Cherry Blossoms and Hellfire 3

Charok

I listened to Blossom and the woman going at it upstairs, and tried to resist the urge to touch myself. The noises, and the actions I knew they represented, were making me hard. I wondered if Blossom would have time for me once he was done. I hoped so.

I stifled a moan as I heard her begin to suck on Blossom. Perhaps I could do that someday. Giving other men oral didn’t generally interest me, but I felt Blossom would be an exception.

Then Blossom was going down on her. I listened with interest, but it didn’t arouse me as much as her pleasuring Blossom. When they started fucking, though, that was hot. I listened as the bedsprings creaked and they made wet, hot noises together, my erection hidden by the illusion that made me look like a normal man. Unfortunately, the illusion would not hide me touching myself. I wasn’t that good.

When she came the first time, I couldn’t take it anymore. I went outside and into the outhouse. Shucking my loincloth, I began to masturbate to their noises. It felt good. I heard them switching positions so that she was on top, and masturbated faster.

She came a second time, and I groaned, trying to be quiet. There were a pair of humans nearby, talking quietly about a gold mine, and I couldn’t let them hear me. The third time she came on Blossom’s cock, I was close. When she started sucking on him again, when he began to moan, I was panting, trying to hold back. When he came, I could hold back no longer.

Cum spurted out of my cock. Apparently Blossom would not need to make time for me after all.

xxxxx

 

Blossom

I lay beside Cera, holding her close. She buried her face in her chest. “You should leave tomorrow,” she told me. “In the morning. As early as you can.”

I frowned. “Why?”

Cera looked up at me, face worried. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone,” she said.

I smiled. “I can keep a secret.” And I could. Clients’ secrets. My own. She had no idea.

Cera bit her lip. “The gold mine in this town is owned by members of the Trade Core,” she said. “But they’re never here, so they put Overseer Gossom in charge. He… Well, the town guard, my fellow guards, they’re loyal to him.” She shifted uncomfortably. “I am too, I guess. But I don’t want you caught up in this.”

I frowned. “We’re talking rebellion, aren’t we?”

Cera nodded. “One of the mine owners is expected in town tomorrow. The, um, plan is to kill him and most of his group. Leave the servants alive and send them back to tell the other owner that our town is declaring its independence.”

I kissed Cera, long and hard. When I pulled away, I murmured, “Thank you. I’ll leave tomorrow, first thing.”

xxxxx

 

Charok

I listened to Blossom and the woman talk, frowning. This was not good. I left the outhouse and re-entered the inn’s common room, intending to speak to Blossom as soon as he was done with Cera.

The common room was more or less how I’d left it. There were a few people at the bar, and a pair of older men playing some sort of game at one of the tables. The guard talking to the barmaid was new. I stared at him suspiciously and shifted part of my attention to what they were saying.

When I heard the guard asking about Cera, my frown deepened. The barmaid pointed him to Blossom’s room, and he thanked her and headed upstairs. I took a seat near the bottom of the stairs, ready to race up to Blossom’s room at the first sign of trouble.

xxxxx

 

Blossom

There was a knock at the door. A tentative voice called out, “Sergeant Cera? Are you in there?”

Cera frowned. “I’m off duty, Erik.”

“I know. But Lord Luminous Stone just arrived, Cera, and, umm, Overseer Gossom wants everyone to assemble. So we can greet him.”

Cera’s eyes widened. “He wasn’t supposed to arrive until tomorrow!” She jumped from the bed and grabbed her shirt.

“Yeah, I know,” Erik said, sighing. “You should get dressed. I’ll wait for you.”

As Cera frantically pulled on her clothing, I dressed more sedately. As I was picking up my shirt, Cera whispered, “Sorry,” in my ear. Then she raced out the door.

Frowning, I considered my options. I could try to leave now, but I doubted they’d let me through the gate now that the fighting was about to start. My best bet was to hole up inside the inn until after the fighting ended, and then try to leave.

I suspected I’d need all of my considerable power to convince Overseer Gossom to let me leave. Still, it could be done. Probably. I just needed to gather some information first.

Now dressed, I descended the stairs to the common room. Charok was waiting for me by the bottom of the stairs. I sat down beside him and murmured in his ear. “We have a problem.”

Charok growled softly. “I heard.”

My eyebrows rose. “You heard?”

Charok nodded. “I listened to everything that went on in your room, Blossom. My hearing is very good.”

Was it just me, or did he seem a bit embarrassed? I decided not to bring it up. “So you know about the imminent rebellion.”

Charok nodded. “Yes. We should leave now.”

