The Vengeful Tide Ch. 02

A frown marred my face, but I took it off. I couldn't afford to think about her right now. Her time would come.

"Whatever, Goron. You deal with the damn brat then. I'm going to make myself an ale," Burnwood said. She then turned around and disappeared down the hallway. I dare not say that I enjoyed the sway of her ass while she left.

The big gorilla then turned his face to me. "I don't care who you are, but cause any more trouble in here and I'll break your arms before kicking you and the woman out," He told me. I snorted, but not out of arrogance. It be more out of amusement than anything else. After all, it's rather funny to hear threats that you can easily deal with, but choose not to.

"I'll remember that. Now can I see the owner?" I asked. He looked at me for a moment.

"Follow me," he said. He quickly led my mother and I down the corridor that Diane had walked down. I turned my head into another room and noticed the gun shooter in what I assumed was the kitchen. It became obvious to me that the shop this place would become in 20 years was not the same as it was now. Yes, I am aware of the stupidity of that statement. I tell you sea slugs to deal with it.

Anyway, he took us out of the back of the shop. I noticed there was another shop connected to the previous one by a wooden bridge. It swayed more than I would have liked, but we crossed that quickly. He then led us to another shop. The door on this shop was made of much more expensive wood. There was also a dragon's crest etched into its body.

The large man named Goron knocked on the door. "Here are the customers, Lady Liara," He said. He then grabbed the handle and opened the door. He ushered us inside. I was quick to notice that he didn't come in with us. Instead, he closed the door behind him.

Once we stepped inside, I turned to my mother. "I will do all the talking. You will not speak unless I tell you to, understood?" I asked her. My mother turned to me with a skeptical look. My eyes glared into her hard. She looked away.

"I understand, Eric," she replied to me. I then turned back to the dark, yet open hallway that greeted us. I felt an uneasy pressure flow through the room. I scratched the top of my head. Liara had done this exact same thing when I visited here for the first time as well in my previous life. That witch seemed to have an odd fascination of instilling fear into newcomers.

Soon, I heard the thump of boots on the floorboards. "So, these are my new customers. A poor, unkempt boy, and a sickly middle-aged woman. Not the usual high-end customers, but I suppose you wouldn't have made it here if the old man didn't see reason for it," a voice, almost as smooth as silk and sweet as honey, flowed through the open hallway.

By the seas, no matter the era that this woman resided in, just her voice was enough to bring me to full mast. Such a lovely, yet truly powerful woman. I would compare her to Ellen, but Liara was a woman of much more refined tastes than Sothshore. Once I returned to the seas, she would be one of the ones leaving with me. I stake my very title on this declaration.

As she appears, I shall weave to you a picture of Liara. Underlings call her Lady Liara. Customers call her The Witch of Draegnar. I call her The Walking Siren. In the simplest of terms, she, Liara Ilzahold, is a strange being. Those who know of her existence call her witch because it can only be by magic that she had lived on this earth for over six centuries without aging a single day past thirty.

There exists tales of a witch in Draegnar who sells items to foolhardy men in exchange for their souls. As I said before, only the most desperate or hardened mortals seek her out for a taste of her wares. Anyway, allow me to continue.

Liara Ilzahold is a tall woman. She stands a foot above that of the average male. Her hair is so long that it ends at the nape of her firm, delicious ass. Its black in color, but it shines like pure silk fabric. Each wave of it seems to cast a spell on the minds of lesser men and women. She is also very beautiful. A face that entices both men and women claims her. Her eyes are a rather unnatural yellow, and her pupils are like those of a predator stalking its prey. Her lips are full and dressed in red lipstick. Some like to fashion tales that she dresses her lips with the blood of virgins. Such tales would make her laugh at their absurdity.

Now then, she is very thin and fit. Whether she exercises or she weaves some magic spell to keep her shape, I don't know. I be no fool as to ask a woman about her weight. Strong though I be, I know not to arouse a woman's ire. Such a thing has destroyed more men than any gun or blade ever will. She has long, smooth legs that emphasis her height and her beauty. Her hands are decorated with mystical symbols of civilizations before my time. It would take me a whole two days to name them all.

