A Drow's Dilemma Ep. 75: Inflitrate

Her reaction was rather funny, Caleldir thought. "Worry not; my feelings towards you are why I go on this mission, and will ensure its success rather than the opposite. There are only two female members of House Duskhaven left, and keeping them alive is the highest rational priority. So, my feelings are not a liability, but an asset, since now I have an emotional stake in ensuring that House Duskhaven survives in the persons of you, Ashyr, and our daughter. Besides, as a general rule I suppose that it would be more troublesome for me to hate House Duskhaven than to love it. But you are correct. We should get some rest."

Cuddling against Selene a little, Caleldir let out a long, contented sigh, and closed his eyes. Selene did likewise, and soon both of them drifted off into comfortable slumber.

--

The breakfast table in the morning consisted only of Selene and Caleldir. The rest of the party was understandably missing; Ashyr and Tsabdrin slept in, and there was still too much for Althaia to do.

Caleldir, after returning to his normal appearance, was a bit restless at breakfast. He had the look of a man who was not sure if he was going to his hanging or to a joyous party. On the physical level, he was looking forward to an entire day spent in depraved sex like he had not since he had been taken by the nymphs. But the very fact that he could be excited about that prospect made him sick with guilt. How could he enjoy this? It was so... wrong.

"What are your real feelings on my seeing the rusalka, Selene?" He asked in a worried tone. "I mean, they can be powerful allies. If it were up to you, putting my mixed feelings completely aside, should I really try to break this off today, promising never to do this again? Or instead promise them that I will visit them whenever I come to Port Afron in order to keep them as loyal as possible? Which, speaking from your position of rationality, would be a better idea?" He did note to himself that when he was in town he could provide a safe outlet for the rusalka's sadosexual urges, both because he was more durable than the average male, and because they viewed him as being a step closer to them and did not feel the need to abuse him as much as a general rule. But, was all this just him searching for excuses to keep fucking a group of sexy women? Or was the opposite feelings just him trying to renege on a deal fairly struck, in their estimation?

He sighed, shaking his head. "Really, it seems like both options have rather large downsides which I would not want to consider. Denying the rusalka could cause them to turn on us, while indulging them would mean that, every time I visit Port Afron, I would have to spend a day or night of debauchery in the sewers. Hence, my going to you for advice. You tend to be rather ruthlessly pragmatic. I know what you said last night, but that was you trying to make me feel better. What do you think is best, and what do you want? I know those are not necessarily the same thing."

Selene chewed thoughtfully. After due consideration, she looked up at Caleldir. "If I had my way, I would have you to myself. Except for Ashyr; I would share you with her, of course. Technically, she's letting me have a share- anyway, all that isn't important. My feelings are trivial when it comes to the betterment of our assets. I would recommend that we kick them out and build those mechanical animals that guarded your homelands. Those are more trustworthy. But the issue isn't as simple as that. With the rusalka underneath us, they're kept away from trading routes. So we want to keep them as happy as possible... While making sure that not too many can return home. I'm sure you see the issue here."

Caleldir listened carefully to Selene's words. Taken as a whole, they were about as he would have expected, and what he probably would have recommended himself were feelings and morality both divorced from the situation. "Try to gracefully back out, or at least limit contact. Keep them here rather than messing with our trade routes, and do not give them more children than contractually necessary. Given their feelings on the matter, I doubt that will be too much of a problem. Most of them did not seem too very excited about having children."

Selene sighed, set down her utensils, and stood. It was time for Caleldir to get going. "For now, you keep your bargain. Speak to them while you can today and see if you can negotiate something that all of us can work with. If you can't get them to happily release you, at least limit your time spent with them in the future as much as possible." She held out her hand to him with a very small smile. "I will see you to the portal, and come get you an hour before dinner so that you can rest."

That coaxed a smile from Caleldir's lips. "That will be excellent. See you then."