I shook my head. “I sincerely doubt they’ll let us out at this point.”

“But the gate will have few guards,” countered Charok. “I will be able to fight my way through.”

I grimaced. “I’d rather not resort to bloodshed. Not if we have any other options.”

“We don’t have other options,” Charok growled. “We must go now. Once they have killed this Lord Stone and his people, the gate will be more heavily guarded.”

“We have other options,” I murmured. Then I flagged down the barmaid with a wave and a wink. “Two meads, please,” I purred.

She giggled. “Two meads, coming right up!”

Charok looked at me, puzzled. “You’re going to get drunk?”

I sighed. “No. I’m ordering drinks for us to get her talking. Then I’ll do some information gathering.”

Charok sat back. “I hope you know what you are doing,” he growled.

I smiled. “Watch and learn.”

As the barmaid returned with the drinks, I purred, “It’s not that busy right now. How about you sit down and talk to us for a bit?”

She nodded eagerly. “Sure!”

We chatted briefly about the weather, and then I turned the conversation to town gossip. We chatted about that for a bit, and then I made my move. “So what about Overseer Gossom?” I asked. “Is he married? Single? Cheating? Guys or girls? What’s the scoop on him?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Girls, definitely. He stares at me every time he comes in, but he doesn’t pay any attention to my brother. And he’s married.” She shrugged. “He’s relatively loyal, as far as I can tell. Aside from the whole thing with the staring.”

I nodded. Seducing the overseer was likely out of the question, then. “So, how about the captain of the guard?”

She snorted. “Captain Terria? She’s got the hots for Overseer Gossom. But she’ll never do a thing about it. Her wife would throw a fit, and she loves her wife more than she lusts after Gossom.”

Hmmm. Tricky, but more likely than the overseer. I didn’t like the idea of convincing a married woman to cheat, but I liked the idea of being stuck here even less. And it was infinitely better than just letting Charok slaughter his way through the gate guards.

I continued to gossip with the barmaid, both to hide my true purpose and to get a better idea of the social ins and outs of the town. Pretty soon, though, she was called to serve a customer.

I heard people running past the inn, shouting at each other. I sighed. It had started, then.

One of the guards stuck his head through the door. “Y’all need to stay inside for now.”

The barmaid blinked. “Why? What’s going on?”

I waited for him to tell her about the rebellion, but instead he said, “There’s raiders! They’ve taken the gate!”

I blinked. What?

xxxxx

 

Charok

Blossom leaned back in his chair. “An interesting turn of events,” he murmured. “I wonder if the rebellion is still on.”

I snorted. “They’ll wait until later. If they’re smart.” I shrugged. “They might not be.”

The inn’s patrons were obviously frightened. Not all of them were travelers; some were locals here to enjoy the bar. They murmured among themselves, all the while glancing nervously at the door.

The barmaid was by the bar. I suspected her left hand, which was out of sight, rested on every bartender’s best friend: a small sap for use on rowdy customers. She was white as a sheet.

I stood. “We should go up to our room. It is more defensible.”

Blossom shook his head. “That would leave all these people undefended.” He pulled a short knife from one pocket and a large fan from the other.

I snorted. “Don’t tell me you care. You don’t know any of them.”

He shrugged. “I can’t just let them be slaughtered or taken as slaves if the raiders get this far.”

I grimaced. “Fine. I will fight to defend them. You will stay behind me.”

The corner of Blossom’s mouth quirked up. “I’m not as helpless as I look. Besides, they’ll want to take me alive. I look like I’d make a good slave.” He gave me a pointed once over. “I doubt the same could be said for you.”

I grabbed for the knife. “You will-”

Blossom avoided my grab with lightning speed. “I’ll what?” He smiled.

I growled. “That knife barely counts as a weapon.”

Blossom flicked the fan open. It made a sound of rasping metal. Not a normal fan, then. “I never carry anything that’s obviously a weapon,” he admitted. “It makes my clients nervous.” He shrugged. “That doesn’t mean I can’t defend myself if I need to.”

I gave him an appraising look. He was likely right about the raiders wanting to take him alive. “I suppose, short of tying you up, I can’t stop you.”

Blossom grinned. “Exactly.”

We waited in silence as the bar patrons grew more and more nervous. Soon I heard the sounds of fighting. With the windows shuttered for the night, we could see nothing outside. I tensed as the sounds of fighting drew closer and closer. The barmaid raised her sap.

The first of the raiders came bursting through the door, roaring. I lunged for him, sending my chair clattering to the floor. With one swift movement, I tore out his throat with my claws, but there were two more behind him.

