“Yeah, that sure looks like the way to me,” Alburet said in admiration of the view he had. She looked back over her shoulder at him, “Ladies first, after all.”
Karen winked at him, “Of course.”
They quickly sold off the rest of their loot to Smoothskin and Strongarm respectively at the two shops. Alburet turned to Karen as they exited the last shop. “So, say meet back up at the portal guild in an hour to continue our slaughter of the goblins?”
“Works for me,” Karen said. “An hour means I can grab a bite to eat and take a quick shower as well.”
Alburet blinked as the thought of Karen in the shower popped into his head. She smirked at him knowingly as he cleared his throat, “Sounds good.”
“Oh, more than good. I have a very special shower head that helps massage the muscles. It’s so useful after a long day of rolling on the mat, and in other ways as well.” She watched him blush just slightly, “On that note, I’ll see you soon, right?” She vanished with an echoing laugh.
Taking a deep breath, Alburet started walking towards the Dead Man Inn to grab some food. “I swear she can’t be real,” he muttered to himself as he walked. He reached the inn a short time later to find most of the tables filled. He found an empty seat at the bar and grabbed it. As soon as he sat the bartender came over asking what he wanted. “Whatever food is ready to eat and a mug of dark ale, please.” He dropped a silver onto the counter.
The bartender took it and made it disappear before he stepped away, returning with a full mug along with the change. Alburet caught his eye before he could depart, “How much to rent a room for the next twenty eight days?”
The bartender eyed him for a moment, “Includin’ a single meal and two drinks a day along with a bath once a day it will cost ya one gold and twenty silver for the rest of the month.”
Alburet placed two gold on the bar, “Two meals if I ask for them and four drinks?”
The bartender snatched the two golds, “Done, Summoner. I’ll have me daughter show ya to ya room after ya meal.”
Alburet nodded as he sipped the ale, letting the rich taste fill his mouth. He sighed contentedly at the taste. He had always been fond of good dark ales which were hard to find in the small town he lived in. He was halfway through his mug when the bartender set a bowl and small loaf of bread before him. Tasting the stew, he found it to be close to beef and barley, which went very well with the ale. Before he knew it the bowl was empty and he was using the last scrap of bread to clean the bowl.
“Seems ya enjoyed it,” Stacia said from behind him. “Iffin ya are ready for me to show ya the room?”
Alburet nodded, standing up and placing a couple of copper next to the bowl. “I shall follow as you lead,” he said with a small smile.
Stacia turned and walked up the stairs with the step of one who had other things to do, but as soon as she reached the second floor she slowed and her hips swayed enticingly as she led him to a room all the way at the end of the hall. She opened the door, stepping inside to light the lamp. Alburet followed her in but stopped just inside the door. He was pretty sure she was interested, considering this morning and the way she had swayed down the hall. “Very nice, thank you,” Alburet said, keeping his voice pleasant and calm.
Stacia turned to face him with a smile on her lips, “Ya be very welcome, Sir. Is there anything else I can do for ya tonigh'?” She stressed the words sir and anything as she spoke, making sure he heard the offer clearly.
Alburet considered for a brief moment seeing just how much she would be willing to do, but shook his head instead. “Alas, fair Stacia I have other business that cannot wait. As I’ll be staying here for the rest of the month I’m sure we will have ample time to get to know each other. A question does occur to me about,” he paused, wondering how to politely phrase what he was going to say. Not finding a way to do it he asked bluntly, “the cost of such service?”
Stacia giggled, one cheek dimpling, “Oh, ya were tryin’ to find a polite way to ask, eh? Simply put, it depends on the man. I’ve asked for up to two gold before, and gotten it to boot. For ya I am thinking it might be best to just ask for what ya think I am worth after the deed.”
Chuckling, he nodded, “A strategy likely to net you far more than a single asking price up front. I shall have to keep in mind your intelligence and forward thinking.”
Dropping a deep curtsy that gave Alburet a good view of her womanly charms, she replied to him, “We live to serve.”
Alburet tore his gaze away from her chest, “Well, I need to be going or I shall be late. I hope the rest of your night is as pleasant as you. No idea when I’ll be back but I’m sure I will see you in the morning.” He stepped out of the room as he spoke.
A slight pout was on Stacia’s lips as she stood back up, “For ya as well, Sir.” She made sure the lamp was in the middle of the table and burning before she exited the room and closed the door. “Maybe I will see ya when ya return.”
“One never knows,” he winked at her and quickly walked away. He let out his breath quietly as he did so, five years of nothing and now two women who seemed interested in sleeping with him. One admittedly for cash, but hell prostitution was legal in the small town he lived in, one of the few place in the country it was. He weaved his way through the bar and out the door, catching a glimpse of the bartender eyeing him quizzically. Alburet exited the inn headed for the portal guild at a fast walk to get there on time.
Arriving a few minutes before the meeting time, he entered to find Karen lounging on a sofa. She popped to her feet when he came in, “Was wondering if you were going to stand me up.”
“Why do I doubt anyone has ever done that to you?”
“Because you want to get me out of my leathers?”
“I don’t know any single straight man who wouldn’t,” Alburet replied as he motioned towards the reception desk where a different receptionist sat. “Shall we?”
“Now that you’re here, yes,” Karen tossed him an invite and started walking to the desk with a sway. “Ladies first I believe, right?”
Chuckling, Alburet agreed, “It is only right and proper. Besides, the view is fantastic.”
A sensuous laugh came from Karen, “I knew you would fall for my charms.”
The receptionist watched them silently, with a small frown on her face. “Can I help you?”
“Two for the ruined village to the east that is overrun by goblins,” Karen answered promptly, pulling out coin.
“That will be one and a half gold each.”
The duo handed over their coins and retreated to the lobby to wait. “She seem a bit stand offish to you?” Karen asked.
“I think she found our banter unsavory. She’s probably the uptight kind who thinks sex shouldn't be hinted at in public.”
Snorting, Karen nodded, “Oh, that makes sense. So I guess I shouldn’t suggest that you slap my ass when we go by her, right?”
Putting on a pensive look, Alburet stroked his chin, “Well, we could test my theory if we did that. However, it might also cause a small loss in rep with the guild. If you’re up for it we should though, for science of course.”
“For science,” Karen giggled then covered her mouth as she turned slightly pink.
“Oh, does the badass warrior chick have a giggly side?”
“I’m so going to pound you hard when we spar later for that,” she replied.
“Isn’t that supposed to be my line?”
Just as Karen was about to respond a cough got their attention. “Your portal is ready,” this mage was old with the traditional long, flowing white beard, “if you will follow me.”
Alburet stood up with a grin and motioned to Karen, “Ladies first.”
Shaking her head Karen, fell into step just behind the mage before glancing back at Alburet and giving her rump a wiggle, “For science.”