Talan POV

Craaaccckkk!

Bolts of lightning bounced around my study leaving scorch marks on my purple rugs and curtains. A booming voice bellowed out of the crystal ball on the corner of my wooden desk. “TALAN!”

My stomach curtled from the volume of the voice. Only one person would dare challenge me like this…Master Zaros, my boss. He’s the man who had the power to make me a lord and to crush the once bustling port city of Hyghtown that was just north of here. Without hesitation, I pull the crystal ball in front of me. Immediately, I can see my boss’ scowl though a hood covers most of his face. Master Zaros keeps his face hidden whenever we talk to each other. He’s a man of mystery, but the build of his body tells me he’s likely an orc although his skin appears tan like a human. Scars mar what little I can see of his chin, which makes him all the more intimidating. “Master Zaros, how may I be of service?”

“Service? What good has your service done for me lately? Nothing. That’s what!” Zaros scoffs. “Imbecile!”

His words would hurt if I wasn’t aware of how Master Zaros truly is. Master Zaros is the definition of conniving and powerful. He plans meticulously and obliterates anything in his way with a graceful destruction. Master Zaros has loyal employees who would never betray him because he finds those who have nothing and turns them into something. I was once an orphan in a woodland elf town begging for food. Master Zaros plucked me off the streets and made me a gentleman for his gain. HE wanted to control the port city on the east coast, so he destroyed Hyghtown with a fire and created the Port of Creekmont under my name.

“I beg your forgiveness, Master Zaros. What can I do to improve?” I keep my voice as even as possible to keep from angering him further although I am not sure how I angered him to begin with. Thanks to Ulrich, I have set up another crew of bandits that seem to be more efficient than Markis’ crew ever was.

“Your stupid dragon has screwed with my plans, Talan. You said you had her under control! That your slave boy had her well under thumb, and she would bring back or out down that mysterious mutt that wiped out my bandits. There was a promise of a powerful magical item as well.” Master Zaros shouted. “Your damn dragon caused the death of one of my most useful pawns, Talan!”

The tasty dragonette killed someone important to Master Zaros, which has landed me in trouble. “Master Zaros, I apologize. She was in Pine Row last I knew of, trailing a lead on the mysterious mutt.”

“Are you living under a rock, Talan? That dragon attacked the Governor of Pine Row’s son and fled two days ago.” Master Zaros’ anger was increasing as he spoke. “Have you not heard the news from the Gleaca Council? There’s a bounty on her head and the wolf creature that she brawled with in the Evergreen Forest, which caused the death of my pawn. Talan, you have clearly lost control of your assets if you don't know that much.”

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What? I thought the dragonette was getting information from a lead, not attacking people. My little dragonette has been quite naughty since I last received word from Eriz. The boy assured me that he could handle the dragonette. Master Zaros was right. I have failed, miserably. “I apologize, Master Zaros. I will correct this error right away.”

“Talan, bring me the dragon and the mutt. I will use them to make up the loss for the pawn they cost me.” Master Zaros commanded.

My teeth clenched at his words. Master Zaros means to take my revenge against the mutt and my tasty little dragonette away from me as a punishment. “Of course, Master Zaros. Consider them yours.” I grit out.

“Don’t disappoint me,” Master Zaros said before disconnecting himself from the crystal ball.

“Damn it!” I knock the crystal ball off my desk when my hands slam down on the desk. The crystal ball clatters to the floor and shatters. “Damn. It.” Why was this happening now? I thought I was getting closer to the mutt and the woman with emerald eyes, but now, I have to give up my prize. Eriz will pay for this. I walk around my desk only to step in the shattered crystal ball. “Nefrisse! Get in here, woman.”

Nefrisse rushes through the door with a broom and dust pan. Her bouncy curves briefly distract me as she hurries to clean the crystal at my feet. My eyes take the moment to enjoy the view of her backside as she sweeps. Without meaning to, Nefrisse has calmed my emotions, but it will make her uncomfortable the moment she notices. That revelation delights me more than it should. I take in her plump figure as long as I can to distract myself from what I need to be doing.

Nefrisse finishes her work and quickly turns to address me. I watch her face as it dawns on her that I have been watching her plump curves bounce around while she works. Her face goes from stunned to acceptance in an instant that I nearly miss it. “Is that all, Master Talan?”

My mood has soured with that reaction. I had hoped her cheeks would go flush like they usually do, and she might squirm under my gaze. Nefrisse doesn’t move. Her gaze is soft as she looks at me with acceptance over my crude perversion of her. “Is today Opposite day, Nefrisse?”

Nefrisse looks at me surprised. “Excuse me, Master Talan?”

I give her a pointed look. “Is today Opposite day?”

“No, sir.” She mumbles. “Why would it be Opposite day?”

“Because my employees can’t do their job. Because my boss is angry with me. Because the crystal ball shattered. Because you are pitying me, Nefrisse!” I challenge her.

Her eyes nearly pop out of her head. “Sir, I don’t understand. I am not pitying you, Master Talan.”

I cross my arms at her boldness. “You are, Nefrisse. How else would you explain your reaction to my lustful gaze?” Her cheeks began to redden at my words, proving me right. “You should have squealed in surprise and become flush when you saw me staring at you.”

Nefrisse puts her hands on her hips as she says, “Master Talan, you have looked at me that way since you pulled me out of the slave auction ten years ago. Nothing discourages your intense lusting over my body, so I am trying to force myself to accept that this is something you will always do.”

Her words hit me like a hammer. I can feel her disgust and resignation to my actions, and it truly bothers me. Before I understand what I am doing, I take the shocked, plump woman into my arms and plant a kiss on her lips. An intense emotion that I don’t understand fills me as I enjoy her sweet tasting lips on mine. In an instant, I break apart from her to keep her stunned and start walking out of my study. “I have to go on a trip, Nefrisse. Please have Gilbert ready my coach while I pack.” I instruct her as I walk through the door.

“Coach? Wait, what? Master Talan!”

I hear her call after me, but I have already escaped into the hall, leaving her in my study. Although my desire to claim Nefrisse has become more intense, I have bigger fish to fry. There’s a naughty dragonette and a haughty mutt that I must bring home for Master Zaros. My water clone died in the clutches of the mutt last time, and I have to face the dragonette too. Part of me has become excited at the thought of facing the two of them in battle. Time to pull out some of my rare magic items and go on a beast hunt.