CHAPTER 14 - HOW MUCH I’M WINNING

Archmage Roe’s Emporium opened to a massive crowd. His wares were varied and revolutions of already existing appliances. For example; Magic ice boxes were around for ages but Roe’s Emporium sold magic refrigerators, the shelves for organization, division between freezer and fridge and adjustable temperatures opened many eyes. The same could be said for his stove burners and his Adventurer’s kits.

But his biggest hit was the affordable standardized Mana crystals. Mana crystals were a finite resource that were difficult to mine which made even low quality ones expensive. Roe's absolute knowledge of Mana allowed him to grow Mana crystals in his Realm. They were all the exact same size and high quality but other than those two anomalies they were the same as all Mana crystals they even crumbled to dust when used up. A high quality Mana crystal of comparable size would sell for 75 gold coins but the Mana crystal booth sold one of his crystals for 25 gold.

All the Mages crowded the counter hoping to get a share while supplies lasted. It quickly became evident that the Emporium had a limitless supply of the commodity.

The grandmasters found Roe drinking with some Ministers and pulled him aside, he had not revealed the Mana crystal booth during their advanced tour. They questioned him about the technique to manufacture Mana Crystals but he refused to share it. This was his cash cow.

Despite the deficit that this filled, not everyone was happy, a few merchants complained about a monopoly, Roe pointed out that those same merchants held the monopoly of importing Mana Crystals for years, he was now bringing in competition. Ambassadors from a few dwarven Kingdoms accused him of orchestrating an attack on their economies so Roe countered, they no longer needed to send so many of their citizens to their deaths in the volatile Mana Crystal mines. The ambassadors fumed but if they admitted that money was more important than lives they would quickly lose their positions.

The store was open 24-hours a day but since it was run by the porcelain series of dolls Roe did not have to manage it himself. Once all the important guests had left he retired to his rooms upstairs. He collapsed into his couch in front of the fireplace feeling exhausted. Physically he did not get tired but mentally crowds wore him out.

Constance brought him a sandwich and a cold beer

"You’re still bringing me food and drink I see."

"I'm just trying to be helpful. Somehow your place seems to stay clean constantly and whenever I try to make something Korra seems to have gotten their first, I don't know how that girl moves around so quickly. We were in the kitchen talking when she made you that sandwich so I brought it to you."

"Food and drink is nice but the best thing you've brought me is your company. Put the tray on the table." Roe instructed. Constance did as he asked, she was wearing a simple white dress but because of her very expressive tail it hiked up at the back, giving Roe who was seated a beautiful view of her behind. He reached out, grabbed her by the hips and pulled her into his lap and proceeded to mercilessly kiss one pair of lips while his fingers explored the other.

Constance was caught by surprise but she didn't resist him, opening her thighs to give him better access. While her hands worked to open his shirt.

"Well this looks like fun." A voice came from the doorway. Laureline sauntered into the room.

Constance’s eyes widened at the gorgeous Drow, she was unsure how to react, there were very few Drow in the human Kingdoms, was Magister Roe a spy?

"Hi you." Roe greeted Laueline who walked to them, leaned over the couch and kissed him.

"Hi to you too." Laureline said looking into his eyes. The depth of love in that simple exchange made Constance doubt herself. Roe looked down to her who was still in his lap.

"Constance this is my wife Laueline, Laurel this is Connie." Constance tried to leap up but Roe dragged her back to his lap. Over and over again she struggled and failed to rise. Roe was having a good time laughing as Constance tried to escape his lap. Laureline on the other hand had noted how he had introduced her.

"Oh husband I'm sorry, I thought you told them everything, I would have never appeared here looking like this had I suspected. Korra told me you took in two beautiful beastkin I figured you were going to keep them." Laureline was contrite. Constance ceased her struggles and addressed Laureline.

"Greetings mistress my apologies for not being able to get up."

"Korra and I aren't the jealous types and I'm assuming you and the other one aren't either or you wouldn't be here. As for getting up, don't bother. He's a lot stronger than a human should be."

"That's a relief to know.

Master I'd really like to stay, what is it that Tabitha and I are doing wrong?

Why is it that you may not keep us?" Constance realized something was off.

"No one has done anything wrong, and it is not me who would send you away but you two who may leave. Isn't that right Tabitha?" Laureline and Constance turned to the door.

