The Vengeful Tide Ch. 09

I turned my head to Diane. She glared at me but said nothing. I tasked some men with wrapping the body for later use. Bounty officials tend to be real fucking cunts about merchandise like this.

Once that was done, I picked up Saviara. The bastard was pretty damn heavy, but I figured this was as good a time as any to work my muscles. I still be a wee bastard in this body and I'd like to have what I had originally.

I was ready to leave with Diane, but Aesteal called out to me. In all her elven beauty, she appeared before me.

"Captain, might I join you? I wish to look for something at the bounty building," she said.

There come a time in every man or woman's life that their eyes reveal the depths of something dark and hateful within them. I be no exception. That be stating the obvious.

What I saw in Aesteal's eyes nearly passed me by, but I had seen in those deep elven pools the desire for some pretty unsavory things.

"Fine," I said.

So finally, I began my trek down the loading platform and into the city of C'ula. The entry fee for going into the city was a real asswipe, but I saw no need to cause trouble.

Once we entered the city, I saw people litter the streets like ants litter the ground. A flurry of conversations and deals rung through my ears as many businessmen and merchants sold their stock to potential consumers. Even now, I see a male beastman with the ears, fur, and tail of a cat selling magic stones to a curious mage. This be but one of the many sights that befell our eyes.

I did notice that some people kept turning glances to Aesteal. I suppose in hindsight there is no reason why. Elves are not usually seen this far down and, if they are, they usually be slaves. They fetch high coin no matter where they be.

"How about you, sir? Adorn your garments with these fine oils! The ladies will never want to leave you!"

"Come! Come! Come! I hold the very best jewels this side of the Fiolomir Seas! No price is too high! Come see these glorious necklaces from the Sabian desert for only 100 gold coins!"

I swear, I imagine C'ula to be merely a fancier and more upscale Draegnar comparison. There are too many merchants shouting in your ear to tell right from left. Perhaps the one thing missing from this place is Pete selling his cruddy seafood at his stall.

"Ever been to C'ula?" I asked Aesteal. She seemed surprised that I had made such idle talk but answered regardless.

"I...I haven't," she answered me rather slowly. I don't know what made me feel concern for her since I should basically give a rat's ass about what was and wasn't her business. Yet, I found myself staring at that solemn look, wishing to know more.

"You're not missing much. It's just a bunch of greedy pieces of shit looking to scam the next biggest idiot. You see it everywhere," Diane said.

"You say that like your employer ain't no greedy piece of shit either," I chuckled to myself.

"Is it true greed when the world be at your fingertips?" she questioned.

"So long as there are things which you think you can't have, there shall be greed waiting to sing in yer ear that you can...no matter how powerful you are," I returned.

Diane looked at me and so did Aesteal. I be not sure what tales they spin for themselves in their heads, but I wonder if it has to do with my performance earlier today.

Anyway, we quickly came to the merchant guild. As one might expect from a city that specializes in the production of merchant culture, the building is as grand as any king's castle. It towers over any other structure and more people walk up and down its halls than do the political figures of the emperor. The merchant guild back on Draegnar might as well be a poor man's hut when compared to the extravagance here.

Aesteal, Diane, and I walked into the building. I count my fortunes that the day was ending because there didn't seem to be too many people in the main hall. There still be quite a few, but not as much as I would assume were in the busy parts of the day.

We walked up to a counter.

"Name and destination," a woman said when she greeted us.

"Eric Drakclaw, bounty guild," I replied.

This woman looked at me with a raised eyebrow before she saw the package I was carrying. She closed her account book and exhaled.

"Aseh, take over for me. I shall return in a moment," she called to someone before she walked around the counter. She then led us down a hallway for about ten minutes. In that time, no one said a word. I did think to ask about the Evir soldiers I had seen walking around the upper floors, but I did not do so.

This woman took us down a flight of stairs which led to darker areas. Once we reached the bottom, I took note of a large wooden door filled with scratch marks. Then, she banged on the door.

"Well well, Lasha, don't get you guys down here too often. Finally missed me, eh?" A rather large and gruff man asked. His smile showed the nature of his teeth which I can only say that even earthworms hold more beauty.

The woman named Lasha turned to me.