I must also comment that it's not just her body that makes her attractive, but also her state of dress as well. She wears long black silk pants. Over them is a belt full of magical potions, elixirs, and other mystical elements. Her upper body sports a rather revealing short shirt that covered her chest but exposes her stomach and navel. I notice the markings of a magic spell in that area as well. Covering all of this is a dark cape that her shoulders support. Glory to the waters, I bet the fountain of seas inside those pants be the richest i might ever taste.

Now that I have painted a picture, I shall explain just a bit of Liara Ilzahold. Unlike Ellen Sothshore who runs the island's underworld market, Liara is a woman who delves herself into supernatural items. I became a particular interest to her when I first gained control of the seas. Try as she might, even one as wise as her was not able to understand where my mighty strength had come from.

Liara owned her business, The Root. She calls it this because her influences stretch throughout the corners of the globe like the ever-growing roots of trees. Well, it did before I ruled the seas. A war could happen on the other side of the world and Liara would know about it before anyone else. Not even I knew the depths of her information. It did not please my mind to know at the time, but I find myself rather intrigued by it now. Even I, great powers though I had, needed her help in conquering some enemies who had stood before me.

I do not know the depths of her wealth. She must have a lot to hold so many value materials and clients, but she still prefers a shop surrounded in secrecy. Her items are rare, dangerously rare, and one is lucky to be able to afford anything of hers in their lifetime. She has crafted medicines which could cure nearly any disease. She had concocted poisons that would take down a sea monster. If you want something that no one else in the world has, then you can bet your golden treasures that she most likely has it, or has heard of it.

This secrecy, I remember asking her about this, and she claimed that the best way to control the world is to make it believe that it runs itself. It sometimes made me wonder if even my rule...was a part of some grander scheme of hers. I dare not think so.

To Liara, most people want everyone to know who they are. They want history to remember them. They want bards and nomads to whisper tales of their deeds. I was...am no different. Liara, on the other hand, preferred it if people questioned whether she existed or not. Before I had met my Beloved, I remembered blatantly asking the Witch to join me crew. What had trapped me was that she did not outright refuse me. She asked me a riddle which left me sleepless for days. Only when I answered that...would she join me. I felt like a fool when I figured out that...the riddle had no answer. She merely laughed as I sailed in disturbance of this fact.

Like Ellen, Ilzahold loves money. Nothing moves the world faster than money. She collects coin like bilge rats catch food from food stalls. If I was going to conquer her, make her mine, and use her to rebuild my fleet and my pride, then I be needing to do it carefully. This was a crafty woman. Even by me coming back to my former life, she still had many years of experience over me.

Now, if one were to ask, why I would need such a woman under me, then I would answer that a part of it was personal pride. Lonely nights at sea and my dreams drove me mad with lust for her. I did not know if she had been with a man, but if she hadn't then I would be her first and her last. None would touch her but I.

Another part had to do with my revenge and my anger at my Beloved. At nights where we were alone, she would often joke that the wenches I had bed before would never compare to her. None past, nor present would ever compare the pleasure I could get from her. If there was one person who could prove her wrong then it was The Walking Siren.

Lastly, I had need of her information and her power. Something did not sit well with me about my betrayal. Oh, I had no second thoughts about what I would do to them all when I recruited them again, but a pirate relies on his mind, his wit, and his intuition when the world is against him. I did not know what, but something felt wrong to me about my death. If there was one who could aid me in discovering it, then it would be her. I know why Pete gave me such a warning. No man, god, or devil dares mess with Liara Ilzahold and expects an easy battle. However, I was never one for easy.

"I know you sell unusual materials. I need to buy them," I said. If experience taught me anything in dealing with this immortal witch, it was that fooling around with her would not work. I would need a better arsenal to deal with her.

The Great Witch smiled at me. "I have many unusual items, boy. Would you be so interested in these things as to leave me destitute and without wares to sell? Tell me, how did you come across my shop?" she asked. I chuckled.

"It appears the sea tales that tell of the All-Knowing Witch are exaggerated. I thought you knew everything," I fired back at her. No doubt my mother was looking at me like I was insane. Perhaps in some odd sense I be the most insane man alive, but one does not get to the top of the world where I was by being rational!

