Puting a ring on it

Your friends had in fact kept out of trouble, at least to the degree that none of them were caught. As adventurers, you all were at least reasonably known in this city. Hardly what you would call famous mind you, but there was a decent chance that guards and locals could identify any if you if questions came about. This not only made it harder for your collective shenanigans to go unnoticed and unreported, it worked against your intended plan of anonymity to hide from the Shoza royal crown. Still, you were hundreds of miles away by this point, nearly as far away if you stowed away to Linthalia; the chances that news of the Runaways would make their ears was slim. It was slightly dangerous admittedly, but the attention came with some perks.

And some challenges, as proved to be the case tonight. You had performed at one of the more prominent inns in the city, The Keyhole In The Door, a way to keep your skills sharp, as well as spend some time in your true vocation as a musician. One of the routine audience members had tried to get to know you personally after the performance; a little too personally. Her name was Nighal, a fellow Orc who, like you, had familiar roots in nearby Stoneheart but became part of the diaspora during the war. She was a lovely young lady, something of a debutante, reminding you of yourself not that long ago. Charming, passionate, and unfamiliar with the goings on of the world around her.

As you had concluded and the crowd dispersed, she made her way towards you with a large smile, and a slight nervous fidget.

"Silve, that was such a wonderful medley you played." She began "You are one of the greats"

"Thank you Nighal" You gave a slight bow in thanks "But, you give me too much credit. You say that after each of my shows"

"Than it must be true." She smiled as she wringed her hands together. "There's noone here who plays like you."

You could think of a few with different instruments that were more technically proficient than you. In the months since escaping Shoza, your skills have atrophied slightly. Still, she was trying to be nice, and you didn't need to correct her on that "You're very kind. Is there something I can help you with? You seem a little nervous. From what I've heard, that's unlike you."

"Are your friends around?" She looked side to side before speaking quietly.

"My friends? I've made lots of friends here Nighal."

"Oh come on Silve, you're smart for playing dumb" her play on words put a slight smile on your face "You know who I'm talking about. The four you live with, _those _friends."

"Ahh. Trevolia and the others you mean." You shook your head slightly "No ma'am. I'm not sure what they're doing, to be honest, but it's been a while since all four have come to watch me play."

"That's good" She replied quickly, before puffing her cheeks out trying to eat those words "I'm sorry! That gives the wrong impression. They seem like great company, don't get the wrong idea."

"Okay..." You paused, giving her a moment to explain "I'm sorry Nighal, but I'm not sure what idea I'm supposed to be getting. What's so important about them being here or not"

"Well, I was hoping since they're all gone, I could take up a moment of your time..." Her nervousness broke and she leaned into you with all the characteristics of wanting to kiss. You tried to take the diplomatic move and slightly move your head away, but the orc lady was determined to connect mouths with you, and maybe more. You felt her hands move to your butt, pulling you close to her. As welcome as the kiss was, and as much as you knew in your heart that if you two had different circumstances, the two of you could probably make things work, the pattern of behavior with the other women in your life has taught you that you have to pull back now, lest you get swept away forever.

Pushing against her shoulders slightly, she got the message, stopping her advance "Nighal, I'm sorry." She looked hurt by your rejection. "You're a beautiful woman, truly, and if things were different, who knows what could happen."

"But.." she began, sensing the conversation going on

"But," you picked up from her "if things were different, and I didn't have the bonds I do now, I wouldn't be here right now, and we wouldn't have met."

"What's one more though?" She asked, throwing you briefly

"I'm sorry?"

"What's one more bond. You already have plenty. Are elves and humans just that pretty to you?"

"No, that's not it at all, I'm sure."

"Than what is it? I could give you what you need too. There's things I could do for you that none of them could."

You resisted a slight laugh, which came out instead as a singular, small cough "Nighal, I'm sure you mean well, and I don't want to sound boastful, but I don't know if that's accurate."

"No, Silve, you need to trust me." She pulled you close again, and you could feel something pressing against you, just as you pressed against her. That was a big surprise. "There's so many things I could do for you, if you asked. Whatever you want"

"That's, very kind" You pulled her hands away "But I'm afraid I have to put my foot down on this, the answer is no. Even if the other girls were willing to bring you in with us, I can scarcely keep up as it is. I wouldn't be the lover you imagine me to be."

"Fine." Her turn away from you was the swift and practiced spin of a dancer, and although there was anger in each step, she said nothing to you or anyone else out the door. You let out a heavy sigh as you struggled with mixed emotions. On one hand, that was the first time you've been able to tell no to someone you really wanted to say yes to. That chalked up to some degree of internal growth, if only for self preservation. On the other hand, that was hard to say, and even harder to handle her reaction. You're sure your rejection hurt her, and if you could have done something to manage that better, you would have. You started to worry what, if anything, she might do as retaliation. She didn't see the type, but being in high society, she could make your life uncomfortable if she really wanted. A low chuckle out of your periphery wasn't helping things. You turned to find the source, and found a curious old dwarf man, who seemed to have taken delight in watching the whole thing.

"Can I help you?" Your polite decorum was overshadowed by the impatient tone, something he seemed to disregard.

"I'm sorry there chum. It's just, you have to admit it's bit strange for someone to get rejected because the person you chatted up is already getting so much they don't know what to do with themselves. It's quite funny is all."

"Yes, I'm sure it's hilarious" You started to make your way towards the door, until a choice set of words called them to stop.

"Of course, that's something I could help you with, if we came to the right agreement."

"And what might that be?" You asked, skeptically

"Well, If I could take the redhead off your hands, that would solve the problem." He let out a heavy laugh, which only reinforced the scowl you gave him. As you started to make your way out, and his laughter came to a dead stop.

"Wait, I'm sorry friend Silve.I do have a solution for you, one we can both benefit from, although it's going to take some work and contributions from both of us."

"I'm listening" You said slowly as you made your way over.

"Good. Allow me first to introduce myself. Denethil, master jeweler, creator of the miniature arcane devices that have saved the life of many of your fellow adventuring types. If I were to create a Ring of Assured Vitality for you, that would solve your problem eternally. You could fuck every woman from here to Hammerdeep."

"that sounds a little too good to be true, master Denethil." You began "I've heard of rings that adventurers wear. Ones like that are supposed to give people extra health and resilience in case they're struck in battle. I've never heard that being of any good to solve my problem."

"Ahh" His fast smile made you slightly unsettled "That's because they put the ring on their finger. You, my friend, will be needing to put it on what I can only imagine is your significant endowment."

"A cock ring..." you replied, unflattered. "You think a magical ring around my cock is going to be the answer. Do you take me for a fool?"

"Ask around" He lifted his hands, open palms towards you "The few other competitors I do have will tell you that such things do exist, and do work, though most find it beneath them to learn to create."

"I can't imagine why"

"Listen friend Silve. I am trying to help. I don't know what solution you had in your head to handle this, but I assure you, it's not better than this. You won't be able to rely on youthful vigor forever, you know."

You nodded slightly "You're right, I guess. Alright dwarf, we've got an accord than. Where do we start?"

"It'll take a few special things, but don't you worry, I'm sure you and your friends will have no problem with that."