Knowing she was caught Tabitha crept into the room blushing furiously. To her surprise Korra walked in behind her and joined Roe on the couch. Kissing him the same way Laureline did before exchanging an equally passionate kiss with Laureline herself.

Roe continued.

"The issue, Constance, is that Tabitha is having doubts. She is debating exercising her freedom and your loyalty and concern for her may make you join her. As such it's best I keep my secrets for now."

"I never said I wanted to leave." Tabitha argued.

"No you haven't but when you told me you wanted to be mine in the club you meant it. When you said it again after I removed your collar you were no longer sure. I know when someone is telling the absolute truth."

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Tabitha's face became distressed. Constance also looked hurt. She finally escaped Roe's lap to appeal to her friend.

"Oh Tabitha, he paid a fortune for us. We both know we weren't worth that price…" Roe stopped her quickly.

"Constance!" She jumped mid sentence. "I know that not having it matters, but to me money isn't significant, past keeping score. Please don't mention it again."

"Keeping score? Of what?" Laureline asked.

"How much I'm winning at life." Roe smirked.

"But seriously, Constance, the money doesn't matter. I set you two free. You are no longer slaves. Your lives and how you want to live them is up to you."

Constance pouted, feeling truly vexed by Tabitha. Roe came to buy her, Tabitha begged her way into his good graces and was now looking to run away without repaying her debt!

But Master Roe had asked Constance not to mention money so she held her words.

"So Tabitha," Roe returned his focus. "What is it that you want?" Tabitha sat there wringing her restless hands feeling frustrated. She decided to just speak her mind.

"Master I am truly thankful for my rescue, but since you have granted me freedom I want to explore it."

Tabitha got to her feet, her restlessness spreading to her entire body causing her to pace the floor. "I want to be a Shaman, if I can get to the Dragon Lands and find a teacher.

I'm sure I can convince someone to teach me. I'm tired of being helpless , abused and used. I am sick to death of human men. I wish every last one of them would just die!" Tabitha froze in realization of what she had admitted. Laureline and Korra were both amused while Constance was aghast. Master Roe was human.

Tabitha rushed to kneel before Roe.

"Master Roe, please forgive me. I wasn't referring to you, and I know you said not to mention the money but I will pay you back if I succeed." Roe held her face and looked deeply into her eyes.

"Oh little kitty if only you were wise enough to be mine. I would heal all those wounds and fill that void." Tabitha found herself being drawn into Roe's eyes, her libido that had been severely dampened from being pimped out for so many years awakened. For the first time she felt true arousal with no hint of fear.

Roe sat back, releasing her face and turned to Laureline, breaking the spell between himself and Tabitha who collapsed onto his thighs panting for breath.

"Laureline love, are there any Sharmans in our territory we can apprentice her to?"

"Yes husband, there are many Clans from every tribe in our territory. I’ll arrange a teacher and their payment."

"You're giving her more?" Constance was incredulous until she noticed Roe regarding her.

"That brings us to you little pup, Tabitha is leaving, are you?"

Constance’s decision was solidified by Roe's treatment of Tabitha. If Roe had given Tabitha her freedom by putting her out onto the streets Constance would have gone with her, she saw Tabitha as a member of her pack and no matter how confident Tabitha was she wouldn't make it on her own.

The support of paying for Tabitha's education and granting her a chance to fulfill her dream made what she said next easy.

"Master Roe, I'll stay." She replied to Roe with conviction before addressing Tabitha. "Tabitha I love you but since Master Roe has helped you again you won't need me. I'll stay with him and pursue my own happiness, I've seen too many shitty men over my lifetime to toss aside a magnificent one." Tabitha watched her friend's determined face while tears spilled down her own cheeks.

"He's offering us real freedom, Connie! To do whatever we dream! Don't throw that away because of a sense of indebtedness." Tabitha pleaded with Constance.

Constance smiled and shook her head.

"Being free was my dream and I'm the one making the wise decision. He's doing all that for you who wants to leave, what will he do for me who wants to stay?

From now on I'll be one of Master Roe's mates."

The room descended into silence. Tabitha stood, she quickly decided she couldn’t be there anymore.

"Mistress Laureline we can depart at your earliest convenience." Tabitha said bowing deeply to Laueline. Who sighed at the beastkin girl's rashness.

“Fine, let’s not waste time. Husband I came to meet my new sisters but I ended up ruining your fun and rushing their decisions. Once again, sorry.” Laureline hugged Roe from behind, leaning over the couch. He kissed her tenderly on the cheek.