The one who came at me was faster than the first one. I dodged his sword thrust and barely caught him with a swipe of claws. His eyes widened as my apparently ordinary fingernails opened lines on his face. Another sword thrust, another dodge. Then I ripped out his throat.

I turned to the other, and saw him dueling Blossom. Before I could intervene, the man brought his sword down, pommel first. Blossom blocked it with his knife, and his fan moved with lightning speed to slit the man’s throat.

As his foe crumpled to the ground, Blossom turned to me. “See?” he said.

I shrugged. “I’m still tougher.”

Blossom laughed. “I never said you weren’t. But I’m not completely helpless.”

As the door burst open again, the two of us turned to face the next raiders. Instead, we came face to face with a town guard.

He looked down at the raiders on the floor, and then up at us. His eyes lingered on Blossom’s bloody fan, a look of disbelief on his face. “That’s a war fan.” He met Blossom’s gaze. “You can fight?”

Blossom closed the fan with a flick of his wrist. “That I can.” He grinned. “I’m not just a pretty face.”

He winked, and the guard blushed. I could tell he had a bit of an erection. “Right,” the guard said. “Mind helping us drive the raiders back to the gate?”

Blossom pondered for a moment, and then nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

xxxxx

 

Blossom

When I raced out the door after the guard, Charok sighed in exasperation, but followed. The three of us joined the fray.

I could identify the raiders by their rough clothing and tattoos. They looked like they were from the Yatari tribe. I wondered what they were doing this far north.

The town guard was equally obvious, as they were all in uniform. The mine owner’s people were more varied, but they wore relatively fine clothing in comparison to the invaders. The only person on the battlefield whose allegiance wasn’t immediately obvious was the demon.

He, or possibly she, was huge, hairy, and slow. Ram’s horns adorned his skull, and he was hunched over with his arms supporting part of his weight. As I watched, he swung one massive arm, and the one guard who didn’t manage to get out of the way in time was sent flying across the battlefield. She didn’t rise. The demon was on the side of the raiders, then.

The demon roared, and I felt fear rising inside me. However, I recognized it for the magical effect that it was and quickly squelched it. The town’s defenders didn’t have my willpower, though. All of them turned and fled in terror. The raiders raced after them, attacking from behind.

The guard we’d come out of the inn with darted back inside. I frowned. “If we don’t take out the demon, the raiders will take the town.”

Charok, as unaffected by the fear attack as I was, growled, “I can do that.” He raced across the battlefield, roaring a challenge.

I frowned. I couldn’t count on Charok to take out the other demon. He might be outmatched, or nearly so. However, if I killed the sorcerer, the demon might return to the hell it came from, depending on the nature of the contract. At the very least, without the sorcerer to control it, it would be directionless.

As Charok bowled through the raiders between him and the larger demon, I saw a tribeswoman holding a staff with a raven for a head. Her tattoos looked like mystic sigils. She was a sorcerer, though possibly not the one who commanded the demon. Either way, removing her from the fight would help.

I charged into the hole Charok had opened, aiming for the sorcerer. She saw me coming and raised a magical shield. Hoping that no one but the raiders was looking at me, I called on the power of the Sun. As I shattered the shield with my now glowing knife, the Sun mark on my forehead shone. The raiders, as afraid of the Chosen as any other people, shied away.

The sorcerer blocked my next knife blow with her staff, and began to chant a spell. It would be better if she never got to finish it. Not knowing what it was, I had no idea if the power of the Sun would protect me.

I slashed with my fan, only to be blocked by the staff once more. A sharp movement sent the fan flying across the battlefield. The sorcerer laughed as I pulled out a diaphanous scarf. “Is that all you have left?” she taunted before continuing her chant.

Not answering, I imbued the scarf with my power. Then I grasped it in both hands and whipped it around her staff twice. The flimsy scarf should have torn, but, thanks to my power, it did not. I used it to yank her staff out of her hands. The sorcerer shouted in dismay as the focus of her power went flying out of reach. She turned to run and get it. I whipped the scarf around her head twice, tightened the loops, and pulled. Her head went flying off. It rolled to a stop facing me, an expression of surprise on its face.

That was all the watching raiders needed to see. They fled, screaming. I hurriedly put my scarf in my pocket. Part of the ability I had used on it kept the blood from sticking, so it was unmarked.

Retrieving my fan, I hurriedly felt my forehead to make sure the warm and glowing mark had faded. My dagger’s glow was likewise gone. All evidence of my true nature now hidden, I turned towards the hulking demon and Charrok.

