Indecent Proposal

It was almost midnight in Redweed when three cloaked figures were seen coming out from the Lustrum and heading in the southeast direction of the village .

There were only a handful of commoners roaming the streets at that time . They were returning home, and none paid any attention to these three cloaked figures .

Ganzuo and Saana walked ahead, side by side ,with Kervyn trailing behind them from a distance of four meter or so. Kervyn was drinking from a bottle of surah as he followed them and felt impatient . Ganzuo had told him to stay behind them so as to not draw any attention and also for Ganzuo to convince Saana privately .

Kervyn followed them as he drank and walked thinking of the pleasurable night ahead.

"But Master Markus…" Saana opened her mouth to say something but Markus aka Ganzuo aka Kei interrupted her and said ,

" Saana, my friend Kaiser needs help. His life is in trouble, and he needs to stay hidden tonight. Another noble house is planning to attack him and their informants are already in the village . They must have been keeping an eye on him in the Lustrum . I know of a very safe palace in this village for him to hide . Its an empty house and only I know about it . " Ganzuo lied with a straight face.

"But, Master Markus , why are we going with him? And why have you turned your hair black ?" Saana asked enquiringly.

"Oh, this I did so that none can identify me . If they see me helping Kaiser, then the Tsakani family would get in trouble too . We will just safely hide Kaiser and then return after some time. Tomorrow morning the guards of his house will come and safely escort him back to the city. Saana, I have to help Kaiser . His family has good funds , if I keep him safe , they will back me, and I will obtain the position of lord easily . I will remember your help and give you whatever you want " Ganzuo said .

Hearing this Saana's eyes gleamed with greed and she thought that it was a golden opportunity for her.

She felt as if she now held this foolish noble by a leash . Her tone changed into a demanding tempo, and she said "Sure, Markus I will help you but in return I want wealth and status , I am sick of living life as a commoner. I want you to marry me and give me the status of a matriarch , I won't be any petty concubine in your harem . I want the status and luxurious life of nobility. If you promise me that then only I will help you ."

Ganzuo laughed in his mind , he had understood her character very well .

He made a love stricken face and said " Saana you are so beautiful that males would kill for you . If I become lord,I promise I will marry you and give you the status of matriarch . Many in my family would disagree since you are a commoner but if you can help me gain the lord position, my decision would be final , here take this bead as a promise." He handed her the prism shaped white bead from his pocket .

Saana looked at the bead , she had never seen any bead like this before and thus felt that it must be very exquisite.

"What is it ?" She asked .

"It's a token bead, exclusive to our House Tsakani , that is given to a female in marriage from the males of House Tsakani . I give it to you and consider you my wife from today . We will marry formally once I become Lord, keep it safely. From today you are part of House Tsakani too. " Ganzuo lied like a rug.

He himself was amazed at his acting .

Saana's eyes shined as she felt ecstatic and quickly tucked the bead inside her chest . She thought she had successfully roped in a fool of a rich husband by taking opportunity of the situation and praised herself internally .

"Sure , Markus , I will help you . I am your wife from today aren't I ? And good wives always help their husbands " Saana said .

"Thanks, Saana , when we reach, please go inside the house . I don't want anybody outside to see you . I and Kaiser will look around and will enter one by one silently. We will stay for a while and then leave . I have booked a room for the two of us at the Fellow Mire Inn , we will go make our honeymoon there after this , saying this Ganzuo winked at Saana.

Saana said, "Sure I will do just as you say, " and thought " what a rich fool but he's handsome."

Soon, the trio reached the southeaster corner of the village . A medium sized reed house stood aloof at one corner as if it was abandoned from the rest of the village .

"Go inside and light a fire in the hearth , its in the middle of the entrance hall, "Ganzuo instructed Saana when they were at about twenty meters from the house .

Saana happily nodded and went towards the house .

Seeing her gone, Kervyn hurriedly approached Ganzuo .

He said "Brother, (hhiikk), what happened ? Did you (hhiikk) convince her?" .

Ganzuo faced Kervyn and said "It was tough, but she finally agreed on one condition ". "What condition ? I will pay her . I have about 8000 (hhiikk) droqdo on me " Kervyn impatiently replied .

"No, no, not money ," Ganzuo said .

" She is very much into roleplaying; she wants you to act as her husband Kaiser and ….." Ganzuo whispered in Kervyn' s ear .

"Ah, that saucy minx , it's just the way I like , I will happily fulfil her condition , ok , I am going now " Kervyn said as he started approaching towards the house .

He suddenly turned around and facing Ganzuo, run his hands through his white hair, and asked "Brother how do I look ?"

Ganzuo smiled and replied, "You look just like Kaiser ! Here wear this arm gloves , she bites."