"He will direct you further. Thank you for choosing the C'ula Merchant Guild," she said. She then turned around and walked away without another word. The man laughed as he watched her leave.

"She wants me, you know. She just doesn't know it yet. Anyway, what be the case for you three to come here?" he asked. I noticed how his eyes lingered on Aesteal longer than I would have liked before he turned towards Diane.

"Don't look at me. He's the one who wanted to come here," she said before she thumbed over to me. This man then took a look at me. There be some underlying displeasure that I could see in his eyes. Perhaps it was my age. Who was I to know?

"Just take me to the counter to cash in this bounty. This shit's heavy," I said.

Once he be through trying to measure the weight of his dick to mine, he opened the door and allowed us inside.

The inside of bounty halls are not much to talk about. I would say imagine your local tavern just with more swearing, blades, and scars. That be the type of place this is.

"Now then, I'll go conduct my business," I said as I dragged the corpse over to the counter. Meanwhile, Aesteal quickly split off from me towards the bounty board which listed the known bounties of everyone that is recognized by the guild.

I frowned when I noticed that where she went people's eyes followed. I sucked my teeth.

"Diane, go with Aesteal,"

"Why?" she asked.

"Because I said so, now move!" I hissed.

Burnwood seemed surprised at my outburst before she rolled her eyes. "Fine," she replied and walked after Aesteal. I cannot begin to answer why I exhaled a sigh of relief. Instead, I can say that it eased my worries while I placed the corpse on the table in front of the man set to handle this shit.

"I am the Holder of Records for bounties in C'ula. State your name and name of bounty," this man said.

"Eric Drakclaw, and Saviara of the Twin Mountains," I said.

The "Holder of Records" lifted his gaze to mine. His eyes appeared skeptical. I could already feel annoyance seeping into the pores of my skin. Yes, I understood why he appeared skeptical, but it was not helping my mood.

"This is a place of business, boy. If you...,"

"If I wish to play pranks, then I best be on my way to find some local assfuck to do it on. Your job be to give me the reward, not question me about my age. Now hurry up," I said.

The fucker stared at me before he exhaled and unfurled the cloth that I had used to cover the body. His eyes grew as big as a king's dinner plate when he saw the body of the raider that I had killed.

Then the man finally began writing down something in his book that I couldn't see. He searched for all the identifying markers that would undoubtedly let him know that this was no fake body. Once he was satisfied, he closed the book and nodded.

"Dojran, take this to the back!" he said.

The large man, who had previously opened the door, picked up the body and walked off into the back of another hallway. I then heard the sweet jingle of coin in the form of a large pouch.

"Bounty is perfectly conditioned. Per bounty label, the reward is labeled at 30,000 gold coins. If you wish to pursue other bounties then set your sights upon the bounty board just down the hall,"

He walked away and I took the pouch of money from the table. I saw a few unsavory looks, but they were no different from the looks I had gotten when I pocketed the coin from those unlucky bastards and bitches back in the Draegnar gambling dens.

I figured to count this amount later when there wouldn't be so many eyes upon my wealth. Well, it's not like this influx of coin would be staying in my pouch for very long. I would need to begin constructing the weapons of my...

BANG!

...crew.

The bounty hunters and I were quickly alerted to the sound of a gunshot. After that came the sounds of sailor trash talk. I had recognized the way the gun fired and realized it had to come from Diane's firearm.

I rushed down the hallway where I had heard the gunshot. What I saw made me sure that it had truly been in my best interest to send Burnwood with Aesteal.

My female elf held her bow in her hands, one of her arrows nocked and ready for release. Right next to her was Diane with two pistols aimed at the men who had surrounded them. One was already on the floor, dead. The blood oozing from his head told the story.

"In case you C'ula shitstains be deaf, then allow me to repeat myself. The elf's not for sale and neither shall she ever be. If you wish to try and make it otherwise, then I'll be happy to make you all men of the holy monastery free of lust and desire," she threatened.

"Glad to see you know how to shoot a firearm, Lassie, but such booty be more than enough to risk life and limb for. Ye might not know this, but yer elf lady over there would sell on the noble market for at least 4 million gold coins. If one were to manage their pocket, they would not need to work again! You don't look too bad yourself. I bet we could fetch a good 10,000 gold coins fer you as well!" a man with two large swords strapped to his back said.

