The World of Alderest - II - Solyma Van Dolcies - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: A Night on the Town

Cecilia Abrovagny huddled in the corner of Tancred's living room, her eyes following Valkersan as he roamed around the room, examining pictures and knickknacks.

"What, what are you going to do to me?" she finally asked.

Valkersan stopped, his hand holding a framed portrait of a young woman. "It all depends on how well Tancred follows orders," he said, with a charming smile. "If he does as he is told, you and him will be free to do whatever you want. Otherwise," his smile broadened and became more sinister, "we will be spending some time together getting to know each other, intimately."

Cecilia swallowed nervously and tried to retreat further into the corner.

"Oh stop that," Valkersan said cheerfully. "You wouldn't be able to get away from me anywhere in the city, much less in this house. Why don't you have a seat? You can at least be comfortable while we wait."

Cecilia slowly rose to her feet and shakily walked over to the couch. She sat on the end, her hands resting on the arm and plucking at the fabric. "I'm the wife of the Chancellor of the College," she said in a nervous and defiant voice.

"Really? How fascinating. What is a good married woman doing having an affair with a vampire?"

"I, that's none of your business. My husband is very powerful, he'll destroy you if you harm me in any way!"

"Will he? I would like to see him try. In my experience, the Chancellors of the College have been ineffectual bureaucrats."

Cecilia raised her head defiantly. "Then you don't know my husband. He's the most powerful mage on the planet. When he finds out about you, you'll be gone before you know it."

"Well then, I should enjoy what time I have left then, shouldn't I?" Valkersan sat next to Cecilia, leaning close to her.

Cecilia drew back, her eyes wide. "But you said you'd wait for Tancred," she whispered.

Valkersan leaned still closer, his lips close to Cecilia's neck. "Oh, I will," he said, his breath brushing against her skin.

He pulled back and looked at a clock set on the fireplace mantle. "Ten minutes after twelve o'clock. The sun rises at, six o'clock? It appears that Tancred still has quite some time. Unfortunate. But the anticipation of a pleasure is as great as the pleasure itself. As I'm sure you would know." He moved closer to her and ran his finger over the line of her jaw. "Do you eagerly await the time each week when you can slip away from your loving husband and meet with your vampire lover? Do you lie awake in bed on the night before your meeting, anticipating what will happen? Do you begin to sweat on the coach ride from your house to here?"

Cecilia was frozen. She remained motionless as Valkersan cupped her chin and brought his mouth to hers. He kissed her deeply as his hand stole up her leg to reach under her dress and stroke her thigh. A quiet whimper escaped her mouth when his fingers brushed against her bare sex. Cecilia gasped as he inserted a finger into her.

Her trance broken, she jerked back, panting loudly, her eyes angry and scared. "Get away from me, you monster!" she yelled.

Valkersan laughed, lifting a wet finger to his lips, and licked it clean. "I shall obey you, for now, my lady." He rose with a mocking bow and resumed his slow, even pacing across the room.

Cecilia followed his movements. Her heart was still racing from his touch. She shuddered at the thought of having to, to, lie with him. Hurry Tancred, please, she thought.

---

It had been difficult to gain entry to the College grounds this late at night. The golem manning the guest entrance had been particularly difficult. It had taken a good deal of convincing on Solyma's part, but the golem had finally agreed to send a message to the Chancellor's office. After a short while a message was sent back, allowing Solyma and Tancred access to the grounds. A quick walk later, she and Tancred had arrived at the Chancellor's office.

"Why didn't we bring that servant of yours along?" Tancred asked as they stood outside the door of the Chancellor's office.

"I wanted someone to stay with Penelope. Just in case Valkersan decides to send else to follow through on your job. And he's not my servant," Solyma answered, knocking on the door, adjusting the tunic and breeches that she had hastily dressed in, to appear more presentable.

"Penelope? Oh, that exquisite little elf. How was she? As sweet as she looks?"

Solyma glared at him. "I wouldn't know."

Tancred grinned toothily. Solyma glared harder. His grin widened. "Whatever you say, Solyma, whatever you say."

The door swung open, revealing the Chancellor's office. The Chancellor was sitting behind his large oak desk, somewhat obscured by piles of papers and books. Solyma and Tancred were surprised to see Asgrim seated in a heavy chair in front of the desk. His helmet was still on, although his sword had been set against the wall by the office's fireplace.

The Chancellor looked up, "So, Solyma, what is so urgent that you need to see me at midnight? Ah, and Tancred, what are doing here?"

Solyma started, "It's a matter of life and death, sir. A mage of great power has revived himself and is present in the city. His name is-"

"Valkersan? Yes, yes, Asgrim here was telling me about him. Quite a nasty fellow, had a peculiar set of allies when he was still alive. Who were they again, Asgrim?"

