Joe could only hope she wouldn’t remember much of anything.

Joe found himself outside the beginner’s dungeon empty entrance and headed down into the dungeon immediately. He was surprised to find the area virtually devoid of life, although there were a few guards standing on the walls, with a couple standing over the gate. None were looking outward as they were all watching the entrance to the dungeon but with very poor concentration.

None of this matter to Joe, however, and he soon found himself on the first floor and bulled his way to the corner they always used, killing anything in his path to get there. He took a moment to collapse against the corner for a while before he stood and began to massacre the goblins there.