We were half way through dinner when we were summoned to the bar. The force of lookouts, now somewhat depleted, had spotted a carriage and unit of the city watch approaching and had alerted Younta, who in turn had sent Inuin to fetch us. Our appearance in the bar, triggered an exodus, the two remaining clients moving themselves and their drinks to the corner furthest from the door. The three girls on duty retreated to the balcony, where others were hastily arriving.
The sound of horse hooves reached us followed by the dull rumble of a carriage coming up the street. We heard the driver bring it to a halt, and then the sound of booted feet on cobbles. I have to admit to becoming apprehensive at this point. A pair of stocky grizzled watchmen came in both carrying loaded crossbows. This altered things a little. They were followed by a giant of a man, with a scar across his face. Behind him trailed the pen pusher from this morning who'd bolted and another guard captain.
The big man took in the room , then moved to a table in the middle but not far from the door, pulled up a chair and sat down. "Well aren't you ladies going to join me?" He pushed back two of the chairs on the other side indicating that we should sit. I walked across reversed the chair and sat down. Molly copied me and then signaled to Younta, who brought out three goblets and a bottle of wine. He reached into his jacket and pulled out three roles of parchment. "Just for you I've prepared a new copy of the warrant relating to the first of this morning's incidents. I've also added two more each in relationship to the assault on a watch official whilst engaged in execution of their duty."
I picked up the wine bottle noticing he didn't flinch as I did so. "Wine?"
"Don't mind if I do. I take it its a good year"
"The best we have"
"Then a toast. To the Unicorn"
I'd not been expecting that, and nearly choked myself. He looked at me. "So we have a new Amberite in town. One who chooses to disrespect our laws. Its been a while since that happened."
"I will have to disagree with you there. I have the greatest respect for you laws"
"Really, So murdering four citizens in front of a crowd, and assaulting two of my officers counts as respect does it?"
"I didn't assault two of your officers, nor did I murder four citizens. I merely defended myself"
"I would define kicking one in the banjax and breaking the arm of the other assault. I would also define cutting the heads off four kneeling helpless citizens as murder."
"Well I can't deny I kicked one or broke the arm of the other. But I didn't behead anyone, at least not this morning" He glared at me "What do you mean not this morning?"
"Nothing for you to worry about. Just a little something that happened on my way here last night. Oh and looking directly into the eyes of an Amberite can be exceedingly detrimental to your well being, as it allows me to establish a direct link to your mind. Once I've done that, as now, I can do anything I like with you. For instance I can make you scratch your nose, forget what happened yesterday, implant a memory, give you an erection, or any number of things. I could even kill you but I don't have any reason to." I withdrew, leaving him sitting there with a bulge in his trousers.
"You'd better go and raise a new warrant - giving the Chief Justice a stiffy whilst in pursuit of his duties" Molly suppressed a giggling fit. I merely smiled at him.
"By rights I should have you shot where you sit. Now stop that memory of yours playing."
"I can't, or rather I won't. I implanted it for a reason. It has an engram key. Once you admit that I didn't murder anybody it will cease repeating of its own accord."
"Alright! Alright! I can see you didn't murder anybody. But that still leaves two assaults"
"No it leaves two situations where the stupidity of your officials forced me to defend myself. I could have just as easily have killed them as incapacitate them."
"That makes no difference. You still assaulted them both"
"I disagree. Assault implies intent to render harm. I merely used sufficient force to defend myself from assaults by your officers that would have inflicted harm to myself. In both instances I was unarmed, and in both instance they tried to draw or had drawn their swords. Not a weapon renown for inflicting non-lethal damage"
"You're playing with words. You injured both of them"
"I would probably have to agree with that statement."
"The you admit to assaulting them"
"No. That's not what I said. I said I would probably have to concur with your statement that I injured them. Supposing that I were to admit to injuring them, what would the likely penalty be?"
"Assaults on watch officers are not taken lightly. There is a minimum 12 months hard labour for each offense, depending on the severity"
"Ah. But we've already established that I didn't assault them so that tarrif is not applicable"
"Well in a civil case it usually boils down to some form of monetary reparation to the injured party plus an additional fine levied by the city."
"And were this a civil case what sort of reparation and fine would we be talking about"
"In the first case 3-6 weeks wages plus a 50 crown fine, and in the second 6-8 months wages plus a 400 crown fine"
"So we're talking 130 crowns for the first count, and 720 crowns for the second, plus court and legal fees of say another 500 crowns"
"Court and legal fees are far more expensive than that and watch officials are more highly paid. I would suspect that it would be more in the region of 200 crowns for the first instance, 1200 crowns for the second, and 2000 crowns in fees."