Asgrim looked at Tancred and Solyma, trying to read their eyes. "A vampire lord. A brutal warrior. Prone to dressing in bloody leather and hunting wild beasts," he turned back to the Chancellor.

"Who was the other? Some inconsequential sorceress?"

"Yes, she was the newest member of the group. Quite empty headed and rather ugly as well. Quite irritable as well, she was always scheming to advance her place in life."

The Chancellor laughed. "I'd wager that her plans didn't turn out too well in the end."

"No, they did not. She never thought them through."

Solyma opened and shut her mouth. She felt her face begin to redden. Beside her, she could see Tancred struggling not to laugh.

The Chancellor gestured, "And you make four."

"Yes."

"Very well, I'll make sure that our top investigators look into his activities. Tancred?"

"Yes, Chancellor?" Tancred answered.

"Oh, call me Thomas, you known me for twelve years now."

"Of course, I'm sorry Thomas."

"No need for apologies, what was it you needed? Did my wife send you?"

"Not exactly."

"Really? Well, I wonder what has happened to her. We were supposed to meet for a late dinner an hour ago."

"That is what I, we need to talk to you about. Valkersan has taken your wife hostage."

The Chancellor stood up suddenly. "What is that you say? Taken hostage?"

"Yes, sir," Solyma said. "He knew that you had just hired me, and that both you and your wife knew Tancred."

"What does any of that have to do with him taking Cecilia hostage?"

"I've had some encounters with Valkersan over the years. While popular rumor believes that he was betrayed and killed by his stunningly beautiful and clever..." she looked at Asgrim meaningfully, "student. In actuality he merely retreated from the public eye. He never stopped his attempt at world conquest. I've been fighting him for some years now. I thought that he had been dealt with for good, but apparently I was wrong. He tracked me to Corannon and wants to use your influence to ruin me."

"Very well, that sounds like the bastard I know. But what of the connection between myself and Tancred?"

"Valkersan has always had the strong belief that vampires are the best killers. He knew of Tancred's exploits as a swordsman in the war with Kilasat, and that you and your wife were on close terms with him. By threatening your wife, Valkersan hopes to get Tancred to kill me."

"Kill you? By Aeleon, that's horrible. Tancred, what happened?"

Tancred cleared his throat. "When Valkersan showed up at my door with Cecilia, naturally my first concern was for her. I agreed to do as he said, and he gave me until sunrise to complete my mission. I immediately went to Solyma and told her of the situation. We decided that the best course of action was to mount a surprise attack on Valkersan as soon as possible. We believe that with the help of the College and Asgrim, we can muster enough power to free Cecilia without any harm coming to her. If we do not act, I shudder to think of what might happen to her."

The Chancellor said, grabbing his staff from where it was leaning against his desk. "I'll alert the guards. We can leave immediately, they can follow. Let's go."

Solyma waited for the Chancellor and Tancred to leave the room before turning to Asgrim. "Empty-headed and Ugly?" she said.

She had the feeling that Asgrim was smiling when he strapped his sword over his back. "It seems that you and Tancred have both sought to create new lives for yourselves. I was merely ensuring that no suspicion falls on you," he said.

"By calling me ugly?"

"Would you rather be tried for your part in Valkersan's plans? The courts here are fair. You would probably only spend the rest of your life in prison. In other places you might be disemboweled publicly."

"Fair enough. You'll have to tell me why you've changed."

"I will endeavor to do that," Asgrim said, holding the door open for Solyma.

The pair hurried to catch up to Tancred and the Chancellor. The Chancellor had a College guard in tow and was gesturing and talking loudly.

"You get every guard available to Tancred's town house, do you hear me? And contact the Palace. Tell the King- damn, the King's out of town. Tell whoever's in charge that a grave danger has risen in the city and the Knights of the Shield should be put on alert. And get us a coach!"

The guard nodded and started to leave. Tancred caught him on the shoulder and added, "Be sure to ask for the Guardian Knight, I believe he's in the capitol now. We'll need all the help we can get."

The guard nodded and set off at the run, calling the guards to assemble.

"How are we going to stop Valkersan without endangering Cecilia?" Tancred asked.

The group had passed out of the main building of the College into the main grounds.

"We'll hit him with everything we can, as soon as we can," the Chancellor said.

"That won't work. He'll sense us coming from a block away, even if we mask ourselves," Solyma said.

"Then what do you propose?"

"This," she said, conjuring an elaborate weave about her body and face. As they walked, her skin began to pale and appear clammy while two unhealed puncture marks appeared on her neck with a dried trickle of blood from each of them. Her eyes glazed over with the look of death and her breathing ceased to be visible. When the weave had finally settled, she had the appearance of a vampire's victim. "There, how does it look?"