Liara giggled at me. It was a rather pretty, and seductive, laugh that carried itself on the still air. "Ah, so it is a secret then? I look forward to uncovering it," she replied to me. My smile widened.

"I look forward to uncovering some things as well," I strongly hinted. With her years of experience and knowledge, there was no chance that she didn't catch my meaning. I could see the slight relaxation of her body. She had heard this all before. She had often heard these things from men, or women, too captivated by her beauty to hold back their lust. In her eyes, I was no different.

"And just who are the ones brazen enough to do this uncovering? I'd like to know the names of my two most daring clients," the woman said.

"Eric Drakclaw. This be my mother, Ira Drakclaw," I introduced. I noticed Liara's face morph from its confident expression to a more...curious one. Perhaps I should have thought more of it, but I did not.

Instead, my mother responded with a grunt and a fold of her arms. I frowned. I would have to correct that behavior later. "I see. Well then, what could the House of Drakclaw want from me and my unusual materials?" Ilzahold questioned. There was a strange sway of her hips in the way she walked. I could already feel her magic warping around me. Unfortunately for her, I held a much stronger resistance than the average male.

"My mother is cursed with an ailment of Shark's Bite. You might not have the medicine, but I know you have the supplies I need to make it," I told her. I felt Liara's magic stop for a moment.

"Ah Shark's Bite. A terrible thing. Quite the rare disease, an incurable one by society's current proficiency in the medical arts. Yet, you claim I have the materials she needs. What might those be? I'd have to know if I have it in stock." she stated. I did not see the need to deny her.

"Alright, I be needing 4 Tilo Flowers, 6 Jade Shells, 10 pounds of citric grain, and 1 celtic pill," I answered. When I listed these items, not even Liara could hide her surprise.

My mother was no different. She clearly thought me insane. "Eric, are you mad?! We can't afford any of this stuff! Even most nobles can't afford even 5 pounds of citric grain!" My mother said. That was one.

Nevertheless, She was right as well. What I was asking for was easily enough to make a king hand over 100 of his personal soldiers. It was no small amount, but that was needed to cure my mother.

That was one. "Don't forget what I said, mother. I'm in charge of our finances now. Besides, there's no need to worry. We're not going to be buying it with money," I said.

Both ladies near me could not hide their surprise of my answer. Liara recovered faster. "Overconfidence is the sin of the youthful, boy. I am a pleasant and accommodating woman, but I do not haggle. Do you plan to steal my merchandise? Many have tried, all have ended up in the Ten Circles," the beautiful witch responded.

Overconfidence? Is that what she thought this was? I suppose I have come to understand the entertainment she finds in knowing things that others do not. "There is nothing to haggle about. You have something that I want, and I have something that you want. Is that not the essence of business?" I asked her.

Liara stared at me for a moment. It was rather easy to see she was trying to figure out my motives. Unfortunately, it would be a long time before she would fathom a guess. I was not willing to let that happen. "And just what, seas below, does a dirt poor, wharf rat have that I need?" she asked me.

"When you hear what I have to say, I think you'll come to see my terms rather favorably, especially when it comes to...The Lost Isles of Delverhold," I said.

The smile on Liara's face vanished away. It was almost as if it wasn't there in the first place. Her once sultry, yet alluring magic now turned violent. I could feel the rushing maelstrom threatening to wrap around me, but before it could attempt to overwhelm me, the witch ceased her assault. "I see. A gold coin amongst the belly of rats. Follow me," she said. She walked down the hallway towards her business quarters.

My mother and I followed after her. Thankfully, it didn't take too much time. We stepped inside, and a table surrounded by bookshelves of arcane tomes and mystical props laid around us. She sat in her chair. "Apologies, there is only one other chair. The others are in the process of being retrieved," she explained.

"No need for that. Mother has her own seat," I said, sitting down on the chair. My mother looked at me in confusion. To answer her, I patted my thighs. Liara stared between my mother and I. No doubt she was rather intrigued by this.

"I will stand," My mother fired at me.