I watched the hunters begin to close in as Diane and Aesteal stood back to back against each other. As much as I oddly wanted to see how the two would make it out of the predicament, a plan formed in my mind that was too good to ignore.

"Only 4 million?! Why so low for an elf? You lot be bounty hunters! How about you learn the worth of your damn cargo!" I said.

My voice pierced through the room as hunters turned to gaze at me. I walked through the gathered crowd. Aesteal and Diane lowered their weapons only slightly once they saw me. My steps were a loud thus as I stood in front of Aesteal.

"When determining the worth of precious cargo, you must look at everything. Nothing can be missed. Even a single miss be costing at least 50,000 gold," I replied.

I moved myself behind my female elf. I slowed lowered her bow and arrow. Before everyone, I rubbed her arms and I felt her shiver in my embrace.

"Captain...," she said. Her breath was unsure and unsteady. Yet, this did not stop me from roaming up and down her form just like I had done for many a night with her in my quarters.

"Take note, ya bastards! Take note of this hair, white as the ice crystals of the Avalim Mountains. When the sun touches it, it glows with a magnificence that be shining brighter than a hundred treasure chests," I complimented.

I ran my fingers through her long silverish white locks. Her arms lowered and her eyes grew cloudy. The cocks of men grew hard and the nips of women grew stiff.

"Look at these eyes. Gaze upon these jewels of the sea. When they blink, there be a flash of thunder and lightning through the course of the body that leaves it without stance. Then, there are these lips. Each kiss be a burst of ripened flavor more savory than the sweetest fruit. Who more than a noble could enjoy such refined tastes?" I asked.

"S-Sir, please...," Aesteal hissed, but I quickly hushed her. One could practically see the drool begin to fall from the lips of the more unsavory men. Yet, I kept them entertained.

"Marvel at this wondrous piece of elven physique. Brothel sluts bare absolutely no comparison. Nice, firm muscles, worked from long hours of training and honed elven practice. How many years? Ten, twenty, a hundred? The beauty of the natural world all culminated within this skin that feels like fine lotion,"

Aesteal shuddered and shivered as I massaged her tits over her dress. Yet I could still see those glimmers of elven warrior pride as she kept her eyes trained on the hunters who wished to take her. Not that I would let them do that anyway, but it gave me much more confidence to continue.

"Just imagine how these legs, firm and slim, would feel against your legs. Imagine them writhe as these luscious arms wrap around your neck. These lips kiss you dearly and...this voice makes you swoon. Should such a fine piece begin such a low value of 4 million?" I asked.

I think my words had the desired effect as some of the hunters quickly began talking to each other. Some priced her at 30 million while others went as high as 200 million. Now, I doubt I have ever seen an elf slave that high, but I'd like to think that I helped with that.

"And just what price would you put her at then?" someone asked. I noticed them all get closer.

"Me? Well, when I look at such a fine piece. Perhaps I do be lucky that she is mine. If she be mine then she be priceless. As such, dogs like you aren't even fit enough to sell her!" I exclaimed before I threw my hand into the air.

"Sốffà!" I yelled and suddenly the room was illuminated in a bright light that stunned the eyes of all who had been looking at us. I grabbed Aesteal and Diane and we charged out the room.

"Dammit! That fucker's escaping with the elf!"

...I tempered my sense to give a sarcastic comment.

Now, of course, I could have killed them all right then and there, but in order for me to get what I needed, I would have to remain low for the time being, and having the C'ula authorities on my ass already would not bode well. However, if that did come to pass the I would take what I needed all the same, but...a brief break from the fighting I had done would be nice.

Also, what pirate doesn't love the thrill of a chase through a city?

We ran out of the bounty shop and then ran out of the merchant guild. We quickly slipped into the crowds.

"Remind me never to go anywhere with you again, Drakclaw! The Goddesses of Fate must have made you naturally-aligned to trouble!" Diane said while I laughed.

"What is trouble but more dangerous fun?" I asked as we continued to rush through the city of C'ula.

Thankfully, the sun had set and night had come into the sky. It made our escape that much easier as we ran back to the ship. Yet, I had no doubt that those hunters would be looking for Aesteal again.

