金瓶梅第2部

"Good evening, Monsieur le Baron," the lightly-armored veteran guard bowed.

Tycon chopped his wristbone onto the guard's jugular vein, dropping him to the ground. The guard woke up in a few seconds, coughing and gasping for air.

"I am the leader of a guild, shite for brains. You will render me a gods damned salute," Tycon spat as he stepped over the man and into the courtesan house proper.

A tall, purple-haired half-elven woman approached him, clad only in thin golden chains, "Sir knight, may I escort you?"

"No," Tycon brushed past her. He didn't care about anyone else. He just needed to see her. "Also, your perfume is cheap and your eyeliner is as uneven as your breasts."

No other courtesans bothered the silver-armored knight on his way to Princess Aurala's room. Second floor. The room at the end of the hallway. Tycon found the familiar Levi Wolfrider standing guard.

"Mister Levi."

"Boss," Levi rendered a salute. "Nice armor."

Tycon nodded in acknowledgment. He glanced back down the hallway. Other clientele were present, so Tycon had to watch his words, "Is our mutual friend inside?"

The weretouched boy gave a troubled expression, whining softly, "She is, Boss. But she's meeting with someone."

"One?"

"Just one, Boss."

"Are they sexually attractive?"

Levi's ears shot up in curiosity, "I guess so, why?"

Tycon checked to make sure a poisoned bolt was loaded into his hand-crossbow. He ratcheted the lever back and clicked off the safety.

Levi stepped aside, "Oh."

Tycon made sure his crossbow-arm was covered by his cloak before entering the room. It was brighter than he remembered. Upon closing the door, he breathed in-- ugh. The man in the room wore a heavy concentration of perfume oil.

"Excuse me, sir. Who in the blazes are you?" The man had stood up, his face full of indignation. Aurala had remained seated, a frustrated look on her face.

Tycon checked the door again, his talisman from the other sun was still present. Using his System to check it, it was still in effect.

[Private Sanctum. Fourth-Circle Abjuration. The barrier prevents magical and corporeal senses, to include hearing, vision, and mana-sense...]

"I'd like to introduce my associate, Baron Tycondrius of Guild Invictus," Aurala said coolly. "And this is--"

"Konstantin Dunzis," the bearded man said.

He was dressed in noble's traveling leathers and a handsome cape in the style of the Kingdom. He wore a neatly trimmed mustache and beard, and short, slicked-back pale blonde hair. His features marked him as a man not of the Kingdom-- likely from the Sleeping Country. Tycon couldn't wait to see him dying on the floor from a poisoned crossbow bolt in a major artery.

Neither man offered their hand.

"Sol Invictus. I've heard of you," Dunzis started, "It's so strange for a guild named in the language of the Holy Country to traipse around the Kingdom unchecked."

Tycon remained impassive, "I'm doing a job for the Princess. Is it wise to openly question her man? Or perhaps you didn't come to request for her help and to order her instead?"

"That is enough, Sir Baron," Aurala commanded.

She narrowed her eyes at Tycon and her lips twitched, "Mister Konstantin."

The man half-turned, unwilling to turn his back to Tycon, "Princess."

"You have my promise for support. The details will be discussed later."

The man gauged her expression before bowing lightly, "Very well. I shall take my leave, then."

The man walked past Tycon without a second glance and let himself out of the door. No kindness. Base cordiality. No apology for his rudeness. For a merest hint more, Tycon would have shot the man. Tycon locked the door.

The blonde princess glared, "Sir Baron, is your seal still in effect?"

"It is."

Aurala fell onto the pillows, "What the hell, Prince? What was that all about?"

Tycon clicked the safety on his crossbow and began to unload it.

"Dude, what the fuck? Were you really going to shoot that guy?" Aurala was covering her mouth with her hand, but her eyes were smiling.

Really? The girl had nearly witnessed a literal murder... It seemed a bit stupid, after the fact.

Tycon sighed, "Not in a good mood, Aurala."

Tycon flopped into Aurala's lap.

"This is not appropriate," Aurala chided.

"Don't care," He sat up and brushed his nose on Aurala's neck, "You're the only person who doesn't smell in this entire inn."

Aurala giggled, but didn't stop him, "What are you, a dog, now?"

"Maybe I'm a snake as Naedrielle said? Or are you hinting that you enjoy Mister Wolfrider's company?" Tycon gazed into Aurala's eyes.

"Ugh. No, thanks," Aurala shrugged. She brushed her hand through Tycon's green hair, "What's wrong, sweet prince?"

Tycon pressed his shoulder to Aurala's abdomen... and picked her up, pomfing her down upon the bed.

"Um, Tycon, what are you doing?"

Tycon began taking off his armor, "I'm tired. Duke's arrested. I lost nearly half of my guild-- help me with these straps, will you?"

"Oh, my God, that's terrible," Aurala was shocked, "I heard the report... but..."

"I'm quite upset-- Ah, thanks," Tycon finally got the rest of his armor off with Aurala's assistance. He slipped off his tunic and trousers.

"...What are you doing now,?"

Tycon pulled at the sheet underneath Aurala, the force causing her to roll the opposite way. He laid next to her and tossed the sheet over them, "I'm getting ready for bed. What did it seem like I was doing?"

"And why did you think this was okay?"

Tycon placed a hand on the side of Aurala's face, staring deep in her eyes. Obediently, the blonde girl fluttered her eyes closed and they shared a kiss. And another, deep and passionate.

Aurala kept silent, staring at Tycon's lips.

"Why are you still wearing that?" Tycon asked.

"My dress? ...Do you want me to--"

Tycon kissed her again, "No, the hair. Do you like it better being blonde?"

"I... I dunno." Aurala hesitated, "I just... figured Aurala was blonde. And she is. So I am."

Tycon laid back on the pillow on his palms, appreciating the feeling of his body sinking into the high-quality mattress, "Unfortunately for you, I'm probably the only person in this world that somewhat understands your plight."

Aurala laid her head on Tycon's chest, "Is that such a bad thing?"

Tycon sighed, stroking Aurala's blonde hair, "I suppose even a virgin like you, will do."

Aurala puffed her cheeks out, "What the heck's that supposed to mean?"

"I'm joking, Aurala," Tycon booped her nose with the tip of his finger.

She laid on his stomach and blew onto his skin to make an indecent noise, "I know."

"Au~ra~la," Tycon sang.

"Yeah?"

"You're awful calm for a virgin literally in bed with a half-naked gentleman."

In a panic, Aurala tried to get up, but Tycon kept a firm hold of the woman's waist. After a brief struggle, she plopped her face onto his chest. He could tell her face was flush by how warm it was.

Aurala bit her upper lip, "I... I grew up with a brother, I guess."

"Oh? Did you ever sleep with your brother, then?" Tycon teased.

"Yes. I mean NO! NOOO! Not like THAT!!" Aurala struggled in vain as Tycon kept hold of her.

Tycon chuckled, "I'm teasing, Aurala. And what happened to him?"

"He died."