"Gods above, you look horrible," the Chancellor said. "But you won't fool him walking about like that."

"Right. Tancred?"

Tancred stepped to Solyma and scooped her up in his arms.

After a few moments of arranging, she hung in his arms, looking convincingly dead. "How about now?" Solyma said. Her lips did not move.

"Very dead," the Chancellor said. "So what's your plan?"

"Tancred carries me into the house and says that he killed me. He then gets Cecilia out of the house and away from danger. When she's clear, we attack."

"Unless anyone has anything better, that sounds like a plan."

They had just reached the guest entrance to the College. No one objected to Solyma's plan and the Chancellor called out to the golem manning the gate to open the entrance.

As the tall steel gate swung open, a figure dressed in a chain coat and breastplate, and carrying a shield could be seen. The figure turned from speaking with the golem and looked at the group. His mouth opened in surprise when he saw Solyma in Tancred's arms.

"Just great," Solyma muttered.

"Solyma!" the Knight yelled. "Adramas above, what happened?" The Knight looked at the hulking form of Asgrim and the faintly glowing eyes of Tancred. He reached a conclusion and pulled his sword from his sheath faster than the eye could follow. "Set her down, vampire!"

"Kerrith! Kerrith, it's all right, it's just a weave," Solyma said. Kerrith looked around, trying to find the source of her voice. Solyma sighed in exasperation and pulled the weave down her face. "Kerrith! Dammit, I'm alive!"

"Solyma? What is going on? I just arrived from Willowsrun with the carcass of the Corthronos." He sheathed his sword, glancing suspiciously at Asgrim and Tancred.

"Corthronos?" the Chancellor interrupted, "Are you the Knight sent to track down that summoner?"

"Yes, sir. The summoner was," he stopped, thinking, "dealt with. The Corthronos are no longer a threat."

The Chancellor said, pointing at the golem, "Take that wagon inside and make sure its kept safe. Now, Knight, we could use your help. A rogue mage has arrived in the city and has taken my wife hostage. Can you help us?"

"Of course, sir. My sword is yours."

The motley group climbed aboard a coach. With a clatter of hooves they set off down the street, heading toward the fancy neighborhood where Tancred's town house was located.

---

"Don't worry, mother. Kerrith told me that the bill will be taken care of," Selene said. She rubbed her sleepy eyes and looked around the rooms that had been assigned to her and her parents. They were far better than what she was used to, large and well furnished. Her father had already fallen asleep in the master bedroom.

"I suppose it's all right then," her mother said. "We're very happy for you. You know that, don't you?"

"Yes, mother. You've told me that every day since we left Willowsrun. Why don't you go to sleep. It's late."

"I'll do that, dear. Do you know when Kerrith will be stopping in?"

"He said that he'll stop by tomorrow morning. He has to make sure the College gets the corpse." Selene shuddered, remembering the sight of the Corthronos pulling itself towards Willowsrun and fighting with Kerrith.

She said good night to her mother as they both retired to their rooms. Selene tossed and turned for a long time, already missing Kerrith. There was also a faint smell of decay coming from the next suite of rooms over. She wondered if something had died between the walls. The smell disappeared after she opened a window and she quickly forgot about it, falling deeply asleep.

---

Solyma felt her heart pounding as Tancred carried her toward his house. She prayed that her weave was good enough to fool Valkersan completely. If it wasn't... she refused to finish the thought. The feel of her dagger nestled under her tunic against her back reassured her somewhat. She just hoped that Valkersan could be hurt by such mundane means. Glancing around, she saw that they were at Tancred's doorway. Solyma took a last deep breath to calm herself and waited as Tancred stepped inside.

---

"Tancred, you're back," Valkersan said as Tancred stepped into the living room. "How disappointing, you actually killed her. Was it hard for you to do? You always did have feelings for her."

Tancred dropped Solyma onto the rug. She thumped loudly. "Let Cecilia go, then we can talk," he said.

Valkersan sighed. "And we were getting to know each other so well. Very well then, my Lady Abrovagny, you may go."

Cecilia hurried from the room, pausing at the doorway to look at Tancred. He nodded and she ran out of the house.

"You certainly have changed, Tancred."

"For the better."

"If you say so. You do realize that I have to kill you now, don't you?"

"I assumed as much. You do realize that I'll fight you."

"Of course. You will lose."

"Perhaps."

Tancred drew his rapier from its sheath as he darted towards the fireplace. Valkersan let out a stream of flame that set the wood paneling of the wall instantly ablaze, missing Tancred by inches. Tancred jumped at the wall and kicked off, flipping behind Valkersan while slashing at his neck. Valkersan parried with his staff behind his back then spun and jabbed the butt end of it at Tancred's face.