The hulking demon was gone, and Charok was staring at me in disbelief. Was he merely surprised I’d taken out the sorcerer? Or had he seen the telltale golden glow?

He strode across the battlefield towards me, expression dark. I backed away, but his tail looped around my wrist and yanked me close. “You’re one of the Chosen of the Sun,” he hissed in my ear. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

So he’d seen. I tried to free my wrist from his tail, to no effect. “Ummm…”

“You didn’t honestly think I’d turn on you?” Behind his rage, I could see his hurt. Glancing around at the approaching town defenders, he added, “We will discuss this later, you and I.” His gaze met mine. “Know that if you run, I can track you. There is nowhere you can go that I cannot find you. I refuse to let you go.”

I blinked. “Ok.” Then I turned to face the people we had just saved. Hopefully none of them had seen the telltale signs of the Chosen.

A woman wearing a captain’s insignia was closing at the front of the pack, her expression relieved. Beside her, looking tired, was a man I assumed was Overseer Gossom. Off to the left a man with very fine, if blood splattered, clothes strode towards me, smiling beneficently. That was likely Lord Luminous Stone. His willingness to fight to protect the town was a surprise. Most people of his background and station would hide and let others fight for them.

The man I’d presumed to be the overseer saw the man in the fine clothes. “Lord Stone!” he called. “I hope you are uninjured.”

Lord Stone nodded. “That I am, Gossom.”

I was likely the only one who could spot the disappointment in his face when he said, “Good. Now, young man, who are you?” He pointed to me.

I bowed my head. “My name is Drifting Cherry Blossom, but you may call me Blossom, if you wish.”

Lord Stone frowned. “You are not dressed like a warrior.”

I grinned. “That’s because I’m not. I’m a whore. I was receiving clients not long before this mess started.”

Lord Stone and the overseer looked startled, but the guard captain did not. In the crowd, I could see Cera blushing.

Lord Stone recovered first. “Not many whores can fight as you do.”

I flashed a charming grin. “I’m a man of many talents,” I purred, making the statement sound like an invitation.

Lord Stone looked thoughtful. And a bit aroused. So he was at least slightly interested in men. Good to know. The mine owner turned to Charok. “And you?”

Charok grunted. “I am Charok. I am Blossom’s guard.”

Lord Stone blinked. “I would think young Blossom would not need a guard.”

Charok shrugged. “Regardless, I guard him.”

Overseer Gossom looked from him to me, obviously wondering about the nature of our relationship. Lord Stone, however, continued. “Whatever the two of you are, I, my people, and the whole town owe you a debt of gratitude.”

The captain was looking over her men and Lord Stone’s men, obviously counting. Shit. There appeared to be fewer of Lord Stone’s men. Not good. She gave the overseer a pointed look. “We still have not greeted Lord Stone properly, sir. Don’t you think it’s time?”

Lord Stone huffed. “Really, that is not necessary.”

Overseer Gossom smiled and said silkily, “Oh, I think it is. Guard, attack!”

Before any of the guards could move, my war fan was at Overseer Gossom’s throat. “Stop!” I ordered. “There’s been more than enough killing already.” I turned to the captain. “Do you really want to lose more of your people today?” I asked gently.

She looked uncertain. I turned to Overseer Gossom, and added, “What if the raiders return? We frightened them off. They could still come back.”

Lord Stone looked shocked. “Gossom! You backstabbing-” He shook his head.

“This town is not your personal piggybank,” Gossom hissed. “You treat the people here like scum, and they see little to no return on the work they do for you!”

“I pay them-” Lord Stone began.

“You pay them a pittance compared to what you make!” Gossom bellowed.

Lord Stone, obviously offended, snapped back, “I do not, and I resent the implication that I am unjust in my dealings.” He turned to me, eyes cold. “Kill him.”

“Not going to happen,” I said. “Provided the guards stay put. As I said, there’s been enough killing already.” I met his dark gaze with my steely one. “I don’t work for you.” I glanced over at Overseer Gossom. “Either of you.”

Lord Stone turned red and began to speak. I cut him off. “Now, here’s what’s going to happen. The town guard and Lord Stone’s people are going to go protect the walls and the gate.” I paused for emphasis and added, “Without. Fighting. Charok will coordinate between the two groups.”

Charok glared at me, and then he nodded.

“This is in case the raiders return,” I told them all. “While you are doing this, Lord Luminous Stone and Overseer Gossom will negotiate, again without fighting.”

The captain sneered. “You just want both of them unguarded so you can kill them and take the town for yourself.”