"How about we call it a round sum of 4000 crowns to be divided as the court see fit, plus 2 free evenings for a party of four at the Velvet Rest"
"5 evenings, not including tonight and you have yourself a pardon"
I withdrew a pouch from my sash and dropped it on the table. "Done. Another goblet of wine or would you prefer something stronger?"
"Wine will do fine. But answer me one question. How did you know I would settle on 4000 crowns"
"I didn't. I alerted probability so that the pouch in my sash would contain sufficient coin to cover the figure you'd settle on."
"And the number of nights for myself and guests"
"That's a second question. But I had no control over that. The girls will be well compensated for their time as will the house for any drinks consumed"
"And you'll do that with this probability thing"
"You've already had one free answer, you don't get a second. Now if you'll excuse me I have things to be getting on with. If you could dismiss your men I'm sure Molly would be grateful as they're scaring clients away. You'll be perfectly safe here."
When I awoke the following morning I felt the presence of another in bed with me. As I turned over Simone snuggled in closer. As my conscious level increased I vaguely remembered her arrival and the fact that I'd turned over and gone back to sleep, not something I'd usually have done. She snuggled in closer, entwining her legs in mine. I could smell and feel the state of her arousal but it did nothing for me. I stroked her hair, brushing it back from her face."Simone, you're very nice but I'm not interested right now." I kissed her lightly on the cheek then got out of bed..
When we reached the lounge the atmosphere was a little subdued. Last night had been quiet, even after the watch had left. When Torvald arrived, still only willing to wear a loose gown, things improved as the girls began baiting him; significantly increasing his level of discomfort. Molly put a stop to it when she arrived. She even went as far as threatening to throw out the next one who deliberately gave him an erection.
She did increase his level of discomfort though when she announced that there were going to be a few changes to the decor, some improvements in the general facilities, and each girl would get two new dresses. She was also going to look into buying the building on the right hand side of them with a view to expanding and providing better sleeping accommodation. When she was asked where the money was coming from she said she'd discovered Torvald's retirement fund. When he whinged she told him not to worry and said he'd still get freebies when he needed them and promptly gave him another erection.
The morning crowd was better than the previous day but still down on normal. The price changes were having an effect on the type of client but until the decor and facilities improved they wouldn't see any significant increase in trade. I decided to return to the ship to advise the Captain that it would most like be 4 days until the cargo would be ready and we could depart. I asked if there had been any trouble, which there had not. When he asked why, I told him there'd been a couple of problems but that it shouldn't affect him. He said he'd increase the watch just in case.
From the ship I went shopping, firstly for a pair of sea boots, secondly for two pairs of serviceable shoes, and thirdly for a couple of dresses. I had wanted a necklace and tiara but they were long lead commission items and I didn't have time to wait.
By the time I returned to the Velvet Rest it was mid afternoon. Walking in I could sense something was wrong but couldn't put my finger on it. It wasn't until I was making my way to my room and Kendra caught up with me that I found out what it was. Molly had gone to see Trinkam, taking Selial and Tara with her. The meeting had gone badly from the start and ended with Trinkam having all three of them beaten up. None of their injuries were serious, but they wouldn't be able to work for a couple of weeks. When I went to Torvald's office, Kiona and Torvald were arguing. Apparently it didn't matter that Torvald had told Molly to leave Trinkam to him, she should have stopped her from going.
My appearance did little to diffuse the situation, especially when I asked what leverage Torvald had over Trinkam. He told me that was his secret. I could have extracted the information but chose not to. Instead I asked for a run down on all his businesses and where I could find him. Torvald wanted to know why. I told him I was going to pay Trinkam a visit. Torvald told me to forget it. I told him I could be very persuasive.
An hour later I had the information I needed, although it had taken me sending for Genivive to get him to co-operate. Trinkam's operations were extensive. Logically the Velvet Rest shouldn't have been able to operate at all given Trinkam's business portfolio which meant Torvald had something substantial on Trinkam.
The Captain's Rest was an interesting Tavern. At one time it must have been three or four seperate buildings that had been joined together. It was also the inn that had been recommended as the most popular with ship captains. It also had two entrances, one for the average dock worker / ship hand, and one for the more distinguished cliental. I had the trap drop me at the latter entrance.