The vampire ducked, barely dodging the staff, and lashed out at Valkersan's wrist. His strike connected and opened a deep wound that bled yellow, hissing blood.

"Very good, you've improved your blade work since we last met," Valkersan said, circling the room, his staff spinning slowly.

The fire on the wall had spread to the roof, smoke was beginning to spread and fill the room. With a flick of his wrist, Valkersan sent a bolt of lightning towards Tancred. The vampire dodged a second too late and caught the lightning bolt on the shoulder. His body spun as he fell to the floor and rolled to dodge another bolt.

Valkersan slowly approached him, lightning arcing from both ends of his staff. "Stop struggling and give up. It will be less painful that way," He gestured with the staff, sending another lightning bolt toward the vampire.

Tancred had dropped his sword and was frantically twisting and jumping to avoid the bolts of lightning. His expensive paneling and paintings exploded into shreds of wood and cloth as the lightning spattered over the wall. Each bolt came closer and closer to hitting him, until finally the lightning caught him on the leg. He collapsed heavily, his pant leg smoking and the flesh beneath it charred to the bone.

"What are you waiting for? Finish me off," he said through gritted teeth.

Behind Valkersan, Solyma silently reached behind her and pulled her dagger from its sheath. Tancred forced his eyes to remain on Valkersan as Solyma crept up behind him.

"This is how it ends, I applaud you for not begging," Valkersan pointed his staff at Tancred, prepared to blast him from existence.

Valkersan grunted as the tip of a dagger emerged from his chest. The metal of the blade hissed as his blood ran from its tip and fell on the floor. He turned calmly, his steps slow and deliberate, to face Solyma.

Solyma had dropped her weave of illusion.

Valkersan stared at her face and then grinned widely. "The old knife to the back trick. I would have thought you would be tired of it by now." A trickle of blood flowed from his mouth.

"If it works, why change it," Solyma answered, as she pulled another dagger from her boot.

"You won't have the chance," Valkersan said, bringing his staff up to strike her.

Valkersan stiffened again, as Tancred shoved his rapier through Valkersan's chest, twisted the blade, and pulled it free.

"Never leave a foe at your back. I always told you that," Tancred's eyes glowed.

Valkersan staggered away from them, embers from the burning house settling on his hair and cloak where they extinguished themselves with a hiss. Tancred and Solyma followed him, spreading out to each side.

Valkersan looked down at his chest, the blood had already stopped flowing. "I'm harder to kill this time around."

Before the two could continue their attack, Valkersan had raised his staff and summoned a portal behind him. "We'll settle this the next time we meet, I promise it," and he stepped through the portal.

Solyma threw her dagger at him and watched as it bounce off an invisible shield and fall to the floor. She screamed at Valkersan and made a obscene gesture as his portal closed.

"Dammit!" she yelled. "We had him! We could have finished him off!"

Tancred limped over to her. "Let's get out of here, otherwise we'll be finished."

Solyma noticed the inferno raging around them. She grabbed Tancred's shoulder and helped him limp towards the door. A few moments later they emerged, smoke drifting from their clothing, but otherwise unharmed. They found the rest of the group waiting for them.

"Well, you all helped so much," Solyma muttered as she slumped on the sidewalk opposite Tancred's flaming house.

"Don't be so cruel," Tancred said, sitting next to her, his leg still smoking. "It happened too quickly for them to intervene."

Solyma waved her hand dismissively. "What do we do now? He doesn't have a hostage, and we don't know where he is."

"He seemed very angry at you. Why don't we just wait for him to come after you?"

"What!? No! I'm not going to serve as bait! We stuck a sword and a dagger into him and her barely flinched! I can't do this! I'm getting out of here and I advise the rest of you," she pointed at Asgrim and Tancred, "to do the same. He'll be coming after you!" Solyma stomped down the street, still yelling, her voice rising in pitch and intensity. "No more hero bullshit! Let Kerrith handle Valkersan! That's what he gets paid for!"

Tancred turned from the retreating form of Solyma, watching as she kicked a lamp post and limped away cursing. He saw the Chancellor and Cecilia locked in a passionate embrace, their mouths clamped over each other. He sighed softly, regretting the unfulfilled mission. Asgrim and Kerrith were politely looking at the burning house. In the distance, the bells of the fire brigade were coming closer.

Tancred winced as he pushed himself to his feet and limped over to Asgrim and Kerrith. "What do you think we should do?" he asked.

"About Valkersan, or Solyma?" asked Asgrim.

"Either."

"I'll report back to my superiors on Valkersan. We can mobilize and begin to track him down with the assistance of the College. It should not take long to find him," Kerrith said. "If what you told me of him is true, the three of you will be in danger until then."

