Eros knows I don't

Making my return I feel back into my stool with an exhausted sigh. Unable to fully comprehend what had happened. My mind kept returning to the shock that had coursed through us. Trying to understand what it could have been. It didn't feel like static, and for her to react like that? It was strange but it didn't feel so odd as to illicit a reaction like that. For her to actually run away? To flee from me like that? I didn't, couldn't, come up with anything that could explain that. Other than it being magic of some sort. A subject I found myself sorely lacking in knowledge and experience.

"Do you know her?" I heard it as I was torn out of my mental maze. Looking up the bartender who had been so attentive all night was standing across from me once more. Her face seemed a mixture of concerned and confused.

"I... no. I don't know her at all." I replied before turning my attention back to my mug. The mead shimmering in the lantern light. "You said you know all of the humans? Right? Who was she? Why did... who was she?"

Her expression didn't change but after a moment she found the words to answer my question. "Her name's Cecilia. She's out of reach for anything meaningful, so I'd find another woman to admire. She's one of the Lord's courtesans. Though, she's still one of the lowest among them. Only just now beginning to build a clientele. Being one of the few humans has that affect, I suppose."

"Courtesan? She's a prostitute?" I asked a little surprised. It didn't take but a moment though before I thought back to what had happened. It explained why she had attempted to proposition me. Why else would she come up to me like that? Really only makes sense if she was trying to find another customer for the evening. "I... see. So I guess it's too much to think that the cute redhead simply found my attractive." I say laughing as I looked up towards the ceiling.

"Don't take it personal. She's still trying to find her place among the other courtesans. If she... doesn't bring in enough... funds, she'll lose both her place, and the privileges she's been afforded. It's common knowledge, sadly."

"What do you mean 'privileges'? Is she a ****?" I asked a little stunned at the bartender's words. The way she described it made it feel even worse. On the other hand however, hearing how uncomfortable it made her was a glimmer of hope. That not only was the practice not well received, but maybe even openly looked down on.

"In a manner, yes, they're all slaves. Far as I know there's 11 in total. Prisoners from battles or simply criminals who caught his eye. In exchange for their lives, he... employs them in his brothel." As she finished she turned around and called to the other bartender. Telling them that she was taking a break. "Come on, apparently you need a bit more than just a crash course in our villages rules."

Following her lead we went out the same door that Cecilia had fled through. Instead of going outside however we made a hard left and sat down on a simple dining room table. To her back was a stove and drying rack. To mine, the rest of the small kitchen and break room. After we found our seats across from each other she was the first to speak. "Tell me, how much do you know of our little village."

"Next to nothing. I've spoken to the Hux, I know there's some kind of political issue, and now I know that the local lord is... seemingly not well liked. Though, that's purely based on what you've told me. I think I know that the prostitution ring isn't seen in a good light. I know that I have something in my funds, though not what. Save for all that? I don't know a single thing."

"I see. You're not off on anything, though I will say that the 'prostitution ring' as you've called it, is a difficult topic. For those that can afford it, it's well loved and become a lucrative business. For those who've been affected by it, it's seen with scorn. Particularly those who've fallen prey to it in some way. Wives who's husbands have betrayed them. Men who have been lured in by the promise of... pleasure, only to be left penniless and more alone than ever. While there's no laws of any kinds prohibiting it, it's not a simple matter."

"What about the Lord? Based on the political trouble and how you talked about them, how are they taken?" I asked taking a sip of my mead.

"Lord Kerg. He's a pig. His father was seen as a hero, fought for the land and his great-grandfather founded our village nearly a century ago. We grew quickly due to our location. Since Kerg took power however... our commerce has plummeted, not that traffic has slowed, but his taxes and harsh restrictions have caused a painful lack of goods to stay in the village itself. Too many go hungry at night. Too many are being **** from their homes to 'pay' for their debts."

"So a Prince John." I said to myself as I took in her words. In all sense it appeared that the local power simply held too much greed and selfishness."

"I'm afraid I don't know who you mean?" She replied cocking her head slightly. The blonde hair falling around to the side in a rather cute manner.

"Ah, forgive me. This Kerg, if he's such a disliked fixture, why hasn't anyone done anything?" I asked, thinking back to the scene at the gate.

"Some have. There's been a few attempts on his life, however all of them have been thwarted before they could succeed. Most give the credit to one of Kerg's personal concubines. A woman by the name of Nikeri. Some say she's a gift for foresight, though no one knows for sure."

"So he has a seer?"

"As I said, no one knows. Most of us just see it as some sort of rumor. Though it started in his own court, it's taken hold among the masses. I suppose being a bartender has it's benefits. I get to hear all the rumors and tales I can want. The story stems from how he always seems to consult her. There's... more to it than simply talking, but ever since she was brought to him all attempts on his life, or even threats to his power, have been stopped before anything could be done."

"If the rumors are true, however, that would only make it impossible for him to ever lose power. He'd be nearly unbeatable." I say staring into my mead. Eros had said that this village would be the start of my story. That I would find the first of my companions. That whatever he did to me was somehow supposed to aid me.

"Is there some way I can meet her again? Cecilia, I mean. When... when we touched there was a... a shock. I don't know how to really explain it. It was like I was struck by mini-lightening. I think... that she had the same feeling. Considering she ran right after, I can only guess."

The woman's eyes widened as my words hung in the air. The small room fell silent for a short while, the only sounds coming from the tavern behind us. After an eternity of a growing awkward silence she finally spoke. "Well, that complicates things."