TRC - Lord of the Glass Desert Ch. 25

"It's called featherfall," he replied curtly.

"Not that one. I noticed you were falling slowly, but you were still falling. I meant the spell for the other two times."

"I have no reason to give it to you, and even if I did, there is little you could do with it."

"You presume I am incapable of understanding a spell you mastered?"

"Yes," said Kal while ignoring the warning signals coming from Kashka over the bond. "The gravity rune is like nothing you have ever seen before. It took months of study with the help of a Fae for me to render it even slightly usable. But that's beside the point, you have offered nothing in exchange, or did you expect me to give it to you out of the goodness of my heart."

She held out a hand at her female servant, "I can offer--"

"No," Kal said with a little more force than intended. "I don't need stones around my neck, and I don't need another woman to take care of and protect."

Counselor Miyaki looked at Kashka, "Your escort said she was your bodyguard."

"And my lover. I'm not going to let her senselessly die any more than I'm going to bring along your servant so she can spy on me and bring my hard-earned knowledge back to you."

The counselor raised an eyebrow, "You assume much."

"I'm traveled enough to know the habits of those seeking power. The woman is intelligent far above her station as a simple servant, as is the man. It shows in their eyes."

After regarding him carefully for a moment, Miyaki bowed her head. "Astute observations, these two are more than mere servants. They are my apprentices. They also take care of my physical needs, much like your bodyguard."

"I'm surprised to hear you say that. I was told the Azum people were very guarded when speaking about intimate relations."

"We are, in general. During my magical studies, I have been exposed to many different cultures. It has made me become more open-minded than most. What could I offer you in exchange for your gravity rune?"

"Nothing. If I gave it to you, you would call me a cheat and a liar because you wouldn't be able to use it. In all likelihood, you would destroy it just trying to learn its secrets."

The counselor's lips tightened into a thin line. "Again, you assume I am incapable of understanding something an upstart such as yourself has mastered."

"Ria, come out here, please," said Kal.

The sprite appeared a moment later and looked around for a moment before flitting over to his shoulder. "How can I help you, Master?"

Kal unintentionally winced at the title. "This person wants to trade me for the gravity rune. I'm refusing because I don't think she could use it. Would you tell her why, please?"

"Because to her, it will just look like a big black spot on a piece of paper? Are you sure that's wise to even consider, Kal? Sapphire only gave you two copies when we left."

"What do you mean, a big black spot?" asked Counselor Miyaki.

"The gravity rune is a bunch of overlapping and interconnected runes that all work together. Put on paper, the runes are so dense it looks like a large black spot with tiny gaps where the paper shows through. I can tell you from experience it is so finely tuned that if you feed magic power into the wrong point, it will pop in your face. Without special knowledge and abilities, the rune is worthless to you."

The woman seemed taken aback for a moment but then leaned forward, her eyes shining. "Long have I dreamed of my lord's troops flying into battle. How am I supposed to turn down such a challenge?! I must have it more than ever."

"You're a fool," said Ria, "the gravity rune's original creator was a magical genius. Kal here is very talented but still nowhere near Prentas' level. Lastly, without Prentas's ability to see magic, you will spend your remaining decades toiling over this one rune and still never unlock its secrets."

"He could see magic?"

"A Fae's fluids mixed with his blood, and he lived," said Kal. "Without the ability it gave him, the gravity rune is just a spot on a piece of paper. Are we done here?"

Miyaki took a deep breath. "No," she said, standing up and going over to a small but ornate desk in the corner of the room. "Your bag of holding may think me a fool, but you have only strengthened my determination to possess this new magic." She pulled a small golden bowl from a shelf and placed it on the desk, then filled it with water from a golden pitcher. Pulling a lightning-shaped pin from her hair she pricked her finger and let the drop of blood fall into the water, saying, "Show me what in my possession my guests would desire most."

Wisps of water vapor rose from the bowl and circled around Kal and Kashka's heads before making their way to the other side of the room toward the counselor's various trinkets and experiments. Ayako and Takeo followed as the vapor split into two and began searching through the various books, potions, and items scattered about. The apprentices returned with a vial of fine shimmering dust and a bronze armlet with a dark gray gem as the vapor dissipated.