So, when it was a little darker, I had bought some more clothing for my elf that would help to hide her. I only hoped that Maeloson wouldn't encounter the same problems. Then again, my male elf's a tough bastard. I bet he'll be fine.

A few hours pass by. I remain in my quarters busy counting the number of gold coins that I had been given. Unlike the money of the crew, this was my own monkey that I had no obligation to share with anyone else. However, it be quite boring to count this on my own.

The shingle and jingle of gold coins from my pouch to the furthest corner of my desk was interrupted by a knock on the door. I pushed my chair away from my desk and rubbed my eyes by the candlelight.

"Enter," I said.

The door opened and Diane came through the door. I turned around to face her. I actually think this be the first time she has been in my quarters. She walked down the steps and came deeper into my room. While she did all of this, I noticed she seemed to be having some kind of internal debate within the confines of her mind.

Once she found victory...in whatever she was thinking, she surprised me. I watched Diane Burnwood, the woman who would shoot a noble first and ask questions never, kneel before me. Her hands clenched tightly as she did so.

"Thank you for allowing me to enter, Sir. I have been told that the situation earlier would...have been rather unfortunate for me had you not come along. Therefore, I...wish to express my gratitude to our captain for helping me out," she said through gritted teeth and clenched fists.

I put down my writing quill and leaned against the arms of my chair.

"If I recall, I am the one who told you to go guard Aesteal. Surely this...new mindset of yours hasn't made you forget that," I replied.

Her hands clenched harder. "No, Sir. However, I...feel that I...had put you...in a difficult...position. Please...reprimand me!" she hissed out like just saying these words were beyond the very nature of her voice.

I stared at her for a moment. This wonderfully stubborn marksman with a sleek face, toned body, and sharp eyes made me aroused just as much as I had been when I openly caressed Aesteal in front of so many people.

I intertwined my fingers. No doubt this was Liara's doing. Getting Diane to do something like this be like tossing a lit match in oil and not expecting it to catch on fire. Only...something of magical properties could make that impossible possible.

I continued to sit in my chair without a word for a time. I could tell that my silence was beginning to unnerve Diane because she kept wiggling her legs. No doubt this posture must have been rather painful.

"Beg me," I said suddenly.

"...What?" she asked.

"Beg me to reprimand you. Beg me to...punish you for your mistake," I told her.

Burnwood stared at me with an expression that I could not name. She opened her lips.

"Please punish me, Sir!" she answered.

A frown marred my face. I then closed my eyes and motioned for her to stand. She did so without complaint. I did get a chuckle out of seeing her wobble for a moment.

"Good. Now, take off your shirt," I said.

I have to admit that despite her displeasure, she still did what I asked. However, unlike my mother, Sothshore, or even Aesteal, there was no hesitation. She just grabbed it and threw it off her body like it was a worthless piece of tattered cloth.

Burnwood stood before me, her breasts bare. Her body is very well-portioned. Her breasts be a bit on the...smaller end than what I have seen, but there is indeed a certain charm to them that draws me to toy with them eagerly. Again, I am reminded that this be the first time I have seen Diane naked, or semi-naked if we wish to argue.

Aye, she be a mighty fine lass and I knew I was right to think of how much I desired a night with her when I was younger.

Well...younger as in...anyway, I leaned forward and continued to observe her for a time. Whether by my room being cold or a sense of arousal, her nipples stiffened. They seemed so eager to be sucked, but I held myself together.

"Aye, you're very beautiful. Just as beautiful when I met you all those weeks ago on Draegnar," I complimented.

"Save me the remarks and just get this over with," she returned. However, that be something that deserves correction.

"Oh? What's the rush? Is there something more important than your punishment? You asked for this remember?" I answered back. Her mouth twitched up, but whatever curse she was thinking of firing at me didn't show up.

"No, sir. Nothing is more important than my punishment," she replied.

With that being the case, I nodded. I then pointed towards the door.

"I didn't think so. Now, be a good lass and get Aesteal for me. I will need her as well," I stated.

Ah, there be that look of uncertainty in the eyes that I wanted. Diane's eyes shifted between me and the door at least three times before she became truly aware of what I was asking from her.