Tancred nodded. "He'll want Solyma. She stabbed him in the back twice now-" Tancred froze, his mouth open as Asgrim looked at him in surprise. "I mean... she stabbed him in the back once, and I stabbed him in the back. So that makes twice." Tancred smiled. Brilliant recovery, he thought.

Kerrith looked at him questioningly for a moment. "In any case, I think that you should all stay at the Palace until we find him." He looked down the street to see mounted guards and Knights galloping towards the fire. "I will make my report to the Guardian Knight and then escort you to the Palace. Where do you think Solyma is headed?"

"Back to the Palace. She never leaves without her things," Tancred answered.

"Have you known her long?"

Tancred cursed silently while smiling on the outside. "I've met her occasionally. Here and there over the years."

Kerrith eyed him appraisingly before turning and approaching a mounted Knight.

Tancred shook his head.

Asgrim walked closer to him. "I take the time to devise a decent cover for you and Solyma and then you ruin it," he said.

"I didn't ruin it!" Tancred hissed. "That Knight has no idea what is going on!"

"Shhh," Asgrim whispered, signaling Tancred to quiet down. "I understand that you and Solyma are on edge. I understand that you both fear Valkersan-"

"I. Am. Not. Afraid of Valkersan!"

Asgrim looked at Tancred. His eyes bore into the vampire.

Tancred crumbled. "Alright," he mumbled, "so we're afraid of him. Who wouldn't be? The man was a lunatic, now he's worse."

"Which is why you should do your best to follow the Knight's advice. He speaks sense."

"Yes, but will they be able to deal with Valkersan?"

"Perhaps, perhaps not. We may need to help them."

Tancred nodded gloomily. "Gods. I blame Solyma for this. She brings chaos wherever she goes."

Asgrim nodded in agreement. Together they watched Tancred's house slowly burn.

---

Solyma stomped through the busy market section of town. She flinched unwillingly as a man carrying a bag of flour to an all night bakery bumped into her. She forced herself to stop and breathe deeply, trying to calm herself. She stretched slowly, accidentally bumping a man next to her. She ignored his catcall and moved on through the market square. Solyma stopped when she saw a flower seller booth. She moved over to the booth and and leaned over to study the flowers.

"Looking for something to brighten up the place, young lady?" the elderly flower seller asked with a smile.

Solyma smiled at the 'young lady' comment. "Yes, something romantic," she said, thinking of Penelope.

"These roses are just cut today. Don't they smell lovely? Thornless too."

Solyma sniffed. "They do smell wonderful. How much are they?"

"Twelve marks for a dozen."

Solyma winced as she reached for her pouch. She counted out twenty-four marks and placed them in the woman's palm. She felt an unfamiliar tugging at her heart as she imagined Penelope's smile upon seeing the roses.

"Thank you deary, I hope that they help you with your young man. I can tell you're in love, I hope he feels about you in the same way."

Solyma smiled hesitantly, "So do I. Thank you." She resumed her walk towards the Palace, smiling as she smelled the delicate scent of the roses. Love, she thought.

---

"Hector? How is Penelope?" Solyma asked as she quietly closed the suite door behind her.

"Still sleeping. Did you rescue the woman?" Hector said, setting his sword down next to him on a table. He looked incuriously at the roses in Solyma's hand.

"Yes, Valkersan escaped though. Are the bags still packed?"

"They always are."

"We'll leave at first light then."

"How many supplies should I pack?"

Solyma thought for a moment. "Two weeks. Let's head north and visit the elves. They should have forgotten what happened last time. And Valkersan isn't likely to try to reach me there."

Hector nodded and floated out of the suite to gather their supplies for the trip.

Solyma kicked off her shoes and wriggled her toes in the carpet as she walked to the bedroom door. She listened to the faint sound of Penelope's breathing and opened the door. Slipping into the dimly lit room, she closed the door behind her and waited for her vision to adjust.

Heart racing, she stepped over to Penelope and leaned over the elf. She knelt there for a long time, watching Penelope breathe. She felt a surge of lust rise. She reached out and then drew back, her heart pounding. Love, she thought again. She shook her head. Solyma set the roses down on the bed as she gently reached out to touch Penelope's shoulder. For some reason she found herself stopping. Her hand hovered above the elf, shaking slightly.

Shaking her head, she pulled her hand back and left the roses on the bed beside Penelope. She walked back to the door, casting one last glance back at the sleeping elf, and silently slipped out.

---

Valkersan stepped from the portal and onto the street just outside the Dragoon's Helm Inn. His wounded arm spasmed involuntarily as the muscle beneath twitched and rippled. Clutching at his arm, he stepped into the inn. A sleepy clerk sat dozing behind the bar of the common room. He jerked awake, nearly falling from his chair as Valkersan slammed the butt of his staff into the floor.