“Let’s just think of it as fate love.” He said.

Laureline picked Tabitha into her wake as she marched out the room. Behind her she could hear Roe seducing his new puppy. She’d have to ask Korra to let her watch a recording of them later.

Behind Laureline, Tabitha was second guessing herself. Constance had made an excellent point, she could Shamanism have remained the Archmage’s female and learn magic but she had rashly announced her disgust with humans, there was no turning back.

Laureline stopped in front of an ornate door that Tabitha had noticed but for some reason never tried to open. Laureline put her hand on the handle and paused. She turned to face Tabitha. Laureline was only a little taller but she suddenly exuded such a regal aura than Tabitha felt very tiny.

“I apologize to you as well. Had more time passed I’m confident you would have chosen differently so let me give you one last chance. Once this door is opened you will know too much to come back. Are you sure?”

Tears sprang from Tabitha’s eyes. She had tried really hard to be strong and brave like the world said she should be.

“Of course I’m not sure! I am wracked with doubt, but I’m grown up now, I must be self dependent, I can’t just give into my fears and run back into his embrace!” Tabitha sagged down the wall, Laureline knelt beside her and held her hands.

“Oh Tabitha, being an adult doesn’t mean you have to face the world alone. It simply means that you are responsible for your decisions, and the consequences are yours to bear.”

“This one decision is already tearing me apart. So many beastkin pray for their freedom everyday, if I don’t take mine, am I not spitting in their faces?” Tabitha sobbed.

“Tabitha, there are no manacles on your wrists or ankles, your collar is gone and no one is chasing after you to bring you back. The only chains still binding you are in your mind.” Tabitha ran one of her hands around her neck and looked away from Laureline’s intense eyes. Tabitha steeled her resolve and pushed herself up to her feet and off the wall.

“You are right, I’m trapped by my own beliefs. Whether I stay or go I’ll be plagued with doubts but if I go I can at least look my ancestors in the eyes. You are again right, the consequences of this decision will be mine alone to bear. Please milady, guide me through the door to my new life.”

Laureline rose to her feet, regaining that regal air and opened the door.

There was a different hallway beyond with similar doors and massive stone guardians. Laureline led Tabitha through a black door with gold trim and into an opulent master bedroom.

Walking through those two doors, Tabitha immediately felt she had changed locations. A quick glance through a window showed a beautiful morning sky with clouds far below. This was an Airship.

Laureline flowed into an attached office and rang a bell, before sitting at an intimidating desk. A lovely dryad rushed in and curtsied deeply.

“Welcome back Matriarch, how may I serve?”

“Tulip, this girl is Tabitha, she is my temporary ward. Find her a room and have the captain change course to Fegran.” Finished speaking with her assistant, Laureline turned to address Tabitha.

“I’ll call ahead to the city lord, and let him know we'll need the very best teacher for you. Study hard and learn well.” Laureline then turned her attention to a pile of paperwork awaiting her.

Tabitha knew she had been dismissed but something she heard made it so she couldn’t move.

“Milady, she just called you ‘Matriarch’. Is Master Roe a Dragon Lord?”

“Indeed, I am officially the Matriarch of Roeg-Hiam the Midnight. You will keep his identity as Magister Roe a secret.”

“Milady had I known I would have…”

“What? Chosen differently? He already demonstrated that he’s kind, wealthy and powerful. Why should knowing he’s a Dragon Lord make a difference?" Laureline sighed and rubbed her brow. She could hear the frustration in her own voice. Laureline felt like she herself was rejected by Tabitha, but Laureline knew that it wasn't fair to be upset with her.

"Tabitha, I do not wish for you to feel bad. Your decision was a brave one, but now that you have made it, please do not whine. Tulip, take her to her room.”

Tabitha bowed awkwardly and followed Tulip out.

For the next hour Laureline found her mind returning to Tabitha, she couldn't focus on the work before her. She needed to discuss this further with Roe.

Quickly returning to the abode above the shop she went to the living room. Opening the door Laurel was greeted with Constance's lusty moans.

Constance was on her back with Roe deep inside her. Korra was bent over one of the couch's handles catching her breath. The orgy was in full swing. Roe pushed himself up to look at Laurel in the doorway. His smouldering eyes called to her.

Tabitha was pushed to the back of Laurel’s mind as she swiftly stripped to join the fun.