That was two. Perhaps some gunshots to her memory would be needed. "I thought I told you to not speak unless I told you to. You will sit! Now sit down!" my voice thundered through the room. I could see the shiver that ran through my mother's ailing body. She clenched her fists, but lowered her head and walked towards me. She rested her buttocks on my thighs and leaned into my lap. She positioned herself to my right which allowed me to speak with my current associate without disruption.

"Sorry, you be seeing such an unrefined state from the two of us. She's as hard-headed as a sea serpent and twice as venomous," I said. I raised my hand and rested it on my mother's long legs. She felt rather cold. I decided to heat her up. I began slowly trickling my fingers up and down her long pillars.

Liara observed us curiously. "That is alright. New relationships can truly be a handful. It must make you proud to have such a strong man ruling your house," She said. My mother looked away. Her arms were trapped at her side as she felt me slowly, yet sensually tease her body. She did not respond to Liara's statement which made me laugh.

"Sorry about that. She doesn't speak unless I deem her to. Answer her question, mother...," I said. My mother frowned at me.

"Fine. UGH!"

My mother's blatant disrespect forced me to smack her legs rather hard. This caused her to jump in my arms. "Care to repeat those words from your lips, mother?" I asked.

"Y-Yes, Eric," she responded, her aggression turned down. She tried to smooth the uncomfortable sting on her legs, but I swiftly swatted her hands away. She tried to reach for it again, but I quickly slapped her legs again for her defiance. It wasn't long before my mother got the hint and lowered her hands. I then settled back into rubbing her long, soon-to-be delicious legs. I could see the way she turned her head away from me. She wanted to question me. She wanted to demand that I stop. My mother wanted me to release her from this shame that I was inflicting on her in front of our vendor, but again she had not the strength to oppose me. My mother was powerless before my will.

I gently massaged my mother's right leg before going on to admire the next one. Having been poor and living in close proximity to a woman for so long, I find it not so strange that I developed a rather...savory view of the one who gave me life. One thing I always admired about my mother was her legs. They used to be such strong, sturdy things. Years of hard labor on the high seas were carved into them only for them to be wasted by such a regrettable disease. However, that illness did not stop me from appreciating the finer aspects of my mother.

"She's waiting for an answer, mother," I reminded her. I then removed my hand from my mother's pants. However, I wasn't finished. As my mother moved her head to answer, I shocked her by reaching my right hand under her belt buckle and beneath her pants. My finger came into quick contact with her hidden undergarments, as well as her soft skin.

"Yes, having him rule our house...is better," she squirmed and I felt her knees try to stop my assault by attempting to catch me, but I was too evasive. I touched and squeezed her kneecap. It felt supple in my touch. It could feel the way she shivered from each delicate stroke. Her face was red, whether from lust or fury I did not know. That did not matter to me, but the rise and fall of her chest did.

I turned back to Liara. "Now then, shall we move on to business? I hope this does not bother a woman such as yourself too much" I lowly provoked. Yet, true to her stature and name as a Witch, the black-haired lady of magic clearly chuckled.

"I do not mind. It's not every day such things happen in my office. Though, I find myself rather intrigued. Is this a common practice?" she asked.

"Not yet. Tighten the sails too much and the mast breaks. The hide and will of a woman be no different," I explained. Liara did not comment. Instead, she pushed her body back against her chair. Her eyes remained focused.

"So you wish to trade supplies with me...for information about a series of lands which may or may not exist. I don't see how this is a benefit to me," Liara said. I gently trailed my right finger through my mother's thigh. Her breath suddenly became ragged, and she began taking longer fits of air into her lips.

"I assume many would think the same about the myths concerning you. Every myth carries the grains of truth with it. I'm offering you more than a few grains. I'll offer you an entire field," I told her. The Witch folded her arms and placed one delicious leg over the other. I admit my eyes must have lingered more than they should have, but when you're fondling your mother and you can feel your erection stabbing into the underside of her kneecap, what else are you supposed to do?

Between the events in the house, mother's second walk outside, as well as dealing with my demands, it was obvious that she was exhausted, both physically and mentally. I could feel the last vestiges of her resistance fading away. Try as she might, she was unable to keep her head from leaning against my shoulder. "Uhhh...haahaaa...E-Eric, p-p-please...," my mother panted.