"C-Can I help you, sir?" the clerk stammered.

"Where is my room?"

"What's your name?"

"Valkersan."

"Oh. You're upstairs, take those stairs and head straight back. Your rooms are at the very end of the hall. Your servant is already up there."

Valkersan turned and climbed the stairs, leaving the confused clerk behind him. He walked down the hall, sensing the presence of other's sleeping behind the doors. He opened the door to his rooms with a wave of his hand. He grimaced at the sight of Merkin's decaying body sitting in an expensive arm chair.

"Get out of my sight," he hissed.

Merkin staggered out of the room, his bloated body leaving patches of skin behind.

Valkersan stood alone in the room. He raised his wounded arm and watched as it slowly changed. His nails, already strange, lengthened into claws as the skin on his arm melted away, leaving raw muscle behind. He flexed his new arm and then let it drop, his sleeve covering it.

Valkersan walked to the window and opened it. With a wave of his staff he summoned a insectile construct. The buzzing insect dripped venom onto the wooden sill, leaving discolored splotches.

"Go, find Solyma," Valkersan commanded.

The insect leapt into the air, wings blurring, and sped into the night.

When the insect had gone, Valkersan pulled a chair over to the window and sat down. He leaned his staff against the wall and watched as his body began to change. He could feel the Corthronos making up his body changing it to a form more suitable to them, he welcomed them and allowed them to reshape his being.

---

"I'm sorry honey, we don't have any job openings," the woman behind the counter said.

Solyma looked at her in confusion. "Oh, no, I'm not here for a job," she said.

"Here to pick up your man?" the woman asked. "I'll call a bouncer to help you."

Solyma looked around the brothel's lobby. A few clients were looking over the available ladies of the night lounging at the bar. The women were dressed in light silk robes over various pieces of lingerie. From deeper inside the brothel, she could hear faint laughter and music and smell food. She turned back to the woman. "No, that's not why I'm here."

"Why are you here, then?"

"Why does anyone come here?"

The woman looked at her for a second and then shrugged. "What's your preference?"

"Do you have any elves?"

The woman laughed. "No elves work in brothels. At least none I've ever heard of. And I know them all."

Solyma frowned in disappointment. "How about a slim blonde? With blue eyes? And long hair."

"Sure. Hey, Alice, Beth, you've got an interested customer. Come over," the woman yelled.

Two blondes looked up from where they were seated at the bar and walked over, being careful to put extra sway into their hips.

"This is Alice," said the woman, pointing the taller of the two women, "and this is Beth," pointing at the other. "How do you like them?"

Solyma looked over the two women. They seemed mildly surprised to see another woman as client. Alice had a body similar to Penelope's, but she was about a foot taller than the elf. Beth matched Penelope's height but was much fuller in the bosom and hips. Solyma sighed, "How much is it for a night?"

"A hundred marks for the entire night or forty for an hour."

Solyma inhaled as she checked her pouch. She still had plenty of gold left from her first week's pay at the College. She looked over the waiting women again. Neither one approached Penelope in appearance. Penelope, she thought, feeling her heart give a lurch. "Both. For the night," she finally said.

The woman behind the counter raised an eyebrow. "Both for a night it is,. That'll be two hundred marks, up front please."

Solyma quietly counted out the twenty ten-mark coins.

"Thank you," the woman said. "Alice, Beth, show this lady to the room, will you?"

"Sure thing, Mrs. Palm," Alice said. She had a rather high pitched voice that instantly grated on Solyma's nerves.

Alice led the way deeper into the brothel and then up a flight of stairs. As they were walking, Beth slipped her arm around Solyma's waist and squeezed it lightly. Solyma looked at her and returned the favor.

The room was not anywhere near the standards of the Palace, but equivalent to a good inn. There were chairs and tables, perhaps more than were necessary for a normal bedroom, but useful for other things. The bed was the centerpiece of the room. It was massive, with four posts anda canopy draped above. A large skylight was mounted in the ceiling. During the summer it was likely opened to allow a fresh breeze into the room.

"How do you like it?" asked Beth. Her voice was much more pleasant than Alice's. "We have some different rooms for different, tastes."

"This will be fine," Solyma said.

"What would you like us to do?" Alice asked, her hand running up Solyma's leg as Beth squeezed Solyma's ass.

Solyma sighed as she felt herself slowly becoming aroused. "Beth, do you know how to play the innocent?" she asked as she sat in an overstuffed armchair.

Alice and Beth perched on the arms.

"Oh, yes! I do know how to do that!" she said, her eyes became wide and innocent.

Solyma smiled. "Good, do that. Undress and get into bed. Pretend you're asleep." Solyma watched as Beth complied.