Counselor Miyaki took the items and looked at them carefully. "A vial of fine diamond dust and an armlet that protects from attacks on the wearer's mind."

"Both good choices, but are you prepared to hand those over for something that could easily be destroyed before you can learn anything from it?"

"Yes."

Kal nodded. "The gravity rune is very powerful, and I have only unlocked a small portion of its capabilities. Keep adding to that pile, and I'll tell you when to stop. More specifically, she will tell you when to stop," he said, pointing at Ria, "once you've added items of a comparable amount."

Ria looked worriedly at the mage, "Kal, she could give you everything in this room and it wouldn't be worth that rune."

"I understand, Ria," he said, but his eyes were on the counselor. He watched her face go from shocked to worried, then angry.

"Why should I believe a child such as you possess something of such power?"

"Wonderful! If you think I'm lying, that means we're done here, and I can return to my ship, correct?"

Miyaki gritted her teeth in frustration, then looked at the items in her hands. "Do you not want these?"

"Not for the gravity rune, but I have a number of other items I would be willing to part with instead, including some flawless mana crystals." Kal noted that the two apprentices fidget at the mention of crystals.

The counselor stared at him for a long time. "I assumed you were a noble when I saw you through my spyglass. Are you instead royalty? Western mages are known to have some wealth but to casually offer flawless mana crystals?"

"I did not buy them. I obtained these directly from their source."

"I would be curious to know about this source," she said, but Kal was already shaking his head. Sighing, Miyaki looked at her apprentices, "Both of them could use better crystals. Do you have any that would be comparable in worth?" Seeing Ayako and Takeo's faces light up, she snapped, "These are not gifts! You will be repaying me handsomely for these." Her threat had no discernable impact on their smiles as they nodded in understanding.

"The diamond dust I can approximate the value, but the armlet is something that I will only find useful for a little while and doesn't appear to be very strong," said Kal.

"Only useful for a little while?" asked Kashka.

"Unless I piss off Kelthor, once Azrin is dead, it won't be much use. I'm not really sure why the mist picked it."

"That may have been because of me. I feel like a burden because you need to protect me from Azrin every day."

"I dragged you into that mess. The daily spell is a small price to keep you safe."

"But that also means she can never be away from you for long," said the counselor.

"I'm his bodyguard. I should never be far enough away from him to matter," said Kashka.

"And what shall you do if that changes? Will you stay by his side if he mistreats you or finds another lover?"

The mage scowled at the direction Miyaki's questions were taking the conversation but kept silent as Kashka answered.

"Kal saved my life and freed me from slavery," said the cat. "How he chooses to treat me is at his discretion, and I am well aware I am only one of his many lovers."

"But what if you fall in love with another?"

"I already have, twice since I joined Kal, yet I am still at his side."

Curious, Kal looked into the cat's thoughts and saw intimate moments between her and Ratt interspersed with flickers of her time with Laika. Kashka sensed his presence and opened up more to him. After a moment, he could only agree with the cat-girl. Yes, she did love the two women, Laika as a mentor and lover, while her connection with the Scarlet Bitch's Bosun ran deeper, closer to her feelings towards him.

He also noticed a growing desire in her to stay with Ratt on the ship, but it didn't come solely from her budding relationship with the bosun. Despite being new to sailing and seamanship, Kashka loved sailing. Most of her life had been spent in a dusty desert city, and while she enjoyed running through the canopy of Anika's jungle home, it didn't compare to the freedom she felt in the rigging of The Scarlet Bitch.

"Maybe three times is more accurate?" Kal asked, reiterating over the bond her feelings about sailing.

Kashka blushed. "Maybe three," she said meekly.

"And you do not question this?" Miyaki asked Kal.

"As she said, I have many lovers. But I am still only one man and cannot be there for all of them all the time. If they find comfort and love in another woman's arms, I can hardly complain. That's not to say I won't fight to keep them, but love should not be a prison."

"Your vision of love would be most unwelcome to many of the Azum people. I won't claim to be entirely comfortable with it myself."