The bar was plush with well dressed serving girls and staff. I allowed myself to be escorted to a table and ordered a glass of wine whilst I ascertained the situation. After about an hour I had worked out that the entrance to the bordello was behind a set of curtains at the end of the bar. It was guarded by a lady who sat obstentiously conversing with the two barmen. I left my drink and walked in the direction of the curtain. As I reached the end of the bar she turned and stood up, "Sorry madam, but that room is reserved for private clients if you need a room one can be arranged for you". She tried to steer me back towards my table. I smiled at her and removed her hand, physical contact allowing me to invade her mind with ease. "Ah I'm sorry madam I didn't recognise you for a moment. My apologies, I'll have a another goblet of wine sent through to you".
Through the curtain was another small room with a seconded curtained exit. Off to one side three well dressed bouncers sat playing cards. I ignored them and walked through the curtain before they could do more than make grunting noises at me. The room beyond was everything you'd expect from a well appointed whore house. It was lavishly decorated and furnished, with its own bar. The girls were all young and pretty, I doubt if any were over 25. They were also well, if scantily dressed, in silks and light linnen's. I walked across to the bar ignoring the shriek of protest from the Madam, mentally cataloguing the clients for future reference. As I approched the bar I recognized one of the barman. He had been in the Velvet Rest the other evening during my meeting with the Justicar Commandant. He obviosuly recognized me as he bolted through the back like a startled rabbit. I pulled up a stool and sat down. The bouncers had now recovered and were making their way towards me. The two girls who had been perched at the end of the bar moved away.
"I'm sorry madam but use of this bar is by invitation only. As you don't have an invitation you'll have to leave"
" Ah but I do. My wine should be arriving shortly"
"I'm sorry madam but, ah, you don't have an invitation, and I'm going to have to ask you to leave"
"And if I refuse"
"Then we'll have to escort you out"
"So lets get this straight. I'm not welcome here because I'm not a man and might upset these gentlemen or worse still hit on one of these whores, and you three are going to forcibly eject me if I refuse to leave."
"I'm sorry madam but". He put his hand on my arm as if you force me to my feet.
"I strongly suggest you remove your hand, and retire before you get hurt"
"We're not like the amatures at the Velvet Rest, we know how to". I grabbed his arm, initiated a joint lock and slammed him into the bar. One of the others made to intevene and got a kick to the stomach, that sent him flying backwards into the table the two girls had retired to. The third one had mean while drawn a sap and swung at me. I dropped to the floor ducking under the blow and nailed him in the nuts. The one who I'd sent flying had grogily got back to his feet. The one who I'd slammed into the bar made motions to get up, forcing me to stamp on him. The other one charged. I lept, turned, and kicked him as he went past. There was a crunch as he hit the bar.
I looked around punters were rapidly disengaging themselves and heading for the exit. I righted a stool, picked up a glass of wine from one of the tables and sat down. The one who I'd polaxed continued to groan noisly to himself. I walked over and silenced him before reseating myself. "You", I pointed at one of the girls, "Whats you name?"
"Sulin"
"Well, Sulin I'd like a little company. Why don't you come and sit just here." I pulled up another stool and set it just in front and slightly to the right of me. She initially went to sit facing me but I told her to turn around and sit the other way. Strangely she complied. When I reached under her skirts she tried to move away and I was forced to paraylze her or so I thought. By the time Trinkam arrived with four more guards I had unlaced the back of her dress leaving it resting loosely on her shoulders. As I suspected they all carried crossbows. I stood up forcing Sulin to do the same. As she stood her dress fell from her shoulders, revealing she was wearing only a pair of stockings. It was now a question of how much Trinkham respected his girls. Any attempt to shoot me would most likely hit her, assuming any of the bouncers could shoot straight, with the distraction she was providing.
"So you're Cordelia of Amber. I thought you'd be prettier and taller. I'll give you to the count of three to let Sulin go If you do that I promise to make your death quick."
"Really". Sulin gave a little moan. At least two of the guards were fidgeting. "I think for the time being we'll remain where we are." Sulin moaned again a little stronger and louder this time.
"That's not going to work on me. I'll kill her as well if I have to."
Sulin moaned again. She was getting close to climaxing. "If you were going to do that you'd have dome so already. Now tell your men to toss their crossbows over here". Sulin let out another moan - had I truely been in control I wouldn't have been able to hold her for much longer but as events would transpire I only thought I was.
"Do as she says"
Four crossbows clattered to the floor. As far as I was aware I took the brakes off and Sulin duely climaxed, spraying the bows. Until that point I hand't realized she was a "squirter". I stepped sideways, releasing Sulin and picked up one of the crossbows. I cranked it to reload it, whilst Sulin pulled her dress about her.
"Now what"
"Now we have a drink like civilized people rather than you trying to kill me. Why don't you come and sit over here whilst Sulin gets us a bottle of wine and some glasses."