She eased her robe over her pale shoulders and letting it drop to the floor. Beth shyly slipped off her bra and panties and sat on the bed with her stockings still on. She primly crossed her legs, her profile to Solyma, as she slowly inched each stocking down her leg before setting it down beside her other undergarments.

As Beth was sliding under the sheets, Solyma was slowly unfastening her tunic and breeches. By the time Beth had begun to feign sleep, Solyma was naked in the armchair. She spread her thighs and began to lightly rub herself as Alice approached the bed from the other side.

Alice had already shed her robe and was nude herself. She knelt on the bed by Beth and slowly pulled back the sheets, exposing Beth's naked body. Alice began to stroke Beth's body and then looked at Solyma. Solyma nodded silently, biting her lip as Alice leaned over to kiss Beth's shoulder.

"Nibble her ears," Solyma whispered, her voice trembling.

Alice kissed her way up Beth's neck and began to gently nip at the curve of Beth's ears. One of her hands stole over Beth's body to cup and squeeze a breast.

"Kiss her," Solyma moaned, her fingers sliding into herself as she slumped in the chair and spread her knees.

Alice leaned over Beth and deeply kissed the woman. Solyma watched in appreciation as Beth pretended to wake up and began to struggle against Alice. Beth succeeded in pulling away from Alice long enough to sit up, her full breasts bouncing delightfully.

"Oh!" she cried, "what are you doing!"

Alice straddled Beth's body and began to rub her breasts against Beth's.

"Oh no! Stop this! This isn't right!" Beth gasped, her hands going to her mouth in mock horror.

Solyma watched as Alice kissed Beth again. Beth struggled for a moment and then, slowly, gave in to the kiss. Her hands slowly ran over Alice's sides and then slid down to hold her naked hips. Solyma pushed two fingers inside herself as Beth's fingers began to probe Alice's womanhood. Alice broke the kiss and leaned back, her breasts thrust forward for Beth to suck. Alice began to moan ecstatically as Beth sucked on her breasts and slid her fingers into Alice's pussy.

Solyma couldn't control herself anymore. She jumped up from the chair and threw herself down beside the two moaning women. She grabbed Alice's free hand and guided it down to her pussy, crying out in pleasure as Alice pushed her fingers inside. Solyma gasped as an orgasm pulsed through her belly and her hips bucked against Alice's hand. Solyma's hands twisted the sheets.

As she felt her orgasm fade, Solyma turned to the women. They had slowed their actions and were watching her expectantly. Solyma made a low mewling as she pulled Alice off Beth and buried her face between Beth's spread thighs. Solyma began to lick enthusiastically at Beth, delighting in the taste of the woman, and the sound of her pleasured whimpers. Solyma gasped when she felt Alice's mouth on her own pussy, licking at her from behind.

Solyma thrust two fingers into Beth and sucked at her clit, eliciting a squeal of pleasure from her. Solyma began to pump her fingers rhythmically into the woman until Beth's hips shook with an orgasm and she moaned loudly/ Beth's pussy squeezed tightly at Solyma's fingers.

Solyma licked her way up Beth's sweaty body, and finally kissed her, letting Beth taste her own juices on her tongue. She stayed locked in the kiss for a long while, savoring the feel of Beth's soft lips and body, and Alice's probing tongue. She broke the kiss to glance back at Alice, seeing only her hair, as Alice continued to lick at her.

"Yesss, ohh, gods," Solyma panted, feeling herself near another orgasm. She grunted when the orgasm blossomed and pushed her hips back against Alice wildly and she held her cheek and breasts against Beth's bosom. 

Finally, she froze and then collapsed onto the bed, every muscle in her body limp. Alice and Beth lay down on either side of her and began to gently kiss her and stroke her hair. Solyma slowly rolled over onto her back, a satisfied smile on her face. She pulled a pillow under her head, staring up at the canopy as Alice and Beth snuggled up next to her, their legs entwining.

"Do you want anything else right now?" Beth cooed into her ear.

Solyma yawned. It must be past two in the morning by now, she thought. "No, not now," she answered sleepily. "I just want to sleep."

Beth nodded and leaned over to blow out the lamps. She then cuddled up against Solyma, her soft breasts pressing against her body. On the other side, Alice cuddled the same. Solyma began to drift off to sleep, the pleasant feel of soft female skin on both sides of her.

Just as she was falling asleep, she thought of Penelope. Her eyes snapped open in the dim room and her sleepiness disappeared. Her heart ached unfamiliarly for a long time as she stared into the darkness. What's wrong with me? she wondered, until at last she fell asleep. High above her, unnoticed, a hideous insect landed on the skylight and peered into the room.

---

"Solyma! They're wonderful! Thank you so much!" Penelope said.