"Interesting. It was taught to me by a woman from your land when she told me I should take on more lovers. However, she also mentioned that in your culture, having many wives or concubines was a symbol of power."

"That is true. The castle's lord has one wife and six concubines. One of his concubines taking another lover, even a woman lover, would be a grave insult to my lord and is punishable by death. The lord's wife is a slightly different story. Sex is power to her, and she often makes visiting dignitaries service her with their mouths to reinforce their difference in status. She has even done this while sitting on the throne next to her husband. Be wary if you meet her in the castle halls. She takes particular joy in being pleasured by powerful foreigners. On occasion, she and the lord have invited men or women to join them for the night. I am certain these nights she did not partake only of her husband."

Kal glanced at Kashka with a smirk on his face. "I can't say I've slept with a noblewoman before."

"Even if it storms tonight, I'm not calling you Kal Stormhammer," she huffed with an attempted glare before giggling.

"I've heard of this western hero of yours. If I recall, he was as well known for his virility as his leadership and skill in battle."

"After servicing every woman on the Scarlet Bitch, I imagine Kal could give him some competition as far as virility." Kahska's eyes widened and her face reddened upon realizing what she said. "Sorry," she muttered.

Counselor Miyaki gave Kal an appraising look. "An entire ship of monster girls. That is some impressive stamina."

Kal thought for a moment before answering. "It has been fun but also trying. All of the women aboard were once slaves, and I've been helping them heal some old wounds," he tapped the side of his head, "left from their enslavement. Taking care of their physical needs is enjoyable, but helping them deal with their past has been more fulfilling."

"Takeo, would you be interested in helping him tend to the women aboard his ship as part of your payment for the mana crystal?"

Kal carefully read the apprentice's face as Takeo considered the proposal. The moment of fear and disgust told the mage all he needed to know.

"That won't work," said Kal, shaking his head. "The women aboard the Bitch have been treated to a man who enjoys and appreciates being with them these past weeks. If their option is to sleep with a reluctant man who has no love of monster girls or me, they'll probably just wait until I'm available again."

Takeo glared at the mage after the sound rejection, but beneath his anger was a bare hint of relief. Ayako stepped forward, but Kal put a hand up to stop her from speaking.

"If you are about to make a similar offer to me, then the answer is still no. Between her," Kal looked at Kahska, "and the women on the ship, my needs are more than taken care of." The apprentice blushed brightly before stepping back to stand next to her counterpart.

Miyaki gave Ayako an apologetic smile then turned back to the mage. "I must say I was surprised to see a man on that ship, even more so to see him enjoying himself with one of the women aboard. The last dove over the side and swam for shore before they dropped anchor. The crew delivered the rest of his belongings to shore with the cargo,"

Kal shook his head. "I'm more familiar with monster girls than he was and know that except for a few predatory species, they are no more capable of evil than any human. After traveling with them, I'm surprised he still harbored that much fear."

"Be fair, Kal," said Kashka. "With your strength, you can throw every woman on board around at will. To a normal human, I imagine some of those girls could get pretty rough. Not only that but if he was disgusted by the crew, they probably weren't gentle."

"Fair point. Counselor Miyaki, do you have any tomes or spellbooks on liches. One has decided I am his enemy, and I wish to learn what I can before facing him"

"There may be some tomes on necromancy in the Emperor's Library in the capital city. However, outsiders are not allowed inside without the Emperor's permission, and I do not know of any non-Azum allowed among the forbidden scrolls and books.

"In the past, a lord raised an army of the dead and marched across the land only to be stopped at the palace gates. After repelling the army, the emperor at the time declared necromantic magic forbidden. Any caught practicing were killed and their spellbooks either confiscated or burned."

"That's unfortunate but understandable. What about your spyglass? Would you be willing to part with it?"

"No," she answered with a smile. "It allows me to see through wood and plaster and has a range far beyond what you'd expect from something its size. That one item has protected our city countless times. Although I admit to using it for my own pleasures as well." Her cheeks turned rosy as she glanced between Kal and Kashka. "Glimpses into people's intimate moments can be quite... exhilarating."

"You were spying on us this morning?" the mage asked.