He moved over to the table I'd indicated and sat down. "The minute you leave here you're a dead woman. Not immediately of course. First you'll watch as the Velvet Rest burns to the ground and then as that ship of yours sinks to the botom of the harbour."
He was being careful not to look me directly in the eye which made his threats more than a little ludicrous.
"There you go making threats again. When I leave here I shall be perfectly safe, as will the Velvet Rest, and my ship. In fact not only are you going to deliver the cargo I want free of charge but you're also going to lend me three of your girls for the next three weeks in recompense for inconvenience you caused me. You are also going to support Molly for membership of whatever is the important trade guild and support whatever applications she makes to expand the Velvet Rest."
He lent back in the chair and roared with laughter, giving me the opening I was after. I locked my hand about his wrist and drove into his psyche. I got a shock. He wasn't human. His psyche was also stronger than I expected, but I'd caught him off guard and got a good way in before he was able to muster a defense against me. It now became a matter of attrition. Slowly but surely I inched inward until his defenses collapsed. So he was a renegade Chaosite, expelled and hiding out here close to Amber. Torvald had caught him in demon form killing the Duke's daughter. Faced with either fleeing once more or striking a deal he'd struck blood oath . But that had been years ago. Since then he'd worked his way into a position of power but his deal with Torvald still carried the same weight hence, the Velvet Rest was left alone. With Torvald no longer in charge it was fair game. Torvald would be looked after and the Rest would fall under his control. With control established I looked around. Two of the goons had made it to the crossbows and were frantically coking them. Another had grabbed Sulin and was trying to hold her down on one of the tables whilst he undid his trousers. Several of the girls were screaming and the fourth goon was trying to establish some control.
"Drop them or he dies". I shot the one on top of Sulin in the backside allowing her to throw him off and move out of harms way.
They turned to face me, Crossbows leveled. "He dies you die"
I searched his mind looking for something useful. He knew some magic in the form of Powerwords but I didn't have time to workout how useful they may be, he'd failed to even get through the first year of Logrus training because his Shapeshifting wasn't up to par. Shapeshifting, that was it. I forced him into demon form. There were a lot more screams, the two guards reacted as expected when suddenly faced with a terrifying creature. They shot it. One bolt skidded off his scales, narrowly mssing me, whilst the other hit home; it didn't go deep though. A pair of tentacles appeared over his shoulders and lashed forward, grabbing the two guards by the neck. The pressure increased and they slumped to the floor. I made him turn and look round the room. "You all stay where you are or I'll kill you all" The voice was deep and terrifying. Several of the girls feinted.
I implanted a number of compulsions and then released control. He whirled round ready to strike, then realized he couldn't. With no other choice he reverted back to human form. He knew what I'd done and sat there. "So you're a Chaosite. Don't worry your secret's safe with me. I'm taking Sulin, Teleta, and Zandra. I'll expect the cargo delivered to the ship in three days time."
I walked over to Teleta. Entering her mind was simple after Trinkam's."Go and clean yourself up. Pack a couple of dresses, overnight things etc. Trinkam will send the rest of your belongings tomorrow. Nothing significant happened here tonight. I arrived, Trinkam and I had a couple of drinks, then in as a sign of good faith he gave me yourself, Zandra, and Sulin. You will forget everything else and remember only this after we leave here" I let go and she regarded me as if waking from a dream - "I need to go and freshen up. I'll be down in about half an hour". I repeated the process on Zandra, although I had to slap her awake first.
I moved over to where Sulin was sitting in the corner. She hadn't screamed when Trinkam reverted to demon form. She regarded me with strangely calm eyes. "Who are you and what are you planning to do with me?"
"I am who TrinKam said I am, Cordelia of Amber. As to what I'm planning to do to you, I'm going to erase your memory of what happened here tonight and then you are going to pack some things and we're going to the Velvet Rest"
"I shall come to the Velvet Rest, but my memory I shall keep"
"I'm afraid not, Trinkam has too much too lose"
I grabbed her by the ankle and dived in. Three seconds later it was done. She smiled at me, a strange sort of smile. "I'll go get my things shall I?". There was something odd about the way she said it that made me uneasy but I couldn't work out why.
My return to the Velvet Rest was a cause for celebration. Younta took the decision to close early and the girls threw an impromptu party in the lounge. When things started to get a bit heated and dresses became optional I made a move to leave but was stopped by a combination of Simone and Sulin. After an hour or so people began to drift away. I located my dress and sword and made my way back to my room. As I reached the door Kendra, Sulin and Simone, came up behind me. As I opened it I felt a hand on my side. I turned to find Kendra looking at me expectantly. I ushered her inside.
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