They were seated in a grassy field near the seashore, the warm sun gently caressing them. Penelope laughed in pleasure as she sniffed the roses again. Solyma laughed along with Penelope, her hands pulling the elf into a warm embrace. She laughed again when she realized that they were naked.

"I love you, Penelope," Solyma said, looking deep into her eyes.

"Oh, I love you too, Solyma. Ever since I first saw you, I've felt that way!" Penelope answered, hugging Solyma tightly.

"Really? I was so afraid of telling you that, I was afraid you couldn't love another woman in this way."

"That was silly of you! Couldn't you tell that I wanted you?"

"No, no I couldn't. Which is strange, I'm usually very good at that."

"Well, I'll show you how much I want you," Penelope grinned, lying back and teasingly spreading her legs.

Solyma grinned as she held Penelope's knees apart. She looked to the elf's face as she began to slowly kiss her along Penelope's inner thigh. She was rewarded with a gasp of pleasure when she began to lightly run her tongue over Penelope's mound, her head spinning at the taste of the elf.

"Solyma," Penelope groaned, "yes! More-" her voice began to be drowned out by a loud buzzing.

Solyma watched in horror as Penelope disappeared from the idyllic scene, leaving only darkness behind, darkness that spread and swallowed everything.

Solyma woke with a start, bolting upright. She put a hand to her forehead, groaning softly. "What is wrong with me?" she said to herself.

Beside her Beth stirred and reached out to her. "What's wrong?" she asked sleepily.

"Nothing-" Solyma stopped. The buzzing from her dreams was still there.

She slowly looked around the dim room, searching for the source. She grimaced when she saw the insect, almost identical to the one she had incinerated in the gymnasium. "Worked last time..." she said and flicked a fireball at the insect.

The creature failed to dodge and it ignited in a cloud of greasy smoke.

Alice and Beth were both awake now, shrinking away from Solyma.

"Don't worry," she said. She slid out from the bed and fetched her clothes.

After Solyma had finished dressing she placed ten ten-mark coins on the table. "Something for you two," she smiled.

Alice and Beth smiled back, eying the gold coins greedily.

Solyma smirked as their solicitousness disappeared, and she walked from the room. She stretched slowly as she made her way towards the stairway. Just as she approached the head of the stairs, she heard the sound of breaking glass from the room, accompanied by shrill screams of terror.

Years of similar experience took over, and she bolted forward down the stairs, pulling a weave of concealment over herself. Leaping down the last three stairs to the second floor, she sent a ragged bundle of concealment weave down the stairs while she turned to the nearest door. She tested the handle and found it open. Moving quietly, she slipped into the dark room and closed the door just as someone pounded down the steps.

Valkersan raced after the badly spun concealment weaves. Solyma had no doubt become sloppy in my absence, he thought. He landed on the bottom of the stairs and ran towards the street, staff flaring with fire and lightning, following the weave. As he ran past screaming customers and workers he felt the weave stop. Perhaps she thinks she has escaped. He slammed the front door of the brothel open and jumped into the street.

His eyes searched for her, following his senses to find the weaves. He looked down and saw a bundle of weaves, hiding nothing, serving only as a decoy. He closed his eyes and extended his senses over the area. Using all of his concentration he felt a slight disturbance that marked an extremely good concealment weave.

Valkersan opened his eyes in time to see a barely perceptible distortion jumping from the brothel's rooftop to an adjoining building before disappearing. He cursed and lashed out with his staff, setting the neighboring building roof ablaze.

Screams rose around him as flaming debris began to waft into the street. He turned and smacked aside a running man as he drew a portal in the air. Within it, he could see the Palace gymnasium, dark and silent.

---

Bradley brushed at the dust covering his robes and coughed as it billowed around him. The ruins of Solyma's tower were eerily lit by the moon filling the glade.

"No sign of the Corthronos," he said, wiping his face and hands with a handkerchief.

"But Kerrith said that they were killed inside," Magda said.

"I think they were, but someone or something moved them."

"Why would they do that? Some people were burned just covering the leader with a tarp."

"I'm not sure, I think they might have wanted to incorporate the Corthronos' power into their own. It's a bad choice though."

"Why? Will it kill the person?"

"No, although that might be better. The Corthronos will begin to take over the person's body and mind as soon as they have a chance. Once they do they'll try to duplicate what almost happened here."

Magda shivered, wrapping her arms around her body. "You mean they'll try to summon their leaders again?"

From behind her, Havas spat and cursed. "We'd damn well better find the fool who took the bodies then, shouldn't we?" he said.

Bradley picked up his cloak from where he had left it on the grass and draped it over Magda. "Yes, if someone doesn't find him and stop him we may be on the receiving end of an invasion the likes of which we have never seen."

Continued in Chapter 5

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