"I check all incoming vessels for signs of an invasion. It merely happened during your time together. I did mention earlier my surprise at your familiarity and enjoyment of a monster girl's company."

"That you did. Ria put a couple of mana crystal shards on the table of slightly higher value than the diamond powder and bracelet. Counselor Miyaki, I hope that we can meet again in the future under better circumstances," said Kal, standing up as motes of light touched the table and turned into two oblong mana crystal discs while Kal pocketed the vial and handed the bracelet to Kashka. "But as beautiful as this palace is, I would like to experience the city. Especially the district where monster girls live."

Miyaki appeared annoyed as she rose to her feet as well. "As one who enjoys the company of monster girls, you will likely not appreciate what you see. Do not start any trouble, or your stay will likely be extended against your will."

"I have no plans on starting a monster girl revolt... yet. And honestly, I'd be much happier if people would just start treating them with decency, so a revolt wouldn't be necessary."

"Such youthful optimism," said the counselor with a condescending smile.

"Maybe," Kal replied, "But my hometown has already begun to see the benefit of treating monster girls as equals. When others see them flourishing, then the idea will begin to spread."

"And what of the western church's hatred of them?"

"The church is changing. That will eventually become a thing of the past as more clerics learn the truth about monster girl's origins."

"Very interesting, and you know these origins?"

"I'm master of the tower where the spell was cast to create them. The same tower where the gravity rune was created. I would tell you the tale, but I think I have wasted enough time here and wish to see the city while there is still light."

Miyaki's eyes flashed and her lips tightened. She stepped around the table and grabbed Kal's arm. "You would be wise to watch your tone, boy," the counselor snarled.

Kal looked down at the feel of metal against his arm and noticed both apprentices stepped back.

"For your insolence toward one of the lord's counselors, you will give me the gravity rune."

"Or what?"

"Or you will die here."

"Disliking the castle's lord or one of his counselors comes with a death penalty? You realize that even if you kill me, you will neither get the gravity rune nor live long enough to care," he said calmly with a glance at Kashka.

"You dare threaten me?" Kal felt the metal object in her hand warm as magical energy began pouring into his arm through it.

Kal let this go on for a few seconds before looking her in the eye and raising an eyebrow. "After this morning, my reserves were getting a little low, so... thanks?"

Miyaki jerked her hand away in surprise, but Kal caught her wrist and held it as he slapped his other hand into hers, covering the silver medallion she held.

"I thought you gave up on the gravity rune too easily. Was this your plan? To come up with some trumped-up insult to force me to hand it over?" he growled in her face. "Next time, learn a little more about who you are dealing with."

The counselor reached up to her headpiece and began pulling out one of the pins, only to have it knocked from her finger and sent spinning across the room by one of Kashka's daggers.

"Poisoned," the cat muttered, tapping her nose.

Kal scowled. "I have a habit of not leaving enemies behind me, but for the sake of diplomacy, I am going to make an exception for you. More specifically, I'm going to give you the chance to not die, but it will be up to your apprentices to save you. I hope you have treated them well." Kal's eyes glowed blue as he began forcing raw power back through the medallion into the woman.

Miyaki had pushed a deluge of power through the medallion, enough to flood any mage the westerner's age far beyond their capacity. What this young man sent back was a city-destroying tidal wave by comparison. Within moments her knees buckled as raw magical power coursed through her body, filling her with indescribable pleasure. The vibration of her knees hitting the floor was enough to trigger an orgasm in the woman. The splashing of water beneath her kimono soon followed as she lost control of her bladder.

Kal stepped back and looked at the counselor in the throes of rapture, taking the medallion with him. The sight was arousing because of the intense pleasure she was experiencing but disturbing as well because she only had so much time before her body began breaking down and wouldn't be able to contain the sheer volume of magic within.

He looked over at the apprentices, "If you wish to let her live, then take your new crystals and press them to her skin. The two of them should absorb enough to bring her out of danger. If she has been cruel to you and you do not care about her life, then I suggest you get away from here and prepare for a lot of cleaning. I'll be taking this as compensation for her attempt to kill me," Kal said, holding up the medallion.