Kilniara nodded with excited reserve and the two soon were speaking once again with the same relaxed atmosphere from early in the day. The two soon settled a bit more comfortably on the bed with both heads now resting on the pillow and Joe pulling slightly in from the edge of the bed as he was almost falling off. This put their faces much closer to one another but now seemed a much more natural event with their conversation waxing and waning from excitement to quiet intimacy hiding how close they were to one another.
The night wore on and almost unconsciously found the two sliding closer and closer, conversation soon ending as the two simply looked at one another, enjoying the close view of one another’s eyes. Joe found hers fascinating as they were a gold fading to an almost invisibly thin strip of red framing the pupils. Her pupils were almost reptile like oval pupils which he was used to seeing in reptiles but had failed to notice from greater distances. Or maybe more like the hint of a cat’s eye? Full circular pupils with just a hint of a stretch at the top and bottom? Truly beautiful eyes!
Joe spoke out almost without thought, “Beautiful.”
Kilniara blushed bright red, her ears vibrating slightly. They’d been silent now for almost five minutes and his first words were quite unexpected if not unwelcome. She found her heart beat rapidly increasing and before she realized what she was doing, rushed forward to lay her lips on his.
Joe was caught by a bit of surprise but then relaxed into it and allowed the kiss to happen, quite enjoying it. Joe kept himself back from slipping his tongue to greet hers, but explored her lips thoroughly, his hand coming up to rest softly on her cheek and playing softly with her ears. Kilniara replied in kind, her hand coming up on to his shoulder, but grasping a bit more firmly, squeezing his shoulder, almost kneading it.
Joe didn’t know how much time past as the two lost themselves in exploring one another’s lips with soft pecks and firm presses against lips. It was jarring when the two soon noticed the noisy sound of heavy footsteps and loud voices. The voices pierced through the fog of their thoughts but were rejected, still enjoying the intimate moment, but when realization came of who those voices belonged to, both quickly pulled apart and Joe leapt from the bed even as Kilniara stood up quickly as well.
The door slammed in its frame and then the handle began jiggling as two very drunk boys tried to return to their room, and Kilniara giggled in relief and humor at the situation before leaping up to wrap her arms around his neck to press another kiss to his lips.
“Thank you,” she breathed into his ear before vanishing like a shadow into her room.
Joe sighed and frowned, frustrated for two very different reasons. Shaking his head while he adjusted himself, he stepped up to the door and opened it to let the boys in. I don’t know if I should be thankful they came back when they did or not! It took a long time Joe to fall asleep that night.
* * *
“Greetings, Gunlan! May you be ever…”
A soft clearing of the throat filled the room and the man bowing froze, a shiver a fear slicing through him leaving behind a trail of terror induced goose bumps.
“My apologies, and greetings, once again, Gunlan Mousenker, Galgandar, second in line for the Patriarchy, Lightning Lord, and Shield of Coushar, Guarding of the People,” he finished quickly then froze in a bit of terror as he prostrated himself on the floor before the second son of the Matriarch. It took almost five minutes of groveling, but he soon felt relief when the second son finally vocalized a soft acceptance and call to continue.
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“Sire, I return with news.”
“Continue.”
“The Matriarch has found sufficient funds to satisfy the tribute.”
A soft but rapid rustling of cloth betrayed the second son’s agitation even as he could feel Gunlan’s rise to a sitting position on his bed. It was still quite calm but such rapid action betrayed his agitation.
“Stand. Report in detail.”
The servant quickly stood but kept his head down, refusing to chance a glance at the second son. “The Matriarch returned with several high quality cores; two triple cores, eleven dual, and 203 single cores.”
Gunlan leapt to his feet, his body shivering in rage and the servant froze as he struggled to keep himself from flinching, not wish to draw the ire of the second son.
“You call this several, you fool?”
The slap caught the servant on his lower jaw, snapping his teeth together brutally but the servant had already reacted quickly, slipping his lower lip between his teeth so as to protect them from shattering, although the bite to his lips drew blood and it began slipping out from his lips. The servant began to quickly suck on the wound, desperately pulling in all the blood and swallowing, not daring for even a drop to fall to the floor. He didn’t want to anger his master even more.
He continued to stand, unmoving but now relieved as his master began pacing around the room, ignoring him and muttering quite loudly in anger and frustration before turning to the servant in his fury.
“Go! Find where she found this! Now!”
“As you command,” the man bowed quickly and escaped the room, relieved, only hoping his new mission would take several days before he must return. Not too long, though… never too long! Fear shuddered through him at the thought and he immediately set his sight on uncovering this new information his master demanded.
* * *
The Matriarch of Coushar called for the dungeon guild to attend her, preparing the payment for the cost of the dungeon guardians twice coming to the city. She still wasn’t certain how to consider the eccentric’s easy admission to combatting calamities so easily. She’d felt the strength of the beast emanating from the dungeon herself and she’d found little will to resist, fear shuddering through her and locking her knees at first brush.
She sighed, dismissing the memory and prepared for the guild representative, feeling only grateful that the eccentric was willing to repay her for the inconvenience and even more grateful for his teaching, having grown a level just from speaking with him. She truly could not believe how deep his understanding of the leadership dao was. Her thoughts were interrupted when the guild representative entered, and found her eyebrows rising slightly when the guild chief himself arrived. She bowed her head in a small nod at his arrival.
“Guild chief. I did not expect your arrival.”
The chief smiled at that, “You requested the guild to come. I felt it wise if I were to arrive myself.”
Why would he… he thinks to negotiate terms! The Matriarch quickly understood but kept her reserve, only shifting slightly in her chair. It proved enough to draw out the guild chief and she saw his subtle smile of triumph. She found it difficult to hide her own.
“You had no need to arrive yourself.”
“It seemed only fair if you are attending.”
“Then, I am grateful that you are willing to come yourself. Even if is only to be a courier.”
That caught the guild chief by surprise and he cocked his head to the side, “Oh?”
“Hmm. I wish to pay for the services of the dungeon guardians.”
The chief failed to hide his surprise, eyebrows leaping upwards slightly before he schooled his expression, “You are able to pay for the services?”
“Yes, guild chief.”
“What portion would you like offer?”
The Matriarch almost couldn’t keep the smile off her face as she replied, “All.”
That was enough to stagger the guild chief, and he replied with a bit of a shocked gaspe, “All?!”
The Matriarch nodded, “All.”
The guild chief seemed staggered, staring a bit in shock before simply blinking and nodding, “OK… uh… Yes, Matriarch.”
The Matriarch smiled softly, adding a small nod before waving her hand to guide a servant to the side forward. The young boy standing to the side stepped forward with a small tray upon which sat a rather full pouch of cores. The young boy stepped forward before bowing and completing his trip to the guild chief fully bowed. The guild chief picked up the pouch with some shock, staring at her for a bit before finally bowing himself, this time with a bit of a deeper, more respectful bow, tinged with a hint of fear.
“Thank you, Matriarch, for your prompt payment.”
“You are welcome, guild chief. Have a good day.”
The dismissal was blunt, but still polite, and the man quickly backed away and fled from the audience hall. The Matriarch continued to sit upon her throne without movement, grace personified; dignity epitomized. Deep within her, relief flooded her being.