I sighed. “One, if I did that everyone in town would turn on me, and Charok and I cannot take on that many. Two, I don’t want the damn town. I’m not a leader of any sort. I’m a whore.” I looked between the two leaders. “Is that acceptable to both of you?”

Lord Stone nodded, but Overseer Gossom frowned. “Do I have a choice?” he snapped.

I shrugged. “We can talk things over right here if you wish. I just thinking you’d prefer to negotiate without my blade at your throat.”

The overseer blinked. “I would prefer that, yes.”

I nodded. “Good. Now, all of the rest of you, go!”

Charok began to growl orders, and the town’s defenders broke into groups. Slowly, glancing behind at their respective leaders, they left.

As soon as they were all out of earshot, I lifted my war fan and snapped it closed. Then I turned toward the inn. “You can talk in there.”

The three of us went inside. Without being asked, the barmaid showed us to a large table. Then she turned to the people inside. “It’s past closing time,” she informed them. “The bar is always open for the overseer and the owner, but the rest of you either need to leave or go up to the rooms you rented.”

The crowd departed, the travelers hurrying upstairs and the locals darting off into the night. Without being asked, the barmaid brought us drinks. I got a mead, and she seemed to know the owner’s and overseer’s preferences because they both seemed happy with what she’d given them.

“I would like to negotiate higher pay for the guards and the miners,” Overseer Gossom said. He glanced at me. “If that meets with your approval?”

I shrugged. “I’m just here to make sure you two don’t kill each other. Whatever agreement you reach is up to you.”

Lord Stone named two sums. “I should think that is more than fair pay for the miners and the guard,” he said haughtily.

Overseer Gossom looked startled. “That would be fair.”

Lord Stone almost dropped his drink. “But that’s what they make now!”

“No, it’s not!” the overseer snapped. “They make less than half of that and you know it!”

Lord Stone shook his head slowly. “I swear, Gossom, I signed off on that salary for the miners and the guard.”

The two of them stared at each other in disbelief for a moment, and then Lord Stone’s face cleared. He slapped the table and snapped, “That miserable backstabbing miser!”

I raised my hand. “I don’t think insulting each other is necessary.”

Lord Stone shook his head. “No, you don’t understand. I wasn’t insulting Gossom. I was talking about my partner!” He shook his head. “That man, that- that thief, he must be pocketing the money meant for the miners and the guard.” He shook his head again. “I thought he’d seemed unusually flush lately. He said it was just good investment strategy, but it was because he was embezzling money!”

Overseer Gossom sneered. “You really expect me to believe that?”

Lord Stone shrugged. “Believe what you like. From now on, the guard and the miners will be paid fairly for their work. This I do swear, on my honor.”

I raised a hand, and said softly, “I believe him.” I laced my words with power.

The two men looked at me. I looked back at them, face composed. This was a key point. For this to work, each of them had to believe the other would abide by the agreement reached.

Finally the overseer sighed. “I suppose I believe you, too. You promise you will pay the sums named?”

Lord Stone nodded. “I will. I swear, Gossom, I thought I was paying them that all along.”

Overseer Gossom looked mollified. “If you pay the miners and the guard fairly, I will call off the rebellion.”

Lord Stone glared at the Overseer. “You don’t get off that easily. You tried to kill me, and my people. I’m not about to just let that go.”

I caught Lord Stone’s eye. “In his position, would you have done any differently?”

Lord Stone huffed. “I would have tried to negotiate first.”

“We tried,” Overseer Gossom told him. “Your partner just laughed at us, and threatened to have me whipped if I brought the matter up again.”

I caught Lord Stone’s eye again. This time, I said nothing. I just let him think as my power moved through him.

Lord Stone deflated, all his indignation gone. “I would not have done differently. I take care of my people, Gossom, as you take care of yours. I will not dock your pay, or otherwise penalize you.” Some of his previous haughtiness returned. “And I certainly won’t have you whipped. That’s barbaric!”

I looked from the overseer to the owner, barely able to believe it had been settled this amicably. “So you’ll both abide by the agreement you reached?”

“Yes,” said Lord Stone, and Overseer Gossom nodded. The owner continued. “And I must thank you, my friend, for not only driving off the raiders, but preventing further bloodshed.” He stood, and gestured for the Overseer to do the same. “Let us go and talk to our people, Gossom, and let them know of the agreement we reached.”

Suddenly, one of the guard came rushing in. “Sir!” he gasped, looking at the overseer. “The raiders are back at the gate!”

THE END OF CHAPTER THREE