A fresh taste

Your reunion with Joan and the others was, thankfully, absent the mischief and apologies to authorities you both had feared. Lita had spent a quiet afternoon by the river, Clodagh had entertained locals with an arm wrestling competition. Joan was, as ever, furtive about her doings, and it was assumed that so long as she wasn't arrested, it was best not to ask questions.

With everyone accounted for, it was your turn to handle dinner. Cooking was something of a humbling experience for you. Not only was it a new skill to learn, but you had been brought to level terms. Joan and the others were not the sort to allow you and Trevolia sit on the sidelines on account of your nobility, especially both exiled as you were. The princess certainly would not permit you to seat yourself above her on account of being male. And so, here you were, working through the street markets, as your servants did, finding what was palatable, and what was affordable. The rice was in harvest, and so you picked up a good amount of that, along with spiced pork sausage from a trustworthy butcher. You would otherwise have missed the call for your attention, but something allowed the voice of a dwarf woman to pull you towards her.

"That's quite a bit of food you got there friend. More than even you can enjoy."

You walked towards her at her stall, where she had a collection of unusual odds and ends. Typical of traveling merchants, there was little rhyme and reason to it all, save what she could get for low elsewhere and what she could sell for good rates here.

"It's dinner for myself and my friends." Your reply was neutral, but also indirect. The rest of the world didn't need to know the intimate nature of your companionship, although it seemed it may be too late for that.

"And here I would have guessed those four were getting enough sausage in their diet." She remarked with a chuckle. She could see the **** in your face, sticking her hands out "please stay, I'm sorry."

"You know who I am?" You were beginning to feel nervous, like you and the others had overstayed your welcome.

"I know you're a man in need of what I have. A handsome orc gentleman, cohabiting with a small medley of young, single women. How's that going for you?"

"It's fine." You kept yourself socially distant from this strange dwarf. You wanted mostly to carry on your day, but the possibility that she might have an answer for you was worth holding out for.

"It's been a struggle, hasn't it?" She asked with a smile "hard work, keeping yourself busy with that many women? It's your lucky day friend, I've got the perfect remedy for you, from Linthalia itself."

Your skepticism grew. Many a grifter claimed to have miracle cures from Linthalia, home of the Maiden Queen. The land produced a number of plants with unusual medicinal qualities, including one of the few that prevented pregnancy. Naturally, those of a less than honorable persuasion used Linthalia's reputation to sell snake oils.

"Thanks, I think I've heard enough. Good day" You started to continue on your way, but the dwarf merchant was insistent.

"I understand completely" She practically shouted in order to be heard over the others in the market, with the distance between you. "You're clearly a learned man and one with an eye for discretion." Her words caused you to stop "I would expect nothing less, being so successful with so man women. I expect nothing I can say will convince you, except trying it yourself." She hoisted a thick glass jar from under the market stall.

"You're asking me to buy something that I don't know it will work" Your statement was meant as a question, but the tone didn't carry out that way.

"Not at all" She smiled, as she opened it up, and pulled out a few amber drops and rolled them around in her hands "try it for yourself. You'll come back for more, I guarantee it. That, or one of your lovely friends will." With that, she dropped all but one back in the jar, holding the offer between her thumb and index finger before you.

"What do you think, stud?"